Lavazza Cafe
Inn of Chicago,162 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL, 60611
Lavazza Cafe Menu
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Address :
Inn of Chicago,162 E Ohio St
Chicago, IL, 60611 - Phone (312) 255-8850
- Website https://www.lavazza.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Bike Parking : Yes
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Good for Working : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Vanessa D.
Best hazelnut lattes ever. This location is a bit small, but that's ok.
(4)Greg S.
The girlfriend and I needed a quick pick-me-up after our flight landed and we got our hotel accommodations settled. I would have gotten more flavor out of licking day-old grounds out of a nearby gutter. The service was an atrocity and the coffee was a crime against humanity. The whole thing sends me into a hyperbolic frenzy.
(1)Mahsa T.
Totally over-hyped. I was expecting something much better. This place is no better than Cafe Rom or Starbucks (in fact, Starbucks is better). Not much of a selection for dessert so I got the tiramisu which was good but not great. I ordered the espresso which was just underwhelming and not strong at all, not to mention the girl behind the counter got my order wrong and gave me the espresso macchiato instead of plain espresso. Maybe because she started talking to her friends that walked in the door right in the middle of my order!!!! RUDE. My friend got the orange mocha mio which was syrupy sweet and not something I would care to try again. Disappointing.
(2)Jennifer B.
Cute little cafe in Streeterville! A pleasant departure from Starbucks, this Lavazza Cafe is basically like a Starbucks, but with a little more flavor (literally, they have lots of coffee flavors!). And a full menu, so it makes a nice lunch-time spot. Extra points for the outdoor seating!
(4)Jill G.
I was staying at a hotel 2 blocks away and came here for my morning coffee 4 out of the 5 days I was in Chicago. I knew the LaVazza name, but never had the coffee. That being said, the coffee (yes, plain old coffee) hit the spot for me. I tend to like my coffee on the stronger side and this did the trick. The staff was friendly and cafe was clean. I just wish there had been a little more seating. When someone starts smoking in the outdoor seating area, nonsmokers bothered by the smoke have to leave because there isn't sufficient space inside. I wish I had had time to sample the gelato...it looked delicious!
(4)T N.
Hot ham and cheese croissant, Italian sipping chocolate so thick it's like warm pudding, and fresh OJ from one of those machines that squeezes right in front of you. Delicious!
(5)Spa F.
Been here twice in 24 hours!! The cafe is next door to the hotel I'm staying at. I've had this brand of coffee when I was in Italy and I didn't know they have the cafes here in the states. It reminded me of some of the many coffee bars I went to in Italy but Americanized. First drink was an iced coffee with cream and a shot of Amaretto. Was very small for the price but damn good. Tonight had a cappuccino and that thing was humongous! Even had a pretty design in the top. Taste of hot coffee- excellent. If I lived nearby or they had one of these in California this would be my good to place for hot coffees and an occasional treat for iced coffee.
(5)Anthony S.
Can't go wrong with the Coffee here! I've tried the espresso in a shot glass the traditional way as well as the solid espresso that you eat with a spoon. I can't decide if the solid variety is more like pudding or mousse, maybe somewhere in between? Still, it tastes just as strong as normal espresso. If espresso isn't your cup of tea (or joe), you can try their non-American-portion-sized comestibles. I personally liked their Bruschetta but I was disappointed by their Prosciutto Baguette, the bread was a bit on the stale side. Next on my list to try is their pannis and their gelato.
(4)F M.
Good cup of coffee, but they don't have any outlets (although, the place is so small that it wouldn't be good for business for them to allow us squatters to set up shop). I'd recommend to meet a friend for a good conversation, but not a good place to get work done.
(3)Tim S.
I love this coffee.
(4)Gitana J.
Great coffee, only the space it self is very small. They have only 3 tables and many times is no place to sit. Otherwise love it!
(4)Kim C.
5 stars for the nutella croissants!!! I almost don't even wanna tell anybody about these because they are SO GOOD and I don't want them to run out!!! Happy staff, great coffee, and the most amazing nutella croissants. I just wish they had more seating so I could study here all day long.
(5)Nirmal G.
I don't know if something significant has changed at Lavazza or if it's just me, but today's experience wasn't all that. My vanilla latte barely even had any espresso in it, just lots and lots of foam. The syrup was overwhelming as well. They also must have increased their prices, because my tall drink was significantly more than what I would have paid at Starbucks, which is my benchmark for cost. I'll come back for the gelato, but not the coffee.
(2)Laura D.
Mmmmm. The coffee is perfectly brewed. Make sure to get the dark roast; so smooth! And I absolutely love love love their selection of fresh baked goods. They have lots of options, including a delicious low fat strawberry peach muffin (it doesn't taste low fat). The staff was friendly, the air smelled sweet, and I thoroughly enjoyed the 20 minutes I spent her sipping my coffee and people watching.
(4)James E.
