A (former) barista's guide to the best coffee shops in Chicago

My qualifications: Before my illustrious media career, I slung espresso at a few spots around town. Once a barista, always a barista.

Discourse (1542 N. Damen Avenue)

The vibe: It's a window more than a shop. It operates out of Urban Belly next to the Blue Line stop.

The coffee: Excellent, unique craft coffee drinks. I got the channel orange latte ($7.25), which was incredibly vibrant, zesty and balanced.

• It's espresso, milk, smoked and oaked orange vanilla syrup, bitters, orange powder and black lava salt.
• There's also a coconut curry matcha latte on the menu. Wild!

The service: The baristas walked me through the menu and helped me choose.

• The drinks are complicated, so expect a wait.

☕️ 10-word review: Craft coffee concoctions that push the boundaries of your palate.

Bueno Days (2901 W. Cermak Road)

The vibe: A modern, sunlit cafe with amazing views of one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods.

The coffee: The Piña Vera ($8) features a mix of cold brew, coconut, pineapple, burnt caramel and citrus. It's a refreshing cup of coffee that tastes like a virgin piña colada.

• Also, the iced latte with piloncillo syrup ($6) was extremely tasty.

The service: One barista was hard at work explaining the diverse menu, while another took out his tools to fix the wobbly front door. Teamwork!

☕️ 10-word-review: Come for the Little Village coffee, stay for the neighborhood.

Loba Pastry + Coffee (3600 N. Lincoln Avenue)

The vibe: The sleek spot gives hipster vibes, but caters to locals of all stripes.

The coffee: Instead of another lavender-flavored latte, I mixed it up with their Maria Bonita special ($6.50), which combines a bottle of Coke with espresso, lime, vanilla and a cherry on top.

• It was delightful! The cola and lime balanced surprisingly well with the espresso.
• But the real draw is the pastries made on site, which sell out fast.

The service: Long lines, but they move fast. The baristas were constantly shuttling new pastries from the kitchen in the back.

☕️ 10-word review: Fantastic muffins and coffee creations with a cherry on top.

Move Along Coffee (1223 W. Grand Avenue)

The vibe: It's a walk-up window in an old barbershop. But watch out, the line can wrap around the block.

The coffee: A Pumpkin Pie Latte ($6), which swaps the PSL syrup for actual pumpkin pie filling. It takes the spiced edge off and balances the drink perfectly.

The service: It's one person back there in the little booth. She's excellent. She's a full-service barista, which is rare.

☕️ Eight-word review: Forget the chains, get your pumpkin spice local.

Oud Coffee and Cafe (714 N. Wells Street)

The place: A great Middle Eastern-inspired coffee shop that serves exotic lattes and scrumptious pastries, sandwiches and Manakeesh in River North.

The coffee: Get the Oud Latte ($6.75). Holy pistachios, this drink is delightful.

The vibe: Bustling with a young, diverse crowd. I had to lean against a wall to enjoy my drink.

The service: The barista helped me pronounce some of the drinks, sans judgment. (But maybe he judged me later.)

Seven-word review: Great standing-room-only coffee and treats.

Bad Coffee (1801 W. Berteau Avenue)

The vibe: Warm industrial. Serves great coffee and "big bad toasts."

The coffee: Get the Blueberry Pie Latte ($6.30). It tastes like it sounds.

The ambiance: Cool alleyway entrance. There is a stage for live jazz, too.

• Ask what's behind the secret mirrored door.

The service: Great. They put up with me talking barista shop for way too long.

☕️ 12-word review: Mirror, mirror on the wall, Bad Coffee is not bad at all.

Whirlwind Coffee Co. in Oak Park

The coffee: Get the Cafe De Olla Latte ($6), which is an excellent Mexican coffee with espresso, cinnamon and cloves.

• They also sell their beans and all net profits go to local charities.

The vibe: Caters more to drinks on the go but has a nice counter in the front window for working remotely. Patio in summer.

The service: Good. They helped me find the right coffee. Also, very community-centered.

Six-word review: Good-cause coffee at its finest.

Thrd Coffee (1816 N. Milwaukee Avenue)

The vibe: A hip spot featuring art and music and a cool sushi restaurant-like counter.

• Great place to work, but not great for a chat.

The coffee: The "Cafe Honey" ($6.75) was deliciously simple: Espresso, honey, milk.

The service: I loved the quirky house rules taped to the wall, which included directions on Wi-Fi, bathroom access and cafe perks, like the "snack hack" that promises free cereal if you ask.

Pro tip: Ask for free cereal.

Eight-word review: Great spot to visit before walking the 606.

