Where do I begin???? Was exploring Lakeview and came upon this gem. Here's the deets: - service was awesome. Barista was so welcoming. My drink was ready quickly too. - my coffee was really good (under $5!) (did add a 20% tip) - free WiFi - atmosphere is super eclectic (loved it!) - plenty of indoor and outdoor seating Unique stuff: - Magic eight balls by the coffee station - there are board games and such - they also have alcohol spirits - creative drink menu It's definitely going on my fave coffee list. Can't wait to go back and try some other drinks and a pastry. read more

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Very quick service and delicious drink options. I tried the pistachio/mocha latte. So tasty!! read more

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Perfect cafe for a nice latte and breakfast! I stopped by for a hot latte and some breakfast and was not disappointed! I got the pumpkin pie latte which had good flavor and you could taste the pumpkin spice. I also ordered the cream and blueberry pastry which was delicious; it was flaky and the filling was spot on. Staff were super friendly and provided quick service. This also seemed like a nice place to work remotely from. read more

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Matcha latte is a thumbs up. Nice staff. Very nice atmosphere. Easy to park and grab a pick me up. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Iced matcha latte with spinach pastry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bombastic was recommended to me by a friend and I was blown away by how good the coffee is!! I just got a simple iced oat milk latte but it was one of the best I've had in a while. Very affordable too at around $5.50, tough to find in chicago. The space is cool and edgy with space to sit indoors and out. They had a good selection of pastries too which I'll have to come back to try! The staff were all super friendly. One of my new fav coffees! read more

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The coffee isn't bad but the star of the show is the pastries! For coffee I ordered the Iced Dulce de Leche Latte, which was pretty good. It was sweet but not overly sweet. For the pastries we went with the classic Chocolate Croissant and the Cherry Yogurt Danish. They were super soft and flavorful. I definitely recommend trying the Danish. The store itself was cute. Plenty of tables and unique art. They also have some board games which was a nice touch if you're staying for a while. read more

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I come here for coffee frequently after yoga down the street (Namaskar, also highly recommend) and the coffee is excellent. The place is also work friendly with some large tables up front and the music isn't overly loud. I also appreciate that their decaf is very good! I don't always get decaf, but when I need to (because I've had 25 coffees already that day), I appreciate that it'll be good. read more

Stopped by for a Red Eye coffee and a pastry, and I have to say it was a solid experience. The café has a really creative, almost experimental vibe -- you can tell they've put a lot of thought into blending different ideas and aesthetics throughout the space. Staff was quick, I'm curious what else they do. The Red Eye was excellent (pretty sure they roast their own beans right there), and the pastry paired perfectly with it. Overall, a good spot to recharge or get a bit of inspiration. read more

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I decided to sit and write in my journal this morning. My wife took her's to go as she had things to do. The crew wore sweaters. One of which had a pattern that transported me to another country... like Sweden. I removed my overcoat, ear muffs, neck warmer, and gloves. Pulled out my journal and blue gel pen to write/doodle to inspire myself. The music was eclectic and somewhat retro...I think. I was lost in thought...sipping on my large Spicy Mocha. After 2 hours of daydreaming, I walked out before snowfall. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Spicy Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The chocolate croissant is amazing! So light and fluffy and served at the perfect temp for it to melt in your mouth! Add in a cup of coffee and you're ready for the day!! read more

What a great hidden gem! We found ourselves escaping the rain and wanted something warm and found ourselves walking inside here. The vanilla latte and Mexican chocolate latte were incredible and warmed us up right away. Didn't try any of the food but our service was prompt and friendly. Can't wait to come back and try some of the pastries. read more

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An unassuming spot on Southport, I stumbled upon it while waiting for my bagel from across the street. The place has a hipster vibe combined with a "hole in the wall" feel. Service was quick & I got my chai latte really fast, and enjoyed it in the sun. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think I just had a one off bad experience but they were completely out of any decaf options and the latte that my friend got was so bad that when we left he let me taste it and was like "there's something wrong with that, right?" It barely even tasted like coffee. Super disappointed because I've had a close friend say they really loved this place. Maybe I'll have to come back some other day and give it another chance. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

