About
A trustworthy place to read about coffee.
Coffee Criterion is an independent guide to cafés and coffee shops. We visit and review them anonymously — rating each on preparation, coffee quality, and consistency — for people who want a calmer, more honest signal in a noisy industry.
Principle
Independent
We pay our own way. No paid placements, no sponsorships for ratings, no café affiliation.
Principle
Methodical
Each café is reviewed over multiple visits by multiple inspectors using the Travel Stars standards.
Principle
Honest
We publish clear awards, name flaws, and update recognition when a café changes.
Methodology
How Travel Stars work
Travel Stars are for coffee quality only. Coffee shops are evaluated on quality of preparation, quality of coffee, and consistency over time and across the menu. Reviews are conducted over multiple visits, by multiple inspectors.
Three Travel Stars
World-class coffee, a destination in itself
Two Travel Stars
Excellent coffee, worth going out of your way for
One Travel Star
Great coffee, worth seeking out
Team
Our inspectors
Anonymous for now
Founding Team
Specialty coffee leaders and advisors whose names will be shared when the guide is ready.
Unaffiliated reviewers
Inspectors
Highly skilled coffee professionals trained to inspect anonymously over multiple visits.
Industry standards
Advisors
Respected specialty coffee voices helping keep the process objective and consistent.