Black Fodder Coffee - River Forest, Illinois

Teresa P.

This is hands down the most delicious coffee I’ve ever had. Their velvety smooth coffee is well balanced without bitterness or acidity with notes of chocolate floral and red fruit. Along with high quality coffee the space is calming and warm, very inviting with its clean/modern yet natural/peaceful minimalist design. Charming professional service. The founder, Maciej, making the coffees with fantastic presentation and he’s the nicest host anyone could ask for. Black Fodder meets the highest standards in hospitality by baking/cooking all food, fresh and healthy from scratch in house. They even meet the absolute highest standard of all: using RO filtered AND remineralized water.

ALFONSO F.

Black Fodder Coffee is an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and outstanding service. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about coffee.

Speaking of coffee—wow! Every sip was smooth, rich, and full of flavor. Whether you love a bold espresso or a perfectly crafted latte (Yup, I tried more than one), they know how to do it right. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot to relax, work, or catch up with friends.

If you're looking for top-tier coffee and exceptional service, Black Fodder is the place to go. Highly recommend!

Matthew H.

Black Fodder has recently opened! It’s located in River Forest which makes for a convenient location for Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest residents. If you appreciate third wave coffee, you will be relieved to hear they serve Onyx Coffee as their bean of choice. The owners have a keen eye for detail and offer excellent choices of baked goods (GF options available). Parking is easy, the interior space is well designed. I will dropping all other coffee shops in the area to make this my go to cafe. Thank you Black fodder for providing excellent coffee to the area!

Cathy R.

Working with Maciej (Black Fodder Coffee) from start to finish was a thoroughly professional and seamless experience. He comprehensively addressed all my questions and concerns prior to our event, which was a huge success. My guests are still talking about it today.
Watching Maciej and his partner at work revealed their extensive knowledge of coffee.
THANK YOU! ☕️☕️🤎🤎🤎🤎

Althran

If you're reading this review and wondering if you should stop by, take this as a sign to put Black Fodder into your GPS and go.

Very zen like atmosphere inside, as someone who visited Japan I felt as if I was transported back to Osaka. Not to mention the coffee was delightful. I recommend the hazelnut latte.

Please support local businesses such as this one. We live in a bleak world of chain coffee spots so do yourself a favor and visit. You won't be disappointed.

Kasia K.

My husband and I just discovered this amazing new coffee spot, and we absolutely loved it! The coffee is divine—rich, smooth, and perfectly brewed. The modern decor is beautifully designed, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. And the cake? Incredible! Delicious, made with wholesome ingredients, and served in a wonderfully generous slice. A true hidden gem—we’ll definitely be back!

Liz M.

Just stopped here because I heard they had gluten free bakery. Everything is gluten free and sugar free here!!! 🎉💕I had the white chocolate matcha muffin and caramel latte so far. Both were delicious! So excited to have this place in our neighborhood!

Victoria R.

The atmosphere and the service are AMAZING, but that’s about it.
I’m not a coffee lover so I got some of their pastries/desserts and they were not good. The cinnamon muffin tasted ok but the texture was gummy/chewy. The tiramisu was weirdly acidic/tart and not in a good high percentage cacao way, just acidic. The mango cake was ok but didn’t have any specific flavors, it tasted good enough but I couldn’t pinpoint what I was tasting.
Overall the vibe was great and the attention even better, I just wished the products were on that level too.

TLDR: Great vibes, not great food