The Coffee & Tea Exchange

Absolutely love this spot for coffee and purchasing gifts! The monthly rotating menu is always so fun. Their coffee, teas, and matcha are always perfect and they have so many flavors to choose from. I do wish they offered lemonade, which I like to add to my iced teas, but that’s my only small qualm.

Really impressive store! Colorful. It's very very popular. My wife and I went and scanned the loose leaf tea he's got very excited had four bags ready to go and then noticed a sign on the wall that said you have to stand in this line and pay. The lion had about 10 people in it so we put the key back and left disappointed. They have another cash register on the left side near the door but they didn't choose to use that. It's a great place if you don't mind standing in line!

Our place for anything coffee or tea! Amazing place for freshly roasted coffee, loose tea, and spices. Excellent quality and a huge variety. The shop is always packed, especially in the mornings for to-go drinks, but worth it. Pro tip: there’s a 15-minute standing parking area just across the street, which makes quick stops easy.

The best coffee shop in our neck of the woods! They always have fun themed drinks, reasonably priced, and you're always greeted with a warm smile. The staff are very friendly and incredibly coffee savvy. Once you get a coffee from this place, you'll never go back to a national chain.

As a coffee addict, I loved this place. I bought coffee from here, not any drinks. I love trying out new flavors and they have Colombian, Arabica, French, Italian and many more. Each of the barrels you see in the video has different coffee in them. They have around 3 different decaf coffee alone. When it comes to their price point I found it on more expensive side per pound. Most of their coffee starts at $14-$17 per pound, there are a few much below or higher than that. As I like to experiment with coffee tastes I paid even more expensive price point of $5 per quarter pound. In my opinion it is really expensive but again coffee flavor adventures do cost more than Costco coffees which are around $6-$9 per pound. I would definitely suggest to stop by. When you buy any coffee they do ask how you would like to be grinded. I couldn’t answer right away so they asked a few questions and figured out what I would need.

I simply cannot put into words how much I love this place. I discovered it on a walk around the area when I moved to lakeview last year. I was enticed by the creative themed drinks outside. Upon entering I was greeted by barrels upon barrels of coffee, jars of tea lining the walls, and fun/silly pottery as well as other gadgets for your coffee/tea affini(tea). I had come back multiples times and it is consistently great every time. The baristas are friendly, and efficient. When it is busy they take your order in line before the register, so even if there is a line close to the door, it wont take more than 10 minutes to get a drink. The workers are amazing, I had wanted a tea that they had just ran out of, and they made the blend for me on the spot. The creative menu is what gets me coming in time after time, knowing that there is always some fun combination to try. They have themes based on bugs, queer haircuts, famous mothers, and most recently, recession indicators. I love that they always have a fun corresponding menu on the inside as well. Whenever someone I know visits the city, or I make a new friend, the first thing I suggest is that we go to the Coffee and Tea Exchange. In a world where every coffee shop menu is the same maybe 10 drinks, Coffee and Tea exchange is bringing back the fun side of beverages.

The Coffee and Tea Exchange is wonderful. I appreciate the variety of syrup options that they have, particularly the fruity options, which are great in Italian sodas. They also have fun monthly specials! The staff members are incredibly sweet and nice. They are very accommodating of my syrup concoctions. The vast majority of the staff members wear masks as of January 2024, which could make this a great spot if you are COVID-conscious. The orders are also prepared super quickly, and all of the items seem to be a fair price. In addition, it is worth noting that there is no seating inside, but it is a great place to get a drink to-go, as you can grab something and then walk around the cute shops nearby, including Unabridged Bookstore.

One of my favorite places in Chicago! I will always go out of my way to come here. The best coffee and the friendliest people :) Even though there isn't anywhere to sit and stay/work, they have created an atmosphere that makes it a true experience to come here.

