I went here for the first time last week, and found a great new favorite place! I had the fantastic tomato and basil tart to go with my iced tea/lemonade. Both were very good. I then had a fabulous gelato (can't remember the name but it was like chocolate chip but with shaved chocolate) that is up there with ones in New York and Europe. Very cozy, and nice friendly staff. I'm a fan
(5)
Sarah S.
ArrivaDolce is an adorable coffee shop in downtown Highland Park with some gelato and other yummy baked good items. I first discovered them last week at Yelp's Passport to Paris event. So when I was in Highland Park again this weekend, I sought them out to try. On a Saturday morning, ArrivaDolce was poppin'. Packed tables and clearly a HP hot spot. My friend and I went in for drinks but then----I saw a baked good that called my name. My bud said, Don't do it! What about your healthy eating!? But I'm weak and I love chocolate so I couldn't stop my mouth from ordering the Mint Chocolate Brownie. This Mint Chocolate Brownie was so decadent and worth the (probably 800) calories. I can't explain how rich, soft, gooey and just the right amount of mint this. I'm craving it as I write this which is always a good indicator of me loving something.
(4)
Connor B.
With a love for coffee and experience working at Caribou Coffee for a little while I started out 2014 with the mission to visit all of the coffee shops in my area. After visiting a few, I thought why not write reviews and share my thoughts on each of them. So here we are... without any further ado let's dive right in to my unbiased review of ArrivaDolce Location and Ambiance: This coffee shop is located in downtown Libertyville, and is definitely in a nice location if your looking to grab some food from the local restaurants or go shopping in near by stores. This is NOT a chain coffee shop, so you get a whole different experience from your regular local Starbucks. Coffee: Well it is a coffee shop, so lets talk coffee! The coffee is really quite good, and has a strong coffee flavor. Please note I did not try any black coffee, I ordered a latte which tasted great! Food: The great thing about ArrivaDolce is their food! They have a huge selection of foods. That plus the gelato bar, you could basically stay there all day and you would be set. Staff: The staff was nice, but felt the same as Starbucks, Caribou, or any other corporate store. This wasn't horrible, but I just wanted a more homie feel. No complaints, but nothing special. Overall, I have to say its a great place. No complaints, so its a 5 of 5 stars from me! Thanks, Connor Brady
(5)
Michael B.
Best place in HP to get gelato. Don't even bother going to another place if you want the help to have an affagato expertly crafted. Best around! Great coffee, yummy snacks, and friendly staff make this my go to in Highland Park. A terrific spot to meet with someone to discuss current events, business, or just catch up. And mom and pop? Yep! Best bet!
(5)
Marie D.
I wish I had walked in to ArrivaDolce long before now... I've been twice in the last month, and plan to go back regularly. What I like: * really friendly people behind the counter - and they're not young kids (sorry young kids, I like you, too!), so there's a level of experience and maturity that I like. * delicious homemade soups, sandwiches, and coffees * great baked goods * great buzz/vibe in the store - people having meetings, reading, working on their computers - it has a good "hang out" feel to it * eclectic art and decor * gelato! What I don't like: * it's just a bit tight with the tables so close together, but hey, I guess that's part of the vibe that I just said I liked, so I'll go with it.
(4)
Allie T.
Super cute place with decent drinks. Nothing negative to say about the place really.
(4)
Jonathan C.
After the community manager event that Angela organized, I am a fan of this establishment. Please forgive me as I will be stealing pieces of that review to for reviewing the actual establishment. The place has a great feel with reclaimed wood throughout and nice architectural detailing. The owners are extremely friendly and either make items from scratch or source it locally. But you are actually coming here for a coffee, tea, snack or lunch, so I'll get right into that. I started off with some gelato. There was all of your run of the mill flavors, but then a few new flavors to boot. I tired a little of the blueberry cookie flavor and vanilla orange. But then I decided to go with the pistachio and stracciatella (cookies and cream). The pistachio was loaded with nuts and hands down the best pistachio gelato I ever ate. After eating this I made sure to grab a pint of the coffee flavor for the Mrs. So on to other foods I ate. The hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream was really good. I had so much sugar by then that I could not tell if this was too sweet for me or if it was due to everything else. But I'll give this a go again when I'm not hopped up on gelato and cake. So then there was the lemony lemon cake. It looks like your normal cake, but it is nice and dense like pound cake. And boy it packs a punch. The lemon just comes right through everything. Its pretty much like eating a lemonade (in a good way). The pumpkin apple bread was solid, but I would go with the lemon cake. And the last sweet was oatmeal, chocolate chip, dried cherry cookies. I really enjoyed the dried cherry pieces instead of raisins. I also sampled a few soups and the lentil, kale and kielbasa soup was hearty and satisfying. I never put kale in a soup, but this worked perfectly. I finally had some samples of a Panama coffee. There are plenty of other varieties so you are sure to find a bean that you enjoy I will be stopping by this place for a drink and snack on weekends that I am walking about downtown Highland Park.
(4)
Maria B.
Delicious coffee and great selection of gelato. I have not tried the food but if the freshly baked scones are any indications, food is also delicious
(5)
Pa B.
Good study spot. Great snacks, tea and coffee. Love their cappuccino and cinnamon roll. Also, they have a reward card. After 14 drink purchases you get any drink free. Seems like a lot but I am definitely using it. It's always super clean inside and everyone is very welcoming and friendly. A little on the cold side inside though if you ask me!
