I didn't think this place was anything all that special. Reading the menu, I was definitely intrigued by the different varieties of sandwiches but all I wanted was a breakfast sandwich, since it was 10AM. The only option they had was the egg, ham and cheese, which I ordered a slice of avocado with. I did wonder why they only had one breakfast sandwich option; the only other breakfast option was oatmeal, which I can't ever justify paying for when I'm not at a grocery store and buying it in bulk. I wanted to like the sandwich, I really did. But I was expecting the sandwich to come on a breakfast roll, like most breakfast sandwiches, and it came on rye toast instead. Okay, fine, maybe I should have specific in my order with that. But the eggs. Good Lord, the eggs. They tasted very similar to the eggs that you get from a school cafeteria. In fact, they taste more like egg beaters/fake eggs than the real deal. I actually happened to see my sandwich being made, and observed the preparer slap on a scoopful of mushy yellow, which I thought could perhaps be mashed avocado, but no. It was the eggs. It was pretty disappointing, to see how little consideration they have for a key ingredient in their single breakfast sandwich. I can only hope that they prepare their other sandwiches with better care for the preparation of ingredients. Considering how other people seem to rave about this place, I'm guessing that the lunch options are much better here, so I'd go somewhere else if you're looking for breakfast. read more

So one night I decided to hold a crafting event here in order to try out the place. I must say that I was not disappointed. I love that they have a huge amount of space and the contemporary feel of it. During the nicer days they do have the front windows open to let in fresh air which I love. Their chairs are slightly uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time but if they did have the comfy chairs I feel as if the nice clean feeling would be gone. I don't expect much for the food since it is a coffee shop. I got a sandwich, forgot the name, that involved roast beef and caramelized onions. It was average and needed a little more flavor but it did its job in satisfying my hunger. As for the coffee, I'm not a big fan so I opted for the Nantucket nectars which they always carry. My friend Tara though lives close by and she loves the coffee. They only carry two types of coffee: the regular and then the dark roast. Her complaint is not that they have two types of coffee but the fact that they are always out of one type. I would also like them to improve on their outside trash situation. It just makes the front look tacky. Move it please! Besides those things I think that Bloc 11 is coming along nicely. It's a great addition to Union Square with plenty of street parking. Restrooms: They were clean but boy were they cold!!! Get some heat in there to warm my bum in the winter! I can't even imagine how the guys would feel! read more

I LOVE Bloc 11. Not surprising since I also love Diesel cafe and it's run by the same people. The first time I went to Bloc 11 it was a rainy Saturday. I ordered the Black and White latte... It's seriously one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had in my life. In fact, that's the only thing I've ever gotten there since I've only been a few times, but it's just that good. The atmosphere is funky, there's an awesome bank vault, and it's a great place to talk and just hang out. The first time we went there, we played Scrabble for a few hours... such a good time. read more

Even though I am not much of a hipster, at least relative to the clientele... I enjoyed this little hipster ghetto. why? the food! Hipsters were mucking it up and having little hipster meetings and that's cool. But after my belly was full, I was out. I will be back for more yummy food. it's sister store, diesel in davis sq in my experience has been much more crowded and thus bloc 11 is more spacious and comfortable in my opinion. ps the woman behind the counter who took my order was very sweet and helpful. i didnt get her name but i appreciated her info. about the food. read more

Are you one of those people who could go to a place just for the atmosphere? If so, you're gonna love this place. It has a very hip contemporary vibe. But it's not as in-your-face pretentious as many other places. There's quite a mix of people inside. Hands down--this is one of my favorite coffee shops. Their coffee is AWESOME. (and oh so pretty!) And they have a great tea selection. I take almost all of my out of town guests here. There's something for everyone! Even kids love to walk around the back and see the vault and the safe-boxes. Sometimes I go there to study. It's nice because thee back part tends to be quieter, or if you have a group you can often seclude yourself in one of the smaller rooms. But also a great place to just hang out, with company or alone. I do try not to eat there, because the food is a little pricey (once I paid $5 for soup that I'd say is no better than canned soup, although I believe they do make it fresh--don't ask me how that taste came about.) Also, it's the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee while you wait on your table at a nearby restaurant that I will not name. read more

