In love with this coffee shop....industrial hip vibe, plenty of seats for privacy or communal seating, WIFI, AC and great matcha latte. Oh, the treats; French Canele, really? So goooooodddd!! Slightly caramelized outside, custardy inside. Not the best Canele I've had but pretty darn good. It's pricey; 17+ for two matcha lattes. read more

Calling all bloggers, socializers and work from homers...this cool spot is or you! So many working stations, fabulous coffee/tea and pleasant music to work to. I stumbled across this location when I was going to meet friends for a birthday dinner in the city. I made the trek from the burbs to chi-town a little earlier than I needed to in hopes of skipping out on some traffic. I was about an hour early for my dinner, so I figured I'd pop in to the closest (coolest) coffee spot and get some work done. Intelligentsia Coffee it was! Very happy I came across this place. I was there at about 6:30 PM on a Tuesday and it was packed! People were crankin away on their laptops, relaxing and socializing over a cup of tea, reading books - you name it. They have tables, comfy chairs, bar-like seating areas, etc. It seemed like a very trendy, cool place to be. I ordered a green iced tea which was given to me in a cute glass with a straw. I grabbed a spot against the wall at a high top table and plugged my mac in (classic case of my gadgets never being fully charged). It was such a pleasant spot to get some work done and enjoy a caffeinated beverage. Now that I live out in the burbs I won't be frequenting this spot as much as I'd like, but if I'm ever in Lakeview East you'll know where to find me :) read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

What a fantastic chain coffee place and what a find both in Chicago and Los Angeles! I always find myself yelping religiously for good coffee when I'm on vacation since the bf is such a big coffee snob :) and I can always appreciate a well made latte. We got here in the late afternoon to find that it was still pretty packed with folks getting through the afternoon sludge. The bar is nice, the lounge areas are sweet and the couches are comfy. They have free wi-fi, of course, and you can buy the coffee by the multiple lbs. My latte and subsequent tea quencher was perfect, and the espresso was apparently delicious as well. This place has great hours and was even open later at night when we came by again. Coffee is an anytime drink! read more

Alright, let me just come right out and say that I LOVE STARBUCKS. There I said it and I feel good about it and I am not ashamed. That aside...I ventured into Intelligentsia last night for some chitty chat time with another yelper. Now, I'm not going to hide it...I have been in here before. I ordered an iced latte from them a few years back and hated it but I do love their chocolate bars. I'm not a fan of chocolate but every once and awhile I have a hankering and their bars with the wasabi and the red chillies in them are soooo good. Anywho...back to my story. I ordered a large iced cappucino. It was okay. It was mostly foam and ice, not much liquid but I didn't toss it out like I did the iced latte I got from these guys a few years ago. In the end I will keep to Starbucks for my iced venti latte but when I'm need for some good chocolate I'll saunter over to Intelligentsia for a bar...or two. read more

Due to COVID there is a walk up window that encourages social distancing and requires masks in order to order. There is a plastic shield between you and the barista and the barista is also wearing a mask which brings some piece of mind. This was my first experience at Intelligentsia. I got the iced vanilla latte. I was disappointed to see almond milk wasn't an alternative milk option, only soy or oat which isn't my favorite. I went for the regular milk option which I assume is whole because that's what it tasted like. However I definitely will return. I appreciated the lid with opening so no straw is necessary. Can't wait to be back! read more

