if you delight in that first sip of coffee in the morning, you will be delighted to know the best coffee shops in chicago.
Getting your caffeine fix is a must to fuel every adventurous day, and Chicago has everything from classic hipster coffee shops to eclectic neighborhood hangouts and coffee shops with a unique twist.
Reading: Cute coffee shops in chicago
As a coffee lover and Chicago local, I’m here to guide you to the best coffee shops in Chicago as you discover the best things to do in Chicago.
Disclosure: travel lemming is an independent blog supported by readers. You can support us by buying through the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. Thank you!
16 best coffee shops in chicago
sawada coffee shop
a west loop coffee shop that serves great drinks
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (312) 344-1750
west loop is known for its food scene, and coffee shops are no exception. Located just off W Randolph St at N Green St, Sawada is one of the best coffee shops in town. It was started by world famous barista Hiroshi Sawada and has become a Chicago favorite for sure.
The military latte is an all-time favorite, so be sure to order it if you visit. Made up of espresso, special matcha, vanilla, milk, and cocoa powder, it’s a tasty, flavorful, well-balanced concoction. the atmosphere here is cozy but still lively, so I recommend getting a coffee to go.
👉 Don’t Miss: Green Street Smoked Meats shares space with Sawada and serves smoked barbecue as well as a good selection of cocktails and beer.
the wormhole
a quirky sci-fi themed neighborhood coffee shop in the center of 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 in the wormhole you’ll find that and more. As soon as you walk in, you’ll see a scaled-down Delorean from Back to the Future sitting high on a loft-like shelf. the cafeteria is also filled with other 80s themed decorations, from ghost hunters to e.t.
In the midst of all this sci-fi decor, the drinks are delicious and there are ample tables and seating for those who want 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 lots of fun things to do in wicker park.
coffee decoration
art deco inspired cafe between lincoln park and lake view
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 661-6425
If you’re looking for an instagram-worthy coffee shop, head to cafe deko between lincoln park and lake view. This corner cafe has an art deco-inspired design with lots of brightly colored seating and gold decor. It’s sure to make you feel like you’re in a European cafe, and it’s great for taking some nice photos.
cafe deko offers a variety of espresso classics as well as specialty coffee drinks and teas. if you’re hungry, they also have cakes and croissants to choose from.
📚 related reading: how to get around chicago (by a local)
hero coffee bar
a nice cafe located in the alley
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 661-1254 (lake view location)
hero coffee bar is a small alley coffee shop located in the loop, right next to the adams/wabash stop. The cafe itself doesn’t have indoor seating, but instead has patio seating along the alley, making it a great outdoor workspace if visiting chicago during the warmer seasons. the patio is also covered with hanging lights, giving it a charming city vibe.
The menu has all the coffee staples, like espresso and matcha drinks, as well as a variety of syrups you can add. Food-wise, there are plenty of tasty combinations of bagels.
coffee streets
an innovative cafe in the west of the city, with delicious drinks to accompany
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 278-2739
See also: 10 Mẫu thiết kế quán cafe nhỏ đẹp đơn giản ấn tượng hút khách
located on division street in the west of the city, near wicker park, is this fresh and modern, yet cozy cafe. The interior of Calles Caffè is photo-worthy with its wood-paneled walls and ceiling and plenty of natural light.
the drinks here are just as impressive too. They’ve got you covered with all the classic espresso drinks, as well as some tasty concoctions like rosewater and rosemary matcha lattes. a personal favorite is their lavender vanilla oat milk matcha.
gas coffee roasters
a logan square coffee shop with that classic coffee shop aesthetic
📍 google maps | ☕ website
Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood is full of great coffee shops, and gas coffee roasters are definitely high on the list. everything about this cafe on the corner of n milwaukee ave and w fullerton ave has that classic coffee shop aesthetic.
They have all the espresso staples as well as some seasonal drinks and teas. the space has exposed white brick, tables for work, cozy lighting, and an overall calm vibe.
dark matter coffee
must-see, trendy neighborhood cafe lounge with west-town locations and lake views
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 384-7827 (star room location)
In any dark matter cafe you can expect a modern atmosphere with delicious coffee and espresso. The baristas here are friendly and helpful, and the place has a true local feel to it – it’s the kind of place Chicagoans frequent.
the dark matter cafe also has a variety of baked goods including donuts, which you must try. all three locations have ample space to hang out or work, and the star lounge location has a large backyard.
📚 related reading: chicago packing list (29 things people forget to bring)
collective coffee
a bright and open cafe, perfect for digital workers in the city
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (312) 312-5011
Collective is a great coffee shop for digital workers and anyone who just wants to be productive. With locations in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, and Uptown, it’s an especially great place to visit, no matter where you are in the city. the atmosphere is relaxed and these cafes are spacious with plenty of seating and outdoor patio as well.
collective serves a variety of drinks, from classic coffees to specialty drinks and smoothies, all tasty. They also offer all-day breakfast food and baked goods.
four letter word coffee
a small cafe in avondale that serves delicious drinks
📍 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 Four Letter Coffee is one of a kind. they are known for serving phenomenal coffee, including classic lattes, iced coffee, and cold brew.
