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Geja's Cafe

3.9 (1.7k reviews)
Open • 5:00 pm - 9:45 PM
Updated a few days ago

About Geja's Cafe

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GEJA'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Intimate
Romantic
Live music
Moderate noise

Recommended Reviews - Geja's Cafe

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Reviews With Photos

Randa U.

A dimly lit, cramped, dark, and friendly space rests a fondue restaurant made for a night out with friends, date night, or just a desire for melted cheese. A guitarist sits somewhere against a brick wall and plays music lightly but energetically. Service is friendly from start to finish and smiles are on everyone's faces. The menu is pretty easy to understand. You can get a three-course meal, or you can get each entree à la carte. You have two fondue candles in front of you, one for the cheese and dessert, and the other for the oil. We chose the three-course meal, and it was delightful. We started with the cheese appetizer. You get a basket of bread and fruit and we chose the seasonal cheese to dip. The oil for our meat was then left to heat, and we received a massive platter of veggies and meats for our main course. We chose the option for all selections of meat and seafood. After trying all the meats, I would opt for the lobster and shrimp. You can also substitute the oil for a broth. I would like to try the broth for next time. In one of the shakers, Gejas makes their own meat spice mix. It's recommended to put on the meats and even the desserts. It's a mix of tangy and savory and was a great compliment to the meal. We then chose the seasonal dessert, a white chocolate with vanilla cookies. Fruit, marshmallows, and churros to dip. We were so full by the time dessert came, but we enjoyed a few bites and took it home. The three-course meal, with five types of meat, came with about 10 pieces of meat. It doesn't look like a lot of food, but it truly is, with the apps, veggies, etc, your stomach will be full when you walk out of here. They also start the entire course with a mixed salad (so technically it's a four-course meal). It was very fairly priced, as well. Initially looking at the prices, you may think it's expensive, but it truly is a value with the amount of food they serve. This was rated as most romatic restaurant in Chicago. Its ambiance gives you the romantic feel, the guitarist adds to the atmosphere, and the staff is professional and friendly. This really was a great place and we enjoyed our time and meal.

Leslie C.

One of the most special dining experiences I've ever had! Everything was perfection. My boyfriend and I came here as part of restaurant week. I heard this is one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago and I can see why. The lighting is red, dim, and sexy. Love is in the air. Beautiful decor. Live flamenco guitar music plays softly and adds to the lovely ambiance. We were seated right next to the guitarist and it was magical. The seating is arranged so you feel like you have a lot of privacy. It's a spacious venue with many rooms. The food is phenomenal. I love fondue and this is the best fondue restaurant I've ever been to! We had a Gruyère cheese course with fruits and breads for dipping, a protein course (I had beef and shrimp) with veggies and a variety of amazing homemade dipping sauces, and a Belgium chocolate course with fruits, rice crispie and other goodies for dipping. Every course was high quality and delicious. We could really take our time and enjoy it all. We never felt rushed. I love an opportunity for a leisurely dinner. Excellent drinks too. The sangria was delicious and I ended the evening with a cappuccino with Frangelico. My boyfriend loved his old fashioned. They also offered wine pairings with each course. A huge thank you to Gary! He took amazing care of us and provided exceptional service. He explained the menu options and instructions for cooking so clearly, and was very kind. What a perfect night and I'll never forget it!

S'mores Fondue
Marisa H.

We had an amazing time participating in the Midweek Meltdown last night! Our server Holden was great and we really enjoyed the mocktails on the menu! I love going to Geja's for special occasions with my husband as it's very romantic in the restaurant, but it's also a great spot for my girlfriends and I because of this fun deal! Cheese & Chocolate sounds like a great option for girl dinner!!

Clay G.

We came to Geja's to celebrate our anniversary and it certainly lived up to the hype. We were lucky enough to have a table off the side by the window so it maintained the intimate feel without feeling cramped by other tables. Food-wise, it was very fun to cook everything ourselves. I do think the appetizers were my favorite part because I do just love fruits and cheeses, but everything was great. They were also very accommodating of celiac. Overall, we had a wonderful anniversary celebrating at Geja's.

Prince Geja's combination and oil
Clarissa C.

