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Chicago may have a Starbucks on every corner, but it lays claim to something even more exciting: a robust community of local coffeehouses.
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Chicago may have a Starbucks on every corner, but it lays claim to something even more exciting: a robust community of local coffeehouses that dish out everything a chain can't give. From locally-baked cookies and unusual espresso beverages to live music and quirky decor, these independent shops are worth a visit.
Located right near the Francisco Brown Line, this coffee shop attracts plenty of regulars and caters its home-style cooking. Come during lunchtime and check out the specials menu, which can include turkey burgers, reubens, and Caesar salads.
Golden Horse Bakery
2826 S. Wentworth Ave.
Chicago, IL
60616
(312) 225-7757
Hours: open Thursday-Tuesday
Grab a cup of coffee and a chair and sink your teeth into mouth-watering Hong-Kong style pastries like horse cake, a giant rice crispy-like treat made with puffed rice, sausage and onion buns.
MoJoe's Hot House
2849 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, IL
60618
(773) 596-5637 http://www.rockabilly.net Hours: open daily
Vintage coffeepots and percolators get you in the mood for the main event—a cuppa joe, priced at $1.50 for a small. Thanks to MoJoe's passion for promoting the arts, you'll get an unplugged side of music with your drink on many a night.
Cafe Luna
1742 W. 99th St.
Chicago, IL
60643
(773) 239-8990 http://www.cafeluna-chicago.com Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; shortened fall and winter hours
The South Side coffee shop offers gourmet eats (try the Clear Moon sandwich, with roasted red bell peppers, provolone and seasoned olive oil on your choice of bread), coffees, teas, veggie platters and even a heated garden. Come check out their accoustic open mic night every third Friday of the month.
What could be better than a shop that roasts its own coffee? How about toasted sandwiches, baked goods, plenty of loose-leaf tea and free wi-fi? Sunday afternoons feature live music, and outdoor seating is available in good weather.
South Perk Coffee Cafe
6227 W. 63rd St.
Chicago, IL
60638
(773) 229-0064
This coffeehouse sells espresso drinks that can be jazzed up by any one of its 36 syrup flavors, along with smoothies, pastries, sandwiches, ice cream and teas.
Bronzeville Coffeehouse Inc.
528 E. 43rd St.
Chicago, IL
60653
(773) 536-0494
Hours: open daily
Though it's surrounded by empty storefronts, this Bronzeville coffee shop is a lively spot that values coffee and community. Live comedy and jazz performances spices things up a few times a month, but you can pull up a chair anytime and order the popular Caramel Royal, a latte made with fresh caramel and caramel syrup and topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle.
Global Grounds Cafe
3201 S. State St.
Chicago, IL
60616
(312) 567-3711 http://www.iit.edu Hours: open daily
Located on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus, this alumni-owned, student-run shop is indie to the max. Beverage choices include 20 varieties of tea, Arabica coffee, specialty mochas, classic milkshakes and smoothies; grilled paninis will give you plenty of strength to keep your nose in those books.
Kopi Cafe
5317 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
60640
(773) 989-5674
Hours: open daily
Come in for the coffee but stay for lunch. Kopi's eclectic setting includes tables for two and a raised front area filled with pillows and floor-level tables. The sandwiches that stand out on this mostly vegetarian menu (tuna is as meaty as it gets). Standards include the tempeh burger, a tofu "turkey" sandwich on challah and a variety of cheese and vegetable combos. The carrot cake is divine.
Rated one of America's 14 top coffee bars by Food and Wine magazine in 2006, Metropolis takes great pains to make sure its coffee (and your experience drinking it) is of the highest quality. Specializing in small-batch roasted coffees, you can take your pick of organic, fair-trade beans to go or bring your laptop, take advantage of free wi-fi, and grab a steaming mocha and a scone.
Pause
1107 W. Berwyn Ave.
Chicago, IL
60640
(773) 334-3686
Hours: open daily
This gay-friendly shop invites unaccompanied lounging, though it's also a great destination for Sunday morning coffee runs with friends. Several iMac computers, complete with high-speed Internet access, make catching up on things a breeze. "Pause' with a pastry and a cup of Intelligentsia coffee—or better yet, a crème brulee latte—and a good book for a relaxing time.
