If you're looking for coffee that's not only strong, but full of flavor, La Colombe is your spot! Before our trip to Chicago my mom kept telling us to check this place out. We didn't realize that there was a location next to our hostel in Wicker Park until our last day there. It's right under the blue line stop. If I would have known that it was right next to me, I would have came here every morning! Keep in mind that they don't have Wifi, so if that's a deal breaker, there's a Starbucks nearby if that's what you're looking for. read more

Good coffee. No wifi. I get it. If they don't want people camped too long, limit the wifi. But you can't have a coffee shop without wifi in some capacity. P.S. Especially if you tell me to, "Try to steal it from our neighbors" read more

Coffee and lattes are great, however, there is no wifi which is unacceptable for a coffee shop. Who does that in 2017!?

On the way home from yoga this morning my roommate and I drove past the blue line Damen stop and realized La Colombe was open for business. We were so excited that we pulled over and hopped out of the car. The place is bright, clean, and inviting. There is a big tall table next to the big front windows and some smaller tables along the sides of the counter. The three people working behind the counter were very nice and answered our questions about the new place and what to order. I got a fresh pressed coffee that was awesome and my roommate got a cappuccino. She said hers was pretty solid and we agreed it was a nice addition to the area. I don't know a tun about coffee, but I can tell you that I would go back again and take another recommendation. It looks like a cool place to meet someone, sit in the window, and chat. There were some pastry items in the case that also looked pretty tempting. Glad to see a new and friendly business in the area. read more

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First time here, liked the decor and atmosphere a lot. Sucks that theres no frappes. I can live with that with an iced mocha. The mocha was pretty good ill say, and as I sat down with my laptop, I struggled to find a spot with an outlet. With more searching I saw that theres maybe 4 outlets in the entire place which are behind the unmovable benches and hard to get to. Thats kind of silly. No reason for that. When I did sit down, I didn't see a recognizable wifi name that matched the place so I went and asked. "Company policy no wi-fi". what? This is almost 2015, and a coffee shop with no wi-fi and has that as policy....completely unacceptable. Will not be back for that exact reason. I don't ever buy coffee on the go. I always go to a coffee shop to relax and get some schooling or business done on my laptop. So, so silly. And for those that say people should only judge the coffee of the place, and not wi-fi..um no.. Thats part of the business thats lacking and thats a major breaker for someone like me and others who will pay for overpriced coffee. If the place was a dump and had great coffee, that would still be a knock against it because its part of the business and not welcoming, or the attitude of the staff. Its all part of the business. read more

Hot chocolate sucks. Croissant sucked. Seemed like out of a store package. Can't opine on coffee so I won't give it one star. But I will take evil Starbucks any day over this over priced European cafe wannabe! read more

Cute new spot but the regular drip coffee I ordered was mediocre at best. I would be interested in trying their cold press coffee but doubt I would choose it over the Starbucks just a few doors down. read more

