I learned about First Sip by way of Uptown Art Week. My favorite mural that was being painted during Art Week was one that had a beautiful plant growing out of a teacup. I thought it was for a plant shop in the area so I was surprised when I walked by and found the artist was partnered with First Sip. I had never heard of First Sip so the mural actually introduced it to me. I have been wanting to try various coffee shops in the area (particularly for their chai since coffee is ick) and so I made a note of it. I stopped in yesterday and now I understand why the plant mural is appropriate! This place has a gorgeous plant theme. They've got at least 30 plants hanging in the window of the cafe. Inside, on the east wall of the restaurant, they have a wall of cuttings. I'm not sure if they're actually propagating them or not but it's beautiful, especially with the lights that were included in the installation. The cafe was pretty quiet, even with 5-6 people inside. I had planned to order a chai, but instead I ordered a red beet latte. I actually like beets as a vegetable, pickled beets, and it was something new so I decided to try it since it was a non-coffee drink. It wasn't my thing; honestly, it tasted mostly like warm milk, I think, and that's not really a flavor I like. But most coffee shops have three non-coffee options: Chai latte, hot chocolate, and tea, and I appreciate that First Sip is trying to be creative and offer more choices for us non-coffee fiends! read more

See all

The ubae vietnamese coffee is really good. The ube taste is strong and goes very well with the strong notes of vietnamese coffee. It's a really good pairing and not one is too overpowering of the other. The pistachio mint latte also was tasty and true to name with the flavor coexisting well together. I enjoyed the pistachio mint taste as it tasted natural and not artificial which is always nice. The decor of the cafe is super cute. However, one thing to note is that this place can be super busy which is always good for the business, but finding a place to work is a bit on the harder side for customers. Although there is wifi and tables making it a great spot for studying or solo work, it gets pretty cramped in the morning and noon hours and the ambiance is just okay as it does get a bit loud inside. read more

First Sip Cafe - iced ubae vietnamese coffee and pistachio mint latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First sip cafe, oh what a treat! Let me get into it! The food / drink that I ordered, hot chocolate was one of the best ones I had. Compared to Starbucks the hot chocolate was amazing. The service was great the person at the counter really was pleasant and welcoming. The atmosphere or ambiance was great! I like the lights and the plants near the front window! FSC is really unique and I personally have not see any place like it. Overall, I will say give FSC a try they are great! read more

See all

Pros: -This place has some great and unique drinks that always have me coming back! -Service is fast. -The teacup decor and plants are very cute. Cons: -Noise level is hit or miss. It's loud during peak hours but a nice place to work during slower hours. -Staff is not friendly. I wouldn't go as far as to say they are rude but as a repeat customer I'm always surprised how short the staff is with me. read more

First Sip Cafe - pistachio latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The decor in here is always top notch. The cute tea cups displayed hanging over the counter, the numerous plants, the black walls and ceiling. I love the vibes. I had the strawberry patch drink which is matcha and strawberry syrup + strawberry bits. I really enjoyed the drink, though the matcha wasn't the best. I think this is a great hang out spot, a place you can hang for hours. read more

First Sip Cafe - Cute decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of the first or second coffee shops that I went to when I moved to Chicago and of course I can understand why people come here - the aesthetic is really nice and it's also in a prime location by the Argyle red/purple line station as well as on the strip of Argyle with lots of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai restaurants. I personally don't feel like I've had any drinks here that blew me away, but it's probably because I'm a pretty basic black ice coffee drinker. I recently came back and tried their strawberry ice drink and found it to be very sugary. I'll have to try some more things. I've never actively sat here with a drink either. I'll be back soon though! read more

Coffee was great! Atmosphere was warm and friendly. Small cozy place that is creatively decorated.