It's pouring outside and I had planned on visiting Chicago's rainy day safe haven - The Art Institute. But alas, my mind is set on task master mode and won't slow down. So, meditating in the Asian Art Wing will have to wait. I'm setting out for one of my favorite spots to crank out some work - Intelligentsia in Lakeview. When you think of all the things that make up a great coffee house, this Intelligentsia location might seem to come up short. However, when you add up the austere decor, hipster staff, eclectic crowd (who all seem super focused on their work de jour) and upbeat playlist (at a reasonable volume) - it all makes for a magnet environment to touch down, zone out and get shit done. The decor is #basic with white walls, concrete floors and a mix of steel chairs and comfortable wooden stools. Oh, and tables that remind me of high school science class. You know, the ones with oak wooden legs and black, indestructible table surfaces that can withstand teenage shenanigans and Bunsen burners...or in this case, a steamy shot of caffeine. It's the lack of detail that lends the space to productivity. When I was working like a madman, I would often hide out in satellite offices that were free of distractions - no papers on the desk, no secretary chirping with to-do lists, no knickknacks or photos. Nothing but clean space, a laptop and a Moleskin notebook. I feel the same about the Bunsen burner-proof table space. The coffee this time was bizarre. Let me preface this by saying I've had many-o good cups of Joe here and will continue to come back. But, this time my coffee tasted and smelled like it was laced with miso soup. After the first sip, I completed doubted my tastebuds. So after checking to make sure I wasn't having a stroke and cleansing my palate with my Topo Chico mineral water, I tried again. No stroke and no joke - the coffee still carried notes of miso (thankfully without a green onion and tofu ganache). I didn't get anything to eat this time, but in the past I've had the egg and ham breakfast sandwich which comes with a touch of aioli on a brioche bun. It was egg-ceptional and something I would order again for a small meal to hold me over till dinner or for a post-workout chow down. I've also had the Firecake donuts (I'm a sucker for an old fashioned chocolate frosted) and some of the assorted pastries. All of which were very good. My other favorite is the itty bitty dark chocolate bar which gives you just enough dark chocolate to balance out the bitterness of a stiff cup of black coffee. As you might have surmised with the debut article, I have a small bladder and a knack for finding the cleanest and most comfortable public bathrooms in the city. Intelligentsia in Lakeview has many admirable qualities, but the bathrooms are not one of them. They're a couple grades above gas station quality. Their water closets are well put together with white, subway tile walls and a cool light fixture that has that glass reinforced with chickenwire, which reminds me of tornado drills in elementary school (odd, I know...I see my therapist on Tuesday, thank you very much). More than anything, the bathroom could use a really good scrubbing and better ongoing maintenance. Fortunately, it was clean enough that I didn't have to blast my quads and execute a full-on hover. You get my point. I can tolerate a dingy bathroom, but when it comes to electric outlets...like Captain Kirk says to Scotty in Star Trek "WE NEED MORE POWER!". This caffeination station is sparse on electric outlets with only a few spots to plug in in the corners of the seating area. One thing that didn't go unnoticed is the coat hooks underneath the bar surfaces. It's a helpful touch that keeps coats neatly hung and maximizes available seating in this usually busy Broadway locale. While this review comes with a miso-glazed sour tone, Intelligentsia in Lakeview is one of my go-to spots. I give it a "Sober Sommelier B+" for its usually consistent cup of coffee, good food menu, magnetic vibe and productive juju that keeps me coming back. https://thesobersommelier.blogspot.com/2019/05/sober-sommelier-intelligentsia-lakeview.html read more

Their coffee is ok...JUST ok. Their downtown location and recent corporate anti-customer antics still irk me to no end, so I won't repeat that review here. I'll just say it like it is about this location: This place stinks. Look, just because you gut a concrete room in what is essentially a big room under a parking garage, spray it with concrete sealant, paint it, then fill the room with dilapidated, thrift store furniture does NOT a quaint experience make. This is not hip Lakeview charm; this is a coffee urn and a pastry case in a vile, gritty room. It seems most people are clearly bamboozled into accepting anything anti-Starbucks, accounting for all the overly gracious and super-positive reviews this dust bin gets. read more

