When I consider my nominees for the best cafes in Chicago, I look at not only the quality of the coffee itself, but also the experience: the process from entry to exit, seating, atmosphere, and service. These are the spots that get all of it right.
| Café | Neighborhood | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Caffè Umbria | Logan Square | Authentic Italian espresso, fresh pastries, industrial-modern design |
| Gaslight Coffee Roasters | Logan Square | Ground Control brewed coffee, the Samoa cake, house-roasted espresso |
| Hexe Coffee Co. | Logan Square | Patio season, a simple but creative drink menu, later hours |
| The Wormhole Coffee | Wicker Park & Bucktown | Halfwit coffee, doughnuts, nostalgic retro decor |
| Ipsento 606 | Wicker Park & Bucktown | 606 Trail access, specialty lattes, spacious seating, morning coffee stops |
| Dark Matter Coffee The Star Lounge | Ukrainian Village | Bold Dark Matter coffee in a small, funky, no-frills lounge |
| Coffee Lab & Roasters | Lakeview | Fresh roasted coffee, pour overs, work-friendly seating, on-site roasting |
| CoCo & Blu Cafe | Northwest suburbs | Crafted coffee drinks, meeting friends, European cafe vibe, evening cocktails |
Logan Square
Caffè Umbria
Caffè Umbria brings authentic Italian espresso to one of the best cafes in Chicago.
📍 2545 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
☕ Order: Espresso, Croissant
Read the full review of Caffè Umbria →
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
What do you get when you mix science and tech with fresh-roasted beans and one of the best cafes in Chicago? Gaslight Coffee Roasters!.
📍 2385 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
☕ Order: Samoa cake, Ground Control drip coffee
Read the full review of Gaslight Coffee Roasters →
Hexe Coffee Co.
Hexe Coffee Co. has the cafe patio you've waited all winter to sit on.
📍 2000 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60647
☕ Order: Latte, Bourbon barrel-aged iced coffee
Read the full review of Hexe Coffee Co. →
Wicker Park & Bucktown
The Wormhole Coffee
The Wormhole Coffee brews up nostalgia at one of the best cafes in Chicago.
📍 1462 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
☕ Order: Vanilla bean latte, Doughnut
Read the full review of The Wormhole Coffee →
Ipsento 606
Ipsento 606 sits at the perfect intersection of Chicago's bike superhighway Milwaukee Avenue and the 606 Trail, making it an ideal refueling stop for urban hikers and cyclists.
📍 1813 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
☕ Order: House-made mini donuts
Read the full review of Ipsento 606 →
Ukrainian Village
Dark Matter Coffee The Star Lounge
Coffee shop meets funky lounge at Dark Matter – The Star Lounge.
📍 2521 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Read the full review of Dark Matter Coffee The Star Lounge →
Lakeview
Coffee Lab & Roasters
Coffee Lab & Roasters brings freshly roasted beans and exceptional service to Lakeview, and if you time it right, you might witness the roasters crafting the next batch in the back.
📍 2823 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
☕ Order: Pour over, Kyoto-style cold brew
Read the full review of Coffee Lab & Roasters →
Northwest suburbs
CoCo & Blu Cafe
Walking into CoCo & Blu on a Thursday afternoon, I immediately understood why this place was absolutely packed at 3:30 PM.
📍 12 S Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
☕ Order: Salted caramel mocha
Read the full review of CoCo & Blu Cafe →
Chicago coffee FAQ
What's the best coffee shop in Logan Square?
Three of my favorites are a short walk from each other: Gaslight Coffee Roasters for the Ground Control brew and the Samoa cake, Hexe Coffee Co. for its patio, and Caffè Umbria for authentic Italian espresso.
Where can I get coffee on the 606 Trail?
Ipsento 606 sits where the 606 Trail crosses Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown, which makes it an easy stop on a walk or ride.
Which Chicago coffee shops stay open late?
Hexe Coffee Co. is open until 8PM daily, later than most cafés on this list.