Went here on an early Saturday afternoon for lunch and was great. Hidden gem in Kankakee. Food and staff are very good.

What a great find in a smaller central Illinois town! Incredibly well decorated and very warm/cozy vibe inside. The service was very kind and prompt, and it was clear that the staff cared about our whole experience. Came here while visiting my sister, and she claimed this is their favorite local spot for both breakfast AND lunch/dinner! It certainly did not disappoint. They had about 5 specialty coffee drinks on the menu (all holiday themed). We got two (one peppermint and one gingerbread), and they were presented beautifully. For food we got a few breakfast sandwiches, European pancakes, a banana peanut butter toast, and some sides of bacon. All of it was VERY good and nearly all of it (including their bread) was scratch made. My favorite item was their croissant sandwich... if the croissants were homemade this place would easily have been a 5. All accounted for, I cannot wait to return for dinner. Thank you! read more

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Stafari West has been a staple for us when family comes to town and we want to show them some of the best of what Kankakee has to offer. The flavors of their food has been consistently spot on and fresh, the service prompt and friendly, The decor is welcoming, clean, and calming. It was refreshing to discover they offer non-alcoholic cocktails as an option. Their recent collaboration with Chef Karla and her popular smash burgers for the evening menu was a smart move. Chef Karla has built a reputation in Kankakee at various venues, most recently at the now closed 8 One Five. My favorite sandwich is the Arch Enemy with its familiar but upscaled flavors of a popular fast food staple. She consistently comes up with off menu specialty sandwiches. If you aren't sure what to put on your burger order it "the Chef's way" and prepare to be satisfied read more

What a nice hidden GEM right downtown Kankakee! Plenty of seating with pretty wall art. Waitress was nice. Menu seemed pretty simple. Ordered the ham and cheese croissant and breakfast plate. Food was not a complaint. Only issue I had was my presentation for my Honey & cinnamon and the Lavender lattes looked a HOTT messed but other than that the food was tasty. Small portions but great prices. Check 'em out ! read more

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Stumbled across this place randomly - ready to try something new; decor was neat and tidy, ordered Salmon Toast, Yogurt bowl and Greek Salad with chicken - great food, great service, fantastic taste.. will go again!! read more

The beet avocado toast was seriously some of the best avocado toast I've ever had!! I can't stop thinking about it. I also got the creamy tomato basil soup which, while good, nothing crazy or unique about it. As for coffee I got an iced pistachio latte which I requested with limited pistachio syrup but it was still quite sweet for me. Lastly I got a chocolate muffin which was meh. This is Stefari's new location which I think is quite the upgrade from the last one. It's so cute and cozy and pretty with the sunlight streaming in. The music was super nice and good volume. Prices were extremely affordable. This establishment is one of a kind for the area. I have seen some reviews mentioning wait time which I would agree, was rather long for the food and to get my check. The place was not very busy when I came in, I'm not sure why it took 20 minutes to assemble avocado toast? Not too big of a deal and I will definitely come back next time I'm in Kankakee. read more

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I've been going to Stefari since their original location downtown, and I always liked the vibe and quality. The new West Avenue spot takes it up a notch. Same great coffee, same friendly service--but now in a bigger, more open space that feels clean and comfortable. The layout works well whether you're stopping in quick or staying a while. The coffee is still top-tier, and the food options are solid too. They've kept what made the old location great, just improved the experience overall. Glad to see a local spot growing the right way. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Great staff, fair prices, good food. A great place to meet friends...........,..........................................

