Keto Options at Costa Coffee
Costa is a drinks-first chain for keto. Food is almost entirely off the table, but the drinks are excellent with two UK-specific wins: the pouring cream Americano (ask for a pot of pouring cream with your black Americano - Costa's best-kept keto secret) and Monin sugar-free syrups.
Top Keto Picks at Costa Coffee
Americano (Black)
ExcellentThe safest order at Costa - zero compromises
Pro tips:
- •Just ~1g carbs - cleanest option
- •Add pouring cream for the ultimate keto hack
- •No faff, always available
Americano with Pouring Cream
ExcellentTHE Costa keto hack - ask for pouring cream on the side
Pro tips:
- •UK-specific Costa hack - pouring cream is kept behind counter
- •~3-4g carbs total vs 11g+ for latte with milk
- •Rich, satisfying, and keto-friendly
Cappuccino (Coconut Milk, Primo)
ExcellentLowest-carb milky option - coconut milk is best choice at Costa
Pro tips:
- •Coconut milk is Costa's lowest-carb milk (~2.5g per 100ml)
- •Costa does NOT stock almond milk
- •Keep to Primo size to minimize carbs
All Keto Options
Flat White (Soya Milk, Primo)
ExcellentSecond-best milk option after coconut
Pro tips:
- •Soya is ~3-4g carbs per 100ml
- •Good if coconut unavailable
- •Still under 7g carbs in Primo size
Espresso
ExcellentPure coffee - near-zero carbs
Pro tips:
- •~0.5g carbs - effectively zero
- •Small but potent
- •Perfect quick coffee stop
Flat Black
ExcellentEspresso with hot water - zero effective carbs
Pro tips:
- •Literally 0g carbs
- •Smaller than Americano
- •Perfect if avoiding all carbs
How to Order Keto at Costa Coffee
1. Order any black coffee, Americano, or espresso-based drink — all are zero carbs as standard 2. Ask for "pouring cream" instead of milk — Costa stocks it for porridge and will add it to coffee if you ask 3. Choose unsweetened almond milk as a milk alternative if pouring cream isn't available 4. Skip all syrups except sugar-free vanilla — it's the only sugar-free option Costa UK stocks 5. Avoid all cold drinks, blended drinks, and hot chocolates — all are high carb 6. Food options are limited — the Egg Protein Pot (2.5g carbs) is the only reliable keto choice
FAQs: Keto at Costa Coffee
What's the best keto order at Costa?
The pouring cream Americano - order a black Americano and ask for 'a pot of pouring cream on the side'. Costa keeps it behind the counter and most stores provide it free. It's ~3-4g carbs total vs 11g+ for a latte. This is a well-known UK keto community hack.
Does Costa have almond milk?
No - Costa UK does NOT stock almond milk. Use coconut milk instead (~2.5g carbs per 100ml) - it's the lowest-carb option. Soya is second-best (~3-4g per 100ml). Oat milk is higher (~6-7g per 100ml).
What about sugar-free syrups at Costa?
Costa stocks Monin sugar-free syrups (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut) which add ~1-2g carbs per pump vs 4-6g for regular. BUT not all stores stock all flavours - always ask at the counter before assuming it's available.
Can I eat food at Costa on keto?
Honestly, no. Almost everything is bread-based with no workarounds. Even the lightest items (Cheese Bites at 17g) barely fit a full day's allowance. Treat Costa as a drinks stop - eat before you go.
What about the Sugar Free Caramel Latte?
It's on the menu but even a medio is ~15-17g carbs because the base milk carbs still add up. Workable on a 50g budget but not on strict 20g keto. Better to get the pouring cream Americano instead.