This place is so Italian, I feel like my middle name is Fellini. I saw that they finally opened this joint after several trips to the (frustrating but fun) French Market. It's very bright inside, colorful and with great modern furniture. They have free Wi-Fi (that's how they got me!). They also have a decent number of outlets for my laptop. As of right now, this is a great place to go to if you want to get together with friends and stand a decent chance of finding a table and / or being able to hear each other speak. I'm here at 8:45 in the morning and am the only one staying longer than 10 minutes. The coffee is good. The staff was nice enough in our 20 second interaction. It's nice to get coffee in mugs, not just paper cups. They have a menu for food items as well, although I didn't taste any of them, I'm sure the food will be just fine. My only complaint is that all of the outlets are near low-tables (as in below your knee height). This means that I have to put the laptop in my lap (poor me, I know!) in order to withstand some of my long typing sessions. They have regular height tables, but none of them are near outlets. As you can tell, that's a minor issue. FYI, you can enter this coffee shop either on Clinton (at the address noted above) or through either entrance for the French Market. There's a second, interior entrance just a few feet West of the interior entrance to the French Market.
(4)Elena S.
So I must update this and recommend their most yummi-liscious NUTELLA CROISSANTS! Go, quick, run there for one! They are the bomb!
(4)Keerthi A.
We stopped by for a quick bite to eat after lunch time. I wanted to try their Gelato and they have about 6 or 8 flavors. I did ask for a taste of the Burnt Caramel flavor and it tasted good flavor-wise, but the Gelato was all melted and almost runny, so I opted out. We ordered their chicken panini and I must say, it was really good. It took them about 10 minutes to make, but it was a good sandwich, cheesy and fresh out of the panini grill. It was weird though, that there were no sides with it. They also seemed to have a lot of desserts like mini cupcakes, and scones and cookies that looked really good. They do not have a whole lot of seating inside, but I would go back for a late lunch next time to try their other paninis. They also have a lot of different coffee options, but did not try those.
(4)Melanie M.
Let me start off with saying that I biked all the way from Montrose Beach Harbor to downtown Chicago without eating lunch and dinner. Needless to say, I was famished. Ok, I got a Slurpee from 7-11 after 3 years because I felt I deserved it. But I didn't want 7-11 food, so I kept going. I was delusional and crazy for food, hopefully some decent food, but my patience was wearing thin. I stopped in front of Lavazza and I saw this small little place with a few tables outside. Maybe it was the long bike ride, but I thought of New York. I parked the bike, and went inside. It's small, but neat and simple. This is the only way I can explain it: it had a cool vibe. I got the mozzarella and tomato panini. It was SO GOOD! The bread was perfect, slightly crunchy...I ate it all so quickly, but delighted in it. I didn't get the coffee, expresso, or gelato, but it looked and smelled good. I will probably head back here - the street is quiet, despite being a block away from Michigan.
(4)George K.
Been here three or four times. Good quality items at reasonable prices. But NOISY! The gelato machine alone emits a terrific roar. Don't expect a relaxing get-away from the hectic city. Also, the overhead music is 70s rock, cranked. Where's the Italian music? Finally, tables are cleared but seldom actually cleaned. Not cool.
(3)christina l.
This review is for gelatto only. Fresh peach sorbet was delicious! Refreshing and not too sweet. The lemon gelatto was tart--good in the beginning but began to make me pucker toward the final bites. The server was the cheeriest gelatto enthusiast I've ever encountered and really made the whole experience that much better.
(4)Matt P.
I'm sure this place is great for coffee, some type of bakery item, or maybe some gelato, but for lunch it blows. $10 for a panini and can of Coke? I shoulda went to La Petito.
(2)Lois A.
Where have you been all my life? I love Lavazza coffee. I can't believe it took me so long to try it.
(4)tania c.
I was told by several people to definitely try out some gelato while we were in Chicago. I really wanted to visit Black Dog, but unfortunately we ran out of time. This Cafe was just down the street, so I figured something was better than nothing! To be fair, the flavor in the gelato was pretty good. I had the coconut with some chocolate chip. It was rich, creamy, had a nice texture...for the most part. A lot of it was frozen, crunchy, and not quite mixed well enough. My husband's ice cream actually had an entire ice cube in it. A little strange....
(3)Megan G.
I always enjoy going to Lavazza Cafe's, I have found that they are always the most consistent with their drinks- always delicious. The mocha is hands down the yummiest!! It has a rich chocolaty flavor but is not too sweet. Love it.
(4)Samuel C.
The service is glacially slow. I feel literally ignored by the people working the counter. The whole place smells like smoke because they let people smoke on their 8 person patio, against City of Chicago law. Next!
(1)Sang H.
There is no way to hate this place. The decor is great along with their coffee. The people that work there are friendly and will help you with your order.
(4)Carolyn F.
Fun furniture. Great coffee. Love the location. We had a meetup here. Perfect setting. Yep, I'll be back.
(4)Esmeralda M.
Coffee is great! Friendly staff and wonderful croissants!
(5)Will M.
This is good place to stop while strolling the Mag Mile. 1/2 block east of Michigan Ave. Small shop and very decent coffee. Worth it.
(4)Url R.
A nice place to go when you want to avoid the hassle of a Michigan Ave starbucks.
(4)Spencer H.
I love Lavazza coffee. This little cafe has great products and has the coffees you would find in Italy. The vibe is very European and it's relaxed and not over the top or superficial. Their croissants are not bad at all, and their ciabatta and baguette sandwiches were actually very good and much better than I expected when I ordered it. It was fresh and well put together. I like to stop by whenever I'm on Michigan avenue. Michigan avenue terrible lacks cafes and terraces but i'm glad I found Lavazza cafe, it beats Starbucks.
(5)Deirdre L.
