I have mixed feelings towards Little Branch Café, let me explain: -- the food is always pretty good (I would recommend trying one of their Chilaquiles) -- their smoothies are sugary sweet treats that are a surprise phenomenon! -- the atmosphere is cozy, especially since it's a small restaurant that's family owned -- I repeatedly have had some of the worst service here. More specifically, the staff is not friendly, I have had food come out cold, and it's kind of expensive for breakfast food with all of that to consider. I haven't been back to Little Branch Café in a long time, because I can't accept paying for bad service no matter what the product is like in quality. read more

Just had a taste for fresh hot latte & simple soup. Well, it was my lucky day to indulge in the BEST split pea ham soup I've ever had! First spoonful woke up my taste buds! Had to find out how a basic staple can be SO delicious. Chef makes it himself, adds ham, onion, potatoes, & CELERY (aha!). Tho was a little on the thin side, flavor made up for it. Gonna order a BOWL next time :) read more

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The lox platter with an Asiago bagel was good. There is a decent amount of seating but also diner top seating as well. The service was excellent! Everyone very attentive even if it was not then table. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Lox Platter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We were in a hurry for something to eat between finishing our visit to the field museum and our reserved tickets to the Shedd aquarium. This place came up as within easy walking distance and so to save time we sent my pal's husband to grab us carryout while we finished checking out the last exhibit on our list. Since he went to get the food, I can't really comment on service or atmosphere, though he did say when he returned that the place was cute. Our food was packaged well and I enjoyed eating with a nice view of the lake! My husband and I split the Little Branch Bagel, which is a bagel sandwich with eggs, hash browns, and cheddar cheese. It also comes with a few slices of fruit and some cubed and seasoned potatoes. My pal asked her husband to bring her back a pastry and a blueberry smoothie, while he got some type of breakfast sandwich thing too. I didn't hear much comment from either of them about the food although she was miffed because she wound up with a blueberry scone and that apparently wasn't what she had in mind, lol. As such, I got to try a bite. The flavors were great -- sweet vanilla and tart blueberry -- though the scone itself was quite dry. They both finished their food (except the sadly unwanted scone) without complaint though, so I guess it wasn't bad! As for our meal, it was serviceable though nothing mind blowing. I wish the bagel had been a little more toasty. The egg was cooked super well and was tasty, though I was grateful for the napkins they'd packed as the runny yolk got everywhere. The hashbrowns were a little soggy and wound up falling off the sandwich, which was frustrating. The cubed potatoes had good seasoning. Much of the food was unfortunately on the fairly cold side, which I'm sure is partly attributable to its journey to our location, though I can't help feeling like a lot of other food wouldn't have been quite *this* cold, especially given the rather warm weather. Oh well. It fulfilled a need and was an enjoyable enough meal to share in a lovely atmosphere. Not a bad choice for a picnic sort of lunch near a lot of tourist attractions. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Little Branch Bagel to go - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing food! From the outside it is hard to tell that it is a cafe but it is truly a hidden gem! I had an everything bagel with bacon & egg plus potatoes and it was very good/fresh. The menu included daily specials as well. The service is good too and kid friendly place (went with my friend who had her daughter in a stroller). They even asked if we would like a high chair which was nice. I would come back to try other dishes and the smoothies. read more

Small little place. Cute and friendly. I had the mascarpone French toast. This was pretty awesome! I don't usually like breakfast foods much and if I do I don't usually order the sweet ones but this looked delicious and I had to try. It was not disappointing. Perfectly cooked, with a nice layer of mascarpone inside. Some blueberry chutney or such on top with a little powdered sugar. It was sweet but I wasn't overwhelmed by it!! My partner had the Denver omelette and was happy. He also ordered a flat white latte. And I had a London fog which was really good and I don't always find on cafe menus. The mugs are huge! So be prepared for a large coffee or tea!! We wish we would have had room to try the amazing sounding smoothies, maybe next time. One more tip! Don't be alarmed if you see something in your water. I grabbed my glass of water and looked at it and saw something floating and the waiter noticed me investigating it and giggled at me explaining that it was fruit infused water and pointed to a large water dispensing jug that had lots of various fruit pieces mixed in with the water. Fruit such as pineapple, strawberries and more. So there wasn't a bug or dirt floating in it!! It was just fruit seeds &/or fruit particles! LOL read more

