Illinois has a developing coffee culture similar to its varied landscapes. Roasted bean aroma shop and flavor experimenter stores provide cozy cafes and new innovative storefronts. For coffee enthusiasts, Illinois would be a paradise. Prepare for the start of coffee shop exploration across all of Illinois. Each store has its own individually poured story.
1. Metropolis Coffee Company – Crafting Perfection in Every Cup
One of the cafes dedicated to quality and sustainability is Metropolis Coffee Company, located in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Metropolis has formed relationships with farmers as an environmental sustainability advocate by making sure that the beans are ethically sourced and fair traded starting in 2003. A cup of their crafted espresso is a favor of the customer triple the price of a regular cup. The atmosphere and the excitement of the baristas to tell the story of the blend, make Metropolis an attraction for sure. Any true coffee lover would consider it a must.
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2. Dark Matter Coffee – Pushing the Boundaries of Flavor
Located in West Town, Dark Matter Coffee uses innovation and experimentation in every aspect of the coffee-making process. The coffee shop is known for creatively challenging the traditional methods of coffee roasting. Dark Matter offers bold blends that are distinct and exciting to customers. Staff members are trained to assist customers in experiencing the complicated notes that emerge from their unique roasting techniques. Educational and thrilling, Dark Matter serves as a great introduction to coffee for newcomers and seasoned coffee drinkers alike.
3. Intelligentsia Coffee – Pioneers of the Third Wave Movement
Coffee connoisseurs consider Intelligentsia Coffee one of the original innovators of specialty coffee. The 1995 establishment is a leader of the Third Wave coffee revolution, directly trading with coffee bean farmers who are passionate about quality as well as sustainable farming. Intelligentsia has set the benchmark that most coffee shops around the world try to achieve. Their locations are modern and inviting customers to brew coffee as an art and experience the perfected taste notes as well as clarity resulting from meticulous processes.
4. The Wormhole Coffee – A Retro Sci-Fi Experience
The Wormhole Coffee shows off retro sci-fi styling, including an actual DeLorean on permanent display to celebrate Back to the Future. The focus on solid coffee offerings is equally impressive, with beans from some of the best roasters, and they hand craft each drink as well. Their focus on playful creativity translates into a great coffee experience.
5. Heritage Bikes & Coffee – Where Cycling Meets Coffee Culture
Heritage Bikes and Coffee is a fun concept that combines a cafe with a bike shop. It draws in traffic from both avid bikers and those who enjoy a good cup of coffee. The space has an open design, allowing patrons to watch bike mechanics as they work. The whole space is community oriented and crafted to create a great experience. People are inspired to sit, have a bike part repaired while enjoying a hand crafted cup of coffee. People are invited to form friendships and bonds from shared interests, but also a love for finely crafted goods.
6. Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea – A Playground of Brews
Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea is located in an exciting area of Bucktown in Chicago. It’s unique because it has a variety of different drinks from some of the best coffee roasters in the United States. Fairgrounds strives to create an inclusive beverage experience. With a diverse menu and drinks from all different types of teas to strong espressos, everyone is sure to find the drink they will love. The uplifting and bright ambiance is perfect for either working or just hanging out to have a drink with friends, giving guests a chance to just relax and unwind. Fairgrounds love the idea of celebrating both choice and flavor, giving it a vibe of a fairground when there is so much variety and excitement to offer.
7. La Colombe Coffee – Elevating Coffee Excellence
La Colombe Coffee is located in Chicago’s West Loop. It is known for being one of the first coffee shops to sell coffee in a unique way using a cold draft system. Many people love the drink because it has a milky and creamy texture that tastes like a barista made latte. This special drink is made using La Colombe’s cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk. The café has a very simple and classy design, making it a great place for someone who wants to have a delicious, yet approachable drink.
8. Big Shoulders Coffee – Small-Batch Roasts with Big Flavor
Big Shoulders Coffee is located in West Loop of Chicago and focuses on small-batch roasting which involves roasting coffee in small batches and putting an emphasis on coffee’s distinct harvesting and roasting characteristics the roaster is trying to highlight, and are wanting to ensure all roasting/harvesting/tasting characteristics are to the top of their goal, ensuring no matter what your coffee preference is, the quality and taste will always be at the top. The atmosphere of Big Shoulders is designed to be welcoming and locals know this to be a place to enjoy complex cups of coffee made from beans bought through direct trade partnerships with coffee farmers, and this should be known as a coffee shop. It is designed to be a community’s center because the community’s center.
9. Gaslight Coffee Roasters – A Hipster Haven in Logan Square
At Logan Square, Gaslight Coffee Roasters is distinguished by the artistic community. It has a distinctive industrial style and a focus on the creation of coffee that is pleasing to the senses. The café has been custom developed from an old storefront which features a combination of exposed brick on the walls, hardwood on the floors, and vintage style lighting which creates an overall warm and cozy environment. The main attraction of this spot is the coffee however. Coffee beans from all over the globe are roasted right in the café. Each barista is proud of their drink creations and the atmosphere is laid back so the drink’s appearance, the flavor, and the overall look of the drink create a perfect combination. Gaslight is an excellent spot because of the coffee, and because the neighborhood has a very good atmosphere.
10. Dollop Coffee – Craft Coffee and Homemade Treats
Dollop Coffee is a great place to grab a cup of coffee as well as an in-house baked treat in Chicago. Their location mixes modern with rustic designs and have a really great cappuccino and sweat place to relax. Freshly baked cookies also pair well with pig cappuccino. Near every relaxing, cozy, spot is a friendly staff that helps create a welcoming, warm, inspired feeling which is perfect for a short meeting with friends or a start to the day.
11. Coffee Hound in Bloomington – Charm Meets Specialty Brews
In Bloomington, there is a coffee shop called Coffee Hound. It also captures the essence of place to just grab coffee. The small, warm, intimate shop has a cozy, welcoming feeling with a detailed and well thought out processes for quality coffee. The casual drinkers and coffee addicts alike will appreciate the masterpieces brewed from the top quality beans, but there is more than just a drink. Plenty of local, raw, art will allow the coffee drinkers to appreciate the community more as well as allow them to hang out in the inviting, warm, enjoyable espresso area.
12. Custom Cup in Springfield – Craft Roasting with a Personal Touch
Custom Cup is an intimate coffee shop in Springfield, Illinois. Owners Craig and Vanessa Gunter have created a special coffee experience for both locals and visitors. At Custom Cup, they take the art of coffee roasting very seriously; they roast each bean in a small batch focusing on one specific flavor extracted from the sourced bean. As you browse through the coffee shop or as you enjoy an espresso that has been carefully crafted, you will notice the effort and love put into each beverage. The shop is also adorned with inviting local artwork. Springfield patrons hoping to find a coffee shop that serves quality beverages and fosters a strong sense of community will appreciate Custom Cup.
