Chess Club Coffee in Illinois

"I just visited here for the first time today, what a lovely place! Great vibe, it's nice and spacious. I was able to work easily with the music, the wifi is the strongest cafe Wi-Fi I've worked on! My matcha was yummy, and I got a spiced apricot latte to go for my boyfriend. Drinks were a little expensive, I got 12 ounces with oat milk for each one and I tipped so they were around $9 each. But I had a great experience, I'll be back!"

"I went to Chess Club Coffee for the first time this morning and had a delicious herbal iced tea. AND I took home a loaf of freshly baked sourdough bread to slice and freeze for later. As you can see, I got out the butter and began enjoying the bread right away. Don't worry, I used the butter that has avocado oil added to it, so I guess it's healthy. Yum! Chess Club opened very recently. The space is huge and has been very well rehabbed. Check out the bathrooms when you are there - very nice."

"This is a cozy and quaint cafe in Irving Park with awesome coffee options and fresh, house made artisan pastries. I had the Kugelhopf and it was out of this world. Definitely check it out . It’s also a great place to work or meet up with friends."

"I bought a fresh loaf of sourdough bread after the baker gave me a sample. It's crusty, chewy and delicious. The presentation, flavor, & texture are all excellent--couldn't be better. It's exciting to have a place within walking distance of my house with such good bread. I'll try the brioche next time if they have it. The baked treats are stellar too, as other reviewers describe (I tried the cookie, apple danish and little cake with little choc chips). I've visited the coffee shop twice for a genial place to read and drink coffee--cappuccino and latte were both perfect. The staff are friendly, and the space is welcoming and pleasant (with outlets near tables), though a bit echoey (what helps absorb sound?). We are book and music people, not so much chess, but it has its appeal, particularly now in our unsettled world, so maybe we'll try. We've been wanting a good coffee shop to move into this neighborhood for many years, since 2008. Finally! It is better than we hoped for--particularly, the sense of entrepreneurship aiming to deliver quality and provide a unique, enjoyable space for customers. We'll be sure to frequent it to help keep it here."

"First time today and love the space and atmosphere! Had a dirty chai with oat milk and strawberry matcha cream bun- super fresh, soft, and very filled so not just all bread like some other places I’ve experienced. Barista was super helpful and kind. They also have a collection of books, hand made journals, and poetry for sale in the front- great addition! Great space for studying, working remotely etc."

"Such a cute cafe! It’s got retro theme throughout its spacious area, it even has a playable piano (that the children who visited loved to play lol). Simple drink menu and a small selection of pastries. The Apple cheese danish was SO GOOD! And so was the iced latte! A nice spot to stop by while wandering town."

"This is a fairly new coffee shop. The interior is large, with tables nicely spaced out, with a large window, which I enjoyed. A couple of people were playing chess when I got there, but I was looking for a place to have coffee and read, and this proved to be a perfect spot for that as well. I had a latte, which I found to be quite good, even without sugar or flavoring, as well as their signature pastry, a Kugelhopf. It was also good, not overly sweet, a big plus in my eyes! I also got a sample of a couple of their other offerings, one of which was a tasty sourdough bread. Please check them out; we need a coffee shop in this location, and because I don’t think you’ll be sorry to do so!"

"Excellent coffee -they serve Metric here, one Chicago's top serious roasteries. They have chessboards and an impressive selection of literature for purchase. Beautiful craftsman style interior decor. A very refined, high-culture coffee place. I realize that sounds snobby - but I mean it in a good way!"