Cafes near Melrose Park

“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.“

“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 had stopped in here before to get an iced coffee and it did not disappoint , this time I went back for something new :Iced Coconut matcha latte!So delicious ! For someone who loves matcha, this has to be one of my favorites in the city!Loved the compliment too!“

“Foodwise, is truly a wonderful story, somebody in the kitchen knows what to do and that translates all the way to our braines stirring waves of good sensations.Their turkish culture habits, the hours limitation for certain types of food, do not always overlap with other's schedule or expectations. The staff is very polite and forthcoming but that's so much they can do.The atmosphere is a bit bizzare, the music for example, is not in tune with the specific, the way that the tables are set, suggests rather a train fare than a regular restaurant.Their sweets shop however, is there to take away all possible clouds and make your day.Parking: Plenty of parking“

“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.“

“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.“

“Cozy place also can get flavored coffees.  We shared a House crepe and the four of us had combos.  I only tasted the Mexican combo and I will try it next time.  Lots of fresh fruit came with the crepes, waffle and french toast. Savory crepes are tempting to try as well.  I tried nice BBQ crepe in Vermont last year and liked it.  Savory crepes are good for lunch and dinner.  Managers were very friendly.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 :)“

“We've eaten there 3 or 4 times now, each time delicious food and very nice service. We were able to sit and chat without worrying about taking up table for too long. When offered a coffee refill we were leaving and I asked if I could have refill in a to-go cup, request received with a smile. Looking forward to our next visit!“

“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 love stopping here when I'm picking up food from one of the other stores. Everything we have tried so far is absolutely delicious! Their desserts are not too sweet... just the perfect amount! My personal favorite is the fluffy cheese cake! My kids love the oreo cake cups and the strawberry shortcake cups! Can't wait to try the other desserts! HIGHLY recommend!“

“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.“

“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 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.“

“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!“

“Amazing place. ‘The best hot dog I’ve ever had’ a 10 year old Skokie resident. The food was amazing, we tried the strawberry lemonade, and the summer roast beef. The staff was beyond friendly, and so kind. Will definitely be back. Can’t wait for the full menu. Would 100% recommend Can’t wait to have lunch again this week“

“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.“

“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!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“The best hollandaise sauce I’ve had. Ever.It’s made in house every day. And it’s PERFECT!I could wrap myself in it lol.It’s that good.The food is wonderful. All fresh.But the sauce. Unforgettable.Whenever I’m in Chicago, I come here for it.“

“Michelle and her team catered my wedding, and they made every single dream of mine come true. Every guest said it was the best food they had ever had at a wedding. The professionalism, attention to detail, and quality of the food is unmatched. Our family is a loyal customer of the restaurant, and we have never been disappointed by the food. They truly go above and beyond.“

“This place is amazing. I went to NO a few times in my youth. The first time I went I got red beans and rice right on the street and decided I probably never needed to eat anything else ever. This place brought that back to me. Through sausage on it. Might be gilding the lily but maybe some lily’s like it.The rigamaroo was so freaking good. The po boys were spicy and deliciousThe gumbo. Lord the gumbo. The flavor, then”juice” the gravy…whatever it’s called.l. So good…but I want it to have shrimp in it though…or maybe crawfish…but I might die of deliciousnessCountry music makes me very sad so I took one star away for ambiance. It is the old school stuff so only one point taken away.“

“Fantastic food with large servings for a great price!The atmosphere is not anything special, but i did find the place very cold temperature wise.Service was good but they could of used more staff. To be fair it was fat Tuesday when I dined there but there was one person working that we could see (maybe more in the kitchen) and poor lady had a line of take out and a full restaurant to take care of!Would recommend and plan on going back :)“

“Loved the service and food. It is a very small cozy location, although I was told they will be moving across the street and expanding their seating. The staff was fantastic, I was there with my wife and baby and they were all very friendly. We will definitely be back.“

