Most of our meals were of the run-and-gun type, so we figured we should make time for at least one…read moreclassic brunch. We'd heard good things about Lula Cafe, so we decided to pop over on a Saturday morning. It was just after 9:00 but the place was already hopping. After a short wait, we were shown to bar-type seating near the back of the restaurant. It was perfect. I can never say no to a breakfast burrito, so we decided to share their Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito ("avocado, tomato, potato, cheddar, green chile soffritto, and soft scrambled eggs") and holy moly was it ever good. Every ingredient was above average and placed with care, and I was impressed by the perfectly-cooked eggs. (There was nothing bouncy about these eggs, that's for sure.) Because we're pigs, we decided to also share the Lox Toast ("house cured organic salmon, gribiche, lula seeded rye") and it too was very, very good. Finally, we each got the Fruit Cup and somehow it was also amazing. The fruits were cut really well and there wasn't a bad bite to be had. Yeah, I can see why Lula Cafe is doing so well. It's a really cool place.

This is my third time eating at Lula Cafe. The first time was for brunch a few years ago and the…read moresecond time was just for drinks and dessert when we were in the area. This most recent time we came for brunch. Every experience has been pretty average to me, and this most recent time the service was lacking a little. Their pastries and desserts are always really unique and tasty though! We came on a Sunday around 11:45am and were told it would be a two hour wait, but the bar is first come first serve so we ended up sitting at the bar. Our food was taking a long time, while it seemed like everyone else at the bar was getting their food about 10 minutes after ordering since breakfast food is typically quick. After about 35 minutes of waiting, the server eventually noticed we never got our food and went to the kitchen. About 5 minutes later, our food came out. She told us it was because the kitchen lost our ticket and I appreciate the communication, but overall, the servers at the bar seemed pretty distracted the entire time, so part of me thinks our order never even got entered. I also felt like our seats at the end of the bar were easily forgotten about/ignored, and the servers tended to stay more towards the other end. I'm grateful we were offered a free dessert or pastry to make up for the wait. We chose the carrot cake to-go and it was delicious! I ordered the seasonal latte, the french toast off the April 2026 menu, and side of breakfast potatoes. The french toast featured superkhana chai dulce de leche, orange curd, whipped cream cheese, and parle-g crumble. If you like orange and citrusy flavors, you would probably love this french toast. The person I was with got the "royale" breakfast sandwich and loved it. The breakfast potatoes were smaller portion than I expected, but they were good.

Monteverde was our first stop on my birthday trip to Chicago. We visit the city pretty regularly,…read moreand my favorite thing is trying the seemingly endless amazing restaurants it has to offer. Last time we were here, we wanted to try Monteverde, but reservations are extremely difficult to come by. This time I was on it right when they were released, which allowed me to secure a Saturday lunch for four. It's kind of a shame that this is required, but I understand with how popular it is. Coming into the restaurant, it is immediately bustling. The ambience is cozy in a modern and refined sort of way, with lots of natural wood and warm touches throughout. Very beautiful. Service was amicable, though any sort of individualized treatment is impossible with just how busy it is. More than passable for sure, but nothing outstanding. The food, however, was impeccable. For appetizers, our table shared the Burrata e Ham and the 'Nduja Arancini. The arancini were delicious and some of the best I have had from any restaurant, but the star of this course was the burrata. Their take on it was so unique and absolutely to die for. I would get this every single time I come back. For entrees, we shared the Cacio Whey Pepe, Tortelli Verdi, and one other pasta dish that I am not remembering at the moment, but it was excellent. All were very good. For dessert, we split the tiramisu as a table, and it may have been the best version of the dessert that I have ever had. All in all, Monteverde being as hyped up as it was for us held its own. It definitely met those high expectations, and I would love to come here again if I am ever lucky enough to snag another reservation.

A big "Yes!" to all the pasta, a big "Okaaaaay," to most everything else…read more The pasta is really all that and although I didn't try the rabbit ravioli due to the filling being goat cheese, the sauce was outstanding. The pesto mini shells were not quite as brilliant-the sauce seemed a little bit tight-but the pasta itself was excellent. The stuffed cabbage with porcini ragu was also a standout although the fried polenta diamonds, an inspired counterpoint to the dish, were overly greasy. I can't honestly say I'd recommend anything else we ordered. The meatball had a disconcertingly soft texture and the flavor of both the meat and sauce just weren't that good. We also ordered the small chicken parm to share. While the presentation was beautiful it was absolutely nothing special taste-wise. It was properly cooked but largely forgettable. It's worth noting that the kitchen has a slightly heavy hand with salt but YMMV. Service was excellent but the atmosphere leaves a bit to be desired. You're almost sitting in your neighbors' laps and we could clearly follow the conversations on both sides of us. We also had to ask for a table change as we were seated so close to the pass that I would have had a constant stream of plates over my head and right behind my back. The restaurant is easily accessible by public transit and there is some street parking available.

