Fast service, delish food, fun drinks! A great assortment of pastries from muffins to cupcakes and scones

Quite the perfect lil coffee & pastry spot in Lincoln Square! Complete with great breakfast sammies :-) I've stopped in to try their scones, muffins and cupcakes, and they're not my fave pastries in the area but they're always yummy! The coffee hits too, especially an iced americano in a "for here" cup. Of the breakfast sandwiches, the Pear & Bacon is my fave- it's such a great combo of savory and sweet, and it's not too messy. I love that you can get it with a salad or side potatoes- which btw are these awesome, huge crispy home fries with lots of seasoning. Big fan. It's counter service/seat yourself. The staff is good but not notably friendly I'd say... good enough! read more

Geraldine's - I really enjoy their scones! This is the blueberry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We went to Geraldine's for breakfast this morning and it wasn't a good experience for many reasons. It started with a 20 minute wait for the server to even acknowledge us and bring water and it went downhill from there. The server was not personable and seemed like she didn't want to be there. When she brought our drinks I asked what the quiche of the day was. It was 11:15am and she didn't know and had to ask someone. The food arrived in a timely matter but the quiche was not good. It was very thick, dense and rubbery. My son's girlfriend didn't like her latte and my son said the black coffee was not good. I didn't eat the quiche and the server didn't acknowledge a full piece of quiche on my plate. Paid $63 for breakfast for three for a horrible experience. I do not recommend and won't be back. read more

Geraldine's - Quiche and smashed potatoes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Whoever is running this kitchen knows how to BAKE. This is the perfect mix of rustic favorites and unique spins on classics. My favorites so far have been the banana tahini muffin (a top 10 item of 2024) and ANY of the stratas. Seating can be limited so it's not always a great place to grab a coffee and stick around but the pastries are so good that I don't mind grabbing and going. We've been multiple times since discovering this place and are, no joke, considering moving to Lincoln Square so we can be closer to their many shops, including this one. read more

Geraldine's - Banana chocolate tahini muffins - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What in the world took me so long to explore the adorableness that is Lincoln Square? Geraldine's was no exception! The place was poppin on a Sunday late morning with a line out the door. I had the MOST delicious raspberry almond scone and a cinnamon roll iced latte to accompany it -- and both were delish! My friend had a cookies and cream cupcake which she also really liked! We were lucky to snag a quaint table out front on their little patio area. Geraldine's offers tons of baked goods, so I recommend stopping by when you're craving a scone, muffin, cupcake, etc! read more

Got a chocolate chip cookie, had some, and immediately had to go back and get another for later because of how perfect it was--i.e., perfectly aligned with my own tastes for a rich, flavorful cookie with slightly caramelized notes and even some cookie dough softness in the middle. Also got an amazing ginger molasses cookie which was absolutely perfect too. Lattes looked fabulous. Servers were kind and patient as I tried to make up my mind between all the wonderful looking choices. Can't wait to return. read more

Geraldine's - Chocolate chip cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I LOVE this bakery. The fruit in the baked goods is so fresh. I try to drop by this spot whenever I'm in Lincoln square!

Wow this place has great pastries and delicious drinks! We tried the blackberry lemon scone and it might be the best scone I've ever had. The inside was very moist and had whole blackberries that were sweet. The outside had a bit of a crispy flakey texture. The combination of texture and flavor was amazing! We also tried the lavender lemon cookie, it was a sandwhich style cookie with thick icing in between. The flavors were good and it wasn't too sweet. To drink we had the blueberry pancake latte with oat milk. It smelled and tasted delicious, would highly recommend this place!! The staff was kind, quick on their feet and understanding. We were first given the wrong scone, the cashier was very helpful and replaced it with the correct one. We took our items to go but the place looked clean and had decent seating with funky decor! read more

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Nothing fancy here, which isn't actually a bad thing just not sure it's my fav spot. I also prefer hotter beverages, and this felt slightly warm not hot. I also am a HUGE stickler for bathrooms and this one just didn't do it for me. The coffee shop shares with the restaurant next door, and there was a leak in the bathroom ceiling and a dish bin with standing water on the floor. read more

