Ridman's Coffee

Cozy corner coffee shop serving dark matter and locally baked pastries. There's a few specialty drinks, a spot with some merchandise by local artists and even a few shelves with puzzles if that's something you'd want to do while relaxing with your coffee. Solid place overall, bonus for being so cozy. If you're looking for a place to relax with your morning coffee, this is it.

I came to Ridman's to get some work done and launch my business and it was the perfect setting. Quiet with great light through floor to ceiling so windows on 2 of the 4 walls. I ordered a drip coffee and it was delightful. They also have gluten free and vegan options of baked goods.

My family and I go to Ridman’s almost every week. They use Dark Matter Coffee which is so delicious! I also love that they have dePhloured baked goods. I’m not even gluten free and I love those treats. They also have apple sauce pouches which is a favorite of my baby’s!

Great little independent coffee shop. Warm and friendly service. Plenty of room to sit down and read a book and have a really tasty cup of coffee. Glad I found this little place. Worth a visit for sure.

Excellent coffee, great environment, and friendly service sum up this place. Every time I come here it's a great experience. There is plenty of seating, great lighting due to the large windows and corner location, and the employees are very friendly and helpful.

Quiet coffee shop with an adorable interior and great coffee. I worked here the other day for a few hours and the wifi is strong (just ask for the password). The place was quiet and the vibes were good, what else more could you ask for.

A really cute place to get coffee. I love the interior and the plants. The aesthetic is minimalist which I’m all for! As far as the coffee, it was delicious!! I got the Sippy cup latte and it was perfectly blended flavors. What takes this coffee shop over the edge is that their bathroom provides diapers and wipes for babies, not just a changing station. How sweet and considerate of them.

This is a cool coffee shop! I like the vibe. Very unique old school blends of coffee. I had the granola cup latte. It was oat milk with expresso. It was a very smooth expresso. I could taste the granola in the drink. Very creative. I liked it!

under new ownership and still a great place to go friendly staff that remembers your order, a coffee that will wake you up, and a space hood for work or socializing

Lovely coffee shop! I came by this afternoon for a pick-me-up and to get some work done. When I arrived, there was only one other person inside, so it was nice and quiet. The staff member working was so friendly. He told me his favorite along with customer favorites, and I decided on the granola latte, iced. There is no granola in the latte, just hints of cinnamon, almond, and other nutty flavors that compliment the coffee well. I really liked it! Ridman's carries Dark Matter coffee, so I knew the quality would be great. I also tried a blueberry muffin --- super yummy! The cafe is cozy and plays nice music. I love how all the windows make it bright too! I will definitely be back to enjoy the coffee and atmosphere. It's worth noting that they close at 3pm, so best to go in the morning or early afternoon if you plan on staying for a few hours.

Local coffee shop brewing Dark Matter Coffee. Can't go wrong with any of the lattes here but the granola cup latte is my favorite. I appreciate the gluten-free pastry/dessert options as well. The staff is super friendly and helpful. It's generally pretty quiet here which is a breath of fresh air in comparison to other places in the area. Cool decor and large windows let in lots of light. Black and Women-Owned and very LGBT+ friendly. Wheelchair accessible including the (gender-neutral) restrooms! Easily my favorite coffee shop in Uptown!

Quiet coffee shop with an adorable interior and great coffee. I worked here the other day for a few hours and the wifi is strong (just ask for the password). The place was quiet and the vibes were good, what else more could you ask for.

Dark matter coffee, great vibe, free wifi, corner location with lots of big windows for an afternoon chill. I love that they offer here or to-go mugs and prices too.

This is a great coffee shop! It's the corner of Clark and Lawrence in Andersonville. Definitely has a vibe to it. Music plays while the decor keeps you busy exploring. It's a local low key place. I love that they kept the original floors, and that gives the place a sense of belonging, reminiscing of what once was and admiring the brutal beauty of its flaws. The staff is amazingly friendly and kind. They have a small selection of baked goods and the coffee is phenomenal! Probably too 10 I've tried in the city. I drink an almond latte, no flavoring, no additional add ins, just good old coffee. It's the simplicity that I love. The taste is truly amazing, but for a good latte, you gotta have good coffee to start with and these folks got it! The restroom is gender neutral with a baby changer (which you don't see in many coffee shops) with supplies available. Sitting matches the vibe, large sofa, chair and additional tables and sitting to enjoy the pedestrians and busy interception. Quiet place to bring your laptop, headphones and chip away at the workday. Overall, it's a good place to stop by and fuel.

