Really great cold brewed coffee and breakfast sandwiches! Stopped into Beans & Bagels in the Lincoln Square location and loved it! My husband and I ordered cold brew coffee, which was so delicious sand perfect since it was so hot outside. We also split a chocolate old fashioned donut from Do-Rite Donuts (which the cafe stocks) and we split a Napoleon Bagel: goat cheese, beets, arugula on a bagel of your choice. The location is great - it's on the same block and right before the Rockwell stop on the Brown Line. I ended up stopping in here each day I was visiting my sister and BIL because their cold brew coffee was so delicious! read more

Beans & Bagels - Napoleon bagel - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I love their recyclable cups but went there for bagels and they didn't even have any. Coffee was okay service was nice and friendly Very cute location read more

Usually love it here, but lately been skimpin on the bagels w cream cheese. I asked for 2 not toasted bagels and I got 2 toasted bagels - not a big deal I just don't personally like warm cream cheese. There are better places for bagels so will probably go elsewhere next time read more

The food at this place is great, coffee is okay, service is terrible. This place is SO slow and so inefficient. It should not take 15 minutes to get a coffee and 30 minutes to get a bagel, especially when they only take one order at a time and there was little to no line. Staff is rude, inefficient, dimwitted, and have no customer service skills. Mobile order is a joke as well. Takes double or triple the time shown on the app. There is no pick up area so you are at the mercy of the staff to remember to bring it and off it to you. Also I don't understand why they do not let customers inside. All other businesses in the area are back to functioning "normally." This place has so much potential, and could be doing so much more business, but lack the processes and intelligence to be able to do so. read more

Got 30 minutes to wait? Then you're in luck, this is the place for you! In all seriousness, they need to hire more kitchen staff, stop offering online orders or reorganize their order workflow, because there are some serious bottlenecks happening here that can't be ignored. For instance, why throw a to go order for 6 bagels--which just requires throwing them in a bag-- into the cooked food order window queue? The 15-20 other people waiting for their orders showed a miraculous amount of Midwestern patience (or quiet annoyance). If this was the East Coast, this place wouldn't still be in business as the complaints would be loud and frequent. I was looking around for the hidden camera and my $100 for being on MTV's Boiling Points. read more

Great coffee. I love their fried egg, vegan sausage, bagel sandwich. Located in a cute area, near an el stop. I've been going here for years. Quirky decor with some dinosaur toys my son loves. The staff is very friendly. It's a go-to for me. read more

COME HERE FOR BREAKFAST but hurry because the morning rush is savage and all the good bagels/donuts will be gone by 9. Not my favorite place for coffee but definitely one of the best breakfast sandwiches if not the best in the neighborhood and the croissants are just puffy little clouds. read more

Thank you for being open and providing some normalcy to our lives during this unprecedented time. Thank you for adapting for the times and the safety of others. I recommend, and personally love, an 8oz chai latte with a comfortingly breakfast bagel sandwich. But everything else (coffee, pastries, etc.)is delicious! read more

I'm giving this place one star solely based on the awful attitude of the workers. No smiles and act like you are bothering them. The food is good, perhaps 3 stars, and coffee is close to starbucks quality. I was in today to pick up a Father's Day dessert, and the man behind the counter was less than happy to help. Just a complete jerk. I would recommend any place other than beans and bagels for coffee. Why would anyone support being treated like they don't matter. read more

Would be great but if you want to read the newspaper or book bring headphones. They have pianos and toys and kids playing them. Like a daycare center. Other than that coffee is great and staff is great. Highly recommend for takeout or if you need free daycare. I'm just joking but it is loud when kids are playing on one of the 3 pianos. read more

This corner shop is very close to the Rockwell station on the CTA Brown Line. It's a good place for a coffee (beans), a bagel (bagel) or a hearty sandwich. My Cubano sandwich was a tasty handful on thick and crunchy flatbread. Works of art are displayed on the walls to enlighten your stay here if you are not running to catch your train. read more

See all

Always consistent and high quality. Delicious donuts and bagel sandwiches. My favorite is the veggie sausage and the chocolate old fashioned donuts. Also, their croissants are extremely well done. My daughter and mom love coming here and they are very picky! So lucky to have them in the neighborhood. Also, they are very environmentally conscious, which everyone should be on board with. read more

