This is one of my favorite matcha spots in all of Chicago! It gets pretty busy sometimes, so expect…read morea wait during their peak hours. It will get a little loud too if it's crowded, so be sure to listen to your order name or number in order to grab your drink at the delivery counter! Probably my 3rd or 4th time visiting, but the drinks always hit the matcha itch each time I love the Strawberry Matcha Latte since it brings a good level of sweetness from the strawberry puree but also the bitterness from the matcha. The matcha has such a deep flavor that with any of the specialty lattes, you don't lose any of that matcha flavoring to the add-ons. The Mango Matcha Latte is also very good! You get a lighter mango taste (in comparison to having a stronger strawberry taste), and you can still taste the depth of the matcha flavor. Even after the ice melting after time, you can still taste the matcha as if it was not watered down. That's how you know you're getting premium quality matcha. tl;dr If you haven't tried Gathers...you're missing out on some delicious matcha.

Cute and busy cafe! We came midday on Saturday and everyone seemed to be here. Good vibes,…read morefast-paced and so many drinks options. I LOVED their menu because they have a good mix of boba, matcha and other decaffeinated drinks. Boba prices are good too, and regular drink is around $5.5 on average. I got mango matcha and I can tell it's a high quality matcha. Even towards the end, the matcha didn't get watered down much (see one of the pictures). The mango didn't taste authentic, but good quality matcha made up for it. Ube monster was also tasty; it has Oreo crumbs on top. The sweetness was just right. Service was fast and there are so many self-check out stations.

Excellent experience! Afternoon tea was lovely, nice presentation of food, and just enough…read morequantity. Service was attentive and welcoming. The tea itself was delicious (offerings were: green, oolong, black, and an herbal). The room was cozy, pretty, and despite the open format, my friend and I were able to have a long and intimate conversation for over 2 hours. I loved that all the clients in the tea room were " dressed for tea ". It certainly made for pleasant atmosphere. I would definitely go back for another afternoon tea!

This was my first English High Tea experience. I went with my group of best friends from high…read moreschool. I am not a tea drinker. I had the wine option. I thought it was pricey for what it was but overall I had a good experience. I enjoyed the food and the service was excellent. If you like tea you would probably REALLY like it.

If you're a big tea drinker, don't miss your chance to stop by. This place has an amazing selection…read moreof teas and what I like is that they have a ton of options at different price points. They also sell very pretty tea pots and accessories. The staff is super nice and helpful. They're close by and friendly enough to ask questions but also give you space to explore the options on your own. It's small but organized with a lot to choose from. I recommend grabbing a few bags of hand blended fruit teas from the front of the shop when you walk in.

I stopped in last week looking for some unique matcha options. Although I didn't find the matcha I…read morewas looking for I found something so much better! The tea selection at the store is amazing and it a great holistic option for those that are looking. I got the blue lotus tea and the menstrual tea - it worked wonders for my sleep and cramps so I would definitely recommend shopping here! I also received a tea set from my partner that he purchased from the store - I LOVE IT! It's so pretty

I love coming here for tea and matcha! The drinks are always really good. The staff is always nice…read moretoo.

The hype is real! Came here to treat myself to a tea tasting and highly recommend the experience if…read moreyou are curious to learn about tea facts/ history, like trying different high quality tea variations, or just want an excuse to feel cool while sitting in a cute tea shop:) Thoroughly enjoyed talking to the barista about the different tea variations I tried during the tasting; he was super knowledgeable and very friendly in answering all my questions. Loved getting to know more about tea accessories used during the tasting as well.

