The breakfast options at Fairgrounds are outstanding. Too many places that are coffee-centric…read morewill have some pastries (that may be good, but a scone alone ain't breakfast) or some microwaved egg sando thing. At Fairgrounds I just finished a really good breakfast taco with eggs and beans and we'll sauced that was an honest to goodness solid start to the day, along with coffee in a real cup not paper. I'd put this in the rotation if you are near UofC.

I never leave reviews but I felt like I had to. The staff is never particularly friendly here,…read morewhich never bothers me, but today was pretty bad. It took me about 15 minutes for my smoothie because the barista forgot about it. That's fine, it happens. But later in the day, myself and a few other patrons were literally yelled at by an employee to get out since they were closing. We were all on the other side of the cafe, so none of us heard any of the earlier announcements that they were closing soon (they must have been quiet, or I was just too locked in). I even knew it was getting late so I tried looking up hours online (inaccurate information) and even on the door (nothing there). I figured I would just leave when someone asked me to, but I wasn't expecting to get yelled at. Another patron even said "I feel like we're being yelled at right now," and she said "Yeah, you are." So I definitely didn't misunderstand. Weird. Never been yelled at in a cafe before for just sitting, but new experiences are good for growth I guess? That being said, I will not be returning to this Fairgrounds.

I'm not a student but this is a cute place to take a coffee break if you're ever around the…read moreUchicago campus. I came during a rush lunch hour and it was really busy, but the service was fast. I ordered a latte and a hazelnut beignet. It was very much just a stuffed donut and a little dry, but I enjoyed my latte a lot. The outside eating area is so nice, and on a beautiful fall day was a great place to relax and enjoy.

A great cafe to visit especially if you are right next door visiting the Frederick C. Robie House…read morenext door! I highly recommend the homemade chai, it is very cosy and spiced. Ample indoor and outdoor seating! Lines are long but it does move kind of quickly! Plenty of tables to work, sit, or rest.

Harper library is right next door, so Harper Cafe is automatically awesome by its proximity alone…read more I must echo the previous comment in that this cafe gives off the epitome of a hipster vibe; being a hipster seems like a requirement to work here. I won't hold it against them though (it is a college library cafe after all, and it really just creates a sense of whimsicalness). The tea is pretty great, made from tea leaves, not tea bags. There are big comfy chairs (though they're always occupied in the daytime). They have a good option of prepared foods in their fridge (from Rajun Cajun, Siam Thai, The Nile, etc.) and a wide selection of baked goods. All reasonably priced. Basically a very well-stocked library cafe, making it really easy to literally hibernate 24/7 at Harper library when you're studying. Harper Cafe makes leaving the building unnecessary .

Harper Café is arguably the best coffee shop in Hyde Park. They play some of the best music I've…read moreever heard and conversing with their baristas makes me feel very sophisticated. I'm a big fan of their London Fog--who knew that I'd find a little slice of London, UK in Chicago, US :-) !! If you're feeling hungry, check out their vegan food options. So delightful!!

Great breakfast/ coffee shop in the Woodlawn area ! Service was fast and I loved seeing the diverse…read morecrowd! Will be back again !

This place sucks! And it's sad bc it's the only coffee place in the area so we don't have many…read moreoptions The service is rude and racist and they service mostly black and brown ppl. It's slow they never get orders right and even when you order ahead it takes FOR EVER! There is alway only one person making coffee at the busiest time, mornings. When you ask questions or for iodates it's always met with an attitude. Ppl dont say anything bc it's the only place in miles to get coffee. It's a coffee shop. You need more ppl making coffee please. And fix the attitude. Also they knew a new exhaust system. Anytime you go in there you smell like food. It's disgusting

Amazing flavor. The bread was fresh and crunchy and soft on the inside. They gave extra creamy…read moregarlic sauce per my request. The sauce takes it to another level. Staff is so kind. 10/10 would recommend.

Nice selection of oven roasted sandwiches. Food was great…read more The owner and staff were very personable and made sure we liked our orders. Also reasonable priced food.

I went on Saturday, May 16, at 10:45am and the two young ladies serving at the time were really…read moregreat. Both greeted me and were friendly. I chose the honey vanilla latte. I enjoyed it and tasted both flavors so make sure you like honey if this is what you choose. I think I would stick with my regular French vanilla next time. I also tried the cheese danish, warmed up and I enjoyed it. The seating options were varied and there were plenty of them. I liked the bar style seating along the window so you have privacy and a view. They also had tables which were good for couples or groups. I'd definitely return if I were in the area.

We had a couple of hours to kill before we could check into our Airbnb. This cute little corner…read morecoffee shop was the perfect solution. Especially since we had our luggage with us. I got an iced coffee and a blueberry muffin, while my wife got the chai latte. It looks a true community gathering spot as they advertised events like karaoke, speed dating and candle making.

