50 Best Cafes in Chicago

“This cafe is amazing! It’s clear they have worked hard to create a cohesive atmosphere and strong image for the cafe. This makes the atmosphere very warm and inviting. I love all the small details such as the cafe name stamped onto the food boxes and cups. The simple branding is straightforward and very pleasing. The menu has a good variety of items while still providing you the confidence that whatever you order will be made with care and taste phenomenal. I ordered the ginger peach tea with honey and it was divine, not to mention the prices are great. I love that the syrups are also homemade! They have a few food options but the one that stands out to me is the bacon, egg, and cheese on the bagel. I will absolutely be back to try more on the menu!“

“Loved this space - incredibly friendly staff, food was good, and there was a wide selection of games in a comfortable atmosphere !“

“The coffee here is incredible! ☕️ What really stands out is how the owners and baristas always greet you with a smile when you arrive and say goodbye when you leave - it really makes you feel welcome 😊. I’m so grateful for this little gem in our community ✨. It’s always a great experience every time I visit!“

“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..“

“Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe has got to hands down be the best food I have had in my 32 years of life. We just got home from a girls trip for my daughter's golden birthday in Chicago this past weekend and I'm ready to hit the road to go back. She ordered the kids Oreo s'mores pancakes of the kid menu. I got the 2 eggs meal which came with 2 eggs, hash browns, choice of meat (got sausage links) and either toast or pancakes. I chose toast. We then ordered her 2 dippy eggs, a side of biscuits and gravy, and got a side of bacon to share. The biscuits and gravy are hands down top tier the best recipe I have ever tasted (I ended up ordering 2 more sides to take home so I would have breakfast tomorrow 🤤). Even after stuffing ourselves with this delicious food none of our group felt miserable in any way. there was no belly discomfort whatsoever. We just felt full and nourished. I will be coming back as often as I can. The food is so hot, so fresh, so flavorful, and overall it was a wonderful experience. Everybody was so friendly , smiley, and just warm personalities. There is quite a wait on Sundays (not sure about other days) but I would wait 4 hours if they told me I had to. They do have an option where you can get on the waiting list online (we did not know that since this was out first time). Now let's talk about their preserves they make in house 🫠🫠 they make a triple berry compote with blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. It was literal heaven. They sell jars as you are leaving for $11. Guys you have to try this place. I'm not usually someone who leaves reviews but it's so good I can't not leave one. If you want the best brunch food you have ever had in your life I can promise you you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Until next time wildberry keep doing what you guys do!“

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

“Great place & location, excellent coffee, indoor & outdoor seating, small menu but all good. Only ding on my review is that the music inside was overcranked on volume and metal-heavy. Wasn't the mellow coffee vibe you'd normally expect... UPDATE... OK we stuck around a bit longer and the volume came down and the playlist changed. So apparently it can vary somewhat. Definitely worth stopping here.“

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

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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“

“Every time I’m in town, I pay a visit to Bonus Round. I’ve played/learned Mysterium, Boop!, and Flamecraft here, all over multiple visits. The staff is helpful and kind. Drinks are good and very fast. And we always order a mug of M&Ms while we game. I’ll be back again and again.“

“Amazing food and great customer service“

“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!“

“Dialtone is a gem! The food is always delicious and the staff and management are attentive, friendly and welcoming. The location is a little tucked away not directly on Wells Street but the signs make it easy to find. Great happy hour drinks as well!“

“Excellent food and delicious“

“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) 👗👒“

“Great food for the whole family!“

“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“

“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“

“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.“

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

“Good food, ambitiously and beautifully served, but not great. Staff is welcoming but misses important requests such as removing food items that can cause allergic reactions. The place is minimally equipped for a restaurant with such an ambitious food presence, enhancing the notion that food is overpriced: a good remodeling is strongly needed.“

“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!“

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

“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."“

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

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

“I ordered the hot Caramel Sea Salt Chai (with a double shot of espresso to make it a dirty chai) and it was DELICIOUS. The flavor was a perfect balance of sweetness. The Samosas did not disappoint and were pretty large in size, but I wish they came with more than two for the price. Friendly service and convenient location across the street from Millennium Park. Not a lot of seating but thankfully a big crowd was leaving when we came in. Would definitely recommend!“

“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!“

“I love going here. Tulip is such a bright and bubbly personality that simply illuminates the place up with joy! The drinks are wonderfully tasty. The tapioca is cooked to the correct softness. She has earrings for sale that her friend makes. They are adorable earrings and would definitely recommend you take a look at them in case they interest you. Love this place and heavily recommend you stop by for a drink. They offer some small treats as well, like macrons, but I haven't had them yet.“

“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!!“

“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.“

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

“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 .“

“so yummy! great atmosphere“

“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 😊😊“

“Modern, sleek, and clean, this cute spot has some great coffee and matcha selections on top of an amazing breakfast sandwich. An absolute must try.

Seating is very limited maybe 10 to 12 tops so you may need to take your order to go.

Service was quick and friendly as well!“

“The flavors are so amazing they remind me of home! There are some really interesting and different flavors to what people are used to so come here with an open mind and enjoy :] . service was super nice, the guy helping us was very helpful and let us try the flavors before ordering with the little spoon. my favoritea are coffee and maracuya!“

“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.“

“As a part of my Sperm Donation World Tour of the USA, I stopped by here a seasonal cocktail flight experience and it didn't disappoint. This experience is Located on the 5th floor this place is massive while other floors all having their own designated areas.“

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

“Oh my! The chicken buffalo empanadas were the best! I have never thought of eating something like that before, but I am so glad I ordered it. They shred their meat in a way that is great. Will definitely come here again (and again after that 😁). The dulce de leche coffee was good too.“

“Such a nice place to stop by before work! I’ve been obsessed with the Ube cookie and an ice latte :) their staff is kind and friendly to ask questions of things on their menu as well. Definitely recommend their pastries but you gotta try the ube!“

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

“Lovely coffee with an authentic feel. Elotito is top tier as it is bursting with flavor and can taste the tortilla within it. They serve beacon doughnuts here too. All in all spent under $14 for the Elotito and doughnut. Worth the trip if you're out here“