Boocoo
1823 Church St.
Evanston, IL
60201
(847) 380-1602 http://www.boocoo.org Hours: open daily
This is more than just a cafe, which points to the meaning of the Creole word Boocoo: more. It provides fair-trade coffee and organic and vegan-friendly menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But the true heart of the cafe is the cultural center attached to it. With movement, music and nutrition (to name a few) classes and a recording studio that is made affordable to a culturally-thirsty community, this new joint is making a home right across from Evanston Township High School.
Humboldt Pie
1001 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL
60622
(773) 342-4743 http://www.humboldtpie.com Hours: open daily
This Humboldt Park coffee shop doubles as a pizza place, but you can take the java/wi-fi route if that's your pleasure. Serving brownies, muffins and the occasional cake from nearby TipsyCake, you may find it hardest to resist the pie of the day.
Cobb Coffee Shop
5811 S. Ellis Ave.
Chicago, IL
60637
no phone
Hours: open Monday-Friday
Since the 1960s, this student-run shop has found a home in the basement of Cobb Hall at the University of Chicago. Funky green walls and indie music provide the backdrop; the mismatched collection of mugs and coffee for less than a buck serves as the main event. Unsurprisingly, you can load up on eclectic eats like pizza, salads and even a bevy of candy bars.
Istria Cafe
1520 E. 57th St.
Chicago, IL
60637
(773) 955-2556 http://www.istriacafe.com Hours: open daily
Tired of your ho-hum surroundings? Inspired by the coffee-rich tradition of the Istrian peninsula (parts of what is now Italy, Croatia and Slovenia), this locally-owned and operated shop whisks you eastward. In addition to locally-roasted coffee, you'll find pastries, paninis and 12 freshly-made gelatos.
Medici Bakery
1331 E. 57th St.
Chicago, IL
60637
(773) 667-7394
Hours: open daily
Though buttery croissants emerge as the main event (with classic versions sided by ones filled with everything from spinach and feta to chocolate), breads, muffins and pies turn this Hyde Park bakery into a mecca for sweets. Pair your choice with a cup of fair trade coffee and enjoy a casual breakfast at one of the four petite tables.
Java Thai
4272 W. Irving Park Rd.
Chicago, IL
60641
(773) 545-6200
Hours: open daily
The unlikely combination of Thai eats, American sandwiches and espresso drinks proves a good one at Java Thai. The no-fuss cafe serves everything from vanilla lattes to Thai iced coffee…with a side of pad Thai, should you be in the mood.
Fixx Coffee Bar
3053 N. Sheffield Ave.
Chicago, IL
60657
(773) 248-0841
Hours: open daily
Located a short walk southwest of the Belmont Red Line stop, this spot is a jackpot, with lots of table space, intensely caffeinated drinks and later-than-most hours (open until midnight).
A major supplier of its fresh-roasted beans to other coffeehouses and restaurants throughout the city, Intelligentsia is part of Chicago's coffee elite. This Loop location carries on the tradition of creating amazingly tasty espresso drinks.
Julius Meinl
3601 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL
60613
(773) 868-1857 http://www.meinl.com Hours: open daily
Fine food producer Julius Meinl has transported its Viennese coffee to this Southport gem, known just as much for its savory menu as it is for its excellent brews. French press coffee, the Vienna Eiskaffee (espresso poured over vanilla ice cream) and Linzer Torte lattes taste as divine as they sound, but don't overlook the menu of pear and brie sandwiches, crepes and Austrian goulash.
Argo Tea
958 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL
60614
(773) 649-9644 http://www.argotea.com Hours: open daily
Coffee and tea snobs, unite, and wear your best yuppie outfit for the occasion. Tucked among Armitage's boutique-ridden corridor, Argo's chipper, house-blended teas are displayed in clever glass tea pots behind the coffee bar, outshined only by one of the world's finest coffee producers: Illy. The cafe is so bright and clean, you may want to hang out for the free (two-hour) wi-fi or just lounge at the window bar watching the foot traffic just beyond.
