Lake Roots is quickly becoming the spot in Crystal Lake. For a town built around the lake, it's been missing a place that really captures that fresh, laid-back, community feel--and this is it. The menu rotates often, which keeps things interesting and gives it a true fresh, seasonal vibe. Every visit turns into a debate because there are always multiple things worth trying. What really sets it apart now is the new outdoor seating. It's added a whole new layer to the experience--people are settling in, kids are enjoying the play area, and it's turning into more than just a place to eat. It feels like a neighborhood gathering spot. The atmosphere is easy and welcoming without trying too hard, and you can feel the energy building as more people discover it. Service has been solid, and overall it just feels like a place that's going to keep getting better. Bottom line: Lake Roots isn't just a good addition--it's becoming part of the fabric of Crystal Lake. read more

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Came to try out the new place in town. Well, I'd say my first and last time. Had the Roots latte, husband the mocha. Price comparable to Starbucks (over $12.00) Place was not crowded, 3 other tables occupied but it took an extraordinary long time to get the beverages. They come in China cups if you eat in which is appreciated but only warm, not hot. Ambiance is nice, we'll decorated. They have various products for sale, from nibbles to lotions. I'd rather they concentrate on one thing. Breakfast, lunch and dinner? I can't imagine what the wait is for an actual meal. Sorry, the product wasn't enough to get me back. Other establishments will get my business. read more

Best food & atmosphere in Crystal Lake. I hope they take over the strip tbh. Everything is good here...best potato soup of my life. I'm trying to get skinny for summer!! How dare you?! I love this place!!!! read more

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Everything was good our Waitress was very nice and attentive. The butter chartrutarie board was good, it Could be servered with more bread for the price as we ended asking for more anyway. I got a smash burger that wasn't smashed but more of a double cheese burger. I see this more and more these days, Where a place offers a smash burger but dont understand the concept of SMASH. Smash is caramelized. Anyway we did have desert which was Very good, they do have cappuccino which is a plus . The Korean Tacos. Someone said we just fine and my wife had some fish tacos that she liked. I do have to say the French fries were awesome and salted to perfection . We sat outside as the sun went down and it did get a little chilly but I think it would have been rather loud on the inside . read more

I went with a friend on a week night around 6:30 and the place was packed. Sadly we were given the worst table in the restaurant that was a 2 person high top sandwiched between the back of the bar and the door the servers use to go in and out of. We asked to be moved to the heated patio which was warm and much more cozy. Our server was nice but absent a-lot which made me feel forgotten. We ordered a couple of shareables. The flatbread carnivore pizza was good with great zesty flavor but the Mezze Board left plenty to be desired. The flavors were flat and there needed to be more bread to dip with. It's really loud in the restaurant part. There's a cute market attached with local goods which was really nice. If I do come back I think it would be for breakfast or lunch. read more

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The restaurant is beautiful the service is great. The menu choices and specials are amazing. I am so happy I found this hidden gem. I am coming back with my girlfriends next time we get together. read more

This place is awesome! Fun and stylish interior. What a great place to meet up with friends and have your favorite morning coffee, latte etc.... Hot breakfast items and baked goods and always 5o' clock somewhere..... full bar. I had the cookie butter latte and quiche with bacon, cheese and green onion. Delectable crust on the quiche and just delish! Hubby had the hazelnut latte and fresh blueberry scone. Everything was delicious! We will definitely be returning and bring friends here too. Gotta check out the rest of the menu! They have a selection of breakfast and lunch items of the menu. Staff is friendly, great addition to Crystal Lake! read more

Lake Roots - Lattes, quiche and what's left of the blueberry scone! - Cafes Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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The atmosphere here is great. It definitely has that lakeside vibe, like you're on the Michigan side of Lake Michigan. The counter service-to-restaurant dining feel is very welcoming and the staff is great. I can't wait to come here for cocktails or dinner. Where it fell short was the breakfast food. The $10 avocado toast was one piece of toast (good) with an extremely thin spreading of avocado. There just needed to be more avocado, and most places give you two pieces of toast. There was a breakfast bowl that had roasted potatoes. Half of the potatoes were undercooked, the other ones had a mushy texture. The coffee and the latte were delicious. If they can fix things like that, I could easily see this place being a five star. read more

