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If I asked you to name the biggest coffee chain in the US, you’d probably say Starbucks without much hesitation. The runner-up is the one that usually catches people off guard, and that’s where this comparison starts.
Caribou Coffee. With over 600 locations in 28 states, it still feels more like a neighborhood stop than Starbucks’ faster, busier cafe rhythm.
Both coffee houses can make a solid cup, so the better pick depends on what I want out of the stop.
Key takeaways
Caribou coffee vs Starbucks (Coffee shop showdown)
I’ve had good coffee from both, but they fit different moods. Here’s how Caribou vs Starbucks stacks up.
Price range
Starbucks can feel expensive fast. A black coffee is listed at $3.25 compared with $2.39 for the same drink at Caribou Coffee.
I’m not saying you can’t find some cheap Starbucks drinks on the menu, but overall, it’s more expensive.
Pretty much all Caribou drinks and food items are comparatively cheaper, which really adds up.
That gap shifts with the drink and location, but the Starbucks menu board still looks pricier at a glance.
For everyday coffee, Caribou usually feels like the easier buy.
Menu
Starbucks has an incredibly comprehensive menu, with tons of higher-end choices to satisfy any palate.
Caribou also has plenty of coffee drinks, plus non-caffeine options like hot chocolate and juices such as Lemon Ginger, Pomegranate Juice, Green Tea Lemonade, and Berry Black Tea.
Both chains rotate seasonal drinks, so the menu changes enough to keep regulars checking back.
There’s really no clear winner here, and I think that’s a good thing.
Coffee quality
Coffee quality is harder to reduce to a clean winner.
Each chain has their weak spots and strong points.
When I’ve ordered them side by side, Starbucks’ iced black coffee and Starbucks chai have usually felt more consistent, while Caribou’s unsweetened black coffee can seem a little sharper and less forgiving if the brew is off.
However, Caribou coffee has a better-tasting, more natural and creamy hot chocolate and they do milk-and-coffee drinks really well.
Beverage sizes
You may already be familiar with the more common sizes of Starbucks drinks: Tall (12 oz.), Grande (16 oz.), and Venti (24 oz.).
However, did you know they also have the Demi (3 oz.), Short (8 oz.), and the massive Trenta drink size (31 oz.)?
That gives Starbucks 6 drink sizes compared with Caribou’s 3: 12 oz., 16 oz., and 20 oz.
Starbucks is the winner here, with twice as many drink size options.
Customization options
You can customize a Starbucks drink almost any way you want. I’ve watched baristas work through some very specific orders, and the job is usually turning a long request into something clear and repeatable.
The good news (for customers)? Pretty much anything is possible at this coffee house. Now, with viral Starbucks TikTok drink posts popularizing their “secret menu,” that rings even more true lately.
Caribou offers customization options, sure, but they’re nowhere near as generous as Starbucks.
Food options
While Starbucks has the broader menu, I’ve usually liked Caribou’s food more.
A lot of Starbucks food tastes pre-packaged and a little stale to me, especially once I notice how much of it is frozen, thawed, and reheated before it reaches the counter.
Caribou has more homemade-tasting options such as the Maple Waffle Sandwich, Roasted Tomato & Pesto Flatbread, and the Lumberjack.
However, both have some very similar food menu items, such as cake pops, scones, breads, and croissants.
Convenience
Starbucks seems to have a location on every street corner or office building, making it the most convenient option for many.
Convenience matters when I want coffee without slowing down. Starbucks leans into that with drive-thrus and Order Ahead, and I’ve used both more than once.
Let’s be honest – many people aren’t going to Starbucks because it’s the “best coffee .”
Ambiance
Caribou Coffee stores have a small-town feel with a homey cabin theme perfect for sipping coffee while reading a book.
Caribou locations have usually felt calmer to me, with more room to sit down and fewer people camped out on laptops for hours.
The Minnesota-inspired feel comes across as warmer and more relaxed, which is probably why the shops feel cozier than I expected.
Starbucks is undeniably “corporate” – both in terms of their uniform design and the type of crowd you’ll see there.
That doesn’t mean Starbucks feels cold. Some locations have big leather chairs, warm lighting, wall art, and outdoor terraces that make them easy to linger in.
Even so, Starbucks usually feels more chaotic than Caribou, especially during the morning rush.
There’s no real “winner” here – it’s all about personal preference.
Locations
While both coffee houses operate internationally, Caribou coffee has approximately 800 locations around the globe, and 300 of those are in the coffee chain’s home of Minnesota.
