Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Forest Park

"We like going to Stan’s when we want a lot of variety or a donut that sounds like it was created by an eight-year-old. For example, they have a caramel marshmallow, Cap’n crunch, and our personal favorite, the biscoff (a.k.a. cookie butter-filled) pocket. If you don’t feel like feeding your inner child, consider ordering something like their pretzel-glazed or the pistachio old fashioned."

"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"

"Amazing is the first word that comes to mind when describing these doughnuts (or donuts). We ordered an Apple fritter, glazed pretzel, cinnamon roll, and..."

"Floriole functioned as a stand at Chicago's beloved Green City Market for nearly five years before it became a brick-and-mortar restaurant. As such, expect market-driven fare that prizes freshness and seasonality above all else. Those priorities manifest in menu items like late-season roasted tomato and swiss chard quiche, ricotta toast topped with plums and honey, and pea salad with radishes, turnips, and spring onions."

"The longest-established purveyor of canelés in Chicago, Floriole Café & Bakery's Sandra Holl may also be their least traditional practitioner. Holl produces her canelés without the use of beeswax, and has even been known to tweak the time-honored vanilla-rum flavor profile. (A chocolate version, for instance, makes an appearance in the café each February.) Traditional or not, her approach works."

"This bright cafe and bakery is known for their rustic French pastries, made using fresh ingredients sourced from local, sustainable farms. Head straight to the dessert case to choose from a rotating selection of from-scratch goodies, like croissants, Basque cake, fruit galettes, and more."

"Wicker ParkAs good as the coffee at The Wormhole is, that’s not the draw (though you should order the Peanut Butter Koopa Troopa). No, the reason you go to Wormhole is to kick back with a latte in a coffee shop modeled off of the living room you wish you had. The seating, although limited, is plush and comfy, and nestled underneath the shop’s iconic DeLorean busting through the roof is an old TV featuring an original NES with a selection of games for when you need to take a break from working."

"The Wormhole will take you back to the future—a model of Marty McFly’s DeLorean is literally in the shop. This ‘80s themed coffee shop has a menu full of delicious coffee options and is one of the coziest spots in Wicker Park. Order for pickup now!"

"The Wormhole Coffee is one of the best-reviewed coffee shops in Chicago. It’s located in Wicker Park. The interior has this relaxed retro vibe going on."

"Located just steps away from Millennium Park in Chicago’s South Loop, Wildberry Pancakes & Café is one of the best breakfast joints in town, with a range of mouthwateringly delicious choices for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The café’s all-encompassing menu features everything from eggs and skillets to yes, you guessed it, pancakes, and the casual eatery is always packed with crowds of locals and tourists alike waiting for a table. The menu boasts a wide range of egg dishes from omelets and scrambles to egg entrees and skillets, but it’s the signature specialty pancakes that draw the crowds, with toppings such as chocolate chip and banana, Oreo cookies, fresh berries and granola, and lemon buttercream and vanilla crème Anglaise."

"Put together your typical diner fare, Chicago-style hot dogs, and spaghetti and meatballs and you’ll get the Pittsfield Cafe’s huge menu. This place has it all, from “The Best of the Best Breakfasts” to chicken parmesan. Bring your picky eater or a group with diverse tastes here and everyone is likely to find something they love."

"Eat This, You’ll Like It: Le Croissant Sandwich – Sausage, Gouda Cheese, Eggs, and Caramelized Jam stuffed Croissant ($5.99). If you’re like me, you don’t want a frilly breakfast. You’re this close to skipping breakfast anyway, but you need fuel."

"Lutz Pastry Shop is a local favorite bakeshop with traditional European recipes passed down since 1948. They offer a wide selection of desserts such as cakes, tarts, tortes, cookies, and chocolates. The pastries are baked using the finest ingredients that are mixed to create unique and delicious flavors."

"Restaurants Bakeries Lower West Side. Kristoffer's is synonymous with tres leches cake—more specifically, one of the best versions of the delicacy in all of Chicago. The family-owned business in Pilsen makes the milk-bathed sponge cake in seven flavors—from vanilla and coconut to chocoflan and caramel."

"Kristoffer’s Cakes is known for their iconic homemade tres leches cakes, which is the item that put them on the map. Their vanilla tres leches cake comes with white or chocolate frosting, and is known for its excellent crumb and springy texture. (It’s a family recipe that the owners have kept secret since the bakery opened over 13 years ago.)"

"A landmark in Pilsen, Kristoffer’s Cafe & Bakery has been serving coffee and Mexican desserts for years. Though the original owners have gone on to open a cafe in McKinley Park, the customers continue to flock for the bakery’s famous tres leches cakes. They’re a favorite among chefs, including Rick Bayless."

"The one stop shop in Ukrainian Village is stocked with a first-rate supply of wine, cheese, and snacks. Make self-isolation better by picking up some bottles and groceries to go or grab a seat on the outdoor patio and dive into a host of Midwestern-style dishes. All Together Now also offers picnic kits, a wine club, and a wine and cheese hotline for personalized recommendations."

"Restaurants Coffee shops Lincoln Park. This Milwaukee import is making busy Chicagoans swoon with a large outdoor patio, delicious seasonal pastries, beer on tap and, of course, fantastic coffee. The sprawling cafés in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Andersonville are colorful and cheerful, making Colectivo an ideal destination for a pre-work boost or winding down after a long day."

"Milwaukee import Colectivo opened its first Chicago location in Lincoln Park to much fanfare in April with a huge heated patio space and fire pit. The chain has since opened shops in Wicker Park, Andersonville, Logan Square, and suburban Evanston. View this post on Instagram"

"Not only is Colectivo Coffee Co. home to some of the most delicious coffee in the city, but all five of their Chicago locations also feature a wonderful outdoor patio."

"Restaurants American West Loop. From the creators of Moneygun, Longman & Eagle and Revival Food Hall, this West Loop cafeteria-style diner offers upgraded takes on "Meat N Three," allowing hungry diners to match their protein with three side dishes. Of course, you can order à la carte, with decadent options like tres leches pancakes and the patty melt, which is layered with caramelized onions, Swiss cheese and special sauce."

"There are always two flavors of soft serve available at Saint Lou’s Assembly, rotating on a monthly basis. Past flavors have included Fruity Pebbles sprinkled with cereal, salted caramel, and popcorn and Mai Tai topped with freeze-dried pineapple. The flavor rotation is often inspired by Saint Lou’s own diners through Instagram contests where followers can submit ideas for inventive ice creams."

"Saint Lou’s signature “meat ‘n’ three” option might be a bit too heavy for bocci ball on the back patio, but luckily there are plenty of light bite and—of course—drink options that lead to more limber matches. Saint Lou's backyard patio is open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons and evenings on a first-come, first-served basis."

"The Helen Brach Primate House is yet another extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo and is home to primates of varying shapes, sizes and colour. The area is made in a way to imitate the natural habitat for the primates to make them feel safe and familiar at the place that they are residing in. It was opened back in 1927 which finally underwent an extensive renovation in the year 1992."

"Lincoln Park Zoo is a renowned 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park and a hotspot for tourists. It’s the zoo’s pavilion, designed to provide shelter for open-air on-site classes, that offers such a fantastically picturesque snap. With the design drawing inspiration from the appearance of a tortoise’s shell, the stunning curved wooden pavilion elegantly frames the Chicago skyline."

"A Metra train ride out to the suburb of Brookfield, this zoo is in 216 acres of green parkland and boasts more than 450 species. The Brookfield Zoo made waves when it opened in 1934 as it pioneered the use of moats and ditches instead of cages, and was also the first in America to have giant pandas. One of the most recent additions is the Great Bear Wilderness, letting you get within inches of North Americas mightiest carnivores."

"An alternative to Lincoln Park is Chicago Zoological Society's Brookfield Zoo, located in the nearby western suburb of (you guessed it) Brookfield. Brookfield Zoo is spread out over 200 acres and offers larger, cage-less exhibits such as Tropic World, a massive indoor habitat with three distinct environments, filled with primates from around the globe. 1st Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield, Ill., 708-688-8000."

"Spa Space is conveniently located on Canal Street in Chicago. Spa Space efficiently assembles a rigorous way of body and skincare having a relaxing and sumptuous environment centred on exceptional client services. They have staff and professionals that are passionate and hardworking to ensure the wellness of every customer."

"Check out their website to see some of the services they offer, including facials, massages, manicures, waxing, and more. You can also choose to purchase a gift certificate now to support this spa in Chicago."

"Exhale Spa earns their place on our most expensive spa map for their Power Facial with Ultrasonic Peel for $280. Additionally, exhale offers acupuncture and energetic therapies as well as specialty therapies like LED Core Contouring by SlimStation and a head to toe wash followed by a heated hammam stone two-step exfoliation."