50 Best Cafes near River Forest

“We arrived for lunch about a half hour before closing and were greeted by a very friendly staff member who seated us promptly. Our servers were also very friendly. My wife had a half sandwich on gluten-free bread with a half salad, which were both very flavorful and filling. I had a sandwich and the tomato soup, which were also delicious.“

“One of the better Panera's. The staff always makes sure to get things right even when there are issues not caused by them. I've had a few delivery issues from drivers and the store made sure it got sorted out and got me new food or a refund very quickly. If there ever are issues with the order, Panera will make it right.
Special thanks to the manager on 7/5/26 1pm, she helped resolved an annoying issue quickly from a messed up delivery.“

“Everything a matcha latte should be. Balanced in every way. Also ordered a bagel sandwich which was pretty good - as an East Coaster bagels in Chicago just don’t hit the same however it was decent. Definitely a bit pricey but overall worth it!“

“Loved this space - incredibly friendly staff, food was good, and there was a wide selection of games in a comfortable atmosphere !“

“We stopped in today on a tip and what a delicious treat! Highly recommend!“

“The space is big and beautiful with lots of natural light and cool views outside! Their croissant breakfast sandwich was a nice big portion and tasted delicious. Love the location behind the Chicago Park District headquarters so you could go for a stroll or check out the park and recreational fields afterwards.“

“Food was delicious. Everything we had was amazing.“

“loved everything about it!“

“The pastries are very delicious! I have a variety of them. They are some of the best I have had in unexpected combinations. The latte I had was floral and balanced. It was a Lavender Latte. If you love coffee and pastries, you do not want to miss out on this experience. Cafe Calida has a selection that is full of flavor that is truly sure to delight. Visit them today to see for yourself. Check their hours of operation.“

“I have no doubt his place is going to be amazing.“

“I love this place! It’s so good that I don’t mind making the drive from the south side. The coffee, pastries and food (don’t miss the giardinera chicken salad sandwich) are all delicious as are the assorted crafted cocktails. This is a great place to come solo to get work done or to meet up with people. I’ve never had a problem finding a nearby free parking spot which makes their slightly overpriced menu a better value.“

“The best in Chicago!! Very cozy and family oriented!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re looking for a little slice of New Orleans, Junebug Cafe is the place to be! From the moment you walk in, the aroma of rich, smooth coffee fills the air, and the first bite of their Louisiana hand pies or fluffy, powdered-sugar-dusted beignets will transport you straight to the French Quarter. The flavors are authentic, the atmosphere is warm, and every sip and bite feels like a celebration. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem—your taste buds will thank you! ☕✨ Start your morning with a little taste of New Orleans right here at Junebug Cafe! #JunebugCafe #TasteOfNOLA #BeignetsAndCoffee #CafeVibes“

“I've been going since I was 10, my all time favorite coffee shop! I 100% reccomend going if ur a book worm or even want to hear some nice live music to listen to!“

“Nos encantó! Muy limpio y elegante, nos atendieron muy bien. La comida estaba muy rica!“

“Many of our staff and friends have enjoyed Khepri Cafe. We are so happy they have a location in Mt. Prospect now.“

“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!“

“Great coffee and savory items are delicious.“

“Get the lavender Hazel coffee iced , it will put you in a great mood for the rest of the day. This is a great place with a great mission“

“Delicious, sparkling, clean, very friendly owner and staff! This place is a gem.“

“Chose to come here because it’s a halfway point between my friend’s and I’s homes, and it was such a pleasant experience! The atmosphere was very nice and calm, the smells were divine, and the service was excellent! We got to chat with the owner for a second and she was absolutely darling! I had a strawberry matcha latte with brown sugar boba and I know in a week I’ll be craving it again. 10/10 will be coming back again!“

“What a gift to the neighborhood. This is a truly fantastic coffee shop. Great coffee, friendly service, wonderful location on the boulevard. They really do well with all the important stuff.

