7 Outstanding Chicago Coffee Shops on the North Shore

There used to be a lack of Chicago coffee shops on the North Shore, but times sure have changed!

During my years lap-topping and caffeinating in the suburbs of Chicago I witnessed the North Shore coffee revolution firsthand as Starbucks took over, followed by an influx of local coffee shops.

Defining the North Shore of Chicago is a fuzzy undertaking, but the general consensus is that the North Shore includes the towns lining the Lake Michigan shore from Evanston in the south to Lake Bluff in the north.

And while some suburbs are still lagging, Chicago’s North Shore coffee scene has been heating up.

Yes, downtown Chicago still dominates the coffee game, but some Chicago suburbs are giving the big city a run for its money. And I’m revealing the best of the best. 

I’ve done the coffee-fueled research so all you have to do is show up and sip.

When choosing the best Chicago coffee shops on the North Shore, taste is of the highest priority. But the coffee-sipping setting also has to please the eyeballs (think cool lighting, beautiful tile-work, wall art, and stunning desserts to pair with that perfect brew).

Before we dive in, here’s a quick run-down of the 7 best coffee shops on Chicago’s North Shore:

1. Hometown Coffee & Juice
2. Alchemy Coffee House
3. Reprise Coffee Roasters
4. Patisserie Coralie
5. The Brothers K Coffeehouse
6. Coffee Lab
7. Baker Boys

1. Hometown Coffee & Juice (Glencoe)

Hometown Coffee & Juice is a relatively new spot but it was worth the wait! This place makes me feel as though I’ve been transported to California. Bright and airy with a clean, white aesthetic, this place finds the right balance between posh and accessible.

They also get top billing for offering coffee from one of my favorite roasters — La Colombe — the smoothest, most flavorful beanage you can get in Chicago. (Let’s make “beanage” a word from hereon out, k?!)

Not sold yet? Hometown also offers a variety of milk alternatives, including almond, soy, coconut, and oat. Oat milk is my personal favorite; I just love how smooth and creamy it is in a latte!

If you’re here for the ‘gram this place also delivers on the photo front! The entire interior is minimalist and stylish and just begging for a photo op.

Crouch down and you can snap that beautiful beverage with the cool b/w tile pattern lining the checkout counter. Or get a delicious avocado toast for the perfect table flat lay.

Feeling naughty? Get a giant donut because YOLO! (I’m acutely aware that no one but me is still saying this…).

Natural lighting pours in from giant windows lining the south and west sides of the shop so you can #nofilter all you want, the shot will look great!

If you’re in the mood for something healthy, Hometown has juices and smoothies to fill your feed with green goodness. I recommend the It’s Not Easy Being Green smoothie with avocado, apple, cucumber, spinach / kale, mint, and lemon — super refreshing and revitalizing! If you want a juice version of this combo, order The Coolest.

Bonus points: Hometown get extra kudos for doing juices, smoothies, and teas just as well as it does coffee. Also, I adore the igloos they set up around the holidays; they are ultra cozy and cute for sipping your coffee indoors-outdoors!

Cons: If you’ve come to work, the noise level can be a bit high so bring headphones.

2. Alchemy Coffee House (Wilmette)

The sign inside says “Good Coffee” but it’s incorrect — the coffee here is great! Alchemy Coffee House is a minimalist’s dream coffee spot. Adorable and tiny, it packs a photo punch with minimal decor composed mainly of artistically-carved wooden chairs and tables.

A happy orange wall is at the ready for your latte’s photoshoot. Or head outside and shoot that lovely beverage in natural light with the entire coffeeshop as a backdrop!

Bonus points: Lovely biscotti and scones pair perfectly with your coffee. I recommend the mango scone! Another huge plus — they roast their own beans so a bag of coffee goodness is ready to go home with you if you want to recreate the experience.

Cons: No credit cards and no WiFi (say what?! yes, no WiFi — very unusual for a coffeeshop nowadays but a great opportunity to unplug!). Alchemy is only open Friday-Sunday (but they will deliver beans and scones daily) from 7am to 1pm. I’m one of those people that can drink coffee at 6pm and still go to sleep by 10pm so these short hours are a major con for me.

3. Reprise Coffee Roasters (Evanston)

I’ll admit, I was late to the game in discovering Reprise Coffee Roasters, but now that I have, I’m hooked! You can taste Reprise’s dedication to roasting and serving award-winning coffee with every sip.

You can also feel great about coming here, knowing that your coffee-dollar are supporting sustainable coffee practices:

Reprise Roasters has a main focus on sustainability, working to create an environment that thanks everyone on the supply chain from coffee farmer to barista.

We are committed to changing the way business is done by valuing people & the Earth over profits. 

Bonus points: If you like their brews (which you will), you can buy a bag to recreate the magic at home! Reprise has created the perfect work atmosphere — the music is low and soothing, there are plenty of tables and outlets, and the wifi is strong. The Evanston location also has a wonderful back patio!

Cons: What is it with Chicago coffee shops on the North Shore closing so early? Reprise closes at 12:30pm most days of the week (aside from Saturday and Sunday when they close at 2pm)!

4. Patisserie Coralie (Evanston)

So this is a cheeky addition to this list, I’ll admit. As the name implies, Patisserie Coralie is more of a pastry shop than a coffee shop, but the coffee is really solid (they brew Julius Meinl), and the scrumptious sweets pair perfectly with the coffee.

Patisserie Coralie also offers free refills on their house coffee if you really want to go to town on the caffeine!

When I want to pretend that I’m back in Paris, I come here!

The interior is STUNNNNING: white and bright with pops of black from the marble tables, plus metal accents in the form of antique cooking implements and chandeliers.

I always try to come early on weekends to snag a cushy love-seat.

Definitely go for the macarons when you come here. There are countless flavor options (passion fruit, sea salt caramel, hazelnut, blackcurrant, pistachio…) and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

If you don’t like macarons *gasp* try the chocolate croissant, hazelnut tart, or canelé!

Bonus points: During what Chicagoans call “patio season,” Patisserie Coralie lines its exterior with cute tables. It is absolute heaven to sit outside and people watch while sipping a latte and eating macarons. Don’t forget to snap your coffee with their logo on the exterior of the building; it’s très cute!

Cons: Once in a while I’ve gotten a stale macaron, but the employees were really sweet and switched it out for me. If you’re an uber-hipster with an impressive, time-consuming beard and strong opinions about pour-over coffee, this may not be the spot for you.

5. The Brothers K Coffeehouse (Evanston)

The Brothers K Coffeehouse in Evanston is super popular with the “watch me write a novel” crowd. This place is seemingly always busy and for good reason: fantastic coffee and a lovely interior, including a particularly pretty tiled floor.

Yes, the coffee shop tiled floor craze has made it to Chicago’s North Shore! You’ll be tagging #IHaveAThingWithFloors before you leave Brothers K.

Think tile shots are over-done? Choose the bold yellow wall or any of the whimsical artwork as mug backdrops. BOOM, Insta gold!

Brothers K coffee shop has perfected the latte heart, and I’ve seen them execute a passable swan. Donuts and scones are also at the ready to complete your tablescape!

If you want some real food there’s tasty vegetarian fare from stuffed pies (spinach and feta and 3 cheese) to quiches to a veggie burrito. Added bonus: Brothers K buys local so you’ll be supporting local shops like Blind Faith Cafe, Bennison’s Bakery, and West Town Bakery!

Bonus points: If you want to take a bag of beans home for a flat-lay (or, you know, to drink), Brothers K sells freshly-roasted Stumptown and Metropolis coffee! Also, the summer patio tables are lovely when the weather cooperates.

Cons: Might be a tad too busy at times to get work done, but personally, I like working with noise so not a major con for me!

6. Coffee Lab (Evanston)

Are you noticing a trend with Evanston dominating the Chicago North Shore coffee scene? I’d wager that Evanston’s coffee shops rival those you’d find in downtown Chicago.

And Coffee Lab is the perfect example. They understand that great coffee starts with great beans and ends with the ideal brewing process.

Opened in 2010, Coffee Lab bills itself as:

a radically welcoming and inclusive coffee shop that specializes in specialty coffee and espresso.

I could feel the truth of this as soon as I walked in and was instantly greeted with a big smile and a warm welcome! The friendly barista explained all of Coffee Lab’s caffeination options (and they are plentiful!).

I was tempted by the pour-over selection (especially since it is poured into a beaker, be still my science-nerd heart!), but I was in the mood for something else.

A warm beverage that would double as dessert was the vibe I was going for so the barista suggested the Nutella latte. I got it half sweet with oat milk and it was heaven — a hug in a mug! 

Coffee Lab is bright and airy with exposed brick walls so you know it’s hipster-approved. It’s a place where you’ll want to hunker down for a while and be productive or spend some quality time with a loved one.

Bonus points: Lots of milk-alternatives including oat, soy, and almond. And you can caffeinate later than most spots on this list since Coffee Lab is open until 6pm. They also have a “Print With Me” printer area in case you need that option and don’t want to hunt down a FedEx Kinkos!

Cons: As with other Evanston coffeeshops, you may have to pay for parking ($1.50/hr.), but for coffee this good, I don’t mind.

7. Baker Boys (Highland Park)

Yes, this spot is known more for its ridiculously delicious cupcakes than its coffee, but Baker Boys gets an honorable mention for the well-executed espresso-based drinks and the wonderful array of cupcakes!

Underestimating the coffee would be a mistake IMO. They recently had two of my favorites brews — La Colombe and Intelligentsia!

In mini and full-size form, their delectable cupcakes photograph beautifully (if you can keep yourself from biting into them prior to shooting)!

Very hard to choose favorites, but the Banana Chocolate Chip (pictured above), Fluff Brownie, Red Velvet, and Cookie Dough are stand-outs. Also, the eclair is insane. Get it. Do it!

Bonus points: As someone who likes to put honey in her latte, I appreciate places that offer quality honey (Baker Boys offers lovely Heller Honey). In the summer, this spot has patio tables which make the coffee sipping, cupcake eating experience even more sublime. Also, if you’re local, don’t forget to ask for a customer appreciation punch-card. You’ll be back.

Cons: On summer evenings when Ravinia (the local concert venue) is open, it can get extremely busy. Try to arrive early or your favorite cupcake may be a goner. But arrive too early and the cupcakes may not be ready — I suggest 11am or so as the sweet spot!

Covid-19 Update: Baker Boys is open carry out and you can call in your order at 847-433-0430 or email bakerboysbakeryhighlandpark@gmail.com (please contact them by 3pm for next day pickup). You can find their updated weekly menu on their IG!

How many of these Chicago North Shore coffee shops have you visited?! And which ones will you visit next?

Did I miss any of your favorites? I’m always looking for new coffee shops to get my latte-on so please drop your recommendations below!

Also, now that you’re fueled up for the day, why not burn off those coffee and pastry calories with an energizing workout in an outdoor setting in downtown Chicago?!

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