First time visiting this coffee shop. They have great coffee, nice area to study or get some work done. And staff is friend and helpful! Will be back, for sure

The place was kind of dirty as was the bathroom. I took one sip of the coffee and almost spit it out. it tasted like it had been heating up for hours, burnt and beyond terrible. I immediately threw it in the trash, and walked out.

Better place for coffee than at the chains. It's always my preference choosing locally owned places. Ridman's is one of these. Has a pretty good location on Clark at Lawrence, so easy to get to by a bus. The coffee is the main thing, plus there's some gluten free and non dairy treats to snack on while doing some reading or something. A pretty cool little interior but usually has enough room in the morning. It wasn't even that busy in the morning the last time. This is kind of far away from a lot of things so that's probably why. A few blocks south of the stuff in Andersonville. It's about $3 for a small coffee, such as the Cappuccino. Add a bit more for non dairy milk and that's still not bad. There's also a small selection of Defloured pastries. All are about $4 each and are gluten free. There's some that's non dairy, but be careful because there may still be eggs though. Has a pretty quiet atmosphere. It's not as busy as many other places. This makes it pretty good for working.

Great coffee shop, and luckily it's one of the closest ones to me at about half mile away. I was half asleep this morning and decided to stop and get something to maybe wake me up. I don't like coffee though so I got my old standby, a chai latte. It was quite good, and not cloyingly sweet like some can be (thinking of a place that starts and ends with an S here). Staff were really friendly. I ordered and then a second person came up to finish out my order whilst the first made my drink, and something about them seemed super familiar. The voice, mostly, though the face above the mask was also recognizable. My suspicions were confirmed; Katy and I work at the same place (not the coffee shop) and have been in the same trainings/town halls/etc. with (but never formally met), and I thought that is who it was. They own Ridman's with their partner so when they're not at their day job, they're here. They had some delicious looking pastries that were pretty tempting. I'm pretty sure that once upon a time at least they were a wholesale partner of Hewn, so if they are Hewn pastries I know that they're delicious. They also sell coffee and some other merch. This is a corner coffee shop so it's not a cavernous space, but it's large with plenty of tables, outlets, and gender-neutral washroom. Will almost surely be back when I have a hankering for something warming, as they're one of the closest coffee shops to my home. Based upon other reviews they have a coconut-maple syrup-coffee drink that I know my partner will want to try so it may be sooner rather than later I find myself here again.

Solid place. High technical coffee aptitude in a chill setting. Got annoat mocha today. Appears to use a house made sauce and was not sweet - absolutely perfect.

It's a nice place but has very limited seating. The coffee was decent and when I did find a seat I found that I got cold pretty quickly. I would say that it's a great place to get a coffee to-go but not somewhere to go to get work done.

I ordered a white peony tea from here. It had a herbal taste. I probably should have requested for honey to be added just to give it more flavor if that is an option. I also had the lemon ginger scone to go along with it. It was the perfect side to have along with the tea. The scone had a nice crisp on top with a thin line of glaze which contained most of the flavor. I tasted hints of lemon and ginger and noticed it had actual bits of ginger. I liked the interior of the coffee shop. Seemed like a nice place to meet a friend or get some work done. I'd like to come here again to try more of the menu options, especially the coffee.

Comfy, clean space. Friendly staff. They will modify without complaints. Only change I would make--open later. I am not a morning person.

I enjoyed the atmosphere and mood inside. I ordered an iced vanilla latte and while it wasn't one of the favorite lattes I've had, it was decent. If you're near this place and need some coffee, check it out!

dirty chai 10/10 disgusting rancid little dirty chai it was fantastic east coast vibes??? the tables are perfectly spaced apart i couldn't focus but that's on my adhd and lack of headphones in the moment scrumptious

On my days off I go to other coffee shops in the city. Ridman's is my favorite in Uptown. My and the boyfriend went here this morning. We both had iced oat milk lattes (24 oz) and 2 pastries. The barista was friendly and knowledgeable. The shop has a cool vibe which we both like. The menu is perfect and easy to read. Enough options for everyone. From coffee to teas to lattes. And the pastries are from Flour. Check it out when you are in Uptown for a caffeine fix.

Really cute spot for coffee or a quick bite. The baristas are always super friendly. Really cute spot for coffee or a quick bite. The baristas are always super friendly.

Fantastic corner coffee shop - super friendly operators who seem to lots of regulars. Spacious, music not too loud, lots of natural light. Great coffee and pastry selection.

Has one of the best iced chais I've ever tasted. Owners are delightful and staff is friendly.

My first time going to Ridman's today. I decided to support a local small business instead of getting my usual order at Starbucks. Ridman's is cheaper than Starbucks including the tip. There was one barista working he was was affable. The barista gave me water for my pup, which was awesome. The iced coffee tasted pleasant , not too strong, gave me a burst of energy through out the day. I just have one complaint, my fiancé didn't like the hot chocolate he said it was too watery.

Great if you like Dark Matter coffee. Prices are reasonable, and our barista was friendly and patient. And he made both our drinks (traditional macchiato and iced latte) extremely well! We went on a Monday afternoon, and it was relatively sparse, people-wise. It's a neat space, but any noise tends to echo. I had a difficult time hearing my partner sometimes as a result. I definitely think this is somewhere I'd prefer to order to-go than hang out in.

The absolute worst iced coffee I have ever had. Tastes like it was made a week ago and left on the pot to burn and then dumped on ice. I asked the guy at the counter when I bought it, "Is this cold brew?" And he said, "It's cold-kegged." And I asked, "What does that mean?" And he just stared at me. Undrinkable. Avoid.

Ridman's is such a cute little coffee shop. I have walked past Ridman's on so many occasions but my fiance and I finally stopped by Ridman's on a extremely humid day a few weekends ago. We were looking for a break from the heat and I'm so happy we happened to stop by on that day. Once we walked into the coffee shop the staff welcomed us into the shop and they were ready to serve us. The gentleman behind the counter was so knowledgeable of the different blends of coffee. I am typically used to getting a french vanilla creamer but since they do not have french vanilla creamer the gentleman was able to help me pick out a syrup that was probably even better than any french vanilla flavoring that I have ever had. The cost of the coffee is very reasonably priced. Ridman's is spacious and very clean on the inside. The one downside of Ridman's is that it seems that they setup the inside to mainly accommodate to-go orders. There is a lot of space to host a lot of people standing inside but they only have a limited amount of tables. The tables that are present can mainly accommodate parties of no more than two. Ridman's has a great vibe that would be perfect for working but you really have to get their early to get a table because they have limited tables and even more limited outlets. I am looking forward to my next visit to Ridman's. I really want to get to the coffee shop early so I can score a table with an outlet because I love the vibe so much!

I want to find some coffee this morning but i bring my puppy with me, i carry him and just want to order take out coffee and they said no to me if he is not service animal. I know that they doesn't allow dog but at least i carry him they should told me that i can order online and pick up or do somethings else instead of not allow me to order a drink.

Nice addition to the area. Space is bright and has an open feel. You can probably seat about 30 people in there. Several outlets throughout the place, which is great for plugging in lap tops and phones if you are going to be working there a while. There is wifi, but it requires a password. I didn't ask about it, but assume you can get it since it was labeled guest. Prices seem reasonable...I got a 24 oz iced mocha latte for $5ish and it was good. They also sell Dark Matter coffee, Ridman coffee cups and t-shirts. Staff was very personable and pleasant. Not sure if the music was through a paid subscription program or someone's personal music player, but I loved the playlist: Andy Williams (Moon River), Summertime (Ella and Louis A), Unforgettable (Nat King Cole), some Elvis stuff (I can personally pass on it), Sam Cooke (Wonderful Word) and others. Gender neutral bathroom with an added bonus of a changing table with supplies for changing a kid (wipes, disposable diapers, etc). I don't have one at that age, but imagine that it must be nice to be able to step out for a bit and not have to drag that crap with you when little Johnny or Susie goes to the bathroom. Here's hoping that they do well as I like the thought of a place literally on the same block as me that is not a corporate chain.