A cool spot with creative drinks, I love coming to First Sip whenever I need to leave the house for a breather or change in scenery. On days they host events, the space can be crowded - a feat because we need more third spaces in the city! Otherwise, the cafe is fairly chill with plenty of tables to study and work. The vibes are immaculate. read more

These ladies know how to brew their coffee! Stopped by after eating nearby and was pleasantly surprised by their creative menu and even more pleased when the taste of the drinks delivered! The cafe is super cute and quiet with no loud music so if you're looking to work or study it's a great atmosphere with large tables and work spaces. The drinks were made quickly with very little wait. read more

See all

This is our go to cafe nearly every morning on the weekends. The owners are far and away the sweetest most kind people you will ever meet. The drinks are inventive and most importantly delicious. You can't go wrong with anything here but some of our favs are the Ube, Pistachio mint & Golden Coffee/Milk. The vibe is exactly what you want out of a local cafe, quiet and chill with happy caffeinated people working or just catching up. Would travel to visit 10/10. read more

First Sip Cafe - Ube Latte w/Oat Milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The seats are supportive for my back, love the plants everywhere, and there's a lot of seating. Drinks are tasty and reasonably priced. Know that the deeper in you go the darker it is. They have lights though I believe! read more

First Sip Cafe - All the chairs have back support - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is SO COOL. The decor in this place? W.O.W. My one regret is that I didn't take more pictures of the incredible decor they had-- floating vintage tea cups, ivy germinations on the wall backlit with fairy lights, a flower frame in the window. I'm OBSESSED. I want whoever decorated the place to decorate my room, honestly. Okay onto the food/drinks. Regrettably, I didn't take a picture of my Caprese Panini and my Ubae latte. My latte was delicious; the Ubae flavor was strong and vanillad and not too sweet-- delicious. My panini was okay. I would've loved some type of balsamic glaze, a different type of bread used, and maybe more tomato, but it wasn't bad. I probably wouldn't get it again. Now the real star of the show was the mango limeade. WOW. It was tart, not too sweet, and just all around delicious. My favorite part were the chunks of fresh mango I got to eat at the end. YUMMM. All in all, 4/5 stars mainly because I'm picky when it comes to Caprese (curse of being Italian), and that there's a 2 hour dining-in limit (totally understandable because I would camp out here all day if I could), but the service was nice and the ambiance was fantastic. read more

First Sip Cafe - Mango Limeade - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Visited this cafe for the first time and will definitely be returning! My husband loves beets and enjoyed their beet latte. Their hot coffee with cream and sugar was so good! Better than expected and better than the average coffee. The interior is cute and welcoming with plenty of space if you're looking to sit back. The service was quick! read more

Great drink selection and spacious environment. The Ube latte was good, not too sweet. Hit or miss with friendly staff, depending on who takes your order. If you are planning to stay awhile, I would only recommend coming here to study/work alone (or anticipate you and your friends to ACTUALLY work haha) and bring your headphones. There is no music playing in the background so if you have a conversation, just know you're sharing it with the whole cafe! I really hope they consider playing music because it would definitely feel more inviting. read more

First Sip Cafe - Iced ube latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First Sip Cafe with a not so good First Impression! As you enter this establishment, you get the feeling that it is a cute and quaint neighborhood cafe with many creative coffee and tea flavors for any coffee/tea lover's palate. I noticed quite a few patrons working on laptops and talking on their cellphones so it is definitely a place to come to not only enjoy a cup of Joe but to get some work done in the process. However... I lived in Chicago for twelve years and whenever I come back to visit I am reminded that I am not in Kansas anymore. Being from the South, Georgia more specifically, I am used to a more friendly/hospitable approach to customer service. As a first time patron, the way I'm greeted goes a long way and First Sip Cafe definitely missed the mark. There wasn't a smile or a "hello how may I help you", just a stark face of a young lady staring at me while I finished perusing the extensive menu handwritten (quite eligibly) on the wall. I placed my order and in a matter of minutes it was ready but there was no "Thank you, come back again!" or "Have a nice day!" Just the yelling out of my order and with this being my first time, I didn't know which side to pick up my order. I am a stickler for high quality customer service and THIS "ain't" it! As for my coffee, I ordered the 12oz Pistachio Mint Latte and it was quite delicious. I love Pistachio coffee but was a bit worried about how the coffee flavor would blend with the mint but was pleasantly surprised that the mint did not overpower the drink. It is definitely a good choice if you're looking to try something different! The three stars is NOT indicative of the coffee but is indicative of the overall experience. As a first time patron, I'd be reluctant to return simply based off of the level of customer service. Patrons want to be made to feel valued and First Sip failed in that area. read more

See all

fast, friendly staff and service, and excellent selection of Vietnamese food. very relaxed atmosphere.

