Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts
11 S 7th St, Geneva, IL, 60134
Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts Menu
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Address :
11 S 7th St
Geneva, IL, 60134 - Phone (630) 845-2990
- Website https://www.cocoabeangeneva.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Delivery : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
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Roseanne S.
Cocoa Bean was the cake vendor for our wedding at Cantigny and was part of our overall package. I made an appointment for a required testing. On the day of, we were on our way when I received a voicemail asking where we were. I called back and the guy I talked to didn't really have a solution as to what to do or how the time got messed up. It was probably my fault, but I would have liked some kind of guidance instead of me having to figure out what to do. In the end, we decided I could still come in at the time I thought it was. Geneva is faaaaarr, but the town is kinda cute. The bakery itself is very nice. Lots of pastries if you feel like stopping by for a treat. We sat at a table and then met with the woman in charge of our cake. She brought out some samples of what we could get. We really liked the vanilla bean and the chocolate. So decadent. She also showed us some design samples. Once again, I had no idea what I wanted, so I was up for anything. I saw a pretty design with ribbon around the tiers and flowers on top and thought that would be great. She told me the width of ribbon I would need and said I could mail it over once I had it, and that she would be in contact with our florist for the topper. We ended up choosing two flavors/frosting for our cake, which was an additional charge, but its based on how many people you have, so it was only like $40 extra. I think it was worth it since you never know what people want. Fast forward to the wedding: our cake was beautiful and we got rave reviews on the taste. I was super nervous, since my best friend said she's had some pretty bad wedding cake in her experience, but everyone absolutely loved it. They said it was the best cake they ever had. I have to agree that it was sooo good. I had people taking extras! Even though they were the vendor for Cantigny, if you have the option of picking a vendor, I'd highly recommend Cocoa Bean. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Princess F.
We were at the Geneva Car Show and passed by this place. The presentation was wonderful - mini golden plates decorated with tiny individual cakes. The cakes were topped with hand painted chocolate. I got the chocolate flavor while my daughter got the raspberry-blueberry. The chocolate tasted nice. However I would recommend that you skip the other flavor. The outside was dried and stale. I dont think this is how it is expected to taste like - most likely was an old piece. The girls behind the counter were friendly and helpful, one of them walked around to tell us which flavor was what.
(3)Gina V.
The cakes and coffee are very delicious. The staff is very helpful in describing the content of their deserts. I purchased the minute pastries and chocolates. They are cute and tasteful. I love this place to chill for a coffee brake
(4)Stefani G.
Simply perfect. I wish there were more of these kinds of places around. Keep it up cocoa bean!
(5)Tish D.
Great place to order special occasion cakes. Cute little bakery with fancy pasteries. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)Rhonda R.
Ordered the almond crossiant- soooo good. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The lemon bars are wonderfully tart as well. Worth coming for sure!!
(5)Amanda T.
We ordered our wedding cake through Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts for our June 2015 wedding. They partner with Cantigny customers and the price should have been included with our reception bill. We requested a "naked, unfrosted, cake" and inspiration pictures were provided several months in advance. We wanted to have a multi tiered cake with fresh fruit on the edges, and flowers on top. We were charged approx $45 extra for us to have the cake "special ordered." On the day of the wedding, we walked in the room and saw the cake for the first time, and it was almost completed frosted, which was the complete opposite of our vision, and inspiration pictures. When I reached out to Cocoa Bean after the wedding to express my concerns, it took them 4 weeks to get back to me, and said "sorry if we were disappointed." Awful customer service, and we unfortunately did not have the "wow" cake we were hoping for on our wedding day. The only reason I gave 2 stars is because they added our cake topper for us, and had no issues with cake being delivered on time.
(2)Alyssa P.
I've been here over 1/2 a dozen times and I'll have to say my favorite thing here is the apricot pistachio tart. I prefer their breakast items (apple / pear tarts, danish, and crossiants) much more than their desserts. The mini desserts and indiv. cakes are beautifully decorated and pricey but don't taste as good as they look. I tell myself every time to just stick with the bakery items but the items in the glass displays are so pretty, I couldn't resist and leaves me disappointed every time. Service has been good to very good.
(4)Crystal R.
This has got to be one of the most spectacular dessert destinations I've ever encountered. Their desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious and their staff is very kind and attentive. If you like desserts, this will be your new favorite place! Side note: we have also had their paninis and have not been disappointed, just make sure you leave room for dessert!
(5)Haroldina N.
Good desserts but pricey. Also, not very friendly. Can't recommend.
(2)Ryann M.
Cocoa Bean made the cake for my friend's birthday party, and I have to say it was beautiful! It was exactly what I wanted and they did a great job working off the "inspiration" photos I sent - I could not have been happier! They also delivered the cake promptly and carefully, and were able to take my order via email, which was nice. There was a small miscommunication when I called the bakery to finalize my order, I think likely due to the fact I was talking to someone other than who I had been emailing with. Luckily, I followed up with a confirmation email and Nancy was able to straighten everything out. I definitely recommend trying to arrange a time to call when you can talk to her personally. Five stars except for that tiny issue!
(4)John S.
Cocoa Beans made our wedding cake, and it was scrumptious! We arranged a tasting with them 8 months ahead. They prepared 5 items for us based on some criteria we gave. It was an outdoor wedding on a hot day, so we needed a cake that wouldn't melt or fall apart, but we also wanted to avoid the "same old" cake taste. We wanted all of the cakes we tasted, but settle on a chocolate cake with vanilla bean frosting. On wedding day they showed up right before food was served, and the cake lasted 45 minutes without losing shape, taste or texture. Guests loved it! We'll be going back often for tasty treats.
(5)Kristina U.
The cakes and other pastries that I have purchased here have always wowed with looks but underperformed in the taste department; very sad.
(3)Bill D.
Happy 10th anniversary. We have been coming here and telling other people about Cocoa Bean for 10 years! The best pastries anywhere! I have traveled to Paris dozens of times, including last month again) and I always look forward to returning to Cocoa Bean for the BEST Chocolate Croissants in the world! It is the very special places such as Cocoa Bean that makes Geneva such a wonderful place to live and to dine! Thank you for 10 years of great pastries and desserts. Thank you for 10 years of happiness! Bill Doeckel
(5)Monica M.
This was my first time here so I bought their chocolate and regular croissants. I've been on a bit of croissant quest since eating the best croissant on earth in Geneva, Switzerland in 1999. I'm not fanatical but once you've tasted a piece of heaven, it's tough to settle for anything less, as I have been the last 15 years...until now. How ironic that in Geneva (Illinois) I again discovered the best tasting, crispiest, and most memorable happiness-inducing croissant since that trip in Switzerland so long ago. Chocolate croissant didn't have enough chocolate but was redeemed with it's tasty croissant backbone. So, cocoa bean has reasonable prices, a very nice sales lady and an excellent variety of other pastries. I'll be back soon and, who knows, maybe one day I'll try the other baked goodies.
(5)Jonathan L.
A cute little patisserie in Geneva. The cakes were beautiful to look at, but they weren't that good to eat. The passion fruit cake had a tough crust that was difficult to get around, and the flavors, while there, didn't blend well to create a top-notch pastry. The same could be said of the chocolate raspberry cake. I've had better at French pastry shops dedicated to cakes, but it's not bad for the area.
(3)Vivian Y.
This is a review for the croissants only. I've heard that if you don't get there early enough on the weekends that there won't be any available. These croissants are to die for. Very flaky, very delicious. I need to come here more often.
(5)Karen R.
My review is based solely on one item on their dessert menu which I have had on several occasions. Cocoa Bean's white chocolate passion fruit mousse cake is simply the best. I dream about this cake occasionally but live in the city so it is tough to satiate the craving. It has the most perfect consistency and that just right blend of sweet, tangy, fruity and decadent. Looking forward to someday trying out some of their other treats.
(5)Brian P.
I am a customer for life. My wife's birthday is on Christmas. I ordered a cake from the Cocoa Bean and picked it up on Christmas Eve and it was perfect . . . until I got home and dropped it on the floor while putting it in the fridge! I was sure it would be impossible to get a replacement personalized cake anywhere with such short notice on a holiday. I took a chance and called and spoke to a very helpful and kind woman at the Cocoa Bean. I told her I would take any cake they had -- I didn't care what name was written on it. She told me to stop by in 45 minutes and they would find something for me. It was clearly one of the busiest days of the year at the store yet the staff was friendly, happy, and efficient. I walked in and was immediately greeted by another very kind staff member who told me she was sorry to hear what had happened. She went to the cooler and pulled out a cake that was identical to the one I dropped -- with my wife's name on it. The wouldn't let me pay for the replacement and instead just said "Merry Christmas!" I was shocked. Even better than the service and staff is the product. The cake was one of the best tasting cakes I have ever had. I can't say enough good things about this bakery. I will continue to recommend it to my friends and I look forward to picking up my wife's birthday cake on Christmas Eve for years to come.
(5)Lisette J.
This place is awesome! Staff friendly & delicious baked goods! I had the lemon bar & it was yummy & I only got one of the chocolate croissants & It was really good wish I had gotten more! Everything we got was fresh, will most certainly make the trip back! Prices are pretty reasonable too!
(5)Brianne M.
Stopped in to get some valentines treats...let me say they are absolutely heavenly. We tried 4 different individual cakes. The passion fruit and white cake was perfect. These are not the overly sugared cakes you usually find. I was transported back to Paris in every bite. You can tell the chef is classically trained. The case of confections was absolutely beautiful and no detail was overlooked. Best place for a sweet treat in the Chicagoland area. I can't wait to try some of their savory dishes. Highly recommend!
(5)Mary B.
