This place has a good vibe but we were not impressed by the food or the service. We ordered a wrap to split and it was basically just a mayonnaise wrap. I would not recommend eating here. read more

Iguana Cafe - Food is full of mayonnaise...would not recommend this place. - Creperies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was raised in the sticks where you sit down in any diner and the waitress calls you, "hun, baby, sweetheart," and all those nice pet names for the transients that stop in for that short moment of life. Doesn't mean your special, it's just very comforting - like you've found a momentary shelter from the harsh world and you can relax and drink your coffee and eat your grits. I felt right at home at Iguana Cafe. The only things that gave away the fact that I wasn't back home in the sticks; the waitress had a nice European accent when she called me "hun, baby, sweetheart", There were crepes on the list instead of grits, you could get your coffee spiked with something other than the flask of Jack Daniels that you carried in. Great place to eat, have a drink, have a coffee, listen to music, eavesdrop, feel at home, study (make sure you get a spot with a light though, kinda dark)... read more

I spent last week with a friend in River West, and this place was a major highlight. Granted, I did get swine flu 2 days into my trip and nearly end up in the hospital...but what I'm trying to say is that it would have been a highlight anyway. First of all, it's in a location where cute cafes, etc. are not abundant, and to find a place open late? Amazing. As mentioned, the menu is long and reasonably priced. I tried coffee, soup and both the sweet and savory crepes. All were good, but I would have to say the sweet crepes (loved the one with nutella and almond spread) were the best. The decor and design are also wonderful. During the day the atmosphere is pretty typical of a cool coffee shop, with a lot of laptops and friends just having lunch. In the evening they dim the lights and it feels more like a European bar. I noticed the cool wooden paintings for sale on the walls, but missed the (living) Iguana. Guess I'll just have to come back again soon. read more

I came here on Sunday night for a bite to eat, bottle of wine and plenty of time to sit and catch up with a dear friend. Iguana is the perfect place for this! Bottles of wine are priced incredibly fairly (all within $20 - $30, not bad in my book) and food is pretty decent too! My friend ordered a glass of sparkling champagne and the smoked salmon sandwich. I ordered a glass of merlot and the oven back chicken pesto pasta. From the prices listed on the menu, I did not expect to get as much food as I did! After our meal, our waitress didn't try and hurry us out. The people around us all had their computers and books open, and made it comfortable for my friend and I to sit and chat over our wine for a while. Someone ordered a chocolate crepe as we were walking out the door which smelled... sooooo yummy... The next time I need a quiet place to study and get work done, I'm definitely going to come back to Iguana. And with an appetite, as I plan to order the crepes next time! :) read more

Who doesn't love a great European Cafe in the city! Iguana Cafe has been a neighborhood favorite for years. The menu has wide variety from salad,soup and pastas. The Mediterranean Feast is always my go to with a great cup of coffee on Fridays after a long work week. Great atmosphere with friendly staff! read more

Iguana Cafe - Mediterranean Feast! - Creperies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

All I came in for was coffee and a cigarette. The coffee was decent, the music was very disagreeable and my server was snooty and cold. Needless to say I won't be returning anytime soon. read more

I just ate a Nutelle + crushed cookie crepe, and it was absolutely incredible. I'm very, very picky about crepes too. Most I've had in the US haven't been up to my standards, but this one definitely did. The Nutella made the biggest difference because I always ate Nutella crepes in France. I recommend sharing one with one or maybe two people. Two of us could barely finish one! I am also drinking a mint mocha and it's pretty average. I don't care too much for the atmosphere. 1) there's a TV. 2) tables are close together. 3) the music isn't so great, in my opinion. I do like the art on the walls, the high ceilings, and the colors. I think this place achieves what it's going for though. It reminds me of European coffeehouses, but I'm just much more of a fan of comfy places with more character (in that they are more worn-in/not so fancy.) But if you like fancy places and bathrooms with holes and writings on the wall would be uncomfortable, this place would be for you. My server told me the Wifi cost, but I got onto some random network that I'm guessing isn't their's. read more

