According to cornercoffeestore.com, since 2019, 83.2% of teenagers in the United States drink caffeine regularly and 33% of teenagers drink coffee every day. With a surge in young coffee drinkers, cafes have become a popular spot for teens to study, socialise and de-stress. For the Lake Forest Academy community, many coffee shops around the Lake Forest area prove to be common and favored spots. However, the best coffee shop is yet to be claimed. We ventured around the Lake Forest area and slightly beyond to find an answer to this question and give LFA a taste of each cafe worth testing out.
Starbucks
As the world’s largest coffee chain, Starbucks is widely known among people of all ages. Whether it is a pink drink ordered by a young teen or a black roast coffee ordered by grandparents, Starbucks is often a go-to cafe. Coffee from Starbucks is reliable and a safe option for those who want a caffeine boost to start their day. With rotating menus, many look forward to their favorite seasonal drinks when the time comes. Some of the most popular items include the Pumpkin Spice Latte, a nostalgic staple of fall, and the Sugar Cookie Latte, a comforting reminder of the holidays. The largest Starbucks Reserve is located in Chicago on the Magnificent Mile, offering unique merchandise, a full bakery, typical coffees and cocktails. A personal favorite is the Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew, which uses Guatemala coffee beans and has a sweet (but not overwhelming) aroma.
Hansa
In the heart of the neighboring town to Lake Forest, a hidden gem of downtown Lake Bluff is Hansa Coffee Roasters. With an eclectic and vintage vibe, Hansa stands out from other coffee shops by being local and unique to Lake Bluff. Every season, Hansa makes a new menu featuring popular flavors and including coffees, teas and some uncaffeinated beverages. The most popular drinks include the poached pear latte in the summer, the date latte in the autumn, the burnt brown sugar latte in the winter and the ube latte in the spring. With unique menu items and a plethora of choices for all, Hansa caters to every customer’s needs and desires. Beyond beverages, Hansa features an elaborate display of snacks and home-made bakery goods including scones, cookies, muffins and banana bread. The cafe is a perfect spot to rest, re-wind and enjoy some home-made coffee.
Bean Bar
Opened in mid-2025, Bean Bar is a cozy coffee shop in Northbrook perfect for productive studying. Featuring four private rooms, in all sizes, Bean Bar is ideal for hosting meetings or focusing on an upcoming exam. Its environment stands out as much as its coffee and food. From pastries and cakes to energy drinks and traditional coffee, Bean Bar has everything to effectively fuel your day. Signature drinks include their Macadamia Latte, Dirty Lavender Chai Latte and Cardamom Rose Latte. Though not open for long, a seasonal menu has already appeared, with its winter one having a Cookie Latte and Peppermint Mocha. Drinks come in two sizes and two options: 12 ounces or 16 ounces and hot or iced. They are also customizable to preference, as customers are able to substitute or add syrups and cold foams in various flavors.
Hometown
Although a growing chain in the Northshore, Hometown Coffee & Juice retains its popular, charming and unique reputation as it continues to expand because of its high-quality yet simple food items, tasty seasonal beverages and grand display of pastries and baked goods. Hometown’s closest location to LFA is in downtown Lake Forest and makes it the perfect place to visit after school for a study session, before school to grab a coffee or on the weekends for a bite with friends. Hometown’s organic and whole-food ingredients, in their beverages and food, attract all with many options that cater to common allergens and dietary restrictions. Some of their most beloved drinks include the peppermint mocha latte, the cinnamon honey oat latte, the blueberry lemonade shaker and the chai latte. Hometown’s drinks are also customizable in size, flavor and sweetness. Their menu features acai bowls, breakfast bagels, salads and more. Hometown’s unique and charming atmosphere sets it apart from other coffee shops along with its full cafe-esque menu and flooding popularity among the suburbs of the North Shore.
Newport
Having two cafes open in the Chicago land area, one in Bannockburn and one in Evanston, Newport is a top-tier coffee shop with a bustling atmosphere popular among students. Like most cafes, Newport Coffee House has a good selection of food, both savory and sweet, including vegan and gluten-free options. Both locations have a clean, modern architectural design ideal for meeting friends or doing work. However, what stands out is its coffee. It is noted as bold, flavorful and high-quality, especially in regard to its espresso-made drinks. A drink highlight of theirs is the Date Cardamom Latte, a seasonal special that features a sweet but slightly spicy (from the cardamom) taste.
Tala
Near downtown Highland Park, Tala Coffee Roasters is situated in Highwood and Winnetka. Tala offers high-quality coffee and the cafe’s own coffee bean blends to purchase. Beyond the usual coffee beverages such as americanos and cappuccinos, Tala sells unique seasonal drinks and uncaffeinated beverages. Their most popular drinks are the Dirty Hippie Matcha, the Bonebreaker Latte and the Mermaid Macchiato. With such intrepid and striking names, Tala stands out from an orthodox cafe. Although Tala offers few food items, the high quality of their drinks shines through and makes it a must-visit coffee shop. Moreover, the excess seating available inside and outside of Tala makes it a great spot to study, hang out with friends and enjoy a daunting drink.
Overall, each cafe stands out in its own, unique way, but the one that stood out most was Bean Bar. It has an inviting atmosphere, good for private or public hangouts, food in every form, and a perfect drink lineup throughout all seasons. This one-of-a-kind cafe is spacious, cozy, and innovative, and we can assure you that a visit will not disappoint!