Raisin bran muffin - pretty good. Nonfat Mocha - delisch. Service, polite, but not great and can be slooooow. Seems to be gettting better though. I wish there was a better locally owned place around here, but this place is 1,000,000 times better than the starbucks in the Courtyard. That place is the closest thing to hell on earth, as far as I am concerned.
(3)JoAnn B.
I loved it here. Yes, okay, the service was slow, but it was a nice change of pace to actually sit down and enjoy my espresso! I actually ended up having two drinks because they were so delicious. As a barista, I couldn't ask for better.
(4)Ziming L.
A cute cafe with great gelato at $8 per pint! And they have free wifi!
(5)Lauren B.
Best coffee ever! You've never had an espresso until you've had one at Lavazza. It's magic. Haven't tried any of their strangely fancy concoctions purely because the espresso is so fab. They have huge and tasty portions of salads and sandwiches, too. The bruschetta is a nice lite bite for later in the day.
(5)Kendall G.
This cozy little cafe is less busy than the local Starbucks and the coffee is much better. The clientele is more interesting, too. Expect to hear lots of Italian and Polish and little bit of everything else. And during December, expect to hear lots of slightly too loud 'Holiday' music. The croissant are very good, if not out of this world. The espresso is solid, but the preparation is a little less careful than I would like, but within acceptable bounds (I had one that was too hot by a couple degrees and another that was underextracted:the opposite of Intelligentsia's problems). On the plus side, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially given the location.
(4)Meena V.
Great place to stop for a mid-marathon shopping day for a good, strong cup of coffee and a snack! I love that it's at least slightly tucked away from the main Michigan Ave stretch, which makes it significantly less overrun by tourists and walking shopping bags.
(4)Samantha L.
This is a great little coffee shop, with pretty awesome espresso drinks. I forget the name of what I got, but it was enjoyable, and I was fascinated by the other options, such as one espresso drink served in a martini glass. I sampled some of the gelato and enjoyed it, and the staff was super friendly. They could benefit from more space, but it was fine cause it wasn't too busy when I went. I will definitely go back sometime.
(5)Lindsay W.
I absolutely love Lavazza, and have become adicted not only to their lovely libations, but also to the friendly and helpful staff. I work right next door, where there is also a Starbucks, Argo Tea, and Dunkin Donuts, but usually opt to go into Lavazza because of the ambiance. Fresh sandwiches, salads, and bakery items are delicious (I love thier paninis)I wish it were slightly larger since I have always loved lounging at a coffeehouse, but for coffee on the run, I highly recommend it. They just opened a new Espression by Lavazza location at the Drake Hotel, but I have not yet ventured there. Oh, and you can stop by and say hello to me since my concierge desk is a stone's throw away. And, if you want to get me a drink, I like the Chai Latte. LOL.
(4)Mikey B.
I had a cafe au lait here that was literally the worst coffee drink I've ever had. It tasted like warm, sweet water with foam on the top, and the only reason I didn't return it is because I thought I would make a bad impression if I made a hissy fit. Sure, it was cheap (like 2.80 for the biggest size they had) but I honestly could not taste any coffee in it at all. I'll never go back... and I thought Lavazza was a good brand?!
(1)scott s.
Great italian coffee...chocolate chip cookies freshly made every day. They put out a promo calendar with hot italian(?) babes. The calendar used to be in your face when you checked out. Hey, where did that calendar go?
(3)claire s.
Finally a great Cappuccino!! Right proportion of milk and coffee.. Good taste..I love this: it's exactly like the one you can have in Italy. And you can have also fabulous Baci di dama and nutella croissants!! I really will recommend this place to everybody.
(4)Troy T.
Lavazza espresso is great and then it just gets better with their inventive drinks. We ALWAYS stop at one of the Lavazza locations in Chicago when we are in town. This location has great customer service and handles the busy times very well. We visited this location twice during our latest trip and each time (morning and mid-afternoon) we were pleased with the service and enjoyed the coffee and the food.
(5)Alex K.
Finally good espresso in town! They really know how to make it right! No more Starbucks and donnkin Donuts. THE Place Is very convenient and worth going! Real Italian coffee.
(4)Laura C.
Coffee wasn't too bad, although expensive. The service is what truly gets one star. If you forget someone's order, please apologize. I was tipped off by four people behind me getting drinks before me & then walking up to take the next drink assuming it was mine when in fact it wasn't. The way it was handled was pretty unprofessional - laughing to each other once realizing it hadn't been made and not once recognizing your mistake to me. No one even looked at me honestly. I get it, these things happen. It's how you handle it afterwards that counts.
(1)Tia F.
This place has NO OUTLETS. It's miserable to try to come here to have a coffee and catch up on emails or work for an hour bits lovely and great coffee and people but I've never known a cafe to have no outlets. Which sucks because this is my neighborhood cafe and I would come everyday if they did. If there is a change I would be there daily. I hope they do. *fingers crossed*
(2)Gabe G.
Excellent drinks for entire family including three kids. Ham and cheese quiche was excellent, almond latte was excellent, kids loved Nutella croissant. Something good for entire family. Just wish they had more space, but definitely worth stopping. We will return next time in Chicago
(4)Guy D.
The GF was running out of data minutes on the ol smartphone, free wi-fi in Chicago is harder to find than you think. Lavazza had free wi-fi and real good coffee.
(4)Jason G.
