This is a great location, very roomy and spacious with lots of comfortable leather seats and tables. Lots of students studying, couples, families. The strawberry matcha loaf really caught my eye. Not much matcha taste (good! Said my matcha-despising friend) and rather sweet. Friendly service, comfy vibes. read more

Starbucks - Strawberry Matcha Loaf - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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Great location. They have a huge interior with tons of seating, from long tables, to comfy chairs, booth type cozy seating areas with tables, and couches. Anything you could want! I imagine it would be a great place to work from, too. The outlets are black and along the baseboards so tough to see but they're there! They also have an attached patio with umbrellas for shade, should you want outdoor seating. The staff was kind and lovely. The AC was bumpin on this particular summer day so it was a bit chilly. I'd recommend bringing a sweater if you plan to stay a while, just in case. read more

Starbucks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Nicest Starbucks I've been to. Large store with great seating and emergency vibe. Service here also was excellent. Great place to sit with friends. Only wish the music wasnt as loud. Next time I come and try to do work will come with ear plugs. read more

I am a Lake Forest resident, and I come to this Starbucks pretty frequently. I did have a bad experience the other day on Saturday. The manager, a black woman (I don't know her name I know it started with a "J") was being rude when I let her know my issue with my drink. She was unserious, looked like she didn't care about her job and didn't even make eye contact with me. Starbucks needs to get fire this manager, I know other people had problems with her as well. read more

Local opinion. Interior has suffered and is now unclean and a bit of a downer. Service is meh, and pricing and food is. Starbucks is a waste. read more

A spacious and comfortable setting to casually hang out, this Starbucks reserve has a nice expanded menu with more interesting options available for the coffee lover. Prices aren't too different from a standard Starbucks location and the service is surprisingly fast compared to other Starbucks reserve locations that I've been to (it seems like many drinks are prepared ahead of time from mobile orders instead of sitting through long lines). Parking is not too difficult despite being located in a busy area near the train station. read more

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Lovely place. Great drinks you won't find elsewhere. The MELROSE was fantastic. Can't wait to go back and try more. read more

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Aside from having a larger lounge area than the usual Starbucks, I wasn't impressed. Nothing about the menu was really special.

This location is no longer a Starbucks Reserve and only serves from the regular Starbucks menu. That being said the coffee is good and the service is great! The ambiance still maintains the Reserve vibe with cool decor and nice furnishing. It's also a lot less busy than most regular Starbucks I've been to. read more

Starbucks - Still has the Reserve decor inside but is only serving from the regular Starbucks menu now - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

What does it take to get a SBUX Reserve near me? Because I LOVE IT. It's like a mini-roastery with special drinks/beans. I loved it so much that I went two days in a row. I tried the rose honey latte (Reserve espresso and milk, combined with a "fragrant infusion of caramelized honey, rose water, and earthy cinnamon.") The fragrant infusion is beautiful - light, airy - but does NOT remind me of body lotion or a candle. The next day I just went with a clover brewed black coffee. The barista made some great bean suggestions. Love that this location carries Mercado (CHI/SEATAC exclusive with more "foodie" ingredients and any leftover food is donated as part of Starbucks FoodShare, a partnership with Feeding America) as well. 90/365 read more

Starbucks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

Love this Starbucks reserve! Side note I was spoiled with my first reserve bar in Singapore. So I was stupid happy when I received orders here and found my favorite drinks available! A lot of people in the area don't even take advantage of the reserve menu drinks, they just treat it as a regular Starbucks. Do not befooled it is so much more than meets the eye. They have special micro blends and different brew options. The shakerato is hands down my favorite! But if you like anything mocha try the reserve dark chocolate mocha. Its so decadent. Also every-time I stop in the employee's are super nice. They also have a very nice fire place to sit next too however it's high traffic so I never stay long. read more

Love the Starbucks reserve here! Super nice and chill to study or just hangout. Coffees here are very unique and better than a regular Starbucks! read more

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Great coffee and amazing pastries!! Highly recommend a stop here if you're in the area, but know that it can get insanely busy. Generally, I find Starbucks to be overrated but the reserve is not comparable to the rest of the chain. Espresso cocktails are my favorite so the top floor bar is a must. read more

Out on a drive with my hubby last night, it was super quiet in Lake Forest and the shops were closed. We passed by this Starbucks, and it was so beautifully lit up that we had to drive past again. I had no idea it was a Starbucks, and wow this swanky Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar is stunning! I took some pics at night, and my hubby and I vowed to come back. And, that we did. On our visit, I ordered up a cold brew coffee...east timor...with a subtle lemon and hint of chocolate. My hubby ordered a banana and blueberry muffin. The muffin was completely different from the usual Starbucks muffin and it was so fresh and delicious. As far as the coffee goes, it was highly caffeinated and packed a punch. When I paid attention, I really could identify the lemon and chocolate in each sip. I'm not much of a coffee connoisseur, but I'm inspired to come back and try the next special coffee of the day. The atmosphere is cozy, inviting and friendly, and the Internet is strong. They also have a lovely little outdoor seating area and on colder days there is a fireplace indoors. Take note, it's pricey and special at this location and ideal for those who are passionate about trying all kinds of blends and coffee drinks. It's quite an experience, and I'm looking forward to settling in on a comfy leather chair to spend the day working. read more