(Past review at Cocoa Bean was exception--caught them during a rare momentary glitch of busyness.) Cocoa Bean is wonderful. Pastries like best Europe patisseries. Even the baker will come out and wait on folks on a busy Sunday morning. Sticky buns vanish. Get there early. Passion fruit cake is the best ever. Not too sweet. Not too heavy. Just right.
(5)Joy S.
On a busy Sunday morning, around 10:30am. I stopped in looking for something warm to eat. Decided on the chicken panini with provolone, tomato, and aioli. For $6, I wasn't expecting something pre-made. But it's a bakery, not a deli, so ya can't be too upset to find out the ingredients are what they are. If you don't want tomatoes, take them off yourself. That's ok, I can deal with that. It was pretty chaotic behind the counter. No one knew who was helping who. They tried - all 3 employees tried to help me. I told them I'd already been helped, but it left others waiting longer. The food itself is the reason I probably won't be back. It wasn't cooked all the way, which left the chicken cold and slimy. It was pretty gross.
(2)Halley B.
This is a great find in the chain-filled burbs. This is a very cute bakery/cafe that has an amazing assortment of goodies. They offer very fancy little cakes/tarts/mousses to delicious pastries like croissants (chocolate and pistachio are amazing), brioche, and cinnamon rolls.
(5)Tracie Y.
I had been telling my husband that driving all the way across town for croissants and coffee was going to be worth it and he didn't believe me....until this weekend. He tried the chorizo quiche and some of my chocolate croissant and enlightenment came to him. We also picked up a cheesecake/flourless chocolate cake for a birthday and it was insanely good. I can't describe how picky I am about cheesecake (I dislike 95% of them out there) and I loved it. Nice, friendly staff and great coffee too.
(5)Bill F.
The croissants are TO DIE FOR. Nuff Said.
(5)Sarah P.
Amazing desserts and really friendly staff. They created my wedding cake 4 years ago, and my sisters this past October. Her wedding was outdoors themed and the cake was decorated to look exactly like a birch tree. Every time I'm in Geneva I stop in for a little treat.
(5)Cindy S.
This is a wonderful little bakery and cafe with delicious desserts. I love getting the cute little mini desserts for a special treat for a friend's birthday... they make a great presentation. We got our wedding cake here and it was beautiful, delicious and competitively priced when we compared to other bakeries. Everyone raved about it. The almond croissants are sooo wonderful. You must try them.
(5)Mary R.
The Cocoa Bean provided the breakfast sweets for my daughter's wedding day while the girls were getting hair and nails done. They also provided 300 French macaroons that were used as favors at the wedding reception. Everything was lovely and tasted fabulous! My daughter and I were in Geneva about a month before the wedding, and to our surprise, the bakes was actually working on flavors for the macaroon filling to make sure he got the taste he wanted. Amazing! The breakfast items and macaroons were delivered and all went well. The staff was pleasant. Only negative was that it took a some time for our calls and emails to be returned.
(4)N E O.
We worked with this bakery for our wedding cake through Cantigny Park and it was a great experience. It was so easy to connect with them for the meeting and she had a taste sample set up for us right away. She kept us within the standard for us to not have any extra charges but we could have gone custom and it would have been worth it too. Our cake was beautiful and we got a lot of compliments on how good it was from our guests as well. We definitely plan on ordering an anniversary cake each year and I would highly recommend for any event.
(5)Heather R.
Delicious and perfect when in need of a great unique dessert.
(5)Tuesday D.
Absolutely amazing!! I had a cheese cake made for my husband's birthday and it was one of if not the best cheesecakes we have ever had!!! Great service as well. We had never been there before, actually found the location on yelp. Called up and ordered the cake. The girl on the phone was very polite and the cake was made way better than my expectations. Thank you and we will be back soon.
(5)Nendaz S.
This place has the best pastries ever, and at VERY competitive prices. You only find this kind of pastries at the best pastry stores in France; but usually not in the US. The quality is superb. Other places in Geneva try to do the same; not even close, and they charge 3 times as much.
(5)Michael R.
Stopped by here this morning about an hour before closing. The selection was very diverse despite one of the workers saying that they had sold out of some of their more popular items. I agree that the croissants here are definitely worth trying. I wish they still had chocolate croissants available but I guess those are one of the hot items that sold out. I ended up really liking the creme brulee and a passion fruit custard with a raspberry filled cake base. They make their pastries look like mini pieces of art that are delicious to eat (artstries?). Really looking forward to trying macaroons sometime soon.
(4)Andrea E.
Love...Love...Love the desserts at Cocoa Bean.
(5)pbarp M.
I am addicted to the little desserts. Their croissants come close to the real buttery flaky melt-in-your-mouth French made croissants. We love this place.
(5)Morgan M.
Mon Dieu! If you stop by Cocoa Beans you will no doubt experience an intense affair with butter, indulgence and a little thing called sin. A place to kick back and sip on some potent coffee, nibble a few fluffed pastries or snag some desserts for date night at home, you'll find Cocoa Beans has you covered. On the serious lookout to quench this thirst for a proper croissant, I stumbled through the front doors and fell in step with the display and felt crestfallen. That was until I was helped! Out of the three people on staff, I was greeted and helped by two. The third was working pastry magic in the back. Or atleast this is what I imagined in my clouded euphoric state of sugar overload. Ordering a standard Americano, another staffey helped me turn that frown upside down when I asked about the almond croissant. There sat behind the counter was a freshly baked set and I quickly had her bag up a single. There is an impressive selection of baked desserts that fall into two categories: Cakes and Custards or Pastries. For the cakes and custards your eyes can feast on mousse, mini tarts, 4" tarts (fruit or chocolate) and fresh creme brulee. There's also full cakes. For the pastries, it's a french patisserie con americano. Brioche singles, croissants (chocolate, plain and almond) almond tarts, almond brioche, etc. Prices are very comprable considering the baked good, for a short coffee and two pastries the total bill was under $7 and tasted like it should have cost $25. The croissant was warm, soft and held the perfect almond flavoring, the coffee was strong. Saliva will fall out of your mouth at the speed of Niagra Falls so be prepared to carry a napkin with you until you vacate the premises.
(5)C.A. O.
I hate to give a small business a bad review... but we called 3 weeks ahead of Easter looking to have them make us a small fondant cake for a housewarming. We were told they were too busy for a small cake that weekend. So we went to French Cake Patisserie in Plainfield instead. All I can say about French Cakes was Tres Bien! Fantastic cake, on time and much more affordable than Cocoa Bean wants!
(2)Jan H.
I stopped by in the late afternoon to get a pastry. They had just closed. So I tried to at least get a glimpse of what they sell from the street. The owner came to the door and asked if he could help me. I said I had read such great things online about his bakery and I had just stopped for a pastry. He invited me in his kitchen. He took out a box and loaded it with pastries that hadn't sold. I asked what I owed him. He said, "nothing, just come back again when we are open." Wow! You don't see things like that any more.
(5)Katie R.
Get the Almond croissant. Or a lemon tart, you won't regret either. Everything else is good, but those are amazing.
(5)Eric S.
I come here once a week for a morning pastry. Their pastries and desserts are absolutely authentic and amazing. I've been visiting them for years and I've probably tried almost everything they offer. I can't believe anyone would give this place a negative review. I've had the small desserts and had a few of the large cakes and they are spectacular. The employees are always friendly and I can't say I've ever been disappointed by anything that I've eaten there. I'm well aware of the other options in Geneva and the surrounding towns but nothing even comes close.
(5)Kassi C.
Cocoa bean is probably one of the best bakeries I've ever been to. I really love the little mini deserts. They are pricey, but you get to try lots of little samples of everything. They decorate the deserts so well, its like eating a tiny, adorable piece of art. They also have sandwiches and coffee, but i've never tried them. Highly recommended.
(5)Jeremy R.
Small selection of attractive and decent treats. Poor service. Won't return.
(3)S R.
I have never had a bad experience at the Cocoa Bean. One of the staff recommended a pistachio and apricot danish to me one day. Stating that it looked a little odd, but it was his favorite. It is now my favorite thing there. It is wonderful. Besides their buttery pastry dough which is light crisp and sinful, there is a creamy pistachio cream and a (I think) poached apricot which is soft and yummy. I even bought pastries for Christmas morning the day before. I asked if it would be okay the next day. The staff member told me they would be fine. They were almost 99% as good as fresh. I just left them on the counter in the bag and we had them Christmas morning. Thank goodness there is at least one awesome bakery in the area that isn't in a grocery store.
(5)Teri C.
Working with Nancy was amazing. She is very good at what she does. Neither my husband nor I like wedding cake. We find it to be dry, flat, and gross. Our cake from the Cocoa Bean was excellent! They make the cake about a day before the event, and decorate it the morning of. Also, they use real butter instead of shortening which means that the cake is moist and delicious. I would recommend them in a heart beat. Nancy took a design I found online gave it her own flair and made it even more beautiful.
(5)Tom B.
Quite simply the finest Croissants I've ever had in the United States. Just like being in Paris. Flakey, crisp and buttery, the way they should be!
(5)Mario L.
5 stars. These guys keep their word. We had a wonderful passion fruit, chocolate wedding cake. For some reason, the cake was not preserved (not the fault of the bake shop) and these guys offered to give us a cake on our anniversary for free. After 1 year, they kept their word. Totally impressed and happy.
(5)Steve G.
My wife's going to kill me for telling you all about this place, so don't tell her, ok? This place makes the best cakes, tarts, croissants, eclairs, sandwiches, er, well, you get the picture... Small place, right behind Mel's Diner. There are a couple of tables to eat there. But if you are picking something up to go, you best get there early -- otherwise, be smart (like my better half) and order ahead. You will amaze your friends or anyone else if you show up to dinner with one of the desserts from this place. Honest!
