10 Coziest Coffee Shops in Chicago
There are many places to get a cup of coffee in the country's third-largest city, but sometimes the comfort of an inviting space makes all the difference between a regular latte and one that warms you to the core. We gathered 10 of the city's coziest cafes with all the food, pastries, workspace, and of course, coffee, you could ever need heading into the winter months.
With factors like delicious drinks and inviting atmospheres in mind, these are the 10 coziest coffee shops in Chicago.
Backlot Coffee
3982 North Avondale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60641
Tall windows that let in natural light make Backlot Coffee as warm and inviting as the lattes they're brewing, like Lavendar Matcha and Oatmeal Cookie drinks. Bring your own mug or travel cup for $0.25 off (and the feeling of knowing you're making the world a more sustainable place).
Another plug? There are plugs everywhere, according to one Yelp reviewer, making Backlot a perfect place to head to on a cold winter day to get some work done.
In addition to the North Avondale location, there are two more Backlot locations, too: Evanston and the Roastery.
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
2385 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
For seven years, this Logan Square neighborhood coffee shop has offered customers prime South American and African coffee blends. The food menu at Gaslight Coffee Roasters changes day to day based on local availability, but the exposed brick, eye-catching wallpaper, and pastry options make it a great place to stop in.
Jackalope Coffee & Tea House
755 West 32nd Street
Chicago, IL 60616
Warm up with an Agave Latte, Hot Apple Cider, Red Eyed Jackalope, and more at Jackalope Coffee & Tea House in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Or maybe you're craving a malt—they serve vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, chocolate, peppermint, and strawberry. The bright colors and a multitude of wall decor (even local art you can buy!) give the coffee shop a unique ambiance.
Brew Brew Coffee and Tea
1641 West 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Drinks aren't the only things served at Brew Brew Coffee and Tea. Grab a breakfast sandwich, a bagel and lox, or even a panini. The clean and bright space, filled with succulents, light wood tables and chairs, mosaic tiles, and the original tin ceiling, is sunny and intimate, even on cloudy days. Order a Mexican hot chocolate or an oat milk latte and enjoy this stress-free environment.
In addition to the Pilsen location, the coffee shop also has an Avondale outpost.
Dollop Coffee Co.
643 North Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Plenty of comfortable seats and drink options like honey cinnamon lattes and dirty chai lattes make this Dollop location in River North a great stop after shopping on Michigan Avenue or exploring downtown. Dollop Coffee Co. also serves beer, cocktails, and wine, making it the perfect place to visit any time of day.
The other 14 locations include Streeterville, Ukrainian Village, South Loop, Hyde Park, Ravenswood, Andersonville, Gold Coast, River West, four Loop locations, and Evanston.
Colectivo Coffee
2530 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
The space at Colectivo Coffee is complete with fire pits that convert to an outdoor patio during warmer months. That means you can enjoy a nitro cold brew (it's on tap!), a minty matcha latte, maple chai latte, or even a cold brew horchata, watch it snow, and still stay warm inside.
Other menu items at this Lincoln Park staple include burritos, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, muffins, scones, croissants, bagels, and more.
The coffee chain is also in Wisconsin, but it also has other Chicago locations in Andersonville, Evanston, Logan Square, and Wicker Park.
Hero Coffee Bar
22 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604
Come for the coffee, stay for the photo op at Hero Coffee Bar. This picturesque shop in between two Chicago high-rises in the Loop makes for a great social media post. The inside is small, but we still consider this shop cozy because of its picturesque location. Be sure to try the location's signature brew (conveniently named "The Loop").
Other locations include Lakeview, West Loop, Printer's Row, and the riverfront.
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery
812 Grove Street
Evanston, IL 60201
The expansive menu at this Evanston coffee shop covers breakfast, lunch, and even dinner. Combined with lots of natural light, Cupitol brands itself as an all-day lounge that can be a spot to work or just chill.
In addition to the Evanston restaurant, there is also one in Streeterville.
Metropolis
1039 West Granville Avenue
Chicago, IL 60660
This Chicago coffee staple sells its products all across the city, but the flagship cafe is located in Rogers Park, right off the Granville Red Line stop. Since its start in 2003, Metropolis has provided a space to work, enjoy local art, and sip warm java. In addition to freshly brewed coffee and other drinks, Metropolis offers pastries and other food items from nearby eateries.
Heritage Outpost
1325 West Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
Who knew coffee and bikes went so well together? Signature brews plus specialty bikes (plus repairs and accessories) are what Heritage Outpost is known for. The Uptown cafe specializes in coffee, tea, friendly baristas, and sunlight.
Other locations in Lakeview and the West Loop offer food and coffee and sell bicycles. And some locations, like the two Loop locations, the River North shop, and another Uptown location all serve coffee only.