I came here a few weeks ago to try the Charli XCX inspired menu. I really enjoyed my time there--an excellent array of teas and coffees can be purchased here. The folks working here are really nice, too. My only complaints are that most of the syrup used for their in house drinks appear to be Torani, and I am not a huge fan of the brand, especially if I'm paying $6+ for a drink, and the area is not very accessible to people with mobility aids or service animals. It's a very cramped space, and while I know it can't be helped, I would feel very uncomfortable here with a service dog. Besides that, the teas and coffees are lovely, the ambiance is fantastic, and I will be back.

If you're looking for literally any and all flavors of tea, The Coffee & Tea Exchange is the place for you! This is truly where tea lovers unite. They have a lot of coffee, as well, but their tea is what takes over. I have seen flavors I've never even heard of before. They had pumpkin pie tea, apple cider tea, and seriously any and all kind of fruits and combinations. I wish I remembered more flavors but there was a TON! They had a special Halloween/October menu where I ordered a matcha latte that also had blackberry and another fruit in it. It was good, I'd try something different next time but it wasn't bad! The prices here were very reasonable, too. One thing about this business is it's a tight space with no seating inside. It was superrrr busy on a Saturday midday and there was a line that reached the door. There's lots of barrels with tea and products in the center of the store which takes up space; the line to order is on the right and then people wait on the left to get their drinks, but you can also purchase teas and other products on the left side too if you don't want to order a drink. I think this is why it gets a little cramped. The baristas were booked and busy, too, and they seemed a little understaffed. The staff was very nice, though! For how busy it was, it went by relatively fast. They had quality tea & coffee and tons of cute products like mugs and accessories. I would come again and try their tea!

I only went to this establishment because I seen it on TikTok, but TikTok didn't live up to the hype. I noticed that the tea was served in plastic bags, which didn't quite resonate with me. It would be beneficial to have descriptions, ingredient lists, and recommended steeping times available for customers. As a seasoned tea drinker, I am able to navigate without , but having this information would greatly assist newcomers.

Drinks here are great! I really come for the beans themselves though as this location is really unmatched so far in selection and variety of whole coffee beans. The space is a bit tight inside, but the ambiance is lively and exciting, where everyone (employees included) seem happy to be there enjoying a shared passion for high quality tea and coffee. When I have friends in town who are big coffee/tea heads I love to bring them here as it's always a great experience. I wish I lived closer otherwise I'd probably be in here weekly to try every single origin bean I can. So far for my daily espresso I've been grinding their Steve's Blend which is nearly impossible to mess up when brewing and has a solid nutty, rich flavor with a great balance of bitterness and acidity at nearly any grind size. Their Mexican Chiappas is also a great bean for espresso and one of my mainstays. Keep up the great work!

Hands down one of the best coffee shops in Chicago. This spot consistently has awesome themed lattes, great coffee beans, and an incredible assortment of teas. All of the staff are very friendly, too. Would highly recommend. It is my absolute favorite!

The Coffee & Tea Exchange has been roasting award winning beans from all over the world for over 3 decades in the Lakeview neighborhood. I've been getting my coffee here for that long and have never been disappointed. I LOVE all their beans! They roast onsite and you get premium taste every time! They have regular standby roasts and blends as well as epicurean mono varietals (the bean is single sourced from one plantation). You can even make your own custom blend/mix; anything goes here! They will gladly grind the beans fresh for you and have different grinds depending on your machine and taste pallet. I'm not a fan of flavored coffees but at C&TE I do love their toasted almond and hazelnut beans. They toast the nuts in with the beans so you get a real original flavor and not imitation. You actually see the nuts scattered in the bag amongst the beans. Prices are fair and the quality is excellent. They also have a huge selection of teas, accessories and gifts. Service is fast and the store is kept clean and organized.

What a GREAT place! When I first stepped inside and saw the line, I considered turning around and leaving, but they get those drinks made QUICK! I noticed while standing is said line that they have a GREAT selection of flavored decaf coffees available which is NOT the norm. They also offer gift cards. And yeah, the coffee's good too!

