Iguana Cafe
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Definition of a hidden gem. I had never heard of this place other than my friends who came here one year ago and were still talking about it that we had to come back. I was expecting it to be more of a cafe vibe but felt more restaurant than cafe to me which I liked! The menu is quite a variety.... Crepes, sandwiches, and wraps but also pastas, and it all sounded quite good. Several of my friends got the raspberry latte which looked delicious! I got the cup of chili and then split 2 crepes with my friend. These are HUGE and well worth the price. We got the Budapest as a savory option and the almond joy as a sweet and they were both sooooo good. Our waitress even brought us new plates in between. Great spot and I'll have to come out of my way to come back here!
Warm and cozy is the vibe here. Available for breakfast lunch and dinner a variety of cocktails, beer, coffees, and tea. We ordered a couple of appetizers. The Mediterranean feast and smoked salmon. The portions are large and very shareable. For lunch in order the beats and Barada salad and the black truffle pasta. Delicious, nicely portion. Highly recommend the dessert crêpe that they are known for. Delicious !! Pricing here is extremely reasonable. Service is very warm and inviting.
I stopped into Iguana Bistro and Café and walked into a space has that cozy, relaxed charm that makes you want to sit back, sip, and stay awhile. Now let's talk food.......the pasta portions are no joke. Big, flavorful, and clearly made with care. I had one of their pasta dishes and it was delicious from start to finish. Comfort food done right! The dessert was another win..... just the right balance of sweet and satisfying without being too heavy. And the drinks? My French martini was perfection. It was smooth, balanced, and the kind that makes you immediately say, "I'll have another." The service was friendly and warm, and you can tell they take pride in what they do. It's got that genuine European hospitality that feels hard to find these days. If you're looking for a spot with great food, generous portions, and a relaxing, European-style café feel, Iguana Bistro + Café is absolutely worth the visit. I'll definitely be back!
Had to run it back and go again. Definitely shared the pasta and the crepes. Service was awesome and the music was soft
I stopped in with my friend last week and they didn't disappoint. Their service was quick and efficient, ambiance is low lit and cozy, and the food was really good. I loved that menu had so many different options. Spicy four cheese dip, 3/5. Seafood Mac and cheese, 5/5. Florentine, 6/5. Chicken pesto, 5/5. Brownie a la Mode, 10/5. European dream waffle, 2.5/5. Martinis, 5/5.
There is a reason this restaurant has so many 5 star reviews! Service was great and the time to receive food was fast. The blended mojito and iced latte were very good. The portions were large.
The food was good but it's less of a cafe and more just a restaurant. Not really Conducive to getting work done.
The seafood Mac and cheese was advertised as an appetizer. It was so large I could barely finish it. It came out piping hot and was soooo savory. Each bite was of heaven but I had to save some for later. Try their pumpkin spice cappuccino! It's like a cup of coffee made from home. I'm not sure how long they'll have it for. It's very European/cafe/bar modern inside. Mood lighting always, letting in just enough sunlight on a sunny day.
The sparta crepe ($15) was like pancake texture, on the softer side. Chicken was dry. The chipotle mayo was nice though! They let us stay for an extra hour to do work, smooth wifi
Went to Iguana Cafe today to try some new food! I was very excited about the crepes. We tried: 1. Espresso Martini - this was super nice! Very well made and I enjoyed it a lot 2. Bloody Mary - presentation on point. 3. Amsterdam Crepes - I am vegetarian so this option was nice! It had a lot of red bell pepper and tomato, and I added some mushrooms as well because I love them haha. Service was super quick! We didn't even have to wait to get a table. The ambiance of the place is very nice and cute. Felt very European.
I have been coming here on business every year since 2017. The pastas here are generous and delicious! However, this time I decided to order the fig, beets & burrata salad and added grilled chicken. It was unfortunately a let-down -- though the chicken was well-seasoned, it was overcooked and hard. The salad, which came drizzled in balsamic, lacked sufficient dressing. I had to ask for additional dressing. My friend who ordered the smoked salmon salad enjoyed his -- I took one bite and was immediately jealous that my salad paled in comparison to his. I typically order an espresso martini with my meal every time I dine here, because in the past, it had always been good. Sadly, my martini was too creamy and lacked the punch you get from the espresso. It hardly tasted like espresso at all! At such a milky consistency, I couldn't even finish it. It was disappointing. Hopefully better luck next time!
Great spot for a casual meal! I went for lunch and it was the perfect portion and pretty good food! We started with the seafood dip and I got a sandwich. The bread and pita for the dip were fresh which was a great touch! The dip itself was good, a bit fishy tasting though. I got the Napoli sandwich and it was great! The food is also priced super reasonably compared to places in the area so it makes it an easy spot to just pop in for an easy meal. The pastas also looked very good and I'd love to go back and try a crepe for breakfast! The atmosphere is a bit dark inside and outdated but the servers and staff are so friendly and very attentive. We will definitely be back, I'm excited to try breakfast!
