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Julius Meinl Restaurant and Cafe
3601 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
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Julius Meinl Restaurant and Cafe
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Zu
Review №1

So we ended up here waiting get into another restaurant actually. Figured wed get some coffee while we waited. Well a tornado warning went off in the Chicago area and altered our plans a bit. We ended up having brunch here and it was solid. Nothing that will blow you away imo, but the experience was overall pleasent. The coffee was good. The food was good. The atmosphere was nice. And the staff was very friendly. Definitely recommend for a nice coffee and bite kind of morning.

Da
Review №2

By far the best coffee in town. Very delicious and 99% authentic Vienna breakfast. Personell is highly professional and friendly. Definitively recommendable. Try the Wiener Melange is a must have.

J.
Review №3

Please, please, please get your service issues together as the inconsistencies in whom gets good service has caused you the loss of a long time customer. This is a marvelous coffee shop that reminds me of my travels to Europe where one can enjoy a lazy afternoon having a wonderful French press and a good sandwich but recent experiences have left much to be desired.

Ro
Review №4

Service was good..but the baked eggs were not what I remember them to be-definitely not the same/as good-unfortunately. Used to come here a lot..For the price??? Meh

Wi
Review №5

A lovely escape - delicious food, inviting atmosphere, good wait staff.

Le
Review №6

This place is decent for a quick bite, though the service was slow when we visited on a Saturday despite very few patrons. The Vietnamese hot chocolate and chocolate croissant were good, but the hair in the grilled ham and cheese sandwich was a very unpleasant surprise.

Th
Review №7

Lovely place. Great atmosphere, and the pesto salad was SUPER YUMMY! Definitely has that old world feel and I love it. Service was good too. They didn’t bother me much but were fast and efficient when I asked for anything. Thank you!

Pr
Review №8

Loves their coffee and enjoys to spend time here.....always feel like home away from home....food taste delicious.....nice hospitality.....if you ate around a must visit place

Je
Review №9

Enjoyed the experience quite a bit. The goulosh was a nice bit of comfort food. The chocolate decadence was very good, but the presentation was a little bland.

Ki
Review №10

Absolutely loved the whole experience. This charming Austrian cafe has an amazing array of delicious and healthy, yet tasty breakfast options. I ordered the Imperial Frühstück and was over the moon with everything about it. It was like being in Europe all over again. Will definitely be visiting more often now that Ive happened upon this gem. Highly recommend!

Le
Review №11

Perfect place for breakfasts and brunches. Classic European style and design, live music and aromatic coffee. Big selection of traditional european desserts such as apple strudel.

Ta
Review №12

Always a gem..... with Austrian German pastries and great coffee quiet neighborhood atmosphere.... Service was amazing and so pleasant during our covid rainey Thursday noon visit. 25% occupancy leads to maximum room and seating options today with no wait. Very nice tomato pesto quiche with coffee. Great pastries in window that we overlooked for now.....

an
Review №13

Server was nice. Dessert not so great. Eis Kaffee was small! Wouldnt recommend.

Pa
Review №14

Service was really great. Claudia took really great care of my niece and me. We had the crepes stuffed with brie and ham as well as the turkey/avocado club. Both delicious.

Je
Review №15

Just like in Europe! Love the cookie that comes with your hot drink order. Its exactly how the cafe that I was familiar with in Switzerland serve their hot drinks. With a cookie! We had a black forest cake and a hot drink. The cake was tasty, very boozy which was perfect. Drink was too sweet so we asked for some milk to dilute the sweetness. The waitress was really pleasant and responded well during our interactions.I saw someone ordered a brunch plate that was loaded with nicely cut fruits. Will come back to try the brunch!

Ky
Review №16

I found this place on ritual and it was a great find! The atmosphere is comforting, food and drinks were great, but I got attitude when I asked for a plate and fork. Overall, would recommend.

Ja
Review №17

Food and coffee quality is great. Had some confusion ordering on Ritual but was resolved when I arrived. Will return!

Ke
Review №18

Great place to chat over a coffee or tea.

