This is a super cute and intimate coffee spot! I stopped by to do some work before an appointment in the area. I ordered an iced matcha latte and found it to be smooth. I asked for it to be unsweetened as I wanted to be able to add stevia to my own liking. My order came quick and without issues. I would be happy to return again if in the area. It's a great alternative to other shops in the area. read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I wanted to enjoy groundswell, but the espresso just tasted extremely weak to me, so much so that I questioned if I even got 2 shots or just one. It ended up tasting like oat milk with a splash of espresso. I ended up having to get a matcha in the afternoon as a pick me up as I didn't quite feel awake. I didn't try any of the pastries but they did have a few. Despite the lackluster coffee experience, the cafe is a decent area to work in, with seating, free wifi, bathroom, and outlets. Sorry I forgot to take pictures :( read more

Stopped in on an early Thursday morning as it was in walking distance to where we were staying. A cute cozy spot with a minimalist industrial feel, the space was definitely comfortable to do some light work but not a place I could see myself camping out for a few hours. I opted for one of their pour overs. I didn't pick up on the advertised flavor notes but also wasn't disappointed-it was ok. For those that are craving food options, they do have some bakery and breakfast sandwich/burrito options. It wouldn't be a destination cafe for me but perfectly acceptable for those seeking a solid cup of coffee. read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a cute spot. The space itself is really nice warm, cozy vibe, and thoughtfully designed but it is pretty limited on seating, so it can feel a little tight if it's busy. Definitely more of a linger-with-a-friend than a big group place. I got the chai latte and that spice comes through in the best way. It's not just sweet milk with a hint of chai you actually taste the cinnamon, clove, and that little kick of warmth. Super comforting and flavorful. Friendly staff! read more

Groundswell - Chai latte! - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great coffee place came here on two days in a row and would come everyday if I lived here. Service was fast and friendly the ambience was chic and modern perfect for working remotely both times I got the latte with oat milk and it was delicious. Great place for people that like their strong coffee. read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Super cute, earthy, vibey, coffee shop! Very small, only around 5 tables. Not the best for WFH if you have to take any calls, and getting a table is a gamble. Coffee flavor was very good. Staff were friendly. read more

Groundswell - Inside - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We got macchiatos and a cortado and they were all perfect, just a perfect fresh flavor of the espresso matching well with the milk while also shining through with fresh brightness. It was pretty addictive, to be honest. Absolutely lovely servers too, felt very welcome. A cozy space well lit by sunshine on the one whole side, such a nice place to just sit and focus on your coffee. Hope to be back soon! read more

Groundswell - Corridor - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

The only third wave shop in west loop. Great beans, pulled very well by the baristas, with a nice vibe. Not a ton of seating, but still nice to remote work at when there's room! read more

Groundswell - Cortado - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot, quick service, and cozy vibes. Love their breakfast sandwiches on the go and they have delicious cold brew and lattes. If you get there early enough they have a great selection of local donuts as well. read more

The girl today didn't want to make foam which is easy to make, ruined the customer experience

10/10 coffee and atmosphere. Randomly stumbled upon the shop after a quick Google search and this is one of the best lattes I've had in a long time. I asked the barista for her go to and she recommended a honey cinnamon latte. It didn't disappoint! Normally, I'm a "sipper" but not today. read more

Groundswell - Honey cinnamon latte - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped by Groundswell Coffee--cute spot and pretty busy when I went. I had a chai latte and the green chile breakfast burrito and both were was just okay, nothing special in my opinion. I also tried the green chile breakfast burrito and it also Not bad, but not something I'd go out of my way for. You can definitely work remotely here, but it's a pretty small space. read more

See all

I always walk over to groundswell for a cold brew after my morning skates. I'm always greeted at the door. Nice and chill vibes. Highly recommend stopping in! read more

Rolled into Groundswell in River West and dropped about $16--grabbed a pour-over single-origin drip and a ham & Swiss panini, plus an everything croissant. The drip was fire--bright, clean flavors you can tell they roasted in-house--and that panini hit just right, melty cheese and warm ham on perfectly pressed bread. The croissant was flaky and buttery, exactly how a pastry should be, and not too heavy. Baristas were laid-back but sharp--knew their beans and made that pour-over like pros . Chill spot with some patio seating and a mellow neighborhood vibe, great for hanging or grabbing a quick bite. Everything's top-notch--coffee, food, staff--so it's easily a five-star go-to for local java fans like me. read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Maybe it was the delayed gratification of having to get ready for work with no coffee at home, but I stopped here this morning for an emergency coffee and it was the best work commute ever! Ordered a large iced latte with almond milk, lavender, half sweet (my go to!) I haven't passed by here recently but it's always been a great experience. Gonna have to add them to the rotation! I will say the inside of the store was nice and cozy this morning and they made my coffee unbelievably fast, so I even made the bus! Adding them to the summer rotation for sure! read more