Bloc 11 if you're not aware is the newest coffee shop incarnation from the people who brought you Diesel in Davis Square. Going into it, I kind of expected to see the token Somerville coffee shops elements: coffee (duh), people typing screenplays on macs, and you're archetypical hipster populous. Not so with Bloc 11! The atmosphere of the place alone sold me when I walked in. Having been converted from an old bank from ye olde Somerville, they actually went for a really inventive ascetic and kept the original vault and infrastructure. Not to mention the place is A LOT bigger inside than it seems meaning plenty of seating for one and all. Looks and space aside, their sandwiches were surprisingly good and a lot more gourmet than you'd expect a coffee shop meal to be. Their hot chocolate was actually good enough that my Venezuelan girlfriend ordered a second one... after finishing the first in 5 minutes.... on an 85 degree day. Fo serious, Venezuelans are, for whatever reason, HARDCORE about their chocolate. BELIEVE HER! I'm damn impressed with this place and will definitely be going back. read more

I just grabbed a drink here with my cousin while we were waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant, but I definitely had a positive experience! I just bought a bottle of water but my cousin got some lime tea drink made with sweetened condensed milk that he said was pretty good! The atmosphere seemed pretty chill and I walked by some AMAZING looking salads... But the service seemed a bit disorganized. We had no idea where the line was to order and where to pick up drinks and where to put our glasses when we were done... Maybe some signs would be useful! read more

Tried a "coffee soda" for the first time today - delicious. Espresso, seltzer, and simple syrup. Who knew? Going to have to check out the movie night here on Mondays! read more

I'm happy with the layout of this place. Fun, vibrant and fresh. It's a nice change from most coffee shops. A lot of third wave coffee shops seem to love dark decor but this one is of the few that remain bright. I did not get a coffee because I had a little too much caffeine before getting here but my girlfriend seemed to like her drink. I'll get back to you on what I think next time! read more

One to watch! I've only been here once, but the service and quality of the food so impressed me that I want to give them a nod. The iced coffee was delicious and fairly priced, and the sandwich lived up to my rigorous goat cheese standards. Great bread, as well. Atmosphere-wise, the use of the space is ingenious, and I'm enamored of their plates and the glassware emblazoned with their logo. Everything points to Bloc 11 making its way into my rounds. read more

Nice joint! Great decor, spacious seating, good eats, pleasant staff.... Hits all the major points. Add to it, that I went with one of my best buds, and she paid. Well, that's just perfect. read more

So my 5 star rating might be a little premature, but so far I have not found anything to dissuade me from rating Bloc 11 less than 5 stars. Anyway ... my preferred breakfast is coffee and a muffin, but a recent diagnosis of lactose intolerance (which made me very very sad) made it more difficult to find a muffin that wasn't going to leave me feeling "blech" for the rest of the day. Bloc 11 always has one or two vegan muffin options available, and while I was skeptical at first (being a frequent consumer of animal products), I have found the vegan muffins to be moist, flavorful, and most importantly, stomach friendly. The coffee has a very distinct "nutty" flavor that I enjoy as well. I take my coffee and muffin to go, but the space is unique and open, complete with some outdoor seating. The lines always move fast, and everyone behind the counter has been nice. When I have the time on a weekend morning, it's definitely been worth it to make the trip over to Union Square! *One tiny complaint - the eco-friendly cups are a great idea, but they tend to leak by the time I get back to Newton. I tend to leave a Hansel and Gretel like trail of coffee from my car to my kitchen where I have to dump my coffee in a real mug. read more

I have come here twice, and this is definitely a place one should check out. PROS: Awesome old interior utilizing bank vaults, security deposit boxes and the like. Great garden outside and good coffee! Also, nice fireplace in the back, doubling as a quiet room for those working. CONS: No vegan goods like the sister cafe Diesel. Also, VERY expensive. 8.50 for a breakfast egg sandwich and a coffee with no refills I think is rough. .75 cents for greens tossed on is a bit much too I think. Also, no great public transit, and internet is 5 bucks an hour! I would head back, but I prefer TrueGrounds in Ball Sq, Trident on Newbury or Thinking Cup on the Commons. This cafe ranks #4 in my book. read more

My partner doesn't like the coffee here (says it tastes watered down and burnt), but I like the espresso drinks. The lattes are stronger than 1369's. The space is big and a good spot for studying or doing work (although it's loud). There's even an outdoor area. Unfortunately no dogs allowed. There's a dog tied outside on the sidewalk as I type this. Good metered parking, usually always a spot available for the T inaccessible spot of Union Square. Downside - they don't take LevelUp. REALLY?? Cmon guys, support local businesses! read more