Stefari what a great place! Ambiance is perfect, the white chocolate orange coffee is amazing, the food was incredible! The service is friendly. Do your taste buds a favor and visit this place! read more

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This was my first time to their new location and let me say the vibes are immaculate. I love the decor and the feel of this open space. As always, stefari has some amazing coffee. My "go to" coffee order was created after my first visit to Stefari. I absolutely love their honey cinnamon latte. It is the perfect blend of flavors. I also love their strawberry honey cream cheese toast, it is always a must order item for me. The servers are so kind and friendly and the food doesn't take long to come out. I absolutely love this place! read more

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Would have loved to try some of their food, but upon entering on a Saturday at 1:55 or 1:56, we were told immediately that they were serving their "in between" brunch and dinner menu. Expensive appetizer type food. Had come for brunch that I believed was until 2. Rude. read more

I usually have good experiences here but today I got a salad and when I got home to eat it I realized it was 80% dressing. Good flavor, too much dressing. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Caesar salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

We are new to the area and my son brought me home a Cappuccino, prosciutto toast with egg and also fresh strawberry w/slivered almonds & honey toast! Everything was sooo Delicious we decided to go in for dinner! Service was great & Lydia was our server. Brandon the bartender made delicious drinks and the hostess was super friendly also, but sorry, I forgot her name! Totally recommend this cute modern cafe off the beaten path but, be aware they close around 8pm! Check weekend hours because we went on weeknight! We will be back read more

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Another good surprise in Kankakee is this cafe that's good at breakfast and brunch. It doesn't have much going on but this is one of the few reasons to come to town and get something to drink and eat. Stefari Cafe is the best place to hang out. Good coffee and also the paninis are an option at lunch. The place is also family friendly and has things for kids to play with. I come here when in town and need coffee that isn't from a chain. Only has a few to choose from. These fortunately are very good. It's $2.55 for a drip coffee. They have non dairy milks such as almond and oat. Also try some of the food. They have great lunch options. Has some vegetarian friendly items. These include the Vegetable Sandwich. It's $6.40 for a half. This comes with arugula, eggplant, feta, hummus, red pepper, and zucchini. Can be made vegan without feta. The half size is plenty. A lot of good things to drink and eat. It's also good if you have a kid and need to keep them busy because they have play equipment they can play with while you're consuming the coffee and food. There's plenty to choose for vegetarians. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Coffee With The Vegetable Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

A light, airy vibe with a great menu. A historical building with stylish decor... I'd call it casual cozy. Very relaxing. I had prosciutto, asparagus, parmesan, & a fried egg on sourdough. It was excellent as was the glass of Pinot Grigio. The staff were friendly & attentive. I'd return anytime! read more

Super surprised to find this place in Kankakee next to the Amtrak station. I was dropping someone off and thought to grab some local coffee. Very cool place inside. I only did grab coffee but the lunch menu and full bar look like a place to return to. read more

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This was a great restaurant in so many ways. Nice friendly staff, cute decor and great food. We ordered two different paninis and they were warm, crunchy and delicious. We didn't order any espresso drinks but they looked so good. They had many special coffee drinks. If you are driving through Kankakee, it's a quick stop in the historic downtown. Check it out! read more

Stefari West Avenue - Cranberry walnut turkey panini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

great coffee and great food! HORRIBLE service by host. she was so rude and argumentative. this is why I prefer to visit the location on Schuyler even if they might not have food items. read more

We tried to get breakfast here. There were people, but it wasn't overly busy. After a half hour of waiting for our food, the waitress came and apologized and said our food would be coming right up, they had a problem with their ticketing system. This was after a table had received food that had arrived and ordered after we had received our drinks which took some time. We then waited an additional half hour and 2 tables received their food that had come in significantly after us. These tables received some of the same items we had ordered. We ordered items that only needed to be prepped and not cooked, the croissant and toasts, as well as egg tacos which we watched other tables receive. We then asked the waitress for our bill for our coffees as we had waited over an hour for food and she acted as if we were being unreasonable and stated our food was coming right up, which we reminded her that she had said over 30 minutes before. At minimum they should have comped us our drinks. We were a champion for Stefari and went here for many of our date nights and recommended them to friends. We wanted to bring our kids here to enjoy breakfast, but unfortunately we won't be back. We understand the mistakes happen, but the lack of energy to correct the issue and then the attitude when we expressed displeasure was disheartening read more

Excellent coffeeand italian panini tasted great as well. The service was excellent and the store is very clean. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Maple Cortado - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Treated rudely by staff on Christmas eve. Very rudely. Will not return. Not sure why the attitude was so bad. We decided not to eat lunch because it was so cold in the restaurant. read more

I traveled 17 hours from central texas on my way up to Michigan. Stopped in Chebanese for the night and was so thankful to have found this place! I picked up a pizza and pasta and my goodness was everything delicious. The staff was so nice and friendly! Will 100% recommend this place to everyone I know lol read more

Stefari Cafe is a Caffeine Oasis in the middle of the Kankakee Coffee Desert. Fine Coffee, Wonderful Service, Great Food, and Wonderful Vibes are all present in this shop. This is a great place for a coffee date or to get some work done. I Highly Recommend the Adult Ham and Cheese Sandwich. It its Savory, Delicious, and Fresh! The ingredients are high quality and worth every penny. This place will help you vibrate at a higher frequency. I'll be back! read more

The staff was friendly and even brought out a sample of a new lemon dessert for us to try. Delicious food and a peaceful place to enjoy a nice cup of tea with friends! read more

Close to Olivet Nazarene University. Friendly staff, great prices, fast food service. Outside seating, but the inside was so beautiful that we opted for the large table by the bay window. Loved the grown up grilled cheese SO MUCH. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Grown Up Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Herbal Tea Parmesan, Asparagus, Prosciutto and Egg Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Fresh food... pleasant servers...nice relaxing place. Will definitely stop here the next time we are in the area.

Being the only one of two genuine local coffee houses in the area, Stefari has been top shelf since it's opening day just shy of five years ago. They've always improved, added new surprises to their menu (the avocado toast with an egg is HIGHLY recommended--dill makes everything taste amazing), their presentations just gorgeous, their staff well-trained. They're also the anchor of the revitalized Majestic theater complex, bringing in hipper, trendier and classy shops and vendors to only add to the building's appeal (Rebel ice cream is a new delicious addition to it). It can be crowded at peak hours on weekends (and sometimes weekdays), so expect to be elbow to elbow with local collegiate getting their caffeine on. In the summer it's a fantastic place to sit outside sipping your latte or iced fruit drink when the city puts up the outdoor seating. It's a true favorite, and Stefan and Ari really have done a great job with it! read more

My wife and I had a very nice lunch here. She had one of their toast specialties with prosciutto and asparagus. I had a salad with arugula, walnuts, apples, either goat or gorgonzola cheese, and a balsamic dressing. The food was fresh and flavorful. To drink I had a cold raspberry mocha and she has a hot pistachio latte. Both drinks tasted great, but could have used a tad more flavoring. The staff was really friendly and the atmosphere is very nice. I especially liked that the tables had some space around them and weren't packed in tight. I would definitely go back. read more

We dropped by here after a long walk in the Kankakee State Parks with 2 friends. The salads were delicious, the coffees--we bought so many but the creamsicle concoction was THE WINNER. I had the lemon ricotta-salmon toast and had a side salad. Delicious. My partner had the turkey and Brie sandwich--I tasted it. Super gourmet. My friends had salads and sandwiches and a breakfast for lunch since Stefari's serves breakfast all day. I will definitely drop by here again if I have a chance. The food was amazing. The prices were anti-inflation prices as well. read more

The evening menu has a number of appetizers -- most were toastinis with various toppings, There were two entrees on the menu for dinner, but the kitchen ran out of spaghetti and the server asked if we'd mind if both pastas were served on penne. The charcuterie board ($21) promised three cheeses but only two were served and the server was not able to tell us the names of the cheese. When asked where the third cheese was, the server said there were only two this evening. I ordered a vodka martini with a twist and the drink came, slightly cold vodka with lemon juice. The bar had no olives for the gin martini and the blueberry margarita did not taste like it had any booze. The room was attractive. Perhaps a bit too well lit. Seating is tables or banquets plus plenty of seating at the bar. read more

I highly recommend! This is such a wonderful place to have in Kankakee! It's like a city like environment and atmosphere! I can't wait to go back. The service and food is amazing! If you're traveling from out of town definitely check it out! Locals... if you haven't yet been.. GO! 10/10! read more

