If you've been here awhile, you know I love coffee & you know I talk about it a lot. Perhaps too much?
Anyways, let's talk about how to find the perfect coffee shop. Now that the days are longer & the sun is shining, I feel like it's prime time to hit up those coffee shops & see which one vibes with you the best.
First step, location. Is it crazy far to get to? If so, it's not the perfect one. The perfect coffee shop is a short drive, bike or walk away from you. Don't be driving crazy distances to get that caffeine hit, especially since you'll already be paying for a $5.00 coffee, likely.
Second, what's the atmosphere like? Is it open & inviting? Are the staff friendly & do they even smile? Guaranteed, you will not enjoy yourself as much if you feel like you're inconveniencing the barista when you order a simple coffee & they have to brew a new batch. Even if you order a more complicated drink, the staff should be friendly & enjoyable to deal with. They're in a coffee shop for goodness sake... the caffeine is flowing!
Third, remember, the coffee shop itself doesn't necessarily need to be huge & have all the space in the world. Some of my favorite coffee shops are actually very small & quint. What is important is how they use the space. Does it work for they space they have & have they made the most of their space? Plants are always a great addition to any coffee shop & my favorite is when they have an outside patio to sit on. My favorite coffee shop in the city here is actually very small but they have hub doors that they open up in the spring & summer months so you can feel the fresh air flowing through or you can go sit out on their patio.
Lastly, is the coffee good & do the barista's know what they're doing? They should be knowledgeable about all things coffee related. Their simplest drinks like a latte, should be smooth & made to perfection. There should be consistency every time you go there. Another great way to know if a coffee shop is a good one is to take a look at what they do in the community. Do they host events? Do they roast their own coffee? A lot of the great coffee shops in our area host events like cupping so you can go & taste some different roasts. Others will share on social media how to do a perfect pour over like the pros.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop? Tell me about it so I can put it on my list of coffee shops to visit. (If I'm ever travelling where you are that is!)
xo
-Liz Lemon