Nomad Chicago (820 N. Franklin Street)

The vibe: Instagram-friendly coffee spot with a boutique attached — not exactly the hot hangout for 50-year-old dads.

The coffee: The Ube Tiramisu Latte ($13) is crazy expensive, but the espresso, milk, ube syrup, mascarpone and cacao powder combine to make it (almost) worth the investment.

• The Rosemary Mint latte ($9) also slaps.

The service: It's fast and furious. The lines were long but the baristas were attentive. Couches and table seating were limited as groups camped out for catch-up dates.

Pro tip: Get coffee to go and browse the boutique.

Eight-word review: Tasty, pricey coffee with a side of earrings.

Magnifico Coffee (3063 N. Milwaukee Avenue)

The vibe: Hip little storefront with a live DJ. Cool customers, too — I ran into hip-hop artist Matt Muse.

The coffee: The toasted marshmallow latte ($5.75) adds a burnt, sweet taste to the traditional milk and espresso. A nice choice on a winter day.

• The lavender latte ($5.75) is refreshing.

The service: Excellent. They let me go behind the counter and take video of the latte art!

Six-word review: Magnificent latte art and tasty beats.

Gallery Cafe (2047 W. North Avenue)

The vibe: It's a coffee shop tucked inside an art gallery.

The coffee: The "Rothko" is the winner here ($5.50). It's a delicious mix of lavender, honey and espresso.

• The cherry mocha ($5.50) is a house favorite, too.

The service: The barista was working solo, but the coffee came out fast. The oven was on the fritz, so no sandwiches.

Pro tip: While waiting, peruse. They have new art every month.

Nine-word review: Come for the coffee, but stay for the art.

Bad Owl Coffee Roasters (3315 S. Morgan Street)

The vibe: Cozy, cool neighborhood storefront that loves owls.

The coffee: The "Second Breakfast" ($6.40) is the best latte I've had on this tour. It's a delicious mix of espresso, maple syrup, cinnamon and sea salt cream.

• The iced Coquito Latte ($8.10) is also super tasty.

The service: The baristas gave great recommendations and were laser-focused artists when creating the drinks.

Six-word review: Bad-ass coffee, bad owl vibes.

The Brewed (2843 N. Milwaukee Avenue)

The vibe: A wild homage to nostalgic horror movies, complete with a Beetlejuice sandworm coming out of the ceiling. Lots of stools, booths and couches, too.

The coffee: The Skull Island banana mocha latte ($6.25) stands out.

• The Kaijuice ($6.75) is a pistachio matcha latte.

The service: Fantastic. The baristas don't just sling coffee, but they double as the leaders of this community clubhouse that also features movie nights.

Seven-word review: Evil campy decor with scary good coffee.

La Malinche Coffee House (2110 S. Halsted Street)

The vibe: More of a sit-down storefront than a coffee bar. It has incredible energy with Mexican folk art all over the walls.

The coffee: The Cafe De Olla is the standout featuring espresso, cinnamon, anise and piloncillo.

• The food options, like the Sweet Crepes, are also delightful.

The service: The coffee shop is packed on the weekends, so expect a wait for your lattes.

• Pro-tip: Stay and snag a booth in the back.

Six-word review: Mexican coffee helps stir your soul!

Muse Coffee Studio (747 S. Western Avenue)

The vibe: The place looks tiny when you walk in, like the waiting room for a storefront dentist's office. But it takes a fabulous turn when you walk in the back.

• There is so much great art!

The coffee: The lavender latte ($5.45) is Muse's most popular drink. The smooth mix of espresso, milk and lavender is like drinking a caffeinated flower.

The service: The owner advised me on what to get and made it for me. You can't beat that!

Eight-word review: A soulful spot serving coffee handled with care.

Dialtone Coffee and Wine Bar (1136 N. Wells Street)

The vibe: Sleek, trendy coffee spot with lines out the door. Perfect spot for Old Town young professionals who don't want to leave their shiny apartment building.

The coffee: Excellent. The Pistachio Iced Latte ($6.25) was refreshing on a spring day and the Vanilla Lavender Latte ($5.75) was delicately balanced. No heavy syrups here.

• Also, holy pastries!

The service: For as long as the line was, the baristas were in a groove. I got my coffee in less than 10 minutes, and I snagged a booth!

Seven-word review: Sophisticated coffee and pastries. I'd charge more.

Monday Coffee (3243 W. 16th Street)

The vibe: Modern, sophisticated coffee shop in a contemporary blue building on 16th Street.

The coffee: The iced vanilla latte ($5.25) was delicately balanced. Too much syrup can ruin an iced coffee like this, but they know what they are doing.