Ri
Review №19

This place is heaven. Outdoor seating, a bomb brunch menu served daily, omg the CAKES, amazing coffee and tea. It’s bumping on the weekends for breakfast and brunch, but so underrated for doing some work/homework/reading on the weekdays. I could spend hours here.

Do
Review №20

Great food and coffee. Good service.

El
Review №21

Small selection of baked goods on display. Depressing vibe, but Im also aware that were in a pandemic. That being said, Ive been to a lot of well-stocked bakeries these past few months, all of which have been robust and welcoming. Not so this Julius Meinl. In a word: meh.

Br
Review №22

Great cappuccinos and sandwiches. Sitting outside in the summer is so nice. I recommend the cappuccino over regular coffee so good.

Ky
Review №23

What an awesome little cafe! On the outside it looks like a chain coffee shop-bakery, but once you step inside the vibe changes. The atmosphere is very casual and neat and this place is perfect for a relaxed breakfast, lunch, or snack (including a small group). The service is attentive and fast and friendly and the menu is great.They have amazing tea and coffee selections and a good selection for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts (pasteries). Everything seems to be made in-house and fresh. I got a darjeeling tea with the turkey and avacado sandwich, and both were great. They really hit the spot.Overall a fantastic find in the neighborhood. The only downfall, a little pricey for what you get. My sandwich was 9 dollars, a little steep in my opinion. Still a great choice for something casual.Atmosphere: 8/10Service: 9/10Food: 8/10

An
Review №24

Great cinnamon roll and eggs Benedict!

Pa
Review №25

My favorite breakfast place of all time. Every time someone comes into town, we come two or three times before they leave. The food is to die for, the chai is delightful, and the atmosphere is homey and romantic. A slice of Vienna in Wrigleyville. Excellent wait staff and line staff, too.

Pa
Review №26

Fantastic food and great service

Ma
Review №27

Great coffee and baked goods. We got a blueberry lemon scone, ham and cheese croissant, and cinnamon roll, and everything was delicious.

Je
Review №28

This place has great coffee and chocolate chips cookies I highly recommend to everyone who pass by them to support this restaurant. P.s. they have super friendly service.

Hi
Review №29

My favorite coffee shop in Lakeview! Best coffee and baked eggs!

Cr
Review №30

Awesome place, great walk up coffee service and even better dine in service. The food is a bit slow to arrive but the atmosphere and the coffee will tide you over.

An
Review №31

Great service, fast with a nice esthetic . Good drinks

Ca
Review №32

From the moment we entered, we were welcomed by Claudia. We ordered the Austrian pancakes and they are incredible! Chloe our server was very friendly and provided great service. Best espresso in the Chicago area!

Mi
Review №33

Phenomenal coffee!! Great sandwiches. The Viennese have been doing this coffee thing right for over 100 years. If you really like coffee, go and get some from Meinl!!

Sa
Review №34

I miss the old Julius Meinl. It used to be a special experience with great coffee and food, beautiful presentation, a cozy environment. But it feels like a poor commercialization has happened. And tonight they told us while we were still eating that they were going to close early- 2 hours early!!! And then they rushed us out. It was a bummer experience.

Ro
Review №35

Comfortably European. Clean, always busy and popular in the neighborhood. Outside seating, too.

ev
Review №36

Classic coffee shop and also good customer service and then good food and cakes- Julius Meinl

Ye
Review №37

Ive loved this chain since my first acquaintance with Julius Meinl coffee almost 30 years ago in its native Vienna and it still remains a solid good choice for a quick bite and some lesser known in the US delights. Maybe not always stellar, but never disappointing. Love it!

Sa
Review №38

Food is deliciously great. Customer service is stupendous. Great background music and friendly environment.

Wi
Review №39

We often seem to enjoy a coffee/tea break here on the way back from downtown. Their coffee is one of the finest ever and the Lemon Ginger tea is also one of the best. It’s a great stopping place on the Southport/Addison corner; a short walk from Wrigley, and of course on the 152 Bus line.

