Amazing. Nice , cool and calm atmosphere with lots of books. I ordered the Cardamon Rose Latte. The customer service was really good too. I'm done with Starbucks ! read more

Build Coffee & Books - Library of books - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Really good coffee Pleasant people working & comfy atmosphere Parking can be difficult but otherwise all good read more

quick service, good coffee, excellent vibes. next time i'm giving myself more time to chill out here. read more

Build Coffee & Books - iced chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

This is a lovely coffe spot in the area. They have good coffee but, perhaps more importantly, a great atmosphere. The people who work there set a laid back and positive tone, the different sitting spaces are great places to chat with friends or do homework, and the service is fast. read more

Cute coffee shop next to Hyde Park's farmers market. They have decaf!! Oat/almond milk is an extra $1. I got the iced vanilla latte decaf with oat milk. Really yum! Just the right amount of sweetness and ice ratio. read more

Build Coffee & Books - Iced vanilla latte with oat milk (decaf) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been seeing this place on IG, so decided to try a remote work day here. I like the decor; bright colorful art. I love that there are books to enjoy. I love that in addition to having some drink options, they have more food options than most coffee shops I've visited. The staff was really great! I ordered the pecan pie latte and it was perfect and amazing and smelled so good! This was probably the best latte I've ever had. I finally decided on the Kale Caesar salad with sardines. To be honest, I didn't like it. There was a fried egg on top that had no seasoning and when I asked for salt and pepper, it wasn't an option. The salad had about six whole sardines which I have no complaints about. There were some good size croutons sprinkled in and the dressing it was really good and the salad was well-dressed, but other than that, it was just a lot of kale. My other complaint is the music and this is just a personal preference. I find the most coffee shops that I go to don't get the music right from me. In my opinion, coffee shop music during work hours when there are a lot of people working should be kind of mellow. They definitely had a wide variety of music playing throughout the afternoon. At points, it was more my vibe which is jazzy, bluesy, mellow music. At other points, it was explicit rap. And at all points, the music was just a little too loud. It won't deter me from returning because I was just able to put on my headphones and drown it out when I needed to. I will definitely be back and cannot wait to have that pecan pie latte again. I will try something different for food, so grateful they have other options. They also had an outdoor space that I didn't get a chance to see because by the time I left, it had closed and the gate was blocking the view but I will make sure I stop by and check it out next time! read more

See all

It's hard to find a coffee shop that makes great coffee and serves good food and Build is that. I work remotely and visit frequently. I enjoy the vibes. The staff is friendly, the playlist is on point and the space seems genuinely focused on community and being a safe space for all. read more

Build Coffee & Books - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Build is the best coffee shop in the area hands down. After trying most other local spots and being super dissatisfied with the offerings and service finding this place felt like a gift. The coffee was wonderful and I love the vibes inside. The staff was very kind and helpful. It's a bit of a hike for me to walk here but it's well worth it. read more

Build Coffee & Books - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Small and handy. A good place to work, study, organize events, intellectual games. I like such places because they're quiet. Also, when the weather is beautiful outside, you can sit in the backyard and enjoy the comfy, secluded atmosphere. The coffee itself is average, the price is okay, and the location is close to the University of Chicago, and I expect many students visit the place regularly. You can stop by as well, plus they have books. read more

Build Coffee & Books - a bookshelf with books on it - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love the outdoor seating in the courtyard just adjacent to the building. I would never have even known it was there-the fenced-in space is huge and a great shady place to sit on a nice day. I have been here on a few occasions at different times of year and summer is my favorite. I met a friend for lunch and the food (salad with quinoa) was decent and drink (iced latte) was great. I just wish their service was a little bit faster and/or if there was a better place to wait-the inside is SO crowded. This issue could potentially be addressed for "dine in" customers if they gave you a number and they could come find you when your food is ready. read more

Stopped by while perusing the farmer's market. I got the light & sweet, and it was wayyy to sweet for me. I love a good condensed milk situation, but would've preferred a larger cold brew to condensed milk ratio. The staff is great though, and I'd come back for the other drinks read more

Build Coffee & Books - Light Sweet - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I don't see the alure of this place. I found the mask policy archaic and unnecessary unless it was going to be imposed completely. The staff was not particularly warm and just went through the motions of my order. The iced latte was fine but nothing special. The whole situation felt a bit odd and confusing to me. read more

This place is legit. Great coffee, unique and delicious sandwiches, and cool vibe. Will be returning next time I'm in the area. read more

Build is a pricier coffee shop for what I normally like to pay. Nevertheless, the quality of what they give you matches the price. I can't say much about the food since I've never tried it but it has looked appetizing. Again, pricier than what I want from a cafe but hey, maybe there's something to it if their coffee is any indication. I really like the vibe inside. Books on shelves, exposed brick, and records all in a quaint little spot. I need to check out their patio as well on a hot summer day. read more