It's about damn time Boston got a coffee shop like this! Actually, it opened up about two years ago, I was just late to the punch. Once a bank space, the coffee shop has been renovated to have two coffee bars, (one that opens up on Wed and Thursday nights for open mic night), a little deli (with lots of gluten free baked goods and a few veg/vegan options), and an endless floor plan of tiny rooms which once held the rubies and riches of crazy somervillians! What's more impressive is the exposed brick, modern furniture, fireplace in the back room, and most importantly, the game vault! If you're lucky, you'll be able to find a game that has enough cards or pieces to last you through a coffee date with a friend, but it's a cool concept! (we played about 3 games of Jenga with enough blocks to last us about 10 minutes a game) In terms of coffee and tea, Bloc 11 has an impressive coffee/tea roster. All teas are loose leaf and they can steep it for you in the porta filter if you really want to! Expect to see me at Bloc 11 Cafe on weekends, bacon cheese scone in one hand, Chai Tea latte in the other :) read more

This place is by far, my favorite coffeeshop in metro Boston. It's very close to my house but also, it's got space and ambiance. They've been having musical performances as of recent, which is a definite plus. But mostly, it's not as noisy or crowded as their Davis Square counterpart, Diesel and the place is veg friendly. They have a garden patio and very friendly employees. The prices seem to be about average for the area. read more

Once again they had AMAZING coffee - I've had a lot of coffees but never Tanzanian before. They were out of sandwich bread when I went there the other day (4pm on a saturday... eh) but I won't hold it against them because their sandwiches are yummy (which is why I held it against them at the time) They still made me a delicious, huge salad. Dried apricots, walnuts, maple dressing. I've never gone their for salads, so I don't know if this is the norm or just to compensate their lack of sandwiches, but it was phenomenal. I wanted to take a picture of it, but chose not to look like that hipster in a cafe with his bike shoes on taking an iphone picture of his every meal. Their outdoor seating was dreamy, as well. read more

It's a must go to spot, especially in the summers when you can really enjoy the outside patio or a warm breeze from the wall-sized windows that open. This place is in a cool and calm location in all of Somerville. There are multiple vibes in this one coffee shop. I like to head over to the nook with the fireplace and board games. Pros: Delicious drinks and ambiance! Love the hub! Cons: No free wifi (I guess it keeps this place from being packed all the time!) And I agree with the reviewer, Michael K., about how this place is missing some "X factor." My humble suggestion is that it needs stronger food/sandwiches and/or cheaper prices for that wow factor. read more

I really like this cafe. It's a nice place to work and to meet friends for coffee, the patio is beautiful on a warm day, the staff are awesome, but I have a few qualms that merit a four star review: -you have to pay for wifi -an earl gray tea with steamed milk is $5 -the menu never changes and I'm bored with the sandwich and salad offerings -it's always freezing inside read more

I've been here three times and always really enjoyed the experience. Staff is friendly and there is tons of seating inside and outside. Since the building used to be a bank it has a an industrial interior design. They even converted the vault in the back into a room for eating and studying. Patio is a huge plus for the good weather. Coffee is above average. I've had the latte and Americano. Food is good too but not for the price. Almost every sandwich is $10 or more. If you can look past the high prices then you'll like this place. read more

Bloc Somerville - Outside patio is a big plus - Bakeries Near Me - Somerville, Massachusetts

I adore this cafe! Great coffee, tasty bagels with egg and cheese, nice atmosphere, cozy fireplaces, and friendly staff. It's a great place to work or study. I always get a lot done here. read more

For a weeknight study session, Bloc 11 is awesome. They've got a good selection of loose leaf teas, including fresh brewed chai lattes, sandwiches that look great (though I didn't get to try one), and tasty soup. The environment is also nice. They had good music playing, a mix of bebop jazz and some newer things going on. Whether you're in the noisier front of the store where the floor to ceiling windows can be moved aside to make a semi-open-air patio feel, or the quiet but spacious rear of the store, it was a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere, much unlike Bloc 11's always packed sister cafe Diesel in Davis Square. I'll need to go back in the morning on a weekend to see if it's always so relaxed, but I heartily recommend it as a quiet weeknight study spot. read more

Tons of diverse seating areas (by the window, in the courtyard, in the vault, in a smaller vault, bar, standard tables). Great food and drinks. Not as good as Diesel Cafe (same owners) - it is not next to the T, the atmosphere isn't as friendly, and closes earlier. read more

