I only deducted one star from here because the food took f o r e v e r to come out. But the service was otherwise good and the options had flavor. My sister ordered a southwest salad with grilled chicken, I had the roasted vegetable sandwich, my husband had the mango basil beef sandwich special, and my son had the chicken tenders entree. Convenient for inside the museum. Make sure you plan ahead when you order if it's cutting it close to a movie time. read more

See all

The food was just fine, considering it is an aquarium. It is self serve, but you can order hamburgers and desserts. Ambiance is aquarium-like. Cute read more

I'm pleased this place had better food options than I expected for a museum. I was worried it'd be like theme park food but there were healthy options and lots of different cool things to try. The view is nice but honestly we were more focused on eating and getting to the next thing since we had such limited time. It was nice and we got a filling meal out of it. I was worried I'd regret waiting until we got inside to eat but the prices weren't bad either and the food was tasty. We'd eat here again. Liked: - Italian Stargazer read more

Galileo's Cafe - Toasted Sub - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Four star view, two star food and service. I'll meet in the middle with three stars. Food selection is limited in the planetarium and we were in need of a refuel stop off. I had a salad and it was made fresh to order, which was nice since that meant they could leave off the walnuts as I'm allergic to them. Cashier hardly spoke and looked genuinely displeased at having to be there. She wasn't rude or anything, just indifferent completely. They give you a buzzer for when your food is ready. Best part of this eatery is the view. It had a truly stunning water view. You can sit in this area without ordering from the cafe! Overall: B- Just okay food and service but that view!! read more

Galileo's Cafe - Harvest salad - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This cafe is located in the Planetarium. Did not have any food choices close by so we ate here. Service was blahh...The employees looked sad to be working. Did not know much about the menu. The food was not expensive. Tried a bunch of different dishes. The salad came with really nasty, wilted, and old lettuce. The pizza and sandwiches were just okay. If I had to eat here again, i would just have a sandwich. Or maybe not eat here and eat before.. or after.. lol A definite plus is the view! You can see the Chicago skyline and the lake! read more

See all

Fun little cafe for the kids, and they have wine and beer for parents! They have pizzas, salads and paninis. Really decent portions and reasonable prices since there isn't another restaurant nearby. read more

Galileo's Cafe - If Captain Morgan landed on the moon - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Cool cafe with great views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan that can be appreciated from either the terrace or the indoor dining area. The glass drum-shaped interior is very much in keeping with the planetarium's futuristic theme. I was pleasantly surprised that the menu included a variety of healthy choices, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Their Harvester salad (grilled chicken, apples, walnuts and feta cheese) was generous, delicious, and fresh. It was the perfect mid-day meal after a busy morning packed with activities. The sitting space inside is clean, ample, and airy. The terrace also features plenty of tables for those wishing to enjoy the weather and eat outside. Service was prompt and cordial. I'm bewildered by reviewers complaining about the food offerings and pricing. Dining options that are part of cultural centers such as museums, aquariums, conservatories, theaters, etc., tend to be limited and more expensive than at regular restaurants. I personally patron them to support the institutions and have a nice memory of my visit. That said, Galileo's Cafe has really invested in providing a wholesome menu and this effort ought to be commended. read more

See all

I came to the Planetarium when they opened at 9:30am and was hungry for breakfast by 10:15am. I stopped off at Galileo's Cafe hoping for some good breakfast. Instead, I see a menu for lunch starting at 11am. They offer a "continental breakfast" but I had no idea what that meant because there were brownies, cookies, and muffins that looked like dessert food for lunch. I walked over to their refrigerated section where the had pudding, parfaits, and fruit cups. They also had cold sandwiches. So I opted for half a turkey sandwich and a cup of coffee. Prices here are definitely reasonable. I paid less than $5 for these two items. The seating area is very nice. Very spacious and great views of the city. When I started eating my sandwich in this area, I find out my turkey sandwich was labeled incorrectly as it was a TUNA sandwich instead. Luckily I am not a picky eater and eat just about anything. But I cannot give a good rating to any place labeling their tuna sandwiches as turkey sandwiches! Not a place I would want to come back to for breakfast! My mistake! read more

Great place for a fast and decently priced meal. I had the greek salad (see photo) and it was definitely big enough to split. Also had a yummy in-house made chocolate chip brownie. The total with tax for the salad and brownie was $9.90. A pretty good deal for a museum cafe. The view right immediately outside (somewhat visible inside if you have a good tabel) of the cafe is probably the best view of the city in Chicago. read more

See all

Cool little café in the planetarium with amazing views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. I got one of their boxed sandwiches which was pretty plain but not bad and my friend got one of the sandwiches they actually make although I can't really speak for its taste. Great place to sit back and chill though while waiting to go and see more amazing planetary stuff! read more

