There's nothing quite like a cup of coffee to start your day. The only thing that can top it is having a second cup in the afternoon while sitting in the sunshine. I am a sucker for whimsical gardens and quality coffee. This is why the Greenhouse Café at Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello is the kind of spot I dream of. Nestled among the park's beautifully manicured gardens, the Greenhouse Café will leave you with a sensory experience you won't soon forget.
The Greenhouse Cafe at Allerton Park & Retreat Center is a worthwhile afternoon outing.
Not only will you get to enjoy a robust menu of light bites, but you can sit outside and enjoy the serenity of this setting.
The set-up of the Greenhouse Café's outdoor patio space makes it feel like an idyllic oasis.
Several tables offer views of the greenhouse on one side and some colorful foliage on the other.
You can order a range of different foods at the Greenhouse Café.
Chef Leah Bodine and her company Blue Dragonfly Catering are to thank for the delicious eats.
The menu features a range of Mediterranean foods including wraps, salads, and sandwiches.
If you would rather feed your sweet tooth, there will be a selection of freshly made pastries and bakery items to choose from as well.
For the full Allerton Park experience, I suggest ordering the Allerton "T" which combines flavors of mint, mango, green tea, and lemonade.
Grab a glass and head outside to soak up some sunshine and enjoy the fresh air.
On days when the skies are stormier than you might like, there is seating inside as well.
As a bonus, the Greenhouse Café displays local artists' work along the walls. Sometimes, you might even get to see an artist doing some fresh air painting just beyond the patio!
But if you can, sit outside to enjoy some views of the gardens beyond.
Robert Allerton, after whom the park is name, started to develop the gardens in this area and lengthen the paths after 1902.
Since then, the formal gardens have taken on a life of their own.
There are 14 gardens in total, each with its own style and color palette. You cannot stop by the Greenhouse Café without wandering through at least a few of them.
The outdoor patio has a few seating types and a quiet lawn it looks out over.
With umbrellas offering some additional shade, the outdoor set up is idea for a spring, summer, or fall afternoon.
Allerton Park and Retreat Center has so much to explore. There is a visitor center you will pass by to get to the Greenhouse Café, and some nature trails just beyond the gardens. If you want to replicate a little bit of the atmosphere of this café in your own home, take a look at this mini greenhouse you can have indoors. When you stop by the Greenhouse Café for an afternoon surrounded by colorful gardens, make sure to clear your calendar for the rest of the day-- you might get so caught up in the beauty of the park, you won't want to leave. Where is you favorite spot in Illinois for an afternoon coffee on a warm day?
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