Beautiful place to be in Chicago in the Summer. Buy a canned beverage and a sandwich inside then sit next to Lake Michigan and enjoy.

The views was unbeatable! Perfect family friendly spot to grab lunch or drinks or an early dinner. We had some blackened shrimp rolls and the vegan hot dog and it was all delicious! read more

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Although the worker was a bit harsh when talking to us, the food came out very quickly. We loved the nachos. The location is really nice to sit and talk. Close to University of Loyola! read more

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Great lobster rolls. Great atmosphere for children and toddlers. Hopefully the weather this weekend will be cool enough for them to be open. read more

Ok folks - this place is right on the water with a nice view and serves booze. Stop complaining about wait times . Just stare at the water. Yes you could bring your own booze(and risk a ticket) and food but why bother this place isn't too expensive and has nice views. Give it a shot! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - View - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What an adorable little outdoor cafe. I saw a video on Tiktok of this place and I just knew I had to try it. The most appealing thing about Waterfront Cafe is obviously the location. It makes you feel like you're at the beach. I'm from Florida and I refuse to call Lake Michigan a beach, but the set up of this place has completely transformed the vibe. It was just one other person and I, however, when we first arrived, there was a long wait. Everyone was social distancing and wearing their masks in line, so I'm glad this place is being COVID cautious. They even placed pictures of the menu outside so people can get their orders in quickly and not hold up the line. Payment is upfront, and once you place your order, you are directed to the nearest empty table. We got a table right by the water and the main stage area. There was live music that day and that was also super fun and enjoyable. The menu wasn't extensive but they do have a few items that are definitely a must try. I had the pesto chicken salad and my partner had the blackened cajun shrimp roll. The food is pre-made and refrigerated it seems, as it came out exceptionally quick and was cold. It also comes out in takeaway boxes and not so much on a plate. I honestly like the idea because it makes it a lot easier to just get up and leave instead of waiting on the bill or someone to get you a to-go box. Either way, the food tasted great; nothing really to complain about. I also recommend trying their sangria's' as they pair perfectly with the food. I highly recommend visiting Waterfront Cafe before they shut down for the winter. Till next time! read more

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We love that there's something like this in Edgewater, but the changes they've made due to COVID, while necessary, sacrifices some of the things that made this place great. Currently it is a place your order, get a number, and food will be brought out to you kind of place. The food is very very good. Portions definitely seem smaller this year as well as the amount of options they have available. The outside is very cute and quaint and pretty, and like I said there's not many places like this north of lake shore. The main problem is this place is super expensive for what you're getting. For two people to each have one beer, and two entrees, it costs nearly 60 dollars which is really overpriced for a sandwich and chips and smaller portions. Definitely miss the larger options of salads and sandwiches they used to have, but still a cute little place to stop in to! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Outside stage area - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great Location, Terrific View, and Wonderful View We loved this location. We sat by the water and enjoyed a great lunch. The seafood salad, the tofu salad, and the chicken nachos were wonderful. A wide variety of meat & plant-based options. Great variety of drinks. Beautiful location. We will be back. read more

The perfect place to watch the moon rise over the lake and spend long summer nights listening to live music.

Tasty food options and wonderful views. Will definitely be back. Easy parking in nearby condo building.

The atmosphere is fantastic and love when the place is full of people and their dogs all taking in the nice Chicago summer weather and watching the sailboats on the horizon. Berger park is a fantastic park in the neighborhood and this restaurant is a great addition. Food and drinks are average but this place is all about the views and the atmosphere. read more

