Reviews of Ceres Cafe (Coffee Shop)

Pat Diaz

Ceres Cafe, located in the Chicago Board of Trade, is one of the most desirable restaurants for a business lunch. Ceres has lunch specials that vary daily along with their made rom scratch soups. A variety of salads and sandwiches are also available. If you are in a rush and need to eat at your desk, try the Cellars Market on the lower level. You will be amazed at their salad bar, no other restaurant can compare.

Chuck H.

Coming to Ceres after a local friend's recommendation. Asked for a good recommendation to Maria, who's been working for Ceres for 25+ years, and she told me I wont be disappointed. She was right. All of the staff were very attentive and generous. I had a great last meal at Chicago amd hope to be back again soon.

Ronda S

Good food, strong drinks..sheesh.. Lol, nice over crowded Chicago happy hour per usual, I didn't hear any music so I'm not sure about that!

Stephanie Ciupka

I have been here many times for Thursday happy hour, and there is no cheaper place for a very strong drink in the loop, which is why my coworkers and I kept going back. Their food is also very good--if you can manage to order any, which is why I'm giving this only 1 star. In my experience, the service when they are busy can be horrendous. Once I had to ask multiple times just to see a menu, before going and finding one myself, and then once I finally managed to order was brought the wrong sandwich. On another occasion, again after asking multiple times to see a food menu, and then asking to order, and then waiting for it to arrive, I asked the waiter if he knew about how long the food would take. His response was, "Well, it has to cook, baby." I have never in my life been so angry at a waiter, and still wish my friends had not talked me out of speaking with a manager that night--after his remark, we should not have paid the 18% gratuity that he added to our tab due to group size. Overall, Ceres is fine if you're poor and want a very strong drink, and sometimes the service isn't bad (like I said, I've been there many times), but the times it has been bad have ruined it for me. I'd recommend going elsewhere.

Tia R

Best drinks in the financial district

Daniel Estevez

Legendary spot to grab drinks after work for people in nearby offices. Extremely strong drinks at affordable prices.

Michael Leb

Ceres is always good, and service is always fast. I am usually here for lunch, but it is great for after work drinks and appetizers as well.

Destin McIntosh

This place serves drinks that are poured VERY generously. If you want some coke with your whiskey, this is the place to come. I've honestly never eaten here, but I have had many a good times here.... because of their VERY GENEROUSLY POURED DRINKS.

Junia Findlay

Great spot for young professionals to meet up on a Friday afternoon for happy hour. Such a good time that you shouldn't be surprised if you see a line extending outside of the cafe waiting for space to be available inside. The amount of alcohol to mixer that is served is generous to say the least. You will get your money's worth when I comes to the drinks you order during happy hour. Ordered wings also when I was there (was not impressed). If you are going to go with a group of friends, plan to split the check evenly. They were kind enough to work with us when we had a more complicated check splitting request, but indicated that it won't be allowed in the future. I say, allow one person to cover the whole bill and ensure everyone else Venmo that person for reimbursement. Will make your lives easier.

Peter Lewis

Well priced drinks!

ford s

food and drinks here are amazing and reasonably priced... 1 and done

Mo Stone

This is my spot... best drinks ever!!! Artichoke dip is pretty good too...

Napz4dayz Tiffani

Great drinks. Javier and Eric are

Michael Sullivan

Love the salads

Djuan Cornell

Drinks were very good

Patrick Murphy

If you want a real stiff drink for a very reasonable price. This is the spot

DeLina Cruz

Great food. Great service. Daily specials.

Angie Carter

The food was delicious, the waitress was great and the restaurant was very inviting.

christina jackson

If you want a stiff drink and meet the after 5 crowd then this is the place for you.

Kae Bradford

Ceres Happy Hour is the biggest bang for your buck that you can get. The bartenders are extremely heavy handed *wink wink* the greasy bar food is so is so filling that you might just stumble out sober. I love this place. Its a great place when you are looking for great company but low on cash.

Paul Saulsbury Jr

If you're looking to wind down after an interesting day of work, stop in for a visit. It's a nice atmosphere with well rounded people all located in one spot for the same reason, To Chill Out. It's a great location for networking. Also, the drinks are incredibly priced and made as they should be.

Joseph Mcdaniel

Heavy hands, great time!!!!!

Charitha Cherukuri

Nice

Jamila McMillon

Best place for affordable strong drinks

Rebecca Russell

Very nice place for dinner with good environment.

Brad S

Probably the best bar for happy hour in Chicago. Great value on the drinks for an excellent location. Been going here for over ten years and it is my standard go to bar on weeknights.