(5)S C.
Alon's Bakery in Atlanta (Virgina Highlands/Morningside area) has always stood out in my mind as making some of the best cakes I have ever had, and when I tasted a Cocoa Beans cake at a party, I was so happy to see that they make desserts in a similar way with fresh, genuine ingredients. I would also compare the desserts to Demel Kaffeehaus in Vienna, which is truly a pastry-lover's dream come true. The pastries from Cocoa Beans are luscious, creamy, sophisticated and beautiful.
(5)Gary D.
Got our wedding cake at the Cocoa Bean last March. Fantastic cake, decorated extactly like my wife requested and tasted wonderful. Will recommend them to all my friends.
(4)Tina E.
Best most expensive gourmet desserts in Fox Valley! You get what you pay. These are the most beautifully designed treats. Tarts, creme brulee, quiche,rugelach & gourmet pastries all displayed perfectly behind the glass. The have wonderful soups & sandwiches as well. If you go hungry-bring you credit card.
(5)Deanna R.
So so wonderful. A hidden Gem. Absolutely Fabulous desserts.
(5)yoku s.
their lemon bar is the best i've ever had. it's the perfect balance of tart & sweetness in the lemony gel. love the slightly salty, soft (but with substance) crust, which complements the sweetness perfectly. YUM. I want MORE!
(5)Dan M.
This is a hidden gem in Geneva - just north of Rt 38 and a few blocks west of the Third Street shopping district. Everything in the shop looks like it was made with a lot of skill and care. My wife and I ordered an assortment of their individual cakes for a 25th anniversary party we hosted at our house. The people behind the counter were very helpful with ideas. And their artful presentation made a great impression on our guests. Prices are not cheap, but in my opinion, well worth it.
(5)Warren D.
Perfection in two bites Thier mini pastries are da bomb! Great little place to sip an espresso or cup of coffee. Just wished I lived closer so I could hang out there on Saturday or Sunday morning with the Kids and morning Paper Very creative with thier ideas and presentations... I have not seen products like these in a while, I only wish I could get thier stuff for my hotel
(5)Craig R.
Awesome quiches! The croissants melt in your mouth! Yummy Yummy Yummy! (Was that really a sentence?) This place is great - awesome sweets and baked goods! You cannot beat it!
(5)Sum Fun D.
Yum! Yum! Need I Say More??...well ok then.... The Best little treats for that special occasion (or any day!) They look just like little works of art! A little pricier than an average bakery, but after you taste this stuff, you'll know it was well worth every penny!
(5)Kate S.
This place is amazing. I first had this when a guy in my class who worked there brought some cake in for a project, and it was delicious. I came back later on and tried some of the other tarts and sweets, and OH MY GOD!!! It's a cute little place on 7th Street and totally worth trying out when you're in downtown Geneva.
(5)Chris D.
European style bakery. They specialize in pastries and cakes. In addition I found one little surprise I will share at the end of the review. Cakes: Very pretty to look at. They have individual portions which are just small versions of the larger cakes. I have tried the small ones and they are pretty good. At times they have been a little dry. If you want to assure a good experience I would special order one of the larger cakes and then you will know it is fresh. I see others noting that they normally sell out of the little cakes so I may have just caught them on a bad day, but we definitely have had some dry ones. I quit getting them after that and just order a large one so maybe they have limited their daily batches to keep them fresher. We have served their larger cakes at parties and everyone loved them. I am partial to the chocolate mousse and lemon mousse versions. Pastries: The croissants are excellent as noted by other reviewers. My favorite is the almond croissant. Great flavor and texture. They are different than those I have had at other bakeries in that the filling is allowed to seep out during baking and caramelize. Much better than the simple filling in my book. Surprise: They have pot de creme in little single serve tins. If you can remember what homemade chocolate pudding tastes like then you will love this. I haven't had anything close to this since my great grandmother made pudding when I was a kid. We didn't know to call it "pot de creme" then. Very good and you can tell it is made from scratch.
(4)Gary L.
What an absolute gem of a place. Decadent treats, super-nice people...it's a good thing we live more than a couple miles away or we'd gorge ourselves there every single day and gain a thousand pounds. (But oooh, what fun it would be if we did!) We are so fortunate to have Cocoa Bean out here in Geneva.
(5)Martha M.
Cocoa Bean is my FAVORITE bakery! Their pastries are simply amazing. The cakes are sinful. And the croissants... best I ever had. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)K K.
Well the cake I ordered was a hit but when I initially called to discuss delivery the charge to go 3 miles it was $12 and when I called back an hour later to place/confirm the order it had increased to $15. Explain that one? Not a big deal but when you are paying $38 bucks for a cake seems unnecessary to gouge the customer further..
(3)Eric F.
Best Croisant I have ever had. period.
(5)M.C. V.
Not disappointed - wow! I've been looking for GOOD pastries since I moved to west suburbs 2 years ago but had only encountered overly sweet, icing- happy, doughy duds. The reviews are right - as close to French-style pastries as I,ve had in Chicago. Loved croissants and mini almond, almond blueberry and chocolate almond mini cakes. Also loved the mini concept. Looking forward to tasting ALL they have over the next few months, weeks or days, well, not days. Next on my list is Vanille in Chicago.
(5)davia t.
Don't support this business. They treat all of their employees like crap!
(1)Sally G.
The very best coffee - great place for a good cup.... oh and, how about those desserts and croissants? Might as well have one while you're there, you won't be disappointed... .****
(5)Tiff B.
Cutest little bakery you'll ever find. Everything they make is delicious and they really pay attention to the details on all of the desserts. I pick up pastries from this place for the office and they're always a hit. And I'm pretty sure they have absolutely PERFECTED the peanut butter cookie!
(5)Ted N.
The Cocoa Bean serves some of the best croissants in the area. I lived in Paris and it more than holds its own against the little boulangerie near my apartment. I've only had a small sample of their deserts but when I did purchase them they have always been excellent. I do understand some of the comments expressing frustration with the service. It is not a big place and the staff can get overwhelmed on weekend mornings and lunch time. The service staff tries to cope but that's not always so easy for them. On weekends it's difficult to find a seat especially in the cooler/colder months. I realize it is not an option for most people but the best time to savor the coffee and croissant's is during the week. I have never ordered any cakes so I can't speak to their quality. I drive 10 miles to come here and I hate to drive, yet it is always worth the effort. Note: Parking can be very challenging. There is a small lot next to the place but it shares the spaces with other establishments. I park on a side street and walk. Oh the reason why I don't give it five stars is that I haven't sampled enough of their products to give them an unqualified endorsement and that I have on occasion experienced some small breakdowns in service.
(4)Sarah P.
Amazing desserts and really friendly staff. They created my wedding cake 4 years ago, and my sisters this past October. Her wedding was outdoors themed and the cake was decorated to look exactly like a birch tree. Every time I'm in Geneva I stop in for a little treat.
(5)Tracie Y.
I had been telling my husband that driving all the way across town for croissants and coffee was going to be worth it and he didn't believe me....until this weekend. He tried the chorizo quiche and some of my chocolate croissant and enlightenment came to him. We also picked up a cheesecake/flourless chocolate cake for a birthday and it was insanely good. I can't describe how picky I am about cheesecake (I dislike 95% of them out there) and I loved it. Nice, friendly staff and great coffee too.
(5)Cindy S.
This is a wonderful little bakery and cafe with delicious desserts. I love getting the cute little mini desserts for a special treat for a friend's birthday... they make a great presentation. We got our wedding cake here and it was beautiful, delicious and competitively priced when we compared to other bakeries. Everyone raved about it. The almond croissants are sooo wonderful. You must try them.
(5)Kassi C.
Cocoa bean is probably one of the best bakeries I've ever been to. I really love the little mini deserts. They are pricey, but you get to try lots of little samples of everything. They decorate the deserts so well, its like eating a tiny, adorable piece of art. They also have sandwiches and coffee, but i've never tried them. Highly recommended.
(5)Jeremy R.
Small selection of attractive and decent treats. Poor service. Won't return.
(3)S R.
I have never had a bad experience at the Cocoa Bean. One of the staff recommended a pistachio and apricot danish to me one day. Stating that it looked a little odd, but it was his favorite. It is now my favorite thing there. It is wonderful. Besides their buttery pastry dough which is light crisp and sinful, there is a creamy pistachio cream and a (I think) poached apricot which is soft and yummy. I even bought pastries for Christmas morning the day before. I asked if it would be okay the next day. The staff member told me they would be fine. They were almost 99% as good as fresh. I just left them on the counter in the bag and we had them Christmas morning. Thank goodness there is at least one awesome bakery in the area that isn't in a grocery store.
(5)Teri C.
Working with Nancy was amazing. She is very good at what she does. Neither my husband nor I like wedding cake. We find it to be dry, flat, and gross. Our cake from the Cocoa Bean was excellent! They make the cake about a day before the event, and decorate it the morning of. Also, they use real butter instead of shortening which means that the cake is moist and delicious. I would recommend them in a heart beat. Nancy took a design I found online gave it her own flair and made it even more beautiful.
(5)Rhonda R.
Ordered the almond crossiant- soooo good. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The lemon bars are wonderfully tart as well. Worth coming for sure!!
(5)Princess F.
We were at the Geneva Car Show and passed by this place. The presentation was wonderful - mini golden plates decorated with tiny individual cakes. The cakes were topped with hand painted chocolate. I got the chocolate flavor while my daughter got the raspberry-blueberry. The chocolate tasted nice. However I would recommend that you skip the other flavor. The outside was dried and stale. I dont think this is how it is expected to taste like - most likely was an old piece. The girls behind the counter were friendly and helpful, one of them walked around to tell us which flavor was what.