This place is a tea (and coffee) lover's dream. My friend brought me to this place and I was astounded at the varieties of teas, coffee beans, and syrups available. We went on a Saturday morning and the line was to the entrance, but it moved fairly quickly. Near where the line starts there is a menu to look at their drinks along with a blackboard at the front. I got one of their special drinks and my friend got a dirty chai and a 1/4 pound of beans, which all came out to be $15. So affordable!! I will be definitely be back, the place is beautiful and the staff were very nice!

A huge selection of coffee and teas and spices. Friendly staff. Amazing golden latte.

This place is very unique and impressive as it has tons of fresh tea herbs and coffee beans of all different flavors. There is usually a long line on the weekends but it moves fast and the staff is super friendly. The chai latte is not very flavorful but all of their coffee lattes are great. The prices are moderate. The inside is very cool and full of crates with tea and coffee all around and you can ask for any mixture of flavors. I love the vibe of this place and they have cool merch for sale.

I love their ground coffee, I try to always keep a bag of snickerdoodle on hand for myself! They have the friendliest staff and they make an excellent cup of coffee there in the store!

I have tried the teas I bought again and realized. One of the teas is weak and the other one has just lost its flavor. It makes sense because the sun shines into the store and they store their loose tea in clear glass jars. I bought this Sri Lankan black loose tea from a persian bakery....16 ounces for 3.79 and it's so fragrant and fresh. The owner told me not to mistake the price for it being cheap tea. He said he bought it in bulk and could charge it at such a great price. I paid around 16 dollars for less here and the tea is flavorless or weak. This place is neat to look at but all show. Stale tea....maybe the other stuff might not be. I knew this referral I received would be disappointing.

Eggnog Latte seekers!! This place has them!! There's no where else in Chicago with eggnog lattes. A Big Peppermint conspiracy? Nogflation? Who knows. And even here it almost seems like a secret they have eggnog lattes. The special seasonal menu doesn't mention them. You even have to spot the sign that sits away from the register where you order. But alas they are here and they are wonderful. This place is great the rest of the year too. A constant rotating menu of really fun lattes. But if you are a tea drinker this place looks like it delivers for you too. Whether you need coffee or tea for yourself or you're looking to gift something, you'll find it here. And someone will gladly walk you through the huge assortment of tea and coffee they have. Beware though. This isn't the type of place with seats to linger with your drink. And this place gets a bit packed during the weekends. It's tough to look around at that time too if you want to do some browsing. But the line moves quickly. If you want a delicious latte with care and variety you'll want to visit.

I have never visited this store in person. However, my brother bought me 1/2 a pound of Lavender Earl Grey tea for Mother's Day and it was absolutely phenomenal. It lasted me 6 months. Because I was so delighted with the tea, I placed an online order for a pound each of English breakfast tea, Russian earl grey and earl grey crème. I would have ordered the lavender EG, however, it has not been available for the past year :( the English breakfast is my fave as it's versatile and the taste can be subtly changed by adding ginger, lemongrass, lavender and rose petals. I enjoyed the earl grey crème and I thought the Russian earl grey was too floral; enjoyable for a cup and not to sip throughout the day. The 3 lbs of tea has lasted me just over a year. And I am pretty excited to try out a new set of loose leaf tea for the upcoming year. Because of the coffee & tea exchange, I cannot go back to bagged tea or the local teas in California. I love having this tea shipped in!

The Coffee & Tea Exchange has a lot of bulk coffee, teas, and spices. We tried the coffee, and we weren't blown away by what we got. It was a normal cup of coffee, nothing special. There are a lot of coffee options to buy and take home, not necessary try, which we were hoping for when we got there. We wish they had little sample jars of the bulk bins, so that you could smell them at least.

The loveliest place. Great selections, friendly staff, and reasonable prices. Plus fun little seasonal drinks! Can't go wrong here.

