Locally in the U Chicago campus. Food and pastries/breads are spot on, and the coffee is nicely flavored. Good low key breakfast spot.

The brioche grilled cheese is divine, as are the various pastries and beignets. An expanse of outdoor seating is available as well.

1 check-in We stopped by Plein Air for brunch on our final day in Chicago before heading to the airport. It's super convenient to the University of Chicago, so the vibe is very young and airy. There's plentiful outdoor seating and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful - lots of bright, clean whites and modern furnishings. They were very busy when we got there, with no signs of letting up. You get in line to place your order at the counter. We arrived at around 11:20 and didn't get up to place our order until 11:55. It was a pretty slow moving line. The specific time only stands out because they serve breakfast items until 12. That's what I wanted to eat. Mercifully, even though we cut it super close, the employee agreed to put in my breakfast order. Unfortunately, they were out of breakfast potatoes and they asked if they could substitute with a salad. That really wasn't what I wanted at all, but not much to be done about it, so I accepted. We all placed our orders to go. To-go orders are shouted out through a window into the outdoor dining area. We tried our best to sit and enjoy our drinks while we waited, but they had a serious influx of yellow jackets that day that simply would not leave us alone, so that dampened things some. My two friends' orders came out a lot quicker than mine, perhaps because they ordered from the lunch menu, but eventually we got it and walked onto the U Chicago campus to escape the yellow jackets. My food was alright. I ordered the two egg plate, with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast with jam and breakfast potatoes (which were substituted with a side salad). The eggs were beautiful and overall decent but cooked a little hard for my preference - I prefer runnier scrambled eggs. I didn't like my salad because it was mostly arugula and I just straight up don't like arugula. The bread for the toast and jam was nice and crusty, but the jam (I'm guessing blackberry?) wasn't sweet at all. I was really hoping for some fresh, sweet, preserve-type jam, but this wasn't it. The bacon was definitely the best thing; very crispy, as is my preference, with a great balance of saltiness and subtle sweetness. Awesome bacon! Plein Air is a beautiful place to study and they have an attractive menu with lots of tasty sounding options. If I lived here, I would consider trying it again, just maybe ordering something different to see if I liked that a bit more.

The prosciutto baguette and vanilla latte are both delicious!

The best chai I’ve had in Chicago! Their chipotle chicken sandwich is so good too

Great place for breakfast, had a croissant egg sandwich and chai. good vibes and service. The home made chai could be more authentic in my opinion, hence a 4.

I went on a Wed @1p & it was PACKED. Very loud. Very busy. Before going I didn’t realize that it was on the U of C campus. I ordered the grilled cheese, mushroom & kale pot pie, & a homemade chai. The latter 2 were m delicious. I would go again but avoid the busy student times. Also, parking sucks. There is absolutely nowhere to park. So good luck!

Chill little university cafe with good baked goods & coffee, also hot items which got good reviews from our group. Good music which is a plus. Only drawback is it gets pretty packed.

The pastries here are bangin'. And you know what else is bangin'? Your buck! Cuz here, they have sparkling water on tap, hot sauce at the ready at a self service table, really great indoor seating options, and some schmexy bottles of wine to buy if you're meeting fancy UChicago peeps. Definitely thee best coffee and baked goods in Hyde Park! A great way to pamper your inner bougie self. *Personally* wasn't into their version of continental Breakfast, as I found it to be an odd assortment of things that didn't really go together. But hey everything else is spot on!

Breakfast was great. I'd prefer my eggs and ham warm, guess it's the style they make/serve it, next time I'll ask for it warmed up, but other than that great place, great hospitality and service!

My favorite place on the UChicago campus for a nice sit-down meal! The quality of food, coffee, and service are always reliable. The ingredients they use are always so fresh and the dishes are presented so beautifully. My go-to breakfast dishes are the chorizo burrito and the granola bowl. For lunch, I love their kale romaine salad, spinach pies, and tartines, but I’ve never not liked anything here. The pastries are always on point as well. The cafe definitely gets super busy everyday around lunchtime, and space is usually limited after then until the late afternoon. Still, it’s a not-to-miss place around here!

This is one of my favorite lunch/ coffee spots on U Chicago campus. This coffee house is very quaint. It has a decent amount of seating (inside and out), and the food is great! I like the tuna sandwich and croissants. I also love their chai tea latte! Keep up the good work Plein Air!

Fun lively coffee place in an old pharmacy. The place you take someone out for a first date. Place where you finally get in the rhythm for that thesis. The place where you get crumbs of Danish all over you. Great coffee, solid recommendation.

Cool hidden gem on U of C campus, right next door to a frank loyd home. Love the courtyard and coffee and food is great.

