Lula Cafe
Welcome to Lula Cafe, a renowned establishment located in Chicago, IL, that has garnered acclaim for its exceptional hospitality and delicious offerings. Known for its farm-to-table approach and focus on fresh, sustainable ingredients, Lula Cafe offers a unique dining experience that has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
With a diverse menu showcasing a blend of New American cuisine, Lula Cafe caters to a variety of tastes and preferences. Whether you're craving a hearty breakfast, a delectable brunch, or a satisfying dinner, this restaurant has something for everyone. From the popular French Toast to the mouth-watering Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito, each dish is crafted with care, ensuring a memorable dining experience.
Customers rave about the quality of service at Lula Cafe, with attentive staff dedicated to providing a welcoming and enjoyable dining atmosphere. The charming aesthetics of the cafe, including unique decor and inviting outdoor seating options, add to the overall ambience and appeal of the restaurant.
As a food reviewer, I had the pleasure of sampling some of Lula Cafe's standout dishes, and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed. The chickpea frites were a delightful surprise, offering a perfect balance of crispiness and flavor. The pastas, especially the spaghetti with pancetta and cheese, were a true delight for the taste buds.
One cannot overlook the desserts at Lula Cafe, with creations like the Pecorino Cake and the strawberry sorbet leaving a lasting impression. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in each dish truly showcases the culinary expertise of the chef.
Overall, my experience at Lula Cafe was exceptional, and I can understand why it has received accolades such as the James Beard Award for Hospitality. If you find yourself in Chicago, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Lula Cafe for a dining experience that is sure to delight your senses.
Lula Cafe Menu
Location
Address: 2537 N Kedzie Blvd Chicago, IL 60647
Phone: (773) 489-9554
Business info
- Offers TakeoutYes
- ReservationsNo
- DeliveryNo
- Vegan OptionsYes
- Wheelchair accessibleYes
- Accessible parking near entranceYes
- ADA-compliant main entranceYes
- steps or stairsYes
- QR code menus availableNo
- Closed captioning on TVsNo
- Accepts Credit CardsYes
- Accepts Apple PayYes
- Accepts Android PayNo
- Outdoor SeatingYes
- Hipster, ClassyYes
- Moderate NoiseYes
- Offers CateringYes
- Good for GroupsYes
- Good For KidsYes
- Good for BrunchYes
- Street ParkingYes
- Free Wi-FiYes
- Full BarYes
- Dogs AllowedYes
- Gender-neutral restroomsYes
- Open to AllYes
- Waiter ServiceNo
- Happy HourNo
- TVNo
- Private DiningNo
- Bike ParkingYes
- Compostable containers availableYes
- Plastic-free packagingYes
- Provides reusable tablewareYes
Last Reviews
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Author: Bob S.
I flew into O'Hare this morning and jumped on the Blue Line to Logan Square and here I am at Lula Cafe. Having attended the James Beard Awards this year, I was extra excited to dine at Chicago's only winner: the James Beard Award for Hospitality. I remember Chef Jason Hammel, surrounded by his team, speaking about how hospitality is love with conditions. When I arrived, there were lots of diners milling around the front of the restaurant, but with a party of one, I immediately snagged a seat a the bar. For a superb restaurant with such an amazing reputation and following, I was surprised it does a breakfast/lunch serving, followed by dinner. I enjoyed chatting with Alex at the bar. He provided great service. He was so happy that I came in specifically because of their Beard win. Based on Yelp reviews, I knew I had to order the super popular French Toast and Classic Lula Breakfast Burrito. Both weee exquisite: super tasty, beautiful presentation and large portions. Hope I can return soon and try dinner!
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Author: Mallory P.
recently dined at Lula Cafe, drawn by their james beard award for outstanding hospitality, but found our server, allison, to be more of an order taker than an outstanding server. despite this, the food was delicious; both the breakfast burrito and the sourdough french toast special were scrumptious (pictured below)! the cafe's aesthetics are charming, from the well-designed menus to the beautifully plated dishes. i loved the gumball machine filled with buttons by local artists, but didn't have any quarters to grab one LOL overall, i'll likely return next time i'm in chicago, but i'd probably choose to sit at the bar or on the patio! **make a reservation if you can, but they may have space for walk ins!**
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Author: Rie U.
SERIOUSLY, what is in those chickpea frites?! They're so tasty and addicting!! They're perfectly crispy and salty! We almost ordered another portion but decided we should actually wait until the rest of our meal came out lol. And I'm glad we did bc both the pastas were phenomenal! The spaghetti is such a simple sounding dish but they make it 1000% tastier. Who doesn't like pancetta with some cheese?! We weren't really fans of the chilled mussels but that's just bc we think mussels are better warm. It took everything in us to leave the restaurant without an order of spaghetti and chickpea frites to-go. You know, for our hungry child at home? Service was friendly and fast. And we've already tried to make another reservation but to no avail. Lula is just too damn popular bc it's so damn good!
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Author: Jen R.
This is one of those places that has been around for 25 years. I always said I would go, but alas, we moved out of state. When I knew we would visit Chicago again, I had an idea of where I wanted to go. Then they won a James Beard Award for Hospitality, and I figured I'd try to make a reservation. I tried online to make one, but it looked like a no-go. I thought, I'm just going to call in--this was worth it--and I got a reservation. They had some nice outdoor seating, and the inside was light and bright. There was a large bar, and I believe around the corner, there was more seating or a private dining room (a small wedding party came in while we were there). We came in and were seated promptly. From what I can ascertain, you need a reservation for dinner. Brunch, however, is first-come, first-served; they take no reservations for that. We sat in a little nook area and then started to look at the menus (both for food and a separate one for wine/cocktails/beer, etc.). I got a cocktail--unfortunately, I don't remember the name of it, but it hit the spot on that hot July day. We then got an appetizer of the Baked French Brie with Toasted Bread to slather it on. The Brie was sitting in the most beautiful green olive oil I have ever seen. It was tasty as well, perfect for sopping up with the toasted bread. The Brie was flavorful without being overly salty, as it sometimes can be. It also came with both green and black olives. This iconic dish has been on the menu for a while, and I completely understand why. It was delicious, and smearing that Brie on the toasted bread was divine. My husband ordered the Roast Chicken with Potato and Butter Greens, Panzanella, and Anchovy Aioli. I know you might be thinking, roast chicken? Yes, and it's another iconic dish that has been around for a long time. I get it--I tried a bit of it, and the chicken was succulent and the flavors were just right. The Brie and Roasted Chicken are Café Classics from when the restaurant opened in 1999. I got the Branzino with Grilled Cabbage, Summer Onions, Sungold Tomato, and Fennel Soubise. I really liked this dish. The fish was perfectly cooked and properly seasoned. I liked the idea of the grilled cabbage, though I wished it had more Sungold tomatoes, to be frank. We decided to share a dessert, which I highly recommend doing as well. We got the Pecorino Cake with Sour Cherry, Olive Oil Ice Cream, Sicilian Pistachio, and Candied Castelvetranos. I also got a dessert wine that perfectly paired with it, as suggested on the menu under the dessert description. This dessert was a complete surprise, also featuring shards of Parmesan. It hit the savory and sweet notes without being overwhelming--a lovely way to end the meal. The service was lovely and helpful. All the staff were on point, from when we checked in to when we ordered, with different people dropping off different dishes. I completely understand why they won that award. As an FYI, they automatically add a 20% gratuity to your bill. It's all online or on the menu, and they explain why. Parking can be a bit tricky as it's street-only and yes, you have to pay for street parking--ah, Chicago. All in all, it was very much worth the visit. If you are able, please go.