This is a delightful place on the Woodstock square to grab a coffee, something to eat, a variety of specialty chocolate, and to relax. There is a large area inside for seating -- everything from chairs at tables or counters (some with outlets for laptops) to sofas. You can get a variety of cold and hot drinks, get a pastry warmed up, or order a breakfast or lunch sandwich. And then there's the chocolate. They have their own brand of chocolates, including flavored chocolate bars, chocolate truffles, and specialty items like Dubai chocolate and dark chocolate peanut butter cups. There are dozens of chocolate options, and I couldn't help but pick up a few to take home. Highlights were the chocolate truffles and the dark chocolate peanut butter cups. The staff was friendly and welcoming -- it's a comfortable place. read more

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Stopped by today with a friend for tea and a chat. What a cute place! Lots of quaint tables and sitting areas. I had blueberry ice tea and it was really good. They sell good, candy and some premade ice cream treats. It's in the Woodstock Square area. read more

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We discovered Ethereal on a recent visit to Woodstock, Illinois. Located just off the square, this is gem. It is cozy and inviting if you need to do a little work, lots of seating and a great spot to sit and enjoy food, snacks and coffee. We loved this spot so much we stopped each day for the 3 days we were in town. The first day, Mr. Bee ordered the Pecan Pie Latte a seasonal drink. Not a coffee drinker, it sounded delicious and I took a sip, then another and another. It tasted just like pecan pie and the coffee was actual quite good, it was smooth and not bitter. If I lived in town I think I could get used to drinking coffee it was that good. When I spotted a Pumpkin Chai, I jumped on it. I am a pumpkin junkie. I ordered this one iced. It was so good. The pumpkin blended seamlessly with the chai spices and it quickly became a favorite. Wish I could find them at home. The next morning we stopped in to grab drinks before heading out on a day trip. Mr. Bee went with a regular coffee which was again smooth and not bitter. Such a creature of habit when I find a favorite, I ordered the Pumpkin Chai, but this time hot. It was delicious. We grabbed a croissant to take with us, and it was crunchy and creamy on the inside. Happy Campers On our way out of town after checking out of our inn, we stopped once again. The staff was so nice and recognized us, got our drinks for us and told us to come back if in town again. Such a gem of a coffee, confection, pastry and food shop in town. read more

Ethereal Confections - Signage - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

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I got the chocolate protein smoothie and my boyfriend got the egg and cheese bagel. The food was OK but a little pricey and it's hard because you can't customize anything because it's already premade. So you can't add any meat into the sandwiches or take anything out of the smoothies. The servers were slightly rude, but OK, I just wish you could customize the food more for the price. read more

What an amazing cafe! The aroma is pure chocolate! It's Bean to Bar! Menu has great selections of food, drinks and confections! Staff is friendly and helpful. Seating is available for 1 person or groups. Bar tables to couches to large group tables! It did not disappoint!! Thank you!! read more

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Definitely a large, inviting space to meet for coffee, chocolate or a quick bite. We love trying new places and this location is cute and comfy. We ordered sandwiches and coffees, as well as chocolate milks (as why not get something chocolate here)! Turkey and avocado panini had 2 of the thinnest slices of turkey that I have ever seen and a small amount of avocado. Chicken with bacon wrap had very little filling and was mostly wrap. My bad for not taking photos! Coffee was good, my large cappuccino was way to light as probably about 1/4 foam. Chocolate milks were good, but unknowingly, a bunch of their homemade chocolate syrup pooled at the bottom. Overall, I doubt we'd come back without trying other local options. Just too pricey for the fairly slow, sloppy service. Desserts were ok. Tried the earl grey chocolate, but didn't taste the tea... although quality of chocolate was great. We have some additional pieces that we took home... so fingers crossed! read more

It's a beautiful cafe. The best chocolate I ever had, and the finest herbal teas. I love the cupcakes, plant based foods and the protein bowl. I enjoy the people who frequent the cafe. Service is fine and presentation is wonderful. Pricing is great. Bathrooms are clean. Many seating options. I like sitting at the counter and working, watching and conversing. read more

The service was friendly! They know how to make a latte! But yesterday they were exceptionally kind to my brother-in-law who is suffering from cancer. He ordered a truffle, he dropped it accidentally and they kindly replaced it! Cheers to kindness! read more