Je
Review №40

This a nice, affordable, neighborhood coffee shop. The food is always good, very simple. The drinks are great, served on metal trays and come with a little cookie. Its a nice spot to meet a friend, read a book, grab a bite or just some tea (or coffee).

Zl
Review №41

Still maintaining high quality of service, food, and interior. The Esterhazy torte is excellent, as is the strudel. Too bad the Lincoln Square location closed, but the Southport location is great, too.

Wi
Review №42

This place rules! I see a few reviewers complaining about slow service, but that is because this place is not meant to be like Starbucks or another quick American coffee place. Julius Meinl is set up to be conducive to long, warm conversations on a rainy day, comfortable study sessions, and catching up with old friends. In my experiences, cafes in Austria are meant to be a place to relax and stay for a while, chatting with those youre with. This is exactly what this place is for, and theres nothing else like it that Ive found in the city. Try the apple strudel!

Ch
Review №43

I love this place so much. The great selections of coffee and tea. The cakes are very delicious, too. I crave for the chocolate cake named Viena. It is something that I can only find at Julius Meinl. It makes my tea break more enjoyable. Highly recommended.

Ta
Review №44

Good old days of Budapest, Prague, Vienna... Coffee creations, dessert and regular food, which we have not tried. Nice decor!

An
Review №45

Austrian food... so fresh. Certainly a top place in the area. The service here is great. Prices are fair.

fr
Review №46

Still the best coffee drinks and espresso in town. Amazing baked eggs and outstanding service. High recommendation!

Cr
Review №47

I have been a customer for... forever. I honestly dont even know how long. Maybe 10 years. It has always been my favorite cafe in Chicago. Exceptional menu, coffee, true European pastries. My last visit there though... was a shock. The new fancy American menu is a huge letdown. Julius Meinl is not an American cafe. Its Austrian. That makes it unique. Otherwise, we are all perfectly happy with Starbucks. I went in for lunch with a friend and did not like a single item on the menu. The crepes are gone... the amazing turkey sandwich gone... the balsamic dressing gone. The new yogurt dill dressing is all dill. One note. Please go back to being authentic. This new menu will push away your most loyal customers, your neighborhood people. Well traveled, affluent, young Chicagoans that appreciated a little piece of Europe they could walk to for brunch on a sunny Sunday morning.

N
Review №48

I remember the place as a good coffee place that also served brunch. I visited it this time in the early evening having only about 15 minutes before my next appointment. Decided I could only grab coffee and a piece of pastry. Neither was any good. My cappuccino was watery with too much foam on top, a chocolate cake was too dense. Service was slow. The place also needs a remodeling or freshening up, looks like they have not kept with the times and not for good reasons.

Ma
Review №49

A sweet, comfy cafe, with sofas as well as regular tables. They have delicious Viennese coffee, great sandwiches, yummy breakfast options, and exquisite pastries. A good place for brunch or lunch, a great place to drink coffee and discuss current events. Excellent service, always a great experience!

Fr
Review №50

One the best places to meet a friend for coffee, of course, and a light meal. Hot chocolate is great. Better is a coffee drink with the hot chocolate. Highly recommend this cafe.

Y
Review №51

Perfect food and service.

Fr
Review №52

They offer a vast variety of fresh food. I loved dining here. Employees are always friendly, rates are fair and the spot is always kept clean.

La
Review №53

Good place for a coffee, nothing special but their coffee is good!

Al
Review №54

The only US outpost of the famous historical Vienna institution. Good coffee and deserts.

El
Review №55

First time visitor yesterday. The menu: was generally confusing to a newcomer in that it had a number of drink options that were in German or some other language with no description. This means that if you’re on the go and don’t know what you want, you have to listen to a rapid-fire explanation of ingredients. It would also be nice to see cup size options on the menu too. The atmosphere: would feel cozy if the staff didn’t initially come off as unwelcoming and somewhat stuck up. The longer I stayed, the more apparent it became that they were just bored. Still not great. Aside from the staff, the comfy looking chairs and many tables looked inviting (this is partially a sit down restaurant but there is also a coffee bar to sit down at if you are unwilling to commit to a table). Famiy tea during Christmas anyone? The drink: I got the mint hot chocolate. It was way too sweet. Im willing to give this place a second chance for their coffee since Im in the area a lot and I hear its fantastic.