If I’m going to be picky, the furniture is not very comfortable and the tables are small. I’d love to come here more often to work but that prevents it. There is also a lack of outlets, especially at the center community table, which is the most comfortable place to sit by far. These things make this place not ideal for extended stays unfortunately, just my honest feedback. They really kill it with the coffee and service so I will be back and they still deserve the 5 stars.“

“Thank you so much Cafe El Menson for your generous donation to my kindergarten classroom today. My students really enjoyed the Arroz con Gandules. I cannot thank you enough!“

“I want to build a free school for orphans in which orphans get education and a bright future, for this we need your help to build a school.Free schools for orphans should be established wherever orphans can get education.I want to give orphans free education you can help and support orphans children in Pakistan I am alone,I wating, helping Hands,I can't do it alone, I need brothers and sisters to step up and prepare the orphans for a bright future. I wish I orphans I to give free education to modern schools wherever possible and orphans childrens recved will life and happiness everyone dear family of God place help orphans child There are an estimated 4.8 million vulnerable orphans in Pakistan, one of the highest in the world. These children are left without any care or support. Millions of children are left without a better future if they survive that long. My name is Dr. Soul Arshad in Christ my wish and prayer from Pakistan and our key mission is to provide happiness and bright future to orphans. I wish and pray to Allah Almighty to provide a care home. For orphans in Faisalabad, Pakistan. No services available. Currently, orphaned children in local villages try to survive when parents die of disease, become very ill or are unable to care for and feed their children), without shelter, nurturing, education. , their future is worse than terrible. Help me I want and work and pray that God will provide a care home for orphans I wish 2023 is the year of orphans. Children are the most valuable asset of the society because they are the image of our future. Every parent tries hard to provide their children with the best facilities for their upbringing. However, there are a large number of children who are left without a parent or guardian. Unfortunately, due to poverty, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, this number is constantly increasing. These children, who have no support and guidance, are hungry, begging, orphans, and the goal of protection. Its purpose is not only to give shelter to the orphans but a home that belongs to them. It is my wish and my work and my prayer that Allah protect the poor and needy and orphans who sleep on the streets and footpaths and give them good education. . .I want to be an orphanage to protect all the children and serve them with food and education and help to prepare them to walk with God. Our aim is to provide them with a beautiful building, a centre, a spacious house, a Bible School a school and a playground to improve their lives. And help, hope and guidance in youth life can care for orphans, learn about God, and prepare them for a bright future and learn with God, and orphans and poor and For destitute children. for God's sake. With us for work. We pray and work and pray God provide orphans child care help and safe house God is so good copied onto Found me .“

“Cute little place. Big portions. Not a fan of the matcha.“

“One of the friendliest spits in Chicago. The food is good - outstanding sausage, and you have to have their home-made salsa - and it's an incredible bargain, especially their breakfast "sidewalk special."“

“The Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow in our Illinois advent calendar was delicious! Highly Recommend!! 🤎“

“I luv Namit Cafe, The food is good Owner is very friendly You feel like you're part of the family Good luck guys Luv you all“

“This is a gem that everyone should know about, but I'm thrilled there isn't a 30+ minute wait every time I go.
As someone who loves coffee, I still don't understand how their coffee tastes so good. Their plain, black coffee and Americanos taste out of this world. Some of the best coffee if not the best I've ever had. The food is always fresh, tastes/seems made to order, and again the coffee is amazing. A friend who doesn't drink caffeine loves their decaf, and as someone who doesn't drink decaf, even I like their decaf.“

“They have, without a doubt, the most amazing chicken and waffles I’ve ever had. Not only were they delicious, but they were delivered steaming hot, which is not what I’ve had in the past at other restaurants. To yourself a favor and order this. It is beyond wonderful! And the service could not have been better and more wonderful. This place is an absolute gem.“

“Was really happy with their cheese danish and iced vanilla latte today.“

“I’ve been meaning to stop by this shop for a little while. I got the iced salted maple matcha latte with cloud foam and it was delicious! I wanted to try the ube crinkle cookies but they were out on a Sunday afternoon. The staff were very friendly, and the wait was about 10 minutes. The atmosphere was a little loud with the two restaurants in one space so I grabbed my matcha to go.“

“Love this place! Delicious food, gluten free options, and excellent service. Chef Paco is the best! I highly recommend the tamal de mango!!“

