Dark Matter Coffee - The Mothership image

Dark Matter Coffee - The Mothership

Cafe Coffee shop

Offbeat coffee bar & roasting facility offering tours & artisanal brews in a mural-covered space. People often mention coffee, Matter, cold, Dark, time, Chicago, beans, great, taste, good,


Address

738 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

Website

www.darkmattercoffee.com

Contact

(773) 697-8472

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Monday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Tuesday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Friday: 6 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday: 6 AM to 6 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: coffee (74) Matter (15) cold (14) Dark (14) time (13) Chicago (12) beans (12) great (11) taste (11) good (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Annabelle V. 10 months ago on Google • 424 reviews
    Cortado was excellent. Definitely one of the best that I have had. Barrel aged mocha was excellent. Unique flavor and subtle warmth. It reminded me of the warmth you experience after a whiskey 🥃 👽 The Mothership was such a cool experience. ☕️ Great coffee. Great atmosphere. Great service. Located outside of Downtown Chicago, it was a little drive out of the city 🏙️ but absolutely 💯 worth it. If visiting Chicago and you know coffee, I would make a point to stop by! Unicorn 🦄 blood 🩸 espresso blend beans are definitely recommended to take home! They roast their own beans so… 🤩 of course it’s taking some souvenirs home!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ads 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely phenomenal! I first had the pleasure of witnessing this awesome creation at a J&L Liquor Lab cold brew coffee tasting kit. Wow, this cold brew is hands down the most awesome coffee I ever had, period. I tried both the Dark Matter Blanco Jaguar and the Dark Matter Vanilla Suburbs, both had well bodied South American knockout flavors and aromas with a perfect bold and strong bittersweet punch to the tastebuds. I love the quirky and out the box ethics and vibe from this company which sets it light-years ahead of the market and a pioneer at coffee innovation, the custom and south american inspired can designs are dope I dig!! I would 100% recommend without hesitation and can confirm their products are fantastic and addictive! Support local businesses!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hanna Romero M. 2 years ago on Google
    Extra points for sustainable practices Interestingly decorated coffeeshop with friendly baristas. That's really great of guys to be able to pour drinks in to-go mugs. But the smallest size they serve is 16 oz, so if your cup is less than that, you will be charged for 16 oz nonetheless (like in our case, we've had two 12 oz cups). Unfortunately, to my great dismay, I didn't like the coffee. It was too acidic for my taste, and my husband found it quite strong. But it's definitely not a reason to give fewer stars as everyone's taste buds are different, and the service was impeccable.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 S S. 2 months ago on Google • 486 reviews New
    I loved the Mayan Mocha: Espresso, steamed milk, chocolate, cinnamon, cayenne, agave. The "Mothership" is delightfully weird, but I didn't feel like an alien even my first time there because the staff offered to explain everything, from the menu choices to the taste of different milk options. This place is takeout since there are no seats, but big enough to hang and sip your brew on a cold day.

