The best places to study near your Chicago university

“Chicago SUCKS as far as studying places go,” wrote Francois B., a somewhat disgruntled Yelp reviewer. While that may be true for Francois (and Yelp reviews aren’t always the best barometer of worthwhile places to visit) there are actually quite a few coffee shops and cafés Chicago’s students can visit if they’re looking for a change in scenery, quality coffee or good food while they study. Here’s a list of places near some of Chicago’s popular universities that new students may want to check out.

Northwestern University- Evanston

While Northwestern has a lot to offer as far as libraries, student lounges and outdoor space for studying, NU students can be found enjoying cafés all over Evanston for their ample space, Internet access and good coffee. The Unicorn Cafe, just a five-minute walk from campus, is a favorite among Northwestern students, who can often be seen working on laptops or reading at the tables outside on a nice day. With a decent amount of space, free wifi and Metropolis coffee (a Chicago favorite), Unicorn Café is a good alternative to the Starbucks across the street. Be prepared to bring cash; it doesn’t take credit cards.

If you’re serious about your coffee and want a bit of latte art to go along with it, head to The Brothers K coffee shop on Main Street. It apparently boasts a great patio and friendly, personable baristas (which can be somewhat of a rarity in ‘hip’ coffee shops these days). Metropolis coffee and free wifi abound. A second outpost, The Other Brother Coffeehouse, is located on Sherman Avenue.

DePaul University- Lincoln Park

Just down the street from DePaul’s campus on N. Sheffield Avenue, Savor the Flavor has what many Chicago students would likely want from a café: lots of space with large tables, Metropolis coffee and free wifi. Many Yelp reviewers praise its food, especially the grilled cheese sandwich and ice cream, but some say it’s a little pricey.

Another Lincoln Park coffee spot known for its good food is The Bourgeois Pig located on Fullerton Avenue, also not far from DePaul’s campus. Its menu features numerous dessert and pastry options, as well as sandwiches and salads with cute names like ”The Hobbit”, “The Tale of Two Turkeys” and “Ham I Am”.

Walk into Noble Tree Coffee and Tea on North Clark Street on a typical day and you’ll find several students scattered throughout the café’s three floors, hunched over books and laptops. Noble Tree – which is much bigger than it looks from the outside – has the feel of a huge, cozy abandoned house, with charmingly mismatched furniture throughout. There’s so much space, it’s fairly easy to snag a table, but if you’re looking for a truly unique study experience, try and find the Pacman game-turned-table on the second floor and play a round or two for a study break.

Pacman table at Noble Tree

Loyola University, north campus- Rogers Park/Uptown/Edgewater

Students looking for ambiance, super-friendly baristas and lots of space to study should definitely stop by the one and only Metropolis Coffee Co. near Loyola’s northern campus. While many of the cafés on this list brew its beans, the actual Metropolis is a can’t-miss for most Loyola students, with many sandwiches and pastries to go along with its popular coffee. People are encouraged to come and stay a while, so you’ll never feel rushed.

Metropolis Coffee Co.

The Daily Cup, just a short walk from the Loyola Red L stop, serves fresh food and baked goods, gelato and delicious coffee, all at a reasonable price. Open until 10 p.m. on weekday evenings, the Daily Cup is a convenient study place for Loyola students eager to study in a coffee shop that’s not the Starbucks nearby.

University of Chicago- Hyde Park/University Village

Intelligentsia coffee, good food and beloved owner Belinda seem to be the main draw at Hyde Park’s Café 57, not far from the 59th Street, University of Chicago Metra station. Though Yelpers admit the space is small, they praise the atmosphere and employees. May be a good place to spend at least an hour or two studying, and the free wifi definitely helps.

Kick back with a gelato or a panini to go along with your coffee at Istria Café at the Hyde Park Art Center. The café takes cues from the Istrian peninsula, incorporating a mix of traditions from the Italian, Croatian and Slovenian area into its meticulous preparation of the Intelligentsia coffee it brews. Lots of comfy seats, free wifi and a cool, artsy vibe seem to satisfy Istria’s regulars.

Evanston

The Unicorn Café
1723 Sherman Ave. (between Church St. and Clark St.)
*free wifi
*Davis Purple line

The Brothers K Coffeehouse
500 Main St. (between Chicago Ave. and Hinman Ave.)
www.brotherskcoffee.com
*free wifi
*Main Purple line

The Other Brother Coffeehouse
1549 Sherman Ave. (between Grove St. and Orrington Ave.)
*Davis Purple line

Lincoln Park

Savor the Flavor
2545 N. Sheffield Ave. (between Altgeld St. and Lill Ave.)
*free wifi
*Fullerton Brown, Purple line
*grilled cheese!

Bourgeois Pig Café
738 W. Fullerton Ave. (between Burling St. and Children’s Place)
www.bpigcafe.com
*wifi with purchase

Noble Tree Coffee and Tea
2444 N. Clark St. (at Arlington Place)
www.nobletreecoffee.com
*free wifi

Rogers Park/Uptown/Edgewater

Metropolis Coffee Co.
1039 W. Granville Ave.
www.metropoliscoffee.com
*free wifi
*Granville Red line

The Daily Cup
1217 W. Devon Ave. (between Sheridan Road and Broadway)
www.dailycupinc.com
*free wifi
*Loyola Red line

Hyde Park/University Village

Istria Café
5030 S. Cornell Ave. (between 49th and East End Ave.)
www.istriacafe.com
*free wifi

Café 57
1220 E. 57th St
www.cafe57.biz
*free wifi