Pretty much every place sells coffee. And there are plenty of places to get your coffee in less than thirty seconds without having to get out of your car. But there’s something about being in a coffee shop–the smells, the intimate setting, the actual REAL MUG. We get it. Here are 10 of the best coffee shops in Illinois.
- Kusanya Cafe
Kusanya Cafe/Facebook
Kusanya Cafe/Facebook Kusanya Cafe is located in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. What is excellent about this cafe is that it is a nonprofit cafe that encourages and empowers residents. This mission certainly translates into a cool vibe in the shop. And, hey, the coffee is really, really good. Don’t miss out on their soul food and vegetarian offerings, either.
- Shawn’s Coffee Shop
Shawn’s Coffee Shop/Facebook
Shawn’s Coffee Shop/Facebook Located in Sycamore, Illinois, Shawn’s Coffee Shop provides a warm, personalized experience. You will love the coffee. Get this - they also have some awesome bagels. Whether you’re stopping in quickly or staying awhile, you will leave with a smile on your face.
- Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co.
Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co./Facebook
Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co./Facebook In Peoria, Thirty-Thirty Coffee is a traditional-style coffee shop and micro-roasterie. You will really appreciate the attention to detail with their handcrafted drinks. They also make many of their own syrups, and you can taste the difference.
- The Soap Co. Coffee House
The Soap Co. Coffee House/Facebook
The Soap Co. Coffee House/Facebook Over in Jacksonville, the Soap Co. Coffee House is offering a great gathering place for residents. Yes, the name refers to the fact that the owner started out making soap. But there’s no soap in this coffee–or those fantastic desserts people just rave about.
- Linz and Vail
Linz and Vail/Facebook
Linz and Vail/Facebook In Evanston, Linz and Vail is a hybrid coffee shop and gelato shop. It’s a nice place to gather together, whether you want something to warm you up or cool you down. Hey, the drinks are gorgeous (as you can see here).
- Decatur Coffee Connection
Decatur Coffee Connection/Facebook
Decatur Coffee Connection/Facebook Located in Decatur, Decatur Coffee Connection is a locally-owned coffee shop. Yep, the shop is small but there are seats, and more seating during the summer when the weather is just right! It’s a great place to start your day with super chipper people working the drive-thru. This coffee is so good!
- Common Grounds
Common Grounds/Facebook
Common Grounds/Facebook Down in Carbondale, Common Grounds is a place that students and community members love to frequent. This is more than just a coffee shop–it’s a true hang-out place. And the coffee is great - try some of the frozen concoctions!
- The Annex Coffee and Deli
The Annex Coffee and Deli/Facebook
The Annex Coffee and Deli/Facebook In Herrin, the Annex Coffee and Deli serves both great coffee and food. It is housed in a former theater from back in the 1940s. They use premium Illinois roasted coffee beans and the freshest ingredients to bring you food you will LOVE.
- Graham’s 318
Graham’s 318/Facebook
Graham’s 318/Facebook Located in Geneva, Illinois, Graham’s 318 serves Metropolis Espresso, Frozen Hot Chocolate (yes, this is a thing), and gelato! This place has tons of personality, with great artwork on the walls and music. They have all sorts of other desserts, too, so you will certainly not just buy a cup of coffee here!
- Flying Machine Coffee
Courtesy Josh Lucas
Courtesy Josh Lucas Flying Machine Coffee is located in Urbana, Illinois, and shares space with a pizzeria (Pizza M) of all things. Again, why choose if you don’t have to? But as good as the pizza is, you are not going here without getting a great cup of coffee. Just look at the artwork (and it is artwork) on this drink. The energy is great, with students from nearby U of I and community members alike.
Did your favorite coffee shop not make our list? Give them a shout out in the comments.
Kusanya Cafe/Facebook
Kusanya Cafe is located in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. What is excellent about this cafe is that it is a nonprofit cafe that encourages and empowers residents. This mission certainly translates into a cool vibe in the shop. And, hey, the coffee is really, really good. Don’t miss out on their soul food and vegetarian offerings, either.
Shawn’s Coffee Shop/Facebook
Located in Sycamore, Illinois, Shawn’s Coffee Shop provides a warm, personalized experience. You will love the coffee. Get this - they also have some awesome bagels. Whether you’re stopping in quickly or staying awhile, you will leave with a smile on your face.
Thirty-Thirty Coffee Co./Facebook
In Peoria, Thirty-Thirty Coffee is a traditional-style coffee shop and micro-roasterie. You will really appreciate the attention to detail with their handcrafted drinks. They also make many of their own syrups, and you can taste the difference.
The Soap Co. Coffee House/Facebook
Over in Jacksonville, the Soap Co. Coffee House is offering a great gathering place for residents. Yes, the name refers to the fact that the owner started out making soap. But there’s no soap in this coffee–or those fantastic desserts people just rave about.
Linz and Vail/Facebook
In Evanston, Linz and Vail is a hybrid coffee shop and gelato shop. It’s a nice place to gather together, whether you want something to warm you up or cool you down. Hey, the drinks are gorgeous (as you can see here).
Decatur Coffee Connection/Facebook
Located in Decatur, Decatur Coffee Connection is a locally-owned coffee shop. Yep, the shop is small but there are seats, and more seating during the summer when the weather is just right! It’s a great place to start your day with super chipper people working the drive-thru. This coffee is so good!
Common Grounds/Facebook
Down in Carbondale, Common Grounds is a place that students and community members love to frequent. This is more than just a coffee shop–it’s a true hang-out place. And the coffee is great - try some of the frozen concoctions!
The Annex Coffee and Deli/Facebook
In Herrin, the Annex Coffee and Deli serves both great coffee and food. It is housed in a former theater from back in the 1940s. They use premium Illinois roasted coffee beans and the freshest ingredients to bring you food you will LOVE.
Graham’s 318/Facebook
Located in Geneva, Illinois, Graham’s 318 serves Metropolis Espresso, Frozen Hot Chocolate (yes, this is a thing), and gelato! This place has tons of personality, with great artwork on the walls and music. They have all sorts of other desserts, too, so you will certainly not just buy a cup of coffee here!
Courtesy Josh Lucas
Flying Machine Coffee is located in Urbana, Illinois, and shares space with a pizzeria (Pizza M) of all things. Again, why choose if you don’t have to? But as good as the pizza is, you are not going here without getting a great cup of coffee. Just look at the artwork (and it is artwork) on this drink. The energy is great, with students from nearby U of I and community members alike.
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