Hey Chicago coffee addicts!
We’re back again with another article on the top-rated coffee shops (according to Google reviews), and this week we’re covering Chicago’s West Loop.
Although West Loop is best known for Randolph Street’s restaurant row and Fulton Market’s dining scene, the neighborhood also has a number of really good coffee shops to get your caffeine fix. From hidden matcha bars to Vietnamese robusta specialists and pastry-forward cafes, you’ve got a decent set of options to try out.
In case you stumbled onto our blog for the first time, we’re the Ben Lalez Team, one of the top real estate teams in Chicago and in Illinois. We’ve got over a thousand deals under our belt over more than a decade of helping buyers and sellers in the city. If it has something to do with Chicago, we’re there!
Before we begin, you can check out some of our previous neighborhood articles on coffee shops in Chicago:
- The Best Coffee Shops in Lakeview
- Top Rated Coffee Shops in Wicker Park
- The Best Coffee Shops in Lincoln Park
- The Best Coffee Shops in Andersonville
- Top Rated Coffee Shops in Logan Square
Let’s get started!
Our Selection Criteria
Our selections are based on places that primarily serve coffee, have earned high Google reviews (with a minimum of 100 reviews), and offer something unique to the neighborhood’s coffee culture. Please note that both the ratings and number of reviews are at the time of writing this article. You can always click on the corresponding link to each business page to get the most up-to-date ratings and reviews.
| Name | Rating | # Of Reviews | |
| 1 | Sawada Coffee | 4.6 | 2,164 |
| 2 | La Colombe – Randolph | 4.6 | 1,145 |
| 3 | Ground Up | 4.6 | 767 |
| 4 | Vietfive Coffee | 4.6 | 496 |
| 5 | Groundswell Coffee Roasters (Madison) | 4.6 | 295 |
| 6 | Good Ambler | 4.4 | 693 |
| 7 | FROTH | 4.3 | 449 |
| 8 | Drip Collective | 4.1 | 230 |
1. Sawada Coffee
Website: https://www.sawadacoffee.com/chi/home
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QQUWFH36UXTxH6mNA
Sawada Coffee is West Loop’s cult‑favorite espresso and matcha bar, tucked inside Green Street Smoked Meats on Green Street. The space feels like a mash‑up of coffee bar and industrial loft, and you’ll often see line ups on the weekends.
The shop is the first U.S. cafe from latte‑art champion Hiroshi Sawada – make sure to try their signature Military Latte (matcha, espresso, vanilla).
2. La Colombe – Randolph
Website: https://www.lacolombe.com/pages/cafes/randolph
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DZq1dThmSFXKFJ7NA
Coffee is very much the classic La Colombe playbook. Expect draft lattes, nitro cold brew, and straightforward espresso drinks with consistent quality and plenty of grab‑and‑go traffic. Because of its location and reliability, it’s a common recommendation for visitors staying or working in West Loop.
3. Ground Up
Website: https://groundupchicago.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B4ys7XoK9wCjs67V8
Ground Up is one of the best work‑friendly cafes in West Loop. The coffee menu is a mix of classic espresso drinks and rotating seasonal specials, with a bit of Greek‑influenced items and delicious pastry options. If you want to find a place to bring your laptop and get work done, Ground Up is a good choice.
4. Vietfive Coffee
Website: https://vietfive.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NSaxCHH16g5fmtYo8
Vietfive Coffee focuses on coffee made from Vietnamese robusta beans grown on the owner’s family farm. Drinks are brewed with traditional phin filters, so the coffee hits rich and strong, especially in classics like cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk). Many people will tell you that Vietnamese coffee hits harder than regular coffee, so don’t drink too many!
5. Groundswell Coffee Roasters – Madison
Website: https://groundswellcoffeeroasters.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VLNRqRUKJZu1mwDq5
Groundswell Coffee Roasters’ West Loop location brings a local roaster’s presence into the neighborhood. Inside, the focus is on in‑house roasted beans with Oji drip options. It’s also a great place to buy fresh coffee beans to bring home to brew.
6. Good Ambler
Website: http://goodambler.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cFZWmhbZ6dvZbGGN7
Good Ambler feels as much like a pastry shop as a coffee bar. The cafe is large and stylish, with brick, high ceilings, and plenty of seating. The pastry and chocolate treats are very popular, and go amazing with the coffee. If you’re looking for a place where you can pick up a treat+coffee (instead of just a quick coffee to go), this is a good place to check out.
7. FROTH
Website: http://froth.cafe/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5jAv3jKwmhSmj1qXA
FROTH operates out of the lobby of a redeveloped apartment building on Monroe that used to be a YMCA. The menu takes a “cocktail approach” to coffee with both classic espresso drinks and more experimental creations like coffee cocktails and Dalgona‑style iced drinks.
8. Drip Collective
Website: https://dripcollective.coffee/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DMV1HahffZb9qnAUA
Drip Collective’s menu is built around Filipino and Southeast Asian flavors, with pandan and ube lattes, seasonal specials, and signature drinks alongside more traditional espresso options.
Additional Spots For You To Check Out
If you already know these 8 spots or just want even more variety nearby, there are a few additional cafés worth mentioning.
Dark Matter Coffee – Meddle Coffee Bar
Website: http://www.darkmattercoffee.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w6vLY2mw7LxHtefB9
Meddle Coffee Bar is Dark Matter’s West Loop location, and represents Dark Matter’s “psychedelegant” design – purple swirling floors, mural‑covered walls, and loud music. You’ll find their trademark barrel‑aged coffees, cold brew, and single‑origin offerings. This one is ideal for readers who want a bold, roaster‑driven experience rather than a quiet laptop cafe.
Matcha Cita
Website: http://www.matchacitachi.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PLv5GD18xUrpMWEF7
Matcha Cita is a bright, matcha‑focused cafe designed intentionally “for the gram,” with colorful, tropical‑meets‑retro decor and an all‑matcha menu of lattes, lemonades, smoothies, and sweets. It’s perfect for anyone who loves matcha or wants a highly photogenic spot to work or meet up in West Loop.
Swadesi Cafe
Website: http://swadesicafe.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/A8yV2yzvg3E8vueDA
Swadesi is a South Asian cafe from the Michelin‑starred Indienne team, built around masala chai, specialty teas, and Indian‑inspired pastries. People describe it as a “new Indian cafe for masala chai,” with cardamom‑spiced drinks, savory snacks, and desserts that feel very different from typical West Loop cafés. It’s a must‑try for chai lovers.
Move Along Coffee
Website: http://www.movealongcoffee.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RtndcsxEAJt744cHA
Move Along Coffee features rotating roasters and specialty drinks out of a small storefront. It’s popular with commuters and locals who want a quick, high‑quality coffee without committing to a long sit‑down stop.
Cupitol Coffee & Eatery – West Loop
Website: https://cupitol.com/
Read reviews here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9tsMUyhUmVtLiTvp8
Cupitol’s West Loop location is an all‑day cafe that blends coffee shop, bakery, and restaurant with espresso drinks, pastries, brunch, lunch, and wine/beer all under one roof. It has plenty of seating and is often used as a flexible meeting or laptop space, especially for people who want to transition from morning coffee to a full meal without moving.
That’s A Wrap
What do you think? Did we miss any that deserve to be included in this article?
If you’re thinking about making West Loop your new home, or you currently live there and want to know what your property is worth, make sure to reach out to the Ben Lalez Team. We’d love to meet up with you at one of these spots for a coffee and chat about finding your next home in Chicago.
Until next week, stay caffeinated!