This cafe is perfect. Quiet--but not without stimulation, World Cup was playing on a silent flat screen, unobtrusive service, great salads and sandwiches... I have a stack of magazines that I've been dying to get caught up and was just wondering where I should do that. Then, poof! it hit me, walking home from downtown earlier today. Great place for a bite most any hour. It's also a nice spot for a first date if you're looking for an alternative to the bar scene. read more

It was my first time visited this place and I like it. If you wanna try something new and delicious you should visiting this place ) read more

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Love the atmosphere at the Iguana. My favorite is the meatloaf sandwhich. The espresso milkshake is very good. It is a great place to have a conversation with a friend. The music isn't deafening. People are friendly. read more

Most places in Europe combine coffee and liquor; in the morning/afternoon you go there for a cappuccino and then in the evening for a cocktail or glass of wine. Iguana keeps well to this tradition and also offers a decent food selection. I'm not sure their entrees are worth going out of your way to come here, but all the food is very reasonably priced and their crepes are above average. Their spicy feta dip (tirokafteri) is really good. I also enjoy the atmosphere. It's very well-decorated and is trendy enough to be out of the ordinary but not pretentious. People seem to come here just to hang out and chat, and there is never anybody over 45 or under 20 (these are pluses for me). It is also open relatively late (2ish). One thing they need to do though is get rid of the TV. A drink, something to eat, and a coffee will be under $20. read more

Really great spot. Cute and comfortable, with a wide selection of tasty treats and drinks. I always order a crepe, either sweet or savory, when I visit, and it never disappoints! I have my eye on so many more items on the menu that I can't wait to come back and try! Service is friendly and professional. read more

Best tomato basil & chai latte ever!!! I'm a picky chai drinker but this won my heart read more

Iguana Cafe - Creperies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My wife and I only live less than a half mile from Iguana Cafe for over a year and we only have ordered delivery or take out about a dozen times but finally had the chance to dine in and loved it just as much as we LOVE the food! The interior decor is very warm and comfortable and the wait staff were excellent Now onto the food! While we were not the biggest fans of the crab dip which is the only item we thought wad just okay, my wife is obsessed with their chicken caesar salads and i have always felt you really need to have a solid and unique taste for a general caesar salad to really stand out. And i myself am OBSESSED with their pasta selections. Unfortunately its so good that as much as i wish i could stop eating halfway and save a little bit of pasta heaven for later i continue to eat past the point of overeating and regret it later. That last part was for sure a compliment FyI. Most of the pasta selections are cooked and then baked. This is really now the only way i cook my own pasta. I have also heard their breakfast is amazing but we have yet to try that yet so looking forward to it! read more

Yum yum yum!!! Best crepes in town! I think I've tried all of them. Almond joy is my fav (so far). Me and my boyfriend love this place. Service is great. Drinks both hot/cold are great as well! read more

Iguana Cafe - The almond joy crepe! - Creperies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A default option for a Friday night around 11 pm when you're in the mood to catch up with a group of friends over crepes and coffee. The venue is best described as nestled in the West Loop in a fairly active area yet detached from the hyper activity typical of a Friday night and strikes the right balance of "Euro-Lounge" meets nighttime hangout spot. My go-to options are the Nutella+Peanut Butter Crepe and the large iced frappe (no sugar). Service is quick and the prices are reasonable. Certainly one of the few staples in my venue list that is recurring and a good fall back choice when everyone is in the mood to keep it casual-social. read more

Iguana Cafe - PB and Nutella crepe and a Frappe - Creperies Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

French ever-thang! Love the food n drank!. This is a very pleasant place to eat and conversate.

A great place in a weird location... glad I finally found it. Really cheap menu -- most lunch sandwiches, pasta, etc. under $7. Loved the hummus and this spicy feta spread that I couldn't pronounce. Service was pretty slow - but remember it's a coffee shop. read more

The food here is really good, but rich! They also have great customer service. There used to be an individual who put a smiley face on my box and personally wrote "Thanks for your order!" It was a nice touch. read more

Stopped in for a quick bite with a friend. I ordered the Mac & cheese appetizer & let me tell you it was thee best Mac & cheese I have ever had! There were bits of mushroom & bacon in it which made it extra delicious. Waitress was nice, restaurant was cute & drinks were tasty. But the Mac & cheese was so good it prompted me to write this review! read more

This is one of my go-to places in Chicago. We come here almost weekly! They have a good selection of food and coffee/espresso drinks. I LOVE their pasta and waffles. Everything I've had here is good. It's a cozy place with friendly people. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. read more

Fantastic casual cafe! Delicious crepes with great variety. Met up with friends for lunch so good for groups.

