I just recently discovered this place. I work in Lincolnwood. It has a great ambiance to talk with…read morefriends, co-workers, or just chill by yourself and sip on coffee. More than enough seating and outlets to do work. My go-to drink is the iced café latte with whole milk. The coffee quality is far superior to Starbucks. Also, I love the gauva empanada with cream cheese! Also its good to know you are supporting a local business. Happy to know 5% of their proceeds go to charity. Overall highly recommend!

Such a warm and cozy cafe. Grab something to go or stay awhile, this place is IT. They have…read morecoffees, teas, and specialty lattes. I went with an iced peppermint tea and it was very refreshing. I also tried the guava and cream cheese pastry and my goodness this was insanely delicious. The pastry dough is crispy, flakey and fluffy. The guava jam and cream cheese was sweet and not overly sweet. I stopped in on a weekend morning and throughout my time here there was a constant flow of customers coming and going. Staff members were able to keep up with the influx of weekend customers. Within 5 minutes of placing my order my items were ready to be picked up at the front counter.

Walked over to Buttercup after checking into my hotel in Chicago to grab a coffee and fire up the…read moreold laptop and get some work done. Though usually one for a hot coffee, it was steamy hot out so I went for an iced vanilla latte with oat milk and was wildly impressed. I was going to sit for a bit so had the latte for there and it was icy cold and the vanilla flavoring was brilliantly paired to the really good espresso notes within the latte. I also went for a Financier, which is a gluten-free banana bread sort of loaf and this was downright silly how good it was. It had a rich banana and sort of caramel flavor to it and as a gluten-free pastry option was one of the finest that I have had. Love that the coffee shop had just about every seat full with people doing work, studying, reading and catching up and the spot was a true neighborhood gem sort of location. Awesome spot!

I've been to this place a few times since it opened, and I even visited its predecessor. I can…read morehonestly say that at first, I was a little turned off by the contrast between the two. However, this place has definitely grown on me. I really like the quaint feel of the space. The drinks are strong, but still very well crafted, and the wait staff are always kind and attentive. It has a comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy yourself. It's not quite my Cheers, but it's definitely a place where you can let your hair down from time to time.

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.

My fave coffee shop rn :) I love popping in to work on my laptop and sip an iced Americano. It's a…read moregreat environment for working, reading, or chatting- but note that they ask people not to settle in with their laptops on the weekends because they're v busy! For drinks, I'm a big fan of the coven cold brew, and you can't go wrong with any of their seasonal lattes. The vegan treats are pretty good, but their homemade bagels are my fave (omg, so flavorful, soft and perfect when toasted)! I suuuper appreciate that they have "for here" cups, plates & utensils to avoid waste (plus, sipping from a mug or a glass is so much nicer). Their rewards program is generous. And they foster a really nice welcomign vibe, gearing towards the queer community and offering events to support local groups and small businesses. Yay Loaves!!!

What a cool and interesting place! A vegan friend of mine had recommended Loaves & Witches, and I…read morefinally was in the city with my daughter so we tried it out! We went there on a summer weekday morning. The place was bustling, but we were able to find a table outside. I was so impressed with all of their amazing vegan options, but finally decided on the sesame bagel with vegan cream cheese, and the spinach & cheese Danish. The bagel was literally the best bagel I've ever had, close to one I had in New York City. The Danish was buttery and delicious; I've never tasted anything like it. I feel like you can't go wrong with a latte with oat milk, and this one was sure to please! The staff were all hard-working and friendly. The ambience is quite unique and I appreciate the diversity of customers here. The bathrooms are gender neutral, which is an outstanding choice! With two sections of outdoor seating, there were enough tables for everyone. I'd love to return here to eat their yummy food, drink their delicious drinks, and stay for an event.

So glad I stopped in! It's a very cute coffee shop with many books and a very friendly staff!…read more They have a large variety of food and drink items! I really enjoyed their coffee and grilled cheese! Look forward to coming again to explore more of their menu!

I've been here a few times…read more The vibes of this place are amazing. It's really cute and they have many board games to play with friends. They also host plenty of events. However it's very overpriced. You can get the same quality for a lower price at other coffee shops. Plus the events are overpriced too. The paint n sip was supposed to be free according to the calendar but it ended up costing 32 per person.

Really great vibes inside: the coffeeshop and bookstore combo is the ultimate cozy pairing!…read more Didn't have too much time to browse at the bookstore, but I ordered a seasonal strawberry matcha latte and an americano from the cafe. The americano was nothing special but refreshing on a summer day. The seasonal strawberry matcha was a bit disappointing, due to the lack of matcha flavor (the color was not very vibrant, and the matcha powder itself was likely not super high quality or oxidized) and sweetness. However, I tried the strawberry corn cookie, and it was one of the most delicious cookies I've had. Corn in dessert has been one of my favorites, and the texture of the corn with the strawberry icing to make a sweet and slightly tart summer treat was incredible! Everyone working there was super kind, and if I had more time to hang around, I would definitely bring a laptop and work here.

