Dark Matter Coffee - Caravanserai

Solid dark matter location with a lot of seating and space. Drinks are as his as any of the other locations, always some of the best cold brew that you can find in the city. Space itself is very open and has tons of seating, great for working remotely or reading.

My trip to Chicago was complete by coming to Dark Matter Coffee with my Friends, and right away, Ben and Ricky made our visit a wonderful experience!! They helped us pick some mix-and-match cold coffee and coffee grinds to go!! We got some delicious coffee and enjoyed the colorful aesthetic and dope vibes

Vibrant corner coffee shop that plays great music. They have a lot of unique lattes on the menu and fresh donuts and pastries. Parking on Belmont is easy, too. This is one of my go to spots to meet with friends for coffee and catch up. Lots of people come in with their babies or toddlers.

We wanted some good coffee and some local friends suggested this place to try out. We are visiting from Out of town. This location was very convenient for us so we stopped in for some drinks. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We got three different drinks and they were all very yummy. My boyfriend said the tea he got was the best he ever had. Very delicious. My mocha tasted great as well. We definitely will be visiting again.

Fantastic experience, great coffee, (I drink a macchiato typically) knowledgeable staff very friendly and helpful. Grabbed some bags of beans they have the coolest branding. Ben and Ricky were so nice

This is quite a unique coffee spot! They have some really cool specials including spicy coffee and honey coffee, and you can buy the coffee beans too. I got a vanilla nitro cold brew and it was great to sip on. I could sit there for a long time, it’s a cool looking space with lots of art on the walls

Great little neighborhood coffeehouse with friendly staff working there. It’s a great place to get a cup of whatever and hang out. Nice relaxing atmosphere. Wish they have few large sofas and coffee tables set up to truly turn this coffeehouse into a place to chill.

Highly Recommend: this place is great. They have more items on their menu than other dark matter coffee places. Plenty of space, funky atmosphere, only wish that they had chairs/stools with back to relax when sitting. Horchata was great.

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

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.

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.

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 :)

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!

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 :)

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.

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.

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

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

Great coffee and excellent tacos and empanadas! Had many cold brews on tap too that would be great to check out in the future.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Popped in last Saturday on a whim while running some errands. I got a vanilla suburbs iced coffee and my boyfriend got a mocha. Coffee was decent, prices were fair, and shop itself was vibrant and bustling. It did the job. While I necessarily wouldn't go out of my way to come back here, it is certainly a good option in the area.

$9 for a cold croissant, regret wasting my $. I expected more of a pastry/food selection

Happy to have this place in the neighborhood. The people who work here seem legitimately nice. I've never had a bad experience here.

Great place to sit and work, delicious drip coffee. Love that I can get Steingold's bagels here!

Amazing! Great coffee every time!! coffee on tap, can't get better than that! But wait! Coffee growlers?!

I just went there for the first time and it was the cutest coffee shop. The two employees were so friendly and helpful, and the agave latte and almond croissant were delicious!! Will be going back for sure

I stopped here last week to do some work on a Sunday morning. It was a really cool atmosphere with plenty of open seating. However the chairs were pretty uncomfortable. I tried the habanero latte, which was really delicious!! I think this is one of my favorite coffee drinks of all time. It was spicy, smooth, and I definitely felt the caffeine afterwards! I will definitely be returning to this location and other dark matter coffee spots in the city :)

The people who work here and great and for me this is one of my favorite branches of dark matter in the city. They are very consistent with their drinks.

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!

My new go-to coffee shop in the Avondale area! I love Dark Matter Cafes, not just for their great coffee but for their artwork! This cafe has more of a dessert vibe and was shooting for a "caravanserai" theme (obvi since that's what this cafe is named after). This cafe has plenty of tables and seatings but can get filled up pretty quickly during the weekend. I ended up ordering the Agave latte which was delicious! It wasn't too sweet and I loved how it had a chocolate taste to it as well. I also enjoyed the cup that the drink came in! I've never had my coffee come in a wine-like cup. ALSO, tamales?! Pozoles?! Who would've thought a coffee shop would sell some? This cafe not only offers baked goodies but they have tamales and pozoles (from Estrella Negra). I got the spinach and cheese tamale which was topped with salsa verde. One word, AMAZING. I'll def have to check out that restaurant as well. Anyways, a cool coffee shop with an awesome vibe/atmosphere. Stop by here for a sip of some awesome coffee and while you're at it, pair it with a yummy tamale!