Whenever we visit Woodstock, this is one place that I must stop by. It has a cozy decor and smells of wonderful chocolate! There are plenty of the seating areas, tables or couches depending on if you are reading or working away some emails. There are a good selection of coffee, tea, chocolates, and baked goods. Best yet, they have GF bakery goods that they packaged individually and properly place above and separate from other gluten containing bakery items. With a family member who is Celiac, I very much appreciate the details to minimize any possibility of cross contamination. The sandwich was delicious. It was not just any breakfast sandwich, it was delicious and you could tell it was prepared with care. I had a medium roast pour over coffee. It had a full body and just right on the roast level. Check out this local gem when you are in Woodstock! read more

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This place is super cute, cozy, great and friendly service. The coffee is fresh and tasty. Tons of food options. I had a breakfast sandwich and a cinnamon roll and both were as good as I've had anywhere! It was during the farmers' market so was really busy and the wait time was only about 5 minutes, if that. I ended up buying a ton of chocolate too (hella tella my favorite! But the peanut butter cups and the ninja turtle also addictive and amazing!) Despite being crazy busy the staff was friendly and smiling and quite helpful in suggestions. Not only would I go back, I'm here rn! Coffee and apple pie. See the pic. I saw the 3-star review from Sheila R below...I am almost 100% sure she was in front of me in line...FWIW she was being completely annoying, asking all kinds of ridiculous questions (it's a locally owned coffee shop and confectionary...if you want a drive thru go to Burger King). I even heard her accusing the staff of putting Boars Head turkey in her sandwich!! She loudly criticized one of the baristas because she had a nose piercing. This is Woodstock, Sheila, and it's 2024...get over yourself we celebrate different even if you don't! Maybe go back to Lincoln Park? Anyways...I digress...I have been to all the local coffee shops from here to Milwaukee and down to Chicago and I will keep coming here. I live a few towns over but will be coming back to Ethereal on the reg. Truth. Hope to see you there!! read more

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I got the hot cocoa flight snd it was good. The cups were 8 ounces so it's a bit big. It can probably be shared if you just want to get a taste. read more

Ethereal Confections - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

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Way way way too expensive!! Have a couple of things but personally way too expensive you go in there was a small child and they want everything and it'll cost you a fortune forget it read more

If you love chocolate this is the location for you. Very nice store in cute Woodstock. read more

Ethereal Confections - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

My best friend got married here and it was a cute space. There desserts they offered from downstairs in the shop were delicious. I had tried the jalapeño cheddar scone during the rehearsal and it was incredible. If you are gluten free they have a lot of options too I definitely recommend checking them out. The ladies working downstairs were awesome. Overall the event coordinator for the place was nice and very helpful too. read more

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I've lived in Woodstock for a while and I decided to stop in for some chocolate candy, I absolutely will spend generously, but I have to tell you at 3 dollars for maybe one extremely small piece of chocolate is outrageous. I get it that the overhead is high but I have to tell you if you can't produce a product that is somewhat affordable, I bought two pieces of chocolate which were extremely small they weren't even that great, so basically for $7 for the equivalent of 2 tsp of chocolate it was absolutely rip off and it made it, not enjoyable in any way. I understand from the business standpoint they have to turn a profit but literally for that price I will never go back and cannot recommend it it was way out of touch with reality. read more

We had our wedding at this venue and it was absolutely perfect! We had 85 people and it was a perfect fit. Shannon was our primary contact for the day of and she was phenomenal! We also worked with Kelsey and she was great. It went seamlessly. The venue has "great bones" and a great location being close to downtown. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! read more

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Okay, I'm doing this again and upgrading to another star. I want to give them more stars, truly I do but they simply cannot get it together outside of having some great chocolate. The food here is overpriced. I get inflation and the cost of goods having risen incredibly in the last year but I order the quiche and side salad last week with a signature latte I got iced. The coffee was meh...it's hot or miss depending on who's behind the counter. The quiche was literally a sliver. So small, it wasn't even a natural pie cut size for quiche. Most of the plate is bagged salad and their vinaigrette remains sweeter than it needs to be. My son's breakfast sandwich was microwaved warm...it was that weird hot to touch you know is not fresh. The size wouldn't be an issue if it was priced accordingly. $40 for what you see in the pic. Now to the real problem, the people who work here literally respond to you as if you're wasting precious moments in their day. It's so unfortunate. I never get a hello, how are ya today, thanks, have a good day here. EVER. This particular day we walked in and to the counter. The gal standing there never greeted us or even looked at us. She was having a conversation with another employee. I pulled a menu to go over it with my son and she then said, are you ready to order. I mean, valid request had it been preceeded with a greeting of some sort. They just make you feel odd being there... completely unwelcoming. Which is pretty crappy considering what they're charging for chocolate. Ok recommend this place for their confections but as far as food, service or coffee...there are plenty locally that are small family owned with better coffee and service. read more

