Big enough location to sit here with friends, get some work done, read a book, charge your phone... Nice selection of pastries (they'll heat up the scones!), and some breakfast sandwiches. The ginger dragon is very sweet and not very gingery. Sweet staff that are friendly and patient. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Living in the past - 2 of 2 Once back in this area again, I made it a point to visit Espresso Royale. Little did I know that this location is called "Krannert View," most likely for its being across the street from the Krannert performing arts center that takes up an entire block. And little did I know I would be blocked from crossing the street toward the coffeehouse by the Marching Illini university band. This Espresso Royale looks much the same as it did back in the day. The building stands out because it is a stucco/plastered one in an area where other materials are used to clad buildings. Inside, it is definitely unique, with arched areas that might be eclectic, albeit with some Venetian influences. There is a variety of seating - both upholstered and tables with chairs. There is an upstairs mezzanine, but good luck getting up there with your hands full. I remained downstairs. Their baked goods don't have funky names. They have straightforward names and are fairly good. I had a chocolate chip muffin. Not being a coffee or tea expert to begin with, this warmer day called for iced tea. What I'm seeing is that most coffeehouses jack up the prices on one or the other - the beverages or the baked goods to be viable and achieve their goals. The service was unremarkable, meaning it had to have been decent. Just as in the past, this is a good venue for sitting down to socialize or to concentrate. I didn't come in here all that much because it was in a different part of this twin city university area and because it pulled in a different crowd based on the nearby academic units and services. However, for the small price difference to enjoy this interesting locale named Espresso Royale, it's worth it. I'd definitely choose it over a Starbucks given that Starbucks stores are everywhere. read more

See all

Another great place in Urbana for coffee and things like bagels and cookies. Espresso Cafe has a newer location over here. It still has the older one in Champaign too. Both have good stuff to drink and eat. This one has a pretty good sized dining area with a few seats and you won't feel cramped like at a few places. I got a latte the last time just to check out how they can make basic things and give an idea of how good things are here. It's $3.15 for a small. This has very fresh taste. Has non dairy milk choices. They add some charge on for this. I also has a Vegan Cranberry Banana Walnut Muffin. It's $3.90 for a pretty big one. This is a filling treat. Best place in Urbana to hang. It has a pretty old school feel to it. There's also some outdoor seating. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Latte With Almond Milk And The Vegan Cranberry Banana Walnut Muffin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

The grasshopper cold brew was actually one of the best coffees I've ever had. It was the perfect combination of coffee and chocolate flavor and gave me enough caffeine to lock in but didn't give me the coffee shakes. The croissant was okay, it was a little dry but I still ate it. The whole cafe is so aesthetic and has so many good study spots! read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Grasshopper cold brew and croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

Marie (Sia) the morning barista is one of the friendliest people I have ever met. She always welcomes customers as they enter. Those she knows by name are greeted with "Hello (add your name). She makes my day start with a smile and hot coffee. What more can I say? I can say I come here to be energized by Marie. I can get coffee and Casey's if I just want coffee. read more

Cool refined coffee experience with attention to unique ingredients, well designed atmosphere, and decent prices. I love the ginger stuff on the menu tho the chai is quite weak and lacking the real depth of flavors and rich creamy texture quality chai has. Glad to see free parking after hours on the street and lots of space to unwind inside. Enjoy a fun/boring life? Follow me! instagram - lukeskywahlker read more

See all

Warm coffee shop right by the university. Great place to work. I came in around 9am and there were plenty of tables to work at. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - View - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

This Espresso Royale is our favorite coffee shop. We love the vanilla lattes and blueberry scones. It's a great place to hang out and enjoy a drink. The outdoor patio is also lovely. read more

food pricey, lots and lots of dust, the help wasn't having a good day or maybe they're always kind of not happy, my friends sandwich the bread was kind of hard, which is very sad because I spent years hanging out in this place, but it was way back, coffee is good. The cookies are good. The bathrooms were kind of nasty and like they didn't have cups out for water napkins were pretty nil. It just could've been better............................ obviously the dust that we got to look at while we're sitting upstairs trying to kill the ambience of this place the help kill the ambience. I hope it's just a one day thing. read more

One of my favorite places to have coffee on campus. The place is very cozy and all the staff are very friendly. Please follow me on Instagram @tryatreat read more