Love, love, love! This is truly the cutest mid- day summer date option out there. It's not only Instagramable, scenic and beautiful but they also have incredible food. My husband and I went there on a Tuesday afternoon after work. The biggest downside to this entire experience is parking- you may have a difficult time finding parking. My husband and I parked two blocks down in front of Metropolis but that was honestly sheer luck because that area is usually packed as well. The upside is that Waterfront Café is located really close to the Granville red line station so if you don't want to drive there, you can always take the red line down. We parked our car and then headed over to WaterFront Café. Located in Berger Park, you will find it in no time! We were graciously welcomed by the staff and provided a seat right by the water. The "rush hour" here is around 6 pm so if you want to get a spot near the water- you have to get here much earlier. My husband and I got great seating- thanks to Vlad! Since we were having dinner at my mom's house, we ordered appetizers jerk chicken nachos and the skinny dip. The Skinny dip includes blended red pepper, eggplant, garlic, Bulgarian feta cheese, Kalamata olives and served on toasted warn naan. This comes in a bowl and they give you a lot of it but it's a little spicy so be aware. The Jerk Chicken nachos includes chicken, onions, grilled pineapple, jerk aioli with house made corn tortilla chips. This is spicier than the skinny dip but so finger licking good! I must have drank 5 cups of water with it but totally worth it. The service was good- the waiter was very attentive and nice. Always checking in to see if we need anything. The only thing I didn't like is that you had to get up and help yourself to water so docked them a star for it. I also got this mocktail- I can't remember what it is called but it was so good! Overall, we loved the vibes that this place provided!! I felt so relaxed and calm- the wind blowing in my hair, the sound of the water hitting up against the rocks and just savoring every bite of my food. If you need to catch your breath or just need some down time, this is the place to go! read more

We love going to The Waterfront Cafe! Not only is the food delicious (esp. the lobster roll, ceviche, jerk chicken nachos, & pesto hummus), but they have live music and a great view of the lake. I also love the piña colada and lemonade. Plus, we can bring our pup. A real neighborhood joint. Hope they stay open into October this year! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Patio area, live music, lake - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's the hidden gem in Edgewater! Great food, ambiance and right on the water. I really didn't want to write the review because others will find it and then they will come... read more

A can of wine was the same price as a six pack of wine (see pic). I'd rather have a picnic basket full of healthy food and wine, and head to the beach. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - $5.99 at Target. Far more at the waterfront cafe. - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Rode bikes up the lake to get dinner here. The food here is decent but they change their menu every day, who does that? Prices here are okay but I mean the view is what you're really here to take in. It would be great to visit this place for drinks on a regular basis. We'll definitely be back, especially for cocktails and the view. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Burger - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Had visited this restaurant years ago when they were serving you at the table. Now, and maybe because of COVID, you order from inside and they bring the food outside to you at a table. There were plenty of tables available next to the lake, which has killer views. Without a doubt a Chicago hidden gem. The menu wasn't overwhelmingly long and the drink choices aren't extensive but there are some decent beers, canned wine, and the mixed drinks are without a doubt worth the buy. As for food- we were VERY pleasantly surprised. Great blackened shrimp sandwich, tasty brat, and although the jerk nachos look questionable, gosh dang it they might be my favorite nachos in the area. I actually like this place much more than I did when I last visited it years ago. Hats off guys. We really enjoyed your place. Be back soon. read more

Great lakefront atmosphere. Usually live music on the weekends. Menu can be a bit pricey for the food, but you're paying to eat on the water. Grab some friends and share a bucket of beer! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Bucket of beer - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It was a perfect afternoon at the cafe. I had never been and met a friend for a late lunch and drink. The rating comes from actually a perfect storm. The lunch crew was wrapping up and a chance of rain was looming. The server told us to pick a table. We did. Nobody came. We asked for a server. Nobody came. We asked again and someone brought us menus. We ordered non alcoholic drinks and an appetizer. 12-15 minutes later we had to ask for our drinks. The food was good. Skinny dip is spicy and earthy with roasted red peppers. I had the lobster roll which was great. The server let us know there was no rush but that she was off work. We paid and left a bit later. The night team was coming on and you could sense a much more organized and educated staff. I'll be back read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Lobster Roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great area and beautiful lakefront and the cafe is right on the lakefront. The prices are a bit too steep for drinks and what they need is provide security for the area. There are kids all around , a playground, a day camp during the week in summer, seniors, dogs etc... They should work harder on providing a safe , comfortable space by making safety for all people a big issue.Perhaps they should work with the manager of the park on these issues. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Waterfront cafe is the perfect urban oasis in Chicago. This restaurant provides decent meals in addition to breathtaking lakefront views. They operate seasonally and are open through the summer months into October. I've visited the Waterfront cafe twice and enjoyed most of their dishes. Be careful with what you choose. Most dishes were hits, a few were misses. Here are some I'd recommend: Lobster and shrimp stuffed avocado: This dish is packed with fresh citrusy lobster and shrimp atop two avocado halves; laid on a bed of lettuce. This was sold as a salad but makes a great appetizer for two. Lobster roll with side of fries and coleslaw: Sweet lobster meat seasoned well on a buttery roll. I enjoyed this but the roll could use more lobster meat. The fries were tepid and soggy upon arrival. Watermelon agua Fresca: A refreshing non-alcoholic watermelon/mint drink that's ideal for hot summer days. A few tips... In the summer, bees can be an issue here. My friends and I ordered a pitcher of sangria and the bees were literally swarming around our table. It made for an unpleasant experience. If your ordering sweet stuff, expect this to happen and be aware that the bees come with the territory. There is only one bathroom here. Extra bathrooms are located around the corner in the Berger park mansion. Parking can be tough around this neighborhood so I'd suggest taking public transportation. Get off on the CTA redline (Granville) train stop and walk about 3 blocks east towards Lake Michigan. The waterfront cafe is located behind the Berger mansion on the left side intersection of Sheridan and Granville. read more

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Undeniably the best patio spot in Chicago with uncompromising views of the lake and good food. However, service and food prices is what knocks this review down two stars. My boyfriend and I ordered fish and chips to split and it was $14. Yikes. I get why it's so expensive, it's only opened in the summer, overhead, and all that jazz. But I wouldn't go back when I can get fish and chips that's arguably the same at my corner fast food place. Also, the rest of the items (again, same menu items at my corner fast food place) on the menu followed suit in the same pricing model as fish and chips. Don't get me wrong it was good, but not $14 good. Another bone I want to pick at is the ridiculously slow service. Our fish and chips came out after 30 minutes from placing our order. Not only that, a couple who was seated after us got their order of fish and chips before us. Mind you they ordered one each, while we ordered only one to split. Lastly, during that 30 minute wait. Our server checked on us once. I had to flag her down to have her check on our food. So to say the service is slow I'm not me being biased, it's a fact. Coming straight from the horse's mouth, our server told us, "the kitchen is slow, if you were in a rush you should've told me." I wish I could've loved this place because it's such a great little neighborhood gem. However, the food was overpriced with bad service to come here on the regular. read more

Oh, this place sucks. It's awful. Don't go here. Bad service and flat beer. Terrible location. The real deal: I love this place. Hidden gem, indeed. It's wonderful and I don't want it to get crowded 'cos I want to keep it all for myself and my peeps. There have been several owners over the years, and it looks like it's now here to stay and on the right track. It's got that "you need to know someone to find it" vibe, and I love that. Cute, charming staff. COLD beer. Food! This is maybe the only place in the city you can sit RIGHT on the lakefront and enjoy a beer without the sensory assault of fifteen drunk frat boys wielding beanbags (yeah, I'm looking at YOU, Castaways). On this day, we just had a couple of Fat Tire beers. But, I want to come back again and again until it gets too cold and have some food. Seriously, the most pleasant place for outdoor dining in the city. Cannot be beat. read more

This is a fantastic local café! I know it is closed for the season, but one can still rave about it. Their protocols for COVID-19 were fantastic! They made sure everything was orderly and clean while keeping the tables an appropriate amount apart. There food was delicious and I loved the mixed drinks they had. No matter where you are sitting, there is always a beautiful and peaceful view of the lake! Certain nights of the week they also had live music that was so nice to watch. This place was great and gave all of their customers a sense of normalcy in these crazy times. Can't wait for the spring/summer to arrive to eat here again! read more

Eating here reminds of going to an island paradise. Such a cute little spot with an awesome view. Luckily I can easily walk here from where I live because parking would be horrible! The food is a little pricey but the restaurant is only open a few months a year so they can over charge if they want. It doesn't stop people from going here! I ordered the Blackened Salmon Cobb salad which was huge & tasted great, considering I'm not a salad person - Maybe it was the excess bacon and Salmon? (picture attached). I'd go back here again for the food, but mainly for the atmosphere. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Blackened Salmon Cobb Salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A solid 5 stars for the location and atmosphere but a 3 star review overall because everything on the menu is overpriced and the food is terrible. Service is fast and friendly and the system for ordering drinks and food is efficient however our meals were a combination of pre-made food from the Whole Foods cold bar and bulk packaged food from Costco. Would recommend for live music and a drink only, absolutely not for dining. read more

Great, BEAUTIFUL view. Really good food. Fast service, well priced food. My husband and I shared a beef, bacon, & bourbon burger it was very good! We will definitely be back! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Outside view - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Perfect lunch spot on a summer afternoon! Views of beautiful Lake Michigan. If facing south, you can catch the picturesque downtown skyline. The patio is dog friendly. This was a must, since we travel with our pup. He seemed to enjoy the lakeside scenery and lake breeze. Food served were the right amount of portions. Patrons next to us ordered salads and tuna salads which looked like larger portions. Ordered their tres leches dessert which was good. (Not the best ever, but I am biased growing up in a Mexican-American household). We did eat every bite of it :) read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Had been meeting to go here for a long time. As others have said, the prices are high but likely reflect the premium the cafe pays for its location, which is one of the most beautiful spots in Chicago. And despite being a few dollars more expensive than they should, the crab roll and tuna salad were both excellent, and the sangria was a solid value for $8 sangria Sunday. Would love to see them expand the menu a bit to give a few more options. Will definitely be coming back in the future! read more

WHAT. HAPPENED. I would give zero stars if I could. I am so unbelievably sad and disappointed by the craphouse that one of my favorite restaurants has become. I know they changed management a few years ago, to the same people who own the similarly audacious-and-hella-disappointing Nacho Mama's. I noticed that the jerk chicken nachos (FAVE) last season were changed to the same gross, pre-cooked chicken-in-a-bag that Nacho Mama's uses, but I overlooked it because everything else was still pretty okay, and the location is unbeatable. No. No. We are done. I am breaking up with Waterfront Cafe forever. I am a server and bartender and I have worked in and out of food service for almost half my life. I am patient, forgiving, and I love almost all food so much that I am rarely disappointed. This was the worst $50 I have ever spent. I took a single bite of my wrap and said, out loud, "Oh my God; that is awful." I have never been so grossed out by a meal in an actual restaurant. If I were less patient or more confrontational (and less starving), I would have sent everything back and refused to pay for everything except the ($11!!!) rum and Coke. The menu has shrunk, the prices have soared, and the service is shit. My sandwich came out several minutes before my roommate's, so I just stared at it while waiting for his to arrive. We picked at my fries, but they were cold. The server did not come back until she brought his veggie burger, at which point I asked her for fries that were not cold. She did not check on us or ask how anything was. We had to flag her down. The place was more than half empty. She mostly just stood near the kitchen. The food: BBQ sauce on the veggie burger had a butterscotch aftertaste and was glopped gently in the direct center of the burger bun with a couple anemic slivers of yellow-brown avocado. The promised pineapple was canned tidbits. For $12. My "48th Ward" sandwich was a mostly-empty, chewy, stale, cold pita that they had not bothered to warm up at all after taking it out of the package, half-filled with greens past their prime, a slice of mushy tomato, the same pathetic wisps of avocado, and two (TWO!!) pieces of frozen, formed chicken nuggets (also room temp) that I suppose were the "crispy chicken". With cold fries. For $12. (There are photos!) My sandwich was so dry, chewy, and flavorless that I asked for more ranch sauce to try to make it edible, because I am the type of non-confrontational fool who never sends her food back that the new management is apparently robbing nightly. Roomslice asked for some more BBQ sauce, as the dollop he had, when spread, did not even cover the burger patty. Imagine my surprise when we asked for the check and found out that WE WERE CHARGED 50¢ FOR EACH SAUCE. WHAT. SERIOUSLY. You have the audacity to assemble room-temp, pre-made slop, charge Andersonville gastropub prices, and then charge for 2 extra tbsp of dressing?? Without mentioning on the menu that there would be an extra charge, or God forbid, mentioning it verbally when it was requested? REALLY? Waterfront Cafe management is clearly trying to run this place into the ground, or they are so blind greedy and incompetent that they will soon do it despite themselves. I wish I had made a fuss, but I consider it a very expensive lesson learned. Learn from my mistake. Two shitty sandwiches, one cocktail, tax, tip: $48. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID. You guys, this makes me really, really sad. :( read more

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Service is fast and friendly. Prices are too high. Atmosphere is cozy and small with a beautiful view. read more

One word... VIEW-LICIOUS!! Not many places in Chicago have this view and even harder to find it with food a drinks along with occasionally offering live music. I came for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised it wasn't packed. It's a real hidden gem. And unlike other recent reviews the service I received was very good. They offer a nice selection of salads and sandwiches. The falafel and tuna sandwiches were what we ordered and they all can out quickly and thought the quality was fairly good. They have a selection of beers and wines. The background music they had playing was very nice and gave it a tropical vibe. During many evenings they have live jazz or acoustic performances. The one thing I will mention is the bugs were swarming in certain areas of the patio so they need to try to fog or something before or after they serve. Anywho... defiantly a place I would come back to. Come for the view stay for the food and drinks. read more

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Great atmosphere. Need more places nestled into residential areas by the water with live music solid food and drinks. I would maybe increase the selection of drinks and food a little bit but love it. 5 stars read more

The only reason to come here is for the view. It's a quaint little spot that overlooks the lake and you can see rich people sail by on their boats. Depending on the time and day it's quite and relaxing. But if you're looking for something a little more jazzy they also have live music on some nights. The reason for the two stars is the food. It sucks and you pay a lot for it. read more

The Waterfront Cafe - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had a girl's night here on Sunday and I am very pleased. I plan on going again. I shared calamari with a friend and it was top notch. She just got her braces put on and was concerned we might get rubbery calamari. I absolutely hate that, too. We got tender, well breaded, and flavorful calamari. Awesome. I also got a big basket of fries, because I'm absolutely boring. Someone ordered a tuna salad and it was HUGE. The menu is limited, though. That was The disappointing part. The view is great, as well. I was concerned, because it states they play live music. I was dreading this. We didn't come for a show. We came to eat and talk. What a relief when it was soft, soothing, background music. The singer was very talented. read more

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Beautiful views! Right on the lake, even though I live across the street from the lake, there is no real cafe just a little beach stand for dogs and drinks. Crepes on the Lake was nice before they moved on. Still it was nothing like the atmosphere at the Waterfront Cafe. Thoroughly enjoyed lunch with my family. The tres leche cake was delish too! Since I am so close will be visiting often. It's really unfortunate that a person who visited within a couple of days of my visit would complain about anything...bugs, spiders? seriously??? I was there and nothing, nothing like that at all. Some people are never satisfied. We didn't visit thinking we were going to the Le Grand Vefour in Paris...a Michelin star restaurant after all. Get over yourself! read more

The Waterfront Cafe - That Orange soft drink was delicious! - Sandwiches Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Beautiful views of sailboats and Lake Michigan, partnered with tasty seafood rolls and cold cocktails. I'll be back this summer!

Great location, incompetent staff, below average food. Eaten here multiple times and every time has been a negative experience. Tried again today; more wait staff than seated tables yet no one came to serve us despite repeated attempts to gain their attention and the clueless hostess did nothing. The leadership at this restaurant is not capable of achieving average service and food quality standards. The entire staff was oblivious. Hopefully in the near future a competent restauranteur will gain control of this location and raise the service and food quality to the level it deserves. read more

Favorite summer spot! Makes you feel like you're on vacation! Plus live music makes this place very romantic. Little get away from your everyday life! Great view on the lake. Friendly and attentive stuff! read more

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This is one of my absolute favorite places to go on a summer night. Sitting on the lakefront, sipping a drink is heaven. HOWEVER, the system of ordering food is abysmal. I have been standing in line now for 15 minutes and have barely moved. The people who take the orders move like snails! The drink ordering process is smooth as silk. But the food? Forget about it! I've been coming here since its inception. I love it. But ya' gotta get your act together, people! My friend and I are just about ready to go somewhere else to eat. This is not a sustainable business model. read more