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    Cafe 53

    4.4 (387 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    CAFE 53 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe 53

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    Patio area
    Kelis C.

    Upon walking in, I was a little overwhelmed as the cafe was super busy with people everywhere. Inside is a tight space but it's a nice vibe forsure. We ordered our drinks first and scanned the menu to see what we'd like. I'd definitely recommend taking your time and looking through the options because everything sounded so good. We ended up getting the turkey avocado and sumac chicken both on Dutch crunch and omg we destroyed those sandwiches. The sandwiches are pretty big which justified the price but I do think my drink (Italian soda) was definitely overpriced. The mayo that is used on the sandwiches is delicious and pairs really well with that Dutch crunch baguette. I would highly recommend heading to Cafe 53 on a chill day, grabbing a sandwich (Dutch crunch required!), and sitting out on the patio.

    Sumac Chicken
    Hanna S.

    We got a huge and delicious sumac chicken sandwich on crunchy bread. We enjoyed it on the back patio, which felt like the Hyde Park of my childhood. We enjoyed the fattoush salad, too, though the tomatoes were a little sad on both sandwich and salad. If I still lived in the neighborhood, I'd be getting takeout from here all the time. I'd love to try some of the (many) vegetarian options. Italian cookie gelato was the perfect conclusion.

    Vegan  Eggplant Marinara
    Sandi I.

    Delicious old school big sandwiches wrapped in butcher wrap. Huge variety of sandwiches, paninis, salads with lots of choices for special diets. Indoor seating with a cozy artsy vibe. Free WiFi for quick studying while having lunch. The service was prompt and helpful. If we didn't live out of state we'd be regulars! Can't miss with this place- yum!!

    Chicken Parmigiana
    Jen S.

    We've lived here for 2 years and finally came in! They have a very expansive menu. Husband got the chicken parm sandwich. I got the pineapple teriyaki chicken sandwich. Sandwiches are huge. Good quality bread. You order at the register and they call your number. Indoor seating is limited. We will return

    Chicken Pesto
    Cheri S.

    I come to this place so often and I can't believe I've never written a review. I love this place. The staff is always attentive, if you need a spot for wifi, if you want gelato on a hot day or if you want to chill in their hidden back patio it's beautiful! Their variety of sandwiches is impeccable and they've been open for years for a REASON! I tried a different sandwich on this trip and they did forget ingredient but despite that the sandwich was still awesome! **For context I got a cranberry tuna salad sandwich and they forgot the cranberry.

    Caesar Salad
    Julisa W.

    Stopped on a whim looking for a good local sandwich shop. The highlight was that bread was very tasty and fresh. The Caesar salad was also flavorful. It had homemade croutons and sides of bread. Got a slice of the carrot cake and it was very moist. Not too sweet with cream cheese frosting. Raisins included, if that matters to you. We got the garlic chicken on French baguette. It was a creamy base and not something I would buy again. Glad we added cheese because there wasn't much to it. the other sandwich we bought was avocado turkey on Dutch crunch. It unfortunately had enough mayo to drown the restaurant. The amount of meat left much to be desired. We asked for chips which they had but only for online orders that came in. ??? Doesn't make sense to me. For 2 Sammie's, a salad and cake it was $45, just for a gauge of prices. The cashier was on the phone the entire time and couldn't hear what we said because of that. Kinda acted inconvenienced we were talking while he was on the phone. The restaurant is pretty chill and seemed like a workspace for people with art on the walls for sale. The art also had a thick layer of dust, and overall the dining room could use a good deep clean. The bathroom cleanliness was decent. This probably won't be another place I would seek out in the future.

    Regena K.

    Over the years I have visited cafe 53 and it's a nice place locals seem to hang out inside peacefully. Service is always nice a lot of choices and they will break it down for you as plenty of bread choices. The sandwiches are always fresh and very good and remind me of lunch time in grade school as I graduated from Murray right next door very nostalgic. Go see for yourself hot and cold sandwich choices...

    Vegan sumac chicken

    My favorite lunch spot, I come here at least weekly with my roommate! I love that there is multiple vegan options that match the regular menu so I can try new things, and literally everything slaps

    Sumac chicken and vegan sandwiches.
    Chris C.

    The Sumac sandwiches (chicken and vegan) on Dutch crunch bread were so good, we still talk about them a year later. This place is unassuming, but man, the sandwiches are fabulous.

    Agnes D.

    OMGosh! One of the BEST deli i've had. I love that they have several bread option and a lettuce wrap for GF folks. Sandwiches and drinks were phenomenal. I also tried their lemon bar and it was heavenly. So were the brownies, per my Hubby!

    karina k.

    Tasty sandwiches and amazing bread I would say the Dutch crunch baguette was one of the best sandwich breads I've ever had. It was perfect for my tuna, avocado sandwich. The only problem was I didn't really taste the avocado. I would've loved to have more lettuce, tomato, and onion in there, but I didn't ask so that's not their fault. The sandwich was very tasty especially because the bread was so good. This is on a strip of lots of restaurants on 53rd St. near you Chicago so you're gonna get a lot of fun eateries here. Parking on the street and you have to pay.

    Sandwich larger than two of my hands
    Jocelyn H.

    I got their sumac chicken sandwich at a catered event and was surprised by how large their sandwiches were. The chicken in the sumac chicken sandwich was tender and the homemade cream sauce was very flavorful. The bread seems like it was made fresh which makes the sandwich feel fresh and not too heavy. I highly recommend the sumac chicken sandwich.

    Sumac Chicken
    Cheyenne G.

    WOW -- if you're looking for a true Chicago gem, this is it. Easily one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. For just $12, I ordered the sumac chicken sandwich on Dutch bread (trust me -- you have to get it on Dutch bread), and it was incredible. The sandwich was huge, easily enough for two people to share. The chicken was bursting with flavor and piled generously, and the bread itself was flaky, freshly baked, and honestly some of the best sandwich bread I've ever had. The staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, and it's also a great spot to get some work done or study. Such an amazing find in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

    Kufta Sandwich - really good flavor

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    5 years ago

    Haven't had a bad meal yet. Great outdoor patio, which is shaded, hidden from wind and car noise.

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    7 years ago

    Really great sandwiches! I would recommend the buffalo chicken and garlic chicken oven baked sandwich. They're bread is the best part!

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    12 years ago

    always excellent customer service and prices are very reasonable. They have great apple cider and caramel macchiatos.

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    Fun, chill coffee shop. Local vibes and fun art. Definitely will be hanging out here often!

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    Page 6 of 10

    Ask the Community - Cafe 53

    Do they have parking?

    Park Chicago street parking, and if you want to walk a few blocks. There's free parking further down

    View All 4 Questions

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    Menu

    Cafe 53 - coffee - Updated September 2026

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