I think many of us have come to the realization that Starbucks is just about everywhere. I'm convinced that if we return to the moon, there wll be a Starbucks.
But what are some of the most unusual or least expected places where you've found a Starbucks?
I'll start. I was at Prague Castle today. There, just behind the church, is a Starbucks. Not on the outside but inside the actual grounds.
I just shook my head.
There are 2 Starbucks opening in Reykjavik this month. I don't drink it here at home near Seattle, and would never patronize them there. They already have great coffee places. I am hoping they go the way of Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's did there.
Yeah. I don't go to them for multiple reasons. Their push to be "everywhere" seems to have slowed down in the last few years. Hopefully peak Starbucks has come and gone.
edit: I do see them as trying to monetize the remote laptop worker customers that they've recently hit back at. But a lot of coffee shops are doing that now.
When the first Starbucks opened in Italy I was in Milan and stopped by. Magnificent place, quite the opposite of a US outlet with grand ceilings, ornate architecture, a Roastery, and far better pastries than in the US. We did not have coffee there…
I have always said that they are like a virus….everywhere.
Horrible coffee , to my taste buds anyway.
Their places aren’t even all that clean sometimes, either.
Support the little shops instead.
It appears that Frank's discovery is just the beginning...
The company said it plans to expand to 35,000 locations outside of North America by 2030. Starbucks currently has roughly 20,200 international cafes, as of Oct. 1. In total, the coffee giant aims to reach 55,000 locations globally by 2030, up from its current count of more than 38,000.
Starbucks has been popular in Japan for a long time. 25 years ago I was in Starbucks in Hiroshima.
When I was in Tokyo, I was craving something familiar. Starbucks fit the bill. I had hot chocolate and it was wonderful.
If you want to visit a Starbucks free country, go to Croatia. None there and they have been resistant to get one. We shall see what the future holds.
PS, they have the worst tea, and I don’t drink coffee at all.
The strange thing about the location of the Starbucks at Prague Castle was that there was a castle run coffee shop less than 100 feet away.
Well, opposite to your question....ran to my nearest Safeway early this morning for emergency ice cream as an addition to dinner. Decided on the way to get a coffee...shopped and headed for the Starbucks kiosk and ....WHAAT?? GONE!
But it got you to talk about the Starbucks at the Castle? Good PR.
And, like people here have said. There are other reasons (now) to go to a Starbucks other than the coffee.
In 2022 I was at the Louvre and needed a break. I found a takeaway counter with a coffee machine. I asked for un cafe, svp and was told " sorry, the machine isn't working" and she pointed far across the way to Starbucks.
@Pam, ”ran to my nearest Safeway early this morning for emergency ice cream”. I had the same “emergency”, but it was gelato at Ostuni. LOL! Just running a test to see if the shop was consistent both days. ; )
You’ll know that the world has gone completely haywire when there’s a Starbucks inside of a Starbucks!
I like to use them for their free WiFi. Usually can catch a signal without even going inside!
"You’ll know that the world has gone completely haywire when there’s a Starbucks inside of a Starbucks!"
Not quite what you had in mind but disturbingly close. :)
https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucks/comments/ysej9n/this_starbucks_has_a_starbucks_inside_it/
Early in the 2000s my daughter and I visited London and had a game to identify any block without a Starbucks as we traveled by taxi or bus. It did seem they were everywhere. Ten years later we were happy to notice that many of those coffee shops were Costa Coffee. It made us happy as we love Italian coffee. So, they may be everywhere, but I think they have more competition now. Here in MN we have Caribou Coffee which is delish. It seems we have about the same number of each, but I am faithful to Caribou when I'm not traveling.
Tastes are different....
Costa Coffee is to real Italian coffee like Domino's is to real Italian pizza.
As as for Caribou, it would take me a long time to decide between that and instant. And I don't drink instant.
When I lived in Manhattan over 20 years ago, there was a Starbucks one block south, one block north and once block west.
I still prefer to go to a non-chain coffeehouse, but if none are available, the chains will have to do.
Well, Dunkin donuts is opening here in Paris on Wednesday, and I am very curious if they are going to have their coffee offerings too !!
There is a Starbucks in Vienna within 200 feet of two very famous coffeehouses. The Starbucks is always full.
After seven days of bad coffee in Paris a few years ago, I would have killed for a Starbucks flat white. I found it a few blocks from our lodging. A true-blue venti flat white!! The aroma, the flavor, etc., all for the same price as the 4 ounce bad "coffees" I'd been having. Still, I don't want Starbucks taking over France or the world, but it would be nice if the independents made a decent cup of coffee. . .