Ethereal Confections - Breakfast sandwich. Peanut Butter Caramel Mocha. Organic Chocolate Milk. Quiche. - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

I found this place in a search for gluten and dairy free chocolates. I placed an order for a box of truffles and they arrived quite messy and mixed up, not in the Valentine's presentation I was hoping for. I shot a quick email to the company about it and someone quickly responded apologizing and that they sent another one out. It arrived super fast, in pristine condition, with four extra chocolate bars for free! Safe to say, I was delighted and super impressed. And the chocolates were delicious! Artfully-crafted, beautiful, and so good. read more

Ethereal Confections - 12 piece box and free bars! - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

Cute little cafe in Woodstock's square. It's pretty rad that they offer vegan options on the pastries. They also have a grocery section with gourmet tea, coffee, chocolate, ice cream, etc. on display. Outdoor seating available. Nothing like sipping a warm beverage on a cold day and nibbling on some tasty pastry. Although the $4 vegan apple cinnamon scone was hard, it was delicious. The $4 vegan cinnamon roll was quite good, too. .|\---/| | o_o | .\_^_/..2021 read more

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I did have a disagreement with some of the management's policies, although never expressed it to them directly. I feel I and a few others in the community have been misunderstood, such as when a loved man in the community, somewhere in his 90's was banned for dancing with young ladies. I do have an acquaintance who asked to looked around and was denied. I did experience some issues that could have been avoided by a simple conversation and feel the energy of this fine establishment has shifted. However I want to be fair and objective. I do feel the quality of their teas and coffee to be very goo, though overpriced. I first began attend the cafe the energy was more relaxed and playful as I saw it, while still remaining appropriate. In my experience the morning staff is a little slower paced, though not all. When I have time, I never mind waiting. But these days. trains do not stop at every station, and if you miss your train. it can be inconvenient. I have strong confidence that they will improve. Sometimes I feel the place to be a little dingy and dark, as I brought dried lander flowers hoping to encourage management to liven up the environment. The music program is interspersed and diverse. I had never been to the downstairs level, simply because I am not a heavy drinker, although I do enjoy a little warm wine now and then. However I've been down to use the bathroom twice, because on Fridays the wait upstairs can be quite long as long as an hour, so obviously something peculiar is going on. I've noticed there's some live singing on Fridays, but it is bad. Relaxing jazz would be nice, or soft folk guitar and singing could be appealing. People have told me that special events are decent, but overpriced and poorly presented. I attended an event and agree the space is fair. Some of the food items are accessible in the top level, though quite expensive and certainly not fresh. I've not visited the bottom level called SpeakEasy, so It's hard to judge that area. Some guys taught me to play chess at Ethereal , and it was fun even though I'd get beat in a matter of minutes. It seems to me that the counter area was once more playful and relaxed, with people learning from each other, but i'd now tense and strained. Many working class folks say they do not feel comfortable,nor appreciated. I have noticed that myself. I do not feel one should be banned for life from an establishment without asking or coaching a learning, if he or she is clean, appropriate and is not a stalker or problem maker. As a former and quite successful manager myself, I admit to having made some mistakes, yet listening is an important managerial tool. I realize it is easier said than done. Etherial has a lot of power and are represented throughout the square and beyond. I do wish them well but I will never patronize them again. Perhaps they're planning to emphasize retail at other locations. read more

Their matcha is milk with a light tint of green. The woman that complained in a review a new person made her matcha and it was dark green, please tell me who because that is what matcha should look and taste like. A grassy flavored dark green is a great matcha latte! The prices are a bit high for sure as others have said. Especially when the quality of drink cannot be counted on. The customer service is what gets me. As others have noted, even years ago, it is not any more welcoming and you feel as though you are inconveniencing them all when you walk in here. There's not much personality. We've been in a handful of times during the farmers markets. Some great products though! read more

Woodstock's famous square is also the home of this renowned chocolate confectionary. Just walk inside and fill your senses with the rich smells of chocolate. Oooh yeah! Browse their small shopping area of different candies and chocolates. Step up to the counter and order your choice of chocolate drink: coffee, tea, hot cocoa, drinking chocolate. They also have some pastries and cookies. Find a seat at a table or one of the comfy chairs by the fireplace (which is twice sided). The fireplace divides the two seating areas. Watch them making chocolate through the windows of the walled off chocolate room. Restrooms in the rear by the elevator. Great place to meet friends, work, treat yourself. read more

Ethereal Confections - Caramel Inferno Drinking Chocolate is spicy but very delicious! - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

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Tasty smells, tasty things to eat. Eclectic decorations and always pleasant service.