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This place never disappoints! This is about the nicest Starbucks I have ever been to, and I always love stopping in here for an afternoon snack. read more

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Been here at least a 2 dozen times and the service is always friendly.. they have a wide selection of speciality coffees... outdoor patio in the back and also plenty of indoor seating... smallest Reserve I've ever been to but it's definitely our favorite... read more

I've started frequenting the Lake Forest Starbucks Reserve store in the afternoons to get some work done (free lance consulting). I usually can get a table or a comfy chair and sometimes stay 2-3 hours because its so nice. Outlets are available, but very few and in some strange places, so come fully charged. Wifi is plentiful. Staff are nice. Clientele are young people with their own businesses and generally retired folks meeting to socialize - an interesting mix. Facilities and restrooms are clean and coffee menus is standard plus extra fancy reserve items. I think you *might* be able to get beer too. My only qualm is that it looks like they could do a better job of cleaning the floors - they never look swept -- especially around furniture. read more

If you are in the area and need your daily or a special-occasion coffee fix, this is the place to go! We all are so lucky to have a beautiful and unique "Starbucks Reserve" coffee shop in Lake Forest and before this one opened, one of the earliest Starbucks coffe shops to open in the whole Chicago area! The Starbucks Reserve store manager has been here since Day 1 and she has always had an amazing staff of skilled baristas and friendly counter workers over the years to serve all of us lucky patrons our favorite coffee drinks! And, what I fantastic atmosphere to come and get your coffee and snacks, hang out, visit with friends, do some reading or crank out some work email! Finally, thank you to everyone who works at the Starbucks Reserve coffee shop in Lake Forest who all bend over backwards for us with amazing customer service and excellent coffee! You folks are the best! read more

Starbucks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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The place is insanely slow every weekend day. Why do they not hire more people. Seems like it can be fixable.

I don't get this place right now. Yes businesses are struggling with staffing but instead of coming up with consistent hours they can staff, this Starbucks (and a reserve is kind of a flagship so you expect it to be on top of its game) literally changes it's hours on the fly and post them in their store window (which doesn't help when you've already driven over). But ok so we went yesterday around 4 and they had a sign in their window stating their temporary hours were from 7-3 each day...ok fine, we go the NEXT day Sunday at 1 and there's another sign saying they've changed their Sunday hours until noon. So literally changing hours day to day, no consistent policy (just come up with the hours you can staff and let's start there) and no way to know until you show up. read more

I've been to a lot of Starbucks locations, especially when traveling on business, but this was one of the prettiest and cleanest locations I've ever seen. The layout and decor is really unique and appealing. And like most Starbucks locations, plenty of places to study, talk, relax or just people watch while you sip your iced or hot latte. There is a really nice outdoor seating area too. The drinks are the usual quality and taste I've come to appreciate about Starbucks (since my favorite Caribou Coffee stores in the Chicage area near me have closed). This was surely one of the most memorable locations I've been to and I look forward to returning. read more

I think the employees here are more committed than any others in other Starbucks locations to make their cafe the best in the world... The quality is amazing. The sheer amount of people that wait in line and stubbornly walking around for an empty seat attest to that. I got lucky and got a sofa seat there once. Even their items of furniture are of premium quality, it's nuts man. No wonder nobody wants to leave this place. I sat there just enjoying the coffee and the view for longer than I needed to. Oh did I mention their Reserves selections? These guys are pros. My lattes were so much better than other home-run places that specialize in coffee brewing. You could tell the baristas here were not just trained but literally raised and cultured in coffee beans. I have enough coffee in my veins to opine that. If you are ever up for a REAL Starbucks experience, do not hesitate to go here. I would only suggest that you avoid work commute hours in the morning or weekend mornings. Unless you enjoy your coffee only standing up. read more

Said it before and will say it again: the dance music they constantly play here is distracting and not appropriate for what should be a relaxing environment to work or talk with friends. What are they thinking? Also, never enough tables here. Too many uncomfortable couches. This is a food establishment, right? How can we comfortably eat sitting on a couch with nowhere convenient to put our food and drinks? Also, you can't escape the music by eating on their outdoor patio. They blast it on speakers outside, too. read more

[Edit 11/3/2013: I added another star. Under new management (welcome, Mickey!), this place is now a well-oiled machine and the baristas seem happier. Maybe it's my imagination? Whatever, I'll take it.] This is truly the best Starbucks for people watching, particularly as the Real Housewives of Lake Forest gather in the mornings and afternoons. It's like a social experiment of yoga pants, caffeine, and eye liner. This location is regularly crowded - I can't think of any time in almost two years I've been able to just walk up to the counter and order without staying in line. Parking can be difficult to find, particularly during their peak hours in the morning. The staff is hit or miss. Some are incredibly friendly. Others will try to make you feel like it was your fault they misheard your order and made the wrong drink. And then remind you should have told them at the register you wanted soy in your Americano. And then you can show them your receipt to show them you did. Avoid this place on Friday afternoons during the school year -- it gets overrun with the middle school students and their desperate need for Frappucinos and Instagramming their friends. read more

