Always great coffee. Food in the morning, went with cheesy bean burrito and vanilla suburbs nitro cold brew. Ambiance has Latin vibes with Spanish music playing which I thought was well done and great ambiance. Service always impeccable and fast. Free coffee with purchase of their beans. read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Donuts- great, wi-fi terrible! Came here to work as I got my car worked on down the street. 3 other people couldn't get online either and had to use their phone as a hot spot. read more

I've done about 2 reviews already. Today it's more of a hot tip. Do yourself a favor and make sure to take a "stamp card". I believe there's about 9 stars that are marked for every time you purchase. You'll need to be proactive to show the card to have it marked. It's definitely worth it!!! read more

I really wanted to come here as it's an oldie but goodie!! Dark matter coffee is very popular in the Chicago cafe scene! For good reason! I got a 12oz train wreck with almond milk the quality was very close to the quality I experienced in the Japanese coffee scene. The espresso compliments the flavors well. It's small and very crowded most days. Would recommend! read more

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What a lovely place to stop for a morning coffee after a long walk! We stepped in yesterday to escape the heat, only for us to be smacked in the face with the most amazing smells on earth. We had to get iced Mayan coffees, both of us, which tasted amazing with those notes of cayenne. I was pleased they had a choice of milks, since I was lactose intolerant (I chose soy). Although the harried staff were likely tired post morning-rush, they were welcoming and accommodating to my over-excited picture taking. The shop has the loveliest decor, with quirky ornaments and potted snake plants and aloe that it was tempting to sit down. Pity we were in a hurry to grab lunch elsewhere. We did grab a bag of dark matter coffee whole beans, a light roast at about $22, and set back out much refreshed. Update: We just had this for our morning coffee. I am an uncultured swine but that was the best cuppa to wake up to. read more

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They were even open during the snowstorm! The agave latte is our favorite. The interior is so vibrant and colorful that it makes even a snowy day feel nice. I also usually pick up a few ready to drink cans while I'm here. read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really enjoyed this coffee shop. It was a little difficult to find as it does not have the 'Dark Matter Coffee' logo on google maps. If I lived in this neighborhood I would walk here all the time. There is convenient street parking nearby and a large coffee sitting area. The pastries were good but I find it odd that the staff said that they don't have a microwave to heat them up. I think the staff was pretty busy with only two workers but they managed great latte art and delicious coffee. The merch was plentiful and tempting! I liked all of the cold brew can options. They even had empty cold brew cans on their Christmas tree. I really enjoyed the themes in this cafe. I would definitely return. read more

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Admittedly, I'm a coffee drinker that prefers my coffee to taste like sugar and cream and donuts and cookies and all the sweets I can get. I am not a coffee drinker that likes the taste of... coffee. And Dark Matter seems very much to be for the coffee-aficionados out there. Their coffees are complete with descriptions of their undertones and whatnot -- this all went over my head, and I just wanted something like a yummy vanilla latte. Everything seemed more coffee-forward and fancier than I was looking for. That said, I did have a phenomenal cranberry scone that I really liked. I would definitely order pastries here again, but tbh I'd probably pass on the coffee. If you're a sweet coffee drinker like me, dark matter might not be your fave. Also the staff here is SO sweet, and the ambiance is pretty funky and fun, and it would be a good spot to meet with a friend or work from! read more

The baristas are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft -- always ready to recommend something new or share insights about their specialty blends. Every cup, whether it's a classic espresso or one of their inventive cold brews, is brewed to perfection and bursting with character. What sets Caravanserai apart is its ability to blend high-quality coffee with a sense of community and artistry. The space is cozy yet inspiring, filled with local art and good energy that makes you want to linger a little longer. It's the kind of café where you can enjoy a peaceful morning coffee, meet up with friends, or just take a moment to recharge. The consistency, creativity, and commitment to excellence make Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai one of the best spots in the city for a memorable coffee experience. read more

I've had many coffees in Chicago and this vanilla bean latte was one of my favorites. I liked how you could taste all the flavors but the espresso flavor was still prominent and strong. The service was amazing and I loved how colorful the interior was. They have free wifi and it's a great place to hang out with friends. read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was fascinated walking into this establishment as it gave such a bold and colorful views everywhere you looked. There's many tables to sit at for you to chat with friends or do work on your laptop. There was a line walking in to order, but the service moved quickly to order. I ordered the iced Vanilla Bean drink with whole milk. It was a great blend with vanilla and espresso. Cant wait to try another drink here soon! read more