It also has locations in 10 other countries, including Bosnia, Oman, and Egypt.
Starbucks is massive, with over 32,000 stores in over 83 countries and nearly 10,000 just in the US!
Health
Both offer high-quality coffee drinks, but Caribou drinks tend to be the healthier of the two.
In a lot of Starbucks drinks, the flavoring tastes more built up from syrups and powders, while Caribou’s drinks usually read a little more straightforward to me, with vanilla, chocolate, and caramel coming through more plainly.
However, both have menu options with plain, “healthier” espresso drinks, as well as sugary, high-calorie drinks with whipped cream, sauces, and syrups.
Environmental consciousness
Both coffee chains have taken action to become more environmentally friendly.
Caribou Coffee has also partnered with Project 7 to plant more trees and has been Rainforest Alliance-certified.
Starbucks says it wants carbon-neutral green coffee and lower water usage, and it has also talked about using reusable packaging for food and drinks.
While I appreciate that both use ethically-sourced coffee beans, they also both use non-recyclable coffee cups that are lined with plastic.
The amount of cup waste is hard to ignore either way, especially when you think about how many drinks move through these stores every day.
This one is a tie.
Rewards system
Back when I used Starbucks more often, the Starbucks Rewards Program felt like a better deal. Now the points can feel slow to stack up if I’m not visiting regularly.
Caribou, on the other hand, tends to offer straightforward deals that feel easier to notice, even when it’s just a couple dollars off a drink.
Caribou requires 120 points to earn a free drink, which totals around just $65, making them the winner.
Coffee Beans
Coffee quality starts with the beans, because once a brew tastes flat, there is not much to rescue later.
Both franchises use 100% Arabica beans for their coffees, but that still leaves plenty of room for personal preference. For me, the difference shows up more in the cup than on the label.
Why you should go to Caribou
Caribou Coffee feels more like a down-to-earth coffee shop to me, which is part of what sets it apart from Starbucks.
Founded in 1992 in Minnesota by two Alaskan backpackers, it has since been owned by several different entities over the years.
Despite this, I appreciate that they’ve never strayed from their roots of a cozy, friendly place where you can get great a great cup of coffee.
The company also leans into simpler ingredients and a less processed feel in its branding.
That’s why so many love Caribou – healthy, delicious coffee with friendly employees, affordable prices, shorter lines, and a comforting environment.
Why you should go to Starbucks
Starbucks still feels distinctly Seattle to me, even when I’m only seeing it in an airport or shopping center.
Starbucks opened in 1971 right at Pike Place Market, and it was a very small location conveniently close to the waterfront.
Pro Tip: You can actually visit this location still today, but be forewarned: it’s very limited in space, and there is always a huge line to get inside.
Just a decade later, Howard Schultz visited and connected with the coffee and the brand.
During a trip to Milan, Italy the next year, he was inspired by the coffeehouse vibe there and brought that idea into Starbucks.
With a focus on both warm customer service and artistry, it’s no surprise they’ve taken over the coffee world.
FAQs
Who owns Caribou Coffee?
Caribou Coffee is owned by German private-equity firm JAB Holding, which also owns Peet’s Coffee, Panera Bread, Krispy Kreme, and others.
Where is Caribou Coffee from?
Caribou Coffee was established in Edina, Minnesota in December 1992 by John and Kim Puckett.
Is Caribou Coffee high in caffeine?
Not exactly. Caribou Coffee is still solid on caffeine, but the numbers vary by drink size and recipe. For a 16-ounce coffee, Caribou is listed at 305 mg of caffeine, while Starbucks is around 350 mg.
What countries have Caribou Coffee?
There are Caribou Coffee locations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Bosnia, and of course, America.
What is a good iced coffee from Caribou?
You have to try the Toasted Marshmellow Cold Press Coffee or their Berry White Mocha. They’re both well-rounded, sweet treats with that nice bold coffee taste. However, all of the iced drinks from Caribou coffee are tasty!
Conclusion - And the winner is...?
That’s the basic split I keep coming back to: Starbucks feels built for speed and customization, while Caribou feels warmer and easier to settle into. The better choice depends on the kind of coffee stop I want.
Starbucks aims for an ultra-convenient, upscale atmosphere, while Caribou Coffee goes for a cozier, lower-key feel. For me, it usually comes down to whether I want the coffee shop to fade into the background or feel like part of the stop.
