Emerald City Coffee

WiFi: 234.5 mbs down 18.6 upload; Printer: YES!; Seats: 40 with two inside rooms and outside picnic tables. Couches, tables, benches. Great variety, feels small but cozy. Intimate proximity to each other; Outlets: lots of power strips throughout; Lighting: Bright, Natural Sunlight; Noise: quiet and calm, perfect for calls; Vanilla Latte: $4.75 Order pressure: none; I love the big windows and quiet setting. The seating arrangements are ideal and comfy. Really enjoyed working here and had clean bathrooms. However it closes at 4 pm. Wish I could have stayed longer.

I have been to a few coffee shops and this is the best I have attended in a while. The art work, music and ambience makes it the ideal spot to work, study or relax. The pesto mozzarella bagel sandwich was good but the iced cafe latte lacked any sugar. The disadvantages are that this place closes early and their kitchen closes much earlier. One day they were opened till 5 but closed the kitchen at 2 pm which doesn't make sense. This is not an example of good customer service and doesn't look good from a business standpoint. I would love to come here again to work if they could open late till 6 or 7 pm.

👋🏻 Hey fellow Google Maps users! ☺️ I went to this coffee spot/cafe on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 for a remote work day. I stayed from around 10 am - 3 pm. The lady that took my order was very nice. Unfortunately, they don’t have lemons so they were out of lemonade. I decided to give one of their teas a shot. I tried their apricot black tea. I’m a pretty picky person and didn’t end up liking it. Maybe tea isn’t for me. 😭 ☕️ Overall, I had a good experience at this spot. It gave me cozy vibes. They even had board games and puzzles. The music was played at a very good volume, somewhat loud enough for you to hear it as background music, but not too loud. The cushioned bench I sat at wasn’t the most comfortable and didn’t seem to be the most sturdiest. I was able to successfully get my work done and meet 2 of my students in person. I definitely plan on coming back here if I meet with my students again in person. ✨ Extra things that I felt like were cherries on top to my experience being here. I saw the cutest wiener dog ever and the lady that took my order gave the doggie bacon. In the bathroom, the entire wall including the door was a chalkboard. I had to represent the non-profit I work at, College Possible. 💌 I hope this review helps Emerald City Coffee & its current and future customers. Have a nice day! ☺️

Very cute storefront there, one of the more affordable local coffee shops. They always have a little news board of local events which is nice to check out. Plus a large selection of board games, puzzles, and books. They also have a back quiet section for those who just want to read or study and be left alone. Lastly, shout out to Arlo. Favourite worker there

The cafe has a lot of specialty drink options, which is great if you enjoy variety. They also have food, wifi, and plenty of seating so it’s great to work for a bit (though they close early so thats only if you’re a morning person). loved the specialty latte I got! I also liked that they had food, though it was only okay (but I feel like food is of secondary importance for a coffee shop). I wish the tacos’ cheese was nicer/more melted (instead of just grated cheese and not melty). The baked goods looked really nice but I didn’t have any.

One of my favorite coffee shops in the city. Great drinks and food, amazing service, and such a wonderful and diverse crowd of people in here every day. Very much a “coffee house” vibe.

I've been a loyal patron of this coffee shop in Uptown since before I relocated to Chicago. It’s one of the staples that drew me to this neighborhood. I always tell everyone I know they must try it! Over the past year, I've visited daily with my ESA dog, enjoying coffee, tacos, and the open mic nights on Wednesdays. My dog and I always sat quietly in the corner booth, and she was often treated to bacon by the kind baristas who knew our regular order. The shop even features some of my artwork, making it a cherished part of my new home in the city. However, today I was abruptly told that my dog is no longer allowed to sit at the table with me. This came without any prior conversation or explanation, just a condescending remark implying it should be common sense. For the past year, this had never been an issue(her sitting with me), and my dog has always been still, quiet, and well-behaved. I understand the policy, but the sudden change and the way it was communicated left me feeling heartbroken and unseen. I thought I had built a relationship with this dog-friendly establishment, only to feel unwelcome now. It's disappointing to have such a foundational part of my routine and place in this community disrupted in this manner.

The staff members exhibited a lack of warmth and appeared somewhat haughty in their demeanor. It was evident that their primary motivation for working there was financial rather than a genuine passion for the industry. Additionally, the excessive noise levels resulting from loud music and conversations among patrons created an unfavorable ambiance. Lastly, coffee was meh like so so at least drinkable.

Real old school coffee house they've nailed it! Good drinks selection could use more eats but good stuff.