On our way to class recently, we stopped by The Understudy Coffee and Books for the first time to…read morecheck it out. The coffee shop was bustling and almost full around 12:30 pm. We were lucky to grab the last small round table for two.  The pastry case was only 40% stocked at this point. We were happy that they still had our favorites -- 2 almond croissants ($14 for 2) and a cappuccino ($5 + $0.50 Oat Milk) to go.  The cashier was very friendly, patient, and welcoming. The decor of the store is modern and charming.  There were a variety of seating options, and many customers were working on their laptops while enjoying their drinks, giving the café a cozy yet lively atmosphere. The bookstore occupies about half of the space and features an impressive collection of books focused on drama and theatre.  If you are interested in theatre, this thoughtfully curated bookstore is for you. We noticed a sign indicating that The Understudy partners with Defloured Bakery, which also partners with a long list of businesses, including another coffee shop in the neighborhood that we frequent a lot. We have enjoyed almond croissants and other baked goods at that café very often, they were just as delicious and large, since they were sourced from the same bakery. However, The Understudy charged $7 for an almond croissant, while the other café charged only $4.50 for the exact same pastry. That's a significant price difference. The cappuccino was another slight disappointment. It was only lukewarm rather than hot, although I am not sure whether the oat milk substitution may have affected the temperature. Judging by how popular The Understudy was during our visit, it's clear that many people appreciate its ambiance, curated bookstore, and friendly service. If those qualities are important to you, you may find the higher prices well worth it.

Each barista makes your experience special. 5 stars to every one of them. I return for the…read morefriendliness and professionalism of the baristas. I miss the old pastries though.

About a 1-1.5: Evanston Pour is a popular coffee spot in the Evanston 'hood - we came here to get…read morea caffeine fix, and ordered: +the Cookie Butter Latte - prepared with cookie butter syrup and milk; I did request this to be extra hot, but it was served lukewarm +a Latte with almond milk - also served lukewarm +an Almond Croissant +and, a Scone The coffee was just not strong, and the fact that it was served lukewarm was a total no. The pastries were just okay, but could have been more fresh and/or warmed up. Staff was friendly, and the place also offers cocktails/other alcoholic beverages. Seating is available, but somewhat uncomfortable; not much of a place where you can do work or study. Metered street parking can be found in the area. +lukewarm, weak coffee +metered street parking

Please bring back the old version of COCO BREW. I'm begging…read more I've been a regular since they first opened a few years ago, I think around 2019? Their Coco Brew used to be one of my absolute favorite coffee drinks for years, up until recently. I'm not exactly sure when the recipe changed, because as far as I remember it still tasted the same through 2025. I've been busy this year and haven't come as often, but the last three times I ordered it, it was completely different. And since it was made by different baristas, I'm assuming this is a recipe change rather than just inconsistency. (Check the photos to see the differences!) The old version was much lighter, mildly sweet, and had that lovely coconut milk aroma. It tasted fresh, smooth, and really balanced. The new version is totally different. The first thing I noticed was the color. It's way darker now. And the taste matches: darker, more sour, and with a strange almost medicinal aftertaste (reminded of some cough medicine..) The gentle sweetness and mildness are completely gone. Now it somehow tastes strong, sour, and watery at the same time. What happened?? Please don't change something that was already so good. Even the ice seems different now. It used to have smaller ice pieces that filled the cup more evenly and let the liquid move through, so you got that really pretty layered look with the coconut milk and cold brew. Now it's large chunks of ice just floating on top. Anyway, this is just my little heartbreak over a drink that used to be so beautiful and delightful. Other than that, the vibe is still nice as usual, maybe a bit more crowded than before. The decor is still cute, and I've always liked the woody interior. It's also one of the brighter coffee shops in Evanston, with really nice natural light.

Love this bright, clean, and professional coffee spot! Plenty of free parking with a large lot…read moreattached, which makes stopping by super easy. The baked goods are incredible, and the baristas are friendly and easy to chat with. Lattes are beautifully made, and I really appreciate the care put into the latte art. A great place for quality coffee with a welcoming vibe.

Yummy coffee. Love all the seasonal drinks. Food options are tasty. Wish they had gluten free…read moreoptions too. Staff is always nice.

It said bring people together one cup at a time yah right more like walk the other direction. Worse…read morespot ever. If you love Instagram photo this is the spot. However getting your drinks is another thing. I don't recommend trying the coffee drinks and food. Coffee drinks were over sweetened. Not the best. It's another Muslim coffee shop that literally cannot make it. Comparing to the southern states that know how to make it, which is not over sweetened. This shops makes it over sweet. Matcha: it said it Yemen coffee shop so would be the source be from that country not from Kagoshima and Kyoto, Japan. For the matcha. They stated they get ceremonial-grade high-quality. It does get loud in the shop. It's a shop that doesn't taste great disguise as Instagram worthy.

Amazing tasting and creative drinks with great staff that make you feel welcome. The place is cozy…read morewith comfortable seats where you can catch up with friends.

I really wanted to like this place. I liked how quick it was and the baristas were very nice. The…read moreplace is cute and I love the idea of repurposing the bar for the morning crowd. Unfortunately, the coffee I got was incredibly sour. I got a flat white and really tried to drink it but ended up throwing it out.