$7 large cold brew I think. Was real cold and pretty smooth and tasty. They do have wifi and lots of seating. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Feeling lucky to have found this cute spot! There isn't much advertising out front, so if you aren't looking for it, you just might miss it. The inside is adorable & retro with funky art hanging on the walls. Quirky and homey come to mind: think lava lamps, plants, and a bunch of random knick knacks on display. It honestly just makes you smile because it's so uniquely bombastic. The staff here is awesome. I noticed they have a ton of different flavorings, so I asked the barista what his favorite was in an oat milk latte. He suggested a Cocosette Latte (inspired by the candy bar from his home country!) which is a combination of hazelnut, mocha, and coconut. I worried it would be overload with all those flavors, but not at all! It was perfectly sweet, warm, and toasty (though I'm sure it would be delicious iced too). One of the best lattes I've had in a long, long time. Being impressed by a coffee is one of my favorite feelings because more often than not I feel underwhelmed. Not here! I will definitely be back, probably more often than I care to admit. I think this will be my new work from home go to when I need a break from my actual home :). read more

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Definitely an unexpected but great coffee shop. The vibe feels very hipster and chill, plus the decorations will surely catch your eye. I went in on a Saturday morning and it was pretty busy. I ordered one of their signature latte and a pastry- both were very delicious and reasonably priced. I docked one star because the barista handed me a drink with a crack in the cup. It didn't make much sense to me how he could not feel or see the liquid coming out of the side. He ended up remaking it for me, but the 2nd cup I got had a large piece of plastic at the bottom of the cup. Sucking up a piece of plastic is not very enjoyable but the coffee was still pretty good. read more

Arrived on a busy Saturday morning. I was worried it would take a really long time to get through the line but the service was quick! I was hoping to grab a pastry of some sort but there were none left on the counter (I should have asked though because it was magically filled a moment later). Ambience isn't anything great, but there are a few tables and chairs should you decide to drink your beverage there. I loved the specialty coffee I got that day and would definitely stop back in next time I'm in the neighborhood. read more

Walked in near closing time, and the barista was extremely nice. ordered an iced coffee with strawberry and soy milk but regretted not ordering their cold brew that's freshly made in house every day! love the half coffee shop/half art studio feel of the place; will definitely come back to try their cold brew! read more

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Well, shame on me for not getting here sooner because this may just become a new regular spot for us. Perfectly located right across the street from the Music Box Theatre, with a vibe to match it, Bombastic offers excellent coffee options, baked goods, and, yes, cocktails! And the cocktails are...damn good! They really take their time here, this isn't a slash-and-grab Dunkin Donuts operation, and the results show. A lot of care, craft, and thought goes into making each drink. We will 100% be back, I can't wait to try some of the other options on the menu! And, a special shoutout to the barista/bartender behind the counter, Guiseppe, whose affable personality and humor made for an even more delightful experience. read more

Bombastic Cafe - a martini and a glass of beer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great hipster vibe that provides some contrast to the preppy spots in the Southport area. Excellent coffee and cozy atmosphere. I took a star off though because it feels a bit cramped and awkward towards the back of the cafe. Will be returning- especially for the street seating in the warm weather! read more

ICED CHAI LATTE REVIEW: You know it's a good chai when you can SEE the spice at the top of the lid (swoon)! Spiciness: 8/10 BEST FIRST TASTE EVER. The only reason I'm giving it an 8 is before after the first couple sips, the overall spice starts to go away. Sweet to spicy ratio: 9/10 (if you prefer spicy to sweet) Milk to tea ratio: 9/10 (I subbed the whole milk for almond milk) The location itself is very hipster! A lot of art, vintage decor and ~spooky~ decor including two skeletons having coffee in the window lol. I had to fight the urge to order a pastry because their croissants and quiches looked soooo good! I'd come back read more