Black Cat Espresso is bold sweet and delicious. I would recommend the traditional cappuccino or cortado. I love these baristas! p.s. the hours are wrong on here Monday-Thursday: 6-10 p.m. Friday: 6-11 p.m. Saturday: 7-11 p.m. Sunday: 7-10 p.m. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Latte Art - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The coffee was good. I didn't like that they only had soy or oat milk for milk alternatives. I didn't see an option for fat free or reduced fat milk either. I prefer skim milk or almond milk for my coffee or lattes. I don't know if this was due to the pandemic and a limited menu or if this was the regular menu. I don't live near one, but I would consider going back if I was visiting again. read more

This coffee shop in Lakeview is a step up from the Starbucks in the world. I am not a coffee-drinking guy, but this seems to be a great place to have a coffee (what the heck was that "French Press" contraption anyway?). My hot chocolate was decent, and my friend liked her coffee. She also ordered a cookie, and she must have looked like a vegan because the server said it was "for vegans". It was tasty enough, not too sweet. The small outdoor seating area is popular, as is the parking spot for dogs while you are inside to place your order. The cozy inside seating areas can fill up too. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Intelligentsia - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Went here after a nice cold Dive Rescue class in Lake Michigan and can only rave about it. It wasn't just that we were fricken cold and any hot drink would do... No, Sir! After seraching for a parking spot, we went in and this place was already crowded and for good reason. I'm a big Espresso fan so the choices were aplenty...A large Black Cat Espresso for me please... I like how they designed leaves, hearts, etc in the whipped drinks - not that I'm a fancy man! My only complaint is the "trendy" guy in front of me holding everyone up because his phonecall was more important. read more

This was my first taste of Intelligentsia coffee, and it was really good and met the high expectations set for me by the daughter. It's possibly the best I've ever had, but it's tough to be definitive about it based on one cup. Anyway, the problem is I don't think I can afford to drink the stuff regularly at $3.50 to $4.50 per 12 oz serving. The nice thing is if you buy a pound of coffee, you get $3 off of a coffee drink purchase. The various flavored coffee beans are sold in 8 to 12 oz packages, and they are priced by the package. They actually have something called Santuario Geisha from Columbia (with kiwi, red apple, and strawberry shortcake flavor) for $82.50. I assume that was not a typo, and it surely must be something special. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I'm generally not a fan of the cliche hipster baristas with their tattoo sleeves and multiple piercings or the cool-kids sitting around with their I-Mac talking about Tolstoy, but I do love Intelligentsia's coffee. Entering this location there is certainly a "too cool for you" vibe but in reality if you get past that vibe the baristas are quite friendly and helpful, the patrons pretty nice people, and the soundtrack was pretty solid as well. An enormous store it was easy to step away from the loud espresso machines and browse the seasonal coffees. Entirely pretentious, sure, but coffee that lives up to "snob" standards...and their vacuum seal mugs are every bit worth the substantial pricetag. read more

I miss living down the street from this place. The coffee is amazing and worth the wait. Presentation is phenomenal, from the process of making the coffee to the end product, whether you're staying or going. We bring all our out-of-town coffee lover visitors here. Not only is their coffee flavorful, their side offerings are delicious. The giant chocolate chip cookie is my go-to guilt trip. I really like how the place looks after the renovation. There is definitely more open seating (and seats period!) which is great because before it was always difficult to find a seat for more than 1 person. Nice clean and coordinated decor. Although I miss the honey badger picture hanging on the back wall. read more

Just went over Memorial Day weekend with my friend who now lives in Chicago. Holy cow... What an AWESOME coffee bar. First of all - the baristas - every single one - were incredibly nice and knowledgeable about coffee. I bought my mom a bag to take back to Memphis and the guy that helped me made a GREAT recommendation. My mom is an ex-Starbucks employee that hates S-bux coffee now. The Intelligentsia guy steered me towards a sweeter bean and now, the entire family is fighting over the rest of the bag of coffee. The clover machines are fascinating. The machines brew each cup of coffee individually. My friend and I sat at the bar and watched as the barista would pour the ground beans onto the screen underneath the spigot. The chamber slowly lowers and then as the coffee is brewed, something that resembles chocolate souffle rises up. I didn't have a cup of coffee, but the show and demonstration were entertaining enough. I have to give this place five stars - not only for the incredible latte, but also for the superior service. read more

