Digital Nomad’s Guide to Chicago
A round-up of my top 10 spots to work remotely in the windy city.
—BOYSTOWN
01
Maison Marcel
This adorable French cafe on Broadway is one of my all-time favorite spots to work at during the week. They are 100% Kila-friendly and have large tables and cozy spaces inside and out to get some work done while enjoying the most delicious french pastries and coffee or full entrees (salmon and avocado toast, french onion soup, omelettes and more.) My favorite spot is inside on the pillow-covered daybed near the front window (which is usually open to fresh summer or fall air). It has a large table for spreading out all of my work and meeting with a client or two for the day. Parking is fairly easy on the street on weekdays. I wouldn’t recommend working from here on weekends as it’s a super popular brunch spot. But during the week between 8-3pm, it’s a little European getaway for the working nomad.
—FULTON MARKET
02
The Good Ambler
This was a super cozy indoor cafe in the Fulton Market neighborhood. I love the location because you can always wander around for a bite to eat at one of the many amazing restaurants in this trendy new neighborhood. They also have all the hottest boutiques and bars in walking distance. Definitely a great location to stay for the visiting nomad.
The cafe itself has plush, cozy chairs and couches with large tables, ambient lighting and a nice big coffee, pastry and lunch menu. Definitely stands out for comfort and design, though that does make it a popular spot for other nomads so it can get a little crowded.
No outdoor areas for Kila and street parking can be a little difficult in this trendy area, but it’s definitely a nice place to meet with clients or spend a few hours working.
—LAKEVIEW
03
Cafe Deko
This is one of my favorite lesser-known cafes in Chicago. It’s off the beaten path, more of a neighborhood coffee shop with pick-up window for those with pups. The decor is most unique and fabulous. The art deco vibe is luxe and cozy, especially in the winter. I love the large high tables near the window. There isn’t much food, but the drink I crave most is the Iced Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappuccino which reminded me of what I used to drink daily when I lived in Rome. I’m craving it just thinking about it.
—EVANSTON
04
Newport Coffee
This California cool Evanston coffee shops is one of my new favorite spots. It’s white, bright and minimal. Inside, you’ll find nice big tables, lights and outlets for college students or nomads to stay for a while and work.
Their iced coffee and pour overs are divine and they do have a lovely pastry selection though I usually go for a cup of their chilled, overnight oats.
It’s also pretty Kila-friendly in the summer and fall with outdoor cafe tables and chairs. Kila also likes Evanston because parking is plentiful and cheap and we like to walk around downtown Evanston after a few hours of work. Definitely worth heading a bit north out of the city to work for a day.
—DOWNTOWN
05
Nomad Chicago
This female-founded coffee shop, boutique and event space off Franklin and Chicago is cute and cozy. They don’t have much food but they do serve Metric Iced coffee which was one of my favorite iced coffees on my trip (and I’ve had many). It’s library quiet for really focusing and they even have a reservable conference room if you need to do intense work or even meet up with clients or a team. Definitely a great spot for the working nomad, but I guess that’s to be expected with Nomad in the name after all.
—THE LOOP
06
Bond Collective
For about $40/day you can work from this upscale, shared co-working space in the historic Lyric Opera House building along the river (they also have a Fulton Market location). Just entering the landmark’s lobby and going up the Art Deco elevator cabs with hand-painted ceilings is a treat in itself.
Once you arrive at the floor, you’ll find ample areas to work and meet. They have two floors and rooftop area with two kitchens stocked with beer, kombucha, coffee and everything you might need to work through the day. They also serve refreshments at lunchtime, but you can also bring your own lunch and store it in the communal refrigerator.
Parking is a little tricky and expensive because this is right in the heart of downtown, but easy enough to get to by public transportation. I loved working here and meeting with a few clients. I also found fellow nomads who I connected with so also a great way to network while on the road.
Would highly recommend the Bond Collective for the traveling nomad as they have memberships and locations across the US.
—EVANSTON / LINCOLN PARK
07
Philz Coffee
I spend a lot of time in the Bay area so I was beyond excited when I found out that Philz was coming to Chicago. I love nearly all of their locations but the ones I frequent most are Evanston and Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is probably my favorite because of the location and they are Kila-friendly. I also love their mural in the front area where I usually like to sit and work.
They have decent food if you need a nosh. It’s nothing to write home about but I do enjoy the Turkey Bacon Breakfast Burrito. But what I really come for is the friendly, bright and Cali-cool cafe vibes and, of course, the coffee. Nothing in Chicago tastes quite like Philz. It’s a lot more sweet—the service and the coffee. My favorite sweet treat is an Iced Mocha Tesora Sweet and Creamy. It’s more of a dessert that I treat myself to. But for real coffee, I usually have the iced Mission Cold brew. You can also take a large bottle of this to-go, so I sometimes grab one the night before I head back on the road so I can stay fueled during my road trip.
They also have an app with mobile order pick-up so you can order and pull up in your car, and they’ll bring it right out to you. This definitely makes it easy and even more Kila-friendly for the traveling nomad.
—ANDERSONVILLE / DOWNTOWN
08
La Colombe
There are many locations throughout the city, but La Colombe is my OG coffee shop. When I want really, really good coffee I come here for a Black and Tan or Iced Red Eye. You can work from there, but it’s not the most comfortable so I usually only spend an hour or so. They also don’t have much food, but the coffee and ambience makes it a must on my travels or for meeting with clients.
—SECRET SPOT
09
At the Lake
On sunny days when I don’t need my full laptop and can write a blog post from my iPad or need to read a book for brand research, I like to go to my secret spot along the lake between Montrose and Foster beach. It’s not crowded because it’s right in between the two beaches and it has a concrete staircase that goes right to the edge of the water providing a clean and bug-free surface to lean up against with just the right amount of shade and sun. And if you get a little hot, you can dip your feet into the water without having to deal with any messy sand. Kila loves it too because I can set her up with a little bed and she never has to touch the water while still staying close to me.
It’s a hard to see spot just at the edge of the lake off the sidewalk. You might not even know it was there if you don’t walk to the edge and look down. It’s also right off the parking lot so parking is super easy and plentiful, especially since it’s between the two popular beaches.
Pro tip: it is outdoors, so I stop at Philz (mobile order pick up) and Sweet Greens before I head here so I have ample food and fuel while I work.
—WEST TOWN
10
Hexe Coffee Co.
Another great Chicago cafe with more of a neighborhood vibe. Love their giant outdoor patio with plenty of covered tables and chairs for Kila-friendly working. The inside is just as cool with a very industrial feel and extensive food and coffee menu.
Parking is a little tricky as their back lot is tiny and almost filled but you will be able to find street parking and its usually free.
My favorite time to go is sunset, you can see the sun sets right behind the building for a lovely afternoon of work outdoors.
—WILMETTE
BONUS
Bahá'í Temple
Not technically in the city, and not your typical workplace, but if you’re a traveling nomad, it’s worth the drive up to Evanston/Wilmette to see this architectural wonder. It is one of only nine temples throughout the world. The gardens are open to the public and a great place to work and read or just recharge. I like to bring some books I’m reading as I do my brand research or a sketchbook to work out some logo ideas while listening to the trickle of the fountains in the temple’s beautiful gardens.
