I was craving cardamom coffee and we decided to stopped by Haraz to try it out. Very spacious and a…read morelot of parking spot. They even had a quiet room with door for coworking/studying. Went with their all spice mofawar, and a cleaner palate one Qishr since hubby wanted something tea-like. After ordering all that, we noticed there's a separate tea option that had a citrusy flavor so we got the sunlit tangerine also. The drinks were very strong in a whole mix of spice flavors, which I actually really liked, but it is a little too watery, not dense or creamy enough, and the coffee flavor lean a bit more too acidic/sour. It's not bad, but I think it's just not exactly to my liking. What I didn't realize was that a lot of the spices sunk to the bottom so when I remixed the thic layer of spices with oatmilk at home, it tasted pretty good with the right consistency. All of the drinks were pretty diluted in our opinion, and I think it's too much spice for my husband although I liked it. I also ordered some pastries, but the server packed the wrong one. If I didn't look closely enough I might've missed that. There was one last Dubai pistachio cookie which I asked for, but they gave me the Biscoff cookie instead which was a less expensive one. Anyway, they were fine switching it out after I pointed out, but no apologies or anything. While we weren't impressed with the drinks at first, the medovik mouse/honey layered cake was really good-- it was pretty dense where the buttery parts were, and it was pretty sweet so it balanced well with the acidic coffee. We didn't know the cookie had more fillings on the inside until we got home. The fillings had crunchy flakes which adds a really nice texture, and the filling is not too sweet. Really good. We liked the pastries a lot more than the coffee. Perhaps we just aren't used to the flavor and taste profile of the coffee. I'd be willing to try more here.

3.5 stars because the price is ridiculously high…read more Seen this place on Yelp a lot but never went. It was beautiful inside. Space is pretty big and nicely spread out so you're not sitting on top of one another. Just super expensive, especially for the bakery items! Like almost $15 a slice, which is crazy to me. Drinks are also pricey. XL Dubai chocolate cheesecake - Just ok. Bland and we didn't like the cheesecake texture. It was pretty flavorless overall. Chocolate baklava - Now this was the winner! It had cream inside which we didn't expect. Delicious! Harazi Mufawar (Coffee, cardamom & cream) - Delicious! They recommended adding sugar because it's too strong otherwise. It was still strong w regular sugar, so glad we did. Haraz Latte (Double shot espresso, honey, milk, haraz spice) - Very good! Didn't really come hot though, it was lukewarm Coffee Beans - $30 for a small sized bag. Pricey! Price - Expensive!! 0/5 for price, crazy expensive

Now this is a cool concept. Let's back up. I meet a couple of friends on Sunday mornings at coffee…read moreshops and cafes. No chains, just stand alone locations. Each place has a theme, or a charm all its own and Grind N Gears Cafe is one of the latter. When you pull up you immediately recognize the place as a former body shop or service station. Not a as station, but a body shop. They have their own small parking lot in front with special motorcycle parking on the sides of the lot. It's a small place. When you walk inside there is a runner leading up to the counter with their case of delicious looking eats and a platform above with an old Indian motorcycle perched looking over the place. To the right of the counter are some toys for the kids, including a kids motorcycle and other funs toys to keep the kiddos busy while their parents enjoy a magically concocted coffee drink by the shops artisans. There are comfy little sitting areas composed of oversized furniture from your parents basement. The front has a few racks of leather jackets that feels like your at The Alley's northern location. They do have some hats and apparel for their own shop and I almost bought a hat. On the left side, they have another seating area, but it looks more like a table in a cozy kitchen than a sitting room. It's quaint no matter where you look or sit. Lastly, their drinks and food are quite good. With all the stand alone coffee places popping up, Grinds N Gears is one of the cooler places and I don't mean hipster.

What a fun themed coffee shop! From a motor shop to a coffee shop, there's fun for all. The parking…read morelot is a bit small so it becomes a hindrance when it's busy. But once you get inside it's so much fun. With a variety of drinks from coffee to teas and boba there's really something for any mood. They also have baked good from local bakeries. The staff is also super friendly and knowledgeable when it comes to drinks. All in all, a great experience and we can't wait to come back soon and try other drinks.

