I would give it 4 stars, except for two facts: 1) They are not true to their posted hours and twice now I have wandered by for a cuppa only to find the doors closed and bolted. 2) They serve intelli-blech-sia coffee (which is only decent when brewed VERY strong, which thankfully, it is here). The place is clean, the staff is happy, the coffee is reasonably priced as well. I hope it survives! Oh, one more thing, they staff donates all tips each month to a local charity/NPO. Very, very cool. read more

Love, love, LOVED the latte I had at Common Cup! This place is on par with Metropolis in terms of creamy, well brewed lattes, but ranks much higher in terms of foam art. Yes, the barista took his sweet, sweet time creating a lovely heart circled by foam dots on the top of my very yummy drink. And, the best part? The tips are donated to a local charity! read more

Really good coffee here, but I'm most impressed with their selection of gluten free pastries. And they offered some kind of blueberry power ball thing? Yeah, it was darn good. Great vibe too. read more

This is everything an urban coffee house should be. Friendly owner's on-site working alongside friendly staff who try their best to please. Coffee and teas are great as well as being fairly priced. The menu is large enough to satisfy any time of the day. The thing however that makes a difference here though is that when you're at the Common Cup, you know you're a part of something. The shop is joined to the Roger's Park community in a multitude of ways. They are conscious members of the community who's space has supported parent groups, study groups, religious groups, and children's story time (just to name a few) by offering an environment that fosters relationships that allow the local area to grow in its connectivity to one another. read more

Coffeehouses have become so jejune to me, maybe I'm just expecting too much out of something I frequent as much as a priest goes to the little boys room. They all seem cookie-cutter-like and banal in their distinctions, as few of them as each has. So when I go to a new place, I try to say, "Okay, what's different or special about this place?" And often times, my findings aren't pivotal enough to making it a new hot spot for me, only an alternative at best. Well, slap me twice and call me Sue, because The Common Cup actually has substance. The joint itself has the usual coffeehouse decor, plenty of seating and a few cushy arm chairs to lounge in. There's a bookshelf with some reading material, if you're one of those types. But who wants to read when there is free wifi? Only the pretentious type, that's who! There's also original art on the walls to soak in. Now for coffee and treats, they feature your typical repertoire of finds like coffees, teas, cookies, pies, and sandwiches -- all of which I've sampled have been tasty and fairly priced. The coffee and teas are intelligentsia, which most people, myself included, adore. They also have ice cream which is a nice treat, but I've yet to try in lieu of the freezing point temperatures. But all that stuff is cliche coffeehouse. Where Common Cup diversifies itself from the rest is the exceedingly friendly and personable staff and a tip jar that gets donated to charities. You mean I can drink my fancy pants coffee drink and know a small part is helping other people? Get out, I mean, no joke? Now I can feel good about supporting my caffeine addiction and spending large sums of money for that sweet caffeine high I cannot function without! Even better is the nice staff who are always peachy of my easily diagnosable dependence of espresso drinks. Well played Common Cup, well played. I just hope they have 911 on speed dial if I fall into some caffeine induced comatose. read more

Sterile environment. Collected Rewards gor free coffee but cashier insisted that I had already collected one. Know I never have but was rudely brushed off . Last time I will go there. Great place called Smack Dab on Clark St where coffee is great and so are staff. They will get my business from now on. read more