(5)
Monica H.
I've been to ArrivaDolce many times and I absolutely love it! Its cozy and warm space makes it the perfect place to catch up with a family member or friend. I always get their cappuccino with a scone or muffin and the outdoor seating reminds me of cafes outside the US. There's something nice about stepping outside the corporatized coffee culture and supporting small businesses locally. We really need more relaxed, European-style cafes like this in the US. I highly recommend you stop by.
(5)
Alyssa L.
Love love love this place! By far my favorite breakfast/lunch spot in downtown highland park! Amazing coffee concoctions and delicious breakfast and lunch choices! I especially enjoy their frittata sandwich, pesto chicken salad sandwich, baked goods, and gelato selections. The ambience is nice...emulating a true Italian coffee house, reasonable prices, and unique merchandise and local art! Always friendly staff! Doesn't get much better than this!
(5)
Aly N.
Love it here! One of the only places I can find that offers almond lattes. Nice selection of teas as well. I like getting a coffee and a sandwich for lunch -- try the pesto chicken or dill tuna. Not an inexpensive place for lunch (think Foodstuffs) but the quality and service is excellent, so I spend an extra buck or two. Great place to hang out with friends over coffee with comfortable seating and is also kid friendly.
(5)
Albert L.
Ambiance is great. The gelato is delicious and portions are generous. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Adriane P.
You won't wanna say "Arrivaderci" to ArrivaDolce! This is a spot you'll say "hello" to again and again. Why? It's so quaint. The mismatched furniture, marble touchs, comfy chairs, and whimsical decor make you feel like you are visiting someone's home. That welcoming and warm aspect translates to the menu as well. Coffee drinks, teas, sandwiches, soups, the usual cafe jive. I feel like the coffee-iced or hot- could be smoother and less tart. Ah but the gelato is very good. I love how the consistency is better than most joints who offer to gelatinous or soft ones. How annoying is THAT? Buy a yummy looking gelato for $4 and have it liquefy as soon as a sunbeam hits it. I like the coffee and chocolate covered bean, pistachio, and raspberry flavors. There's free wifi and its a decent place to study but the hours are kinda limited. They have sidewalk seating and lots of doggie touches so your ~ pups ~ are welcome to party alfresco. All these qualities make parting from ArivaDolce sweet sorrow until you Ciao there again.
(4)
Little S.
Great chai tea latte. Love the ambiance, feels like your local neighborhood homey coffee shop. Free wifi too!
(4)
Bradley C.
Cute coffee shop in the downtown highland park area. Staff is very friendly and they use locally roasted coffee, Colectivo(always a plus for me). The owners are friendly folks and always receive pleasant customer service when I visit.
(4)
Matt R.
Having a yelp event here eased me into an awesome place that is appears to be easily overlooked and overshadowed, as restaurants such as In the Raw are right around the corner. Let's start with what is their strongest point (to me): their Gelato. They have a pretty extensive choice of selections - from Pistachio, to blueberry cookie, to vanilla orange and berry mix. It's actually the pistachio and berry mix that spoke to me the most. Having had some awesome pistachio gelato before, I went for the same - my intuition was correct, as the pistachio gelato here is awesome. As the yelp event gave us a chance to sample everything, I tried the lentil,kale & kielbasa soup. It was definitely a unique combination, and I could see it being great even without kielbasa. Also tried the potato soup, which was also good. Although I do like this place, I don't think it's explicitly vegetarian friendly - which is a surprise given that this is highland park. I don't think it takes away from the quality and breadth of options here. You have everything from baked goods (lemon cake, pumpkin apple bread, oatmeal cookies, dried cherry cookies) to good coffee options. It's like everything a starbucks should be - in higher quality. I will definitely be coming back here again - yelp event or not, I'm glad I checked this place out. Also for the Ingress users out there, the public library is around the corner - so this can be a nice stop if you want to get some coffee and then hack some portals.
(5)
Jeff H.
A very comfortable locally owned coffee/gelato shop. I've been here twice to get a drink and work, and have been very satisfied both times. There are baked goods, and some savory dishes as well. A colleague enjoyed a curry mushroom soup. I've not had the gelato, but as summer progresses, that will likely change. Free wifi, comfortable if limited work surfaces and good outlet selection for the laptop crowd. When in the area, I do try to come here for coffee and to get some work done.
(4)
Ana V.
I really like that place. They have a very yummy selection of gelato and really good coffee. Nice people and nice atmosphere!
(5)
Angela S.
I had a meeting here this morning and was beyond excited and thrilled to see how many people were there having coffee and conversation! As usual I ordered my vanilla latte...almost my very very favorite ever...and it was consistently fabulous. Creamy, nicely caffeinated (not overly caffeinated that I felt like bouncing off the walls), and just a really smooth delight. I wish they had provided me with a spoon so I could scoop up all that frothy goodness, but other than that my stir stick did a pretty good job. As far as being crowded, the soundproofing is great in this place because you can actually carry on a conversation with the person you are meeting with. Lively, great atmosphere and my new favorite place to have a meeting in Downtown Highland Park! $3.75 for a small in-house vanilla latte.
(4)
Lauren K.
Cute place. Had a good spiced Mexican chocolate drink, a grilled cheese and tomato soup and a cookie. Atmosphere is warm and inviting.
(4)
Elina S.
I've been here for a few times since they opened and overall my critique is that they are just alright. At first I thought they would be focusing on their gelato and it's definitely a okay. They have it delivered from somewhere so it's not as fresh nor as delicious as their competitor Frost down the street in Highland Park. Plus, I don't feel like they have as many flavors as some other places. Now onto the cafe part, the tomato soup I've had is super watery, in my opinion, kinda gross. I've had their grilled cheese to go with it which is okay, definitely not the best I've ever had but also could be a lot worse. It was served with potato chips that seemed like they were also from a grocery store. What I do like about the place is the people working there are nice and the place itself is very homey and cozy. I can totally get a coffee and some kind of pastry since I'm more a fan of their homemade pastries than their lunch items or gelato. I can get my stuff, get my laptop and just relax on one of their little couches or chairs on a rainy day in April. I am also a fan of the name, Arriva Dolce, it's inviting and makes you want to go check it out. If they up their game for quality of gelato and make some better soups and sandwiches, I would give them more stars. I hear they have a Facebook page which is also a plus and they regularly post their new soups for that day. I think since Corner Bakery closed, it's only to their advantage to make ArrivaDolce stand out even more. Will I be back? Yes, for some coffee and a good ol' muffin. Or if they offer some kind of livingsocial or groupon deal, I'd be more inclined to come back since the prices aren't super cheap here either.
(3)
Valerie W.
What a quaint little place! I've been driving past ArrivaDolce for over a year now, specifically in the summer thinking, "I should stop there for an iced java or gelato," but it never seemed to happen. The community manager event Angela S put together was the perfect opportunity to finally check out this gem! +homey +awesome decor +excellent, friendly service +everything either made in-house or locally sourced. ArrivaDolce will be a great place to stop for gelato on a hot summer evening or a latte in the winter. There's no reason not to stop in!
(4)
Annie C.
i work at costco and the owner actually came in shopping so i asked her about it, and she said you definitely must come up! so i finally got to visit the store today and might i say, oh yes, best coffee shop in highland park because starbucks just does not ever cut it for me! prices are fine i think, i mean it's a local coffee/gelato shop, what do you expect? it's really not that bad. it's really cute inside and a great place to hang out with friends or yourself to just read and do work. the staff is super friendly. they also have a huge gelato selection and it's a nice variety for a good price!
(4)
Meghan H.
This place has really yummy gelato at a decent price. I got the triple dark chocolate and the turtle (chocolate, caramel, pecan) gelato and both were delicious. I will definitely be coming back.
(4)
Sahar A.
This place is amazing! A friend suggested I come, so I brought two of my co-workers and we walked in, unsure of what to order. We were pleasantly surprised. Decor is beautiful. Very Italian-esque. While most of the furniture has a rustic sort of style to it, the paintings on the walls are very modern and the comfortable leather couches offer a nice, contemporary look to the mix as well. Also, the paintings I mentioned are by local artists. The store owner gladly supports them by displaying their work in a frame and labeling each with their contact information and price. How nice! Staff is SUPER friendly. The first time I visited (2 days ago), I asked the kind gentleman behind the counter what he would suggest, and he offered to custom make a drink for me based on what I usually buy at other places. Today, another staff member made me an iced vanilla latte, and when I asked her if she wouldn't mind sweetening it a little, she came back and asked me twice how it was (did I want her to sweeten it some more, etc). Such kind and happy people; always radiating a positive vibe. Atmosphere is casual. People are here having meetings, working on laptops (like me), or just eating and socializing. There is not a ton of seating, but it seems adequate for the space they have, and you can tell it's a popular spot in Highland Park. It's been pretty crowded both times I've come. Food is delicious! The vanilla latte I ordered last time I came had plenty of foam on top with a nice little leaf shape in the middle. The pumpkin apple bread is amazing. DEFINITELY try it when you come. All of their pastries are homemade, and you can tell when you taste them. SO good and fresh. Prices of food/drink are not cheap, but they're no more than your local Starbucks, and I'd rather support a small mom and pop than a chain any day. Parking is good. Highland Park is difficult for parking in general, but this store is located directly across the street from a public parking lot, which is extremely convenient. Arriva Dolce is a gem! My co-workers and I all loved it. We'll definitely be back soon! So glad I came.
(5)
Ken C.
Love this place! Great coffee, atmosphere and friendly staff. Cinnamon rolls and chocolate crescents are amazing! This is a favorite stop of mine when I'm cycling through the area.
(5)
Jennifer L.
This is a cute little gelato shop in downtown Highland Park. I was impressed with the selection of gelato and the friendliness of the staff. I had the cappuccino and chocolate chip gelato and my boyfriend had a double espresso. The gelato tasted amazing, but was a bit expensive at $3.84 (without tax) for a medium size. The cafe is very bright, welcoming and inviting. I liked the high ceilings and the comfy leather couches that you can sit on. I definitely want to come back here for lunch.
(3)
William G.
If you like to frequent the indie places, this is your place. Drinks made to order, gelato, pastries and sandwiches. Welcoming and comfortable decor and you can stay for a while. I ordered a skim chai tea latte that was excellent. All the food options look good and smell nice. And despite all the overwhelming delight, the social atmosphere is calming and quiet. Most important, the mugs are clean. Hint: if your kids are obnoxious you might want to take them somewhere else. Otherwise a great adult me-time place. P.S. I just sneezed, and someone said "bless you." That never happens downtown.