The home baked pastries that were fantastic. I recall saying "this is really good" several times while eating. The Mocha was probably the best I have had. The patio was lovely and the property butts up to a Frank Lloyd Wright building. The breakfast burritos and potatoes were good. There were a fair amount of yellow jackets outside which were annoying at times.

Spent several hours and two meals there. The homemade chai mix was flavorful and not too sweet. The beignet was very doughnut-y and light. The tomato avocado salad was delicious but a tad small. Sandwich was large and very good. Staff was nice even when it got very busy for late lunch rush.

A solid spot for lunch. It's attached to the college bookstore, and has indoor and outdoor seating. But the albeit pricey food is always dependably good, and their coffee is usually worth the wait. The decor is full of fun art, and their outdoor area is lovely and well taken care of. I eat there often, whenever I'm willing to brave the line of the lunchtime rush. I recommend going especially when you can eat outside, as the inside seating options are limited, and the stool options for indoor seating can be uncomfortable

Plein was plain to me, but I'd imagine better experience if you're a UChicago student or a local. I had an omelette, made with gruyere cheese and cherry tomatos, and serve alongside red potatoes. The ingredients in the omelette each stood out individually, instead of melding together, and this made it an enjoyable eat. The temperature was tepid for the potatoes but each bite was delicious. Pairing my omelette was a "premium" cold brew, which was $4.50 and tasted about the same as an iced coffee. Looking back, I think orange juice or even a soft drink would have made a better pairing. But that one was on me. Free WiFi, but its reach outside was very limited. Staff was happy to provide it.

I love this place right at the core of UChicago. I recommend the salads and the quiche, also scrambled eggs with the best bacon in the city! Coffee is very well prepared, too. Staff are super friendly. Just mind that this place is usually crowded and sometimes can be a bit noisy and overwhelming. Other than that, it’s one of my favorite spots to have lunch at campus.

Located on the U of Chicago campus, the cafe is next to Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright and occupies the building with the Coop Bookstore. The coffee is superb, with a wide selection of croissants, sandwiches, and breakfast choices. Food is tasty and well crafted. The cafe has a lovely terrace facing Robie House. A must visit if you are in Chicago.

I had no idea this was a UChicago cafe. It’s right next to the Frank Llyod Wright prairie house! Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating as well. Great place to chat with friends, enjoy the weather, or get light work done. The drip I had was from an Ethiopian bean and was really tasty. Could be a great daily brew for home. I got notes of citrusy fruits and a little sweetness with a nutty, but not dry, aftertaste.

Cool little cafe at Univ. of Chicago to grab a bite, a coffee and chill or get some work done. Food did not disappoint and a great selection of teas! Great spot!

Small but comfortable place to go for a quick bowl of soup with a delicious biscuit.

Fun lively coffee place in an old pharmacy. The place you take someone out for a first date. Place where you finally get in the rhythm for that thesis. The place where you get crumbs of Danish all over you. Great coffee, solid recommendation.

Very delicious beignets!

The last time I went, again, the cashier named Tony had very bad, disrespectful, and offensive behavior. I notified the owner about this again, but received no response this time. Although the food is good, I will not go back because of this cashier's behavior and no owner response. The other nice staff have noticably stepped in to try to clean up Tony's customer service mess.

Wonderful quiet cafe to stop mid or post ride.

Great food at a great price. Very chill cafe spot in the UChicago campus.

Fresh air, fresh food, great coffee, lovely customer service. It's on the UofC campus - the University takes care of it's own and you can benefit, too. Get in where you fit in and behave. Carry on!

Excellent cup of tea! High quality leaves. Brewed with fastidiousness. Served in a mug.

Often long lines and expensive prices, but their food is delicious, their coffee is even better, and they have a cute outdoor space when it is nice out. Highly recommend stopping by for breakfast or lunch if you are in the area.

I must say I hesitated to post here. This is one of my favorite hideouts. Over all it is very quiet here which I love. This is in my view an UpScale Cafe. Giving that I desire to have my own I have great ideas from some of the best I have visited. Plien Air is Clean and the service is very good. You pic what you want on the menu and then you are asked “ would you like anything else?” I love the vegan sausage and potatoes that are named home fries also a special home made syrup. I have lots of energy so I have to eat a very clean meal to keep it this way. I get it here. Everyone is following the mask ordinance. I recommend coming here for all cultures refined and disciplined. It is a great vibe here. It is a place for all people and has been made comfortable for all.♾ Happy New Year to all ♾♾♾ To all that readers Enjoy your family’s and friends in peace

Excellent opportunity to have a sandwich before touring Robie House. The place is spotless, has charming, shady outdoor seating plus a dining room, and a variety of food and drink options. From the outdoor seating,, you are looking at the back of the Robie House. It also sits next to a fascinating bookstore, so it is a worthwhile stop in its own right. I had a smoked turkey sandwich, and my SO had a prosciutto and manchengo on a small baguette, both with greens. Coffee also great@

Good, clean food. Staff stayed calm and in control, even with high lunch hour traffic. Coffee was delicious! In and outdoor seating available.

