Top 5 coffee chains: where to go for your next cup of joe

Coffee’s a polarizing topic that can split any crowd of caffeine fiends — light roast fans savor its subtle vibes, dark roast diehards crave that gut-punch intensity, and some just want a sugary, coffee-kissed dessert drink. U.S. coffee chains offer everything from meticulously roasted brews to wild concoctions that are far more indulgent than your basic cup of joe, making it tricky to pick the perfect spot for your next coffee fix.

From mega-chains like Dunkin’ with thousands of locations to cozy local gems like Marylou’s, and a whole mess of options in between, I rounded up the heavy hitters to help you decide where to score your next cup. See my full list on Tasting Table.

Coffee Beanery

Since 1976, Coffee Beanery, a family-run business started by a husband and wife team, has expanded to over 100 locations, offering an impressive array of hand-selected, on-site roasted coffees, including single-origin, specialty roasts, blends, and unique flavored varieties like banana nut bread, blueberry cobbler, cherry vanilla, white chocolate and lavender latte, white raspberry mocha, and blackberry and vanilla sweet tea.

While you can visit one of their many locations, Coffee Beanery also caters to coffee lovers through its popular coffee of the month club and a customizable subscription service, allowing you to build your own box of samples from their wide range of sweet and fruity to rich and nutty flavors, making it a must-try for flavored coffee enthusiasts.

Caribou Coffee

Founded in 1992 in Minnesota, Caribou Coffee has grown to over 700 U.S. locations, earning a spot on this list thanks to its rainforest alliance certified, small-batch roasted beans. Coffee is crafted by one person using a single machine to ensure top quality.

Caribou has an extensive menu that features naturally processed, chemical-free decaf, classic coffee options like lattes and espressos, and handcrafted specialty drinks like mint mocha, cookies and cream, spiced chai, and matcha vanilla, alongside a vast food selection of sandwiches, yogurt, baked goods, and granola to suit multiple dietary lifestyles.

Marylou’s

Since 1986, Marylou’s, a southeastern Massachusetts-based coffee gem with about 40 locations, has stood out with its hot pink logo and bold claim of “the best coffee in town.” Competing against Dunkin’ and Starbucks by pioneering flavored and specialty iced coffees like the funky fanabla (iced mocha with whipped cream), Marylou’s features a menu that includes fantastic flavors like raspberry mocha, minty lou, strawberry shortcake, and cinnamon hazelnut fluff.

Or customize your combo — my personal favorite is vanilla macadamia nut. Beyond the fun, flavored concoctions, Marylou’s puts out a solid regular cup of coffee as well.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters

For more than 20 years, Stumptown Coffee Roasters has perfected its direct-trade sourcing of top-quality beans, meticulously roasting them to craft smooth, artful cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and regular brews. The coffee shop pairs its coffee with baked goods and pastries but also offers a subscription service for home delivery and canned cold brew for instant enjoyment.

Peet’s Coffee

Since 1966, Peet’s Coffee has earned high marks among coffee lovers, delivering consistently solid cups of coffee. Whether you visit a coffeebar — where hand-roasted beans are brewed fresh every 30 minutes for regular coffee, hand-pulled espresso, lattes, or cappuccinos — or buy beans for home, with iced options like pumpkin, white chocolate, caramel, and vanilla starting from fresh cold brew, Peet’s has you covered.

Also consider seasonal drinks like lemonade and iced tea, plus fresh breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and egg bites. Additionally, there’s a subscription service to keep your kitchen stocked.

---

Another cup, please: Java Junction

Something to eat? Happy Belly Cafe