This is more like 4.5 stars. When we stopped by on a Saturday afternoon, the cafe was pretty packed with people studying, on laptops, working, etc. The ambiance was cute and had a bit rustic decor or feel with real plants, wooden furniture, and dark walls. We ordered "Ubae Latte" that consists of ube (purple yam), pandan (tropical plant), and coconut syrup. I substituted the whole milk for almond milk instead and ordered the drink iced/cold. You have the option to order it hot, but they recommended the other option. It was a good recommendation though because the drink was quite good! You definitely taste the ube, but it wasn't overpowering. Service was quick, but the cashier was neither friendly nor rude. I would totally come back to try their other menu items as well. (You can see the drink swirling in action on my IG: @surelyhere) read more

First Sip Cafe - Ubae latte (iced) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had high hopes for this cafe because the drinks look really nice and the flavors are unique, but my cousin and I were underwhelmed after trying the ube latte and the PB&J latte. The staff members weren't exactly the most welcoming. They seemed annoyed being asked a question about the menu and taking our quick order. Friendliness goes such a long way in coffee shops (& in general). Sadly won't be back anytime soon. read more

First Sip Cafe - two people holding cups of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Don't get me wrong the coffee here is pretty good but I'm not sure how you're a coffee shop in chicago and don't open when you say you'll be open (9am). We waited outside for 15 min after it was supposedly open the first time then left since there was still no movement from inside the shop. There were a handful of others waiting outside with us at the time. When we finally got in the second time (this time we went after 10am), it was a much better experience. We got an iced mango latte and a coconut jasmine Vietnamese coffee. Both were good but the jasmine was a little too strong in the second cup. We also split a mochi donut which I've always loved so have nothing but good things to say about it. The place was pretty crowded by this time so heads up it might be hard to find a table after 10am, even on a weekday. read more

First Sip Cafe - Mochi donut and coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stumbled on this cute coffee shop near Argyle before meeting friends for dinner nearby. I got the spicy mango latte and it was DELICIOUS - tasted like real mango (not too sweet) and just a hint of heat. They have a little seating area outside when the weather's nice, which is where we sat as there seemed to be a lot of people working or studying inside so maybe not the best place for a conversation. I also grabbed a yummy mochi donut while there. read more

First Sip Cafe - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I've been wanting to try this cafe out for years since they opened. I'm glad I finally did. I ordered the Ube Vietnamese coffee and it was deliciously strong. I don't usually finish my coffee but this one I did up the last sip. I would definitely come back veneer in in Argyle. We came in as soon as they open so it was nice and quiet. The service was fast as well. Plenty of street parking. read more

First Sip Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We used to come here often, when they first opened, and we loved their matcha lattes. The menu is exciting and innovative. Lots of fun options! The atmosphere is also great. We went back today, after not having been for a couple years, to try their coffee drinks. As soon as we walked in, it was clear the barista was feeling flustered. She never greeted us or offered even a smile; she looked annoyed. I politely asked which she'd choose between two drinks, and she replied curtly, "Those are two different drinks so I can't say." We moved on and ordered. She told us their credit card machine wasn't working. So, we paid with Venmo. Maybe that's why she was feeling flustered? My drink came and was delicious. My wife ordered the PBJ latte, and it was almost undrinkable. It tasted very very watery, like instant coffee, and super bitter. We drink a lot of coffee in a lot of places. So, we both felt like something went wrong, not that it just wasn't tasty. I went back in, tail between my legs, and laid in the sweetness, because, TBH, I was straight up scared of the barista. I said it was very watery and bitter, and asked if she'd suggest remaking it or if we should maybe order something else. She said, "How about this, I will remake it, and if you don't like it, you should not order coffee from us." It was a straight up scolding, y'all. 60 seconds later, she plopped the new latte on the counter and said "here" before turning around and walking away. The latte was a bit better. It wasn't as watery and clearly had more milk, which dulled some of the burnt flavor, but it still was pretty bad. But more than the latte, the really rude service will sadly prevent us from coming back. read more