The service: The barista told me all about the coffee and the history of the big, blue building. The owners are trying to bring energy to the North Lawndale area along 16th.

Nine-word review: Great coffee, great style, great mission in North Lawndale.

Drip Collective (172 N. Racine Avenue)

The vibe: Stylish, ultra urban vibe. Recycled skate boards double as tables and a DJ plays kick ass (and super loud) hip-hop.

The coffee: Pistachio lovers unite! The iced drink ($9) includes macadamia nut milk, pistachio cardamon syrup, matcha and rose essence!

• The Black Sesame Latte ($10) also dazzles with its salted black sesame cream.

Pro tip: The seeds will get stuck between your teeth. Bring a mirror.

Service: Several baristas were working the Saturday rush, which helped facilitate the drinks in a timely manner.

Seven-word review: Great atmosphere, style and coffee. Bring floss.

Our Mutual City Coffee Co. (3600 W. Irving Park Road)

The vibe: Bright, modern decor with plants and art adorning the walls. Not what you would expect along Irving Park Road, which features tax accountant offices and massage parlors every other block.

The coffee: Don't be mad. I cheated and got the London Fog Latte, which is technically tea. But how many lavender lattes can one reviewer have?!?! It was an excellent mix of Earl Grey and steamed milk.

• Also, I got the highly touted OMC Breakfast sandwich on a bagel, which has egg, cheese and a delicious (albeit sloppy) aioli.

The service: Extremely persuasive. I mean, they convinced me to drink tea over coffee. They were not wrong!

Nine-word review: Great Irving Park vibe. Don't sleep on the fog.

Standing Passengers (1458 W. Chicago Avenue)

The vibe: Retro clubhouse — a DJ, a collection of vinyl, skeleton decor and all the Atari video games you can handle.

• Pro tip: The Frogger cartridge didn't work. I blew on it, still no go.

The coffee: I had the banana pancake latte, a delicious and delicately balanced combination of espresso, maple syrup and banana.

The service: It was packed, but the baristas were on top of the drinks. They were very friendly and knew most of the customers by first name.

• I didn't mind waiting a little for my drink.

Nine-word review: Banana lattes and Pac-Man? What else do you need?

Metric Coffee (2021 W. Fulton Street)

The vibe: Nestled among old factories and new breweries, it's a counter with a couple of chairs out front for warmer weather days.

The coffee: Fair trade, baby! I went with the Fulton Street Handshake ($7.50), a shot of espresso and a black coffee. Not my usual order, but this combo was worth it just for the exquisite brightness of the espresso balanced with the bold taste of the coffee.

The service: The baristas helped me get over my latte addiction. Well done!

Seven-word review: Excellent coffee and vibes between factory buildings.

Ludlow Charlingtons (2425 N. Clark Street)

The vibe: Cozy storefront with elegant, framed portraits of various dogs.

The coffee: Snickerdoodle latte ($5.99), of course! A tasty blend of espresso and whatever ingredients make it taste like a cookie.

The service: It's a classic Chicago storefront, so think narrow and small. But the two baristas busted their hump as the line stretched out the door.

Eight-word review: Dog-lovers' coffee paradise for young Lincoln Park crowd.

Charmers Cafe (1500 W. Jarvis Avenue)

The vibe: Oh man, I love this spot. Hippie-ish with houseplants and a gorgeous outdoor patio on a pedestrian-only street.

The coffee: Get the iced Almond Joy latte ($6.75), a balanced mix of espresso, coconut syrup, almond milk and ice. They asked if I wanted whipped cream. It's like they read my mind!

The service: Honestly, the best. The baristas were thoughtful and courteous, quickly walking me through the specials. They worked fast, too.

Nine-word review: Great Rogers Park spirit, perfect for summer in Chicago.

Bourgeois Pig Cafe (738 W. Fullerton Avenue)

The vibe: College cafe meets your grandpa's study. Leather lounge chairs galore.

Reality check: This is by far one of my favorite cafes.

The coffee: Diverse and eclectic. I got the Jamaican latte ($5.46), which includes allspice. Who doesn't love allspice in their coffee?

The service: This place has been around for more than 30 years for a reason. The baristas hold down the fort while slinging coffee, sandwiches, beer, and wine.

• The hardest part is getting the DePaul kids to share seats (they hang for hours).

☕️ 10-word review: What a café should be, with or without the allspice.

Sleep Walk Cafe (1844 S. Blue Island Avenue)

The vibe: The colorful interior features just a couple of tables, but many people drink their coffee while walking near 18th Street.

The coffee: Sleepwalk doubles as a chocolatier. I got the super tasty iced agave latte ($5.50), which includes espresso, agave syrup, chocolate and cinnamon.

