50 Best Cafes in Chicago

“My God, this sangwich will make you feel that things might just be ok and forget for a moment what a dumpster fire of a time we live in. The lamination! Look at these luscious layers of pastry hugging eggs and some crispy plancha sausage! Look at them! Few things are perfect or capable of changing your life. This sandwich and these brothers just might be the thing. 10/10 and I’ll definitely be back for more.“

“If you’re looking for cozy vibes, killer food, and a board game collection that could humble even the most confident strategist, this café is your new happy place. The real MVP? Matt, our waitress, who somehow juggled food orders, game rule explanations, and emotional support like a seasoned dungeon master. She’s basically the Gandalf of good service. The food was shockingly excellent. The grilled cheese healed us. The fries may have unlocked a new level of consciousness. Come for the games, stay for the food, worship Matt. Would trade all my victory points to come back!“

“Delish coffee, superfriendly staff 💜☕️

I ordered a capp with an extra shot of espresso, oat milk, and their seasonal apple spice syrup. Perfectly balanced (I even forgot to ask for it half-sweet, like I usually do, but my coffee still tasted like coffee, not like straight sugar 🙌🏼 - much appreciated!!)

Coffee was quick to come up, and there’s plenty of street parking in this sparse industrial neighborhood.
Love it!“

“Brunch at the 3 Arts Club Café at RH Chicago is a truly elevated experience. As expected from RH, the ambiance is beautiful —an effortlessly elegant space filled with natural light, greenery, and that signature timeless design. It's not just a beautiful venue—it delivers on food and service as well. The brunch dishes are delicious, thoughtfully prepared, and made with high-quality ingredients. Each plate feels refined yet comforting, striking the right balance for a weekend brunch. The service is warm, attentive, and professional, enhancing the overall experience without ever feeling rushed.“

“We stopped in today on a tip and what a delicious treat! Highly recommend!“

“I thought the Olive Oil Cake would be weird, turns out it is delicious. i will definitely come back for it. We have a great breakfast. Everything just so delicious..“

“First timers and now we will be regulars! The hospitality, atmosphere and fare were outstanding! From the knowledgeable staff, the welcoming management and the hostess that went WAY above and beyond to be sure my disabled husband was accommodated from when we booked our reservation to the end of our dining experience - we couldn’t have been more delighted! See you again soon, Lardon!“

“This breakfast place is top notch. They are very creative with their dishes, and it should be a crime not to order their pancakes. Wildberry was right next to my hotel, and was very nice to walk to and eat in the morning, plus the service was decently quick. They serve large portions and you will not leave feeling hungry. Note, the wait time later in the morning can get a little longer, but overall great experience.“

“I have no doubt his place is going to be amazing.“

“loved everything about it!“

“My mother and I popped in here before work this morning, and we loved our lattes, pastry, and the service! I love the gothy-ness of the decor, the decent amount of seating, cool staff-made art for sale, and even the mildly lower lighting (in contrast to other coffee shops that feel retina-burningly bright). Very queer and alternative-friendly vibes, too.

Definitely stop by for a visit if you're in the area - I liked it a lot!“

“Atmospheric spot located in a large high rise. Features coffee, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, and a small pantry with drinks and small bites.

Food was decent, but was all reheated on site, leading to the center being a bit cold. Coffee too tasted a bit off, it wasn't burnt but it fell a bit flat.“

“Nos encantó! Muy limpio y elegante, nos atendieron muy bien. La comida estaba muy rica!“

“We had lunch here today, and loved everything! Roberto, our server, was the best! Super friendly. Brisket sandwich was fab! Best potato salad I've ever had! Can't wait to go back!“

“Get the lavender Hazel coffee iced , it will put you in a great mood for the rest of the day. This is a great place with a great mission“

“TARY is a fantastic little cafe located in the heart of Chicago’s River North neighborhood, offering what seems to be fusion between traditional Kazakh klassics and modern American cooking styles.

I must admit, the rustic decor and furnishings really does make you feel like you’ve stepped foot into a little Kazakh babushka’s living room!

I would absolutely recommend their iced matcha latte with a touch of vanilla syrup. It’s super smooth and pairs amazingly with their luxurious cinnamon roll that’s served on soft, pillowy bread and topped with cream cheese that adds a delicious refreshing factor.