This is a lovely new cafe / market / restaurant in Crystal Lake. We came by on a Saturday morning for coffee drinks and a croissant. The drinks came out quickly despite how busy it was. The croissant was delicious, large and perfectly flakey on the outside and soft on the inside. The drinks were also delicious. They had a lot of people making food and drinks in the back, for breakfast / lunch people were ordering and then you can sit in their dining area to eat. The decor inside is very cozy and there's also a small area to buy local goods and snacks. read more

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This was about our fourth or fifth time dining at Lake Roots. I was worried about the wait on a Friday evening, but got seated right away. The table was awkwardly placed in the middle of the outdoor dining area and servers were continuously brushing up against the table. It took a bit for our server to arrive and we ordered our drinks and then meal right away. My husband's meal and side dish arrived, but mine did not. After several minutes, the server noticed , went to the kitchen and was told mine would be right out. It took another 15 minutes for my meal to arrive. Manager agreed to comp meal, but after such a long wait (from being seated to served about 45 minutes), an appetizer, bread, something would've been appreciated. Our server was apologetic and gracious. Food was delicious so, happy about that, but we will be cautious about going back. read more

Went here with a friend and we both really enjoyed the food and the space. They did an amazing job converting the old Mr A's to create an inviting room. The food was delicious as well. I had the smash burger and fries and my friend had the baked potato soup. Service was friendly and efficient. Crystal Lake needs a place like this! read more

The ambiance is like a fancy coffeehouse or a modern steakhouse. The service was good, the food though omg. This is another spot where I just cant wait to go back or have a reason to. My friend took me here like a week or so after they opened for breakfast and that was the best lox ive had in my life. I still dream about that sandwich, the bagel was so soft and buttery, I think the bagel really set it off and then you can go wrong with smoked salmon. I loved it so much that we returned that same evening and planned on buying just dessert to taste because I really wanted to try the coconut bread pudding but we ended up buying pizza and a cookie with ice cream and the bread pudding. Everything was amazing, the bread pudding was warm and gooey and lovely but that pizookie .. wow, melty, chewy, soft yet crunchy..it was perfect read more

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Amazing new restaurant. Just what Crystal Lake needed. Great food, ambiance, and a healthy lifestyle

Lake Roots is definitely a new staple in Crystal Lake, I went for dinner with my friends and got the burger with a gluten free bun which was delicious. The fries are also great. The ambiance has a great day to night vibe. Would go back! read more

Prompt service and a kind bar tender that made me feel welcome. My quiche came out hot and ready. My coffee was retrieved by the bar tender. Lovely atmosphere for people to gather for brunch. Beautifully decorated for the season. read more

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Me and my wife stopped in for a quick lunch. She had the lox bagel & I had a bowl of their loaded potato soup I decided to add a side of fry's after seeing someone else with them added a side of ranch. Everything was outstanding with great portions. We'll be back to try their coffee and cocktails. read more

Lake Roots - Loaded baked Potato Soup, fry's , Lox Bagel. - Cafes Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

This was a great new spot to get together with some friends over dinner. I enjoyed an espresso and had the signature smash burger, which was great. Our server was friendly and attentive. I would recommend carpooling to this location as parking is very limited. We went at 6 pm on a Friday night and the front and back parking lots were packed. It wasn't horrible though as street parking was available on a near side street. read more

This was our first time to Lake Roots. The food and service were excellent. They had two people singing and playing music. I didn't realize they had live music. That was a nice surprise. Pretty good for an impromptu Valentine's dinner. read more

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Place is amazing and very welcoming, nice to have a great place walking distance from our home. Decor is good and with the renovations made "WOW", employees are friendly, smiles all the way. Our barista Natalia was terrific and very friendly to us, smiling and felt very welcomed. read more

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I have eaten breakfast once and dinner twice. The walleye is delicious. Very friendly staff. Bryce and JJ are very friendly and make great drinks. read more

I would not recommend very pricey for a self service, cafeteria type of place. Food was good but over priced for what we paid. Place was very cramped and staff looked as if they didn't want to be bothered when I asked a question for more coffee and said go up to the counter, then was told it would cost more if you wanted more coffee. Parking is very limited and entrance had lots of water coming off the building on to the customers heads as we entered and left the building. Would NOT tell others to eat here in the future. Sadly won't be coming again!! read more

