Fairgrounds Craft Coffee and Tea

Tried capuchino, mocha and a chocolate croissant. You can tell the croissant is bad by just looking at it. The location and outside seats are nice, but customer service really needs better attention.

Sorry to say but it was mid. The milk in my cappuccino was steamed too much and too hot to drink immediately. It looked like a cappuccino you get from a bean to brew machine again a train station. It took a long time to get my order and the area looked disorganized. Maybe I came on an off day? Your employees look really stressed and probably were just unable to keep up with the rush. I wanted to order one of the 8 special roasts yall have but then decided against it since it seems impossible to calibrate all 8 grinders when you’re struggling to just keep up with the regular demand. Please make sure your employees are well supported and cut back on the number of offered drinks if it’s overwhelming for them!

Friendly service who was also very helpful in helping me match the tasting notes I wanted for my made to order drip coffee. It’s a small area with just a few seats but enough to rest while waiting for the coffee

Coffee was a bit expensive and tasted alright, but atmosphere was very cozy and nice!

A small coffee place, but it has one the best view on the park across the street. Not a lot of place to sit down and it's always packed with tourists. There's a nice terrasse outside where you can sit down, sip your tasty coffee and have one of their many pastries.

Ebony took great care of me, even with my ridiculous order of a lukewarm latte. The ambiance is beautiful, nested in the corner of a gorgeous entryway. It was the perfect finish on a chilly trip to Millennium Park.

Great coffee drinks! This little coffee place needs accurate and better signage to help tourists like me figure out where to order without having to ask. Help yourself to water, but pay no attention to the sign offering water with bubbles, cuz there’s only still tap water. Skip the cramp tiny space to drink your coffee and head right up stairs to the warm, darn, cozy lounge if the Chicago athletic club! They have 3 fireplaces up there and a full bar!

Very friendly barista and good quality coffee. Their location is great you just have to pay attention a little bit since their entrance is kind of small and hidden. They do have lots of good and unique flavors like rose and agave. Their prices is also very reasonable for what they offer. Definitely will come back

While staying in downtown Chicago at the Chicago Athletic Club Hotel, we were fortunate enough to have Fairgrounds Coffee located at the base of the building. In town for a long holiday weekend and a wedding, Fairgrounds Coffee provided us with some delicious caffeine drinks to keep us going. I loved the variety of coffee they had on tap as well as the plethora of espresso beverages. All of their lattes were delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the shaken oat milk espresso. If you find yourself in the area, I would definitely stop by and grab a drink.

This "Fairgrounds Coffee ans Tea" location is attached to the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. There is not much seating in the actual venue itself, but I see a plenty of outdoor seating during summer and early fall on the hustling and bustling Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. App. ordering is the way to go. Drinks are ready within minutes of ordering. My workplace isn't far from the location, about 5 minute walking distance away. The barista are friendly. However, they do not offer made-to-order food items and these are still in the app. for this location for some reasons. I would say just be aware. They have food in the fridge and some may require a microwave, if you just want to grab n' go. Occasionally they have promotions and deals downloaded on the app., such as $4 pumpkin spiced latte for thr autumn season. 50 points will get you a free drink (excluding smoothie) and 100 points will get you a free food item. That's pretty generous in my opinion. Whenever I want to treat myself on work days, I will get something from Fairgrounds here because it is very convenient and all major CTA El lines and busses are nearby.

Wandered into Fairgrounds craving a light iced tea or coffee on this hot summer Sunday. Loved the vibes and stayed to do some work. The drink came out so quick and tasted great! The floral matcha balanced well with the strawberry. Happy I came in!

What a beautiful weekend to visit Fairgrounds Coffee in the loop! You can sit out in their patio and enjoy the city while sipping on your drinks! The loop location is a little smaller than the other locations but the outside is really nice and the service is also kind and quick!

First time grabbing coffee at this location before heading out towards the river on st Patrick's day. It was a cute and cozy coffee spot with quick service even on a busy day. Not pictured but we also got a scone and bagel which the cream cheese seems to be made in house fresh and was delicious as I loved whipped cream cheese. The coffee was good but disappointed that they didn't have brown sugar to make a brown sugar latte!!

Best coffee I've had in Chicago. Omari, barista extrodinaire, served up the most perfect coffee and tea for our group. He's a delightful conversationalist, a master of his craft and has a great smile. Get down there, you'll leave happy! Recommend the pour over cafe au lait, also the ginger turmeric latte (tea based) is fire!

