Very good breakfast! Super kid menu options as well. We were seated right away and waitress was very sweet talking to our 1 year old. Ordered simple omlettes, but very tasty!
(5)
Amanda W.
We were really looking forward to trying the food here with all of the wonderful pictures and positive reviews, but were so put off from the service we received today, decided to leave instead. Basically, we went in during the early afternoon on a Saturday and put our name on the waiting list to be seated; we were told it shouldn't be too long. While waiting in line I sat on an available stool off to the side to be more comfortable. Several minutes later the host came over and somewhat loudly announced that another woman wanted to sit there and dine; the implication was that I shouldn't be sitting there and needed to move. He also pointed out that she had a cane. While I appreciate him trying to accommodate another patron, I would have appreciated being asked nicely and candidly to move instead of being told and embarrassed in front of other people in the process. Furthermore, I used the stool while I waited to accommodate my own disability, one that may not necessitate a cane and be completely obvious to someone who doesn't know me, but that deserves just as much consideration as the other patron. Anyway, it happened pretty quickly and I am sure their host gave it no mind, but it left us feeling pretty crumby and we left. I have no patience for businesses who are insensitive and impolite to *all* of their patron's needs.
(1)
Kevin P.
Nice place for Sunday brunch... but my goodness is it crowded. It was an hour wait to be seated, so keep that in mind if you are going on a Sunday morning. It was overall a nice restaurant and our waiter, Christopher, was nice. The food was good. It really was a nice place to eat and meet with friends, but just the wait felt too long.
(4)
Jennifer S.
We go here for special Sunday brunches. The menu is always changing and features high quality and local ingredients. We love the breakfast burritos and the corned beef hash. The bakery is authentically French, and the cocoa and mocha's are home made. There is usually a wait, but it is worth it. You can order coffee and a snack up front while you wait.
(4)
Shradha A.
Back here recently to kill an hour before meeting friends for dinner. Really liked the lavender latte & our pie!
(4)
Leigh Ann T.
The food is good. However I have always felt the desserts are never as tasty as they look!
(3)
Erica E.
Stopped by with mom for a small treat, and oh my goodness, FELL IN LOVE! We got a piece of the apple pie and one of the pineapple coconut pie, DELICIOUS!!
(5)
Mar B.
Go for the bakery but not for the sit down cafe. The service always seems to be under staffed and stressed. Our server was in a hurry while we were ordering..but okay. Then when we were finished and wanted another cup of coffee we could not find him for 10mins. By the time we found him we just asked for our checks. Took another 5mins for us to get that. With that being said, the baked good in the front of the cafe are delicious. Just make sure to grab them to go.
(3)
Melissa A.
Great brunch, lunch and pastries paired with a charming atmosphere. Their outdoor patio is delightful and overlooks Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square. I've been here four times in the last several weeks and was pleased each time! Loved the German chocolate cake and vanilla cheesecake with berries.
(5)
Steve A.
Cafe Selmarie is an interesting amalgam of pastry shop, coffee shop, and restaurant. When you enter it looks like it's just a pastry shop with a few small tables for enjoying your purchase or sipping a cup of coffee. But proceed to the rear, and there is a fair-sized restaurant. The menu offers American, French, Italian, and (at least the night we visited) German food, plus other eclectic international cuisines. We shared the Brussels sprout salad, which was good, a special leek and bacon flatbread that was phenomenal (gooey topping, crisp crust), and a special German sausage plate that was also tasty. For dessert we selected a couple of pastries from the case out front. There's a small wine list with many selections available by the glass. Service was friendly and professional. The place is kid friendly, and there were quite a few families dining the Friday night we went. An adjacent open area provides outside dining when the weather is nice, and place for the kids to run around. If you've not been to Lincoln Square, it's definitely a cute neighborhood to check out.
(4)
Romana Y.
Great spot for breakfast with outdoor seating. Salmon Egg Benedict: 4.5 BLT: 4 Lox and Chicken sausage omelete: 4.5 Intelligentsia (house blend roast): 3 Lemon Bars: 4 Service is good, but needs improvement. There is usually a 45minute wait for weekend brunch. The crowd is affable and lively.
(4)
Rosa J.
I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning, and what would be a remedy? A place that serves vegetarian-friendly brunch to boost up my blood-sugar level so that I could make it to work this afternoon. Daddy J., Mama J., and Rosa J. participated in the brunch date at Cafe Selmarie, "inside" of the commercial strip on the Lincoln Ave. A portion of the Cafe Selmarie resembled a regular, express-version of coffee shop. However, a server would take you to your seat if choosing to dine in. I personally went with something that would be comforting: vegetarian chili. Initially, I was slightly intimidated by the heavy layer of cheddar cheese. After I had a few bites, I realized that veggie chili was quite light. The bread that came with was also hearty and delicious. My energy-level was immediately restored upon finishing my vegetarian chili. Daddy's turkey & cheddar sandwich and mama's berry cheesecake were seemingly well-crafted. They were satisfied with the qualities of the food, yet they expressed a minor compliant on the speed of service. Unfortunately, I was under the time crunch since I had to make it to work by a certain time. I'm normally an individual who dislikes "schedules" when it comes to munching. Overall, Cafe Selmarie has met the expactation of being a healthy, relaxing, and family-friendly breakfast/brunch/dinner place. The prices were fair in comparison to similar competitors around town ($20.48 for a party of 3). I will definitely tell my vegetarian husband about this lovely joint.
(4)
Renaud S.
Was there for a brunch last Sunday. The terrace was full and they had a long waiting list - as we could expect for a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, so I just took some food to go. Their pastry is so delicious! I remember having a banana chocolate eclair, a chocolate croissant and some raspberry chocolate tart. Huge portions and everything is so tasty!! I also heard their flourless chocolate cake is worth trying, but I didn't had enough appetite... next time!
(4)
William N.
This place stole my heart.. Upon walking in I thought it was just a nice cute little bakery with the normal cake and pastries. But little did i know upon looking around I saw one of the most unimaginable desserts i could even fathom in my mind til i saw it that combined 2 of my all time favorite desserts together. Which was a OREO CHEESECAKE!!! I always love cookie and cream shakes and cheesecake as there own dessert, but putting them together ugh..-DROOLING- I was with another friend the also enjoys cookie n creme just as much but there suggestion was that it would be better if the crust was oreo. On my note i believe it was amazing as it is. Continuing on aside from the oreo cheesecake i ate breakfast there. It was pleasent we sat outside on a beautiful morning where it had a nice breeze and the sun was height enough to provide some warmth. Over seeing the people walking about with there families and the water fountain brought a family welcoming vibe to the place such as a park. Ordering food got a bit confusing because we were looking at there menu, but it was different from the sit down menu so that happened. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict. I'm a big salmon fan getting it for breakfast was a no brain-er. the salmon was smoked to cook the begal used as the base gave it the crispy texture, the grilled asparagus added to the smokey taste, and the egg on top when cut through with the drizzling yolk gave it moisture and was the final flavor when combine with everything made it all perfect for a healthy breakfast in the morning waking all my taste buds.
(5)
Ivana S.
I've stopped into their bakery part more often than I can remember, whether it was because I desperately needed coffee (their iced coffee will wake you right up) or because they have a great selection of delicious deserts. I recommend the iced coffee for wake up purposes but I truly don't have a recommendation for the sweets, everything I've had from this place was delicious, so just go with what you're in the mood for once you get inside (this strategy doesn't fail at selmaries). I remember having lunch there once, but it was a while back and I can't say that it was a memorable one. However, I just glanced at their brunch menu and it looks amazing. I'll definitely have to stop by there for brunch in the near future.
(5)
Angela P.
I used to think brunch was a really lame concept. But these past few brunches with my girlfriends have me in love and ready to pounce on the next brunch invitation that comes my way. The Saturday brunch on the patio at Cafe Selmarie was a relaxing (and delicious!) experience. They don't take reservations, but it was only about a 20 minute wait in the late morning. The view on the patio is of lovely Lincoln Square, with a fountain, lots of shady trees, and families gathering in the park. I dove into my White Russian Iced Coffee, topped with real whipped cream. The Bourbon Cherry French Toast was dripping with mascarpone cheese and cherries soaked in booze. Deciding between sweet and savory is a tough choice, but I did not regret this one! My friend's smoked salmon breakfast looked like a good, savory competitor. On my way out I bought a Blood Orange Italian soda to-go. Any cafe that has both blood orange and lavender syrups available has my heart. Even if I don't make it to Selmarie for brunch again, I will definitely stop in for a latte or Italian soda, and some of their baked goods, next time I'm in Lincoln Square.
(5)
Aimee M.
Cafe Selmarie was the choice for our Brunchy Brunch meet up for May. I've seen how packed Lincoln Square is on Saturday mornings and I was a little worried that we'd have to wait a long time for a table. CS won't seat incomplete parties either. But once all three of us arrived, the wait for an outside table was minimal. Al Fresco dining is always what I prefer, but do know that dining on their patio here you'll pretty much be front seat to all the little kids running around in the square. Well, I'm here sans kid, with some great friends and CS's delicious iced White Russian coffee in hand and all that activity is quickly forgotten. Thank you Osi V for opening with the cinnamon roll--it was definitely big enough for the 3 of us to get a good taste. It was a great opener--subtle cinnamon flavor and delicious icing. For my main, I opted for the smoked salmon breakfast--cold-smoked atlantic salmon, thinly sliced, with scrambled eggs, capers, red onion and a toasted english muffin and a side of cream cheese. I subbed the potatoes for fruit and received fresh pineapple and orange slices. The smoked salmon was of excellent quality and very tasty. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and well made. It was all very very good. Service was friendly, although our server seemed a bit harried--I wonder if she had too many tables to take care of. Before we left, I bought some oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip walnut cookies from their bakery to take home. These cookies are exactly the way I like--more crispy than soft/chewy. Perfect with a glass of ice cold milk.
(4)
atrack b.
It's easy to become jaded by brunch. There are so many places, and most are decent, that it becomes rote. Cafe Selmarie is the first place in a long time that made my friend and I stare at each other in perfect contentment with what we'd ordered. We had the cinnamon roll griddlecakes with bacon sprinkled on top, delicious. We also had the smoked salmon club, delicious! I didn't have any take out pastries, but I will definitely be back.
(5)
Lindsey L.
The only reason that they lose a star is for not having a plain chocolate chip cookie. I drove 12 mins out of my way by recommendation that the Cafe had great desserts. They were good but I wouldn't go that far out of my way for them again.
(4)
Mathieu B.
I am a big lover of Cafe Selmarie and have been coming here for the past two years. The food has never disappointed and is always good. My only hiccup is the ever-changing management and wait staff. It seems that overtime that I come here, which is usually for lunch and/or dinner, there are a couple new staff members. Some of which can be overbearing and brusque. So, my advice to the Selmarie management, please dedicate a bit more time to training your staff! Regardless, this cafe is situated in the best spot in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. A wonderful place to walk through on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with friends and do some shopping. With that being said, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves good food and delicious pastries.
(4)
Hogan K.
Delicious as always!! Perfect place for evening dessert, breakfast, brunch, dinner - they have it all. Awesome staff and service. Had a croissant breakfast sandwich with potatoes and salad and it was a great start to the day
(5)
Linda A.
I've been coming here for probably 25 years. I used to live right around the corner but since leaving Chicago, I still make a point of visiting while in town. The food is great, the pastries outstanding, one problem is the acoustics. If you want to enjoy the company of your friends without having to yell to be heard, don't go here. Even the waiter commented how loud it is. He couldn't hear us order at one point. There was only one thing ordered at the table that I thought was overcooked, burnt actually. The "roasted" Brussel sprouts. They were burnt black but the waiter said that's how they're made. If you like burnt food, you'll love them. If it weren't for the acoustics I'd be giving 5 stars.
(4)
Kate W.
Had a great lunch here with my husband after a fun afternoon in Lincoln Square (provenance, the general shop, laurie's planet of sound, etc.). Perfect spot for an affordable, quick, and delicious lunch. I had the lentil soup (good, and the bread it came with was amazing), and the brussels salad, which was very, very tasty. The togarashi puffed rice that comes in the salad it really, really good. The dressing was great. My husband had the BLT, which came with slaw, chips, and a pickle. The pickle was fine, and the slaw and chips were good, he says. I stole a chip and it tasted salty, but maybe that's just me. He also seemed to really enjoy his sandwich. We did not indulge in lunch dessert, but the pastries in the counter looked amazing. Maybe we will be back someday to pick up dessert after picking up bread at Baker Miller . . . Recommended.
(4)
Laura N.
Haven't had a bad meal here and the service is always been really solid. It does tend to get really crowded on weekends for brunch and I can never quite understand their hours (they are different every day ) better to check before you go. As for the pastries - the cookies and the tarts are right on . the cake, however, is so incredibly dry and definitely not worth the calories.
(4)
ray g.
Just not a good place. Service was bad server forgot part of order and knives which finally a bus boy brought these items. Thank god for Busboys there as they do redeem the server staff failures especially giving needed utinsels, But only after food got cold!! For a place that is about 30 to 50 per person you could do better for alot less and get better service at a gray spoon Fyi. Manager didn't care when talked with! !
(1)
Heather D.
Aww shucks I'm going to miss Cafe Selmarie! Always a good experience though be prepared - their service is usually a bit slow on the uptake. Final Verdict: Best dish hands down: Their chilaquiles. Order it. YOU MUST!
(5)
Dennis S.
Fabulous for breakfast. I had chilacuiles with great flavors of corn, egg, spice, chorizo, plus guacamole and sour cream on top. My wife had their quiche, of which my sample was very tasty. There was a bit of a wait, which allowed us time to browse all the great bakery choices up front. Once seated we had great service. It's a comfortable setting, clearly well-used by the neighborhood. So good we went back again a week later.
(5)
Jamie B.
This is another winning gem of Chicago I was able to dine at this weekend and cannot wait to return! We didn't sample any of the bakery items up front on this visit but I plan on purchasing a cheesecake from here in the near future for a party. Everything looks absolutely divine! We had lunch- the roast beef and turkey sandwiches with a cup of the tomato bisque and a cup of the veggie chili. Our meals were excellent and the service was prompt. We were in a hurry so getting in and out can be done here, or if you prefer not to rush it doesn't look like they will rush you either. Lincoln Square is so adorable and I'm glad we found this place- makes the trip up to this neighborhood a real treat in addition to some of the shopping on the block. This will be a must stop on future visits- can't wait to bring out-of-towners here, I know they'll just love it.
(5)
Nicole S.
My husband and I came here one evening a few months ago for dessert and coffee. The weather was beautiful, so we were able to sit on a patio and enjoy our treats. I returned today with a friend for brunch and was very disappointed in the food. I ordered the pesto scramble and chicken sausage. The potatoes were plain, the sausage was tough and the eggs were overcooked. I was unimpressed, as was my friend with her omelet. I will not return for meals, but will continue to visit for their extensive pastry case, coffee, and pleasant service.
(3)
Philip K.
Went there for Saturday brunch and had the smoked salmon club, as well as the brisket melt .. Two delicious sandwiches, perfect amount for lunch and fair prices! Everyone was also very nice and friendly! We would definitely come again
(5)
XTreats X.
Great attitude here. Staff was really nice, despite how busy it was. Lox and chicken sausage was great. All the baked goods looked good too. Nothing extremely special besides the great staff and atmosphere. Don't get me wrong. The food is definitely worth it.
(4)
Jexenia G.
I guess the reviews made me really want to try the place so I'll just breakdown the pros and cons:) Pros- very nice location, love that you have a bakery in front where you can have coffee and even a pastry while you wait to be seated. I was told a 20 minute wait on a Saturday early afternoon for brunch...not bad. We did only wait about 20 mins. We got outside seating on a beautiful fall day! The coffee and almond biscotti was DELICIOUS! Cons- I didn't know who was my waiter, I don't even think they even knew who was suppose to serve our table! It took forever to get service and barely was given attention. I ordered the corned beef hash....was not impressed, I ate half of it. My boyfriend had the roastbeef sandwich and he didn't complain, but he was also not impressed. I think the service turned me off the most:/ And finally only after I got my hot plate did they tell me there were no more croissants....how disappointing:( Overall the bakery is nice, service was quick at the bakery. However once seated don't think you'll get that much attention:/ the food was average. That's why it got three stars, because the food was mediocre and the service was not attentive enough. I may comeback for coffee and pastries but not sure if I'd come back for brunch again.
(3)
Lauren C.
I would like to yelp about the "Manager" of "Selmarie". "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" has tasted pleasantly mild according to long familiar, established recipe at i"Selmarie." Last Thursday, the "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" had a strong, spicy taste, familiar with flavoring in Mexico. Speaking to the manager, I asked why the soup, in Cafe Selmarie which has been serving bakeries familiar with Central European Recipes, is changing Tomatoe Bisque soup to Mexican type flavoring. I was told that calling the flavor Mexican, would be an insult to the cook from Mexico. If I did not like it, "Go to the Brauhaus, they are German, this is an American restaurant." I personnally knew two ladies who started "Selmarie" were from Europe. No insult was intended by me of anyone. I paid the bill and left. update.... o4.15: I returned to the restaurant Easter weekend.. delicious and pleasant staff. Thank you for listening.
(4)
Dustin G.
This place is just amazing. First, let me say that my fifth star in this review is due entirely to the amazing service. I showed up unannounced with my students. (I teach ESL to adults.) There were nearly twenty-five of us all together. This could have been the catalyst for a chaotic and frantic scene but it was calm and relaxed as the servers rearranged chairs and tables to accommodate our giant group. Beyond the accommodation, the servers got everything right. My students all speak English pretty well but some of them are lower than others and some have heavy accents. The servers were patient and explained everything my students asked. The food? Delicious! I had a spinach and feta croissant with Cafe Au Lait. Both were delicious. The pastries are amazing. I couldn't resist picking up some of those unique pumpkin pies inside the miniature pumpkins. I'll definitely come back to this place...though I may just bring a couple friends.
(5)
Kristina B.
Elegant and bright food in a casual polished setting. Prices are what you expect, $10 above for entrees. Salads are delicious here but get pricey when you add protein, but none of them really need it (and that's coming from a true carnivore). They boast house Italian sodas. I had the mushroom ravioli, two words: umami bomb. Service is phenomenal and you end your experience being tempted by a beautiful array of pastries and treats. A Lincoln Square gem!
(4)
Simone T.
Still the best! Great breakfast and brunch spot. Wonderful fresh soups and a GREAT bakery!
(5)
Gretchen D.
We just had coffee and a brownie. It was good. crowded with lots of moms and their kids (no school that day, apparently). A bit of a line. The latte was just so-so--a bit watery. The brownie had excellent flavor but was too hard to cut with a knife or fork--we had to break pieces off. It's fine if you're there and want a sweet nibble. Most pastries looked good. This review may be a bit unfair as we did not eat a full meal.
(3)
Sarah M.
I went to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. Overall, the atmosphere, is welcoming, genuine, friendly. The food itself was 7 out of 10 stars- nothing incredible but definitely left you satisfied with the overall experience. I would go again!
Have been here many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have tried many different dishes. Everything is excellent. Chilaquiles, quesadillas, burritos, hash, beet salad, chicken pot pie, etc. Tonight we went for dinner. I had salmon for the third time and it's just so delicious. Creamy lobster sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus and crunchy pistachios! And my husband could not stop raving about his lamb chops with panko crust and blueberry sauce. Everything is just so fresh, flavorful, and paired well with their side dishes and sauces. Classy, but also great for kids. Our 2.5 year old loved his pb and j. Also has the most pleasant outdoor seating in summer anywhere! Only con is it's a tad slow to get your food.
(5)
Jen L.
Their chopped salad is shrinking with every visit! It's a delicious salad but really??
(3)
Grace R.
One of Lincoln Square's best restaurants!! Great bakery as well
(5)
Gabriele P.
Wow! From the outside it looks like a bakery, but it actually has a lot of tables for lunch. The inside is really tasteful with original quilt patterns hanged all over the walls, and the food matches the expectations of such a nice place. The springs green salad was an unusual - but perfectly made - combination of pecans, dries cranberries, blue cheese and chicken, and trust me: it's to die for! The cakes look and taste great as well! Be sure to try the apple bread pudding if you have a chance!
(5)
Molly M.
This place is awesome. The chilaquiles casserole is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Also, wonderful breakfast hash. A great place to stop by and pick up pastries and a cup of coffee.
(4)
Joseph D.
Went here for a Sunday brunch last weekend - what a neat place. An eclectic assortment of brunch items to please everyone in your crowd. From baked goods to omelets, to a salmon sandwich to interesting Mexican and Cuban inspired brunch dishes. Tucked away in Lincoln Square on a semi-closed to traffic strip of Lincoln Ave, it's conveniently located off the Western stop of the Brown Line so for those of us with cars, it's easy to get to. Inside the place a narrow and deep so it you're waiting for a table it can get a bit crowded so be warned especially if you bring small children who are restless just standing there. The service is very good taking a team approach with a server taking orders, others bringing food and a third party refilling coffee and water. Makes it really easy to enjoy yourself as you're aren't constantly looking around to flag someone down for a fork, coffee, to clear plates, etc. The food is the star here. my wife had the breakfast omelet which was served kind of deep dish style with all sorts of goodness including spinach and other veggies in there. Served with home fries and you've got yourself a winner if you're looking for a slightly different take on the breakfast egg dish. I had what appears to be a new dish which consisted of marinated Cuban beef served on top of these two delicious fried corn cakes (hard to describe but delicious) and topped off with black beans, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Yum-my! A few things to know - they supposedly do not take reservations but you can put your name on a list and request a time. Sounds like a reservation to me but I guess they don't guarantee it? Confusing. Also because it gets packed they are anxious to "turn the tables" so it's not the kind of place where you can hang out. Your food comes out and you eat and then you are being asked quite frequently "can we get you anything else?" In other words, a polite way to say "get the heck out of here." I get it. You don't want me sitting there all day drinking your coffee. No worries. I didn't take it personally but it is something to note as we went out with friends we hadn't seen in a few months and wanted to catch up. Overall a nice place and we will certainly return.
(4)
Debra L.
So a friend and I were walking around the square on this cold, gray and blustery night looking for the right place to have a bite. After reading the menu in several windows we decided on Cafe Selmarie. Perfect choice! The atmosphere was warm from the room temperature to the warm colors on the walls. It was a nice sanctuary from the cold. We both had the vegetarian chili, which was hearty and flavorful. We split a roasted brussels sprout salad which was perfectly lightly dressed with caramelized roasted brussels sprouts. So delicious! The wait staff was super friendly and helpful. The case of pastries looked amazing but with super full bellies we took a pass. Looks like this place could be a regular stop this winter.
(4)
Bri A.
I had to ignore the pastry display while walking to my table in the back, otherwise I would have bought everything! I was hungry and the delicious pastries would have beckoned to me...aaand then I would have bought a few and devoured them all. This is such a cute little brunch spot and my girlfriend and I enjoyed our meals. I had the smoked salmon BLT which had bacon, avocado and lemon-chive aoli. It was simple but tasty. My friend loved her fried green tomato sandwich and I wish I had a bite! They make a solid and strong Bloody Mary, too! Our server was awesome and super friendly. After seeing photos of the fancy French toast and other weekend brunch items, I need to return soon!
(4)
Jeffrey C.
I've gone from a 4 star to a 2k star rating here. Basically, the service breaks down horribly when they're busy. I had brunch there yesterday with a friend and our expected 45 minute wait turned into an 1 hour and 20 minutes. The hostess was totally out of her depth and wouldn't help the waiters in any way. There's a very polite way to "turn tables" for those customers who are done with the meal and disregarding towards the masses enduring a long wait. Table-side service was impersonal and unprofessional. Our waiter walked by our table 3 times before curtly saying "I'll be right with you." When we mentioned that we had been waiting a very long time, he had no reaction at all - AWKWARD! Somehow a sausage side dish was totally forgotten and then took forever to arrive. The food is not that exceptional to wait for - I had a rather tasteless zucchini cheddar pancake dish regretting not having gone for Dutch pancakes on Western. I'm a Lincoln Square resident and I try so hard to like this place as they do an excellent job with pastries. The front area needs a complete redesign and some sort of system needs to be introduced for serving customers in order. The place cries out for a service manager/maitre d' with bona fide restaurant experience.
(2)
Mister F.
I thought it was a little pricey, portions were a little small, and service could've been friendlier. There are better options nearby. To their credit the food was tasty and the restaurant was spotless and comfortable.
(2)
Jonathan C.
Its a place where my wife and I can easily agree is worth a trip from the suburbs to the city for a weekend brunch. It really has everything you want. The location is nearly perfect in there are plenty of stores to walk around in Lincoln Square, parking is not too difficult, the food is made exactly how you hope every place would make their food. You can alwayds start with an intelligentsia espresso drink, or go for a white russian coffee and make it a good start. This last time I went for the apple cider with burbon and carmel and it definately made the freezing weather outside a bit better (afterall you don't drink apple cider when its warm outside). We got the usual dishes, chilaquiles cassarole and a corned beef hash. Both are so good which makes it so hard to go to other items on the list. Thankfully one of my friends ordered the cinnamon roll pancakes covered in bacon bits. That dish was perfect. Everything came together so well, plus they didn't skimp on bacon bits. -------------------------- As a side note I've had cakes from here and each time I try one, I have a new favorite cake. Seriously you cannot go wrong with your choice.
(5)
Adem R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Friendly staff with high quality food
(5)
Adam C.
I have attempted to eat here on three consecutive weekends and have been unable to receive service. The hostesses will claim you will be seated within x time, but in reality the time needed is 3x or more (I refuse to stay beyond three times the stated wait time, so I'm unsure how long it would actually take to be seated). Frequently half or fewer of the tables are occupied, yet they will not seat you (despite plenty of staff). The food looks good, but I am offended that a breakfast place with such terrible service and incompetent/mendacious hostesses is blighting such an excellent location.
(1)
Lindsay B.
Five stars doesn't cut it for Cafe Selmarie. My husband and I adore this place and come for brunch all the time! The space is bright and charming, and dining outside in nicer weather is as good as it gets in the city. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is amazing! The pastries and cakes are decadent and delicious. Having Cafe Selmarie make our wedding cake was the best decision we made for the wedding, not to mention the easiest! (We had a tasting at another bakery the next morning, which we promptly canceled after our tasting with Birgit.) Birgit is one of the sweetest, nicest people I've ever met, and it was a pleasure working with her! The cake was perfect and beautiful. (Thank you!) If you are getting married -- especially if you are stressed out -- please do yourself a favor and call Birgit. This is the recipe to have amazing wedding cake that your guests will be talking about for (2?) months after your wedding. I love this place so much.
(5)
Andria A.
I suppose the season for green tomatoes is drawing to a close. So I'm very very glad that I've gotten to eat Chef Bryant's Fried Green Tomato sandwich this past month. It's such a yummy combination of flavors and textures. The house-made relish side dish varies from week to week. I really like the in-house made pickles - kind of like bread-and-butter pickles but with different, interesting and tasty seaonings. The service at Cafe Selmarie is consistently good - enough attention (water glass never goes dry) but not too much (conversations are not interrupted). I go between the lunch and dinner rushes so I can get a table without waiting.
(5)
Michael E.
Food at this place is really good but the service is absolutely horrible and slow. It is not very kid friendly either in my opinion. I will not come back solely because the service was so bad.
(2)
Lisa A.
I'm a little disappointed with my first visit here, but may be willing to try again with some other dishes next time. I had the scallops with crispy smoked bacon risotto and really liked this entree, but was not impressed by the rolls they served with butter. I wish they offered olive oil with the bread. The cafe latte was great, but for a bakery I expected more from the Kahlua Torte that I chose for dessert. It was not the freshest and I think it may have been more than a day old because I could taste it was dry and the ganache was not super fresh like I expect from bakery. Next time with such a large selection of dessert, I will ask for the freshest one, I also think they should serve slices of dessert with a little whipped cream which you have to ask for.
As far as brunch places go, this one is strictly average. I would probably give the food alone 4 stars, but service has been awful the handful of times I've been here. There were moments during our meal when we needed the server (for the check, hot sauce, whatever) and not a single employee was to be seen in the entire room! It probably took about 20 minutes just to flag down the server to get our check and get her to take it back. If you're going for brunch on a weekend, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes or more. The first time I went for brunch the hostess wrote down my name wrong and ended up skipping us over because of it. That said, I probably won't be back for brunch, but I might grab a pastry and coffee to go in the future.
(3)
Rachel S.
If your looking for a bang for your buck it's not here, but the breakfast was good and good quality stuff. The breakfast potatoes are amazing! Oh and of course the butter cookies with half chocolate are the best cookies I have ever had. The place is very nice as well. Friendly staff too.
(4)
Donielle P.
Great brunch on Sundays with a fresh menu every week! One of my favorite Lincoln Square spots! Take home a box of delicious baked goods on your way out!
(5)
Victoria W.
if I were to rate this place based on its pastries and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 stars. We were lucky and got seated pretty quickly even though it was brunch time on a Sunday. However, the Sunday Brunch was just so-so. Two people in my party, I ordered the brioche french toast and the other person ordered the cinnamon sugar pancakes. The pancakes had a nice eclectic taste with the salty bacon on top of sweetness, it was a very nice contrast. However, there is nothing super special about the pancakes. The brioche french toast was not super impressive, some vanilla pudding was added on top of the pancake along with some drizzle of fruit sauce. I ordered the fruit cup of strawberry and banana as well and it was just diced up strawberry and banana. The other person ordered a side of egg and it was just regular scrambled eggs. The apple cider bourbon drink was good at first but it looked greasy after it got cold. My chai tea latte was good but it was not very rich. The party beside our table ordered the Asian salad, which looked quite refreshing, if I were to come back I will give that a try.
(3)
Marty C.
Great food, great coffee. Service sucks. I'll stop in for coffee and a pastry if I'm walking by but never eat here again. Not worth waiting an hour and ten minutes when I show up, after calling in ahead of time.
(3)
Brenda G.
Best homemade black bean burger. Even, pleasant service. On a freezing day against a wall of windows, I wasn't cold. Nice brewed iced tea that was refilled over and over. This was my first time here. Won't be my last.
(5)
Caroline J.
I came here with my family and boyfriend after an event at North Park University. My mother had been here a few times and kept raving about their desserts. At first glance it looks like it is just a bakery, but there's a cute little cafe in the back. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and helped with food recommendations. I ordered the lobster ravioli, my boyfriend got the chicken and grits, my mother ordered the cheese tortellini and my father got the vegetarian chili and italian sausage flatbread. My ravioli was incredible. So tasty and the prefect size. It was actually so rich I couldn't finish. The fried chicken was hands down the most tender and juicy chicken I've ever eaten. My mom's pasta was wonderful as well. My dad said the chili was good, there was just a bit too much cheese on top and it made it slightly gloppy. However, he said the italian sausage flatbread had way too many flavors going on and ultimately was not as good as he had hoped. Bonus points for the yummy bread basket though! I would definitely come back here if I was up in Lincoln Square.
(4)
Douglas B.
Selmarie is one of our favorite restaurants. The restaurant sits right in the heart of The square in Lincoln Square, right next to the fountain and courtyard. When you walk in its as if you are greeted by a very friendly staff and the smells of freshly baked goods. They have a huge selection of pastry's. They also have a great outdoor seating of like about 10 tables that looks right out into the courtyard. In the summer there are tons of musicians that play out there and you can enjoy your lunch with free live music! How great is that. The menu here changes a bit here and there. The specials change constantly and have some very nice treats. They even have an excellent (3) course Prix Fixe menu on Thursdays for $22. Delicious. Everything on their menu is delicious and portioned out perfectly. The food is of great quality. They once had an amazing pan seared calf's liver with balsamic reduction that was absolutely delicious. Our usual goto starter are the Mussels is fantastic butter, garlic wine broth with grilled bread. The Wagyu beef tenderloin with garlic mash and squash was superb. The presentations on the plates are beautiful. You'll want to keep coming back here time after time to try something new. The drinks are also great, they make a tasty vodka lemonade, with homemade pink lemonade. They also had this great ginger soda and rum drink that was so refreshing. I am always excited to make it here! Get over there!
(5)
Annette U.
I was here a few years ago and remember having a really good sandwich. I came here with my friend the other day and I was sad I wasn't hungrier because I would have loved to try more things on the menu. I had the tomato bisque soup and it was perfect. My friend let me try some of her quiche and it was delicious. Definitely a lovely cafe for brunch!
(5)
Eliska O.
Awesome place! Great service, yummy food and good prices! You can't go wrong trying this place!
(5)
shana a.
Bleh. After we were seated it took a solid 15 minutes for a waitress to pay an initial visit to our table. Service was just painfully slow. I think we were just one of those unlucky tables because the tables that were sat after us were serviced somewhat quicker--by the time we finally received our food, those tables had turned over. I had the corned beef hash; the hash was pretty good, but the egg was cooked over hard, instead of the over easy I asked for.
(2)
Jaime M.
This is a place that I have always wanted to like. I love the location and the concept and so many good reviews can't just be group think, right? ... Right? The sit-down food is good enough, but the pastries at the front are bland, (except for the small hearts and rounds with peach and strawberry jam). I hear and read everyone say how amazing the bakery here is, but when I bite into the blondie bar or the cookies I just taste blandness, I feel confused. I hope it's not true that they are letting the chef change the European dishes with flavors of his native Mexico. I mean, I'm from Mexico, and that doesn't make sense. I'll g try those dishes to confirm and will update my review once I do.
(3)
Liz K.
Went here for brunch on a Sunday and all of the food was so unique and delicious. Everything was fresh and well prepared. They don't take reservations, but they do have call ahead seating so you can let them know what time you will arrive and you can get your name on the wait list- I did this and still ended up waiting about 15 mins which wasn't too bad.
(4)
Steve J.
WOW, what a neighborhood find! My wife's Corned Beef Hash w/poached egg was, "the best I've ever had"! Eggs Benedict, perfect. My scrambled w/ricotta, spinach & smoked trout is on my top ten egg dish list. Don't even slow down while walking past the fresh baked counter or it will take you ten minutes to get to your table.
(5)
Maria B.
This place is great for kids. My son loves their Mac and cheese and all the cookie options he can choose from. :)
(4)
Shereen O.
Ate lunch here on a lovely July day. My friend and I ate outside and were surrounded by the beauty of Lincoln Square. Service: Great! Very attentive and kind. They even let me grab a table before my companion arrived. They didn't fuss about us splitting a check with two credit cards, either. Food: We split a Mediterranean salad, which was really good, and a Turkey Brie sandwich, which was okay. I was excited about this sandwich because there's a similar one at Blind Faith in Evanston. I think if the bread was toasted (melting the Brie), it would have been even better. Parking: There are many spots along the Square; however, I imagine it can get crowded at peak times. The area is not too crowded in general. I'd like to try their desserts and brunch next.
(4)
Omar A.
Went there to get the black bean burger for the 289th time. That thing is better than most burgers! Comes with this delicious chipotle mayo, avocadoyeah and the normal lettuce, tomatoes and onions. They had their couscous salad on the side which is also very good. The staff is always very friendly. I don't even have to say..they already know I'll be back. Cheers.
(4)
Wayne H.
This is a good place to grab a quick breakfast in the Lincoln Square area. Nothing I have tried has blown me away, but it's still good quality food. I have to admit I am not a huge sweets person, so I haven't tried their pastries. From what I understand that's their strong suit. Overall this place has great service and I have never had trouble getting a table.
(3)
Rebecca B.
OK, so I don't usually go here for the dining room, although I've had breakfast and lunch at Selmarie and the food is very good (I'd say four stars-worthy). That being said... I've made cakes for a living for four years, and for personal pleasure for over twenty. I hate buying cake because my cakes are just better, and I'm fine with putting in the effort to make genoise and Italian buttercream in order to get the quality of cake that I want. Selmarie beats my cake every single time. I have never had better cake in my life. I don't know if it's just a me thing or if this is an objective fact, but I cannot think of a better cake I've ever had - at least in the range of their selections (I make an amazing absinthe cake that you're not going to be able to find at Selmarie, but that's not apropos of the quality of Selmarie's cakes). And it gets even better: they give you GIANT slices for like $3.25-$4.50. Do you know how cheap that is?! Whole Foods sells their house cake slices for like $2.99 and those cake layers are mass-produced and shipped in from a wholesale bakery in New Jersey and the frosting comes in 10 gallon buckets. Selmarie's cakes are scratch made on the day before at the most. The whole cakes are even cheaper. So... I'm bad with conclusions. Go to Selmarie and get cake. It's insane.
(5)
Cathleen P.
This place is wonderful. I enjoy coming here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The staff is welcoming, efficient and friendly. Their bakery is fantastic, but they need to include more gluten free items.
(4)
Ruth G.
My experience here was *exactly* what a cafe should be. Bright cheery interior, light and airy, bustling with activity by the excellent servers. The art installation couldn't be more perfect for such a lovely and lively place! Jenny Steinman Heyden is the artist, her show is there until Nov. 30th facebook.com/Jenny.Heyde… . The coffee was perfect for me and the food was very good! I had a huge bowl of vegetarian chili that came topped with cheese and a side of cornbread.. total yum!! Could have used hot sauce but I forgot to ask for some. Um, they could double their prices and it would still be fantastic to come here for a bite and a bev. We got chocolate truffles too, one for everyone at the table. OMG.. too amazing!!! Now, I've had *many* truffles before so I know they can be to die for.. but this was singularly the most perfect one I'd ever had in my life. I will go back again and again to Cafe Selmarie to try many of their desserts and savory dishes.. I'm not even a "sweets" person really! But that truffle.. omg. I can't wait to bring people here from out of town! And friends for a special snack or meal. This is a very special place. I even had the opportunity to meet the owners, they're completely adorable and the sweetest ladies you'd ever hope to meet! Supporting local small business owners is great & so important, and I *LOVE* how these owners also give back and support local artists and their community. Someone mentioned that they do wedding cakes too!!! Wow, I wish I would have known about them about a dozen years ago.. oh the lovely conversations we could have had on their patio all those summers. Can't wait for the warm weather, I must go back soon and have many cups of hot coffee over pastries etc with friends. :D
(5)
Erin Z.
I was in the mood to check out a new brunch spot this past weekend and landed at Cafe Selmarie due to it's proximity to my location and decent yelp reviews. Based on the reviews, I was a bit underwhelmed by the place which is why I give it a 3. Although I have to admit I didn't have a negative experience. I guess my expectations were a bit too high coming in. I am also a bit perplexed as to why this place gets a 'Vegetarians go nuts for this spot' designation. While I am not a vegetarian, I gave up eating beef and pork almost 5 - 6 months ago. With that said, I found that most of the menu items had beef or pork in them. I naturally navigate to seafood or chicken-related options but I was not in the mood for smoked salmon so I got the breakfast burrito with chicken sausage instead of chorizo. It was good, okay. Not spectacular or anything worth coming back for. I would also say, that while I am NOT a true coffee snob I appreciate a really well thought, complex-tasting dark roast and the coffee they served here was very one note and meh.
(3)
Shaina K.
The wait was a bit long, but the food was worth it. The service was excellent, especially for how crowded the place was. I got the salmon with eggs. Everything was perfection. Huge portion, everything tasted fresh. The service was great, and I will have to come back to sample on some of the delicious looking treats up at the front.
(5)
Lulu R.
Cafe Selmarie just revolutionized the whole brunch game. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, it was easy to get to considering all the food traffic because it is surrounded by beautiful boutiques that people are actually interested in. After weeks and weeks of dieting and exercise, we didn't want to completely ruin our work outs with a heavy breakfast since we had so much to do that day. So taking a little stroll we finally decided to walk into Cafe Selmarie to see what they were all about. Best decision I made that week was to walk in there! I will admit that the look of the bakery section brought me in, we stayed for the food. David ordered the HOMEMADE corned beef hash. I ordered the Croque Monsieur. We also got this home made soup with potato, green onions, and andoulie sausage. Lets slow things down at talk about this hash. Glorious homemade Corned beef hash! The Executive chef Bryant kindly came out to school us on how they do it. They get a massive amount of corned beef and brine it in their own spices and make it into this perfectly crisped hash. I looooved my gooey Croque, don't get me wrong. The hash stole the show though. My boyfriend had his love for me truly tested when I kept reaching over to peck at his hash. Kudos to the chef who let us in on his process and the other selections he recommends. As you might already know, a chef who is involved in his/her food, makes it taste a million times better. The seating was unpretentious and cozy. They crowd was mixed and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their meals, as did I. Street parking was a little rough for Sunday brunch but the walk wasn't too bad. The beautiful wide arrange of pastries filled the air and made me feel warm inside. You name it, Cafe Selmarie's got it. I am bound to be back for another amazing brunch and I am positive they will not disappoint with their ever changing menu options and pastries.
(4)
Jessica H.
The bf brought me a small heart shaped flour less chocolate cake & 6 chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines Day from here & they were mm mm mm delish! I cant wait to stop in for lunch & try the food.
(4)
Roseann M.
I'd like to tell you that Cafe Selmarie is bad; that the waitstaff are mean; that the back of house isn't good enough to make "Kitchen Nightmares" and that Gordon Ramsay tried to shut the place down. I'd like to tell you all these things, because then I'd never have to wait in line for a table ever again, especially at the outside patio tables in summertime. But I am an honest Yelper, and I can only say the following: 1) I've eaten at Selmarie since the late 1980's, when it was a teeny tiny bakery with a few sandwiches, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. 2) The waitstaff are pleasant, efficient, helpful, and wear black hats that aren't cutesy or obnoxious. 3) Entering past the bakery case is an exercise in restraint. It's amazing to me that there aren't saliva trails on the glass-fronted case, but I think the staff is very good at cleaning that sort of thing up quickly. 4) Even the coffee is good. On many occasions, I stick with the tried and true and get the chopped salad. Yum. My favorite. On the weekend, they sell slices of apple strudel. Again, yum. Today, we varied from our standard repertory. I had the applewood-bacon BLT with boursin cheese on marble rye, and that came with a cup of tomato bisque soup. Wonderful. My friend had a salmon wrap with salad side. The busboy tried to take her plate when she had two bites left. He's lucky she didn't wrestle him to the ground. She wanted those last two bites. But don't believe me. Go to the latest "hot" restaurant, folks, where the cheapest alcoholic beverages start at $12.00. Stand in line for an hour at some overpriced Yuppie brunch place. Follow a "star" chef from restaurant to restaurant. Please. Do all those things. And while you're doing those things, me and mine will be having the mac and cheese with leeks, the crusty and piping hot chicken pot pie, the quiche of the day, the veggie chili, and oh, just maybe, a dessert. Flourless chocolate cake. Raspberry chocolate tart. Apple strudel pie. And . . . oh, I don't know what else, Selmarie. Surprise me. You haven't disappointed me yet.
(5)
Mary M.
Have come to this place quite a few times. My husband is friends with the executive chef....I must say, the food here is absolutely delicious! And I like the portions also...not so much you want to kill yourself after but enough to sometimes need a to-go box. I've had the biscuits and gravy, which were great. My favorite thing to have there is a corned beef hash with the poached egg. Really, REALLY good. Like, puts-me-to-sleep-every-time-I-have-it, good. The cinnamon pancakes with the crumbled bacon on top is one of my dad's favorites...and after I tried his last time, I'm not sure who could dislike that dish. They serve Intelligentsia coffee (woohoo!), which is also fresh. The house made bloody Mary's are really good as well. Very nice spot to have breakfast or lunch, especially in the summer if you sit outside in the square. Try it out if you are thinking about it...I am sure you will like it. Their menu changes daily, (or weekly) I can't remember....but that also keeps it interesting. Not to mention, they have a whole bakery of pastries and pies up front...which are also REALLY good.
(5)
Kimberly B.
We've popped in for a brunch a few times in the past year. I love the mini croissants and will get them to go after every visit. The menu is pretty typical for brunch, but they pull in brunch options from across the nation (if not world) so there is always something for whatever spice blend you have a taste for. I would say everything is good, not great. The coffee is good, not great. The service is good, not great. The food and food options are fine, not special, but done very well (ie, good not great). It's a solid brunch stop and a good neighborhood mainstay. I wouldn't travel from across the city for it, but if you live in the area, it's a great place to pop in for brunch or grab a pastry. (Okay, the pastries are flat out great. You should definitely stop in for one of those.)
(4)
Viki P.
Awesome breakfast/brunch place! There are always specials, and the staples on the menu, such as waffles, salmon - I have yet to find a dish I don't like. If all else fails, just order a baked good, like a sticky bun or croissant. There is a wide array of baked goods upon entry, and it is almost overwhelming only because everything looks SO. FREAKIN. GOOD! My only complaint is the regular cup of coffee - to me, it tastes very blah, so I've ended up drinking either water or a latte (which is very good) instead. I have never come here for dinner or just drinks, but one day, I just might. Then I'd have to add on to this review!
(4)
Mrs S.
Only negative - Small space, can hear many conversation but everything else makes that no biggie and worth the stop- Pot pie is wonderful!! Minestrone soup was awesome and very homemade like! Don't miss desert or grab it to go in the display cases on your way out. Good cappuccino, we stopped before a book signing across the street.
(4)
Aaron Jae M.
One of my favorite places in Chicago for desserts (Acropolis in greek town is another one that's up there). I have never tried their dinner menu so I can't comment on that but the atmosphere is great and the service has always been friendly. My favorite things are their flourless chocolate cake and their raspberry chocolate tarts. I could honestly just randomly point at the dessert counter and whatever I chose would be amazing. Great spot for a date.
(4)
Brittanie L.
If I were rating Selmarie on orange juice and bacon alone, I'd give it five stars. But I'm not, and I still give it five stars. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and man oh man the food! Like I said, the bacon was awesome, and I don't regret saying that twice! I had the granola, which was delicious and served with fresh fruit and yogurt, and my boyfriend really seemed to like his whole grain pancakes too. The bakery counter in the front doesn't disappoint either. Seriously, try this place.
(5)
TJ H.
We had the chicken pot pie, and it was delicious. We also got a side of the mac and cheese which I couldn't get enough of. The salmon club sandwich was also very tasty, although the salad that came with it was nothing too special.
(4)
K M.
You know, I'm not a coffee drinker, nor do I like pastries, but I do love Cafe Selmarie. When I was in school I would come here for a chai (good chai- they don't water down), and end up staying to do homework. Once again, I didn't go for the coffee or sweets (although I heard good things) but for the atmosphere. The staff is so friendly, and personable. They don't seem to go through staff very fast, because the same people always seem to be working which shows that they like their jobs enough to stay for years. Each time a child comes in, which is frequent, they are always so nice and friendly. It's nice that they are very patient when kids order, even when busy. I bring my daughter, and even if she's indecisive or can't choose between a flower or smilie face cookie they are very sweet and kindly discuss with her the options, or their own opinion to help her. Ex. "We never have pink and blue flower cookies, I'd go with that this time!" Makes her day!
(5)
Rebecca Z.
The breakfast/lunch cocktails are awesome! I had the spiked hot cocoa and my boyfriend had the spiked cider. Both delicious! The sandwiches are good, but the greens that came with them were a little underdressed so make sure to ask for dressing on the side because it's also delicious. Although a little pricey all in all we had a great experience. They even sent us out with 2 free cookies!
(4)
Beth A.
When the weather is just right this patio is perfect for a sweet treat and a drink in the square. Friendly service comparable area prices. Beware the strength of the espresso!!! I drink lattes just about daily but theirs nearly sent my heart palpitating...whooowee
(4)
Sabina W.
This neighborhood cornerstone is worth a trip for those Chicagoans not lucky enough to live closer. You won't have a bad meal here, but I especially recommend brunch. Yes, please, to a million delicious plates of from-scratch corned beef hash. And tons and tons and tons of their custom-blended Intelligensia house coffee. Easily one of the best brunches in the city. If you can't stop in for a full meal, drop in for the bakery counter in the front of the restaurant to grab a dozen of their traditional German cookies, like Linzers or those delicious little apricots ones.
(4)
Ed A.
Cupcakes and cookies and cake oh my?! This place would be worth the visit just for the dessert case. Everything looked good, fresh and very reasonably priced. Employees were fantastic and extremely busy with the crowds packing the front and the ever present soccer mom with their baby strollers. Note: if you're going to bring the kids in a stroller, for God's sake by one with back-to-back seating and not one of those double wide monsters. Think people, think! I also had some black bean, chipotle and kale soup. Isn't kale seaweed... that disgusting stuff that clings to your legs? Well, anyway, the soup was good but I'm not sure I would order it again. The cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing about was fantastic, rich and very fresh. I could eat a dozen of these with a nice cold glass of milk. This place does not disappoint.
(4)
Raphael R.
Being away from home with kids not particularly inclined to try anything new is always a challenge when it comes to meals but being away from home also means new experiences and getting out of the comfort zone. I did a quick search online and found a place highly recommended but I knew parking would be an issue. While I kept looking, a name kept coming back and so I checked out the site and found Cafe Selmarie. I checked the menu online and most definitely decided to give it a try. While it was not really obvious to find (thanks again, GPS...) having available parking close by was a great plus and the building from outside looked nice and somewhat like a French boulangerie. As we opened the door and entered, we were greeted by the sights and smells of freshly baked pastries and coffee. Exactly what was needed in this cold February day. The room was small enough to be intimate but big enough to hold about 2 dozen tables in the main dining room. The warmth of the yellow walls clashed beautifully with the red-colored paintings on white background and our waitress was very helpful. The menu had all these wonderful-sounding dishes that made choosing something even harder. My wife opted for the French toast, my son for the pancakes, my daughter for the breakfast burrito and I went for a pear and Brie omelet. In all these years, I have rarely seen all four of us so overwhelmed by the contents of our plates. It was hard to finish what we were served but every bite was so delicious. The sweetness of the pear mixed to the stronger taste of the Brie was too much to let anything go to waste. The kids even found some space to left gobble up a pastry while I enjoyed the last sips of my coffee. And as we were finishing our meal, the place quickly filled up and as much as we were enjoying ourselves, we decided it was time to go and let others their turn to enjoy their breakfast too. Prices were correct, about $15 per person but it was well worth it. Our time in Chicago was short so we could not repeat the experience but this place has definitely found itself a must-do on our list for our next time in town!
(4)
Jennifer G.
Had lunch here today with a group of friends. Food was great, service was exceptional. Deserts and pastries were delicious beyond all expectations. I nice cozy spot!
(5)
Kathleen E.
Nice location right at the square, outside space, great lunch and dinner spot. I also recommend meeting for coffee, tea and desert. Nice neighborhood, quaint yet classy feel.
(4)
Justine G.
Been coming here for years. Definitely the spot for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Or if you just want coffee or tea to fulfill your sweet tooth as you try to decide which pastry to have. One of the best patios in the heart of Lincoln Square!
(4)
Kelsie L.
This is a great place. Delicious desserts and their brunch is great. I've never had bad service, even when I'm just there for coffee. Outdoor seating is great. I've never had to wait longer than 30 minutes for a table! I love bringing friends from out of town to cafe selmarie.
(4)
Misty S.
What an adorable restaurant! I biked here on a hot Sunday and stopped in for a light snack and to cool off. I was impressed with the food and service. GAZPACHO - Cool, light and refreshing. I think it's only good in small dosage, though, because after a while it starts to taste like salsa. CREPE - OMG...Amazing! The portion is quite small, but it packs a big punch. This savory crepe was filled with chunks of crab meat and covered with shiitake mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. There is also a bakery section up front filled with cookies, cakes and pies. This place is perfect for when you're hungry or if you just want to nibble. I also tried the Flying Dog beer - Crisp! LOCATION: It's near the exit end of the Lincoln Square strip that has traffic going one way (next to the water fountain). And a special thanks to the lady next to us for catching the spider on the wall behind me and throwing it outside. My hero!
(4)
Madeline S.
Sigh. Overrated pastry place in Chicago? Check. The only pastries that looked worth buying were a chocolate-raspberry tart and what I assume to be their signature apple galette (forget exactly what they called it so am going with this). The tart was forgettable. Really forgettable. The apple galette was no better or worse than many other midwestern versions of this type of apple pastry. Meh. The quest continues for world-quality pastry in Chicago.
(2)
Alex B.
In all likelihood, I will need to update this review some day. the truth is I have been to cafe Selmarie twice, and both times only got pastries and coffee. I have no way to recommend or advise against anything in the restaurant itself, but the baked goods are killer and coffee isn't bad either. I'm always impressed by the spread of cakes, pastries, truffles, and other goodies in the display. Not only has everything that I have ever had here been of very high quality, but it is also clear that the chefs here are creative and want to try new things. My most recent time in they had made mini pumpkin pies inside of mini pumpkins (cute AND delicious). The fact that there is always something new makes me that much more likely to want to stop in when I am in Lincoln Square. Coffee drinks are fine but a little slow. I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for an espresso drink, but it's nice that they have the option to go with your pastries. All considered, this is a great place and I'm hoping to be equally impressed by their sit-down restaurant service some day.
(4)
Melissa F.
Super yummy!!! I seriously have love everything I've eaten here! It's a great lunching place with a friend!!!
(5)
Sandy L.
Stopped at the outdoor cafe for a delicious and interesting lunch while in Lincoln Square. It has quite the European feel, sitting alongside a little square where tons of toddlers are roaming around while eating lunch and enjoying an espresso. We were stunned by the beauty of their pastries. We will have to come back and try some another time.
(4)
J B.
Delicious brunch and dinner. Quiche - yum. Bloody's and mimosas - delish. Specials for din - always on point. Desserts and pastries ok - not comparable to a legit French bakery. Go for the food and drinks! Including the fab wine . Make resos. or expect a wait. Love outside summer eating. Perfect, quaint Lincoln Square hub. In the center of it all.
My worst judgement turned out to be the best experience. EVERYBODY needs to try this place. My first experience with the food was terrible - but that was my own fault... I was on a first date and I recently made the decision to be gluten-free. I ordered the beet salad, It was beautiful - but I hate beets. I ate the whole damn thing despite my loathing for the beautifully colored vegetable... Anyway... I was starving. I spotted the pastries on the way out and I thought about them the rest of my date. As we strolled around Lincoln Square, I kept thinking about putting fist-fulls of pasties in my mouth... eating a piece of cake...or buying a whole cake and taking it home to make sweet love to it. After walking around for two hours, I couldn't take it anymore and I told my date "Listen... I hate beets. I'm hungry. Can we go back to the Cafe and eat some cake. I'm buying." He said yes, we went back, had some cake, laughed a lot, and we've been dating for a little while now. Sometimes he'll even buy me beets just as a gag. The menu has lots of options and I've had just about everything else on the menu since then. They even have gluten-free options. :D The service is always good - very polite and available to make suggestions. Cute little place with a great atmosphere.
(5)
Christine L.
A bit pricy for the pastries but totally worth it. I still dream about the strawberry custard tart that I had on August 17, 2012. It was love. Don't be fooled by the crowded entrance by the bakery, there is plenty of seating for those who wish to dine in further back. There is also the option of outdoor seating, which would be ideal on a Friday night. When you sit outside, you can usually enjoy the entertainment of a local street performer and people watch. Friendly, clean, entertaining, and great (sweet) food!
(5)
Dax R.
Great neighborhood brunch place where you can enjoy a rare beautiful day in Chicago. The salmon club and mac and cheese are great!
(4)
Emann B.
Having not been to Lincoln Square in ages, my mates and I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon having lunch and shopping. The host was very efficient and cordial with good follow up. This place gets pretty busy on Sundays and he was quite affable and accommodating. The server was very friendly and the food was perfect for a slightly chilly early fall afternoon. I had the scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and pesto with wheat toast on the side. The eggs came with fresh mozzarella and tomato which went perfectly with the pesto and rich sausage. I managed to eat half a slice of toast, but will probably not opt to order again since the dish was generously sized. My friends had the biscuits and gravy (HUGE) and the breakfast burrito (nicely seasoned and lightly spiced). A lovely place for Sundays!
(4)
Partha A.
A lady dining at the next table at a Korean place told me about Cafe Selmarie. I would thank her. Quite a busy place. But a lovely one. Parking can be an issue at night. We parked diagonally across the parking lot after waiting for a car to pull out. We got cakes to go - which were excellent. In fact they looked so nice we packed a sampling of a bunch of them. They were all good. I should come back for some food one of these days.
(5)
Stephanie B.
Came here for brunch last weekend with some friends and everyone's food was delicious. Outdoor patio for brunch was perfect and our waitress was very attentive. Will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(5)
James P.
One of our favorite Saturday breakfast places. A great place for eggs after a workout. Great, friendly service with great food.
(4)
Nancy C.
My cousin has been a regular at this bakery for nearly 20 years, and their raspberry Bavarian cream cake is superb--the best thing in the bakery. The apple bread had always been excellent as well. But upon trying the most recent loaf my cousin brought, it definitely does not taste quite as fresh as before. Not that there is anything wrong, it was just much drier than you would expect. Quite a letdown. My cousin commented that, as of late, she has noticed the loaves of apple bread are becoming smaller, flatter, and older (possibly a day or two old), which has been very disappointing, hopefully they will pick up the slack on that.
(4)
Robert Y.
Best Black Forest cake, EVER! Food in the restaurant consistently impresses. Service is always helpful behind the bakery counter. I go out of my way to eat here. So should you.
(5)
Raghid A.
I was waiting for 45 minute to sit outside and there were many tables available but the manager was impolite and sat other people before me...I felt so discriminated against because of my origin. I always liked this place but never again. What a shame
(1)
Kylie S.
This place is really cute. And popular! I stopped in on a weekday for lunch and was surprised by how busy and crowded it was. Great outdoor patio for summer months. Parking might take a bit - try the side streets. The Western Brown line stop is really close. Tons of cute shops in the nearby area. Service was excellent. I had a black bean burger, side salad, and glass of white wine on my first visit. The black burn burger was solid, I'd give it a 7. The salad was less so, a 5 in my book. The white wine was excellent and they had a fun menu to choose from. I didn't have room to try dessert, but I sense that was a mistake because that seems to be what they're really known for around here. I think next time I'll just go for the patio, wine, and dessert. Yum!
(4)
Suzanne C.
Yum yum yum!! Super friendly staff! We were waiting for our table this morning and ordered a latte, hot choc, and a Danish.. She said she'd add the items to our bill! We were willing to pay upfront for the items and it's nice to have this extra perk! And the food is amazing.. Incredibly fresh and made with love!
(5)
Tabithia B.
The people there are helpful and super nice. I almost always take out my food there and it's always quick and got and taste like it was made in heaven. Everything is so fresh and you can sincerely taste the quality. I have not had one thing that I didn't enjoy. The carry out/bakery area is a little cramped but it's worth the tightness.
(5)
Jaime G.
Never guess that a place in Lincoln Square that is very well know for pastry and coffee also offer a great dinner. I can confirm that they do. Had a great time here. Yes they have an awesome bakery but I was on a hunt for good dinner tonight. I think found it. Hidden behind the pastry filled counters and hand made artisan breads is a handle of tables they serve a fantastic dinner. Can't believe I've never eaten here before but glad I did. Surprising wine and beer selection (had New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout - a creamy and chocolaty beer with an incredible finish). I paired it with a pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and fall veggies in a port wine reduction. Veggies had a bit of cinnamon so it made it seem as I was fall in my mouth. Pork was tasty and very juicy. Wish the veggies and pork went better together though. For dessert, I had the chocolate espresso tart with a soy latte. Don't have to tell you how Delish it was. Damn. A must try.
(5)
Emily H.
I stopped in with a friend after exploring the neighborhood a bit. I ordered the turkey & brie sandwich while he ordered the breakfast burrito. Both were very good! I really liked that it was actual turkey and not those slices you'd get from the deli at Jewel. The sandwich came with a salad (no fries! yes!) and a delicious honey mustard dressing. The service was a bit meh, which is why I'm giving this place three stars instead of four. Our waitress was fine, but quite clearly cared about her other tables. Their pastries looked heavenly, so you can GUARANTEE I will be back!
(3)
Rebecca B.
I stop in from time to time for a light lunch or to grab a coffee and piece of cake to go. The food is good, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and the baked goods...the baked goods are AMAZING! Raspberry marzipan torte! Mocha buttercream torte! Gateau Grandmere! Banana Eclairs! All of the pastries I have tried have been incredible, and some of them have even begun to haunt my dreams, taunting me with their deliciousness. So if you are walking by and don't have time to stop for a meal, at least stop in and grab some dessert to go. You won't be sorry. I promise.
(4)
Meredith B.
I returned here for lunch last week, since warm weather just makes me feel like going out to eat in sunny cafes. You know the feeling. We barely waited for a table, and since we were sipping our hot beverages and lounging by the windows during the brief wait, the time flew by. We got the sweet potato fries to split, and I also got the wrap du jour, which was Mahi Mahi with a coleslaw of some sort. The sweet potato fries were sort of intriguing - I'd call them "wedges" really, since it was like somebody took a sweet potato, cut it into 4 pieces, and gave them a nice roast. omnomnom. They were soft, well seasoned, and I'm sure pretty healthy too. The wrap was lovely as well - generous portion (at least for a normal person) but I ended up taking half home and eating it later. Because I had to save room for desseeeeeert! And I can't remember the exact name of what we got - I believe it was something like "strawberry roulade" and it was both creamy and airy, and very strawberry-y. How do people get such fresh produce in March? I do not know. This is such a lovely place for a meal. I hope to be back soon!
(4)
Linh N.
5-stars because the service and food were superb. First, the highlights of service: they permitted our party of five to split the check, they let our group lollygag until waaay past their closing time, never once giving us the stinkeye, they were courteous and efficient, but not overbearing. Our waitress exhibited a very pleasant, professional demeanor overall. I ordered the day's "special salad" which was locally sourced arugula, black heirloom tomatoes, basil, shallots, and mozzarella, maybe a balsamic dressing, but it was barely detectable. It was $9 or $10, a huge portion, fresh, flavorful and sent me over the moon. I was in love with that salad. So much so, when I returned to Houston, I did not go home, but straight to Whole Foods first to gather up those ingredients to attempt to recreate the moment again. To balance out the salad, I also ordered the starter portion of the macaroni and cheese. Small is all you need. This little casserole is rich and decadent. The cheese was gooey and stringy, with crunchy edges. It was such a shame that I could not finish it. I want some now. For my refreshment, I tried The Poet, an oatmeal stout with a bitter, chocolatey taste. I'm usually not a beer drinker, but I sampled this with the bee eff in mind. It has a spooky label with a raven against a full moon; I'm a sucker for interesting graphics. Unfortunately, I looked for this brew upon returning to Houston, and no go, man. It is distributed by the New Holland Brewing Company. Cafe Selmarie is a very cute cafe that offers beautiful, tasty desserts, breakfast (Tue-Fri), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. I would definitely be a regular if I lived here.
(5)
Sean B.
Just a review of the Bakery goods Banana Chocolate Tort Cake: wow, moist, delicious, just the right chocolate layering, saturated cake, not too Banana-y. 5 stars Vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. Good proportion of butter cream frosting, but cake dry. A little hard to eat because it was dry. 2.5 stars Pinwheel cookies. Not your Voortmans. These were sugary without being grainy, cute swirls, you could taste both the chocolate and the vanilla. The case: pastel wonderland in time for easter. They had snail and turtle cookies! They have extremely creative bakers. The boxes for take-out: cute little boxes, well-wrapped, adorable. Like this place.
(4)
Bradley S.
Partner and I stopped here for an early Saturday dinner. I loved the ambiance of the place; I found it rather French provincial. We were treated professionally yet warmly from the moment we walked through the front door. The fact that one is faced with their extensive pastry case immediately upon entrance sets the appetite in motion. They have a small but fully servicable beer/wine/cocktail list. I ordered a glass of a French white and we started off with the roasted beet salad. The beets were warm and roasted perfectly. The greens were fresh cool and crisp. Partner order the Chicken Pot Pie and I the Pork Chop. His entree looked delectible the pot pie arrived with two puff pastry triangles artistically positioned on top of the filling in lieu of the traditional pie crust. He said it tasted as good as it looked. My pork chop was accompanied by garlicy mashed potatoes and roasted (I'm pretty sure but not absolutely positive) brussels sprouts. The chop may have been on the fire for a couple minutes too long but any less would probably make most nervous. I had ordered a pinot noir to compliment my entree which turned out perfectly. Partner ordered a cappacino and I an esspresso and we shared tDheir caramel apple bread pudding for desert. Desert arrived nicely warmed with a side of fresh whipped cream. Our server was friendly and attentive and I could tell she genuinely liked the food she served. The dining room was filled by 6PM with a range of patrons from young families to seniors (though it was a remarkably white crowd). We thouroughly enjoyed our leisurely dinner before ambling over to Dank Haus for a performance.
(4)
Tom T.
Had a great breakfast, the 2 Eggs Any Style. Nice & fresh & the potatoes were great too.
(4)
Paul W.
Well, will you look at that. They've extended their hours. I wonder if this has anything to do with the time I burst in at a run, gasping, 'Did I make it? Are you still open?' I know. I'm an ass. Happily, everyone there has a good sense of humour and I am not banned from the place. Now I can run a few errands before coming round to pick up a strawberry roulade or a bienenstich. Or both, as I did today. Sidebar: The bienenstich here are far more delicious than any I've had elsewhere in the city, not that I see it often. This is one of my favourite desserts to have in Chicago. Not too sweet, yet rich and flavourfui. What a concept. Incidentally, every German-speaking person I know assures me that bienenstich means 'bee sting' and not 'bee hive' as it is called at Selmarie. Glad to see you, Selmarie.
(4)
Omar K.
Since moving to lincoln square my gf and I have been coming here for both dinner and sunday brunch. Great atmosphere, good service, and awesome food. I especially like the outdoor seating area which faces the plaza,.
(5)
Angela S.
I ordered wrong! I had the croque monsieur and he had the chicken pot pie. I had food envy. Lucky we were sharing!
(3)
Howard L.
This is a nice place for brunch and pastries. We also hadn't been in Lincoln Square in decades, and the visit gave us a chance to reaquaint ourselves with this little enclave of shops and restaurants. Food is fresh (we had a goat cheese omelette and whole grain pancakes) and coffee is good - these are the main draws we found, as we noted the place's popularity. There was nothing particularly catchy or innovative on the menu, just good quality. It's also quite a popular place, and there was plenty of traffic, a bustling dining area, and a continuous small waiting queue til about 2pm on a Saturday. The server was attentive and very friendly also.
(4)
Beata S.
I wish the owner was in all the time not just on Sunday, then the cutie at the counter would be a little more receptive to customer needs-I was served cold espresso(delish Intelligentsia coffee) and only after I inquired if it was ready 20 min.after I placed and paid for the order,thrown a macaroon at (ummmm good macaroons) till the saucer danced salsa on the counter-was it the man I was with? Was it the one I was in with before? Both? That can't be! I am going back to my favorite cafe but "Only on Sunday!".
(3)
Luke S.
If you have ever been to Europe, you wish there were more places like Selmarie in America. The perfect place for a light meal or excellent dessert. If you can get their early enough, be sure to grab a chocolate croissant.
(5)
Emily O.
I LOVE Cafe Selmarie! A cute, quaint bakery in Lincoln Square. Breakfast is amazing with unique dishes, fresh food, & fantastic service. Coffee is always hot, water is always filled, & the bakery is always filled with beautiful desserts. The patio is great in the summer. Can't beat Cafe Selmarie! If you are in the area, it's a must!
(5)
Johnny T.
I might have been kidnapped. I woke up in a daze. I was stuffed to the gills with yummy Euro eats. But, the crazy thing about all of it is... I thought I was at Julius Mienl. Seriously. For days afterward I was, like, "Man. I really like JM. I've eaten there twice and each time I felt like I was at some cool cafe in Paris or Vienna. I'm so worldly and learned." As much as my co-workers tried to impress upon me that I'd, actually, just eaten at CS, I didn't believe them. Well, I believe them now. It's just odd to me that two very similar places exist so close to each other in the same neighborhood... and both do a ton of business. You'll have to forgive me. I know I don't look it, but.. I am no longer 21...2. 22. My memory sometimes lapses. That's why there's fish oil and ginko. Digression... If you want to feel worldly and traveled without leaving the city limits, come here. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay, drink coffee, eat amazingly good food, contemplate big issues, take a nap, and wake up to do it all over again. Forget this rat-race American lifestyle. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed with friends and good food. I was reminded of that at CS. I was also reminded that I drink a lot of coffee when it's quality. I'm more of a tea drinker, but whatever they're brewin' at CS is mighty good stuff. I had multiple cups (which our server never allowed to get low). To eat (because fatty needs his food), I took a short trip to a very happy place and chowed down on a salmon scramble that was chock-full of egg, fish and dill. Every bite was a joy. The potatoes that accompanied my breakfast weren't an afterthought. They were delicately seasoned and copiously supplied. I was so satisfactorily full from the experience, I didn't even have any baked goods. I know! Fatty said no! I must not have had a Zima. I never say no after one of those.* A joy. Eating here was a joy. *I have not -- nor will I ever -- had a Zima.
Great little shop, but unless you live close by, parking is a nightmare. I stopped in to get an Americano and a pastry. They use Intelligencia beans and did a great job! I skipped the pastry and bought a blueberry sour cream cake to go. At about $7 it was a relative bargain to the rest of the offering and tasted pretty good. I will have to stop by again and check out lunch offerings.
(3)
Dinah M.
This has become our runner up go to place for brunch and when my family was visiting earlier this month we went numerous times and have now sampled each of their menus (Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch and Dinner). Each one has a wide selection of tasty meals that everyone can enjoy. My husband and I are pretty easy to cater to, but my family has an ovo-vegetarian, a gluten-free/lactose intolerant, and a common garden picky eater :) Coming from Britain, I enjoy the familiar 'European' feel of Lincoln Square and the family friendly atmosphere. Now that we have a new baby I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and family with my baby on a sunny summers day. The staff are delightful, friendly and welcoming and the food never disappoints. The only bad point is they get so busy that the wait to get a table can be long and the bakery at the front means it gets very crowded in the entryway.
(4)
Jen A.
Fantastic bakery!. By family tradition, we stopped by for desert after dinner at a german restaurant nearby. Each kid was able to choose a cookie or slice of cake, nicely boxed for the ride home. Everyone was satisfied, particular favorites included chocolate cake, pear tart and the cookies.
The boyfriend really has two major duties the entire year. 1) Clean the kitchen after I cook a glorious meal. 2) Plan dinner out for Valentine's Day. He surprised me with reservations at Cafe Selmarie. It's such a cute and quaint place. The front entrance beckons you with a huge display case of cakes, pastries, and other assorted desserts. It takes a ton of will power to pass those up. What I appreciated was that they didn't gouge their patrons with "special menus." You know the menus that are priced out of this world. Instead, they had a limited menu for Valentine's Day. From what I could tell, it contained a selection of some of their regular dinner items, along with special dishes. For soup, I ordered the lobster bisque with fresh chunks of lobster. It was creamy and not too savory. For my entree, I had the rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. The lamb had a flavorful minty crust and was cooked to perfection. The prices were spot on. No entree was more than $20. Glasses of wine were not more than $8. Overall, this is a great little spot that offers affordable dinners with friendly and top notch service.
(4)
Christopher K.
This is a good strategic location if you are about to embark on the Lincoln Square scavenger hunt. I don't want to give anything away, but nearly everything in the "official" hunt is about a block from here in various directions. We had skipped breakfast and needed to power up before the walking with a good brunch. Both of us ordered chilaquiles casserole -- no we are not *that* boring. I ordered the regular one on the menu and found it perfect for brunch (I am a guy, brunch means "heavy breakfast"). It was pretty spicy, which is right up my alley. My companion ordered the vegetarian version that was on special that day. It was not as spicy and could have done without the onions that were more or less just sprinkled on top. I envied that she had eggs on top for protein. We were both pleased and ended the meal with some cookies as an indulgence. Service was fantastic and highly attentive. $26 for a brunch for two.
(4)
Torry H.
This is my brunch place! First of all...you have to get a chocolate croissant and then take home a poppyseed coffee cake. Great coffee, the best menu with seasonal items. It is great food and uncomplicated. The staff is fantastic. They are so friendly and welcoming. They all talk to my three kids and make them feel at home while we are there.
(5)
Richie D.
You know it's good if picky olde me is writing a third (and last) review update, each one at a whopping 5 stars! I saw Selmarie's Yelp Advertisement Tag and thought to myself, "I can't pass by such a deal!" I had only been here for brunch and had only loved it more and more than the prior visit. I was sure my outstanding opinions of Selmarie's could not change for nothing... I was right! The Pre Fixe 3 Course dinner is A STEAL at $20!! Pick out a wine from the menu and choose away. 1) A Starter (mixed greens petite salad or a cream soup) --I had the Potato Leek Chive Soup. Smooth yet creamy. 2) An Entree (all generously-sized, unique portions to choose from) --I couldn't pass by BBQ Ribs with seasoned potatoes and cole slaw. The sauce was sweetly smoked, while the slaw had no nasty mayonnaise flavor to them. My boyfriend pleased his taste for mussels, even though I threatened him with no kisses all night until his teeth are brushed. I have tried mussels 3 times before and each time I was turned off...until Selmarie's! There was nothing seafoodie about them except where they came from. Soaked in a perfect creme broth, I couldn't believe my tastebuds! 3) A Dessert (pick any pastry/torte from the refrigerated glass cases). Just a glance at the desserts makes me automatically and helplessly salivate! I had the Kahlua Torte while my boyfriend had the fresh Raspberry Custard Torte. A bite of each placed me in Heaven...until I noticed our plates were somehow, all-of-a-sudden Mr. Clean shiny and crumb free. :( All this included in the $20s you ask??--YA BETCHA! I deem this to be the BEST DINNER DEAL IN TOWN! Good luck beating it competitors. Selmarie, you redefine the French stereotype for me!
(5)
Jamie H.
This place is great! Awesome location too, lucky for them! My mom and I stopped by Friday afternoon, there weren't a lot of people sitting in the back but quite a few people came in to get drinks or snacks to go, or just sit in the front. The coffee was good my mom and I split a cherry crumble pie..AHHh mazing! We also got a handful of other cookies, which were all great as well. We even tried some with Rosemary, very good and a nice twist! I wasn't even aware that they had a full regular menu as well. I definitely will come by for a meal, and obviously treats and coffee again!
(5)
John W.
Had to go here because Pannenkoken was too busy. But the good news is that there was no wait for breakfast (11:30ish) and we got seated right away. I had the Salmon with eggs and English muffin and it was only ok. There was nothing actually wrong with it but it wasn't to die for or anything. There really isn't a lot to choose from here and maybe their skill sets lie more on the baking side of things with the cakes, pies and cupcakes and what not but I am not a sweets guy so this does nothing for me. Service was good but there wasn't really anything all that exciting on the food menu...Just typical American breakfast stuff (along with Quiche) which if you are into, this place should be just fine for you. The 2 stars doesn't mean bad, it just means not for me. For the Summer, they have a great patio right on the square which is nice for a coffee, beer or dessert...If you can handle all the screaming kids.
(2)
August B.
Five stars because the food is simple and tastes good. Cafe Selmarie is what overpriced, high reputation downtown restaurants look like when they charge reasonable prices that don''t gauge people's savings accounts.
(5)
Megan L.
Cafe Selmarie really looks like a bakery when you walk in, but don't be fooled. The baked goodies are but a lovely distraction before you get to the restaurant beyond them. What do I love about Cafe Selmarie? Pretty much everything. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and it's a nice, cozy atmosphere. The place isn't huge, which I think creates a bit of a sense of intimacy. I tend to gravitate towards Cafe Selmarie when the weather cools off, because their food is very comfort-food-ish to me. I stopped in last night and had their chicken pot pie, which was perfect for this cold snap we've had. Along with a glass of wine, it was the perfect dinner for me last night. And then there's dessert. Remember all the lovely pastries you walked past on your way in? Those are your dessert choices. You can literally go up front, look around, pick what you want, and they'll bring it back to your table. One of my favorites!
(5)
Dora V.
Selmarie was my favorite ladies' lunch spot. Then they hiked up the brunch prices like highwaisted highwaters and now my feeling is "eh." The food is good, but stops short of extraordinary. Several of the options are Frenchy (Croque Monsieur). which is one of the reasons I always go back. But as my Intrepid Readers know, I just hate to feel gipped. I think the brunch prices subsidize the pastries, which are varied, beautiful, and priced to sell. The sweets appear to be the chef's true passion. I recently paid way too much for a run-of-the mill turkey sandwich and a tiny sprinkling of greens. I was still hungry. I added the pinto bean and sun-dried tomato soup, which was passable. By contrast, the potatoes (which I got to try) were terrific! All of the food that I saw looked great and the place was bustling with happy-looking clientele. Sadly, we received a tasteless Bloody Mary. Perhaps it was a fluke, but it's a fluke I'll remember. On a brighter note, the bottles of wine are relatively inexpensive and thus tempting...and what a lovely temptation they are. For a place with no official gender affiliation, this place is full of females. This is likely a result of a menu conducive to light lunching, which ladies tend to like. I'd be baffled to see a group of males buck that trend. As of now, you'll see a couple stray males who have clearly been convinced to give it a shot by their mothers or girlfriends. They look apprehensive as they inevitably realize they are significantly outnumbered. I find this amusing. The location remains fabulous and the outdoor seating is plentiful and pleasant in the warm months. In the winter, the small, elongated waiting area gets awkwardly crowded, and you may be packed in like a roomful of Ralphies. Oh fudge! Cafe Selmarie undershot my expectations too many times in a row. I will be forced to find a comparable soup-salad-sandwich brunch spot somewhere north of Wicker Park/Bucktown, which seems to teem with such "contemporary" lunch/brunch possibilites. I still recommend trying Selmarie for a (ladies') dinner. The prix fixe is a great deal, and the entrees are conducive to sharing. Those wild-mushroom ravioli are to die for, but they are rich like only butter and cream can be, and are thus best split with another entree or combination of appetizers. As disappointed as I am, I won't write off Selmarie, as it has been a staple of mine for so long. I'm done with the weekend brunch, though. Lunch or dinner on a weekday, sure. I need my fancy-pants sandwiches and low-key dinner spots, and the location and atmosphere meet little competition in Lincoln Square. Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth.
(3)
J D.
Know what to expect: a bustling crowd as soon as the doors open in the late morning. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and general Oprah enthusiasts. I arrived here Monday morning at 11:01 and by 11:15 there were already seven people salivating over the fresh pastries [do please try their seasonal "Pie in a Pumpkin": a baked small pumpkin hollowed and filled with pumpkin puree and nutmeg], and three Italians asking if Selmarie was hiring in their bakery. A great spot for a first date, catching up with an old friend or studying for your exam.
(5)
Sandra W.
Cafe Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square strip. Really cute and really quaint. I give it a three star because I thought this place was a bit pricey. I'm also not a bakery person. I don't care much for pastries and desserts so I went there to have a nice meeting\lunch with a friend for their savory options. I got a salad and it was very small. I was expecting a little bit more. My friend got something that I don't remember. The ambiance was great. The servers and staff were extremely welcoming. The food was good, I just wish the prices were a little lower and the portions were a little bigger. After my lunch, I ran over across the street to Gene's Sausage and bought some raw meat to make when I get home. Oops.
(3)
Judith K.
This is a really good bakery that has stools along the windows with an attached restaurant and outdoor seating in warm weather. Nice selection of well-prepared, fresh food. They serve Intelligentsia coffee as well as beer and wine. We have been coming here for over 10 years and it has been consistently good. The servings are substantial. Today for lunch I got the quiche with a side salad, my husband got the chef's salad. Service is excellent. The place is light and airy with artwork lining the walls. It gets really crowded on the weekends. Even on Monday there was a 15 minute wait for a table. But well worth it.
(4)
Heidi T.
I love Selmarie. I love it for weekend brunch (usually a small wait, but rarely anything extreme), I love it for early breakfast, I love it for dinner, I love it with a friend, I love it with my husband on a casual night out, I love it with my kid for an early dinner. Occasionally service has been slow, but never enough to really fuss. They've helped me figure out ways to stash my stroller out of the way when I'm with the small fry. The sweets are delicious on their own or as an accompaniment to dinner. Oh, and, you know, the food is fantastic. Now that I have a kid, I especially appreciate that it is the type of place where you don't feel like a horrible monster for bringing your small child, but also don't have to eat like a small child. I also appreciate that the kids' menu has some options that involve vegetables, unlike most places (which usually assume your child only eats fried white foods). However, for those of you who don't have kids, it's not overwhelmingly crowded with screaming children. I promise. I went there many times before I had kids.
(4)
Bea K.
I've never eaten at the restaurant but I have frequented the dessert counter plenty of times. 90% of the desserts are great - strawberry whipped roll cake slices and the chocolate tart are really good but some things are just ok like the raspberry &dark chocolate tart. The coffee is pretty good and the service is always prompt and helpful.
(4)
Annie W.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Lincoln Square! Always an excellent choice on the yummy lunch menu, and great sweets to boot! Good coffee, clean and efficient atmosphere (with a touch of class from the great artwork), and top notch service. Love it!
(5)
Jack P.
I send a lot of visitors to Selmarie, and it is always a big hit for the bakery items and for dining al fresco, weather permitting. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and have bought assorted baked goods for dinner hosts, friends and family, and even as a reward for good customer service (I brought a box of goodies to For Eyes one time.) The lemon bars and the sour cream brownies are always a big hit. Just a great spot to find a dessert for your dinner party. I had an al fresco breakfast there the other day, because I awoke hallucinating French toast. Selmarie's French toast did not disappoint. The brioche bread was medium thick and cooked nice and crisp. There was a modest, fresh berry compote on top, and butter and maple syrup on the side. I like their restraint in preparing what is usually a major calorie bomb; which allowed me to order a side (or as we say in Chicago,) a "rascher" of bacon. Cooked well, crispy and chewy like beef jerky. Love the coffee, too. Very cool that you can snarf a delicious authentic French baguette for later, and a bottle of Champagne, too. How Parisian can you get? I queried the servers about those little black caps they wear, thinking there was some regional Swiss significance to them, but no, they are just there for hygiene purposes. Always looking for some hidden meaning in the mundane am I! I try not to spend $20.00 on breakfast too often, but every once in awhile, a visit to Selmarie's is just real pleasant and convenient, especially in the fading outdoor dusk of Indian Summer.
(3)
Jack M.
It took me a moment to collect my thoughts upon entering this very awesome bakery because everything looked so freaking delicious! My good friend and I stopped in for dessert after we had a couple of beers at Hüttenbar down the street. The baked goods selection was almost overwhelming. He got a Hazelnut Dacquoise and I got a Lemon Tart. Both were outstandingly good, if a little too much on the sweet side. His espresso and my coffee were both very well done. The atmosphere is light and sunny, and the people who work there are super friendly and courteous. I am now very curious about their meal options so I will for sure be going back!
(4)
Kat L.
I will happily be the 310th person to say how much I love Cafe Selmarie. It is one of my top 5 favorite spots to get coffee and a delish pastry. Their croissants are flaky and moist every time and the latte will literally warm your soul. Plus you have the lucky choice of sitting in Lincoln Square, or meerly peering out the window and people watching. I've never had a bad dessert, though I would reccommend letting anything with buttercream sit a room temperature so it doesn't have a waxy texture to it! The staff is always so friendly. I'm going to have to come back for brunch sometime soon!
(5)
Sarah K.
Really cute restaurant/bakery/cafe in the heart of Lincoln Square. Went for dinner with a few friends on a Wednesday, so we were able to partake in the 1/2 price bottle of wine with an entree special. The front is a counter area with some delicious looking desserts and pastries displayed. I didn't try anything at the time, but would definitely be up for a return visit just for that. Past that, it opens up into a sit down dining area. It isn't terribly big, but I never felt crowded which is the case at many restaurants without a large dining area. It was also remarkably free of children, which I think is worth noting considering the neighborhood. Not sure how that would change on a weekend or brunch, but I have a feeling it would. The menu is fairly small, but everything on it sounded great. If one thing was lacking, it would be vegetarian dishes. I was thisclose to ordering mac and cheese, but was an adult instead and settled on the spinach salad with a side of sweet potatoes which were a little spicy and very good. There was a vegetable plate listed online which was no where to be found on the menu, but I was totally satisfied with my decision. Everything was reasonably priced, service was excellent. Definitely recommend for a low-key dinner in the neighborhood!
(4)
Maram K.
I love this place! The people here take pride in what they are serving. On one occasion, we had a slice of cake that seemed bit stale. They asked how everything was and in honesty, we told them. They apologized, took it back and gave us a new dessert they were sure we'd like. The breakfast here is really nice, but get here early! It gets crowded quickly and becomes stroller city by 10am.
(4)
Pavithra M.
Went for dessert and coffee last night. Wonderful wait staff, so friendly and approachable with lovely interactions with the kids. The cafe is laid out well, cozy but very comfortable. The selection of desserts is not the best I have seen, but what we ate was very yummy. I got the Orange Chocolate Decadence, which was tasty but very dense and heavy - meaning I got to take half of it home. My husband got the lemon tart, which he said was very good. The cappuccino was just what I had in mind for a cold, snowy night. I would like to try the other dishes the next time I go there.
(4)
Jay S.
Oh lord....I love...absolutely love European pastries and bakeries. I used to live in the southside in a heavily European neighborhood where pastries dominated my childhood. Mmmm those were the days. Nowadays I frequent the streets of the Loop & West Loop and haven't found quite the pastries that I loved as a child. But moving recently to the northside and once again in a heavily European neighborhood (southside 4 lyfe!), Cafe Selmarie has rekindled that sweet tooth. Mmmmm these are the days.
(4)
Jade T.
Dislike.I waited 15+ minutes for service (standard is 5 minutes or less). Ordered the quiche ($10.50), which was average. While eating my semi-soggy quiche, my water was infrequently filled (I mean, come on, it wasn't busy at all and water was my only drink). Cafe Selmarie is pretty average with moderate (but maybe a wee bit high) prices. It is vegetarian-friendly-ish, however. Am I being snobby about the service? Not really. Again, it's standard practice for servers to greet the customer within a few minutes. Granted, this wait was due to miscommunication between the hostess and the server, which was accidental, but also unacceptable.
(2)
Mary T.
I went to Cafe Selmarie for dinner tonight with my bookclub chicas; a very easy trip for me on the #11. That area of Lincoln Square is so cute. The weather cooled off quite a bit so we didn't sit outside. Inside was nice, but not overly crowded. Unfortunately we usually catch up and occasionally discuss the book more frequently than we talk about our food. Needless to say I never heard anyone complain about what they got and we all pretty much cleaned our plates so I will take that as a good sign. I had one of the specials, a seared ahi wrap with a citrus chutney and creamy chipotle dipping sauce served over sweet potato fries. The wrap was quite good, but I think it could have been better if: (1) the ahi was cut into smaller pieces, I felt like I was eating bitefuls of either fish OR chutney, not a nice mix of both like it should be and (2) some of the dipping sauce should have been on the wrap - every time I dipped my wrap the chutney would fall out making it very messy to eat. The sweet potato fries were cut thick, almost like steak fries; they were more like seasoned, sliced baked sweet potato than fries, but were pretty good. Our server was very attentive, always there to make sure we were doing ok and fill up our ice tea's, etc. without hovering. It seems from the reviews I've read the place is known for breakfast and its baked goods. Unfortunately, I can't comment on them because I didn't save room for desert, but this gives me a reason to make the trip up there again some time soon.
(4)
Lisa C.
This is a review for their weekend brunch only, so I ain't got nothing to say about their dinner! I probably got the most exotic thing on the brunch menu by ordering the chilaquiles casserole and I loved it. It was creamy, filling, and had a little bit of a kick to it. And boy, do they give you a ton of food! I finished about half of my breakfast, which is truly pathetic for someone who prides herself on being a gold member of the Clean Plate Club. My friend bought a cake from Cafe Selmarie for Mother's Day and said she practically had to rent her womb to pay for it - only to have her grandma steal it and not even let her try it! With this in mind, I will likely be sticking to breakfast and skipping the specialty baked goods (especially for family parties!).
(4)
Alice R.
Love Cafe Selmarie! I have been going here for years. Excellent pastries, brunch and dinner. The staff is friendly and the food yummy! It's located in Lincoln Square. During the summer months, I enjoy the outdoor seating. Highly Recommend!
(5)
Marie B.
Best Almond Crossants in the area. I have not had 1 disappointing experience here. A must try. Their dining room is very busy on weekends, so a weekday stop would be advisable if possible. I had the egg salad sandwhich was so fresh! The coffee here is a plus.
(5)
Adele n.
This five-star review is for the nicest waiter in Chicagoland, the tall guy with the creative facial hair at Cafe Selmarie. My best friend and I are kind of dreadful customers -- we can't make up our minds; we linger too long chatting; we come in too close to closing time; we don't order entrees. Both times this adorable boy has waited on us, he's acted like we were the best customers ever. He's calm, patient, accommodating, attentive and so nice. This is the kind of service you hope to get when you're dropping $50 a plate, not $7. I need whatever drug he's on.
(5)
Kelly M.
My parents and I stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie while strolling Lincoln Square. We were looking for a quick, casual brunch and we got exactly that. They have a gorgeous outside patio that overlooks the Lincoln Square courtyard area, so if you enjoy dining al fresco I highly recommend it. When you walk into the restaurant you're greeted immediately by their bakery case. Everything looked fresh and delicious. We sat in the main dining area, which was a little noisy because there was a baby shower taking place at the table next to us. No big deal, we still enjoyed our time there. I ordered the Croque Monsieur (which I've mentioned before is my favorite sandwich). It was very good and was a classic version of a Croque Monsieur. My favorite version isn't complete without dijon mustard. I asked for a side of it and that satisfied me. The small salad that came with the sandwich was flavorful, the dressing that it was lightly tossed with was refreshing. Overall, this was a very charming cafe and bakery for brunch.
(4)
Lizz M.
THIS IS A RATING FOR THE BAKERY ONLY! They have the best pastries in Lincoln Square--hands down. Try their tres leches cake and you will see. Very fresh and consistently delicious. They're usually out of a lot of the best items towards the end of the night, so get there earlier if you can. It's a great place to hang out after a nice dinner to get dessert, especially in the summertime when they have their patio set up.
(5)
Mark M.
Exquisite is the best word we'd use to describe our dining experience at Selmarie. Eight of us ordered six different dishes and they were all divine, particularly the scallops. The service was attentive and the ambiance and decor were perfect. We'll be back often....
(4)
Andrew S.
Went here for dinner, very tasty food. Had the chicken pot pie, which was yummy. And I also tried the scallops and Cobb salad, which were both delicious. My only problem was that it seemed like every couple thought it was okay to bring there screaming children in the restaurant. Other than that, real great experience.
(3)
Leyla A.
Great place to share a croissant and have a cup of coffee with my brother.
(4)
Kathleen I.
I got here as my default place for easy food that is amazing. I love this place. The cookies are the bomb! The service always exceptional. I truly enjoy it every time I go.
(5)
Pamela P.
God, I really hate doing this. We used to come here all the time. The sweets are perfect and I admittedly adore this place. Last time we were here, though, there were two -- not one--two sizable cockroaches crawling up the wall of the restaurant during our dinner. Another table of patrons noticed them too and were horrified. The busboy laughed to the waiter that they were out again. The waiter tried to play it off that they were some sort of water bugs. Whatever kind of bugs in a bakery/restaurant crawling up the wall during dinner is not acceptable.
(1)
Melanie V.
***WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.*** Selmarie RUINED my Easter. I kid you not. I made reservations here for brunch at 1:30 for my entire family (a party of 7). Per my childhood days and the great reviews on Yelp, I was excited to come here because the menu looked so good! (Please note the use of the word "looked".) We got there early (a little after 1pm) and the "hostesses" were quick to tell us that they would 'do everything they could to try to get us seated early.' OBVIOUSLY, that was a lie. (Please keep in mind that there was an open table for 6 when we got there. Another chair could have easily been brought to the table to accomodate one more.) Around 1:20, one server told us that the party whose table we would be occupying was in the process of paying and would be leaving shortly. By 1:40, they still hadn't left. When asked about the status of our table, the hostess said that the party was paying, but just sitting there. Ok? And...? (Also, please keep in mind that I was with 2 children, one 3 year old and one 2 year old. They were obviously HUNGRY at this point. Who wants to starve children?) Again, we asked about the status of the 6 person table and why we could not sit there. Apparently, the hostess had concern about the extra chair 'blocking' the way for the servers. Couldn't they have put the chair on the OTHER side then, so that it wouldn't be in ANYONE'S WAY? Also, there were 2 tables of 4 that were open at the same time. (4+4 = 8, right?) I mean, if they did simple math, they could have realized that we could have sat at those tables, too. Genius! All the hostesses could offer us were words of, "I'm so sorry. We can't make them leave." :giggle, giggle, ha,ha: (I don't know why they were laughing because I OBVIOUSLY was NOT amused.) Really? I remember being at (nice) restaurants where the hosts have politely asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. We would always oblige as we were DONE and satisfied with our meal. My family ended up leaving as the kids were incredibly hungry at this point. I came back to speak with the "so-called' manager who REALLY did NOT offer up any value-added information, except for "I'm so sorry." I also did not appreciate her fake, sugary sweet attitude. I don't need that from you, honey! Please don't patronize me. She did NOT EVEN OFFER any type of comped ANYTHING (a cookie, even!) to compensate for our dissatisfaction. Great customer service. Granted, I wouldn't have taken it, but an offer would've been nice. Oh, I also have to mention a time back in 2006 when my sister and I came here in the afternoon. Or tried to anyway. We came to the door and it was locked. We stood outside to read the restaurant hours and one of the employees unlocked the door to let a customer out. However, although the employee CLEARLY saw us standing there, they didn't seem to mention anything about being closed. (It was the middle of the EFFIN' day and we were there during an hour of operation. It was locked because......?) Apparently, that was the sign that we were NEVER supposed to come back here. Selmarie - NEWSFLASH, you're in Lincoln Square. You have NO right to even PRETEND to be pretentious. You're not in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, West Loop. I've had better service and felt much more welcome at the wrongly dubbed "snooty" restaurants.
(1)
Kimberly L.
I've been to Cafe Selmarie about a billion times--hard to believe I'd forgotten to write a review! I had a bite to eat here recently. It was a scorcher outside but the outdoor seating seemed well-shaded and breezy. Service was friendly and efficient. I only had an iced tea and the quiche/salad lunch special but it was quite delightful. I was one of only 3 people willing to sit outside on a 90 degree day but service was attentive. My water and tea glasses were never empty. This is a lovely establishment in one of my favorite neighborhoods--one of the few places in the city that hasn't been completely overrun by Ann Taylor and Pottery Barn. (Not that there's anything wrong with those places, I just don't need them to be on every darn corner.) Ahem...anyway...Cafe Selmarie has provided a consistently pleasant experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Ellen M.
You know the disappointment you feel when it's lunch time for most of the world but you want breakfast? Well, Cafe Selmarie has quiche. I have a mild distrust for places that serve pies and quiches with a perfectly shaped crust, but for all I know they still make it from scratch and are just really good at forming it. Either way, I don't care - it was wonderful, with red pepper, leeks, and other amazing stuff. Fantastic vinaigrette on the field greens, and garnished with fresh pineapple, red grapes and an orange slice. My date (I asked her out, so I paid ;-)) was a little less impressed with her chicken pot pie in terms of the spices, but liked it too. I think the cake we had was called Chocolate Orange Decadence. YES. Service is terrific.
(4)
Lori B.
I've been here twice for dessert & coffee only, both times I tell myself I am not going to come back. First, they don't have a dessert menu to look at when you sit down at a table. They have one on their website though. You have to walk up to the front and see what's in the case. That's the last thing I'd want to do after just sitting down or after a meal. We overheard a staff member say it's a visual thing, huh? Second, the desserts weren't that good. I had the bread pudding, which is always decent, but my husband had the mocha buttercream torte and it tasted stale. i told him to return it and get something else. He just wanted to get done and get out of there. So while we love this part of Lincoln Square, I think we'll get Cold Stone Creamery and sit in the Square
(2)
Katie R.
i can't believe i haven't written a review about this place yet! i really enjoy coming to cafe selmarie - the ambiance is warm and inviting and they have wonderful outdoor seating in the summer for some good people watching. they don't have many vegetarian options, so i can only review on what i've had, but the roasted veggie stack is my favorite. it is smothered in goat cheese and is always very fresh. to be honest, i'm not a fan of the petite salad that comes with it - it's just underwhelming and a little too oily for my taste - so last time i asked for kettle chips instead and was very happy. they serve intelligentsia and have plenty of alcholized versions of their coffee and other brunch-y drinks. the pastries look gorgeous but i've never been especially impressed, to be honest. they are good but not amazing for the price you pay.
(4)
Rachel G.
Cute French inspired cafe in the lovely Lincoln Square! Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and it was packed! Tables were a little close together and it was a tad loud in there, but the food was great! I got the Turkey and brie sandwich and my friend got one of the specials, which was like a quesadilla in a bowl. They were both so delicious! Disappointment...the dessert! For them claiming to have tasty pastries, cakes, cookies, etc, I was let down. I thought the cake was very dry and it was supposed to have a hint a coffee taste, but it tasted like nothing but chocolate --Sad face-- It is a cute little restaurant and I will def go back on a warm day and sit outside on their patio and maybe next time skip the cake and try a pastry instead!
(3)
Ryan C.
If you are seeking an all around place that is good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner AND bakery...this is a great place to go. The wait staff was exceptionally nice and on the ball with everything. Has a nice atmosphere and art on the wall that you can buy. Very classy, yet comfortable. All of the paintings on the wall were of fish. If you seek a place to pick up an interesting painting of a fish, this would be the place. Everything there was at a decent price and the portions were more than enough. I had a large chicken salad that was really good and filling. I did have a few bites of their macaroni and cheese, which was close to how grandma used to make them, which I only had a few bites of. Definitely not you Kraft Cheesy Mac...much better. They have a full bakery with more selection than I actually need. I did have a cookie and a cup of coffee after, which topped off dinner. Because only a few bites had been taken out of the Mac n Cheese, the waiter was concerned I didn't like it. Had to tell him, "No man, just stuffed on the chicken salad!" Looking for a great brunch place...try it. Best of all, it's located in the Lincoln Square with a fountain and benches to relax and not feel like you have to pick up and go!
(5)
Chitown D.
We've eaten here a handful of times and everything has been alright. Sadly, I couldn't tell you what we've eaten, if that tells you anything though. Some salads, some quiche, some sandwiches, etc., but nothing unforgettable obviously. No complaints about the service or the prices. They have outdoor seating in good weather, which is a nice feature. I was surprised it was described as quiet, as I always find it loud, especially on the weekends or when the stroller brigades arrive. The best thing about this place is the Black Forest Cake, which I stop by to pick up every month. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it is the best around (beating out Gene's Sausage Shop across the street and Dinkel's down the road.)
(4)
Kate P.
Since Valentine's day is right around the corner, I will be writing this review in a more poetic style. Here we go, ahem... ODE TO CAFE SELMARIE I have maternal love for Cafe Selmarie; Since, they make the most delicious mac and cheese. But that is not all they serve, They have fresh coffee and pasteries too, have you heard? The place isn't big, but it sure is cute, And I can't believe I haven't been here before last night, to boot. I'm feeling poetic, it's true All because I have so much love for you! Thanks for reading and may you all have a great V-Day wherever the day may take you!
(4)
Jess J.
Generally speaking, the traffic flow is always bad here. Granted, when I stop by I often come with a toddler or stroller (or both), so I don't help the cause, but I can think of a few ways (counterwise, doorwise, and restaurantwise) that they could re-allot their space so that people could shop at the bakery without getting in the way of folks coming to dine, and visa-versa. That being said - the desserts are to die for. A fruit tart or some sort of ganache from here is worth looking forward to all day. Seeing how they aren't really kid-friendly from what I can telll, we find it easier to send one of us (hubby or I) in to purchase a delightful treat while the other waits outside. We will then devour it in the private of our own home. Not a bad arrangement (especially once we put the little one down, it is truly an enjoyable way to spend the evening). In the summertime, I have enjoyed a delish lunch here at their outdoor seating area (which I find logistically and aesthetically works best for them as a whole, esp being off of the plaza/square area with the fountain and all) . Those are the only circumstances in which I could imagine dining with a little one not being a pain. Looking forward to it really warming up soon so we can enjoy another yummy lunch outside on a nice day. Sidenote: When hubby and I next go on a date, we may have to stop here for dinner so that I can form an informed opinion on that front as well. :)
(3)
Jacob T.
Cafe Selmarie is my after church go-to brunch place on Sundays. Great prices, the food is simple, but delicious, and the best coffee in the city! The brioche french toast, chilaquiles casserole, and the corned beef hash are all fantastic! This is a must try place.
(5)
Ellie M.
Sunday Brunch = DELISH!!!!! We went here for my Sister-in-law's birthday aka The Brunch Queen. I must say it was a GREAT idea. I started off with their chai latte and it was super yummy. They had plenty of morning drinks to choose from even mimosas. I kept going back and forth because there were so many good things to choose from on the menu but I ended up ordering the corned beef hash. When it arrived I was pleased to see it was not the stuff that comes out of a can. It was JUST soooo yummy. There were 7 of us for brunch and we ALL had to try atleast one bite of each others entree. Service was top notch. Having a bakery upfront is definetly a perk we all left with some sort of sweet treat! Not only that but our bellies were full and not one unhappy customer in our group! We shall be returning!
(5)
Taylor O.
I've been coming here for a while now and I'm just getting around to yelping about this delicious place. Prior to recently, we've only ever come here for the pastries, but recently we came for brunch too, which was delish! The mimosas were really good too :) My favorite pastries are the mixed fruit tart, the raspberry chocolate tart, and the banana eclair, in no particular order.
(4)
Mary Ellen J.
My review is past due, but now I have 2 interactions with this fabulous place to boast about! Back in February it was my son's Cub Scout annual Raingutter Regatta so I thought how great to bring sail boat shaped cookies- well, I remember once upon a visit this place had them in the case. So I called, after a few long Ummmmmmmmmm's, they asked if they could get back to me. I could hear it over the phone- although they didn't say it out loud- why does someone want sailboats in the middle of winter?! (I agree) but, sure enough I believe the lovely woman that called me back was named Connie, she said the baker would make them he just had to find the shape as it was in another season's box put away. Thank you, thank you!! Now this is customer service and how you should run a business! Skip a couple months and I know that they only make Hot Cross Buns for Easter and they are SO good. For whatever reason I had this great idea to get some and bring them into work today, but of course this great idea didn't come to me until my drive home last evening. I called and as much as she wanted to say 'sure' she needed to call me back after she called the baker to see if he would come in early enough to make them for me for the time I wanted to pick them up. Again, fabulous amazing customer service at its finest, I get the call- Yes, the baker will come in and have them ready for you. I arrived this morning, early, they were still in the oven- seriously does it get any better??? While I waited I had a Cafe Au Lait, on the house to boot. I picked up my hot Hot Cross Buns, all 3 dozen of them- brought them into work- still hot and they were gone in less than 30 minutes. Thank you for being a fabulous customer-smart business that serves wonderful food and obviously has the customer service thing down right! Happy Easter!
(5)
Livia N.
5 stars for the bakery and 4 stars for the restaurant. I've been a regular customer at Cafe Selmarie for the past 4 years. Their desserts have been the best I've tried in Chicago. I used to order desserts at restaurants but I no longer do that. If my husband and I eat out, we stop by Cafe Selmarie for dessert. I am not a big fan of super sweet anything and if you are like me I would reccomend the raspberry bavarian cake, black forest cake, strawberry roulade, and any of the fruit tarts. Those are my favorite treats from Selmarie. About the restaurant, I love the atmosphere. Lincoln Square is a very kid friendly place and so is this restaurant. Their menu is simple and there aren't a whole lot of items to choose from, but the ones that they do offer are really good. I have to agree with other people about the vegetarian chilli. It is one of my favorite items on the menu. I would add the mac&cheese and the roasted vegetable stack to my list of favorites, with a word of caution that the mac &cheese portion is really tiny. I give it four stars just because it is a bit pricey. If you go there for the restaurant you MUST save room for dessert. Your experience will not be complete without it.
(5)
Nona Gayle D.
My favorite dessert spot. My brother introduced my to this place last week, and am I glad he did so. They have cookies, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, and load of sweets! My favorites in this place are the mixed fruit tarts, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and the raspberry butter cookies! Please stop by this place for a quick bite of sweetness, I promise it will make your entire day better It's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
(5)
Emily C.
A colleague of mine, formerly of Lincoln Square, has recommended this place to me numerous times and I kept putting it off. Things like it looking too crowded or it being closed just kept preventing me from getting in. At long last, I made my way in and bought two slices of torte for my fiancee and myself, one chocolate-banana (mine), and one hazelnut (his). If you get no other message, out of this review, get this: Those. Tortes. Were. PERFECT. This cake was so flippin' amazing I found myself cursing the fact that cake is already included in my wedding package, preventing me from ordering one from here. Yes, I cursed free cake. That's how delicious it is. I'm foolish for not making it to this place sooner and will undoubtedly come back, even if that means amping up my workout regimen. Well worth it.
(5)
Megan S.
This place hits the spot and is conveniently located. Their mimosas are amazing, as well as all dishes I have tried there. They change the menu almost weekly to keep customers intruiged and coming back wanting more.
(5)
Jacqueline A.
Lovely all around. Sweet ambiance in a great location, delicious small plates, a genuine waitress & hot servers walking around with even more delicious looking cream puffs! We stopped by before a concert at Old Town School of Folk Music. An excellent prelude. We were in and out in 45 minutes on a Saturday night. Next time we'll save time for dessert. Now I'm going to try to figure out how to make their crab crepe with mushroom brandy cream sauce.
(4)
Jill H.
This place is pretty delicious. I went for brunch this morning with my boyfriend and his family and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals. I got the granola with berries and yogurt and the granola was delicious! I also tried my boyfriend's corned beef hash, which was very authentically good. It wasn't like the mash you get out of a can, but real slow cooked corned beef with potatoes and poached eggs. Loads of flavor. I gave this place four stars because the service was a tad slow, my juice was small, and the menu didn't have a ton of options. But really 4 stars is great! I will definitely be going back!
(4)
John C.
This is my favorite brunch place in Lincoln Square. Their outdoor seating is fantastic - right in the heart of the square by the fountain, and the inside is great as well - walls adorned with regularly updated art. Their eggs florentine is delicious, and the breakfast potatoes are always tasty. Really great spicy bloody marys as well. Their dinner definitely doesn't disappoint, but it's pricey. Their specials are seasonal and delicious as well. I'd be here all the time if it was more affordable. Their dessert is probably the best thing about this place. It's hard not to stop in here more often and get a piece of their homemade cakes or pies or cookies or...well I don't even know all of the stuff they have, but it's GREAT - and cheap! I feel like I'm getting a deal when I get a giant piece of homemade cake for $4, and just thinking of these sweets are making me salivate.
(5)
Ann M.
Cafe Selmarie is a fantastic spot. The food is always wonderful, and the portions are perfect - not Supersized, just right. It's comfort food, and it's prepared well and presented nicely. The desserts are a serious indulgence so save room. Service can be uneven, never horrific, but that happens everywhere. If you're looking for an al fresco dining experience in the summer months, this is the place for it.
(5)
Sean H.
Birgit and Jeannie make the best Stollen on the planet. And if you don't agree, meet me by the bike rack out front. And bring all your friends...if you have any!
(5)
Nikkie H.
Mmmmm, dessert.... I had wanted to try Cafe Selmarie for brunch, but my friend wanted to meet in the afternoon instead. I was a bit disappointed at first, because I wanted some brunch, but it turned out to be just perfect. We hit it right between the brunch and dinner crowd, so there was seriously no wait and lots of open tables. I had an iced latte and a Napoleon as my dessert of choice. Oh, my, gaw, yum. It was the perfect combination - the creamy iced latte with the creamy dessert. I will totally come back to get a dessert to go. One star off for not offering decaf iced coffee for my friend who has a baby on the way.
(4)
George A.
Fresh baked goods, great coffee, breakfast was outta this world!
(5)
Deena D.
This place is perfect for fueling up during shopping in the area. The front of the cafe is their whole baked goods area which does not have a menu because it's always changing (fresh as it gets). I ordered a grilled veggie stack sandwich with goat cheese and it had that awesome "charcoal grill" taste. My mom ordered the arugula salad with oranges and was delicious. Topped are meal of with cappuccinos & vanilla/almond financier pastry which we both loved. Great service & food --will be back for more!
(5)
L G.
This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. The food is great and the setting is cozy (I love how they continuously change the art on the wall) They serve the type of food that is not only good for my palate, but also feels great in my body. This is the first restaurant my wife and think of when we go out because it brings so many great things together: taste, health, ambiance, and price. I always leave feeling satisfied in and will continue coming back for as long as it's here.
(5)
Mandy J.
Selmarie is the bomb! The bakery is amazing from the strawberry roulade to the ham and cheese croissant!
(5)
Tara P.
The chilaquiles are calling to me this morning. What's that chilaquiles? You want Cafe Selmarie to drop you off at my place? Well, my door is always open for you. Oh, I'm supposed to be writing a review, so: Cafe Selmarie has a tasty, tasty brunch, good service, and takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. I suggest going with a group for brunch with reservation, because the waiting area is cramped.
(4)
Colleen B.
Desserts at Selmarie = heaven on your plate. Eat the apricot tart. I loved it and I don't even like apricots. THAT'S how good their desserts are. Oh, and the rest of them are great too. I know because I've probably eaten all of them at least twice. Please don't judge me. Just go to Selmarie instead.
(5)
John B.
Oh Selmarie, why do you taunt me with your evil pastry goodness? Why do you make me walk past your bakery case, overflowing with cakes and tarts and tortes and strudels, all calling out "Eat Me," like some sugary Alice in Wonderland fever dream? Why, when I say I'm just going to have a salad or maybe a sandwich, do you mock my fatty resolve? Yes, I give in, again and again. You are my heroin, and I am a pastry junkie, trying to inject a sticky bun into my arm. The other food is good here too, and luckily fairly light. Quiches and wraps and salads and cafe-style sandwiches, like the smoked turkey and brie, still a favorite two years later. Which is good, because you know you're going to have to have that orange decadence cake or maybe the strawberry roulade or the marble cream cheese brownie. Service is dicey, which is the main reason I only give you four stars. And bananas and strawberries is really not a fruit bowl, especially in high summer. But then you flash me some Bavarian cream, and all is well again.
(4)
Susan M.
I like it here still. Met friends for breakfast. One of which is a total foodie, and I was nervous that Selmarie wouldn't live up to his expectations. It did. Yay Cafe Selmarie!.
(5)
Christine F.
I was feeling kind of icky and under the weather tonight, and I had a strong desire for some soup. I spotted Cafe Selmarie across the street, so off I went. It's a cozy cafe with a HUGE bakery in the front and a more upscale restaurant in the back. I sat down and ordered a bowl of vegetarian chili and a chai tea. Ok. OMFG. This is the best chai tea I've ever had. The milk was super rich and frothy, it was sweet, but not too sweet, and had the signature subtle chai spice. It was ridiculously good. I could have drunk about 10 of those. The chili was good, but not great. It was kind of basic - pinto beans, tomatoes and green peppers with cheese on top with a side of cornbread. It hit the spot, but it wasn't the best chili EVAR. I would definitely come back here, especially for the bakery. I could have stared (and ate) their bakery selection all night. MMM. Cafe Selmarie was a great beginning-of-fall stop. Good stuff.
(4)
Roberto M.
If Cafe Selmarie were simply a bakery or desert shop, it would get 4-5 stars. If you are looking for a quiet date night in Lincoln Square, I recommend it. However, the food was OK, but not excellent. We had the Chicken Pot Pie and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. Both left us wanting more. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for a quiet date spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and excellent deserts.
(3)
Rosie S.
I went to this place on Saturday for brunch. And it was delicious!!! There was a small wait, but it is worth it. Cafe Selmaried is located in the heart of Lincoln Square and is very convenient to get to by CTA. The Cafe itself itself is very quaint and nicely decorated. I had the chilaquiles casserole--if you are used to spice (then it is not really spicy)--it was delicious, none of the toppings were overwhelming and the portion was quite large. My friend had one of their specials for the day--ahi tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. She said the wrap was awesome and ate the whole thing even though she was full after the 1st Half. The fries were just the right amount of crispiness. And our server was great.
(4)
Marco D.
I must admit that the only meals I've eaten at selmarie have been of the breakfast kind. But they do it well. The eggs have yummy spring onions tossed in. It's a bit steep for what you get, but it's the kind of place you go to to enjoy a meal on the patio with good company. The strong point is bar none the pastries. They have the best cupcakes in Chicago. And a cute waitstaff never hurts a place. Try the morning buns!!!!!
(4)
Sharon S.
This place is awesome! At first it looks like a bakery but it's so much more. In the back of the bakery is the restaurant area. A friend and I went there for dinner last night. I got the glazed pork and she got the salmon salad. Both were amazing. The sauce on the glazed pork is to die for. I just couldn't get enough of it. And for a salad, the salmon salad was large and filling. We also had red wine which were great recommendations from the waitress. We were too stuffed for dessert but everything from the bakery looked delicious. I'll definitely be back. There was so much on their menu that I wanted to try that it was hard to decide. The atmosphere was great and staff was super friendly. Definitely check it out! And I heard their brunch is amazing, definitely need to get there for that.
(4)
Edie J.
I have come here a few times and must say that I am only going to do mid morning weekday visits from now on. A coffee and a treat are perfect and the square is less crowded. I had dinner here last weekend and it wasn't that great. To me the Macaroni and Cheese was bland, :( I love cheese what happened? And the service was very sad. I am a server myself so it pains me to say it, I wish sometimes servers could review their customers but that is a different matter.
(4)
Anita L.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice spot for lunch and were strolling the Lincoln Square when we stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie. We were in absolutely no hurry and had no idea what we wanted. Our server Katherine was wonderful and just who we needed. She was full of information and very patient and positive. The food and atmosphere was great, but it was the service that will keep us coming back.
I've tried Cafe Selmarie twice now and haven't been thrilled either time. I've ordered a variety of pastries for my guests and myself, and they've been hard or dry everytime. The pastries I've tried seem like they're a few days old already. Not really worth returning for a third time. Not to mention that the girl behind the counter kept coughing as she was boxing up my stuff! And how about the $1.60 for a can of Coke??? Think I'll just skip the pastries and hit up Cold Stone Creamery down the street next time.
(2)
Sheeroz K.
Cafe Selmarie is amazing!!!! I have been going there for 4 years and counting and every single time the food is out of this world and the bakery side is great as well!!! The staff is wonderful and the food is excellent! I couldn't recommend a better place!
(5)
Emma M.
Cafe Selmarie will always hold a special spot in my heart. After my fiancee proposed to me in December (in Giddings Square), we went to Cafe Selmarie which stayed open just for us and a had bottle of champagne and dessert waiting for us. My stomach was full of butterflies and there was so much excitement running through my body that I couldn't eat anything, but I really appreciated everything they did for us. We sat there for a while, sipping champagne and they were in no hurry for us to leave. I will be going there for a wedding cake consultation!!
(5)
David K.
Randomly walked by this place while going around Lincoln Square. The menu looked nice so the boyfriend and I decided to try it out. The environment was nice, but full of babies. Maybe that's a Lincoln Square thing, but yeah, a lot of babies in this place. We ended up ordering from the breakfast side of Brunch. I had a salmon, egg, english muffin thing, and boyfriend got a denver omelet. My food was alright, but it wasn't anything special. I always get this feeling that ordering fish for breakfast will turn out fancier than it ever does, but it was pretty good. Boyfriend was very satisfied with his omelet, and we both loved our hash browns. Overall, the meal was good, a little more expensive than I would have wanted it to be. Service was nice, environment was alright (again, there were a lot of babies in this restaurant). It's in a great location though. A good way to start an afternoon of adventure through the nifty shops and stores along Lincoln Avenue. Lastly, we didn't try any, but there were some beautiful-looking dessert options. Might need to go back to try some of them.
(4)
Kate B.
We stumbled upon this little gem while taking a stroll in Lincoln Square on a random summer Thursday evening. Well, there happened to be live music playing outside that evening, and a table for two on the patio just opened - perfect, the romance meter just jumped! Little did we know, it was pre-fixe night - ooh joy! The overall everyday menu seems to focus on comfort foods, with macaroni and cheese being the front runner, as we saw it being served to many diners. We chose to go with the pre-fixe option - I had a simple salad, with a light vinaigrette, and pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, Parmesan cheese.... mmmm, nothing out of the ordinary, but prepared very well. My partner had the chowder to start, which had a broth base, as opposed to the favored creamy chowdah. For his main course he had the monkfish in a light cream sauce. I have never tasted monkfish prepared so delicate and flavorful, needless to say this was the star meal of the evening. It was rounding towards closing time, so there was slim pickins for dessert, and you could tell they had been sitting in the pastry case for the day, as they were cold and did not have an abundance of flavor. Overall it was a good meal, great company and a fantastic little gem of a Chicago evening with live music as our soundtrack. The service was wonderful, our server was so nice and sweet, she was spot on. We left a wee past closing time, as we got swept away by the romance of it all, and as we were leaving, there was no attitude that we had stayed beyond their hours, it was smiles all the way out as we floated into the Chicago evening. We will definitely be back to try their breakfast and coffee, and perhaps a fresher pastry!
(4)
MELEK L.
Cafe Selmarie has it all. Delicious fresh breakfast, quick lunch, great atmosphere, and the most impressive, shiny pastry display. I try to schedule as many meetings here as I can!
(5)
Sarah C.
I would actually say 3.5 stars if I could. It is definitely a really nice place. My main complaint is the lack of vegan options. It is great for dairly lovers, but I had more fun with my company and the atmosphere of the place, than the actual food. The service was wonderful.
(3)
Nick B.
It's hard not to describe this place as really, really cute. I find myself saying "cute" with slight derogatory intentions, but absolutely not for Cafe Selmarie. I went here for brunch this morning with my parents for our weekly brunch session. Reviews on here were outstanding and it's really close to my apartment. I went to bed last night thinking about French toast. The cafe is right off a sunny park in the middle of Lincoln Square. It actually felt like a getaway. It's charming and the fact that it was absolutely beautiful outside today just made the place even calmer. We stopped in at 9AM and already the patio was filled up (bummer!), so we ended up sitting inside without a wait. Not a problem. It was nice because despite being crowded, there was no shouting involved to have a conversation. Brunch spots like Toast leave you so crammed in that you can't hear the person sitting across from you. I went ahead with the brioche French toast. Wonderful! It was very flavorful which was a great spin on the classic item. I think one of my only complains is that it is a little pricey for the average brunch joint. Not really a problem, but I can't see myself frequently that often. With that said, it really was an enjoyable be to start a relaxing Sunday.
(4)
Marie B.
This is a gem of a place in Lincoln Park. I recently had lunch here with an absolute "foodie" and he, too, was impressed. The decor is charming without being kitchy. The service is attentive without being annoying, and the desserts are quite simply put, DIVINE! I could eat here every day...wait, I work nearby, so I CAN eat lunch here, everyday! No, wait, my butt is already huge...I have no will power and the desserts are just too tempting. Alas, I can't enjoy Cafe Selmarie everyday...perhaps you could dine for me?! I'll live vicariously through you... ; - ) Try the sweet potato fries...yum.
(5)
Jean C.
I've been coming here since God was a boy. Or at least since before they expanded up to the corner from that tiny storefront they opened with. I've eaten here since before it was the trendy place for people to bring their screaming kids and block the walkways with those SUV-size strollers everyone seems to have these days. But while the clientele has changed and the size of the restaurant, too, the quality of the food and service has, mercifully, remained the same. I'm very partial to their salads, and the warm, marinated goat cheese with mixed greens is a favorite of mine. But the one I find myself wishing for -- it's a special, not a regular menu item -- is the Salad Lyonnaise which strikes just the right balances to make it a meal without being overwhelming. Their mac and cheese or vegetarian chili are more likely to stick-to-your-ribs, and are great choices for colder weather. The specials are always reliable, creative without being ridiculous. Nobody is going to try to serve you foam here and tell you that it's a meal. Of course the baked goods are the real stars of the show, and even if you're not eating in, you can take home some amazing breads and pastries. I was head-over-heels for their chocolate hazelnut dacquoise, for years, but I am now told it's only being made by order. I am heart-broken over this and I hope they'll rethink their decision. But it isn't just the fancy pastries which satisfy. Something as homely as their breakfast bun will send you into your day with a smile on your face and a feeling that you've done right by yourself. Try it with a cup of their coffee. I can't even imagine not visiting this place on a regular basis even if the parking situation is becoming more dire by the day. (Thank you Chicago, thank you so very, very much for this new parking outrage!) It's worth the annoyance, in my opinion, and remains one constant bright spot in an ever-changing landscape of trendiness and yuppification. Also? They often have very nice art on the walls and much of it is for sale. Worth a look.
(5)
Tammy R.
Best sugar cookies ever! Great staff too.
(5)
Kirsten N.
Every time I come here they never disappoint, with the food that is. Unfortunately the service is what stops me from giving them 5 stars. Every time I go I have to flag down another waiter/waitress to order or even pay the bill!! On one visit I tried for over 30 minutes and asked 4 different waiters to get ours so I could pay. Hire better staff and I'll frequent your establishment more often!
(3)
Gregg L.
I always visit Cafe Selmarie when I'm in Chicago. The food and the ambiance are excellent. It's a great place for relaxing with friends, or to just hang out. Once you try it, you'll be a fan too!
(5)
Robert F.
Its a restaraunt! No, no... its a bistro! No... its a coffee shop! Nuh uh! Its a bakery! Well... its all of those things actually. Until recently I had my doubts that a place could be so many things at once and pull any of them off credibly. But we had family down for a visit and the sweet tooths won the day. Ok, a word on sweets. Forget sweet tooth. This place is for sweet FANGS. The big razor sharp predatory ones good only for tearing flesh from bone. Except its sweets. But it will still give you that satisfied feeling I imagine the sabertooth tiger had when it sank those mouth daggers into the side of a gazelle... with lemon filling and a powdered sugar top. Of course, for you nonpredatory types, Cafe Selmarie is an excellent grazeland as well. It doesn't get any more Lincoln Square than actually being in the SQUARE part. In the middle of summer, with the fountain just a few feet away, you can graze to your hearts content on bistro deliciousness and watch the local wildlife. Just stay out of my way when I'm hunting for lemon bars.
(4)
Kristen S.
I love Cafe Selmarie for brunch or dinner - everything served here is clean and delicious. They serve Intelligentsia coffee and you cannot go wrong with that as well. This place is pretty busy on the weekends, so we did have to wait a bit, but it was nothing annoying. I had an omelet and a hot chocolate. So amazing. They were attentive to my gluten intolerance and I did not get sick. Awesome! Also came here for dinner once and had the caesar salad with grilled salmon. It was cooked to perfection - I didn't expect this from a little cafe. Highly recommended!!! It's a tiny restaurant so I recommend it for small groups or couples. During the warmer weather you can eat outside which is great for families. My husband has enjoyed the baked goods here although I cannot speak to them :)
(4)
Minna A.
I love Lincoln Square! and the heart of it all is Cafe Selmarie. I came here for brunch. We shared the quiche and the salmon club. I only have one word to say about Cafe Selmarie: drooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllll
(5)
Shana M.
I had a great experience here on one of those nose hair freezing days a few weeks ago. The place was packed, around 11am on a Sunday, so my friend and I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table, but we didn't mind. I salivated over all the goodies in the pastry case, and even snapped a few pictures (new digital camera = pictures of EVERYTHING). Our server was cute (no, I don't factor attractiveness into the stars! it's just a worthwhile perk.), attentive and calm even though she had customers jammed in all corners. They had spiced rum apple cider on special, which was perfect for warming me up inside and out. Also on special was corn beef hash with poached eggs. WOW was that ever good. The corn beef was shredded and had a smoked flavor to it. It had a firmness that was appealing without being too dry. The potatoes were diced small and perfectly soft without being mushy and the poached eggs were perfect. They charge your for the toast, so be aware of that. Lovely place. I can't believe I didn't get any pastries. Guess I'll be going back!
(4)
Emily Y.
Yes, it's a great location, and yes, the servers and atmosphere are lovely, but the food here is so "meh" that I don't understand why there is always such a crowd. Maybe people just haven't been to M.Henry or Over Easy (two of many brunch spots that trump Selmarie any day). On my second visit, I had an omlette with asparagus and prosciutto and fontina -- in theory sounds delicious -- that totally flopped. The asparagus had not been sauteed or cooked at all before entering the omlette, so the whole thing tasted a bit like raw asparagus. Despite the saltiness of the prosciutto, the omlette fell flat. Not much flavor there at all. The breakfast potatoes look and taste like the Ore-ida variety from Jewel. The toast was decent but it's toast...not much to screw up there. My second visit confirmed my feelings about this place. I just don't see how a mediocre pricey brunch place like this can survive in Chicago when their food isn't any better than diner fare.
(2)
Jade R.
not good, I stopped in there for lunch and ordered the grilled roasted vegetable sandwich on sourdough and it was absolutely horrible the bread and vegetables tasted like burnt marshmellow. I think the grill must have been very dirty, i dont know what grill they are using but the bread and vegetables were charred which they are supposed to be but the char on the vegetables tasted horrible. my whole sandwich tasted like burnt marshmellow. very unsatisfying. but my boyfriend got the chicken pot pie which was pretty good.. a little small. stay away from the grilled vegetables. unless they cleaned thier grill
(2)
Carolynne M.
I have been here on a few occasions, mostly to grab a coffee or some little bun-bun. Saturday was the first time I was here to eat in-house. The service was great, and the coffee was great - heck even my side of toast was great. But my bowl of chicken tortilla soup was intensely disappointing. It was loaded with big pieces of chicken and hominy, but yet it was just so bland. I was debating whether or not to dump hot sauce into it a few times. Also, for a dish called "Chicken TORTILLA" soup, I don't think one tiny, limp shred of tortilla hidden at the bottom of the bowl counts. Andy M's entree looked like the better dish, with a big fluffy eggy omelet, a nice green side salad, and some toast. I cant be too hard on the Cafe since like I said, most of the little things I have had in the past were great. I guess I need to come back and try something different next time.
(3)
Nuna D.
I just tried the bakery but I loved it! It was just what I was looking for , a nice place with beautiful desserts that I can take my kids to for a treat. The first time we went we just bought some treats and the kiddos had them while playing in the square. After that experience my 4 year old told me one morning that she dreamed about the cafe with all the beautiful cakes. So after her preschool graduation we went there with one of her friends to celebrate . The children had cupcakes and butterfly cookies , I had lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was good. But the lemon was kinda iffy. Not fresh squeezed lemon . I love the European cafe atmosphere , and the fact that its on the square just makes you feel like you were transported to a cafe on the old continent. I heard they serve a great breakfast.
(4)
Tory w.
I have been to Selmarie many, many times, as far back as 1999, but have never been there as a yelper until last week. I adore Selmarie. Every single thing I have ever ordered here has been good. No, not good. Excellent. I have had the quiche, mac and cheese, croque monsieur, different soups, veggie chili, goat cheese, turkey and brie sandwich, and many, many pastries, and I love everything. I would even go so far as to say that the croque monsieur and the quiche are the best I've had outside of France. The staff is friendly as well, and the coffee drinks are yummy. It's a great atmosphere whether you are outside in the square on a warm day or inside in the cozy restaurant on a winter day. It's reasonably priced as well. Magnifique!
(5)
Andy M.
Our Saturday morning visit came by accident. Carolynne r. and I had other plans that fell through. I all of a sudden had a major hankering for Breakfast. Cafe Selmarie is a bakery and restaurant all wrapped up into one place. The Bakery items looked and smelled wonderful. This make my hunger grow more intense. We first started off with Coffee which was quite unique and tasty. It had a bit of a kick to it, which I desperately needed. My Denver Omelet was pretty good, but it was nothing that awed me. Our server did a nice job keeping the coffee flowing and getting us whatever we needed. It was a mixed crowd of elders, families and the typical Yuppsters that you would expect from Lincoln Square. It was a nice experience, and I would go back for the Coffee alone if I'm in the area. The bottom line is that Cafe Selmarie gave me the coffee and sustenance that I desperately needed, and I give it two thumbs up.
I'm a fan. The crepe starter is delicious, as is the mushroom ravioli (I choose to ignore the fat content in that one). I hesitate to mention the almond croissants and their awesomeness, because then they will sell out even faster than they already do.
(5)
Lyn L.
Went here over the weekend. It gets crowded, but they have lots of yummy desserts! I guess you have to go here during the weekdays, if you want to bring a group of friends. But overall nice decent place to go.
(3)
D C.
I'm salivating just thinking about how "delishioso" their french toast was the other day! YUM.... I tend to walk by this cafe daily and have been here before with friends for coffee and cake. (banana chocolate torte is one of my favorites) But anyway, back to the french toast... best french toast I've EVER had, its topped with an orange cream and fresh fruit. I tried ordering today but it was too late for breakfast (sad moment). I will order tomorrow, (that the plan)... well if you're in the square and in need of a cookie or breakfast try Selmarie.... you wont be disappointed! ( little pricey but so worth it)
(5)
John C.
It's Sunday, 1:30pm, 70 degrees and sunny. ALL of Chicago is enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine as they stroll throughout the city and wonder, "Is spring really here?" Surprisingly, or maybe because it's fairly late to be seated for brunch, there is little to no wait and we get seated immediately. Is there a better feeling than to watch plate after plate of food delivered to the neighboring tables and think, "OMG that's what I'm ordering." Cafe Selmarie is one of those restaurants, however, where you'll face a dilemma. You cannot order everything, and each entree that is delivered seems to be better than the last. I won't bore you with the entire menu, as you can certainly read it as well as I, but we went with two entrees. They were both mouthwatering and delicious, but we agreed that the chilaquiles casserole beat out the brioche french toast by the slightest of margins. Unlike a number of reviews I read, we found the service to be absolutely top notch. Attentive without being bothersome, our waiter knew the menu inside out and guided us through our choices without inserting his favorite and simply making it ours. I'll be back repeatedly until i've tried everything on the menu
(5)
David G.
I always walk past this place when I'm on my way to Open Books or Huettenbar, and from the window I could always spot some items in the bakery case and I have to debate with myself whether or not I should go in. I finally did go in when my sister and I were trying to find a place to eat at noon on Saturday and we ended up going to Cafe Selmarie for brunch. It was a bit of a wait. They said 30 minutes but it actually ended up being about 20, but that's to be expected for a Saturday morning brunch, especially when the outdoor seating is closed due to rain. No big deal, other than there wasn't a lot of waiting space. There was bar-type seating in the bakery area, but I didn't want to take away from the people who were actually using them to eat. I ordered the quiche and it was fantastic. The service was quick and the hostess, waiter and the guy working at the bakery were very friendly. I didn't want to leave without trying something from the bakery, but I realized I was out of cash. Have no fear! They take credit cards! I bought a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting that I ate later in the day and it was delicious. Just about everything in the bakery looked good. I plan on going back to eventually try everything!
(4)
Moby J.
Decent - definitely dont understand the high regard many people have for this place. The pot-pies are delicious - rest of lunch menu good too. The bakery is a huge disappointment.
When deciding on a nice neighborhood place to take some out of town friends and their parents for lunch, I immediately thought of Cafe Selmarie...and promptly led the way. Tucked away on the quaint little part of Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square, I always thought their bakery would way overwhelm the food--ohhh you fantastical looking raspberry tarts, I long to have you between my lips...bad girl! But in this case, our lunch made us forget about all the goodies awaiting us up front. The menu for lunch was a lot bigger that I thought it'd be--and SO many things sounded scrumptious! The smoked turkey and brie sandwich, the Croque Monsieur (I'm coming back for you!), the quesadillas, mac n' cheese...insert moaning sound here. Finally I decided on the chopped salad after begging myself to choose "healthy": a mighty fine pile o' chopped butter lettuce, bacon, avocado, red onion, tomato, grilled chicken, blue cheese, hard boiled egg, aged sherry vinegar dressing...ohhhh I would eat that every day. Our server was really sweet and very attentive, and we never went without anything our party of 6 needed. That Croque Monsieur is calling my name from across the plains. Looking forward to hanging out on their patio when the real spring comes!
(5)
Sandra C.
Love the ambiance and the pastries. The owners are great and everyone is very well trained. Customer service is excellent too!
(5)
JJ S.
Food is always tasty, waitstaff friendly, pastries as heavenly as ever. The location is so cute and has a cobblestone courtyard next to it. When they are busy in the summer, it makes for a nice place to hang with your family while waiting for brunch. Gets crowded on the weekends so be prepared for a wait. Only real issue is the bathroom could be more clean and then I would feel more comfortable changing my baby's diaper there.
(4)
Temi C.
Cafe Selmarie is a quaint & cozy brunch spot. I love the bakery in front of the dining area. There's one dish here that you must absolutely try! If you like braised short ribs, osso bucco, or any other kind of tender meat you'll love it. It's the corned beef hash. Yes, I said corned beef hash. I think the rest of the breakfast fare is just ok, but this is the dish that brings us. Prior to Cafe Selmarie, my corned beef hash dishes most likely came right out of a can. There's none of that here. They slow cook the corned beef so you can pull it apart with your fork. I never thought I'd use these words together, but the corned beef hash is quite classy here.
(4)
Luci D.
Average. Decent little wine list, I enjoyed my salmon club and bubbly. My friend and I split the Oreo cheesecake, and agreed it was kept a bit too cold. Very dense. Friendly server, clean, bright atmosphere. Slight wait (10 mins) at 1 on a weekday. We were encouraged by our server to take our time (LOVE). Busboys kept water filled. Will return.
(3)
Christa F.
If you are on a diet: BEWARE. In the front of this restaurant, there is a very large showcase of mouth-watering desserts. They looked absolutely awesome. I really don't know how I left without taking something home. I guess I really had self-control that day. But let me just tell you. I'm sure their desserts, pastries, pies, torts, muffins, chocolates, cookies, etc. are just incredible. OK enough drooling. . . I went here for breakfast. I probably got a boring breakfast to most, just some whole wheat pancakes (I did mention diet earlier, right?). My first time trying them anywhere. I thought they were good. It was a very large portion. It came sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can add berries or bananas. We ate outside on the nice, somewhat sizeable patio. I'm sure this place gets really packed on the weekends with long waits. I think we got lucky as I think we were there early enough.
(4)
Valerie R.
I went here on a Sunday for brunch, and was impressed by the food. I had eggs florentine and my friend had the french toast, both delicious. We also had a couple Mimosas each; the first ones must have been made with flat champagne (I watched them being poured and there was quite a bit in there, otherwise I would assume they were easy on the champagne), but I'm glad I tried a second one because it was great. There is a bit of a wait, but the food is good, it's reasonably priced, and the servers are very friendly.
(4)
April L.
The omelet I ordered with a variety of mushrooms was light and flavorful, and the potatoes were well-seasoned; I sampled my date's corn beef hash, and it was wonderful as well. The best part was that the staff were remarkably attentive and friendly... They managed to refill our water every 10 minutes without interrupting our conversation, and do just about the same with a "do you want more?" non-verbal gesture on the coffee refills. Great coffee, too, by the way. Staff at the front bakery are lovely as well.
(5)
Rob A.
Wow, I love Cafe Selmarie. I've eaten here twice and both times have been really good. I love the cookies, the baked goods, the quiche, the pot pie, and the coffee wasn't bad either. The service is decent. It's not bad for such a small restaurant. I recommend it for a hearty breakfast or a good lunch.
(5)
Channyn W.
I wanted to love this place. I was completely totally ready for commitment. I dreamed about that forever kind of love you only read about in Nora Roberts books and all I got was a 60 page Harlequin romance where I was the woman dumped for the heroine after Chapter 3. Seriously, my visit to this restaurant had so many great things going for it - the parking wasn't bad (or I can walk from home), the bakery was freshly filled with so many tempting treasures, and the wait itself was short for Saturday morning. So far so good. A couple of friends and I went for the first time together, all based on what I assured them would be an incredible experience given the rave reviews I had read. Please note I've not been allowed to choose the place for breakfast since with this group. The menu was fairly small, a little too pretentious for what it is, and way overpriced. The service was SLOW, and we're not the types to mind spending an hour or so over breakfast. And sorry, but if you're going to charge a ridiculous price for soda, don't bring it to me in a can with a glass of ice. At least let me pretend i'm getting what i'm paying for. Although I may return to try out the bakery portion, i'd be hesitant to give another dining experience a try. EDIT: So we decided to head in and sample some of the baked goods. We tried a pretty good variety of things - the carrot cake, some cookies, and a brownie, and my friend and I were both completely underwhelmed. I really see no reason to go back right now.
(2)
Elly K.
Love this place! I live waaaaay closer to Lutz, but this is my go-to for cakes. Every cake and torte I've tried has been great. I've also had a few cookies, which were tasty as well. I've never had dinner there, but I've been for beakfast, and it was delicious. I really love having Selmarie in the neighborhood.
(4)
Emily C.
It was a yummy surprise with a friend. Bakery was awesome! I had a chocolate pastry - my fav. Brunch menu was kinda small and focused. I picky eater may have a harder time figuring out what to eat. I had the french toast. It was pretty good. Great water service. Would go again.
(4)
Sara O.
What a cute little bakery! And boy is it little! Or maybe it's just not big enough to fit the large crowd that flocks here on the weekends. The last time I tried dropping in on a Sunday afternoon to grab some grub, I was in for a rude awakening. The wait was a solid hour--and no way was I willing to wait an hour on an empty stomach. Instead, I chose to order food to go. I spent the next 15-20 mins drooling over the baked goods they have out in their display counters. I ended up ordering a few tarts and other goodies--they were all FABULOUS. In fact, lunch was pretty fabulous too. I can't imagine getting something here that isn't 100% fabulous. Probably shouldn't try this place on the weekend... but if you're patient enough to wait a while, then go for it! You'll be happy you did.
(4)
Sarah L.