Stopped by with some friends while exploring the farmers market on Saturday. They had a long line trailing up to the ordering window, but it moved quite quickly. The service was very friendly and pleasant and my coffee came out quickly after I ordered it, so no complaints there. Their menu of breakfast sandwiches and pastries looked enticing. My friend who ordered a sandwich enjoyed it. I tried an iced cafe de olla, which had brown sugar, orange peel, and some other spices. It was a beautiful looking drink, but I suspect just not really for me. I prefer sweeter drinks and this one just wasn't sweet at all. It seemed like it would be the sweetest one on the menu based on the ingredients, but I only drank a couple of sips because it was super super bitter. I'm guessing this place is for more serious coffee drinkers than yours truly, so try it out as my more-bitter-coffee preferring friends all loved the cardamom rose latte! read more

Build Coffee & Books - Cafe de Olla - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite place in Chicago for coffee. The regular drip coffee here is great and they have some delicious specialty drinks too, example: cardamom rose latte. Sandwiches are usually available, as are pastries. You can buy bags of the beans they use as well as a variety of other goods: books, zines made by local people, artwork, shirts, etc. They're big on supporting the local community and the community has supported them in return. They sell Publican bread during 61st Street Market days. I haven't been by much for a couple years due to Covid and now living outside the city, but I believe they now have resumed limited indoor seating. read more

A friend called this "the most liberal coffee shop I've ever been to" what with the mask requirement (in 2023!) and the giant rack of offbeat zines. For me that is neither here nor there -- what is more important I that they make a nice cold brew, and an excellent breakfast sandwich, with eggs, cheese, a ton of arugula, hot chilis and a touch of honey for balance. Sometimes it's worth varying my morning routine just to come eat it. They also have a lovely patio, and are a keystone presence at the Saturday farmers market just outside the door. An all-rounder. read more

This is such a cute spot! I had their rose cardamon latte and it was remarkable! I just love finding places like this to support read more

Build Coffee & Books - Rose cardamon latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyed my cortado. The egg sandwich was good but pricey. However helps support a pleasant place to be. read more

Beautiful spot off 57th & Blackstone. Was seeking a coffeehouse spot near a well-known local bookstore and visiting Build Coffee was like hitting two birds w one stone! The Cardamon Rose latte was so yummy that I order two - hot and iced! While waiting for my drinks, I perused the book shelf (a mix of used books and local writers' new books) & found a few selections. Looking forward to making this my usual coffee spot when I visit the Chi! read more

Build Coffee & Books - Books, Books, Glorious Books! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Confusing coffee shop , you need a mask to order coffee but only to order coffee not to stay in the cafe . If there was sign on the outside of the door specifying that one needs a mask to order coffee , it would be helpful . People seated were unmasked and enjoying coffee . read more

Had a delicious breakfast sandwich to start the day and a great latte for the road. Would return!!

Strong coffee. Professionally made aka excellent espresso drinks. Great music. Excellent sandwiches. Good vibes. And a secret garden where you can chill all day. Tucked away in a little UC corner, Build has a small, intimate interior. Weekday mornings, wait a while to avoid the elementary school students who pop in on their way to school. Once they pass, plug in, grab a good drink and/or a FRESHLY made hot sandwich from their conscientious "shy chef," who works in the back to bring you the freshest ingredients on warm, delicious, THICK sourdough... I'm hesitant to leave this review because I really kind of want to keep this place to myself. read more

Arguably the best latte I ever had. Good sandwiches too. Insides are clean, could be a cozy space for work, but chances are a group of primary school students blasting by read more

Build Coffee & Books - people sitting at tables in a coffee shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

These are not very nice people. Unfriendly service, unwelcoming environment. No thanks

Great coffe. A quiet atmosphere with students on computers and older folks socializing. Nice outdoor seating, love the sandwiches. Good Publican bread used. read more

It's a great place, please consider putting all your holiday hours on an automated phone line. I've driven to your place so many times and it's closed. It says it's open online. read more

Love love love this hidden gem. It's nestled on a side street in Hyde park and has great drinks. Everything I've had has been excellent and the people that work there are the best. Please stop by if you're in the area. read more

*** Coffee *** I am addicted to the iced cardamom rose latte. It's dangerously delicious. If you are a fan of chai and spice notes in your drink, be careful! There are other signature latte drinks along with chai and hot chocolate as solid and ssilver flavorful alternatives when you are craving varieties. *** Workspace *** The ambiance wraps you with coziness. The space is small with two community tables and three other solid spots equipped with outlets. It's a quintessentially classic cafe to study against chill bgm. I love that there is a shelf of easy to skim visual books collected from various flea markets and independent artists; perfect to browse through when your eye needs a break and your soul is dying for some artsiness. *** Rant *** Although the space is snug and sometimes the small staff means a longer wait for coffee, the space and drinks makes the waiting easy. Build Coffee is a place where time just flies (and you don't mind). read more

