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!!

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 .

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!

Great place to go on a nice warm day! Staff was very nice and the cafe in general was beautiful…read more Food was AMAZING but a little pricey. They had many Dubai chocolate deserts that have been really popular on TikTok! Highly recommend the biscoff crepe!

So this wasn't my first time visiting Sweet Drip it's just my first review since visiting twice!…read more The first time I patronized I tried the gelato which was very good, but it's not in m picture. This last visit, I bought the Dubai chocolate sundae, the Biscoff (lotus) strawberry cup, and I also got two of the small pastries. Overall I enjoyed everything, the baklava was okay, I preferred the Nutella pastry more. The service was very good and the people behind the register were nice!! The inside is very cute and I did like siting inside!! I will be back! Just any FYI the Dubai chocolate sundae may feel pricey but it's completely worth it!!

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.

This review is just based on the tasty iced French vanilla latte with oat milk I got. I needed an…read moreafternoon pick-me-up Sunday and this was the perfect choice. When I went there was no line. There is a lot of seating and while I didn't go when it was too busy, there were quite a few people there. The barista who helped me was very kind. We found a table to sit at while we waited for my drink. It's very casual and unassuming. There is something almost retro about the space. We ended up doing our Duolingo at the cafe before I took my coffee to go on a walk at Promontory Point. The coffee was super yummy.

The service was absolutely amazing and extraordinary today!…read more Not only was our server Shay amazing but the look and feel of eating in my Grandma's kitchen was elegant at its best! Food was delicious, all staff members are curious, friendly, enjoy stopping by chatting at our table! Snooze is the place to not only get full from their menu but it is one of the best neighborhood meeting, clean, upbeat, and comfortable restaurants yet in Texas that I have visited! Thanks Snoozers for being who you are!!

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

Now, why didn't anyone tell me about Plein Air? I was in the Hyde Park area with a friend for a…read morewalk when we were browsing the neighborhood for a place to have breakfast and we found Plein Air nestled on the University of Chicago campus. To my surprise this is now my new favorite breakfast spot! Plein Air does not take reservations it's a first come first served restaurant where you order your food at the counter and seat yourself. They value community and have plenty of seating inside for folks as well as a larger patio area if you prefer to eat our doors. Their space was open, airy and welcoming. The line can get pretty long but just a little patience because it's worth it and they try their hardest to get you serviced. The food was awesome! So awesome I offered several things from the menu because I couldn't pick just one thing! I ordered their egg breakfast which was served with eggs your way, protein choice, breakfast potatoes and toast, their yogurt and granola bowl, coffee and I absolutely could not forgive myself if I left without getting their raspberry beignet. Everything was delicious, fresh, light, and quality. I can see why it gets so busy! I cannot wait to get back because thay yogurt bowl has been calling my name since I last had it

The vegan sandwich was excellent and it was a good price. The staff were friendly. I love that you…read morecan sit outside. It gets crowded on Sundays. I will be back.

Cozy atmosphere, below average service, and expensive but good quality food and drinks. The cafe is…read moresituated next to a university dorm, and therefore has no shortage of patrons. This however means that the servers and staff put little to no effort in creating a welcoming environment for patrons: they are often curt and unhelpful. They are also unapologetic when they get orders wrong or mixed up, which happens more than one might think. The food itself has not been disappointing, though I would recommend their savoury selections over the sweets. The drinks have generally been good, and I quite liked the Vietnamese iced coffee. The ambiance is super pretty, with cozy couches and comfortable chairs. The location is also fantastic, with a lovely porch that's nice to hang out in during the warmer months. The cafe would make an excellent study spot, but the poor quality of service coupled with the pricey food and drink options make me exceedingly reluctant to return. Visit at your own risk!

My go to place to hang out between doctors appointments at UC. If I have an early pm appointment I…read moreget work done before getting my kid from school instead of going home. Sometimes i bring the kid if he has an appointment after school. Sorry not sorry for infiltrating a student spot. I may be old but I look young so I think I pass as a student? It's pretty popular so I don't always get to use an outlet when I attempt to use Fairground as a temporary office. Oh well. If I can get the comfy couch I'm happy enough. :) Coffee is good. My son loves the brownies. I love the ambience. Staff are so nice. I'm glad I have a place to go on heavy appointment days!

After many irritating visits to Medici with the most basic or lack for customer service care, and…read morethe most ridiculous wait times for basic bevy and dessert orders, this is the cherry on top! $3.25 to "make it a chocolate Sunday" on a $5 bowl of vanilla ice cream, only to get bowl of vanilla ice cream with pecans instead of peanuts and the lightest drizzle of chocolate I've ever seen. Why is this most basic ask so difficult to deliver on?

Stopped by here because we were waiting for a show to begin. It adjacent to the Medici Deli so I…read morewent through the wrong door initially. This place has a lot of personality: old wood finishes, "graffiti" on every reachable wall and sill. I wanted to follow the other reviews and get the calamari and the chili. The calamari was very good, but has a short shelf life. The chili was nice, but a little toothless. Also had the cubano which was rich in pickles which is always a plus. I guess, since it's claiming a deli in-residence, I'd try the deli sandwich specialities. I don't know when I can get out here next, but it looks like the pizza is supposed to be the next thing we try.