Our “Behind The Scenes'“ series highlights one of our production team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. We believe the connection behind and across the bar can be meaningful and impactful. Our production team is the glue that holds Tala together, and we wouln’t be who we are without them. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.

While we can’t fix the terrible cafeteria coffee that’s likely served at your university, we can make sure you’re stocked with great coffee and the right gear for the job.

We recently launched our summer drinks at our cafes, and this year, we decided to bring back one of our all-time favorites: The Kopi & Kaya. It’s been a few years since we’ve had it on the menu, and we’ve gotten a lot of questions about it—mostly, what is kopi and what is kaya?

There’s nothing like stepping into our Libertyville cafe and being greeted with the intoxicating scent of freshly brewed coffee and the friendly faces of our staff. But arguably one of the best parts of the experience is the song you get to jam out to while you sip your coffee. Our baristas have the freedom to curate their own playlists for our café, bringing their own personal flare to the shift. Have you ever wondered what they have next on the queue? We’ve gathered a few favorites from each of our Libertyville baristas (so you can curate a playlist of your own!).

As part of our 8th birthday celebration at our Libertyville Roastery, we hosted a coloring contest, and let’s just say, our community showed up with some serious creativity! We were blown away by the range of entries — from playful to impressively detailed — and had a tough time narrowing down our favorites. Check out our gallery of all of the amazing entries below!

As we approach Mother’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible moms and motherly figures who make Tala feel like home. Whether they're raising little ones, offering a listening ear, or simply bringing kindness and strength to every shift, these women embody the heart of motherhood in all its forms.

This past weekend, we started our Mother’s Day celebration early by catching the flowers in their spring bloom at the Chicago Botanic Gardens — and of course, the day always kicks off with a little coffee. 

Your morning coffee can do much more than just energize you—it can give your garden a boost too. From backyard pots to larger agricultural applications, coffee grounds are an eco-friendly addition to any soil system.

Spring has officially sprung in the Midwest! While the spring equinox brings about sunnier weather and longer days, it also signals the rotation of our seasonal menu at Tala! There’s no better way to celebrate spring than with a refreshing drink in hand and a great book by your side.

Our “Behind The Bar'“ series highlights one of our team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. We believe the connection across the bar can be meaningful and impactful. Our team puts a smile on the faces of so many each day by simply serving delicious beverages and being an authentic presence in each person’s day. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.

When you walk into Tala, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere: the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the soft hum of conversations, and the comforting hiss of the espresso machine. But there’s another key ingredient to our cafe’s vibe—the music. The playlists you hear are handpicked by our baristas, adding a personal touch to your Tala experience. Ever wonder what they’re queuing up while they’re behind the bar? Let’s dive into our Highwood baristas’ favorite tracks and discover the sounds that fuel their shifts.

For Marissa and Zak, coffee isn’t just part of their daily routine; it’s where their love story began. Marissa, a barista at our Libertyville cafe, and Zak, a member of our production team, have spent countless hours together in cafes, both at work and in their free time.

Libertyville is full of so many cool things to explore! But first—arguably the most important stop—a warm drink from Tala on this chilly day. We picked up hot chocolates, the perfect treat to sip while strolling through Libertyville.

On October 3rd, we brought the spooky vibes to our Highwood café with our annual staff Halloween party! What better way to kick off the Halloween week than with a little recap of all the fun?

Grace joined the Tala crew in the summer of 2023 and, as of this month, is now the new manager of the Highwood location. All the way from Hartford, Wisconsin, Grace made the big move to Illinois to study international relations and environmental studies. You’ve probably seen her in the cafe with a big warm smile on her face. You can come see her at Tala most days of the week!

We are so incredibly blessed by the community that has supported us since opening our doors in late November. Since then, we have been welcomed to the neighborhood with open arms, and have been so grateful to see the way the community has already taken to our new little corner of the Indian Hill district.

From our biological moms, to the role models and women that have built a motherly bond with us over time, we are so thankful for each and every one of you. You have brought comfort, advice, kindness, gentleness, love, and unending support into our lives. You show us how to keep going and what matters most in life. As a way to say thank you to our moms and the women who show us what being motherly means, the Tala staff has written up a quick list of our favorite things about mom.

We heard so many amazing stories from people's experiences at Tala this week. In fact, we had way more submissions than we were prepared for, so it has taken several extra days to sort through it all. Thank you to everyone who shared their memories and thoughts about our cafe. We are so honored by the community and stories you’ve provided! We’ve chosen the top five memories, and randomly picked the winner of the $200 giveaway. Read all five stories below and see who is the lucky grand prize winner.

We’ve made it to the end, folks. End of the week, last look back on year two before we shove all nostalgia down and stuff it into the vault until next August. I won’t have as colorful storytelling as Matt, as eloquent language as Conner, or as sentimental, tear-jerking material as Marcus, but what I can do is ramble on aimlessly for awhile like I normally do. You should all be used to that by now.

I started at Tala in the midst of the pandemic, where many of us have been able to pursue new hobbies, interests, and curiosities. My goal throughout the more at-home time during quarantine was to spend more time with my family. I haven’t lived at home for many years, and this was a perfect opportunity to spend time with my loved ones.