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Chicago O'Hare Airport

Best Coffee: O’Hare Airport

If you're looking for the best coffee at O'Hare Airport, you've come to the right place!

This is a VERY short list -- only 3 spots make my cut for best coffee O'Hare. That's because most airport coffee is just kinda sad (and if you've googled your way to this list, I'm guessing you agree!).

Fortunately, there's at least one of these restaurants or coffee shops in walking distance no matter which terminal you're in! And on top of that, they're all local Chicago spots, too.

Best Coffee O'Hare Airport - Chicago Travel Guide

To me, the biggest highlight of this list is that Sparrow Coffee is now available to-go at the airport (as of 2019). This is HUGE news for me, as they're one of my top roasters in the city. Keep reading for details on that.

As always, if you like this guide, please save and/or share it.

And, if you're visiting Chicago -- or especially if you live here! -- please follow me on instagram for the best local food in Chicago. Thanks for reading! -Erin

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ORD Terminal Locations & Access

Before you try to find these spots, here's a quick guide to how O'Hare airport is organized.

  • Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected -- so if you're in any of these terminals, you can get to most of these spots (note: it can be a pretty long walk, depending on where you are)
  • Terminal 5 is not connected to the others

I've linked to a map of the airport here. Enjoy!!

Best Coffee: O'Hare Airport (ORD)

1. Publican Tavern (Sparrow Coffee)

Sparrow Coffee is one of my favorite local roasters in Chicago -- and the best coffee at O'Hare, in my opinion!

They're available within Publican Tavern (in Terminal 3, by gate K1). You can reach this spot from anywhere in Terminals 1, 2, or 3 without leaving security.  If you are looking for the very best coffee and you have the time, you should go here -- end of story.

You can now get their single-origin coffee to-go (which is new and super exciting!!). If you're looking for a to-go cup, order it from the kiosk on the left-hand side of Publican Tavern.

And if you dine in, it's bottomless! 😍


What to Get:

  • To-go - order from kiosk on left-hand side of Publican Tavern
  • To stay - bottomless Sparrow Coffee at Publican Tavern

Terminal Locations, Gates, and Hours (as of publication):

  • Terminal 3, by gate K1 (5:30am -  9pm)


Psst! Publican Tavern is also on my guide to the Best Chicago Airport Food: O'Hare (ORD).

2. Frontera Grill

If you're looking for some of the best food at O'Hare airport, head to Tortas Frontera - Rick Bayless's awesome airport spot.

They have great coffee, too -- and since there are 3 locations, you'll be pretty close to one no matter which terminal you're in. You should note that they do have a pretty long line sometimes (maybe 10-15 minutes).


What to Get:

  • Frontera Blend Coffee

Terminal Locations, Gates, and Hours (as of publication):

  • Terminal 1, Gate B11 (5:30am–9pm)
  • Terminal 3, Gate K4 (5:30am–9pm)
  • Terminal 5, Gate M12 (10am–9pm)


Psst! Tortas Frontera is also on my guide to the Best Chicago Airport Food: O'Hare (ORD).

3. The Goddess & Grocer (Metropolis Coffee)

And finally, a third spot for the best coffee at O'Hare -- and the only one on this list that's before security -- is at The Goddess & Grocer in the International Terminal. You can ONLY get here from Terminal 5, on the Ticketing Level.

They serve Metropolis Coffee, another one of my favorite local Chicago roasters.

Of course, since it's pre-security, be sure to allow yourself enough time to enjoy your drink before going through!

What to Get:

  • Metropolis hot or iced coffee
  • All kinds of espresso drinks

Terminal Locations, Gates, and Hours (as of publication):

  • Terminal 5, Ticketing Level (5am–10pm)

Chicago Travel Guides

If you're visiting Chicago -- or if you live here -- be sure to check out some of my other city guides here:

Best Coffee: O'Hare (ORD)

I hope you enjoyed my list of the best coffee at ORD, and that you find some great new options for your next trip.

If you track them down, be sure to tag me in your pics. Safe travels! <3 Erin

Best Coffee: O\'Hare Airport
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6 Comments

  1. Faye
    July 7, 2019 / 9:03 pm

    Only one left out is Intelligencia served at burrito beach in American terminal.

    • 312food
      Author
      July 8, 2019 / 2:56 pm

      Thank you so much – I didn’t know that was there! Will have to check it out next time.

  2. Pingback: Best Chicago Brunch Spots by Neighborhood! A Chicago guide by 312food
  3. Pingback: The Best O'Hare Airport Food (ORD)
  4. Nick
    June 26, 2021 / 3:13 pm

    June 26, 2021 update: Publican is currently closed, I think temporarily. Frontera not serving coffee, Goddess and Grocer now serving Lavazza coffee. Too bad!

    • 312food
      Author
      July 5, 2021 / 7:42 am

      Thank you for the update! Unfortunately I need to go through all of the posts on my site and update them post-covid. Sad to see so many spots close this past year. I haven’t been back to ORD yet and I appreciate the info!

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