Geraldine's - Chai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Geraldine's, the coffee and breakfast outpost of Jerry's, is one of my favorite morning places in Lincoln Square . Friendly staff and great service . I typically only have time to get coffee , but when I have time for food my favorites include all their baked oats varieties as well as the cheddar scone. Recommend you get it heated up if you're dining in. Atmosphere buzzes with activity but it's fairly calm and easy to have conversations , read or just relax. read more

Geraldine's - Baked oats - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very cute cafe vibes, with a full-service restaurant attached. The cinnamon roll was so so good, and came warm which instantly makes it better. They are only available on weekends and sell out, though! read more

Geraldine's - Cinnamon rolls - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had coffee and cheesecake. Amazing on both fronts. If you imaging setting outside a coffee shop on a Tuesday noon, drinking coffee and enjoying a pastry... this is the place. The service was very good. Kind and helpful people. Their easy demeanor adds another layer of relaxation to our visits. Also, occasionally you get to watch people backing in the kitchen. If I am gonna pay 5$for a pastry, I want perfection and wanted made by dedicated people. This place is it. I will come again and try something else, this review will be updated after I do. read more

The best cupcakes ever. Large enough to be an entire meal. Other lunchtime sandwiches are also excellent.

Kind baristas/staff, nice drink selection, creative menu, great location, reasonable prices. Overall, great little option in the heart of Lincoln Square. read more

Geraldine's - Irish Cream Butterscotch latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a cute little space! My fiance and I visited on Saturday around 11 and were able to be seated right away. The service was great from both the hostess and our waitress. I had the chilaquiles and an iced latte and he had the shrimp po boy and a coffee. We both agreed that the drinks were great! My food was pretty good but was missing salsa, which was advertised in the menu. When I asked the waitress about it, she apologized that they did not have it. Fortunately she was able to bring over a selection of hot sauces, which made the dish much better. The po boy was also tasty, but on the smaller side. Overall, no major complaints and we would come back! read more

Geraldine's - Chilaquiles - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

finally a place with GOOD dairy free desserts! I took my partner here on a date and the vibes were so cute and friendly. The baristas helped me find a food option that fit in my dietary restrictions too. Only downside is it's frequently crowded but I can understand why. I will definitely be returning! read more

Geraldine's - desserts and coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So I stopped into Geraldine's for a cookie as it looked like they had some baked goods available. I am also a baby and just got a blood test across the street so I deserved it. I walked in and surveyed the offerings and just about settled on a cupcake that looked really good and was filled when I saw the man behind the counter unloading a tray of cookies which I assumed were warm. Although they were not hot, they were warm enough where the chocolate was still melty (a win). The cookie itself was UNBELIEVABLE. I would say it rivals most of the cookies I've had in the city. The cookie culture hasn't really hit Chicago like it hit nyc, but I'm hoping it will soon and Jerry's rivals NYC's cookie game... which is saying something. It was SO GOOD. I think the worst part was finishing it but alas I will be back. read more

Eggs overcooked twice. They were so gross and brown. The server said she didn't know what to tell me and that I was making the cook angry. Also very ageist to me. read more

I picked an amazing cupcake with raspberry filling and fresh raspberries on top of delicious icing! With some great coffee it was quite the treat! read more

"Best breakfast sandwich I've ever had" - my mom, aged 75, during which time she's eaten many breakfast sandwiches. She got the same thing as me, based on my recommendation: the veggie fried egg sandwich with fried green tomatoes and portobello mushrooms. It's divine! Last week I took a friend visiting from out of town, and she enjoyed her food (omelet, I think) and scone, and got the banana oat latte. She loved the latte and we came back the next day and both got one. I agree it's delicious! read more

The ambiance was amazing the place looked really great service was spectacular the food and drinks were perfect definitely recommend and will come back !! Good job to all the staff definitely had a good experience coming there thank you! read more

