I feel compelled to revise my review after this morning's stop at Bloc 11. After the big snowstorm, the place was pretty dead, but it took about 7 minutes for them to make one small coffee. There was a letter on the counter stating that they are switching to a new brewing system that will take 3-4 minutes to make a cup of coffee, and also that they are raising their prices. They're taking their two biggest weaknesses and magnifying them...not good! They do still have fantastic food, esp. the yummy bakery, but I will probably start going elsewhere for my snickety snacks. (Just don't hold it against me if you see me in there ordering a mint brownie...they're still the best on the planet!) read more

Chill cafe in Union Square that serves Intelligentsia coffee (my current favorite). Their coffees are pretty good, not the best but good, and the beans are almost the same price as you would get straight from the store in Chicago, so it's a pretty good deal. I love the space, the building used to be a bank and there's a cute little vault alcove still hidden in the back. The sandwiches are completely unique, mostly kind of sweet, and feature a good selection of options for veggie people. Worth trying if you're in the area. read more

Fantastic breakfast sandwich. Instead of brioche, I got it on a croissant. Coffee is hot and on point. Great location. It was pretty busy but they kept the line moving. read more

One of my favorite cafes in the Cambridge/Somerville area. They have an excellent selection of pastries- some are vegan and they're SO good! They also have a few really tasty vegan or vegetarian sandwiches. And their bagels are among the best bagels I've ever had- crispy, light, and perfectly textured. My only minor complaints are that the prices seem just a little more steep than some other cafes in the area, and the condition of their bathroom leaves a lot to be desired. read more

If you call it a sticky bun, I expect pecans and gooey sweet stuff. This one had neither, and was undercooked. The maple/oatmeal scone was heavy and also under baked. Pricey, too. Or too pricy. read more

Bloc 11.... :( why were you a tease? Your decor is great - and sitting on a 60 degree January day in Somerville with the big front window open felt so cozy and enticing. But the coffee - wasn't good at all! I started with a decadent sounding iced caramel latte. It was huge, and looked enticing, but was so weak and tasted like a mix between chai and Folgers. I did ask for something else, this time the other end of the spectrum - an espresso macchiato. Well, instead of rich and delicious it tasted burned. My partner's cafe mocha was just as disappointing. I'm sorry, Bloc 11. I love your older sister, and I'll be sure to visit her again. Maybe it was an off afternoon. I tried to find a website to tell you directly, but I couldn't find one. I hope you find your feet in Union. read more

Super great diesel style coffee. Love their coffee. The sandwiches here are WAY better than at original diesel. I especially love the prosciutto sandwich with ricotta and caramelized onions (no tomatoes please!) I tried the turkey with fig jam and goat cheese, also awesome, although i prefer the former. These sandwiches are messy, but the best ones always are. I like to think of myself as a modest "samich connoisseur." The whole bank takeover design plan was a great idea. Using the vaults as additional seating was a great idea, I especially like the communal benches with little shared platforms for your coffees. Good for groups or friendly conversations with strangers. I actually liked the layout and design so much that I snuck some pictures. My beloved told me that the design and materials for the renovation looked coincidentally like the specialization of a person he used to work with. I was thinkin' that I would maybe stop in to see the festivities since friday is their one year anniversary. read more

The expensive must-pay wifi and the loud ambience didn't do it for me, but the venue itself is cool if you head to the rear of the place. This place used to be a bank, so there's a repurposed bank vault area to study in (complete with the original vault door and safes), which makes for a creative cafe experience. There are a bunch of board games that you can take freely, and a small bin of books you can swap out with one of your own. The space itself is very creative, but it's also trying too hard--just like the wifi. read more

Iced americano & Dagwood Sandwich = Lunchtime perfection. This place has a great open floor plan, lots of tables and a huge selection of interesting and tasty sandwiches, salads, etc. Just noticed last time that they also do breakfast sandwiches. (This is run by the same folks who bring you Deisel Cafe in Davis Sq). read more

