Chicago Guide: Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Address | 646 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
When you’re in Chicago chances are you’ll find yourself on Magnificent Mile for the shopping, dinning, and hotels. It’s the perfect location to plan a visit to the world’s largest Starbucks since 2019, the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery. The food and beverage options of the Chicago Starbucks Reserve expend 4 spacious floors.
On the first floor you’ll find the Reserve Coffee Bar. Here you can order your beverage of choice and you’ll find cases filled with sweet temptations and baked goods. After being greeted with coffee and pastry samples, before you order I suggest you check out all you options. On the second floor you’ll find the Chicago Roastery Prince Bakery and Cafe. You can place your order to go or stay and enjoy your meal at a table overlooking Magnificent mile. In addition to pastries you’ll find the menu offers sandwiches, eggs, and oatmeal. If you have a bit of time, head to the third floor for the Chicago Roastery Experiential Coffee Bar. Here you can do a proper coffee tasting at the bar and it’s something I would like to try the next time we find ourselves in the Windy City. Finally, at the 4th floor you’ll find the Chicago Roastery Arriviamo Cocktail Bar. This seems like a fun spot for boozy brunch or after work drinks.
It was a work day for both my wife and myself, so we settled on the Princi Bakery and Cafe for a rather large breakfast. We ordered our go to Americano’s with oat milk, the oatmeal with berries, the shakshuka, and a couple of pastries. Everything was very tasty and the ambiance with the seating at windows elevated just over Magnificent Mile, while the snow fell made for a very nice breakfast.
After all that good food and coffee be sure to get in some steps! Chicago has a lot of great walking and running paths along the lake.
Why You Should Visit the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago
If you think Starbucks is just your go-to for a quick latte or frappuccino, think again. On Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, there’s a coffee experience so immersive, so beautifully designed, and so uniquely crafted that it might just change the way you look at coffee altogether. Welcome to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago—a five-story temple dedicated to all things coffee, culture, and craftsmanship.
The Largest Starbucks in the World
Located at 646 N Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Roastery opened in late 2019 and is currently the largest Starbucks in the world, occupying an impressive 35,000 square feet of space. Spread across five stunning floors, this roastery isn’t just a place to grab a drink—it’s a destination in its own right. Whether you're a die-hard coffee lover or a curious traveler looking for a unique Chicago experience, this place delivers.
More Than Just Coffee
What sets the Starbucks Reserve Roastery apart from your neighborhood Starbucks? Everything.
Each floor offers a distinct experience. On the main level, you’ll find the coffee bar featuring a variety of rare and small-batch Reserve coffees brewed to perfection. Think siphon, Chemex, pour-over, and more—all prepared by expertly trained baristas. There’s also a coffee scoop bar, where you can browse and purchase beans from all over the world, freshly scooped to order.
Head up a floor, and you'll discover a full artisan bakery and café by Princi, an Italian boutique bakery brand Starbucks partnered with for its Roastery locations. Freshly baked breads, pizzas, pastries, and handcrafted Italian dishes are made on-site daily. The aromas alone will stop you in your tracks.
Cocktails and Coffee? Yes, Please
One of the most surprising (and delightful) features of the Chicago Roastery is the Arriviamo Bar, located on the third floor. Here, mixologists serve up craft cocktails inspired by coffee and tea. You can sip a classic espresso martini, or try something adventurous like the “Smoky Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cold Brew.” It’s a stylish, dimly lit space perfect for unwinding in the evening.
Whether you're warming up during a windy Chicago afternoon or capping off a long day of sightseeing, this bar experience is a must-try.
Watch Coffee Roasting in Action
One of the coolest aspects of visiting a Roastery is getting a behind-the-scenes look at how coffee is made. The Chicago location houses a working coffee roaster, visible to the public. You'll see green coffee beans being roasted, bagged, and even transported through a series of pneumatic tubes running throughout the building. It’s part art, part science—and it’s all on display for you to witness.
A Feast for the Eyes
Even if you’re not a coffee aficionado, the architecture and design of the Chicago Roastery are worth the visit. Designed by the acclaimed architecture firm Perkins and Will, the space blends industrial elements with warm, inviting wood and dramatic lighting. A spiraling steel staircase connects all five levels, and every floor features seating that encourages you to linger, explore, and take it all in.
The rooftop terrace (open seasonally) offers a rare view of Michigan Avenue from above—an ideal spot to enjoy a drink and soak in the cityscape.
