Two HiHerald staff members, Emma Vukelich and Lillian Makeeff, braved the Kirkwood Mall to settle the question everyone’s been waiting for: Who has the best caramel latte?

Starting off strong: Mighty Missouri.
This is the place to go if you’re looking for a latte with a bold, coffee-forward flavor. Tart, with just a hint of caramel. If you’re after an indulgent caramel taste, though, this might not be the spot for you.

Next stop: Starbucks inside Target.
Starbucks shines with drinks, including the Caramel Ribbon Crunch or a classic black coffee (because honestly, who can mess up black coffee?). However, when it came to the original caramel latte, we were let down. Sorry, die-hard Starbucks fans—it was watery. Think two-percent milk with a drip of espresso… that’s it.

Our personal favorite: Ginna’s Cafe.
Even though we stopped by during their midday rush, the latte was worth the wait. It had the best flavor by far—smooth, sweet, and perfectly caramel-forward with almost no harsh “coffee taste.” This one truly delivered the caramel latte we were dreaming of.

The verdict?
It wasn’t even close. Each latte had its own personality, but Ginna’s Cafe took the crown with its spot-on balance of sweetness and espresso. For die-hard coffee lovers who prefer that strong espresso punch, we’d still recommend Mighty Missouri!