Build Coffee & Books is an independent coffee shop, bookstore, and community gathering space in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. Located inside the Experimental Station on 61st Street, Build combines thoughtfully sourced coffee, fresh food, books, and community programming in a welcoming South Side café.

The café serves house coffee, cold brew, espresso drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, chai, tea, and creative specialty drinks such as the Cardamom Rose Latte and Spicy Mocha. Its food menu includes breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads, bowls, and grab-and-go options prepared with ingredients from local vendors.

Build’s bookstore features a curated collection of small-press books and zines, making the café a destination for readers as well as coffee lovers. Community is central to the space, which regularly brings together neighbors, artists, organizers, students, and storytellers through literary, cultural, and neighborhood programming.

Founded in 2017, Build Coffee & Books has grown from a coffee stand at the 61st Street Farmers Market into a neighborhood institution. Customers can visit the Woodlawn café, shop for books online, order catering, or rent the space for private gatherings and community events.