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We really enjoyed our breakfast at Cafe Yaya on our recent trip to Chicago. We arrived around 8:15 on Friday morning and there was one group ahead of us to order. We placed our order at the counter before choosing a seat in the main dining space. For breakfast we each had a cappuccino and my husband had the shakshuka bun while I had the Coconut Yogurt Parfait. The Parfait was a touch on the small side but delicious. Quick easy breakfast option with lots of great looking pastries.
Oh man I am a fan! Besides the solid principles of togetherness that the cafe founders, managers and staff believe in, the food is truly great and is NOT an afterthought! It was beyond delicious! We also got Cafe yaya, which we had both iced and hot and I recommend getting it iced. We had a babka slice and a shakshuka bun. And creme de la creme a saffron bun which was the best pastry ever with flakes of saffron and a light creamy layer. The shakshuka and Turkish breakfast filled our group of 4 to the brim with joy. The shakshuka had luscious layers of tomato and onion with part runny eggs and the best Malawa(?) bread ever! So flaky and buttery! I highly recommend this place for any meal but specifically brunch! Reservations required to ensure no waiting.
Overall , excellent . Absolutely adore their sister restaurant, Galit, so went in with high expectations. The restaurant is lovely and the meal didn't disappoint . Great service. Our group of 5 shared everything which is the way to go. Here is a rating of each item we shared: Salade Verde - A minus Yaya Fries- B - be warned the word fries are misleading as they are actually potato wedges Caramelized Onion Miso Labneh- A Sweet potato harissa chilli crisp - A Big sis lamb burger - A- we split it by 4 - pretty great Ricotta Gnocci - C minus - pass on this dish - we didn't like the sauce/ flavors . Feta fig flatbread - A . This was delicious and the best thing we ordered We ended the meal by sharing " This Week's Sundae " which was an A . Great place for a girls night out , or date night . Recommend !
My friends and I had a prior reservation. We were sligtly late due to traffic yet they accommodated us.. I loved the vibe of the place and later found out it's from the same group behind Galit. We ordered the shakshuka, yaya fries, veggie bowl, lamb burger, and pistachio rose bun. I really enjoyed the shakshuka, and the pistachio rose bun was definitely my favorite. My friend loved the lamb burger as well. The Mediterranean-inspired ambiance was beautiful and made the whole experience even better. I also ordered a coffee, which was just okay, but everything else was great. Overall, it was a wonderful brunch spot with good food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. I would definitely come back.
What an adorable little gem in Lincoln Park!! My friends and I stopped in for a weekend lunch, and not only did we enjoy the food and service, but the decor was breathtaking! The tile work and lighting were mesmerizing and made this such a cozy dining experience! My friends and I loved enjoyed an assortment of plates to share, my favorite being the Yaya Breakfast. And we also tried a few of the pastries! I highly recommend snagging a reservation if you can!
I'd heard amazing things about this casual spot from the team behind Galit and had been dying to visit for a while! I was on a mission this time to secure some of their sought after and unique pastries. The staff were very nice and kindly provided recommendations. There's a 25% service fee included with purchases, but they're also very upfront and transparent before checking out, which I appreciated. I opted for the shakshuka focaccia and the baklava, both of which came highly recommended. Unfortunately, the focaccia came out slightly burned and the soft-boiled egg in the center was definitely hard boiled and dry. I wished there was a bit more flavor with the spices and sauce as well, but the bread itself was fluffy. The baklava, however, was buttery perfection and among the best I've ever had. It's also possibly the sweetest dessert I've ever tasted, so a little goes a long way. Definitely glad to have gotten to give this spot a try- the food menu looked really interesting, so I would return to give it a try.
I was craving a pastry and I've been wanting to try Cafe Yaya ever since they opened up. I really enjoyed my meal at Galit, so I knew Cafe Yaya wouldn't let me down. I usually do sweet when it comes to pasties. I decided to switch it up and ordered their Shakshuka bun. It was bigger than I thought it would be and definitely very delicious and filling. It cut it in half and warmed up the other half. Both half's tasted delicious. I will definitely be returning.
We had a really great experience here! Great ambiance & very very nice staff. My favorite thing we had here was the miso labneh dip it was so tasty. Also really enjoyed the schnitzel & the steak. Great for date night vibes! Finished the meal with the turkish coffee ice cream which was 10/10.
