Istria Cafe
Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt [Edit]
Neighborhood: Hyde Park1520 E 57th St
Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 955-2556
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sat 7:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Sun 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Free
7 reviews
Neighborhood: Hyde Park
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27 Reviews for Istria Cafe
Istria definitely gives me my gelato fix (which after spending 6 months in Italy is sometimes killer) and has tasty drinks. Their panini, although greasy, are also extremely delicious. Prices are typical, unfortunately, but the employees make for a very enjoyable experience. Either they only hire really happy people or people are really happy to be working there!
Istria is a reminder of what I love about Hyde Park. Sitting outside on a sunny day at Istria, enjoying coffee and gelato, I am able to catch up with at least half of Hyde Park. Its location, tucked under the 57th Street Metra station, makes it ideal for commuters and those who take the train to see the opera or the symphony. Istria's coffee is darn good, right up there with my beloved Intelligentsia. I do find it funny that they offer a pumpkin spice latte all-year long, but hey, sometimes that's what you want, even in March! Occasionally I will indulge in their gelato. So it's not quite Nice-quality, but it's tasty. And where else can one get ice cream in Hyde Park besides the icky Baskin-Robbins on 53rd? I usually get the hazelnut flavor, but the last time I was there I tried the chocolate chili, and loved it. Think exotic Vosges Chocolate creation. What I really appreciate about the gelato is that adults can order the kiddie cup, which is the perfect afternoon treat-size.
Istria's ideal location is also its downfall. The place is small, and finding a table to park at and study/grade for awhile can be challenging. I know that they offer free Wi-Fi, but it was broken for the longest time. You also need a key to use the bathroom, which I understand, but it is inconvenient.
For awhile I had high hopes that a second, larger Istria was going to open up at the Hyde Park Arts Center, but I don't think there has been any major development there, which is too bad. Having an Istria where one can linger and not feel bad about limiting others' experiences would be nice!
Let me say first, I have a lot of good friends employed by Starbucks. Even one who's a full manager. I know they do great things for their employees and that they're a great company to work for. But I won't order beverages there unless failure to do so will result in falling asleep at the wheel of a moving car or getting mugged on the train while asleep. They over-roast all their beans (they buy great beans!) and so nothing there tastes right, all their cold drinks have a million calories and their pastries are shipped in from who knows where and are stale. If you like Starbucks, ignore this review, our tastes differ and I won't be able to help you.
Istria is a real coffee bar. Fresh pastry, funky skilled baristas, gelato, seating inside and out, free wi-fi for a few hours [1], and GREAT ESPRESSO.
Istria gets their beans from Intelligentsia, so you know they're quality beans and they're roasted properly. Oddly, I like Istria's beans and roast -better- than the beans and roast you can get at an Intelligentsia coffee shop.
I cannot speak to their drip coffee, I've never had it. But if you like bar drinks, this is the place to go.
They do a loyalty plan in a clever way. You keep your cup sleeve and get it stamped 5 times to get a free drink. This saves sleeves (good!) and its a pretty generous plan. My wife and I go here together every Saturday morning and she goes mid-week maybe once or twice and so we average one free drink a month (she gets soy lattes, I get iced americanos).
My only complaints about Istria are that
a) because it is under the Metra overpass, it smells like swamp gas sometimes
b) their website says/said that they were looking to bring in musical acts and to contact them, which I have been trying to do since May 2007 and none of the email addresses seem to work, including the one for tech support.
c) on Saturdays they run out of pastry, entirely, by 10:30 or 11am.
d) they close insanely early, even on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer. i'd -love- to be able to go to dinner in Hyde Park and then walk to Istria for a Gelato, but they're closed by the time I finish eating!
[1] They do this through some local tech group who -cannot- get this to work reliably with Apple computers if their lives depended on it. Given the percentages of Univ. students and faculty who prefer Apple, this is kind of shocking and bizarre. Maybe you've had better luck than my wife and I, but this has been going on for 13 months or longer for us.