See all

Jesus once told me that he wants me to have good coffee as much as possible. Seriously. Okay, I made that up. I love Intelligentsia coffee; the vanilla latter is amazing. Some of their treats are so good. That cheese danish thing was crazy good. Oh, and once I had a pot of tea and it was lovely. What I am less enamoured with is the "vibe" in their Broadway shop. Can't put my finger on it yet. Perhaps it is the snarky glares you get when you try to chat in there. Sorry, but it doesn't say Intelligentcia Library on the door. Then, when a friend and I were sitting in there talking, one of the employees reached over us and grabbed our dishes. It was sort of stunning. When we bristled, he looked quite annoyed. Well, we weren't done yet. Perhaps had he noticed the COFFEE still in the cups, and our on-going conversation, he might have put all that together. Left a bad taste. So it is delicious coffee, to be sure. And I as much as anybody want a low-key vibe when I coffee. But I really won't take the trek down there, and don't stop in unless I happen to be in the neighborhood. Now though I just get my stuff to go and enjoy it on my way home. Not because it's not fantastic, but because it feels rather hinky in there. read more

My first great love affair upon moving to Chicago. When Intelly and I met I was a little put off. All those good looking, indie baristas with their coffee skills and 'tude is a little scary. But once I received my coffee I was all a-go. Intelligentsia roasts all their coffee here in Chicago. Sweet (and amazing)! Their beans are bought direct trade, and everyone that works here knows what they're talking about... coffee wise. Okay, so sometimes the music is a little goofy. And sometimes the seating is annoying and crowded! Whatever. They have a good selection of drinks, food, and coffee/tea products. The store is big and has a few sofas, tables, and individual seats. Over a year into our relationship (or should I say, torrid love affair)... I've discovered they'll grind your beans depending on what method you use to brew, pull a shot naked (er, with naked portafiller), and actually talk and smile! read more

See all

Halloween at intelligentsia ‍ Dirty chai with oat milk and an essay on the side. Love this place, workers are really nice too read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Intelligentsia coffee is the bee's knees. I've tried lots of coffee in my day and still find myself drawn back to the complex flavors of intelligentsia. I always get the black coffee option that is brewed to order. The buttery oils that go into this delectable brew always perks my day up 100%. I have had lattes and mochas to go before, and they were also delicious. And the baked goods: yum! If I lived closer, I would definitely be here often for breakfast. Selfishly, I'm sad about the new sign because it is now that much easier to find and much busier. Expansion to accommodate the influx of people? Perhaps! :) Luckily, I can usually find a seat. Great service, staff and prices! I can't wait for my next visit. read more

Very small selection of food and coffee, very expensive. This is a hipster paradise. Had oatmeal which was same you could buy at grocery store, and coffee which was on a nice wood plank presentation. This is the place you come and pay a bazillion dollars for your coffee so you can sit and write your next screenplay all day. Staff was friendly. Nice big windows to people watch. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lovely vibe. Professional Staff. The only reason I am giving them 3 stars -- I could only 3 outlets in the entire seating area. I will come back some day but only if I log in a back up battery for my laptop. This was disappointing, but my beverage and service was excellent. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Organic Jasmine Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place got me off Starbucks (okay, not entirely, sometimes convenience is king) - that really should say it all. To elaborate - the coffee is just plain better. Never tastes burnt, and the flavors are much more distinct. It's worth coming in for, because my school (DePaul) "brews" Intelligentsia, and it tastes like crap there. I don't think the coffee is to blame, it must have to do with the self-serve stations. I call coffee abuse. Moving on... the atmosphere here is more energetic and unique than your typical chain coffee shop. You do pay for that sometimes, though - Saturday mornings are often crowded enough that there aren't two seats together free, and even off times in the summer see the patio section full to bursting. Overall, worth a trip for anyone who gives a damn about their coffee. Just be warned: they're pricier than the alternative, but you get what you pay for. read more

