Central Cafe — Restaurant in Highland Park

TL;DR 5/5: This is how a café should be.

Food 5/5: Spring Pea was the soup of the day on each of 2024 March 20 and 21. White cream decorated the vibrant, green soup as a barista would an artful latte and the colors enhanced a rich and textured soup which included strips of Genoa salami. The Rosemary Ham & Cheddar Savory Crepe, accompanied by a vinaigrette-topped salad, added further taste and temperature -- heavy and warm from the savory crepe, light and chilled from the salad -- to the meal. Next, while the Classic Bennie (Canadian bacon, poached eggs, with house salad) was also filling, the Denver Omelet (bell peppers, onion, rosemary ham, cheddar, and substituting chips for house salad) beat all of the above with not only its sunny eggs and bright red bell peppers but also its delicate flavor. And to drink, a hot, Honey Lavender Latte ("heavenly" was how I described it to a server who asked how everything was), proved to be popular for good reason.

Service 5/5: Dining in was quasi counter-based, where one orders and pays at the counter, receives utensils and a number to set at their table, and has their meal brought to them and finished dishes cleared away by a server who may ask how the diner's meal was. Or at least that's how it went with me, with never a lag or rush. Great job.

Atmosphere 5/5: Side street parking by this café was available. Inside it was fairly busy but not packed. And the interior was bright and airy, clean and comfortable, with tables and chairs thankfully not giving even a hint of violent wobbling, unlike those of some...

Highland Park finally has the charming, welcoming cafe it's been craving! Central Cafe is a breath of fresh air, offering not just incredible coffee, but delicious food and top-notch customer service.

From the first sip, you know their coffee is something special. It's brewed to perfection, with rich flavor and a smooth finish. Whether you're a latte lover or a cold brew connoisseur, Central Cafe has something to tantalize your taste buds.

But the magic doesn't stop at the coffee. Their food menu is equally impressive. They offer a delightful selection of breakfast and lunch options, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. From flaky pastries to savory sandwiches, every bite is a flavor explosion.

What truly sets Central Cafe apart, however, is the amazing customer service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. They go the extra mile to make you feel welcome, whether you're grabbing a quick coffee or settling in for a leisurely lunch.

If you're looking for a place to relax, connect with friends, or simply enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and a tasty bite, Central Cafe is your new go-to spot. It's the perfect addition to the Highland Park community, and I can't wait to...

Went in on a Sunday morning. I ordered a latte, which took about 20 minutes. Unfortunately it was not made correctly. It tasted like there was only milk in the cup with syrup. When I opened the lid, the drink was completely white. I went inside to ask if it could get remade and the girl on the counter fought me on it with a terrible attitude. She ended up agreeing and I went to wait back outside. Then another lady heard me on the way out and she told me her drink got messed up too and also asked for it to be remade and the girl inside refused. She had ordered a lavender tea and said it tasted like it had coffee in it. We’re pretty sure my espresso ended up in her drink. After another 20 minute wait, I got my “fixed” latte with an attitude. It was unfortunately just not a good experience. Only giving it two stars because the...