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In my opinion Istria cafe is the only truly decent cafe-type place in the entire Hyde Park area where I don't feel creepy or out of place staying there for a long time. The gelato is amazing and the iced lattes are also amazing. Favorite gelato flavors include blueberry, forest berry, lemon basil and vitamin A.C.E. Chocolate/vanilla based flavors, to me, tend to be too sweet sometimes, but in general the gelato is totally top notch and much better than anything storebought.
I am actually not too much a fan of the drip coffee -- I find it bitter. I like extremely strong coffee (Peet's is the ideal, to me, and I make it with about twice the amount of coffee grounds) but Istria's just tastes a little bitter to me. However, I've never had a bad espresso drink, and their iced tea is good. Additionally, the pastries are terrific -- the cinnamon oatmeal raisin cookie is the best cookie I've ever had, and the tomato focaccia is also great (and really huge).
I actually like the decor, it's not cafe-cozy but it's a comfortable environment nevertheless. The orange and silver theme is classy. Seating is sometimes a problem but once when all the tables were full a fellow customer invited me to share her table. All in all a nice place to go to in a great location, it's my Sunday morning ritual (with the New York Times).
Definitely the best place to get coffee in Hyde Park. They use intelligentsia for all their drinks, all of which are delicious. Their mochas in particular, along with their regular, plain coffee, are to die for.
I also find their selection pastries and other eats to be above average. Good croissants and scones, especially. Their pannini are also very good. But I think besides the coffee, the gelato is the real highlight here. They make it all freshly themselves, and will let you try anything you want. Obviously some flavors are better than others, but this is definitely the best gelato I've had outside of Italy.
The only gripe I have with this place is that the crowd varies between waves of people studying alone with their computers and mothers with big groups of kids. You sometimes feel out of place just meeting a friend for a conversation.
I've only been here two times for gelato, but it was REALLY good gelato and the owner or manager was so nice in helping me decide on which flavor. He went on a whole schpiel and explained the difference between gelato and ice cream to me. His words lingered in my mind afterwards which is maybe why the gelato was so good! Nice cups too.
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Really?
How is Istria gelato well-reviewed? I would have to chalk up Istria's overrating to Hyde Park myopics (i.e. little or no gelato competition in sight - HP is not in Italy).
I tried two flavors, banana and white chocolate hazelnut. I went banana because it's something of a measuring stick in gelato flavorings. If its gray, it's likely natural and delicious, like mom's (or Betty Crocker's) banana bread transmuted into a cool creamy dessert. If a banana gelato is yellow, however, STAY AWAY! lest you stain your soul with artifical colors and flavorings.
Istria's banana gelato was a promising banana-mash gray - yet my eyes doth deceive me there because it was flavored more harshly than a banana Now and Later.
The white chocolate hazelnut seemed a safe alternative to this deceptive flavor-shock - after all, over-the-top chocolate/nut/fudge/brownie/marshmallow/caramel combinations are what american's do best. Not the case, here, though. It tasted like it was made with Splenda - and without any reduction from would-be sugar measurements.
It was a 90 degree day and I couldn't even finish a kid-sized portion, it was so damn saccharine. So, I tried to pawn the last half on a friend. One bite and one furrowed brow later, the Kidstria(TM) cup of white chocolate-hazelnut-aspartame-tasting goo was back in my disgruntled hands. 5 seconds later it was in the garbage.
Istria gets one star back for not screwing up coffee, apparently, and for being located under the train station - providing accessible shelter for delayed commuters. No bonus for the sterile decor, though. Egh.
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I would throw a couple more stars on it BUT for the following: Tall, striking, hottie blond guy rolls up to the counter, all euro'ed out in his shee shee fant fant scarf/coat combo, and proceeds to order his coffee with coupons and this unsolicited convo --
DEAD SERIOUS: "do you think Sacajawea led Lewis and Clark to coffee? do you think she was like, hey, here, I give you the United States and coffee? Because that's obviously the way to our hearts. That and all the free sex they were probably getting. Native Americans can be kinda pretty."
OH. MY. GOD. GAG ME WITH YOUR RACIST BULLSHIT FORK. you can't even make this shit up, it's so knarly. trust, i did my best to find some hint of "just playin bitches!!" in his voice. NONE. apparently, you can major in asshole at the university of chicago.