My review is based on only one visit. The fact that I wanted to write a review after the first visit is a sign that the place is either amazing or I need to vent about the terrible injustice. Fortunately, The Common Cup is in the super amazing category. My jogging buddy suggested this place after a morning run. I've lived in the area for a few months and had yet to find the perfect local coffee house besides the big green sea monster. Let me tell you, this place lived up to all of her hype about it. The thing that sold me was that they use Intelligensia coffee, which for me is the holy grail of coffee beans. The prices were reasonable, my Americano was strong and robust without tasting burnt. The food was really inexpensive and homemade. I had the bacon & swiss quiche and it was to die for! I think it was under $3 for a hearty slice. They actually heat it up for you too. When I sat down to eat, it was all oozy and gooey. Loved it! My friend got an iced tea (also Intelligensia) and some foreign wafer cookie that looked interesting. I think it was called a stroopwaffle. They have all kinds of little foreign oddities. The staff was super friendly and I love their sign about "get off your cell phone" when you're ordering. More places should enforce that rule and encourage engaging with the cashier. Here are some neat things about this place. They have a punch card system where if you drink like 8-9 coffees you get one free. (Too bad I'm moving out of state this month and can't benefit from it). They also have a book exchange program. You can take a book off their shelf free and leave a book from your collection. Great place to leave some of your unwanted paperbacks. I found it cool that their tips go to different charities instead of a burn-out-barista's weed fund. Lastly, they have a brownie sundae. A cookie or a brownie sundae always takes a place from ordinary to extraordinary in my book. I think I'm going to try theirs next time. FYI, do not park illegally (even for a min) out front. The meter vultures will find you. They comb this block heavily. read more

First, I wouldn't have known about this place until being on yelp. When I walked in, i was greeted wtih smiles not only by the staff, but by customers! Enough coffee choices to get the work done, but the Common Cup doesn't try to be more flashy (or like starbucks). Only complaint was that the breakfast sandwich I ordered was a little on the pricey side, but it was pretty good! read more

I've been back to Common Cup a few times this summer, and each experience has been very pleasant. The staff are pleasant. The coffee is good. The bacon quiche is delicious. The brownie is the size of my head, and a lot sweeter, too. The Common Cup is a relaxing neighborhood place in Rogers Park that deserves to be much busier than it is. I am very happy to go there, and I look forward to my next visit. And I was only going to do 4 stars, but I am realizing that I have absolutely no complaints. Isn't that the definition of a 5-star experience? read more

I absolutely still love this place and it seems to just get better. I stopped in here the other day for a much-needed cup of coffee at an ungodly hour of the morning...one of those hours that no person EVER should have to witness personally. The service couldn't be more friendly, their variety of baked-goods (including discounted day-olds that still looked ...and tasted...delicious...chocolate muffin...ahhhhhh) is getting better, and their continued commitment to local charities and supporting local businesses just makes me happy. But let me rave about the coffee. Delicious. I'm not kidding. I've considered making this an out-of-the-way destination for myself with much more regularity. I like hanging out there, it's comfortable, and if the coffee is actually that good, I have to ask myself why I don't darken their door more often. Well done, Common Cup. Well done. read more

Nice neighborhood place I have have been in here a couple times now in the last few weeks Always get friendly service and they use Intelligentsia Beans and Tea's so kinda hard for them to go wrong nice art on the walls I like when a place is trying to help out local artist by displaying their art for sale, the place is always clean and the music is not too loud read more

Ok, it's possible that I wear my coffecup on my sleeve, but I really like this place. The first time I stopped in, it was a rainy Saturday afternoon. I'm guessing that's why it was on the empty side in there. There's quite a bit of seating in this place and yet, not enough at the same time. There are a lot of two-tops, but it seems like a lot of singles frequent this place, so the tables fill up fast. The barista I see most frequently here is adorable in that he totally schools people on drinks in the most polite way possible. One time, a customer came in and quite confidently ordered a macchiato. Before he scurried away to make it, he asked "Are you thinking this is going to be like the caramel macchiato from Starbucks?" to which she not-so-confidently replied "Uh...yeah." He then educated her on what a macchiato is actually supposed to be (the way it's made here) and she enthusiastically accepted it. She seemed to genuinely enjoy that beverage. I, on the other hand, order a cafe au lait every time I go. I suppose it's a drink that could be messed up if a person really had no idea what they were doing, but it's always great as far as I can taste. The prices are absolutely fantastic too considering the portion sizes. It's a clean space with unique decor and all of the windows allow for some pretty great people watching. They even have a corner with a little library with ample books and comfy looking seating (that I have yet to check out, but I plan to sometime soon). I raise a glass to Common Cup! read more