Got the new a Cocoa Cloud in a tall (iced but I wanted hot and forgot to say that, so she just gave me iced automatically). There was so much foam that without taking one sip, by the time I walked to my car the cup was only halfway full. Whomever took my order was not pleasant and made me feel like a bother. The inside was beautiful though. read more

Starbucks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

We came here for French Press coffee. They did not disappoint. The French Press coffee was delicious. Service was awesome. read more

Starbucks - French Press coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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Met a friend here for coffee. Love the updated interior. Super cozy and comfortable to sit and chat with friends. Best decor of any Starbucks I have ever been to. Lines can get long at busy times and drink quality is dependent on who is working. In other words sometimes great and other times not so good. Would easily be five stars if they could be more consistent. read more

Really neat space in a really old building in Lake Forest. Friendly staff and inviting atmosphere. The pricing is not bad for an upscale coffee shop. read more

Super cute Starbucks, cool decorations, nice and helpful baristas. Located in a really pretty area, too. 10/10 experience, would come back!! read more

Starbucks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Lake Forest, Illinois

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A true coffee staple in Lake Forest's coffee square. People gather regularly here for morning chats to business meetings. The staff is superb and are always up for good banter. Take the time to learn the staff -- they'll remember you. read more

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NO STARS. Staff here SUCKS. I'm a local. Walked in Saturday morning, no one in line, and stood there for 10 mins while I waited for the 3 ladies to stop chit chatting to notice I was there. Finally place my order but they didn't want to make a cold press iced coffee. "Do you know long that takes it brew?" One of them said to me. "Why yes I do as I got one just yesterday in Cleveland." Did they make it? NO. Did I have to settle for something different ? Yes I did and therefore that is my reason why the staff here at this "special" Starbucks sucks and I will never return. Get a life ladies. read more

This is a fabulous Starbucks. I usually stay away friend m the average Starbucks because I do not appreciate the blends that are offered. This Starbucks reserve is definitely worth the stop. The single origin offering ( which changes every month ) was outstanding. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The store itself is the nicest Starbucks I have eve been in. I'm sad that it is 30 minutes away. As I periodically go to Wisconsin I will have to make the stop! read more

Pretty standard Starbucks. Quick stop near the metra station while waiting for the train. The people were friendly, drinks were fast and tasted as expected. Overall a good experience. read more

I have always received superb service at this Starbucks. I spent many morning here during college. The staff is extremely nice and they remember you after a couple of times. They are always there to converse with you if you are feeling up to par. This location is also a world of its own! There are the "usuals" that come here, generally consisting of middle aged stay at home women from Lake Forest. They all came polished up for their morning coffee. It's such an interesting thing to observe, something you usually hear from a small town coffee shop...it applies to this Starbucks location, it has become like a small town coffee shop for the locals. There are also many business men that come here for meetings during the day, or to read their paper. Oh yes, since it is a college town, there are usually a few college students hyping up on coffee to get through their work, but they are generally very quiet. I would try to avoid the place around 3 or 4 pm. When all of the schools in Lake Forest get let out it sometimes becomes a little fussy here and full of kids. It's never too obnoxious, I'm just giving a word of caution. read more

AMAZING DRINKS!!!!! Horrible price! I ask for light ice and they give me a whole cup of it!! Remind me again why I'm paying $6 for a venti drink that's only half full?! read more

Best staff of any Starbucks I've been to. I'm currently stationed at NTC great lakes and run here once a week. There's actually a running trail that leads from base straight to Lake Forest. It is kind of hidden but is very peaceful. Making it a nice place to sit and relax. Very clean and well stocked. read more

This is one of the nicest Starbucks I have been to - very large modern layout and many items on the menu that can not be found at the regular locations. Definitely stop by this location if you are in the area. This gets pretty crowded on the weekends as with any other Starbucks! read more

Stunning Starbucks. Service is very slow, ~15 min wait on average with only couple people waiting. The drinks for some reason are a bit off compared to the same order in diff locations. read more

Had a nitro cold brew served in a plastic cup with a straw. Defeats the purpose of the creamy drink which houses the smooth texture on the top. No one else uses those cups read more

While Starbucks coffee quality is universal, store size and decor certainly vary. This Lake Forest store is a stand out gem. This location features an urban/rustic/spa decor, and is unusually spacious for a Starbucks. There is ample seating in the front, all along the side, and tucked around a back corner. Even while very busy, my friend and I were able to find a place to sit. The fireplace/accent wall is a standout, featuring a ceiling to floor concrete/stucco "continents" art/map overlay on top of the urban/loft brick wall. My decaf, whole milk, no foam latte was lovely as usual. read more