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!

Great patio vibes for an autumn afternoon. The line is long but moves fast. I had a matcha latte…read moreand a hazelnut beignet. The matcha latte was good! I was underwhelmed by the beignet; it was closer to a paczki and would have been better warmed. They also do not have wifi, so keep that in mind. That said, lots of seating and a unique indoor outdoor situation with nice greenery and the sun streaming in.

Usually super crowded, which is why I have begun to avoid it. It's nice to sit outside during the…read morewarmer months, but of course that's a very small sliver of the year. There are ample vegan and vegetarian options, and I highly recommend the vegan tartine (possible to customize as a salad) and vegetarian quesadilla. The croissants and desserts are above average. Coffee/chai/hot chocolate are solid options, and there is a refrigerated section with bottled juices. Service is always exceptional, and the servers are almost always cheerful and polite. The cafe is connected to the seminary bookstore, which is fun for a quick browse. If you are not connected with the University of Chicago, Plein Air is like a window into the university and its architecture, situated right next to Frank Lloyd Wright's well-known Robie House. Most patrons are students, staff and faculty at the university. Overall, I recommend this spot if you are touring the university and need an atmospheric place to hang out. Importantly, however, menu options are limited in the summer months or during university breaks - check before you go!

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 .

Robust Coffee is a great spot if you're looking for a casual place to grab a solid cup of coffee…read more The space itself is pretty large with plenty of seating, and everything felt clean and well kept. The staff was friendly and welcoming, which always makes a difference. The coffee was really good just how I like it nice and strong, exactly what you want when you're trying to wake up. I also had a bagel which was good, though at the end of the day it's still just a bagel. The only real downside is parking. There isn't a lot of convenient parking nearby, which can make stopping in a little tricky depending on the time of day. It's also not the quietest environment, so it might not be the best place if you're looking to get a lot of work done. Overall though, it's a great neighborhood coffee spot with good drinks, friendly staff, and a comfortable atmosphere. I'd definitely come back.

Came here during my lunch break. I've been here in a few occasions but this is the first time I've…read morecome for lunch. I didn't even realize they had lunch, salads and sandwiches. I was pleasantly surprised. I think they can do a little better showcasing this on their in store menu. Also, I originally was going to order for pickup or delivery on a food app, but because I didn't see my chai latte on the food delivery service website I decided to come in so I can get exactly what I wanted. I ordered my favorite , a chai latte. Also I had their Santorini salad which is a Greek salad with chicken. I ordered my food to be eaten at the cafe and was able to snag a cozy seat by the window while I waited for my order to be ready. I didn't wait long for my latte, barely got situated at the table. The salad was ready not too long after. My latte was delicious per usual. The salad was ok & filling. It could have used some croutons & also the chicken seemed like it came out of can. It was still delicious but for the price they could have done better. The staff were nice and pleasant.

Oh yea, I can totally see why this spot is popular amongst Hyde Park folks! Friendly and helpful…read moreowners when I asked for recs. There's even a community board towards the bathroom, which gives this spot a community-based vibe. It's a quick, casual spot with several tables open for grabs when people leave. I got a traditional everything bagel w cream cheese to start the day, which had the RIGHT amt of cream cheese. Sometimes places give wayy too much, ruining the exp. I also ordered their popular Sumac Chicken sandwich on their Dutch Crunch bread, which was really good!! The bread had a slight sweetness to it that was satisfying and the flavors altogether were soo yummy. I waited ~12 min for my order, since they were rightfully packed. No outside food/drinks allowed if you're grabbing a table to eat. There's WiFi and a restroom in the back. Lots of neighborhood regulars. Bonus points that their food is halal for those w dietary restrictions. Great neighborhood spot!!