“Went in for the third time yesterday for a quick lunchtime snack and caffeine. On the recommendation of the baristas, I ordered the ham and havarti croissant and a coffee. Both of the items were excellent. The environment was comfortable and well designed for either relaxing or for light work. Left feeling overall pleased with the experience and would definitely return to Vigo again.“

“I stopped by BlackBerry market on yesterday and the atmosphere was busy but flowed smoothly. The smell of coffee was invigorating and I got the drip coffee , a chocolate chip cookie, iced peppermint coffee and a raspberry lemon muffin!! Service was smooth and effective, the breakfast items were yummy and fresh!! The coffee of the coffee!! Strong yet tranquil!! Fresh drip is self serve!! Loved that! The iced peppermint coffee was just what I needed !! Let me say this.. after breakfast and coffee.. I came home cooked a full dinner and washed clothing and was done before 1pm! lol energy!!!! Definitely will go back and recommend!!“

“OMG the crepes here are fantastic! The strawberry Nutella crepe was not extremely sweet as it is usually prepared in most restaurants, it was just the perfect balance. Coffee was very very good, and my son loved the hot chocolate (he's not too picky though).I came here just to get a croissant and it was a shame that they didn't have any. However, I was so happy we tried the crepes.“

“We moved to EP recently and we’re so happy to find a non-chain coffee place. It was a huge bonus that they have GF options that are really good! Muffins and breakfast sandwiches especially the Express train are delicious. The ambiance is cool and chill. The service is great. Would love to see them get a better oat milk cream.“

“I cannot speak highly enough of the quality, goodness and the richness of the products and the pure heart of the staff.. but I will! The shop + staff is truly wonderful and amazing in every sense of the word. From the design of the Matcha bowls, to the very unique one of a kind savory flavors of a variety of snacks and chocolate. Face cleansers, plant based protein shakes, dark chocolate with healing herbs, tea sets, oils, herbs. A plethora. I felt so happy stepping into the shop. I highly recommend trying a bit of everything. There is so much to choose throughout the whole shop like the bowls.. Everything is high end quality, reasonably and fairly priced and sourced. The authenticity of the energy and products of this shop is real. The lanyards are super cute. The merch items are beautiful. If you in the area, or wanting to add this place to your must stop to see, please stop by, bring a friend and explore together what is the wonderful world .. of Wonderful Matcha. Also! It brought me a huge smile to know of the organic items they have and how warm and inviting the staff who work here are. The whole process of seeing my drink made, brought me tears of joy to be transparently honest. It reached the fondness of the deepest parts of my heart with such wonder and joy. Izzy even shared knowledge about matcha making. Which I loved and appreciated learning. Thank you Wonderful Matcha for bringing these items to us Thank you for your welcoming inviting spirits. Thank you for being in the community. This is my joy place and I’ll be stopping by regularly. AND THEY HAVE AN OPTION FOR BIRTHDAY GIFT BOX MAKING. Just name your price and the staff creates beautifully put together high quality gift boxes to gift to your friends and family. AND THEY HAVE NATURAL HERB TEAS!!!“