I also highly recommend their scrambled eggs on brioche, they are extra soft and melt in your mouth while the brioche bread is the excellent vehicle for transporting those delicate little eggs down the goblet!“

“good coffee and great service!“

“Amazing food and great customer service“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’re looking for a little slice of New Orleans, Junebug Cafe is the place to be! From the moment you walk in, the aroma of rich, smooth coffee fills the air, and the first bite of their Louisiana hand pies or fluffy, powdered-sugar-dusted beignets will transport you straight to the French Quarter. The flavors are authentic, the atmosphere is warm, and every sip and bite feels like a celebration. Don’t miss out on this hidden gem—your taste buds will thank you! ☕✨ Start your morning with a little taste of New Orleans right here at Junebug Cafe! #JunebugCafe #TasteOfNOLA #BeignetsAndCoffee #CafeVibes“

“Great food for the whole family!“

“Once you buy your new doll here, you can bring her into the store to get some new outfits, cool accessories, and also, try a new hair style for her. They have a restaurant, too! A perfect place to take your daughter/grand-daughters, and nieces! (2025) 👗👒“

“I had a lovely todo italiano sandwich. The bread was had a great crust giving it a good contrast to the fluffy but chewy body. Prices are affordable, and they have a selection of baked goods along with their breads. They do take tap to pay and cards.“

“I'm kicking myself for having slept on this place for too long. I've been coming in semi-regularly for the last few months for coffee, bagels, and sometimes donuts before my morning commute. Always delicious, staff is always friendly, and I enjoy the atmosphere. I recommend bringing your own mug if you're getting coffee to-go because they're actively trying to minimize waste. Love that this place is in my neighborhood.“

“Very well thought out menu, great service, welcoming and pleasant ambience!“

“Delicious, sparkling, clean, very friendly owner and staff! This place is a gem.“

“great cookies, stellar coffee, incredible staff. consistently high quality environment to meet friends and colleagues alike.“

“Got to meet Peter at a wedding last night! Such a great idea. They must have made about 500 boba drinks in 3 hours. They were in and out quick, no mess, smiling... I'll definitely be by the shop to check it out!“

“My food was prepared very efficiently. I got the samosa chaat. Big flavor, nice and spicy. The spices and citrus balanced the dish perfectly. My server Shanu helped me decide what to get, since I'm a little unfamiliar with this chaat. Their desserts (the one with cottage cheese) and chai are great too. Would recommend to anyone!“

“The pastries are very delicious! I have a variety of them. They are some of the best I have had in unexpected combinations. The latte I had was floral and balanced. It was a Lavender Latte. If you love coffee and pastries, you do not want to miss out on this experience. Cafe Calida has a selection that is full of flavor that is truly sure to delight. Visit them today to see for yourself. Check their hours of operation.“

“Thank you so much Cafe El Menson for your generous donation to my kindergarten classroom today. My students really enjoyed the Arroz con Gandules. I cannot thank you enough!“

“This is one of my favorite places in Chicago! It's literally a little hidden gem. As a Venezuelan, I can tell you that these taste very authentic and above that DELICIOUS! In the summer I was going every Sunday morning for a coffee and Porkie in an arepa! So GOOD! I've taken so many of my friends, and never disappoints. I rave because I love! XO See you this weekend!!“