Discovering a high tea that takes celiac safety seriously without sacrificing flavor or elegance…read morefeels like finding a needle in a haystack. After seeing this charming spot pop up on Instagram as a safe haven for gluten-free diners, I called ahead to reserve a table for two. The reservation process was seamless, requiring payment over the phone upfront, which conveniently includes both tax and gratuity. Located inside a sophisticated hotel, the venue is easy to access with plenty of parking garages situated nearby. Once inside, you simply head up to the second floor where a breathtaking view awaits; we were fortunate enough to score a prime window-side table overlooking the scenic surroundings. When booking, I noted our dietary requirements--one gluten-free vegetarian and one standard gluten-free--and we opted to upgrade our experience to include champagne. The bubbly arrived immediately, delightfully paired with interactive mix-ins: passionfruit, honey, and raspberry pearls that added a touch of whimsy to the toast. The culinary journey kicked off with a lovely plate of gluten-free cookies, setting a high standard for what was to come. Sticking to their whimsical "Tale as Old as Tea" theme, the savory finger sandwiches were exceptionally crafted, proving that gluten-free bread doesn't have to be dense or crumbly. Next came the gluten-free scones, which were a true standout--warm, flaky, and remarkably good, paired with the traditional accompaniments. The grand finale featured an array of stunning pastries and desserts that balanced visual artistry with rich, decadent flavors. Service throughout the afternoon was attentive, warm, and polished. From the thoughtful touches with the champagne to the meticulous attention paid to cross-contamination safety, the entire experience was flawless. If you are navigating celiac disease and craving an indulgent, worry-free afternoon tea, this venue delivers an unforgettable culinary escape.

This visit in 2026 was my first time back to the Langham Hotel in 11 years. My first visit was in…read more2015 to the restaurant Travelle for a birthday dinner. This particular visit was for the themed afternoon high tea called Tehle as old as time. The theme was obviously tied directly to Beauty and the beast while I was there I learned that the hotel has to pay licensing fees in order to utilize these themes. They have also previously done and/or will do in the future a Harry Potter theme as well. We did come on a weekday a Friday and you have to make the reservations ahead of time and something I did not appreciate. Was you also have to pay ahead of time and paying ahead of time also requires you pay an OpenTable fee as well as a set 20% service fee. Well, I do understand securing reservations. I do not understand paying all of this ahead of time for such a high class hotel. The service was absolutely incredible. The ambience was on par and very clean. We did get a table right next to the window which overlooked Wabash. The sandwiches and the sweets were more than plenty. And well worth the price. The tea was so incredibly fragrant and strong exactly as I like it. I would definitely come back here again and do this again even if they did have a different theme.

It's so difficult to choose what to eat because everything looks so good!…read more If you want to dine in, make sure to grab a table as soon as you walk in. You have to seat yourself, so secure a table before they're all taken. Once you sit down, time will fly--the vibes are definitely vibing at Tary Coffee! We started with the Scrambled Eggs in Brioche. Fluffy scrambled eggs served on a slightly toasted brioche bun. The light cream cheese spread on the bread added a delicious creaminess that paired really well with the eggs. We also tried the Royal Benedict with Smoked Salmon. The poached eggs were cooked just right and paired beautifully with the smoked salmon. Definitely one of my favorite breakfast combinations! And, for a little treat, we had the Baursaq--fried dough served with a side of raspberry jam. The slight tartness of the jam balanced nicely with the subtle sweetness of the fried dough. Such a great pairing with your morning coffee!

the food is mad good for a quick snack. i love central asia cuisine, and i will most definitely be…read moreback! this place gets busy quick. limited seating, so we got rlly lucky having found a seat right as it got busier in the afternoon.

#chicago #flyforfriends #yelpfriends #gourmetcoffee…read more So the real question is what does one do in the great city of Chicago? Well, if you are with Matcha snobs and coffee snobs, you will end up visiting Sawada coffee Located on the second floor at 112 N. Green Street is Sawada coffee. It's together with another establishment. The tables inside the establishment do not belong to Sawada Coffee The trick to securing the seat belonging to the other establishment is to purchase something from that other establishment so that us Sawada coffee drinkers can peacefully sip on our drinks Don't ever think that coffee is just coffee, because it isn't you will learn this if you would to visit with Sawada Coffee if and when you are in the area in Chicago. A post script to this review is I just happen to be traveling with a bunch of people that are coffee and Matcha Kings and Queens I am a pawn still learning