My favorite neighborhood coffee shop! Food: amazing. I don't love the caffeine kick coffee gives me, but the matcha latte and golden milk steamer are my go-to's. Muffins are delish and they have other gf and brand name treats as well! Service: lovely workers. Very kind and receptive to needs! Ambiance: very cool spot. Lots of barrels of coffees and walls of loose leaf tea jars. Mugs and kitchen towels, etc galore so there's something for everyone. No seating however, so be prepared to take your coffee to go!

Quint little neighborhood spot for delicious drinks. As you enter, you will see the posting for the current specialities. This is a rotating calendar of drinks to honor special celebrations or holidays. The space is filled with herbal teas for purchase as well as other goodies. It was very welcoming and the associate that helped me seemed well knowledgeable of the teas and their benefits. I opted for an iced coffee "Nobody's Darling", a special for Pride Month and two teas to take home and make. Would highly recommend and will return.

came in for their Chapel Roan themed drinks for Pride and was enamored by the whole establishment. i loved seeing the variety of coffee beans on display and the vast flavors available. i ended up getting the chocolate coffe beans as a gift and they ground them for me! for my drink i tried the hot to go which was a latte with pistachio syrup. this drink was DELICIOUS. definitely think they should make it a regular on their menu. overall the vibes were great and will definitely come back in when in the area!

I had passed by this shop many times in the past, but today the stars (including a few that normally combine with another word that rhymes with "yucks" and send me to a certain competing chain coffee shop) aligned, and I happened to be in the neighborhood at a time when I really wanted a cup of coffee, so i decided to stop in and give it a try. It took me a moment to spot where to go for a brewed cuppa, as opposed to a bag of beans (which I will have to come back and try another day), but once I was directed to the rear counter, I was promptly greeted by a super friendly barista who poured me an absolutely delicious cup of Sumatra. A large cookie, with an unfamiliar but intriguing-looking label, that turned out to be every bit as delicious as my coffee, completed my order. The pair absolutely hit the spot, and I look forward to my next visit - and there most definitely expect to visit more often. There are several things that compel me to recommend The Coffee & Tea Exchange over that other coffee place whose name rhymes with "car trucks". First is the sheer array of different varieties of coffee beans (not to mention teas) that one can buy. I happen to be a dark roast fan, and I find it frustrating that the selection of dark roasts available in most places is limited to just two or three varieties. The Coffee & Tea Exchange has many on hand, plus many more that aren't dark roast but are surely very tasty and well worth trying. Second, if you wander into a Car Trucks after lunchtime or thereabouts, there is only one kind of brewed coffee available, unless you have time to wait for a pour-over cup. While there is nothing objectionable about that one kind, there's nothing particularly interesting about it, either. It kind of reminds me of the nondescript drink served up by the spaceship computer in "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" with a cheery "Share and enjoy!" But I walked into The Coffee & Tea Exchange after 5:30pm, and they had a dark roast fix to offer me right from the pot, and that pot was fresh. Finally, coffee chains in general offer up an efficient but uniform and boring experience. The Coffee & Tea Exchange, in contrast, has an atmosphere that's friendly, unique, eclectic and a bit rustic. There's an old-school vibe about the shop, with lighting that's a bit subdued but not enough to be depressing or scary, lots of wood, shelves from waist level to ceiling full of coffee and tea, and assorted extras (like the cookie I enjoyed) in the middle that you probably won't find anywhere else. The air in the store is well-permeated with the aroma of fine coffee. It's a warm, cheery place that encourages you to linger, but service is friendly and efficient when you're ready for it. Pay The Coffee & Tea Exchange a visit. I assure you that you'll be glad you did.

I just moved to Chicago and live a few blocks away from here. This place has quickly become my go-to for coffee in the morning. The staff is friendly and efficient. There's always good music on in the background, and they move quick! Whenever there is a line, the team is working it from register to door to keep folks on pace, but still make time to chat and share a smile so you don't feel rushed. Prices are good too - my Americano is cheaper than the corporate chain across the street, tastier and my money goes back into the community which is a win-win!