My boyfriend and I went here this morning. I ordered an iced Americano and blueberry lemon loaf. My boyfriend ordered a cold brew, a cinnamon roll, and a breakfast taco. Both baristas were friendly and welcoming. Our order was correct and there was no problem. The last time we were there we had lousy service, this time the service was amazing. For sure we will come back.

Loved this coffee shop! I've been trying to explore more coffee places near me this month and Emerald city is definitely one of the quieter ones I've been to which makes it great for working, studying, or reading a book. There's a back room with several shelves of board games and the decor is very cozy. Staff was friendly and the coffee is good! My favorite was the cinnamon roll. Not the gooey kind (which I also love) but made of a thicker dough and some of the best icing I've had in a while. Definitely try one if you're into pastries on the sweeter side.

Great vibe. I like the drink that I had. I don't remember what it was. It was a Mexican mocha. My roommate, Carter, also had decent review of the burritos breakfast they serve. Awesome. The people there are nice, I like them. Good date place, good friend place, and good place

An eclectic mix of modern and old fashioned coffeehouse values, Emerald City Coffeehouse introduced me to the Almond Simone Latte, a creation seemingly created by Emerald City with Hibiscus that tantalized the tastebuds. I loved it!!! Though it was my first time at this great hidden gem, I will be back soon.

Great cold brew, delicious black bean egg and cheese breakfast taco and helpful staff! We love a medium to dark roast w a chocolate flavored cold brew, unlike the tart, light brew cold brew every coffee shop is doing now. And Emerald City hit the right mark! I'd probably ask for less ice next time! The tacos were small but filling! The potato was my favorite!

Cool little ramshackle spot with decent coffee. Social conscience vibe. Lots of board games and dark corners.

I've been in this neighborhood for a year now, and it took me until now to finally check this place out. I am very close so I'm surprised it took me this long, but I strolled in on a Sunday morning around 9:30am, and the staff here were very welcoming and the vibes were cozy. The like the ambiance here. It has interesting decor and feels almost like a woody grandma type space... maybe even a hipster coffee shop that you'd see in Capitol Hill, Seattle. I do feel like this is a great place to sit and read a book, and they have an extended room towards the back so it's a lot bigger than I realized! Definitely a neighborhood friendly cafe and I'll 100% be returning!

I love this place!! They have so many beverage options and my favorites so far are the Love Potion and the Emerald City Matcha!! I also pretty much live off of the breakfast tacos because they are so good hahaha I'm so grateful to get to eat them! The staff is really cool too. I do wish it was bigger and more spread out, but that's a good problem to have; a lot of people just like it there and for good reason.

New to the area & love to spend my WFH days here. comfy cozy vibe with lots of seating & eclectic decor. A great selection of speciality coffee drinks, my favorite being the Mayan Mocha!

Was this the best coffee I've ever had? No. But I would not hesitate to come here again if ever in the area. This coffee shop is super socially conscientious and open to all; visiting consumers, neighborhood regulars, local artists, and those down on their luck. Lots of seating space, clean gender neutral bathrooms, and efficient service. Breakfast menu consists of various bagel sandwiches. At 8.99 a poop, I was a little disappointed in the size of the bagel - it was good enough for a quick snack. The dirty chai with oat milk I ordered was prepared with care and has a good flavor.

Best little local spot with amazing homemade bagels. Every time I go I always get the Simone. Great vibes and friendly staff!

This is one of my favorite coffee spots in all of Chicago. It's located in the heart of one of Chicagos most diverse neighborhoods. ECC has several displays of local art work and often hosts community events, comedy shows, and other activities. There are two separate seating areas. The one in the back is a little quieter and more private. This is a great nook with lots of room to work in a creative space. The service is always top notch and the staff always meets customers with kindness.

this is such a Coffee Shop do y'all feel me? Like you move to chicago and want to have the city coffee shop experience, then come here omg. it's like the aesthetics of the musical RENT in a coffee shop. This is So Coffee Shop omg 10/10 didn't even need creamer in my cold brew

This place is practically perfect. The staff are so nice, the food is delicious and the coffee is even better. I've been going here to do work for several weeks now and it doesn't get old. It just feels so cozy and I find that I can focus very easily. (they also have great reliable wifi)

Not my favorite coffee place tbh. Small and dingy. Serves coffee and tea coffee company as the drip brew (which I love coffee and tea).

Been last 100 times and finally gave it a try. I'm just mad I didn't stop in earlier! I'll start off with the blueberry chocolate chip muffin, I can say with 100% certainty it was the best muffin I've ever had! Also got the cold brew which was quite delicious as well, they should call it the "gold brew"! I'll defiantly be back

The Wilson location is larger than the former Sheridan location which allows for more area to work. Coffee as usual was he was great. Serve staff were attentive & great to deal with.

