Tips on How to Order Coffee at Modern Specialty Coffee Shops

Rules of coffee-related engagement have been changing throughout history multiple times, driven by new discoveries and technology. In regions where coffee as a traditional drink was established hundreds of years ago like Turkey or Italy, these changes are less noticeable. 

Still, contemporary coffee culture introduces concepts and recipes that are outside the traditional framework of old-school establishments. Everchanging modern coffee industry trends impact both the way coffee is prepared and served.

In this guide, we will be discussing how to order coffee at modern coffee shops across the globe.

Formats of Modern Coffee Shops

While coffee shops with table service are still very much a thing, the number of self-service and order-at-the-bar coffee businesses is growing and expanding all around.

These relatively new developments can frustrate someone who is used to table service cafes with formally dressed and even more officially behaving waiters.

• So here is the first tip:

Find someone from the working personnel and make sure what kind of ordering system is in use. That will make your experience more pleasant and signal to the staff that it is your first time at this coffee shop. 

Another thing that differs from place to place is the way you get your order. Often this is explained by the staff member and signs, but it is always a good thing to not assume the way things are done in a specific cafe. 

In some instances, the self-service is executed through one of the workers calling your name or an order number. In other cases, you will be given a beeper (an electronic device that will start beeping once your order is ready for pick up.

Rarely you can find a mixed format where you order at the counter or use a QR code on your table and a food runner will bring you your order. 

• So this is tip number two: pay attention to the way you will be getting your order, this information is often written somewhere in the cafe. If you are not sure the nearest staff member will help you out.

Additionally, depending on the philosophy of the business the manner you will be served can be either super formal and cold or friendly or even fraternizing. 

In some cases, servers can sit somewhere near you to take your order. This may be uncomfortable at first but just as with schooled black and white dressed waiters, this is something to get used to. 

• Tip number three is: don’t be surprised to be served in an unfamiliar manner.

Regional Differences 

The geographical location also impacts the way you will probably be served in a coffee shop. Local mentality and traditions influence the hospitality sector heavily. 

This results in cases where if ordering black coffee in Italy and the USA you will be served two completely different beverages, namely espresso and filter coffee.

You can learn more about filter coffee in our article about it.

The same goes for espresso-based milk beverages. Nuances can differ from country to country, starting with the espresso recipe (which is hardly universal) and coming down to the volume and texture of the milk foam. 

• The fourth tip would be this: when ordering your favorite coffee drink in a cafe do ask how it will come out and mention the way you prefer it. It can happen that the said bar will not be able to prepare the beverage the exact same way as you had it somewhere else and it is totally okay. 

The flavor of the coffee, as well as the type of milk used and volume of the served drink, is also defined by gasto-traditions. 

Depending on the preferred roast level and overall flavor profile for the coffee you might find that your favorite lot tastes nothing like what you are used to. 

Be ready to experience new intensities of acidity, sweetness, and other attributes.

• Tip number five: be open to new flavors in coffee since there is no such thing as a universal coffee taste. The higher the quality of the coffee used for a beverage the more complex and unique it will taste. What can at first taste strange can actually be your new favorite drink.

What to Do If You Don’t Like the Coffee Served 

If you genuinely dislike the coffee or think there is something wrong with the drink, you should definitely address that and mention it to the staff member. 

When you dislike the coffee for any reason it is a good thing to describe what about the drink specifically is unsettling. Sometimes an unusual and, at first off-putting, flavor is one of the characteristics of the coffee. This is especially true in cases of fermented specialty coffees.

And when you are sure there is something wrong with your drink, it is totally normal to ask to remake it. Most cafes would gladly do it if you explained what is wrong with it or why you think so. 

The only rule here is to be polite and calm. No need to ruin your day and someone else’s because of a cup of coffee.

Where to Find the Best Specialty Coffee Shops in Ljubljana

European capitals are filled with specialty coffee spots and locating the best ones can be a challenge. Depending on where you are you may find a local city coffee guide.

If you are in Ljubljana you need to look no further, since we already compiled a list of the best places to enjoy locally roasted specialty coffee.