Good place to start your day with breakfast if you plan on taking a long stroll down Lincoln Park. Bakery + cafe- my favorite combination excelled in both its pastries and food. Ordered the vegetarian breakfast sandwich- aka eggs on English muffin, with goat cheese, spinach and red peppers. Very good. Salad on the side was nice but I declined the potatoes- too filling. Also sampled a fig and walnut scone- the scone was solid- almost beast Alice's Tea Cup in NYC. Crystallized sugar was a nice complement to the fig and walnut. Friend had an almond croissant and the granola and yogurt. Buttery croissant, not too sweet, very flaky with a hint of almond paste. They serve Intelligentsia coffee here.
(4)
Alissa B.
Stopped by Cafe Selmarie last weekend for a quick lunch. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a cold brew and a few sammys (turkey and ham). Have to say this was quite an enjoyable little break in our afternoon. I don't find myself if LS too often, I would check this place out again... you should too!
(4)
Tristin M.
i got a pie in a pumpkin (yes! pumpkin pie IN a cute lil pumpkin) and a chai latte. They both tasted like they'd go good together so I stirred in a scoop of pumpkin pie into the chai and it was so frickin' good I couldn't stop saying, "Ohmigod this is so good!" My girlfriend goes to me with a laugh, "Ha! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!" A lil pricey but it's a good thing because I don't need to be eating that much sugar all the time.
(5)
Gwen R.
This place is great--the food is delicious, it is well-located, and the prices are just right. Highly recommend for any meal, time of day, year, etc. Low-key and cool at the same time.
(4)
Sylvia T.
This place is on a cute street in Lincoln Square and was a great place to have an alfresco dinner, especially with the few warm Chicago nights left. My salmon salad was good,and it probably deserves 4 stars, but I have to take a star away for the desserts. We shared the raspberry chocolate tart and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was good, but when is bread pudding not good? The raspberry tart on the other hand leaves much to discuss. The tart dough was dry and stale and the raspberries did not impart much flavor on the dessert. I found myself just eating the fruit and leaving the rest of the tart behind.
(3)
Tracy W.
This is a review for their dinner only. Based on the previous reviews it looks like their coffee and pastry/bakery and possibly brunch might be worth a try but I'm not planning to return any time soon. The dinner food was awful: no taste and WAY overpriced. I was really looking forward to trying this place given their 4/5 star rating with a lot of reviewers. I had the tomoto florentine soup which was blah and the sea scallop special which was tasteless and crunchy like all the sand hadn't been removed. Nothing like sand in my food...yuck! My friend had a different soup and she actually sent hers back. All in all, I will not be going here again, not even to try their bakery goods or brunch. There are just too many better restaurants out there!
(1)
Lillian M.
This review is for the bakery only -- I have not tried their entrees, only desserts and coffee/tea. Came here for after-dinner dessert and I must say that even though I was full, I devoured the banana torte cake even though the slice was huge. Honestly, it was hard to pick what I wanted -- everything looked soooo good. Everyone around the table liked their choices, and it was neat to be able to order your pastry at the front, then have a seat in the dining area while they took your drink order and brought all to you. Waiter was nice, pleasant, and helpful. Luckily, the place was not too crowded, so we had a chance to linger and talk for awhile. Overall, great experience, nice atmosphere, and good sweets!!!
(5)
Gen S.
Disclaimer: I have never been inside Cafe Selmarie and have never eaten their food. So what is this review about? Their chocolate! A co-worker of mine likes to bribe me with chocolates and I fold like a cheap suit every time he brings me a box from Cafe Selmarie. Their truffles are delicious! I like to store them in my mini fridge so they're slightly chilled and firm. They will dissolve into creamy goodness in your mouth with just the right amount of cocoa powder for that sharp chocolate taste. One of these days I will have to actually visit the place, but until then I highly recommend the chocolate.
(5)
Liz S.
I'm torn on this place. The restaurant itself is a bit cold and empty, which doesn't really make you feel comfortable while you're eating. Also, the service is a tad bit slow (at least they were on the day I went, and it's not because they were busy, they just physically moved slow). Now the reason I'm torn is because the food was very yummy. I had the Croque Monsieur and was very pleased. I went with two friends and one of them had the Quiche of the day and ate it all, even though it was piping hot. My other friends had the Quesadillas, which she too enjoyed. I didn't have any of the bakery items, but all look very very tasty. I would definitely go back for either the bakery items or lunch. Just don't be in too much of a rush if you're going to eat here.
(4)
Emma K.
Loved it. I was able to tie up the pup and grab a pastry and coffee quickly one day and the next had an amazing breakfast. Super friendly staff. I heart Lincoln Square.
(5)
Kristin S.
4.5 stars if I could give it. Yes, it's a little expensive, but what nice brunch spots in Chicago aren't these days? The restaurant is small with the bakery at the front. If you've got a big party, be prepared to wait or go early. It's that simple. Both times I've been I've loved it. The food was great, the coffee is delicious and the sticky buns (if you're lucky enough to get there before they sell out) were everything a sticky bun should be. I love that the restaurant has windows that line the entire side of the dining room and backery. It's always sunny and nice, and you can look out onto the square (though with the construction going on up there, I'm not sure what you look out onto anymore). The chilaquiles are yum and so is the ham and cheese croissant I had. I love the interesting, seasonal foods they serve and have to get back soon!
(4)
Darkling S.
The two stars are only for the food, not even for the beverages. They may be considered a French cafe, but of all the wines there are only two French and one is sparkling??? we tried three whites and had to send one back it was so poor. and the food is not French at all. the pastries are well-made and presented. The service - non-existent and incompetent when they were attending our tabel. We had two waitresses (due to a shift change) and one would expect that one of the two would be worth a 10$ tip. Mai non! We waited at least 10 minutes for a glass of iced tea replacing the Pinot Grigio .. we waited 20 minutes for our meal and neither waitress knew how to tilt our umbrella when the sun started to burn one of us .. they didn't even know it was a tilt when it was obvious. my friend finally did it himself! it didn't improve with the dessert course: we were told we must go into the bakery and select our desserts. Of course we took our purses and a camera off the table and letf our beverages and napkins. when we returned 5 minutes later, they had cleared the table and the busboy treated us like new diners! the final faux pas was whn we ordered coffees with cream .. 10 minutes later she brought the coffees and - no cream. 10 minutes later after my friend asked for it, she brought those little creamers u get at a 7/11 and the bill! Very very disappointed in this Lincoln Square restaurant. Needless to say we didn't buy our baked goods for the week from them before we left. We made the trip to Lutz's.
(2)
James J.
Superb, rock solid brunch and cafe. All dishes are carefully crafted and food is very consistent. Menu is simple and not full of mediocre crap to make it look larger. I'm not an Intelligencia fan but what can I say... people love it. The pastries are good. The place is always staffed well to take care of a big Sunday crowd. Friendly and speedy service. This is a classic brunch spot which you don't find much in Chicago.
(5)
Emma S.
Lemme break it down into two reviews with an average of three. Dinner: 2 stars I'll sum it up by saying "mediocre, well-presented, and entirely too expensive food, coupled with a scarce drink selection." Dessert/Bakery: 4 Stars! Holy smokes these folks can make a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. I'm so in to getting desert here. I loves it. For reals.
(3)
carey c.
Cafe Selmarie has the best scone in the city: they have a date walnut scone that they make on the weekends only. Call ahead. Have them save one. The rest of the week they have a whole wheat scone, which is puzzling. At least put some blueberries in that bad boy. The pastries are great, and the food in the restaurant is really good for a special occasion. (It's pricey) The coffee is not great. The staff is hit and miss--mostly good, but sometimes very snobby. I once saw a guy called out by the waitress for asking to be served after he had been waiting. Whoa. For this iffy service, I would have given three stars, however, the date walnut scone is just that good.
(4)
Naomi M.
Sel Marie, what is it about you that always makes me feel shorted? I've eaten from your breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. I've stopped by for a bag of cookies to take home or for a snack break while I shop. Obviously I keep coming back and coming back, always hopeful, and in the end always slightly disappointed. Nothing I've ever had at Sel Marie has been awful. Nothing has been amazing either. It is a dependably ok meal. Sometimes the wait staff is sweet. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes you don't get a bread basket but the table next to you does. And always, without fail, the luscious looking deserts in the case (especially the cakes) are DRY DRY DRY, unless they're soaked in alcohol, like the Tiramisu. But I'll be back. Amnesia? Laziness? Foolish hope? I don't know.
(3)
Sus U.
Salads are awful but the cakes deserve 6 stars. Service is OK!
(3)
Lourdes A.
This proved to be quite the refuge for 3 girls trying to escape the blustery, snowy Chicago cold. They pour a delicious cup of Intelligentsia coffee. Cool points for supporting local coffee roasters. Their quiche - which varies daily - is a creamy slice of heaven! Their soup of the day was lentil with pork but in French. It is tasty in any language. Last but not least their patisserie in the front of the cafe makes the mouth water.The apple galette was pretty but boring; the apple strudel was not so pretty and delectable. Summary: the quiche is the star of this show!
(4)
Jerry B.
Very good breakfast and great service. Hope to eat outside next time. Definitely would return.
(4)
Lisa R.
The one thing that Cafe Selmarie is about is the desserts. You simply cannot come here and not order dessert, or take one out with you when you leave! The food here is good, but it simply doesn't match up to the desserts they have here. The menu here is filled with good old comfort foods but dressed up. When I eat here I always get the macaroni and cheese, and the chopped salad. I will admit I usually only ever went to Cafe Selmarie to grab a raspberry chocolate tart, or whatever looked awesome that day. In the fall they have pumpkin cheesecake which is simply to die for!
(5)
Jennifer M.
I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. It's a great place to go for brunch, lunch or just a little snack. The only thing that's kind of irksome is that it's always crowded but they're stuff is just that good, so there's always a crowd. My faves are the bread pudding, coconut macaroons, and the plum cake that they have during the holiday season.
(5)
Chris J.
I've been a frequenter of Cafe Selmarie since I've lived in the area. Always great food whether you're eating a meal or getting treats. Last night I went and had the chicken almondine special which was out of this world. Impossibly tender chicken, great sauce were at the center of the dish. Some grilled asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes rounded out the outside. As always, I'll be back but now I will take their specials menu a lot more seriously!
(5)
Shelley J.
Everything I've ever tasted at this restaurant since the first time I tried it 2 years ago has been nothing short of spectacular. I could write a long, detailed note waxing on the ways I love this place, but I'll spare you. Brunch and dinner are so good, I'd go there for both in the same day and not feel weird about it. Here's a list of what I think are amazing (read: only things I've tried so far): Cafe au lait Chilaquiles (This is my favorite brunch item on their menu) Smoked turkey and brie sandwich Warm marinated goat cheese Mac & cheese Chicken pot pie (I find it difficult to go there for dinner and not order this) Corned beef hash Beef tenderloin Pork tenderloin Herb roasted chicken Parmesan mashed potatoes And, they have lovely desserts, although I am not the biggest fan of sweets; I cannot go there without getting a piece of their cherry pie. I've never tasted anything so close to heaven (except maybe a poached egg, which abound at a Cafe Selmarie brunch). I would come here every single day if I had the salary to do so! (In fact, the mere writing about this restaurant is making my stomach growl and mouth water for it. Le sigh.) PS: The prices definitely rival any brunch spot in the city AND the most expensive thing on the dinner menu is $20 (the beef tenderloin). That's a pretty excellent deal for this caliber of meal around here.
(5)
Peter M.
I used to come here all the time as a child, but only had pastries and cocoa. Luckily I had breakfast there recently and fell in love. The food tasted and looked great. I applaud the presentation. The restaurant was busy, and service was a little slow but the wait staff was still attentive. Have subsequently made the cafe my go to spot and am secretly addicted to their pastries. So thankful this place is still around. Thank you.
(4)
Yasmeen A.
I'm a pastry snob. This place makes great ones. I usually go pick up a few sinful little confections, sit outside on the patio or by the fountain in the square, and pretend that the three I've chosen are to be shared amongst friends... :) Also a great brunch spot, especially during the warmer months. Goat cheese salad and quiche are highly recommended.
(4)
Michael C.
Easily one of the best brunch places in Lincoln Square. Always enjoyable, always friendly. Just a really solid restaurant and business.
(4)
Fawn J.
I love this cafe, great for breakfast, lunch, or dessert! I've been here a few times, each time with a toddler. The service has been fast and friendly, very kid friendly. The outdoor patio is great for warm weather. The food tastes great, I love the yogurt/granola for breakfast or the salmon salad for lunch. I've never had enough free calories to eat their desserts, but they make my mouth water as soon as I walk through the door. If you haven't been there, you should - my husband and I are heading there tomorrow. YUM!
(4)
Chris B.
Love thoes Beehives! I have grown up in the neighborhood so I have to plug this place. I have always enjoyed the bakery, but the breakfasts are really good too. Since moving out of county, I still get email updates to neato happenings which is a nice reminder that there is more than just traffic in Chicago.
(5)
Jonas H.
Called at 9:30am Saturday to ask if they could take 8 of us at 10:30am. Hostess said yes, might be a 10-minute wait. No table by 11:10, seated a party of 7 in front of us, didn't apologize or seem to care when we left. Food might be great, but don't bother with reservations or high expectations for customer service.
(1)
Patty V.
I was here this morning with fellow Yelper, Alice S. I had not been to this area for some time,but have wanted to try it since they relocated and expanded. I remember when they had a few tables in the bakery and not much besides the bakery. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the growth hadn't hurt them, as far as service and quality go. I had smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with red onion, tomato, capers and cream cheese. It was enormous and I could only finish half of it! The salmon was fresh and of good quality. I am always up for some good smoked salmon and this didn't disappoint! My coffee cup was always full and our server was very efficient and pleasant. Plus, the company was terrific!! Great area to walk around after wards, tons of little shops and stores to browse. I would like to try it for dinner, there were some nice looking wines!
(4)
Heather L.
This is a cozy little place for a mom to sit and read a book for a few hours while the kids are in school. The neighborhood has great boutiquey stores to explore. The staff at this restaurant is friendly and the people watching is great on a midweek afternoon. However, the vegetable panini I had was not the best I've had.
(2)
Olga S.
I'll definitely be back! A friend of mine ordered a quiche without realizing it had some proscuito in it. The waiter brought her a different dish and did not charge for the quiche. Everything I tasted delicious. The service was friendly and quick. Most importantly, I had this tart with chocolate and raspberries that I am still dreaming about. YUMM! A great place for brunch!
(5)
Angela D.
I love Cafe Selmarie!!! Whenever I have to bring food for a party or to someone's house, I always come to Cafe Selmarie and pick up some of their delicious pasteries. Always a big hit because they're so beautifully prepared and always delicious. Sunday brunch is awesome here too.
(5)
Selena L.
Cafe Selmarie... I love you! I don't usually eat meals here but I get a selection of pastries every Saturday; the strawberry roulade, the banana eclair and a piece of torte or cake (we change that one up every week). I spend about $15. It's usually busy but I never wait more than a minute. The portions are on the smaller side but it is handmade with the best ingredients possible. You can taste the love and experience. Whenever we have guests visiting, we bring them into Lincoln Square and force them to buy something. I've only been disappointed once and that is because I asked for raspberry and was given a cherry torte instead, which I don't care for. Other than that I've always had a pleasant pastry experience. The coffee is good too.
(5)
Benjamin B.
I've been here for brunch twice and just went for dinner. Excellent! Very simple flavors with great execution. I had a great roasted chicken with some nice and sweet roasted shallots. My fiance had a great pan fried tilapia (I had a bite). Even with such great entrees, the real story here are the desserts. They knock the socks off all sort of cakes and other sweets. Dinner ends up being a set up for dessert. To top it off, their brunch is fantastic. Inexpensive and great. Give it a try!
(4)
Bill M.
This pleasant eatery in Lincoln Square next to the cool fountain is a good place for a light meal, but a very good place for a sweet treat. For food, have a quiche, salad, or one of the daily specials. Desserts include lemon bars, cookies, giant rum balls, and numerous cakes.
(4)
Des D.
This is the place for chocolate overload. Their chocolate mousse torte is to die for! I always get my holiday pastries/cake here and although it is a bit pricey, it is worth it. It doesnt help that I live so close to Selmarie. I have gained so much weight from eating all the cookies/cakes from here. I definitely blame them for my 20 lb weight gain in the past couple of years. You can tell that this place is good because it is always packed! They once made a mistake and made a bigger sized cake than what I ordered so they only charged me for the smaller version that I ordered, which was to my demise because I ate more slices than I should have. I would give this place 5 stars for the pastries but 4 overall. We've also had dinner here and they have very limited items on the menu.
(4)
Candice P.
The best brunch in the city, a little on the pricey side but totally worth it. I don't know what they do to their eggs but they are sooo good. The coffee intelligentsia how can you go wrong...
(5)
Jessica C.
Lovely place. I have fond memories of this place, because I had a wonderful date here once. It did not work out (the person won't even talk to me now), but I still think the world of both the person I had that date with and that night. Thank you Cafe Selmarie for such a terrific memory.
(5)
Ann Y.
I went here with a friend for lunch yesterday after passing it 100 times. I am so bummed I didn't go here sooner. I had a wonderful chicken quesidilla which was just the right amount of spicy. Our server was attentive and kind. The main thing I loved about this place is the desserts though. What a selection, everything ranging from cream cheese brownies to chocolate banana eclaires. They have a great outdoor patio too. I can't wait to return back.
(5)
Andrea G.
Ever since I heard a rumor that Cafe Selmarie may lose their lease (and be replaced with, of all things, a Banana Republic!!!), I've had nightmares. This is one of the best places in Lincoln Square for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert and I will be heartbroken if it closes or even just relocates to a different neighborhood. The food is always fresh and delicious, the service is always prompt and courteous, and the restaurant space itself (both inside and out) is always bright and cheerful. Cafe Selmarie, S'il vous plaît ne pas aller je crierai! Merci.
(4)
Bryan S.
My income primarily goes to three places: mortgage, utility bills, and Cafe Selmarie. At one point, we were dining here at least once a week (sometimes more) and I have never had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious. The outdoor seating is nice -- especially when there is a live band playing in the square -- and the waitstaff is awesome.
(5)
Andy R.
Je dit "mais ouis" let them bake you a big cake or pop in for brunch
(4)
Sara B.
Cafe Selmarie is one of those places that I'd like to like more. I've been for brunch, dinner and desserts, and I don't think I've ever been blown away. Decent? Sure. Worth the price? Maybe not. Went here on a Saturday night for dinner...we were late, and they held the reservation, which was nice. The server was definitely attentive, but the food was mediocre at best. I had the tilapia, and it came out on a giant plate with one piece of broccoli (literally) and maybe three quarters of a roasted new potato. The fish was okay, didn't taste terrible, but it was just fish. We had the goat cheese appetizer first, and again, it was alright. Three small pieces of bread and a little butter sized serving of goat cheese. I'm not expecting a feast, but seriously, that was ridiculous! The carrot cake we had for dessert was dry. :( Unfortunately, I've had many different cakes and pastries from here, and they are almost always dry. Maybe I just have bad luck!
(2)
Alice S.
Just had a really lovely breakfast here this morning! It's good, first of all, to find a place open at 8:00 for us early risers (hello Patty V.). It's even better when you find a parking space on Lincoln Avenue! Patty and I were welcomed warmly, and given just enough time to decide what to have. Our server let us know of the specials, and I chose the scramble, which consists of scrambled eggs with zucchini, summer squash and sun dried tomatoes. It came with a sensibly-sized portion of their yummy potatoes, and a choice of toast (I opted for the multi-grain). The food was quite scrumptious, and I enjoyed every bit of it! Again, the portions were what I consider to be normal; I can't eat a lot at one sitting, so it was great to be able to finish my eggs and not leave any to waste. (I did have to take home 1 1/2 slices of delicious toast, though.) I had a red eye coffee as well, which was exactly strong enough without being bitter. Best coffee I've had in a while, that I didn't brew myself! The service was prompt, polite, and attentive. What more could I ask for? Before leaving, I purchased a chocolate croissant for my very picky daughter. When I brought it home to her, she devoured it immediately and enjoyed it completely. If you're looking for a high quality breakfast, I would definitely send you to Cafe' Selmarie.
(5)
Jeff N.
New biker friend Steve recommended this place after a ride today. Says the Corned Beef Hash is the Best on the Planet. Well, I can't remember a better plate of Corned Beef Hash, so I will allow his critique to stand. Sat outside on a beautiful Sunday. Service was excellent. We closed the deal with the orange-chocolate cake. All in all, an experience that guarantees that I will be back. My wife will love this place!
(5)
Sue S.
I am officially a cookie monster thanks to Cafe Selmarie! I went yesterday and earlier today for a cup of coffee and two of the raspberry heart cookies and Im STILL thinking about it! I want more cookies! I can only imagine what the rest of their food tastes like since Im still drooling over those dang cookies.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
I've been coming to cafe Selmarie since they opened years ago and I've had both great and not-so-good experiences. The wait staff, while generally friendly, is often inattentive. Today, we were greeted by a very crabby host who actually caused a group of 2 mothers with their children to walk out. After waiting quite a while to be noticed in a seemingly not busy restaurant (although on weekends that is never the case), we actually resorted to grabbing our own menus and seating ourselves at the bar. I ordered only a latte (which by the way, I love the coffee selections here... everything is always really great!) and my mother ordered the daily salad. Well, 10 min later we were brought our lattes... 15 min after that a waitress brought my mother the bread for her salad... and 25 min later the salad actually arrived. Now, had this been some crazy concoction... ok... but it was a fist-full of arugula, with figs and vinaigrette. Very fresh and good... but 25 min?? come on! Furthermore, we watched 2 tables that had come in well after us get served their food long before our 25 min mark. I do like their Italian sodas (which you can just duck in and grab on the go) but I have been more than once when they were simply out of syrup and/or soda... so don't get your hoped up on that one. All in all, if you have the time to wait on slow service, the food is actually quite good and they have some yummy pastry selections up front... but if you are in any bind for time, don't expect to get in and out without a little frustration.
(3)
Kimberly S.
I have been to Cafe Selmarie a number of times for brunch or coffee and have always thought of it as a nice, solid place to go. When a friend suggested we go to there for dinner, I was pretty excited. I shouldn't have been. I just don't feel that they have translated their breakfast/lunch spot to dinner quite yet. The dinner menu is very lacking, with only a one or two (couldn't tell) shareable appetizers. While the service over all was fine, the food runner made the rookie mistake of bringing out our entrees mere moments after delivering the appetizer. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, particularly when you are seated at a tiny table where everything just doesn't fit, like we were. It was awkward to eat that way and annoying to watch my entree grow cold. In terms of the food, I ordered the broccoli, white cheddar and onion quiche to which I have to pay props to, although they have been making quiche probably since day one, which is partly why I ordered it. My friend likened her tilapia to a Mrs. Pauls dinner. Overall, there is room for improvements, and I am hoping that they make some.
(3)
Drew S.
I thought this place was very competent in every sense, much like the drum work of don brewer. Service was a little slow for lunch, but not so slow that a meal with my mom wore on interminably. There should be something on the menu everyone can enjoy. Prolly woulda been 3 stars if not for outside seating (when it was warmer out- I'm several month behind in my yelping it seems).
(4)
Sam C.
First impressions are really important, though first impressions are forgiveable, while bad food is not. Cafe Selmarie certainly did not impress me walking up to the place, but I'd walk into a cardboard box for food this good. The front is your small standard looking cafe. Take a walk past the glorious desserts on display to the hostess and be seated in the well lit back room with abundant seating. Now I know what you're thinking, "So it's not a place I can take a date." Excluding the ability to see across the room, which some argue is a good thing, I'd venture to say that the intimacy you seek you'll find. I won't harp on the food, because it'll speak for yourself. (In my case it was the only time I actually shut up.) Oh, and you're committing a crime against nature itself if you don't get dessert. Service is excellent, and the waitstaff is always prepared with a recommendation. That's all I have time for folks. Definitely a place you should go.
(5)
Kathleen C.
I have been meaning to try Cafe Selmarie for months and finally went. Didn't know what time it opened and actually arrived early so we were seated right away. Within 20 minutes of the restaurant opening, it was packed and there was a line. (This will deter me in the future.) The boyfriend and I aren't too fancy when it comes to breakfast. We usually just like eggs and potatoes with some meat. So the menu looked a little too fancy for us. We ended up both getting the breakfast burrito. Neither of us liked it and ate less than 1/2. The waiter didn't seem to care that we hadn't touched our food and handed us our bill. Not a big deal but it would take some convincing to get me to go back. Or maybe I will try lunch as long as I know there won't be a crazy line. (Walked by later at 1pm and there was an hour wait!) Also, if you don't like kids you probably shouldn't live or frequent Lincoln Square. And places like this restaurant are reasons why! Although almost all of the babies and tikes at Selmarie were well-behaved yesterday, there were a lot of them! Didn't make a difference to us but I know some people don't like going to places with kids around.
(2)
Laura N.
This is a fabulous place for lunch. Dinner's great, but I would recommend lunch first. It's less crowded, less expensive, and still great food and service. Outdoor seating is a great option, since the restaurant sits right on Lincoln Square, next to the fountain. Great spot for people watching. Live music is usually right there.
(4)
Miranda D.
Good neighborhood place for brunch on a weekend. The food is good, they make a decent cup of coffee, and the staff is very attentive. Lovely patio seating. But it is absolutely swarming with kids.
(3)
Bridget L.
Chile-freakin-quiles. Do it. Do it now. Do it for me. And then get yourself a pastry. Seriously good breakfast/brunch here, but it's super busy and small, so go early. Also, some of their items are expensive. For example, a delicious slice of blueberry cake will set you back about $6. Kinda lame, but everything tastes delicious. The chilequiles though...I dream of them. Be sure to wash their spicy-yumminess down with a coke. ;)
(5)
Erin O.
Really, it's more like 4.5 stars. And it only loses .5 stars because the space is tiny and sometimes there's a long wait. Lincoln Square is one of the cutest areas in Chicago, and Cafe Selmarie is one of the cutest restaurants in Lincoln Square. I've been here on numerous occasions, for dinner or dessert with friends. It's the best of both worlds - you don't have to get dressed up, but if you do, you still fit right in. There's a bakery in the front of the store with some of the most delectable desserts I've ever tasted (and I've had my fair share). The tres leches is particularly good. If you want to have dinner, there is a seating area in the back - GREAT spot for a date (small, intimate, dimly lit), but not for large groups. I highly recommend the goat cheese, the quiche and the crab cakes - but everything is really tasty.
(4)
Justin P.
My wife and I have been hear many times and it is consistently good with unbelievable desserts.
(4)
Julie A.
I am originally from Chicago and was back visiting friends who took me there for a terrific lunch. Selmarie's is one of their favorites and I can see why! We each got a chocolate truffle on the way out and it was maybe the best truffle I've ever had. If you're in the area and haven't been there yet you should check it out, it's worth a trip.
(5)
Haley M.
If you're going here for the food, you've got your priorities confused. This place is for desert exclusively. I mean, go ahead and try the rest, but really the desert can't be beat. Tarts, cakes, tortes, cookies, eclaires, I could go on... Try it. It gets crowded, and they're not open SUPER late, but go out of your way if you're down with sweets.
(4)
Lisa W.
Wow, I cannot say enough good things about this place! I went there for lunch with a couple of friends and the service was STELLAR. I also had the best quiche I've ever had (and that's saying a lot!), and my friends both ordered sandwiches with apple slices wedged into pieces of bread. They were really impressed as well. I've told pretty much everyone I know about this place. They should expect me as a customer again! Dammit, I can't stop craving their quiche!
(5)
Rachel Y.
One of my favorite brunch spots or late afternoon-sit-outside-glass-of-wine spots. The food is amazing, service is very friendly, and their outdoor seating area is fantastic. All in all, just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Rebecca B.
We live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times for a flourless chocolate cake -fix, but never for a meal. To be honest, I've always been wary of trying it for breakfast because of the crowds, but am now willing to give it a try, knowing the food's worth it--at least it was for dinner. We sat on the patio, which was nice since the Lincoln Square Thursday night concert was going on. It added a fun entertainment aspect to the meal. For dinner I had the mixed green salad and a chicken pot pie. The pot pie was really good great comfort food with a puff pastry crust, (the best--so buttery and good!) The Spoucent had a salmon wrap which was also tasty, if a little messy--tons of fish and a zesty sauce. Total bill with 2 glasses of wine + tea was about $38--really reasonable for the whole experience.
(4)
Lloyd T.
Welcome to Yuppies 'n Kidz Brunch Hell. Have eaten here twice in recent weeks. About the meal: This week's brunch selection - cherry cornmeal pancakes - was soggy, soaked in a wet syrup. Not horrible but not worth $9 either. My friend had a salad that seemed nice enough. The big problem is the rude, oblivious parents who insist on bringing their strollers here, parking them in the middle of the cramped passage in the front of the restaurant so people can't get to the back, while they juggle their lattes and pumpkin muffins - wtf people, there are other people on the planet that need to use the same space! It's not a place to bring strollers where you have to wait in a cramped, packed area for an hour or more. But if you have to come, be considerate and move the hell out of the way. Then, little kids on either side of us. To the left, perfectly behaved, no complaints at all - kids gotta eat and I don't begrudge parents the need to get out of the house. But to the right of us - three kids, climbing around the table and chairs, coughing on everyone, fiddling with our scarves and coats on the back of our chairs - OK PARENTS LISTEN UP - IF THIS DESCRIBES YOU IN ANY WAY, STAY HOME AND SERVE THE KIDS CHEERIOS. Or stick with McD's or Chuck E Cheeze. Your problem kids should not be inflicted on society in general. Definitely will think twice about going here again, at least until they add an "adults only" dining area and/or larger waiting space.
(1)
Alissa R.
The chilaquiles was fine, but the bloody mary tasted like straight up cocktail sauce. I guess I should have stuck with the pastries.
(2)
Lynn C.
I order the chicken pot pie when it's cold. I also like the pastries, especially the fruit tartes. I can't remember having a bad meal here. We mostly go on weeknights, otherwise the wait is too long. If it's warm out, at least you can wait in the lovely park/courtyard area by the fountain. But I personally wouldn't wait for more than 30 min. (but that's true of most places). Parking in the area is tricky, so we walk whenever possible. Service is prompt and the artwork is wonderful (a nice bonus). My dad asked about a painting, and it turned out one of the servers painted it and had an upcoming show. She gave us the flyer. Cool!
(4)
Brenna M.
I spent last night visiting my friend's new pad in Lincoln Square and we popped in here for a light dinner and beer out on the patio. The unseasonably warm October weather lent itself extraordinarily well to a good Point beer (which my Wisconsin-ite dining companions were VERY excited to see on a Chicago menu) and the haricots verts and soup. As a group we loved the green beans and a vegetarian chilli they serve with cornbread. Mmm. Our waiter was sweet, not overbearing and quick. What more can you ask for?! I suggest you follow this place up with a few beers at the neighboring brauhauses.
(4)
Matt R.
In Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie puts out a decent lunch with a selecton of dessert options. The chocolate cake was comparable to many other places. Nothing really stood out. Still, it is a good place for lunch in the square.
(3)
Lethe X.
Best Black Forest cake in town. Oh, YES.
(4)
Carly D.
The food is good, but the truffles are THE BEST. the end.
(5)
Paige W.
I have been a woman of forgiveness lately. An embracer of second, even third chances. And so, deciding to save a fancier brunch place for better company in the coming weeks, I headed up to Selmarie this morning to offer it one last opportunity to impress me. My wait at 10:30 was only about 15 minutes, which surprised me on such a beautiful late summer weekend. The hostess, who referred to me by name every time she addressed me (big points!), thanked me for waiting and led me to my table outside, overlooking Lincoln Square's Giddings Plaza, the epicenter of my Maclaren-pushing, NPR-listening, LL Bean-wearing neighborhood. My server, Jim, was lovely to behold and gave me plenty of time to peruse the menu before I ordered. By the time he returned with my coffee and mimosa -- with a splash of Triple Sec, garnished with a fresh strawberry -- I was ready to bite the bullet and order my chocolate banana griddle cakes. Jim assured me it was OK to indulge; it was Sunday, after all. Yes, good boy. To put this lightly, my meal made me rethink all my grievances with Selmarie. Thick and perfectly cooked, studded with miniature chocolate chips and topped with perfectly ripe, fresh-sliced bananas. Smothered in hot melted semi-sweet chocolate. Sweet Jesus, those pancakes could have ended a war. I...couldn't stop eating. The clinking of silverware, the sounds of shrieking children playing outside the restaurant's patio faded away. Just me and the pancakes. I caught a couple across the patio looking at me intently for a moment; I smiled and went back to eating. They apologized for intruding and told me they knew exactly what they'd be ordering next time they came -- the happiness on my face was a living advertisement for whatever it was I'd ordered, they said. "It's crrrrrrrazy good!" I replied. And went back to it. Jim checked up on me a few times throughout the meal. He even brought me some extra bananas to garnish what was left of my pancakes. I wanted to take him home with me for spoiling me so. My self control got the best of me, and I stopped with a few bites left. The melted chocolate had congealed over what remained of the pancakes, and I was ready to keel over and die anyway. I lazily finished my coffee and mimosa, basking with my book in a brunchy afterglow and never feeling rushed to give up my table. This is what Sundays are all about.
(4)
Jamie M.
This is a cute little corner cafe. I went with a class for dinner once as well as going for breakfast a few times and stopping for a few sweet treats here and there. I had a pasta dish for my dinner trip which was wonderful and then I fell in love with the Cream cheese brownie. At breakfast I had the pancakes they were very good for being healthy. I have also had the pumpkin bread which was enjoyed by guests and they thought it was the best thing ever And I must agree. I had a slice if the chocolate banana cake and i am hooked for life. This place is so wonderful in every way the food the service and the location.
(5)
Jolene H.
Best quiche I ever had so far. Cruncy crust with mushy insides. Yum. Can't say the same for the service though. I had to wave frantically 3 times to get the attention of my server. In the end I had to order my desert from another server. Not good. And the Sacher Torte was NOT as good as I hoped (its not the soft rich chocolatey kind, more like a crunchy light kind) next time, I might try the Chocolate Orange Decadence. Hopefully it'll live up to its name.
(4)
rachel p.
so, there's basically always a wait at selmarie (and not a very large area to wait in). the breakfast is good (i recommend the wild mushroom omelet) as is the coffee. and the desserts...oh the desserts. its clear that they put the enormous pastry case in the front (next to where you wait) to keep people from leaving while they're waiting for their table (as they inevitably will be). the patio is great in the summer; it sits directly on the square and has a good amount of seating. prepare to wait even longer for a seat on the patio. basically what i'm getting at here is: DON'T come here if you have a raging hang over and you need some greazy eggs in your system. DO come here if you'd like a lovely brunch with your mother.
(4)
Rod T.
Nice folks. Great espresso. Great location. I'll take it.
(4)
Ellie B.
In addition to everything everyone else has already said, I find the need to reiterate: ***FIVE STAR SERVICE!*** While I did eat dinner here with a Selmarie aficionado (Jen S. would be the go-to girl with all your Selmarie questions), it was nice to have a server who was very knowledgeable about the menu and obviously seemed to think highly of the cuisine herself. Portions are MORE than adequate, perfect for sharing in my opinion. I can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)
Kelly B.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. The staff was so-so, the food was good, and we had reservations so their wasn't a wait. But of the three dishes, we only liked two of them. For the money I feel we should have gone somewhere else. I will come here again for a lunch salad or sandwich, which I've had in the past, but not again for dinner.
(3)
Aesha W.
This place may be a tad bit pricey, but I still like it. I haven't eaten at the restaurant (yet), but I did grab a chai latte and a yummy bakery item this morning on my way to my acupuncture appointment. It's a really cute little place in Lincoln Square, with a friendly staff and what looks to be a delicious menu. I look forward to returning for more tasty treats and a visit to the restaurant.
(4)
Carrie F.
i love this place, for so many reasons. the baked goods are out of sight, the brunch items are amazing and the coffee is good, too. i also appreciate that its a small, well lit comfortable cafe. the waitstaff have always been great, too.
(5)
Irena A.
This place has delicious food. I have had the cobb salad various times here.. It's perfect! the dressing is perfect(vinagrette that is). I have had dessert here also... i just don't recall it's name! Very yummy. Check this place out!!! J'aime beaucoup!
(4)
Jenn B.
Alright, so Cafe Selmarie is a landmark of the neighborhood. A beacon for brunchers. A place to bring your snooty Lincoln Park friends and sit outside on the lovely Square and eat lovely food and show off your Euro neighborhood. Which is fine! Really, I would hate to see this place ever leave the corner! That being said, I think it's a bit overrated. Just a bit. Recently went there for a late lunch (1:45pm) on a cloudy Thursday. It wasn't that busy at all, but the dining room in that place is so loud, it was difficult to hear the conversation! And I'm not old and deaf, by any means. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, not unlike a monte cristo, that was really delicious, but a bit a bland. I added a bit of dijon mustard, which helped, but it really needs like a sweet honey mustard or something. The green salad it came with was delicious. The coffee, Intellegentsia, was fresh and bold. Quite yummy with the dessert - even though that was slightly disappointing, too. The cakes were a bit hard...like the cooler had been turned up just a notch too high. The service was great until the end. Our server dropped the check and then...poof! Disappeared. I mean, we were waiting for 15 min. at least, ccard more than peeking out of the black billfold. I finally just took it up front and had someone in the bakery ring us out. I mean, I get it....when you're slow is when you forget stuff. I can totally relate, fomer server myself. But still! I had an anxious grandmother on my hands! Also, as an aside, I often stop here to grab a little scone or cookie on my way into work and I must say the whole wheat scones are my fave. But stay away from the choc. chip cookies and their counterparts -mine have repeatedly been dry and hard as a rock. So disappointing. But it's still a great spot for a scenic, European-feeling meal, and I'm sure one of these days it will all come together!
(3)
Cheryl M.
Thought I check this place out on my day off on Thursday. I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to get a table to myself outside on their patio. I ordered the tomato bisque soup, not too bad even though I'm not too fond of tomatoes. I ordered a tuna salad sandwich which was quite delicious. The tuna spread had chopped pieces of carrots in it. And it was on whole grain bread. Probably pretty healthy too. Plus, the sandwich included a slice of pineapple and cantaloupe. To top my lunch off, I ordered an iced latte which perked me up. I do have intentions to swing by this place again. Perhaps I'll try to chicken pot pie. This guy ordered it next to me and it looked yummy.
(4)
Zack S.
Came back several months ago and haven't been back since. Food was still phenomenal, but ordered toast and the waitress forgot even after being reminded... 3 TIMES! It's an integral part of an egg breakfast and I desperately needed some to dip into the egg. Tsk Tsk.
(2)
Melissa M.
I have been here twice. The first time was mind-blowingly delightful. I split both the blueberry griddlecakes and ham and cheese croissant with my sister and we couldn't believe how plate lickin good it was. Cut to last week, went with my only Yelp friend Leanne and we both got this brioche french toast with raspberries. It was completely mediocre to me, it wasn't even very warm. And the brunch menu had about 8 options for food, 4 breakfast, 4 lunch. That is weird to me! However, the first experience I had there was so great I am sure to be back. And I still have yet to try the eye-dazzling pastries.
(4)
Sarah A.
I go here at least every other Saturday, probably more. My usual is the granola with fruit and yog. I find their dinner options disappointing, but the cafe's charm and deliciousness on Saturday mornings gives it 5 stars. I always take family here when they visit. As long as you're an early bird like me, you won't have to wait at all for a table. Also, the bakery is a great place to grab a pie to take to a friend's house for dinner.
(5)
Matthew R.
Selmarie is a great spot in the middle of Lincoln Square. Its a very popular spot for brunch on the weekends so beware of long lines - the wait can easily reach an hour. During the warmer months, they have a great outdoor seating area which is one of the best al fresco dining spots in Chicago since its on a nice courtyard meaning that there are no idling cars right next to your table. The breakfast food is great -excellent egg benedicts and great quiches. The service is always very good - attentive and quick. Lunch and dinner during the week are also very good - a mix of salads, sandwices and soups during lunch and various entrees for dinner. They also feature a bakery with some great cakes, pastries, and cookies. An excellent spot for any meal any time of day.
(5)
Jillian D.
this review is based on the bakery alone. the croissants are, in a word, perfection. delicate, flaky and buttery. you don't even need to bother with jam. they are delicious on their own. i was hoping the brioche would live up to the high standards of the croissant, but it wasn't my favorite. i'm still searching for the perfect chicago bakery brioche... selmarie occupies a beautiful space, right on the square. their patio is a peaceful refuge. rise with the sun, rub the sleep out of your eyes, stroll over to selmarie and settle down with a cup of coffee (they serve intelligentsia! woohoo!), a croissant and the sunday paper. suddenly, you're whisked miles away. delightful.
(4)
k m.
My daughter loves the bakery! The sugar cookies are her favorite.
(5)
Furry P.
Had dinner here on 1/2 price wine bottle Wednesdays. The food was wonderful, and with the wine deal.. whole meal came to $50 total for 2.. great bargain! My only complaint is the service was a bit overtaxed but otherwise great experience. The wild mushroom ravioli was superb.
(4)
Elaina B.
The food here is great! And not only that, the service is superior. I've had a few brunches here and everything is always pipping hot and tasty to boot. I highly recommend the brioche french toast and the eggs benedict. The servers are always kind and courteous and I never had to wait on a warm up of coffee. Not in the mood for brunch, well they have lunch and dinner as well. Also, their pastries are in a league of their own. They're a great pick-me-up treat on the way to and from work. Another fantastic thing is that, unlike most places, my friends and I have never had to wait for a seat. I definitely think this place deserves a 5 star rating. It really hits the spot in more ways than one.
(5)
jen t.
I like cafe selmarie a lot. The food is good and they offer a lot of vegetarian options. It's a quaint space so not the best on the traditional sunday morning which would be the best time to go. It gets really crowded. Especially with the families. Opt for lunch or dinner and see why it's truly special. They also have a pastry shop in front of the restaurant with lots of treats to choose from.
(4)
Allie J.
Bakery- amazing. I've been coming here for years and never disappointed. From their fruit tartes to their lemon-rosemary cookies you really can't go wrong. The restaurant- ufff. The food is good. However the service is just awful. This is definitley one of those places where you wish your entire tip could go to the bus boy rather than the server. The bus boys were fantastic. After we were seated about 10 minutes went by before the waitress appeared at our table. The only thing she did the entire time we were there was take our order. My husband ordered and bloody mary which did not taste right. Not once did she ask how the food was. At the end of the meal she dropped off the bill and ran. Bloody mary still full. It took asking the hostess to get her back and explain that the drink did not taste right. Lack of attentiveness was a real drag. Moral of the story is go for the bakery and coffee, take it to go, and sit in the square in the sun and enjoy it.
(4)
K G.
I started coming here--my goodness--FIVE YEARS AGO? It was my friend's favorite lunch spot. I have enjoyed every lunch I've eaten there: the salads, the turkey and apple sandwich, the soups, and my favorite: the salmon-mango wrap with sweet potato fries. It is a lovely little spot, and eating at an outside table on a summer day is delightful. The waitstaff has always been pleasant and accommodating. My iced tea has never gone dry. I hadn't been for six months, and decided to have some dessert. Here we go: RUM BALL, PEOPLE. LORD IN HEAVEN, GO GET ONE RIGHT NOW. Rich, rummy, chocolately, with raisins and nuts. Oh, God. Please, do yourself a favor and eat one.
(4)
Loni H.
I do prefer the rare quiet moments that living nearby can offer me at this place.. meaning if it is packed I can cross the street to a lesser place. It can be quite packed and over stimulating BUT! the food is fantastic and it is a regular spot for my BF and I. Coffee is Intelligensia and is wonderful as are the crusty baked goods, cakes and ooh lala tartes. The Mushroom crepe in the eves is so tasty and you can't do wrong with the breakfast chiliquiles (sp) yum! Staff bustles to take care of you-be patient if it is busy.
(5)
Leslie R.
Yelpers you've helped me out. This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago. In the adorable area of Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie is an amazing little cafe that deserves a visit at LEAST once. My boyfriend and I went on Good Friday for brunch, and it was pretty busy. The wait was 20 minutes, but we walked around the square and came back with only a short wait remaining. The wait was completely worth it. To start, we got a cup of vegetarian chili and sweet potato wedges. I love me some sweet potatoes, and these were top notch. They were so soft, but still held up enough to be able to pick up with a fork. The dipping sauce for the sweet potatoes was amazing, the best dip I've ever had. The vegetarian chili was great as well - especially since it came with a ton of melted cheese on top! The chili also came with a giant chunk of cornbread, which was also amazing! As though I wasn't already completely in heaven, we went on to the main course. My boyfriend had a the smoked turkey and Brie sandwich and loved it - especially the apple accents. I got the roasted vegetable stack and was blown away. As a vegetarian, I've come to detest roasted vegetable sandwiches, as they all sort of blend together and get so bland. The stack was a revelation! The goat cheese complimented the portabello perfectly. The layout is not meant to support large groups or crazy busy days, but the wait you might have to endure is completely worth it.
(5)
Sara B.
Ok, so let me say that a three star rating seemed a little harsh. I'd say I though this place was above average, but the the portion for price ratio had me questioning whether I thought it was 4 star place. Make no mistake, I know Americans (mid westerners in particular) eat too much, but the comparative value of food seemed pretty low here. I had a delicious salad with a portion of chicken added to it. The salad was $8 (seems to be the going rate) and adding about half of a chicken breast was $3 (slightly higher than the going rate). What came out was a tiny bed of spinach with a generous portion of cheese and salad accoutrement. My friends' plates, though well presented, also looked a little bare. All of that's fine, and I don't mean to suggest the place is SUPER pricey, because it is not. I just felt like for the price AND quality, it was maybe a little disappointing. Not disappointing were the baked goods. I had a layered banana and dark chocolate cake. Wow. Check this place out if you're in Lincoln Square, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
(4)
Neha S.
I wavered between three and four stars for this place, but I went with the higher rating because they have great brunch and pastries. I would give their dinner a 3 star rating because I think it's a little overpriced and overhyped for what you get. I got a special appetizer, scallops with risotto. The scallops were a little small, and the risotto was too rich. The spinach salad was decent, but lacking in much other than the brie it came with, which was the best brie I've ever had. On the other hand, definitely come here for dessert or a pastry snack...probably anything sweet is their specialty. It could be a great European hideaway in Chicago if they got rid of the restaurant in back, and stuck with the front shop.
(4)
Maureen M.
After a disappointing brunch last spring, I had my doubts about dinner at Cafe Selmarie but I was blown away by the quality of the food, the creativity on the menu, and the attentiveness of the staff. Appetizers are small plates, many served with a tiny side of lightly dressed salad greens. Baken goat cheese with grilled bread is rich and creamy, the pastry crust filled with vegetables was more like brioche but loaded with artichokes and other goodies but the creme de la creme was the seafood filled crepe served with slivered mushrooms with a rish reduction sauce. A most amazing dish. It seems that Cafe Selmarie's kitchen works some special magic with mushrooms as its mushroom filled ravioli were almost light enough to float off the place and full of flavor, the filet of beef was small but tender, flavorfull and served quite artfully on a circle of polenta. The parmesan mashed potatoes are presented with a bit of red skin and the delightful salty tang of cheese. Salads, pot pie and roasted chicken round out the menu. The beer and wine menu is short and artisan but has something for every taste. Desserts come from the pastry case in front and change from moment to moment. Tiny cookies, wedges of cake, a surprisingly light cheesecake with a layer of cherries baked in the bottom and just a hint of lemon, artfully decorated lemon and chocolate tarts, eclairs There are cupcakes and sugar sanded cookies, too.. The after dinner coffee is served in a hefty mug and is deep and strong enough to stand up to a sweet dessert. The service was helpful and attentive and the dining room, which includes a small room off to the side, is quiet and well lit and great for a group or a romantic dinner for two.
(4)
Sandy T.
Went for lunch and ordered the chopped salad..Menu said it had chicken on it..well there were teenie bites of chicken mixed in to the salad. I was disappointed. I was expecting to have at least some bigger bites of chicken. Made it seem like there wasn't any chicken in the salad! The portion of the salad was disappointing as well. I think for the price the portion should be larger. I wasn't full after at all. The fruit tart for dessert was delicious..Perhaps from now on I will just go for dessert.. Also it is very loud- maybe because it is a small space but it was difficult to talk to my friend.
(2)
Alex M.
If you want a taste of the European life, that carefree moment of a good cup of coffee, sitting outdoors in the square, and just forgetting about the crazed world of the 9 to 5, Selmarie is your mini-vacation to Europe. I think the biggest strengths of this place is their location, seating, and homemade desserts. Many a time I've stopped there to get something sweet for my family before heading to a family dinner at the parent's home. I also just liked taking it easy there with friends over coffee in the outdoor patio, a welcome thing when the weather is nice in Chicago. I think the only downer I have with Selmarie is that I wish it would stay open later. I like European cafes who stay open late night as a welcome alternative to bars. Even in Europe cafes of this nature stay open late, and it's a shame Selmarie doesn't follow suit. I personally think there is a big enough clientele in the area that would welcome a late night at Selmarie.
(4)
Catherine C.
HANDS DOWN, FAVORITE RESTAURANT! ive been going here for about 10 years and its always amazing. the staff is very friendly and professional. but enough about the staff lets talk about food!! holy crap can we say phenomenal? YES WE CAN. my favorite dish and what i get there 100% of the time is their chicken pot pie. it will blow your mind. they also have great hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. The ambiance is great as well is small, cute, and chic. not to mention they have different art work on the wall that you can purchase. okay now lets talk pastries. AHHHHH you can not go wrong with anything you choose. the mocha buttercream cake and the white chocolate raspberry cake are master pieces of culinary heaven. The portions arent huge which kind of sucks but you will leave satisfied!
(5)
Craig N.
I come here for my daily dose of caffeine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts are amazing. It almost seems that the cafe is the center of Lincoln Square activities due to it's location.
(5)
Jessie B.
This place is cute. It reminded me a lot of Barcelona. Love the fact they are next to "The Square". You can listen to fun little bands playing on Thursday night while eating your yummy meal. Had the risotto special. Shit take mushrooms, zucchini, walnuts, and white truffle oil. Yum-o. I'd order you again. Also had some of the chopped salad. It was good. I just love this place because of the scenery. Honestly, I can't wait to come here during the autumn. I can picture it now.
(4)
Judy R.
To clarify, the four stars are for the take-out bakery. If you're eating in, I'd give it 2-1/2. I love the bakery here. For what you get, the prices are fair, especially the breakfast breads, cupcakes and cookies. Coffee's good, too. Before the Grind opened, I got my local Intelligentsia fix here. Eating in is another story. Yes, Selmarie is wildly popular - that's part of the problem. During breakfast/brunch, the stroller set is almost out of control. (I'm not alone - they can drive the servers nuts as well.) The real problem, though, is that the breakfast just doesn't quite measure up. It's perfectly decent but not worth the hassle of the crowd. The omelets are okay but I make better toast/potatoes at home. You're better off getting coffee with a brioche bun or croissant to go.
(4)
Jessica M.
I stopped in here with a girlfriend for a yummy pastry treat during Applefest. It was super crowded but the staff was organized and kind. So glad we stopped here - we definitely gobbled up our treats. The apple strudel was exactly what I wanted!
(4)
Krisanthi N.
I have been to this place twice. Once for dinner, on half price bottle wine night, and once for breakfast. The location is really nice. It is right in the middle of Lincoln Square. For dinner, I ordered the roasted chicken, which was okay. Then again, there isn't a lot you can do with roasted chicken. Everyone else in my group really liked their meals. For breakfast, I had gotten the quiche was was awesome! The coffee is really good too, and they have some delicious sweets. Service was excellent and quick both times. My only complaint is the hours. I've tried to come here before and they were just about to close. I wish they would extend their hours!
(4)
Jason H.
Selmarie for me is really disappointing because they are on the verge of greatness but never seem to get there. I've been coming there on and off for nearly 10 years now and I think it's about time I share some of my thoughts. Starting off with the positive... - The pastries and cakes are amazing, they just are. I can't say a lot more than others because I'm not a sweets kinda guy so I don't really consider myself an expert in this arena as I so rarely partake. - The ingredients are always fresh and I really give them a lot of credit for that. Everything I've eaten there always felt fresh and was well done. On the negative side... - The service blows, it just does, there is no way getting around it. They either have one or two servers for 20 tables (management's fault) or your server will be hanging out in back doing god know's what (you can see them from the side view) why you wait forever. Despite this I visit Selmarie about twice a year but it is the one place where I just hand the server my card and say "run it" because I hate asking for my check and then waiting 20 minutes for it and another 10 to get it back. - Their portions suck. To be fair it never used to be this way, I think they feel like they are all fancy now since they have some Lincoln Square cred and the neighborhood is all up and coming. Now I'm a little guy and I don't eat much to begin with but I actually laughed when they brought our appetizers the other day. We ordered the goat cheese and lobster crêpes. It was a joke! They brought out a crêpe about the size of a small cigar for 4 people. Now I realize sometimes food is just small but when you order that your server should inform you. Besides, who wants to pay that much money for something that was just okay. It was like $2 a bite. Anyway, at the end of the day Selmarie makes good fresh food but their service blows and they have an over-inflated view of themselves. Okay... one last bitch (call me a dick), could you please turn down the damn lights in there? I feel like the sun is puking all over me. If I wanted that much light on me I'd go to a tanning salon.
(3)
Betty L.
Oh, I WANT so badly to love Cafe Selmarie. I love the idea of it, just like my high school boyfriend. Their dessert exposition is so appealing to the eyes, the location is appealing and comfortable, and it just sounds like a cool place to visit. I like their roasted potatoes (breakfast menu- but you must get there at 10:59 am to order them. You can get there at 10:59 am and sit there until 11:30 am when you order and still get them. But DO NOT sit down at 11:02 am and even attempt to make such an order! The people next to you who did the right thing and sat down before 11:00 am will get their breakfast, but none for you sinners who have slept in due to late nights of debauchery). Their desserts are just..... meh. They look soooo beautiful, and have very fancy names, but for all of the times I have tried the various cookies, cakes, rum balls and such, I have been disappointed. The cake is dry, the fancy balls are tasteless.... meh. The food is mediocre and extremely overpriced. The menu is more limited than it is overpriced. The servers are pleasant and the ambiance is comfortable. Beware of Lincoln Square, however, and the 2.1 kids per woman.
(2)
Catherine M.
2.5 stars... In a word: BLAH. Seriously. I love Selmarie's treats and location. I live in Lincoln Square and anytime I go out to dinner in the hood I'll opt to skip dessert at the restaurant I'm dining at to head over for a nice treat and cup of coffee at Selmarie. So... for their treats, yes, delicious- I give them 4 stars. BUT... and what a bummer this is... my husband and I had dinner here on Friday night and it was so BORING. The food was one of the most lackluster meals I've ever had and not to mention that the portions were pretty small considering they charge a lot for the entrees. I got the Jerk Chicken entree and it was about $17. When they brought it out, it was one, small, Amish chicken breast. I can't help but compare it to Lula Cafe where their chicken entree comes with more than you can finish meat and is much less in price. My husband got the tilapia and the next morning he had some serious stomach cramps that he attributed to his meal. I've had dinner here once before, don't really remember it all that well- I think it was fine, but again- when a meal doesn't stand out, not usually a good thing. I've also had brunch here once- but my fear of pigeons took over as we were outside and they were totally invading my personal space. Here's the star breakdown: Dinner: 1 star Treats: 4 stars Service: 3 stars TOTAL: 2.5 stars
(2)
Jennifer B.
A fantastic spot for brunch in Lincoln Square. The baked goods are heavenly!
(5)
Erica T.
I can't believe I haven't written a review about this place yet. This is one of my favorite places in the city, and if someone is feeling adventurous enough to trek up north towards my 'hood to hang out with me, I try to take them here. I have an obsession with baked goods, and this place takes the cake. Literally. I love their tortes, especially the Sacher torte and the white chocolate raspberry torte. But I think my favorite cake is the tres leches cake, which I've only seen there on Sundays. They also have a large selection of other baked goods, including cookies (my faves are the raspberry hearts), tarts, breads, chocolates, etc. I don't think I've ever had anything from the bakery that I didn't like. The restaurant food is not as stellar as the baked goods, I have found, but it's still pretty good. The menu is not very extensive, and the food is more delicate than hearty, but the worst I've had was a dry turkey/brie/apple sandwich. Other than that everything else has been pretty satisfactory. ***Edit*** I just found out that they offer tres leches cake on weekdays now! Also, I just had the passionfruit mousse and it was absolutely delish (if you like tropical passionfruit-flavored stuff...)!
(5)
Jo B.
I was really disappointed on my second visit to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. I was expecting hearty, well cooked brunch dishes with great coffee but instead we got lukewarm, overcooked eggs with hot dog- like smoked sausages and very tired looking fruit. The coffee wasn't even good. My advice would be to stop at the bakery, pick up some great cakes and head home to fix your own brunch.
(2)
Erika J.
After a great dinner at Las Tablas on Irving Park my dinner companion and I were looking for a place to have an after dinner drink and something sweet. This place delivered on both counts. We shared the mocha buttercream cake and the German chocolate cake. I loved the fresh coconut on top of the german chocolate. p.s. I also recommend taking a walk around the neighborhood to burn off any resulting sugar high.
(5)
suteishichic J.
Not sure how a place goes from a five to a one within 3 days but this place did it. My Mom was visiting and we stopped in (during the torrential rains of Ike) for a spot of tea. It was heaven. We sat at the counter and with our little pile of delights and well done tea, it outshone the Ritz! Literally. We had afternoon tea at the Ritz the day before and that was overpriced and underwhelming...Selmarie spur of the moment was delightful! So Mom loved the place and wanted to come back for breakfast the day of her flight. We only had an hour before we had to bring her to the airport but that should have been enough, right? Wrong. I told our server that we were in a rush (just in case) from when we sat down. I asked the server what was fast to make and when he wanted to take our drink order I said we should go ahead and order so that we don't have to eat in a hurry. I even ordered for my husband while he was still parking the car (just to be sure). Everything seemed to be going okay, but then I started to get a bad feeling. The people around us, seated after us, all of whom ordered long after us started getting their food. The minutes ticked by. Our waiter kept looking at us, making eye contact, and then scurrying away before anyone could ask what was going on. We even waved him over and he ignored us. He finally came over, offered a coffee refill (ignoring the tea people) and then turned and walked away so fast I'm not sure if he even heard us asking him to wait. Stop! Please! Hey! Hello! Yeah, it was that weird. 35 minutes went by with nothing and the clock just kept on ticking. We asked another server (placing food at a table who had just arrived ten minutes earlier to get our waiter). When he finally showed up he said our food would just be four minutes more. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. He went to walk away again. Incredulous, we asked to see the manager and we watched our waiter continue to serve food to other tables before getting the manager. He kept acting busy (really it was a few tables) and rushing around before the manager ever came out. By this time we had our coats on. The manager came over and said sorry but there was a "ticket mixup" so it would just take a little longer. Are you kidding? And after we said originally we were in a hurry? I've worked in restaurants before and even though I swear I'm probably the worst waitress in the world, even I would treat my tables better than this. They really didn't even seem to care. It was very....French of them. With all the choices in Chicago -- heck with all the choices in Lincoln Square alone, give this a pass.
(1)
Heather I.
Ventured out early pre-Cubs game on Saturday for breakfast. I had treated myself to a cookie or two now and then, but never ate in their dining area. Thought we would have to wait a bit on a Saturday morning, but we were seated pretty quickly. Breakfast menu was good - all the staples (eggs, pancakes, gourmet french toast) and the waiter informed us of the chef's special. Coffee/espresso was perfect. My breakfast burrito was huge and delicious and my husband had a yummy omelet with all sorts of veggies inside. All in all a good experience and would return for breakfast or dinner. Also price was reasonable - comparable to any other breakfast/brunch place in town.
(4)
Heidi N.
Apparently, when you're dating someone, you go to brunch a lot. And when the bf and I decided to do brunch one recent Sunday, I realized that I really need to expand my memorized arsenal of restaurants to include "good brunch spots." Luckily, I remembered Cafe Selmarie. We walked in on a chilly but pleasant morning and were seated immediately. Score! But upon settling in, my whole body was enveloped in a rather stifling heat wave. The place was hot hot HOT! We ordered our coffees (cafe au lait was fabulous) and then our entrees. Now, anybody who knows me will tell you that I tend to gravitate towards the sweeter items on the menu, especially for a meal like brunch. But for whatever reason (perhaps an overabundance of recently consumed holiday treats?) I went the savory way, and ordered the corned beef hash, while my dining companion ordered the other dish I considered, the lemon ricotta griddle cakes. (Id'n he sweet?) Funny story about the corned beef hash ... I'd never had poached eggs before, and in the time between ordering and receiving our food, I'd forgotten that the hash came with two poached eggs on top. So when the plate was set in front on me, my first thought was that it was topped with two large dollops of sour cream. Not even thinking about it, I started to dip my fork in the "sour cream" and noticed that the texture was ... off. What the? About 5 seconds later, I remembered what they were. Oh yeah. Duh, Heidi. Back on topic. The hash was delicious. The boy's griddle cakes were even more delicious. He was kind enough to give me a bite and I nearly finished them off for him. Goooood. The only other minor negative (besides the temperature) was that it took a bit of effort to get a refill for the boy's coffee, but not a big deal. Oh, and there was a girl sitting kiddie-corner from us who was wearing the same sweater as me!! But that's hardly the cafe's fault. :)
(4)
Leanne A.
Come here. Come just for the bakery items. I fantasize about the bakery items many times throughout a normal day. The strawberry roulade and the raspberry custard tart are two of the most perfect baked treats I've ever had. I also came once for breakfast and had blueberry pancakes that were to die for. I do have a couple problems with this place, as much as I wanted to give it five stars just for the pastries. 1) It is packed at breakfast and we waited 40 minutes for our food (pancakes!) And our server never even checked on us. 2) I ate here for dinner once and the prices were more appropriate for a more gourmet restaurant. 3) recently I was buying a raspberry custard and couldn't find my visa. I realized I had left in in the atm. The girl helping me didn't care at all. She didn't even fake it. She just smiled awkwardly and was like "okay" and took my bag with the beautiful custard back. A cute local bakery should be able to just give you the damn thing at that point, and know that you'll be back. Anyway, I usually don' t like the service I here. But the pastry chefs who must work all night are me heros. I love you, selmarie pastry chefs.
(4)
Char Y.
I love this place! It makes me feel young again with stomach for everything in site. Bee hive: wow. Mix fruit tart: ok. raspberry chocolate tart: the sensation of melting chocolate with sweet raspberries: priceless. rasberry tart: ok strawberry roulades: ok. The cream is unsweetened. Now I want the key lime tart...
(3)
Sarah L.
I came here for lunch today, my sweetie took the day off to celebrate my birthday! We wanted to give Fiddle-head Cafe a try but they do not open until 4:30, I was a sad birthday girl. We decided on Cafe Selmarie again. I'm one upping their star ratings because the lunch was fab. We sat on the outdoor patio area. It was a beautiful afternoon so we had to dine al fresco! I had the crab cake sandwich and my honey had the roast beef sandwich. Both were very delicious. We also shared a side of sweet potato wedges. On our way out, we picked up a piece of chocolate cake for later tonight and a cream cheese brownie to share on the walk back. OMG, was it so rich and creamy! I'm still full from lunch, I may not need dinner tonight. Cafe Selmarie has a simple but delicious menu for lunch, check it out!
(4)
Matt C.
Here's the secret to getting in on a Sunday. Go when it is unreasonably cold. Even then, we still had to wait 30 mins for a table, after being told to wait 20. Brunch was good, the prices were reasonable and the service was great. What else can you say?
(4)
Casey F.
I have never had a bad meal nor a bad dessert from Cafe Sel Marie. And the service is always great. I've gone in alone, as a pair, and with eight other people and every time I am helped by friendly and courteous people. I have to go for brunch at least once a month, if not three or four times, and I will generally have the brioche french toast with berries and highly recommend it to anyone else. I also enjoy that their menu changes to reflect the season. The gingerbread griddlecakes that made an appearance over the Christmas season were fantastic. Pairing them with spiked apple cider made the experience complete. Enjoy the toasty indoors in the winter, and then sit out on the patio in the summer, sometimes you even get to watch performances in the square while enjoying your meal.
(5)
Lance W.
Solid food and excellent service. We asked them before getting a table if we could be in and out in 45 minutes because we had to make a train out of town. They got us in and out in 30 minutes. Complete winning service
(4)
Richard B.
I've only been to their bakery and I'm in love. Everything I've tried from the case has been decadent and the best whatever-it-was I've had. Most recently I had a slice of their Sacher Torte. It was unbelievable. Their espresso beverages are also well made. I have not been disappointed. It does get busy and tight in the bakery area though. Especially with people waiting to be seated in the restaurant, but in my experience the baristas and others behind the counter have been friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend the bakery.
(5)
Steve L.
Delicious food, delicious coffee, lovely and friendly service. That's all you need for 5 stars from me. (Wonderful cookies and pastries, too!)
(5)
Meg O.
Well, glory be to the bad economy! If it weren't for the crisis on Wall Street and Main Street, Selmarie may have been closing or moving. Because Lincoln Square really needs to look more like Lincoln Park, right? With chi-chi restaurants and chains! Hello Lincoln Square developers, Cafe Selmarie deserves to and needs to and should stay! It was there long before the neighborhood got trendy, and grew alongside that darling stretch of Lincoln Ave. Also, it's one of the few truly accomplished restaurants in the 'hood, but less spendy than Bistro Campagne. And, as I learned last night, it's a pretty great place to take small children. The fear of Cafe Selmarie's demise is what drove my friend Shane and me to take our charges for the evening--2 year old Calvin and 3 month old Nora Claire--out to dinner. As someone who does not have children, I was nervous as hell to take such young ones to an establishment like Selmarie. But we went. The bus boy set us up on the charming patio overlooking the fountain, immediately outfitting us with a high chair. He also graciously helped me remove another chair for Nora's stroller. The kids' menu at Cafe Selmarie is great! They have everything from PB&J to chicken cutlets to penne pasta. Much to his delight, Calvin's grilled cheese sandwich, orange slices, and applesauce arrived with Shane and my chevre chaud salad. Oh, and did I mention that they put his water and milk in a cup with a lid and a straw? Brilliant! Our chevre chaud salad was delicious, despite that at its arrival Nora decided she needed to cry. Shane and I took turns passing her across the table and alternating who spread the hot garlicky goat cheese on toast points for the other. Our waitress was very understanding and sympathetic, and I didn't correct her when she called me "Mommy." For our entrees, I had the wrap of the day, a tilapia wrap, and Shane had a grilled salmon salad. The tilapia was moist and wrapped up with a delicious slaw. It came with grilled potato wedges and broccoli. So healthy and delicious! Shane's salad looked great: a beautiful salmon fillet laying on a bed of interesting greens and fennel. It was past the kiddies' bedtime (7:00!) so we took dessert to go. Calvin loved munching on his ghostie cut out cookie as we walked back to his grandparents' condo, and after the babes were in bed, Shane and I enjoyed our orange chocolate decadence (my all-time fave) and an "impossible cake" that had this amazing layer of flan on top while we watched "Paris J'taime." As I sat on the patio, listening to the fountain, watching my fellow Chicagoans stroll by, eating my delicious wrap, rocking a (finally) sleeping Nora in her stroller, I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness, but not too much sadness. I realized that I loved Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Square loved me. Thanks, Cafe Selmarie, for 25 great years in a great neighborhood! May you flourish for at least 25 more! (And thanks for easing my anxiety about some day having small children of my own).
(5)
Charles A.
I would like to give Selmarie five stars - the service is fantastic, the restaurant very comfortable, the banana eclair heavenly. But while the food is good and varied - fresh salmon, rich mushroom ravioli, veggie-friendly chili...- only (some of) the pastries break into perfection. In addition, though I suppose it's little fault of the restaurant's, almost every time I'm here some baby is crying and kids are running up and down between the tables. Apparently, Lincoln Square is suffering an ongoing babysitter shortage. Complaints aside, Selmarie is the best restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)
Suzanne P.
I recently brought my family here for brunch during a visit...and it was definitely a great choice! I love where Cafe Selmarie is located in the square. The first time I visited this place, my roommates and I wanted to sample the baked goods in the area (thus deciding if it was a good neighborhood to live in, naturally). I must say, I was a little bit disappointed with the slice of white chocolate cake I tried, but having a sit-down meal at the cafe was a totally different experience. I had the Brioche French Toast, which was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of french toast, and this was up there among my favorites. My parents were also happy with what they ordered (my sister and I double ordered on the french toast), and my roommate who joined us was as well. The server was friendly and competent, and really did a great job. I'd come back here for brunch again and again!
(4)
Hannah H.
Cafe Selmarie's lemon bars - it perfectly decadent, lemon-y, sweet, a good-portioned size bar that is powdered with powdered sugar. It is a little pricey, but I always make it my mission to get at least 4-6 pieces to go. I love it, and I haven't tasted great lemon bars like these anywhere else. Yum! +lemon bars
(4)
Claudia S.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
My favorite little spot in Lincoln Square. Great service, delicious pastries, and incredible coffee! It's hard to order because everything is amazing! Definitely a must try if in the area.
(5)
M S.
Amazing , fresh food, delicious desserts and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. ..Also, the atmosphere is quaint and romantic.
(5)
Alexa M.
I have been to this place twice...and loved it very much! Service and food are fantastic. Love this place in the summer because you can enjoy a beautiful weather and dine outside :)
(5)
Elizabeth P.
We went two times, once for coffee and pastries and once for breakfast. It was good both times, the food is good and good quality. There were a good amount of menu options. The only thing is that it can get a bit pricey
(5)
Liz K.
I thought this place had some fairly decent brunch food, but there wasn't a huge variety. The bakery itself is amazing and makes going there worth it. I had an apricot kolachky while I waited, and unlike most kolachky, it wasn't annoyingly dry. Unfortunately, there is very little waiting room and they seem to have a lot of young families there, meaning, yes, there will be strollers and screaming kids. All in all, not bad, but there are definitely better places for brunch in Chicago.
(4)
Valery P.
Not as good as I expected. I tried the dinner menu and some of the pastries the other day and wasn't really blown away by it. Other than that, parking wasn't that hard and the services was nice and friendly. It's still a great place to hang out, nonetheless.
(3)
Vallia K.
Love this place- its now my go-to cafe when I want better-than-standard espresso drinks. Their baked goods are amazing as well, and the staff is extremely attentive and nice. I wish they would not bring the bill without asking, though. It makes you feel rushed and this cafe is the perfect place to just sit and relax. The actual savory foods are decent- I have only tried the breakfast burrito and daily omelet and although they were by no means bad they were not memorable. (Although the potatoes are fabulous.)
Great brunch spot if you have out-of-towners with you and are looking for a spot where you can sit outside, have a good meal, and enjoy great coffee. Also, a great bakery in of itself. My only knock on this place is if you come here a couple of times, the menu gets extremely boring since it's limited and nothing is "amazing." It's good...but nothing that will make you say "I love this place and need to come back here again soon." Be prepared for a long wait anytime after 10:30am on weekends too. One last comment....if they ever feature the Chicken Salad Sandwich on the specials menu, definitely get it. It's awesome. Probably the best thing I've had here, despite often coming here for breakfast/brunch.
(3)
Sarah M.
I think this place is very overrated. There, I said it. Full disclosure: I've never had a sit-down meal there - I've only ever had items from the front bakery case. Having said that... I don't think it's anything too special. The desserts are expensive, and so rich that it's hard to enjoy them because you know you'll feel ill after eating only half of one. You also risk being run into by some yuppie with a stroller on your way out the door, which is enough to keep me away. I would recommend that you head over to the Swedish Bakery instead... reasonable prices, and tasty food that will remind you of eating pastries and drinking coffee with the grown-ups back when you were a kid.
(3)
Ann M.
This place is always crowded in the AM on the weekends. My roommate and I have tried on several occasions to get seated but the wait is always long. So instead we went for dinner and shockingly it was not that busy. I love the inside of this place. It's very cozy and classy. Our waitress was overly nice and very prompt. I ordered the Cobb salad, which I must say is possibly the best Cobb salad I have ever had. If you're a salad person, you MUST try this. Prices are a little high but it's definitely worth it. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the service is fantastic. Go check it out for yourself!
(4)
Rose H.
Tuna Salad. It comes w/chips but they allow you to substitute with mixed greens. Too many onions and it needed more salt. Vegetarian Chili. Too much cheese and not enough kick to it. My lunch partner had to ask for Tabasco sauce. Waitress disappeared. Bobby Bouche (barback, that is the name my friend gave him) splashed water all over my lunch partners wallet and didn't bother to Clean it up.
(2)
Tonya N.
2 stars are for the food which was decent. Minus the short curly hair in my breakfast. I would give negative stars for the service. It was horrible. I have worked in the service industry for years. The server was slow, inattentive and had no clue what she was doing.
(2)
Gina F.
I stopped by twice this week during my staycation. I happened to have 2 friends who wanted to go to lunch on 2 different days, both of whom have been wanting to try this place. As per usual everything was excellent. The roasted butternut squash spinach salad and the roasted sweet potato wedges are a perfect fall lunch. Both friends also enjoyed their lunch very much.
(4)
Claudia M.
Such a great Cafe. I'm so glad my BF suggested we take an out of town guest here. We were looking for a place that had great food, ambiance and not too crowded so we could hang out and talk. Cafe Selmarie was the place. We arrived arround noon. The place was pretty happening, lots of moms and their babies but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your food (I'm a slow eater). I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which came with a side of mixed field greens salad. My BF and his aunt each ordered the chicken pot pie and an order of sweet potato fries. Let me tell you that Chicken Pesto sandwich was so good that I dare not eat the whole thing in one sitting. Kind of like the candy you ate as a kid, Now and Laters, I had to save half of this sandwich to enjoy later that afternoon. After we enjoyed our meal and caught up on our conversation we ordered coffee. I ordered the mocha. OMG, the mocha comes with REAL whipped cream. Not the whipped cream from a can that is thin and disappears 10 seconds later. We are talking thick, sweet cream that you feel you have to bite into. The Cafe is just so cute inside. They have the most delicious looking pastries at the front entrance. My BF saw a red velvet cake dipped in chocolate and he thought he would get a slice on the way out so we could split later. Nope. When we finally left the Cafe the red velvet cake was all gone. I'll have to go back and get some and surprise him. Lincoln Square just keeps giving me more reasons to go back. Thanks Cafe Selmarie. My new North side meeting place.
(5)
Jennifer F.
Love this place! I have been here at least six times. The food is always good. The service is polite and efficient. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. I am a big fan of both their lunch and dinner menus. Up until last week I had never tried their pastries. Finally got a raspberry and dark chocolate tart and a pecan tart. Both were excellent! I also got a mocha to go and it was wonderful. (Didn't have that burnt taste you often get from Starbucks.)
(5)
Heather P.
I come here for their delightful strawberry roulade and their consistenly perfect Croque Monsieur. Weekends are busy, but visiting for a weekday lunch gets you seated fairly quickly. Food is delicious. The causal environment is perfect for a small lunch meeting and the outdoor seating is a nice option when the weather is warm.
(5)
Ana I.
The service dragged, but that may have been because the cafe was busy. The food on the other hand was yummy! I got the Salmon sandwich. I'm excited to return.
(4)
Jonathan H.
Cuban braised beef sandwich was amazing. I highly recommend.
(5)
Lorelei C.
Today I was out, had a nice healthy lunch and then I was walking and I saw Cafe Selmarie... Now, I tried to ignore this place but... after all it is my birthday week and I think I deserve something nice Yeah, I know sounds bogus.. but thats the best I could come up with. Anyway, this is a small place, as you enter they have a pastry case where they had some pastries and other assorted goodies.. Okay, so I took a look at the case and did'nt see anything that really appealed to me, they had some tarts and cookies and a flourless chocolate cake and I really thought I was going to leave unhappy and empty handed and then there was this vision of heaven I found in the case called a chocolate banana eclair... Well, I caved and bought this wonderful piece of heaven.. And gotta say it, it was worth every penny. Now, I could make excuses and say that I wont have birthday cake because I had this eclair today but.. No, that wont be happening! I want my Birthday Cake too! Cafe Selmarie also serves some food items as well, don't know what though cause I did'nt care after I saw my eclair..:) I think they serve coffee too but I don't drink coffee either.. I had one cup of coffee my entire life and thought it was nasty so thats one habit i dont have, got lots of other bad habits to make up for my lack of coffee drinking though.. So, next time you are in the Lincoln Square area treat yourself to a visit at Cafe Selmarie... You can even have coffee if you want to..:( And theres a really pretty fountain outside the window so nice visuals going on too... And I'll bet you that you cant leave without a chocolate banana eclair.. Just dont quote me on that one, I gambled once, lost lotsa money..:(
(4)
Luke T.
had some quiche and coffee for late breakfast with friends and it was still as good as ever.
(4)
Benjamin V.
This is a rare cafe in that both their dinner menu and bakery items are strong: high quality, delicious, and well presented. Their scones are amazing. They are located right next to Lincoln Square's actual "square," where musicians come to perform and kids love to play. On a summer night, you can sit at the cafe's patio and enjoy a wonderful dinner, as well as hear the music. Cafe Selmarie is a a great place to go!
(5)
Jackie M.
Awesome. Dined with a friend to catch up and went halfsies on everything. It ended up to working really well. Warm Marinated Goat Cheese - it's more like a appetizer. Goat cheese soaks in a warm red pepper flake infused olive oil. Chicken Pesto Sandwich - juicy chicken, yummy pesto, fluffy mozzarella, the bread is fantastic - crusty, chewy and soft in all the right ways. Totally worth it. Get dessert, one of the few places in Chicago with an assortment of gorgeous tortes. There were a ton of people for a Thursday lunch crowd, but if you can buy artisan bread here, I would.
(4)
Jackie E. G.
The food is ok. Then why the 5 stars? This is all about the whipped cream People! Lo...seriously folks. I've never in my life tasted such delectable whipped cream. I guess I'm used to the crap they serve at Starbucks. I'm a big hot chocolate fan so I stopped by yesterday morning... for some breakfast. Decided to sit outside because it was faster. And, ordered the spiked Hot Chocolate with the Baileys. Sitting outdoors in the late morning crisp autumn air with a cup of hot chocolate and the best whipped cream you've ever tasted in your life (the waitress said...it's nothing special...just whipped fresh!) set the tone for a perfect rest of the day. The pretty people with their pretty children and cute doggies walking about the area, sharing pastries and meeting up with friends over coffee also added to the ooh la-la experience!
(5)
April K.
Cute spot in Lincoln Square. We had a late lunch here with family. They had a cute little patio and we ate there (5 adults and three children). It was pretty out there but there were quite a few bees and I'm deathly afraid of bees so that was a little jarring... The espresso with whipped cream is the tits. Mmmmm. Thick whipped cream and strong but non-bitter espresso. Loved every sip of it. The coffee wasn't quite as good. I had a quesadilla. It was great. It had cheese, chicken, big strips of pasilla peppers. It wasn't greasy at all. The guacamole and the house made salsa were delicious as well. Husband had a prosciutto sandwich which was also very tasty. I dug it. The waitress was awesome as well. Great lunch spot.
(4)
Colleen C.
A wonderful Friday brunch option...! Somewhat hard to find in the 'Square. Cafe Selmarie is in that impossibly cute stretch of Lincoln Ave that is sheltered from the chaos. One way entrance off Lawrence (going south), no entrance on to strip from northwest bound...(curves off and hits Western where it skips a bit before picking up again by that McDonald's. ANYWAY. It's private, cute, and plenty of metered parking...and with German neighbors and Merz Apothecary nearby, how can one go wrong? Exactly. A sweet little corner shop. Entrance barrages one with puffed pastries, cookies, sweets and a small coffee bar. Take a few steps back and there's plenty of tables/chairs and a perfectly acceptable brunch menu to enjoy. I sat with my two pals and we sipped perfectly designed coffee drinks, water and waited for our breakfast burrito, salmon scramble and special omlette of the day: spinach, feta, bacon. I can vouch for that omlette...wooo boy, good stuff. Accompanied by potatoes, as well. Service was excellent, everything was on point. It's a place you want to stay and cozy up a bit, especially in these winter months. I liken it to the Julius Meinl just a few blocks south...but less screaming children. BONUS! An extra bonus? Unlike most brunchie spots...they have BOOOOOOZE. Crazy on weeekends, but pop in mid-week to check it out. I also hear they serve a mean dinner, and have great specials all week. It's quaint, it's cute...and it's a good excuse to check out this quirky, secluded little strip of Lincoln Square. *Right off the Western brown line *Lawrence bus *Meters easy.
(4)
Kimberly M.
The ingredients were fresh, and I liked that there were plenty of healthy options for dinner. Plan on spending $15-$20 on anything other than a salad. I ordered the vegetarian chili and spinach salad. I was not impressed with the free rolls that accompanied dinner. They lacked flavor and really weren't anything special. I guess I just expected more considering the baked goods storefront. The chili was tasty, but again, the cornbread that accompanied it really wasn't anything special. The salad was great, based on the sole fact that it had fresh ingredients and I love brie cheese, but it's not anything I couldn't have made at home. I gave it three stars because healthy options are hard to find when you are traveling, and while I would not list this among my favorite spots, I would definitely visit again for fresh, well prepared food. It's also important to note that I only ate dinner here once. I'd imagine brunch would be good at this restaurant. The desserts looked delicious. Also, it's my sister's favorite restaurant in the area, and she's a local.
(3)
Esther S.
This place is a must for brunch or just pastries. You can taste the cream cheese in the carrot cake icing. All delicious.
(4)
Jelena Z.
Cafe Selmarie. Romantic name, right? And what an utterly charming bakery and cafe it is, located smack dab in that enclosed stretch of Lincoln Ave. in the heart of the Square. Passing by the pastry case en route to the restaurant area in the back is a requirement. No, not because I classify the walk as a 'can't-miss', but because it's physically impossible to avoid staring these sweet beauties in the eye! Strategic, indeed. We sat down for breakfast and within five minutes of our order, I received my latte decorated with a perfect layer of foam. Service is sharp, attentive and knowledgeable. I ordered my breakfast standard (a breakfast burrito, which was wonderful) and my colleagues went with the omelet of the day and the smoked salmon scramble. I believe we all left happy, satiated and still a bit curious about that pastry case. I'll come back for you... another time!
(4)
Melanie S.
I love this spot! Cafe Selmarie has been a mainstay in Lincoln Square for years and I am so happy to see this restaurant/bakery has not only survived, but thrived. Their brunch menu isn't huge, but you're sure to find something delicious, whether you're in the mood for something on the lighter side or something heartier. I met a friend here for brunch on Saturday and I am so glad we went here. I had forgotten how charming this place is. Paintings by local artists adorn the walls; tables are well-spaced (i.e. not on top of each other) and the staff is friendly and efficient. My friend had the vegetarian chili which looked great and I had the vegetarian quiche. Both of us were pleased with our choices. The quiche was light, but filling, and was chock full of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms and some goat cheese which added a nice tartness and creaminess. Served on the side was a spring salad. Next to the cafe is a bakery bursting with tempting treats like kolacky, strawberry roulade, cookies, eclairs, tarts and scones. I could do some serious damage in here. There's also an outdoor seating area in Giddings Plaza for al fresco dining if you're so inclined (weather permitting, natch). Go to Cafe Selmarie for the delicious, well-prepared food, but don't leave without a trying a pastry or three.
(4)
Sarah M.
Love this cute little cafe located in the heart of Lincoln Square next to the courtyard and fountain. In case the delicious pastries in the front aren't alluring enough, the back half of Selmarie is a small restaurant that offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The food here is delicious and I have YET to have anything bad on the menu. Whether you just want to stop and have a slice of Mocha Buttercream Torte with a cappuccino, grab a cookie for the road, or sit down and have a wonderful meal, Cafe Selmarie is good for all three. I highly recommend this place! Why it didn't get 5 stars: Cost is $40 on a lunch or breakfast meal for two (including tip). Which isn't outrageous by any means and you are definitely FULL when you leave, but it isn't pocket change either. It can be packed, so try and get there before the rush starts if you don't want to wait for a seat (there isn't a lot of waiting room either).
(4)
Christina D.
We absolutely love this place! I've never had anything I haven't liked. And I think I've tried everything. From brunch to just stopping in for a treat, this is our go to spot.
(5)
Heather H.
According to my husband, best corned beef hash ever. According to me, best dessert ever! Lunch is my friend here. Nice salads, soups, and the vegetarian chili is outstanding. The waitstaff actually understands the meaning of a lunch rush - people need to get in, out, and back to work. Props for that. I've stopped coming in for breakfast, just too many other places give just as good quality, but better portions for the buck. That's not to say I'm looking for a huge portion, but I like the option of toast with my meal without paying extra. Also, the acoustics in the dining room are not hangover friendly. At times it's annoying enough to make me rush through my meal to leave, especially when there's a shrieking kid in the room (which is usually all the time). But really, the crown jewel is the desserts. I can't walk out of this place without at least getting something to go from the bakery. Everything is SO GOOD, with the exception of the cupcakes. I can't figure out what they do wrong with them, the flavor is additively good, it's just always dry. I've tried them too many times, even asking if they're fresh. So, I'd say skip those, and get anything else you see. Cookies: Yum! Try the lavender rosemary, sugar, chocolate chip, any kind is a winner. Scones? Yes please! Always moist and the ingredients are nicely distributed. Who wants a scone with 2 dates and 3 walnuts? Here, you're sure to get at least a fruit or nut in each bite! Cakes.... Mmmmmmm again, always wonderful - take your pick, you'll be happy. Banana Eclair? One of my favorites! Fresh and fruity! Cafe Selmarie is a neighborhood institution. It's easy to see why they're still around, and why there is usually a well deserved wait to get in.
(4)
Kat C.
Yum!!! Delicious and patient!!! Kale salad was AMAZING and quinoa was super delicious. But I have to admit that the best part for me was the flourless chocolate, orange torte with decaf soy latte!! Definitely a return visit in the future!
(5)
Debbie S.
We tend to meander to this spot for brunch on many a Sunday morning. Breakfast pastries are delicious (my favorite is the cinammon chip scone) and the brunch items are very good. I tend to go with some form of an eggs benedict when I am there (they have different varieties, some with meat and some without) and a rotating menu. Hubby tends to order the breakfast croissant. The hostesses recognize us now and always say hello to us and our little boy. The servers are always pleasant and seem to have a fair amount of longevity, which is nice. Lunch and Dinner are also good options at Selmarie. Lunch sandwiches are very good and dinner items are a bit more upscale. My only complaint -- the dessert pastries leave a bit to be desired. I have tried several cakes and found them to be dry and somewhat unappetizing -- and they look beautiful in the dessert case. Great outdoor seating facing a courtyard (and therefore off of Lincoln). Get here early to get a table for brunch on a Sunday - the restaurant and the outdoor space tend to fill up very quickly. The indoor tables tend to get a bit loud.
(4)
Caroline K.
Yum Yum Yum!!!!! the bakery items are good, the food is good, the ppl are good. We had the most upbeat, lovely, and sweetest waitress.... i think her name was Racheal. She gave us awesome recommendations: brussel sprout salad - could not believe how fresh and amazing this was... my #1 the ribs - so scrumptious and tender and salivating from just smelling it, i didn't like the sweet potatoe it came with as much the wild mushroom ravioli - this is a must that melts in my mouth! for dessert we had the pecan pie that was soo soo good and we got the pistachio cheesecake - don't get it, there are much better things there. Thanks racheal for a great meal, we'll definitely visit again soon!
(5)
Tricia D.
Cafe Selmarie, thank you for being open (relatively) late on Fri. while most other bakeries already call it a day. You satisfied the dessert compartment in my belly when I needed it at 8:51pm. Baked goods and cake slices are on the pricey side. My banana eclair was $3.95 worth of so-so pastry, cream, sliced bananas, and chocolate glaze. They also have exotic looking decorated sugar cookies that come in different animal shapes, one of which may or may not be an aardvark. I'm opposed to restaurants that put white sheets of paper over their tablecloths, but Selmarie had the white paper cut so precisely in the dimensions of the tabletop that I almost didn't realize it was there. Subtle!
(3)
Phil T.
A wonderful spot. We're impressed each time we go with every aspect of our experience at Selmarie's: nice service, well-thought out meals, fresh tastes, and an all-around pleasant experience. It's reasonably priced too, for the experience. There are far more expensive places offering far less to Chicagoans. Breakfast, dessert, dinner all deserve five stars. It's one place we're always sure to take visitors to Lincoln Square.
(5)
Carol K.
I had been trying to get to this restaurant for over a year- for a friend mentioned it to me last Summer and it sounded like the perfect spot for a nice casual dinner. On a recent Summer's night- I finally made my way up to Cafe Selmarie and was wondering what I was thinking to have moved this little gem so far down my list? It was exactly what we were looking for. On Wednesday nights- wine is half priced, so my friend went on line to see what kind of wines they had. One of them struck his fancy, but he likes it cold, ice cold, so he called the restaurant and asked them to ice it down. What a great idea for a hot night! They were very accommodating and we were happy . .and all for a very reasonable price. The food was terrific as well. I started with the marinated goat cheese and greens and he had the lobster filled crepe. Both were delicious! For our entrees, I went with the herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and my friend just told the server to surprise him and bring out her favorite dish. A great idea as the roasted pork with bacon and tomato compote was a great combination of flavors. I loved that the front of the restaurant is a small bakery, so for dessert we wandered around looking at the display cases finally deciding on a cupcake for me, and a piece of pistachio cheesecake for him. The perfect sweet ending to our perfect meal. Service was great- friendly and welcoming, offering up wonderful suggestions and taking care of us in the best way possible. At the end of our dinner, I felt as if I had almost found a new friend! You can enjoy your meal outside overlooking Giddings Plaza or indoors in their simply furnished dining room. And if you drive- there is plenty of metered parking right out front or a pay lot right around the corner. A terrific restaurant with great service and wonderful food. Don't do as I did and wait to go. Go now. You'll thank me later!
(5)
Erica I.
It's torture to walk by here every single day going to and from work. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, tortes, and probably other desserts I'm forgetting. I've stopped in here a few times to get a coffee (Intellegensia mmmm) and almond coffee cake, which is amazinggg. I've also picked up a slice of Beehive cake (brioche with barvarian creme and almonds), apple pie, and a carmel chocolate torte (this was my least favorite, but was still pretty good). I've also had brunch here once, and the food was SO good! I really, really need to come back for brunch, but it's also super packed on the weekends. I just had the quiche and side salad, but it was seriously so good. My friend let me have a bite of her omlette and chicken sausage, and it was really good, too! The staff is always very sweet, and even when it's busy, they make sure you get helped. I'm looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Veronica M.
Ok I been here twice breakfast was nothing great. Bake goods ok I guess you don't really want to go back again where it's just ok.
(2)
Ron S.
My wife and I enjoyed a Saturday breakfast here and we both ordered the Smoked Salmon Scramble. It was delicious The icing on the cake was Intelligentsia Selmarie blend coffee. What a great way to start the day!
Came here with a friend after doing our first 5K, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday morning and so we ordered from their brunch menu. I had the smoked salmon with egg scramble that came with sour cream, dill and a side of potatoes. Everything was delicious. My friend had the pot pie which looked really good and she seemed to enjoy. Sad to say, but I couldn't deny the $5 mimosas..yum! Will definitely be back.
(4)
Yanyao N.
Pastry alert! Pastry alert! The baked goods at Cafe Selmarie are sinfully good. As a person who will always choose shrimp cocktail over dessert, this place had me pretty excited. Chocolate banana eclairs! Bienenstich! Pear tarts! Apricot tarts! Raspberry financiers! You get the idea... We left here with only four pastries: a blackberry financier, a raspberry financier, an apricot frangipan tart, and this insane bun looking monstrosity that was basically brioche with a creamy custard filling. I think it was called a tropezier? It was absolute madness eating this thing. You would bite into the sugar topped brioche and sweet cream would just ooze out the sides. One of the sexiest desserts I have seen in a while. Needless to say, everything was phenomenal and consumed in one sitting. If I lived in the neighborhood, there is no doubt that I would turn into a jelly roll. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)
Erica W.
Who knew that I would find love at first sight at Cafe Selmarie? I had never tried a financier before, and decided to try the raspberry financiers. They are these little bite-sized cake-like pastries with a fresh raspberry inside. I truly had a moment. My friends were wondering what was wrong with me when I momentarily couldn't talk. These financiers changed my world for a moment in time. I will gladly travel all the way from the loop to Lincoln Square to get more of those. I love the fact that this place is open late for late night desserts, coffee and tea. Too bad they don't stay open later. Great service, and fantastic pastries - I'll be back for brunch AND lunch. AND they are close to the brown line Western stop. It's located in a cute area with shops and boutiques, so Cafe Selmarie is definitely in my future - a brunch and boutique day is calling my name!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Fantastic lunch! The broccoli salad was absolutely delicious and the bread is phenomenal. Great atmosphere. This place is a must-try.
(5)
Jose S.
Overall very good food and service. Favorite meal is the chilaquiles. One of the best I have tasted in years. Be aware of the corned beef hash. It's shredded beef and not the typical hash you find in a diner. Felt like I was eating a cross between hay and beef jerky. It's the only item on the menu I dont like.
(4)
C T.
I love this place! Lots of healthy menu items. Plates are huge, expensive, but worth it for the large servings. Super fun place to come and eat in the summer. Bakery looks delicious, but I'm always too stuffed for a treat.
(4)
Jenna S.
I came here with another person for dinner and we had completely opposite experiences with it came to the food we ordered; although both experienced the hands down amazing service! My dinner entree was the seared scallops, his was the half chicken. For starters, my scallops were cooked to NEAR perfection airing on the rare side. I enjoy a perfectly cooked scallop, which can sometimes be difficult, but this one scared me a little. The root vegetables and squash puree it was surrounded by was near tasteless. My fiance's dinner was beyond wonderful! The chicken was moist and flavorful, cooked to perfection. The potatoes were heavenly! All the flavors melded together in harmony! To end the meal, we shared a chocolate truffle and the german sour cherry cheesecake. STOP THE PRESSES. TRUFFLES! Yes, the chocolate truffle was flippin' amazing. Actually, I had forgotten all about the scallop debacle that was currently invading my stomach. All I could think about were TRUFFLES. Yum! Now, don't get me wrong, the dense rich flavor of the cheesecake was also a delight...but still all I can think about is that damn truffle confection!! Need. More!
(4)
Elaine C.
I took back Lincoln Square last weekend. It used to belong to someone in my past, but I ate, drank, shopped, and brunched up and down it last weekend and it felt awesome. This was also the one time they year I ordered something sweet for brunch. Lemon-ricotta griddlecakes. They were nom, but there's something about tart pancakes that didn't do it for me. The menu is impressive though. At one point one of my friends started attacking the server with questions like, "What's brioche? And what's pull-man style? And what happens to berries when they're macerated? I just need some English up in this menu right quick." So, if you're impressed by fancy words that mean "cooked with sugar", then run-don't-walk to Cafe Selmarie.
(3)
Christina K.
Went back for Sunday brunch, but with a party of four. (Sometimes I eat with people other than my boyfriend.) Don't know if it was the Father's Day crowd, or the location of our table but service was slow and frustrating. Disappointing, because I think it made me scarf down my skillet too quickly and not really enjoy it, and it seemed pretty good. Alas.
(3)
Andy W.
The food is a-ok, but the few stars are for somewhat inattentive seating. Even when the place is not very busy, it takes a long-ish while to get seated. If you go there alone, make a point to request a seat in the bright light if that makes you happy. Lunch has been consistently good, the greens fresh and not overdressed, the flavor of other items solid. Service at the table has been friendly and responsive.
(4)
Nektaria R.
So we were looking to get some coffee. Starbucks just wouldn't do... Selmarie came to mind and to find, they will Satisfy my sweet tooth too! I've been here before but it was on a date with some guy I met on in the Reader, yea, it was the one and only date I went on with anyone from the paper... we both couldn't wait to get out of there so... not so fond experience with Selmarie so I was really happy to visit again after many years and find that they're pretty cool. We arrived around 7 or so on a Tuesday night. It wasn't too packed, and we found Lincoln Square parking relatively easy (yes, it was a first). We were cheerfully greeted although we were lingering around the pastry case, we kind of looked like people coming in to take goodies home with us. No, no, we'd like to sit down I said. Right away the hostess said. She seated us by the kitchen/exit to the yard even though there were plenty of open tables, I think it was because it seemed like a lower traffic area for my handicap mom. Whatever, it worked even though we would get a little draft each time the door opened (which was very often). It's OK, it was high 60s tonight so it wasn't too bad. We each ordered a coffee drink and a pastry. The Banana Eclair, the Kahlua Cake and the Flourless Chocolate Cake. All were very delish! The eclair was definitely banana infused. I really couldn't say that about the Kahlua though, I could hardly taste the alcohol or flavoring, it was good, just chocolaty. The flourless was very dense but a little on the dry side, still very good. My latte was good, hope it doesn't keep me up all night with 2 shots of espresso. All in all, Selmarie was a good experience and I'd like to come back again for dinner or lunch. They had a tilapia dish for $17.50 which is not bad at all. Nice staff, decent prices, great atmosphere. See 'ya soon.
(3)
Erin L.
On a whim, my friend and I decided to check out this place. It was during Apple Fest so the place was pretty packed, but I am sure glad we decided to stick out the long line. Everyone was super friendly there and they didn't rush you if you weren't quite sure what yummy goodies to try. I ended up getting my husband and rum pound cake slice and I took a bite of it - delicious. The hazelnut latte I got was also really good. They have a little cafe in the back of the bakery and it was pretty packed on the day we went. If their bakery items are that good - I'm sure the food is equally as good! A perfect reason to return!
(5)
Rose G.
I went with my dad and was really pleased. It was comfortable and the portion sizes were great too. Not too pricey for Chicago either.
(4)
Emily S.
We love to go here for brunch, especially on a summer morning when the patio is bustling. Selmarie offers all that we love about Chicago brunch: a cozy neighborhood setting, lively and friendly atmosphere, and tasty, unfussy food. A good spot to take visiting parents or old college friends--we've done both, and both raved. My java-jonesing mom loves their Intelligentsia blend so much I've taken to feeding her addiction with regular one-pound whole bean shipments. We've been known to order the chilaquiles casserole, croissant sandwich, and breakfast burrito for brunch, the ravioli for dinner, and a slice of cake and coffee in between. All delish. Selmarie also did our wedding cake, a delectable chocolate-glazed white chocolate raspberry cheesecake torte that sounds like too much but definitely wasn't. Our guests gushed over the yum factor, and the presentation--three square chocolate-covered tiers accented with marzipan fall leaves--was beautiful. Birgit took her time during our consultation, offering full-size pieces of her most popular selections and describing the care taken in crafting each signature recipe. The best part? We can go back to Selmarie and order a slice whenever we like, reliving our celebration anytime.
(4)
Sarah C.
I have only had breakfest and Sunday brunch here. The food was fantastic. The granola with yogert and fresh fruit is my favorite. However, the service is horrible. Everytime I have gone here early before they are busy, I usually sit for 15 mins waiting to order and another 15 mins to pay. The whole time watching the servers stand around and talk... Be warned.
(4)
Liza M.
Love it, love it, love it. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. That's how much I love it. The chilaquiles are divine. The first time I went here with Marta, she ordered the chilaquiles and I tried it and I realized I would have to come back and get some of that for myself. And that's just what I did soon after. They also have wonderful mimosas, my favorite drink. I had a bloody mary once and that was also really good but I could only drink half of it. I just really like the decor and the atmosphere, there is a bakery in the front where everything looks really tasty too, but everytime I leave I'm too full to try anything else. I've never been for dinner, but I can't imagine it could be better than the brunch...it's just a lovely, sunny brunch place. Dinner wouldn't seem quite right. But I'm willing to give it a try. The prices are reasonable and the waitstaff is very friendly and accommodating. Well done, Cafe Selmarie! Another reason why I want to move to Lincoln Square.
(5)
Katarina X.
The clientele is certainly women of a certain age, but the service and the food can't be beat! Before we brought my boyfriend's mother in, I discreetly told the hostess that she was bordering on senile and can at times be very, very rude by no fault of the service. The staff was very understanding. When the server (Bryan, Brian?) brought a wide selection of tea for boyfriend's mother to choose from- she just about bit his head off shouting "Why don't you understand I want tea, just PLAIN tea!" He kept his cool, smiled and came back with "plain tea". When she started packing rolls in her purse, he kindly asked if she would require a to-go box. He also calmly explained the food ingredients and preparation processes to her, which is more than what I am capable of, and believe me, I was so grateful I paid him $50.00 extra, cash, on top of his tip. Can I take him home? Now every time she visits, she wants to come here... and thanks to the service, I am looking forward to it as well!
(5)
Luciana B.
Adorable little cafe in adorable little Lincoln Square (quickly becoming my favorite of Chicago's neighborhoods). The service was quick and friendly (and funny, if I might add) and so very understanding considering the size of our group. The menu has all sorts of tempting choices and all of it was absolutely delicious. The server was VERY patient about separating our checks, as tedious as that must be. Which is always the sign of an amazing restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Decor is lovely. Atmosphere is relaxing. A must-eat indeed!
(5)
Erika G.
Outdoor lunch on a summer Saturday does not get any better than this. A chopped salad, any of their soups and a glass of du vin rouge and I'm happy people watching for hours.
(4)
Kevin C.
This is one of our favorite brunch places. If you're in a rush to get seated or get to your next appointment after your meal, you've come to the wrong place. This cafe is more in the traditional European style, more relaxed and laid back. The menu items are always tasty and well prepared. The coffee is excellent and the pace inside kind of leisurely...the patio is great in the summer. It is sometimes difficult to get seated at peak times (brunch on the weekends), we've had waits of up to 45 minutes before. We are usually there when they open or we don't go until late lunch. We've been probably 20x or more and each time has been great. I kind of wish it were bigger (so seating would be less of a problem) but then it would lose some of it's charm. Whenever we have guests in town this is one of our top 5 places to take them for a meal. Highly recommended
(4)
Ginny B.
This place has caused me to gain 20 or 30 pounds. I suffer in silence and with a big smile.
(5)
Kate Z.
They told us the wait would be 20 minutes, but it was actually 50 (there were 3 of us on a Sunday morning). Our server was Traci and things were fine until we were ready to pay the bill. She had not offered to split the checks at the beginning of our order, and was very quick to get us our food, which was great. However, when I wanted her to just take my three things and put them on my card, she ripped the bill fold out of my hand and said, "So you just want separate checks, FINE." and stormed off. We were so shocked. When she returned, she told us that if we wanted separate checks, we should tell her in the beginning. I totally get that- I was a server too. But if it's such a hassle to split the check, ask at the beginning. It's not hard to do and saves a lot of time. It's not my responsibility, as the customer, to know how difficult or easy your bill splitting process is. After that, we went home and hours later, both my friend and I (we both got the same meal) were VERY sick. When I called the cafe today to tell them, their number was disconnected. I sent an email and I am waiting to hear back. UPDATE: I received a follow up call from the General Manager at Cafe Selmarie the same day I called and posted this review, and she was very nice and apologetic about my experience, and offered a gift certificate. It sounds like they did research to find out what could have made my friend and I sick, but didn't find anything. She also said that they did not get any other reports and sold 32 dishes that day (although, most people don't make the connection- I only did because my friend and I both had the same symptoms and ate the same dish). Additionally, she promised to talk to the server about her treatment. Overall, I am happy that she called and have changed my rating to 3 stars because we did have an enjoyable time while we were eating and she did make an effort to resolve things with me. She cares very much about the Cafe and how it is perceived, which is awesome.
(3)
Amanda G.
I really liked this place! The atmosphere was bright and sunny and the food was really good. We did have to wait awhile for seating but occupied our time admiring the beautiful desserts in the display case by the front door! My only complaint was the disorder at the cashier. We tried to get in some semblance of a line but eventually had to push our way to the front just to pay the bill. Still, I would definitely go back.
(4)
Natasia O.
I especially love this place on weekdays for lunch. I always seem to find myself wondering over there on rainy days like today for a fantastic cup of coffee. They have great sandwiches, a wonderful atmosphere, and I love to go by myself with a book and slowly enjoy my lunch solo.
(4)
Mike G.
great location right on the square. good for people watching, enjoying the outsideness, and listening to the music that randomly appears here. Lincoln Square has to be Chicago's most European 'hood. Cafe Selmarie adds to that by being a great little American cafe influences by Euro style treatment. The food is solid. Nothing here is going to amaze you on the creativity spectrum--but it all tastes good. The portions are perfect too--no behemoth style servings. We didn't do dessert. It looks like a great spot to grab some baked goods and coffee though to enjoy while lingering in the square.
(4)
Nellie T.
I've bene going to Selmarie for about 3 years now and I love it as much today as I did when I first came here. They serve intelligensia coffee which I love and make pasteries and granola that is just oh so freakin good. The prices are average for any foofoo breakfast that you'll get in Chicago. Their menu isn't huge (just about a one pager), but everything I've had is great. Their house potatoes are perfectly cooked: crisp and favorful. The boyfriend always gets their breakfast burrito. They don't put enough sauce for his liking, but will give you more if you ask. I usually get their omelette special. There use to not be a wait when I first started coming here, but like all other things.... word has gotten out and there is usually a wait. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in for brunch. Don't forget to leave room for a treat to bring home. I highly recommend the Palmiers!
(4)
Christina S.
Goodness gracious! This is the kind of cafe that can make a neighborhood a destination, and it looks like Cafe Selmarie has done just that for Lincoln Square. I recently had lunch here for the first time, and I was back for brunch the next morning, it was that good. The wait can verge on ridiculous, but if you call ahead, they'll add your name to the list. I recommend that strategy. I also recommend the croque monsieur. :)
(5)
Anna R.
Brunch at Sel Marie is one of my favorite places to go too! My top three dishes are: Brioche French Toast with berries and mascapone, Crab Benedict, and my absolute favorite is the Chiliquilles! It gets very busy on the weekends so I recommend to get there early. But if you have to wait, they have a great pastries, cookies, and bakery items to nibble on while you wait :)
(5)
George R.
Trust them for delicious croissants and the other fine French-style baked goods, but don't bother staying for breakfast. I've seen the place overflowing on weekends with crowds loitering outside, but why? Get a croissant or a brioche and maybe a coffee and take it elsewhere. Take it for a walk. This place often is crawling with bratty kids and stroller-toting parents, especially on nice mornings. To me, no matter how concientious, kids always make a place grungier because they can't sit still and most parents can't keep up with their destruction. Lovely idea, but beware. Go at an off hour and see what you think.
(3)
Ade Z.
i really like selmarie. but dont stay. grab things to go and enjoy in your apt with your dog ( or bf). they have awesome cakes..they are great for last minute bday dinners that you need to take a dessert to. or even for company gatherings a SURE hit! I have only been here for dessert and have yet to try their menu of actual food. I cant wait..i will be going this weekend! BUT... like i said earlier dont stay and eat- grab and go. They are really busy here- the service is like the service of a bakery ( can i help you?.... chocalte or vanilla... that will be 20.20....NEXT.) so don expect to be treated royal...if you want that treatment go to the italian resturant down the street or even Garcia's :) in any case, thier treats are KICKASS! coffee- ok service- eh? parking- its the L square- nuff said ambiance- LOUD!!@#$@#%
(4)
Cat B.
This place is so good...can't believe I haven't eaten here since I started yelping! Ate here for lunch today and it was wonderful. The veggies are always fresh and the atmosphere is beautiful. The space is very bright and the art accents the paint well. We did comment, as we were leaving, that it was almost a crime to leave without having something sweet. The Halloween cookies and cakes looked delicious. But we were so full from lunch. My friend Jim had the Mahi-Mahi wrap, which he said was very delicious. Definitely a reliable spot. Highly recommended.
(5)
Deborah E.
Cafe Selmarie, I have been your friend for the 21 years I have lived in Chicago. I have spent hundreds of dollars on you.........can it possibly be that I have never frequented you on a Saturday morning, to experience those delectable Cherry Pocket Danish and Blueberry Pocket Danish? SO moist, so full of fruit and cream and flaky goodness and..............I was told you only serve them on Saturdays - thank god or I would soon weigh 700 lbs.
(5)
starli h.
so, my mom visits often and creates an agenda for each day she is here, which usually includes eating, thrifting, shopping and sightseeing. totally fun with mom, so this weekend we visited cafe selmarie which has been on her list forevvvver. not sure why i haven't been there sooner, or haven't spent more time in lincoln square in general, at least with my mom - she loved the walk and shops. the cafe was like the visit: cute, fun to look around and i wouldn't mind going back. we only tried a few things in the bakery; we weren't hungry and nothing really caught my attention in the restaurant. we made the trip to get cake, anyways. my mom heard somewhere that the sacher torte was theee best. it was the sacher torte, an orange-chocolate torte and she got something that looked like a raspberry linzer cookie. well, the sacher torte was kind of boring and dry, but wet. like watery, but dry. weird. i'd get it again for comedic value: mom (yelling): what's this crunchy stuff? it's kind of dry. me: it's the ganache on top. mom (yelling): oh. it's ok. but it's crunchy! me: it's the ganache on top! mom (yelling): it's dry! and crunchy. me (yelling): it's the chocolate ganache! repeat x3 the torte i had was great, like really great because it's my kind of chocolate. it was a flourless variety - perfect and moist and dense and i had to drink a lot of water with it. it was dusted with cocoa on top which made me happy, but then, i can eat chocolate with no sugar. i hope someday to get it intravenously. so, the torte was perfect and there was the right amount of orange flavoring. i loved it. my mom was happier with the linzer-looking cookie. so much so that after the cake episode she wanted to go back and try other goods more her style, like the german chocolate cake. hopefully there's no ganache in it. it'll be fun to go back, we had a great time walking around and the location is pretty cool - next to a square with a lot of outdoor seating.
(3)
Maria S.
The pastries, the croissants, the linzertorte -- it's all so good, it almost seems a shame to have anything else here. The sunny Lincoln Square space looks out onto a street with plenty of foot traffic for good people-watching on weekends, too. Cafe Selmarie has European-style baked goods, and the line here for weekend breakfast and brunch is, as you'd expect, outrageous. But their selection of salads (greens with goat cheese, chopped salad, usw.), sandwiches (roasted portabella, smoked turkey and brie, croque monsieur, etc.) and pizzas are just as good. It's a dilemma. Most items, even for dinner, are under $10, and they have beer & wine. I love it most as a place to go with a friend for a nice wedge of cake, served with a cup of their good coffee. It's bustling here, but you can have a conversation without having to shout, too.
(4)
Catherine D.
This is my FAVORITE place to eat. I've been going to Selmarie since it opened, when I was a child. Back then, I was introduced to quiche. I would eat my little green salad with dark brown croutons and then my quiche with my mother. Years later, the mixed-fruit tarts became a favorite. Now, I favor the wraps, especially when they are fish. Excellent brunch. Nice servers. The bosses must be good to their employees. Wonderful sweets. Carrot cake is excellent. Just a solid, comfortable, charming place with excellent food.
(5)
Rebecca Huicha K.
cute area! i love the quaintness of the alley/street! went here for dessert even tho we were pretty full from dinner. i wanted to try EVERYTHING in the shop even tho my belly was about to burst. the service here is IMPECCABLE! the guy manning the bakery area was sooo friendly and nice. it was our first time there and so we had a few questions, he answered them thoroughly even tho there were other people waiting behind us. we ended up getting the raspberry chocolate tart which was great. the contrast of the sweet tart, dark chocolate and burst of fresh raspberries was delish! i noticed the prix fixe menu on thursday for ONLY $20. the menu looked pretty good too and you can pick your dessert from the bakery. My bf did notice a funny thing on their breakfast menu. they have an omelet on the menu...the price is market price tho! market price for an omelet? hmmm... I'm definitely going back for the prix fixe and for breakfast/brunch sometime soon!
(4)
Kate M.
I enjoy Cafe Selmarie on a regular basis, since it's so close to where I live. Food is terrific, Ambience is also great, and eating outside in the warmer months makes for a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, Also FIVE stars for their baked goods and tarts! Delicious. I often stop by on Friday and pick up a tart just so I can enjoy it at home when I get up on Saturday morning. One strike against it is the noise factor. It can be like an echo chamber for shrieking children. They do serve children, so I guess in that sense it is "good for kids," But when kids are there, it isn't good for the rest of us! Wish they would invest in some noise deadening technology. Aside from that, though, it's terrific.
(4)
Laura S.
Totally overrated. I live two blocks away but will drive to Lincolnwood for Rolf's (where the owner was trained and worked for many years). When you walk in the staff seem annoyed that you are there. I've had some OK things. There are just so many other places to choose from. I only go for convenience if I have to pick up a dessert at the last minute. I find the cakes to be dry or old. They have an assembly line taste as if they are mass made or defrosted. Don't get me started on the non-present parenting... people it's not a playground! Kids can EASILY be taught to sit at a table. TRUST ME! I guess you could try it if your hanging out in The Square. Meh!
(2)
Matt P.
This is a really good choice for a weekend brunch, lunch or dessert after catching a movie at the nearby Davis Theater. The good-sized sidewalk patio area adjoins a plaza with a fountain that drowns out the noisy city. I'll be back here again this summer to enjoy the patio and some dessert!
(4)
Jen M.
Cafe Selmarie is a delightful cafe / restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Square. I've been there around ten times, sometimes just to share dessert with a friend and other times to indulge in a delicious, yet slightly overpriced entree. I had a scrumptious experience there last week in which I tried their portobella mushroom ravioli for the first time. It was incredible. The waiter also steered my friend and me away from ordering two glasses of wine and encouraged us to order a 1/2 price bottle (on Wednesdays). Much better value! Do not pass up the dessert! I adore the raspberry / chocolate torte. Yum!!
(4)
John K.
I've been to this restaurant a few times for brunch, and the hash is wonderful and the poached eggs were perfect. The service was usually fair, a little slow but not bad. Unfortunately that's where my compliments stop. One of the times the hash was cold. I feel like they barely cooked it. Either that or it was sitting there for a while. A week ago or so I went in for dinner. The menu was so boring. There was only a few appetizer options, none of which were appealing. I ended up getting a side salad which was ok, the dressing wasn't very flavorful but it was ok. Then I got a pasta dish, which again was ok, not great, but way over priced. My girlfriend got a steak, and that was good, but let's face it. A well cooked steak is always good. Then we had dessert. The coffee was great. The dessert... Not so great. The raspberry torte was dry. Then the cookies my girlfriend got were stale. My opinion, go for brunch, but there's better places in the square for dinner.
(2)
Moe f.
Great place for brunch hence the weekend crowds. Always lots of seasonal specials. Haven't tried dinner here yet. And fantastic pastries. And my wife's friends threw her baby shower here and they had a great time.
(4)
Tanya M.
OH. MY. GAWD. The best lamb i've ever had. well tied for first at least. So I got a friend to hit up their 3 course prixe fix menu with me last night and it was amazing. seriously. fucking awesome. they give you a choice of soup or salad, and the main course was between a shrimp and scallop alfredo or a lamb shank and i am so so so glad that i got the lamb shank. ok, first off we both had the soup which was a fish chowder and it was great. i didn't think i would like it but i slurped up every last bit of it. and the lamb shank, i didn't know what a shank was. i assumed it be slices of lamb but instead a plate with a huge turkey leg lookin thing on it was placed in front of me and i was blown away. the meat was falling off the bone, so incredibly delicious. the mashed potatoes were great and it was the first time i had brussel sprouts and they were very good, not too hard, and not too soft. i was soo full but still had dessert comin too me. and the dessert for the prixe fix they let you choose from the bakery up front which i think is great. i had the raspberry tart and my friend had the banana torte i think, both were awesome. i brought home a cupcake for my boyfriend and he said it was delicious. our waiter was also very nice and friendly. the total for 2 prixe fix dinners at $20 easch, 2 beers $4 each, a glass of wine $8 and 2 coffees $?(intellegentsia) =$63 not bad at all. i expected the place to be packed for a $20 prixe fix menu night but it wasn't at all. the area its in is super cute as well. it has a bunch of cute shops that of course were not open at 6:30 at night, 2 german-esque bars and a cool lookin book shop. the parking on that block, and probably the surrounding area, is meter parking. its also right by the western stop on the brown line. i will definitely be back for more. and more and more. oh and the bakery in front has a ton of delicious looking baked goods. even some pastries that i normally only see at swedish/danish bakeries. good stuff.
(5)
Jessica B.
"Meh. I've experienced better." Is absolutely the right way to say it. However, i wish i could rate the bakery and the restaurant separately... The bakery was DELICIOUS! When we got there around 1 for brunch, we were told around 20 minutes. 20 minutes came and went so i went up to the host stand to ask about our table. I could see into the restaurant and there were plenty of open tables! The hostess was also rude, and told me it would be another 15 minutes. While we waited for our table, we hit up the sweet bakery. I got a chocolate croissant and my bf got some raspberry cookies with a coffee. I've searched high and low for a close replica of the chocolate croissants i got while in Germany, and i had yet to find one to even come close to being as delicious as they were. But this one was awesome! It wasn't as good as the ones in DE, but it was close enough. The Bakery is AMAZING. The cakes, cookies, and pastries all looked delicious for a carb lover like myself.... I was overwhelmed with choices! Eventually, we were seated outside and waited a couple minutes for someone to even come to our table. We were already ready to order when our server finally came to the table and she seemed annoyed that we were ready so quickly. But with over a half-an-hour wait, what would you expect? I ordered the Egg Sandwich on a Croissant without the vegetables and an English muffin. A minute or two later she comes back and tells me they're all out of the egg sandwich. I looked at her like WTH? I asked what exactly were they out of, eggs? Croissants?(Which i know they weren't, because i saw some in the bakery....) Cheese?! She said she didn't know, and would be right back. How can you know you're out of something and not know what it is? She comes back and tells me they're out of the vegetables that go on the sandwich. I politely remind her that i asked for no vegetables on my sandwich. So she tells me that it wont be a problem. After that, i was just seriously annoyed. The food was good, nothing too special. Eggs were fluffy, and my bf liked his corned beef. His egg was a little weird, but other than that i only have 1 other complaint: no grape jelly. What is with all these places that have NO grape jelly?!?!?!?!?! Isn't grape jelly the standard?! I understand having strawberry, but blackberry instead of grape?! Seriously, breakfast/brunch restaurants, GET SOME GRAPE JELLY! Its a GRAPE idea! Ok, that was cheesy. All in all, i wont be back unless I'm in the area and I am seriously craving some awesome pastries.
(2)
Norbert W.
actually 2.5 stars. more to the "newbie" crowd that maybe spent a semester abroad their junior year ... they might like it. back, say 10 years ago before lincoln square was THE place to live, it was fun walking home through the square and watching the homeless guys heckle the selmarie faithful. it's decent. okay. maybe overpriced. the clientelle is over the top. fawning "euro wanna bes" pining on and on about Europe from their six weeks there in college. but beware of the "the food was wonderful. reminded me of being in a General Foods international coffee ad" review. chances are, it's blinded bullshit. (if you know the onion - check out the point counter point, "european men are so romantic/american girls are so easy" - that type)
(2)
Erin J.
The service here is amazing. I went during a very busy time and the waiter was cool as a cucumber about everything. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted and he lacked the attitude problem that is common among wait staff. When I asked for a suggestion, he gave me a few and was very descriptive about the food options, that he felt I might enjoy. The food was very fresh and flavorful and the bread was OMG so good! The only sad thing is that they have little to no vegan options, so I don't come here a lot. I got a funny look when I stopped by for coffee (which is really good coffee) and I asked for soymilk. It is a very traditional cafe/bakery and I didn't mind my coffee black.
(5)
Stacy S.
I really enjoy this place everytime I go. But my husband and I really only go in the summers. The outdoor patio is great! We have been in the winter before and it just isn't as exciting. They have great deserts, but often run out of menu items (as some are not always on the menu). It is very nice for a casual dinning experience. They have great wine to compliment their dishes and nice servers to compliment their establishment.
(4)
Krisi I.
I am not sure if I like Cafe Selmarie as much as it is cranked up to be. I go here for breakfast on the weekends with friends and for lunch as well. Most of the time, the food is great and filling but other times it is not. And I usually order the same thing because the menu is not that extensive. I feel like they change their cooks every time I go. Although, I am not satisfied sometimes, there is one particular waiter that is so attentive, nice, and polite and for some reason my meal does not taste the same unless I order from him. The desserts are delicious though. I love their butter cookies, cheese cakes, and their little chocolate cookies. Along with their coffee, they taste great when I have a sweet tooth. :) I think Selmarie is good, but I wouldn't believe all the hype that it gets from people, I think that there are better places in Lincoln Square that do not get enough recognition.
(3)
Foodiegirl F.
There are two words that rarely elicit much of a response in me when uttered together... breakfast burrito. But at Cafe Selmarie, the thought of these two words make my mouth water. Fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs, guacamole and white cheddar cheese, served with some of the best and fresh-tasting salsa I've had, well...it's just darn good! The smoked salmon scramble is equally tasty, with fresh dill and scallions. I don't care for sweets, so can't speak to the desserts, but my chocolate-loving 7 year old nephew took one bite of his chocolate cookie and threw it away. That spoke volumes to me. Stick with savory and you'll be good. The mac and cheese with leeks is super yummy, as is the chicken pot pie!
(4)
John S.
food is great, service is excellent, but they need to spray the place with Raid for Children. That or teach all the parents that bring their screaming, running, annoying mini-beasts that not all of us think they are cute when they make that big thumping sound with the high chair, it is just annoying.
(4)
Andy S.
Cafe Selmarie is a pretty great restaurant. The desserts behind the front counter look outstanding, all of the food is prepared well and delicious, and supposedly the coffees and tea are good. On paper, this place is a great restaurant. After going here though and having to deal with an infestation of little kids, I wanted to go straight to Walgreens to buy condoms so that I never have to worry about reproduction. It's the epitome of Lincoln Square, a place that looks like a lot of fun, but once you live there for a while you want to jump ship and move to a more adult-oriented part of town.
(3)
Brian T.
Wow. They provide that update-your-water-glass-after-every-sip sort off service that is usually reserved for the very frou-frou restaurants. The atmosphere is wonderful. Huge picture windows, big dining area, quaint bakery/barrista area, etc. My spinach quiche was incredible. Coffee was fresh. I was lucky to have a dining partner with a small appetite. Her spinach/feta omelette was equally incredible. Two thumbs up. Way up.
(5)
Melanie B.
a coworker of mine brought me to selmarie the other day. i have been by it before but always thought it was just a bakery with some seating. they actually have a very nice dinner selection and i enjoyed my experience there. we sat out on the patio, which was really nice because the weather was basically perfect. the service was a bit slow and kind of awkward (more on that in a min), but i ordered the ahi tuna with mango salsa (a special) and she ordered the tilapia. both meals were very good, very tasty and nice (not humongous, yay) portions. also, the bakery items looked amazing. however, the service was weird. it was slow to begin with, but the waiter actually tried to get us to just give him money without showing us the bill. so weird. but when he finally brought it (it took a long time) everything was okay. it wasn't very busy, btw, so i don't know why it took so long. anyway, i would go back here for dinner, and i'd really like try some of their amazing-looking pastries. i just hope next time the service is more on top of things.
(3)
ashley w.
Every time I pick up a dessert from Cafe Selmarie, I'm left feeling sort of used. The prices are very reasonable, but the quality of the food is just eh. At first I thought it was just one item that was "eh", but after taste testing at least a half dozen items, I can say that this place is overall just "eh". Good service but I'm always left expecting more.
(3)
Amanda R.
I like bacon. Cafe Selmarie has some of my favorite bacon in the city. I like Cafe Selmarie.
(4)
Doris D.
This place just begs you to come in. It is so cute!! Their cappuccino is delicious, and so much better than the usual crap I get at Starbucks for much more. The pastries are delicious and always fresh, escpecially their biscottis! Service is a little slow though but overall it's a great place in adorable Lincoln Square.
(4)
Kristina K.
So. I keep thinking about reviewing Selmarie. But I don't. Because I work there. And I know from the talk threads about how people feel about reviewing your workplace. So I will make it very clear. I WORK HERE. I AM BIASED. I also hesitate because one of my managers (Hi, Anne!) reads Yelp on a fairly regular basis. We currently have a list of all our good reviews hanging in the front window. Say nice things, and you could be up there too. But in all seriousness. I really, really like Selmarie. I eat here every day. Not necessarily because I want to, but because it's there, and I kind of have to. I'll give you a rundown of items as they come to me. Sorry in advance for the length and the vegetarian slant. Menu: *Veggie Chili: excellent. *Salads: good in general. The pear salad is only served as a special. It's my favorite. Order it. But leave me one. *Sweet Potato Fries: hands down favorite thing on the menu. I love sweet potatoes. I love chipotle dip. *Grilled Cheese: Jaime makes the best. Get multigrain bread, and add tomatoes and avocado. Yum. *Soups: delicious and often vegetarian. My favorites include: butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato bisque (ask for croutons), tomato florentine. There's a lot of non vegetarian ones that I haven't tried, but I'm sure they're good too *Mac & Cheese: tasty. Many different cheeses. This ain't blue box. *Quiche: goodness. Get the Italian veggie with sundried tomatoes. But again, save me some. *Breakfast Burrito: second favorite thing on the menu. I wish I worked more mornings so I could eat this more often. *Breakfast Potatoes: come with burrito. Add to the deliciousness. *French Toast: get the one with the berries. It was the most amazing french toast I've ever had. Honestly. Desserts (I work at the counter, and if you ask, I will be honest, but here I'll just list my favorites, in no particular order): *Sacher Torte (say it with me: soccer): I explain what this is about 80 times a day. But it's still my favorite. *Raspberry Marzipan Torte: mmm, marzipan. *Tiramisu: so, so, so good. *Tres Leches: dripping with condensed milk and sweetness. *Strawberry Roulade (say it with me: roo-laud): sweet and light and fruity. *Mixed Fruit Tart/Raspberry Custard Tart/Raspberry Chocolate Tart: I'm a fruit addict. All fresh. All delicious. The Rasp. Chocolate is sinful. *Morning Bun: the lemon glaze gets me every time. *Chocolate Mousse Torte/Raspberry Bavarian Torte: the first time I had these, I wasn't too thrilled. Recently I tried them again, and have honestly been converted. Both are amazing. *Spanish Almond Torte: mmm, more marzipan, and apricot preserves. Cookies (all excellent, again, my favorites): *Kolachkys, Apricot Circles, Raspberry Hearts, Raspberry Almond Tartlets, Florentines, Wedding Cakes, Rugelah, Oatmeal Chocolate Almond Coconut, Sugar Cookies. So, yeah. It's ALL good. You really can't go wrong. I, of course, get sick of it all. That's only because I look at it/have it every day. But you don't work there, so you won't. Edit: I guess there's some question as to Selmarie's reservation policy. We *DO* take reservations. But *only* for parties of 6 or more. Except for weekends, you probably won't need one anyway. If you are desperate for something Selmarie, and don't have 6 people, call ahead when you're on your way. We will kindly put you on the list.
(5)
cara r.
The food at Cafe Selmarie looked really good, but I didn't come here for a meal, I came for a cupcake. And once was definitely enough. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but the cake was dry on both the yellow and chocolate cakes, and the icing managed to be both overly sweet and too buttery all at the same time. The last time I was in Lincoln Square I got a cupcake craving, and I walked right past Cafe Selmarie, got in my car, and drove down to Dinkel's to satisfy it. *sigh*
(1)
Jennifer H.
Great brunches in general, and their lunch and dinner offerings are tasty (love the cucumber avocado soup!) but I think the bakery is a bit overrated. I have ordered dessert here before, and the crumb on each occasion has been tough and dry (to be fair, I stopped ordering dessert after four bland tries, so maybe I just picked the wrong things). The service is always, always fantastic, and I have never had an egregious wait. This is a terrific neighborhood joint overall -- just wish I had had bette experiences with the baked goods!
(4)
Mrs. F.
My husband and I eat here at least 3-4 times a month. It's quiet, their food and desserts are consistently good, and the staff is always friendly. We like the outdoor seating and take advantage as soon as the weather warms up. For a weeknight dinner when you don't feel like cooking, this is the place to go. Their dishes are simple, fresh, and flavorful. If you want something fancy don't go here, but if you want casual, low-key and easy this is the best place. We love it.
(5)
Ayaka H.
I've had one good experience and one not so awesome experience. Service was great both times but one of the brunch items was not very tasty and I think that their selection is lacking.
(3)
A.S. V.
It's hard to choose the best brunch place in Chicago with so much competition, but this is a contender for top five. It's a homey bakery in Lincoln Square, with great outdoor seating on the plaza in the summertime. There's nothing unusual about their breakfast menu, but I've been thoroughly happy with everything, particularly the potatoes.
(5)
Pat T.
It loses a star because of its cramped cafe area which offers little room to relax. But, if you can handle the long line of parents and their annoyingly-named children ("Isabella, don't drink that creamer!"; "You only get one crumpet, Riley, I mean it!"; "Addison, why can't you be more like Madison?"), you'll be rewarded with a solid cup of coffee and amazing pastries. The flourless chocolate cake will make you melt.
(4)
Anthony Z.
I really love this place. The only real fault I can find is that prices are a little high for eating there as frequently as I would like. The bakery is particularly good in my option. If not the best, I think there cupcakes are very near the best in the city. Brunch can get a little crazy, with an extended wait if you get there too late, but it remains one of my brunch staples, and I often take out of town guests there. Dinner and lunch are solid, if not necessarily spectacular.
(5)
Amanda W.
All else aside... two words: strawberry roulade. You are to die for... You are a dream dessert come true. And this, coming from a serious chocolate fan, is truly saying something. I do love this place, although you'd best be prepared to wait awhile if you show up for weekend brunch. But their food is delicious, their coffee is just right, and the desserts are enough to make you want to press your ugly mug right up against the glass counter and drool.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch and I really like the place except for one drawback....they seem to attract the rudest clientele imaginable. On both visits I sat outside. When I went for dinner, there was a young boy (maybe 4) playing with a ball by bouncing it off every surface imaginable (the wall, our legs, our table, other people's legs, other people's tables, etc.) with apparently no parent supervision (or at least a parent who could care less). The ball bouncing went on for way too long until finally the ball bounced onto our table while the waiter was taking our order. He finally took action and the manager came out to tell the parents to reign their kid in (the manager had observed this previously but delayed taking action until he nearly knocked our drinks over). As an alternative, these stellar parents just lifted the kid over the fence into the square to play ball unsupervised with some random strangers (maybe they were hoping to get rid of him?). Anyway the food was really good and despite that I enjoyed my dinner experience. My second visit was for brunch recently. Once again, I was sitting outside. I liked the brunch options and the food was really good, but this time we had some man insistent on feeding pigeons sitting next to us. This probably would not have bothered me normally, but he kept throwing the bread he was feeding these pigeons midway between our two tables and suddenly I had birds crawling between my legs to get to their next morsel of food. So gross! I'm pretty sure it is also illegal to do this in the city of Chicago (against city ordinances). Needless to say, constantly randomly moving your feet throughout your meal in order to get the pigeons away from you makes for a very unpleasant brunch experience. This time, no one from the wait/management staff said anything to them. The food was once again very good, but their terrible clientele (and the restaurants' apparent inability to control them) makes this a hard place to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this place, but would suggest sitting inside.
(3)
Sarah F.
Good to the last bite. You can't go wrong. Every meal they serve is scrumptious. Everything they do, they do it very well. I particularly like their breakfasts and salads. They are the kind of place that makes a salad into a celebration.
(5)
Maria G.
Really good place, its a bit pricey for the portions, but well worth it. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was out of this world! My husband had the chicken pot pie which we were not as thrilled about. Overall they had great service and the ravioli was incredible.
(4)
C P.
this place has excellent, well-executed breakfast. this is the only meal I've been there for. I tend to avoid it during peak weekend breakfast hours, as it can get a little over-run with strollers. got up early enough, though and had another great breakfast here, so thought it time to let others know. had corned beef hash and my boyfriend had the omelette. Corned beef was exactly what I wanted - fresh, NOT CANNED. something I could only hope to aspire at making at home, once a year, after St. Patrick's day. perfectly balanced beef, potatoes and still-runny poached eggs. other eggs were also good and the fillings were each cooked to a good level of done-ness. they keep things moving during busy times, but not so close/crowded that you can hear the conversation of the person next to you.
(4)
Ren B.
three words: black. forest. cake. no one does it better than selmarie. if i'd ever had anything other than their black forest cake i might have given them five stars. but then again, do you really need to have anything else??
(4)
Sarah Z.
Great brunch spot. Even greater outdoor patio. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Natalie B.
This place is very cute. They have a nice little bakery counter, but you can also eat dinner as well. The food was good but not necessarily memorable. I'm not sure if it would be on my radar for dinner options, but I do like stopping by for a cookie or 2 while strolling around Lincoln Square.
(3)
Amanda P.
The best place to go in Chicago for German/Austrian pastries (yes, better than Julius Meinl). Selmarie is a wonderful bakery cafe with good sandwiches and salads, and world-class desserts. Try the Zachertorte.
(5)
James D.
This place is great. I've been going there since they opened and it's always been high quality. I was partial to the chocolate eclairs growing up but now I can't get enough of the fruit tarts or the Gateau Grandmere.
(4)
Aurora B.
I do not consider myself a "Cake Person" but I do love carrot cake, and Cafe Selmarie has the BEST carrot cake. I was so excited when I found out they do wedding cakes and was even more excited when they were affordable. We had a 2-tier "decorative" cake to cut in front of guests and take pictures with and then had sheet cakes to serve. This is a great way to go if you want to save money and are not interested in a huge multi-tiered cake. Cafe Selmarie worked out the drop off time with our wedding location and was very easy to deal with.
(5)
Dave T.
I am not a big sweets person, but if there is like a random pie or tart or pint of ice cream lying around I'll definitely indulge. I am that way about a lot stuff that I am not willing to pay for but will have at it if it's free: porn, cable tv, miller or budweiser beer, and sweets. Someone at work recently brought in a pecan pie from Cafe Selmarie and it was awesome. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)
B. L.
Another gem can be found in Lincoln Square. I like the atmosphere and the service as well as the food. This place has a lot of charm and character. I enjoy the wine and salads.
(4)
Joe B.
I'm surprised that all of these reviews are only about the pastries. Selmarie has the best breakfast and lunch in Lincoln Square. It's definitely on the foodie end of the food spectrum while remaining pretty accessible and not overly expensive. Everything they serve is fresh and homemade and served on great homemade baked goods. Great Soups and daily specials. They always have a special seafood wrap that is out of this world. Sometimes Ahi Tuna, sometimes Tilapia. The menu changes daily and seasonaly, but they have their staples as well. Don't go early on a weekend expecting to not have to wait in line. But if you do, the wait is worth it.
(5)
John S.
Nice selection of coffee and pastries. Charming atmosphere. Friendly staff. The food tasted great, but I have to question the portion size of the 'Cafe Spinach Salad. I ordered mine with chicken breast added for an additional $4. The plate it arrived on was the size of a coffee cup saucer and it literally had 8 pieces of baby spinach, a few tiny crumples of cheese and a minuscule amount of chicken breast. This is the smallest dinner salad I have ever had. Tasted great - all 3 bites. This is why I am only giving this place 3 stars. 1 star for each bite.
(3)
Heather K.
I don't know what the fuss is all about. I've been to Cafe S. on three occassions now. First for lunch, second for weekend brunch. last for dinner. Based on my first experience I couldn't wait to go back. I took my parents there for lunch in the summer. Sat on the patio. Had good food. Shared some wine. Overall a terrific experience. Food was great, Dad had a salad, Mom the roasted beef sandwich w/ au jus, myself the quiche. Delish. So, I went back. My husband and I tried weekend brunch later in the summer. Food was very mediocre if not down right bland and I've had way tastier chilaquiles (try Tiztal on Clark in Uptown!). We had to wait, as I expected - the place was packed - so I ordered a sf vanilla latte at the coffee bar. We sat down 25 minutes later and I STILL didn't have my coffee! First they didn't have the sf vanilla. Fine, I'll just have the plain latte. Then it was something about the milk. My God, it's a coffee bar on a weekend! How do you not have milk and syrup?! When we sat down, I told the waiter we were waiting on a latte - he brought me brewed coffee. Sent it back and 10 minutes later I FINALLY got my latte. Which was tasty but by then I was just put off about the whole situation. They did comp the drink so at least I didn't have to pay for it. I also have to complain about the number of parents that frequent this place that really need to keep a better eye on their kids. I know it's an outdoor patio - next to the Square - but that doesn't give you permission to allow your children to run wild screaming disrupting other people's meals. My last visit, my husband and I went for a Friday night dinner. Big mistake. The portions were so small, my husband actually went home and made a bowl of oatmeal because he was starving. He had ordered the chicken pot pie - it was kiddie size and WAY too creamy. It had the consistency of paste. I had the beef stew, which was marginally better, but I'd never get it again as it was served at room temperature, i.e. cold. Our food was also served in a matter of minutes. I know the stuff we ordered was probably made earlier in the day, and I don't expect restaurants to make-to-order beef stew and chicken pot pie. But we received our food in under 10 minutes! IMO, going out to eat is also about the experience not just the food. Well, our experience start to finish was finished in under 35 minutes. It was like going to a classed up and more expensive McDonalds. Needless to say, 3's a charm. I won't be back.
(1)
Crafty K.
I've had some great meals here. Brunch is good but really, I'd come for lunch or dinner to get something more memorable. That croque monsieur is insanely good and I usually like their quiches. I've had great and unusual soups that are awesome. I like how they have a seasonal menu - only using the freshest ingredients. I was very impressed with our waitress' knowledge of the wine she was serving. I once ordered a alsatian stew that was great and the waitress paired a fantastic Chilean wine with it. It was like heaven. The deserts and bakery and incredible. It's spendy allright and sometimes I've actually thought, "that salad is HOW MUCH?" but just order wisely and you'll be happy with the meal for the price.
