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    Mella Cafe

    4.8 (33 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Business Info

    MELLA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Mella Cafe

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    vegetables samosa (inside)
    Sayuri A.

    mella is sooo cool u have to come here & try it!!! i've never had ethiopian/eritrean food before and it seems rlly yummy! i didn't actually get a full food item but i tried the telba which is a ground flaxseed drink mixed with water and honey, and it's delicious. if you like nuttier/earthier flavors and want something refreshing i'd definitely recommend it. the girl working was super sweet and ok with me asking her a bunch of questions about it. she made it medium sweet with honey for me and said she could add more if i wanted, but i think medium sweet is perfect especially for tasting the flax seeds but still having a hint of sweetness. i also got the lentil samosa which was amazinggg especially with the sauce. you could tell they use very fresh ingredients. i'd love to come back and try an actual food item from their menu but they have everything - coffee, smoothies, sweet and savory pastries, and food! the outdoor seating is also rlly nice but they have some seating inside as well as free wifi so you cld easily work from here.

    Breakfast combo.

    I've been to this lovely cafe a few times to enjoy their latte and pastries. Every time I walk by the delicious scents wafting out make me almost swoon so I finally asked for a breakfast combo to go - it looked so good and I always wanted to try it. They had just closed the kitchen for the night but were nice enough to make it anyway. It looked great, smelled heavenly, but I honestly didn't know what it was. I can't recall anytime recently when I ate something so tasty my eyes rolled to the back of my head! An introduction to some wonderful tasty spices. Wow!! This single breakfast combo provided enough food for three meals! The staff were warm and service accommodating. This place is such a gem!

    Breakfast combo
    Teresa G.

    Suuuuch delicious food! I ordered the breakfast combo with a cappuccino and a mini cannoli. The breakfast was sooo flavorful. The staff was so kind and attentive. The holiday decor inside was absolutely beautiful. I'll definitely be back again

    Exterior with cafe seating
    Sarah S.

    This place is FANTASTIC. Starting with the food- Mella specializes in Eritrean/ Ethiopia fusion food, with unique items great for brunch or lunch. The menu is not what you get at a standard Ethiopian restaurant- items that I have never seen before. Dishes are built around French Bread or pita with a beautiful berbere flavor. The spice is fantastic- deep, flavorful, warming. Hubs and I come here frequently for lunch, and are eating our way through the menu. Favorite dish so far is the kitcha fit fit- it's almost like pancakes smothered in a berbere butter gravy and drizzled in honey. It is a bite that will live in your taste bud memory because it is SO good. The cafe also carries a good coffee menu and a strong selection of pastries- little bags of shortbread cookies, baklava, cream puffs. Service is great- they are so kind and patient with my kid who takes forever to pick a gelato flavor. The gelato counter alone should make this a staple. Under $3 for a kid scoop and a topping! With tons of indoor and outdoor seating, great place to pop to and get a gelato scoop from the numerous kid spaces (Ladybug, Burnham Playground, Little Peirce Pre-K) that are on the block. With coffee, pasties, ample seating, would good be a good workplace. Music might be a little loud for virtual meetings.

    Gorgeous gelato options
    Megan S.

    Wow! What an awesome place. I live very close to this restaurant, but had never been in to check it out. I wish I would've found it sooner. The coffee was delicious and I had the fatta - so fresh and filling. Lots of options - vegetarian, spicy, whatever you wish for and they have a lot of gelato options too. Very kind staff and very clean place. Nice tables for sitting. I can't wait to go back to try more dishes!

    Coffee(buna)
    Misgana A.

    My favorite spot. I love the ambiance of this spot. I love the beautifulness of the spot, reminds me of home a lot. Food is amazing. I love the owner, she has accommodated me and my friends with our food restrictions. I have brought probably ten of my friends to this spot on different occasions. Best breakfast and brunch spot. The macchiato is amazing, must have if you go. Definitely going back soon

    Macchiato

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    26 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Negus S.

    Negus S.

    Thank you for your kind review. We would love to have you back.

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    2 years ago

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    5 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    Negus S.

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    11 months ago

    Welcoming service. Delicious fuul and Portuguese rolls. Wonderful jebara coffee service with popcorn!

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    8 months ago

    Had the most amazing brunch here! There are so many options and the customer service was amazing. Will certainly return!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious coffee, great food, amazing service and friendly staff! Such a cozy little place with so much to offer. I will definitely be back!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food was excellent. Ful and quanta firfir is so delicious. Can't wait to go back again.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love this little neighborhood family run gem. Flavorful and interesting food, wonderful and helpful service. We will be back soon.

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    3 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Mella Cafe

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    Den Den Restaurant - lamb, beef, seafood, veggie, chicken on injera

    Den Den Restaurant

    (164 reviews)

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    Rogers Park

    Came in tonight for a post-workout dinner and had a really nice experience. The place has a cozy,…read moreneighborhood feel -- relaxed, welcoming, and perfect for a casual meal. The staff were friendly and patient, especially helpful for someone who doesn't eat Ethiopian/Eritrean food all the time. We ordered a beef dish and a chicken dish and both were flavorful and satisfying. The beef was tender and well-seasoned, and the chicken was nicely spiced without being overwhelming. Everything came out hot and fresh, and the portions were generous. And the injera... honestly, it was so good I couldn't stop nibbling on it. Soft, tangy, and exactly the right texture for scooping up the stews. The meal felt hearty, comforting, and different from the usual dinner routine in the best way. If you're anywhere near Devon/Broadway/Clark, this spot is a great walk-over choice for a solid, flavorful dinner. I'll definitely be back to work through more of the menu.

    There is a lot of delicious Ethiopian and Eritrean food in this beautiful city, and I've been lucky…read moreto try at least a few spots but Denden is definitely in the top tier (def top two or three) of the ones I've tried. I took my mom to this Eritrean restaurant when she was in town and we got the meat and veggie platter that comes with the injera and it was so so good. We had leftovers of course because it's such a generous portion but the leftovers still sparked joy. Definitely recommend this place and the service was great.

    Mella Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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