“10 years, and I still love them. Everything is perfect at any location. Chicago’s premier roasters.“

“Absolutely loved our visit here—this place nails cozy, welcoming, and polished all at once. From the moment we sat down, it felt like a little oasis: plush seating, spotless tables, and thoughtful touches like fresh flowers that instantly elevate the vibe. The coffee was excellent—smooth, well-balanced, and clearly made with care. That latte art alone deserves applause, but the taste backed it up completely. What really stood out was how genuinely warm and family-friendly the atmosphere is. It’s the kind of place where you can relax with a beautifully made coffee while your child feels just as welcome and happy. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and everything arrived promptly. Whether you’re meeting a friend, enjoying a quiet moment to yourself, or stopping in with kids, this café hits the sweet spot between stylish and comfortable. A true neighborhood gem—and definitely a place we’ll keep coming back to. ☕✨“

“Cozy cafe with an admirable dedication to reducing waste and in particular plastic coffee cup usage. I really appreciated the stainless steel, freezing cold cup for my iced coffee. Sandwich was very bland and overall disappointing for the price paid, which was excessive. Coffee was decent, service was quick and efficient, and it was a fun place to hangout for 30 minutes.“

“Food is mouth watering delicious. My daughter and I had the veggie tostini, oh my goodness, the best Turkish sandwich we have ever had. Owners are very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. We will be back for sure 😊😊“

“Best coffee around. The ladies who make the coffee are very nice and delightful 😊 Way better than dunkin and starbucks.“

“We ordered a cake for a birthday, and it was perfect. It was beautiful and delicious!“

“Enjoyed a chocolate covered rose latte on the Valentine’s special menu and it was delicious. Subtle flavors and not too sweet.“

“great time on our first trip there tonight! Special shout out to Savanah! she was our awesome waitress!“

“The food and the service here is really outstanding. I really love the breakfast bagels, the mother jones, hamlet, treehugger, and yosh kawano sandwiches, the do-rite doughnuts, and the chocolate chip cookies and the service is very warm, friendly, helpful, and accomodating. Keep up the great work!“

“My go-to coffee is from the Little Creperie. I used to be a starbucks drinker, and now I can’t ever go back to it after tasting the quality of Little Creperie’s coffees. My absolute favorites are the Honey Lavender Latte, Pistachio Creme Latte, and Mocha. Not only do the coffees taste amazing, but the presentation is so cute!!“

“Deserves more than 5 stars! WONDERFUL experience each time I come here. Everything made from scratch. Not just pierogi ---Gelato, soups, empanadas, tamales, pizza pie (takes 50 mins to make from scratch and worth it!!) Premium Belgium chocolates, shakes, Coffee and most recent.....160 (yes one hundred and sixty) different premium teas from around the world!!.....and more to come! They also own the tea room and book store next to the cafe. Owners are THE BEST! Welcoming, personable and humorous. Dinning outside available and pups are welcome! You can tell they have a passion for the business. HIGHLY recommend! ENJOY!“

“Absolutely recommend & will definitely be back. Such a cute little brunch spot with the kindest staff. The French toast flight was so flavorful & some of the best I’ve had! The chicken & waffles were also spot on with true flavor & cooked as they should be. Everything was fresh, delicious, and adorable“

“Everything very neat and clean. Waiters very friendly👍🏼“

“Saw this place on TikTok. Did not disappoint! The fresh pasta is awesome and the paninis out of this world. Not to mention, large selection of fresh gelato was a plus.“

“Everything you could want on their menu trust me“

“This little shop is the perfect addition to west town! It’s very modern but cozy inside with a 4-5 tables. I’ve been a few times for both dine in and takeout. The staff is super friendly with great suggestions and happy to make modifications. In the morning I’ll get a banana fosters latte but half sweet which is just perfect. It’s got a lovely banana cinnamon mix. For lunch I’ll get the shawarma salad with chicken, the rice in a nice touch that makes this feel more like a meal than just a salad. I’ve had the gluten free treats and they are definitely on the healthy tasting side. All in all love this place and will be back again and again!“