(4)
Armando M.
My wife and I go there for cappuccinos and scones. I like the atmosphere and the people. It remembers me some places in Italy where I was born and lived for so many years. High ceiling, big windows, cozy corners to enjoy my early breakfast give me a good reason to believe that Arriva Dolce is much better than so many "industrial" places (i.e. Starbucks, etc.) I detest. But I would improve three things: 1) The cappuccino's foam isn't always dense and creamy but sometimes too fluffy. 2) Sometimes the coffee in the cappuccino is too bitter. 3) I would replace the recently hung framed photo of Coca-Cola boxes with the previous Tuscan landscape painting. It would give more charm to the room. Am I too italian about the food? Probably yes. I apologize in advance if I have been too critic but, please, be sure that Arriva Dolce is still my favorite place to start my day.
(5)
George W.
Yuk. Coffee was stale tasting. Cookie was odd tasting. Sugar/cream station was filthy - I cleaned it myself. When I mentioned something to the staff they were pretty snotty about it. Too many tables crammed into too little space. All the tables seemed to be flimsy and wobbly. Really, take a bit of a drive to downtown Glencoe and go to Roast.
(1)
Travis O.
Love this place. Perfect spot for doing some work, meeting with friends or colleagues or just relax. First came here for gelato. 18 flavors available, not as big of a selection as Frost, but just as good and come in smaller, cheaper sizes too. Then I started to work from here time to time. Coffee is the best. Try the "small" cappuccino, which is 16 oz. Delicious! They offer some nice grilled sandwiches, which aren't gourmet by any means, but still very good for a quick lunch. Staff are always happy and ready to serve.
(5)
Wendy E.
Love ArrivaDolce...I kept meaning to stop here...but being new to the area I just can't seem to fit it all in!! Came here for the Yelp event with Angela and had a fantastic time trying so many different foods. The hummus, the gelato, the cookies, the tea, the chicken pesto....I didn't have anything I didn't like! My husband came in and bought a couple of bottles of salsa to try as well. Thanks for the samples! It was a good way to get my feet in the door! Brought my mom and daughter back for lunch one day and was not disappointed!
(5)
Jeff N.
GREAT PLACE FOR BIKERS AND OTHERS!! We have been here several times during bike rides. Very friendly staff. Great Hot Chocolate and terrific sandwiches, oatmeal, muffins and cookies. Far better than that crappy coffee shop at Central and Sheridan. Free wifi, without a hassle.
(5)
Anahit G.
Cute place, great location, average coffee and delicious-looking pastries. But, like most everything in the area, it's overpriced . I'd rather go to Starbucks where I pay the same but get better coffee and rewards, too. However, I would come back to try the gelato since it's gotten such rave reviews.
(3)
Cory W.
My wife and I were searching for someplace to have dessert, looked around on Yelp, and found this place. It was a pleasant little cafe with great gelato -- I had the chipotle chocolate raspberry and it was very good, my wife had peanut butter banana and it tasted wonderful as well. NOTE: for those not familiar with Highland Park who are looking for this using the Yelp map (which is really the Google Map): it is NOT north of Central, it is just south of Central (so a right on Saint Johns Ave if you are headed in the direction of the lake). For some reason the location is messed up when you try to map it, which led to us driving around and almost giving up until we happened to glance over at the sign at just the right time -- had we given up we would have missed a tasty treat.
(4)
Rich A.
Great Gelato! Wish there were around when I lived in Highland Park. I had the Blueberry muffin gelato - magnificent!
(4)
Kathy F.
Delicious gelato at a reasonable price. $6.99 for my husband and I to enjoy four flavors of tastiness. I had the peanut butter banana marshmallow and hazelnut and my husband had the chipotle chocolate (it had raspberries, too) and cappucino/espresso bean. Please see Cory W.'s note about the Yelp map--ArrivaDolce is just south of Central.
(4)
Deborah M.
My favorite place for meeting friends over coffee/espresso. High quality and consistent product. The tuna salad is delicious. Yummy gelato and I love that they'll combine 2 flavors in a cup because i can never make up my mind.
(5)
Sandra M.
Sweet spot! A touch of Italy here on the North Shore...Great coffee, great ambiance, friendly staff! They have just increased their hours to give way to Summer.
(4)
Evan K.
Great gelato and Italian coffee.
(5)
Adam B.
When the little Starbucks near DQ closed, I had no idea that the replacement would be so much better then Starbucks. All of the products, from the coffee to the baked goods (to the Gelato) and the food are light years ahead of Starbucks. The prices seem a bit lower as well. As much as I like Starbucks, I'm not going to miss it. Arriva Dolce!!
(5)
H S.
Very good coffee and, if youre lucky enough to be there for a freshly baked cookie, I would put their cookies (choco chip or the oatmeal with all sorts of stuff in it) up there with some of the best the burbs have to offer. Mind you, that might not be saying much but this place is worthy
(4)
katie d.
Finally, a decent, European style gelato and coffee shop in Highland Park! The pastries are delicious, coffee is great, the selection of tea is fantastic too (14 or 15 different types- yay!) Gelato is also fantastic, pistachio is my favorite flavor. Welcome, Arriva Dolce!
(5)
Meyke K.
Arriva Dolce is a cute little cafe along the Green Bay trail; it's a nice place to take a break during long bike rides. Their burnt caramel gelato is incredible. Highly recommended. d
(4)
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Address :1823 St. Johns Ave
Highland Park, IL, 60035
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Stephanie s.
