My personal reviews of Chicago cafes and coffee shops that I visit. This is just for fun because I'm a nerd who loves his city and exploring
new spaces. 
- 1. Most importantly I am a coffee-obsessed nerd, and coffee quality is paramount to me. This is reflected by the coffee score being the only score weighted out of 10 on my rating system.
- 2. I'm a work-from-home web-developer and a hobbyist artist who enjoys working out of coffee shops to code or draw.
- 3. I'm an urbanist, and am drawn to places that reflect the character of their neighborhood, and make an attempt to bolster local community.
A ★ denotes my current favorite cafes
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Coffee Lab
Lincoln Park, Chicago Nov 10
A tiny shop with outsized coffee quality and personality, a little bit off the beaten path. Great coffee, good prices, awesome productivity access (if you can find a seat!)
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coffee 8 / 10 -
cafe 3 / 5 -
price 3 / 5 -
productivity 4.5 / 5 -
vibes 5 / 5 -
Total
23.5 / 30
Order Suggestion: Pour-over or their Kyoto Style cold brew
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★ Pedestrian Coffee
East Lakeview, Chicago Nov 3
"Pedestrian" in name only, this is an exceptional cafe. A beautiful shop space packed with high-effort, quality coffee and food items, all made in-house. Offerings change often as the owner tries out…
- coffee 9.5 / 10
- cafe 5 / 5
- price 2 / 5
- productivity 5 / 5
- vibes 4 / 5
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Total
25.5 / 30
Order Suggestion: An Americano with their premium single-origin espresso or any pour-over
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Nomad Chicago
River North, Chicago Oct 4
A girly boutique + coffee shop that does not compromise on the coffee quality. You'll step in, wondering which part of the business (coffee or boutique sales) is the supporting actor for the other,…
- coffee 7 / 10
- cafe 5 / 5
- price 1 / 5
- productivity 3 / 5
- vibes 3.5 / 5
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Total
19.5 / 30
Order Suggestion: A specialty latte if you have the money, otherwise any pour-over
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Lucky Cat
Lakeview, Chicago Oct 1
A tidy, modern cafe specializing in single-origin coffees from China. Chill vibes in a small shop on a busy corridor that manages to say "grab your coffee, but take your time, feel free to relax"
- coffee 7.5 / 10
- cafe 3 / 5
- price 2 / 5
- productivity 4 / 5
- vibes 4 / 5
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Total
20.5 / 30
Order Suggestion: A single-origin *decaf* 6oz/short Americano, black
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Caffe Umbria
Bucktown, Chicago Sep 27
A roastery & cafe space with art deco & industrial vibes. Mediocre Italian espresso with above average chocolate. Overall a cool space in a good location that I wish had better coffee.
- coffee 4 / 10
- cafe 5 / 5
- price 2.5 / 5
- productivity 4.5 / 5
- vibes 4 / 5
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Total
20 / 30
Order Suggestion: 12oz Mocha
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★ Thrd Coffee
Bucktown, Chicago Sep 24
Best coffee quality-to-price ratio in the city, plus good vibes and free cereal. Great sense of dedication towards community, and right off the 606 on a good stretch of Milwaukee Ave.
- coffee 9.5 / 10
- cafe 3.5 / 5
- price 5 / 5
- productivity 5 / 5
- vibes 4.5 / 5
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Total
27.5 / 30
Order Suggestion: A 6oz or "short" Americano, black
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Everybody's Coffee
Uptown, Chicago Sep 19
A large community-oriented space with local art + zines, and high-quality-yet-cheap single-origin drip coffee.
- coffee 6 / 10
- cafe 4 / 5
- price 5 / 5
- productivity 4 / 5
- vibes 4 / 5
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Total
23 / 30
Order Suggestion: Any size single-origin drip
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