With the many coffee shop options at our disposal as North Shore residents, choosing a favorite can be a challenge. Each location has strengths and weaknesses that set it apart from the group. I consider myself an authority on this topic as a teenager who finds coffee almost as important as water to get me through the school day. Therefore, I have carefully looked at some of our most popular coffee shops and my personal favorites. Whether you are searching for somewhere to grab a quick drink or stay and catch up with a friend, there is something for everyone below. 

Starbucks – 566 Chestnut St. in Winnetka, Illinois and 347 Park Ave in Glencoe, Illinois

It would not be possible to talk about coffee shops on the North Shore without bringing up Starbucks. With the amount of Starbucks cups I see floating around New Trier High School each day, it’s fair to say this is the most popular spot. Starbucks offers the most customizability and has the largest menu with the most rotations—they release different drinks and food options with the change of every season. My go-to is the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. While drinks like these are always solid, the food is extremely boring. It’s not that it’s even bad. It’s just nothing special. Additionally, even with locations in frequently visited parts of Winnetka and Glencoe, I don’t always love visiting because of the constant mass of 11-year-olds. Starbucks is a good choice if you want to order ahead and grab your drink to go, but it is certainly not the best sit-down place. 

Peet’s Coffee – 817 Elm St in Winnetka

Peet’s has the most classic coffee shop vibe. The espresso machines on the counter, dark wooden tables, strong coffee smell, and connection to the Book Stall make it feel like a coffee shop should. When I visited late in October, I decided to try their Vanilla Latte. I enjoyed that it wasn’t overly sweet and was just the size I wanted. There aren’t many food options, but with the atmosphere and proximity to other stores in downtown Winnetka, I didn’t mind. 

Towne and Oak – 921 Green Bay Rd in Winnetka

I feel I should disclose that I mainly go to Towne and Oak with my mom so that she can pay. The one drawback of this coffee shop is it is very overpriced. However, when I’m not paying, I always have a very pleasant experience. Sunlight pours through all the windows to create a bright and open atmosphere. The presentation of drinks never disappoints, and it is a great spot to meet up with friends. Despite it being expensive, there are a few meals I would cough up the money for, such as the chicken taco bowl. I usually just order a coffee though, either an iced latte or a regular latte, depending on the season. Hot drinks from Towne and Oak are preferable. Somehow the same drink is far too sweet when it is iced compared to its hot counterpart. I still like that they don’t fill the entire cup with ice, so you get a good amount of coffee for the price.

Hometown Coffee & Juice – 749 Elm St in Winnetka and 700 Vernon Ave in Glencoe

Hometown has never been a place I associate with coffee, even though the name has “coffee” in it. Upon hearing this, I decided to give the coffee a try. It was pretty standard—nothing to write home about, but a good option. In the food category, Hometown excels all around. It has my favorite selection of baked goods. The S’mores Shookie will always hit, and there are so many treats I haven’t even gotten around to trying. You also can’t go wrong with a berry bowl or bagel melt. Hometown is a popular place to meet up with friends, but I have found that getting a table and chatting with others is hard due to the noise. 

Tala Coffee Roasters – 93 Green Bay Rd in Winnetka

I am a big fan of Tala during the colder months. This is partly because their holiday decor and menu create a very warm ambiance, and also because it is not a place where I typically order iced coffee. I enjoy the hot coffee, and the red velvet donut is unmatched. The location is beneficial—at times. It is right by New Trier, but it is also not somewhere I would go if I wasn’t already in that area. Still, I like going there to relax in between finals or after school.

Overall, none of these places are bad options. Some coffees are better than others, but I’ll never actually say no to any drink with caffeine. Rather, I prioritize atmosphere and therefore have Towne and Oak and Peet’s at the top of my list. These two are the kinds of places where I could spend hours. A coffee shop vibe, when executed properly, is truly top-tier. Still, at the end of the day, it all depends on what you’re looking for in your coffee shop experience.