  • 5/5 Christine L. 2 years ago on Google
    Experience was extremely useful to my night. The vibe was steller. The staff had plenty of answers in regards to where products they carried came from or whom inspired them.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meagan M. 10 months ago on Google
    Dark Matter is known for their impressive specialty coffee concoctions. After multiple people told us we needed to visit while in Chicago, we went to their location known as The Mothership on N Western Ave. They’re known for their Draft Iced Coffee list, which are coffees at triple strength brewed hot then flash cooled. The Chocolate City Draft Iced Coffee was very smooth and an easy drinker for a regular warm day, one of their Draft Iced Coffees had beer hops that reminds me of an IPA-meets-Stout, and the Vanilla Suburbs Nitro is infused with cacao nibs and vanilla beans without any added sugar. As I was very indecisive and it was my first time there, the barista Rosemary was so kind and let me do small samples of these three Draft Iced Coffees, which was a great experience and honestly I think they should start selling coffee flights because their offerings are so unique and great for side-by-side comparisons. From their specialty drink menu, I went with the Iced Cafe Miel, which looked a lot like the iced caramel macchiatos you see at Starbucks because the honey drizzle around the sides looks like caramel. The Latin America espresso blend that they used for the Cafe Miel is called Unicorn Blood, and it went really nicely with the honey and oat milk in the drink. I loved learning that the honey used is sourced from the same farm in Guatemala as the coffee! They also make their own high-quality chocolate bars that are absolutely delicious, and there are three different designs/chocolates that you can choose from at the front counter. Chris went with the Barrel-Aged Mocha, which included barrel-aged espresso, vanilla syrup, chocolate, and milk. He said he couldn’t really taste the barrel-aged aspect but that it was a nice beverage. We also ordered the draft oat milk latte, which I would recommend for anyone who doesn’t want their coffee to taste too strong, as it was mainly the flavor of oat milk.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pat L. 2 years ago on Google
    The espresso was great. It was smooth and sweet and decently priced ($3.50). They had plenty to offer like mugs, coffee beans, and clothing just to name a few of the many things offered. Would love to make a trip back here and try their other offerings!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rae H. 2 years ago on Google
    The folks that work here are so incredible! My foster dog and I were having a really rough day and they went above and beyond to turn that around. And of course, the coffee is great! Will definitely be back next time I’m in the area. Elna’s not allowed to have coffee or give Google reviews but she would rate this place six stars if she could!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa K. 9 months ago on Google • 98 reviews
    West Town has long been one of fave bakeries in Chicago so I don’t know how I missed that Dark Matter is from the same company. I would have been here a lot sooner! The interior of Dar Matter is fun and eclectic. We got two drinks - both delish, a bag of coffee beans, and I got 4 cold cans of “vanilla Suburbs.” Description from website: “Far from the apocalyptic funk of Chocolate City exists the Vanilla Suburbs. Lavish and decadent conduction of coffee, vanilla, and cocoa. This brew will delight with explosive vanilla and cocoa flavors.” I kid you not, Vanilla Suburbs might be the best cold coffee I’ve ever had. I poured it over ice, added a bit of cream, and my mind was blown. I’m already planning my next trip to Chicago specifically to go back to Dark Matter.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adriana S. 1 month ago on Google • 179 reviews New
    Such a neat coffee shop! Their coffee was delicious and the interior of the cafe is so cool. I would love to check out their other locations! Also, I have found their coffee beans at the World Market in my state.

  • 5/5 Steven R. 6 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    The spot! One of my top two for coffee in the city. The sidewalk seating is great, especially on an overcast late summer day. A light array of pastries and breakfast foods though I'd say get there early if you want the full selection. Free street parking.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Julia M. 6 months ago on Google
    I absolutely LOVE Dark Matter Coffee! They have really good coffee selection and good breakfast options, but be careful cause the food is EXTREMELY WARM, so don’t burn yourself while taking your first bite 😂
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Scott S. 4 months ago on Google
    Dark Matter are my favorite roasters - not just in this city, but anywhere. The key thing here, and what a lot of roasters struggle with, is CONSISTENCY. While some blends are not to my personal taste, the ones that are (and there's a lot of them) simply knock it out of the park every single time. Unpretentious and fun, the staff are always very cool here. You come in to buy a bag, and you also get a free hot or cold coffee. That's service and paying attention to the customer experience. Stop by and give them a try.. Places like this absolutely need our support in this town!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nick Q. 2 years ago on Google
    Although I made every possible misstep in my experience at dark matter coffee by ordering random things off the menu that I had no knowledge of, I still found my experience pleasant and the atmosphere great. The staff were extremely friendly, even going so far as to compliment me which is more than I can say even for the person I was going to dark matter with. I would highly recommend, but maybe bring up the menu in line before you order.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Iman E. 2 years ago on Google
    I got the vanilla suburbs nitro and it's soo good - probably the best nitro I've had! They have their milks out for you to put your own (including oat milk). Outdoor seating during COVID but none indoors. The baristas were also super nice and the ambiance was cool :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jake G. 2 months ago on Google • 145 reviews New
    Wow. Not sure if there is a better cup of coffee in Chicago! Their drip coffee, no room, nothing added is so smooth and has just the kick you need on a cold Chicago morning. Definitely recommend stopping here if you get the chance!

  • 5/5 Lisa V. 1 month ago on Google • 78 reviews New
    Whenever I’m back in Chicago I like to start my mornings with the coffee here. This shop has a good vibe and some of the strongest, well balanced espresso drinks around. The employees have all been very friendly and helpful as I usually have my dog and have to wait outside. Only suggestion is to build a rack to park dogs closer to the store and away from the street. Look forward to coming next time I’m in Chicago ☕️

  • 4/5 Brian B. 4 months ago on Google • 69 reviews
    No seating. Grab and go only. It would be nice if they said this on their website.

