Note: This post will be updated as I live/experience life around the world. So buckle-up buttercup…
Or should I say Butter Bliss Frappuccino… cup? Last Updated: June 6, 2025
If you know me, you know that I’m unapologetically a Basic Starbies Bish, although not because I’m a sucker for the brand or align with all of their corporate policies and procedures, because I most definitley DO NOT. It’s simply because I’ve been drinking their iced and frozen delights since high school (for reference, I’m an #OGMillennial, so you do the math), and as such, it’s just become part of my weekly work and travel routines.
To be clear: I am NOT a coffee aficionado, nor do I claim to be. I only drink Iced Coffee and Cold Brew. I NEVER drink hot coffee. Like, you can’t pay me to drink it. In the last few years I’ve realized I don’t like a lot of extra milk or sugars or syrups in my coffee, nor do I need something over the top or complicated (you’ll never hear me order a venti iced caramel macchiato with light ice, extra shot of espresso and oat milk, 3 pumps vanilla, 2 pumps white mocha, extra caramel drizzle, double-blended, upside-down). I don’t go to Starbucks because I think it’s the best in the world, I go because they know how to make decent cold coffee (sorry, but a glass of ice and a cappuccino does not an ice coffee make), and are typically a good place to knock out some work with comfortable seating (which after 4 surgeries that have strained my body, is becoming increasingly more important). And honestly, when you’re away from “home” for an extended time, they’re simply… comfortable.
As for the list below, I’ve included information on the international Starbucks I’ve visited since Summer 2023, which I’ll continue to update as I visit new countries. And don’t expect the same menu and drink options you get in the States. Each country, sometimes even region, has a menu specifically curated for the local area and palettes.
Sissy + 100 Degree Weather + My Passenger Princess Aspirations = She’s Over My Shit 😀
The infamous Asian Plastic-Wrapped Fruit
Literally the best sammie of my life (and I don’t even like sammies). Discovered my last week in Barcelona. 🙁
The Best (So Far):
South Korea: Starbucks is taken VERY SERIOUSLY in South Korea. The facilities are clean, have plenty of varied seating (chairs, booths, work tables, loungers, etc), and offer a wide variety of CHEAP (like you can get a full meal for about 10 bucks cheap) food and drink options.
Also, the food choices are rich, decadent, and very different from what we have in the States. They have a ton of protein-rich and healthy options (but not many that are vegan/vegetarian-friendly). If you’re trying to be at least somewhat healthy, I would not recommend entering on an empty stomach as their pastry/cake/dessert options are more plentiful and varied than in any other country I’ve been to. I was also there during the 50th Anniversary of Starbies in the country, so the variety of food and merch available was on another level.
As for the general vibe: People repeatedly walked away from their purses, computers, and belongings to take calls, order food, or use the restroom, and nobody touched a thing. When I visited South Korea last year, this was a strange concept to me, as my American… sensibilities? Traumas? …wouldn’t initially allow me to do the same. But once I did, it was actually freeing knowing my stuff was safe, no matter what I was doing. That said, if I had been in Seoul, or another area of the country that had more tourists, I don’t know that I would’ve felt as comfortable doing the same. I’m not advising anyone to do this, just sharing my personal experience and what I’ve come to understand is pretty common in countries like South Korea, Thailand, and Cambodia.
While Starbies is typically used for work or study sessions and the occasional meeting in the States, they are a full-on community and dining experience in SK. On weekends, especially, between lunch and dinner, my fave location was packed with families, ladies who lunch, and mixed groups of people working, eating, laughing, and, well, just enjoying life. While the noise level can be less than ideal for workers like me, who can really get upset with people taking time out of their day to sit with friends and loved ones? Isn’t that the ultimate goal for most of us?
