It's freezing in here. It's about 65 degrees outside and it's way more chilly inside. Is the AC on? Do you hate the world, New Wave? Prop open a door and let us enjoy some natual, warm air! Chai is good but a little more watery than I care for. read more

New Wave has become a common stop while enjoying early morning walks with my pup. Their coffee tastes good and packs quite the caffeinated punch. I order mine over ice and barely need to add any sugar but still toss in a few granules as I need a little sweetness to cut away some of the bitterness. I've also picked up their donuts from time to time (if they still have any) and they're pretty tasty (also vegan, which I am not but taste great regardless). Everyone behind the counter is friendly and attentive. I've sat outside with aforementioned pooch and enjoyed people/dog watching with him. Overall, I'm always happy to give New Wave my money. Now, the only suggestion I will make is regarding a water bowl for dogs outside. It's pretty GD funny as mine refuses to drink out of the Starbucks dog bowl, he's clearly a pup with an opinion like his mama. We support small/local/family owned businesses. So, if y'all wouldn't mind, a water bowl for the canines would be a lovely little addition to the outdoor seating area. Brando will certainly be thankful. read more

Large spacious coffee house, you won't feel like someone is eavesdropping on your conversations here. Plenty of seating, and a nice selection of hot coffee drinks as well as tea. Service was friendly as we stopped by on Xmas eve on our way home. Nice location to sit by the window and zone out on locals walking about. read more

New Wave Coffee - Cup of tea with my cup oh Joe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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FINALLY!!!!!! This place has come to my rescue! I had been searching high and low for a coffee house in Chicago that was enjoyable. I have been to quite a few and there is always something that really made me itchy, either it is the long walk from the train (that sucks with a heavy laptop, good thing I got a new one, and good thing new wave opened!), or that there were no comfy seats, or it was over priced, or the decor pissed me off, or blah blah blah. I am soooooooo glad that this place has: decent coffee, comfy couches and chairs, typical tables with chairs, great flooring (I am a sucker for the vintage linoleum floor tiles), great colors otherwise, hot staff, good music, fun bathrooms, is right off the blue line, two blocks from my house, the list goes on...... I enjoy this place a lot, it reminds me of other coffee houses I have haunted such as the tobacco bowl in Iowa City and Mars Cafe in Des Moines. What else could you ask for? Just to throw this in there because I am an artist: the art on the walls is most likely local and rotating, unless I am completely off. Coffee houses usually do that. So complaining about the art isn't helpful fellow yelpers. read more

Ok, so Im a recent Logan Square transplant. Refusing to use the starbucks down the street for months, I have thankfully happened upon New Wave. I got my first mocha on Saturday and it was brilliant. Yes, the girl making it wasnt overly friendly, but hey - if she can serve up an excellent drink, that's all the being nice I need. The coffee was in fact so good, that I've thought about it ever since. And, found myself walking in that direction this morning instead of going towards the El for work. The place is spacious with an interesting meandering space. Comfy chairs and people actually doing real work. Sure I hate the hipster set as much as anyone, but the day I actually let them keep me from a great hot drink is the day I am likely one of them. Great coffee. Good oatmeal and croissant. Wifi and comfy chairs. Not a chain. What more could you really ask for? I heart you, New Wave Coffee...and your brooding baristas! read more

I don't make it here often, but I really like this place. There is a nice black leather couch -- my favorite place to sit - that is next to a coffee table and a few chairs. It's very spacious in here, though it's still hard to find a place to sift oftentimes because it's the central coffee shop in the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area. The location is great. The staff have always been very friendly and unique here. This place is definitely one for people watching. There are many interesting people here and it makes for a pleasant passing of time while writing or drinking a decent cup of coffee. I also like to look at the artwork they hang on the walls. I always appreciate a business that is a patron of the local arts. read more

i live a few blocks away from New Wave, so it's convenient for me to come here when my lovely AT&T internet goes out.. which is often (and another story) I like new wave a lot. The special coffee/food is super expensive but the regular coffee is well priced and delicious. The atmosphere is what you'd expect- super trendy and hipster-ish, but it wouldn't be a coffeeshop without that. I'm a huge fan of the TV with Nintendo. my boyfriend and I played mario 3 for awhile and no problems with the nes! yay! all in all, this is what i think of when I think "coffee shop" there's nothing too distinctive about it to write about, but it's worth going to! :) read more