Decently chill place. I scored an armchair which increased the happy points. Delish vegan hot chocolate. Barista was an ok dude. I was a penny short and asked if he had one. He took it out of the tip jar and said sthg like "from the children". way to slap on some guilt dude. I ended up putting a buck in the tin which I may have done anyway but felt so shitty for asking for a penny, I did it. and as many of my reviews will state: no need to make soy extra since across the street at morse you can get a great deal on soy milk. not more expensive than organic cow milk. read more

Wanted to go here to print, so I called in and nobody knew how much it cost. So the nice gentlemen went to look on the printer and he didnt see a price. Why offer a service and nobody knows the cost? read more

Delicious coffee, great service, delightful pastries, reasonable prices, local art decor, sunny and bright seating areas, and free wifi. It's the perfect neighborhood coffee shop. The owner is very nice; she's usually working and often makes my coffee (and the smalls have TWO shots of espresso). She kindly explained nearly everything on the menu that I wasn't familiar with, and there's a FANTASTIC sign on the register about how you won't be served if you're on your cell phone. You may be offended, but someone had to do it. I'm glad that it was The Common Cup. read more

Cool little coffee shop in Lincoln Park I decided to check out after seeing some decent reviews. Not too far from the Red Line also. Interesting breakfast sandwiches sine the dont use sausage but rather Ham,Turkey and/or Roast beef with eggs and cheese....didnt try any of them though lol...I needed some sausage in the morning. Now what I did have was a chocolate muffin and it was the bomb. Very impressed and you can tell they bake their own foods too. Tried some organic milk their for the 1st time too. Friendy staff too....looking for a quaint coffe shop to get away from the crowds st Starbucks....try the Common Cup...you will like it! read more

Great neighborhood coffee place They have great options. Good for people who wants to break away from home to study. read more

today i tried something new: iced coffee with a little oat milk and a bit of sweetener. so bomb! i tuned into a virtual brew up that the owners did last week where they suggested trying something close to coffee on its own so you can appreciate the taste without it being diluted by milks. i usually get an oat milk latte but this iced coffee is a hit! and my stomach doesn't hurt nor do i get the jitters from them. i can't stop raving about this place read more

The Common Cup has meant much to me as a third-year resident of Rogers Park where coffee shops are few, but growing in number. A safe public place to relax or work is not easy to come by in Roger's Park unless you walk to Loyola Park Beach. For two years, I lived above the cafe at 6930 N. Greenview Ave, and for anyone who has spent a hot summer in steaming oven-like studio apartment would welcome the opportunity to sit in a cool cafe with very friendly staff and a good cup of joe. Since I most often drink only a poor man's latte, I can only rate the coffee and the baristas so much. I was, however, recommended to try a cortado (espresso with steamed milk), which I ordered again later because it was so delicious. Also, intimate live music on Friday evenings that you don't have to stay out late for. read more

I moved to the Rogers Park neighborhood this past August. My boyfriend has lived here for a few years now. While walking around and becoming more familiar with the area, we stumbled upon The Common Cup. I am a firm believer in supporting the community you live in and I was pleased to see that Common Cup has the same belief. Their "tip jar" is donated to a different local organization each month. I was also happy to see that they serve Intellegentsia coffee and tea, another local company. The staff is wonderful. They are very helpful and friendly. I asked about local produce markets and they suggested a few in the area. For a change of scene, I will occasionally do grad-work or work there, instead of at home. I hope I am lucky enough to "stumble" upon some more local places like The Common Cup. read more

Great friendly staff. I love the soup of the day and strangely enough the oatmeal. A double espresso is the same price as a single @$2 a pop, so ball out. read more

The Common Cup - There is a separate room on the side for group sessions as well. Tutors meet here often. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really like this coffee shop. It feels very local and you can tell they strive to connect with and give back to community. As far as the Americano I had, it was pretty good. Not too strong or weak. Plenty of seating and neat community bookshelf. Next time I'll try some food and see what I think. I'm sure I'll be back soon! read more

The Common Cup - Community bookshelf - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't usually write negative reviews but the service here was "alright" the sandwich I ordered was good though.