This place is hands-down disgusting. I was in Chicago and meeting a friend for coffee, and she just picked this place randomly. I wish she wouldn't have. When you walk in, there's a ceiling art installation or something like that with bottles all over the coffee area. It looked like it hadn't been dusted in years. I really could not care less about how good or bad the coffee was when you have to worry about age-old dust falling into your cappuccino. Very unappetizing. Ultimately, we just sat outside in one of the two tables left. Definitely wouldn't go back here.
(2)Brandon B.
I usually just get a coffee, but today someone introduced me to the idea of a fun dessert: Affogato. Wikipedia: "An affogato (Italian, "drowned") is a coffee-based beverage. It usually takes the form of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso. Some variations also include a shot of Amaretto or other liqueur." I think I have a new favorite: I got it with pistachio: a fun way to combine all your dessert services into one dish.Friendly and fast service, not too crowded on Sunday afternoon.
(4)Wm M.
Please keep this review between yourself and close friends ONLY!! For THE BEST treat Carlos makes a FRESH croissants the way they are supposed to be made light, flakey, perfection! No crazy names to remember, no long lines, it's quite possibly the best kept secret in town! Carlos makes them fresh every morning at 5am, by 6:30 they are cooled and ready to make your morning memorable. As the name gives away, this little cafè serves Lavazza brand coffee and espresso drinks that compliment the croissants perfectly. It's a perfect match. This place made my week! Enjoy.
(5)Mollie T.
Love the coffee. Staff was friendly. I just found that I can get Lavazza in the store but this was way better.
(5)Brianna F.
I worked here for Lavazza for a few months and it was hands down one of the most fun jobs I've ever had. I couldn't have had better coworkers and I regard the owners Sam and Seniha Karatas highly. They really care about the cafe and are always looking for ways to improve it whether it be seasonal menu items or improving the menu board. I absolutely loved working here and the food and coffee are so worth trying! The only thing I would say could be improved is maybe the seating? It is a very small space and when it becomes crowded, it is hard to navigate. Other than that 5 stars.
(5)Stephanie B.
Great coffee, nice staff. Highly recommend the ham and cheese croissant. Definitely a new favorite for breakfast!
(5)David A.
Coffee is great. People are always nice. 4/5 for cleanliness. 5/5 for everything else!
(5)Michael L.
Lavazza does such a great job! I don't really understand why people go to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks when this place is right down the street. They have some of the best coffee in the world.
(5)Christie B.
The carrot cake muffin and the scones are so good when first completed in the morning. The staff isfreindly too and is worth the visit.
(5)Danielle M.
I love Lavazza coffee... But I ordered a latte here with almond milk and it seems that this is just another place where people don't realize you can't heat almond milk at the same temperature as dairy milk or it burns and tastes like cardboard. I ordered the smallest size and can't even taste the espresso. Maybe I'd give them another chance but I know many other places in Chicago that do an almond milk latte well. The people working there were friendly though. I took it to go otherwise I would have asked for something else.
(2)Markus O.
Coffee twas quite watery. The milk in the macciato was all bubbles, but the espresso was pretty good
(2)Rosalee C.
The cappuccino was good, and this is a great place to relax and sit by the window or at the tables outside to watch the downtown traffic and people bustle by. The croissants, however, were disappointing. I read some reviews that said how great they were, but the cream croissant was hard, and the entire middle looked like a cave! There was some yellow custardy creamy something on the bottom of the cavern, and then there was this enormous emptiness, and then the top of the croissant that was super hard. I guess maybe this is how the croissant is supposed to be? But I was definitely not expecting that. So I asked the guy if this is how it's supposed to be, and he shrugged and said he doesn't know, but was nice enough to switch it out for a Nutella croissant instead. Unfortunately, that one wasn't great either.... But at least they were nice about it. So come here for the espresso, but if you are craving croissants, you might have better luck elsewhere.
(3)Vinay R.
The croissants are the best and of you get the nutella croissant with the cafe latte then you have a perfect combination for snack time
(3)Jenny L.
I've been there twice. The experience from the first visit was not worthy of a second visit. The servers couldn't even explain the drinks or show us the size of the cups. However, my friend was surveyed and received a store voucher for future visit. Not wanting to waste 'money', we went back a second time. On the second visit, the drinks came out ok but they were vacuuming the store and ceiling fixture while we were drinking our coffee. So weird.
(3)Christine Y.
Usually I love Lavazza because it's so European and the coffee can't be beat. However, this location is just awful. The coffee was ok but the food was terrible. I ordered the quiche of the day (by the way you're charged more than the actual menu price) and the next thing I see is someone put my quiche in the microwave to nuke for 3 minutes! The cashier also didn't know what any of the coffee drinks are. I sat down with my coffee until my quiche was ready. They brought everyone else in the cafe their food but I had to get up and get mine. Not a big deal but it was an added annoyance. Since the quiche was microwaved beyond oblivion, it obviously didn't taste very good. The crust was way too chewy and I have a suspicion that the "quiche of the day" is more like the "quiche of the week". Definitely won't be coming back to this Lavazza.
(1)Valerie C.
A great little taste of a European cafe! I felt like I was sitting back in Madrid - decor, menu, taste, everything. Their sizes are very much American! I got a grande cappuccino about the size of my head! The Nutella croissant was awesome! The croissant itself was so good!! I was basically licking the plate! Definitely worth dropping in for a cafe!
(4)Anya S.
Stopped in here randomly for some coffee ( could not find Starbucks). Had an iced mocha and it was amazing. Very coffee-ye yet with a chocolate twist. Friendly staff and euro atmosphere. Tiny tables and a few people reading newspapers. They also had some appetizing bakery items and quiches in the window.
