OUD Coffee & Cafe River North

This is a great place to get breakfast / lunch. They have a nice menu, fresh ingredients and lots of coffee / latte options. We came her at 10 on a Saturday, it was very busy but we were able to get a seat. The line was long but it went relatively quick. I got a cold brew (gives a Turkish coffee / Arab coffee flavors). It was strong and the large is quite big. I also got a chicken Caesar wrap. It was good, not traditional, it was pressed, warm chicken, lettuce (maybe some spinach), Caesar dressing (very good), crunchy croutons, and a plain wrap. It was very well seasoned. I enjoyed it. My partner got a ginger turmeric latter and enjoyed it, as well as the focaccia breakfast sandwich (circular sandwich, very cheesy, said it was good). We got our child a bagel with cream cheese. There were no other children inside but it was a child friendly place. We also got a baklava tray which was incredible. They have many different styles of baklava, traditional, to a twist on the style. Overall this is a great place, a little pricey but great!

OUD is a great coffee shop to try out! I tried an iced OUD latte, an iced OUD matcha, and the espresso milk cake. The signature OUD drinks had pistachio, cardamom, and mint. The latte tasted great and you could taste the flavors with the coffee. The matcha was okay but you couldn’t really taste the matcha because the other flavors overpowered it. The expresso milk cake was pretty good but not much of a coffee flavor. It was essentially a chocolate cake that wasn’t as sweet and dense with a subtle coffee flavor, but it was still good. The ambiance of the cafe is really nice, but it was full when we were there so we sat outside, which was still very nice. Overall, I would love to come back here and try more things!

Good selection of pastries, baklava is good, the date cake was the best thing I tried. It's pretty expensive, spent about $70. One pasrty and two teas aren't pictured, the tea was so bitter even after adding tons of honey, the cups are floppy and the tea was spilling out all over the place. Customer service was meh, typical, nothing extraordinary.

Beautiful spot clean and airy inside and pretty easy parking if you’re not walking. Latte was one of the best I’ve had in the city. Quality espresso and syrup. Art work and decor is beautiful 10/10

Oud is an amazing place to catch up with a friend or just enjoy a coffee and dessert. Their coffee, savory, and sweet selection is wonderful. I ordered the iced oud latte, I was a bit hesitant since I don’t like sweet or flavored coffee but it was wonderful. The cappuccino and cortado were also excellent. The star of the show was the date cake. It was absolutely scrumptious but I was really disappointed to find that it was almost $12 after tax! I eat and drink out plenty but this is really just an absurd price for a small slice of cake, so I’m taking a star off for that. I recommend adding prices to desserts for transparency. Oh and btw sales tax in Chicago is 10.25% not 10.75%

The kunefe was so good that I forgot to take a picture. They warmed it up so it was nice and crispy. Also got the pistachio kunefe cookie that was a bit too sweet for my liking but with some coffee it would hit so well. Unfortunately, I came in the evening so I wasn’t able to try any of their coffee drinks (or else I wouldn't sleep 🙈). Definitely need to come back and try more ! Wonderful service as well and loved that you could do some work there.

Oud Cafe is a true gem in Chicago—a space that blends rich Middle Eastern flavors with modern coffeehouse charm. From the moment you step in, the ambiance is calming and beautifully curated, with hints of oud incense in the air and soft music that sets the tone for relaxation or conversation. Their Turkish coffee is bold and smooth, served traditionally and with care. The cardamom latte is a must-try—comforting, aromatic, and perfectly balanced. I also loved their saffron tea—unique, floral, and soothing. The pastries are just as impressive, especially their baklava and date maamoul, which taste homemade and deeply authentic. What sets Oud Cafe apart is its sense of hospitality and heritage. The staff is welcoming and thoughtful, and every detail—from the elegant glassware to the Middle Eastern art—makes you feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s beautifully curated home. It’s clear this isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a cultural experience. Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to work, unwind, or catch up with friends, Oud Cafe delivers warmth, soul, and exceptional flavor every time.