Galileo's Cafe - Very pretty dining hall. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The food was pretty good I had the chicken Panini which was savory and enough to almost to share.... you could split it in half. The soda is what took my meal price over the top. It was four dollars. I know the city Chicago has the sugary drink taxes but that was an outrageous price. I should've checked the bill before paying. The chocolate chip cookie is super large and was soft and fresh. I really enjoyed that Miss Vicky's chips which were a great complement to the Panini I had. This cafe is a nice addition to the museum. The staff were friendly and it was clean when I was there. I recommend especially if your staying in the area all day. read more

This is the cafeteria inside of Adlers Planetarium. We didn't expect much since it was a museum Cafe, but we were very wrong! I tried the Cuban sandwich, and my wife got the Harvester salad. The food was very tasty and fresh, and they serve the Cubans hot and pressed. The menu is relatively small, but that's not to be unexpected given the setting. The dining area for the cafe is very large with tons of tables, and sits against a glass wall that overlooks the harbor with a fantastic view of the skyline. If you are an annual member and can come back repeatedly, it's a good place to sit and have dinner for the views alone! And of course, it's inside the planetarium so you get all the fun that comes along with that. If you're one of those who, like us, tends to avoid cafes inside of museums, give this one a try. They are far better than most of the experiences we've had other similar setups. read more

With a very limited food selection at this cafe, we did not have much expectations. And the pizza was a re-heated frozen pizza! The weather was nice outside, so we took our food to the balcony outside the cafe and it was awesome to sit and eat outside with such an awesome view. read more

Probably the most affordable museum snack shop compared to the larger city museums, with an outstanding view of the city's skyline. Decent pizzas and salads, a good selection of desserts, and fast WiFi. This isn't really a restaurant, so be prepared for basic offerings and basic service. read more

Galileo's Cafe inside Adler Planetarium exceeded my expectations, at least what I had expected from a museum restaurant. They offer an array of vegetarian fare such as the Garden Bagel and Sunrise Egg & Cheese Sandwich for breakfast (both under $4) and the Caprese and Mediterranean Paninis for lunch (both under $7). The food quality here is about the same as a bistro in the city, and the prices are pretty reasonable for a museum eatery. The cafe itself is spacious and modern, and the views of downtown Chicago can't be beat. It is always spectacular no matter the time or weather. Note: The fountain soda, while only $1.49 for a large cup, is not refillable. Food and drinks are not allowed in the actual museum anyway. read more

I have no clue why this is rated so highly. My husband ordered the steak banh mi and I ordered the turkey sub. It was pretty expensive for the portion size, and it doesn't even come with fries/chips/salad of any sort. The bread was dry and slightly stale, and the sandwiches made Subway seem like a Michelin-starred restaurant. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh to a "museum cafeteria," but just last week we dined at North & Clark Cafe (next to the Chicago History Museum) where the prices are similar, yet the sandwiches come with a side and portions are bigger (and actually delicious)! Next time I visit Adler, I may sneak Subway sandwiches in my purse. read more

It is overpriced horrible food. The salads are 8 dollars and are finished in a couple bits they are so small. If you have any dietary restrictions at all, you will find nothing here you can eat. Avoid eating here. read more

Disclaimer: I am employed by the Adler Planetarium, which is where this cafe is located. However, you can visit the cafe without having to pay admission. Come in the front or (left) side doors and ask them to point you towards Galileo's. They're open 9-10 with a limited breakfast selection, and 11-3:30 for lunch; however, they sometimes close early so be sure to get there by 3 pm. This cafe has a million-dollar view of the city, whether you're there during the day to visit the museum, or at night for a private event. (You can get a preview of the view from the 'Sky Eye', Adler's webcam.) There are a number of free telescopes inside, along the windows facing the city... people really enjoy checking out the skyline through them. Galileo's is run by Food for Thought catering, which operates about thirty venues throughout the city. There are always daily specials and new things to try out on a regular basis. It's newly renovated and cleaner and airier than similar cafes at the Field and Shedd. Also less busy. Prices are decent but subject to the typical markup common to museums on the peninsula. Least busy times: right at 11 when they open, or after 1-1:30 depending on the day/holiday/season. Worst times to visit: weekends! It's always much busier then. It can also get kind of crowded when shows from the two theaters let out, especially right around noon. Holidays or other times when the kids are out of school can get completely insane. There are also some 'free days' (typically Mondays or Tuesdays) when crowds can get bad; you may want to call ahead to ask how busy it is. Overall, it's good food in a comfortable setting with a view that can't be beat. read more

Best place to go for food on Museum Campus! You get better and more food for your buck (as compared to the places in the Field Museum). Sometimes it is a little chaotic, depending on what time of day you go and if there are groups there. Recommend: Apple Harvest Salad read more

The view that Galileo's Cafe provides definitely deserves 5 stars, although I feel the food would probably deserve around 3.5-ish stars. They do have lunch options that are made fresh, but the goodies that you see through the glass are not. But again, the view, it CANNOT be beat! read more