Daniel R.'s review says everything I want to and more. Go read his. Bloc 11 doesn't do the little things you want in a good neighborhood joint. A few weeks ago, I saw a very apologetically frantic woman ordering five coffees suddenly realize--immediately after paying with credit card--that she needed six. Though she was clearly in a hurry, the dude serving her had her pay for the small coffee with her credit card. Now I know that no one should expect free coffee, but in a case like this (woman ordering a lot of coffees, paying with a card, clearly in a hurry but not mean about it), why not just give it to her? Seriously? The drinks and food here are always reliable, but the staff seems distant and uninterested in whether or not you enjoy what you're drinking/eating. I love the ambiance and how open it is, though I wish they'd invest in less-screechy chairs/less-wobbly tables. read more

I'm a little surprised by all the negative reviews here. I live right next door, and come here all the time, so I have a pretty good feel for the place, and I thought I'd throw in my two cents. Legitimate reasons not to like Bloc 11: - Paying $8 for a delicious sandwich or $3.50 for a latte occasionally offends your sensibilities - You are extremely impatient, and can't wait three minutes for a cup of delicious coffee. Barring these two reasons above, I haven't seen any complaint about Bloc 11 I take seriously. Folks, this isn't Dunkin Donuts. Don't come in here expecting it to be. The food and beverages are a bit pricey. It will take more than 60 seconds to get your latte. However, I can honestly say that everything I've had here has been delicious or damn close. The pastries (from Iggy's bakery, I think) are uniformly wonderful. I'm a sucker for the pecan rolls, and the brownies rival Rosie's bakery for decadence. I've even had vegan fare here that was surprisingly tasty, considering I'm mostly a carnivore. And the coffee is seriously great. I'm no coffee snob, but even I know a delicious brewed cup of joe when I taste it. Some comments on negative nonsense I've seen posted about this place: - The music is not too loud. I usually don't even notice it's there. Maybe you're confusing Bloc 11 with Diesel Cafe in Davis Square? - The glasses are not stained. I'm actually a big fan of the free open water coolers. - They don't screw up orders very often; I come here often enough to know if they did. Bottom line: If you want cheap coffee and horrendous food, go hang out at Dunkin Donuts. If you want to relax in a gorgeous coffee shop with delicious food and beverages, come here. Or don't, as it will mean an extra table for myself. read more

This is right along the lines of Diesel Cafe in Davis Square, which I suppose is only natural seeing as they are sister restaurants. A lot of the same drinks, except at B11, they use the spanish words instead of the french (i.e. mocha con leche replaces mocha au lait). Sandwiches are delicious. They even have outdoor dining space for nice weather! The only thing I don't love is the cold, empty, stark-ish feeling inside of this former bank. Little has been done to make it feel comfy and warm. Although I respect that they kept some of the bank in place (like the vault sitting area), I wish it didn't feel as cold and echo-y. Disclaimer: I have not been to Block 11 in a long time. Somehow I left this review unfinished and just decided to complete it now. Things may have changed at B11 in the past year. read more

I think of Bloc 11 is the more relaxed and elusive sibling of Diesel in Davis square, and much of what I feel about one applies to the other. They both have great open spaces, delicious pastries, damn good coffee, and great tableware (sounds strange I know, but I love getting hot drinks in a glass cup). Plus they are dedicated to community involvement and sustainable waste management. Thanks for sifting through my trash guys! But Bloc 11 has some distinct advantages over Diesel. Its location in Union Square gives me an excuse to bust out my underutilized bike for a short ride and means that I've never had trouble finding a place to sit. I also prefer Bloc 11's atmosphere. The fresh flowers everywhere recently are a great touch. It is brighter, airier, and dare I say... less pretentious than Diesel. Most importantly though, I dreamt about the Arrow sandwich for days after I got it last time I was there. That is a VERY seriously delicious sandwich, with cheddar, avocado, banana peppers, greens, and literally the best tempeh I've ever had. It's all vinegar and spice cooled by greens and smoothed by cheddar and avocado and I love it. But they don't get the full 5 stars for two reasons. 1. The awkward order pickup system. They're not fast enough to let you stand at the counter at wait for your food without feeling awkward. And if I sit down in the front seating area I often don't hear my name called. 2. Price. I know that I'm paying a premium for sustainability and local sourcing, and I am very happy to support that mission. Unfortunately, my budget doesn't support frequent purchases of 9-dollar sandwiches. If only it did... read more