Cute place and friendly cashiers! The only reason why I am giving it 4 starts is because a woman employee decided it was time to close at 7:15 when the place closes at 8, and was basically spraying me out of my table. Not the best way to treat customers when you still have 45 minutes left until close read more

Intelligentsia Coffee is a cute little coffee joint that offers one of the best tasting coffees in the city. They are local in-store coffee roasters. You can purchase whole beans to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home or order a cup to enjoy in house. This place is of course trendy and hipster, but you don't get any snooty types. It's a perfect place to catch up with a friend or to cram for those exams (offers free wifi.) The baristas here are really nice and knowledgeable. If you don't know what you would like, just inform them of the type of coffee you enjoy and they will point you in the right direction. Don't expect the quick fast service like Starbucks because the baristas take their time. You'll understand why when you receive the beautiful coffee artwork and take that first sip. Like most other yelpers stated, the price tag for a cup of coffee here is on the higher end but it's definitely worth it. For true caffeine addicts, you can taste the quality of the beans to justify the higher price. The only thing is that parking around here is not that great. They only offer street parking. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Organic Kurimi (Pomegranate, Rosewater, and Brown Butter) Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Every single time I go here I have the best mocha ever. I know I can sound like a cheerleader when I love something you probably think I am a dork and that is fine, It will not stop me from loving intelligentsia! If you have time stay and have your drink in a ceramic mug it is really the only way. Forgot a magazine? That's okay your in lakeview so there are tons of yuppie 20 somethings to watch and sometimes you over hear a "problem" that is quiet entertaining. Some people complained about the loud music. I never really noticed but I am one to have music on pretty loud when the kids are not around. One thing I would not do here is homework it is real busy and would be mega distracting to try and concentrate. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Friendly baristas, a great ambiance for getting work done or relaxing and terrific art latte's served in a ceramic cup with saucer. I will most definitely be back! read more

I visit when I'm in the area, but it's not my favorite coffee shop. It has a weird layout and a cold feeling. The water taps are all the way in the back. There is no where to put your dirty dishes, so you have to take them back up to the counter. Staff are not friendly. Maybe if you're a regular they warm up to you. read more

This is by far the best coffee I've ever tasted in my life. It puts Starbucks to shame. I still drink the bucks from time to time, because its at the end of my block, but the walk to Intelligentsia is well worth it. The service is insanely friendly, and they always accommodate. I take all my friends there, because its a must! read more

These guys are famous for Black Cat espresso beans and being a great all-around coffee house. I'll vouch for the coffee house, but the Black Cat has been a huge disappointment. My review will be in 2 sections... Black Cat roast, and Coffee House. Coffee House: I went to 2 different locations when I was in Chi Town and has a good shot at one, but not at the other. I had great service and great latte's at both. Overall I like their places and will be back! Black cat Espresso Roast: Over the past 2 years I've purchase 3 lbs of their Black Cat and have never been able to get a good shot. Oh well, guess I'll stick with my fav, ACME from Seaside CA. read more

I just LOVE coming to an establishment to receive poor, lackluster customer service from pretentious baristas to start my day! My sister is in town visiting me from France and I thought Intelligentsia would be a nice place to start our day, but I think we could have found a more joyous place to do that at. All three people working this shift looked tired/angry/annoyed. Asking for where the utensils are is very haunting when the barista doesn't even find the need to connect or look you in the eyes. HERE'S A REALITY CHECK: yes, you make good coffee but that doesn't make you God or too "cool" to connect with fellow mankind. I think I'll stick with La Colombe or Ipsento for good, pleasant coffee. read more

