Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea

12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

★★★★4.2(498 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea is a charming retro café with genuinely hospitable baristas and a stellar outdoor patio on Michigan Avenue that's perfect for lingering over a pour over or catching up with friends. While their espresso-focused drinks and cold brew selections earn consistent praise, their specialty beverages like matcha and flavored lattes seem hit-or-miss, so stick with their straightforward coffee offerings for the most reliable experience. The vibe here—casual yet quality-focused, with light pastries and breakfast options—makes it an easy choice for both a quick grab or a slower afternoon sit.

What to expect

Pour overMeetingsOutdoor seatingFull breakfastSpecialty drinksSlow sitEspresso focusedLight foodMatcha & teaCold brewQuick grabPastriesTraditional drinks

Google Reviews

Gelek Tshering
★★★★★3 months ago

the matcha is not very good. very light and very sweet. so if you’re looking for matcha look somewhere else. but my friend got coffee and it was good.

H F
★★★★★4 months ago

Cute retro café! Good quality coffee and matcha. Would highly recommend!

Alexa Patel
★★★★★6 months ago

Fairgrounds Coffee has super nice staff and a cool vibe, but the drinks just didn’t hit. Our iced chai, honey lavender latte, matcha, and Italian soda all tasted kind of watery and flat. Loved the service, though — everyone was friendly and welcoming.

Christin Smith
★★★★★9 months ago

Excellent local coffee options with cold brew on tap and pour overs in light, medium, and dark roasts. Plenty of bagged bean options to take home. Fast to-go sandwich options and a variety of kombuchas and canned beverages. The coffee aroma will entice you in from the street, that’s why I stumbled into this coffee shop! The fast, friendly service, alongside the ambience of the store and adjacent lobby make this a fantastic spot to stop while out and around downtown. Highly recommend Whirlwind for a pour over or any cold brew for lower acidity.

Stephanie Polakowski
★★★★★10 months ago

Flavorful lavender oat latte, not too sweet, just right! The baristas were very friendly and helpful. There’s a delightful outdoor patio right on Michigan avenue which makes for good people watching and hanging out with friends. They have a nice selection of croissants, bakery treats and coffee bar.

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