Independent
We pay our own way. No paid placements, no sponsored ratings, no café affiliation.
We answer one question: is the coffee worth the journey?
Coffee Criterion is an independent guide to cafés and coffee shops. We visit anonymously, return more than once, and publish only when the evidence supports a clear recommendation.
Principles
Ratings must hold across repeat visits.
Methodical
Each café is reviewed over multiple visits by multiple inspectors using one published standard.
Honest
We name the strengths, note the flaws, and revise recognition when the experience changes.
Methodology
How Travel Stars work.
Travel Stars are for coffee quality only: preparation, coffee, and consistency over time and across the menu. Reviews require multiple visits by multiple inspectors.
01
Three Travel Stars
Exceptional coffee, worth a special journey
02
Two Travel Stars
Outstanding coffee, worth a detour
03
One Travel Star
Excellent coffee, worth a stop
The people
Anonymous by design.
Distance from the café keeps the review about the cup, not the relationship.
Founding team
Anonymous for now
Specialty coffee professionals and advisors. Names publish with the first edition.
Inspectors
Unaffiliated reviewers
Highly skilled coffee professionals trained to inspect anonymously over multiple visits.
Advisors
Standards advisors
Respected specialty coffee voices helping keep the process objective and consistent.