Located in Avondale, the cafe is small and often run by a barista, but the wait is well worth it for the locals who frequent this place. four-letter word also serves up some unique sweet and savory pastries. but if you want to get one, come early they run out fast!
eat me milk me coffee & tea
a cute boba shop with tons of delicious flavor combinations on the west loop
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (312) 265-0615
Boba lovers listen up, because this West Loop cafe on W Randolph St is a great place not only for boba, but for loose leaf tea and coffee as well. They have a wide selection of fruit teas, milk teas, and bubble teas, which I recommend ordering if you visit. They also serve some Chinese baos if you’re hungry.
the vibe of eat me, milk me is friendly and laid back. It’s a great place to visit with friends and the decor is really cute, with a fun checkerboard pattern covering most of the cafe.
coffee jumping bean
a local neighborhood cafe in pilsen that always serves top-notch food and drinks
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (312) 455-0019
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On the corner of W 18th Street and S Bishop Street in downtown Pilsen, Cafe Jumping Bean is located. This cafe serves top-notch coffee and food, and has a super friendly local vibe – the kind of place where people know your face and remember your order.
There are a few tables inside to work, but I recommend sitting at the counter by the window to write a journal, catch up with friends, or people watch.
oromo coffee
Spacious and bright cafes in bucktown & lincoln square known for its healthy food and delicious turkish coffee
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 904-8147 (Bucktown location)
oromo cafe is an innovative coffee shop known for its healthy approach to food and beverages. turkish coffee is the specialty of oromo coffee, which is a super strong and rich coffee with a light texture of ground coffee. if you are a coffee aficionado, you must try it and you can order it in different ways, with various spices or milk mixtures.
The atmosphere at Oromo Cafe is light and airy while remaining cozy and calm, which is great for work. Since there are locations in both Bucktown and Lincoln Square, I highly recommend including either on your Chicago itinerary.
cà phê dá
a Pilsen cafe serving delicious Vietnamese food and specialty coffee drinks
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 999-1800
located in the center of pilsen, cà phê dá offers visitors 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 coffee drinks, including egg cream coffee. egg cream coffee is a vietnamese style of coffee and definitely worth a try. the consistency is thicker than your average latte, but just as smooth and flavorful.
sip of hope
a coffee shop in logan square with an incredible mission
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 661-6986
if you’re in logan square then consider checking out this unique coffee shop with an amazing cause. as the walls inside say, sip of hope is the first coffee shop in the world to donate 100% of its proceeds to promote mental health education and support suicide prevention.
They offer a wide variety of classic espresso drinks, as well as other non-coffee lattes and teas. the atmosphere is great to work and the baristas are super friendly.
kibbitz nest
a late night reading bar with no wifi between bucktown and lincoln park
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 360-7591
Leave your laptop at home and visit kibbitznest with a book or a group of friends instead. Located between Bucktown and Lincoln Park, this coffee shop/cocktail bar is understated when it comes to its lack of Wi-Fi. instead, the shelves are stocked with tons of books and games, which is bound to encourage some good face-to-face conversation and quality time.
kibbitznest is open later than most traditional cafés, but it also stays open later, 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 plate menu. Lastly, and just a word of warning, they do not offer alternatives to cow’s milk.
👉 Don’t Miss: Pequod’s Pizza is located across the street from Kibbitznest, and is a local favorite for deep dish pizza. Read our guide to learn more chicago restaurants!
ludlow charlingtons cafe
a cozy lincoln park cafe that benefits our furry friends
📍 google maps | ☕ website | 📞 (773) 697-7984
ludlow charlingtons coffee shop is a cute and cozy coffee shop located just steps from lincoln park. They brew all of your favorite coffees, but their iced coffee and iced milk drinks are fan favorites, so be sure to try one.
what really sets ludlow charlingtons apart is the fact that a portion of their profits goes to friends of chicago animal care and control, to help shelter dogs find their forever homes. so while you sip on your delicious coffee, you can feel good knowing you’re doing something to help our canine companions.
👉 don’t miss: lincoln park and other nearby chicago neighborhoods are great places to stay, so be sure to check them out this part of the city!
frequently asked questions about coffee shops in chicago
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At this point, you’re probably craving some coffee or tea. Don’t worry, just make sure you stop by any of these Chicago coffee shops during your visit. And while you’re here, check out our chicago safety tips, which includes key information on how to visit this incredible city.
See also: 10 Amazing Coffee Shops in Greenpoint
