Co-owners Feras Ghassan and Saif Alrafati had a vision when opening Oud Coffee & Cafe: The space would exude old-school charm but be a little eccentric, it would be a place where “somebody could come and study, but also embrace the culture,” and the drinks would taste like home. “We’re trying to go for a more traditional style coffee shop, but the infusion of flavors is like when you would go to your parents’ house and they’d put cardamom in your coffee,” Alrafati said. The childhood best friends’ new River North venture has managed in a very short period of time to cultivate a community among people craving a place to connect consciously. Since the June 30 opening, many customers have been arriving at Oud’s bright white storefront specifically to support a Palestinian-owned business. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: A woman waits on an order at Oud Coffee & Cafe (@oudcoffee.cafe). Photo 2: The Dubai chocolate knafeh. Photo 3: Oud Coffee & Cafe, 714 N. Wells St. in Chicago, is bustling on July 26, 2024. Photo 4: The mint lemonade. ? Zareen Syed / Chicago Tribune ? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune

Co-owners Feras Ghassan and Saif Alrafati had a vision when opening Oud Coffee & Cafe: The space would exude old-school charm but be a little eccentric, it would be a place where “somebody could come and study, but also embrace the culture,” and the drinks would taste like home.

“We’re trying to go for a more traditional style coffee shop, but the infusion of flavors is like when you would go to your parents’ house and they’d put cardamom in your coffee,” Alrafati said.

The childhood best friends’ new River North venture has managed in a very short period of time to cultivate a community among people craving a place to connect consciously. Since the June 30 opening, many customers have been arriving at Oud’s bright white storefront specifically to support a Palestinian-owned business.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

——

Photo 1: A woman waits on an order at Oud Coffee & Cafe (@oudcoffee.cafe).

Photo 2: The Dubai chocolate knafeh.

Photo 3: Oud Coffee & Cafe, 714 N. Wells St. in Chicago, is bustling on July 26, 2024.

Photo 4: The mint lemonade.

? Zareen Syed / Chicago Tribune
? Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune