This place has an unbeatable location at the south end of the Lincoln Park Zoo and across from the Nature Boardwalk/South Pond! Most of these stars are for it's location and gorgeous patio and ambience. The patio is spacious so it seats a lot of groups of people. It's covered so it also offers shade from the sun, and is the perfect rest stop to grab food and drinks after a stroll at the zoo! We stopped by around lunchtime on a weekday during summer. We ordered their salmon special that day which was nicely seasoned and tender salmon with wild rice and roasted asparagus. Flavor was good overall but the wild rice was a little more al dente than I like. We also ordered the teriyaki wings. Flavor was okay, and the wings were a bit overcooked but I did enjoy the large helping of fries on the side. Overall beautiful location, ambience, and solid food! read more

See all

I rarely leave a review like this, but our experience was extremely disappointing. I came here with my daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. My daughter ordered her steak medium-well and I ordered mine medium. Her steak came out first and the server called it medium-well, so naturally my daughter took it. Almost 10 minutes later, after she had already eaten about half of her meal, my steak finally arrived. Mine was well-done. We then realized that the steaks had apparently been switched. My daughter had been given my medium steak even though it was announced as medium-well, and I received hers. By that point, it was obviously too late to switch them. Unfortunately, that was only the beginning. We ordered a hot dog and grilled cheese for my grandchildren, but chicken strips were brought to our table instead. My grandson right away reached for the fries before we realized the order was wrong, so of course that food could not simply be returned. When the hot dog and grilled cheese finally came, both were burned. The hot dog was severely charred on one side, and the burned side had been placed facing down on the bun. The grilled cheese was also served with the burned side facing down. I have included photos because they speak for themselves. I cannot understand how anyone preparing or serving these meals, especially meals for children, thought this was acceptable to put on a plate and serve. I also ordered a Coke that never came and eventually had to ask someone else to get it for me. My daughter finally told them that we were not paying for the burned food. To their credit, they did remove most of the charges from our bill, and I appreciate that. But by then, the entire meal had become a frustrating mess. Mistakes happen, and I understand that restaurants can get busy. But this wasn't one mistake. It was one problem after another, and serving food this badly burned was especially unacceptable. What should have been an enjoyable meal at the zoo with my family turned into a very disappointing experience. read more

See all

After visiting the Chicago zoo we stopped in at Cafe Brauer for a bit to eat. The food was delicious and fresh. We had the Greek salad with chicken and the tacos. I would highly recommend this restaurant for lunch if you visit the zoo. Service was fast and friendly with Lucas the waiter. The outside patio over looks the zoo and pond. read more

See all

We came here for Portugal wine tastings. The event was marked half off, probably bc of the perfect storm of the Eclipse and the NCAA finals, but it was packed anyway. We registered downstairs and headed upstairs. The rooms and tables were spaced nicely apart, and the warm weather made looking out at the pond especially nice. They provided a water dispenser between tastings, and passed hors oeuvres. This is a good space for events, classy events too, but I have never eaten there. The restrooms were large and clean, which is very important. I do not know if they had any upstairs, which would have been convenient. I wish they had a few more places to sit, but wine tasting is meant for movement, so we circulated. read more

See all

Convenient if you're at the zoo and want to sit down to eat. Food is okay but pricey. You pay for the view.

Food was ok. I got the turkey club which was pretty good. But our food took forever to come out, and the last item to each our table--a smashburger with just cheese--was delivered at least six minutes after everything else. It really sucks that they don't ask you if you're a zoo member. I lost out on an almost $20 discount because it was my first time coming to the zoo as a member and I didn't remember all the benefits, until my mom mentioned as we were leaving the zoo later that it would be nice if they had a bit of a discount at the restaurant for members. read more

Getting something to eat in Lincoln Park is never better than from here. It may cost a bit but it's worth it mostly. Cafe Brauer is located next to the zoo, which doesn't have anything good to eat, so coming here is one choice. Open seasonally so check ahead if they're open before going. The prices aren't that bad for this truthfully. After going to the zoo the last time, we came here. It's usually open daily in the spring and summer. The food has a pretty good variety. Lots to choose from that's either fried or healthy. Prices are the worst thing, but these aren't that bad for the area though. It's about $12 for a cocktail. Those are the cheapest ones. A good one was the Cucumber Garden Party, which happened to be the cheapest. This was made Fever Tree Light Cucumber Tonic and Gray Whale gin. I got the Falafel Burger. It's $14 and comes with a side. This had cucumber, lettuce, red onions, tahini, and tomatoes. Kind of like a falafel pita but with a burger bun. The falafel was crispy without being burnt, but a little dry though the tahini helped that. She got some kind of salad which was okay looking but liked it. The prices were kind of high but of course because the location. Come here for lunch or host events. It's popular as a public venue and there's a lot of people who like to rent it. The menu is good for meat eaters and vegetarians. read more

