Caffe Bene in Urbana-Champaign

Caffe Bene is a coffee shop in Urbana combining Korean & European elements to create a simple yet cozy atmosphere.

Caffe Bene opened on the corner of Nevada and Gregory in April 2014 to a curious crowd. People were peeking into the windows that span the sides of the building to figure out what this new cafe was doing here. Coffee shops can be found on every corner of campus, but Caffe Bene, with its book-lined walls and gelato-topped waffles, is a bit of an oddball.

Caffe Bene is South Korea’s largest coffee franchise; it was founded in 2008 by Sun-Kwon Kim and has locations in New York, Los Angeles, and now – Urbana, Illinois. According to manager Sam Ham, the owners of this location figured Champaign-Urbana, with its diverse population, would appreciate the international feel of Caffe Bene.

The cafe combines the simplicity of Korean design with the charm of a European coffeehouse; oaky wood covers every surface, imbuing the place with warmth, while hanging metal lights add a touch of modern. The menu is full of dishes that shatter your idea of normal café fare, such as bubble tea lattes that come in flavors like red velvet, taro, and Thai tea, and 6-inch-thick honey breads topped with fruit and whipped cream that make breakfast into an art form.

Stop by Caffe Bene any time of the day to see what makes this place unique from other shops in town.

Tags: Coffee Shop,Internet Cafe,Bakery