Ta
Review №56

One of my favorite places to get coffee and food. German-themed (the brand was originally founded in Germany) with excellent coffee concoctions and cakes. Chic but rustic atmosphere. A bit expensive, but if you are okay with that, youll love being here.

Ji
Review №57

Guine Austrian cuisine, meticulously prepared. The service was exceptional. Its a little pricey but worth the food and atmosphere.

iC
Review №58

Everything here is amazing, talking about food and drinks, my favorites are a melange and smoke salmon sandwich ❤️ the atmosphere is incredible

Su
Review №59

Love the atmosphere here. Settle down into a cozy chair and stay for hours. the light jazz is not intrusive and the food is pretty good and healthy. The robust list of coffee and teas will satisfy any need. As a coffee shop lover this one defiantly ranks high on my list.

MJ
Review №60

I’ve been to this restaurant/coffee house many times, and I’ve been completely satisfied with the food and coffee. Servers are friendly and fast to help. Why would anyone go to McStarbucks over this place?

Ca
Review №61

Their breakfast menu is pretty impressive. I liked their baked eggs and gourmet coffee. Service can be spotty and REALLY slow but the food is delicious. I also love the little cookie they give you at the end of the meal to go with your coffee! Its a great place for a weekend brunch or just a day you want to take to yourself drinking coffee and reading a book.

Fr
Review №62

This is easily one of my favorite breakfast spots in Chicago, and well worth riding the CTA north from downtown. They have a delicious array of baked egg dishes which really hit the spot, and their French press coffee is a big cup of dark, rich, creamy happiness that you can practically eat with a fork. They dont take reservations, but I have never had to wait longer than 20 minutes or so. One word of warning: the baked egg dishes are hotter than the center of the sun when they arrive at your table, so cut into them and let them cool a bit or you will burn the you-know-what out of your tongue.

Yo
Review №63

Overrated and overpriced, inattentive service, at least what I got on Friday. I usually walk up and take a smoothie and a pastry to go. This time I decided to eat in. Long wait for food, waitress no where to be found, at least bus boy was there very promptly when I needed something ( like an extra fork, when my daughter dropped one on the floor). We paid ($$$) for our food. I would not rated that low if I wasnt raced and my stroller stepped on as I was heading to the exist. The waitress literally jumped over my stroller almost knocking the baby car seat as she was rushing to her table. Very rude. Will not go back even though I live two blocks away. Will not recommend to any of my friends. Rather go to Starbucks where they appreciate your business

Ra
Review №64

AMAZING food and service! The truffled potato baked eggs are SO GOOD!! I go here every time I’m in Chicago just for those!!

Mo
Review №65

Great dessert. My friends loved it a lot

Ru
Review №66

Went for a weekday brunch and just loved everything about this place. Cozy but not cramped dining space. But there is a quick to go counter if needed . Service Pleasant and helpful. Coffee drinks were delicious and unique. I had Nutella and banana crepes which were perfect. The menu has plenty of savory choices and selections geared toward lunch. Overall good food and a pleasant experience would return again any day

Jo
Review №67

Julius has a great atmosphere, excellent food, and a great location. Its definitely a place to go to hang out and grab brunch or bring your laptop and work. However, the coffee isnt great and the service is ok. While there I ran out of water and didnt see our waiter very often to request for more.

Li
Review №68

Iced Coffee + Cream = Perfect grab and go coffee when youre on a walk in the neighborhood with a friend. Its nutty and delicious. Great patio on summer mornings. Ive gotten some good work done out there when my home office was making me stir crazy.

