Most Instagrammable Coffee Shops In Chicago

I know I speak for many of you when I say: Coffee is life. Ironically enough, I actually am writing this with a cold gel eye mask over my face to try and ease the headache I’ve had all day because I didn’t get my caffeine fix. So in addition to coffee being life, delicious, and the best damn part of the morning— don’t @ me— a coffee a day also keeps the headaches away.

After coffee— cute, aesthetically pleasing places to consume coffee are high up on my fave things list. I should mention that the title of this post is a tad bit misleading; a few of the spots on my list aren’t technically “coffee shops,” but amazing places to java and chill (I just made that up, nobody steal it), and get some killer ‘grams.

1) The Wormhole Coffee, 1462 N Milwaukee Ave, Wicker Park

A super funky place. In addition to being a great place to people watch, Wormhole will take you back to your childhood with Nintendo’s, 80’s movie posters, even a replica of the DeLorean from “Back to the Future.” They have a wide variety of latte flavors and always do a seasonal flavor. A few months ago I ordered the activated charcoal and lavender latte (with the most insane almond croissant on the side).

2) Maison Marcel, 3114 N Broadway, Lakeview

So fair warning, I probably will use the word “cute” to describe most of these places, but Maison Marcel is SO CUTE!! Total French café vibes. It’s got on point coffee, a great brunch menu, and vibes that’ll transport you to the French countryside; it’s very farmhouse chic! The blush velvet couch and all of the plants just make me so happy, as does the locally sourced menu and coffee menu (golden lattes for everyone). They also do a mean smoked salmon tartine.

3) The Allis, Soho House, 113 N Green Street, West Loop

If you follow me on Instagram then you without a doubt have seen me here; I legit go to the Allis allllllll the time. It’s my go-to brunch spot when I can’t think of where else to go, and I always, always tell people they need to fit it into their itinerary if they are in town visiting! You don’t need to be a member of the Soho House to enjoy the dreamy interiors or their amazing food; they have a full service coffee bar, do a picture perfect afternoon tea, one of the best avocado toasts in the city, and my favorite part about the Allis is that you could just sit here and work on a laptop or people watch for hours. Helps that the majority of the seating is all so comfy! The Allis is right in the heart of West Loop, one of my fave Chicago neighborhoods, so you’re in a great spot to take a stroll around town afterwards.

 4) La Bodega del Barrio, 65 W Kinzie, River North

Come for the coffee, stay for the fruity pebbles churros. And fun “This Must Be The Place” flooring (see below). La Bodega is part Mexican convenience store, part coffee shop, part taco counter (it’s an attached little storefront to the restaurant Barrio). They offer a pretty simple coffee menu, think lattes, Americanos, nitros, cold brews, etc, BUT if you’re looking for extra pizzaz, be sure to order a latte because they do siiiick latte art (I think they use some sort of machine because some of the designs are insane). Over Lollapalooza weekend they were doing Post Malone and Bruno Mars’ faces!

5) Joe & The Juice, 8 E Huron St, Gold Coast

This international chain just opened up a couple locations in Chicago and AHH, where has it been all my life?? The have pink coffee cups, plants everywhere, cool decor, and you can get your juice on and your coffee on at the same time. I actually scoped out this place as a location to shoot this leopard skirt look; very similar color palettes and it contrasted against the decor perfectly! Very vibey place.

6) Nighthawk: AM, 2273 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Park

Get ready to be transported back in time at this funky, retro, nostalgia inducing “milk bar.” The floors are covered with vintage cereal boxes, and you can order comfort breakfast foods like boozy french toast sticks, cheddar and chive biscuits, or build your own breakfast bowls. The best part of this place are their cereal milk coffees (what I’m holding below); they use La Colombe dark roast coffee, and pair it with house made cereal infused milk. They have a few flavors, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, and Vanilla Frosted Flakes… Holy shit it was good.

7) 3 Arts Café, 1300 N Dearborn, Gold Coast

Located inside the Restoration Hardware, I bet you’ve seen this place alllll over Insta. And for good reason; it’s definitely one of my fave spots in the city! I love coming for brunch, for a early evening glass of wine, but my fave thing to do is grab a cappuccino and find a big comfy couch to sit on. The store essentially becomes your own private living room and you can sit wherever! And for however long you want too; my bestie and I came here once for like 4 hours. Check out the baby/kid floor while you’re there, literally the cutest shit you will ever see in your life.

8) Sawada Coffee, 112 N Green St, West Loop

Founded by world renowned barista and latte art expert Hiroshi Sawada, this place does noooot mess around when it comes to their coffee. My favorite drink is their Military Latte, which is a matcha latte with a swirl of espresso… Doesn’t seem like it would work, but it is unreal good. The espresso tastes so chocolatey and decadent! They also have Doughnut Vault doughnuts on hand, which are incredible, so do yourself a favor and pair them with your cup ‘o (matcha) joe.

9) Heritage Bicycles, 2959 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Park 

This place is seemingly like a million things wrapped up into one, and somehow it works and makes perfect sense. To break it down, they do bikes, and they do coffee. I also once came here for my friend’s poke pop up shop. They’re all about eco-friendly transportation and local manufacturing, and they are the first completely Chicago-made bike since Schwinn production left the city in the 70’s. So, come to buy a bike, bike parts, get a bike serviced, OR just come and drink some coffee. It’s adorable in there and they serve their own coffee!

10) Caffe Streets, 1750 W Division St, Wicker Park

The space and architecture of this Wicker Park coffee joint is maybe my favorite part, I mean how insane is that ceiling?? Caffe Streets is known for their neighborhood type of feel and is the perfect place to go and put your headphones in, and power away at your laptop. They are a small owned business and serve their own Metric Coffee, made in Chicago, along with homemade pastries and juices. Be sure to check out their seasonal lattes!