Stopped on a whim looking for a good local sandwich shop. The highlight was that bread was very…read moretasty and fresh. The Caesar salad was also flavorful. It had homemade croutons and sides of bread. Got a slice of the carrot cake and it was very moist. Not too sweet with cream cheese frosting. Raisins included, if that matters to you. We got the garlic chicken on French baguette. It was a creamy base and not something I would buy again. Glad we added cheese because there wasn't much to it. the other sandwich we bought was avocado turkey on Dutch crunch. It unfortunately had enough mayo to drown the restaurant. The amount of meat left much to be desired. We asked for chips which they had but only for online orders that came in. ??? Doesn't make sense to me. For 2 Sammie's, a salad and cake it was $45, just for a gauge of prices. The cashier was on the phone the entire time and couldn't hear what we said because of that. Kinda acted inconvenienced we were talking while he was on the phone. The restaurant is pretty chill and seemed like a workspace for people with art on the walls for sale. The art also had a thick layer of dust, and overall the dining room could use a good deep clean. The bathroom cleanliness was decent. This probably won't be another place I would seek out in the future.

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.

I usually enjoy Sip & Savor. But this Sunday morning, I was hungry for an egg sandwich. I arrived…read moreat Sip & Savor at 8:20 am only to find out there were no egg sandwiches on hand! I wanted protein, not a sweet! Please, Sip & Savor - adjust your inventory! Plan ahead. How can you not have egg sandwiches on hand?!

CASH only! MENU:…read moreGreat coffee--I believe the least expensive on campus--and some yummy premade meals. Coffee - 8oz = $1 I like the LSD blend. CAFE: The place is pretty small but usually packed with people. It's located in the basement of Swift, so it is also rather dark. Honestly, the vibe makes me feel like I'm in a wood laden tavern in Europe... which I love. However, the darkness is not conducive for my studying; so, I usually grab a coffee and bounce. LOCATION: When you walk into Swift, you walk in a diagonal to the left. You will see an opening to a stairwell. You descend the stairs and then turn to the left and descend a few more. It's straight ahead. There is also an elevator to the basement; when you enter Swift it's on the right. SERVICE: I've found the staff is usually in good spirits and friendly. However, every now and again, you get someone who doesn't seem to be having a good day. It happens to all of us.

Comfy ambiance. Cash only…read more Located in the depths of uchicago's divinity school, this coffee shop offers a warm, cozy, perhaps divine atmosphere to enjoy a caffeinated or non caffeinated drink. The walls are adorned with a variety of non secular material, creating a unique study experience. Small pastries are offered alongside a few canned or bottled drinks. Note: this shop is cash only. I had an iced Sweet Natured Sage which consists of espresso, milk, sweet condensed milk, honey, and sage. The drink was wonderfully smooth and enjoyable.

Really quick counter service despite being a little crowded. The server was extremely pleasant. I…read moreordered the caramel coconut coffee. I added creamer and it was perfect. I wish I had time to go once more before heading back home tomorrow. It's located in what I found to be a beautiful neighborhood - Hyde Park. Very walkable. A lot of other shops within walking distance. It also looks as if it serves as a working space, as I saw many patrons with their laptops. They also offer small bites, but I just stuck to my coffee.

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!

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.

Unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. We accidentally spilled some water at the…read moretable and ended up cleaning it ourselves. Several staff members walked by and noticed, but no one offered assistance until I was finally able to get our server's attention. Our lemonade never arrived, and my meal came with pickles despite specifically requesting none. The food itself was underwhelming. We stopped in because we were already in the area, but it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit again. The restaurant is in a college town, so it definitely has a younger, student-heavy crowd, but it is family friendly.

What an AMAZING experience! There are baristas available to take my order. There are bankers to…read morehelp with any banking questions and ongoing promotions. I came to this Hyde Park Capital One Cafe looking for a seating area with my son to work for a few hours. I was greeted each and every time I come. Ambassador Christopher Price and his staff welcome us with graciousness and hospitality that is beyond my expectations of what I am use to in a cafe and/or bank. I've enjoyed being here tremendously as well as many other people here, I know this by them greeting customers by their first name. TIPS: 1) Use your Capital One bank card or credit card and get 50% your purchase. Thank you Capital One for your VIP treatment. Everyday is a customer appreciation day. 2) Book your own private room in advance for free on LiquidSpace.com 3) Ask ambassador Chris how to improve your credit score CapitalOne- please make more spaces like this Hyde Park Cafe available everywhere. It's been a pleasure!

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