Stopped by for a spontaneous lunch! Service was attentive and friendly, soup and sandwich tasty and very filling (I'm going to be back for that lamb merguez breakfast sandwich again--very messy to eat, but YUM). Got a box of pastries! Everything looked terrific and I'll hopefully try Galit at some point! Due note, there is added service charge AND added lifestyle fee--I wish they would just include the lifestyle fee or such in their prices, honestly!
The service was pretty terrible. They forgot our coffee and we had to ask 2 separate people to remind them. The table next to me was served a bill before even getting their food. They were very slow. Seating is a bit crowded. The food was fine, but nothing special. I'm surprised given this is the sister restaurant to a Michelin restaurant, Galit.
First things first, cafe yaya is by the same group that operates galit and is literally right next to galit! So if you aren't able to get a reservation at galit, cafe yaya is a great option to consider. Cafe yaya was a great experience for us! We had a prior reservation and came here for brunch. We ordered a bunch of things for the table, including the Yaya fries, shakshuka, veggie bowl with sweet potatoes, mushroom, some more veggies with a side of some slaw and a sauce, lamb burger, pistachio rose bun and a veggie twist (this was at the cafe counter). The food was good but for me he standout was the pistachio rose bun. Omg it was to die for, it was not overly sweet, very decadent and had a great amount of pistachios and rose flavor in it, YUMM! The veggie bowl and the shakshuka were decent. My friend loved his lamb burger. The veggie twist was ok, and our server had forgotten about it for a while so we got it late. Overall, the service was great! The server was super friendly, explained everything really well to us and even offered a replacement when I spilled my coffee. Very hospitable staff overall! The ambience was great! Felt like we were in a Mediterranean cafe.
An excellent compliment to Gailt. We tried this new(ish) spot for a take-out lunch. First, the decor is very well designed and welcoming. A nice front space for eating and relaxing. The back has an open kitchen with additional seating. The food was excellent. I had the burger which was fresh, meaty and filling. I enjoyed the soft bun. My wife enjoyed the turkey sandwich which she said was divine. Loved the service. While waiting for my order the bartender checked on me, provided free water and helped expedite my order.
It's very beautifully decorated. I got a Bloody Mary, it was good and refreshing but not a must get. I got the quiche of the day which was perfectly cooked. The crust was buttery and flaky while the filling was light and fluffy. The side salad that comes with it is perfectly dressed and refreshing. We got a shakshuka bun to share at the table and it was a great shareable. Impressive how well cooked and flavorful it was.
1 day ago
5 days ago
Connected to galit (Michelin star restaurant) Coffee was delicious (not too sweet) Sandwich was perfect (LBLT) Need to come back and try the pasties read more
This place is not to be missed! A lot of the reviews are for brunch but we went for a birthday dinner and it was a delight. Service was impeccable. We were seated Upstairs which is a bit quieter and very cute. We loved all of our appetizer dishes (pide, leek gratin, labneh). Our entree was the wagyu and while it was well prepared, it didn't stand out. I'd stick with the interesting veggie dishes along next time, as none were misses. The mezcal drink was fantastic; even my mezcal hating wife loved it as the smoky taste was not prominent, but rather the warming spices. read more
We really enjoyed our breakfast at Cafe Yaya on our recent trip to Chicago. We arrived around 8:15 on Friday morning and there was one group ahead of us to order. We placed our order at the counter before choosing a seat in the main dining space. For breakfast we each had a cappuccino and my husband had the shakshuka bun while I had the Coconut Yogurt Parfait. The Parfait was a touch on the small side but delicious. Quick easy breakfast option with lots of great looking pastries. read more
Oh man I am a fan! Besides the solid principles of togetherness that the cafe founders, managers and staff believe in, the food is truly great and is NOT an afterthought! It was beyond delicious! We also got Cafe yaya, which we had both iced and hot and I recommend getting it iced. We had a babka slice and a shakshuka bun. And creme de la creme a saffron bun which was the best pastry ever with flakes of saffron and a light creamy layer. The shakshuka and Turkish breakfast filled our group of 4 to the brim with joy. The shakshuka had luscious layers of tomato and onion with part runny eggs and the best Malawa(?) bread ever! So flaky and buttery! I highly recommend this place for any meal but specifically brunch! Reservations required to ensure no waiting. read more
20 days ago
