Really enjoy this cute neighborhood cafe - great coffee and tea, relaxed space good for working. In summer, they have an adorable patio with 3 picnic tables where you can chill with dogs. It's not huge and can get crowded on weekends so I advise going earlier in the day. read more

First Sip Cafe - Daisy the dog enjoying iced coffee at First Sip. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been here twice. The first time, I had their golden coffee, which was a turmeric coffee, and it tasted pretty awful to me. However, it's probably an acquired taste. I don't know. The second time, I had the ube latte, and it was delicious. It's so fragrant and toasty. The cafe itself is cute, but it's extremely quiet. The music in the background is very low. People practically whisper in there. I felt like I was in a library or something. read more

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tldr; cute location, interesting menu but the drinks left something to be desired. Stopped by here for the first time this weekend. My girlfriend and I were looking for some coffee before heading to the library to work. The cafe is adorable. Very Instagram-friendly. The seats were mostly full on the Sunday afternoon so we decided against working there (though it seems like a great study spot). The menu has tons of interesting drinks - many I'd never seen anywhere else. While I think this can be a strength, my guess is that it means the quality of flavors is inconsistent across drinks. I got a hot Ubae latte -- which I was very excited about because I love ube. It was pretty good and it was nice to try something new. Not sure I'd get it again but if you're an ube fan, it's definitely worth a try. Where they really missed the mark was the Iced First Kick. After we left the cafe, my girlfriend took a sip and told me there was no way she could drink it. We ended up grabbing Vietnamese iced coffee from Bambu down the street for her. I thought she was just being a drama queen about the First Kick iced coffee, so I said I'd drink it. When I went in for the first sip (no pun intended) I was hit with the taste of soap and a candle combined. It really was *that* bad. We had to toss it out and count our blessings than we only ordered at 12oz instead of 16oz. I don't want one gross drink to leave a bad taste in my mouth for First Sip. It's a super cute spot with a wide range of menu items. Definitely worth the trip but more for a nice study spot than a good cup of coffee. read more

Every drink is delicious, the music, the plants, and clean bathrooms. Favorite spot in all of Chicago to have a one-on-one or a productive morning. read more

I visit Chicago quite often and have pass this little coffee shop about 100 times and never realize anything! Until I actually looked on yelp to see what they have in their menu and it turns out to be a very awesome coffee shop that serves UBE lattes and golden milk coffees! I got the beet latte it was really good, the place is so unique and have so much seating! I wanted to try everything on the menu! I love UBE and turmeric so this place is sooo unique I definitely will come here again! read more

This is probably my fourth time here and every time i go in, i'm hoping for a better experience. Staff is always rude! The matcha latte consisted of only milk. Disappointing.. :( read more

The place: It's one of those hole in the wall, unassuming, familiar tea shops. It's cute. Tea cups hang from the ceiling. It was adequately festive when we went, around the holidays. Several board games are available to play. The taste: Several tea options. Matcha etc. Make for a pretty picture, and they tasted/seemed healthful. They also have oat milk, for those non-dairy drinkers. My face: Scrunched as I struggled to put "absolve" on the Scrabble board. Drinks are around $5 a piece. Grab a cup. Stay a while. read more

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This place is super cute with great aesthetics and lights. The coffee and donuts were some of the best I've had in this area, but the customer service was not very welcoming. They did not greet us or say thank you when i complimented their food/drinks. Don't come here for the service, just the coffee and food. read more

Service: 5 Cleanliness: 4 (Just gotta work on the bathroom...) What a perfect place to catch up with friends, study, eat a light bite, and most of all enjoy your time! It's a family owned cafe that offers a wide variety of drinks for coffee drinkers, those tea fans, or even refreshing drinks! AND they open LATE!! Where can you find a cafe that opens till 10pm on the weekends besides Starbucks? Perfectly situated in the Uptown's little Asia you'll find First Sip Cafe. It's moody and great for a study sesh. Free Wi-Fi. Pay to Park on streets. Check'em out, support those little businesses. read more

It's very difficult to find a Cafe in Argyle and First Sip Cafe is probably the only one you can find in the area. But they provide such good drinks and it may not be necessary to have any other cafes nearby. I had their latte and winter special latte (it was the one with lavender flavor) and all were delicious. I'd love to get to try the other special drinks offered there. It's not the biggest place though and can get crowded most times. read more

I have been waiting for several years for someone to open a cafe/coffee shop on Argyle. I contemplated it myself, but what the owners of First Sip have done is great. The drinks are good, the place is really trendy and functional. I look forward to expanded food items, as more sandwiches and bites are needed on the street as well. Otherwise, I'm so excited to have them as neighbors and can't wait to Come morning, noon and night! read more

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I want to like and support a local shop. I will forgive logistical issues (a machine is down, a supply has run out, both of which happened in my first two trips), but customer interactions are paramount, and this place is failing that. If you don't care about your customers (who live here with you) then why should they care about you? Maybe the staff (who I gather are related/owners) do not have such experience, but they need to gain it fast. Each time I've been there, I've felt like I was a bother and an unwelcome guest. This compels me to write a poor review, but I'll only dock 1 star as I know these reviews matter for new business, and I want them to succeed. I've gone several times now, I will try once more. I hope to be greeted as a welcomed guest. read more

