From the first coffee houses in the Ottoman Empire to Boston’s famed London Coffee House, cafes have always been an egalitarian place to gather, sip and share ideas, many of which have changed the world.
Today, iconic spots like New Orleans’ Café du Monde and NYC’s Caffe Reggio continue that tradition. But where can you find your perfect cup in Chicago?
Stacker compiled a list of the top-rated cafes in the Chicago area based on Yelp reviews (minimum 20) from within a 10-kilometer radius as of February 2025. National chains with more than 25 locations were excluded to spotlight local favorites.
Keep reading to see if your go-to made the cut!
Read more: Coolest Coffee Shops for Chicagoland Kids
Highest-rated cafes in the Chicago area by diners
10. Coffee Lab & Roasters
- Rating: 4.7/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2823 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Bakeries
- Read more on Yelp
9. Complimentary Café
- Rating: 4.7/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4933 Oakton St., Skokie
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Cheese Shops, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
8. Sundrip
- Rating: 4.8/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 210 N. Carpenter St., Ste 140, Chicago
- Categories: Vegan, Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
7. Somethin’ Sweet Donuts
- Rating: 4.8/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4456 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago
- Categories: Donuts, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
6. 11 Degrees North
- Rating: 4.8/5 (330 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 824 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches, Venezuelan
- Read more on Yelp
5. Ludlow Charlingtons Coffee Shop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (117 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2425 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Categories: Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
4. The Crepe Shop
- Rating: 4.8/5 (581 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2934 N. Broadway St., Chicago
- Categories: Creperies, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
3. Sip of Hope
- Rating: 4.8/5 (142 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3039 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago
- Categories: Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
2. Coffee Tree & Tea Leaves
- Rating: 4.8/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3752 N. Broadway St., Chicago
- Categories: Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
1. Cafe El Meson
- Rating: 4.8/5 (138 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4631 S. Kedzie Ave.m Chicago
- Categories: Sandwiches, Coffee & Tea, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Rasha Aly and Carren Jao, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 313 metros.
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