And for my final piece of info for Starbies in SK: They take dining in seriously. Not only do they have real dishes, trays, and cups for those who choose to eat at the store (from what I’ve seen, most countries outside of the States do this), they actually won’t let you sit in the cafe with to-go ware. In fact, one time I grabbed a to-go coffee in the morning, headed to an appointment across the street, and came back afterward to work on my laptop. When I re-entered Starbucks and sat down with my to-go cup, the barista (nicely, of course) asked me to transfer the rest of my drink into “for here” serviceware before I could stay. Just FYI.
Barcelona Standards: Chocolate Croissant, Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso and a Token Travel cup, of course.
The Crème Brûlée cold brew was a special release (and winner) in Barcelona.
The Worst (So Far):
Hong Kong (Honorable Mention): All and all, Starbucks in Hong Kong is very similar to the Starbucks I’ve come across in the rest of Asia: A variety of unique food and drinks (Milk & Egg Pudding Espresso Frappuccino anyone?), clean, not freezing (I’m looking at you Anartica, I mean Bangkok), able to walk away from your belongings to take a call or go to the bathroom, and lower prices than in the US and Europe. So why the honorable mention in the Worst category? Of the three I tried to work from, only one was KIND OF set up to facilitate a full day of unrestricted work. And when you’re entire livelihood revolves around being able to work from the computer, that’s a deal breaker.
In short, plugs to charge devices were very limited. For example, the location at the Olympian City 2 mall has only one per every 5 seats on a bench, and I did not see many others on the floor or near the open seating areas. Additionally, the wi-fi at all locations (that I know of) can only be accessed with a code from your receipt (no biggie) and is LIMITED to 30 minutes (major biggie). In short, I had to use my phone’s hotspot to work the entire day. Not ideal, but given I was only there a week, I made it work.
Of the three Starbucks I tried to work from, the one at the Kowloon MTR station had the most seating (including variety) and most plugs.
Barcelona: Believe it or not… Barcelona has had the worst Starbucks to this point… BY FAR, but not because of the quality or taste of the food and drinks, que son muy buenos. Also, one nice thing about their premade food selection: Vegan and Vegetarian options always had green labels, making them easy to spot, and they had a variety of relevant options.
The facilities were nice, relatively large and open, and had various seating options. However, it seemed to be a running trend at most restaurants in Barcelona, fast casual and fast food included, that at least 85% of patrons do not clean up after themselves. Add to that how busy they were at almost all times, if you’re lucky enough to find a table, you’ll probably have to clean it first.
Additionally, in the two months I lived there I could not get my computer or phone to connect to Starbucks WiFi, no matter which one I visited. Not even once. Also, Barcelona s known as a pick-pocketer’s Mecca, so I rarely if ever saw anyone leave their items for even a second. The only exception being if they asked a patron/neighbor to watch their items, but even this was rare.
Finally, and the biggest reason I’ve placed Barcelona in this spot, the bathroom situation is abysmal. No matter which Starbucks I visited, there was rarely toilet paper, the stalls were small and cramped, they were always dirty, and there was always a line out the door.
In all honesty, as much as I love Starbies, had I found another coffee shop that made a true iced coffee or cold brew, I would’ve abandoned them in Barcelona altogether.
...the most memorable thing about Starbies in Cambodia? They write your name in Khmer. It's a simple thing, but a cool way to integrate the Cambodian language/culture into everyday actions.
The Rest: 2025 (Updated Chronologically):
Cambodia: Unlike in the States, food costs in Cambodia are exceptionally low: a Venti caramel latte (with an extra shot) and a large chocolate croissant cost me less than $7. I also happened to visit during Starbucks’ 10-year anniversary in Cambodia, so I had access to exclusive merch featuring unique and stunning collaborations with local Cambodian artists.
Almost every Starbucks location I visited in Cambodia was also a work of art. While smaller cities like Siem Reap and Sihanoukville only have one or two locations, Phnom Penh feels like it has one on every corner. All the facilities were neat, clean, and in the case of newer buildings, filled with natural light, unique ceiling and lighting features, and adorned with brand-specific art. While their climate-controlled interiors are a welcome respite from the unforgiving Cambodian heat, they are nowhere near as freezing as the Starbucks in Bangkok.
