How to Find a Good Coffee Shop

Once you understand the difference between first wave, second wave, and third wave coffee, the next challenge is actually finding a great coffee shop. In this follow-up video, I walk through the way I personally search for craft coffee shops — using Fort Wayne as an example — and some of the signs that usually indicate a shop truly cares about the craft of coffee.

One of the easiest mistakes people make is searching for “coffee” instead of “espresso” in map apps. Searching for coffee tends to surface everything from gas stations to large chains, while searching for espresso narrows the results toward cafés that are more likely to focus on specialty drinks and higher-end equipment. From there, I usually start looking for a few specific things in photos and reviews: latte art, pour-over offerings, quality grinders, and professional espresso equipment like La Marzocco or Modbar setups. None of these guarantee a great experience on their own, but together they can paint a pretty clear picture of whether a shop values craftsmanship and consistency.

I also talk about some of the differences you’ll notice between second wave and third wave shops — particularly when it comes to syrups, presentation, and workflow. Many third wave cafés focus heavily on the quality of the espresso itself rather than masking flavors with excessive sweetness or blended drinks. That doesn’t mean one style is morally “better” than another; they simply prioritize different experiences. Ultimately, the goal of this video isn’t to make anyone feel judged for liking a certain type of coffee. It’s simply meant to help people discover coffee shops that approach coffee with a deeper level of care, intentionality, and hospitality — the same values inspiring the vision behind Preamble Coffee.