The coffee and tea drinks at First Sip Cafe are so gorgeous and Insta-ready, coming in a variety of vibrant, natural colors. The lattes in my review are green from pistachio and mint and purple from ubae, but I also like the yellow spicy mango latte and an all green strawberry matcha tea, too! My partner and I always substitute oat milk to make our drinks vegan/dairy-free. This comes at a premium, of course, but the quality of the coffee and ingredients makes it completely worth it. Inside the cafe you'll find tons of propagated pothos among a bunch of other plants lining the walls and windows. There is also a cool teacup installation above the coffee counter itself. The staff is always so kind. I always look forward to dropping in on a regular basis whenever I find myself in the area. read more

First Sip Cafe - Iced Pistachio Mint Latte, Iced Ubae Latte (both with oat milk!) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

soooo cute in here. their strawberry match (strawberry matcha) is the best i've ever had, and might be the best thing ive ever drank period! read more

First Sip Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a cute place! Never knew First Sip existed until I saw a post on Instagram. Ordered Ubae Iced Latte: espresso coffee with steamed milk, sweetened with Ube (sweet purple yam), pandan (Asian vanilla) & coconut syrup. The coffee wasn't as sweet as I would've liked, but it also wasn't as strong. I saw many people studying or doing work inside. It was a cool place to hang. read more

See all

Super cute little spot that has an extensive menu with some unique offerings. I opted for the iced Vietnamese latte, and being a first timer, was hesitant it would be too sweet with the condensed milk. If anything, it wasn't sweet enough, but woah did that "first sip" slap me across the face, the coffee was so strong! A 16oz was $4.75 Inside is decorated with plants, assorted coffee mugs hanging from the ceiling, and a wall of jewelry for sale. Extra bonus- they have a printer! Genius idea that should be available at all coffee shops IMO. read more

First Sip Cafe - Iced Vietnamese latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We walked in on a Saturday afternoon and it was packed and then it immediately became clear why. The latte selection is incredible (I went with ube because who can turn down ube, but several other flavors to try next time) and an award winning MOCHI DONUT that looked like the cartoon ideal of donut and was so good I got another one on the way out. We stayed until it closed and I'd love to go back. read more

I'm Always on the lookout for coffee shops. Thai one had a super cute ambiance with the teacups on the ceiling. The Vietnamese Ube latte was great I would definitely go back. read more

First Sip Cafe - Vietnamese Ube latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really cute cafe in Argyle that is very conveniently near the red line station AND a ton of great restaurants! They also have a decent amount of seating and a pleasant, cafe atmosphere that somehow seems conducive for study/work sessions or catch-up chats with friends. The menu is also great and has a lot of intriguing and delicious sounding drinks. I tried the Argyle Vietnamese coffee and enjoyed it - a bit sweet, VERY strong, and would drink again! read more

This is the perfect place to go on a lazy Sunday afternoon if you're looking to study or catch a cup of coffee with friends. I ordered the Magic Mushroom tea: a blend that turns from blue to black with the addition of lemon juice. The atmosphere is relaxed and the drinks are inventive, but I will say it seems to be consistently understaffed. There will usually be one barista to serve an average of 6-10 people, which can make interactions brief and sometimes rushed. You may have to wait for a while to get your order in. On the flip side, the cafe is well-connected with community events in the neighborhood and displays those proudly. Going there was actually how I found out about the annual Dim Dum & Then Some 5K that serves as a fundraiser for Chinese Mutual Aid. All in all, it's a solid neighborhood fixture that's best if you're not in a hurry. read more

First Sip Cafe - Ambience inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We started out with a simple pistachio lavender latte in the middle of winter and now we visit whenever we can. Something about the no-nonsense lady at the register, you know you will get what you want and it will be good! The café has an extraordinary variety of teas/coffees/latte flavors from all over the world and you can still get what you want for your most mundane palette. If it is food you seek, there is not a lot of choices, but there is always something to nosh on. I love the tea cups hanging from the ceiling- provides a sweet backdrop to a cuppa and conversation or a sit with a computer. read more

