Intelligentsia Coffee
Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (312) 563-0023
Fax: (773) 348-8058
- Price:
- $
- Cross Street:
- Briar Place
- Directions:
- El: Red and Brown Lines to Belmont; bus lines: 36, 77
- Best of Citysearch:
- Coffee 2007, Coffee 2005, Coffee 2004
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 6am-10pm , Fri 6am-11pm, Sat 7am-11pm, Sun 7am-10pm
Editorial Review for Intelligentsia Coffee – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
Intelligentsia is a soothing place: putty-colored walls, low-key music and random seating arrangements. People-watchers grab stools at the street-side ledge or outside, while students commune with their laptops at one of the big tables in back. The usual espresso drinks are available, plus fresh-brewed Intelligentsia coffee and more than a dozen kinds of tea, which comes in a small pot with an hourglass that tells you when it's done steeping.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
The ExtrasGo to the back to buy coffee beans, of which Intelligentsia stocks more than 30 varieties from its Bucktown roastery.
User Reviews for Intelligentsia Coffee
03/21/2007 Posted by cboen
My friends and I found the place accidentally while we were walking around the neighborhood. The baristas were very knowledgeable. My favorite was an iced cappuccino with added homemade simple syrup. The place itself was very cozy and filled with locals. It felt like a home away from home. Grazie mille.
Pros: coffee
Cons: expensive sandwiches
07/30/2006 Posted by nausea01
My cousin and I visited with my young daughter. We both agreed the coffee was good. The atmosphere is what one would expect with a good coffee house. Plenty of filled seating - a testament to the shop's success - but the big tables with six or seven chairs were being used by individuals. When we sat down at the opposite end of one of the large tables the person on the other end seemed put out as though he needed the entire table. The staff was young and friendly, although the service was a bit overwhelming when five of them clustered around the cash register, each taking their turn asking "have you been helped" and "what can I get for you" even though I was only one of two standing in line. I would not call Intelligentsia "kid friendly" as there are no changing tables in the restrooms and the crowd that was gathered the day we went seemed like mostly younger and older singles and couples sans children. It was hard not to feel like we were imposing on the other patrons who were busy surfing the web, reading, or doing crossword puzzles. The coffee, along with the vibrant neighborhood, was worth the trip and I would recommend it to anyone who loves coffee and visting unique and out of the way coffee shops. Peace.
Pros: Good coffee and atmosphere.
Cons: Service and table set up.
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