How to Find a Good Cafe, from Altair Coffee Cart
Look, we all know that cozy vibes and cute latte art can make a cafe feel special. But if you're reading this, you're like me—you're hunting for that perfect cup of coffee. The kind that makes you close your eyes and think, "this is what coffee should taste like." Let me share how I scout for cafes that take their coffee seriously.
Start with Digital Reconnaissance
Before you step foot anywhere, pull out your phone and do some detective work. High Google ratings are your first filter—I'm looking for places with 4.3 stars or higher AND a substantial review count. A 4.8 with only 20 reviews doesn't tell me much, but a 4.5 with 800 reviews? That's consistency.
Now comes the fun part: dive into the photos. Scroll past the flat lay brunches and aesthetic shots. You're looking for glimpses of their bar setup. This is where you'll find the real indicators of quality.
The Equipment Detective Game
When scanning cafe photos, keep your eyes peeled for specific equipment brands. For espresso machines, La Marzocco is the industry gold standard—they're the workhorses that consistently pull beautiful shots. Also watch for SanRemo, a newer brand that's been making serious waves in the specialty coffee world.
Grinders matter just as much as the espresso machine, if not more. Look for Mahlkönig grinders (or their sub-brand Anfim) or Mazzer. These aren't cheap investments, so when a cafe has them, they're signaling their commitment to quality.
Here's an insider tip: if you spot dedicated grinders for single origin, house blend, and pour overs, you've hit the jackpot. This setup means they understand that different beans and brewing methods require different grind settings. It's a clear sign they know what they're doing.
Read the Menu Like a Coffee Critic
A cafe's menu tells you everything about their philosophy. You want to see balance—not just a wall of sugary, dessert-like drinks with whipped cream towers.
Look for single origin offerings. When a cafe features beans from Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, or other specific regions, they're showcasing the unique flavors of different coffee-growing areas. This means they care about giving customers an amazing coffee experience, not just pumping out caffeinated sugar bombs.
Bonus points if they roast in-house. This level of control over the entire process—from green bean to your cup—shows they're serious about nailing the perfect taste.
The Menu Size Sweet Spot
In my experience, menu size is a quality indicator. A massive menu often means quality control suffers. The best cafes have focused, rotating menus that stay manageable. They might change seasonally or feature different single origins throughout the year, but they're not trying to be everything to everyone.
The same goes for food. A small, curated food menu is ideal. If the food menu is extensive, it's not automatically a red flag—they might have dedicated in-house food and pastry chefs. But if the coffee menu has 47 variations and the food menu could double as a Cheesecake Factory chapter? Proceed with caution.
The Syrup Test
This one's simple: check if they make syrups in-house. Cafes making their own vanilla, caramel, or seasonal syrups are putting in real effort. If you spot Torani bottles behind the counter, honestly, just leave. When a cafe isn't even trying to source better quality syrups, what does that say about their coffee standards?
The Flat White Test
Once you've found a promising candidate, it's time for the real test. Order an 8 oz coffee—my go-to is a flat white. This drink strikes the perfect balance between espresso and steamed milk, making it easier to actually taste the coffee quality without drowning it in foam or volume.
Take that first sip and pay attention. Any noticeable bitterness or sourness? That's usually a sign of an improperly pulled shot—either over-extracted or under-extracted. The coffee might be too hot, the grind might be wrong, or the timing might be off.
That said, be lenient. We're not judging a cafe on a single data point. Maybe the new barista is still learning, or it's a chaotic morning rush. But if you're getting consistently off shots across multiple visits? Time to find a new spot.
Trust Your Palate
At the end of the day, all these indicators point you in the right direction, but your taste buds have the final say. A great cafe should serve coffee that's smooth, balanced, and highlights the natural flavors of the beans—whether that's fruity, chocolatey, nutty, or floral notes.
When you find that place with the right equipment, the thoughtful menu, the in-house syrups, and most importantly, the consistently delicious coffee? Hold onto it. You've found your spot.
Now get out there and start hunting. Your perfect cup of coffee is waiting.
Here are 3 of ours recommendations in Austin, Texas:
1) Figure 8 Coffee Purveyors - Takes the top spot for me. Roaster w/ excellent coffee. Especially their Ethiopians, and their matcha is super smooth.
2) Epoch Coffee - makes an excellent flat white, and their in-house roasted beans are also great.
3) Desnudo Coffee - Great coffee, with a creative twist. One of if not the top coffee truck in Austin. Must try.