Overall , excellent . Absolutely adore their sister restaurant, Galit, so went in with high expectations. The restaurant is lovely and the meal didn't disappoint . Great service. Our group of 5 shared everything which is the way to go. Here is a rating of each item we shared: Salade Verde - A minus Yaya Fries- B - be warned the word fries are misleading as they are actually potato wedges Caramelized Onion Miso Labneh- A Sweet potato harissa chilli crisp - A Big sis lamb burger - A- we split it by 4 - pretty great Ricotta Gnocci - C minus - pass on this dish - we didn't like the sauce/ flavors . Feta fig flatbread - A . This was delicious and the best thing we ordered We ended the meal by sharing " This Week's Sundae " which was an A . Great place for a girls night out , or date night . Recommend ! read more
4 months ago
My friends and I had a prior reservation. We were sligtly late due to traffic yet they accommodated us.. I loved the vibe of the place and later found out it's from the same group behind Galit. We ordered the shakshuka, yaya fries, veggie bowl, lamb burger, and pistachio rose bun. I really enjoyed the shakshuka, and the pistachio rose bun was definitely my favorite. My friend loved the lamb burger as well. The Mediterranean-inspired ambiance was beautiful and made the whole experience even better. I also ordered a coffee, which was just okay, but everything else was great. Overall, it was a wonderful brunch spot with good food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. I would definitely come back. read more
What an adorable little gem in Lincoln Park!! My friends and I stopped in for a weekend lunch, and not only did we enjoy the food and service, but the decor was breathtaking! The tile work and lighting were mesmerizing and made this such a cozy dining experience! My friends and I loved enjoyed an assortment of plates to share, my favorite being the Yaya Breakfast. And we also tried a few of the pastries! I highly recommend snagging a reservation if you can! read more
I'd heard amazing things about this casual spot from the team behind Galit and had been dying to visit for a while! I was on a mission this time to secure some of their sought after and unique pastries. The staff were very nice and kindly provided recommendations. There's a 25% service fee included with purchases, but they're also very upfront and transparent before checking out, which I appreciated. I opted for the shakshuka focaccia and the baklava, both of which came highly recommended. Unfortunately, the focaccia came out slightly burned and the soft-boiled egg in the center was definitely hard boiled and dry. I wished there was a bit more flavor with the spices and sauce as well, but the bread itself was fluffy. The baklava, however, was buttery perfection and among the best I've ever had. It's also possibly the sweetest dessert I've ever tasted, so a little goes a long way. Definitely glad to have gotten to give this spot a try- the food menu looked really interesting, so I would return to give it a try. read more
I was craving a pastry and I've been wanting to try Cafe Yaya ever since they opened up. I really enjoyed my meal at Galit, so I knew Cafe Yaya wouldn't let me down. I usually do sweet when it comes to pasties. I decided to switch it up and ordered their Shakshuka bun. It was bigger than I thought it would be and definitely very delicious and filling. It cut it in half and warmed up the other half. Both half's tasted delicious. I will definitely be returning. read more
3 months ago
We had a really great experience here! Great ambiance & very very nice staff. My favorite thing we had here was the miso labneh dip it was so tasty. Also really enjoyed the schnitzel & the steak. Great for date night vibes! Finished the meal with the turkish coffee ice cream which was 10/10. read more
Stopped by for a spontaneous lunch! Service was attentive and friendly, soup and sandwich tasty and very filling (I'm going to be back for that lamb merguez breakfast sandwich again--very messy to eat, but YUM). Got a box of pastries! Everything looked terrific and I'll hopefully try Galit at some point! Due note, there is added service charge AND added lifestyle fee--I wish they would just include the lifestyle fee or such in their prices, honestly! read more
The service was pretty terrible. They forgot our coffee and we had to ask 2 separate people to remind them. The table next to me was served a bill before even getting their food. They were very slow. Seating is a bit crowded. The food was fine, but nothing special. I'm surprised given this is the sister restaurant to a Michelin restaurant, Galit. read more
First things first, cafe yaya is by the same group that operates galit and is literally right next to galit! So if you aren't able to get a reservation at galit, cafe yaya is a great option to consider. Cafe yaya was a great experience for us! We had a prior reservation and came here for brunch. We ordered a bunch of things for the table, including the Yaya fries, shakshuka, veggie bowl with sweet potatoes, mushroom, some more veggies with a side of some slaw and a sauce, lamb burger, pistachio rose bun and a veggie twist (this was at the cafe counter). The food was good but for me he standout was the pistachio rose bun. Omg it was to die for, it was not overly sweet, very decadent and had a great amount of pistachios and rose flavor in it, YUMM! The veggie bowl and the shakshuka were decent. My friend loved his lamb burger. The veggie twist was ok, and our server had forgotten about it for a while so we got it late. Overall, the service was great! The server was super friendly, explained everything really well to us and even offered a replacement when I spilled my coffee. Very hospitable staff overall! The ambience was great! Felt like we were in a Mediterranean cafe. read more