So Happy that Woodstock is getting some trendy food places. Great for teleworking. We visit this location often and I have tried many things on the menu and have not been disappointed. Very cozy and comfortable atmosphere. It's a must try if your in the square. read more

Ethereal Confections - Chicken pot pie to die for - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

This chocolate shop has a nice vibe, comfortable seating, and of course chocolate drinks, teas, coffee, and even a few craft beers on tap, along with sandwiches and salads. I came for the beer and decided to have the black bean quesadilla, which comes with a bag of chips or a side salad. I chose the side salad, which basically is a handful of dandelion greens with a balsamic vinaigrette on the side that's too sweet. So I stuffed the greens inside the quesadilla for crunch. Despite the great vibe and olfactory air of chocolate, this establishment has a poor operational design for customer service. I was halfway through my meal and beer when my server told me she was going on a break and needed to cash me out. I looked puzzled. She further explained that the younger servers (behind the bar) cannot cash out a customer with alcohol. I told her I was thinking about getting an espresso after my meal, and would rather wait. Instead of saying she'd have an adult server take over, she offered to make the espresso in the middle of my meal so that I can cash out at her convenience. This felt disruptive and hasty to me; as a customer I felt rushed. Who wants an espresso in the middle of the meal anyway? I declined and cashed out, deciding not to continue with coffee or dessert. EC should not put kids behind the bar. Typically they know nothing about the food prep, and less about the beer. Now if you're running a grocery, there are plenty of grownup checkers to ensure compliance and smooth customer service. That said, the quesadillas are okay--heated up but not fresh of a grill-- and the bathrooms are clean. I expect just a little more, though in friendliness, staffing, and operational consideration. read more

Ethereal Confections - Black Bean Quesadilla & Pilsner - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

I love this place! Great place for morning coffee, a light lunch or an evening glass of wine. You can also see the delicious chocolate being made and purchase a variety of really unique chocolate items. Their retail section has a lot of neat treats. Highly recommend this place!! read more

Ethereal Confections - Ethereal Craft Chocolate - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

Been coming here for years (even when they were back in their original location). I love their coffee, chocolate and the atmosphere. This is what they are good at... and why they should focus on. Personally, I think they are starting to try to do too much. Not too long ago they started making their own pastries and they are nowhere near as good as the ones they used to bring in from another company. I have stopped buying pastries and just stick with coffee now. That is why I am giving 4 instead of 5 stars. You can't be the best at everything. My advice is to focus on the chocolate and coffee. read more

They are known for their house-made chocolates, though we love going to Ethereal for fancy lattes and cocktails. While they can be a little overpriced (hence 4 stars), they have the cutest whiskey or wine or beer flights with chocolate, making them the perfect spot for a date or girls night out. This cafe is really unique for the area and adds a lot of charm to the square. I believe they also have a private space upstairs for events, though I have not looked into this myself. read more

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Really nice inside and right near the square in downtown Woodstock, but what I can't get over is the pricing. Everything seemed just a tad too expensive. My wife got a large iced coffee with one flavored syrup and it was $8, seems steep for a relatively simple drink. Then $12 for four small truffles that were just okay. I'm not saying we'll never be back, but it's not a place we'll visit frequently. read more

Great place for a cold tea on a hot day. The smell of chocolate permeates every part of the place, and it is a wonderful smell. But the best part is the nighttime activities at the speakeasy - Emerson & Oliver - downstairs. Finding the password is fun, the drinks are unique, and you really get the whole speakeasy vibe. read more

Great chocolate treats and delicious drinks. You have to love the indie shops that cater to different dietary needs. We loved the service in here as well as the cozy ambience. Though I can't quite remember our order, we left with the sensation that we wished this place was closer so it could be a regular daily/weekly stop. Hopefully COVID will be controlled soon so we can come back in and stay awhile. read more

Ethereal Confections has been having issues for a very long time now, but this previous time at the location will be my last due to the fact an employee, Taylor, ridiculed my friend for their personal preferences. I understand employees have a right to express themselves, but keep your opinions out of the workplace if they are insulting, demeaning, or down right prejudice to their customers. Taylor needs to be held accountable for her actions. If a business such as Ethereal Confections boasts about having an inclusive and non-judgmental environment, then they are acting as hypocrites by having such a member of staff going around terrorizing customers for their personal preferences. Taylor has shown to be that member of staff. I am ashamed to have such a well known business in my town paying employees to behave this way. It's disgraceful. Besides this, your prices have gone up yet quality continues to go down, both in food/beverages and your customer service. Ethereal Confections should be ashamed for the audacity of their employee, Taylor, to insult my friend. Taylor must be held responsible for this incident or else the entirety of your "inclusive" environment is at question. I for one will surely not be supporting your shop any longer with employees who cannot act professional in the workplace and keep their opinions at home. You can do better. read more