The ideal upscale but casual cafe with really good food and cool atmosphere. Owner run and operated, which lends to the good vibes and quality of service. Ive had breakfast, lunch, and coffee here many times. I’ve also been to several private events and the food and service has been amazing each time. Great place to study, meet a friend, or get together with family!

The chorizo burrito is good, and the biscuit egg sandwich is very filling. Ambience is what really makes this place special.

I wanted to like this place after many highly rated reviews, but I had a very unpleasant experience. I am not a UChicago student so it was a little confusing to find this cafe and when I went inside the building, the door was locked to get in. There’s no sign saying to order at the outdoor window, only that ordering is available online. Finally, a random person from the bookstore told me to go outside to get my order. I had been standing there waiting for my order with numerous employees walking past me and calling out names for other orders, yet mine was never called. However, I was trying to adhere to the wait times so I didn’t go up to the window. When some random guy walked up and instantly got coffee, I became annoyed and I asked if my order was there. The entire time I was waiting in the freezing cold, my order had been ready. It was incredibly frustrating and I’m disappointed in the treatment I received today.

Best place to visit! The foods, drinks, waiters/waitresses, and ambiance was wonderful and captivating. When I already have my order on the table, I find it beautiful and tasty. Besides, the time that I spent in their cafeteria was worth it. I even got a picture because of the beautiful view. I must come back. See you!

Amazing!!! Such a cute little cafe! Will definitely be back to enjoy the atmosphere while blogging. Super friendly staff and the Chai Tea was AMAZING!

Cafe food, mmm, super satisfying. service is always awesome even when they have a full house. the place has a good feel to it. similar to a place in denver i loved.

Beautiful outdoor seating, great cappuccinos, and so many options for food (especially for a small cafe). I also love how short a walk it is from campus, very convenient.

We found this place on our first morning and ended going back every day. Very pleased we didn't book breakfast at the hotel after all!

A very nice cafe located on the campus of the University of Chicago. It's situated next to the Seminary Coop Bookstore (one of the finest independent bookstores in the world) and the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright. The cafe features a full menu, great coffee drinks, cool music, indoor and outdoor seating, and wifi.

Love love love. Great food, lovely outdoor eating.

Last time I went, I got food poisoning from their Breakfast Croissant.

Excellent latte. Nice outdoor space.

Great option during COVID restrictions. Good food. Fast service.

Ordered a Chicken Chipotle baguette, it was very tasty.

First time and it was great if I'm in the area of love to go more

The atmosphere and service is better than the consumables. Coffee is good quality. Pastries are good, but delicious pastries are easy to find in Hyde Park!

Quality baristas.

Perfect outdoor setting with best and fresh food

Outstanding food!

Good coffee, not very strong, more light. The patio is also really nice for conversation and drinking. The pastries dont seem very good...had the hazelnut beignet and it tasted like a hamburger bun with Nutella, barely any powdered sugar. Stick with the drinks.

I'm sure I'm going to go there again and suggest a visit to everybody. This place is very different and well organized according to other places. The food is amazing, music of your choice.

I have to say I'm in love with this place. I'm obsessed with their quiche as well as their coffee. The decor and feel is definitely appealing.

It's good

Lovely little coffee shop with a great atmosphere. Staff very friendly, the food is delicious and the environment is very cozy.

Is often physically crowded, and the employees bustle about within the patron space often enough to make waiting in line uncomfortable. Yet for the bustle, the speed of service is middling and falls to poor if something needs to be warmed. The reward of waiting: simply good-enough faire. Worth a shoulder-shrug and thence forgotten.

Great coffee! Great staff, with a knowledgeable of making proper drinks. Had an great cortado. The breakfast food is amazing!!!

One of my favorite spots in Chicago. I make sure we pass by at least once during any Chicago visit. This last time we were in town we went there quite a few times mostly for breakfast but I’ve tried their other options too in the past. I love their veggie burrito. Check out their daily quiche option(s) if you stop by for breakfast, or soup options to go with a sandwich for lunch. Their coffee, chai latte and matcha latte are good too. Non-dairy milk options. Very friendly staff. Generally calm ambiance even if it happens to be crowded, and attached to a great library/bookstore.

best banana bread!

Lovely coffee shop and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s connected to Seminary Co-op, one of the best bookstores in the country. Coffee is hot and strong. Our favorite food is the grilled cheese, any soup they’re serving, and the tuna salad sandwich.

Super cute cafe for coffee and sandwiches. Nice indoor/outdoor spaces.

I have been here and they are consistent with great coffee, bagels and fast service. Nice food and coffee shop. I recommend this coffee shop.