Serious (Caffeine) Buzz: COFFEE TOUR!

Start your day off right with a real, honest-to-goodness deli bagel and some of the best drip coffee you’ll find anywhere at Bagel on Damen. BoD is the only place where you will find Stumptown Coffee in the city and, in case you haven’t had Stumptown, it is worth the effort.

Jump around the corner and put on your leg warmers and feather your hair before entering The Wormhole. Just look for the Delorean in the window. After checking out all the 80’s paraphernalia, you can sit down with a well-made espresso drink or iced chai.

If you walk 2.5 blocks south and 2.5 blocks east, then you can have a roast with some oven-roasted treats (baking and roasting are interchangeable, right?) at the Alliance Bakery. The bakery makes out-of-this-world cakes like you see on foodie television and the coffee comes from Passion House Coffee Roaster. All you have to do is order in the bakery then step over for a relaxing seat in the café or WiFi room.

Next, walk three blocks west on Division to Caffe Gelato and get some Caffe Mocha or Espresso gelato. Gelato with coffee flavors sure beats some instant coffee with ice thrown in on a warm day. Of course, there are plenty of other flavors to enjoy, too.

After some frosty treats, make the straight shot up Damen to the Bucktown Beanery where they will make each cup of coffee fresh for you and you can grab some good lunch grub like wraps, sandwiches and salads. The coffee is Chicago’s own Metropolis and the bakery items come courtesy of Bleeding Heart Baked Goods. Free WiFi.

Head west young explorer and you will find yourself at Ipsento Coffee which is more than just a café: they are direct trade artisanal roasters, too! If you are into sweet flavors, try out their café Ipsento that’s made with coconut milk and honey (and has a tiny bit of spicy bite). For those who are more into the roasty and bitter flavors of coffee, there are plenty of interesting varieties to try and a very knowledgeable staff. This place is a coffee connoisseur’s dream. Free WiFi.