What to Order at a Coffee Shop if You Do Not Like Coffee

Matcha latte, chai latte, London fog, hot chocolate, and herbal teas are all excellent reasons to be in a coffee shop without touching coffee. Specialty shops have expanded their non-coffee menus significantly in the last five years.

78.8% of coffee shops are independent. Most have non-coffee options that chains do not carry.

Of Pulled Coffee's 462,531 tracked shops, 364,333 are independent. Independent shops are far more likely to carry ceremonial-grade matcha, house-made chai concentrate, quality herbal teas, and creative non-coffee drinks than any chain. The best non-coffee experience at a coffee shop usually happens at an independent specialty cafe in Los Angeles or New York.

"You do not need to like coffee to have a reason to be in a coffee shop. The best ones are community spaces that happen to sell espresso."

The best non-coffee options to order

Matcha latte: Ceremonial-grade matcha whisked with steamed milk. 70 to 140mg caffeine. Earthy, slightly sweet, genuinely good. Matcha vs coffee explained.

Chai latte: Spiced tea concentrate with steamed milk. 30 to 70mg caffeine. Warm, aromatic, completely different from coffee. What is a chai latte?

London fog: Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. Floral, mellow, classic. More detail in the drinks guide.

Hot chocolate: At a quality shop, made with real dark chocolate, not powder. Worth ordering.

Sparkling water or fresh-brewed loose leaf tea: Simple, reliable, and available at nearly every specialty shop.

What to say when ordering

Tell the barista you prefer non-coffee drinks and ask what they recommend. At good shops in Portland or Chicago, baristas tend to enjoy the question. They might steer you toward something seasonal or house-made that is not on the standard menu. Try shops like Blue Bottle or Heart Coffee Roasters for range.

Related: Matcha latte vs coffee, What is a chai latte?, What is boba tea?