You're trapped on museum campus and you need to eat? You could do worse. You could do better, too. Most of the prepared for you fresh menu choices are big enough to share, so there's that. But honestly, on a nice day I'd rather eat outside at one of the park food stands. If you're already out at Adler, it's not a bad option. And the view! OH THE VIEW! Even if you're not going to eat anything, go look out the windows to get one of the best views of Lake Michigan and the skyline. read more

Amazing beautiful restaurant with windows overlooking the lake. They have strange hours, and closed about 5 minutes after we placed our order, luckily. (This was maybe 3pm?) The turkey and bacon sandwich that I had made for me was fresh, reasonably priced (for museum/planetarium fare), and we found seating with no problem. The staff here seemed friendly. I found it mildly amusing that the food at this restaurant had a Tuscan Italian theme, since that is where Galileo was born and mainly lived, although I don't think that most of the food on the menu, including chocolate chip cookies, would be recognizable to 17th century Tuscany. read more

If you're here and you're hungry, you're trapped because there's nothing else. The soup was ok and affordable. Everything else was pricey for what it was. Which is to be expected at a tourist place like this. A sandwich would also work to hold your appetite until you can get to a proper restaurant. read more

Galileo's Cafe I really enjoy the changes this place had had. I see there a re a lot of new faces in the kitchen, and there are new drinks in the cooler. I got the Cesar salad, and the guys were asking me if i wanted any other ingredient added.... ohhhh .... so sweet... ok, i added some olives then. The strawberry/lemon drink is very refreshing and you can eat the fruit at the end of your drink. I like the name that sandwiches have, galactic, hungry astronaut, etc, yogurts are very refreshing, with 2 types of fruit mix, just love it. The view is great from here, you can see the city, the boats, i didn't have to pay to get in, since i was only using the cafe, great little place, the only think is that they close early. read more

Horrible service, cattle line for vending machine quality food. Bring your own snacks and drinks. Exorbitant prices even for museum campus deli. Do not eat here. read more

This is better than expected for a museum cafeteria! And the view makes up for any self service cafeteria concerns you may have. They even have a gluten free option and vegetarian choices. Go for the museum, then the view, if hungry, grab a sandwich before going back to why you are there- to learn about the solar system! read more

Had an early lunch here on a Saturday before heading into the Planetarium. My husband and I both ordered the same sandwich (and paid separately), yet his was ready before mine. Another 10 minutes went by and my sandwich was nowhere to be found. I went up to the counter and the employee basically said they forgot to make it. How does this happen? It wasn't even crowded. The sandwich was okay but, for the price, I will eat before going to the Planetarium again in the future. read more

Such an unexpected treat. I had the Santa Fe Taco Salad (w/o taco shell) which was very very tasty. My wife got the shredded ham and cheddar. She thought it was very good. The cookie was awesome too. Very good experience. read more

My wife and I are vegetarians and we ordered 2 veggie burgers. They gave us beef burgers, we didn't notice until a bite or two in. They comped us our meal and replaced the burger with veggie burger which was the right thing to do. I blame the tickets which say "2 burgers VEGGIE" so the cook just sees burgers. Still kinda gross biting into meat for the first time in two years and it be a subpar cafe burger. Idk I probably will never go there again. If you do make sure you are absolutely sure it's a veggie burger. read more

LUNCH at ADLER Planetarium is ALWAYS my first choice with my out-of-town guests. The view of the lakefront from this glass-walled dining room is magnificent. (That is why so many weddings and special events are held here.) The cafe prices are affordable. The food is fresh with healthy options... and is casual cafeteria style. I like to get to the Museum Campus in the morning and go to the Shedd to see the beluga whales or Field's mummies & dinosaurs. Then walk to the Adler for lunch and take in one of their sky shows and walk the exhibits a bit. Then finish it off by renting bicycles (right in front of Adler) to do the easy scenic bike to Navy Pier, and take a sail on the Tall Ship Windy. Adler After Dark - the third Thursday EVENINGS each month is a great date night for 21+ older. The observatory is usually open to visitors + music & drinks. read more

I took an out-of-town guest to show them the beautiful Chicago skyline and after freezing our buns off, what better to do? Go right next door to Galileo's! Of course the view from this cafe is absolutely stunning, but when it comes to food, I think they could have done a little better. Their paninis are okay, but they make the food as you order and of course Chicago gets a lot of tourists therefore there are huge lines and employees have to hurry up and kind of pile all the ingredients on top of each other and call it a panini. Salads are a little boring without any dressing really. And of course prices aren't that reasonable like at any other tourist attraction place. Maybe they have some other items that I would like, but oh well. I was just there to satisfy my hunger, not to enjoy an exceptional dinner in a chic restaurant or anything. read more

The food is good, the staff is friendly, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially if you have an Adler membership; and the view of the city is amazing! I appreciate that they have takeout boxes for leftovers too :) read more