See all

I used to come here as a grad student, way back in the day. I come here all the time, walking from west of Neil street, because of the ambiance of this shop, as well as the lattes, and the cold brew, which is very good. Plenty of seats and space, and overall a comfortable place to read and work. Most of the baristas are nice, although there is some attitude on display. I've never found any of the pastries to be stale and the chocolate and peanut butter brownies are addictive. read more

See all

I love to try different coffee shop. So i try this espresso royal. Their coffee is good and the place is nice also. You can stay indoor or outdoor. Its kinda crowded but its not that bad. read more

See all

Increasingly unreliable wifi here at Espresso's flagship location is making it harder to choose it for study or work or even group meetings. More than half the time I show up I simply can't get a connection. Others will ask me if I've been able to get online when they can't. When it does connect, prepare to wait for webpages like it's 1998. Behind the counter folks may be friendly about it, but aside from "resetting it," (often doesn't work), are clueless. It's too bad, because this Espresso Royale used to be one of my favorite destinations. If you need to get stuff done, look elsewhere. read more

Espresso Royale is my favorite coffee shop of all time. AND this specific location is my favorite as well. I would travel across the whole campus just to come here and camp out at a table in the loft. I have always been able to find a place to study here and loved being there. The music is great. The baristas are nice and helpful. The food and espresso drinks are always on pointe. It's ALL fantastic. Also, make sure if you want to be in the loft to check outlets before you setup shop with your computer. Sometimes a couple of them are finicky and don't work. Although I graduated from school, I make a point to go back to Espresso whenever I have an excuse to visit campus again. :) read more

I like Espresso because it's more local than large chains. But they are super hit or miss on their staff. Some of their baristas are amazing, super friendly and good at their jobs. However, this location employs at least one barista who is never friendly, messes up drink orders and just unpleasant. I went today to get a latte, the unpleasant employee took my order without a smile or really any pleasant vibe. And then when my drink came up they just said latte and not what kind. I asked if it was a specific kind to which I was told "yes, that's it". But it wasn't... not sure why they would say it was when it clearly was not. Can't completely bash them because that would be unfair to the other employees who care, but the one person needs to be talked to about their service and attitude towards customers read more

Coffee is okay here... However... the service is unmatched. Every time I go in, I am greeted by the cutest queer people ever! I love the gay community :P Anyways, I definitely recommend the campfire mocha. very camp read more

This was an incredible experience. As an avid coffee shop goer, I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere of this location. From the music to the kind faces of the employees (memorably sophia, who was attentive to all of my needs and made an incredible coffee), it is safe to say that this is a good place to study and get work done. Most coffee shops I often find to be a distracting environment, but the slightly calming nature that espresso royale brought allowed me to hone in onto my work. 5 stars. read more

I have mixed feelings about this shop. Been here a few times, and I have never been 100% satisfied. Pros: Spacious- indoor/outdoor/upstairs seating available; inexpensive; outdoor seating area is nice; some comfy chairs inside (you have to snag them quick though!); baristas seem pleasant. Cons: I've ordered the same drink every time I've been in, and it's been made different every single time (not really sure why they are inconsistent); not enough electrical outlets (hardly any to plug into!); because it's on campus, it tends to get over crowed quickly. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Upstairs seating available - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

See all

Best coffee on campus! This cafe has a vintage vibe, various seating options, and a great menu. The drinks are made quickly, and the baristas are not stingy with the portion sizes. read more

"IF YOU HAVE TO POOP PLEASE USE THE BATHROOM UPSTAIRS," screams a hastily chalked up message on the blackboard in the men's room. "THIS TOILET CLOGS EASILY AND THERE WILL BE POOP WATER ALL OVER THE FLOOR. THANK YOU." That is reason alone to give this place four stars, for upfront yet not bitchy messages in the john, courtesy of the ER staff. This ER I like a bit more than the others, it's closer to classes, has a little hidden (yet kinda dingy) nook upstairs for studying (and apparently pooping, if you're a guy), and super-friendly baristas. The fruit smoothies are good, the space doesn't feel as cramped as others, and the overall vibe is friendly and inviting. You'll usually find me here catching a half hour break between classes and nursing my second commuter mug of coffee of the day. I make no bones about my frou-frou, bourgeois need for caffeination. I'm a grad student, and I will cut you if you deny me my cafe, capiche? read more