The decor is amazing. It such a cute little cafe. But upon arrival, we took the hostess a moment to sat us down. That should have been a trigger that everything else was going to be a wait. It took awhile for our crepe to come out when we ordered it the same time as our other food items. Then afterwards, the waitress too so long that we didn't even bother waiting on her to ask for our check so we just paid at the counter instead. It could have been a 4-star if their service was a bit better. I had a croissant sandwich with sausage, egg & provolone. Nothing out of the ordinary. Simple and savory. The table got a hummus plate to share and the hummus was really creamy so it was pretty good. I would recommend sharing this as an appetizer. We also had the creamy caramel creations and the dulce de leche ice cream was what made it stand out. Really good crepe just wish there was more ice cream dab on top. Can't wait to try other crepes! read more
4 years ago
So while visiting Chicago after dinner we ( group of 6 ) were debating what to have for dessert. Well we Yelped locations and found this place. Showed up to this place, as you walk in it looks very intimate, quick, low key dinner/cafe type place. We would soon find out they had more than just dinner and dessert. So we the menu showed us that they had "hot" alcoholic drinks which I have had before and have been very tasty. I ended up choosing the rum latte which was nicely soft and not to strong. We also tried their crepes which were very tasty and not too sweet. I would definitely recommend this place. Their place is not large so smaller groups would be easier to get seats but we were 6 and they were able to accommodate us. I will be back to this place whenever i am back in Chicago. read more
The reviews were always top. The recommendations were plentiful. The applause went up high. I didn't quite get it. On entry, it feels as though you're going into an independent coffee house. Do I seat myself? Do I wait to be seated? What's my cue? I got a seat courtesy the hostess who seemed scrambled and then I sat. And sat. And sat. Once I pulled out my high-end camera, as I planned to blog the restaurant, there was immediate service. So, that was what it took. Can you say extensive menu, boys and girls? So very American, not European, says the Brit in me. The iced chai was refreshing, although I somehow think it was from a carton and accented with cinnamon. The Belgian waffle was enough to plaster a smile across my face. And the Greek yoghurt with strawberries and bananas made me nod. Good food and cute ambience aside, I had to beckon for the tab several times. Even after I had given the payment, via credit card, there was a bit of a wait until it was rung. Well, I can now say that I have been to Iguana Cafe, almost like saying I've read "Fifty Shades of Grey" because I don't want to be left out of conversation. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
6 years ago
UPDATE: We just had brunch here. They are just as fabulous for brunch as they are for dinner. The Crepes are FAN-TAS-TIC!! ... The Pasta Carbonara (without green peppers) is to die for!!! The wine is priced very well (not many places in Chicago where you can get a decent brand nice sized glass of wine for under 10 bucks). The service is consistently fantastic. I have to say that I have never had a bad experience here and I have been coming here about 12 times per year for 4 years. I highly recommend this place if you like good food, good service and good wine. Two thumbs up here!! read more
8 years ago
Have you ever tried its 'Carbonara' pasta? If not, I highly recommend to you this as my life pasta ever. This is very rich creamy carbonara pasta covered by abundant cheeses. Don't worry, even though this is not like light dish as Italy's cuisine, it is not a heavy too much. This is perfectly balanced pasta with plentiful fresh ingredients such as mushroom, bacon, etc. You may fall in love with it! Waffle also very delicious if you are chocolate lover! Also, servers are all very nice! They give you comfortable moment all the time, care of you carefully, kindly, politely. You can enjoy your dish at your time. Happy moments- read more
8 years ago
One of my favorite spots for food in the city. What brought me in initially was the fact that they are open super late both on weekends and weekdays. The owner is usually there and is very involved. I enjoy the crepes the most. The savory crepes are all good, I particularly enjoy the Berlin and Roma and on the sweet side the strawberry banana is really good. The location in the west loop is also a cool area, not too far from Fulton market. Close to the highway and the L stop. The only downside sometimes is that if you're there with a large group, they may take a long time to get your food. Other than that, it's an awesome place. Bonus for having a real iguana! read more
14 years ago