(4)Ryne W.
We had a great experience my first time visiting. It was the perfect study atmosphere with great coffee and good music to compliment it. Our baristas were awesome too. William Boyd was always near to see if we needed anything and was consistently happy and refreshing. Dorell Tonson was was also a great server and showed the same characteristics and showed he generally cared that we had a good experience. Nothing bad can be said about their customer service. We were very pleased. The coffee was fresh and tasted great. I would definitely recommend Lavazza to anyone.
(5)Tom C.
If you want to enjoy a great cup of coffee, LavAzza is the place! The dark roast is great! My wife loves the Café Mocha! Enjoy!
(5)Landon L.
This was the first snow of the year, and it made me want to find a cozy coffee shop to split a gelato with a friend. This was the perfect spot! Rich chocolate gelato and Italy's best coffee... Perfect for a snowy day! Great service, super cute!
(5)Vishal P.
Great coffee shop using authentic Lavazza coffee... Italy's favorite! Lots of Italian inspired espresso drinks and desserts. Great prices too! I got a kick out of this place when a couple of girls from Italy ordered two espressos and were shocked at the size. They thought the were getting a different drink until someone had to explain to them that everything in America is bigger!
(4)Will M.
Lavazza has long been Italy's most populist coffee, and for good reason. I enjoy coming into this outpost of Italian flavors and European-styled traditions. The coffee and food is far better than Starbucks, though the staff seems to be the weakest link here. I understand that most people stumble in here while sightseeing or shopping the mag mile, but if you live here I'd suggest you make this a daily coffee shop.
(4)Stephanie P.
So glad I work right down the street from this place! Their regular coffee is outstanding. I haven't tried many of their specialty drinks, but they do have almond milk which is a nice change. I have to take a star off for the service as the employees seem miserable for the most part.
(4)Randy D.
I'm so happy to find this place for my morning coffee! Was so tired of the burnt coffee from the giant chain. The staff is very nice. Love it!
(5)Vina O.
This place seriously has the best latte I've tasted in Chicago. Totally trumps Starbucks and I may actually prefer Lavazza to Intelligentsia. :X
(5)Susan W.
Popped in here so a friend could grab a cappucino. I've decided to go back when I'm in Chicago to get some gelato!! Cute little shop with wonderful looking food. :)
(4)Mitchell R.
Absolutely wonderful Italian coffee. Helped to keep me going during all the sales! Tasted what I imagined Italy would serve in their coffee shops.
(5)Christina C.
it's a small hole in the wall, but it's great to grab some coffee to go. they also have sandwiches, but I feel like you can get more bang for your buck at marianos.
(5)Jessica D.
Saw this on the way to our restaurant and decided right then and there that's where we were headed after dinner. I'm a huge fan of Lavazza coffee, and have been for years, for making it at home. I had only been to the Lavazza shop in the Western suburbs years ago, and was aching for their delicious new menu items. This was serendipitous. I had the nocciolato, which is a spoonful of nutella, espresso, and delicious whipped cream topped by a couple of chopped hazelnuts. It's delicious and I would totally enjoy another one very soon! They have so many great specialties, like the espesso, that are unique to the brand and something I must try on my next visit. Can't wait! The space is L shaped and very tiny, but enjoyable in a bistro-type way. There is a wall with some small shelves and products on display which are all available for sale. Some of the items include packets and tins of all the Lavazza coffee varieties, little espresso cups and saucers, and other little coffee accessories. The staff was pleasant but not overly caffeinated, like at other places. Lavazza, grazie for a lovely experience at your Ohio St. location!
(4)Tiziana M.
Good product. Staff needs to go to a finesse class. A very tall African American barista mocked the Italian accent several times very loudly while calling out a drink as if the customer were on the other side of Lake Michigan. The place is small, no need to yell like that. She may have tried to sound funny to the people around her, but she assumed that no Italians were around. Not very professional. I didn't appreciate it (I'm from the same place the brand is from). For the management: This was on November 24th in the early afternoon, in case you feel like addressing it.
(3)Anjali M.
I actually discovered Lavazza coffee while in the French Polynesia and HAD to find it once I was back in Chicago. I was pleasantly surprised to see many locations in chicago. Hubby and I went there for a late afternoon lunch. The panini and baguette were delicious. Totally made me feel like I was in Italy. Iced coffee was the BEST ice coffee I have EVER had. But the piece de resistance was undoubtedly the pistachio gelato! I look for pistachio gelato on the menu everywhere I go. Even random, hole in the wall, non italian bars. This was by far the best gelato I have ever had! Do not miss out on this place!
(5)Tamir G.
Probably best coffee in Chicago. Not enough places to sit but that is what makes this place special. So not count on a true 2% milk as the mix skim and whole. That was disappointing. Some staff are more knowledgable then others. Overall it's a good coffee and that's what matters.
(4)Barbara W.
After a chilly morning walking around Gold Coast in Chicago, I stopped by here on my way home to get some caramel apple cider. The decor is not up-scale, and the cafe is located within a hotel, but the caramel apple cider was really great! The service was "fine" at best, but I loved sitting there and just enjoying my drink. They offer "to-stay" cups, which are not disposable, and allow you to really enjoy your drink while sitting in the space. I recommend stopping by after some shopping on Michigan Avenue, to visit and grab a warm drink for the commute/walk home.
