Cafe Tola

Cafe Tola

3612 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL

★★★★★4.7(557 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Tucked into a vibrant Chicago neighborhood, this petite café punches well above its weight with impeccably crafted cappuccinos and an impressive rotating selection of generously-filled empanadas that elevate the typical coffee-shop pastry game. The colorful, character-filled space spills onto a sidewalk patio where locals linger over iced caramel coffees and savory breakfast empanadas, making it equally suited for a quick grab or a leisurely sit with friends. It's the kind of place where the barista clearly cares about the fundamentals—smooth espresso, flaky pastry dough—and the community keeps coming back for both.

What to expect

Cold brew standout. A slow-sit, quick-grab, outdoor seating spot, good for meetings. Full breakfast and light food on the menu. Family friendly.

Quick grabOutdoor seatingSpecialty drinksTraditional drinksLight foodMeetingsCold brewSlow sitFamily friendlyFull breakfast

Google Reviews

Jess BoYd
★★★★★2 months ago

Stopped by Cafe Tola in Chicago for a cappuccino. Colorful little café with lots of character. The cappuccino was smooth and well balanced. Nice neighborhood coffee stop.

Adam Hatch
★★★★★3 months ago

The iced coffees and empanadas here are great! I always get the iced caramel coffee and a couple of their breakfast empanadas. They rotate them out and today they had the bacon, egg and cheese & the chorizo and egg. Both were dynamite. I recommend getting the free spicy red…

Rachel Simon
★★★★★5 months ago

Cafe Tola never misses! Their empanadas are delicious and big enough to be a meal. My current favorite is the birria & cheese but I also love the buffalo chicken and ham, egg & cheese. DON’T SLEEP ON THE HORCHATA LATTE! The folks who work there are so kind and the decor vibes…

Michael Damato
★★★★★8 months ago

Great selection of empanadas and tacos along with coffee drinks. The interior is very small but there's a patio on the sidewalk and next to the café to sit at. The empanadas were great, crust and fillings were both superb. Absolutely worth your time to go here.

Ericka Shane
★★★★★a year ago

WOW, I was impressed by their empanadas. Wasn't sure what to expect even with reading a few reviews. Their empanada dough is nice and flakey. We bought 4 to sample. 2 with meat and 2 veggie. The fillings are super flavorful and have serious depth. The only thing I would comment…

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