(4)
Matt S.
My favorite brunch spot in the Square. A little pricey, but not too bad. I much prefer this place for brunch than dinner - their breakfast/brunch menu is delicious, but the dinner seems unremarkable to me.
(4)
Tracy G.
went there today for brunch- great coffee (americano), but i ordered a small o.j., got a large, and got charged for a large. not that busy, waited quite awhile for a waiter who was so-so friendly. the menu seemed great, although only one vegetarian option; i ordered it- the breakfast burrito- that was described as having many delicious mexican ingredients, like rice, avocado, etc.- it came out and was just scrambled eggs in a tortilla. avocado? looked like the chef slice an avocado and divided it between 30 burritos- couldn't even see it or taste it. i definitely could have made one at home better- and for $9, i should have! my dining partner ordered the denver omelette was just o.k. overall? there are much better places for brunch in chicago!
(2)
Maria C.
Cute place for breakfast or a light lunch. The location is great because Lincoln Square is just cute, especially in a sunny spring morning. Add that to great service, very good food and perfect portion sizes. It's a great option.
(4)
Mary T.
It used to be that no one knew where Lincoln Square was until you mentioned Cafe Selmarie. I have been coming here forever, it's always good and the desserts are wonderful. Breakfast/brunch is good, sometimes too crowded so go early. A little oasis of consistent calm and friendly wait staff.
(5)
Erika L.
I've been going to this place for years! I love their fresh baked desserts, especially the lemon squares and the brownies. It would be an ideal place to go to for brunch when you can sit outside on a nice summer afternoon and enjoy, though prepare for a possible wait! The homemade soups and the salads are great to start, and then I usually order the mac' n cheese. The coffee, dessert and the atmosphere are all of what make me give it 5 stars and keep me coming back.
(5)
Rian K.
I've been picking up pastries or ordering takeout lunch from Selmarie for a couple of years, but I only recently went there for brunch. What was a strong like before turned into love after tasting three of their brunch menu items. The interior of the dining room is bright and lively, and if it's warm, you can sit outside with a view of the nearby fountain. I had the breakfast burrito, which was delicious. My friend had a mushroom? bread pudding that was rich and decadent and we also split the cinnamon orange french toast, which was good but not extraordinary. The mint and pomegranate mimosas were definitely unique, but started to get a little too minty halfway through. Between the atmosphere, breakfast food, and the delicious pastries, cookies and cakes they serve, I have to say Selmarie is pretty sweet.
(4)
Mark S.
Yup- this place is very good. Nice space, outside seating option (watch the homeless feed pigeons), great food and awesome desserts. Not had a bad experience here ever. And, this place has the biggest rum balls on earth, if you know what I mean. Grab one and take a big bite out of it like an apple- you'll be in heaven!
(5)
Karen L.
This is a cute bakery/restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Square. I go there often for cookies and other sweet treats. I am not a big sweets fan, but I do enjoy a Selmarie treat every so often. On the weekends for brunch/lunch, expect there to be a wait. There aren't many tables inside, so it is cozy and often times crowded. (During the summer they have a nice outdoor area that is quite nice.) I have been there once for brunch and had the breakfast burrito. It was ok, but not great. Recently I just went there and opted for lunch. I thought their lunch menu was a lot better, but that could be because I am more of a lunch person than a breakfast person. I had the ahi tuna wrap, which came with sweet potato fries. The tuna was cooked rare, which was just the way I liked it. It came with mango salsa and chipotle mayo. Very yummy! The sweet potato fries were just ok. I was expecting the skinny crispy ones, but they were the thick cut, soggy ones. Overall, though, the meal was tasty. I would definitely go back for lunch, as there were other things on the menu that looked appetizing! (Like the chili and the portabello mushroom sandwich!) The price at Selmarie is like any other trendy brunch-y place... about $10 an entree or so, so not bad. I would definitely recommend trying it, and don't forget to take a stroll around Lincoln Square while you are waiting for a table. Enjoy and Hanger 18 are right there and super cute!
(4)
Jessica M.
Friendly service and tasty treats.
(4)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
I've been visiting Selmarie for brunch and dinner for almost 10 years, the food selections are very reliable in terms of quality & flavor, and their outdoor seating area is one of the most pleasant places to dine in all of the city. If you go there, you MUST save room for dessert, their pastry selection is outstanding, and everyone should indulge in one of their legendary chocolate rum balls at least once!
(4)
Allison B.
I went here for brunch this AM. We called ahead at about 11:30 AM and they said they'd have a table for 2 ready for in 30-40 minutes (pretty impressive for Father's Day). So we put in our name, and when we arrived 33 minutes later, they did indeed have a table ready for us. We even got to choose between sitting outside or inside (we chose outside). For breakfast, I had the brioche french toast. It was really good-- served w/ macerated berries and a mascarpone whipped cream. It was so good! My husband had the onion tart with caramelized onions, bacon, and bleu cheese. I thought it sounded a little funny, but it was actually really delicious. Our service was overall quite good-- a little slow on the coffee warm-ups, but other than that, no complaints. We will absolutely be back for brunch, and I'd be interested in trying out dinner there some night as well. And while I was able to pass up the baked goods today because I was so full from my french toast, I will save room next time! A pleasant dining experience!
(4)
Beebe G.
had a lovely lunch here with uncle willie! i had some tea and a tuna salad sandwich and uw had the mac and cheese and soup. my sandwich was fresh and, scxrumptious! service was nice and i'd like to come back for another lunch with uncle wills.
(4)
Ebru Y.
I really wanted to like their German chocolate cake but it just didn't happen. I guess it was either left-over from the day before or just got old through the day. It just had a really dry texture and the top was really greasy. And I also have to add that the server was really cold towards us and had a look on her face as she wanted to ask " why are you just ordering coffee and a cake when it's close to dinner time?" I'm disappointed, though I like other items on the menu so I will probably go back for those, and hopefully the server was just having a bad day and she recovered!
(3)
Rozen O.
I LOVE this place! Their food is pretty good but I love their desserts. My all time favorite is the mixed fruit tart, and their raspberry cookies, yum!!! Their staff is so friendly and patient.
(5)
crystal h.
We have lived nearby for almost 6 months and for some reason hadn't tried Selmarie until this past weekend. We went for breakfast. The first cup of decaf coffee tasted a little old, but we didn't say anything. The waitress actually came out with a fresh cup a few minutes later and said that what she brought out was old. The menu had a good variety - I got the breakfast burrito and my husband got the omelet. It was good food - but for the price I'd go somewhere like Julius Meinl or Crema (which is way cheaper) I think. They did have some interesting mixed coffee drinks, and their sandwiches and everything in the bakery looked great, so I'm thinking we'll be back for a different meal to give this place a second shot.
(3)
Christy B.
Selmarie is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The mac and cheese is fantastic, service is always prompt and friendly and I love the outdoor seating. My dad is one of the pickiest eaters ever, and I have taken him here many times without the slightest complaint.
(5)
CE S.
This is the one thing I will miss the most after moving out of Lincoln Square. Three meals a day, I have always had top-notch service, top-notch food and I have never minded the wait because they are always on top of it. After becoming a regular, I even had a waitress introduce herself and repeat back my favorite brunch order of Chillaquilles (I am sure I put too many "l's" in that) and iced tea. This place never fails to satisfy and impress me with their menu and focus on in-season and local ingredients. And I agree with Tristin-- the mini pumpkin pies kill. My only complaint is the cookies-- I like them soft, but if you appreciate a crunchy cookie, then go for it at Selmarie. Overall, despite my move to the North Shore, I will definitely continue to make it down to Selmarie on weekends.
(5)
Jeff B.
I've only been here for breakfast, but it's really good. There are only about 6 or 8 things on the menu, but they are very good. If you can sit outside, it's in a perfect location looking out on Lincoln Square neighborhood. The bakery has some good stuff to take away -- either desserts or fresh baked bread.
(4)
Patty W.
When we moved to Lincoln Square 7 years ago, we immediately looked to Cafe Selmarie as our go-to place. We'd take friends there for dinner, parents there for brunch. And then we stopped. Because it's not that good. I'll leave others to review the dining experience. As a vegetarian, my options were typically limited to the same two less-than-tantalizing menu items (I don't eat fish, either). It's the bakery that proved most disappointing--and frankly I'm mystified by all the reviewers who say otherwise. If, like me, you view dinner as the means to dessert, you can't help but be lured by the confections on display in the bakery cases that dominate the cafe's entrance. Yet no matter what we ordered, it was always a let down, with the taste--dry and flavorless--never matching the delectable appearance. "How can you screw up cake?" we kept asking ourselves. "Did they forget to add the butter?" Sure that we had chosen poorly, or been served a stale slice, we kept going back expecting different results. But it was always the same. We recently received a gift certificate to the cafe from a neighbor, who I'm sure thought she was doing us a favor. So we were compelled to give the place one more try. As I was halfway through my piece of flourless chocolate cake, I wondered why I was still eating it, when it essentially had all theh flavor of cardboard. I've had better pastries at IKEA--seriously. If you're in the mood to indulge a sweet tooth, you'd be better off schlepping to the Austrian Bakery in Lincoln Park.
(2)
Casey D.
Bright sunny spot for brunch, whether indoors or out. Enjoyed the vibrant oil paintings of surrealist fish on the wall. Didn't sample the baked goods but they looked scrumptious. The Sunday brunch menu offers a delightful hybrid of American and Mexican dishes, and you can be as healthy or unhealthy about your order as you want, though I believe that brunch is by nature an indulgent, hedonistic meal. The blood marys were tangy and not too spicy--they use high quality vodka and fresh horseradish.I was fortunate enough to bask in the company of Max F., whose vast expertise encompasses the cuisine of the Spanish-speaking world. He ordered us the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles casserole. I preferred the latter.
(4)
Dennis H.
I recently returned to Cafe Selmarie after about a 4-year absence, and was happy to see that it's "business as usual" over there. Had a terrific cobb salad and a bowl of chili for lunch -- perfect for a Chicago winter day. It's definitely one of the few places I miss, and I was glad to find them still in Lincoln Square, amid the "Cold Stone Creamery," "Potbelly" and other suburban chain restaurants which continue to infiltrate Chicago's neighborhoods. (Note re "Potbelly" at 4709 N. Lincoln: skip it and go to Costello's which is just a block or two south - you'll be very glad you did.)
(4)
a w.
This is a great place to get fresh baked pastries. They have an awesome selection and you will be tempted to try all of them! I love eating at the cafe itself because of its really simple, yet elegan decor. The white tablecloths and fresh flowers make this place a very elegant and pleasing place to hang out.
(5)
Kv G.
The Sunday brunch at Cafe Selmarie is a mix of the commonplace and the cosmopolitan. The Mediterranean tart with carmelized onions, artichokes, olives and goat cheese (there was more, but I can't remember it) doesn't sound too good - especially when you figure in the topping of blackberry sauce - but it all works, and it was delicious. My roommate had the more traditional eggs and bacon, which looked solid, and bonus to the bacon for being less strips and more slabs. The staff was also quite friendly, but the atmosphere was a little to modern-art-museum-y to be a restaurant. Still, it looked good, and the desserts up front looked even better; the place offered a macadamia nut tart that looked like it might kill you three bites in, which would be the equivalent of being strangled by Maria Bello mid-coitus. Selmarie is on the pricey side, so it will be more of a treat each time I go.
(4)
Jessie C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious desserts, friendly service, not too expensive, and well worth the search for parking.
This busy bakery cafe offers lunch and dinner and really great pastries and cakes. The individual sized raspberry tarts, fruit tarts, and tiramisu are among the best offerings. You can really taste the coffee liquor. They are big enough to share though. I suggest buying a bunch of different ones including cake by the slice and sharing with friends so you can try a little piece of each one. They also have fresh baked bread and cookies.
(5)
Ryan T.
Cute place in a cute neighborhood. I got a quiche with brie and red peppers. For a quiche, it was pretty light. It's exactly what I was in the mood for, but if I was looking for a heavier quiche with more pronounced brie presence it would've been a little lighter than I'd want. We were seated quickly on a holiday Monday, which is always a nice change of pace compared to the many brunch places that will take ages to get a seat in.
(4)
Hayley H.
Yum! Good coffee, buzzing atmosphere, wonderful location. Outside seating. The menu was different than the one online. Try the mushroom ravioli, bomb-ass good.
(4)
Joonho Y.
Awesome Local Place. Kid Friendly. Food is Generally Good. Pastries look better than they actually taste. Had a Bad Experience with a Server ("Will"), but everyone else has been friendly and attentive.
(4)
Stela E.
My fave place to go to when I want a relaxing breakfast or lunch with a friend or with my baby. Perfect location. Lincoln Square is pretty awesome. I can spend hours there. Food is great. Salads amazing. Great outdoor area right next to the fountain in the square. They also have a bakery connected to the dining room(try the mexican wedding cookies). Mmmmmmmm tasty! I wouldn't go there for dinner..too crowded and no parking.
(4)
Jamie J.
Good lunch and better coffee. I stopped in for a mid-day snack/lunch and end up being totally stuffed leaving. I indulged in a very juicy salad, half of my grandma's sandwich, and a 5 inch foamed cappuccino. Living? Yes, I think so. The food coming out of the kitchen looked like it was to die for. We didn't have time to order a wonder of things, but I can tell you that we heard great things about this little spot and went out of our way to try it - very worth it! There is a huge area of baked goodies (including cookies) at the front of the cafe. Strategic, because you have to walk by all the yummies on your way in and your way out. Smart! It'll get ya! LOVE it.
(4)
Faye B.
To be fair I ate here once and stopped in to buy some treats another time. This place is still tops to me if you happen to be in Lincoln Square. Your sweet tooth will thank you. Yes, parking is a bit of a chore here and the line for the restaurant can be a bit long at times but the food is really good. My first introduction to the cherry streusel cake was at a family party and I was hooked. On a free early afternoon my husband and I had a late lunch there and while we did wait for a bit the food was delicious. Their pastries and other bakery such goodies are phenomenal. It is a tiny restaurant so it can get a bit claustrophobic, so if anything buy something to go. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Darcy C.
I live down the street I have been here numerous times. The service is absolutely out-of-control bad. Tonight I wanted a steak it took 25 minutes and came out well done when I ordered it rare the server didn't even visit my table after that happened.
(1)
Aubrey D.
A diamond in the rough. Great location/ambiance. Grab a Intelligente Coffee and a fresh pastry while you wait to be seated. Brunch was amazing! Highly recommend the Pesto Scrambler with Apple Gouda sausage or the Brisket Sandwich. Good brunch cocktail selection! Great service. +++ Only complaint -small establishment.
(4)
Brianna B.
The wild mushroom breakfast sandwich is phenomenal: perfect interplay of flavors and textures (chewy mushrooms and soft challah, vinegary tang to the mushrooms plus rich herbed mayo and melted gruyere, etc). The strawberry roulade was also very good. Only downside was the slow service in a Saturday morning.
(4)
David C.
Fantastic. I had been meaning to check this place out for a while. I got a fantastically made spinach, leek quiche with a red and yellow beet salad appetizer. For dessert I got an assortment of pastries and cakes. GET THE BANANA ECLAIR. It is one of the best eclairs in Chicago. Highly recommended!
(5)
Dawn S.
I have been a customer at this most amazing cafe and bakery for over 25 years. Every birthday cake we buy here and the choices are many: Kahlua Chocolate, Hazelnuss, Raspberry Marzipan, Coconut Lime, Sachertorte mit schage (whipped cream).....and so many other choices....opps....their Strawberry Roulade and their Chocolate Banana eclairs. Fab lunch, brunch and dinner too....this place is a must go to....for the rest of your life!
(5)
Jane P.
The spiked iced hot chocolate is a revelation, and some of the best chicken sausage I've ever had in my life.
(4)
Mariluz R.
Love the cake, breakfast and lunch. Cannot wait to bring my daughter for her birthday. Keep up the great job guys.
(5)
Rachel G.
I have been going to Selmarie regularly for years and have never had anything but incredible experiences. I have stopped in just for coffee/tea, I've had lunch, had breakfast, ordered numerous cakes and goodies for celebrations, and stopped by just for a pastry fix. ALL perfect. This crown jewel of a business manages to serve up high quality, crazily delicious, carefully and lovingly prepared products across the board and consistently. They NEVER miss a step. What really strikes me about Selmarie is that they don't try hard to be cute like so many of their competitors...they just serve up classic, great things and they're set! The staff is professional yet cheerful and the atmosphere is upbeat, friendly, laid back, and just plain lovely. Sit outside when the weather is nice and you will enjoy yourself even more (as if it's even possible). On a side note for you gluten free peeps: they also carry a few gluten free pastry selections in addition to their arsenal of other amazingness. The lemon bars are wonderful and I have also seen a raspberry bar that looked yummy.
(5)
Claudia R.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)
David P.
My first visit. It was a very late brunch (3:40PM) on a Saturday. Had the chilaquiles, damn fine!! Had a Two Brothers beer and a cup of coffee as well. I'll be back to investigate further for sure.
(4)
Marcela R.
I don't give this place 5 stars because of two reasons: 1) the tables are too close to each other and the place is very loud and noisy (inside) 2) the menu is kinda limited and not very healthy. The good is very good and delicious, specially from the bakery.
(4)
Jorge F.
I'm torn here, really. We had amazing cappuccinos, cookies and cake at Selmarie one afternoon, and were back the next morning for a very run-of-the-mill breakfast. I was particularly turned off by their quiche. It doesn't feel "French" at all. Is it the cheese, the eggs or the dough? I can't put my finger on it. It was just too big and boring. Mind you, I was thrilled with their idea of making a different quiche for breakfast every day. Unfortunately, the cappuccino too was a very different experience from that of the previous day: too BIG, with a coarse froth and very low coffee content. On the bright side, the service is SUPER FRIENDLY and swift, the ambiance is nice and bright with well chosen artists exhibiting new work all the time... AND you can always go back for the baked goods -except for the quiche, that is!
(3)
Rose H.
Tuna Salad. It comes w/chips but they allow you to substitute with mixed greens. Too many onions and it needed more salt. Vegetarian Chili. Too much cheese and not enough kick to it. My lunch partner had to ask for Tabasco sauce. Waitress disappeared. Bobby Bouche (barback, that is the name my friend gave him) splashed water all over my lunch partners wallet and didn't bother to Clean it up.
(2)
Tonya N.
2 stars are for the food which was decent. Minus the short curly hair in my breakfast. I would give negative stars for the service. It was horrible. I have worked in the service industry for years. The server was slow, inattentive and had no clue what she was doing.
(2)
Ryan T.
Cute place in a cute neighborhood. I got a quiche with brie and red peppers. For a quiche, it was pretty light. It's exactly what I was in the mood for, but if I was looking for a heavier quiche with more pronounced brie presence it would've been a little lighter than I'd want. We were seated quickly on a holiday Monday, which is always a nice change of pace compared to the many brunch places that will take ages to get a seat in.
(4)
Emann B.
Having not been to Lincoln Square in ages, my mates and I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon having lunch and shopping. The host was very efficient and cordial with good follow up. This place gets pretty busy on Sundays and he was quite affable and accommodating. The server was very friendly and the food was perfect for a slightly chilly early fall afternoon. I had the scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and pesto with wheat toast on the side. The eggs came with fresh mozzarella and tomato which went perfectly with the pesto and rich sausage. I managed to eat half a slice of toast, but will probably not opt to order again since the dish was generously sized. My friends had the biscuits and gravy (HUGE) and the breakfast burrito (nicely seasoned and lightly spiced). A lovely place for Sundays!
(4)
Beata S.
I wish the owner was in all the time not just on Sunday, then the cutie at the counter would be a little more receptive to customer needs-I was served cold espresso(delish Intelligentsia coffee) and only after I inquired if it was ready 20 min.after I placed and paid for the order,thrown a macaroon at (ummmm good macaroons) till the saucer danced salsa on the counter-was it the man I was with? Was it the one I was in with before? Both? That can't be! I am going back to my favorite cafe but "Only on Sunday!".
(3)
Luke S.
If you have ever been to Europe, you wish there were more places like Selmarie in America. The perfect place for a light meal or excellent dessert. If you can get their early enough, be sure to grab a chocolate croissant.
(5)
Lizz M.
THIS IS A RATING FOR THE BAKERY ONLY! They have the best pastries in Lincoln Square--hands down. Try their tres leches cake and you will see. Very fresh and consistently delicious. They're usually out of a lot of the best items towards the end of the night, so get there earlier if you can. It's a great place to hang out after a nice dinner to get dessert, especially in the summertime when they have their patio set up.
(5)
Mark M.
Exquisite is the best word we'd use to describe our dining experience at Selmarie. Eight of us ordered six different dishes and they were all divine, particularly the scallops. The service was attentive and the ambiance and decor were perfect. We'll be back often....
(4)
Nikkie H.
Mmmmm, dessert.... I had wanted to try Cafe Selmarie for brunch, but my friend wanted to meet in the afternoon instead. I was a bit disappointed at first, because I wanted some brunch, but it turned out to be just perfect. We hit it right between the brunch and dinner crowd, so there was seriously no wait and lots of open tables. I had an iced latte and a Napoleon as my dessert of choice. Oh, my, gaw, yum. It was the perfect combination - the creamy iced latte with the creamy dessert. I will totally come back to get a dessert to go. One star off for not offering decaf iced coffee for my friend who has a baby on the way.
(4)
Edie J.
I have come here a few times and must say that I am only going to do mid morning weekday visits from now on. A coffee and a treat are perfect and the square is less crowded. I had dinner here last weekend and it wasn't that great. To me the Macaroni and Cheese was bland, :( I love cheese what happened? And the service was very sad. I am a server myself so it pains me to say it, I wish sometimes servers could review their customers but that is a different matter.
(4)
K G.
I started coming here--my goodness--FIVE YEARS AGO? It was my friend's favorite lunch spot. I have enjoyed every lunch I've eaten there: the salads, the turkey and apple sandwich, the soups, and my favorite: the salmon-mango wrap with sweet potato fries. It is a lovely little spot, and eating at an outside table on a summer day is delightful. The waitstaff has always been pleasant and accommodating. My iced tea has never gone dry. I hadn't been for six months, and decided to have some dessert. Here we go: RUM BALL, PEOPLE. LORD IN HEAVEN, GO GET ONE RIGHT NOW. Rich, rummy, chocolately, with raisins and nuts. Oh, God. Please, do yourself a favor and eat one.
(4)
Bill M.
This pleasant eatery in Lincoln Square next to the cool fountain is a good place for a light meal, but a very good place for a sweet treat. For food, have a quiche, salad, or one of the daily specials. Desserts include lemon bars, cookies, giant rum balls, and numerous cakes.
(4)
Deborah E.
Cafe Selmarie, I have been your friend for the 21 years I have lived in Chicago. I have spent hundreds of dollars on you.........can it possibly be that I have never frequented you on a Saturday morning, to experience those delectable Cherry Pocket Danish and Blueberry Pocket Danish? SO moist, so full of fruit and cream and flaky goodness and..............I was told you only serve them on Saturdays - thank god or I would soon weigh 700 lbs.
(5)
Carly D.
The food is good, but the truffles are THE BEST. the end.
(5)
Anthony Z.
I really love this place. The only real fault I can find is that prices are a little high for eating there as frequently as I would like. The bakery is particularly good in my option. If not the best, I think there cupcakes are very near the best in the city. Brunch can get a little crazy, with an extended wait if you get there too late, but it remains one of my brunch staples, and I often take out of town guests there. Dinner and lunch are solid, if not necessarily spectacular.
(5)
Christy B.
Selmarie is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The mac and cheese is fantastic, service is always prompt and friendly and I love the outdoor seating. My dad is one of the pickiest eaters ever, and I have taken him here many times without the slightest complaint.
(5)
Oscar the Death Cat B.
I've been visiting Selmarie for brunch and dinner for almost 10 years, the food selections are very reliable in terms of quality & flavor, and their outdoor seating area is one of the most pleasant places to dine in all of the city. If you go there, you MUST save room for dessert, their pastry selection is outstanding, and everyone should indulge in one of their legendary chocolate rum balls at least once!
(4)
Marcela R.
I don't give this place 5 stars because of two reasons: 1) the tables are too close to each other and the place is very loud and noisy (inside) 2) the menu is kinda limited and not very healthy. The good is very good and delicious, specially from the bakery.
(4)
Jorge F.
I'm torn here, really. We had amazing cappuccinos, cookies and cake at Selmarie one afternoon, and were back the next morning for a very run-of-the-mill breakfast. I was particularly turned off by their quiche. It doesn't feel "French" at all. Is it the cheese, the eggs or the dough? I can't put my finger on it. It was just too big and boring. Mind you, I was thrilled with their idea of making a different quiche for breakfast every day. Unfortunately, the cappuccino too was a very different experience from that of the previous day: too BIG, with a coarse froth and very low coffee content. On the bright side, the service is SUPER FRIENDLY and swift, the ambiance is nice and bright with well chosen artists exhibiting new work all the time... AND you can always go back for the baked goods -except for the quiche, that is!
(3)
Shradha A.
Back here recently to kill an hour before meeting friends for dinner. Really liked the lavender latte & our pie!
(4)
Leigh Ann T.
The food is good. However I have always felt the desserts are never as tasty as they look!
(3)
Catherine D.
This is my FAVORITE place to eat. I've been going to Selmarie since it opened, when I was a child. Back then, I was introduced to quiche. I would eat my little green salad with dark brown croutons and then my quiche with my mother. Years later, the mixed-fruit tarts became a favorite. Now, I favor the wraps, especially when they are fish. Excellent brunch. Nice servers. The bosses must be good to their employees. Wonderful sweets. Carrot cake is excellent. Just a solid, comfortable, charming place with excellent food.
(5)
Amanda W.
All else aside... two words: strawberry roulade. You are to die for... You are a dream dessert come true. And this, coming from a serious chocolate fan, is truly saying something. I do love this place, although you'd best be prepared to wait awhile if you show up for weekend brunch. But their food is delicious, their coffee is just right, and the desserts are enough to make you want to press your ugly mug right up against the glass counter and drool.
(4)
Ren B.
three words: black. forest. cake. no one does it better than selmarie. if i'd ever had anything other than their black forest cake i might have given them five stars. but then again, do you really need to have anything else??
(4)
Sarah Z.
Great brunch spot. Even greater outdoor patio. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Natalie B.
This place is very cute. They have a nice little bakery counter, but you can also eat dinner as well. The food was good but not necessarily memorable. I'm not sure if it would be on my radar for dinner options, but I do like stopping by for a cookie or 2 while strolling around Lincoln Square.
(3)
George A.
Fresh baked goods, great coffee, breakfast was outta this world!
(5)
Deena D.
This place is perfect for fueling up during shopping in the area. The front of the cafe is their whole baked goods area which does not have a menu because it's always changing (fresh as it gets). I ordered a grilled veggie stack sandwich with goat cheese and it had that awesome "charcoal grill" taste. My mom ordered the arugula salad with oranges and was delicious. Topped are meal of with cappuccinos & vanilla/almond financier pastry which we both loved. Great service & food --will be back for more!
(5)
Dennis H.
I recently returned to Cafe Selmarie after about a 4-year absence, and was happy to see that it's "business as usual" over there. Had a terrific cobb salad and a bowl of chili for lunch -- perfect for a Chicago winter day. It's definitely one of the few places I miss, and I was glad to find them still in Lincoln Square, amid the "Cold Stone Creamery," "Potbelly" and other suburban chain restaurants which continue to infiltrate Chicago's neighborhoods. (Note re "Potbelly" at 4709 N. Lincoln: skip it and go to Costello's which is just a block or two south - you'll be very glad you did.)
(4)
a w.
This is a great place to get fresh baked pastries. They have an awesome selection and you will be tempted to try all of them! I love eating at the cafe itself because of its really simple, yet elegan decor. The white tablecloths and fresh flowers make this place a very elegant and pleasing place to hang out.
(5)
Anita L.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice spot for lunch and were strolling the Lincoln Square when we stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie. We were in absolutely no hurry and had no idea what we wanted. Our server Katherine was wonderful and just who we needed. She was full of information and very patient and positive. The food and atmosphere was great, but it was the service that will keep us coming back.
(4)
M S.
Amazing , fresh food, delicious desserts and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. ..Also, the atmosphere is quaint and romantic.
(5)
Alexa M.
I have been to this place twice...and loved it very much! Service and food are fantastic. Love this place in the summer because you can enjoy a beautiful weather and dine outside :)
(5)
Elizabeth P.
We went two times, once for coffee and pastries and once for breakfast. It was good both times, the food is good and good quality. There were a good amount of menu options. The only thing is that it can get a bit pricey
(5)
Loni H.
I do prefer the rare quiet moments that living nearby can offer me at this place.. meaning if it is packed I can cross the street to a lesser place. It can be quite packed and over stimulating BUT! the food is fantastic and it is a regular spot for my BF and I. Coffee is Intelligensia and is wonderful as are the crusty baked goods, cakes and ooh lala tartes. The Mushroom crepe in the eves is so tasty and you can't do wrong with the breakfast chiliquiles (sp) yum! Staff bustles to take care of you-be patient if it is busy.
(5)
Erica E.
Stopped by with mom for a small treat, and oh my goodness, FELL IN LOVE! We got a piece of the apple pie and one of the pineapple coconut pie, DELICIOUS!!
(5)
Mar B.
Go for the bakery but not for the sit down cafe. The service always seems to be under staffed and stressed. Our server was in a hurry while we were ordering..but okay. Then when we were finished and wanted another cup of coffee we could not find him for 10mins. By the time we found him we just asked for our checks. Took another 5mins for us to get that. With that being said, the baked good in the front of the cafe are delicious. Just make sure to grab them to go.
(3)
Aaron Jae M.
One of my favorite places in Chicago for desserts (Acropolis in greek town is another one that's up there). I have never tried their dinner menu so I can't comment on that but the atmosphere is great and the service has always been friendly. My favorite things are their flourless chocolate cake and their raspberry chocolate tarts. I could honestly just randomly point at the dessert counter and whatever I chose would be amazing. Great spot for a date.
(4)
Nancy C.
My cousin has been a regular at this bakery for nearly 20 years, and their raspberry Bavarian cream cake is superb--the best thing in the bakery. The apple bread had always been excellent as well. But upon trying the most recent loaf my cousin brought, it definitely does not taste quite as fresh as before. Not that there is anything wrong, it was just much drier than you would expect. Quite a letdown. My cousin commented that, as of late, she has noticed the loaves of apple bread are becoming smaller, flatter, and older (possibly a day or two old), which has been very disappointing, hopefully they will pick up the slack on that.
(4)
Robert Y.
Best Black Forest cake, EVER! Food in the restaurant consistently impresses. Service is always helpful behind the bakery counter. I go out of my way to eat here. So should you.
(5)
Torry H.
This is my brunch place! First of all...you have to get a chocolate croissant and then take home a poppyseed coffee cake. Great coffee, the best menu with seasonal items. It is great food and uncomplicated. The staff is fantastic. They are so friendly and welcoming. They all talk to my three kids and make them feel at home while we are there.
(5)
Partha A.
A lady dining at the next table at a Korean place told me about Cafe Selmarie. I would thank her. Quite a busy place. But a lovely one. Parking can be an issue at night. We parked diagonally across the parking lot after waiting for a car to pull out. We got cakes to go - which were excellent. In fact they looked so nice we packed a sampling of a bunch of them. They were all good. I should come back for some food one of these days.
(5)
Stephanie B.
Came here for brunch last weekend with some friends and everyone's food was delicious. Outdoor patio for brunch was perfect and our waitress was very attentive. Will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(5)
James P.
One of our favorite Saturday breakfast places. A great place for eggs after a workout. Great, friendly service with great food.
(4)
Emily O.
I LOVE Cafe Selmarie! A cute, quaint bakery in Lincoln Square. Breakfast is amazing with unique dishes, fresh food, & fantastic service. Coffee is always hot, water is always filled, & the bakery is always filled with beautiful desserts. The patio is great in the summer. Can't beat Cafe Selmarie! If you are in the area, it's a must!
(5)
Jen A.
Fantastic bakery!. By family tradition, we stopped by for desert after dinner at a german restaurant nearby. Each kid was able to choose a cookie or slice of cake, nicely boxed for the ride home. Everyone was satisfied, particular favorites included chocolate cake, pear tart and the cookies.
The chilaquiles was fine, but the bloody mary tasted like straight up cocktail sauce. I guess I should have stuck with the pastries.
(2)
Andrew S.
Went here for dinner, very tasty food. Had the chicken pot pie, which was yummy. And I also tried the scallops and Cobb salad, which were both delicious. My only problem was that it seemed like every couple thought it was okay to bring there screaming children in the restaurant. Other than that, real great experience.
(3)
Leyla A.
Great place to share a croissant and have a cup of coffee with my brother.
(4)
Stacy S.
I really enjoy this place everytime I go. But my husband and I really only go in the summers. The outdoor patio is great! We have been in the winter before and it just isn't as exciting. They have great deserts, but often run out of menu items (as some are not always on the menu). It is very nice for a casual dinning experience. They have great wine to compliment their dishes and nice servers to compliment their establishment.
(4)
Dave T.
I am not a big sweets person, but if there is like a random pie or tart or pint of ice cream lying around I'll definitely indulge. I am that way about a lot stuff that I am not willing to pay for but will have at it if it's free: porn, cable tv, miller or budweiser beer, and sweets. Someone at work recently brought in a pecan pie from Cafe Selmarie and it was awesome. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)
B. L.
Another gem can be found in Lincoln Square. I like the atmosphere and the service as well as the food. This place has a lot of charm and character. I enjoy the wine and salads.
(4)
Joe B.
I'm surprised that all of these reviews are only about the pastries. Selmarie has the best breakfast and lunch in Lincoln Square. It's definitely on the foodie end of the food spectrum while remaining pretty accessible and not overly expensive. Everything they serve is fresh and homemade and served on great homemade baked goods. Great Soups and daily specials. They always have a special seafood wrap that is out of this world. Sometimes Ahi Tuna, sometimes Tilapia. The menu changes daily and seasonaly, but they have their staples as well. Don't go early on a weekend expecting to not have to wait in line. But if you do, the wait is worth it.
(5)
Jade T.
Dislike.I waited 15+ minutes for service (standard is 5 minutes or less). Ordered the quiche ($10.50), which was average. While eating my semi-soggy quiche, my water was infrequently filled (I mean, come on, it wasn't busy at all and water was my only drink). Cafe Selmarie is pretty average with moderate (but maybe a wee bit high) prices. It is vegetarian-friendly-ish, however. Am I being snobby about the service? Not really. Again, it's standard practice for servers to greet the customer within a few minutes. Granted, this wait was due to miscommunication between the hostess and the server, which was accidental, but also unacceptable.
(2)
L G.
This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. The food is great and the setting is cozy (I love how they continuously change the art on the wall) They serve the type of food that is not only good for my palate, but also feels great in my body. This is the first restaurant my wife and think of when we go out because it brings so many great things together: taste, health, ambiance, and price. I always leave feeling satisfied in and will continue coming back for as long as it's here.
(5)
Mandy J.
Selmarie is the bomb! The bakery is amazing from the strawberry roulade to the ham and cheese croissant!
I stopped in here with a girlfriend for a yummy pastry treat during Applefest. It was super crowded but the staff was organized and kind. So glad we stopped here - we definitely gobbled up our treats. The apple strudel was exactly what I wanted!
(4)
Tara P.
The chilaquiles are calling to me this morning. What's that chilaquiles? You want Cafe Selmarie to drop you off at my place? Well, my door is always open for you. Oh, I'm supposed to be writing a review, so: Cafe Selmarie has a tasty, tasty brunch, good service, and takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. I suggest going with a group for brunch with reservation, because the waiting area is cramped.
(4)
Melissa M.
I've tried Cafe Selmarie twice now and haven't been thrilled either time. I've ordered a variety of pastries for my guests and myself, and they've been hard or dry everytime. The pastries I've tried seem like they're a few days old already. Not really worth returning for a third time. Not to mention that the girl behind the counter kept coughing as she was boxing up my stuff! And how about the $1.60 for a can of Coke??? Think I'll just skip the pastries and hit up Cold Stone Creamery down the street next time.
(2)
Sheeroz K.
Cafe Selmarie is amazing!!!! I have been going there for 4 years and counting and every single time the food is out of this world and the bakery side is great as well!!! The staff is wonderful and the food is excellent! I couldn't recommend a better place!
(5)
J D.
Know what to expect: a bustling crowd as soon as the doors open in the late morning. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and general Oprah enthusiasts. I arrived here Monday morning at 11:01 and by 11:15 there were already seven people salivating over the fresh pastries [do please try their seasonal "Pie in a Pumpkin": a baked small pumpkin hollowed and filled with pumpkin puree and nutmeg], and three Italians asking if Selmarie was hiring in their bakery. A great spot for a first date, catching up with an old friend or studying for your exam.
(5)
Lynn C.
I order the chicken pot pie when it's cold. I also like the pastries, especially the fruit tartes. I can't remember having a bad meal here. We mostly go on weeknights, otherwise the wait is too long. If it's warm out, at least you can wait in the lovely park/courtyard area by the fountain. But I personally wouldn't wait for more than 30 min. (but that's true of most places). Parking in the area is tricky, so we walk whenever possible. Service is prompt and the artwork is wonderful (a nice bonus). My dad asked about a painting, and it turned out one of the servers painted it and had an upcoming show. She gave us the flyer. Cool!
(4)
Erin J.
The service here is amazing. I went during a very busy time and the waiter was cool as a cucumber about everything. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted and he lacked the attitude problem that is common among wait staff. When I asked for a suggestion, he gave me a few and was very descriptive about the food options, that he felt I might enjoy. The food was very fresh and flavorful and the bread was OMG so good! The only sad thing is that they have little to no vegan options, so I don't come here a lot. I got a funny look when I stopped by for coffee (which is really good coffee) and I asked for soymilk. It is a very traditional cafe/bakery and I didn't mind my coffee black.
(5)
Amanda P.
The best place to go in Chicago for German/Austrian pastries (yes, better than Julius Meinl). Selmarie is a wonderful bakery cafe with good sandwiches and salads, and world-class desserts. Try the Zachertorte.
(5)
James D.
This place is great. I've been going there since they opened and it's always been high quality. I was partial to the chocolate eclairs growing up but now I can't get enough of the fruit tarts or the Gateau Grandmere.
(4)
Aurora B.
I do not consider myself a "Cake Person" but I do love carrot cake, and Cafe Selmarie has the BEST carrot cake. I was so excited when I found out they do wedding cakes and was even more excited when they were affordable. We had a 2-tier "decorative" cake to cut in front of guests and take pictures with and then had sheet cakes to serve. This is a great way to go if you want to save money and are not interested in a huge multi-tiered cake. Cafe Selmarie worked out the drop off time with our wedding location and was very easy to deal with.
(5)
Melissa A.
Great brunch, lunch and pastries paired with a charming atmosphere. Their outdoor patio is delightful and overlooks Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square. I've been here four times in the last several weeks and was pleased each time! Loved the German chocolate cake and vanilla cheesecake with berries.
(5)
Brenna M.
I spent last night visiting my friend's new pad in Lincoln Square and we popped in here for a light dinner and beer out on the patio. The unseasonably warm October weather lent itself extraordinarily well to a good Point beer (which my Wisconsin-ite dining companions were VERY excited to see on a Chicago menu) and the haricots verts and soup. As a group we loved the green beans and a vegetarian chilli they serve with cornbread. Mmm. Our waiter was sweet, not overbearing and quick. What more can you ask for?! I suggest you follow this place up with a few beers at the neighboring brauhauses.
(4)
Matt R.
In Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie puts out a decent lunch with a selecton of dessert options. The chocolate cake was comparable to many other places. Nothing really stood out. Still, it is a good place for lunch in the square.
(3)
Brittanie L.
If I were rating Selmarie on orange juice and bacon alone, I'd give it five stars. But I'm not, and I still give it five stars. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and man oh man the food! Like I said, the bacon was awesome, and I don't regret saying that twice! I had the granola, which was delicious and served with fresh fruit and yogurt, and my boyfriend really seemed to like his whole grain pancakes too. The bakery counter in the front doesn't disappoint either. Seriously, try this place.
(5)
TJ H.
We had the chicken pot pie, and it was delicious. We also got a side of the mac and cheese which I couldn't get enough of. The salmon club sandwich was also very tasty, although the salad that came with it was nothing too special.
(4)
Krisanthi N.
I have been to this place twice. Once for dinner, on half price bottle wine night, and once for breakfast. The location is really nice. It is right in the middle of Lincoln Square. For dinner, I ordered the roasted chicken, which was okay. Then again, there isn't a lot you can do with roasted chicken. Everyone else in my group really liked their meals. For breakfast, I had gotten the quiche was was awesome! The coffee is really good too, and they have some delicious sweets. Service was excellent and quick both times. My only complaint is the hours. I've tried to come here before and they were just about to close. I wish they would extend their hours!
(4)
Raghid A.
I was waiting for 45 minute to sit outside and there were many tables available but the manager was impolite and sat other people before me...I felt so discriminated against because of my origin. I always liked this place but never again. What a shame
(1)
Kylie S.
This place is really cute. And popular! I stopped in on a weekday for lunch and was surprised by how busy and crowded it was. Great outdoor patio for summer months. Parking might take a bit - try the side streets. The Western Brown line stop is really close. Tons of cute shops in the nearby area. Service was excellent. I had a black bean burger, side salad, and glass of white wine on my first visit. The black burn burger was solid, I'd give it a 7. The salad was less so, a 5 in my book. The white wine was excellent and they had a fun menu to choose from. I didn't have room to try dessert, but I sense that was a mistake because that seems to be what they're really known for around here. I think next time I'll just go for the patio, wine, and dessert. Yum!
(4)
Kevin P.
Nice place for Sunday brunch... but my goodness is it crowded. It was an hour wait to be seated, so keep that in mind if you are going on a Sunday morning. It was overall a nice restaurant and our waiter, Christopher, was nice. The food was good. It really was a nice place to eat and meet with friends, but just the wait felt too long.
(4)
Ann M.
This place is always crowded in the AM on the weekends. My roommate and I have tried on several occasions to get seated but the wait is always long. So instead we went for dinner and shockingly it was not that busy. I love the inside of this place. It's very cozy and classy. Our waitress was overly nice and very prompt. I ordered the Cobb salad, which I must say is possibly the best Cobb salad I have ever had. If you're a salad person, you MUST try this. Prices are a little high but it's definitely worth it. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the service is fantastic. Go check it out for yourself!
(4)
Suzanne C.
Yum yum yum!! Super friendly staff! We were waiting for our table this morning and ordered a latte, hot choc, and a Danish.. She said she'd add the items to our bill! We were willing to pay upfront for the items and it's nice to have this extra perk! And the food is amazing.. Incredibly fresh and made with love!
(5)
Tabithia B.
The people there are helpful and super nice. I almost always take out my food there and it's always quick and got and taste like it was made in heaven. Everything is so fresh and you can sincerely taste the quality. I have not had one thing that I didn't enjoy. The carry out/bakery area is a little cramped but it's worth the tightness.
(5)
Maram K.
I love this place! The people here take pride in what they are serving. On one occasion, we had a slice of cake that seemed bit stale. They asked how everything was and in honesty, we told them. They apologized, took it back and gave us a new dessert they were sure we'd like. The breakfast here is really nice, but get here early! It gets crowded quickly and becomes stroller city by 10am.
(4)
Pavithra M.
Went for dessert and coffee last night. Wonderful wait staff, so friendly and approachable with lovely interactions with the kids. The cafe is laid out well, cozy but very comfortable. The selection of desserts is not the best I have seen, but what we ate was very yummy. I got the Orange Chocolate Decadence, which was tasty but very dense and heavy - meaning I got to take half of it home. My husband got the lemon tart, which he said was very good. The cappuccino was just what I had in mind for a cold, snowy night. I would like to try the other dishes the next time I go there.
(4)
Kathleen I.
I got here as my default place for easy food that is amazing. I love this place. The cookies are the bomb! The service always exceptional. I truly enjoy it every time I go.
(5)
Pamela P.
God, I really hate doing this. We used to come here all the time. The sweets are perfect and I admittedly adore this place. Last time we were here, though, there were two -- not one--two sizable cockroaches crawling up the wall of the restaurant during our dinner. Another table of patrons noticed them too and were horrified. The busboy laughed to the waiter that they were out again. The waiter tried to play it off that they were some sort of water bugs. Whatever kind of bugs in a bakery/restaurant crawling up the wall during dinner is not acceptable.
(1)
Colleen B.
Desserts at Selmarie = heaven on your plate. Eat the apricot tart. I loved it and I don't even like apricots. THAT'S how good their desserts are. Oh, and the rest of them are great too. I know because I've probably eaten all of them at least twice. Please don't judge me. Just go to Selmarie instead.
(5)
Emma M.
Cafe Selmarie will always hold a special spot in my heart. After my fiancee proposed to me in December (in Giddings Square), we went to Cafe Selmarie which stayed open just for us and a had bottle of champagne and dessert waiting for us. My stomach was full of butterflies and there was so much excitement running through my body that I couldn't eat anything, but I really appreciated everything they did for us. We sat there for a while, sipping champagne and they were in no hurry for us to leave. I will be going there for a wedding cake consultation!!
(5)
Heather I.
Ventured out early pre-Cubs game on Saturday for breakfast. I had treated myself to a cookie or two now and then, but never ate in their dining area. Thought we would have to wait a bit on a Saturday morning, but we were seated pretty quickly. Breakfast menu was good - all the staples (eggs, pancakes, gourmet french toast) and the waiter informed us of the chef's special. Coffee/espresso was perfect. My breakfast burrito was huge and delicious and my husband had a yummy omelet with all sorts of veggies inside. All in all a good experience and would return for breakfast or dinner. Also price was reasonable - comparable to any other breakfast/brunch place in town.
(4)
Bridget L.
Chile-freakin-quiles. Do it. Do it now. Do it for me. And then get yourself a pastry. Seriously good breakfast/brunch here, but it's super busy and small, so go early. Also, some of their items are expensive. For example, a delicious slice of blueberry cake will set you back about $6. Kinda lame, but everything tastes delicious. The chilequiles though...I dream of them. Be sure to wash their spicy-yumminess down with a coke. ;)
(5)
Mrs. F.
My husband and I eat here at least 3-4 times a month. It's quiet, their food and desserts are consistently good, and the staff is always friendly. We like the outdoor seating and take advantage as soon as the weather warms up. For a weeknight dinner when you don't feel like cooking, this is the place to go. Their dishes are simple, fresh, and flavorful. If you want something fancy don't go here, but if you want casual, low-key and easy this is the best place. We love it.
(5)
Ayaka H.
I've had one good experience and one not so awesome experience. Service was great both times but one of the brunch items was not very tasty and I think that their selection is lacking.
(3)
John S.
Nice selection of coffee and pastries. Charming atmosphere. Friendly staff. The food tasted great, but I have to question the portion size of the 'Cafe Spinach Salad. I ordered mine with chicken breast added for an additional $4. The plate it arrived on was the size of a coffee cup saucer and it literally had 8 pieces of baby spinach, a few tiny crumples of cheese and a minuscule amount of chicken breast. This is the smallest dinner salad I have ever had. Tasted great - all 3 bites. This is why I am only giving this place 3 stars. 1 star for each bite.
(3)
Erin L.
On a whim, my friend and I decided to check out this place. It was during Apple Fest so the place was pretty packed, but I am sure glad we decided to stick out the long line. Everyone was super friendly there and they didn't rush you if you weren't quite sure what yummy goodies to try. I ended up getting my husband and rum pound cake slice and I took a bite of it - delicious. The hazelnut latte I got was also really good. They have a little cafe in the back of the bakery and it was pretty packed on the day we went. If their bakery items are that good - I'm sure the food is equally as good! A perfect reason to return!
(5)
Rose G.
I went with my dad and was really pleased. It was comfortable and the portion sizes were great too. Not too pricey for Chicago either.
(4)
Brianna B.
The wild mushroom breakfast sandwich is phenomenal: perfect interplay of flavors and textures (chewy mushrooms and soft challah, vinegary tang to the mushrooms plus rich herbed mayo and melted gruyere, etc). The strawberry roulade was also very good. Only downside was the slow service in a Saturday morning.
(4)
Linda A.
I've been coming here for probably 25 years. I used to live right around the corner but since leaving Chicago, I still make a point of visiting while in town. The food is great, the pastries outstanding, one problem is the acoustics. If you want to enjoy the company of your friends without having to yell to be heard, don't go here. Even the waiter commented how loud it is. He couldn't hear us order at one point. There was only one thing ordered at the table that I thought was overcooked, burnt actually. The "roasted" Brussel sprouts. They were burnt black but the waiter said that's how they're made. If you like burnt food, you'll love them. If it weren't for the acoustics I'd be giving 5 stars.
(4)
Gina F.
I stopped by twice this week during my staycation. I happened to have 2 friends who wanted to go to lunch on 2 different days, both of whom have been wanting to try this place. As per usual everything was excellent. The roasted butternut squash spinach salad and the roasted sweet potato wedges are a perfect fall lunch. Both friends also enjoyed their lunch very much.
(4)
Claudia M.
Such a great Cafe. I'm so glad my BF suggested we take an out of town guest here. We were looking for a place that had great food, ambiance and not too crowded so we could hang out and talk. Cafe Selmarie was the place. We arrived arround noon. The place was pretty happening, lots of moms and their babies but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your food (I'm a slow eater). I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which came with a side of mixed field greens salad. My BF and his aunt each ordered the chicken pot pie and an order of sweet potato fries. Let me tell you that Chicken Pesto sandwich was so good that I dare not eat the whole thing in one sitting. Kind of like the candy you ate as a kid, Now and Laters, I had to save half of this sandwich to enjoy later that afternoon. After we enjoyed our meal and caught up on our conversation we ordered coffee. I ordered the mocha. OMG, the mocha comes with REAL whipped cream. Not the whipped cream from a can that is thin and disappears 10 seconds later. We are talking thick, sweet cream that you feel you have to bite into. The Cafe is just so cute inside. They have the most delicious looking pastries at the front entrance. My BF saw a red velvet cake dipped in chocolate and he thought he would get a slice on the way out so we could split later. Nope. When we finally left the Cafe the red velvet cake was all gone. I'll have to go back and get some and surprise him. Lincoln Square just keeps giving me more reasons to go back. Thanks Cafe Selmarie. My new North side meeting place.
(5)
Jennifer F.
Love this place! I have been here at least six times. The food is always good. The service is polite and efficient. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. I am a big fan of both their lunch and dinner menus. Up until last week I had never tried their pastries. Finally got a raspberry and dark chocolate tart and a pecan tart. Both were excellent! I also got a mocha to go and it was wonderful. (Didn't have that burnt taste you often get from Starbucks.)
(5)
Heather P.
I come here for their delightful strawberry roulade and their consistenly perfect Croque Monsieur. Weekends are busy, but visiting for a weekday lunch gets you seated fairly quickly. Food is delicious. The causal environment is perfect for a small lunch meeting and the outdoor seating is a nice option when the weather is warm.
(5)
Ana I.
The service dragged, but that may have been because the cafe was busy. The food on the other hand was yummy! I got the Salmon sandwich. I'm excited to return.
(4)
Jonathan H.
Cuban braised beef sandwich was amazing. I highly recommend.
(5)
Lorelei C.
Today I was out, had a nice healthy lunch and then I was walking and I saw Cafe Selmarie... Now, I tried to ignore this place but... after all it is my birthday week and I think I deserve something nice Yeah, I know sounds bogus.. but thats the best I could come up with. Anyway, this is a small place, as you enter they have a pastry case where they had some pastries and other assorted goodies.. Okay, so I took a look at the case and did'nt see anything that really appealed to me, they had some tarts and cookies and a flourless chocolate cake and I really thought I was going to leave unhappy and empty handed and then there was this vision of heaven I found in the case called a chocolate banana eclair... Well, I caved and bought this wonderful piece of heaven.. And gotta say it, it was worth every penny. Now, I could make excuses and say that I wont have birthday cake because I had this eclair today but.. No, that wont be happening! I want my Birthday Cake too! Cafe Selmarie also serves some food items as well, don't know what though cause I did'nt care after I saw my eclair..:) I think they serve coffee too but I don't drink coffee either.. I had one cup of coffee my entire life and thought it was nasty so thats one habit i dont have, got lots of other bad habits to make up for my lack of coffee drinking though.. So, next time you are in the Lincoln Square area treat yourself to a visit at Cafe Selmarie... You can even have coffee if you want to..:( And theres a really pretty fountain outside the window so nice visuals going on too... And I'll bet you that you cant leave without a chocolate banana eclair.. Just dont quote me on that one, I gambled once, lost lotsa money..:(
(4)
Luke T.
had some quiche and coffee for late breakfast with friends and it was still as good as ever.
(4)
Benjamin V.
This is a rare cafe in that both their dinner menu and bakery items are strong: high quality, delicious, and well presented. Their scones are amazing. They are located right next to Lincoln Square's actual "square," where musicians come to perform and kids love to play. On a summer night, you can sit at the cafe's patio and enjoy a wonderful dinner, as well as hear the music. Cafe Selmarie is a a great place to go!
(5)
Jackie M.
Awesome. Dined with a friend to catch up and went halfsies on everything. It ended up to working really well. Warm Marinated Goat Cheese - it's more like a appetizer. Goat cheese soaks in a warm red pepper flake infused olive oil. Chicken Pesto Sandwich - juicy chicken, yummy pesto, fluffy mozzarella, the bread is fantastic - crusty, chewy and soft in all the right ways. Totally worth it. Get dessert, one of the few places in Chicago with an assortment of gorgeous tortes. There were a ton of people for a Thursday lunch crowd, but if you can buy artisan bread here, I would.
(4)
Jackie E. G.
The food is ok. Then why the 5 stars? This is all about the whipped cream People! Lo...seriously folks. I've never in my life tasted such delectable whipped cream. I guess I'm used to the crap they serve at Starbucks. I'm a big hot chocolate fan so I stopped by yesterday morning... for some breakfast. Decided to sit outside because it was faster. And, ordered the spiked Hot Chocolate with the Baileys. Sitting outdoors in the late morning crisp autumn air with a cup of hot chocolate and the best whipped cream you've ever tasted in your life (the waitress said...it's nothing special...just whipped fresh!) set the tone for a perfect rest of the day. The pretty people with their pretty children and cute doggies walking about the area, sharing pastries and meeting up with friends over coffee also added to the ooh la-la experience!
(5)
April K.
Cute spot in Lincoln Square. We had a late lunch here with family. They had a cute little patio and we ate there (5 adults and three children). It was pretty out there but there were quite a few bees and I'm deathly afraid of bees so that was a little jarring... The espresso with whipped cream is the tits. Mmmmm. Thick whipped cream and strong but non-bitter espresso. Loved every sip of it. The coffee wasn't quite as good. I had a quesadilla. It was great. It had cheese, chicken, big strips of pasilla peppers. It wasn't greasy at all. The guacamole and the house made salsa were delicious as well. Husband had a prosciutto sandwich which was also very tasty. I dug it. The waitress was awesome as well. Great lunch spot.
(4)
Colleen C.
A wonderful Friday brunch option...! Somewhat hard to find in the 'Square. Cafe Selmarie is in that impossibly cute stretch of Lincoln Ave that is sheltered from the chaos. One way entrance off Lawrence (going south), no entrance on to strip from northwest bound...(curves off and hits Western where it skips a bit before picking up again by that McDonald's. ANYWAY. It's private, cute, and plenty of metered parking...and with German neighbors and Merz Apothecary nearby, how can one go wrong? Exactly. A sweet little corner shop. Entrance barrages one with puffed pastries, cookies, sweets and a small coffee bar. Take a few steps back and there's plenty of tables/chairs and a perfectly acceptable brunch menu to enjoy. I sat with my two pals and we sipped perfectly designed coffee drinks, water and waited for our breakfast burrito, salmon scramble and special omlette of the day: spinach, feta, bacon. I can vouch for that omlette...wooo boy, good stuff. Accompanied by potatoes, as well. Service was excellent, everything was on point. It's a place you want to stay and cozy up a bit, especially in these winter months. I liken it to the Julius Meinl just a few blocks south...but less screaming children. BONUS! An extra bonus? Unlike most brunchie spots...they have BOOOOOOZE. Crazy on weeekends, but pop in mid-week to check it out. I also hear they serve a mean dinner, and have great specials all week. It's quaint, it's cute...and it's a good excuse to check out this quirky, secluded little strip of Lincoln Square. *Right off the Western brown line *Lawrence bus *Meters easy.
(4)
Kimberly M.
The ingredients were fresh, and I liked that there were plenty of healthy options for dinner. Plan on spending $15-$20 on anything other than a salad. I ordered the vegetarian chili and spinach salad. I was not impressed with the free rolls that accompanied dinner. They lacked flavor and really weren't anything special. I guess I just expected more considering the baked goods storefront. The chili was tasty, but again, the cornbread that accompanied it really wasn't anything special. The salad was great, based on the sole fact that it had fresh ingredients and I love brie cheese, but it's not anything I couldn't have made at home. I gave it three stars because healthy options are hard to find when you are traveling, and while I would not list this among my favorite spots, I would definitely visit again for fresh, well prepared food. It's also important to note that I only ate dinner here once. I'd imagine brunch would be good at this restaurant. The desserts looked delicious. Also, it's my sister's favorite restaurant in the area, and she's a local.
(3)
Esther S.
This place is a must for brunch or just pastries. You can taste the cream cheese in the carrot cake icing. All delicious.
(4)
Jelena Z.
Cafe Selmarie. Romantic name, right? And what an utterly charming bakery and cafe it is, located smack dab in that enclosed stretch of Lincoln Ave. in the heart of the Square. Passing by the pastry case en route to the restaurant area in the back is a requirement. No, not because I classify the walk as a 'can't-miss', but because it's physically impossible to avoid staring these sweet beauties in the eye! Strategic, indeed. We sat down for breakfast and within five minutes of our order, I received my latte decorated with a perfect layer of foam. Service is sharp, attentive and knowledgeable. I ordered my breakfast standard (a breakfast burrito, which was wonderful) and my colleagues went with the omelet of the day and the smoked salmon scramble. I believe we all left happy, satiated and still a bit curious about that pastry case. I'll come back for you... another time!
(4)
Melanie S.
I love this spot! Cafe Selmarie has been a mainstay in Lincoln Square for years and I am so happy to see this restaurant/bakery has not only survived, but thrived. Their brunch menu isn't huge, but you're sure to find something delicious, whether you're in the mood for something on the lighter side or something heartier. I met a friend here for brunch on Saturday and I am so glad we went here. I had forgotten how charming this place is. Paintings by local artists adorn the walls; tables are well-spaced (i.e. not on top of each other) and the staff is friendly and efficient. My friend had the vegetarian chili which looked great and I had the vegetarian quiche. Both of us were pleased with our choices. The quiche was light, but filling, and was chock full of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms and some goat cheese which added a nice tartness and creaminess. Served on the side was a spring salad. Next to the cafe is a bakery bursting with tempting treats like kolacky, strawberry roulade, cookies, eclairs, tarts and scones. I could do some serious damage in here. There's also an outdoor seating area in Giddings Plaza for al fresco dining if you're so inclined (weather permitting, natch). Go to Cafe Selmarie for the delicious, well-prepared food, but don't leave without a trying a pastry or three.
(4)
Sarah M.
Love this cute little cafe located in the heart of Lincoln Square next to the courtyard and fountain. In case the delicious pastries in the front aren't alluring enough, the back half of Selmarie is a small restaurant that offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The food here is delicious and I have YET to have anything bad on the menu. Whether you just want to stop and have a slice of Mocha Buttercream Torte with a cappuccino, grab a cookie for the road, or sit down and have a wonderful meal, Cafe Selmarie is good for all three. I highly recommend this place! Why it didn't get 5 stars: Cost is $40 on a lunch or breakfast meal for two (including tip). Which isn't outrageous by any means and you are definitely FULL when you leave, but it isn't pocket change either. It can be packed, so try and get there before the rush starts if you don't want to wait for a seat (there isn't a lot of waiting room either).
(4)
Christina D.
We absolutely love this place! I've never had anything I haven't liked. And I think I've tried everything. From brunch to just stopping in for a treat, this is our go to spot.
(5)
Heather H.
According to my husband, best corned beef hash ever. According to me, best dessert ever! Lunch is my friend here. Nice salads, soups, and the vegetarian chili is outstanding. The waitstaff actually understands the meaning of a lunch rush - people need to get in, out, and back to work. Props for that. I've stopped coming in for breakfast, just too many other places give just as good quality, but better portions for the buck. That's not to say I'm looking for a huge portion, but I like the option of toast with my meal without paying extra. Also, the acoustics in the dining room are not hangover friendly. At times it's annoying enough to make me rush through my meal to leave, especially when there's a shrieking kid in the room (which is usually all the time). But really, the crown jewel is the desserts. I can't walk out of this place without at least getting something to go from the bakery. Everything is SO GOOD, with the exception of the cupcakes. I can't figure out what they do wrong with them, the flavor is additively good, it's just always dry. I've tried them too many times, even asking if they're fresh. So, I'd say skip those, and get anything else you see. Cookies: Yum! Try the lavender rosemary, sugar, chocolate chip, any kind is a winner. Scones? Yes please! Always moist and the ingredients are nicely distributed. Who wants a scone with 2 dates and 3 walnuts? Here, you're sure to get at least a fruit or nut in each bite! Cakes.... Mmmmmmm again, always wonderful - take your pick, you'll be happy. Banana Eclair? One of my favorites! Fresh and fruity! Cafe Selmarie is a neighborhood institution. It's easy to see why they're still around, and why there is usually a well deserved wait to get in.
(4)
Kat C.
Yum!!! Delicious and patient!!! Kale salad was AMAZING and quinoa was super delicious. But I have to admit that the best part for me was the flourless chocolate, orange torte with decaf soy latte!! Definitely a return visit in the future!
(5)
Debbie S.
We tend to meander to this spot for brunch on many a Sunday morning. Breakfast pastries are delicious (my favorite is the cinammon chip scone) and the brunch items are very good. I tend to go with some form of an eggs benedict when I am there (they have different varieties, some with meat and some without) and a rotating menu. Hubby tends to order the breakfast croissant. The hostesses recognize us now and always say hello to us and our little boy. The servers are always pleasant and seem to have a fair amount of longevity, which is nice. Lunch and Dinner are also good options at Selmarie. Lunch sandwiches are very good and dinner items are a bit more upscale. My only complaint -- the dessert pastries leave a bit to be desired. I have tried several cakes and found them to be dry and somewhat unappetizing -- and they look beautiful in the dessert case. Great outdoor seating facing a courtyard (and therefore off of Lincoln). Get here early to get a table for brunch on a Sunday - the restaurant and the outdoor space tend to fill up very quickly. The indoor tables tend to get a bit loud.
(4)
Caroline K.
Yum Yum Yum!!!!! the bakery items are good, the food is good, the ppl are good. We had the most upbeat, lovely, and sweetest waitress.... i think her name was Racheal. She gave us awesome recommendations: brussel sprout salad - could not believe how fresh and amazing this was... my #1 the ribs - so scrumptious and tender and salivating from just smelling it, i didn't like the sweet potatoe it came with as much the wild mushroom ravioli - this is a must that melts in my mouth! for dessert we had the pecan pie that was soo soo good and we got the pistachio cheesecake - don't get it, there are much better things there. Thanks racheal for a great meal, we'll definitely visit again soon!
(5)
Tricia D.
Cafe Selmarie, thank you for being open (relatively) late on Fri. while most other bakeries already call it a day. You satisfied the dessert compartment in my belly when I needed it at 8:51pm. Baked goods and cake slices are on the pricey side. My banana eclair was $3.95 worth of so-so pastry, cream, sliced bananas, and chocolate glaze. They also have exotic looking decorated sugar cookies that come in different animal shapes, one of which may or may not be an aardvark. I'm opposed to restaurants that put white sheets of paper over their tablecloths, but Selmarie had the white paper cut so precisely in the dimensions of the tabletop that I almost didn't realize it was there. Subtle!
(3)
Phil T.
A wonderful spot. We're impressed each time we go with every aspect of our experience at Selmarie's: nice service, well-thought out meals, fresh tastes, and an all-around pleasant experience. It's reasonably priced too, for the experience. There are far more expensive places offering far less to Chicagoans. Breakfast, dessert, dinner all deserve five stars. It's one place we're always sure to take visitors to Lincoln Square.
(5)
Carol K.
I had been trying to get to this restaurant for over a year- for a friend mentioned it to me last Summer and it sounded like the perfect spot for a nice casual dinner. On a recent Summer's night- I finally made my way up to Cafe Selmarie and was wondering what I was thinking to have moved this little gem so far down my list? It was exactly what we were looking for. On Wednesday nights- wine is half priced, so my friend went on line to see what kind of wines they had. One of them struck his fancy, but he likes it cold, ice cold, so he called the restaurant and asked them to ice it down. What a great idea for a hot night! They were very accommodating and we were happy . .and all for a very reasonable price. The food was terrific as well. I started with the marinated goat cheese and greens and he had the lobster filled crepe. Both were delicious! For our entrees, I went with the herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and my friend just told the server to surprise him and bring out her favorite dish. A great idea as the roasted pork with bacon and tomato compote was a great combination of flavors. I loved that the front of the restaurant is a small bakery, so for dessert we wandered around looking at the display cases finally deciding on a cupcake for me, and a piece of pistachio cheesecake for him. The perfect sweet ending to our perfect meal. Service was great- friendly and welcoming, offering up wonderful suggestions and taking care of us in the best way possible. At the end of our dinner, I felt as if I had almost found a new friend! You can enjoy your meal outside overlooking Giddings Plaza or indoors in their simply furnished dining room. And if you drive- there is plenty of metered parking right out front or a pay lot right around the corner. A terrific restaurant with great service and wonderful food. Don't do as I did and wait to go. Go now. You'll thank me later!
(5)
Erica I.
It's torture to walk by here every single day going to and from work. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, tortes, and probably other desserts I'm forgetting. I've stopped in here a few times to get a coffee (Intellegensia mmmm) and almond coffee cake, which is amazinggg. I've also picked up a slice of Beehive cake (brioche with barvarian creme and almonds), apple pie, and a carmel chocolate torte (this was my least favorite, but was still pretty good). I've also had brunch here once, and the food was SO good! I really, really need to come back for brunch, but it's also super packed on the weekends. I just had the quiche and side salad, but it was seriously so good. My friend let me have a bite of her omlette and chicken sausage, and it was really good, too! The staff is always very sweet, and even when it's busy, they make sure you get helped. I'm looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Veronica M.
Ok I been here twice breakfast was nothing great. Bake goods ok I guess you don't really want to go back again where it's just ok.
(2)
Ron S.
My wife and I enjoyed a Saturday breakfast here and we both ordered the Smoked Salmon Scramble. It was delicious The icing on the cake was Intelligentsia Selmarie blend coffee. What a great way to start the day!
Came here with a friend after doing our first 5K, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday morning and so we ordered from their brunch menu. I had the smoked salmon with egg scramble that came with sour cream, dill and a side of potatoes. Everything was delicious. My friend had the pot pie which looked really good and she seemed to enjoy. Sad to say, but I couldn't deny the $5 mimosas..yum! Will definitely be back.
(4)
Yanyao N.
Pastry alert! Pastry alert! The baked goods at Cafe Selmarie are sinfully good. As a person who will always choose shrimp cocktail over dessert, this place had me pretty excited. Chocolate banana eclairs! Bienenstich! Pear tarts! Apricot tarts! Raspberry financiers! You get the idea... We left here with only four pastries: a blackberry financier, a raspberry financier, an apricot frangipan tart, and this insane bun looking monstrosity that was basically brioche with a creamy custard filling. I think it was called a tropezier? It was absolute madness eating this thing. You would bite into the sugar topped brioche and sweet cream would just ooze out the sides. One of the sexiest desserts I have seen in a while. Needless to say, everything was phenomenal and consumed in one sitting. If I lived in the neighborhood, there is no doubt that I would turn into a jelly roll. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)
Erica W.
Who knew that I would find love at first sight at Cafe Selmarie? I had never tried a financier before, and decided to try the raspberry financiers. They are these little bite-sized cake-like pastries with a fresh raspberry inside. I truly had a moment. My friends were wondering what was wrong with me when I momentarily couldn't talk. These financiers changed my world for a moment in time. I will gladly travel all the way from the loop to Lincoln Square to get more of those. I love the fact that this place is open late for late night desserts, coffee and tea. Too bad they don't stay open later. Great service, and fantastic pastries - I'll be back for brunch AND lunch. AND they are close to the brown line Western stop. It's located in a cute area with shops and boutiques, so Cafe Selmarie is definitely in my future - a brunch and boutique day is calling my name!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Fantastic lunch! The broccoli salad was absolutely delicious and the bread is phenomenal. Great atmosphere. This place is a must-try.
(5)
Jose S.
Overall very good food and service. Favorite meal is the chilaquiles. One of the best I have tasted in years. Be aware of the corned beef hash. It's shredded beef and not the typical hash you find in a diner. Felt like I was eating a cross between hay and beef jerky. It's the only item on the menu I dont like.
(4)
C T.
I love this place! Lots of healthy menu items. Plates are huge, expensive, but worth it for the large servings. Super fun place to come and eat in the summer. Bakery looks delicious, but I'm always too stuffed for a treat.
(4)
Jenna S.
I came here with another person for dinner and we had completely opposite experiences with it came to the food we ordered; although both experienced the hands down amazing service! My dinner entree was the seared scallops, his was the half chicken. For starters, my scallops were cooked to NEAR perfection airing on the rare side. I enjoy a perfectly cooked scallop, which can sometimes be difficult, but this one scared me a little. The root vegetables and squash puree it was surrounded by was near tasteless. My fiance's dinner was beyond wonderful! The chicken was moist and flavorful, cooked to perfection. The potatoes were heavenly! All the flavors melded together in harmony! To end the meal, we shared a chocolate truffle and the german sour cherry cheesecake. STOP THE PRESSES. TRUFFLES! Yes, the chocolate truffle was flippin' amazing. Actually, I had forgotten all about the scallop debacle that was currently invading my stomach. All I could think about were TRUFFLES. Yum! Now, don't get me wrong, the dense rich flavor of the cheesecake was also a delight...but still all I can think about is that damn truffle confection!! Need. More!
(4)
Elaine C.
I took back Lincoln Square last weekend. It used to belong to someone in my past, but I ate, drank, shopped, and brunched up and down it last weekend and it felt awesome. This was also the one time they year I ordered something sweet for brunch. Lemon-ricotta griddlecakes. They were nom, but there's something about tart pancakes that didn't do it for me. The menu is impressive though. At one point one of my friends started attacking the server with questions like, "What's brioche? And what's pull-man style? And what happens to berries when they're macerated? I just need some English up in this menu right quick." So, if you're impressed by fancy words that mean "cooked with sugar", then run-don't-walk to Cafe Selmarie.
(3)
Christina K.
Went back for Sunday brunch, but with a party of four. (Sometimes I eat with people other than my boyfriend.) Don't know if it was the Father's Day crowd, or the location of our table but service was slow and frustrating. Disappointing, because I think it made me scarf down my skillet too quickly and not really enjoy it, and it seemed pretty good. Alas.
(3)
Andy W.
The food is a-ok, but the few stars are for somewhat inattentive seating. Even when the place is not very busy, it takes a long-ish while to get seated. If you go there alone, make a point to request a seat in the bright light if that makes you happy. Lunch has been consistently good, the greens fresh and not overdressed, the flavor of other items solid. Service at the table has been friendly and responsive.
(4)
Nektaria R.
So we were looking to get some coffee. Starbucks just wouldn't do... Selmarie came to mind and to find, they will Satisfy my sweet tooth too! I've been here before but it was on a date with some guy I met on in the Reader, yea, it was the one and only date I went on with anyone from the paper... we both couldn't wait to get out of there so... not so fond experience with Selmarie so I was really happy to visit again after many years and find that they're pretty cool. We arrived around 7 or so on a Tuesday night. It wasn't too packed, and we found Lincoln Square parking relatively easy (yes, it was a first). We were cheerfully greeted although we were lingering around the pastry case, we kind of looked like people coming in to take goodies home with us. No, no, we'd like to sit down I said. Right away the hostess said. She seated us by the kitchen/exit to the yard even though there were plenty of open tables, I think it was because it seemed like a lower traffic area for my handicap mom. Whatever, it worked even though we would get a little draft each time the door opened (which was very often). It's OK, it was high 60s tonight so it wasn't too bad. We each ordered a coffee drink and a pastry. The Banana Eclair, the Kahlua Cake and the Flourless Chocolate Cake. All were very delish! The eclair was definitely banana infused. I really couldn't say that about the Kahlua though, I could hardly taste the alcohol or flavoring, it was good, just chocolaty. The flourless was very dense but a little on the dry side, still very good. My latte was good, hope it doesn't keep me up all night with 2 shots of espresso. All in all, Selmarie was a good experience and I'd like to come back again for dinner or lunch. They had a tilapia dish for $17.50 which is not bad at all. Nice staff, decent prices, great atmosphere. See 'ya soon.
(3)
Emily S.
We love to go here for brunch, especially on a summer morning when the patio is bustling. Selmarie offers all that we love about Chicago brunch: a cozy neighborhood setting, lively and friendly atmosphere, and tasty, unfussy food. A good spot to take visiting parents or old college friends--we've done both, and both raved. My java-jonesing mom loves their Intelligentsia blend so much I've taken to feeding her addiction with regular one-pound whole bean shipments. We've been known to order the chilaquiles casserole, croissant sandwich, and breakfast burrito for brunch, the ravioli for dinner, and a slice of cake and coffee in between. All delish. Selmarie also did our wedding cake, a delectable chocolate-glazed white chocolate raspberry cheesecake torte that sounds like too much but definitely wasn't. Our guests gushed over the yum factor, and the presentation--three square chocolate-covered tiers accented with marzipan fall leaves--was beautiful. Birgit took her time during our consultation, offering full-size pieces of her most popular selections and describing the care taken in crafting each signature recipe. The best part? We can go back to Selmarie and order a slice whenever we like, reliving our celebration anytime.
(4)
Sarah C.
I have only had breakfest and Sunday brunch here. The food was fantastic. The granola with yogert and fresh fruit is my favorite. However, the service is horrible. Everytime I have gone here early before they are busy, I usually sit for 15 mins waiting to order and another 15 mins to pay. The whole time watching the servers stand around and talk... Be warned.
(4)
Liza M.
Love it, love it, love it. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. That's how much I love it. The chilaquiles are divine. The first time I went here with Marta, she ordered the chilaquiles and I tried it and I realized I would have to come back and get some of that for myself. And that's just what I did soon after. They also have wonderful mimosas, my favorite drink. I had a bloody mary once and that was also really good but I could only drink half of it. I just really like the decor and the atmosphere, there is a bakery in the front where everything looks really tasty too, but everytime I leave I'm too full to try anything else. I've never been for dinner, but I can't imagine it could be better than the brunch...it's just a lovely, sunny brunch place. Dinner wouldn't seem quite right. But I'm willing to give it a try. The prices are reasonable and the waitstaff is very friendly and accommodating. Well done, Cafe Selmarie! Another reason why I want to move to Lincoln Square.
(5)
Mike G.
great location right on the square. good for people watching, enjoying the outsideness, and listening to the music that randomly appears here. Lincoln Square has to be Chicago's most European 'hood. Cafe Selmarie adds to that by being a great little American cafe influences by Euro style treatment. The food is solid. Nothing here is going to amaze you on the creativity spectrum--but it all tastes good. The portions are perfect too--no behemoth style servings. We didn't do dessert. It looks like a great spot to grab some baked goods and coffee though to enjoy while lingering in the square.
(4)
Katarina X.
The clientele is certainly women of a certain age, but the service and the food can't be beat! Before we brought my boyfriend's mother in, I discreetly told the hostess that she was bordering on senile and can at times be very, very rude by no fault of the service. The staff was very understanding. When the server (Bryan, Brian?) brought a wide selection of tea for boyfriend's mother to choose from- she just about bit his head off shouting "Why don't you understand I want tea, just PLAIN tea!" He kept his cool, smiled and came back with "plain tea". When she started packing rolls in her purse, he kindly asked if she would require a to-go box. He also calmly explained the food ingredients and preparation processes to her, which is more than what I am capable of, and believe me, I was so grateful I paid him $50.00 extra, cash, on top of his tip. Can I take him home? Now every time she visits, she wants to come here... and thanks to the service, I am looking forward to it as well!
(5)
Luciana B.
Adorable little cafe in adorable little Lincoln Square (quickly becoming my favorite of Chicago's neighborhoods). The service was quick and friendly (and funny, if I might add) and so very understanding considering the size of our group. The menu has all sorts of tempting choices and all of it was absolutely delicious. The server was VERY patient about separating our checks, as tedious as that must be. Which is always the sign of an amazing restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Decor is lovely. Atmosphere is relaxing. A must-eat indeed!
(5)
Erika G.
Outdoor lunch on a summer Saturday does not get any better than this. A chopped salad, any of their soups and a glass of du vin rouge and I'm happy people watching for hours.
(4)
Kevin C.
This is one of our favorite brunch places. If you're in a rush to get seated or get to your next appointment after your meal, you've come to the wrong place. This cafe is more in the traditional European style, more relaxed and laid back. The menu items are always tasty and well prepared. The coffee is excellent and the pace inside kind of leisurely...the patio is great in the summer. It is sometimes difficult to get seated at peak times (brunch on the weekends), we've had waits of up to 45 minutes before. We are usually there when they open or we don't go until late lunch. We've been probably 20x or more and each time has been great. I kind of wish it were bigger (so seating would be less of a problem) but then it would lose some of it's charm. Whenever we have guests in town this is one of our top 5 places to take them for a meal. Highly recommended
(4)
Ginny B.
This place has caused me to gain 20 or 30 pounds. I suffer in silence and with a big smile.
(5)
Kate Z.
They told us the wait would be 20 minutes, but it was actually 50 (there were 3 of us on a Sunday morning). Our server was Traci and things were fine until we were ready to pay the bill. She had not offered to split the checks at the beginning of our order, and was very quick to get us our food, which was great. However, when I wanted her to just take my three things and put them on my card, she ripped the bill fold out of my hand and said, "So you just want separate checks, FINE." and stormed off. We were so shocked. When she returned, she told us that if we wanted separate checks, we should tell her in the beginning. I totally get that- I was a server too. But if it's such a hassle to split the check, ask at the beginning. It's not hard to do and saves a lot of time. It's not my responsibility, as the customer, to know how difficult or easy your bill splitting process is. After that, we went home and hours later, both my friend and I (we both got the same meal) were VERY sick. When I called the cafe today to tell them, their number was disconnected. I sent an email and I am waiting to hear back. UPDATE: I received a follow up call from the General Manager at Cafe Selmarie the same day I called and posted this review, and she was very nice and apologetic about my experience, and offered a gift certificate. It sounds like they did research to find out what could have made my friend and I sick, but didn't find anything. She also said that they did not get any other reports and sold 32 dishes that day (although, most people don't make the connection- I only did because my friend and I both had the same symptoms and ate the same dish). Additionally, she promised to talk to the server about her treatment. Overall, I am happy that she called and have changed my rating to 3 stars because we did have an enjoyable time while we were eating and she did make an effort to resolve things with me. She cares very much about the Cafe and how it is perceived, which is awesome.
(3)
Amanda G.
I really liked this place! The atmosphere was bright and sunny and the food was really good. We did have to wait awhile for seating but occupied our time admiring the beautiful desserts in the display case by the front door! My only complaint was the disorder at the cashier. We tried to get in some semblance of a line but eventually had to push our way to the front just to pay the bill. Still, I would definitely go back.
(4)
Natasia O.
I especially love this place on weekdays for lunch. I always seem to find myself wondering over there on rainy days like today for a fantastic cup of coffee. They have great sandwiches, a wonderful atmosphere, and I love to go by myself with a book and slowly enjoy my lunch solo.
(4)
Nellie T.
I've bene going to Selmarie for about 3 years now and I love it as much today as I did when I first came here. They serve intelligensia coffee which I love and make pasteries and granola that is just oh so freakin good. The prices are average for any foofoo breakfast that you'll get in Chicago. Their menu isn't huge (just about a one pager), but everything I've had is great. Their house potatoes are perfectly cooked: crisp and favorful. The boyfriend always gets their breakfast burrito. They don't put enough sauce for his liking, but will give you more if you ask. I usually get their omelette special. There use to not be a wait when I first started coming here, but like all other things.... word has gotten out and there is usually a wait. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in for brunch. Don't forget to leave room for a treat to bring home. I highly recommend the Palmiers!
(4)
Christina S.
Goodness gracious! This is the kind of cafe that can make a neighborhood a destination, and it looks like Cafe Selmarie has done just that for Lincoln Square. I recently had lunch here for the first time, and I was back for brunch the next morning, it was that good. The wait can verge on ridiculous, but if you call ahead, they'll add your name to the list. I recommend that strategy. I also recommend the croque monsieur. :)
(5)
Anna R.
Brunch at Sel Marie is one of my favorite places to go too! My top three dishes are: Brioche French Toast with berries and mascapone, Crab Benedict, and my absolute favorite is the Chiliquilles! It gets very busy on the weekends so I recommend to get there early. But if you have to wait, they have a great pastries, cookies, and bakery items to nibble on while you wait :)
(5)
George R.
Trust them for delicious croissants and the other fine French-style baked goods, but don't bother staying for breakfast. I've seen the place overflowing on weekends with crowds loitering outside, but why? Get a croissant or a brioche and maybe a coffee and take it elsewhere. Take it for a walk. This place often is crawling with bratty kids and stroller-toting parents, especially on nice mornings. To me, no matter how concientious, kids always make a place grungier because they can't sit still and most parents can't keep up with their destruction. Lovely idea, but beware. Go at an off hour and see what you think.
(3)
Ade Z.
i really like selmarie. but dont stay. grab things to go and enjoy in your apt with your dog ( or bf). they have awesome cakes..they are great for last minute bday dinners that you need to take a dessert to. or even for company gatherings a SURE hit! I have only been here for dessert and have yet to try their menu of actual food. I cant wait..i will be going this weekend! BUT... like i said earlier dont stay and eat- grab and go. They are really busy here- the service is like the service of a bakery ( can i help you?.... chocalte or vanilla... that will be 20.20....NEXT.) so don expect to be treated royal...if you want that treatment go to the italian resturant down the street or even Garcia's :) in any case, thier treats are KICKASS! coffee- ok service- eh? parking- its the L square- nuff said ambiance- LOUD!!@#$@#%
(4)
Robert F.
Its a restaraunt! No, no... its a bistro! No... its a coffee shop! Nuh uh! Its a bakery! Well... its all of those things actually. Until recently I had my doubts that a place could be so many things at once and pull any of them off credibly. But we had family down for a visit and the sweet tooths won the day. Ok, a word on sweets. Forget sweet tooth. This place is for sweet FANGS. The big razor sharp predatory ones good only for tearing flesh from bone. Except its sweets. But it will still give you that satisfied feeling I imagine the sabertooth tiger had when it sank those mouth daggers into the side of a gazelle... with lemon filling and a powdered sugar top. Of course, for you nonpredatory types, Cafe Selmarie is an excellent grazeland as well. It doesn't get any more Lincoln Square than actually being in the SQUARE part. In the middle of summer, with the fountain just a few feet away, you can graze to your hearts content on bistro deliciousness and watch the local wildlife. Just stay out of my way when I'm hunting for lemon bars.
(4)
Kristen S.
I love Cafe Selmarie for brunch or dinner - everything served here is clean and delicious. They serve Intelligentsia coffee and you cannot go wrong with that as well. This place is pretty busy on the weekends, so we did have to wait a bit, but it was nothing annoying. I had an omelet and a hot chocolate. So amazing. They were attentive to my gluten intolerance and I did not get sick. Awesome! Also came here for dinner once and had the caesar salad with grilled salmon. It was cooked to perfection - I didn't expect this from a little cafe. Highly recommended!!! It's a tiny restaurant so I recommend it for small groups or couples. During the warmer weather you can eat outside which is great for families. My husband has enjoyed the baked goods here although I cannot speak to them :)
(4)
Minna A.
I love Lincoln Square! and the heart of it all is Cafe Selmarie. I came here for brunch. We shared the quiche and the salmon club. I only have one word to say about Cafe Selmarie: drooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllll
(5)
Shana M.
I had a great experience here on one of those nose hair freezing days a few weeks ago. The place was packed, around 11am on a Sunday, so my friend and I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table, but we didn't mind. I salivated over all the goodies in the pastry case, and even snapped a few pictures (new digital camera = pictures of EVERYTHING). Our server was cute (no, I don't factor attractiveness into the stars! it's just a worthwhile perk.), attentive and calm even though she had customers jammed in all corners. They had spiced rum apple cider on special, which was perfect for warming me up inside and out. Also on special was corn beef hash with poached eggs. WOW was that ever good. The corn beef was shredded and had a smoked flavor to it. It had a firmness that was appealing without being too dry. The potatoes were diced small and perfectly soft without being mushy and the poached eggs were perfect. They charge your for the toast, so be aware of that. Lovely place. I can't believe I didn't get any pastries. Guess I'll be going back!
(4)
Emily Y.
Yes, it's a great location, and yes, the servers and atmosphere are lovely, but the food here is so "meh" that I don't understand why there is always such a crowd. Maybe people just haven't been to M.Henry or Over Easy (two of many brunch spots that trump Selmarie any day). On my second visit, I had an omlette with asparagus and prosciutto and fontina -- in theory sounds delicious -- that totally flopped. The asparagus had not been sauteed or cooked at all before entering the omlette, so the whole thing tasted a bit like raw asparagus. Despite the saltiness of the prosciutto, the omlette fell flat. Not much flavor there at all. The breakfast potatoes look and taste like the Ore-ida variety from Jewel. The toast was decent but it's toast...not much to screw up there. My second visit confirmed my feelings about this place. I just don't see how a mediocre pricey brunch place like this can survive in Chicago when their food isn't any better than diner fare.
(2)
Jade R.
not good, I stopped in there for lunch and ordered the grilled roasted vegetable sandwich on sourdough and it was absolutely horrible the bread and vegetables tasted like burnt marshmellow. I think the grill must have been very dirty, i dont know what grill they are using but the bread and vegetables were charred which they are supposed to be but the char on the vegetables tasted horrible. my whole sandwich tasted like burnt marshmellow. very unsatisfying. but my boyfriend got the chicken pot pie which was pretty good.. a little small. stay away from the grilled vegetables. unless they cleaned thier grill
(2)
Carolynne M.
I have been here on a few occasions, mostly to grab a coffee or some little bun-bun. Saturday was the first time I was here to eat in-house. The service was great, and the coffee was great - heck even my side of toast was great. But my bowl of chicken tortilla soup was intensely disappointing. It was loaded with big pieces of chicken and hominy, but yet it was just so bland. I was debating whether or not to dump hot sauce into it a few times. Also, for a dish called "Chicken TORTILLA" soup, I don't think one tiny, limp shred of tortilla hidden at the bottom of the bowl counts. Andy M's entree looked like the better dish, with a big fluffy eggy omelet, a nice green side salad, and some toast. I cant be too hard on the Cafe since like I said, most of the little things I have had in the past were great. I guess I need to come back and try something different next time.
(3)
Nuna D.
I just tried the bakery but I loved it! It was just what I was looking for , a nice place with beautiful desserts that I can take my kids to for a treat. The first time we went we just bought some treats and the kiddos had them while playing in the square. After that experience my 4 year old told me one morning that she dreamed about the cafe with all the beautiful cakes. So after her preschool graduation we went there with one of her friends to celebrate . The children had cupcakes and butterfly cookies , I had lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was good. But the lemon was kinda iffy. Not fresh squeezed lemon . I love the European cafe atmosphere , and the fact that its on the square just makes you feel like you were transported to a cafe on the old continent. I heard they serve a great breakfast.
(4)
Tory w.
I have been to Selmarie many, many times, as far back as 1999, but have never been there as a yelper until last week. I adore Selmarie. Every single thing I have ever ordered here has been good. No, not good. Excellent. I have had the quiche, mac and cheese, croque monsieur, different soups, veggie chili, goat cheese, turkey and brie sandwich, and many, many pastries, and I love everything. I would even go so far as to say that the croque monsieur and the quiche are the best I've had outside of France. The staff is friendly as well, and the coffee drinks are yummy. It's a great atmosphere whether you are outside in the square on a warm day or inside in the cozy restaurant on a winter day. It's reasonably priced as well. Magnifique!
(5)
Andy M.
Our Saturday morning visit came by accident. Carolynne r. and I had other plans that fell through. I all of a sudden had a major hankering for Breakfast. Cafe Selmarie is a bakery and restaurant all wrapped up into one place. The Bakery items looked and smelled wonderful. This make my hunger grow more intense. We first started off with Coffee which was quite unique and tasty. It had a bit of a kick to it, which I desperately needed. My Denver Omelet was pretty good, but it was nothing that awed me. Our server did a nice job keeping the coffee flowing and getting us whatever we needed. It was a mixed crowd of elders, families and the typical Yuppsters that you would expect from Lincoln Square. It was a nice experience, and I would go back for the Coffee alone if I'm in the area. The bottom line is that Cafe Selmarie gave me the coffee and sustenance that I desperately needed, and I give it two thumbs up.
I'm a fan. The crepe starter is delicious, as is the mushroom ravioli (I choose to ignore the fat content in that one). I hesitate to mention the almond croissants and their awesomeness, because then they will sell out even faster than they already do.
(5)
Lyn L.
Went here over the weekend. It gets crowded, but they have lots of yummy desserts! I guess you have to go here during the weekdays, if you want to bring a group of friends. But overall nice decent place to go.
(3)
D C.
I'm salivating just thinking about how "delishioso" their french toast was the other day! YUM.... I tend to walk by this cafe daily and have been here before with friends for coffee and cake. (banana chocolate torte is one of my favorites) But anyway, back to the french toast... best french toast I've EVER had, its topped with an orange cream and fresh fruit. I tried ordering today but it was too late for breakfast (sad moment). I will order tomorrow, (that the plan)... well if you're in the square and in need of a cookie or breakfast try Selmarie.... you wont be disappointed! ( little pricey but so worth it)
(5)
John C.
It's Sunday, 1:30pm, 70 degrees and sunny. ALL of Chicago is enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine as they stroll throughout the city and wonder, "Is spring really here?" Surprisingly, or maybe because it's fairly late to be seated for brunch, there is little to no wait and we get seated immediately. Is there a better feeling than to watch plate after plate of food delivered to the neighboring tables and think, "OMG that's what I'm ordering." Cafe Selmarie is one of those restaurants, however, where you'll face a dilemma. You cannot order everything, and each entree that is delivered seems to be better than the last. I won't bore you with the entire menu, as you can certainly read it as well as I, but we went with two entrees. They were both mouthwatering and delicious, but we agreed that the chilaquiles casserole beat out the brioche french toast by the slightest of margins. Unlike a number of reviews I read, we found the service to be absolutely top notch. Attentive without being bothersome, our waiter knew the menu inside out and guided us through our choices without inserting his favorite and simply making it ours. I'll be back repeatedly until i've tried everything on the menu
(5)
David G.
I always walk past this place when I'm on my way to Open Books or Huettenbar, and from the window I could always spot some items in the bakery case and I have to debate with myself whether or not I should go in. I finally did go in when my sister and I were trying to find a place to eat at noon on Saturday and we ended up going to Cafe Selmarie for brunch. It was a bit of a wait. They said 30 minutes but it actually ended up being about 20, but that's to be expected for a Saturday morning brunch, especially when the outdoor seating is closed due to rain. No big deal, other than there wasn't a lot of waiting space. There was bar-type seating in the bakery area, but I didn't want to take away from the people who were actually using them to eat. I ordered the quiche and it was fantastic. The service was quick and the hostess, waiter and the guy working at the bakery were very friendly. I didn't want to leave without trying something from the bakery, but I realized I was out of cash. Have no fear! They take credit cards! I bought a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting that I ate later in the day and it was delicious. Just about everything in the bakery looked good. I plan on going back to eventually try everything!
(4)
Moby J.
Decent - definitely dont understand the high regard many people have for this place. The pot-pies are delicious - rest of lunch menu good too. The bakery is a huge disappointment.
When deciding on a nice neighborhood place to take some out of town friends and their parents for lunch, I immediately thought of Cafe Selmarie...and promptly led the way. Tucked away on the quaint little part of Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square, I always thought their bakery would way overwhelm the food--ohhh you fantastical looking raspberry tarts, I long to have you between my lips...bad girl! But in this case, our lunch made us forget about all the goodies awaiting us up front. The menu for lunch was a lot bigger that I thought it'd be--and SO many things sounded scrumptious! The smoked turkey and brie sandwich, the Croque Monsieur (I'm coming back for you!), the quesadillas, mac n' cheese...insert moaning sound here. Finally I decided on the chopped salad after begging myself to choose "healthy": a mighty fine pile o' chopped butter lettuce, bacon, avocado, red onion, tomato, grilled chicken, blue cheese, hard boiled egg, aged sherry vinegar dressing...ohhhh I would eat that every day. Our server was really sweet and very attentive, and we never went without anything our party of 6 needed. That Croque Monsieur is calling my name from across the plains. Looking forward to hanging out on their patio when the real spring comes!
(5)
Sandra C.
Love the ambiance and the pastries. The owners are great and everyone is very well trained. Customer service is excellent too!
(5)
JJ S.
Food is always tasty, waitstaff friendly, pastries as heavenly as ever. The location is so cute and has a cobblestone courtyard next to it. When they are busy in the summer, it makes for a nice place to hang with your family while waiting for brunch. Gets crowded on the weekends so be prepared for a wait. Only real issue is the bathroom could be more clean and then I would feel more comfortable changing my baby's diaper there.
(4)
Temi C.
Cafe Selmarie is a quaint & cozy brunch spot. I love the bakery in front of the dining area. There's one dish here that you must absolutely try! If you like braised short ribs, osso bucco, or any other kind of tender meat you'll love it. It's the corned beef hash. Yes, I said corned beef hash. I think the rest of the breakfast fare is just ok, but this is the dish that brings us. Prior to Cafe Selmarie, my corned beef hash dishes most likely came right out of a can. There's none of that here. They slow cook the corned beef so you can pull it apart with your fork. I never thought I'd use these words together, but the corned beef hash is quite classy here.
(4)
Luci D.
Average. Decent little wine list, I enjoyed my salmon club and bubbly. My friend and I split the Oreo cheesecake, and agreed it was kept a bit too cold. Very dense. Friendly server, clean, bright atmosphere. Slight wait (10 mins) at 1 on a weekday. We were encouraged by our server to take our time (LOVE). Busboys kept water filled. Will return.
(3)
Liz K.
I thought this place had some fairly decent brunch food, but there wasn't a huge variety. The bakery itself is amazing and makes going there worth it. I had an apricot kolachky while I waited, and unlike most kolachky, it wasn't annoyingly dry. Unfortunately, there is very little waiting room and they seem to have a lot of young families there, meaning, yes, there will be strollers and screaming kids. All in all, not bad, but there are definitely better places for brunch in Chicago.
(4)
Scott H.
Great brunch spot if you have out-of-towners with you and are looking for a spot where you can sit outside, have a good meal, and enjoy great coffee. Also, a great bakery in of itself. My only knock on this place is if you come here a couple of times, the menu gets extremely boring since it's limited and nothing is "amazing." It's good...but nothing that will make you say "I love this place and need to come back here again soon." Be prepared for a long wait anytime after 10:30am on weekends too. One last comment....if they ever feature the Chicken Salad Sandwich on the specials menu, definitely get it. It's awesome. Probably the best thing I've had here, despite often coming here for breakfast/brunch.
(3)
Sarah M.
I think this place is very overrated. There, I said it. Full disclosure: I've never had a sit-down meal there - I've only ever had items from the front bakery case. Having said that... I don't think it's anything too special. The desserts are expensive, and so rich that it's hard to enjoy them because you know you'll feel ill after eating only half of one. You also risk being run into by some yuppie with a stroller on your way out the door, which is enough to keep me away. I would recommend that you head over to the Swedish Bakery instead... reasonable prices, and tasty food that will remind you of eating pastries and drinking coffee with the grown-ups back when you were a kid.
(3)
Elaina B.
The food here is great! And not only that, the service is superior. I've had a few brunches here and everything is always pipping hot and tasty to boot. I highly recommend the brioche french toast and the eggs benedict. The servers are always kind and courteous and I never had to wait on a warm up of coffee. Not in the mood for brunch, well they have lunch and dinner as well. Also, their pastries are in a league of their own. They're a great pick-me-up treat on the way to and from work. Another fantastic thing is that, unlike most places, my friends and I have never had to wait for a seat. I definitely think this place deserves a 5 star rating. It really hits the spot in more ways than one.
(5)
jen t.
I like cafe selmarie a lot. The food is good and they offer a lot of vegetarian options. It's a quaint space so not the best on the traditional sunday morning which would be the best time to go. It gets really crowded. Especially with the families. Opt for lunch or dinner and see why it's truly special. They also have a pastry shop in front of the restaurant with lots of treats to choose from.
(4)
Allie J.
Bakery- amazing. I've been coming here for years and never disappointed. From their fruit tartes to their lemon-rosemary cookies you really can't go wrong. The restaurant- ufff. The food is good. However the service is just awful. This is definitley one of those places where you wish your entire tip could go to the bus boy rather than the server. The bus boys were fantastic. After we were seated about 10 minutes went by before the waitress appeared at our table. The only thing she did the entire time we were there was take our order. My husband ordered and bloody mary which did not taste right. Not once did she ask how the food was. At the end of the meal she dropped off the bill and ran. Bloody mary still full. It took asking the hostess to get her back and explain that the drink did not taste right. Lack of attentiveness was a real drag. Moral of the story is go for the bakery and coffee, take it to go, and sit in the square in the sun and enjoy it.
(4)
Leslie R.
Yelpers you've helped me out. This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago. In the adorable area of Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie is an amazing little cafe that deserves a visit at LEAST once. My boyfriend and I went on Good Friday for brunch, and it was pretty busy. The wait was 20 minutes, but we walked around the square and came back with only a short wait remaining. The wait was completely worth it. To start, we got a cup of vegetarian chili and sweet potato wedges. I love me some sweet potatoes, and these were top notch. They were so soft, but still held up enough to be able to pick up with a fork. The dipping sauce for the sweet potatoes was amazing, the best dip I've ever had. The vegetarian chili was great as well - especially since it came with a ton of melted cheese on top! The chili also came with a giant chunk of cornbread, which was also amazing! As though I wasn't already completely in heaven, we went on to the main course. My boyfriend had a the smoked turkey and Brie sandwich and loved it - especially the apple accents. I got the roasted vegetable stack and was blown away. As a vegetarian, I've come to detest roasted vegetable sandwiches, as they all sort of blend together and get so bland. The stack was a revelation! The goat cheese complimented the portabello perfectly. The layout is not meant to support large groups or crazy busy days, but the wait you might have to endure is completely worth it.
(5)
Sara B.
Ok, so let me say that a three star rating seemed a little harsh. I'd say I though this place was above average, but the the portion for price ratio had me questioning whether I thought it was 4 star place. Make no mistake, I know Americans (mid westerners in particular) eat too much, but the comparative value of food seemed pretty low here. I had a delicious salad with a portion of chicken added to it. The salad was $8 (seems to be the going rate) and adding about half of a chicken breast was $3 (slightly higher than the going rate). What came out was a tiny bed of spinach with a generous portion of cheese and salad accoutrement. My friends' plates, though well presented, also looked a little bare. All of that's fine, and I don't mean to suggest the place is SUPER pricey, because it is not. I just felt like for the price AND quality, it was maybe a little disappointing. Not disappointing were the baked goods. I had a layered banana and dark chocolate cake. Wow. Check this place out if you're in Lincoln Square, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
(4)
Neha S.
I wavered between three and four stars for this place, but I went with the higher rating because they have great brunch and pastries. I would give their dinner a 3 star rating because I think it's a little overpriced and overhyped for what you get. I got a special appetizer, scallops with risotto. The scallops were a little small, and the risotto was too rich. The spinach salad was decent, but lacking in much other than the brie it came with, which was the best brie I've ever had. On the other hand, definitely come here for dessert or a pastry snack...probably anything sweet is their specialty. It could be a great European hideaway in Chicago if they got rid of the restaurant in back, and stuck with the front shop.
(4)
Maureen M.
After a disappointing brunch last spring, I had my doubts about dinner at Cafe Selmarie but I was blown away by the quality of the food, the creativity on the menu, and the attentiveness of the staff. Appetizers are small plates, many served with a tiny side of lightly dressed salad greens. Baken goat cheese with grilled bread is rich and creamy, the pastry crust filled with vegetables was more like brioche but loaded with artichokes and other goodies but the creme de la creme was the seafood filled crepe served with slivered mushrooms with a rish reduction sauce. A most amazing dish. It seems that Cafe Selmarie's kitchen works some special magic with mushrooms as its mushroom filled ravioli were almost light enough to float off the place and full of flavor, the filet of beef was small but tender, flavorfull and served quite artfully on a circle of polenta. The parmesan mashed potatoes are presented with a bit of red skin and the delightful salty tang of cheese. Salads, pot pie and roasted chicken round out the menu. The beer and wine menu is short and artisan but has something for every taste. Desserts come from the pastry case in front and change from moment to moment. Tiny cookies, wedges of cake, a surprisingly light cheesecake with a layer of cherries baked in the bottom and just a hint of lemon, artfully decorated lemon and chocolate tarts, eclairs There are cupcakes and sugar sanded cookies, too.. The after dinner coffee is served in a hefty mug and is deep and strong enough to stand up to a sweet dessert. The service was helpful and attentive and the dining room, which includes a small room off to the side, is quiet and well lit and great for a group or a romantic dinner for two.
(4)
Sandy T.
Went for lunch and ordered the chopped salad..Menu said it had chicken on it..well there were teenie bites of chicken mixed in to the salad. I was disappointed. I was expecting to have at least some bigger bites of chicken. Made it seem like there wasn't any chicken in the salad! The portion of the salad was disappointing as well. I think for the price the portion should be larger. I wasn't full after at all. The fruit tart for dessert was delicious..Perhaps from now on I will just go for dessert.. Also it is very loud- maybe because it is a small space but it was difficult to talk to my friend.
(2)
Alex M.
If you want a taste of the European life, that carefree moment of a good cup of coffee, sitting outdoors in the square, and just forgetting about the crazed world of the 9 to 5, Selmarie is your mini-vacation to Europe. I think the biggest strengths of this place is their location, seating, and homemade desserts. Many a time I've stopped there to get something sweet for my family before heading to a family dinner at the parent's home. I also just liked taking it easy there with friends over coffee in the outdoor patio, a welcome thing when the weather is nice in Chicago. I think the only downer I have with Selmarie is that I wish it would stay open later. I like European cafes who stay open late night as a welcome alternative to bars. Even in Europe cafes of this nature stay open late, and it's a shame Selmarie doesn't follow suit. I personally think there is a big enough clientele in the area that would welcome a late night at Selmarie.
(4)
Catherine C.
HANDS DOWN, FAVORITE RESTAURANT! ive been going here for about 10 years and its always amazing. the staff is very friendly and professional. but enough about the staff lets talk about food!! holy crap can we say phenomenal? YES WE CAN. my favorite dish and what i get there 100% of the time is their chicken pot pie. it will blow your mind. they also have great hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. The ambiance is great as well is small, cute, and chic. not to mention they have different art work on the wall that you can purchase. okay now lets talk pastries. AHHHHH you can not go wrong with anything you choose. the mocha buttercream cake and the white chocolate raspberry cake are master pieces of culinary heaven. The portions arent huge which kind of sucks but you will leave satisfied!
(5)
Craig N.
I come here for my daily dose of caffeine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts are amazing. It almost seems that the cafe is the center of Lincoln Square activities due to it's location.
(5)
Jessie B.
This place is cute. It reminded me a lot of Barcelona. Love the fact they are next to "The Square". You can listen to fun little bands playing on Thursday night while eating your yummy meal. Had the risotto special. Shit take mushrooms, zucchini, walnuts, and white truffle oil. Yum-o. I'd order you again. Also had some of the chopped salad. It was good. I just love this place because of the scenery. Honestly, I can't wait to come here during the autumn. I can picture it now.
(4)
Judy R.
To clarify, the four stars are for the take-out bakery. If you're eating in, I'd give it 2-1/2. I love the bakery here. For what you get, the prices are fair, especially the breakfast breads, cupcakes and cookies. Coffee's good, too. Before the Grind opened, I got my local Intelligentsia fix here. Eating in is another story. Yes, Selmarie is wildly popular - that's part of the problem. During breakfast/brunch, the stroller set is almost out of control. (I'm not alone - they can drive the servers nuts as well.) The real problem, though, is that the breakfast just doesn't quite measure up. It's perfectly decent but not worth the hassle of the crowd. The omelets are okay but I make better toast/potatoes at home. You're better off getting coffee with a brioche bun or croissant to go.
(4)
Jason H.
Selmarie for me is really disappointing because they are on the verge of greatness but never seem to get there. I've been coming there on and off for nearly 10 years now and I think it's about time I share some of my thoughts. Starting off with the positive... - The pastries and cakes are amazing, they just are. I can't say a lot more than others because I'm not a sweets kinda guy so I don't really consider myself an expert in this arena as I so rarely partake. - The ingredients are always fresh and I really give them a lot of credit for that. Everything I've eaten there always felt fresh and was well done. On the negative side... - The service blows, it just does, there is no way getting around it. They either have one or two servers for 20 tables (management's fault) or your server will be hanging out in back doing god know's what (you can see them from the side view) why you wait forever. Despite this I visit Selmarie about twice a year but it is the one place where I just hand the server my card and say "run it" because I hate asking for my check and then waiting 20 minutes for it and another 10 to get it back. - Their portions suck. To be fair it never used to be this way, I think they feel like they are all fancy now since they have some Lincoln Square cred and the neighborhood is all up and coming. Now I'm a little guy and I don't eat much to begin with but I actually laughed when they brought our appetizers the other day. We ordered the goat cheese and lobster crêpes. It was a joke! They brought out a crêpe about the size of a small cigar for 4 people. Now I realize sometimes food is just small but when you order that your server should inform you. Besides, who wants to pay that much money for something that was just okay. It was like $2 a bite. Anyway, at the end of the day Selmarie makes good fresh food but their service blows and they have an over-inflated view of themselves. Okay... one last bitch (call me a dick), could you please turn down the damn lights in there? I feel like the sun is puking all over me. If I wanted that much light on me I'd go to a tanning salon.
(3)
Betty L.
Oh, I WANT so badly to love Cafe Selmarie. I love the idea of it, just like my high school boyfriend. Their dessert exposition is so appealing to the eyes, the location is appealing and comfortable, and it just sounds like a cool place to visit. I like their roasted potatoes (breakfast menu- but you must get there at 10:59 am to order them. You can get there at 10:59 am and sit there until 11:30 am when you order and still get them. But DO NOT sit down at 11:02 am and even attempt to make such an order! The people next to you who did the right thing and sat down before 11:00 am will get their breakfast, but none for you sinners who have slept in due to late nights of debauchery). Their desserts are just..... meh. They look soooo beautiful, and have very fancy names, but for all of the times I have tried the various cookies, cakes, rum balls and such, I have been disappointed. The cake is dry, the fancy balls are tasteless.... meh. The food is mediocre and extremely overpriced. The menu is more limited than it is overpriced. The servers are pleasant and the ambiance is comfortable. Beware of Lincoln Square, however, and the 2.1 kids per woman.
(2)
Catherine M.
2.5 stars... In a word: BLAH. Seriously. I love Selmarie's treats and location. I live in Lincoln Square and anytime I go out to dinner in the hood I'll opt to skip dessert at the restaurant I'm dining at to head over for a nice treat and cup of coffee at Selmarie. So... for their treats, yes, delicious- I give them 4 stars. BUT... and what a bummer this is... my husband and I had dinner here on Friday night and it was so BORING. The food was one of the most lackluster meals I've ever had and not to mention that the portions were pretty small considering they charge a lot for the entrees. I got the Jerk Chicken entree and it was about $17. When they brought it out, it was one, small, Amish chicken breast. I can't help but compare it to Lula Cafe where their chicken entree comes with more than you can finish meat and is much less in price. My husband got the tilapia and the next morning he had some serious stomach cramps that he attributed to his meal. I've had dinner here once before, don't really remember it all that well- I think it was fine, but again- when a meal doesn't stand out, not usually a good thing. I've also had brunch here once- but my fear of pigeons took over as we were outside and they were totally invading my personal space. Here's the star breakdown: Dinner: 1 star Treats: 4 stars Service: 3 stars TOTAL: 2.5 stars
(2)
Jennifer B.
A fantastic spot for brunch in Lincoln Square. The baked goods are heavenly!
(5)
Erica T.
I can't believe I haven't written a review about this place yet. This is one of my favorite places in the city, and if someone is feeling adventurous enough to trek up north towards my 'hood to hang out with me, I try to take them here. I have an obsession with baked goods, and this place takes the cake. Literally. I love their tortes, especially the Sacher torte and the white chocolate raspberry torte. But I think my favorite cake is the tres leches cake, which I've only seen there on Sundays. They also have a large selection of other baked goods, including cookies (my faves are the raspberry hearts), tarts, breads, chocolates, etc. I don't think I've ever had anything from the bakery that I didn't like. The restaurant food is not as stellar as the baked goods, I have found, but it's still pretty good. The menu is not very extensive, and the food is more delicate than hearty, but the worst I've had was a dry turkey/brie/apple sandwich. Other than that everything else has been pretty satisfactory. ***Edit*** I just found out that they offer tres leches cake on weekdays now! Also, I just had the passionfruit mousse and it was absolutely delish (if you like tropical passionfruit-flavored stuff...)!
(5)
Kelsie L.
This is a great place. Delicious desserts and their brunch is great. I've never had bad service, even when I'm just there for coffee. Outdoor seating is great. I've never had to wait longer than 30 minutes for a table! I love bringing friends from out of town to cafe selmarie.
(4)
Hayley H.
Yum! Good coffee, buzzing atmosphere, wonderful location. Outside seating. The menu was different than the one online. Try the mushroom ravioli, bomb-ass good.
(4)
Joonho Y.
Awesome Local Place. Kid Friendly. Food is Generally Good. Pastries look better than they actually taste. Had a Bad Experience with a Server ("Will"), but everyone else has been friendly and attentive.
(4)
Stela E.
My fave place to go to when I want a relaxing breakfast or lunch with a friend or with my baby. Perfect location. Lincoln Square is pretty awesome. I can spend hours there. Food is great. Salads amazing. Great outdoor area right next to the fountain in the square. They also have a bakery connected to the dining room(try the mexican wedding cookies). Mmmmmmmm tasty! I wouldn't go there for dinner..too crowded and no parking.
(4)
Faye B.
To be fair I ate here once and stopped in to buy some treats another time. This place is still tops to me if you happen to be in Lincoln Square. Your sweet tooth will thank you. Yes, parking is a bit of a chore here and the line for the restaurant can be a bit long at times but the food is really good. My first introduction to the cherry streusel cake was at a family party and I was hooked. On a free early afternoon my husband and I had a late lunch there and while we did wait for a bit the food was delicious. Their pastries and other bakery such goodies are phenomenal. It is a tiny restaurant so it can get a bit claustrophobic, so if anything buy something to go. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Darcy C.
I live down the street I have been here numerous times. The service is absolutely out-of-control bad. Tonight I wanted a steak it took 25 minutes and came out well done when I ordered it rare the server didn't even visit my table after that happened.
(1)
Aubrey D.
A diamond in the rough. Great location/ambiance. Grab a Intelligente Coffee and a fresh pastry while you wait to be seated. Brunch was amazing! Highly recommend the Pesto Scrambler with Apple Gouda sausage or the Brisket Sandwich. Good brunch cocktail selection! Great service. +++ Only complaint -small establishment.
(4)
Steve A.
Cafe Selmarie is an interesting amalgam of pastry shop, coffee shop, and restaurant. When you enter it looks like it's just a pastry shop with a few small tables for enjoying your purchase or sipping a cup of coffee. But proceed to the rear, and there is a fair-sized restaurant. The menu offers American, French, Italian, and (at least the night we visited) German food, plus other eclectic international cuisines. We shared the Brussels sprout salad, which was good, a special leek and bacon flatbread that was phenomenal (gooey topping, crisp crust), and a special German sausage plate that was also tasty. For dessert we selected a couple of pastries from the case out front. There's a small wine list with many selections available by the glass. Service was friendly and professional. The place is kid friendly, and there were quite a few families dining the Friday night we went. An adjacent open area provides outside dining when the weather is nice, and place for the kids to run around. If you've not been to Lincoln Square, it's definitely a cute neighborhood to check out.
(4)
Romana Y.
Great spot for breakfast with outdoor seating. Salmon Egg Benedict: 4.5 BLT: 4 Lox and Chicken sausage omelete: 4.5 Intelligentsia (house blend roast): 3 Lemon Bars: 4 Service is good, but needs improvement. There is usually a 45minute wait for weekend brunch. The crowd is affable and lively.
(4)
Rosa J.
I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning, and what would be a remedy? A place that serves vegetarian-friendly brunch to boost up my blood-sugar level so that I could make it to work this afternoon. Daddy J., Mama J., and Rosa J. participated in the brunch date at Cafe Selmarie, "inside" of the commercial strip on the Lincoln Ave. A portion of the Cafe Selmarie resembled a regular, express-version of coffee shop. However, a server would take you to your seat if choosing to dine in. I personally went with something that would be comforting: vegetarian chili. Initially, I was slightly intimidated by the heavy layer of cheddar cheese. After I had a few bites, I realized that veggie chili was quite light. The bread that came with was also hearty and delicious. My energy-level was immediately restored upon finishing my vegetarian chili. Daddy's turkey & cheddar sandwich and mama's berry cheesecake were seemingly well-crafted. They were satisfied with the qualities of the food, yet they expressed a minor compliant on the speed of service. Unfortunately, I was under the time crunch since I had to make it to work by a certain time. I'm normally an individual who dislikes "schedules" when it comes to munching. Overall, Cafe Selmarie has met the expactation of being a healthy, relaxing, and family-friendly breakfast/brunch/dinner place. The prices were fair in comparison to similar competitors around town ($20.48 for a party of 3). I will definitely tell my vegetarian husband about this lovely joint.
(4)
Renaud S.
Was there for a brunch last Sunday. The terrace was full and they had a long waiting list - as we could expect for a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, so I just took some food to go. Their pastry is so delicious! I remember having a banana chocolate eclair, a chocolate croissant and some raspberry chocolate tart. Huge portions and everything is so tasty!! I also heard their flourless chocolate cake is worth trying, but I didn't had enough appetite... next time!
(4)
William N.
This place stole my heart.. Upon walking in I thought it was just a nice cute little bakery with the normal cake and pastries. But little did i know upon looking around I saw one of the most unimaginable desserts i could even fathom in my mind til i saw it that combined 2 of my all time favorite desserts together. Which was a OREO CHEESECAKE!!! I always love cookie and cream shakes and cheesecake as there own dessert, but putting them together ugh..-DROOLING- I was with another friend the also enjoys cookie n creme just as much but there suggestion was that it would be better if the crust was oreo. On my note i believe it was amazing as it is. Continuing on aside from the oreo cheesecake i ate breakfast there. It was pleasent we sat outside on a beautiful morning where it had a nice breeze and the sun was height enough to provide some warmth. Over seeing the people walking about with there families and the water fountain brought a family welcoming vibe to the place such as a park. Ordering food got a bit confusing because we were looking at there menu, but it was different from the sit down menu so that happened. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict. I'm a big salmon fan getting it for breakfast was a no brain-er. the salmon was smoked to cook the begal used as the base gave it the crispy texture, the grilled asparagus added to the smokey taste, and the egg on top when cut through with the drizzling yolk gave it moisture and was the final flavor when combine with everything made it all perfect for a healthy breakfast in the morning waking all my taste buds.
(5)
Ivana S.
I've stopped into their bakery part more often than I can remember, whether it was because I desperately needed coffee (their iced coffee will wake you right up) or because they have a great selection of delicious deserts. I recommend the iced coffee for wake up purposes but I truly don't have a recommendation for the sweets, everything I've had from this place was delicious, so just go with what you're in the mood for once you get inside (this strategy doesn't fail at selmaries). I remember having lunch there once, but it was a while back and I can't say that it was a memorable one. However, I just glanced at their brunch menu and it looks amazing. I'll definitely have to stop by there for brunch in the near future.
(5)
Angela P.
I used to think brunch was a really lame concept. But these past few brunches with my girlfriends have me in love and ready to pounce on the next brunch invitation that comes my way. The Saturday brunch on the patio at Cafe Selmarie was a relaxing (and delicious!) experience. They don't take reservations, but it was only about a 20 minute wait in the late morning. The view on the patio is of lovely Lincoln Square, with a fountain, lots of shady trees, and families gathering in the park. I dove into my White Russian Iced Coffee, topped with real whipped cream. The Bourbon Cherry French Toast was dripping with mascarpone cheese and cherries soaked in booze. Deciding between sweet and savory is a tough choice, but I did not regret this one! My friend's smoked salmon breakfast looked like a good, savory competitor. On my way out I bought a Blood Orange Italian soda to-go. Any cafe that has both blood orange and lavender syrups available has my heart. Even if I don't make it to Selmarie for brunch again, I will definitely stop in for a latte or Italian soda, and some of their baked goods, next time I'm in Lincoln Square.
(5)
Aimee M.
Cafe Selmarie was the choice for our Brunchy Brunch meet up for May. I've seen how packed Lincoln Square is on Saturday mornings and I was a little worried that we'd have to wait a long time for a table. CS won't seat incomplete parties either. But once all three of us arrived, the wait for an outside table was minimal. Al Fresco dining is always what I prefer, but do know that dining on their patio here you'll pretty much be front seat to all the little kids running around in the square. Well, I'm here sans kid, with some great friends and CS's delicious iced White Russian coffee in hand and all that activity is quickly forgotten. Thank you Osi V for opening with the cinnamon roll--it was definitely big enough for the 3 of us to get a good taste. It was a great opener--subtle cinnamon flavor and delicious icing. For my main, I opted for the smoked salmon breakfast--cold-smoked atlantic salmon, thinly sliced, with scrambled eggs, capers, red onion and a toasted english muffin and a side of cream cheese. I subbed the potatoes for fruit and received fresh pineapple and orange slices. The smoked salmon was of excellent quality and very tasty. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and well made. It was all very very good. Service was friendly, although our server seemed a bit harried--I wonder if she had too many tables to take care of. Before we left, I bought some oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip walnut cookies from their bakery to take home. These cookies are exactly the way I like--more crispy than soft/chewy. Perfect with a glass of ice cold milk.
(4)
atrack b.
It's easy to become jaded by brunch. There are so many places, and most are decent, that it becomes rote. Cafe Selmarie is the first place in a long time that made my friend and I stare at each other in perfect contentment with what we'd ordered. We had the cinnamon roll griddlecakes with bacon sprinkled on top, delicious. We also had the smoked salmon club, delicious! I didn't have any take out pastries, but I will definitely be back.
(5)
Lindsey L.
The only reason that they lose a star is for not having a plain chocolate chip cookie. I drove 12 mins out of my way by recommendation that the Cafe had great desserts. They were good but I wouldn't go that far out of my way for them again.
(4)
Mathieu B.
I am a big lover of Cafe Selmarie and have been coming here for the past two years. The food has never disappointed and is always good. My only hiccup is the ever-changing management and wait staff. It seems that overtime that I come here, which is usually for lunch and/or dinner, there are a couple new staff members. Some of which can be overbearing and brusque. So, my advice to the Selmarie management, please dedicate a bit more time to training your staff! Regardless, this cafe is situated in the best spot in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. A wonderful place to walk through on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with friends and do some shopping. With that being said, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves good food and delicious pastries.
(4)
Hogan K.
Delicious as always!! Perfect place for evening dessert, breakfast, brunch, dinner - they have it all. Awesome staff and service. Had a croissant breakfast sandwich with potatoes and salad and it was a great start to the day
(5)
Kate W.
Had a great lunch here with my husband after a fun afternoon in Lincoln Square (provenance, the general shop, laurie's planet of sound, etc.). Perfect spot for an affordable, quick, and delicious lunch. I had the lentil soup (good, and the bread it came with was amazing), and the brussels salad, which was very, very tasty. The togarashi puffed rice that comes in the salad it really, really good. The dressing was great. My husband had the BLT, which came with slaw, chips, and a pickle. The pickle was fine, and the slaw and chips were good, he says. I stole a chip and it tasted salty, but maybe that's just me. He also seemed to really enjoy his sandwich. We did not indulge in lunch dessert, but the pastries in the counter looked amazing. Maybe we will be back someday to pick up dessert after picking up bread at Baker Miller . . . Recommended.
(4)
Laura N.
Haven't had a bad meal here and the service is always been really solid. It does tend to get really crowded on weekends for brunch and I can never quite understand their hours (they are different every day ) better to check before you go. As for the pastries - the cookies and the tarts are right on . the cake, however, is so incredibly dry and definitely not worth the calories.
(4)
ray g.
Just not a good place. Service was bad server forgot part of order and knives which finally a bus boy brought these items. Thank god for Busboys there as they do redeem the server staff failures especially giving needed utinsels, But only after food got cold!! For a place that is about 30 to 50 per person you could do better for alot less and get better service at a gray spoon Fyi. Manager didn't care when talked with! !
(1)
Heather D.
Aww shucks I'm going to miss Cafe Selmarie! Always a good experience though be prepared - their service is usually a bit slow on the uptake. Final Verdict: Best dish hands down: Their chilaquiles. Order it. YOU MUST!
(5)
Dennis S.
Fabulous for breakfast. I had chilacuiles with great flavors of corn, egg, spice, chorizo, plus guacamole and sour cream on top. My wife had their quiche, of which my sample was very tasty. There was a bit of a wait, which allowed us time to browse all the great bakery choices up front. Once seated we had great service. It's a comfortable setting, clearly well-used by the neighborhood. So good we went back again a week later.
(5)
Jamie B.
This is another winning gem of Chicago I was able to dine at this weekend and cannot wait to return! We didn't sample any of the bakery items up front on this visit but I plan on purchasing a cheesecake from here in the near future for a party. Everything looks absolutely divine! We had lunch- the roast beef and turkey sandwiches with a cup of the tomato bisque and a cup of the veggie chili. Our meals were excellent and the service was prompt. We were in a hurry so getting in and out can be done here, or if you prefer not to rush it doesn't look like they will rush you either. Lincoln Square is so adorable and I'm glad we found this place- makes the trip up to this neighborhood a real treat in addition to some of the shopping on the block. This will be a must stop on future visits- can't wait to bring out-of-towners here, I know they'll just love it.
(5)
Jexenia G.
I guess the reviews made me really want to try the place so I'll just breakdown the pros and cons:) Pros- very nice location, love that you have a bakery in front where you can have coffee and even a pastry while you wait to be seated. I was told a 20 minute wait on a Saturday early afternoon for brunch...not bad. We did only wait about 20 mins. We got outside seating on a beautiful fall day! The coffee and almond biscotti was DELICIOUS! Cons- I didn't know who was my waiter, I don't even think they even knew who was suppose to serve our table! It took forever to get service and barely was given attention. I ordered the corned beef hash....was not impressed, I ate half of it. My boyfriend had the roastbeef sandwich and he didn't complain, but he was also not impressed. I think the service turned me off the most:/ And finally only after I got my hot plate did they tell me there were no more croissants....how disappointing:( Overall the bakery is nice, service was quick at the bakery. However once seated don't think you'll get that much attention:/ the food was average. That's why it got three stars, because the food was mediocre and the service was not attentive enough. I may comeback for coffee and pastries but not sure if I'd come back for brunch again.
(3)
David C.
Fantastic. I had been meaning to check this place out for a while. I got a fantastically made spinach, leek quiche with a red and yellow beet salad appetizer. For dessert I got an assortment of pastries and cakes. GET THE BANANA ECLAIR. It is one of the best eclairs in Chicago. Highly recommended!
(5)
Dawn S.
I have been a customer at this most amazing cafe and bakery for over 25 years. Every birthday cake we buy here and the choices are many: Kahlua Chocolate, Hazelnuss, Raspberry Marzipan, Coconut Lime, Sachertorte mit schage (whipped cream).....and so many other choices....opps....their Strawberry Roulade and their Chocolate Banana eclairs. Fab lunch, brunch and dinner too....this place is a must go to....for the rest of your life!
(5)
Jane P.
The spiked iced hot chocolate is a revelation, and some of the best chicken sausage I've ever had in my life.
(4)
Mariluz R.
Love the cake, breakfast and lunch. Cannot wait to bring my daughter for her birthday. Keep up the great job guys.
(5)
Carina M.
Very good breakfast! Super kid menu options as well. We were seated right away and waitress was very sweet talking to our 1 year old. Ordered simple omlettes, but very tasty!
(5)
David P.
My first visit. It was a very late brunch (3:40PM) on a Saturday. Had the chilaquiles, damn fine!! Had a Two Brothers beer and a cup of coffee as well. I'll be back to investigate further for sure.
(4)
Amanda W.
We were really looking forward to trying the food here with all of the wonderful pictures and positive reviews, but were so put off from the service we received today, decided to leave instead. Basically, we went in during the early afternoon on a Saturday and put our name on the waiting list to be seated; we were told it shouldn't be too long. While waiting in line I sat on an available stool off to the side to be more comfortable. Several minutes later the host came over and somewhat loudly announced that another woman wanted to sit there and dine; the implication was that I shouldn't be sitting there and needed to move. He also pointed out that she had a cane. While I appreciate him trying to accommodate another patron, I would have appreciated being asked nicely and candidly to move instead of being told and embarrassed in front of other people in the process. Furthermore, I used the stool while I waited to accommodate my own disability, one that may not necessitate a cane and be completely obvious to someone who doesn't know me, but that deserves just as much consideration as the other patron. Anyway, it happened pretty quickly and I am sure their host gave it no mind, but it left us feeling pretty crumby and we left. I have no patience for businesses who are insensitive and impolite to *all* of their patron's needs.
(1)
Hannah H.
Cafe Selmarie's lemon bars - it perfectly decadent, lemon-y, sweet, a good-portioned size bar that is powdered with powdered sugar. It is a little pricey, but I always make it my mission to get at least 4-6 pieces to go. I love it, and I haven't tasted great lemon bars like these anywhere else. Yum! +lemon bars
(4)
Claudia S.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
My favorite little spot in Lincoln Square. Great service, delicious pastries, and incredible coffee! It's hard to order because everything is amazing! Definitely a must try if in the area.
(5)
Lauren C.
I would like to yelp about the "Manager" of "Selmarie". "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" has tasted pleasantly mild according to long familiar, established recipe at i"Selmarie." Last Thursday, the "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" had a strong, spicy taste, familiar with flavoring in Mexico. Speaking to the manager, I asked why the soup, in Cafe Selmarie which has been serving bakeries familiar with Central European Recipes, is changing Tomatoe Bisque soup to Mexican type flavoring. I was told that calling the flavor Mexican, would be an insult to the cook from Mexico. If I did not like it, "Go to the Brauhaus, they are German, this is an American restaurant." I personnally knew two ladies who started "Selmarie" were from Europe. No insult was intended by me of anyone. I paid the bill and left. update.... o4.15: I returned to the restaurant Easter weekend.. delicious and pleasant staff. Thank you for listening.
(4)
Dustin G.
This place is just amazing. First, let me say that my fifth star in this review is due entirely to the amazing service. I showed up unannounced with my students. (I teach ESL to adults.) There were nearly twenty-five of us all together. This could have been the catalyst for a chaotic and frantic scene but it was calm and relaxed as the servers rearranged chairs and tables to accommodate our giant group. Beyond the accommodation, the servers got everything right. My students all speak English pretty well but some of them are lower than others and some have heavy accents. The servers were patient and explained everything my students asked. The food? Delicious! I had a spinach and feta croissant with Cafe Au Lait. Both were delicious. The pastries are amazing. I couldn't resist picking up some of those unique pumpkin pies inside the miniature pumpkins. I'll definitely come back to this place...though I may just bring a couple friends.
(5)
Kristina B.
Elegant and bright food in a casual polished setting. Prices are what you expect, $10 above for entrees. Salads are delicious here but get pricey when you add protein, but none of them really need it (and that's coming from a true carnivore). They boast house Italian sodas. I had the mushroom ravioli, two words: umami bomb. Service is phenomenal and you end your experience being tempted by a beautiful array of pastries and treats. A Lincoln Square gem!
(4)
Simone T.
Still the best! Great breakfast and brunch spot. Wonderful fresh soups and a GREAT bakery!
(5)
Gretchen D.
We just had coffee and a brownie. It was good. crowded with lots of moms and their kids (no school that day, apparently). A bit of a line. The latte was just so-so--a bit watery. The brownie had excellent flavor but was too hard to cut with a knife or fork--we had to break pieces off. It's fine if you're there and want a sweet nibble. Most pastries looked good. This review may be a bit unfair as we did not eat a full meal.
(3)
Sarah M.
I went to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. Overall, the atmosphere, is welcoming, genuine, friendly. The food itself was 7 out of 10 stars- nothing incredible but definitely left you satisfied with the overall experience. I would go again!
(4)
Howard L.
This is a nice place for brunch and pastries. We also hadn't been in Lincoln Square in decades, and the visit gave us a chance to reaquaint ourselves with this little enclave of shops and restaurants. Food is fresh (we had a goat cheese omelette and whole grain pancakes) and coffee is good - these are the main draws we found, as we noted the place's popularity. There was nothing particularly catchy or innovative on the menu, just good quality. It's also quite a popular place, and there was plenty of traffic, a bustling dining area, and a continuous small waiting queue til about 2pm on a Saturday. The server was attentive and very friendly also.
Have been here many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have tried many different dishes. Everything is excellent. Chilaquiles, quesadillas, burritos, hash, beet salad, chicken pot pie, etc. Tonight we went for dinner. I had salmon for the third time and it's just so delicious. Creamy lobster sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus and crunchy pistachios! And my husband could not stop raving about his lamb chops with panko crust and blueberry sauce. Everything is just so fresh, flavorful, and paired well with their side dishes and sauces. Classy, but also great for kids. Our 2.5 year old loved his pb and j. Also has the most pleasant outdoor seating in summer anywhere! Only con is it's a tad slow to get your food.
(5)
Jen L.
Their chopped salad is shrinking with every visit! It's a delicious salad but really??
(3)
Grace R.
One of Lincoln Square's best restaurants!! Great bakery as well
(5)
Gabriele P.
Wow! From the outside it looks like a bakery, but it actually has a lot of tables for lunch. The inside is really tasteful with original quilt patterns hanged all over the walls, and the food matches the expectations of such a nice place. The springs green salad was an unusual - but perfectly made - combination of pecans, dries cranberries, blue cheese and chicken, and trust me: it's to die for! The cakes look and taste great as well! Be sure to try the apple bread pudding if you have a chance!
(5)
Molly M.
This place is awesome. The chilaquiles casserole is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Also, wonderful breakfast hash. A great place to stop by and pick up pastries and a cup of coffee.
(4)
Joseph D.
Went here for a Sunday brunch last weekend - what a neat place. An eclectic assortment of brunch items to please everyone in your crowd. From baked goods to omelets, to a salmon sandwich to interesting Mexican and Cuban inspired brunch dishes. Tucked away in Lincoln Square on a semi-closed to traffic strip of Lincoln Ave, it's conveniently located off the Western stop of the Brown Line so for those of us with cars, it's easy to get to. Inside the place a narrow and deep so it you're waiting for a table it can get a bit crowded so be warned especially if you bring small children who are restless just standing there. The service is very good taking a team approach with a server taking orders, others bringing food and a third party refilling coffee and water. Makes it really easy to enjoy yourself as you're aren't constantly looking around to flag someone down for a fork, coffee, to clear plates, etc. The food is the star here. my wife had the breakfast omelet which was served kind of deep dish style with all sorts of goodness including spinach and other veggies in there. Served with home fries and you've got yourself a winner if you're looking for a slightly different take on the breakfast egg dish. I had what appears to be a new dish which consisted of marinated Cuban beef served on top of these two delicious fried corn cakes (hard to describe but delicious) and topped off with black beans, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Yum-my! A few things to know - they supposedly do not take reservations but you can put your name on a list and request a time. Sounds like a reservation to me but I guess they don't guarantee it? Confusing. Also because it gets packed they are anxious to "turn the tables" so it's not the kind of place where you can hang out. Your food comes out and you eat and then you are being asked quite frequently "can we get you anything else?" In other words, a polite way to say "get the heck out of here." I get it. You don't want me sitting there all day drinking your coffee. No worries. I didn't take it personally but it is something to note as we went out with friends we hadn't seen in a few months and wanted to catch up. Overall a nice place and we will certainly return.
(4)
Debra L.
So a friend and I were walking around the square on this cold, gray and blustery night looking for the right place to have a bite. After reading the menu in several windows we decided on Cafe Selmarie. Perfect choice! The atmosphere was warm from the room temperature to the warm colors on the walls. It was a nice sanctuary from the cold. We both had the vegetarian chili, which was hearty and flavorful. We split a roasted brussels sprout salad which was perfectly lightly dressed with caramelized roasted brussels sprouts. So delicious! The wait staff was super friendly and helpful. The case of pastries looked amazing but with super full bellies we took a pass. Looks like this place could be a regular stop this winter.
(4)
Bri A.
I had to ignore the pastry display while walking to my table in the back, otherwise I would have bought everything! I was hungry and the delicious pastries would have beckoned to me...aaand then I would have bought a few and devoured them all. This is such a cute little brunch spot and my girlfriend and I enjoyed our meals. I had the smoked salmon BLT which had bacon, avocado and lemon-chive aoli. It was simple but tasty. My friend loved her fried green tomato sandwich and I wish I had a bite! They make a solid and strong Bloody Mary, too! Our server was awesome and super friendly. After seeing photos of the fancy French toast and other weekend brunch items, I need to return soon!
(4)
Jeffrey C.
I've gone from a 4 star to a 2k star rating here. Basically, the service breaks down horribly when they're busy. I had brunch there yesterday with a friend and our expected 45 minute wait turned into an 1 hour and 20 minutes. The hostess was totally out of her depth and wouldn't help the waiters in any way. There's a very polite way to "turn tables" for those customers who are done with the meal and disregarding towards the masses enduring a long wait. Table-side service was impersonal and unprofessional. Our waiter walked by our table 3 times before curtly saying "I'll be right with you." When we mentioned that we had been waiting a very long time, he had no reaction at all - AWKWARD! Somehow a sausage side dish was totally forgotten and then took forever to arrive. The food is not that exceptional to wait for - I had a rather tasteless zucchini cheddar pancake dish regretting not having gone for Dutch pancakes on Western. I'm a Lincoln Square resident and I try so hard to like this place as they do an excellent job with pastries. The front area needs a complete redesign and some sort of system needs to be introduced for serving customers in order. The place cries out for a service manager/maitre d' with bona fide restaurant experience.
(2)
Mister F.
I thought it was a little pricey, portions were a little small, and service could've been friendlier. There are better options nearby. To their credit the food was tasty and the restaurant was spotless and comfortable.
(2)
Jonathan C.
Its a place where my wife and I can easily agree is worth a trip from the suburbs to the city for a weekend brunch. It really has everything you want. The location is nearly perfect in there are plenty of stores to walk around in Lincoln Square, parking is not too difficult, the food is made exactly how you hope every place would make their food. You can alwayds start with an intelligentsia espresso drink, or go for a white russian coffee and make it a good start. This last time I went for the apple cider with burbon and carmel and it definately made the freezing weather outside a bit better (afterall you don't drink apple cider when its warm outside). We got the usual dishes, chilaquiles cassarole and a corned beef hash. Both are so good which makes it so hard to go to other items on the list. Thankfully one of my friends ordered the cinnamon roll pancakes covered in bacon bits. That dish was perfect. Everything came together so well, plus they didn't skimp on bacon bits. -------------------------- As a side note I've had cakes from here and each time I try one, I have a new favorite cake. Seriously you cannot go wrong with your choice.
(5)
Adem R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Friendly staff with high quality food
(5)
Adam C.
I have attempted to eat here on three consecutive weekends and have been unable to receive service. The hostesses will claim you will be seated within x time, but in reality the time needed is 3x or more (I refuse to stay beyond three times the stated wait time, so I'm unsure how long it would actually take to be seated). Frequently half or fewer of the tables are occupied, yet they will not seat you (despite plenty of staff). The food looks good, but I am offended that a breakfast place with such terrible service and incompetent/mendacious hostesses is blighting such an excellent location.
(1)
Lindsay B.
Five stars doesn't cut it for Cafe Selmarie. My husband and I adore this place and come for brunch all the time! The space is bright and charming, and dining outside in nicer weather is as good as it gets in the city. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is amazing! The pastries and cakes are decadent and delicious. Having Cafe Selmarie make our wedding cake was the best decision we made for the wedding, not to mention the easiest! (We had a tasting at another bakery the next morning, which we promptly canceled after our tasting with Birgit.) Birgit is one of the sweetest, nicest people I've ever met, and it was a pleasure working with her! The cake was perfect and beautiful. (Thank you!) If you are getting married -- especially if you are stressed out -- please do yourself a favor and call Birgit. This is the recipe to have amazing wedding cake that your guests will be talking about for (2?) months after your wedding. I love this place so much.
(5)
Andria A.
I suppose the season for green tomatoes is drawing to a close. So I'm very very glad that I've gotten to eat Chef Bryant's Fried Green Tomato sandwich this past month. It's such a yummy combination of flavors and textures. The house-made relish side dish varies from week to week. I really like the in-house made pickles - kind of like bread-and-butter pickles but with different, interesting and tasty seaonings. The service at Cafe Selmarie is consistently good - enough attention (water glass never goes dry) but not too much (conversations are not interrupted). I go between the lunch and dinner rushes so I can get a table without waiting.