Adorable spot, had so much fun here. They have lots of unique lattes and teas. Tables out front to sit outside, but beautiful decor inside with lots of plants. It was decently busy but quick service. The worker wasn't too kind, I think she was just hurrying trying to get everyone's order taken though. Lots of live music playing along the street which was fun. Definitely try this spot out. read more

See all

I ordered the delicious Marsala Chai latte and a cappuccino, which was bold on expresso, but not slightly sweet as I had hoped. The café's atmosphere is dark but relaxing with green plants hanging from the ceiling and an assortment of cute tea cups displayed above the coffee area. Staff was friendly and sweet. Although I prefer a vibrant coffee cafe, First Sip Cafe is a nice place to focus on your work because it's so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. There's no background music in this cafe. Overall, after having my delightful Marsala Latte, I'm already looking forward to try their additional flavors. read more

Love this neighborhood spot! Great place to sit and drink some Vietnamese coffee. The decor inside is so cute too

Got the hot Ube Latte from here and it was really good! Service was super quick too! I also enjoyed their merch they had for sale in there. I'll definitely be back! read more

I've wanted to try this place for the longest time and finally had a chance to this past weekend! I love how they offer unique coffee/latte flavors with Asian influences. I tried the Ubae Latte and it was delicious! The price point is similar to what you might expect at a craft coffee house but you get a lot more variety. I ordered online and pickup was quick and smooth. Will definitely be back to try the other flavors. It's probably a good thing I don't live close by because I could see myself being a regular. read more

Easily my favorite coffee shop. Even better than Everybody's Coffee which is still one of the best. EC might have the edge with preparing the classics or a simple cup of Joe. First Sip strives to expand your caffeinated palate. So many out of the ordinary teas and expertly crafted coffee beverages. As soon as I walk in, I check the chalkboard for "The Daily Sip". It's always something creative and delicious. I'm not typically a fan of curries or even tumeric, but First Sip has made a convert outta me, lol. Pastries, chips and even a couple sandwiches round out the limited food menu, but don't let that deter you. The Chicken Panini I had was tasty. If you're ravenous. ..North Sheridan is a great community to explore. Feel free to bring in grub from one of the local restaurants. The shop is beautifully designed with all kinds of cool knick knacks. I've only been mid-morning when it's usually pretty quiet and chill. Great for taking care of business. The owner is always present working behind the counter or plowing through work on her computer. I don't dole out many 5 star reviews, but First Sip is fully deserving. Check them out and please don't order something you can get from Starbucks. Support local and order something you don't think you'd like. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised. read more

See all

The first thing I do whenever I'm in Chicago is to make sure to stop by First Sip! All of their drinks are so delicious and their Vietnamese coffee is the best I've ever had. I find myself wanting to make the trip to Chicago often just for them. I highly recommend the Pistachio Mint Latte (it's one of my favorites). Their layout is the cutest as well. I love the plants and the lil teacups hanging from the ceiling! If you haven't trip First Sip, you definitely should give them a try! read more

First Sip Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Coffee is good but customer service could be a lot better. During my first visit last week I stood first in line for about 10 minutes or more, while the employees make coffee for other people, which is fine, But they NEVER turned to me and say "hello" or acknowledged to me at all or say "one minute please" or "I will be right with you" - nothing. And when the barista finally came to me she didn't greet me and there was no smile ever. she just asked what I would like and she spoke really fast. By the time they got to me, there were other people behind me so I didn't really have time to ask questions about what they offered and when they did answer me, it was as if they were irritated with my questions. And even still there was never a smile or any pleasantries. Coffee is cool but good the customer service is even better! I only came here because Starbucks is under reconstruction and hopefully their customer service gets better in the meantime read more

Adorable! I came here for coffee after trying some Pho from across the street. The outside lights and the charming decor def caught my attention. Once in, this place was soo cute! They had these multiple hanging cups on the roof, by the counter that gave it a magical feel. Also, the seating, the little fireplace and the cute sewing machine decor def added to the whole whimsical vibe. I got a cappuccino, it was a smaller serving than the usual but it came in a cute glass cup. I'm not a big coffee person so I don't know the specifics, but it tasted pretty standard to me. Ambiance was quiet, perfect for a chat. Ohh and they also carried some board games so that was cool! read more

First Sip Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all