Tasty drinks and smart and helpful staff. The shop is welcoming and the vibe hugs you and wants you to hang out.

Note to Fairground....The new flavors are trash or the batista has no idea what she is doing... I'm going with the flavor profiles are garbage...Watermelon Matcha taste like soda mixed with burnt ash...How is this considered watermelon or matcha....cant taste either. And the peach cobbler latte contains zero flavor of peach or a cobbler...Come to find out the peach flavor is supposed to come from the foam...Nope even the foam was flavorless...lol How is Dunking Donuts coffee better than this expensive vomit tasting coffee... You can do better than this Fairgrounds but I will never know because I will never be back...Chicago has an awesome coffee shop every 2 blocks. read more

We stopped in and a coffee and quick bite for breakfast. The staff was nice and it was super cute inside! I ordered a hot tahini caramel latte with oatmilk and really really enjoyed it. I ordered the breakfast bowl and didn't really care for it. It was very very spicy (i figured it would be a little spicy but nothing like this) and the flavors didn't mix well in my opinion. It looked good, but I really wish I would've ordered something else. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast Bowl - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Finally stopped into Fairgrounds Coffee after walking by it a hundred times. Grabbed a cold brew and a tuna avocado melt to go. The cold brew was awesome, they have several roasts on tap and even ask what kind of roast you want, which was a cool touch. Waited about 15 minutes for my sandwich, which was totally fine considering how busy it was. There's tons of seating inside, so it'd be a great spot to post up with a laptop or just relax. Tried the tuna avocado melt when I got home and it was perfect fresh, flavorful, and came with some crispy tots on the side. Solid portion and not too pricey. Definitely above-average food for a coffee shop. I'll for sure be back soon. read more

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First time here - purchased nonfat latte and a bottle of water. Grabbed a seat at the "bar" along the front window. Really enjoyed my experience. 1) staff friendly and efficient 2) speedy service 3) clean 4) pretty spacious 5) latte was very tasty Will be back to try the food and other drinks. read more

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I have been coming to fairgrounds for years and both of their locations have really great coffee. While the loop one is more grab and go, this one has lots of seating and is a good place to work. Their breakfast tacos are very tasty, and all of their coffees on tap are fun, unique and good! read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was lunchtime and I was in the area looking for a quick bite to eat before a doctor appt. There's no shortage of lunch spots in this area, but parking is another story. I scored a spot on Erie and checked Yelp to find a quality quick service lunch spot that was a few minutes away from my parking spot. And that's how I found myself at Fairgrounds. It wasn't too crowded at 1pm so I was able to order right away and went with the breakfast tacos. I always love when the breakfast menu is available ALL day! I had my allotted coffee for the day so reluctantly held off on caffeine and anything else, but I did notice they carry some of my favorite healthy snack brands (ex: hippea chips). The tacos came out within minutes and were delicious. They were also super filling and I even skipped an afternoon snack, which is a rare occurrence for me. 12 years ago I lived down the street from Fairgrounds and would have loved to have something like this in the neighborhood. I find myself back in the area from time to time so good to know this exists and also would be a great spot to get some work done. read more

I stumbled across this little coffee shop and it was absolutely adorable! I met the sweetest lady named Iris, who was so kind, informative, and helpful. She recommended their new Pumpkin Cold Brew, which was delicious--and even better, I got to see that they make their pumpkin and banana date syrups in-house (so much better than the artificial stuff). The seasonal drink was amazing, but honestly, the true highlight was the hospitality from Iris. She's the reason this place is an easy 5 stars! read more

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I stopped in to grab a quick beverage. The spacious coffee shop sits on a corner with floor to ceiling windows all around. The room is stylish and offers plenty of seating. The food and beverage selection is diverse. I chose a cold can of tea. It tasted great. Unfortunately the girl at the counter did her job but nothing more. No smile. No greeting or thank you. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Their sign and their employee confirmed they close at 8 pm. Well we walked in at 7:13 pm and all the chairs were up on the tables. I ordered a Vietnamese coffee and was told they can't make that since it's so late. If you close at 8 pm then close at 8 pm not 7:13 pm! No thanks! read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - They say open till 8 pm. This was the scene inside at 7:13 pm!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I checked out this coffee shop while I was on the area. It was crowded which I took as a good sign and ordered a vanilla latte. It came out quickly and I was able to find a place to sit and enjoy it. Unfortunately, the latte was way too sweet and not that great. Wish I'd enjoyed it since I've heard good things about the coffee here. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

cute spot with a nice interior and it is good for working remotely although the music can be a bit loud at times. there are a lot of snack options and even some merch. the drink i got was the honey lavender latte, iced with oat milk, and it was VERY concentrated in terms of sweetness. i didn't love it. the baristas were nice however. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - snack options - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Aubri the best cup of coffee I've ever had! Excellent vegan and gf breakfast! Quick and courteous service. Perfect ambiance for a coffee shop! read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Shaken Espresso - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I got a chicken caesar salad and the chicken had to have been frozen. It was chewy and gross. The service was really nice though, and I would definitely go back for a coffee and to do work. read more