I accidentally stumbled across La Colombe's Wicker Park shop -- not realizing it was the sibling of the Andersonville location I'd heard much about, but never gotten to. The buzz up north was that they were high on concept, didn't have wi-fi, etc. -- so I was interested in finally experiencing it for myself. I will give La Colombe credit for the actual taste/roast/quality of their beans. I had an espresso drink, and what I could taste of the coffee was alright. It was far from the best I've ever had, but it was definitely above mediocre. So props for that. My biggest problem with La Colombe was the attitude. This is the kind of place you might see parodied on Portlandia. Upon walking in, I notice the space was finished quite nicely. The tables were gorgeous wood. The rest of the space consisted of loft like architectural elements -- basically clean and modern. With this first impression, I had high hopes. Where things went downhill for me was when I got to the counter. A young woman with silvery aqua or purple hair (sorry, but it all starts to look the same after a while) greeted me with a chilly "over it" vibe. I asked about their nondairy milk options (they had almond milk) -- so I was good to go there (or so I thought). But when I went on to ask if they had anything in the way of specialty drinks, she gave me an uppity response (complete with the look down the bridge of the nose) to the effect of, "We do not have any kind of flavored syrups here." I responded, "I'm not looking for flavored syrups. I was asking about specialty drinks." She just looked at me without saying a word. So, I went on to say (in a friendly way) that there are places like Ipsento that are using full flavor coconut milk -- or Sol Cafe in Rogers Park, where they make a drink infused with smoked paprika, etc. She just continued to look at me blindly. I wasn't going to press the issue. So I ordered a decaf almond milk iced latte. But when I saw them pull out almond milk in a tetra pack (Pacific brand Barista Series), I was surprised. Now, if you've ever had this, you will know what I am talking about when I say that this product is extremely thick. This formula is made for steaming, and might be fine for a hot drink because it does thin down somewhat with heat. But for an iced drink, I find this almond milk really gross. There is obviously a ton of thickener in it (WAY thicker than regular almond milk), and it is almost like runny Jell-O, or spit or something. Blech. But beyond consistency, I also don't think Pacific is the best tasting almond milk out there either. So, after taking the first sip of this iced latte, I noticed it tasted good in terms of the coffee itself -- but really suffered from their choice of almond milks. With that, all of the attitude and pretentiousness in this place seemed especially ridiculous. I mean, if you are really serious about your coffee drinks, "artisan crafting", and all the other hipster buzzwords, then you should really put more thought and time into the final product. If you choose to use a "milk" (meant for steaming) in an iced drink that is not particularly great tasting, and coming from a tetra pack, you've shot yourself in the foot IMO. When it's obvious that one product works better in hot than cold drinks, then I think you owe it to yourself and your customers to know this and use different products for each purpose. Or better yet, make your own almond milk like Oromo Cafe in Lincoln Square -- or have it made for you. You're charging enough. Overall, I would not say La Colombe is "bad" -- but at the same time, why go here when you can go other places where people are actually engaging and friendly AND THERE ARE BETTER DRINKS! Coffee Studio, for example, has fantastic coffee (Intelligentsia beans) -- as does Metropolis, who roast their own on premises! There's also Sol Cafe -- who are doing leaps and bounds above La Colombe in terms of creativity and quality overall. At the end of the day, places that treat customers like peons are not high on my list. And if you're going to play the attitude card, at least provide me with an end product that reflects excellence all the way around. Unfortunately, La Colombe didn't come through with the goods. I hope others enjoy it more than me. read more

This location is often crowded, and just found out that they turn off the Wi-Fi on Saturdays and Sundays to make sure there's enough space! Just a heads up! Also, refills on drip coffee are $.75 as of 2019 read more

This place has turned me into a daily coffee drinker. This is the best coffee (and lattes) in the city. Not to mention the staff is super friendly. They remember their patrons and even to those they don't know are polite and welcoming. My sister who lives on the West Coast looks forward to her visits to La Colombe. To those who have an issue with no wi-fi, you're missing the beauty of this place and the Wicker Park neighborhood for that matter. Each business is unique. If you're reviewing a coffee shop, the coffee (product) should be your review, or even the staff, not wi-fi. If Wi-fi is a deal breaker for you, then go somewhere else, don't give 1 star and bring down the rating for a business. read more

Today was my first time going here, and I must say it was an amazing experience. I didn't know how/what to order, but the barista was super helpful and very very nice. The coffee is great, and I had a great time just hanging out. Stop complaining about them not having wifi, and for once just do it the old way of communicating and studying. read more

Was intimidated to venture in as I thought it was for serious coffee drinkers only - but am glad I did. The iced Black and Tan is the best ratio of iced coffee to milk and consistently so good. And it's less expensive than a Starbucks iced latte and tastes better. Would give 5 stars for the coffee but knocking it down to 4 because of lack of wifi. read more

Intelligentsia and the Wormhole and a few other places get a lot of hype, but the best cup of coffee I have had in Chicago was at La Colombe. It was deep and rich, it was a fairly big cup and didn't cost that much! While I would like free refills (at least one would be nice), 50 cents is something I can live with, especially considering the strength and quality of the coffee. The interior is spacious and the seating is comfortable. My Yelp reviews are usually far too long and littered with dumb jokes and petty complaints, but I really don't have one this time. I'm actually a little disappointed. Am I losing my creativity? Oh no... read more

This place changed a habit. The service was remarkable and the coffee & espresso was clean and delicious. Some coffees and espressos taint the pallet and give a jittery sensation, but this was not the case here. In the words of the Terminator, "I'll be back." read more

Really good cold brew! This is our go to spot for coffee when we're in the city. Service is always quick!