This place is completely worth the bus ride to Union Sq. it's a hidden gem. Their coffee is delicious, the staff is friendly and in the summer they have outdoor seating. The only down side is there isn't free wifi, which seems starnge since almost every other amazing coffee shop offers it. Also for an environmentally friendly place, there should be a discount if you bring your own coffee mug and here there isn't... read more

I really enjoyed my trip to Bloc 11 today. I was expecting the interior to be a little more bank-y, but the massive vault in the back was the only thing that made me think "bank". It looked to me like a re-purposed industrial building. Either way, I liked the look. The drinks were great (apparently the chai was the best my date had enjoyed in a while) and I thoroughly enjoyed my egg sandwich. Biggest downside was the line and the lack of available table space. I didn't realize until searching for the bathroom that a cozy back room existed (fireplace and all!). So I bet there was a spot for us that I just didn't see. For about $22 we got a chai latte, cafe con leche, egg and cheese sandwich with avocado, and a lunch sandwich. You can decide if that's a good deal. read more

This is a really nice cafe, I've been here a few times for lunch while in the area for business. Last week I got the Terrace... I've had some great sandwiches in my day, and this may have been the best. It was so good; another reviewer did a nice job describing it recently - the combination of turkey, avocado, onion, garlic mayo, and crispy, fresh bread...the flavors were so delicious. It really puts all other sandwiches to shame. I washed it down with an iced tea - real tea, as in loose leaf. I asked if they had free refills, to which the reply was that I could get ¢10 off for having my own cup...it's not that I'm THAT cheap, but the lunch cost me $12... so if there's anything negative to say about this place, it's that you'd go broke pretty quick if you became a regular. Still...that sandwich... read more

It's always a treat to stop by Bloc 11 - I often choose this place over Union Square Donuts as my sweet treat. Their Spanish Latte is the best I've had in Boston so far and the quantity is huge! There's plenty of seating and the lines move fast but on high capacity times, even seating runs extremely low. There is no wifi unfortunately so it makes a bad place to work - I believe it's actually paid wifi but for some ridiculous amount of money. Their pour overs are also delicious and with a lot of variety - it's a clean taste and perfectly made. I haven't tried the food though their scones look delicious. Do wish they'd cover up their pastries as in the hotter months, I tend to see flies on top of the exposed pastries. Fabulous outdoor seating in the warm weather with great iced drinks. It's a perfect bike stop before trekking to Target! read more

The set up is very covid friendly! The chai is W A T E R Y and flavorless and nasty. Matcha was amazing the last time I had it tho.

I'm from New York so I'm a big bagel critic. Let me tell ya the Bagel with Lox is to die for. All the ratios of the cream cheese to the lox to the veggies are perfect. A little on the pricey side but so worth it. delicious read more

Best cafe ever! I love this place so much they have such good food and service! 5 stars all the way!

This is a great addition to Union Square. The fact that it was packed this afternoon (on a beautiful day) indicates the neighborhood is ready for more higher end places like this. That said, my $7.25 sandwich really didn't taste worth that price tag. Sure, it was a solid sandwich, but for 7-8 bucks, a sandwich should be downright impressive. read more

As I live 5 minutes away from the Bloc 11 Cafe, it has become a favorite haunt of mine..I find it charming how a former bank has evolved into a very hip, artsy coffee/sandwich cafe. The crowd consists of bohemians, students, teachers and families- certainly a delightful place to drink coffee and sup on sandwiches. I think it is owned by the same people who own the Diesel Cafe in Davis square, and some of the staff seem to be from the Diesel. The iced coffee is a favorite, and their sandwiches are delicious- albiet a bit pricey. The intact vault is a novelty to look at , but sitting within is a bit claustophobic, as the accoustics make conversation difficult. in winter I enjoyed sitting by the fire in the back of the cafe, and losing myself in a book. read more

This was my second visit to bloc 11 cafe and I decided to give it a review. I pretty much agree with the 4 star average. Atmosphere is OK. A bit too modern for me, but very clean. A nice feature though is that the store front opens up, making it nice on days with good weather and they also have outdoor seating in a grassy area. Coffee was OK. but not great (I only drink coffee black and I'm not a fan of Starbucks regular coffee to give a point of reference). So, why a 4-Star review and not a 3? Well, even though I wasn't impressed with my coffee, my friend loved her iced latte. The staff was very nice (this goes a long way) and the sandwiches I have tried so far have been excellent (Egg sandwich the first time, The Link (added tomatoes) the second time). Prices may seem a bit high, but once you see the decent size of the sandwiches and quality of ingredients, you can't complain. Can't wait to go back to try the scones (they have a blueberry-lemon one that sounds great and I was intrigued by the savory ones available). read more