(5)
Michael E.
Food at this place is really good but the service is absolutely horrible and slow. It is not very kid friendly either in my opinion. I will not come back solely because the service was so bad.
(2)
Lisa A.
I'm a little disappointed with my first visit here, but may be willing to try again with some other dishes next time. I had the scallops with crispy smoked bacon risotto and really liked this entree, but was not impressed by the rolls they served with butter. I wish they offered olive oil with the bread. The cafe latte was great, but for a bakery I expected more from the Kahlua Torte that I chose for dessert. It was not the freshest and I think it may have been more than a day old because I could taste it was dry and the ganache was not super fresh like I expect from bakery. Next time with such a large selection of dessert, I will ask for the freshest one, I also think they should serve slices of dessert with a little whipped cream which you have to ask for.
As far as brunch places go, this one is strictly average. I would probably give the food alone 4 stars, but service has been awful the handful of times I've been here. There were moments during our meal when we needed the server (for the check, hot sauce, whatever) and not a single employee was to be seen in the entire room! It probably took about 20 minutes just to flag down the server to get our check and get her to take it back. If you're going for brunch on a weekend, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes or more. The first time I went for brunch the hostess wrote down my name wrong and ended up skipping us over because of it. That said, I probably won't be back for brunch, but I might grab a pastry and coffee to go in the future.
(3)
Rachel S.
If your looking for a bang for your buck it's not here, but the breakfast was good and good quality stuff. The breakfast potatoes are amazing! Oh and of course the butter cookies with half chocolate are the best cookies I have ever had. The place is very nice as well. Friendly staff too.
(4)
Donielle P.
Great brunch on Sundays with a fresh menu every week! One of my favorite Lincoln Square spots! Take home a box of delicious baked goods on your way out!
(5)
Victoria W.
if I were to rate this place based on its pastries and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 stars. We were lucky and got seated pretty quickly even though it was brunch time on a Sunday. However, the Sunday Brunch was just so-so. Two people in my party, I ordered the brioche french toast and the other person ordered the cinnamon sugar pancakes. The pancakes had a nice eclectic taste with the salty bacon on top of sweetness, it was a very nice contrast. However, there is nothing super special about the pancakes. The brioche french toast was not super impressive, some vanilla pudding was added on top of the pancake along with some drizzle of fruit sauce. I ordered the fruit cup of strawberry and banana as well and it was just diced up strawberry and banana. The other person ordered a side of egg and it was just regular scrambled eggs. The apple cider bourbon drink was good at first but it looked greasy after it got cold. My chai tea latte was good but it was not very rich. The party beside our table ordered the Asian salad, which looked quite refreshing, if I were to come back I will give that a try.
(3)
Marty C.
Great food, great coffee. Service sucks. I'll stop in for coffee and a pastry if I'm walking by but never eat here again. Not worth waiting an hour and ten minutes when I show up, after calling in ahead of time.
(3)
Brenda G.
Best homemade black bean burger. Even, pleasant service. On a freezing day against a wall of windows, I wasn't cold. Nice brewed iced tea that was refilled over and over. This was my first time here. Won't be my last.
(5)
Caroline J.
I came here with my family and boyfriend after an event at North Park University. My mother had been here a few times and kept raving about their desserts. At first glance it looks like it is just a bakery, but there's a cute little cafe in the back. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and helped with food recommendations. I ordered the lobster ravioli, my boyfriend got the chicken and grits, my mother ordered the cheese tortellini and my father got the vegetarian chili and italian sausage flatbread. My ravioli was incredible. So tasty and the prefect size. It was actually so rich I couldn't finish. The fried chicken was hands down the most tender and juicy chicken I've ever eaten. My mom's pasta was wonderful as well. My dad said the chili was good, there was just a bit too much cheese on top and it made it slightly gloppy. However, he said the italian sausage flatbread had way too many flavors going on and ultimately was not as good as he had hoped. Bonus points for the yummy bread basket though! I would definitely come back here if I was up in Lincoln Square.
(4)
Douglas B.
Selmarie is one of our favorite restaurants. The restaurant sits right in the heart of The square in Lincoln Square, right next to the fountain and courtyard. When you walk in its as if you are greeted by a very friendly staff and the smells of freshly baked goods. They have a huge selection of pastry's. They also have a great outdoor seating of like about 10 tables that looks right out into the courtyard. In the summer there are tons of musicians that play out there and you can enjoy your lunch with free live music! How great is that. The menu here changes a bit here and there. The specials change constantly and have some very nice treats. They even have an excellent (3) course Prix Fixe menu on Thursdays for $22. Delicious. Everything on their menu is delicious and portioned out perfectly. The food is of great quality. They once had an amazing pan seared calf's liver with balsamic reduction that was absolutely delicious. Our usual goto starter are the Mussels is fantastic butter, garlic wine broth with grilled bread. The Wagyu beef tenderloin with garlic mash and squash was superb. The presentations on the plates are beautiful. You'll want to keep coming back here time after time to try something new. The drinks are also great, they make a tasty vodka lemonade, with homemade pink lemonade. They also had this great ginger soda and rum drink that was so refreshing. I am always excited to make it here! Get over there!
(5)
Annette U.
I was here a few years ago and remember having a really good sandwich. I came here with my friend the other day and I was sad I wasn't hungrier because I would have loved to try more things on the menu. I had the tomato bisque soup and it was perfect. My friend let me try some of her quiche and it was delicious. Definitely a lovely cafe for brunch!
(5)
Eliska O.
Awesome place! Great service, yummy food and good prices! You can't go wrong trying this place!
(5)
shana a.
Bleh. After we were seated it took a solid 15 minutes for a waitress to pay an initial visit to our table. Service was just painfully slow. I think we were just one of those unlucky tables because the tables that were sat after us were serviced somewhat quicker--by the time we finally received our food, those tables had turned over. I had the corned beef hash; the hash was pretty good, but the egg was cooked over hard, instead of the over easy I asked for.
(2)
Jaime M.
This is a place that I have always wanted to like. I love the location and the concept and so many good reviews can't just be group think, right? ... Right? The sit-down food is good enough, but the pastries at the front are bland, (except for the small hearts and rounds with peach and strawberry jam). I hear and read everyone say how amazing the bakery here is, but when I bite into the blondie bar or the cookies I just taste blandness, I feel confused. I hope it's not true that they are letting the chef change the European dishes with flavors of his native Mexico. I mean, I'm from Mexico, and that doesn't make sense. I'll g try those dishes to confirm and will update my review once I do.
(3)
Liz K.
Went here for brunch on a Sunday and all of the food was so unique and delicious. Everything was fresh and well prepared. They don't take reservations, but they do have call ahead seating so you can let them know what time you will arrive and you can get your name on the wait list- I did this and still ended up waiting about 15 mins which wasn't too bad.
(4)
Steve J.
WOW, what a neighborhood find! My wife's Corned Beef Hash w/poached egg was, "the best I've ever had"! Eggs Benedict, perfect. My scrambled w/ricotta, spinach & smoked trout is on my top ten egg dish list. Don't even slow down while walking past the fresh baked counter or it will take you ten minutes to get to your table.
(5)
Maria B.
This place is great for kids. My son loves their Mac and cheese and all the cookie options he can choose from. :)
(4)
Shereen O.
Ate lunch here on a lovely July day. My friend and I ate outside and were surrounded by the beauty of Lincoln Square. Service: Great! Very attentive and kind. They even let me grab a table before my companion arrived. They didn't fuss about us splitting a check with two credit cards, either. Food: We split a Mediterranean salad, which was really good, and a Turkey Brie sandwich, which was okay. I was excited about this sandwich because there's a similar one at Blind Faith in Evanston. I think if the bread was toasted (melting the Brie), it would have been even better. Parking: There are many spots along the Square; however, I imagine it can get crowded at peak times. The area is not too crowded in general. I'd like to try their desserts and brunch next.
(4)
Omar A.
Went there to get the black bean burger for the 289th time. That thing is better than most burgers! Comes with this delicious chipotle mayo, avocadoyeah and the normal lettuce, tomatoes and onions. They had their couscous salad on the side which is also very good. The staff is always very friendly. I don't even have to say..they already know I'll be back. Cheers.
(4)
Wayne H.
This is a good place to grab a quick breakfast in the Lincoln Square area. Nothing I have tried has blown me away, but it's still good quality food. I have to admit I am not a huge sweets person, so I haven't tried their pastries. From what I understand that's their strong suit. Overall this place has great service and I have never had trouble getting a table.
(3)
Rebecca B.
OK, so I don't usually go here for the dining room, although I've had breakfast and lunch at Selmarie and the food is very good (I'd say four stars-worthy). That being said... I've made cakes for a living for four years, and for personal pleasure for over twenty. I hate buying cake because my cakes are just better, and I'm fine with putting in the effort to make genoise and Italian buttercream in order to get the quality of cake that I want. Selmarie beats my cake every single time. I have never had better cake in my life. I don't know if it's just a me thing or if this is an objective fact, but I cannot think of a better cake I've ever had - at least in the range of their selections (I make an amazing absinthe cake that you're not going to be able to find at Selmarie, but that's not apropos of the quality of Selmarie's cakes). And it gets even better: they give you GIANT slices for like $3.25-$4.50. Do you know how cheap that is?! Whole Foods sells their house cake slices for like $2.99 and those cake layers are mass-produced and shipped in from a wholesale bakery in New Jersey and the frosting comes in 10 gallon buckets. Selmarie's cakes are scratch made on the day before at the most. The whole cakes are even cheaper. So... I'm bad with conclusions. Go to Selmarie and get cake. It's insane.
(5)
Cathleen P.
This place is wonderful. I enjoy coming here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The staff is welcoming, efficient and friendly. Their bakery is fantastic, but they need to include more gluten free items.
(4)
Ruth G.
My experience here was *exactly* what a cafe should be. Bright cheery interior, light and airy, bustling with activity by the excellent servers. The art installation couldn't be more perfect for such a lovely and lively place! Jenny Steinman Heyden is the artist, her show is there until Nov. 30th facebook.com/Jenny.Heyde… . The coffee was perfect for me and the food was very good! I had a huge bowl of vegetarian chili that came topped with cheese and a side of cornbread.. total yum!! Could have used hot sauce but I forgot to ask for some. Um, they could double their prices and it would still be fantastic to come here for a bite and a bev. We got chocolate truffles too, one for everyone at the table. OMG.. too amazing!!! Now, I've had *many* truffles before so I know they can be to die for.. but this was singularly the most perfect one I'd ever had in my life. I will go back again and again to Cafe Selmarie to try many of their desserts and savory dishes.. I'm not even a "sweets" person really! But that truffle.. omg. I can't wait to bring people here from out of town! And friends for a special snack or meal. This is a very special place. I even had the opportunity to meet the owners, they're completely adorable and the sweetest ladies you'd ever hope to meet! Supporting local small business owners is great & so important, and I *LOVE* how these owners also give back and support local artists and their community. Someone mentioned that they do wedding cakes too!!! Wow, I wish I would have known about them about a dozen years ago.. oh the lovely conversations we could have had on their patio all those summers. Can't wait for the warm weather, I must go back soon and have many cups of hot coffee over pastries etc with friends. :D
(5)
Erin Z.
I was in the mood to check out a new brunch spot this past weekend and landed at Cafe Selmarie due to it's proximity to my location and decent yelp reviews. Based on the reviews, I was a bit underwhelmed by the place which is why I give it a 3. Although I have to admit I didn't have a negative experience. I guess my expectations were a bit too high coming in. I am also a bit perplexed as to why this place gets a 'Vegetarians go nuts for this spot' designation. While I am not a vegetarian, I gave up eating beef and pork almost 5 - 6 months ago. With that said, I found that most of the menu items had beef or pork in them. I naturally navigate to seafood or chicken-related options but I was not in the mood for smoked salmon so I got the breakfast burrito with chicken sausage instead of chorizo. It was good, okay. Not spectacular or anything worth coming back for. I would also say, that while I am NOT a true coffee snob I appreciate a really well thought, complex-tasting dark roast and the coffee they served here was very one note and meh.
(3)
Shaina K.
The wait was a bit long, but the food was worth it. The service was excellent, especially for how crowded the place was. I got the salmon with eggs. Everything was perfection. Huge portion, everything tasted fresh. The service was great, and I will have to come back to sample on some of the delicious looking treats up at the front.
(5)
Lulu R.
Cafe Selmarie just revolutionized the whole brunch game. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, it was easy to get to considering all the food traffic because it is surrounded by beautiful boutiques that people are actually interested in. After weeks and weeks of dieting and exercise, we didn't want to completely ruin our work outs with a heavy breakfast since we had so much to do that day. So taking a little stroll we finally decided to walk into Cafe Selmarie to see what they were all about. Best decision I made that week was to walk in there! I will admit that the look of the bakery section brought me in, we stayed for the food. David ordered the HOMEMADE corned beef hash. I ordered the Croque Monsieur. We also got this home made soup with potato, green onions, and andoulie sausage. Lets slow things down at talk about this hash. Glorious homemade Corned beef hash! The Executive chef Bryant kindly came out to school us on how they do it. They get a massive amount of corned beef and brine it in their own spices and make it into this perfectly crisped hash. I looooved my gooey Croque, don't get me wrong. The hash stole the show though. My boyfriend had his love for me truly tested when I kept reaching over to peck at his hash. Kudos to the chef who let us in on his process and the other selections he recommends. As you might already know, a chef who is involved in his/her food, makes it taste a million times better. The seating was unpretentious and cozy. They crowd was mixed and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their meals, as did I. Street parking was a little rough for Sunday brunch but the walk wasn't too bad. The beautiful wide arrange of pastries filled the air and made me feel warm inside. You name it, Cafe Selmarie's got it. I am bound to be back for another amazing brunch and I am positive they will not disappoint with their ever changing menu options and pastries.
(4)
Jessica H.
The bf brought me a small heart shaped flour less chocolate cake & 6 chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines Day from here & they were mm mm mm delish! I cant wait to stop in for lunch & try the food.
(4)
Roseann M.
I'd like to tell you that Cafe Selmarie is bad; that the waitstaff are mean; that the back of house isn't good enough to make "Kitchen Nightmares" and that Gordon Ramsay tried to shut the place down. I'd like to tell you all these things, because then I'd never have to wait in line for a table ever again, especially at the outside patio tables in summertime. But I am an honest Yelper, and I can only say the following: 1) I've eaten at Selmarie since the late 1980's, when it was a teeny tiny bakery with a few sandwiches, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. 2) The waitstaff are pleasant, efficient, helpful, and wear black hats that aren't cutesy or obnoxious. 3) Entering past the bakery case is an exercise in restraint. It's amazing to me that there aren't saliva trails on the glass-fronted case, but I think the staff is very good at cleaning that sort of thing up quickly. 4) Even the coffee is good. On many occasions, I stick with the tried and true and get the chopped salad. Yum. My favorite. On the weekend, they sell slices of apple strudel. Again, yum. Today, we varied from our standard repertory. I had the applewood-bacon BLT with boursin cheese on marble rye, and that came with a cup of tomato bisque soup. Wonderful. My friend had a salmon wrap with salad side. The busboy tried to take her plate when she had two bites left. He's lucky she didn't wrestle him to the ground. She wanted those last two bites. But don't believe me. Go to the latest "hot" restaurant, folks, where the cheapest alcoholic beverages start at $12.00. Stand in line for an hour at some overpriced Yuppie brunch place. Follow a "star" chef from restaurant to restaurant. Please. Do all those things. And while you're doing those things, me and mine will be having the mac and cheese with leeks, the crusty and piping hot chicken pot pie, the quiche of the day, the veggie chili, and oh, just maybe, a dessert. Flourless chocolate cake. Raspberry chocolate tart. Apple strudel pie. And . . . oh, I don't know what else, Selmarie. Surprise me. You haven't disappointed me yet.
(5)
Mary M.
Have come to this place quite a few times. My husband is friends with the executive chef....I must say, the food here is absolutely delicious! And I like the portions also...not so much you want to kill yourself after but enough to sometimes need a to-go box. I've had the biscuits and gravy, which were great. My favorite thing to have there is a corned beef hash with the poached egg. Really, REALLY good. Like, puts-me-to-sleep-every-time-I-have-it, good. The cinnamon pancakes with the crumbled bacon on top is one of my dad's favorites...and after I tried his last time, I'm not sure who could dislike that dish. They serve Intelligentsia coffee (woohoo!), which is also fresh. The house made bloody Mary's are really good as well. Very nice spot to have breakfast or lunch, especially in the summer if you sit outside in the square. Try it out if you are thinking about it...I am sure you will like it. Their menu changes daily, (or weekly) I can't remember....but that also keeps it interesting. Not to mention, they have a whole bakery of pastries and pies up front...which are also REALLY good.
(5)
Rachel G.
I have been going to Selmarie regularly for years and have never had anything but incredible experiences. I have stopped in just for coffee/tea, I've had lunch, had breakfast, ordered numerous cakes and goodies for celebrations, and stopped by just for a pastry fix. ALL perfect. This crown jewel of a business manages to serve up high quality, crazily delicious, carefully and lovingly prepared products across the board and consistently. They NEVER miss a step. What really strikes me about Selmarie is that they don't try hard to be cute like so many of their competitors...they just serve up classic, great things and they're set! The staff is professional yet cheerful and the atmosphere is upbeat, friendly, laid back, and just plain lovely. Sit outside when the weather is nice and you will enjoy yourself even more (as if it's even possible). On a side note for you gluten free peeps: they also carry a few gluten free pastry selections in addition to their arsenal of other amazingness. The lemon bars are wonderful and I have also seen a raspberry bar that looked yummy.
(5)
Claudia R.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)
Kimberly B.
We've popped in for a brunch a few times in the past year. I love the mini croissants and will get them to go after every visit. The menu is pretty typical for brunch, but they pull in brunch options from across the nation (if not world) so there is always something for whatever spice blend you have a taste for. I would say everything is good, not great. The coffee is good, not great. The service is good, not great. The food and food options are fine, not special, but done very well (ie, good not great). It's a solid brunch stop and a good neighborhood mainstay. I wouldn't travel from across the city for it, but if you live in the area, it's a great place to pop in for brunch or grab a pastry. (Okay, the pastries are flat out great. You should definitely stop in for one of those.)
(4)
Viki P.
Awesome breakfast/brunch place! There are always specials, and the staples on the menu, such as waffles, salmon - I have yet to find a dish I don't like. If all else fails, just order a baked good, like a sticky bun or croissant. There is a wide array of baked goods upon entry, and it is almost overwhelming only because everything looks SO. FREAKIN. GOOD! My only complaint is the regular cup of coffee - to me, it tastes very blah, so I've ended up drinking either water or a latte (which is very good) instead. I have never come here for dinner or just drinks, but one day, I just might. Then I'd have to add on to this review!
(4)
Mrs S.
Only negative - Small space, can hear many conversation but everything else makes that no biggie and worth the stop- Pot pie is wonderful!! Minestrone soup was awesome and very homemade like! Don't miss desert or grab it to go in the display cases on your way out. Good cappuccino, we stopped before a book signing across the street.
(4)
K M.
You know, I'm not a coffee drinker, nor do I like pastries, but I do love Cafe Selmarie. When I was in school I would come here for a chai (good chai- they don't water down), and end up staying to do homework. Once again, I didn't go for the coffee or sweets (although I heard good things) but for the atmosphere. The staff is so friendly, and personable. They don't seem to go through staff very fast, because the same people always seem to be working which shows that they like their jobs enough to stay for years. Each time a child comes in, which is frequent, they are always so nice and friendly. It's nice that they are very patient when kids order, even when busy. I bring my daughter, and even if she's indecisive or can't choose between a flower or smilie face cookie they are very sweet and kindly discuss with her the options, or their own opinion to help her. Ex. "We never have pink and blue flower cookies, I'd go with that this time!" Makes her day!
(5)
Rebecca Z.
The breakfast/lunch cocktails are awesome! I had the spiked hot cocoa and my boyfriend had the spiked cider. Both delicious! The sandwiches are good, but the greens that came with them were a little underdressed so make sure to ask for dressing on the side because it's also delicious. Although a little pricey all in all we had a great experience. They even sent us out with 2 free cookies!
(4)
Beth A.
When the weather is just right this patio is perfect for a sweet treat and a drink in the square. Friendly service comparable area prices. Beware the strength of the espresso!!! I drink lattes just about daily but theirs nearly sent my heart palpitating...whooowee
(4)
Sabina W.
This neighborhood cornerstone is worth a trip for those Chicagoans not lucky enough to live closer. You won't have a bad meal here, but I especially recommend brunch. Yes, please, to a million delicious plates of from-scratch corned beef hash. And tons and tons and tons of their custom-blended Intelligensia house coffee. Easily one of the best brunches in the city. If you can't stop in for a full meal, drop in for the bakery counter in the front of the restaurant to grab a dozen of their traditional German cookies, like Linzers or those delicious little apricots ones.
(4)
Ed A.
Cupcakes and cookies and cake oh my?! This place would be worth the visit just for the dessert case. Everything looked good, fresh and very reasonably priced. Employees were fantastic and extremely busy with the crowds packing the front and the ever present soccer mom with their baby strollers. Note: if you're going to bring the kids in a stroller, for God's sake by one with back-to-back seating and not one of those double wide monsters. Think people, think! I also had some black bean, chipotle and kale soup. Isn't kale seaweed... that disgusting stuff that clings to your legs? Well, anyway, the soup was good but I'm not sure I would order it again. The cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing about was fantastic, rich and very fresh. I could eat a dozen of these with a nice cold glass of milk. This place does not disappoint.
(4)
Raphael R.
Being away from home with kids not particularly inclined to try anything new is always a challenge when it comes to meals but being away from home also means new experiences and getting out of the comfort zone. I did a quick search online and found a place highly recommended but I knew parking would be an issue. While I kept looking, a name kept coming back and so I checked out the site and found Cafe Selmarie. I checked the menu online and most definitely decided to give it a try. While it was not really obvious to find (thanks again, GPS...) having available parking close by was a great plus and the building from outside looked nice and somewhat like a French boulangerie. As we opened the door and entered, we were greeted by the sights and smells of freshly baked pastries and coffee. Exactly what was needed in this cold February day. The room was small enough to be intimate but big enough to hold about 2 dozen tables in the main dining room. The warmth of the yellow walls clashed beautifully with the red-colored paintings on white background and our waitress was very helpful. The menu had all these wonderful-sounding dishes that made choosing something even harder. My wife opted for the French toast, my son for the pancakes, my daughter for the breakfast burrito and I went for a pear and Brie omelet. In all these years, I have rarely seen all four of us so overwhelmed by the contents of our plates. It was hard to finish what we were served but every bite was so delicious. The sweetness of the pear mixed to the stronger taste of the Brie was too much to let anything go to waste. The kids even found some space to left gobble up a pastry while I enjoyed the last sips of my coffee. And as we were finishing our meal, the place quickly filled up and as much as we were enjoying ourselves, we decided it was time to go and let others their turn to enjoy their breakfast too. Prices were correct, about $15 per person but it was well worth it. Our time in Chicago was short so we could not repeat the experience but this place has definitely found itself a must-do on our list for our next time in town!
(4)
Jennifer G.
Had lunch here today with a group of friends. Food was great, service was exceptional. Deserts and pastries were delicious beyond all expectations. I nice cozy spot!
(5)
Kathleen E.
Nice location right at the square, outside space, great lunch and dinner spot. I also recommend meeting for coffee, tea and desert. Nice neighborhood, quaint yet classy feel.
(4)
Justine G.
Been coming here for years. Definitely the spot for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Or if you just want coffee or tea to fulfill your sweet tooth as you try to decide which pastry to have. One of the best patios in the heart of Lincoln Square!
(4)
Jonas H.
Called at 9:30am Saturday to ask if they could take 8 of us at 10:30am. Hostess said yes, might be a 10-minute wait. No table by 11:10, seated a party of 7 in front of us, didn't apologize or seem to care when we left. Food might be great, but don't bother with reservations or high expectations for customer service.
(1)
Misty S.
What an adorable restaurant! I biked here on a hot Sunday and stopped in for a light snack and to cool off. I was impressed with the food and service. GAZPACHO - Cool, light and refreshing. I think it's only good in small dosage, though, because after a while it starts to taste like salsa. CREPE - OMG...Amazing! The portion is quite small, but it packs a big punch. This savory crepe was filled with chunks of crab meat and covered with shiitake mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. There is also a bakery section up front filled with cookies, cakes and pies. This place is perfect for when you're hungry or if you just want to nibble. I also tried the Flying Dog beer - Crisp! LOCATION: It's near the exit end of the Lincoln Square strip that has traffic going one way (next to the water fountain). And a special thanks to the lady next to us for catching the spider on the wall behind me and throwing it outside. My hero!
(4)
Madeline S.
Sigh. Overrated pastry place in Chicago? Check. The only pastries that looked worth buying were a chocolate-raspberry tart and what I assume to be their signature apple galette (forget exactly what they called it so am going with this). The tart was forgettable. Really forgettable. The apple galette was no better or worse than many other midwestern versions of this type of apple pastry. Meh. The quest continues for world-quality pastry in Chicago.
(2)
Alex B.
In all likelihood, I will need to update this review some day. the truth is I have been to cafe Selmarie twice, and both times only got pastries and coffee. I have no way to recommend or advise against anything in the restaurant itself, but the baked goods are killer and coffee isn't bad either. I'm always impressed by the spread of cakes, pastries, truffles, and other goodies in the display. Not only has everything that I have ever had here been of very high quality, but it is also clear that the chefs here are creative and want to try new things. My most recent time in they had made mini pumpkin pies inside of mini pumpkins (cute AND delicious). The fact that there is always something new makes me that much more likely to want to stop in when I am in Lincoln Square. Coffee drinks are fine but a little slow. I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for an espresso drink, but it's nice that they have the option to go with your pastries. All considered, this is a great place and I'm hoping to be equally impressed by their sit-down restaurant service some day.
(4)
Melissa F.
Super yummy!!! I seriously have love everything I've eaten here! It's a great lunching place with a friend!!!
(5)
Sandy L.
Stopped at the outdoor cafe for a delicious and interesting lunch while in Lincoln Square. It has quite the European feel, sitting alongside a little square where tons of toddlers are roaming around while eating lunch and enjoying an espresso. We were stunned by the beauty of their pastries. We will have to come back and try some another time.
(4)
J B.
Delicious brunch and dinner. Quiche - yum. Bloody's and mimosas - delish. Specials for din - always on point. Desserts and pastries ok - not comparable to a legit French bakery. Go for the food and drinks! Including the fab wine . Make resos. or expect a wait. Love outside summer eating. Perfect, quaint Lincoln Square hub. In the center of it all.
My worst judgement turned out to be the best experience. EVERYBODY needs to try this place. My first experience with the food was terrible - but that was my own fault... I was on a first date and I recently made the decision to be gluten-free. I ordered the beet salad, It was beautiful - but I hate beets. I ate the whole damn thing despite my loathing for the beautifully colored vegetable... Anyway... I was starving. I spotted the pastries on the way out and I thought about them the rest of my date. As we strolled around Lincoln Square, I kept thinking about putting fist-fulls of pasties in my mouth... eating a piece of cake...or buying a whole cake and taking it home to make sweet love to it. After walking around for two hours, I couldn't take it anymore and I told my date "Listen... I hate beets. I'm hungry. Can we go back to the Cafe and eat some cake. I'm buying." He said yes, we went back, had some cake, laughed a lot, and we've been dating for a little while now. Sometimes he'll even buy me beets just as a gag. The menu has lots of options and I've had just about everything else on the menu since then. They even have gluten-free options. :D The service is always good - very polite and available to make suggestions. Cute little place with a great atmosphere.
(5)
Christine L.
A bit pricy for the pastries but totally worth it. I still dream about the strawberry custard tart that I had on August 17, 2012. It was love. Don't be fooled by the crowded entrance by the bakery, there is plenty of seating for those who wish to dine in further back. There is also the option of outdoor seating, which would be ideal on a Friday night. When you sit outside, you can usually enjoy the entertainment of a local street performer and people watch. Friendly, clean, entertaining, and great (sweet) food!
(5)
Dax R.
Great neighborhood brunch place where you can enjoy a rare beautiful day in Chicago. The salmon club and mac and cheese are great!
(4)
Jaime G.
Never guess that a place in Lincoln Square that is very well know for pastry and coffee also offer a great dinner. I can confirm that they do. Had a great time here. Yes they have an awesome bakery but I was on a hunt for good dinner tonight. I think found it. Hidden behind the pastry filled counters and hand made artisan breads is a handle of tables they serve a fantastic dinner. Can't believe I've never eaten here before but glad I did. Surprising wine and beer selection (had New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout - a creamy and chocolaty beer with an incredible finish). I paired it with a pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and fall veggies in a port wine reduction. Veggies had a bit of cinnamon so it made it seem as I was fall in my mouth. Pork was tasty and very juicy. Wish the veggies and pork went better together though. For dessert, I had the chocolate espresso tart with a soy latte. Don't have to tell you how Delish it was. Damn. A must try.
(5)
Emily H.
I stopped in with a friend after exploring the neighborhood a bit. I ordered the turkey & brie sandwich while he ordered the breakfast burrito. Both were very good! I really liked that it was actual turkey and not those slices you'd get from the deli at Jewel. The sandwich came with a salad (no fries! yes!) and a delicious honey mustard dressing. The service was a bit meh, which is why I'm giving this place three stars instead of four. Our waitress was fine, but quite clearly cared about her other tables. Their pastries looked heavenly, so you can GUARANTEE I will be back!
(3)
Jamie J.
Good lunch and better coffee. I stopped in for a mid-day snack/lunch and end up being totally stuffed leaving. I indulged in a very juicy salad, half of my grandma's sandwich, and a 5 inch foamed cappuccino. Living? Yes, I think so. The food coming out of the kitchen looked like it was to die for. We didn't have time to order a wonder of things, but I can tell you that we heard great things about this little spot and went out of our way to try it - very worth it! There is a huge area of baked goodies (including cookies) at the front of the cafe. Strategic, because you have to walk by all the yummies on your way in and your way out. Smart! It'll get ya! LOVE it.
(4)
Rebecca B.
I stop in from time to time for a light lunch or to grab a coffee and piece of cake to go. The food is good, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and the baked goods...the baked goods are AMAZING! Raspberry marzipan torte! Mocha buttercream torte! Gateau Grandmere! Banana Eclairs! All of the pastries I have tried have been incredible, and some of them have even begun to haunt my dreams, taunting me with their deliciousness. So if you are walking by and don't have time to stop for a meal, at least stop in and grab some dessert to go. You won't be sorry. I promise.
(4)
Meredith B.
I returned here for lunch last week, since warm weather just makes me feel like going out to eat in sunny cafes. You know the feeling. We barely waited for a table, and since we were sipping our hot beverages and lounging by the windows during the brief wait, the time flew by. We got the sweet potato fries to split, and I also got the wrap du jour, which was Mahi Mahi with a coleslaw of some sort. The sweet potato fries were sort of intriguing - I'd call them "wedges" really, since it was like somebody took a sweet potato, cut it into 4 pieces, and gave them a nice roast. omnomnom. They were soft, well seasoned, and I'm sure pretty healthy too. The wrap was lovely as well - generous portion (at least for a normal person) but I ended up taking half home and eating it later. Because I had to save room for desseeeeeert! And I can't remember the exact name of what we got - I believe it was something like "strawberry roulade" and it was both creamy and airy, and very strawberry-y. How do people get such fresh produce in March? I do not know. This is such a lovely place for a meal. I hope to be back soon!
(4)
Linh N.
5-stars because the service and food were superb. First, the highlights of service: they permitted our party of five to split the check, they let our group lollygag until waaay past their closing time, never once giving us the stinkeye, they were courteous and efficient, but not overbearing. Our waitress exhibited a very pleasant, professional demeanor overall. I ordered the day's "special salad" which was locally sourced arugula, black heirloom tomatoes, basil, shallots, and mozzarella, maybe a balsamic dressing, but it was barely detectable. It was $9 or $10, a huge portion, fresh, flavorful and sent me over the moon. I was in love with that salad. So much so, when I returned to Houston, I did not go home, but straight to Whole Foods first to gather up those ingredients to attempt to recreate the moment again. To balance out the salad, I also ordered the starter portion of the macaroni and cheese. Small is all you need. This little casserole is rich and decadent. The cheese was gooey and stringy, with crunchy edges. It was such a shame that I could not finish it. I want some now. For my refreshment, I tried The Poet, an oatmeal stout with a bitter, chocolatey taste. I'm usually not a beer drinker, but I sampled this with the bee eff in mind. It has a spooky label with a raven against a full moon; I'm a sucker for interesting graphics. Unfortunately, I looked for this brew upon returning to Houston, and no go, man. It is distributed by the New Holland Brewing Company. Cafe Selmarie is a very cute cafe that offers beautiful, tasty desserts, breakfast (Tue-Fri), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. I would definitely be a regular if I lived here.
(5)
Sean B.
Just a review of the Bakery goods Banana Chocolate Tort Cake: wow, moist, delicious, just the right chocolate layering, saturated cake, not too Banana-y. 5 stars Vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. Good proportion of butter cream frosting, but cake dry. A little hard to eat because it was dry. 2.5 stars Pinwheel cookies. Not your Voortmans. These were sugary without being grainy, cute swirls, you could taste both the chocolate and the vanilla. The case: pastel wonderland in time for easter. They had snail and turtle cookies! They have extremely creative bakers. The boxes for take-out: cute little boxes, well-wrapped, adorable. Like this place.
(4)
Bradley S.
Partner and I stopped here for an early Saturday dinner. I loved the ambiance of the place; I found it rather French provincial. We were treated professionally yet warmly from the moment we walked through the front door. The fact that one is faced with their extensive pastry case immediately upon entrance sets the appetite in motion. They have a small but fully servicable beer/wine/cocktail list. I ordered a glass of a French white and we started off with the roasted beet salad. The beets were warm and roasted perfectly. The greens were fresh cool and crisp. Partner order the Chicken Pot Pie and I the Pork Chop. His entree looked delectible the pot pie arrived with two puff pastry triangles artistically positioned on top of the filling in lieu of the traditional pie crust. He said it tasted as good as it looked. My pork chop was accompanied by garlicy mashed potatoes and roasted (I'm pretty sure but not absolutely positive) brussels sprouts. The chop may have been on the fire for a couple minutes too long but any less would probably make most nervous. I had ordered a pinot noir to compliment my entree which turned out perfectly. Partner ordered a cappacino and I an esspresso and we shared tDheir caramel apple bread pudding for desert. Desert arrived nicely warmed with a side of fresh whipped cream. Our server was friendly and attentive and I could tell she genuinely liked the food she served. The dining room was filled by 6PM with a range of patrons from young families to seniors (though it was a remarkably white crowd). We thouroughly enjoyed our leisurely dinner before ambling over to Dank Haus for a performance.
(4)
Tom T.
Had a great breakfast, the 2 Eggs Any Style. Nice & fresh & the potatoes were great too.
(4)
Paul W.
Well, will you look at that. They've extended their hours. I wonder if this has anything to do with the time I burst in at a run, gasping, 'Did I make it? Are you still open?' I know. I'm an ass. Happily, everyone there has a good sense of humour and I am not banned from the place. Now I can run a few errands before coming round to pick up a strawberry roulade or a bienenstich. Or both, as I did today. Sidebar: The bienenstich here are far more delicious than any I've had elsewhere in the city, not that I see it often. This is one of my favourite desserts to have in Chicago. Not too sweet, yet rich and flavourfui. What a concept. Incidentally, every German-speaking person I know assures me that bienenstich means 'bee sting' and not 'bee hive' as it is called at Selmarie. Glad to see you, Selmarie.
(4)
Omar K.
Since moving to lincoln square my gf and I have been coming here for both dinner and sunday brunch. Great atmosphere, good service, and awesome food. I especially like the outdoor seating area which faces the plaza,.
(5)
Angela S.
I ordered wrong! I had the croque monsieur and he had the chicken pot pie. I had food envy. Lucky we were sharing!
(3)
Johnny T.
I might have been kidnapped. I woke up in a daze. I was stuffed to the gills with yummy Euro eats. But, the crazy thing about all of it is... I thought I was at Julius Mienl. Seriously. For days afterward I was, like, "Man. I really like JM. I've eaten there twice and each time I felt like I was at some cool cafe in Paris or Vienna. I'm so worldly and learned." As much as my co-workers tried to impress upon me that I'd, actually, just eaten at CS, I didn't believe them. Well, I believe them now. It's just odd to me that two very similar places exist so close to each other in the same neighborhood... and both do a ton of business. You'll have to forgive me. I know I don't look it, but.. I am no longer 21...2. 22. My memory sometimes lapses. That's why there's fish oil and ginko. Digression... If you want to feel worldly and traveled without leaving the city limits, come here. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay, drink coffee, eat amazingly good food, contemplate big issues, take a nap, and wake up to do it all over again. Forget this rat-race American lifestyle. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed with friends and good food. I was reminded of that at CS. I was also reminded that I drink a lot of coffee when it's quality. I'm more of a tea drinker, but whatever they're brewin' at CS is mighty good stuff. I had multiple cups (which our server never allowed to get low). To eat (because fatty needs his food), I took a short trip to a very happy place and chowed down on a salmon scramble that was chock-full of egg, fish and dill. Every bite was a joy. The potatoes that accompanied my breakfast weren't an afterthought. They were delicately seasoned and copiously supplied. I was so satisfactorily full from the experience, I didn't even have any baked goods. I know! Fatty said no! I must not have had a Zima. I never say no after one of those.* A joy. Eating here was a joy. *I have not -- nor will I ever -- had a Zima.
Great little shop, but unless you live close by, parking is a nightmare. I stopped in to get an Americano and a pastry. They use Intelligencia beans and did a great job! I skipped the pastry and bought a blueberry sour cream cake to go. At about $7 it was a relative bargain to the rest of the offering and tasted pretty good. I will have to stop by again and check out lunch offerings.
(3)
Dinah M.
This has become our runner up go to place for brunch and when my family was visiting earlier this month we went numerous times and have now sampled each of their menus (Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch and Dinner). Each one has a wide selection of tasty meals that everyone can enjoy. My husband and I are pretty easy to cater to, but my family has an ovo-vegetarian, a gluten-free/lactose intolerant, and a common garden picky eater :) Coming from Britain, I enjoy the familiar 'European' feel of Lincoln Square and the family friendly atmosphere. Now that we have a new baby I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and family with my baby on a sunny summers day. The staff are delightful, friendly and welcoming and the food never disappoints. The only bad point is they get so busy that the wait to get a table can be long and the bakery at the front means it gets very crowded in the entryway.
(4)
Lori L.
The boyfriend really has two major duties the entire year. 1) Clean the kitchen after I cook a glorious meal. 2) Plan dinner out for Valentine's Day. He surprised me with reservations at Cafe Selmarie. It's such a cute and quaint place. The front entrance beckons you with a huge display case of cakes, pastries, and other assorted desserts. It takes a ton of will power to pass those up. What I appreciated was that they didn't gouge their patrons with "special menus." You know the menus that are priced out of this world. Instead, they had a limited menu for Valentine's Day. From what I could tell, it contained a selection of some of their regular dinner items, along with special dishes. For soup, I ordered the lobster bisque with fresh chunks of lobster. It was creamy and not too savory. For my entree, I had the rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. The lamb had a flavorful minty crust and was cooked to perfection. The prices were spot on. No entree was more than $20. Glasses of wine were not more than $8. Overall, this is a great little spot that offers affordable dinners with friendly and top notch service.
(4)
Christopher K.
This is a good strategic location if you are about to embark on the Lincoln Square scavenger hunt. I don't want to give anything away, but nearly everything in the "official" hunt is about a block from here in various directions. We had skipped breakfast and needed to power up before the walking with a good brunch. Both of us ordered chilaquiles casserole -- no we are not *that* boring. I ordered the regular one on the menu and found it perfect for brunch (I am a guy, brunch means "heavy breakfast"). It was pretty spicy, which is right up my alley. My companion ordered the vegetarian version that was on special that day. It was not as spicy and could have done without the onions that were more or less just sprinkled on top. I envied that she had eggs on top for protein. We were both pleased and ended the meal with some cookies as an indulgence. Service was fantastic and highly attentive. $26 for a brunch for two.
(4)
Jay S.
Oh lord....I love...absolutely love European pastries and bakeries. I used to live in the southside in a heavily European neighborhood where pastries dominated my childhood. Mmmm those were the days. Nowadays I frequent the streets of the Loop & West Loop and haven't found quite the pastries that I loved as a child. But moving recently to the northside and once again in a heavily European neighborhood (southside 4 lyfe!), Cafe Selmarie has rekindled that sweet tooth. Mmmmm these are the days.
(4)
Kelly M.
My parents and I stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie while strolling Lincoln Square. We were looking for a quick, casual brunch and we got exactly that. They have a gorgeous outside patio that overlooks the Lincoln Square courtyard area, so if you enjoy dining al fresco I highly recommend it. When you walk into the restaurant you're greeted immediately by their bakery case. Everything looked fresh and delicious. We sat in the main dining area, which was a little noisy because there was a baby shower taking place at the table next to us. No big deal, we still enjoyed our time there. I ordered the Croque Monsieur (which I've mentioned before is my favorite sandwich). It was very good and was a classic version of a Croque Monsieur. My favorite version isn't complete without dijon mustard. I asked for a side of it and that satisfied me. The small salad that came with the sandwich was flavorful, the dressing that it was lightly tossed with was refreshing. Overall, this was a very charming cafe and bakery for brunch.
(4)
Richie D.
You know it's good if picky olde me is writing a third (and last) review update, each one at a whopping 5 stars! I saw Selmarie's Yelp Advertisement Tag and thought to myself, "I can't pass by such a deal!" I had only been here for brunch and had only loved it more and more than the prior visit. I was sure my outstanding opinions of Selmarie's could not change for nothing... I was right! The Pre Fixe 3 Course dinner is A STEAL at $20!! Pick out a wine from the menu and choose away. 1) A Starter (mixed greens petite salad or a cream soup) --I had the Potato Leek Chive Soup. Smooth yet creamy. 2) An Entree (all generously-sized, unique portions to choose from) --I couldn't pass by BBQ Ribs with seasoned potatoes and cole slaw. The sauce was sweetly smoked, while the slaw had no nasty mayonnaise flavor to them. My boyfriend pleased his taste for mussels, even though I threatened him with no kisses all night until his teeth are brushed. I have tried mussels 3 times before and each time I was turned off...until Selmarie's! There was nothing seafoodie about them except where they came from. Soaked in a perfect creme broth, I couldn't believe my tastebuds! 3) A Dessert (pick any pastry/torte from the refrigerated glass cases). Just a glance at the desserts makes me automatically and helplessly salivate! I had the Kahlua Torte while my boyfriend had the fresh Raspberry Custard Torte. A bite of each placed me in Heaven...until I noticed our plates were somehow, all-of-a-sudden Mr. Clean shiny and crumb free. :( All this included in the $20s you ask??--YA BETCHA! I deem this to be the BEST DINNER DEAL IN TOWN! Good luck beating it competitors. Selmarie, you redefine the French stereotype for me!
(5)
Jamie H.
This place is great! Awesome location too, lucky for them! My mom and I stopped by Friday afternoon, there weren't a lot of people sitting in the back but quite a few people came in to get drinks or snacks to go, or just sit in the front. The coffee was good my mom and I split a cherry crumble pie..AHHh mazing! We also got a handful of other cookies, which were all great as well. We even tried some with Rosemary, very good and a nice twist! I wasn't even aware that they had a full regular menu as well. I definitely will come by for a meal, and obviously treats and coffee again!
(5)
John W.
Had to go here because Pannenkoken was too busy. But the good news is that there was no wait for breakfast (11:30ish) and we got seated right away. I had the Salmon with eggs and English muffin and it was only ok. There was nothing actually wrong with it but it wasn't to die for or anything. There really isn't a lot to choose from here and maybe their skill sets lie more on the baking side of things with the cakes, pies and cupcakes and what not but I am not a sweets guy so this does nothing for me. Service was good but there wasn't really anything all that exciting on the food menu...Just typical American breakfast stuff (along with Quiche) which if you are into, this place should be just fine for you. The 2 stars doesn't mean bad, it just means not for me. For the Summer, they have a great patio right on the square which is nice for a coffee, beer or dessert...If you can handle all the screaming kids.
(2)
August B.
Five stars because the food is simple and tastes good. Cafe Selmarie is what overpriced, high reputation downtown restaurants look like when they charge reasonable prices that don''t gauge people's savings accounts.
(5)
Megan L.
Cafe Selmarie really looks like a bakery when you walk in, but don't be fooled. The baked goodies are but a lovely distraction before you get to the restaurant beyond them. What do I love about Cafe Selmarie? Pretty much everything. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and it's a nice, cozy atmosphere. The place isn't huge, which I think creates a bit of a sense of intimacy. I tend to gravitate towards Cafe Selmarie when the weather cools off, because their food is very comfort-food-ish to me. I stopped in last night and had their chicken pot pie, which was perfect for this cold snap we've had. Along with a glass of wine, it was the perfect dinner for me last night. And then there's dessert. Remember all the lovely pastries you walked past on your way in? Those are your dessert choices. You can literally go up front, look around, pick what you want, and they'll bring it back to your table. One of my favorites!
(5)
Dora V.
Selmarie was my favorite ladies' lunch spot. Then they hiked up the brunch prices like highwaisted highwaters and now my feeling is "eh." The food is good, but stops short of extraordinary. Several of the options are Frenchy (Croque Monsieur). which is one of the reasons I always go back. But as my Intrepid Readers know, I just hate to feel gipped. I think the brunch prices subsidize the pastries, which are varied, beautiful, and priced to sell. The sweets appear to be the chef's true passion. I recently paid way too much for a run-of-the mill turkey sandwich and a tiny sprinkling of greens. I was still hungry. I added the pinto bean and sun-dried tomato soup, which was passable. By contrast, the potatoes (which I got to try) were terrific! All of the food that I saw looked great and the place was bustling with happy-looking clientele. Sadly, we received a tasteless Bloody Mary. Perhaps it was a fluke, but it's a fluke I'll remember. On a brighter note, the bottles of wine are relatively inexpensive and thus tempting...and what a lovely temptation they are. For a place with no official gender affiliation, this place is full of females. This is likely a result of a menu conducive to light lunching, which ladies tend to like. I'd be baffled to see a group of males buck that trend. As of now, you'll see a couple stray males who have clearly been convinced to give it a shot by their mothers or girlfriends. They look apprehensive as they inevitably realize they are significantly outnumbered. I find this amusing. The location remains fabulous and the outdoor seating is plentiful and pleasant in the warm months. In the winter, the small, elongated waiting area gets awkwardly crowded, and you may be packed in like a roomful of Ralphies. Oh fudge! Cafe Selmarie undershot my expectations too many times in a row. I will be forced to find a comparable soup-salad-sandwich brunch spot somewhere north of Wicker Park/Bucktown, which seems to teem with such "contemporary" lunch/brunch possibilites. I still recommend trying Selmarie for a (ladies') dinner. The prix fixe is a great deal, and the entrees are conducive to sharing. Those wild-mushroom ravioli are to die for, but they are rich like only butter and cream can be, and are thus best split with another entree or combination of appetizers. As disappointed as I am, I won't write off Selmarie, as it has been a staple of mine for so long. I'm done with the weekend brunch, though. Lunch or dinner on a weekday, sure. I need my fancy-pants sandwiches and low-key dinner spots, and the location and atmosphere meet little competition in Lincoln Square. Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth.
(3)
Sandra W.
Cafe Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square strip. Really cute and really quaint. I give it a three star because I thought this place was a bit pricey. I'm also not a bakery person. I don't care much for pastries and desserts so I went there to have a nice meeting\lunch with a friend for their savory options. I got a salad and it was very small. I was expecting a little bit more. My friend got something that I don't remember. The ambiance was great. The servers and staff were extremely welcoming. The food was good, I just wish the prices were a little lower and the portions were a little bigger. After my lunch, I ran over across the street to Gene's Sausage and bought some raw meat to make when I get home. Oops.
(3)
Judith K.
This is a really good bakery that has stools along the windows with an attached restaurant and outdoor seating in warm weather. Nice selection of well-prepared, fresh food. They serve Intelligentsia coffee as well as beer and wine. We have been coming here for over 10 years and it has been consistently good. The servings are substantial. Today for lunch I got the quiche with a side salad, my husband got the chef's salad. Service is excellent. The place is light and airy with artwork lining the walls. It gets really crowded on the weekends. Even on Monday there was a 15 minute wait for a table. But well worth it.
(4)
Heidi T.
I love Selmarie. I love it for weekend brunch (usually a small wait, but rarely anything extreme), I love it for early breakfast, I love it for dinner, I love it with a friend, I love it with my husband on a casual night out, I love it with my kid for an early dinner. Occasionally service has been slow, but never enough to really fuss. They've helped me figure out ways to stash my stroller out of the way when I'm with the small fry. The sweets are delicious on their own or as an accompaniment to dinner. Oh, and, you know, the food is fantastic. Now that I have a kid, I especially appreciate that it is the type of place where you don't feel like a horrible monster for bringing your small child, but also don't have to eat like a small child. I also appreciate that the kids' menu has some options that involve vegetables, unlike most places (which usually assume your child only eats fried white foods). However, for those of you who don't have kids, it's not overwhelmingly crowded with screaming children. I promise. I went there many times before I had kids.
(4)
Bea K.
I've never eaten at the restaurant but I have frequented the dessert counter plenty of times. 90% of the desserts are great - strawberry whipped roll cake slices and the chocolate tart are really good but some things are just ok like the raspberry &dark chocolate tart. The coffee is pretty good and the service is always prompt and helpful.
(4)
Annie W.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Lincoln Square! Always an excellent choice on the yummy lunch menu, and great sweets to boot! Good coffee, clean and efficient atmosphere (with a touch of class from the great artwork), and top notch service. Love it!
(5)
Jack P.
I send a lot of visitors to Selmarie, and it is always a big hit for the bakery items and for dining al fresco, weather permitting. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and have bought assorted baked goods for dinner hosts, friends and family, and even as a reward for good customer service (I brought a box of goodies to For Eyes one time.) The lemon bars and the sour cream brownies are always a big hit. Just a great spot to find a dessert for your dinner party. I had an al fresco breakfast there the other day, because I awoke hallucinating French toast. Selmarie's French toast did not disappoint. The brioche bread was medium thick and cooked nice and crisp. There was a modest, fresh berry compote on top, and butter and maple syrup on the side. I like their restraint in preparing what is usually a major calorie bomb; which allowed me to order a side (or as we say in Chicago,) a "rascher" of bacon. Cooked well, crispy and chewy like beef jerky. Love the coffee, too. Very cool that you can snarf a delicious authentic French baguette for later, and a bottle of Champagne, too. How Parisian can you get? I queried the servers about those little black caps they wear, thinking there was some regional Swiss significance to them, but no, they are just there for hygiene purposes. Always looking for some hidden meaning in the mundane am I! I try not to spend $20.00 on breakfast too often, but every once in awhile, a visit to Selmarie's is just real pleasant and convenient, especially in the fading outdoor dusk of Indian Summer.
(3)
Jack M.
It took me a moment to collect my thoughts upon entering this very awesome bakery because everything looked so freaking delicious! My good friend and I stopped in for dessert after we had a couple of beers at Hüttenbar down the street. The baked goods selection was almost overwhelming. He got a Hazelnut Dacquoise and I got a Lemon Tart. Both were outstandingly good, if a little too much on the sweet side. His espresso and my coffee were both very well done. The atmosphere is light and sunny, and the people who work there are super friendly and courteous. I am now very curious about their meal options so I will for sure be going back!
(4)
Sarah K.
Really cute restaurant/bakery/cafe in the heart of Lincoln Square. Went for dinner with a few friends on a Wednesday, so we were able to partake in the 1/2 price bottle of wine with an entree special. The front is a counter area with some delicious looking desserts and pastries displayed. I didn't try anything at the time, but would definitely be up for a return visit just for that. Past that, it opens up into a sit down dining area. It isn't terribly big, but I never felt crowded which is the case at many restaurants without a large dining area. It was also remarkably free of children, which I think is worth noting considering the neighborhood. Not sure how that would change on a weekend or brunch, but I have a feeling it would. The menu is fairly small, but everything on it sounded great. If one thing was lacking, it would be vegetarian dishes. I was thisclose to ordering mac and cheese, but was an adult instead and settled on the spinach salad with a side of sweet potatoes which were a little spicy and very good. There was a vegetable plate listed online which was no where to be found on the menu, but I was totally satisfied with my decision. Everything was reasonably priced, service was excellent. Definitely recommend for a low-key dinner in the neighborhood!
(4)
Mary T.
I went to Cafe Selmarie for dinner tonight with my bookclub chicas; a very easy trip for me on the #11. That area of Lincoln Square is so cute. The weather cooled off quite a bit so we didn't sit outside. Inside was nice, but not overly crowded. Unfortunately we usually catch up and occasionally discuss the book more frequently than we talk about our food. Needless to say I never heard anyone complain about what they got and we all pretty much cleaned our plates so I will take that as a good sign. I had one of the specials, a seared ahi wrap with a citrus chutney and creamy chipotle dipping sauce served over sweet potato fries. The wrap was quite good, but I think it could have been better if: (1) the ahi was cut into smaller pieces, I felt like I was eating bitefuls of either fish OR chutney, not a nice mix of both like it should be and (2) some of the dipping sauce should have been on the wrap - every time I dipped my wrap the chutney would fall out making it very messy to eat. The sweet potato fries were cut thick, almost like steak fries; they were more like seasoned, sliced baked sweet potato than fries, but were pretty good. Our server was very attentive, always there to make sure we were doing ok and fill up our ice tea's, etc. without hovering. It seems from the reviews I've read the place is known for breakfast and its baked goods. Unfortunately, I can't comment on them because I didn't save room for desert, but this gives me a reason to make the trip up there again some time soon.
(4)
Lisa C.
This is a review for their weekend brunch only, so I ain't got nothing to say about their dinner! I probably got the most exotic thing on the brunch menu by ordering the chilaquiles casserole and I loved it. It was creamy, filling, and had a little bit of a kick to it. And boy, do they give you a ton of food! I finished about half of my breakfast, which is truly pathetic for someone who prides herself on being a gold member of the Clean Plate Club. My friend bought a cake from Cafe Selmarie for Mother's Day and said she practically had to rent her womb to pay for it - only to have her grandma steal it and not even let her try it! With this in mind, I will likely be sticking to breakfast and skipping the specialty baked goods (especially for family parties!).
(4)
Alice R.
Love Cafe Selmarie! I have been going here for years. Excellent pastries, brunch and dinner. The staff is friendly and the food yummy! It's located in Lincoln Square. During the summer months, I enjoy the outdoor seating. Highly Recommend!
(5)
Marie B.
Best Almond Crossants in the area. I have not had 1 disappointing experience here. A must try. Their dining room is very busy on weekends, so a weekday stop would be advisable if possible. I had the egg salad sandwhich was so fresh! The coffee here is a plus.
(5)
Adele n.
This five-star review is for the nicest waiter in Chicagoland, the tall guy with the creative facial hair at Cafe Selmarie. My best friend and I are kind of dreadful customers -- we can't make up our minds; we linger too long chatting; we come in too close to closing time; we don't order entrees. Both times this adorable boy has waited on us, he's acted like we were the best customers ever. He's calm, patient, accommodating, attentive and so nice. This is the kind of service you hope to get when you're dropping $50 a plate, not $7. I need whatever drug he's on.
(5)
Melanie V.
***WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.*** Selmarie RUINED my Easter. I kid you not. I made reservations here for brunch at 1:30 for my entire family (a party of 7). Per my childhood days and the great reviews on Yelp, I was excited to come here because the menu looked so good! (Please note the use of the word "looked".) We got there early (a little after 1pm) and the "hostesses" were quick to tell us that they would 'do everything they could to try to get us seated early.' OBVIOUSLY, that was a lie. (Please keep in mind that there was an open table for 6 when we got there. Another chair could have easily been brought to the table to accomodate one more.) Around 1:20, one server told us that the party whose table we would be occupying was in the process of paying and would be leaving shortly. By 1:40, they still hadn't left. When asked about the status of our table, the hostess said that the party was paying, but just sitting there. Ok? And...? (Also, please keep in mind that I was with 2 children, one 3 year old and one 2 year old. They were obviously HUNGRY at this point. Who wants to starve children?) Again, we asked about the status of the 6 person table and why we could not sit there. Apparently, the hostess had concern about the extra chair 'blocking' the way for the servers. Couldn't they have put the chair on the OTHER side then, so that it wouldn't be in ANYONE'S WAY? Also, there were 2 tables of 4 that were open at the same time. (4+4 = 8, right?) I mean, if they did simple math, they could have realized that we could have sat at those tables, too. Genius! All the hostesses could offer us were words of, "I'm so sorry. We can't make them leave." :giggle, giggle, ha,ha: (I don't know why they were laughing because I OBVIOUSLY was NOT amused.) Really? I remember being at (nice) restaurants where the hosts have politely asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. We would always oblige as we were DONE and satisfied with our meal. My family ended up leaving as the kids were incredibly hungry at this point. I came back to speak with the "so-called' manager who REALLY did NOT offer up any value-added information, except for "I'm so sorry." I also did not appreciate her fake, sugary sweet attitude. I don't need that from you, honey! Please don't patronize me. She did NOT EVEN OFFER any type of comped ANYTHING (a cookie, even!) to compensate for our dissatisfaction. Great customer service. Granted, I wouldn't have taken it, but an offer would've been nice. Oh, I also have to mention a time back in 2006 when my sister and I came here in the afternoon. Or tried to anyway. We came to the door and it was locked. We stood outside to read the restaurant hours and one of the employees unlocked the door to let a customer out. However, although the employee CLEARLY saw us standing there, they didn't seem to mention anything about being closed. (It was the middle of the EFFIN' day and we were there during an hour of operation. It was locked because......?) Apparently, that was the sign that we were NEVER supposed to come back here. Selmarie - NEWSFLASH, you're in Lincoln Square. You have NO right to even PRETEND to be pretentious. You're not in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, West Loop. I've had better service and felt much more welcome at the wrongly dubbed "snooty" restaurants.
(1)
Kimberly L.
I've been to Cafe Selmarie about a billion times--hard to believe I'd forgotten to write a review! I had a bite to eat here recently. It was a scorcher outside but the outdoor seating seemed well-shaded and breezy. Service was friendly and efficient. I only had an iced tea and the quiche/salad lunch special but it was quite delightful. I was one of only 3 people willing to sit outside on a 90 degree day but service was attentive. My water and tea glasses were never empty. This is a lovely establishment in one of my favorite neighborhoods--one of the few places in the city that hasn't been completely overrun by Ann Taylor and Pottery Barn. (Not that there's anything wrong with those places, I just don't need them to be on every darn corner.) Ahem...anyway...Cafe Selmarie has provided a consistently pleasant experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Ellen M.
You know the disappointment you feel when it's lunch time for most of the world but you want breakfast? Well, Cafe Selmarie has quiche. I have a mild distrust for places that serve pies and quiches with a perfectly shaped crust, but for all I know they still make it from scratch and are just really good at forming it. Either way, I don't care - it was wonderful, with red pepper, leeks, and other amazing stuff. Fantastic vinaigrette on the field greens, and garnished with fresh pineapple, red grapes and an orange slice. My date (I asked her out, so I paid ;-)) was a little less impressed with her chicken pot pie in terms of the spices, but liked it too. I think the cake we had was called Chocolate Orange Decadence. YES. Service is terrific.
(4)
Lori B.
I've been here twice for dessert & coffee only, both times I tell myself I am not going to come back. First, they don't have a dessert menu to look at when you sit down at a table. They have one on their website though. You have to walk up to the front and see what's in the case. That's the last thing I'd want to do after just sitting down or after a meal. We overheard a staff member say it's a visual thing, huh? Second, the desserts weren't that good. I had the bread pudding, which is always decent, but my husband had the mocha buttercream torte and it tasted stale. i told him to return it and get something else. He just wanted to get done and get out of there. So while we love this part of Lincoln Square, I think we'll get Cold Stone Creamery and sit in the Square
(2)
Katie R.
i can't believe i haven't written a review about this place yet! i really enjoy coming to cafe selmarie - the ambiance is warm and inviting and they have wonderful outdoor seating in the summer for some good people watching. they don't have many vegetarian options, so i can only review on what i've had, but the roasted veggie stack is my favorite. it is smothered in goat cheese and is always very fresh. to be honest, i'm not a fan of the petite salad that comes with it - it's just underwhelming and a little too oily for my taste - so last time i asked for kettle chips instead and was very happy. they serve intelligentsia and have plenty of alcholized versions of their coffee and other brunch-y drinks. the pastries look gorgeous but i've never been especially impressed, to be honest. they are good but not amazing for the price you pay.
(4)
Rachel G.
Cute French inspired cafe in the lovely Lincoln Square! Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and it was packed! Tables were a little close together and it was a tad loud in there, but the food was great! I got the Turkey and brie sandwich and my friend got one of the specials, which was like a quesadilla in a bowl. They were both so delicious! Disappointment...the dessert! For them claiming to have tasty pastries, cakes, cookies, etc, I was let down. I thought the cake was very dry and it was supposed to have a hint a coffee taste, but it tasted like nothing but chocolate --Sad face-- It is a cute little restaurant and I will def go back on a warm day and sit outside on their patio and maybe next time skip the cake and try a pastry instead!
(3)
Ryan C.
If you are seeking an all around place that is good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner AND bakery...this is a great place to go. The wait staff was exceptionally nice and on the ball with everything. Has a nice atmosphere and art on the wall that you can buy. Very classy, yet comfortable. All of the paintings on the wall were of fish. If you seek a place to pick up an interesting painting of a fish, this would be the place. Everything there was at a decent price and the portions were more than enough. I had a large chicken salad that was really good and filling. I did have a few bites of their macaroni and cheese, which was close to how grandma used to make them, which I only had a few bites of. Definitely not you Kraft Cheesy Mac...much better. They have a full bakery with more selection than I actually need. I did have a cookie and a cup of coffee after, which topped off dinner. Because only a few bites had been taken out of the Mac n Cheese, the waiter was concerned I didn't like it. Had to tell him, "No man, just stuffed on the chicken salad!" Looking for a great brunch place...try it. Best of all, it's located in the Lincoln Square with a fountain and benches to relax and not feel like you have to pick up and go!
(5)
Chitown D.
We've eaten here a handful of times and everything has been alright. Sadly, I couldn't tell you what we've eaten, if that tells you anything though. Some salads, some quiche, some sandwiches, etc., but nothing unforgettable obviously. No complaints about the service or the prices. They have outdoor seating in good weather, which is a nice feature. I was surprised it was described as quiet, as I always find it loud, especially on the weekends or when the stroller brigades arrive. The best thing about this place is the Black Forest Cake, which I stop by to pick up every month. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it is the best around (beating out Gene's Sausage Shop across the street and Dinkel's down the road.)
(4)
Kate P.
Since Valentine's day is right around the corner, I will be writing this review in a more poetic style. Here we go, ahem... ODE TO CAFE SELMARIE I have maternal love for Cafe Selmarie; Since, they make the most delicious mac and cheese. But that is not all they serve, They have fresh coffee and pasteries too, have you heard? The place isn't big, but it sure is cute, And I can't believe I haven't been here before last night, to boot. I'm feeling poetic, it's true All because I have so much love for you! Thanks for reading and may you all have a great V-Day wherever the day may take you!
(4)
Jess J.
Generally speaking, the traffic flow is always bad here. Granted, when I stop by I often come with a toddler or stroller (or both), so I don't help the cause, but I can think of a few ways (counterwise, doorwise, and restaurantwise) that they could re-allot their space so that people could shop at the bakery without getting in the way of folks coming to dine, and visa-versa. That being said - the desserts are to die for. A fruit tart or some sort of ganache from here is worth looking forward to all day. Seeing how they aren't really kid-friendly from what I can telll, we find it easier to send one of us (hubby or I) in to purchase a delightful treat while the other waits outside. We will then devour it in the private of our own home. Not a bad arrangement (especially once we put the little one down, it is truly an enjoyable way to spend the evening). In the summertime, I have enjoyed a delish lunch here at their outdoor seating area (which I find logistically and aesthetically works best for them as a whole, esp being off of the plaza/square area with the fountain and all) . Those are the only circumstances in which I could imagine dining with a little one not being a pain. Looking forward to it really warming up soon so we can enjoy another yummy lunch outside on a nice day. Sidenote: When hubby and I next go on a date, we may have to stop here for dinner so that I can form an informed opinion on that front as well. :)
(3)
Jacob T.
Cafe Selmarie is my after church go-to brunch place on Sundays. Great prices, the food is simple, but delicious, and the best coffee in the city! The brioche french toast, chilaquiles casserole, and the corned beef hash are all fantastic! This is a must try place.
(5)
Ellie M.
Sunday Brunch = DELISH!!!!! We went here for my Sister-in-law's birthday aka The Brunch Queen. I must say it was a GREAT idea. I started off with their chai latte and it was super yummy. They had plenty of morning drinks to choose from even mimosas. I kept going back and forth because there were so many good things to choose from on the menu but I ended up ordering the corned beef hash. When it arrived I was pleased to see it was not the stuff that comes out of a can. It was JUST soooo yummy. There were 7 of us for brunch and we ALL had to try atleast one bite of each others entree. Service was top notch. Having a bakery upfront is definetly a perk we all left with some sort of sweet treat! Not only that but our bellies were full and not one unhappy customer in our group! We shall be returning!
(5)
Taylor O.
I've been coming here for a while now and I'm just getting around to yelping about this delicious place. Prior to recently, we've only ever come here for the pastries, but recently we came for brunch too, which was delish! The mimosas were really good too :) My favorite pastries are the mixed fruit tart, the raspberry chocolate tart, and the banana eclair, in no particular order.
(4)
Mary Ellen J.
My review is past due, but now I have 2 interactions with this fabulous place to boast about! Back in February it was my son's Cub Scout annual Raingutter Regatta so I thought how great to bring sail boat shaped cookies- well, I remember once upon a visit this place had them in the case. So I called, after a few long Ummmmmmmmmm's, they asked if they could get back to me. I could hear it over the phone- although they didn't say it out loud- why does someone want sailboats in the middle of winter?! (I agree) but, sure enough I believe the lovely woman that called me back was named Connie, she said the baker would make them he just had to find the shape as it was in another season's box put away. Thank you, thank you!! Now this is customer service and how you should run a business! Skip a couple months and I know that they only make Hot Cross Buns for Easter and they are SO good. For whatever reason I had this great idea to get some and bring them into work today, but of course this great idea didn't come to me until my drive home last evening. I called and as much as she wanted to say 'sure' she needed to call me back after she called the baker to see if he would come in early enough to make them for me for the time I wanted to pick them up. Again, fabulous amazing customer service at its finest, I get the call- Yes, the baker will come in and have them ready for you. I arrived this morning, early, they were still in the oven- seriously does it get any better??? While I waited I had a Cafe Au Lait, on the house to boot. I picked up my hot Hot Cross Buns, all 3 dozen of them- brought them into work- still hot and they were gone in less than 30 minutes. Thank you for being a fabulous customer-smart business that serves wonderful food and obviously has the customer service thing down right! Happy Easter!
(5)
Livia N.
5 stars for the bakery and 4 stars for the restaurant. I've been a regular customer at Cafe Selmarie for the past 4 years. Their desserts have been the best I've tried in Chicago. I used to order desserts at restaurants but I no longer do that. If my husband and I eat out, we stop by Cafe Selmarie for dessert. I am not a big fan of super sweet anything and if you are like me I would reccomend the raspberry bavarian cake, black forest cake, strawberry roulade, and any of the fruit tarts. Those are my favorite treats from Selmarie. About the restaurant, I love the atmosphere. Lincoln Square is a very kid friendly place and so is this restaurant. Their menu is simple and there aren't a whole lot of items to choose from, but the ones that they do offer are really good. I have to agree with other people about the vegetarian chilli. It is one of my favorite items on the menu. I would add the mac&cheese and the roasted vegetable stack to my list of favorites, with a word of caution that the mac &cheese portion is really tiny. I give it four stars just because it is a bit pricey. If you go there for the restaurant you MUST save room for dessert. Your experience will not be complete without it.
(5)
Nona Gayle D.
My favorite dessert spot. My brother introduced my to this place last week, and am I glad he did so. They have cookies, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, and load of sweets! My favorites in this place are the mixed fruit tarts, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and the raspberry butter cookies! Please stop by this place for a quick bite of sweetness, I promise it will make your entire day better It's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
(5)
Emily C.
A colleague of mine, formerly of Lincoln Square, has recommended this place to me numerous times and I kept putting it off. Things like it looking too crowded or it being closed just kept preventing me from getting in. At long last, I made my way in and bought two slices of torte for my fiancee and myself, one chocolate-banana (mine), and one hazelnut (his). If you get no other message, out of this review, get this: Those. Tortes. Were. PERFECT. This cake was so flippin' amazing I found myself cursing the fact that cake is already included in my wedding package, preventing me from ordering one from here. Yes, I cursed free cake. That's how delicious it is. I'm foolish for not making it to this place sooner and will undoubtedly come back, even if that means amping up my workout regimen. Well worth it.
(5)
Megan S.
This place hits the spot and is conveniently located. Their mimosas are amazing, as well as all dishes I have tried there. They change the menu almost weekly to keep customers intruiged and coming back wanting more.
(5)
Jacqueline A.
Lovely all around. Sweet ambiance in a great location, delicious small plates, a genuine waitress & hot servers walking around with even more delicious looking cream puffs! We stopped by before a concert at Old Town School of Folk Music. An excellent prelude. We were in and out in 45 minutes on a Saturday night. Next time we'll save time for dessert. Now I'm going to try to figure out how to make their crab crepe with mushroom brandy cream sauce.
(4)
Jill H.
This place is pretty delicious. I went for brunch this morning with my boyfriend and his family and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals. I got the granola with berries and yogurt and the granola was delicious! I also tried my boyfriend's corned beef hash, which was very authentically good. It wasn't like the mash you get out of a can, but real slow cooked corned beef with potatoes and poached eggs. Loads of flavor. I gave this place four stars because the service was a tad slow, my juice was small, and the menu didn't have a ton of options. But really 4 stars is great! I will definitely be going back!
(4)
John C.
This is my favorite brunch place in Lincoln Square. Their outdoor seating is fantastic - right in the heart of the square by the fountain, and the inside is great as well - walls adorned with regularly updated art. Their eggs florentine is delicious, and the breakfast potatoes are always tasty. Really great spicy bloody marys as well. Their dinner definitely doesn't disappoint, but it's pricey. Their specials are seasonal and delicious as well. I'd be here all the time if it was more affordable. Their dessert is probably the best thing about this place. It's hard not to stop in here more often and get a piece of their homemade cakes or pies or cookies or...well I don't even know all of the stuff they have, but it's GREAT - and cheap! I feel like I'm getting a deal when I get a giant piece of homemade cake for $4, and just thinking of these sweets are making me salivate.
(5)
John B.
Oh Selmarie, why do you taunt me with your evil pastry goodness? Why do you make me walk past your bakery case, overflowing with cakes and tarts and tortes and strudels, all calling out "Eat Me," like some sugary Alice in Wonderland fever dream? Why, when I say I'm just going to have a salad or maybe a sandwich, do you mock my fatty resolve? Yes, I give in, again and again. You are my heroin, and I am a pastry junkie, trying to inject a sticky bun into my arm. The other food is good here too, and luckily fairly light. Quiches and wraps and salads and cafe-style sandwiches, like the smoked turkey and brie, still a favorite two years later. Which is good, because you know you're going to have to have that orange decadence cake or maybe the strawberry roulade or the marble cream cheese brownie. Service is dicey, which is the main reason I only give you four stars. And bananas and strawberries is really not a fruit bowl, especially in high summer. But then you flash me some Bavarian cream, and all is well again.
(4)
Susan M.
I like it here still. Met friends for breakfast. One of which is a total foodie, and I was nervous that Selmarie wouldn't live up to his expectations. It did. Yay Cafe Selmarie!.
(5)
Christine F.
I was feeling kind of icky and under the weather tonight, and I had a strong desire for some soup. I spotted Cafe Selmarie across the street, so off I went. It's a cozy cafe with a HUGE bakery in the front and a more upscale restaurant in the back. I sat down and ordered a bowl of vegetarian chili and a chai tea. Ok. OMFG. This is the best chai tea I've ever had. The milk was super rich and frothy, it was sweet, but not too sweet, and had the signature subtle chai spice. It was ridiculously good. I could have drunk about 10 of those. The chili was good, but not great. It was kind of basic - pinto beans, tomatoes and green peppers with cheese on top with a side of cornbread. It hit the spot, but it wasn't the best chili EVAR. I would definitely come back here, especially for the bakery. I could have stared (and ate) their bakery selection all night. MMM. Cafe Selmarie was a great beginning-of-fall stop. Good stuff.
(4)
Roberto M.
If Cafe Selmarie were simply a bakery or desert shop, it would get 4-5 stars. If you are looking for a quiet date night in Lincoln Square, I recommend it. However, the food was OK, but not excellent. We had the Chicken Pot Pie and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. Both left us wanting more. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for a quiet date spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and excellent deserts.
(3)
Rosie S.
I went to this place on Saturday for brunch. And it was delicious!!! There was a small wait, but it is worth it. Cafe Selmaried is located in the heart of Lincoln Square and is very convenient to get to by CTA. The Cafe itself itself is very quaint and nicely decorated. I had the chilaquiles casserole--if you are used to spice (then it is not really spicy)--it was delicious, none of the toppings were overwhelming and the portion was quite large. My friend had one of their specials for the day--ahi tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. She said the wrap was awesome and ate the whole thing even though she was full after the 1st Half. The fries were just the right amount of crispiness. And our server was great.
(4)
David K.
Randomly walked by this place while going around Lincoln Square. The menu looked nice so the boyfriend and I decided to try it out. The environment was nice, but full of babies. Maybe that's a Lincoln Square thing, but yeah, a lot of babies in this place. We ended up ordering from the breakfast side of Brunch. I had a salmon, egg, english muffin thing, and boyfriend got a denver omelet. My food was alright, but it wasn't anything special. I always get this feeling that ordering fish for breakfast will turn out fancier than it ever does, but it was pretty good. Boyfriend was very satisfied with his omelet, and we both loved our hash browns. Overall, the meal was good, a little more expensive than I would have wanted it to be. Service was nice, environment was alright (again, there were a lot of babies in this restaurant). It's in a great location though. A good way to start an afternoon of adventure through the nifty shops and stores along Lincoln Avenue. Lastly, we didn't try any, but there were some beautiful-looking dessert options. Might need to go back to try some of them.
(4)
Kate B.
We stumbled upon this little gem while taking a stroll in Lincoln Square on a random summer Thursday evening. Well, there happened to be live music playing outside that evening, and a table for two on the patio just opened - perfect, the romance meter just jumped! Little did we know, it was pre-fixe night - ooh joy! The overall everyday menu seems to focus on comfort foods, with macaroni and cheese being the front runner, as we saw it being served to many diners. We chose to go with the pre-fixe option - I had a simple salad, with a light vinaigrette, and pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, Parmesan cheese.... mmmm, nothing out of the ordinary, but prepared very well. My partner had the chowder to start, which had a broth base, as opposed to the favored creamy chowdah. For his main course he had the monkfish in a light cream sauce. I have never tasted monkfish prepared so delicate and flavorful, needless to say this was the star meal of the evening. It was rounding towards closing time, so there was slim pickins for dessert, and you could tell they had been sitting in the pastry case for the day, as they were cold and did not have an abundance of flavor. Overall it was a good meal, great company and a fantastic little gem of a Chicago evening with live music as our soundtrack. The service was wonderful, our server was so nice and sweet, she was spot on. We left a wee past closing time, as we got swept away by the romance of it all, and as we were leaving, there was no attitude that we had stayed beyond their hours, it was smiles all the way out as we floated into the Chicago evening. We will definitely be back to try their breakfast and coffee, and perhaps a fresher pastry!
(4)
MELEK L.
Cafe Selmarie has it all. Delicious fresh breakfast, quick lunch, great atmosphere, and the most impressive, shiny pastry display. I try to schedule as many meetings here as I can!
(5)
Sarah C.
I would actually say 3.5 stars if I could. It is definitely a really nice place. My main complaint is the lack of vegan options. It is great for dairly lovers, but I had more fun with my company and the atmosphere of the place, than the actual food. The service was wonderful.
(3)
Nick B.
It's hard not to describe this place as really, really cute. I find myself saying "cute" with slight derogatory intentions, but absolutely not for Cafe Selmarie. I went here for brunch this morning with my parents for our weekly brunch session. Reviews on here were outstanding and it's really close to my apartment. I went to bed last night thinking about French toast. The cafe is right off a sunny park in the middle of Lincoln Square. It actually felt like a getaway. It's charming and the fact that it was absolutely beautiful outside today just made the place even calmer. We stopped in at 9AM and already the patio was filled up (bummer!), so we ended up sitting inside without a wait. Not a problem. It was nice because despite being crowded, there was no shouting involved to have a conversation. Brunch spots like Toast leave you so crammed in that you can't hear the person sitting across from you. I went ahead with the brioche French toast. Wonderful! It was very flavorful which was a great spin on the classic item. I think one of my only complains is that it is a little pricey for the average brunch joint. Not really a problem, but I can't see myself frequently that often. With that said, it really was an enjoyable be to start a relaxing Sunday.
(4)
Marie B.
This is a gem of a place in Lincoln Park. I recently had lunch here with an absolute "foodie" and he, too, was impressed. The decor is charming without being kitchy. The service is attentive without being annoying, and the desserts are quite simply put, DIVINE! I could eat here every day...wait, I work nearby, so I CAN eat lunch here, everyday! No, wait, my butt is already huge...I have no will power and the desserts are just too tempting. Alas, I can't enjoy Cafe Selmarie everyday...perhaps you could dine for me?! I'll live vicariously through you... ; - ) Try the sweet potato fries...yum.
(5)
Aesha W.
This place may be a tad bit pricey, but I still like it. I haven't eaten at the restaurant (yet), but I did grab a chai latte and a yummy bakery item this morning on my way to my acupuncture appointment. It's a really cute little place in Lincoln Square, with a friendly staff and what looks to be a delicious menu. I look forward to returning for more tasty treats and a visit to the restaurant.
(4)
Carrie F.
i love this place, for so many reasons. the baked goods are out of sight, the brunch items are amazing and the coffee is good, too. i also appreciate that its a small, well lit comfortable cafe. the waitstaff have always been great, too.
(5)
Irena A.
This place has delicious food. I have had the cobb salad various times here.. It's perfect! the dressing is perfect(vinagrette that is). I have had dessert here also... i just don't recall it's name! Very yummy. Check this place out!!! J'aime beaucoup!
(4)
Lethe X.
Best Black Forest cake in town. Oh, YES.
(4)
Rachel Y.
One of my favorite brunch spots or late afternoon-sit-outside-glass-of-wine spots. The food is amazing, service is very friendly, and their outdoor seating area is fantastic. All in all, just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jean C.
I've been coming here since God was a boy. Or at least since before they expanded up to the corner from that tiny storefront they opened with. I've eaten here since before it was the trendy place for people to bring their screaming kids and block the walkways with those SUV-size strollers everyone seems to have these days. But while the clientele has changed and the size of the restaurant, too, the quality of the food and service has, mercifully, remained the same. I'm very partial to their salads, and the warm, marinated goat cheese with mixed greens is a favorite of mine. But the one I find myself wishing for -- it's a special, not a regular menu item -- is the Salad Lyonnaise which strikes just the right balances to make it a meal without being overwhelming. Their mac and cheese or vegetarian chili are more likely to stick-to-your-ribs, and are great choices for colder weather. The specials are always reliable, creative without being ridiculous. Nobody is going to try to serve you foam here and tell you that it's a meal. Of course the baked goods are the real stars of the show, and even if you're not eating in, you can take home some amazing breads and pastries. I was head-over-heels for their chocolate hazelnut dacquoise, for years, but I am now told it's only being made by order. I am heart-broken over this and I hope they'll rethink their decision. But it isn't just the fancy pastries which satisfy. Something as homely as their breakfast bun will send you into your day with a smile on your face and a feeling that you've done right by yourself. Try it with a cup of their coffee. I can't even imagine not visiting this place on a regular basis even if the parking situation is becoming more dire by the day. (Thank you Chicago, thank you so very, very much for this new parking outrage!) It's worth the annoyance, in my opinion, and remains one constant bright spot in an ever-changing landscape of trendiness and yuppification. Also? They often have very nice art on the walls and much of it is for sale. Worth a look.
(5)
Tammy R.
Best sugar cookies ever! Great staff too.
(5)
Kirsten N.
Every time I come here they never disappoint, with the food that is. Unfortunately the service is what stops me from giving them 5 stars. Every time I go I have to flag down another waiter/waitress to order or even pay the bill!! On one visit I tried for over 30 minutes and asked 4 different waiters to get ours so I could pay. Hire better staff and I'll frequent your establishment more often!
(3)
Gregg L.
I always visit Cafe Selmarie when I'm in Chicago. The food and the ambiance are excellent. It's a great place for relaxing with friends, or to just hang out. Once you try it, you'll be a fan too!
(5)
cara r.
The food at Cafe Selmarie looked really good, but I didn't come here for a meal, I came for a cupcake. And once was definitely enough. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but the cake was dry on both the yellow and chocolate cakes, and the icing managed to be both overly sweet and too buttery all at the same time. The last time I was in Lincoln Square I got a cupcake craving, and I walked right past Cafe Selmarie, got in my car, and drove down to Dinkel's to satisfy it. *sigh*
(1)
Jennifer H.
Great brunches in general, and their lunch and dinner offerings are tasty (love the cucumber avocado soup!) but I think the bakery is a bit overrated. I have ordered dessert here before, and the crumb on each occasion has been tough and dry (to be fair, I stopped ordering dessert after four bland tries, so maybe I just picked the wrong things). The service is always, always fantastic, and I have never had an egregious wait. This is a terrific neighborhood joint overall -- just wish I had had bette experiences with the baked goods!
(4)
Kristina K.
So. I keep thinking about reviewing Selmarie. But I don't. Because I work there. And I know from the talk threads about how people feel about reviewing your workplace. So I will make it very clear. I WORK HERE. I AM BIASED. I also hesitate because one of my managers (Hi, Anne!) reads Yelp on a fairly regular basis. We currently have a list of all our good reviews hanging in the front window. Say nice things, and you could be up there too. But in all seriousness. I really, really like Selmarie. I eat here every day. Not necessarily because I want to, but because it's there, and I kind of have to. I'll give you a rundown of items as they come to me. Sorry in advance for the length and the vegetarian slant. Menu: *Veggie Chili: excellent. *Salads: good in general. The pear salad is only served as a special. It's my favorite. Order it. But leave me one. *Sweet Potato Fries: hands down favorite thing on the menu. I love sweet potatoes. I love chipotle dip. *Grilled Cheese: Jaime makes the best. Get multigrain bread, and add tomatoes and avocado. Yum. *Soups: delicious and often vegetarian. My favorites include: butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato bisque (ask for croutons), tomato florentine. There's a lot of non vegetarian ones that I haven't tried, but I'm sure they're good too *Mac & Cheese: tasty. Many different cheeses. This ain't blue box. *Quiche: goodness. Get the Italian veggie with sundried tomatoes. But again, save me some. *Breakfast Burrito: second favorite thing on the menu. I wish I worked more mornings so I could eat this more often. *Breakfast Potatoes: come with burrito. Add to the deliciousness. *French Toast: get the one with the berries. It was the most amazing french toast I've ever had. Honestly. Desserts (I work at the counter, and if you ask, I will be honest, but here I'll just list my favorites, in no particular order): *Sacher Torte (say it with me: soccer): I explain what this is about 80 times a day. But it's still my favorite. *Raspberry Marzipan Torte: mmm, marzipan. *Tiramisu: so, so, so good. *Tres Leches: dripping with condensed milk and sweetness. *Strawberry Roulade (say it with me: roo-laud): sweet and light and fruity. *Mixed Fruit Tart/Raspberry Custard Tart/Raspberry Chocolate Tart: I'm a fruit addict. All fresh. All delicious. The Rasp. Chocolate is sinful. *Morning Bun: the lemon glaze gets me every time. *Chocolate Mousse Torte/Raspberry Bavarian Torte: the first time I had these, I wasn't too thrilled. Recently I tried them again, and have honestly been converted. Both are amazing. *Spanish Almond Torte: mmm, more marzipan, and apricot preserves. Cookies (all excellent, again, my favorites): *Kolachkys, Apricot Circles, Raspberry Hearts, Raspberry Almond Tartlets, Florentines, Wedding Cakes, Rugelah, Oatmeal Chocolate Almond Coconut, Sugar Cookies. So, yeah. It's ALL good. You really can't go wrong. I, of course, get sick of it all. That's only because I look at it/have it every day. But you don't work there, so you won't. Edit: I guess there's some question as to Selmarie's reservation policy. We *DO* take reservations. But *only* for parties of 6 or more. Except for weekends, you probably won't need one anyway. If you are desperate for something Selmarie, and don't have 6 people, call ahead when you're on your way. We will kindly put you on the list.
(5)
Elizabeth R.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch and I really like the place except for one drawback....they seem to attract the rudest clientele imaginable. On both visits I sat outside. When I went for dinner, there was a young boy (maybe 4) playing with a ball by bouncing it off every surface imaginable (the wall, our legs, our table, other people's legs, other people's tables, etc.) with apparently no parent supervision (or at least a parent who could care less). The ball bouncing went on for way too long until finally the ball bounced onto our table while the waiter was taking our order. He finally took action and the manager came out to tell the parents to reign their kid in (the manager had observed this previously but delayed taking action until he nearly knocked our drinks over). As an alternative, these stellar parents just lifted the kid over the fence into the square to play ball unsupervised with some random strangers (maybe they were hoping to get rid of him?). Anyway the food was really good and despite that I enjoyed my dinner experience. My second visit was for brunch recently. Once again, I was sitting outside. I liked the brunch options and the food was really good, but this time we had some man insistent on feeding pigeons sitting next to us. This probably would not have bothered me normally, but he kept throwing the bread he was feeding these pigeons midway between our two tables and suddenly I had birds crawling between my legs to get to their next morsel of food. So gross! I'm pretty sure it is also illegal to do this in the city of Chicago (against city ordinances). Needless to say, constantly randomly moving your feet throughout your meal in order to get the pigeons away from you makes for a very unpleasant brunch experience. This time, no one from the wait/management staff said anything to them. The food was once again very good, but their terrible clientele (and the restaurants' apparent inability to control them) makes this a hard place to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this place, but would suggest sitting inside.
(3)
Sarah F.
Good to the last bite. You can't go wrong. Every meal they serve is scrumptious. Everything they do, they do it very well. I particularly like their breakfasts and salads. They are the kind of place that makes a salad into a celebration.
(5)
Maria G.
Really good place, its a bit pricey for the portions, but well worth it. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was out of this world! My husband had the chicken pot pie which we were not as thrilled about. Overall they had great service and the ravioli was incredible.
(4)
C P.
this place has excellent, well-executed breakfast. this is the only meal I've been there for. I tend to avoid it during peak weekend breakfast hours, as it can get a little over-run with strollers. got up early enough, though and had another great breakfast here, so thought it time to let others know. had corned beef hash and my boyfriend had the omelette. Corned beef was exactly what I wanted - fresh, NOT CANNED. something I could only hope to aspire at making at home, once a year, after St. Patrick's day. perfectly balanced beef, potatoes and still-runny poached eggs. other eggs were also good and the fillings were each cooked to a good level of done-ness. they keep things moving during busy times, but not so close/crowded that you can hear the conversation of the person next to you.
(4)
Heather K.
I don't know what the fuss is all about. I've been to Cafe S. on three occassions now. First for lunch, second for weekend brunch. last for dinner. Based on my first experience I couldn't wait to go back. I took my parents there for lunch in the summer. Sat on the patio. Had good food. Shared some wine. Overall a terrific experience. Food was great, Dad had a salad, Mom the roasted beef sandwich w/ au jus, myself the quiche. Delish. So, I went back. My husband and I tried weekend brunch later in the summer. Food was very mediocre if not down right bland and I've had way tastier chilaquiles (try Tiztal on Clark in Uptown!). We had to wait, as I expected - the place was packed - so I ordered a sf vanilla latte at the coffee bar. We sat down 25 minutes later and I STILL didn't have my coffee! First they didn't have the sf vanilla. Fine, I'll just have the plain latte. Then it was something about the milk. My God, it's a coffee bar on a weekend! How do you not have milk and syrup?! When we sat down, I told the waiter we were waiting on a latte - he brought me brewed coffee. Sent it back and 10 minutes later I FINALLY got my latte. Which was tasty but by then I was just put off about the whole situation. They did comp the drink so at least I didn't have to pay for it. I also have to complain about the number of parents that frequent this place that really need to keep a better eye on their kids. I know it's an outdoor patio - next to the Square - but that doesn't give you permission to allow your children to run wild screaming disrupting other people's meals. My last visit, my husband and I went for a Friday night dinner. Big mistake. The portions were so small, my husband actually went home and made a bowl of oatmeal because he was starving. He had ordered the chicken pot pie - it was kiddie size and WAY too creamy. It had the consistency of paste. I had the beef stew, which was marginally better, but I'd never get it again as it was served at room temperature, i.e. cold. Our food was also served in a matter of minutes. I know the stuff we ordered was probably made earlier in the day, and I don't expect restaurants to make-to-order beef stew and chicken pot pie. But we received our food in under 10 minutes! IMO, going out to eat is also about the experience not just the food. Well, our experience start to finish was finished in under 35 minutes. It was like going to a classed up and more expensive McDonalds. Needless to say, 3's a charm. I won't be back.
(1)
Crafty K.
I've had some great meals here. Brunch is good but really, I'd come for lunch or dinner to get something more memorable. That croque monsieur is insanely good and I usually like their quiches. I've had great and unusual soups that are awesome. I like how they have a seasonal menu - only using the freshest ingredients. I was very impressed with our waitress' knowledge of the wine she was serving. I once ordered a alsatian stew that was great and the waitress paired a fantastic Chilean wine with it. It was like heaven. The deserts and bakery and incredible. It's spendy allright and sometimes I've actually thought, "that salad is HOW MUCH?" but just order wisely and you'll be happy with the meal for the price.
(4)
Matt S.
My favorite brunch spot in the Square. A little pricey, but not too bad. I much prefer this place for brunch than dinner - their breakfast/brunch menu is delicious, but the dinner seems unremarkable to me.
(4)
Tracy G.
went there today for brunch- great coffee (americano), but i ordered a small o.j., got a large, and got charged for a large. not that busy, waited quite awhile for a waiter who was so-so friendly. the menu seemed great, although only one vegetarian option; i ordered it- the breakfast burrito- that was described as having many delicious mexican ingredients, like rice, avocado, etc.- it came out and was just scrambled eggs in a tortilla. avocado? looked like the chef slice an avocado and divided it between 30 burritos- couldn't even see it or taste it. i definitely could have made one at home better- and for $9, i should have! my dining partner ordered the denver omelette was just o.k. overall? there are much better places for brunch in chicago!
(2)
Maria C.
Cute place for breakfast or a light lunch. The location is great because Lincoln Square is just cute, especially in a sunny spring morning. Add that to great service, very good food and perfect portion sizes. It's a great option.
(4)
Mary T.
It used to be that no one knew where Lincoln Square was until you mentioned Cafe Selmarie. I have been coming here forever, it's always good and the desserts are wonderful. Breakfast/brunch is good, sometimes too crowded so go early. A little oasis of consistent calm and friendly wait staff.
(5)
Erika L.
I've been going to this place for years! I love their fresh baked desserts, especially the lemon squares and the brownies. It would be an ideal place to go to for brunch when you can sit outside on a nice summer afternoon and enjoy, though prepare for a possible wait! The homemade soups and the salads are great to start, and then I usually order the mac' n cheese. The coffee, dessert and the atmosphere are all of what make me give it 5 stars and keep me coming back.
(5)
Rian K.
I've been picking up pastries or ordering takeout lunch from Selmarie for a couple of years, but I only recently went there for brunch. What was a strong like before turned into love after tasting three of their brunch menu items. The interior of the dining room is bright and lively, and if it's warm, you can sit outside with a view of the nearby fountain. I had the breakfast burrito, which was delicious. My friend had a mushroom? bread pudding that was rich and decadent and we also split the cinnamon orange french toast, which was good but not extraordinary. The mint and pomegranate mimosas were definitely unique, but started to get a little too minty halfway through. Between the atmosphere, breakfast food, and the delicious pastries, cookies and cakes they serve, I have to say Selmarie is pretty sweet.
(4)
Mark S.
Yup- this place is very good. Nice space, outside seating option (watch the homeless feed pigeons), great food and awesome desserts. Not had a bad experience here ever. And, this place has the biggest rum balls on earth, if you know what I mean. Grab one and take a big bite out of it like an apple- you'll be in heaven!
(5)
Karen L.
This is a cute bakery/restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Square. I go there often for cookies and other sweet treats. I am not a big sweets fan, but I do enjoy a Selmarie treat every so often. On the weekends for brunch/lunch, expect there to be a wait. There aren't many tables inside, so it is cozy and often times crowded. (During the summer they have a nice outdoor area that is quite nice.) I have been there once for brunch and had the breakfast burrito. It was ok, but not great. Recently I just went there and opted for lunch. I thought their lunch menu was a lot better, but that could be because I am more of a lunch person than a breakfast person. I had the ahi tuna wrap, which came with sweet potato fries. The tuna was cooked rare, which was just the way I liked it. It came with mango salsa and chipotle mayo. Very yummy! The sweet potato fries were just ok. I was expecting the skinny crispy ones, but they were the thick cut, soggy ones. Overall, though, the meal was tasty. I would definitely go back for lunch, as there were other things on the menu that looked appetizing! (Like the chili and the portabello mushroom sandwich!) The price at Selmarie is like any other trendy brunch-y place... about $10 an entree or so, so not bad. I would definitely recommend trying it, and don't forget to take a stroll around Lincoln Square while you are waiting for a table. Enjoy and Hanger 18 are right there and super cute!
(4)
Jessica M.
Friendly service and tasty treats.
(4)
Allison B.
I went here for brunch this AM. We called ahead at about 11:30 AM and they said they'd have a table for 2 ready for in 30-40 minutes (pretty impressive for Father's Day). So we put in our name, and when we arrived 33 minutes later, they did indeed have a table ready for us. We even got to choose between sitting outside or inside (we chose outside). For breakfast, I had the brioche french toast. It was really good-- served w/ macerated berries and a mascarpone whipped cream. It was so good! My husband had the onion tart with caramelized onions, bacon, and bleu cheese. I thought it sounded a little funny, but it was actually really delicious. Our service was overall quite good-- a little slow on the coffee warm-ups, but other than that, no complaints. We will absolutely be back for brunch, and I'd be interested in trying out dinner there some night as well. And while I was able to pass up the baked goods today because I was so full from my french toast, I will save room next time! A pleasant dining experience!
(4)
Beebe G.
had a lovely lunch here with uncle willie! i had some tea and a tuna salad sandwich and uw had the mac and cheese and soup. my sandwich was fresh and, scxrumptious! service was nice and i'd like to come back for another lunch with uncle wills.
(4)
Ebru Y.
I really wanted to like their German chocolate cake but it just didn't happen. I guess it was either left-over from the day before or just got old through the day. It just had a really dry texture and the top was really greasy. And I also have to add that the server was really cold towards us and had a look on her face as she wanted to ask " why are you just ordering coffee and a cake when it's close to dinner time?" I'm disappointed, though I like other items on the menu so I will probably go back for those, and hopefully the server was just having a bad day and she recovered!
(3)
CE S.
This is the one thing I will miss the most after moving out of Lincoln Square. Three meals a day, I have always had top-notch service, top-notch food and I have never minded the wait because they are always on top of it. After becoming a regular, I even had a waitress introduce herself and repeat back my favorite brunch order of Chillaquilles (I am sure I put too many "l's" in that) and iced tea. This place never fails to satisfy and impress me with their menu and focus on in-season and local ingredients. And I agree with Tristin-- the mini pumpkin pies kill. My only complaint is the cookies-- I like them soft, but if you appreciate a crunchy cookie, then go for it at Selmarie. Overall, despite my move to the North Shore, I will definitely continue to make it down to Selmarie on weekends.
(5)
Jeff B.
I've only been here for breakfast, but it's really good. There are only about 6 or 8 things on the menu, but they are very good. If you can sit outside, it's in a perfect location looking out on Lincoln Square neighborhood. The bakery has some good stuff to take away -- either desserts or fresh baked bread.
(4)
Patty W.
When we moved to Lincoln Square 7 years ago, we immediately looked to Cafe Selmarie as our go-to place. We'd take friends there for dinner, parents there for brunch. And then we stopped. Because it's not that good. I'll leave others to review the dining experience. As a vegetarian, my options were typically limited to the same two less-than-tantalizing menu items (I don't eat fish, either). It's the bakery that proved most disappointing--and frankly I'm mystified by all the reviewers who say otherwise. If, like me, you view dinner as the means to dessert, you can't help but be lured by the confections on display in the bakery cases that dominate the cafe's entrance. Yet no matter what we ordered, it was always a let down, with the taste--dry and flavorless--never matching the delectable appearance. "How can you screw up cake?" we kept asking ourselves. "Did they forget to add the butter?" Sure that we had chosen poorly, or been served a stale slice, we kept going back expecting different results. But it was always the same. We recently received a gift certificate to the cafe from a neighbor, who I'm sure thought she was doing us a favor. So we were compelled to give the place one more try. As I was halfway through my piece of flourless chocolate cake, I wondered why I was still eating it, when it essentially had all theh flavor of cardboard. I've had better pastries at IKEA--seriously. If you're in the mood to indulge a sweet tooth, you'd be better off schlepping to the Austrian Bakery in Lincoln Park.
(2)
Casey D.
Bright sunny spot for brunch, whether indoors or out. Enjoyed the vibrant oil paintings of surrealist fish on the wall. Didn't sample the baked goods but they looked scrumptious. The Sunday brunch menu offers a delightful hybrid of American and Mexican dishes, and you can be as healthy or unhealthy about your order as you want, though I believe that brunch is by nature an indulgent, hedonistic meal. The blood marys were tangy and not too spicy--they use high quality vodka and fresh horseradish.I was fortunate enough to bask in the company of Max F., whose vast expertise encompasses the cuisine of the Spanish-speaking world. He ordered us the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles casserole. I preferred the latter.
(4)
Kv G.
The Sunday brunch at Cafe Selmarie is a mix of the commonplace and the cosmopolitan. The Mediterranean tart with carmelized onions, artichokes, olives and goat cheese (there was more, but I can't remember it) doesn't sound too good - especially when you figure in the topping of blackberry sauce - but it all works, and it was delicious. My roommate had the more traditional eggs and bacon, which looked solid, and bonus to the bacon for being less strips and more slabs. The staff was also quite friendly, but the atmosphere was a little to modern-art-museum-y to be a restaurant. Still, it looked good, and the desserts up front looked even better; the place offered a macadamia nut tart that looked like it might kill you three bites in, which would be the equivalent of being strangled by Maria Bello mid-coitus. Selmarie is on the pricey side, so it will be more of a treat each time I go.
(4)
Jessie C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious desserts, friendly service, not too expensive, and well worth the search for parking.
This busy bakery cafe offers lunch and dinner and really great pastries and cakes. The individual sized raspberry tarts, fruit tarts, and tiramisu are among the best offerings. You can really taste the coffee liquor. They are big enough to share though. I suggest buying a bunch of different ones including cake by the slice and sharing with friends so you can try a little piece of each one. They also have fresh baked bread and cookies.
(5)
Kat L.
I will happily be the 310th person to say how much I love Cafe Selmarie. It is one of my top 5 favorite spots to get coffee and a delish pastry. Their croissants are flaky and moist every time and the latte will literally warm your soul. Plus you have the lucky choice of sitting in Lincoln Square, or meerly peering out the window and people watching. I've never had a bad dessert, though I would reccommend letting anything with buttercream sit a room temperature so it doesn't have a waxy texture to it! The staff is always so friendly. I'm going to have to come back for brunch sometime soon!
(5)
Ann M.
Cafe Selmarie is a fantastic spot. The food is always wonderful, and the portions are perfect - not Supersized, just right. It's comfort food, and it's prepared well and presented nicely. The desserts are a serious indulgence so save room. Service can be uneven, never horrific, but that happens everywhere. If you're looking for an al fresco dining experience in the summer months, this is the place for it.
(5)
Sean H.
Birgit and Jeannie make the best Stollen on the planet. And if you don't agree, meet me by the bike rack out front. And bring all your friends...if you have any!
(5)
Marco D.
I must admit that the only meals I've eaten at selmarie have been of the breakfast kind. But they do it well. The eggs have yummy spring onions tossed in. It's a bit steep for what you get, but it's the kind of place you go to to enjoy a meal on the patio with good company. The strong point is bar none the pastries. They have the best cupcakes in Chicago. And a cute waitstaff never hurts a place. Try the morning buns!!!!!
(4)
Sharon S.
This place is awesome! At first it looks like a bakery but it's so much more. In the back of the bakery is the restaurant area. A friend and I went there for dinner last night. I got the glazed pork and she got the salmon salad. Both were amazing. The sauce on the glazed pork is to die for. I just couldn't get enough of it. And for a salad, the salmon salad was large and filling. We also had red wine which were great recommendations from the waitress. We were too stuffed for dessert but everything from the bakery looked delicious. I'll definitely be back. There was so much on their menu that I wanted to try that it was hard to decide. The atmosphere was great and staff was super friendly. Definitely check it out! And I heard their brunch is amazing, definitely need to get there for that.
(4)
Nicole S.
My husband and I came here one evening a few months ago for dessert and coffee. The weather was beautiful, so we were able to sit on a patio and enjoy our treats. I returned today with a friend for brunch and was very disappointed in the food. I ordered the pesto scramble and chicken sausage. The potatoes were plain, the sausage was tough and the eggs were overcooked. I was unimpressed, as was my friend with her omelet. I will not return for meals, but will continue to visit for their extensive pastry case, coffee, and pleasant service.
(3)
Philip K.
Went there for Saturday brunch and had the smoked salmon club, as well as the brisket melt .. Two delicious sandwiches, perfect amount for lunch and fair prices! Everyone was also very nice and friendly! We would definitely come again
(5)
XTreats X.
Great attitude here. Staff was really nice, despite how busy it was. Lox and chicken sausage was great. All the baked goods looked good too. Nothing extremely special besides the great staff and atmosphere. Don't get me wrong. The food is definitely worth it.
(4)
Jennifer S.
We go here for special Sunday brunches. The menu is always changing and features high quality and local ingredients. We love the breakfast burritos and the corned beef hash. The bakery is authentically French, and the cocoa and mocha's are home made. There is usually a wait, but it is worth it. You can order coffee and a snack up front while you wait.
(4)
Valery P.
Not as good as I expected. I tried the dinner menu and some of the pastries the other day and wasn't really blown away by it. Other than that, parking wasn't that hard and the services was nice and friendly. It's still a great place to hang out, nonetheless.
(3)
Vallia K.
Love this place- its now my go-to cafe when I want better-than-standard espresso drinks. Their baked goods are amazing as well, and the staff is extremely attentive and nice. I wish they would not bring the bill without asking, though. It makes you feel rushed and this cafe is the perfect place to just sit and relax. The actual savory foods are decent- I have only tried the breakfast burrito and daily omelet and although they were by no means bad they were not memorable. (Although the potatoes are fabulous.)
I was really disappointed on my second visit to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. I was expecting hearty, well cooked brunch dishes with great coffee but instead we got lukewarm, overcooked eggs with hot dog- like smoked sausages and very tired looking fruit. The coffee wasn't even good. My advice would be to stop at the bakery, pick up some great cakes and head home to fix your own brunch.
(2)
Erika J.
After a great dinner at Las Tablas on Irving Park my dinner companion and I were looking for a place to have an after dinner drink and something sweet. This place delivered on both counts. We shared the mocha buttercream cake and the German chocolate cake. I loved the fresh coconut on top of the german chocolate. p.s. I also recommend taking a walk around the neighborhood to burn off any resulting sugar high.
(5)
suteishichic J.
Not sure how a place goes from a five to a one within 3 days but this place did it. My Mom was visiting and we stopped in (during the torrential rains of Ike) for a spot of tea. It was heaven. We sat at the counter and with our little pile of delights and well done tea, it outshone the Ritz! Literally. We had afternoon tea at the Ritz the day before and that was overpriced and underwhelming...Selmarie spur of the moment was delightful! So Mom loved the place and wanted to come back for breakfast the day of her flight. We only had an hour before we had to bring her to the airport but that should have been enough, right? Wrong. I told our server that we were in a rush (just in case) from when we sat down. I asked the server what was fast to make and when he wanted to take our drink order I said we should go ahead and order so that we don't have to eat in a hurry. I even ordered for my husband while he was still parking the car (just to be sure). Everything seemed to be going okay, but then I started to get a bad feeling. The people around us, seated after us, all of whom ordered long after us started getting their food. The minutes ticked by. Our waiter kept looking at us, making eye contact, and then scurrying away before anyone could ask what was going on. We even waved him over and he ignored us. He finally came over, offered a coffee refill (ignoring the tea people) and then turned and walked away so fast I'm not sure if he even heard us asking him to wait. Stop! Please! Hey! Hello! Yeah, it was that weird. 35 minutes went by with nothing and the clock just kept on ticking. We asked another server (placing food at a table who had just arrived ten minutes earlier to get our waiter). When he finally showed up he said our food would just be four minutes more. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. He went to walk away again. Incredulous, we asked to see the manager and we watched our waiter continue to serve food to other tables before getting the manager. He kept acting busy (really it was a few tables) and rushing around before the manager ever came out. By this time we had our coats on. The manager came over and said sorry but there was a "ticket mixup" so it would just take a little longer. Are you kidding? And after we said originally we were in a hurry? I've worked in restaurants before and even though I swear I'm probably the worst waitress in the world, even I would treat my tables better than this. They really didn't even seem to care. It was very....French of them. With all the choices in Chicago -- heck with all the choices in Lincoln Square alone, give this a pass.
(1)
April L.
The omelet I ordered with a variety of mushrooms was light and flavorful, and the potatoes were well-seasoned; I sampled my date's corn beef hash, and it was wonderful as well. The best part was that the staff were remarkably attentive and friendly... They managed to refill our water every 10 minutes without interrupting our conversation, and do just about the same with a "do you want more?" non-verbal gesture on the coffee refills. Great coffee, too, by the way. Staff at the front bakery are lovely as well.
(5)
Rob A.
Wow, I love Cafe Selmarie. I've eaten here twice and both times have been really good. I love the cookies, the baked goods, the quiche, the pot pie, and the coffee wasn't bad either. The service is decent. It's not bad for such a small restaurant. I recommend it for a hearty breakfast or a good lunch.
(5)
Heidi N.
Apparently, when you're dating someone, you go to brunch a lot. And when the bf and I decided to do brunch one recent Sunday, I realized that I really need to expand my memorized arsenal of restaurants to include "good brunch spots." Luckily, I remembered Cafe Selmarie. We walked in on a chilly but pleasant morning and were seated immediately. Score! But upon settling in, my whole body was enveloped in a rather stifling heat wave. The place was hot hot HOT! We ordered our coffees (cafe au lait was fabulous) and then our entrees. Now, anybody who knows me will tell you that I tend to gravitate towards the sweeter items on the menu, especially for a meal like brunch. But for whatever reason (perhaps an overabundance of recently consumed holiday treats?) I went the savory way, and ordered the corned beef hash, while my dining companion ordered the other dish I considered, the lemon ricotta griddle cakes. (Id'n he sweet?) Funny story about the corned beef hash ... I'd never had poached eggs before, and in the time between ordering and receiving our food, I'd forgotten that the hash came with two poached eggs on top. So when the plate was set in front on me, my first thought was that it was topped with two large dollops of sour cream. Not even thinking about it, I started to dip my fork in the "sour cream" and noticed that the texture was ... off. What the? About 5 seconds later, I remembered what they were. Oh yeah. Duh, Heidi. Back on topic. The hash was delicious. The boy's griddle cakes were even more delicious. He was kind enough to give me a bite and I nearly finished them off for him. Goooood. The only other minor negative (besides the temperature) was that it took a bit of effort to get a refill for the boy's coffee, but not a big deal. Oh, and there was a girl sitting kiddie-corner from us who was wearing the same sweater as me!! But that's hardly the cafe's fault. :)
(4)
Leanne A.
Come here. Come just for the bakery items. I fantasize about the bakery items many times throughout a normal day. The strawberry roulade and the raspberry custard tart are two of the most perfect baked treats I've ever had. I also came once for breakfast and had blueberry pancakes that were to die for. I do have a couple problems with this place, as much as I wanted to give it five stars just for the pastries. 1) It is packed at breakfast and we waited 40 minutes for our food (pancakes!) And our server never even checked on us. 2) I ate here for dinner once and the prices were more appropriate for a more gourmet restaurant. 3) recently I was buying a raspberry custard and couldn't find my visa. I realized I had left in in the atm. The girl helping me didn't care at all. She didn't even fake it. She just smiled awkwardly and was like "okay" and took my bag with the beautiful custard back. A cute local bakery should be able to just give you the damn thing at that point, and know that you'll be back. Anyway, I usually don' t like the service I here. But the pastry chefs who must work all night are me heros. I love you, selmarie pastry chefs.
(4)
Char Y.
I love this place! It makes me feel young again with stomach for everything in site. Bee hive: wow. Mix fruit tart: ok. raspberry chocolate tart: the sensation of melting chocolate with sweet raspberries: priceless. rasberry tart: ok strawberry roulades: ok. The cream is unsweetened. Now I want the key lime tart...
(3)
Sarah L.
I came here for lunch today, my sweetie took the day off to celebrate my birthday! We wanted to give Fiddle-head Cafe a try but they do not open until 4:30, I was a sad birthday girl. We decided on Cafe Selmarie again. I'm one upping their star ratings because the lunch was fab. We sat on the outdoor patio area. It was a beautiful afternoon so we had to dine al fresco! I had the crab cake sandwich and my honey had the roast beef sandwich. Both were very delicious. We also shared a side of sweet potato wedges. On our way out, we picked up a piece of chocolate cake for later tonight and a cream cheese brownie to share on the walk back. OMG, was it so rich and creamy! I'm still full from lunch, I may not need dinner tonight. Cafe Selmarie has a simple but delicious menu for lunch, check it out!
(4)
Matt C.
Here's the secret to getting in on a Sunday. Go when it is unreasonably cold. Even then, we still had to wait 30 mins for a table, after being told to wait 20. Brunch was good, the prices were reasonable and the service was great. What else can you say?
(4)
Casey F.
I have never had a bad meal nor a bad dessert from Cafe Sel Marie. And the service is always great. I've gone in alone, as a pair, and with eight other people and every time I am helped by friendly and courteous people. I have to go for brunch at least once a month, if not three or four times, and I will generally have the brioche french toast with berries and highly recommend it to anyone else. I also enjoy that their menu changes to reflect the season. The gingerbread griddlecakes that made an appearance over the Christmas season were fantastic. Pairing them with spiked apple cider made the experience complete. Enjoy the toasty indoors in the winter, and then sit out on the patio in the summer, sometimes you even get to watch performances in the square while enjoying your meal.
(5)
Lance W.
Solid food and excellent service. We asked them before getting a table if we could be in and out in 45 minutes because we had to make a train out of town. They got us in and out in 30 minutes. Complete winning service
(4)
Richard B.
I've only been to their bakery and I'm in love. Everything I've tried from the case has been decadent and the best whatever-it-was I've had. Most recently I had a slice of their Sacher Torte. It was unbelievable. Their espresso beverages are also well made. I have not been disappointed. It does get busy and tight in the bakery area though. Especially with people waiting to be seated in the restaurant, but in my experience the baristas and others behind the counter have been friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend the bakery.
(5)
Steve L.
Delicious food, delicious coffee, lovely and friendly service. That's all you need for 5 stars from me. (Wonderful cookies and pastries, too!)
(5)
Meg O.
Well, glory be to the bad economy! If it weren't for the crisis on Wall Street and Main Street, Selmarie may have been closing or moving. Because Lincoln Square really needs to look more like Lincoln Park, right? With chi-chi restaurants and chains! Hello Lincoln Square developers, Cafe Selmarie deserves to and needs to and should stay! It was there long before the neighborhood got trendy, and grew alongside that darling stretch of Lincoln Ave. Also, it's one of the few truly accomplished restaurants in the 'hood, but less spendy than Bistro Campagne. And, as I learned last night, it's a pretty great place to take small children. The fear of Cafe Selmarie's demise is what drove my friend Shane and me to take our charges for the evening--2 year old Calvin and 3 month old Nora Claire--out to dinner. As someone who does not have children, I was nervous as hell to take such young ones to an establishment like Selmarie. But we went. The bus boy set us up on the charming patio overlooking the fountain, immediately outfitting us with a high chair. He also graciously helped me remove another chair for Nora's stroller. The kids' menu at Cafe Selmarie is great! They have everything from PB&J to chicken cutlets to penne pasta. Much to his delight, Calvin's grilled cheese sandwich, orange slices, and applesauce arrived with Shane and my chevre chaud salad. Oh, and did I mention that they put his water and milk in a cup with a lid and a straw? Brilliant! Our chevre chaud salad was delicious, despite that at its arrival Nora decided she needed to cry. Shane and I took turns passing her across the table and alternating who spread the hot garlicky goat cheese on toast points for the other. Our waitress was very understanding and sympathetic, and I didn't correct her when she called me "Mommy." For our entrees, I had the wrap of the day, a tilapia wrap, and Shane had a grilled salmon salad. The tilapia was moist and wrapped up with a delicious slaw. It came with grilled potato wedges and broccoli. So healthy and delicious! Shane's salad looked great: a beautiful salmon fillet laying on a bed of interesting greens and fennel. It was past the kiddies' bedtime (7:00!) so we took dessert to go. Calvin loved munching on his ghostie cut out cookie as we walked back to his grandparents' condo, and after the babes were in bed, Shane and I enjoyed our orange chocolate decadence (my all-time fave) and an "impossible cake" that had this amazing layer of flan on top while we watched "Paris J'taime." As I sat on the patio, listening to the fountain, watching my fellow Chicagoans stroll by, eating my delicious wrap, rocking a (finally) sleeping Nora in her stroller, I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness, but not too much sadness. I realized that I loved Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Square loved me. Thanks, Cafe Selmarie, for 25 great years in a great neighborhood! May you flourish for at least 25 more! (And thanks for easing my anxiety about some day having small children of my own).
(5)
Charles A.
I would like to give Selmarie five stars - the service is fantastic, the restaurant very comfortable, the banana eclair heavenly. But while the food is good and varied - fresh salmon, rich mushroom ravioli, veggie-friendly chili...- only (some of) the pastries break into perfection. In addition, though I suppose it's little fault of the restaurant's, almost every time I'm here some baby is crying and kids are running up and down between the tables. Apparently, Lincoln Square is suffering an ongoing babysitter shortage. Complaints aside, Selmarie is the best restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)
Suzanne P.
I recently brought my family here for brunch during a visit...and it was definitely a great choice! I love where Cafe Selmarie is located in the square. The first time I visited this place, my roommates and I wanted to sample the baked goods in the area (thus deciding if it was a good neighborhood to live in, naturally). I must say, I was a little bit disappointed with the slice of white chocolate cake I tried, but having a sit-down meal at the cafe was a totally different experience. I had the Brioche French Toast, which was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of french toast, and this was up there among my favorites. My parents were also happy with what they ordered (my sister and I double ordered on the french toast), and my roommate who joined us was as well. The server was friendly and competent, and really did a great job. I'd come back here for brunch again and again!
(4)
Christa F.
If you are on a diet: BEWARE. In the front of this restaurant, there is a very large showcase of mouth-watering desserts. They looked absolutely awesome. I really don't know how I left without taking something home. I guess I really had self-control that day. But let me just tell you. I'm sure their desserts, pastries, pies, torts, muffins, chocolates, cookies, etc. are just incredible. OK enough drooling. . . I went here for breakfast. I probably got a boring breakfast to most, just some whole wheat pancakes (I did mention diet earlier, right?). My first time trying them anywhere. I thought they were good. It was a very large portion. It came sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can add berries or bananas. We ate outside on the nice, somewhat sizeable patio. I'm sure this place gets really packed on the weekends with long waits. I think we got lucky as I think we were there early enough.
(4)
Valerie R.
I went here on a Sunday for brunch, and was impressed by the food. I had eggs florentine and my friend had the french toast, both delicious. We also had a couple Mimosas each; the first ones must have been made with flat champagne (I watched them being poured and there was quite a bit in there, otherwise I would assume they were easy on the champagne), but I'm glad I tried a second one because it was great. There is a bit of a wait, but the food is good, it's reasonably priced, and the servers are very friendly.
(4)
A.S. V.
It's hard to choose the best brunch place in Chicago with so much competition, but this is a contender for top five. It's a homey bakery in Lincoln Square, with great outdoor seating on the plaza in the summertime. There's nothing unusual about their breakfast menu, but I've been thoroughly happy with everything, particularly the potatoes.
(5)
Pat T.
It loses a star because of its cramped cafe area which offers little room to relax. But, if you can handle the long line of parents and their annoyingly-named children ("Isabella, don't drink that creamer!"; "You only get one crumpet, Riley, I mean it!"; "Addison, why can't you be more like Madison?"), you'll be rewarded with a solid cup of coffee and amazing pastries. The flourless chocolate cake will make you melt.
(4)
Channyn W.
I wanted to love this place. I was completely totally ready for commitment. I dreamed about that forever kind of love you only read about in Nora Roberts books and all I got was a 60 page Harlequin romance where I was the woman dumped for the heroine after Chapter 3. Seriously, my visit to this restaurant had so many great things going for it - the parking wasn't bad (or I can walk from home), the bakery was freshly filled with so many tempting treasures, and the wait itself was short for Saturday morning. So far so good. A couple of friends and I went for the first time together, all based on what I assured them would be an incredible experience given the rave reviews I had read. Please note I've not been allowed to choose the place for breakfast since with this group. The menu was fairly small, a little too pretentious for what it is, and way overpriced. The service was SLOW, and we're not the types to mind spending an hour or so over breakfast. And sorry, but if you're going to charge a ridiculous price for soda, don't bring it to me in a can with a glass of ice. At least let me pretend i'm getting what i'm paying for. Although I may return to try out the bakery portion, i'd be hesitant to give another dining experience a try. EDIT: So we decided to head in and sample some of the baked goods. We tried a pretty good variety of things - the carrot cake, some cookies, and a brownie, and my friend and I were both completely underwhelmed. I really see no reason to go back right now.
(2)
Elly K.
Love this place! I live waaaaay closer to Lutz, but this is my go-to for cakes. Every cake and torte I've tried has been great. I've also had a few cookies, which were tasty as well. I've never had dinner there, but I've been for beakfast, and it was delicious. I really love having Selmarie in the neighborhood.
(4)
Emily C.
It was a yummy surprise with a friend. Bakery was awesome! I had a chocolate pastry - my fav. Brunch menu was kinda small and focused. I picky eater may have a harder time figuring out what to eat. I had the french toast. It was pretty good. Great water service. Would go again.
(4)
Sara O.
What a cute little bakery! And boy is it little! Or maybe it's just not big enough to fit the large crowd that flocks here on the weekends. The last time I tried dropping in on a Sunday afternoon to grab some grub, I was in for a rude awakening. The wait was a solid hour--and no way was I willing to wait an hour on an empty stomach. Instead, I chose to order food to go. I spent the next 15-20 mins drooling over the baked goods they have out in their display counters. I ended up ordering a few tarts and other goodies--they were all FABULOUS. In fact, lunch was pretty fabulous too. I can't imagine getting something here that isn't 100% fabulous. Probably shouldn't try this place on the weekend... but if you're patient enough to wait a while, then go for it! You'll be happy you did.
(4)
Sarah L.
Good place to start your day with breakfast if you plan on taking a long stroll down Lincoln Park. Bakery + cafe- my favorite combination excelled in both its pastries and food. Ordered the vegetarian breakfast sandwich- aka eggs on English muffin, with goat cheese, spinach and red peppers. Very good. Salad on the side was nice but I declined the potatoes- too filling. Also sampled a fig and walnut scone- the scone was solid- almost beast Alice's Tea Cup in NYC. Crystallized sugar was a nice complement to the fig and walnut. Friend had an almond croissant and the granola and yogurt. Buttery croissant, not too sweet, very flaky with a hint of almond paste. They serve Intelligentsia coffee here.
(4)
Alissa B.
Stopped by Cafe Selmarie last weekend for a quick lunch. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a cold brew and a few sammys (turkey and ham). Have to say this was quite an enjoyable little break in our afternoon. I don't find myself if LS too often, I would check this place out again... you should too!
(4)
Tristin M.
i got a pie in a pumpkin (yes! pumpkin pie IN a cute lil pumpkin) and a chai latte. They both tasted like they'd go good together so I stirred in a scoop of pumpkin pie into the chai and it was so frickin' good I couldn't stop saying, "Ohmigod this is so good!" My girlfriend goes to me with a laugh, "Ha! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!" A lil pricey but it's a good thing because I don't need to be eating that much sugar all the time.
(5)
Gwen R.
This place is great--the food is delicious, it is well-located, and the prices are just right. Highly recommend for any meal, time of day, year, etc. Low-key and cool at the same time.
(4)
Sylvia T.
This place is on a cute street in Lincoln Square and was a great place to have an alfresco dinner, especially with the few warm Chicago nights left. My salmon salad was good,and it probably deserves 4 stars, but I have to take a star away for the desserts. We shared the raspberry chocolate tart and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was good, but when is bread pudding not good? The raspberry tart on the other hand leaves much to discuss. The tart dough was dry and stale and the raspberries did not impart much flavor on the dessert. I found myself just eating the fruit and leaving the rest of the tart behind.
(3)
Tracy W.
This is a review for their dinner only. Based on the previous reviews it looks like their coffee and pastry/bakery and possibly brunch might be worth a try but I'm not planning to return any time soon. The dinner food was awful: no taste and WAY overpriced. I was really looking forward to trying this place given their 4/5 star rating with a lot of reviewers. I had the tomoto florentine soup which was blah and the sea scallop special which was tasteless and crunchy like all the sand hadn't been removed. Nothing like sand in my food...yuck! My friend had a different soup and she actually sent hers back. All in all, I will not be going here again, not even to try their bakery goods or brunch. There are just too many better restaurants out there!
(1)
Lillian M.
This review is for the bakery only -- I have not tried their entrees, only desserts and coffee/tea. Came here for after-dinner dessert and I must say that even though I was full, I devoured the banana torte cake even though the slice was huge. Honestly, it was hard to pick what I wanted -- everything looked soooo good. Everyone around the table liked their choices, and it was neat to be able to order your pastry at the front, then have a seat in the dining area while they took your drink order and brought all to you. Waiter was nice, pleasant, and helpful. Luckily, the place was not too crowded, so we had a chance to linger and talk for awhile. Overall, great experience, nice atmosphere, and good sweets!!!
(5)
Gen S.
Disclaimer: I have never been inside Cafe Selmarie and have never eaten their food. So what is this review about? Their chocolate! A co-worker of mine likes to bribe me with chocolates and I fold like a cheap suit every time he brings me a box from Cafe Selmarie. Their truffles are delicious! I like to store them in my mini fridge so they're slightly chilled and firm. They will dissolve into creamy goodness in your mouth with just the right amount of cocoa powder for that sharp chocolate taste. One of these days I will have to actually visit the place, but until then I highly recommend the chocolate.
(5)
Liz S.
I'm torn on this place. The restaurant itself is a bit cold and empty, which doesn't really make you feel comfortable while you're eating. Also, the service is a tad bit slow (at least they were on the day I went, and it's not because they were busy, they just physically moved slow). Now the reason I'm torn is because the food was very yummy. I had the Croque Monsieur and was very pleased. I went with two friends and one of them had the Quiche of the day and ate it all, even though it was piping hot. My other friends had the Quesadillas, which she too enjoyed. I didn't have any of the bakery items, but all look very very tasty. I would definitely go back for either the bakery items or lunch. Just don't be in too much of a rush if you're going to eat here.
(4)
Emma K.
Loved it. I was able to tie up the pup and grab a pastry and coffee quickly one day and the next had an amazing breakfast. Super friendly staff. I heart Lincoln Square.
(5)
Kristin S.
4.5 stars if I could give it. Yes, it's a little expensive, but what nice brunch spots in Chicago aren't these days? The restaurant is small with the bakery at the front. If you've got a big party, be prepared to wait or go early. It's that simple. Both times I've been I've loved it. The food was great, the coffee is delicious and the sticky buns (if you're lucky enough to get there before they sell out) were everything a sticky bun should be. I love that the restaurant has windows that line the entire side of the dining room and backery. It's always sunny and nice, and you can look out onto the square (though with the construction going on up there, I'm not sure what you look out onto anymore). The chilaquiles are yum and so is the ham and cheese croissant I had. I love the interesting, seasonal foods they serve and have to get back soon!
(4)
Darkling S.
The two stars are only for the food, not even for the beverages. They may be considered a French cafe, but of all the wines there are only two French and one is sparkling??? we tried three whites and had to send one back it was so poor. and the food is not French at all. the pastries are well-made and presented. The service - non-existent and incompetent when they were attending our tabel. We had two waitresses (due to a shift change) and one would expect that one of the two would be worth a 10$ tip. Mai non! We waited at least 10 minutes for a glass of iced tea replacing the Pinot Grigio .. we waited 20 minutes for our meal and neither waitress knew how to tilt our umbrella when the sun started to burn one of us .. they didn't even know it was a tilt when it was obvious. my friend finally did it himself! it didn't improve with the dessert course: we were told we must go into the bakery and select our desserts. Of course we took our purses and a camera off the table and letf our beverages and napkins. when we returned 5 minutes later, they had cleared the table and the busboy treated us like new diners! the final faux pas was whn we ordered coffees with cream .. 10 minutes later she brought the coffees and - no cream. 10 minutes later after my friend asked for it, she brought those little creamers u get at a 7/11 and the bill! Very very disappointed in this Lincoln Square restaurant. Needless to say we didn't buy our baked goods for the week from them before we left. We made the trip to Lutz's.
(2)
James J.
Superb, rock solid brunch and cafe. All dishes are carefully crafted and food is very consistent. Menu is simple and not full of mediocre crap to make it look larger. I'm not an Intelligencia fan but what can I say... people love it. The pastries are good. The place is always staffed well to take care of a big Sunday crowd. Friendly and speedy service. This is a classic brunch spot which you don't find much in Chicago.
(5)
Emma S.
Lemme break it down into two reviews with an average of three. Dinner: 2 stars I'll sum it up by saying "mediocre, well-presented, and entirely too expensive food, coupled with a scarce drink selection." Dessert/Bakery: 4 Stars! Holy smokes these folks can make a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. I'm so in to getting desert here. I loves it. For reals.
(3)
carey c.
Cafe Selmarie has the best scone in the city: they have a date walnut scone that they make on the weekends only. Call ahead. Have them save one. The rest of the week they have a whole wheat scone, which is puzzling. At least put some blueberries in that bad boy. The pastries are great, and the food in the restaurant is really good for a special occasion. (It's pricey) The coffee is not great. The staff is hit and miss--mostly good, but sometimes very snobby. I once saw a guy called out by the waitress for asking to be served after he had been waiting. Whoa. For this iffy service, I would have given three stars, however, the date walnut scone is just that good.
(4)
Naomi M.
Sel Marie, what is it about you that always makes me feel shorted? I've eaten from your breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. I've stopped by for a bag of cookies to take home or for a snack break while I shop. Obviously I keep coming back and coming back, always hopeful, and in the end always slightly disappointed. Nothing I've ever had at Sel Marie has been awful. Nothing has been amazing either. It is a dependably ok meal. Sometimes the wait staff is sweet. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes you don't get a bread basket but the table next to you does. And always, without fail, the luscious looking deserts in the case (especially the cakes) are DRY DRY DRY, unless they're soaked in alcohol, like the Tiramisu. But I'll be back. Amnesia? Laziness? Foolish hope? I don't know.
(3)
Sus U.
Salads are awful but the cakes deserve 6 stars. Service is OK!
(3)
Lourdes A.
This proved to be quite the refuge for 3 girls trying to escape the blustery, snowy Chicago cold. They pour a delicious cup of Intelligentsia coffee. Cool points for supporting local coffee roasters. Their quiche - which varies daily - is a creamy slice of heaven! Their soup of the day was lentil with pork but in French. It is tasty in any language. Last but not least their patisserie in the front of the cafe makes the mouth water.The apple galette was pretty but boring; the apple strudel was not so pretty and delectable. Summary: the quiche is the star of this show!
(4)
Jerry B.
Very good breakfast and great service. Hope to eat outside next time. Definitely would return.
(4)
Lisa R.
The one thing that Cafe Selmarie is about is the desserts. You simply cannot come here and not order dessert, or take one out with you when you leave! The food here is good, but it simply doesn't match up to the desserts they have here. The menu here is filled with good old comfort foods but dressed up. When I eat here I always get the macaroni and cheese, and the chopped salad. I will admit I usually only ever went to Cafe Selmarie to grab a raspberry chocolate tart, or whatever looked awesome that day. In the fall they have pumpkin cheesecake which is simply to die for!
(5)
Jennifer M.
I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. It's a great place to go for brunch, lunch or just a little snack. The only thing that's kind of irksome is that it's always crowded but they're stuff is just that good, so there's always a crowd. My faves are the bread pudding, coconut macaroons, and the plum cake that they have during the holiday season.
(5)
Chris J.
I've been a frequenter of Cafe Selmarie since I've lived in the area. Always great food whether you're eating a meal or getting treats. Last night I went and had the chicken almondine special which was out of this world. Impossibly tender chicken, great sauce were at the center of the dish. Some grilled asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes rounded out the outside. As always, I'll be back but now I will take their specials menu a lot more seriously!
(5)
Shelley J.
Everything I've ever tasted at this restaurant since the first time I tried it 2 years ago has been nothing short of spectacular. I could write a long, detailed note waxing on the ways I love this place, but I'll spare you. Brunch and dinner are so good, I'd go there for both in the same day and not feel weird about it. Here's a list of what I think are amazing (read: only things I've tried so far): Cafe au lait Chilaquiles (This is my favorite brunch item on their menu) Smoked turkey and brie sandwich Warm marinated goat cheese Mac & cheese Chicken pot pie (I find it difficult to go there for dinner and not order this) Corned beef hash Beef tenderloin Pork tenderloin Herb roasted chicken Parmesan mashed potatoes And, they have lovely desserts, although I am not the biggest fan of sweets; I cannot go there without getting a piece of their cherry pie. I've never tasted anything so close to heaven (except maybe a poached egg, which abound at a Cafe Selmarie brunch). I would come here every single day if I had the salary to do so! (In fact, the mere writing about this restaurant is making my stomach growl and mouth water for it. Le sigh.) PS: The prices definitely rival any brunch spot in the city AND the most expensive thing on the dinner menu is $20 (the beef tenderloin). That's a pretty excellent deal for this caliber of meal around here.
(5)
Peter M.
I used to come here all the time as a child, but only had pastries and cocoa. Luckily I had breakfast there recently and fell in love. The food tasted and looked great. I applaud the presentation. The restaurant was busy, and service was a little slow but the wait staff was still attentive. Have subsequently made the cafe my go to spot and am secretly addicted to their pastries. So thankful this place is still around. Thank you.
(4)
Yasmeen A.
I'm a pastry snob. This place makes great ones. I usually go pick up a few sinful little confections, sit outside on the patio or by the fountain in the square, and pretend that the three I've chosen are to be shared amongst friends... :) Also a great brunch spot, especially during the warmer months. Goat cheese salad and quiche are highly recommended.
(4)
Michael C.
Easily one of the best brunch places in Lincoln Square. Always enjoyable, always friendly. Just a really solid restaurant and business.
(4)
Fawn J.
I love this cafe, great for breakfast, lunch, or dessert! I've been here a few times, each time with a toddler. The service has been fast and friendly, very kid friendly. The outdoor patio is great for warm weather. The food tastes great, I love the yogurt/granola for breakfast or the salmon salad for lunch. I've never had enough free calories to eat their desserts, but they make my mouth water as soon as I walk through the door. If you haven't been there, you should - my husband and I are heading there tomorrow. YUM!
(4)
Chris B.
Love thoes Beehives! I have grown up in the neighborhood so I have to plug this place. I have always enjoyed the bakery, but the breakfasts are really good too. Since moving out of county, I still get email updates to neato happenings which is a nice reminder that there is more than just traffic in Chicago.
(5)
Patty V.
I was here this morning with fellow Yelper, Alice S. I had not been to this area for some time,but have wanted to try it since they relocated and expanded. I remember when they had a few tables in the bakery and not much besides the bakery. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the growth hadn't hurt them, as far as service and quality go. I had smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with red onion, tomato, capers and cream cheese. It was enormous and I could only finish half of it! The salmon was fresh and of good quality. I am always up for some good smoked salmon and this didn't disappoint! My coffee cup was always full and our server was very efficient and pleasant. Plus, the company was terrific!! Great area to walk around after wards, tons of little shops and stores to browse. I would like to try it for dinner, there were some nice looking wines!
(4)
Heather L.
This is a cozy little place for a mom to sit and read a book for a few hours while the kids are in school. The neighborhood has great boutiquey stores to explore. The staff at this restaurant is friendly and the people watching is great on a midweek afternoon. However, the vegetable panini I had was not the best I've had.
(2)
Olga S.
I'll definitely be back! A friend of mine ordered a quiche without realizing it had some proscuito in it. The waiter brought her a different dish and did not charge for the quiche. Everything I tasted delicious. The service was friendly and quick. Most importantly, I had this tart with chocolate and raspberries that I am still dreaming about. YUMM! A great place for brunch!
(5)
Angela D.
I love Cafe Selmarie!!! Whenever I have to bring food for a party or to someone's house, I always come to Cafe Selmarie and pick up some of their delicious pasteries. Always a big hit because they're so beautifully prepared and always delicious. Sunday brunch is awesome here too.
(5)
Selena L.
Cafe Selmarie... I love you! I don't usually eat meals here but I get a selection of pastries every Saturday; the strawberry roulade, the banana eclair and a piece of torte or cake (we change that one up every week). I spend about $15. It's usually busy but I never wait more than a minute. The portions are on the smaller side but it is handmade with the best ingredients possible. You can taste the love and experience. Whenever we have guests visiting, we bring them into Lincoln Square and force them to buy something. I've only been disappointed once and that is because I asked for raspberry and was given a cherry torte instead, which I don't care for. Other than that I've always had a pleasant pastry experience. The coffee is good too.
(5)
Benjamin B.
I've been here for brunch twice and just went for dinner. Excellent! Very simple flavors with great execution. I had a great roasted chicken with some nice and sweet roasted shallots. My fiance had a great pan fried tilapia (I had a bite). Even with such great entrees, the real story here are the desserts. They knock the socks off all sort of cakes and other sweets. Dinner ends up being a set up for dessert. To top it off, their brunch is fantastic. Inexpensive and great. Give it a try!
(4)
Des D.
This is the place for chocolate overload. Their chocolate mousse torte is to die for! I always get my holiday pastries/cake here and although it is a bit pricey, it is worth it. It doesnt help that I live so close to Selmarie. I have gained so much weight from eating all the cookies/cakes from here. I definitely blame them for my 20 lb weight gain in the past couple of years. You can tell that this place is good because it is always packed! They once made a mistake and made a bigger sized cake than what I ordered so they only charged me for the smaller version that I ordered, which was to my demise because I ate more slices than I should have. I would give this place 5 stars for the pastries but 4 overall. We've also had dinner here and they have very limited items on the menu.
(4)
Candice P.
The best brunch in the city, a little on the pricey side but totally worth it. I don't know what they do to their eggs but they are sooo good. The coffee intelligentsia how can you go wrong...
(5)
Jessica C.
Lovely place. I have fond memories of this place, because I had a wonderful date here once. It did not work out (the person won't even talk to me now), but I still think the world of both the person I had that date with and that night. Thank you Cafe Selmarie for such a terrific memory.
(5)
Ann Y.
I went here with a friend for lunch yesterday after passing it 100 times. I am so bummed I didn't go here sooner. I had a wonderful chicken quesidilla which was just the right amount of spicy. Our server was attentive and kind. The main thing I loved about this place is the desserts though. What a selection, everything ranging from cream cheese brownies to chocolate banana eclaires. They have a great outdoor patio too. I can't wait to return back.
(5)
Andrea G.
Ever since I heard a rumor that Cafe Selmarie may lose their lease (and be replaced with, of all things, a Banana Republic!!!), I've had nightmares. This is one of the best places in Lincoln Square for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert and I will be heartbroken if it closes or even just relocates to a different neighborhood. The food is always fresh and delicious, the service is always prompt and courteous, and the restaurant space itself (both inside and out) is always bright and cheerful. Cafe Selmarie, S'il vous plaît ne pas aller je crierai! Merci.
(4)
Bryan S.
My income primarily goes to three places: mortgage, utility bills, and Cafe Selmarie. At one point, we were dining here at least once a week (sometimes more) and I have never had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious. The outdoor seating is nice -- especially when there is a live band playing in the square -- and the waitstaff is awesome.
(5)
Andy R.
Je dit "mais ouis" let them bake you a big cake or pop in for brunch
(4)
Sara B.