The Lox Special bagel is everything! Personally, the prices are rather high. But hey - Heaven isn't cheap. Great lunch offerings as well, and some of the best coffee I've ever had. I love the eclectic decor, and the staff are fun, friendly people who take their food (which include fantastic croissants too) and coffee seriously! read more

Great walk-up coffee shop and friendly neighborhood presence. The sandwiches are excellent and the coffee and tea great, too. They're genuinely green: compostable wrappers and lightweight aluminum cups that are 100% recyclable--but are also durable enough to reuse at home.. The shop is local, not a chain or corporation, and that's important to me. read more

DOPE coffee shop! VHS videos playing, great energy, you can really feel the neighborhood vibe right when you walk in which I love. Cold brew is strong and delicious and the signature cream cheese flavors are fab. read more

Beans & Bagels - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Low-key coffee window that sells fresh bagels with delicious coffee! Their maple latte is the best and they make their own oat milk in-house! read more

It's both adorable & delicious! I had a berry bagel with fresh blackberry schemer. Great place for a quick morning coffee & snack.

Today I had a hankering for a bagel breakfast sandwich. They accidentally gave me the wrong sandwich - not a big deal, these things happen. I would have been fine with them just making me the correct sandwich but they also gave me a refund after apologizing profusely. Small businesses have a lot during the pandemic and to offer that level of customer service speaks to what a great place this is. I usually only pop in a couple times a month but I will definitely be dropping by more often. We need these neighborhood spots! read more

Decadent croissant, scrumptious bagels and an unparalleled coffee program accompany a rockstar crew who work exceptionally hard to meet the needs of the community. We are incredibly fortunate to have Beans & Bagels as our local shop and even more fortunate that the folks at Beans seek to ethically provide us with them most delicious treats and coffee in the city. Don't hesitate, get in line! It moves fast and the bliss that awaits afterward makes it all worthwhile. read more

I love this place and I go here all the time. They might not always have the same stuff but if you don't know what you want pick a random item w stuff that sounds good to you and you will never be disappointed. Croissants are fire read more

Every time I visit Chicago, I always end up at Beans and Bagels at some point. I can't stay away! They're a little pricey, but absolutely worth it. The bagels and coffee are excellent. (Perfectly chewy bagels, fragrant, flavorful coffee). I've tried several of their sandwiches and they are all delicious (try to get the one with their homemade tomato jam). I recently started trying their baked goods and they have not disappointed. Try the pomme pastry or the bread pudding! The people are also super helpful when I have questions or need recommendations, and they are very Covid safe and low-waste. Cute little tree-benches along the sidewalk where you can eat your treats and dog-watch. My friends and I go here (and the zero-waste store down the street) when we want to have a really good day. read more

Back to five stars, because I'll admit when I'm wrong about a place (or they improve)! ‍ In fact, this is the best place to get coffee in Chicago - fantastic lattes, amazing croissants, and lovely service. I adore the neighborhood friendly atmosphere and always recommend people stop by to try out this cafe. Check out their breakfast sandwiches, as well. read more

One of my favorite coffee spots in the city. Absolutely love the iced maple latte, perfect amount of sweetness. Bagels are amazing and slathered with cream cheese- just the way they should be! Love all the pastries (from West Town Bakery) as well as the service. They're always playing older tv shows and movies in the ordering room. I haven't sat down in the "dining" area (you need to exit and re enter next door) but I'm sure I will in the winter. Located right off Rockwell, super popular for commuters. read more

I found this place odd at first with the separate dining area, but they grew on me fast. The staff are incredibly friendly. The coffee and the foods they offer are all fantastic. read more

The bagel breakfast sandwiches are divine and the pastry assortment unrivaled. Definitely give this place a try!

