New Wave Coffee

LOVE this place. Best coffee shop in Logan Square by far. Tasty, affordable snacks and delicious tea. Incredible customer service by barista named Shanice; the vibe is always brighter when she’s working. I don’t go anywhere else if I can help it.

Updated review. I had a terrible customer service experience that later turned good here recently despite coming to new wave for about 9 years.
In short, an employee hardly gave me the time of day about inquiries I had and then was trash talking about me within earshot. I had to make me own drink-​that part is kind of hilarious now.
Anyways, the debouchery ceased, the situation was handled directly, and the staff was ridiculously kind, and apologetic about the mishap. I think at times like that, New Wave could’ve been douchey even after all that happened, but they weren’t. I have spoken to several staff members since, and they were incredibly kind, and apologetic about what ensued that one Sunday evening. For that-​Thank you

I enjoy the Nutella mocha and teas. There is always a lot of activity in the room, so it’s great for working, talking, and people watching.

I’m surprised it took me so long to try New Wave. While I usually opt for nearby Gaslight or Intelligentsia, I wanted to make my way in to the space that faces the namesake square for Logan Square.
The space is really big, so big that it has two entrances — one on Milwaukee Ave and the other on Logan Blvd.
My cortado was solid, served in a glass and the WiFi worked well enough for my small assignment. All in all, a reliable coffee shop experience. I don’t find it as cozy or crave-​worthy as some of my favorites on the west side but New Wave definitely beats a Starbucks any day of the week.

I’ll definitely be back soon. I tried New Wave for the first time a few weeks ago, and was there three days in a row to shot-​gun some work. Everyone keeps to themselves for the most part, the wi-​fi is on later than other nearby cafes, and the ambient music is well curated. There isn’t much to drink if you’re not into coffee, but the sandwiches and baked goods are stellar. I also want to give a shout out to Paul, who found an extra piece of Bang Bang chocolate pie in the fridge from the day before for me after I expressed disinterest in the current day’s pie selection. Thanks, dude!

Despite my 3-​star review, I go here a lot– the sandwiches are my favorite part. Try the «Going Back to Cali.» The service is usually pretty hit or miss. I’ve had some of the cashiers/​baristas be excessively rude/​unfriendly. However, it is really the only spot like it in the immediate area since they have more food options. Bowtruss and Intelligentsia have better coffee and service.

Great neighborhood hipster vibe coffee shop in the heart of Logan Square. I’ve been here a few times and the coffee and tea never fails to impress. They’re always featuring a local artist and I was excited on Monday to see them feature PJ Anderson who specializes in cartoon and comic based artwork.
Service is quick and friendly — you order at the counter and grab a table after. There’s a variety of tables and couches to sit on and the WiFi is dependable. There’s also patio seating for warmer days.
My only complaints:
1. I realize it’s a hipster place and the ripped up vintage leather couches are part of the décor. But they could keep the place a little cleaner. I usually have a layer of dust on my butt when I sit on one of the large chairs or sofas. And the floor is consistently pretty dirty. Nothing bad enough to deter me from coming back again and again, but now that I have a kid I guess I just notice these things more.
2. They only serve drinks in disposable cups. There’s something lost in the whole relaxing in a coffee shop atmosphere when you don’t get to drink your coffee out of a big ceramic partially chipped mug with character. Or drink your scalding hot tea out of a cup and saucer. Paper cups just kill the hipster coffee vibe, seem wasteful for dining in customers, and are just less fun to drink out of. Please bring back real dishes!

Late night Wi-​Fi. Desperate late night WiFi. The coffee I have here is mediocre every time and the place just needs a makeover to become more comfortable, inviting, and stylish to meet the standards of an every more trendy Logan square. The place is dingy with uncomfortable chairs and old mismatching furniture, but not in the cute way like at filter.
It’s just a late night WiFi option.

Large spacious coffee house, you won’t feel like someone is eavesdropping on your conversations here. Plenty of seating, and a nice selection of hot coffee drinks as well as tea. Service was friendly as we stopped by on Xmas eve on our way home. Nice location to sit by the window and zone out on locals walking about.

Plenty of seating. Wi-​fi. Open late. Common coffee selections, menu and carb centric pastries. Pastry + Small Nutella = $ 9. Food selections $ 5 – 8.
COFFEE — Metropolis beans. Bottomless for $ 4.50 (ouch).
NUTELLA MOCHA COFFEE — balance. An alternative to the plain Mocha. Art Latte is default presentation.
TEA — Rishi.

Still pretentious dumb baristas who stare at you when you come in, take their sweet time, and wait to the last possible second to help you even though they’re not doing anything.
I used to live above this place. décor may have changed but atmosphere is still shitty.

Now that they have been swept up in the creepy gentrifier rivalry between dollop and bow truss coffee this place has become increasingly difficult to relax in. The staff is still great but the prices have increased and there is a certain je né sais quois, a dark feeling in the pit of your stomach when you enter that grows with each bottomless refill (which now costs ~ 1.50 more by the way– no doubt that extra $ did not go to my barrista).
The art is still nice and the seating has changed some– more modern furniture, less things that looked like they were picked up in the alley. This could be a positive. There are still outlets all over. All in all though, i’m not so sure about this place.

I’m really sad about the redesign of this place that used to be one of my favorite coffee shops. When I first noticed the changes this summer I thought maybe they just needed time to get the fun back…
1) The menu is so limited! Where are the queen teas? The hot chai? Other non-​coffee drinks? There were so many options for us non coffee drinkers before! The cashier had no idea what a queen tea even is, so I guess there’s been staff turnover. The barista knew, called it a tea latte, which wasn’t on the menu. Why not put all the things you make on the menu so we know what to call things and don’t have to confuse the cashier?
2) The music is quiet and the sound is low quality. I used to love the happy fun atmosphere at this place, bustling with people and a nice moderately loud soundtrack over the din made it feel more cozy, kept the conversations more private. And the music was always happy and fun and energizing. Now the music is just obnoxiously quiet. The room feels more like a gymnasium than a party.
3) All the kitchy 80s/​90s stuff is gone. No classic records on the wall, no Nintendo to play. That stuff just gave it a great themed vibe. What’s New Wave about this place now?
You can’t compete with Starbucks for mediocre offend no one experiences. Why try?

I work down the block from here so my coworkers and I are here quite often picking up some coffee or buying a sandwich for lunch.
The going back to Cali sandwich is awesome but a bit pricy in my opinion. Roughly $ 8 for just the sandwich.
I like the atmosphere, I like the music, but…
One time a very nice gentleman was making my sandwich and he had the longest hair that wasn’t tied up and I swear it was inches away from touching my sandwich at a point. –_​_​– it was not a pleasant site to see. A coworker of mine then later told me the same thing happened with some chick who was preparing her sandwich as well. I nor does the rest of us customers want you all to wear hairnets but pls pls pls ATLEAST tie up your hair. Especially if you are all in the open where we can literally see you!
I wish I could I’ve 3.5 stars, but this can easily be fixed so 4 is good.

Decent cup of coffee and is a neat casual setting. The staff person wasn’t overly friendly, seemed like she didn’t understand I wanted a double shot of espresso with a little water. Maybe she was having a shitty day.

New Wave in Logan Square opens late enough (until 10pm). Often times Rosa J. wants her coffee fix after dinner, so hanging out at NW is an excuse for not going home early.
While Mama J. was wondering where her daughter was at, Rosa J. and hubby were chilling at the Hipsterville. I have to admit that the coffee here is just alright, even though Metropolis is their choice of coffee beans. I could have ordered a regular drip coffee, but I shouted out «honey cinnamon latte» instead. I didn’t regret that decision, but it was literally dessert for me in a coffee form.
The free wifi worked the entire duration of our stay, so there wasn’t a reason to render less than a three (3)-star rating. The hipster baristas were friendly to us, or I should say we didn’t do anything to upset them.
For the convenience (near the CTA Logan Square Blue Line station) and hours that work for me, that’s worth four (4) stars in my book.

After my negative review I got a message agre from the owner. He explained the situation, about his trip, employees /​manager joyride, planned upgrades, management changes etc. Recently I decide to check the changes. Nice surprise. Much better service, clean floors, new tables and countertop, new menu. In my opinion NWC deserves 4 stars. I’ll come back soon.

I work with teachers across the city and I love finding new coffee shops to hang out in. I’ve been here a couple of times and know that they’ve done some work. Previously, the space was really tight and people worked shoulder to shoulder depending on the day. I was so happy to see that they expanded this place and there’s so much more space to do work now. I’m not a huge fan of the coffee but it is conducive to getting some work done. I will say that parking is a little tricky around here and you have to pay for most of it. There’s also a little patio out back, which is nice for people that like some outdoor time while doing work!

The amount of space that this Coffee Shop has to offer is incredible. This is the kind of place you enter and you will not want to leave for quite some time. The atmosphere encourages relaxation and to focus on whatever task you have on hand in front of you from your personal devices.
What Shall You Find Here:
1. Comfy Couches
2. A Variety of Teas
3. A Variety of Coffees
4. Sandwiches
5. Fresh Lemonade
6. Baked Goodies
7. Free Wi-​Fi
I grabbed a Cozy Chamomile Tea while I was in here. I just remember feeling like I just want to grab a blanket and explore all my options, as I enjoy this intrinsic vibe.

Why a review on New Wave? It’s been there for ages.
I do like the fact it is a coffee shop that tries not to be snobby in an area that is quickly becoming snobby.
Emphasis on *tries*.
Every table and seat is seemingly taken by someone on a Mac or highlighting sentence after sentence in a book, hour after hour. How anyone can study and work with Patti Smith blaring and coffee machines whirring defies explanation.
The prices are creeping higher, although not yet at Intellegentsia pretense yet.
The furniture is beyond «shabby chic.» Dilapidated is a better description.
The floors are also filthy, and you may find transients sleeping on a sofa.