Just came here for the first time and everything was wonderful. Incredible staff, most delicious matcha latte, and GF banana chocolate chip muffin. The atmosphere was also so cute, I didn't get to stay but I will be back! read more

Very quick service! The line was almost out the door, but staff kept the line moving quickly! Ordered an iced chai and a cold brew that were both good. read more

Easy and simple coffee menu which makes ordering so straightforward and efficient. The coffee shop is small with a few tables to do some laptop work or enjoy your meal. I loved my iced vanilla latte with to whole milk and the service was fairly fast. It's about $7 total for the iced latte which is typically priced in the West Loop area. Great spot to try! read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Groundswell's in-house-roasted coffee is good. They hire well, too, based on the staff we ran into. And they've put some thought into the design of their pleasant space. read more

The cold brew here was solid - probably my favorite cold brew that I've tried in Chicago during this trip. The cold brew was super smooth, and the flavors were fruity and light with a fantastic and lingering after taste. The barista and I had a small conversation about the beans that were used to make it (some of their left over Ethiopian single origin mixed with another, I believe). It was the first drink he recommended after I asked for some suggestions. Most coffee shops just use left over junk coffee beans to make their cold brew (which is often nasty). I'm glad I was able to sample a bit before buying a cup (5.00 for 12 oz, I think). Great place for my friend and me to chill after lunch this Tuesday. There is a good amount of seats here and there were a few people doing work in the shop, too. If I didn't have so many bags of coffee beans already, I definitely would have bought a bag here. read more

Great customer service. Very friendly and kind. Disgusting burritos. They should stop selling them.

Coffee was great definitely exceeded my expectations Small place cozy and their pastries were good Good service read more

Their doughnuts are excellent. No idea if they make them in-house, but they are well worth the price. Way better than other chains' doughnuts. Will have to try their coffee next time. read more

Groundswell - a variety of donuts - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot to stop in for a coffee or sweet donut treat in the West Loop. Service is always fast and the staff always friendly! For a small shop, the vibes are grand at Groundswell. read more

Groundswell - Cold brew and storefront - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

stopped in for coffee. nice friendly staff.. coffee was way too mild for my taste.

Great local coffee roaster. Always consistently good. Good, friendly people. Love the local vibe!!! read more

Delicious vanilla latte! Loved the atmosphere. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend!

Super cute cafe! I can't give 5 stars because the lighting was okay. It was a gloomy morning with light flurries and the inside was dark. They have big windows for natural light but when the natural light isn't there, it's kinda dull. The decor was super cute though! The chairs are wood or they have stools near the front so it's not the most comfortable place to sit and study for hours but it's good for a quick coffee break or coffee run in the morning or quick meeting. I also wasn't a fan of their matcha latte. I took one sip and all I got was grainy texture. That was a bummer! I forgot to ask for some honey or some kind of sugar in it so it tasted just of matcha. The latte art on it was cute though! I also got a chocolate croissant and it was tasty. read more

Excellent coffee and lattes. The roast on the filter coffee is excellent. The latte featured housemade vanilla syrup, which is a serious plus given my wife has an allergy to high fructose corn syrup and that stuff is in EVERYTHING. Thanks for the great cups of joe, Groundswell. read more

$4.15 for a 16 oz iced coffee. I think that's more expensive than other places. The coffee is very good, but super strong! I haven't tried the other drinks so I can not vouch for them. 4 stars for the wonderful selection of quality coffee products and the nice atmosphere. I do think the iced coffee is a little overpriced, but maybe that's just how it is in this area! They have some bakery products that looked good and they serve paninis and wraps. There isn't much seating! Just 6 small tables and some bar-style seating. read more

Groundswell - My $4.15 16 oz iced coffee - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

