Drink Happy Thoughts

Came to Do-Rite for breakfast one morning and had a great time…read more We got there around 9am and seemed to beat the line, but a lot of people showed up right after us so you may want to come early. Line moved pretty fast though. I got the bacon egg and cheese brioche sandwich and a hot coffee. The sandwich was incredible. Soft, fluffy eggs and the perfect amount of cheese. The coffee was also great - not too strong (which I like). Would definitely come back.

We went 3 times in the same day. Got 6 donuts, went back for 2 more, then went back for Buffalo…read morechicken sandwiches. We loved the vegan donuts which were great for my milk allergic son. The chicken was good especially with the sauce. Very busy place with a small footprint.

5.1 mi•River North, Near North Side

Inside on a Saturday noon 1/4/2025

Breakfast Sandwich - Vera Cruz

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Front Counter at Do-Rite

Doughnut Vault

4.3(1.2k reviews)

Geeeeez my sis *inhaled* the old fashioned donuts lol. She's a big fan of old fashioned donuts and…read moreclearly she enjoyed the ones that we got here. :p For me, they were a little too sweet (I have old AzN lady taste buds in which "not too sweet" is a strong compliment), but wow the crispiness for old fashioned donuts was on-point! The buttermilk one particularly gave county fair funnel cake vibes and the lemon poppyseed one reminded me a lot of a lemon bar lol verrry lemon-y (in an indulgent-good way). Friendly lady at the interior counter nook. We visited on a Monday at 9 am and there was no line at all.

Doughnut Vault exists in a weird limbo for me, because the donuts are excellent and the rotation of…read moredaily specials are fun. However, these donuts are pricey which to be fair they're based in River North. I also usually prefer the old fashioned donuts, because the filled donuts can be too sweet for me. Verdict: fun as a once in a while treat but not a regular stop for me along the way to the office.

Glazed vanilla

Vanilla Birthday Cake

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Firecakes Donuts

4.1(2k reviews)

5.1 mi•Near North Side

Delicious! Simple house made donuts, fresh espresso and hot chai were perfect. Firecakes offers…read moremultiple locations, with easy access throughout the city, open early and closing late, making it the perfect sweet treat all day long. The raspberry bold orange donut truly was fire, no premade compote here, fresh raspberry filling was a game changer. The cinnamon roll donut was decadent but totally worth it with all the walking you do as a tourist.

I think unfortunately people in Chicago might have never had a good donut in their lives. Firecakes…read morehas endless rave reviews, but the donuts I tried from here were borderline inedible. Horchata Donut: I don't know what the filling is here, but it was kind of oddly rancid / sour. No one in my group had more than a nibble. The fried dough in the Jelly Donut and the Cinnamon Sugar were both painfully dry, but the toppings themselves were fine. Glazed Cake Donut: This was the most palatable of the donuts we tried, but it's a very average cake donut. Kinda dry and Do-rite honestly does these way better.

Happy Birthday!

Vanilla Sprinkle Donut

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Stan's Donuts & Coffee

4.0(717 reviews)

5.5 mi•The Loop

I got a hash brown, donut and coffee and everything was amazing! staff was very friendly and it has…read morea very nice atmosphere

Another Michigan avenue staple that was packed on a Sunday morning with locals and tourists it…read moreseems. Be prepared to wait if you come during a busy time. All in all though waited 15-20 min for the coffee's while the crazy awesome donuts (Dough Boy Best & LeStan Croissant). Overall great start to our 17,000 step day as we needed the sugar & carbs to power us until lunch.

3.0 mi•Lincoln Park, DePaul

The vibes

Prickly pear refresher and almond cronut

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Brown Butter Glaze with Salted Caramel Drizzle

Beacon Doughnuts

4.7(306 reviews)

I've been seeing Beacon Doughnuts all over Instagram and finally decided to try it. It's tucked…read moreright in the middle of an alley, which makes it feel even more hidden, but don't let that fool you. This was one of the softest donuts I've had. The lady at the front was super nice and gave me some recommendations, and we ended up getting the Chocolate Glazed Brioche. And wow... this donut was huge. Super soft on the inside, almost pillowy, and covered in a thick layer of chocolate glaze. First bite, you get that rich chocolate flavor right away, smooth and sweet without tasting fake or overly sugary. The brioche itself had that buttery flavor to it, light but still filling. The texture was probably the best part. Soft center, slight chew from the brioche, and the glaze added just enough thickness on top to make every bite feel rich. Honestly, it was almost too much for one person, but in the best way possible. Definitely lived up to the hype for me.

