Kapéj Coffee Roasters

Kapéj Coffee Roasters is in Chicago's Old Town, a few steps from the Sedgwick Brown Line stop. It has a lodge feel, with exposed brick, leather seats and a working fireplace for winter. The owner roasts all the beans in a small alcove by the counter, and sometimes you can see it happening.

The vanilla latte is the regulars' order, and it's naturally sweet enough that you still taste the coffee. The Dulce de Leche Latte and Vanilla Lavender Latte are the specialty picks, and pour-overs feature single origins from around the world.

There are armchairs, work tables and window seats, plus local art on the walls. For food, there are sandwiches, bagels and pastries, and the bacon egg and cheese croissant and grilled chicken avocado sandwich are the favorites. You can buy bags of their beans in the shop.