If you want traditional, frothy drinking chocolate, this is the place to go. While we specifically went for the chocolate, they still offer a full coffee menu. There's actually 2 menus: tortuga and jaguar. Tortuga is the "slow menu" consisting of the drinking chocolate and pour over coffees, while Jaguar is the "fast menu" with drip coffee, draft cold brew, and espresso drinks. The drinking chocolate comes in 3 varieties - the 70% cocoa, semi sweet, and sweet. We went for the first two, with the semi sweet being our favorite. Both of them had a very fruity flavor, but the 70% was a bit too bitter for me. The drinking chocolate is very traditional, whisked to a froth, but the thing I didn't care for was the grittiness at the end of the cup with all the cocoa nibs sunk to the bottom. With that being said, the chocolate is of very high quality. It was pretty crowded here but we were still able to find a table to sit at. If this was in my neighborhood I can see myself being a regular, but I don't see myself going out of my way too often to come here.

Another winner from Dark Matter here... sort of. Killer coffee, creative drinks, chocolate straight from Puebla, and super unique vibe, but it's far from cozy. To the folks working: you know Avondale Coffee Club around the corner has sofas and outlets, right? Hard to understand what food is served (wait, there's tamales?!) and the pastries are pretty dang awful. Hopefully they work out the kinks over the next few weeks - including finding a better baked goods supplier. Much needed in the area, but still experiencing growing pains.

Disclaimer: I came here before they closed (about 30 minutes).I didn't realized they were about to close until after I ordered my drink. I walked into this place and I love the environment and decor they had around. I love the Mexican/ latino influences in the drinks. I had order the cafe de olla and it came out to be also 8 dollars for this drink. I was hoping for it to be great but I was a bit disappointed it was really watery and had a very off taste. Granted there was only one employee working both the register and making the drinks. I can understand the pressure of trying to closed and finishing orders. I hate to say it but my drink was terrible and I wish it was better. My friend had also got a drink and she got a simple hot chocolate and it also didn't taste good either. I will give this place a second chance and come back at an earlier time hoping for a better experience.

Wow! The coffee here is awesome. So is the nosh . Had the Cheese and spinach tamales. Nice!

I pass this place on my way to work and have been wanting to stop, but usually don't have the time. I got there on the dot at 7:00 am, which is when they open and the barista had the shop open and ready to go- so I was very appreciative. I ordered a vanilla latte and it was amazing! Taking the time to stop here vs. going through a DD or Starbucks drive-thru was 100% worth it.

The bitter Mexican chocolate is excellent. You can order ahead online and there is a special pickup window so you don't have to enter the store.

This place is amazing. We got some of the best coffee we've ever had, along with some of the best donuts we've ever had (I didn't even know they make donuts but these are not to be missed)! We got two old school cake style donuts - one cinnamon, the other a smaller sized chocolate one made with the same special imported chocolate they use for their lattes from Mexico - and a glazed. Very hard to pick a favorite. The ambiance was really fun and hip. The service was really nice, friendly, and prompt. They only let one customer in at a time for takeout only and you've gotta wear a mask. It felt like they were taking corona seriously and taking all the necessary precautions and then some. This was a favorite stop of mine and we tried several coffee shops on our trip. We'll be back for sure. Ps - if you'd like beans for your house, they range from $18-$22 depending on what you pick. Well worth it if you ask me.

Unless you're a hipster, expect lame service. All the hipsters that were there received vip treatment. I, being a non-hipster, received 3rd class status treatment. Treat everyone the same. Make them feel welcome.

I stopped into Caravanserai on a rainy afternoon, and the employee who took my order was an angel. He was the only employee working at the time, and was making a large order ahead of mine. Since I was waiting a little longer than usual, he extended a discount to me on my order which was above and beyond kind! It's these little moments that make DMC such a great company. I am a loyal fan of each location.

i have waited SO LONG for this moment! caravanserai opened this morning at 0600. i've been a longtime dark matter lover, and prior to this, my home cafe was osmium, further east on belmont. expect a bit of a wait because of other eager beavers such as myself, but they're slinging do-rite and pie pie my darling pastries and the coffee is as on point as ever. (don't forget to start a loyalty card!) the art is beautiful and the space is inviting and cozy. can't wait to work here during the week and walk home with fresh beans in tow. welcome to the 'hood!

andrew rules. been getting grounded up espresso bags for 6 months and his recommendations and knowledgeable excellence always pulls through! thank you! -afrothiti

Amazing Mexican Drinking Chocolate! A must try for anyone looking for an authentic Mexican drink!

