VISITING THE LARGEST STARBUCKS IN THE WORLD

I am a huge Starbucks fan, you can call me obsessed! On a trip to Chicago in 2020, I stumbled upon a brand new Starbucks that moved in a building that actually used to be a Crate & Barrel store! This Starbucks is HUGE. The Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery is actually the largest Starbucks in the world! It’s located in Downtown Chicago and wasn’t too busy when I visited but I do know that they are known to have a longer line from now and then!  There are a total of FIVE different floors and each floor is all unique and beautiful! 

The first floor is really beautiful, it is the first space that you are introduced to when you walk in and it definitely makes you feel like you are in an exclusive Starbucks! It has so many items that are especially catered to the Chicago Starbucks Reserve Roastery! Many souvenirs and take home items, like, cups, mugs, tumblers, etc. as well as grab and go items! I fell in love with a cute little espresso cup that was perfect for my little sister! There is this great card wall that is made with varying coffee cards that spell out CHICAGO! As soon as you start to walk around the first floor you can’t help but look at the elevator that circles around the huge 56-foot cask, as you ride the elevator you can see the coffee beans being moved around in different directions through the different tubes. 

The second floor is a twist on an Italian bakery, it brings together bakery items and coffee in the most amazing ways possible! There is a long bakery window with fresh food items! There were croissants, pizza, pastries, food and so much more! My absolute favourite item was the funghi (mushroom) pizza! It was so light, airy, yet soft and full of flavour! I’m not a huge fan of tomato sauce and this pizza had an olive oil crust which was right up my alley! There was fresh bread, desserts like cookies, raspberry cheesecake and so much more! There were also many different drinks that were exclusive to the roastery. I chose the Hazelnut Bianco Latte! This is made with espresso and house-made hazelnut praline-infused milk! While it was really delicious, I preferred it iced!  

On the 3rd floor they offer coffee flights at the Experiential Coffee Bar, you can experience a tasting of the different variations of coffee that they offer! This is so unique and so fun for any groups that love coffee! When I visited they didn’t offer this but I can’t wait to return and try out this experience! There are currently many different flights to choose from depending on your liking! Some flights include two or three flights and they can sometimes include other things that compliment the coffee such as chocolate! On this floor is also where the Coffee + Nitro Gelato is available, there is a cold brew float, a cold brew malt and an affogato! The affogato is really interesting because instead of cold brew it is espresso poured over sweet cream gelato! On this floor there is also a flavour wheel that shows an abstract representation of tasting profiles! 

The fourth floor has an amazing cocktail bar that incorporates exclusive and signature cocktails, it has a completely different vibe and is much more trendy and has a lounge type seating, it offers tea and coffee forward cocktails, there are all really exclusive and unique, some drinks include the Union Stock made with Starbucks whiskey barrel-aged cold brew! There are also some really great non-alcoholic cocktails such as the All Day Spritz made with Teavana Mandarin Mimosa tea and Elderflower Tonic! The best part is one you get your cocktail you can stay and enjoy it in the bar area or make your way to the fifth floor rooftop patio! I visited during the winter and due to the cold weather we weren’t able to explore these floors but I can’t wait to return sometime hopefully soon! 

Sincerely, Celine!