Chicago’s Legal Cafe

This is a very cozy and quaint spot. I would recommend it if you are in the West Loop and are looking for a fresh lunch spot or a juice or smoothie.

Awesome place!!! Went there to kill some time and I found a really nice place to stay and study… the coffee is not that great but it s cool spot

I’m giving this place 3.75 stars.
I was looking for a quite, hole in the wall type of place to do some work and came across CLC. At first I thought «wow, what a cute place and there’s lots of space and its quite, with huge ass windows.» I think I’m in love but I should have known better… (Just an FYI the place is beautiful. I mean nice with lots of character.)
Anyways, most (like 85%) of the seats where taken by people that were family and had left for the day. They had left all their books all over the place and so there was no room to sit. Boo! Then the hot chocolate and coffee was not the best. The lady making the drinks was super sweet and took her time to make drinks… I ended up with a hot chocolate and while she was making it she ran out of Heresy’s chocolate syrup but ended up giving me the drink anyways. I was very upset that my Hersey’s hot chocolate was more like hot milk. Gross…
So why so many «stars»… Its simple I like the idea/​concept behind the place. The place is a coffee shop/​a law firm. Basically law students and professional lawyers can go there if they need a place to study, work, or just do research. Also, if anyone needs legal advise they can go there and get help. The owner gives legal advise if needed. (I should add there is a cost for advise but still) I just think it’s a great idea and it help lawyer’s and students out.

I had read some reviews on Unilocal and came here to get some serious work done. It was perfect! Good coffee, good background music that wasn’t too loud, floor to ceiling windows, free wifi & courteous staff. I’m definitely going back here!

Cool little coffee shop. Haven’t used their legal services yet, but its inviting enough that I just might sometime. Very friendly, warm atmosphere and good coffee! Right next to Johnny’s Icehouse.

Great, comfortable place with lots of light and plenty of space! I had the iced chai latte, and it was one of the best I’ve had. My boyfriend had the house coffee and had no complaints. While the service isn’t the fastest, I think it’s worth the short wait. I live right down the street and this place is a great addition to the neighborhood. Much better than the always packed Starbucks if you want to read, work or have a meeting. I’d definitely recommend and will definitely be going back!

What a neighborhood gem! I was there on a gloomy Saturday to study, the place had all the study essentials — comfy couches and chairs, spacious tables, floor-​to-​ceiling storefront windows, wi-​fi and tasteful background music. Go to this place if you need to get something done or just to browse the web on a lazy weekend. The atmosphere is relaxing and quiet (a lot better than Starbucks).
The café menu was pretty comprehensive. I had the «acquittal» smoothie and I thought it was yummy. The Batista was very sweet too. My boyfriend later went there to meet me and he had a coffee while he was waiting for me … he’s a bit of a coffee snob but he did not complain at all. He also looked very comfy reading the newspaper in their couch. My boyfriend is a lawyer, and he commented that the café would be a great study place for law students (the décor of the place was sort of inspiring, at least to me).
And if you ever need legal consultation, the $ 75 consultation fee is a steal!

This is such a cool spot, I kind of want to buy it and just live here. The different levels and stairs and window into the cool looking conference room downstairs? Sweet.
Coffee right across the street that isn’t Starbucks, sweet!
I don’t really need any legal advice at the moment but you know it’s there so that’s a plus.
I’ve been here twice and both times I was underwhelmed. My husband and I came on Monday and they gave him free coffee, which was awesome. I’m not so sure how that works out as a business model when your few customers are not paying but okay. My latte was not very good and it didn’t come out very fast. Just like the first time I was there. But the girls there were all really nice and polite. Just a little slow.
The woman who appeared to be running the place went and got us cushions so we could sit outside which was totally unnecessary but very much appreciated. We sat on the balcony out back which was so perfect. If the coffee were great, I would be here all of the time. But it’s kind of an awkward place. No music. I feel like it’s uncomfortable to just sit there.
Also I’m not sure about the food menu. It seems like if you are a coffee shop, get the coffee down first and then offer other stuff. I had a croissant the first time and it was VERY stale. My husband got one this last time and said it was good. So… progress?
I just wish this place was more popular and the baristas were a little quicker and I would be back here more often. But as it is I barely make the bus so if you can’t make my latte in under 5 minutes, I’ll never get to work.

This pains me.
But, so does awful coffee.
I’ve been waiting for Chicago’s Legal Café to open for quite some time. I’ve meandered by this VERY nice looking spot for weeks… and finally, it is NOW open. The West Loop is hopelessly devoid of good, indie coffee shops… and I waited the arrival of this little gem, and hoped it would make all of my short-​distance, caffeinated dreams come true…
Well, it’s OPEN.
And, I found it rather disappointing. :(
Stopped in with a colleague of mine for a quick cup of coffee/​meeting. Ordered an iced coffee and an iced chai. It took at least 10 minutes and NO ONE else was in the entire coffee shop. I dread to see what it would be like on a Sunday morning, if it ever proved popular. I’m guessing it won’t, sadly.
The coffee was undrinkable. So bitter. Just like me. It would behoove them to start serving Intelligentsia or Metropolis, STAT… and learn how to whip some excellent coffee up, quickly. This takes the guesswork out of brewing, and gives some people (me) allegiance and a reason to come back. It also means there are some standards!
me: «I’ll have the iced tea of the day.»
barrista: «Sadly, we don’t have any of that today.»
me: um, ok.
Seriously, iced tea is perhaps the easiest thing on EARTH to make. Also, if you don’t have it… errr…wipe it off the chalkboard? Maybe its because they have no… ice? It comes out of a cooler, in a bag you’d buy at a gas station for a camping trip. This can’t be legit, right?
Oh, the credit card machine isn’t working… of COURSE it isn’t. Sigh. Seriously.
The food options are abysmal. Old looking pastries, breads, etc. Partnering with local bakeries is KEY to small coffeeshops, and supporting each other makes goddamn straight-​up sense.
There is much room for improvement, but I think they can do it.
The good?
*friendly (though, that doesn’t necessarily mean… efficient)
*they offer… legal advice? An odd combo, but I respect the mission.
*quiet/​comfy place to study.
*bright, lots of light
*easy street parking (watch for rush hour signs)
I’ll check back in a few months and hope for the best, but for now… I’ll be unfortunately heading back to DD, or making the short jaunt to BonBon.

My wife and I wanted to check out the new coffee shop in our neighborhood and it is excellent. First off, the place is beautifully decorated with lots of great seating. Second, and most importantly, the coffee is great. I was told they get it from a local company called Stiver’s Coffee. Definitely worth checking out, even if you aren’t an aspiring lawyer or in need of legal help.