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Love this place. It's off in the duck, local spot, ran by a latinè family that is always nice. Good food, good smoothies, nice vibes, expansive menu. The chili slaps, so does the fig and prosciutto sandwich. read more

Stopped in after visiting Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum with my three younger children. Oldest daughter had pancakes and said they were the best she ever had, she also loved her Flamingo smoothie. My 10 year old son had a waffle with blueberries that went over so well he had a second one and he's pretty picky. Youngest daughter (8) had avocado toast which she loved how it was "seasoned" and how it was spread. I had the chorizo breakfast sandwich and it was amazing. I'm actually glad we struck out with everything that was supposed to hell closer and made the 15 minute trek to this place. Service was good, staff was friendly, all in all we loved it. Very cozy atmosphere, not crowded, would easily recommend to anyone. read more

Little Branch Cafe in Chicago is a delicious & quaint cafe to hit up if you are in the mood for tasty coffee, fresh smoothies, and scrumptious brunch items. I started off with a black coffee and a freshly-blended smoothie. For my entree, I enjoyed perfectly seased ham, crispy potatoes, fresh fruit, and two over easy eggs. The service was spectacular! Little branch is a great spot to have a quick breakfast with friends and family, as well as a nice spot to work remote a couple of hours. read more

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Great food. Chorizo Benedict was wonderful. Very tasty but different. Red velvet waffles were delicious. Home potatoes were nicely seasoned. Service was good too. Our server was very friendly. Ambiance is cozy. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Chorizo Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great diner with American fare breakfast dishes, ans well as Mexican-inspired offering. Great food, atmosphere, service, and wait time. I will definitely eat here next time I am in town. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Chorizo Benedicto Special. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We loved our food. Service was a little spotty but that happens during a busy Sunday brunch. It's a cute place and convenient to museum campus. Plan ahead for parking or walk. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Meat & Eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came back and feel like this is a solid 4 star option. Huevos Verde - 4/5. Strong combination of poached eggs, red onion, tortilla chips, verde sauce. My wife gets the Little Brand Bagel and likes it. A single pancake was a good kid option, light and fluffy with salty butter. read more

I really want to love this place because it's so close to my house, but it's hit or miss. Every time I give it another chance, I hope the food and service get better. Once I went and my waffle was soggy. Today I went and my waitress was awful and had an attitude problem. It's so disappointing because I want to support this place, but I just can't continue giving them my money when there are other options around. read more

Such a cute little spot! The staff was super friendly and the service was quick. My omelette and coffee were delicious. And best part my dog was allowed to come in with me :) definitely recommend! read more

Cute retro lunch cafe style place literally across the street from the Field Museum in Chicago. It's on a little cul de sac street so after you leave you kinda have to walk all the way around to get to the Field Museum but I'm glad I came here . They serve very tasty and unpretentious sandwiches or breakfast stuff. I had the Vegetarian Panini which was cooked mushrooms with avocado and crudite veggies on marbeled bread that was put in Panini press with chips and pickle . Very tasty . My friend had the blackened chicken on a bun and said it was a step above a regular chicken sandwich. I don't eat chicken so I didn't try it but he liked it. Serious cup of chamomile tea too which they gave me a to-go container for what I didn't finish. Staff are extremely nice . This place is laid back. It's on ground floor of big residential building. Recommended. read more

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Great smooth dark coffee. Good food. Ate the Benedict. Waffles and French toast were also good. Went a few times while at conference.

I came from Houston to visit Chicago and I discovered this place on maps. We were just looking for a place to have brunch closer to the Shedd Aquarium. I cannot describe with words how amazing the food is, it just feels very homemade and fresh. I think this spot is very underestimated, the food is great, the service is good, the ambiance take me back to my childhood growing up in Mexico. Also, the coffee and the smoothies are DELICIOUS! Something really hard to find here in the States. This Little Branch Cafe will take me back to this beautiful city for sure. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food is just okay. Smoothies are good. Service is also just okay. Ambiance is once again just okay. Overall this restaurant could be better.

