Welcome back to our “America’s Most Loved Roasters” series! Our cross-country coffee tour now brings us to the Prairie State – Illinois. From the bustling metropolis of Chicago to charming towns across the state, Illinois boasts a vibrant and diverse coffee culture. We’ve delved into Reddit, Facebook, and Google reviews to identify 10 highly-rated roasters where you can find exceptional roasted coffee beans.
Illinois’s Top Coffee Roasters
Here are some of Illinois’s most celebrated coffee roasters, highly recommended by coffee aficionados across various online platforms:
- Intelligentsia Coffee
- Main Location (Chicago): 3123 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
- Website: https://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
- A pioneer in direct trade and specialty coffee, renowned for its meticulous sourcing and roasting.
- Dark Matter Coffee
- Main Location (Chicago): 1117 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
- Website: https://darkmattercoffee.com/
- Known for its unique blends, innovative aging processes (like barrel-aged coffee), and distinctive artwork.
- Metric Coffee
- Main Location (Chicago): 2021 W Fulton St Suite K-101B, Chicago, IL 60612
- Website: https://metriccoffee.com/
- Highly regarded for its thoughtful sourcing and clean, consistent roasts.
- Gaslight Coffee Roasters
- Main Location (Chicago): 2385 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Website: https://gaslightcoffee.com/
- A beloved neighborhood roaster with a cozy atmosphere and excellent coffee offerings.
- Big Shoulders Coffee
- Main Location (Chicago): 1101 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
- Website: https://bigshoulderscoffee.com/
- Praised for its approachable blends and commitment to quality, with multiple locations.
- Bow Truss Coffee Roasters
- Main Location (Chicago): 2934 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
- Website: https://bowtruss.com/
- A well-known local roaster offering a variety of beans and a strong presence in the city.
- Halfwit Coffee Roasters
- Main Location (Chicago): (Often found in various cafes, part of the Wormhole Coffee family)
- Website: https://halfwitcoffee.com/
- Known for its creative approach to roasting and unique single-origin selections.
- Ipsento Coffee
- Main Location (Chicago): 2035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Website: https://ipsento.com/
- A popular spot for its craft coffee and welcoming environment, roasting their own distinctive beans.
- Passion House Coffee Roasters
- Main Location (Chicago): 2631 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
- Website: https://passionhousecoffee.com/
- Recognized for their passion for coffee and art, offering a diverse range of roasts.
- Sparrow Coffee Roastery
- Main Location (Chicago): 522 W Dickens Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (Wholesale/Roastery)
- Website: https://sparrowcoffeeroastery.com/
- A highly respected roaster supplying many cafes, known for their precision and quality.
Illinois’s coffee scene, particularly in Chicago, is a dynamic hub of innovation and quality, offering an incredible selection of roasted beans for every palate. This list represents just a glimpse of the highly-regarded roasters that coffee lovers rave about. While I haven’t personally tried all of the above, as we continue to explore and taste, we will list our experiences under our Coffee Chronicles journey. Happy brewing in Illinois!
Your Roastbot is always here to help with suggestions.