For food allergy sufferers: this place is great! I have 5 allergies (soy + nightshade vegetables), and I've eaten here twice. Both times, they made my sandwich with ingredients that hadn't been on the sandwich-making line, to avoid cross-contamination, and they made it in a completely separate, clean area. Such a relief to know I can eat out somewhere without getting sick. Allergies aside, the food is delicious! I got the turkey sandwich (I think it's called the Palette) both times, which has fig spread and is so yummy. Also the iced green tea was delish. Thanks Bloc 11! I'll be back. read more

Okay, it's sort of pricey and the only game in town, as far as Union Square cafes. But, yo, their sandwiches are DELICIOUS and their servers are friendly & accommodating. Also, they apparently pay more than minimum wage, which might explain the slightly high prices. The only way they could really improve is if they had free WiFi, but I get that they're trying to keep people moving. My recommendations: - The Harper Salad- a delicious filling salad with falafel crumbles & beets that comes with bread & goat cheese. - The Pallet - turkey and fig jam?? Oh, that's my jammm! - The Everything Bagel Monkey Bread - a newer creation that I can now never live without. read more

quick service and good food! I got the vegan club and it was delicious. I also suggest their lavender lemonade.

I went into Bloc 11 at the recommendation of a friend. All the sandwiches are clearly posted, and I was asked if I wanted mine hot or cold - not a choice I was expecting, but one that I greatly appreciated on a rainy day. The chicken salad sandwich was flavorful and presented well with a mini coleslaw side made with red cabbage. I'll have to go back and try their soups. They smelled delicious, but I was in the mood for something more substantial. Seating is plentiful between the front area in the window, the back area behind the open kitchen, and for sunny days, the outdoor patio. Also, the staff behind the counter were more than happy to fill my water bottle for me. 4 stars rather than 5 since it's a bit on the pricy side ~10 for a sandwich after tax. read more

I love this place, especially the window side seats. I spent a lot of afternoons sitting in the sun and enjoy the peaceful moment. However, the wifi service is not free and it took me a while to find out how to unsubscribe it. You need to go to this website to cancel your subscription: www.guestbox.com. Hope this may help anyone who might be struggling to do the un-subscription. read more

The food and coffee are good, albeit a bit on the pricey side. You do get what you pay for in my opinion. The only (MAJOR) downside: the wifi is paid ($3.95 per hour). Seeing as Sherman Cafe is right around the corner and has free WiFi, I recommend going there over there. It's baffling that a cafe these days charges for WiFi, and I will not be returning to the cafe for that reason. That being said, if you're looking to come for a good sandwich and to chat with a friend, this place is great. If you want to come work, go anywhere else. This would've been an easy 5-star if the WiFi were free. read more

Consider this Diesel East. The same owners. The same (or similar) baked goods -- vegan muffins, homemade scones (try the maple walnut -- seriously). Delicious, delicious coffee. In fact, I think the lattes at Bloc 11 are better. The milk is steamed to frothy perfection. I attribute this to the fact that Bloc 11 is less busy than Diesel, so the employees can take their time preparing your drink. Unlike Diesel, there is almost always somewhere to sit here (since Union Square is about 3 miles from Hipster Central, aka Davis Square). I like the fact that the owners picked two large spaces for their coffee shops, to create New York-style coffeehouses instead of tiny cafes where no more than 6 people can sit at one time (sadly, more familiar to Bostonians). In good weather, you can sit outdoors, in a sort of garden area that is so, so pleasant. Dogs are welcome. No minimum for cards -- hooray! read more

My favorite thing about this place is their coffee and their patio during the warm spring/summer months. If you ever wonder what a hipster looks like, go here. This place is run by them! The only thing missing from this hipster joint is some emo music and some rustic antlers on the walls. But i do love them! Awesome coffee, nice people, and sandwiches are tasty. Their soups tend to be a little bland and flavorless though. Definitely a vegan joint, so if you have some vegan, hipster friends, take them here. oh, and get their sparkling limeade! read more

