Best Cafes in Chicago | The Wormhole Coffee

The Wormhole Coffee brews up nostalgia at one of the best cafes in Chicago

When considering my recommendations for the best cafes in Chicago I look at not only the quality of the coffee itself, but also the experience each shop provides. The factors I base the experience on are: the overall process or flow that customers will follow from entry to exit, seating, atmosphere, and the service

Each step you take towards the front door at The Wormhole is a step backward in time. The brightly lit interior shines through the windows providing you with a glimpse of all your favorite childhood memories. As you enter the cafe, you can’t help but look around at all the incredible artifacts from the last forty years

The music hits the ears. It’s electronic. It’s fun. It gets the heart beating before the caffeine takes over.

Come on in. Grab a coffee. Stay a while.

Process

When you walk into the Wormhole, you will notice the giant arcade-themed menu boards above the counter. I like that. The menu is easy to read and to understand. I like that, too.

On the left, the menu lists the traditional and batch-brewed options. On the right is their Top Players menu. Here you will find The Wormhole’s signature drinks like the Koopa-Troopa and the Honey Bear with some seasonal offerings. The “Heart Potion” is a ginger and hibiscus spiced tea which sounds incredible!

Once your drink is ready it’ll be sitting nicely between the register and the espresso machine. For those looking for cream and sugar, simply turn around and the coffee station is located under the Ghostbusters print. Neat!

I believe if you go earlier in the day they have real coffee cups, it was probably just due to timing that I ended up with paper as the only option. Paper cups take the guesswork out of where you put your cup after you’re finished. They also make it convenient if you notice the parking police circling your vehicle and need to bolt.

Coffee and Treats

I went with the Vanilla Bean latte as I was looking for something that would let the Halfwit Triforce espresso shine through. It did. I found that the quality of the drink was great. Prominent vanilla front and center with the double shot of espresso as the backbone. Finally, the vanilla and espresso were rounded out with some perfectly steamed milk. Good stuff.

I wanted to splurge a bit and try the doughnuts. I refrained this time. One small victory for self-control. If (or when?) I make it back in the morning hours I will absolutely do so. They come from Beacon Doughnuts just down the road. They looked wonderful. All of them.

The Wormhole also has a tiny fridge up front to the left of the counter with some Topo Chico, fruit juices, sparkling water, and boxed water.

On the menu, they mention that all their syrups and sauces are either made in-house or sourced locally. I did not notice this note at first, but now that I know, the next time I stop in I will try out one of the more flavored drink options like the Koopa-Troopa which is a latte that features peanut butter mousse and vegan chocolate. The vanilla bean flavors in my Vanilla Bean latte were fantastic, and you could certainly tell that those flavors came from quality ingredients. Few things are worse than the synthetic flavorings used in some chain shops.

Seating

Next to the front door and in the back (under the DeLorean) you will find cushioned seating in the form of couches. For tables, if you have a group and the cushy seating isn’t ideal for your scenario, there are three four-top tables along the wall behind those bar stools. There’s also a row of stools along the bar and some bar-height counters along the walls near the door.

If you’re coming to the Wormhole with a group, seating can be tight. The Wormhole is certainly a great place to hang out. The people know it. When I was there all three tables were taken by laptop-wielding students getting some extra work in and coworkers finishing up their day.

Being a party of one on this trip, I bellied up to the bar. I took one of the few stools that remained. There I sat, directly behind the espresso machine, admiring the process and appreciating the carefully crafted latte art on each completed cup.

Atmosphere

From my perch, I was able to hear all the sounds from the coffee grinders and espresso machine. It was great.

The decor is what sets The Wormhole Coffee shop apart from others. I mean, what other coffee shops have you found with a DeLorean above the bathroom?! The retro memorabilia is all over the interior. From the classic, tin lunchboxes to a classic Apple computer. Every inch of the joint is a trip down memory lane.

The decor changes over time as well. I found it really interesting when I was checking out older photos from other customers on Google to see how they’ve added so many more cool pieces over the years.

The music also fits the overall experience perfectly well. It may get changed up occasionally but the evening I was in we had some really nice electronic tones from a Canadian DJ.

The Wormhole really takes you back to your childhood. As long as you grew up in the ’80s and ‘90s. Not over the top, just tastefully done. Head into the bathrooms and you have blue walls, covered in writing, drawings, and stickers. It’s a cool vibe that reminds me of one of my favorite burger joints, Kuma’s Corner.

Service

Quick. Efficient. Simple. No fluff.

Summary

The Wormhole is a great place to grab a cup of coffee. It is a destination worthy of making a special trip. It is an icon within the Chicago coffee scene.

It is a place that allows you, or you and your friends, to reflect and reminisce on the early years.

If you find yourself in Wicker Park need to make sure to swing by The Wormhole to snag some wonderfully crafted Halfwit coffee… and maybe even a doughnut.

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