It’s really nice vibe inside. The Dubai Chocolate was great but it tastes and reminded me of a Kit Kat. But was very good. Now I can say I have tried the infamous Dubai Chocolate.

Came here for post dinner dessert. Ordered an Oud latte w/ oat milk, knafeh (Dubai chocolate) and pistachio lazy cake. Service was quick. Even at 5:30PM all the seats were packed with people studying or chatting. We ended up just taking our order to go and eat at home. The Oud latte was very cardamom forward so be warned. Pretty sure there was a fresh smashed pod of cardamom in my cup. Felt like I was drinking a dirty chai. Not my go to but it is authentic to what they say is in it. The knafeh was what I expected. A good chocolate snap and a crunchy interior. Don't really taste too much pistachio but overall enjoyed it. The lazy cake was really good. Almost like eating a lighter fudge cake. If you love chocolate, you'll love the lazy cake. Between the two, there was a huge contrast in texture. Would like to try the saffron milk cake next time and maybe some of their other coffees.

One of the few places to get Dubai chocolate in Chicago, from my experience. It's more creamy than crunchy, but still super rich and sweet. The pricetag is a bit steep but at least the chocolate bar is huge and shareable. Be ready to fight for seats on Sunday afternoons. It's cozy, sunlit, and feels like a spot for locals.

Oud cafe is one of those spots that is perfect to take your laptop to and work from in a slightly buzzy but not too busy environment. I got the Oud latte, because I've never tried that before. It was a bit oaky and interesting, not too sweet. But I loved the Spanish latte a lot! Very much more my kind of palette. I also bought the viral Dubai chocolate. Oh my god. I don't know what was happening in my mouth but I definitely loved it. It's a bit pricey but it was super super worth it!

One of my favorite cafes in Chicago! I've enjoyed all the bakery items I've tried, especially the Dubai chocolate and espresso/chocolate scone. The Oud latte is decent - the Spanish latte is my go-to. It does get packed frequently so service can be slow, but definitely worth the wait.

Was looking for coffee shops in the area and happened to find this cafe, and I'm so glad I went. The inside is beautiful, with big front windows and a tin ceiling giving it a very vintage chicago storefront look. The decor is lovely, lots of art and plants. And the staff are so friendly. I ordered a karak tea and a cheese/zaatar manakeesh. Both were so delicious! The cheese and zaatar was the perfect combo, and it paired wonderfully with the tea. I definitely want to come back and will be telling my friends about this place.

Oud coffee is amazing. Easy to reach location with pretty ample parking depending on your arrival time. The inside is very welcoming and inviting to sit and dine in if not wanting to get your items to go. A wide variety of food options that should meet most palates. My coffee was amazing! Smooth and tasty without being overly sweet. The Dubai chocolate was a hit also. Be forewarned it is a nice pricey piece of chocolate but a must try if you've never had Dubai chocolate. While my sandwich looked amazing, unfortunately I was unable to enjoy it as I ordered it without chipotle mayo and it was drenched in it. The staff were super friendly when my husband took the sandwich back in and showed the mistake. They were more than willing to fix another sandwich but due to the wait time we were unable to wait. They refunded the sandwich cost and gave us a free cookie for the mishap.

Sahlab and Spanish latte were both delicious. I've never had Sahlab before but it was delightful, nice flavor profile. Rose milk cake was tasty and super moist without the rose being too overpowering. And they had Dubai chocolate as well! Decent amount of seating inside.

I came for the Dubai chocolate it was creamy and delicious. I also tried the tres leches cake Dubai and it was perfect!

So we came on a recommendation. The staff is so nice and friendly. We ordered a tea, scone, cookie, and dates. The dates were very good the chocolate was yummy and the tea was hot at first but after it cooled a lil. The flavor profile was good and I could taste notes of many different things. This is a very cute and friendly business. Support local. Easy parking and close to a lot.

I recently had the opportunity to visit OUD Coffee & Cafe, and I was very impressed. The cafe is located on wells in River North and has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Great for working - free Wi-Fi! The staff is friendly and attentive, and the coffee is delicious!!

A friend of mine wanted to check out Oud after hearing about it on social media. We went on a Saturday and it was packed. The space itself is a decent size, with ample seating. eat I got a chocolate croissant. It was filling and had a good ratio of chocolate to dough. While it was a solid chocolate croissant, I have definitely had better. I opted for the iced Oud latte, with had flavors of pistachio, cardamon, and mint. I am personally a big fan of pistachio, and really enjoyed my drink. I appreciate how they also have non-dairy alternatives, so I was able to have my latte made with oat milk. Everything on the menu if fairly priced. My latte was around $7, which is a steal these days - especially in the city! Oud is a very lively cafe. I don't know if it is like this everyday, but I cannot imagine myself getting work done. Just a note!

The breakfast wrap was very good, crunchy wrap with a soft egg and spinach inside. The cheese manakeesh was my first time having it and I loved it. The small size was a perfect temptation just in case I didn't like it. The atmosphere is soft but not too dark. Very welcoming to those who want to chat, study or read. The staff were very kind and they do the number system which felt very organized. The coffee was good. I got a rose latte and that was probably my favorite thing of it all.

Simple and Elegant. A great place to work and study. The menu is a tad overpriced but great for the area. I stopped by on a Friday at around 8AM as soon as I heard that they carry the viral "Dubai Chocolate". They have two options, a small chocolate bar or slightly larger cube. I got two of the larger cubes and that set me back around 30$. To be honest, it was such a let down. The dark chocolate was extremely overpowering, the kanafeh was soggy and couldn't taste any pistachio. I didn't get the chance to try their coffee or any of their other pastries, so I can't really judge as a whole. I'm definitely coming back to try their other items, especially the Middle Eastern breakfast sandwiches known as Manakeesh. Service was a bit slow and disorganized, but that's perfectly fine for the morning rush. Just make sure you keep that in mind when you visit in the mornings. I waited well over 20 minutes just for the two bars of chocolate. The place itself is decorated beautifully. The Oud is a Middle Eastern musical instrument that is shaped similar to a guitar but with a short-neck and more pear shaped. The decor truly did the entire region justice. I loved it. Till next time!

This beautiful Palestinian inspired Coffee house , stands out in the busy River North area , This brightly lit oasis is very inviting on this dimly lit street ,and it shows because there is rarely a seat open , ( they offer carryout of course ), The name OUD comes from the Middle Eastern short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped, fretless stringed instrument is a significant part of Palestine, and are hanging proudly on the walls , When being greeted at the counter the cashier was super friendly , the barista stays focused on perfecting her craft , So on my first visit I had the Pistachio Latte, the pistachio flavor was sweet and unique to other coffee spots,, totally amazing , my next visit was met by the same greeting , but this time I ordered the Honey Lavender latte , with this one I enjoyed the smoothness of the honey only highlighted by the subtle lavender flavor , they also offer some unique deserts , like a Date Cake, and a Knafeh Roll ( sweet and savory , comparable to Baklava ) but this time I ordered the Lotus Brownie, a dense brownie named from for its ingredient Biscoff butter cookies, crumbled on top ,, before leaving I wanted to try one more Latte, this time it was the House signature Latte, OUD , a combination of Pistachio, Mint and something I've never had Cardamom ( a piney, fruity, and almost menthol-like flavor) wasn't my favorite but still delicious). They also offer breakfast forward menu items like Bagels , Waffles , Manakeesh( a Levantine/ Lebanese flatbread) sandwich's and salads, Totally Worth a Visit

We recently checked out Oud, a Palestinian-inspired coffee shop and cafe in Chicago's River North. The space is cute and lively, with a warm ambiance, perfect for your next coffee date with bestie or even just to get some work done. They're serving coffees, pastries, sandwiches, salads and much more. They even have their own version of the trending Dubai chocolate! During our visit, we tried several menu items, with my favorites being the Brown Sugar Shaken Coffee, the Saffron Milk Cake and the Dubai Chocolate Cookie. The Brown Sugar Shaken Coffee was creamy and had a nice level of sweetness. The Saffron Milk Cake was perfectly moist with great flavor. The Dubai Chocolate Cookie was probably my favorite thing of all! It was soft and crumbly, with lots of melty chocolate chunks. A must-order item, imo! Swing by next time you're in River North!

