Side Practice, Ravenswood
24 people recommendvia r/chicagofood, r/chicago, r/AskChicago25 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Side Practice draws recommendations for espresso and its calamansi and ube drinks. One former neighbor praises the drinks and welcoming atmosphere. Customers also describe a selection from multiple roasters rather than a single house-roasted range. The appeal is both the prepared drinks and the chance to try different coffees.
Address
Side Practice Coffee, 5139 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Calamansi drinks, Ube based drinks
- Best for
- Specialty coffee
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/lotusm00n in r/chicagofood · Sep 2026
Original post lists this as one of the author's favorite matcha spots.
- Recommendsu/narddog16 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2025
Praises Side Practice strongly.
- Recommendsu/choc_chip_pothos in r/chicago · Feb 2025
Names Side Practice as their answer, with no further detail.
- Recommendsu/glitterbeby in r/chicagofood · Jul 2024taste
Calls it a clear favorite and recommends it for strong espresso and well-textured milk.
- Recommendsu/am2017 in r/chicagofood · Jan 2025
Lists Side Practice among spots they like.
- Recommendsu/vsladko in r/AskChicago · Sep 2025ambience
Says they have increasingly enjoyed this coffee spot as a hangout paired with a Ravenswood park.
- Recommendsu/yeanoyeayea in r/chicago · Apr 2026taste
Names Side Practice among cafes pulling really great espresso that stands on its own without milk.
- Recommendsu/spartan8723 in r/AskChicago · May 2025variety
Also named as a very good multi-roaster cafe with a solid range of beans from various roasters.
Show all 25 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Dangerous-Attempt-20 in r/chicagofood · Apr 2026
Lists Side Practice among suggestions for the banana latte search.
- Recommendsu/Pecos-Thrill in r/chicagofood · Jan 2025
Calls Side Practice great; wonders if its espresso comes from another roaster.
- Recommendsu/twillychicago in r/chicago · Sep 2024taste
Misses this former neighborhood spot, praising its delicious drinks and friendly atmosphere.
- Recommendsu/mlke in r/chicago · Jan 2024variety
Says the shop carries a great selection of niche coffee brands, though a little expensive.
- Recommendsu/TVdeejay in r/chicagofood · Jun 2025taste
Calls it excellent and says it sources beans from top roasters.
- Recommendsu/currysankle in r/chicago · Feb 2025
Lists it as one of their picks.
- Recommendsu/1minutdesilenci in r/chicago · Sep 2024
Likes Side Practice near the Perfect Cup.
- Recommendsu/joeyasaperson in r/chicagofood · Nov 2026
Lists Side Practice among recommended coffee spots.
- Recommendsu/hectron in r/chicago · Jan 2024taste
Says quality here is great.
- Recommendsu/chicagocello in r/chicagofood · Nov 2026
Expresses strong affection for Side Practice, calling it so good.
- Recommendsu/dpadua2 in r/chicagofood · May 2026
Suggests it, located next to Kanin in Ravenswood, with no other opinion given.
- Recommendsu/ouchouchdangit in r/chicagofood · Apr 2026
Suggests Side Practice for a banana latte when asked where to find one.
- Recommendsu/gerdinots in r/chicagofood · Oct 2024
Adds this shop to the list of suggestions.
- Recommendsu/Leading_Touch9783 in r/chicagofood · Jul 2024
Includes it on a list of good Chicago coffee spots.
- Mixedu/throwawayworkplz in r/chicagofood · Jan 2024taste
Recommends it for coffee when its pastries are out, though calls them laminated, not true butter.
- Recommendsu/lipstickandpjs in r/chicagofood · Oct 2024
Names Side Practice as a direct answer.
- Recommendsu/CountChoculasGhost in r/chicagofood · Jul 2024taste
Calls it a favorite and praises its calamansi and ube drinks.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.