Top Five: Coffee Shops in Chicago

I decided that since I have lived in Chicago for almost a year now, I can talk to you guys about my favorite coffee shops and why I picked them. I'm not an avid coffee drinker, but I know for a fact these little cafés have some of the best teas and lattes one can consume. If you a big coffee drinker, I still highly advise you check these places out because not only will they be great drinks and pastries, but your Instagram feed will automatically rise in aesthetic.

1. La Fournette ($$$) – This little café is more of a pastry shop than anything. The French bakery sells anything from macaroons to baguettes, from croissants to croque monsieurs. However, every time I go to this café, I don't purchase any loaf of bread, but instead, I enjoy a nice cup of Jasmine tea and cup of fruit salad. The reason I put three dollar signs though is because the bowl of fruit salad is more than $3.00. I don't mind it because there's not even a hint of honeydew or cantaloupe, which are the bain of my love of fruit.

2. Goddess and the Baker ($$) Is your Instagram dull? Do you need a little light in your life with an additional tropical plant? Well, this is your stop. The place is right in the loop, so if you're just visiting the city, I highly recommend. The coffee is good, and the food is okay. I wouldn't ever visit the shop if it weren't for the atmosphere; however, to me, atmosphere means a bit more. Yeah, the coffee better not be office-quality, but it better be obvious the owners want people to judge their book by its cover.

3. Floriole ($$$) this place is pretty expensive, I am not going to lie. However, the reason is that the treats they sell are heavenly. Each croissant or tart or anything you want is crispy, flaky and filled with lust. Also, they have two levels, but make sure you go on a day the second floor is open. They have big windows, so don't worry, the natural lighting is always on point. I've done my work there so many times because the atmosphere is chill, yet productive. Highly recommend.

4. Osmium ($$) This place isn't necessarily my aesthetic. No plants, not many windows, and the walls are painted with eccentric, colorful art. However, the coffee is to die for. One of their lattes has Oaxacan chile to spice things up. Even though it's pretty pricey, it's because this place has high-quality sh*t and you're definitely paying for it. I don't know if it's my go-to place to hang out, but if I am craving a latte that is out of the ordinary, I'd definitely hit up Osmium.

5. Heritage General Store ($) Opposite of Osmium, this place is minimal and functional. It's specifically catered to bikers, and not a motorcyclist or racer, but the people who ride high-quality bikes just because (and may participate in a few races). This place is virtually all white and depends mostly on sunlight to light the place up. If you run on sunshine and tea, then I highly recommend this place to you. It's quite a jog outside of the loop, but I've noticed the better the coffee shop, the farther it is from the skyscrapers.

Next time you're in Chicago, it's entirely necessary to visit a local coffee shop. I understand that Starbucks and La Colombe are great, but when you think about it, they're just as cheap or just as expensive as the next local shop. Why not try something eclectic and out of the ordinary? Why not see what Chicago sunshine looks like inside a white painted room? If you need more suggestions, contact me. Because trust me, I have a lot more coffee shops to list.

Pictures taken from Libby Roth and Pinterest.