If you love pastries that melt, flake, crackle, and crunch in all the right ways... 85°C Bakery…read moreCafé is your new best friend. Every pastry on my table was unreal: the almond croissant was buttery and crisp on the outside with the softest layers inside; the cheese bread had that glossy, chewy exterior and sweet creamy pockets; the chocolate bun was rich, moist, and cocoa-packed; and the pineapple bun had that signature sugary crust that breaks like a cookie. Paired it with a creamy iced matcha and a caramel coffee frappe that tasted like liquid dessert. Between the freshness, the textures, and the warm bakery aroma filling the entire place... this is top-tier bakery bliss.

Visited 85°C Bakery recently and was disappointed with the customer service. The inventory was…read morealready pretty limited, but what made the experience uncomfortable was the way the staff handled a small mistake. While choosing bread, I switched one item and accidentally left another bread in a different spot instead of putting it back right away. I understand that I should have returned it properly. However, while I was paying, the cashier left to get the bread, then came back and told the other cashier about it while glaring at me. I completely understand employees wanting customers to keep things organized, but the attitude felt unnecessary for such a minor situation. Mistakes happen, and customers should still be treated respectfully.

Service,owner and other stuff was great! Location is nice as well with nice neighbors plus view on…read morepublic transit train makes more cool! Food and drinks was yummy!

We've enjoyed our two visits at this new addition to downtown Park Ridge. Both times we've ordered…read morethe same thing and staff has been very kind and helpful. We both like light sweetened and strong tasting coffee. This is that place to fill that void! I personally order the Fredo and my husband gets the mocha. It's sweetened to our liking and water is given to us even when we wait for a to go order. Really great service! Also a huge difference from our first visit but still great both times. Inside is a little tight because this place seems to stay busy, rightfully so!

I would give Matari 4.5 out of 5 stars, so I'm rounding to 5 based on service and ambiance! I heard…read moreabout their fruit mousse cakes online, so we knew we had to stop by to check it out. The cafe is immaculate and service was very friendly. The person who took our order was patient as he explained the different pastries in the case. I wish they had signs explaining what each pastry was so I could have decided while waiting in line. We ended up sharing an iced pistachio latte (delicious and 10/10!), the pistachio cheesecake (10/10!), and the strawberry mousse cake (7/10 - a subtle sweetness, great texture, but needed more cake or crust inside as it was mostly whipped cream and the shell). The mousse cake was $12.00, which felt steep considering it was mostly whipped cream, even though it was obviously beautiful. We would definitely come back for the coffee and to try more menu items! Check this place out!

I wanted to like it. I did. But after a few visits, it's just not for me…read more The first trip, I tried the Matari Tea: Green tea, Himalayan pink salt, milk, and spices, topped with roasted pistachios. Sounds good, right? Alas, it could not have been blander. I couldn't taste any "spices" or even the hint of salt. The profile was that of very watered-down tea mixed with milk, and a ton of pistachios floating on top. Like, barely crushed pistachios. Huge pieces, covering the top of the drink, bobbed around like tiny icebergs, and even they somehow had a toned-down flavor. The drink was definitely a swing and a miss. Fast forward two weeks, and I tried Matari again. This time with a simple cortado. I sat at the table right by the door, and the espresso was pretty good. Solid body, not too bitter. It was on the pricy side ($7+), but I was ok with that. But then, I'm hanging out, sipping my coffee, and I catch a burst of perfume-like scent. I'm shocked, but whatever, I figured someone in heavy perfume walked by, no big deal. A few minutes later, wham, I'm hit in the nose with another burst of perfume. Then, I see it. A slight haze around me. So, not a heavily perfumed woman after all, but an automated air-freshener. After further inspection, I see the unit plugged in on the ground right behind my chair, which sprays up and out on a timer. That's right, an air freshener right next to a table where people consume food and beverages, shooting a mist into the air that slowly rains down onto my head and table, and into my coffee. I ended up tossing the last few sips of my cortado, as I could taste the scented whatever-it-was in my cup. I'd have gone to the counter and asked for a new one, but I was so over my visit by then, I just opted to get out. The staff aren't very friendly. Not rude, but they don't give off a welcoming aura, and I didn't feel like trying to explain the issue. Lastly, can we talk about their little "your order is up" beepers? We've all seen them. The little electronic things that blink and make a noise when your order is ready, so you can go snag it from the counter. When I think of a coffee shop, I think quiet and peaceful, or perhaps a bit louder, with bustling people and well-paired music. At Matari, it's an insane BEEP BEEP BEEP that goes off every few minutes when an order is up. I get it, you don't want to bring the food out to your customers. But does it really need to feel like an airport Chili's? It's a bummer, because Matari is beautiful inside. It's clean, it's chic, and its location is at a notable crossroads in Skokie with plenty of parking, leaving it extremely convenient. They've even got an easy-to-use website, which so many coffee shops simply do not have. There aren't a lot of coffee shops in this particular part of town, which is why I so, so very much wanted to love Matari. But subpar drinks? Air freshener spray intrusions? Frequent and obnoxious beeping? I tried. I'm sorry. I just can't.

