Cafes near Forest Park

“This is our go-to takeout spot. They have plenty of vegan and gluten free options. The massaman curry and basil fried rice are my personal favorites. You can tell they use fresh ingredients and spices. I've had the chive dumplings, fried tofu, veggie egg roll, cucumber salad. (All marked vegan on the menu which I highly appreciate). The panang curry was waaaay too spicy for me so I'm sticking with massaman. I haven't dined in but whenever I pick up take out, the staff is super friendly and the restaurant has a peaceful atmosphere.“

“I've only gotten their fries -- both the Mediterranean and the truffle fries are great. Though I've never eaten there and only gotten takeout, the fries were so delicious and the service, even just for takeout, was so good that I wanted to write this supportive review.Having ordered during the pandemic I appreciate that they are taking social distancing seriously here.“

“Today, we hosted a couples shower at Stay and Play Cafe! It was beyond amazing! The owners, Yesenia and Jose were so easy and delightful to work with, the staff was attentive, recommending and teaching games to our guests of all ages, the food was delicious(cheesy eggs and quesitos were scrumptious), and the atmosphere was just perfect! I can't recommend this cafe enough. I look forward to having other functions here and/or coming with a group of friends. I can't wait to start spreading the word to family and friends. Thank you Jose and Yesenia for making our day so special! Anita G.“

“First timers and now we will be regulars! The hospitality, atmosphere and fare were outstanding! From the knowledgeable staff, the welcoming management and the hostess that went WAY above and beyond to be sure my disabled husband was accommodated from when we booked our reservation to the end of our dining experience - we couldn’t have been more delighted! See you again soon, Lardon!“

“This place is a total experience! The food is delicious, the decor is artsy and beautiful, and the owners are absolute gems. my family and I went for the first time yesterday and had the BEST time. we came for some quick pierogi but stayed for the ambiance, warm welcome, and fantastic conversation with the owners. This cafe is charming beyond belief and we will definitely be back. This is the perfect place to stop in with some friends or loved ones when you are out and about in the neighborhood. I guarantee you will want to come back again and again.“

“I would probably go 4.5 but I'll round up because we did have great service. We came during restaurant week and got the four course meals. In all we got: Crab croquettes: 4/5 Kale apple salad: 5/5 Burrata: 4/5 Bok choy: 4/5 Steak dish: 5/5 Agnolotti: 4/5 Crème brûlée: 3/5 Chocolate dessert: 4/5 The salad and steak are must orders! Everything else was tasty too! The agnolotti was on the sweet side which was different but still good. The bok choy was a bit too smoky for my taste but still good. The crème brûlée lacked some flavor but the salted caramel ice cream and crispy bits on the chocolate dessert was delicious and I'm not even a chocolate person. For wine, I got the orange wine (mellower one) and the still rose. Both were good! My husband got the Chianti which was also good. We would def come back! They also have a good happy hour specials so we will try to come for that.“

“Always incredible - one of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city (I get the pablano/veggie and add sausage ? - which was a staff suggestion). Everyone who works there is friendly and engaging! If they had a yearbook, I would write, "have a cool summer - don't ever change".“

“Jimmy's used to be kind of a hole in the wall but has now upgraded to their location on Montrose. It serves DELISH true NY style pizza. As a New England native in Chicago, Jimmy's is the only reliable NY slice around. You won't be disappointed. That being said, its better to get a whole pie than a reheated slice for that perfect experience. Garlic knots are so tasty and their fresh marinara is the perfect addition- tell your spouse to beware of your garlic breath! Salads are great also! Wait times for a pie on weekends/nights is a little tricky but worth it! Dining in is great- lots of high tops and booths for all preference. I met Jimmy once and if I remember correctly, he IS from NY... so its definitely original!“

“If you love themed cafe's, this is for you. Full of 80's culture and counter culture decor, with a chatty vibe. Baristas are super cool, music is good too, but the only thing I would change is to give it a more 80's feeling to the music being played ? great cappuccino and place to meet with friends in Wicker Park.“

“My wife and I ordered oat milk lattes and both were made to perfection. Some coffee shops tend to overheat oat milk and end up making it thinner and generally unpleasant to taste but these folks know what they're doing!Parking: Parking on the street nearby is fairly easy to find.“

“My favorite coffee shop around! The owners are super friendly, take the time to get to know you, and they really care about the local community. They also make some of the best dang lattes and drinks (better than Dark Matter, Intelligentsia, etc.). They always have great pastries and snacks on hand as well.“

“The place is cozy and welcoming, the aroma inside is divine. We went in for a quick to go order of freshly baklava and there were so many varieties.Husband and I will definitely be back to enjoy more than the desserts. A perfect place for a coffee date.“

“This restaurant has a very cozy vibe. Keep in mind it's a smaller restaurant that has a good crowd, so finding a place to sit can be hard during rush hour. The workers are all incredibly kind. I would highly recommend getting their breakfast sandwich, it is so so so amazing. And of course nothing says "breakfast" quite like a slice of chocolate cake from The Bear.“

“Great bakery that just opened, definitely check it out.. better than Starbucks! They serve dark matter coffee, pastries & delicious breakfast sandwiches. I'm hooked! && the staff is amazing, it's a mom son & daughter they're just so sweet!“

“My friend and I was talking about where to eat. He said he wanted a sandwich. I told him if he ever had cafe colao? He said no. So I took him. I love the sandwiches and especially the avena. He liked the sandwich. He said he will return again.“

“Love the handy drive-thru. Also love the wheat free options like chocolate chip cookies, biscuit that can substitute some for bread on sandwiches, and other pastries. Lots of pastries. LOVE the scones. Vegetarian options are tasty. Had the Rubén sandwich yesterday and it was awesome. Also love the mission of the facility. Staffed by residents of Misericordia's homes. Decent prices and great taste with a cause!!“

“Regular here. I've been inspired by the message of HFTD ever since they did a presentation at my school. I had wanted to come here for a while, but only got the chance about a year or two ago. Since then, I have stopped by nearly every weekend. The coffee is excellent, the people here are absolutely wonderful and always open to chat, the ambience is impeccable. The staff are some of the kindest, most welcoming and accepting people I know, and I'm so happy to call some of them my legit friends. Major shoutout to the manager, he's a great guy and does a fantastic job running the shop (hey man it's Addy how ya doin') If you do stop by there is a drawing of the cafe that's behind the bar. I drew that as a commission (shameless self promo heehoo) Definitely stop by if you're ever in the area. Coming here was a great decision for me. If you're in the mood for great coffee for a great cause, look no further, and remember that "it's okay not to be okay"!<3 you guys!Addy“

“Very friendly lady (reminded me of my grandma) in the front to greet you. Cute little local coffee shop. With great prices after COVID especially. Most coffee shops around Chicago area have raised their prices so was nice to spend less. Obviously i support small business' raising their prices to survive. That's life. I ordered a dirty chai and it was great! Great coffee. However was a bit sweet but that was my fault for rushing to the bathroom and not talking to the kind lady about what sweetness I wanted. ALSO the bathroom is very CLEAN. It was like a home bathroom. Please others keep it clean as well :)“

“Took my first sip of my latte and instantly noticed the difference between quality of the beans! Small interior since the majority of space is used for roasting their beans. The prices are affordable. I’ll definitely be heading back to try more of their products.“

“Nice place but they kind of cheat you out of the cold brew; when ordering it black, they will pour less than half a cup, fill it up with ice, and then top it off with water. I like the vibe of this place but there are too many other places in the area to get coffee that WON’T water it down right in front of you.“

“Tony’s pulls no punches when it comes to late night or early morning dining. I’ve never seen such a variety of options from a 24hr restaurant which makes it the clear choice as they have little something for everyone. This is where I’d put a photo of one of my meals…but I ate it too fast to get the chance.“

“Heeeeeeeeeey ? Urban Morning ? Cozy Café Is Indeed The Place 2 Be!! This urban cozy café vibe is exactly what it says, cozy and warm and with good vibes coming from everyone there. And The Coffee ☕? is yum ? delicious and tasty. U will come back ? 4 more. Don't just take my word, go and try them 4 yourself.“

“The breakfast sandwhich and baked goods are insane. It’s a little tight inside, but it’s clean, friendly and world class. I’ll be back about once a month.Don’t even get me started about that cookie. ? Drooling just thinking about how great it was. 10/10Kid-friendliness: They were nice to my kids, and that counts.“

“This place has the most incredible crepes, both sweet and savory. The only bad part is choosing what to get. We always go way overboard and get a couple different ones to eat as a family, but you can't help it. It's all delicious.“

“I be doing doordash n uber eats, I've been getting orders from there for a while, today I decided to order me some food got me the steak jibarito that comes with arroz con gandules and some sauce on the side n let me sayyy it was delicious, I even got me the chicken empanada n I used the sauce from the jibarito on it n omgggg sooo good. I even got a Pina colada n omg heaven. And the service was awesome everyone so nice and also lots of things to look at while u wait they have a lil boutique. Totally recommend will be coming back“