Dear girl working at espresso, I am so sorry I barged into your store a half hour before you opened on a Saturday and practically demanded you make me a large vanilla latte so that I could make it through 11 hrs of volunteering. I'm not very good without caffeine before 10am, hence my inability to read a clock correctly. You were nicer than you should have been and your drink helped me get through two lectures on nuclear science with a room of 20 young boys. Thank you so much. read more

This was my place for studying/pre-class caffeination/awkward first dates back when I was in college, so this review might be a little nostalgia-biased. But still, these three facts remain: Decent coffee: Check. Reasonable prices: Check. Abundance of seating: Check and mate. I haven't actually experienced any rude baristas here, and I gotta say, their sandwiches are pretty good if you need to grab lunch in a hurry. Keep on keepin' on, Espresso. read more

There is no Espresso Royale in Champaign-Urbana that has the same calibre of rude, pretentious employees as this place does. My experiences vary but include: * receiving a mocha that tasted nothing like a mocha by any stretch of the imagination and then being told that I do not know about coffee * baristas just not making eye contact or saying "can I help you?" which gives them the opportunity to seem REALLY inconvenienced when it is unclear if you should walk up to the register * getting yelled at by an employee when I asked him not to throw a cigarette butt near me because it made me sick * AND MUCH MORE! Sometimes on the way to class I want a latte, though, so I keep coming. read more

I've always had good experiences at this Espresso. It's relatively busier than the other ones. The staff are always so cheerful and the setting is pretty chill. I like their raspberry chocolate latte drinks, and their Wednesday latte specials! It's a cool place to study and it's on campus, making it convenient. read more

I am going to knock my previous review down to three stars for Espresso. The reason is that their coffee has been declining in quality in my opinion. Back in the summer there was a little note about how their prices would be increasing to keep their usual levels of quality up. Well, the prices went up, all right. The coffee now has even more of the burnt taste that Espresso Royale had before - I've noticed it with multiple coffees of the day. The pastries are still pretty good overall, but the cinnamon rolls are very dry. Soups are still really good and a decent value for near campus. read more

LOVE this cafe. Went there last friday night and the baristas were super friendly and not in a rush to get me out of there. She was very accommodating. Wi fi was not great and is unreliable but the friendly staff won me over. time for new couches? other than my few tips I would highly recommend hanging out there!! from- coming back soon read more

This is my favourite Espresso Royale location. It's a nice, cozy spot to hang out. It's next to Manolo's if you want to grab empanadas or NY style pizza. And it's across from Krannert so it's a nice place to stop for coffee before a show. There's WiFi, though it's sometimes spotty. The coffee is good. Espressos are strong. Tea is lose leaf. Mixed drinks are delicious. Plenty of seating but it can get crowded around midterms & finals. read more

Let's see.. I have very mixed feelings about Espresso. I would give it a 3.5 stars if I could but I'm feeling generous today so 4 stars it is. This is definitely a "I'm in a rush.. gotta grab something quick" type of place.. Wouldn't be my coffee shop of choice. The things I like at ERC: -Lemonade -Turkey Pesto Sandwhich - Croissants (Flaky on the outside and nice and moist on the inside ;]) -smoothies (love forbidden fruit) -Tea Bread.. and I'll just say the rest of the pastry because I've never been disappointed with any of it -Passion Fruit tea -Regular house blend coffee -Italian soda! What I don't like at ERC: - Lattes. I always feel like they burn their espresso. the taste is just wrong sometimes - chai latte. A little too milky for my taste - matcha latte. Not enough Matcha.. too milky again and it has this weird sweet after taste I guess, from looking at my list, stay away from the lattes and everything else is fine! I love love love lattes so it's disappointing that I can't enjoy their lattes when I go to ERC. read more

I thought that the atmosphere was really nice. It's very crowded though. The coffee tasted fine, but I thought that it was too frothy.