Have been coming here since I was 15 years old! They have the best crepes and pasta around! The Greek style frappe and fredo just amazing! And the best chai latte in the city (other places taste like milk and no chai). I always come here after my skincare services with M.M. Skin! read more

I rolled out of this place full of delicious crepe goodness & strong caffeine buzz. Portions here will blow your mind. The nutella crepe I ordered was twice as big as my head & packed with sweet hazelnutty perfection! Size does matter! Wonderful spot to just chill. Whether you're a college kid studying for finals or just need a place to kill time doing a crossword puzzle this space fits the bill. Come here instead of Starbucks/Barnes & Noble/Borders for: *big tasty desserts *huge heaping cups of whatever caffeine beverage makes your heart palpitate (seriously, their drinks are strong!!) *full bar *great people watching *great late night dessert option *unique European feel *ample meter parking on Halsted read more

So I've been here with Wifey a few times already. She recommended it as she used to come here on occasion in the past. So we did. The place is nice and quaint inside. The decor is cool, is laid back, cozy, very chill. People are chatting or working on their laptops or reading a good book even. The menu is quite extensive for a small cafe, it has more food options than you would get at other cafes. They have crepes, sandwiches, salads and pasta.. yes pasta. Which looks pretty good and I wouldn't mind trying one of these days. We've had the tomato basil soup, a little watered down for my taste. Could be thicker. I've had the Chicken cesar salad... pretty bland and eh.. nothing to rave about. My wife always orders a veggie wrap that she just adores, so kudos for having something Wifey gets cravings for. I WANTED to try the espresso and lemon sorbeto, BUT a waitress never came by to see if we needed anything else.. see below ;) It has a very European vibe to it... and I think it shows in the service, verrrrry European as in sit down.. do you want to order? what is it? I'll see you again in an hour. The service has been very subpar. The last time we were there, our first waitress just left with out letting us know and was replaced with another one who didnt even visit our table once. We sat there after finishing our entrees for at least 40 minutes and finished our drinks with out one visit as the rest of the tables around us got some new attention by miss yoga pants (every waitress looks like they just got back from the gym). Oh and there's only one waitress for the whole place. Hey I get it, its small, you don't need a lot of staff. but c'mon, she was behind this little bar area facebooking or something more important obviously. I'm not in love with the place nor do I hate it. The food selection is good on a nice afternoon on the weekend or even a late night visit during the week. Iguana.. I'm going to try the pasta next time and see what's up. Give me love baby! read more

Ordered a few items for delivery the other day. The carbonara was a hit pretty good portion size. The Nutella and banana crepe was also delicious, it did however get hard and stale but that probably because it was delivered. Biggest disappointment was the fresh mozzarella tomato salad, what a rip off barely any cheese, terrible quality of tomatoes and basil, charging $9.25 is a robbery not worth it. The grilled Caesar wrap had good flavor but wrap was wet because of the delivery aspect or because they make the wrap and then press it which creates moisture from the sauces and veggies when heated. Overall I would order some items, but others they need to seriously re evaluate upgrading them to fit the price point. read more

I love this place! I once spent 3 hours there!!! The appetizers are delicious. But I can't say much for the entrees since I've always ordered the smoked salmon salad, and trust me, that salad is to die for. The coffee is great too but quite strong so don't drink too much towards the evening. This is definitely a place to check out for it's unique atmosphere and feel. read more