Met some friends here on a late Saturday afternoon and had such a great time. This coffee shop is cozy, but not too loud. It was a bit tough to find seating for four people, but luckily someone was leaving a big table so we snagged it. The staff we interacted with throughout ordering and receiving our food were all very friendly and answered questions about the menu. They were also accommodating when my friend noted an allergy and took time to break down the ingredients used with her. I had the turkey club and iced green tea (which I forgot to take a picture of the tea) and was impressed with the quality and price for both items! The tea was not overwhelming or watered down. The turkey club was well portioned and very tasty. Plus, in my book, getting tots with a sandwich is always fantastic! I almost couldn't finish all the food and shared some tots with my friends. I can't wait to come back here and try more of their drinks and food. Everything my friends had was also great. Whether you're looking to spend time with others or get work done, Fairgrounds is definitely the spot! read more

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Great Latte at a Fair Price I had a very solid iced latte with oat milk here. At $5.50 before tax, it's reasonably priced for the quality. The service is quick, and the drink is consistently well-made every time I visit. Definitely a reliable choice for a good latte in River North! read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Latte with oat milk - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

overall i enjoyed my experience at fairgrounds. it's a nice cafe to work in and the food and beverage is good. i enjoyed my latte a lot. the food wasn't memorable, but i have no complaints about it. i would definitely do work here again. the staff is very friendly and it's a decently comfy spot. i do wish there were more outlets. read more

I came here after I got Botox so I could finish work and river north people watch/accidentally run into a crush of mine. I got a Vietnamese coffee and a ham and cheese croissant which was amazing and messy. The tables were open and super comfortable space wise to get work done. The only con is an obvious one which is the noise but that's not this places fault- it has open windows and doors downtown under a train track. P.S-I did not run into my crush. read more

Obsessed with their new salted honey cold brew, so delicious!! Also been loving their fire roasted chicken sandwich.

This Fairgrounds has become one of my go-tos. Their food has been great every time. I especially like the breakfast burrito which is served all day. There's a cute little patio for the summer months and inside has a wide variety of chairs and couches. There are a lot of folks camping out there though, so I've been many times where no seats are available. read more

Super yummy sweet potato salad!! Took less than 10 minutes too. The place is very aesthetic and has a lot of spaced out seating. Open until 6:30 so thats nice. Prices arent bad too! Also love that it sells looseleaf teas. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Swee Peach Blossom White (Bb), sweet potato salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love this coffee shop so much - the assortment is amazing, clean ingredient options - the service is great, with friendly and helpful staff - the REWARDS omg... the point system is amazing I feel like I'm redeeming perks every time I come! - ceremonial matcha - it's surprisingly rare to find unsweetened so I'm glad they've kept that on the menu! I walk past two coffee shops just to come to this one for these reasons. Great spot overall. read more

Such a great spot to post up for a few hours and get some work done! The space is stunning with large windows, cozy couches, and lots of tables and seating. The wifi connection is great and there's good music playing. It wasn't too loud so I was able to still have meetings without feeling like they could hear the music on my end. The staff member who took my order was such a joy!! I asked for a drink recommendation that was creamy and a little sweet and she suggested the Vietnamese iced coffee. This is complete with condensed milk, cinnamon, milk, and garnished with a mint leaf. Truly the perfect iced beverage! And yes, it's 15 degrees out and I ordered an iced drink. No judgement please! I also ordered the South x Southwest salad. Dang, this is one gorgeous salad and definitely made me feel healthy. It's BIG and I was able to take a little over half home with me. The dressing it's served with was really tasty! Truly a wonderful coffeeshop. Can't wait to come back! read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Filthy. I went in today and two small non-service dogs were jumping all around. And it's not the first time I've seen animals running around in there. read more

Good ambiance and service, poor food, left of heating rack too long and stale. Would not go again. Also the $13 burritos was pretty small!

Went here on a weekday for a nice place to work from. It's open till 7pm which I love. The server recommended a warm chai and it was nice! Could've been warmer but the taste was good. Ambiance was really nice as well, quite pretty. read more

