Let’s face it. Last quarter, you spent too many hours in the library, in your room, and at your go-to campus study spots. If you’ve already given up on your New Year’s Resolutions, I have one you should keep: pack your backpack, get out your Ventra card (or Uber app, if you’re so inclined), and get. Off. Campus. Obviously, it’s hard to do so on a random Wednesday, but if you’re planning on holing up in the library and front-loading your reading this weekend, here’s a list for where to go instead.
Limitless Coffee and Tea
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Limitless is a great place to go if you want good coffee and a surprisingly delicious bite to eat. The drink options are, you guess it, limitless (sorry—I had to). Order a plain old cold brew, a lightly caffeinated fizzy drink, or, if you’re feeling inspired, one of their “innovations,” which are essentially super fancy lattes. Then go ahead and get the umami biscuit. It’s incredible, and you deserve it.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
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If you’ve never had a Black and Tan from La Colombe, I promise you’re missing out. Please come join me on the bandwagon and enjoy my favorite drink in existence. Half draft latte, half cold brew, this drink unites latte and cold brew drinkers alike. It’s silky but not overly creamy like a latte and lacks the pungent acidity that most cold brews have. Grab your coffee, take a seat, and let the homework commence!
Intelligentsia Coffee
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Intelligentsia Coffee has become a Chicago staple, but it’s fame doesn’t take away from its charm. They do a damn good latte, and if you’re feeling a little peckish, grab a baked good. They’re really yummy! They have a few locations around the city, but I’d recommend you stay away from the super touristy ones—it’s hard to focus on your reading if you have loud groups walking in and out.
Dark Matter Coffee
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If you’re in desperate need of a creativity boost, Dark Matter Coffee is your place. In short, Dark Matter is a funky spot: they have colorful chairs, lots of plants and art on the walls, and really good coffee as well. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their barrel aged espresso. Otherwise, try one of their many coffee options, or go for your go-to coffee order—whatever you get will probably be great. If you fall in love with Dark Matter, you can even sign up for a coffee subscription!
Fairgrounds Coffee and Tea
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Fairgrounds has a large espresso and matcha menu, but what’s the most impressive about them is their rotating selection of cold brews and nitros from around the country. They also offer what they refer to as “Elixirs,” which are basically just different fancy coffee and tea-based beverages, ranging from charcoal coffees to pear matcha lattes. Fairgrounds also has an extensive food menu, which makes it perfect for when you need to get work done and grab lunch in a short period of time.
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