Little Branch Cafe in the South Loop is one of my favorite spots for a quick bite and a great cup of coffee. It's tucked away at the bottom of a condo building, so you might walk right past it--but don't! The family owners who now run it, , who are the third group to take over the cafe, are by far the best. They bring a warmth and friendliness that really makes a difference. They have also added chilaquiles to the menu so that's a hit. I usually go for their brunch options, which are always solid and/or coffee and tea. Their omelets are delicious and I also love that they have gelato (is there anything better than affogato?). along with a refreshing smoothie or a perfectly brewed coffee. You can park for 30 minutes by South Loop Market if you don't have time to walk over. There is also zoned street parking on Indiana and meters on Michigan. A nice walk and worth the steps! read more

I ordered the lox platter with my lox cooked to perfection. The food was undeniably delicious, although I found it a bit pricey. Nevertheless, given that this is a local restaurant, I still felt it was worth the cost. I was pleasantly surprised by the short wait for my food, and overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. I appreciated how they accommodated my request to cook the lox to my preference, as not all restaurants offer this flexibility. This positive experience has definitely convinced me to visit again in the future. It was my first time having breakfast there, and I believe it was worth it. they offer Wi-Fi to customers and have seating at tables as well as a little bar to also they have a lot of different pastry items makes smoothies and do juices as well so this menu is very broad and offers a lot of variety from sandwiches. Breakfast is to also lunch items too. The grapefruit juice was also delicious as well. read more

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Happy to stumble upon a local family business for Sunday brunch in Chicago this weekend. Expected a wait but they told us there was seating at the bar, so we jumped in. Service was very friendly and we enjoyed the homey diner feel of the whole place. Our food took a while, but we were expecting that with a busy Sunday around noon. Food was pretty bland all around but the potatoes were great and had quality flavor. Bagel sandwich was nothing to write home, neither was the Marscapone French toast. Nice if you're not looking to break the back on a quick fuel up for a day of being a tourist, and nice to support a local business instead of a chain. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Marscapone French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The setting of this place is nice. The service was pretty average like the typical nice! The food was definitely not worth that much money though. The food tasted pretty bland. It doesn't taste as good as it looks. read more

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i recently went for an expresso shot with 2 sugars i recieved my expresso no sugar. i ordered a double spinach omelet with added chicken ( no chicken) . i called them they said they would give me credit for the chicken thats all. now i understand why the little branch cafe was empty . sad. this was the go to breakfast place. read more

Really good chorizo and egg breakfast. Waffles were soft. Chilaquuiles was good. It was not the same as listed on the menu. Lavender latte coffee was really good and you get a lot in a big cup. Service was quick. Cute like cafe inside residential area. Wish there was outdoor seating. read more

To me, what makes a place is the people working in it. Food can only be so good, but service and the energy filling an atmosphere is what truly seals the deal for me. It was a random decision to come to Little Branch, but a great one for sure! Every single person working here was a sweetheart who always smiled back. My omelet and coffee were yummy but I just truly enjoyed the comfortable and welcoming energy provided. A quaint little cafe and perfect place to reflect.Hope they continue to thrive :) read more

Little Branch Cafe - Espresso - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing service AND food! Very crowded when arrived but we were made to feel as if we were the only customers in the cafe. Great coffee drinks! read more

Came here for an early morning bite in South Loop and was pleasantly surprised! It had a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and lots of sunshine coming through the big windows. Wide variety of food to choose from on the menu from classics to delicacies to sweet treats to something simple. I went with the Quiche of the Day and a Strawberry Arugula Salad paired with the Blueberry Marscapone Stuffed French Toast. Everything was marvelous. There was a coffee menu full of selections and customizations, as well as smoothies and even gelato. A truly delightful way to begin my day. The staff was eager to answer any questions and provide me with an array of hot sauces upon request. This is a great spot for brunch with a few close friends or a simple breakfast by yourself. read more

