Support Us Button Widget

We tried a vanilla latte at 5 Lakeland coffee shops

Here are our superlatives for the six cups of joe we tried at a few of our favorite coffee shops and cafes.

An iced latte, blueberry muffin, and laptop sit on a table at the Unfiltered coffee shop in Lakeland, FL

Unfiltered offers several fresh-baked goods to pair with your latte.

Photo by LALtoday

Table of Contents

It’s no secret that we love coffee, especially when it comes from a local coffee shop. That’s why we decided to visit five Lakeland cafes for one of our favorite drinks — an iced vanilla latte — to deal out some superlatives for these sips.

Best paired with a baked good

Unfiltered Lakeland, 801 E. Main St. | Grab a seat in this eclectic space and enjoy your latte with one of Unfiltered’s warm blueberry muffins — you’ll thank us later.

A hand holding up an iced coffee in front of a coffee shop window

We love stopping by Mitchell’s before a day of downtown shopping.

Photo by LALtoday

The perfect balance

Mitchell’s Coffee House, 235 N. Kentucky Ave. | This latte had just the right balance of bold espresso, sweet vanilla, and creamy milk. It would pair perfectly with whatever bites you find at the farmers market.

A hand holding an iced coffee in front of the La Imperial Bakery sign next to Main Street in Lakeland

Cool off with this sugary sip made with Bustelo, a Latin-inspired espresso.

Photo by LALtoday

For the sweet tooth

La Imperial Bakery, 830 E. Main St. | This concoction is great for those seeking a sweet treat. It’s made with chilled Bustelo espresso and French vanilla for a syrupy sweet beverage.

An iced coffee sitting on a table next to a laptop with the LALtoday website showing

The caffeinated drinks from Black & Brew have fueled many of our newsletters.

Photo by LALtoday

Emphasis on espresso

Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro, locations vary | If you want a latte with a strong coffee taste, this is your best bet. The vanilla takes a backseat to let the espresso shine.

A hand holding an iced coffee with a coffee table and patterned red rug in the background

Add a bit of cinnamon to spice up your regular vanilla latte at Pressed.

Photo by LALtoday

Good to the last chapter

Pressed, 213 E. Bay St. | Linger over your book with an iced vanilla latte at this bookstore/coffee shop. Pro tip: We added a dash of cinnamon so each sip had new layers of flavor all the way to our final page.

Of course, we didn’t visit all of Lakeland’s coffee shops — can you imagine how caffeinated we’d be if we did? Tell us which drinks and cafes we should rate in our next roundup and we just might use your idea.

More from LALtoday
Do you prefer to live in the past, or are you looking ahead to the future? Compare a 1925 home with a newly built house that just hit Lakeland’s real estate market.
In the mood to bust a move? Shimmy down to these local spots and events for open dance floors, performances, and dancing lessons.
Find a parking spot and walk to each of your favorite restaurants in the Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing plaza on South Florida Avenue.
Does your neighborhood go all out with decorations? Is it known as the street for full-size candy bars? Add it to our map of trick-or-treat destinations.
As Lakeland continues to grow, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming developments and recently opened businesses.
Wellness
Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay connects volunteers and clients with chronic health conditions for Health Buddies, a 12-week telephone call program. Learn how it works and how you can sign up.
Deciding where to eat is hard — these local food halls are making it easier with plenty of options all in the same place.
Skip the pumpkin patch and hire these Central Florida businesses to spruce up your landscaping with a seasonal touch.
Who says you have to go to New England to have an autumn worthy of the “Gilmore Girls”?
Lakeland’s municipal election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 4. These are the dates, positions, and resources you need to know before you vote.