TARY
Quick info
About TARY
TARY is a Kazakhstani cafe at 111 W Illinois St in Chicago, IL, where a focused coffee program meets a menu of Central Asian staples. The kitchen leans into hearty, home-style plates, with the signature Tary Porridge anchoring the morning lineup alongside Cottage Cheese Pancakes with Balkaimak Cream. On the coffee side, the Latte Irimshik is a named specialty that draws on local dairy. The space functions as a casual daytime stop for both laptop work and quick takeaway.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingPaid street parking · Difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible seating
- DietaryServes organic dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
52 dishes · mains $4–25Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention balgyn quyrdaq, baursak, tary sweets and tary milk tea.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention balgyn quyrdaq, baursak, tary sweets and tary milk tea.
Customer Review Summary
Tary draws consistent praise for its traditional Kazakh bakery items and specialty coffee, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the Baursak dough balls, cottage cheese pancakes, and the Latte Irimshik as standouts. The Tary milk tea and eggs Benedict with salmon also earn specific nods for flavor and freshness. Most describe the latte service as a small ritual, served in a mug on a wooden board with a light wafer roll, and many call the coffee smooth and well-balanced. The atmosphere, blending industrial touches with Kazakh rugs and a tiled stove, gets mentioned as cozy and laptop-friendly. On the downside, a few reviewers report slow kitchen timing, noting long waits for the Tary porridge and a simple chicken salad, and some find seating tight and the space disorganized during busy stretches, with only a handful of shared paper menus.
Customer Review Summary
Tary draws consistent praise for its traditional Kazakh bakery items and specialty coffee, with reviewers repeatedly singling out the Baursak dough balls, cottage cheese pancakes, and the Latte Irimshik as standouts. The Tary milk tea and eggs Benedict with salmon also earn specific nods for flavor and freshness. Most describe the latte service as a small ritual, served in a mug on a wooden board with a light wafer roll, and many call the coffee smooth and well-balanced. The atmosphere, blending industrial touches with Kazakh rugs and a tiled stove, gets mentioned as cozy and laptop-friendly. On the downside, a few reviewers report slow kitchen timing, noting long waits for the Tary porridge and a simple chicken salad, and some find seating tight and the space disorganized during busy stretches, with only a handful of shared paper menus.
Featured reviews
- Shelly R
“I had an excellent experience at Tary. I ordered an iced latte with espresso and a shot of vanilla, and it was prepared beautifully. The drink was smooth, flavorful, and well-balanced… you could really taste the richness of the espresso and the freshness of the coffee. I also had the eggs Benedict with salmon, and it was delicious. The salmon was flavorful without being too salty, served with olive oil on fresh, lightly toasted wheat bread. The egg and sauce brought everything together perfectly. Overall, the meal felt fresh, thoughtfully prepared, and satisfying. I’d definitely recommend Tary for both coffee and brunch.”
- Naresh Thadani
“It took a long time for them to prepare the Tari porridge and a simple chicken salad. Would not rate it at 5 star review level. The matcha was good though.”
- ibrahim şahin
“Absolute 5-star experience! We came all the way from North Carolina, and this place is worth every single penny. The food is legendary—absolutely delicious. We ordered the Balgyn quyrdaq and the Baursak, and topped it off with the Tary sweets for dessert; everything was exceptional. We also tried the Tary milk tea. It was my first time having milk tea, and I absolutely loved it! If you are visiting Chicago, this is an absolute must-visit. On top of the incredible food, the service is top-notch. The waiters and staff are incredibly polite, attentive, and welcoming. A special thanks to Yersultan for taking such great care of us and making our visit so memorable. Highly, highly recommend!”
- Жансая Базаркул
“I’m absolutely in love with TARY Coffee House 🤍 Without exaggeration, this is the best place I’ve been to in Chicago. Everything …”
- Victor Arriaga
“It was nice to find a coffee shop that feels mom and pop in River North, among the large chains. The coffee was very good and the dough balls serving is very generous. Service …”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Has fast service
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Paid street parking
- Dogs allowed outside
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers takeaway
Show more amenities
- Serves dine-in
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves coffee
- Dining options· 6
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Facilities· 2
- Has gender-neutral toilets
- Has toilet
- Offerings· 4
- Serves alcohol
- Serves healthy options
- Serves organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Highlights· 3
- Has fast service
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Parking· 1
- Difficult to find a space
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 3
- Cosy
- Quiet
- Trendy
Location
How TARY compares to nearby cafes
- TARY · This shop4.7984 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: balgyn quyrdaq, baursak, tary sweets
- Mojo Coffee4.6400 reviews0.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: coffee, avocado toast, smoked salmon on rye
- 282 reviews1.9 mi
Mentioned in reviews: matcha, turkey panini, nutella latte
TARY This shop | Mojo Coffee | Two Shades Cafe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7(984) | 4.6(400) | 4.5(282) | |
| Price | $20–30 | $1–10 | $10–20 |
| Distance | — | 0.9 mi | 1.9 mi |
| Open today |
How this listing is sourced
Hours, contact details, and amenities are sourced from publicly available business data and re-checked regularly. Listings are ranked independently — no paid placement.