Intelligentsia
Quick info
About Intelligentsia
Intelligentsia is a coffee shop and espresso bar at 53 E Randolph St in Chicago, open daily. Espresso comes with a soda back, and the pour over list offers three single origin options alongside a separate single origin for espresso. The drink menu also covers flat whites, lattes with an oat option, a Cortada and black drip coffee. Croissants and a Danish arrive from a nearby bakery, and food can sell out. Wholebean 10oz bags are sold too, including Ethiopia Kirite Washed (Wholebean 10oz). Orders are placed at the counter, and at busy times one person takes orders and makes the coffee. The room is small, with floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and art on the walls. The Millennium Park location means a wait is usual, with a line and some standing room on parade days and weekends. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid street parking · Difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs available · Family friendly
- DietaryServes vegan dishes
Menu & Prices
28 dishes · mains $13–33- Ethiopia Alaka Washed Whole Bean (10oz Wholebean)$26.00
- Ethiopia Bishan Fugu Natural (10oz Wholebean)$26.00
- Ethiopia Kirite Washed (Wholebean 10oz)$25.00
- Guatemala José Fernando López (10oz Wholebean)$25.00
- Burundi Yandaro (10oz Wholebean)$22.00
- Kenya Faith Estate (10oz Wholebean)$30.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention croissants, lattes, flat white and pour over single origin.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention croissants, lattes, flat white and pour over single origin.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the coffee itself, with lattes drawing the warmest comments: one calls a latte incredibly creamy, another liked the iced latte and mocha, and a visitor ranks theirs among the best they remember. Single origin pour over, a Burundi black drip, flat whites, and a cortada also get named. Pastries come close behind, with the croissant and Danish described as flaky, though one reviewer found chocolate and almond croissants stale and another called the croissants just okay. The caveats are crowds and thin staffing. Reviewers describe the shop as packed on a parade day and a November Saturday. One reports a single person taking orders and making drinks, and another found the food sold out. That parade-day reviewer found the drinks only ok despite friendly, quick staff. One reviewer spent a few hours working remotely on excellent Wi-Fi, and another suggests ordering cold coffee to shorten the wait. One reviewer asked for something not on the menu, and the barista suggested an alternative that became a new favorite order.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the coffee itself, with lattes drawing the warmest comments: one calls a latte incredibly creamy, another liked the iced latte and mocha, and a visitor ranks theirs among the best they remember. Single origin pour over, a Burundi black drip, flat whites, and a cortada also get named. Pastries come close behind, with the croissant and Danish described as flaky, though one reviewer found chocolate and almond croissants stale and another called the croissants just okay. The caveats are crowds and thin staffing. Reviewers describe the shop as packed on a parade day and a November Saturday. One reports a single person taking orders and making drinks, and another found the food sold out. That parade-day reviewer found the drinks only ok despite friendly, quick staff. One reviewer spent a few hours working remotely on excellent Wi-Fi, and another suggests ordering cold coffee to shorten the wait. One reviewer asked for something not on the menu, and the barista suggested an alternative that became a new favorite order.
Featured reviews
- Isabela Rossi
“Very disappointed this is what they call a breakfast tacos. It literally tasted like nothing, had a very weird texture and probably half an egg on it. Yet I was starving, couldn’t eat it. It was the worst thing we have had in this trip.”
- Luis Gavin
“Delicious coffee and wonderful service. Thank you, Fmma and Dino, for making the day a little brighter with your smiles, kindness, and great energy. You make this place truly special. I’ll definitely be back! ☕😊”
- Leandro Gentini
“Dirty and not well maintained place. Croissant is not fresh. Decent coffee. Overall very expensive for the experience”
- Gilberto Vazquez
“Intelligentsia Coffee on E. Randolph is a great place to grab a quality cup of coffee in the middle of downtown Chicago. The atmosphere is calm, and it's a nice escape from the busy streets outside. One tip: check online before you visit. You may be able to redeem a coupon or promotion. Unfortunately, I completely forgot to use mine, so don't make the same mistake I did!”
- Sameer Somal
“Walking into this space feels like stepping into a refined version of downtown Chicago’s energy. The café has sleek lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, and natural light pouring in perfectly complementing the urban feel of Millennium Park. The coffee here is the star: bold, balanced, and served thoughtfully. Whether you go black or with a small oat latte, each sip carries unmistakable clarity. There’s a quiet hum that makes the space feel alive but in a subtle, controlled way. Ideal for focused moments or quick neighborhood respite.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“High-end coffee bar chain serving daily roasted brews in a contemporary setting.”
- Serves great coffee
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for good for solo dining
- Popular for good for working on laptop
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offers delivery
Show more amenities
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
- Family friendly
- Serves vegan dishes
- Has bar on site
- Casual
- Offerings· 5
- Serves beer
- Serves cocktails
- Serves coffee
- Sells prepared foods
- Quick bite
- Crowd· 2
- Popular with tourists
- Popular with university students
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
- Service options· 1
- On-site services available
- Dining options· 3
- Serves breakfast
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Highlights· 2
- Serves great coffee
- Has great tea selection
- Accessibility· 1
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Planning· 1
- Usually has a wait
- Popular for· 3
- Popular for breakfast
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Parking· 1
- Difficult to find a space
Location
Coffee shops near Intelligentsia
- Blue Bottle Coffee4.38820.6 mi$10–20
river view seating, avocado toast, café mocha
- Cafe Deko4.53880.8 mi$10–20
breakfast sandwiches, latte and drip coffee, hot chocolate
- Nomad-Chicago4.42361 mi$10–20
matcha drinks, seasonal specialty lattes, in-store boutique shop
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligentsia | 4.32,091 | — | $1–10 | croissants, lattes, flat white |
| Blue Bottle Coffee | 4.3882 | 0.6 mi | $10–20 | river view seating, avocado toast, café mocha |
| Cafe Deko | 4.5388 | 0.8 mi | $10–20 | breakfast sandwiches, latte and drip coffee, hot chocolate |
| Nomad-Chicago | 4.4236 | 1 mi | $10–20 | matcha drinks, seasonal specialty lattes, in-store boutique shop |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Coffee shops nearby
More to explore in Chicago
11 places
Cafes in Chicago
Photo: The Wormhole Coffee · 4.6 · 2,085 Google reviews
See all 11 cafes in Chicago