I went in SO excited because it was a special day and I wanted to celebrate with a special someone!! I also LOVE fondue (especially when I had it as a kid), and saw that this was deemed the "most romantic restaurant in America". The vibes are romantic and the Christmas decor was so cute. The whole restaurant feels like a warm hug from your fancy grandma!!! We decided to get the Geja's premier fondue dinner. You start off with a swiss gruyere cheese fondue with assorted breads, fruits, and veggies for dipping. These fondues lean a bit alcoholic tasting, so if you don't want to risk that, ask for a nonalcoholic version!!! That was absolutely delicious. The next course was protein, and we tried the Prince Geja's combo with 10 oz total of beef tenderloin, lobster tail, gulf shrimp, fresh sea scallops, and boneless chicken breast. You dip it in boiling hot oil and cook for 2-4 minutes each. The broccoli and the mushrooms were actually DELICIOUS!! The proteins also come with 8 dipping sauces: bbq, herbed butter, giardiniera aioli, honey mustard, chimichurri, fresh dill, horseradish chive, and teriyaki. The chimichurri was my absolute favorite. The final course is a belgian chocolate fondue flambed tableside and served with marshmallows, bread, rice crispy treats, strawberries, pineapples, and more! We asked for no flambé as we don't do well with alcohol. The chocolate was super rich, but I was sooo full at this point! Overall, I do think this is such a romantic date night spot with such cozy vibes and live music! Our server was also the sweetest person and super duper attentive!

Jason S.

Recently went to Gejas Cafe for the first time after hearing about how historic it is in Chicago, and it totally lived up to the hype. I'd never done an entire fondue-style dinner before, so I was definitely excited to try it out. Started with an espresso martini that was excellent smooth, rich, and just strong enough. I also tried their version of a dirty martini with blue cheese olives, and that was another hit. Both cocktails were spot on. We decided to go all in on the classic fondue dinner experience starting with the cheese course, then the meats, and finally the dessert fondue. The cheese fondue came out super fast and was delicious, a Swiss blend that wasn't overly sharp, perfect for dipping bread and veggies. It also came with a fresh salad to start. For the main course, it's about $65 per person, which I thought was a solid deal given the portions and quality. You pick your own meats and cook them right at your table in hot oil kind of like a cross between fondue and Korean BBQ. I went with chicken, shrimp, and beef, and everything cooked up perfectly. The staff walked us through how to do it, made it super easy, and everything tasted great. The sides like veggies and potatoes were also on point. Then came dessert the chocolate fondue was amazing. They brought out churros, pound cake, marshmallows, graham crackers, and more to dip. It was the perfect finish to the meal. All in, it came to about $100 per person with drinks, and honestly, for a two-hour, interactive dining experience like this, it's totally worth it. Drinks were great, service was excellent, and the whole experience was just fun. Definitely a must-try spot in Chicago, I'd 100% come back.

Quart of Belgian Chocolate Fondue
Yining D.

Super super fun experience! It was my first time trying fondue and I really enjoyed it. The meat was surprisingly tender from being cooked in the oil. The different meats require different cooking times, so we had our phones out with a stopwatch to make sure we got the right cooking times. Chicken and potatoes require 5 min. Medium rare beef requires 1.5 min. And seafood was 2 min. I loved that you could flavor the meat to your own liking and that there were 8 sauces to dip your meats in. The horseradish went incredibly well with the beef tenderloin. The garlic oil sauce went well with the seafood and I also added a bit of salt to give it more flavor. The salad and cheese fondue didn't stand out to me too much. The cheese was a bit too alcoholic tasting for me. But it did pair well with the apple slices. The bread tasted a bit old and stale to me. And the star of the dinner was probably the cheese fondue. Oh my, the Belgian dark chocolate was so rich and flavorful. My favorite pairings were the marshmallow with graham cracker dust in the chocolate and the strawberries with chocolate. I would definitely come back here just for the dessert course. The bill was a bit expensive, around $90 per person including tip and tax. We also had used a dine-in credit with Groupon. Parking was a bit difficult to find around the area. We had to circle around a few times to find street parking. Service was attentive and informative. They knew it was our first time there so they took time to explain the sequencing of the meal. Thanks for a great time! This is definitely one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago. We loved the atmosphere inside the restaurant. It felt like we were transported to Spain.

