The popular social check-in app Foursquare analyzed 4.5 billion check-ins to determine the 10 most popular coffee shops in the United States. While Foursquare’s check-ins only provide a rough snapshot of actual traffic figures, the list does give some insight into where the more savvy consumers like to see their coffee.
Topping the list is New Orleans’ French Market tourist spot Café du Monde, known for its powdered sugar beignets and chicory-flavored coffee. Another tourist destination, the flagship Starbucks café in downtown Seattle, made the list, representing the only Seattle entrant. 85c Bakery & Cafe, focused on bakery, stands out a bit from the list. The bakery in Irvine, California is the first and only one in the United States operated by Taiwanese chain Comestibles Master Co.
The rest of the list, in which New York and San Francisco are well represented, reads like a who’s who of third-wave pioneers, including Stumptown, Blue Bottle, Intelligentsia and La Colombe. It’s worth noting that some of these companies have found their busiest spots far from their hometowns (Stumptown in Portland and La Colombe in Philly made the list of NYC cafes). It’s also nice to see some smaller – but no less innovative – coffee companies (Sightglass, Four Barrel, Birch Coffee). Without further ado, here’s the full list:
- World Cafe
800 Decatur St in the French Market, New Orleans, Louisiana - La Colombe Torrefaction
400 Lafayette St. at E 4th St., New York, New York - Stumptown Coffee Roasters
18 W 29th St at Broadway, New York, NY - Observation glass for coffee
270 7th St btwn Howard & Folsom St, San Francisco, CA - Four barrels of coffee
375 Valencia St btwn 14th St & 15th St, San Francisco, CA - Blue bottle of coffee
66 Mint Plaza on Jesse Street, San Francisco, CA - Starbucks
1912 Pike Pl at Stewart St, Seattle, Washington - Birch Coffee
5 E 27th St btwn Madison & 5th Ave, New York, NY - 85°C Bakery Cafe
2700 Alton Pkwy, Ste 123 at Jamboree Rd. - Coffee Intelligentsia
53 E Randolph St and N Garland Ct, Chicago, IL