Amazing place to get freshly sourced coffee and tea. The barrels of coffee all smell like heaven and you are bound to spend a lot of money on just about anything in here. Recommended. My standards for coffee and tea are high and it is met with this spot. Don't sleep on it!

Walking around in Lakeview and decided to stop in for a coffee. They have speciality drinks that rotate every month, and August was Barbie themed. I got the "You're so beautiful," but it was too sweet for me. My sister got the chai and it was also on the sweeter side. Love the inside of the shop and all the options. They have every syrup flavor you can imagine and more!

Excellent selection of teas, in a pleasant atmosphere. The quality of the Assam has deteriorated over the years, but I still would recommend the other teas. Suggestion: A little sitting area would be helpful.

Love this place. I've become a regular and I plan on staying a regular. This cute little coffee and tea shop is exactly one of the many places that makes Lakeview so great. I've never had a bad drink from here, whether it be coffee or tea. I have bought coffee from here as well, and they are great enough to grind it for you to the coarseness you want. I ended up getting the Viennese Roast for a French press, and it was great. Not too bitter and not too acidic, and most importantly, strong! I've also tried several of the loose leaf tea packets and enjoyed them all. One of my favorite things about this place is that each month they have a list of specialty coffee drinks with really fun names. I usually will try a few flavors each month, and I haven't been disappointed yet. I would only add that it would be cool if they added a few tea based drinks to those menus too. You are able to customize your teas when you order, which is great, but I wish the baristas could make some creative brews to go along with the coffee ones as well. I also love that they stock essentially every Torani syrup under the sun, and they have steadily helped me contribute to my own little coffee and tea corner in my kitchen. The staff is always fantastic here as well. They are always fun to talk to and easy to relate to, and I especially love when I come by with my dog. I have to tie her outside unfortunately (though understandable, since the place is small and she's hyperactive -- not a great combo), but she always looks in through the door and the staff has engaged with her. She's gotten many a pup cup and milk bone in response to her antics, which is a nice touch as well. I also like that you can call ahead to order and then pick up your drink at the side door. They take the pandemic seriously and only allow 2 people in at once, which I appreciate immensely. I think maybe either getting on the ritual app or some other mobile ordering system would make that process smoother, but as a small business I understand that's not always feasible. I would only add that maybe getting some patio seating would be a nice addition, as they're on a pretty nice street corner and near all the great things the area has to offer.

Highly Recommend: the coffee here is great! Had their seasonal latte this time and it was good as all else. Only caution can give is that at peak morning hours like 9-11 am, the line can get pretty long, going outside, and you may have to wait about 15-20 minutes to just order your drink. I am sure that next time I will be in line waiting, I probably will go somewhere else. It is though a great place with great coffee so if you don't see a big line definitely get some.

I love the mocha mint coffee beans. The taste is strong that's what I like. It's all I buy there. My daughter was very disappointed in the coconut flavored grounds that she bought. Neither one of us could smell or taste coconut. We both were surprised by this. So a waste of $18.

I discovered this neighborhood coffee shop when I moved here and absolutely adore it. They have an amazing flavor profile for specialty lattes, and every month they change their menu, introducing creative and delicious blends of syrups. Every latte I have tried there has been divine! In addition, they sell an impressive assortment of coffee and tea. The prices are reasonable, comparing to similar coffee shops in Chicago, although they did recently have to increase prices due to inflation. The staff is incredibly friendly, and it is always a pleasure shopping there. I highly recommend this business and know I'll continue to shop here!

Amazing selection of whole (or ground) coffee beans, teas and spices all at very affordable prices. You can also just grab a coffee to-go - their seasonal lattes are so creative and delicious :)

Great spot! Haven't tried their coffee beans, but looking forward to in the future. They certainly have an array of options. I have tried their matcha latte with oat milk and it was great (and strong!). Service was good. The space is a bit small and there is no place to do work. The focus is on the coffee - I'll be back soon and looking forward to it.