This place is extremely frustrating! You would think that they would take the countless poor reviews seriously and make some positive changes. My reasons for finally deciding to give up on this place: -ALWAYS out of food -service is rude and so so slow -no sense of urgency -they have forgotten my drink and I've had to remind them almost every time I've gone -over priced -unreliable hours -pretentious, know it all staff -poor use of space, they could offer so much more So sad that such a cute shop in a great neighborhood doesn't care to make the effort to make positive changes to accommodate the reviews of the community that supports them. I hope they get it together or get out. read more

Love this neighborhood coffee and bagel shop. Friendly service, awesome bagel selection, great outdoor seating and plenty of tables in the connected dining room. I get the lox on a pumpernickel bagel and swap out cream cheese for the black bean hummus - perfect dairy free substitute. My only feedback to the shop, would be to figure out the ventilation issue. Even when you are there for a couple minutes, you walk out smelling like a toaster. read more

Honestly, I'm shocked that this place doesn't have a higher rating. Quick service, great coffee, amazing bagels and pastries. They've had a line of customers pretty much every time I've gone/walked past it during the past several months. That should be proof enough that this is a place to visit. Sometimes they sell out of bagels, especially on the weekends so if you've got a flavor your really want make sure you get there early! Plus, I kind of love places like this, I'd rather see a café running out of stuff because they're doing really well than knowing that some food goes to waste at the end of the day. Really one of those places were the only real negative is that it's hard to figure out what you want since everything looks and tastes so good. read more

Really friendly service. The host or counter person was very helpful and enthusiastic. The menu options are a bit short which isn't bad but I like options. I got a bagel with a flavored cream cheese that never heard of before call hot pepper Potts on a garlic bagel. It was really good but for the price it was a little much. read more

Will not be returning on weekends until they open up a second 'coffee only' register. The front room is totally packed on Saturdays and Sundays with families ordering full breakfasts as well as folks stopping in just for a coffee on their way to work. Open a second register guys! You'll see your huge queue problem disappear and you'll have less people walking out who can't wait for the line. read more

I think the gentleman working the register/order taking most Sunday mornings does not like his job as he seems to get very annoyed and snappy pretty easily, and tries to correct customers if he believes they are wrong and he is right. A short while ago I ordered a bagel/lox sandwich. Got home and the bagel was not toasted. Warm, but 0% toasted on the inside. I figured oh well, maybe I needed to ask and it was my fault. Went back a few weeks later and ordered the same thing, this time asking for the bagel to be toasted as I don't like eating a raw bagel. The gentleman said all lox bagel sandwiches are toasted, to which I told him mine wasn't the last time. He said He was sure they were. I said, look, I ate it, I am sure it wasn't. He then tried to say maybe I asked for it untoasted, something like that. I told him I did not. He didn't say anything after that like apologize or say he'll make sure this one gets toasted. I could tell he was annoyed at being proven wrong and seemed like the kind of person that would rather be right than helpful with a customer. Recently I went back again and ordered another item and asked to not put one of the ingredients on it and then changed my mind on the bagel I wanted at the end (my fault), but he replied with an annoyed tone "are there any OTHER modifications for this", emphasizing "other" in a tone that if you heard you would know he was annoyed. I will go back as I live close and their food is good, but I hope this person learns to not hate his job and/or their customers and not get so annoyed or combative so easily, or maybe takes a different role for them like back in the kitchen so he doesn't have to deal with the people that annoy him so much. read more

I tired this place because it was highly recommended and it was less than mediocre. I was told because I wanted easy ice I would get less of my iced chai drink. The drink itself tasted like milk and pepper which was very disappointing since it was very expensive. Save your money and go elsewhere. read more

The best. Could only be better if they were open for my walk home with the kids from school.

I'm trying to wrap my head around why people in the neighborhood love this place so much. I have been here multiple times just in the hopes they'll turn it around and I'm almost always disappointed. Occasionally, their food will be pretty good. However, even when they're slow, the food takes 15-20 minutes to make. It also seems like they're out of just about everything so ordering is a guessing game of "what's left in the fridge." Like other reviewers, I've experienced the pretentious staff, but there are also employees that are very friendly. I love the dinosaur theme they have going but that's probably the best thing about Beans and Bagels. They treat their coffee like it's something to worship but it usually tastes like crap. I love a good cup of black coffee but B&B just can't pull it off. Every time I go in, their coffee is different depending on who makes it. Even their specialty coffees (mochas, lattes, etc.) taste like garbage. On top of it, the coffee is waaaayyyyyyy over priced. I think my biggest gripe about B&B is their hours. I can't count the number of times I've walked up to the door at 2:05PM, not realizing the time and hours of operation, and pulling on their door only to find it locked. I'm sure they have their reasons for closing at 2PM, but I constantly see people walk up to the door only to see the business closed. Why close if people want to come in and give you money?! A few times I've even gone to the business to see they've closed early. It's disappointing and discouraging to patrons to see a business constantly closed. Sad to say, I hope B&B fails so a decent small business can take its place and be open all day. read more

