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    Intelligentsia Coffee

    3.9 (361 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Open • 6:30 am - 7:00 pm

    Intelligentsia Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    INTELLIGENTSIA COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Intelligentsia Coffee

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    Interior
    Cylia B.

    I heard a lot about this coffee shop and was eager to try it. I got a 16oz vanilla latte with pumps of honey and I would rate it a 8.5/10. My friend got a matcha latte that she wasn't the biggest fan of, but as a someone who doesn't love the matcha taste, I enjoyed it. The server was nice and worked quickly to give us our drinks. Would recommend as a good place to wfh cause of the cute and quiet ambiance and interior.

    strawberry matcha, iced latte, vanilla latte
    Christine H.

    I was already skeptic about coffee shops in the Loop, especially big chains like this but my friends & I were in desperate need of caffeine and this was the closest spot...we should have just pushed through without the caffeine. First off, the staff were nice so this review does not have to do with them. It has everything to do with the atrocious, offensive liquid that they dare call coffee. When you walk in, the space is small, humid, and dirty. The tables were all sticky with drink residue and crumbs everywhere. It's the Loop so I'll give some grace but it was pretty unpleasant. We ordered the strawberry matcha and vanilla latte. The matcha came out murky green with an attempt of making it look nice with a chaotic splattering of strawberry puree/sauce (?). It tasted like it looked...trash. You might be wondering, "Well why would you order a matcha here?" And you would be correct. In my defense, you would think that if there is a drink on the menu, it would at least be somewhat good but now that I think about it, that might be too much to ask. Now to my #1 gripe, the latte. It was watery and nearly flavorless aside from the diabolical acidic taste that assaulted my tastebuds. For context, we HATE wasting food/drink; I could probably count on one hand how many times I've done that in my life. We threw away the lattes after a few forced sips; that should tell you how nasty it was. Bad coffee, bad drinks, it happens. But paying ~$8 for each drink really does rub salt in the wound. I will NEVER drink Intelligentsia coffee again. In the grand scheme of things, my review doesn't matter but if I can warn at least one other person about the atrocities this company commits to coffee/matcha, then maybe it will make up for the waste of money & time I spent here.

    Karina U.

    Got a cappuccino here and it was a bottle on the bitter side so took some getting used to but it grew on me towards the end. Ironically my friend said her drink was too sweet.

    Interior
    Karol R.

    I stopped by Intelligentsia Coffee and really enjoyed it. I ordered a matcha latte with almond milk and my husband got a cappuccino with oat milk. Both were excellent. I appreciated that the matcha can be customized. You can choose sweetened or unsweetened and even adjust the matcha strength. Since I am sensitive to caffeine I chose light matcha and it was perfect. Smooth flavor and not overly sweet. The cafe is also a really nice place to sit for a bit. There are big tables and lots of natural light which makes it feel relaxed and comfortable. The staff were nice and the drinks came out quickly. Great spot for a quality matcha or coffee in the area. I would definitely come back.

    Tish P.

    Stopped into this coffee shop on a weekday right after landing in Chicago. I needed somewhere to sit, work, and kill time while waiting for my accommodations to be ready--and this place did the job. Hella busy, the staff was semi-helpful while I was trying to decide what to order--not rude, just not super engaging either. I ended up settling on a latte, which... whew. $8 for what felt like a few swallows. The cup was hella small, so that part definitely hurt a little. Menu isn't substantial. Despite how packed it was, I was able to take a meeting without too much trouble--shoutout to my noise-canceling headphones, because they were doing the heavy lifting. The space itself is on the smaller side, so if you're planning to camp out for a while, just know it can feel tight. The bathroom could've used a little attention. Nothing major, and maybe expected with a lot of people. Overall, it's a decent stop if you need coffee and a place to sit for a bit, especially in a pinch. Just be prepared for crowds, limited space, and pricey drinks that disappear way too fast.

    Katherine H.

    Stopped by this coffee shop since it was nearby our hotel and glad we did. The inside had nice coffee shop vibes but what made it for us was the sesame latte. It had a nice strong sesame flavor and the cold foam was addicting. If you're in the area and like black sesame def stop by!

    Entrance
    Cindy R.

    We needed a pick me up first thing in the AN and stopped by this super cute coffee shop. Of all the places that we went for coffee this had to be my favorite. The service was great and they were very attentive and every cup of coffee or Matcha that we had definitely excel in flavor. The space inside is a little bit small so if you want to work in the space, it can be hard to find a table.

    Inside
    Jillian L.

    Intelligentsia has such a vibrant, community atmosphere. The baristas are kind and very helpful when it comes to make a decision about their menu. We got the miso maple latte and the strawberry cold foam matcha. Both drinks were good I just wish the flavors were a little stronger. I wish there was more miso maple and I wish there was more of a stronger matcha presence. There is only street parking which is difficult since it is located in a busy area. It is a nice place to get some work done if you can find a spot and they do have wifi and outlets at wall/ bar tables.

    This is a for here espresso I got at Starbucks instead.
    Rasta R.

    Waited in line for about 20 minutes excited to get a pour of of that great intelligentsia espresso on a "for here" small cup. And according to the manager they did not have the man power to pour the espresso in a "for here" cup. Well Emma or Emanuel did not remember the name he gave me. But he was the manager according to him. Said "no..."Not what I wanted to hear. An espresso with nothing added tastes very different in a cardboard cup. I walked away and instead went to Starbucks and they made my coffee just right. Never again will I go to an intelligentsia. I was planning to go here everyday for 10 days during my days in Chicago. I even told him I would clean my own cup or buy a cup and he said "NO!" So sad...

    Smoked Salt Maple Latte (left) Avena Latte (right)
    Vaishnavi W.

    This place had good coffee and they also do a lot of seasonal drinks, so it's good to revisit and try new drinks. The service was nice and quick. The ambiance was spacious too, you could work from here.

    Cold coffee. Sounds of the city. A light breeze. Yay!
    Nathan B.

    Trivia: The original location of Intelligentsia is in Chicago, but isn't this location. Where is the original? Knew the coffee, but never been to one of their locations. Came on a Tuesday morning which is "two dollar off bags of coffee" day. Win! Solid cold brew coffee. Service was okay. I asked some questions about pour overs and received one word answers. Outside searing area was a cool spot to hear and see city life. Some flower planters provided a nice ambiance. Definitely worth the jaunt from River Walk for a great cup of coffee.

    Anny M.

    Great coffee and service! Very convenient location and really comfortable for meeting a friend/colleague or a networking coffee. Great space for work or just relax while having a good cup of coffee. Friendly and knowledgeable staff/baristas

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    1 month ago

    Good coffee. Very complex menu. Slower service. Staff was less than polite. Meager breakfast proportions. Food is not worth the money

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    Closed at 630 when it clearly says 7. Dude still inside. Walked here for it. Didn't get to try the coffee

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