“Food was delicious. Everything we had was amazing.“

“Best pie I have had in Chicago“

“I want to build a free school for orphans in which orphans get education and a bright future, for this we need your help to build a school.Free schools for orphans should be established wherever orphans can get education.I want to give orphans free education you can help and support orphans children in Pakistan I am alone,I wating, helping Hands,I can't do it alone, I need brothers and sisters to step up and prepare the orphans for a bright future. I wish I orphans I to give free education to modern schools wherever possible and orphans childrens recved will life and happiness everyone dear family of God place help orphans child There are an estimated 4.8 million vulnerable orphans in Pakistan, one of the highest in the world. These children are left without any care or support. Millions of children are left without a better future if they survive that long. My name is Dr. Soul Arshad in Christ my wish and prayer from Pakistan and our key mission is to provide happiness and bright future to orphans. I wish and pray to Allah Almighty to provide a care home. For orphans in Faisalabad, Pakistan. No services available. Currently, orphaned children in local villages try to survive when parents die of disease, become very ill or are unable to care for and feed their children), without shelter, nurturing, education. , their future is worse than terrible. Help me I want and work and pray that God will provide a care home for orphans I wish 2023 is the year of orphans. Children are the most valuable asset of the society because they are the image of our future. Every parent tries hard to provide their children with the best facilities for their upbringing. However, there are a large number of children who are left without a parent or guardian. Unfortunately, due to poverty, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, this number is constantly increasing. These children, who have no support and guidance, are hungry, begging, orphans, and the goal of protection. Its purpose is not only to give shelter to the orphans but a home that belongs to them. It is my wish and my work and my prayer that Allah protect the poor and needy and orphans who sleep on the streets and footpaths and give them good education. . .I want to be an orphanage to protect all the children and serve them with food and education and help to prepare them to walk with God. Our aim is to provide them with a beautiful building, a centre, a spacious house, a Bible School a school and a playground to improve their lives. And help, hope and guidance in youth life can care for orphans, learn about God, and prepare them for a bright future and learn with God, and orphans and poor and For destitute children. for God's sake. With us for work. We pray and work and pray God provide orphans child care help and safe house God is so good copied onto Found me .“

“so yummy! great atmosphere“

“10 years, and I still love them. Everything is perfect at any location. Chicago’s premier roasters.“

“One of the friendliest spits in Chicago. The food is good - outstanding sausage, and you have to have their home-made salsa - and it's an incredible bargain, especially their breakfast "sidewalk special."“

“A super fun spot to hang out and play board games! There’s an entrance fee with a suggested per-table spend on food and drinks. The game catalog is extensive, and the staff are friendly and patient & happy to explain rules and offer suggestions. The food and drinks are surprisingly good too - the cardamom latte was super tasty, and the key lime graham cracker dip was another standout and almost like a deconstructed cheesecake. Overall, a lively spot I’d happily return to for games and light snacks.“

“We stopped here after the Marathon, tired and looking for something good and quick for dinner. Great selection of hot and cold sandwiches, quality food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere and a reasonable price. Just what we were looking for. We’ll have to look them up again for any future trip to Chicago.“

“Great selection of empanadas and tacos along with coffee drinks. The interior is very small but there's a patio on the sidewalk and next to the café to sit at.

The empanadas were great, crust and fillings were both superb. Absolutely worth your time to go here.“

“This is such a unique spot. The set up is beautiful, inviting and gives a cozy feel. Great place to work or just vibe with a friend. I tried the Abrazos latte, it really does taste like a tortilla. The cinnamon bun muffin was ok, it was dry, the topping helped a but wouldn't get it again.“

“If you’re a match lover, RUN, don’t walk here. Every drink is handcrafted with so much care and flavor that you can taste the difference. The cozy, modern vibe makes it the perfect spot to unwind or do some work. Stephanie and her team are the sweetest; they always suggest something new and delicious. Forget Starbucks or Stan’s Donuts, this place blows them out of the water. And don’t skip the breakfast sandwich, it’s filling, flavorful, and the best fuel for the day!!🌻“

“I've been going since I was 10, my all time favorite coffee shop! I 100% reccomend going if ur a book worm or even want to hear some nice live music to listen to!“

“We ordered a cake for a birthday, and it was perfect. It was beautiful and delicious!“

“Food is mouth watering delicious. My daughter and I had the veggie tostini, oh my goodness, the best Turkish sandwich we have ever had. Owners are very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. We will be back for sure 😊😊“

“The food is fire…period!!!“

“Was really happy with their cheese danish and iced vanilla latte today.“

“The food was incredible, staff was very kind and accommodating, portions were generous, and prices were reasonable. The cuban sandwich was phenomenal, the quality of the bread was the best I’ve ever had. The ropa vieja was also true to the cuban classic, and the yuca fries and croquetas were spectacular as well. Having grown up in Miami and being Cuban, my expectations were high and they exceeded every mark. Will definitely be back. Thank you to Rafael and Jose for making the experience so wonderful!“

“First time and Wednesday will be my hang day for now on. Great vibes and plenty laid back and free spirit nothing wild. Amazing spot to chill out.“

“This place is keeping me awake and fresh to get me thru my workday! I love walking over for an afternoon Sportea and potato chips. My new fave go-to!“