Cafe Reviews

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. smile emoji


  • 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

  • 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.

    • hot_drink.D_5bXb1O.png coffee 6 / 10
      No-holds-barred coffee quality rating
    • sunset_city.B7o5Qv9S.png cafe 4 / 5
      Quality of cafe re: design, theming, layout
    • green_money.DI3hd3md.png price 5 / 5
      5 = very reasonable prices
    • Table size, outlet availability, wifi
    • sunrise_over_mountains.BLo5a_oR.png vibes 4 / 5
      Subjective 'How does it feel being here?'
    • finish_flag.Aumo9UIa.png Total 23 / 30

    Order Suggestion: Any size single-origin drip

  • 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.

    • hot_drink.D_5bXb1O.png coffee 9.5 / 10
      No-holds-barred coffee quality rating
    • sunset_city.B7o5Qv9S.png cafe 3.5 / 5
      Quality of cafe re: design, theming, layout
    • green_money.DI3hd3md.png price 5 / 5
      5 = very reasonable prices
    • Table size, outlet availability, wifi
    • sunrise_over_mountains.BLo5a_oR.png vibes 4.5 / 5
      Subjective 'How does it feel being here?'
    • finish_flag.Aumo9UIa.png Total 27.5 / 30

    Order Suggestion: A 6oz or "short" Americano, black

  • Caffe Umbria

    Bucktown, Chicago Sep 25

    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.

    • hot_drink.D_5bXb1O.png coffee 4 / 10
      No-holds-barred coffee quality rating
    • sunset_city.B7o5Qv9S.png cafe 5 / 5
      Quality of cafe re: design, theming, layout
    • green_money.DI3hd3md.png price 2.5 / 5
      5 = very reasonable prices
    • Table size, outlet availability, wifi
    • sunrise_over_mountains.BLo5a_oR.png vibes 4 / 5
      Subjective 'How does it feel being here?'
    • finish_flag.Aumo9UIa.png Total 19 / 30

    Order Suggestion: 12oz Mocha