It's a fancy Panera Bread. Service was non existent- you seat yourself, order at a counter like you would at Panera. The staff just stairs at you- not helpful. The building is nice, the remodel was done well. I won't go back for the over priced good and drinks. read more

Fireee. So yum. Excellent drinks. my latte was so good. I will be telling my friends and fam to go here from now on. read more

Lake Roots - Cafes Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

It was a lovely experience! The overall atmosphere was beautiful, cozy and upscale chic. The restaurant and plates were undeniably instagram worthy! Rachel was our waitress and was so welcoming and personable. She was knowledgeable about the menu and recommended the fantastic cocktails and the absolute best dessert- the almond pastry! We will be returning just for this! The food was simple but delicious. Unfortunately, the short ribs were so out by the time we were sat around 8:30 on a Saturday. However, the potato soup was killer!! The ahi tostada was great and the butter board was okay! You get three kinds of butters (I am assuming with rotating flavors). While the savory butters were great, the lemons and pistachio accompaniments felt minimal to build the full effect of a "board". But because our service was so spectacular and the dessert was unreal, we will be coming back to explore more. The concept of "less is more" really shines here and I know we will be pleased with all the delectable bites to come! read more

A Must-Visit Dining Gem Bringing New Energy to Crystal Lake! Lake Roots in Crystal Lake, IL is easily one of the best new restaurants in the area and a standout addition revitalizing the local dining scene. As one of the freshest openings in Crystal Lake, Lake Roots brings a modern, exciting energy that the community has been needing--and it delivers on every level. From the moment you walk in, the staff makes you feel like a regular, and the service is consistently excellent. The menu is packed with locally sourced ingredients, vibrant flavors, and dishes that are both beautifully prepared and generously portioned. Whether you're craving a healthy bowl, a seasonal special, or a hearty brunch, everything tastes incredibly fresh. The smoothies and juices alone are worth the trip--some of the best in Crystal Lake. The restaurant is spotless, modern, and thoughtfully designed, making it perfect for everything from a quick lunch to a relaxed weekend meal. Lake Roots isn't just another new spot--it's a true revitalization of Crystal Lake's food scene, offering the kind of creative, high-quality options that locals and visitors will love. If you're searching for top-rated restaurants in Crystal Lake, healthy dining options, or a new local favorite with exceptional service, Lake Roots should be at the top of your list. Highly recommend--you'll want to come back again and again. read more

Oh my. The meatballs. The short rib. The caramel almond pastry. Come eat here. You won't regret it. read more

Lake Roots - Dessert menu. Caramel almond pastry - Cafes Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

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Food was fresh and very good. Menu had many options. Friendly staff. My one complaint is brewed coffee is $4 per cup & if you want a refill, it's an additional $1.50 per cup. I'll return for the food but probably take it "to go" and buy my coffee elsewhere. read more

GREAT place!! Food was wonderful, great waitress and the decor was super! Will definitely return!! Crystal Lake has needed a place like this!! read more

Coffee is bitter and no lighter roast option for black coffee drinkers. Food is over priced - $18 for a hamburger and you get no side. The worst part is the parking. The lot is small and the sign in the lot tells you to park on lake shore drive. I came out to a CL cop giving me a 2 other cars a $20 ticket. I will not return. read more

This is such a cute restaurant in a great location, staff was very friendly, so far only had drinks which were great. Decorations are beautiful. I've been twice and the first time they had Christmas music playing which was great, but the second time my husband and I were going to meet my mother in law there for brunch and we just had a coffee and decided to go somewhere else because they had someone playing live music and it was very loud, hard to hear each other. They also had the doors open to their indoor/outdoor patio and it was kind of chilly. I say this just to give feedback because I think this place is really great, I just think the space maybe isn't the best for live music, (or if there will be live music maybe post it on the website so we know when that's happening) and if there is a way to make it warmer inside on chilly days that would be so nice. read more

Great transformation of the building, and neat interior. Parking is an issue, but there is also a small lot behind the place. Service was prompt and friendly, which was nice. I had the poke bowl, but was rather disappointed by the tiny amount of tuna as that is supposed to be the main ingredient. Skimping on the main ingredient is a turn off for me. My wife had the loaded potato soup, which she said was good. read more