“Let me start off this review by stating that i do not write reviews, never have and will not start to, BUTT this cafe is so underrated! I need everyone to understand how good their food and drinks are. Now just to clarify I know nothing about protein or calories but I do know a little something about GOOD FOOD. Ive been going to this location for over a year now and have had the opportunity to try their different menu items, Ive also had the pleasure to get to know one of their managers, Taylor. A very lovely woman, comfortable aura and I always have pleasant conversations with her. Moving on to their food and drinks, the first thing Ive ever tried was a regular chicken panini and my lord that first bite was immaculate. The way they stacked all the ingredients and panini pressed the sandwich bread makes eating it so much fun. ALSO they add apples...APPLESSS and guess what? its so fricking good, something about the sweet crisp taste of apple and the savory/salty meats and spice goes so well together. ugh 10/10. The next thing I got to try was their arroz caldo soup. It transported me back to 8 years old and it was one of those very unforgiving cold days, just coming back from school, opening the front door to the smell of your grandparent's or parent's caldo de res (latinos know) proceeding to have 2 and half bowls then knocking out. Yeah 9/10 good soup. Next was smoothies and Im not going into detail on the smoothies, they were very delicious and filled me up quite right, they were good size for the price and all are very different. The ones Ive tried were the power monkey (my favorite ughhh so good) the twenty 5 thirty 2 (very filling) and the super mario (somehow feels like im drinking some type of dessert and i love that). lovee 9.5/10. The last items Ive tried were the detox shots and oh boy.. Ive tried the good cocktail and the ginger shot. I didn't know that my bowels had the power to go into overdrive like that but they did. These shots for sure do what they claim to do and I love that I get exactly what I pay for. 9/10 but making sure to plan the day accordingly. The cafe is very chill and decorated nicely, clean and order to pickup time is quick (unless busy but dont be a douchebag and rush a masterpiece) I always go with my usual and its always so consistently delicious. Like I said earlier managers/employees are very welcoming and polite, even the boss will come and have a conversation with you and he is very nice and has jokes (funny guy over here). They also have another location in Wicker Park and it is also very nice, slightly bigger so there is more seating and has the same quality of food and drinks. And they do have more menu items so take a look. overall 9.5/10“

“A GREAT cafe. Food is fresh and delicious. For breakfast, the brunch sandwich (with avocado, eggs, onion and dill) is terrific. The apple pecan French toast with homemade vanilla sauce is spectacular. The Vegetarian omelette and oatmeal with granola and brown sugar are also worth writing home about. They like serving fresh fruit! A real gem.“

“This place is so cool there are so many things to pick from! Definitely don’t go in there with an appetite you’ll end up buying everything on the menu?everything looks so appetizing definitely recommend going in to take a look at all their variety of “

“We've been going to Marianaos since they were in a little shack on Milwaukee. The location may have changed but the delicious food and quality has not changed. There's a ton more menu options which is also very delicious. We take our out of town family here every time they visit. It's definitely a go to!“

“This place is so cool! What an awesome atmosphere and experience. It was wild coming back to the area that I grew up in to visit my parents and find a place that felt like it should have been here all along.Great coffee and free old school/classic arcade games, along with board games and cider/beer options too. What more could you ask for?“

“I came to this place with my wife because we enjoy having a few cheap drinks and trying our luck with the slots. Fortunately I won $75 from a $20, would have been the $120 but I pushed my luck. Nevertheless Windsor Café had great friendly service, cheap drinks, and a clean & sanitary establishment for people to kick back and have a great time!“

“This is a family favorite! We go here often on weekends, and suggest it to others when they are looking for a new breakfast restaurant in the area! The million dollar bacon and bacodo omelette are two of my favorite. The shrimp and grits was a seasonal dish that I tried recently, and it was really good!“

“Lovely, colorful cafe! Hot chocolate and muffin were delicious and very affordable. There are neighborhood flyers and unique goods for sale. It feels like you’re part of the neighborhood while you’re there. Very welcoming staff. There was someone studying while I was there; great spot for getting work done or catching up with friends. Even got a cute note on my drink sleeve! Will definitely be recommending and returning.“

“Golly Gumpers! This place will make your mouth water, your tongue tingle and your wallet bleed. Not only do they craft artisan sandwiches on fresh like God's air bread, they have the best Macaroni salad that would put mehmay's bbq to shame. Once you are teleported into a food coma from the array of bad decisions you made for your summer diet, wash it down with a fresh double chocolate cookie that will make you levitate from the excitement. If you have some extra penny's to rub together, try your luck at the slots. Only the most elite of our society gamble here since the PD is across the street. No having to worry about the local creep in a puffer jacket and ski mask in July, whew! If you are really feeling freaky, try the shrimp. I hate fish like Trump hates the truth, but my wife says it's Fire! Happy eating and competing!“