USA
Chicago
LA's coffee scene runs on a different clock. Mornings start late, lunches push past two, and the best work often happens at the table you weren't planning to sit at. The guide leans east — Silver Lake, Highland started here, but the guide spreads across neighborhoods — Logan Square, the West Loop, Bridgeport, Lakeview, Andersonville. The south-side gets its share.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport Coffeehouse
A south-side institution with room to actually work. Always a seat, almost always quiet.
outlets
6
seats
24
noise
3/5
price
$$
Logan Square
Cafe Mustache
A weeknight spot that turns into a bar at sundown. Good for an afternoon session.
outlets
4
seats
18
noise
3/5
price
$$
Lakeview
Coffee & Tea Exchange
A roastery first, cafe second. Small seating; come to buy beans and have one.
outlets
3
seats
10
noise
2/5
price
$$
Lincoln Park
Floriole Cafe & Bakery
A French-leaning bakery with very respectable coffee. Mornings get loud.
outlets
4
seats
18
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Logan Square
Intelligentsia Coffee
The roastery cafe is where the staff actually drinks. Slow bar in the back is the move.
outlets
4
seats
18
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Andersonville
Lost Larson
Swedish bakery with a serious coffee program. The cardamom buns earn the trip.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Wicker Park
La Colombe
Reliable, photogenic, easy to find a seat after the morning rush.
outlets
5
seats
22
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Wicker Park
Buzz: Killer Espresso
More of a coffee bar than a study spot. Bring headphones.
outlets
3
seats
12
noise
3/5
price
$$
Roscoe Village
Asado Coffee
Quiet, dependable, easy to make a phone call in the corner.
outlets
3
seats
12
noise
2/5
price
$$
West Loop
Spoken Cafe
Half cafe, half breakfast spot. Good for a working brunch alone.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Humboldt Park
Star Lounge Coffee Bar
A long-running west-side spot. Better seats in the back room.
outlets
4
seats
14
noise
3/5
price
$$
Lincoln Park
Bourgeois Pig Cafe
A study spot disguised as a cafe. DePaul students at exam time; quiet otherwise.
outlets
5
seats
22
noise
3/5
price
$$
Bronzeville
Sip & Savor
A Black-owned south-side staple. Worth the trip if you do not know it.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
3/5
price
$$
Bucktown
Ipsento Coffee
Known for the Ipsento 606. A roaster that takes a position on flavor.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
3/5
price
$$$
Logan Square
Cellar Door Provisions
A bakery first; the coffee is good enough to stay for. Mornings only.
outlets
3
seats
14
noise
3/5
price
$$$
West Loop
Sawada Coffee
Worth a visit for the military latte. Off-peak is the time to actually work.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
3/5
price
$$$
West Town
Big Shoulders Coffee
The back table is the work table. Bring headphones for the front room.
outlets
3
seats
14
noise
2/5
price
$$
Lakeview
Heritage Bicycles
A bike shop with espresso. Half the patrons are reading, half are getting tires repaired.
outlets
3
seats
12
noise
3/5
price
$$
Wicker Park
The Wormhole Coffee
Surprisingly serious about coffee for a place with a DeLorean in the corner.
outlets
4
seats
18
noise
3/5
price
$$
West Town
Metric Coffee
A former manufacturing space turned roastery. Quiet, well-lit, made for thinking.
outlets
4
seats
16
noise
2/5
price
$$$