(4)Michael B.
I live across the street from this place and frequent it about 2 times a week. The drip coffee is delicious, and is significantly better tasting than Starbucks. The pastries are very good, particularly the scones and croissants. They also have chocolate cake by the slice- so if you are in the mood for a cake snack, its very very good and not too filling. The staff here is nice, but like other said, not much room for seating.
(5)Daisy D.
Excellent espresso! After being dropped off to spend my last day in the city, my husband and I needed to plan out the rest of our day. After walking around the Shedd for a few hours, I was ready to pop a squat for a few minutes to give my feet a little break. As I perused the menu something immediately caught my eye: Nutella & espresso. What could be better? The hot espresso softened the Nutella and it offered a fantastic finish to my tasty shot.
(4)Justin L.
Few Seats for Expresso, Gelato and Coffee. All tasty in a Starbucks hood.
(3)Racquel D.
What a cute little cafe! I really wish they had more seating though. My friend and I came here for coffee and gelatos. I got the coffee, and she got the gelato. I ordered this espresso (or maybe it was just a regular coffee; I'm not sure) that had Nutella in it. I don't remember the name, but it was good. I'm not a huge coffee drinker but was in dire need of caffeine. The coffee was in a really small cup, but it certainly did its job of waking me up. I think this is another good place to hang out for dessert or to sit and chat with some friends. I would definitely come back.
(4)Amanda D.
I like coffee but I don't like a lot at once, especially if it's espresso. Therefore, the meringato is AWESOME. It's basically just a shot of espresso poured over nutella and then meringue pieces and whipped cream are added. It's very small, so don't go in expecting even a 6 ounce drink. It is so good and rich I can't imagine anyone would want more than it. The whipped cream melts around the meringue and the nutella is super smooth, and everything combines into this delicious little drink of magic. It's expensive as hell for what it is but entirely worth it. We came in right before they closed so I kind of picked it on a whim and it was damn good, but now that I look at their menu again I wish I could have stayed all day drinking things.
(4)Jay X.
I went with someone who said it was amazing gelato. This was my first time. I ordered hazelnut and he ordered chocolate chip. His tasted awfully artificial and overly sweet. Neither of us finished our gelato because his had a hair embedded into his and mine was filled with ice chunks. We also noticed there was this spoon "art" above the food (the food is is thankfully contained in glass) and it was covered in dust. Can you guys clean that at least?
(1)Kelly C.
Terrible service, not very clean, and the coffee wasn't very good. There are few things I require when stopping by for a latte on my way back from work. This place had none of them. I was overcharged for my latte, and I was basically ignored by all but one employee (the guy with the big hair under his cap-he was very nice). I won't be back, though I work around the corner.
(1)Jana C.
"Go ahead. Immure me in it....make my day." Sweet and simple: Lavazza makes *excellent* espresso. It packs a punch and the offerings beyond the coffee elixirs and concoctions stretch to gelato, panini, delicate and mouthwatering french croissants and pastries.... I want to inhale the whole store and bottle it up for pick-me-up purposes. Being inside for my single macchiato conjured up very distinct and strong memories of Europe for me. I savored it and smiled... a lot. Lavazza... thank you for your offerings....having purchased many bags of you in London last March, we haven't been estranged for too terribly long. I bow deeply and genuinely to you for being just one more piece of proof that there are good, joyful experiences to be had on this planet. mmmmMMMMMMMM
(5)Jessica L.
I stopped here on a whim for something to drink on a hot day in Chicago. Freakin' delicious specialty drinks. I had a iced espresso bianco, and dayum, was it refreshing. Prefect little place for something different than your regular chain coffee stops. Plus, the people there are super nice! Coffee always tastes a little bit better when it's served with a smile. I'll definetly be going here whenever I'm in need of a coffee fix in Chicago.
(5)Michelle N.
Service was baaaaarely okay, drinks were okay. I liked the hot chocolate, but that's bc I like my drinks warm (and not hot). One of my friends is into coffee said his drink wasn't hot enough. Espresso comes out looking like a cute little dessert, so that was pretty cool too.
(3)Shea F.
Coffee was good, but OMG this place was filthy. All tables dirty and not cleared and counters all had crumbs and such. I am not a picky guy, but was so bothered by the lack of cleanliness that I decided to post.
(2)Kien M.
I tried their latte and didn't think too much of it. It's not that much different from Starbucks.
(3)Kenny O.
This is the first café I had ever been to in Chicago :') Anyway, my first visit here in November 2010 will fondly be remembered, but this review is about my last visit here (2 weeks back). Saturday afternoon. I just got out of Dose Market and wanted a quick caffeine boost before getting some drinks across the street at Second Story Bar (review coming soon!). Drinks are priced with a premium. That's fine. I like branded shooters and martini glasses to sip my espresso in. I give this place a 3/5, however, because although I am always quite pleased by my order, the table we sat at went uncleaned for a good 10 minutes after repeatedly asking for someone to bus it. Instead of a usual relaxed conversation with a friend, we were awkwardly holding our drinks as the table had dirty cups and napkins overrunning it. TL;DR. Good drinks--highly recommended. Lower rating comes from crap attention to service. May or may not happen to you during your visit. YMMV.
(3)Nelson M.