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This review leans more 3.5 but I'm rounding to 4. The food we ordered was delicious. I would go for the baked goods and breakfast sandwiches but our dine in experience could've been better. We received friendly service and opted for patio seating. Minutes later after ordering, our food arrived in takeout containers. The containers were convenient for leftovers however we didn't have leftovers because the food we had was simply delicious. Eating it was the challenge. I ordered a fried chicken biscuit with mushroom poblano gravy and my husband ordered the corned beef biscuit with pork sausage gravy. Both were easily a 5/5 however trying to eat our meals using the disposable wooden forks and knives proved to be difficult to cut through. Plain silverware would have done the trick, but we managed anyway. I kept seeing rave reviews on the desserts, so we ordered up a chocolate raspberry cupcake to go for later in the evening. The cupcakes are legit tasty! The chocolate cupcake was nice and spongy. The frosting was good, and we liked that the cupcake was not overly sweet. The tart raspberry filling complements the chocolate base and held up well hours later. The two other issues we had were their parking and menu pricing. The parking situation is a nightmare and we went during middle of the day on a weekday. Finding a parking spot along Lincoln avenue was challenging because this street is business saturated. We circled the neighborhood twice before we found a spot. Once parked, we had a significant walk before reaching the restaurant. The menu is pricey. The food and service are easily a 5 but the mishaps we had brought this one down a little. If you can get over the prices and parking it's still a good place to try out. read more

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I don't live near Lincoln Square and I am completely jealous of anyone who does. Parking around there is not for the weak or the meek. That said Geraldine's a gem of a coffee shop. As far as ambience, its actually kind of small but its connected to the restaurant next door if you need some elbow room. There isn't really table service you kinda just order at the counter. But the food,Ah! The teas are great piping hot, easily refreshed (just ask) and just yum! If the baked goods don't catch your eye then you are a better person then me because they always look like they are ready to be picked up and noshed on. My favorite sandwich to order is the monte cristo. The ham, the egg, the spinach, the french toast altogether is so good. Freshly made and served with maple syrup. I am drooling just thinking of it. Most sandwiches comes with these smashed baby potatoes that are slightly crispy but still soft to just bite into. There are plenty of options in the neighborhood and this is just one of many good places to stop by, sit and enjoy the people watching while sipping a cup of ...whatever floats your boat. Every neighborhood has a coffee shop but this one is pretty... pretty... good. read more

They have decent breakfast sandwiches but their ordering system is pure chaos! Yo, implement a ticket system with numbers for the customers! Or get a name like Starbucks does! read more

We stopped in 5 of 5 days that my Kids were in summer camp a few doors down . Friendly staff and such delicious fresh pastries daily . We tried muffins , scones , cookies as well as lavender matcha lemonade and various lattes read more

Geraldine's - Chocolate chip banana muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cozy and cute shop with great pastries and coffee! They are very forward thinking with recycling and reducing the waste (all items in cardboard/paper, up to customer to snag a top for their drinks, etc.). Adorable decor and friendly (and prompt!) customer service. I enjoy Lincoln square and this place is perfect to grab a coffee to sip while meandering through neighborhood stores. Hidden gem and great alternative to Starbucks! read more

LOVE this breakfast spot. The original fried egg sandwich is to die for. I wish I could eat here all the time. Pastries are immaculate, especially the scones. Long lines on the weekend make sure to come early! read more

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I absolutely love the muffins, scones, and cupcakes at Geraldine's. Blueberry, banana tahini, chocolate raspberry--everything I've ever ordered is delicious, and I generally stop by once a week or more. You can often see the master baker at work in the kitchen. She makes all the baked goods from scratch with such care. This is a neighborhood gem that I truly appreciate! read more

Not sure what's happened here. Was a favorite weekly summer Farmer's Market breakfast spot the last few years. The last three weeks have been ridiculously bad. Avocado toast was terrible (how is that possible?). The strata dense and inedible. The staff utterly indifferent, bordering on rude. Willow (formerly Cafe Selmarie) across the plaza stupidly doesn't serve breakfast until 10:00, so I guess we'll have to find another breakfast spot to suit our early-hour needs. read more