(3)Amanda T.
We ordered our wedding cake through Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts for our June 2015 wedding. They partner with Cantigny customers and the price should have been included with our reception bill. We requested a "naked, unfrosted, cake" and inspiration pictures were provided several months in advance. We wanted to have a multi tiered cake with fresh fruit on the edges, and flowers on top. We were charged approx $45 extra for us to have the cake "special ordered." On the day of the wedding, we walked in the room and saw the cake for the first time, and it was almost completed frosted, which was the complete opposite of our vision, and inspiration pictures. When I reached out to Cocoa Bean after the wedding to express my concerns, it took them 4 weeks to get back to me, and said "sorry if we were disappointed." Awful customer service, and we unfortunately did not have the "wow" cake we were hoping for on our wedding day. The only reason I gave 2 stars is because they added our cake topper for us, and had no issues with cake being delivered on time.
(2)Alyssa P.
I've been here over 1/2 a dozen times and I'll have to say my favorite thing here is the apricot pistachio tart. I prefer their breakast items (apple / pear tarts, danish, and crossiants) much more than their desserts. The mini desserts and indiv. cakes are beautifully decorated and pricey but don't taste as good as they look. I tell myself every time to just stick with the bakery items but the items in the glass displays are so pretty, I couldn't resist and leaves me disappointed every time. Service has been good to very good.
(4)Roseanne S.
Cocoa Bean was the cake vendor for our wedding at Cantigny and was part of our overall package. I made an appointment for a required testing. On the day of, we were on our way when I received a voicemail asking where we were. I called back and the guy I talked to didn't really have a solution as to what to do or how the time got messed up. It was probably my fault, but I would have liked some kind of guidance instead of me having to figure out what to do. In the end, we decided I could still come in at the time I thought it was. Geneva is faaaaarr, but the town is kinda cute. The bakery itself is very nice. Lots of pastries if you feel like stopping by for a treat. We sat at a table and then met with the woman in charge of our cake. She brought out some samples of what we could get. We really liked the vanilla bean and the chocolate. So decadent. She also showed us some design samples. Once again, I had no idea what I wanted, so I was up for anything. I saw a pretty design with ribbon around the tiers and flowers on top and thought that would be great. She told me the width of ribbon I would need and said I could mail it over once I had it, and that she would be in contact with our florist for the topper. We ended up choosing two flavors/frosting for our cake, which was an additional charge, but its based on how many people you have, so it was only like $40 extra. I think it was worth it since you never know what people want. Fast forward to the wedding: our cake was beautiful and we got rave reviews on the taste. I was super nervous, since my best friend said she's had some pretty bad wedding cake in her experience, but everyone absolutely loved it. They said it was the best cake they ever had. I have to agree that it was sooo good. I had people taking extras! Even though they were the vendor for Cantigny, if you have the option of picking a vendor, I'd highly recommend Cocoa Bean. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Gina V.
The cakes and coffee are very delicious. The staff is very helpful in describing the content of their deserts. I purchased the minute pastries and chocolates. They are cute and tasteful. I love this place to chill for a coffee brake
(4)Stefani G.
Simply perfect. I wish there were more of these kinds of places around. Keep it up cocoa bean!
(5)Tish D.
Great place to order special occasion cakes. Cute little bakery with fancy pasteries. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)Crystal R.
This has got to be one of the most spectacular dessert destinations I've ever encountered. Their desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious and their staff is very kind and attentive. If you like desserts, this will be your new favorite place! Side note: we have also had their paninis and have not been disappointed, just make sure you leave room for dessert!
(5)Haroldina N.
Good desserts but pricey. Also, not very friendly. Can't recommend.
(2)Jonathan L.
A cute little patisserie in Geneva. The cakes were beautiful to look at, but they weren't that good to eat. The passion fruit cake had a tough crust that was difficult to get around, and the flavors, while there, didn't blend well to create a top-notch pastry. The same could be said of the chocolate raspberry cake. I've had better at French pastry shops dedicated to cakes, but it's not bad for the area.
(3)Vivian Y.
This is a review for the croissants only. I've heard that if you don't get there early enough on the weekends that there won't be any available. These croissants are to die for. Very flaky, very delicious. I need to come here more often.
(5)Halley B.
This is a great find in the chain-filled burbs. This is a very cute bakery/cafe that has an amazing assortment of goodies. They offer very fancy little cakes/tarts/mousses to delicious pastries like croissants (chocolate and pistachio are amazing), brioche, and cinnamon rolls.
(5)Bill F.
The croissants are TO DIE FOR. Nuff Said.
(5)Ryann M.
Cocoa Bean made the cake for my friend's birthday party, and I have to say it was beautiful! It was exactly what I wanted and they did a great job working off the "inspiration" photos I sent - I could not have been happier! They also delivered the cake promptly and carefully, and were able to take my order via email, which was nice. There was a small miscommunication when I called the bakery to finalize my order, I think likely due to the fact I was talking to someone other than who I had been emailing with. Luckily, I followed up with a confirmation email and Nancy was able to straighten everything out. I definitely recommend trying to arrange a time to call when you can talk to her personally. Five stars except for that tiny issue!
(4)John S.
Cocoa Beans made our wedding cake, and it was scrumptious! We arranged a tasting with them 8 months ahead. They prepared 5 items for us based on some criteria we gave. It was an outdoor wedding on a hot day, so we needed a cake that wouldn't melt or fall apart, but we also wanted to avoid the "same old" cake taste. We wanted all of the cakes we tasted, but settle on a chocolate cake with vanilla bean frosting. On wedding day they showed up right before food was served, and the cake lasted 45 minutes without losing shape, taste or texture. Guests loved it! We'll be going back often for tasty treats.
(5)Kristina U.
The cakes and other pastries that I have purchased here have always wowed with looks but underperformed in the taste department; very sad.
(3)Bill D.
Happy 10th anniversary. We have been coming here and telling other people about Cocoa Bean for 10 years! The best pastries anywhere! I have traveled to Paris dozens of times, including last month again) and I always look forward to returning to Cocoa Bean for the BEST Chocolate Croissants in the world! It is the very special places such as Cocoa Bean that makes Geneva such a wonderful place to live and to dine! Thank you for 10 years of great pastries and desserts. Thank you for 10 years of happiness! Bill Doeckel
(5)Monica M.
This was my first time here so I bought their chocolate and regular croissants. I've been on a bit of croissant quest since eating the best croissant on earth in Geneva, Switzerland in 1999. I'm not fanatical but once you've tasted a piece of heaven, it's tough to settle for anything less, as I have been the last 15 years...until now. How ironic that in Geneva (Illinois) I again discovered the best tasting, crispiest, and most memorable happiness-inducing croissant since that trip in Switzerland so long ago. Chocolate croissant didn't have enough chocolate but was redeemed with it's tasty croissant backbone. So, cocoa bean has reasonable prices, a very nice sales lady and an excellent variety of other pastries. I'll be back soon and, who knows, maybe one day I'll try the other baked goodies.
(5)Karen R.
My review is based solely on one item on their dessert menu which I have had on several occasions. Cocoa Bean's white chocolate passion fruit mousse cake is simply the best. I dream about this cake occasionally but live in the city so it is tough to satiate the craving. It has the most perfect consistency and that just right blend of sweet, tangy, fruity and decadent. Looking forward to someday trying out some of their other treats.
(5)Tuesday D.
Absolutely amazing!! I had a cheese cake made for my husband's birthday and it was one of if not the best cheesecakes we have ever had!!! Great service as well. We had never been there before, actually found the location on yelp. Called up and ordered the cake. The girl on the phone was very polite and the cake was made way better than my expectations. Thank you and we will be back soon.
(5)Brian P.
I am a customer for life. My wife's birthday is on Christmas. I ordered a cake from the Cocoa Bean and picked it up on Christmas Eve and it was perfect . . . until I got home and dropped it on the floor while putting it in the fridge! I was sure it would be impossible to get a replacement personalized cake anywhere with such short notice on a holiday. I took a chance and called and spoke to a very helpful and kind woman at the Cocoa Bean. I told her I would take any cake they had -- I didn't care what name was written on it. She told me to stop by in 45 minutes and they would find something for me. It was clearly one of the busiest days of the year at the store yet the staff was friendly, happy, and efficient. I walked in and was immediately greeted by another very kind staff member who told me she was sorry to hear what had happened. She went to the cooler and pulled out a cake that was identical to the one I dropped -- with my wife's name on it. The wouldn't let me pay for the replacement and instead just said "Merry Christmas!" I was shocked. Even better than the service and staff is the product. The cake was one of the best tasting cakes I have ever had. I can't say enough good things about this bakery. I will continue to recommend it to my friends and I look forward to picking up my wife's birthday cake on Christmas Eve for years to come.
(5)Lisette J.
This place is awesome! Staff friendly & delicious baked goods! I had the lemon bar & it was yummy & I only got one of the chocolate croissants & It was really good wish I had gotten more! Everything we got was fresh, will most certainly make the trip back! Prices are pretty reasonable too!
(5)Brianne M.
Stopped in to get some valentines treats...let me say they are absolutely heavenly. We tried 4 different individual cakes. The passion fruit and white cake was perfect. These are not the overly sugared cakes you usually find. I was transported back to Paris in every bite. You can tell the chef is classically trained. The case of confections was absolutely beautiful and no detail was overlooked. Best place for a sweet treat in the Chicagoland area. I can't wait to try some of their savory dishes. Highly recommend!
(5)Mary B.
(Past review at Cocoa Bean was exception--caught them during a rare momentary glitch of busyness.) Cocoa Bean is wonderful. Pastries like best Europe patisseries. Even the baker will come out and wait on folks on a busy Sunday morning. Sticky buns vanish. Get there early. Passion fruit cake is the best ever. Not too sweet. Not too heavy. Just right.