8 days ago
An excellent compliment to Gailt. We tried this new(ish) spot for a take-out lunch. First, the decor is very well designed and welcoming. A nice front space for eating and relaxing. The back has an open kitchen with additional seating. The food was excellent. I had the burger which was fresh, meaty and filling. I enjoyed the soft bun. My wife enjoyed the turkey sandwich which she said was divine. Loved the service. While waiting for my order the bartender checked on me, provided free water and helped expedite my order. read more
It's very beautifully decorated. I got a Bloody Mary, it was good and refreshing but not a must get. I got the quiche of the day which was perfectly cooked. The crust was buttery and flaky while the filling was light and fluffy. The side salad that comes with it is perfectly dressed and refreshing. We got a shakshuka bun to share at the table and it was a great shareable. Impressive how well cooked and flavorful it was. read more
Finally made it into Cafe Yaya. Had brunch there. Menu changes a good bit as the day proceeds but the brunch menu has a lot of the other menus and is actually larger. Shared some fries and challah french toast. The fries were really good but $11 for four slices of a potato is a LOT, the seasoning is great and love the idea but hard to justify the price. The challah french toast is really good, easily sharable as well; very fluffy tall bread. I then got the lamb merguez sandwich which had some egg, tabouli salad, and harissa. It was very good. It's not a ton of lamb but it's enough to get good flavor but it's perhaps the harissa that was the star of the show, loved the harissa. Would put that harissa on anything. The baked goods at the front were generally quite good but special call out to the orange blossom babka which was incredible - sweet, textured, delicious. My favorite read more
Cafe yaya was a delicious treat! After coming to galit, this has been on my list since opening. Came here around 9am on Saturday with my toddler to meet a friend. Parking was surprisingly easy (but paid). Before 10 they serve breakfast only with open seating at the cafe. You order and pay upfront. I got the shakshuka bun, cinnamon roll, and pumpkin latte. All were good but the cinnamon bun was a standout (and I was told by one or the staff not always available but a favorite of theirs). My daughter liked it too! My friend got the lamb blt and they were able to accommodate her non dairy dietary needs. Good atmosphere to sit and chat! read more
Loved brunch at cafe yaya! I've been here twice but only for the coffee & pastries, so it was fun to try the actual menu and it didn't disappoint! Busy walking in on a Saturday but we were able to be seated immediately and our server was so informative with the recommendations and descriptions of the menu. I got the biscuit sandwich and my friend got the avocado toast and we both loved them! The biscuit was flaky, buttery, and salty and the sun dried tomatoes spread on it was perfect to tie it all together. We split the orange blossom babka bread from the pastry case which was absolutely incredible. The lattes we got were also 10/10. Definitely a great brunch spot for something a little different and elevated! The space is super cozy too. read more
1 year ago
Made a last minute reservation and sat at the bar for dinner. It was lively with many different types of patrons but never too noisy. Our waiter was friendly and calm. We ordered: Caramelized onion labneh with challah rolls - the dish of dip looks small but there's a lot!! It was very yummy and lighter on the onion flavoring in my opinion. Apple-endive salad - the perfect fall salad! I loved the combo of apples, pecans, and cider dressing. It really tasted like fall (though I'd have the dish any season) and I loved the sweet combo with the endives. Veal sweetbreads - think of avocado toast but with a sweet, tender veal instead. Delicious as well. Lamb burger - a top burger for me! I loved all of the flavors and the sauce. Lamb was cooked perfectly too. All in all, a solid meal and one I'd enjoy again! Would love to their coffees and pastries in the morning too! read more
Food: very tasty. Good take on pastries with middle eastern flavors Ambience: went during lunch hours, can be a nice cafe to sit down with a friend or get some work done Service: good. Value: it's a bit less expensive than when it started considering that they have 50% some items after 2pm. read more
Daughter speaks highly about this cafe, so when we walking the dog, we walk there, she went in got me a mocha oat milk, it taste very creamy and rich. She also got 3 pastries, i like one of them, its crispy and layers, just taste a little salty. The place seems very popular among locals, business on a Saturday morning is pretty busy. I went in with dog, their staff is very friendly, nobody mentioned to me that dog are not allowed. But my daughter said i shall take the dog and wait outside. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