CASH only! MENU:…read moreGreat coffee--I believe the least expensive on campus--and some yummy premade meals. Coffee - 8oz = $1 I like the LSD blend. CAFE: The place is pretty small but usually packed with people. It's located in the basement of Swift, so it is also rather dark. Honestly, the vibe makes me feel like I'm in a wood laden tavern in Europe... which I love. However, the darkness is not conducive for my studying; so, I usually grab a coffee and bounce. LOCATION: When you walk into Swift, you walk in a diagonal to the left. You will see an opening to a stairwell. You descend the stairs and then turn to the left and descend a few more. It's straight ahead. There is also an elevator to the basement; when you enter Swift it's on the right. SERVICE: I've found the staff is usually in good spirits and friendly. However, every now and again, you get someone who doesn't seem to be having a good day. It happens to all of us.

Comfy ambiance. Cash only…read more Located in the depths of uchicago's divinity school, this coffee shop offers a warm, cozy, perhaps divine atmosphere to enjoy a caffeinated or non caffeinated drink. The walls are adorned with a variety of non secular material, creating a unique study experience. Small pastries are offered alongside a few canned or bottled drinks. Note: this shop is cash only. I had an iced Sweet Natured Sage which consists of espresso, milk, sweet condensed milk, honey, and sage. The drink was wonderfully smooth and enjoyable.

Super cute cafe in "downtown" Hyde Park with excellent coffee and friendly service…read more I'm not a coffee aficionado, but my dad is, and he was very happy with the quality of the coffee. The cafe doesn't have coffee with "regular" names (eg. Americano). Instead, each item on the menu has a Philz-only name and twist. This makes for a more unique experience that other cafes in Hyde Park. I enjoyed their Iced Coffee Rose, and my father enjoyed both the Silken Splendor and Jacob's Wonderbar. The decor is warm and inviting, and the cashiers and baristas are always friendly and helpful. The cashier in fact walked me through their selection quite extensively and patiently. I haven't tried any of their food so far, but definitely intend to do so. The establishment is open only till 3pm on weekdays, which is unfortunate because otherwise this would have become my default study spot. I still plan to visit, perhaps with a book or two. Overall, I recommend Philz if you are in the neighborhood in the morning or early afternoon.

My first time at a Philz!! They don't have this franchise in nyc and I've been hearing all about it…read morefrom the west coast influencers, so I had to stop by on my CHI visit. TBH, Philz is just like any standard coffee shop, offering different kinds of roasts, teas, and light bites. I asked the cashier for a rec and they pointed to the popular flavors. I'm not a dark roast lover, but also wanted a good cup of coffee, so I got the Philtered Soul, which is their medium roast. I initially ordered it hot, but it was pretty warm (~50+ degrees, warm in chi standards lol) that day, so the barista gladly pivoted and made my drink cold. They asked iced or cold brew and I said dealer's choice - I got the cold brew and it was a GREAT gamble!! Loved that there was a cup of free keychains at the register, so I had to take one back w me as a souvenir. Bright spot with ample seating and locals working on laptops. Shoutout to the Philz staff for an overall delightful visit and enjoyable bev!

Karl and I recently visited Medici on 57th in Hyde Park, and I can definitely see why this…read morerestaurant is such a neighborhood staple! We started our meal with Fidel's chicken soup and the chili cheddar fries. The soup was comforting and hearty, while the chili cheddar fries delivered all that cheesy goodness you crave when you're in the mood for comfort food. For our entrées, we enjoyed the chicken salad croissant and the crispy fried chicken sandwich with wedge fries. Both were satisfying choices that fit perfectly with the restaurant's classic, no-fuss approach to comfort food. Now, let's talk about dessert! The brown butter skillet cookie was the perfect way to end our meal. It arrived piping hot from the oven, and honestly, what more could you ask for? Needless to say, we joined the clean plate club once again! The service was another highlight of our visit. Everything moved quickly, and the staff was attentive throughout our meal. It's always refreshing when you can enjoy your food without feeling forgotten by your server. But what really won me over was the atmosphere! I'm absolutely obsessed with how cozy this restaurant feels. There's something so charming about the warm, welcoming environment that makes you want to settle in, enjoy your meal, and stay awhile. It has that classic neighborhood restaurant personality that I absolutely love. Overall, Medici on 57th delivered a lovely combination of comforting food, attentive service, and an inviting atmosphere. It's definitely a spot worth checking out when you're exploring Hyde Park. And whatever you do, save room for that skillet cookie!

We had lunch here and the pastries were all sold out. So we went back in the morning to try a bunch…read moreof their pastries. We had the cheeseburger and Cubano sandwich. I'm not the biggest fan of the burger. It was fine, but the pickles are packed under all the fries. It's missing condiments. They pack some ketchup and mustard, but I need mayo too. It was only when I ate 80% of my burger when I realized. The Cuban sandwich was good and the fries are way more substantial. The pastries are good value. The apple cinnamon and the roll that they have is delicious. Everything had a good amount of butter mixed in so it was flakey. But whatever the roll is, that one is especially good. I haven't eaten at the restaurant, so not sure what the interior is like.

Visited today to deposit a check, and Jawan guided me through the entire process. It was easy, and…read morethe staff was incredibly friendly. Slightly upscale, but quiet - lots of people working, even on a Saturday.

Late Review Reliable…read morespot for wanting to stay at a cafe for a while. Open until 6pm and has a plethora of seating inside. I always go with someone who has a capitol one card (you have to)--which is the one downside, I wish there was just a fee to get in if you didn't have a card. The coffee isn't bad, chai latte is actually good. Overall 6.5/10