(5)Joy S.
On a busy Sunday morning, around 10:30am. I stopped in looking for something warm to eat. Decided on the chicken panini with provolone, tomato, and aioli. For $6, I wasn't expecting something pre-made. But it's a bakery, not a deli, so ya can't be too upset to find out the ingredients are what they are. If you don't want tomatoes, take them off yourself. That's ok, I can deal with that. It was pretty chaotic behind the counter. No one knew who was helping who. They tried - all 3 employees tried to help me. I told them I'd already been helped, but it left others waiting longer. The food itself is the reason I probably won't be back. It wasn't cooked all the way, which left the chicken cold and slimy. It was pretty gross.
(2)Mary R.
The Cocoa Bean provided the breakfast sweets for my daughter's wedding day while the girls were getting hair and nails done. They also provided 300 French macaroons that were used as favors at the wedding reception. Everything was lovely and tasted fabulous! My daughter and I were in Geneva about a month before the wedding, and to our surprise, the bakes was actually working on flavors for the macaroon filling to make sure he got the taste he wanted. Amazing! The breakfast items and macaroons were delivered and all went well. The staff was pleasant. Only negative was that it took a some time for our calls and emails to be returned.
(4)N E O.
We worked with this bakery for our wedding cake through Cantigny Park and it was a great experience. It was so easy to connect with them for the meeting and she had a taste sample set up for us right away. She kept us within the standard for us to not have any extra charges but we could have gone custom and it would have been worth it too. Our cake was beautiful and we got a lot of compliments on how good it was from our guests as well. We definitely plan on ordering an anniversary cake each year and I would highly recommend for any event.
(5)Heather R.
Delicious and perfect when in need of a great unique dessert.
(5)Nendaz S.
This place has the best pastries ever, and at VERY competitive prices. You only find this kind of pastries at the best pastry stores in France; but usually not in the US. The quality is superb. Other places in Geneva try to do the same; not even close, and they charge 3 times as much.
(5)Michael R.
Stopped by here this morning about an hour before closing. The selection was very diverse despite one of the workers saying that they had sold out of some of their more popular items. I agree that the croissants here are definitely worth trying. I wish they still had chocolate croissants available but I guess those are one of the hot items that sold out. I ended up really liking the creme brulee and a passion fruit custard with a raspberry filled cake base. They make their pastries look like mini pieces of art that are delicious to eat (artstries?). Really looking forward to trying macaroons sometime soon.
(4)Andrea E.
Love...Love...Love the desserts at Cocoa Bean.
(5)pbarp M.
I am addicted to the little desserts. Their croissants come close to the real buttery flaky melt-in-your-mouth French made croissants. We love this place.
(5)Morgan M.
Mon Dieu! If you stop by Cocoa Beans you will no doubt experience an intense affair with butter, indulgence and a little thing called sin. A place to kick back and sip on some potent coffee, nibble a few fluffed pastries or snag some desserts for date night at home, you'll find Cocoa Beans has you covered. On the serious lookout to quench this thirst for a proper croissant, I stumbled through the front doors and fell in step with the display and felt crestfallen. That was until I was helped! Out of the three people on staff, I was greeted and helped by two. The third was working pastry magic in the back. Or atleast this is what I imagined in my clouded euphoric state of sugar overload. Ordering a standard Americano, another staffey helped me turn that frown upside down when I asked about the almond croissant. There sat behind the counter was a freshly baked set and I quickly had her bag up a single. There is an impressive selection of baked desserts that fall into two categories: Cakes and Custards or Pastries. For the cakes and custards your eyes can feast on mousse, mini tarts, 4" tarts (fruit or chocolate) and fresh creme brulee. There's also full cakes. For the pastries, it's a french patisserie con americano. Brioche singles, croissants (chocolate, plain and almond) almond tarts, almond brioche, etc. Prices are very comprable considering the baked good, for a short coffee and two pastries the total bill was under $7 and tasted like it should have cost $25. The croissant was warm, soft and held the perfect almond flavoring, the coffee was strong. Saliva will fall out of your mouth at the speed of Niagra Falls so be prepared to carry a napkin with you until you vacate the premises.
(5)C.A. O.
I hate to give a small business a bad review... but we called 3 weeks ahead of Easter looking to have them make us a small fondant cake for a housewarming. We were told they were too busy for a small cake that weekend. So we went to French Cake Patisserie in Plainfield instead. All I can say about French Cakes was Tres Bien! Fantastic cake, on time and much more affordable than Cocoa Bean wants!
(2)Jan H.
I stopped by in the late afternoon to get a pastry. They had just closed. So I tried to at least get a glimpse of what they sell from the street. The owner came to the door and asked if he could help me. I said I had read such great things online about his bakery and I had just stopped for a pastry. He invited me in his kitchen. He took out a box and loaded it with pastries that hadn't sold. I asked what I owed him. He said, "nothing, just come back again when we are open." Wow! You don't see things like that any more.
(5)Katie R.
Get the Almond croissant. Or a lemon tart, you won't regret either. Everything else is good, but those are amazing.
(5)Eric S.
I come here once a week for a morning pastry. Their pastries and desserts are absolutely authentic and amazing. I've been visiting them for years and I've probably tried almost everything they offer. I can't believe anyone would give this place a negative review. I've had the small desserts and had a few of the large cakes and they are spectacular. The employees are always friendly and I can't say I've ever been disappointed by anything that I've eaten there. I'm well aware of the other options in Geneva and the surrounding towns but nothing even comes close.
(5)Tom B.
Quite simply the finest Croissants I've ever had in the United States. Just like being in Paris. Flakey, crisp and buttery, the way they should be!
(5)Mario L.
5 stars. These guys keep their word. We had a wonderful passion fruit, chocolate wedding cake. For some reason, the cake was not preserved (not the fault of the bake shop) and these guys offered to give us a cake on our anniversary for free. After 1 year, they kept their word. Totally impressed and happy.
(5)Steve G.
My wife's going to kill me for telling you all about this place, so don't tell her, ok? This place makes the best cakes, tarts, croissants, eclairs, sandwiches, er, well, you get the picture... Small place, right behind Mel's Diner. There are a couple of tables to eat there. But if you are picking something up to go, you best get there early -- otherwise, be smart (like my better half) and order ahead. You will amaze your friends or anyone else if you show up to dinner with one of the desserts from this place. Honest!
(5)S C.
Alon's Bakery in Atlanta (Virgina Highlands/Morningside area) has always stood out in my mind as making some of the best cakes I have ever had, and when I tasted a Cocoa Beans cake at a party, I was so happy to see that they make desserts in a similar way with fresh, genuine ingredients. I would also compare the desserts to Demel Kaffeehaus in Vienna, which is truly a pastry-lover's dream come true. The pastries from Cocoa Beans are luscious, creamy, sophisticated and beautiful.
(5)Gary D.
Got our wedding cake at the Cocoa Bean last March. Fantastic cake, decorated extactly like my wife requested and tasted wonderful. Will recommend them to all my friends.
(4)Tina E.
Best most expensive gourmet desserts in Fox Valley! You get what you pay. These are the most beautifully designed treats. Tarts, creme brulee, quiche,rugelach & gourmet pastries all displayed perfectly behind the glass. The have wonderful soups & sandwiches as well. If you go hungry-bring you credit card.
(5)Deanna R.
So so wonderful. A hidden Gem. Absolutely Fabulous desserts.
(5)yoku s.
their lemon bar is the best i've ever had. it's the perfect balance of tart & sweetness in the lemony gel. love the slightly salty, soft (but with substance) crust, which complements the sweetness perfectly. YUM. I want MORE!
(5)Dan M.
This is a hidden gem in Geneva - just north of Rt 38 and a few blocks west of the Third Street shopping district. Everything in the shop looks like it was made with a lot of skill and care. My wife and I ordered an assortment of their individual cakes for a 25th anniversary party we hosted at our house. The people behind the counter were very helpful with ideas. And their artful presentation made a great impression on our guests. Prices are not cheap, but in my opinion, well worth it.
(5)Warren D.
Perfection in two bites Thier mini pastries are da bomb! Great little place to sip an espresso or cup of coffee. Just wished I lived closer so I could hang out there on Saturday or Sunday morning with the Kids and morning Paper Very creative with thier ideas and presentations... I have not seen products like these in a while, I only wish I could get thier stuff for my hotel
(5)Craig R.
Awesome quiches! The croissants melt in your mouth! Yummy Yummy Yummy! (Was that really a sentence?) This place is great - awesome sweets and baked goods! You cannot beat it!
(5)Sum Fun D.
Yum! Yum! Need I Say More??...well ok then.... The Best little treats for that special occasion (or any day!) They look just like little works of art! A little pricier than an average bakery, but after you taste this stuff, you'll know it was well worth every penny!
(5)Kate S.
This place is amazing. I first had this when a guy in my class who worked there brought some cake in for a project, and it was delicious. I came back later on and tried some of the other tarts and sweets, and OH MY GOD!!! It's a cute little place on 7th Street and totally worth trying out when you're in downtown Geneva.
(5)Chris D.
European style bakery. They specialize in pastries and cakes. In addition I found one little surprise I will share at the end of the review. Cakes: Very pretty to look at. They have individual portions which are just small versions of the larger cakes. I have tried the small ones and they are pretty good. At times they have been a little dry. If you want to assure a good experience I would special order one of the larger cakes and then you will know it is fresh. I see others noting that they normally sell out of the little cakes so I may have just caught them on a bad day, but we definitely have had some dry ones. I quit getting them after that and just order a large one so maybe they have limited their daily batches to keep them fresher. We have served their larger cakes at parties and everyone loved them. I am partial to the chocolate mousse and lemon mousse versions. Pastries: The croissants are excellent as noted by other reviewers. My favorite is the almond croissant. Great flavor and texture. They are different than those I have had at other bakeries in that the filling is allowed to seep out during baking and caramelize. Much better than the simple filling in my book. Surprise: They have pot de creme in little single serve tins. If you can remember what homemade chocolate pudding tastes like then you will love this. I haven't had anything close to this since my great grandmother made pudding when I was a kid. We didn't know to call it "pot de creme" then. Very good and you can tell it is made from scratch.
