Oh yea, I can totally see why this spot is popular amongst Hyde Park folks! Friendly and helpful…read moreowners when I asked for recs. There's even a community board towards the bathroom, which gives this spot a community-based vibe. It's a quick, casual spot with several tables open for grabs when people leave. I got a traditional everything bagel w cream cheese to start the day, which had the RIGHT amt of cream cheese. Sometimes places give wayy too much, ruining the exp. I also ordered their popular Sumac Chicken sandwich on their Dutch Crunch bread, which was really good!! The bread had a slight sweetness to it that was satisfying and the flavors altogether were soo yummy. I waited ~12 min for my order, since they were rightfully packed. No outside food/drinks allowed if you're grabbing a table to eat. There's WiFi and a restroom in the back. Lots of neighborhood regulars. Bonus points that their food is halal for those w dietary restrictions. Great neighborhood spot!!

Stopped on a whim looking for a good local sandwich shop. The highlight was that bread was very…read moretasty and fresh. The Caesar salad was also flavorful. It had homemade croutons and sides of bread. Got a slice of the carrot cake and it was very moist. Not too sweet with cream cheese frosting. Raisins included, if that matters to you. We got the garlic chicken on French baguette. It was a creamy base and not something I would buy again. Glad we added cheese because there wasn't much to it. the other sandwich we bought was avocado turkey on Dutch crunch. It unfortunately had enough mayo to drown the restaurant. The amount of meat left much to be desired. We asked for chips which they had but only for online orders that came in. ??? Doesn't make sense to me. For 2 Sammie's, a salad and cake it was $45, just for a gauge of prices. The cashier was on the phone the entire time and couldn't hear what we said because of that. Kinda acted inconvenienced we were talking while he was on the phone. The restaurant is pretty chill and seemed like a workspace for people with art on the walls for sale. The art also had a thick layer of dust, and overall the dining room could use a good deep clean. The bathroom cleanliness was decent. This probably won't be another place I would seek out in the future.

Harper Café is arguably the best coffee shop in Hyde Park. They play some of the best music I've…read moreever heard and conversing with their baristas makes me feel very sophisticated. I'm a big fan of their London Fog--who knew that I'd find a little slice of London, UK in Chicago, US :-) !! If you're feeling hungry, check out their vegan food options. So delightful!!

Harper library is right next door, so Harper Cafe is automatically awesome by its proximity alone…read more I must echo the previous comment in that this cafe gives off the epitome of a hipster vibe; being a hipster seems like a requirement to work here. I won't hold it against them though (it is a college library cafe after all, and it really just creates a sense of whimsicalness). The tea is pretty great, made from tea leaves, not tea bags. There are big comfy chairs (though they're always occupied in the daytime). They have a good option of prepared foods in their fridge (from Rajun Cajun, Siam Thai, The Nile, etc.) and a wide selection of baked goods. All reasonably priced. Basically a very well-stocked library cafe, making it really easy to literally hibernate 24/7 at Harper library when you're studying. Harper Cafe makes leaving the building unnecessary .

Super cute cafe in "downtown" Hyde Park with excellent coffee and friendly service…read more I'm not a coffee aficionado, but my dad is, and he was very happy with the quality of the coffee. The cafe doesn't have coffee with "regular" names (eg. Americano). Instead, each item on the menu has a Philz-only name and twist. This makes for a more unique experience that other cafes in Hyde Park. I enjoyed their Iced Coffee Rose, and my father enjoyed both the Silken Splendor and Jacob's Wonderbar. The decor is warm and inviting, and the cashiers and baristas are always friendly and helpful. The cashier in fact walked me through their selection quite extensively and patiently. I haven't tried any of their food so far, but definitely intend to do so. The establishment is open only till 3pm on weekdays, which is unfortunate because otherwise this would have become my default study spot. I still plan to visit, perhaps with a book or two. Overall, I recommend Philz if you are in the neighborhood in the morning or early afternoon.

My first time at a Philz!! They don't have this franchise in nyc and I've been hearing all about it…read morefrom the west coast influencers, so I had to stop by on my CHI visit. TBH, Philz is just like any standard coffee shop, offering different kinds of roasts, teas, and light bites. I asked the cashier for a rec and they pointed to the popular flavors. I'm not a dark roast lover, but also wanted a good cup of coffee, so I got the Philtered Soul, which is their medium roast. I initially ordered it hot, but it was pretty warm (~50+ degrees, warm in chi standards lol) that day, so the barista gladly pivoted and made my drink cold. They asked iced or cold brew and I said dealer's choice - I got the cold brew and it was a GREAT gamble!! Loved that there was a cup of free keychains at the register, so I had to take one back w me as a souvenir. Bright spot with ample seating and locals working on laptops. Shoutout to the Philz staff for an overall delightful visit and enjoyable bev!

Great place to go on a nice warm day! Staff was very nice and the cafe in general was beautiful…read more Food was AMAZING but a little pricey. They had many Dubai chocolate deserts that have been really popular on TikTok! Highly recommend the biscoff crepe!

Sweet Drip is a great little cafe spot in Hyde park. Offering all kinds of sweet treats from…read moredrinks, gelato, and cakes. On a weekend you may find people playing chess there. The staff were great and very nice. A great spot to get yourself a nice little treat.