Got the matcha latte. It comes unsweetened but they were able to add a little simple syrup to make it sweeter for me. The matcha latte wasn't bad. They provide little indoor seating, but tons of outdoor seating. They provide free still and sparkling water as well

Small little coffee bar located inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. They have variety of drip coffee, espresso drinks, and matcha. No sitting inside but good spot to grab some great coffee drinks across from the cloud gate.

Terrible. The place looks cool and fancy, but my drink was underwhelming. Iced Chocolate Truffle Mocha - Horrible. It was so bland, and the mocha was just powder that wasn't even mixed into my drink. Once I mixed it, still no flavor. With the name "Chocolate Truffle Mocha", I expect to taste chocolate or even a hint of any flavor. Nothing. Absolute disappointment. I was so thirsty from all the walking I did, that even a half decent drink would have satisfied me. For around $7.50 ish after tax for a 16oz drink, I might as well have gone to Starbucks. At least Starbucks has flavor.

Staff was friendly and quick. Had a pour over that was good. Nice outdoor seating area.

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea has multiple locations in Chicago, I recently visited the one on Michigan Ave. It's a very cozy and cute cafe with minimal seating. This location does not serve food although their other locations offer wide range of food options and I'll surely go back to try them. They have a wide range of coffees, and offer a lot of flavors/ syrups ( I'm not too sure if they're home made though!) I recently got a Latte with almond milk and a pump of wild-berry syrup. It was definitely a refreshing taste. My friend ordered a Cappuccino with whole milk and he said he has had better Cappuccino's. Overall, cute ambiance, wide range of options, good coffee. It is a good package!

I'll admit I didn't know much about the craft coffee movement, but it makes sense! And the pastries were delicious as well. All in all a great way to start the morning in the Loop.

The pictures of the interior fooled us! Felt like I was back in my college dorm room with the limited number of square footage/space of this almost coffee stand-like spot nestled in the forgotten corner of what feels like the lobby of a janky hotel building. The baristas had some recommendations for coffee, but I felt like I was a burden for asking about the menu. In the end, I rushed with the Vietnamese cold brew, which was your average cold brew with some grainy cinnamon sprinkled in. I ended up consuming my iced drink in the Chicago winter cramped and huddled next to the other patrons who also frankly probably hated their life choice of coming here.

A great place to get coffee or tea - the baristas definitely know what they're doing! The seating area in the coffee shop itself is limited as well as their hours, but I guess that's to be expected in the loop. I got a peach blossom iced tea which was nice and refreshing

Great spot and really accessible. Good coffee menu and some pastries. If in the area then it is worth the stop. Coiffe cold and hot Tea and matcha Also some tasty treat.

Fairgrounds Coffee, nestled within the historic Chicago Athletic Association building, offers a delightful experience for coffee enthusiasts. The ambiance seamlessly blends modern design with the building's vintage charm, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. What truly sets Fairgrounds apart is their commitment to locally sourced brews, showcasing the rich tapestry of Chicago's vibrant coffee scene. The menu features a curated selection of beans from nearby roasters, allowing patrons to savor the distinct flavors of the city's coffee culture. The service was also friendly and efficient. I didn't have to wait longer than 2-3 minutes for my pour over, although I did go in the afternoon which isn't the busiest time of day, so keep that in mind. My friend had the single-origin shot of espresso and it gave her a burst of energy that helped combat her energy slump. It's a must-visit destination for coffee lovers or even those in the area in need of a quick pick-me-up.

1. Charged me $4 for a really weak and not even tasty Americano 2. I got a cinnamon scone - another $4 and I had to break it down like it was some kind of brick. Ugh

Hip coffee spot across the street from Millennium Park. I went with one of their specialty drinks and it was good... but I wish I would have gone for one of their on tap brews since that's what their known for. Service wasn't the most friendly but it was quick.

Excellent coffee. Not much seating so grab and go. Conveniently located. Note it's a grab and go spot - there are like 3 seats max.

Visited Fairgrounds in Chicago near Millennium Park. I ordered the Whirlwind from the Brew Bar (really cool set up, I must say). Notes of some chocolate... a little nutty? Definitely wasn't acidic so right for my palate. This location isn't one to sit down; more of a grab and go spot but good coffee regardless!

Tried the iced cortado with the seasonal pumpkin syrup and it was really enjoyable. The pumpkin syrup was nicely spiced and was not overwhelmingly sweet. Service was great and we walked up the stairs right behind the counter to get upstairs into the hotel lobby and enjoyed out drinks there. Great location and reasonable prices!

Decent coffee spot downtown that focuses on espresso and matcha. Seems like they're part of a building. Good traffic from tourists downtown. The coffee I tried was tasty!

