If you revel in that first sip of coffee in the morning, then you’ll be delighted by this guide.
Getting your caffeine fix is a must for fueling each adventure-filled day, and Chicago has everything from classic coffee bars to eclectic neighborhood spots and coffee shops with a unique twist.
As a coffee lover and Chicago local, I’m here to guide youon where to get your caffeine fix as you discover the all the fun stuff to do in Chicago.
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Chicago’s Best Coffee Shops
Sawada Cafe
A West Loop coffee shop serving up some seriously good drinks.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (312) 344-1750
The West Loop is known for its foodie scene, and the coffee shops are no exception. Located right off W Randolph St on N Green St, Sawada is one of the best coffee shops in the city. Sawada was started by world-famous barista Hiroshi Sawada and has become a true Chicago favorite.
The Military Latte is an all-time favorite so be sure to order it if you visit. Composed of espresso, specialty matcha, vanilla, milk, and cocoa powder, it’s a tasty concoction that’s super flavorful and really well-balanced.
The vibe at Sawada is cozy but still buzzing, so I recommend picking up coffee to take on the go.
👉 Don’t Miss: Green Street Smoked Meats shares space with Sawada and serves up smoked BBQ as well as a good selection of cocktails and beer.
The Wormhole
A quirky, sci-fi-themed neighborhood coffee shop in downtown Wicker Park.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 661-2468
A car isn’t exactly what you’d expect to see when you walk into a coffee shop, but at The Wormhole, you’ll find just that and more.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll see a to-scale DeLorean from Back To The Future sitting high on a loft shelf. The Wicker Park coffee shop is also filled with other 80’s themed decor from Ghost Busters to E.T.
Amid all this sci-fi decor, the drinks are tasty and there are ample tables and seating for those wanting to bring their laptop and get some work done.
The Honey Bear latte made with local honey is by far a fan favorite, but they also have a rotating list of seasonal drinks.
👉 Don’t Miss: The Wormhole is close to a ton of fun things to do in Wicker Park.
Cafe Deko
Art Deco-inspired cafe in between Lincoln Park and Lake View.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 661-6425
If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy cafe then head to Cafe Deko in between Lincoln Park and Lake View. This corner cafe has an Art Deco-inspired design with lots of richly colored seating and gold decor.
Cafe Deko is sure to make you feel like you’re in a European cafe, and it’s great for snapping some cute pictures.
Cafe Deko offers a variety of espresso classics as well as specialty coffee drinks and teas. If you’re hungry, they have some pastries and croissants to choose from as well.
📚 Related Reading: How to Get Around in Chicago (By a Local)
Hero Coffee Bar
A cute alley coffee shop located in the Loop.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 661-1254 (Lake View location)
Hero Coffee Bar is a small alley coffee shop located in the Loop, right off the Adams/Wabash stop.
The coffee shop itself doesn’t have any indoor seating, but instead has patio seating throughout the alley, making it a great outdoor work spot if you visit Chicago during the warmer seasons. The patio is also covered with hanging lights, which gives it a charming city vibe.
The menu has all your coffee staples like espresso drinks and matcha, as well as a variety of syrups you can add in. As far as food goes, there are a bunch of tasty bagel combinations.
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
A Logan Square cafe with a classic coffee shop aesthetic.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website
Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood is full of great coffee shops, and Gaslight Coffee Roasters definitely ranks high on the list.
Everything about this corner cafe between N Milwaukee Ave and W Fullerton Ave boasts that classic coffee shop aesthetic.
They’ve got all your espresso staples as well as some seasonal drinks and tea. The space has exposed white brick, tables for working, cozy lighting, and an overall peaceful atmosphere.
Dark Matter Coffee
Unmissable and funky neighborhood coffee lounge with locations in West Town and Lake View.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 384-7827 (Star Lounge location)
At any Dark Matter Coffee shop, you can expect a funky atmosphere with delicious coffee and espresso. The baristas here are friendly and helpful and the place has a real local feel to it—it’s the kind of place that Chicagoans frequent.