  • 5/5 Joshua M. 4 months ago on Google
    The vibes the minute you walk in here peak your excitement. The place is decked out in themed colors and graphics that heighten the experience even further. The espresso? by far the highest quality I have ever had. They take good proper care into pulling their pours correctly, and the gentlemen that made my cortado made a beautiful graphic with his pour on top. We got some of the cold brew cans to go and they were delicious. The chocolate is also a must-get.

  • 5/5 jas s. 4 months ago on Google
    If you don’t like dark roast coffee, you’re probably not gonna love this spot but if you do like dark roast coffee, then you can definitely get a good cup here. I feel like the location is super convenient. I’ve had no problems with customer service and they work pretty quickly with getting you your beverage so you can get out the door. It’s right around the corner from my spot and I visit it frequently. Love it here.

  • 5/5 Michael A. 3 months ago on Google New
    I love coffee. The good folks at the Mothership love coffee. This is a good match between the two of us. Their love of coffee, combined with the thoughtful care they put in to crafting each bag of beans, each cup of coffee served, and even their delightful packages, results in an incredibly enjoyable experience. I make the time to stop by on every visit to Chicago, and recently a friend brought a pound of coffee to me when she visited. If you love coffee you must visit. If you like coffee you must visit and you will leave loving coffee. They are the best. Period. Full stop.

  • 2/5 Nat D. 5 months ago on Google
    The coffee is decent- but I really can’t figure out why they serve cold food. If it’s coming from a ‘hot’ area I would assume it be hot. If it’s not hot I’d recommend asking the customer if they’d like it heated up.

  • 5/5 Miki D. 5 months ago on Google
    This review is not only because dark matter coffee flows through my husband’s veins, it’s also because DM has been a supporter of our local school for the last few years, particularly during fall festival. What’s a sack race without coffee bags? Also, interesting that Google thinks this location is a hotel.

  • 5/5 Michael N. 9 months ago on Google
    Happy afternoon pickup. The Mothership moves quickly. DM promo ride home. I am a little sad I wasn't offered a cold brew. My niece will love her hoodie.

  • 5/5 Randy J. 8 months ago on Google
    Probably some of the best coffee in the city. Would highly recommend trying the horchata latte. Tried their canned coffees as well & they’re fantastic. Picture- an iced cold brew (can’t remember the type) with a shot of the horchata latte.

  • 4/5 Bernard W. 7 months ago on Google
    We found this place online. It took us 35 minutes to get there, but in the end, it was well worth it. The coffee was fresh and delicious. We had the mocha latte and expresso. Will definitely stop by again next time when we're in town.

  • 5/5 Carrie A. 1 year ago on Google
    If you haven't tried Dark Matter coffee, you haven't lived. Best coffee in Chicago. The lattes are worth the wait, and the eagerness I experience each time is never disappointed when my lips meet the first sip. I always manage to buy some type of pastry or breakfast bite and they're always great too.

  • 4/5 Thien N. 2 years ago on Google
    Good coffee. Fresh beans. Twisted and chill vibe. Cons: 4-star rating because due to lack of seating area (grab-and-go). Espresso has initial kicks but light after taste. I wish it had a little more body to the shot.

  • 5/5 Anna K. 2 years ago on Google
    I was just taking a casual morning walk and decided to look for coffee shops around the area in which I was walking. When I realized that this shop was near me, I was excited because I have wanted to visit for quite some time. I stopped in around 7:45 and there were only two people in front of me. I picked up a bag of coffee so that I can take it home, and I was going to order counter. However, to my surprise, I was told that if I buy that coffee I got a free large hot or cold coffee anyway. So I got my large iced coffee for free and now have a bag of new local ground coffee to try at home. Definitely recommend this well-known local brand.

  • 5/5 Martin K. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun atmosphere. AMAZING coffee. With dairy free options for everything too. Reasonable prices. Definitely a place you should visit if you're a coffee lover. I wish they had more locations. However, no seating inside. You can get a great cup of coffee or buy a bag of beans. They always have new and different roasts to try and are more than helpful when you are trying to make a selection. The baristas there were very helpful and would always make the absolute BEST cappuccino!