Cafe Brauer - Cucumber Garden Party And Falafel Burger - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Make sure to get table service because Togo sucks. We came last week and had a great time w decent food. This week my son wanted animal crackers which come w the kids meal. They wouldn't let me order just the crackers according to the hostess. She said I had to get the meal and to go to the bar. I waited 10-20 min just to place order and then when we finally got our food it was cold. I know because we sat at the patio right outside of cafe because toddler wanted to sit and eat. Cold chicken nuggets and cold tater tots At least we got animal crackers and juice that he didn't like. Came back this past weekend and had mediocre service. Plus they forgot our animal crackers this time. Oh well. It seems like a hit or Miss but I still like the atmosphere and view. read more

We were seated really quick and Tim (our server) was extremely polite and helpful. Food arrived rather quickly and it tasted good. Excellent portion sizes. Location was perfect for a couples brunch or family. read more

See all

First off, the views from this patio are beautiful. We loved everything about sitting on the patio looking at the water in the park. The food was OK. We ordered three burgers with fries. They asked what temperature we wanted the burgers cooked, we asked for two to be medium and one to be well done. All three were well done. Only one came with the requested cheese. The servers were pretty slow to get around to us, so we often felt like an afterthought. So the reason for three stars is so-so service, okay food, excellent location and view. read more

See all

Avoid this place if you can. My family stopped here because we didn't really have a choice and we were very much hungry/thirsty while at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Generally when you go to a food vendor inside of a park of any kind you can't get your expectations up (and I did not). It has nice seating, but it is entirely outdoors because the inside is reserved only for staff and kitchen to churn out food. I was kind of disappointed in that because we were really hot and wanted to get inside somewhere with air conditioning. Our server was very nice and probably the only good thing about this experience. They told me the special that particular day was short ribs, which is a beef dish. I came to find that when they brought me my meal it was pork spare ribs. For personal reasons I do not eat pork, so I pretty much lost my appetite. I did however notice it was very dry and rubbery when I cut it open so I can't imagine it was going to be delicious. I tried my wife's carne asada tacos and they were just average at best. I think our son's chicken nuggets and fries were probably the only worthy option between everything we ordered. Naturally they didn't charge me for the ribs as I didn't eat it, but even after removing that charge the meal was still too expensive given how poor it was. read more

See all

You're paying for the ambiance. Their outdoor seating has the view of the north Chicago skyline painted in a canvas of the water pond in front of you. In warmer weather with potted flowers right next to your seat. What more can you ask for? Yes they have a menu and the service is excellent the multiple time I've been here. But the food really is secondary to me in this venue. Just live the moment and don't be too be to nit picky. read more

Cafe Brauer - Cafe Bruaer view - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went here for an event which was on the second floor in the Grand Ballroom. It's a beautiful historic building from the 1900's in the prairie style and is an official landmark. It is located just south of the main Zoo grounds and offers a spectacular view of the nature boardwalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo, as well as the wonderful Chicago skyline. They rent the building itself for private events and weddings. You can check their website for more information. There is a restaurant on the first floor which is called The Patio Cafe. They offer seasonal lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch. Check the website for times and dates that they're open, they are currently closed. They also have an ice cream shop where you can just walk up for a delicious treat on a hot summer day. read more

See all

I had my wedding here and regret it. The venue itself is so beautiful, but the air conditioning was broken on the day of my wedding and we pretty much melted. No one even wanted to dance because it was so hot in there. It was a very important day for me and they should have been checking and maintaining there HVAC systems on the regular as we paid a lot of money for this place. read more

Cafe Brauer - Venue - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Might be a little high priced, but you can't beat the views from their patio deck. Staff is also super friendly, and food is good, so WIN :) read more

Cafe Brauer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great venue for a wedding! Recommended. Good service. Valet parking. I'd go back. Check it out.

Absolutely gorgeous wedding venue! Staff was great and the food was exceptional! Highly recommend

Cafe Brauer is a lovely venue for any type of function that you may think of having. I've been there for weddings, private parties and most recently, a holiday gathering. The wide open space is lovely with the tall trussed ceilings and the little tea lights flickering from them. The old wood floors, I'm sure could tell a story or two. As could the leaded windows and tiled balconies. The views of the city from the north balcony are really second to none (no matter what time of year it's worth a trip out there to look back at the city shining like Oz in the distance). And the vendors that Cafe Brauer works with to bring your event to life are really top notch. They work with 3-4 caterers that you can choose from to provide the food for your event. They will arrange valet parking for your group as well as have coat checkers there at the entrance depending on the season. All in all- they make it easy for who ever is planning your party. If you go in the Summer months- the beer garden is open to the public and you can enjoy a Summer Ale while you sit and people watch or stare at the pond that Cafe Brauer sits at the edge of. Love the history that places like Cafe Brauer offer generation after generation. And just thinking of all who have gone before makes any event just a little more special. read more

