#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 check 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 sit 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!

Wormhole is weird but in a good way. The line was long but a lot to look at. Great coffee, fun…read moreretro vibes, and a DeLorean casually hanging out inside because apparently normal coffee shops are boring. Definitely worth a stop even if you're not trying to get back to 1985.

Not sure how Matt managed to get hired here, so I assume being rude is part of their training…read more After hearing great things about their coffee and being in town for a trip, I payed Wormhole a visit. I ordered 5 coffees one morning, and all the register guy did was write a few names on some cups and placed it down. I understand tipping culture is a divided topic of discussion, but at the end of the day, it is OPTIONAL. After pressing the skip button from what I believe to be non-tip worthy service, he threw a fit and said "Wow you're serious? After I did all that?" Meanwhile all he did was write names on cups. Now I would understand if he was the barista working hard to pump out the coffees, but two lovely ladies were in the back doing that. He shooed me and my friend out of line as we were still processing what he just said. The next customer orders and he had the audacity to talk about us to them while we're 5 feet away. Delusional as he was, he had the nerve to say we were holding up the line and made him do "all that work", and I could promise you, we knew exactly what we wanted to order the second we got up, and took no longer than 45 seconds. We also witnessed he got into it with another customer, so it seems like he's the problem here. Most wild service I have ever received, all for some milky coffees. I ended up tipping the lovely ladies in the back though. Be warned. There are much better spots.

Great Chicago coffee shop. The vibe is right and the coffee options are a plenty…read more I typically get a cold brew, and a bean and cheese breakfast taco. They used to have great empanadas too but the tacos are soooo good. And they have great salsa to go along with them. They sell some beverages like Topo Chico, apple juices, and Jarritos. I have only had one weird interaction here with a staff member, I asked for a pump of mocha syrup in my cold brew and they basically said it was a dumb idea because it wouldn't mix. I have had that in several cold brews at several different well established coffee shops in Chicago and it's delicious when you need a sugar boost. The barista did it but he also shared it didn't make sense. It was uncomfortable. But I didn't let that mar my experience. I still have continued to order my beverage with that barista. Also they have a great mural in the back.

Funky and hip vibe. Great atmosphere overall - cool design, lots of varied seating (tables and…read morechairs to couches and loveseats), jazz playing, and upbeat staff. Breakfast sandwiches and vegan options available. I just got a soy latte and it was delicious. They use 3 shots so no fear that you'll get a weak coffee! Easy free parking in front. I only wish they didn't up charge for plant milk ($1 extra).

Good vibes, good beer, good coffee. Walk up to the counter…read moreand it feels really between a bar and a cafe in a great way. Always good seating, space to work, space to talk. Been there to be productive and to catch up with people and it's a great spot for either. Food is pretty good too, but some dishes a little plain salty for me. The beer selection is great tho and with the coffee it's easy to find s good complement

Trying to gate keep this place, but there are so many amazing things about it that I do want to…read moreshare. First off - pickle beer - if you know, you know. It's the life juice. Second, are the recently added craft drinks and I cannot stop thinking about the Hugo spritz - made just right. The service is impeccable, good food options and you cannot beat the patio - no matter the weather. 1000/10 recommend! P.S. If this location is not up to snuff for you, there's one more in Wrigleyville and OG in Milwaukee (trust me, it's worth the trip).

Very good iced coffee needs nothing goes down smoothly…read more Staff is friendly and welcoming The place is busy but was happy to find a open seat outside

Definitely one of the most beautiful cafes in Chicago! I always bring my out of town guests here…read moreand they love it. The art deco decor is stunning! Excellent food and beverages. High quality ingredients. The breakfast and lunch sandwiches are great! Delicious pastries too. I love all their coffee and espresso drinks. Their cafe au lait is one of my favorites. They have refreshing iced teas and iced coffees, and delicious smoothies too. Everyone who works here is very kind. Excellent service. On weekends they don't allow laptops and I appreciate that. They encourage social connection. They have a small outdoor patio too and it's really cute. This place is very lively and busy. Very popular and rightly so. Great vibes all around!

I love Volumes! Every time I stop in, I always find a new book to add to my TBR. I trust the…read morestaff's recommendations. I have come here numerous times to find a gift for a friend or family member, and have always been successful in my mission after my visit to Volumes. The staff is so helpful, too! I love supporting a local, indie bookstore! In addition to that wonderful perk, Volumes also offers a ton of classes and events. They definitely foster community here.

Owner stiffed many vendors over the years. She notoriously didn't pay her bills. The karma trrain…read moreeventually arrived at her station. RIP.

This place has always been overpriced but I've been able to justify it since it's a good work/study…read morelocation. Today though, I paid 9 dollars for a latte made with ALDI oat milk. Might have to start going across the street after this sadly.

There are lots of places to work, the bathrooms are clean, and the drink menu has a lot of variety…read more When my drink didn't come out they fixed it right away.

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.

Cozy and huge coffee shop! They have my beloved oat milk for lattes. And tons of donuts, cakes,…read morecroissants, cheesecakes and also custard and pies! And cookies and danishes and muffins. Oh my! The pies kind of look like homemade individual sized pizza pockets with either spinach, chicken, veggie or zatar. They're on the bottom shelf in the picture. All kinds of pastries from savory to sweet. I was eyeing the chicken pie for a future visit during lunchtime. If you want to work on your laptop, the free WIFI is good and there are charge cord plugs all along the wall. I like how spacious and bright it is inside, not to mention the high ceilings. When I get cabin fever it's nice to "escape" to a clean and friendly location like this.

I've been coming to Qamaria for awhile. Yes, it might be a tad bit pricey but nothing too crazy. I…read morelove coming back here for their matcha, cozy environment, and late hours. I came here during the World Cup and they gave you a discount if you had a jersey, I thought that was cool. I love this location in Albany park!

I had high hopes for this little place. The server was a little rude that I was standing in the…read morewrong place to order (no biggie, but it was my first time here). But my drink: awful. I took a sip. Yuck! I waited a few minutes, thinking, maybe it wasn't THAT bad, and tried another sip. Yuck! On my way out, I brought my drink back to the counter. It was still warm. I told the guy that the drink was terrible, that it tasted like warmed up Hersheys syrup. He took my drink and said, "Oh I'm sorry about that." I paused a second; he had nothing else to say. He didn't offer to make me a new drink. Didn't offer a pastry. Didn't offer a refund. I'm out $6 and I did not get to enjoy a treat. We're urged to support local, but experiences like this remind me why I like to go to the consistent chain that ALWAYS remakes my drink if there's a problem (which their rarely is), no questions asked. Totally disappointing. Would not go back because my drink was terrible and the customer service didn't exist.

After a quick lunch nearby, my friend and I stopped by Ritual Coffeehouse for an afternoon coffee…read more They don't roast their own beans at Ritual, but they source from Counter Culture (which is a pretty much the Starbucks of third wave coffee). I got the 16 oz. iced latte which only comes with two shots of coffee, but I asked for an extra shot to be put in. The latte was fine. The espresso flavor was definitely very strong, but nothing unique or experimental. This is pretty typical of Counter Culture beans since they tend to stick to mainstream preferences. Overall, chill spot. The coffee is reliable, and the interior is cozy.