Dark Matter Coffee also has an array of bakery goods including donuts, which are a must-try. All three locations have ample space for hanging out or working, and the Star Lounge location has a great back patio.
📚 Related Reading: Chicago Packing List (29 Things People Forget to Bring)
Colectivo Coffee
A bright and open coffee shop, perfect for digital workers around the city.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (312) 312-5011
Colectivo is a great coffee shop for digital workers and anyone just wanting to be productive. With locations in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, and Uptown, it’s an especially great place to hit up, no matter where you are in the city.
The vibes at Colectivo are laid back and each coffee shop location is spacious, with tons of seating and outdoor patio space.
Colectivo serves a variety of drinks from classic coffees to specialty drinks and smoothies, which are all tasty. They also offer all-day breakfast food and bakery goods.
Four Letter Word Coffee
A small, Avondale coffee shop serving up tasty beverages.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 360-8932
With only two locations in the world—one in Turkey, and the other here in Chicago—it’s safe to say that Four Letter Word Coffee is unique. They’re known for serving up phenomenal coffee, including classic lattes, iced coffee, and cold brew.
Located in Avondale, the cafe is small and often operated by one barista, but the wait is worth it for the locals who frequent here.
Four Letter Word also serves up some unique sweet and savory pastries. But if you want to snag some, come early since they go fast!
The Understudy Coffee and Books
A cozy, yet lively coffee shop in Andersonville where you can grab a coffee, pick up a new book, or both.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (872) 806-0670
The Understudy Coffee & Books offers exactly what its name suggests. This two-in-one book cafe in the charming Andersonville neighborhood has cozy interiors and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
They offer all your standard coffee drinks, as well as a decent tea selection. I also suggest trying something from the specials menu, as it’s always unique. The Understudy is a nice place to catch up with a friend, get some work done, or just enjoy a cozy afternoon by drinking a coffee and people watching out the large windows.
Don’t forget to browse the book selection! It’s pretty unique and there’s a mix of new and used books.
Allez Cafe
A cute, small cafe in Bucktown with upbeat vibes and one tasty breakfast sandwich.
📍 Google Maps | 📞 (847) 921-0865
A lot of locals know about Allez Cafe in Bucktown, but it’s off-the-beaten-path from tourist areas. The cafe itself is small, so snagging a table can be hit or miss, but it’s worth going even for pick-up.
The coffee is good, but the breakfast sandwich is what makes this cafe worth a trip. It’s seriously delicious. It has a potato patty on top of the typical egg and bacon layers, which adds a special fluffy, yet savory touch. Just try it and thank me later.
The only downside of Allez Cafe is that they sometimes play their music really loudly. Like, bumping, loudly. That’s cool if you’re in the mood for that, but it might not be the best place to work or chat with a friend.
👉 Pro Tip: Stop by Allez Cafe if you’re in the mood for a really good breakfast sandwich but don’t feel like waiting in line at Kasama for their famous sandwich.
Cafe Jumping Bean
A local neighborhood coffee spot in Pilsen that always serves up top-notch drinks and food.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (312) 455-0019
On the corner of W 18th Street and S Bishop Street in downtown Pilsen, is Cafe Jumping Bean. This coffee shop serves up top-notch coffee and cafe fare, and has a super friendly, local vibe to it—the kind of place where people know your face and remember your order.
There are a few tables inside for working, but I recommend sitting at the window-facing countertop for journaling, catching up with friends, or people-watching!
Oromo Cafe
Bright and airy coffee houses in Bucktown & Lincoln Square are known for their health-conscious fare and delicious Turkish coffee.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 904-8147 (Bucktown location)
Oromo Cafe is an innovative coffee house known for its health-conscious approach to food and drinks.
Turkish coffee is Oromo Cafe’s specialty, which is a super strong and rich coffee with a slight coffee ground texture to it. If you’re a coffee aficionado, this is a must-try, and you can order it in different ways, with various spices or milk blends.