This is such a cute little cafe! I stopped in while I was in the neighborhood and I really enjoyed the little cozy feel! It was a small little shop that had a warm atmosphere. I enjoyed the decorations, especially the hanging tea cups :) I ordered an Ube cupcake and it was beautiful and so delicious!! I wasn't thirsty so I didn't order a beverage but my friends did and the drinks were made fresh which was super cute! My only complaint is that the cupcake was like $5!!!! Very pricey and the cupcake wasn't that huge, but it was good so it's okay I guess. read more

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As a coffee lover I am hesitant to claim this, but I think this is really my favorite cafe! I was getting pho and pleasantly stumbled upon this place tucked away between all of the restaurants in Argyle. Their hand-crafted drinks are truly unique but carefully thought out so the tastes complement each other, instead of so many drinks I am coming across nowadays that combine whatever is trendy and ends up clashing in taste. The Ubae latte made with ube is currently my favorite latte in the city, but I also could not recommend the First Kick more as well if you are in the mood for a straight cold brew drink. The first time I ordered it, I was scared of the jalapeño so I asked for it without, but the next time I went back I ordered it as it should be and again can't stress more how well thought-out the flavors are. I mean who would even think to put rose, coconut, nutmeg, and jalapeño together? But it all really does come together! They truly have a faithful customer in me as long as they are open. read more

The decor is adorable I always pass by it when in Argyle and finally got a chance to spend the afternoon there today. It's relatively quiet with soft music in the background (which I think is quite hard to find in Chi - usually everything is loud and crowded). I had the Iced Pearl Noir and it blew my mind. I kept wanting more and I would definitely recommend it. They also have a large selection of tea and interesting coffee drinks as well. Very unique place! read more

I have been wanting to try this place for so long and finally got around to it. I am beyond impressed by the drinks and highly recommend the ubae latte with oat milk! So good I had it 2x this week :) also it is so clean and cute inside, I can't wait to go back after COVID to be able to enjoy coffee inside. So do yourself a favor, skip Starbucks and try their coffee! You'll be hooked! read more

i got an iced orange blossom latte and it was delicious! it was very orangey and had an aftertaste kinda like fruity pebbles :) the cashier was helpful and the cafe itself is beautiful with plants everywhere and cups hanging from the ceiling read more

wait, wait wait... you're telling me i walked past this place for years thinking it was just another hipsterish coffee joint? after taking a sip of their dirty chai latte with oatmilk, i wish i had come here sooner. i'm a dirty chai FIEND and a lot of the time i'm disappointed with either the chai, espresso, or the oat milk foam. i can say none of that for first sip's - the oatmilk foam is perfectly smooth and velvety, the espresso is full and doesn't overwhelm the subtle chai, which is still flavorful and satisfies the chai craving very well. i will say that if you're looking for a strong, dark chai, you'll have to ask the pleasantly friendly baristas. overall, it was a very balanced drink. side note: the vibe here is to die for. imagine cottagecore meets casual tavern meets flower shop. plants surround the shop and there's an old-timey gramophone. what else could you ask for? read more

First Sip is a great addition to Argyle St. I love the golden milk, the spinach latte, and the beet latte as well as the plants and the hanging tea cup decor. I'm still exploring their menu as they have many unique blends. My suggestions are to add more sugar free concoctions and to lighten up on the syrups in the blends, because some of them are tooooo sweet. But you can order many of the iced teas plain without sugar. read more

First Sip Cafe - Beet latte!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great local coffee shop with lots of unique drinks! The decor is adorable with plenty of plants and greenery. This is one of my go-to spots in the city! read more

First Sip Cafe is the bee's knees! The vibe of First Sip is distinctly contemporary and hip, while still honoring the neighborhood it resides in -- Uptown, right in the heart of the Argyle district. Beautiful vintage tea cups and furniture, hand painted menu, and a huge variety of Asian-inspired as well as more "basic" tea blends. The staff is incredibly friendly, and the price point feels just right for what you get. Some drinks are a little more expensive for a classier/more complicated blend, but there are tons of very affordable, simpler drinks on the menu. They offer most drinks in both hot and iced varieties, so you can find something you'd like all year. First Sip is also super community-oriented and actively looking to participate in Uptown/Argyle events to open their space and introduce their tea to the neighborhood. This is a place that I hope sticks around for a long time. It's such a great addition, and I'm so happy to visit them and drink their delicious tea. read more

This place is so cute! The teacup decorations are amazing, and there's all these small details that make this place perfect. There's music that plays, but definitely able to study here or read a book. I got a cappuccino, which did the trick.The barista was very nice and friendly. I'm more of a coffee drinker, but they have a huge menu for tea which looks so good. I would probably get a coffee next time and add some lavender. They have a selection of syrups you can add to coffee for 50 cents. Can't wait to come again! read more

First Sip Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My favorite coffee spot in Uptown. Love the unique beverage flavours and the ham + cheese croissant is delicious.