"Groundswell Coffee Roasters" are probably my favorite coffeeshops to spend quiet Saturdays and Sundays at. There are three (3) locations in the city: on Damen in Ravenswood, on Madison in Near West Side, and on Lincoln in Lincoln Square. Hubby and I took a break at the Near West Side one after visiting a thrift store near the United Center. This particular location doesn't have the big-community table sitting, yet featured more small, intimate sitting arrangements with a plenty of natural lights coming in. I would say the decors are quite minimalist. I like the earthy color tones and the transfusion machine on the barista's work station, which keeps me calm and relaxed and make me feel "home away from home!" Check out their seasonal specialty drinks! I had their "espresso soda." The main ingredients were an espresso shot, mineral water, orange bitters, and vanilla. Hubby was curious on how it was done and the tall-n-skinny barista gave him a run-through on how it was made. It really was very nice of him. They offer donuts from "Glazed & Infused." I have seen patrons ordering their made-to-order panini. They all looked appetizing. Whenever I come in to a "Groundswell" coffeeshop, I don't plan on leaving for at least a hour or two. I purposefully slow down my day so that I can recharge, unwind, and refocus. read more

Groundswell - Espresso soda - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place! Super cute and small place to grab your fav coffee! Me and my boyfriend both love this place. The lattes and flat whites are on point with flavor and always consistent. The kolaches are delicious too! read more

I had an exceptional cup of pour over. It was the pink borbon from Columbia. Will be back to get coffee from them.

Nice little coffee shop in the West Loop. Groundswell is located on Madison and right around the corner from where I work. Their coffee is always good, especially their iced latte. Their panini sandwiches are delicious and a great thing to order for lunch (or breakfast!). Prices are a little high but their quality is A+...well worth it! read more

I felt initially reluctant to write this review bc my own knowledge of coffee is limited- however this website is full of people who call themselves foodies and think bc they 'drink LOTS of coffee' their opinions need to be shared with the world. The person who taught me about coffee has led coffee programs for a major restaurant group, goes to tastings and competitions, teaches baristas, has been interviewed by major publications for her thoughts on the topic, and the set up in her tiny space (and even when traveling) to make a cup of coffee looks like a mini lab. With scales, blooming, a chemex, an exact temp water heater, etc. Groundswell is one of the 2 legit WL coffee shops. I don't have the palate or nose to appreciate the nuisances of all the things done right (and wrong) at the many WL spots (the roasting, the extraction, all these things I tried to absorb from her) - but this spot was loved by her with lots of repeat visits. They are purists. They purchase and make really good coffee and don't focus a lot on drinks adulterated by added flavors. Their regular "syrup" options are 3 total, all house made, and syrup is in quotes bc they are flavor forward with high quality ingredients (not just sugar). Despite how focused they are on coffee- when they have a limited time specialty drink on the menu it's really F'ing good. Their current one: pumpkin pie latte is so much better than the cliche'd PSL. Maybe that's why the name is a little different? Their house made 'syrup' combines pumpkin purée and mulling spices and is not at all overly sweet (ie most PSLs). The 12 ounce size with oat milk is somehow the tastiest size and milk combo. read more

As if an answer to my matcha dreams, Groundswell brings me matcha lattes that pack a punch, not too much sweetness, and are slightly cheaper than Sawada Coffee. Such a welcome addition to the area, with friendly staff and solid offerings (hello donuts!). The service was a little slow when I last went, but maybe they've worked the kinks out. Wifi is good, it doesn't get too loud, and they have hot food (paninis). read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Good coffee, paninis, and pastries. What I like most is that first thing in the morning the baristas are playing new wave or punk. No sleepy acoustic playlist here. read more

This place is awesome. Customer service is fantastic. Walked in not sure of what to get (because im usually at starbucks), but the girl at the counter was very nice . There was only 4 things in the display case to munch on ... but she offered to help if i had any questions . I will definitely be coming here more often . Pictured * Drip coffee with almond milk and a blueberry muffin ( that was fantastic BTW) read more

Groundswell - Coffee Roasteries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the area and love the coffee at Groundswells. Large selection of brews and I just went with my favorite - Americano. I liked the fact that they tell you the order of your drink so you know the wait. Seats are limited so were the plugs. I would come here without a doubt for my favorite java, just to watch other coffee enthusiast. read more

Latte and the weekly special: Cinnamon-Brown Sugar latte were exactly what I hoped for and so delicious without being 'too much'. The staff was kind and helpful, plus the slow drip apparatus is so impressive. Don't go to Starbucks- support your local coffee shop! If you're in the area, I recommend stopping by. read more