Stefari West Avenue - Vanilla Ginger Latte & Beet Avocado Toast! Absolutely amazing! Love love the atmosphere and the staff! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

Went to town for a wedding and stumbled upon this place. I love lattes, have one every morning and this coffee shop saved my life. Also had a salad and it was fresh and delicious read more

Stefari West Avenue - Outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

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This place is fabulous. The beverages are delicious and well made. The ingredients in the dishes are always super fresh and tasty. Every time I come here it's great. The service is always prompt and friendly. Baked goods are delicious it's spacious inside with a great vibe. It's really a fantastic place. Try the Oladuska! read more

I stopped in for a coffee and wow I was blown away with a true coffee bar my latte was excellent. I'm looking at the menu they have some awesome items on the menu going to bring my wife back for lunch. This place is a hidden secret. read more

My girlfriend and I had 2 tiny sandwiches/paninis and 2 hot beverages, and it cost $40 with tip. My GF said it was the best hot regular coffee she had ever had. The ambiance is lovely, bright, and fun. The food was a let down. We were disappointed. 3 people came in ten minutes after us, but they received their food before we did. The portions are skimpy. The slice of lemon in my water was the size of a dime. It was one quarter of one slice, which was thin. The Arugula on both our plates counted about 7-9 leaves w a schmear of possible salad dressing. I wasn't sure if it was a miniature salad or a garnish. The mozzarella (not melted) and tomatoes were very thin. The pesto sauce was barely there for my Caprese panini. My GF and I both remarked to each other as we walked to the car that we felt like we ate more bread than anything IN the sandwich. The price point is way too high for the quantity. The 3 stars is over all, because I was enchanted with the decor. we enjoyed our beverages but bummed on the portions. The drinks menu is fabulous. Go here if you want to enjoy Cappuccinos, Espressos, Chai, drip coffee, lattes, or margaritas . Skip the food. read more

Driving down from Kenosha, stopped in for an early cup of happiness and found this cute coffee shop. Friendly and hip staff, warm and stylish decor. Had delish lavendar and vanilla coffees and panini sandwiches. Sitting in a great historic brick building. read more

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So happy we decided to try this place on the way back home from our current trip. It's clean, refreshing and the food is good. It could definitely use more seasoning, but that's the only thing one could possibly complain about. The smoothies are delicious! I had the avocado grilled cheese, my husband ordered the egg croissant with avocado, and our sons ordered egg croissant and asparagus parmesan toast. We all enjoyed our meals. My youngest son also got a pastry to go and I have to say...it didn't last long. Kankake is lucky to have such a gem. I hope to stop by on another trip in the near future. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Avocado grilled cheese. Yum! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois

First time...Food was great!! Tried a few dishes all great,and great change up from the "norm spots in Kankakee.

Although I was somewhat pleased with my lunch experience several months ago, my recent dinner experience was not quite the same. The food was mediocre and took a long time to prepare and the service was inattentive. I won't be going back again. Disappointing because I had expected more because of the numerous favorable reviews especially since the location is in an industrial area with horrible parking. read more

Stefari Cafe is a cute, relaxed cafe that serves soups, sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee. Unlike any other businesses in Kankakee that I've seen so far, Stefari seems like a place meant to settle down in for a while and truly enjoy your drink or meal. Although it has fairly limited seating, it also seems like a good place for studying, writing, or just catching up with a few friends. While there I had the half veggie sandwich that included hummus, zucchini, roasted red pepper, and more. I found it to be quite filling. I had this with a San Pellegrino Limonata that is served with a glass filled with ice, the perfect drink for when you're sitting outside in the hot sun like I was. The only suggestion I have that would've improved my experience is if there had been some umbrellas or shades for the tables outside. Because there's no trees or shade during the middle of the day, you end up sitting in direct sunlight on hot, black metal furniture. read more

Stefari West Avenue - Half Veggie Sandwich and San Pellegrino Limonata - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Kankakee, Illinois