Time Out Chicago: The coffee is smooth, the beet salad is amazing, and the house-roasted meats are turned into sandwiches like lamb-and-polenta with mint chimichurri and portobello mushroom with thyme-infused cheese.
Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant · North Center · 26 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: The vegan breakfast sandwich is a respectable attempt; the vegan muffins do a better job of standing in for the real thing. It’s not the food you’ll come here for but the Chemex coffee.
Time Out Chicago: The quiche selection, featuring a wild mushroom pie and the vegan desserts are a draw and the smooth shots of espresso and midcentury-modern design that make this the sexiest coffee shop on the block.
Time Out Chicago: Though it opened in 2004, the Beverly roots run much deeper, which explains the local sourcing, from sage breakfast sausage to applewood-smoked bacon and 21 varieties of house-roasted coffee.
4363 N Lincoln Ave (at W Montrose Ave), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · North Center · 59 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: This European export has a full menu of food. Frittaten soup is offered daily, and the roasted lamb is served with toothsome spaetzle. At the end of the meal, a slice of opera cake is a necessity.
Coffee Shop · East Hyde Park · 16 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: People are bound to respond to roasted-to-order coffee, fresh panini and the dozen varieties of housemade gelato, with flavors like cherry mascarpone and fresh peach, plus oddball options like Nerds.
1462 N Milwaukee Ave (at N Honore St), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Wicker Park · 248 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: This time-travel-themed (it has a DeLorean in the front) coffee shop has a small selection of baked goods from Fritz Pastry, Cheerios and other assorted cereals; and talented baristas.
3103 W Logan Blvd (at N Milwaukee Ave), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Logan Square · 114 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: Panini and wraps offer sustenance to counter the caffeine shakes, with a good assortment of vegetarian-friendly options to boot. Late-night hours make New Wave a frequent stop for night owls.
Time Out Chicago: There’s plenty to nosh on: breakfast burritos, sandwiches and fair trade coffee. Try a slice of tres leches while using the free Wi-Fi. The café stays open late on second Fridays.
Time Out Chicago: Bagel on Damon has a small selection of specialty dry goods and bagel sandwiches (such as the Breakfast II: a bagel topped with cream cheese, an egg, bacon and avocado) are beyond comparison.