Espression by Lavazza

Espression by Lavazza Chicago Review Inside the Drake Hotel (140 E Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611)

If you’re searching for “best espresso in Chicago,” “Italian coffee Chicago,” or “coffee near the Drake Hotel,” there’s one place that quietly sits above the rest: Espressione by Lavazza.

And if you know coffee… you already know the name.

The Legacy

Lavazza isn’t new.

It’s not trendy.

It’s not trying to reinvent coffee.

It’s been doing it right for over a century.

As someone who’s been drinking coffee for years, this has been my go-to brand for over a decade, and the fact that Chicago has a location inside the Drake Hotel is one of those low-key wins people overlook.

The Coffee

Yeah, they have:

• flavored drinks

• specialty options

• the full “pretty coffee” lineup

But let’s be honest…

That’s not why you go here.

This place is about espresso.

And not dressed up, over-sugared, Instagram coffee.

Lavazza is like a good scotch, bourbon, or whiskey…

it’s meant to be taken straight up.

Rich. Smooth. Balanced.

No nonsense.

The Experience

It’s tucked inside the Drake Hotel, so you get that:

• classic Chicago elegance

• quiet, refined atmosphere

• a break from the chaos outside

They do serve food, but honestly, I’ve never touched it.

Not because it’s bad… just because the coffee is the main event.

Why It Stands Out

In a city full of:

• over-designed coffee shops

• syrup-heavy drinks

• “look at this latte art” moments

Lavazza does something different:

It reminds you what coffee is supposed to taste like.

F’nAround Final Take

If you want:

• one of the best espresso spots in Chicago

• real Italian coffee

• a break from the overly complicated coffee scene

This is your move.

Skip the extras.

Skip the flavors.

Order the espresso.

Drink it straight.

And you’ll get it.