A transparent, 0–100 curation signal for specialty coffee quality. Unlike crowd ratings, it rewards craft — not popularity.
Google Maps treats Starbucks and a single-origin pour-over bar exactly the same — both get 4.5 stars. The Grounds Score exists to signal craft without being subjective. It rewards what we think matters: knowing your roaster, brewing with intention, and not being a chain. The methodology is fully public and scores cannot be purchased.
Named single-origin sourcing or a visible roaster identity on the menu. This signals curation over commodity.
Pour-over, AeroPress, syphon, Chemex, or similar. Cafés that offer alternatives take brewing seriously.
Full points for independent cafés. Chain-affiliated venues are excluded from Know your Grounds entirely.
Sprudge, Standart, Roast Magazine or the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops: 15pts. Guardian, NYT, Eater, Infatuation, European Coffee Trip, Barista Magazine, Perfect Daily Grind or Daily Coffee News: 10pts. Time Out, Monocle, Atlas or a trusted local guide (e.g. Tastet): 5pts. The highest tier counts; crowd ratings like Google or Yelp never do.
Verified user signals from travelers who've actually visited. Capped at 10pts to prevent gaming.
The café is run by a coffee roaster, wherever the roasting happens — a direct line from sourcing to your cup.
Disagree with a score? Tell us why →