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I came here to study and grab a coffee while I was waiting for my car to be repaired down the road and I had a great experience! I love the variety of different drinks they offer, especially because they have unique flavors and combos that you can't get anywhere else. I tried the cayenne latte and it was instantly one of my new favorites. I've visited other locations since, but this one has the best layout and the most room to work. The workers were also very sweet and friendly, always a bonus! read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Cafe area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Really enjoyed both the macchiato (espresso + drop of milk style) and mocha (there are several variations) here. Pleased to see both delicious coffee character in the macchiato, as well as a flavorful mocha featuring addictive rich chocolate. Also such a friendly server! Was so pleasant while orienting me to the menu and accommodating a less sweet mocha (which was still rich and delicious). Solid environment to sit and chill for a while. Great spot! read more

The Dark Matter Coffee, particularly this spot, offers a uniquely fun and otherworldly experience. As a coffee aficionado, I relish every moment spent here. The staff is both friendly and accommodating. The vibrant colors add an extra layer of charm to the ambiance, making it a must-visit whenever I'm in Chicago. Side note: If you buy beans, I think you get a free cup of coffee as well read more

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After a VERY filling lunch at Kuma's, I need a coffee. I've been a fan of Dark Matter for years, but somehow hadn't been to this spot. They have a lot of options here. My husband had the Barrel Mocha which is perfect for a chocolate lover who also is known to enjoy a barrel aged stout. I am forever a fan of iced coffee and the Chocolate City was perfect. We didn't grab any pastries (see above about Kuma's for lunch), but I would come back to work from here and grab a snack. The inside is also gorgeous and perfectly themed. I love that every location that I've been to has a different vibe to it. Service was great even though they were a bit busy. The also offer a lot of options to buy ground coffee, whole bean coffee, and canned iced coffee to go. read more

So, lived in the area for a couple decades, and previously further north for the another 20 Love love love having this within a nice distant walk. Not too far, not too close. Anyhow, coffee and grub is great. I spend twice a week there. I can't really afford more than that, but would go ever day if I could. It's an allowable treat for me. My only "meh" is the ambience. It's very hard and sparse and not comfortable. It's lingering between an after thought and a blizzard of passions. Oh well, just a thought I had read more

I am a huge fan of dark matter coffee. I've been to multiple locations and their coffee is consistently good! This was my first time at Caravanserai! I googled the name, which actually means "an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa." Which is cool because that's totally the vibe! A very cute, colorful, and spacious coffee shop. I had the horchata latte which was nice and not too sweet, just how I like it. They also had delicious, hot, juicy empanadas from Cafe Tola, just like in other locations!! I'm obsessed with these empanadas!! We came on a Saturday morning and they had three types in stock, a steak and potato one, a vegan coconut curry one, and a rajas one (bell pepper and cheese). Each one was distinct and filling. Sharing 3 of them between my partner and me was more than enough food, paired with my coffee. So so good! Love this partnership :) they always always come out so fresh and steamy hot, so their warming and keeping process is topnotch! They also have tacos which I didn't try. Quality coffee, great ambience, nice service, and two gender neutral restrooms with cool murals. Overall excellent experience :) read more

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Dark matter is the best coffee in Chicago. Great service and staff is friendly. I always take friends here when visiting.

A colorful, festive space for coffee with friendly service and plenty of seating. The dark matter coffee was strong and fresh. Pastries from Do-Rite and breakfast items from Cafe Tola so you know they are serving all the right stuff. Love the convenient location on Belmont. Will be back for more! read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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LOVE this place and we're so lucky to have it in the neighborhood. It's the best combination of amazing coffee, awesome (& the most friendly!) baristas, and a great space. I enjoy the creative drinks (the cafe de olla with orange rind is the best!) and they have *3* cold brew on tap. read more

This is for people who REALLY love the taste of pure coffee. Not for people like me, who love a hint of coffee in their caramel latte.

Disclaimer - I don't drink coffee. However, my boyfriend is a coffee drinker and is now hooked on dark matter. The basics here are great, so he usually goes with just a drip coffee and the black splash. A few, but not too many options for non-coffee drinkers. Selfishly, I love the pastry/breakfast options! I have never had anything I didn't love here, but the vanilla sprinkled donut is the best I've ever had. It's a cake donut, and it's amazing when you're craving that. The empanadas are the game changers though. Amazing flavor, and they come with an awesome (but spicy) salsa. Hard not to indulge at least once a week! The vibe is also unbeatable. Very dark and artsy/quirky, with solid service. read more

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Came here on a Saturday morning and it wasn't too busy. Love the interior and decorations! Horchata latte was great, not too sweet and lots of cinnamon. I tried two of the empanadas and was very satisfied: the vegan coconut curry and the steak and potatoes. They both were pretty large and stuffed and I was full after eating one and a half. Would definitely come back to try more lattes and empanadas next time I'm in Chicago! read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cute little coffee joint in Avondale. The pastries they sell come from local businesses, and staff are really nice. Not a big coffee expert, but their iced Mayan mocha is my go to. read more

