Welp, there's a reason this spot has fabulous Yelp reviews. I worked my way throughout the city for…read morea few days and I have to say the little window perch overlooking the sidewalk at Sawada was one of my favorites. It also didn't hurt that their military matcha packs a punch. The espresso matcha combination was much smoother than I anticipated. I'd be lying if i didn't admit that I was questioning that this was a trending drink in the reviews but I was wrong, dear reader. The combination somehow worked and it's pretty at the same time. This space is also home to a bbq restaurant so there's a lot of room to spread out, have meetings, etc. The location in Fulton Market also makes it a great jumping off point for the neighborhood.

DRINKS I opted for their black camo latte. The hojicha…read moreflavor was strong, and the drink itself was not too sweet. Their military latte is their iconic drink, so if I'm ever back in Chicago, it'll definitely be something I'll check out! FOOD They have a limited selection of pastries like donuts available for purchase. Selection was limited near the end of the day. SERVICE The staff are kind and friendly! It gets busy fast, but they are efficient in pumping out orders. AMBIANCE Ample seating is available inside the store that is shared with the BBQ place adjoining the coffee spot. I visited around 2:30pm and it was filled with people working/studying or meeting with friends/coworkers. Complimentary wi-fi is available (password on the menu board). Finding the entrance was a bit confusing despite all the signs, but it's the one with a lot of stickers! PARKING Paid street parking is available at a limited capacity. BATHROOMS Restrooms are available downstairs at the back of the establishment.

Haven't been here in years (2018?). Still a great hang with couches for catching up with friends…read moreand socializing. Staff was friendly and it's always a nice little luxury to get a coffee not made from home in this economy! I had the vanilla bean latte, half sweet, oat milk And my friend had the koopa troopa, half sweet, oat milk They've had the same menu a long time so it's tried and true and then their seasonal offerings as well! Love this place. Bit of nostalgia for a different time. I remember the cereal bar. Now that I've made myself sound about a million years old it's time to sign off! Go catch up with friends here

One of my favorite coffee shops! It's almost always busy, so I wouldn't recommend coming if loud…read moreenvironments aren't your thing, but I absolutely love the vibe here. The decor is classic and cozy, and the coffee is genuinely excellent. I also love doing work here with their community tables. I usually don't like my lattes too sweet, but they nail the balance and flavor combinations every time. It is a bit sweet overall, but I'm not bothered by it? They really balance the flavor combinations really well, especially with the ghostly trio! Despite how busy it gets, the service is surprisingly quick, and somehow every drink still comes out consistently great. I honestly don't know how they manage it.

Funky and hip vibe. Great atmosphere overall - cool design, lots of varied seating (tables and…read morechairs to couches and loveseats), jazz playing, and upbeat staff. Breakfast sandwiches and vegan options available. I just got a soy latte and it was delicious. They use 3 shots so no fear that you'll get a weak coffee! Easy free parking in front. I only wish they didn't up charge for plant milk ($1 extra).

Great Chicago coffee shop. The vibe is right and the coffee options are a plenty…read more I typically get a cold brew, and a bean and cheese breakfast taco. They used to have great empanadas too but the tacos are soooo good. And they have great salsa to go along with them. They sell some beverages like Topo Chico, apple juices, and Jarritos. I have only had one weird interaction here with a staff member, I asked for a pump of mocha syrup in my cold brew and they basically said it was a dumb idea because it wouldn't mix. I have had that in several cold brews at several different well established coffee shops in Chicago and it's delicious when you need a sugar boost. The barista did it but he also shared it didn't make sense. It was uncomfortable. But I didn't let that mar my experience. I still have continued to order my beverage with that barista. Also they have a great mural in the back.

This is my favorite summer spot because the patio is dog friendly. They have a fantastic selection…read moreof food and have gone there for a party. It was catered by the brewery and it was the perfect finger food. They have a great, always rotating beer selection and even have pup food if your doggo is hungry. During the winter they have couches and it can be very cozy in there for a fun game night.

Got the Staff Draft beer and a cold brew and both were really good! Excellent seating and lighting…read moreand lots of outlets to sit and work. Will definitely be going back to get work done and the staff was awesome.

Cafe Deko has become one of my go to matcha spots. The service is friendly and fast. I've had both…read morethe hot and the iced and they nail it either way, smooth, not bitter, and you can actually taste the matcha instead of it being drowned in milk and sugar like some other places. The vibe of this place is what really sets it apart though. Everything is so aesthetic, from the décor down to how they plate and serve everything. It's one of those cafes where you walk in and just want to sit down, take your time, and soak it all in. Great spot to catch up with a friend, get some work done, or honestly just sit and people watch for a bit. If you're a matcha person, you owe it to yourself to check this place out. I keep finding excuses to come back.

Beautiful inside with a classy coffee shop vibe. No computers are allowed on the weekends. Honestly…read moreit was nice to see people catch up with each other without heads buried under laptops. Coffee was solid, tried their vanilla latte. They have their own selection of food but didn't get a chance to try this time.

