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More and more Chicago coffeeshops are back open.
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The Best Coffeeshops to Work From in Chicago

The best shops in the city for caffeine freaks to safely work and socialize

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More and more Chicago coffeeshops are back open.
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For those who work from home, coffeeshops are shelters, places that an offer an escape from cramped living spaces, bad Internet connections, and where a lack of a caffeine offers no excuse for checking off tasks. Most coffeeshops have kept their doors closed since March 2020 — lingering inside a space isn’t wise during a pandemic, subjecting customers and staff to risk.

But as vaccines become more accessible, more coffeeshops are reopening at reduced capacity. Masks still have to be worn, unless customers are actively consuming food and drink. While it’s not time to return to the routine of spending all day at a cafe, grabbing a snack and getting a little work down seems like a more attainable desire.

With that in mind, these are a few cafes that are back open and with social distance rules in place.

As of March 2, Chicago restaurants are permitted to serve customers indoors with a 50 percent maximum capacity per room, or 50 people — whichever is fewer. Regardless, the state requires reservations for both indoor and outdoor dining. However, this should not be taken as an endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

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Bond Coffee Collective

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Family-friendly coffee shop and cafe Bond Coffee Collective is open for both indoor and outdoor service. Patrons can order a wide selection of coffee, espresso, and tea drinks, as well as light food options including toasts, salads, and pastries. There are 28 seats inside and another 16 outside. Bond Collective is also certified Cholov Yisroel, the highest level of kosher certification.

Emerald City Uptown

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Popular neighborhood coffee shop Emerald City was a pre-pandemic favorite for locals seeking caffeine and a place to work. The Uptown cafe has returned with a total of 20 seats spaced between two rooms.

Osmium Coffee Bar

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Osmium Coffee Bar from popular local roaster Dark Matter coffee, has reopened to indoor and outdoor diners alongside the rest of its sibling cafes such as Star Lounge Coffee Bar, Meddle in West Loop, and Chocolate City Coffee Palace and Bodega in West Town. Operators ask that patrons keep their visits to 90 minutes and limit indoor groups to four.

Hexe Coffee Co.

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Chicago-based roastery Hexe Coffee Co. is allowing indoor patrons at its tastefully macabre cafe in Roscoe Village. Founded in 2016, the company focuses primarily on barrel-aged coffees. Teas, beer, and sandwiches are also on the menu.

Jimmy Beans Coffee

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Friendly cafe and roastery Jimmy Beans is a quaint and cozy retreat for caffeine, carbs, and escapism. There are six seats seats inside and customers are asked to keep their visit to two hours.

Ipsento 606

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Perched along the 606, Ipsento is one of Chicago’s finest coffee destinations. Indoor service resumed in February so patrons can take a load off while sipping an Ipsento latte (coconut milk, honey, cayenne).

Colectivo Coffee - Wicker Park

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Milwaukee-based roastery and cafe chain Colectivo, a brand favored by remote workers before the pandemic, has reopened limited indoor seating at cafes in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Andersonville, and suburban Evanston.

A large, two-floor cafe space with lots of tables and chairs
Colectivo has reopened indoor seating at all its Chicago outposts.
Marc Much/Eater Chicago

La Borra Cafe / Division

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This Mexican chain opened its first Chicago location in 2019 (it also has a suburban Berwyn shop). The library-like interiors are filled with books by Latinx authors. It’s a spacious and comfortable interior. The food includes pastries like conchas. Frappes are the specialty of the house.

Standing Passengers

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This West Town coffee shop uses Dark Matter coffee for some creative caffeinated drinks folks won’t find elsewhere. There’s a relaxed vibe and a table with nostalgic 16-bit video games consoles for those who want to kick it old school. The sandwiches are also underrated, as noted by writer Titus Pullo. There’s also a back patio.

Gallery Café 2

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The second location of Bucktown favorite Gallery Cafe is more modern and streamlined than the original. The bright-lit space — customers can enter through the lobby of the residential building the cafe servers — has counter seating along the windows. Beyond coffee, the space also has some great cold tea drinks. Art is always going to be a big part of the business, so check out the displays from local artists.

The Grail Cafe

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This Printer’s Row cafe is ideal for a satisfying and light meal. Creative coffee and teas, a fun French and creole-inspired menu, and friendly service make the Grail Cafe one of most complete restaurants in Chicago.

Say hello to Paris Dusk our new Tea Latte. Strawberry Tulsi Tea, Blackberry Syrup, Steamed Macadamia Milk and a...

Posted by The Grail Cafe on Friday, February 26, 2021

Brew Brew Coffee & Tea Pilsen

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Modern Mexican coffee shop Brew Brew Coffee and Tea is allowing limited indoor seating at locations in Pilsen and Avondale. Customers can expect a mix of familiar options like lattes, espresso, and nitro, plus Mexican drinks such as cafe de olla (cinnamon, piloncillo). Customers are limited to 90 minutes inside the cafes.

Bridgeport Coffeehouse

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This South Side neighborhood shop is known for featuring some of the the city’s best coffee beans sourced all over the world. There are two spots at the counter and another 16 spread between three indoor spaces.

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters

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Las Vegas-based newcomer Bad Owl Coffee opened its first location outside its home state in March on Morgan Street. There are spots for 12 inside, plus a menu of light sandwiches along with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings-inspired coffee drinks.