The man who took our two drink order did not care and messed up our order. I ordered decaf, received regular, when I addressed this with the barista - she flatly offered to remake my drink. I declined. Rude service but decent coffee. The old timey building is really cool to sit in or walk around!

Cozy vibes and coffee They offer a great selection of coffee, teas, and pastries. Personally, I like decaf and I love how they have both decaf and hot chocolate options. The Frothy monkey is a great choice for decaf and the hot chocolate satisfies the sweet tooth. Connected to the beautiful Chicago Athletic Association, it's perfect for grab and go or people watching.

This coffee shop is very cute aesthetically and has a great vibe. Staff is amazing, so welcoming and the drinks that we had were great! My only complaint is that is I was only one spot to plug in my laptop. We had to leave because we both needed to plug in and the spot that had the outlet was inconvenient. I will never understand these beautiful new coffee spots that don't think about accommodating remote working people that may need access to outlets. Had to go somewhere else. Sad.

Really wanted to like this place since their outdoor space was so nice and in a great location. The coffee really wasn't great though (the service too, but I don't write reviews based on service). I ordered a coffee flight to taste the different cold brews they had on tap. First, I was overcharged a few dollars more than the menu price. And things were already overpriced as is. Then, only 1 of the coffees in the flight were good - the rest were bitter as if they'd been over-roasted or over-brewed. What a shame.

Love this place! They have lots of cold brew on tap and the chai latte is so good. The building it's in is very cool too. Be sure to go upstairs and visit the lounge if you have time.

Came here one morning while in Chicago looking for a quick bite and coffee. Got a breakfast burrito which the staff happily heated up for me and a caramel oatmilk iced latte with an extra shot of espresso. Everything was pretty good, but nothing remarkable. Liked the interior/ambience of the place.

We are grateful that the coffee shop is within walking distance of our hotel. The first time we were there, I got one of their blends called Fairgrounds, and it was okay. It didn't have a strong aroma of warm spices or notes of chocolate. For the second visit, I got their Vietnamese cold brew. It was beautifully presented. The cold brew is a bit thin to my liking. I'm glad they went light on the condensed milk, so it wasn't crazily sweet. We were lucky that we came at a good time because a long line formed after our order and there was only one staff member. Overall, both of our visits have been positive.

Across the street I was over at Walgreens and I spotted this place so I decided to check it out. When I walked inside I was pleasantly surprised. The decoration and atmosphere is super cute, there's a dining area to the right with a bunch of tables (of all sizes) and then there's one large table to the left where individuals were working on their laptops. The staff were super friendly and their Chai Tea Latte was out I'd this world! Yes, little pricey but in my opinion worth every cent. I definitely plan on coming back to try their breakfast menu (which includes: breakfast burrito, breakfast tacos, sandwhiches) or their lunch menu! I had the Bagel and Schmear because I was in a rush plus wasn't very hungry...it was still good though. - Definitely check this place out!

We stopped here while we were out walking around. My fiancé got a latte and they drew a cute heart on it and included a truffle! I got a hot tea and a canned kombucha. I loved the vibe. The pastries looked amazing as well but we were full from breakfast!

Omari was fantastic and let me order after they closed. Made my day!! thank you for dealing with my past close order!!

Beautiful ambiance, food was good, the pepper aioli was amazing in my turkey sandwich. Loved all the options and the service was pleasant.

High-quality coffee and tea paired with a cozy ambiance! I was delighted with the fast service I received and was even more delighted by the quality of their beverages. 10/10 recommend stopping by!

The coffee is decent enough, but didn't strike me an as anything remarkable. My pour over tasted average, as did my partner's latte. We ended with an iced milk tea which really wasn't appealing to either of us, but that may be a matter of personal taste. The seating was fine. One lone armchair and some decent bar seating facing the window. What really dominated the experience for me though was the paper cups. Specialty coffee served in cardboard? Come on. Overall a perfectly fine place to grab something to go, but if you really want to enjoy a nice mug of coffee this isn't the right spot.

Overpriced, empty menu, below average quality roast, and diabetes inducing chai letting down a vibrantly antique atmosphere serving super friendly service in an ideal downtown location. My friend and I wanted to sample the excellent looking crafted coffee menu but alas were told all was out except the chai and hot chocolate. What an unusual turn of events to be unable to make a quick grocery run for common ingredients in the heart of American rail, freight, and trucks! I panicked and tried the chai due to the extra wonderful barista. Big mistake, extremely sweet, chai flavored sugar, watered down powder mix, no self respecting bean counter could recommend. The straight up black stuff my buddy got seemed better until it cooled, let off the steam and any sense of flavors or high end cash worthy drip. I might be biased having a rare Midwest selection of established java joints among the cornfields in Lafayette, IN, yet at skyscraper prices this place is making Starbucks look like superior roasted coffee cherries. Hope these people can fill up their menu again to match the refined and polished classy inside vibes.

