Good food and happenin place. Cool vibe and community
Britt-Marie Sivertsen
Love Eli Tea. Thank you for always offering such fun events and promoting Chicago Theatre. The display of art for sale, books, tarot/oracle cards will always get me to want to support this business in addition to a delicious on tap kombucha <3
Christina Matthias
Very fun and welcoming environment, love the different events they put on here. Drinks are good!
Shannon Smith
The drinks are great (my favorite is the mango milk bubble tea), the staff is phenomenal (Brian is always an absolute delight to be helped by), and the ambiance and atmosphere is safe, welcoming, and vibrant. This is my go-to spot for a co-working day, a cute little coffee date, or just to stop in and grab a sweet treat. I love Eli Tea, and hope they’ll be around for many, many years to come.
Calvin Mitchell
Eli Tea Bar is a community staple within the Chicago community. In terms of a supporting and welcoming store, Eli Tea is all that you could ask for. Not only are the staff extremely pleasant, but the owner is extremely composed and welcoming to all guests. The community events are engaging and encourage all sorts of people to join the fun. Alongside that, the store provides extremely high quality tea. 10/10!
C. D. McM
This is a very welcoming space with a great drink selection, they have trivia nights too and tend to stay open later than most café.
Nicholas (Nick)
Great tea bar with lots of vegan options - but also Elias, the owner, is a realtor and he was AMAZING. If you're a queer person trying to buy a home for the first time, hit up Eli!!
ember rose
I’ve been to this place many times hoping it would get better, but the same thing keeps happening. I come for one specific tea (GABA oolong) that’s hard to find, but every time I order it, I’m treated like I’m being difficult just for asking basic things.
I’ve worked with tea for over 10 years and in cafes for 20, so I know what I’m asking for — but I’ve been met with attitude, confusion, or just ignored. It’s not a one-time thing. It happens every time I go in.
The tea is always brewed too hot, and when I ask to have the leaves left in my to-go cup (a really normal way of drinking tea, especially in China), I get eye rolls or treated like it’s a weird request. It’s not.
Worse than that, I just don’t feel safe or comfortable here. I’m queer, I’m from the neighborhood, and yet I always feel stared at, interrupted, or talked down to — like I don’t belong.
This place might be fine if you’re just grabbing a bubble tea or chatting with friends. But if you care about being treated with basic respect — or just want your tea the way you like it — I wouldn’t recommend it. I really wanted to support a local shop, but I’ve given it enough chances.
Mia
I do like going here, but something still did feel off or maybe not as welcoming. I believe my matcha was in a cold cup but didn't have ice and I felt like it was possibly rushed, not sure. They had construction going on. I guess I didn't see the others signs as well because I didn't have my glasses, but yea my drink this time was okay.
You’ll come back for the matcha and stay for the community.
This place serves a comprehensive tea selection and expertly crafted drinks.
The thing I love most is that owner has gone above and beyond to create a safe inclusive space for the recovering and sober curious community.
They host a diverse line-up of monthly and weekly events where you’ll willing put down your phone and engage with someone IRL…
Dela Realidad
Ordered a boba tea yesterday and it tasted like milk, and was watered down. Also, the workers are rude. I recommend Hello Jasmine in Lincoln Square for boba tea, not this place.
Peter A
This place was really weird. Got a strawberry matcha boba and the drink tasted nothing like matcha. On top of that, the strawberries weren’t blended properly so all i could taste is strawberry and i felt like i was chewing on my drink the whole time. Customer service was also off, the person at the front sounded like they did not want me to be there
Emily
Stella was so fun at the open mic!!! Drinks and vibes were impeccable too
If you want boba tea this is not the place.
Good food and happenin place. Cool vibe and community
Love Eli Tea. Thank you for always offering such fun events and promoting Chicago Theatre. The display of art for sale, books, tarot/oracle cards will always get me to want to support this business in addition to a delicious on tap kombucha <3
Very fun and welcoming environment, love the different events they put on here. Drinks are good!
The drinks are great (my favorite is the mango milk bubble tea), the staff is phenomenal (Brian is always an absolute delight to be helped by), and the ambiance and atmosphere is safe, welcoming, and vibrant. This is my go-to spot for a co-working day, a cute little coffee date, or just to stop in and grab a sweet treat. I love Eli Tea, and hope they’ll be around for many, many years to come.
Eli Tea Bar is a community staple within the Chicago community. In terms of a supporting and welcoming store, Eli Tea is all that you could ask for. Not only are the staff extremely pleasant, but the owner is extremely composed and welcoming to all guests. The community events are engaging and encourage all sorts of people to join the fun. Alongside that, the store provides extremely high quality tea. 10/10!
This is a very welcoming space with a great drink selection, they have trivia nights too and tend to stay open later than most café.
Great tea bar with lots of vegan options - but also Elias, the owner, is a realtor and he was AMAZING. If you're a queer person trying to buy a home for the first time, hit up Eli!!
I’ve been to this place many times hoping it would get better, but the same thing keeps happening. I come for one specific tea (GABA oolong) that’s hard to find, but every time I order it, I’m treated like I’m being difficult just for asking basic things.
I’ve worked with tea for over 10 years and in cafes for 20, so I know what I’m asking for — but I’ve been met with attitude, confusion, or just ignored. It’s not a one-time thing. It happens every time I go in.
The tea is always brewed too hot, and when I ask to have the leaves left in my to-go cup (a really normal way of drinking tea, especially in China), I get eye rolls or treated like it’s a weird request. It’s not.
Worse than that, I just don’t feel safe or comfortable here. I’m queer, I’m from the neighborhood, and yet I always feel stared at, interrupted, or talked down to — like I don’t belong.
This place might be fine if you’re just grabbing a bubble tea or chatting with friends. But if you care about being treated with basic respect — or just want your tea the way you like it — I wouldn’t recommend it. I really wanted to support a local shop, but I’ve given it enough chances.
I do like going here, but something still did feel off or maybe not as welcoming. I believe my matcha was in a cold cup but didn't have ice and I felt like it was possibly rushed, not sure. They had construction going on. I guess I didn't see the others signs as well because I didn't have my glasses, but yea my drink this time was okay.
Restaurantji Recommends
Super good Thai chai!
You’ll come back for the matcha and stay for the community.
This place serves a comprehensive tea selection and expertly crafted drinks.
The thing I love most is that owner has gone above and beyond to create a safe inclusive space for the recovering and sober curious community.
They host a diverse line-up of monthly and weekly events where you’ll willing put down your phone and engage with someone IRL…
Ordered a boba tea yesterday and it tasted like milk, and was watered down. Also, the workers are rude. I recommend Hello Jasmine in Lincoln Square for boba tea, not this place.
This place was really weird. Got a strawberry matcha boba and the drink tasted nothing like matcha. On top of that, the strawberries weren’t blended properly so all i could taste is strawberry and i felt like i was chewing on my drink the whole time. Customer service was also off, the person at the front sounded like they did not want me to be there
Stella was so fun at the open mic!!! Drinks and vibes were impeccable too
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