Sigh, another failed attempt at finding the decent non-starbucks coffee shop. Bloc 11 has a cool atmosphere and a decent list of baked goods. But the coffee - the simple cup of joe I so love - simply isn't good. It has that bitter aftertaste that even the cool vault in the back doesn't make want to come back. They also don't have wi-fi, which is a complete bummer. Try another cafe if you can. Come to this one if you are desperate. read more

Best. coffee. In the hood. So good. Stumptown and Intelligensia make me very happy. No free wi-fi ($5/day) and the pastry selection isn't so good. I think the muffin/treat options at Sherman Cafe are better. I think you should get an hour or two of free internet use if you buy a drink or food. But the coffee gets 5 stars! read more

Found this place by accident b.c. it is located right below the yoga studio I like to go to. What a happy little accident that was! Am surprised to read people complain about the staff here being pretentious b.c. that was not my experience at all. I am a tea drinker so can't speak of the coffee at this coffee shop, but the guy working helped me choose a delicious green tea from their list & is the only 1 I ever order now. I have only tried the marinated tempeh sandwich so far b.c. the 1st time I had it - loved it & so keep getting it. They do have so many appetizing options though & every time I go back; I swear I'll try one of them. Next time, next time. The only reason I'd keep off a star is b.c. of the WiFi costs. It would make sense if the food/drinks were a bit less - they're WORTH what we pay for them - but I just mean if there were balance - the cost of WiFi might hurt a little less. read more

First off: I wish I could give a 3.5 review I find myself coming here often because I live in Union Sq so I feel I had to write a review. + The sandwich I got was really good (clover), very filling and seemed healthy. + It's great for vegetarians, lots of options and I'm sure for vegans as well. - BUT it is expensive. (So is 1369, Diesel, Andala, Crema Cafe, Algiers... If you go to any café like this is pretty much similar prices) - I *hate* that there's no price on the menu online, and I hate that there is no price for the sandwiches there. + I love that it is never too crowded, it's so great that I know I will get a seat whenever I go. + I think that the staff is friendly enough, no complaints here. + It's always clean. It has a cool look but not overdone. I absolutely love the outdoor seatings. - Yes, the wi-fi is a rip-off, just like Diesel, but I don't mind it because I know there isn't any so don't go for the wifi. +/- The coffee is good, it's not amazing, just good. The chai latte is tasty but not hot enough sometimes, the Brazilian Limeade is fantastic, going back for more. Overall it's a cool neighborhood place. I also think that it is not as hipster central (or as crowded) as Diesel. read more

The sister cafe of Davis Square's Diesel Cafe, Bloc 11 offers a robust selection of coffee, espresso drinks, and sandwiches along with abundant opportunities to observe hipsters in their natural habitat. Definitely try the served-all-day breakfast sandwiches - they are a hearty serving size at half the price of their lunch sandwiches. PRO TIP - forgo the default bagel and order your breakfast sandwich on ciabatta. It's far less mess to eat and really brings the whole shebang to a new level of awesome. read more

Bloc 11 was a go-to staple for all the years I lived in Somerville and I go back now when I am in town. The food is good, nicely prepared and the staff is friendly. The vibe is kind of urban loft art space meets industrial coffee warehouse inside a former bank vault (literally). The owners also run the Diesel Cafe, which is a great spot for people watching. They recently changed the menu again, and I'm not 100% sold on the new version of the "Union" salad... it was still good, but I missed the avocado on my last visit. A few plusses for Bloc 11 versus Diesel: the outdoor patio (summer) and fireplace (winter). The bathrooms are much, much, much cleaner, and the kitchen is all open so you can see the cool, hip, fun staff making your order. read more

Excellent coffee! The cacao shell latte was delicious, as was my bagel and lox with pesto-bismol pink cream cheese. The service was also very friendly, unlike another post I read. On the negative side, the bathrooms were ugly, and a little smelly, like a roadside rest stop. It was also extremely crowded, and the drinks took about 15 minutes to come out. But they were excellent, and coffee shops are about the coffee, so I'll keep the 4 stars. read more