When I first walked into this place I felt like I had entered Saved By the Bell. The looks and even some of the music seemed like it could have been in Saved By the Bell. I had a pretty good ham sandwich while there, but to be honest I can't remember exactly what it was except for the fact that it did what it was supposed to. Right after that there was the even more satisfying Eli's cheesecake, so you know, looks like you can tell what my tastes buds were really interested in. I think the main part apart that makes this place is the retro/Saved By the Bell sort of look and its location. It's a big spot with plenty of seating that has a big screen TV and nintendo, which look either donated or bought off craigslist, and it's located in an area were there aren't too many of these places. Because of this, it totally attracts young-hipsters in the area (not complaining). Right off the Boulevard and on Milwaukee, it's pretty convenient for those in the Logan Square area. Nice place to stop by if you're on your bike, walking in the nice weather, or just taking the bus. If I had a laptop I'd be going more often. read more

I had a volunteer meeting here last night, so I checked it out for the first time. Great space - very homey and like an actual coffee shop hang out - definitely not the same feel as a Starbucks. It's way more relaxed and a very fun atmosphere. I am not a huge coffee fan so I can't comment on their coffee, but I did try a soda water (I think that is what you'd call it). That was amazing! More than anything I was impressed with the ambience and the feel of the place. They had a large old school TV with Nintendo for people to play. It was a really large place with great outdoor seating as well. I will definitely be back here!! read more

This place merits 5 stars, it really does. It's huge, plenty of space to stretch out and relax, the coffee's -excellent-, there's 8-bit Nintendo on a huge tv if you're so inclined, and the food is (almost) universally terrific. Almost. You see, they also offer a vile little pastry known as a vegan doughnut. It's 3 dollars. If you're thinking, as I did, that a vegan doughnut might be an interesting new experience, and if they're selling these things for 3 bucks apiece they can't be half bad, you'd be wrong. Horribly, tragically wrong. This is the worst pastry I've ever had. Imagine RYE BREAD with a sweet berry sauce. If this doesn't sound so bad, then I've failed to capture it, because good lord it's terrible. An awful, awful, awful doughnut. Vegans don't deserve this. War criminals don't deserve this. In short--awesome coffee shop, consider avoiding the vegan doughnut. read more

They don't sell Bagels and Bean croissants anymore. New pastry look the same but they are not the same. I've been told that B&B chief retired - not true. You can still get them in Bagels and Bean. WTF with the Boulangerie bakery embargo. I will never go to NWC again. They should compete with the quality, prices, service. The owner makes a lot of money - the traffic is huge but he doesn't want to spend a penny to make this place looking a little better. The chairs getting worse and worse. I didn't see this before but now I see - this place looks like S&^%hole. Coffee quality went down. The sandwiches are still good and cheap. But I will not go there anymore - stop neighborhood businesses extortion. read more

New Wave is in a great location and is great for a weekend morning if you just want to grab some coffee and relax. There is plenty of seating and the place is really bright and open. The 9 to 5 breakfast sandwich is killer. Seriously, if you're looking for a bite to eat in the morning, you MUST get this sandwich (if you're not a vegetarian). I did go there once and they had run out of iced coffee after only being open for like 5 minutes, but they're good enough that that wouldn't keep me from going in again. read more

Great local coffee shop! One of the few cafes that stay open late. New Wave shows that they care about the environment and what waste they create, but can do a bit more to enhance their practices in the Eco realm! Strictly from an eco view: Positives: New wave offers recycling for their patrons! They have mugs, and they also are contentious of dietary restrictions, serving vegan and gluten-free foods... Negatives: They often fail to offer/ask if patrons would prefer a mug with their coffee to-stay, and automatically serve beverages in disposable cups. The last time I was there, 90% of the people there had plastic or paper cups on a busy night. Please consider restricting your plastic and paper cup use to to-go orders only, and if you haven't already, please look into plant based or biodegradable cups to replace the plastic materials. Also you could add a compost bin for those biodegradable materials along with any food waste that customers have and then donate that to a local garden! Go Planet! Thanks for being better than most, new wave! read more

You know I was expecting a 100% hipster ratio, but alas, no. Maybe it was because of the time (2:30pm on a weekday) or the date (finals week perhaps?) but it was mostly college students bogarting the couches and tables with one person, one coffee, and piles of note books. My friends and I (who actually ordered sandwiches) had to sit on the floor, on a corner of the coffee table, and on an arm of a ripped leather sofa. Also people stared at us for having a normal conversation (which sure may have included massive amounts or profanity, and talk of drunken/drug binges but srsly this is Logan square, and we were quietly talking amongst ourselves). I didn't know that even the "hipster" coffee places had to bow down to students that want to feel urban while studying? Aren't there library's for that? If I sat 10 ft from someone at the library to talk and enjoy a meal with my friends, that is totally rude and uncalled for, but for you to lean in and peer over your notebook to creep on/judge our conversation in a public cafe I believe you are in the wrong. The coffee was an 8, and the sandwich was good, but not anything I couldn't make for a quarter of the price with ingredients that I literally have in my fridge right now. Solid 3 stars, but yes I will/have be/been back. read more

I think this place is cute... and has amazing coffee... which one cup and your up for hours! Yum Metropolis! The sandwiches are by far my favorite! Tasty Relaxing Comfortable and i find myself getting a lot of work done... However, there are times where there are No tables... and that is a good thing for them... but if I walk all the way over there with a ton of books... I wanna sit! Its ok I still Love them all ! Cupcakes are amazing... I was a bit put off when I found them to be vegan as usually pastry's suck... But WOW they were surprisingly delicious read more

I love that I can walk to New Wave from my apartment, but also that they serve Metropolis coffee. The decor is definitely fun, and the employees seem to fit right in. With that in mind, try to go to someone at the counter of the opposite gender. The guy that served me was super nice, but the girls I've seen there seemed more interested in adjusting their black frame glasses and second-hand vests than serving coffee. All I ordered was a medium coffee, anyway. But I'll still go back, because they make great coffee from a great and local roaster, and they're within walking distance. Service could be better overall, but the product is never bad. read more

I like having New Wave in the neighborhood. The quality of the coffee ranges from *good* to *just ok* depending on your luck, but on the whole it's pretty solid. The grilled sandwiches are always very good. The staff are nice, if a bit aloof. That said, I prefer more laid-back coffeeshops to New Wave--especially if I'm trying to get some work or studying done. Hey, I KNOW this isn't a library, but the music is often so loud and screechy that it's distracting. If you come at the wrong time (read: WEEKEND!), it's so crowded that it's hard to find a table or even a few square inches of couch space. The decor is about as loud as the music, and while it does give the place some character, it's also more gauche than cozy. I'll probably come back occasionally because I live nearby. There's nothing that I really dislike about New Wave, but it doesn't knock my socks off, either. read more

New Wave Coffee is a great local coffee shop. I just moved into the Logan Square area and I have been here more than a few times to use the internet as well as fill up on a decent cup of coffee. I do consider myself to be somewhat of a coffee snob. That being said, I'm not one to denigrate a particular establishment because they brew generic brand coffee, unless of course its a coffee shop. Luckily that's not the case here. When I go to a coffee shop, I look for a place that has options, as what I'm looking for may vary from day to day. The coffee at New Wave is from Metropolis (as one can determine from New Wave's website) and its above average as far as I'm concerned. Certainly better than what you'd find at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. The options between dark and light roasts is definitely appreciated, seeing as a lot of coffee shops either brew one or the other. The ambiance is what you'd expect from a coffee shop, tasteful artwork on the walls, lots of light, plenty of seating, electrical outlets for laptops, and moderately comfortable chairs. All in told, it fits the billing for what I'm looking for in a coffee shop. I have not tried the food here, although it certainly has an enticing aroma. They accept credit cards for all purchases which is also a plus for me. read more

I only review spots I like, so you know I like this one. My friends like thier sandwiches. Happy staff too! read more

I love their coffee and am always there for the start of winter for their Ghirardelli hot chocolate. The ambiance is why people stay, and if they don't, it's because they don't appreciate the eclectic taste. Band stickers everywhere, ripped furniture with patches cute little tables, several couches to chill, or just enjoy a game or 2 on Nintendo's original NES. The place has been around for a long time and I hope it stays that way. It was the first coffee shop I stumbled into when I moved to the city and nothing keeps me from coming back. read more