Good coffee but RUDE! I ordered a latte and saw the sign with the two different espresso blends. Workshop- grenadine, custard, mulberry. Cornerstone- nutty, caramel. As someone who has a hard time imagining what grenadine and custard taste like in a coffee, I asked if there was any way to differentiate the two flavor-wise. I was just told to read the sign "they're just two different blends," with an annoyed face as if I have never had a coffee or espresso in my life. Finally after some back and forth, another worker explained that one is lighter and the other is darker. Why this couldn't have just been said initially and maybe without an unhelpful attitude is beyond me. No need to be aloof about coffee. Not sure I will be back, which is disappointing because I live a block away. Guess we can't all like our jobs ‍ read more

Great atmosphere and lighting. Despite the shop's proximity to the el, the sound of the train wasn't distracting. Will definitely be back!

The two things that really stand out about this place: great coffee and space to actually sit and have a conversation. Firstly, the coffee is strong, bold and has great flavor. I'm not into syrups and whipped cream and all those other add-ons so I like that the actual coffee here tastes wonderful. I had a decaf and it was great, unlike a lot of places where the decaf is pretty second-rate compared to the caffeinated stuff. Secondly, the cafe is ideal for meeting friends. I hate that so many coffee shops are full of people camped out all day long on their laptops leaving no place to sit for those who just want to pop in for a quick coffee. Plus, I like to meet friends and actually have a conversation and it's frustrating to feel like you're bothering people by talking (even if that's what they should expect when working in a public space). The fact that there's no wifi here means that the place is generally not very crowded and I'm not "annoying" any workers by chatting with friends. I can see how the lack of wifi would be a problem for some, but since there are already dozens of other coffee shops in the vicinity catering to that crowd, I think it's a welcome change. Other good points: convenient location right under the Damen el stop, nice decor/atmosphere, and the fact that both still and sparkling water are available free on tap. My one bugbear, however, is the lack of a signposted menu. I like to be able to see what my options are and what it's going to cost me upfront. Maybe they're trying to be hip by encouraging you to talk with the barista or something, but frankly, it's just annoying. read more

First, I live across the street. Always no line when I go in. Very clean and minimalist atmosphere.. Succulents are nice to view while you wait (only waited one time bc my boyfriend got a latte) I usually stick with whatever they have brewed and homogenized creamer.. They give you a teacup tray with a spoon, I love it instead of a wooden stick! The chocolate biscotti is a plus :) I once ordered, walked out, then walked back in, I forgot to pay! They didn't even stop me lol read more

Best Coffee in Town. Tried their cold brew/lattes at different places around town and those are good but nothing beats getting it here

The place is awesome. They do the milk just right on the Lattes and the staff is always great. No wifi, but that makes it quite easy to find a seat. Love this place. read more

I left my heart at La Colombe. This place is my second home. The space is gorgeous with massive windows, rustic seating and great natural light. The coffee is simple and good. No frills. I know a lot of people don't like the lack of coffee options, but as someone who only likes to drink good tea and a rich cup of dark caffeine, I couldn't ask for more. All of the baristas are friendly and welcoming. Most importantly, there is NO WIFI. I love it. You never have to fight for a table. You can actually go get a cup of coffee with a friend, sit and have a real conversation without having to fight for space between the two guys playing World of Warcraft. This is my new spot to read and write every morning. read more

Hands down the best coffee I've had in the USA (we've been here 5 weeks and struggled to get something drinkable). Barista happy to make me a flat white topped up and knew exactly how I'd like it! Have been a couple of times to this place and never been disappointed! You've made this Aussie pretty happy :) will definitely be back next time we are in Chicago read more

Delicious iced coffee. I'm glad it isn't one of those $5 cold brew situations-- it's not cheap, but it's not outrageous. I love their coffee. read more

I'm in the middle of a grueling graduate school application process and need a good coffee spot to get me through the struggle of writing and revising for hours on end. I had heard of La Colombe, and as a fan of strong, good quality coffee, this seemed like a worthwhile spot to at least try. Not only did I feel comfortable and inspired enough in this space on my first visit to plow through my writing, but I will make this THE spot to work. It's what's good: the abundant natural light, clean, interesting decor, and the Black and Tan is a holy concoction of the coffee gods. For real. Try the Black and Tan. You'll be back. Say "hi" when you see me. I'll probably be there. Nice work, La Colombe! read more

Cute place! Wonderful and accommodating staff! I tried a new drink recommended by the barista -- well new to me. It was delicious!

Delish! Great coffee, great service! Or at least I would assume, I've never actually been here. Speaking of being places, I think hanging out with ***** was a really bad idea on my part like really some self sabotage shit. read more

This Cafe is not clean. The floors, seats, and bathroom are dirty. The staff is not friendly actually the woman behind the bar is reluctant to answer any questions. They give paper cup for sitting down customer without asking. Actually we prefer a real cup instead of plastic or paper cup (for environmental reason). The toilet needs a key to open. Overall it is bad experience. We will not come back to this cafe. read more

La Columbe has the best beans in Chicago land. Lattes, Cappuccinos, and espresso are the best I've had. Love this place. Friendly staff. Lots of room to sit. Really a great place to enjoy coffee and not work on your computer. There's no wifi here for a reason. I recommend the Nizza bean for anyone interested in brewing there own espresso. It's really hard to mess it up when you use the best tasting beans. The bean has a deep rich flavor and has minimal bitterness. Soooooo good. read more

This is my favorite coffee chain in Chicago. Luckily one just opened near my house in Lincoln Park on Armitage. I always get their black and tan, it is a very thick cold coffee drink with cream in it. Both the coffee and the cream are poured out of a tap. The texture is amazing, it is thick and smooth, but not sugary at all. I love it! The ambiance of this place is amazing too! Perfect to sit and catch up with friends, because they don't have wifi. I have also tried their Oolong tea which was very light and tasted amazing if you are more in the mood for hot tea. read more

Conveniently located next to the Damen Blue stop, this place is a great place to have some coffee here and study. I'm not a coffee connoisseur but the latte was very good. The shop interior is gorgeous! Unfortunately, the employees are not very friendly (more like apathetic) and they don't offer wi-fi either. Wouldn't come here again unless I needed a caffeine fix. read more

Awesome coffee and love the draft latte. No Wifi zone. Hop off the blue line at Damen and after a spicy ramen at Furious, was looking for a cold coffee and a place to relax. Like a troll with 3 riddles Le Colombe sits right under the train. Not a huge place and for a lazy late afternoon the seats were at a premium. If you like hipster beards and seeing people talk about art, reading books about the rise of scientific philosophy and doing creative writing come here. With that aside there was no wait and after a minute looking over the menu we ordered our drinks, cold pressed iced coffee and a draft latte, as both required not much prep the drinks were ready right away, after waiting about a minute we got a seat in a corner and we're excited to get on wifi and try to do some productive things and/or get lost in the interwebs. I went back up to order a chocolate croissant and ask for the WIFI and to my surprise they did not offer WIFI. There goes my dreams of looking at endless Reddit threads and eventually landing on a page on how to build paper mache unicorn. Overall coffee was yummy and if you drink it there and not Togo , you tend to get a bit more. I will use this as a sign to look up from my phone and laptop and try to have a meaningful conversation. read more

Never been and was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the coffee and the staff! I was allowed a small sample of the light and dark coffees they had available, both of which were delicious. Staff was super helpful and kind. Unfortunately they do not have wi-fi, so not sure if I would venture back in for anything more than a coffee to-go. read more

Best cappuccino I have probably ever had and that includes cappuccino's I've had in Italy! I love the charm of this place. FYI - no wifi!

Cup of latte, sweetened and it was amazing!!! Really friendly staff and a great atmosphere. Amazing ambiance and they serve the cap and spoon with your drink to add things if you needed it. I didn't need anything and it tastes amazing! read more

Great coffee shop that has very open space. Friendly staff, wicked atmosphere. This is a good spot to do some work, or just have a conversation. Their iced black and tan with draft latte is amazing in the summer. read more

No WiFi on the weekends? They said it's so that people just hang out and talk..... we were going to hang out, talk and review some work together. Guess not. They lost business and we moved on. read more

So consistently great it's boring to describe. Cool vibe and decor, super nice baristas, and top notch coffee. First time I've tasted a latte on nitro. read more

If you're looking for a great coffee shop with phenomenal baristas be sure to check this place out. They're super quick, smiles are contagious, and over all they give great customer service. My weakness is the draft latte. If you visit you need to try it. The best thing you'll ever have!! In fact you might find yourself craving it on a random day when there is no La Colombe in sight, which really blows! This place is addicting, great prices, and everyone who works there is awesome. read more

I go to La Colombe at least once a week, if not twice. The drinks are as good as coffee drinks can get (amazing) and the staff is always friendly! read more