Their seasonal specials are basically a lineup of everything I love, and they did such a great job…read moreputting these flavors together. Matcha + red bean - such a classic combo, yet somehow still not very common in cafés for some reason. Then black sesame + espresso? Nutty, rich, and surprisingly good. And the ube cream top foam over cold brew was honestly such a fun and delicious combination. Everything felt creative without being overdone. Definitely a seasonal menu made for people who love Asian-inspired flavors in coffee drinks.

The vibes here were so nice. I loved all the plants and the music they were playing, and there were…read moreplenty of people working inside. They also have free water, which is always a plus for a work-friendly cafe. Service was kind and they didn't rush us to order (8/10). The Manila Matcha (7/10) had a watery matcha flavor, but I loved the macadamia milk. The ube flavor was also really good and wasn't overly sweet. The Pandan Vanilla Latte (6.5/10) was surprisingly addictive. I wasn't a fan of the slight bitterness, but otherwise I liked the pandan and vanilla flavors. The Cardamom Bun (4/10) was basically like a cinnamon roll without the sticky filling. The bread was soft, but it just wasn't what I was craving.

we come from Canada and find this restaurant. food was delicious and service was very good.i am…read moreoriginally from Novi Pazar and is hard to find good cevap and mantija like home

Cafe Libra is my new go-to for Balkan food. The cevapi are ridiculously good and the portions are…read morehuge! I got ten of them stuffed into a fresh pillowy lepinja bread that they bake fresh. The bread is warm and soft and honestly makes the whole thing. And do yourself a favor: get the Nutella Serbian donut. It's amazing. The patio is one of the best parts -- super chill vibe with a ton of colorful umbrellas hanging overhead. The staff are so friendly too, always happy to answer questions if you're not sure what to order. Can't recommend this place enough. I'll be back for sure.

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.

I tried everything!!! So good …read more Simply earning money to afford eating and chilling there

I recently tried their burrata danish and it was fantastic! I was too busy eating it to get a…read morephoto. Freshly made pastries and well made pastries are always a treat! I picked this up to go but saw the inside and it's nice. Ordering online is possible but a little funny, so pop by if you're just buying a few pastries.

The espresso is delicious and the baristas are kind. Oftentimes these two things don't correlateread more

8:30AM. The most tannest latte I've ever had. It actually looks and taste like some kind of milk…read more Where is the espresso? If you compare this iced v latte to La Colombe (Clark St), Sweet Moon (around the corner), or Starbucks even, Groundswell isn't even coming close. 95% milk 5% espresso. This drink shouldnt look and taste like a cup of milk.

I stopped by Oromo one afternoon for a quick pick-me-up. The woman working the register was so…read moresweet and welcoming. I asked her for some recommendations and she suggested one of the frozen drinks. I'm so glad she did because I have been craving it ever since! They have a few frozen drinks to choose from, but I went with the cold brew + hazelnut truffle. It's made with housemade hazelnut milk, cold brew, cacao, frozen bananas, housemade coconut caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, and seasalt. Trust me-- it is just as heavenly as it sounds! I forgot to get photos of it because I drank it so quickly--sorry! The space is so cute inside and it's in a fun area to wander around, right in the heart of Lincoln Square. Can't wait to come back!

What a cute concept and I adore the fact that they have vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free…read moredesserts that taste so so good! That brownie I had was delicious and actually satisfying for a sweet tooth like me! The rose latte was enjoyable and once again, they had gluten-free bread to offer for the sandwiches/paninis. Not only that, they are actually a dollar less than the regular one because they say it's smaller. Less - you read that right. Anywhere else they up-charge for the gluten-free version, even if it's just frozen Udi's. It wasn't so here! Note: their savory stuffed pastries like the spinach ones and potato ones aren't gluten-free because they're brought in by another vendor.

To give this place less than 5 stars is criminal. Everything I ate had superb flavors and made with…read moregreat quality. The Ube Banana Pudding is TO DIE FOR! Also, the Longanisa & Egg Musubi was absolute fire! 6 out of 5 stars if anything. Some jerk gave this 2 stars and compared the food to junk food in a Hawaiian gas station and he clearly has no idea what he is talking about. Sure, I guess it costs more than average, but you are paying for quality and the love these people put into their product. I just finished eating and I CAN NOT WAIT to go back! - Not to mention the shop is soooo cute!