Cafe Selmarie is one of those places that I'd like to like more. I've been for brunch, dinner and desserts, and I don't think I've ever been blown away. Decent? Sure. Worth the price? Maybe not. Went here on a Saturday night for dinner...we were late, and they held the reservation, which was nice. The server was definitely attentive, but the food was mediocre at best. I had the tilapia, and it came out on a giant plate with one piece of broccoli (literally) and maybe three quarters of a roasted new potato. The fish was okay, didn't taste terrible, but it was just fish. We had the goat cheese appetizer first, and again, it was alright. Three small pieces of bread and a little butter sized serving of goat cheese. I'm not expecting a feast, but seriously, that was ridiculous! The carrot cake we had for dessert was dry. :( Unfortunately, I've had many different cakes and pastries from here, and they are almost always dry. Maybe I just have bad luck!
(2)
Alice S.
Just had a really lovely breakfast here this morning! It's good, first of all, to find a place open at 8:00 for us early risers (hello Patty V.). It's even better when you find a parking space on Lincoln Avenue! Patty and I were welcomed warmly, and given just enough time to decide what to have. Our server let us know of the specials, and I chose the scramble, which consists of scrambled eggs with zucchini, summer squash and sun dried tomatoes. It came with a sensibly-sized portion of their yummy potatoes, and a choice of toast (I opted for the multi-grain). The food was quite scrumptious, and I enjoyed every bit of it! Again, the portions were what I consider to be normal; I can't eat a lot at one sitting, so it was great to be able to finish my eggs and not leave any to waste. (I did have to take home 1 1/2 slices of delicious toast, though.) I had a red eye coffee as well, which was exactly strong enough without being bitter. Best coffee I've had in a while, that I didn't brew myself! The service was prompt, polite, and attentive. What more could I ask for? Before leaving, I purchased a chocolate croissant for my very picky daughter. When I brought it home to her, she devoured it immediately and enjoyed it completely. If you're looking for a high quality breakfast, I would definitely send you to Cafe' Selmarie.
(5)
Jeff N.
New biker friend Steve recommended this place after a ride today. Says the Corned Beef Hash is the Best on the Planet. Well, I can't remember a better plate of Corned Beef Hash, so I will allow his critique to stand. Sat outside on a beautiful Sunday. Service was excellent. We closed the deal with the orange-chocolate cake. All in all, an experience that guarantees that I will be back. My wife will love this place!
(5)
Sue S.
I am officially a cookie monster thanks to Cafe Selmarie! I went yesterday and earlier today for a cup of coffee and two of the raspberry heart cookies and Im STILL thinking about it! I want more cookies! I can only imagine what the rest of their food tastes like since Im still drooling over those dang cookies.
(4)
Elizabeth H.
I've been coming to cafe Selmarie since they opened years ago and I've had both great and not-so-good experiences. The wait staff, while generally friendly, is often inattentive. Today, we were greeted by a very crabby host who actually caused a group of 2 mothers with their children to walk out. After waiting quite a while to be noticed in a seemingly not busy restaurant (although on weekends that is never the case), we actually resorted to grabbing our own menus and seating ourselves at the bar. I ordered only a latte (which by the way, I love the coffee selections here... everything is always really great!) and my mother ordered the daily salad. Well, 10 min later we were brought our lattes... 15 min after that a waitress brought my mother the bread for her salad... and 25 min later the salad actually arrived. Now, had this been some crazy concoction... ok... but it was a fist-full of arugula, with figs and vinaigrette. Very fresh and good... but 25 min?? come on! Furthermore, we watched 2 tables that had come in well after us get served their food long before our 25 min mark. I do like their Italian sodas (which you can just duck in and grab on the go) but I have been more than once when they were simply out of syrup and/or soda... so don't get your hoped up on that one. All in all, if you have the time to wait on slow service, the food is actually quite good and they have some yummy pastry selections up front... but if you are in any bind for time, don't expect to get in and out without a little frustration.
(3)
Kimberly S.
I have been to Cafe Selmarie a number of times for brunch or coffee and have always thought of it as a nice, solid place to go. When a friend suggested we go to there for dinner, I was pretty excited. I shouldn't have been. I just don't feel that they have translated their breakfast/lunch spot to dinner quite yet. The dinner menu is very lacking, with only a one or two (couldn't tell) shareable appetizers. While the service over all was fine, the food runner made the rookie mistake of bringing out our entrees mere moments after delivering the appetizer. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, particularly when you are seated at a tiny table where everything just doesn't fit, like we were. It was awkward to eat that way and annoying to watch my entree grow cold. In terms of the food, I ordered the broccoli, white cheddar and onion quiche to which I have to pay props to, although they have been making quiche probably since day one, which is partly why I ordered it. My friend likened her tilapia to a Mrs. Pauls dinner. Overall, there is room for improvements, and I am hoping that they make some.
(3)
Drew S.
I thought this place was very competent in every sense, much like the drum work of don brewer. Service was a little slow for lunch, but not so slow that a meal with my mom wore on interminably. There should be something on the menu everyone can enjoy. Prolly woulda been 3 stars if not for outside seating (when it was warmer out- I'm several month behind in my yelping it seems).
(4)
Sam C.
First impressions are really important, though first impressions are forgiveable, while bad food is not. Cafe Selmarie certainly did not impress me walking up to the place, but I'd walk into a cardboard box for food this good. The front is your small standard looking cafe. Take a walk past the glorious desserts on display to the hostess and be seated in the well lit back room with abundant seating. Now I know what you're thinking, "So it's not a place I can take a date." Excluding the ability to see across the room, which some argue is a good thing, I'd venture to say that the intimacy you seek you'll find. I won't harp on the food, because it'll speak for yourself. (In my case it was the only time I actually shut up.) Oh, and you're committing a crime against nature itself if you don't get dessert. Service is excellent, and the waitstaff is always prepared with a recommendation. That's all I have time for folks. Definitely a place you should go.
(5)
Kathleen C.
I have been meaning to try Cafe Selmarie for months and finally went. Didn't know what time it opened and actually arrived early so we were seated right away. Within 20 minutes of the restaurant opening, it was packed and there was a line. (This will deter me in the future.) The boyfriend and I aren't too fancy when it comes to breakfast. We usually just like eggs and potatoes with some meat. So the menu looked a little too fancy for us. We ended up both getting the breakfast burrito. Neither of us liked it and ate less than 1/2. The waiter didn't seem to care that we hadn't touched our food and handed us our bill. Not a big deal but it would take some convincing to get me to go back. Or maybe I will try lunch as long as I know there won't be a crazy line. (Walked by later at 1pm and there was an hour wait!) Also, if you don't like kids you probably shouldn't live or frequent Lincoln Square. And places like this restaurant are reasons why! Although almost all of the babies and tikes at Selmarie were well-behaved yesterday, there were a lot of them! Didn't make a difference to us but I know some people don't like going to places with kids around.
(2)
Laura N.
This is a fabulous place for lunch. Dinner's great, but I would recommend lunch first. It's less crowded, less expensive, and still great food and service. Outdoor seating is a great option, since the restaurant sits right on Lincoln Square, next to the fountain. Great spot for people watching. Live music is usually right there.
(4)
Miranda D.
Good neighborhood place for brunch on a weekend. The food is good, they make a decent cup of coffee, and the staff is very attentive. Lovely patio seating. But it is absolutely swarming with kids.
(3)
Erin O.
Really, it's more like 4.5 stars. And it only loses .5 stars because the space is tiny and sometimes there's a long wait. Lincoln Square is one of the cutest areas in Chicago, and Cafe Selmarie is one of the cutest restaurants in Lincoln Square. I've been here on numerous occasions, for dinner or dessert with friends. It's the best of both worlds - you don't have to get dressed up, but if you do, you still fit right in. There's a bakery in the front of the store with some of the most delectable desserts I've ever tasted (and I've had my fair share). The tres leches is particularly good. If you want to have dinner, there is a seating area in the back - GREAT spot for a date (small, intimate, dimly lit), but not for large groups. I highly recommend the goat cheese, the quiche and the crab cakes - but everything is really tasty.
(4)
Justin P.
My wife and I have been hear many times and it is consistently good with unbelievable desserts.
(4)
Julie A.
I am originally from Chicago and was back visiting friends who took me there for a terrific lunch. Selmarie's is one of their favorites and I can see why! We each got a chocolate truffle on the way out and it was maybe the best truffle I've ever had. If you're in the area and haven't been there yet you should check it out, it's worth a trip.
(5)
Haley M.
If you're going here for the food, you've got your priorities confused. This place is for desert exclusively. I mean, go ahead and try the rest, but really the desert can't be beat. Tarts, cakes, tortes, cookies, eclaires, I could go on... Try it. It gets crowded, and they're not open SUPER late, but go out of your way if you're down with sweets.
(4)
Lisa W.
Wow, I cannot say enough good things about this place! I went there for lunch with a couple of friends and the service was STELLAR. I also had the best quiche I've ever had (and that's saying a lot!), and my friends both ordered sandwiches with apple slices wedged into pieces of bread. They were really impressed as well. I've told pretty much everyone I know about this place. They should expect me as a customer again! Dammit, I can't stop craving their quiche!
(5)
Rozen O.
I LOVE this place! Their food is pretty good but I love their desserts. My all time favorite is the mixed fruit tart, and their raspberry cookies, yum!!! Their staff is so friendly and patient.
(5)
crystal h.
We have lived nearby for almost 6 months and for some reason hadn't tried Selmarie until this past weekend. We went for breakfast. The first cup of decaf coffee tasted a little old, but we didn't say anything. The waitress actually came out with a fresh cup a few minutes later and said that what she brought out was old. The menu had a good variety - I got the breakfast burrito and my husband got the omelet. It was good food - but for the price I'd go somewhere like Julius Meinl or Crema (which is way cheaper) I think. They did have some interesting mixed coffee drinks, and their sandwiches and everything in the bakery looked great, so I'm thinking we'll be back for a different meal to give this place a second shot.
(3)
Lloyd T.
Welcome to Yuppies 'n Kidz Brunch Hell. Have eaten here twice in recent weeks. About the meal: This week's brunch selection - cherry cornmeal pancakes - was soggy, soaked in a wet syrup. Not horrible but not worth $9 either. My friend had a salad that seemed nice enough. The big problem is the rude, oblivious parents who insist on bringing their strollers here, parking them in the middle of the cramped passage in the front of the restaurant so people can't get to the back, while they juggle their lattes and pumpkin muffins - wtf people, there are other people on the planet that need to use the same space! It's not a place to bring strollers where you have to wait in a cramped, packed area for an hour or more. But if you have to come, be considerate and move the hell out of the way. Then, little kids on either side of us. To the left, perfectly behaved, no complaints at all - kids gotta eat and I don't begrudge parents the need to get out of the house. But to the right of us - three kids, climbing around the table and chairs, coughing on everyone, fiddling with our scarves and coats on the back of our chairs - OK PARENTS LISTEN UP - IF THIS DESCRIBES YOU IN ANY WAY, STAY HOME AND SERVE THE KIDS CHEERIOS. Or stick with McD's or Chuck E Cheeze. Your problem kids should not be inflicted on society in general. Definitely will think twice about going here again, at least until they add an "adults only" dining area and/or larger waiting space.
(1)
rachel p.
so, there's basically always a wait at selmarie (and not a very large area to wait in). the breakfast is good (i recommend the wild mushroom omelet) as is the coffee. and the desserts...oh the desserts. its clear that they put the enormous pastry case in the front (next to where you wait) to keep people from leaving while they're waiting for their table (as they inevitably will be). the patio is great in the summer; it sits directly on the square and has a good amount of seating. prepare to wait even longer for a seat on the patio. basically what i'm getting at here is: DON'T come here if you have a raging hang over and you need some greazy eggs in your system. DO come here if you'd like a lovely brunch with your mother.
(4)
Rod T.
Nice folks. Great espresso. Great location. I'll take it.
(4)
Ellie B.
In addition to everything everyone else has already said, I find the need to reiterate: ***FIVE STAR SERVICE!*** While I did eat dinner here with a Selmarie aficionado (Jen S. would be the go-to girl with all your Selmarie questions), it was nice to have a server who was very knowledgeable about the menu and obviously seemed to think highly of the cuisine herself. Portions are MORE than adequate, perfect for sharing in my opinion. I can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)
Kelly B.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. The staff was so-so, the food was good, and we had reservations so their wasn't a wait. But of the three dishes, we only liked two of them. For the money I feel we should have gone somewhere else. I will come here again for a lunch salad or sandwich, which I've had in the past, but not again for dinner.
(3)
Paige W.
I have been a woman of forgiveness lately. An embracer of second, even third chances. And so, deciding to save a fancier brunch place for better company in the coming weeks, I headed up to Selmarie this morning to offer it one last opportunity to impress me. My wait at 10:30 was only about 15 minutes, which surprised me on such a beautiful late summer weekend. The hostess, who referred to me by name every time she addressed me (big points!), thanked me for waiting and led me to my table outside, overlooking Lincoln Square's Giddings Plaza, the epicenter of my Maclaren-pushing, NPR-listening, LL Bean-wearing neighborhood. My server, Jim, was lovely to behold and gave me plenty of time to peruse the menu before I ordered. By the time he returned with my coffee and mimosa -- with a splash of Triple Sec, garnished with a fresh strawberry -- I was ready to bite the bullet and order my chocolate banana griddle cakes. Jim assured me it was OK to indulge; it was Sunday, after all. Yes, good boy. To put this lightly, my meal made me rethink all my grievances with Selmarie. Thick and perfectly cooked, studded with miniature chocolate chips and topped with perfectly ripe, fresh-sliced bananas. Smothered in hot melted semi-sweet chocolate. Sweet Jesus, those pancakes could have ended a war. I...couldn't stop eating. The clinking of silverware, the sounds of shrieking children playing outside the restaurant's patio faded away. Just me and the pancakes. I caught a couple across the patio looking at me intently for a moment; I smiled and went back to eating. They apologized for intruding and told me they knew exactly what they'd be ordering next time they came -- the happiness on my face was a living advertisement for whatever it was I'd ordered, they said. "It's crrrrrrrazy good!" I replied. And went back to it. Jim checked up on me a few times throughout the meal. He even brought me some extra bananas to garnish what was left of my pancakes. I wanted to take him home with me for spoiling me so. My self control got the best of me, and I stopped with a few bites left. The melted chocolate had congealed over what remained of the pancakes, and I was ready to keel over and die anyway. I lazily finished my coffee and mimosa, basking with my book in a brunchy afterglow and never feeling rushed to give up my table. This is what Sundays are all about.
(4)
Jamie M.
This is a cute little corner cafe. I went with a class for dinner once as well as going for breakfast a few times and stopping for a few sweet treats here and there. I had a pasta dish for my dinner trip which was wonderful and then I fell in love with the Cream cheese brownie. At breakfast I had the pancakes they were very good for being healthy. I have also had the pumpkin bread which was enjoyed by guests and they thought it was the best thing ever And I must agree. I had a slice if the chocolate banana cake and i am hooked for life. This place is so wonderful in every way the food the service and the location.
(5)
Jolene H.
Best quiche I ever had so far. Cruncy crust with mushy insides. Yum. Can't say the same for the service though. I had to wave frantically 3 times to get the attention of my server. In the end I had to order my desert from another server. Not good. And the Sacher Torte was NOT as good as I hoped (its not the soft rich chocolatey kind, more like a crunchy light kind) next time, I might try the Chocolate Orange Decadence. Hopefully it'll live up to its name.
(4)
Jenn B.
Alright, so Cafe Selmarie is a landmark of the neighborhood. A beacon for brunchers. A place to bring your snooty Lincoln Park friends and sit outside on the lovely Square and eat lovely food and show off your Euro neighborhood. Which is fine! Really, I would hate to see this place ever leave the corner! That being said, I think it's a bit overrated. Just a bit. Recently went there for a late lunch (1:45pm) on a cloudy Thursday. It wasn't that busy at all, but the dining room in that place is so loud, it was difficult to hear the conversation! And I'm not old and deaf, by any means. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, not unlike a monte cristo, that was really delicious, but a bit a bland. I added a bit of dijon mustard, which helped, but it really needs like a sweet honey mustard or something. The green salad it came with was delicious. The coffee, Intellegentsia, was fresh and bold. Quite yummy with the dessert - even though that was slightly disappointing, too. The cakes were a bit hard...like the cooler had been turned up just a notch too high. The service was great until the end. Our server dropped the check and then...poof! Disappeared. I mean, we were waiting for 15 min. at least, ccard more than peeking out of the black billfold. I finally just took it up front and had someone in the bakery ring us out. I mean, I get it....when you're slow is when you forget stuff. I can totally relate, fomer server myself. But still! I had an anxious grandmother on my hands! Also, as an aside, I often stop here to grab a little scone or cookie on my way into work and I must say the whole wheat scones are my fave. But stay away from the choc. chip cookies and their counterparts -mine have repeatedly been dry and hard as a rock. So disappointing. But it's still a great spot for a scenic, European-feeling meal, and I'm sure one of these days it will all come together!
(3)
Cheryl M.
Thought I check this place out on my day off on Thursday. I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to get a table to myself outside on their patio. I ordered the tomato bisque soup, not too bad even though I'm not too fond of tomatoes. I ordered a tuna salad sandwich which was quite delicious. The tuna spread had chopped pieces of carrots in it. And it was on whole grain bread. Probably pretty healthy too. Plus, the sandwich included a slice of pineapple and cantaloupe. To top my lunch off, I ordered an iced latte which perked me up. I do have intentions to swing by this place again. Perhaps I'll try to chicken pot pie. This guy ordered it next to me and it looked yummy.
(4)
Zack S.
Came back several months ago and haven't been back since. Food was still phenomenal, but ordered toast and the waitress forgot even after being reminded... 3 TIMES! It's an integral part of an egg breakfast and I desperately needed some to dip into the egg. Tsk Tsk.
(2)
Melissa M.
I have been here twice. The first time was mind-blowingly delightful. I split both the blueberry griddlecakes and ham and cheese croissant with my sister and we couldn't believe how plate lickin good it was. Cut to last week, went with my only Yelp friend Leanne and we both got this brioche french toast with raspberries. It was completely mediocre to me, it wasn't even very warm. And the brunch menu had about 8 options for food, 4 breakfast, 4 lunch. That is weird to me! However, the first experience I had there was so great I am sure to be back. And I still have yet to try the eye-dazzling pastries.
(4)
Rebecca B.
We live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times for a flourless chocolate cake -fix, but never for a meal. To be honest, I've always been wary of trying it for breakfast because of the crowds, but am now willing to give it a try, knowing the food's worth it--at least it was for dinner. We sat on the patio, which was nice since the Lincoln Square Thursday night concert was going on. It added a fun entertainment aspect to the meal. For dinner I had the mixed green salad and a chicken pot pie. The pot pie was really good great comfort food with a puff pastry crust, (the best--so buttery and good!) The Spoucent had a salmon wrap which was also tasty, if a little messy--tons of fish and a zesty sauce. Total bill with 2 glasses of wine + tea was about $38--really reasonable for the whole experience.
(4)
Sarah A.
I go here at least every other Saturday, probably more. My usual is the granola with fruit and yog. I find their dinner options disappointing, but the cafe's charm and deliciousness on Saturday mornings gives it 5 stars. I always take family here when they visit. As long as you're an early bird like me, you won't have to wait at all for a table. Also, the bakery is a great place to grab a pie to take to a friend's house for dinner.
(5)
Matthew R.
Selmarie is a great spot in the middle of Lincoln Square. Its a very popular spot for brunch on the weekends so beware of long lines - the wait can easily reach an hour. During the warmer months, they have a great outdoor seating area which is one of the best al fresco dining spots in Chicago since its on a nice courtyard meaning that there are no idling cars right next to your table. The breakfast food is great -excellent egg benedicts and great quiches. The service is always very good - attentive and quick. Lunch and dinner during the week are also very good - a mix of salads, sandwices and soups during lunch and various entrees for dinner. They also feature a bakery with some great cakes, pastries, and cookies. An excellent spot for any meal any time of day.
(5)
Jillian D.
this review is based on the bakery alone. the croissants are, in a word, perfection. delicate, flaky and buttery. you don't even need to bother with jam. they are delicious on their own. i was hoping the brioche would live up to the high standards of the croissant, but it wasn't my favorite. i'm still searching for the perfect chicago bakery brioche... selmarie occupies a beautiful space, right on the square. their patio is a peaceful refuge. rise with the sun, rub the sleep out of your eyes, stroll over to selmarie and settle down with a cup of coffee (they serve intelligentsia! woohoo!), a croissant and the sunday paper. suddenly, you're whisked miles away. delightful.
(4)
k m.
My daughter loves the bakery! The sugar cookies are her favorite.
(5)
Furry P.
Had dinner here on 1/2 price wine bottle Wednesdays. The food was wonderful, and with the wine deal.. whole meal came to $50 total for 2.. great bargain! My only complaint is the service was a bit overtaxed but otherwise great experience. The wild mushroom ravioli was superb.
(4)
starli h.
so, my mom visits often and creates an agenda for each day she is here, which usually includes eating, thrifting, shopping and sightseeing. totally fun with mom, so this weekend we visited cafe selmarie which has been on her list forevvvver. not sure why i haven't been there sooner, or haven't spent more time in lincoln square in general, at least with my mom - she loved the walk and shops. the cafe was like the visit: cute, fun to look around and i wouldn't mind going back. we only tried a few things in the bakery; we weren't hungry and nothing really caught my attention in the restaurant. we made the trip to get cake, anyways. my mom heard somewhere that the sacher torte was theee best. it was the sacher torte, an orange-chocolate torte and she got something that looked like a raspberry linzer cookie. well, the sacher torte was kind of boring and dry, but wet. like watery, but dry. weird. i'd get it again for comedic value: mom (yelling): what's this crunchy stuff? it's kind of dry. me: it's the ganache on top. mom (yelling): oh. it's ok. but it's crunchy! me: it's the ganache on top! mom (yelling): it's dry! and crunchy. me (yelling): it's the chocolate ganache! repeat x3 the torte i had was great, like really great because it's my kind of chocolate. it was a flourless variety - perfect and moist and dense and i had to drink a lot of water with it. it was dusted with cocoa on top which made me happy, but then, i can eat chocolate with no sugar. i hope someday to get it intravenously. so, the torte was perfect and there was the right amount of orange flavoring. i loved it. my mom was happier with the linzer-looking cookie. so much so that after the cake episode she wanted to go back and try other goods more her style, like the german chocolate cake. hopefully there's no ganache in it. it'll be fun to go back, we had a great time walking around and the location is pretty cool - next to a square with a lot of outdoor seating.
(3)
Maria S.
The pastries, the croissants, the linzertorte -- it's all so good, it almost seems a shame to have anything else here. The sunny Lincoln Square space looks out onto a street with plenty of foot traffic for good people-watching on weekends, too. Cafe Selmarie has European-style baked goods, and the line here for weekend breakfast and brunch is, as you'd expect, outrageous. But their selection of salads (greens with goat cheese, chopped salad, usw.), sandwiches (roasted portabella, smoked turkey and brie, croque monsieur, etc.) and pizzas are just as good. It's a dilemma. Most items, even for dinner, are under $10, and they have beer & wine. I love it most as a place to go with a friend for a nice wedge of cake, served with a cup of their good coffee. It's bustling here, but you can have a conversation without having to shout, too.
(4)
Cat B.
This place is so good...can't believe I haven't eaten here since I started yelping! Ate here for lunch today and it was wonderful. The veggies are always fresh and the atmosphere is beautiful. The space is very bright and the art accents the paint well. We did comment, as we were leaving, that it was almost a crime to leave without having something sweet. The Halloween cookies and cakes looked delicious. But we were so full from lunch. My friend Jim had the Mahi-Mahi wrap, which he said was very delicious. Definitely a reliable spot. Highly recommended.
(5)
Rebecca Huicha K.
cute area! i love the quaintness of the alley/street! went here for dessert even tho we were pretty full from dinner. i wanted to try EVERYTHING in the shop even tho my belly was about to burst. the service here is IMPECCABLE! the guy manning the bakery area was sooo friendly and nice. it was our first time there and so we had a few questions, he answered them thoroughly even tho there were other people waiting behind us. we ended up getting the raspberry chocolate tart which was great. the contrast of the sweet tart, dark chocolate and burst of fresh raspberries was delish! i noticed the prix fixe menu on thursday for ONLY $20. the menu looked pretty good too and you can pick your dessert from the bakery. My bf did notice a funny thing on their breakfast menu. they have an omelet on the menu...the price is market price tho! market price for an omelet? hmmm... I'm definitely going back for the prix fixe and for breakfast/brunch sometime soon!
(4)
Kate M.
I enjoy Cafe Selmarie on a regular basis, since it's so close to where I live. Food is terrific, Ambience is also great, and eating outside in the warmer months makes for a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, Also FIVE stars for their baked goods and tarts! Delicious. I often stop by on Friday and pick up a tart just so I can enjoy it at home when I get up on Saturday morning. One strike against it is the noise factor. It can be like an echo chamber for shrieking children. They do serve children, so I guess in that sense it is "good for kids," But when kids are there, it isn't good for the rest of us! Wish they would invest in some noise deadening technology. Aside from that, though, it's terrific.
(4)
Laura S.
Totally overrated. I live two blocks away but will drive to Lincolnwood for Rolf's (where the owner was trained and worked for many years). When you walk in the staff seem annoyed that you are there. I've had some OK things. There are just so many other places to choose from. I only go for convenience if I have to pick up a dessert at the last minute. I find the cakes to be dry or old. They have an assembly line taste as if they are mass made or defrosted. Don't get me started on the non-present parenting... people it's not a playground! Kids can EASILY be taught to sit at a table. TRUST ME! I guess you could try it if your hanging out in The Square. Meh!
(2)
Matt P.
This is a really good choice for a weekend brunch, lunch or dessert after catching a movie at the nearby Davis Theater. The good-sized sidewalk patio area adjoins a plaza with a fountain that drowns out the noisy city. I'll be back here again this summer to enjoy the patio and some dessert!
(4)
Jen M.
Cafe Selmarie is a delightful cafe / restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Square. I've been there around ten times, sometimes just to share dessert with a friend and other times to indulge in a delicious, yet slightly overpriced entree. I had a scrumptious experience there last week in which I tried their portobella mushroom ravioli for the first time. It was incredible. The waiter also steered my friend and me away from ordering two glasses of wine and encouraged us to order a 1/2 price bottle (on Wednesdays). Much better value! Do not pass up the dessert! I adore the raspberry / chocolate torte. Yum!!
(4)
John K.
I've been to this restaurant a few times for brunch, and the hash is wonderful and the poached eggs were perfect. The service was usually fair, a little slow but not bad. Unfortunately that's where my compliments stop. One of the times the hash was cold. I feel like they barely cooked it. Either that or it was sitting there for a while. A week ago or so I went in for dinner. The menu was so boring. There was only a few appetizer options, none of which were appealing. I ended up getting a side salad which was ok, the dressing wasn't very flavorful but it was ok. Then I got a pasta dish, which again was ok, not great, but way over priced. My girlfriend got a steak, and that was good, but let's face it. A well cooked steak is always good. Then we had dessert. The coffee was great. The dessert... Not so great. The raspberry torte was dry. Then the cookies my girlfriend got were stale. My opinion, go for brunch, but there's better places in the square for dinner.
(2)
Moe f.
Great place for brunch hence the weekend crowds. Always lots of seasonal specials. Haven't tried dinner here yet. And fantastic pastries. And my wife's friends threw her baby shower here and they had a great time.
(4)
Tanya M.
OH. MY. GAWD. The best lamb i've ever had. well tied for first at least. So I got a friend to hit up their 3 course prixe fix menu with me last night and it was amazing. seriously. fucking awesome. they give you a choice of soup or salad, and the main course was between a shrimp and scallop alfredo or a lamb shank and i am so so so glad that i got the lamb shank. ok, first off we both had the soup which was a fish chowder and it was great. i didn't think i would like it but i slurped up every last bit of it. and the lamb shank, i didn't know what a shank was. i assumed it be slices of lamb but instead a plate with a huge turkey leg lookin thing on it was placed in front of me and i was blown away. the meat was falling off the bone, so incredibly delicious. the mashed potatoes were great and it was the first time i had brussel sprouts and they were very good, not too hard, and not too soft. i was soo full but still had dessert comin too me. and the dessert for the prixe fix they let you choose from the bakery up front which i think is great. i had the raspberry tart and my friend had the banana torte i think, both were awesome. i brought home a cupcake for my boyfriend and he said it was delicious. our waiter was also very nice and friendly. the total for 2 prixe fix dinners at $20 easch, 2 beers $4 each, a glass of wine $8 and 2 coffees $?(intellegentsia) =$63 not bad at all. i expected the place to be packed for a $20 prixe fix menu night but it wasn't at all. the area its in is super cute as well. it has a bunch of cute shops that of course were not open at 6:30 at night, 2 german-esque bars and a cool lookin book shop. the parking on that block, and probably the surrounding area, is meter parking. its also right by the western stop on the brown line. i will definitely be back for more. and more and more. oh and the bakery in front has a ton of delicious looking baked goods. even some pastries that i normally only see at swedish/danish bakeries. good stuff.
(5)
Jessica B.
"Meh. I've experienced better." Is absolutely the right way to say it. However, i wish i could rate the bakery and the restaurant separately... The bakery was DELICIOUS! When we got there around 1 for brunch, we were told around 20 minutes. 20 minutes came and went so i went up to the host stand to ask about our table. I could see into the restaurant and there were plenty of open tables! The hostess was also rude, and told me it would be another 15 minutes. While we waited for our table, we hit up the sweet bakery. I got a chocolate croissant and my bf got some raspberry cookies with a coffee. I've searched high and low for a close replica of the chocolate croissants i got while in Germany, and i had yet to find one to even come close to being as delicious as they were. But this one was awesome! It wasn't as good as the ones in DE, but it was close enough. The Bakery is AMAZING. The cakes, cookies, and pastries all looked delicious for a carb lover like myself.... I was overwhelmed with choices! Eventually, we were seated outside and waited a couple minutes for someone to even come to our table. We were already ready to order when our server finally came to the table and she seemed annoyed that we were ready so quickly. But with over a half-an-hour wait, what would you expect? I ordered the Egg Sandwich on a Croissant without the vegetables and an English muffin. A minute or two later she comes back and tells me they're all out of the egg sandwich. I looked at her like WTH? I asked what exactly were they out of, eggs? Croissants?(Which i know they weren't, because i saw some in the bakery....) Cheese?! She said she didn't know, and would be right back. How can you know you're out of something and not know what it is? She comes back and tells me they're out of the vegetables that go on the sandwich. I politely remind her that i asked for no vegetables on my sandwich. So she tells me that it wont be a problem. After that, i was just seriously annoyed. The food was good, nothing too special. Eggs were fluffy, and my bf liked his corned beef. His egg was a little weird, but other than that i only have 1 other complaint: no grape jelly. What is with all these places that have NO grape jelly?!?!?!?!?! Isn't grape jelly the standard?! I understand having strawberry, but blackberry instead of grape?! Seriously, breakfast/brunch restaurants, GET SOME GRAPE JELLY! Its a GRAPE idea! Ok, that was cheesy. All in all, i wont be back unless I'm in the area and I am seriously craving some awesome pastries.
(2)
Norbert W.
actually 2.5 stars. more to the "newbie" crowd that maybe spent a semester abroad their junior year ... they might like it. back, say 10 years ago before lincoln square was THE place to live, it was fun walking home through the square and watching the homeless guys heckle the selmarie faithful. it's decent. okay. maybe overpriced. the clientelle is over the top. fawning "euro wanna bes" pining on and on about Europe from their six weeks there in college. but beware of the "the food was wonderful. reminded me of being in a General Foods international coffee ad" review. chances are, it's blinded bullshit. (if you know the onion - check out the point counter point, "european men are so romantic/american girls are so easy" - that type)
(2)
Krisi I.
I am not sure if I like Cafe Selmarie as much as it is cranked up to be. I go here for breakfast on the weekends with friends and for lunch as well. Most of the time, the food is great and filling but other times it is not. And I usually order the same thing because the menu is not that extensive. I feel like they change their cooks every time I go. Although, I am not satisfied sometimes, there is one particular waiter that is so attentive, nice, and polite and for some reason my meal does not taste the same unless I order from him. The desserts are delicious though. I love their butter cookies, cheese cakes, and their little chocolate cookies. Along with their coffee, they taste great when I have a sweet tooth. :) I think Selmarie is good, but I wouldn't believe all the hype that it gets from people, I think that there are better places in Lincoln Square that do not get enough recognition.
(3)
Foodiegirl F.
There are two words that rarely elicit much of a response in me when uttered together... breakfast burrito. But at Cafe Selmarie, the thought of these two words make my mouth water. Fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs, guacamole and white cheddar cheese, served with some of the best and fresh-tasting salsa I've had, well...it's just darn good! The smoked salmon scramble is equally tasty, with fresh dill and scallions. I don't care for sweets, so can't speak to the desserts, but my chocolate-loving 7 year old nephew took one bite of his chocolate cookie and threw it away. That spoke volumes to me. Stick with savory and you'll be good. The mac and cheese with leeks is super yummy, as is the chicken pot pie!
(4)
John S.
food is great, service is excellent, but they need to spray the place with Raid for Children. That or teach all the parents that bring their screaming, running, annoying mini-beasts that not all of us think they are cute when they make that big thumping sound with the high chair, it is just annoying.
(4)
Andy S.
Cafe Selmarie is a pretty great restaurant. The desserts behind the front counter look outstanding, all of the food is prepared well and delicious, and supposedly the coffees and tea are good. On paper, this place is a great restaurant. After going here though and having to deal with an infestation of little kids, I wanted to go straight to Walgreens to buy condoms so that I never have to worry about reproduction. It's the epitome of Lincoln Square, a place that looks like a lot of fun, but once you live there for a while you want to jump ship and move to a more adult-oriented part of town.
(3)
Brian T.
Wow. They provide that update-your-water-glass-after-every-sip sort off service that is usually reserved for the very frou-frou restaurants. The atmosphere is wonderful. Huge picture windows, big dining area, quaint bakery/barrista area, etc. My spinach quiche was incredible. Coffee was fresh. I was lucky to have a dining partner with a small appetite. Her spinach/feta omelette was equally incredible. Two thumbs up. Way up.
(5)
Melanie B.
a coworker of mine brought me to selmarie the other day. i have been by it before but always thought it was just a bakery with some seating. they actually have a very nice dinner selection and i enjoyed my experience there. we sat out on the patio, which was really nice because the weather was basically perfect. the service was a bit slow and kind of awkward (more on that in a min), but i ordered the ahi tuna with mango salsa (a special) and she ordered the tilapia. both meals were very good, very tasty and nice (not humongous, yay) portions. also, the bakery items looked amazing. however, the service was weird. it was slow to begin with, but the waiter actually tried to get us to just give him money without showing us the bill. so weird. but when he finally brought it (it took a long time) everything was okay. it wasn't very busy, btw, so i don't know why it took so long. anyway, i would go back here for dinner, and i'd really like try some of their amazing-looking pastries. i just hope next time the service is more on top of things.
(3)
ashley w.
Every time I pick up a dessert from Cafe Selmarie, I'm left feeling sort of used. The prices are very reasonable, but the quality of the food is just eh. At first I thought it was just one item that was "eh", but after taste testing at least a half dozen items, I can say that this place is overall just "eh". Good service but I'm always left expecting more.
(3)
Amanda R.
I like bacon. Cafe Selmarie has some of my favorite bacon in the city. I like Cafe Selmarie.
(4)
Doris D.
This place just begs you to come in. It is so cute!! Their cappuccino is delicious, and so much better than the usual crap I get at Starbucks for much more. The pastries are delicious and always fresh, escpecially their biscottis! Service is a little slow though but overall it's a great place in adorable Lincoln Square.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Carina M.
Very good breakfast! Super kid menu options as well. We were seated right away and waitress was very sweet talking to our 1 year old. Ordered simple omlettes, but very tasty!
(5)Amanda W.
We were really looking forward to trying the food here with all of the wonderful pictures and positive reviews, but were so put off from the service we received today, decided to leave instead. Basically, we went in during the early afternoon on a Saturday and put our name on the waiting list to be seated; we were told it shouldn't be too long. While waiting in line I sat on an available stool off to the side to be more comfortable. Several minutes later the host came over and somewhat loudly announced that another woman wanted to sit there and dine; the implication was that I shouldn't be sitting there and needed to move. He also pointed out that she had a cane. While I appreciate him trying to accommodate another patron, I would have appreciated being asked nicely and candidly to move instead of being told and embarrassed in front of other people in the process. Furthermore, I used the stool while I waited to accommodate my own disability, one that may not necessitate a cane and be completely obvious to someone who doesn't know me, but that deserves just as much consideration as the other patron. Anyway, it happened pretty quickly and I am sure their host gave it no mind, but it left us feeling pretty crumby and we left. I have no patience for businesses who are insensitive and impolite to *all* of their patron's needs.
(1)Kevin P.
Nice place for Sunday brunch... but my goodness is it crowded. It was an hour wait to be seated, so keep that in mind if you are going on a Sunday morning. It was overall a nice restaurant and our waiter, Christopher, was nice. The food was good. It really was a nice place to eat and meet with friends, but just the wait felt too long.
(4)Jennifer S.
We go here for special Sunday brunches. The menu is always changing and features high quality and local ingredients. We love the breakfast burritos and the corned beef hash. The bakery is authentically French, and the cocoa and mocha's are home made. There is usually a wait, but it is worth it. You can order coffee and a snack up front while you wait.
(4)Shradha A.
Back here recently to kill an hour before meeting friends for dinner. Really liked the lavender latte & our pie!
(4)Leigh Ann T.
The food is good. However I have always felt the desserts are never as tasty as they look!
(3)Erica E.
Stopped by with mom for a small treat, and oh my goodness, FELL IN LOVE! We got a piece of the apple pie and one of the pineapple coconut pie, DELICIOUS!!
(5)Mar B.
Go for the bakery but not for the sit down cafe. The service always seems to be under staffed and stressed. Our server was in a hurry while we were ordering..but okay. Then when we were finished and wanted another cup of coffee we could not find him for 10mins. By the time we found him we just asked for our checks. Took another 5mins for us to get that. With that being said, the baked good in the front of the cafe are delicious. Just make sure to grab them to go.
(3)Melissa A.
Great brunch, lunch and pastries paired with a charming atmosphere. Their outdoor patio is delightful and overlooks Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square. I've been here four times in the last several weeks and was pleased each time! Loved the German chocolate cake and vanilla cheesecake with berries.
(5)Steve A.
Cafe Selmarie is an interesting amalgam of pastry shop, coffee shop, and restaurant. When you enter it looks like it's just a pastry shop with a few small tables for enjoying your purchase or sipping a cup of coffee. But proceed to the rear, and there is a fair-sized restaurant. The menu offers American, French, Italian, and (at least the night we visited) German food, plus other eclectic international cuisines. We shared the Brussels sprout salad, which was good, a special leek and bacon flatbread that was phenomenal (gooey topping, crisp crust), and a special German sausage plate that was also tasty. For dessert we selected a couple of pastries from the case out front. There's a small wine list with many selections available by the glass. Service was friendly and professional. The place is kid friendly, and there were quite a few families dining the Friday night we went. An adjacent open area provides outside dining when the weather is nice, and place for the kids to run around. If you've not been to Lincoln Square, it's definitely a cute neighborhood to check out.
(4)Romana Y.
Great spot for breakfast with outdoor seating. Salmon Egg Benedict: 4.5 BLT: 4 Lox and Chicken sausage omelete: 4.5 Intelligentsia (house blend roast): 3 Lemon Bars: 4 Service is good, but needs improvement. There is usually a 45minute wait for weekend brunch. The crowd is affable and lively.
(4)Rosa J.
I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning, and what would be a remedy? A place that serves vegetarian-friendly brunch to boost up my blood-sugar level so that I could make it to work this afternoon. Daddy J., Mama J., and Rosa J. participated in the brunch date at Cafe Selmarie, "inside" of the commercial strip on the Lincoln Ave. A portion of the Cafe Selmarie resembled a regular, express-version of coffee shop. However, a server would take you to your seat if choosing to dine in. I personally went with something that would be comforting: vegetarian chili. Initially, I was slightly intimidated by the heavy layer of cheddar cheese. After I had a few bites, I realized that veggie chili was quite light. The bread that came with was also hearty and delicious. My energy-level was immediately restored upon finishing my vegetarian chili. Daddy's turkey & cheddar sandwich and mama's berry cheesecake were seemingly well-crafted. They were satisfied with the qualities of the food, yet they expressed a minor compliant on the speed of service. Unfortunately, I was under the time crunch since I had to make it to work by a certain time. I'm normally an individual who dislikes "schedules" when it comes to munching. Overall, Cafe Selmarie has met the expactation of being a healthy, relaxing, and family-friendly breakfast/brunch/dinner place. The prices were fair in comparison to similar competitors around town ($20.48 for a party of 3). I will definitely tell my vegetarian husband about this lovely joint.
(4)Renaud S.
Was there for a brunch last Sunday. The terrace was full and they had a long waiting list - as we could expect for a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, so I just took some food to go. Their pastry is so delicious! I remember having a banana chocolate eclair, a chocolate croissant and some raspberry chocolate tart. Huge portions and everything is so tasty!! I also heard their flourless chocolate cake is worth trying, but I didn't had enough appetite... next time!
(4)William N.
This place stole my heart.. Upon walking in I thought it was just a nice cute little bakery with the normal cake and pastries. But little did i know upon looking around I saw one of the most unimaginable desserts i could even fathom in my mind til i saw it that combined 2 of my all time favorite desserts together. Which was a OREO CHEESECAKE!!! I always love cookie and cream shakes and cheesecake as there own dessert, but putting them together ugh..-DROOLING- I was with another friend the also enjoys cookie n creme just as much but there suggestion was that it would be better if the crust was oreo. On my note i believe it was amazing as it is. Continuing on aside from the oreo cheesecake i ate breakfast there. It was pleasent we sat outside on a beautiful morning where it had a nice breeze and the sun was height enough to provide some warmth. Over seeing the people walking about with there families and the water fountain brought a family welcoming vibe to the place such as a park. Ordering food got a bit confusing because we were looking at there menu, but it was different from the sit down menu so that happened. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict. I'm a big salmon fan getting it for breakfast was a no brain-er. the salmon was smoked to cook the begal used as the base gave it the crispy texture, the grilled asparagus added to the smokey taste, and the egg on top when cut through with the drizzling yolk gave it moisture and was the final flavor when combine with everything made it all perfect for a healthy breakfast in the morning waking all my taste buds.
(5)Ivana S.
I've stopped into their bakery part more often than I can remember, whether it was because I desperately needed coffee (their iced coffee will wake you right up) or because they have a great selection of delicious deserts. I recommend the iced coffee for wake up purposes but I truly don't have a recommendation for the sweets, everything I've had from this place was delicious, so just go with what you're in the mood for once you get inside (this strategy doesn't fail at selmaries). I remember having lunch there once, but it was a while back and I can't say that it was a memorable one. However, I just glanced at their brunch menu and it looks amazing. I'll definitely have to stop by there for brunch in the near future.
(5)Angela P.
I used to think brunch was a really lame concept. But these past few brunches with my girlfriends have me in love and ready to pounce on the next brunch invitation that comes my way. The Saturday brunch on the patio at Cafe Selmarie was a relaxing (and delicious!) experience. They don't take reservations, but it was only about a 20 minute wait in the late morning. The view on the patio is of lovely Lincoln Square, with a fountain, lots of shady trees, and families gathering in the park. I dove into my White Russian Iced Coffee, topped with real whipped cream. The Bourbon Cherry French Toast was dripping with mascarpone cheese and cherries soaked in booze. Deciding between sweet and savory is a tough choice, but I did not regret this one! My friend's smoked salmon breakfast looked like a good, savory competitor. On my way out I bought a Blood Orange Italian soda to-go. Any cafe that has both blood orange and lavender syrups available has my heart. Even if I don't make it to Selmarie for brunch again, I will definitely stop in for a latte or Italian soda, and some of their baked goods, next time I'm in Lincoln Square.
(5)Aimee M.
Cafe Selmarie was the choice for our Brunchy Brunch meet up for May. I've seen how packed Lincoln Square is on Saturday mornings and I was a little worried that we'd have to wait a long time for a table. CS won't seat incomplete parties either. But once all three of us arrived, the wait for an outside table was minimal. Al Fresco dining is always what I prefer, but do know that dining on their patio here you'll pretty much be front seat to all the little kids running around in the square. Well, I'm here sans kid, with some great friends and CS's delicious iced White Russian coffee in hand and all that activity is quickly forgotten. Thank you Osi V for opening with the cinnamon roll--it was definitely big enough for the 3 of us to get a good taste. It was a great opener--subtle cinnamon flavor and delicious icing. For my main, I opted for the smoked salmon breakfast--cold-smoked atlantic salmon, thinly sliced, with scrambled eggs, capers, red onion and a toasted english muffin and a side of cream cheese. I subbed the potatoes for fruit and received fresh pineapple and orange slices. The smoked salmon was of excellent quality and very tasty. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and well made. It was all very very good. Service was friendly, although our server seemed a bit harried--I wonder if she had too many tables to take care of. Before we left, I bought some oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip walnut cookies from their bakery to take home. These cookies are exactly the way I like--more crispy than soft/chewy. Perfect with a glass of ice cold milk.
(4)atrack b.
It's easy to become jaded by brunch. There are so many places, and most are decent, that it becomes rote. Cafe Selmarie is the first place in a long time that made my friend and I stare at each other in perfect contentment with what we'd ordered. We had the cinnamon roll griddlecakes with bacon sprinkled on top, delicious. We also had the smoked salmon club, delicious! I didn't have any take out pastries, but I will definitely be back.
(5)Lindsey L.
The only reason that they lose a star is for not having a plain chocolate chip cookie. I drove 12 mins out of my way by recommendation that the Cafe had great desserts. They were good but I wouldn't go that far out of my way for them again.
(4)Mathieu B.
I am a big lover of Cafe Selmarie and have been coming here for the past two years. The food has never disappointed and is always good. My only hiccup is the ever-changing management and wait staff. It seems that overtime that I come here, which is usually for lunch and/or dinner, there are a couple new staff members. Some of which can be overbearing and brusque. So, my advice to the Selmarie management, please dedicate a bit more time to training your staff! Regardless, this cafe is situated in the best spot in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. A wonderful place to walk through on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with friends and do some shopping. With that being said, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves good food and delicious pastries.
(4)Hogan K.
Delicious as always!! Perfect place for evening dessert, breakfast, brunch, dinner - they have it all. Awesome staff and service. Had a croissant breakfast sandwich with potatoes and salad and it was a great start to the day
(5)Linda A.
I've been coming here for probably 25 years. I used to live right around the corner but since leaving Chicago, I still make a point of visiting while in town. The food is great, the pastries outstanding, one problem is the acoustics. If you want to enjoy the company of your friends without having to yell to be heard, don't go here. Even the waiter commented how loud it is. He couldn't hear us order at one point. There was only one thing ordered at the table that I thought was overcooked, burnt actually. The "roasted" Brussel sprouts. They were burnt black but the waiter said that's how they're made. If you like burnt food, you'll love them. If it weren't for the acoustics I'd be giving 5 stars.
(4)Kate W.
Had a great lunch here with my husband after a fun afternoon in Lincoln Square (provenance, the general shop, laurie's planet of sound, etc.). Perfect spot for an affordable, quick, and delicious lunch. I had the lentil soup (good, and the bread it came with was amazing), and the brussels salad, which was very, very tasty. The togarashi puffed rice that comes in the salad it really, really good. The dressing was great. My husband had the BLT, which came with slaw, chips, and a pickle. The pickle was fine, and the slaw and chips were good, he says. I stole a chip and it tasted salty, but maybe that's just me. He also seemed to really enjoy his sandwich. We did not indulge in lunch dessert, but the pastries in the counter looked amazing. Maybe we will be back someday to pick up dessert after picking up bread at Baker Miller . . . Recommended.
(4)Laura N.
Haven't had a bad meal here and the service is always been really solid. It does tend to get really crowded on weekends for brunch and I can never quite understand their hours (they are different every day ) better to check before you go. As for the pastries - the cookies and the tarts are right on . the cake, however, is so incredibly dry and definitely not worth the calories.
(4)ray g.
Just not a good place. Service was bad server forgot part of order and knives which finally a bus boy brought these items. Thank god for Busboys there as they do redeem the server staff failures especially giving needed utinsels, But only after food got cold!! For a place that is about 30 to 50 per person you could do better for alot less and get better service at a gray spoon Fyi. Manager didn't care when talked with! !
(1)Heather D.
Aww shucks I'm going to miss Cafe Selmarie! Always a good experience though be prepared - their service is usually a bit slow on the uptake. Final Verdict: Best dish hands down: Their chilaquiles. Order it. YOU MUST!
(5)Dennis S.
Fabulous for breakfast. I had chilacuiles with great flavors of corn, egg, spice, chorizo, plus guacamole and sour cream on top. My wife had their quiche, of which my sample was very tasty. There was a bit of a wait, which allowed us time to browse all the great bakery choices up front. Once seated we had great service. It's a comfortable setting, clearly well-used by the neighborhood. So good we went back again a week later.
(5)Jamie B.
This is another winning gem of Chicago I was able to dine at this weekend and cannot wait to return! We didn't sample any of the bakery items up front on this visit but I plan on purchasing a cheesecake from here in the near future for a party. Everything looks absolutely divine! We had lunch- the roast beef and turkey sandwiches with a cup of the tomato bisque and a cup of the veggie chili. Our meals were excellent and the service was prompt. We were in a hurry so getting in and out can be done here, or if you prefer not to rush it doesn't look like they will rush you either. Lincoln Square is so adorable and I'm glad we found this place- makes the trip up to this neighborhood a real treat in addition to some of the shopping on the block. This will be a must stop on future visits- can't wait to bring out-of-towners here, I know they'll just love it.
(5)Nicole S.
My husband and I came here one evening a few months ago for dessert and coffee. The weather was beautiful, so we were able to sit on a patio and enjoy our treats. I returned today with a friend for brunch and was very disappointed in the food. I ordered the pesto scramble and chicken sausage. The potatoes were plain, the sausage was tough and the eggs were overcooked. I was unimpressed, as was my friend with her omelet. I will not return for meals, but will continue to visit for their extensive pastry case, coffee, and pleasant service.
(3)Philip K.
Went there for Saturday brunch and had the smoked salmon club, as well as the brisket melt .. Two delicious sandwiches, perfect amount for lunch and fair prices! Everyone was also very nice and friendly! We would definitely come again
(5)XTreats X.
Great attitude here. Staff was really nice, despite how busy it was. Lox and chicken sausage was great. All the baked goods looked good too. Nothing extremely special besides the great staff and atmosphere. Don't get me wrong. The food is definitely worth it.
(4)Jexenia G.
I guess the reviews made me really want to try the place so I'll just breakdown the pros and cons:) Pros- very nice location, love that you have a bakery in front where you can have coffee and even a pastry while you wait to be seated. I was told a 20 minute wait on a Saturday early afternoon for brunch...not bad. We did only wait about 20 mins. We got outside seating on a beautiful fall day! The coffee and almond biscotti was DELICIOUS! Cons- I didn't know who was my waiter, I don't even think they even knew who was suppose to serve our table! It took forever to get service and barely was given attention. I ordered the corned beef hash....was not impressed, I ate half of it. My boyfriend had the roastbeef sandwich and he didn't complain, but he was also not impressed. I think the service turned me off the most:/ And finally only after I got my hot plate did they tell me there were no more croissants....how disappointing:( Overall the bakery is nice, service was quick at the bakery. However once seated don't think you'll get that much attention:/ the food was average. That's why it got three stars, because the food was mediocre and the service was not attentive enough. I may comeback for coffee and pastries but not sure if I'd come back for brunch again.
(3)Lauren C.
I would like to yelp about the "Manager" of "Selmarie". "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" has tasted pleasantly mild according to long familiar, established recipe at i"Selmarie." Last Thursday, the "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" had a strong, spicy taste, familiar with flavoring in Mexico. Speaking to the manager, I asked why the soup, in Cafe Selmarie which has been serving bakeries familiar with Central European Recipes, is changing Tomatoe Bisque soup to Mexican type flavoring. I was told that calling the flavor Mexican, would be an insult to the cook from Mexico. If I did not like it, "Go to the Brauhaus, they are German, this is an American restaurant." I personnally knew two ladies who started "Selmarie" were from Europe. No insult was intended by me of anyone. I paid the bill and left. update.... o4.15: I returned to the restaurant Easter weekend.. delicious and pleasant staff. Thank you for listening.
(4)Dustin G.
This place is just amazing. First, let me say that my fifth star in this review is due entirely to the amazing service. I showed up unannounced with my students. (I teach ESL to adults.) There were nearly twenty-five of us all together. This could have been the catalyst for a chaotic and frantic scene but it was calm and relaxed as the servers rearranged chairs and tables to accommodate our giant group. Beyond the accommodation, the servers got everything right. My students all speak English pretty well but some of them are lower than others and some have heavy accents. The servers were patient and explained everything my students asked. The food? Delicious! I had a spinach and feta croissant with Cafe Au Lait. Both were delicious. The pastries are amazing. I couldn't resist picking up some of those unique pumpkin pies inside the miniature pumpkins. I'll definitely come back to this place...though I may just bring a couple friends.
(5)Kristina B.
Elegant and bright food in a casual polished setting. Prices are what you expect, $10 above for entrees. Salads are delicious here but get pricey when you add protein, but none of them really need it (and that's coming from a true carnivore). They boast house Italian sodas. I had the mushroom ravioli, two words: umami bomb. Service is phenomenal and you end your experience being tempted by a beautiful array of pastries and treats. A Lincoln Square gem!
(4)Simone T.
Still the best! Great breakfast and brunch spot. Wonderful fresh soups and a GREAT bakery!
(5)Gretchen D.
We just had coffee and a brownie. It was good. crowded with lots of moms and their kids (no school that day, apparently). A bit of a line. The latte was just so-so--a bit watery. The brownie had excellent flavor but was too hard to cut with a knife or fork--we had to break pieces off. It's fine if you're there and want a sweet nibble. Most pastries looked good. This review may be a bit unfair as we did not eat a full meal.
(3)Sarah M.
I went to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. Overall, the atmosphere, is welcoming, genuine, friendly. The food itself was 7 out of 10 stars- nothing incredible but definitely left you satisfied with the overall experience. I would go again!
(4)Emily B.
Café Selmarie makes perfect food. I don't mean that in the sense of "I adore this place so much and I love their food", though those things are true, I mean that in the literal sense. They cook their food perfectly. Eggs as fluffy and light as a cloud. Cheddar biscuits as cheddary and biscuity as you could ask. Sausage gravy as creamy and flavorful and full of sausage as I've ever had. Every single menu item I've ever ordered here (and I come here a lot), breakfast, lunch, whatever, is perfectly executed, right down to the delicious house vinaigrette on the side salad that accompanies many dishes. Everything is clean and fresh and makes me feel happy. Their breakfast/brunch menus offer simple, traditional dishes as well as a rotating handful of slightly more creative offerings, so there's something for everyone. I even love their homemade potato salad, and I usually HATE restaurant potato salad, since mine is the best. Another HUGE thing they get right is portion size. If you're like me, you love brunch with an undying passion but you feel exhausted by the massively massive portions you receive at most places. Café Selmarie's portions are - as my boyfriend puts it - "medically accurate". Just enough, not too much. You can eat the entire thing and not come down with a gross case of the Brunch Sweats afterwards. Ok, so this review turned into a love letter to Café Selmarie. I can't help it. I have a crush on this place like an awkward teenager.
(5)Erica C.
Have been here many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have tried many different dishes. Everything is excellent. Chilaquiles, quesadillas, burritos, hash, beet salad, chicken pot pie, etc. Tonight we went for dinner. I had salmon for the third time and it's just so delicious. Creamy lobster sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus and crunchy pistachios! And my husband could not stop raving about his lamb chops with panko crust and blueberry sauce. Everything is just so fresh, flavorful, and paired well with their side dishes and sauces. Classy, but also great for kids. Our 2.5 year old loved his pb and j. Also has the most pleasant outdoor seating in summer anywhere! Only con is it's a tad slow to get your food.
(5)Jen L.
Their chopped salad is shrinking with every visit! It's a delicious salad but really??
(3)Grace R.
One of Lincoln Square's best restaurants!! Great bakery as well
(5)Gabriele P.
Wow! From the outside it looks like a bakery, but it actually has a lot of tables for lunch. The inside is really tasteful with original quilt patterns hanged all over the walls, and the food matches the expectations of such a nice place. The springs green salad was an unusual - but perfectly made - combination of pecans, dries cranberries, blue cheese and chicken, and trust me: it's to die for! The cakes look and taste great as well! Be sure to try the apple bread pudding if you have a chance!
(5)Molly M.
This place is awesome. The chilaquiles casserole is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Also, wonderful breakfast hash. A great place to stop by and pick up pastries and a cup of coffee.
(4)Joseph D.
Went here for a Sunday brunch last weekend - what a neat place. An eclectic assortment of brunch items to please everyone in your crowd. From baked goods to omelets, to a salmon sandwich to interesting Mexican and Cuban inspired brunch dishes. Tucked away in Lincoln Square on a semi-closed to traffic strip of Lincoln Ave, it's conveniently located off the Western stop of the Brown Line so for those of us with cars, it's easy to get to. Inside the place a narrow and deep so it you're waiting for a table it can get a bit crowded so be warned especially if you bring small children who are restless just standing there. The service is very good taking a team approach with a server taking orders, others bringing food and a third party refilling coffee and water. Makes it really easy to enjoy yourself as you're aren't constantly looking around to flag someone down for a fork, coffee, to clear plates, etc. The food is the star here. my wife had the breakfast omelet which was served kind of deep dish style with all sorts of goodness including spinach and other veggies in there. Served with home fries and you've got yourself a winner if you're looking for a slightly different take on the breakfast egg dish. I had what appears to be a new dish which consisted of marinated Cuban beef served on top of these two delicious fried corn cakes (hard to describe but delicious) and topped off with black beans, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Yum-my! A few things to know - they supposedly do not take reservations but you can put your name on a list and request a time. Sounds like a reservation to me but I guess they don't guarantee it? Confusing. Also because it gets packed they are anxious to "turn the tables" so it's not the kind of place where you can hang out. Your food comes out and you eat and then you are being asked quite frequently "can we get you anything else?" In other words, a polite way to say "get the heck out of here." I get it. You don't want me sitting there all day drinking your coffee. No worries. I didn't take it personally but it is something to note as we went out with friends we hadn't seen in a few months and wanted to catch up. Overall a nice place and we will certainly return.
(4)Debra L.
So a friend and I were walking around the square on this cold, gray and blustery night looking for the right place to have a bite. After reading the menu in several windows we decided on Cafe Selmarie. Perfect choice! The atmosphere was warm from the room temperature to the warm colors on the walls. It was a nice sanctuary from the cold. We both had the vegetarian chili, which was hearty and flavorful. We split a roasted brussels sprout salad which was perfectly lightly dressed with caramelized roasted brussels sprouts. So delicious! The wait staff was super friendly and helpful. The case of pastries looked amazing but with super full bellies we took a pass. Looks like this place could be a regular stop this winter.
(4)Bri A.
I had to ignore the pastry display while walking to my table in the back, otherwise I would have bought everything! I was hungry and the delicious pastries would have beckoned to me...aaand then I would have bought a few and devoured them all. This is such a cute little brunch spot and my girlfriend and I enjoyed our meals. I had the smoked salmon BLT which had bacon, avocado and lemon-chive aoli. It was simple but tasty. My friend loved her fried green tomato sandwich and I wish I had a bite! They make a solid and strong Bloody Mary, too! Our server was awesome and super friendly. After seeing photos of the fancy French toast and other weekend brunch items, I need to return soon!
(4)Jeffrey C.
I've gone from a 4 star to a 2k star rating here. Basically, the service breaks down horribly when they're busy. I had brunch there yesterday with a friend and our expected 45 minute wait turned into an 1 hour and 20 minutes. The hostess was totally out of her depth and wouldn't help the waiters in any way. There's a very polite way to "turn tables" for those customers who are done with the meal and disregarding towards the masses enduring a long wait. Table-side service was impersonal and unprofessional. Our waiter walked by our table 3 times before curtly saying "I'll be right with you." When we mentioned that we had been waiting a very long time, he had no reaction at all - AWKWARD! Somehow a sausage side dish was totally forgotten and then took forever to arrive. The food is not that exceptional to wait for - I had a rather tasteless zucchini cheddar pancake dish regretting not having gone for Dutch pancakes on Western. I'm a Lincoln Square resident and I try so hard to like this place as they do an excellent job with pastries. The front area needs a complete redesign and some sort of system needs to be introduced for serving customers in order. The place cries out for a service manager/maitre d' with bona fide restaurant experience.
(2)Mister F.
I thought it was a little pricey, portions were a little small, and service could've been friendlier. There are better options nearby. To their credit the food was tasty and the restaurant was spotless and comfortable.
(2)Jonathan C.
Its a place where my wife and I can easily agree is worth a trip from the suburbs to the city for a weekend brunch. It really has everything you want. The location is nearly perfect in there are plenty of stores to walk around in Lincoln Square, parking is not too difficult, the food is made exactly how you hope every place would make their food. You can alwayds start with an intelligentsia espresso drink, or go for a white russian coffee and make it a good start. This last time I went for the apple cider with burbon and carmel and it definately made the freezing weather outside a bit better (afterall you don't drink apple cider when its warm outside). We got the usual dishes, chilaquiles cassarole and a corned beef hash. Both are so good which makes it so hard to go to other items on the list. Thankfully one of my friends ordered the cinnamon roll pancakes covered in bacon bits. That dish was perfect. Everything came together so well, plus they didn't skimp on bacon bits. -------------------------- As a side note I've had cakes from here and each time I try one, I have a new favorite cake. Seriously you cannot go wrong with your choice.
(5)Adem R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Friendly staff with high quality food
(5)Adam C.
I have attempted to eat here on three consecutive weekends and have been unable to receive service. The hostesses will claim you will be seated within x time, but in reality the time needed is 3x or more (I refuse to stay beyond three times the stated wait time, so I'm unsure how long it would actually take to be seated). Frequently half or fewer of the tables are occupied, yet they will not seat you (despite plenty of staff). The food looks good, but I am offended that a breakfast place with such terrible service and incompetent/mendacious hostesses is blighting such an excellent location.
(1)Lindsay B.
Five stars doesn't cut it for Cafe Selmarie. My husband and I adore this place and come for brunch all the time! The space is bright and charming, and dining outside in nicer weather is as good as it gets in the city. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is amazing! The pastries and cakes are decadent and delicious. Having Cafe Selmarie make our wedding cake was the best decision we made for the wedding, not to mention the easiest! (We had a tasting at another bakery the next morning, which we promptly canceled after our tasting with Birgit.) Birgit is one of the sweetest, nicest people I've ever met, and it was a pleasure working with her! The cake was perfect and beautiful. (Thank you!) If you are getting married -- especially if you are stressed out -- please do yourself a favor and call Birgit. This is the recipe to have amazing wedding cake that your guests will be talking about for (2?) months after your wedding. I love this place so much.
(5)Andria A.
I suppose the season for green tomatoes is drawing to a close. So I'm very very glad that I've gotten to eat Chef Bryant's Fried Green Tomato sandwich this past month. It's such a yummy combination of flavors and textures. The house-made relish side dish varies from week to week. I really like the in-house made pickles - kind of like bread-and-butter pickles but with different, interesting and tasty seaonings. The service at Cafe Selmarie is consistently good - enough attention (water glass never goes dry) but not too much (conversations are not interrupted). I go between the lunch and dinner rushes so I can get a table without waiting.
(5)Michael E.
Food at this place is really good but the service is absolutely horrible and slow. It is not very kid friendly either in my opinion. I will not come back solely because the service was so bad.
(2)Lisa A.
I'm a little disappointed with my first visit here, but may be willing to try again with some other dishes next time. I had the scallops with crispy smoked bacon risotto and really liked this entree, but was not impressed by the rolls they served with butter. I wish they offered olive oil with the bread. The cafe latte was great, but for a bakery I expected more from the Kahlua Torte that I chose for dessert. It was not the freshest and I think it may have been more than a day old because I could taste it was dry and the ganache was not super fresh like I expect from bakery. Next time with such a large selection of dessert, I will ask for the freshest one, I also think they should serve slices of dessert with a little whipped cream which you have to ask for.
(3)Kate L.
We recently had a delicious dinner here! We shared the mushroom flatbread as a starter, which was delicious. I had the brussel sprout salad with salmon as an entrée, which was very fresh and the salmon was prepared very well. We shared a slice of the turtle cheesecake for dessert- delicious! The inside of this restaurant is nothing special but the atmosphere on the patio is very nice, facing the fountain on the square. The pastry selection is amazing.
(5)Karen J.
As far as brunch places go, this one is strictly average. I would probably give the food alone 4 stars, but service has been awful the handful of times I've been here. There were moments during our meal when we needed the server (for the check, hot sauce, whatever) and not a single employee was to be seen in the entire room! It probably took about 20 minutes just to flag down the server to get our check and get her to take it back. If you're going for brunch on a weekend, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes or more. The first time I went for brunch the hostess wrote down my name wrong and ended up skipping us over because of it. That said, I probably won't be back for brunch, but I might grab a pastry and coffee to go in the future.
(3)Rachel S.
If your looking for a bang for your buck it's not here, but the breakfast was good and good quality stuff. The breakfast potatoes are amazing! Oh and of course the butter cookies with half chocolate are the best cookies I have ever had. The place is very nice as well. Friendly staff too.
(4)Donielle P.
Great brunch on Sundays with a fresh menu every week! One of my favorite Lincoln Square spots! Take home a box of delicious baked goods on your way out!
(5)Victoria W.
if I were to rate this place based on its pastries and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 stars. We were lucky and got seated pretty quickly even though it was brunch time on a Sunday. However, the Sunday Brunch was just so-so. Two people in my party, I ordered the brioche french toast and the other person ordered the cinnamon sugar pancakes. The pancakes had a nice eclectic taste with the salty bacon on top of sweetness, it was a very nice contrast. However, there is nothing super special about the pancakes. The brioche french toast was not super impressive, some vanilla pudding was added on top of the pancake along with some drizzle of fruit sauce. I ordered the fruit cup of strawberry and banana as well and it was just diced up strawberry and banana. The other person ordered a side of egg and it was just regular scrambled eggs. The apple cider bourbon drink was good at first but it looked greasy after it got cold. My chai tea latte was good but it was not very rich. The party beside our table ordered the Asian salad, which looked quite refreshing, if I were to come back I will give that a try.
(3)Marty C.
Great food, great coffee. Service sucks. I'll stop in for coffee and a pastry if I'm walking by but never eat here again. Not worth waiting an hour and ten minutes when I show up, after calling in ahead of time.
(3)Brenda G.
Best homemade black bean burger. Even, pleasant service. On a freezing day against a wall of windows, I wasn't cold. Nice brewed iced tea that was refilled over and over. This was my first time here. Won't be my last.
(5)Caroline J.
I came here with my family and boyfriend after an event at North Park University. My mother had been here a few times and kept raving about their desserts. At first glance it looks like it is just a bakery, but there's a cute little cafe in the back. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and helped with food recommendations. I ordered the lobster ravioli, my boyfriend got the chicken and grits, my mother ordered the cheese tortellini and my father got the vegetarian chili and italian sausage flatbread. My ravioli was incredible. So tasty and the prefect size. It was actually so rich I couldn't finish. The fried chicken was hands down the most tender and juicy chicken I've ever eaten. My mom's pasta was wonderful as well. My dad said the chili was good, there was just a bit too much cheese on top and it made it slightly gloppy. However, he said the italian sausage flatbread had way too many flavors going on and ultimately was not as good as he had hoped. Bonus points for the yummy bread basket though! I would definitely come back here if I was up in Lincoln Square.
(4)Douglas B.
Selmarie is one of our favorite restaurants. The restaurant sits right in the heart of The square in Lincoln Square, right next to the fountain and courtyard. When you walk in its as if you are greeted by a very friendly staff and the smells of freshly baked goods. They have a huge selection of pastry's. They also have a great outdoor seating of like about 10 tables that looks right out into the courtyard. In the summer there are tons of musicians that play out there and you can enjoy your lunch with free live music! How great is that. The menu here changes a bit here and there. The specials change constantly and have some very nice treats. They even have an excellent (3) course Prix Fixe menu on Thursdays for $22. Delicious. Everything on their menu is delicious and portioned out perfectly. The food is of great quality. They once had an amazing pan seared calf's liver with balsamic reduction that was absolutely delicious. Our usual goto starter are the Mussels is fantastic butter, garlic wine broth with grilled bread. The Wagyu beef tenderloin with garlic mash and squash was superb. The presentations on the plates are beautiful. You'll want to keep coming back here time after time to try something new. The drinks are also great, they make a tasty vodka lemonade, with homemade pink lemonade. They also had this great ginger soda and rum drink that was so refreshing. I am always excited to make it here! Get over there!
(5)Annette U.
I was here a few years ago and remember having a really good sandwich. I came here with my friend the other day and I was sad I wasn't hungrier because I would have loved to try more things on the menu. I had the tomato bisque soup and it was perfect. My friend let me try some of her quiche and it was delicious. Definitely a lovely cafe for brunch!
(5)Eliska O.
Awesome place! Great service, yummy food and good prices! You can't go wrong trying this place!
(5)shana a.
Bleh. After we were seated it took a solid 15 minutes for a waitress to pay an initial visit to our table. Service was just painfully slow. I think we were just one of those unlucky tables because the tables that were sat after us were serviced somewhat quicker--by the time we finally received our food, those tables had turned over. I had the corned beef hash; the hash was pretty good, but the egg was cooked over hard, instead of the over easy I asked for.
(2)Jaime M.
This is a place that I have always wanted to like. I love the location and the concept and so many good reviews can't just be group think, right? ... Right? The sit-down food is good enough, but the pastries at the front are bland, (except for the small hearts and rounds with peach and strawberry jam). I hear and read everyone say how amazing the bakery here is, but when I bite into the blondie bar or the cookies I just taste blandness, I feel confused. I hope it's not true that they are letting the chef change the European dishes with flavors of his native Mexico. I mean, I'm from Mexico, and that doesn't make sense. I'll g try those dishes to confirm and will update my review once I do.
(3)Liz K.
Went here for brunch on a Sunday and all of the food was so unique and delicious. Everything was fresh and well prepared. They don't take reservations, but they do have call ahead seating so you can let them know what time you will arrive and you can get your name on the wait list- I did this and still ended up waiting about 15 mins which wasn't too bad.
(4)Steve J.
WOW, what a neighborhood find! My wife's Corned Beef Hash w/poached egg was, "the best I've ever had"! Eggs Benedict, perfect. My scrambled w/ricotta, spinach & smoked trout is on my top ten egg dish list. Don't even slow down while walking past the fresh baked counter or it will take you ten minutes to get to your table.
(5)Maria B.
This place is great for kids. My son loves their Mac and cheese and all the cookie options he can choose from. :)
(4)Shereen O.
Ate lunch here on a lovely July day. My friend and I ate outside and were surrounded by the beauty of Lincoln Square. Service: Great! Very attentive and kind. They even let me grab a table before my companion arrived. They didn't fuss about us splitting a check with two credit cards, either. Food: We split a Mediterranean salad, which was really good, and a Turkey Brie sandwich, which was okay. I was excited about this sandwich because there's a similar one at Blind Faith in Evanston. I think if the bread was toasted (melting the Brie), it would have been even better. Parking: There are many spots along the Square; however, I imagine it can get crowded at peak times. The area is not too crowded in general. I'd like to try their desserts and brunch next.
(4)Omar A.
Went there to get the black bean burger for the 289th time. That thing is better than most burgers! Comes with this delicious chipotle mayo, avocadoyeah and the normal lettuce, tomatoes and onions. They had their couscous salad on the side which is also very good. The staff is always very friendly. I don't even have to say..they already know I'll be back. Cheers.
(4)Wayne H.
This is a good place to grab a quick breakfast in the Lincoln Square area. Nothing I have tried has blown me away, but it's still good quality food. I have to admit I am not a huge sweets person, so I haven't tried their pastries. From what I understand that's their strong suit. Overall this place has great service and I have never had trouble getting a table.
(3)Rebecca B.
OK, so I don't usually go here for the dining room, although I've had breakfast and lunch at Selmarie and the food is very good (I'd say four stars-worthy). That being said... I've made cakes for a living for four years, and for personal pleasure for over twenty. I hate buying cake because my cakes are just better, and I'm fine with putting in the effort to make genoise and Italian buttercream in order to get the quality of cake that I want. Selmarie beats my cake every single time. I have never had better cake in my life. I don't know if it's just a me thing or if this is an objective fact, but I cannot think of a better cake I've ever had - at least in the range of their selections (I make an amazing absinthe cake that you're not going to be able to find at Selmarie, but that's not apropos of the quality of Selmarie's cakes). And it gets even better: they give you GIANT slices for like $3.25-$4.50. Do you know how cheap that is?! Whole Foods sells their house cake slices for like $2.99 and those cake layers are mass-produced and shipped in from a wholesale bakery in New Jersey and the frosting comes in 10 gallon buckets. Selmarie's cakes are scratch made on the day before at the most. The whole cakes are even cheaper. So... I'm bad with conclusions. Go to Selmarie and get cake. It's insane.
(5)Cathleen P.
This place is wonderful. I enjoy coming here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The staff is welcoming, efficient and friendly. Their bakery is fantastic, but they need to include more gluten free items.
(4)Ruth G.
My experience here was *exactly* what a cafe should be. Bright cheery interior, light and airy, bustling with activity by the excellent servers. The art installation couldn't be more perfect for such a lovely and lively place! Jenny Steinman Heyden is the artist, her show is there until Nov. 30th facebook.com/Jenny.Heyde… . The coffee was perfect for me and the food was very good! I had a huge bowl of vegetarian chili that came topped with cheese and a side of cornbread.. total yum!! Could have used hot sauce but I forgot to ask for some. Um, they could double their prices and it would still be fantastic to come here for a bite and a bev. We got chocolate truffles too, one for everyone at the table. OMG.. too amazing!!! Now, I've had *many* truffles before so I know they can be to die for.. but this was singularly the most perfect one I'd ever had in my life. I will go back again and again to Cafe Selmarie to try many of their desserts and savory dishes.. I'm not even a "sweets" person really! But that truffle.. omg. I can't wait to bring people here from out of town! And friends for a special snack or meal. This is a very special place. I even had the opportunity to meet the owners, they're completely adorable and the sweetest ladies you'd ever hope to meet! Supporting local small business owners is great & so important, and I *LOVE* how these owners also give back and support local artists and their community. Someone mentioned that they do wedding cakes too!!! Wow, I wish I would have known about them about a dozen years ago.. oh the lovely conversations we could have had on their patio all those summers. Can't wait for the warm weather, I must go back soon and have many cups of hot coffee over pastries etc with friends. :D
(5)Erin Z.
I was in the mood to check out a new brunch spot this past weekend and landed at Cafe Selmarie due to it's proximity to my location and decent yelp reviews. Based on the reviews, I was a bit underwhelmed by the place which is why I give it a 3. Although I have to admit I didn't have a negative experience. I guess my expectations were a bit too high coming in. I am also a bit perplexed as to why this place gets a 'Vegetarians go nuts for this spot' designation. While I am not a vegetarian, I gave up eating beef and pork almost 5 - 6 months ago. With that said, I found that most of the menu items had beef or pork in them. I naturally navigate to seafood or chicken-related options but I was not in the mood for smoked salmon so I got the breakfast burrito with chicken sausage instead of chorizo. It was good, okay. Not spectacular or anything worth coming back for. I would also say, that while I am NOT a true coffee snob I appreciate a really well thought, complex-tasting dark roast and the coffee they served here was very one note and meh.
(3)Shaina K.
The wait was a bit long, but the food was worth it. The service was excellent, especially for how crowded the place was. I got the salmon with eggs. Everything was perfection. Huge portion, everything tasted fresh. The service was great, and I will have to come back to sample on some of the delicious looking treats up at the front.
(5)Lulu R.
Cafe Selmarie just revolutionized the whole brunch game. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, it was easy to get to considering all the food traffic because it is surrounded by beautiful boutiques that people are actually interested in. After weeks and weeks of dieting and exercise, we didn't want to completely ruin our work outs with a heavy breakfast since we had so much to do that day. So taking a little stroll we finally decided to walk into Cafe Selmarie to see what they were all about. Best decision I made that week was to walk in there! I will admit that the look of the bakery section brought me in, we stayed for the food. David ordered the HOMEMADE corned beef hash. I ordered the Croque Monsieur. We also got this home made soup with potato, green onions, and andoulie sausage. Lets slow things down at talk about this hash. Glorious homemade Corned beef hash! The Executive chef Bryant kindly came out to school us on how they do it. They get a massive amount of corned beef and brine it in their own spices and make it into this perfectly crisped hash. I looooved my gooey Croque, don't get me wrong. The hash stole the show though. My boyfriend had his love for me truly tested when I kept reaching over to peck at his hash. Kudos to the chef who let us in on his process and the other selections he recommends. As you might already know, a chef who is involved in his/her food, makes it taste a million times better. The seating was unpretentious and cozy. They crowd was mixed and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their meals, as did I. Street parking was a little rough for Sunday brunch but the walk wasn't too bad. The beautiful wide arrange of pastries filled the air and made me feel warm inside. You name it, Cafe Selmarie's got it. I am bound to be back for another amazing brunch and I am positive they will not disappoint with their ever changing menu options and pastries.
(4)Jessica H.
The bf brought me a small heart shaped flour less chocolate cake & 6 chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines Day from here & they were mm mm mm delish! I cant wait to stop in for lunch & try the food.
(4)Roseann M.
I'd like to tell you that Cafe Selmarie is bad; that the waitstaff are mean; that the back of house isn't good enough to make "Kitchen Nightmares" and that Gordon Ramsay tried to shut the place down. I'd like to tell you all these things, because then I'd never have to wait in line for a table ever again, especially at the outside patio tables in summertime. But I am an honest Yelper, and I can only say the following: 1) I've eaten at Selmarie since the late 1980's, when it was a teeny tiny bakery with a few sandwiches, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. 2) The waitstaff are pleasant, efficient, helpful, and wear black hats that aren't cutesy or obnoxious. 3) Entering past the bakery case is an exercise in restraint. It's amazing to me that there aren't saliva trails on the glass-fronted case, but I think the staff is very good at cleaning that sort of thing up quickly. 4) Even the coffee is good. On many occasions, I stick with the tried and true and get the chopped salad. Yum. My favorite. On the weekend, they sell slices of apple strudel. Again, yum. Today, we varied from our standard repertory. I had the applewood-bacon BLT with boursin cheese on marble rye, and that came with a cup of tomato bisque soup. Wonderful. My friend had a salmon wrap with salad side. The busboy tried to take her plate when she had two bites left. He's lucky she didn't wrestle him to the ground. She wanted those last two bites. But don't believe me. Go to the latest "hot" restaurant, folks, where the cheapest alcoholic beverages start at $12.00. Stand in line for an hour at some overpriced Yuppie brunch place. Follow a "star" chef from restaurant to restaurant. Please. Do all those things. And while you're doing those things, me and mine will be having the mac and cheese with leeks, the crusty and piping hot chicken pot pie, the quiche of the day, the veggie chili, and oh, just maybe, a dessert. Flourless chocolate cake. Raspberry chocolate tart. Apple strudel pie. And . . . oh, I don't know what else, Selmarie. Surprise me. You haven't disappointed me yet.
(5)Mary M.
Have come to this place quite a few times. My husband is friends with the executive chef....I must say, the food here is absolutely delicious! And I like the portions also...not so much you want to kill yourself after but enough to sometimes need a to-go box. I've had the biscuits and gravy, which were great. My favorite thing to have there is a corned beef hash with the poached egg. Really, REALLY good. Like, puts-me-to-sleep-every-time-I-have-it, good. The cinnamon pancakes with the crumbled bacon on top is one of my dad's favorites...and after I tried his last time, I'm not sure who could dislike that dish. They serve Intelligentsia coffee (woohoo!), which is also fresh. The house made bloody Mary's are really good as well. Very nice spot to have breakfast or lunch, especially in the summer if you sit outside in the square. Try it out if you are thinking about it...I am sure you will like it. Their menu changes daily, (or weekly) I can't remember....but that also keeps it interesting. Not to mention, they have a whole bakery of pastries and pies up front...which are also REALLY good.
(5)Kimberly B.
We've popped in for a brunch a few times in the past year. I love the mini croissants and will get them to go after every visit. The menu is pretty typical for brunch, but they pull in brunch options from across the nation (if not world) so there is always something for whatever spice blend you have a taste for. I would say everything is good, not great. The coffee is good, not great. The service is good, not great. The food and food options are fine, not special, but done very well (ie, good not great). It's a solid brunch stop and a good neighborhood mainstay. I wouldn't travel from across the city for it, but if you live in the area, it's a great place to pop in for brunch or grab a pastry. (Okay, the pastries are flat out great. You should definitely stop in for one of those.)
(4)Viki P.
Awesome breakfast/brunch place! There are always specials, and the staples on the menu, such as waffles, salmon - I have yet to find a dish I don't like. If all else fails, just order a baked good, like a sticky bun or croissant. There is a wide array of baked goods upon entry, and it is almost overwhelming only because everything looks SO. FREAKIN. GOOD! My only complaint is the regular cup of coffee - to me, it tastes very blah, so I've ended up drinking either water or a latte (which is very good) instead. I have never come here for dinner or just drinks, but one day, I just might. Then I'd have to add on to this review!
(4)Mrs S.
Only negative - Small space, can hear many conversation but everything else makes that no biggie and worth the stop- Pot pie is wonderful!! Minestrone soup was awesome and very homemade like! Don't miss desert or grab it to go in the display cases on your way out. Good cappuccino, we stopped before a book signing across the street.
(4)Aaron Jae M.
One of my favorite places in Chicago for desserts (Acropolis in greek town is another one that's up there). I have never tried their dinner menu so I can't comment on that but the atmosphere is great and the service has always been friendly. My favorite things are their flourless chocolate cake and their raspberry chocolate tarts. I could honestly just randomly point at the dessert counter and whatever I chose would be amazing. Great spot for a date.
(4)Brittanie L.
If I were rating Selmarie on orange juice and bacon alone, I'd give it five stars. But I'm not, and I still give it five stars. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and man oh man the food! Like I said, the bacon was awesome, and I don't regret saying that twice! I had the granola, which was delicious and served with fresh fruit and yogurt, and my boyfriend really seemed to like his whole grain pancakes too. The bakery counter in the front doesn't disappoint either. Seriously, try this place.
(5)TJ H.
We had the chicken pot pie, and it was delicious. We also got a side of the mac and cheese which I couldn't get enough of. The salmon club sandwich was also very tasty, although the salad that came with it was nothing too special.
(4)K M.
You know, I'm not a coffee drinker, nor do I like pastries, but I do love Cafe Selmarie. When I was in school I would come here for a chai (good chai- they don't water down), and end up staying to do homework. Once again, I didn't go for the coffee or sweets (although I heard good things) but for the atmosphere. The staff is so friendly, and personable. They don't seem to go through staff very fast, because the same people always seem to be working which shows that they like their jobs enough to stay for years. Each time a child comes in, which is frequent, they are always so nice and friendly. It's nice that they are very patient when kids order, even when busy. I bring my daughter, and even if she's indecisive or can't choose between a flower or smilie face cookie they are very sweet and kindly discuss with her the options, or their own opinion to help her. Ex. "We never have pink and blue flower cookies, I'd go with that this time!" Makes her day!
(5)Rebecca Z.
The breakfast/lunch cocktails are awesome! I had the spiked hot cocoa and my boyfriend had the spiked cider. Both delicious! The sandwiches are good, but the greens that came with them were a little underdressed so make sure to ask for dressing on the side because it's also delicious. Although a little pricey all in all we had a great experience. They even sent us out with 2 free cookies!
(4)Beth A.
When the weather is just right this patio is perfect for a sweet treat and a drink in the square. Friendly service comparable area prices. Beware the strength of the espresso!!! I drink lattes just about daily but theirs nearly sent my heart palpitating...whooowee
(4)Sabina W.
This neighborhood cornerstone is worth a trip for those Chicagoans not lucky enough to live closer. You won't have a bad meal here, but I especially recommend brunch. Yes, please, to a million delicious plates of from-scratch corned beef hash. And tons and tons and tons of their custom-blended Intelligensia house coffee. Easily one of the best brunches in the city. If you can't stop in for a full meal, drop in for the bakery counter in the front of the restaurant to grab a dozen of their traditional German cookies, like Linzers or those delicious little apricots ones.
(4)Ed A.
Cupcakes and cookies and cake oh my?! This place would be worth the visit just for the dessert case. Everything looked good, fresh and very reasonably priced. Employees were fantastic and extremely busy with the crowds packing the front and the ever present soccer mom with their baby strollers. Note: if you're going to bring the kids in a stroller, for God's sake by one with back-to-back seating and not one of those double wide monsters. Think people, think! I also had some black bean, chipotle and kale soup. Isn't kale seaweed... that disgusting stuff that clings to your legs? Well, anyway, the soup was good but I'm not sure I would order it again. The cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing about was fantastic, rich and very fresh. I could eat a dozen of these with a nice cold glass of milk. This place does not disappoint.
(4)Raphael R.
Being away from home with kids not particularly inclined to try anything new is always a challenge when it comes to meals but being away from home also means new experiences and getting out of the comfort zone. I did a quick search online and found a place highly recommended but I knew parking would be an issue. While I kept looking, a name kept coming back and so I checked out the site and found Cafe Selmarie. I checked the menu online and most definitely decided to give it a try. While it was not really obvious to find (thanks again, GPS...) having available parking close by was a great plus and the building from outside looked nice and somewhat like a French boulangerie. As we opened the door and entered, we were greeted by the sights and smells of freshly baked pastries and coffee. Exactly what was needed in this cold February day. The room was small enough to be intimate but big enough to hold about 2 dozen tables in the main dining room. The warmth of the yellow walls clashed beautifully with the red-colored paintings on white background and our waitress was very helpful. The menu had all these wonderful-sounding dishes that made choosing something even harder. My wife opted for the French toast, my son for the pancakes, my daughter for the breakfast burrito and I went for a pear and Brie omelet. In all these years, I have rarely seen all four of us so overwhelmed by the contents of our plates. It was hard to finish what we were served but every bite was so delicious. The sweetness of the pear mixed to the stronger taste of the Brie was too much to let anything go to waste. The kids even found some space to left gobble up a pastry while I enjoyed the last sips of my coffee. And as we were finishing our meal, the place quickly filled up and as much as we were enjoying ourselves, we decided it was time to go and let others their turn to enjoy their breakfast too. Prices were correct, about $15 per person but it was well worth it. Our time in Chicago was short so we could not repeat the experience but this place has definitely found itself a must-do on our list for our next time in town!
(4)Jennifer G.
Had lunch here today with a group of friends. Food was great, service was exceptional. Deserts and pastries were delicious beyond all expectations. I nice cozy spot!
(5)Kathleen E.
Nice location right at the square, outside space, great lunch and dinner spot. I also recommend meeting for coffee, tea and desert. Nice neighborhood, quaint yet classy feel.
(4)Justine G.
Been coming here for years. Definitely the spot for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Or if you just want coffee or tea to fulfill your sweet tooth as you try to decide which pastry to have. One of the best patios in the heart of Lincoln Square!
(4)Kelsie L.
This is a great place. Delicious desserts and their brunch is great. I've never had bad service, even when I'm just there for coffee. Outdoor seating is great. I've never had to wait longer than 30 minutes for a table! I love bringing friends from out of town to cafe selmarie.
(4)Misty S.
What an adorable restaurant! I biked here on a hot Sunday and stopped in for a light snack and to cool off. I was impressed with the food and service. GAZPACHO - Cool, light and refreshing. I think it's only good in small dosage, though, because after a while it starts to taste like salsa. CREPE - OMG...Amazing! The portion is quite small, but it packs a big punch. This savory crepe was filled with chunks of crab meat and covered with shiitake mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. There is also a bakery section up front filled with cookies, cakes and pies. This place is perfect for when you're hungry or if you just want to nibble. I also tried the Flying Dog beer - Crisp! LOCATION: It's near the exit end of the Lincoln Square strip that has traffic going one way (next to the water fountain). And a special thanks to the lady next to us for catching the spider on the wall behind me and throwing it outside. My hero!
(4)Madeline S.
Sigh. Overrated pastry place in Chicago? Check. The only pastries that looked worth buying were a chocolate-raspberry tart and what I assume to be their signature apple galette (forget exactly what they called it so am going with this). The tart was forgettable. Really forgettable. The apple galette was no better or worse than many other midwestern versions of this type of apple pastry. Meh. The quest continues for world-quality pastry in Chicago.
(2)Alex B.
In all likelihood, I will need to update this review some day. the truth is I have been to cafe Selmarie twice, and both times only got pastries and coffee. I have no way to recommend or advise against anything in the restaurant itself, but the baked goods are killer and coffee isn't bad either. I'm always impressed by the spread of cakes, pastries, truffles, and other goodies in the display. Not only has everything that I have ever had here been of very high quality, but it is also clear that the chefs here are creative and want to try new things. My most recent time in they had made mini pumpkin pies inside of mini pumpkins (cute AND delicious). The fact that there is always something new makes me that much more likely to want to stop in when I am in Lincoln Square. Coffee drinks are fine but a little slow. I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for an espresso drink, but it's nice that they have the option to go with your pastries. All considered, this is a great place and I'm hoping to be equally impressed by their sit-down restaurant service some day.
(4)Melissa F.
Super yummy!!! I seriously have love everything I've eaten here! It's a great lunching place with a friend!!!
(5)Sandy L.
Stopped at the outdoor cafe for a delicious and interesting lunch while in Lincoln Square. It has quite the European feel, sitting alongside a little square where tons of toddlers are roaming around while eating lunch and enjoying an espresso. We were stunned by the beauty of their pastries. We will have to come back and try some another time.
(4)J B.
Delicious brunch and dinner. Quiche - yum. Bloody's and mimosas - delish. Specials for din - always on point. Desserts and pastries ok - not comparable to a legit French bakery. Go for the food and drinks! Including the fab wine . Make resos. or expect a wait. Love outside summer eating. Perfect, quaint Lincoln Square hub. In the center of it all.
(4)Vanessa R.
Café Selmarie has become one of my favorite brunch options as well as a great place to pick up a sweet treat when paying friends a visit. With plenty of seating both indoors and outside on the patio right in Giddings Plaza, it is great for both small and large groups. Expect to wait between 10-20 minutes on the weekend. Want variety? They have different Saturday and Sunday brunch menus which makes sure you will certainly find something you'll love to order and you won't end up with taste aversion. However, this place also has breakfast, lunch AND dinner, but I've only been for brunch. That being said, my go-to is the chilaquiles casserole. These are not your tortilla chips with salsa on top chilaquiles you are used to and it is fabulous. Freshly baked casserole with eggs and corn tortillas, pulled chicken breast in a spicy sauce. The fact that it is baked gives the top layer a great crispy taste; top if off with some queso fresco, avocado and cilantro and it's a party in your mouth. The brioche french toast is also impressive with fresh mixed berry compote. I love that they have specials most days of the week, including 1/2 price bottles of wine with dinner entrée purchase, free dinner desserts, and Thursdays a great $22 prix fixe menu. A pleasant surprise is that they have a nice drink list as well with beer, cocktails, and wine. Kids? No problem. Lincoln Square is kids central and this place has a children's menu and will even put lids on their drinks to help avoid the inevitable spills. In the event you leave here with some room in your stomach, take some fresh, mouth watering pastries to go from their display case!
(5)Haley B.
My worst judgement turned out to be the best experience. EVERYBODY needs to try this place. My first experience with the food was terrible - but that was my own fault... I was on a first date and I recently made the decision to be gluten-free. I ordered the beet salad, It was beautiful - but I hate beets. I ate the whole damn thing despite my loathing for the beautifully colored vegetable... Anyway... I was starving. I spotted the pastries on the way out and I thought about them the rest of my date. As we strolled around Lincoln Square, I kept thinking about putting fist-fulls of pasties in my mouth... eating a piece of cake...or buying a whole cake and taking it home to make sweet love to it. After walking around for two hours, I couldn't take it anymore and I told my date "Listen... I hate beets. I'm hungry. Can we go back to the Cafe and eat some cake. I'm buying." He said yes, we went back, had some cake, laughed a lot, and we've been dating for a little while now. Sometimes he'll even buy me beets just as a gag. The menu has lots of options and I've had just about everything else on the menu since then. They even have gluten-free options. :D The service is always good - very polite and available to make suggestions. Cute little place with a great atmosphere.
(5)Christine L.
A bit pricy for the pastries but totally worth it. I still dream about the strawberry custard tart that I had on August 17, 2012. It was love. Don't be fooled by the crowded entrance by the bakery, there is plenty of seating for those who wish to dine in further back. There is also the option of outdoor seating, which would be ideal on a Friday night. When you sit outside, you can usually enjoy the entertainment of a local street performer and people watch. Friendly, clean, entertaining, and great (sweet) food!
(5)Dax R.
Great neighborhood brunch place where you can enjoy a rare beautiful day in Chicago. The salmon club and mac and cheese are great!
(4)Emann B.
Having not been to Lincoln Square in ages, my mates and I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon having lunch and shopping. The host was very efficient and cordial with good follow up. This place gets pretty busy on Sundays and he was quite affable and accommodating. The server was very friendly and the food was perfect for a slightly chilly early fall afternoon. I had the scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and pesto with wheat toast on the side. The eggs came with fresh mozzarella and tomato which went perfectly with the pesto and rich sausage. I managed to eat half a slice of toast, but will probably not opt to order again since the dish was generously sized. My friends had the biscuits and gravy (HUGE) and the breakfast burrito (nicely seasoned and lightly spiced). A lovely place for Sundays!
(4)Partha A.
A lady dining at the next table at a Korean place told me about Cafe Selmarie. I would thank her. Quite a busy place. But a lovely one. Parking can be an issue at night. We parked diagonally across the parking lot after waiting for a car to pull out. We got cakes to go - which were excellent. In fact they looked so nice we packed a sampling of a bunch of them. They were all good. I should come back for some food one of these days.
(5)Stephanie B.
Came here for brunch last weekend with some friends and everyone's food was delicious. Outdoor patio for brunch was perfect and our waitress was very attentive. Will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(5)James P.
One of our favorite Saturday breakfast places. A great place for eggs after a workout. Great, friendly service with great food.
(4)Nancy C.
My cousin has been a regular at this bakery for nearly 20 years, and their raspberry Bavarian cream cake is superb--the best thing in the bakery. The apple bread had always been excellent as well. But upon trying the most recent loaf my cousin brought, it definitely does not taste quite as fresh as before. Not that there is anything wrong, it was just much drier than you would expect. Quite a letdown. My cousin commented that, as of late, she has noticed the loaves of apple bread are becoming smaller, flatter, and older (possibly a day or two old), which has been very disappointing, hopefully they will pick up the slack on that.
(4)Robert Y.
Best Black Forest cake, EVER! Food in the restaurant consistently impresses. Service is always helpful behind the bakery counter. I go out of my way to eat here. So should you.
(5)Raghid A.
I was waiting for 45 minute to sit outside and there were many tables available but the manager was impolite and sat other people before me...I felt so discriminated against because of my origin. I always liked this place but never again. What a shame
(1)Kylie S.
This place is really cute. And popular! I stopped in on a weekday for lunch and was surprised by how busy and crowded it was. Great outdoor patio for summer months. Parking might take a bit - try the side streets. The Western Brown line stop is really close. Tons of cute shops in the nearby area. Service was excellent. I had a black bean burger, side salad, and glass of white wine on my first visit. The black burn burger was solid, I'd give it a 7. The salad was less so, a 5 in my book. The white wine was excellent and they had a fun menu to choose from. I didn't have room to try dessert, but I sense that was a mistake because that seems to be what they're really known for around here. I think next time I'll just go for the patio, wine, and dessert. Yum!
(4)Suzanne C.
Yum yum yum!! Super friendly staff! We were waiting for our table this morning and ordered a latte, hot choc, and a Danish.. She said she'd add the items to our bill! We were willing to pay upfront for the items and it's nice to have this extra perk! And the food is amazing.. Incredibly fresh and made with love!
(5)Tabithia B.
The people there are helpful and super nice. I almost always take out my food there and it's always quick and got and taste like it was made in heaven. Everything is so fresh and you can sincerely taste the quality. I have not had one thing that I didn't enjoy. The carry out/bakery area is a little cramped but it's worth the tightness.
(5)Jaime G.
Never guess that a place in Lincoln Square that is very well know for pastry and coffee also offer a great dinner. I can confirm that they do. Had a great time here. Yes they have an awesome bakery but I was on a hunt for good dinner tonight. I think found it. Hidden behind the pastry filled counters and hand made artisan breads is a handle of tables they serve a fantastic dinner. Can't believe I've never eaten here before but glad I did. Surprising wine and beer selection (had New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout - a creamy and chocolaty beer with an incredible finish). I paired it with a pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and fall veggies in a port wine reduction. Veggies had a bit of cinnamon so it made it seem as I was fall in my mouth. Pork was tasty and very juicy. Wish the veggies and pork went better together though. For dessert, I had the chocolate espresso tart with a soy latte. Don't have to tell you how Delish it was. Damn. A must try.
(5)Emily H.
I stopped in with a friend after exploring the neighborhood a bit. I ordered the turkey & brie sandwich while he ordered the breakfast burrito. Both were very good! I really liked that it was actual turkey and not those slices you'd get from the deli at Jewel. The sandwich came with a salad (no fries! yes!) and a delicious honey mustard dressing. The service was a bit meh, which is why I'm giving this place three stars instead of four. Our waitress was fine, but quite clearly cared about her other tables. Their pastries looked heavenly, so you can GUARANTEE I will be back!
(3)Rebecca B.
I stop in from time to time for a light lunch or to grab a coffee and piece of cake to go. The food is good, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and the baked goods...the baked goods are AMAZING! Raspberry marzipan torte! Mocha buttercream torte! Gateau Grandmere! Banana Eclairs! All of the pastries I have tried have been incredible, and some of them have even begun to haunt my dreams, taunting me with their deliciousness. So if you are walking by and don't have time to stop for a meal, at least stop in and grab some dessert to go. You won't be sorry. I promise.
(4)Meredith B.
I returned here for lunch last week, since warm weather just makes me feel like going out to eat in sunny cafes. You know the feeling. We barely waited for a table, and since we were sipping our hot beverages and lounging by the windows during the brief wait, the time flew by. We got the sweet potato fries to split, and I also got the wrap du jour, which was Mahi Mahi with a coleslaw of some sort. The sweet potato fries were sort of intriguing - I'd call them "wedges" really, since it was like somebody took a sweet potato, cut it into 4 pieces, and gave them a nice roast. omnomnom. They were soft, well seasoned, and I'm sure pretty healthy too. The wrap was lovely as well - generous portion (at least for a normal person) but I ended up taking half home and eating it later. Because I had to save room for desseeeeeert! And I can't remember the exact name of what we got - I believe it was something like "strawberry roulade" and it was both creamy and airy, and very strawberry-y. How do people get such fresh produce in March? I do not know. This is such a lovely place for a meal. I hope to be back soon!
(4)Linh N.
5-stars because the service and food were superb. First, the highlights of service: they permitted our party of five to split the check, they let our group lollygag until waaay past their closing time, never once giving us the stinkeye, they were courteous and efficient, but not overbearing. Our waitress exhibited a very pleasant, professional demeanor overall. I ordered the day's "special salad" which was locally sourced arugula, black heirloom tomatoes, basil, shallots, and mozzarella, maybe a balsamic dressing, but it was barely detectable. It was $9 or $10, a huge portion, fresh, flavorful and sent me over the moon. I was in love with that salad. So much so, when I returned to Houston, I did not go home, but straight to Whole Foods first to gather up those ingredients to attempt to recreate the moment again. To balance out the salad, I also ordered the starter portion of the macaroni and cheese. Small is all you need. This little casserole is rich and decadent. The cheese was gooey and stringy, with crunchy edges. It was such a shame that I could not finish it. I want some now. For my refreshment, I tried The Poet, an oatmeal stout with a bitter, chocolatey taste. I'm usually not a beer drinker, but I sampled this with the bee eff in mind. It has a spooky label with a raven against a full moon; I'm a sucker for interesting graphics. Unfortunately, I looked for this brew upon returning to Houston, and no go, man. It is distributed by the New Holland Brewing Company. Cafe Selmarie is a very cute cafe that offers beautiful, tasty desserts, breakfast (Tue-Fri), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. I would definitely be a regular if I lived here.
(5)Sean B.
Just a review of the Bakery goods Banana Chocolate Tort Cake: wow, moist, delicious, just the right chocolate layering, saturated cake, not too Banana-y. 5 stars Vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. Good proportion of butter cream frosting, but cake dry. A little hard to eat because it was dry. 2.5 stars Pinwheel cookies. Not your Voortmans. These were sugary without being grainy, cute swirls, you could taste both the chocolate and the vanilla. The case: pastel wonderland in time for easter. They had snail and turtle cookies! They have extremely creative bakers. The boxes for take-out: cute little boxes, well-wrapped, adorable. Like this place.
(4)Bradley S.
Partner and I stopped here for an early Saturday dinner. I loved the ambiance of the place; I found it rather French provincial. We were treated professionally yet warmly from the moment we walked through the front door. The fact that one is faced with their extensive pastry case immediately upon entrance sets the appetite in motion. They have a small but fully servicable beer/wine/cocktail list. I ordered a glass of a French white and we started off with the roasted beet salad. The beets were warm and roasted perfectly. The greens were fresh cool and crisp. Partner order the Chicken Pot Pie and I the Pork Chop. His entree looked delectible the pot pie arrived with two puff pastry triangles artistically positioned on top of the filling in lieu of the traditional pie crust. He said it tasted as good as it looked. My pork chop was accompanied by garlicy mashed potatoes and roasted (I'm pretty sure but not absolutely positive) brussels sprouts. The chop may have been on the fire for a couple minutes too long but any less would probably make most nervous. I had ordered a pinot noir to compliment my entree which turned out perfectly. Partner ordered a cappacino and I an esspresso and we shared tDheir caramel apple bread pudding for desert. Desert arrived nicely warmed with a side of fresh whipped cream. Our server was friendly and attentive and I could tell she genuinely liked the food she served. The dining room was filled by 6PM with a range of patrons from young families to seniors (though it was a remarkably white crowd). We thouroughly enjoyed our leisurely dinner before ambling over to Dank Haus for a performance.
(4)Tom T.
Had a great breakfast, the 2 Eggs Any Style. Nice & fresh & the potatoes were great too.
(4)Paul W.
Well, will you look at that. They've extended their hours. I wonder if this has anything to do with the time I burst in at a run, gasping, 'Did I make it? Are you still open?' I know. I'm an ass. Happily, everyone there has a good sense of humour and I am not banned from the place. Now I can run a few errands before coming round to pick up a strawberry roulade or a bienenstich. Or both, as I did today. Sidebar: The bienenstich here are far more delicious than any I've had elsewhere in the city, not that I see it often. This is one of my favourite desserts to have in Chicago. Not too sweet, yet rich and flavourfui. What a concept. Incidentally, every German-speaking person I know assures me that bienenstich means 'bee sting' and not 'bee hive' as it is called at Selmarie. Glad to see you, Selmarie.
(4)Omar K.
Since moving to lincoln square my gf and I have been coming here for both dinner and sunday brunch. Great atmosphere, good service, and awesome food. I especially like the outdoor seating area which faces the plaza,.
(5)Angela S.
I ordered wrong! I had the croque monsieur and he had the chicken pot pie. I had food envy. Lucky we were sharing!
(3)Howard L.
This is a nice place for brunch and pastries. We also hadn't been in Lincoln Square in decades, and the visit gave us a chance to reaquaint ourselves with this little enclave of shops and restaurants. Food is fresh (we had a goat cheese omelette and whole grain pancakes) and coffee is good - these are the main draws we found, as we noted the place's popularity. There was nothing particularly catchy or innovative on the menu, just good quality. It's also quite a popular place, and there was plenty of traffic, a bustling dining area, and a continuous small waiting queue til about 2pm on a Saturday. The server was attentive and very friendly also.
(4)Beata S.
I wish the owner was in all the time not just on Sunday, then the cutie at the counter would be a little more receptive to customer needs-I was served cold espresso(delish Intelligentsia coffee) and only after I inquired if it was ready 20 min.after I placed and paid for the order,thrown a macaroon at (ummmm good macaroons) till the saucer danced salsa on the counter-was it the man I was with? Was it the one I was in with before? Both? That can't be! I am going back to my favorite cafe but "Only on Sunday!".
(3)Luke S.
If you have ever been to Europe, you wish there were more places like Selmarie in America. The perfect place for a light meal or excellent dessert. If you can get their early enough, be sure to grab a chocolate croissant.
(5)Emily O.
I LOVE Cafe Selmarie! A cute, quaint bakery in Lincoln Square. Breakfast is amazing with unique dishes, fresh food, & fantastic service. Coffee is always hot, water is always filled, & the bakery is always filled with beautiful desserts. The patio is great in the summer. Can't beat Cafe Selmarie! If you are in the area, it's a must!
(5)Johnny T.
I might have been kidnapped. I woke up in a daze. I was stuffed to the gills with yummy Euro eats. But, the crazy thing about all of it is... I thought I was at Julius Mienl. Seriously. For days afterward I was, like, "Man. I really like JM. I've eaten there twice and each time I felt like I was at some cool cafe in Paris or Vienna. I'm so worldly and learned." As much as my co-workers tried to impress upon me that I'd, actually, just eaten at CS, I didn't believe them. Well, I believe them now. It's just odd to me that two very similar places exist so close to each other in the same neighborhood... and both do a ton of business. You'll have to forgive me. I know I don't look it, but.. I am no longer 21...2. 22. My memory sometimes lapses. That's why there's fish oil and ginko. Digression... If you want to feel worldly and traveled without leaving the city limits, come here. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay, drink coffee, eat amazingly good food, contemplate big issues, take a nap, and wake up to do it all over again. Forget this rat-race American lifestyle. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed with friends and good food. I was reminded of that at CS. I was also reminded that I drink a lot of coffee when it's quality. I'm more of a tea drinker, but whatever they're brewin' at CS is mighty good stuff. I had multiple cups (which our server never allowed to get low). To eat (because fatty needs his food), I took a short trip to a very happy place and chowed down on a salmon scramble that was chock-full of egg, fish and dill. Every bite was a joy. The potatoes that accompanied my breakfast weren't an afterthought. They were delicately seasoned and copiously supplied. I was so satisfactorily full from the experience, I didn't even have any baked goods. I know! Fatty said no! I must not have had a Zima. I never say no after one of those.* A joy. Eating here was a joy. *I have not -- nor will I ever -- had a Zima.
(4)Kristen J.
This is a great brunch or lunch place. My go-to order is the quiche of the day that comes with salad and sometimes I also order an accompanying glass of rosé. They also brew and sell the locally roasted Intelligentsia coffee.
(4)Mike A.
Great little shop, but unless you live close by, parking is a nightmare. I stopped in to get an Americano and a pastry. They use Intelligencia beans and did a great job! I skipped the pastry and bought a blueberry sour cream cake to go. At about $7 it was a relative bargain to the rest of the offering and tasted pretty good. I will have to stop by again and check out lunch offerings.
(3)Dinah M.
This has become our runner up go to place for brunch and when my family was visiting earlier this month we went numerous times and have now sampled each of their menus (Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch and Dinner). Each one has a wide selection of tasty meals that everyone can enjoy. My husband and I are pretty easy to cater to, but my family has an ovo-vegetarian, a gluten-free/lactose intolerant, and a common garden picky eater :) Coming from Britain, I enjoy the familiar 'European' feel of Lincoln Square and the family friendly atmosphere. Now that we have a new baby I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and family with my baby on a sunny summers day. The staff are delightful, friendly and welcoming and the food never disappoints. The only bad point is they get so busy that the wait to get a table can be long and the bakery at the front means it gets very crowded in the entryway.
(4)Jen A.
Fantastic bakery!. By family tradition, we stopped by for desert after dinner at a german restaurant nearby. Each kid was able to choose a cookie or slice of cake, nicely boxed for the ride home. Everyone was satisfied, particular favorites included chocolate cake, pear tart and the cookies.
(4)Abheek G.
Excellent food, great service and good ambience. We had dinner here for Valentine's day and got the following dishes: - Pesto pappardelle with sautéed shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and sun-dried tomato - Pan-seared fluke fillet, creole spiced cornmeal crust, creamy polenta, haricots verts and tomato sage sauce - Lemon mousse with fresh raspberries and mint All were A+ dishes really!
(4)Lori L.
The boyfriend really has two major duties the entire year. 1) Clean the kitchen after I cook a glorious meal. 2) Plan dinner out for Valentine's Day. He surprised me with reservations at Cafe Selmarie. It's such a cute and quaint place. The front entrance beckons you with a huge display case of cakes, pastries, and other assorted desserts. It takes a ton of will power to pass those up. What I appreciated was that they didn't gouge their patrons with "special menus." You know the menus that are priced out of this world. Instead, they had a limited menu for Valentine's Day. From what I could tell, it contained a selection of some of their regular dinner items, along with special dishes. For soup, I ordered the lobster bisque with fresh chunks of lobster. It was creamy and not too savory. For my entree, I had the rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. The lamb had a flavorful minty crust and was cooked to perfection. The prices were spot on. No entree was more than $20. Glasses of wine were not more than $8. Overall, this is a great little spot that offers affordable dinners with friendly and top notch service.
(4)Christopher K.
This is a good strategic location if you are about to embark on the Lincoln Square scavenger hunt. I don't want to give anything away, but nearly everything in the "official" hunt is about a block from here in various directions. We had skipped breakfast and needed to power up before the walking with a good brunch. Both of us ordered chilaquiles casserole -- no we are not *that* boring. I ordered the regular one on the menu and found it perfect for brunch (I am a guy, brunch means "heavy breakfast"). It was pretty spicy, which is right up my alley. My companion ordered the vegetarian version that was on special that day. It was not as spicy and could have done without the onions that were more or less just sprinkled on top. I envied that she had eggs on top for protein. We were both pleased and ended the meal with some cookies as an indulgence. Service was fantastic and highly attentive. $26 for a brunch for two.
(4)Torry H.
This is my brunch place! First of all...you have to get a chocolate croissant and then take home a poppyseed coffee cake. Great coffee, the best menu with seasonal items. It is great food and uncomplicated. The staff is fantastic. They are so friendly and welcoming. They all talk to my three kids and make them feel at home while we are there.
(5)Richie D.
You know it's good if picky olde me is writing a third (and last) review update, each one at a whopping 5 stars! I saw Selmarie's Yelp Advertisement Tag and thought to myself, "I can't pass by such a deal!" I had only been here for brunch and had only loved it more and more than the prior visit. I was sure my outstanding opinions of Selmarie's could not change for nothing... I was right! The Pre Fixe 3 Course dinner is A STEAL at $20!! Pick out a wine from the menu and choose away. 1) A Starter (mixed greens petite salad or a cream soup) --I had the Potato Leek Chive Soup. Smooth yet creamy. 2) An Entree (all generously-sized, unique portions to choose from) --I couldn't pass by BBQ Ribs with seasoned potatoes and cole slaw. The sauce was sweetly smoked, while the slaw had no nasty mayonnaise flavor to them. My boyfriend pleased his taste for mussels, even though I threatened him with no kisses all night until his teeth are brushed. I have tried mussels 3 times before and each time I was turned off...until Selmarie's! There was nothing seafoodie about them except where they came from. Soaked in a perfect creme broth, I couldn't believe my tastebuds! 3) A Dessert (pick any pastry/torte from the refrigerated glass cases). Just a glance at the desserts makes me automatically and helplessly salivate! I had the Kahlua Torte while my boyfriend had the fresh Raspberry Custard Torte. A bite of each placed me in Heaven...until I noticed our plates were somehow, all-of-a-sudden Mr. Clean shiny and crumb free. :( All this included in the $20s you ask??--YA BETCHA! I deem this to be the BEST DINNER DEAL IN TOWN! Good luck beating it competitors. Selmarie, you redefine the French stereotype for me!
(5)Jamie H.
This place is great! Awesome location too, lucky for them! My mom and I stopped by Friday afternoon, there weren't a lot of people sitting in the back but quite a few people came in to get drinks or snacks to go, or just sit in the front. The coffee was good my mom and I split a cherry crumble pie..AHHh mazing! We also got a handful of other cookies, which were all great as well. We even tried some with Rosemary, very good and a nice twist! I wasn't even aware that they had a full regular menu as well. I definitely will come by for a meal, and obviously treats and coffee again!
(5)John W.
Had to go here because Pannenkoken was too busy. But the good news is that there was no wait for breakfast (11:30ish) and we got seated right away. I had the Salmon with eggs and English muffin and it was only ok. There was nothing actually wrong with it but it wasn't to die for or anything. There really isn't a lot to choose from here and maybe their skill sets lie more on the baking side of things with the cakes, pies and cupcakes and what not but I am not a sweets guy so this does nothing for me. Service was good but there wasn't really anything all that exciting on the food menu...Just typical American breakfast stuff (along with Quiche) which if you are into, this place should be just fine for you. The 2 stars doesn't mean bad, it just means not for me. For the Summer, they have a great patio right on the square which is nice for a coffee, beer or dessert...If you can handle all the screaming kids.
(2)August B.
Five stars because the food is simple and tastes good. Cafe Selmarie is what overpriced, high reputation downtown restaurants look like when they charge reasonable prices that don''t gauge people's savings accounts.
(5)Megan L.
Cafe Selmarie really looks like a bakery when you walk in, but don't be fooled. The baked goodies are but a lovely distraction before you get to the restaurant beyond them. What do I love about Cafe Selmarie? Pretty much everything. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and it's a nice, cozy atmosphere. The place isn't huge, which I think creates a bit of a sense of intimacy. I tend to gravitate towards Cafe Selmarie when the weather cools off, because their food is very comfort-food-ish to me. I stopped in last night and had their chicken pot pie, which was perfect for this cold snap we've had. Along with a glass of wine, it was the perfect dinner for me last night. And then there's dessert. Remember all the lovely pastries you walked past on your way in? Those are your dessert choices. You can literally go up front, look around, pick what you want, and they'll bring it back to your table. One of my favorites!
(5)Dora V.
Selmarie was my favorite ladies' lunch spot. Then they hiked up the brunch prices like highwaisted highwaters and now my feeling is "eh." The food is good, but stops short of extraordinary. Several of the options are Frenchy (Croque Monsieur). which is one of the reasons I always go back. But as my Intrepid Readers know, I just hate to feel gipped. I think the brunch prices subsidize the pastries, which are varied, beautiful, and priced to sell. The sweets appear to be the chef's true passion. I recently paid way too much for a run-of-the mill turkey sandwich and a tiny sprinkling of greens. I was still hungry. I added the pinto bean and sun-dried tomato soup, which was passable. By contrast, the potatoes (which I got to try) were terrific! All of the food that I saw looked great and the place was bustling with happy-looking clientele. Sadly, we received a tasteless Bloody Mary. Perhaps it was a fluke, but it's a fluke I'll remember. On a brighter note, the bottles of wine are relatively inexpensive and thus tempting...and what a lovely temptation they are. For a place with no official gender affiliation, this place is full of females. This is likely a result of a menu conducive to light lunching, which ladies tend to like. I'd be baffled to see a group of males buck that trend. As of now, you'll see a couple stray males who have clearly been convinced to give it a shot by their mothers or girlfriends. They look apprehensive as they inevitably realize they are significantly outnumbered. I find this amusing. The location remains fabulous and the outdoor seating is plentiful and pleasant in the warm months. In the winter, the small, elongated waiting area gets awkwardly crowded, and you may be packed in like a roomful of Ralphies. Oh fudge! Cafe Selmarie undershot my expectations too many times in a row. I will be forced to find a comparable soup-salad-sandwich brunch spot somewhere north of Wicker Park/Bucktown, which seems to teem with such "contemporary" lunch/brunch possibilites. I still recommend trying Selmarie for a (ladies') dinner. The prix fixe is a great deal, and the entrees are conducive to sharing. Those wild-mushroom ravioli are to die for, but they are rich like only butter and cream can be, and are thus best split with another entree or combination of appetizers. As disappointed as I am, I won't write off Selmarie, as it has been a staple of mine for so long. I'm done with the weekend brunch, though. Lunch or dinner on a weekday, sure. I need my fancy-pants sandwiches and low-key dinner spots, and the location and atmosphere meet little competition in Lincoln Square. Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth.
(3)J D.
Know what to expect: a bustling crowd as soon as the doors open in the late morning. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and general Oprah enthusiasts. I arrived here Monday morning at 11:01 and by 11:15 there were already seven people salivating over the fresh pastries [do please try their seasonal "Pie in a Pumpkin": a baked small pumpkin hollowed and filled with pumpkin puree and nutmeg], and three Italians asking if Selmarie was hiring in their bakery. A great spot for a first date, catching up with an old friend or studying for your exam.
(5)Sandra W.
Cafe Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square strip. Really cute and really quaint. I give it a three star because I thought this place was a bit pricey. I'm also not a bakery person. I don't care much for pastries and desserts so I went there to have a nice meeting\lunch with a friend for their savory options. I got a salad and it was very small. I was expecting a little bit more. My friend got something that I don't remember. The ambiance was great. The servers and staff were extremely welcoming. The food was good, I just wish the prices were a little lower and the portions were a little bigger. After my lunch, I ran over across the street to Gene's Sausage and bought some raw meat to make when I get home. Oops.
(3)Judith K.
This is a really good bakery that has stools along the windows with an attached restaurant and outdoor seating in warm weather. Nice selection of well-prepared, fresh food. They serve Intelligentsia coffee as well as beer and wine. We have been coming here for over 10 years and it has been consistently good. The servings are substantial. Today for lunch I got the quiche with a side salad, my husband got the chef's salad. Service is excellent. The place is light and airy with artwork lining the walls. It gets really crowded on the weekends. Even on Monday there was a 15 minute wait for a table. But well worth it.
(4)Heidi T.
I love Selmarie. I love it for weekend brunch (usually a small wait, but rarely anything extreme), I love it for early breakfast, I love it for dinner, I love it with a friend, I love it with my husband on a casual night out, I love it with my kid for an early dinner. Occasionally service has been slow, but never enough to really fuss. They've helped me figure out ways to stash my stroller out of the way when I'm with the small fry. The sweets are delicious on their own or as an accompaniment to dinner. Oh, and, you know, the food is fantastic. Now that I have a kid, I especially appreciate that it is the type of place where you don't feel like a horrible monster for bringing your small child, but also don't have to eat like a small child. I also appreciate that the kids' menu has some options that involve vegetables, unlike most places (which usually assume your child only eats fried white foods). However, for those of you who don't have kids, it's not overwhelmingly crowded with screaming children. I promise. I went there many times before I had kids.
(4)Bea K.
I've never eaten at the restaurant but I have frequented the dessert counter plenty of times. 90% of the desserts are great - strawberry whipped roll cake slices and the chocolate tart are really good but some things are just ok like the raspberry &dark chocolate tart. The coffee is pretty good and the service is always prompt and helpful.
(4)Annie W.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Lincoln Square! Always an excellent choice on the yummy lunch menu, and great sweets to boot! Good coffee, clean and efficient atmosphere (with a touch of class from the great artwork), and top notch service. Love it!
(5)Jack P.
I send a lot of visitors to Selmarie, and it is always a big hit for the bakery items and for dining al fresco, weather permitting. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and have bought assorted baked goods for dinner hosts, friends and family, and even as a reward for good customer service (I brought a box of goodies to For Eyes one time.) The lemon bars and the sour cream brownies are always a big hit. Just a great spot to find a dessert for your dinner party. I had an al fresco breakfast there the other day, because I awoke hallucinating French toast. Selmarie's French toast did not disappoint. The brioche bread was medium thick and cooked nice and crisp. There was a modest, fresh berry compote on top, and butter and maple syrup on the side. I like their restraint in preparing what is usually a major calorie bomb; which allowed me to order a side (or as we say in Chicago,) a "rascher" of bacon. Cooked well, crispy and chewy like beef jerky. Love the coffee, too. Very cool that you can snarf a delicious authentic French baguette for later, and a bottle of Champagne, too. How Parisian can you get? I queried the servers about those little black caps they wear, thinking there was some regional Swiss significance to them, but no, they are just there for hygiene purposes. Always looking for some hidden meaning in the mundane am I! I try not to spend $20.00 on breakfast too often, but every once in awhile, a visit to Selmarie's is just real pleasant and convenient, especially in the fading outdoor dusk of Indian Summer.
(3)Jack M.
It took me a moment to collect my thoughts upon entering this very awesome bakery because everything looked so freaking delicious! My good friend and I stopped in for dessert after we had a couple of beers at Hüttenbar down the street. The baked goods selection was almost overwhelming. He got a Hazelnut Dacquoise and I got a Lemon Tart. Both were outstandingly good, if a little too much on the sweet side. His espresso and my coffee were both very well done. The atmosphere is light and sunny, and the people who work there are super friendly and courteous. I am now very curious about their meal options so I will for sure be going back!
(4)Kat L.
I will happily be the 310th person to say how much I love Cafe Selmarie. It is one of my top 5 favorite spots to get coffee and a delish pastry. Their croissants are flaky and moist every time and the latte will literally warm your soul. Plus you have the lucky choice of sitting in Lincoln Square, or meerly peering out the window and people watching. I've never had a bad dessert, though I would reccommend letting anything with buttercream sit a room temperature so it doesn't have a waxy texture to it! The staff is always so friendly. I'm going to have to come back for brunch sometime soon!
(5)Sarah K.
Really cute restaurant/bakery/cafe in the heart of Lincoln Square. Went for dinner with a few friends on a Wednesday, so we were able to partake in the 1/2 price bottle of wine with an entree special. The front is a counter area with some delicious looking desserts and pastries displayed. I didn't try anything at the time, but would definitely be up for a return visit just for that. Past that, it opens up into a sit down dining area. It isn't terribly big, but I never felt crowded which is the case at many restaurants without a large dining area. It was also remarkably free of children, which I think is worth noting considering the neighborhood. Not sure how that would change on a weekend or brunch, but I have a feeling it would. The menu is fairly small, but everything on it sounded great. If one thing was lacking, it would be vegetarian dishes. I was thisclose to ordering mac and cheese, but was an adult instead and settled on the spinach salad with a side of sweet potatoes which were a little spicy and very good. There was a vegetable plate listed online which was no where to be found on the menu, but I was totally satisfied with my decision. Everything was reasonably priced, service was excellent. Definitely recommend for a low-key dinner in the neighborhood!
(4)Maram K.
I love this place! The people here take pride in what they are serving. On one occasion, we had a slice of cake that seemed bit stale. They asked how everything was and in honesty, we told them. They apologized, took it back and gave us a new dessert they were sure we'd like. The breakfast here is really nice, but get here early! It gets crowded quickly and becomes stroller city by 10am.
(4)Pavithra M.
Went for dessert and coffee last night. Wonderful wait staff, so friendly and approachable with lovely interactions with the kids. The cafe is laid out well, cozy but very comfortable. The selection of desserts is not the best I have seen, but what we ate was very yummy. I got the Orange Chocolate Decadence, which was tasty but very dense and heavy - meaning I got to take half of it home. My husband got the lemon tart, which he said was very good. The cappuccino was just what I had in mind for a cold, snowy night. I would like to try the other dishes the next time I go there.
(4)Jay S.
Oh lord....I love...absolutely love European pastries and bakeries. I used to live in the southside in a heavily European neighborhood where pastries dominated my childhood. Mmmm those were the days. Nowadays I frequent the streets of the Loop & West Loop and haven't found quite the pastries that I loved as a child. But moving recently to the northside and once again in a heavily European neighborhood (southside 4 lyfe!), Cafe Selmarie has rekindled that sweet tooth. Mmmmm these are the days.
(4)Jade T.
Dislike.I waited 15+ minutes for service (standard is 5 minutes or less). Ordered the quiche ($10.50), which was average. While eating my semi-soggy quiche, my water was infrequently filled (I mean, come on, it wasn't busy at all and water was my only drink). Cafe Selmarie is pretty average with moderate (but maybe a wee bit high) prices. It is vegetarian-friendly-ish, however. Am I being snobby about the service? Not really. Again, it's standard practice for servers to greet the customer within a few minutes. Granted, this wait was due to miscommunication between the hostess and the server, which was accidental, but also unacceptable.
(2)Mary T.
I went to Cafe Selmarie for dinner tonight with my bookclub chicas; a very easy trip for me on the #11. That area of Lincoln Square is so cute. The weather cooled off quite a bit so we didn't sit outside. Inside was nice, but not overly crowded. Unfortunately we usually catch up and occasionally discuss the book more frequently than we talk about our food. Needless to say I never heard anyone complain about what they got and we all pretty much cleaned our plates so I will take that as a good sign. I had one of the specials, a seared ahi wrap with a citrus chutney and creamy chipotle dipping sauce served over sweet potato fries. The wrap was quite good, but I think it could have been better if: (1) the ahi was cut into smaller pieces, I felt like I was eating bitefuls of either fish OR chutney, not a nice mix of both like it should be and (2) some of the dipping sauce should have been on the wrap - every time I dipped my wrap the chutney would fall out making it very messy to eat. The sweet potato fries were cut thick, almost like steak fries; they were more like seasoned, sliced baked sweet potato than fries, but were pretty good. Our server was very attentive, always there to make sure we were doing ok and fill up our ice tea's, etc. without hovering. It seems from the reviews I've read the place is known for breakfast and its baked goods. Unfortunately, I can't comment on them because I didn't save room for desert, but this gives me a reason to make the trip up there again some time soon.
(4)Lisa C.
This is a review for their weekend brunch only, so I ain't got nothing to say about their dinner! I probably got the most exotic thing on the brunch menu by ordering the chilaquiles casserole and I loved it. It was creamy, filling, and had a little bit of a kick to it. And boy, do they give you a ton of food! I finished about half of my breakfast, which is truly pathetic for someone who prides herself on being a gold member of the Clean Plate Club. My friend bought a cake from Cafe Selmarie for Mother's Day and said she practically had to rent her womb to pay for it - only to have her grandma steal it and not even let her try it! With this in mind, I will likely be sticking to breakfast and skipping the specialty baked goods (especially for family parties!).
(4)Alice R.
Love Cafe Selmarie! I have been going here for years. Excellent pastries, brunch and dinner. The staff is friendly and the food yummy! It's located in Lincoln Square. During the summer months, I enjoy the outdoor seating. Highly Recommend!
(5)Marie B.
Best Almond Crossants in the area. I have not had 1 disappointing experience here. A must try. Their dining room is very busy on weekends, so a weekday stop would be advisable if possible. I had the egg salad sandwhich was so fresh! The coffee here is a plus.
(5)Adele n.
This five-star review is for the nicest waiter in Chicagoland, the tall guy with the creative facial hair at Cafe Selmarie. My best friend and I are kind of dreadful customers -- we can't make up our minds; we linger too long chatting; we come in too close to closing time; we don't order entrees. Both times this adorable boy has waited on us, he's acted like we were the best customers ever. He's calm, patient, accommodating, attentive and so nice. This is the kind of service you hope to get when you're dropping $50 a plate, not $7. I need whatever drug he's on.
(5)Kelly M.
My parents and I stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie while strolling Lincoln Square. We were looking for a quick, casual brunch and we got exactly that. They have a gorgeous outside patio that overlooks the Lincoln Square courtyard area, so if you enjoy dining al fresco I highly recommend it. When you walk into the restaurant you're greeted immediately by their bakery case. Everything looked fresh and delicious. We sat in the main dining area, which was a little noisy because there was a baby shower taking place at the table next to us. No big deal, we still enjoyed our time there. I ordered the Croque Monsieur (which I've mentioned before is my favorite sandwich). It was very good and was a classic version of a Croque Monsieur. My favorite version isn't complete without dijon mustard. I asked for a side of it and that satisfied me. The small salad that came with the sandwich was flavorful, the dressing that it was lightly tossed with was refreshing. Overall, this was a very charming cafe and bakery for brunch.
(4)Lizz M.
THIS IS A RATING FOR THE BAKERY ONLY! They have the best pastries in Lincoln Square--hands down. Try their tres leches cake and you will see. Very fresh and consistently delicious. They're usually out of a lot of the best items towards the end of the night, so get there earlier if you can. It's a great place to hang out after a nice dinner to get dessert, especially in the summertime when they have their patio set up.
(5)Mark M.
Exquisite is the best word we'd use to describe our dining experience at Selmarie. Eight of us ordered six different dishes and they were all divine, particularly the scallops. The service was attentive and the ambiance and decor were perfect. We'll be back often....
(4)Andrew S.
Went here for dinner, very tasty food. Had the chicken pot pie, which was yummy. And I also tried the scallops and Cobb salad, which were both delicious. My only problem was that it seemed like every couple thought it was okay to bring there screaming children in the restaurant. Other than that, real great experience.
(3)Leyla A.
Great place to share a croissant and have a cup of coffee with my brother.
(4)Kathleen I.
I got here as my default place for easy food that is amazing. I love this place. The cookies are the bomb! The service always exceptional. I truly enjoy it every time I go.
(5)Pamela P.
God, I really hate doing this. We used to come here all the time. The sweets are perfect and I admittedly adore this place. Last time we were here, though, there were two -- not one--two sizable cockroaches crawling up the wall of the restaurant during our dinner. Another table of patrons noticed them too and were horrified. The busboy laughed to the waiter that they were out again. The waiter tried to play it off that they were some sort of water bugs. Whatever kind of bugs in a bakery/restaurant crawling up the wall during dinner is not acceptable.
(1)Melanie V.
***WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.*** Selmarie RUINED my Easter. I kid you not. I made reservations here for brunch at 1:30 for my entire family (a party of 7). Per my childhood days and the great reviews on Yelp, I was excited to come here because the menu looked so good! (Please note the use of the word "looked".) We got there early (a little after 1pm) and the "hostesses" were quick to tell us that they would 'do everything they could to try to get us seated early.' OBVIOUSLY, that was a lie. (Please keep in mind that there was an open table for 6 when we got there. Another chair could have easily been brought to the table to accomodate one more.) Around 1:20, one server told us that the party whose table we would be occupying was in the process of paying and would be leaving shortly. By 1:40, they still hadn't left. When asked about the status of our table, the hostess said that the party was paying, but just sitting there. Ok? And...? (Also, please keep in mind that I was with 2 children, one 3 year old and one 2 year old. They were obviously HUNGRY at this point. Who wants to starve children?) Again, we asked about the status of the 6 person table and why we could not sit there. Apparently, the hostess had concern about the extra chair 'blocking' the way for the servers. Couldn't they have put the chair on the OTHER side then, so that it wouldn't be in ANYONE'S WAY? Also, there were 2 tables of 4 that were open at the same time. (4+4 = 8, right?) I mean, if they did simple math, they could have realized that we could have sat at those tables, too. Genius! All the hostesses could offer us were words of, "I'm so sorry. We can't make them leave." :giggle, giggle, ha,ha: (I don't know why they were laughing because I OBVIOUSLY was NOT amused.) Really? I remember being at (nice) restaurants where the hosts have politely asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. We would always oblige as we were DONE and satisfied with our meal. My family ended up leaving as the kids were incredibly hungry at this point. I came back to speak with the "so-called' manager who REALLY did NOT offer up any value-added information, except for "I'm so sorry." I also did not appreciate her fake, sugary sweet attitude. I don't need that from you, honey! Please don't patronize me. She did NOT EVEN OFFER any type of comped ANYTHING (a cookie, even!) to compensate for our dissatisfaction. Great customer service. Granted, I wouldn't have taken it, but an offer would've been nice. Oh, I also have to mention a time back in 2006 when my sister and I came here in the afternoon. Or tried to anyway. We came to the door and it was locked. We stood outside to read the restaurant hours and one of the employees unlocked the door to let a customer out. However, although the employee CLEARLY saw us standing there, they didn't seem to mention anything about being closed. (It was the middle of the EFFIN' day and we were there during an hour of operation. It was locked because......?) Apparently, that was the sign that we were NEVER supposed to come back here. Selmarie - NEWSFLASH, you're in Lincoln Square. You have NO right to even PRETEND to be pretentious. You're not in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, West Loop. I've had better service and felt much more welcome at the wrongly dubbed "snooty" restaurants.
(1)Kimberly L.
I've been to Cafe Selmarie about a billion times--hard to believe I'd forgotten to write a review! I had a bite to eat here recently. It was a scorcher outside but the outdoor seating seemed well-shaded and breezy. Service was friendly and efficient. I only had an iced tea and the quiche/salad lunch special but it was quite delightful. I was one of only 3 people willing to sit outside on a 90 degree day but service was attentive. My water and tea glasses were never empty. This is a lovely establishment in one of my favorite neighborhoods--one of the few places in the city that hasn't been completely overrun by Ann Taylor and Pottery Barn. (Not that there's anything wrong with those places, I just don't need them to be on every darn corner.) Ahem...anyway...Cafe Selmarie has provided a consistently pleasant experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)Ellen M.
You know the disappointment you feel when it's lunch time for most of the world but you want breakfast? Well, Cafe Selmarie has quiche. I have a mild distrust for places that serve pies and quiches with a perfectly shaped crust, but for all I know they still make it from scratch and are just really good at forming it. Either way, I don't care - it was wonderful, with red pepper, leeks, and other amazing stuff. Fantastic vinaigrette on the field greens, and garnished with fresh pineapple, red grapes and an orange slice. My date (I asked her out, so I paid ;-)) was a little less impressed with her chicken pot pie in terms of the spices, but liked it too. I think the cake we had was called Chocolate Orange Decadence. YES. Service is terrific.
(4)Lori B.
I've been here twice for dessert & coffee only, both times I tell myself I am not going to come back. First, they don't have a dessert menu to look at when you sit down at a table. They have one on their website though. You have to walk up to the front and see what's in the case. That's the last thing I'd want to do after just sitting down or after a meal. We overheard a staff member say it's a visual thing, huh? Second, the desserts weren't that good. I had the bread pudding, which is always decent, but my husband had the mocha buttercream torte and it tasted stale. i told him to return it and get something else. He just wanted to get done and get out of there. So while we love this part of Lincoln Square, I think we'll get Cold Stone Creamery and sit in the Square
(2)Katie R.
i can't believe i haven't written a review about this place yet! i really enjoy coming to cafe selmarie - the ambiance is warm and inviting and they have wonderful outdoor seating in the summer for some good people watching. they don't have many vegetarian options, so i can only review on what i've had, but the roasted veggie stack is my favorite. it is smothered in goat cheese and is always very fresh. to be honest, i'm not a fan of the petite salad that comes with it - it's just underwhelming and a little too oily for my taste - so last time i asked for kettle chips instead and was very happy. they serve intelligentsia and have plenty of alcholized versions of their coffee and other brunch-y drinks. the pastries look gorgeous but i've never been especially impressed, to be honest. they are good but not amazing for the price you pay.
(4)Rachel G.
Cute French inspired cafe in the lovely Lincoln Square! Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and it was packed! Tables were a little close together and it was a tad loud in there, but the food was great! I got the Turkey and brie sandwich and my friend got one of the specials, which was like a quesadilla in a bowl. They were both so delicious! Disappointment...the dessert! For them claiming to have tasty pastries, cakes, cookies, etc, I was let down. I thought the cake was very dry and it was supposed to have a hint a coffee taste, but it tasted like nothing but chocolate --Sad face-- It is a cute little restaurant and I will def go back on a warm day and sit outside on their patio and maybe next time skip the cake and try a pastry instead!
(3)Ryan C.
If you are seeking an all around place that is good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner AND bakery...this is a great place to go. The wait staff was exceptionally nice and on the ball with everything. Has a nice atmosphere and art on the wall that you can buy. Very classy, yet comfortable. All of the paintings on the wall were of fish. If you seek a place to pick up an interesting painting of a fish, this would be the place. Everything there was at a decent price and the portions were more than enough. I had a large chicken salad that was really good and filling. I did have a few bites of their macaroni and cheese, which was close to how grandma used to make them, which I only had a few bites of. Definitely not you Kraft Cheesy Mac...much better. They have a full bakery with more selection than I actually need. I did have a cookie and a cup of coffee after, which topped off dinner. Because only a few bites had been taken out of the Mac n Cheese, the waiter was concerned I didn't like it. Had to tell him, "No man, just stuffed on the chicken salad!" Looking for a great brunch place...try it. Best of all, it's located in the Lincoln Square with a fountain and benches to relax and not feel like you have to pick up and go!
(5)Chitown D.
We've eaten here a handful of times and everything has been alright. Sadly, I couldn't tell you what we've eaten, if that tells you anything though. Some salads, some quiche, some sandwiches, etc., but nothing unforgettable obviously. No complaints about the service or the prices. They have outdoor seating in good weather, which is a nice feature. I was surprised it was described as quiet, as I always find it loud, especially on the weekends or when the stroller brigades arrive. The best thing about this place is the Black Forest Cake, which I stop by to pick up every month. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it is the best around (beating out Gene's Sausage Shop across the street and Dinkel's down the road.)
(4)Kate P.
Since Valentine's day is right around the corner, I will be writing this review in a more poetic style. Here we go, ahem... ODE TO CAFE SELMARIE I have maternal love for Cafe Selmarie; Since, they make the most delicious mac and cheese. But that is not all they serve, They have fresh coffee and pasteries too, have you heard? The place isn't big, but it sure is cute, And I can't believe I haven't been here before last night, to boot. I'm feeling poetic, it's true All because I have so much love for you! Thanks for reading and may you all have a great V-Day wherever the day may take you!
(4)Jess J.
