Evanston

An independent neighborhood coffeehouse and roastery on Central Street in north Evanston, serving locally roasted beans, pastries, breakfast, and lunch.

Northbrook

A Northbrook coffee bar on Cherry Lane with a warm interior and a focused menu of espresso drinks and pastries.

Beverly

A family-owned Beverly bakery and roaster on Western Avenue, billed as the only Chicago coffee roaster south of Bridgeport, with 22 coffees by the cup or pound.

Bridgeport

A neighborhood staple in Bridgeport with a living-room feel, local art on the walls, and a loyal community of regulars.

Evanston

A south Evanston staple on Main Street with a deep-rooted community feel, named for the Dostoevsky novel and beloved by NU students and locals alike.

Hinsdale

A Hinsdale coffee shop on Village Place, house-roasting since 2012 and serving as the village's de facto living room.

Wilmette

A downtown Wilmette cafe on Central Avenue offering espresso, tea, made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, and quiches near the Metra station.

Evanston

A warm, welcoming cafe in downtown Evanston popular with Northwestern students for its generous space and reliable coffee.

Highland Park

A Highland Park spot on St Johns Avenue serving thoughtfully prepared coffee and matcha lattes alongside fresh pastries and savory empanadas.

Barrington

A family-owned Barrington roaster operating since 2006, with a focus on ethically sourced beans and a strong community-roaster identity.

Ukrainian Village

The flagship cafe of Chicago's beloved punk-rock roaster, with bold blends and an unapologetically loud aesthetic.

Streeterville

A polished downtown cafe near the Magnificent Mile with strong drinks and a sleek modern interior perfect for a quick meeting.

Wheaton

A focused take-away coffee bar on Wheaton's Main Street (formerly River City Roasters), serving carefully prepared espresso and brew without any indoor seating distractions.

Arlington Heights

A mission-driven Arlington Heights coffee shop staffed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Excellent coffee with real social impact.

Glenview

An independent downtown Glenview shop with a drive-thru, private-label roasted coffee, smoothies, and pastries. Family-owned, not a chain.

Oak Park

A bright, airy suburban cafe in Oak Park with a focus on direct-trade coffee and community gathering.

Highland Park

A modern Highland Park coffee bar on Central Avenue with a clean, minimal aesthetic and carefully sourced espresso drinks.

Lake Forest

A Lake Forest favorite on Wisconsin Avenue blending a coffee bar with a juice and smoothie program, in the heart of the downtown shopping district.

Oak Park

An Oak Park roaster sourcing green beans directly from farmers in Cameroon, where the owner is from. Air-roasted, single-origin, with a clear point of view.

Fulton Market

A spacious roastery and cafe in Fulton Market with industrial charm and exceptional single-origin pour-overs.

Evanston

A downtown Evanston classic on Davis Street, serving Chicago's North Shore since 1992 with single-origin coffees from around the world.

Wicker Park

A tiny, immaculate coffee bar in Wicker Park with a serious dedication to precision brewing and seasonal menus.

La Grange

A La Grange juice and coffee bar with specialty espresso, fresh-squeezed juices, smoothie bowls, and gluten-free baked goods in a cozy downtown setting.

Tinley Park

A Tinley Park cafe on Oak Park Avenue offering a strong tea program alongside coffee, in a comfortable south-suburban setting.

Aurora

Yemeni coffee house pouring cardamom-spiced lattes, traditional Adeni tea, and Mofa flatbreads in a bright, modern space. The Aurora outpost runs late and draws a steady mix of students with laptops and families catching up over honey-sweetened drinks. Worth the trip from the city if you've never had Yemeni coffee — it's a different lineage of the bean entirely.

Evanston

A specialty roaster's flagship cafe on Main Street in south Evanston, with carefully sourced single-origins and a clean, modern aesthetic.

West Loop

A sleek West Loop spot known for its military latte — a matcha-espresso hybrid that's become a Chicago icon.

Schaumburg

A community-centered Schaumburg coffee house on Golf Road offering exceptional coffee and tea in a warm, locally-rooted setting.

Logan Square

A cafe in Logan Square where 100% of profits support mental health education and suicide prevention. Great coffee, greater cause.

Naperville

Sparrow's flagship cafe on the Naperville Riverwalk, a serious roaster's space with seasonal menus and a downtown-Naperville magnetism.

Wicker Park

A retro 80s-themed cafe in Wicker Park with a DeLorean parked inside and solid espresso drinks in a fun atmosphere.

Palatine

A small family-owned 'Euro-ish' cafe tucked in a downtown Palatine alleyway, with hot and cold drinks, smoothies, pastries, and French-style sandwiches.

Beverly

A Beverly community coffee shop on Walden Parkway partnered with Intelligentsia, anchoring the south side coffee scene.