A bright white cafe space with green plants.
Bad Owl Coffee Roasters recently landed in Bridgeport.
Bad Owl Coffee Roasters [Official Photo]

Sip and Savor 53rd

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Respected local mini-chain Sip & Savor is allowing indoor customers at locations in Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and Rosenwald.

Afro Joes Coffee & Tea

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Afro Joe’s, a newish spot for coffee and cafe fare in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, is open for indoor dining at 50 percent capacity. Customers can expect espresso drinks, sandwiches, and pasties.

Bond Coffee Collective

Family-friendly coffee shop and cafe Bond Coffee Collective is open for both indoor and outdoor service. Patrons can order a wide selection of coffee, espresso, and tea drinks, as well as light food options including toasts, salads, and pastries. There are 28 seats inside and another 16 outside. Bond Collective is also certified Cholov Yisroel, the highest level of kosher certification.

Emerald City Uptown

Popular neighborhood coffee shop Emerald City was a pre-pandemic favorite for locals seeking caffeine and a place to work. The Uptown cafe has returned with a total of 20 seats spaced between two rooms.

Osmium Coffee Bar

Osmium Coffee Bar from popular local roaster Dark Matter coffee, has reopened to indoor and outdoor diners alongside the rest of its sibling cafes such as Star Lounge Coffee Bar, Meddle in West Loop, and Chocolate City Coffee Palace and Bodega in West Town. Operators ask that patrons keep their visits to 90 minutes and limit indoor groups to four.

Hexe Coffee Co.

Chicago-based roastery Hexe Coffee Co. is allowing indoor patrons at its tastefully macabre cafe in Roscoe Village. Founded in 2016, the company focuses primarily on barrel-aged coffees. Teas, beer, and sandwiches are also on the menu.

Jimmy Beans Coffee

Friendly cafe and roastery Jimmy Beans is a quaint and cozy retreat for caffeine, carbs, and escapism. There are six seats seats inside and customers are asked to keep their visit to two hours.

Ipsento 606

Perched along the 606, Ipsento is one of Chicago’s finest coffee destinations. Indoor service resumed in February so patrons can take a load off while sipping an Ipsento latte (coconut milk, honey, cayenne).

Colectivo Coffee - Wicker Park

Milwaukee-based roastery and cafe chain Colectivo, a brand favored by remote workers before the pandemic, has reopened limited indoor seating at cafes in Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Andersonville, and suburban Evanston.

A large, two-floor cafe space with lots of tables and chairs
Colectivo has reopened indoor seating at all its Chicago outposts.
Marc Much/Eater Chicago

La Borra Cafe / Division

This Mexican chain opened its first Chicago location in 2019 (it also has a suburban Berwyn shop). The library-like interiors are filled with books by Latinx authors. It’s a spacious and comfortable interior. The food includes pastries like conchas. Frappes are the specialty of the house.

Standing Passengers

This West Town coffee shop uses Dark Matter coffee for some creative caffeinated drinks folks won’t find elsewhere. There’s a relaxed vibe and a table with nostalgic 16-bit video games consoles for those who want to kick it old school. The sandwiches are also underrated, as noted by writer Titus Pullo. There’s also a back patio.

Gallery Café 2

The second location of Bucktown favorite Gallery Cafe is more modern and streamlined than the original. The bright-lit space — customers can enter through the lobby of the residential building the cafe servers — has counter seating along the windows. Beyond coffee, the space also has some great cold tea drinks. Art is always going to be a big part of the business, so check out the displays from local artists.

The Grail Cafe

This Printer’s Row cafe is ideal for a satisfying and light meal. Creative coffee and teas, a fun French and creole-inspired menu, and friendly service make the Grail Cafe one of most complete restaurants in Chicago.

Say hello to Paris Dusk our new Tea Latte. Strawberry Tulsi Tea, Blackberry Syrup, Steamed Macadamia Milk and a...

Posted by The Grail Cafe on Friday, February 26, 2021

Brew Brew Coffee & Tea Pilsen

Modern Mexican coffee shop Brew Brew Coffee and Tea is allowing limited indoor seating at locations in Pilsen and Avondale. Customers can expect a mix of familiar options like lattes, espresso, and nitro, plus Mexican drinks such as cafe de olla (cinnamon, piloncillo). Customers are limited to 90 minutes inside the cafes.

Bridgeport Coffeehouse

This South Side neighborhood shop is known for featuring some of the the city’s best coffee beans sourced all over the world. There are two spots at the counter and another 16 spread between three indoor spaces.

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters

Las Vegas-based newcomer Bad Owl Coffee opened its first location outside its home state in March on Morgan Street. There are spots for 12 inside, plus a menu of light sandwiches along with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings-inspired coffee drinks.

A bright white cafe space with green plants.
Bad Owl Coffee Roasters recently landed in Bridgeport.
Bad Owl Coffee Roasters [Official Photo]

Sip and Savor 53rd

Respected local mini-chain Sip & Savor is allowing indoor customers at locations in Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and Rosenwald.

Related Maps

Afro Joes Coffee & Tea

Afro Joe’s, a newish spot for coffee and cafe fare in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, is open for indoor dining at 50 percent capacity. Customers can expect espresso drinks, sandwiches, and pasties.

Related Maps