This cafe is definitely worth checking out. The pistacio cardamom coffee and the honey lavender were delicious. The dubai chocolate is well worth the hype! Give it a try on your next cafe adventure!

I am absolutely shocked this place is not rated very highly! I got the pistachio latte, biscoff cake, and the viral pistachio cream filled Dubai chocolate here & everything was on point. I'm a sucker for pistachio and the latte definitely did not skimp on the flavor. The Dubai chocolate was everything I dreamt of. The biscoff cake was divine - reminded me of a tres leches cake with a cookie butter flavor. Super moist and not cloyingly sweet.

I was excited to try this place out since they carry the Dubai chocolate and Turkish coffee. However I opted for an ice matcha latte since it was later in the day and didn't want to have the evening jitters from caffeine. The matcha was really good and you can do no sugar option. The Dubai chocolate was really good too but comes with a hefty $$ I wanna say around $14 ..my tab was around $24 for a drink a bar of chocolate. Bummer ..good place but not for my wallet lol

Recently tried oud coffee with a friend and loved it. Their menu is very interesting. We even saw the viral Dubai chocolate on the menu but decided to steer away after reading negative reviews about it online. We ordered the Turkish coffee and the Spanish latte with almond milk. We also got a spinach manakeesh and raspberry and chocolate stuffed date. The date and the manakeesh were delightful. The Turkish coffee and the Spanish latte were yummy too. Loved the notes of cardamom and rose in my Turkish latte. The decor is nice but not the greatest. There is ample seating available. The barista was super friendly and sweet and even helped my friend charge her AirPods. Not sure if I will swing by again but it was a nice one time visit cafe.

Cute, busy cafe in a great location with solid music. There is a nice amount of seating, but it can get really busy so be mindful up of that if you're coming with a bigger group. If you're going grab and go, be mindful it can be a bit of a wait. Our drinks and food came out one by one over the span of 20 min which was unusual for a cafe. As for the menu--We got the oud latte, sahleb (seasonal item), and Turkish coffee for drinks. The oud coffee was my fave! I wasn't feeling the sahleb really and wouldn't recommend. For food, we tried all the manakeesh; spinach (fatayer) was my fave. These are bite size items so not something you'd share. We also got the Dubai cookie which was as expected. Super sweet and something you may want to try once and only once. Overall, I'd come back but probs for the oud drink to go.

Craft lattes were $5.75 which is almost $7 after tax oh my anyways it was yummy! strong coffee flavor, good amount of sweetness Need to come back for the specialty drinks!

I really, really wanted to love this place and write a great review but honestly our experience was just okay. We went on a Sunday and the place was soooo jam packed. There's barely any room to sit, the line extends to the door and to even get your order, you kinda have to part the line to get to the counter. It was like chaos inside. I got the iced pistachio latte which I thought was delicious but my husband got the iced caramel latte and it tasted very watered down. It tasted like milk with a hint of caramel. We also got the Dubai chocolate and I was shocked when we paid upwards of 14 dollars for the small bar of chocolate! How can chocolate cost that much?! Anyways, I'm glad we got to come and experience the cafe but definitely will not be coming back

I wanted to write a stellar review for this place but unfortunately my experience was just ok. We came on a Sunday and this was already the first mistake. It was packed and we waited 30-45 minutes to get our order. It was tricky to find seating and people were getting antsy about the seating. I get it though, everyone wants to try this spot so I was trying to be patient. The mint latte came out and it was okay, but nothing special or memorable. I was shocked at how pricey the dubai chocolate was, but it was a must try! However, it was not flavorful and wouldn't get it again. I also tried one of their traditional savory pastries and this also was just okay. I think the only thing I would return for is to try some of their sweet pastries, but that's it. I might return when the hype dies down and give it another try!