Five of us came here on a Sunday afternoon around 1:30pm and the wait was approximately 20 minutes. There are benches for those waiting to be seated and a small water fountain to entertain you for the time being. When we were finally seated, we were welcomed with five chairs and two mini tables combined. It wasn't too shabby. We were promptly given menus and glasses of water. It wasn't long before we proceeded to ordering: cheesy crab dip, Napolitan pasta, three orders of crepe, two orders of waffles, and one bagel sandwich. The cheesy crab dip are a must-order. It was rich with ingredients and were perfectly complimented with the toasted pita bread. The Napolitan pasta was also memorable. I love my pastas baked but it was too filling to finish it in one round so we took the leftovers to go. The crepes were average and I do not recommend the chocolate monkey. It was all sorts of sweetness and the chocolate came spilling out creating a huge mess. I love my sweets but I think this topped it by a few notches. It also came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but it melted before I even got a good look at it. The waffles were ginormous and the vanilla ice cream scoop stayed intact even though we didn't dig in until some 15 minutes later. We shared eight plates and it came to approximately $10-15 per person. Most of our dishes were $6-$9 each. Prices are very reasonable and the menu is very expansive. The service, on the other hand, can be slow at times. I guess that was one of the major European highlights of the cafe. So when you do pay a visit, be sure to sit back and relax because you might be bound to spend over an hour and a half. read more
Reliably open. Hit/Miss. Stay with European Basics - i.e. hot/cold frappe, bougatsa, tomato soup. With today's coffee standards, $2.75 warm generic HOUSE BLEND COFFEE (1 refill only) is unacceptable. Have you seen Starbucks or Dunkin serve WARM COFFEE? Server was confused why I wanted HOT COFFEE, so I suggested to microwave it. Its the same cup with my lipstick on it, my guess... hot water was poured on existing coffee. SKIP the flour tasting crepes. Crepe color and feel says UNDERCOOKED. CAUTION: SUGGESTED GRATUITY on the receipt is based on TOTAL (with tax), NOT before tax! read more
Decided to stop here for breakfast Saturday morning as it is a short distance from the metro stop. Large restaurant with almost no one inside, so easily was able to get a table for two near the window. Large menu with customizable options and add-ons. Between two people, split the Amsterdam Crepe w/spinach ($10ish) and Strawberry/Banana Waffle w/Nutella ($10ish). The crepe is a well toasted exterior, stuffed with gouda, muenster, tomatoes, peppers, and oregano. Wonderfully cheesy and plenty of tomatoes, albeit the ingredients are not mixed in well. The Belgian Waffle is also made perfectly, and topped with ripe bananas and strawberries. Nutella was an overkill for sweetness, which we used in place of the syrup provided. To drink, ordered the Iguana Special ($4) - an iced blend of espresso and coffee that was okay. Food comes out fast and the server was patient with us as we asked a few questions. Quaint spot for a relaxing breakfast/brunch. read more
Came in on a Thursday evening -- I love the hours of this place! Open late enough to grab a quick bite for dessert. I've only ever come here for dessert treats so not too much input on what the savory crepes are like, however I've always left satisfied with my sweets! This time I got the Chocolate Monkey Crepe and was not disappointed! Serving size is decent for a crepe and the price is pretty in line with what a crepe will cost you in Chicago. My friend got the Sweet Sin (apple w/ caramel + walnuts) and she was quite happy with her dish too! Overall, the ambiance of this place is great for conversation and super cozy. It's always a top choice I recommend for just grabbing dessert and chatting since we can usually find a parking spot on the street right outside (quite rare in the city!) read more
6 years ago
Service was slow but the food was amazing. It gave me the feel as if I was in their motherland- I loved it! I would def recommend the bruschetta and baked goat cheese read more
6 years ago
Love this place! Hidden gem for sure. Delicious salads and crepes. Next time I want to try a sandwich. The coffee is incredible. The iced mocha latte is life changing, trust me. Wifi is reliable too and the waitstaff doesn't hover but are always nearby if you need something. Very friendly, relaxed neighborhood vibe. It honestly doesn't feel like you're in Chicago, it feels like a European cafe (which it is). I've gone about three times in the past week and I honestly can't get enough! Highly recommend for a weekend brunch or late afternoon boost. read more
3 years ago
9 years ago
Excellent European style cafe in the West Loop. The restaurant has a very relaxed and modern artistic ambience, and was not too busy around lunch time on a Sunday. The food came fairly quickly, perhaps about ten minutes. The crepes - highly recommend! They are very fresh and they have such a wide selection. The creamy caramel creations was such a treat, you must try it if you like caramel. The Venice was also very fresh and had a distinct taste of red peppers. The Napolitan was an excellent carbonara dish, and is a good dish for sharing. They also had a special of an egg soufflé which was delicious, as there was potato on the bottom and seemed quite gourmet. Overall, very high quality food and would recommend! read more
6 years ago
9 years ago
6 years ago
6 years ago
One of my fav cafes for coffee and/or food! Iguana cafe is located in river west area of downtown chicago and definitely offers a "taste of Europe" as they claim. I've tried their raspberry mocha, Nutella crepe, and jalapeño cheese dip and all items have been delicious and leaving me wanting more. All items are reasonably priced which is a plus. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying more on the menu as the pasta dishes sound phenomenal! It does get quite busy during lunch hours, however, if you come in the morning or after lunch- there's tons of spots and availability. Lots of outlets as well and the wifi works great. I know some of the reviews say it's more of a sit down restaurant - which I agree, but the laid back vibe makes it a cool spot to get work done at as well. Another big plus is the hours!!! They are open 7 am - 12 am which is unlike most coffee shops and they have a full bar so it definitely offers the best of both worlds. read more