I work with teachers across the city and I love finding new coffee shops to hang out in. I've been here a couple of times and know that they've done some work. Previously, the space was really tight and people worked shoulder to shoulder depending on the day. I was so happy to see that they expanded this place and there's so much more space to do work now. I'm not a huge fan of the coffee but it is conducive to getting some work done. I will say that parking is a little tricky around here and you have to pay for most of it. There's also a little patio out back, which is nice for people that like some outdoor time while doing work! read more

New Wave Coffee - Beautiful day outside this little joint! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There was a very long line but the staff was extremely nice and very quick. The Nutella espresso is the best coffee I've ever had in my life and I drink coffee daily!!! Yum!!!! Great atmosphere! If I lived in Chicago I would make this my regular place! read more

New Wave Coffee - Ice Nutella espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I recently moved to Logan and I just discovered this place and immediately fell in love. First of all it's a really cool vibe when you walk. They music played was all my favorites, Bob Dylan, The Beetles. Staff was very friendly and both my sandwich and cappuccino were prepared with care and both were delicious! I will definitely become a regular here! read more

A chill atmosphere. Standard coffee shop menu with some good food options. Has outdoor seating as well.

I'm giving it two stars because the product is good, but it's ridiculous that I go back in saying that I literally cannot put my straw in the drink with so much ice, and the barista's solution was to wriggle the straw in for me. This is an absurd amount of ice for a $5 drink (or any drink, rather). If a tall girl with dark hair and glasses is behind the bar, beware the ice! read more

Liked the feel of the place - and they put an actual cinnamon stick in my ceramic mug of hot cider - which was delicious. Got a bit crowded when I was there, but overall a great experience. Looking to move to the neighborhood - so I'm sure I will be back to New Wave soon. Maybe someday I'll be able to order the usual.... read more

A friend bought a small soy latte, and somehow the total was a dirt cheap $2.61. The cafe where I work charges a full dollar more for the exact same drink. Plus this one came in a kitten mug, awesome. Though I like this place already, a couple improvements would be nice. A fan in the bathroom, perhaps? Everybody knows coffee makes ya poop, and since there are stall bathrooms, a little something to drown out unsavory noises would be nice. Also, I'd suggest moving the bus tub to a less visible place, I was kind of grossed out that it was next to the condiment counter and dirty dishes really aren't fabulous to look at. I think with a couple layout changes there could be more tables...the fridges are sort of awkward. Whatever, not a big deal. I'm also wondering if Tony from Metropolis has played a large enough part in this place that we can be assured of microfoam with every drink? While the soy latte did have wonderful foam and wonderful crema (nice job, barista!), is that gonna be the norm? Time shall tell, but I would be really, really, really happy if they could make consistent drinks. Really, really happy. So, this place wins. Heed my suggestions, or not, I know how cafes work and everybody has an idea and thinks they can do it better, but no one wants to put their ass on the line. PS: Everybody, tip your barista. If it's drip coffee, drop your change. If your drink requires touching the espresso machine, drop a dollar. If you get a sandwich, 15%. Really. read more

1 star for being in Logan Square. Logan Square can support lots of new cafes, restaurants and shops. New Wave is a decent 3 star place. Friendly staff. Could use better organization and decor but I do not care that much about decor. read more

The first time I went to New Wave was when I was desperately in need for internet. I stopped by at 8:30 am. I ordered a tea and sat down quickly, got (my favorite) an almond croissant... I spent all but 10 minutes there and truly enjoyed the experience.. not a lot of people, bright, good croissant... yum! The second visit was not as pleasant, this time around I went with a friend because we just wanted a place to talk. We walked in, it was packed, hardly any place to sit and it seemed more of a 'scene' then a nice coffee house. Also, there wasn't anything in stock, no pastries, no juices (?!?) and only one bottle left of mineral water. My friend and I split it. I just didn't feel the vibe this time around. it was 10 pm. I will definitely return because there are so few places in LS to just have coffee, tea and talk with no harassing crowds & waitresses waiting for you to eat and leave, but not sure if NW is this place unless you are there at 8:30 am on a work day. read more