Generally speaking, the traffic flow is always bad here. Granted, when I stop by I often come with a toddler or stroller (or both), so I don't help the cause, but I can think of a few ways (counterwise, doorwise, and restaurantwise) that they could re-allot their space so that people could shop at the bakery without getting in the way of folks coming to dine, and visa-versa. That being said - the desserts are to die for. A fruit tart or some sort of ganache from here is worth looking forward to all day. Seeing how they aren't really kid-friendly from what I can telll, we find it easier to send one of us (hubby or I) in to purchase a delightful treat while the other waits outside. We will then devour it in the private of our own home. Not a bad arrangement (especially once we put the little one down, it is truly an enjoyable way to spend the evening). In the summertime, I have enjoyed a delish lunch here at their outdoor seating area (which I find logistically and aesthetically works best for them as a whole, esp being off of the plaza/square area with the fountain and all) . Those are the only circumstances in which I could imagine dining with a little one not being a pain. Looking forward to it really warming up soon so we can enjoy another yummy lunch outside on a nice day. Sidenote: When hubby and I next go on a date, we may have to stop here for dinner so that I can form an informed opinion on that front as well. :)
(3)Jacob T.
Cafe Selmarie is my after church go-to brunch place on Sundays. Great prices, the food is simple, but delicious, and the best coffee in the city! The brioche french toast, chilaquiles casserole, and the corned beef hash are all fantastic! This is a must try place.
(5)Ellie M.
Sunday Brunch = DELISH!!!!! We went here for my Sister-in-law's birthday aka The Brunch Queen. I must say it was a GREAT idea. I started off with their chai latte and it was super yummy. They had plenty of morning drinks to choose from even mimosas. I kept going back and forth because there were so many good things to choose from on the menu but I ended up ordering the corned beef hash. When it arrived I was pleased to see it was not the stuff that comes out of a can. It was JUST soooo yummy. There were 7 of us for brunch and we ALL had to try atleast one bite of each others entree. Service was top notch. Having a bakery upfront is definetly a perk we all left with some sort of sweet treat! Not only that but our bellies were full and not one unhappy customer in our group! We shall be returning!
(5)Taylor O.
I've been coming here for a while now and I'm just getting around to yelping about this delicious place. Prior to recently, we've only ever come here for the pastries, but recently we came for brunch too, which was delish! The mimosas were really good too :) My favorite pastries are the mixed fruit tart, the raspberry chocolate tart, and the banana eclair, in no particular order.
(4)Mary Ellen J.
My review is past due, but now I have 2 interactions with this fabulous place to boast about! Back in February it was my son's Cub Scout annual Raingutter Regatta so I thought how great to bring sail boat shaped cookies- well, I remember once upon a visit this place had them in the case. So I called, after a few long Ummmmmmmmmm's, they asked if they could get back to me. I could hear it over the phone- although they didn't say it out loud- why does someone want sailboats in the middle of winter?! (I agree) but, sure enough I believe the lovely woman that called me back was named Connie, she said the baker would make them he just had to find the shape as it was in another season's box put away. Thank you, thank you!! Now this is customer service and how you should run a business! Skip a couple months and I know that they only make Hot Cross Buns for Easter and they are SO good. For whatever reason I had this great idea to get some and bring them into work today, but of course this great idea didn't come to me until my drive home last evening. I called and as much as she wanted to say 'sure' she needed to call me back after she called the baker to see if he would come in early enough to make them for me for the time I wanted to pick them up. Again, fabulous amazing customer service at its finest, I get the call- Yes, the baker will come in and have them ready for you. I arrived this morning, early, they were still in the oven- seriously does it get any better??? While I waited I had a Cafe Au Lait, on the house to boot. I picked up my hot Hot Cross Buns, all 3 dozen of them- brought them into work- still hot and they were gone in less than 30 minutes. Thank you for being a fabulous customer-smart business that serves wonderful food and obviously has the customer service thing down right! Happy Easter!
(5)Livia N.
5 stars for the bakery and 4 stars for the restaurant. I've been a regular customer at Cafe Selmarie for the past 4 years. Their desserts have been the best I've tried in Chicago. I used to order desserts at restaurants but I no longer do that. If my husband and I eat out, we stop by Cafe Selmarie for dessert. I am not a big fan of super sweet anything and if you are like me I would reccomend the raspberry bavarian cake, black forest cake, strawberry roulade, and any of the fruit tarts. Those are my favorite treats from Selmarie. About the restaurant, I love the atmosphere. Lincoln Square is a very kid friendly place and so is this restaurant. Their menu is simple and there aren't a whole lot of items to choose from, but the ones that they do offer are really good. I have to agree with other people about the vegetarian chilli. It is one of my favorite items on the menu. I would add the mac&cheese and the roasted vegetable stack to my list of favorites, with a word of caution that the mac &cheese portion is really tiny. I give it four stars just because it is a bit pricey. If you go there for the restaurant you MUST save room for dessert. Your experience will not be complete without it.
(5)Nona Gayle D.
My favorite dessert spot. My brother introduced my to this place last week, and am I glad he did so. They have cookies, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, and load of sweets! My favorites in this place are the mixed fruit tarts, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and the raspberry butter cookies! Please stop by this place for a quick bite of sweetness, I promise it will make your entire day better It's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
(5)Emily C.
A colleague of mine, formerly of Lincoln Square, has recommended this place to me numerous times and I kept putting it off. Things like it looking too crowded or it being closed just kept preventing me from getting in. At long last, I made my way in and bought two slices of torte for my fiancee and myself, one chocolate-banana (mine), and one hazelnut (his). If you get no other message, out of this review, get this: Those. Tortes. Were. PERFECT. This cake was so flippin' amazing I found myself cursing the fact that cake is already included in my wedding package, preventing me from ordering one from here. Yes, I cursed free cake. That's how delicious it is. I'm foolish for not making it to this place sooner and will undoubtedly come back, even if that means amping up my workout regimen. Well worth it.
(5)Megan S.
This place hits the spot and is conveniently located. Their mimosas are amazing, as well as all dishes I have tried there. They change the menu almost weekly to keep customers intruiged and coming back wanting more.
(5)Jacqueline A.
Lovely all around. Sweet ambiance in a great location, delicious small plates, a genuine waitress & hot servers walking around with even more delicious looking cream puffs! We stopped by before a concert at Old Town School of Folk Music. An excellent prelude. We were in and out in 45 minutes on a Saturday night. Next time we'll save time for dessert. Now I'm going to try to figure out how to make their crab crepe with mushroom brandy cream sauce.
(4)Jill H.
This place is pretty delicious. I went for brunch this morning with my boyfriend and his family and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals. I got the granola with berries and yogurt and the granola was delicious! I also tried my boyfriend's corned beef hash, which was very authentically good. It wasn't like the mash you get out of a can, but real slow cooked corned beef with potatoes and poached eggs. Loads of flavor. I gave this place four stars because the service was a tad slow, my juice was small, and the menu didn't have a ton of options. But really 4 stars is great! I will definitely be going back!
(4)John C.
This is my favorite brunch place in Lincoln Square. Their outdoor seating is fantastic - right in the heart of the square by the fountain, and the inside is great as well - walls adorned with regularly updated art. Their eggs florentine is delicious, and the breakfast potatoes are always tasty. Really great spicy bloody marys as well. Their dinner definitely doesn't disappoint, but it's pricey. Their specials are seasonal and delicious as well. I'd be here all the time if it was more affordable. Their dessert is probably the best thing about this place. It's hard not to stop in here more often and get a piece of their homemade cakes or pies or cookies or...well I don't even know all of the stuff they have, but it's GREAT - and cheap! I feel like I'm getting a deal when I get a giant piece of homemade cake for $4, and just thinking of these sweets are making me salivate.
(5)Ann M.
Cafe Selmarie is a fantastic spot. The food is always wonderful, and the portions are perfect - not Supersized, just right. It's comfort food, and it's prepared well and presented nicely. The desserts are a serious indulgence so save room. Service can be uneven, never horrific, but that happens everywhere. If you're looking for an al fresco dining experience in the summer months, this is the place for it.
(5)Sean H.
Birgit and Jeannie make the best Stollen on the planet. And if you don't agree, meet me by the bike rack out front. And bring all your friends...if you have any!
(5)Nikkie H.
Mmmmm, dessert.... I had wanted to try Cafe Selmarie for brunch, but my friend wanted to meet in the afternoon instead. I was a bit disappointed at first, because I wanted some brunch, but it turned out to be just perfect. We hit it right between the brunch and dinner crowd, so there was seriously no wait and lots of open tables. I had an iced latte and a Napoleon as my dessert of choice. Oh, my, gaw, yum. It was the perfect combination - the creamy iced latte with the creamy dessert. I will totally come back to get a dessert to go. One star off for not offering decaf iced coffee for my friend who has a baby on the way.
(4)George A.
Fresh baked goods, great coffee, breakfast was outta this world!
(5)Deena D.
This place is perfect for fueling up during shopping in the area. The front of the cafe is their whole baked goods area which does not have a menu because it's always changing (fresh as it gets). I ordered a grilled veggie stack sandwich with goat cheese and it had that awesome "charcoal grill" taste. My mom ordered the arugula salad with oranges and was delicious. Topped are meal of with cappuccinos & vanilla/almond financier pastry which we both loved. Great service & food --will be back for more!
(5)L G.
This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. The food is great and the setting is cozy (I love how they continuously change the art on the wall) They serve the type of food that is not only good for my palate, but also feels great in my body. This is the first restaurant my wife and think of when we go out because it brings so many great things together: taste, health, ambiance, and price. I always leave feeling satisfied in and will continue coming back for as long as it's here.
(5)Mandy J.
Selmarie is the bomb! The bakery is amazing from the strawberry roulade to the ham and cheese croissant!
(5)Tara P.
The chilaquiles are calling to me this morning. What's that chilaquiles? You want Cafe Selmarie to drop you off at my place? Well, my door is always open for you. Oh, I'm supposed to be writing a review, so: Cafe Selmarie has a tasty, tasty brunch, good service, and takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. I suggest going with a group for brunch with reservation, because the waiting area is cramped.
(4)Colleen B.
Desserts at Selmarie = heaven on your plate. Eat the apricot tart. I loved it and I don't even like apricots. THAT'S how good their desserts are. Oh, and the rest of them are great too. I know because I've probably eaten all of them at least twice. Please don't judge me. Just go to Selmarie instead.
(5)John B.
Oh Selmarie, why do you taunt me with your evil pastry goodness? Why do you make me walk past your bakery case, overflowing with cakes and tarts and tortes and strudels, all calling out "Eat Me," like some sugary Alice in Wonderland fever dream? Why, when I say I'm just going to have a salad or maybe a sandwich, do you mock my fatty resolve? Yes, I give in, again and again. You are my heroin, and I am a pastry junkie, trying to inject a sticky bun into my arm. The other food is good here too, and luckily fairly light. Quiches and wraps and salads and cafe-style sandwiches, like the smoked turkey and brie, still a favorite two years later. Which is good, because you know you're going to have to have that orange decadence cake or maybe the strawberry roulade or the marble cream cheese brownie. Service is dicey, which is the main reason I only give you four stars. And bananas and strawberries is really not a fruit bowl, especially in high summer. But then you flash me some Bavarian cream, and all is well again.
(4)Susan M.
I like it here still. Met friends for breakfast. One of which is a total foodie, and I was nervous that Selmarie wouldn't live up to his expectations. It did. Yay Cafe Selmarie!.
(5)Christine F.
I was feeling kind of icky and under the weather tonight, and I had a strong desire for some soup. I spotted Cafe Selmarie across the street, so off I went. It's a cozy cafe with a HUGE bakery in the front and a more upscale restaurant in the back. I sat down and ordered a bowl of vegetarian chili and a chai tea. Ok. OMFG. This is the best chai tea I've ever had. The milk was super rich and frothy, it was sweet, but not too sweet, and had the signature subtle chai spice. It was ridiculously good. I could have drunk about 10 of those. The chili was good, but not great. It was kind of basic - pinto beans, tomatoes and green peppers with cheese on top with a side of cornbread. It hit the spot, but it wasn't the best chili EVAR. I would definitely come back here, especially for the bakery. I could have stared (and ate) their bakery selection all night. MMM. Cafe Selmarie was a great beginning-of-fall stop. Good stuff.
(4)Roberto M.
If Cafe Selmarie were simply a bakery or desert shop, it would get 4-5 stars. If you are looking for a quiet date night in Lincoln Square, I recommend it. However, the food was OK, but not excellent. We had the Chicken Pot Pie and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. Both left us wanting more. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for a quiet date spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and excellent deserts.
(3)Rosie S.
I went to this place on Saturday for brunch. And it was delicious!!! There was a small wait, but it is worth it. Cafe Selmaried is located in the heart of Lincoln Square and is very convenient to get to by CTA. The Cafe itself itself is very quaint and nicely decorated. I had the chilaquiles casserole--if you are used to spice (then it is not really spicy)--it was delicious, none of the toppings were overwhelming and the portion was quite large. My friend had one of their specials for the day--ahi tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. She said the wrap was awesome and ate the whole thing even though she was full after the 1st Half. The fries were just the right amount of crispiness. And our server was great.
(4)Marco D.
I must admit that the only meals I've eaten at selmarie have been of the breakfast kind. But they do it well. The eggs have yummy spring onions tossed in. It's a bit steep for what you get, but it's the kind of place you go to to enjoy a meal on the patio with good company. The strong point is bar none the pastries. They have the best cupcakes in Chicago. And a cute waitstaff never hurts a place. Try the morning buns!!!!!
(4)Sharon S.
This place is awesome! At first it looks like a bakery but it's so much more. In the back of the bakery is the restaurant area. A friend and I went there for dinner last night. I got the glazed pork and she got the salmon salad. Both were amazing. The sauce on the glazed pork is to die for. I just couldn't get enough of it. And for a salad, the salmon salad was large and filling. We also had red wine which were great recommendations from the waitress. We were too stuffed for dessert but everything from the bakery looked delicious. I'll definitely be back. There was so much on their menu that I wanted to try that it was hard to decide. The atmosphere was great and staff was super friendly. Definitely check it out! And I heard their brunch is amazing, definitely need to get there for that.
(4)Edie J.
I have come here a few times and must say that I am only going to do mid morning weekday visits from now on. A coffee and a treat are perfect and the square is less crowded. I had dinner here last weekend and it wasn't that great. To me the Macaroni and Cheese was bland, :( I love cheese what happened? And the service was very sad. I am a server myself so it pains me to say it, I wish sometimes servers could review their customers but that is a different matter.
(4)Anita L.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice spot for lunch and were strolling the Lincoln Square when we stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie. We were in absolutely no hurry and had no idea what we wanted. Our server Katherine was wonderful and just who we needed. She was full of information and very patient and positive. The food and atmosphere was great, but it was the service that will keep us coming back.
(4)Herminia I.
My fiancé and I came here for dinner the other night. The restaurant is cute and comfy, and the food was pretty good. We both had the steak which was pretty good, but the portions were really small. We usually never order appetizers since we can barely finish our dinner, but at this restaurant you definitely need appetizers. Our meal was the steak and mashed potatoes and we were still hungry--even after dessert (FYI: dessert was pretty damn good). On our next trip we will probably try the chicken pot pie, but we will be sure to order soup and perhaps an appetizer.
(4)Melissa M.
I've tried Cafe Selmarie twice now and haven't been thrilled either time. I've ordered a variety of pastries for my guests and myself, and they've been hard or dry everytime. The pastries I've tried seem like they're a few days old already. Not really worth returning for a third time. Not to mention that the girl behind the counter kept coughing as she was boxing up my stuff! And how about the $1.60 for a can of Coke??? Think I'll just skip the pastries and hit up Cold Stone Creamery down the street next time.
(2)Sheeroz K.
Cafe Selmarie is amazing!!!! I have been going there for 4 years and counting and every single time the food is out of this world and the bakery side is great as well!!! The staff is wonderful and the food is excellent! I couldn't recommend a better place!
(5)Emma M.
Cafe Selmarie will always hold a special spot in my heart. After my fiancee proposed to me in December (in Giddings Square), we went to Cafe Selmarie which stayed open just for us and a had bottle of champagne and dessert waiting for us. My stomach was full of butterflies and there was so much excitement running through my body that I couldn't eat anything, but I really appreciated everything they did for us. We sat there for a while, sipping champagne and they were in no hurry for us to leave. I will be going there for a wedding cake consultation!!
(5)David K.
Randomly walked by this place while going around Lincoln Square. The menu looked nice so the boyfriend and I decided to try it out. The environment was nice, but full of babies. Maybe that's a Lincoln Square thing, but yeah, a lot of babies in this place. We ended up ordering from the breakfast side of Brunch. I had a salmon, egg, english muffin thing, and boyfriend got a denver omelet. My food was alright, but it wasn't anything special. I always get this feeling that ordering fish for breakfast will turn out fancier than it ever does, but it was pretty good. Boyfriend was very satisfied with his omelet, and we both loved our hash browns. Overall, the meal was good, a little more expensive than I would have wanted it to be. Service was nice, environment was alright (again, there were a lot of babies in this restaurant). It's in a great location though. A good way to start an afternoon of adventure through the nifty shops and stores along Lincoln Avenue. Lastly, we didn't try any, but there were some beautiful-looking dessert options. Might need to go back to try some of them.
(4)Kate B.
We stumbled upon this little gem while taking a stroll in Lincoln Square on a random summer Thursday evening. Well, there happened to be live music playing outside that evening, and a table for two on the patio just opened - perfect, the romance meter just jumped! Little did we know, it was pre-fixe night - ooh joy! The overall everyday menu seems to focus on comfort foods, with macaroni and cheese being the front runner, as we saw it being served to many diners. We chose to go with the pre-fixe option - I had a simple salad, with a light vinaigrette, and pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, Parmesan cheese.... mmmm, nothing out of the ordinary, but prepared very well. My partner had the chowder to start, which had a broth base, as opposed to the favored creamy chowdah. For his main course he had the monkfish in a light cream sauce. I have never tasted monkfish prepared so delicate and flavorful, needless to say this was the star meal of the evening. It was rounding towards closing time, so there was slim pickins for dessert, and you could tell they had been sitting in the pastry case for the day, as they were cold and did not have an abundance of flavor. Overall it was a good meal, great company and a fantastic little gem of a Chicago evening with live music as our soundtrack. The service was wonderful, our server was so nice and sweet, she was spot on. We left a wee past closing time, as we got swept away by the romance of it all, and as we were leaving, there was no attitude that we had stayed beyond their hours, it was smiles all the way out as we floated into the Chicago evening. We will definitely be back to try their breakfast and coffee, and perhaps a fresher pastry!
(4)MELEK L.
Cafe Selmarie has it all. Delicious fresh breakfast, quick lunch, great atmosphere, and the most impressive, shiny pastry display. I try to schedule as many meetings here as I can!
(5)Sarah C.
I would actually say 3.5 stars if I could. It is definitely a really nice place. My main complaint is the lack of vegan options. It is great for dairly lovers, but I had more fun with my company and the atmosphere of the place, than the actual food. The service was wonderful.
(3)Nick B.
It's hard not to describe this place as really, really cute. I find myself saying "cute" with slight derogatory intentions, but absolutely not for Cafe Selmarie. I went here for brunch this morning with my parents for our weekly brunch session. Reviews on here were outstanding and it's really close to my apartment. I went to bed last night thinking about French toast. The cafe is right off a sunny park in the middle of Lincoln Square. It actually felt like a getaway. It's charming and the fact that it was absolutely beautiful outside today just made the place even calmer. We stopped in at 9AM and already the patio was filled up (bummer!), so we ended up sitting inside without a wait. Not a problem. It was nice because despite being crowded, there was no shouting involved to have a conversation. Brunch spots like Toast leave you so crammed in that you can't hear the person sitting across from you. I went ahead with the brioche French toast. Wonderful! It was very flavorful which was a great spin on the classic item. I think one of my only complains is that it is a little pricey for the average brunch joint. Not really a problem, but I can't see myself frequently that often. With that said, it really was an enjoyable be to start a relaxing Sunday.
(4)Marie B.
This is a gem of a place in Lincoln Park. I recently had lunch here with an absolute "foodie" and he, too, was impressed. The decor is charming without being kitchy. The service is attentive without being annoying, and the desserts are quite simply put, DIVINE! I could eat here every day...wait, I work nearby, so I CAN eat lunch here, everyday! No, wait, my butt is already huge...I have no will power and the desserts are just too tempting. Alas, I can't enjoy Cafe Selmarie everyday...perhaps you could dine for me?! I'll live vicariously through you... ; - ) Try the sweet potato fries...yum.
(5)Jean C.
I've been coming here since God was a boy. Or at least since before they expanded up to the corner from that tiny storefront they opened with. I've eaten here since before it was the trendy place for people to bring their screaming kids and block the walkways with those SUV-size strollers everyone seems to have these days. But while the clientele has changed and the size of the restaurant, too, the quality of the food and service has, mercifully, remained the same. I'm very partial to their salads, and the warm, marinated goat cheese with mixed greens is a favorite of mine. But the one I find myself wishing for -- it's a special, not a regular menu item -- is the Salad Lyonnaise which strikes just the right balances to make it a meal without being overwhelming. Their mac and cheese or vegetarian chili are more likely to stick-to-your-ribs, and are great choices for colder weather. The specials are always reliable, creative without being ridiculous. Nobody is going to try to serve you foam here and tell you that it's a meal. Of course the baked goods are the real stars of the show, and even if you're not eating in, you can take home some amazing breads and pastries. I was head-over-heels for their chocolate hazelnut dacquoise, for years, but I am now told it's only being made by order. I am heart-broken over this and I hope they'll rethink their decision. But it isn't just the fancy pastries which satisfy. Something as homely as their breakfast bun will send you into your day with a smile on your face and a feeling that you've done right by yourself. Try it with a cup of their coffee. I can't even imagine not visiting this place on a regular basis even if the parking situation is becoming more dire by the day. (Thank you Chicago, thank you so very, very much for this new parking outrage!) It's worth the annoyance, in my opinion, and remains one constant bright spot in an ever-changing landscape of trendiness and yuppification. Also? They often have very nice art on the walls and much of it is for sale. Worth a look.
(5)Tammy R.
Best sugar cookies ever! Great staff too.
(5)Kirsten N.
Every time I come here they never disappoint, with the food that is. Unfortunately the service is what stops me from giving them 5 stars. Every time I go I have to flag down another waiter/waitress to order or even pay the bill!! On one visit I tried for over 30 minutes and asked 4 different waiters to get ours so I could pay. Hire better staff and I'll frequent your establishment more often!
(3)Gregg L.
I always visit Cafe Selmarie when I'm in Chicago. The food and the ambiance are excellent. It's a great place for relaxing with friends, or to just hang out. Once you try it, you'll be a fan too!
(5)Robert F.
Its a restaraunt! No, no... its a bistro! No... its a coffee shop! Nuh uh! Its a bakery! Well... its all of those things actually. Until recently I had my doubts that a place could be so many things at once and pull any of them off credibly. But we had family down for a visit and the sweet tooths won the day. Ok, a word on sweets. Forget sweet tooth. This place is for sweet FANGS. The big razor sharp predatory ones good only for tearing flesh from bone. Except its sweets. But it will still give you that satisfied feeling I imagine the sabertooth tiger had when it sank those mouth daggers into the side of a gazelle... with lemon filling and a powdered sugar top. Of course, for you nonpredatory types, Cafe Selmarie is an excellent grazeland as well. It doesn't get any more Lincoln Square than actually being in the SQUARE part. In the middle of summer, with the fountain just a few feet away, you can graze to your hearts content on bistro deliciousness and watch the local wildlife. Just stay out of my way when I'm hunting for lemon bars.
(4)Kristen S.
I love Cafe Selmarie for brunch or dinner - everything served here is clean and delicious. They serve Intelligentsia coffee and you cannot go wrong with that as well. This place is pretty busy on the weekends, so we did have to wait a bit, but it was nothing annoying. I had an omelet and a hot chocolate. So amazing. They were attentive to my gluten intolerance and I did not get sick. Awesome! Also came here for dinner once and had the caesar salad with grilled salmon. It was cooked to perfection - I didn't expect this from a little cafe. Highly recommended!!! It's a tiny restaurant so I recommend it for small groups or couples. During the warmer weather you can eat outside which is great for families. My husband has enjoyed the baked goods here although I cannot speak to them :)
(4)Minna A.
I love Lincoln Square! and the heart of it all is Cafe Selmarie. I came here for brunch. We shared the quiche and the salmon club. I only have one word to say about Cafe Selmarie: drooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllll
(5)Shana M.
I had a great experience here on one of those nose hair freezing days a few weeks ago. The place was packed, around 11am on a Sunday, so my friend and I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table, but we didn't mind. I salivated over all the goodies in the pastry case, and even snapped a few pictures (new digital camera = pictures of EVERYTHING). Our server was cute (no, I don't factor attractiveness into the stars! it's just a worthwhile perk.), attentive and calm even though she had customers jammed in all corners. They had spiced rum apple cider on special, which was perfect for warming me up inside and out. Also on special was corn beef hash with poached eggs. WOW was that ever good. The corn beef was shredded and had a smoked flavor to it. It had a firmness that was appealing without being too dry. The potatoes were diced small and perfectly soft without being mushy and the poached eggs were perfect. They charge your for the toast, so be aware of that. Lovely place. I can't believe I didn't get any pastries. Guess I'll be going back!
(4)Emily Y.
Yes, it's a great location, and yes, the servers and atmosphere are lovely, but the food here is so "meh" that I don't understand why there is always such a crowd. Maybe people just haven't been to M.Henry or Over Easy (two of many brunch spots that trump Selmarie any day). On my second visit, I had an omlette with asparagus and prosciutto and fontina -- in theory sounds delicious -- that totally flopped. The asparagus had not been sauteed or cooked at all before entering the omlette, so the whole thing tasted a bit like raw asparagus. Despite the saltiness of the prosciutto, the omlette fell flat. Not much flavor there at all. The breakfast potatoes look and taste like the Ore-ida variety from Jewel. The toast was decent but it's toast...not much to screw up there. My second visit confirmed my feelings about this place. I just don't see how a mediocre pricey brunch place like this can survive in Chicago when their food isn't any better than diner fare.
(2)Jade R.
not good, I stopped in there for lunch and ordered the grilled roasted vegetable sandwich on sourdough and it was absolutely horrible the bread and vegetables tasted like burnt marshmellow. I think the grill must have been very dirty, i dont know what grill they are using but the bread and vegetables were charred which they are supposed to be but the char on the vegetables tasted horrible. my whole sandwich tasted like burnt marshmellow. very unsatisfying. but my boyfriend got the chicken pot pie which was pretty good.. a little small. stay away from the grilled vegetables. unless they cleaned thier grill
(2)Carolynne M.
I have been here on a few occasions, mostly to grab a coffee or some little bun-bun. Saturday was the first time I was here to eat in-house. The service was great, and the coffee was great - heck even my side of toast was great. But my bowl of chicken tortilla soup was intensely disappointing. It was loaded with big pieces of chicken and hominy, but yet it was just so bland. I was debating whether or not to dump hot sauce into it a few times. Also, for a dish called "Chicken TORTILLA" soup, I don't think one tiny, limp shred of tortilla hidden at the bottom of the bowl counts. Andy M's entree looked like the better dish, with a big fluffy eggy omelet, a nice green side salad, and some toast. I cant be too hard on the Cafe since like I said, most of the little things I have had in the past were great. I guess I need to come back and try something different next time.
(3)Nuna D.
I just tried the bakery but I loved it! It was just what I was looking for , a nice place with beautiful desserts that I can take my kids to for a treat. The first time we went we just bought some treats and the kiddos had them while playing in the square. After that experience my 4 year old told me one morning that she dreamed about the cafe with all the beautiful cakes. So after her preschool graduation we went there with one of her friends to celebrate . The children had cupcakes and butterfly cookies , I had lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was good. But the lemon was kinda iffy. Not fresh squeezed lemon . I love the European cafe atmosphere , and the fact that its on the square just makes you feel like you were transported to a cafe on the old continent. I heard they serve a great breakfast.
(4)Tory w.
I have been to Selmarie many, many times, as far back as 1999, but have never been there as a yelper until last week. I adore Selmarie. Every single thing I have ever ordered here has been good. No, not good. Excellent. I have had the quiche, mac and cheese, croque monsieur, different soups, veggie chili, goat cheese, turkey and brie sandwich, and many, many pastries, and I love everything. I would even go so far as to say that the croque monsieur and the quiche are the best I've had outside of France. The staff is friendly as well, and the coffee drinks are yummy. It's a great atmosphere whether you are outside in the square on a warm day or inside in the cozy restaurant on a winter day. It's reasonably priced as well. Magnifique!
(5)Andy M.
Our Saturday morning visit came by accident. Carolynne r. and I had other plans that fell through. I all of a sudden had a major hankering for Breakfast. Cafe Selmarie is a bakery and restaurant all wrapped up into one place. The Bakery items looked and smelled wonderful. This make my hunger grow more intense. We first started off with Coffee which was quite unique and tasty. It had a bit of a kick to it, which I desperately needed. My Denver Omelet was pretty good, but it was nothing that awed me. Our server did a nice job keeping the coffee flowing and getting us whatever we needed. It was a mixed crowd of elders, families and the typical Yuppsters that you would expect from Lincoln Square. It was a nice experience, and I would go back for the Coffee alone if I'm in the area. The bottom line is that Cafe Selmarie gave me the coffee and sustenance that I desperately needed, and I give it two thumbs up.
(4)Adri M.
When I'm cold, tired and hungry before teaching in Lincoln Square, the spinach and feta croissant and a mug of hot coffee from Café Selmarie hits the spot. Om nom nom. Had a quiche here too, but the dining room is kind of noisy. Cappuccinos are excellent!
(4)Stacy F.
I'm a fan. The crepe starter is delicious, as is the mushroom ravioli (I choose to ignore the fat content in that one). I hesitate to mention the almond croissants and their awesomeness, because then they will sell out even faster than they already do.
(5)Lyn L.
Went here over the weekend. It gets crowded, but they have lots of yummy desserts! I guess you have to go here during the weekdays, if you want to bring a group of friends. But overall nice decent place to go.
(3)D C.
I'm salivating just thinking about how "delishioso" their french toast was the other day! YUM.... I tend to walk by this cafe daily and have been here before with friends for coffee and cake. (banana chocolate torte is one of my favorites) But anyway, back to the french toast... best french toast I've EVER had, its topped with an orange cream and fresh fruit. I tried ordering today but it was too late for breakfast (sad moment). I will order tomorrow, (that the plan)... well if you're in the square and in need of a cookie or breakfast try Selmarie.... you wont be disappointed! ( little pricey but so worth it)
(5)John C.
It's Sunday, 1:30pm, 70 degrees and sunny. ALL of Chicago is enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine as they stroll throughout the city and wonder, "Is spring really here?" Surprisingly, or maybe because it's fairly late to be seated for brunch, there is little to no wait and we get seated immediately. Is there a better feeling than to watch plate after plate of food delivered to the neighboring tables and think, "OMG that's what I'm ordering." Cafe Selmarie is one of those restaurants, however, where you'll face a dilemma. You cannot order everything, and each entree that is delivered seems to be better than the last. I won't bore you with the entire menu, as you can certainly read it as well as I, but we went with two entrees. They were both mouthwatering and delicious, but we agreed that the chilaquiles casserole beat out the brioche french toast by the slightest of margins. Unlike a number of reviews I read, we found the service to be absolutely top notch. Attentive without being bothersome, our waiter knew the menu inside out and guided us through our choices without inserting his favorite and simply making it ours. I'll be back repeatedly until i've tried everything on the menu
(5)David G.
I always walk past this place when I'm on my way to Open Books or Huettenbar, and from the window I could always spot some items in the bakery case and I have to debate with myself whether or not I should go in. I finally did go in when my sister and I were trying to find a place to eat at noon on Saturday and we ended up going to Cafe Selmarie for brunch. It was a bit of a wait. They said 30 minutes but it actually ended up being about 20, but that's to be expected for a Saturday morning brunch, especially when the outdoor seating is closed due to rain. No big deal, other than there wasn't a lot of waiting space. There was bar-type seating in the bakery area, but I didn't want to take away from the people who were actually using them to eat. I ordered the quiche and it was fantastic. The service was quick and the hostess, waiter and the guy working at the bakery were very friendly. I didn't want to leave without trying something from the bakery, but I realized I was out of cash. Have no fear! They take credit cards! I bought a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting that I ate later in the day and it was delicious. Just about everything in the bakery looked good. I plan on going back to eventually try everything!
(4)Moby J.
Decent - definitely dont understand the high regard many people have for this place. The pot-pies are delicious - rest of lunch menu good too. The bakery is a huge disappointment.
(2)Laura R.
Anytime my fiancé and I can't decide where to go to eat, we go to Selmarie. It never disappoints. Everything I've ever tried has been delicious, from salads to soups to entrees. And of course you can't leave without trying some of those amazing cookies! They also have some cute outdoor seating during the summer.
(5)Katie C.
When deciding on a nice neighborhood place to take some out of town friends and their parents for lunch, I immediately thought of Cafe Selmarie...and promptly led the way. Tucked away on the quaint little part of Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square, I always thought their bakery would way overwhelm the food--ohhh you fantastical looking raspberry tarts, I long to have you between my lips...bad girl! But in this case, our lunch made us forget about all the goodies awaiting us up front. The menu for lunch was a lot bigger that I thought it'd be--and SO many things sounded scrumptious! The smoked turkey and brie sandwich, the Croque Monsieur (I'm coming back for you!), the quesadillas, mac n' cheese...insert moaning sound here. Finally I decided on the chopped salad after begging myself to choose "healthy": a mighty fine pile o' chopped butter lettuce, bacon, avocado, red onion, tomato, grilled chicken, blue cheese, hard boiled egg, aged sherry vinegar dressing...ohhhh I would eat that every day. Our server was really sweet and very attentive, and we never went without anything our party of 6 needed. That Croque Monsieur is calling my name from across the plains. Looking forward to hanging out on their patio when the real spring comes!
(5)Sandra C.
Love the ambiance and the pastries. The owners are great and everyone is very well trained. Customer service is excellent too!
(5)JJ S.
Food is always tasty, waitstaff friendly, pastries as heavenly as ever. The location is so cute and has a cobblestone courtyard next to it. When they are busy in the summer, it makes for a nice place to hang with your family while waiting for brunch. Gets crowded on the weekends so be prepared for a wait. Only real issue is the bathroom could be more clean and then I would feel more comfortable changing my baby's diaper there.
(4)Temi C.
Cafe Selmarie is a quaint & cozy brunch spot. I love the bakery in front of the dining area. There's one dish here that you must absolutely try! If you like braised short ribs, osso bucco, or any other kind of tender meat you'll love it. It's the corned beef hash. Yes, I said corned beef hash. I think the rest of the breakfast fare is just ok, but this is the dish that brings us. Prior to Cafe Selmarie, my corned beef hash dishes most likely came right out of a can. There's none of that here. They slow cook the corned beef so you can pull it apart with your fork. I never thought I'd use these words together, but the corned beef hash is quite classy here.
(4)Luci D.
Average. Decent little wine list, I enjoyed my salmon club and bubbly. My friend and I split the Oreo cheesecake, and agreed it was kept a bit too cold. Very dense. Friendly server, clean, bright atmosphere. Slight wait (10 mins) at 1 on a weekday. We were encouraged by our server to take our time (LOVE). Busboys kept water filled. Will return.
(3)Christa F.
If you are on a diet: BEWARE. In the front of this restaurant, there is a very large showcase of mouth-watering desserts. They looked absolutely awesome. I really don't know how I left without taking something home. I guess I really had self-control that day. But let me just tell you. I'm sure their desserts, pastries, pies, torts, muffins, chocolates, cookies, etc. are just incredible. OK enough drooling. . . I went here for breakfast. I probably got a boring breakfast to most, just some whole wheat pancakes (I did mention diet earlier, right?). My first time trying them anywhere. I thought they were good. It was a very large portion. It came sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can add berries or bananas. We ate outside on the nice, somewhat sizeable patio. I'm sure this place gets really packed on the weekends with long waits. I think we got lucky as I think we were there early enough.
(4)Valerie R.
I went here on a Sunday for brunch, and was impressed by the food. I had eggs florentine and my friend had the french toast, both delicious. We also had a couple Mimosas each; the first ones must have been made with flat champagne (I watched them being poured and there was quite a bit in there, otherwise I would assume they were easy on the champagne), but I'm glad I tried a second one because it was great. There is a bit of a wait, but the food is good, it's reasonably priced, and the servers are very friendly.
(4)April L.
The omelet I ordered with a variety of mushrooms was light and flavorful, and the potatoes were well-seasoned; I sampled my date's corn beef hash, and it was wonderful as well. The best part was that the staff were remarkably attentive and friendly... They managed to refill our water every 10 minutes without interrupting our conversation, and do just about the same with a "do you want more?" non-verbal gesture on the coffee refills. Great coffee, too, by the way. Staff at the front bakery are lovely as well.
(5)Rob A.
Wow, I love Cafe Selmarie. I've eaten here twice and both times have been really good. I love the cookies, the baked goods, the quiche, the pot pie, and the coffee wasn't bad either. The service is decent. It's not bad for such a small restaurant. I recommend it for a hearty breakfast or a good lunch.
(5)Channyn W.
I wanted to love this place. I was completely totally ready for commitment. I dreamed about that forever kind of love you only read about in Nora Roberts books and all I got was a 60 page Harlequin romance where I was the woman dumped for the heroine after Chapter 3. Seriously, my visit to this restaurant had so many great things going for it - the parking wasn't bad (or I can walk from home), the bakery was freshly filled with so many tempting treasures, and the wait itself was short for Saturday morning. So far so good. A couple of friends and I went for the first time together, all based on what I assured them would be an incredible experience given the rave reviews I had read. Please note I've not been allowed to choose the place for breakfast since with this group. The menu was fairly small, a little too pretentious for what it is, and way overpriced. The service was SLOW, and we're not the types to mind spending an hour or so over breakfast. And sorry, but if you're going to charge a ridiculous price for soda, don't bring it to me in a can with a glass of ice. At least let me pretend i'm getting what i'm paying for. Although I may return to try out the bakery portion, i'd be hesitant to give another dining experience a try. EDIT: So we decided to head in and sample some of the baked goods. We tried a pretty good variety of things - the carrot cake, some cookies, and a brownie, and my friend and I were both completely underwhelmed. I really see no reason to go back right now.
(2)Elly K.
Love this place! I live waaaaay closer to Lutz, but this is my go-to for cakes. Every cake and torte I've tried has been great. I've also had a few cookies, which were tasty as well. I've never had dinner there, but I've been for beakfast, and it was delicious. I really love having Selmarie in the neighborhood.
(4)Emily C.
It was a yummy surprise with a friend. Bakery was awesome! I had a chocolate pastry - my fav. Brunch menu was kinda small and focused. I picky eater may have a harder time figuring out what to eat. I had the french toast. It was pretty good. Great water service. Would go again.
(4)Sara O.
What a cute little bakery! And boy is it little! Or maybe it's just not big enough to fit the large crowd that flocks here on the weekends. The last time I tried dropping in on a Sunday afternoon to grab some grub, I was in for a rude awakening. The wait was a solid hour--and no way was I willing to wait an hour on an empty stomach. Instead, I chose to order food to go. I spent the next 15-20 mins drooling over the baked goods they have out in their display counters. I ended up ordering a few tarts and other goodies--they were all FABULOUS. In fact, lunch was pretty fabulous too. I can't imagine getting something here that isn't 100% fabulous. Probably shouldn't try this place on the weekend... but if you're patient enough to wait a while, then go for it! You'll be happy you did.
(4)Sarah L.
Good place to start your day with breakfast if you plan on taking a long stroll down Lincoln Park. Bakery + cafe- my favorite combination excelled in both its pastries and food. Ordered the vegetarian breakfast sandwich- aka eggs on English muffin, with goat cheese, spinach and red peppers. Very good. Salad on the side was nice but I declined the potatoes- too filling. Also sampled a fig and walnut scone- the scone was solid- almost beast Alice's Tea Cup in NYC. Crystallized sugar was a nice complement to the fig and walnut. Friend had an almond croissant and the granola and yogurt. Buttery croissant, not too sweet, very flaky with a hint of almond paste. They serve Intelligentsia coffee here.
(4)Alissa B.
Stopped by Cafe Selmarie last weekend for a quick lunch. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a cold brew and a few sammys (turkey and ham). Have to say this was quite an enjoyable little break in our afternoon. I don't find myself if LS too often, I would check this place out again... you should too!
(4)Tristin M.
i got a pie in a pumpkin (yes! pumpkin pie IN a cute lil pumpkin) and a chai latte. They both tasted like they'd go good together so I stirred in a scoop of pumpkin pie into the chai and it was so frickin' good I couldn't stop saying, "Ohmigod this is so good!" My girlfriend goes to me with a laugh, "Ha! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!" A lil pricey but it's a good thing because I don't need to be eating that much sugar all the time.
(5)Gwen R.
This place is great--the food is delicious, it is well-located, and the prices are just right. Highly recommend for any meal, time of day, year, etc. Low-key and cool at the same time.
(4)Sylvia T.
This place is on a cute street in Lincoln Square and was a great place to have an alfresco dinner, especially with the few warm Chicago nights left. My salmon salad was good,and it probably deserves 4 stars, but I have to take a star away for the desserts. We shared the raspberry chocolate tart and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was good, but when is bread pudding not good? The raspberry tart on the other hand leaves much to discuss. The tart dough was dry and stale and the raspberries did not impart much flavor on the dessert. I found myself just eating the fruit and leaving the rest of the tart behind.
(3)Tracy W.
This is a review for their dinner only. Based on the previous reviews it looks like their coffee and pastry/bakery and possibly brunch might be worth a try but I'm not planning to return any time soon. The dinner food was awful: no taste and WAY overpriced. I was really looking forward to trying this place given their 4/5 star rating with a lot of reviewers. I had the tomoto florentine soup which was blah and the sea scallop special which was tasteless and crunchy like all the sand hadn't been removed. Nothing like sand in my food...yuck! My friend had a different soup and she actually sent hers back. All in all, I will not be going here again, not even to try their bakery goods or brunch. There are just too many better restaurants out there!
(1)Lillian M.
This review is for the bakery only -- I have not tried their entrees, only desserts and coffee/tea. Came here for after-dinner dessert and I must say that even though I was full, I devoured the banana torte cake even though the slice was huge. Honestly, it was hard to pick what I wanted -- everything looked soooo good. Everyone around the table liked their choices, and it was neat to be able to order your pastry at the front, then have a seat in the dining area while they took your drink order and brought all to you. Waiter was nice, pleasant, and helpful. Luckily, the place was not too crowded, so we had a chance to linger and talk for awhile. Overall, great experience, nice atmosphere, and good sweets!!!
(5)Gen S.
Disclaimer: I have never been inside Cafe Selmarie and have never eaten their food. So what is this review about? Their chocolate! A co-worker of mine likes to bribe me with chocolates and I fold like a cheap suit every time he brings me a box from Cafe Selmarie. Their truffles are delicious! I like to store them in my mini fridge so they're slightly chilled and firm. They will dissolve into creamy goodness in your mouth with just the right amount of cocoa powder for that sharp chocolate taste. One of these days I will have to actually visit the place, but until then I highly recommend the chocolate.
(5)Liz S.
I'm torn on this place. The restaurant itself is a bit cold and empty, which doesn't really make you feel comfortable while you're eating. Also, the service is a tad bit slow (at least they were on the day I went, and it's not because they were busy, they just physically moved slow). Now the reason I'm torn is because the food was very yummy. I had the Croque Monsieur and was very pleased. I went with two friends and one of them had the Quiche of the day and ate it all, even though it was piping hot. My other friends had the Quesadillas, which she too enjoyed. I didn't have any of the bakery items, but all look very very tasty. I would definitely go back for either the bakery items or lunch. Just don't be in too much of a rush if you're going to eat here.
(4)Emma K.
Loved it. I was able to tie up the pup and grab a pastry and coffee quickly one day and the next had an amazing breakfast. Super friendly staff. I heart Lincoln Square.
(5)Kristin S.
4.5 stars if I could give it. Yes, it's a little expensive, but what nice brunch spots in Chicago aren't these days? The restaurant is small with the bakery at the front. If you've got a big party, be prepared to wait or go early. It's that simple. Both times I've been I've loved it. The food was great, the coffee is delicious and the sticky buns (if you're lucky enough to get there before they sell out) were everything a sticky bun should be. I love that the restaurant has windows that line the entire side of the dining room and backery. It's always sunny and nice, and you can look out onto the square (though with the construction going on up there, I'm not sure what you look out onto anymore). The chilaquiles are yum and so is the ham and cheese croissant I had. I love the interesting, seasonal foods they serve and have to get back soon!
(4)Darkling S.
The two stars are only for the food, not even for the beverages. They may be considered a French cafe, but of all the wines there are only two French and one is sparkling??? we tried three whites and had to send one back it was so poor. and the food is not French at all. the pastries are well-made and presented. The service - non-existent and incompetent when they were attending our tabel. We had two waitresses (due to a shift change) and one would expect that one of the two would be worth a 10$ tip. Mai non! We waited at least 10 minutes for a glass of iced tea replacing the Pinot Grigio .. we waited 20 minutes for our meal and neither waitress knew how to tilt our umbrella when the sun started to burn one of us .. they didn't even know it was a tilt when it was obvious. my friend finally did it himself! it didn't improve with the dessert course: we were told we must go into the bakery and select our desserts. Of course we took our purses and a camera off the table and letf our beverages and napkins. when we returned 5 minutes later, they had cleared the table and the busboy treated us like new diners! the final faux pas was whn we ordered coffees with cream .. 10 minutes later she brought the coffees and - no cream. 10 minutes later after my friend asked for it, she brought those little creamers u get at a 7/11 and the bill! Very very disappointed in this Lincoln Square restaurant. Needless to say we didn't buy our baked goods for the week from them before we left. We made the trip to Lutz's.
(2)James J.
Superb, rock solid brunch and cafe. All dishes are carefully crafted and food is very consistent. Menu is simple and not full of mediocre crap to make it look larger. I'm not an Intelligencia fan but what can I say... people love it. The pastries are good. The place is always staffed well to take care of a big Sunday crowd. Friendly and speedy service. This is a classic brunch spot which you don't find much in Chicago.
(5)Emma S.
Lemme break it down into two reviews with an average of three. Dinner: 2 stars I'll sum it up by saying "mediocre, well-presented, and entirely too expensive food, coupled with a scarce drink selection." Dessert/Bakery: 4 Stars! Holy smokes these folks can make a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. I'm so in to getting desert here. I loves it. For reals.
(3)carey c.
Cafe Selmarie has the best scone in the city: they have a date walnut scone that they make on the weekends only. Call ahead. Have them save one. The rest of the week they have a whole wheat scone, which is puzzling. At least put some blueberries in that bad boy. The pastries are great, and the food in the restaurant is really good for a special occasion. (It's pricey) The coffee is not great. The staff is hit and miss--mostly good, but sometimes very snobby. I once saw a guy called out by the waitress for asking to be served after he had been waiting. Whoa. For this iffy service, I would have given three stars, however, the date walnut scone is just that good.
(4)Naomi M.
Sel Marie, what is it about you that always makes me feel shorted? I've eaten from your breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. I've stopped by for a bag of cookies to take home or for a snack break while I shop. Obviously I keep coming back and coming back, always hopeful, and in the end always slightly disappointed. Nothing I've ever had at Sel Marie has been awful. Nothing has been amazing either. It is a dependably ok meal. Sometimes the wait staff is sweet. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes you don't get a bread basket but the table next to you does. And always, without fail, the luscious looking deserts in the case (especially the cakes) are DRY DRY DRY, unless they're soaked in alcohol, like the Tiramisu. But I'll be back. Amnesia? Laziness? Foolish hope? I don't know.
(3)Sus U.
Salads are awful but the cakes deserve 6 stars. Service is OK!
(3)Lourdes A.
This proved to be quite the refuge for 3 girls trying to escape the blustery, snowy Chicago cold. They pour a delicious cup of Intelligentsia coffee. Cool points for supporting local coffee roasters. Their quiche - which varies daily - is a creamy slice of heaven! Their soup of the day was lentil with pork but in French. It is tasty in any language. Last but not least their patisserie in the front of the cafe makes the mouth water.The apple galette was pretty but boring; the apple strudel was not so pretty and delectable. Summary: the quiche is the star of this show!
(4)Jerry B.
Very good breakfast and great service. Hope to eat outside next time. Definitely would return.
(4)Lisa R.
The one thing that Cafe Selmarie is about is the desserts. You simply cannot come here and not order dessert, or take one out with you when you leave! The food here is good, but it simply doesn't match up to the desserts they have here. The menu here is filled with good old comfort foods but dressed up. When I eat here I always get the macaroni and cheese, and the chopped salad. I will admit I usually only ever went to Cafe Selmarie to grab a raspberry chocolate tart, or whatever looked awesome that day. In the fall they have pumpkin cheesecake which is simply to die for!
(5)Jennifer M.
I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. It's a great place to go for brunch, lunch or just a little snack. The only thing that's kind of irksome is that it's always crowded but they're stuff is just that good, so there's always a crowd. My faves are the bread pudding, coconut macaroons, and the plum cake that they have during the holiday season.
(5)Chris J.
I've been a frequenter of Cafe Selmarie since I've lived in the area. Always great food whether you're eating a meal or getting treats. Last night I went and had the chicken almondine special which was out of this world. Impossibly tender chicken, great sauce were at the center of the dish. Some grilled asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes rounded out the outside. As always, I'll be back but now I will take their specials menu a lot more seriously!
(5)Shelley J.
Everything I've ever tasted at this restaurant since the first time I tried it 2 years ago has been nothing short of spectacular. I could write a long, detailed note waxing on the ways I love this place, but I'll spare you. Brunch and dinner are so good, I'd go there for both in the same day and not feel weird about it. Here's a list of what I think are amazing (read: only things I've tried so far): Cafe au lait Chilaquiles (This is my favorite brunch item on their menu) Smoked turkey and brie sandwich Warm marinated goat cheese Mac & cheese Chicken pot pie (I find it difficult to go there for dinner and not order this) Corned beef hash Beef tenderloin Pork tenderloin Herb roasted chicken Parmesan mashed potatoes And, they have lovely desserts, although I am not the biggest fan of sweets; I cannot go there without getting a piece of their cherry pie. I've never tasted anything so close to heaven (except maybe a poached egg, which abound at a Cafe Selmarie brunch). I would come here every single day if I had the salary to do so! (In fact, the mere writing about this restaurant is making my stomach growl and mouth water for it. Le sigh.) PS: The prices definitely rival any brunch spot in the city AND the most expensive thing on the dinner menu is $20 (the beef tenderloin). That's a pretty excellent deal for this caliber of meal around here.
(5)Peter M.
I used to come here all the time as a child, but only had pastries and cocoa. Luckily I had breakfast there recently and fell in love. The food tasted and looked great. I applaud the presentation. The restaurant was busy, and service was a little slow but the wait staff was still attentive. Have subsequently made the cafe my go to spot and am secretly addicted to their pastries. So thankful this place is still around. Thank you.
(4)Yasmeen A.
I'm a pastry snob. This place makes great ones. I usually go pick up a few sinful little confections, sit outside on the patio or by the fountain in the square, and pretend that the three I've chosen are to be shared amongst friends... :) Also a great brunch spot, especially during the warmer months. Goat cheese salad and quiche are highly recommended.
(4)Michael C.
Easily one of the best brunch places in Lincoln Square. Always enjoyable, always friendly. Just a really solid restaurant and business.
(4)Fawn J.
I love this cafe, great for breakfast, lunch, or dessert! I've been here a few times, each time with a toddler. The service has been fast and friendly, very kid friendly. The outdoor patio is great for warm weather. The food tastes great, I love the yogurt/granola for breakfast or the salmon salad for lunch. I've never had enough free calories to eat their desserts, but they make my mouth water as soon as I walk through the door. If you haven't been there, you should - my husband and I are heading there tomorrow. YUM!
(4)Chris B.
Love thoes Beehives! I have grown up in the neighborhood so I have to plug this place. I have always enjoyed the bakery, but the breakfasts are really good too. Since moving out of county, I still get email updates to neato happenings which is a nice reminder that there is more than just traffic in Chicago.
(5)Jonas H.
Called at 9:30am Saturday to ask if they could take 8 of us at 10:30am. Hostess said yes, might be a 10-minute wait. No table by 11:10, seated a party of 7 in front of us, didn't apologize or seem to care when we left. Food might be great, but don't bother with reservations or high expectations for customer service.
(1)Patty V.
I was here this morning with fellow Yelper, Alice S. I had not been to this area for some time,but have wanted to try it since they relocated and expanded. I remember when they had a few tables in the bakery and not much besides the bakery. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the growth hadn't hurt them, as far as service and quality go. I had smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with red onion, tomato, capers and cream cheese. It was enormous and I could only finish half of it! The salmon was fresh and of good quality. I am always up for some good smoked salmon and this didn't disappoint! My coffee cup was always full and our server was very efficient and pleasant. Plus, the company was terrific!! Great area to walk around after wards, tons of little shops and stores to browse. I would like to try it for dinner, there were some nice looking wines!
(4)Heather L.
This is a cozy little place for a mom to sit and read a book for a few hours while the kids are in school. The neighborhood has great boutiquey stores to explore. The staff at this restaurant is friendly and the people watching is great on a midweek afternoon. However, the vegetable panini I had was not the best I've had.
(2)Olga S.
I'll definitely be back! A friend of mine ordered a quiche without realizing it had some proscuito in it. The waiter brought her a different dish and did not charge for the quiche. Everything I tasted delicious. The service was friendly and quick. Most importantly, I had this tart with chocolate and raspberries that I am still dreaming about. YUMM! A great place for brunch!
(5)Angela D.
I love Cafe Selmarie!!! Whenever I have to bring food for a party or to someone's house, I always come to Cafe Selmarie and pick up some of their delicious pasteries. Always a big hit because they're so beautifully prepared and always delicious. Sunday brunch is awesome here too.
(5)Selena L.
Cafe Selmarie... I love you! I don't usually eat meals here but I get a selection of pastries every Saturday; the strawberry roulade, the banana eclair and a piece of torte or cake (we change that one up every week). I spend about $15. It's usually busy but I never wait more than a minute. The portions are on the smaller side but it is handmade with the best ingredients possible. You can taste the love and experience. Whenever we have guests visiting, we bring them into Lincoln Square and force them to buy something. I've only been disappointed once and that is because I asked for raspberry and was given a cherry torte instead, which I don't care for. Other than that I've always had a pleasant pastry experience. The coffee is good too.
(5)Benjamin B.
I've been here for brunch twice and just went for dinner. Excellent! Very simple flavors with great execution. I had a great roasted chicken with some nice and sweet roasted shallots. My fiance had a great pan fried tilapia (I had a bite). Even with such great entrees, the real story here are the desserts. They knock the socks off all sort of cakes and other sweets. Dinner ends up being a set up for dessert. To top it off, their brunch is fantastic. Inexpensive and great. Give it a try!
(4)Bill M.
This pleasant eatery in Lincoln Square next to the cool fountain is a good place for a light meal, but a very good place for a sweet treat. For food, have a quiche, salad, or one of the daily specials. Desserts include lemon bars, cookies, giant rum balls, and numerous cakes.
(4)Des D.
This is the place for chocolate overload. Their chocolate mousse torte is to die for! I always get my holiday pastries/cake here and although it is a bit pricey, it is worth it. It doesnt help that I live so close to Selmarie. I have gained so much weight from eating all the cookies/cakes from here. I definitely blame them for my 20 lb weight gain in the past couple of years. You can tell that this place is good because it is always packed! They once made a mistake and made a bigger sized cake than what I ordered so they only charged me for the smaller version that I ordered, which was to my demise because I ate more slices than I should have. I would give this place 5 stars for the pastries but 4 overall. We've also had dinner here and they have very limited items on the menu.
(4)Candice P.
The best brunch in the city, a little on the pricey side but totally worth it. I don't know what they do to their eggs but they are sooo good. The coffee intelligentsia how can you go wrong...
(5)Jessica C.
Lovely place. I have fond memories of this place, because I had a wonderful date here once. It did not work out (the person won't even talk to me now), but I still think the world of both the person I had that date with and that night. Thank you Cafe Selmarie for such a terrific memory.
(5)Ann Y.
I went here with a friend for lunch yesterday after passing it 100 times. I am so bummed I didn't go here sooner. I had a wonderful chicken quesidilla which was just the right amount of spicy. Our server was attentive and kind. The main thing I loved about this place is the desserts though. What a selection, everything ranging from cream cheese brownies to chocolate banana eclaires. They have a great outdoor patio too. I can't wait to return back.
(5)Andrea G.
Ever since I heard a rumor that Cafe Selmarie may lose their lease (and be replaced with, of all things, a Banana Republic!!!), I've had nightmares. This is one of the best places in Lincoln Square for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert and I will be heartbroken if it closes or even just relocates to a different neighborhood. The food is always fresh and delicious, the service is always prompt and courteous, and the restaurant space itself (both inside and out) is always bright and cheerful. Cafe Selmarie, S'il vous plaît ne pas aller je crierai! Merci.
(4)Bryan S.
My income primarily goes to three places: mortgage, utility bills, and Cafe Selmarie. At one point, we were dining here at least once a week (sometimes more) and I have never had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious. The outdoor seating is nice -- especially when there is a live band playing in the square -- and the waitstaff is awesome.
(5)Andy R.
Je dit "mais ouis" let them bake you a big cake or pop in for brunch
(4)Sara B.
Cafe Selmarie is one of those places that I'd like to like more. I've been for brunch, dinner and desserts, and I don't think I've ever been blown away. Decent? Sure. Worth the price? Maybe not. Went here on a Saturday night for dinner...we were late, and they held the reservation, which was nice. The server was definitely attentive, but the food was mediocre at best. I had the tilapia, and it came out on a giant plate with one piece of broccoli (literally) and maybe three quarters of a roasted new potato. The fish was okay, didn't taste terrible, but it was just fish. We had the goat cheese appetizer first, and again, it was alright. Three small pieces of bread and a little butter sized serving of goat cheese. I'm not expecting a feast, but seriously, that was ridiculous! The carrot cake we had for dessert was dry. :( Unfortunately, I've had many different cakes and pastries from here, and they are almost always dry. Maybe I just have bad luck!
(2)Alice S.
Just had a really lovely breakfast here this morning! It's good, first of all, to find a place open at 8:00 for us early risers (hello Patty V.). It's even better when you find a parking space on Lincoln Avenue! Patty and I were welcomed warmly, and given just enough time to decide what to have. Our server let us know of the specials, and I chose the scramble, which consists of scrambled eggs with zucchini, summer squash and sun dried tomatoes. It came with a sensibly-sized portion of their yummy potatoes, and a choice of toast (I opted for the multi-grain). The food was quite scrumptious, and I enjoyed every bit of it! Again, the portions were what I consider to be normal; I can't eat a lot at one sitting, so it was great to be able to finish my eggs and not leave any to waste. (I did have to take home 1 1/2 slices of delicious toast, though.) I had a red eye coffee as well, which was exactly strong enough without being bitter. Best coffee I've had in a while, that I didn't brew myself! The service was prompt, polite, and attentive. What more could I ask for? Before leaving, I purchased a chocolate croissant for my very picky daughter. When I brought it home to her, she devoured it immediately and enjoyed it completely. If you're looking for a high quality breakfast, I would definitely send you to Cafe' Selmarie.
(5)Jeff N.
New biker friend Steve recommended this place after a ride today. Says the Corned Beef Hash is the Best on the Planet. Well, I can't remember a better plate of Corned Beef Hash, so I will allow his critique to stand. Sat outside on a beautiful Sunday. Service was excellent. We closed the deal with the orange-chocolate cake. All in all, an experience that guarantees that I will be back. My wife will love this place!
(5)Sue S.
I am officially a cookie monster thanks to Cafe Selmarie! I went yesterday and earlier today for a cup of coffee and two of the raspberry heart cookies and Im STILL thinking about it! I want more cookies! I can only imagine what the rest of their food tastes like since Im still drooling over those dang cookies.
(4)Elizabeth H.
I've been coming to cafe Selmarie since they opened years ago and I've had both great and not-so-good experiences. The wait staff, while generally friendly, is often inattentive. Today, we were greeted by a very crabby host who actually caused a group of 2 mothers with their children to walk out. After waiting quite a while to be noticed in a seemingly not busy restaurant (although on weekends that is never the case), we actually resorted to grabbing our own menus and seating ourselves at the bar. I ordered only a latte (which by the way, I love the coffee selections here... everything is always really great!) and my mother ordered the daily salad. Well, 10 min later we were brought our lattes... 15 min after that a waitress brought my mother the bread for her salad... and 25 min later the salad actually arrived. Now, had this been some crazy concoction... ok... but it was a fist-full of arugula, with figs and vinaigrette. Very fresh and good... but 25 min?? come on! Furthermore, we watched 2 tables that had come in well after us get served their food long before our 25 min mark. I do like their Italian sodas (which you can just duck in and grab on the go) but I have been more than once when they were simply out of syrup and/or soda... so don't get your hoped up on that one. All in all, if you have the time to wait on slow service, the food is actually quite good and they have some yummy pastry selections up front... but if you are in any bind for time, don't expect to get in and out without a little frustration.
(3)Kimberly S.
I have been to Cafe Selmarie a number of times for brunch or coffee and have always thought of it as a nice, solid place to go. When a friend suggested we go to there for dinner, I was pretty excited. I shouldn't have been. I just don't feel that they have translated their breakfast/lunch spot to dinner quite yet. The dinner menu is very lacking, with only a one or two (couldn't tell) shareable appetizers. While the service over all was fine, the food runner made the rookie mistake of bringing out our entrees mere moments after delivering the appetizer. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, particularly when you are seated at a tiny table where everything just doesn't fit, like we were. It was awkward to eat that way and annoying to watch my entree grow cold. In terms of the food, I ordered the broccoli, white cheddar and onion quiche to which I have to pay props to, although they have been making quiche probably since day one, which is partly why I ordered it. My friend likened her tilapia to a Mrs. Pauls dinner. Overall, there is room for improvements, and I am hoping that they make some.
(3)Drew S.
I thought this place was very competent in every sense, much like the drum work of don brewer. Service was a little slow for lunch, but not so slow that a meal with my mom wore on interminably. There should be something on the menu everyone can enjoy. Prolly woulda been 3 stars if not for outside seating (when it was warmer out- I'm several month behind in my yelping it seems).
(4)Sam C.
First impressions are really important, though first impressions are forgiveable, while bad food is not. Cafe Selmarie certainly did not impress me walking up to the place, but I'd walk into a cardboard box for food this good. The front is your small standard looking cafe. Take a walk past the glorious desserts on display to the hostess and be seated in the well lit back room with abundant seating. Now I know what you're thinking, "So it's not a place I can take a date." Excluding the ability to see across the room, which some argue is a good thing, I'd venture to say that the intimacy you seek you'll find. I won't harp on the food, because it'll speak for yourself. (In my case it was the only time I actually shut up.) Oh, and you're committing a crime against nature itself if you don't get dessert. Service is excellent, and the waitstaff is always prepared with a recommendation. That's all I have time for folks. Definitely a place you should go.
(5)Kathleen C.
I have been meaning to try Cafe Selmarie for months and finally went. Didn't know what time it opened and actually arrived early so we were seated right away. Within 20 minutes of the restaurant opening, it was packed and there was a line. (This will deter me in the future.) The boyfriend and I aren't too fancy when it comes to breakfast. We usually just like eggs and potatoes with some meat. So the menu looked a little too fancy for us. We ended up both getting the breakfast burrito. Neither of us liked it and ate less than 1/2. The waiter didn't seem to care that we hadn't touched our food and handed us our bill. Not a big deal but it would take some convincing to get me to go back. Or maybe I will try lunch as long as I know there won't be a crazy line. (Walked by later at 1pm and there was an hour wait!) Also, if you don't like kids you probably shouldn't live or frequent Lincoln Square. And places like this restaurant are reasons why! Although almost all of the babies and tikes at Selmarie were well-behaved yesterday, there were a lot of them! Didn't make a difference to us but I know some people don't like going to places with kids around.
(2)Laura N.
This is a fabulous place for lunch. Dinner's great, but I would recommend lunch first. It's less crowded, less expensive, and still great food and service. Outdoor seating is a great option, since the restaurant sits right on Lincoln Square, next to the fountain. Great spot for people watching. Live music is usually right there.
(4)Miranda D.
Good neighborhood place for brunch on a weekend. The food is good, they make a decent cup of coffee, and the staff is very attentive. Lovely patio seating. But it is absolutely swarming with kids.
(3)Bridget L.
Chile-freakin-quiles. Do it. Do it now. Do it for me. And then get yourself a pastry. Seriously good breakfast/brunch here, but it's super busy and small, so go early. Also, some of their items are expensive. For example, a delicious slice of blueberry cake will set you back about $6. Kinda lame, but everything tastes delicious. The chilequiles though...I dream of them. Be sure to wash their spicy-yumminess down with a coke. ;)
(5)Erin O.
Really, it's more like 4.5 stars. And it only loses .5 stars because the space is tiny and sometimes there's a long wait. Lincoln Square is one of the cutest areas in Chicago, and Cafe Selmarie is one of the cutest restaurants in Lincoln Square. I've been here on numerous occasions, for dinner or dessert with friends. It's the best of both worlds - you don't have to get dressed up, but if you do, you still fit right in. There's a bakery in the front of the store with some of the most delectable desserts I've ever tasted (and I've had my fair share). The tres leches is particularly good. If you want to have dinner, there is a seating area in the back - GREAT spot for a date (small, intimate, dimly lit), but not for large groups. I highly recommend the goat cheese, the quiche and the crab cakes - but everything is really tasty.
(4)Justin P.
My wife and I have been hear many times and it is consistently good with unbelievable desserts.
(4)Julie A.
I am originally from Chicago and was back visiting friends who took me there for a terrific lunch. Selmarie's is one of their favorites and I can see why! We each got a chocolate truffle on the way out and it was maybe the best truffle I've ever had. If you're in the area and haven't been there yet you should check it out, it's worth a trip.
(5)Haley M.
If you're going here for the food, you've got your priorities confused. This place is for desert exclusively. I mean, go ahead and try the rest, but really the desert can't be beat. Tarts, cakes, tortes, cookies, eclaires, I could go on... Try it. It gets crowded, and they're not open SUPER late, but go out of your way if you're down with sweets.
(4)Lisa W.
Wow, I cannot say enough good things about this place! I went there for lunch with a couple of friends and the service was STELLAR. I also had the best quiche I've ever had (and that's saying a lot!), and my friends both ordered sandwiches with apple slices wedged into pieces of bread. They were really impressed as well. I've told pretty much everyone I know about this place. They should expect me as a customer again! Dammit, I can't stop craving their quiche!
(5)Rachel Y.
One of my favorite brunch spots or late afternoon-sit-outside-glass-of-wine spots. The food is amazing, service is very friendly, and their outdoor seating area is fantastic. All in all, just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Rebecca B.
We live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times for a flourless chocolate cake -fix, but never for a meal. To be honest, I've always been wary of trying it for breakfast because of the crowds, but am now willing to give it a try, knowing the food's worth it--at least it was for dinner. We sat on the patio, which was nice since the Lincoln Square Thursday night concert was going on. It added a fun entertainment aspect to the meal. For dinner I had the mixed green salad and a chicken pot pie. The pot pie was really good great comfort food with a puff pastry crust, (the best--so buttery and good!) The Spoucent had a salmon wrap which was also tasty, if a little messy--tons of fish and a zesty sauce. Total bill with 2 glasses of wine + tea was about $38--really reasonable for the whole experience.
(4)Lloyd T.
Welcome to Yuppies 'n Kidz Brunch Hell. Have eaten here twice in recent weeks. About the meal: This week's brunch selection - cherry cornmeal pancakes - was soggy, soaked in a wet syrup. Not horrible but not worth $9 either. My friend had a salad that seemed nice enough. The big problem is the rude, oblivious parents who insist on bringing their strollers here, parking them in the middle of the cramped passage in the front of the restaurant so people can't get to the back, while they juggle their lattes and pumpkin muffins - wtf people, there are other people on the planet that need to use the same space! It's not a place to bring strollers where you have to wait in a cramped, packed area for an hour or more. But if you have to come, be considerate and move the hell out of the way. Then, little kids on either side of us. To the left, perfectly behaved, no complaints at all - kids gotta eat and I don't begrudge parents the need to get out of the house. But to the right of us - three kids, climbing around the table and chairs, coughing on everyone, fiddling with our scarves and coats on the back of our chairs - OK PARENTS LISTEN UP - IF THIS DESCRIBES YOU IN ANY WAY, STAY HOME AND SERVE THE KIDS CHEERIOS. Or stick with McD's or Chuck E Cheeze. Your problem kids should not be inflicted on society in general. Definitely will think twice about going here again, at least until they add an "adults only" dining area and/or larger waiting space.
(1)Alissa R.
The chilaquiles was fine, but the bloody mary tasted like straight up cocktail sauce. I guess I should have stuck with the pastries.
(2)Lynn C.
I order the chicken pot pie when it's cold. I also like the pastries, especially the fruit tartes. I can't remember having a bad meal here. We mostly go on weeknights, otherwise the wait is too long. If it's warm out, at least you can wait in the lovely park/courtyard area by the fountain. But I personally wouldn't wait for more than 30 min. (but that's true of most places). Parking in the area is tricky, so we walk whenever possible. Service is prompt and the artwork is wonderful (a nice bonus). My dad asked about a painting, and it turned out one of the servers painted it and had an upcoming show. She gave us the flyer. Cool!
(4)Brenna M.
I spent last night visiting my friend's new pad in Lincoln Square and we popped in here for a light dinner and beer out on the patio. The unseasonably warm October weather lent itself extraordinarily well to a good Point beer (which my Wisconsin-ite dining companions were VERY excited to see on a Chicago menu) and the haricots verts and soup. As a group we loved the green beans and a vegetarian chilli they serve with cornbread. Mmm. Our waiter was sweet, not overbearing and quick. What more can you ask for?! I suggest you follow this place up with a few beers at the neighboring brauhauses.
(4)Matt R.
In Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie puts out a decent lunch with a selecton of dessert options. The chocolate cake was comparable to many other places. Nothing really stood out. Still, it is a good place for lunch in the square.
(3)Lethe X.
Best Black Forest cake in town. Oh, YES.
(4)Carly D.
The food is good, but the truffles are THE BEST. the end.
(5)Paige W.
I have been a woman of forgiveness lately. An embracer of second, even third chances. And so, deciding to save a fancier brunch place for better company in the coming weeks, I headed up to Selmarie this morning to offer it one last opportunity to impress me. My wait at 10:30 was only about 15 minutes, which surprised me on such a beautiful late summer weekend. The hostess, who referred to me by name every time she addressed me (big points!), thanked me for waiting and led me to my table outside, overlooking Lincoln Square's Giddings Plaza, the epicenter of my Maclaren-pushing, NPR-listening, LL Bean-wearing neighborhood. My server, Jim, was lovely to behold and gave me plenty of time to peruse the menu before I ordered. By the time he returned with my coffee and mimosa -- with a splash of Triple Sec, garnished with a fresh strawberry -- I was ready to bite the bullet and order my chocolate banana griddle cakes. Jim assured me it was OK to indulge; it was Sunday, after all. Yes, good boy. To put this lightly, my meal made me rethink all my grievances with Selmarie. Thick and perfectly cooked, studded with miniature chocolate chips and topped with perfectly ripe, fresh-sliced bananas. Smothered in hot melted semi-sweet chocolate. Sweet Jesus, those pancakes could have ended a war. I...couldn't stop eating. The clinking of silverware, the sounds of shrieking children playing outside the restaurant's patio faded away. Just me and the pancakes. I caught a couple across the patio looking at me intently for a moment; I smiled and went back to eating. They apologized for intruding and told me they knew exactly what they'd be ordering next time they came -- the happiness on my face was a living advertisement for whatever it was I'd ordered, they said. "It's crrrrrrrazy good!" I replied. And went back to it. Jim checked up on me a few times throughout the meal. He even brought me some extra bananas to garnish what was left of my pancakes. I wanted to take him home with me for spoiling me so. My self control got the best of me, and I stopped with a few bites left. The melted chocolate had congealed over what remained of the pancakes, and I was ready to keel over and die anyway. I lazily finished my coffee and mimosa, basking with my book in a brunchy afterglow and never feeling rushed to give up my table. This is what Sundays are all about.
(4)Jamie M.
This is a cute little corner cafe. I went with a class for dinner once as well as going for breakfast a few times and stopping for a few sweet treats here and there. I had a pasta dish for my dinner trip which was wonderful and then I fell in love with the Cream cheese brownie. At breakfast I had the pancakes they were very good for being healthy. I have also had the pumpkin bread which was enjoyed by guests and they thought it was the best thing ever And I must agree. I had a slice if the chocolate banana cake and i am hooked for life. This place is so wonderful in every way the food the service and the location.
(5)Jolene H.
Best quiche I ever had so far. Cruncy crust with mushy insides. Yum. Can't say the same for the service though. I had to wave frantically 3 times to get the attention of my server. In the end I had to order my desert from another server. Not good. And the Sacher Torte was NOT as good as I hoped (its not the soft rich chocolatey kind, more like a crunchy light kind) next time, I might try the Chocolate Orange Decadence. Hopefully it'll live up to its name.
(4)rachel p.
so, there's basically always a wait at selmarie (and not a very large area to wait in). the breakfast is good (i recommend the wild mushroom omelet) as is the coffee. and the desserts...oh the desserts. its clear that they put the enormous pastry case in the front (next to where you wait) to keep people from leaving while they're waiting for their table (as they inevitably will be). the patio is great in the summer; it sits directly on the square and has a good amount of seating. prepare to wait even longer for a seat on the patio. basically what i'm getting at here is: DON'T come here if you have a raging hang over and you need some greazy eggs in your system. DO come here if you'd like a lovely brunch with your mother.
(4)Rod T.
Nice folks. Great espresso. Great location. I'll take it.
(4)Ellie B.
In addition to everything everyone else has already said, I find the need to reiterate: ***FIVE STAR SERVICE!*** While I did eat dinner here with a Selmarie aficionado (Jen S. would be the go-to girl with all your Selmarie questions), it was nice to have a server who was very knowledgeable about the menu and obviously seemed to think highly of the cuisine herself. Portions are MORE than adequate, perfect for sharing in my opinion. I can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)Kelly B.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. The staff was so-so, the food was good, and we had reservations so their wasn't a wait. But of the three dishes, we only liked two of them. For the money I feel we should have gone somewhere else. I will come here again for a lunch salad or sandwich, which I've had in the past, but not again for dinner.
(3)Aesha W.
This place may be a tad bit pricey, but I still like it. I haven't eaten at the restaurant (yet), but I did grab a chai latte and a yummy bakery item this morning on my way to my acupuncture appointment. It's a really cute little place in Lincoln Square, with a friendly staff and what looks to be a delicious menu. I look forward to returning for more tasty treats and a visit to the restaurant.
(4)Carrie F.
i love this place, for so many reasons. the baked goods are out of sight, the brunch items are amazing and the coffee is good, too. i also appreciate that its a small, well lit comfortable cafe. the waitstaff have always been great, too.
(5)Irena A.
This place has delicious food. I have had the cobb salad various times here.. It's perfect! the dressing is perfect(vinagrette that is). I have had dessert here also... i just don't recall it's name! Very yummy. Check this place out!!! J'aime beaucoup!
(4)Jenn B.
Alright, so Cafe Selmarie is a landmark of the neighborhood. A beacon for brunchers. A place to bring your snooty Lincoln Park friends and sit outside on the lovely Square and eat lovely food and show off your Euro neighborhood. Which is fine! Really, I would hate to see this place ever leave the corner! That being said, I think it's a bit overrated. Just a bit. Recently went there for a late lunch (1:45pm) on a cloudy Thursday. It wasn't that busy at all, but the dining room in that place is so loud, it was difficult to hear the conversation! And I'm not old and deaf, by any means. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, not unlike a monte cristo, that was really delicious, but a bit a bland. I added a bit of dijon mustard, which helped, but it really needs like a sweet honey mustard or something. The green salad it came with was delicious. The coffee, Intellegentsia, was fresh and bold. Quite yummy with the dessert - even though that was slightly disappointing, too. The cakes were a bit hard...like the cooler had been turned up just a notch too high. The service was great until the end. Our server dropped the check and then...poof! Disappeared. I mean, we were waiting for 15 min. at least, ccard more than peeking out of the black billfold. I finally just took it up front and had someone in the bakery ring us out. I mean, I get it....when you're slow is when you forget stuff. I can totally relate, fomer server myself. But still! I had an anxious grandmother on my hands! Also, as an aside, I often stop here to grab a little scone or cookie on my way into work and I must say the whole wheat scones are my fave. But stay away from the choc. chip cookies and their counterparts -mine have repeatedly been dry and hard as a rock. So disappointing. But it's still a great spot for a scenic, European-feeling meal, and I'm sure one of these days it will all come together!
(3)Cheryl M.
Thought I check this place out on my day off on Thursday. I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to get a table to myself outside on their patio. I ordered the tomato bisque soup, not too bad even though I'm not too fond of tomatoes. I ordered a tuna salad sandwich which was quite delicious. The tuna spread had chopped pieces of carrots in it. And it was on whole grain bread. Probably pretty healthy too. Plus, the sandwich included a slice of pineapple and cantaloupe. To top my lunch off, I ordered an iced latte which perked me up. I do have intentions to swing by this place again. Perhaps I'll try to chicken pot pie. This guy ordered it next to me and it looked yummy.
(4)Zack S.
Came back several months ago and haven't been back since. Food was still phenomenal, but ordered toast and the waitress forgot even after being reminded... 3 TIMES! It's an integral part of an egg breakfast and I desperately needed some to dip into the egg. Tsk Tsk.
(2)Melissa M.
I have been here twice. The first time was mind-blowingly delightful. I split both the blueberry griddlecakes and ham and cheese croissant with my sister and we couldn't believe how plate lickin good it was. Cut to last week, went with my only Yelp friend Leanne and we both got this brioche french toast with raspberries. It was completely mediocre to me, it wasn't even very warm. And the brunch menu had about 8 options for food, 4 breakfast, 4 lunch. That is weird to me! However, the first experience I had there was so great I am sure to be back. And I still have yet to try the eye-dazzling pastries.
(4)Sarah A.
I go here at least every other Saturday, probably more. My usual is the granola with fruit and yog. I find their dinner options disappointing, but the cafe's charm and deliciousness on Saturday mornings gives it 5 stars. I always take family here when they visit. As long as you're an early bird like me, you won't have to wait at all for a table. Also, the bakery is a great place to grab a pie to take to a friend's house for dinner.
(5)Matthew R.
Selmarie is a great spot in the middle of Lincoln Square. Its a very popular spot for brunch on the weekends so beware of long lines - the wait can easily reach an hour. During the warmer months, they have a great outdoor seating area which is one of the best al fresco dining spots in Chicago since its on a nice courtyard meaning that there are no idling cars right next to your table. The breakfast food is great -excellent egg benedicts and great quiches. The service is always very good - attentive and quick. Lunch and dinner during the week are also very good - a mix of salads, sandwices and soups during lunch and various entrees for dinner. They also feature a bakery with some great cakes, pastries, and cookies. An excellent spot for any meal any time of day.
(5)Jillian D.
this review is based on the bakery alone. the croissants are, in a word, perfection. delicate, flaky and buttery. you don't even need to bother with jam. they are delicious on their own. i was hoping the brioche would live up to the high standards of the croissant, but it wasn't my favorite. i'm still searching for the perfect chicago bakery brioche... selmarie occupies a beautiful space, right on the square. their patio is a peaceful refuge. rise with the sun, rub the sleep out of your eyes, stroll over to selmarie and settle down with a cup of coffee (they serve intelligentsia! woohoo!), a croissant and the sunday paper. suddenly, you're whisked miles away. delightful.
(4)k m.
My daughter loves the bakery! The sugar cookies are her favorite.
(5)Furry P.
Had dinner here on 1/2 price wine bottle Wednesdays. The food was wonderful, and with the wine deal.. whole meal came to $50 total for 2.. great bargain! My only complaint is the service was a bit overtaxed but otherwise great experience. The wild mushroom ravioli was superb.
(4)Elaina B.
The food here is great! And not only that, the service is superior. I've had a few brunches here and everything is always pipping hot and tasty to boot. I highly recommend the brioche french toast and the eggs benedict. The servers are always kind and courteous and I never had to wait on a warm up of coffee. Not in the mood for brunch, well they have lunch and dinner as well. Also, their pastries are in a league of their own. They're a great pick-me-up treat on the way to and from work. Another fantastic thing is that, unlike most places, my friends and I have never had to wait for a seat. I definitely think this place deserves a 5 star rating. It really hits the spot in more ways than one.
(5)jen t.
I like cafe selmarie a lot. The food is good and they offer a lot of vegetarian options. It's a quaint space so not the best on the traditional sunday morning which would be the best time to go. It gets really crowded. Especially with the families. Opt for lunch or dinner and see why it's truly special. They also have a pastry shop in front of the restaurant with lots of treats to choose from.
(4)Allie J.
Bakery- amazing. I've been coming here for years and never disappointed. From their fruit tartes to their lemon-rosemary cookies you really can't go wrong. The restaurant- ufff. The food is good. However the service is just awful. This is definitley one of those places where you wish your entire tip could go to the bus boy rather than the server. The bus boys were fantastic. After we were seated about 10 minutes went by before the waitress appeared at our table. The only thing she did the entire time we were there was take our order. My husband ordered and bloody mary which did not taste right. Not once did she ask how the food was. At the end of the meal she dropped off the bill and ran. Bloody mary still full. It took asking the hostess to get her back and explain that the drink did not taste right. Lack of attentiveness was a real drag. Moral of the story is go for the bakery and coffee, take it to go, and sit in the square in the sun and enjoy it.
(4)K G.
I started coming here--my goodness--FIVE YEARS AGO? It was my friend's favorite lunch spot. I have enjoyed every lunch I've eaten there: the salads, the turkey and apple sandwich, the soups, and my favorite: the salmon-mango wrap with sweet potato fries. It is a lovely little spot, and eating at an outside table on a summer day is delightful. The waitstaff has always been pleasant and accommodating. My iced tea has never gone dry. I hadn't been for six months, and decided to have some dessert. Here we go: RUM BALL, PEOPLE. LORD IN HEAVEN, GO GET ONE RIGHT NOW. Rich, rummy, chocolately, with raisins and nuts. Oh, God. Please, do yourself a favor and eat one.
(4)Loni H.
I do prefer the rare quiet moments that living nearby can offer me at this place.. meaning if it is packed I can cross the street to a lesser place. It can be quite packed and over stimulating BUT! the food is fantastic and it is a regular spot for my BF and I. Coffee is Intelligensia and is wonderful as are the crusty baked goods, cakes and ooh lala tartes. The Mushroom crepe in the eves is so tasty and you can't do wrong with the breakfast chiliquiles (sp) yum! Staff bustles to take care of you-be patient if it is busy.
(5)Leslie R.
Yelpers you've helped me out. This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago. In the adorable area of Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie is an amazing little cafe that deserves a visit at LEAST once. My boyfriend and I went on Good Friday for brunch, and it was pretty busy. The wait was 20 minutes, but we walked around the square and came back with only a short wait remaining. The wait was completely worth it. To start, we got a cup of vegetarian chili and sweet potato wedges. I love me some sweet potatoes, and these were top notch. They were so soft, but still held up enough to be able to pick up with a fork. The dipping sauce for the sweet potatoes was amazing, the best dip I've ever had. The vegetarian chili was great as well - especially since it came with a ton of melted cheese on top! The chili also came with a giant chunk of cornbread, which was also amazing! As though I wasn't already completely in heaven, we went on to the main course. My boyfriend had a the smoked turkey and Brie sandwich and loved it - especially the apple accents. I got the roasted vegetable stack and was blown away. As a vegetarian, I've come to detest roasted vegetable sandwiches, as they all sort of blend together and get so bland. The stack was a revelation! The goat cheese complimented the portabello perfectly. The layout is not meant to support large groups or crazy busy days, but the wait you might have to endure is completely worth it.
(5)Sara B.
Ok, so let me say that a three star rating seemed a little harsh. I'd say I though this place was above average, but the the portion for price ratio had me questioning whether I thought it was 4 star place. Make no mistake, I know Americans (mid westerners in particular) eat too much, but the comparative value of food seemed pretty low here. I had a delicious salad with a portion of chicken added to it. The salad was $8 (seems to be the going rate) and adding about half of a chicken breast was $3 (slightly higher than the going rate). What came out was a tiny bed of spinach with a generous portion of cheese and salad accoutrement. My friends' plates, though well presented, also looked a little bare. All of that's fine, and I don't mean to suggest the place is SUPER pricey, because it is not. I just felt like for the price AND quality, it was maybe a little disappointing. Not disappointing were the baked goods. I had a layered banana and dark chocolate cake. Wow. Check this place out if you're in Lincoln Square, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
(4)Neha S.
I wavered between three and four stars for this place, but I went with the higher rating because they have great brunch and pastries. I would give their dinner a 3 star rating because I think it's a little overpriced and overhyped for what you get. I got a special appetizer, scallops with risotto. The scallops were a little small, and the risotto was too rich. The spinach salad was decent, but lacking in much other than the brie it came with, which was the best brie I've ever had. On the other hand, definitely come here for dessert or a pastry snack...probably anything sweet is their specialty. It could be a great European hideaway in Chicago if they got rid of the restaurant in back, and stuck with the front shop.
(4)Maureen M.
After a disappointing brunch last spring, I had my doubts about dinner at Cafe Selmarie but I was blown away by the quality of the food, the creativity on the menu, and the attentiveness of the staff. Appetizers are small plates, many served with a tiny side of lightly dressed salad greens. Baken goat cheese with grilled bread is rich and creamy, the pastry crust filled with vegetables was more like brioche but loaded with artichokes and other goodies but the creme de la creme was the seafood filled crepe served with slivered mushrooms with a rish reduction sauce. A most amazing dish. It seems that Cafe Selmarie's kitchen works some special magic with mushrooms as its mushroom filled ravioli were almost light enough to float off the place and full of flavor, the filet of beef was small but tender, flavorfull and served quite artfully on a circle of polenta. The parmesan mashed potatoes are presented with a bit of red skin and the delightful salty tang of cheese. Salads, pot pie and roasted chicken round out the menu. The beer and wine menu is short and artisan but has something for every taste. Desserts come from the pastry case in front and change from moment to moment. Tiny cookies, wedges of cake, a surprisingly light cheesecake with a layer of cherries baked in the bottom and just a hint of lemon, artfully decorated lemon and chocolate tarts, eclairs There are cupcakes and sugar sanded cookies, too.. The after dinner coffee is served in a hefty mug and is deep and strong enough to stand up to a sweet dessert. The service was helpful and attentive and the dining room, which includes a small room off to the side, is quiet and well lit and great for a group or a romantic dinner for two.
(4)Sandy T.
Went for lunch and ordered the chopped salad..Menu said it had chicken on it..well there were teenie bites of chicken mixed in to the salad. I was disappointed. I was expecting to have at least some bigger bites of chicken. Made it seem like there wasn't any chicken in the salad! The portion of the salad was disappointing as well. I think for the price the portion should be larger. I wasn't full after at all. The fruit tart for dessert was delicious..Perhaps from now on I will just go for dessert.. Also it is very loud- maybe because it is a small space but it was difficult to talk to my friend.
(2)Alex M.
If you want a taste of the European life, that carefree moment of a good cup of coffee, sitting outdoors in the square, and just forgetting about the crazed world of the 9 to 5, Selmarie is your mini-vacation to Europe. I think the biggest strengths of this place is their location, seating, and homemade desserts. Many a time I've stopped there to get something sweet for my family before heading to a family dinner at the parent's home. I also just liked taking it easy there with friends over coffee in the outdoor patio, a welcome thing when the weather is nice in Chicago. I think the only downer I have with Selmarie is that I wish it would stay open later. I like European cafes who stay open late night as a welcome alternative to bars. Even in Europe cafes of this nature stay open late, and it's a shame Selmarie doesn't follow suit. I personally think there is a big enough clientele in the area that would welcome a late night at Selmarie.
(4)Catherine C.
HANDS DOWN, FAVORITE RESTAURANT! ive been going here for about 10 years and its always amazing. the staff is very friendly and professional. but enough about the staff lets talk about food!! holy crap can we say phenomenal? YES WE CAN. my favorite dish and what i get there 100% of the time is their chicken pot pie. it will blow your mind. they also have great hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. The ambiance is great as well is small, cute, and chic. not to mention they have different art work on the wall that you can purchase. okay now lets talk pastries. AHHHHH you can not go wrong with anything you choose. the mocha buttercream cake and the white chocolate raspberry cake are master pieces of culinary heaven. The portions arent huge which kind of sucks but you will leave satisfied!
(5)Craig N.
I come here for my daily dose of caffeine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts are amazing. It almost seems that the cafe is the center of Lincoln Square activities due to it's location.
(5)Jessie B.
This place is cute. It reminded me a lot of Barcelona. Love the fact they are next to "The Square". You can listen to fun little bands playing on Thursday night while eating your yummy meal. Had the risotto special. Shit take mushrooms, zucchini, walnuts, and white truffle oil. Yum-o. I'd order you again. Also had some of the chopped salad. It was good. I just love this place because of the scenery. Honestly, I can't wait to come here during the autumn. I can picture it now.
(4)Judy R.
To clarify, the four stars are for the take-out bakery. If you're eating in, I'd give it 2-1/2. I love the bakery here. For what you get, the prices are fair, especially the breakfast breads, cupcakes and cookies. Coffee's good, too. Before the Grind opened, I got my local Intelligentsia fix here. Eating in is another story. Yes, Selmarie is wildly popular - that's part of the problem. During breakfast/brunch, the stroller set is almost out of control. (I'm not alone - they can drive the servers nuts as well.) The real problem, though, is that the breakfast just doesn't quite measure up. It's perfectly decent but not worth the hassle of the crowd. The omelets are okay but I make better toast/potatoes at home. You're better off getting coffee with a brioche bun or croissant to go.
(4)Jessica M.
I stopped in here with a girlfriend for a yummy pastry treat during Applefest. It was super crowded but the staff was organized and kind. So glad we stopped here - we definitely gobbled up our treats. The apple strudel was exactly what I wanted!
(4)Krisanthi N.
I have been to this place twice. Once for dinner, on half price bottle wine night, and once for breakfast. The location is really nice. It is right in the middle of Lincoln Square. For dinner, I ordered the roasted chicken, which was okay. Then again, there isn't a lot you can do with roasted chicken. Everyone else in my group really liked their meals. For breakfast, I had gotten the quiche was was awesome! The coffee is really good too, and they have some delicious sweets. Service was excellent and quick both times. My only complaint is the hours. I've tried to come here before and they were just about to close. I wish they would extend their hours!
(4)Jason H.
Selmarie for me is really disappointing because they are on the verge of greatness but never seem to get there. I've been coming there on and off for nearly 10 years now and I think it's about time I share some of my thoughts. Starting off with the positive... - The pastries and cakes are amazing, they just are. I can't say a lot more than others because I'm not a sweets kinda guy so I don't really consider myself an expert in this arena as I so rarely partake. - The ingredients are always fresh and I really give them a lot of credit for that. Everything I've eaten there always felt fresh and was well done. On the negative side... - The service blows, it just does, there is no way getting around it. They either have one or two servers for 20 tables (management's fault) or your server will be hanging out in back doing god know's what (you can see them from the side view) why you wait forever. Despite this I visit Selmarie about twice a year but it is the one place where I just hand the server my card and say "run it" because I hate asking for my check and then waiting 20 minutes for it and another 10 to get it back. - Their portions suck. To be fair it never used to be this way, I think they feel like they are all fancy now since they have some Lincoln Square cred and the neighborhood is all up and coming. Now I'm a little guy and I don't eat much to begin with but I actually laughed when they brought our appetizers the other day. We ordered the goat cheese and lobster crêpes. It was a joke! They brought out a crêpe about the size of a small cigar for 4 people. Now I realize sometimes food is just small but when you order that your server should inform you. Besides, who wants to pay that much money for something that was just okay. It was like $2 a bite. Anyway, at the end of the day Selmarie makes good fresh food but their service blows and they have an over-inflated view of themselves. Okay... one last bitch (call me a dick), could you please turn down the damn lights in there? I feel like the sun is puking all over me. If I wanted that much light on me I'd go to a tanning salon.
(3)Betty L.
Oh, I WANT so badly to love Cafe Selmarie. I love the idea of it, just like my high school boyfriend. Their dessert exposition is so appealing to the eyes, the location is appealing and comfortable, and it just sounds like a cool place to visit. I like their roasted potatoes (breakfast menu- but you must get there at 10:59 am to order them. You can get there at 10:59 am and sit there until 11:30 am when you order and still get them. But DO NOT sit down at 11:02 am and even attempt to make such an order! The people next to you who did the right thing and sat down before 11:00 am will get their breakfast, but none for you sinners who have slept in due to late nights of debauchery). Their desserts are just..... meh. They look soooo beautiful, and have very fancy names, but for all of the times I have tried the various cookies, cakes, rum balls and such, I have been disappointed. The cake is dry, the fancy balls are tasteless.... meh. The food is mediocre and extremely overpriced. The menu is more limited than it is overpriced. The servers are pleasant and the ambiance is comfortable. Beware of Lincoln Square, however, and the 2.1 kids per woman.
(2)Catherine M.
2.5 stars... In a word: BLAH. Seriously. I love Selmarie's treats and location. I live in Lincoln Square and anytime I go out to dinner in the hood I'll opt to skip dessert at the restaurant I'm dining at to head over for a nice treat and cup of coffee at Selmarie. So... for their treats, yes, delicious- I give them 4 stars. BUT... and what a bummer this is... my husband and I had dinner here on Friday night and it was so BORING. The food was one of the most lackluster meals I've ever had and not to mention that the portions were pretty small considering they charge a lot for the entrees. I got the Jerk Chicken entree and it was about $17. When they brought it out, it was one, small, Amish chicken breast. I can't help but compare it to Lula Cafe where their chicken entree comes with more than you can finish meat and is much less in price. My husband got the tilapia and the next morning he had some serious stomach cramps that he attributed to his meal. I've had dinner here once before, don't really remember it all that well- I think it was fine, but again- when a meal doesn't stand out, not usually a good thing. I've also had brunch here once- but my fear of pigeons took over as we were outside and they were totally invading my personal space. Here's the star breakdown: Dinner: 1 star Treats: 4 stars Service: 3 stars TOTAL: 2.5 stars
(2)Jennifer B.
A fantastic spot for brunch in Lincoln Square. The baked goods are heavenly!
(5)Erica T.
I can't believe I haven't written a review about this place yet. This is one of my favorite places in the city, and if someone is feeling adventurous enough to trek up north towards my 'hood to hang out with me, I try to take them here. I have an obsession with baked goods, and this place takes the cake. Literally. I love their tortes, especially the Sacher torte and the white chocolate raspberry torte. But I think my favorite cake is the tres leches cake, which I've only seen there on Sundays. They also have a large selection of other baked goods, including cookies (my faves are the raspberry hearts), tarts, breads, chocolates, etc. I don't think I've ever had anything from the bakery that I didn't like. The restaurant food is not as stellar as the baked goods, I have found, but it's still pretty good. The menu is not very extensive, and the food is more delicate than hearty, but the worst I've had was a dry turkey/brie/apple sandwich. Other than that everything else has been pretty satisfactory. ***Edit*** I just found out that they offer tres leches cake on weekdays now! Also, I just had the passionfruit mousse and it was absolutely delish (if you like tropical passionfruit-flavored stuff...)!
(5)Jo B.
I was really disappointed on my second visit to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. I was expecting hearty, well cooked brunch dishes with great coffee but instead we got lukewarm, overcooked eggs with hot dog- like smoked sausages and very tired looking fruit. The coffee wasn't even good. My advice would be to stop at the bakery, pick up some great cakes and head home to fix your own brunch.
(2)Erika J.
After a great dinner at Las Tablas on Irving Park my dinner companion and I were looking for a place to have an after dinner drink and something sweet. This place delivered on both counts. We shared the mocha buttercream cake and the German chocolate cake. I loved the fresh coconut on top of the german chocolate. p.s. I also recommend taking a walk around the neighborhood to burn off any resulting sugar high.
(5)suteishichic J.
Not sure how a place goes from a five to a one within 3 days but this place did it. My Mom was visiting and we stopped in (during the torrential rains of Ike) for a spot of tea. It was heaven. We sat at the counter and with our little pile of delights and well done tea, it outshone the Ritz! Literally. We had afternoon tea at the Ritz the day before and that was overpriced and underwhelming...Selmarie spur of the moment was delightful! So Mom loved the place and wanted to come back for breakfast the day of her flight. We only had an hour before we had to bring her to the airport but that should have been enough, right? Wrong. I told our server that we were in a rush (just in case) from when we sat down. I asked the server what was fast to make and when he wanted to take our drink order I said we should go ahead and order so that we don't have to eat in a hurry. I even ordered for my husband while he was still parking the car (just to be sure). Everything seemed to be going okay, but then I started to get a bad feeling. The people around us, seated after us, all of whom ordered long after us started getting their food. The minutes ticked by. Our waiter kept looking at us, making eye contact, and then scurrying away before anyone could ask what was going on. We even waved him over and he ignored us. He finally came over, offered a coffee refill (ignoring the tea people) and then turned and walked away so fast I'm not sure if he even heard us asking him to wait. Stop! Please! Hey! Hello! Yeah, it was that weird. 35 minutes went by with nothing and the clock just kept on ticking. We asked another server (placing food at a table who had just arrived ten minutes earlier to get our waiter). When he finally showed up he said our food would just be four minutes more. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. He went to walk away again. Incredulous, we asked to see the manager and we watched our waiter continue to serve food to other tables before getting the manager. He kept acting busy (really it was a few tables) and rushing around before the manager ever came out. By this time we had our coats on. The manager came over and said sorry but there was a "ticket mixup" so it would just take a little longer. Are you kidding? And after we said originally we were in a hurry? I've worked in restaurants before and even though I swear I'm probably the worst waitress in the world, even I would treat my tables better than this. They really didn't even seem to care. It was very....French of them. With all the choices in Chicago -- heck with all the choices in Lincoln Square alone, give this a pass.
(1)Heather I.
Ventured out early pre-Cubs game on Saturday for breakfast. I had treated myself to a cookie or two now and then, but never ate in their dining area. Thought we would have to wait a bit on a Saturday morning, but we were seated pretty quickly. Breakfast menu was good - all the staples (eggs, pancakes, gourmet french toast) and the waiter informed us of the chef's special. Coffee/espresso was perfect. My breakfast burrito was huge and delicious and my husband had a yummy omelet with all sorts of veggies inside. All in all a good experience and would return for breakfast or dinner. Also price was reasonable - comparable to any other breakfast/brunch place in town.
(4)Heidi N.
Apparently, when you're dating someone, you go to brunch a lot. And when the bf and I decided to do brunch one recent Sunday, I realized that I really need to expand my memorized arsenal of restaurants to include "good brunch spots." Luckily, I remembered Cafe Selmarie. We walked in on a chilly but pleasant morning and were seated immediately. Score! But upon settling in, my whole body was enveloped in a rather stifling heat wave. The place was hot hot HOT! We ordered our coffees (cafe au lait was fabulous) and then our entrees. Now, anybody who knows me will tell you that I tend to gravitate towards the sweeter items on the menu, especially for a meal like brunch. But for whatever reason (perhaps an overabundance of recently consumed holiday treats?) I went the savory way, and ordered the corned beef hash, while my dining companion ordered the other dish I considered, the lemon ricotta griddle cakes. (Id'n he sweet?) Funny story about the corned beef hash ... I'd never had poached eggs before, and in the time between ordering and receiving our food, I'd forgotten that the hash came with two poached eggs on top. So when the plate was set in front on me, my first thought was that it was topped with two large dollops of sour cream. Not even thinking about it, I started to dip my fork in the "sour cream" and noticed that the texture was ... off. What the? About 5 seconds later, I remembered what they were. Oh yeah. Duh, Heidi. Back on topic. The hash was delicious. The boy's griddle cakes were even more delicious. He was kind enough to give me a bite and I nearly finished them off for him. Goooood. The only other minor negative (besides the temperature) was that it took a bit of effort to get a refill for the boy's coffee, but not a big deal. Oh, and there was a girl sitting kiddie-corner from us who was wearing the same sweater as me!! But that's hardly the cafe's fault. :)
(4)Leanne A.
Come here. Come just for the bakery items. I fantasize about the bakery items many times throughout a normal day. The strawberry roulade and the raspberry custard tart are two of the most perfect baked treats I've ever had. I also came once for breakfast and had blueberry pancakes that were to die for. I do have a couple problems with this place, as much as I wanted to give it five stars just for the pastries. 1) It is packed at breakfast and we waited 40 minutes for our food (pancakes!) And our server never even checked on us. 2) I ate here for dinner once and the prices were more appropriate for a more gourmet restaurant. 3) recently I was buying a raspberry custard and couldn't find my visa. I realized I had left in in the atm. The girl helping me didn't care at all. She didn't even fake it. She just smiled awkwardly and was like "okay" and took my bag with the beautiful custard back. A cute local bakery should be able to just give you the damn thing at that point, and know that you'll be back. Anyway, I usually don' t like the service I here. But the pastry chefs who must work all night are me heros. I love you, selmarie pastry chefs.
(4)Char Y.
I love this place! It makes me feel young again with stomach for everything in site. Bee hive: wow. Mix fruit tart: ok. raspberry chocolate tart: the sensation of melting chocolate with sweet raspberries: priceless. rasberry tart: ok strawberry roulades: ok. The cream is unsweetened. Now I want the key lime tart...
(3)Sarah L.
I came here for lunch today, my sweetie took the day off to celebrate my birthday! We wanted to give Fiddle-head Cafe a try but they do not open until 4:30, I was a sad birthday girl. We decided on Cafe Selmarie again. I'm one upping their star ratings because the lunch was fab. We sat on the outdoor patio area. It was a beautiful afternoon so we had to dine al fresco! I had the crab cake sandwich and my honey had the roast beef sandwich. Both were very delicious. We also shared a side of sweet potato wedges. On our way out, we picked up a piece of chocolate cake for later tonight and a cream cheese brownie to share on the walk back. OMG, was it so rich and creamy! I'm still full from lunch, I may not need dinner tonight. Cafe Selmarie has a simple but delicious menu for lunch, check it out!
(4)Matt C.
Here's the secret to getting in on a Sunday. Go when it is unreasonably cold. Even then, we still had to wait 30 mins for a table, after being told to wait 20. Brunch was good, the prices were reasonable and the service was great. What else can you say?
(4)Casey F.
I have never had a bad meal nor a bad dessert from Cafe Sel Marie. And the service is always great. I've gone in alone, as a pair, and with eight other people and every time I am helped by friendly and courteous people. I have to go for brunch at least once a month, if not three or four times, and I will generally have the brioche french toast with berries and highly recommend it to anyone else. I also enjoy that their menu changes to reflect the season. The gingerbread griddlecakes that made an appearance over the Christmas season were fantastic. Pairing them with spiked apple cider made the experience complete. Enjoy the toasty indoors in the winter, and then sit out on the patio in the summer, sometimes you even get to watch performances in the square while enjoying your meal.
(5)Lance W.
Solid food and excellent service. We asked them before getting a table if we could be in and out in 45 minutes because we had to make a train out of town. They got us in and out in 30 minutes. Complete winning service
(4)Richard B.
I've only been to their bakery and I'm in love. Everything I've tried from the case has been decadent and the best whatever-it-was I've had. Most recently I had a slice of their Sacher Torte. It was unbelievable. Their espresso beverages are also well made. I have not been disappointed. It does get busy and tight in the bakery area though. Especially with people waiting to be seated in the restaurant, but in my experience the baristas and others behind the counter have been friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend the bakery.
(5)Steve L.
Delicious food, delicious coffee, lovely and friendly service. That's all you need for 5 stars from me. (Wonderful cookies and pastries, too!)
(5)Meg O.
Well, glory be to the bad economy! If it weren't for the crisis on Wall Street and Main Street, Selmarie may have been closing or moving. Because Lincoln Square really needs to look more like Lincoln Park, right? With chi-chi restaurants and chains! Hello Lincoln Square developers, Cafe Selmarie deserves to and needs to and should stay! It was there long before the neighborhood got trendy, and grew alongside that darling stretch of Lincoln Ave. Also, it's one of the few truly accomplished restaurants in the 'hood, but less spendy than Bistro Campagne. And, as I learned last night, it's a pretty great place to take small children. The fear of Cafe Selmarie's demise is what drove my friend Shane and me to take our charges for the evening--2 year old Calvin and 3 month old Nora Claire--out to dinner. As someone who does not have children, I was nervous as hell to take such young ones to an establishment like Selmarie. But we went. The bus boy set us up on the charming patio overlooking the fountain, immediately outfitting us with a high chair. He also graciously helped me remove another chair for Nora's stroller. The kids' menu at Cafe Selmarie is great! They have everything from PB&J to chicken cutlets to penne pasta. Much to his delight, Calvin's grilled cheese sandwich, orange slices, and applesauce arrived with Shane and my chevre chaud salad. Oh, and did I mention that they put his water and milk in a cup with a lid and a straw? Brilliant! Our chevre chaud salad was delicious, despite that at its arrival Nora decided she needed to cry. Shane and I took turns passing her across the table and alternating who spread the hot garlicky goat cheese on toast points for the other. Our waitress was very understanding and sympathetic, and I didn't correct her when she called me "Mommy." For our entrees, I had the wrap of the day, a tilapia wrap, and Shane had a grilled salmon salad. The tilapia was moist and wrapped up with a delicious slaw. It came with grilled potato wedges and broccoli. So healthy and delicious! Shane's salad looked great: a beautiful salmon fillet laying on a bed of interesting greens and fennel. It was past the kiddies' bedtime (7:00!) so we took dessert to go. Calvin loved munching on his ghostie cut out cookie as we walked back to his grandparents' condo, and after the babes were in bed, Shane and I enjoyed our orange chocolate decadence (my all-time fave) and an "impossible cake" that had this amazing layer of flan on top while we watched "Paris J'taime." As I sat on the patio, listening to the fountain, watching my fellow Chicagoans stroll by, eating my delicious wrap, rocking a (finally) sleeping Nora in her stroller, I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness, but not too much sadness. I realized that I loved Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Square loved me. Thanks, Cafe Selmarie, for 25 great years in a great neighborhood! May you flourish for at least 25 more! (And thanks for easing my anxiety about some day having small children of my own).
(5)Charles A.
I would like to give Selmarie five stars - the service is fantastic, the restaurant very comfortable, the banana eclair heavenly. But while the food is good and varied - fresh salmon, rich mushroom ravioli, veggie-friendly chili...- only (some of) the pastries break into perfection. In addition, though I suppose it's little fault of the restaurant's, almost every time I'm here some baby is crying and kids are running up and down between the tables. Apparently, Lincoln Square is suffering an ongoing babysitter shortage. Complaints aside, Selmarie is the best restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)Suzanne P.
I recently brought my family here for brunch during a visit...and it was definitely a great choice! I love where Cafe Selmarie is located in the square. The first time I visited this place, my roommates and I wanted to sample the baked goods in the area (thus deciding if it was a good neighborhood to live in, naturally). I must say, I was a little bit disappointed with the slice of white chocolate cake I tried, but having a sit-down meal at the cafe was a totally different experience. I had the Brioche French Toast, which was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of french toast, and this was up there among my favorites. My parents were also happy with what they ordered (my sister and I double ordered on the french toast), and my roommate who joined us was as well. The server was friendly and competent, and really did a great job. I'd come back here for brunch again and again!
(4)Hannah H.
Cafe Selmarie's lemon bars - it perfectly decadent, lemon-y, sweet, a good-portioned size bar that is powdered with powdered sugar. It is a little pricey, but I always make it my mission to get at least 4-6 pieces to go. I love it, and I haven't tasted great lemon bars like these anywhere else. Yum! +lemon bars
(4)Claudia S.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)Micki D.
Now that the famous Fried Green Tomato BLT is BACK! I will be frequenting Café Selmarie again! Best decision EVER! way to go!
(4)Lily H.
My favorite little spot in Lincoln Square. Great service, delicious pastries, and incredible coffee! It's hard to order because everything is amazing! Definitely a must try if in the area.
(5)M S.
Amazing , fresh food, delicious desserts and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. ..Also, the atmosphere is quaint and romantic.
(5)Alexa M.
I have been to this place twice...and loved it very much! Service and food are fantastic. Love this place in the summer because you can enjoy a beautiful weather and dine outside :)
(5)Elizabeth P.
We went two times, once for coffee and pastries and once for breakfast. It was good both times, the food is good and good quality. There were a good amount of menu options. The only thing is that it can get a bit pricey
(5)Liz K.
I thought this place had some fairly decent brunch food, but there wasn't a huge variety. The bakery itself is amazing and makes going there worth it. I had an apricot kolachky while I waited, and unlike most kolachky, it wasn't annoyingly dry. Unfortunately, there is very little waiting room and they seem to have a lot of young families there, meaning, yes, there will be strollers and screaming kids. All in all, not bad, but there are definitely better places for brunch in Chicago.
(4)Valery P.
Not as good as I expected. I tried the dinner menu and some of the pastries the other day and wasn't really blown away by it. Other than that, parking wasn't that hard and the services was nice and friendly. It's still a great place to hang out, nonetheless.
(3)Vallia K.
Love this place- its now my go-to cafe when I want better-than-standard espresso drinks. Their baked goods are amazing as well, and the staff is extremely attentive and nice. I wish they would not bring the bill without asking, though. It makes you feel rushed and this cafe is the perfect place to just sit and relax. The actual savory foods are decent- I have only tried the breakfast burrito and daily omelet and although they were by no means bad they were not memorable. (Although the potatoes are fabulous.)
(4)Comensal A.
It's been years since I last visited Café Selmarie. It's till a nice cozy café with a compact menu likely to appeal to most tastes. It was a bit noisier than I prefer, which was challenging because we went with another couple and were trying to have a conversation. On the plus side, our server was pleasant and accommodating, and there was a half price special on selected bottles of wine with purchase of an entree. A house salad was OK; my pork tenderloin was chewy. It's not a bad place, but there are better dinner options in the neighborhood.
(3)Scott H.
Great brunch spot if you have out-of-towners with you and are looking for a spot where you can sit outside, have a good meal, and enjoy great coffee. Also, a great bakery in of itself. My only knock on this place is if you come here a couple of times, the menu gets extremely boring since it's limited and nothing is "amazing." It's good...but nothing that will make you say "I love this place and need to come back here again soon." Be prepared for a long wait anytime after 10:30am on weekends too. One last comment....if they ever feature the Chicken Salad Sandwich on the specials menu, definitely get it. It's awesome. Probably the best thing I've had here, despite often coming here for breakfast/brunch.
(3)Sarah M.
I think this place is very overrated. There, I said it. Full disclosure: I've never had a sit-down meal there - I've only ever had items from the front bakery case. Having said that... I don't think it's anything too special. The desserts are expensive, and so rich that it's hard to enjoy them because you know you'll feel ill after eating only half of one. You also risk being run into by some yuppie with a stroller on your way out the door, which is enough to keep me away. I would recommend that you head over to the Swedish Bakery instead... reasonable prices, and tasty food that will remind you of eating pastries and drinking coffee with the grown-ups back when you were a kid.
(3)Ann M.
This place is always crowded in the AM on the weekends. My roommate and I have tried on several occasions to get seated but the wait is always long. So instead we went for dinner and shockingly it was not that busy. I love the inside of this place. It's very cozy and classy. Our waitress was overly nice and very prompt. I ordered the Cobb salad, which I must say is possibly the best Cobb salad I have ever had. If you're a salad person, you MUST try this. Prices are a little high but it's definitely worth it. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the service is fantastic. Go check it out for yourself!
(4)Rose H.
Tuna Salad. It comes w/chips but they allow you to substitute with mixed greens. Too many onions and it needed more salt. Vegetarian Chili. Too much cheese and not enough kick to it. My lunch partner had to ask for Tabasco sauce. Waitress disappeared. Bobby Bouche (barback, that is the name my friend gave him) splashed water all over my lunch partners wallet and didn't bother to Clean it up.
(2)Tonya N.
2 stars are for the food which was decent. Minus the short curly hair in my breakfast. I would give negative stars for the service. It was horrible. I have worked in the service industry for years. The server was slow, inattentive and had no clue what she was doing.
(2)Gina F.
I stopped by twice this week during my staycation. I happened to have 2 friends who wanted to go to lunch on 2 different days, both of whom have been wanting to try this place. As per usual everything was excellent. The roasted butternut squash spinach salad and the roasted sweet potato wedges are a perfect fall lunch. Both friends also enjoyed their lunch very much.
(4)Claudia M.
Such a great Cafe. I'm so glad my BF suggested we take an out of town guest here. We were looking for a place that had great food, ambiance and not too crowded so we could hang out and talk. Cafe Selmarie was the place. We arrived arround noon. The place was pretty happening, lots of moms and their babies but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your food (I'm a slow eater). I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which came with a side of mixed field greens salad. My BF and his aunt each ordered the chicken pot pie and an order of sweet potato fries. Let me tell you that Chicken Pesto sandwich was so good that I dare not eat the whole thing in one sitting. Kind of like the candy you ate as a kid, Now and Laters, I had to save half of this sandwich to enjoy later that afternoon. After we enjoyed our meal and caught up on our conversation we ordered coffee. I ordered the mocha. OMG, the mocha comes with REAL whipped cream. Not the whipped cream from a can that is thin and disappears 10 seconds later. We are talking thick, sweet cream that you feel you have to bite into. The Cafe is just so cute inside. They have the most delicious looking pastries at the front entrance. My BF saw a red velvet cake dipped in chocolate and he thought he would get a slice on the way out so we could split later. Nope. When we finally left the Cafe the red velvet cake was all gone. I'll have to go back and get some and surprise him. Lincoln Square just keeps giving me more reasons to go back. Thanks Cafe Selmarie. My new North side meeting place.
(5)Jennifer F.
Love this place! I have been here at least six times. The food is always good. The service is polite and efficient. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. I am a big fan of both their lunch and dinner menus. Up until last week I had never tried their pastries. Finally got a raspberry and dark chocolate tart and a pecan tart. Both were excellent! I also got a mocha to go and it was wonderful. (Didn't have that burnt taste you often get from Starbucks.)
(5)Heather P.
I come here for their delightful strawberry roulade and their consistenly perfect Croque Monsieur. Weekends are busy, but visiting for a weekday lunch gets you seated fairly quickly. Food is delicious. The causal environment is perfect for a small lunch meeting and the outdoor seating is a nice option when the weather is warm.
(5)Ana I.
The service dragged, but that may have been because the cafe was busy. The food on the other hand was yummy! I got the Salmon sandwich. I'm excited to return.
(4)Jonathan H.
Cuban braised beef sandwich was amazing. I highly recommend.
(5)Lorelei C.
Today I was out, had a nice healthy lunch and then I was walking and I saw Cafe Selmarie... Now, I tried to ignore this place but... after all it is my birthday week and I think I deserve something nice Yeah, I know sounds bogus.. but thats the best I could come up with. Anyway, this is a small place, as you enter they have a pastry case where they had some pastries and other assorted goodies.. Okay, so I took a look at the case and did'nt see anything that really appealed to me, they had some tarts and cookies and a flourless chocolate cake and I really thought I was going to leave unhappy and empty handed and then there was this vision of heaven I found in the case called a chocolate banana eclair... Well, I caved and bought this wonderful piece of heaven.. And gotta say it, it was worth every penny. Now, I could make excuses and say that I wont have birthday cake because I had this eclair today but.. No, that wont be happening! I want my Birthday Cake too! Cafe Selmarie also serves some food items as well, don't know what though cause I did'nt care after I saw my eclair..:) I think they serve coffee too but I don't drink coffee either.. I had one cup of coffee my entire life and thought it was nasty so thats one habit i dont have, got lots of other bad habits to make up for my lack of coffee drinking though.. So, next time you are in the Lincoln Square area treat yourself to a visit at Cafe Selmarie... You can even have coffee if you want to..:( And theres a really pretty fountain outside the window so nice visuals going on too... And I'll bet you that you cant leave without a chocolate banana eclair.. Just dont quote me on that one, I gambled once, lost lotsa money..:(
(4)Luke T.
had some quiche and coffee for late breakfast with friends and it was still as good as ever.
(4)Benjamin V.
This is a rare cafe in that both their dinner menu and bakery items are strong: high quality, delicious, and well presented. Their scones are amazing. They are located right next to Lincoln Square's actual "square," where musicians come to perform and kids love to play. On a summer night, you can sit at the cafe's patio and enjoy a wonderful dinner, as well as hear the music. Cafe Selmarie is a a great place to go!
(5)Jackie M.
Awesome. Dined with a friend to catch up and went halfsies on everything. It ended up to working really well. Warm Marinated Goat Cheese - it's more like a appetizer. Goat cheese soaks in a warm red pepper flake infused olive oil. Chicken Pesto Sandwich - juicy chicken, yummy pesto, fluffy mozzarella, the bread is fantastic - crusty, chewy and soft in all the right ways. Totally worth it. Get dessert, one of the few places in Chicago with an assortment of gorgeous tortes. There were a ton of people for a Thursday lunch crowd, but if you can buy artisan bread here, I would.
(4)Jackie E. G.
The food is ok. Then why the 5 stars? This is all about the whipped cream People! Lo...seriously folks. I've never in my life tasted such delectable whipped cream. I guess I'm used to the crap they serve at Starbucks. I'm a big hot chocolate fan so I stopped by yesterday morning... for some breakfast. Decided to sit outside because it was faster. And, ordered the spiked Hot Chocolate with the Baileys. Sitting outdoors in the late morning crisp autumn air with a cup of hot chocolate and the best whipped cream you've ever tasted in your life (the waitress said...it's nothing special...just whipped fresh!) set the tone for a perfect rest of the day. The pretty people with their pretty children and cute doggies walking about the area, sharing pastries and meeting up with friends over coffee also added to the ooh la-la experience!
(5)April K.
Cute spot in Lincoln Square. We had a late lunch here with family. They had a cute little patio and we ate there (5 adults and three children). It was pretty out there but there were quite a few bees and I'm deathly afraid of bees so that was a little jarring... The espresso with whipped cream is the tits. Mmmmm. Thick whipped cream and strong but non-bitter espresso. Loved every sip of it. The coffee wasn't quite as good. I had a quesadilla. It was great. It had cheese, chicken, big strips of pasilla peppers. It wasn't greasy at all. The guacamole and the house made salsa were delicious as well. Husband had a prosciutto sandwich which was also very tasty. I dug it. The waitress was awesome as well. Great lunch spot.
(4)Colleen C.
A wonderful Friday brunch option...! Somewhat hard to find in the 'Square. Cafe Selmarie is in that impossibly cute stretch of Lincoln Ave that is sheltered from the chaos. One way entrance off Lawrence (going south), no entrance on to strip from northwest bound...(curves off and hits Western where it skips a bit before picking up again by that McDonald's. ANYWAY. It's private, cute, and plenty of metered parking...and with German neighbors and Merz Apothecary nearby, how can one go wrong? Exactly. A sweet little corner shop. Entrance barrages one with puffed pastries, cookies, sweets and a small coffee bar. Take a few steps back and there's plenty of tables/chairs and a perfectly acceptable brunch menu to enjoy. I sat with my two pals and we sipped perfectly designed coffee drinks, water and waited for our breakfast burrito, salmon scramble and special omlette of the day: spinach, feta, bacon. I can vouch for that omlette...wooo boy, good stuff. Accompanied by potatoes, as well. Service was excellent, everything was on point. It's a place you want to stay and cozy up a bit, especially in these winter months. I liken it to the Julius Meinl just a few blocks south...but less screaming children. BONUS! An extra bonus? Unlike most brunchie spots...they have BOOOOOOZE. Crazy on weeekends, but pop in mid-week to check it out. I also hear they serve a mean dinner, and have great specials all week. It's quaint, it's cute...and it's a good excuse to check out this quirky, secluded little strip of Lincoln Square. *Right off the Western brown line *Lawrence bus *Meters easy.
(4)Kimberly M.
The ingredients were fresh, and I liked that there were plenty of healthy options for dinner. Plan on spending $15-$20 on anything other than a salad. I ordered the vegetarian chili and spinach salad. I was not impressed with the free rolls that accompanied dinner. They lacked flavor and really weren't anything special. I guess I just expected more considering the baked goods storefront. The chili was tasty, but again, the cornbread that accompanied it really wasn't anything special. The salad was great, based on the sole fact that it had fresh ingredients and I love brie cheese, but it's not anything I couldn't have made at home. I gave it three stars because healthy options are hard to find when you are traveling, and while I would not list this among my favorite spots, I would definitely visit again for fresh, well prepared food. It's also important to note that I only ate dinner here once. I'd imagine brunch would be good at this restaurant. The desserts looked delicious. Also, it's my sister's favorite restaurant in the area, and she's a local.
(3)Esther S.
This place is a must for brunch or just pastries. You can taste the cream cheese in the carrot cake icing. All delicious.
(4)Jelena Z.
Cafe Selmarie. Romantic name, right? And what an utterly charming bakery and cafe it is, located smack dab in that enclosed stretch of Lincoln Ave. in the heart of the Square. Passing by the pastry case en route to the restaurant area in the back is a requirement. No, not because I classify the walk as a 'can't-miss', but because it's physically impossible to avoid staring these sweet beauties in the eye! Strategic, indeed. We sat down for breakfast and within five minutes of our order, I received my latte decorated with a perfect layer of foam. Service is sharp, attentive and knowledgeable. I ordered my breakfast standard (a breakfast burrito, which was wonderful) and my colleagues went with the omelet of the day and the smoked salmon scramble. I believe we all left happy, satiated and still a bit curious about that pastry case. I'll come back for you... another time!
(4)Melanie S.
I love this spot! Cafe Selmarie has been a mainstay in Lincoln Square for years and I am so happy to see this restaurant/bakery has not only survived, but thrived. Their brunch menu isn't huge, but you're sure to find something delicious, whether you're in the mood for something on the lighter side or something heartier. I met a friend here for brunch on Saturday and I am so glad we went here. I had forgotten how charming this place is. Paintings by local artists adorn the walls; tables are well-spaced (i.e. not on top of each other) and the staff is friendly and efficient. My friend had the vegetarian chili which looked great and I had the vegetarian quiche. Both of us were pleased with our choices. The quiche was light, but filling, and was chock full of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms and some goat cheese which added a nice tartness and creaminess. Served on the side was a spring salad. Next to the cafe is a bakery bursting with tempting treats like kolacky, strawberry roulade, cookies, eclairs, tarts and scones. I could do some serious damage in here. There's also an outdoor seating area in Giddings Plaza for al fresco dining if you're so inclined (weather permitting, natch). Go to Cafe Selmarie for the delicious, well-prepared food, but don't leave without a trying a pastry or three.
(4)Sarah M.
Love this cute little cafe located in the heart of Lincoln Square next to the courtyard and fountain. In case the delicious pastries in the front aren't alluring enough, the back half of Selmarie is a small restaurant that offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The food here is delicious and I have YET to have anything bad on the menu. Whether you just want to stop and have a slice of Mocha Buttercream Torte with a cappuccino, grab a cookie for the road, or sit down and have a wonderful meal, Cafe Selmarie is good for all three. I highly recommend this place! Why it didn't get 5 stars: Cost is $40 on a lunch or breakfast meal for two (including tip). Which isn't outrageous by any means and you are definitely FULL when you leave, but it isn't pocket change either. It can be packed, so try and get there before the rush starts if you don't want to wait for a seat (there isn't a lot of waiting room either).
(4)Christina D.
We absolutely love this place! I've never had anything I haven't liked. And I think I've tried everything. From brunch to just stopping in for a treat, this is our go to spot.
(5)Heather H.
According to my husband, best corned beef hash ever. According to me, best dessert ever! Lunch is my friend here. Nice salads, soups, and the vegetarian chili is outstanding. The waitstaff actually understands the meaning of a lunch rush - people need to get in, out, and back to work. Props for that. I've stopped coming in for breakfast, just too many other places give just as good quality, but better portions for the buck. That's not to say I'm looking for a huge portion, but I like the option of toast with my meal without paying extra. Also, the acoustics in the dining room are not hangover friendly. At times it's annoying enough to make me rush through my meal to leave, especially when there's a shrieking kid in the room (which is usually all the time). But really, the crown jewel is the desserts. I can't walk out of this place without at least getting something to go from the bakery. Everything is SO GOOD, with the exception of the cupcakes. I can't figure out what they do wrong with them, the flavor is additively good, it's just always dry. I've tried them too many times, even asking if they're fresh. So, I'd say skip those, and get anything else you see. Cookies: Yum! Try the lavender rosemary, sugar, chocolate chip, any kind is a winner. Scones? Yes please! Always moist and the ingredients are nicely distributed. Who wants a scone with 2 dates and 3 walnuts? Here, you're sure to get at least a fruit or nut in each bite! Cakes.... Mmmmmmm again, always wonderful - take your pick, you'll be happy. Banana Eclair? One of my favorites! Fresh and fruity! Cafe Selmarie is a neighborhood institution. It's easy to see why they're still around, and why there is usually a well deserved wait to get in.
(4)Kat C.
Yum!!! Delicious and patient!!! Kale salad was AMAZING and quinoa was super delicious. But I have to admit that the best part for me was the flourless chocolate, orange torte with decaf soy latte!! Definitely a return visit in the future!
(5)Debbie S.
We tend to meander to this spot for brunch on many a Sunday morning. Breakfast pastries are delicious (my favorite is the cinammon chip scone) and the brunch items are very good. I tend to go with some form of an eggs benedict when I am there (they have different varieties, some with meat and some without) and a rotating menu. Hubby tends to order the breakfast croissant. The hostesses recognize us now and always say hello to us and our little boy. The servers are always pleasant and seem to have a fair amount of longevity, which is nice. Lunch and Dinner are also good options at Selmarie. Lunch sandwiches are very good and dinner items are a bit more upscale. My only complaint -- the dessert pastries leave a bit to be desired. I have tried several cakes and found them to be dry and somewhat unappetizing -- and they look beautiful in the dessert case. Great outdoor seating facing a courtyard (and therefore off of Lincoln). Get here early to get a table for brunch on a Sunday - the restaurant and the outdoor space tend to fill up very quickly. The indoor tables tend to get a bit loud.
(4)Caroline K.
Yum Yum Yum!!!!! the bakery items are good, the food is good, the ppl are good. We had the most upbeat, lovely, and sweetest waitress.... i think her name was Racheal. She gave us awesome recommendations: brussel sprout salad - could not believe how fresh and amazing this was... my #1 the ribs - so scrumptious and tender and salivating from just smelling it, i didn't like the sweet potatoe it came with as much the wild mushroom ravioli - this is a must that melts in my mouth! for dessert we had the pecan pie that was soo soo good and we got the pistachio cheesecake - don't get it, there are much better things there. Thanks racheal for a great meal, we'll definitely visit again soon!
(5)Tricia D.
Cafe Selmarie, thank you for being open (relatively) late on Fri. while most other bakeries already call it a day. You satisfied the dessert compartment in my belly when I needed it at 8:51pm. Baked goods and cake slices are on the pricey side. My banana eclair was $3.95 worth of so-so pastry, cream, sliced bananas, and chocolate glaze. They also have exotic looking decorated sugar cookies that come in different animal shapes, one of which may or may not be an aardvark. I'm opposed to restaurants that put white sheets of paper over their tablecloths, but Selmarie had the white paper cut so precisely in the dimensions of the tabletop that I almost didn't realize it was there. Subtle!
(3)Phil T.
A wonderful spot. We're impressed each time we go with every aspect of our experience at Selmarie's: nice service, well-thought out meals, fresh tastes, and an all-around pleasant experience. It's reasonably priced too, for the experience. There are far more expensive places offering far less to Chicagoans. Breakfast, dessert, dinner all deserve five stars. It's one place we're always sure to take visitors to Lincoln Square.
(5)Carol K.
I had been trying to get to this restaurant for over a year- for a friend mentioned it to me last Summer and it sounded like the perfect spot for a nice casual dinner. On a recent Summer's night- I finally made my way up to Cafe Selmarie and was wondering what I was thinking to have moved this little gem so far down my list? It was exactly what we were looking for. On Wednesday nights- wine is half priced, so my friend went on line to see what kind of wines they had. One of them struck his fancy, but he likes it cold, ice cold, so he called the restaurant and asked them to ice it down. What a great idea for a hot night! They were very accommodating and we were happy . .and all for a very reasonable price. The food was terrific as well. I started with the marinated goat cheese and greens and he had the lobster filled crepe. Both were delicious! For our entrees, I went with the herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and my friend just told the server to surprise him and bring out her favorite dish. A great idea as the roasted pork with bacon and tomato compote was a great combination of flavors. I loved that the front of the restaurant is a small bakery, so for dessert we wandered around looking at the display cases finally deciding on a cupcake for me, and a piece of pistachio cheesecake for him. The perfect sweet ending to our perfect meal. Service was great- friendly and welcoming, offering up wonderful suggestions and taking care of us in the best way possible. At the end of our dinner, I felt as if I had almost found a new friend! You can enjoy your meal outside overlooking Giddings Plaza or indoors in their simply furnished dining room. And if you drive- there is plenty of metered parking right out front or a pay lot right around the corner. A terrific restaurant with great service and wonderful food. Don't do as I did and wait to go. Go now. You'll thank me later!
(5)Erica I.
It's torture to walk by here every single day going to and from work. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, tortes, and probably other desserts I'm forgetting. I've stopped in here a few times to get a coffee (Intellegensia mmmm) and almond coffee cake, which is amazinggg. I've also picked up a slice of Beehive cake (brioche with barvarian creme and almonds), apple pie, and a carmel chocolate torte (this was my least favorite, but was still pretty good). I've also had brunch here once, and the food was SO good! I really, really need to come back for brunch, but it's also super packed on the weekends. I just had the quiche and side salad, but it was seriously so good. My friend let me have a bite of her omlette and chicken sausage, and it was really good, too! The staff is always very sweet, and even when it's busy, they make sure you get helped. I'm looking forward to coming back!
(5)Veronica M.
Ok I been here twice breakfast was nothing great. Bake goods ok I guess you don't really want to go back again where it's just ok.
(2)Ron S.
My wife and I enjoyed a Saturday breakfast here and we both ordered the Smoked Salmon Scramble. It was delicious The icing on the cake was Intelligentsia Selmarie blend coffee. What a great way to start the day!
(4)Michael D.
Café Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood that is a very vibrant part of town. Recently, I tried making a reservation for a party of four for a Sunday brunch, but was informed that reservations are only accepted for parties of six or more. However, I was told to call before arriving and we would be put on a wait list. So on the Sunday morning in question I called about 25 minutes before our arrival. Because the placed was crowded, we had to wait approximately 20 to 25 minutes longer before being seated. Café Selmarie has a bakery up front that you have to walk through to get to the dining area. The fragrances and presentations of the wide variety of bakery goods are very appealing and a strong inducement for in-house dining customers to make carry-out purchases. Our waiter was informative and efficient. I asked to start our meal with a shared slice of coffee cake and left the selection to the discretion of our waiter. We were subsequently served a poppy seed coffee cake that we divided amongst us. The cake was extremely fresh and very delicious. In fact, one person in our party said it was the best coffee cake she ever had. For our main dishes we ordered the pancakes (three cakes - no short order available) with blueberries and whipped cream, the breakfast burrito, the standard eggs Benedict, and a spinach omelet. The pancakes and the burrito were rated excellent, the Benedict very good, and the omelet good but rather ordinary. Note: alfresco dining is offered in warm weather in an area adjacent to the side of the restaurant building next to a park. Overall, we had a very good dining experience at Café Selmarie. I recommend it for Sunday brunch, unless a long wait is a concern, and give it a four star rating.
(4)Leah W.
Came here with a friend after doing our first 5K, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday morning and so we ordered from their brunch menu. I had the smoked salmon with egg scramble that came with sour cream, dill and a side of potatoes. Everything was delicious. My friend had the pot pie which looked really good and she seemed to enjoy. Sad to say, but I couldn't deny the $5 mimosas..yum! Will definitely be back.
(4)Yanyao N.
Pastry alert! Pastry alert! The baked goods at Cafe Selmarie are sinfully good. As a person who will always choose shrimp cocktail over dessert, this place had me pretty excited. Chocolate banana eclairs! Bienenstich! Pear tarts! Apricot tarts! Raspberry financiers! You get the idea... We left here with only four pastries: a blackberry financier, a raspberry financier, an apricot frangipan tart, and this insane bun looking monstrosity that was basically brioche with a creamy custard filling. I think it was called a tropezier? It was absolute madness eating this thing. You would bite into the sugar topped brioche and sweet cream would just ooze out the sides. One of the sexiest desserts I have seen in a while. Needless to say, everything was phenomenal and consumed in one sitting. If I lived in the neighborhood, there is no doubt that I would turn into a jelly roll. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)Erica W.
Who knew that I would find love at first sight at Cafe Selmarie? I had never tried a financier before, and decided to try the raspberry financiers. They are these little bite-sized cake-like pastries with a fresh raspberry inside. I truly had a moment. My friends were wondering what was wrong with me when I momentarily couldn't talk. These financiers changed my world for a moment in time. I will gladly travel all the way from the loop to Lincoln Square to get more of those. I love the fact that this place is open late for late night desserts, coffee and tea. Too bad they don't stay open later. Great service, and fantastic pastries - I'll be back for brunch AND lunch. AND they are close to the brown line Western stop. It's located in a cute area with shops and boutiques, so Cafe Selmarie is definitely in my future - a brunch and boutique day is calling my name!
(4)Jennifer M.
Fantastic lunch! The broccoli salad was absolutely delicious and the bread is phenomenal. Great atmosphere. This place is a must-try.
(5)Jose S.
Overall very good food and service. Favorite meal is the chilaquiles. One of the best I have tasted in years. Be aware of the corned beef hash. It's shredded beef and not the typical hash you find in a diner. Felt like I was eating a cross between hay and beef jerky. It's the only item on the menu I dont like.
(4)C T.
I love this place! Lots of healthy menu items. Plates are huge, expensive, but worth it for the large servings. Super fun place to come and eat in the summer. Bakery looks delicious, but I'm always too stuffed for a treat.
(4)Jenna S.
I came here with another person for dinner and we had completely opposite experiences with it came to the food we ordered; although both experienced the hands down amazing service! My dinner entree was the seared scallops, his was the half chicken. For starters, my scallops were cooked to NEAR perfection airing on the rare side. I enjoy a perfectly cooked scallop, which can sometimes be difficult, but this one scared me a little. The root vegetables and squash puree it was surrounded by was near tasteless. My fiance's dinner was beyond wonderful! The chicken was moist and flavorful, cooked to perfection. The potatoes were heavenly! All the flavors melded together in harmony! To end the meal, we shared a chocolate truffle and the german sour cherry cheesecake. STOP THE PRESSES. TRUFFLES! Yes, the chocolate truffle was flippin' amazing. Actually, I had forgotten all about the scallop debacle that was currently invading my stomach. All I could think about were TRUFFLES. Yum! Now, don't get me wrong, the dense rich flavor of the cheesecake was also a delight...but still all I can think about is that damn truffle confection!! Need. More!
(4)Elaine C.
I took back Lincoln Square last weekend. It used to belong to someone in my past, but I ate, drank, shopped, and brunched up and down it last weekend and it felt awesome. This was also the one time they year I ordered something sweet for brunch. Lemon-ricotta griddlecakes. They were nom, but there's something about tart pancakes that didn't do it for me. The menu is impressive though. At one point one of my friends started attacking the server with questions like, "What's brioche? And what's pull-man style? And what happens to berries when they're macerated? I just need some English up in this menu right quick." So, if you're impressed by fancy words that mean "cooked with sugar", then run-don't-walk to Cafe Selmarie.
(3)Christina K.
Went back for Sunday brunch, but with a party of four. (Sometimes I eat with people other than my boyfriend.) Don't know if it was the Father's Day crowd, or the location of our table but service was slow and frustrating. Disappointing, because I think it made me scarf down my skillet too quickly and not really enjoy it, and it seemed pretty good. Alas.
(3)Andy W.
The food is a-ok, but the few stars are for somewhat inattentive seating. Even when the place is not very busy, it takes a long-ish while to get seated. If you go there alone, make a point to request a seat in the bright light if that makes you happy. Lunch has been consistently good, the greens fresh and not overdressed, the flavor of other items solid. Service at the table has been friendly and responsive.
(4)Nektaria R.
So we were looking to get some coffee. Starbucks just wouldn't do... Selmarie came to mind and to find, they will Satisfy my sweet tooth too! I've been here before but it was on a date with some guy I met on in the Reader, yea, it was the one and only date I went on with anyone from the paper... we both couldn't wait to get out of there so... not so fond experience with Selmarie so I was really happy to visit again after many years and find that they're pretty cool. We arrived around 7 or so on a Tuesday night. It wasn't too packed, and we found Lincoln Square parking relatively easy (yes, it was a first). We were cheerfully greeted although we were lingering around the pastry case, we kind of looked like people coming in to take goodies home with us. No, no, we'd like to sit down I said. Right away the hostess said. She seated us by the kitchen/exit to the yard even though there were plenty of open tables, I think it was because it seemed like a lower traffic area for my handicap mom. Whatever, it worked even though we would get a little draft each time the door opened (which was very often). It's OK, it was high 60s tonight so it wasn't too bad. We each ordered a coffee drink and a pastry. The Banana Eclair, the Kahlua Cake and the Flourless Chocolate Cake. All were very delish! The eclair was definitely banana infused. I really couldn't say that about the Kahlua though, I could hardly taste the alcohol or flavoring, it was good, just chocolaty. The flourless was very dense but a little on the dry side, still very good. My latte was good, hope it doesn't keep me up all night with 2 shots of espresso. All in all, Selmarie was a good experience and I'd like to come back again for dinner or lunch. They had a tilapia dish for $17.50 which is not bad at all. Nice staff, decent prices, great atmosphere. See 'ya soon.