Restaurant review A taste of Italy in a cup. In streeterville, you will find a lot of starbucks to quench your caffeine needs, however Lavazza offers you an alternative of rich bold espressos and gelato to complement your meal. There is a variety of caffeine products from your shots of espresso to cafe au laite that hit the spot. Fresh made gelato of many flavors can be seen as soon as you walk into the small shop. If your hungry you can even dive into there sandwiches, however you maybe better off at the nearby corner bakery. Pro: Fresh gelato of so many flavors, need I say more Cons: small store space, can get cramped if busy Hidden gem: The gelato is a a steal compared to ice-cream at your local BR. The single scoop in a waffle cone is sublime and bargain priced!
(4)Levi A.
Perfect for the Seattle-ite traveler who needs coffee before 7am on the weekends. Loved the black americano
(4)Shing Yiing O.
While waiting for my friend to arrive Chicago... Since I am living at the hotel next to it... Came down for a good breakfast... Ordered their decaf coffee and a quiche.. the quiche of the day was mushroom quiche... the quiche was not as good as I expected.. it's kinda cold and I don't really enjoyed it. The coffee was normal.. maybe because I ordered decaf??? I don't know... Overall I was disappointed since it has pretty good review on yelp... maybe I should try something else...
(3)Julia S.
Just what the doctor ordered for an afternoon pick me up cup of Jo (delicious) and mocha chip banana bread (made in house and need I say more..). The staff is so pleasant and helpful with food choices. European type atmosphere is wonderful. Perfect place for a "spoil thyself" morning or a more intimate yet casual lunch. Do try the 3 cookies deal they have - basically, its a small indulgence without the huge dunken doughnut like calorie count.
(4)Rag C.
This place is a great refresher if you are looking to break the Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts routine in your life. It also has a very European style to it (being a European/Italian coffee shop originally) and this adds some variety to the already lively Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago. Try their "Orange Mocha Mio" - its totally worth the money if you are looking to break away from the usual Caramel/Mocha/Vanilla/Cinnamon/Hazelnut flavors you can get along with your coffee at other pervasive major coffee chains around the city.
(5)Alexis M.
In a world of Starbucks dominated coffee it's a breath of fresh air to stop in this jaunt and grab a bold and flavorful espresso. I used to live in Italy and this is simply incredible quality that reminds me of being back there. You can not get a more authentic Italian coffee than here.
(5)Israel W.
Lavazza is a gem in a sea of Dunkin's and Starbucks. I have had ups and downs with the customer service, but James and Merci are so polite and helpful I can't help but give five stars. Plus, the coffee speaks for itself. Recommended for people who aren't looking for a milkshake but real, Italian sizes (meaning quantities meant for human consumption.)
(5)david k.
On good days, with the right barista, this is REAL espresso, and i can imagine i'm back in Italy in some little espresso bar off the Ponte Vecchio. Food and gelato are great, and service/vib in this Lavazza are our favs. The one on Washington is very city center, and that's fine (like it also), but we'd drive to this Lacazza after dinner for espresso/gelato, and it's the perfect oasis after shopping :)
(4)Christopher L.
For some reason, both the workers here were totally off. I'm not sure how many times we had to ask for and repeat our orders of hazelnut gelato and vanilla gelato before they got it right. I'd suggest hitting up another location. I wanted to get an americano, but they did not look like they had the ability...
(2)Irene G.
This review is only on their gelatos. I ordered chocolate and it was just okay. Nothing compared to other gelato places I've tried in the city. I think I'll try their coffee/espresso the next time I decide to stop in.
(2)Shradha A.
I had only really tried their gelato thus far and was a big fan. This weekend, I actually tried some other stuff - their croissants are really very good (even though they stopped doing the spinach-cheese stuffed ones) and their parfait was pretty good too! Next run - hopefully I'll finally try their coffees!
(4)Lydia K.
Perfect place to warm up with a quick lunch & coffee to go.
(4)M I.
Coffee was good, but everyone behind the counter was yelling at each other. Very unprofessional and quite frankly embarrassing. Don't think I will stop by there again for a while.....
(2)Lisa T.
Very cute place...and with such great reviews, I HAD to hit it up. And so glad I tried the chocolate croisssant. AMAZING! Make sure you get it heated it up a little, and ask for extra napkins. I found chocolate stains on my fingers hours later! I didn't grab a coffee, but watched them as they were serving them up...they looked delicious. Loved the interaction of the employees when they'd speak Italian to their fellow Italian-speaking customers.
(4)Shahram L.
Amazing everything. This is a cute little coffee shop with excellent Italian Coffee and French Bakery. I went here everyday during my stay in Chicago.
(5)MELEK L.
I HAVE NEVER HAD A CUP OF COFFEE BEFORE. Sipped it, hated it, and never looked back. And, no, I don't even like coffee tasting ice cream or candy. That doesn't matter at LavAzza Cafe though. They have many more items that keep me coming back day after day. Here's what I have tried since they opened 2 weeks ago... GELATO: Hazelnut and mango. Delicious and creamy smooth. My new favorite treat. They have 12 different flavors with much less fat than ice cream! CROISSANTS: Stuffed with ham & cheese, spinach, or just cheese. These are awesome! Ham & cheese is my fav. Needs to be stuck in the microwave for a few seconds to heat middle and melt cheese though. They also have butter, almond, and Nutella varieties. MUFFINS & SCONES: Blueberry, Cinnamon chip, Banana (with raisins?), chocolate chip, and more. SALADS & SANDWICHES: Loved the prosciutto and tomato. Many great options that are a perfect sized lunch. They also have cakes, desserts, hot chocolate (of interesting variety), hot/iced tea, espesso (their specialty whipped coffee), and more! Come in to check out the newest addition to the LavAzza family and the only location north of the Chicago river. There are a few tables and plenty of single stools to enjoy your treats. In the summer, there will be a sidewalk cafe too!! I love the fact that it is a 100% family owned business. Even if I don't drink coffee! But I heard that it's GOOD!
