amazing local coffee shop my lil guy knows there are "nanas" past the door where mum and dad enjoy a great cup of coffee and some tasty sweet/savory snacks best part, shh, they have a crazy amazing Santa who shows up for a few hours, today was the day, for some sweet holiday photos read more

A cute coffee shop with surprisingly good cookies. I stopped in for a pick me up when in the neighborhood and it was packed. Ordered an Iced Latte which was pretty good and two cookies. It looked like they had a side room with some tables to hangout or work. The staff was very friendly as well! read more

See all

It's like walking onto the set of Gilmore Girls. The Perfect Cup is such a sweet and welcoming neighborhood coffee shop. There are so many trendy coffee shops now -- I like that The Perfect Cup isn't going for that, they are just being themselves and doing what's worked for the last 20+ years. There are two rooms with seating, so it's actually a lot bigger than I thought! There is also plenty of outdoor seating along the sidewalk patios. I decided to order the Anne's Special, which is a shot of espresso, house blend coffee, chocolate, and milk. I got it iced which was super tasty! I also ended up ordering the turkey panini. Everything was tasty and reasonably priced. I love this little shop + and I'm happy to have finally visited! read more

See all

Great place. Well established. Delicious coffee. Friendly staff. Mellow vibe. Nice bakery and food selection.

Such a cute lil coffee spot for a nice Saturday morning coffee! I got the iced caramel latte - quick service and really good taste. They had nice patio seating so was perfect for a day out :) read more

See all

I have lived in Ravenswood for almost fifteen years yet have never been to The Perfect Cup and thought I'd try them out whilst running some errands. They have a goodly amount of seating outside and a very large interior a well--the shop spans two storefronts with seating in both sections. They sell gallons of milk and pop as well. Their menu was pretty standard. They don't appear to have any specials... I'm not sure if they never have specials or if they simply don't at this time. But what they do they do well, and I would return to grab something again. Parking is street only, but it's also steps from the Brown Line. Or you can mosey on down on your own two feet. read more

See all

This place is GREAT! The owner (Anne) is so friendly and makes it feel like home when there. The coffee is great, as are the baked goods and sandwiches. Cute space inside and outside. What bothers me is that people from Delsur Bakery think they can bring food and drinks from there and sit outside at her restaurant. Almost all restaurants don't allow this. Shame on those people!!! read more

We stopped by here for a caffeine boost Saturday morning. I ordered a hot vanilla latte and my husband ordered an iced version. The iced one was way better and it was balanced. Unfortunately my hot latte was way too sweet and I didn't end up finishing it. Despite that, service was prompt and although we took our order to go, the seating area inside is vast and has lots of options. read more

The Perfect Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Staff was very friendly and helpful. There was lots of seating. I think they used to be cash only but aren't anymore. I got an iced pumpkin spice latte and it was really not good- really wanted to like it! read more

I came in here very quickly for a chai over the summer and wanted to come back to sit in. I like that there are 2 spaces, but they seem dark/I wish it was more decorated/friendlier? The service was pretty cut-and-dry because the baristas were having their own convo, but I could tell the lady ahead of me had a rapport with a gentleman behind the counter so that was nice to see. I liked my coffee, a latte with oat and a shot of hazelnut - my usual go-to. It wasn't the best I've ever had, but it went down smoothly! I'd like to come back for a pastry and choose another seat for variety's sake - I sat in a chair in the window and liked the people watching aspect. If you want a no frills, people packed place that creates a bit of a white noise affect, or want to catch up with a friend/your own book, this could be a spot. read more

The Perfect Cup - Hot latte on a table in their second room, facing the street/sidewalk. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a cute spot on the corner by the train station. Always love a cold brew from there, and they have a good amount of food as well. The baristas are always really nice and the service is quick! read more

Quaint coffee shop with tasty grilled cheese sandwich. I got my usual Chai tea and my trusty companion got her old reliable hot chocolate, and a chocolate scone. This was all very delicious and my companion says she'd love to come back. read more

