This morning was my first visit to the Nelikona Café on 45 N Bothwell St in Palatine. So here goes: The Excellent: Their Italian sandwich and the spinach side salad tasted excellent and were nicely presented. The Neutral: The décor is what I’d call “Female Chic”, lots of plants, white and pink colors. Not something a guy would feel entirely comfortable in. I’d prefer to have some comfy high-back beige or brown upholstered chairs and a fireplace of some kind, maybe an electric one or a TV playing a fireplace video. The Not Good: 1. The cashier couldn’t make change for a $20 bill on a $17 tab. I had to rummage around in my wallet to give them exact change. I won’t use plastic if I intend to write a review. 2. The regular brewed coffee was lukewarm. I asked the cashier to microwave my coffee, but she refused and gave me a new cup of lukewarm coffee which I had to go and re-sweeten. They seem to have a problem granting a minor customer request. 3. The coffee was presented in a glass mug filled right up to the top. I asked the cashier to pour a little out in case I spilled some walking to the sweetener station. She refused to pour some out and I did spill some on the floor creating a slipping hazard for other customers. They seem to have a problem granting a minor customer request. 4. They didn’t have a full range of sweeteners at the sweetener station. All they had was sugar and Stevia. I like the sucralose (yellow package) artificial sweetener. By this time I was too exhausted dealing with the recalcitrant cashier and just used the Stevia instead of asking for sucralose. 5. The Italian sandwich took a long time to be prepared (about 15 minutes) even though I was the only customer in the store. The sandwich was delivered to me just a moment away from my having to ask the recalcitrant cashier if they forgot about my sandwich order. Bottom line: I know Nelikona is a relatively new coffee shop, but they only get one chance to make a good first impression. Would I go back or recommend this place to my friends? Probably not. The Italian sandwich tasted excellent but was not enough in itself to lure me back knowing it would take a long time to make, that I’d get a lukewarm cup of coffee and none of the sweetener that I like. To run a successful business one needs to be “on top of their game”, to be detail orientated and to cheerfully grant minor customer requests.

I recently visited a Nelikona Cafe that not only served exceptional coffee but also a mouthwatering array of food, delectable desserts, and indulgent ice cream. The ambiance was cozy, with warm lighting and comfortable seating, making it a perfect spot for both solo coffee dates and gatherings with friends. The coffee selection was impressive, offering a range of single-origin beans and expertly crafted espresso drinks. I particularly enjoyed their cappuccino, which had a rich, robust flavor and was beautifully presented. The baristas were skilled and passionate about their craft, evident in the latte art on my coffee. What sets this coffee shop apart is its diverse food menu. I had a savory breakfast sandwich that was fresh and flavorful, a perfect complement to my coffee. For dessert lovers, the pastry display was a temptation I couldn't resist. Their pastries were flaky and indulgent, and I must say, their Belgian waffle was heavenly. As if that wasn't enough, the inclusion of ice cream on their menu was a delightful surprise. I tried the coffee with ice cream and it was the perfect way to end my visit. Creamy and rich, it left me wanting more. The staff were friendly and attentive, making my visit even more enjoyable. Must visit!

Came here for the 1st time & fell in love with this space. Cardamom Latte beautifully prepared & a slice of rhubarb/apple pie artfully presented! I definitely will be back soon!

Absolutely loved everything about this new cafe! The atmosphere is beautiful, cozy and homey but still sophisticated. They serve seasonal, homemade pastries that you can tell are housemade of very high quality ingredients. We enjoyed getting a whole pot of tea to enjoy with real china cups and saucers. Service was outstanding! Looking forward to going back to try the cardamom rose latte, and the delicious sounding menu of breakfast and lunch items as well. What a new treasure for downtown Palatine! We needed a local coffeeshop like this, and I can’t stop telling everyone about it!

Nelikona is an oasis of beauty and wonderful drinks! The chai tea was great, the apple pastry reminded me of my grandmother’s. It is a lovely place to relax for a bit, great for meeting with friends! They really are friendly and wide ranging coffe/tea and treats!

I think I just had the best latte of my life from this cafe! The decor is not only super cute, bright, and welcoming, but the staff was just as nice! I just want to hang out in that space all day. I also got a piece of their gluten-free chocolate cake and my taste buds are blown away! Definitely pay this place a visit, you will not be disappointed! I can't wait to go back!

We just visited this new spot for the first time and really loved it! Coffee and tea was great and we got the apple pie, which was a yummy treat. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting and everyone was so kind. They were also accommodating to our young daughter and she had a blast. We can’t wait to go back.

A newly opened cafe right by the metra station in Palatine. The pastries offered here truly are a treat to be savoured. The apple pie is beyond outstanding. Highly recommended. Enjoy your time here however long it may be.