ooooh probably one of the best for chicago suburbs. they have a wide selection and they are all…read morepretty solid. i got the Vietnamese coffee and tastes v authentic. the interior is cute and the staff is super nice. not sure if the staff was super overwhelmed but my friend got the ube coffee drink with milk and it just straight up tasted like ube milk not coffee. :/ recommend altering proportion since the coffee taste isn't even subtle!

Stopped by this bubble tea spot and had such a great experience! The inside was super clean and…read moremodern, and it was really easy to order using the kiosk. We couldn't decide what to get, so of course we ended up with three drinks for my bf and I. A refreshing mango drink, a crème brûlée cold brew, and the cutest cookie cake drink served in a little bear cup (I paid extra for it). They also offer food, which we didn't try this time, but definitely will next visit. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and there's a parking lot right in front which makes it really convenient. Will definitely be coming back!

Delicious treats for any pistachio fan! My husband and I really enjoyed both things we got and it's…read morereally nice inside very fancy!

Dripping in chocolate and good company Sweet endings done…read moreright at Pistachio Café in Morton Grove My friend and I stopped in for a post-dinner treat and it did not disappoint! We shared waffle sticks -- one loaded with Kinder Bueno and the other drenched in Nutella -- both absolutely dripping in chocolatey goodness. Paired with almond milk cappuccinos that were smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced, it was the ultimate cozy combo. We wished we had the stomach to try more from their menu, but honestly, this duo hit the spot and then some. The perfect way to wrap up the night, it was sweet, rich, and totally worth every bite.

Service, food, and coffee were amazing. Everyone here was so polite and welcoming. 5 star latteread more

Cafe 44 is a cafe that in the Morton Grove 'hood, offering various cold and hot drinks and…read morepastries. We came here for a caffeine fix, ordering the following: +Turkish Coffee +Latte with almond milk +a Pistachio Latte +and, a Spanish Latte We also tried their mini bird's nests, a few filled with chocolate, and another few filled with pistachio - these were actually pretty tasty! Unfortunately, the coffee was not brewed well and was extremely weak; they looked aesthetically pleasing, though, with the latte art and/or the toppings. Staff were friendly; once you order, your items will be ready for you on the side counter. The space is bright, and they have a handful of seating inside - the place is popular, so you may have to wait a few for a table. Street parking is available off of Waukegan. +weak coffee +stick with the mini bird's nests +street parking available

Friendly staff. Chill seating & pleasant music. Ube latte was delicious. My preschooler liked the…read moreoverhead lights; he said they look like dandelions. Highly recommend.

I just recently discovered this place. I work in Lincolnwood. It has a great ambiance to talk with…read morefriends, co-workers, or just chill by yourself and sip on coffee. More than enough seating and outlets to do work. My go-to drink is the iced café latte with whole milk. The coffee quality is far superior to Starbucks. Also, I love the gauva empanada with cream cheese! Also its good to know you are supporting a local business. Happy to know 5% of their proceeds go to charity. Overall highly recommend!

I've gotten coffee/food from here couple times and both have been excellent!…read more I've ordered prior to boarding my train and the service was speedy and the Ube latte & breakfast sandwich were super tasty! The second time I've order through Uber Eats & the service was also speedy and both items were good! I got the coral blue #5 & buffalo chicken sandwich & they were both perfect temperature and flavorful! I'll be ordering trying more for sure!

Brew coffee lab was great! It's located inside the des plaines metra train station stop which is…read moregenius! We got pretty plain orders but they had soooo many different fun latte options that I want to go back and try next time.