(3)Erin L.
On a whim, my friend and I decided to check out this place. It was during Apple Fest so the place was pretty packed, but I am sure glad we decided to stick out the long line. Everyone was super friendly there and they didn't rush you if you weren't quite sure what yummy goodies to try. I ended up getting my husband and rum pound cake slice and I took a bite of it - delicious. The hazelnut latte I got was also really good. They have a little cafe in the back of the bakery and it was pretty packed on the day we went. If their bakery items are that good - I'm sure the food is equally as good! A perfect reason to return!
(5)Rose G.
I went with my dad and was really pleased. It was comfortable and the portion sizes were great too. Not too pricey for Chicago either.
(4)Emily S.
We love to go here for brunch, especially on a summer morning when the patio is bustling. Selmarie offers all that we love about Chicago brunch: a cozy neighborhood setting, lively and friendly atmosphere, and tasty, unfussy food. A good spot to take visiting parents or old college friends--we've done both, and both raved. My java-jonesing mom loves their Intelligentsia blend so much I've taken to feeding her addiction with regular one-pound whole bean shipments. We've been known to order the chilaquiles casserole, croissant sandwich, and breakfast burrito for brunch, the ravioli for dinner, and a slice of cake and coffee in between. All delish. Selmarie also did our wedding cake, a delectable chocolate-glazed white chocolate raspberry cheesecake torte that sounds like too much but definitely wasn't. Our guests gushed over the yum factor, and the presentation--three square chocolate-covered tiers accented with marzipan fall leaves--was beautiful. Birgit took her time during our consultation, offering full-size pieces of her most popular selections and describing the care taken in crafting each signature recipe. The best part? We can go back to Selmarie and order a slice whenever we like, reliving our celebration anytime.
(4)Sarah C.
I have only had breakfest and Sunday brunch here. The food was fantastic. The granola with yogert and fresh fruit is my favorite. However, the service is horrible. Everytime I have gone here early before they are busy, I usually sit for 15 mins waiting to order and another 15 mins to pay. The whole time watching the servers stand around and talk... Be warned.
(4)Liza M.
Love it, love it, love it. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. That's how much I love it. The chilaquiles are divine. The first time I went here with Marta, she ordered the chilaquiles and I tried it and I realized I would have to come back and get some of that for myself. And that's just what I did soon after. They also have wonderful mimosas, my favorite drink. I had a bloody mary once and that was also really good but I could only drink half of it. I just really like the decor and the atmosphere, there is a bakery in the front where everything looks really tasty too, but everytime I leave I'm too full to try anything else. I've never been for dinner, but I can't imagine it could be better than the brunch...it's just a lovely, sunny brunch place. Dinner wouldn't seem quite right. But I'm willing to give it a try. The prices are reasonable and the waitstaff is very friendly and accommodating. Well done, Cafe Selmarie! Another reason why I want to move to Lincoln Square.
(5)Katarina X.
The clientele is certainly women of a certain age, but the service and the food can't be beat! Before we brought my boyfriend's mother in, I discreetly told the hostess that she was bordering on senile and can at times be very, very rude by no fault of the service. The staff was very understanding. When the server (Bryan, Brian?) brought a wide selection of tea for boyfriend's mother to choose from- she just about bit his head off shouting "Why don't you understand I want tea, just PLAIN tea!" He kept his cool, smiled and came back with "plain tea". When she started packing rolls in her purse, he kindly asked if she would require a to-go box. He also calmly explained the food ingredients and preparation processes to her, which is more than what I am capable of, and believe me, I was so grateful I paid him $50.00 extra, cash, on top of his tip. Can I take him home? Now every time she visits, she wants to come here... and thanks to the service, I am looking forward to it as well!
(5)Luciana B.
Adorable little cafe in adorable little Lincoln Square (quickly becoming my favorite of Chicago's neighborhoods). The service was quick and friendly (and funny, if I might add) and so very understanding considering the size of our group. The menu has all sorts of tempting choices and all of it was absolutely delicious. The server was VERY patient about separating our checks, as tedious as that must be. Which is always the sign of an amazing restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Decor is lovely. Atmosphere is relaxing. A must-eat indeed!
(5)Erika G.
Outdoor lunch on a summer Saturday does not get any better than this. A chopped salad, any of their soups and a glass of du vin rouge and I'm happy people watching for hours.
(4)Kevin C.
This is one of our favorite brunch places. If you're in a rush to get seated or get to your next appointment after your meal, you've come to the wrong place. This cafe is more in the traditional European style, more relaxed and laid back. The menu items are always tasty and well prepared. The coffee is excellent and the pace inside kind of leisurely...the patio is great in the summer. It is sometimes difficult to get seated at peak times (brunch on the weekends), we've had waits of up to 45 minutes before. We are usually there when they open or we don't go until late lunch. We've been probably 20x or more and each time has been great. I kind of wish it were bigger (so seating would be less of a problem) but then it would lose some of it's charm. Whenever we have guests in town this is one of our top 5 places to take them for a meal. Highly recommended
(4)Ginny B.
This place has caused me to gain 20 or 30 pounds. I suffer in silence and with a big smile.
(5)Kate Z.
They told us the wait would be 20 minutes, but it was actually 50 (there were 3 of us on a Sunday morning). Our server was Traci and things were fine until we were ready to pay the bill. She had not offered to split the checks at the beginning of our order, and was very quick to get us our food, which was great. However, when I wanted her to just take my three things and put them on my card, she ripped the bill fold out of my hand and said, "So you just want separate checks, FINE." and stormed off. We were so shocked. When she returned, she told us that if we wanted separate checks, we should tell her in the beginning. I totally get that- I was a server too. But if it's such a hassle to split the check, ask at the beginning. It's not hard to do and saves a lot of time. It's not my responsibility, as the customer, to know how difficult or easy your bill splitting process is. After that, we went home and hours later, both my friend and I (we both got the same meal) were VERY sick. When I called the cafe today to tell them, their number was disconnected. I sent an email and I am waiting to hear back. UPDATE: I received a follow up call from the General Manager at Cafe Selmarie the same day I called and posted this review, and she was very nice and apologetic about my experience, and offered a gift certificate. It sounds like they did research to find out what could have made my friend and I sick, but didn't find anything. She also said that they did not get any other reports and sold 32 dishes that day (although, most people don't make the connection- I only did because my friend and I both had the same symptoms and ate the same dish). Additionally, she promised to talk to the server about her treatment. Overall, I am happy that she called and have changed my rating to 3 stars because we did have an enjoyable time while we were eating and she did make an effort to resolve things with me. She cares very much about the Cafe and how it is perceived, which is awesome.
(3)Amanda G.
I really liked this place! The atmosphere was bright and sunny and the food was really good. We did have to wait awhile for seating but occupied our time admiring the beautiful desserts in the display case by the front door! My only complaint was the disorder at the cashier. We tried to get in some semblance of a line but eventually had to push our way to the front just to pay the bill. Still, I would definitely go back.
(4)Natasia O.
I especially love this place on weekdays for lunch. I always seem to find myself wondering over there on rainy days like today for a fantastic cup of coffee. They have great sandwiches, a wonderful atmosphere, and I love to go by myself with a book and slowly enjoy my lunch solo.
(4)Mike G.
great location right on the square. good for people watching, enjoying the outsideness, and listening to the music that randomly appears here. Lincoln Square has to be Chicago's most European 'hood. Cafe Selmarie adds to that by being a great little American cafe influences by Euro style treatment. The food is solid. Nothing here is going to amaze you on the creativity spectrum--but it all tastes good. The portions are perfect too--no behemoth style servings. We didn't do dessert. It looks like a great spot to grab some baked goods and coffee though to enjoy while lingering in the square.
(4)Nellie T.
I've bene going to Selmarie for about 3 years now and I love it as much today as I did when I first came here. They serve intelligensia coffee which I love and make pasteries and granola that is just oh so freakin good. The prices are average for any foofoo breakfast that you'll get in Chicago. Their menu isn't huge (just about a one pager), but everything I've had is great. Their house potatoes are perfectly cooked: crisp and favorful. The boyfriend always gets their breakfast burrito. They don't put enough sauce for his liking, but will give you more if you ask. I usually get their omelette special. There use to not be a wait when I first started coming here, but like all other things.... word has gotten out and there is usually a wait. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in for brunch. Don't forget to leave room for a treat to bring home. I highly recommend the Palmiers!
(4)Christina S.
Goodness gracious! This is the kind of cafe that can make a neighborhood a destination, and it looks like Cafe Selmarie has done just that for Lincoln Square. I recently had lunch here for the first time, and I was back for brunch the next morning, it was that good. The wait can verge on ridiculous, but if you call ahead, they'll add your name to the list. I recommend that strategy. I also recommend the croque monsieur. :)
(5)Anna R.
Brunch at Sel Marie is one of my favorite places to go too! My top three dishes are: Brioche French Toast with berries and mascapone, Crab Benedict, and my absolute favorite is the Chiliquilles! It gets very busy on the weekends so I recommend to get there early. But if you have to wait, they have a great pastries, cookies, and bakery items to nibble on while you wait :)
(5)George R.
Trust them for delicious croissants and the other fine French-style baked goods, but don't bother staying for breakfast. I've seen the place overflowing on weekends with crowds loitering outside, but why? Get a croissant or a brioche and maybe a coffee and take it elsewhere. Take it for a walk. This place often is crawling with bratty kids and stroller-toting parents, especially on nice mornings. To me, no matter how concientious, kids always make a place grungier because they can't sit still and most parents can't keep up with their destruction. Lovely idea, but beware. Go at an off hour and see what you think.
(3)Ade Z.
i really like selmarie. but dont stay. grab things to go and enjoy in your apt with your dog ( or bf). they have awesome cakes..they are great for last minute bday dinners that you need to take a dessert to. or even for company gatherings a SURE hit! I have only been here for dessert and have yet to try their menu of actual food. I cant wait..i will be going this weekend! BUT... like i said earlier dont stay and eat- grab and go. They are really busy here- the service is like the service of a bakery ( can i help you?.... chocalte or vanilla... that will be 20.20....NEXT.) so don expect to be treated royal...if you want that treatment go to the italian resturant down the street or even Garcia's :) in any case, thier treats are KICKASS! coffee- ok service- eh? parking- its the L square- nuff said ambiance- LOUD!!@#$@#%
(4)Cat B.
This place is so good...can't believe I haven't eaten here since I started yelping! Ate here for lunch today and it was wonderful. The veggies are always fresh and the atmosphere is beautiful. The space is very bright and the art accents the paint well. We did comment, as we were leaving, that it was almost a crime to leave without having something sweet. The Halloween cookies and cakes looked delicious. But we were so full from lunch. My friend Jim had the Mahi-Mahi wrap, which he said was very delicious. Definitely a reliable spot. Highly recommended.
(5)Deborah E.
Cafe Selmarie, I have been your friend for the 21 years I have lived in Chicago. I have spent hundreds of dollars on you.........can it possibly be that I have never frequented you on a Saturday morning, to experience those delectable Cherry Pocket Danish and Blueberry Pocket Danish? SO moist, so full of fruit and cream and flaky goodness and..............I was told you only serve them on Saturdays - thank god or I would soon weigh 700 lbs.
(5)starli h.
so, my mom visits often and creates an agenda for each day she is here, which usually includes eating, thrifting, shopping and sightseeing. totally fun with mom, so this weekend we visited cafe selmarie which has been on her list forevvvver. not sure why i haven't been there sooner, or haven't spent more time in lincoln square in general, at least with my mom - she loved the walk and shops. the cafe was like the visit: cute, fun to look around and i wouldn't mind going back. we only tried a few things in the bakery; we weren't hungry and nothing really caught my attention in the restaurant. we made the trip to get cake, anyways. my mom heard somewhere that the sacher torte was theee best. it was the sacher torte, an orange-chocolate torte and she got something that looked like a raspberry linzer cookie. well, the sacher torte was kind of boring and dry, but wet. like watery, but dry. weird. i'd get it again for comedic value: mom (yelling): what's this crunchy stuff? it's kind of dry. me: it's the ganache on top. mom (yelling): oh. it's ok. but it's crunchy! me: it's the ganache on top! mom (yelling): it's dry! and crunchy. me (yelling): it's the chocolate ganache! repeat x3 the torte i had was great, like really great because it's my kind of chocolate. it was a flourless variety - perfect and moist and dense and i had to drink a lot of water with it. it was dusted with cocoa on top which made me happy, but then, i can eat chocolate with no sugar. i hope someday to get it intravenously. so, the torte was perfect and there was the right amount of orange flavoring. i loved it. my mom was happier with the linzer-looking cookie. so much so that after the cake episode she wanted to go back and try other goods more her style, like the german chocolate cake. hopefully there's no ganache in it. it'll be fun to go back, we had a great time walking around and the location is pretty cool - next to a square with a lot of outdoor seating.
(3)Maria S.
The pastries, the croissants, the linzertorte -- it's all so good, it almost seems a shame to have anything else here. The sunny Lincoln Square space looks out onto a street with plenty of foot traffic for good people-watching on weekends, too. Cafe Selmarie has European-style baked goods, and the line here for weekend breakfast and brunch is, as you'd expect, outrageous. But their selection of salads (greens with goat cheese, chopped salad, usw.), sandwiches (roasted portabella, smoked turkey and brie, croque monsieur, etc.) and pizzas are just as good. It's a dilemma. Most items, even for dinner, are under $10, and they have beer & wine. I love it most as a place to go with a friend for a nice wedge of cake, served with a cup of their good coffee. It's bustling here, but you can have a conversation without having to shout, too.
(4)Catherine D.
This is my FAVORITE place to eat. I've been going to Selmarie since it opened, when I was a child. Back then, I was introduced to quiche. I would eat my little green salad with dark brown croutons and then my quiche with my mother. Years later, the mixed-fruit tarts became a favorite. Now, I favor the wraps, especially when they are fish. Excellent brunch. Nice servers. The bosses must be good to their employees. Wonderful sweets. Carrot cake is excellent. Just a solid, comfortable, charming place with excellent food.
(5)Rebecca Huicha K.
cute area! i love the quaintness of the alley/street! went here for dessert even tho we were pretty full from dinner. i wanted to try EVERYTHING in the shop even tho my belly was about to burst. the service here is IMPECCABLE! the guy manning the bakery area was sooo friendly and nice. it was our first time there and so we had a few questions, he answered them thoroughly even tho there were other people waiting behind us. we ended up getting the raspberry chocolate tart which was great. the contrast of the sweet tart, dark chocolate and burst of fresh raspberries was delish! i noticed the prix fixe menu on thursday for ONLY $20. the menu looked pretty good too and you can pick your dessert from the bakery. My bf did notice a funny thing on their breakfast menu. they have an omelet on the menu...the price is market price tho! market price for an omelet? hmmm... I'm definitely going back for the prix fixe and for breakfast/brunch sometime soon!
(4)Kate M.
I enjoy Cafe Selmarie on a regular basis, since it's so close to where I live. Food is terrific, Ambience is also great, and eating outside in the warmer months makes for a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, Also FIVE stars for their baked goods and tarts! Delicious. I often stop by on Friday and pick up a tart just so I can enjoy it at home when I get up on Saturday morning. One strike against it is the noise factor. It can be like an echo chamber for shrieking children. They do serve children, so I guess in that sense it is "good for kids," But when kids are there, it isn't good for the rest of us! Wish they would invest in some noise deadening technology. Aside from that, though, it's terrific.
(4)Laura S.
Totally overrated. I live two blocks away but will drive to Lincolnwood for Rolf's (where the owner was trained and worked for many years). When you walk in the staff seem annoyed that you are there. I've had some OK things. There are just so many other places to choose from. I only go for convenience if I have to pick up a dessert at the last minute. I find the cakes to be dry or old. They have an assembly line taste as if they are mass made or defrosted. Don't get me started on the non-present parenting... people it's not a playground! Kids can EASILY be taught to sit at a table. TRUST ME! I guess you could try it if your hanging out in The Square. Meh!
(2)Matt P.
This is a really good choice for a weekend brunch, lunch or dessert after catching a movie at the nearby Davis Theater. The good-sized sidewalk patio area adjoins a plaza with a fountain that drowns out the noisy city. I'll be back here again this summer to enjoy the patio and some dessert!
(4)Jen M.
Cafe Selmarie is a delightful cafe / restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Square. I've been there around ten times, sometimes just to share dessert with a friend and other times to indulge in a delicious, yet slightly overpriced entree. I had a scrumptious experience there last week in which I tried their portobella mushroom ravioli for the first time. It was incredible. The waiter also steered my friend and me away from ordering two glasses of wine and encouraged us to order a 1/2 price bottle (on Wednesdays). Much better value! Do not pass up the dessert! I adore the raspberry / chocolate torte. Yum!!
(4)John K.
I've been to this restaurant a few times for brunch, and the hash is wonderful and the poached eggs were perfect. The service was usually fair, a little slow but not bad. Unfortunately that's where my compliments stop. One of the times the hash was cold. I feel like they barely cooked it. Either that or it was sitting there for a while. A week ago or so I went in for dinner. The menu was so boring. There was only a few appetizer options, none of which were appealing. I ended up getting a side salad which was ok, the dressing wasn't very flavorful but it was ok. Then I got a pasta dish, which again was ok, not great, but way over priced. My girlfriend got a steak, and that was good, but let's face it. A well cooked steak is always good. Then we had dessert. The coffee was great. The dessert... Not so great. The raspberry torte was dry. Then the cookies my girlfriend got were stale. My opinion, go for brunch, but there's better places in the square for dinner.
(2)Moe f.
Great place for brunch hence the weekend crowds. Always lots of seasonal specials. Haven't tried dinner here yet. And fantastic pastries. And my wife's friends threw her baby shower here and they had a great time.
(4)Tanya M.
OH. MY. GAWD. The best lamb i've ever had. well tied for first at least. So I got a friend to hit up their 3 course prixe fix menu with me last night and it was amazing. seriously. fucking awesome. they give you a choice of soup or salad, and the main course was between a shrimp and scallop alfredo or a lamb shank and i am so so so glad that i got the lamb shank. ok, first off we both had the soup which was a fish chowder and it was great. i didn't think i would like it but i slurped up every last bit of it. and the lamb shank, i didn't know what a shank was. i assumed it be slices of lamb but instead a plate with a huge turkey leg lookin thing on it was placed in front of me and i was blown away. the meat was falling off the bone, so incredibly delicious. the mashed potatoes were great and it was the first time i had brussel sprouts and they were very good, not too hard, and not too soft. i was soo full but still had dessert comin too me. and the dessert for the prixe fix they let you choose from the bakery up front which i think is great. i had the raspberry tart and my friend had the banana torte i think, both were awesome. i brought home a cupcake for my boyfriend and he said it was delicious. our waiter was also very nice and friendly. the total for 2 prixe fix dinners at $20 easch, 2 beers $4 each, a glass of wine $8 and 2 coffees $?(intellegentsia) =$63 not bad at all. i expected the place to be packed for a $20 prixe fix menu night but it wasn't at all. the area its in is super cute as well. it has a bunch of cute shops that of course were not open at 6:30 at night, 2 german-esque bars and a cool lookin book shop. the parking on that block, and probably the surrounding area, is meter parking. its also right by the western stop on the brown line. i will definitely be back for more. and more and more. oh and the bakery in front has a ton of delicious looking baked goods. even some pastries that i normally only see at swedish/danish bakeries. good stuff.
(5)Jessica B.
"Meh. I've experienced better." Is absolutely the right way to say it. However, i wish i could rate the bakery and the restaurant separately... The bakery was DELICIOUS! When we got there around 1 for brunch, we were told around 20 minutes. 20 minutes came and went so i went up to the host stand to ask about our table. I could see into the restaurant and there were plenty of open tables! The hostess was also rude, and told me it would be another 15 minutes. While we waited for our table, we hit up the sweet bakery. I got a chocolate croissant and my bf got some raspberry cookies with a coffee. I've searched high and low for a close replica of the chocolate croissants i got while in Germany, and i had yet to find one to even come close to being as delicious as they were. But this one was awesome! It wasn't as good as the ones in DE, but it was close enough. The Bakery is AMAZING. The cakes, cookies, and pastries all looked delicious for a carb lover like myself.... I was overwhelmed with choices! Eventually, we were seated outside and waited a couple minutes for someone to even come to our table. We were already ready to order when our server finally came to the table and she seemed annoyed that we were ready so quickly. But with over a half-an-hour wait, what would you expect? I ordered the Egg Sandwich on a Croissant without the vegetables and an English muffin. A minute or two later she comes back and tells me they're all out of the egg sandwich. I looked at her like WTH? I asked what exactly were they out of, eggs? Croissants?(Which i know they weren't, because i saw some in the bakery....) Cheese?! She said she didn't know, and would be right back. How can you know you're out of something and not know what it is? She comes back and tells me they're out of the vegetables that go on the sandwich. I politely remind her that i asked for no vegetables on my sandwich. So she tells me that it wont be a problem. After that, i was just seriously annoyed. The food was good, nothing too special. Eggs were fluffy, and my bf liked his corned beef. His egg was a little weird, but other than that i only have 1 other complaint: no grape jelly. What is with all these places that have NO grape jelly?!?!?!?!?! Isn't grape jelly the standard?! I understand having strawberry, but blackberry instead of grape?! Seriously, breakfast/brunch restaurants, GET SOME GRAPE JELLY! Its a GRAPE idea! Ok, that was cheesy. All in all, i wont be back unless I'm in the area and I am seriously craving some awesome pastries.
(2)Norbert W.
actually 2.5 stars. more to the "newbie" crowd that maybe spent a semester abroad their junior year ... they might like it. back, say 10 years ago before lincoln square was THE place to live, it was fun walking home through the square and watching the homeless guys heckle the selmarie faithful. it's decent. okay. maybe overpriced. the clientelle is over the top. fawning "euro wanna bes" pining on and on about Europe from their six weeks there in college. but beware of the "the food was wonderful. reminded me of being in a General Foods international coffee ad" review. chances are, it's blinded bullshit. (if you know the onion - check out the point counter point, "european men are so romantic/american girls are so easy" - that type)
(2)Erin J.
The service here is amazing. I went during a very busy time and the waiter was cool as a cucumber about everything. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted and he lacked the attitude problem that is common among wait staff. When I asked for a suggestion, he gave me a few and was very descriptive about the food options, that he felt I might enjoy. The food was very fresh and flavorful and the bread was OMG so good! The only sad thing is that they have little to no vegan options, so I don't come here a lot. I got a funny look when I stopped by for coffee (which is really good coffee) and I asked for soymilk. It is a very traditional cafe/bakery and I didn't mind my coffee black.
(5)Stacy S.
I really enjoy this place everytime I go. But my husband and I really only go in the summers. The outdoor patio is great! We have been in the winter before and it just isn't as exciting. They have great deserts, but often run out of menu items (as some are not always on the menu). It is very nice for a casual dinning experience. They have great wine to compliment their dishes and nice servers to compliment their establishment.
(4)Krisi I.
I am not sure if I like Cafe Selmarie as much as it is cranked up to be. I go here for breakfast on the weekends with friends and for lunch as well. Most of the time, the food is great and filling but other times it is not. And I usually order the same thing because the menu is not that extensive. I feel like they change their cooks every time I go. Although, I am not satisfied sometimes, there is one particular waiter that is so attentive, nice, and polite and for some reason my meal does not taste the same unless I order from him. The desserts are delicious though. I love their butter cookies, cheese cakes, and their little chocolate cookies. Along with their coffee, they taste great when I have a sweet tooth. :) I think Selmarie is good, but I wouldn't believe all the hype that it gets from people, I think that there are better places in Lincoln Square that do not get enough recognition.
(3)Foodiegirl F.
There are two words that rarely elicit much of a response in me when uttered together... breakfast burrito. But at Cafe Selmarie, the thought of these two words make my mouth water. Fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs, guacamole and white cheddar cheese, served with some of the best and fresh-tasting salsa I've had, well...it's just darn good! The smoked salmon scramble is equally tasty, with fresh dill and scallions. I don't care for sweets, so can't speak to the desserts, but my chocolate-loving 7 year old nephew took one bite of his chocolate cookie and threw it away. That spoke volumes to me. Stick with savory and you'll be good. The mac and cheese with leeks is super yummy, as is the chicken pot pie!
(4)John S.
food is great, service is excellent, but they need to spray the place with Raid for Children. That or teach all the parents that bring their screaming, running, annoying mini-beasts that not all of us think they are cute when they make that big thumping sound with the high chair, it is just annoying.
(4)Andy S.
Cafe Selmarie is a pretty great restaurant. The desserts behind the front counter look outstanding, all of the food is prepared well and delicious, and supposedly the coffees and tea are good. On paper, this place is a great restaurant. After going here though and having to deal with an infestation of little kids, I wanted to go straight to Walgreens to buy condoms so that I never have to worry about reproduction. It's the epitome of Lincoln Square, a place that looks like a lot of fun, but once you live there for a while you want to jump ship and move to a more adult-oriented part of town.
(3)Brian T.
Wow. They provide that update-your-water-glass-after-every-sip sort off service that is usually reserved for the very frou-frou restaurants. The atmosphere is wonderful. Huge picture windows, big dining area, quaint bakery/barrista area, etc. My spinach quiche was incredible. Coffee was fresh. I was lucky to have a dining partner with a small appetite. Her spinach/feta omelette was equally incredible. Two thumbs up. Way up.
(5)Melanie B.
a coworker of mine brought me to selmarie the other day. i have been by it before but always thought it was just a bakery with some seating. they actually have a very nice dinner selection and i enjoyed my experience there. we sat out on the patio, which was really nice because the weather was basically perfect. the service was a bit slow and kind of awkward (more on that in a min), but i ordered the ahi tuna with mango salsa (a special) and she ordered the tilapia. both meals were very good, very tasty and nice (not humongous, yay) portions. also, the bakery items looked amazing. however, the service was weird. it was slow to begin with, but the waiter actually tried to get us to just give him money without showing us the bill. so weird. but when he finally brought it (it took a long time) everything was okay. it wasn't very busy, btw, so i don't know why it took so long. anyway, i would go back here for dinner, and i'd really like try some of their amazing-looking pastries. i just hope next time the service is more on top of things.
(3)ashley w.
Every time I pick up a dessert from Cafe Selmarie, I'm left feeling sort of used. The prices are very reasonable, but the quality of the food is just eh. At first I thought it was just one item that was "eh", but after taste testing at least a half dozen items, I can say that this place is overall just "eh". Good service but I'm always left expecting more.
(3)Amanda R.
I like bacon. Cafe Selmarie has some of my favorite bacon in the city. I like Cafe Selmarie.
(4)Doris D.
This place just begs you to come in. It is so cute!! Their cappuccino is delicious, and so much better than the usual crap I get at Starbucks for much more. The pastries are delicious and always fresh, escpecially their biscottis! Service is a little slow though but overall it's a great place in adorable Lincoln Square.
(4)Kristina K.
So. I keep thinking about reviewing Selmarie. But I don't. Because I work there. And I know from the talk threads about how people feel about reviewing your workplace. So I will make it very clear. I WORK HERE. I AM BIASED. I also hesitate because one of my managers (Hi, Anne!) reads Yelp on a fairly regular basis. We currently have a list of all our good reviews hanging in the front window. Say nice things, and you could be up there too. But in all seriousness. I really, really like Selmarie. I eat here every day. Not necessarily because I want to, but because it's there, and I kind of have to. I'll give you a rundown of items as they come to me. Sorry in advance for the length and the vegetarian slant. Menu: *Veggie Chili: excellent. *Salads: good in general. The pear salad is only served as a special. It's my favorite. Order it. But leave me one. *Sweet Potato Fries: hands down favorite thing on the menu. I love sweet potatoes. I love chipotle dip. *Grilled Cheese: Jaime makes the best. Get multigrain bread, and add tomatoes and avocado. Yum. *Soups: delicious and often vegetarian. My favorites include: butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato bisque (ask for croutons), tomato florentine. There's a lot of non vegetarian ones that I haven't tried, but I'm sure they're good too *Mac & Cheese: tasty. Many different cheeses. This ain't blue box. *Quiche: goodness. Get the Italian veggie with sundried tomatoes. But again, save me some. *Breakfast Burrito: second favorite thing on the menu. I wish I worked more mornings so I could eat this more often. *Breakfast Potatoes: come with burrito. Add to the deliciousness. *French Toast: get the one with the berries. It was the most amazing french toast I've ever had. Honestly. Desserts (I work at the counter, and if you ask, I will be honest, but here I'll just list my favorites, in no particular order): *Sacher Torte (say it with me: soccer): I explain what this is about 80 times a day. But it's still my favorite. *Raspberry Marzipan Torte: mmm, marzipan. *Tiramisu: so, so, so good. *Tres Leches: dripping with condensed milk and sweetness. *Strawberry Roulade (say it with me: roo-laud): sweet and light and fruity. *Mixed Fruit Tart/Raspberry Custard Tart/Raspberry Chocolate Tart: I'm a fruit addict. All fresh. All delicious. The Rasp. Chocolate is sinful. *Morning Bun: the lemon glaze gets me every time. *Chocolate Mousse Torte/Raspberry Bavarian Torte: the first time I had these, I wasn't too thrilled. Recently I tried them again, and have honestly been converted. Both are amazing. *Spanish Almond Torte: mmm, more marzipan, and apricot preserves. Cookies (all excellent, again, my favorites): *Kolachkys, Apricot Circles, Raspberry Hearts, Raspberry Almond Tartlets, Florentines, Wedding Cakes, Rugelah, Oatmeal Chocolate Almond Coconut, Sugar Cookies. So, yeah. It's ALL good. You really can't go wrong. I, of course, get sick of it all. That's only because I look at it/have it every day. But you don't work there, so you won't. Edit: I guess there's some question as to Selmarie's reservation policy. We *DO* take reservations. But *only* for parties of 6 or more. Except for weekends, you probably won't need one anyway. If you are desperate for something Selmarie, and don't have 6 people, call ahead when you're on your way. We will kindly put you on the list.
(5)cara r.
The food at Cafe Selmarie looked really good, but I didn't come here for a meal, I came for a cupcake. And once was definitely enough. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but the cake was dry on both the yellow and chocolate cakes, and the icing managed to be both overly sweet and too buttery all at the same time. The last time I was in Lincoln Square I got a cupcake craving, and I walked right past Cafe Selmarie, got in my car, and drove down to Dinkel's to satisfy it. *sigh*
(1)Jennifer H.
Great brunches in general, and their lunch and dinner offerings are tasty (love the cucumber avocado soup!) but I think the bakery is a bit overrated. I have ordered dessert here before, and the crumb on each occasion has been tough and dry (to be fair, I stopped ordering dessert after four bland tries, so maybe I just picked the wrong things). The service is always, always fantastic, and I have never had an egregious wait. This is a terrific neighborhood joint overall -- just wish I had had bette experiences with the baked goods!
(4)Mrs. F.
My husband and I eat here at least 3-4 times a month. It's quiet, their food and desserts are consistently good, and the staff is always friendly. We like the outdoor seating and take advantage as soon as the weather warms up. For a weeknight dinner when you don't feel like cooking, this is the place to go. Their dishes are simple, fresh, and flavorful. If you want something fancy don't go here, but if you want casual, low-key and easy this is the best place. We love it.
(5)Ayaka H.
I've had one good experience and one not so awesome experience. Service was great both times but one of the brunch items was not very tasty and I think that their selection is lacking.
(3)A.S. V.
It's hard to choose the best brunch place in Chicago with so much competition, but this is a contender for top five. It's a homey bakery in Lincoln Square, with great outdoor seating on the plaza in the summertime. There's nothing unusual about their breakfast menu, but I've been thoroughly happy with everything, particularly the potatoes.
(5)Pat T.
It loses a star because of its cramped cafe area which offers little room to relax. But, if you can handle the long line of parents and their annoyingly-named children ("Isabella, don't drink that creamer!"; "You only get one crumpet, Riley, I mean it!"; "Addison, why can't you be more like Madison?"), you'll be rewarded with a solid cup of coffee and amazing pastries. The flourless chocolate cake will make you melt.
(4)Anthony Z.
I really love this place. The only real fault I can find is that prices are a little high for eating there as frequently as I would like. The bakery is particularly good in my option. If not the best, I think there cupcakes are very near the best in the city. Brunch can get a little crazy, with an extended wait if you get there too late, but it remains one of my brunch staples, and I often take out of town guests there. Dinner and lunch are solid, if not necessarily spectacular.
(5)Amanda W.
All else aside... two words: strawberry roulade. You are to die for... You are a dream dessert come true. And this, coming from a serious chocolate fan, is truly saying something. I do love this place, although you'd best be prepared to wait awhile if you show up for weekend brunch. But their food is delicious, their coffee is just right, and the desserts are enough to make you want to press your ugly mug right up against the glass counter and drool.
(4)Elizabeth R.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch and I really like the place except for one drawback....they seem to attract the rudest clientele imaginable. On both visits I sat outside. When I went for dinner, there was a young boy (maybe 4) playing with a ball by bouncing it off every surface imaginable (the wall, our legs, our table, other people's legs, other people's tables, etc.) with apparently no parent supervision (or at least a parent who could care less). The ball bouncing went on for way too long until finally the ball bounced onto our table while the waiter was taking our order. He finally took action and the manager came out to tell the parents to reign their kid in (the manager had observed this previously but delayed taking action until he nearly knocked our drinks over). As an alternative, these stellar parents just lifted the kid over the fence into the square to play ball unsupervised with some random strangers (maybe they were hoping to get rid of him?). Anyway the food was really good and despite that I enjoyed my dinner experience. My second visit was for brunch recently. Once again, I was sitting outside. I liked the brunch options and the food was really good, but this time we had some man insistent on feeding pigeons sitting next to us. This probably would not have bothered me normally, but he kept throwing the bread he was feeding these pigeons midway between our two tables and suddenly I had birds crawling between my legs to get to their next morsel of food. So gross! I'm pretty sure it is also illegal to do this in the city of Chicago (against city ordinances). Needless to say, constantly randomly moving your feet throughout your meal in order to get the pigeons away from you makes for a very unpleasant brunch experience. This time, no one from the wait/management staff said anything to them. The food was once again very good, but their terrible clientele (and the restaurants' apparent inability to control them) makes this a hard place to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this place, but would suggest sitting inside.
(3)Sarah F.
Good to the last bite. You can't go wrong. Every meal they serve is scrumptious. Everything they do, they do it very well. I particularly like their breakfasts and salads. They are the kind of place that makes a salad into a celebration.
(5)Maria G.
Really good place, its a bit pricey for the portions, but well worth it. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was out of this world! My husband had the chicken pot pie which we were not as thrilled about. Overall they had great service and the ravioli was incredible.
(4)C P.
this place has excellent, well-executed breakfast. this is the only meal I've been there for. I tend to avoid it during peak weekend breakfast hours, as it can get a little over-run with strollers. got up early enough, though and had another great breakfast here, so thought it time to let others know. had corned beef hash and my boyfriend had the omelette. Corned beef was exactly what I wanted - fresh, NOT CANNED. something I could only hope to aspire at making at home, once a year, after St. Patrick's day. perfectly balanced beef, potatoes and still-runny poached eggs. other eggs were also good and the fillings were each cooked to a good level of done-ness. they keep things moving during busy times, but not so close/crowded that you can hear the conversation of the person next to you.
(4)Ren B.
three words: black. forest. cake. no one does it better than selmarie. if i'd ever had anything other than their black forest cake i might have given them five stars. but then again, do you really need to have anything else??
(4)Sarah Z.
Great brunch spot. Even greater outdoor patio. Will definitely be back!
(4)Natalie B.
This place is very cute. They have a nice little bakery counter, but you can also eat dinner as well. The food was good but not necessarily memorable. I'm not sure if it would be on my radar for dinner options, but I do like stopping by for a cookie or 2 while strolling around Lincoln Square.
(3)Amanda P.
The best place to go in Chicago for German/Austrian pastries (yes, better than Julius Meinl). Selmarie is a wonderful bakery cafe with good sandwiches and salads, and world-class desserts. Try the Zachertorte.
(5)James D.
This place is great. I've been going there since they opened and it's always been high quality. I was partial to the chocolate eclairs growing up but now I can't get enough of the fruit tarts or the Gateau Grandmere.
(4)Aurora B.
I do not consider myself a "Cake Person" but I do love carrot cake, and Cafe Selmarie has the BEST carrot cake. I was so excited when I found out they do wedding cakes and was even more excited when they were affordable. We had a 2-tier "decorative" cake to cut in front of guests and take pictures with and then had sheet cakes to serve. This is a great way to go if you want to save money and are not interested in a huge multi-tiered cake. Cafe Selmarie worked out the drop off time with our wedding location and was very easy to deal with.
(5)Dave T.
I am not a big sweets person, but if there is like a random pie or tart or pint of ice cream lying around I'll definitely indulge. I am that way about a lot stuff that I am not willing to pay for but will have at it if it's free: porn, cable tv, miller or budweiser beer, and sweets. Someone at work recently brought in a pecan pie from Cafe Selmarie and it was awesome. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)B. L.
Another gem can be found in Lincoln Square. I like the atmosphere and the service as well as the food. This place has a lot of charm and character. I enjoy the wine and salads.
(4)Joe B.
I'm surprised that all of these reviews are only about the pastries. Selmarie has the best breakfast and lunch in Lincoln Square. It's definitely on the foodie end of the food spectrum while remaining pretty accessible and not overly expensive. Everything they serve is fresh and homemade and served on great homemade baked goods. Great Soups and daily specials. They always have a special seafood wrap that is out of this world. Sometimes Ahi Tuna, sometimes Tilapia. The menu changes daily and seasonaly, but they have their staples as well. Don't go early on a weekend expecting to not have to wait in line. But if you do, the wait is worth it.
(5)John S.
Nice selection of coffee and pastries. Charming atmosphere. Friendly staff. The food tasted great, but I have to question the portion size of the 'Cafe Spinach Salad. I ordered mine with chicken breast added for an additional $4. The plate it arrived on was the size of a coffee cup saucer and it literally had 8 pieces of baby spinach, a few tiny crumples of cheese and a minuscule amount of chicken breast. This is the smallest dinner salad I have ever had. Tasted great - all 3 bites. This is why I am only giving this place 3 stars. 1 star for each bite.
(3)Heather K.
I don't know what the fuss is all about. I've been to Cafe S. on three occassions now. First for lunch, second for weekend brunch. last for dinner. Based on my first experience I couldn't wait to go back. I took my parents there for lunch in the summer. Sat on the patio. Had good food. Shared some wine. Overall a terrific experience. Food was great, Dad had a salad, Mom the roasted beef sandwich w/ au jus, myself the quiche. Delish. So, I went back. My husband and I tried weekend brunch later in the summer. Food was very mediocre if not down right bland and I've had way tastier chilaquiles (try Tiztal on Clark in Uptown!). We had to wait, as I expected - the place was packed - so I ordered a sf vanilla latte at the coffee bar. We sat down 25 minutes later and I STILL didn't have my coffee! First they didn't have the sf vanilla. Fine, I'll just have the plain latte. Then it was something about the milk. My God, it's a coffee bar on a weekend! How do you not have milk and syrup?! When we sat down, I told the waiter we were waiting on a latte - he brought me brewed coffee. Sent it back and 10 minutes later I FINALLY got my latte. Which was tasty but by then I was just put off about the whole situation. They did comp the drink so at least I didn't have to pay for it. I also have to complain about the number of parents that frequent this place that really need to keep a better eye on their kids. I know it's an outdoor patio - next to the Square - but that doesn't give you permission to allow your children to run wild screaming disrupting other people's meals. My last visit, my husband and I went for a Friday night dinner. Big mistake. The portions were so small, my husband actually went home and made a bowl of oatmeal because he was starving. He had ordered the chicken pot pie - it was kiddie size and WAY too creamy. It had the consistency of paste. I had the beef stew, which was marginally better, but I'd never get it again as it was served at room temperature, i.e. cold. Our food was also served in a matter of minutes. I know the stuff we ordered was probably made earlier in the day, and I don't expect restaurants to make-to-order beef stew and chicken pot pie. But we received our food in under 10 minutes! IMO, going out to eat is also about the experience not just the food. Well, our experience start to finish was finished in under 35 minutes. It was like going to a classed up and more expensive McDonalds. Needless to say, 3's a charm. I won't be back.
(1)Crafty K.
I've had some great meals here. Brunch is good but really, I'd come for lunch or dinner to get something more memorable. That croque monsieur is insanely good and I usually like their quiches. I've had great and unusual soups that are awesome. I like how they have a seasonal menu - only using the freshest ingredients. I was very impressed with our waitress' knowledge of the wine she was serving. I once ordered a alsatian stew that was great and the waitress paired a fantastic Chilean wine with it. It was like heaven. The deserts and bakery and incredible. It's spendy allright and sometimes I've actually thought, "that salad is HOW MUCH?" but just order wisely and you'll be happy with the meal for the price.
(4)Matt S.
My favorite brunch spot in the Square. A little pricey, but not too bad. I much prefer this place for brunch than dinner - their breakfast/brunch menu is delicious, but the dinner seems unremarkable to me.
(4)Tracy G.
went there today for brunch- great coffee (americano), but i ordered a small o.j., got a large, and got charged for a large. not that busy, waited quite awhile for a waiter who was so-so friendly. the menu seemed great, although only one vegetarian option; i ordered it- the breakfast burrito- that was described as having many delicious mexican ingredients, like rice, avocado, etc.- it came out and was just scrambled eggs in a tortilla. avocado? looked like the chef slice an avocado and divided it between 30 burritos- couldn't even see it or taste it. i definitely could have made one at home better- and for $9, i should have! my dining partner ordered the denver omelette was just o.k. overall? there are much better places for brunch in chicago!
(2)Maria C.
Cute place for breakfast or a light lunch. The location is great because Lincoln Square is just cute, especially in a sunny spring morning. Add that to great service, very good food and perfect portion sizes. It's a great option.
(4)Mary T.
It used to be that no one knew where Lincoln Square was until you mentioned Cafe Selmarie. I have been coming here forever, it's always good and the desserts are wonderful. Breakfast/brunch is good, sometimes too crowded so go early. A little oasis of consistent calm and friendly wait staff.
(5)Erika L.
I've been going to this place for years! I love their fresh baked desserts, especially the lemon squares and the brownies. It would be an ideal place to go to for brunch when you can sit outside on a nice summer afternoon and enjoy, though prepare for a possible wait! The homemade soups and the salads are great to start, and then I usually order the mac' n cheese. The coffee, dessert and the atmosphere are all of what make me give it 5 stars and keep me coming back.
(5)Rian K.
I've been picking up pastries or ordering takeout lunch from Selmarie for a couple of years, but I only recently went there for brunch. What was a strong like before turned into love after tasting three of their brunch menu items. The interior of the dining room is bright and lively, and if it's warm, you can sit outside with a view of the nearby fountain. I had the breakfast burrito, which was delicious. My friend had a mushroom? bread pudding that was rich and decadent and we also split the cinnamon orange french toast, which was good but not extraordinary. The mint and pomegranate mimosas were definitely unique, but started to get a little too minty halfway through. Between the atmosphere, breakfast food, and the delicious pastries, cookies and cakes they serve, I have to say Selmarie is pretty sweet.
(4)Mark S.
Yup- this place is very good. Nice space, outside seating option (watch the homeless feed pigeons), great food and awesome desserts. Not had a bad experience here ever. And, this place has the biggest rum balls on earth, if you know what I mean. Grab one and take a big bite out of it like an apple- you'll be in heaven!
(5)Karen L.
This is a cute bakery/restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Square. I go there often for cookies and other sweet treats. I am not a big sweets fan, but I do enjoy a Selmarie treat every so often. On the weekends for brunch/lunch, expect there to be a wait. There aren't many tables inside, so it is cozy and often times crowded. (During the summer they have a nice outdoor area that is quite nice.) I have been there once for brunch and had the breakfast burrito. It was ok, but not great. Recently I just went there and opted for lunch. I thought their lunch menu was a lot better, but that could be because I am more of a lunch person than a breakfast person. I had the ahi tuna wrap, which came with sweet potato fries. The tuna was cooked rare, which was just the way I liked it. It came with mango salsa and chipotle mayo. Very yummy! The sweet potato fries were just ok. I was expecting the skinny crispy ones, but they were the thick cut, soggy ones. Overall, though, the meal was tasty. I would definitely go back for lunch, as there were other things on the menu that looked appetizing! (Like the chili and the portabello mushroom sandwich!) The price at Selmarie is like any other trendy brunch-y place... about $10 an entree or so, so not bad. I would definitely recommend trying it, and don't forget to take a stroll around Lincoln Square while you are waiting for a table. Enjoy and Hanger 18 are right there and super cute!
(4)Jessica M.
Friendly service and tasty treats.
(4)Oscar the Death Cat B.
I've been visiting Selmarie for brunch and dinner for almost 10 years, the food selections are very reliable in terms of quality & flavor, and their outdoor seating area is one of the most pleasant places to dine in all of the city. If you go there, you MUST save room for dessert, their pastry selection is outstanding, and everyone should indulge in one of their legendary chocolate rum balls at least once!
(4)Allison B.
I went here for brunch this AM. We called ahead at about 11:30 AM and they said they'd have a table for 2 ready for in 30-40 minutes (pretty impressive for Father's Day). So we put in our name, and when we arrived 33 minutes later, they did indeed have a table ready for us. We even got to choose between sitting outside or inside (we chose outside). For breakfast, I had the brioche french toast. It was really good-- served w/ macerated berries and a mascarpone whipped cream. It was so good! My husband had the onion tart with caramelized onions, bacon, and bleu cheese. I thought it sounded a little funny, but it was actually really delicious. Our service was overall quite good-- a little slow on the coffee warm-ups, but other than that, no complaints. We will absolutely be back for brunch, and I'd be interested in trying out dinner there some night as well. And while I was able to pass up the baked goods today because I was so full from my french toast, I will save room next time! A pleasant dining experience!
(4)Beebe G.
had a lovely lunch here with uncle willie! i had some tea and a tuna salad sandwich and uw had the mac and cheese and soup. my sandwich was fresh and, scxrumptious! service was nice and i'd like to come back for another lunch with uncle wills.
(4)Ebru Y.
I really wanted to like their German chocolate cake but it just didn't happen. I guess it was either left-over from the day before or just got old through the day. It just had a really dry texture and the top was really greasy. And I also have to add that the server was really cold towards us and had a look on her face as she wanted to ask " why are you just ordering coffee and a cake when it's close to dinner time?" I'm disappointed, though I like other items on the menu so I will probably go back for those, and hopefully the server was just having a bad day and she recovered!
(3)Rozen O.
I LOVE this place! Their food is pretty good but I love their desserts. My all time favorite is the mixed fruit tart, and their raspberry cookies, yum!!! Their staff is so friendly and patient.
(5)crystal h.
We have lived nearby for almost 6 months and for some reason hadn't tried Selmarie until this past weekend. We went for breakfast. The first cup of decaf coffee tasted a little old, but we didn't say anything. The waitress actually came out with a fresh cup a few minutes later and said that what she brought out was old. The menu had a good variety - I got the breakfast burrito and my husband got the omelet. It was good food - but for the price I'd go somewhere like Julius Meinl or Crema (which is way cheaper) I think. They did have some interesting mixed coffee drinks, and their sandwiches and everything in the bakery looked great, so I'm thinking we'll be back for a different meal to give this place a second shot.
(3)Christy B.
Selmarie is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The mac and cheese is fantastic, service is always prompt and friendly and I love the outdoor seating. My dad is one of the pickiest eaters ever, and I have taken him here many times without the slightest complaint.
(5)CE S.
This is the one thing I will miss the most after moving out of Lincoln Square. Three meals a day, I have always had top-notch service, top-notch food and I have never minded the wait because they are always on top of it. After becoming a regular, I even had a waitress introduce herself and repeat back my favorite brunch order of Chillaquilles (I am sure I put too many "l's" in that) and iced tea. This place never fails to satisfy and impress me with their menu and focus on in-season and local ingredients. And I agree with Tristin-- the mini pumpkin pies kill. My only complaint is the cookies-- I like them soft, but if you appreciate a crunchy cookie, then go for it at Selmarie. Overall, despite my move to the North Shore, I will definitely continue to make it down to Selmarie on weekends.
(5)Jeff B.
I've only been here for breakfast, but it's really good. There are only about 6 or 8 things on the menu, but they are very good. If you can sit outside, it's in a perfect location looking out on Lincoln Square neighborhood. The bakery has some good stuff to take away -- either desserts or fresh baked bread.
(4)Patty W.
When we moved to Lincoln Square 7 years ago, we immediately looked to Cafe Selmarie as our go-to place. We'd take friends there for dinner, parents there for brunch. And then we stopped. Because it's not that good. I'll leave others to review the dining experience. As a vegetarian, my options were typically limited to the same two less-than-tantalizing menu items (I don't eat fish, either). It's the bakery that proved most disappointing--and frankly I'm mystified by all the reviewers who say otherwise. If, like me, you view dinner as the means to dessert, you can't help but be lured by the confections on display in the bakery cases that dominate the cafe's entrance. Yet no matter what we ordered, it was always a let down, with the taste--dry and flavorless--never matching the delectable appearance. "How can you screw up cake?" we kept asking ourselves. "Did they forget to add the butter?" Sure that we had chosen poorly, or been served a stale slice, we kept going back expecting different results. But it was always the same. We recently received a gift certificate to the cafe from a neighbor, who I'm sure thought she was doing us a favor. So we were compelled to give the place one more try. As I was halfway through my piece of flourless chocolate cake, I wondered why I was still eating it, when it essentially had all theh flavor of cardboard. I've had better pastries at IKEA--seriously. If you're in the mood to indulge a sweet tooth, you'd be better off schlepping to the Austrian Bakery in Lincoln Park.
(2)Casey D.
Bright sunny spot for brunch, whether indoors or out. Enjoyed the vibrant oil paintings of surrealist fish on the wall. Didn't sample the baked goods but they looked scrumptious. The Sunday brunch menu offers a delightful hybrid of American and Mexican dishes, and you can be as healthy or unhealthy about your order as you want, though I believe that brunch is by nature an indulgent, hedonistic meal. The blood marys were tangy and not too spicy--they use high quality vodka and fresh horseradish.I was fortunate enough to bask in the company of Max F., whose vast expertise encompasses the cuisine of the Spanish-speaking world. He ordered us the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles casserole. I preferred the latter.
(4)Dennis H.
I recently returned to Cafe Selmarie after about a 4-year absence, and was happy to see that it's "business as usual" over there. Had a terrific cobb salad and a bowl of chili for lunch -- perfect for a Chicago winter day. It's definitely one of the few places I miss, and I was glad to find them still in Lincoln Square, amid the "Cold Stone Creamery," "Potbelly" and other suburban chain restaurants which continue to infiltrate Chicago's neighborhoods. (Note re "Potbelly" at 4709 N. Lincoln: skip it and go to Costello's which is just a block or two south - you'll be very glad you did.)
(4)a w.
This is a great place to get fresh baked pastries. They have an awesome selection and you will be tempted to try all of them! I love eating at the cafe itself because of its really simple, yet elegan decor. The white tablecloths and fresh flowers make this place a very elegant and pleasing place to hang out.
(5)Kv G.
The Sunday brunch at Cafe Selmarie is a mix of the commonplace and the cosmopolitan. The Mediterranean tart with carmelized onions, artichokes, olives and goat cheese (there was more, but I can't remember it) doesn't sound too good - especially when you figure in the topping of blackberry sauce - but it all works, and it was delicious. My roommate had the more traditional eggs and bacon, which looked solid, and bonus to the bacon for being less strips and more slabs. The staff was also quite friendly, but the atmosphere was a little to modern-art-museum-y to be a restaurant. Still, it looked good, and the desserts up front looked even better; the place offered a macadamia nut tart that looked like it might kill you three bites in, which would be the equivalent of being strangled by Maria Bello mid-coitus. Selmarie is on the pricey side, so it will be more of a treat each time I go.
(4)Jessie C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious desserts, friendly service, not too expensive, and well worth the search for parking.
(5)Ducky R.
Café Selmarie is tucked into a corner of Lincoln Square's actual "Square". I think it might be a little misappropriately named since this "café" is more often patronized for its meals and plethora of baked goods than its coffee. Its outdoor patio spills into the square and the tranquility of the place has deteriorated temporarily while construction of yet another set of condos takes place nearby. The café has a very European feel; from the bustling waiters to the cozy indoor space. I feel the food is a little overpriced given the portion size, but perhaps it goes with the typically European concept of quality over quantity. It is often crowded which may lead you to believe that it's a very, very special place to eat. I fell for this and we ate here for my 27th birthday. That meal might have been the moment when I realized Café Selmarie really ain't ALL that, although we did have fun at the German festival afterwards. I love stopping by this place on my way to the El in the mornings and getting the "Selmarie Morning Bun". It is such a scrumptious cinnamon roll - devoid of excessive sugar and frosting but overflowing with flavor from some refreshing secret ingredient. It's the perfect substitute to the pedestrian doughnut.
(3)Stephanie M.
This busy bakery cafe offers lunch and dinner and really great pastries and cakes. The individual sized raspberry tarts, fruit tarts, and tiramisu are among the best offerings. You can really taste the coffee liquor. They are big enough to share though. I suggest buying a bunch of different ones including cake by the slice and sharing with friends so you can try a little piece of each one. They also have fresh baked bread and cookies.
(5)Ryan T.
Cute place in a cute neighborhood. I got a quiche with brie and red peppers. For a quiche, it was pretty light. It's exactly what I was in the mood for, but if I was looking for a heavier quiche with more pronounced brie presence it would've been a little lighter than I'd want. We were seated quickly on a holiday Monday, which is always a nice change of pace compared to the many brunch places that will take ages to get a seat in.
(4)Hayley H.
Yum! Good coffee, buzzing atmosphere, wonderful location. Outside seating. The menu was different than the one online. Try the mushroom ravioli, bomb-ass good.
(4)Joonho Y.
Awesome Local Place. Kid Friendly. Food is Generally Good. Pastries look better than they actually taste. Had a Bad Experience with a Server ("Will"), but everyone else has been friendly and attentive.
(4)Stela E.
My fave place to go to when I want a relaxing breakfast or lunch with a friend or with my baby. Perfect location. Lincoln Square is pretty awesome. I can spend hours there. Food is great. Salads amazing. Great outdoor area right next to the fountain in the square. They also have a bakery connected to the dining room(try the mexican wedding cookies). Mmmmmmmm tasty! I wouldn't go there for dinner..too crowded and no parking.
(4)Jamie J.
Good lunch and better coffee. I stopped in for a mid-day snack/lunch and end up being totally stuffed leaving. I indulged in a very juicy salad, half of my grandma's sandwich, and a 5 inch foamed cappuccino. Living? Yes, I think so. The food coming out of the kitchen looked like it was to die for. We didn't have time to order a wonder of things, but I can tell you that we heard great things about this little spot and went out of our way to try it - very worth it! There is a huge area of baked goodies (including cookies) at the front of the cafe. Strategic, because you have to walk by all the yummies on your way in and your way out. Smart! It'll get ya! LOVE it.
(4)Faye B.
To be fair I ate here once and stopped in to buy some treats another time. This place is still tops to me if you happen to be in Lincoln Square. Your sweet tooth will thank you. Yes, parking is a bit of a chore here and the line for the restaurant can be a bit long at times but the food is really good. My first introduction to the cherry streusel cake was at a family party and I was hooked. On a free early afternoon my husband and I had a late lunch there and while we did wait for a bit the food was delicious. Their pastries and other bakery such goodies are phenomenal. It is a tiny restaurant so it can get a bit claustrophobic, so if anything buy something to go. You won't be sorry.
(5)Darcy C.
I live down the street I have been here numerous times. The service is absolutely out-of-control bad. Tonight I wanted a steak it took 25 minutes and came out well done when I ordered it rare the server didn't even visit my table after that happened.
(1)Aubrey D.
A diamond in the rough. Great location/ambiance. Grab a Intelligente Coffee and a fresh pastry while you wait to be seated. Brunch was amazing! Highly recommend the Pesto Scrambler with Apple Gouda sausage or the Brisket Sandwich. Good brunch cocktail selection! Great service. +++ Only complaint -small establishment.
(4)Brianna B.
The wild mushroom breakfast sandwich is phenomenal: perfect interplay of flavors and textures (chewy mushrooms and soft challah, vinegary tang to the mushrooms plus rich herbed mayo and melted gruyere, etc). The strawberry roulade was also very good. Only downside was the slow service in a Saturday morning.
(4)David C.
Fantastic. I had been meaning to check this place out for a while. I got a fantastically made spinach, leek quiche with a red and yellow beet salad appetizer. For dessert I got an assortment of pastries and cakes. GET THE BANANA ECLAIR. It is one of the best eclairs in Chicago. Highly recommended!
(5)Dawn S.
I have been a customer at this most amazing cafe and bakery for over 25 years. Every birthday cake we buy here and the choices are many: Kahlua Chocolate, Hazelnuss, Raspberry Marzipan, Coconut Lime, Sachertorte mit schage (whipped cream).....and so many other choices....opps....their Strawberry Roulade and their Chocolate Banana eclairs. Fab lunch, brunch and dinner too....this place is a must go to....for the rest of your life!
(5)Jane P.
The spiked iced hot chocolate is a revelation, and some of the best chicken sausage I've ever had in my life.
(4)Mariluz R.
Love the cake, breakfast and lunch. Cannot wait to bring my daughter for her birthday. Keep up the great job guys.
(5)Rachel G.
I have been going to Selmarie regularly for years and have never had anything but incredible experiences. I have stopped in just for coffee/tea, I've had lunch, had breakfast, ordered numerous cakes and goodies for celebrations, and stopped by just for a pastry fix. ALL perfect. This crown jewel of a business manages to serve up high quality, crazily delicious, carefully and lovingly prepared products across the board and consistently. They NEVER miss a step. What really strikes me about Selmarie is that they don't try hard to be cute like so many of their competitors...they just serve up classic, great things and they're set! The staff is professional yet cheerful and the atmosphere is upbeat, friendly, laid back, and just plain lovely. Sit outside when the weather is nice and you will enjoy yourself even more (as if it's even possible). On a side note for you gluten free peeps: they also carry a few gluten free pastry selections in addition to their arsenal of other amazingness. The lemon bars are wonderful and I have also seen a raspberry bar that looked yummy.
(5)Claudia R.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)David P.
My first visit. It was a very late brunch (3:40PM) on a Saturday. Had the chilaquiles, damn fine!! Had a Two Brothers beer and a cup of coffee as well. I'll be back to investigate further for sure.
(4)Marcela R.
I don't give this place 5 stars because of two reasons: 1) the tables are too close to each other and the place is very loud and noisy (inside) 2) the menu is kinda limited and not very healthy. The good is very good and delicious, specially from the bakery.
(4)Jorge F.
I'm torn here, really. We had amazing cappuccinos, cookies and cake at Selmarie one afternoon, and were back the next morning for a very run-of-the-mill breakfast. I was particularly turned off by their quiche. It doesn't feel "French" at all. Is it the cheese, the eggs or the dough? I can't put my finger on it. It was just too big and boring. Mind you, I was thrilled with their idea of making a different quiche for breakfast every day. Unfortunately, the cappuccino too was a very different experience from that of the previous day: too BIG, with a coarse froth and very low coffee content. On the bright side, the service is SUPER FRIENDLY and swift, the ambiance is nice and bright with well chosen artists exhibiting new work all the time... AND you can always go back for the baked goods -except for the quiche, that is!
(3)Rose H.
Tuna Salad. It comes w/chips but they allow you to substitute with mixed greens. Too many onions and it needed more salt. Vegetarian Chili. Too much cheese and not enough kick to it. My lunch partner had to ask for Tabasco sauce. Waitress disappeared. Bobby Bouche (barback, that is the name my friend gave him) splashed water all over my lunch partners wallet and didn't bother to Clean it up.
(2)Tonya N.
2 stars are for the food which was decent. Minus the short curly hair in my breakfast. I would give negative stars for the service. It was horrible. I have worked in the service industry for years. The server was slow, inattentive and had no clue what she was doing.
(2)Ryan T.
Cute place in a cute neighborhood. I got a quiche with brie and red peppers. For a quiche, it was pretty light. It's exactly what I was in the mood for, but if I was looking for a heavier quiche with more pronounced brie presence it would've been a little lighter than I'd want. We were seated quickly on a holiday Monday, which is always a nice change of pace compared to the many brunch places that will take ages to get a seat in.
(4)Emann B.
Having not been to Lincoln Square in ages, my mates and I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon having lunch and shopping. The host was very efficient and cordial with good follow up. This place gets pretty busy on Sundays and he was quite affable and accommodating. The server was very friendly and the food was perfect for a slightly chilly early fall afternoon. I had the scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and pesto with wheat toast on the side. The eggs came with fresh mozzarella and tomato which went perfectly with the pesto and rich sausage. I managed to eat half a slice of toast, but will probably not opt to order again since the dish was generously sized. My friends had the biscuits and gravy (HUGE) and the breakfast burrito (nicely seasoned and lightly spiced). A lovely place for Sundays!
(4)Beata S.
I wish the owner was in all the time not just on Sunday, then the cutie at the counter would be a little more receptive to customer needs-I was served cold espresso(delish Intelligentsia coffee) and only after I inquired if it was ready 20 min.after I placed and paid for the order,thrown a macaroon at (ummmm good macaroons) till the saucer danced salsa on the counter-was it the man I was with? Was it the one I was in with before? Both? That can't be! I am going back to my favorite cafe but "Only on Sunday!".
(3)Luke S.
If you have ever been to Europe, you wish there were more places like Selmarie in America. The perfect place for a light meal or excellent dessert. If you can get their early enough, be sure to grab a chocolate croissant.
(5)Lizz M.
THIS IS A RATING FOR THE BAKERY ONLY! They have the best pastries in Lincoln Square--hands down. Try their tres leches cake and you will see. Very fresh and consistently delicious. They're usually out of a lot of the best items towards the end of the night, so get there earlier if you can. It's a great place to hang out after a nice dinner to get dessert, especially in the summertime when they have their patio set up.
(5)Mark M.
Exquisite is the best word we'd use to describe our dining experience at Selmarie. Eight of us ordered six different dishes and they were all divine, particularly the scallops. The service was attentive and the ambiance and decor were perfect. We'll be back often....
(4)Nikkie H.
Mmmmm, dessert.... I had wanted to try Cafe Selmarie for brunch, but my friend wanted to meet in the afternoon instead. I was a bit disappointed at first, because I wanted some brunch, but it turned out to be just perfect. We hit it right between the brunch and dinner crowd, so there was seriously no wait and lots of open tables. I had an iced latte and a Napoleon as my dessert of choice. Oh, my, gaw, yum. It was the perfect combination - the creamy iced latte with the creamy dessert. I will totally come back to get a dessert to go. One star off for not offering decaf iced coffee for my friend who has a baby on the way.
(4)Edie J.
I have come here a few times and must say that I am only going to do mid morning weekday visits from now on. A coffee and a treat are perfect and the square is less crowded. I had dinner here last weekend and it wasn't that great. To me the Macaroni and Cheese was bland, :( I love cheese what happened? And the service was very sad. I am a server myself so it pains me to say it, I wish sometimes servers could review their customers but that is a different matter.
(4)K G.
I started coming here--my goodness--FIVE YEARS AGO? It was my friend's favorite lunch spot. I have enjoyed every lunch I've eaten there: the salads, the turkey and apple sandwich, the soups, and my favorite: the salmon-mango wrap with sweet potato fries. It is a lovely little spot, and eating at an outside table on a summer day is delightful. The waitstaff has always been pleasant and accommodating. My iced tea has never gone dry. I hadn't been for six months, and decided to have some dessert. Here we go: RUM BALL, PEOPLE. LORD IN HEAVEN, GO GET ONE RIGHT NOW. Rich, rummy, chocolately, with raisins and nuts. Oh, God. Please, do yourself a favor and eat one.
(4)Bill M.
This pleasant eatery in Lincoln Square next to the cool fountain is a good place for a light meal, but a very good place for a sweet treat. For food, have a quiche, salad, or one of the daily specials. Desserts include lemon bars, cookies, giant rum balls, and numerous cakes.
(4)Deborah E.
Cafe Selmarie, I have been your friend for the 21 years I have lived in Chicago. I have spent hundreds of dollars on you.........can it possibly be that I have never frequented you on a Saturday morning, to experience those delectable Cherry Pocket Danish and Blueberry Pocket Danish? SO moist, so full of fruit and cream and flaky goodness and..............I was told you only serve them on Saturdays - thank god or I would soon weigh 700 lbs.
(5)Carly D.
The food is good, but the truffles are THE BEST. the end.
(5)Anthony Z.
I really love this place. The only real fault I can find is that prices are a little high for eating there as frequently as I would like. The bakery is particularly good in my option. If not the best, I think there cupcakes are very near the best in the city. Brunch can get a little crazy, with an extended wait if you get there too late, but it remains one of my brunch staples, and I often take out of town guests there. Dinner and lunch are solid, if not necessarily spectacular.
(5)Christy B.
Selmarie is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The mac and cheese is fantastic, service is always prompt and friendly and I love the outdoor seating. My dad is one of the pickiest eaters ever, and I have taken him here many times without the slightest complaint.
(5)Oscar the Death Cat B.
I've been visiting Selmarie for brunch and dinner for almost 10 years, the food selections are very reliable in terms of quality & flavor, and their outdoor seating area is one of the most pleasant places to dine in all of the city. If you go there, you MUST save room for dessert, their pastry selection is outstanding, and everyone should indulge in one of their legendary chocolate rum balls at least once!
(4)Marcela R.
I don't give this place 5 stars because of two reasons: 1) the tables are too close to each other and the place is very loud and noisy (inside) 2) the menu is kinda limited and not very healthy. The good is very good and delicious, specially from the bakery.
(4)Jorge F.
I'm torn here, really. We had amazing cappuccinos, cookies and cake at Selmarie one afternoon, and were back the next morning for a very run-of-the-mill breakfast. I was particularly turned off by their quiche. It doesn't feel "French" at all. Is it the cheese, the eggs or the dough? I can't put my finger on it. It was just too big and boring. Mind you, I was thrilled with their idea of making a different quiche for breakfast every day. Unfortunately, the cappuccino too was a very different experience from that of the previous day: too BIG, with a coarse froth and very low coffee content. On the bright side, the service is SUPER FRIENDLY and swift, the ambiance is nice and bright with well chosen artists exhibiting new work all the time... AND you can always go back for the baked goods -except for the quiche, that is!
(3)Shradha A.
Back here recently to kill an hour before meeting friends for dinner. Really liked the lavender latte & our pie!
(4)Leigh Ann T.
The food is good. However I have always felt the desserts are never as tasty as they look!
(3)Catherine D.
This is my FAVORITE place to eat. I've been going to Selmarie since it opened, when I was a child. Back then, I was introduced to quiche. I would eat my little green salad with dark brown croutons and then my quiche with my mother. Years later, the mixed-fruit tarts became a favorite. Now, I favor the wraps, especially when they are fish. Excellent brunch. Nice servers. The bosses must be good to their employees. Wonderful sweets. Carrot cake is excellent. Just a solid, comfortable, charming place with excellent food.
(5)Amanda W.
All else aside... two words: strawberry roulade. You are to die for... You are a dream dessert come true. And this, coming from a serious chocolate fan, is truly saying something. I do love this place, although you'd best be prepared to wait awhile if you show up for weekend brunch. But their food is delicious, their coffee is just right, and the desserts are enough to make you want to press your ugly mug right up against the glass counter and drool.
(4)Ren B.
three words: black. forest. cake. no one does it better than selmarie. if i'd ever had anything other than their black forest cake i might have given them five stars. but then again, do you really need to have anything else??
(4)Sarah Z.
Great brunch spot. Even greater outdoor patio. Will definitely be back!
(4)Natalie B.
This place is very cute. They have a nice little bakery counter, but you can also eat dinner as well. The food was good but not necessarily memorable. I'm not sure if it would be on my radar for dinner options, but I do like stopping by for a cookie or 2 while strolling around Lincoln Square.
(3)George A.
Fresh baked goods, great coffee, breakfast was outta this world!
(5)Deena D.
This place is perfect for fueling up during shopping in the area. The front of the cafe is their whole baked goods area which does not have a menu because it's always changing (fresh as it gets). I ordered a grilled veggie stack sandwich with goat cheese and it had that awesome "charcoal grill" taste. My mom ordered the arugula salad with oranges and was delicious. Topped are meal of with cappuccinos & vanilla/almond financier pastry which we both loved. Great service & food --will be back for more!
(5)Dennis H.
I recently returned to Cafe Selmarie after about a 4-year absence, and was happy to see that it's "business as usual" over there. Had a terrific cobb salad and a bowl of chili for lunch -- perfect for a Chicago winter day. It's definitely one of the few places I miss, and I was glad to find them still in Lincoln Square, amid the "Cold Stone Creamery," "Potbelly" and other suburban chain restaurants which continue to infiltrate Chicago's neighborhoods. (Note re "Potbelly" at 4709 N. Lincoln: skip it and go to Costello's which is just a block or two south - you'll be very glad you did.)
(4)a w.
This is a great place to get fresh baked pastries. They have an awesome selection and you will be tempted to try all of them! I love eating at the cafe itself because of its really simple, yet elegan decor. The white tablecloths and fresh flowers make this place a very elegant and pleasing place to hang out.
(5)Anita L.
My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice spot for lunch and were strolling the Lincoln Square when we stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie. We were in absolutely no hurry and had no idea what we wanted. Our server Katherine was wonderful and just who we needed. She was full of information and very patient and positive. The food and atmosphere was great, but it was the service that will keep us coming back.
(4)M S.
Amazing , fresh food, delicious desserts and 1/2 price bottles of wine on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. ..Also, the atmosphere is quaint and romantic.
(5)Alexa M.
I have been to this place twice...and loved it very much! Service and food are fantastic. Love this place in the summer because you can enjoy a beautiful weather and dine outside :)
(5)Elizabeth P.
We went two times, once for coffee and pastries and once for breakfast. It was good both times, the food is good and good quality. There were a good amount of menu options. The only thing is that it can get a bit pricey
(5)Loni H.
I do prefer the rare quiet moments that living nearby can offer me at this place.. meaning if it is packed I can cross the street to a lesser place. It can be quite packed and over stimulating BUT! the food is fantastic and it is a regular spot for my BF and I. Coffee is Intelligensia and is wonderful as are the crusty baked goods, cakes and ooh lala tartes. The Mushroom crepe in the eves is so tasty and you can't do wrong with the breakfast chiliquiles (sp) yum! Staff bustles to take care of you-be patient if it is busy.
(5)Erica E.
Stopped by with mom for a small treat, and oh my goodness, FELL IN LOVE! We got a piece of the apple pie and one of the pineapple coconut pie, DELICIOUS!!
(5)Mar B.
Go for the bakery but not for the sit down cafe. The service always seems to be under staffed and stressed. Our server was in a hurry while we were ordering..but okay. Then when we were finished and wanted another cup of coffee we could not find him for 10mins. By the time we found him we just asked for our checks. Took another 5mins for us to get that. With that being said, the baked good in the front of the cafe are delicious. Just make sure to grab them to go.
(3)Aaron Jae M.
One of my favorite places in Chicago for desserts (Acropolis in greek town is another one that's up there). I have never tried their dinner menu so I can't comment on that but the atmosphere is great and the service has always been friendly. My favorite things are their flourless chocolate cake and their raspberry chocolate tarts. I could honestly just randomly point at the dessert counter and whatever I chose would be amazing. Great spot for a date.
(4)Nancy C.
My cousin has been a regular at this bakery for nearly 20 years, and their raspberry Bavarian cream cake is superb--the best thing in the bakery. The apple bread had always been excellent as well. But upon trying the most recent loaf my cousin brought, it definitely does not taste quite as fresh as before. Not that there is anything wrong, it was just much drier than you would expect. Quite a letdown. My cousin commented that, as of late, she has noticed the loaves of apple bread are becoming smaller, flatter, and older (possibly a day or two old), which has been very disappointing, hopefully they will pick up the slack on that.
(4)Robert Y.
Best Black Forest cake, EVER! Food in the restaurant consistently impresses. Service is always helpful behind the bakery counter. I go out of my way to eat here. So should you.
(5)Torry H.
This is my brunch place! First of all...you have to get a chocolate croissant and then take home a poppyseed coffee cake. Great coffee, the best menu with seasonal items. It is great food and uncomplicated. The staff is fantastic. They are so friendly and welcoming. They all talk to my three kids and make them feel at home while we are there.
(5)Partha A.
A lady dining at the next table at a Korean place told me about Cafe Selmarie. I would thank her. Quite a busy place. But a lovely one. Parking can be an issue at night. We parked diagonally across the parking lot after waiting for a car to pull out. We got cakes to go - which were excellent. In fact they looked so nice we packed a sampling of a bunch of them. They were all good. I should come back for some food one of these days.
(5)Stephanie B.
Came here for brunch last weekend with some friends and everyone's food was delicious. Outdoor patio for brunch was perfect and our waitress was very attentive. Will definitely be back to try more on the menu!
(5)James P.
One of our favorite Saturday breakfast places. A great place for eggs after a workout. Great, friendly service with great food.
(4)Emily O.
I LOVE Cafe Selmarie! A cute, quaint bakery in Lincoln Square. Breakfast is amazing with unique dishes, fresh food, & fantastic service. Coffee is always hot, water is always filled, & the bakery is always filled with beautiful desserts. The patio is great in the summer. Can't beat Cafe Selmarie! If you are in the area, it's a must!
(5)Jen A.
Fantastic bakery!. By family tradition, we stopped by for desert after dinner at a german restaurant nearby. Each kid was able to choose a cookie or slice of cake, nicely boxed for the ride home. Everyone was satisfied, particular favorites included chocolate cake, pear tart and the cookies.
(4)Abheek G.
Excellent food, great service and good ambience. We had dinner here for Valentine's day and got the following dishes: - Pesto pappardelle with sautéed shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and sun-dried tomato - Pan-seared fluke fillet, creole spiced cornmeal crust, creamy polenta, haricots verts and tomato sage sauce - Lemon mousse with fresh raspberries and mint All were A+ dishes really!
(4)Alissa R.
The chilaquiles was fine, but the bloody mary tasted like straight up cocktail sauce. I guess I should have stuck with the pastries.
(2)Andrew S.
Went here for dinner, very tasty food. Had the chicken pot pie, which was yummy. And I also tried the scallops and Cobb salad, which were both delicious. My only problem was that it seemed like every couple thought it was okay to bring there screaming children in the restaurant. Other than that, real great experience.
(3)Leyla A.
Great place to share a croissant and have a cup of coffee with my brother.
(4)Stacy S.
I really enjoy this place everytime I go. But my husband and I really only go in the summers. The outdoor patio is great! We have been in the winter before and it just isn't as exciting. They have great deserts, but often run out of menu items (as some are not always on the menu). It is very nice for a casual dinning experience. They have great wine to compliment their dishes and nice servers to compliment their establishment.
(4)Dave T.
I am not a big sweets person, but if there is like a random pie or tart or pint of ice cream lying around I'll definitely indulge. I am that way about a lot stuff that I am not willing to pay for but will have at it if it's free: porn, cable tv, miller or budweiser beer, and sweets. Someone at work recently brought in a pecan pie from Cafe Selmarie and it was awesome. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)B. L.
Another gem can be found in Lincoln Square. I like the atmosphere and the service as well as the food. This place has a lot of charm and character. I enjoy the wine and salads.
(4)Joe B.
I'm surprised that all of these reviews are only about the pastries. Selmarie has the best breakfast and lunch in Lincoln Square. It's definitely on the foodie end of the food spectrum while remaining pretty accessible and not overly expensive. Everything they serve is fresh and homemade and served on great homemade baked goods. Great Soups and daily specials. They always have a special seafood wrap that is out of this world. Sometimes Ahi Tuna, sometimes Tilapia. The menu changes daily and seasonaly, but they have their staples as well. Don't go early on a weekend expecting to not have to wait in line. But if you do, the wait is worth it.
(5)Jade T.
Dislike.I waited 15+ minutes for service (standard is 5 minutes or less). Ordered the quiche ($10.50), which was average. While eating my semi-soggy quiche, my water was infrequently filled (I mean, come on, it wasn't busy at all and water was my only drink). Cafe Selmarie is pretty average with moderate (but maybe a wee bit high) prices. It is vegetarian-friendly-ish, however. Am I being snobby about the service? Not really. Again, it's standard practice for servers to greet the customer within a few minutes. Granted, this wait was due to miscommunication between the hostess and the server, which was accidental, but also unacceptable.
(2)L G.
This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. The food is great and the setting is cozy (I love how they continuously change the art on the wall) They serve the type of food that is not only good for my palate, but also feels great in my body. This is the first restaurant my wife and think of when we go out because it brings so many great things together: taste, health, ambiance, and price. I always leave feeling satisfied in and will continue coming back for as long as it's here.
(5)Mandy J.
Selmarie is the bomb! The bakery is amazing from the strawberry roulade to the ham and cheese croissant!
(5)Herminia I.
My fiancé and I came here for dinner the other night. The restaurant is cute and comfy, and the food was pretty good. We both had the steak which was pretty good, but the portions were really small. We usually never order appetizers since we can barely finish our dinner, but at this restaurant you definitely need appetizers. Our meal was the steak and mashed potatoes and we were still hungry--even after dessert (FYI: dessert was pretty damn good). On our next trip we will probably try the chicken pot pie, but we will be sure to order soup and perhaps an appetizer.
(4)Jessica M.
I stopped in here with a girlfriend for a yummy pastry treat during Applefest. It was super crowded but the staff was organized and kind. So glad we stopped here - we definitely gobbled up our treats. The apple strudel was exactly what I wanted!
(4)Tara P.
The chilaquiles are calling to me this morning. What's that chilaquiles? You want Cafe Selmarie to drop you off at my place? Well, my door is always open for you. Oh, I'm supposed to be writing a review, so: Cafe Selmarie has a tasty, tasty brunch, good service, and takes reservations for parties of 6 or more. I suggest going with a group for brunch with reservation, because the waiting area is cramped.
(4)Melissa M.
I've tried Cafe Selmarie twice now and haven't been thrilled either time. I've ordered a variety of pastries for my guests and myself, and they've been hard or dry everytime. The pastries I've tried seem like they're a few days old already. Not really worth returning for a third time. Not to mention that the girl behind the counter kept coughing as she was boxing up my stuff! And how about the $1.60 for a can of Coke??? Think I'll just skip the pastries and hit up Cold Stone Creamery down the street next time.
(2)Sheeroz K.
Cafe Selmarie is amazing!!!! I have been going there for 4 years and counting and every single time the food is out of this world and the bakery side is great as well!!! The staff is wonderful and the food is excellent! I couldn't recommend a better place!
(5)J D.
Know what to expect: a bustling crowd as soon as the doors open in the late morning. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and general Oprah enthusiasts. I arrived here Monday morning at 11:01 and by 11:15 there were already seven people salivating over the fresh pastries [do please try their seasonal "Pie in a Pumpkin": a baked small pumpkin hollowed and filled with pumpkin puree and nutmeg], and three Italians asking if Selmarie was hiring in their bakery. A great spot for a first date, catching up with an old friend or studying for your exam.
(5)Lynn C.
I order the chicken pot pie when it's cold. I also like the pastries, especially the fruit tartes. I can't remember having a bad meal here. We mostly go on weeknights, otherwise the wait is too long. If it's warm out, at least you can wait in the lovely park/courtyard area by the fountain. But I personally wouldn't wait for more than 30 min. (but that's true of most places). Parking in the area is tricky, so we walk whenever possible. Service is prompt and the artwork is wonderful (a nice bonus). My dad asked about a painting, and it turned out one of the servers painted it and had an upcoming show. She gave us the flyer. Cool!
(4)Erin J.
The service here is amazing. I went during a very busy time and the waiter was cool as a cucumber about everything. I had a hard time deciding what I wanted and he lacked the attitude problem that is common among wait staff. When I asked for a suggestion, he gave me a few and was very descriptive about the food options, that he felt I might enjoy. The food was very fresh and flavorful and the bread was OMG so good! The only sad thing is that they have little to no vegan options, so I don't come here a lot. I got a funny look when I stopped by for coffee (which is really good coffee) and I asked for soymilk. It is a very traditional cafe/bakery and I didn't mind my coffee black.
(5)Amanda P.
The best place to go in Chicago for German/Austrian pastries (yes, better than Julius Meinl). Selmarie is a wonderful bakery cafe with good sandwiches and salads, and world-class desserts. Try the Zachertorte.
(5)James D.
This place is great. I've been going there since they opened and it's always been high quality. I was partial to the chocolate eclairs growing up but now I can't get enough of the fruit tarts or the Gateau Grandmere.
(4)Aurora B.
I do not consider myself a "Cake Person" but I do love carrot cake, and Cafe Selmarie has the BEST carrot cake. I was so excited when I found out they do wedding cakes and was even more excited when they were affordable. We had a 2-tier "decorative" cake to cut in front of guests and take pictures with and then had sheet cakes to serve. This is a great way to go if you want to save money and are not interested in a huge multi-tiered cake. Cafe Selmarie worked out the drop off time with our wedding location and was very easy to deal with.
(5)Melissa A.
Great brunch, lunch and pastries paired with a charming atmosphere. Their outdoor patio is delightful and overlooks Giddings Plaza in Lincoln Square. I've been here four times in the last several weeks and was pleased each time! Loved the German chocolate cake and vanilla cheesecake with berries.
(5)Brenna M.
I spent last night visiting my friend's new pad in Lincoln Square and we popped in here for a light dinner and beer out on the patio. The unseasonably warm October weather lent itself extraordinarily well to a good Point beer (which my Wisconsin-ite dining companions were VERY excited to see on a Chicago menu) and the haricots verts and soup. As a group we loved the green beans and a vegetarian chilli they serve with cornbread. Mmm. Our waiter was sweet, not overbearing and quick. What more can you ask for?! I suggest you follow this place up with a few beers at the neighboring brauhauses.
(4)Matt R.
In Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie puts out a decent lunch with a selecton of dessert options. The chocolate cake was comparable to many other places. Nothing really stood out. Still, it is a good place for lunch in the square.
(3)Brittanie L.
If I were rating Selmarie on orange juice and bacon alone, I'd give it five stars. But I'm not, and I still give it five stars. The service was attentive but not overbearing, and man oh man the food! Like I said, the bacon was awesome, and I don't regret saying that twice! I had the granola, which was delicious and served with fresh fruit and yogurt, and my boyfriend really seemed to like his whole grain pancakes too. The bakery counter in the front doesn't disappoint either. Seriously, try this place.
(5)TJ H.
We had the chicken pot pie, and it was delicious. We also got a side of the mac and cheese which I couldn't get enough of. The salmon club sandwich was also very tasty, although the salad that came with it was nothing too special.
(4)Krisanthi N.
I have been to this place twice. Once for dinner, on half price bottle wine night, and once for breakfast. The location is really nice. It is right in the middle of Lincoln Square. For dinner, I ordered the roasted chicken, which was okay. Then again, there isn't a lot you can do with roasted chicken. Everyone else in my group really liked their meals. For breakfast, I had gotten the quiche was was awesome! The coffee is really good too, and they have some delicious sweets. Service was excellent and quick both times. My only complaint is the hours. I've tried to come here before and they were just about to close. I wish they would extend their hours!
(4)Raghid A.
I was waiting for 45 minute to sit outside and there were many tables available but the manager was impolite and sat other people before me...I felt so discriminated against because of my origin. I always liked this place but never again. What a shame
(1)Kylie S.
This place is really cute. And popular! I stopped in on a weekday for lunch and was surprised by how busy and crowded it was. Great outdoor patio for summer months. Parking might take a bit - try the side streets. The Western Brown line stop is really close. Tons of cute shops in the nearby area. Service was excellent. I had a black bean burger, side salad, and glass of white wine on my first visit. The black burn burger was solid, I'd give it a 7. The salad was less so, a 5 in my book. The white wine was excellent and they had a fun menu to choose from. I didn't have room to try dessert, but I sense that was a mistake because that seems to be what they're really known for around here. I think next time I'll just go for the patio, wine, and dessert. Yum!
(4)Kevin P.
Nice place for Sunday brunch... but my goodness is it crowded. It was an hour wait to be seated, so keep that in mind if you are going on a Sunday morning. It was overall a nice restaurant and our waiter, Christopher, was nice. The food was good. It really was a nice place to eat and meet with friends, but just the wait felt too long.
(4)Ann M.
This place is always crowded in the AM on the weekends. My roommate and I have tried on several occasions to get seated but the wait is always long. So instead we went for dinner and shockingly it was not that busy. I love the inside of this place. It's very cozy and classy. Our waitress was overly nice and very prompt. I ordered the Cobb salad, which I must say is possibly the best Cobb salad I have ever had. If you're a salad person, you MUST try this. Prices are a little high but it's definitely worth it. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the service is fantastic. Go check it out for yourself!
(4)Suzanne C.
Yum yum yum!! Super friendly staff! We were waiting for our table this morning and ordered a latte, hot choc, and a Danish.. She said she'd add the items to our bill! We were willing to pay upfront for the items and it's nice to have this extra perk! And the food is amazing.. Incredibly fresh and made with love!
(5)Tabithia B.
The people there are helpful and super nice. I almost always take out my food there and it's always quick and got and taste like it was made in heaven. Everything is so fresh and you can sincerely taste the quality. I have not had one thing that I didn't enjoy. The carry out/bakery area is a little cramped but it's worth the tightness.
(5)Maram K.
I love this place! The people here take pride in what they are serving. On one occasion, we had a slice of cake that seemed bit stale. They asked how everything was and in honesty, we told them. They apologized, took it back and gave us a new dessert they were sure we'd like. The breakfast here is really nice, but get here early! It gets crowded quickly and becomes stroller city by 10am.
(4)Pavithra M.
Went for dessert and coffee last night. Wonderful wait staff, so friendly and approachable with lovely interactions with the kids. The cafe is laid out well, cozy but very comfortable. The selection of desserts is not the best I have seen, but what we ate was very yummy. I got the Orange Chocolate Decadence, which was tasty but very dense and heavy - meaning I got to take half of it home. My husband got the lemon tart, which he said was very good. The cappuccino was just what I had in mind for a cold, snowy night. I would like to try the other dishes the next time I go there.
(4)Kathleen I.
I got here as my default place for easy food that is amazing. I love this place. The cookies are the bomb! The service always exceptional. I truly enjoy it every time I go.
(5)Pamela P.
God, I really hate doing this. We used to come here all the time. The sweets are perfect and I admittedly adore this place. Last time we were here, though, there were two -- not one--two sizable cockroaches crawling up the wall of the restaurant during our dinner. Another table of patrons noticed them too and were horrified. The busboy laughed to the waiter that they were out again. The waiter tried to play it off that they were some sort of water bugs. Whatever kind of bugs in a bakery/restaurant crawling up the wall during dinner is not acceptable.
(1)Colleen B.
Desserts at Selmarie = heaven on your plate. Eat the apricot tart. I loved it and I don't even like apricots. THAT'S how good their desserts are. Oh, and the rest of them are great too. I know because I've probably eaten all of them at least twice. Please don't judge me. Just go to Selmarie instead.
(5)Emma M.
Cafe Selmarie will always hold a special spot in my heart. After my fiancee proposed to me in December (in Giddings Square), we went to Cafe Selmarie which stayed open just for us and a had bottle of champagne and dessert waiting for us. My stomach was full of butterflies and there was so much excitement running through my body that I couldn't eat anything, but I really appreciated everything they did for us. We sat there for a while, sipping champagne and they were in no hurry for us to leave. I will be going there for a wedding cake consultation!!
(5)Heather I.
Ventured out early pre-Cubs game on Saturday for breakfast. I had treated myself to a cookie or two now and then, but never ate in their dining area. Thought we would have to wait a bit on a Saturday morning, but we were seated pretty quickly. Breakfast menu was good - all the staples (eggs, pancakes, gourmet french toast) and the waiter informed us of the chef's special. Coffee/espresso was perfect. My breakfast burrito was huge and delicious and my husband had a yummy omelet with all sorts of veggies inside. All in all a good experience and would return for breakfast or dinner. Also price was reasonable - comparable to any other breakfast/brunch place in town.
(4)Bridget L.
Chile-freakin-quiles. Do it. Do it now. Do it for me. And then get yourself a pastry. Seriously good breakfast/brunch here, but it's super busy and small, so go early. Also, some of their items are expensive. For example, a delicious slice of blueberry cake will set you back about $6. Kinda lame, but everything tastes delicious. The chilequiles though...I dream of them. Be sure to wash their spicy-yumminess down with a coke. ;)
(5)Mrs. F.
My husband and I eat here at least 3-4 times a month. It's quiet, their food and desserts are consistently good, and the staff is always friendly. We like the outdoor seating and take advantage as soon as the weather warms up. For a weeknight dinner when you don't feel like cooking, this is the place to go. Their dishes are simple, fresh, and flavorful. If you want something fancy don't go here, but if you want casual, low-key and easy this is the best place. We love it.
(5)Ayaka H.
I've had one good experience and one not so awesome experience. Service was great both times but one of the brunch items was not very tasty and I think that their selection is lacking.
(3)John S.
Nice selection of coffee and pastries. Charming atmosphere. Friendly staff. The food tasted great, but I have to question the portion size of the 'Cafe Spinach Salad. I ordered mine with chicken breast added for an additional $4. The plate it arrived on was the size of a coffee cup saucer and it literally had 8 pieces of baby spinach, a few tiny crumples of cheese and a minuscule amount of chicken breast. This is the smallest dinner salad I have ever had. Tasted great - all 3 bites. This is why I am only giving this place 3 stars. 1 star for each bite.
(3)Erin L.
On a whim, my friend and I decided to check out this place. It was during Apple Fest so the place was pretty packed, but I am sure glad we decided to stick out the long line. Everyone was super friendly there and they didn't rush you if you weren't quite sure what yummy goodies to try. I ended up getting my husband and rum pound cake slice and I took a bite of it - delicious. The hazelnut latte I got was also really good. They have a little cafe in the back of the bakery and it was pretty packed on the day we went. If their bakery items are that good - I'm sure the food is equally as good! A perfect reason to return!
(5)Rose G.
I went with my dad and was really pleased. It was comfortable and the portion sizes were great too. Not too pricey for Chicago either.
(4)Brianna B.
The wild mushroom breakfast sandwich is phenomenal: perfect interplay of flavors and textures (chewy mushrooms and soft challah, vinegary tang to the mushrooms plus rich herbed mayo and melted gruyere, etc). The strawberry roulade was also very good. Only downside was the slow service in a Saturday morning.
(4)Linda A.
I've been coming here for probably 25 years. I used to live right around the corner but since leaving Chicago, I still make a point of visiting while in town. The food is great, the pastries outstanding, one problem is the acoustics. If you want to enjoy the company of your friends without having to yell to be heard, don't go here. Even the waiter commented how loud it is. He couldn't hear us order at one point. There was only one thing ordered at the table that I thought was overcooked, burnt actually. The "roasted" Brussel sprouts. They were burnt black but the waiter said that's how they're made. If you like burnt food, you'll love them. If it weren't for the acoustics I'd be giving 5 stars.
(4)Gina F.
I stopped by twice this week during my staycation. I happened to have 2 friends who wanted to go to lunch on 2 different days, both of whom have been wanting to try this place. As per usual everything was excellent. The roasted butternut squash spinach salad and the roasted sweet potato wedges are a perfect fall lunch. Both friends also enjoyed their lunch very much.
(4)Claudia M.
Such a great Cafe. I'm so glad my BF suggested we take an out of town guest here. We were looking for a place that had great food, ambiance and not too crowded so we could hang out and talk. Cafe Selmarie was the place. We arrived arround noon. The place was pretty happening, lots of moms and their babies but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your food (I'm a slow eater). I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which came with a side of mixed field greens salad. My BF and his aunt each ordered the chicken pot pie and an order of sweet potato fries. Let me tell you that Chicken Pesto sandwich was so good that I dare not eat the whole thing in one sitting. Kind of like the candy you ate as a kid, Now and Laters, I had to save half of this sandwich to enjoy later that afternoon. After we enjoyed our meal and caught up on our conversation we ordered coffee. I ordered the mocha. OMG, the mocha comes with REAL whipped cream. Not the whipped cream from a can that is thin and disappears 10 seconds later. We are talking thick, sweet cream that you feel you have to bite into. The Cafe is just so cute inside. They have the most delicious looking pastries at the front entrance. My BF saw a red velvet cake dipped in chocolate and he thought he would get a slice on the way out so we could split later. Nope. When we finally left the Cafe the red velvet cake was all gone. I'll have to go back and get some and surprise him. Lincoln Square just keeps giving me more reasons to go back. Thanks Cafe Selmarie. My new North side meeting place.
(5)Jennifer F.
Love this place! I have been here at least six times. The food is always good. The service is polite and efficient. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. I am a big fan of both their lunch and dinner menus. Up until last week I had never tried their pastries. Finally got a raspberry and dark chocolate tart and a pecan tart. Both were excellent! I also got a mocha to go and it was wonderful. (Didn't have that burnt taste you often get from Starbucks.)
(5)Heather P.
I come here for their delightful strawberry roulade and their consistenly perfect Croque Monsieur. Weekends are busy, but visiting for a weekday lunch gets you seated fairly quickly. Food is delicious. The causal environment is perfect for a small lunch meeting and the outdoor seating is a nice option when the weather is warm.
(5)Ana I.
The service dragged, but that may have been because the cafe was busy. The food on the other hand was yummy! I got the Salmon sandwich. I'm excited to return.
(4)Jonathan H.
Cuban braised beef sandwich was amazing. I highly recommend.
(5)Lorelei C.
Today I was out, had a nice healthy lunch and then I was walking and I saw Cafe Selmarie... Now, I tried to ignore this place but... after all it is my birthday week and I think I deserve something nice Yeah, I know sounds bogus.. but thats the best I could come up with. Anyway, this is a small place, as you enter they have a pastry case where they had some pastries and other assorted goodies.. Okay, so I took a look at the case and did'nt see anything that really appealed to me, they had some tarts and cookies and a flourless chocolate cake and I really thought I was going to leave unhappy and empty handed and then there was this vision of heaven I found in the case called a chocolate banana eclair... Well, I caved and bought this wonderful piece of heaven.. And gotta say it, it was worth every penny. Now, I could make excuses and say that I wont have birthday cake because I had this eclair today but.. No, that wont be happening! I want my Birthday Cake too! Cafe Selmarie also serves some food items as well, don't know what though cause I did'nt care after I saw my eclair..:) I think they serve coffee too but I don't drink coffee either.. I had one cup of coffee my entire life and thought it was nasty so thats one habit i dont have, got lots of other bad habits to make up for my lack of coffee drinking though.. So, next time you are in the Lincoln Square area treat yourself to a visit at Cafe Selmarie... You can even have coffee if you want to..:( And theres a really pretty fountain outside the window so nice visuals going on too... And I'll bet you that you cant leave without a chocolate banana eclair.. Just dont quote me on that one, I gambled once, lost lotsa money..:(
(4)Luke T.
had some quiche and coffee for late breakfast with friends and it was still as good as ever.
(4)Benjamin V.
This is a rare cafe in that both their dinner menu and bakery items are strong: high quality, delicious, and well presented. Their scones are amazing. They are located right next to Lincoln Square's actual "square," where musicians come to perform and kids love to play. On a summer night, you can sit at the cafe's patio and enjoy a wonderful dinner, as well as hear the music. Cafe Selmarie is a a great place to go!
(5)Jackie M.
Awesome. Dined with a friend to catch up and went halfsies on everything. It ended up to working really well. Warm Marinated Goat Cheese - it's more like a appetizer. Goat cheese soaks in a warm red pepper flake infused olive oil. Chicken Pesto Sandwich - juicy chicken, yummy pesto, fluffy mozzarella, the bread is fantastic - crusty, chewy and soft in all the right ways. Totally worth it. Get dessert, one of the few places in Chicago with an assortment of gorgeous tortes. There were a ton of people for a Thursday lunch crowd, but if you can buy artisan bread here, I would.
(4)Jackie E. G.
The food is ok. Then why the 5 stars? This is all about the whipped cream People! Lo...seriously folks. I've never in my life tasted such delectable whipped cream. I guess I'm used to the crap they serve at Starbucks. I'm a big hot chocolate fan so I stopped by yesterday morning... for some breakfast. Decided to sit outside because it was faster. And, ordered the spiked Hot Chocolate with the Baileys. Sitting outdoors in the late morning crisp autumn air with a cup of hot chocolate and the best whipped cream you've ever tasted in your life (the waitress said...it's nothing special...just whipped fresh!) set the tone for a perfect rest of the day. The pretty people with their pretty children and cute doggies walking about the area, sharing pastries and meeting up with friends over coffee also added to the ooh la-la experience!
(5)April K.
Cute spot in Lincoln Square. We had a late lunch here with family. They had a cute little patio and we ate there (5 adults and three children). It was pretty out there but there were quite a few bees and I'm deathly afraid of bees so that was a little jarring... The espresso with whipped cream is the tits. Mmmmm. Thick whipped cream and strong but non-bitter espresso. Loved every sip of it. The coffee wasn't quite as good. I had a quesadilla. It was great. It had cheese, chicken, big strips of pasilla peppers. It wasn't greasy at all. The guacamole and the house made salsa were delicious as well. Husband had a prosciutto sandwich which was also very tasty. I dug it. The waitress was awesome as well. Great lunch spot.
(4)Colleen C.
A wonderful Friday brunch option...! Somewhat hard to find in the 'Square. Cafe Selmarie is in that impossibly cute stretch of Lincoln Ave that is sheltered from the chaos. One way entrance off Lawrence (going south), no entrance on to strip from northwest bound...(curves off and hits Western where it skips a bit before picking up again by that McDonald's. ANYWAY. It's private, cute, and plenty of metered parking...and with German neighbors and Merz Apothecary nearby, how can one go wrong? Exactly. A sweet little corner shop. Entrance barrages one with puffed pastries, cookies, sweets and a small coffee bar. Take a few steps back and there's plenty of tables/chairs and a perfectly acceptable brunch menu to enjoy. I sat with my two pals and we sipped perfectly designed coffee drinks, water and waited for our breakfast burrito, salmon scramble and special omlette of the day: spinach, feta, bacon. I can vouch for that omlette...wooo boy, good stuff. Accompanied by potatoes, as well. Service was excellent, everything was on point. It's a place you want to stay and cozy up a bit, especially in these winter months. I liken it to the Julius Meinl just a few blocks south...but less screaming children. BONUS! An extra bonus? Unlike most brunchie spots...they have BOOOOOOZE. Crazy on weeekends, but pop in mid-week to check it out. I also hear they serve a mean dinner, and have great specials all week. It's quaint, it's cute...and it's a good excuse to check out this quirky, secluded little strip of Lincoln Square. *Right off the Western brown line *Lawrence bus *Meters easy.
(4)Kimberly M.
The ingredients were fresh, and I liked that there were plenty of healthy options for dinner. Plan on spending $15-$20 on anything other than a salad. I ordered the vegetarian chili and spinach salad. I was not impressed with the free rolls that accompanied dinner. They lacked flavor and really weren't anything special. I guess I just expected more considering the baked goods storefront. The chili was tasty, but again, the cornbread that accompanied it really wasn't anything special. The salad was great, based on the sole fact that it had fresh ingredients and I love brie cheese, but it's not anything I couldn't have made at home. I gave it three stars because healthy options are hard to find when you are traveling, and while I would not list this among my favorite spots, I would definitely visit again for fresh, well prepared food. It's also important to note that I only ate dinner here once. I'd imagine brunch would be good at this restaurant. The desserts looked delicious. Also, it's my sister's favorite restaurant in the area, and she's a local.
(3)Esther S.
This place is a must for brunch or just pastries. You can taste the cream cheese in the carrot cake icing. All delicious.
(4)Jelena Z.
Cafe Selmarie. Romantic name, right? And what an utterly charming bakery and cafe it is, located smack dab in that enclosed stretch of Lincoln Ave. in the heart of the Square. Passing by the pastry case en route to the restaurant area in the back is a requirement. No, not because I classify the walk as a 'can't-miss', but because it's physically impossible to avoid staring these sweet beauties in the eye! Strategic, indeed. We sat down for breakfast and within five minutes of our order, I received my latte decorated with a perfect layer of foam. Service is sharp, attentive and knowledgeable. I ordered my breakfast standard (a breakfast burrito, which was wonderful) and my colleagues went with the omelet of the day and the smoked salmon scramble. I believe we all left happy, satiated and still a bit curious about that pastry case. I'll come back for you... another time!
(4)Melanie S.
I love this spot! Cafe Selmarie has been a mainstay in Lincoln Square for years and I am so happy to see this restaurant/bakery has not only survived, but thrived. Their brunch menu isn't huge, but you're sure to find something delicious, whether you're in the mood for something on the lighter side or something heartier. I met a friend here for brunch on Saturday and I am so glad we went here. I had forgotten how charming this place is. Paintings by local artists adorn the walls; tables are well-spaced (i.e. not on top of each other) and the staff is friendly and efficient. My friend had the vegetarian chili which looked great and I had the vegetarian quiche. Both of us were pleased with our choices. The quiche was light, but filling, and was chock full of roasted eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms and some goat cheese which added a nice tartness and creaminess. Served on the side was a spring salad. Next to the cafe is a bakery bursting with tempting treats like kolacky, strawberry roulade, cookies, eclairs, tarts and scones. I could do some serious damage in here. There's also an outdoor seating area in Giddings Plaza for al fresco dining if you're so inclined (weather permitting, natch). Go to Cafe Selmarie for the delicious, well-prepared food, but don't leave without a trying a pastry or three.
(4)Sarah M.
Love this cute little cafe located in the heart of Lincoln Square next to the courtyard and fountain. In case the delicious pastries in the front aren't alluring enough, the back half of Selmarie is a small restaurant that offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. The food here is delicious and I have YET to have anything bad on the menu. Whether you just want to stop and have a slice of Mocha Buttercream Torte with a cappuccino, grab a cookie for the road, or sit down and have a wonderful meal, Cafe Selmarie is good for all three. I highly recommend this place! Why it didn't get 5 stars: Cost is $40 on a lunch or breakfast meal for two (including tip). Which isn't outrageous by any means and you are definitely FULL when you leave, but it isn't pocket change either. It can be packed, so try and get there before the rush starts if you don't want to wait for a seat (there isn't a lot of waiting room either).
(4)Christina D.
We absolutely love this place! I've never had anything I haven't liked. And I think I've tried everything. From brunch to just stopping in for a treat, this is our go to spot.
(5)Heather H.
According to my husband, best corned beef hash ever. According to me, best dessert ever! Lunch is my friend here. Nice salads, soups, and the vegetarian chili is outstanding. The waitstaff actually understands the meaning of a lunch rush - people need to get in, out, and back to work. Props for that. I've stopped coming in for breakfast, just too many other places give just as good quality, but better portions for the buck. That's not to say I'm looking for a huge portion, but I like the option of toast with my meal without paying extra. Also, the acoustics in the dining room are not hangover friendly. At times it's annoying enough to make me rush through my meal to leave, especially when there's a shrieking kid in the room (which is usually all the time). But really, the crown jewel is the desserts. I can't walk out of this place without at least getting something to go from the bakery. Everything is SO GOOD, with the exception of the cupcakes. I can't figure out what they do wrong with them, the flavor is additively good, it's just always dry. I've tried them too many times, even asking if they're fresh. So, I'd say skip those, and get anything else you see. Cookies: Yum! Try the lavender rosemary, sugar, chocolate chip, any kind is a winner. Scones? Yes please! Always moist and the ingredients are nicely distributed. Who wants a scone with 2 dates and 3 walnuts? Here, you're sure to get at least a fruit or nut in each bite! Cakes.... Mmmmmmm again, always wonderful - take your pick, you'll be happy. Banana Eclair? One of my favorites! Fresh and fruity! Cafe Selmarie is a neighborhood institution. It's easy to see why they're still around, and why there is usually a well deserved wait to get in.
(4)Kat C.
Yum!!! Delicious and patient!!! Kale salad was AMAZING and quinoa was super delicious. But I have to admit that the best part for me was the flourless chocolate, orange torte with decaf soy latte!! Definitely a return visit in the future!
(5)Debbie S.
We tend to meander to this spot for brunch on many a Sunday morning. Breakfast pastries are delicious (my favorite is the cinammon chip scone) and the brunch items are very good. I tend to go with some form of an eggs benedict when I am there (they have different varieties, some with meat and some without) and a rotating menu. Hubby tends to order the breakfast croissant. The hostesses recognize us now and always say hello to us and our little boy. The servers are always pleasant and seem to have a fair amount of longevity, which is nice. Lunch and Dinner are also good options at Selmarie. Lunch sandwiches are very good and dinner items are a bit more upscale. My only complaint -- the dessert pastries leave a bit to be desired. I have tried several cakes and found them to be dry and somewhat unappetizing -- and they look beautiful in the dessert case. Great outdoor seating facing a courtyard (and therefore off of Lincoln). Get here early to get a table for brunch on a Sunday - the restaurant and the outdoor space tend to fill up very quickly. The indoor tables tend to get a bit loud.
(4)Caroline K.
Yum Yum Yum!!!!! the bakery items are good, the food is good, the ppl are good. We had the most upbeat, lovely, and sweetest waitress.... i think her name was Racheal. She gave us awesome recommendations: brussel sprout salad - could not believe how fresh and amazing this was... my #1 the ribs - so scrumptious and tender and salivating from just smelling it, i didn't like the sweet potatoe it came with as much the wild mushroom ravioli - this is a must that melts in my mouth! for dessert we had the pecan pie that was soo soo good and we got the pistachio cheesecake - don't get it, there are much better things there. Thanks racheal for a great meal, we'll definitely visit again soon!
(5)Tricia D.
Cafe Selmarie, thank you for being open (relatively) late on Fri. while most other bakeries already call it a day. You satisfied the dessert compartment in my belly when I needed it at 8:51pm. Baked goods and cake slices are on the pricey side. My banana eclair was $3.95 worth of so-so pastry, cream, sliced bananas, and chocolate glaze. They also have exotic looking decorated sugar cookies that come in different animal shapes, one of which may or may not be an aardvark. I'm opposed to restaurants that put white sheets of paper over their tablecloths, but Selmarie had the white paper cut so precisely in the dimensions of the tabletop that I almost didn't realize it was there. Subtle!
(3)Phil T.
A wonderful spot. We're impressed each time we go with every aspect of our experience at Selmarie's: nice service, well-thought out meals, fresh tastes, and an all-around pleasant experience. It's reasonably priced too, for the experience. There are far more expensive places offering far less to Chicagoans. Breakfast, dessert, dinner all deserve five stars. It's one place we're always sure to take visitors to Lincoln Square.
(5)Carol K.
I had been trying to get to this restaurant for over a year- for a friend mentioned it to me last Summer and it sounded like the perfect spot for a nice casual dinner. On a recent Summer's night- I finally made my way up to Cafe Selmarie and was wondering what I was thinking to have moved this little gem so far down my list? It was exactly what we were looking for. On Wednesday nights- wine is half priced, so my friend went on line to see what kind of wines they had. One of them struck his fancy, but he likes it cold, ice cold, so he called the restaurant and asked them to ice it down. What a great idea for a hot night! They were very accommodating and we were happy . .and all for a very reasonable price. The food was terrific as well. I started with the marinated goat cheese and greens and he had the lobster filled crepe. Both were delicious! For our entrees, I went with the herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and my friend just told the server to surprise him and bring out her favorite dish. A great idea as the roasted pork with bacon and tomato compote was a great combination of flavors. I loved that the front of the restaurant is a small bakery, so for dessert we wandered around looking at the display cases finally deciding on a cupcake for me, and a piece of pistachio cheesecake for him. The perfect sweet ending to our perfect meal. Service was great- friendly and welcoming, offering up wonderful suggestions and taking care of us in the best way possible. At the end of our dinner, I felt as if I had almost found a new friend! You can enjoy your meal outside overlooking Giddings Plaza or indoors in their simply furnished dining room. And if you drive- there is plenty of metered parking right out front or a pay lot right around the corner. A terrific restaurant with great service and wonderful food. Don't do as I did and wait to go. Go now. You'll thank me later!
(5)Erica I.
It's torture to walk by here every single day going to and from work. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, tortes, and probably other desserts I'm forgetting. I've stopped in here a few times to get a coffee (Intellegensia mmmm) and almond coffee cake, which is amazinggg. I've also picked up a slice of Beehive cake (brioche with barvarian creme and almonds), apple pie, and a carmel chocolate torte (this was my least favorite, but was still pretty good). I've also had brunch here once, and the food was SO good! I really, really need to come back for brunch, but it's also super packed on the weekends. I just had the quiche and side salad, but it was seriously so good. My friend let me have a bite of her omlette and chicken sausage, and it was really good, too! The staff is always very sweet, and even when it's busy, they make sure you get helped. I'm looking forward to coming back!
(5)Veronica M.
Ok I been here twice breakfast was nothing great. Bake goods ok I guess you don't really want to go back again where it's just ok.
(2)Ron S.
My wife and I enjoyed a Saturday breakfast here and we both ordered the Smoked Salmon Scramble. It was delicious The icing on the cake was Intelligentsia Selmarie blend coffee. What a great way to start the day!
(4)Michael D.
Café Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood that is a very vibrant part of town. Recently, I tried making a reservation for a party of four for a Sunday brunch, but was informed that reservations are only accepted for parties of six or more. However, I was told to call before arriving and we would be put on a wait list. So on the Sunday morning in question I called about 25 minutes before our arrival. Because the placed was crowded, we had to wait approximately 20 to 25 minutes longer before being seated. Café Selmarie has a bakery up front that you have to walk through to get to the dining area. The fragrances and presentations of the wide variety of bakery goods are very appealing and a strong inducement for in-house dining customers to make carry-out purchases. Our waiter was informative and efficient. I asked to start our meal with a shared slice of coffee cake and left the selection to the discretion of our waiter. We were subsequently served a poppy seed coffee cake that we divided amongst us. The cake was extremely fresh and very delicious. In fact, one person in our party said it was the best coffee cake she ever had. For our main dishes we ordered the pancakes (three cakes - no short order available) with blueberries and whipped cream, the breakfast burrito, the standard eggs Benedict, and a spinach omelet. The pancakes and the burrito were rated excellent, the Benedict very good, and the omelet good but rather ordinary. Note: alfresco dining is offered in warm weather in an area adjacent to the side of the restaurant building next to a park. Overall, we had a very good dining experience at Café Selmarie. I recommend it for Sunday brunch, unless a long wait is a concern, and give it a four star rating.
(4)Leah W.
Came here with a friend after doing our first 5K, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday morning and so we ordered from their brunch menu. I had the smoked salmon with egg scramble that came with sour cream, dill and a side of potatoes. Everything was delicious. My friend had the pot pie which looked really good and she seemed to enjoy. Sad to say, but I couldn't deny the $5 mimosas..yum! Will definitely be back.
(4)Yanyao N.
Pastry alert! Pastry alert! The baked goods at Cafe Selmarie are sinfully good. As a person who will always choose shrimp cocktail over dessert, this place had me pretty excited. Chocolate banana eclairs! Bienenstich! Pear tarts! Apricot tarts! Raspberry financiers! You get the idea... We left here with only four pastries: a blackberry financier, a raspberry financier, an apricot frangipan tart, and this insane bun looking monstrosity that was basically brioche with a creamy custard filling. I think it was called a tropezier? It was absolute madness eating this thing. You would bite into the sugar topped brioche and sweet cream would just ooze out the sides. One of the sexiest desserts I have seen in a while. Needless to say, everything was phenomenal and consumed in one sitting. If I lived in the neighborhood, there is no doubt that I would turn into a jelly roll. Yes, it is THAT good.
(5)Erica W.
Who knew that I would find love at first sight at Cafe Selmarie? I had never tried a financier before, and decided to try the raspberry financiers. They are these little bite-sized cake-like pastries with a fresh raspberry inside. I truly had a moment. My friends were wondering what was wrong with me when I momentarily couldn't talk. These financiers changed my world for a moment in time. I will gladly travel all the way from the loop to Lincoln Square to get more of those. I love the fact that this place is open late for late night desserts, coffee and tea. Too bad they don't stay open later. Great service, and fantastic pastries - I'll be back for brunch AND lunch. AND they are close to the brown line Western stop. It's located in a cute area with shops and boutiques, so Cafe Selmarie is definitely in my future - a brunch and boutique day is calling my name!
(4)Jennifer M.
Fantastic lunch! The broccoli salad was absolutely delicious and the bread is phenomenal. Great atmosphere. This place is a must-try.
(5)Jose S.
Overall very good food and service. Favorite meal is the chilaquiles. One of the best I have tasted in years. Be aware of the corned beef hash. It's shredded beef and not the typical hash you find in a diner. Felt like I was eating a cross between hay and beef jerky. It's the only item on the menu I dont like.
(4)C T.
I love this place! Lots of healthy menu items. Plates are huge, expensive, but worth it for the large servings. Super fun place to come and eat in the summer. Bakery looks delicious, but I'm always too stuffed for a treat.
(4)Jenna S.
I came here with another person for dinner and we had completely opposite experiences with it came to the food we ordered; although both experienced the hands down amazing service! My dinner entree was the seared scallops, his was the half chicken. For starters, my scallops were cooked to NEAR perfection airing on the rare side. I enjoy a perfectly cooked scallop, which can sometimes be difficult, but this one scared me a little. The root vegetables and squash puree it was surrounded by was near tasteless. My fiance's dinner was beyond wonderful! The chicken was moist and flavorful, cooked to perfection. The potatoes were heavenly! All the flavors melded together in harmony! To end the meal, we shared a chocolate truffle and the german sour cherry cheesecake. STOP THE PRESSES. TRUFFLES! Yes, the chocolate truffle was flippin' amazing. Actually, I had forgotten all about the scallop debacle that was currently invading my stomach. All I could think about were TRUFFLES. Yum! Now, don't get me wrong, the dense rich flavor of the cheesecake was also a delight...but still all I can think about is that damn truffle confection!! Need. More!
(4)Elaine C.
I took back Lincoln Square last weekend. It used to belong to someone in my past, but I ate, drank, shopped, and brunched up and down it last weekend and it felt awesome. This was also the one time they year I ordered something sweet for brunch. Lemon-ricotta griddlecakes. They were nom, but there's something about tart pancakes that didn't do it for me. The menu is impressive though. At one point one of my friends started attacking the server with questions like, "What's brioche? And what's pull-man style? And what happens to berries when they're macerated? I just need some English up in this menu right quick." So, if you're impressed by fancy words that mean "cooked with sugar", then run-don't-walk to Cafe Selmarie.
(3)Christina K.
Went back for Sunday brunch, but with a party of four. (Sometimes I eat with people other than my boyfriend.) Don't know if it was the Father's Day crowd, or the location of our table but service was slow and frustrating. Disappointing, because I think it made me scarf down my skillet too quickly and not really enjoy it, and it seemed pretty good. Alas.
(3)Andy W.
The food is a-ok, but the few stars are for somewhat inattentive seating. Even when the place is not very busy, it takes a long-ish while to get seated. If you go there alone, make a point to request a seat in the bright light if that makes you happy. Lunch has been consistently good, the greens fresh and not overdressed, the flavor of other items solid. Service at the table has been friendly and responsive.
(4)Nektaria R.
So we were looking to get some coffee. Starbucks just wouldn't do... Selmarie came to mind and to find, they will Satisfy my sweet tooth too! I've been here before but it was on a date with some guy I met on in the Reader, yea, it was the one and only date I went on with anyone from the paper... we both couldn't wait to get out of there so... not so fond experience with Selmarie so I was really happy to visit again after many years and find that they're pretty cool. We arrived around 7 or so on a Tuesday night. It wasn't too packed, and we found Lincoln Square parking relatively easy (yes, it was a first). We were cheerfully greeted although we were lingering around the pastry case, we kind of looked like people coming in to take goodies home with us. No, no, we'd like to sit down I said. Right away the hostess said. She seated us by the kitchen/exit to the yard even though there were plenty of open tables, I think it was because it seemed like a lower traffic area for my handicap mom. Whatever, it worked even though we would get a little draft each time the door opened (which was very often). It's OK, it was high 60s tonight so it wasn't too bad. We each ordered a coffee drink and a pastry. The Banana Eclair, the Kahlua Cake and the Flourless Chocolate Cake. All were very delish! The eclair was definitely banana infused. I really couldn't say that about the Kahlua though, I could hardly taste the alcohol or flavoring, it was good, just chocolaty. The flourless was very dense but a little on the dry side, still very good. My latte was good, hope it doesn't keep me up all night with 2 shots of espresso. All in all, Selmarie was a good experience and I'd like to come back again for dinner or lunch. They had a tilapia dish for $17.50 which is not bad at all. Nice staff, decent prices, great atmosphere. See 'ya soon.
(3)Emily S.
We love to go here for brunch, especially on a summer morning when the patio is bustling. Selmarie offers all that we love about Chicago brunch: a cozy neighborhood setting, lively and friendly atmosphere, and tasty, unfussy food. A good spot to take visiting parents or old college friends--we've done both, and both raved. My java-jonesing mom loves their Intelligentsia blend so much I've taken to feeding her addiction with regular one-pound whole bean shipments. We've been known to order the chilaquiles casserole, croissant sandwich, and breakfast burrito for brunch, the ravioli for dinner, and a slice of cake and coffee in between. All delish. Selmarie also did our wedding cake, a delectable chocolate-glazed white chocolate raspberry cheesecake torte that sounds like too much but definitely wasn't. Our guests gushed over the yum factor, and the presentation--three square chocolate-covered tiers accented with marzipan fall leaves--was beautiful. Birgit took her time during our consultation, offering full-size pieces of her most popular selections and describing the care taken in crafting each signature recipe. The best part? We can go back to Selmarie and order a slice whenever we like, reliving our celebration anytime.
(4)Sarah C.
I have only had breakfest and Sunday brunch here. The food was fantastic. The granola with yogert and fresh fruit is my favorite. However, the service is horrible. Everytime I have gone here early before they are busy, I usually sit for 15 mins waiting to order and another 15 mins to pay. The whole time watching the servers stand around and talk... Be warned.
(4)Liza M.
Love it, love it, love it. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. That's how much I love it. The chilaquiles are divine. The first time I went here with Marta, she ordered the chilaquiles and I tried it and I realized I would have to come back and get some of that for myself. And that's just what I did soon after. They also have wonderful mimosas, my favorite drink. I had a bloody mary once and that was also really good but I could only drink half of it. I just really like the decor and the atmosphere, there is a bakery in the front where everything looks really tasty too, but everytime I leave I'm too full to try anything else. I've never been for dinner, but I can't imagine it could be better than the brunch...it's just a lovely, sunny brunch place. Dinner wouldn't seem quite right. But I'm willing to give it a try. The prices are reasonable and the waitstaff is very friendly and accommodating. Well done, Cafe Selmarie! Another reason why I want to move to Lincoln Square.
(5)Mike G.
great location right on the square. good for people watching, enjoying the outsideness, and listening to the music that randomly appears here. Lincoln Square has to be Chicago's most European 'hood. Cafe Selmarie adds to that by being a great little American cafe influences by Euro style treatment. The food is solid. Nothing here is going to amaze you on the creativity spectrum--but it all tastes good. The portions are perfect too--no behemoth style servings. We didn't do dessert. It looks like a great spot to grab some baked goods and coffee though to enjoy while lingering in the square.
(4)Katarina X.
The clientele is certainly women of a certain age, but the service and the food can't be beat! Before we brought my boyfriend's mother in, I discreetly told the hostess that she was bordering on senile and can at times be very, very rude by no fault of the service. The staff was very understanding. When the server (Bryan, Brian?) brought a wide selection of tea for boyfriend's mother to choose from- she just about bit his head off shouting "Why don't you understand I want tea, just PLAIN tea!" He kept his cool, smiled and came back with "plain tea". When she started packing rolls in her purse, he kindly asked if she would require a to-go box. He also calmly explained the food ingredients and preparation processes to her, which is more than what I am capable of, and believe me, I was so grateful I paid him $50.00 extra, cash, on top of his tip. Can I take him home? Now every time she visits, she wants to come here... and thanks to the service, I am looking forward to it as well!
(5)Luciana B.
Adorable little cafe in adorable little Lincoln Square (quickly becoming my favorite of Chicago's neighborhoods). The service was quick and friendly (and funny, if I might add) and so very understanding considering the size of our group. The menu has all sorts of tempting choices and all of it was absolutely delicious. The server was VERY patient about separating our checks, as tedious as that must be. Which is always the sign of an amazing restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Decor is lovely. Atmosphere is relaxing. A must-eat indeed!
(5)Erika G.
Outdoor lunch on a summer Saturday does not get any better than this. A chopped salad, any of their soups and a glass of du vin rouge and I'm happy people watching for hours.
(4)Kevin C.
This is one of our favorite brunch places. If you're in a rush to get seated or get to your next appointment after your meal, you've come to the wrong place. This cafe is more in the traditional European style, more relaxed and laid back. The menu items are always tasty and well prepared. The coffee is excellent and the pace inside kind of leisurely...the patio is great in the summer. It is sometimes difficult to get seated at peak times (brunch on the weekends), we've had waits of up to 45 minutes before. We are usually there when they open or we don't go until late lunch. We've been probably 20x or more and each time has been great. I kind of wish it were bigger (so seating would be less of a problem) but then it would lose some of it's charm. Whenever we have guests in town this is one of our top 5 places to take them for a meal. Highly recommended
(4)Ginny B.
This place has caused me to gain 20 or 30 pounds. I suffer in silence and with a big smile.
(5)Kate Z.
They told us the wait would be 20 minutes, but it was actually 50 (there were 3 of us on a Sunday morning). Our server was Traci and things were fine until we were ready to pay the bill. She had not offered to split the checks at the beginning of our order, and was very quick to get us our food, which was great. However, when I wanted her to just take my three things and put them on my card, she ripped the bill fold out of my hand and said, "So you just want separate checks, FINE." and stormed off. We were so shocked. When she returned, she told us that if we wanted separate checks, we should tell her in the beginning. I totally get that- I was a server too. But if it's such a hassle to split the check, ask at the beginning. It's not hard to do and saves a lot of time. It's not my responsibility, as the customer, to know how difficult or easy your bill splitting process is. After that, we went home and hours later, both my friend and I (we both got the same meal) were VERY sick. When I called the cafe today to tell them, their number was disconnected. I sent an email and I am waiting to hear back. UPDATE: I received a follow up call from the General Manager at Cafe Selmarie the same day I called and posted this review, and she was very nice and apologetic about my experience, and offered a gift certificate. It sounds like they did research to find out what could have made my friend and I sick, but didn't find anything. She also said that they did not get any other reports and sold 32 dishes that day (although, most people don't make the connection- I only did because my friend and I both had the same symptoms and ate the same dish). Additionally, she promised to talk to the server about her treatment. Overall, I am happy that she called and have changed my rating to 3 stars because we did have an enjoyable time while we were eating and she did make an effort to resolve things with me. She cares very much about the Cafe and how it is perceived, which is awesome.
(3)Amanda G.
I really liked this place! The atmosphere was bright and sunny and the food was really good. We did have to wait awhile for seating but occupied our time admiring the beautiful desserts in the display case by the front door! My only complaint was the disorder at the cashier. We tried to get in some semblance of a line but eventually had to push our way to the front just to pay the bill. Still, I would definitely go back.
(4)Natasia O.
I especially love this place on weekdays for lunch. I always seem to find myself wondering over there on rainy days like today for a fantastic cup of coffee. They have great sandwiches, a wonderful atmosphere, and I love to go by myself with a book and slowly enjoy my lunch solo.
(4)Nellie T.
I've bene going to Selmarie for about 3 years now and I love it as much today as I did when I first came here. They serve intelligensia coffee which I love and make pasteries and granola that is just oh so freakin good. The prices are average for any foofoo breakfast that you'll get in Chicago. Their menu isn't huge (just about a one pager), but everything I've had is great. Their house potatoes are perfectly cooked: crisp and favorful. The boyfriend always gets their breakfast burrito. They don't put enough sauce for his liking, but will give you more if you ask. I usually get their omelette special. There use to not be a wait when I first started coming here, but like all other things.... word has gotten out and there is usually a wait. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in for brunch. Don't forget to leave room for a treat to bring home. I highly recommend the Palmiers!
(4)Christina S.
Goodness gracious! This is the kind of cafe that can make a neighborhood a destination, and it looks like Cafe Selmarie has done just that for Lincoln Square. I recently had lunch here for the first time, and I was back for brunch the next morning, it was that good. The wait can verge on ridiculous, but if you call ahead, they'll add your name to the list. I recommend that strategy. I also recommend the croque monsieur. :)
(5)Anna R.
Brunch at Sel Marie is one of my favorite places to go too! My top three dishes are: Brioche French Toast with berries and mascapone, Crab Benedict, and my absolute favorite is the Chiliquilles! It gets very busy on the weekends so I recommend to get there early. But if you have to wait, they have a great pastries, cookies, and bakery items to nibble on while you wait :)
(5)George R.
Trust them for delicious croissants and the other fine French-style baked goods, but don't bother staying for breakfast. I've seen the place overflowing on weekends with crowds loitering outside, but why? Get a croissant or a brioche and maybe a coffee and take it elsewhere. Take it for a walk. This place often is crawling with bratty kids and stroller-toting parents, especially on nice mornings. To me, no matter how concientious, kids always make a place grungier because they can't sit still and most parents can't keep up with their destruction. Lovely idea, but beware. Go at an off hour and see what you think.
(3)Ade Z.
i really like selmarie. but dont stay. grab things to go and enjoy in your apt with your dog ( or bf). they have awesome cakes..they are great for last minute bday dinners that you need to take a dessert to. or even for company gatherings a SURE hit! I have only been here for dessert and have yet to try their menu of actual food. I cant wait..i will be going this weekend! BUT... like i said earlier dont stay and eat- grab and go. They are really busy here- the service is like the service of a bakery ( can i help you?.... chocalte or vanilla... that will be 20.20....NEXT.) so don expect to be treated royal...if you want that treatment go to the italian resturant down the street or even Garcia's :) in any case, thier treats are KICKASS! coffee- ok service- eh? parking- its the L square- nuff said ambiance- LOUD!!@#$@#%
(4)Robert F.
Its a restaraunt! No, no... its a bistro! No... its a coffee shop! Nuh uh! Its a bakery! Well... its all of those things actually. Until recently I had my doubts that a place could be so many things at once and pull any of them off credibly. But we had family down for a visit and the sweet tooths won the day. Ok, a word on sweets. Forget sweet tooth. This place is for sweet FANGS. The big razor sharp predatory ones good only for tearing flesh from bone. Except its sweets. But it will still give you that satisfied feeling I imagine the sabertooth tiger had when it sank those mouth daggers into the side of a gazelle... with lemon filling and a powdered sugar top. Of course, for you nonpredatory types, Cafe Selmarie is an excellent grazeland as well. It doesn't get any more Lincoln Square than actually being in the SQUARE part. In the middle of summer, with the fountain just a few feet away, you can graze to your hearts content on bistro deliciousness and watch the local wildlife. Just stay out of my way when I'm hunting for lemon bars.
(4)Kristen S.
I love Cafe Selmarie for brunch or dinner - everything served here is clean and delicious. They serve Intelligentsia coffee and you cannot go wrong with that as well. This place is pretty busy on the weekends, so we did have to wait a bit, but it was nothing annoying. I had an omelet and a hot chocolate. So amazing. They were attentive to my gluten intolerance and I did not get sick. Awesome! Also came here for dinner once and had the caesar salad with grilled salmon. It was cooked to perfection - I didn't expect this from a little cafe. Highly recommended!!! It's a tiny restaurant so I recommend it for small groups or couples. During the warmer weather you can eat outside which is great for families. My husband has enjoyed the baked goods here although I cannot speak to them :)
(4)Minna A.
I love Lincoln Square! and the heart of it all is Cafe Selmarie. I came here for brunch. We shared the quiche and the salmon club. I only have one word to say about Cafe Selmarie: drooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllll
(5)Shana M.
I had a great experience here on one of those nose hair freezing days a few weeks ago. The place was packed, around 11am on a Sunday, so my friend and I had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table, but we didn't mind. I salivated over all the goodies in the pastry case, and even snapped a few pictures (new digital camera = pictures of EVERYTHING). Our server was cute (no, I don't factor attractiveness into the stars! it's just a worthwhile perk.), attentive and calm even though she had customers jammed in all corners. They had spiced rum apple cider on special, which was perfect for warming me up inside and out. Also on special was corn beef hash with poached eggs. WOW was that ever good. The corn beef was shredded and had a smoked flavor to it. It had a firmness that was appealing without being too dry. The potatoes were diced small and perfectly soft without being mushy and the poached eggs were perfect. They charge your for the toast, so be aware of that. Lovely place. I can't believe I didn't get any pastries. Guess I'll be going back!
(4)Emily Y.
Yes, it's a great location, and yes, the servers and atmosphere are lovely, but the food here is so "meh" that I don't understand why there is always such a crowd. Maybe people just haven't been to M.Henry or Over Easy (two of many brunch spots that trump Selmarie any day). On my second visit, I had an omlette with asparagus and prosciutto and fontina -- in theory sounds delicious -- that totally flopped. The asparagus had not been sauteed or cooked at all before entering the omlette, so the whole thing tasted a bit like raw asparagus. Despite the saltiness of the prosciutto, the omlette fell flat. Not much flavor there at all. The breakfast potatoes look and taste like the Ore-ida variety from Jewel. The toast was decent but it's toast...not much to screw up there. My second visit confirmed my feelings about this place. I just don't see how a mediocre pricey brunch place like this can survive in Chicago when their food isn't any better than diner fare.
(2)Jade R.
not good, I stopped in there for lunch and ordered the grilled roasted vegetable sandwich on sourdough and it was absolutely horrible the bread and vegetables tasted like burnt marshmellow. I think the grill must have been very dirty, i dont know what grill they are using but the bread and vegetables were charred which they are supposed to be but the char on the vegetables tasted horrible. my whole sandwich tasted like burnt marshmellow. very unsatisfying. but my boyfriend got the chicken pot pie which was pretty good.. a little small. stay away from the grilled vegetables. unless they cleaned thier grill
(2)Carolynne M.
I have been here on a few occasions, mostly to grab a coffee or some little bun-bun. Saturday was the first time I was here to eat in-house. The service was great, and the coffee was great - heck even my side of toast was great. But my bowl of chicken tortilla soup was intensely disappointing. It was loaded with big pieces of chicken and hominy, but yet it was just so bland. I was debating whether or not to dump hot sauce into it a few times. Also, for a dish called "Chicken TORTILLA" soup, I don't think one tiny, limp shred of tortilla hidden at the bottom of the bowl counts. Andy M's entree looked like the better dish, with a big fluffy eggy omelet, a nice green side salad, and some toast. I cant be too hard on the Cafe since like I said, most of the little things I have had in the past were great. I guess I need to come back and try something different next time.
(3)Nuna D.
I just tried the bakery but I loved it! It was just what I was looking for , a nice place with beautiful desserts that I can take my kids to for a treat. The first time we went we just bought some treats and the kiddos had them while playing in the square. After that experience my 4 year old told me one morning that she dreamed about the cafe with all the beautiful cakes. So after her preschool graduation we went there with one of her friends to celebrate . The children had cupcakes and butterfly cookies , I had lemon cheesecake. The cheesecake was good. But the lemon was kinda iffy. Not fresh squeezed lemon . I love the European cafe atmosphere , and the fact that its on the square just makes you feel like you were transported to a cafe on the old continent. I heard they serve a great breakfast.
(4)Tory w.
I have been to Selmarie many, many times, as far back as 1999, but have never been there as a yelper until last week. I adore Selmarie. Every single thing I have ever ordered here has been good. No, not good. Excellent. I have had the quiche, mac and cheese, croque monsieur, different soups, veggie chili, goat cheese, turkey and brie sandwich, and many, many pastries, and I love everything. I would even go so far as to say that the croque monsieur and the quiche are the best I've had outside of France. The staff is friendly as well, and the coffee drinks are yummy. It's a great atmosphere whether you are outside in the square on a warm day or inside in the cozy restaurant on a winter day. It's reasonably priced as well. Magnifique!
(5)Andy M.
Our Saturday morning visit came by accident. Carolynne r. and I had other plans that fell through. I all of a sudden had a major hankering for Breakfast. Cafe Selmarie is a bakery and restaurant all wrapped up into one place. The Bakery items looked and smelled wonderful. This make my hunger grow more intense. We first started off with Coffee which was quite unique and tasty. It had a bit of a kick to it, which I desperately needed. My Denver Omelet was pretty good, but it was nothing that awed me. Our server did a nice job keeping the coffee flowing and getting us whatever we needed. It was a mixed crowd of elders, families and the typical Yuppsters that you would expect from Lincoln Square. It was a nice experience, and I would go back for the Coffee alone if I'm in the area. The bottom line is that Cafe Selmarie gave me the coffee and sustenance that I desperately needed, and I give it two thumbs up.
(4)Adri M.
When I'm cold, tired and hungry before teaching in Lincoln Square, the spinach and feta croissant and a mug of hot coffee from Café Selmarie hits the spot. Om nom nom. Had a quiche here too, but the dining room is kind of noisy. Cappuccinos are excellent!
(4)Stacy F.
I'm a fan. The crepe starter is delicious, as is the mushroom ravioli (I choose to ignore the fat content in that one). I hesitate to mention the almond croissants and their awesomeness, because then they will sell out even faster than they already do.
(5)Lyn L.
Went here over the weekend. It gets crowded, but they have lots of yummy desserts! I guess you have to go here during the weekdays, if you want to bring a group of friends. But overall nice decent place to go.
(3)D C.
I'm salivating just thinking about how "delishioso" their french toast was the other day! YUM.... I tend to walk by this cafe daily and have been here before with friends for coffee and cake. (banana chocolate torte is one of my favorites) But anyway, back to the french toast... best french toast I've EVER had, its topped with an orange cream and fresh fruit. I tried ordering today but it was too late for breakfast (sad moment). I will order tomorrow, (that the plan)... well if you're in the square and in need of a cookie or breakfast try Selmarie.... you wont be disappointed! ( little pricey but so worth it)
(5)John C.
It's Sunday, 1:30pm, 70 degrees and sunny. ALL of Chicago is enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine as they stroll throughout the city and wonder, "Is spring really here?" Surprisingly, or maybe because it's fairly late to be seated for brunch, there is little to no wait and we get seated immediately. Is there a better feeling than to watch plate after plate of food delivered to the neighboring tables and think, "OMG that's what I'm ordering." Cafe Selmarie is one of those restaurants, however, where you'll face a dilemma. You cannot order everything, and each entree that is delivered seems to be better than the last. I won't bore you with the entire menu, as you can certainly read it as well as I, but we went with two entrees. They were both mouthwatering and delicious, but we agreed that the chilaquiles casserole beat out the brioche french toast by the slightest of margins. Unlike a number of reviews I read, we found the service to be absolutely top notch. Attentive without being bothersome, our waiter knew the menu inside out and guided us through our choices without inserting his favorite and simply making it ours. I'll be back repeatedly until i've tried everything on the menu
(5)David G.
I always walk past this place when I'm on my way to Open Books or Huettenbar, and from the window I could always spot some items in the bakery case and I have to debate with myself whether or not I should go in. I finally did go in when my sister and I were trying to find a place to eat at noon on Saturday and we ended up going to Cafe Selmarie for brunch. It was a bit of a wait. They said 30 minutes but it actually ended up being about 20, but that's to be expected for a Saturday morning brunch, especially when the outdoor seating is closed due to rain. No big deal, other than there wasn't a lot of waiting space. There was bar-type seating in the bakery area, but I didn't want to take away from the people who were actually using them to eat. I ordered the quiche and it was fantastic. The service was quick and the hostess, waiter and the guy working at the bakery were very friendly. I didn't want to leave without trying something from the bakery, but I realized I was out of cash. Have no fear! They take credit cards! I bought a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate frosting that I ate later in the day and it was delicious. Just about everything in the bakery looked good. I plan on going back to eventually try everything!
(4)Moby J.
Decent - definitely dont understand the high regard many people have for this place. The pot-pies are delicious - rest of lunch menu good too. The bakery is a huge disappointment.
(2)Laura R.
Anytime my fiancé and I can't decide where to go to eat, we go to Selmarie. It never disappoints. Everything I've ever tried has been delicious, from salads to soups to entrees. And of course you can't leave without trying some of those amazing cookies! They also have some cute outdoor seating during the summer.
(5)Katie C.
When deciding on a nice neighborhood place to take some out of town friends and their parents for lunch, I immediately thought of Cafe Selmarie...and promptly led the way. Tucked away on the quaint little part of Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Square, I always thought their bakery would way overwhelm the food--ohhh you fantastical looking raspberry tarts, I long to have you between my lips...bad girl! But in this case, our lunch made us forget about all the goodies awaiting us up front. The menu for lunch was a lot bigger that I thought it'd be--and SO many things sounded scrumptious! The smoked turkey and brie sandwich, the Croque Monsieur (I'm coming back for you!), the quesadillas, mac n' cheese...insert moaning sound here. Finally I decided on the chopped salad after begging myself to choose "healthy": a mighty fine pile o' chopped butter lettuce, bacon, avocado, red onion, tomato, grilled chicken, blue cheese, hard boiled egg, aged sherry vinegar dressing...ohhhh I would eat that every day. Our server was really sweet and very attentive, and we never went without anything our party of 6 needed. That Croque Monsieur is calling my name from across the plains. Looking forward to hanging out on their patio when the real spring comes!