This is the nEw dark matter cafe that just opened across the street from kumas corner on belmont near cAlifornia... we had the "vanilla bean lAtte" pistachio donut and the chicken pozole soup amazing flavor presentation and price on BOTH!! Pozole was a bit small but mADe up in flavor! Check it out ASAP sooooo DeliSh!!!

Just found this gem through Dark Matter Coffee's site. It's not even on google maps yet! Great spot, love the decor and nice addition to the Avondale neighborhood. Street parking but it's worth double parking to get their cappuccinos!

I visited this place back in February before everything had changed. The vibes of this coffee shop is so great - it's like being stranded in the desert with succulents everywhere, but for some reason you have amazing coffee and WiFi available too. The coffee was amazing - I had the agave latte mmm! I never know how to describe coffee, but this was so good! I also was able to try the Mayan mocha. The chocolate flavor was so rich. What I loved about this company is their merchandise. The artwork on their coffee blends and cans of coffee are so creative and funky! The colors have this vibrant, yet subtle Latinx tribal feel to it as well. The place is also fun to just hang out at all day and chilling. I can't wait to be back !

Awesome spot! Great coffee and really friendly service. Bought some of their espresso beans to make at home. Definitely recommend!

The coffee was delicious and the staff was friendly. The wait was short and everything was amazing. The decor is definitely one of the best parts going here! Definitely recommend!!

I know everyone is doing their best during COVID also grateful to have a business in the neighborhood. I do agree with others, however, that the team is less than friendly. The coffee was fine, just not anywhere near hot and I had to wait outside in the cold for quite some time for it due to their one customer in the shop at a time policy. I thought it was per side since they have two separate entrances for mobile orders and in store. I was corrected. Their business, their prerogative.

decent coffee, the staff are really moody, if you don't tip, the moods get worse, ruins the whole experience. Even though Mcdonalds coffee isn't as great, they have way better customer service.

I was eager to visit the new Dark Matter location, and I was pleasantly surprised by the Mexican theme inside. Cute plants, nice decor. I ordered the "Mayan Mocha" hot, my partner ordered the same thing iced. In short, we both hated it. It was overall ...very bad. The cayenne was overwhelming and poorly mixed in, hugging the sides of the cup or merely collecting at the bottom -- and it just didn't taste good! I managed a few sips before surrendering and ordered a second drink to give them the benefit of the doubt. Next up, "Vanilla Bean Latte" with oat milk. Watery and tasteless. *chef kiss* Bravo. The music is loud and it doesn't seem like the best place to quietly work on your laptop, but we did come on a Sunday, so maybe it's different on a weekday. Behind our table, 35 year old Karen *just loved it* however. "This place is so hip! Doesn't it remind you of Santa Fe?" -- So at the very least it'll appeal to the white population, which we always need more of. Two stars for at least providing us shelter from the elements.

I went there to get my coffee, the service wasn't all that, only cause I think the server was a bit overwhelmed with trying to set up all late like. As I walked out, another customer told me that they support the police. I thought well that's very nice of them. I gave them 5 bucks, they don't have a very big selection as compared to others. But it's okay. I do like there brand.

This is a young business and there's deedinitely room for growth. The concept itself is a good one with plenty of options for a unique coffee date. A bit pricey as you might expect. I had the Cafe de Olla and it was very yummy but not made in a the traditional style as I've experienced while living in Mexico. The line was long, slow, and frankly in the way. When it came time to order, they told me a cheaper price than I expected and I mentioned the discrepancy. She had rung me up for the wrong (cheaper) drink, then changed my drink order and still charged me full price which I thought was odd. I also ordered "for-here" but received a to-go cup. It's absolutely a learning process and I'm sure if the owners are flexible in making these adjustments this will be a successful spot.

jj is freaking awesome!!!! added an espresso shot to my hot chocolate with no extra charge :) super friendly and fly af in there

The staff here was very welcoming and helpful. The specialty drinks here are amazing

Interesting choice in cups for coffee. Really spacious and aesthetically pleasing. Nice staff!