Didn't get to see this place as an event venue, but did enjoy a hot dog and a beer on a break from strolling around at the zoo. Good Chicago dog but not too many good choices when it comes to beer. Great outdoor patio with a view of the pond. Friendly service. read more

Cafe Brauer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to the most fantabulous wedding here a few weeks ago! If you want to drop loads of money and spruce it up a bit with fancy table linens, beautiful flower arrangements, etc...go fer it! But, It might not even be necessary. The vaulted ceilings complete with ornate steel trusses and glass skylights were absolutely stunning. The bride had about a million little glass votives hanging from the trusses and created such a magical environment! I did not notice anything bad about the acoustics, the smell, or the bathrooms, as mentioned in the other reviews. Perhaps, they fixed em up since then. My only complaint is with the upstairs corridors which look down into the main space...did those horny bastards really think no one would see them going at it up there?! ewww! read more

Cafe Brauer - wedding - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had brunch here at least five times but after this past event I will never eat there again. I was hosting family from California who came out to visit my new born baby daughter. The server sat us near the back which was fine given we had a month old baby and needed to accommodate a larger group and baby carrier. In the back they had huge solid wooden room dividers stored along the wall and likely used at times to section off the room. While we were eating one fell within inches of our table and nearly hit my newborn baby. It was a random event, I get that. It was how the server/Manager responded that baffles me to this day. Rather than apologize they first asked if we were hurt. No one was hurt but we were all in shock. I mentioned that the the doors nearly landed on my daughter. Not once did they apologize for the experience nor did they accommodate the meal. As we left I asked for the manager and I let her know how incredibly dissatisfied I was with the service and how that was handled. I openly share this story to demonstrate how staff/managers have the ability to make a bad experience into a positive memorable event. These people ignored this opportunity and as a result lost a customer for life. read more

Overly packed during zoo lights. There was a line for the drink bar and everywhere there were people. However, it's a beautiful building in a beautiful spot in the zoo. Lovely outdoor area and really friendly staff. I would suggest visiting at a time that isn't during zoo lights, but otherwise, this is a wonderful spot and very lovely. read more

Attended a wedding reception at Cafe Brauer this weekend; first time I'd been there in years since it first opened a couple of decades ago when it was often used for charity benefits. Great, grand space with phenomenal views of the city. Lovely outdoor porch for cocktails, grand hall is an ideal place for dinner and dancing. Hall was kind of hot in hot/humid weather...but high class problem... read more

This attractive cafe is on the grounds of the Lincoln Park Zoo. The beer garden looks out upon the lagoon, and the Great Hall can be rented out for receptions if you want to spend some real dough at a free zoo. read more

Cafe Brauer - Cafe Brauer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I was pleasantly surprised during lunch this morning. I have walked by here plenty of times and have wondered what lunch would be like. Today we got the chance to eat here! We were walking through the zoo and we were headed to the honeycomb when it began to rain. So we took that as a sign that we should stop and eat. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They have quite a variety of breakfast items, sandwiches, beverages(alcoholic and non), and some desserts! The service is a tad slow, but not anything to fret about. The food was very tasty. But it is pretty hard to screw up eggs and sausage. We sat inside, there was a wait to sit on the patio but immediate seating inside. I took a star away because there was a giant mosquito and quite a few flies inside by the windows. Made for a slightly unpleasant lunch. read more

Best seat in the house! I've been here 3 times now and I've always enjoyed it. I have brought my dog with me tel times, and each time they bring him a bowl of water and a treat. The service has always been good and I've never had to wait too long for food. The seasoned fries are superior to the regular ones so you should pay the extra dollar and do the swap! The food is good and I've never had a problem with it. What keeps bringing me back here are the breathtaking views. I could sit there all day!! read more

Cafe Brauer - The view from mutable. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

First off let me say our waitress was very kind and tried her best, but the review of two stars is based on the chef. I was here earlier this month with a friend for dinner. Great sunny evening and a two-piece jazz ensemble played. I ordered grilled eggplant, sweet potato fries and the mac. My friend orders a burger and fries-pretty standard. The price is actually good, but my sweet potato fries were flavorless and I switched to regular fries, but enjoyed my mac and eggplant entrée. The kicker was my friend's burger. She ordered a medium-rare burger and it came well-done. The waitress agreed it was over cooked, but later returned to say the chef refused to re-cook the burger. In all my dining experience in the US and abroad, when red meat is over cooked it is replaced, but not here. My friend who lives in LP and frequents this establishment for brunch was quite offended at the refusal given the big difference between medium-rare and well-done. Instead of complaining, we paid and left and I do not have plans to visit again. Points for ambience! read more

