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    Groundswell Coffee Roasters

    4.3 (157 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Groundswell Coffee Roasters Photos

    GROUNDSWELL COFFEE ROASTERS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Groundswell Coffee Roasters

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    Breakfast Burrito
    Omar G.

    Nice coffee spot with friendly staff. Nothing to complain about but nothing that stands out either. I like the seating options as well, open, clean and spacious.

    James R.

    This place provides a real solid shot of espresso. The service was fast and we loved the glassware choice for the shot. They don't provide a side of soda water with the shot as some places do, but this was still a nice experience.

    Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte
    Aleah H.

    Service was really kind and efficient, and I also love this location with patio seating and high top seating inside. However, my matcha latte was SO clumpy - The most important thing with a matcha latte is to just take the 30 seconds to whisk it, but that wasn't done as you can see in the photos. This was on a weekday morning around 10am, so there wasn't a large line/rush, either.

    coffee bags on shelves
    Karen N.

    Stopped in for a lavender latte on a cold afternoon just before closing, The staff did not rush us, even though it was 5 minutes before closing. The staff were nice, but not overly friendly. The cafe has a clean aesthetic, with seats and tables. The coffee was good, but not the best I have had. If in the neighborhood, I would try again, but not go out of my way for.

    Oat latte
    Angelica T.

    Great oat latte, fresh selection of donuts, cute sailboats on their cups. I'll visit this chill neighborhood cafe again and again.

    Rosa J.

    A semi-gloomy, chilly, but could-use-a-stroll in a neighborhood day, with "Tell Me" by Groove Theory playing on my Pandora while riding the CTA, I felt like I needed some coffee. I was glad I had spare time before heading to work. I checked my Yelp bookmarks and saw "Groundswell Coffee Roaster." As soon as I walked, I had an instant connection with this place. The decors were quite minimalist. Pastries and merchandise were laid out nicely. Patrons seemed to be comfortable and diggin' the atmosphere. I ordered a large, 16 oz. mocha. It was smooth, calmative, yet deceptively strong. The balance of chocolate, hot milk, and espresso was spot-on. I initially felt that I wanted to cuddle with my blankets and take a nap (though I was heading to work), but their post-caffeine effect kept me energized. Overall, it was a delicious cup of mocha and was well worth the trip. I wish I could actually stay and enjoy my cup of joe. I promised myself that I would come in and relax under no time crunch on my day off. Although it wasn't ideal weather for sitting in the patio, their sidewalk patio area was delightful and inviting. This part of Ravenswood has many local shops and boutiques and is very walking-friendly.

    Iced green tea latte and a book. The perfect combo.

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Finally found a local coffee roaster, the price was a little high but the quality was well worth TJ

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    6 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Stoped in here since Bang Bang had a line out the door. Almond cappuccino was delish and the ham and cheese croissant was even better!

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

    WiFi acting up, they should have close lit for some of their trash can coz you can smell them linger with the coffee smell.

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    8 years ago

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    Page 3 of 4

    Ask the Community - Groundswell Coffee Roasters

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    Cafe Libra

    3.9
    (29 reviews)
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    Charming little cafe serving delicious coffee creations as well as home made breads, pastries and…read moreauthentic Mediterranean delicacies such as baklava, feta fries. We had pistachio lates, a to-die-for Apple danish and yummy breakfast sandwich made with yummy homemade bread, eggs, salami, cucumbers and a sauce that was a perfect compliment. The sandwich was huge but I literally couldn't stop eating it. Hellen's was a fabulous hostess and answered all Our questions about some of the tempting menu items. There's an outdoor deck so we are planning a trip back so we can have breakfast lunch or dinner outdoors.

    The place was good not great, we got seated pretty quickly and I ordered the chicken sandwich, the…read moremargarita pizza, and this bread with pistachios, balsamic, and honey. The sandwich was 17. The pizza was 16 and the bread was 16. Pretty expensive and had to wait 35 minutes for the food. But the food was great, and the portions were big. The sandwich: it was a huge sandwich and had a mayonnaise and ketchup with lettuce and really good chicken on this very special bread. It was huge. It looked like two big sandwiches put together. It was really good as well. With the sauces and just simplicity of it, they made it so worth it. The bread: the bread was really good, but the portion was smaller on this one unfortunately . It was really sweet, but also a little tangy. I would definitely order it again, but if it was cheaper. The pizza: the pizza took a long time to come out, but once I did, it was huge. For the price it was pretty good, but there was no fresh basil or tomatoes. It was just dried oregano and it was way too much Cheese. Overall, probably wouldn't order this again, but big size for a good price. The atmosphere is pretty nice but I would conclude that it's way too long to wait for just three items. Plus, it seemed like the waiter checked on us at least 22 times. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you have time to spare.

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    Pistachio latte
    Pistachio latte
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    The Understudy Coffee And Books

    The Understudy Coffee And Books

    4.3
    (87 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Love this space! Half of it is a work from home space where a lot of people have laptops out and…read moreare working. The other half of the space is a book store with some great books and little trinkets. I opted to get a Ube Matcha and it was VERY good! Love that the ube was well balanced with the matcha. The baristas were kind and helpful to answer questions about the matcha/coffee.

    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.

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    Iced vanilla latte, chocolate croissant
    Iced vanilla latte, chocolate croissant
    The Understudy Coffee And Books
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    Oromo Cafe

    Oromo Cafe

    4.3
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    0.5 mi
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    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.

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    Seating area
    Seating area
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    Kanin

    Kanin

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    Such a fun spot to pick up some grab and go goodies before heading to Montrose Beach!! Bonus points…read morefor having free street parking surrounding the neighborhood!! The owner was welcoming people into the store - it was so cool and vibey! This small store (reminds me of a bodega) is owned by a Filipino guy that was raised in Hawaii, so the food is Filipino-Hawaii fusion. You truly get the best of both worlds here!! We tried the longanisa and egg musubi, which I surprisingly did not love which was sooo awesome!! Just so fatty and delicious!! Also tried the tomato jam and egg musubi, which has incredibly subtle flavors of garlic and furikake, a small dollop of tomato jam spread, and the tamago. I really enjoyed this subtle bite and thought the rice to ingredient ratio was perfect!! Finally, I've been so jealous of the influencers filming themselves eating at the beach!! Anyways, got a 2 scoop poke bowl with spicy ahi and shoyu ahi. Both my friend and I thought the spicy ahi with the spicy mayo and sesame oil hit harder!! Poke was super fresh, and while the bowl itself is small, the actual poke portion is incredibly generous. I found myself not having enough rice for the amount of poke!!

    Looking like a corner bodega, Kanin offers tasty Hawaiian food in Lincoln Square. You can grab…read moresomething quick like their musubi or salads or wait a few minutes and get their bento boxes. Loved the roast pork bento over rice. The musubi's are hefty and really enjoyed the breakfast one with bacon jam and a hash brown. Limited seating inside, but it's right by Winnemac Parm so you can grab & find a place to sit outside on a nice day too.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Tomato jam and egg musubi
    Tomato jam and egg musubi
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    First Slice Pie Cafe

    First Slice Pie Cafe

    4.3
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    0.8 mi
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    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.

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    Front counter
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    Au Levain

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    Treat yo' self. Amazing food, great selection, and everything I've tried has been delicious…read more That said, the service/ordering experience could use a little TLC. There's currently no reliable way to place a to-go order ahead of time: their phone number isn't listed, the website advertises online ordering but it never seems to work, and the delivery apps are hit or miss at best. I'd honestly order from here a lot more often if I could easily place an order while out walking my dogs and pick it up later. Some items, like the breakfast wraps, take a bit to prepare, so without advance ordering I often end up going somewhere more convenient instead.

    Do yourself a favor, and let yourself splurge a little at Au Levain. First off, their fresh,…read morehomemade sourdough english muffins are out of this world I love to buy a pack of 6 ($12) to bring home and make avocado toast with a soft scrambled egg on top. (They freeze great too if you want to savor them). I haven't tried their breakfast sandwich, because I'm not a big pork sausage person-- would love if they had more variations of a breakfast sandwich! You can also order a toasted english muffin that comes with fresh butter and a homemade jam.. it's so simple but addicting. I have had their Lox English Muffin a couple of times, and if you love Lox, it's GREAT. Really good balance of cream cheese/veggie/lox ratio.. though Lox is always so overpowering so it's most of what you're going to taste. If you are a quiche person, PLEASE try theirs. The creativity in their rotating flavors, and their perfect crust, are a must-try. It's soooo well done. Every pastry I've tried has been spectacular, from their almond blackberry croissant to the pistachio escargot, to their donuts.. I don't think you can go wrong. Their cinnamon roll is next on my list.. but I need to try it when I'm with 2-3 other people because it is GINORMOUS. I don't trust that I wouldn't eat the whole thing by myself. Their coffee is good, but there's nothing special to me about it! I come here for their fresh pastries and eats. They have free wifi and it's fairly quiet, so a good place to knock out some work or have a good conversation with a friend. It's neat, clean, and bright with a good amount of seating. This place is right next to my therapy office, so I frequent it a couple of times a month, and I have always felt welcomed and cared for by their employees. If you are eating there, they will go the extra mile to bring your food to your table and make sure you have everything you need. Highly recommend!!

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    Groundswell Coffee Roasters - cafes - Updated July 2026

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