5 stars for the browntown staffs only response: long blink. "would you like a dessert w/ that?" CLASSIC.
Bottom line, this place is kinda a shed for some of the tools in the 'hood, but they have an awesome staff, great coffee, and free wifi. so yay and nay.
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Istria gets four stars because of their location and free wireless. What a great thing to have by the Metra tracks! Why doesn't someone at 59th street wake up to this idea?
They regularly put up with my students coming there to "C&C: camp and compute" and help edumacate them about some sophisticated coffee and tea drinks.
Gelato isn't really my thing, but folks seem to like it. I agree that the decor is a bit sterile, and doesn't make me personally feel like sticking around.
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I actually really like this shop and I'm a big coffee snob. My husband, an even bigger coffee snob, loves their iced americanos. (I tend to get a hot latte regardless of the weather.) We go on weekend mornings and sit outside with our dogs. The baked goods are delicious (chocolate croissants and "farmer's" chocolate muffins... mmmm). It seems some people love the ambiance and think it's really clever that they went for a subway terminal theme considering they're under the metra. Others wish it was cozier. (I find myself in the "it's too cold in here, decor-wise" camp.) The wireless is technically free for one hour with purchase, but it's flaky, and whomever set it up clearly had never heard of a Mac (funny in a university community.) I've had to call their ISP's tech support several times.
The most important thing though, is that the coffee is really pretty good.
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Have you ever wanted to have a spot in your neighborhood "where everyone knows your name"? This is it. Paul and Tim are awesome! They remember me and my favorite drinks (mocha with mint). They actually seem happy to see me even tho' they usually have a full house. I often sit at the tables outside to watch the commuters come and go from the Electric/South Shore train station. Great people watching.
Oh, the coffee is awesome too!
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Oh man, this place has killed me. It's right on my walk home, and so now that it's hot out, I stop every day for an iced mocha... and maybe one of their little chocolate mint cookies. The iced chai (espresso shot optional) and lemon cookie is also a nice combination. Skip their croissants, though. You can get better at the Med Bakery just down the street.
Istria Cafe serves Intelligentsia coffee, and it's generally pretty good. Their espresso varies depending on who's pulling the shots, but overall, it's second only to Intelligentsia itself. Their gelato is reliably wonderful -- they make it on the premises, and the owners are constantly tinkering with the flavors. Also wonderful is the hour of free wireless internet, though as Arjun said, you might be happier to take your drink/gelato to the Point.
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Absolutely fabulous coffee and gelato. However, unless it's summer and you can sit outside, don't plan on drinking your coffee there. There aren't enough tables, and it's such a small place you'll end up smelling like burned coffee (although it never tastes burned). Istria uses their coffee sleeves as a frequent buyer program. Bring it back 5 times, and you get $2 off of a coffee.
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I love Istria. Both the coffee and gelato are great, and I've always had very friendly service. The only complaint I have is the amount of seating - the place is small and under the Metra tracks at 57th.
Istria isn't necessarily bad, I just didn't think it was that great. My chai was average, there was lots of seating and the service was okay, but I am automatically wary of any coffee that has its employees wear a uniform (in this case orange shirts) - there's just something about it that makes me unable to relax.
I'll probably come here again if I'm in the neighborhood, but I'd prefer to go elsewhere.
Istria Cafe is a small independent own by two brothers, Marc and Paul. The staff are mostly young college kids--but they are serious about coffee.
The coffee here is excellent. I mean truly. When I first started going there I was by no means a serious coffee drinker---but now I'm officially spoiled I know the difference between a so-so cup and a great cup of coffee. It's clear they are sincere in the interest to bring a superior product to their customers not to mention it's a cute little space and convenient as hell--right under the tracks at 57th street.
The only things better than the coffee is perhaps the gelato which is made fresh on the premises. Is there anything better than gelato in hot weather? Prolly not folks, prolly not.
Because they're dependent on college students the staff rotates quite often--but that doesn't affect quality. Your drink will still be delicious. Cool place to meet up and chill out---or to grab something on the way to the train or the bookstore.