(4)Gary L.
What an absolute gem of a place. Decadent treats, super-nice people...it's a good thing we live more than a couple miles away or we'd gorge ourselves there every single day and gain a thousand pounds. (But oooh, what fun it would be if we did!) We are so fortunate to have Cocoa Bean out here in Geneva.
(5)Martha M.
Cocoa Bean is my FAVORITE bakery! Their pastries are simply amazing. The cakes are sinful. And the croissants... best I ever had. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)K K.
Well the cake I ordered was a hit but when I initially called to discuss delivery the charge to go 3 miles it was $12 and when I called back an hour later to place/confirm the order it had increased to $15. Explain that one? Not a big deal but when you are paying $38 bucks for a cake seems unnecessary to gouge the customer further..
(3)Eric F.
Best Croisant I have ever had. period.
(5)M.C. V.
Not disappointed - wow! I've been looking for GOOD pastries since I moved to west suburbs 2 years ago but had only encountered overly sweet, icing- happy, doughy duds. The reviews are right - as close to French-style pastries as I,ve had in Chicago. Loved croissants and mini almond, almond blueberry and chocolate almond mini cakes. Also loved the mini concept. Looking forward to tasting ALL they have over the next few months, weeks or days, well, not days. Next on my list is Vanille in Chicago.
(5)davia t.
Don't support this business. They treat all of their employees like crap!
(1)Sally G.
The very best coffee - great place for a good cup.... oh and, how about those desserts and croissants? Might as well have one while you're there, you won't be disappointed... .****
(5)Tiff B.
Cutest little bakery you'll ever find. Everything they make is delicious and they really pay attention to the details on all of the desserts. I pick up pastries from this place for the office and they're always a hit. And I'm pretty sure they have absolutely PERFECTED the peanut butter cookie!
(5)Ted N.
The Cocoa Bean serves some of the best croissants in the area. I lived in Paris and it more than holds its own against the little boulangerie near my apartment. I've only had a small sample of their deserts but when I did purchase them they have always been excellent. I do understand some of the comments expressing frustration with the service. It is not a big place and the staff can get overwhelmed on weekend mornings and lunch time. The service staff tries to cope but that's not always so easy for them. On weekends it's difficult to find a seat especially in the cooler/colder months. I realize it is not an option for most people but the best time to savor the coffee and croissant's is during the week. I have never ordered any cakes so I can't speak to their quality. I drive 10 miles to come here and I hate to drive, yet it is always worth the effort. Note: Parking can be very challenging. There is a small lot next to the place but it shares the spaces with other establishments. I park on a side street and walk. Oh the reason why I don't give it five stars is that I haven't sampled enough of their products to give them an unqualified endorsement and that I have on occasion experienced some small breakdowns in service.
(4)Karen R.
My review is based solely on one item on their dessert menu which I have had on several occasions. Cocoa Bean's white chocolate passion fruit mousse cake is simply the best. I dream about this cake occasionally but live in the city so it is tough to satiate the craving. It has the most perfect consistency and that just right blend of sweet, tangy, fruity and decadent. Looking forward to someday trying out some of their other treats.
(5)Halley B.
This is a great find in the chain-filled burbs. This is a very cute bakery/cafe that has an amazing assortment of goodies. They offer very fancy little cakes/tarts/mousses to delicious pastries like croissants (chocolate and pistachio are amazing), brioche, and cinnamon rolls.
(5)Jonathan L.
A cute little patisserie in Geneva. The cakes were beautiful to look at, but they weren't that good to eat. The passion fruit cake had a tough crust that was difficult to get around, and the flavors, while there, didn't blend well to create a top-notch pastry. The same could be said of the chocolate raspberry cake. I've had better at French pastry shops dedicated to cakes, but it's not bad for the area.
(3)Vivian Y.
This is a review for the croissants only. I've heard that if you don't get there early enough on the weekends that there won't be any available. These croissants are to die for. Very flaky, very delicious. I need to come here more often.
(5)Tuesday D.
Absolutely amazing!! I had a cheese cake made for my husband's birthday and it was one of if not the best cheesecakes we have ever had!!! Great service as well. We had never been there before, actually found the location on yelp. Called up and ordered the cake. The girl on the phone was very polite and the cake was made way better than my expectations. Thank you and we will be back soon.
(5)Crystal R.
This has got to be one of the most spectacular dessert destinations I've ever encountered. Their desserts are as beautiful as they are delicious and their staff is very kind and attentive. If you like desserts, this will be your new favorite place! Side note: we have also had their paninis and have not been disappointed, just make sure you leave room for dessert!
(5)Haroldina N.
Good desserts but pricey. Also, not very friendly. Can't recommend.
(2)Rhonda R.
Ordered the almond crossiant- soooo good. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The lemon bars are wonderfully tart as well. Worth coming for sure!!
(5)Amanda T.
We ordered our wedding cake through Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts for our June 2015 wedding. They partner with Cantigny customers and the price should have been included with our reception bill. We requested a "naked, unfrosted, cake" and inspiration pictures were provided several months in advance. We wanted to have a multi tiered cake with fresh fruit on the edges, and flowers on top. We were charged approx $45 extra for us to have the cake "special ordered." On the day of the wedding, we walked in the room and saw the cake for the first time, and it was almost completed frosted, which was the complete opposite of our vision, and inspiration pictures. When I reached out to Cocoa Bean after the wedding to express my concerns, it took them 4 weeks to get back to me, and said "sorry if we were disappointed." Awful customer service, and we unfortunately did not have the "wow" cake we were hoping for on our wedding day. The only reason I gave 2 stars is because they added our cake topper for us, and had no issues with cake being delivered on time.
(2)Alyssa P.
I've been here over 1/2 a dozen times and I'll have to say my favorite thing here is the apricot pistachio tart. I prefer their breakast items (apple / pear tarts, danish, and crossiants) much more than their desserts. The mini desserts and indiv. cakes are beautifully decorated and pricey but don't taste as good as they look. I tell myself every time to just stick with the bakery items but the items in the glass displays are so pretty, I couldn't resist and leaves me disappointed every time. Service has been good to very good.
(4)Roseanne S.
Cocoa Bean was the cake vendor for our wedding at Cantigny and was part of our overall package. I made an appointment for a required testing. On the day of, we were on our way when I received a voicemail asking where we were. I called back and the guy I talked to didn't really have a solution as to what to do or how the time got messed up. It was probably my fault, but I would have liked some kind of guidance instead of me having to figure out what to do. In the end, we decided I could still come in at the time I thought it was. Geneva is faaaaarr, but the town is kinda cute. The bakery itself is very nice. Lots of pastries if you feel like stopping by for a treat. We sat at a table and then met with the woman in charge of our cake. She brought out some samples of what we could get. We really liked the vanilla bean and the chocolate. So decadent. She also showed us some design samples. Once again, I had no idea what I wanted, so I was up for anything. I saw a pretty design with ribbon around the tiers and flowers on top and thought that would be great. She told me the width of ribbon I would need and said I could mail it over once I had it, and that she would be in contact with our florist for the topper. We ended up choosing two flavors/frosting for our cake, which was an additional charge, but its based on how many people you have, so it was only like $40 extra. I think it was worth it since you never know what people want. Fast forward to the wedding: our cake was beautiful and we got rave reviews on the taste. I was super nervous, since my best friend said she's had some pretty bad wedding cake in her experience, but everyone absolutely loved it. They said it was the best cake they ever had. I have to agree that it was sooo good. I had people taking extras! Even though they were the vendor for Cantigny, if you have the option of picking a vendor, I'd highly recommend Cocoa Bean. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Princess F.
We were at the Geneva Car Show and passed by this place. The presentation was wonderful - mini golden plates decorated with tiny individual cakes. The cakes were topped with hand painted chocolate. I got the chocolate flavor while my daughter got the raspberry-blueberry. The chocolate tasted nice. However I would recommend that you skip the other flavor. The outside was dried and stale. I dont think this is how it is expected to taste like - most likely was an old piece. The girls behind the counter were friendly and helpful, one of them walked around to tell us which flavor was what.
(3)Gina V.
The cakes and coffee are very delicious. The staff is very helpful in describing the content of their deserts. I purchased the minute pastries and chocolates. They are cute and tasteful. I love this place to chill for a coffee brake
(4)Stefani G.
Simply perfect. I wish there were more of these kinds of places around. Keep it up cocoa bean!
(5)Tish D.
Great place to order special occasion cakes. Cute little bakery with fancy pasteries. A bit pricey but worth it.
(4)Bill F.
The croissants are TO DIE FOR. Nuff Said.
(5)Ryann M.
Cocoa Bean made the cake for my friend's birthday party, and I have to say it was beautiful! It was exactly what I wanted and they did a great job working off the "inspiration" photos I sent - I could not have been happier! They also delivered the cake promptly and carefully, and were able to take my order via email, which was nice. There was a small miscommunication when I called the bakery to finalize my order, I think likely due to the fact I was talking to someone other than who I had been emailing with. Luckily, I followed up with a confirmation email and Nancy was able to straighten everything out. I definitely recommend trying to arrange a time to call when you can talk to her personally. Five stars except for that tiny issue!