I adore this place. Every time I visit my friend in Lakeview, I ask her to take me here. The monthly rotating coffee menu is always delicious and creative. When I visited this past July, the rotating menu was Spongebob themed (hilarious!). I ordered the "I'll remember you all in therapy," and it did not miss. This latte included peanut butter, chocolate, and raspberry flavors. Peanut butter flavoring in coffee can always be a bit of a risk, but this drink was divinely crafted and delivered. It was so good, I went back for a second before leaving Chicago!! Major bonus, the staff is insanely friendly and will also make sure to ask you what type of milk you'd like when you forget to specify (my tummy says thank you!)

This place is awesome !! They have white chocolate syrup and sauces ! I am a little excited about this . They sell so many flavors of Torani syrups . The coffee is strong and not bitter . They have almost every roast variation and also grind the beans upon request .

Cute place with lovely staff ! Definitely try their specialty lattes; I went for a peach black tea and it was amazing !

Yummy coffee here!~ I was impressed upon stumbling on this coffee and tea shop in Chicago! Their drink selection is plentiful along with their beans and teas, as you get a whiff of it upon arriving. I love iced drinks, so definitely opted for an iced latte and even better was my selection of pumpkin pie. This latte was tasty and had bold espresso with the slight sweetness too which I was looking for. They also have an excellent cold brew here, so delightful. This shop is one of a kind with awesome selection and friendly workers. 5 Stars!

One of my favorite coffee shops in Chicago. Every month, there is a new featured menu with so many exciting flavors. The lattes are always very unique, tasty, and made with love. There are fun little gifts, candies, and equipment for coffee and tea brewing! Go early on the weekend to avoid lines. It's not a long wait, though!

Cutest tea, coffee and spice shop. The morning weekend wait is long but so worth it. They have specialty drinks and seasonal teas that are great gifting ideas. Their chai was light on spice however, not overly sweetened.

Fantastic selection of tea, I have not had their coffee but every tea I've had there has always been a huge hit

A tea lover's dream! My friend got me a black tea sampler once and I've been hooked ever since. The sampler was fun because it gave me a chance to try teas I wouldn't usually try. I loved one of them so much that when I had a trip to Chicago a few months ago I made a special stop at the store to restock. They have a huge variety of teas which you can buy in various bulk sizes. The selection is a little overwhelming but the staff were very patient and friendly plus a lot of accessories. Personally I'm not a coffee drinker but there was a big selection there as well. They also have a little cafe area at the back of the store if you just want to get a to go drink! I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Chicago to restock my collection.

Stepped in here on a whim yesterday afternoon, and having just tried out my purchase (the Tanzanian Peaberry) I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. The staff was friendly, the selection wide-ranging, and the prices more than reasonable. 10/10 recommend.

I have been here many times, and it is one of our favorites!! They have excellent coffee and tea. The ever-changing specials keep you wanting to try new drinks! The menu is pretty long so I always go in and try something new. The people are friendly. It's a small shop with a capacity inside, so there is often a line outside on the weekends. No indoor seating so usually we just pick it up and go for a walk!

I've been ordering coffee from the Exchange for 20 years - they are a Chicago institution and a consistently high quality spot for gourmet coffee at an affordable price. The easiest way to get your coffee is to place an order online and then grab it at the to-go window, which moves quickly. CTX takes the pandemic seriously - for which I commend them - and so you may need to wait to gain entry into the store if you do not order ahead.

Cute shop with so many teas inside! I got a matcha with brown sugar syrup and it was so good. Perfect amount of matcha

I stopped by here on my way to theater rehearsal. The ladies running the shop were very nice. They have a few menu boards with a bunch of tea and coffee options. Plus they have different jars of teas on the shelves. The store had a general store feel. I ordered a chai latte that tasted wonderful. It was lightly sweetened and had a more spicy flavor. The cinnamon was definitely shining through, which I love. It was a perfect pick me up. What's really cool is that they have drinks specifically created for "The Bachelor" show. I can not wait to order from this board soon! I will definitely me be back!

