Where's the Best Honey Oat Milk Latte in Annapolis?

I am a huge fan of coffee, but I’m no coffee expert. I’m simply an Annapolitan who finds myself at one cafe or another five or six times most weeks. I work from home, so I use the trip as a great mid-day break to get out of the house and excited for the afternoon ahead.

I purposely visit a variety of coffee shops to sample everything Annapolis has to offer, so I thought it would be fun to see different cafes’ takes on my (and many others!) favorite drink in town: the honey oat milk latte.

A Self-Created Coffee Challenge

I only used one criterion when deciding which coffee shops to include in my taste test — the shop had to have its own brand of beans that can be purchased and brewed at home. I tried a mix of local shops and national chains, but I did give some extra love to small businesses. My list included (in alphabetical order): Bitty and Beau’s Coffee, Ceremony Coffee Roasters, Dunkin’ Donuts, Rise Up Coffee, and Starbucks.

And as for my choice to sample honey oat milk lattes…well, this is a self-created challenge after all. The honey oat milk latte has become my caffeinated beverage of choice this spring — I can’t get enough of it! — and I wanted to introduce others to this delicious drink. Why oat milk? Because it’s delicious. The earthy taste, lightly creamy texture, and hint of sweetness is the perfect flavor combination. Why honey? Because it’s also delicious — and honey is nutritious.

Our Local and Small Business Coffee Options

Bitty and Beau’s Coffee

Bitty and Beau’s is a very welcoming newer coffee shop in town. While it didn’t start in Annapolis, this location is only their fourth outpost, all of which are on the East Coast. But this cafe is about much more than a simple cup of coffee. Bitty and Beau’s also boasts a unique business model — to be “advocates for the value, inclusion, and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” Not only is Bitty and Beau’s working for a cause it believes in, but its coffee is pretty impressive as well.

Put simply, the coffee is delicious. If you haven’t tried Bitty and Beau’s, don’t hesitate — you may just find your new favorite coffee shop in town. Everyone who works there seems to love their job and the customers. They keep it simple, and most importantly — fun.

• The Bitty & Beau’s Honey Oat Milk Latte Review: This latte perfectly balances a delicious, rich coffee flavor with the right amount of oat milk. At Bitty & Beau’s, you pour your own honey, which I appreciate because I don’t want the sweetness of too much honey to overpower the other ingredients. The combination of the flavors makes this one of the best straight-up honey oat milk lattes in town, and it’s priced right at five dollars.

Ceremony Coffee Roasters

Ceremony has been an Annapolis staple for many years. The cafes focus on the experience of coffee and the experience of enjoying it. The Ceremony Roastery location is my typical go-to when I’m craving their coffee. The outside seating is secluded, and the inside is picturesque and calming. It’s about much more than serving up a quick drink and getting you on your way. But don’t get me wrong, it’s also easy to grab-and-go if that’s your preference.

I typically find Ceremony coffee to be on the stronger side, so it’s great for those who love feeling that jolt of caffeine in the mornings. It’s also what I buy for holidays, special occasions, and gifts.

• The Ceremony Honey Oat Milk Latte Review: I ordered a honey oat milk latte, but that’s not what I ended up drinking. Ceremony prioritizes engaging with customers, and my experience was no different. The barista who took my order asked if I’d had their Spring Fling. I hadn’t, but after listening to her description — a lavender rosemary latte with oat milk and lemon sugar — I knew I had to try it. I went off script here, but it was worth it. The Spring Fling has to be the best latte in town right now. I’ve been back a couple of times fully intending to get a honey oat milk latte, but I can’t do it. The Spring Fling is too good to pass up! At about six dollars, it’s a bit higher in price than the other options on this list, but it’s a specialty drink.

Rise Up Coffee Roasters

I think we’ve all noticed that Rise Up locations are popping up all over Anne Arundel and surrounding counties. As many of you travel to the beaches this summer, you’ll now be able to pick up a cup of this delicious brew once you arrive in locations including Rehoboth and Ocean City (and I bet more are on the way).

What makes Rise Up coffee so good is the flavor — it’s not overpowering, and to me, it offers the perfect amount of caffeine.

• The Rise Up Honey Oat Milk Latte Review: I opted for the iced version of Rise Up’s honey oat milk latte, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a great afternoon sipper that keeps you going. It’s balanced and smooth — no one flavor overpowers the others as long as you ask for half the honey. The oat milk flavor didn’t come through as much as some other options, so if you’re new to oat milk, I’d say this is your best option. It’s also one of the most affordable of the lattes I enjoyed, ringing in at just about four bucks.

National Chains - Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks

I love supporting local businesses, but it’s almost impossible to swear off the larger chains completely. If I’m traveling outside Annapolis, or I’m in need of a quick boost but too far from a local cafe, I admit to grabbing a drink at Starbucks or Dunkin’ to satisfy my coffee craving.

• The Dunkin’ Donuts Honey Oat Milk Latte Review: This drink is well-balanced and light but with good flavor. I got a large iced version, and it was great all afternoon. When it’s hot outside, you can’t beat the DD on ice, especially at its price point of under four bucks.
• The Starbucks Honey Oat Milk Latte Review: Starbucks’ latte is oat milk forward and perfectly sweetened with the right amount of honey. It’s made with Starbucks’ blonde espresso, which makes it lighter and great for spring. However, at almost six dollars, this is one of the more expensive options.

So, the big winners of this challenge: Ceremony and Bitty & Beau's. If you haven’t had a honey oat milk latte, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get there and try one. And if you’re already a fan, get out there and try them all. Happy coffee-ing!