Little Branch Cafe - Mascarpone - Stuffed French Toast w Strawberry Arugula Salad and Quiche of the Day paired with Vanilla Iced Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

TL:DR - Sub-par/Average food, decent drinks, but a quiet spacious study spot with a large drink food menu and free-wifi. Outlets are non-existent. Really a 3.5*, but I'll round up today. Came here looking for a good study spot, this place is tucked away amongst several high-rise residential places. It seems more of a sit-down cafe than a coffee study place, but it's quiet and I don't think we were preventing any one from sitting who wanted to. Food wise, they had a pastry case, but it was relatively sparse and looked like no one had touched it in a while and that it was brought in from somewhere else rather than baked in house. I stayed throughout the day, so we got a couple of drinks. My wife said the cappuccino was fairly adequate. Nothing amazing, but not bad either. We also got a French soda (an Italian soda with cream), which is a huge plus, cause that stuff is hard to find and delicious. For the soda, we had to add our own cream, but that's fine, it allows us to adjust for our tastes. We also got a panini before leaving. We got the fig and prosciutto panini with fruit. The prosciutto was the thicker version, like hearty cuts of ham. The fruit selection was also surprisingly nice, like beyond the typical melon/cantaloupe/grape mix. Ours had watermelon, blueberries, pineapple, and strawberries! As a study spot, it is a 4* spot. It was quiet both in terms of ambient noise and the number of customers, when we first got in, but then about 30 min in, the music got turned on and it was a bit loud for my liking. But it was a legit mix of pop with a heavy dose of Bruno Mars. So it could have been worse. The only gripe is I could not find a single outlet. So be ok going on one full computer charge, or if you are going with a book, I would recommend the place. read more

Little Branch Cafe - The dispersion of the prosciutto could have been better. The other half was much better. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I sorta dig this little uncrowded breakfast cafe on a weekday morning. It's "neighborhood" vibe--which is a little funny to say a block from Grant Park (and does South Loop even have a "neighborhood" scene besides--people who moved from LA and wanted to live "downtown"). But it really is true: this place sits under a stack of high-end condos, but for the most part is unpretentious and relaxed and no tourists in sight. This is one of those breakfast cafes that straddles the line between coffee shop (good wifi available and there are people sitting here on laptops), brunch place (full breakfast menu with eggs, potatoes & fruit--more full on the weekends), and diner (easy going, but food is less greasy). There's not table service (you order at the counter), but they have a full printed menu and if they're not busy, they'll come by and refill your coffee. Spanish sandwich with jalapeño is good. I agree with some reviewers that some of the food needs a little more butter (eggs!) or spice: can be a bit bland. Coffee is quality (roasted from Metropolis, which is local on the north side) but this isn't the place you'd travel to to sample a floral cappuccino. But it's good enough for me to want to return! Floor to ceiling glass windows allow some bright sun in the winter, and there is a limited outdoor patio area that's nice in the summer. read more

Read reviews about this "hidden gem" as described by many and I was definitely not disappointed. I am not a French toast person but I had to taste "Chicago's best French toast" and it was the best. The portion sizes are just perfect. Not too much and not too little. My daughter had the Orange velvet waffle which I got to taste and absolutely delicious. Menu doesn't have pictures so pictures posted on the reviews were super helpful. read more

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It's tucked away at the bottom of a residential condo building, but this is a real gem for simple good food made with care. I believe it's run by a family and they're always friendly. The menu is deceptively big with breakfast foods (eggs, pancakes, waffles, breakfast burritos or sandwiches and more!) as well as lunch staples like deluxe sandwiches / paninis and salads. I also noticed they have fresh smoothies, espresso drinks and even gelato and pastries! We came in for Sunday morning breakfast and it was nice and busy. You order at the counter and they bring you your food. Water is self serve, but they have "spa" water with fresh fruit infusions that change each day. The patio is also open and I saw a dog out there if you bring your 4-legged friend. Our food was really good - especially the breakfast potatoes - and I'd say in line with other places in the area ($10-$12 for our breakfast entrees). The ingredients are high quality and they didn't skimp on things like the bacon in my sandwich or the fillings in our Denver omelet. Service was so friendly. I saw them clearing tables quickly and we were asked a couple times if we needed anything. These are the kinds of places neighborhoods need and should support. We'll definitely be regulars! PS I was surprised by some of the negative reviews and then I recalled that management changed in the last year or so and it's clearly much better now read more