Build Coffee & Books - The special lattes are delicious. Try my favorite - iced cardamom rose latte. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

10/10 vegan breakfast sandwich. The sauce is SO spicy I love it. If you're spice wary I would be careful haha. It's delicious though and the mung bean patty is so unique! Filling and worth the line. read more

Build Coffee & Books - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

It's fine. The sandwiches are large but they're dripping in oil, so make sure you have multiple napkins. They still make you were a mask which I guess is there prerogative ‍ but when there are people seated who are mere feet away from you enjoying their coffee and food it kind of makes you go, "huh?" The coffee is good. But the space is so small and cramped, there's hardly ever a seat, and furniture is large and bulky, making the space feel even smaller. read more

Came here with the bf because I saw on Instagram that they serve treats from Justice of the Pies. The café is tucked away on the south side of the UChicago campus next to the Experimental Station and the Bike Shop and is a literal hidden gem. It is a cozy space with exposed brick and well decorated with found furniture. The menu is well curated as well, along with Justice they serve Dat Donuts (the GREATEST donut place in the city of Chicago bar none). He had an iced coffee and a pecan and peach pie which he reported was decadently amazing. I had a strawberry donut with a cortado which was the perfect pairing. Along with their great treats it's a great workspace and another great addition to the community. read more

Build Coffee & Books - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is a walk-up stand on the campus of the University of Chicago. Great latte, great mocha. They also offer a few sandwiches and sell Publican bread. Handy! read more

This place makes a killer iced dirty chai! One of the best I've had, lots of layer to the spices in the drink versus the one-note 'sweet' taste I often experience-- you can taste the cardamon, cinnamon, etc (assuming those are in there otherwise I am just postering as a pretentious coffee drinker). I live near here and have been meaning to come for months, and with the good weather finally got around to coming here today. The barista was very friendly, the menu has quite a few options for coffee and non-coffee drinkers alike and kids/adults. They also have a mini bookstore which is very cool- comic books mixed in w more serious literature. The music they play provides good background noise-- not the pop-ish hits you see most places. I also like that they have 'for here' glasses so you feel marginally more green than getting a throw away cup. As mentioned in other reviews, it's not a large space, perfect level of coziness. I'll definitely be back! read more

The perfunctorily performative political décor aside (but, after all, we are basically on the U of C campus here), Build does deliver a quality product. Their sandwiches are phenomenal and blow almost anything else in the area out of the water, including the possibly even more pretentious Plein Air a few blocks away. Their little walled garden space is also a quaint touch, despite the ominous humming of the U of C power plant just next door. I have no idea why they close so early, as they could easily pitch themselves as an afternoon and evening hang-out spot. The patio would make a great beer garden, friends! read more

One of my favourite cafés in the neighbourhood. Build is slightly difficult to find, but worth the extra four minutes it'll take you. The main café space has a somewhat industrial feel, & is split between a café, a back kitchen, and a zine & bookstore space. The latter is dedicated to politically radical matter. The kitchen menu is small, but meat-eaters & vegans alike will find good food. I enjoy the slab sandwich, which is sweet potato & cabbage. The coffee drinks are very good, but be warned that the coffee (at least for espresso drinks) seems to be light roast, which is what connoisseur types tend to prefer--or pretend to prefer. There's very comfortable outdoor seating in a side garden. read more

This is officially my new home coffee shop. Quaint and cozy, this place has everything you need to work in peace, read, or meet with a friend/colleague. The owner Hannah is friendly and welcoming. This place far exceeds my expectations with a clean bathroom and free parking. The food menu is limited but I look forward to it expanding with time. read more

So excited to explore Hyde park and find this gem of a coffee shop. The service, coffee, food was great. It is a tucked away cafe on the south side of UC so it may take a minute to find. Great place to study, meet friends, or just kick back and read a book. They have a great selection of books and reading information. Also, they have printer service which is really neat if your printer decides to crap out or you need help printing something for school! highly recommend trying over the commercialized coffee shops! read more

I had high hopes for Build Coffee after I'd heard they were opening and went around the corner one morning while at the Farmer's Market. I tried their cold brew the first time. It was okay -- pretty average. It tasted a little watered down. I wouldn't really go out of my way to get it again. The second time I tried their iced coffee at the Market this time. Again, I was disappointed by how watery it tasted. It wasn't the greatest coffee. The cafe itself is a super cute place and has great vibes, but I wouldn't call it my go-to in Hyde Park for coffee! read more

Very cozy atmosphere although a tiny bit too crowded. I've ordered both hot and iced rose cardamom lattes and they've been so delicious. A bit pricy though! I prefer the hot over iced! read more