The atmosphere at Oromo Cafe is bright and airy while still being cozy and quiet, which is great for getting work done. Since there are locations in Bucktown and Lincoln Square, I highly recommend putting either on your Chicago itinerary.
Cà Phê Dá
A Pilsen cafe serving up tasty Vietnamese eats and specialty coffee drinks.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 999-1800
⚠️ Closure Note: Cà Phê Dá is temporarily closed and will be opening in September at the University of Chicago.
Located in downtown Pilsen, Cà Phê Dá offers visitors a little something different in terms of your typical cuppa joe.
In addition to their tasty wings and other Vietnamese street food, they have a selection of specialty coffees including egg custard coffee. Egg custard coffee is a Vietnamese style of coffee, and is definitely worth trying. The consistency is thicker than your average latte but just as smooth and tasty.
Sip of Hope
A Logan Square coffee shop with an amazing mission .
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 661-6986
If you’re in Logan Square, then consider dropping by this unique coffee shop with an amazing cause. As the walls state inside, Sip of Hope is the world’s first coffee shop that donates 100% of its proceeds to promote mental health education and support suicide prevention.
They offer a great range of classic espresso drinks as well as other non-coffee lattes and teas. The vibe is great for getting work done and the baristas are super friendly.
Kibbitznest
A late-hour, no-WiFi book bar between Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 360-7591
Leave your laptop at home and instead, visit Kibbitznest with a book or group of friends. This coffee shop/cocktail bar, located between Bucktown and Lincoln Park, is no-frills when it comes to its lack of WiFi.
Instead, the shelves are outfitted with tons of books and games, which is meant to encourage some good old face-to-face conversation and quality time.
Kibbitznest opens later than most traditional coffee shops but it stays open later, too — even as late as midnight. They offer a standard selection of coffee and tea, along with craft cocktails and other beverages. They also have a small plates menu. Lastly, and just a heads up, they don’t offer dairy milk alternatives.
👉 Don’t Miss: Pequod’s Pizza is located just across the street from Kibbitznest, and is a local favorite for deep-dish pizza. Read our guide for more Chicago restaurants!
Ludlow Charlingtons Coffee Shop
A cozy Lincoln Park coffee shop that benefits our furry friends.
📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (773) 697-7984
Ludlow Charlingtons Coffee Shop is a cute, cozy coffee shop located just a short walk from Lincoln Park. They make all your coffee favorites, but their iced coffee and iced latte drinks are the best, so be sure to try one.
What really sets Ludlow Charlingtons apart is the fact that a portion of their proceeds go to Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, to help shelter dogs find their forever homes. So, while you’re sipping your delicious coffee, you can feel good knowing you’re doing a little something to help out our canine companions.
👉 Don’t Miss: Lincoln Park and other nearby Chicago neighborhoods make for great places to stay, so be sure to check out this part of town!
FAQs
Is Chicago known for their coffee?
Chicago is known for having tons of local, specialty coffee roasters all around the city. Dark Matter Coffee and Sawada Cafe are a couple of Chicago coffee shops with locally roasted coffee.
How much is coffee in Chicago?
A cup of black coffee costs around $3-$4 and coffee like cappuccinos, Americanos, or mochas costs around $4-$6.
Do most coffee shops in Chicago have dairy alternatives?
Nearly every coffee shop in Chicago offers dairy alternatives for milk and creamer. Options like almond milk and oat milk are available at most coffee shops.
How many coffee roasters are in Chicago?
Chicago has more than 30 roasters and tons of coffee shops scattered around the city. It’s safe to say it’ll be easy to find a good cuppa.
What are the top coffee shops in Chicago?
Sawada Cafe,Dark Matter Coffee, and Caffè Streets are a few of the best coffee shops in Chicago.
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By this point, you’re probably craving a coffee or tea fix. No worries, just be sure to drop by any of these coffee shops during your visit to the Windy City!
And while you’re here, check out our Chicago safety tips – it includes key information about visiting safely.