10 years ago
Want to break your diet with style? Come here! They have healthy options but also great cheat food options. We were by the area, saw the reviews, and decided to stop by. We had some iced-coffee with us, they don't allow outside drinks but let us keep ours as long as we emptied them in one of their glasses. Napolitan and Carbonara pasta were both creamy cheesy deliciousness goodness. Tasted a lot like Mac and Cheese but with spaghetti. Worth a try, especially the Napolitan! Bougasta with Nutella was amazing! There were three and we practically fought over the third. It was soft in the centre and covered in phyllo dough topped with syrup and Nutella. The service was very friendly and service was quick, prices are also amazing for the quality and amount of food that you get. You will leave full and satisfied with no regrets! read more
If this neighborhood cafe we're going swimming it'd definitely wear a speedo. From the crepes and coffee to the ambiance and atmosphere it certainly has a sensation of a European spot. It's kind of a cross between a sit down restaurant and a coffee shop. There's free wifi and the menu is very cafe-like, but you don't seat yourself and you have an assigned server so I'm not sure how cool it is to post up for an entire day with your laptop. Regardless of whether I overstayed my welcome or not the service was great filling up my water five minutes and being super friendly. The food was awesome and affordable, but I wasn't thrilled on the coffee which is the only reason I wouldn't give them 5 stars. If you're in the area I'd definitely give them a try. read more
Awesome breakfast! They have a giant menu, literally pages long, with everything from sweet and savory crepes, to waffles, to insanely delicious looking fruit salads, and so on. They even have a bar and I noticed an apple mimosa that caught my eye. I fully intend to try it next time. Yelpers raved about the crepes so I already knew that's what I would be ordering. Good luck deciding which one because they all sound wonderful. I picked one called the Tempting Trio, made with strawberries, bananas, and nutella. It was the size of my head and under $6. I think I was able to eat a quarter of it before calling quits. You can't beat that much delicious for such a small amount. Would be a great place to share food with friends and try a little of everything without breaking the bank. I also ordered a sugar free vanilla latte that was creamy and fabulous. You would never guess it was sugar free. This is one of the coolest breakfast spots I've been to in the city. The inside is welcoming, and you leave in a high of sugar and caffeine. Is there any better way to start the morning? read more
10 years ago
Generally when I here the word café I think of a women's light lunch with dessert and coffee. This place does have dessert and coffee, along with a variety of light to medium eats, crepes, salads, wraps and sandwiches. In addition to the food, they serve alcohol, wine/beer and the harder stuff. I had the Sparta, and it was perfect, in general I like any combination of spinach, feta and mushrooms. Add chicken and a crepe or eggs as an omelette and I'm a happy camper. Everything in this crepe was fresh and the chicken wasn't salty, which is a usual complaint of mine. I also didn't need to put any salt or pepper on it, as I said, perfect. I also enjoyed a a tasty white sangria, it was just the thing for a hot day, when the last thing you need is too much alcohol. The vibe is bar like, dim with wood tables, not what I don't think about when you hear the word café. Perhaps, this is why there were more guys then women when I was here, this place had a different feel than Lutz or Selamarie for instance. I wish I had stumbled upon this place sooner, but now that I have I definitely will be back. read more
10 years ago
14 years ago
Came here late on a Saturday nite and found the vibe to be relaxed and lounge-y. It was mostly groups and even a couple families. The menu featured beer, wine, cocktails, coffee, food, and desserts. The hours are 8am-2am and it seems like they were well equipped to serve all three meals plus cater to the late night crowd. I had the hot chocolate with baileys, European Dream Belgian waffle, and the caramel crepe (can't remember the exact name). Everything was delicious, flavorful, and very rich. In my opinion, the portions were generous considering the price. My friend and I easily could've shared one dessert instead of getting two. The service was fairly good although it took the waitress a little while to come to our table initially and then to take our checks at the end. This seems like a place that people tend to stay at for quite a while so perhaps the staff doesn't want to usher customers out. The waitress was very friendly and more than willing to recommend items on the menu. Someone would also come around and refill my water if it was even half empty. Overall, this place was great and I plan to return! Also, if you look toward the left on the back wall, you'll notice they have a pet iguana :) read more
8 years ago
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11 years ago
More info about Iguana Cafe
517 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60642
River West, Noble Square, West Town
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(312) 432-0663
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http://www.iguanacafe.com
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