Cafe Tola
Cafe Tola — honest cafe in Lakeview. Order the Empanadas. "The prepared one were limited but got to try Mexican Egg, Spicy Red Pork, Chicken Mole" — Victoria D [$, patio]
What 569 diners keep saying
What 569 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“I have been going to Cafe Tola on Southport for years. Their Horchata Latte gives me life! Also, these is my favorite empanadas in Chicago.”

“I was visiting Chicago for vacation and this adorable cafe caught my eye. The building art is outstanding and, come on…vegan empanadas!! The service, food and coffee was outstanding. An adorable little seating area was expertly tucked away for a nice little spot to enjoy our breakfast. They also have a nice selection of non coffee drinks and a few delectable donut options. I will make every effort to visit whenever I’m in town, and you should too. Oh, and don’t look over the fence. Seriously, just don’t. 😂”

“Just had their empanadas for the first time at the Belmont Festival and they were so delicious. I have what looks like a birria with cheese empanada. Not dry, perfectly seasoned, absolutely delicious. Highly recommend!”

“Amazing experience. Took my daughter this morning and had the best empanadas I’ve ever had. Guava and cheese was perfect. Latte was good too! And the manager gave my daughter a t-shirt. It made my morning. Will be back!”

“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.”

“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 sauce that you can add to them if you want a kick.”

“Ok, yum! I stopped in for a horchata latte today and it was amazing. The barista was friendly and the wait time was minimal. I also love the decor.”

“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 are amazing!”

“You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”

“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.”

“Best Horchata Latte I've ever tried. There was plenty of delicious Empanada flavors to try, both sweet and savory. There is seating but its outdoors and limited. For 2 empanadas and and an iced horchata latte I paid about $20.”
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