Intelligentsia Coffee

53 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL

★★★★★4.3(2,068 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

“This beloved Chicago spot pulls off an impressive balancing act: serious, meticulously crafted coffee—especially their signature Arena Latte with its unexpected cayenne kick—paired with genuinely gracious service that makes baristas remake drinks if they're not perfect. The space itself is a draw, with gallery walls showcasing local consignment art and plenty of room to linger, though the proximity to the park means it can feel bustling and energetic rather than contemplative. Whether you're settling in for a slow pour over with breakfast tacos or grabbing something quick, the quality of the coffee and the warmth of the staff shine through, even when things get hectic.”

What to expect

Pour overEspresso focusedTraditional drinksSpecialty drinksSlow sitMeetingsSignature drinks

Google Reviews

Vanshika Tibarewalla
★★★★★2 months ago

The server was so sweet! He made my coffee again as it wasn’t hot enough the first time. Try the arena latte hot! Amazing. Cayenne pepper is a great touch.

Michael Damato
★★★★★3 months ago

High quality pour overs with breakfast tacos from big star. Staff were very friendly and service was quick. There's a good amount of seating and some nice art on the walls that's for sale by consignment.

Axel
★★★★★4 months ago

Great location right next to the park and easy to stop by while walking around. Coffee is good and well made, but the experience feels rushed and very transactional. More of a convenient grab and go spot than a place you enjoy sitting in. Solid coffee, average overall experience. Uncomfortable seating, pumped up music, everything telling you please grab a coffee and leave. Noise.

Tara
★★★★★5 months ago

Intelligentsia is such a cute coffee shop. I had an oat milk latte that wasn’t my favorite, but I’d definitely go back and try something else. The service was great, and the atmosphere is lively and fun, just a really nice spot to hang out for a bit.

Arina Cho
★★★★★5 months ago

Hands down the best coffee I’ve ever had. The latte was incredibly creamy and delicious. They did seem short staffed though. There was a line of people waiting, and there was no dedicated cashier taking orders. The same person had to take orders and make the coffee at the same time.

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