As beverage experts, at Imbibe, most of our team members spend the majority of their time in the lab, developing your favorite ready-to-drink, powdered and fountain beverages. We are experts in beverage development and we stay up to date on global brands and trends so we can guide our clients through their next successful product launch. The vibrant food and drink scene in Chicago is at our fingertips, and we love to take advantage of all that it has to offer – including what flavor combinations, applications and delivery systems are being used in such a progressive melting pot. After sipping some caffeinated concoctions, we decided that things taste better when shared, so we put together this guide of 9 Chicago coffee shops that we recommend. Enjoy exploring coffee, Chicago Style.
Caffe Umbria
346 N Clark St
Neighborhood: River North
This Seattle transplant features signature blends, and a variety of brew methods, including Moka Pot, Pour-Over and Cold Brew. Patrons rave about the marocchino (cioccalata calda, espresso, frothed milk, sprinkled with cocoa powder) and the nitro cold brew.
Sawada Coffee
112 N Green St
Neighborhood: West Loop
Coffee preparations on their menu include cold brew, strong drip, and pour over. They also offer “boozy steamers.” Popular items are the salted caramel latte, matcha cortado, cold brew jasmine green tea, and a military latte.
Sip Coffee House and Garden
1223 W Grand Ave
Neighborhood: West Loop / West Town
Local, independent coffee house. Menu may change, but flavor combinations for coffee drinks include: caramel/hazelnut, coconut/vanilla, coconut/macadamia nut, and coconut/white chocolate (to name a few). Coconut has been trending as an ingredient and flavor profile.
Pickwick Coffee Roasters
1651 W Chicago Ave
Neighborhood: West Town
In addition to being proud that they’re local, they value supporting other communities. Ten cents of every pound of their Guatemala beans goes back to the farm to invest in development. It’s a hole in the wall – careful, or you might miss it. Menu items include a vanilla bourbon latte, black ginger latte and café con miel (coffee with honey). They pride themselves on the fact that they prepare coffee fully manually.
Star Lounge Coffee Bar
2521 W Chicago Ave
Neighborhood: West Town
Small hipster joint that serves Dark Matter coffee. Note the following unique offerings: agave latte, wake & bake latte (maple syrup, sage, black pepper), dolor de oro (espresso, steamed milk, honey, habanero, cinnamon, chocolate). Check out upstairs if the main area is a little crowded. (And check out the artwork on the back patio if possible – super colorful tables.)
Caffe Streets
1750 W Division St
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Seasonal coffee drinks include flavors like rosemary, pumpkin and peppermint. They also offer lavender and matcha soda. Other menu standouts: Thai Iced Coffee (cold brewed coffee, coconut milk, cayenne, Vietnamese cinnamon), hot chocolate (chocolate ganache, steamed milk), and “time machine” cold-pressed juices that incorporate ingredients like kale, Swiss chard, celery, parsley, coconut water and lime.
The Wormhole Coffee
1462 N Milwaukee Ave
Neighborhood: West Town / Wicker Park
Their menu changes seasonally, but current staples are the Koopa-Troopa (peanut butter mousse & dark chocolate latte), Cool But Rude (fresh ginger and curry sauce latte), and Cruel Summer (rhubarb, cascara, bitters).
Hero Coffee Bar
1912 N Western Ave
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Just named one of the top 9 hottest coffee shops in Chicago, they opened third location in Bucktown. Lattes come in interesting flavors like cookie butter, almond biscotti, lavender and honey. They also roast their coffee fresh every Tuesday and Friday.
Ipsento
2035 N Western Ave
Neighborhood: Bucktown
They offer coffee classes during which they share what they’ve learned about sourcing and roasting seasonal coffees. Won 1st place in America’s Best Coffeehouse Competition Chicago, 2013. Menu standouts: The Ipsento (honey, cayenne, espresso, coconut milk), and the Cardamom Rose Latte.