(4)John S.
Cocoa Beans made our wedding cake, and it was scrumptious! We arranged a tasting with them 8 months ahead. They prepared 5 items for us based on some criteria we gave. It was an outdoor wedding on a hot day, so we needed a cake that wouldn't melt or fall apart, but we also wanted to avoid the "same old" cake taste. We wanted all of the cakes we tasted, but settle on a chocolate cake with vanilla bean frosting. On wedding day they showed up right before food was served, and the cake lasted 45 minutes without losing shape, taste or texture. Guests loved it! We'll be going back often for tasty treats.
(5)Kristina U.
The cakes and other pastries that I have purchased here have always wowed with looks but underperformed in the taste department; very sad.
(3)Bill D.
Happy 10th anniversary. We have been coming here and telling other people about Cocoa Bean for 10 years! The best pastries anywhere! I have traveled to Paris dozens of times, including last month again) and I always look forward to returning to Cocoa Bean for the BEST Chocolate Croissants in the world! It is the very special places such as Cocoa Bean that makes Geneva such a wonderful place to live and to dine! Thank you for 10 years of great pastries and desserts. Thank you for 10 years of happiness! Bill Doeckel
(5)Monica M.
This was my first time here so I bought their chocolate and regular croissants. I've been on a bit of croissant quest since eating the best croissant on earth in Geneva, Switzerland in 1999. I'm not fanatical but once you've tasted a piece of heaven, it's tough to settle for anything less, as I have been the last 15 years...until now. How ironic that in Geneva (Illinois) I again discovered the best tasting, crispiest, and most memorable happiness-inducing croissant since that trip in Switzerland so long ago. Chocolate croissant didn't have enough chocolate but was redeemed with it's tasty croissant backbone. So, cocoa bean has reasonable prices, a very nice sales lady and an excellent variety of other pastries. I'll be back soon and, who knows, maybe one day I'll try the other baked goodies.
(5)Brian P.
I am a customer for life. My wife's birthday is on Christmas. I ordered a cake from the Cocoa Bean and picked it up on Christmas Eve and it was perfect . . . until I got home and dropped it on the floor while putting it in the fridge! I was sure it would be impossible to get a replacement personalized cake anywhere with such short notice on a holiday. I took a chance and called and spoke to a very helpful and kind woman at the Cocoa Bean. I told her I would take any cake they had -- I didn't care what name was written on it. She told me to stop by in 45 minutes and they would find something for me. It was clearly one of the busiest days of the year at the store yet the staff was friendly, happy, and efficient. I walked in and was immediately greeted by another very kind staff member who told me she was sorry to hear what had happened. She went to the cooler and pulled out a cake that was identical to the one I dropped -- with my wife's name on it. The wouldn't let me pay for the replacement and instead just said "Merry Christmas!" I was shocked. Even better than the service and staff is the product. The cake was one of the best tasting cakes I have ever had. I can't say enough good things about this bakery. I will continue to recommend it to my friends and I look forward to picking up my wife's birthday cake on Christmas Eve for years to come.
(5)Lisette J.
This place is awesome! Staff friendly & delicious baked goods! I had the lemon bar & it was yummy & I only got one of the chocolate croissants & It was really good wish I had gotten more! Everything we got was fresh, will most certainly make the trip back! Prices are pretty reasonable too!
(5)Brianne M.
Stopped in to get some valentines treats...let me say they are absolutely heavenly. We tried 4 different individual cakes. The passion fruit and white cake was perfect. These are not the overly sugared cakes you usually find. I was transported back to Paris in every bite. You can tell the chef is classically trained. The case of confections was absolutely beautiful and no detail was overlooked. Best place for a sweet treat in the Chicagoland area. I can't wait to try some of their savory dishes. Highly recommend!
(5)Mary B.
(Past review at Cocoa Bean was exception--caught them during a rare momentary glitch of busyness.) Cocoa Bean is wonderful. Pastries like best Europe patisseries. Even the baker will come out and wait on folks on a busy Sunday morning. Sticky buns vanish. Get there early. Passion fruit cake is the best ever. Not too sweet. Not too heavy. Just right.
(5)Joy S.
On a busy Sunday morning, around 10:30am. I stopped in looking for something warm to eat. Decided on the chicken panini with provolone, tomato, and aioli. For $6, I wasn't expecting something pre-made. But it's a bakery, not a deli, so ya can't be too upset to find out the ingredients are what they are. If you don't want tomatoes, take them off yourself. That's ok, I can deal with that. It was pretty chaotic behind the counter. No one knew who was helping who. They tried - all 3 employees tried to help me. I told them I'd already been helped, but it left others waiting longer. The food itself is the reason I probably won't be back. It wasn't cooked all the way, which left the chicken cold and slimy. It was pretty gross.
(2)Mary R.
The Cocoa Bean provided the breakfast sweets for my daughter's wedding day while the girls were getting hair and nails done. They also provided 300 French macaroons that were used as favors at the wedding reception. Everything was lovely and tasted fabulous! My daughter and I were in Geneva about a month before the wedding, and to our surprise, the bakes was actually working on flavors for the macaroon filling to make sure he got the taste he wanted. Amazing! The breakfast items and macaroons were delivered and all went well. The staff was pleasant. Only negative was that it took a some time for our calls and emails to be returned.
(4)N E O.
We worked with this bakery for our wedding cake through Cantigny Park and it was a great experience. It was so easy to connect with them for the meeting and she had a taste sample set up for us right away. She kept us within the standard for us to not have any extra charges but we could have gone custom and it would have been worth it too. Our cake was beautiful and we got a lot of compliments on how good it was from our guests as well. We definitely plan on ordering an anniversary cake each year and I would highly recommend for any event.
(5)Heather R.
Delicious and perfect when in need of a great unique dessert.
(5)Nendaz S.
This place has the best pastries ever, and at VERY competitive prices. You only find this kind of pastries at the best pastry stores in France; but usually not in the US. The quality is superb. Other places in Geneva try to do the same; not even close, and they charge 3 times as much.
(5)Michael R.
Stopped by here this morning about an hour before closing. The selection was very diverse despite one of the workers saying that they had sold out of some of their more popular items. I agree that the croissants here are definitely worth trying. I wish they still had chocolate croissants available but I guess those are one of the hot items that sold out. I ended up really liking the creme brulee and a passion fruit custard with a raspberry filled cake base. They make their pastries look like mini pieces of art that are delicious to eat (artstries?). Really looking forward to trying macaroons sometime soon.
(4)Andrea E.
Love...Love...Love the desserts at Cocoa Bean.
(5)pbarp M.
I am addicted to the little desserts. Their croissants come close to the real buttery flaky melt-in-your-mouth French made croissants. We love this place.
(5)Morgan M.
Mon Dieu! If you stop by Cocoa Beans you will no doubt experience an intense affair with butter, indulgence and a little thing called sin. A place to kick back and sip on some potent coffee, nibble a few fluffed pastries or snag some desserts for date night at home, you'll find Cocoa Beans has you covered. On the serious lookout to quench this thirst for a proper croissant, I stumbled through the front doors and fell in step with the display and felt crestfallen. That was until I was helped! Out of the three people on staff, I was greeted and helped by two. The third was working pastry magic in the back. Or atleast this is what I imagined in my clouded euphoric state of sugar overload. Ordering a standard Americano, another staffey helped me turn that frown upside down when I asked about the almond croissant. There sat behind the counter was a freshly baked set and I quickly had her bag up a single. There is an impressive selection of baked desserts that fall into two categories: Cakes and Custards or Pastries. For the cakes and custards your eyes can feast on mousse, mini tarts, 4" tarts (fruit or chocolate) and fresh creme brulee. There's also full cakes. For the pastries, it's a french patisserie con americano. Brioche singles, croissants (chocolate, plain and almond) almond tarts, almond brioche, etc. Prices are very comprable considering the baked good, for a short coffee and two pastries the total bill was under $7 and tasted like it should have cost $25. The croissant was warm, soft and held the perfect almond flavoring, the coffee was strong. Saliva will fall out of your mouth at the speed of Niagra Falls so be prepared to carry a napkin with you until you vacate the premises.
(5)C.A. O.
I hate to give a small business a bad review... but we called 3 weeks ahead of Easter looking to have them make us a small fondant cake for a housewarming. We were told they were too busy for a small cake that weekend. So we went to French Cake Patisserie in Plainfield instead. All I can say about French Cakes was Tres Bien! Fantastic cake, on time and much more affordable than Cocoa Bean wants!
(2)Jan H.
I stopped by in the late afternoon to get a pastry. They had just closed. So I tried to at least get a glimpse of what they sell from the street. The owner came to the door and asked if he could help me. I said I had read such great things online about his bakery and I had just stopped for a pastry. He invited me in his kitchen. He took out a box and loaded it with pastries that hadn't sold. I asked what I owed him. He said, "nothing, just come back again when we are open." Wow! You don't see things like that any more.
(5)Katie R.
Get the Almond croissant. Or a lemon tart, you won't regret either. Everything else is good, but those are amazing.
(5)Eric S.
I come here once a week for a morning pastry. Their pastries and desserts are absolutely authentic and amazing. I've been visiting them for years and I've probably tried almost everything they offer. I can't believe anyone would give this place a negative review. I've had the small desserts and had a few of the large cakes and they are spectacular. The employees are always friendly and I can't say I've ever been disappointed by anything that I've eaten there. I'm well aware of the other options in Geneva and the surrounding towns but nothing even comes close.
(5)Sarah P.
Amazing desserts and really friendly staff. They created my wedding cake 4 years ago, and my sisters this past October. Her wedding was outdoors themed and the cake was decorated to look exactly like a birch tree. Every time I'm in Geneva I stop in for a little treat.