I am an absolute regular (we are talking about 3-4 times a week) at this place and here's why - they have great coffee and even better chocolate ganache. The coffee has a polished flavor (which you would definitely admire after having Starbucks coffee) with slight notes of chocolate. And the chocolate ganache is probably laced with crack because I keep craving for it, it's irresistible. You can take just a sip and realize that it's made of high quality chocolate. Iced mocha at intelligentsia is nothing short of poetry serenading my buds. I try out iced mocha at any new place I travel to and I am yet to find a place that beats Intelligentsia at this. This includes Seattle, which has a coffee place almost every block. What's underrated is their consistent delivery of quality coffee. Some people complained about baristas not being friendly and here's what I have to say - they actually are doing their job just right. These guys take the order correctly (including customizations) and make it perfectly, every single time. They probably don't smile often or exchange pleasantries but they are definitely very, very helpful when you ask for something. They aren't perfect but they are definitely misunderstood. Cons: crowded during weekends, causing bad internet speed, not as many plug points, no rewards/loyalty program, dim lit spots in certain places rendering them reading-unfriendly. Parking in this area is usually abysmal. There's xfinity WiFi though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ read more

There were three people working behind the counter and still took 6 min for an espresso with no line. The employees seemed very interested in being at work. I will be getting my coffee elsewhere. read more

Unintelligent choice. Coffee taste like it was fermented in the urinal. Could've gone well with a piece of urinal cake (It was my brother and laws birthday, least they could do.) The only problem is they forgot to charge gas station prices. Hot tip, buy 5 coffees at mcdonalds and give away four. You will feel better emotionally and gustatorily. read more

Now that it is cold out, I can resume my love affair with Intelligentsia's hot mochas. Nothing like a not-overly-sweet mocha done to perfection. Pro tip: order it extra hot if you are getting it to sip, otherwise it cools off a bit too fast for me. read more

Super hipster. Super good. No where to sit.. ever. Be prepared to wait in during the weekend. Despite the business it is worth checking out! Their vegan desserts are amazing and attention to detail is spot on. I love this coffee. read more

My husband and I moved from San Francisco to Chicago 2 months ago, and we stopped by Intelligentsia for the first time last weekend. It was so hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, and we could easily find out our seats. At first, I was impressed by its coffee's quality and barista's expertise. Especially I love the taste of cafe latte, and the latte art a barista made in front of me was fabulous! According to other reviews, some people feel baristas are a kind of pretentious. Hmm. At least, I didn't feel like that at all this time. They were friendly and service was courteous and appropriately quick. Lakeview is a kind of hip area in Chicago, isn't it? If so, I wonder there is no choice that a cafe in the area becomes also hip and pretentious more or less. ( I may have lost sense since getting used to TOO MUCH hip people in SF, though...) Anyways, coffee was awesome ! we would be back. : ) read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's good. Since I am not a big fan of coffee, I ordered Chai tea, it gave me comfort at first but by the time passes, I felt dizziness by taking too much sugar contained... The amount they serve is very generous and I usually don't drink anything sweet, so my body got shocked for taking too much sugar so suddenly. If you like sweetie, go ahead but if you don't I won't recommend Chai. Next time, I take coffee. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love here's cappuccinos all the time. I love the seats, workers are nice. Interior is awesome. I even want to work here lol. I love to go here for working my stuffs. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I ordered a Cafe Au Lait, and it was the worst one that I have ever tried in various coffee shops. It is also the most expensive Cafe Au Lait that I have ever ordered. I was quite disappointed. It was $6+ for a cup, and the quality is the worst ever. I don't think I want to come back to this shop again. read more

I've been coming here for years for their hipster setup and pretentious coffee. My current fave is their matcha oat latte which is creamy while still holding that matcha sharpness. Their baked goods are delicious, though on the smaller side considering how much they cost. I only take a star off because it's get super crowded on the weekends, and when that happens there's rarely enough seats and definitely not enough outlets for those of us pretending to do work but really using the free wifi to write Yelp reviews. read more

Intelligentsia Coffee - Matcha oat latte with a side of dark chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois