With many Americans working from home since the beginning of the pandemic and numerous companies abandoning the physical office altogether, coffee shops are quickly becoming a haven for remote workers. Working at a coffee shop for the day can provide the boost of energy (and caffeine) needed for a productive workflow. From bright spaces to tasty pastries to a quiet ambiance, we’ve evaluated the perfect coffee shops for remote work days around Chicago.
Also, remember to check out our favorite work lunch spots for a good recharge during lunchbreaks!
216 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607
This coffee shop is conveniently located in the Fulton Market area – situated amongst some of the best restaurants in Chicago. Dinner and drinks after work, anyone? The huge space offers a variety of dispersed seating, like couches and chairs and tables, which allows you to pick the set-up that works best for you. The quiet vibes and other remote workers almost guarantee a productive environment. Lastly, the abundance of baked goods (ham and cheese croissant and coffee cake, just to name a couple) ensures you won’t go hungry.
2643 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
You won’t find Chique Latte anywhere else in the United States besides this one in the Logan Square neighborhood. This Netherlands-based coffee shop has only four other locations, which are all located in Europe. Their European influence reveals itself in their specialty coffee drinks and pastries, but there are also other delicious healthy food options, such as a quinoa salad, avocado toast, and acai bowls to fuel your work day. Take a seat at one of the tables inside a house-like structure, the perfect set-up for some solo work time.
1760 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Look for the storefront with the palette sign at this Wicker Park coffee shop. Surrounded by creative art on the walls, you’ll never run out of inspiration in this expressive space. Besides taking pride in their art and house-roasted coffee beans, the Gallery Cafe crafts some amazing food options. Try the Spicy Bob Ross, a jalapeno cheddar bagel sandwich, or the Manet, a croissant sandwich with pesto and eggs.
528 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653
The warm, welcoming atmosphere at Sip & Savor can be found at any of their three locations in Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and Rosenwald. The Black-owned coffee shop features expansive seating options in a decorative space. Aside from brewing delicious coffee, Sip & Savor also stocks pastries from local bakeries.
2959 North Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Take a break from the work grind by browsing the bike store attached to this unique coffee shop. You’ll find several Heritage Bikes & Coffee locations throughout the city, each with this interesting mash-up of bikes and coffee. The relaxed, vintage atmosphere filled with natural sunlight provides great conditions for a focused afternoon. At the Lincoln Park location, you’ll find a long table with benches for extra seating and a standing desk-like table.
1330 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Who says that working can’t be fun? Grab a seat at one of the whimsical bar swings at Fairgrounds Cafe for a mid-day brainstorming session. Fairgrounds has four stores and counting throughout the Chicago area, but the Fulton Market and River North cafes may be the most ideal for working the day away. Their coffee on tap, eclectic interior design, and happy hour specials means that it may be difficult to leave when the workday is over.
3344 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
Finding a seat at a coffee shop can be a hassle. At Elevate Coffee in Boystown, you can reserve a table ahead of time through their website and guarantee yourself a spot to work from. The $10 reservation fee goes towards any purchases during your reservation, such as an orange pistachio white mocha or a butter croissant.
3101 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60608
Located on the south side of Chicago in Bridgeport, this coffee shop of the same name has everything you’d want in a quaint neighborhood stop. Bridgeport Coffeehouse features a rustic ambiance with wood counters and a tin ceiling, a design carried over from its days as a drug store. This corner store with the dark green facade offers plenty of delicious coffees roasted in-house to sip on as you take calls in their quiet workspaces.
2000 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
This industrial Roscoe Village coffee shop is known for its high-quality coffee, tasty pastries, and breakfast/lunch sandwiches. In warmer weather, their spacious outdoor patio is the perfect place to get work done while soaking up the sunshine.
1211 N Damen Ave Chicago, IL 60622
This Milwaukee-based chain offers one of the best remote work environments at their Wicker Park location. Cozy up by the fireplace in a comfy chair or grab a seat in the upper level which is a bit more removed from the hustle and bustle of the main coffee shop. One of their long work tables has outlets at every seat to keep your laptop powered all day long.
Featured Image Credit: Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea