Iguana Cafe image

Iguana Cafe

Restaurant Breakfast restaurant Brunch restaurant Lunch restaurant Creperie European restaurant Modern european restaurant

One of the Top rated Creperies in Chicago


Address

517 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60642

Website

iguanacafe.com

Contact

(312) 432-0663

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (902 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Monday: (Memorial Day), 11 AM to 10 PM, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (15) crepes (14) atmosphere (9) coffee (9) delicious (9) time (9) spot (9) amazing (8) crepe (8) great (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Mohannad 7 years ago on Google
    A cute little cafe hidden away. I really like the setting, it has a relaxing and vintage atmosphere. I came here for lunch with a friend and it was alright. The sandwiches are very basic, but they are fresh. The real heel here is the coffee and the desserts.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Viraj M. 3 years ago on Google • 192 reviews
    One of the best European cafes I’ve ever been too. I am definitely recommending this place if you love European Appetizers, Sweet and Savory Crepes, Belgian Waffles, Sandwiches, pastas and Specially their Desserts and Coffee. They also serve Wines, Cocktails and beers. Also have Coffee Liquors. My friends and I tried Savory Crepes and Bougatsa (very special item) - must try. Everything was delicious.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ana R. 1 year ago on Google • 56 reviews
    Amazing restaurant! I am not a huge fan of crepes but omg these are honestly so good. The atmosphere is very cozy. I went with 2 friends I hadn’t seen in a while & we sat there for 3 hours. The waitress didn’t make us feel rushed at all & was still tentative which we appreciated because we knew we were there a long time. Granted there was no one waiting for us. I would highly recommend coming here for breakfast on a weekend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Ali H. 5 months ago on Google • 21 reviews
    Food (crepes) was slightly below average, tasteless other than taste of freezer burn. The host sat us next to the bathroom when there was plenty of seats available elsewhere. The only bright spot was the server. This place was my favorite for crepes (about 6yrs ago) but it has gone downhill.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ajimon T. 10 months ago on Google • 620 reviews
    For my first time, I was super impressed. Great service and amazing food and coffee/drinks. We all had various crepes - I had “Sparta”, it was so yum. My white mocha was really good as well. Definitely coming back.

  • 5/5 Ènam 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice. Food was delicious. I will be returning 🤗 Mediterranean feast as your app, burger wrap, tropical pleasure for dessert. Yum yum
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pushpender P. 2 years ago on Google
    Chocochip waffle, iguana frap, pasta is a must try. Coffee so much better than Starbucks and same price as SB.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Christopher G. 3 years ago on Google
    Overall, my dinner at Iguana Cafe was enjoyable. The restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere with dim mood lighting. It seems to be set up for one-on-one dates primarily, though I saw a couple larger groups in the upper seating area. I ordered the Mac + Cheese w/ bacon and mushrooms and the Chicken Pesto sandwich. The Mac + Cheese was delicious, really flavorful and savory. The sandwich was decent, but besides the chicken being tender and juicy, it really lacked flavor. It tasted like a functional on-the-go meal more than something I’d receive at a sit-down restaurant. Still, the atmosphere, service, and Mac + Cheese made the experience really nice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Curtis Y. 10 months ago on Google • 251 reviews
    Hidden just off the main street very discreet. Food was amazing and reasonably priced, wish I came here earlier. Pizza tasted as good as pizza does when you’re a kid. Atmosphere was very nice, seems good for dates or something casual and relaxed. Crepes were a highlight too, had the one with spicy feta.