Chris Walljasper

Always fast, always friendly. Affordable, great food - this place is an institution.

Cynthia Roman

STRONG drinks, cheaply priced. Great eats. Service was ok, but very polite. If you order the margarita, ask for extra lime to squeeze in.

Chris Olsen

The drinks are amazing and they should be since they're named after the goddess of plenty. The food is also very good. Definitely stop for a drink!!!

D Alvarado

I hope no one reads this review, so this place can remain a hidden gem. I like to stop by after work (17 miles away) for a drink here. That usually suffices my needs as their drinks are generously poured. Their food isn’t terrible, but it’s their drinks that are the stars here.

Maria Santos

Excellent food, great prices and a good time with my boyfriend. =)

Harold Watts

Service was helpful, friendly, and had wonderful conversations with our waiter.

Nicholas White

Years ago this place was a hidden gem. It's still amazing but there can be so many people there. The food is good but nobody goes there for that. The drinks. Not fancy but if you like booze you will be happy.

Ryan Hanna

Best drinks in the loop

Bobby Hunt III

Great location, sat outside. Fast service. Big drinks. Cheap food. I had the sole special. An almost too much to eat plate of fried sole for about 10 bucks. Excellent deal. Tasted very good. The turkey club is killer too.

Katie Shukla

Best drink for the price.

Aaron Ritter

Are you downtown? Do you want ridiculously strong drinks? Is it before 8pm? Go to ceres!

Alex

Best work spot in the loop. Frank is the best bartender in Chicago, he'll always take care of you. Don't bother ordering a tequila and coke, it's a terrible drink.

Jonathan Rush

Great drinks good service

Jonathan Logan

Pretty solid cafe buffalo chicken salad was good.

Clarence Jackson

Best drinks for the price in the loop

Paul Morgan

Classic Chicago after hours spot. Liquor drinks are the reason you come here. Recommended for those who are looking for local spot

Sherri B

Afterwork spot

Bri

Went there for a fish sandwich on Friday during lent. Both the host and the waitress told me they had a fish sandwich. I asked also for a side of fries since the sandwich didn’t come with any. Later she brings me a plate of fried fish with stale fries. When I said I thought this was supposed to be a sandwich, the waitress and another waiter who wasn’t busy decided to come over and tell me they just gave me the platter instead of the sandwich because I wanted fries. Horrible meal and experience. Boxed it up immediately, went to McDonalds across the street and had better food for cheaper. Two stars because she took the fries off the bill and wasn’t rude.

Steve Lock

This place is always good for a group drink, and Fredo was on top form keeping out large group from getting thirsty!

Sonya Lee

Heavy pour on drinks. Ordered a Moscow mule, and had to order a side of ginger beer, the cup was full of vodka. just FYI on what I mean by heavy pour! Its amazing! 2 drinks, Done!

Chuck Beck

Mediocre beer and food selection. Surprised to get a glass that couldn't fit the bottle of beer in it. Ok service.

Erick Haynes

Great drinks. Ok food. Nice happy hour spot!

Lamont Robertson

Very nice and strategic place for those of us who are working downtown. In Friday, after work, come out to this place and relax and have a good drink and let go of the stress!

Shawn Fisher

Nice place

Jose A Villafan

Very friendly staff and the food taste good

Shun Robertson

Best drinks in the world an I've drunk everywhere

Aliza James

Great place for drinks. Service is good as well!

Lauren Cano-Granada

Very slow, mediocre service. Food is overpriced for the average taste.

Theresa Herman

LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Drinks are sooooo good. They pour HEAVY!! Food is good as well

M Bourgon

Okay, this qualifies as a little gem. Would've missed it, but it's the in-building bar & restaurant for the Chicago Board of Trade bldg. Our waitress was fantastic, everybody there was super friendly and made you feel... not just not-a-stranger, but a regular who just hadn't been there. Food was overall very good, wide variety, everything from quesadillas to burger, Italian to Italian Beef.

Amy Brice

The stiffest drinks in the loop. Really good bar snacks. Definitely bang for your buck.

Eric Gross

Decent place for a drink after work. Gets pretty loud at times. Prices are pretty reasonable for downtown. The outside area is nice in the summer.

L. Asher Corson

Fat pours

David Castro

Very generous portion of alcohol when you order one, not expensive at all, and the chaser is not much extra. I just wish they had a license to serve alcohol later than 7.30pm so you can go later in the night. Great service and location! The whiskey in the picture was like 8 bucks but that's all I could drink anyway, I was pretty buzzed with that.

Michael Carroll

Great bar to stop at after work for a stiff drink! Even at 8 am... if you're one of those people who get done early at the BOT.