As a matcha girlie, Sawada Coffee was a must-try spot in Chicago. The vibes here- I'm all about…read morethem- and the drinks were pretty good. We came on a weekend afternoon, and it was popping! The line was out the door. To get in, walk up the stairs (there's also a menu posted), then order at the register. You'll then pay and pick up your drink when it's called. Drinks are made pretty quickly; the service was kind, and they also have pastries on display. Seating-wise, they have some bar seating. But what gets you is the ambiance; it's rustic and chic! I'm all about trying either a basic or specialty matcha. I got a Matcha Latte, Tokyo Style, with Oat Milk. The matcha was good quality, a bit on the milky and creamy side, but the Tokyo style made it sweet. It was a good pick-me-up, but for the price, it was a bit expensive. I tried my friend's seasonal Hojicha Spiced Pumpkin Latte, and it was strong and good. If you're into matcha or coffee, Sawada Coffee in West Loop is a popular spot. Find them off N Green Street, close to public transportation. Happy me and Irene M. could get our matcha fix!

Unparalleled selection and knowledgeable staff; if you love or are exploring new options this is…read morethe place!!

Wonderful tea shop! It smells amazing inside! So many choices of loose leaf teas!…read moreI ordered one of the specials, a pistachio pumpkin tea latte. Friendly and helpful staff. So many cool tea accessories to look at. I bought a beautiful china mug with "The Kiss" artwork by Klimt on it. I love that painting and this mug also has a lid on it, and a strainer inside for loose leaf tea. Limited seating, only a few tables so it's more of a to-go place but it's only a few blocks from the lake so it's a lovely location.

I wanted to try the white rose but they ran out so I got the blue lavender mint bubble and it…read moretasted so delicious! The service here was great as well. Hopefully when I stop in again they'll have the white rose iced tea. I love how this place offers unique flavors that other tea shops don't have. I really enjoyed what I got today. They are also informative and let you know what drinks have zero caffeine, high caffeine or low caffeine, I think that's so important and it was great to see that. I read the bad reviews and I highly disagree. I've been to a lot of tea spots and milk tea spots all over illinois, I wanted something other than the same old boring brown sugar boba or matcha and this place delivered everything I wanted because they incorporate unique flavors and the result is magical. If you appreciate unique flavors like I do, come here!

As soon as you walk in, you'll see a wall of what reminded me of black paint cans for sale. I…read morebelieve it was a backdrop to show the unique ingredients that go into making ETB concoctions. That black packaging overflowed to a sizable merch section against a wall further in where the main seating area is located. It's a great place to check out. I almost forgot about ordering my drink and fancy almond + strawberry cookie! The tea barista was friendly and mellow. And I loved seeing the multiple flyers/posters displayed with important messages to absorb and think about...over tea.

Pink paradise! Cute boba shop in the heart of Chinatown. I liked that they use REAL FRUIT in their…read moredrinks and not syrups. Since I was visiting I also got the cute bunny ears topper that had a little extra Jebbit that said Chicago on there. Perfect fun little souvenir for my trip. My drink was over $12 but that's because I got the surprise plushie in my cup as well as the bunny ears. #yolo It was still worth it! :)

Been to Ume tea many times now, and I love the classic oat burst yogurt, but trying a few more…read morethings as well and nothing has disappointed so far. Got the popcorn chicken for the first time and it's pretty good. I quote enjoyed the Taro as well. Though everything is still pretty sweet at 30 or 15% sugar so I can't imagine what full sweetness is. My friend says she thought another location's yogurt was better but I couldn't tell the difference tbh. Service is pretty fast, and the decor is similar to other locations, lots of cute pink displays and whatnot. The entrance is one of those heavy Chicago air locks which might be hard to open if you're carrying a lot of stuff, but I'm sure it's useful in the winter.