When latte fans need a fix, they will go out of their way to get their beverage.
Undiscerning latte drinkers may choose the closest, most convenient café when a craving hits, but diehards are very particular, according to Robert Byrne, senior director of consumer research for Technomic. What’s more, coffee chains are among consumers’ favorites overall, with three brands in the 2026 top 10 list of America’s Favorite Chains for the first time this year. These include 7 Brew, Scooter’s, and Dutch Bros, all of which also are top latte destinations.
Here’s Technomic’s ranking of all 10 of these latte destinations, starting with the most popular by the percentage of consumers who found it craveable, along with the reasons why they singled it out. While a basic latte is a simple blend of espresso and steamed milk, Technomic’s survey included fancier and flavored versions in the responses, as well as matchas and mochas.
Caribou Coffee: 15.3%
Uniqueness was a big reason latte fans ranked Caribou Coffee as a favorite. A number of them cited the brand’s Campfire Mocha as very craveable. It features real chocolate, toasted marshmallow flavor, and espresso topped with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips. “It’s inspired by campfire s’mores and isn’t something you’ll find at most other coffee chains,” said one respondent, while another noted “Caribou Coffee has addictive drinks like Campfire Mocha and Turtle Mocha.” Other well-loved signature drinks included Honey Lavender Latte, Northern Lite Latte, Caramel High Rise, and Chai Latte.
Biggby Coffee: 13.0%
Consumers crave Biggby Coffee for some of the same reasons. “It’s known for its craveable signature flavored lattes, blended frozen mocha drinks, and sweet foam topped espresso beverages that make it stand out from typical coffee shops,” mentioned one. And frozen lattes seem to be a draw here, with the frozen Teddy Bear Latte a standout. The beverage is a blend of white chocolate, caramel, and espresso topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzles.
Dutch Bros: 11.2%
Protein-infused lattes are a differentiator for Dutch Bros, according to the survey feedback. In their own descriptions, consumers mentioned the creamy vanilla protein infused latte in both iced and hot versions, and protein salted caramel iced mocha. Dutch Bros’ seasonal items also got some attention, specifically the Peppermint Mocha, Eggnog Iced Coffee, and Caramel Pumpkin Brulée Latte. A constantly rotating selection of limited time on-trend flavors are favorites, too, with callouts for Banana Bread Mocha, Snicker Mocha, and Iced Flapjack Mocha.
Starbucks: 10.7%
With so many chains now in the specialty coffee game, the granddaddy of latte providers continues to innovate its beverage lineup to stay a step ahead. Some of these newer iterations were called out by consumers, including the Protein Latte, Lavender Matcha Latte, Chocolate Mint Latte, and Horchata Latte. Cold foams in various flavors are also popular. But it’s Starbucks’ OG beverages and exclusives that get the most love. The coffee giant is the premier destination for Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Peppermint Mochas; these are “craveable items I can only get at Starbucks,” said one respondent, although many coffee chains now offer copycat versions. Exclusives like Caramel Macchiato and White Chocolate Mocha are also reasons to go to Starbucks. Though not technically lattes, consumers also find the brand’s Frappuccinos very craveable.
Scooter’s Coffee: 9.8%
Unique flavored lattes and rotating seasonal beverages appeal to Scooter’s customers. “I like their limited time drinks that change every few months,” said one respondent, citing the Oatmeal Cream Pie Latte. Others crave the branded lattes, such as those made with Chips Ahoy and Nutter Butter cookies. And sweet beverages have wide appeal here, with mentions of the signature Carmelicious Latte, Turtle Latte, Banana Bread Latte, and Maple Cinnamon Latte rising to the top. “Mocha made the way I like it, with plenty of chocolate,” said one respondent, while another visits for the “great oat milk lattes.”
Peet’s Coffee: 8.3%
Peet’s customers, on the other hand, crave the rich flavor of the brand’s signature dark roast coffees and espressos that go into the lattes. While several respondents look forward to the launch of Peet’s Pumpkin Spice Latte every year, others are fans of more esoteric drinks like the Horchata Latte, Cold Brew Fog Latte, Nutella Latte, and Tuxedo Mocha. Consumers also crave the ingredients that differentiate Peet’s. One respondent pointed out, “Peet's has craveable items like popping pearls drinks, golden turmeric lattes, and brown sugar jelly teas.”
7 Brew: 7.1%
This drive-thru chain is one of the fastest growing coffee concepts, with a menu that features nontraditional limited-time lattes on a regular basis. Those are the items that consumers tended to note as craveable. The Cinnamon Roll Latte, Cloud 9 Iced Matcha Latte, Funnel Cake Latte, and German Chocolate Latte were singled out in the survey. One respondent said, “oh man the list goes on but some of my favorites besides the toasted marshmallow latte, the sweet and salty, is the raspberry truffle, salted caramel, and funnel cake macchiato.”
Dunkin’: 4.5%
The simple Dunkalatte got a lot of mentions by Dunkin’s latte drinkers; it’s made with espresso, whole milk, and the brand’s coffee milk blend to produce a creamy texture. But several of the specialty beverages were called out for their appealing flavor profiles. These included the Oreo Cloud Latte, Banana Pudding Cloud Latte, Butter Pecan Iced Latte, and Hazelnut Cloud Latte. “The iced latte is the best,” reported one consumer. Several also named Dunkin’ a desirable destination because they could pair their latte with the brand’s craveable food items, like Munchkins and seasonal donuts.
Tous les Jours: 3.3%
Tous les Jours, a growing bakery café chain with roots in South Korea, offers a range of lattes, some with Asian flavor profiles. “The Iced Pandan Coconut Latte is incredibly craveable — the fragrant pandan with creamy coconut is a unique flavor you can't get anywhere else, and it hits the spot every time,” raved one respondent. A couple singled out the Ube Latte, while others craved the Tiramisu Latte “as delicious and a unique offering.” The lattes seem to coordinate with the food offerings, with the Iced Strawberry Pistachio Latte released at the same time as the Pistachio Cream Bun and Petite Strawberry Tiramisu.
Tim Hortons: 2.8%
Tim Hortons is a bit more mainstream in its latte lineup. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a go-to here, found craveable by a good portion of respondents, one of whom called it their "one and only pumpkin spice latte.” Tim’s Iced Vanilla Latte and Sweet Cream Iced Latte also got high marks from coffee fans, while non-coffee drinkers preferred the Matcha Latte and Chai Latte. As at Dunkin’, customers here mentioned pairing their lattes with craveable foods, like the brand’s signature Timbits, doughnuts, and breakfast sandwiches.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.