Roasted: checked this coffee shop out today and it didn't disappoint. They were well set up for covid only allowing one party in at a time and promoting social distancing. They were very friendly there when we asked about the menu and the name. Usual menu selection but didn't have much in the offering of flavors. They only had vanilla and maple for choices. Latte was really good - it came with latte art, milk was perfect temp and the espresso was smooth. Very good latte. They use dark matter coffee and that was probably they only thing I didn't like about this place. I definitely recommend this place. Unroasted: new spot I had noticed a few months ago and finally got the chance to stop in. Super friendly staff which is always a huge plus. No sugar free flavors but plenty of regular flavors. Ordered my usual vanilla latte and which was really good. I noticed they use dark matter which to be honest I am not a fan but I enjoyed nonetheless. Temperature was a little hot but still drinkable. This place has really good potential in my book.

Dark Matter fanatics, rejoice! Add this to the lineup of coffee shops in the north side that serve that good good. Ridman's is situated in the corner of Clark & Lawrence, where a CTA bus conveniently picks up or drops off passengers. It's super clean, airy and blessed with tons of natural light. Great place to do work. My Puddin Cup latte garnished with a Nilla wafer was yummy and adorable :)

I've past this place a million times, but finally patronized today. I love locally-owned cafes, so it pains me to leave this review. I ordered an ice coffee but soon noticed white specks after I added half and half. Unfortunately, the iced coffee was weak and tasted quite bad. I spoke with the barista, mentioning that I thought the cream they have had gone bad. He reported that they use "non-homoginized cream" where "the fat separates from the milk." Well, that's something I'd never heard of before. The barista never checked out the container of cream nor offered me another coffee. So, beware of bad tasting coffee and rather question half and half.

Wonderful spot for fresh delicious coffee with a super friendly staff and big windows on a great street scene! Baked goods nice and bathroom very clean.

Decent prices for a local place. Night atmosphere to sit down for a while. Staff very kind, chatting with customers who must come in often.

had an iced coffee; staff wasn't friendly and the self-serve creamer had chunks in it.

Barista was good and attentive. My cappuccino and my husband's espresso were both very good. Alternative milks included soy, almond, and coconut, sadly, no oat milk. The background music was also ok. It's a large space with plenty of room and multiple seating options. Most noticeably, it was a very quiet place. They also have a small selection of baked goods. Not sure if all items are from Hewn in Evanston but the croissants are and I do love Hewn.

I've been wanting to make it in to Ridman's for a while now, and I'm glad I finally did! The interior decor is beautiful, and all of the glass windows create such a open and illuminated ambiance. I ordered the Pudding Cup Latte and the barista easily made it vegan for me. It was amazing! A wonderful balance between espresso and sweetness. This is a coffee house that I will definitely return to. It wasn't even swamped on a midday Sunday, which was surprising but a nice treat.

You know how some coffee shops look good on here by their pictures but then you get there and it's all totally blah? This is NOT that place. It is legit. Understated, chill environment, EXCELLENT baristas who really know what they are doing, reasonable prices, and delicious bakery items. They are friendly, welcoming, and the drinks and pastries are amazing every time. Please visit, they are a great local place, and a lovely part of the community.

Coffee was good. Lady working the counter was ridiculous. Shouldn't be disrespectful to paying customers

Finally decided to drop in last weekend after driving by the shop a few times. The Dark Matter signage lured me in! I had an iced mocha, which is not usually my go-to drink, but I really like the one at DM, so I thought I'd try it at Ridman's. It was fantastic! The women behind the counter were awesome and knowledgeable abt their coffee. They let me know that they use Vosges chocolate, so you know that's a go! More bitter than sweet, just how I like it. They also sell espresso beans, pastries and I dig the open space. Lots of light, and they also support local businesses as there was a vendor in the shop the day I went. Glad to have them in the neighborhood!

