Nice local coffee shop in Edgewater, so much better than any commercial chain with lots of unique…read moreflavors and options. Had to wait a little longer with only one person working but it was fine. The space is big and great for hanging out/studying. Thought it was funny that there was a tip jar despite being cashless...got one of the special lattes and it didn't have too much listed for nutrition/sugar levels, only had a little over half since i felt like i was consuming too much empty sugar (or maybe I wasn't--but it was awfully sweet), but that's on me for not asking. I wish I had a place like this near me.

I came here to get some work done and there are plenty of tables with outlets. The coffee and food…read moreitself is pretty expensive for the quality. I ordered the Iced Tuxedo Mocha (which was over $7.00) and there was no real coffee flavor while the chocolate tasted cheap. For food I tried the Raspberry Danish and it tasted store bought, which would have been okay if it wasn't $4.25. They also served it on a paper plate which was interesting for a cafe. They did bring it to my table and the staff was friendly when ordering. It was also nice that while she was walking by she took the empty plate later. Overall the food/drink was just okay and it was pricey for a "just okay" experience. The WiFi password is also super long: MoreThanJustCoffee1070!!!

This might be one of my favorite spots in the city. The drinks are delicious and reasonably priced…read more The staff (especially Violet) are warm and charming. We had a special request on a drink and the barista was very kind to accommodate. The space whimsically fun and fantastic -- it's got that Alice in Wonderland vibes. The tea quality is top notch and coffee & matcha drinks are also great. I hope to return and try the pastries.

First Sip is a great stop if you're a matcha fan. The fruit basket matcha specifically is very…read moresweet but tasty. The decor is dark and unique and the staff are friendly, though they clearly stay very busy throughout the day. It should be noted that wait times for drinks can occasionally run long, so it's worth building in a little extra time if you're not in a rush- on certain days, expect to wait around 10 minutes for your drink. Overall, worth it for the fruit basket matcha alone.

Okay im impressed,, their coffee is strong, black and perfect. Did I say strong? I love it. You…read morehave to definitely try their strong best brew, as it will not only wake you up, but let you said dead people. That's how strong it is, it will definitely keep you up and alert. But the smooth taste is what brings me back. I thought I posted this in the past but it was sitting here, waiting for the right time to add my review. I would choose them over Starbucks anyway, but alas I don't live near this location. Their scones are dynamic and the blue berry muffin is super moist with tons of blueberries. Try them out, but don't be disappointed if you have to wait a little lo longer on busy morning. The decorated spot is sure to.l become a favorite.

This place is the best thing that ever happen to Philz coffee shop I can't believe they switched…read morevendors nothing compares to their amazing almond crosant

This is the best place to get a sourdough loaf of bread! They can cut it thick or thin, though the…read morethick slices can't fit in our toaster. Friendly service and patient with our questions. They also have great sandwiches (came here on a Saturday). I've tried the McGreen and the Italian - both were great and they press the mozzarella so it doesn't make the sandwich bread soggy.

Phlour was my go-to cafe whenever I wanted a change of scenery but now it's just a place for a…read morequick to-go pastry. The staff has always been friendly anytime I've visited. They move really quickly so you don't have to wait too long for your items. I've been going to Phlour for years and they've invested a lot into renovating the inside of the cafe. It's a completely different place since I first started visiting but the food has remained consistent. It does seem like they reduced the number of plugs which makes working from the cafe much harder. The music is also a little loud so I wouldn't take important calls from here but it's a good place to meet up with people. The pastries at Phlour are still top tier so I still visit to grab a quick pastry. The baked goods are on the pricey side but the cinnamon bun and quiche are worth it. Some of the other pastries are on the smaller side, so not worth the price but they are very tasty.

Great food. Had some french toast w blueberries. Louise is good help too! (Shout out).. oh the…read morecoffee is dank.

Really great vibes inside: the coffeeshop and bookstore combo is the ultimate cozy pairing!…read more Didn't have too much time to browse at the bookstore, but I ordered a seasonal strawberry matcha latte and an americano from the cafe. The americano was nothing special but refreshing on a summer day. The seasonal strawberry matcha was a bit disappointing, due to the lack of matcha flavor (the color was not very vibrant, and the matcha powder itself was likely not super high quality or oxidized) and sweetness. However, I tried the strawberry corn cookie, and it was one of the most delicious cookies I've had. Corn in dessert has been one of my favorites, and the texture of the corn with the strawberry icing to make a sweet and slightly tart summer treat was incredible! Everyone working there was super kind, and if I had more time to hang around, I would definitely bring a laptop and work here.

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.