I mean, it's the cutest!…read more "Hidden" in an alley in Lincoln Park. I love a good cake donut and this place is perfect. Lots of flavors/specialty donuts but not overwhelming like some other places. Will definitely come again!

5.4 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Vanilla bean cronut

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Blueberry pancake

Voodoo Doughnut

4.0(201 reviews)

While strolling in the West Loop on my way to pick a different unhealthy bite I stumbled across…read moreVoodoo Doughnut. It's been well over a decade since trying for the first time in Seattle. Tbh I remember being disappointed because of the hype. Today I entered with tempered expectations. I tried the Old Fashioned doughnut and it was somewhere between solid and above average. I'll definitely stick with Do-Rite especially because they're a few blocks away and significantly better. If the job catered Voodoo I'd indulge, but considering I prefer a few other donut shops I won't make a special trip. Great service plus a respectable donut equals 3.51 stars.

I discovered this place over a decade ago in Portland OR. I am really excited when they decided to…read moreopen a location in Chicago. The donuts are amazing, unique and fun. It also doesn't hurt that they are open from 6am to Midnight - perfect for those sudden doughnut cravings! One thing that can be improved is how they handle big orders. I recently ordered over 5 dozen doughnuts and it came in 6 boxes and a small bag. First problem: they don't deliver. Second and bigger problem is that they don't pack big orders so you can carry them out. How the heck am I going to carry 6 boxes and a bag of donuts??? Maybe they want to keep their business "small". A simple brown bag or even something to tie the boxes together would have been very helpful.

Ring of fire

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Our doughnuts

Old Fashioned Donuts

4.7(563 reviews)

18.9 mi•Roseland

Wonderful establishment, Delicious food, Great hospitality , Staffing & service. This place has…read morebeen top-dog for yearssss , Best apple juice there is in life! The ambiance is great , some might say they need a makeover but I say it's an all-traditional Homey look. The family is well loved and respected , And they love their community. I'm greeted with more pleasure than the last each visit , As a matter of fact I'm going there now!

The best donuts Highly recommended Hot and fresh not like dunkin apple fritters are the bomb a…read moremust try

Classic glazed doughnut

Chocolate yeast glazed

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Old fashioned glazed. Yum

Firecakes Donuts

4.2(412 reviews)

2.5 mi•Lincoln Park

Let me start by saying that Firecakes on Clark, in Lincoln Park, is so much better than the one on…read moreHubbard, in the Loop. No offense, the reason I say that is because the employees at this Clark location are so friendly and chill. I like that type of service, don't you?? In comparison to Beacons, Stan's, Voodoo's, and Do-Rite's, I would also say that Firecakes is in the top three (3). They are less commercialized, less over the top, and the simplicity in the Tahitian Vanilla epitomizes this type of donut shop. They're a throwback to a classic neighborhood place to come to, for these treats. My favorites, in no particular order are: - Cannoli donut (4) - Birthday cake donut (5) - Apple fritter (2) - Tahitian Vanilla (number 1) - Cinnamon roll (3)...I decided to rank them... And that we have, we've come back at least 10 times and this is a quick drive on I-94 into the city or take Lake Shore Drive - just put the pedal to the metal and go and get a bunch. Eat them on the way back home, eat one in the garage before the garage door closes. Fire up the espresso machine, froth up that milk, cuz - we got Firecakes donuts y'all!!

A little disappointed. Arrived at 9:00. Buttermilk and buttermilk chocolate both tasted like day…read moreold baked goods. Were ok but I expected a wow experience and this was not it!

5.1 mi•Near North Side, River East

Firecakes

Chocolate

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Iced Chai Latte

Stan's Donuts & Coffee

4.1(344 reviews)

I stopped into Stan's Donuts & Coffee while walking around Chicago and immediately understood why…read morethere was a line the entire time I was there. The whole place smelled absolutely amazing the second I walked in. Since I was just ordering coffee, which I fully regret not getting a donut. I used the kiosk and my order came out quickly. I went with the brown butter latte, and it was super yummy with a flavor that stood out from a standard latte.

The coffee is absolutely delicious, the pretzel bagel is a must-try, and they have such unique and…read morecreative donut flavors. Everything tastes fresh and high quality. Definitely a go-to spot when you're craving something sweet (or savory) with great coffee to match.

@endoedibles on Instagram 03/22/2025

Cherry paczki

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2d Restaurant

4.0(435 reviews)

1.6 mi•Lakeview

Artwork, service and ambiance top notch! Highly recommend stop for some great photos and mochi…read moredonuts

High hopes since there needs to be more Taiwanese spots in Chicago! But disappointed by customer…read moreservice. My wife bought a donut here. and then when she attempted to take a photo of the interior, she was told that she wasn't allowed to take photos. Then, we when she asked to use the restroom, she was bluntly told, "You may not use the restroom," because she wasn't a "sit-down" customer. The manager didn't attempt to even smooth things over but instead robotically processed her refund on the donut. It was incredibly frustrating to support a local business as a paying customer and be denied a basic amenity over an arbitrary distinction. They're closed anyway, but not supporting their future endeavors because of their customer service.

Half A Dozen Donuts

Inside

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9 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Eloise G.

6 years ago

Sure, the coffee and treats are good... But I've gone in here multiple times since the pandemic broke out and the owner has had his mask hanging below his nose and mouth while he is making food and drinks every time. It's just disappointing that he's actively displaying a lack of consideration for the health and safety of the shop's community members. I will not be taking my business here again. I also feel the need to point out how disrespectful it was when the owners put a sign up on the window of the cafe reading "Minority Owned" as an attempt to prevent being looted in light of BLM protests. The owners are a wealthy couple - a white man and a Colombian woman whose Instagram feeds are packed with vacation lifestyle photos. Those types of signs were for Black owned businesses to identify themselves, not for gentrifiers to protect their precious boujee coffee shop where they sell $6 coffee and $11 avocado toast in a historically Black and low income neighborhood. read more

Andreina S.

5 years ago

First time visiting this coffee shop, I have seen a ton of cool pictures and interaction on IG and I just had to make the trip. The place is small but cute! There is character in pretty much every corner of the place. The fact that I was able to recognize art by local artist right away was pretty awesome. I ran into the owner who was carrying milks inside to the staff. I was impressed! Pregnant huge belly with the sweetest charisma and time to explain why so much art! That speaks volumes about places ran by hard working individuals, in this case one with a full belly. I tried a few of their items, my sister had the berry banana nut and loved it and I had the coco-mint cold brew and a cold brew on the side. Empanadas and just had to grab some beans to go! The staff was busy but looked happy to be there! Music was bumping and overall an awesome spot for morning coffee! read more

Carrie T.

6 years ago

Visited Drink Happy Thoughts yesterday and got to meet both owners who were super welcoming and nice. I find it so cool that although we are in the middle of a crisis they found the courage to open their cafe and have such big smiles and put effort into every bit of their menu items. Shared a sweet story about their plans for the grand opening which will replace the cancellation of their wedding overseas and we will be there!!!! All about supporting Uptown and their neighbors. My husband had a cold brew (THEY ROAST THEIR COFFEE!! +++) and I had an acai bowl which was beautifully presented and tasty! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! read more

Karen S.

6 years ago

SO HAPPY Drink Happy Thoughts is here! Today was my 4th time visiting and I believe I have tried all the items on the menu! I am such a snob for dairy and they always take care of every little thing I randomly ask for! I am a BIG fan of the coffee and cannot believe I get to drink fresh coffee at such a great value! The Pineapple Express is my new go-to! I am so happy there is CBD as an option as I suffer from joint pain! Woohooo Drink Happy Thoughts! Love the environment, the music, and more than anything the cheerful attitude from staff! read more

Deandra B.

2 years ago

Wasn't a fan of my iced drink, it tasted watered down and too sweet. I asked the server and was told it was standard. Did offered to make a new one but seemed annoyed by my question. It was hot inside and the music was loud. I wouldnt care about the music level but it was hot and the interaction was awkward, overall not impressed read more

Aishah P.

Elite 26

231

592

3 years ago

Dropped by this cute cafe this morning and tried their horchata latte! It was creamy, smooth, earthy, and just the right amount of sweetness. Yum! The cafe itself is cozy with lots of seating so it's great to sit down and study there. Highly recommend! read more

Maeve O.

4 years ago

My Favorite coffee shop in the neighborhood so far, a quick pitstop during work to wake me up with a delicious Latte. LOVE THE ARTWORK :)

Derek S.

5 years ago

Best coffee shop in the area! Creative menu, friendly staff, always smells great, clean and happy place overall!