Cafe Brauer - Grilled eggplant with feta which I enjoyed. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We had a great time! We stopped in last minute for a drink and an appetizer, our server was so kind and apologized when our dish wasn't available and comped another dish for us. Angel! So yummy! read more

Cafe Brauer - The view!!! - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love going to Cafe Braur for the amazing ambiance in the city. The menu has changed and so has the pricing. I used to think it was adorable but now it's $15-18 for burgers and sandwiches. You're definitely coming for views and ambiance. read more

I love Lincoln Park Zoo! this café has an amazing view; you can really see the beautiful skyline. I tried the Patio Burger and wings. Both had a great taste. The patty was kind of big. It's a great place to go in the summer if you visit the zoo. The customer service was not the best, but it was okay. The waiter didn't really come around a lot, so that's the only bad thing. The fries were pretty basic fires, but they had good flavor. I give it four stars because the service was not the best but the burger was delicious. read more

Cafe Brauer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Service was not good. After waiting 45 min. For our order, we were able to signal the manager.He was very nice and said our order was misplaced.It could have been, and offered the 4 of us nachos, etc. Good. Our waitress, in the meantime, was no where to be found. Food was brought by the manager. 2 of us ordered beef and cheddar paninni. The beef was so over cooked that it had NO taste. The cheddar wasn't melted and paninni was so dry.I couldn't eat all.I started to choke on the dryness, even tho I added horse radish sauce, which was included but had to ask for. It surely ruined our day at the zoo.Now, I am mad at myself for leaving a tip. I am sure that all this can be fixed and this could be a big money maker. read more

Nice location with a nice view and fresh air. Parking might be a problem however . Food is nothing special but is OK.

Great way to cap off a visit to the zoo. Great food and drinks next to South Pond and a relaxed setting. Can get busy on the weekends, but service is great and fast. Shout out to Stephen who went out of his way to accommodate our visit. read more

We sat down for lunch around 12:30 pm. We had a group of 9 and all ordered at the same time. We should have been warned immediately when half the table didn't receive the drinks they ordered. Those drinks didn't come until I had to stand up to find out waitress to tell her. Half the tables food arrived and was fully consumed. The other half of the tables food never arrived. They were understaffed and the waitress was most likely new on the job. After an hour we ended up searching for the manager to explain that we would be leaving. They comped the food that did arrive but half of our group was hungry and very disappointed. This restaurant has such a great location and could have potential if it was managed better. Don't waste your $ here. read more

This is a solid 3 Star (satisfactory) rating. Pros: Location View Cons: Service is slow as others have said Food is not really a pro or con. It was perfectly fine, we were content, but we weren't ecstatic about it. There are a few veggie options. The pancakes were the biggest hit at our table. If you're at the zoo, it's a good option. Otherwise, I wouldn't put in the effort to find parking around there. read more

I went to Cafe Brauer last night for a company event. Wow, what a gorgeous building!! The reception space was very open with a huge skylight. I could have spend hours just looking at the details in the brick and windows. It does get a little loud, though, because it is a decent sized open space...but a quick step out onto the patio quiets things down and the views of the park are beautiful. This is a perfect location for a wedding reception or party. read more

This location is definitely not a cafe. I dont know why they even call it a cafe. But the inside of this place is beautiful. It over looks the lagoon at Lincoln Park. This place also has lots of windows and high ceilings. I'm guessing this place gets booked out A LOT for weddings and special events. There's definitely a lot of history here because it looks a little old school inside. When we came, the staff was setting up for a wedding. It was beautifully decorated. Too bad we could only stay 5 minutes to look around. read more

I love Cafe Brauer. It's inexpensive, the people who work there are friendly, and the scene is unbeatable. It overlooks the pond for the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk and is a hop, skip, and a jump away from one of the entrances to Lincoln Park Zoo. It's perfect for people-watching- people are always walking their dogs, jogging, pushing their strollers, or just plain enjoying their day. Last time I came here, I met a couple of friends. When I went to order a beer, the bartender let me taste test several before I choose a local 312 beer that is only sold at Cafe Brauer. The bartender was super friendly and knowledgeable. Another plus is that Cafe Brauer allows dogs. The next time I can go outside without melting in the sun, the hound and I are definitely coming here for a beer and people watching! read more

Rude hostess , only 3 tables filled in place... asked to sit in a sunny spot, she told is we had to wait 15 minutes because she just sat someone in that section ..... waitress was super nice, ok food great drinks and view read more

Cafe Brauer - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This review is for brunch. My guy and I brought our pup for outside brunch. We didnt have to wait at all for a table. The waitress was incredibly friendly and brought water for our dog. The food was excellent. I ordered eggs, bacon and toast and my guy got the special- a spicy burrito. The menu is semi small but still has a decent selection. More sweet overings than savory. The coffee was great, especially since the waitress kept it full. The view is great too! A must stop place do brunch in the summer. read more