A nice stop for their unique donuts! I like the classic ones dusted with sugar. A nice little…read morewindow that we ordered from. Unfortunately now closed.

This place was so so so good! These shakes were thick and creamy and dreamy!!!…read more The staff- oh these ladies were on it! Honey they are all of that and then some!!! Super heavy on the helpful and so sweet just like our treats! We ordered some treats to go... so all set and need nothing else sweet, we're going to have cavities from how tasty and sweet this place is (the staff... omg... my teeth were showing in the best ways!) Very cool spot super busy location and the hype is well worth it and love the space. Outside and inside!!

I went here with the promise of a one scoop sundae with the best hot fudge and freshly whipped…read morecream I will ever taste and boy, was that correct. The staff was very helpful even though we were a larger party and it was the BEST hot fudge and whipped cream I have ever eaten. Margie Poulos's wish was that nothing in the restaurant be changed so walking in was like going back in time 5 decades. We got to see the infamous booth where the Beatles sat for sweet treats, the mirror booth where The Bear filmed, and just enjoy a time when life seemed simpler. The ambiance was refreshing! I got a bag of treats to share--a rum ball, Turtles with fresh nuts, caramels, etc. I haven't eaten any yet, but I am sure they are going to be as wonderful as everything else we tasted today!

I bought two boxes of their delicious English toffee on 12/19/25, but the candy was terrible. Hard…read moreto bite into and so sticky I thought it would pull my fillings out. Completely unacceptable! I sent an email complaining, but didn't hear back. I went to the store and an employee took my info and said the owner would get back to me, but he didn't. So, bad customer service and occasionally awful chocolate.

With only a few hours left before heading to the airport, we stopped into Nonnina on N Clark St.,…read moreand it ended up being the perfect send-off to our Chicago trip. From the moment we sat down, the atmosphere felt warm and inviting, with beautiful decor that struck a nice balance between cozy and polished. We kept it classic with a Caesar salad, carbonara, and penne alla vodka, and every dish delivered. The Caesar was crisp and well balanced, the carbonara was rich and comforting without feeling too heavy, and the penne alla vodka was easily a standout. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The location is also a big plus, especially if you're exploring downtown or squeezing in one last meal before heading out. Overall, Nonnina felt like one of those reliable spots that still manages to feel special. A great final stop and one I'd absolutely come back to.

Cozy place and nice holiday decorations!…read more We got the special Bruschetta alla Caprese to start and it was delicious! The whipped pesto ricotta was SO good. We got three pasta dishes and tried them all. The pasta noodles were fresh. Tough to pick a favorite as they were pretty different. They were all good but can't say any were amazing. The server was hard to hear and understand.

Literally the cutest café. This was my favorite breakfast spot while visiting Chicago…read more The second I walked in, I was obsessed. The green and white color palette immediately reminded me of Ralph's Coffee. It felt classic and polished but still charming. Everyone working there had a smile on their face, and the warmth felt so genuine and comforting, especially first thing in the morning. They had such a huge selection of pastries and cakes that it was honestly hard to choose. I ended up getting the cake shaped like a cherry because it looked so interesting. It was a black cherry cake and I paired it with a cappuccino. It was the perfect combination. The cake was beautiful and tasted just as good as it looked. We also ordered the breakfast burrito, which came with a small side salad. It was fine, but not the standout for me. If I came back, which I would, I would probably stick to the pastries and coffee and try more of their baked goods instead. Service was amazing. The ambience was adorable. I loved how all the silverware, plating, and dinnerware matched that perfect green tone. Every detail felt intentional. It was just perfect.

