I was pleasantly surprised. I'm not a fan of coffee chains, admittedly Starbucks, due to the nature of the coffee tasting burnt, and the labor being simplified via automatic espresso machines, and the "art" of it being taken out of it as a result. However, I was amazed at this location. Coffee was extremely good. Nice, light notes and a good aftertaste. The latte was perfect. Milk was steamed well (not scorched), and there was art. Espresso was rich, balanced. Pastries looked amazing. I have never before seen tiramisu at a location up until now! This wasn't just a coffee shop, this was a whole experience. There was even a bar upstairs. The only downfall was the pricing....which I do understand; quality coffee is not cheap ...but I was still surprised....the smallest cup of drip coffee (normally one of the cheapest items in a coffee shop), was almost $7? It was almost $20 for two cups of coffee. Most third wave coffee shops (not chains) have specialty drip coffee for $3-4 a cup. But I do also understand that this is Chicago. Anyways. I recommend coming here. It's a must for the coffee lover. Multiple levels with something to see and do. Even for those who don't like coffee, there are delicious pastries and other non coffee drinks. I also appreciated the fact that they were fully staffed and baristas were happy and not stressed, despite the fact that it was extremely busy and crowded. It's important to have a good working environment.

Is it a tourist trap? Yes. Did it trap us? Also, yes. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Michigan Ave is a great example of just how much you can dress up a coffee bean. With 5 stories of bars, you can see just how much attention was put into this place. Unfortunately for us the 5th floor patio was closed but all other floors were open. The trick here is to go to at least the 3rd floor in order to get your drink due to the massive crowds on the first two floors. The 4th floor is a cocktail area, which seemed very intriguing but we didn’t wanna booze it up that early. After reaching the 3rd floor bar we ordered their brownie, a pumpkin spice whiskey barrel-aged cold brew (yes that’s the full name), and tiramisu latte. The drinks were insanely good, the flavors were almost like you were eating the items themself. And the brownie? Phenomenal. We were actually very surprised by the quality of everything we had. One thing we do wish is that people didn’t hog seats as it is pretty difficult to find a spot to enjoy your food at. Other than that, the service and food are incredible, far beyond what we thought we would get going into the roastery. Easily a place we would recommend but just be very aware of the place being extremely crowded.

We visited The Reserve Starbucks Roastery and wow, what an amazing experience! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels unique, elegant, and vibrant. Service is top-notch: friendly, attentive, and quick. The coffee is outstanding, with an impressive variety of brewing methods and flavors—truly different from any regular Starbucks. The food is fresh and delicious, perfectly complementing the drinks. If only all locations offered this level of quality and attention to detail. A must-visit!

This store is more of an experience than a "coffee shop", as each floor has something different to offer. Too bad the rooftop has closed for the season, but otherwise it was a very cool place to explore. Next time I'll have to try any one of the many offerings.

We are huge Starbucks fans and this was a bucket list stop. We went on a Sunday around 11a and every floor was completely packed shoulder to shoulder. We opted for the 2nd floor with the most food options. The lines moved pretty quickly and we ordered 3 sandwiches and 2 pastries to share. The prosciutto parmagiano reggiano on herb cornetto was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. The remainder of food was pretty solid. We choose the special Chicago roast for our drip coffee and it was flavorful but a bit acidic. It was difficult finding a seat but we managed to find bar seats on the 3rd floor. We didn't get a chance to try any cocktails but would definitely do that on a return visit. The space was amazing with the entire roasting system on display.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago is truly an incredible experience! The food is absolutely amazing, and while there are long lines (which is expected), it’s definitely worth the wait. The building has five floors, each with its own unique vibe and offerings, which makes exploring every level so much fun. The rooftop terrace is a highlight, offering a stunning view of Chicago and its beautiful skyline. The menu is outstanding — everything I tried was just perfect. Overall, it’s such a unique and exciting experience. Can’t wait to go back!

Let me just say, when you walk in you may be overwhelmed. Luckily I was with someone who was there prior to me. So she was able to give me the run down. However, there are employees everywhere willing to help you with your time spent there. Multiple floors featuring different amenities. We mostly stayed on the 3rd floor. The drinks were beyond what you get at your local Starbucks. Fresh, tasty, just nothing you will experience outside the reserve. It’s a must visit at least once kind of place. Their salmon sandwich was out of this world!! I’m talking, was ready to stand in the long line again just to get another WHILE still eating my first! Please, if you don’t really enjoy coffee, just come for the amazing food, atmosphere and also the rooftop to just chill and enjoy the city life!

We visited the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, the largest Starbucks in the world, and it was definitely an experience worth checking out. We first waited about 20 minutes outside just to get in, and then another 30 minutes in line to order food and drinks. The space itself is massive and beautifully designed, with multiple floors featuring different coffee experiences, bars, and seating areas. The pastry and food selection is impressive, far beyond what you see in a typical Starbucks. They have freshly baked items, unique desserts, and specialty drinks that you won’t find anywhere else. Tip: send someone from your group to secure a table while the others wait in line, because seating fills up quickly. The merchandise is stylish but definitely pricey, likely because of its prime location in downtown Chicago and the exclusivity of the store. While it’s not the kind of place you’d visit regularly due to the crowds and cost, it’s a unique spot that’s worth experiencing at least once. Overall, I recommend adding it to your Chicago downtown itinerary, it’s both a coffee lover’s destination and a tourist attraction in itself.