Tricia Robinson

Excellent locatio. My husband and I viaited this location for the first time today this morning. It was not busy and we had an immediate seating. We were surprised about affordable pricing for breakfast menu. They were also delicious

Tzuriel Amster

Great Service. Had the Buddha Bowl portions were generous!

Paul Kern

Great staff, really good place to go after work to hang out with work with!

Ryan Sullivan

This is one of my favorite places to come for happy hour! When I need a stiff drink, and I mean a big one, I order one of the many liquors listed on Ceres' drink menu, usually with a soda on the side. How the bartenders serve the liquor here is they fill a cocktail glass with ice and then pour the alcohol in until the glass is full. This ends up being a lot more than one serving's worth, but still at the price of one. If you're not a liquor person, you can still order a draft beer, which comes in a tall glass. These are also pretty good prices, but I would like to see a better selection with fewer macro beers and more off the wall stuff. As far as food, I enjoy the fried calamari or chicken wings. They are both consistently good quality and delicious. I will be coming here well into the future as it's just below my office and I always need a drink after work.

Terry Kulow

Great drinks

Brian Powers

Tell Billy I sent you. This Chicago Board of Trade standard built it's reputation by feeding thousands of traders daily, fast and well. Theses days the traders have disappeared, but the quality of the food and speed of service have remained. A great breakfast, lunch and after work spot. In the summer the food, drink and fun spill outdoors to the open air patio.

Ian M

Place is an institution. Known for their deep pours and decent drink prices. Get a rum and coke and see for yourself. Atmosphere is worn and it can be crowded. Not a place I would eat food at. Worth popping in here at 3pm for a stiff drink or two.

Ann Braun

Great lunch place if you're in the financial district. Beautiful building. Interesting surroundings. Dinner was a bit noisy with after-work bar customers.

Michael Blackowicz

Great place for a strong cocktail after work.

Cynthia Merchan

Great atmosphere on a Friday after work!

Miranda Powell

Best place for a great drink in the city that won’t hurt your pockets!

Maurice R.

Visited for a quick meet with a friend. Service on a Monday after work was non-existent. Food items sampled were pretty good, but good food can’t save bad service. Lunch hour is usually pretty active and forget about Friday happy hour.

Consuella Brown

Quiet spot with so so food

Boyce Evans

A must in the Loop.

Tara Hale

Drinks are strong and good price. Reuben was amazing! Corned beef tasted like my grandma makes it. Service was too slow for lunch crowd.

Jennifer Steplowski

Quick service and strong drinks. Try to go on a non-peak day to avoid crowds.

Patrick Daou

Best drinks in town. The staff is great. The food is all homemade. Everything is really well priced. This is a gem.

Mark Drabicki

Best drink pour in the city and might I claim the nation! No place that I've ever visited in this planet consistently pours a drink the strength of Ceres!

Kelly Olson

Yes. You should come here for the generous cocktails and make sure you order an extra soda on the side.

Kazmo Groove

The best thing about this place is they open early. At 6am. It's inside a business building. It's very hidden and quiet. The service was nice and fast. Good coffee.

Patrick Grimaldi

Great spot for a boozy lunch, probably better suited for a Friday than any other day of the week. They serve what is probably the strongest gin and tonic I've had in Chicago. I like that, the few times I've been there after work, I've always been able to be seated pretty quickly (even when it's busy during March madness).

Alhamza

Food was excellent and did not take long to arrive. Staff was very kind and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend to eat here.

Cheryl Fisher

Good food! Lil prices, but your in Board of Trade building. They have daily specials. Great eatery, lower level Cafeteria for quick in out. What a variety of food to choose from. Love there homemade soups!

Mohannad Safadi

A nice cafe, hidden in the Chicago Board of Trade building. The service was fine, and the food was great and decently priced. I ordered the patty melt and it was perfect. Just make sure to order fires on the side, as they do not provide it with their sandwiches.

robert heitner

A bit pricey for standard comfort food.

Keith W.

Best Bar in Chicago. Everyone from millionaires to Bus Boys gets drinks here. Some of the coolest people in Chicago.

J Pitts

Drinks have gotten a little weaker... But still hearty pours. Wish the popcorn was still a thing there.

Tracie Ward

Food was tasty and the bartender does not skimp on the drinks.

Drew McDowell

If you dont know the place, get to know it!!(thank me later ;-) )

Robert Rowan

Great portions and very accomodating servers, but the ingredients that go into the food is just okay. I did really enjoy the banana pancakes but the breakfast burrito was okay. Great portion but ingredients aren't made in-house and not organic ingredients. OJ was from concentrate, not fresh-squeezed. Coffee was pretty good. Design of reataurant was cool, but atmosphere was sort of dead at 8:30.