(5)David D.
Lavazza has become my new go-to spot for morning coffee. While there are better places for coffee in this city, none are as fairly priced and consistently good as Lavazza. For just under $4 I've got a double macchiato, cornetto and some great people-watching (seems about half the folks who come in are from Europe). The espresso drinks may not match nearly snob-like artistry of places like, say Intelligentsia, but are skillfully prepared and far surpass the price. Nothing to "wow" about the cornetto--light but substantive enough to get me through to lunch. They've been understaffed and therefore painfully on one or two occasions. Also, if there are more than three or four folks in line before you, things could take a while. I nearly forgot--tasty gelato. Nothing to write home about but, again, very good given the price.
(4)Haley S.
I frequent this location as I live around the corner. Excellent cafe au lait and basic lattes...I've never tried the mocha thing in the martini glass, but it looks great! I love their breakfast goods, especially the nutella and ham and cheese croissants (which they put in the panini press, so it's all melty). Friendly service, and not as tourist ridden as some other spots in the area.
(4)Kevin S.
Awesome coffee prepared here (that's what gets the big 5 stars), forget Starbucks this is the real deal. Tasty food snacks as well, can get busy but well worth the short wait. Seek it out for your morning kick start.
(5)Cecilia C.
Lavazza, you know I have a weakness for coffee, right? You also know that as a foreign born child I was raised to be slightly ever so snobby about things like meat, croissants, ice cream, and coffee. I can eat Baskin Robbins, but the world only sings if I eat gelato. And you have gelato. And Starbucks is good but it lets me down sometimes. You, with your strong, flavorful shots enveloping my tongue like the strong arms of some tall, handsome, and exotic, I haven't felt lost yet. And you know what is best of all? You have gelato AND coffee. Together. A marriage made in heaven, where sweet vanilla dances in the same cup with warm dark, rich wonderful to settle into one great sippable mess. Ugh. That was my Sunday night, thank you very much. I can still taste that coffee bean taste that reassures me I did indeed enjoy the hell out of my hard earned money. Lavazza, you have a great staff that always is willing to work with me to figure out what I want to try next. Have I tried the Irish Cream? The amazing Peppermint Bark drink? Coconut? Hmm...not for me...but suggestions are always offered with a smile and the service is quick. Why aren't there more of these? Lavazza, can I have your child?
(5)V T.
Just finished the best hot chocolate I've ever had, "italian hot chocolate". Don't want to know what goes in, how much or why...all I know is that it was the best $2.90 I ever spent and tasted like liquid fudge in a cup. Needless to say, I will be back.
(5)Bubo O.
Could be great with some improvements to the experience. In Italy, this location would be a second string coffee bar for the reasons listed below. Pros The quality of the coffee is quite good (better than Starbucks), wide variety of stuff to eat inc gelati, sandwiches, pastrys etc. lots of coffee drinks, teas and chocolates. Service was swamped when I was there. Cons No apparent rest room or signs, could be cleaner, lots of overhead dust, space is tight, understaffed, freezer didn't look very effective. If they could combine their superior products with McDonald's or Starbucks' effectiveness, they would give Starbucks a run for their money. Qualified recommendation.
(3)Seb H.
Nice ambiance to just hang out. Excellent hot chocolate and great nutella croissants. Chai latte is pretty good as well. I go regularly and it's always exactly as expected. Love it.
(5)Erika G.
Ambrosia. Thought I was in Florence for a minute, but then stepped back out onto Ohio. *sighs* Worth every penny of the pricey $2.95 Cafe au Lait. Went back again today, and got overcharged for an additional coffee that I didn't order. No matter, there was a froth of hot Italian dudes in here that distracted me while the cashier was fixing her mistake. The butter croissant was delicious, and a perfect size. It wasn't tiny, nor big as my head. Delish. Got plain drip coffee today, and noticed how impossibly smooth it is, compared to Starbuck's burnt twig water. Ohhh, Lavazza, I'm yours. Be gentle with me.
(4)Hillary L.
I met up with a friend here this afternoon- it was beautiful when I left my apartment so we were able to enjoy the tables outside- of course as I was leaving the rain started coming down. I don't drink coffee - but they had a great selection of quick sandwiches, gelato, and non-caffeine drinks. I opted for a scoop of lemon gelato, which was ok but it didn't seem that many people order it so it may not always be fresh- just a warning. The girl next to us had a hot chocolate that looked divine- I wish I had gotten that. I'd come back here for it. It was a dark, rich brown color with a light foam on top, If I wasn't too full I would have gotten it right then and there. Lavazza had a pleasant atmosphere (slower paced that Michigan Ave) and they were pretty quick with my friend's coffee type drink (I can never remember those names...) so you can sit and enjoy your meal/drink/person you're with. I feel that I can't really give it too many more stars since I don't drink any of the drinks they're known for- oh well, I'll leave that up to everyone else.
(3)