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I like the vibe of this place. I can't tell if they just recently opened, or what because when we walked in, it felt kind of like, messy almost? I don't even know how to describe it. Not messy in a *bad* way, but more so just kind of like... things seemed purposely left out and it felt unfinished. It actually reminded me of a coffee shop that you'd go to in like San Francisco, with the wooden noisy floors, and hipster vibe even. It's hard to pin point the vibe really, but I'm all about it. The lady who helped us when ordering was really friendly and gave a good recommendation. I don't remember what I ordered exactly, but it hit the spot for a nice cold morning walk. I'd love to come back and read a newspaper or something here. Overall just a nice addition (assuming they are new here still? Lol) to the neighborhood. To be fair, I think they are new because they didn't even have a sign outside their door so it was hard to find this place initially. Will be back! read more

This place is very unassuming and easy to pass by - I've lived in the neighborhood for going on 8 years and today was my first time in after googling "coffee" while at the corner of Grace and Southport. Between my husband and I, we got two iced coffees: a poca (pistachio + mocha) latte for me and a pistachio latte for him. Very good drinks!! Will definitely be back and make it a regular spot. read more

Bombastic is fantastic. My partner and I dropped in for the first time to warm up while on a walk during a wet, cold winter day. The barista was extremely nice and the inside vibe was cool. The prices were also fair, so we knew we'd be back and have been a couple times since--always greeted by friendly smile and delicious coffee drink. Last time we popped in, I treated myself to a dirty chai latte. It was super flavorful--nice and spicy but not too sweet. They also have a wide selection of non-dairy milk, if you're vegan. I got macadamia in my latte. If you're feeling extra adventurous, they also have a full selection of alcohol that you can add to your coffee drink if you want. Last time I was in, they suggested whisky in my cold brew, but I wasn't ready for it. I bet that would be real good, though. COVID-wise, they have hand sanitizer, limited indoor seating, and the staff is wearing masks. They also have a few patio tables on the sidewalk to enjoy your drinks outside. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Dirty Chai Latte with Macadamia Milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was waiting for another store to open up on Southport, which lead me to grabbing a coffee here. And I'm so glad I did! This place is run by two brothers, who upon hearing that I didn't like things that "tasted like coffee" happily recommended me a variety of other drinks I'd like. They were very helpful in telling me why they made me what they did and offered to remake it if I didn't like it. No need - the pistachio mocha as delicious! I decided to drink it in house and it was delivered to my table with beautiful latte art. The brothers checked in to make sure it was to my liking, which was appreciated. TLDR: Incredible customer service and delicious pistachio mocha. Give it a try! read more

Bombastic Cafe - Pistachio mocha for here. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've walked by this place for months thinking to myself "I should try this place!" I finally decided to and will recount my experience on my three visits. AMBIENCE: The decor looks like stuff you'd find in someone's basement. Two glow in the dark skeletons are front and center in the display window. Random art along with a chopped off doll head, a lava lamp and other random items strewn about...not the vibe I'm looking for in a coffee shop. There's not a lot of seating (but a huge long table that seats probably 8 people near the door). And the acoustics aren't that great either. Everything was echo-y and it was hard to have a conversation in there. SERVICE: I saw the same two baristas (which I suspect one or both might also be the owner/s) on all three visits. They were friendly and made the coffee in a quick timeframe. That's pretty much the reason I'm giving this place three stars instead of two. COFFEE: Another reviewer mentioned the Cocosette latte which I tried on my first visit and it tasted good. I ordered the same thing on my second visit and for some reason, it did not taste as good. On my third (and final) visit, I asked what other special lattes they had. The barista recommended a lavender drink mixed with something else that I can't quite remember but he claimed it tasted like cereal milk. My interest piqued, I ordered it. It did not taste like cereal milk. It tasted nothing like cereal milk so that was disappointing. On my second visit, I was thinking of ordering a food item but they only had a couple of muffins and a croissant which didn't seem appetizing to me. Maybe this is a fine place to grab your basic coffee and go but I still think there are better coffee options on Southport Avenue. SUMMARY: With the lackluster coffee, lack of food items, tacky decor and bad acoustics, I will not be returning. read more

Came here on my lunch break. Lots of meter street parking, which made getting food quick real easy. Service was fast and friendly. Coffee was read more

