Awaken Cafe — Restaurant in Kankakee

Jamie and Jason have created such a beautiful and calming atmosphere that no one else has delivered here in Kankakee. The different drinks they offer are accommodating to all who have dietary restrictions or are looking to introduce healthier alternatives! Every time I have gone in, I ask any of the baristas what they would recommend for me to try and they never steer me wrong! From the Dubai Pistachio Iced Lattes, to the Cookie Butter drinks and the Lotus Energy drinks that are light and refreshing and made with coconut milk, I personally recommend them ALL! The smoothie bowls are beautifully made and 10000% picture worthy & TASTE like the worlds creamiest fruit smoothies that no other place can offer. The fresh bagels with the Maple spread is also mouth watering and the perfect on-the-go snack. The customers are friendly, the atmosphere is calm and the perfect spot to have a self-care day with a good book and surrounded by good people. If you haven't tried this place yet,...

I'm not normally review-driven or actively like posting reviews, but I do think it's worth it in this case.

I had some things to do out in the Kankakee area and needed a little pick-me-up. Searching through google Maps took me to this spot, and I'm glad it did! I explained it was my first time there. I got a very thoughtful and thorough walk through the menu, there's so many options I wish I got to try. All the refresher-style drinks sounded like they were up my alley. However, I wasn't with my partner, so I wanted to get a latte on her behalf.

Pictured with my post is a cookie butter latte that uses biscoff cookie butter, and i got 2% milk with mine. It was very well made, I saw all the care that was taken to make my drink in front of me, and it was exactly what I needed. I hope i have more errands in Kankakee soon to stop by again, but I would definitely make the drive down from Chicago for their drinks.

10/10 would...

I was really excited to try this place out on my way out of town, I was staying in the apartment above the business and I was really looking forward to their cold brew but I was told that their cold brew was not working so they offered an alternative which was a version of an Americano that had the cold brew foam on top, I was told that it would be less bitter than a cold brew. Now I've been a barista and I know that espresso can be bitter, cold brew can be bitter as well but it can also be smooth and I'm telling you the espresso or whatever that they use for my Americano was bitter and I did not enjoy the salted caramel flavoring, it was pretty minimal. Then my husband went down there about a half hour later with his dad and he got a cold brew! Really upset that I didn't get a cold brew but my husband did. There was no music playing either so the atmosphere here was definitely not comforting...