Avery J.

I had been wanting to go to this restaurant for a long while now and my plans, hopes and dreams finally came through last night. One of the best restaurants I've been to! Staff is absolutely wonderful and attentive. The food is exceptional. And no better way to enjoy the food and ambiance here than listening to a live guitar musician playing a flamenco in the background! I really recommend this spot! We had the Premier fondue experience which is a must here! The protein I ordered and highly recommend is lobster tail. Leave some room for the dessert drinks (espresso martini!) and the chocolate fondue. You can also make some s'mores!

Jason K.

The best fondue experience in Chicago. It's also rated on of the top date night locations. The food is fantastic and the staff is super friendly. The valet parking is quick and they have options for indoor and outdoor seating. They also have wonderful cocktails with a variety of beers. I highly recommend making a reservation.

Chees Swiss Gruyere Cheese
Rose H.

The ambiance was so cozy. We showed up right before 4 and saw there was a reservation online so walked in and so happy we did. They checked our coats and hats and found a table for us. The restaurant got busy, quick! A popular spot with live music. It was so cozy inside. The food was amazing and priced very well. It was a great experience with delicious food! Cheese: amazing, came with onions, bell peppers, bread, grapes, apples and broccoli. Seafood: scallops, shrimp, lobster tail, potatoes, broccoli and mushrooms Chocolate: pound cake, marshmallows, pineapple, strawberries, bananas, rice Krispy and churros. The martini with blue cheese olives was delicious as well as the house red.

Outside
Zoe D.

Ambiance (4.5 stars): I love the vintage interior--although the space feels a bit tight, it's still a fantastic spot for a date night or a fun outing with friends. Food (2 stars): Definitely overpriced for the portion sizes, with each ingredient served in disappointingly small pieces. The chocolate fondue ingredients lacked texture--churros weren't crunchy but instead turned firm, and the rice crispy treats tasted stale, as if they'd been left out too long. The chocolate fondue itself was thin and watery. The good part is they serve 8 sauces, I like two spicy options. If you prioritize food over ambiance, this isn't the place for you. Service (3 stars): Our server, a charming gentleman, was friendly and thorough in explaining everything--definitely a 5-star experience from him. However, another female server seemed eager to finish her shift early, repeatedly trying to take our fondue away while we still had ingredients left. This brought the overall service rating down. Price: We used a Groupon and ordered the Prince Geja's combo plus an extra cheese fondue, which came out to $50 per person.

Marisa P.

Follow the rock stairs down into the magical fondue basement. The vibe was mood lighting, tables in alcoves with tied back velvet curtains, and a flamenco player. Gejas offers different fondue experiences with cheese, meat/fish, and chocolate. My daughter and I decided on the prince Geja's option and shared. The starter was a swiss gruyere and fontina blend served with bread (including a nice pumpernickel), vegetables, apples and grapes. The main had assorted meats and fish cooked in oil (not broth), which I hadn't done before but it gave a really nice flavor. That was also served with potatoes, mushrooms, and broccoli along with an array of sauces that made it so fun to dip. The final course was chocolate served with cake, fruit, marshmallows, and rice crispy treats. The whole place was such a vibe and it would be so cute to do a late zoo walk then Geja's is right across the street. It does say on the website no children under 10, so best to get the baby sitter for the littles.

Quart of Belgian Chocolate Fondue
N.J. M.

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend Geja's Cafe. While it's a charming concept, our experience didn't live up to expectations. The ambiance was less romantic than anticipated, our meal burned, was very overpriced, and the service was inconsistent. It's disappointing because Chicago is home to so many wonderful restaurants, and Geja's just didn't seem to keep up with the times. Hopefully others have had better experiences. My husband and I invited close friends for dessert at Geja's, and while the restaurant was beautifully decorated for the holidays with string lights and wreaths, the experience quickly soured. We had a reservation but were asked to wait at the bar until our full party arrived, which was fine, though we were disappointed when the drinks we ordered were underwhelming. When we finally sat down, we ordered the Belgian chocolate fondue. Unfortunately, it was served in a worn-out pot that wasn't suitable for fondue--it quickly burned. The assortment of dippable items was also lacking--two plates shared between four people, with the equivalent of one whole banana and two Rice Krispie treats cut into pieces and a few other sparse dippables like marshmallows, left us unimpressed. For the $100+ price tag, we expected a more generous and quality dessert experience. Adding to the frustration, our server barely checked in on us throughout the meal. It's such a shame because Geja's Cafe has the potential for a lovely night out, but the execution was sadly lacking.