Excellent local coffee shop. Tried the sippy cup (special blend that Ridman's creates) and hot chocolate and both were fantastic. Muffins and croissants were moist and delicious. Note for those with little ones - They have the best changing table of any place that I have ever seen. Diapers, wipes, and changing pads right in the drawer of an actual changing table in the bathroom.

My favorite neighborhood coffee spot! Just a couple blocks from me, and my usual spot for work-from-home Friday - grab a cortado, a sunny table, and get stuff done. Super friendly owners and staff - a real neighborhood gem. Eager waiting to return after Chicago stay-at-home!

Chill vibe. Neighborhood coffee shop. Delicious coffee and special drinks. Bring your computer and hang out by yourself or chill with someone else. Enough spots for a small group or solo.

I don't drink coffee. Yet I'm at Ridman's almost daily. It has a great, relaxed vibe - a place you just want to hang out. And that's a testament to its shopkeep, Sarah. Opening her own coffee shop was and is Sarah's dream. You can tell. She puts every ounce of her soul into this place. And it works. She keeps it simple with a limited menu (iced tea!), oldies music, a great staff (Vicky, Ryan, Nat!) and tons of positivity. She knows all of the neighborhood regulars far more than just their orders. And she makes new customers feel like old friends. Gag? Yeah, but it's true. If you live in the area and haven't stopped in, you're missing out. Special shout-out to Katie, Sarah's adorable partner - Hi Katie! - whose energy makes me smile on my grouchiest days. Jeff

Visit this shop Everytime I'm in Chicago! Love their brew and baked goods! Friendly staff and super cool vibes inside! Happy to call this my favorite local joint when I'm in town!

I tried once. People and staff was friendly. I was in hurry. I can not say I spent enough time spent there to judge properly

In a city and an area infested with Coffee shops, you're going to have to do something right to survive and Ridman's seems to be figuring it out. The staff (at least one of whom I believe might be an owner) are great. Friendly, knowledgeable and seem to know the people who come in and out from my observation. The place is sparsely furnished which at first I didn't understand, but actually have grown to appreciate. It certainly keeps the noise level down and makes it a lot more comfortable compared to shops that try to squeeze seats into any conceivable space they have. Drinks-Top notch latte and really good coffee (dark matter I believe) as well. Treats: The treats have been hot and cold for me so far. The first time I came in I got a blueberry scone and it was delicious, I darn near ordered another to take with me. Today I got a lemon ginger scone and although it was flavorful it was super duper dry and a little hard. Having said all that 3 out of 4 items to perfection aint bad and the customer service clinched the 4th star with ease. Looking forward to coming back again. Oh and super bonus, a changing station in the unisex bathroom. They get it.

This coffee shop has some serious teas. Food wise, they didn't have a lot of choices. It would be great if they could have more pastries. Nice place though.

Reliably delicious coffee, one of the kindest staffs you'll ever interact with, and an ideal location at the junction of Uptown, Ravenswood, and Andersonville. The Sippy Cup (espresso, maple syrup, ginger, coconut milk, and cashew milk) is secretly one of the best espresso drinks in town. A hot one is as perfect for Chicago winters as an iced one is for Chicago summers. Ridman's has seemingly made the COVID-19 transition without a hitch, with easy pick-up ordering via the Joe app, which is also used by Dark Matter and Metropolis cafes. Even with masks on and social distancing in full effect, the warmth of Ridman's is unmistakable.

Great locally owned coffee shop located at Clark and Lawrence. If you are driving street parking is available and sometimes free. The chocolate croissants are amazing but they often sell out so if you want one go early! They do have a variety of pastries from one of my other favorite locally owned businesses, Defloured. The staff is always friendly and it's a great atmosphere to work with free WiFi available to customers.

Yes! If you live up north and are craving the excellent espresso-based drinks from Dark Matter--good news! Ridman's serves their coffee and the wonderful barista makes a picture perfect, creamy and delicious cortado. Props to the friendly staff. I can't wait to return.

Wonderful new coffee shop along Clark street. Bright and airy space, attentive staff and wonderful selection of coffee beverages. A small collection of bakery treats both sweet and savory. Also a few wonderful chocolate bar selections. Prices in line with the current market.