I'm here at least 3 times every week. They brew some of the best coffee and espresso ever - Counter Culture. Ruth and John are awesome people to have in the neighborhood, and their place has truly become a community spot. Everything a local coffee shop should be. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries are lovely. read more

This place offers "punch cards" and when you purchase 9 drinks you get the 10th free (according to the card) but one side is marked for coffee/tea and the other side of the punch card is espresso. Well, for some reason they mark the 10th spot and then hand it back to you (instead of let's say only having 9 spots to cross off cuz that 10th is supposed to be free, or ya know, throwing away the card cuz it's been used up) But the real kicker is how they won't combine punches from either the espresso or coffee side!! LOL. So... I had come in with 8 punches on the espresso side and 3 punches on the coffee and tea side and only wanted a free cup of coffee. I even brought my own cup, but the elderly woman behind the counter refused to honor the total of 11 punches for a free cup of coffee. Give me a break! So yeah there are plenty of other places for honestly better coffee, but since I figured I had come in enough times (I had 11 punches on this card between both sides) I could get something on the way to the train. Now I won't be coming back and neither will my partner. This isn't to mention how often we've come in and forgot our punch card... ugh it was just real petty if you ask me. read more

I can't say that I visit this place regularly, but when ever I get the urge for some GREAT FROZEN YOGURT with BLUEBERRIES, this is where I go. I've always had great service, even when they are busy. If Common Cup was on my way to work, I would visit more often, but weekends are the best I can do. Now that the weather is getting warmer, I will be treating myself to some more Frozen Yogurts. Thank you Common Cup. read more

I wish I had better things to say about this place. The coffee and food are alright. The customers who come here seem chill. However it doesn't have the best vibe. It felt sorta dingy and dirty in the 2nd room. And the staff were pretty rude. I suggest coffee to go. It's too bad this place sucks because it's right down the street from my house and I partially live in coffee houses. I also rarely leave less than five star reviews. But a number of things in this place were quite the turn off. read more

Had coffee here almost everyday for the last year and a half. The owners are nice people and the coffee is great. Pumpkin bread is addicting/delicious and they offer it year round. Once they made spice bread which was dope. Cookies - bomb Quiche- bomb Scones- not good read more

The Common Cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great place, better than Starbucks in my opinion! I went there today with my boyfriend. We were around the Loyola area and I read about it on Yelp so I thought it would be cool to check out. We ate the soup (it was like a chedder chicken soup, spicy too) and it was delicioussss! Better than the soups i've eaten in Panera. Definately will get it again the next time. Nice place, close to the beach and has free wifi! It's probably nicer in the summer time. Can't wait to go again :) read more

I stop here a few times per week to grab a coffee on my way to the red line. I have always had great interactions with the staff here; they are polite, knowledgeable, outgoing and accommodating. I'm a big fan of the light roast coffee that they have, and the prices are reasonable. read more

There's an additional wing to the shop, so the space is bigger than it first appears. Decently clean and lots of windows to peer out. I thought the people were very friendly and accommodating, but the coffee was just average. Its close proximity to the el makes the Common Cup a very convenient to-go type of place, but nothing un-common, as should have been expected by the name. read more