I'm a coffee drinker, not all these crazy half-cap-blah-blah,etc. So, the coffee is not bad (cheaper, maybe better at Krannert), but the nice thing is the actually shop. The decor is cozy. Decent number of tables, comfy chairs and couches. Really convenient if you're in the Science buildings on campus. And free wifi, which at the time I thought was normal, but have since found to be a bonus. I pretty much wrote my thesis hanging out there, so much better than an office or library. Didn't appreciate it until I moved to an area dominated by Starbucks. read more

Used to be the place that I go everyday before I went to a really tedious class. Not crazy about coffee but also like it sometime so this place is just a less popular version of starbucks. Like their muffin and apple fritter better. read more

My friend took me here once because it's her favorite cafe. I completely understand why. The interior is beautiful and extremely comfortable. I wish there was a place like this by my house. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

There are plenty of Espressos in the Champaign Urbana area, each with special touches that make them unique. I haven't lived in this city long, but it sure seems like this is the place to be -- and I can't disagree. This is a larger location with an upstairs for extra seating, and among the cozier of the coffee shops in the area. It's in a good campus location with a bike rack across the street and on several of the bus lines. You can be assured that here you will find great coffee at a very reasonable price (especially if you bring your own mug - it's $1.50!). If you forget your mug, be sure to ask to use one of theirs if you are staying in. The lattes and mochas are around $5 but I have never been disappointed by the quality. They have tasty bakery items which includes vegan items. It is almost always packed but I have never been unable to find seating, even if it's the last table left. I especially enjoy the natural lighting and being able to sit either at the bar facing outside or the larger communal table close to the counter. Overall, this Espresso location has a nice energy with friendly staff and is my preferred location for a one-on-one meeting (since there aren't too many large tables for groups unless you push two together), meet up with a friend, or a spot to change from the regular scenery and get some work done. Be sure to check out their daily specials - for example, $2.50 lattes on Wednesdays, another day is a free flavor shot, etc. I wish they had a punch card because I would fill that thing up quicker than I probably would care to admit! read more

The fifth star is for sentiment. I can't even guess how much of my formative years I spent here with my high school friends, drinking tea or hot chocolate, eating baked goods, and talking. We would come here after school. We would come here during lunch. We would come here between exams. We doubtless irritated the actual University populace, but we definitely looked at Espresso Royale as our clubhouse. This is not one of those cafes where silent people with computers dominate the tables. Nor is it somewhere where someone with a paper to write would be driven out by chatter. There's a healthy balance among the customers between people who are there to work and people who are there to socialize. There's always interesting music playing and there's generally a comfortable hum of conversation in the air. Many of the cafes I've been to since moving away from Champaign-Urbana for good have (with noteable exceptions) paled in comparison. There's nothing like your first comfy chair and functional table hangout. Speaking of which, they have the perfect balance of seating options here, too. This is so important. Sometimes you want to sit at a table, but sometimes all you want to do is sink into a well-used cushion without fear. Other places have yet to understand this. So thanks, Espresso. read more

This place is hit-or-miss. But 90% miss. There have been a number of occasions where they steam the milk so hot that it destroys its natural sweetness (and I have to wait 20 minutes for the temperature to become bearable). There are almost always coffee grounds at the bottom of my espresso drink. And the staff just are never in a good mood. I actually feel like I'm bothering them when I place my order. Their saving grace is the location and the zucchini bread. Hence, two stars. read more

This location has really stepped it up over the summer. I went in for the first time since being away for the summer and all of the tables were suddenly painted with interesting/quirky/colorful designs. Also the mood lighting added to the patio combined with the flowers make it a cozy place to chill out on a summer/fall night. Keep up the good work. read more

Espresso Royale Krannert View - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Urbana, Illinois

See all

The baristas here are awesome. They're always friendly and upbeat and never hesitate to do anything they can to correct any drink that's not 100% to your liking. read more

I love the Wednesday 2.50 lattes! The workers are always friendly and I love the vibe in the East Lansing location.

Not a bad coffee shop on the UIUC campus, just across from the Krannert Center. I guess there's nothing really too special about it, but they have a pretty large selection of coffees (including fair trade ones), and their espresso drinks are good. They also have a good pastries (the scone I had was tasty). Plenty of seating and a pretty nice interior makes a good place for hanging out for a while or studying. read more

One of my favorite places on campus. Especially love their collection of teas. If I were to suggest two must try drinks, it would be the Super Chai and the Cafe Miel. read more