Last but not least, the most memorable thing about Starbies in Cambodia? They write your name in Khmer. It’s a simple thing, but a cool way to integrate the Cambodian language/culture into everyday actions. Honestly, Cambodia ranks second only to South Korea for me, simply because there were fewer locations and less variety when it came to food.
Bangkok & Pattaya: Starbucks in Bangkok reminds me a lot of those in South Korea: There are a variety of drinks and food options that we don’t have in the States, and while the prices aren’t quite as cheap as SK, the difference is minuscule. Like SK and Barbados, people have no problem walking away from their personal items to order food, take calls, etc. The workspaces are large, open, and comfortable, other than the AC, which they have no problem BLASTING (so bring a jacket or hoodie if you plan on staying for long stretches at a time).
Like South Korea, Thailand also has a very robust rewards program, but you need to have a Thai phone number and SIM to access it on the App Store. If you’re not able or don’t want to download the full app, connect with Starbucks Thailand on the Line App (similar to WhatsApp) for regular promotions and coupons. Also, another advantage of joining the rewards program (which can be done on the website), even if you can’t access the full app, is the ability to access wifi on more than one device at a time.
As usual, I’ll keep updating this as I wander through the world, but my final thought for now… most of the locations in Thailand appear to be cashless, but at least take Apple Pay, in addition to regular debit and credit cards. The only locations I found that took actual cash/Baht were the Starbucks Reserve at One Bangkok and at the airport. Most of the Starbucks in Pattaya also took cash as well.
A little light reading and Iced Chai while on layover in Istanbul.
My first taste of Starbies Bangkok – An Egg Tart, Mango Yogurt Cake and Espresso Cold Brew.
My name in Khmer. A simple but memorable practice in Cambodia.
The Rest (2024 and Prior):
Barbados: Gone on the days of being able to sit at Starbies for 8+ hours while spending less than $25 on two full meals… (*le tear* thanks SK for spoiling me). Prices are on par, if not slightly more expensive, than what we’re used to in the States. The locations I’ve visited thus far have predominantly the same look, feel and food options as the States (save the addition of Beef or Chicken Patties… if you know, you know!). The service can be slow, but that could just be a reflection of the typical laid-back, mellow, and friendly atmosphere that comes with living in the Caribbean. Given the cost, I only visit a few times a week, as it’s still the best place I’ve found to sit for an extended period to achieve a focused and productive work day. Finally, like in South Korea, it’s relatively common to walk away from your valuables, whether to take a phone call, order more food, or go to the bathroom, and not have any issues with people messing with your stuff.
England: Not much to report here. Just like the Starbucks in ‘Murica. Some are great, some not so much. But overall they are generally clean and accommodating. Side note: you’ll find the infamous sous vide egg bites in the refrigerator section in front of the main counter.
Morocco: The Starbucks here are few and far between, so if you’re a basic starbies bish like me, take advantage when you can. You’ll likely have to be in a major train station/airport to find them. From what I remember (I was there July 2023), they were pretty standard in offerings, service and cleanliness, but the ones I visited were smaller in size than what we typically have in the State
Rewards:
If you’re an American Starbies rewards member, don’t expect to be able to use the app abroad. The only country I’ve been to that has accepted my app for payment is England, however, I didn’t get credit/stars for any purchases. The app doesn’t work at all in any of the other countries I’ve visited, although some, like Spain and South Korea, now offer their own, country-specific apps. However, given the little bit I was able to translate, South Korea’s reward program and merch offerings (also included in the reward program) are far superior to what we have in the states.
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[…] I only offer this insight for my digital nomads who like using SB as an office, and for all the Basic Starbies Bishes like myself, who just like the cold brew or shaken espresso and aren’t coffee […]