During my brief stay in Chicago I wanted to support a locally owned coffee shop and this cafe was exactly what I was looking for. I came just in time to experience Oud Coffee which opened up a few weeks prior to my visit. The ambiance is elegant and tasteful and makes you feel like you're in the Levant, with a menu that boasts lots of Middle Eastern delicacies and the traditional Oud instrument all over the walls. I ordered a cortado and it was so good it deserves a flight back on its own. Better to come in the morning when the wait is short- when I came during the lunch hour (on my second visit) the line was to the door.

Tried the pistachio latte and it was so yummy and a nice place if you're around. I tried the Dubai chocolate which was $12.50 (pricey) but wanted to see what the hype was about. I also bought the pistachio cookie which is half the price and also has some of the knafeh filling and is SOOO good. IMO the bar is not worth it and the cookie is a good way to try it for cheaper. All in all this place was so cute and everything we had was delicious.

Tried a bunch of things here Spanish Latte has kinda sweet flavor but lovely coffee. Oud Latte is beautiful!! Quite a different kick to it because of the mint. Spinach pastry- it was flaky and delicious! The service was excellent , they were kind and friendly and helpful! Ambiance is also lovely here, the vibe is quite good. Overall- must try if you're in Chicago

Really amazing food. We had the manakeesh, knafeh roll, stuffed dates (pecan caramel), Turkish style coffee, and an iced latte. It was packed when we were there (for good reason)! Food was great, coffee was lovely!

I've gone to Oud a few times and always been impressed with their desserts. However, the prices are absolutely insane for the size of the items. I went tonight and purchased one slice of cheesecake and the total was $14. I was shocked but figured they gave me a bigger slice. When I arrived home, I could not believe how small the piece was. Great bakery but absolutely absurd prices for what you get. I won't be returning.

Amazing experience with the deserts and coffee. Support Muslim Arab owned establishments

I was so excited to visit this café and I'm really happy I did. I got the Oud latte and it was a very unique and delicious flavor of pistachio and cardamom. I also came here to try the famous Dubai chocolate bar with a friend and it did not disappoint and if they have any available, I would recommend to try it because it is a decadent delicious chocolateybar with a uniquely crunchy kanafeh filling. I also got the breakfast sandwich on focaccia and it was delicious and I love the cheese they use. We sat on the patio, which was really nice, but there is plenty of seating inside when it's not busy. I'd recommend coming during the week because it was packed with a line out the door as is to be expected on a Saturday morning. The staff are all really nice and helpful. If you want good quality, coffee and unique pastries this is a great spot. It's also worth noting that they have other menu items for if you want an actual meal like other sandwiches and salads and this would be a great spot for lunch as well.

I've been here twice and loved both experiences! The staff is always so friendly and the quality of the coffee is delicious. I've tried the pistachio latte, cappuccino and a chocolate hazelnut nut. The date was delicious and the cappuccino was perfectly creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. The pistachio latte was not my favorite. It did not taste like pistachio and was way too sweet for my taste. I wouldn't reorder this but if you prefer sweet coffees, you may enjoy it. The location is close to where I live so I love the convenience and supporting a smaller business

Great coffee very unique and a great place to work also recommend anything pistachio!!!

The internet made me come in and get the Dubai chocolate. It did not disappoint by any means. Went on a Saturday afternoon and did take about 20min to get in and place my order. Great ambience and not much interaction other than placing the order. Ordered a mojito and the chocolate. Both great just not sure that the price justified just two items.