The staff is slower than hell, but on a recent warm Saturday afternoon...they hooked me up with a killer smoothie (berries on Leland) in a hot minute! $3.50 for a very well-sized cup of berries, ice and coolness. Served with even a half-smile, I swear. Nice outside seating on a quiet stretch of Leland...very close to the Rockwell Brown line. Perfect for studying, whittling away the day, or just sucking back a smoothie that'll turn your tongue a rockin' shade of blue. Bonus points for Diet Dr. Pepper in cans! read more

Every time I think about this place, I want to run off to Starbucks out of spite. I gave them 3 chances, and I've never had anything but horrible service. I don't expect anyone to kiss my ass, but I can do without the eye rolling. I've never seen any of the employees NOT act like total douchebags to the customers. Someone mentioned that it's "unfair" to judge them because of all the rude customers they deal with. As someone who has worked as a barista, I can say that it's completely fair. Treat the douchebags like douchebags, but DON'T take it out on the nice customers like me who wouldn't dream of asking for something without saying "please" and "thank you". This place absolutely blows. read more

Bleh. I composed this beautiful, thoughtful, frustrated piece on the outstandingly atrocious service at what could be an excellent local coffee shop only to realize that posting it would be completely useless. Beans & Bagels will never change - they have no incentive. They are always busy and apparently many reviewers have exceptionally low standards. They do have amazing croissants...? Oh, Beans & Bagels, I really want you to be cool! But instead I just long for the days when my local coffee shop was the Star Lounge. Maybe you could send your employees there on a training visit? But I digress... I just wanted to be treated like a human being. Is that so much to ask? Apparently, yes. read more

SLOW. SLOW. SLOW. If you want anything other than drip coffee, avoid coming here on your way to work in the morning (or, leave at least 15 minutes earlier than planned). I learned this the first time when I ordered a latte and a breakfast sandwich (that they forgot to make), and probably spent a good 20 minutes waiting around. I thought I had learned my lesson, and decided to order iced tea the next time...which they brewed to order. I felt like such an idiot waiting over 10 minutes for an iced tea. Anyway, now I will not be ordering drinks here in the morning on my way to work. However, all drinks complaints aside, Beans & Bagels make some delicious croissants, elephant ears, and eclairs. I love starting out my day with their ham and cheese croissant, and my colleagues rave about the almond and chocolate kinds that I bring in. Definitely worth stopping in for - and do it early - because they sell out of them quite quickly. The breakfast sandwiches are great too. And try their specials - they had this vegetarian breakfast wrap with potatoes, eggs, black beans, and veggie chorizo called "The Frida" that I can't stop thinking about. read more

I've been boycotting Beans & Bagels since June 30, 2009. After being a regular customer at this location since it opened - and brushing off the awful service each time, because their coffee and food really are quite good - I had an interaction with a cashier who was so mind-blowingly rude I decided I could never to go back. It's very tempting, as it's the only full-service coffee shop within 10 walking minutes of my apartment, but NO! It sounds like not everyone experiences such hostility, and that's great. I am not a pushy mother with a triple-wide toddler chariot, I'm not a jerk trying to expedite my order so I can catch my train - I am, as I'm sure most of their customers are, a reasonably friendly and polite person who just wants a G-D cup of coffee. If you want to order some foodstuffs without being treated like a short-eyes ex-con, I suggest you take your business elsewhere. read more

Before you start bitching about the slow service and attitude because you..yeah...YOU with the double-wide stroller, decided to bring that monstrosity of consumption into an already claustrophobic space and bang it against tables while you cop a yoga-panted-camel-toe induced-java-mochaccino entitled attitude, ultimately throwing a wrench into the machine with your frappafuckyou and a dozen breakfest bagels for your hungover middle-management Gebroni husband....have you tried the excellent French pastries? They're really going over and above with the addition of a actual pastry display cooler. These pastries are nothing short of artistic bliss. I haven't seen pastries this beautiful and delicious outside of Europe...EVER! Kudos Beans. The cheese flakies and chocolate croissants are really very exceptional. I can't wait to see what they'll do next. read more