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Dark Matter Coffee (Star Lounge Coffee Bar)

Coffee Shop, Tea Room, and Lounge$$$$

West Town, Chicago

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8.9^/10

367

ratings

Ranked #9 for tea rooms in Chicago
The experts at Eater and Time Out Chicago recommend this place
"Definitely the best coffee and coffee bar in town!"(4 Tips)
"The mayan mocha is amazing for an extra kick :-)"(3 Tips)
"The Agave Latte is amazing, but the Mayan Mocha leaves a kick."(2 Tips)
"Dolor de oro is awesome !"(2 Tips)

96 Tips and reviews

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C ReyJuly 6, 2017
Been here 10+ times
The O-G Dark Matter lounge w/ incredible coffee, brewing gear, and patio. Try a cortado or their infamous Chocolate City iced coffee. Be sure to get a Do-Rite donut or croissant and hang for awhile.
Upvoted Feb 19
JenKuduJune 2, 2015
I opted for a pot of Assam black tea. Delicious and clean. The ginger snap latte is where it's at though. Not too sweet, just like a ginger snap cookie :)
Upvoted 5 days ago
Michael MorganMay 20, 2021
Love this location in particular. The outdoor space is spacious and cozy. The inside and outside of the building is decorated in usual Dark Matter style of art. Even the restroom is cute!
Time Out ChicagoJanuary 20, 2012
"Sidle up to the 'bar' for a taste of Dark Matter coffee, which is roasted in eight-pound batches above the café in unusual flavor profiles that have caught the attention of area restaurants." Read more
Elijah OlsonOctober 5, 2016
Coffee and Espresso is seriously good and totally affordable. There's plenty of room inside and it's open late. I've had trouble with the wifi, but if you aren't dependent upon it, this place is great
It's A Major PlusFebruary 1, 2015
Been here 50+ times
Fantastic coffee concoctions, Dolor de Oro if you feel brave, Gingersnap Trainwreck for attitude. There's a plethora of choices if you're hungry, from Do-Rite donuts to gourmet-ish deli sandwiches.
JenKuduSeptember 21, 2016
Iced coffee is always good. The bagels and donuts are pretty awesome. The croissants are meh and abnormally large.... No one needs to eat that much croissant.
Diana ReyesFebruary 2, 2013
The Mayan Mocha was delicious. I'm not a fan of mixing flavors (sweet & spicy don't go together in my book) but I'm really glad I tried it. Seating is tight, so hopefully you really like other people.
Chris VanisonNovember 16, 2014
Upstairs is super quiet and it's a good place to get some work done with your coffee. Downstairs is pretty loud, but they play good tunes.
ben mApril 24, 2017
Been here 5+ times
It's Dark Matter so you know the coffee is good. Head to backyard on a nice day.
ShariApril 10, 2014
Skip the Chai Tea Latte! Get the Agave Latte and sit at the bar for conversation, upstairs to get work done, or on the patio to enjoy the day :)
Mary FarrellyMay 18, 2015
I love their selections of coffees. Compared to other shops that offer too much, theirs are just right. I guess I'm trying each one in the future.
Carrie goughAugust 12, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Definitely the best coffee and coffee bar in town! I always have so much fun when I stop in. :) the staff always has fantastic recommendations!
Carmen GuzmanApril 8, 2016
Love this place. Not pretentious. Strong coffee and they serve Do Rite donuts and have these supper yummy ham and cheese croissants
Meg McGuaneJanuary 7, 2017
Been here 25+ times
Awesome hipster coffee bar with great coffee. Serving Do-Rite donuts too!
Jace ColeJanuary 8, 2011
Been here 100+ times
Ask one of the baristas to make you a pour over. Great way to get intimate with the Dark Matter delicious blends and single origin coffees.
WillMcDSeptember 18, 2015
Solid pour over coffee, nice patio space, and good place to work from
