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!“

“i had an oat iced mocha from here, and it was absolutely scrumptious. obsessed with the fact that they put quads in their iced drinks … they know their shit fr ! the barista was also v kind :) i loved their hair & piercings and we had a mini convo ab mine lol, it was a great experience!!“

“Dining at 3 Arts Club Cafe feels less like a typical restaurant visit and more like a whole experience — imagine brunching or having dinner inside a beautiful historic building with soaring glass ceilings, a central fountain, lush greenery, and chandeliers that make every table feel special. It’s honestly one of the most visually stunning places to eat in the city, perfect for celebrations, date nights, or just soaking up a memorable atmosphere.

The menu leans into elevated American fare with a focus on fresh, thoughtful dishes that hit the mark without feeling pretentious. Favorites here include the lobster roll, the well-executed RH Burger, and vibrant salads like grilled shrimp or kale Caesar — plus plenty of shareable starters like burrata with prosciutto. The quality is solid and consistent, and the dishes are as tasty as they are photogenic.

Drinks are worth mentioning too: there’s a nice selection of wines (including some standout options from the café’s own wine vault), spritz cocktails, and drinks that pair beautifully with the light, airy setting.

Service generally feels polished and attentive, even when the café is bustling — which it often is, especially on weekend brunch or dinners. Weekday lunches or early dinners tend to be calmer if you want a slightly quieter vibe.

The space itself — part café, part wine bar, part social destination — really sets it apart. The airy courtyard with olive trees and natural light makes you want to linger long after your last bite, and you can even explore the store and rooftop garden before or after your meal, which adds a fun twist to the visit.

Overall, 3 Arts Club Café is one of those Chicago dining experiences that feels special without being unapproachable — a great pick if you’re looking for great food, a beautiful setting, and a memorable meal for brunch or dinner.“

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

“loved everything about it!“

“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!“

“Matt was our waiter and he was great from the moment he greeted us! Give him a raise!!!! The service was phenomenal and food was amazing 👏 I got the Cinnamon Roll pancakes 🥞 😋 and omg omg highly recommend! Them pancakes melt in your mouth with the fresh whipped butter 🧈 ohhhhh. I want more 😩 likeee right now!!!! The bacon 🥓 was delicious 😋 my daughter enjoyed her French toast and the eggs were very fresh. Definitely coming back!!!! And I know what im gonna eat!!!! Lol I have some pics!!“

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

“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!“

“Amazing food and great customer service“

“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“

“Excellent food and delicious“

“Great food for the whole family!“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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“

“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) 👗👒“

“good coffee and great service!“

“Cool cafe with a bunch of eclectic nicknacks and wall art. I got the goat cheese crostini which comes with a side of roasted tomato relish. It was good but it didn’t blow my socks off. It almost seemed like it was missing just one extra ingredient or garnish to take it to the next level.

I also got the chicken club and it was good. The star of the sandwich was definitely the bread. You can tell this place knows what they’re doing when it comes to making bread.“

“Best pie I have had in Chicago“

“Cute coffee shop! The tea was fine. The vibe is bustling and the tables can be full. The other customers were munching on some tasty looking bread and the staff all seemed polite. I think for me, I didn't meet my desired flavor intensity.“

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

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

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

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

“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!“

“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!“

“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!!“

“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!“

“This place is a sleeper that makes a great garlic chicken salad sandwich on a dutch crunch bread.

A dutch crunch bread, when baked, has a pillowy inside but the exterior is a crispy crackled crust that looks similar to the bark og a tree/log. And the crunch is second to none!!! This should be used on all sandwiches!!!

The creamy garlic chicken salad has chunks of premium white meat with a hint of garlic, followed by heat from the giardeneria. All this is wrapped up with liberal amounts of cooling shredded lettuce. And the sub sandwich was huge and price point was fairly low at under $13 for this size. Definitely going to come back and try other ones in the future.

The space is small and dark, a bit cramped and many students tend to be socializing or studying. And that makes sense since these prices are relatively less than other similar delis.“

“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.“

“My husband and I are Louisiana transplants. This cafe offers great Louisiana food and atmosphere, combined with locally sourced ingredients and and sustainable practices. I had their decaf drip coffee which was so good. My husband has the Boudreaux breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel which had great boudin flavor! I had the cheesy grits with scallions and chile crunch. The consistency was closer to polenta than grits, but that isn't a complaint. They were delicious and filling.
We took home a quart of their chicken and andouille gumbo and can't wait to try it.
We'll definitely be back and can't wait to bring it family and friends here!“

“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 .“

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

“so yummy! great atmosphere“

“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.“

“Cute little place. Big portions. Not a fan of the matcha.“

“Cafe Tola never misses! Their empanadas are delicious and big enough to be a meal. My current favorite is the birria & cheese but I also love the buffalo chicken and ham, egg & cheese. DON’T SLEEP ON THE HORCHATA LATTE! The folks who work there are so kind and the decor vibes are amazing!“

“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!“

“The food is fire…period!!!“

“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 best in Chicago!! Very cozy and family oriented!“

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

“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.“