I hate to admit it but when it comes to coffee..I can be a snob. I have worked in the coffee industry for years now, so it is kind of an earned title. New Wave was the first place in Chicago I was actually very pleased with- It helps that its in my hood as well (Logan Square). The coffee is consistently well made (great foam + foam art is an added plus) and my americano magically killed my sunday morning hangover with pleasure. The staff is always very friendly and makes wholesome conversation and seems to have good music taste (which is essential for coffee shops). It's always packed, day or night, so I don't need to go on about it anymore...It has it's fair share of followers already. Keep it up, New Wave. P.S. You need more spoons..that's my one and only complaint read more

The coffee is good, and well priced (2.50 espresso, 2.50 unlimited drip). The hot chocolate is very good (3.15 for medium) and they take the time to carefully draw designs in the whipped cream. The staff are friendly and in appropriate piercing-and-tattoo uniform. The clientele is a mix of hipsters (leaning towards scruffy) and others. Accepting that many of their customers are at work, they have a few actual desks set up around the space, in addition to the tables and thirftstore-style couches and chairs. WiFi is free, easy, and decently quick. Stylistically, it's new wave taken broadly. The bathrooms are decorated with often cheesy florescent faux-graffitti. At the moment, the decor theme seems to be masks, including the oddly great work of a mask-obsessed photographer. The music was great, including a full playing of TV on the Radio's Dear Science when I was there. Overall, I'd give the place 3 stars, except that it reminds you of how terribly badly we need a counterweight to Starbucks and its knockoffs. A huge bonus star for being something different. read more

Coffee was great. The lady and I got skinny vanilla lattes and they were hot and delicious. I could tell the barista takes his gig seriously. I would classify him as an cafe artista, putting in the time and energy to do it right. He even drew a little tree in my coffee foam. That being said, it took a really long time. In regards to the atmosphere, definitely a basement feel to it. OK lighting. Rag-tag furniture, arranged in an organized-yet-chaotic fashion. And hipster tracks playing on the radio. Could I study there? Yes. Would I study there often? Maybe. If I was a hipster? Always. As for the other odds and ends, I saw some people eating delicious looking sandwiches, including the staff. They also offered free water. Unfortunately, the dispenser was empty and nobody was trying to fill it. Word to the staff: Pay attention to the details and take initiative. Oh wait, this place is run by hipsters. Biba! (Cheers!) read more

Love the Bottomless Cup of coffee for about $2.50 or so. This accommodates my coffee drinking and reading habit very nicely. Staff is nice, nothing over the top but nice none the less. Sometimes its crowded but there is lots of tables and couches to sit and relax, which makes long periods of stay more accommodating. If you have a laptop, there is plenty of outlets, which is key. read more

I was a regular customer here for years. I would still be if I didn't move... UGH. I miss New Wave. I miss the staff, who were always nice to me. I don't like fake sweet 'i care about you' service (think anywhere in bucktown / wicker park). I like to interact with real people, who have real lives. I treated them like people, they treated me like a person. But hey, maybe that's just me... The coffee is lovely. The pastries are good. There is lots of space, free wifi, and they're open late. read more

Great people. Great turkey sandwich add cheese. Cozy. I miss the old seating arrangement. read more

why the bad reviews? Amazing coffee, beans that are not store bought and a location tailored for people watching, wi fi and great tasting sandwiches. I will be returning. read more

Decent coffee, cool space. If I were still in college, I would've loved to come here and do work.

I love it so much! It's more of a no judgment zone and I found my favorite coffee place. I ordered a French soda and was able to mix flavors. The worker was very sweet and I love the artwork in the bathroom. I felt like I was at home read more

The drinks are great. The food is great. Now I don't if they have a group of regulars or something, but when I walked in I got the stink-eye from quite a few people. I wasn't dressed bizarre or anything, maybe they were staring at me because I didn't look depressed and wasn't carrying a laptop. Out of the vast number of people that were that I'm pretty sure my buddy and I were the only ones that were talking. So I sat there, drank my awesome coffee, talked to my friend, but I would still catch a pretentious scent every now and again. It was actually a little discomforting. read more

I met a friend at New Wave earlier today to catch up and talk about a new business that I'm starting. I got a medium coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich for just over $5. That's not bad at all. We were able to carry out our conversation that lasted several hours and we weren't bothered or interrupted even once. The space is actually quite large and can accommodate small groups comfortably. To those worried about hipsters, they're at most coffee shops. The two go hand in hand. Highly reccommended. read more