Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Libertyville is this gem of a coffee shop/brunch spot. The space is bigger than you think. There is a meeting room and back room in addition to the main space. My friends and I are there at least monthly to catch up over breakfast and great cup of coffee. You order at the counter and everything is brought to your table. Servers and the owners are helpful and attentive, and the menu has a good selection of breakfast/brunch/lunch items. If you're lucky, there will be a cinnamon roll available!! There is plenty of parking in the strip mall, and when the weather allows there is outdoor seating available. read more

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I loooooooove anam cara!! Been here a few times and can always count on them to have friendly service, a quiet place to sit & fantastic food and drinks. Hardcore recommend the matcha latte and all the different avocado toast varieties. I *love* avocado toast so I always feel like a kid in a candy store looking at all the options listed on the menu. Bonus points for the cool little reptile shop right next door read more

Anam Cara Cafe - latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

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café was busy always a good sign! Really nice atmosphere and great service. I had a cookie that tasted natural and not overly sweet like most store-bought desserts really delicious. I also ordered the breakfast panini, which was super filling and packed with eggs, bacon, and plenty of protein. They even included a small piece of dark chocolate, which was a really nice touch. Would definitely come back! read more

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While it's easy to drive by the location, and the name might not immediately stand out, the drink, food, ambiance, and service all are worth experiencing! Immediately when we walked in they pegged us as new to the store, and gave us instruction on how they work. When ordering, the service continued to be friendly and helpful, and they even took time to explain the drinks we ordered to my father. The coffee and tea were fantastic, with probably the best made matcha I've had in the northern suburbs. The food was better than many local cafes, but it was the only thing that didn't stand out. Additionally, the food was more expensive than local competition. If you're looking for a comfortable and tasty cafe this morning, check out Anam Cara. read more

Anam Cara Cafe - Pumpkin Spice Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

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While visiting the area, I stopped by each morning for three days. The first day, a man who I believe was the owner took my order and was very cordial. The 2nd day, he remembered what I had ordered; which I appreciated. The 3rd morning was quite different though and that's why I rated it a 3. On this morning, I expressed a desire for a bagel with chive cream cheese. He said no because he only had enough chive cream cheese for his other orders. I agreed to the plain cream cheese and when I realized he was toasting the bagel I mentioned that I didn't want it toasted. He angrily said that's what they did there. I was a little shocked by what he said in not giving me an option, although he then hastily went to get another bagel for me. As a customer, I want food that is created with love and not with anger. I didn't deserve to be treated that way. He is not at the heart of the meaning of his restaurant Anam Cara -- that of deep friendship and unconditional love. read more

We had breakfast here (available all day) and the sun-dried tomato with goat cheese quiche and Southwest panini were both delicious. The chorizo in the panini was nicely spicy, a big plus as most restaurants have very bland chorizo. We ordered at the counter and the food and drinks were brought to us very promptly. We drank the Cafe Miel with honey and cinnamon and the Matcha Lavender. They were smooth and flavorful. Chill vibes with good music and comfortable seats. They also serve cocktails. read more

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Horrible ... They did the coffee wrong way and never changed it . The worst service ever . I won't recommend this business. Communication 1/10 . Rude people read more

Anam Cara Cafe - It wasn't even half of the cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

Great coffee and food. Nice folks inside. The flatbread is phenomenal. Close to my shop so it is very convenient too. The interior is very pleasant and plenty of parking. read more

Everything went well! The food and service were higher end. Owners are amazing - thoughtful and attentive. Menu options are quite tasty. I love all the specialty teas (hot and cold). This is a wonderful spot for breakfast or something tasty in the middle of your day. Very relaxing. read more

Wonderful brunch food, great coffee and tea options, and a great atmosphere. I've enjoyed the cafe every time I've gone.

