best coffee shops in chicago

Wormhole

1462 N Milwaukee Ave Chicago, IL

This time-travel-themed coffee shop has the Wicker Park neighborhood’s attention with its variety of cult roasters and its ‘80s design aesthetic featuring funky full-scale Back to the Future DeLorean, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles dolls, and framed Ghostbusters posters. 

WHAT TO ORDER:

Cold-brew iced coffee that’s a refreshing strong blend and pairs perfectly with Wormhole’s selection of baked goods from Fritz Pastry including delicious doughnuts.

Star Lounge

2521 W Chicago Ave Chicago, IL

Jesse Diaz has turned this unassuming West Town café into an appealing coffee destination in Humboldt Park that features an old-school neon sign hanging over its burnt-orange walls. Diaz’s café offers an unconventional roasting approach, extending from Dark Matter coffee to iced coffee, which achieves its delicate flavor using heat-extraction rather than the trendy technique of cold-brewing.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Try the Wake & Bake espresso with maple syrup for a refreshing pick-me-up drink.

Asado Coffee Co.

South Loop:  22 E. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL

West Town: 1651 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL

Irving Park:  1432 E. Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL

Since 2009, this Irving Park coffee bar has been roasting its own beans in its tiny shop decorated with a wall of accolades. Recently, it expanded to a two more locations — one in Ukrainian Village and another hidden down a brick alley in the South Loop. Stop into the Pickwick shop to experience a side of history with your espresso — the building dates back to 1892, when it was a horse stable and later a restaurant. Coffee is the star at these cafes specializing in small-batch roasts, but you can find pastries and other edibles to go with it.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Pour-over

Bow Truss


3422 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 406 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL

Lincoln Park: 2934 N. Broadway Chicago, IL

A restaurant known for its hearty meat dishes, with brunch options that are just as filling. The short menu offers eight different delicious options as well as sides and pastries. End your meal with the Big Cinnamon Roll topped with cream cheese frosting.

WHAT TO ORDER

Kouign-amann

Bridgeport Coffee

South Loop:  1021 S. Delano Court W. Chicago, IL


Hyde Park:  5030 S. Cornell Ave. Chicago, IL



Bridgeport: 3101 S. Morgan St. Chicago, IL

Located across the street from Maria’s Packaged Goods, this warm-toned, wood-heavy coffeehouse sets itself apart by roasting its own beans and offering a pour-over with a clean smoothness.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Single-origin espresso

Gaslight Coffee Roasters

2385 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60625

Locals flock to this Logan Square coffee spot that features a rustic-hipster chic design aesthetic of vintage lanterns, reclaimed wood, and taxidermy. This coffee shop offers delicious pour-over coffee, made either from beans roasted in-house or from a rotating roster of guest roasters.

WHAT TO ORDER:

If you’re an adventurous coffee drinker, try the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Kochere pour-overs and Brazil Laranjal Farm drips, then balance all this caffeine with a Smoking Goose charcuterie, house-pickled veggies and Marion Street cheeses that make for a tasty snack.

Sip Coffee House

1223 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

This hidden gem is housed in an old Italian barbershop in Chicago’s historic Grand & Ogden neighborhood. Since its opening in 1999, the coffee shop has expanded into two spacious and comfortable outdoor courtyards making it a fantastic place to sit and sip with friends. The coffee shop also exclusively serves Chicago-founded Intelligentsia coffee amongst its wide array of fine loose leaf teas and homemade sweets.

WHAT TO ORDER:

steamed milk, espresso, vanilla and caramel.

Cafe Jumping Bean

1439 W 18th St, Chicago, IL

This warm and inviting space has been a part-coffee house, part-art gallery, part-central neighborhood meeting place in Pilsen for the past 20 years, offering an array of inspiring artwork, fancy caffeinated drinks, and gourmet sandwiches.

WHAT TO ORDER:

You can’t go wrong with either a white satin mocha or an iced Thai coffee.

Ipsento

2035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL

This neighborhood coffee shop in Bucktown offers delicious direct-trade coffee that is roasted in-house and tasty sandwiches named after storytellers such as the Garrison Keillor, which is made with turkey, cheddar, avocado, apple and honey mustard on wheat bread.

WHAT TO ORDER:

A Nutella mocha or Ipsento latte with coconut milk & honey.

The Coffee Studio

5628 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL

The Coffee Studio in Andersonville is a modern, independent espresso bar focused on expertly crafting delicious drinks and snacks from fresh locally roasted coffees and made with simple, flavorful ingredients.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Miko’s Italian Ice

Intelligentsia Coffee

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

World domination one cup of coffee at a time is the mission statement behind the popular coffee chain. Started in Chicago in 1995, it has now has expanded across the country with six current locations scattered around Chicago, which vary in size and vibe. This state-of-the art coffee bar offers pour-overs via carefully calibrated machines and iced coffee on draft as well as pastries from Floriole.

WHAT TO ORDER:

Mocha