Bourgeois Pig
738 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL
60614
(773) 883-JAVA
Hours: open daily
A favorite of DePaul students, this cozy nook of a coffee shop serves up great sandwiches with literary names like the Catcher in the Rye (a stacked reuben) and the Secret Garden (a veggie-riffic mix of cream cheese, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and sprouts). Grab a seat outdoors in the summertime.
Nada Tea House
1552 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL
60614
(773) 529-2239 http://www.nadateahouse.com Hours: open Tuesday-Sunday
This hip and sleek Japanese-style tea lounge offers coffee and espresso drinks, like cafe au laits and Vienna lattes, along with loose-leaf tea (of course) and edibles from nearby Sweets and Savories. Pair that after spent milking the free wi-fi with a black fig scone or a home-style croissant sandwich.
Cafeneo
4655 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
60625
(773) 878-2233
Hours: open daily
Looking for a more European experience? This sleek spot offers Illy espresso; drinks in micro, meso and mega sizes; and buckwheat and Nutella crepes along with free wi-fi.
The Grind
4613 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
60625
(773) 271-4482 http://www.thegrindco.com Hours: open daily
The cafe's sizeable menu of egg sandwiches, bagels with pesto and goat cheese, and bowls of soup are sure to keep you satisfied while you surf the web. Cupcakes, milkshakes and "The Best Carrot Cake Ever!" are sure to make your stop a sweet one. Pop in before catching a movie at the across-the-street Davis Theater.
Map Room
1949 N. Hoyne Ave.
Chicago, IL
60647
(773) 252-7636 http://maproom.com Hours: open daily
Like brew-pubs but know the only hard stuff you should be drinking before noon is black coffee? Stop into the Map Room on your way to work and satisfy two thirsts: Breathe in the scent of a bar while curbing your caffeine cravings it opens early early every morning to serve Intelligentsia coffee, lattes and freshly baked pastries from Alliance Bakery. Get your fix Monday-Friday starting at 6:30 a.m., Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m.
NoFriction
2023 N. California Ave.
Chicago, IL
60647
(773) 278-7180 http://www.no-friction-cafe.com Hours: open Tuesday-Sunday
Airy and well-suited for reading, working or pounding away at that novel, and with egg croissants, salads, specialty sandwiches (like the monumental Monument, a half-pound of corned beef on rye) and wraps, you'll have no problem settling in for a long day. Note: NY transplants will love the straight-from-the-East-Coast black and white cookies.
A major supplier of its fresh-roasted beans to other coffeehouses and restaurants throughout the city, Intelligentsia is part of Chicago's coffee elite. This Loop location carries on the tradition of creating amazingly tasty espresso drinks.
LavAzza
111 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL
60604
(312) 447-0000 http://www.lavazza.com Hours: open Monday-Friday
The Italians know two things really well: leather and coffee. Lucky for us, there are three LavAzza coffee shops located right here in our Windy City. Try its specialty "Solid Espresso," a house-made delight that's the consistency of mousse and available in three coffee flavors; just ask for it any day but Monday, when it will be "setting" for 12 hours. Wi-fi isn't free (subscriptions are available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis) but the chocolate croissants help make up for it.
Cafe Mestizo
1646 W. 18th St.
Chicago, IL
60608
(312) 421-5920 http://www.cafemestizo.com Hours: open daily
This slice of the Pilsen art scene pie can be dished up alongside your cappuccino. But don’t overlook the savory menu offered day or night with veiggie burgers, tamales and more delights. Open mic nights every Wednesday night keep this cafe in the fray of the culturally hip.
Good coffee, good times, even if it does close on the early side, at 3 p.m. on Friday through Sunday (sorry all you night owls looking for an evening java fix). For those who are wheat and gluten-free restricted, this will be your new favorite place to pick up tasty donuts, bagels and muffins that adhere to your dietary needs.
