One of my favorite pastimes is finding new coffee shops. Because coffee is part of my every day routine, why not branch out from Starbucks every now and then? Junior year, my best friend and I would try to visit a new coffee shop every weekend. We would pack up our backpacks, pull out our Ventra cards, and head out for the day. It was a change of scenery from our Rogers Park bubble and an opportunity to explore Chicago neighborhoods. Although it was tough to choose just five, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite coffee spots in Chicago.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
If you love their cold brew at the grocery store, then you will most definitely like their freshly brewed cups at their coffee shop. This is where my love for oat milk latte’s began. I ordered their Oat Milk Black and Tan, which was a mixture of a frothy and creamy texture without all of the dairy. The shop was perfect for getting work done, especially with a little window view!
Ellipsis Coffeehouse
Located in Rogers Park, this is one of my favorite coffee shops to work on homework. My junior year you could find me here every Friday with an iced vanilla latte and all of my work spread out. Their coffee is probably in my top 3 of favorite fresh coffee. Whenever my parents pick me up from school or visit, Ellipsis is always non-negotiable.
Peet’s Coffee
There are multiple locations around the city and outside of the city too. My favorite location is the one on Michigan Avenue in the Wrigley Building right on the river. Before or in between my classes downtown it was a nice 15 minute walk and a break from class. I love this location for many reasons. They have the friendliest workers. Every time I’ve walked in I’ve been greeted with a friendly “hello” and always strike up a conversation. It brightens your day for sure! The second is the cute little alley in between the Wrigley building and the city views right on the river. Also, let’s not forget about their delicious coffee! Their every day coffees are perfect for your morning pick me up and the seasonal drinks are super underrated. I’ve never had a bad drink from Peet’s!
Sol Café
Right off the Howard Red Line stop you will find Sol. I was sold on their tiki glasses and multitude of plants inside their coffee shop. On the weekends you will find all the tables filled, so if you are planning to grab a seat on the weekend, be sure you get an early start. This is a great place for collaborating and getting work done and has such a welcoming feel. Not only do they have great coffee, their food is not something to sleep on!
Nomad Chicago
This was a recent find and a new favorite. If you are taking the “L,” Nomad is a few blocks off of the Chicago Brown Line stop. Nomad is a cafe, retail, and event space in one and their mission is giving opportunities to women in underserved communities. It is such a hidden gem and worth checking out! They have so much to look at and a great space to work.
