Cafe 53 has some of the best sandwiches in Chicago! The key is to get the Dutch Crunch bread, which is crispy on the outside but thick and doughy on the inside. My favorite sandwich is the Garlic Chicken on Dutch Crunch, and I think it's one of the best sandwiches I've had in the city. The mix of garlic and hot giardiniera peppers is fantastic. I wouldn't get too close to anyone after eating it, but the flavor is worth the garlic breath. Highly recommend

I recently started a plant-based lifestyle and was looking for a good vegan restaurant in the Hyde Park area while running errands...and boy did I find it! Cafe 53 is amazing! I tried the falafel and hummus sandwich and it was delicious! The pita bread it came with had the PERFECT amount of crisp (all of their breads are vegan) and did not fall apart. The falafel and hummus are both seasoned well and very flavorful. And the sandwiches are HUGH (submarine-sized). I also grabbed a coffee (they offer almond, oat, and coconut flavors) and chips. My meal was reasonably-priced for the amount of food offered (it's a lot, you will leave full). If you're in the area, Cafe 53 is definitely a great place for lunch for anyone vegan (and non-vegans too) or anyone looking for a great meal.

The best cafe ever! So yummy & delicious specially turkey avocado sandwich.. Omg it’s unbelievable 🤤🤤 The man who was serving us was so friendly Highly recommended Now they have an outdoor seating so nice and cozy 🥰

When you first walk in, you’re greeted with a sweet aroma..as the first food item I noticed was pastries. What I ordered though was the Vegan 🌱 Chicken Pesto & I must say, it was amazing! Perfectly seasoned soy based protein on a Dutch Crunch baguette. Super good. 😋 I will be back.

If you are around the hyde park area (Univ of Chicago), you should try Cafe 53 - their coffees, sweets and sandwiches are really good. The service is superb - very friendly staff. I will definitely come back to enjoy their coffee and sandwiches.

Very mellow with friendly employees. Good music and the Gelato is the most popular thing here too!!! Great place for locals and college students

I’ve now been to Cafe 53 twice in 7 days, so I feel like I should share. In short, what a gem on 53rd Street. There aren’t many options for great sandwiches in the area, but this place is it. Last week, I got the acclaimed sumac chicken. It was tasty, and it was especially nice to enjoy it on their hidden back patio. This week, I got the Buffalo chicken sandwich on Dutch crunch bread. Sooo delicious. I was in search of a good sandwich and I definitely found what I was looking for when I gave this place a shot. They have a friend in me!

Chai latte hot or cold is awesome here. Veg falafel is yum. Other sandwiches were okey. Atmosphere here is insane. The guy at the counter is always ready to help. The person who makes tea is very sweet n friendly. On the whole had aGOOD Experience

A quaint cafe that captures the vibrancy of Hyde Park. The owner was extremely nice and the sandwiches were halal and on-point

Great service, management are doing a brilliant job! Ordered a Cajun chicken and buffalo chicken sandwich, both were DELICIOUS. Ended my meal with a scoop of their Italian biscuit ice cream, so great. Zabiha Halal chicken on their menu which was a massive plus considering the limited halal sandwich shops in Chicago. Will definitely be visiting again!!

Such a solid sandwich. We got Dutch Crunch on garlic chicken, can’t wait to come back and have another sandwich. We also got the raspberry bar. You can tell the workers and patrons love the place. Free street parking was pretty easy on a Saturday afternoon.

Seriously, I love everything about this place! My grandmother loved her sandwich, they have over six vegan options, the owner was beyond professional, kind and friendly! I try to avoid bread, but I will treat myself to a sandwich once a week until I have tasted all the vegan sandwiches! Cafe 53 for the win!!!!!! Wait the food was fresh, flavorful and the bread was phenomenal... Subway who...lol

I love this café. I'm so glad I found a nice place to go to after moving to Chicago. I always used to go to cute coffee shops in Philadelphia to make me happy. I absolutely love the atmosphere here. It's so not like a chain. It's got quirks and personality. Also, their food is amazing. My favorite so far is their baked turkey sandwich on a wheat bun. I like to order that with a mocha. And when I want iced coffee, they have a great price for it. They also have lots of outlets for plugging in while you do work. But my absolute favorite thing in this café is this mini version of their chairs that's been nailed onto the table. Just so precious. Also their music slaps.

Delicious sandwiches. We came because I’m vegan and my family is not. I got the vegan chicken pesto sandwich - it was absolutely amazing. We will be coming back here next time we visit.

Great spot in Hyde Park, they have an awesome courtyard and good coffee, pastries and food

i am obsessed with this place. the vegan sandwiches are AMAZING. the coffee is great. the vibes are lovely, with art on the walls and a nice community bulletin board the PATIO way in back is the most pleasant place to work or hang out in the summer. they have GELATO which is freaking delicious. the staff are kind and always wearing masks as far as ive seen which i really appreciate. im also a fan of their scones and various pastries. theyve for real got it all so please go here, appreciate it, and tip!!

Great place to take a rest at Hyde Park neighbourhood. It’s always busy, but the service comes quick and warm. The staff are welcoming and polite. Small size of drink is already big enough. Chai Latte is good, love it. Bagel has different options- sesame, plain, and wheat. Bagel 53 is yummy, with cream cheese and tomato.

I’ve been coming here since I was thirteen! So about 14 years! Marwan the owner is the most kind and welcoming person. He’s always been so sweet to my mother and I, and made us feel right at home! The staff is incredible and the food is amazing. I’ve always been a big fan of the Vegan Italian Sandwiches. There’s an enormous amount of options. Now that I live on the north side I always stop in whenever I’m in Hyde Park. The patio is also one of my favorites. It’s green, private, and cozy. If you haven’t checked out Cafe 53 you must!

Great spot for sandwiches. They have a back garden area that is hidden away! Recommend the Sumac chicken on Dutch Crunch bread!

What I love the most about this location is the super friendly customer service and the very calming, peaceful patio in the rear of the establishment. What a lovely well hidden gem 💎 in plain sight! I encourage others to visit here if you can. There is local parking 🅿️ available; $5 for 2 hours. Not bad at all considering how expensive Chicago parking can be.

We visited the nearby park to see springtime cherry blossoms and needed a place for a quick halal bite afterwards, and I found Cafe 53 on Google maps: on the phone, the lady confirmed they had vegetarian sandwiches and told me where to find parking. The humus / falafel, avocado, and Nutella with banana sandwiches and my macchiato were good and so was the customer service. The place was clean and cozy with framed photos, and even Islamic calligraphy in Arabic displayed on the walls, apparently for sale. My wife liked the place. Everybody was satisfied. Alhamdulillah.

Had the vegan chicken sumac sandwich and it was amazing. I don't live in Chicago but I'm thinking about this sandwich like 3 days later because it was SO GOOD. It was also huge so it ended up being two meals for me. My partner got the spicy tuna sandwich and also really liked it.

One of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Amazing food, even better service. The manager is one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve met. Must visit if you’re in Hyde park!

I'm plant based and i love this place sooooo much.❤️🌱 I get the Vegan Cajun Chicken Sandwich on the French bread.

Had the vegan garlic chicken sandwich. Walked in and was greeted right away and asked if I’ve ever been there and I said no and the nice guy working there explained the whole menu to me! Food was amazing! Can’t wait to try more from there!