3rd Coast Cafe
1260 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL
60610
(312) 649-0730 http://www.3rdcoastcafe.com Hours: open daily
Forget the 24-hour Starbucks. This open-til-the-wee-hours cafe serves up whatever espresso beverage you need to keep your eyes open...and more. But if you don't want to pair a mocha with your gourmet cheese plate, go ahead and order a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Looking for a less schmancy experience? Never fear: Bagels and coffee abound.
Argo Tea
819 N. Rush St.
Chicago, IL
60611
(312) 951-5302 http://www.argotea.com Hours: open daily
More of the same spic-and-span coffee and tea shop goodness offered at its other locations, only this one is bigger. Chipper, house blended teas are displayed in clever glass teapots behind the coffee bar and are outshined only by one of the world's finest coffee producers: Illy. The cafe is so bright and clean, you may want to hang out for awhile. Look for muffins from the Chicago Diner, Carol's Cookies and other local favorites.
A wi-fi coffee shop should have both stellar coffee and great web access. This spots nails both criteria. It serves Intelligentsia coffee (no expounding necessary) and has six rental computers available should you be a poor laptopless-soul. Expect outside cafe tables and umbrellas, plasma TVs, sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, cakes and pastries.
Bean Addiction
555 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL
60661
(312) 474-9140
Hours: open daily
Intelligentsia coffee makes for a great cup, but it's the supreme attention paid to steaming the milk to the perfect temperature that give these lattes their stellar reputation. Pair yours with a cilantro-lime chicken wrap or slice of spinach quiche.
Jupiter Outpost
1139 W. Fulton Market
Chicago, IL
60607
(312) 238-9473 http://www.jupiteroutpost.com Hours: open Monday-Saturday
This coffee shop in the West Loop gallery district offers up some seriously colorful environs as well as a hearty selection of eats. In addition to the full spectrum of espresso beverages, you can start you day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal, topped with anything from almonds to chocolate chips.
J Bean Coffee
7221 W. Forest Preserve Ave.
Norridge, IL
60706
(708) 583-2245 http://www.jbeancoffee.com Hours: open daily
"Barista" is code for "artist," and the latte you ordered is considered a work of art at this picture-perfect shop. Truly valuing the importance of a good espresso pull, you'll find tuxedo mochas, Italian-style cappuccinos and Americanos on the hot drinks menu. Made-to-order paninis, homemade pastries and gelato make this a smart stop for a breakfast or lunch date. Weekly live music and an outdoor deck add to the personalized appeal.
Stubbs Cafe
3827 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
60613
(773) 477-9840
Friendly baristas can make good coffee taste even better. Top that off with free wi-fi and great breakfast and lunch on-the-go items and you've got a very full cup. The pastries and bread may start at local bakery La Briola, but Stubbs' sandwiches are all its own. Stick with deli classics or try a spinach, tomato and brie panini. The cafe's beans are provided locally from Fratelli, with a special house blend available in regular or decaf for the caffeine-phobic.
Schlegel's Bakery and Cafe
3334 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, IL
60625
(773) 539-9207 http://www.schlegls.com Hours: open Monday-Saturday
This off-the-beaten-path gem uses third-generation recipes that originated in Germany's Bavarian Hills for its excellent cakes and pastries. Grab a cup of coffee and some cherry strudel and you'll be set.
Charmers Cafe
1500 W. Jarvis Ave.
Chicago, IL
60626
(773) 743-2233
Hours: open daily
With an eye on the little things, Charmers' staff swirls designs into its lattes and mochas, though those who would rather take the unadorned route can order a cup of Metropolis coffee, served pre-brewed or in your very own French press. Walk down the hall to sister-restaurant Dagel and Beli for a steamed bagel treat.
Exchange Cafe
7201 S. Exchange Ave.
Chicago, IL
60649
(773) 386-8592 http://www.exchange-cafe.com Hours: open daily
Exposed brick, painted concrete floors and airy linen window treatments provide the ideal setting for picking up a cuppa joe or upgrading to a Chocolate Milano Mocha. The food line-up includes breakfast sandwiches, house soups and turkey paninis. Locally-baked chocolate chip cookies are straight-from-the-oven delicious. Free wi-fi.
Dollop Coffee Co.