I went here for the first time last week, and found a great new favorite place! I had the fantastic tomato and basil tart to go with my iced tea/lemonade. Both were very good. I then had a fabulous gelato (can't remember the name but it was like chocolate chip but with shaved chocolate) that is up there with ones in New York and Europe. Very cozy, and nice friendly staff. I'm a fan
(5)Sarah S.
ArrivaDolce is an adorable coffee shop in downtown Highland Park with some gelato and other yummy baked good items. I first discovered them last week at Yelp's Passport to Paris event. So when I was in Highland Park again this weekend, I sought them out to try. On a Saturday morning, ArrivaDolce was poppin'. Packed tables and clearly a HP hot spot. My friend and I went in for drinks but then----I saw a baked good that called my name. My bud said, Don't do it! What about your healthy eating!? But I'm weak and I love chocolate so I couldn't stop my mouth from ordering the Mint Chocolate Brownie. This Mint Chocolate Brownie was so decadent and worth the (probably 800) calories. I can't explain how rich, soft, gooey and just the right amount of mint this. I'm craving it as I write this which is always a good indicator of me loving something.
(4)Connor B.
With a love for coffee and experience working at Caribou Coffee for a little while I started out 2014 with the mission to visit all of the coffee shops in my area. After visiting a few, I thought why not write reviews and share my thoughts on each of them. So here we are... without any further ado let's dive right in to my unbiased review of ArrivaDolce Location and Ambiance: This coffee shop is located in downtown Libertyville, and is definitely in a nice location if your looking to grab some food from the local restaurants or go shopping in near by stores. This is NOT a chain coffee shop, so you get a whole different experience from your regular local Starbucks. Coffee: Well it is a coffee shop, so lets talk coffee! The coffee is really quite good, and has a strong coffee flavor. Please note I did not try any black coffee, I ordered a latte which tasted great! Food: The great thing about ArrivaDolce is their food! They have a huge selection of foods. That plus the gelato bar, you could basically stay there all day and you would be set. Staff: The staff was nice, but felt the same as Starbucks, Caribou, or any other corporate store. This wasn't horrible, but I just wanted a more homie feel. No complaints, but nothing special. Overall, I have to say its a great place. No complaints, so its a 5 of 5 stars from me! Thanks, Connor Brady
(5)Michael B.
Best place in HP to get gelato. Don't even bother going to another place if you want the help to have an affagato expertly crafted. Best around! Great coffee, yummy snacks, and friendly staff make this my go to in Highland Park. A terrific spot to meet with someone to discuss current events, business, or just catch up. And mom and pop? Yep! Best bet!
(5)Marie D.
I wish I had walked in to ArrivaDolce long before now... I've been twice in the last month, and plan to go back regularly. What I like: * really friendly people behind the counter - and they're not young kids (sorry young kids, I like you, too!), so there's a level of experience and maturity that I like. * delicious homemade soups, sandwiches, and coffees * great baked goods * great buzz/vibe in the store - people having meetings, reading, working on their computers - it has a good "hang out" feel to it * eclectic art and decor * gelato! What I don't like: * it's just a bit tight with the tables so close together, but hey, I guess that's part of the vibe that I just said I liked, so I'll go with it.
(4)Allie T.
Super cute place with decent drinks. Nothing negative to say about the place really.
(4)Jonathan C.
After the community manager event that Angela organized, I am a fan of this establishment. Please forgive me as I will be stealing pieces of that review to for reviewing the actual establishment. The place has a great feel with reclaimed wood throughout and nice architectural detailing. The owners are extremely friendly and either make items from scratch or source it locally. But you are actually coming here for a coffee, tea, snack or lunch, so I'll get right into that. I started off with some gelato. There was all of your run of the mill flavors, but then a few new flavors to boot. I tired a little of the blueberry cookie flavor and vanilla orange. But then I decided to go with the pistachio and stracciatella (cookies and cream). The pistachio was loaded with nuts and hands down the best pistachio gelato I ever ate. After eating this I made sure to grab a pint of the coffee flavor for the Mrs. So on to other foods I ate. The hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream was really good. I had so much sugar by then that I could not tell if this was too sweet for me or if it was due to everything else. But I'll give this a go again when I'm not hopped up on gelato and cake. So then there was the lemony lemon cake. It looks like your normal cake, but it is nice and dense like pound cake. And boy it packs a punch. The lemon just comes right through everything. Its pretty much like eating a lemonade (in a good way). The pumpkin apple bread was solid, but I would go with the lemon cake. And the last sweet was oatmeal, chocolate chip, dried cherry cookies. I really enjoyed the dried cherry pieces instead of raisins. I also sampled a few soups and the lentil, kale and kielbasa soup was hearty and satisfying. I never put kale in a soup, but this worked perfectly. I finally had some samples of a Panama coffee. There are plenty of other varieties so you are sure to find a bean that you enjoy I will be stopping by this place for a drink and snack on weekends that I am walking about downtown Highland Park.
(4)Maria B.
Delicious coffee and great selection of gelato. I have not tried the food but if the freshly baked scones are any indications, food is also delicious
(5)Pa B.
Good study spot. Great snacks, tea and coffee. Love their cappuccino and cinnamon roll. Also, they have a reward card. After 14 drink purchases you get any drink free. Seems like a lot but I am definitely using it. It's always super clean inside and everyone is very welcoming and friendly. A little on the cold side inside though if you ask me!
