Best Coffee Shops in Chicago | 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. Located at 2823 North Lincoln Avenue, this independently owned specialty cafe roasts their coffee on-site, creating an experience where you can taste the freshness exactly as the beans were meant to be experienced.

Established in 2019, Coffee Lab & Roasters has become a neighborhood gem for anyone looking for quality coffee, whether you're grinding out work or grabbing a quick cup to go.

Quick Facts

📍 Location: 2823 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

⏰ Hours: 7AM - 6PM Daily (check current hours before visiting)

💵 Price Range: $4-7 for coffee drinks

🚗 Parking: Limited street parking available

📱 Website: https://coffeelablakeview.com

☎️ Phone: (773) 687-9453

🌟 Best For: Fresh roasted coffee, pour overs, work-friendly seating, on-site roasting

First Impressions & Process

Walk on in and take a look at the menu boards. There are three of them behind the counter, making it easy to see all your options. The left board contains the non-coffee options, the middle one has your milk options and syrup selection, and on the right you'll see the coffee choices.

Right in the middle of the counter is where you'll place your order. To the right they have an assortment of pastries, including fresh deliveries from pHlour Bakery and Defloured for gluten-free options.

From here it's business as usual, but executed exceptionally well. The baristas are super kind, giving customers time to decide without making them feel rushed. If the drink contains milk, they clarify which you'd prefer: almond, coconut, macadamia, soy, and oat are the options.

Drinking your coffee while you're here? They'll bring it out to you. Taking it to go? Hang out and it'll be ready for you at the left side of the counter.

The employees were more than happy to accommodate customized orders. The customer right after me ordered a highly specific custom drink and the baristas were more than happy to accommodate, even asking questions while making it to ensure they got it right.

Simple. Kind. Flexible.

The Coffee & Treats: What I Ordered

I got the pour over on this trip. I believe it was a Kenyan offering, and it was excellent. The coffee showcased exactly why fresh-roasted beans matter. You can taste the care and quality that goes into each batch.

They do a Kyoto-style cold brew here, which I will certainly try when I venture back during the warmer months. The Kyoto cold brew offers four different roast options to choose from, allowing you to customize the boldness to your preference.

I also tried the oat caramel chocolate bar from Defloured Bakery. The bar was solid: chewy yet slightly crumbly. The caramel was subtle and pulled everything together. The chocolate scratched the itch for sweetness without being overwhelming.

They also have tea from Spirit Tea, and their chai comes from Freeman House CHAI. The commitment to sourcing quality products extends beyond just the coffee.

The coffee was great. I always love visiting a shop where they're roasting the beans they use right there in the back room. You can experience the freshness and the beans as they were meant to be experienced.

Tasty.

Seating & Work-Friendliness

Five two-person tables in the back half of the cafe provide the main seating. A few stools line the big window at the front. All seating areas had access to power, which is essential for anyone settling in to work.

Four of the five tables had people finishing up their workdays when I visited. It's obvious Coffee Lab encourages you to come in and stick around for a bit. The quiet atmosphere and thoughtful setup make it genuinely work-friendly, though the bench-style seating means you'll want to be comfortable sitting for extended periods.

There's limited seating overall, so timing matters if you're hoping to settle in for a work session. But if you happen to swing in at the right time, you may snag a table near the window and get to witness the roasters in the back working on the next batch of coffee.

Atmosphere

Blondie, Steely Dan, or Elvis Costello hits you as you enter. Upbeat music, loud enough to be a prevalent addition to the experience but not too distracting.

This isn't going to be a place that shocks you with its design aesthetic. It's simple and practical. Everything they need to roast and brew great coffee and take care of their customers, and nothing else. The focus is clearly on the coffee and the experience rather than elaborate decor.

I unfortunately couldn't get a photo of the roasting area, but if you can snag a table in front of the window, you may get to see them roasting something special. That connection to the roasting process sets Coffee Lab apart from cafes that simply brew beans roasted elsewhere.

Productive.

Service Experience

It was fairly busy when I arrived around 4:30 PM. About six people walked in within a few minutes of each other. Despite this, the barista was patient as I tried to figure out my order. I am terrible at ordering under pressure and should have done more research before coming in.