The Perfect Cup - Chocolate chip scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Best coffee shop in Chicago. (And I've tried them all.) The atmosphere is so warm and cozy and takes in the vibe of sweet yet happening Ravenswood. Great drinks and food, but the highlight is the consistently wonderful staff. Best customer service around, and they really set the kind and peaceful tone of the cafe. Thank you to everyone who works here!!! read more

Great little cafe in Ravenswood. My friend and I went on one of the last nice days in fall, and we managed to get a patio seat. There's limited seating outside, but it worked out. I grabbed an iced latte with hazelnut and almond milk and a bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast burrito. It looks small in the photo but was very filling and tasting. Everything was clearly fresh. They also have good coffee options and a large variety of syrups, I almost wish I had gotten the salted caramel. Service was great, and everyone was friendly. I do wish they had a clearer menu, but that little detail wasn't enough for me to dock a star. Would definitely go back when I'm next in Ravenswood. read more

The Perfect Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great ambience, clean and nice atmosphere, with good windows and good seating. Staff aren't the friendliest, but they aren't rude either. The main thing is that I had a cappuccino and it was among the worst pours I've ever had. I mean the taste was fine, but it was basically a cup of hot milk with a tiny bit of foam on top. In terms of making this proper, it was like the first cappuccino they had ever poured. Again, taste was fine, but not really a cappuccino, and in Chicago with so many great coffee places This was kind of weak. read more

Every once in a while me and my friends come here after school to hang out. Their food is delicious especially their Italian sodas. They have so many flavors that you could definitely find one you like. They also have a good variety of drinks that aren't caffeinated. Whenever we have been there the barista is very nice! read more

I had an iced Annie's, which was tasty and full of flavor, as well as their breakfast Asiago bagel with ham, cheese and egg! The coffee shop was extremely busy but the staff was kind, prompt and interactive. It's a cute little space, on the corner with indoor and outdoor seating! read more

The perfect neighborhood spot. Perfect (!!) Cup is such a sweet cafe-- and so much bigger than it looks! They're always playing soft jazz which is a wonderful backdrop for hangouts or WFH days. The prices are fantastic and the coffee is always good. Not sure if they brew the chai themselves, but that is great, too! The employees and owner (I am assuming a little) are always kind and helpful. read more

I've been going back and forth as to whether to post this review but the experience I had with Perfect Cup this past weekend has really bothered me. A friend and I went to Perfect Cup to pick up an ice tea. We were carrying with us boxes from Del Sur Bakery, which appeared to trigger one of the staff (and/or store manager/owner). After I asked the woman working the cash register what flavors of ice tea they have, an employee behind the counter told me and my friend that they do not allow customers to eat food from other places in their cafe - referencing the boxes from Del Sur we were carrying. Except that at no point did we attempt to sit down? My hope had been to order a beverage to go. The tone of voice was wildly rude - and it was giving resentment that others have clearly come in and attempted to do this. While I appreciate that is likely the case, the wise thing to do would be to see if a customer is actually tacky enough to sit down and eat food from another cafe/bakery...rather than profiling them based on what they are carrying and preemptively being rude when someone is attempting to get a beverage....to go. Because of the exchange and how uncomfortable it was, my friend and I opted to leave without saying anything further. However, to add the cherry on the sundae of what was already an awkward interaction, as we were leaving, the employee said, "please come again" - in a tone that very much said we were NOT welcome and they absolutely did NOT want us to return. I'm really disappointed by this experience, I have found so many local businesses in the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square area to be so welcoming and my hope was to add another to the list. My hope is that if this was the owner, they see this review and re-frame their approach. If the person who spoke to us in this manner was staff, I hope this is seen and it can be addressed with training. This is not how you approach customers and this entire experience has left me and my friend with an incredibly poor impression of Perfect Cup, so much so that we have already told a friend who had plans to do a work session there to direct their business elsewhere. read more