Ma
Review №69

I came here for the first time last week to meet a colleague. It was about 1pm on Friday and there were plenty of open tables and staff were very welcoming. I was surprised they have table service and wasnt sure if theyd mind us just having coffee, but there was no pressure to purchase anything more. (They had a nice assortment of pastries and desserts on display.) I had a cup of coffee and my friend had a cappuccino. Both were great. They also served water which they kept filled. It was a lovely place and I will definitely come again.

Er
Review №70

This place is just the cutest. If I lived nearby, it would be a sure winner for my go-to coffee/work spot. It was large, lots of seating, and had delicious Austrian coffee drinks! I had to have the menu explained to me, but they didnt mind. I didnt have any food so I cant speak to that, but the Melange was great.

Be
Review №71

It could improve. The coffee is good and the atmosphere. The food is the true issue. So not recommended for high expectations.

Da
Review №72

Staff is wonderful. Food is delicious. Coffee is always stellar. Would recommend for breakfast or brunch.

Br
Review №73

The foods are still good as ever. This is the place to go for good food, at good prices. Highly recommended!

Mo
Review №74

Great chain for coffee and tea. Coffee shop vibes with restaurant service and I love that you get a traditonal restaurant style menu with wait staff to take your order. The food is pretty good and they offer live music throughout the week.

Fr
Review №75

Rude employee and crazy slow.

Aa
Review №76

Loves this place. Comfortable, they didnt rush us and everything was delicious. We will go again.

Ke
Review №77

We had a large group but the staff was very kind and accommodating. Food and drinks were great and reasonable priced.

Me
Review №78

Why does this Viennese coffee shop have locations in Chicago and nowhere else in North America? I dont know and I dont care. You couldnt ask for a better ambassador for Viennese coffee culture, so its always a treat. The Southport location is the first one in Chicago, and they serve excellent coffee and some good eats as well. Every coffee fan should pay at least one visit here.

Ca
Review №79

Things seem to be getting back on track here. Busy, hopping, food was good. UPDATE- had lunch here Sept, 2017. Cressant was amazing. Chicken salad great. Service was on target! Good job

An
Review №80

I wish it was as lovely as it used to be. Last visit table and pastry cases were sticky dirty and have you seen the front door!? Ugh. Previous manager would be appalled. Food still delicious and servers friendly.

Su
Review №81

Great corner cafe to stop for a delicious coffee/chai tea (my favorite). I had the macaroon dipped in chocolate. It was large enough to split but of course i ate the whole thing. Moist and not too sweet. Busy early afternoon rush but didnd have to wait for table. I have been here for lunch and sandwiches are good, but a little pricey. All together it is a casual place to stop In and take break from shopping in the chilly weather. Next time I might try a hot cider. Cant go wrong for a gathering place to meet or stop in alone for a break.

Da
Review №82

Good coffee and friendly staff!

Le
Review №83

I love the European charm and relaxed atmosphere of this place. Delicious coffee and Austrian pastries.

Br
Review №84

Do you know how they say coffee in Austria? I dont either but someone at Julius meinl must as theyre coffee and food is authentic and tasty. Their cookies are really good and their croque madame is excellent. Of course the best part is the tiny cookie they give you with your coffee when you dine in. They remind me of the ones I use to get on Delta but dont require my to fly anywhere to get my cookie fix.

Pa
Review №85

High-class menu and atmosphere with a refreshingly casual and outgoing staff.The sandwiches and salads are very simple, but made with care and well-chosen produce. The desserts and pastries are visually dazzling, but better to get there earlier in the day as some of the items (such as the Apfelstrudel) dont age very gracefully in the display case. Even so, a 12-hour old pastry from Julius Meinls talented bakers is better than just about anything else youd find in the city.

Em
Review №86

Great vibes, quality cafe latte, and more importantly thicc biscotties

Va
Review №87

Most people probably think you cant have a small, locally owned coffee shop experience inside of a cafe chain, but at this Julius Meinl - you can! They always have a delightful offering of fancy pastries and classic staples in their grab n go section as well as tasty dine-in menu options. Each barista takes care to make each drink picture perfect and at just the right temperature. Im currently hooked on their Earl Grey Vanilla Lattes, but Im sure it will change back to the Iced Mocha this summer!