I made a afford to stop in for a coffee and bagel, before I went in for to see an apartment I'm the neighborhood. I read so many reviews on common cup. I needed to know if it's as good as they said it is. I order the house coffee (black, no cream or sugar, I think you know if coffee taste good when you try it black.) bagel was great. The people work their are great and helpful. They told me where I can toast my bagel at. Most places would not do that. I ask how to long in to the wifi and told me the passcode. I made the mistake on the passcode. I ask again and said I sorry I must have it wrong. They told me, their where wrong and gave me the correct passcode. I was surprise that they made the mistake and not me. I think it was me and not them. I really love this place. This is my old neighborhood and grow up her for 18 years. And soon going to move back. I'm glad that there is a place to go in the morning to relax and take it easy. I would go here again and again. One thing i was hoping to do is meet Ruth the owner. The people at the place said she was on vacation until Sept 9. It was ok, but would been great to seen her. read more

Yeah...so....what's with the 5 star reviews? I live in the area and have done for some time now. This cafe is only a few blocks away and I am so disappointed that THIS is what is being offered as my local cafe. So, my reasons for dislike: First of all, the staff. I have never before been confronted by such a miserable, rude, lazy bunch of bastards in my life. You walk in, happy and smiling, looking forward to a nice drink, maybe a snack, a sit down....and you are met at the counter by some surly "dude" staring at you as if you've just taken a dump on the counter. "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb you with my simple and polite request for some coffee! I'll let you finish your phone call, allow you to look me up and down a few times and then decide that, for completely inexplicable reasons, that I am not cool enough! Judge away!". Secondly, the drinks, while drinkable, are not too good. I have had a number of coffees, hot chocolate and a couple of teas. Coffee tastes burnt....a weird mix of watery burn. The hot chocolate is simply powdered from a box with some hot water. The tea (bag...but whatever...) is massacred by barely warm water served in a chipped and dirty pot. Not good. Thirdly... and this is an odd one....every time my partner and I have been there, someone always confronts us about where we are sitting. I'm not talking a staff member pointing out that maybe we have strayed onto someone else's table who was in the bathroom or something. I'm talking some hostile other customer who has taken it upon himself to take personal offense at the table we have chosen to sit at, all because THEY wanted the table for themselves....even though they were already sitting at a table....and always brought up several minutes after we have started on our beverages. Strange. FInally, and others have mentioned this, the place is dirty. Dirty tables, floor, cups, spoons....just generally grimy. I can't really give any good points to be honest. They have the gall to have a sticker up, stating that "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks", while completely disregarding the fact that they have modeled their store, menu and ordering system on exactly what Starbucks has been pushing for years. Also ignoring the debt they have to large coffee chains for opening up the coffee market in this country and actually creating (how ever lame it might be...) SOME kind of coffee culture. No Starbucks? Hell, this place would never have opened. Oh, and the place is pretty damn pricey too. But with endless lines of people rolling up to this crap hole, banging on endlessly about how great it is, there will never be a change. They will keep making a substandard product, keep being rude, keep being dirty....they have suckers giving them money, so they have no need to change. Until people go out and get a little focus, this garbage will keep going on. OH! I thought of a small plus point...they are open a little more often than other cafes in the area....and that's about it. Oh, and one more...the cakes, cookies and quiches are OK (I'm guessing they're made elsewhere, but I don't know)....but damn do the staff resent you if you order food. They are NOT shy about showing their annoyance at having to put a piece of pie on a plate. I kept trying with this place, but I just cannot be bothered any more. I'll make my own at home. What a shame. read more

Great little local coffee shop with good food and snacks. They also have a decent amount of vegetarian and vegan options. The staff is super friendly and contribute to a slightly younger, hipster kind of vibe to the place. The place is clean and well maintained and the service is really quick. One of my favourite coffee shops in the neighborhood. read more