“Came here for the marshmallows but fell in love with the hot chocolate. They have hot chocolate flight!! And you can order it iced. I took home the seasonal flavors of lavender and the hazelnut stout. Wow! It was amazing. I can taste the herbal note of lavender. The hz stout was equally nutty and flavorful. The creaminess is astounding even for a cold drink. I had some leftovers in the fridge overnight and it didn't even separate. It was like cream, almost like drinking ice cream but better. It's not too sweet, just a heaven blend of flavors. I read more info and learned they used Kilgis cream. As to the marshmallows, I got a couple of bags with different flavors to try: Earl grey (5/5), cinnamon - not too cinnamon-y which is good but I'm not a fan of cinnamon in general, spicy chocolate (The spice is like a twinkle, 4/5) and salted caramel (5/5 except this was kind of melty), Biscoff (5/5), Ambrosia - feel too much going on. Mocha (uneventful), Mocha (flavor is undefined). And of course opted for vanilla marshmallow for my hot chocolate drinks. I find the marshmallows a tad bit on the sweet side. The barista was super! They had some event going on at the back room when I visited. I'm so proud to have this establishment in the neighborhood. Will come back for sure.“

“This is a great neighborhood pub! We've come here for all the different meals and have not been disappointed. As they have expanded their menu it has only gotten better. Highlights are the pies, gin drinks, and the matcha latte. It's an unexpected fun spot for breakfast on weekdays too. If we lived even closer we would be here all the time. The ambiance is a traditional British pub which we love!“

“This place carries a huge variety of magazines, including in foreign languages. That said, my favorite area to browse is the wall of books on Chicago; the various neighborhoods, unique bits of history, architecture and on & on. The cafe area excels in its own right with coffee & pastries - even vegan options. Enjoy a great cup of coffee and live music on weekends. Just a wonderful place.“

“The plating at Sweet Moon is so exquisite that I imagine a chef using a pair of tweezers to meticulously place each item to be displayed on the dish. My mother and I talk for at least two minutes about the layout and design of the plated food before diving in and being even more amazed by the flavor combinations. My favorite menu item is the Merengue Roulette, a gluten-free merengue with mascarpone pistachio cream, raspberry jam, baked almond, and whole pistachios.For such well-crafted and well-balanced dishes, the wait time is not long, usually not exceeding 10 minutes. Although the place is typically always filled with people all customers are respectful of the noise level and it is quiet and serene. Great place to work or catch up with a friend!“

“Stellar food. Environmentally conscious, Covid-conscious and kind staff. Love all of the delicious GF options! Shout out to their baker! That breakfast sandwich on the GF focaccia gets me every time.Thankful this is in my neighborhood. ?Dietary restrictions: Plenty of GF options: focaccia, donuts, heart soups and salads“

“Best coffee shop in the area. The baristas are incredibly nice, the pastries are always fresh and fantastic, hot food is always solid, and can’t go wrong getting Dark Matter made well. Having moved to Chicago in the past year coming from a place with very few local coffee spots, I feel so lucky to have Electric Mud around the corner.“

“So happy I randomly selected this place! I got the breakfast avocado club. So yummy, full of flavor, and fresh ingredients. The other patrons in the restaurant had clean plates, too. The service was great, super quick and friendly. This is a great place to go for a quick bite to eat, catch up with a friend, or a "treat yourself" date!!“

“Bia's is my go to place when nothing less than comforting will do! Nothing like a DELICIOUS well seasoned, cheesy, steak sandwich on any day will do people! And...a cafe con leche and pastelillo de guayaba will make your day. Service there is great. Happy faces and pride in their work is evident with each bite. Thanks Bia's!!!“

“Best local spot for gelato or food!! They always have a huge variety of gelato and ice cream flavors. I love coming here, the portions are always big as well. Their food is served hot and tasty! I also really like the small and intimate environment. I always have great service!“

“This is a wonderful locally owned coffee shop with great coffee, homemade syrups, delicious food, and yummy sweets (including vegan and gluten free options). The vibe is very lively and the number of regulars that filter in and out all day are a testament to its standing in the neighborhood. There is ample FREE parking. Overall 5 stars!!“

“Of all the places I've tried around the city, Taste of Colombia has the best coffee anywhere in Chicago. My favorite part though is the wonderful people who work there! I feel super fortunate to have them just two blocks from my house. Make sure to give them a try!How cool this place is! They have the best coffee and desserts in all of Chicago, but the best thing is the people who work there. Many thanks to Naima, Toni and Alejandra. Always a pleasure to spend some time with you every weekend!“

“passed this spot many times on our walks north and south in lincoln, finally stopped to check it out.cute and comfy seating options, great music, good coffee and nice options for other food and baked goods. and lovely service.nice to have reading materials and games (and a handy printer, if needed!).“

“What an amazing time! The Breakfast Pie (Louisiana Hand Pie) was absolutely delicious, and their Matcha was the perfect accompaniment. The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming - I felt right at home! The decor, with its New Orleans vibes and charming masks, creates such a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Loved every moment of my visit!“

