Build Coffee

Lovely small independent coffee shop near U of C campus! I had the cardamom rose iced latte special and it was delicious. Service was friendly and quick … small but sweet book and zine collection for purchase — best part is the hidden patio covered in greenery and cute chairs and tables to sit outside, loved this! ✨✨✨

Cute shop nestled back on a side street in Hyde Park. During the summer there is a street facing pick up window. We ended up going during a farmers market, so the inside was closed and they were doing everything through the window. Pastries were good and the coffee was solid. There's also a cute little side patio we were able to use as well.

A friend recommended. Friendly, fast, good atmosphere, I liked the community flyers around to help others. Food 🔥🔥 I ordered “the little one two” one of my new favorite spots.

first time sitting here for a proper meal. split a sandwich—so perfect! miso and sweet potato and navy beans and greens, i would never have imagined this being a sandwich but it worked so well and tasted delicious. the cold brew was also spectacular!! i’m a huge black coffee drinker but rarely like it cold, so honestly this was a standout. ate on the patio, one of those warm spaces with cute, old wooden seating and multicolor picnic benches (like that plastic covered wire that reminds you of being in grade school?), shaded by trees and full of people. that + the company + the weather made it feel like one of those places where time just sort of stops for a while, and you could spend forever there chatting idly in the sun and eating good, ya know?

We heard the breakfast sandwich was really good here. It’s called the early bird. So we gave it a try. It’s a good breakfast sandwich, the sourdough is really good. It’s just a lot of the sauce is primarily mayonnaise. So it’s really heavy, and by the end of it you’re kind of wondering why you got yourself into this. Overall, it was definitely worth a try. Probably wouldn’t get it again. Place right next to the farmers market though.

The specialty latte selection and bread here are amazing! I particularly enjoyed the Cardamom Rose and Pecan Pie lattes. The grab & go sandwiches, including the Jambon Beurre and Under Pressure, were very delicious too. Note the coffee will take be a bit of wait during busy times.

I ordered the “little one&two” sandwich and a small vanilla latte. That sandwich was divine. Seasoned to perfection and assembled beautifully. It was my first visit. The crowd was definitely U of C based so it has a university cafe vibe. Only had seating for 15-20 people so most took items to go. The service seemed standard to me. Real chill. Overall, good experience. I’d comeback to try another sandwich! They also had books for purchase.

Went here after the farmer's market in the 61st. Was quite busy around 11am, and is often a popular place for UChicago students. I ordered an early bird sandwich which was quite heavy and filling making it a brunch. The bread was too hard though. Would recommend every once in a while. Also, the space to dine was all packed so do not quote on the atmosphere.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

*** 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).

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Fantastic service! I arrived a few minutes after close and was about to get back in my car and look for another coffee place. One of the employees came outside and asked if I needed help. She offered me a cup of coffee at no charge as they were cleaning up and was super friendly. I can't wait to visit when they're actually open next time :-)

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!

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!

I love this spot. It's hidden away around a corner and the street looks sort of deserted but once you enter, it's lively and cozy. Good coffee and, despite its small size, a nice array of nooks and tables. Great books and zines to browse as well.

Great coffee shop! I was in the area and needed to get some work done, and the Yelp reviews were all positive. I had the delicious cardamom rose latte. I also had their sandwich special: tomato, arugula, and ricotta on sourdough. It came with potato chips and was quite tasty! Beware that there's limited seating/space, but that just adds to the community feel. It's also a bookstore and next to a nonprofit! What's not to love? WiFi is free and there's no password. There's also plenty of free street parking!

Build Coffee is a beautiful, inviting space with a nice environment and great options. I had the rose cardamom latte with oat milk and I wish this place was closer to where I live so I could get it every day! Hannah, the owner, is super sweet and it's a good place to spend some time with a book or friends. Will definitely come back!

Very friendly, open space, with yummy drinks. I'm a part of the 1st artist in residence program at Build coffee and the experience has been wonderful.

No complaints! This place is a great spot to work I'm very communal environment. It seemed like everyone knew each other! The coffee was great (had an americano) and the bagel was perfectly toasted. I'll definitely be back to This hidden treasure!

Really cozy coffee shop. The Cardamom Rose Latte is delicious! They have books and zines for purchase too. I'll definitely come back when I'm in the area!

Nice but small, good music but too crowded, uncomfortable chairs, overpriced cakes, lousy coffee, great staff (at least the super nice blonde who rang me out) If the coffee were not so gross I'd make this a regular spot on the rotation.

The sandwich and the rose latte and both super delicious. Will be back again and again!

Build Coffee is part of a community incubator which includes journalism (City Bureau, the Southside Review) and the bike-fixing, youth training shop next door. It's a great place to get a sandwich, sip your favorite latte, shop for books and get some work done. Be aware they are on a strict, probably nonprofit food budget. One evening I was able to cop the last piece of quiche before a Public Newsroom workshop. A thriving intellectual center for nerds and our friends.

Probably the best coffee shop in Chicago, honestly. The product is superlative, and the service is excellent. I love the "lit" and think it's cool that a place that could just sell coffee ALSO sells books for your brain. Great place. Wonderful staff. Will come again.

Today was my first time here. It is a really cute shop. The grammar school kids kinda take ice in the morning but u can still get a great cup of tea for cheap. I would definitely go back. I will try when school is out.

Out of all coffee options around the UChicago campus, Build is my favorite of them all. They have a ton of drink options and many milk alternatives. They support local artists and display their work there, and even sell small items from local Hyde Park businesses. The workers are always really nice and the vibe is always really chill, which I love in a coffee shop. They don't have a giant food menu, but of what they do have, they do it well. Highly recommend.

Best coffee in Hyde Park! The food is great, the place is super chill, and they have lots of cool events going on!

Had an awesome experience at this hidden gem today. Awesome music selection, free WiFi and the staff is great with all the nearby kids hanging out before school. Atmosphere is great, coffee and snacks are good and reasonably priced. Will definitely be back, I'm sure I'll end up being a regular here! Highly recommend.

Great little coffee shop! Excellent coffee, friendly staff, and it also has an eclectic selection of used books and zines. We stopped by in the morning and then walked through the park nearby to the Museum of Science and Industry. If you're in the neighborhood, Build is well worth a visit.

This place is amazing. The ambiance is relaxing, the drink selection is phenomenal, and their pastries are on point. They also have this beautiful wall of books and I slightly want to take all of them home.

What a gem this shop is! Best coffee around, and the shop is cozy with character. Worth a trip for a light & sweet (so good!) and one of their delicious toasts.