(5)Monica H.
I've been to ArrivaDolce many times and I absolutely love it! Its cozy and warm space makes it the perfect place to catch up with a family member or friend. I always get their cappuccino with a scone or muffin and the outdoor seating reminds me of cafes outside the US. There's something nice about stepping outside the corporatized coffee culture and supporting small businesses locally. We really need more relaxed, European-style cafes like this in the US. I highly recommend you stop by.
(5)Alyssa L.
Love love love this place! By far my favorite breakfast/lunch spot in downtown highland park! Amazing coffee concoctions and delicious breakfast and lunch choices! I especially enjoy their frittata sandwich, pesto chicken salad sandwich, baked goods, and gelato selections. The ambience is nice...emulating a true Italian coffee house, reasonable prices, and unique merchandise and local art! Always friendly staff! Doesn't get much better than this!
(5)Aly N.
Love it here! One of the only places I can find that offers almond lattes. Nice selection of teas as well. I like getting a coffee and a sandwich for lunch -- try the pesto chicken or dill tuna. Not an inexpensive place for lunch (think Foodstuffs) but the quality and service is excellent, so I spend an extra buck or two. Great place to hang out with friends over coffee with comfortable seating and is also kid friendly.
(5)Albert L.
Ambiance is great. The gelato is delicious and portions are generous. Definitely recommended!
(5)Adriane P.
You won't wanna say "Arrivaderci" to ArrivaDolce! This is a spot you'll say "hello" to again and again. Why? It's so quaint. The mismatched furniture, marble touchs, comfy chairs, and whimsical decor make you feel like you are visiting someone's home. That welcoming and warm aspect translates to the menu as well. Coffee drinks, teas, sandwiches, soups, the usual cafe jive. I feel like the coffee-iced or hot- could be smoother and less tart. Ah but the gelato is very good. I love how the consistency is better than most joints who offer to gelatinous or soft ones. How annoying is THAT? Buy a yummy looking gelato for $4 and have it liquefy as soon as a sunbeam hits it. I like the coffee and chocolate covered bean, pistachio, and raspberry flavors. There's free wifi and its a decent place to study but the hours are kinda limited. They have sidewalk seating and lots of doggie touches so your ~ pups ~ are welcome to party alfresco. All these qualities make parting from ArivaDolce sweet sorrow until you Ciao there again.
(4)Little S.
Great chai tea latte. Love the ambiance, feels like your local neighborhood homey coffee shop. Free wifi too!
(4)Bradley C.
Cute coffee shop in the downtown highland park area. Staff is very friendly and they use locally roasted coffee, Colectivo(always a plus for me). The owners are friendly folks and always receive pleasant customer service when I visit.
(4)Matt R.
Having a yelp event here eased me into an awesome place that is appears to be easily overlooked and overshadowed, as restaurants such as In the Raw are right around the corner. Let's start with what is their strongest point (to me): their Gelato. They have a pretty extensive choice of selections - from Pistachio, to blueberry cookie, to vanilla orange and berry mix. It's actually the pistachio and berry mix that spoke to me the most. Having had some awesome pistachio gelato before, I went for the same - my intuition was correct, as the pistachio gelato here is awesome. As the yelp event gave us a chance to sample everything, I tried the lentil,kale & kielbasa soup. It was definitely a unique combination, and I could see it being great even without kielbasa. Also tried the potato soup, which was also good. Although I do like this place, I don't think it's explicitly vegetarian friendly - which is a surprise given that this is highland park. I don't think it takes away from the quality and breadth of options here. You have everything from baked goods (lemon cake, pumpkin apple bread, oatmeal cookies, dried cherry cookies) to good coffee options. It's like everything a starbucks should be - in higher quality. I will definitely be coming back here again - yelp event or not, I'm glad I checked this place out. Also for the Ingress users out there, the public library is around the corner - so this can be a nice stop if you want to get some coffee and then hack some portals.
(5)Jeff H.
A very comfortable locally owned coffee/gelato shop. I've been here twice to get a drink and work, and have been very satisfied both times. There are baked goods, and some savory dishes as well. A colleague enjoyed a curry mushroom soup. I've not had the gelato, but as summer progresses, that will likely change. Free wifi, comfortable if limited work surfaces and good outlet selection for the laptop crowd. When in the area, I do try to come here for coffee and to get some work done.
(4)Ana V.
I really like that place. They have a very yummy selection of gelato and really good coffee. Nice people and nice atmosphere!
(5)Angela S.
I had a meeting here this morning and was beyond excited and thrilled to see how many people were there having coffee and conversation! As usual I ordered my vanilla latte...almost my very very favorite ever...and it was consistently fabulous. Creamy, nicely caffeinated (not overly caffeinated that I felt like bouncing off the walls), and just a really smooth delight. I wish they had provided me with a spoon so I could scoop up all that frothy goodness, but other than that my stir stick did a pretty good job. As far as being crowded, the soundproofing is great in this place because you can actually carry on a conversation with the person you are meeting with. Lively, great atmosphere and my new favorite place to have a meeting in Downtown Highland Park! $3.75 for a small in-house vanilla latte.
(4)Lauren K.
Cute place. Had a good spiced Mexican chocolate drink, a grilled cheese and tomato soup and a cookie. Atmosphere is warm and inviting.