Ju
Review №88

Julius Meinl is one of the many great spots to grab coffee and brunch with friends and family. The location is crowded most of the times with a heavy wait, especially on winter when they dont offer the patio. I always enjoy the croque madame paired with the vanilla early grey latte. They waistaff is friendly but mostly overwhelmed by the crowds at peak hours, and the service is a little slow. Nonetheless, quality and reasonable prices make this a great stop while in the Southport / Wrigley area.

An
Review №89

Great food and coffee. Calm relaxed atmosphere. Internet is not as good.

Ma
Review №90

Food is very good and coffee is great. However service can be really spotty. It took over an hour for me to get my food order today and then I received the wrong order! Not sure it is all the servers fault. I believe it is a lack of systems. Which is why they have closed 2 locations in the past 6 months. Really a shame. They have a great concept - just poor execution.

KS
Review №91

Authentic Austrian pastry and great coffee - you cant go wrong! Dont drive there during Cubs home games because you will not find parking. Only a short walk from the Southport Brown line station.

Al
Review №92

Ever try ice cream and coffee?..well you should. Es cafe .... delicious!!!

Li
Review №93

This is like a little taste of Vienna...but without the 8 hour flight overseas! Delicious coffee and tea, traditional pastries, and lunch/light supper offerings, all served with great flair on silver platters. Super-popular brunch spot, so be prepared to wait. Its one of my favorite places to catch up with a good friend, or spend a low-key evening relaxing to some live music (which they tend to schedule more often during the winter months). I just wish they would bring back their fantastic green rooibos tea!

Li
Review №94

My favorite place for coffee. And the food and pastries are delicious. Ive never had a bad experience here. If you go for brunch, be prepared to wait, it gets crowded but sometimes you can get lucky and get a table outside.

Th
Review №95

Terrific spot to grab coffee, lunch or a snack. Nice ambiance, plenty of room and not cramped like other coffee shops. Free wifi and welcoming service!

Ti
Review №96

Very friendly staff and one of the best Americanos Ive ever had!

Er
Review №97

Very good spoeztl and decent crepes. Large offering of coffee and tea.

Lu
Review №98

The hot chocolate I ordered was not hot at all. It was tepid. The only reason I didnt speak up and have it remade is because it would have made the party I was with uncomfortable.

Av
Review №99

I go here all the time and the food and service are excellent. If you’re hoping to read or work, however, bring headphones - the families in the neighborhood frequently come in with crying children.

Pa
Review №100

Coffee - GREAT! Food - pretty good. Service - BAD. I like this place but it took us way too long for our food to come.

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
4.5 Rating
  • Address:3601 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
  • Site:https://juliusmeinlchicago.com/
  • Phone:+1 773-868-1857
Categories
  • Coffee shop
  • Brunch restaurant
  • Cafe
  • Austrian restaurant
  • Espresso bar
  • European restaurant
  • Restaurant
Working hours
  • Monday:7AM–5PM
  • Tuesday:7AM–5PM
  • Wednesday:7AM–5PM
  • Thursday:7AM–5PM
  • Friday:7AM–5PM
  • Saturday:7AM–5PM
  • Sunday:7AM–5PM
Service options
  • Outdoor seating:Yes
  • Takeout:Yes
  • Delivery:No
  • Dine-in:No
Health & safety
  • Mask required:Yes
  • Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits:Yes
Highlights
  • Great coffee:Yes
  • Great dessert:Yes
  • Great tea selection:Yes
Popular for
  • Breakfast:Yes
  • Lunch:Yes
  • Solo dining:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom:Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible seating:Yes
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot:No
Offerings
  • Coffee:Yes
  • Comfort food:Yes
  • Healthy options:Yes
  • Quick bite:Yes
Dining options
  • Dessert:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • High chairs:Yes
Atmosphere
  • Casual:Yes
  • Cozy:Yes
Crowd
  • Groups:Yes
  • Tourists:Yes
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