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2 years ago

Amazing experience! Kind and helpful employees, insanely good food, and very peaceful atmosphere.

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(4) ~ very good overall food & service. Note: It's very similar to a Melting Pot & Reservations are recommended.

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Page 3 of 43

Ask the Community - Geja's Cafe

What's the parking situation ? Do you have valet?

Good Day, yes we have valet services and it is $15. Enjoy your evening.

Is the restaurant well ventilated? I have very sensitive eyes and fearful that table side cooking will be smoky?

We did not experience any smoke, and it does seem that the restaurant is well-ventilated. That said, you will be sitting at a table with open saucepans of boiling cooking oil, and when you get home, your clothes may smell of it.

It says 8 house sauces. What are the sauces? And do you get all 8? Follow up question- for the…

Hi Christy Q.~ Thank you for your question and Yes, every Premier Dinner gets the 8 house made sauces. The sauces are: Sweet Thai Chili… 

For in person dining do they offer the chocolate fondue?

Hi Arthur~ Yes, the Chocolate Fondue is offered for people dining inside Geja's Cafe. It is part of our Premier Dinners and guests can order the chocolate fondue ala carte.… 

If the to-go options for a la carte fondue only come in quart size, how much fondue comes in the "Cheese and Chocolate Fondue To-Go" option?

4oz of each.

What is the dress code?

Yes, smart Casual or fancy, you decide. Just no sports wear, beach wear, flip flops and baseball caps for men, no ripped jeans for anyone.

I might already know the answer to this but do they offer halal meat by any chance?

Not yet unfortunately.

I've never had fondue. I heard the meat was small portion. Is it even good?? Meat dipped in cheese? Is it filling? Can I have pop if wanted? How much is the wine?

The proteins are 8oz-10-oz depending on the premier dinner that you choose. The cheese is the 1st course and does not come with meat. The meat, second course, is dipped in 8… 

Is there gluten free bread available for fondue?

Yes there is. When making your reservation, please let us know you would like it.

I'm not familiar With the Lincoln park neighborhood, after dinner at Geja's Cafe, I'm taking my wife out for a few drinks somewhere after, does anyone have recommendations for a quiet/cozy bar with good drinks in the area?

The J. Parker, which is the rooftop of Hotel Lincoln, has a great view of the water.

If I eat dinner how much time should I expect to spend from the time we sit to the time we leave for a couple?

Groupon has a special its $65 for like $25...that helps, but if you both eat the chicken or meat and chicken about $50 a piece without any drinks....if you get the seafood and sangria about $70 a person....… 

Is this place participating in restaurant week?

Why YES we are. Hope to see you.

View All 16 Questions

Gemini - Crispy Shrimp Spring Rolls

Gemini

4.0(775 reviews)
0.2 mi•Lincoln Park
•$$

Back Again - Gemini Pt 2, but this time for brunch!…read more I enjoyed my first dinner experience here so much last week that we had to come right back to try their weekend brunch. From the start, the hostesses were inviting and lovely. The restaurant is very pretty, warmly blending a modern style with a touch of classic French bistro elegance. I'm mostly so impressed with how versatile the restaurant actually can be, shifting seamlessly from an elegant, upscale dinner setting with its beautiful U-shaped marble bar to a bright, whimsical, and enchantingly airy brunch setting. The fully opened bifold windows are adjacent to the pergola-topped patio, letting a glorious, cascading breeze drift through the space to create a wonderful indoor-outdoor flow and a lively weekend energy. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered: Super Green Vegetable Salad: The kale, broccoli, avocado, asparagus, and peas were crisp and fresh. We loved this so much during our first dinner visit last week that we had to order it again for brunch! Spectacular! Nova Lox Platter: The wild salmon topped with diced red onion, capers, and hard-boiled egg crumble, served with an everything bagel and a side of chive cream cheese, was excellent. French Onion Frittata: The rich gruyère and caramelized onions were wonderful. If you're a French onion soup lover like me, this is a can't-miss!! Definitely will be reordered and often. Fantastic! Daily Omelette: Ordered from the special menu, featuring black truffle salsa, mascarpone, and Calabrian chile honey. It was absolutely phenomenal, perfectly cooked, and the flavor combination was incredible. Our server, Sarah, was excellent and made the experience even better - we even share the same name! The management team was also incredibly warm and attentive, stopping by our table to welcome us back. Returning twice in one week says it all. This restaurant has made it into my regular rotation and is hands down one of my new favorites!