THE ALPINE! Still on the menu after all these years. Far and away my favorite caffeinated beverage in the metro-boston area. Its worth the wait, no matter how long the line! read more

Some weeks, I go on a Dunkin' Donut Kick. The other weeks, I'm a Block 11 fan. As bi-polar as it sounds, I think both as satisfying for different reasons. When my inner child (but exterior adult) needs a caffeine kick and something sweet to drink, I hit the Dunks, and will get stuck on that kick for a week or 2. When I'm feeling sophisticated, or want to nurse my coffee for 3 hours, I go to the Block, and will stay on that kick for awhile. The women in the shop are really welcoming and a great start to the morning. Also, at 7:45 am, there aren't too many people in there- but they all seem to be completely conscious. More than I can say for myself. I love the layout, the new floors I like (I used to work in a coffee shop and wood floors scratch and don't hold up as well in the long run as the slate they put in), and I LOVE their egg and cheese bagel sandwiches. A bit expensive for egg and cheese on a bagel, but they use organic eggs, a great sharp cheese, and fresh bagels. So yummy I don't mind paying a bit extra as a good breakfast treat to myself. So rock on, Block 11. Rock on. (I think I'm going in now for a coffee!) read more

This place is really great. Everything feels very relaxed. They give you all the time you need to order and help you with every question you have. They have different places where you can sit, each with its own atmosphere. I like the seats in the front by the window because of the light that comes in trough the big windows. You can also sit outside, which is very nice if the weathers good. And I like the food. What I had so far was delicious! What's also nice about this place is that the kitchen is in the middle of the room. You can see everything. It makes the food more special. read more

Bloc 11 is a little overpriced, but you are supporting a local coffee shop and the folks who work here are great. The patio area is gorgeous during the summer and there is a giant bank vault (that you can sit and eat in!) with super thick door in the back - this place used to be a bank. How cool is that? read more

Coffee from Intelligentsia, really great scones and a lot of seating (plus the outdoor area for summertime). All in all pretty great. So why not five stars? Not really their fault but apparently Somerville doesn't let dogs on patios? I don't know if that's actually true or not. Either way, it detracts for us with dogs. Anyway, great place for coffee. Especially if you don't want to wait at Union for a donut. read more

I sort of don't know what to say about this place. I was stuck in Union Square with some time to kill, so after aimlessly wandering the streets I made my way to Bloc 11. I grabbed a bottled water from the cooler and ordered a Vietnamese coffee, and then choked a little as the total came to about $5.00. Yeah, I know, it's not Dunkin' Donuts, but eek. The place reminded me a little of Diesel (later found out its Bloc 11's sister store), and I don't know if that's a good thing. I went to college near Davis Square and spent many years at Diesel, and after a while the place got on my nerves. I can see the same thing happening here. Keep in mind that this entire paragraph is completely subjective. The staff was perfectly nice, but I found the seating area kind of cold. The chairs were hard metal, and it kind of reminded me of an Au Bon Pain space. I'd like to point out though, that I was able to sit in the back corner with my mug and handheld video game for over an hour, and no one bothered me. And yes, the coffee was pretty good. (Ok honestly, I have no palate for the stuff - I even kinda liked the coffee they served at jury duty). I *can* say that my Vietnamese coffee was not too sweet - an easy mistake to make. Sweet enough that there was no need to add sugar, but not sweet enough to warrant peeling me off the ceiling. I dare say it was perhaps the best Vietnamese coffee I've had to date. Perhaps. I can see why a lot of people love this place. It just isn't my thing, I guess. read more

Just what the doctor ordered! I had to lunch my work folks quick and simple and in Somerville and this place was PERFECT. Casual and quick....but with sandwiches and salads packed with flavor and fresh ingredients. It was a fast lunch without fast food. I, as I typically do had to do splitsys....and had the broccoli and cheddar soup...and splits on two of their hot sandwiches. A roast beef sandwich that may have been too garlicky for most- but not for moi....and a hot turkey sandwich with figs/goat cheese. Many options for beverages- but I just stuck with an iced tea. Plenty of offerings for the teas/coffees including some simple syrup- which I always think is a nice touch to a coffee garnishing stand. Did I just say coffee garnishing stand-- Kill me. 2 thumbs up! read more

