This month, we issued ourselves a challenge: Try the same drink at 10 different local coffee shops. We decided to take it a step further and issue some Music City java superlatives.

For our control drink in this experiment, we picked an iced vanilla latte — truthfully, because it’s Editor Skylar’s “panic drink.” You know the one. You’re at the counter with a line forming, so you spit out your go-to drink of choice. For this reason, we had to step out of our comfort zone just a little and at least try it at various rad spots across the 615.

And the roastery recognition goes to…

☕ Best for dogspotting

The Loading Dock, 2028A Lindell Ave. | Submerge yourself in a whimsical space to fuel your creativity (and your caffeine intake). This South Nashville shop features artwork from local makers + an artificial turf patio and shade for the pups that make work days that much more enjoyable.

☕ For the cause

Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, 7113 Charlotte Pk. | Spread the love with each cup. West Nashville’s Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee directly supports farmers in Rwanda by co-laboring and providing fair wages + reinvesting in communities through its “Do Good Initiative” projects.

☕ With a twist

Barista Parlor, 1230 4th Ave. N. | Not your typical latte. Spice up your coffee selection with Barista Parlor’s CBD elixir. Bonus: You also get the gift of convenience with seven locations across the urban core.

Extra points for convenient street parking at Sump. | Photo by NASHtoday

☕ Love your latte

Sump Coffee, 8 City Blvd. | Okay, we had to name a fave. Our personal choice for vanilla lattes? Go to Sump in oneC1TY — there’s something about sipping on an ice cold latte through a metal straw. Plus, you can take a screen break and take in the area’s greenspace + soak in the sun by the fountain outside.

☕ Shop around

Farm City Coffee, 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.| This local, fair-trade roaster planted its roots at the Nashville Farmers Market and just turned four this month. Sip and shop from a variety of vendors on the weekend.

☕ Sit and sip

The Pink Hermit, 231 6th Ave. N. | This downtown hotel coffee shop will transport you directly to Paris with its bistro-style seating and pink + marble accents. Located diagonally from TPAC, it’s convenient for hangouts before a show.

The bar area at Frothy Monkey has numerous outlets. | Photo by NASHtoday

☕ Lunch it up

Frothy Monkey, 1400 51st Ave. N. | Head to The Nations (or any of Frothy’s five Middle Tennessee locations) for an expansive menu that offers breakfast until 5 p.m. We enjoyed our latte with Editor Skylar’s favorite: The bacon, egg, and cheddar bagel with avocado mash.

☕ Stock up on beans

Moonshot Coffee Bar, 300 Gay St. | This downtown retro shop offers a wholesale program so businesses and individual coffee lovers alike can enjoy specialty coffee at any hour of the day and save. Pro tip: The daily deal? Bring your own cup for 20% off.

☕ A friendly find

Sam & Zoe’s, 3525 Heather Pl. | This family-owned shop in the heart of Berry Hill has been serving the area since 1998. You’ll stop for a coffee, but stay for the warm, cozy environment and attentive staff.

☕ Grab and go

Taylor Street Coffee & Tea, 100 Taylor St. | As a local, you know parking can be a struggle some days. This Germantown gem makes coffee on the go a seamless addition to any day’s schedule through online website orders + the Toast app.

We only visited 10 shops for this story — the human body can only drink so many vanilla lattes. Let us know if we missed your favorite place in Nashville. We’d love to swing by for a sip.