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    Cafe Tola

    4.0 (294 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    CAFE TOLA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Hipster
    Trendy
    Casual

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Tola

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rey F.

    The empanadas here are so good and there's a wide variety to choose from. The staff is friendly, respectful, and very helpful. Both the inside and outside are super colorful with awesome murals decorating the exterior. The empanadas are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. I tried the chicken and beef ones and both were delicious. I just stopped in for empanadas and a coffee before carrying on with my day but I can't wait to come back and try more from their menu.

    Queta S.

    The horchata latte has absolutely no business being this good. I had a variety of empanadas (birria, green spicy pork, mole de pollo, buffalo chicken and the guava with cheese). I would easily go back for the birria one, SO GOOD! The guy working was really pleasant and patient. The place wasn't too full on a Tuesday for lunch. I was across the street at medvet otherwise I would have ate inside. The place was super cute.

    Lynette H.

    We used to live near the Tola on Southport, and happened to drive by this yesterday morning on our way to a play date. I had to stop!! I'm obsessed with their lechon empanada. I wish I ordered more. I ended up ordering only six , a mixture of lechon, ropa vieja, chorizo and egg, green chicken, and beef sirloin. You can't go wrong, really with any of their empanadas. We were there early-ish in the morning, so they had a lot to choose from. I remember in the last, usually by the afternoon, it was slim pickings in what was left. There was a short line, short wait. They always have such nice staff. The inside has ample seating and I saw lots of tables outside on their patio, when the weather is nice again. I also love their quirky and bright decor inside. I really wish there was one closer to me.

    Sheyenne H.

    I didn't realize there were a few Cafe Tola. I got the "Hotchata Latte" and it tasted like creamy drink. I would want the horchata taste to be more pronounced but tasted the cinnamon instead. I had the guava cheese, a hefty size and delicious. Also tried the goat torta which again the taste of goat was overshadowed by the spices, this could be good for some folks but I like to taste the goat. This place is small and the biggest table was filled with folks at 10:45am surprisingly. I wouldn't hesitate to try other stuff in the menu. I love that the drink containers didn't have any markings, means they didn't spend much on marketing.

    Celeste A.

    First time in Chicago and we walked right by this place. We ordered really fast since we were on a bit of a time crunch. The staff was great and service was fast. The food was delicious!! Lots of flavor. I had an Horchata coffee and it was delicious!! I hope to have more time next time to try their famous empanadas. Over all great experiences.

    Empanadas
    Isabella R.

    Came here for the first time two weeks ago, I had been eyeing this place for the past year or so. I finally took the time to make it out here and I was very impressed. The variety of empanadas is insane! I tried a steak one and a rajas one and they were very delicious as a savory option. I also had their apple and banana with Nutella which were also very good. I recommend trying their Horchata Latte. Oh! And the salsa they provide was also tasty. The cashier was very friendly and nice and the space was colorful. I will be coming back.

    Empanadas!
    Olivia B.

    I just loveeee Cafe Tola. It's such a guilty pleasure. Because let's be honest. Does anyone really NEED to spend $6+ on one single little empanada? No, probably not. However, these are just too good to not indulge. Perfect for a day you just want a little treat. I also love the variety of flavors. They offer your traditional meat/cheese/potato/bean type empanadas, but they also have egg ones for breakfast, and I've even had a nutella banana one! On top of that, their coffee drinks are YUMMMMmmmmy! I love the coconut iced latte in particular, though I want to go back and try more. This one also plays fun music and has a variety of seating inside, plus a nice little patio outside. If you haven't been, it's deff worth checking out Cafe Tola!

    Nazia C.

    Back again! My husband and I love the food here. I got my usual birria empanada and I tried the spicy pork taco this time. My husband always gets the pork belly torta. Though we normally get the horchata latte, this time we tried the coconut coffee. It was okay. We should've just stuck to the horchata latte.

    Savannah K.

    Food was once upon a time really good, but the owners have decided to decrease the quality and increase the prices. When you look at the wall menu, you'll see big stickers with new prices placed over old prices. The torta I ordered had very little meat, few and large pinto beans and the amount of thick bread used tells you where their quality is at. The food was served at room temperature, not even hot. What happened to you, Cafe Tola on California? You were once good. I'll buy elsewhere going forward and I recommend you do too.

    Horchata Latte & Guava/Cheese Empandas
    Joneice B.

    Previously eaten an empandas from Cafe Tola from another establishment. This morning after a dance class, I drove right by so I had to stop in for some empandas for my husband. On this occasion, I grabbed a Horchata Latte which was fantastic. Additionally I got guava & cheese empandas. The guava & cheese was good but overwhelming with cheese. I would of like more guava. For empandas I ordered Chicken Tinga, Birria & Queso and Beef Sirloin empanda. My husband really enjoyed Birria & Queso. He liked the Chicken Tinga but thought the Birria had better flavor. The cafe is very colorful and bright. I thought the staff were very friendly. I would come back but really thinking about learning how to make these at home. Empandas were $6 a piece which is a little hefty for a small item.

    Outside seating

    Walked in and was greeted with a warm smile. Cute place great food. Love empanadas and I've found my place. The salsa is fire asf might just have to bring my own container. Love the horchata. Thank you

    Menu

    I don't usually drink cofre but I drove out of my way to grab their horchata latte and the breakfast tacos were good and the gentleman at the register was well mannered!

    Brandon B.

    Nicely located in an area that isn't too crowded with street parking. The art is fun and retro/80s with superheroes and video games, outdoor seating on nice days. Great service, nice people! A big selection of empanadas and several types of core ingrediants for any taco or burrito combination. They have some Mexican varieties of coffee and chocolate too. The chicken mole burrito was amazing.

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    8 years ago

    Food ia good, a good relaxing place. Food is delicious would recommend horchata latte

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    Page 8 of 8

    Ask the Community - Cafe Tola

    I heard this place hates ice but won't a trans native in the shop?

    Is Tola byob?

    Hi Maria! Yes, it is.

    Do they still have the Kanye mural outside?

    Nope. BeastKing GoLion aka Voltron!

    View All 5 Questions

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    It's not abuelita's but it is pretty darn close! Ordered mofongo with pork and with arroz con…read moregandules--it was served with a simple lettuce and tomato salad and avocado slices, just like my abuelita serves it! When I saw the plate with those small extra touches I knew it was going to be good. And I was not disappointed. I could smell the garlic when the food arrived and it tasted delicious! Alcapurrias were yummy, too!! The place was very sweetly decorated with some beautiful photos from La Isla and an awesome mural map of PR. It is casual dining but felt homey and you can tell a lot of thought, feeling, and pride went into the space, just like the

    So exciting to have The Jibarito Stop located in the Loop! I believe it's the only Puerto Rican…read morerestaurant in the Loop and it's soooooooooo good. The vibe is so warm and welcoming. I love all the colorful art and decor. Comfortable seating and nice wooden tables. They sell fun merchandise too. Mofongo is my boyfriend's favorite and he loves it here. The chopped cheese sandwich is fantastic and my personal favorite. The Alcapurria fritters are a great appetizer to share. They have fabulous cocktails too. We enjoy the mojito and piña colada. I also really like the non alcoholic Parcha, which is passion fruit juice. Friendly and attentive service. Great value and high quality food. I look forward to trying the entire menu and beverage list!

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    Cafe Tola - empanadas - Updated September 2026

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