The Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago, located at 646 North Michigan Avenue, is the world's largest Starbucks, spanning 35,000 square feet across five floors. On offer are coffee bars, an Italian bakery, experimental blends, outdoor views, and exclusive merchandise.
The roastery, which opened on November 15, 2019, features eight 56-foot-tall copper tubes for transporting coffee beans. Each floor has a different theme and a variety of delicacies.
The store features three main coffee bars, an Arriviamo Cocktail Bar, and a rooftop deck for enjoying drinks and city views, with cocktails inspired by the culture and traditions of Chicago.
The roastery also offers coffee workshops, including the Art of the Espresso Martini, and Coffee Lab: A Journey of the Senses.
It is also the only Starbucks in the US to serve on-demand liquid nitrogen gelato, paired with Starbucks Reserve coffee.
The design of the Chicago Roastery was inspired by the city, incorporating natural light and Starbucks' classic greens, and the coffee roasted on-site is exclusively served to guests at the Chicago Reserve Roastery.
The summer menu features specialty coffees and handcrafted cocktails like the Pineapple Rum Float and Whiskey Barrel-Aged Malt.
Wait times at the roastery vary, with shorter lines in the mid-to late-afternoon on weekdays, but visiting at peak hours can result in long lines around the corner, though the experience may be worth the wait for tourists or those not in a rush.
Chicago has a long history with Starbucks, with the first location outside of the Pacific Northwest opening in the city in 1987. Chicago's Reserve Roastery marked the sixth Starbucks of its kind globally, with locations in Seattle, New York City, Milan, Shanghai, and Tokyo.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Business Insider, World Record Academy, Choose Chicago, Axios, Food & Wine