Swadesi

Swadesi is an Indian coffee shop at 328 S. Jefferson St. in the West Loop, two blocks from the Clinton Blue Line stop and a short walk from Union Station and Ogilvie. The cafe pairs an espresso bar and chai with Indian-inflected food: a samosa chaat croissant, a chili cheese toastie, a breakfast sandwich built on a potato tikki, and pastries such as a gulab jamun cheesecake croissant. Wine is poured too, and big windows face Jefferson Street.

What to know

• Swadesi bills itself as Chicago’s Indian cafe.
• Metra riders use the room to kill time before their trains leave.
• The malai custard croissant is another house pastry.
• Lunch service tends to be loud.