What if choosing the perfect coffee shop wasn’t a matter of luck or endless scrolling, but a thoughtful, step-by-step process guided by AI?
At Impro.AI, the team recently explored a fun but surprisingly powerful use case: helping someone find a 5 PM coffee shop that matched their mood, preferences, and solo work vibe. Instead of relying on vague searches or reviews, they used a custom Chain-of-Thought prompt to break the decision into smarter, human-centered steps.
The result? A personalized shortlist of cozy, quiet cafés—optimized for peace, muffins, and ambient lighting.
Here’s how the process unfolded—and how anyone can recreate it:
Step 1: AI-Assisted Self-Discovery
Prompt to help you understand yourself:
1A: Mood & Energy Mapping
“I’m looking for a coffee shop at 5 PM today. Ask me 5 creative questions to help me understand what kind of experience my current mood is craving.”
1B: Preference Archaeology
“Help me dig deeper into why I love coffee shops, muffins, and solo time. What underlying needs might these preferences reveal about what I should look for today?”
1C: Scenario Visualization
“Walk me through 3 different coffee shop scenarios for 5 PM – bustling, medium energy, and quiet. Help me imagine each one and identify which resonates most.”
Step 2: AI Location Intelligence
Use AI’s analytical power for location research:
2A: Strategic Search Queries
“Help me create the perfect Google search terms to find coffee shops that match my specific criteria. What combination of keywords will uncover hidden gems?”
2B: Review Analysis Framework
“I’ll share some coffee shop reviews with you. Help me read between the lines – what do phrases like ‘cozy atmosphere’ or ‘great for studying’ actually mean for my specific needs?”
2C: Photo Interpretation
“I’ll describe or share photos of coffee shop interiors. Help me analyze the lighting, seating arrangements, and overall vibe to predict if I’ll enjoy the 5 PM experience there.”
Step 3: AI-Enhanced Decision Matrix
Let AI help you organize and weigh options:
3A: Criteria Prioritization
“Help me rank these factors in order of importance for today: muffin quality, seating comfort, noise level, lighting, view, wifi quality, staff friendliness, uniqueness. Ask me questions to help me prioritize.”
3B: Pros/Cons Analysis
“For each coffee shop I’m considering, help me create a detailed pros/cons list that goes beyond obvious factors. What subtle elements should I consider?”
3C: Risk Assessment
“What could go wrong at each location, and how can I prepare? Help me think through potential scenarios and backup plans.”
Step 4: AI Pattern Recognition
Use AI to spot patterns and insights:
4A: Historical Analysis
“I’ll tell you about coffee shops I’ve loved and hated in the past. Help me identify patterns in what works for me and translate that into today’s search criteria.”
4B: Time-Specific Optimization
“Help me think through how coffee shops change from morning to evening. What should I specifically look for or avoid in a 5 PM coffee shop experience?”
4C: Solo Experience Design
“I want to spend quality solo time chatting with you. Help me design the ideal physical environment for this kind of digital conversation.”
Step 5: AI Real-Time Research Assistant
Use AI as your research partner:
5A: Live Fact-Checking
“As I research coffee shops online, I’ll share information with you. Help me verify details, spot red flags, and ask the right follow-up questions.”
5B: Menu Analysis
“Help me decode coffee shop menus and websites. What do their food descriptions, pricing, and presentation style tell me about the overall experience?”
5C: Social Media Investigation
“I’ll share what I find on Instagram or Google Photos for these places. Help me analyze the real customer experience vs. the marketing image.”
Step 6: AI-Powered Final Decision
Let AI help you choose confidently:
6A: Elimination Process
“Walk me through eliminating options systematically. Help me ask the right questions to narrow down my choices without analysis paralysis.”
6B: Gut Check Validation
“I’m leaning toward [specific place]. Help me stress-test this choice – what questions should I ask myself to make sure it’s right?”
6C: Confidence Building
“Help me feel confident about my choice by identifying all the positive aspects and helping me prepare for a great experience.”
Step 7: AI Experience Optimization
Use AI to enhance your actual visit:
7A: Pre-Visit Preparation
“Help me plan the optimal arrival strategy – timing, what to order first, how to choose my seating, what to bring.”
7B: In-the-Moment Guidance
“Once I’m there, I can quietly ask you for conversation starters, help processing what I’m observing, or suggestions for making the most of my time.”
7C: Adaptability Coaching
“If the vibe isn’t quite right when I arrive, help me quickly assess whether to stay and adapt or move to my backup option.”
Step 8: AI Learning Loop
Turn this into future intelligence:
8A: Experience Reflection
“After my visit, help me analyze what worked and what didn’t. What should I remember for future coffee shop searches?”
8B: Pattern Building
“Help me document my preferences and discoveries so I can build a personal coffee shop selection algorithm for future use.”
8C: Database Creation
“Assist me in creating a personal rating system and notes database for coffee shops I can reference later.”
Quick-Start AI Prompts for Today
Immediate Decision Helper: “I need to choose a coffee shop for 5 PM today. I love muffins, need a place to sit peacefully alone, and want somewhere visually interesting. I’m in [your city/area]. Walk me through finding the perfect spot step by step.”
Research Assistant Activation: “Be my coffee shop research partner. I’ll share what I find online, and you help me analyze if each place will give me the peaceful, enjoyable solo experience I’m looking for.”
Decision Confidence Booster: “Help me choose between my top 2-3 coffee shop options by asking me the right questions and helping me think through each choice clearly.”
Pro Tips for AI-Human Coffee Shop Discovery
- Be Specific: The more details you give about your mood, preferences, and constraints, the better the guidance
- Use AI as a Thinking Partner: Don’t just ask for answers – ask for help thinking through the process
- Iterate in Real-Time: Share what you’re finding and get live feedback and guidance
- Trust the Process: Let AI help you slow down and think creatively rather than just picking the first option
- Combine AI Logic with Human Intuition: Use AI’s analysis to inform your gut feelings, not replace them