4181 N. Clarendon Ave.
Chicago, IL
60613
(773) 755-1955 http://www.dollopcoffee.com Hours: open daily
Collapse into a couch with a good book and beverage in hand and you'll be set for the afternoon. As for those drinks, you'll find coffeehouse faves like hazelnut mochas, hot chocolate and Italian sodas.
Boba Bee
5868 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
60659
(773) 572-8938 http://www.bobabee.com Hours: open daily
As the name suggests, this coffee and tea bar serves bubble teas in almost any flavor imaginable (avocado, honeydew and lychee, to name a few). If that's not your, well, cup of tea, try any number of coffeehouse standards, like a vanilla latte or white chocolate mocha.
Alliance Bakery and Cafe
1736 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
60622
(773) 278-0366 http://www.alliance-bakery.com Hours: open daily
Pick up your cup of Intelligentsia coffee and just-baked cupcake or cookie before heading to Alliance's adjacent space for free wi-fi and silent studying. On your way out, pop back into the main bakery for a loaf of bread, the perfect dinner accompaniment.
Atomix
1957 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL
60622
(312) 666-2649
Hours: open daily
If a location scout for "Planet 9 From Outer Space" or any other so-bad-it's-good 1950s sci-fi happened upon Atomix cafe, they'd likely get a raise. If you like that sort of thing, and you know you do, let its coffee be a part of your daily ritual and you will never have to sleep again (try the "Motor Oil" blend). Atomix also offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly sandwiches, soups and the requisite pastries.
Earwax Cafe
1561 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
60622
(773) 772-4019 http://centerstage.net Hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
The evolution of this once-upon-a-time record store goes like this: open a record store, add a coffee bar, add a cafe and become a coffee bar/restaurant that is also a video store with more than 1,000 unique film titles. The bad news is they no longer sell records. The good news is the coffee is still great, the menu offers stellar favorites like a two-egg breakfast and creative veggie fare like its Tuscan seitan sandwich, and it's both a hip and cozy place to hang out and discuss the film you just rented.
Iguana Cafe
517 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL
60622
(312) 432-0663 http://www.iguana-cafe.net Hours: open daily
They're few and far between, but when you find a coffeehouse/bar that's open late, has tasty food, and can sate your cappuccino and gin-and-tonic craving in one fell swoop, you know it's a keeper. This European coffeehouse and lounge, bedecked with wooden tables and burnt orange and golden walls, is the perfect place to grab two cups of coffee and split a Nutella, walnut and cinnamon crepe with a friend for an afternoon treat.
Letizia's Natural Bakery
2144 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL
60622
(773) 342-1011 http://www.superyummy.com Hours: open daily
Waiting in the sometimes-long line at Letizia's is always worth it. The pastries are fresh, delicious and honest, like the no apologies hand-scrawled sign by the crispy chocolate chip cookies that alerts customers to Letizia's cheeky "it-happens" attitude and the permanent sign on the door that proudly promotes the shop's use of real butter (no margarine here). Just like the lines, the calories are worth it here. Oh, and the coffee is good, too.
Swim Cafe
1357 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL
60622
(312) 492-8600 http://www.swimcafe.com Hours: open daily
Do you like to spell while you sip? Get your fill of Scrabble from 1-6 p.m. on Sundays (the winner can present his scorecard for a free drink). And when it comes to that beverage, take your pick from fair-trade coffee, yerba mate lattes, chai and Ineeka teas. Homemade baked goods often include mini-scones and muffins, while caprese sandwiches sate bigger appetites.
Village Cafe
2304 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL
60622
(773) 276-7676
Hours: open daily
You don't need frills when you brew Intelligentsia coffee and LavAzza espresso drinks, offer $2 Haagen Dazs ice cream cones and have grilled tomato and basil grilled cheese on your chalkboard menu. The daily attendance of local Ukrainian Village regulars can attest to that.
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Chicago may have a Starbucks on every corner, but it lays claim to something even more exciting: a robust community of local coffeehouses that dish out everything a chain can't give. From locally-baked cookies and unusual espresso beverages to live music and quirky decor, these independent shops are worth a visit.
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