I came to Bloc 11 last Friday for the Yelp Crafting event and it was pretty cool. I had a mint hot chocolate and a hot sandwich (the grilled cheese one, can't remember what it was called) and both were really good. The staff was friendly enough and prepared my food and drink quickly. It is a bit pricey, the hot chocolate which cost somewhere around $3 was served in a mug that really wasn't all that big, but if you're going there more for the atmosphere and to spend some time it's not so bad. It is pretty spacious and wasn't at all crowded when we were there. I didn't notice where these vaults that everyone else was talking about were so I guess I'll have to check those out next time. read more

I crave Bloc 11. I try to make it a weekly stop on the way to the Union Sq. Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. I love the egg sandwich on focaccia and the Maze caramel latte. My boyfriend thinks the ice soy chai latte is heavenly. I also like the green plate to graze on when I am sitting getting work done. The chairs aren't so comfortable, that's my only complaint. I like the outdoor courtyard, the amazing efforts at zero waste and the nice ladies (and occasional guy) who work there. Yes is my vote. read more

Bloc 11 has been on my list of places to stop in and give a whirl, so I finally made my swoop. Any frequenter of cafes will enjoy this menu which has your favorite cafe beverages and munchables. My interest piqued upon reading their sandwich selections. Some really well devised flavor schemes here, a tough decision had to be made! I was with my traveling food companion Courtney (girlfriend) per usual, so we narrowed it down to two sandwiches and agreed to go halves on them. Our sandwiches arrived promptly, mine being a tofu-scrambled sandwich topped with apples and other fixings, and Courtney snagged herself a 'wich boasting 'marinated tempeh' which blew our minds! We gobbled them down, pausing every-so-often to sip our coffee beverages which were also well made. Confusing was the set-up of this super cool cafe. The drinks and food are somewhat hard to notice when they come out and there is a stranger shouting your name frantically. Court went to the wrong side at one point and was met with a stern attitude and almost walked away with a scalding hot americano on her shirt, which the annoyed help had pretty much thrown at her. As stated before, the food was mega-tasty, but pretty dang pricey. This is redeemed by the fact that they also use as much local/organic products possible. I guess by now I should come to know what you can expect from the ever-pretentious cast of characters working in a cafe environment, so it won't deter us from going back again! read more

Bloc 11 is my go to cafe when I don't feel like brewing up a cup at home. They brew high quality coffee which is always rotating so you can try some really interesting stuff. There is a bit of a line some times, but with their multiple registers they're able to crank through the line relatively fast. Cashiers are friendly and helpful, so if you don't know whats something is, ask, they'll happily explain. I really love the vibe of this place with the always changing art on the walls and the huge front windows not to mention the large bike rack. Makes for a great bike ride during to hang out and enjoy a cup of coffee. The only food I've ever ordered from here is the oatmeal, it was was really quite good, they let you load it up with fruit nuts or brown sugar. As I write this and look at my 4 star review I'm trying to decide why it wouldnt be a 5 star review. I guess there is just some X factor missing, I think a big more variety in their coffee drinks would be awesome, and it would be awesome if they would put the prices on their bagged coffees you can buy. I go here often, and enjoy it every time. Check it out if you're in the area. You'll definitely love it if you're a big fan of Diesel in Davis sq but think it's too busy there. read more

Ordered the breakfast sandwich. Let's just say I would've been disappointed if it were served on an airplane. Really gross. Microwaved and soggy. Shameful. read more

Bloc Somerville - Bloc 11's disgusting breakfast sandwich. Certainly microwaved. :-( - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

My husband and I tried out Bloc for the first time this morning, and we fell in love with the pastries from Forge. The plain croissant is excellent and the almond bun (cinnamon and almond with croissant dough) is also very good! They mostly have a good pick up system considering COVID, but it seems like there are a few glitches with ordering online. For example, there was no option to pick up ASAP when we ordered on our phone, so it said it would be a 25 minute wait, but we watched people walk up to the kiosk and order and get their food & drinks right away. I also don't really understand the $1 extra charge for oatmilk but not soymilk. There was no option to add cream, so when we asked during pickup, they dumped out a bunch of the drink to add it which felt like a huge waste. They use Intelligentsia Black Cat espresso, but we weren't fans of the lattes or Americanos which tasted burnt or bitter to us. We will be back though to sit in the cute courtyard. read more