Alexander Owen

Great deals on Fridays after work! A huge liquor drink for $10 to forget all your worries from the work week! Only downside is that the place is PACKED. Nowhere to sit or stand comfortably, but it's ok because you're drunk and having fun for a great price!

Graham Dyer

Tasty, healthy food

Jeff P

Strongest drinks in Chicago. Not kidding. Great food and atmosphere.

Ryan Hutchins

This is a basic diner atmosphere with okay service. The food here is average. The one good thing they have going for them is that they make strong drinks. If you are looking to grab a quick drink after work but worried you don't have time for that Friday afternoon buzz just grab 1 or 2 cocktails here and ride it out.

Kathleen Bijak

I tried a kale salad yesterday with broccoli, califlour and quinoa that was superb. Hope you keep it in your salad lineup.

Sterling Smith

Great good and drinks!

Mike Arundel

The best cornbeef hash in the city. The servers are the nicest people around and the prices are not bad. Since the CME went mostly electronic you will not have a problem getting a seat.

L.J Tan

Nicer burgers with good attention to service for an in-a-hurry lunch crowd.

ANMOL GOEL

Hardest drinks in chicago!!

V Nayar

No frills after work drinking joint!

Jay Colingham

Good food with a variety of options. It was easy to find great meals for different dietary constraints. For brunch, they serve many traditional foods with the quality you would expect. The setting and environment is nice but not too classy. Many of the patrons look like travelers and business people. The food was prepared well and was not greasy or too sweet or salty. I would go back and have brought out of town friends their in a hurry.

Sharon Jaffess

Good food, fast service... Great for lunch... After work, if you need a strong drink... This is the place!

Altan Erdemir

Great drinks good food. Buddha bowl is great

Joel Buchanan

Generous pours, good pub style food. Outdoor patio is fantastic in the summer.

Mango houston

My favorite after work spot Especially on Friday’s. It’s a little disappointing they don’t have a single cognac but they make up for it with the string reasonably priced drinks. Calamari and buffalo chicken egg rolls are phenomenal. Definitely a hit!!!

Armando Reddick

Awesome environment! Great Drinks!

Connie Hughes

Food and atmosphere

Latifat O.

Drinks were well priced and STRONG. Food tastes great. They close on the dot so make sure you give yourself plenty of room before they kick you out.

Angela Fanos

Went for a retirement party. Service was excellent!

brad peek

A staple bar restaurant for traders for generations. VERY reasonable and classy outdoor seating in summer.

thomas weber

Can recommend the place for a nice and proper breakfast! We went there 3 days in a row, all good! OJ very fresh, warm dishes tasty. (Not cheap) Speedy and friendly staff. Will come again!

Greg W

Have been here a couple of times after work with a buddy and this is the ultimate after work spot. You get yourself a full glass of liquor and a side of soda for about $10 (depending on what liquor you get). And when I say full glass, I mean literally a glass filled to the top with your liquor of choice and ice. Coming here with a friend or two after work to get 1-2 drinks and munch on some delicious cheese curds has become a Friday staple for us. I would definitely recommend coming here! (There is an automatic 20% tip charge on Fridays)

john schaffer

I have been going to this restaurant for about 38 years. No one can come close to this restaurant's simple style and cachet. Want my advice? Just go!

Jeremy Foster

Great drinks and food, beautiful decor, in a delightful atmosphere.

Ernesto N

For a drink, a stiff drink, you cannot go wrong by coming here. Sure it's in the loop, but that means tons of taxis, buses, and trains so you don't have to drive! And you shouldn't after being here! But back to the drink. I ordered a rum and coke. Believe me, it was Rum, with Coke to give it color. The bartender even left the Coke can with me, thankfully! The drink was 11 bucks, and well worth it. Especially listening in on the regulars talk. Good thing it's an over 21 crowd because the kiddies.... Well they wouldn't understand any of the chit chat..... Thank the Lord! Sorry, no photos. I think I couldn't take one if I tried after having the one drink!

Bud Fox

Had a massive and tasty turkey club from here. Not cheap but a welcome treat every now and again. Seeing the floor traders eating here stirred memories of the LIFFE canteen, those were some fun time's.

Jonathan Carter

This was a recommendation from the security guard at our office. The food was average and not anything memorable. I won't come here again. We came after work around 6:30 and the inside was dead. They were cleaning up the place even though they closed at 8:00. Maybe, lunch is better. I got the salad and I didn't think the ingredients were fresh. However, both my coworkers liked their meals. I also had the turkey chili and that was great. We entered through Jackson street and the entrance is inside the Board of Trade building. The is also an entrance on the other side of the building where there is outdoor seating.