I love Volumes! Every time I stop in, I always find a new book to add to my TBR. I trust the…read morestaff's recommendations. I have come here numerous times to find a gift for a friend or family member, and have always been successful in my mission after my visit to Volumes. The staff is so helpful, too! I love supporting a local, indie bookstore! In addition to that wonderful perk, Volumes also offers a ton of classes and events. They definitely foster community here.

Great selection of new books. Also, has a small coffee cafe on site. Definitely worth checking…read morethis place out if you're in the neighborhood and love books.

My husband and I have been fans of Ipsento ever since it was in its original location. We visited…read morebucktown this weekend and were thrilled to get to enjoy Ipsento 3xs. The Ipsento latte is incredible. We also tried the raspberry matcha latte which had a nice, subtle flavor, and the spinach feta quiche which was delicious and had a flakey, buttery crust.

With one cashier on a busy Sunday...the line barely moved (i was there by 12pm). Then i waited 13…read moreminutes for a small cappuccino.... The croissant ham & Swiss sandwich was cold & lacked flavor and i waited so long for my coffee that i finished my sandwich without my coffee. They also charge for a credit card processing fee. Definitely not going back and I'll try other coffee shops.

Tiktok brought me here of course. Something told me to come before 10am. After all, it is a Sunday…read more But I did not listen and came at noon. Luckily when I got there it wasn't too crazy, but the line was just at the door. This place was packed inside and it felt a bit overwhelming. There are kiosks to place your order which is smart so the employees can focus on making drinks due to the large volume of traffic. Luckily it only took about 3 min for me to place my order. It was easy to do. I've heard about the infamous mango matcha latte so that is what I ordered. There's an area to wait for your drinks and they even have seating. I was able to snag a spot and people watch. 1 thing about this place is the people who come in here sure do dress nice so I'm glad i put myself together somewhat instead of coming in my pj's. I think people are in and out typically because of how crowded it is. It would be nice to enjoy the ambiance if there were more room. It is a nice vibe inside. After maybe 7 minutes of waiting my name was called according to my drink order. Once I left, the line was out the door. So the question is does the mango matcha latte live up to its name? It most certainly does! The drink is really good. Totally understand the hype. Thank you Gathers for making my drink and managing the foot traffic so well on the day to day.

i got the matcha latte (extra matcha) and thought it was decent. you can def taste the matcha and i…read morelike how they use simple syrup so nothing is overpowering it. i will say, i wish the matcha was stronger, it was kinda eh, i was hoping for something strong since i got extra matcha the strawberry matcha was good, jam adds a nice sweetness to it. the black sesame matcha i did not like as much, thought the matcha flavor got pushed to the background more yummy rating: 6.5/10

Cozy and huge coffee shop! They have my beloved oat milk for lattes. And tons of donuts, cakes,…read morecroissants, cheesecakes and also custard and pies! And cookies and danishes and muffins. Oh my! The pies kind of look like homemade individual sized pizza pockets with either spinach, chicken, veggie or zatar. They're on the bottom shelf in the picture. All kinds of pastries from savory to sweet. I was eyeing the chicken pie for a future visit during lunchtime. If you want to work on your laptop, the free WIFI is good and there are charge cord plugs all along the wall. I like how spacious and bright it is inside, not to mention the high ceilings. When I get cabin fever it's nice to "escape" to a clean and friendly location like this.

Qamaria is quite literally tucked away in Albany Park so I was shocked to see the ginormous space…read morewhen I entered. There's seating for probably 50 people, if not more, and it's open till midnight most days. This is the perfect 'third space' for anyone looking to catch up with friends or looking for a new work/study area. I loved the iced mufawar because it's a perfect blend of spices like cardamon and it gives me a caffeine high. There's an assortment of sweets and a few savory items like croissants. A shared parking lot in front is a major plus, but it's also steps away from the Brown Line making it super convenient. Definitely a great place to get some work done.

Since my last review 2 years ago, I've developed such an obsession with Ritual's scones that I…read morethink they deserve their own review. I don't know what sorcery they are using to bake these scones, but they are not your average dry, flaky pastry. They are moist, gooey, huge, heavy on flavors and ingredients, and always delicious. I'm tempted to ask the owner to start texting me the scone flavors of the day so I never miss my favorites. Top 5 scones: - Peaches and cream - Cherry chocolate - Vanilla chai and/or vanilla rosemary (can't pick) - Lemon ginger - Chocolate caramel pecan Obviously I'm a sweet pastry person, but they also always have a couple of savory options like ham jalapeño cheddar, goat cheese, etc. I had one that was like blackberry habanero one time?? So good and so unique. Thank you, Ritual, for always feeding me scones :)

Very chill coffee house in Ravenswood! Friendly staff with all the usual coffee choices. Small…read moreinterior but seats to enjoy your coffee and listen to some vinyl Pro Tip: dogs allowed and they have bacon treats