Trent J.

6 years ago

Easily one of the best smoothies I've ever had. Great service and vibes. Check them out!

Drink Happy Thoughts - juicebars - Updated September 2026

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Emerald City Coffee Shop is the perfect blend of warmth, community, and relaxation. The cozy…read moreatmosphere, quiet place to work or fun spot to hangout with friends! The ample seating ensures you'll almost always find a spot, whether you're flying solo with a book or meeting up with a group. Plus, the board game selection is a fantastic touch, adding to the shop's friendly and interactive feel. Beyond the ambiance, Emerald City Coffee Shop delivers on quality. The coffee is rich and flavorful, with a variety of options to suit different preferences. Whether you're in the mood for a classic espresso, a creamy latte, or a seasonal specialty, their menu has something to satisfy. I ordered caffe Medici which was a coffee version of an old fashioned! I loved it! There is paid street parking outside which makes it easier to park and enjoy your favorite beverage!

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Ritual Coffeehouse

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Since my last review 2 years ago, I've developed such an obsession with Ritual's scones that I…read morethink they deserve their own review. I don't know what sorcery they are using to bake these scones, but they are not your average dry, flaky pastry. They are moist, gooey, huge, heavy on flavors and ingredients, and always delicious. I'm tempted to ask the owner to start texting me the scone flavors of the day so I never miss my favorites. Top 5 scones: - Peaches and cream - Cherry chocolate - Vanilla chai and/or vanilla rosemary (can't pick) - Lemon ginger - Chocolate caramel pecan Obviously I'm a sweet pastry person, but they also always have a couple of savory options like ham jalapeño cheddar, goat cheese, etc. I had one that was like blackberry habanero one time?? So good and so unique. Thank you, Ritual, for always feeding me scones :)

I had high hopes for this little place. The server was a little rude that I was standing in the…read morewrong place to order (no biggie, but it was my first time here). But my drink: awful. I took a sip. Yuck! I waited a few minutes, thinking, maybe it wasn't THAT bad, and tried another sip. Yuck! On my way out, I brought my drink back to the counter. It was still warm. I told the guy that the drink was terrible, that it tasted like warmed up Hersheys syrup. He took my drink and said, "Oh I'm sorry about that." I paused a second; he had nothing else to say. He didn't offer to make me a new drink. Didn't offer a pastry. Didn't offer a refund. I'm out $6 and I did not get to enjoy a treat. We're urged to support local, but experiences like this remind me why I like to go to the consistent chain that ALWAYS remakes my drink if there's a problem (which their rarely is), no questions asked. Totally disappointing. Would not go back because my drink was terrible and the customer service didn't exist.

First Sip Cafe

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I love the inventive flavors and kind staff at first sip. This place always delivers with a 10/10…read moredrink. I enjoy my coffee extra knowing it's locally owned and a community hub for the surrounding area. That means there's a good bit of seating here too!

First Sip is a great stop if you're a matcha fan. The fruit basket matcha specifically is very…read moresweet but tasty. The decor is dark and unique and the staff are friendly, though they clearly stay very busy throughout the day. It should be noted that wait times for drinks can occasionally run long, so it's worth building in a little extra time if you're not in a rush- on certain days, expect to wait around 10 minutes for your drink. Overall, worth it for the fruit basket matcha alone.

Drink Happy Thoughts

4.4

(10 reviews)

Drink happy thoughts was fitting to catch up with a friend and grab a tasty to eat. Nice staff and…read moregreat lightening. The music isn't too loud so if you wanted to go and read a book, have at it! I came on a holiday so the hours were a bit shorter. While there I chose to try the Birria arancini. They have three or four other flavor options you can choose from. Each are $5 and comes with a side of corn and sauce to pair. The outside was super crispy. The inside was rice and meat. Not mixed together but it was layered. The rice alone had zero flavor. The Birria was nice and slightly juicy. What brought the snack together was the sauce and corn. Without those two, it lacks heavily. Not horrible but I wasn't wowed or prompted to buy another. Would I return? Yes. They serve house made ice tea that I want to give a try.

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City Skyline Chicago Coffee Lounge

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This coffee shop has an airplane theme. The backroom had a cool wall art display with paper planes…read more I tried the horchata latte because that was the drink they were promoting that day. It was way too sweet. They added syrup even though the horchata is already supposed to be sweet. Unfortunately I couldn't finish my latte because it was too sweet and I ended up throwing it out.

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