(4)Elina S.
I've been here for a few times since they opened and overall my critique is that they are just alright. At first I thought they would be focusing on their gelato and it's definitely a okay. They have it delivered from somewhere so it's not as fresh nor as delicious as their competitor Frost down the street in Highland Park. Plus, I don't feel like they have as many flavors as some other places. Now onto the cafe part, the tomato soup I've had is super watery, in my opinion, kinda gross. I've had their grilled cheese to go with it which is okay, definitely not the best I've ever had but also could be a lot worse. It was served with potato chips that seemed like they were also from a grocery store. What I do like about the place is the people working there are nice and the place itself is very homey and cozy. I can totally get a coffee and some kind of pastry since I'm more a fan of their homemade pastries than their lunch items or gelato. I can get my stuff, get my laptop and just relax on one of their little couches or chairs on a rainy day in April. I am also a fan of the name, Arriva Dolce, it's inviting and makes you want to go check it out. If they up their game for quality of gelato and make some better soups and sandwiches, I would give them more stars. I hear they have a Facebook page which is also a plus and they regularly post their new soups for that day. I think since Corner Bakery closed, it's only to their advantage to make ArrivaDolce stand out even more. Will I be back? Yes, for some coffee and a good ol' muffin. Or if they offer some kind of livingsocial or groupon deal, I'd be more inclined to come back since the prices aren't super cheap here either.
(3)Valerie W.
What a quaint little place! I've been driving past ArrivaDolce for over a year now, specifically in the summer thinking, "I should stop there for an iced java or gelato," but it never seemed to happen. The community manager event Angela S put together was the perfect opportunity to finally check out this gem! +homey +awesome decor +excellent, friendly service +everything either made in-house or locally sourced. ArrivaDolce will be a great place to stop for gelato on a hot summer evening or a latte in the winter. There's no reason not to stop in!
(4)Annie C.
i work at costco and the owner actually came in shopping so i asked her about it, and she said you definitely must come up! so i finally got to visit the store today and might i say, oh yes, best coffee shop in highland park because starbucks just does not ever cut it for me! prices are fine i think, i mean it's a local coffee/gelato shop, what do you expect? it's really not that bad. it's really cute inside and a great place to hang out with friends or yourself to just read and do work. the staff is super friendly. they also have a huge gelato selection and it's a nice variety for a good price!
(4)Meghan H.
This place has really yummy gelato at a decent price. I got the triple dark chocolate and the turtle (chocolate, caramel, pecan) gelato and both were delicious. I will definitely be coming back.
(4)Sahar A.
This place is amazing! A friend suggested I come, so I brought two of my co-workers and we walked in, unsure of what to order. We were pleasantly surprised. Decor is beautiful. Very Italian-esque. While most of the furniture has a rustic sort of style to it, the paintings on the walls are very modern and the comfortable leather couches offer a nice, contemporary look to the mix as well. Also, the paintings I mentioned are by local artists. The store owner gladly supports them by displaying their work in a frame and labeling each with their contact information and price. How nice! Staff is SUPER friendly. The first time I visited (2 days ago), I asked the kind gentleman behind the counter what he would suggest, and he offered to custom make a drink for me based on what I usually buy at other places. Today, another staff member made me an iced vanilla latte, and when I asked her if she wouldn't mind sweetening it a little, she came back and asked me twice how it was (did I want her to sweeten it some more, etc). Such kind and happy people; always radiating a positive vibe. Atmosphere is casual. People are here having meetings, working on laptops (like me), or just eating and socializing. There is not a ton of seating, but it seems adequate for the space they have, and you can tell it's a popular spot in Highland Park. It's been pretty crowded both times I've come. Food is delicious! The vanilla latte I ordered last time I came had plenty of foam on top with a nice little leaf shape in the middle. The pumpkin apple bread is amazing. DEFINITELY try it when you come. All of their pastries are homemade, and you can tell when you taste them. SO good and fresh. Prices of food/drink are not cheap, but they're no more than your local Starbucks, and I'd rather support a small mom and pop than a chain any day. Parking is good. Highland Park is difficult for parking in general, but this store is located directly across the street from a public parking lot, which is extremely convenient. Arriva Dolce is a gem! My co-workers and I all loved it. We'll definitely be back soon! So glad I came.
(5)Ken C.
Love this place! Great coffee, atmosphere and friendly staff. Cinnamon rolls and chocolate crescents are amazing! This is a favorite stop of mine when I'm cycling through the area.
(5)Jennifer L.
This is a cute little gelato shop in downtown Highland Park. I was impressed with the selection of gelato and the friendliness of the staff. I had the cappuccino and chocolate chip gelato and my boyfriend had a double espresso. The gelato tasted amazing, but was a bit expensive at $3.84 (without tax) for a medium size. The cafe is very bright, welcoming and inviting. I liked the high ceilings and the comfy leather couches that you can sit on. I definitely want to come back here for lunch.
(3)William G.
If you like to frequent the indie places, this is your place. Drinks made to order, gelato, pastries and sandwiches. Welcoming and comfortable decor and you can stay for a while. I ordered a skim chai tea latte that was excellent. All the food options look good and smell nice. And despite all the overwhelming delight, the social atmosphere is calming and quiet. Most important, the mugs are clean. Hint: if your kids are obnoxious you might want to take them somewhere else. Otherwise a great adult me-time place. P.S. I just sneezed, and someone said "bless you." That never happens downtown.