Ethereal confections. I mean, just say that name out loud. The business is everything the name could imply. Inside is composed of 3 separate-feeling areas, each with a different vibe. Up front, there's a candy counter, with so many eye-popping options for sweet lovers. You're also able to see where the action happens up front, as behind the counters is the candy-making equipment. Very fun, especially for kids. Next, you walk through a little hangout area (just click through photos to see more of this and the other areas). It's like a mini hangar that is very warmly finished. Great place to enjoy your candy and drinks (more on that coming soon) with friends. There's also some great art lining the walls in this area. The finale: the bar, where you can get all manner of drinks and brews, both coffee and alcoholic. As you can see from photos, they've got a complete bar, but they also serve some fun craft cocktails and drink creations involving coffee. There's a small pastry cabinet on the counter with awesome treats (I tried a scone that was delightful). Additionally, they serve quiche, soup, and other cafe-type fare. Overall, this is a cozy, awesome place to hang out with friends or take the kids. Absolutely worth dropping in if you're around the Square. read more

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Just experienced a dinner collab between The Norwegian Restaurant in Rockford and Ethereal confections in Woodstock, with liquor parings for each of the 5 courses. It was totally enjoyable and delicious - for the most part. The appetizer first course - chicken liver terrine - was just yucky. But every other course was delightful. The wines were delightful, but the martini that accompanied the salad course was also a miss. It was held in the basement speakeasy at Ethereal in Woodstock. Thanks Emily for a delightful experience! read more

Truffles were decent....hella overpriced. 25$ for 8 chocolates?!? I pulled the trigger and got them. They weren't bad but product did not reflect cost at all. Staff were visibly anxious and high strung. Maybe over caffeinated lol. Who knows. Will not be returning. Way too much money for 'decent'. read more

Ethereal is 100% worth hitting up if you're in the Woodstock area. I met up with a few friends in the area. Many of the shops on the square were closed. Thank goodness Ethereal was open! I hadn't been to the new building, only the building that was on the square. The interior was just as I expected. It was open and comfortable with plenty of space. This is a great spot for a friendly meet up between friends. It wasn't too loud, which can sometimes be the case with cafe's like this. As expected, the chocolate is a bit pricey, but it's really good. Treat yourself! I had one of their specialty drinks. It was really good and something I'd get again. Overall, we all quite enjoyed our beverages. They had far more character than, say, Starbucks. If you're in the area, Ethereal is a place you want to visit. It's not your run of the mill cafe and is a unique spot along this historic square. read more

The chocolate truffles are great but the music was sooooo bad it made us want to leave. The girls working weren't very good either. Not paying attention or working efficiently. We asked to change the music but they said the owners refuse to and they have no control over that. read more

Ethereal Confections - Lounge area. - Cafes Near Me - Woodstock, Illinois

Ethereal, get with the program or you'll destroy your business. Since this business has moved the service has gone down the toilet, as well as product quality and consistency. I have spent $1,000's at Ethereal and I will no longer be a customer. Three strikes and you're out. The first strike was a horrible set of golden milks. Weak, not even "golden" and of course expensive. The second strike was the quality of baked goods on the next visit. I understand you sadly lost your bakery, but the replacement products chosen are very dry, stale and overpriced. Yuck. Also I had paid for goods that were forgotten in my bag and I had to go back and retrieve them. The third strike during the last visit was a very rude employee who wouldn't answer our questions and then turned away muddling something under her breath about us. I guess answering questions isn't part of their job, neither is serving the customer. Also, the new truffle and baked goods case is so high the customers cannot be seen waiting to be served. Better figure these things out or the longevity of this business will cease. Overall the employees have lost their warmth and willingness to serve. This may be news to Ethereal but customers keep the lights on. Three separate visits and issues at all three. You've lost me and my family. read more

Seems to be a local hangout for the local wannabe hippies. Pricey but pretty good drinks. Counter staff all young and impatient. Food available but the menu on window next to counter and really hard to read. Homemade candy at Chicago prices Just off square in Woodstock read more

Get the fried chicken dinner special (only available sometimes). Might be the best chicken dinner I've ever tried! Love that this place provides a completely celiac friendly spot, right in town. This place is a Woodstock gem. Stop in for one of the coolest atmospheres a coffee shop could ever have. There's a speakeasy in the basement, What?!? Prices are too high to be 5-star. read more