(5)Tracie Y.
I had been telling my husband that driving all the way across town for croissants and coffee was going to be worth it and he didn't believe me....until this weekend. He tried the chorizo quiche and some of my chocolate croissant and enlightenment came to him. We also picked up a cheesecake/flourless chocolate cake for a birthday and it was insanely good. I can't describe how picky I am about cheesecake (I dislike 95% of them out there) and I loved it. Nice, friendly staff and great coffee too.
(5)Cindy S.
This is a wonderful little bakery and cafe with delicious desserts. I love getting the cute little mini desserts for a special treat for a friend's birthday... they make a great presentation. We got our wedding cake here and it was beautiful, delicious and competitively priced when we compared to other bakeries. Everyone raved about it. The almond croissants are sooo wonderful. You must try them.
(5)Kassi C.
Cocoa bean is probably one of the best bakeries I've ever been to. I really love the little mini deserts. They are pricey, but you get to try lots of little samples of everything. They decorate the deserts so well, its like eating a tiny, adorable piece of art. They also have sandwiches and coffee, but i've never tried them. Highly recommended.
(5)Jeremy R.
Small selection of attractive and decent treats. Poor service. Won't return.
(3)S R.
I have never had a bad experience at the Cocoa Bean. One of the staff recommended a pistachio and apricot danish to me one day. Stating that it looked a little odd, but it was his favorite. It is now my favorite thing there. It is wonderful. Besides their buttery pastry dough which is light crisp and sinful, there is a creamy pistachio cream and a (I think) poached apricot which is soft and yummy. I even bought pastries for Christmas morning the day before. I asked if it would be okay the next day. The staff member told me they would be fine. They were almost 99% as good as fresh. I just left them on the counter in the bag and we had them Christmas morning. Thank goodness there is at least one awesome bakery in the area that isn't in a grocery store.
(5)Teri C.
Working with Nancy was amazing. She is very good at what she does. Neither my husband nor I like wedding cake. We find it to be dry, flat, and gross. Our cake from the Cocoa Bean was excellent! They make the cake about a day before the event, and decorate it the morning of. Also, they use real butter instead of shortening which means that the cake is moist and delicious. I would recommend them in a heart beat. Nancy took a design I found online gave it her own flair and made it even more beautiful.
(5)Tom B.
Quite simply the finest Croissants I've ever had in the United States. Just like being in Paris. Flakey, crisp and buttery, the way they should be!
(5)Mario L.
5 stars. These guys keep their word. We had a wonderful passion fruit, chocolate wedding cake. For some reason, the cake was not preserved (not the fault of the bake shop) and these guys offered to give us a cake on our anniversary for free. After 1 year, they kept their word. Totally impressed and happy.
(5)Steve G.
My wife's going to kill me for telling you all about this place, so don't tell her, ok? This place makes the best cakes, tarts, croissants, eclairs, sandwiches, er, well, you get the picture... Small place, right behind Mel's Diner. There are a couple of tables to eat there. But if you are picking something up to go, you best get there early -- otherwise, be smart (like my better half) and order ahead. You will amaze your friends or anyone else if you show up to dinner with one of the desserts from this place. Honest!
(5)S C.
Alon's Bakery in Atlanta (Virgina Highlands/Morningside area) has always stood out in my mind as making some of the best cakes I have ever had, and when I tasted a Cocoa Beans cake at a party, I was so happy to see that they make desserts in a similar way with fresh, genuine ingredients. I would also compare the desserts to Demel Kaffeehaus in Vienna, which is truly a pastry-lover's dream come true. The pastries from Cocoa Beans are luscious, creamy, sophisticated and beautiful.
(5)Gary D.
Got our wedding cake at the Cocoa Bean last March. Fantastic cake, decorated extactly like my wife requested and tasted wonderful. Will recommend them to all my friends.
(4)Tina E.
Best most expensive gourmet desserts in Fox Valley! You get what you pay. These are the most beautifully designed treats. Tarts, creme brulee, quiche,rugelach & gourmet pastries all displayed perfectly behind the glass. The have wonderful soups & sandwiches as well. If you go hungry-bring you credit card.
(5)Deanna R.
So so wonderful. A hidden Gem. Absolutely Fabulous desserts.
(5)yoku s.
their lemon bar is the best i've ever had. it's the perfect balance of tart & sweetness in the lemony gel. love the slightly salty, soft (but with substance) crust, which complements the sweetness perfectly. YUM. I want MORE!
(5)Dan M.
This is a hidden gem in Geneva - just north of Rt 38 and a few blocks west of the Third Street shopping district. Everything in the shop looks like it was made with a lot of skill and care. My wife and I ordered an assortment of their individual cakes for a 25th anniversary party we hosted at our house. The people behind the counter were very helpful with ideas. And their artful presentation made a great impression on our guests. Prices are not cheap, but in my opinion, well worth it.
(5)Warren D.
Perfection in two bites Thier mini pastries are da bomb! Great little place to sip an espresso or cup of coffee. Just wished I lived closer so I could hang out there on Saturday or Sunday morning with the Kids and morning Paper Very creative with thier ideas and presentations... I have not seen products like these in a while, I only wish I could get thier stuff for my hotel
(5)Craig R.
Awesome quiches! The croissants melt in your mouth! Yummy Yummy Yummy! (Was that really a sentence?) This place is great - awesome sweets and baked goods! You cannot beat it!
(5)Sum Fun D.
Yum! Yum! Need I Say More??...well ok then.... The Best little treats for that special occasion (or any day!) They look just like little works of art! A little pricier than an average bakery, but after you taste this stuff, you'll know it was well worth every penny!
(5)Kate S.
This place is amazing. I first had this when a guy in my class who worked there brought some cake in for a project, and it was delicious. I came back later on and tried some of the other tarts and sweets, and OH MY GOD!!! It's a cute little place on 7th Street and totally worth trying out when you're in downtown Geneva.
(5)Chris D.
European style bakery. They specialize in pastries and cakes. In addition I found one little surprise I will share at the end of the review. Cakes: Very pretty to look at. They have individual portions which are just small versions of the larger cakes. I have tried the small ones and they are pretty good. At times they have been a little dry. If you want to assure a good experience I would special order one of the larger cakes and then you will know it is fresh. I see others noting that they normally sell out of the little cakes so I may have just caught them on a bad day, but we definitely have had some dry ones. I quit getting them after that and just order a large one so maybe they have limited their daily batches to keep them fresher. We have served their larger cakes at parties and everyone loved them. I am partial to the chocolate mousse and lemon mousse versions. Pastries: The croissants are excellent as noted by other reviewers. My favorite is the almond croissant. Great flavor and texture. They are different than those I have had at other bakeries in that the filling is allowed to seep out during baking and caramelize. Much better than the simple filling in my book. Surprise: They have pot de creme in little single serve tins. If you can remember what homemade chocolate pudding tastes like then you will love this. I haven't had anything close to this since my great grandmother made pudding when I was a kid. We didn't know to call it "pot de creme" then. Very good and you can tell it is made from scratch.
(4)Gary L.
What an absolute gem of a place. Decadent treats, super-nice people...it's a good thing we live more than a couple miles away or we'd gorge ourselves there every single day and gain a thousand pounds. (But oooh, what fun it would be if we did!) We are so fortunate to have Cocoa Bean out here in Geneva.
(5)Martha M.
Cocoa Bean is my FAVORITE bakery! Their pastries are simply amazing. The cakes are sinful. And the croissants... best I ever had. HIGHLY recommended.
(5)K K.
Well the cake I ordered was a hit but when I initially called to discuss delivery the charge to go 3 miles it was $12 and when I called back an hour later to place/confirm the order it had increased to $15. Explain that one? Not a big deal but when you are paying $38 bucks for a cake seems unnecessary to gouge the customer further..
(3)Eric F.
Best Croisant I have ever had. period.
(5)M.C. V.
Not disappointed - wow! I've been looking for GOOD pastries since I moved to west suburbs 2 years ago but had only encountered overly sweet, icing- happy, doughy duds. The reviews are right - as close to French-style pastries as I,ve had in Chicago. Loved croissants and mini almond, almond blueberry and chocolate almond mini cakes. Also loved the mini concept. Looking forward to tasting ALL they have over the next few months, weeks or days, well, not days. Next on my list is Vanille in Chicago.
(5)davia t.
Don't support this business. They treat all of their employees like crap!
(1)Sally G.
The very best coffee - great place for a good cup.... oh and, how about those desserts and croissants? Might as well have one while you're there, you won't be disappointed... .****
(5)Tiff B.
Cutest little bakery you'll ever find. Everything they make is delicious and they really pay attention to the details on all of the desserts. I pick up pastries from this place for the office and they're always a hit. And I'm pretty sure they have absolutely PERFECTED the peanut butter cookie!
(5)Ted N.
The Cocoa Bean serves some of the best croissants in the area. I lived in Paris and it more than holds its own against the little boulangerie near my apartment. I've only had a small sample of their deserts but when I did purchase them they have always been excellent. I do understand some of the comments expressing frustration with the service. It is not a big place and the staff can get overwhelmed on weekend mornings and lunch time. The service staff tries to cope but that's not always so easy for them. On weekends it's difficult to find a seat especially in the cooler/colder months. I realize it is not an option for most people but the best time to savor the coffee and croissant's is during the week. I have never ordered any cakes so I can't speak to their quality. I drive 10 miles to come here and I hate to drive, yet it is always worth the effort. Note: Parking can be very challenging. There is a small lot next to the place but it shares the spaces with other establishments. I park on a side street and walk. Oh the reason why I don't give it five stars is that I haven't sampled enough of their products to give them an unqualified endorsement and that I have on occasion experienced some small breakdowns in service.
(4)