My Quest for the Perfect Vanilla Latte in Westwood Village 

Back home in San Francisco, I’ve always been a fan of trying new cafes. Usually, I’d wander down a random street, pop into the first coffee shop I saw, and order an iced vanilla latte with oat milk. When I moved to Los Angeles for school, I was determined to find my new favorite spots around Westwood where I could grab a drink and do some schoolwork. I decided to try all of the nearby coffee shops and document my findings. Read along to figure out my recommendations for the best vanilla latte in Westwood Village! 

I. Alfred Coffee

Located on the outskirts of Westwood Village, Alfred Coffee stands as a fan-favorite amongst UCLA students and employees that work within the district. 

For a 16 ounce iced vanilla latte with oat milk, my total came out to be $7.75. The drink itself had a very strong coffee flavor–very nutty with a rich chocolate taste. The bitterness of the coffee was contrasted perfectly with a sweet vanilla syrup, and the oat milk added a bit of creaminess to the texture. I’m extremely impressed with Alfred Coffee, especially after my drink was not watered down after sitting for an hour. Although the price is on the more expensive side, I believe that this coffee is definitely worth purchasing! 

The ambience was also quite noteworthy. Checkered tables and cushioned seating filled the sitting area. There were plants covering the entrance way and colorful walls that painted the entire building. Alfred Coffee offers around twenty indoor seats and a couple seats outside. I went on a Wednesday around noon, so there was plenty of seating available. However, there was a lot of foot traffic in the afternoon so I could definitely foresee lack of seating to be an issue if you’re trying to sit down during later times. 

Overall, I can see why Alfred Coffee has so much hype around Westwood. The coffee is excellent and it’s a great place to catch up on some schoolwork or meet a friend. Given factors like the price, flavor of coffee, and overall atmosphere, I’d rate Alfred Coffee a solid 9.5/10.

II. Bluestone Lane 

The next place I tried was Bluestone Lane, one of the closest coffee shops in Westwood to UCLA’s campus. 

I’ll start with the positives. The location of this coffee shop is great! If you aren’t willing to walk all the way down Westwood to try other places, Bluestone Lane sits at the corner of Weyburn Avenue. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and great natural light inside. I was a big fan of the turquoise tiles that covered the countertops contrasted with the bright white walls that made the place feel welcoming. Bluestone Lane also offers their own merchandise and coffee line, which I thought was a cute touch. 

However, the actual coffee at Bluestone Lane was a bit disappointing. I ordered a 16 ounce iced vanilla latte with oat milk, which came out to be $8.10. For the price, I expected this coffee to be excellent. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the drink but I don’t think it’s worth the eight dollars. There was a strong coffee flavor, but the rest of the taste was bitter and not as creamy as I’d like it to be. The lighter brown color was also throwing me off–I personally prefer when my coffee is a darker shade of brown. After sitting inside and doing some work with a friend for about thirty minutes, all the ice in my drink was gone and the coffee was very watered down. All in all, I wasn’t blown away with this coffee shop and probably wouldn’t order the vanilla latte again. Bluestone Lane gets a 5/10 for me. 

III. Ministry of Coffee

Ministry of Coffee serves as both a cafe and dine-in restaurant, offering drinks alongside an assortment of baked goods and brunch items.

This coffee shop only has one negative that stands out amongst the bunch. Their medium size is 12 oz and their large size is 16 oz, yet the prices remain on the pricier side. For a 16 ounce vanilla latte with oat milk, my total came out to be $8.00. 

Disregarding this, the actual drink itself is incredible. It balances just the right amount of bitterness from the coffee and sweetness of vanilla. The color is a rich dark brown color, and there is just enough ice to keep the drink cool but not watered down. My favorite part about Ministry of Coffee, however, is their atmosphere. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, although spots usually fill up super quickly as this coffee spot remains very popular for the residents of Westwood. The kitchen in the back fills the inside room with savory aromas, and the walls are decorated with plants. The outside seating area has more of a social vibe, I noticed many people gathering outside to catch up with friends or spend a morning with their family. In such a compact space, it can seat up to around thirty people. 

Coming to this coffee spot brought nothing but good vibes and motivation to catch up on lectures. I would highly recommend checking it out–not just for their delicious iced vanilla latte, but also for a bite to eat if you get hungry later! I’ll give Ministry of Coffee a 9/10. 

IV. Pret a Manger

Pret a Manger is one of the newer additions to Westwood Village, opening up their location just last spring. This shop also offers hot and cold prepared meals that you could enjoy while sitting in with your coffee. One of the best things about Pret a Manger is that they do not charge for alternative milk options and offer discounts for UCLA students. For a 16 ounce iced vanilla latte with oat milk, my total came out to be $6.65–the least expensive compared to the three previous shops. The employee was also incredibly helpful and kind, so much that it felt important to share in this journal. 

Although I do appreciate the price and service, the coffee itself was not my favorite. The vanilla flavor was great, but the coffee was not as strong and the drink was watery. Overall, it was very heavy on the oat milk flavor rather than the nuttiness that stands out in most other coffee drinks. After thirty minutes, all the ice had melted and the drink was even more diluted. 

Personally, I was not the biggest fan of Pret a Manger, but I can see how it is a convenient place to sit down or a viable option for cheaper coffee than the rest of the places in Westwood Village. Thus, I have to give Pret a Manger a 6/10. 

V. Closing Thoughts

Alfred Coffee takes the win for the best iced vanilla oat milk latte, setting the standard not just for their coffee but also the welcoming atmosphere. The rich espresso blends perfectly with the creamy oat milk, while a subtle sweetness of vanilla entirely enhances the drink overall. But what truly sets Alfred Coffee apart from the rest of the shops is the environment they’ve created for their customers. The stylish interior is quite spectacular, infused with cozy yet contemporary aesthetics that brings comfort to anyone that decides to give this place a visit!