Adam SteinMarch 25, 2015
The upstairs is a fantastic place to work. It's like a library for most of the day.
Noah ManionAugust 6, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Iced coffee and donuts from donut vault make this my favorite place to get work done.
Chandler CollinsAugust 21, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Coffee dive. Love the space, and the iced coffee is money. Wifi is spotty at best, so if you're looking to get work done go elsewhere.
MikeSeptember 7, 2015
Been here 5+ times
The mothership's coffee bar. Great patio to sit outside. Best coffee in Chicago.
John S.April 19, 2013
I like to toss a spot of honey in my traditional macchiato for dessert. With a black coffee from Ecuador, of course.
Athena CeeJuly 15, 2015
Yummy! Love the design of this place set up like a bar.
Laura LastnameAugust 27, 2013
Been here 5+ times
More seating upstairs (and it is quieter up there too)
My Social OneSeptember 29, 2011
All organic,straight from the farmer coffee, hand roasted by a small crew of people who take the love of coffee brewing to a whole new level
Chris SteeleSeptember 18, 2014
Try the cold brewed coffee on tap. It's the only setup of its kind that I've seen in Chicago.
L KJune 1, 2018
Love this place to study and hang out. $1 iced coffee refills!
Lucille FisherJuly 4, 2022
Great atmosphere, excellent coffee!
RachelNovember 20, 2012
Been here 50+ times
best espresso around & personal,fabulous service! awesome, eclectic music always.
Guillaume BeaulieuNovember 5, 2014
Excellent lattes abd fresh pastries
Lorenzo SoriceNovember 14, 2014
Been here 10+ times
The Agave Latte is amazing, but the Mayan Mocha leaves a kick.
Lizzie HinemanFebruary 16, 2017
Recommended: Wake & bake espresso drink
Kellen TerrettAugust 8, 2014
I'm my humble opinion, Dark Matter is roasting the best coffee in Chicago.
Prentiss BoriMarch 24, 2013
Yep, every cup of coffee is Professionally dripped or pressed!
@hillda70September 20, 2019
chill out outside in the back with local artists, community eccentrics and businesspeople or get computer work done and read a book upstairs. also, ask about Sean’s nunchuck skills
D JJuly 31, 2016
Love the coffee choices and awesome pastries!!
Omar AlsubaghAugust 28, 2014
Been here 25+ times
Cortado ,and every other coffee drink .
Ryan HillDecember 28, 2011
Been here 100+ times
Order a Ryan Hill, trust me they'll know what mean ;)
Brian MacQueenFebruary 8, 2010
Been here 25+ times
A great coffee shop, er bar, run by some serious coffee geeks. Love the vibe of the place as much as the drinks.
Kallie PalmJuly 12, 2013
Been here 5+ times
Good coffee; slowest service EVER. Come here when you have an additional hour or so to wait around for your latte. Seriously. Don't come here if you need to catch a bus.
Katie McCormickJanuary 30, 2017
Nice & Cozy; busy; and Starbuck prices.
Jace ColeJune 5, 2011
Been here 100+ times
The Chiapas is a solid choice! I also love the wild blends these guys whip up!
Adam SteinMarch 25, 2015
Most of the pastries are forgettable, but the Do Rite donuts are fried dynamite
Robert RobbinsApril 1, 2016
Get there while the Guatemalan gettin' is good!
Carrie JeanJune 10, 2015
Great coffee, friendly staff, pastries.
iSapien 1956672July 5, 2018
Been here 5+ times
Great backyard. Used to be grass.
wigtronDecember 8, 2009
Been here 10+ times
Some of the best coffee in the city! Great staff, warm place to chill and surf Foursquare! Free wifi and all that. Read more
Victor SegellAugust 23, 2014
Awesome coffee and nice backyard.
Jillian BurnickasFebruary 5, 2015
Cool atmosphere, love their espresso drinks
Noah ManionJune 13, 2014
Been here 5+ times
I don't know where the donuts come from but they're insanely good.

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