Cafes

Near the hotel, Hero Coffee Bar brings innovated coffee ideas and great bagel sandwiches to Chicago. Hero Coffee Bar stands out as a Chicago staple committed to making a positive impact with not only the way they locally roast and source their beans but also within the charity projects they choose to partner with. 

"Sputnik Coffee Company was born from the notion that coffee could (and should) be delicious and affordable. Unsatisfied with the lackluster brews in their office coffee pots, Sputnik founders began to roast coffee in the comfort of their homes but soon discovered that replacing bland blends inside and outside the workplace proved to be cumbersome and expensive. What first began as a modest quest for quality coffee would take off to become one of Chicago’s notable roasters."

"Quality service. Quality coffee. On the Southside. Come through for a cup."

"[Retreat at Currency Exchange is] a space for chefs, artists, and creatives of color who have lost workspace and business opportunities because of the pandemic . . . a year-long pop-up outpost . . . which aims to revitalize underserved neighborhoods through art and culture" (Chicago Eater).

"Build Coffee is a coffee shop and bookstore in the Experimental Station on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by community-driven non-profits and civic journalism projects, Build is designed as a hub of great coffee and radical collaboration.

We act as a small venue for performances, workshops, gallery shows, book groups, game nights, and more. We sell used books, local small press publications, journals, comics, art books, and zines."

"Advancing farmers to the forefront of the coffee industry & closing the gap between coffee farmers and U.S. consumers."

"La Montañita is a Mercadito Comunitario or Community Market where we host fellow food business, artists & makers in the community."

"Inspired by the café culture so prevalent in Chicago and by our passion for coffee, we open our doors to coffee and tea lovers that want a place where they can enjoy locally roasted coffee, high quality tea, and delicious food as much as we do. . . . Brew Brew was designed to be a space that reminds people of home or their travels through Latin American countries. The décor, specialty food & drink items, and the welcoming staff combine to offer guests a comfortable experience with inclusive energy."

"Legend has it, our founding father-son duo, Jeff & Tony, got into an espresso drinking competition, got super amped, and found themselves in front of a booth for a roaster manufacturer. Buzzing from their sheer love of great coffee and about a baker’s dozen double shots, they purchased a 12kg roaster on the spot with no idea where they would put it.

As a philosopher and a linguist, Jeff and Tony brought their love for science fiction, fantasy, and lore to the forefront of the Metropolis brand, positioning themselves as the modern, creative coffee brand Chicago needed. They’ve since upgraded their roasting operations to a whopping 18,000 square-foot roastery along the North Branch of the Chicago River, but don’t worry​​—they still operate the Edgewater Café that started it all."

"Back in 1994, when Eleazar Delgado decided to open a coffeehouse and gallery space in one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods, many scoffed at the idea and bet on its failure. Fifteen years later, Café Jumping Bean has become a thriving business and vital anchor for Pilsen’s residents, and its vibrant arts community. Offering diners an alternative to tacos and tortas in this predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood, Café Jumping Bean provides its customers with a healthy menu of fresh sandwiches, salads and specialty coffee drinks."

"The goal of the Spoke & Bird is to provide delicious and healthy food at reasonable prices to the communities we become a part of. We strive to create a welcoming and inviting environment, be an organization that employees are proud to be part of and a place in which they can take ownership and improve. The Spoke & Bird concept is built upon the increasing desire for healthy and affordable food and beverages as well as a space in which to enjoy all three."