Even though there were many drinks they needed to make in this short time, they were incredibly calm and took great care of each and every order. When they delivered my pour over to the table, they thanked me for my patience. All service-related businesses should take a note out of the Coffee Lab & Roasters book on this. It's a long forgotten practice that deserves recognition.

Another observation: the communication between employees. Despite the traffic rush, they were calm. The barista who was leaving shared what still needed to be done prior to close. Not once were they discussing non-work-related things or complaining about life or others, something I've noticed becoming more of an issue as time goes on and as I visit more cafes around the Midwest.

The customer service here is second to none. It's authentic. Something that is truly appreciated in a world where it's becoming increasingly rare.

What Makes Coffee Lab & Roasters Special

Coffee Lab & Roasters takes their coffee seriously, as the name suggests. Roasting beans on-site means the coffee is exceptionally fresh and allows them to control quality at every step. The variety of specialty drinks, from Kyoto-style cold brew to seasonal offerings like lavender lattes or honey butter lattes, shows creativity while maintaining that foundation of quality coffee.

The commitment to supporting local vendors extends to their pastries from pHlour Bakery and Defloured, their tea from Spirit Tea, and their chai from Freeman House CHAI. It's a neighborhood coffee shop that genuinely supports the neighborhood.

Established in 2019, Coffee Lab has built a loyal following of regulars who appreciate the consistency, quality, and genuine hospitality. The baristas recall repeat customer orders, creating that sense of community that makes a coffee shop feel like more than just a place to grab caffeine.

The Verdict: Is Coffee Lab & Roasters Worth It?

100%. If you're looking for a great place to come in and grind out some work or grab a quick cup of coffee and run, Coffee Lab is for you. Their customer service is second to none, the coffee is exceptionally fresh thanks to on-site roasting, and the atmosphere encourages you to settle in or take it to go with equal hospitality.

Next time you're in the Lakeview neighborhood and need your caffeine fix, swing by Coffee Lab.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

🅿️ Parking & Access: Limited street parking available on Lincoln Avenue. The neighborhood is bike-friendly and accessible via public transit.

⏱️ Best time to visit: Check current hours before visiting as the cafe closes at 6PM. Afternoon visits around 4:30 PM can be busy but manageable. Morning hours likely offer better chances of snagging a table.

💡 Insider tips: Try the pour over to experience the freshly roasted beans at their best. The Kyoto-style cold brew offers four roast options. All seating has power outlets, making it genuinely work-friendly. If you time it right and sit near the window, you might see the roasting process in action. The customization flexibility means don't hesitate to order exactly what you want.

♿ Accessibility: Contact the cafe for specific accessibility information.

👥 Good for groups?: Limited seating with five two-person tables means larger groups will have difficulty. Best for solo work sessions or coffee catch-ups with one friend.

📶 Work-friendly?: Yes, with power outlets at all seating areas and a quiet, productive atmosphere. The bench-style seating and 6PM closing time are factors to consider for extended work sessions.

Final Thoughts

Coffee Lab & Roasters delivers on every front: exceptional coffee roasted on-site, genuine hospitality that feels increasingly rare, and a straightforward approach that prioritizes quality over gimmicks. The pour over showcased why fresh-roasted beans matter, and the calm professionalism of the staff during a busy rush demonstrated their commitment to taking care of every customer.

This place is super cool, from the on-site roasting you might witness to the thoughtful details like offering five milk alternatives and accommodating customized orders with genuine enthusiasm. The simple, practical design puts the focus exactly where it belongs: on great coffee and authentic service.

Whether you're settling in for an afternoon work session or grabbing a quick cup to go, Coffee Lab & Roasters treats you with the same care and attention. That consistency, combined with the freshness of on-site roasted beans, makes it a standout in Lakeview's competitive coffee scene.

Next time you're in the Lakeview neighborhood, make Coffee Lab & Roasters your stop. Your caffeine fix will thank you.

Looking for more Chicago coffee shop reviews? Check out my complete guide to the best cafes in Chicago.

I paid for this drink myself. All opinions are my own.

Last updated: November 2025

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