Discovering the Best Cafés in Lakeview East — A Coffee & Tea Lover’s Ultimate Guide
A cup of coffee can make or break your day, and in our neighborhood, we take our coffee very seriously. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of all the best cafes in Lakeview East to help you find your perfect brew. Discover where to find homemade pastries, ideal spots for working from home, and even where to go for a latte flight. Java nice read!
Belmont
Dark Matter Coffee – Osmium Coffee Bar
1117 W Belmont Ave
Recently just announced “Best Coffee Roaster” by The Chicago Reader in 2023, Dark Matter has been making a name for themselves in Chicago for almost two decades. “Born on the 4th of July, 2007, Dark Matter Coffee was founded on an adherence to innovation, skill, and intellectual honesty – which over the course of 15 years has made us the most creative and audacious coffee company on planet Earth. With our roastery in Humboldt Park, Chicago, we ship direct-sourced coffees from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Colombia worldwide. Our ever-expanding universe of coffee includes experimental fermentations, barrel-aged and cask-conditioned coffees, and collaborations with your favorite artists and musicians” (Dark Matter Coffee).
Photo credit: Dark Matter Coffee
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café
1114 W Belmont Ave
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Café has been a beloved staple in Lakeview East since 1992. This charming European-style café, now featuring a newly renovated dining room, offers cozy seating and a delightful menu that changes with the seasons. Enjoy a fresh latte alongside their delectable pastries, or savor one of their daily selections of soups, sandwiches, salads, and quiches. Don’t miss out on their special “High Teas” – follow them on Instagram to stay updated on these exclusive events!
Coffee, Hip-Hop, & Mental Health
1051 W Belmont Ave
It’s in the name, this Belmont Brew house represents three things: Coffee, Hip-Hop, and Mental Health!
“Our mission as a Mental Health Advocacy group is to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by addressing the fundamental and advanced needs of our community. We believe in Educating, Empowering and Encouraging our community to take an urgent interest in their mental well-being holistically. This includes talk therapy, nutrition, support, creativity, movement, mindfulness, and building a sense of purpose. This is how we normalize therapy” (chhamh.org). Open daily for dine-in or carry out, the coffee menu has a rotating latte menu, that are all named after hip-hop artists! They have a record player spinning hip-hop at all times, set at a volume high enough to enjoy but low enough to still have a conversation. Every purchase made at the café goes towards benefitting the community and advocating for mental health! Sip with a purpose.
1022 W Belmont Ave
Ancient Grounds opened its doors in 2022 and has already made a huge splash in the Chicago coffee scene. Having gone viral for their “latte flights” the creative menu is always changing daily with fun new creations to try! Order one of their many original lattes, like their Teddy Grahm Latte or Fruity Pebbles Mocha, or stick with the basics they’ve perfected. Grab a bite while you’re in, as they have a breakfast menu, lunch sandwiches, Açaí Bowls, and smoothies!
939 W Belmont Ave
There is nothing pedestrian about Pedestrian Coffee. Located right next to the Belmont L stop, Pedestrian Coffee is perfect for customers who are on the go or interested in staying to enjoy the ambiance. The motto at Pedestrian Coffee is “Extraordinary Coffee for Everyday People,” and they prove that every day with their coffee. Each roast is sourced directly from farms they have ongoing relationships with because they believe in the importance of fair-trade coffee. Stop into their store on W. Belmont to try some of their delicious coffee and sweet treats! They have plenty of seating making it the perfect place to WFH, or to spill some tea with an old friend.
826 W Belmont Ave
11 Degree North fuses traditional Venezuelan cuisine with traditional American food. They are a small, Latin-owned business that specializes in Arepas. Their menu also has other items like biscuit and bagel sandwiches, veggie and smoothie bowls, for customers who like to stick to the classics. Other than amazing Venezulean food, they have signature coffee drinks that are unlike any other! The Caribbean Iced Coffee is made with house syrup, caramel, cream of coconut and cinnamon +2 shots of espresso and coconut milk. If you like it hot (literally), try the Latin Fire Mocha Latte, made with cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and chocolate.
420 W Belmont Ave
Wake ‘n Bacon is an Instagram-worthy brunch restaurant that incorporates fun, good food, and aesthetics all in one visit! The interior is like a whimsical fairyland as tons of bright-pastel colored flowers hang on the ceiling creating the perfect photo backdrop. When it comes to coffee, they have Drop Coffee by Brewpoint, La Colombe cold brew, and tons of flavored lattes to enjoy. They also offer a Monthly coffee subscription for Drip Coffee and Espresso drinks by Brewpoint, any of the Rishi hot teas, or the Purple Haze. Enjoy one cup a day, every day! $29.99/month (Value $155). Limit to 50 subscribers at a time only.
Broadway
828 W Grace St (Not Broadway, but VERY close!)
Steps away from North Broadway, is a brand new coffee and tea shop, Tulips Tea on Tuesday. The menu is heavily inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine. There are not many places in the city serving avocado milk tea, black sesame rose lattes, and strawberry hojicha lattes! Owner, Tulip, takes great pride in serving only the best ingredients, and almost everything is made right here at the cafe.
Visit on the weekends for special treats that aren’t usually available! Like rotating soft serve flavors, and Thai empanadas with flavors like Thai basil, Thai curry, and Taro coconut. Ask about their pastry selection when you stop in, they’re always trying something new that their guests will love! Become a regular and join their membership program. Members pay only $36 and receive a 20% discount on any purchase, buy 5 get 1 free, and one free drink or snack every Tuesday.
3508 N Broadway
Wake and bake anyone? Wake n Bakery is Chicago’s original federally legal cannabis-infused bakery and coffee shop! They sell gourmet edibles and drinkable hemp beverages to those 21+. Get sconed with their infusions, or enjoy some of their THC-free goodies! This basement café allows you to hang and lounge on their big comfy chairs, or grab and go and enjoy your day. Come say high to the friendly baristas, and find your perfect baked good.
3311 N Broadway
The Coffee & Tea Exchange is a paradise for coffee and tea enthusiasts. With an extensive selection of coffee beans, including espresso and decaf, and an impressive array of exotic, aromatic loose-leaf teas, there’s something for every taste. Explore their diverse offerings and treat yourself to a specialty latte from their full-service café counter. While there’s no seating available, you can easily grab your drink and go.
3135 N Broadway
OMI Cafe, new to Broadway in 2023, is a Japanese dessert haven that specializes in a delightful fusion of traditional Japanese sweets and modern treats. The menu features heavenly Kakigori shaved ice desserts, rich matcha lattes, aromatic coffee, and playful drinks like Ube and Taro Milk Tea. Diners can also help themselves to something savory before dessert, like a Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl or Steamed Gyoza! This open space has so many seating options and natural light. Come check out what OMI has to offer!
3123 N Broadway
Intelligentsia is a high-end, Chicago founded coffee bar chain serving daily roasted brews in an industrial-chic setting. Cozy up with a book while drinking one of their freshly brewed coffee or teas, or put some headphones in to get some work done with their free wifi. Cool off with their cold brew coffee or an iced pour-over during the summer. Did you know this location is the FIRST Intelligentsia location ever? It’s been in the neighborhood since 1995! Come sip some history.
2873 N Broadway
Cubaneo is an instant escape from the beautiful city of Chicago to the island of Cuba. A friendly, fun, vibrant all-day cafe & restaurant that invites you to feast on a wide selection of Tropical Foods. Featuring mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches, classic arroz con pollo, 48-hour roasted mojo pork, and sweet & savory pastries. Pair your dishes with a cocktail, smoothie, or strong Cuban coffee. Using the freshest ingredients that are locally sourced, the superb service compliments the food perfectly. Wake yourself right up with some Cuban coffee!
Clark Street
2873 N Broadway
Luckycat is an Asian-inspired café, offering a coffee and café experience that is expertly curated yet warmly accessible. Guided by a commitment to quality and an Asian American perspective, Luckycat serves specialty coffee sourced from China and roasted locally in Chicago. Its rotating signature drink menu draws inspiration from Asian culinary traditions, with all syrups made in-house using quality ingredients. Named after the waving cat figurines found in many Asian American businesses, Luckycat welcomes guests with a creative and flavorful food and beverage program, along with approachable coffee education and expertise!
Halsted Street
2925 N Halsted
New in 2024, Jennivee’s expanded into another location! This bakery & café opens early so early birds can get their fix in before the rest of the world wakes up. Serving all the desserts you know and love, this location offers homemade gelato, specialty coffee and tea drinks, and even more pastries! Take your sweets to go, or enjoy in the new gorgeous pink posh space.
Diversey Pkwy
426 W Diversey
Klein’s is a cozy hub for classic baked goods, breakfast fare & tasty fresh brewed coffee. Their artisanal coffee drinks are the perfect way to start your day off right. Whether you grab a quick bite or settle in with your laptop to get some work done, Klein’s welcomes everyone into the door with a smile. With cappuccinos, cortados, matcha, and more on the menu, you can satisfy your caffeine cravings while enjoying a delicious breakfast or lunch!
800 W Diversey
Cafe Deko is a gorgeous Art Deco-themed café that works harmoniously with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and relaxing music. They offer over 16 coffee drinks, each made with passion and dedication. You’ll feel like you’re in a movie at this Diversey getaway!
Photo credit: Cafe Deko
Sheffield
2806 N Clark St
Right between Wrigleyville and the Belmont CTA station, lives a neighborhood grab-and-go cafe, centered around signature iced drinks served year-round. Levant Coffee’s menu is intentionally focused, built around carefully developed flavors, consistency, and high-quality ingredients. Designed for speed and convenience, Levant operates primarily as an order-ahead experience, allowing customers to place orders in advance and pick up quickly without the wait. They even have a walk-up window, making it the perfect place to stop while walking your pup!