We were excited to try some of the hawaiian inspired flavors at Kanin, as we love visiting the…read moreislands every few years. Be mindful of peak hours because the line gets long and street parking can be a nightmare; we were fortunate to come right before the lunch rush. The venue is quite small with a few tables, however it sounds like they will be expanding in the near future. We ordered a variety of musubis and got the loco moco bowl, it took about 20 minutes to come out but was piping hot and fresh. The flavors of the musubi were okay, nothing to rave about and plenty of other places in the chicagoland area that taste similar or better. The loco moco was pretty good, something we'd order again in the future. Overall a positive experience, but wouldn't be worth the wait if we had to stand in line on top of the food prep times. Best, Charlie

First Slice Pie Cafe has been our favorite spot for Sunday Brunch since we moved to the area in…read moreSpring 2022. We love the food, the staff, and the full dining experience. First and foremost, the food is delicious and affordable. Win-win! My husband and I love everything on the menu, but we definitely have our favorites. My husband loves the buffalo chicken wrap and I love the caramelized onion and bacon quiche. Yum! He likes the side of chips and I love the side salad. The salad is the perfect sweet and savory combo with greens, apples, and vinaigrette. We love the staff! They are so friendly, helpful, and welcoming! We are so grateful for their kindness and professionalism! Prices are great, the space is delightful, and everything is clean! Plus, if you need items to go, they have all your needs! We like to get a full quiche to slice into pieces and put in the freezer for lunches at work throughout the week. We also like to get the pies for impressive items to bring to a dinner or gathering with friends. We love First Slice and how it is a staple of our Andersonville/Edgewater community! If you've never been, we recommend you stop by next chance you get !

The short walk in this torrential downpour was so worth it. Came here after work today and felt…read morelike a light lunch and First Slice Pie proved to be the perfect choice (especially on a rainy day) Felt the need to get my veggies in so went with their Goat Cheese and Roasted Veggie Sandwich. Had to add my protein so added chicken. I am a big fan of all of the things that came in this sandwich so it was an easy choice for me. Great sandwich indeed. The creamy goat cheese blended everything so well together and the crispy cauliflower added a delightfully refreshing crunch. And can't forget to mention that poached pear...genius addition to add a little sweetness without over saucing and taking away from the healthiness of a veggie sandwich lol. And how can't I not get a slice of pie from a place with the word Pie In the name? Went with a slice of Michigan Sour Cherry and...WOW. PERFECT crust married to the perfect filling. I'm so satisfied right now (I literally am writing this post meal) Such a small, simple and charming sit down cafe. My type of joint. Just what the doctor ordered for lunch. Glad I found a new go-to spot.

A regular sized ice coffee is 16 ounces! These people are here for you. I have coffee right when I…read morewake up so I can go get some coffee if you know what I mean. I don't have time for 12 oz nonsense. I don't even want to think about that. So I feel seen here. Friendly staff and space. There's a second room through the portal on right side of the cashier! More seating and little French tables. I like hanging out here. The coffee here is the rich earthy kind. I dig it even though it's not my usual style. I just ask for a little extra oat milk to top it off. I hope that's ok. Nice looking cookies and muffins too.

Forever the best coffeshop in Chicago. Super warm, cozy,…read moreclassy atmosphere. The staff is also exceptional with excellent service and kindness, and they also consistently make the best coffee. The Perfect Cup is truly the heart of Ravenswood.

While City Skyline makes a respectable cup of coffee, latte in my case, it's the vibe that will…read morehave me coming back. City skyline has a ton of aviation-related memorabilia, including bona-fide airplane seats and a bulkhead, complete with overhead compartments. I was even temped to buckle my seatbelt for the completeness of the experience, but felt that if there was 'turbulence' this was perhaps the only case where I *wouldn't* want my seatbelt fastened. Together with the aforementioned, the vibe is comfy, and not a bad spot to spend an hour or two. The latte I ordered was good. It wasn't overly sweet, and had great flavor. A latte lover would likely get more enjoyment out of it, compared to someone like me, who like their coffee industrial strength with the bitterness to go with it. The prices are fair - not the cheapest ever, but without the gut punch of competitors. The service is great. It is polite and fast. Point also for being mindful of a person experiencing a mental health condition outside, and locking the door that they do not create a severe disruption. Final verdict: The coffee is very good, but the cozy, aviation vibe is the real selling point! Would recommend?: Yes, especially to av-geeks. Would return?: Yes, especially when I get the itch to simulate flying somewhere, only without delays, TSA, or any of the discombobulation related to airports and flying.

This coffee shop has an airplane theme. The backroom had a cool wall art display with paper planes…read more I tried the horchata latte because that was the drink they were promoting that day. It was way too sweet. They added syrup even though the horchata is already supposed to be sweet. Unfortunately I couldn't finish my latte because it was too sweet and I ended up throwing it out.