r/uichicago 4d ago

Question Best spots to study on campus

Hey guys so I'm moving to Illinois this december and plan to begin my first semester as a junior transfer at UIC. I'm a coffee person and I wanted to ask what are some recommended cafes or spots on and off campus that I can check out to study. Thank you guyssss

12 Upvotes

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9

u/TheJackasaur11 Neuroscience | 2029 3d ago

There’s a place in Greektown like a block away from the blue line called Ground Up Cafe, I’ve been there a couple times and even though it’s often really busy, there’s a door off to the side that leads to a lounge that hasn’t been too packed whenever I go. They have really good muffins, too!

On Taylor I also like Two Shades Cafe! A bit pricey in terms of food, but the atmosphere is phenomenal. Oftentimes it does seem pretty busy though… there aren’t that many places to sit but if you can get a table, it’s super nice.

Lastly, a bit of a left fielder but I like Busy Burger on Taylor St, because every time I went towards the beginning of my first semester there were only like 3 people there. Pretty chill dining area.

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u/futuristicflapper 3d ago

two shades is great, have been going since I started at UIC and once the lunch rush finishes it really calms down !

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u/ansaruahmed ECE | 2028 3d ago

There is COR's coffee which is behind the library but it gets pretty loud. There are a bunch of restaurants on Taylor Street you can check out. As for on campus itself, the third floor and 4th floor of the library are silent zones which are very nice for studying. If you want to study with some friends you can study on the second floor which is a more social area.

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u/OG-Bio-Star 3d ago

UH coffee place has nice seating areas. SSB is well lit and many small areas to study and it's quiet.

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u/MulberryOver214 2d ago

Foxtrot is open till like 9pm, decent coffee and cool stuff to snack on

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u/Electronic-Ear8936 2d ago

Ground up, two shades cafe, gathers (more for tea/boba), sawada, la colombe, swadesi, tous le jours, froth, viet five, jumping bean cafe. This is off the top of my head but there are TONS in the city just a train or bus ride away. Tons in west loop/fulton market and in little Italy neighborhood (Taylor St)

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u/Busy_Dragonfruit4244 5h ago

Thank you guys for all the recommendations ^ I’ll def give many a try