Over all this place was okay, and when I say okay it was mediocre…read more How ever I would like to point out that the staff and I repeat the staff was very friendly not to mention very welcoming. I came here with three others and we all ordered different things from the brunch menu along with a few drinks. The atmosphere here is open, modern, and pretty eye catching, we all heard a few negative comments about brunch here and rather than just taking words of advice we came anyways. To be honest we should've went elsewhere, the only thing about the food that actually seemed to have any flavor was the fries and even they were a little salty like my wallet when we left LOL The Jumbo (not so much) Lump Crab Benedict at $25 was honestly boring lacking any flavor also it didn't even come with potatoes I ended up sharing my Lincoln Park Turkey Club that was good but even it was pretty basic at $21, the Burger at $21 literally looked like something off the kids menu the bun was bigger than the patty LOL and the Blackened Chicken Caesar at $19 was more like an appetizer size and the chicken at least it was juicy not dry. Other reviews about brunch here seem to be about the same and honestly I think it's funny they don't even try to elevate their food when so many say about the same things. I think the only reason why people come to this place is 1. It's located in Lincoln Park and 2. that makes it a trendy spot to eat. So why bother fixing anything when it's just trendy and flavorless Their brunch is mediocre but apparently dinner is where it's at. However after the experience with brunch I'm not even sure I would even go back. Come here for the staff eat at your own expense maybe your food will have flavor or not but honestly do what you want and keep it trendy

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Gemini - Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

Yesterday's specials board at Gemini.

Gemini - Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

Gemini - Burrata crostini

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Burrata crostini

Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

Sparrow

4.3(349 reviews)
1.1 mi•Near North Side
•$$

Right before starting writing this one, I wrote a review for Kibbitznest, another phenomenal…read moreChicago bar with a totally different theme and vibe. That is to say: I am not throwing words of praise like "one of a kind" and "phenomenal" around lightly. Both are different and still amazing. Sparrow has a vibe straight out of the 1920s. The decor, signage, use of color, and absence of screens or TV's all contribute to the theme. The music is also appropriate and plays at the perfect volume to be pleasant without forcing one to raise their voice. I tried the Green Daisy and a House Old Fashioned. The Green Daisy was boozy and had some herbaceous notes. A little tartness and a little sweetness helped balance the drink out and make for a phenomenal sipper. I loved the creativity with this one! The House Old Fashioned was also well done, assembled with quality ingredients in balance with one another. Nothing wrong with a well-executed classic. The prices are more or less reasonable considering the location and overall market, with bevies costing around $16. The bar staff is excellent! Very friendly and welcoming! Final verdict: A spot where I can say come for the drinks and stay for the vibe. It's the kind of place where walking in you are transported a century into the past. Everything about the experience, including the atmosphere, drinks, service, and prices, is calling me to return and bring some people with me.

This might be my favorite rum bar in the country. If you want intimate spaces, moody lighting,…read moreextensive rum selections, and drink specials come here. Monday nights are my favorite because they offer a different specialty rum in special. It's a great way to try different kinds. They also serve beer, wine, and every other spirit you can imagine. Cocktails are on point. Seating options are varied: bar seats, small tables in back, bench seating with tiny tables up front. Quiet and comfortable.

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Sparrow - Entry

Entry

Sparrow - Menu

Menu

Sparrow - Perfect Perfect

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Perfect Perfect

Geja's Cafe - fondue - Updated October 2026

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