Fairgrounds is a bit small inside, so the space gets a bit cramped when there's a line. There's some outdoor patio seating in the front, which is nice if you're looking for seating. I'd rate the coffee here a 3/5. There wasn't anything that really stood out to me and I wasn't wowed by the selections on tap. The service also wasn't that great; the cashier seemed uninterested in helping customers find what they look and uninterested in their job overall.

Excellent coffee! I love fair trade coffee so I was very excited to find this little gem in the city. They had plenty of comfortable outdoor seating with a nice view of the park. I had a vanilla latte with oat milk, a matte chia pudding and a cheese danish. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend!

Good vibes! The baristas were so helpful to us out of towners. They were able to give us great recommendations and over the top service. The outdoor space is a beautiful place to sit and sip with an up close view of the train speeding by above you. If you stopped by you definitely should,

I recently visited this coffee shop located in a beautiful historic building near my home. Although the setting was impressively charming, I found that the coffee itself was nothing to write home about. It wasn't particularly good or bad - just okay. Overall, the coffee shop didn't leave a lasting impression on me. However, it's worth noting that its location is a definite plus. Being close to home and situated in such a picturesque building, it's certainly a convenient spot for a caffeine fix. In the end, I'd say that this coffee shop is simply okay - unspectacular but not disappointing either.

I've been here a few times in the past with great experiences and today I was hoping to continue that trend. What I didn't expect was to be blatantly made fun of by the baristas taking my order. If you're going to make fun of me at least wait until after I'm done paying and out of earshot. Going to be hesitant to return from now on, pretty disappointed.

I came here with high expectations. I loved the aesthetics of the place and there were so many brews to choose from. I don't even remember what I got, but whatever it was, it was terrible. I might as well have been drinking water. Very disappointed

Great coffee and food! Employees were very kind and helpful as well. Glad I was able to experience some Chicago coffee while visiting

The staff here is great and the location is conveniently right across from millennium park. The power flower latte was alright but was too bitter for my liking. Glad I tried it but probably wouldn't come back again.

Fairgrounds was my favorite coffee shop in Chicago. It was in a beautiful and convenient location to many outdoor "tourist attraction spots." They had many different local tea and coffee roasts in shop including Rishi tea, Frothy Monkey , Metropolis, Stumptown, Unicorn Blood, and Circle of Life. And the staff were very sweet and authentic! Those who know me well or follow my posts know I'm a stickler for aesthetic when it comes to cafes and espresso bars. While slightly on the smaller and more modern side of things, Fairgrounds had a great vibe to it with neutral tones, urban coffee products on display and for sale, plus multiple picturesque scenes for all your social media (and Yelp) needs. The baristas even take the time to style the drinks for your photo taking pleasures! The cafe is located right across from Millennium Park right inside a hotel lobby area. Don't let this fool you though, there is plenty of room for seating on the beautiful outdoor patio area for groups when not raining. Like many cafes and restaurants in Chicago, Fairgrounds has a wide variety of colorful planters filled with beautiful, trendy blooms, Spring to Fall, I cannot vouch for what happens in the Winter. Chicago has a million little unique cafes throughout the city and all have their perks but Fairgrounds was best on all levels for me. Strong, smooth, creamy espresso + perfect location for walking tours of the city's best outdoor scenery + kind service + cozy atmosphere. All of that and then some. They do have wifi, outlets, and food options as well for those looking to grab breakfast and/or post up and work. Check 'em out!

Nice little coffee shop near Millennium Park. Good place to stop by before or after Cindy's Rooftop.

Stopped in while talking down Michigan Ave one morning and so glad I did. The space is gorgeous (albeit small). Lots of bright light and funky designs. Coffee was phenomenal, as was the service. There was starting to be a line and with only one barista I was a bit concerned, but they handled it with grace and efficiency. My coffee was perfection. Love the options for espresso and the ability to customize.

Such a nice staff. They enjoy what they are doing. Best London Fog I've ever had for a really long time. Housed in a great historical Chicago building.

Love love lovedddd the atmosphere here. Wish I could've stayed here longer and enjoyed the atmosphere. Good music, great staff, delicious coffee, and beautiful interior!! Recommend.