Chicago has some significant coffee shops, with roasters trying to set up cafes to fill the city with cups of fresh coffee. In addition to quality stores in almost every neighborhood, Chicago has some of the best brands in the business.
Whether you want to hang out with professionals or just grab a cup on the way to work, all of Chicago’s best cafes make it easy for you to get your caffeine fix.
10 Best Cafes in Chicago
What differentiates one Ugandan blend from another? Are they getting a nice flat white color? And most relevantly, what is the WiFi status? From multi-roaster operations to Michelin-starred restaurants, these Chicago cafes offer distinct ambiance and services meant to appeal to everyone.
We’ve included some of the best coffee shops and cafes in the list below, no matter where you are in Chicago.
1.Metric Coffee
After gaining praise from shops like Café Streets through its wholesale accounts, Metric Coffee unveiled its first shop in Fulton Market last fall. With imported German Probate cast-iron drums for roasting the coffee beans, Metric takes its craft seriously, which is evident in its high-quality drinks.
The place is also trendy. It’s small and businesslike, not the kind of café you’d stop by with a laptop; Would prefer to focus on Java instead!
Place: 2021 W Fulton St; 312-982-2196
contact: (312) 982-2196
Speciality: metric’s special roasted coffee
Cooking: American, Cafe
Cost for two: 20 dollars
Zomato Rating: 4.0/5
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2. To interfere
The people behind Dark Matter Coffee have a passion for setting up cafés that are as hip and charming as tattoo rooms and their latest venture follows the same pattern.
Medallion is perhaps the most thriving venture to date in the West Loop, boasting what the company bills as “mental elegance.” Layered purple walls, bright white tiles and neon twists create a highly vibrant atmosphere. Coffee won’t let you down either!
Place: 601 W. Jackson Blvd.; 773-697-9472
contact: (312) 631-3553
Speciality: gingersnap train wreck
Cooking: American, Cafe
Cost for two: 20 dollars
Zomato Rating: 4.0/5
3. Ipsento 606
Of course, because its initial setting on Western Avenue is always jammed, the folks behind Ipsento expanded with a stylish, larger outpost on the 606 Trail in Bucktown.
The café has ample space to relax, dine, drink and work on the computer. It becomes a dimly lit cocktail bar in the evening with a brief menu of cheese and charcuterie.
Place: 2035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
contact: (773) 904-8177
Speciality: i feel milk
Cooking: Sandwiches, Cafe
Cost for two: 20 dollars
Zomato Rating: 4.1/5
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4. Awesome Coffee Bar
At this swanky café in West Logan Square, there aren’t too many bells and whistles. Instead, this gorgeous space offers top-class coffee, tea and some cake in a casual and sociable atmosphere for residents who want to meet or work.
Thanks to the stylish modernist decor, plants and art, the space has an effortless sophistication.
Place: 3317 W. Armitage Avenue; 773-904-7051
Speciality: Vegan Donuts
Cooking: Sandwiches, Cafe
Cost for two: 25 dollars
Zomato Rating: 4.9/5
5. Hero Coffee Bar
In recent weeks, Hero Coffee Bar has become a power player on the coffee circuit in Chicago, stretching across the city from Roscoe Village to the South Loop.
Its latest incarnation took shape in the former Bailey Shack space in Bucktown, a pedestrian-friendly backdrop equipped with comfortable seating and a menu that costs the same price as coffee and sandwiches.
Place: 439 S. Dearborn St., The Loop, Chicago, IL 60605
contact: (312) 631-3269
Speciality: Almond Biscotti Latte
Cooking: American, Cafe
Cost for two: 20 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.8/5
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6. Sawada
Possibly one of the classiest coffee shops ever opened in Chicago, Sawada is a collaboration between Hogsalt Hospitality and Latte Art World Championship winner Hiroshi Sawada and Tokyo-based coffee guru.
Located inside Green Street Smoked Meats in the West Loop, the jazzy garage-like space looks like a barbecue restaurant and features a refurbished ping-pong table with seating, a vintage pinball machine, and a recalibrated skateboard that sports a knuckle. -Works as a stand over. The baristas here create beautiful latte masterpieces, mochas and cocktails consisting of espresso and sake.
Place: 112 N Greene Street, Chicago, IL 60607
contact: (312) 754-0431
Speciality: Military Latte
Cooking: coffee and tea
Cost for two: 25 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.1/5
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7. Café Integral
Located across from the Freehand Hotel on River North, Café Integral is a Nicaraguan getaway that serves delicious coffee and “Mesoamerican cuddle food.” The home-made coffee is excellent and the food menu is larger than expected. Take your coffee to the reception area and enjoy by one of the fireplaces.
Place: 19 E Ohio Street, IL60611
contact: (314) 940-3699
Speciality: casablanca pour-over
Cooking: American, Cafe
Cost for two: 15 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.1/5
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8. CC Ferns
Hogsault Hospitality really stepped up their coffee game. The group staged the CC Ferns in Humboldt Park before surprising minds through Latte Art at Sawada. The luxurious café is hidden behind the California Clipper, an old-fashioned cocktail bar, operated by the same group, and focused on mid-century America.
Antique art and aircraft photography decorate the walls along with shelves of wines and cigars. In addition to miscellaneous furniture, there is also a small coffee bar.
Place: 2806 W. Augusta Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60622
contact: (773) 384-2547
Speciality: Strawberries and Cream Steamer
Cooking: cafe
Cost for two: 15 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.1/5
9. Gaslight Coffee Roaster
Hipsters gravitate towards this coffee spot in Logan Square, where the decor is funky and the coffee is roasted out back. Stand at the counter to watch the barista work while you enjoy your drink-over.
Place: 2385 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Speciality: Three Cheese Omelette
Cooking: Cafe, Coffee and Tea
Cost for two: 25 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.4/5
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10. Dark Matter Coffee
Dark Matter’s “mothership” is a small café set up in front of the brand’s roasting unit, focusing on to-go orders. Coffee can be found at the Chicago Café, including around the corner from the Star Lounge, Dark Matter is one of Chicago’s cozy coffee shops, with lounge seats and do-right donuts.
Place: 738 N. Western Avenue, Chicago
contact: (773) 697-8472
Speciality: roasted coffee
Cooking: coffee and tea
Cost for two: 20 dollars
Zomato Rating: 3.4/5
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Cafés, bistros and small bakery shops are no less than a utopia. Finding them can be a challenge, so we hope this list of cafes in Chicago will come in handy after a long day when you want a relaxing experience. So, try these coffee shops to spend quality time during your vacation in Chicago.
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