Friendly workers, cute airy space, great place to meet a friend and chat. They have stools for sitting so working for long periods of time here might be a little uncomfortable as the tables are a little low. Perfect spot for hanging out. Highly recommend the horchatta latte! Delicious with just the right amount of bitterness. Mayan Mocha was a tad heavy on the cayenne but I think that can easily be solved by letting the barista know beforehand. Love this place :) read more

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The latte here is robust, especially the hot mug size that has just the right milk ratio. I like the lovely amount of natural light that comes in and the added cushions on the otherwise uncomfortable metal chairs, it's a thoughtful addition for costumers comfort. I wasn't feeling the color scheme and Latin flair but that's their thing. It definitely wouldn't stop me from coming in again for a solid, delicious latte that perks me right up! read more

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I've been to a couple of their other locations and they all consistently serve great coffee and have great service. I think they each offer their own drinks though, so they're all unique in their own way. Their drip coffee is also really good. I'll definitely be back. read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Drip - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Cafe Miel was the perfect level of sweetness. The music was loud, but it didn't bother me. Plenty of space to sit and enjoy or work. Staff is friendly and attentive. read more

I was excited to come since I'm a fan of Dark Matters coffee either at home or other cafes. The atmosphere is vibrant colors with big windows and many plants. I walked in the afternoon and it was empty, so I thought. I even said wow, I have the whole place to myself to the barista who came out from the back, he didn't comment and took my order with zero reaction. I turned around and saw there was another customer probably working remotely. Anyhow, I got my cortado and it was beautifully made but yikes, extremely strong. I'm still in search of a Portland cafe in Chicago. Sorry, this was not it. Before I left more people did come in and another barista came out from the back and seemed more cheerful. read more

Always amazing quality espresso! Shots are pulled just right and come out so smooth. My favorite specialty drink is the agave latte with oatmilk. The coffee bags and the atmosphere are filled with awesome illustration as well. read more

Dark matter is IMHO the best.. not only the beans but the latte flavors, the locations, the friendly staff.. it's everything. You can get a nice latte at blue bottle but it's not the same. All of Dark matter locations have something to offer, with slight variations that make them all distinct and this is more of a Latin vibe. Come for coffee and stay for the good vibes. read more

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Really delicious coffee. The barista that served me was so kind. I love the eccentric, colorful vibe of this shop. Definitely would recommend read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Decaf americano - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm not a major coffee guy but god damn is dark matter good! Always a good fresh selection of pastries they get from another local baker.

This location is a little friendlier than the mothership, especially and that they do not growl at you when you ask for fresh retail beans since you are bringing them back to California with you to brew in your own espresso machine. I also had the habanero latte and it was splendid. I really like this location. read more

Staff was fast, friendly and helpful and my mocha was delicious. My husband ordered the barrel aged mocha and he throughly enjoyed as well. I also bought the love supreme blend to brew at home and it made for a very tasty homemade latte. I would definitely recommend! read more

Hot chocolate is really good here for those who drink non-caffeinated drinks. They use a bar of chocolate made by a local business in Pilsen and you have the choice of whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk. It's not too sweet and they make it really well. The cafe is spacious and there free street parking around the area. read more

I usually don't venture this north for coffee but was meeting up a friend and honestly was not expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised to how spacious and well lit this space was. Even for the semi gloomy day I came on I had not experienced that much natural sunlight in a coffee shop for a while. The coffee I ordered was great and reasonably priced. I was being an annoying customer and staying all the way till close and staff were super friendly and even offered a pastry leftover at the end of the day. Parking was super available so definitely coming back here whenever I'm far north read more

Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I love a good Dark Matter coffee. The coffee is strong and really gets you going. A great kick in the pants if you're feeling sluggish.

Such a cute little cafe with vivid colors and an uplifting vibe. I tried a latte from their specialty menu and it was delicious- perfect parts flavor and just enough caffine as well. Ample space and the perfect place to meet up with a friend or for a date. The staff was friendly and even though they were busy they were fast. read more

Caravanserai (noun): a roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest and recover from the day's journey **source: Wikipedia** Once you step into this place, it will all make sense. The murals and painted floors will instantly make you feel like a caravaner seeking shelter or passing through. The DM empire has created an inviting space where not only their legion of fans can share their love for all things DM (they've got merch and a fridge stocked w/ canned bevs) but more importantly, a very welcoming respite where people of all ages and cultures can gather to eat, drink, do work, hang out, whatever... It's also a place where you can indulge in artisan chocolate products. They've partnered with La Rifa, a Mexico City-based chocolateriá that grows its own cocoa. You can even watch the baristas whipping up Mexican drinking chocolate. I highly recommend their version of café de olla (a traditional Mexican coffee drink), which they serve in cool-looking goblets. If you're hungry, you can nibble on a variety of baked goods or order tamales provided by Bucktown restaurant Estrella Negra. The shop is conveniently right off a bus stop (Belmont #77). There's WiFi, self-serve water in carafes, and even changing tables in the bathrooms! read more

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