The last visit to Paris was this January where we made the discovery of the small chain, The French Bastards. The flat white was wonderful, deep and rich, and the smell after opening the door of the butter and flour of the croissants was knock-you-on-your-rear-fantastic.
Yeah there has been a huge difference the last 8-10 years in the quality and the availability of good coffee in Paris. First there were one or two places (usually owned by Australians) and now there are tons of coffee shops that really concentrate on quality.
I'll be forever grateful for the Montmarte Starbucks. After a Paris Walks tour, I was desperate for some water and more so a toilet. Low and behold, in front of my eyes, a Starbucks. For about a euro (not sure if it'd be the same now) I got a cup of coffee, wifi password, cup of water and a toilet code!
I travel to and thru Seattle frequently. NEVER Starbucks. So much good coffee in Seattle that isn't Starbucks. And if I don't get out of the airport, there's Caffe D'arte. I can buy some great beans and get a cup of coffee for free.
@Laurie Beth. Ugh Caribou. I would love to love them, but the beans taste burnt to me. How unMinnesotan of me
I don't drink coffee. I have the feeling I am saving a lot of money each year based on the menu prices I see online.
In 2004, there was indeed a Starbucks in the Forbidden City in Beijing. I have a picture of it somewhere. I definitely didn’t order anything.
I think that Frank II might posted in the wrong category because Starbucks is a tourist scam with a disastrous sustainability concept. Fully overpriced for medium class products - compared to European levels of food taste and quality.
not a scam - a much overused word.
I don't use them because my machine is bean to cup and I get exactly what I want, but they are a legitimate business.
I've been surprised to see them move into British hospitals - they have replaced Costa at my nearest two hospitals
I go to Starbucks maybe once or twice a year here, but I always check their souvenir mugs when abroad.
This year I got a spectacular Starbucks mug in Seoul. I looked at one in Singapore too, I wish I had bought it but it was too early in the trip to commit to carrying it around.
Their Canada mugs are a real disappointment though.
I recently spent 4 weeks on the east coast of Australia and Tasmania. In addition to smaller towns I stayed in Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Cairns and Sydney. I was in the central business district in all of them and never saw a Starbucks until Sydney, our final city. There I happened to see 4 different locations as I traveled around. I never went in one. If they had Starbucks in the other places they did not appear to be centralized in the cities. I wasn’t looking for Starbucks so it’s possible I just wasn’t in the right places, but while not as prevalent in Sydney as in other places I’ve been in the U.S. and Europe they still had multiple locations.
We really ought to start a thread(s) on Best Coffee in Paris/(fill in a city/country, etc. of your choice). I just did a Rick Steves Forum search on Coffee Paris for the last six months and for the last 12 months, nothing shows up, so I'll post my favorites so far:
Cafe Madam on rue St. Denis
The French Bastards on rue St. Denis (directly across from Cafe Madam)
Their flat white coffee is rich, strong and more than just four ounces (I could still use more, but that's probably asking for too much).
If there are enough responses, I'll start a new thread.
I really want to support, locally.
Fully overpriced for medium class products - compared to European levels of food taste and quality
But yet they seem to attract many Europeans.
Starbucks, and for that matter, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Five Guys, and a plethora of other brands do not build all those stores for tourists. Having traveled much of Europe for the past 25 years, the typical local does not eat high quality meals everyday, much like the US consumer.
As for Starbucks, we rarely visit one at home, mostly if we are driving long distances. In Europe, we prefer a local coffee shop, but my wife prefers a non-dairy milk, and depending on country, that can be hard to find in most shops. When we tire of dainty coffees, hitting up a Starbucks for a large coffee with almond or oat milk just is nice.
Best Coffee in Paris
or in France....
always seemed like an oxymoron to me. I'll have to find these places when in town and see how good Parisian coffee is made
We spent a day in Napier, New Zealand. Walked into the Starbuck's to buy a New Zealand mug and then went down the street for a flat white at a local coffee shop.
For those living in or visiting St. Paul (Minnesota), there is an amazing coffee shop just south and a bit west of downtown. "The Bean Factory" roasts their own beans on-site and as their bags say, "a day at a time". My son who lives in Seattle, always requests that we bring him XXDark when we visit.
Starbucks, and for that matter, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Five Guys, and a plethora of other brands do not build all those stores for tourists. Having traveled much of Europe for the past 25 years, the typical local does not eat high quality meals everyday, much like the US consumer.
This is so true. I will never forget my first visit to a McDonalds in Switzerland to look at the menu to see what they offered. After the sticker shock of a basic quarter pounder/cheese, fries and a Coke totaled in my head, I then noticed the place was filled with local young people and not tourists. Times are a changing and we sound like our parents when we say, "not for the better". LOL
After dealing with Paris cafes-which are wonderful and nice-but can be painfully slow when a much needed cup of coffee takes a half hour to arrive-- I found Starbucks a welcome respite.
