Over the summer, there was a TikTok trend where users would ‘treat’ themselves by purchasing a snack or caffeinated beverage. With a few weeks of the school year already complete, we all deserve to do the same – to ‘treat’ ourselves. Here are some aesthetic cafes near campus that will help you do just that.
Sawada Coffee
Starting off strong, Sawada Coffee offers customers a pleasant experience grabbing coffee while being one of the most aesthetically pleasing cafes in the city. It is known as the first coffee shop of Hiroshi Sawada, a “world renowned barista and latte art master”.
When you walk in, there is an upper level where you can order from their extensive menu. Stairs lead to a lower level with plenty of seating room and rustic decor. Just outside of the coffee shop is an alley connected to surrounding businesses. The alley offers even more seating room with beautiful views.
When I visited, I was able to try the seasonal Pumpkin Latte as well as the specialty Military Latte, as pictured. The Military Latte combines espresso, matcha, vanilla, and cocoa powder for a ‘treat’ experience like no other. Some other signatures include the Black Camo Latte – houjicha, espresso, vanilla, and cocoa powder – and the High Five Mocha – mocha with Sansho and orange.
Not only does Sawada offer a range of caffeinated drinks and adult beverages, they also have a menu with doughnuts and other pastries. To see a full menu, click here.
If you are interested in visiting Sawada, they are located at 112 N Green Street in Chicago. They are open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Espresso Palette
Next up on the list we have a hidden gem only ten minutes from campus. Espresso Palette is a coffee shop like no other. They take creativity very seriously, made clear with the way they represent their craft and use their space to feature artwork. The gallery-type feel and brightness opens up the space and makes this a great option to ‘treat’ yourself and stay awhile.
During my visit, I tried a Butter Pecan Latte, as pictured. While the flavor was not too strong with a more powerful espresso taste, it was highly enjoyable and I definitely plan on returning.
They currently offer a range of seasonal drinks. These include Chumpkin Pumpkin Chai, Pumpkin Spice, A Little Orange Pumpkin Thai, and some cocktails.
On their regular menu, they offer all of the basics paired with a solid food selection. A couple standouts include the Tomato Pesto Goat Cheese & Caramelized Onion and Bacon Quiche. For a full menu, click here.
Espresso Palette is located at 5730 W 111th Street in Chicago Ridge. See them Sundays thru Tuesdays at 8 AM to 7 PM.
Matcha Cita
Are you looking for a ‘treat’ that is not all about coffee? Matcha Cita stands out as a cafe with drinks and sweets all starting with one thing – matcha. The business founder is Bianca Pearson, a lover of matcha, interior design, and Chicago’s West Loop.
You can expect a memorable experience from the moment you walk in. Whether it be from the flowers hanging from the ceiling, the signs, or the sweets themselves, there is a bit of something for everyone.
As pictured, I ordered the Charcoal Matcha with vanilla sweetener. The taste definitely differs from what you would expect to be standard for matcha. It seemed a little sweeter, and there are several options for flavors. Signature menu items include the Matchacita Latte, Bluetiful, Pink Señorita, and Purple Haze.
Aside from these tea options, the menu also incorporates coffee, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and bubble waffles. For a full list, click here.
The location I visited is located at 1017 W Lake Street. They can also be found in River North at 648 N Clark Street. West Loop’s hours include Monday-Thursday from 8 AM to 6 PM, Friday until 5 PM, and weekends at 8:30 AM to 6 PM.