Great coffee, good service, chill vibe, ok space to get work done. I actually prefer their other location 7 minutes away, but to grab to-go Mocha or my favorite Caffe Medici this location gets the job done. Their breakfast tacos have a cult following despite being standard bacon, eggs and cheese on a flour tortilla. I've tried sandwiches and other food items, but will stick to the coffee. .. it's what they do best.

My favorite coffee spot in uptown. The staff is approachable and seems to enjoy working there! The coffee is always delicious and their vegan muffin is soooooo good!

This is a super cute coffee shop in uptown! It is super close to the Wilson cta stop. We had the emerald matcha latte, blueberry lemon tea, and house made bagels! All of it was great and would definitely recommend. The service was also lovely and made some great suggestions.

The inside of emerald city coffee is worth a visit in itself. It's very homey, with an electric fireplace and plenty of comfy seating. Board games are available and the wall art is so interesting! The downside is that the drink prices are a bit steep and they were out of bagels when we came - which seemed strange for a coffee shop on a Sunday morning! My fiancé had a blueberry muffin which he labeled the best he ever had, so we'll be returning again so I can try one! Cute place, decent coffee!

Was in the Uptown area earlier, and found this gem of a place on Wilson. Never been before, and the barista recommended the Cafe Medici which is some combination of espresso, chocolate, and hint of orange peel served hot or cold. I got it iced and it was superb. The place had some awesome looking pastries that I would like to try sometime. They do have indoor seating as of today, and it looks like a nice place to get work done with individual lamps per table. Definitely give them a try sometime if you are in the area!

I stopped in to meet someone. Of all my years living in the neighborhood I never stopped in. On the first step in, I knew this was going to be my place. Sometimes you go to cool coffee places but their coffee kinda sucks BUT NOT HERE! I tried their cafe Medici and haven't turned back yet! Saying it's good would be such an understatement! So, if the environment was cool and the coffee was perfect the staff had to be sub-par right? Not here. I have been here now a few times and every time the baristas and staff have always been sweet and helpful! Will continue to come here and it is a gem to the community!

Came here after a run and ordered a chicken pesto sandwich to go for my son. Before I had a chance to take a picture, he scarfed down the while I was getting settled in. He said it was really good and then asked why I can't make food like this. Thanks Emerald City for raising the bar ;) Also, the coffee shop is setup to minimize exposure. People enter through Emerald City but exit through Red Rum next door to prevent patrons from piling up by the door. Sanitizer is by the register, and since I was waiting outside, they brought my order out to me. Nice artwork inside and they have board games inside. I imagine it's a nice hangout once the pandemic is over.

Delicious and inviting. Would definitely stop back in. Coffee is outstanding here! Owner very involved with the community homeless .. great business to support

While I would love to have more to say about this place, it was pretty underwhelming. Limited coffee choices, usually only 1 person working as the barista/cashier, broken down furniture, and very busy decor. I couldn't find anything excellent here, but I also didn't find anything terrible. It was just a place to get coffee if you're walking by, but not the type of place you go to make memories. With the competition of a Chicago cafe's, there are a lot of other options if you're looking for something outstanding.

If I could design the perfect coffee house, it would be Emerald City Coffee. And no, I'm not exaggerating, not hyperventilating, and not easily impressed. This, to me, is exactly what I want in a coffee house -- a soothing atmosphere, friendly baristas, good drinks, and an extremely comfortable place to study, visit with a friend, or just sit back and soak up the good vibes. There are games and crossword puzzles provided for quiet entertainment. There are books. There is interesting original art on the walls. There are two rooms with comfortable seating and pleasant but unobtrusive background music that enhances conversation rather than drowning it out. It's a place to practice the quiet art of conversation. It's a place for community. And, as a vegan, I appreciate that I can get a treat or a sandwich. I'm not asking for a complete menu, mind you -- that's unrealistic -- but I sure do appreciate having a selection. That, too, encourages me to sit for a while, and maybe spend a little more money than I'd planned. That's definitely good for the business. Emerald City Coffee is a place of comfort, maybe even a refuge from the craziness that we experience elsewhere. It's a place to return to, time and time again. My only complaint is, I wish it was closer to where I lived. I have to make a bit of an expedition to visit, but the trip is worth the effort. I love this place.

I have been a patron of this location for nearly two years and sadly I may need to find another coffee shop near by. The owner has really cheaped out on the cups and lids for their to go coffees. The last 4 times I have gone recently I keep getting leaking cups that have piping hot coffee oozing out the sides of the lids. I was hoping it was an isolated thing but it has occurred frequently and I am concerned so many others who may purchase to go coffee may have this happen to them as well.