Such a cute vibe in here! Definitely somewhere where you can get some work done or catch up with friends. I got the caramel milk cake and it was divine. The kunafeh was okay. Since it was later in the day and I didn't want anything caffeinated, I also ended up getting a raspberry mojito and it was actually super refreshing. I highly recommend it !! I will say that if you're coming in for the viral Dubai chocolate, they do run out towards the end of the day - plan to come in around noonish

Amazing! The new fresh mint in coffee is soooo refreshing and I'm sure many will soon copy. Cute little spot if you're in the city def stop by for an iced Oud latte it's a must try!

Rude staff, average coffee, and insane prices. They don't even put prices on their pastries, sleezy tactics

Extremely disappointing due to their scam tactics and very mediocre products. They don't advertise the price for the Dubai chocolate and when you go to check out you find out it is $17 with tax for a very small piece of chocolate bar...it's shocking and disappointing how they are exploiting people off the social media hype. The Dubai chocolate should be priced at $3, not $17. Also the coffee was not good. Purely hype driven place that should consider improving if they want to build something thats lasts. I hope they come to their senses and deliver a better product for a fair price in the future.

Great spot. Super friendly service. Really nice vibe and great clientele. Highly recommend.

The coffee is so amazing and the Dubai chocolate never misses! The price of it is a little steep but it's definitely worth a try! The service is excellent despite how busy they are and the ambiance is the piece de resistance.

Such good coffee and pastries, nice vibe inside, and very cool staff Highly recommend Oud!

went here last Sunday and the line was to the door the whole time we were there! we got the oud iced latte and chai and they were both so good. I've never had oud in a drink before but it was amazing. The service was great and it was a nice place to work.

Amazing cafe with delicious food and exceptional service! The owners are incredibly kind. I ordered delivery, and everything was spot-on. When I called to request extra syrup, they happily included a large amount. Truly 10/10 for both the food and the service!

Good food. But: Everything is served in takeout containers, with such flimsy plastic silverware that it was hard work to cut the avocado toast. "Heated" pastries came out slightly warm on one top and cold on the bottom.

Great atmosphere. Friendly service. Delicious coffee and desserts. Always great to support the Palestinian community at a time such as this

Really great food and drinks, I LOVEDDD the Mint Lemonade, seriously so refreshing and delicious, it's a must try. They're also one of the only places in Chicago that have tamarind drinks, which is such an underrated and hard-to-find flavor in the city, which really shows the diversity of the menu options to be honest. The ambiance was great and staff was super friendly, definitely planning on going back with some friends soon. Also the Kunafa (the viral Dubai chocolate) was SOOO GOOD. the filling was so perfectly crunchy and delicious, I ended up buying two so I could take one home lol.

The Dubai chocolate bar was amazing. A bit pricey, but definitely worth trying. The pumpkin spice muffin was moist, pumpkin spice on point. The environment was interesting, very businesslike, remote workers.

OMG!!! Easily the best breakfast wrap I've ever had. It's a bit pricey but once you bite into it you'll know where the money went! I'm definitely stopping in when I'm in Chicago

The Focaccia breakfast sandwich is not it. The focaccia didn't taste or feel like a focaccia. It was a bun with tomato on it, it didn't have air holes and wasn't as crumby or salty as a focaccia should be. Second, the avocado spread overpowered the sandwich and made the "focaccia" bun soggy. The sandwich felt slapped together and not carefully thought out. The aioli and avocado spread do not go together at all. This place has a great ambiance and potential. However, there appears to only be enough room behind the counter for someone to take orders, and another person to make drinks. It seems like if there were another person making drinks, they would step on each other since the area is small. The service was too slow for a weekend. The line was out the door and there was only one or two people making coffees. The two main reasons for 3/5 stars is service speed, and food rating. I've had an oud latte and a caramel latte. Both 4/5 stars. The lattes are better than the food. The croissant was also good, and not too buttery. Can't comment on other pastries.

Great staff, but the latte, their speciality one named after their store front, was terribly mid