“Cool joint. This afternoon my brother and sister-in-law stopped in to get some empanadas. They were all amazingly flavorful. This evening we went back for more!! Overall the spot is a welcome addition to our community!! You can get some good coffee here, too.“

“I love this coffee shop. They were friendly, they knew me by name, and their coffee and specialty drinks are tasty. I also really enjoyed their Avacado toast. It was absolutely delicious. It is refreshing to go to a locally own coffee shop, that has a wonderful atmosphere, and great prices too. I highly recommend this coffee shop to anyone in the area.“

“Nice, friendly, warm welcoming Cafe. Staff was nice and lots of options on the menu. The food was really delicious and the pricing was cheap for what you get! This was my first time here and it seemed like there was lots of regulars which is always nice to see. Really enjoyed our time there.“

“Cannot remember for the life of me who recommended this place to my dad when i was a teen but we would travel from the southwest side all the way up north just to get the sandwiches here!then i got married & now live very close so of COURSE its so hype i have closer access to it.We would get the sandwich de pollo con lechon and thats what i still get to this day. And their cafe con leche is so fire.The atmosphere is so cute and the service is a 10/10 so friendly!“

“One of the best coffee roasters in the western burbs, and definitely my favorite coffee shop to work from. Their signature and seasonal drinks are great, plus this location also serves cocktails. Highly recommend!Parking: Parking is ample, but can be a bit tricky due to the layout of the building.“

“Best coffee shop in all Oak Park, IL, I do like the place, the atmosphere, the coffee is really really good, you should go, have some pastries or croissants. I recommend The Coffee although they have tea and other beverages. I highly recommend this place.The service is outstanding, smooth“

“Great coffee shop for to-go only. They also have breakfast tacos, stuffed croissants, and pastries. Right on Western but usually plenty of easy parking out front. All of the staff are so kind and friendly - great place to start your day! And for some reason I’m convinced this coffee tastes better than other Dark Matter locations???Parking: Street parking out front. On a busy street but usually plenty of available spots. Might avoid if you don’t like to parallel park!“

“Would I visit this place again: YesWas this place clean: YesOutdoor seating: YesWas this place hard to find: NoWhat would I change about this place: NothingWhat was my favorite thing about this place: Real homemade espresso and delicious food. The atmosphere is authentic and I felt at home again.“

“I've known for a long time that I can get a great cup of coffee in a pleasant and upbeat shop at Perkolator, but today I learned that they're also a woman-owned business on their Instagram page, so I wanted to hop on here and say, thanks for the great coffee and service, Perkolator. And also thank you for highlighting being woman owned. You rock and I'm celebrating your success today and always.“

“-- Step Right Up to Snakes and Lattes Welcome to a board game enthusiast's paradise nestled in the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago! Picture a realm where the enchantment of Harry Potter merges seamlessly with the magic of Universal Studios, all infused with the whimsical charm of Willy Wonka's wonderland. This trendy gaming spot effortlessly captures the essence of cool hipster vibes, creating an atmosphere that's both captivating and welcoming. As you step into Snakes and Lattes, prepare to embark on a gaming adventure like no other. It's a place where iconic tales like Dungeon and Dragons come to life, where families engage in epic battles over strategic Monopoly boards, and where every corner exudes excitement and charm. And let's not forget about the delectable drinks that extend far beyond the realm of Butterbeer, accompanied by savory bites that tantalize your taste buds. This gaming haven is not just about entertainment; it's about forging connections and sparking conversations. The staff, led by master instructor Chris, are experts at curating gaming experiences tailored to your preferences. Chris effortlessly simplifies the rules of even the most complex games, turning intricate strategies into intuitive experiences in mere minutes. During our visit, we dove into the captivating world of PatchWork: Americana—a delightful blend of puzzles, Monopoly-esque strategy, and the life-sized decisions of Life. We then delved into the whimsical realm of Boop, a pet owner's dream where adorable kittens and cats vie for supremacy, adding a playful twist to traditional chess and checkers. If you're seeking something unique that fosters camaraderie and excitement, Snakes and Lattes is the ultimate destination. Prepare to be enchanted, entertained, and immersed in a world where every game tells a story and every moment is an adventure.“

“The best cheese cake I have ever had. Good place to stop if you need to bring dessert. So many flavors to choose from. I highly recommend Eli's. I can remember when Eli's restaurant was downtown on East Chicago Ave., We would have dinner and cheesecake for dessert. I always have one in the freezer, for unexpected guest. Peter K.“

“Super cute, aesthetic cafe! I fell in love with the interior design. They have a variety of food options in their menu along with their caffeinated and decaffeinated drinks with a long list of flavors for their coffee. The staff were very welcoming. The food were all delicious! Love their latte. Pay to park street parking available. I definitely recommend checking this coffee shop out.“