I was in Jakarta and couldn't believe how popular Starbucks was- there was a Starbucks everywhere it seemed. I would definitely choose Indonesian coffee over Pike's blend! But whatever....
Even though this thread was resurrected by a questionable post, I will add on:)
Starbucks is closing many stores right now, stating cutbacks. Yet, expanding outside of the US. What I have heard locally here in Seattle is that they are closing the stores that do not have drive through's. There is really nice outdoor shopping area near me that has (had) a Starbucks in an ideal location and it was always busy. That was closed. There are many on the list for around here that really surprised me. Granted, I am not privy, nor do I care, but it almost seems like their opening/closing of stores is willy nilly.
Some people like to visit McDonalds around the world to see the menu offerings and what the restaurant looks like in varying countries.
I have done similar with Starbucks when I travel. I will admit to collecting the mugs. However, the Starbucks I've been in and France, Spain, New Zealand and elsewhere look pretty darn similar to the ones in the U.S., so not fun at all. So beyond, the mugs, restroom, wifi, and a glass of water, I tend to avoid them. Even more so in the U.S. If I'm going to treat myself to an expensive coffee, I want something local or more unique.
I am always humored by the ways in which folks will contort and tie themselves into knots proclaiming their disdain for McDonald's or Starbucks. Everyone says they never grace their stores, yet their bottom lines says something different.
I have no issue with Starbucks. I like their dark roast. At home I have a local cafe that prefer to spend my time in, but come New Year's Day and for one week in January the cafe closes so I'll go into the Starbucks. It is only a 0.3 of a mile walk from my house. The building was an old house that served as offices for William & Mary's Center for Archaeology, was then was acquired by Starbucks and renovated a couple years ago into a beautiful cafe.
When I travel, I'm not seeking out Starbucks but there have been those times that I have found myself at a train station at 6am and it is the only place open where I can get something for breakfast and a coffee. Or one evening last week in Prague I just wanted a big giant a** cup of coffee to wind down the day. And there a few steps from my hotel was a Starbucks that could provide.
Starbucks is one place you'll get something approaching an American-sized coffee-to-go no problem in Europe. A standard coffee in Pret for example may well be far too small for those used to bigger servings.
I’m definitely not a food snob and will eat at both McDonald’s during a trip to Europe and occasionally a Starbucks. When I had some work trips, I would go to Starbucks because I needed a predictable coffee drink with the same amount of caffeine. At home I have my favorite local coffee shops that aren’t Starbucks.
McDonald’s in Spain or Italy will get me a quick salad that’s better than the US ones, or a small hamburger & fries when I am either in a hurry or just wanting a little lunch or dinner. And sometimes it’s nice to be able to walk up to a kiosk screen, order in English, and just listen for the number while waiting with a lot of high school or college kids. : )
Very true, Starbucks is all over. It's also in the Metz Ville train station. I don't patronize Starbucks at all only if I were super desperate in an extreme situation, ie, I basically boycott it in Europe.
To Starbucks credit, in Europe they offer a couple things I might need when I travel, first, while I very much enjoy sitting in a small cafe having a coffee, sometimes, it is a treat to get a large hot drink (16 or 20 ounces).
Also, if we are in a town, looking for an early morning coffee, Starbucks is usually a good bet. Many might open at 7 AM as opposed to 9 or even 10 AM for other shops.
Jean--The store I was talking about was the one in Mill Creek by Central Market.
Paul--When we were on Salzburg, we were needing something early in the morning and nothing was open, so were figured it would have to be Starbucks. They did not open until 9, which really surprised me.
There is a lovely Starbucks in the Insadong (very traditional) area of Seoul, South Korea. A law requires all store signs there be written in Hangul character. Starbucks took it a step further and every last thing within the store is in Hangul. The employees were so excited to show us EVERYTHING! It’s been about twenty years, but still one of our favorite memories.
I will add, a Starbucks experience in Europe is different than home. Many more local items, maybe not drip coffee. but still large sizes, some non-dairy options (oat milk more than almond), and if you drink the mixed drinks, some familiar flavors.
The US Consulate in Frankfurt has a Starbucks inside the atrium where all the foreigners have to wait for their visa interview. Doesn't give them a big choice. They always have a stand with free drinks at the Consulate 4th of July party, which isn't really open to Americans.
I do not like their coffee at all. It tastes burnt. Their desserts though, are very yummy. Especially their choc. cake.
France and Belgium are the 2 countries where I haven't had a good cup of coffee. Compared to Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and even Iceland, where the coffee has always been consistently good.
