Morning meetings? Cancel ’em.
Because first: Coffee. Also breakfast.
And where: five new places that are upgrading all manner of morning routine — commute, gym-going, detox, etc. — with caffeinated bevvies and cult-worthy treats.
So, go ahead and put everything on hold.
Because these spots below? Worth the buzz.
Loba Pastry + Coffee
Lakeview
The name of this coffee and pastry spot — Loba — translates to “she-wolf.” Fitting, since it’s located in the old Bad Wolf coffee shop space. Game recognize game. In fact, it’s former Bad Wolf baker Val Taylor, along with Labrabbit Optics owner Coyote DeGroot, who are behind the fresh concept. They’re offering coffee beans not readily found around town: Berkley’s Supersonic and San Francisco’s Sightglass. Also a single-estate tea program from New York’s In Pursuit of Tea. And in the pastry window: a daily selection of elevated yet homey treats including biscuits savory and sweet, delicate morning buns and canelé-shaped delights.
The Order: Espresso and a black sesame bun (pictured above). Also not to be missed: the iced matcha.
3422 N. Lincoln Ave. (map)
www.lobapastry.com
Sawada Coffee
West Loop
For the unused streetside nook at Green Street Smoked Meats, restaurateur-about-town Brendan Sodikoff looked to Japan. Specifically, to Hiroshi Sawada — a renowned Japanese barista and former Latte Art World Champion. The result is a pleasant, if not totally necessary, addition to the city’s coffee scene. Pick-me-ups include the eye-catching military latte, green tea latte and the boozy Sawada-style iced coffee, the last featuring shochu and served in a traditional square sake cup.
The Order: Green tea latte and any of the daily selections from Doughnut Vault
112 N. Green St. (map)
www.sawadacoffee.com
Bunny the Micro Bakery
Lincoln Park
Something of an early favorite this year, Iliana Regan’s follow up to Elizabeth is a bakery of distinction, and we wish it upon every neighborhood. Regan and company deliver on all fronts: fresh and properly dark and crusty boule loaves, a small, adventurous selection of composed dishes that includes toasts and tartines and Bow Truss coffee and mushroom tea. It’s Michelin-star good.
The Order: Coffee and brioche toast with foie gras, jam, butter
2928 N. Broadway Ave. (map)
www.bunnythemicrobakery.com
Hot Bar by Baker Miller
Ravenswood Manor
Tucked away on a residential block in Ravenswood Manor next to the Francisco Brown Line stop, it’s where you pick up the daily ration of cinnamon rolls, cookies, bread or “dough-nots”: a creative riff of baked dough stuffed or coated with deliciousness. Coffee is from Sparrow, and it’s self-serve. If you like Baker Miller, then you’ll obviously love Hot Bar.
The Order: Coffee and Nutella hazelnut praline dough-not
4642 N. Francisco Ave. (map)
www.hotbarchicago.com
Cantina 1910
Andersonville
The fuss about Cantina 1910 has been somewhat divided, what with at least one online feud about who’s more pretentious — food writers or Yelpers. Jokes aside, we dig this modern Mexican eatery. We also think its morning cafe concept is worth fussing about. From Mexican sweet rolls to crispy fried churros, delicious pastries await for those who make the trek — all of which are perfect pairings to the coffee provided by Counter Culture.
The Order: A dirty horchata and churros
5025 N. Clark St. (map)
www.cantina-1910.com
Main photo: Sawada Coffee
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