The food is excellent. Everything is home made. The cinnamon buns are fantastic!!! Also had the cream cheese bagel with bacon, tomato and lettuce. The bagel was without a doubt homemade and fresh. Love this place.

Emerald City Coffee is a pretty neat place to visit. Prior to visiting Emerald City, I'd been told by many people in the neighborhood that it's a place that is definitely worth checking out. I finally got around to checking out the cafe and it was everything that I heard it would be. It's the type of cafe that's suitable for so many situations (first date, studying, rocking out, etc.). I decided to check out Emerald City because I wanted to do a work remotely and this was the perfect time to check out the cafe. Emerald City was spacious and offered ample sitting. Unfortunately the plugs were limited so I ended up sharing a table with someone in order to get access to a plug. But it's the type of place where that's cool! During my visit I had the chance to try out the cinnamon roll and one of their sandwiches. They even warmed up the cinnamon roll so it made it ten times better and they allowed me to add an additional topping to my sandwich. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. I would highly recommend checking out Emerald City!

Hubby and I made an impromptu stop here at the "Emerald City Coffee." This is their second location (the first one is attached to the CTA Sheridan Red Line station). This one took over the old Magnolia Cafe, which experienced an disastrous burglary in September 2015. They seem to be doing quite alright. The clientele is consisted of students and Uptown residents. The seating is plenty, so are the outlets. Therefore, feel free to bring in your electronic gadgets and chill here for some time. "Emerald City Coffee" has an extensive menu on their espresso drinks. I reviewed "Cafe Medici" from their original location a year ago. I thought the contrast flavor profile between the chocolate syrup and orange peel was unique and interesting. However, I liked "The Simone" way better. This contained hibiscus and was a "longer" version of espresso. I wasn't sure if my illustration made any sense. I felt I was drinking a kiddy-size mocha, but it was a genuine espresso. I loved the fact they didn't try to over-sweeten the matcha tea latte. Some places in the city would make it cloying. The funny thing was the nice barista lady gave us a fair warning that the drink wouldn't be heavily "sugarized." No, we actually didn't need all that excessive sugar, yet thank you for being kind on providing such information. "Emerald City Coffee" is located approximately one (1) block west of the CTA Wilson Red Line station (the fare card-only entrance). It's also accessible via #78 (Montrose) bus.

I'm sorry to say that after almost three years of living within walking distance of this place, I just now stopped in for the first time. They are currently the only coffee shop near me offering indoor seating during this transitional post-covid time, and I'm glad they are because it gave me the motivation to finally come here. Walking in feels like time traveling to a cool cafe in the '90s, before gentrification took the edge off the urban coffee scene. (I was surprised to learn they've only been here since 2016, though their original location on Sheridan--now closed--was around earlier.) There's eccentric local art on the walls, funky decor (did I notice a skull motif?), fully stocked bookshelves, a piano, and two separate seating areas with plenty of space (I think they removed some tables for social distancing). When I was there they had painting supplies set out for anyone to use, apparently something they do every Friday. The staff seemed somewhat aloof and indifferent to my presence, but I'm 100% fine with that in a coffee shop and frankly it just made the place seem cooler. I had a cold brew (at $3, possibly the cheapest cold brew in town) and a chicken pesto sandwich that was a little too drippy but good quality, especially the bread. I'd definitely come back and try some other stuff on the menu and sit in one of the lounge-backed seats with a book again.

I am a big fan of this cute little coffee shop!! I love all things honey and cinnamon and the Miel Latte is a treat! I like it either iced or hot! Highly recommend!!

Emerald City is the one of the best coffee shops I've ever visited. The drinks are fantastic (Dirty Chai Latte!), and the quality of the espresso is great. The ambiance is perfect to settle in and get some work done, but it's also perfect to sit down with a friend and chat. One of the best coffee shops in the Chicago area!

really nice employee who was patient with me not knowing what I wanted! good coffee and fun atmosphere/ decor

Ample space for a small meetup to simply enjoying one of their freshly made breakfast sandwiches or pastries. My niece particularly loves the hot chocolate while playing boardgames in the back. Looking forward to sitting outside and people watching in the upcoming months.