Mmmm I like me some crepes :) I've had only all things crepe here. For dinner I've tried the: Toledo - Mortadella, omelet patty, provolone cheese, green peppers, tomatoes & zucchini... The bf had the: Sparta - Chicken, feta cheese, sauteed spinach, tomatoes & sauteed mushrooms. I did enjoy my toledo but I feel like the insides were not hot enough. The crepe was delicious but the insides lacked some ooomf. My bf's crepe was pretty darn good (ey the neighbor's plate always seems tastier hehe ) On a different night we came here just for desert and had the: Tempting Trio - Nutella, banana & strawberries... Now this was to diiiie for. The nutella wasnt over powering, and they for sure put a lot in.. but they also put a lot of fruit inside. I must say the dessert is the best part of this restaurant, the 2 dinner crepes I've had weren't as good as I would have imagined, but I'll for sure come back to try other things. The place has a very cool atmosphere, very chill, and they have a real life iguana behind a glass!! Service has always been fast and the people working there are very nice. It always seems to be packed with people no matter how late at night, so call in and make a reservation just in case. read more

Told my boyfriend and I they we're still open to sit and eat but instead after calling in our order we walked in and already had our food wrapped up Togo. read more

I have been studying for my licensure exam in clinical psychology and this is a great place to study. The staff is friendly and they let me sit there for hours on end. They have great breakfast and lunch sandwiches and they have good red pepper hummus. The coffee is good as well. They play great music in here. It does get pretty packed during the weekend days. Iguana draws a wide range of people and accommodates studying, simple lunch, and business meetings. They do allow smoking in here, which can get a bit annoying depending on how many smokers are in the cafe at one time, but it sort of fits the European Bistro feel to this place. AND...it also attracts reality show celebrities like Josh Blue from Last Comic Standing (siting last weekend....). read more

I would definitely go back again. Last Sunday, my mother and I had a tasty lunch at the Iguana. We also enjoyed an impromptu screening of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" on the Iguana's nice plasma television set. I would give this one five stars if it weren't for its depressing location, but I guess that's part of its Euro meets Chicago charm. Iguana is easily accessible via the Blue Line Grand Station or 65 Grand Bus to and from Navy Pier. They also have parking lot at Halsted and Grand. As we approached the joint on a slushy sidewalk last Sunday, my mother noted the rather bleak streetscape. "The city needs to do something about this intersection." I quickly reminded her that Iguana has a smoking section, which brought a smile to her face. The food is solid, tasty, and healthy. It's a great place for coffee, espresso, and lattes. I had the Mediterranean Sandwich, which was enjoyable and satisfying. My mother had the Greek Sandwich, which was less satisfying by comparison, but nothing to complain about. My dish was served with a small salad of mixed greens. Mom's dish included a side of olives and other salty delights. Atmosphere is definitely European. Smoking gentlemen stand at the bar sipping espressos and taking heavy drags off cigarettes. Some guy was enjoying a book with his feet up on the chair. A young professional looking eastern European family sat with their baby in the non-smoking section. Bookish 30 somethings and scruffy types seem to have taken up residence at the Iguana and the surrounding neighborhood. Iguana's not really located in the heart of Chicago hipsterdom, but it's also not really located in the heart of anything. Service was very, well, Eastern European. I felt like I could have been in Budapest or Prague. Waitresses are down to business, young, attractive, and on the move. Not your typical, "How are you today?" Midwestern types, which can seem phony anyway. I've never been at night, but I hear its a nice scene. read more