This small local Libertyville café/coffee shop manages to get it right every time! The Barista serves up a variety of specialty coffee and tea drinks and the café offers tasty breakfast bowls, burritos, sandwiches, salads and pastries! The vibe is laid back with chalkboard menus, wooden tables and great old school tunes playing in the background. Despite how busy they are, the staff are friendly and easygoing and manages to serve orders pretty quickly. The food tasted fresh and the portion sizes are on the smaller side; however, our group left satisfied. I would recommend stopping by for a delicious matcha latte, coffee, breakfast or lunch and bringing your lap top in to work for a while. Great place to meet up with friends or enjoy the solitude! read more

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Delightful little cafe. I'm embarrassed that it took me so long to visit after hearing so many wonderful things about it. Tucked away in a strip mall off of Peterson Road, this coffee shop is anything but forgettable. Not only is the drink menu delightful and full of delicious sounding creations, but they also have a mouth watering food menu that won't break the bank. As if that isn't enough, they ALSO serve cocktails, beer, and wine! This cafe has it all. I had the Turmeric Ginger Chai Tea Latte and it was dreamy. Highly recommend making a morning of visiting this coffee shop. Looks like a great space to work from, or hold a meeting! read more

Anam Cara Cafe - Turmeric Ginger Chai Tea Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

This place is exquisite. It's rare to find a cafe that does both food and coffee really well. The staff is also extremely personable and friendly. They remembered my family after visiting there only once. Highly recommend the breakfast burrito and berry toast as food options. As far as coffee goes, the macchiato, cortado and Cuban coffee are all excellent. We drive 30 minutes just to visit this place and will absolutely be back! read more

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Had a small group meeting in their private side room. Everyone raved about their coffee drinks and how good they were. Not being a coffee drinker, I focused on ordering a bunch of items to share. Quiche Lorraine was excellent. Cinamon Roll was perfect bit of sweet without putting you into a sugar coma. Biscuits and Gravy were awesome. Great friendly service. This place is a must if in the area. read more

The name is going to throw you off, the sign is only visible as you are headed eastbound on 137.... But don't let those details make you miss this hidden Libertyville gem. Give this family owned business a try and you won't be disappointed. The service was fast, friendly and the taste was delicious. The burrito was the right amount ingredients and grilled to perfection, left my mouth watering. My latte was worth every penny and that's hard to say in 2024. You receive personalized service and a drink made to perfection. The decor has some mid century furniture in the back (they are going to redo the extra room, I asked the owner) but the quaintness is somewhere you want to meet a friend or bring the family. My only complaint is this cafe is closed on Sundays. Selfishly, that's a big breakfast and coffee day for me. read more

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Worse scrambled eggs ever. Dry and hard!! Bearded cook very rude. Young lady sweet. Very expensive !!!

This is a cute little place for breakfast and lunch. Great chai tea ! Omg. So great. My wife goes here often and simply loves it. read more

The staff is awesome. I have enjoyed both the coffee and the tea. I have had breakfast there twice. Portions are satisfying.

Best place in town for sit down coffee. Most places took away their sit down mugs and only do take away cups, regardless if you plan to sit. Anam Cara still serves you coffee in the big ceramic cups. I love it. Not to mention the coffee is a 10/10 everytime. Highly recommend! read more

Anam Cara Cafe - Pistachio Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

Coffee is good however, owner or manager got upset because I asked him to switch out my sand-which because I didn't want mayo. He gave a lot of attitude and head shaking. Dont think I asked for anything out of this world. read more

It's a go-to place for coffee & breakfast when I'm up from the city. Very good cold brew too! Breakfast burritos are strong to very strong. Plus they serve mixed drinks if you're feeling ambitious :-) Put it on your list read more

I've been wanting to try this place due to it's charm! I went over on a Sunday to pick up a slice of quiche (I adore quiche and it's rich n creamy flavors). The quiche was outstanding but the staff seemed a little clueless or spacey. The ambiance was cute and charming. A win for the food but I would recommend hiring a more helpful and friendly staff. It almost felt like I wasn't allowed to ask questions. read more

Anam Cara Cafe - Veggie Quiche with Salad! Delicious - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

Great coffee, great chicken quesadilla, great service! Beautiful place! I will be back!

Delicious food, great vibe and friendly people. It is always a nice place to go and relax and get a great coffee. They also make great iced teas! read more

Got a blueberry and cream latte and it was too sweet. I asked for a new one and was told I would need to pay for a new drink. Really?? Update: Server came to the table and apologized and offered to make a new one. read more

I have been coming to this cafe for a while now and it quickly became one of my favorites. The overall look of the place reminds me of a library. Its quiet and calm with dimmed lights. It has seating along the wall with low and high seating. The workers are always friendly and know what to recommend. So if youre a first timer, be sure to ask their go-to. Their food is great, my favorite has been the chipotle chicken Panini and the BBQ chicken panini. I've yet to try their breakfast, but I've heard its popular. They are made to order, so it does take a minute but it is absolutely worth it. If ordering to go, they made sure to include untensils and plenty of napkins so no need to worry. The only negative thing I have to say is that their drinks are average. I had their coffee and its coffee you'd get anywhere. I have also had their lemonades and I was not a fan of their hibiscus one. Overall, its definitely a place to visit if you're looking for a lunch spot. Beware that it is a little pricey, but I'd definitely say its worth it. read more

