I worked at Starbucks — these are the 10 best things to order at the coffee chain
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- I was a Starbucks barista for nearly a year, so I've tasted almost every item on the menu.
- For drinks, I recommend the iced caramel macchiato and the strawberry-acai refresher.
- I'm also a fan of the chain's glazed doughnut and the bacon, Gouda, and egg sandwich.
I worked as a Starbucks barista in Chicago for almost a year. Between tasting everything I made during training plus the free drinks and meals I received each shift, I've tried nearly everything on the menu.
I prefer things to be sweet and cold, but you can use these drink recommendations as a baseline and adjust your order to your own preferences.
Read on for my favorite things to order at Starbucks.
Iced caramel macchiatos are my go-to fancy drink
An iced caramel macchiato with almond milk is my favorite Starbucks order when I'm looking for a fancier drink — as long as the barista doesn't skimp out on the caramel drizzle (the most important part).
I'm usually not a huge fan of caramel, but something about the way it mixes with the espresso and milk gives it an irresistible flavor.
A classic soy-milk latte is the perfect pick-me-up
Abigail Abesamis
If I'm looking for something simple with a touch of sweetness, a soy-milk latte is the way to go.
With the vanilla soy milk, there's no need to add syrup unless you're looking for a jolt of added sugar.
As someone who doesn't like to pay for air, this is a better alternative to a cappuccino since there's less foam and more milk.
You can't go wrong with a simple black iced tea
When I'm trying to reduce my sugar consumption, unsweetened iced tea is the ideal choice.
I prefer black tea because I find it a bit stronger, but green tea is also a solid choice. As long as the barista steeps it properly, neither should taste bitter.
I usually like to get as much ice as possible, so I ask for it without added water because the ice dilutes it enough.
If you're a matcha fan, the matcha-crème Frappuccino is a must
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I love a good matcha Frappuccino, especially on a summer day. It reminds me of a milkshake with a bit of caffeine.
The drink has the perfect blend of sweet and earthy notes.
If you're ordering it with nondairy milk, soy will give it that creamy texture Frappuccinos are known for. I've found it won't come out as creamy with almond milk.
The vanilla-sweet-cream nitro cold brew is sweet and strong
When I need a hefty pick-me-up, a nitro cold brew is unbeatable.
Compared to a regular cold brew, a nitro one is smoother, so it doesn't need ice to water it down.
Even though it's smooth, I still need some sweetness. The vanilla sweet cream is a beautiful blend of heavy creamer and vanilla syrup that sits on top of the coffee until you're ready to mix.
If I don't want coffee, the strawberry-acai refresher is a great option
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When I need a break from heavy caffeine and want something fruity and light, I'll go for a strawberry-acai refresher.
It's by far my favorite refresher flavor, but you can't really go wrong with any of them. It may just taste like fruit punch, but it's the perfect way to quench your thirst.
The glazed doughnuts are the perfect companion to a cup of coffee
Pastries are one of my favorite things to pair with coffee.
Starbucks has a broad selection, but one of my favorites is the glazed doughnut — it's the perfect pastry for when I get the occasional hot drink.
I prefer to get the blueberry scones warmed up
James Andrews1/Shutterstock
If I'm not in the mood for a cold pastry, I'll order a warmed-up blueberry scone. The heat moistens it, making it taste fresher.
Starbucks' blueberry scones are also a bit fluffier than traditional ones, which I like. The scone goes exceptionally well with a black coffee, like the Pike Place or dark roast.
The sausage, cheddar, and egg sandwich is a filling breakfast
When I worked early morning shifts and was really hungry, the sausage, cheddar, and egg Starbucks breakfast sandwich saved me.
It's greasy and filling in the best way. I found it was often a customer favorite — I was lucky if there were any left to grab during my break.
I love the flavors of the bacon, Gouda, and egg sandwich
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
If I wasn't starving but still wanted something tasty in the morning, the bacon, Gouda, and egg sandwich always satisfied.
It's smaller, so you might not feel like you're getting your bang for your buck, but the quality is worth it.
The Gouda pairs nicely with the bacon, and the ciabatta roll toasts to perfection. No soggy bread here.
This story was originally published in March 2022 and most recently updated on March 5, 2025.