I have one word for you, BOREKA!!! My first visit to café Yaya was exceptional. We sat at the bar and were warmly greeted by Kasi (sp?). I have a not subtle obsession for pastries. When I walked into three overflowing cases of gorgeous pastries, I knew I was in the right place. To my surprise that was not the celebrity of my brunch. They recommended the stuffed Boreka. I'm still dreaming of the flaky crispy "bread" lamb merguez, yaya egg, tomato, jam, and garlicy labnah!!! it was an explosion of perfect flavors, combining in my mouth. Step out of the box, try something new and order the Boreka. You will not be disappointed. My friend tried the Yaya breakfast and said that the potatoes were the best she'd ever had. We shared a chai flavored pastry that was dreamy. This morning, I am regretting that I did not pick up two or three pastries to bring home with me. I guess I'll have to go back much sooner than I thought. read more
Cute spot. Went for restaurant week brunch. Started with the biscuit which was very tasty, but also pretty filling (should've gone with the yogurt so I'd have room for the main). The Lamb Merguez sandwich was super interesting. Definitely different, but I really liked it - just a little spicy. The sweet potato side was fine too. read more
Beautiful interior design. The seasonal carrot cake latte with whipped cream was delicious. The savory pastry was also light and delicious. Service was fast and friendly. It was a little pricey for a pastry and a drink but the ambiance was lovely. read more
9 months ago
What incredible flavors! We really enjoyed the dips which were served with fresh challah and flatbread. The highlight was the leek dish though which I've never had leeks like this. As a vegetarian I LOVE being challenged my vegetables in new ways which this entire experience was. Service was warm and friendly. The cure, cozy atmosphere makes a great place for conversation. We loved every bite and will be back soon! read more
1 month ago
As many have already said, I was surprised by the automatic service charge that's added whether you are dining in or taking out. There's also a charge for employee health insurance. It was almost $15 for 2 pastries which is crazy. Pastries were good but this won't be a place I come back to often because automatic service charges on pastries when there are a lot of good bakeries around aren't my jam. read more
1 year ago
We were passing by so decided to finally stop in and tried the: - Cardamom Kouign Amann - Chai Spiced Morning Bun They were both great and I get the hype around the morning bun, but there are just so many extra fees applied. At this point, why not just raise prices? It's more frustrating to be hit by multiple extra fees at checkout, you can still allocate the money to the employees. read more
1 year ago
The decor and ambiance are gorgeous so brownie points for that. I got their viral shakshuka bun ($9) orange babka ($5) and rose cardamom latte ($7.70) which totaled to $27.38 including a 10% takeout service charge. Heads up, if you dine in, there's a 20% dine in service charge which I know some people did not like. The shakshuka bun was good, but nothing mind blowing, couldn't taste many spices but the egg on top was good. I liked the babka more- the crumb topping wasn't too sweet and I could taste more spices. The latte was pretty solid and I appreciated the fact that I could still taste the coffee but also the syrup. I can see myself coming back and trying more things. read more
4 months ago
Cafe Yaya is a new staple for me. The inside is very open with high ceilings, brick walls, and a good amount of space between tables. There's room to breathe and also at dinner time it's perfectly dim and cozy. My girlfriend said it reminded her of Italy :) so I'm inclined to agree! The food was incredible, we ordered the caramelized onion miso labneh to start, split the lamb burger and mussels, and even sprang for the Turkish coffee sundae for dessert! Everything tasted phenomenal. Like genuinely mouth watering and worth every penny. And our server Emmaline was attentive, kind, helpful, and just genuinely sweet. We came for an anniversary dinner and it was perfect :) The staff even drew on a card and everyone signed it!! It was so cute. Anywho! We had a wonderful time. Even parking was easy. 10/10! read more
03/18/25 Cafe Yaya open for 5 days ago @ 2431 N Lincoln Ave. Cafe Yaya has 2 different seating times w/different menus which I didn't know when I went in. They have an early opening from 7:30-2pm serves pastries, coffee & teas The evening hours from 5 -9:30 or 10:00pm serve dinner unfortunately I went during the day so I didn't eat dinner here Cafe Yaya is a beautiful restaurant w/exposed brick walls on the north side very tastefully done w/a nice selection of pastries, coffees & teas to select from. The staff was very friendly & accommodating w/good service. The pastry I ordered was a delicious apple w/a delicious crispy sugared crust & a cold brew coffee. The only negative I was the price point for 1 apple pastry & a cold brew coffee. This set me back $17.02. While the pastry & coffee was very good I felt like this was a bit too much read more
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2431 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Lincoln Park, DePaul
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https://www.cafeyaya.com
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