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.

We had a lovely evening listening to great music in a clean, safe environment. Staff was so…read morefriendly and helpful. Loving the coffee I brought hime.

Incredible coffee! The flavor and taste is smooth yet savory and is unique in its originality…read more Can't wait for this to open! Come on city of AH.

Absolutely love this coffee shop! Happy Monday in Edgewater is such a small and hidden coffee shop…read morewith the best service! It always seems to be a hit and busy on the weekends. And that is because it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays! It is dog friendly, trendy, and such a hit. Highly recommend this local joint.

UPDATE: Wow, what a speedy response, thank you. I usually…read morechat with the guy who runs this location who says he is a co-owner. I figured the limited hours had something to do with the menu. Now that you all have gotten rid of the DJ table and added more chairs, it does feel more like a standard cafe! I'm looking forward to the menu changes. Thanks for your consideration! Previous review: I really enjoy their beverages and I keep coming back. That being said, there is almost no price transparency. The only prices they have on their menu are for the THC additions. I've mentioned this to the owner twice (he's a cool guy) but he has always sort of shrugged it off. It bothers me every time I'm in. Sometimes my latte with oat milk comes out different prices. Price transparency is so important for consistency . Not including the prices is a bit elitist, especially when the average drink is $6-$8. You should want folks to come in and comfortably order what they can afford. I hope this suggestion is taken into consideration. The drinks are good and like I said, I keep coming back but this has been a sticking point for me for a year plus.

I first came here for a coffee tasting session with Alex last summer, and that was a great…read moreexperience. Alex is super knowledgeable about coffee and clearly puts a lot of thought into what he does and how he does it. It's been really nice to be able to order coffee beans and have them delivered since we're so close to the store, but going there is easy too - convenient location and plenty of parking. The coffee itself has been solid - I am not a black coffee drinker, but my partner is, and he has consistently enjoyed the coffee he's gotten there. On our last visit to the shop, Alex told us about the other location they own, Maple Leaf Coffee House in St. Charles - we're hoping to check that out soon!

Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters is a great, fresh option in the Roselle area. They have a variety of…read morebean options for light, medium, dark roasts and even sell decaf beans. The bags come is 12oz and 16oz options but one can also preorder a large format of beans for pick up. When I visited, the owner Alex was there and he could not be nicer! He made some great recommendations based on my preferences and offers items in bean or grounded formats. I purchased the Costa Rica Marigold option based on the notes listed. He gave me beans that had been roasted that day! The beans are high quality but not has flavor forward as I'm used to. Either way, pricing was very fair and seems to always have all options in stock.

I'm so glad I finally had the chance to visit Tala! The staff was super welcoming and the coffee…read morewas delicious. I was surprised at how crowded it was at 11:30 a.m. on a Wednesday. Some customers were there to socialize and others were camped out to work from their laptops. I snagged the second-to-last table when I arrived, and the last table was claimed a minute later. In addition to coffee, lattes, cappuccino and other similar drinks, Tala offers a small section of muffins and pastries as well as a small lunch menu. I'd love to go back and try a sandwich with my next latte. The location is odd, in an industrial area off the beaten path. But considering the crowd in there, the word is clearly out and people are flocking to it!

The seating is the only reason this doesn't have 5 stars. The comfortable chairs are way too low,…read moreand too many things without back support. Lovely and friendly staff, good coffee, and food that I am never hungry enough to try. Closes early but that's a feature of the area/customers not a bug that they can fix.

Best scones I've ever eaten. This cafe is close to the Deerfield Metra stop and tucked behind the…read moreHome Depot on Lake Cook Road. Well worth finding it!

I've been in the station connected to this spot more times then I can count, but I'm usually later…read morein the day and always miss my shot. Today Is new years eve and I was nearby on errands when I saw people inside finally! Yes, it's coffee time. First of all, this place is an oasis. Way too cute and perfect to be connected to the grime and cold of the metra station. If your waiting for a train, do yourself a favor and come in here! Better smells, better temperature, better people. Find me waiting for my trains in here whenever they're open. The professionalism here is on full display, you can tell from the obvious thought in the decor, the look of the coffee machines being used, and the excellent and friendly service. I just had a quick mocha today, I needed to warm up and this drink improved my mood right away. Made in front of me (before paying... that's respect) by a sweet lady who also hooked me up with a punch card, it was very nice. Not overly rich from the chocolate and just the right temperature. I see they make they're own pastries and have some fancy cold options for summer! I can't wait to come back and try more. I'll definitely be filling up that punch card in the coming months!

In need of nourishment on a trip to Chicago, we stopped by Magnifico Coffee Roasters for some food…read moreand coffee. The establishment has a chill atmosphere and the owner was so incredibly friendly. Even though we were out of town, we were immediately invited to a small event they were having the next day and asked about our days in a manner that reflected genuine interest. I wish this could be my local coffee shop, you're so lucky if this is! Their unique offering was a wonderful selection of coffee and a delicious array of Colombian pastries. We ordered an empanada, a churro donut, almojabana, and the pan de bono. I'm vegetarian so I was very happy to see such a wide number of options for me! The churro donut was delicious and cinnamony - if you like sweet breakfasts, definitely get this! I really enjoyed the almojabana and the pan de bono. I liked the pan de bono so much, I even took a picture of the crumb to share with my mother, who is Colombian! Truly, I could have eaten 5 of the pan de bono because they tasted just like the homemade one's my abuela would make when she visited.

It's a bit far out of the city but if you're looking for interesting beans, Magnifico should be on…read moreyour list. I had a wonderful light roast pour over (El Paraiso). They use the Kalita pour over here and it produces a fantastic product- bright and clean while still showcasing some bold flavors. The cortado was also excellent. The servers are all very friendly and will help you pick out a coffee based on your preferences. Great sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling windows and abundance of seats, this shop would be a great place for a coffee date or to get some work done.

Consistently great coffee and service! Great baristas who know their espresso machine well.read more

Tucked away in a cute row of eclectic shops just east of the Metra station is Astra. A good sized…read morespace with plenty of room to hang with your people. The service is fast and friendly, and the product quality is surprisingly good. We have been back several times for the chai latte. I will echo another comment I saw that the tables/floors/chairs looked like they need to be kept up with in regards to cleaning, I did note that while I was waiting for my order. Glad to have them in the neighborhood!

Bought some great coffee for Christmas gifts. They loved the Hooah and the Cold Dead Hands. Smooth,…read morenot bitter at all. Best coffee around! They never disappoint:)

The store is clean, the owner is nice, and the coffee is great. I appreciate knowing there is a…read moreVeteran-owned coffee shop in my neighborhood. I saw their ads on Facebook, walked in, and the owner, Sal, poured me a free and very large cup of coffee. I bought HOOAH because the name is hilarious. Sal ground the coffee for me. I think between the flavor, the hospitality, and the "artwork" on the walls, I am a customer for life. Thanks, Gun Barrel Coffee for a great coffee experience.