i want to say this was a 3.5, with qualifications. there's enough good that i'd feel bad rounding down to 3. loved the vibe, loved the photography they have on display. they have a good variety of options without it being overwhelming, the staff were kind and quick, and it's very affordable. it was $8.50 for a 16oz drink and a donut, i think before tip. great place to truly hang out, and there's too few coffee shops like that in chicago. that said, for me the main draw of a cafe is the coffee. i wasn't expecting the artisanal coffee roaster experience here, either, but i got the anne's special and HATED it. it tasted like instant coffee (and maybe it is, for this particular drink) and it was way over-steamed. i would be willing to come back to try a latte or cappuccino and see if i like that better, though, since i enjoyed everything else. maybe i just picked the wrong drink for me! read more

What a pleasure this coffee shop is. I have been going a few times a month for about a year and EVERY time I go the coffee is awesome, the baked goods are fantastic and the customer service is 5-star. Please support the best coffee shop on the Northside. And get the iced Annie Special - just stellar. read more

Friendly staff, delicious pastries and coffee and a lovely outdoor space to enjoy your coffee

Great coffee and relaxing atmosphere. Sandwiches are a bit pricy but very good and absolutely worth the premium for such a nice local spot. The service was lovely and food came out hot and fast. We got sandwiches, read a book on their comfy couches and then got some sweet treats to top off our visit. read more

See all

Very quaint and comforting coffee shop! I ordered a drip coffee and a bacon wrap. The coffee was delicious, HOT, and well priced. The bacon wrap looked a little small for $4.50 but once I ate it, I was more than satisfied. The ingredients were fresh and delicious. It was very impressive compared to my expectations. Great coffee shop! Will be back when I'm in the neighborhood! read more

Anne, Rob and staff have always gone the extra mile to make you feel welcomed into their coffee haven. From Rob's amazing Tuna croissant to the Ann Special, it always feels warm and inviting, not like a random SB in every part of the city. Think like the old sitcom, "cheers" - just with coffee instead of beer lol. Everyone knows your name, and they always glad you came. Over 25 years serving coffee in the same space has to say something, that they are doing it like they said: perfect read more

I really enjoy coming here for an oat latte. They are such nice people and their oat latte is the best I've had in Chicago. Their space is really nice, they have various seating arrangements for lounging, studying, and small group meets, and they have Scrabble! I also love how they have a bulletin board for everyone to place their business cards, and it's not hidden away in the back like most coffee shops do. Their vibe is calm, artistic, and quiet. They also have breakfast sandwiches and their grilled cheese is delicious. All justly priced. What a great little spot. read more

On a Sunday afternoon I swooped into this busy neighborhood coffee shop . I ordered a cafe mocha and blueberry muffin. My muffin was light and tasty, but my mocha tasted burnt. Clearly, I could see the appeal of The Perfect Cup. The shop has two sides. One side is perfectly set up with tables for those wanting to get work done for an hour or two. The other side is a little more social to grab a drink and catch-up with friends. read more

This is a local neighborhood coffee shop in the Ravenswood area. It's the small things that matter sometimes. If you want a different take on a local small coffee shop (although this location isn't too tiny) relative to the big chain coffee shops like Starbucks, definitely check out The Perfect Cup. The people are nice, and this place offers coffee, lattes, teas, and pastries. The Perfect Cup has two rooms, which consisted of tables and chairs, and also a couple of couches. Overall ambience was quiet and hipster. If you're not a fan of the loud music at Starbucks or the super fast paced action, check out The Perfect Cup. I went with the regular coffee and it was good. BATHROOM REVIEW: Located in the second-half of the coffee shop, it is near the back. It appeared to be a single-private bathroom. It seemed like every time I was going to go in, there was someone inside, or someone outside waiting. At one point, a dude walked out and shook his head with disgust. Unfortunately, I was a wuss, and didn't try. Sit or squat? Judging from said dude, we'll go with squat. read more