I think I want to love this place because it's so close to me. Sure, yeah, they give you complimentary water. Mmhmm, the internet connection is just fine. But something about this place rubs me the wrong way. Their coffee is just... okay. I had an iced mocha that was mostly ice and was about as expensive as a Starbucks Mocha, which it shouldn't be, because Starbucks mochas are way better. Also, they don't take Discover. It's not the Dark Ages, it's 2011, take Discover. I got a quiche, after paying far too much for it, and I got this itty bitty slice that the barista only microwaved what had to be half the time because it was still ice cold in the middle. The thing that rubbed me the wrong way the most was that when they closed, they didn't tell me they were closing. I mean, I know they close at 8, I'm not stupid, but instead of announcing it 15 minutes before close, they just shut the Wifi off. Like, really? You couldn't just tell me? You had to cut me off? What if I was in the middle of something important? (Because I kind of was.) So yeah, feel free to go there if you like snobs who overcharge you for shitty food and coffee and kick you out like a dog on the street 20 minutes before close. read more

I have been a customer of Common Cup for over a year, but lately have been extremely disappointed. The staff (while there are a few I do love seeing and talking to) seem so crabby and don't understand customer service. These people need to be trained on friendliness and customer service techniques. The owner has been extremely rude to us on the last few occasions of coming in. Last week, my husband went into Common Cup to get some espresso over ice with some half n half because we ran out of half n half at home. We spend a ton of money at Common Cup, and I'm sure they make lots of moolah off of people just from one drink. He ordered espresso over ice, then added his half and half, then pushed his way through the line to get out the door (don't even get me started on the awkward layout of this coffee shop). The woman who owns the place came out from behind the bar, leaving a line of people, and had the nerve to scold my husband for the amount of half n half he used. SERIOUSLY. I order a $4.50 drink several times a week, he paid too much for espresso, and she has the nerve to leave a line of customers to scold him???? Professionalism is not at the top of the list at this place, but the coffee is hot and tastes good- but luckily we can get Intelligentsia at tons of other cafes throughout the city, or just make it at home. Another thing- they do not double-brew their iced coffee, so don't bother ordering it. Stick with espresso drinks. If you want iced, go with an Americano or something, or you'll never get that eye-opener you're looking for. read more

I really regret having to be the bearer of bad news but I went to Common Cup this week to have some coffee. I sat on the brown sofa chairs toward the back and noticed a roach problem. I kept my book bag on my lap the entire time and didn't set it down on the floor because I didn't want to take any unwanted guests home with me. I don't think I need to go on about why roaches are unacceptable for a place that prepares and serves food. read more

Inconsistent staff. Some are nice and some could care less. While the baked goods look pretty good nothing stands out here to make it special. They serve Intelligentsia which is nice. I just don't like going into a store of any kind and being made to feel as though the staff is doing me a favor by being there. read more

It is funny that Peter O. posted just yesterday, because I have been reminding myself to call this place out on the whole "donation" tip jar thing. I am opposed to it because no employer should dictate where a hard working employee's tips go. It is complete BS and shows that the owners want to seem charitable, while not being willing to give from their own pocket. (How about the proceeds from every 10th drip coffee go to whatever they've deemed important and charitable). I asked the employees what they thought of this part-of-our-tips-go-to-the-local-theater-group baloney and they shrugged sarcastically and said, "What can we say, we're a charitable people?" Note: I was embellishing, that is not exactly what they said. Anyway, unfortunately small businesses often have clueless owners. Sometimes working for them can be WAY worse than a place like Starbucks that has to follow rules. read more

Honestly I only ever go here because it's half a block from my apartment. Learning of the roach problems, "charitable" re-distribution of tips, and silent involvement of skeevy Joe Moore, seal the deal for me to never go here unless really in a pinch. I actually prefer the Dunkin' Donuts under the Morse stop a block away. I'm well familiar with the service industry hustle and have even spent a good amount of time working specifically as a barista and coffee house manager. This place is dirty, slow, mediocre in their beverages, and the staff particularly the owner, who by reading other reviews I've learned is Ruth is in-attentive, high and mighty, and disgruntled. Two stars because I don't want to see this place fail and it is super duper convenient for me, but really only ever go there in a hurry. Hopefully they clean up their physical space AND their attitude, and if they don't bring their prices down to earth a bit at least improve the product they're serving. You're better off heading down the block to Dunkin or two blocks to the The Heartland's new coffee bar. read more