Tried this place, finally. It feels a little lost in the strip mall, but the place has so much character and charm! The staff is friendly and funny and are willing to create any coffee drink for you, while also having a list created. My friend and I loved their oat milk honey lavender and lavender latte. They serve Gurnee donuts (best donuts in the area ) as well as an all day breakfast menu (which I have yet to check out). The indoor offers cute, comfortable looking seating. They also have a beer & wine menu with a variety of options. You would never expect you are in a strip mall when entering this place! I cannot wait to go back to try their food or grab some wine! They also have a punch card system, so keep coming for some free coffee read more

Anam Cara Cafe - 16oz honey lavender oat latte and 12oz lavender oat latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

My husband and I were in town for business and wanted a quick brunch-style nosh. Anam Cara was a great find and hit the mark! Tucker into a strip mall, this cafe had a chill vibe, excellent food, attentive counter service and good prices (hard to find these days). We weren't that hungry so we split a half sun-dried tomato pesto flatbread. It was delish! It was so good and we ate it so quick that I wasn't able to get a picture. They had a diverse menu that caters to all tastes - Mediterranean, Hispanic, BBQ, Vegan, Gluten Free, lots of healthy items and sweet indulgences if you want to treat yourself! We really loved the seating options. There is a side room that is open for part of the day that has some private areas (a little lounge tucked in the front), and they can accommodate a larger party if needed. If we lived in the area I know this would be a fav "meet for coffee-spot" or lunch meeting place. Our daughters would love it too for a place to study with friends. We will definitely be back and will bring larger appetites so we can try out more of the menu. read more

They now have even more room to sit, eat, study, and hang out. Still love it! I've tried a few more drinks and food items, and everything is just spectacular read more

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Lovely cafe!! Delish breakfast panini, creative lattes, yummy raspberry cheesecake muffin. Super friendly staff. Didn't have any but they beer and wine too. read more

The food is amazing, the people are amazing, it's the cutest little cafe. I especially loved the paninis.

Come here quite often for date night a they're one of the only area coffee shops that serves food and is open later during the week. Staff is always friendly, we love their flat breads, coffees and chais are wonderful and the ambience is great. It's become a local haunt with us! read more

Smooth and delicious coffee. Nice atmosphere. Good food. Nice to see private ownership

Looking for a place to relax and connect with friends over an excellent brew, or simply read a book in a space where the music isn't too loud? This is that place. I've been there twice in the past week. Our server (Emma) was attentive, cheerful, and recommended an excellent holiday drink (eggnog latte). This might be Libertyville's best kept secret. read more

Stopped by for morning coffee after a bike ride. Friendly staff. Clean fresh vibe at this new hangout. Will return. Sounds like they are planning some cool get together concepts at this new joint. Tala coffee was great. read more

Anam Cara Cafe - a cup of coffee on the handle of a bike - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

I went a couple weeks ago for a drink and a light breakfast. I got a London Fog latte and the Tomato Balsamic Avocado Toast to go. It was the BEST avocado toast I've ever had. Friendly staff and cute quaint place! read more

Anam Cara Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Libertyville, Illinois

My new favorite coffee shop!! The staff is always friendly and smiling, even calling locals by name! Also they did a great job creating a chill environment, the lay out of the shop is well done. The decor is on point which causes a calming effect when you're waiting patiently for your order. So far tried a few different kinds of coffee. My favorite is the honey lavender latte ( basic I know ) but it is so well done and tasty! One time I had the fig goat cheese flat bread SOOOOOOOOOO good. I can't get over this place. Literally a hidden little gem. Will be visiting as much as possible. read more

The place looks great, the service very friendly, the cafe was so good, I'm definitely looking forward in going back.

Very conveniently located near libertyville. Absolutely cute aesthetic. The service was amazing , the people were very friendly. The coffee was delicious. The only thing was that they didn't have a whole lot of bakery choices. Over all I would give a solid 8.5/10 .. read more

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This a good coffee shop with some tasty food offerings. Service is excellent and the ambiance is calm and relaxing for a meeting, visit with a friend or computer work time. read more