I love this place!! I've been here a few times and it's a special place…read more Excellent service, food, beverages, desserts, and a cool shop. Really cool vibes!!! They have regular tables, and then there is a fun section where you can sit on the floor. Outdoor seating in the front and back too. The shop in the back is cool and has a nice variety of clothes, jewelry, books, and gifts. Lots of travel items to match the theme of the cafe. The desserts are homemade and so impressive! The pear Bundt cake was really moist and flavorful. I loved the peanut butter and chocolate pie that was vegan and gluten free and awesome. So delicious! The milkshakes are amazing! I had a boozy one and it was so smooth and easy to drink. They also have good cocktails. I enjoyed a margarita here. The coffees are fantastic! I loved my Thai iced coffee. The matchas are wonderful. I've had the matcha latte and the matcha freeze. I've loved everything I've had so far. Tasty bagels and eggs. The bagel and schmear hits the spot. Nice salads too. The pear and blue salad is delicious. The menu here is expansive and I look forward to coming back and trying new things. I definitely recommend coming here!

This place is usually pretty busy. I put my name down for 5 people. The wait was about 15 min for…read morethe raised area where you sit on the floor. We had to take our shoes off to sit comfortably. I think we could've had tables too, but the wait would've been longer. If you have a large group, I would call first to see if they can accommodate you. All the staff here are so kind and friendly. I've been here twice total now, and both times the food has been excellent. I didn't realize this place was pescatarian the first time. I picked the mister grecco panini for the artichoke hearts: It was a little salty due to the olives, but it wasn't overwhelming. I really enjoyed the fresh side salad especially the honey mustard dressing. I would order this again, but there's so many other menu items I want to try too.

Absolutely love this coffee shop! Happy Monday in Edgewater is such a small and hidden coffee shop…read morewith the best service! It always seems to be a hit and busy on the weekends. And that is because it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays! It is dog friendly, trendy, and such a hit. Highly recommend this local joint.

UPDATE: Wow, what a speedy response, thank you. I usually…read morechat with the guy who runs this location who says he is a co-owner. I figured the limited hours had something to do with the menu. Now that you all have gotten rid of the DJ table and added more chairs, it does feel more like a standard cafe! I'm looking forward to the menu changes. Thanks for your consideration! Previous review: I really enjoy their beverages and I keep coming back. That being said, there is almost no price transparency. The only prices they have on their menu are for the THC additions. I've mentioned this to the owner twice (he's a cool guy) but he has always sort of shrugged it off. It bothers me every time I'm in. Sometimes my latte with oat milk comes out different prices. Price transparency is so important for consistency . Not including the prices is a bit elitist, especially when the average drink is $6-$8. You should want folks to come in and comfortably order what they can afford. I hope this suggestion is taken into consideration. The drinks are good and like I said, I keep coming back but this has been a sticking point for me for a year plus.

I wanted to try the white rose but they ran out so I got the blue lavender mint bubble and it…read moretasted so delicious! The service here was great as well. Hopefully when I stop in again they'll have the white rose iced tea. I love how this place offers unique flavors that other tea shops don't have. I really enjoyed what I got today. They are also informative and let you know what drinks have zero caffeine, high caffeine or low caffeine, I think that's so important and it was great to see that. I read the bad reviews and I highly disagree. I've been to a lot of tea spots and milk tea spots all over illinois, I wanted something other than the same old boring brown sugar boba or matcha and this place delivered everything I wanted because they incorporate unique flavors and the result is magical. If you appreciate unique flavors like I do, come here!

Big fan of Eli tea! The drinks are very creative, and there's sooo many options. The ones I've…read moretried have all been delicious. I also really love their level of community participation. They host frequent events for art, games, book clubs, trivia and more. There's a really committed energy to creating a welcoming 3rd space, which I love. Check it out! And follow them on IG to hear about events!

I'd been meaning to try this place since they opened and finally got there last weekend…read more It is crazy cute inside. More comfortable and spacious than I expected. Oatmilk latte was exceptional. Iced chai latte was beyond exceptional! Not too sweet and clearly made with fresh spices. Foamed on top too, which I rarely see on iced chais. Warm and attentive service too. We didn't get food this time, but a couple of tables by us had food, and it looked and smelled incredible. We are coming back for that breakfast combo!

Omg I literally love this cafe! It's so cute and the service is always great. The ambiance is cozy…read moreand welcoming and a great place to grab brunch or study. We got the breakfast combo and affogato. Highly recommend the breakfast combo since it's a hefty portion of food and great for two ppl! The affogato is always amazing! You have to get salted caramel gelato with it, and the espresso/coffee beans they use are so delicious and aromatic! This place is our Sunday go to, hopefully you can make it yours also