I have an hour to kill so why not check out my new work neighborhood? This coffee shop is directly near Truman College and the Red line Wilson train station. The employee was helpful and knowledgeable with the coffee list and I decided on a cafe medici with whipped cream. A cafe medici is espresso + chocolate with an orange peel & whipped cream--the orange peel is added flavor and is tasted towards the last drop! Yum! The barista looked alert & oriented x3, whereas I'd rather crawl back into bed and escape adulting! The front part of this establishment has board games to choose from! Next time, I will bring my 4 year old during times there isnt a crowd of college students or train commuters around. There's also wall paintings and available for purchase. I sat towards the back area towards the 3 bookcases and piano; I wished I still learned how to play! On a final note, the menu consists of traditional, something different, noncoffee options, and sandwhiches. Parking is challenging: meter parking available.

Omg this place was so cool and quirky! I had a delicious sandwich and amazing Japanese cherry blossom tea. Lots of board games to play and lots of space to work.

Emerald City is everything you need in a coffee shop. It's clearly frequented by Uptown locals and I see why Emerald City earns their stamp of approval. I tucked in here early on a Sunday morning and was delighted by their specialty coffees. I tried the meil with soy milk, which comes in an 8oz cup. I've never had espresso sweetened with honey and spiced with cinnamon before but enjoyed this cup! The atmosphere is casual and inviting. The space is larger than I expected with a nice mix of seating options. The staff are friendly and warmly greeted the regular patrons. This is a great local find in the Uptown neighborhood, right off the Wilson red line stop.

I decided to try this place since I walk by it all the time. I tried the caffe medici latte (espesso, chocolate, orange peel, and milk) and the breakfast taco. Yum! Both were very good. I think the caffe medici latte is my new favorite drink. So smooth and creamy! Lots of drinks, sandwiches, and pastries to choose from. The place is a bit small as you walk in, but there is plenty of extra seating towards the back of the shop. I like the exposed brick with the exposed pipes (painted black). They are even dog friendly.

Comedy Night completely surpassed all of my expectations! One doesn't generally have high expectations for comedy at a Cafe, but every performer threw down! Talent was raw, young, and millennial that came hard with all the jokes! Everyone was laughing and the momentum lasted the whole evening! These kids were so good there's no doubt they'll end up at the esteemed clubs in the near future. I can't forget to rave about the host/mc whom was phenom! Best perk is, it's completely free to attend! The cafe has a hip and cozy vibe. Not pretentious at all. Come as you are feel. Board games and book shelves are fully stocked. As far as treats and warm beverages go, I didn't order anything because Comedy Night is B.Y.OB. and my friends came prepared with a bottle of tequila and a pack of strawberitas. Held once a month in the Uptown neighborhood this place is a hidden gem, reminding clientele what small independent businesses have to offer! Held on Sunday evenings, theres a row of free meter parking right in front. Makes for a chill and highly entertaining Sunday evening!

Just the best baristas and the best coffee. Emerald City is doing it right. Get the oat milk mochas!

Cute coffee shop! It can be a bit difficult to spot due to some lack of signage. Lots of various coffee offerings, including some unique ones. Also some food offerings. It's nice and quiet during the day, making this a good spot to do some work. (Though, the Wi-Fi password is still a mystery.) There's also a bunch of board games and cool little nooks to chill in. Be sure to try the cafe medici - double shot of espresso with orange and chocolate. So yum! Staff are good. Not the most pleasant or enthusiastic. (But is that really even needed? They know how to make great coffee.) Overall, a great neighborhood coffee shop.

If I ever move from here I'll cry. I can walk here and it's great. Love their cold brew. Good prices and great vibe. And their sandwiches are bomb! The BLT is so good. I love that they're not trying to be hipster. They just are who they are and it's super chill!! Also great study space!

A great addition to the Uptown ("Sheridan Park"? Psshhht, please.) Neighborhood! It's big and inviting, music loud enough to create an ambiance (so you're not just hearing yourself slurping) but not too loud to easily carry a conversation. Friendly staff, too. Plenty of room to hang out, board games, puzzles, or just order and take off with one of their homemade granola bars. Even with the other quality coffee shops in the area, Emerald City holds its own and is not to be missed.

Hands down the best Americano I've had. Service and quality has stayed consistently good for years now and I can't imagine a better neighborhood spot to spend my weekends at.

Very cute coffee shop. It's a great spot to stop by when you need to work from home or you need a new spot to study. This place is a little quirky with puzzles, board games and a piano. It's a five minute walk west of the Wilson stop, so it's not difficult to get to. The drinks are great and they can be made both hot and cold. There are a decent amount of spots in the coffee shop (along with a decent amount of outlets), but Sunday's can be tough, especially if you come with a friend. I would recommend this place to a friend and I will be going back soon.

Really cute spot with great coffee...but why the need to blare the music? Most folks likely want to work or converse.

Stopped in to kill some time before an appointment and love the vibes AND amazing coffee! Highly recommend for a chill spot to do a little work, read of just enjoy a coffee.