The service: Insightful. They didn't just sling coffee, they educated me on the coffee.

☕️ 11-word-review: A Pilsen gem that serves up tasty coffee and vibrant views.

Overflow Coffee (1449 S. Michigan Avenue)

The vibe: I've found that there are two types of coffee shops: loud and quiet. At Overflow, the DJ spins, the crowd sways and you get the immediate pumped-up feeling that coffee is just the conduit to bring people together.

• It doesn't hurt that Overflow occupies the first floor of the old Vee-Jay Records on Record Row.

The coffee: I got the Record Row latte ($6.50), which blends espresso with Nutella for that extra creamy kick.

The service: The place was jam-packed, so the baristas were working their tails off. Be prepared to wait a little bit for your drinks.

☕️ Nine-word review: Great place to caffeinate and connect with music history.

The Wormhole Coffee (1462 N. Milwaukee Avenue)

The vibe: Retro pop culture meets indie Wicker Park. Reminded me of Earwax, Filter or even Urbis Orbis days.

The coffee: The Cool But Rude Latte ($6.50) features espresso, fresh ginger and curry sauce. Yep, curry sauce (which is more like a syrup).

• The verdict: It totally worked. Sweet and spicy.

The service: Friday afternoons are jam-packed, but the baristas let me unstack a few extra chairs so I could sit down.

• Pro-tip: You can fit three on a couch, so tell the couple to slide down.

☕️ 10-word review: Decor and curry-flavored coffee harken back to Wicker Park heyday.

Necessary & Sufficient Coffee (728 S. Dearborn St.)

The vibe: A stylish, vibrant coffee bar meets sustainable retail store with a DJ. The outdoor patio is quintessential Printers Row.

The coffee: I got the Smoking Gun ($5.60), which was espresso, syrup, and cold oat foam shaken and poured into a 1920s-style vintage glass. Yep. That's how I roll.

• I also got the breakfast sandwich ($10), which featured a sweet potato hash brown patty.

The service: Delightful. The barista might as well have been a mixologist.

☕️ Seven-word review: Vintage throwback coffee in a contemporary setting.

Froth Cafe (1515 W. Monroe Street)

The vibe: It's a coffee shop in a historic apartment building's lobby. Leather couches and remote work galore.

The coffee: The iced Ladybird ($7) is the winner here. It is espresso, sesame peanut butter, banana oleo saccharum, cocoa and your choice of milk. You really can't go wrong with any of the "Frothtails."

The service: Skilled. With these drinks more like cocktails, I was disappointed they didn't juggle bottles like Tom Cruise!

☕️ Six-word review: Great coffee cocktails inside historic digs.

Truce (1935 N. Damen Avenue)

The vibe: A lot like a bar, which may be because it IS a cocktail bar at night. The assortment of tables, lounge chairs and even bar seats makes it more chic than a normal coffee shop.

The coffee: I got the Lavender Miel ($8), which I've learned is French for lavender honey. It's a lavender honey latte with green cardamom and lemon zest. Super tasty.

The service: I loved my guy. He had that bartender mojo. He was way more engaged than my apron-clad friends at the local chain.

☕️ Seven-word review: Late-night cocktail vibe meets your morning routine.

The Center of Order and Experimentation (1727 W. Grand Avenue)

The vibe: It's a hipster gift store with a coffee shop. Sleek and eye-catching, great for exploring unique candles, pens, notebooks and other tchotchkes. All centered around a mid-century modern, full-service coffee counter.

The coffee: I got the Frosty Bear cold brew, with roasted cardamom maple syrup and oat milk ($6). It was perfectly balanced and refreshing.

• The syrup is artisanal and sold in the store.

The service: The store clerks dress in green jumpsuits and double as baristas. You'd never know it since they are friendly and knowledgeable about both the brew and the tchotchkes.

☕️Nine-word review: Order, experimentation and a damn fine cup of coffee.

Werewolf Coffee Bar (1765 N. Elston Ave.)

The vibe: Unique. It's literally a coffee truck parked inside a strip mall storefront. It's tucked away in the shadow of what was to become Lincoln Yards.

The coffee: I got the Almond Croissant Latte, which is espresso with almond and pistachio syrups. It was a nice mix, but the coffee taste got lost.

• The Honey Bee Latte blends honey, vanilla and espresso. Iced to perfection.

The service: The barista steered me to the right choices, and the drinks came out relatively quickly. The short wait gave me time to explore the funky decor.

☕️ Eight-word review: Wonderful werewolf-themed coffee from an indoor truck.

This list will be updated regularly.