LOOKING FOR THE BEST COFFEE ROASTERS IN CHICAGO?
You’ve landed on the right article, as I’ve explored Chicago coffee scene in depth, and am about to highlight every coffee roaster you needs to be on your bucket list!
This article will highlight the best coffee roasters in Chicago. By the end of this article, you’ll know what they are, where they’re located, and how to visit them — so let’s dive in.
I love Chicago’s coffee history. It started in the late 1800s. Small roasters appeared, which brought bold flavors.
Soon, cafes popped up everywhere and the coffee culture thrived. People loved it. Today, Chicago boasts many artisanal roasters. They continue the tradition and the coffee scene is vibrant and rich.
⚠️ Note: There’s A LOT of info here, so make sure to use the Table of Contents below if you want to jump to a specific section.
Table of Contents
Dark Matter Coffee
⭐ Rated 4.7+ on Google Maps
Forget your average coffee shop. Dark Matter Coffee is all about pushing boundaries and brewing the most mind-blowing cup you’ve ever had.
These coffee wizards are like a scientific family, obsessed with quality and giving back. They travel the world, making friends with coffee farmers in places like El Salvador and Colombia. This lets them handpick the best beans, ensuring fair prices and amazing flavor – you can really taste the difference!
They have cafes at Meddle, Electric Mud, Caravanserai, or Sleep Walk Chocolateria in Chicago. Each location offers a unique experience.
You can also get their coffee delivered straight to your door by placing your order on their online store.
Plus, they offer a subscription box, so you can be surprised with their latest and greatest roasts every month!
But wait, there’s more! Dark Matter dives deep into the science of coffee, especially this thing called “fermentation.” It’s basically like a tiny party in the coffee bean, where yeasts and bacteria break down sugars and create amazing flavors.
There are different ways to ferment coffee beans, each creating a unique taste. Dark Matter knows all the tricks and uses them to make all kinds of coffee, from clean and bright to super fruity and complex. They even experiment with different yeasts and fruits to create wild, one-of-a-kind coffees!
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Intelligentsia
⭐ Rated 4.3 on Google Maps with over 1,700 reviews
Love amazing coffee? Then Intelligentsia, a Chicago-born specialty coffee roaster, is your perfect cup!
Intelligentsia Coffee began its journey in Chicago in 1995. Doug Zell and Emily Mange moved from San Francisco to Chicago. They were disappointed with the coffee they found. So, they decided to change that.
They opened their first café and roastery in the Lakeview neighborhood. Using a Probat L12 roaster, they perfected their craft one bag at a time. They focused on sourcing the best coffee, paying fair prices, and connecting with the community.
Today, Intelligentsia is a leader in specialty coffee. They have locations in five cities: Chicago, Austin, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. They still hold true to their original values. Their coffee is available through coffeebars, training labs, and Roasting Works.
You can find Intelligentsia’s coffee in many top restaurants and hotels. They also offer coffee subscriptions, bringing their single-origin coffees and blends to customers worldwide. Their three Chicago locations include Broadway, Monadnock, and Millennium Park.
Intelligentsia’s story is one of passion and dedication. They started with a simple desire for good coffee and grew into an industry pioneer. Visit their online shop or try a coffee subscription to enjoy their meticulously sourced and roasted coffee.
Metropolis Coffee Company
⭐ Rated 4.6 on Google Maps with over 1,100 reviews
Metropolis Coffee Company is a modern coffee brand for everyone. The story begins with Jeff and Tony, a father-son duo. They were at an espresso drinking competition, buzzing with excitement. Suddenly, they found themselves in front of a roaster manufacturer’s booth. Fueled by passion and double shots, they bought a 12kg roaster on the spot. They had no idea where to put it.
Jeff and Tony love science fiction, fantasy, and lore. They used this to create Metropolis Coffee. This brand was exactly what Chicago needed.
Over time, they expanded their operations. Now, they have an 18,000 square-foot roasterie along the North Branch of the Chicago River. Despite the growth, they still run their Edgewater Café, where it all began.
You can find Metropolis Coffee in many places. Their coffee is served in cafés, restaurants, grocers, hotels, and offices. They are rooted in Chicagoland, Metropolis Edgewater Café, but their partners are spread across the United States and Canada.
Their coffee is freshly roasted to order. They use an in-house, state-of-the-art roaster. Each batch has specific profiles to ensure the best flavor notes.
They also focus on ethical sourcing. They work closely with producers to guarantee high-quality beans. These beans are grown sustainably and traded responsibly.
Metropolis Coffee offers a subscription service. This ensures you never run out of coffee. Sign up and get your favorite brews delivered to your doorstep.
Explore their online shop for more options: Metropolis Coffee Shop.
Passion House Coffee
⭐ Rated 4.6 on Google Maps
Passion House Coffee in Chicago is a unique experience. It all started with a simple cup of coffee. From there, it grew into a passion.
The founder was inspired by the Beatnik generation. They valued community and conversation. This inspiration led to the creation of Passion House Coffee.
The journey took them around the world. Eventually, they returned to Chicago. In 2011, Passion House Coffee was born.
Passion House Coffee focuses on respect. Every bean is treated with care from seed to cup. This attention to detail makes their coffee stand out. They aim to inspire others and create an inclusive culture. Music and Chicago culture are core inspirations for them.
Each coffee they roast has a story. Names like Chicago House Blend and LSD Blend reflect local inspirations. Their coffee connects with the community. They collaborate with partners and non-profits.
Most of their coffees are single-origin. This means they come from one place and highlight unique flavors. They also have a genre system to categorize their coffees.
Ambient coffees are blends available year-round. Mainstream coffees are seasonal, single-origin varieties. Experimental coffees push the boundaries with innovative methods.
You can get their coffee by subscription. They offer various options to suit your needs. Their team is their pride and joy. They strive to create the best experience for everyone.
Visit them at their Goose Island Café location. Their Roastery in East Garfield Park is open, but you’ll have to give them a call to tour the facility. Passion House Coffee values its customers. They invite you to enjoy a cup and immerse yourself in the experience.
Big Shoulders Coffee
⭐ Rated 4.6 on Google Maps with over 330 reviews
At Big Shoulders Coffee, they believe in fresh, no-nonsense artisan coffee.
Their story began with founder Tim Coonan, a chef who worked in top restaurants in New York, France, Italy, and Chicago. His love for coffee started in the 1980s. He went on origin trips and studied roasting techniques.
What began as a hobby in his garage became Chicago’s premier roasting facility and Big Shoulders Coffee cafes.
Currently, they are proudly woman-owned, with Patricia Coonan as co-founder and owner, alongside Tim Coonan.
You can taste the chef’s attention to detail in every cup. They source beans from farmers they know well. They roast these beans to preserve their essence. They brew with down-to-the-second precision. You will taste the difference.
Big Shoulders Coffee is more than just coffee. Life is busy and sometimes exhausting. Their cafes are a “third place” – a spot separate from home and work. Here, you can relax and enjoy their freshly roasted coffee. The environment is welcoming and comforting.
Their culture mirrors Chicago. They value hospitality, service, and kindness. They work hard without pretense, just like their fellow Chicagoans. Their goal is to bring you the best coffee in a friendly atmosphere.
Visit them at West Town, 1105 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642. Or check out their online shop at Big Shoulders Coffee.
They also do offer a subscription service which you can have check it out on here.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
⭐ Rated 4.6 on Google Maps and Yelp with over 1,500+ reviews
La Colombe Coffee Roasters is a gem in Chicago’s coffee scene. Their café is at 955 W Randolph St. It’s a cozy spot with a modern vibe. La Colombe started in Philadelphia in 1994. Todd Carmichael and JP Iberti are the founders. They aimed to revolutionize coffee.
In 2023, Chobani acquired La Colombe. This shows the brand’s immense value. La Colombe is a leader in third-wave coffee. They focus on high-quality, artisanal brews. This sets them apart from traditional coffee chains.
Their roasting process is meticulous. Each batch is carefully crafted. This ensures rich, flavorful coffee every time. The Chicago café reflects this dedication. When you walk in, the aroma is inviting. You can taste the expertise in every cup.
La Colombe’s journey is inspiring. From a small start in Philadelphia to nationwide fame. Their commitment to excellence remains strong. If you’re in Chicago, visiting their café is a must. Enjoy a cup and experience the magic of La Colombe.
Gaslight Coffee Roasters
⭐ Rated 4.5 on Google Maps and Yelp with over 1,000 reviews
Steve and Kori run Gaslight Coffee Roasters in Chicago’s Logan Square. They started in 2012 and have since been a local favorite. Their café is a lively spot where people from all over the city gather.
They focus on high-quality, ethically sourced coffee. Each roast is unique, crafted to highlight the coffee’s best traits. Steve brings over 10 years of coffee industry experience. Kori’s background in social entrepreneurship drives their mission forward.
Their business is family-owned and operated. They believe in coffee’s power to build community. They enjoy making specialty coffee accessible to everyone. You can visit their café at 2385 North Milwaukee Ave, or check out their online shop or get yourself their coffee subscription.
Printer’s Row Coffee Co.
⭐ Rated 4.5 on Google Maps with over 200+ reviews
Printer’s Row Coffee, located in Chicago, started from a love for home-roasting.
Nicole and Nick, originally from Northeast Ohio, began their coffee journey in 2010 in Akron. They moved to Chicago in 2013 and fine-tuned their roasting skills.
They are a graphic designer and a pharmacist who share a passion for the art and science of coffee roasting. By 2015, their hobby turned into Printer’s Row Coffee Company, a micro-roastery dedicated to creating high-quality, approachable coffee. Chicago’s vibrant coffee scene played a significant role in this transformation.
In 2017, they opened their first café in Lincoln Park. Despite the name, Printer’s Row Coffee, the first shop is in a different neighborhood. It’s a nod to their home in Chicago.
The café, at 2482 N. Lincoln Avenue, is both a café and a roastery. The 750 sq. ft. space is used for roasting and serving coffee.
The café is open every day from 7 AM to 1 PM for takeaway only. They partner with local vendors for food and beverages. You can enjoy offerings from Spoke & Bird, Dan the Baker, Maa Maa Dei, Mylk Labs Oatmeals, and Over Easy Bars.
They also offer alternative milks like Oatly Oat Milk, Milkadamia Macadamia Milk, and Pacific Almond Milk. For tea lovers, they serve Harney & Sons teas, along with Dona chai and turmeric.
For a taste of their expertly roasted coffee, you can place orders directly from their store on their website. Visit their online shop to explore their selection.
Groundswell Coffee Roasters
⭐ Rated 4.5 on Google Maps and Yelp with over 300+ reviews
Groundswell Coffee Roasters is a gem in Chicago.
It started in Ravenswood and the coffee is roasted in-house. They use a vivid lime-green Diedrich IR 5 machine, which stands proudly on the cafe floor.
The cafe has a cozy and warm atmosphere with custom recycled barn-wood tables and benches add to the charm.
Jason Foster is the owner. He gathered a team of industry veterans, dedicated to their craft.
Groundswell focuses on small-batch roasting. This ensures quality and freshness. Customers can enjoy these roasts at three retail stores. They also wholesale to select shops and restaurants in Chicago.
Groundswell aims to be approachable. They welcome coffee enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Their focus on craft makes them unique. You can order coffee directly from their shop online.
They even offer a coffee subscription. This rotating single-origin subscription is perfect for coffee lovers.
Hexe Coffee Co.
⭐ Rated 4.7 on Google Maps and Yelp with over 900+ reviews
Hexe Coffee Co. started as a fun project in 2016. They began by supplying cold brew and coffee to local markets and festivals. They never intended to run a café.
In September 2019, Hexe opened their café. It was a big step. The pandemic in 2020 brought challenges. But they persevered. They provided jobs for locals and served coffee and food to the community. They couldn’t have done it without everyone’s support.
Visit their café at 2000 W. Diversey Pkwy in Chicago. It’s open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
You can also buy their coffee online at Hexe Coffee.
Final Thoughts: Best Coffee Roasters in Chicago
Chicago’s coffee scene is truly vibrant, offering a wide range of exceptional roasters. Each brings something unique to the table, showcasing a dedication to quality and flavor.
Roasters in Chicago are known for their meticulous approach. They source high-quality beans, often from sustainable farms.
The roasting process is an art form, carefully controlled, ensuring that each batch highlights the beans’ natural flavors. Whether you prefer a bold, dark roast or a light, fruity blend, you’ll find something to suit your taste.
The diversity in roasting styles adds to the city’s coffee charm. Some roasters experiment with unique blends, while others focus on single-origin beans.
This variety allows coffee lovers to explore and discover new favorites. Each cup tells a story, from the bean’s origin to the final brew.
Best Coffee Roasters in Chicago FAQ
What is a Coffee Roaster?
A coffee roaster is where green coffee beans are transformed. They become the delicious brown beans we love. This process brings out the flavors in your coffee.
Why Choose a Local Roaster?
Local roasters offer fresh coffee. Fresh coffee tastes better. Plus, supporting local businesses helps our community.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Roaster?
First, consider the roast level. Do you like light, medium, or dark roast? Next, think about the flavor profile. Do you prefer fruity or chocolatey notes? Lastly, visit the roaster. See if they offer tastings or tours. This can be a fun way to learn more.
Can I Visit the Roasteries?
Yes! Many roasters offer tours. This is a great way to see the roasting process. Plus, you can ask questions and learn from the experts.