I went on Saturday, May 16, at 10:45am and the two young ladies serving at the time were really…read moregreat. Both greeted me and were friendly. I chose the honey vanilla latte. I enjoyed it and tasted both flavors so make sure you like honey if this is what you choose. I think I would stick with my regular French vanilla next time. I also tried the cheese danish, warmed up and I enjoyed it. The seating options were varied and there were plenty of them. I liked the bar style seating along the window so you have privacy and a view. They also had tables which were good for couples or groups. I'd definitely return if I were in the area.

This review is just based on the tasty iced French vanilla latte with oat milk I got. I needed an…read moreafternoon pick-me-up Sunday and this was the perfect choice. When I went there was no line. There is a lot of seating and while I didn't go when it was too busy, there were quite a few people there. The barista who helped me was very kind. We found a table to sit at while we waited for my drink. It's very casual and unassuming. There is something almost retro about the space. We ended up doing our Duolingo at the cafe before I took my coffee to go on a walk at Promontory Point. The coffee was super yummy.

Late Review Reliable…read morespot for wanting to stay at a cafe for a while. Open until 6pm and has a plethora of seating inside. I always go with someone who has a capitol one card (you have to)--which is the one downside, I wish there was just a fee to get in if you didn't have a card. The coffee isn't bad, chai latte is actually good. Overall 6.5/10

I come here every so often. Having CO gets you 50% off. I have to admit I miss Peet's , but that's…read morethe fault of the bank not this location. I always have great service here. Everyone is so nice. Decent seating. I sometimes get work done here. Some seats have plugs. Verve coffee is ok. The baristas always make a great drink though, so I enjoy coming.

Usually super crowded, which is why I have begun to avoid it. It's nice to sit outside during the…read morewarmer months, but of course that's a very small sliver of the year. There are ample vegan and vegetarian options, and I highly recommend the vegan tartine (possible to customize as a salad) and vegetarian quesadilla. The croissants and desserts are above average. Coffee/chai/hot chocolate are solid options, and there is a refrigerated section with bottled juices. Service is always exceptional, and the servers are almost always cheerful and polite. The cafe is connected to the seminary bookstore, which is fun for a quick browse. If you are not connected with the University of Chicago, Plein Air is like a window into the university and its architecture, situated right next to Frank Lloyd Wright's well-known Robie House. Most patrons are students, staff and faculty at the university. Overall, I recommend this spot if you are touring the university and need an atmospheric place to hang out. Importantly, however, menu options are limited in the summer months or during university breaks - check before you go!

Food was good but really expensive. The cafe was very nice but did not have a variety of bakery…read moretreats. I'd recommend the drinks here. Also a great place to study for the college students.

Cozy atmosphere, below average service, and expensive but good quality food and drinks. The cafe is…read moresituated next to a university dorm, and therefore has no shortage of patrons. This however means that the servers and staff put little to no effort in creating a welcoming environment for patrons: they are often curt and unhelpful. They are also unapologetic when they get orders wrong or mixed up, which happens more than one might think. The food itself has not been disappointing, though I would recommend their savoury selections over the sweets. The drinks have generally been good, and I quite liked the Vietnamese iced coffee. The ambiance is super pretty, with cozy couches and comfortable chairs. The location is also fantastic, with a lovely porch that's nice to hang out in during the warmer months. The cafe would make an excellent study spot, but the poor quality of service coupled with the pricey food and drink options make me exceedingly reluctant to return. Visit at your own risk!

My go to place to hang out between doctors appointments at UC. If I have an early pm appointment I…read moreget work done before getting my kid from school instead of going home. Sometimes i bring the kid if he has an appointment after school. Sorry not sorry for infiltrating a student spot. I may be old but I look young so I think I pass as a student? It's pretty popular so I don't always get to use an outlet when I attempt to use Fairground as a temporary office. Oh well. If I can get the comfy couch I'm happy enough. :) Coffee is good. My son loves the brownies. I love the ambience. Staff are so nice. I'm glad I have a place to go on heavy appointment days!

Stopped by here because we were waiting for a show to begin. It adjacent to the Medici Deli so I…read morewent through the wrong door initially. This place has a lot of personality: old wood finishes, "graffiti" on every reachable wall and sill. I wanted to follow the other reviews and get the calamari and the chili. The calamari was very good, but has a short shelf life. The chili was nice, but a little toothless. Also had the cubano which was rich in pickles which is always a plus. I guess, since it's claiming a deli in-residence, I'd try the deli sandwich specialities. I don't know when I can get out here next, but it looks like the pizza is supposed to be the next thing we try.

Unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations. We accidentally spilled some water at the…read moretable and ended up cleaning it ourselves. Several staff members walked by and noticed, but no one offered assistance until I was finally able to get our server's attention. Our lemonade never arrived, and my meal came with pickles despite specifically requesting none. The food itself was underwhelming. We stopped in because we were already in the area, but it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit again. The restaurant is in a college town, so it definitely has a younger, student-heavy crowd, but it is family friendly.

This place is great. It is small but really cozy with comfy chairs and a sofa. The food is made to…read moreride and absolutely delicious. The food can be made vegetarian or gluten free or with dairy and meat. You can order how you like. I highly recommend this place.

The service was great and the food was delicious. I enjoyed the Ambiance as I walked inside the…read morerestaurant.