Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Starbucks recently rolled out its Evening Menu to 75 locations across the nation, and we stopped by one of its Northern California locations to try everything on the menu, including the full list of snacks and wine. We ranked the entire menu from best to worst, so the next time you stop by a participating Starbucks (past 4 p.m.), you'll know exactly what to order.
But first, a few words on the experience. The menu items come on porcelain (not paper) plates, and customers are given silverware (not plasticware) for a more upscale experience. I was expecting the wines to come out in the thick stemware seen in the menu cards, but Starbucks has partnered with Riedel to create custom stemless wine glasses with cute messages etched on the sides like "Take a moment or three," "Permission to relax," "Breathe out, drink in," and "Escape your plans." The only downside of the experience is that we couldn't take our drinks outside to enjoy the warm weather (we are not sure if other locations have outdoor liquor licenses). It was a bit of a bummer to smell the strong coffee odor despite the food and drink being quite delicious.
— Additional reporting by Nicole Yi
The Menu
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Depending on the region and the season, the wine and beer menu will vary. I wasn't expecting much when it came to the wine and beer, but to my surprise, Starbucks offered wines from a few of my favorite local wineries (Markham Vineyard and Coppola) as well as craft breweries (Anchor Steam and Dogfish Head). Best yet, the list appeals to any flavor preference. You'll find the full gamut from dry sparkling wines as well as bold fruity reds with big tannins; lighter lagers; and heavier IPAs.
Our favorites from the current wine selection ended up being the most popular selections for the region: the Rosatello Moscato ($8) is a sweet sparkling wine that will appeal to Frappuccino and flavored-coffee fans. We also adored the Apothic Red Blend ($7) for its oaky-black cherry notes and the Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon ($9) for its robust berry flavor and jammy mouthfeel.
1 / 12
Spiced Pepitas
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For every drink you purchase, you get a free bowl of these spiced pepitas (pumpkin seeds). They are ridiculously addictive — sweet, spicy, and definitely salty. You'll likely mindlessly eat the entire bowl without knowing what happened.
2 / 12
Truffle Mac & Cheese ($6 / 490 Calories)
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Of the menu items, the mac and cheese was our favorite (surprise, surprise). The pasta is cooked to a perfect al dente texture; the cheese sauce has a nice tang to it; the truffle is subtle and inviting; and the breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunch. We almost wanted to order a second one (even after trying the full menu).
3 / 12
Truffle Popcorn ($3 / 150 Calories)
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This popcorn has a cheesy, truffle salt topping and comes out warm (as if it's been freshly popped). It's not like the greasy stuff you'll get at a movie theater. It's surprisingly light and a little too snackable.
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The flavors of the goat cheese and the artichoke really come through on this fluffy flatbread. Of the two flatbread flavors, this was our favorite.
5 / 12
Salumi Plate ($6 / 250 Calories)
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This plate managed to be a complete winner. We fought for the last pieces of the prosciutto, coppa, and cacciatore salami. The spicy-sweet peppers in the middle of the plate are like tiny water balloons — they explode upon biting into them. We also loved the grissini breadsticks for their crunchiness and neutral flavor.
6 / 12
Cheese Plate ($7 / 490 Calories)
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The only thing we didn't like about this cheese plate is the crackers (that crumbled into a million pieces when we tried to snap them in half). Otherwise, we loved the diverse flavors and textures of the Irish cheddar, manchego, and herbed goat cheese, which paired well with the fig spread and dried apricot.
7 / 12
Bacon-Wrapped Dates ($5 / 270 Calories)
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These chorizo sausage-stuffed dates are wrapped in chewy bacon pieces and coated with balsamic glaze. You really have to dig the sweet-smoky-salty combo to enjoy this small plate, but if you do, your taste buds are in for a treat.
8 / 12
Meatballs With Tomato Basil Sauce ($5 / 300 Calories)
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These meatballs have a nice outer crunch and distinguishable Italian sausage flavor. They're coated in a tangy marinara sauce that makes them one of the heartier of the small plates.
9 / 12
Spinach Artichoke Dip With Pita Chips ($6 / 470 Calories)
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This dip tastes more like a quiche than a gooey dip and reminded us of Starbucks's breakfast sandwich wraps. Like the cheese plate, the only thing Starbucks missed the mark on is the pita chips, which were overbearingly salty.
10 / 12
Chicken Skewers ($3 / 150 Calories)
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These herby and crunchy chicken breasts are coated in parmesan and panko breadcrumbs. They come with a great honey dijon sauce for dipping. If you're not a fan of white meat (or don't like your meat on the dry side), these may be worth skipping. However, it's a nice, filling small plate to consider if you're replacing dinner.
11 / 12
Chicken Sausage & Mushroom Flatbread
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Of all the menu items, this was the only one we think we could do without. The flatbread has a very chickeny flavor, and it's almost as if it's topped with tomato skins — the supposed "oven-roasted tomatoes." Diehard meat-eaters may be into this one, but we'll pass for some of the better items on the menu.
