Royal Coffee

The owner was extremely rude!!!! My friend and I went in to study and there was a long line so she ordered while I got us a table.

After ordering, my friend sat down and the woman (who I was told is the owner) brought over her coffee. She then looked at me and asked if I would like anything. I hadn't yet looked at the menu so I told her I need a few minutes. She then proceeded to argue with my friend and myself saying that I hadn't ordered and was sitting in the warm cafe and using the wifi for free. We hadn't been in the cafe for more than 5min and she told us that we had to order even though my friend already had and I was about to. We ended leaving because it was better than being insulted.

We both live in the area and thought this could be a cafe we would frequent but now we will not go back and will make sure to tell others how rude the service is. It was disgusting of the owner to treat us that way when we had just gotten there and my friend had already ordered. She couldn't even wait a few moments instead of assuming that we were just there to use the wifi for free. This is not how you run a business.

The most ridiculous thing is that she told us that this is America, this is how it works, you don't order you can't stay. I have never been so mistreated, and insulted. As someone born and raised in America, I know that if you work in customer service, you can't assume something about a patron just by appearance.

Before leaving, I calmly walked over and handed her my father's business card and told her to contact him to get some training in customer service. Hopefully someone can teach her how to treat customers better.

So, you come to Royal Cafe because you understand Rogers Park.

This cafe is 100% neighborhood. A mash-up of studying Loyola grad students and old Ethopian grandpas shootin-the-sh*t in the corner, don't expect this to be a Starbucks experience. If you're an explorer, you'll like it. If you're from the suburbs, you may want to go find a chain restaurant.

You wander in and may take a while for you to be greeted, or you may not be sure if you need to order at the counter or with a server (tip: you can probably do either. Most of the time she doesn't care.) But regardless, the Ethiopian couple that runs this place is going to make you feel at home when they get to you. Heck, the whole place sorta runs like it's the front of their house.

They have a menu. It hasn't really been updated in years. Want an omelette with some stuff in it? Just tell them what you want. They can make it. It's tasty. Or try the Ethiopian eggs--scrambled with peppers and onions and chili powder and served with injara--soft & sour flat bread.

When it's warm, the outdoor seating is a one block away from the beach at the corner of Sheridan and Pratt--kitty corner from the 9-story historic Rogers Park Hotel with its 1920s grandeur and (RP) logo on its crest.

Wanted to purchase ice cream here. Scoop of ice cream cost about $1.75-$2. my
1. Told gentleman I wanted chocolate ice cream. He told me he doesnt have it, only vanilla. Then when I tell him nevermind I dont want anything, he suddenly has chocolate ice cream.
2. my scoop of ice cream was 1 small mouthbite worth of ice cream.

Ridiculous....

This place is a hidden GEM in RP. They serve basic Ethiopian foods and sandwiches as well as a variety of coffee drinks and desserts.
I love Royal's energy; local artwork adorns the walls and a colossal mural greets you on arrival. The WiFi is reliable and it has fast and easy PRINTING! The outdoor seating area is perfect for summer mornings.
The staff is very kind, but can lose track of attentiveness. Which is understandable. The Turkish Coffee is my favorite coupled with the Ethiopian Breakfast; both robust, flavorful, and not too spicy.

I definitely need to come here more often :)

Rogers Park is the home of Loyola University, but it's also the home of awesome, bold, and delicious Ethiopian coffee served in Royal Coffee.

After a short bus ride (#147 or #155) northbound from the CTA Loyola Red Line station, this coffee shop, located on the northwest corner of Sheridan and Pratt, is looking for their "loyal" fans to come by!

Surely "RC" already has their fan base, without a doubt. The owner lady was very friendly and knew all of her regulars. Daddy J. was able to get his Americano fix. For $3.00, he had a 20 oz. cup, with a cup of perfectly-measured milk on the side. He was really "wowed" by their coffee and swore to come back for more in the future.

I, on the other hand, experienced the awesomeness of Ethiopian tea. I LOVED the combination of mint and exotic spices. I should have upgraded to the 20 oz. size!

Royal Coffee also serves breakfast and dessert. I'm now convinced that I want to be part of the royal family, though I don't reside in the neighborhood.

Went here on my first day in Chicago. It's a neighborhood coffee shop that offers Ethiopian teas, coffee and food. My sister goes here regularly so the owner recognized her immediately. Walking in they have an ample outdoor patio as well as a good amount of indoor seating. There are a couple TVs in the back but the volume is low enough where you could read and not lose concentration.