Great little spot to do work and grab a coffee... Music can get a little loud sometimes and food options are limited, but the drinks are typically great and worth the local small business surcharge. Happy to support this spot and happy to return. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Blueberry muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love this local spot! I had only stopped in once prior to today, and today it became my refuge while my internet was down. Such a great chill vibe and amazing coffee. I had a hot vanilla latte, and it did not disappoint. The two employees were super friendly and welcoming to everyone who came in (which was a lot of people during the few hours I was here--they were busy!) and paid close attention to each customer. Definitely will be coming here often! read more

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It's a nice neighborhood spot with free wifi and plenty of seating. They have interesting latte and mocha flavors, so I want to return to keep trying them out. It can get a bit loud, so it's good to bring headphones if you're doing any work. read more

I stop by x cappuchino and a mufin was pretty good patio available they also offer wine and cocktails read more

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The spinach feta pastry is so delicious. I will def be back for it and to try a fun drink!

Cute space, good coffee. A good place to meet up with friends and chat for a little while!

Fall is here and so is pumpkin spice! Had to make a quick stop at this cute lil cafe post my weekday morning grocery run. They have a secret menu with a lot more options inside the cafe. You can make any of their drinks diary free for an extra 50 cents, customize the sweetness based on your liking and even make it boozy for $5. Tried their pumpkin spice latte with oat milk and minimal sugar for a stronger pumpkin spice flavour. Oat milk made the latte creamier. The barista made the drink just the way I wanted! She topped it off with a cute latte art. Perfect drink for the perfect season of the year. The latte was definitely worth 5 dollars. read more

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This place is lovely! I go every week or so and the service is always delightful. Everyone in there is so sweet and it's definitely a great place to work at if you are a 20 something remote worker. Music is always great (Fridays tend to be a little loud and pumping), and it has that chaotic hipster energy that isn't overbearing at all. You can tell it's a very local place. One of the best parts is the FOOD. I am not exaggerating when I say that their pastries are INCREDIBLE. They have so many different kinds and when they come right out of the oven, it is the most exciting thing. A lot of people come by to just get pastries and leave. The ONLY reason I rate this 4/5 is the coffee. It isn't TERRIBLE. However, this point of view is someone who has worked in the manual espresso world for 2 years. It is not that good. It is very bland and almost burnt tasting. I am not sure the roast they use for their beans, but as a medium roast lover, I am not a fan. It just doesn't have that full body taste. I don't think this is their fault tho!!! It is dialed in beautifully always--just their beans aren't my favorite. Do I still get lattes here? Yes. Always. So, moral of the story--if you don't mind not having the perfect coffee, but the most lovely space, go here! read more

Environment: A cool space, not a lot of seating but you could bring your work or a book to spend some time. Coffee: some good options, not an extensive menu but some creative choices read more

I got an iced nostalgia latte that was absolutely perfect! The espresso was creamy with a nice full body and the syrup wasn't overpowering to the drink! The staff was friendly and the drinks came out quickly! Thank you! read more

Bombastic Cafe - Iced 12oz Nostalgia Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My husband and I stopped by Bombastic Cafe when we were on the way to visit a friend in the neighborhood, and I am so glad that we did! We grabbed a chai latte and blueberry scone for our friend, and a black coffee, raspberry scone, plain croissant, and ham & cheese croissant for ourselves. Everything was SO tasty and satisfying. As someone who is sensitive to bitter/ acidic/ citrusy coffee, I was so, so pleased with the cup that we got from Bombastic. It was very well balanced and full-bodied, and didn't put me off in any way. Even when we went back to sip on it again much later in the day, it was still tasty. The pastries were great--super flaky croissants and really, really good scones. Aside from the food and drinks, we loved the cafe itself! It's full of great artwork and plants, and the owners were so kind and welcoming. We hope to be back in the near future but in the meantime highly recommend Bombastic to anyone curious about stopping in! read more

Great local coffee shop, super friendly staff. Had one of their specialty lattes with ginger & tumeric and loved it. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Tumeric Ginger Oatmilk Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walking into the bombastic cafe as art student in New York mixed with a Halloween store. A great place to sit and work for a few hours with amazing staff. The baristas especially are very welcoming and always have great recommendations. They have a lot of milk options with a lot of great food choices. I recommend the blackberry hot chocolate or the violet latte. read more

Bombastic Cafe - Strawberry latte with cinnamon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois