Rivers & Roads Cafe

If you work best in an environment where everyone is being very productive (or at least looks like it), try working at Rivers and Roads in Edgewater. This national park-themed cafe is very close to Loyola University (camping lanterns hang from the ceiling and there's a portait of Smokey Bear), which means that it’s common to find students studying, working on group projects, and typing like they're competing in a Hackathon. They have some great bagels from Steingold's, pastries from Publican Quality Bread, as well as giant cookies and quiches that are baked in house.