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Absolutely the worst, bar none, cafe in the city. The baristas hate working there and there attitude is atrocious. When i walked in the barista didnt acknowledge me. I had to greet her. Basic customer skills.... just not there. I ordered two double shots and a pour over for my partner and i. The barista starts making my shots and instead of serving them when she is done. She puts them in paper cups and holds it behind the counter. Then she proceeds to start my pour over. She is rinsing the filter and has a puddle of water at the bottom of the bee house dripper they use. She dumps the coffee on the puddle and put a cup under it which is dripping dirty water into the cup with no coffee being extracted. As i sit and watch, she turned away to wash caps to syrup bottles as this pour over is set up missing half of the grounds. When i ask for her to come and check on it, she decides its good enough and just wets the rest of the grounds. I told her she can keep it because it is going to taste like garbage. Absolutely worst service, barista and coffee experience i have had in Chicago. I am a barista myself and give a ton of leeway but this isnt the first horrible experience but i promise it will be my last. Also how can other coffee companies let fairgrounds make their coffee? Their employees do not care about the product making other coffee companies look terrible. If i was a coffee provider and i was selling to fairgrounds..... i would reallllllly really rethink why and if the money is worth the negative impact. I would say not. Do not go here. Do not support them. Spend your money anywhere else and i promise you will have a better experience and coffee. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - When your barista just wants you to leave they put forth zero effort. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This location is bright, aesthetically pleasing, a good place to grab a light breakfast or catch up with friends. In terms of being a study/work spot, I personally had difficulty finding a power outlet/place to work as I felt like most of the seating inside was set up for larger parties (groups). read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really excellent place. Delicious hot tea . Get the Blueberry Rooibos, almost doesn't need sugar because it has natural sweetness. They give you a little hourglass and when it's done your tea is ready. Croissant was good too . Prices are reasonable. The place is funky with good music and also cozy with a few couches and lots of tables too . My friend liked his macchiato and said it was creamy. Staff were also very welcoming to us because it was our first time. Recommended. Was a short walk from the Best Western Hotel. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Blueberry Rooibos tea and croissant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was disappointed in the closing of the Fulton location so I had to find a new spot to enjoy the pour overs and excellent breakfast selections. We found it in River North. So glad you still have multiple spots. This is our favorite coffee place! read more

The food and service were amazing! I got the chai tea latte and avocado toast. Delicious and a wonderful vibe for a quick bite and midday work stop. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Chai Tea Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Baristas were quite dry and rude. Cute cafe, I ordered a peppermint matcha which was very cute, was not the best tasting. Boyfriend wanted something that was similar to a frappe, the barista gave him a recommendation, they gave him black coffee.... Food was very yum. Drinks were mid. They had very cute swings and atmosphere. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walked in wasn't greeted. Walked to the counter the associate stood in front of me and didn't greet me or ask if I wanted anything. I had my headphones on so, I said hello. She looked at me soft smiled but said nothing. I stood there for another 30 seconds the person never said a word to me. There was no else at the counter. I was intending to try something new, but I will continue to give me money to the customer friendly Brett's down the street(recommended). If you can't speak to me, you can't have my money. The other person never looked up because they were on their phone. read more

Coffee was too expensive for too little coffee, lack of size cups, espresso soda was terrible, food wasnt good either, cool decor, doesn't take cash.... Wtf read more

This cafe is in my work building and I stop here every time I come in. The manager is super friendly and always greets me with a smile, but does that all for customers. Baristas are convivial and accurate. Try the homemade baklava or raspberry muffin for a great morning start! read more

Congrats on the opening - I've only been to the location on Michigan Ave, and this place is 10x larger and more conducive to a "work from" vibe. The space is bright, the drinks are plentiful, and the food is delicious. The staff was also attentive and helpful even when it was busy (yay kindness). Got the power flower milk tea (matcha, jasmine butterfly pea flower tea, jasmine simple syrup and coconut milk) and the hearty turkey and havarti sandwich (oven roasted turkey, havarti cheese, red cabbage slaw, roma tomato, thousand island dressing, multigrain). Taste: 10/10 but it is pricey after tax and tip! Pro tip: you can order ahead since it gets quite busy during peak hours. They have WiFi and you can get your work done here. The music is kinda loud, so wouldn't recommend taking calls here. Excited to be back - and will be visiting this place very often! read more

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Good morning, Fair grounds has excellent coffee very rich and bitter, however the service provided is awful, i waited 30 minutes for a Americano, while people who looked nicer (white) got lattes instantly. Giving a fair review i would say the baristas ruined the experience, not only did i wait that long but when i brought it up they said well that just happens. i will not be supporting them. read more

Great service, super nice environment, Food portion was large and very good. Great quiet place to get some food and do some work, or just chat read more

We tried the river north location. The coffee was decent. I was very excited about the truffle mocha but it didn't quite deliver. We tried the avocado toast and the roasted potatoes, both of which were good. The ambience is very boho and fresh and it's a nice coffee place to unwind and work from. It's usually quiet during non rush hours but rush hours could be loud. The service is fast and efficient. They even sell kombucha, snacks and cookies. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Bad Hass Avocado Toast, Roasted potatoes and chocolate truffle mocha - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

this review is for my HOT CHOCOLATE people: do NOT get the hot chocolate here. It was truly terrible, and also this tiny little thing was $7, even though the highest price for hot chocolate on the menu was $6, so I feel scammed. I took like 3 sips before I threw it away because it was just so bad. I had 2 friends of mine try it also to make sure I wasn't crazy, and they both hated it also and said they really only tasted water and no chocolate. That's the other thing - they made it with WATER by default, not asking me what I wanted it made with and I had assumed that it would have been made with milk by default. A waste of $7. Go to Nomad instead, just north up the street, for actually amazing hot chocolate for less money. read more

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea - Hot chocolate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois