Oh so homey. This little diner is tucked within the Andersonville strip on Clark. I happened to be showing my father the neighborhood when we passed by Svea and decided to give it a try. The place is cute, tacky and charming with a mixture of themes going on; mostly nautical. My father ordered the viking breakfast while I got the smaller version of the viking. Our pancakes were more like crepes and the portion size was perfect because pancakes can be filling. The Scandinavian sausage was flavorful, eggs cooked to perfection and home fries, I felt proud of my Swedish heritage ( : All in all, great breakfast in a comfy cozy neighborhood. read more

Pluses: Both Swedish pancakes and the "Viking" French toast were tasty. Food was delivered efficiently and drinks were quickly refilled. Restaurant had a rustic, yet cozy appearance when you walk inside. Negatives: They tried to run the restaurant a little too efficiently, to the detriment of the customer comfort. Most of the tables were empty when we came in, but the server (or maybe it was the manager) almost rudely insisted that we only sit at the one of the two-top tables since we came in as a couple. However the seating with regard to two-tops was limited, and the only ones available were either dirty or right in front of the window where it was hot because the sunlight was pouring in. So we instead decided to sit at the breakfast bar where it was rather cramped and you had to stare at the bus tubs and kitchen sink. Why would the customers not get their preference with regard to seating when the restaurant is not busy at all? Awkward experience. OVERALL: It's a shame that the quality of the service is not equal to the quality of the food in this establishment. Interact with the customers more. Smile. Let customers sit where they want when the restaurant is mostly empty. Perhaps if there were more focus on the customer experience rather than restaurant operational "needs", this restaurant would earn a higher rating from me. read more

Just great, authentic Swedish food, mostly breakfast entrees. Good service and a cozy atmosphere too. Be sure to carry cash, they don't accept any credits cards. read more

Yum! See, Orange in Lincoln Park? This is how you do great breakfast at a decent price. There's nothing fancy about the food but it doesn't need it. It's plentiful, great quality (the bacon is thick and just the right amount of crispy. the sausage was out of this world) and delicious! Service was quick and friendly! I foresee myself coming here regularly. Highly recommend. read more

Awesome staff !! Very friendly and they work so well together - every cozy place needs coworkers that can work together - food was great and they support the ditch the straw foundation read more

Svea - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Unfortunately Svea went all patriotic and replaced the Swedish horse tableclothes with American flag themed ones, so we ate at the counter instead. I am hoping they will return shortly. I really like the tableclothes. The first time I went I had a breakfast plate with bacon, eggs and Swedish pancakes--it was very good, perfect bacon and lots o' lingonberries. The cheeseburger extra is not just a burger, it is a hand formed patty made out of I think Swedish meatballs. Which propels it out of hamburger and into a whole other category of flavorful excellence. It comes with home fried potatoes and a side of pickles, tomatoes, onions, lettuce so you can put on whatever you want. Best Burger in town! Great Service, Great Prices, Great location. read more

This is a diner with Swedish flair. I got the Swedish pancakes that came with little doses of ligonberry jam. I like the decor, the low prices, and not a very long wait. The coffee and the pre-packaged condiments provided a no-frills setting for a meeting with friends. read more

We went here on recommendation from the antique store owner right next to Svea. THANKS ALOT. First I got the Potato Pancakes, which were a soggy mess. The consistency was up there with half done, too thick pancakes. They were so mushy they stuck to the back of my throat and almost made me gag. The best part of that dish was the apple sauce, which i'm sure was bought elsewhere. My boyfriend got the Swedish meatballs. I wanted to yell is this a joke?! they were little grey marbles made out of ground beef, boiled and served with a gravy where the key ingredient MUST have been Elmers glue. Again, i almost gagged. He also got the swedish pancakes. This was supposed to be their specialty. If these are, i don't know how their still open. They were dense, chewy and tasteless. GROSSEST BREAKFAST EVER. We left there each with a stomach ache and (it goes without saying) a bad taste in our mouths. read more

The atmosphere is adorable and the staff are lovely and quick to refill your coffee. I just wish there were more vegetarian options. It's not that you can't cobble together a decent breakfast without meat, but the combinations/specials are built for carnivores. Of the food I have had here, it's pretty middle of the road and typical of what you'd find at a standard diner, but with some Swedish flavor thrown in. Great for out of towners to see some of old Andersonville, and with the friendly staff and counter service, I wouldn't feel weird eating here alone. read more

All I have to say is VIKING BREAKFAST! This place is a small diner in Andersonville serving your basic breakfast fare (read eggs, toast, bacon); however, throw in a few Swedish specialties (including their wonderful swedish pancakes and the swedish sausage) you have a wonderful little restaurant for a Saturday or Sunday morning. The place is first come first seated, but do not be afraid to ask for a spot at the bar. Coffee is OK, orange juice is not fresh squeezed, but the food is wonderful. read more

My wife loves this place, but I've never been more than 3-star impressed. The food is good, but not any better than breakfast food available elsewhere. It's cash only, so be prepared, and be warned: the last time my wife and I tried to eat there we showed up at 1:32pm (the restaurant closes at 2) and we were told the kitchen was already closed... so, don't count on eating there if it's close to their closing time. read more

Svea - Restaurant hours posted on front door. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Svea? More like Sveamazing! Sure it's a little small, a little dingy and a lot kitschy, but that's all a part of it's charm. The food is simple, tasty and for their prices, a steal. Our favorite? The Swedish Tease: eggs (always prepared perfectly as asked), a Swedish pancake (at least try the lingonberry preserves) and the most amazing bacon we've ever had. I don't know what makes it so special, but it's juicy (though not at all fatty) with an incredible (smokey?) flavor. The only con is cash only, but breakfast at Svea is definitely worth stopping by any of the many ATMs nearby on Clark. read more

Ordered grilled chicken breast sandwich and veggie omelette, both were good, good service. Beautiful interior style.Ps. Cash only. read more

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Had lunch... horrible cheeseburger. Thought it had a funny taste so didn't eat much. I have been sick for 4 hours. The worst thoughts that come to mind when I say "I have been sick for 4 hours" are exactly what's happening. DO NOT EAT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

My husband loves this place it is one of the few places he mentions often... the Swedish pancakes and Viking breakfast top his list! It is small, gets packed and is cash only. (You do have plenty of atm's close by) read more

Valhalla!!!!!! I love Svea! I was there with my little family a couple of days ago. Let me tell you, my grandmother was a hood Swede. Every Christmas the Swedish would come out. Svea captured that experience with their food and decor insude the restaurant. If you want that sort of experience, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Just get to Svea, and dont forget to bring cash, since they dont accept credit cards. All in all a wonderful and warm experience. The food is delightful. Get the Viking breakfast and rhen go raid Western Europe! read more

Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the United States for one meal and one meal only: the Viking breakfast. Growing up in Sweden, I want that goodness and it is hard to find, even in Andersonville. Two pieces of toast, two eggs, potatoes, two Swedish pancakes, lingon berries, falukorv, and don't forget the unlimited coffee fills. Every time I'm back in Chicago, I find the time to make it before their early closing time. read more

Yum yum yummm! What a perfect little place for some home cookin'. They are always busy, but somehow manage to have seats available. It is cash only but very affordable so bring a friend, a few buck and enjoy. The staff is all so very sweet. It's basically become our breakfast go to. And it should be yours too!! read more

Horrible service. My 9-year-old daughter insisted on coming back here. So we drove the half hour to get here, and I dropped my wife and daughter at the restaurant at 2:30 PM on a Sunday, Jan 18, 2015, while I looked for parking. They refused to seat them in their mostly empty restaurant until I got there, and told them the kitchen closes in 15 minutes. I ran up at 2:40, and they told us the kitchen is closed. (The hours are till 3.) How heartless. I will never spend a dime in this place again. read more

I've been here a few times and everything is good. I like the potatoes. Nothing overly memorable. Basic breakfast with some interesting meat sides. The Swedish pancakes are basically crepes, which are good. I wish they stayed open a little later. I'm always confused why there is a dinner menu, but they are never open past 3. Hmm. read more

Five words: Swedish Tease and Viking Breakfast. And better than Pauline's and Ann Sather, so 'nuff said!

One of the greatest things in this whole wide world is a cheap, consistent diners and their tasty food. But to have a SWEDISH diner? The best of the best. I love Svea. I pine for Svea and their Lumberjack breakfast. SO good. One tiny thing, remember that they are cash only, do bring the greenbacks. read more

Only cash payments accepted. Omelette was nice, place was crowded (Saturday noon). Waiters nice, serving fast

This is a nice, lowkey place to visit for a weekend breakfast. So my chair was wobbly, and the decor is a strange mix of diner + Scandanavian + St. Patrick's Day shamrocks, but that's fine by me. Although the dining room is small, we didn't have to wait long for a table. The servers were friendly and kept the coffee coming as fast as I could drink up. My scrambled eggs and sausage were good but standard. The Swedish pancakes were absolutely the star of the morning. Wrap them up with lingonberry jam and a sprinkle of sugar... ohh yes! Don't forget, Svea is cash only. It's also conveniently located in Andersonville, with other Swedish shops steps away. read more

Don't go there in a rain storm - instead of allowing a few people to hang out in the entrance area, not blocking the entrance/exit as it was pouring down rain they kicked us out. One family had two young children - very poor customer service. It is now blacklisted for me sorry sassy eggs! read more

Yum yum yum. So good...and so much better than I was expecting. Cheap prices and very friendly service. Great! Try the swedish pancakes which were oh so good. read more

Went here on a weekday morning as an alternative to my usual go-to spot, Pauline's. Split the Swedish pancakes and an omelette, and had a discussion about what the difference between a Swedish pancake and a crepe is. (Inconclusive!) The brocolli in the omelette was/seemed fresh, coffee was refilled quickly and service was quick and friendly. A great little breakfast spot. read more

Svea has a sentimental value to me as I used to bring my daughter as a little girl and sit at the counter - she is almost 19! So whenever my husband and I go it brings back those cherished memories. My daughter is home for the weekend so we are heading over and so looking forward to it! Live the Swedish tease. I love their eggs - taste so fresh, the only place in Chicago this original Wisconsin girl thinks tastes like a fresh Wisconsin egg! Svea is my favorite breakfast place. Always good food and always a nice experience. read more

The viking breakfast is a can't miss. Great food. Friendly staff. Cozy and homey environment.

Went there once when M. Henry was too crowded.... I had I believe maybe eggs and ham..or something like that.... My fiance and I both walked out afterwards and felt sick... It was an unbelievably bad breakfast...and trust me...I'm not a froo-froo breakfast person...so I'm not particularly picky...but we both got disgustingly gross food... read more

I love this place. Me and my boyfriend had breakfast here around christmastime. The owner sang a traditional swedish christmas song to everyone in the restaurant. Very quirky! The pancakes and sausage I had were both swedish style and both were so delicious! Fantastic little spot not to miss. read more

Simply delicious! Great potatoes and awesome pancackes. The lingonberry jam is out of this world. I'm from Michigan and have now made this place a staple in our future visits to Chicago. read more

Mmmmm... potato pancakes. Good food, no attitude. Very small, tho.

I'm all for local and independent, just realize my aversion to this place is the cheap diner food made with completely cheap garbage ingredients... no maple syrup at a place that serves pancakes, only cancer-causing paraben-loaded, HFCS fake chemical garbage? Sorry, it's not me, it's you. read more

This place has been on my breakfast/brunch radar for a long time. We at long last finally stopped in here on a Saturday morning. The place was busy so we sat down at the counter and were greeted with coffee and juice. Not a big menu. Pancakes and omelets mostly. But I wasn't interested in that. I wanted the "Viking Breakfast". A huge portion of eggs, pancakes, potatoes, Swedish sausage, and toast. A meal to satisfy any hangover hunger. Everything on the dish complements each other. The over-easy eggs meld with the potatoes, toasted and buttered limpa bread melts in your mouth, the salty meaty sausage with the fluffy lingonberry sweetened pancakes. One of the best morning meals ever! Fare priced, nice people, and great food. Worth a stop or two! read more

Thanks Yelpers, was in the neighborhood for a client and I thoroughly enjoyed the Viking Breakfast. Recommended.

This is not a place I go to for good food - Svea is basically a replica Swedish 70s diner; pure Scandinavian trucker food. The coffee is weak and nasty. The juice is made from concentrate. The potatoes are greasy. All the condiments come in little plastic packages. The Swedish sausage is all lips'n asses. But the pancakes are awesome, the mustard is authentic and the service is impeccable, and just the right amount of friendly. Svea is the quintessential "sunkställe" and I love it. I will always come back here. I just can't give it a great grade. read more

Very cute place tucked away in Andersonville. The Viking breakfast was amazing! Service was great too.

It's quiet early, the radio is on low. The joint's über-charming. Cash only. Hash browns are perfectly crunchy, the toast comes buttered. It's the greasiest of greasy spoons, but isn't that the point? read more

I like Svea. It's a good, very small, neighborhoody diner that puts a Swedish twist on the traditional American breakfast. Prices are low, and service is friendly. Go for the Swedish pancakes and laugh at the people waiting for 2 hours at Ann Sather across the street! read more