Chicago’s West Loop is home to some of the best restaurants in the city like Au Cheval, Monteverde, and Rose Mary. It’s a popular destination for trending restaurants and social gatherings with friends. — but wait! The West Loop isn’t just about Michelin-starred plates and $20 cocktails. This neighborhood also has some of the best coffee we’ve tried in the city.
During the COVID-19 era, we would pop into a new coffee shop every week to try something new and get a change of pace that wasn’t the inside of our condo. From classic cold brew to fancy drinks like a military latte (you’ll see once you keep reading), the West Loop has you covered. So, the next time you’re in the area ditch your usual go-to spot and try out one of these amazing coffee shops:
1. Sawada
We would say this is a ‘hidden gem’, but at this point we’re pretty sure social media has put Sawada on the map permanently. Tucked inside Green Street Smoked Meets and next to Parlor Pizza, you’ll find Sawada Coffee. While they share a space with the BBQ joint, the actual space to get in line and order is pretty tiny. You can expect to wait upwards of 20 minutes on the weekends, but if you’re there early enough (think 8AM) the crowds pretty thin.
Sawada Coffee is the first coffee shop from the great latte artist himself, Hiroshi Sawada and his signature “military latte” is a must try. The military latte is matcha green tea with vanilla syrup and a few shots of espresso, hence the name “military” because of the brown and green color combo. We love this drink cold best, but you can order it hot too!
If you’re hungry, this coffee shop also carries a variety of pastries including some of the best old fashioned donuts in the city from Doughnut Vault.
Our favorite drink: Black Camo or Military Latte with macadamia nut milk
Address: 112 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
2. Vietfive Coffee
When we’re reminiscing about our trip to Vietnam this last fall, we always head over to Vietfive Coffee to get ca phe sua da, or Vietnamese iced coffee. If you can’t do the caffeine (because usually we can’t either) they also have the best ube latte, which you can get with or without coffee. If you’re hungry, they also carry banh mis!
Our favorite drink: Ca phe sửa da with condensed oat milk
Address: 1116 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
3. Drip Collective
Drip Collective is the newest addition to the West Loop coffee shops, opening this past February 2024. Not only do they have delicious coffee, but they also showcase work of local musicians, artists, and other entrepreneurs in the city. While the menu rotates, the current menu has unique lattes like a Turon latte (banana milk anyone?) and pandan coconut.
Our favorite drink: Iced pandan coconut latte
Address: 172 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607
4. La Colombe
While we know La Colombe is a chain, this coffee shop deserves an honorable mention. If you’re familiar with their canned beverages (which they do sell here too), you can get a fresh nitro cold brew on tap. It’s a classic choice, and this list wouldn’t be complete without La Colombe.
Our favorite drink: Black + tan latte
Address: 955 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
5. Good Ambler
If you’re looking for an Instagram worthy aesthetic cafe, Good Ambler is the coffee shop you have to go to. Not only is it super cute inside, but their pastries are some of the best in the city (in our opinion.) They have a variety of sweet and savory goodies that go perfect with a cup of coffee.
Our favorite drink: Cold brew + pair with their kouign amann
Address: 216 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607
6. Beatrix
Beatrix has a few locations in the city, but the Fulton Market location is our favorite. The interior is bright and airy and is perfect for watching up with friends or grabbing a solo latte/pastry to get some work done. They also serve breakfast and have a wide variety of pastries.
Our favorite drink: Honey cinnamon latte with oat milk
Address: 834 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
7. Groundswell
If you’re looking for a coffeeshop that’s not swarming with tourists, Groundswell is right on Madison and serves some delicious coffee. They roast their beans in-house and you can purchase them to drink at home if you visit any of their two locations.
Our favorite drink: Iced americano
Address: 1168 W Madison St. Chicago, IL 60607
8. Foxtrot
Welcome back to one of our favorite local bodegas, Foxtrot! The West Loop/Fulton Market location recently reopened in November 2024, and we couldn’t be happier. Not only did they bring back their delicious coffee, but this location also debuted a new breakfast sandwich and some other items.
Our favorite drink: Any seasonal iced oatmilk latte
Address: 171 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
@katrin_ahhh a new coffee shop >>> #chicago #fyp ♬ som original – RANDI
9. Postcard (by Monos)
There’s a new spot in the neighborhood, and honestly, it’s one of the best additions we’ve seen in a while. This cafe isn’t just about coffee—it’s a music-forward lounge with serious travel vibes, thanks to a creative partnership with Monos. In fact, it’s Monos’s very first step into food and beverage, and we’ve got to say, they pulled it off beautifully.
Walking in, you can’t help but feel like you’ve been transported somewhere else. The design and energy instantly remind us of those effortlessly cool coffee shops tucked away in Tokyo neighborhoods like Daikanyama and Nakameguro. Think perfectly brewed lattes, a playlist that makes you want to stay all afternoon, and an atmosphere that feels equal parts fresh and familiar.
Our favorite drink: Iced salted caramel latte with oat milk
Address: 170 N Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607
Hopefully this list helps you if you’re visiting the West Loop, but we’re really just scratching the surface here! Did we miss your favorite West Loop coffee shop? Let us know which one we should check out next!
