Creaky Floors, Velvet Chairs, and Abe Lincoln: Chicago’s Most Timeless Cafe

If you live in Chicago long enough, you eventually get tired of the “Apple Store aesthetic” that has taken over the coffee scene.

You know the places I’m talking about—stark white walls, uncomfortable metal stools, and a vibe that screams “drink your espresso and get out.”

That is exactly why The Bourgeois Pig on Fullerton remains legendary.

For over 30 years, this place has stood its ground as the eccentric aunt of Lincoln Park cafes.

It isn’t sleek, and it isn’t trying to be cool.

It’s housed in an old Victorian row house, and walking inside feels less like entering a business and more like stumbling into the living room of a well-traveled professor from the 1920s.

The Vibe

The photo you see above captures the exact energy of the upstairs parlor.

We locals usually call it the “Lincoln Room” because of the serious-looking portrait of Abe watching over you while you work.

The floors creak—loudly. The walls are painted a deep, warm mustard yellow that feels like a hug on a standard grey Chicago afternoon.

The furniture is a mix of mismatched velvet armchairs, heavy wooden tables, and bookshelves crammed with actual books, not just decorative filler.

It’s one of the few places left in the city where “dark academia” isn’t a TikTok trend; it’s just how the place has looked since the 90s.

The “Office” for DePaul Students

Because it sits right down the street from the DePaul campus, you have to be strategic.

If you show up at 2 PM on a Tuesday during midterms, you’re not getting a seat.

The best move? Get there early on a rainy weekday. Head straight up the narrow staircase (watch your step with your coffee), turn left into the front room, and snag the leather chair by the window.

It’s the best people-watching spot on Fullerton Avenue.

The Menu (It’s Not Just Coffee)

While the coffee is solid, the real reason to set up camp here is the food. They leaned hard into the literary theme ages ago and never looked back.

The sandwiches are massive and named after classic novels. My go-to is The Great Gatsby (turkey, pesto, mozzarella), but The Sun Also Rises (hummus and veggies) is a staple for the vegetarians.

They also serve huge slices of cake that look homemade in the best way possible.

Lincoln Parks Time Capsule

The Bourgeois Pig feels like a time capsule. It’s cluttered, it’s usually quiet enough to read but loud enough to feel alive, and it has a soul.

So, bring a laptop, or better yet, bring a book. Just don’t take the table by the fireplace if I get there first.