Isobel Pankhurst, an Audience Writer, sampled regular lattes from Pret a Manger, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero and Starbucks to find out which high street chain serves the best. The clear winner was Caffè Nero, scoring 4.5/5, while Starbucks was the most disappointing at 2/5.
Pret a Manger: cheapest but mild
Pret's latte cost £3.75, making it the most affordable of the four. Despite a lengthy queue, the drink arrived within a minute or so. The reviewer noted it was slightly milder than she'd have liked, with a faint burnt undertone, but said it represented decent value for money and one she'd happily buy again. Rating: 3.5/5.
Costa Coffee: enjoyable but not robust
Costa's latte was priced at £4.15, slightly pricier than Pret's. The reviewer found it enjoyable, though not as robust as she'd ideally like, and said she'd order it again, perhaps with a splash of syrup next time. Rating: 3.75/5.
Starbucks: weakest of the lot
Ordered via Uber Eats for £5, Starbucks' latte was the priciest. While it retained a decent temperature upon delivery, the drink was extremely weak, tasting more like hot milk with just the faintest hint of coffee. The reviewer said it's not one she'll be revisiting. Rating: 2/5.
Caffè Nero: the clear favourite
Caffè Nero's latte came out on top as the clear favourite. At £4.15, it matched Costa's price exactly but delivered a noticeably stronger brew. The only gripe was that it arrived considerably hotter than the others, nearly scalding the reviewer's tongue on the first sip. After cooling for a couple of minutes, it was virtually faultless. Rating: 4.5/5.
Of the four lattes sampled, the only one to steer clear of is Starbucks'. Pret suits those after a more affordable option, Caffè Nero is best for a bolder kick, and Costa offers something milder but still enjoyable.
