Unless you’re new years resolution was to give up everything warm, baked and awesome, you’re probably open to the idea of finding some cool new places to get a cup of coffee or some awesome baked goods. Enter: the coffee shop.

Best of College Life is proud to be made up of a band of gypsies, touring the nation looking for the best coffee shop in the nation… Nay, the world. But first, we’re starting out in Chicago, which just happens to be where we are for the next couple of weeks. Over the past month in Chicago, we’ve seen a lot of the coffee scene, from the ‘jittery love’, to the ‘wouldn’t touch a cup’, to the ‘nothing to blog about’. Since we’re not Worst of College Life, or Mediocre College Life, we’re just going to share the top three coffee shops we’ve been to.

This could probably be titled the best coffee shops on the Northwest side of Chicago, but that was too long. Keep in mind that even though there are a billion  coffee shops in Chicago (according to the census), we spent most of our time in the Ukranian Village, West Town, Wicker Park and Old Town. Here’s the best ones we visited in those areas.

Wormhole Coffee [Wicker Park]

Beyond being one of the coolest coffee shops in Chicago, this is probably one of the best coffee shops we’ve ever been to. When you walk in, you won’t be able to miss the Delorian (of Back to the Future fame) on your right. If you can score an open couch across from the counter, you can play some old school video games on the NES. You may not be able to travel back in time to turn in that over due term paper for your forensic psychology class, but you can grab one of the Wormhole signature drinks like the Peanut Butter Koopa Troopa that will keep you up long enough to get it done today.

ATOMIX [Ukrainian Village]

This place is pretty simple, just some cafeteria style tables but ohhhh so hip. It’s so hip that we overheard this line of nonsense from one of the baristas:

“I’m into wrestling, but more like, independent wrestling.”

Oh yeah, Atomix barista? Well, I’m, like, into air, but more like, independent air. So, could you, like, stop breathing mine? Kidding! A lot of people get up in arms about stuff hipsters say, but we tend to think that it’s kinda cute. Awww, you think you’re so different with your waxed up mustache and love for PBR. Then when you find out you’re not so different, because that neighborhood is filled with 785943 mustache waxing, PBR chugging dudes, you go and say sh*t like “I’m into independent wrestling.” Precious.

Anywho, the staff was great. The tea was good (we’re kicking our coffee habit). They have reasonably priced vegan food as well. It’s like six bucks for a vegan sammie and chips… Not too shabby.

What are your favorite coffee haunts in the windy city?