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I have been frequenting Istria Cafe since they opened their doors. I am so delighted they are in Hyde Park. The owners are wonderful, service great, the staff is well trained in making many different coffee drinks & know their liquids, from teas to juices to beans. The housemade gelato is superb. It is always a very favorable environment & I hope their second location in the Hyde Park Arts Center goes well for them*
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This is a great, quiet little place under the Metra electric tracks. It's convenient for commuters who want to grab their morning coffee on the way to the train, and they have YUMMY gelato there, too.
In warm months, they set up tables outside on a small patio and it's a great place to sit and people watch.
Service has always been quick and friendly every time I've been there.
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Well, this is quite literally, a hole in the wall. It is tucked away under the 57th street train stations.... and a lovely spot to say the least. A greek/european undertone sets the mood for friendly banter and yummy snacks. The gelato is this amazing mix of ice cream and tantalizing, amazing substance and even though its worth and arm and half a leg, I think its worth every inch. Also, they just add a special something. When I ordered a mocha, the lady spent minutes mixing the chocolate in. Comeon people, Starbucks doesn't do that! Try it, its quite great. Also coming on 53rd street under the train station...very soon!
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With some of the best cookies on the south side, really happy and fast staff, Istra is a great find! They pour their lattes so that the mild makes a pretty pattern with the espresso and their cookies are fantastic.
Only downside is, if their patio area isn't open, don't count on being able to sit, u of c students are onto this place and tend to linger!
Yum.
I can't speak for the coffee because I don't drink it, but the gelato is out of this world!! I'm pretty sure that they make it fresh and it's some of the best gelato I've ever had.
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It's kind of amazing that the best coffee shop (for coffee, tea, and gelato) sits under a Metra station in Hyde Park. Best gelato in the city (mix lemon and strawberry), lychee black tea, intelligensia coffee.
In the summer, buy a gelato and take a walk out to the Point. It gets an extra star in the winter for when you get off the train and have 10 minute walk to the office in 10 degree weather.
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These folks serve intelligentsia coffee, and they make it better than anything we've gotten in the intelligentsia flagship store downtown. Try the small cappuccino. Also great gellato -- best in hyde park.. The quadberry scone has also made some vibe around the 'hood.
Make sure to download a coupon from their website and they also have a "local customer" stamping procedure where you get a free drink after 5 drinks or so. Highly recommend it. And no, I am *not* affiliated with them in any way. They get one star off for the under-the-train vibe. but on the other hand, ppl don't sit there that long.
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I heard some talk about this place but then my brother sent me this link to a posting/advert on a another site (http://ndnation.com/bo...) and it left a bad taste in my mouth. What kind of place INSULTS THEIR EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS? Here is the rude posting from the supposed owner of this place:
"If your trip to South Bend takes you via LSD to Stony Island to the Skyway, you are invited to stop for excellent coffee at my cafe. My crack employees will be serving half price coffee to anyone wearing ND apparel on all home Game Days. We were voted Best Coffee Shop in Chicago last fall (technically in a tie), so hopefully it will be worth your while.
THE FINE PRINT
- Please wear something with 'ND' or 'Notre Dame' visible on the top half of your body. My University of Chicago employees aren't smart enough to look for class rings or university issue crocs."
So his UofC employees are not SMART? What does that say about his customers who are students, faculty, and staff of the UofC? As a UofC student I can tell you that we are plenty smart; smart enough not to insult people.
The BEST coffee shop in Chicago. While the ambiance might not be for everyone (it is small and sleek, very cozy in the winter but a little stuffy in the summer, so take a seat outside) the coffee is manna from heaven. I would now rather go without than get coffee anywhere else. (A problem actually). The gelato makes the world a better place and the cinnamon raisin cookie is world class. Also a fan of the asiago cheese bread. The staff is well-trained, friendly and also pretty nice to look at! The attitude is pretty chill and people just seem happy to be there.
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You can't beat a cafe located in a viaduct. Cool.
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most places don't serve really good coffee, but this place definitely does! way better than starbucks, which isn't really hard but still... compared to the standard. the people working there are also really friendly.
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