Chicago has one of the best coffee shop lineups I’ve ever explored. Bear in mind that I haven’t explored New York’s or LA’s coffee scenes, but I have done so in many other countries. And while I haven’t had the opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in Chicago, I tried as much coffee as I could in my time there. Here is a list of the best coffee shops I visited during my time in Chicago.

I’ll also try to come back and update this list if I ever go back and find more good spots in the Windy City.

Cafe Deko

This is a super cool art deco-style coffee shop in Lake View (I think that’s the area, idk I’m unfamiliar with Chicago neighborhoods). The coffee is great and the shop has a ton of unique decorations and furniture that you surely won’t find at any other coffee shops these days in our modern minimalist-obsessed world.

The sandwiches are also worth a try.

Sawada Coffee

Some of the best coffee I’ve had in my life. It’s a well-known coffee shop that shares seating with a delicious BBQ restaurant, so it’s an interesting atmosphere. Nonetheless I couldn’t recommend it more, especially an iced latte made Tokyo-style. Absolutely incredible.

Parking can be tough, but it’s well worth it. Luckily the area seemed pretty nice.

Soloway Coffee

This is a small Ukrainian coffee shop in the Mid-North district. The seating is pretty limited, but the coffee (and the pastries) are amazing. It was started only within the last few years, but it seems as though they’ve been doing really well. Highly recommend.

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You can also try the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago, but if you’re looking for good coffee then I recommend taking your money elsewhere. It’s cool to look around in the roastery, but the coffee is mid at best and overpriced. But that’s just, like, my opinion, man.

Enjoy Chicago and happy holidays!