We had a toddler date with a friend and her son here at the cafe at the Peninsula. They had some…read morelimited-time St. Patrick's Day specials that caught my friend's eye, including the Pot of Gold, a special dessert only available for the weekend. The food was really excellent, as was the service. But it was ridiculously priced. The reuben sandwich was $28. It was a great sandwich, very lean, but you could get a sandwich as good for half the cost elsewhere. They only have a couple of kid's items, but my friend requested buttered noodles for her kid rather than the cheesy noodles. I got the hibiscus drink and lavender lemonade, both non-alcoholic, and they were very good. My little one especially liked the hibiscus. And we ordered the appetizer of whipped ricotta and honey; my daughter liked this more than anything else we ordered. We didn't have dessert at the restaurant, but ordered to go. The pot of gold was really good. There were little "gold nuggets" on it and that was my daughter's favorite part; good thing since I didn't realize it had a layer with Bailey's in it. It was very rich, and the cauldron was really thick chocolate (and actually was a struggle to get into, a bit!). The restaurant is small but it didn't feel crowded. We never felt rushed or unwelcome, and we were there for a couple hours (longer than I realized; it took an unusually long time to make two reuben sandwiches). Their pastries are really nice but somewhat expensive, like the rest of the menu. It was a nice, sophisticated experience.

Some really delicious frozen custard (you can get sundaes, shakes, etc) as well as retro candies,…read morepop in bottles, etc. A cute little corner storefront with friendly staff.

I accidently stumbled here when I was walking around Edgewater. It was late and not quite 10pm…read more(they close) so I stopped in. Took me awhile to process the menu but it was pretty simple as there are only three steps but plenty of add-ons. Pick your custard base, pick your add-ons and size. I choose the store favorite "Mocha-madness" which is vanilla base custard and they add brew coffee and chocolate chip and blend. I like it as this was not too sweet and rich coffee flavors. $9 (medium). There are other favorites listed but I was not looking for anything crazy. The store has many candy items that you can buy which does not have to ice cream. There is a long bench in the back of the store where you can sit and enjoy the dessert. I like it and will come back for more.

Delicioso! Nothing much else to add...just quality ice cream at a convenient locationread more

One of the best places in Chicago for ice cream/frozen custard. Highly recommend any of their…read morefrozen custards, sundaes, concretes, or parfaits (Italian ice served on top of vanilla frozen custard; only available in the summertime). Every day they have vanilla, chocolate, and a 3rd rotating frozen custard flavor, as well as a rotating concrete (think McFlurry or Blizzard). Each day during the summer, they also have 1 Italian ice flavor available. Expect a line, especially in the evenings on hot days. You can order inside or outside from the window on the side of the building. Indoor seating is very limited and can get quite crowded. Their hours are a bit limited, they're closed on Tuesdays, and they shut down completely sometime in the late Fall until early Spring, so make sure to check their website for hours of operation. Street parking only!

If you're looking for some quality gelato, Black Dog should be your destination. This is my go-to…read moreshop for a cold, sweet treat. They usually have a line that can spill out the door, but it moves quickly. The staff are friendly and always willing to give you a sample of whichever flavor draws your attention. It's a small shop with a modest gelato cooler, but it doesn't need endless options when it nails each flavor they offer. Quality over quantity. Also, recommend getting a waffle cone as theirs are fantastic.

Honestly the best thing about this place is how nice their presentation is. Service was slow and…read morethe staff were rude. They were annoyed and short when explaining what some flavors were when I asked. There was a constant awkward and weird feeling while we were there. We got their Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel and Malted Vanilla Pretzel. The gelato is much prettier than it is tasty. The pretzel was the better of the two, but that doesn't say much. The texture was more like ice cream and it was not satisfying overall. Pricey considering the lack of quality and flavor.

I had a super special date at Margie's with my 2 year old, and we had the best time ever. What I…read morelove about Margie's is that it's frozen in time. It's pretty small inside, there are only a few tables. A server comes to your table to place your order, which I feel like never happens at ice cream shops anymore! The menu is huge! There were multiple sections to banana splits, sundaes, and shakes. We decided to go with something simple. My son ordered 2 scoops of cookies n cream ice cream (with sprinkles of course) and I got moose tracks! The ice cream is the real deal. Our server was super sweet, and we were in and out of there in probably 30-45 minutes. We had the best time and will definitely be back this summer.

We heard that Margie's Candies had some seriously good sundaes, so obviously we had to check the…read moreplace out. (The fact that the joint's been around for over 100 years doesn't hurt either.) It's a small restaurant but we managed to snag a cozy table near the back. We'd already spent most of the day eating, so we decided to share the Atomic Fudge Sundae. It's a fairly enormous concoction. I found it interesting that the hot fudge was served on the side, but it's actually pretty smart because you get control how much (or how little) sauce you get. The ice cream is the highlight. It's creamy and rich, and it's got a really nice flavor, too. The hot fudge was less impressive, but that might be because I had already eaten a Ghirardelli sundae earlier in the day and their hot fudge just can't be beat. The service was super friendly and the atmosphere was kitschy and fun. It's a cool place.