Geraldine's is another hidden gem in the city. They are located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, surrounded by beautiful little shops and restaurants. I strongly recommend their avocado toast and chai latte. Their chai is soft and tasty, not like the ones served at other coffee shops that only taste like milk or taste too spiced. It is a perfect chai, in my opinion. And boy, I really wasn't expecting them to have such delicious food! I tried their avocado toast which was spectacular and their fried egg sandwich which was more on the heavy side but just as exquisitely tasteful. Only thing I would change about this spot is the seating, the music (sometimes), and seriously -- the seating! That's why I give em 4 stars. They could use a designer to make the space more cozy, have a comfortable seating setup, and just make it look as good as it tastes. And if they'd lower the music a lot, it could make for a great study/online class spot! This place truly has a ton of potential. Bathrooms = clean. Service = excellent. What more can I say? read more

Geraldine's - Hazelnut Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love their scones and their quiche. But today I got the quiche to go, no need to heat it up. The woman behind the counter put it in a container, rang it up and I added a 20% tip. Get home and thought, "hmmm - that's kinda pricey for one slice - $13.45. Look online at the menu and it should come with a side of potatoes or salad. I would have said yes to the salad, but no offer of a side at all. Cool. Well, the quiche was awesome but the customer service was lacking. Enjoy your tip. read more

Omg what a little hidden spot!! The fooooood omg the breakfast bagels and the treats are just incredible. I must have missed this place in Lincoln Squarw but I am so glad I finally found it. The baristas are cool and make you feel super welcome. The coffee was like $3 and there's enough seating. If you come before 11 you can even sit across at Jerry's restaurant, which means more privacy and more space to hang out w friends/get work done/read/etc. I can't wait to keep trying out more of their food bc their coffee and cookie I had last week were delicious!! read more

if i were just rating for the baked goods, this would be a 5 star review! ive tried their cinnamon roll and their apple cheddar scone; both were delightful. their espresso is Bad, though. i ordered a cortado and i didn't like a thing about it. wasn't made correctly and i don't like the espresso they use. maybe their drip coffee is better? i probably wouldn't get coffee here again, though. the staff is really nice, though, even when it's really busy! i also think it's fun that the cafe is connected to the restaurant next door, so there's a good amount of seating. i would definitely come back, but maybe as an afternoon treat and get a tea or something. prices are pretty standard, i paid about $13 after tip for a cinnamon roll and cortado read more

Nice cute coffe shop in lincoln square i been there 2 times trying the coffe and seat on the bench next to it The park Watching ppl and the fountain Soon i will try the baking goods I loveeee the ceiling lamps they got read more

Geraldine's - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great Cafe Peppermint mocha- 5! (Massive) Chocolate chip cookie- 5! Buttermilk biscuit sandwich with egg, grits, sausage and the works- 5 Setting and service- 5+ Restaurant next door, Jerry's, is a sister restaurant (same owner). Great service, drinks, and bites! read more

Perfect for a quick bite! The staff were so sweet & friendly. My husband and I tried a savory ham/chive/sun dried tomato scone and lemon blueberry muffin, with a latte & an americano. The savory scone was a first for us, and was pleasantly delicious! Would love to try their seasonal latte next time :) read more

Geraldine's - Savory scone, lemon blueberry muffin and iced americano with oatmilk! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've searched and searched for a good bakery in the Lincoln Square area. I'm not interested in the supermarket bakeries. I want an authentic bakery. Geraldine's is that authentic bakery. Scones to die for. Large, freshly baked selection. Great counter service. I will search no more. read more

They have the most perfect blueberry lemon muffins I have ever had. I enrolled in a Culinary Boot Camp next door at The Chopping Block. Every morning I would stop at Geraldine's to start my day with one of their delicious pastries. Unfortunately, I never got to try any others as this one muffin was so perfect I could not bring myself to not order it. When I come back to Chicago for the next course, maybe I will have more restraint! read more

Surprised by their biscuit sandwich with the fried green tomato (can never resist a fried green tomato!), and smashed potatoes - absolutely delicious! read more

My wife and I stopped in while in the neighborhood and I had the absolutely best fried egg sandwich I've ever had. It costs more than any I've ever had, as well - and worth every cent. It was delicious and high quality. Came with tasty "smashed potatoes" as a side. We also ordered the quiche for lunch today, and a chocolate muffin. Really looking forward to a return visit and trying more of their menu! read more