Creating the perfect iced vanilla latte involves high-quality espresso, creamy milk and authentic vanilla syrup. The flavor profile of these drinks is the perfect mix of bold and sweet, making it a staple menu item at every coffee shop.
Since the iced vanilla latte is a classic menu item for caffeine lovers, there are so many different lattes, and they’re not all the same. Some are too sweet, too bitter or have too much milk. Most come in 16-ounce sizes, although Starbucks, for example, offers tall (small), grande (medium) and venti (large) sizes.
Here are four tasty, aesthetically pleasing and affordable iced vanilla lattes to try near the Hawk Hill and University City campuses.
Volo Coffeehouse
Address: 4360 Main St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19127
Price: $7.56 (16 ounces)
Volo Coffeehouse is a popular Manayunk coffee spot that serves a variety of coffee drinks and food items, including pastries, salads, wraps and sandwiches. One of Main Street’s most popular coffee shops, Volo Coffeehouse’s line often runs out the door on a Sunday morning.
Their iced vanilla latte is perfectly sweet, which helps balance the strong espresso. The latte could use a better espresso-to-milk ratio, though, as they pour in a large amount of milk.
The price is also on the higher side compared to other shops. However, the latte has the perfect amount of ice, and the wait time is short despite the crowds.
Alex Todd, the manager of Volo Coffeehouse, said Volo stands out among other coffee shops in the area due to the high quality coffee bean they buy and their expert staff.
“Our staff is highly trained in making sure that we get the most out of that good coffee,” Todd said.
Maman
Address: 49 Anderson Ave., Ardmore, Pa. 19003
Price: $7.25 (16 ounces)
Maman, a chain café located in Suburban Square, is a must-stop for a quick bite and coffee amidst all of the shopping Ardmore has to offer. You can take this coffee to go or sit down and have a typical lunch with table service. They have many specialty drinks and lunch items, including soups and salads, but their classic iced vanilla latte is the main hit.
You can tell they use real vanilla bean, creating a naturally sweet flavor. The presentation is impressive and matches the overall aesthetic of the café itself. The floral decorations in the shop are beautiful, and even the to-go cups are designed with flowers.
Overall, this was a perfect iced vanilla latte; sweet but not too sweet, strong espresso but not bitter and worth the price.
Vibrant Coffee Roasters
Address: 222 W. Rittenhouse Square, 1st Floor West, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103
Price: $5.75 (small)
Vibrant Coffee Roasters is one of many coffee shops in Center City, but it sticks out because of its aesthetic cups and range of menu items. The shop is tucked into Rittenhouse Square, making it the perfect stop when you’re visiting the city. They are known for their sourdough pastries and bagged coffee, but their iced vanilla latte is a favorite.
This latte meets every requirement. The espresso is strong without overpowering the drink, the vanilla is subtle but sweet and there is a perfect milk-to-coffee ratio. Fairly priced with high quality ingredients, this latte is the perfect pick-me-up after a day of shopping.
Hue Boba Café
Address: 4600 Woodland Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19143
Price: $5.60 (large)
Hue Boba Cafe is a Vietnamese shop that serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine, coffee, desserts and teas. The shop is a very quick walk from the UCity campus, and it offers a variety of drinks.
Their iced vanilla latte is sweet and made with authentic vanilla. The price is affordable in comparison to other shops in the city, and the environment is nice as it is a relaxing place to do homework or hang out.
Reanna Paxton ’25, PharmD ’27, said she is a frequent customer at Hue Boba Café.
“It’s always the same lady there … she’s so nice and always happy to serve you,” Paxton said. “The coffee is really good, and the prices aren’t bad either for the city.”