  • 5/5 Petros V. 4 months ago on Google • 117 reviews
    Really cozy i have not had too many things there yet but the Greek sandwich I had last time was excellent! Nice quiet atmosphere it reminds me alot in some ways of the iconic and storied Tap Root Pub of the 50's-80's but modern and sleek much more upscale, IG has that same dark wood dark lighting vibe which is great IMO

  • 3/5 Mariah Kamara (. 6 months ago on Google • 98 reviews
    For years, I've passed by the Iguana Cafe without ever taking the time to stop in. Recently, my newfound love for coffee and a craving for a crepe led me to this charming spot, and I hurried over with high hopes. The moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the cafe's beauty - it's a perfect setting for a romantic date night. With my sights set on a Vanilla Latte and a crepe, I couldn't wait to dive in. Upon our arrival, the place was unusually quiet, with just us in attendance. As a newly converted "coffee" drinker, I found the latte to be quite good, although I'm still learning to discern the finer nuances. Now, onto the crepe. I had a specific vision in mind - a delicate spread of Nutella, a scattering of strawberries and bananas, and just a light dusting of powdered sugar. Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite match my expectations. The amount of Nutella applied to the crepe was beyond generous - it felt like they emptied the entire jar onto it. It was overwhelming and ultimately led me to forgo eating the crepe altogether. It was a shame because if prepared as requested, it could have been absolutely fantastic. While I chose not to send it back due to prior commitments, I was disappointed that such a simple order wasn't executed as desired. Crafting a crepe should be a straightforward affair, and I was mildly annoyed that I had to excavate so much Nutella. That said, I did catch a glimpse of their dinner menu, and it looks incredibly enticing. In conclusion, the Iguana Cafe offers a picturesque setting and a menu that holds promise. With a minor hiccup in my order, I'm eager to return and sample their dinner fare, hoping for an experience that matches the cafe's undeniable charm.

  • 5/5 Josean O. 1 year ago on Google • 61 reviews
    This place was amazing! I usually pass by hore on Sundays. Today on my way back I decided to try it out. I am in love with this place. The crepe was very light and delicious (Spartan Crepe). I added bacon to it and With the sauce that they add it was a very satisfying and delicious selection. Now if there is something that I like is Tiramisu. If I go somewhere and they have one on the manu, I'm going to try it. This is by far, the best Tiramisu I've ever had. The tiramisu was great and they add an especially delicious coffee whipped mousse that in combination with the tiramisu, I was blown away by the flavor. If you are around the area or if you are looking for a good place to eat without spending a ridiculous amount of money, please, do yourself a favor and eat here. Absolutely amazing!

  • 5/5 Roberto G. 1 year ago on Google • 54 reviews
    My wife and I found this place about 5 years ago and we've been going there at least once a year. Everything we've tried there is very good. The service is good and the atmosphere is very dark and cozy. It feels romantic to us so we usually go there for desert and coffee. Their Tiramisu is one of the best I've ever had. I highly recommend it.

  • 5/5 Matthew 6 months ago on Google • 28 reviews
    This restaurant is an absolute hidden gem. We live in the suburbs and came down before an event for Sunday brunch. The crepes are enormous and so fresh. We had one savory and one sweet and the food is outstanding and high quality. The restaurant itself is so cute and makes outstanding coffee. Pretty easy to park in front and not a congested area. Do not hesitate!

  • 5/5 Alpine T. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a pretty cool little euro style cafe, that serves really good dinner items, good beer selection, always some cool vibes coming out the speakers, a nice crowd, amazing staff. I have been a patron for nearly 10 years & I like to support local cafes like this. Great little secret spot to catch a late night dinner with you’re friends or better half. Very chill relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the spaghetti with vodka crème sauce. That’s my favorite. A+

  • 5/5 Morgan M. 2 years ago on Google
    This spot has simple, delicious foods and a calm vibe. We split the pizza bread (without salami) and it was warm, melty, and bready. I appreciate that it (and all of the other foods we got) didn’t have an overly oily or buttery texture or consistency. For my meal, I got the Zurich savory crepe (with mushrooms, red peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and chicken). It had a creamy sauce on the side that enhanced the flavors, but it was so fresh and naturally flavorful that I hardly ate the sauce. Honestly, it’s a great spot hidden in plain sight, with reasonable prices, easy and simple combinations of flavors and textures, and even a live iguana up near the ceiling (in a terrarium).