Bloc has a stupid name. Let's just get that out in the open. http://www.scrapbookpages.com/auschwitzscrapbook/tour/auschwitz1/auschwitz06.html It was going to share the same name as a prison block at Auschwitz, but they dropped the 'k.' So now, it just _sounds_ like a prison block at Auschwitz. That windowless room they have in the back of the place doesn't really do much for the place, either. But Bloc is an easy place to get coffee. They don't screw up your order, they aren't weird, and the food and drinks are decent. They used to have these great breakfast plates that I still miss, but that ended a few months after they opened. People watching is nice, the windows are nice. It really is a 4 star establishment. The strollers get out of hand sometimes, but...c'mon. It's 4 stars, people. Not 3. 4. And it's been there for a few years, and been fairly consistent. Beats the hell out of Sherman, that's for sure. Is Sherman owned by trustafarians? read more

I like this place. Definitely a good addition to Union Square. I find it a little bit expensive and the egg sandwich does not exactly rock my world, but everything tastes fresh and high quality. The lattes are good. The outdoor tables are awesome. The music is pleasing and the staff is very friendly. There is always a friendly buzz of people here. read more

Errrm, wow. So many little annoying things, mediocre food and drink, and an extra ingredient in my sandwich--I hope I didn't have to pay extra for the hair. I have no way of knowing, however, because the menu doesn't have prices. Wth. Nice space and seating. But no free WiFi? Good grief. I came partially to see if that was true because I couldn't believe it. I mean, not having WiFi at all, okay, I can see that, you don't want to encourage people sitting around all day. But going the trouble of having two different WiFi networks and making them paid? Please. The Rickey was fine, took a couple of tries to make it without ice as ordered. The sandwich had nice ingredients, but was blah, I make a better turkey sandwich. It's more like a lettuce sandwich with a little turkey. I saw cheese, but I didn't taste it. The bread was nice tasting, although not very sturdy. There are lots of other options, so I'll take a hard pass on this place. Maybe I'd come back to try the coffee. read more

Bloc Somerville - A piece of turkey from inside my sandwich. A piece of hair that was on top of the turkey in my sandwich. - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

See all

A cold sandwich should not take this long to make, people! If a sandwich shop were an emergency room... I would understand this kind of wait. But it's not. And the sandwich was 'meh' at best. -1 star for such a distasteful name... minus the other two for being overpriced and super slow. I can't imagine ever wanting to return. read more

Like Diesel, Bloc 11 carries Intelligentsia coffee, my favorite from Chicago, so they get stars just for having tasty beans. Parking and seating were much easier to come by than at Diesel, which was a plus to me. The music was a little loud for a Tuesday night, but it was also close to closing, (note: winter hours mean 9pm closing on weeknights) so it seemed like 'get psyched for cleaning everything up' tunes and volume. The tables are too small for a Scrabble board, racks, score sheets and clock, plus drinks, unless you push two of them together. This wasn't a problem, as there were plenty of tables last night, but it may become more difficult as Bloc 11 gets more popular/the weather gets warmer and people venture out more. There were two long tables and the bank vault table, which would've been suited to games a bit better. Hot cocoa and chai were tasty, and the coconut pecan bar was sticky sweet in a mostly-good way, although it would've been overpowering if I hadn't split it with my Scrabble partner. read more

I really like this place. I like the size, i like the staff, I like the overall approach and the laidback attitude. I come here often, get a pot of tea, and stay for a couple of hours. It's a good place to work (I write, and this is a good spot to find decent music and a volume that isn't terrible, until the noon-ish hour, which is loudish), and it's also a good place to just sort of read and hang out. I desperately need to try their food, and I know that. But so far, their coffee has been excellent. Their selection of teas is good, and their Thai Iced Tea was a summer treat. It's a good, open sort of place, with the entirely front looking out over the street. It makes for good people watching. That also means it's light and pleasant. So yeah, I'm a fan. read more