(4)Armando M.
My wife and I go there for cappuccinos and scones. I like the atmosphere and the people. It remembers me some places in Italy where I was born and lived for so many years. High ceiling, big windows, cozy corners to enjoy my early breakfast give me a good reason to believe that Arriva Dolce is much better than so many "industrial" places (i.e. Starbucks, etc.) I detest. But I would improve three things: 1) The cappuccino's foam isn't always dense and creamy but sometimes too fluffy. 2) Sometimes the coffee in the cappuccino is too bitter. 3) I would replace the recently hung framed photo of Coca-Cola boxes with the previous Tuscan landscape painting. It would give more charm to the room. Am I too italian about the food? Probably yes. I apologize in advance if I have been too critic but, please, be sure that Arriva Dolce is still my favorite place to start my day.
(5)George W.
Yuk. Coffee was stale tasting. Cookie was odd tasting. Sugar/cream station was filthy - I cleaned it myself. When I mentioned something to the staff they were pretty snotty about it. Too many tables crammed into too little space. All the tables seemed to be flimsy and wobbly. Really, take a bit of a drive to downtown Glencoe and go to Roast.
(1)Travis O.
Love this place. Perfect spot for doing some work, meeting with friends or colleagues or just relax. First came here for gelato. 18 flavors available, not as big of a selection as Frost, but just as good and come in smaller, cheaper sizes too. Then I started to work from here time to time. Coffee is the best. Try the "small" cappuccino, which is 16 oz. Delicious! They offer some nice grilled sandwiches, which aren't gourmet by any means, but still very good for a quick lunch. Staff are always happy and ready to serve.
(5)Wendy E.
Love ArrivaDolce...I kept meaning to stop here...but being new to the area I just can't seem to fit it all in!! Came here for the Yelp event with Angela and had a fantastic time trying so many different foods. The hummus, the gelato, the cookies, the tea, the chicken pesto....I didn't have anything I didn't like! My husband came in and bought a couple of bottles of salsa to try as well. Thanks for the samples! It was a good way to get my feet in the door! Brought my mom and daughter back for lunch one day and was not disappointed!
(5)Jeff N.
GREAT PLACE FOR BIKERS AND OTHERS!! We have been here several times during bike rides. Very friendly staff. Great Hot Chocolate and terrific sandwiches, oatmeal, muffins and cookies. Far better than that crappy coffee shop at Central and Sheridan. Free wifi, without a hassle.
(5)Anahit G.
Cute place, great location, average coffee and delicious-looking pastries. But, like most everything in the area, it's overpriced . I'd rather go to Starbucks where I pay the same but get better coffee and rewards, too. However, I would come back to try the gelato since it's gotten such rave reviews.
(3)Cory W.
My wife and I were searching for someplace to have dessert, looked around on Yelp, and found this place. It was a pleasant little cafe with great gelato -- I had the chipotle chocolate raspberry and it was very good, my wife had peanut butter banana and it tasted wonderful as well. NOTE: for those not familiar with Highland Park who are looking for this using the Yelp map (which is really the Google Map): it is NOT north of Central, it is just south of Central (so a right on Saint Johns Ave if you are headed in the direction of the lake). For some reason the location is messed up when you try to map it, which led to us driving around and almost giving up until we happened to glance over at the sign at just the right time -- had we given up we would have missed a tasty treat.
(4)Rich A.
Great Gelato! Wish there were around when I lived in Highland Park. I had the Blueberry muffin gelato - magnificent!
(4)Kathy F.
Delicious gelato at a reasonable price. $6.99 for my husband and I to enjoy four flavors of tastiness. I had the peanut butter banana marshmallow and hazelnut and my husband had the chipotle chocolate (it had raspberries, too) and cappucino/espresso bean. Please see Cory W.'s note about the Yelp map--ArrivaDolce is just south of Central.
(4)Deborah M.
My favorite place for meeting friends over coffee/espresso. High quality and consistent product. The tuna salad is delicious. Yummy gelato and I love that they'll combine 2 flavors in a cup because i can never make up my mind.
(5)Sandra M.
Sweet spot! A touch of Italy here on the North Shore...Great coffee, great ambiance, friendly staff! They have just increased their hours to give way to Summer.
(4)Evan K.
Great gelato and Italian coffee.
(5)Adam B.
When the little Starbucks near DQ closed, I had no idea that the replacement would be so much better then Starbucks. All of the products, from the coffee to the baked goods (to the Gelato) and the food are light years ahead of Starbucks. The prices seem a bit lower as well. As much as I like Starbucks, I'm not going to miss it. Arriva Dolce!!
(5)H S.
Very good coffee and, if youre lucky enough to be there for a freshly baked cookie, I would put their cookies (choco chip or the oatmeal with all sorts of stuff in it) up there with some of the best the burbs have to offer. Mind you, that might not be saying much but this place is worthy
(4)katie d.
Finally, a decent, European style gelato and coffee shop in Highland Park! The pastries are delicious, coffee is great, the selection of tea is fantastic too (14 or 15 different types- yay!) Gelato is also fantastic, pistachio is my favorite flavor. Welcome, Arriva Dolce!
(5)Meyke K.
Arriva Dolce is a cute little cafe along the Green Bay trail; it's a nice place to take a break during long bike rides. Their burnt caramel gelato is incredible. Highly recommended. d
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