Gigantic, diverse and chilly for a large part of the year, Chicago has all the makings of a great coffee city. And it doesn’t put these attributes to waste: the Windy City is brimming with cozy cafes, chic espresso bars and independent roasteries. From the much-exported local pride Intelligentsia to the sophisticated, pared-back vintage vibe of spots like Gaslight, Chicago has the perfect spot for everyone to warm up over a mug of aromatic Aeropress or a creamy latte.

Here are five of the best coffee spots in Chicago:

1. Intelligentsia

A Chicago staple, Intelligentsia Coffee has a number of venues around the city, though you can’t go past their Logan Square location, only a few yards from the “L” station of the same name.

With a wide, open bar that wraps around the whole cafe, Intelligentsia has a friendly and relaxed feel and a staff that take pride in their coffee-making skills.

This care and precision extend to their other products, too; I was delighted to see my Moroccan mint tea came with a personalized timer so it would steep for not a moment too long.

The waiter even checked in at the end of the countdown and pressed and poured it for me. It’s touches like this that elevate a simple cafe experience.

Plus, this cafe offers a great space to curl up with some funny travel stories.

2. Lula Cafe

You’ll need to don your woolliest socks and scarf in the winter if you’re trying Lula Cafe for brunch on the weekends – there’s always a sizable queue on the footpath.

But the excellent coffee and delicious food make this Chicago favorite well worth the wait.

Head here for breakfast and pair your cup of joe with one of their homemade everything bagels with toasted fennel seeds.

3. Gaslight Coffee

In the heart of Logan Square, not far from the California train station, lies one of the coolest cafes in Chicago.

Spacious and minimalist, Gaslight Coffee Roasters sports a large zinc bar, vintage schoolroom seats and a comfortable communal table.

A stuffed pheasant and a gold-dipped goose give the place a quirky feel, while their coffees are artfully made and delicious.

Order an espresso, which comes with a glass of refreshing sparkling water on the side.

4. Cafe Mustache

Less polished than its neighborhood friends Gaslight and Intelligentsia, but with equally good coffee, Cafe Mustache is a cozy, den-like coffee shop that turns into a bar in the evenings.

Locals flock here to set up their laptops, sip on coffee, and while away the afternoon.

5. Bow Truss

Local Chicago roasters seem to be really skilled at building networks across the city. Such is the case for chic coffeemaker Bow Truss, which has cafes in the Lakeview, River North, Pilsen, Logan Square, Michigan and Jackson, and Chicago Loop areas.

The latter in particular is a saving grace right in the heart of the city, and makes for a perfect pairing with a visit to the nearby Art Institute of Chicago, one of the finest art museums in the world.

Did your favorite cafe in Chicago make the list? Do have another coffee gem to suggest?

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Jessica Festa

Jessica Festa is the editor of Epicure & Culture as well as Jessie on a Journey. She enjoys getting lost in new cities and having experiences you don’t read about in guidebooks. Some of her favorite travel experiences have been teaching English in Thailand, trekking her way through South America, backpacking Europe solo, road tripping through Australia, agritouring through Tuscany, and volunteering in Ghana.

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