I'm not from this area, but I absolutely love this place. I've been in town for the last week now, and have gone every morning. This is by far the best coffee shop I have ever been to. read more

Absolutely amazing hand-crafted drinks! They specialize in Tea and coffee and have space to bring your laptop, free WiFi, etc But THE DRINKS, try the Coco and Lavender jalapeño iced tea or try whatever they have listed as their coffee special! read more

Came here for the first time with some friends. Tried a latte and didn't like it, I ordered the Uber Vietnamese instead of the regular Uber latte.. I told them nicely that I didn't like it they said (in a really rude way) they could make me a new one but they would charge me again. Really sad. I'm a small business owner too and they could've done better to accommodate a new customer. The coffee I got was also very cheap tasting. I then proceeded to order a donut and still tipped AGAIN because I believe in paying ppl for their work. And the baristas looked and acted miserable. Fixing a latte shouldn't be that hard. Do better. read more

My sisters and I stopped by on Sunday to pick up some coffee or tea before meeting my Mom. This place is adorable with tons of plants and fun interesting drinks that you don't see in other coffee shops. I ordered the Orange Blossom latte with almond milk, and it is one of the best coffees I've ever had. I'm definitely coming back for coffee and study time! read more

Really enjoy the experience at this place. The lady was super nice and very attentive to all of my needs. The chicken panini sandwich was outstanding. I do wish that the coffee was a little hotter but that's being petty LOL. I'm definitely going back for another Super experience. read more

The barista here is very friendly. Wanted to try the pearl noir tea but wanted a coffee fix instead. I had read where another yelper said that the pearl noir tea was addictive. Nice place. Reasonable prices. They even have board games to play (nostalgia). Try first sip cafe, it won't be your last sip. read more

My bf and I were walking around the area and we noticed the abundance of plants and cute decor in front of First Sip Cafe. I ordered the sweet ginger drink and liked it a lot. It's quite spacious inside. We noticed a few people working on their laptops and there were a lot of outlets available. Their menu consists of so many different types of drinks so give it a try! read more

I give this place two sips up! Great service, amazing, beautiful and unique ambiance, it's cozy and they have a great menu of various flavored lattes. My brother got the almond latte with oat milk. I got regular drip and they serve intelligentsia!! They have wifi,l and plenty of seating, so it's a great spot to get work done on your laptop. Situated right off the argyle redline stop, its a very convenient location. Highly recommend this spot! There is finally a great coffee shop in this area! If you want to support a local coffee shop and have a great experience, come here!! read more

This is a gem of a place! The eclectic decorations are extremely cute, and the menu items are very unique. Most of what I've ordered there I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend the ube latte, banana latte, or pearl noir. read more

Love this cafe! and Gigi is the best! What I really love about this place is that not only are the coffee choices interesting, but the tea choices are creative as well. This shop also has the perfect amount of bites to fuel your homework or writing session. There are so many options that I get a new drink almost every time, but my top favorites are the Golden Milk, and the Limeades! read more

I love this place! This is my second time coming here ( when writing this review) and my drinks were pretty interesting but also very good ( I had their coffee w/ jalapeno and turmeric milk). I know the flavors are weird but for some odd reason, it works. I can't attest from regulars but I already know that this will be THE cafe that I will come time to time. read more

First Sip Cafe - I love the setting - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went here with a friend. She got the iced limeade and I got an iced ginger drink. Both drinks were awful. Hers was extremely sour and sickeningly sweet, and mine was lukewarm and tasted like dishwater. Threw it out after the "First Sip". No thank you! read more

Best addition in Argyle that didnt have a decent coffee place for a long time! They have a hip, quirky interior that matches their unique and unforgettable coffees and teas. Their drinks are juxtaposition of east and west, classic and modern, simple and whimsical. read more

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This is such a cute coffee shop! The ambiance was chill with plenty of seating. The teas are delicious as well as the coffee. The have board games you can play as well. And they stay open later on the weekend when most of the other coffee shops are closed. read more

Loved the interior of this place, so cute! They offer WiFi which is a huge plus. But I'm really here to tell you to get pistachio latte with oatmeal milk- you can thank me later! read more

Delicious, creative and great spot. Enjoyed the golden coffee and addicted to the iced ube latte (I call it purple rain). The caprese panini is scrumptious. A smooth place to take away drinks, food or other nibbles, or hang out and enjoy nice selection of board games and books. Could use some additional nibbles to complement their sandwiches, like veggie sticks, chips, etc. Also, more breakfast pastry options would be nice (other than muffins). Clean and inviting too! read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in the city! From the speciality lattes to the decor, this place does everything right! You can tell that they have really worked on crafting their own lattes since they even consider what kind of milk goes best with it, which means I don't even have to ask for oat milk substitutes sometimes. Considering that they serve speciality lattes, their prices are reasonable. I sometimes make it to uptown just to stop by since this place is 100x better than my own local coffee shop. read more