  • 5/5 Lauren D. 2 years ago on Google
    Dark Matter has been on my coffee shop bucketlist for a while now, and this place did not disappoint! I asked for recommendations and they were so kind to let us try a sample of their iced coffee and nitro blends! I ended up getting a nitro there and it definitely tops any nitro I’ve had so far! Coffee is also pretty affordable as well. There’s no seating at this location but I will one day try to visit their sit-down locations when I return to the city.

  • 5/5 Samantha B. 2 years ago on Google
    We love Dark Matter coffee - they have a constantly changing inventory of roasts. The staff is always very friendly and willing to recommend roasts we’ll like. We drive out of our way to The Mothership to get the freshest beans possible!

  • 4/5 Faisal R. 2 years ago on Google
    Liked the theme of the the place which was really uplifting. Grabbed the Chocolate city Ice coffee of theirs. Definitely unique to my taste buds. Thanks for the nice coffee Dark Matter.

  • 4/5 Lizette S. 2 years ago on Google
    I will say that it is a pretty standard coffee shop and the drinks are reasonably priced. The atmosphere is a bit loud for me in the morning but it's a short walk from my apartment so I don't mind grabbing a drink here, it's not really a place I would go out of my way for. The people that work here are nice

  • 5/5 shelby t. 2 years ago on Google
    Great experience. They do not sell alcoholic coffee here.

  • 4/5 Jay A. 2 years ago on Google
    Finally checked out this popular coffeeshop I've heard so much about and it didn't disappoint! I only had a brief visit but I liked the atmosphere of the building and had good service while I was there. I had the cold brew coffee due to the fire falling from the skies outside and I enjoyed the drink quite a lot, it was refreshing and delicious. I'll definitely be back to try more items on their menu.

  • 5/5 Carol C. 2 years ago on Google
    Best coffee roaster in Chicago! This location is perfect for a grab and go coffee.

  • 5/5 Natalia 1 year ago on Google
    My boyfriend and I are huge DM fans so we booked a private tour here. It somehow ended up being way better than we expected! Fabian is clearly extremely knowledgeable and passionate about coffee and about Dark Matter. He walked us through all the process, answered all our questions and finished with a really cool coffee tasting. Everyone at the shop was also really nice. Needless to say, all coffees here are delicious, and the pastries are a great bonus! Can’t wait to get more involved with their events throughout the year.

  • 4/5 Victoria G. 1 year ago on Google
    Brief visit but had a cool atmosphere and nice variety of coffee. You get a free drip coffee if you buy a bag of beans!

  • 4/5 _aliased 1 year ago on Google
    Could use an update on service. First time visiting, I didn't know how to order since there's no overhead menu. The barista was pretty blunt when assisting by pointing out a laminated handout menu. However, the coffee was pretty good. Finished a 16oz iced latte in about 5 minutes. Couldn't even taste the milk. Will probably try the location around the corner next time...

  • 5/5 César C. 1 year ago on Google
    I made the trip to this coffee shop last time and did not disappoint. The staff was really helpful. I even got a bag of coffee beans which smells amazing, I cannot wait to taste it.

  • 5/5 alex c. 1 year ago on Google
    Great strong coffee, staff is incredible and nice, best service. Please always play upbeat music! Hearing house music first thing in the morning specifically is always a treat and elevated my mood! Check out Joe Smooth- Promised Land. That was the track i heard as i left

  • 5/5 Dru S. 1 year ago on Google
    Dark Matter is killer coffee. What is even better is their cold brew options which are fun and feel experimental, in the good way. They let me taste a couple before committing. Staff are super friendly and dedicated to customer service. I just can't do it too late in the day. :)

  • 5/5 Dannee 2 years ago on Google
    If you're looking for vibes, this is the spot. A bit of a darker bitter roast but I think that's still tasty. I tried the black magic iced and it was fantastic. If the weather was better I would have loved to kill some time in their outside seating.

  • 4/5 Creston H. 1 year ago on Google
    Dark Matter has such a unique vibe and I can't get enough of it. They had several unique coffees on hand and I'm really excited to continue to try their barrel aged coffees, as well as their super funky carbonic maceration / honey washed blend that I picked up. 10/10 my dudes.

  • 5/5 Nathanael C. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved the punk coffee house vibe they have going on here. Came here for a coffee but left with much more. 10/10 will definitely go again


Call (773) 697-8472 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✗ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery

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