I found this place in 2005 when visiting a friend in the neighborhood. He's since moved away and I've since moved to the neighborhood. The one thing that remains constant is Iguana. It's my kitchen away from home. I can go at all hours of the day and get just what my stomach desires in a relaxed, very friendly atmosphere. While I don't work here, I might as well. I've been known to eat here several times a week when I'm not traveling. I have to have been here over 50 times in 2007 and I can honestly say I've never been disappointed once. That speaks volumes given all of the choices here in Chicago. So here are the particulars: AMBIANCE: This is a very cool space. The exposed brick pulls the whole thing together and reinforces the European coffee house vibe. Not too bright and not too dark. One thing I will mention is it really is several restaurants in one. If you come for breakfast or lunch during the week you'll find folks who work in the neighborhood who want good food quickly. If you come at night you'll find the candles on the table and find people lingering over coffee or wine. If you come on the weekend you'll find the big weekend paper and lots of coffee crowd. So if you come and the atmosphere isn't quite your cup of tea, give Iguana a try at another time of day. Also, the place is very international and you'll find people speaking all kinds of languages. The owners are Greek (hence some of the food) and the servers are from all over. Having traveled as much as I have, I find that to be a real 'plus'. The only possible drawback in this category is the smoking. It's really not that bad, but I'm not used to smelling like smoke anymore when I go eat anywhere. (It's technically a bar and smoking is still allowed). This is really a moot point as the new Illinois state law takes place on January 1. SERVICE: I have always found the service to be efficient. If you want to chat them up, they're happy to chat back. However, their primary concern is that you sit back and relax in their 'living room'. Get comfortable. If you do, you'll be back again and again. FOOD: The food really is the star here. I've tried many, many things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The quality is always very good. The breads and the deserts are worth special mention for their freshness and quality. If you like Greek and or Mediterranean food, those are always a good bet. There are also plenty of things on the menu for the Vegetarians among us. It is a coffeehouse, after all, and the coffee is quite solid and the range of coffee drinks quite extensive. There is also a full bar and a very nice selection of wines by the glass that changes now and again. My current favorite is the organic Malbec. At $7 a glass, this is a nice value. So, I strongly encourage you to give Iguana a try. Take some friends and while away the time amidst the great coffee and fine food. Or, go alone and be prepared to meet some of the most interesting people in Chicago. Either way, be prepared to get comfortable. If you do, I know you'll be back. read more

This is my favorite place in Chicago for crepes . Sweet and savory ,delicious!!!! Every time I am in town I have to stop by and get crepe . Prices for alcohol are very low for this neighborhood.They have full bar ,as well as all types of coffee drinks . Servers Danka and Angela are very polite , always smiling and very friendly. read more

I love this place. I've been coming here since 2001 and it has steadily evolved all the while. I really can't think of another place in the city that I am equally happy going to for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a glass of wine. The owner is really nice and the staff are all helpful too. A few have been there since they opened. Their vinaigrette is awesome, great breakfast croissants, and the mediterranean sandwich is also great. The nutella croissant is so wrong, but soooo good. Good wine selection and a good atmosphere to boot. I almost forgot, if you like strong and sweet coffees try the Iguana Special. Its realllly good. read more

This place wins in all categories for me: great ambiance, great food, great drinks, open late. Drank margaritas here (because I missed my chance on Cinco de Mayo) and had the baked goat cheese app. Good margaritas- stick with the traditional, the strawberry was too sweet. Goat cheese, large and delicious. Definitely for sharing. Built my own crepe of chicken, hummus, mushrooms and feta. It was so damn good. The taste of the crepe itself was really excellent too. Plus those crepes are huge! Neither I or my dinner companion finished ours. And it's not just because we're girls. Oh and the prices are great, which worked for us because we're poor. I'll for sure go back to Iguana. read more

I want to like you I really do! It was awhile ago since I've been here so I can't be as detailed as I would like to. I've been here several times, but I never really had a good experience here. The last time I came in for a quick crepe snack and wanted to relax with a cup of chai latte. The crepe was overly sweet, and the chai latte wasn't even a latte! Hopefully my friends don't drag me back here! read more

My favorite local go-to spot. Amazing crepes, sandwiches, desserts, you name it. Everything I've had here is amazing, and such a good value. One of the best-priced places in town. The service can be a little spotty at times, and it can get pretty packed and, in true European cafe fashion, the tables and seating arrangements are pretty compact. However, very cute decor, easy to get to (grand blue line or pretty good parking options). It's the only place we're willing to truck out in the snow for! read more

Went here on Valentine's Day with the girls from work. Great food, and after our meals, they brought out free desserts! There's nothing 5 single girls love more on V-Day than some free tiramisu, chocolate cake, and ice cream! Loved it! read more

Such a relaxed vibe and the grapefruit mimosa was to die for! One of the best places to eat in Chicago.

Yelp's a bit off the mark on this one. The food's just average, along with the service. Incredibly slow. The crepe I had was pretty good, but it was very difficult to eat thanks to the horrible silverware (cheap, flimsy, not sharp). read more