Little Branch Cafe - Denver Omelette (no cheese) also delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Little Branch does not miss! The coffee, the smoothies, and the food are all amazing. The staff is friendly and attentive, the food comes out of the kitchen quick and always tastes fresh. It's a neighborhood gem, so it can get crowded, but the wait isn't too long and it is well worth it. It's a cozy, family owned spot with nice neighborhood views, creative decor, clean & welcoming. I can't say enough about how great this place is. read more

We were headed to the Shedd Aquarium early so decided to check out Little Branch. It is a coffee shop that doubles as a restaurant but still has the check coffee shop vibe. We enjoyed that we could done in and our server was awesome! They have a surprisingly wide variety of food choices on the menu! I ordered the bagel sandwich and my better half ordered the traditional breakfast. We were pleasantly surprised with the presentation! The potatoes were well seasoned with a hint of rosemary. The thinly sliced fruit accompanying was fresh and delicious. I enjoy sausage usually as my breakfast meat but unfortunately pork was not an option. They only had turkey sausage on the menu. I should have gotten bacon. But it was a solidly good breakfast and if in town, I would done there again! I was a bit thirsty so ordered the iced coffee, which was good and strong. The cappuccino was calling my name... Maybe next time. :) read more

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The Canary Smoothie (banana, granola + milk and honey) is the best smoothie in the City of Chicago. Hands down. Go right now and support them! read more

Little Branch Cafe - a woman behind the counter - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Veryyyy good food. A quiet and peaceful brunch spot with amazing service. The only thing that dings it is the coffee isn't the tastiest. But other than that, I would eat over and over again. read more

Stopped in for breakfast before going to the Field Museum. The food was good and the place was a solid option for breakfast.

Cute place tucked away, but worth the walk! Started with a delicious latte, smoothie, and Italian flavored soda. Mascarpone French toast, frittata sandwich, and burger were amazing! Met the owner, who was wonderful and welcoming! Perfect before going to museums! read more

Wonderful gem tucked in the Museum Park area of the South Loop! Venue: small space with indoor and outdoor seating in a quiet area. Entrance is shared with a dry cleaners, but you are in the right spot. You can grab a table and then order at the counter when ready. They provide you a number and bring over your meal when ready. Food: we order the Traditional French Toast, Mascarpone French Toast, and Bananas & Nutella Pancakes. Everyone loved their meal: pancakes were huge, 3 full pancakes with a generous amount of bananas and Nutella. The French toast comes with berries (we ordered on the side) and the boys really liked it. The Mascarpone was a great mix of flavors- didn't feel too heavy and the blueberry compote was great. Service: very warm and welcoming. And QUICK. We had a family member (who shall remain nameless) accidentally knock over an entire glass of water and the staff appeared with rags and mops like they were a pit crew. They quickly fixed us up and were so kind. read more

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I was a regular customer (for a limited number of items), so I was surprised when Little Branch informed me that they didn't appreciate my feedback on the inconsistencies in my orders. Little Branch has never been overly friendly, but they did their jobs and most of the time the food was decent such as the veggie wrap which was good. However, I only ordered a limited number of items because most items were lacking such as the burrito--bean spread and no beans??? Skimping on the avocado in general). As with smaller cafes, consistency wasn't a standard and some times little things would be missed--no mayo on a sandwich, cheese forgotten on an order, too many shells in the crabcake poboy, chips instead of the salad you paid extra for--for the most part they would fix things with no fuss. This is the only reason I overlooked the flavorless fish taco dinner which I stopped ordering (initially they were good but declined in quality/flavor over the years), and worst I got sick from the fish tacos one night. The rosemary potatos are good when they have enough rosemary and the side salad was generally fresh--other than than that most of the food is marginal. My one star is for lack of customer appreciation and marginal food overall. read more