Tasty Tuesday: Coffee in Lake County
By: Jeff Randolph 03/14/2022
Most people kick off their day with a cup of java. In the land of lakes, plenty of places offer up tasty lattes, delightful cappuccinos and delicious cold brews. With Lake County Restaurant Week: Ten Days To Savor rapidly approaching, it is the perfect opportunity to grab a cup of joe and map out your April 1-10. To see what's the talk of the town in the eats department, continue here to see all of the Tasty Tuesdays installments. Here are places to visit for coffee in Lake County as part of this version of tasty Tuesday.
With two locations in Grayslake, Somethings Brewing has a full coffee bar stocked with local roasted, gourmet coffee beans. Whether it's a cold brew, hand-crafted herbal tea, or a fruit-flavored smoothie that you fancy, the eatery provides caffeinated energy for all palates. The mom-and-pop shop also offers up delicious sandwiches, flatbreads and soups on their menu. Check out a unique java choice on their menu called the Maui Latte. This brew is made with coconut, almond, pineapple, whipped cream and toasted coconut. Somethings Brewing, 82 E. Center St., Grayslake. Somethings Brewing – Washington Square, 1126 E. Washington St., Grayslake.
Curt’s or “Cultivating Unique Restaurant Training” Café in Highland Park features an espresso bar packed highlighted by lattes, frappes and other seasonal beverages. Besides a daily selection of house-made scones, cookies and other pastries and sweets, the Highland Park café utilizes local products to create homemade pastries, inspired sandwiches, soups and salads made from scratch. The non-profit eatery takes young student-trainees at risk between ages 15-24 to assist them in securing employment. The Lake County local fare hub also dons a beautifully made mural, recently installed entitled “Rise Up,” created by North Chicago resident Ivan Rodriguez in collaboration with the Highland Park Arts Center. The painting was made in the wake of the recent protests regarding the police killing of unarmed African Americans. Curt's Cafe, 1766 2nd St., Highland Park.
The Libertyville mainstay is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Lake County. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of freshly roasted coffee from Intelligentsia, which perfectly complements such food items as the lemon blueberry curd pancakes. In addition, coffee lovers will enjoy the maple latte with sweet maple, espresso, and steamed milk topped with foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe, 1783 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
The coffee shop is situated alongside the Long Grove Confectionery Co. store and the Apple Haus Bakery in Historic Downtown Long Grove. Known as "Long Grove's Living Room," the quaint location serves up a variety of java, teas and tasty treats. The homemade keto cookies and chocolate croissants are great choices to add to the coffee shop's signature Maple Café Au Lait jam-packed with maple syrup, coffee and milk. Long Grove Coffee Co., 126 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
The Antioch restaurant serves its own house blend of coffee. Johnny's Snack Shop also offers a list of spiked cold brews that make their cups of joe for libationers to wet their whistle. One of their marquee coffee cocktails is the spiked Salted Caramel Cold Brew. This concoction is made with Bailey's, Kahlua and ice coffee highlighted by a salted caramel rim. Johnny's Snack Shop, 1500 Main St., Antioch.
The name says it all. Tony Cannoli makes many scrumptious desserts at its location in downtown Mundelein. The Lake County confectioner's signature bubble-free, crunchy shells of the Italian dessert are homemade and hand-rolled. In addition, the "Illinois Made" artisan offers a mocha cannoli shake. The sweet drink is created with smooth espresso gelato, the same creamy ricotta used to fill their marquee treat and served with a cannoli shell. Tony Cannoli, 460 N. Lake St., Mundelein.
Bontà Pizzeria and Restaurant specializes in authentic, gourmet Napoletana-style pies hand-crafted and baked in a wood-burning brick oven. The Lincolnshire Italian eatery also offers tasty soups, subs, salads, pastas and desserts. Inside the restaurant, there is a market with a variety of imported goods. In addition, Bontà carries bags of La Capannina Espresso showcasing a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffees. Bontà Pizzeria and Restaurant, 430 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire.
Located inside Supermercado Gonzalez, the purveyors of percolated creations serve up "socially-minded coffee and other dope things." Besides coffee, there is also a strong focus on community and culture with local vendors, artists and entrepreneurs often being showcased in the quaint café. The Ube Macchiato is the Waukegan barista's take on the Filipino purple yam. The Pacific Island-inspired brew is made with Ube horchata, oat milk and espresso and is served iced or hot. Drip & Culture is one of Lake County's newest Black-owned businesses. Drip & Culture inside Supermercado Gonzalez, 2015 Grand Ave., Waukegan.
With a name that means "soul friend" in Gaelic, the Libertyville-based café offers coffee, wine and beer. There are various globally-inspired coffee options like Vietnamese cold brew, Café Cubano and French Press. Breakfast is served all day and notable items on the food menu include deep-dish quiche, fig and goat cheese flatbread and a chicken pesto panini. Anam Cara Café, 338 Peterson Rd., Libertyville.
Located in the historic Jensen house, The Latte Cafe and Bakery delivers hand-crafted drinks, made-to-order sandwiches and all kinds of sweet treats. The Antioch eatery features cappuccinos, macchiatos, chai and bubble teas and more. The barista joint offers a variety of selections that includes coffee flights. The Latte Cafe and Bakery, 1185 Main St., Antioch.
The Riverside Cafe and Coffee Shop has quite a selection of coffee. The Gurnee restaurant is no slouch in the fare department as their menu is highlighted by omelets, skillets wraps, crepes, avocado toast and more. Ask about their Snickers Latte equipped with all of the joe fixins' and complemented by nuts and chocolate.
Riverside Cafe and Coffee Shop, 401 N. Riverside Dr., Gurnee.
Named after the landmark synonymous with Historic Downtown Long Grove, Covered Bridge Creamery specializes in premium ice cream and specialty coffees. The quaint shop also has many treats to choose from. If you're making it a day in Historic Downtown Long Grove, it's in your best interest to stop and see what they are all about.
Covered Bridge Creamery, 320 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove.
Townee Square Restaurant has been serving up home-cooked meals in the heart of MainStreet Libertyville since 1986. Some of the favorites on their menu include omelets, sandwiches, and hamburgers. Enjoy a cup of joe while dining at this family-owned establishment.
Townee Square Restaurant, 508 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
Other Places Serving Coffee in Lake County
- Little Bean Coffee Company in Antioch INFO»
- Liquid Fusion in Lincolnshire INFO»
- It's All Good Coffee and Espresso Inc in Zion INFO»
- Newport Coffee House in Bannockburn INFO»
- AREA Coffee in Mundelein INFO»
- Hansa Coffee in Libertyville INFO»
- Tala Coffee Roasters in Highwood INFO»
- Magnolia Cafe and Bakery at Lambs Farm in Libertyville INFO»
For other treats, you can find in Lake County on tasty Tuesday (or any other day of the week), continue here.