  • 5/5 Konstantinos V. 10 months ago on Google
    So Iguana Cafe has been a great place to meet up with friends and have a drink or coffee, for me. The atmosphere is inviting and the vibe is great. As I continued to go there I eventually had meals there. They have a great menu with options for all 3 meals of the day, but to me their Turkey Ranch Wrap is amazing and I recommend it to anyone looking for a quick high quality bite.

  • 5/5 Samantha Z. 8 months ago on Google
    Incredible food! Have been wanting to visit this restaurant for years just from word of mouth. I finally had the time to visit today and it did not disappoint! Had a hard time deciding what to eat because literally everything on the menu was so different and sounded delicious! I ended up taking a few appetizers to go and had their salmon bagel on the spot. Everything was incredible! What a hidden gem!

  • 5/5 Val D. 7 months ago on Google
    I've really only had the seafood mac n cheese, but it was incredible! This was our 2nd visit. We drove in from Michigan. My daughter lives across the street and we called to let her know we needed to make a stop so we could have it again. And a pretty terrific Bloody Mary too. She says the crepes are fabulous. Maybe next time.

  • 5/5 Sam H. 2 years ago on Google
    Genuine food! Nice drink selection. Elegant atmosphere. Give it a try! I liked their honey beer! A good one to try with their desserts

  • 5/5 Anna V. 2 years ago on Google
    My husband and I we had a dessert there. Iit came with ice cream, on a hot summer day it was perfect. The waitress was very attentive. Love that they have a real iguana. Bathroom was very clean.

  • 4/5 Todd S. 2 years ago on Google
    Very good food and (too?) big portions. We tried a number of different items including various appetizers, both savory & sweet crepes, and pesto pasta. The creamy pesto was among the best we have ever had and the savory crepes had an unexpected assortment of ingredients that played very well together. We were stuffed by the time we got to desert and accidentally ordered two desert crepes ... I didn't think we could finish one but both were gone in no time. We will certainly be back.

  • 5/5 Nick P. 2 years ago on Google
    Iguana is the hidden gem of Chicago. You will never find it on any lists even though it is one of the best European style coffee shops the city has. Everything they have is great but the stand out is their crepes which are just like the one you will find in Greece and are some of the best in Chicago

  • 4/5 Aanand K. 1 year ago on Google
    Huge portions, good quality and tasty food. The ambiance and service can use some work tho.

  • 5/5 Nikola R. 1 year ago on Google
    The food is always delicious and there is a gal on the staff who’s been with the place for many years now and she is always so welcoming and caring and kind - just the best kind of human being so between the kitchen doing an outstanding job and the person who often welcomes you being a lovely human … I’d give the spot 6 out of 5 stars if I’d let me.

  • 5/5 pushpender p. 2 years ago on Google
    Coffee is so much better than SB and same price.

  • 5/5 Carlos F. 2 years ago on Google
    Great spot to go for a quick, filling bite. Never a wait, close to public transit and the portion sizes for the price are always excellent! Love coming here on a Sunday afternoon. Recommend any of their sweet or savory crepes!

  • 5/5 Lina B. 2 years ago on Google
    One of my frequented places with my fiends. If you are looking for something good, calm vibes and reasonable price this is the place. The service is always very good. I love their pastas and crepes.

  • 5/5 Carlos de Jesus P. 2 years ago on Google
    I was a little under the weather. Business meeting. All I had was chamomile tea. Nice big mugs hot and perfect! Service was superior. Need to go back for crepes.Decor and cleanliness above average. Watched them disinfect tables after each use. Bathrooms impecable.

  • 5/5 Mariya Orzhynska M. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing variety of European inspired dishes. My favorites are the different styles of stuffed crepes, truly each one has been filled with amazing combinations of flavor and I've tried almost all. Delivery is always quick and easy, favorite to go for lunches.

  • 5/5 Alexa Z. 2 years ago on Google
    This cafe has a cozy lounge vibe ☕️ Perfect spot for lunch. The bruschetta is amazing. I will definitely be going back!!


Call (312) 432-0663 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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