See all

The Perfect Cup is a quaint, quiet place for a Sunday morning coffee! I walk past this coffee shop every day on the way to the Damen Brown line stop and decided to try this spot on the weekend. My friend and I spent about an hour outside since it was a great fall morning. The service was quick and the staff were all friendly. The drink and food menu were pretty decent and the prices were more than fair! There is much more to the inside of the shop, too! I was taken aback by how large the shop is, given that it looks pretty small from the outside. It seems like a great place to get some work done or read as well. Since I am still more on the cautious side of Covid precautions, my friend and I sat outside. The seating outside isn't awful. There are two tables and some bench seating outside. Admittedly, I did order an iced mocha that morning and was given a hot mocha. They did offer to remake my drink to an iced coffee, but I didn't make a fuss and the coffee was still great! I look forward to coming back here more often and trying more drinks! Glad to have such a great coffee shop in the neighborhood. read more

See all

It's okay..pre pandemic I really liked the owners they are really nice - at least the lady is. The guy - well he is not really a social person snd isn't always friendly. First time back in a while, and honestly the drinks aren't as good and the food isn't really either. And the service is kinda meh. read more

My favorite spot in Ravenswood. Good vibes. Best coffee. Great service. It's a great place to study or get coffee with a friend

The opposite of a perfect cup from my experience. I ordered a small mocha oatmilk. They scalded it so much it burned my mouth even after 20 min cooling period. But the taste! Horrible, the scalding ruined any hope this drink ever had of tasting good. If you are a coffee place, at least k other fundamentals! I also got the grilled cheese with tomato. Absolutely nothing to waste your money on! It was pretty tasteless. Service was listless, no.smiles, no energy. Just a sad little experience for me all around. The one thing I would give a shout out to the place for would be all the local flyers. While I waited, I was I formed on lots of fun things going on with local artists. read more

This is the best place ever. Everyone who works there is great, but Mazz is one of the kindest people I think I've ever met!! Do yourself a favor and check them out. Their coffee, sandwiches and baked goods are absolutely divine too. read more

Love to support small coffee shops, but for the life of me can't understand why they have the door always wide open? It's freezing when people are sitting there. I understand that the people behind the counter are hot, but if that's the case open that door near them. Open it without the screens if they're that hot. read more

I ended up stumbling upon this cute spot after a morning doctor appointment. The surrounding area is a nice quiet neighborhood area with tree lined streets. I ordered an iced chai latte with oat milk and a breakfast sandwich and headed outside to enjoy the nice weather. There is plenty of seating inside and a cute outdoor patio with plenty of chairs and tables to enjoy your beverage of choice. The staff were super friendly and brought out my items as they were ready. I'd love to come back and enjoy this spot again! read more

Great place to hangout with coffee and a pastry. Outside in the summer and cozy but spacious inside. Lovely staff

Nice little cafe with good coffee/tea, nice pastry & sandwich selection, and fair prices. Makes for a convenient meeting spot as well. Very chill vibe in here. read more

The Perfect Cup - Half a bacon egger and a mug of coffee. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute little corner neighborhood cafe. While the service wasn't the friendliest, the vibe, seating and playlist made up for it. read more

The Perfect Cup - a tree in front of a building - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is super cute. Yes, great coffee, but also great sandwiches and donuts and outdoor seating. It's rare for a coffee shop to check every box but this one definitely does. Check it out. read more

This is a very quaint coffee shop with an amazingly relaxing atmosphere. The coffee is delicious. I usually get a latte and my husband gets black coffee. We like to get a breakfast sandwich here as well. When I asked to omit the meat, they offered to put a slice of tomato in it's place. Love it! There is outdoor seating under the shade of beautiful giant trees. The inside is super cozy with wood floors and old fashioned tin printed ceiling. The location (on Damen) is close to everything in Lincoln Square & Ravenswood. The exterior of the building is very "Chicago" (yellow brick with ornate trim...curved corner) and the outdoor lighting makes it so inviting. It's reasonably priced and one of our favorite coffee shops. read more