My sister and I ordered a chai tea and vegetable wrap made with injera. Maybe it was because we walked 25 min to get there but everything was delicious. The chai tea was a perfect blend of sweet and spice, and the vegetable wrap had great curry flavor with the lentils and veggies. I could definitely eat three of these babies. I can't wait till I go down again because this will be my first stop.

Really great coffee shop in the neighborhood! I've yet to try out the Ethiopian dishes, but they are definitely promising judging from the rave reviews and pictures! The woman who is always there makes great coffee beverages, the sandwich selection and dessert options are great. Plenty of seating inside and outside, but even during the summertime, the AC is not turned on. There is free wifi there and a printer for use!

We ordered Iced Lattes, the Chicken Salad Sandwich and the Banana Crepe.

The Iced Lattes were perfect for the warm morning! It was so refreshing and the coffee itself had a deeper flavor than some other places we have tried in the area. The barista woman really knows her coffee! She served it to us in a nice tall glass and we sipped it all down!

The Sandwich was a bit on the expensive side as the sandwich itself was quite small. The quality is nice though. There were chunks of chicken instead of the usual mash. The bread used is also very delicious and pairs well.

The Banana Crepe was perfectly sweetened and had lots of Banana slices in side.

Over the last several years, Royal Coffee has become the "it" place for meeting Rogers Park friends. Royal Coffee has good coffee, delicious food, a welcoming staff, and a convenient location.

In pleasant weather, you can sit at tables that face Sheridan Road or along the side street. We prefer the side street tables because it's quieter there. In cooler weather like today's, no one is sitting outdoors! The indoors is small, but the tables are not jammed together. It feels cozy.

When I first reviewed Royal Coffee, the television was always on and loud. My friend and I sat inside for 1 1/2 hours today, and I don't even know if the TV was on. We were able to have a pleasant lunch.

We only eat vegetarian or vegan, and so Royal Coffee, with its Ethiopian-inspired food, is perfect for us. Three times this year, a friend and I have ordered the Vegetarian Plate (which is really vegan) to split between us. I don't know how one person could eat that much food. It's a lot. It is SO delicious! I look forward to bringing new people here, because I know they will love the food.

Now that it's December, we each chose to have a bowl of Lentil Soup. I think this is the best lentil soup I've had in Chicago. It is thick, warming, and redolent with Ethiopian spices. It's not hot as in spicy hot; it is flavorful. We just love it. I would go back to Royal Coffee if they had nothing but the lentil soup. It's that good.

Yorit, the owner, is delightful. I think she remembered me after I'd been there only two times. About three weeks ago, I brought in a friend who had just returned to the U.S. after four years in Tanzania, and introduced them. When I paid my bill today, she said, "How is your friend from Tanzania doing? Has she found work?"

Parking on weekdays is usually pretty easy. You can park on Sheridan Road for free until rush hour begins. They do have free WiFi. I have occasionally computed here for a couple afternoon hours, and I never had any problem with the internet connection.

Royal Coffee is a big reason why I never complain about my Rogers Park friend coming to see me in my neighborhood. If I can visit Royal Coffee, I don't mind travelling a bit.

This little coffee shop is a few blocks from Loyola's campus. I stopped in for coffee, WiFi, and some lunch. The WiFi is free to customers so that was nice. The atmosphere is welcoming but also a little different. I got the Ethiopian vegetarian plate. It was very good, slightly spicy but nothing my bland taste buds couldn't handle. Side note, the type of bread used in Ethiopian dishes is slightly sour. It tastes very good with the options but very strange on its own.
I got an iced chia tea latte. It was decent, but kind of just tasted like sweetened milk. It was also $5.50, I ordered a small but think it might have been a medium that I received. Seemed a little overpriced to me.
The woman working was very very sweet! She got a box for my leftovers and actually boxed it for me, though I said she didn't need to. Kind people, but I do wish I would have tried the coffee instead.
Also, I'm not sure if they have a working restroom. I couldn't see a sign or door anywhere to locate it. So just be aware of that if you stop by.

I love this place. I've been buying my beans here for years. As I prefer sun dried to process dried beans, I searched for some time before finding Royal Coffee who provides premium sun dried beans at a reasonable price. I grind at home but they will grind for you as well

The coffee is strong, bold and dark. The beans ooze the fragment oils and aromas that make your nostrils quiver with temptation and desire. For such a robust flavor, I'm always surprised by the fact that's is so mellow and not more bitter or acidic.

The owners are a genuinely wonderful and authentic Ethiopian couple and sometimes their son. You are welcome with big smiles and after a few visits will become family.

Bright airy space with big windows and outdoor seating allow you the comfort of chilling and enjoying your coffee experience. There is usually interesting local or ethnic art work on display.

I've only eaten the Ethiopian breakfast which I've always enjoyed.