Brett Nelson

Lots of fun and stiff drinks

Daryl Wheeler

Quality service, great food and drink portions, the calamari was outstanding.

Heather Barnett

Great sangria! Yum!!

Ryan Glab

Best place for drinks in Chicago and the bar snacks aren't too shabby either

Matthew Pacyna

Very no frills drinks here. Ordered a Jack and come when came with a full glass of Jack and a top off a coke.

Brittni Barnes

This place is awesome...great crowd and great drinks....pour a nice amount!

David McMasters

Ceres is the best deal around in the loop. Their "mixies" are no joke. If you want a glass of booze with a eyedropper splash of mix, this is the place for you. They have out door seating and is good people watching. I highly recommend this place for happy hour.

Victor Flores

This place has one HEALTHY pour for whiskeys at least. Show up if you wanna leave super sloshed. The burger here was delicious!

Otho Farrow

Cool NYC vibes in Chicago...

Matthew Ludwig

The Best Pour in Chicago

Christopher Dorman

I feel like I should come back and downgrade this every few years as my tastes change. When I first moved to work in Chicago post college the stiff drinks and popcorn were a great way to get the evening going. I still enjoy the drinks as a way to get the party going, but was never really impressed with the food options.

Althia Marshall

Very busy always, so if you are looking for a happy hour hangout get there early. Drinks are strong. Love it.

Kyle Bauer

Great tacos, but the place is small. Don't go with a large group (4+) on a Friday or Saturday as you'll have nowhere to sit

Dave Mathieu

Strong drink's. Good fun

randle michael

You ever wish you could keep a place a secret... Well if I did it may not be in business or maybe we could privately fund it smh... Milinieals (I purposely spell it wrong) ruin this grit and grind with a smidge of Glam joint but one things for certain the buffalo spring rolls are as solid as the pours... And if you know the pours... Well...

Brianne McGee

Always a great time with great drinks and atmosphere!

John Elias

Good bar after work

Kyla Kelly

What can I say about this place? The drinks are incredibly strong, the food comes out quickly, and the networking while they are open is great. I recommend getting there for a happy hour no later than 5:30pm to take full advantage before they close.

dre thompson

Good strong drinks and nice food for the price

Stephen Schlickman

Service not great but food is fine and it is a great location in the Loop.

Thadeus Staples

Great downtown place to grab some food or drinks with friends/family & Coworkers. Drink prices are definitely lower compared to most other downtown places.

a r bell

Always a great time there

Arno G

They know how to pour a cocktail.

Richard Mayhew

Its does not feel like it has changed much in 30 years or so. Big size portions of food...friendly and accommodating staff. Will probably be there in 30 years time.

Alex Ekwuaju

All you need is a couple drinks and you're lit. The price makes it a no brainer for a great happy hour

Yolanda Ortega

Only three words come to mind when I think of Ceres Cafe, stiff, stiff, stiff! Located at the Board of Trade building, this cafe features an eclectic type of guest from all over the downtown area. The area sports many bars but Ceres stands out for their reasonable prices, stiff drinks and great people! The bar menu features everything from tacos to sliders and is served up quickly. In the summer the patio is open in a large open courtyard in the heart of the financial district. A must visit place to mingle with true Chicagoans!

celina f

Best drinks and good menu but drinks are great!!

Pathik Shah

Best spot for drinks after a tough day at work..they give you a full glass of liquor and leave the drink mixing up to you.

Kelly Doyle

DELISH and great food and drinks for downtown!! Waitstaff is the best!!

Syrron Williams

Best drinks (strongest around). Only downside is the long wait to get in.

sneha khurana

Dated breakfast menu. More like a dinner still of food and menu

Ryan

You know what you get at this place, and you get it. Very cool spot to go after work

Claudea Heise

Best drink deals in town.

misael reillo

Best darn Eggs Benedict in Chicago. Yes, I’m serious.

Jason W. Bird

Great food and drinks. Drinks were pretty strong but is that a bad thing ever?? Lol. They have an outside patio area with HUGE umbrellas so it was enjoyable without sitting in the sun.

paris tyler

One of the most lively drinking locations in the loop, if not the whole city. Be prepared for loud on Fridays. And the drinks are tasty too.

Jeremy Smith

Great drinks great location by the brown line.

r herrold

Under the watchful gaze of Ceres, near the CME and the Chicago BOT. Across the street from the Federal Reserve branch, and with a fine dystopian lockup nearby What could go wrong ?

Hassan Rafique

Great place for breakfast. Affordable and convenient location in downtown. Highly recommended!