Delicious coffee and great selection of coffee and tea related products. Close quarters for maneuvering and felt slightly rushed but wonderful products.

Primal Scream From Long Term Customer.. So I have been a customer of C and T FOR DECADES. Bought their by the pound (usually 2) whole bean coffee like clockwork every six weeks or so. Then the pandemic came and their business model for the Broadway store got upended resulting in long Soviet era queue lines for the "specialty drinks" that F'ing take forever to make, but I guess offer them higher margins than the sold by the pound products. And not letting anyone come into their store except for a space of about 3 by 6 feet at the front. OK, I'm exaggerating about the Soviet bread line thing, but c'mon, this isn't the way you keep and treat your long-term customer, esp., of you want to KEEP long term customers. Waiting forever in line for a few pounds of coffee, not a good customer experience. After standing in a couple of very long lines I finally called them and explained that as a long-term customer, I was not cool with standing in lines for a couple of pounds of coffee, particularly when I can go to my local supermarket and do the same, minus the long wait in line. So they responded by saying, oh you can call your order in and pick it up at the side door, which I've been doing for the last 2 years. Well, guess what, now they won't even do that. I call this morning like I have been for the last 2 years to order a few pounds whole bean. This takes them ALL OF 30 seconds to DO vs. a drink that takes anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to prepare (maybe it's shorter, but it seems about right, particularly when you add the time it takes them to complete the sale). Their response: we don't do phone orders anymore. Period. I ask to speak to someone else. Then I'm told that we can't do that on the weekends. WTF? I explain to her that that's BS and that I can buy my coffee elsewhere. She is indifferent - basically I could hear the "so what" shrug over the phone. I tell you this as a FYI. If all you want is a couple of pounds of coffee whole bean from a local roaster, there are MANY OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES within Lakeview that will be happy to help you minus the 45 minute wait in line. I made a point of going to many local businesses during the pandemic on a regular basis so I could help them survive. If this is the thanks I get from C and T, I would suggest to anyone looking for whole bean coffee, there are better options out there than them. They have basically said F U to their long-term customers. I suggest you pass them by and return the favor.

This is one of those rare places that have survived and thrived as an independent, local source for all that is good in the coffee and tea world. Though I occasionally buy loose coffee and tea here, I especially love their coffee drinks. Every few weeks or so, they change the theme and create drinks to fit the theme. Happy Potter and Star Wars were faves of mine. All coffee drinks are strong, which I love, and friends have gotten so used to them that they now won't go anywhere else. There are 2 shots in a 12oz latte, 3 shots in a 16oz, and a mighty 4 shots in a 20oz! If that doesn't get you revved up, you need stronger than coffee, my friend. :-) So check out Coffee & Tea Exchange, support an awesome local shop, and enjoy the magic inside.

I lived around the corner from this place for five years, and it turns out to be one of the things I miss most about my old neighborhood. It's not the kind of coffee store where you sit and linger, but the kind of place where they make very good, very strong, coffee and knowledgeable cheerful people will sell you more kinds of coffee than you know you needed, and guide you through the process. Anyway, count this as yet another one of my discoveries during the current pandemic -- if, like me, you've moved to another neighborhood you can still order their delicious coffees online. They ship quickly, and smell and taste great, and still provide top notch customer service. And you get a little bit of neighborhood charm right on your front doorstep.

Absolutely the best coffee shop in Chicago. All of the drinks you can get on hand are far and away above any other coffee shop in the city, not to mention the hundreds of options to take home with you. The ladies here are always so friendly, polite and work quickly, even when the lines get long. You must come here at some point to get a coffee or latte.

Been buying bulk from these lovely folks for about 1.5 years now. They are absolutely wonderful and have delicious beans! Their spices are all top tier as well.