(5)Sandra C.
Love the ambiance and the pastries. The owners are great and everyone is very well trained. Customer service is excellent too!
(5)JJ S.
Food is always tasty, waitstaff friendly, pastries as heavenly as ever. The location is so cute and has a cobblestone courtyard next to it. When they are busy in the summer, it makes for a nice place to hang with your family while waiting for brunch. Gets crowded on the weekends so be prepared for a wait. Only real issue is the bathroom could be more clean and then I would feel more comfortable changing my baby's diaper there.
(4)Temi C.
Cafe Selmarie is a quaint & cozy brunch spot. I love the bakery in front of the dining area. There's one dish here that you must absolutely try! If you like braised short ribs, osso bucco, or any other kind of tender meat you'll love it. It's the corned beef hash. Yes, I said corned beef hash. I think the rest of the breakfast fare is just ok, but this is the dish that brings us. Prior to Cafe Selmarie, my corned beef hash dishes most likely came right out of a can. There's none of that here. They slow cook the corned beef so you can pull it apart with your fork. I never thought I'd use these words together, but the corned beef hash is quite classy here.
(4)Luci D.
Average. Decent little wine list, I enjoyed my salmon club and bubbly. My friend and I split the Oreo cheesecake, and agreed it was kept a bit too cold. Very dense. Friendly server, clean, bright atmosphere. Slight wait (10 mins) at 1 on a weekday. We were encouraged by our server to take our time (LOVE). Busboys kept water filled. Will return.
(3)Liz K.
I thought this place had some fairly decent brunch food, but there wasn't a huge variety. The bakery itself is amazing and makes going there worth it. I had an apricot kolachky while I waited, and unlike most kolachky, it wasn't annoyingly dry. Unfortunately, there is very little waiting room and they seem to have a lot of young families there, meaning, yes, there will be strollers and screaming kids. All in all, not bad, but there are definitely better places for brunch in Chicago.
(4)Scott H.
Great brunch spot if you have out-of-towners with you and are looking for a spot where you can sit outside, have a good meal, and enjoy great coffee. Also, a great bakery in of itself. My only knock on this place is if you come here a couple of times, the menu gets extremely boring since it's limited and nothing is "amazing." It's good...but nothing that will make you say "I love this place and need to come back here again soon." Be prepared for a long wait anytime after 10:30am on weekends too. One last comment....if they ever feature the Chicken Salad Sandwich on the specials menu, definitely get it. It's awesome. Probably the best thing I've had here, despite often coming here for breakfast/brunch.
(3)Sarah M.
I think this place is very overrated. There, I said it. Full disclosure: I've never had a sit-down meal there - I've only ever had items from the front bakery case. Having said that... I don't think it's anything too special. The desserts are expensive, and so rich that it's hard to enjoy them because you know you'll feel ill after eating only half of one. You also risk being run into by some yuppie with a stroller on your way out the door, which is enough to keep me away. I would recommend that you head over to the Swedish Bakery instead... reasonable prices, and tasty food that will remind you of eating pastries and drinking coffee with the grown-ups back when you were a kid.
(3)Elaina B.
The food here is great! And not only that, the service is superior. I've had a few brunches here and everything is always pipping hot and tasty to boot. I highly recommend the brioche french toast and the eggs benedict. The servers are always kind and courteous and I never had to wait on a warm up of coffee. Not in the mood for brunch, well they have lunch and dinner as well. Also, their pastries are in a league of their own. They're a great pick-me-up treat on the way to and from work. Another fantastic thing is that, unlike most places, my friends and I have never had to wait for a seat. I definitely think this place deserves a 5 star rating. It really hits the spot in more ways than one.
(5)jen t.
I like cafe selmarie a lot. The food is good and they offer a lot of vegetarian options. It's a quaint space so not the best on the traditional sunday morning which would be the best time to go. It gets really crowded. Especially with the families. Opt for lunch or dinner and see why it's truly special. They also have a pastry shop in front of the restaurant with lots of treats to choose from.
(4)Allie J.
Bakery- amazing. I've been coming here for years and never disappointed. From their fruit tartes to their lemon-rosemary cookies you really can't go wrong. The restaurant- ufff. The food is good. However the service is just awful. This is definitley one of those places where you wish your entire tip could go to the bus boy rather than the server. The bus boys were fantastic. After we were seated about 10 minutes went by before the waitress appeared at our table. The only thing she did the entire time we were there was take our order. My husband ordered and bloody mary which did not taste right. Not once did she ask how the food was. At the end of the meal she dropped off the bill and ran. Bloody mary still full. It took asking the hostess to get her back and explain that the drink did not taste right. Lack of attentiveness was a real drag. Moral of the story is go for the bakery and coffee, take it to go, and sit in the square in the sun and enjoy it.
(4)Leslie R.
Yelpers you've helped me out. This is one of my new favorite restaurants in Chicago. In the adorable area of Lincoln Square, Cafe Selmarie is an amazing little cafe that deserves a visit at LEAST once. My boyfriend and I went on Good Friday for brunch, and it was pretty busy. The wait was 20 minutes, but we walked around the square and came back with only a short wait remaining. The wait was completely worth it. To start, we got a cup of vegetarian chili and sweet potato wedges. I love me some sweet potatoes, and these were top notch. They were so soft, but still held up enough to be able to pick up with a fork. The dipping sauce for the sweet potatoes was amazing, the best dip I've ever had. The vegetarian chili was great as well - especially since it came with a ton of melted cheese on top! The chili also came with a giant chunk of cornbread, which was also amazing! As though I wasn't already completely in heaven, we went on to the main course. My boyfriend had a the smoked turkey and Brie sandwich and loved it - especially the apple accents. I got the roasted vegetable stack and was blown away. As a vegetarian, I've come to detest roasted vegetable sandwiches, as they all sort of blend together and get so bland. The stack was a revelation! The goat cheese complimented the portabello perfectly. The layout is not meant to support large groups or crazy busy days, but the wait you might have to endure is completely worth it.
(5)Sara B.
Ok, so let me say that a three star rating seemed a little harsh. I'd say I though this place was above average, but the the portion for price ratio had me questioning whether I thought it was 4 star place. Make no mistake, I know Americans (mid westerners in particular) eat too much, but the comparative value of food seemed pretty low here. I had a delicious salad with a portion of chicken added to it. The salad was $8 (seems to be the going rate) and adding about half of a chicken breast was $3 (slightly higher than the going rate). What came out was a tiny bed of spinach with a generous portion of cheese and salad accoutrement. My friends' plates, though well presented, also looked a little bare. All of that's fine, and I don't mean to suggest the place is SUPER pricey, because it is not. I just felt like for the price AND quality, it was maybe a little disappointing. Not disappointing were the baked goods. I had a layered banana and dark chocolate cake. Wow. Check this place out if you're in Lincoln Square, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
(4)Neha S.
I wavered between three and four stars for this place, but I went with the higher rating because they have great brunch and pastries. I would give their dinner a 3 star rating because I think it's a little overpriced and overhyped for what you get. I got a special appetizer, scallops with risotto. The scallops were a little small, and the risotto was too rich. The spinach salad was decent, but lacking in much other than the brie it came with, which was the best brie I've ever had. On the other hand, definitely come here for dessert or a pastry snack...probably anything sweet is their specialty. It could be a great European hideaway in Chicago if they got rid of the restaurant in back, and stuck with the front shop.
(4)Maureen M.
After a disappointing brunch last spring, I had my doubts about dinner at Cafe Selmarie but I was blown away by the quality of the food, the creativity on the menu, and the attentiveness of the staff. Appetizers are small plates, many served with a tiny side of lightly dressed salad greens. Baken goat cheese with grilled bread is rich and creamy, the pastry crust filled with vegetables was more like brioche but loaded with artichokes and other goodies but the creme de la creme was the seafood filled crepe served with slivered mushrooms with a rish reduction sauce. A most amazing dish. It seems that Cafe Selmarie's kitchen works some special magic with mushrooms as its mushroom filled ravioli were almost light enough to float off the place and full of flavor, the filet of beef was small but tender, flavorfull and served quite artfully on a circle of polenta. The parmesan mashed potatoes are presented with a bit of red skin and the delightful salty tang of cheese. Salads, pot pie and roasted chicken round out the menu. The beer and wine menu is short and artisan but has something for every taste. Desserts come from the pastry case in front and change from moment to moment. Tiny cookies, wedges of cake, a surprisingly light cheesecake with a layer of cherries baked in the bottom and just a hint of lemon, artfully decorated lemon and chocolate tarts, eclairs There are cupcakes and sugar sanded cookies, too.. The after dinner coffee is served in a hefty mug and is deep and strong enough to stand up to a sweet dessert. The service was helpful and attentive and the dining room, which includes a small room off to the side, is quiet and well lit and great for a group or a romantic dinner for two.
(4)Sandy T.
Went for lunch and ordered the chopped salad..Menu said it had chicken on it..well there were teenie bites of chicken mixed in to the salad. I was disappointed. I was expecting to have at least some bigger bites of chicken. Made it seem like there wasn't any chicken in the salad! The portion of the salad was disappointing as well. I think for the price the portion should be larger. I wasn't full after at all. The fruit tart for dessert was delicious..Perhaps from now on I will just go for dessert.. Also it is very loud- maybe because it is a small space but it was difficult to talk to my friend.
(2)Alex M.
If you want a taste of the European life, that carefree moment of a good cup of coffee, sitting outdoors in the square, and just forgetting about the crazed world of the 9 to 5, Selmarie is your mini-vacation to Europe. I think the biggest strengths of this place is their location, seating, and homemade desserts. Many a time I've stopped there to get something sweet for my family before heading to a family dinner at the parent's home. I also just liked taking it easy there with friends over coffee in the outdoor patio, a welcome thing when the weather is nice in Chicago. I think the only downer I have with Selmarie is that I wish it would stay open later. I like European cafes who stay open late night as a welcome alternative to bars. Even in Europe cafes of this nature stay open late, and it's a shame Selmarie doesn't follow suit. I personally think there is a big enough clientele in the area that would welcome a late night at Selmarie.
(4)Catherine C.
HANDS DOWN, FAVORITE RESTAURANT! ive been going here for about 10 years and its always amazing. the staff is very friendly and professional. but enough about the staff lets talk about food!! holy crap can we say phenomenal? YES WE CAN. my favorite dish and what i get there 100% of the time is their chicken pot pie. it will blow your mind. they also have great hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream. The ambiance is great as well is small, cute, and chic. not to mention they have different art work on the wall that you can purchase. okay now lets talk pastries. AHHHHH you can not go wrong with anything you choose. the mocha buttercream cake and the white chocolate raspberry cake are master pieces of culinary heaven. The portions arent huge which kind of sucks but you will leave satisfied!
(5)Craig N.
I come here for my daily dose of caffeine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts are amazing. It almost seems that the cafe is the center of Lincoln Square activities due to it's location.
(5)Jessie B.
This place is cute. It reminded me a lot of Barcelona. Love the fact they are next to "The Square". You can listen to fun little bands playing on Thursday night while eating your yummy meal. Had the risotto special. Shit take mushrooms, zucchini, walnuts, and white truffle oil. Yum-o. I'd order you again. Also had some of the chopped salad. It was good. I just love this place because of the scenery. Honestly, I can't wait to come here during the autumn. I can picture it now.
(4)Judy R.
To clarify, the four stars are for the take-out bakery. If you're eating in, I'd give it 2-1/2. I love the bakery here. For what you get, the prices are fair, especially the breakfast breads, cupcakes and cookies. Coffee's good, too. Before the Grind opened, I got my local Intelligentsia fix here. Eating in is another story. Yes, Selmarie is wildly popular - that's part of the problem. During breakfast/brunch, the stroller set is almost out of control. (I'm not alone - they can drive the servers nuts as well.) The real problem, though, is that the breakfast just doesn't quite measure up. It's perfectly decent but not worth the hassle of the crowd. The omelets are okay but I make better toast/potatoes at home. You're better off getting coffee with a brioche bun or croissant to go.
(4)Jason H.
Selmarie for me is really disappointing because they are on the verge of greatness but never seem to get there. I've been coming there on and off for nearly 10 years now and I think it's about time I share some of my thoughts. Starting off with the positive... - The pastries and cakes are amazing, they just are. I can't say a lot more than others because I'm not a sweets kinda guy so I don't really consider myself an expert in this arena as I so rarely partake. - The ingredients are always fresh and I really give them a lot of credit for that. Everything I've eaten there always felt fresh and was well done. On the negative side... - The service blows, it just does, there is no way getting around it. They either have one or two servers for 20 tables (management's fault) or your server will be hanging out in back doing god know's what (you can see them from the side view) why you wait forever. Despite this I visit Selmarie about twice a year but it is the one place where I just hand the server my card and say "run it" because I hate asking for my check and then waiting 20 minutes for it and another 10 to get it back. - Their portions suck. To be fair it never used to be this way, I think they feel like they are all fancy now since they have some Lincoln Square cred and the neighborhood is all up and coming. Now I'm a little guy and I don't eat much to begin with but I actually laughed when they brought our appetizers the other day. We ordered the goat cheese and lobster crêpes. It was a joke! They brought out a crêpe about the size of a small cigar for 4 people. Now I realize sometimes food is just small but when you order that your server should inform you. Besides, who wants to pay that much money for something that was just okay. It was like $2 a bite. Anyway, at the end of the day Selmarie makes good fresh food but their service blows and they have an over-inflated view of themselves. Okay... one last bitch (call me a dick), could you please turn down the damn lights in there? I feel like the sun is puking all over me. If I wanted that much light on me I'd go to a tanning salon.
(3)Betty L.
Oh, I WANT so badly to love Cafe Selmarie. I love the idea of it, just like my high school boyfriend. Their dessert exposition is so appealing to the eyes, the location is appealing and comfortable, and it just sounds like a cool place to visit. I like their roasted potatoes (breakfast menu- but you must get there at 10:59 am to order them. You can get there at 10:59 am and sit there until 11:30 am when you order and still get them. But DO NOT sit down at 11:02 am and even attempt to make such an order! The people next to you who did the right thing and sat down before 11:00 am will get their breakfast, but none for you sinners who have slept in due to late nights of debauchery). Their desserts are just..... meh. They look soooo beautiful, and have very fancy names, but for all of the times I have tried the various cookies, cakes, rum balls and such, I have been disappointed. The cake is dry, the fancy balls are tasteless.... meh. The food is mediocre and extremely overpriced. The menu is more limited than it is overpriced. The servers are pleasant and the ambiance is comfortable. Beware of Lincoln Square, however, and the 2.1 kids per woman.
(2)Catherine M.
2.5 stars... In a word: BLAH. Seriously. I love Selmarie's treats and location. I live in Lincoln Square and anytime I go out to dinner in the hood I'll opt to skip dessert at the restaurant I'm dining at to head over for a nice treat and cup of coffee at Selmarie. So... for their treats, yes, delicious- I give them 4 stars. BUT... and what a bummer this is... my husband and I had dinner here on Friday night and it was so BORING. The food was one of the most lackluster meals I've ever had and not to mention that the portions were pretty small considering they charge a lot for the entrees. I got the Jerk Chicken entree and it was about $17. When they brought it out, it was one, small, Amish chicken breast. I can't help but compare it to Lula Cafe where their chicken entree comes with more than you can finish meat and is much less in price. My husband got the tilapia and the next morning he had some serious stomach cramps that he attributed to his meal. I've had dinner here once before, don't really remember it all that well- I think it was fine, but again- when a meal doesn't stand out, not usually a good thing. I've also had brunch here once- but my fear of pigeons took over as we were outside and they were totally invading my personal space. Here's the star breakdown: Dinner: 1 star Treats: 4 stars Service: 3 stars TOTAL: 2.5 stars
(2)Jennifer B.
A fantastic spot for brunch in Lincoln Square. The baked goods are heavenly!
(5)Erica T.
I can't believe I haven't written a review about this place yet. This is one of my favorite places in the city, and if someone is feeling adventurous enough to trek up north towards my 'hood to hang out with me, I try to take them here. I have an obsession with baked goods, and this place takes the cake. Literally. I love their tortes, especially the Sacher torte and the white chocolate raspberry torte. But I think my favorite cake is the tres leches cake, which I've only seen there on Sundays. They also have a large selection of other baked goods, including cookies (my faves are the raspberry hearts), tarts, breads, chocolates, etc. I don't think I've ever had anything from the bakery that I didn't like. The restaurant food is not as stellar as the baked goods, I have found, but it's still pretty good. The menu is not very extensive, and the food is more delicate than hearty, but the worst I've had was a dry turkey/brie/apple sandwich. Other than that everything else has been pretty satisfactory. ***Edit*** I just found out that they offer tres leches cake on weekdays now! Also, I just had the passionfruit mousse and it was absolutely delish (if you like tropical passionfruit-flavored stuff...)!
(5)Kelsie L.
This is a great place. Delicious desserts and their brunch is great. I've never had bad service, even when I'm just there for coffee. Outdoor seating is great. I've never had to wait longer than 30 minutes for a table! I love bringing friends from out of town to cafe selmarie.
(4)Hayley H.
Yum! Good coffee, buzzing atmosphere, wonderful location. Outside seating. The menu was different than the one online. Try the mushroom ravioli, bomb-ass good.
(4)Joonho Y.
Awesome Local Place. Kid Friendly. Food is Generally Good. Pastries look better than they actually taste. Had a Bad Experience with a Server ("Will"), but everyone else has been friendly and attentive.
(4)Stela E.
My fave place to go to when I want a relaxing breakfast or lunch with a friend or with my baby. Perfect location. Lincoln Square is pretty awesome. I can spend hours there. Food is great. Salads amazing. Great outdoor area right next to the fountain in the square. They also have a bakery connected to the dining room(try the mexican wedding cookies). Mmmmmmmm tasty! I wouldn't go there for dinner..too crowded and no parking.
(4)Faye B.
To be fair I ate here once and stopped in to buy some treats another time. This place is still tops to me if you happen to be in Lincoln Square. Your sweet tooth will thank you. Yes, parking is a bit of a chore here and the line for the restaurant can be a bit long at times but the food is really good. My first introduction to the cherry streusel cake was at a family party and I was hooked. On a free early afternoon my husband and I had a late lunch there and while we did wait for a bit the food was delicious. Their pastries and other bakery such goodies are phenomenal. It is a tiny restaurant so it can get a bit claustrophobic, so if anything buy something to go. You won't be sorry.
(5)Darcy C.
I live down the street I have been here numerous times. The service is absolutely out-of-control bad. Tonight I wanted a steak it took 25 minutes and came out well done when I ordered it rare the server didn't even visit my table after that happened.
(1)Aubrey D.
A diamond in the rough. Great location/ambiance. Grab a Intelligente Coffee and a fresh pastry while you wait to be seated. Brunch was amazing! Highly recommend the Pesto Scrambler with Apple Gouda sausage or the Brisket Sandwich. Good brunch cocktail selection! Great service. +++ Only complaint -small establishment.
(4)Steve A.
Cafe Selmarie is an interesting amalgam of pastry shop, coffee shop, and restaurant. When you enter it looks like it's just a pastry shop with a few small tables for enjoying your purchase or sipping a cup of coffee. But proceed to the rear, and there is a fair-sized restaurant. The menu offers American, French, Italian, and (at least the night we visited) German food, plus other eclectic international cuisines. We shared the Brussels sprout salad, which was good, a special leek and bacon flatbread that was phenomenal (gooey topping, crisp crust), and a special German sausage plate that was also tasty. For dessert we selected a couple of pastries from the case out front. There's a small wine list with many selections available by the glass. Service was friendly and professional. The place is kid friendly, and there were quite a few families dining the Friday night we went. An adjacent open area provides outside dining when the weather is nice, and place for the kids to run around. If you've not been to Lincoln Square, it's definitely a cute neighborhood to check out.
(4)Romana Y.
Great spot for breakfast with outdoor seating. Salmon Egg Benedict: 4.5 BLT: 4 Lox and Chicken sausage omelete: 4.5 Intelligentsia (house blend roast): 3 Lemon Bars: 4 Service is good, but needs improvement. There is usually a 45minute wait for weekend brunch. The crowd is affable and lively.
(4)Rosa J.
I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning, and what would be a remedy? A place that serves vegetarian-friendly brunch to boost up my blood-sugar level so that I could make it to work this afternoon. Daddy J., Mama J., and Rosa J. participated in the brunch date at Cafe Selmarie, "inside" of the commercial strip on the Lincoln Ave. A portion of the Cafe Selmarie resembled a regular, express-version of coffee shop. However, a server would take you to your seat if choosing to dine in. I personally went with something that would be comforting: vegetarian chili. Initially, I was slightly intimidated by the heavy layer of cheddar cheese. After I had a few bites, I realized that veggie chili was quite light. The bread that came with was also hearty and delicious. My energy-level was immediately restored upon finishing my vegetarian chili. Daddy's turkey & cheddar sandwich and mama's berry cheesecake were seemingly well-crafted. They were satisfied with the qualities of the food, yet they expressed a minor compliant on the speed of service. Unfortunately, I was under the time crunch since I had to make it to work by a certain time. I'm normally an individual who dislikes "schedules" when it comes to munching. Overall, Cafe Selmarie has met the expactation of being a healthy, relaxing, and family-friendly breakfast/brunch/dinner place. The prices were fair in comparison to similar competitors around town ($20.48 for a party of 3). I will definitely tell my vegetarian husband about this lovely joint.
(4)Renaud S.
Was there for a brunch last Sunday. The terrace was full and they had a long waiting list - as we could expect for a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, so I just took some food to go. Their pastry is so delicious! I remember having a banana chocolate eclair, a chocolate croissant and some raspberry chocolate tart. Huge portions and everything is so tasty!! I also heard their flourless chocolate cake is worth trying, but I didn't had enough appetite... next time!
(4)William N.
This place stole my heart.. Upon walking in I thought it was just a nice cute little bakery with the normal cake and pastries. But little did i know upon looking around I saw one of the most unimaginable desserts i could even fathom in my mind til i saw it that combined 2 of my all time favorite desserts together. Which was a OREO CHEESECAKE!!! I always love cookie and cream shakes and cheesecake as there own dessert, but putting them together ugh..-DROOLING- I was with another friend the also enjoys cookie n creme just as much but there suggestion was that it would be better if the crust was oreo. On my note i believe it was amazing as it is. Continuing on aside from the oreo cheesecake i ate breakfast there. It was pleasent we sat outside on a beautiful morning where it had a nice breeze and the sun was height enough to provide some warmth. Over seeing the people walking about with there families and the water fountain brought a family welcoming vibe to the place such as a park. Ordering food got a bit confusing because we were looking at there menu, but it was different from the sit down menu so that happened. I ordered the salmon eggs benedict. I'm a big salmon fan getting it for breakfast was a no brain-er. the salmon was smoked to cook the begal used as the base gave it the crispy texture, the grilled asparagus added to the smokey taste, and the egg on top when cut through with the drizzling yolk gave it moisture and was the final flavor when combine with everything made it all perfect for a healthy breakfast in the morning waking all my taste buds.
(5)Ivana S.
I've stopped into their bakery part more often than I can remember, whether it was because I desperately needed coffee (their iced coffee will wake you right up) or because they have a great selection of delicious deserts. I recommend the iced coffee for wake up purposes but I truly don't have a recommendation for the sweets, everything I've had from this place was delicious, so just go with what you're in the mood for once you get inside (this strategy doesn't fail at selmaries). I remember having lunch there once, but it was a while back and I can't say that it was a memorable one. However, I just glanced at their brunch menu and it looks amazing. I'll definitely have to stop by there for brunch in the near future.
(5)Angela P.
I used to think brunch was a really lame concept. But these past few brunches with my girlfriends have me in love and ready to pounce on the next brunch invitation that comes my way. The Saturday brunch on the patio at Cafe Selmarie was a relaxing (and delicious!) experience. They don't take reservations, but it was only about a 20 minute wait in the late morning. The view on the patio is of lovely Lincoln Square, with a fountain, lots of shady trees, and families gathering in the park. I dove into my White Russian Iced Coffee, topped with real whipped cream. The Bourbon Cherry French Toast was dripping with mascarpone cheese and cherries soaked in booze. Deciding between sweet and savory is a tough choice, but I did not regret this one! My friend's smoked salmon breakfast looked like a good, savory competitor. On my way out I bought a Blood Orange Italian soda to-go. Any cafe that has both blood orange and lavender syrups available has my heart. Even if I don't make it to Selmarie for brunch again, I will definitely stop in for a latte or Italian soda, and some of their baked goods, next time I'm in Lincoln Square.
(5)Aimee M.
Cafe Selmarie was the choice for our Brunchy Brunch meet up for May. I've seen how packed Lincoln Square is on Saturday mornings and I was a little worried that we'd have to wait a long time for a table. CS won't seat incomplete parties either. But once all three of us arrived, the wait for an outside table was minimal. Al Fresco dining is always what I prefer, but do know that dining on their patio here you'll pretty much be front seat to all the little kids running around in the square. Well, I'm here sans kid, with some great friends and CS's delicious iced White Russian coffee in hand and all that activity is quickly forgotten. Thank you Osi V for opening with the cinnamon roll--it was definitely big enough for the 3 of us to get a good taste. It was a great opener--subtle cinnamon flavor and delicious icing. For my main, I opted for the smoked salmon breakfast--cold-smoked atlantic salmon, thinly sliced, with scrambled eggs, capers, red onion and a toasted english muffin and a side of cream cheese. I subbed the potatoes for fruit and received fresh pineapple and orange slices. The smoked salmon was of excellent quality and very tasty. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and well made. It was all very very good. Service was friendly, although our server seemed a bit harried--I wonder if she had too many tables to take care of. Before we left, I bought some oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip walnut cookies from their bakery to take home. These cookies are exactly the way I like--more crispy than soft/chewy. Perfect with a glass of ice cold milk.
(4)atrack b.
It's easy to become jaded by brunch. There are so many places, and most are decent, that it becomes rote. Cafe Selmarie is the first place in a long time that made my friend and I stare at each other in perfect contentment with what we'd ordered. We had the cinnamon roll griddlecakes with bacon sprinkled on top, delicious. We also had the smoked salmon club, delicious! I didn't have any take out pastries, but I will definitely be back.
(5)Lindsey L.
The only reason that they lose a star is for not having a plain chocolate chip cookie. I drove 12 mins out of my way by recommendation that the Cafe had great desserts. They were good but I wouldn't go that far out of my way for them again.
(4)Mathieu B.
I am a big lover of Cafe Selmarie and have been coming here for the past two years. The food has never disappointed and is always good. My only hiccup is the ever-changing management and wait staff. It seems that overtime that I come here, which is usually for lunch and/or dinner, there are a couple new staff members. Some of which can be overbearing and brusque. So, my advice to the Selmarie management, please dedicate a bit more time to training your staff! Regardless, this cafe is situated in the best spot in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. A wonderful place to walk through on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with friends and do some shopping. With that being said, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves good food and delicious pastries.
(4)Hogan K.
Delicious as always!! Perfect place for evening dessert, breakfast, brunch, dinner - they have it all. Awesome staff and service. Had a croissant breakfast sandwich with potatoes and salad and it was a great start to the day
(5)Kate W.
Had a great lunch here with my husband after a fun afternoon in Lincoln Square (provenance, the general shop, laurie's planet of sound, etc.). Perfect spot for an affordable, quick, and delicious lunch. I had the lentil soup (good, and the bread it came with was amazing), and the brussels salad, which was very, very tasty. The togarashi puffed rice that comes in the salad it really, really good. The dressing was great. My husband had the BLT, which came with slaw, chips, and a pickle. The pickle was fine, and the slaw and chips were good, he says. I stole a chip and it tasted salty, but maybe that's just me. He also seemed to really enjoy his sandwich. We did not indulge in lunch dessert, but the pastries in the counter looked amazing. Maybe we will be back someday to pick up dessert after picking up bread at Baker Miller . . . Recommended.
(4)Laura N.
Haven't had a bad meal here and the service is always been really solid. It does tend to get really crowded on weekends for brunch and I can never quite understand their hours (they are different every day ) better to check before you go. As for the pastries - the cookies and the tarts are right on . the cake, however, is so incredibly dry and definitely not worth the calories.
(4)ray g.
Just not a good place. Service was bad server forgot part of order and knives which finally a bus boy brought these items. Thank god for Busboys there as they do redeem the server staff failures especially giving needed utinsels, But only after food got cold!! For a place that is about 30 to 50 per person you could do better for alot less and get better service at a gray spoon Fyi. Manager didn't care when talked with! !
(1)Heather D.
Aww shucks I'm going to miss Cafe Selmarie! Always a good experience though be prepared - their service is usually a bit slow on the uptake. Final Verdict: Best dish hands down: Their chilaquiles. Order it. YOU MUST!
(5)Dennis S.
Fabulous for breakfast. I had chilacuiles with great flavors of corn, egg, spice, chorizo, plus guacamole and sour cream on top. My wife had their quiche, of which my sample was very tasty. There was a bit of a wait, which allowed us time to browse all the great bakery choices up front. Once seated we had great service. It's a comfortable setting, clearly well-used by the neighborhood. So good we went back again a week later.
(5)Jamie B.
This is another winning gem of Chicago I was able to dine at this weekend and cannot wait to return! We didn't sample any of the bakery items up front on this visit but I plan on purchasing a cheesecake from here in the near future for a party. Everything looks absolutely divine! We had lunch- the roast beef and turkey sandwiches with a cup of the tomato bisque and a cup of the veggie chili. Our meals were excellent and the service was prompt. We were in a hurry so getting in and out can be done here, or if you prefer not to rush it doesn't look like they will rush you either. Lincoln Square is so adorable and I'm glad we found this place- makes the trip up to this neighborhood a real treat in addition to some of the shopping on the block. This will be a must stop on future visits- can't wait to bring out-of-towners here, I know they'll just love it.
(5)Jexenia G.
I guess the reviews made me really want to try the place so I'll just breakdown the pros and cons:) Pros- very nice location, love that you have a bakery in front where you can have coffee and even a pastry while you wait to be seated. I was told a 20 minute wait on a Saturday early afternoon for brunch...not bad. We did only wait about 20 mins. We got outside seating on a beautiful fall day! The coffee and almond biscotti was DELICIOUS! Cons- I didn't know who was my waiter, I don't even think they even knew who was suppose to serve our table! It took forever to get service and barely was given attention. I ordered the corned beef hash....was not impressed, I ate half of it. My boyfriend had the roastbeef sandwich and he didn't complain, but he was also not impressed. I think the service turned me off the most:/ And finally only after I got my hot plate did they tell me there were no more croissants....how disappointing:( Overall the bakery is nice, service was quick at the bakery. However once seated don't think you'll get that much attention:/ the food was average. That's why it got three stars, because the food was mediocre and the service was not attentive enough. I may comeback for coffee and pastries but not sure if I'd come back for brunch again.
(3)David C.
Fantastic. I had been meaning to check this place out for a while. I got a fantastically made spinach, leek quiche with a red and yellow beet salad appetizer. For dessert I got an assortment of pastries and cakes. GET THE BANANA ECLAIR. It is one of the best eclairs in Chicago. Highly recommended!
(5)Dawn S.
I have been a customer at this most amazing cafe and bakery for over 25 years. Every birthday cake we buy here and the choices are many: Kahlua Chocolate, Hazelnuss, Raspberry Marzipan, Coconut Lime, Sachertorte mit schage (whipped cream).....and so many other choices....opps....their Strawberry Roulade and their Chocolate Banana eclairs. Fab lunch, brunch and dinner too....this place is a must go to....for the rest of your life!
(5)Jane P.
The spiked iced hot chocolate is a revelation, and some of the best chicken sausage I've ever had in my life.
(4)Mariluz R.
Love the cake, breakfast and lunch. Cannot wait to bring my daughter for her birthday. Keep up the great job guys.
(5)Carina M.
Very good breakfast! Super kid menu options as well. We were seated right away and waitress was very sweet talking to our 1 year old. Ordered simple omlettes, but very tasty!
(5)David P.
My first visit. It was a very late brunch (3:40PM) on a Saturday. Had the chilaquiles, damn fine!! Had a Two Brothers beer and a cup of coffee as well. I'll be back to investigate further for sure.
(4)Amanda W.
We were really looking forward to trying the food here with all of the wonderful pictures and positive reviews, but were so put off from the service we received today, decided to leave instead. Basically, we went in during the early afternoon on a Saturday and put our name on the waiting list to be seated; we were told it shouldn't be too long. While waiting in line I sat on an available stool off to the side to be more comfortable. Several minutes later the host came over and somewhat loudly announced that another woman wanted to sit there and dine; the implication was that I shouldn't be sitting there and needed to move. He also pointed out that she had a cane. While I appreciate him trying to accommodate another patron, I would have appreciated being asked nicely and candidly to move instead of being told and embarrassed in front of other people in the process. Furthermore, I used the stool while I waited to accommodate my own disability, one that may not necessitate a cane and be completely obvious to someone who doesn't know me, but that deserves just as much consideration as the other patron. Anyway, it happened pretty quickly and I am sure their host gave it no mind, but it left us feeling pretty crumby and we left. I have no patience for businesses who are insensitive and impolite to *all* of their patron's needs.
(1)Hannah H.
Cafe Selmarie's lemon bars - it perfectly decadent, lemon-y, sweet, a good-portioned size bar that is powdered with powdered sugar. It is a little pricey, but I always make it my mission to get at least 4-6 pieces to go. I love it, and I haven't tasted great lemon bars like these anywhere else. Yum! +lemon bars
(4)Claudia S.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)Micki D.
Now that the famous Fried Green Tomato BLT is BACK! I will be frequenting Café Selmarie again! Best decision EVER! way to go!
(4)Lily H.
My favorite little spot in Lincoln Square. Great service, delicious pastries, and incredible coffee! It's hard to order because everything is amazing! Definitely a must try if in the area.
(5)Lauren C.
I would like to yelp about the "Manager" of "Selmarie". "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" has tasted pleasantly mild according to long familiar, established recipe at i"Selmarie." Last Thursday, the "Tomatoe Bisque Soup" had a strong, spicy taste, familiar with flavoring in Mexico. Speaking to the manager, I asked why the soup, in Cafe Selmarie which has been serving bakeries familiar with Central European Recipes, is changing Tomatoe Bisque soup to Mexican type flavoring. I was told that calling the flavor Mexican, would be an insult to the cook from Mexico. If I did not like it, "Go to the Brauhaus, they are German, this is an American restaurant." I personnally knew two ladies who started "Selmarie" were from Europe. No insult was intended by me of anyone. I paid the bill and left. update.... o4.15: I returned to the restaurant Easter weekend.. delicious and pleasant staff. Thank you for listening.
(4)Dustin G.
This place is just amazing. First, let me say that my fifth star in this review is due entirely to the amazing service. I showed up unannounced with my students. (I teach ESL to adults.) There were nearly twenty-five of us all together. This could have been the catalyst for a chaotic and frantic scene but it was calm and relaxed as the servers rearranged chairs and tables to accommodate our giant group. Beyond the accommodation, the servers got everything right. My students all speak English pretty well but some of them are lower than others and some have heavy accents. The servers were patient and explained everything my students asked. The food? Delicious! I had a spinach and feta croissant with Cafe Au Lait. Both were delicious. The pastries are amazing. I couldn't resist picking up some of those unique pumpkin pies inside the miniature pumpkins. I'll definitely come back to this place...though I may just bring a couple friends.
(5)Kristina B.
Elegant and bright food in a casual polished setting. Prices are what you expect, $10 above for entrees. Salads are delicious here but get pricey when you add protein, but none of them really need it (and that's coming from a true carnivore). They boast house Italian sodas. I had the mushroom ravioli, two words: umami bomb. Service is phenomenal and you end your experience being tempted by a beautiful array of pastries and treats. A Lincoln Square gem!
(4)Simone T.
Still the best! Great breakfast and brunch spot. Wonderful fresh soups and a GREAT bakery!
(5)Gretchen D.
We just had coffee and a brownie. It was good. crowded with lots of moms and their kids (no school that day, apparently). A bit of a line. The latte was just so-so--a bit watery. The brownie had excellent flavor but was too hard to cut with a knife or fork--we had to break pieces off. It's fine if you're there and want a sweet nibble. Most pastries looked good. This review may be a bit unfair as we did not eat a full meal.
(3)Sarah M.
I went to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. Overall, the atmosphere, is welcoming, genuine, friendly. The food itself was 7 out of 10 stars- nothing incredible but definitely left you satisfied with the overall experience. I would go again!
(4)Howard L.
This is a nice place for brunch and pastries. We also hadn't been in Lincoln Square in decades, and the visit gave us a chance to reaquaint ourselves with this little enclave of shops and restaurants. Food is fresh (we had a goat cheese omelette and whole grain pancakes) and coffee is good - these are the main draws we found, as we noted the place's popularity. There was nothing particularly catchy or innovative on the menu, just good quality. It's also quite a popular place, and there was plenty of traffic, a bustling dining area, and a continuous small waiting queue til about 2pm on a Saturday. The server was attentive and very friendly also.
(4)Emily B.
Café Selmarie makes perfect food. I don't mean that in the sense of "I adore this place so much and I love their food", though those things are true, I mean that in the literal sense. They cook their food perfectly. Eggs as fluffy and light as a cloud. Cheddar biscuits as cheddary and biscuity as you could ask. Sausage gravy as creamy and flavorful and full of sausage as I've ever had. Every single menu item I've ever ordered here (and I come here a lot), breakfast, lunch, whatever, is perfectly executed, right down to the delicious house vinaigrette on the side salad that accompanies many dishes. Everything is clean and fresh and makes me feel happy. Their breakfast/brunch menus offer simple, traditional dishes as well as a rotating handful of slightly more creative offerings, so there's something for everyone. I even love their homemade potato salad, and I usually HATE restaurant potato salad, since mine is the best. Another HUGE thing they get right is portion size. If you're like me, you love brunch with an undying passion but you feel exhausted by the massively massive portions you receive at most places. Café Selmarie's portions are - as my boyfriend puts it - "medically accurate". Just enough, not too much. You can eat the entire thing and not come down with a gross case of the Brunch Sweats afterwards. Ok, so this review turned into a love letter to Café Selmarie. I can't help it. I have a crush on this place like an awkward teenager.
(5)Erica C.
Have been here many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have tried many different dishes. Everything is excellent. Chilaquiles, quesadillas, burritos, hash, beet salad, chicken pot pie, etc. Tonight we went for dinner. I had salmon for the third time and it's just so delicious. Creamy lobster sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus and crunchy pistachios! And my husband could not stop raving about his lamb chops with panko crust and blueberry sauce. Everything is just so fresh, flavorful, and paired well with their side dishes and sauces. Classy, but also great for kids. Our 2.5 year old loved his pb and j. Also has the most pleasant outdoor seating in summer anywhere! Only con is it's a tad slow to get your food.
(5)Jen L.
Their chopped salad is shrinking with every visit! It's a delicious salad but really??
(3)Grace R.
One of Lincoln Square's best restaurants!! Great bakery as well
(5)Gabriele P.
Wow! From the outside it looks like a bakery, but it actually has a lot of tables for lunch. The inside is really tasteful with original quilt patterns hanged all over the walls, and the food matches the expectations of such a nice place. The springs green salad was an unusual - but perfectly made - combination of pecans, dries cranberries, blue cheese and chicken, and trust me: it's to die for! The cakes look and taste great as well! Be sure to try the apple bread pudding if you have a chance!
(5)Molly M.
This place is awesome. The chilaquiles casserole is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. Also, wonderful breakfast hash. A great place to stop by and pick up pastries and a cup of coffee.
(4)Joseph D.
Went here for a Sunday brunch last weekend - what a neat place. An eclectic assortment of brunch items to please everyone in your crowd. From baked goods to omelets, to a salmon sandwich to interesting Mexican and Cuban inspired brunch dishes. Tucked away in Lincoln Square on a semi-closed to traffic strip of Lincoln Ave, it's conveniently located off the Western stop of the Brown Line so for those of us with cars, it's easy to get to. Inside the place a narrow and deep so it you're waiting for a table it can get a bit crowded so be warned especially if you bring small children who are restless just standing there. The service is very good taking a team approach with a server taking orders, others bringing food and a third party refilling coffee and water. Makes it really easy to enjoy yourself as you're aren't constantly looking around to flag someone down for a fork, coffee, to clear plates, etc. The food is the star here. my wife had the breakfast omelet which was served kind of deep dish style with all sorts of goodness including spinach and other veggies in there. Served with home fries and you've got yourself a winner if you're looking for a slightly different take on the breakfast egg dish. I had what appears to be a new dish which consisted of marinated Cuban beef served on top of these two delicious fried corn cakes (hard to describe but delicious) and topped off with black beans, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Yum-my! A few things to know - they supposedly do not take reservations but you can put your name on a list and request a time. Sounds like a reservation to me but I guess they don't guarantee it? Confusing. Also because it gets packed they are anxious to "turn the tables" so it's not the kind of place where you can hang out. Your food comes out and you eat and then you are being asked quite frequently "can we get you anything else?" In other words, a polite way to say "get the heck out of here." I get it. You don't want me sitting there all day drinking your coffee. No worries. I didn't take it personally but it is something to note as we went out with friends we hadn't seen in a few months and wanted to catch up. Overall a nice place and we will certainly return.
(4)Debra L.
So a friend and I were walking around the square on this cold, gray and blustery night looking for the right place to have a bite. After reading the menu in several windows we decided on Cafe Selmarie. Perfect choice! The atmosphere was warm from the room temperature to the warm colors on the walls. It was a nice sanctuary from the cold. We both had the vegetarian chili, which was hearty and flavorful. We split a roasted brussels sprout salad which was perfectly lightly dressed with caramelized roasted brussels sprouts. So delicious! The wait staff was super friendly and helpful. The case of pastries looked amazing but with super full bellies we took a pass. Looks like this place could be a regular stop this winter.
(4)Bri A.
I had to ignore the pastry display while walking to my table in the back, otherwise I would have bought everything! I was hungry and the delicious pastries would have beckoned to me...aaand then I would have bought a few and devoured them all. This is such a cute little brunch spot and my girlfriend and I enjoyed our meals. I had the smoked salmon BLT which had bacon, avocado and lemon-chive aoli. It was simple but tasty. My friend loved her fried green tomato sandwich and I wish I had a bite! They make a solid and strong Bloody Mary, too! Our server was awesome and super friendly. After seeing photos of the fancy French toast and other weekend brunch items, I need to return soon!
(4)Jeffrey C.
I've gone from a 4 star to a 2k star rating here. Basically, the service breaks down horribly when they're busy. I had brunch there yesterday with a friend and our expected 45 minute wait turned into an 1 hour and 20 minutes. The hostess was totally out of her depth and wouldn't help the waiters in any way. There's a very polite way to "turn tables" for those customers who are done with the meal and disregarding towards the masses enduring a long wait. Table-side service was impersonal and unprofessional. Our waiter walked by our table 3 times before curtly saying "I'll be right with you." When we mentioned that we had been waiting a very long time, he had no reaction at all - AWKWARD! Somehow a sausage side dish was totally forgotten and then took forever to arrive. The food is not that exceptional to wait for - I had a rather tasteless zucchini cheddar pancake dish regretting not having gone for Dutch pancakes on Western. I'm a Lincoln Square resident and I try so hard to like this place as they do an excellent job with pastries. The front area needs a complete redesign and some sort of system needs to be introduced for serving customers in order. The place cries out for a service manager/maitre d' with bona fide restaurant experience.
(2)Mister F.
I thought it was a little pricey, portions were a little small, and service could've been friendlier. There are better options nearby. To their credit the food was tasty and the restaurant was spotless and comfortable.
(2)Jonathan C.
Its a place where my wife and I can easily agree is worth a trip from the suburbs to the city for a weekend brunch. It really has everything you want. The location is nearly perfect in there are plenty of stores to walk around in Lincoln Square, parking is not too difficult, the food is made exactly how you hope every place would make their food. You can alwayds start with an intelligentsia espresso drink, or go for a white russian coffee and make it a good start. This last time I went for the apple cider with burbon and carmel and it definately made the freezing weather outside a bit better (afterall you don't drink apple cider when its warm outside). We got the usual dishes, chilaquiles cassarole and a corned beef hash. Both are so good which makes it so hard to go to other items on the list. Thankfully one of my friends ordered the cinnamon roll pancakes covered in bacon bits. That dish was perfect. Everything came together so well, plus they didn't skimp on bacon bits. -------------------------- As a side note I've had cakes from here and each time I try one, I have a new favorite cake. Seriously you cannot go wrong with your choice.
(5)Adem R.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city! Friendly staff with high quality food
(5)Adam C.
I have attempted to eat here on three consecutive weekends and have been unable to receive service. The hostesses will claim you will be seated within x time, but in reality the time needed is 3x or more (I refuse to stay beyond three times the stated wait time, so I'm unsure how long it would actually take to be seated). Frequently half or fewer of the tables are occupied, yet they will not seat you (despite plenty of staff). The food looks good, but I am offended that a breakfast place with such terrible service and incompetent/mendacious hostesses is blighting such an excellent location.
(1)Lindsay B.
Five stars doesn't cut it for Cafe Selmarie. My husband and I adore this place and come for brunch all the time! The space is bright and charming, and dining outside in nicer weather is as good as it gets in the city. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is amazing! The pastries and cakes are decadent and delicious. Having Cafe Selmarie make our wedding cake was the best decision we made for the wedding, not to mention the easiest! (We had a tasting at another bakery the next morning, which we promptly canceled after our tasting with Birgit.) Birgit is one of the sweetest, nicest people I've ever met, and it was a pleasure working with her! The cake was perfect and beautiful. (Thank you!) If you are getting married -- especially if you are stressed out -- please do yourself a favor and call Birgit. This is the recipe to have amazing wedding cake that your guests will be talking about for (2?) months after your wedding. I love this place so much.
(5)Andria A.
I suppose the season for green tomatoes is drawing to a close. So I'm very very glad that I've gotten to eat Chef Bryant's Fried Green Tomato sandwich this past month. It's such a yummy combination of flavors and textures. The house-made relish side dish varies from week to week. I really like the in-house made pickles - kind of like bread-and-butter pickles but with different, interesting and tasty seaonings. The service at Cafe Selmarie is consistently good - enough attention (water glass never goes dry) but not too much (conversations are not interrupted). I go between the lunch and dinner rushes so I can get a table without waiting.
(5)Michael E.
Food at this place is really good but the service is absolutely horrible and slow. It is not very kid friendly either in my opinion. I will not come back solely because the service was so bad.
(2)Lisa A.
I'm a little disappointed with my first visit here, but may be willing to try again with some other dishes next time. I had the scallops with crispy smoked bacon risotto and really liked this entree, but was not impressed by the rolls they served with butter. I wish they offered olive oil with the bread. The cafe latte was great, but for a bakery I expected more from the Kahlua Torte that I chose for dessert. It was not the freshest and I think it may have been more than a day old because I could taste it was dry and the ganache was not super fresh like I expect from bakery. Next time with such a large selection of dessert, I will ask for the freshest one, I also think they should serve slices of dessert with a little whipped cream which you have to ask for.
(3)Kate L.
We recently had a delicious dinner here! We shared the mushroom flatbread as a starter, which was delicious. I had the brussel sprout salad with salmon as an entrée, which was very fresh and the salmon was prepared very well. We shared a slice of the turtle cheesecake for dessert- delicious! The inside of this restaurant is nothing special but the atmosphere on the patio is very nice, facing the fountain on the square. The pastry selection is amazing.
(5)Karen J.
As far as brunch places go, this one is strictly average. I would probably give the food alone 4 stars, but service has been awful the handful of times I've been here. There were moments during our meal when we needed the server (for the check, hot sauce, whatever) and not a single employee was to be seen in the entire room! It probably took about 20 minutes just to flag down the server to get our check and get her to take it back. If you're going for brunch on a weekend, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes or more. The first time I went for brunch the hostess wrote down my name wrong and ended up skipping us over because of it. That said, I probably won't be back for brunch, but I might grab a pastry and coffee to go in the future.
(3)Rachel S.
If your looking for a bang for your buck it's not here, but the breakfast was good and good quality stuff. The breakfast potatoes are amazing! Oh and of course the butter cookies with half chocolate are the best cookies I have ever had. The place is very nice as well. Friendly staff too.
(4)Donielle P.
Great brunch on Sundays with a fresh menu every week! One of my favorite Lincoln Square spots! Take home a box of delicious baked goods on your way out!
(5)Victoria W.
if I were to rate this place based on its pastries and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 stars. We were lucky and got seated pretty quickly even though it was brunch time on a Sunday. However, the Sunday Brunch was just so-so. Two people in my party, I ordered the brioche french toast and the other person ordered the cinnamon sugar pancakes. The pancakes had a nice eclectic taste with the salty bacon on top of sweetness, it was a very nice contrast. However, there is nothing super special about the pancakes. The brioche french toast was not super impressive, some vanilla pudding was added on top of the pancake along with some drizzle of fruit sauce. I ordered the fruit cup of strawberry and banana as well and it was just diced up strawberry and banana. The other person ordered a side of egg and it was just regular scrambled eggs. The apple cider bourbon drink was good at first but it looked greasy after it got cold. My chai tea latte was good but it was not very rich. The party beside our table ordered the Asian salad, which looked quite refreshing, if I were to come back I will give that a try.
(3)Marty C.
Great food, great coffee. Service sucks. I'll stop in for coffee and a pastry if I'm walking by but never eat here again. Not worth waiting an hour and ten minutes when I show up, after calling in ahead of time.
(3)Brenda G.
Best homemade black bean burger. Even, pleasant service. On a freezing day against a wall of windows, I wasn't cold. Nice brewed iced tea that was refilled over and over. This was my first time here. Won't be my last.
(5)Caroline J.
I came here with my family and boyfriend after an event at North Park University. My mother had been here a few times and kept raving about their desserts. At first glance it looks like it is just a bakery, but there's a cute little cafe in the back. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable, and helped with food recommendations. I ordered the lobster ravioli, my boyfriend got the chicken and grits, my mother ordered the cheese tortellini and my father got the vegetarian chili and italian sausage flatbread. My ravioli was incredible. So tasty and the prefect size. It was actually so rich I couldn't finish. The fried chicken was hands down the most tender and juicy chicken I've ever eaten. My mom's pasta was wonderful as well. My dad said the chili was good, there was just a bit too much cheese on top and it made it slightly gloppy. However, he said the italian sausage flatbread had way too many flavors going on and ultimately was not as good as he had hoped. Bonus points for the yummy bread basket though! I would definitely come back here if I was up in Lincoln Square.
(4)Douglas B.
Selmarie is one of our favorite restaurants. The restaurant sits right in the heart of The square in Lincoln Square, right next to the fountain and courtyard. When you walk in its as if you are greeted by a very friendly staff and the smells of freshly baked goods. They have a huge selection of pastry's. They also have a great outdoor seating of like about 10 tables that looks right out into the courtyard. In the summer there are tons of musicians that play out there and you can enjoy your lunch with free live music! How great is that. The menu here changes a bit here and there. The specials change constantly and have some very nice treats. They even have an excellent (3) course Prix Fixe menu on Thursdays for $22. Delicious. Everything on their menu is delicious and portioned out perfectly. The food is of great quality. They once had an amazing pan seared calf's liver with balsamic reduction that was absolutely delicious. Our usual goto starter are the Mussels is fantastic butter, garlic wine broth with grilled bread. The Wagyu beef tenderloin with garlic mash and squash was superb. The presentations on the plates are beautiful. You'll want to keep coming back here time after time to try something new. The drinks are also great, they make a tasty vodka lemonade, with homemade pink lemonade. They also had this great ginger soda and rum drink that was so refreshing. I am always excited to make it here! Get over there!
(5)Annette U.
I was here a few years ago and remember having a really good sandwich. I came here with my friend the other day and I was sad I wasn't hungrier because I would have loved to try more things on the menu. I had the tomato bisque soup and it was perfect. My friend let me try some of her quiche and it was delicious. Definitely a lovely cafe for brunch!
(5)Eliska O.
Awesome place! Great service, yummy food and good prices! You can't go wrong trying this place!
(5)shana a.
Bleh. After we were seated it took a solid 15 minutes for a waitress to pay an initial visit to our table. Service was just painfully slow. I think we were just one of those unlucky tables because the tables that were sat after us were serviced somewhat quicker--by the time we finally received our food, those tables had turned over. I had the corned beef hash; the hash was pretty good, but the egg was cooked over hard, instead of the over easy I asked for.
(2)Jaime M.
This is a place that I have always wanted to like. I love the location and the concept and so many good reviews can't just be group think, right? ... Right? The sit-down food is good enough, but the pastries at the front are bland, (except for the small hearts and rounds with peach and strawberry jam). I hear and read everyone say how amazing the bakery here is, but when I bite into the blondie bar or the cookies I just taste blandness, I feel confused. I hope it's not true that they are letting the chef change the European dishes with flavors of his native Mexico. I mean, I'm from Mexico, and that doesn't make sense. I'll g try those dishes to confirm and will update my review once I do.
(3)Liz K.
Went here for brunch on a Sunday and all of the food was so unique and delicious. Everything was fresh and well prepared. They don't take reservations, but they do have call ahead seating so you can let them know what time you will arrive and you can get your name on the wait list- I did this and still ended up waiting about 15 mins which wasn't too bad.
(4)Steve J.
WOW, what a neighborhood find! My wife's Corned Beef Hash w/poached egg was, "the best I've ever had"! Eggs Benedict, perfect. My scrambled w/ricotta, spinach & smoked trout is on my top ten egg dish list. Don't even slow down while walking past the fresh baked counter or it will take you ten minutes to get to your table.
(5)Maria B.
This place is great for kids. My son loves their Mac and cheese and all the cookie options he can choose from. :)
(4)Shereen O.
Ate lunch here on a lovely July day. My friend and I ate outside and were surrounded by the beauty of Lincoln Square. Service: Great! Very attentive and kind. They even let me grab a table before my companion arrived. They didn't fuss about us splitting a check with two credit cards, either. Food: We split a Mediterranean salad, which was really good, and a Turkey Brie sandwich, which was okay. I was excited about this sandwich because there's a similar one at Blind Faith in Evanston. I think if the bread was toasted (melting the Brie), it would have been even better. Parking: There are many spots along the Square; however, I imagine it can get crowded at peak times. The area is not too crowded in general. I'd like to try their desserts and brunch next.
(4)Omar A.
Went there to get the black bean burger for the 289th time. That thing is better than most burgers! Comes with this delicious chipotle mayo, avocadoyeah and the normal lettuce, tomatoes and onions. They had their couscous salad on the side which is also very good. The staff is always very friendly. I don't even have to say..they already know I'll be back. Cheers.
(4)Wayne H.
This is a good place to grab a quick breakfast in the Lincoln Square area. Nothing I have tried has blown me away, but it's still good quality food. I have to admit I am not a huge sweets person, so I haven't tried their pastries. From what I understand that's their strong suit. Overall this place has great service and I have never had trouble getting a table.
(3)Rebecca B.
OK, so I don't usually go here for the dining room, although I've had breakfast and lunch at Selmarie and the food is very good (I'd say four stars-worthy). That being said... I've made cakes for a living for four years, and for personal pleasure for over twenty. I hate buying cake because my cakes are just better, and I'm fine with putting in the effort to make genoise and Italian buttercream in order to get the quality of cake that I want. Selmarie beats my cake every single time. I have never had better cake in my life. I don't know if it's just a me thing or if this is an objective fact, but I cannot think of a better cake I've ever had - at least in the range of their selections (I make an amazing absinthe cake that you're not going to be able to find at Selmarie, but that's not apropos of the quality of Selmarie's cakes). And it gets even better: they give you GIANT slices for like $3.25-$4.50. Do you know how cheap that is?! Whole Foods sells their house cake slices for like $2.99 and those cake layers are mass-produced and shipped in from a wholesale bakery in New Jersey and the frosting comes in 10 gallon buckets. Selmarie's cakes are scratch made on the day before at the most. The whole cakes are even cheaper. So... I'm bad with conclusions. Go to Selmarie and get cake. It's insane.
(5)Cathleen P.
This place is wonderful. I enjoy coming here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The staff is welcoming, efficient and friendly. Their bakery is fantastic, but they need to include more gluten free items.
(4)Ruth G.
My experience here was *exactly* what a cafe should be. Bright cheery interior, light and airy, bustling with activity by the excellent servers. The art installation couldn't be more perfect for such a lovely and lively place! Jenny Steinman Heyden is the artist, her show is there until Nov. 30th facebook.com/Jenny.Heyde… . The coffee was perfect for me and the food was very good! I had a huge bowl of vegetarian chili that came topped with cheese and a side of cornbread.. total yum!! Could have used hot sauce but I forgot to ask for some. Um, they could double their prices and it would still be fantastic to come here for a bite and a bev. We got chocolate truffles too, one for everyone at the table. OMG.. too amazing!!! Now, I've had *many* truffles before so I know they can be to die for.. but this was singularly the most perfect one I'd ever had in my life. I will go back again and again to Cafe Selmarie to try many of their desserts and savory dishes.. I'm not even a "sweets" person really! But that truffle.. omg. I can't wait to bring people here from out of town! And friends for a special snack or meal. This is a very special place. I even had the opportunity to meet the owners, they're completely adorable and the sweetest ladies you'd ever hope to meet! Supporting local small business owners is great & so important, and I *LOVE* how these owners also give back and support local artists and their community. Someone mentioned that they do wedding cakes too!!! Wow, I wish I would have known about them about a dozen years ago.. oh the lovely conversations we could have had on their patio all those summers. Can't wait for the warm weather, I must go back soon and have many cups of hot coffee over pastries etc with friends. :D
(5)Erin Z.
I was in the mood to check out a new brunch spot this past weekend and landed at Cafe Selmarie due to it's proximity to my location and decent yelp reviews. Based on the reviews, I was a bit underwhelmed by the place which is why I give it a 3. Although I have to admit I didn't have a negative experience. I guess my expectations were a bit too high coming in. I am also a bit perplexed as to why this place gets a 'Vegetarians go nuts for this spot' designation. While I am not a vegetarian, I gave up eating beef and pork almost 5 - 6 months ago. With that said, I found that most of the menu items had beef or pork in them. I naturally navigate to seafood or chicken-related options but I was not in the mood for smoked salmon so I got the breakfast burrito with chicken sausage instead of chorizo. It was good, okay. Not spectacular or anything worth coming back for. I would also say, that while I am NOT a true coffee snob I appreciate a really well thought, complex-tasting dark roast and the coffee they served here was very one note and meh.
(3)Shaina K.
The wait was a bit long, but the food was worth it. The service was excellent, especially for how crowded the place was. I got the salmon with eggs. Everything was perfection. Huge portion, everything tasted fresh. The service was great, and I will have to come back to sample on some of the delicious looking treats up at the front.
(5)Lulu R.
Cafe Selmarie just revolutionized the whole brunch game. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, it was easy to get to considering all the food traffic because it is surrounded by beautiful boutiques that people are actually interested in. After weeks and weeks of dieting and exercise, we didn't want to completely ruin our work outs with a heavy breakfast since we had so much to do that day. So taking a little stroll we finally decided to walk into Cafe Selmarie to see what they were all about. Best decision I made that week was to walk in there! I will admit that the look of the bakery section brought me in, we stayed for the food. David ordered the HOMEMADE corned beef hash. I ordered the Croque Monsieur. We also got this home made soup with potato, green onions, and andoulie sausage. Lets slow things down at talk about this hash. Glorious homemade Corned beef hash! The Executive chef Bryant kindly came out to school us on how they do it. They get a massive amount of corned beef and brine it in their own spices and make it into this perfectly crisped hash. I looooved my gooey Croque, don't get me wrong. The hash stole the show though. My boyfriend had his love for me truly tested when I kept reaching over to peck at his hash. Kudos to the chef who let us in on his process and the other selections he recommends. As you might already know, a chef who is involved in his/her food, makes it taste a million times better. The seating was unpretentious and cozy. They crowd was mixed and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy their meals, as did I. Street parking was a little rough for Sunday brunch but the walk wasn't too bad. The beautiful wide arrange of pastries filled the air and made me feel warm inside. You name it, Cafe Selmarie's got it. I am bound to be back for another amazing brunch and I am positive they will not disappoint with their ever changing menu options and pastries.
(4)Jessica H.
The bf brought me a small heart shaped flour less chocolate cake & 6 chocolate covered strawberries for Valentines Day from here & they were mm mm mm delish! I cant wait to stop in for lunch & try the food.
(4)Roseann M.
I'd like to tell you that Cafe Selmarie is bad; that the waitstaff are mean; that the back of house isn't good enough to make "Kitchen Nightmares" and that Gordon Ramsay tried to shut the place down. I'd like to tell you all these things, because then I'd never have to wait in line for a table ever again, especially at the outside patio tables in summertime. But I am an honest Yelper, and I can only say the following: 1) I've eaten at Selmarie since the late 1980's, when it was a teeny tiny bakery with a few sandwiches, and I've never, ever had a bad meal here. 2) The waitstaff are pleasant, efficient, helpful, and wear black hats that aren't cutesy or obnoxious. 3) Entering past the bakery case is an exercise in restraint. It's amazing to me that there aren't saliva trails on the glass-fronted case, but I think the staff is very good at cleaning that sort of thing up quickly. 4) Even the coffee is good. On many occasions, I stick with the tried and true and get the chopped salad. Yum. My favorite. On the weekend, they sell slices of apple strudel. Again, yum. Today, we varied from our standard repertory. I had the applewood-bacon BLT with boursin cheese on marble rye, and that came with a cup of tomato bisque soup. Wonderful. My friend had a salmon wrap with salad side. The busboy tried to take her plate when she had two bites left. He's lucky she didn't wrestle him to the ground. She wanted those last two bites. But don't believe me. Go to the latest "hot" restaurant, folks, where the cheapest alcoholic beverages start at $12.00. Stand in line for an hour at some overpriced Yuppie brunch place. Follow a "star" chef from restaurant to restaurant. Please. Do all those things. And while you're doing those things, me and mine will be having the mac and cheese with leeks, the crusty and piping hot chicken pot pie, the quiche of the day, the veggie chili, and oh, just maybe, a dessert. Flourless chocolate cake. Raspberry chocolate tart. Apple strudel pie. And . . . oh, I don't know what else, Selmarie. Surprise me. You haven't disappointed me yet.
(5)Mary M.
Have come to this place quite a few times. My husband is friends with the executive chef....I must say, the food here is absolutely delicious! And I like the portions also...not so much you want to kill yourself after but enough to sometimes need a to-go box. I've had the biscuits and gravy, which were great. My favorite thing to have there is a corned beef hash with the poached egg. Really, REALLY good. Like, puts-me-to-sleep-every-time-I-have-it, good. The cinnamon pancakes with the crumbled bacon on top is one of my dad's favorites...and after I tried his last time, I'm not sure who could dislike that dish. They serve Intelligentsia coffee (woohoo!), which is also fresh. The house made bloody Mary's are really good as well. Very nice spot to have breakfast or lunch, especially in the summer if you sit outside in the square. Try it out if you are thinking about it...I am sure you will like it. Their menu changes daily, (or weekly) I can't remember....but that also keeps it interesting. Not to mention, they have a whole bakery of pastries and pies up front...which are also REALLY good.
(5)Rachel G.
I have been going to Selmarie regularly for years and have never had anything but incredible experiences. I have stopped in just for coffee/tea, I've had lunch, had breakfast, ordered numerous cakes and goodies for celebrations, and stopped by just for a pastry fix. ALL perfect. This crown jewel of a business manages to serve up high quality, crazily delicious, carefully and lovingly prepared products across the board and consistently. They NEVER miss a step. What really strikes me about Selmarie is that they don't try hard to be cute like so many of their competitors...they just serve up classic, great things and they're set! The staff is professional yet cheerful and the atmosphere is upbeat, friendly, laid back, and just plain lovely. Sit outside when the weather is nice and you will enjoy yourself even more (as if it's even possible). On a side note for you gluten free peeps: they also carry a few gluten free pastry selections in addition to their arsenal of other amazingness. The lemon bars are wonderful and I have also seen a raspberry bar that looked yummy.
(5)Claudia R.
Great service! The food was better than expected! Very clever menu, although I do wish they had more diary-free options. We had the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Pot Pie, both were filling and tasty. The cafe had a great pastry selection and the latte was very good! This will definitely become a place where my husband and I will frequent.
(4)Kimberly B.
We've popped in for a brunch a few times in the past year. I love the mini croissants and will get them to go after every visit. The menu is pretty typical for brunch, but they pull in brunch options from across the nation (if not world) so there is always something for whatever spice blend you have a taste for. I would say everything is good, not great. The coffee is good, not great. The service is good, not great. The food and food options are fine, not special, but done very well (ie, good not great). It's a solid brunch stop and a good neighborhood mainstay. I wouldn't travel from across the city for it, but if you live in the area, it's a great place to pop in for brunch or grab a pastry. (Okay, the pastries are flat out great. You should definitely stop in for one of those.)
(4)Viki P.
Awesome breakfast/brunch place! There are always specials, and the staples on the menu, such as waffles, salmon - I have yet to find a dish I don't like. If all else fails, just order a baked good, like a sticky bun or croissant. There is a wide array of baked goods upon entry, and it is almost overwhelming only because everything looks SO. FREAKIN. GOOD! My only complaint is the regular cup of coffee - to me, it tastes very blah, so I've ended up drinking either water or a latte (which is very good) instead. I have never come here for dinner or just drinks, but one day, I just might. Then I'd have to add on to this review!
(4)Mrs S.
Only negative - Small space, can hear many conversation but everything else makes that no biggie and worth the stop- Pot pie is wonderful!! Minestrone soup was awesome and very homemade like! Don't miss desert or grab it to go in the display cases on your way out. Good cappuccino, we stopped before a book signing across the street.
(4)K M.
You know, I'm not a coffee drinker, nor do I like pastries, but I do love Cafe Selmarie. When I was in school I would come here for a chai (good chai- they don't water down), and end up staying to do homework. Once again, I didn't go for the coffee or sweets (although I heard good things) but for the atmosphere. The staff is so friendly, and personable. They don't seem to go through staff very fast, because the same people always seem to be working which shows that they like their jobs enough to stay for years. Each time a child comes in, which is frequent, they are always so nice and friendly. It's nice that they are very patient when kids order, even when busy. I bring my daughter, and even if she's indecisive or can't choose between a flower or smilie face cookie they are very sweet and kindly discuss with her the options, or their own opinion to help her. Ex. "We never have pink and blue flower cookies, I'd go with that this time!" Makes her day!
(5)Rebecca Z.
The breakfast/lunch cocktails are awesome! I had the spiked hot cocoa and my boyfriend had the spiked cider. Both delicious! The sandwiches are good, but the greens that came with them were a little underdressed so make sure to ask for dressing on the side because it's also delicious. Although a little pricey all in all we had a great experience. They even sent us out with 2 free cookies!
(4)Beth A.
When the weather is just right this patio is perfect for a sweet treat and a drink in the square. Friendly service comparable area prices. Beware the strength of the espresso!!! I drink lattes just about daily but theirs nearly sent my heart palpitating...whooowee
(4)Sabina W.
This neighborhood cornerstone is worth a trip for those Chicagoans not lucky enough to live closer. You won't have a bad meal here, but I especially recommend brunch. Yes, please, to a million delicious plates of from-scratch corned beef hash. And tons and tons and tons of their custom-blended Intelligensia house coffee. Easily one of the best brunches in the city. If you can't stop in for a full meal, drop in for the bakery counter in the front of the restaurant to grab a dozen of their traditional German cookies, like Linzers or those delicious little apricots ones.
(4)Ed A.
Cupcakes and cookies and cake oh my?! This place would be worth the visit just for the dessert case. Everything looked good, fresh and very reasonably priced. Employees were fantastic and extremely busy with the crowds packing the front and the ever present soccer mom with their baby strollers. Note: if you're going to bring the kids in a stroller, for God's sake by one with back-to-back seating and not one of those double wide monsters. Think people, think! I also had some black bean, chipotle and kale soup. Isn't kale seaweed... that disgusting stuff that clings to your legs? Well, anyway, the soup was good but I'm not sure I would order it again. The cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing about was fantastic, rich and very fresh. I could eat a dozen of these with a nice cold glass of milk. This place does not disappoint.
(4)Raphael R.
Being away from home with kids not particularly inclined to try anything new is always a challenge when it comes to meals but being away from home also means new experiences and getting out of the comfort zone. I did a quick search online and found a place highly recommended but I knew parking would be an issue. While I kept looking, a name kept coming back and so I checked out the site and found Cafe Selmarie. I checked the menu online and most definitely decided to give it a try. While it was not really obvious to find (thanks again, GPS...) having available parking close by was a great plus and the building from outside looked nice and somewhat like a French boulangerie. As we opened the door and entered, we were greeted by the sights and smells of freshly baked pastries and coffee. Exactly what was needed in this cold February day. The room was small enough to be intimate but big enough to hold about 2 dozen tables in the main dining room. The warmth of the yellow walls clashed beautifully with the red-colored paintings on white background and our waitress was very helpful. The menu had all these wonderful-sounding dishes that made choosing something even harder. My wife opted for the French toast, my son for the pancakes, my daughter for the breakfast burrito and I went for a pear and Brie omelet. In all these years, I have rarely seen all four of us so overwhelmed by the contents of our plates. It was hard to finish what we were served but every bite was so delicious. The sweetness of the pear mixed to the stronger taste of the Brie was too much to let anything go to waste. The kids even found some space to left gobble up a pastry while I enjoyed the last sips of my coffee. And as we were finishing our meal, the place quickly filled up and as much as we were enjoying ourselves, we decided it was time to go and let others their turn to enjoy their breakfast too. Prices were correct, about $15 per person but it was well worth it. Our time in Chicago was short so we could not repeat the experience but this place has definitely found itself a must-do on our list for our next time in town!
(4)Jennifer G.
Had lunch here today with a group of friends. Food was great, service was exceptional. Deserts and pastries were delicious beyond all expectations. I nice cozy spot!
(5)Kathleen E.
Nice location right at the square, outside space, great lunch and dinner spot. I also recommend meeting for coffee, tea and desert. Nice neighborhood, quaint yet classy feel.
(4)Justine G.
Been coming here for years. Definitely the spot for breakfast, brunch, & lunch. Or if you just want coffee or tea to fulfill your sweet tooth as you try to decide which pastry to have. One of the best patios in the heart of Lincoln Square!
(4)Jonas H.
Called at 9:30am Saturday to ask if they could take 8 of us at 10:30am. Hostess said yes, might be a 10-minute wait. No table by 11:10, seated a party of 7 in front of us, didn't apologize or seem to care when we left. Food might be great, but don't bother with reservations or high expectations for customer service.
(1)Misty S.
What an adorable restaurant! I biked here on a hot Sunday and stopped in for a light snack and to cool off. I was impressed with the food and service. GAZPACHO - Cool, light and refreshing. I think it's only good in small dosage, though, because after a while it starts to taste like salsa. CREPE - OMG...Amazing! The portion is quite small, but it packs a big punch. This savory crepe was filled with chunks of crab meat and covered with shiitake mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. There is also a bakery section up front filled with cookies, cakes and pies. This place is perfect for when you're hungry or if you just want to nibble. I also tried the Flying Dog beer - Crisp! LOCATION: It's near the exit end of the Lincoln Square strip that has traffic going one way (next to the water fountain). And a special thanks to the lady next to us for catching the spider on the wall behind me and throwing it outside. My hero!
(4)Madeline S.
Sigh. Overrated pastry place in Chicago? Check. The only pastries that looked worth buying were a chocolate-raspberry tart and what I assume to be their signature apple galette (forget exactly what they called it so am going with this). The tart was forgettable. Really forgettable. The apple galette was no better or worse than many other midwestern versions of this type of apple pastry. Meh. The quest continues for world-quality pastry in Chicago.
(2)Alex B.
In all likelihood, I will need to update this review some day. the truth is I have been to cafe Selmarie twice, and both times only got pastries and coffee. I have no way to recommend or advise against anything in the restaurant itself, but the baked goods are killer and coffee isn't bad either. I'm always impressed by the spread of cakes, pastries, truffles, and other goodies in the display. Not only has everything that I have ever had here been of very high quality, but it is also clear that the chefs here are creative and want to try new things. My most recent time in they had made mini pumpkin pies inside of mini pumpkins (cute AND delicious). The fact that there is always something new makes me that much more likely to want to stop in when I am in Lincoln Square. Coffee drinks are fine but a little slow. I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for an espresso drink, but it's nice that they have the option to go with your pastries. All considered, this is a great place and I'm hoping to be equally impressed by their sit-down restaurant service some day.
(4)Melissa F.
Super yummy!!! I seriously have love everything I've eaten here! It's a great lunching place with a friend!!!
(5)Sandy L.
Stopped at the outdoor cafe for a delicious and interesting lunch while in Lincoln Square. It has quite the European feel, sitting alongside a little square where tons of toddlers are roaming around while eating lunch and enjoying an espresso. We were stunned by the beauty of their pastries. We will have to come back and try some another time.
(4)J B.
Delicious brunch and dinner. Quiche - yum. Bloody's and mimosas - delish. Specials for din - always on point. Desserts and pastries ok - not comparable to a legit French bakery. Go for the food and drinks! Including the fab wine . Make resos. or expect a wait. Love outside summer eating. Perfect, quaint Lincoln Square hub. In the center of it all.
(4)Vanessa R.
Café Selmarie has become one of my favorite brunch options as well as a great place to pick up a sweet treat when paying friends a visit. With plenty of seating both indoors and outside on the patio right in Giddings Plaza, it is great for both small and large groups. Expect to wait between 10-20 minutes on the weekend. Want variety? They have different Saturday and Sunday brunch menus which makes sure you will certainly find something you'll love to order and you won't end up with taste aversion. However, this place also has breakfast, lunch AND dinner, but I've only been for brunch. That being said, my go-to is the chilaquiles casserole. These are not your tortilla chips with salsa on top chilaquiles you are used to and it is fabulous. Freshly baked casserole with eggs and corn tortillas, pulled chicken breast in a spicy sauce. The fact that it is baked gives the top layer a great crispy taste; top if off with some queso fresco, avocado and cilantro and it's a party in your mouth. The brioche french toast is also impressive with fresh mixed berry compote. I love that they have specials most days of the week, including 1/2 price bottles of wine with dinner entrée purchase, free dinner desserts, and Thursdays a great $22 prix fixe menu. A pleasant surprise is that they have a nice drink list as well with beer, cocktails, and wine. Kids? No problem. Lincoln Square is kids central and this place has a children's menu and will even put lids on their drinks to help avoid the inevitable spills. In the event you leave here with some room in your stomach, take some fresh, mouth watering pastries to go from their display case!
(5)Haley B.
My worst judgement turned out to be the best experience. EVERYBODY needs to try this place. My first experience with the food was terrible - but that was my own fault... I was on a first date and I recently made the decision to be gluten-free. I ordered the beet salad, It was beautiful - but I hate beets. I ate the whole damn thing despite my loathing for the beautifully colored vegetable... Anyway... I was starving. I spotted the pastries on the way out and I thought about them the rest of my date. As we strolled around Lincoln Square, I kept thinking about putting fist-fulls of pasties in my mouth... eating a piece of cake...or buying a whole cake and taking it home to make sweet love to it. After walking around for two hours, I couldn't take it anymore and I told my date "Listen... I hate beets. I'm hungry. Can we go back to the Cafe and eat some cake. I'm buying." He said yes, we went back, had some cake, laughed a lot, and we've been dating for a little while now. Sometimes he'll even buy me beets just as a gag. The menu has lots of options and I've had just about everything else on the menu since then. They even have gluten-free options. :D The service is always good - very polite and available to make suggestions. Cute little place with a great atmosphere.
(5)Christine L.
A bit pricy for the pastries but totally worth it. I still dream about the strawberry custard tart that I had on August 17, 2012. It was love. Don't be fooled by the crowded entrance by the bakery, there is plenty of seating for those who wish to dine in further back. There is also the option of outdoor seating, which would be ideal on a Friday night. When you sit outside, you can usually enjoy the entertainment of a local street performer and people watch. Friendly, clean, entertaining, and great (sweet) food!
(5)Dax R.
Great neighborhood brunch place where you can enjoy a rare beautiful day in Chicago. The salmon club and mac and cheese are great!
(4)Jaime G.
Never guess that a place in Lincoln Square that is very well know for pastry and coffee also offer a great dinner. I can confirm that they do. Had a great time here. Yes they have an awesome bakery but I was on a hunt for good dinner tonight. I think found it. Hidden behind the pastry filled counters and hand made artisan breads is a handle of tables they serve a fantastic dinner. Can't believe I've never eaten here before but glad I did. Surprising wine and beer selection (had New Holland The Poet Oatmeal Stout - a creamy and chocolaty beer with an incredible finish). I paired it with a pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and mushrooms and fall veggies in a port wine reduction. Veggies had a bit of cinnamon so it made it seem as I was fall in my mouth. Pork was tasty and very juicy. Wish the veggies and pork went better together though. For dessert, I had the chocolate espresso tart with a soy latte. Don't have to tell you how Delish it was. Damn. A must try.
(5)Emily H.
I stopped in with a friend after exploring the neighborhood a bit. I ordered the turkey & brie sandwich while he ordered the breakfast burrito. Both were very good! I really liked that it was actual turkey and not those slices you'd get from the deli at Jewel. The sandwich came with a salad (no fries! yes!) and a delicious honey mustard dressing. The service was a bit meh, which is why I'm giving this place three stars instead of four. Our waitress was fine, but quite clearly cared about her other tables. Their pastries looked heavenly, so you can GUARANTEE I will be back!
(3)Jamie J.
Good lunch and better coffee. I stopped in for a mid-day snack/lunch and end up being totally stuffed leaving. I indulged in a very juicy salad, half of my grandma's sandwich, and a 5 inch foamed cappuccino. Living? Yes, I think so. The food coming out of the kitchen looked like it was to die for. We didn't have time to order a wonder of things, but I can tell you that we heard great things about this little spot and went out of our way to try it - very worth it! There is a huge area of baked goodies (including cookies) at the front of the cafe. Strategic, because you have to walk by all the yummies on your way in and your way out. Smart! It'll get ya! LOVE it.
(4)Rebecca B.
I stop in from time to time for a light lunch or to grab a coffee and piece of cake to go. The food is good, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and the baked goods...the baked goods are AMAZING! Raspberry marzipan torte! Mocha buttercream torte! Gateau Grandmere! Banana Eclairs! All of the pastries I have tried have been incredible, and some of them have even begun to haunt my dreams, taunting me with their deliciousness. So if you are walking by and don't have time to stop for a meal, at least stop in and grab some dessert to go. You won't be sorry. I promise.
(4)Meredith B.
I returned here for lunch last week, since warm weather just makes me feel like going out to eat in sunny cafes. You know the feeling. We barely waited for a table, and since we were sipping our hot beverages and lounging by the windows during the brief wait, the time flew by. We got the sweet potato fries to split, and I also got the wrap du jour, which was Mahi Mahi with a coleslaw of some sort. The sweet potato fries were sort of intriguing - I'd call them "wedges" really, since it was like somebody took a sweet potato, cut it into 4 pieces, and gave them a nice roast. omnomnom. They were soft, well seasoned, and I'm sure pretty healthy too. The wrap was lovely as well - generous portion (at least for a normal person) but I ended up taking half home and eating it later. Because I had to save room for desseeeeeert! And I can't remember the exact name of what we got - I believe it was something like "strawberry roulade" and it was both creamy and airy, and very strawberry-y. How do people get such fresh produce in March? I do not know. This is such a lovely place for a meal. I hope to be back soon!
(4)Linh N.
5-stars because the service and food were superb. First, the highlights of service: they permitted our party of five to split the check, they let our group lollygag until waaay past their closing time, never once giving us the stinkeye, they were courteous and efficient, but not overbearing. Our waitress exhibited a very pleasant, professional demeanor overall. I ordered the day's "special salad" which was locally sourced arugula, black heirloom tomatoes, basil, shallots, and mozzarella, maybe a balsamic dressing, but it was barely detectable. It was $9 or $10, a huge portion, fresh, flavorful and sent me over the moon. I was in love with that salad. So much so, when I returned to Houston, I did not go home, but straight to Whole Foods first to gather up those ingredients to attempt to recreate the moment again. To balance out the salad, I also ordered the starter portion of the macaroni and cheese. Small is all you need. This little casserole is rich and decadent. The cheese was gooey and stringy, with crunchy edges. It was such a shame that I could not finish it. I want some now. For my refreshment, I tried The Poet, an oatmeal stout with a bitter, chocolatey taste. I'm usually not a beer drinker, but I sampled this with the bee eff in mind. It has a spooky label with a raven against a full moon; I'm a sucker for interesting graphics. Unfortunately, I looked for this brew upon returning to Houston, and no go, man. It is distributed by the New Holland Brewing Company. Cafe Selmarie is a very cute cafe that offers beautiful, tasty desserts, breakfast (Tue-Fri), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. I would definitely be a regular if I lived here.
(5)Sean B.
Just a review of the Bakery goods Banana Chocolate Tort Cake: wow, moist, delicious, just the right chocolate layering, saturated cake, not too Banana-y. 5 stars Vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing. Good proportion of butter cream frosting, but cake dry. A little hard to eat because it was dry. 2.5 stars Pinwheel cookies. Not your Voortmans. These were sugary without being grainy, cute swirls, you could taste both the chocolate and the vanilla. The case: pastel wonderland in time for easter. They had snail and turtle cookies! They have extremely creative bakers. The boxes for take-out: cute little boxes, well-wrapped, adorable. Like this place.
(4)Bradley S.
Partner and I stopped here for an early Saturday dinner. I loved the ambiance of the place; I found it rather French provincial. We were treated professionally yet warmly from the moment we walked through the front door. The fact that one is faced with their extensive pastry case immediately upon entrance sets the appetite in motion. They have a small but fully servicable beer/wine/cocktail list. I ordered a glass of a French white and we started off with the roasted beet salad. The beets were warm and roasted perfectly. The greens were fresh cool and crisp. Partner order the Chicken Pot Pie and I the Pork Chop. His entree looked delectible the pot pie arrived with two puff pastry triangles artistically positioned on top of the filling in lieu of the traditional pie crust. He said it tasted as good as it looked. My pork chop was accompanied by garlicy mashed potatoes and roasted (I'm pretty sure but not absolutely positive) brussels sprouts. The chop may have been on the fire for a couple minutes too long but any less would probably make most nervous. I had ordered a pinot noir to compliment my entree which turned out perfectly. Partner ordered a cappacino and I an esspresso and we shared tDheir caramel apple bread pudding for desert. Desert arrived nicely warmed with a side of fresh whipped cream. Our server was friendly and attentive and I could tell she genuinely liked the food she served. The dining room was filled by 6PM with a range of patrons from young families to seniors (though it was a remarkably white crowd). We thouroughly enjoyed our leisurely dinner before ambling over to Dank Haus for a performance.
(4)Tom T.
Had a great breakfast, the 2 Eggs Any Style. Nice & fresh & the potatoes were great too.
(4)Paul W.
Well, will you look at that. They've extended their hours. I wonder if this has anything to do with the time I burst in at a run, gasping, 'Did I make it? Are you still open?' I know. I'm an ass. Happily, everyone there has a good sense of humour and I am not banned from the place. Now I can run a few errands before coming round to pick up a strawberry roulade or a bienenstich. Or both, as I did today. Sidebar: The bienenstich here are far more delicious than any I've had elsewhere in the city, not that I see it often. This is one of my favourite desserts to have in Chicago. Not too sweet, yet rich and flavourfui. What a concept. Incidentally, every German-speaking person I know assures me that bienenstich means 'bee sting' and not 'bee hive' as it is called at Selmarie. Glad to see you, Selmarie.
(4)Omar K.
Since moving to lincoln square my gf and I have been coming here for both dinner and sunday brunch. Great atmosphere, good service, and awesome food. I especially like the outdoor seating area which faces the plaza,.
(5)Angela S.
I ordered wrong! I had the croque monsieur and he had the chicken pot pie. I had food envy. Lucky we were sharing!
(3)Johnny T.
I might have been kidnapped. I woke up in a daze. I was stuffed to the gills with yummy Euro eats. But, the crazy thing about all of it is... I thought I was at Julius Mienl. Seriously. For days afterward I was, like, "Man. I really like JM. I've eaten there twice and each time I felt like I was at some cool cafe in Paris or Vienna. I'm so worldly and learned." As much as my co-workers tried to impress upon me that I'd, actually, just eaten at CS, I didn't believe them. Well, I believe them now. It's just odd to me that two very similar places exist so close to each other in the same neighborhood... and both do a ton of business. You'll have to forgive me. I know I don't look it, but.. I am no longer 21...2. 22. My memory sometimes lapses. That's why there's fish oil and ginko. Digression... If you want to feel worldly and traveled without leaving the city limits, come here. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay, drink coffee, eat amazingly good food, contemplate big issues, take a nap, and wake up to do it all over again. Forget this rat-race American lifestyle. Life is to be experienced and enjoyed with friends and good food. I was reminded of that at CS. I was also reminded that I drink a lot of coffee when it's quality. I'm more of a tea drinker, but whatever they're brewin' at CS is mighty good stuff. I had multiple cups (which our server never allowed to get low). To eat (because fatty needs his food), I took a short trip to a very happy place and chowed down on a salmon scramble that was chock-full of egg, fish and dill. Every bite was a joy. The potatoes that accompanied my breakfast weren't an afterthought. They were delicately seasoned and copiously supplied. I was so satisfactorily full from the experience, I didn't even have any baked goods. I know! Fatty said no! I must not have had a Zima. I never say no after one of those.* A joy. Eating here was a joy. *I have not -- nor will I ever -- had a Zima.
(4)Kristen J.
This is a great brunch or lunch place. My go-to order is the quiche of the day that comes with salad and sometimes I also order an accompanying glass of rosé. They also brew and sell the locally roasted Intelligentsia coffee.
(4)Mike A.
Great little shop, but unless you live close by, parking is a nightmare. I stopped in to get an Americano and a pastry. They use Intelligencia beans and did a great job! I skipped the pastry and bought a blueberry sour cream cake to go. At about $7 it was a relative bargain to the rest of the offering and tasted pretty good. I will have to stop by again and check out lunch offerings.
(3)Dinah M.
This has become our runner up go to place for brunch and when my family was visiting earlier this month we went numerous times and have now sampled each of their menus (Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch and Dinner). Each one has a wide selection of tasty meals that everyone can enjoy. My husband and I are pretty easy to cater to, but my family has an ovo-vegetarian, a gluten-free/lactose intolerant, and a common garden picky eater :) Coming from Britain, I enjoy the familiar 'European' feel of Lincoln Square and the family friendly atmosphere. Now that we have a new baby I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and family with my baby on a sunny summers day. The staff are delightful, friendly and welcoming and the food never disappoints. The only bad point is they get so busy that the wait to get a table can be long and the bakery at the front means it gets very crowded in the entryway.
(4)Lori L.
The boyfriend really has two major duties the entire year. 1) Clean the kitchen after I cook a glorious meal. 2) Plan dinner out for Valentine's Day. He surprised me with reservations at Cafe Selmarie. It's such a cute and quaint place. The front entrance beckons you with a huge display case of cakes, pastries, and other assorted desserts. It takes a ton of will power to pass those up. What I appreciated was that they didn't gouge their patrons with "special menus." You know the menus that are priced out of this world. Instead, they had a limited menu for Valentine's Day. From what I could tell, it contained a selection of some of their regular dinner items, along with special dishes. For soup, I ordered the lobster bisque with fresh chunks of lobster. It was creamy and not too savory. For my entree, I had the rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes and asparagus. The lamb had a flavorful minty crust and was cooked to perfection. The prices were spot on. No entree was more than $20. Glasses of wine were not more than $8. Overall, this is a great little spot that offers affordable dinners with friendly and top notch service.
(4)Christopher K.
This is a good strategic location if you are about to embark on the Lincoln Square scavenger hunt. I don't want to give anything away, but nearly everything in the "official" hunt is about a block from here in various directions. We had skipped breakfast and needed to power up before the walking with a good brunch. Both of us ordered chilaquiles casserole -- no we are not *that* boring. I ordered the regular one on the menu and found it perfect for brunch (I am a guy, brunch means "heavy breakfast"). It was pretty spicy, which is right up my alley. My companion ordered the vegetarian version that was on special that day. It was not as spicy and could have done without the onions that were more or less just sprinkled on top. I envied that she had eggs on top for protein. We were both pleased and ended the meal with some cookies as an indulgence. Service was fantastic and highly attentive. $26 for a brunch for two.
(4)Jay S.
Oh lord....I love...absolutely love European pastries and bakeries. I used to live in the southside in a heavily European neighborhood where pastries dominated my childhood. Mmmm those were the days. Nowadays I frequent the streets of the Loop & West Loop and haven't found quite the pastries that I loved as a child. But moving recently to the northside and once again in a heavily European neighborhood (southside 4 lyfe!), Cafe Selmarie has rekindled that sweet tooth. Mmmmm these are the days.
(4)Kelly M.
My parents and I stumbled upon Cafe Selmarie while strolling Lincoln Square. We were looking for a quick, casual brunch and we got exactly that. They have a gorgeous outside patio that overlooks the Lincoln Square courtyard area, so if you enjoy dining al fresco I highly recommend it. When you walk into the restaurant you're greeted immediately by their bakery case. Everything looked fresh and delicious. We sat in the main dining area, which was a little noisy because there was a baby shower taking place at the table next to us. No big deal, we still enjoyed our time there. I ordered the Croque Monsieur (which I've mentioned before is my favorite sandwich). It was very good and was a classic version of a Croque Monsieur. My favorite version isn't complete without dijon mustard. I asked for a side of it and that satisfied me. The small salad that came with the sandwich was flavorful, the dressing that it was lightly tossed with was refreshing. Overall, this was a very charming cafe and bakery for brunch.
(4)Richie D.
You know it's good if picky olde me is writing a third (and last) review update, each one at a whopping 5 stars! I saw Selmarie's Yelp Advertisement Tag and thought to myself, "I can't pass by such a deal!" I had only been here for brunch and had only loved it more and more than the prior visit. I was sure my outstanding opinions of Selmarie's could not change for nothing... I was right! The Pre Fixe 3 Course dinner is A STEAL at $20!! Pick out a wine from the menu and choose away. 1) A Starter (mixed greens petite salad or a cream soup) --I had the Potato Leek Chive Soup. Smooth yet creamy. 2) An Entree (all generously-sized, unique portions to choose from) --I couldn't pass by BBQ Ribs with seasoned potatoes and cole slaw. The sauce was sweetly smoked, while the slaw had no nasty mayonnaise flavor to them. My boyfriend pleased his taste for mussels, even though I threatened him with no kisses all night until his teeth are brushed. I have tried mussels 3 times before and each time I was turned off...until Selmarie's! There was nothing seafoodie about them except where they came from. Soaked in a perfect creme broth, I couldn't believe my tastebuds! 3) A Dessert (pick any pastry/torte from the refrigerated glass cases). Just a glance at the desserts makes me automatically and helplessly salivate! I had the Kahlua Torte while my boyfriend had the fresh Raspberry Custard Torte. A bite of each placed me in Heaven...until I noticed our plates were somehow, all-of-a-sudden Mr. Clean shiny and crumb free. :( All this included in the $20s you ask??--YA BETCHA! I deem this to be the BEST DINNER DEAL IN TOWN! Good luck beating it competitors. Selmarie, you redefine the French stereotype for me!
(5)Jamie H.
This place is great! Awesome location too, lucky for them! My mom and I stopped by Friday afternoon, there weren't a lot of people sitting in the back but quite a few people came in to get drinks or snacks to go, or just sit in the front. The coffee was good my mom and I split a cherry crumble pie..AHHh mazing! We also got a handful of other cookies, which were all great as well. We even tried some with Rosemary, very good and a nice twist! I wasn't even aware that they had a full regular menu as well. I definitely will come by for a meal, and obviously treats and coffee again!
(5)John W.
Had to go here because Pannenkoken was too busy. But the good news is that there was no wait for breakfast (11:30ish) and we got seated right away. I had the Salmon with eggs and English muffin and it was only ok. There was nothing actually wrong with it but it wasn't to die for or anything. There really isn't a lot to choose from here and maybe their skill sets lie more on the baking side of things with the cakes, pies and cupcakes and what not but I am not a sweets guy so this does nothing for me. Service was good but there wasn't really anything all that exciting on the food menu...Just typical American breakfast stuff (along with Quiche) which if you are into, this place should be just fine for you. The 2 stars doesn't mean bad, it just means not for me. For the Summer, they have a great patio right on the square which is nice for a coffee, beer or dessert...If you can handle all the screaming kids.
(2)August B.
Five stars because the food is simple and tastes good. Cafe Selmarie is what overpriced, high reputation downtown restaurants look like when they charge reasonable prices that don''t gauge people's savings accounts.
(5)Megan L.
Cafe Selmarie really looks like a bakery when you walk in, but don't be fooled. The baked goodies are but a lovely distraction before you get to the restaurant beyond them. What do I love about Cafe Selmarie? Pretty much everything. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, and it's a nice, cozy atmosphere. The place isn't huge, which I think creates a bit of a sense of intimacy. I tend to gravitate towards Cafe Selmarie when the weather cools off, because their food is very comfort-food-ish to me. I stopped in last night and had their chicken pot pie, which was perfect for this cold snap we've had. Along with a glass of wine, it was the perfect dinner for me last night. And then there's dessert. Remember all the lovely pastries you walked past on your way in? Those are your dessert choices. You can literally go up front, look around, pick what you want, and they'll bring it back to your table. One of my favorites!
(5)Dora V.
Selmarie was my favorite ladies' lunch spot. Then they hiked up the brunch prices like highwaisted highwaters and now my feeling is "eh." The food is good, but stops short of extraordinary. Several of the options are Frenchy (Croque Monsieur). which is one of the reasons I always go back. But as my Intrepid Readers know, I just hate to feel gipped. I think the brunch prices subsidize the pastries, which are varied, beautiful, and priced to sell. The sweets appear to be the chef's true passion. I recently paid way too much for a run-of-the mill turkey sandwich and a tiny sprinkling of greens. I was still hungry. I added the pinto bean and sun-dried tomato soup, which was passable. By contrast, the potatoes (which I got to try) were terrific! All of the food that I saw looked great and the place was bustling with happy-looking clientele. Sadly, we received a tasteless Bloody Mary. Perhaps it was a fluke, but it's a fluke I'll remember. On a brighter note, the bottles of wine are relatively inexpensive and thus tempting...and what a lovely temptation they are. For a place with no official gender affiliation, this place is full of females. This is likely a result of a menu conducive to light lunching, which ladies tend to like. I'd be baffled to see a group of males buck that trend. As of now, you'll see a couple stray males who have clearly been convinced to give it a shot by their mothers or girlfriends. They look apprehensive as they inevitably realize they are significantly outnumbered. I find this amusing. The location remains fabulous and the outdoor seating is plentiful and pleasant in the warm months. In the winter, the small, elongated waiting area gets awkwardly crowded, and you may be packed in like a roomful of Ralphies. Oh fudge! Cafe Selmarie undershot my expectations too many times in a row. I will be forced to find a comparable soup-salad-sandwich brunch spot somewhere north of Wicker Park/Bucktown, which seems to teem with such "contemporary" lunch/brunch possibilites. I still recommend trying Selmarie for a (ladies') dinner. The prix fixe is a great deal, and the entrees are conducive to sharing. Those wild-mushroom ravioli are to die for, but they are rich like only butter and cream can be, and are thus best split with another entree or combination of appetizers. As disappointed as I am, I won't write off Selmarie, as it has been a staple of mine for so long. I'm done with the weekend brunch, though. Lunch or dinner on a weekday, sure. I need my fancy-pants sandwiches and low-key dinner spots, and the location and atmosphere meet little competition in Lincoln Square. Too bad I don't have a sweet tooth.
(3)Sandra W.
Cafe Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square strip. Really cute and really quaint. I give it a three star because I thought this place was a bit pricey. I'm also not a bakery person. I don't care much for pastries and desserts so I went there to have a nice meeting\lunch with a friend for their savory options. I got a salad and it was very small. I was expecting a little bit more. My friend got something that I don't remember. The ambiance was great. The servers and staff were extremely welcoming. The food was good, I just wish the prices were a little lower and the portions were a little bigger. After my lunch, I ran over across the street to Gene's Sausage and bought some raw meat to make when I get home. Oops.
(3)Judith K.
This is a really good bakery that has stools along the windows with an attached restaurant and outdoor seating in warm weather. Nice selection of well-prepared, fresh food. They serve Intelligentsia coffee as well as beer and wine. We have been coming here for over 10 years and it has been consistently good. The servings are substantial. Today for lunch I got the quiche with a side salad, my husband got the chef's salad. Service is excellent. The place is light and airy with artwork lining the walls. It gets really crowded on the weekends. Even on Monday there was a 15 minute wait for a table. But well worth it.
(4)Heidi T.
I love Selmarie. I love it for weekend brunch (usually a small wait, but rarely anything extreme), I love it for early breakfast, I love it for dinner, I love it with a friend, I love it with my husband on a casual night out, I love it with my kid for an early dinner. Occasionally service has been slow, but never enough to really fuss. They've helped me figure out ways to stash my stroller out of the way when I'm with the small fry. The sweets are delicious on their own or as an accompaniment to dinner. Oh, and, you know, the food is fantastic. Now that I have a kid, I especially appreciate that it is the type of place where you don't feel like a horrible monster for bringing your small child, but also don't have to eat like a small child. I also appreciate that the kids' menu has some options that involve vegetables, unlike most places (which usually assume your child only eats fried white foods). However, for those of you who don't have kids, it's not overwhelmingly crowded with screaming children. I promise. I went there many times before I had kids.
(4)Bea K.
I've never eaten at the restaurant but I have frequented the dessert counter plenty of times. 90% of the desserts are great - strawberry whipped roll cake slices and the chocolate tart are really good but some things are just ok like the raspberry &dark chocolate tart. The coffee is pretty good and the service is always prompt and helpful.
(4)Annie W.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Lincoln Square! Always an excellent choice on the yummy lunch menu, and great sweets to boot! Good coffee, clean and efficient atmosphere (with a touch of class from the great artwork), and top notch service. Love it!
(5)Jack P.
I send a lot of visitors to Selmarie, and it is always a big hit for the bakery items and for dining al fresco, weather permitting. I have had breakfast, lunch and dinner there, and have bought assorted baked goods for dinner hosts, friends and family, and even as a reward for good customer service (I brought a box of goodies to For Eyes one time.) The lemon bars and the sour cream brownies are always a big hit. Just a great spot to find a dessert for your dinner party. I had an al fresco breakfast there the other day, because I awoke hallucinating French toast. Selmarie's French toast did not disappoint. The brioche bread was medium thick and cooked nice and crisp. There was a modest, fresh berry compote on top, and butter and maple syrup on the side. I like their restraint in preparing what is usually a major calorie bomb; which allowed me to order a side (or as we say in Chicago,) a "rascher" of bacon. Cooked well, crispy and chewy like beef jerky. Love the coffee, too. Very cool that you can snarf a delicious authentic French baguette for later, and a bottle of Champagne, too. How Parisian can you get? I queried the servers about those little black caps they wear, thinking there was some regional Swiss significance to them, but no, they are just there for hygiene purposes. Always looking for some hidden meaning in the mundane am I! I try not to spend $20.00 on breakfast too often, but every once in awhile, a visit to Selmarie's is just real pleasant and convenient, especially in the fading outdoor dusk of Indian Summer.
(3)Jack M.
It took me a moment to collect my thoughts upon entering this very awesome bakery because everything looked so freaking delicious! My good friend and I stopped in for dessert after we had a couple of beers at Hüttenbar down the street. The baked goods selection was almost overwhelming. He got a Hazelnut Dacquoise and I got a Lemon Tart. Both were outstandingly good, if a little too much on the sweet side. His espresso and my coffee were both very well done. The atmosphere is light and sunny, and the people who work there are super friendly and courteous. I am now very curious about their meal options so I will for sure be going back!
(4)Sarah K.
Really cute restaurant/bakery/cafe in the heart of Lincoln Square. Went for dinner with a few friends on a Wednesday, so we were able to partake in the 1/2 price bottle of wine with an entree special. The front is a counter area with some delicious looking desserts and pastries displayed. I didn't try anything at the time, but would definitely be up for a return visit just for that. Past that, it opens up into a sit down dining area. It isn't terribly big, but I never felt crowded which is the case at many restaurants without a large dining area. It was also remarkably free of children, which I think is worth noting considering the neighborhood. Not sure how that would change on a weekend or brunch, but I have a feeling it would. The menu is fairly small, but everything on it sounded great. If one thing was lacking, it would be vegetarian dishes. I was thisclose to ordering mac and cheese, but was an adult instead and settled on the spinach salad with a side of sweet potatoes which were a little spicy and very good. There was a vegetable plate listed online which was no where to be found on the menu, but I was totally satisfied with my decision. Everything was reasonably priced, service was excellent. Definitely recommend for a low-key dinner in the neighborhood!
(4)Mary T.
I went to Cafe Selmarie for dinner tonight with my bookclub chicas; a very easy trip for me on the #11. That area of Lincoln Square is so cute. The weather cooled off quite a bit so we didn't sit outside. Inside was nice, but not overly crowded. Unfortunately we usually catch up and occasionally discuss the book more frequently than we talk about our food. Needless to say I never heard anyone complain about what they got and we all pretty much cleaned our plates so I will take that as a good sign. I had one of the specials, a seared ahi wrap with a citrus chutney and creamy chipotle dipping sauce served over sweet potato fries. The wrap was quite good, but I think it could have been better if: (1) the ahi was cut into smaller pieces, I felt like I was eating bitefuls of either fish OR chutney, not a nice mix of both like it should be and (2) some of the dipping sauce should have been on the wrap - every time I dipped my wrap the chutney would fall out making it very messy to eat. The sweet potato fries were cut thick, almost like steak fries; they were more like seasoned, sliced baked sweet potato than fries, but were pretty good. Our server was very attentive, always there to make sure we were doing ok and fill up our ice tea's, etc. without hovering. It seems from the reviews I've read the place is known for breakfast and its baked goods. Unfortunately, I can't comment on them because I didn't save room for desert, but this gives me a reason to make the trip up there again some time soon.
(4)Lisa C.
This is a review for their weekend brunch only, so I ain't got nothing to say about their dinner! I probably got the most exotic thing on the brunch menu by ordering the chilaquiles casserole and I loved it. It was creamy, filling, and had a little bit of a kick to it. And boy, do they give you a ton of food! I finished about half of my breakfast, which is truly pathetic for someone who prides herself on being a gold member of the Clean Plate Club. My friend bought a cake from Cafe Selmarie for Mother's Day and said she practically had to rent her womb to pay for it - only to have her grandma steal it and not even let her try it! With this in mind, I will likely be sticking to breakfast and skipping the specialty baked goods (especially for family parties!).
(4)Alice R.
Love Cafe Selmarie! I have been going here for years. Excellent pastries, brunch and dinner. The staff is friendly and the food yummy! It's located in Lincoln Square. During the summer months, I enjoy the outdoor seating. Highly Recommend!
(5)Marie B.
Best Almond Crossants in the area. I have not had 1 disappointing experience here. A must try. Their dining room is very busy on weekends, so a weekday stop would be advisable if possible. I had the egg salad sandwhich was so fresh! The coffee here is a plus.
(5)Adele n.
This five-star review is for the nicest waiter in Chicagoland, the tall guy with the creative facial hair at Cafe Selmarie. My best friend and I are kind of dreadful customers -- we can't make up our minds; we linger too long chatting; we come in too close to closing time; we don't order entrees. Both times this adorable boy has waited on us, he's acted like we were the best customers ever. He's calm, patient, accommodating, attentive and so nice. This is the kind of service you hope to get when you're dropping $50 a plate, not $7. I need whatever drug he's on.
(5)Melanie V.
***WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.*** Selmarie RUINED my Easter. I kid you not. I made reservations here for brunch at 1:30 for my entire family (a party of 7). Per my childhood days and the great reviews on Yelp, I was excited to come here because the menu looked so good! (Please note the use of the word "looked".) We got there early (a little after 1pm) and the "hostesses" were quick to tell us that they would 'do everything they could to try to get us seated early.' OBVIOUSLY, that was a lie. (Please keep in mind that there was an open table for 6 when we got there. Another chair could have easily been brought to the table to accomodate one more.) Around 1:20, one server told us that the party whose table we would be occupying was in the process of paying and would be leaving shortly. By 1:40, they still hadn't left. When asked about the status of our table, the hostess said that the party was paying, but just sitting there. Ok? And...? (Also, please keep in mind that I was with 2 children, one 3 year old and one 2 year old. They were obviously HUNGRY at this point. Who wants to starve children?) Again, we asked about the status of the 6 person table and why we could not sit there. Apparently, the hostess had concern about the extra chair 'blocking' the way for the servers. Couldn't they have put the chair on the OTHER side then, so that it wouldn't be in ANYONE'S WAY? Also, there were 2 tables of 4 that were open at the same time. (4+4 = 8, right?) I mean, if they did simple math, they could have realized that we could have sat at those tables, too. Genius! All the hostesses could offer us were words of, "I'm so sorry. We can't make them leave." :giggle, giggle, ha,ha: (I don't know why they were laughing because I OBVIOUSLY was NOT amused.) Really? I remember being at (nice) restaurants where the hosts have politely asked us to leave as another party was waiting for our table. We would always oblige as we were DONE and satisfied with our meal. My family ended up leaving as the kids were incredibly hungry at this point. I came back to speak with the "so-called' manager who REALLY did NOT offer up any value-added information, except for "I'm so sorry." I also did not appreciate her fake, sugary sweet attitude. I don't need that from you, honey! Please don't patronize me. She did NOT EVEN OFFER any type of comped ANYTHING (a cookie, even!) to compensate for our dissatisfaction. Great customer service. Granted, I wouldn't have taken it, but an offer would've been nice. Oh, I also have to mention a time back in 2006 when my sister and I came here in the afternoon. Or tried to anyway. We came to the door and it was locked. We stood outside to read the restaurant hours and one of the employees unlocked the door to let a customer out. However, although the employee CLEARLY saw us standing there, they didn't seem to mention anything about being closed. (It was the middle of the EFFIN' day and we were there during an hour of operation. It was locked because......?) Apparently, that was the sign that we were NEVER supposed to come back here. Selmarie - NEWSFLASH, you're in Lincoln Square. You have NO right to even PRETEND to be pretentious. You're not in the Gold Coast, Streeterville, West Loop. I've had better service and felt much more welcome at the wrongly dubbed "snooty" restaurants.
(1)Kimberly L.
I've been to Cafe Selmarie about a billion times--hard to believe I'd forgotten to write a review! I had a bite to eat here recently. It was a scorcher outside but the outdoor seating seemed well-shaded and breezy. Service was friendly and efficient. I only had an iced tea and the quiche/salad lunch special but it was quite delightful. I was one of only 3 people willing to sit outside on a 90 degree day but service was attentive. My water and tea glasses were never empty. This is a lovely establishment in one of my favorite neighborhoods--one of the few places in the city that hasn't been completely overrun by Ann Taylor and Pottery Barn. (Not that there's anything wrong with those places, I just don't need them to be on every darn corner.) Ahem...anyway...Cafe Selmarie has provided a consistently pleasant experience and I will definitely be back.
(4)Ellen M.
You know the disappointment you feel when it's lunch time for most of the world but you want breakfast? Well, Cafe Selmarie has quiche. I have a mild distrust for places that serve pies and quiches with a perfectly shaped crust, but for all I know they still make it from scratch and are just really good at forming it. Either way, I don't care - it was wonderful, with red pepper, leeks, and other amazing stuff. Fantastic vinaigrette on the field greens, and garnished with fresh pineapple, red grapes and an orange slice. My date (I asked her out, so I paid ;-)) was a little less impressed with her chicken pot pie in terms of the spices, but liked it too. I think the cake we had was called Chocolate Orange Decadence. YES. Service is terrific.
(4)Lori B.
I've been here twice for dessert & coffee only, both times I tell myself I am not going to come back. First, they don't have a dessert menu to look at when you sit down at a table. They have one on their website though. You have to walk up to the front and see what's in the case. That's the last thing I'd want to do after just sitting down or after a meal. We overheard a staff member say it's a visual thing, huh? Second, the desserts weren't that good. I had the bread pudding, which is always decent, but my husband had the mocha buttercream torte and it tasted stale. i told him to return it and get something else. He just wanted to get done and get out of there. So while we love this part of Lincoln Square, I think we'll get Cold Stone Creamery and sit in the Square
(2)Katie R.
i can't believe i haven't written a review about this place yet! i really enjoy coming to cafe selmarie - the ambiance is warm and inviting and they have wonderful outdoor seating in the summer for some good people watching. they don't have many vegetarian options, so i can only review on what i've had, but the roasted veggie stack is my favorite. it is smothered in goat cheese and is always very fresh. to be honest, i'm not a fan of the petite salad that comes with it - it's just underwhelming and a little too oily for my taste - so last time i asked for kettle chips instead and was very happy. they serve intelligentsia and have plenty of alcholized versions of their coffee and other brunch-y drinks. the pastries look gorgeous but i've never been especially impressed, to be honest. they are good but not amazing for the price you pay.
(4)Rachel G.
Cute French inspired cafe in the lovely Lincoln Square! Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and it was packed! Tables were a little close together and it was a tad loud in there, but the food was great! I got the Turkey and brie sandwich and my friend got one of the specials, which was like a quesadilla in a bowl. They were both so delicious! Disappointment...the dessert! For them claiming to have tasty pastries, cakes, cookies, etc, I was let down. I thought the cake was very dry and it was supposed to have a hint a coffee taste, but it tasted like nothing but chocolate --Sad face-- It is a cute little restaurant and I will def go back on a warm day and sit outside on their patio and maybe next time skip the cake and try a pastry instead!
(3)Ryan C.
If you are seeking an all around place that is good for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner AND bakery...this is a great place to go. The wait staff was exceptionally nice and on the ball with everything. Has a nice atmosphere and art on the wall that you can buy. Very classy, yet comfortable. All of the paintings on the wall were of fish. If you seek a place to pick up an interesting painting of a fish, this would be the place. Everything there was at a decent price and the portions were more than enough. I had a large chicken salad that was really good and filling. I did have a few bites of their macaroni and cheese, which was close to how grandma used to make them, which I only had a few bites of. Definitely not you Kraft Cheesy Mac...much better. They have a full bakery with more selection than I actually need. I did have a cookie and a cup of coffee after, which topped off dinner. Because only a few bites had been taken out of the Mac n Cheese, the waiter was concerned I didn't like it. Had to tell him, "No man, just stuffed on the chicken salad!" Looking for a great brunch place...try it. Best of all, it's located in the Lincoln Square with a fountain and benches to relax and not feel like you have to pick up and go!
(5)Chitown D.
We've eaten here a handful of times and everything has been alright. Sadly, I couldn't tell you what we've eaten, if that tells you anything though. Some salads, some quiche, some sandwiches, etc., but nothing unforgettable obviously. No complaints about the service or the prices. They have outdoor seating in good weather, which is a nice feature. I was surprised it was described as quiet, as I always find it loud, especially on the weekends or when the stroller brigades arrive. The best thing about this place is the Black Forest Cake, which I stop by to pick up every month. I wouldn't say it's the best I've ever had, but it is the best around (beating out Gene's Sausage Shop across the street and Dinkel's down the road.)
(4)Kate P.
Since Valentine's day is right around the corner, I will be writing this review in a more poetic style. Here we go, ahem... ODE TO CAFE SELMARIE I have maternal love for Cafe Selmarie; Since, they make the most delicious mac and cheese. But that is not all they serve, They have fresh coffee and pasteries too, have you heard? The place isn't big, but it sure is cute, And I can't believe I haven't been here before last night, to boot. I'm feeling poetic, it's true All because I have so much love for you! Thanks for reading and may you all have a great V-Day wherever the day may take you!
(4)Jess J.
Generally speaking, the traffic flow is always bad here. Granted, when I stop by I often come with a toddler or stroller (or both), so I don't help the cause, but I can think of a few ways (counterwise, doorwise, and restaurantwise) that they could re-allot their space so that people could shop at the bakery without getting in the way of folks coming to dine, and visa-versa. That being said - the desserts are to die for. A fruit tart or some sort of ganache from here is worth looking forward to all day. Seeing how they aren't really kid-friendly from what I can telll, we find it easier to send one of us (hubby or I) in to purchase a delightful treat while the other waits outside. We will then devour it in the private of our own home. Not a bad arrangement (especially once we put the little one down, it is truly an enjoyable way to spend the evening). In the summertime, I have enjoyed a delish lunch here at their outdoor seating area (which I find logistically and aesthetically works best for them as a whole, esp being off of the plaza/square area with the fountain and all) . Those are the only circumstances in which I could imagine dining with a little one not being a pain. Looking forward to it really warming up soon so we can enjoy another yummy lunch outside on a nice day. Sidenote: When hubby and I next go on a date, we may have to stop here for dinner so that I can form an informed opinion on that front as well. :)
(3)Jacob T.
Cafe Selmarie is my after church go-to brunch place on Sundays. Great prices, the food is simple, but delicious, and the best coffee in the city! The brioche french toast, chilaquiles casserole, and the corned beef hash are all fantastic! This is a must try place.
(5)Ellie M.
Sunday Brunch = DELISH!!!!! We went here for my Sister-in-law's birthday aka The Brunch Queen. I must say it was a GREAT idea. I started off with their chai latte and it was super yummy. They had plenty of morning drinks to choose from even mimosas. I kept going back and forth because there were so many good things to choose from on the menu but I ended up ordering the corned beef hash. When it arrived I was pleased to see it was not the stuff that comes out of a can. It was JUST soooo yummy. There were 7 of us for brunch and we ALL had to try atleast one bite of each others entree. Service was top notch. Having a bakery upfront is definetly a perk we all left with some sort of sweet treat! Not only that but our bellies were full and not one unhappy customer in our group! We shall be returning!
(5)Taylor O.
I've been coming here for a while now and I'm just getting around to yelping about this delicious place. Prior to recently, we've only ever come here for the pastries, but recently we came for brunch too, which was delish! The mimosas were really good too :) My favorite pastries are the mixed fruit tart, the raspberry chocolate tart, and the banana eclair, in no particular order.
(4)Mary Ellen J.
My review is past due, but now I have 2 interactions with this fabulous place to boast about! Back in February it was my son's Cub Scout annual Raingutter Regatta so I thought how great to bring sail boat shaped cookies- well, I remember once upon a visit this place had them in the case. So I called, after a few long Ummmmmmmmmm's, they asked if they could get back to me. I could hear it over the phone- although they didn't say it out loud- why does someone want sailboats in the middle of winter?! (I agree) but, sure enough I believe the lovely woman that called me back was named Connie, she said the baker would make them he just had to find the shape as it was in another season's box put away. Thank you, thank you!! Now this is customer service and how you should run a business! Skip a couple months and I know that they only make Hot Cross Buns for Easter and they are SO good. For whatever reason I had this great idea to get some and bring them into work today, but of course this great idea didn't come to me until my drive home last evening. I called and as much as she wanted to say 'sure' she needed to call me back after she called the baker to see if he would come in early enough to make them for me for the time I wanted to pick them up. Again, fabulous amazing customer service at its finest, I get the call- Yes, the baker will come in and have them ready for you. I arrived this morning, early, they were still in the oven- seriously does it get any better??? While I waited I had a Cafe Au Lait, on the house to boot. I picked up my hot Hot Cross Buns, all 3 dozen of them- brought them into work- still hot and they were gone in less than 30 minutes. Thank you for being a fabulous customer-smart business that serves wonderful food and obviously has the customer service thing down right! Happy Easter!
(5)Livia N.
5 stars for the bakery and 4 stars for the restaurant. I've been a regular customer at Cafe Selmarie for the past 4 years. Their desserts have been the best I've tried in Chicago. I used to order desserts at restaurants but I no longer do that. If my husband and I eat out, we stop by Cafe Selmarie for dessert. I am not a big fan of super sweet anything and if you are like me I would reccomend the raspberry bavarian cake, black forest cake, strawberry roulade, and any of the fruit tarts. Those are my favorite treats from Selmarie. About the restaurant, I love the atmosphere. Lincoln Square is a very kid friendly place and so is this restaurant. Their menu is simple and there aren't a whole lot of items to choose from, but the ones that they do offer are really good. I have to agree with other people about the vegetarian chilli. It is one of my favorite items on the menu. I would add the mac&cheese and the roasted vegetable stack to my list of favorites, with a word of caution that the mac &cheese portion is really tiny. I give it four stars just because it is a bit pricey. If you go there for the restaurant you MUST save room for dessert. Your experience will not be complete without it.
(5)Nona Gayle D.
My favorite dessert spot. My brother introduced my to this place last week, and am I glad he did so. They have cookies, cupcakes, cakes, tarts, and load of sweets! My favorites in this place are the mixed fruit tarts, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and the raspberry butter cookies! Please stop by this place for a quick bite of sweetness, I promise it will make your entire day better It's a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it.
(5)Emily C.
A colleague of mine, formerly of Lincoln Square, has recommended this place to me numerous times and I kept putting it off. Things like it looking too crowded or it being closed just kept preventing me from getting in. At long last, I made my way in and bought two slices of torte for my fiancee and myself, one chocolate-banana (mine), and one hazelnut (his). If you get no other message, out of this review, get this: Those. Tortes. Were. PERFECT. This cake was so flippin' amazing I found myself cursing the fact that cake is already included in my wedding package, preventing me from ordering one from here. Yes, I cursed free cake. That's how delicious it is. I'm foolish for not making it to this place sooner and will undoubtedly come back, even if that means amping up my workout regimen. Well worth it.
(5)Megan S.
This place hits the spot and is conveniently located. Their mimosas are amazing, as well as all dishes I have tried there. They change the menu almost weekly to keep customers intruiged and coming back wanting more.
(5)Jacqueline A.
Lovely all around. Sweet ambiance in a great location, delicious small plates, a genuine waitress & hot servers walking around with even more delicious looking cream puffs! We stopped by before a concert at Old Town School of Folk Music. An excellent prelude. We were in and out in 45 minutes on a Saturday night. Next time we'll save time for dessert. Now I'm going to try to figure out how to make their crab crepe with mushroom brandy cream sauce.
(4)Jill H.
This place is pretty delicious. I went for brunch this morning with my boyfriend and his family and everyone seemed to really enjoy their meals. I got the granola with berries and yogurt and the granola was delicious! I also tried my boyfriend's corned beef hash, which was very authentically good. It wasn't like the mash you get out of a can, but real slow cooked corned beef with potatoes and poached eggs. Loads of flavor. I gave this place four stars because the service was a tad slow, my juice was small, and the menu didn't have a ton of options. But really 4 stars is great! I will definitely be going back!
(4)John C.
This is my favorite brunch place in Lincoln Square. Their outdoor seating is fantastic - right in the heart of the square by the fountain, and the inside is great as well - walls adorned with regularly updated art. Their eggs florentine is delicious, and the breakfast potatoes are always tasty. Really great spicy bloody marys as well. Their dinner definitely doesn't disappoint, but it's pricey. Their specials are seasonal and delicious as well. I'd be here all the time if it was more affordable. Their dessert is probably the best thing about this place. It's hard not to stop in here more often and get a piece of their homemade cakes or pies or cookies or...well I don't even know all of the stuff they have, but it's GREAT - and cheap! I feel like I'm getting a deal when I get a giant piece of homemade cake for $4, and just thinking of these sweets are making me salivate.
(5)John B.
Oh Selmarie, why do you taunt me with your evil pastry goodness? Why do you make me walk past your bakery case, overflowing with cakes and tarts and tortes and strudels, all calling out "Eat Me," like some sugary Alice in Wonderland fever dream? Why, when I say I'm just going to have a salad or maybe a sandwich, do you mock my fatty resolve? Yes, I give in, again and again. You are my heroin, and I am a pastry junkie, trying to inject a sticky bun into my arm. The other food is good here too, and luckily fairly light. Quiches and wraps and salads and cafe-style sandwiches, like the smoked turkey and brie, still a favorite two years later. Which is good, because you know you're going to have to have that orange decadence cake or maybe the strawberry roulade or the marble cream cheese brownie. Service is dicey, which is the main reason I only give you four stars. And bananas and strawberries is really not a fruit bowl, especially in high summer. But then you flash me some Bavarian cream, and all is well again.
(4)Susan M.
I like it here still. Met friends for breakfast. One of which is a total foodie, and I was nervous that Selmarie wouldn't live up to his expectations. It did. Yay Cafe Selmarie!.
(5)Christine F.
I was feeling kind of icky and under the weather tonight, and I had a strong desire for some soup. I spotted Cafe Selmarie across the street, so off I went. It's a cozy cafe with a HUGE bakery in the front and a more upscale restaurant in the back. I sat down and ordered a bowl of vegetarian chili and a chai tea. Ok. OMFG. This is the best chai tea I've ever had. The milk was super rich and frothy, it was sweet, but not too sweet, and had the signature subtle chai spice. It was ridiculously good. I could have drunk about 10 of those. The chili was good, but not great. It was kind of basic - pinto beans, tomatoes and green peppers with cheese on top with a side of cornbread. It hit the spot, but it wasn't the best chili EVAR. I would definitely come back here, especially for the bakery. I could have stared (and ate) their bakery selection all night. MMM. Cafe Selmarie was a great beginning-of-fall stop. Good stuff.
(4)Roberto M.
If Cafe Selmarie were simply a bakery or desert shop, it would get 4-5 stars. If you are looking for a quiet date night in Lincoln Square, I recommend it. However, the food was OK, but not excellent. We had the Chicken Pot Pie and Macaroni & Cheese for dinner. Both left us wanting more. Do I recommend it? Yes, if you are looking for a quiet date spot to enjoy a bottle of wine and excellent deserts.
(3)Rosie S.
I went to this place on Saturday for brunch. And it was delicious!!! There was a small wait, but it is worth it. Cafe Selmaried is located in the heart of Lincoln Square and is very convenient to get to by CTA. The Cafe itself itself is very quaint and nicely decorated. I had the chilaquiles casserole--if you are used to spice (then it is not really spicy)--it was delicious, none of the toppings were overwhelming and the portion was quite large. My friend had one of their specials for the day--ahi tuna wrap with sweet potato fries. She said the wrap was awesome and ate the whole thing even though she was full after the 1st Half. The fries were just the right amount of crispiness. And our server was great.
(4)David K.
Randomly walked by this place while going around Lincoln Square. The menu looked nice so the boyfriend and I decided to try it out. The environment was nice, but full of babies. Maybe that's a Lincoln Square thing, but yeah, a lot of babies in this place. We ended up ordering from the breakfast side of Brunch. I had a salmon, egg, english muffin thing, and boyfriend got a denver omelet. My food was alright, but it wasn't anything special. I always get this feeling that ordering fish for breakfast will turn out fancier than it ever does, but it was pretty good. Boyfriend was very satisfied with his omelet, and we both loved our hash browns. Overall, the meal was good, a little more expensive than I would have wanted it to be. Service was nice, environment was alright (again, there were a lot of babies in this restaurant). It's in a great location though. A good way to start an afternoon of adventure through the nifty shops and stores along Lincoln Avenue. Lastly, we didn't try any, but there were some beautiful-looking dessert options. Might need to go back to try some of them.
(4)Kate B.
We stumbled upon this little gem while taking a stroll in Lincoln Square on a random summer Thursday evening. Well, there happened to be live music playing outside that evening, and a table for two on the patio just opened - perfect, the romance meter just jumped! Little did we know, it was pre-fixe night - ooh joy! The overall everyday menu seems to focus on comfort foods, with macaroni and cheese being the front runner, as we saw it being served to many diners. We chose to go with the pre-fixe option - I had a simple salad, with a light vinaigrette, and pasta with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, Parmesan cheese.... mmmm, nothing out of the ordinary, but prepared very well. My partner had the chowder to start, which had a broth base, as opposed to the favored creamy chowdah. For his main course he had the monkfish in a light cream sauce. I have never tasted monkfish prepared so delicate and flavorful, needless to say this was the star meal of the evening. It was rounding towards closing time, so there was slim pickins for dessert, and you could tell they had been sitting in the pastry case for the day, as they were cold and did not have an abundance of flavor. Overall it was a good meal, great company and a fantastic little gem of a Chicago evening with live music as our soundtrack. The service was wonderful, our server was so nice and sweet, she was spot on. We left a wee past closing time, as we got swept away by the romance of it all, and as we were leaving, there was no attitude that we had stayed beyond their hours, it was smiles all the way out as we floated into the Chicago evening. We will definitely be back to try their breakfast and coffee, and perhaps a fresher pastry!
(4)MELEK L.
Cafe Selmarie has it all. Delicious fresh breakfast, quick lunch, great atmosphere, and the most impressive, shiny pastry display. I try to schedule as many meetings here as I can!
(5)Sarah C.
I would actually say 3.5 stars if I could. It is definitely a really nice place. My main complaint is the lack of vegan options. It is great for dairly lovers, but I had more fun with my company and the atmosphere of the place, than the actual food. The service was wonderful.
(3)Nick B.
It's hard not to describe this place as really, really cute. I find myself saying "cute" with slight derogatory intentions, but absolutely not for Cafe Selmarie. I went here for brunch this morning with my parents for our weekly brunch session. Reviews on here were outstanding and it's really close to my apartment. I went to bed last night thinking about French toast. The cafe is right off a sunny park in the middle of Lincoln Square. It actually felt like a getaway. It's charming and the fact that it was absolutely beautiful outside today just made the place even calmer. We stopped in at 9AM and already the patio was filled up (bummer!), so we ended up sitting inside without a wait. Not a problem. It was nice because despite being crowded, there was no shouting involved to have a conversation. Brunch spots like Toast leave you so crammed in that you can't hear the person sitting across from you. I went ahead with the brioche French toast. Wonderful! It was very flavorful which was a great spin on the classic item. I think one of my only complains is that it is a little pricey for the average brunch joint. Not really a problem, but I can't see myself frequently that often. With that said, it really was an enjoyable be to start a relaxing Sunday.
(4)Marie B.
This is a gem of a place in Lincoln Park. I recently had lunch here with an absolute "foodie" and he, too, was impressed. The decor is charming without being kitchy. The service is attentive without being annoying, and the desserts are quite simply put, DIVINE! I could eat here every day...wait, I work nearby, so I CAN eat lunch here, everyday! No, wait, my butt is already huge...I have no will power and the desserts are just too tempting. Alas, I can't enjoy Cafe Selmarie everyday...perhaps you could dine for me?! I'll live vicariously through you... ; - ) Try the sweet potato fries...yum.
(5)Aesha W.
This place may be a tad bit pricey, but I still like it. I haven't eaten at the restaurant (yet), but I did grab a chai latte and a yummy bakery item this morning on my way to my acupuncture appointment. It's a really cute little place in Lincoln Square, with a friendly staff and what looks to be a delicious menu. I look forward to returning for more tasty treats and a visit to the restaurant.
(4)Carrie F.
i love this place, for so many reasons. the baked goods are out of sight, the brunch items are amazing and the coffee is good, too. i also appreciate that its a small, well lit comfortable cafe. the waitstaff have always been great, too.
(5)Irena A.
This place has delicious food. I have had the cobb salad various times here.. It's perfect! the dressing is perfect(vinagrette that is). I have had dessert here also... i just don't recall it's name! Very yummy. Check this place out!!! J'aime beaucoup!
(4)Lethe X.
Best Black Forest cake in town. Oh, YES.
(4)Rachel Y.
One of my favorite brunch spots or late afternoon-sit-outside-glass-of-wine spots. The food is amazing, service is very friendly, and their outdoor seating area is fantastic. All in all, just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Jean C.
I've been coming here since God was a boy. Or at least since before they expanded up to the corner from that tiny storefront they opened with. I've eaten here since before it was the trendy place for people to bring their screaming kids and block the walkways with those SUV-size strollers everyone seems to have these days. But while the clientele has changed and the size of the restaurant, too, the quality of the food and service has, mercifully, remained the same. I'm very partial to their salads, and the warm, marinated goat cheese with mixed greens is a favorite of mine. But the one I find myself wishing for -- it's a special, not a regular menu item -- is the Salad Lyonnaise which strikes just the right balances to make it a meal without being overwhelming. Their mac and cheese or vegetarian chili are more likely to stick-to-your-ribs, and are great choices for colder weather. The specials are always reliable, creative without being ridiculous. Nobody is going to try to serve you foam here and tell you that it's a meal. Of course the baked goods are the real stars of the show, and even if you're not eating in, you can take home some amazing breads and pastries. I was head-over-heels for their chocolate hazelnut dacquoise, for years, but I am now told it's only being made by order. I am heart-broken over this and I hope they'll rethink their decision. But it isn't just the fancy pastries which satisfy. Something as homely as their breakfast bun will send you into your day with a smile on your face and a feeling that you've done right by yourself. Try it with a cup of their coffee. I can't even imagine not visiting this place on a regular basis even if the parking situation is becoming more dire by the day. (Thank you Chicago, thank you so very, very much for this new parking outrage!) It's worth the annoyance, in my opinion, and remains one constant bright spot in an ever-changing landscape of trendiness and yuppification. Also? They often have very nice art on the walls and much of it is for sale. Worth a look.
(5)Tammy R.
Best sugar cookies ever! Great staff too.
(5)Kirsten N.
Every time I come here they never disappoint, with the food that is. Unfortunately the service is what stops me from giving them 5 stars. Every time I go I have to flag down another waiter/waitress to order or even pay the bill!! On one visit I tried for over 30 minutes and asked 4 different waiters to get ours so I could pay. Hire better staff and I'll frequent your establishment more often!
(3)Gregg L.
I always visit Cafe Selmarie when I'm in Chicago. The food and the ambiance are excellent. It's a great place for relaxing with friends, or to just hang out. Once you try it, you'll be a fan too!
(5)cara r.
The food at Cafe Selmarie looked really good, but I didn't come here for a meal, I came for a cupcake. And once was definitely enough. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but the cake was dry on both the yellow and chocolate cakes, and the icing managed to be both overly sweet and too buttery all at the same time. The last time I was in Lincoln Square I got a cupcake craving, and I walked right past Cafe Selmarie, got in my car, and drove down to Dinkel's to satisfy it. *sigh*
(1)Jennifer H.
Great brunches in general, and their lunch and dinner offerings are tasty (love the cucumber avocado soup!) but I think the bakery is a bit overrated. I have ordered dessert here before, and the crumb on each occasion has been tough and dry (to be fair, I stopped ordering dessert after four bland tries, so maybe I just picked the wrong things). The service is always, always fantastic, and I have never had an egregious wait. This is a terrific neighborhood joint overall -- just wish I had had bette experiences with the baked goods!
(4)Kristina K.
So. I keep thinking about reviewing Selmarie. But I don't. Because I work there. And I know from the talk threads about how people feel about reviewing your workplace. So I will make it very clear. I WORK HERE. I AM BIASED. I also hesitate because one of my managers (Hi, Anne!) reads Yelp on a fairly regular basis. We currently have a list of all our good reviews hanging in the front window. Say nice things, and you could be up there too. But in all seriousness. I really, really like Selmarie. I eat here every day. Not necessarily because I want to, but because it's there, and I kind of have to. I'll give you a rundown of items as they come to me. Sorry in advance for the length and the vegetarian slant. Menu: *Veggie Chili: excellent. *Salads: good in general. The pear salad is only served as a special. It's my favorite. Order it. But leave me one. *Sweet Potato Fries: hands down favorite thing on the menu. I love sweet potatoes. I love chipotle dip. *Grilled Cheese: Jaime makes the best. Get multigrain bread, and add tomatoes and avocado. Yum. *Soups: delicious and often vegetarian. My favorites include: butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomato bisque (ask for croutons), tomato florentine. There's a lot of non vegetarian ones that I haven't tried, but I'm sure they're good too *Mac & Cheese: tasty. Many different cheeses. This ain't blue box. *Quiche: goodness. Get the Italian veggie with sundried tomatoes. But again, save me some. *Breakfast Burrito: second favorite thing on the menu. I wish I worked more mornings so I could eat this more often. *Breakfast Potatoes: come with burrito. Add to the deliciousness. *French Toast: get the one with the berries. It was the most amazing french toast I've ever had. Honestly. Desserts (I work at the counter, and if you ask, I will be honest, but here I'll just list my favorites, in no particular order): *Sacher Torte (say it with me: soccer): I explain what this is about 80 times a day. But it's still my favorite. *Raspberry Marzipan Torte: mmm, marzipan. *Tiramisu: so, so, so good. *Tres Leches: dripping with condensed milk and sweetness. *Strawberry Roulade (say it with me: roo-laud): sweet and light and fruity. *Mixed Fruit Tart/Raspberry Custard Tart/Raspberry Chocolate Tart: I'm a fruit addict. All fresh. All delicious. The Rasp. Chocolate is sinful. *Morning Bun: the lemon glaze gets me every time. *Chocolate Mousse Torte/Raspberry Bavarian Torte: the first time I had these, I wasn't too thrilled. Recently I tried them again, and have honestly been converted. Both are amazing. *Spanish Almond Torte: mmm, more marzipan, and apricot preserves. Cookies (all excellent, again, my favorites): *Kolachkys, Apricot Circles, Raspberry Hearts, Raspberry Almond Tartlets, Florentines, Wedding Cakes, Rugelah, Oatmeal Chocolate Almond Coconut, Sugar Cookies. So, yeah. It's ALL good. You really can't go wrong. I, of course, get sick of it all. That's only because I look at it/have it every day. But you don't work there, so you won't. Edit: I guess there's some question as to Selmarie's reservation policy. We *DO* take reservations. But *only* for parties of 6 or more. Except for weekends, you probably won't need one anyway. If you are desperate for something Selmarie, and don't have 6 people, call ahead when you're on your way. We will kindly put you on the list.
(5)Elizabeth R.
I've been here for both dinner and brunch and I really like the place except for one drawback....they seem to attract the rudest clientele imaginable. On both visits I sat outside. When I went for dinner, there was a young boy (maybe 4) playing with a ball by bouncing it off every surface imaginable (the wall, our legs, our table, other people's legs, other people's tables, etc.) with apparently no parent supervision (or at least a parent who could care less). The ball bouncing went on for way too long until finally the ball bounced onto our table while the waiter was taking our order. He finally took action and the manager came out to tell the parents to reign their kid in (the manager had observed this previously but delayed taking action until he nearly knocked our drinks over). As an alternative, these stellar parents just lifted the kid over the fence into the square to play ball unsupervised with some random strangers (maybe they were hoping to get rid of him?). Anyway the food was really good and despite that I enjoyed my dinner experience. My second visit was for brunch recently. Once again, I was sitting outside. I liked the brunch options and the food was really good, but this time we had some man insistent on feeding pigeons sitting next to us. This probably would not have bothered me normally, but he kept throwing the bread he was feeding these pigeons midway between our two tables and suddenly I had birds crawling between my legs to get to their next morsel of food. So gross! I'm pretty sure it is also illegal to do this in the city of Chicago (against city ordinances). Needless to say, constantly randomly moving your feet throughout your meal in order to get the pigeons away from you makes for a very unpleasant brunch experience. This time, no one from the wait/management staff said anything to them. The food was once again very good, but their terrible clientele (and the restaurants' apparent inability to control them) makes this a hard place to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this place, but would suggest sitting inside.
(3)Sarah F.
Good to the last bite. You can't go wrong. Every meal they serve is scrumptious. Everything they do, they do it very well. I particularly like their breakfasts and salads. They are the kind of place that makes a salad into a celebration.
(5)Maria G.
Really good place, its a bit pricey for the portions, but well worth it. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was out of this world! My husband had the chicken pot pie which we were not as thrilled about. Overall they had great service and the ravioli was incredible.
(4)C P.
this place has excellent, well-executed breakfast. this is the only meal I've been there for. I tend to avoid it during peak weekend breakfast hours, as it can get a little over-run with strollers. got up early enough, though and had another great breakfast here, so thought it time to let others know. had corned beef hash and my boyfriend had the omelette. Corned beef was exactly what I wanted - fresh, NOT CANNED. something I could only hope to aspire at making at home, once a year, after St. Patrick's day. perfectly balanced beef, potatoes and still-runny poached eggs. other eggs were also good and the fillings were each cooked to a good level of done-ness. they keep things moving during busy times, but not so close/crowded that you can hear the conversation of the person next to you.
(4)Heather K.
I don't know what the fuss is all about. I've been to Cafe S. on three occassions now. First for lunch, second for weekend brunch. last for dinner. Based on my first experience I couldn't wait to go back. I took my parents there for lunch in the summer. Sat on the patio. Had good food. Shared some wine. Overall a terrific experience. Food was great, Dad had a salad, Mom the roasted beef sandwich w/ au jus, myself the quiche. Delish. So, I went back. My husband and I tried weekend brunch later in the summer. Food was very mediocre if not down right bland and I've had way tastier chilaquiles (try Tiztal on Clark in Uptown!). We had to wait, as I expected - the place was packed - so I ordered a sf vanilla latte at the coffee bar. We sat down 25 minutes later and I STILL didn't have my coffee! First they didn't have the sf vanilla. Fine, I'll just have the plain latte. Then it was something about the milk. My God, it's a coffee bar on a weekend! How do you not have milk and syrup?! When we sat down, I told the waiter we were waiting on a latte - he brought me brewed coffee. Sent it back and 10 minutes later I FINALLY got my latte. Which was tasty but by then I was just put off about the whole situation. They did comp the drink so at least I didn't have to pay for it. I also have to complain about the number of parents that frequent this place that really need to keep a better eye on their kids. I know it's an outdoor patio - next to the Square - but that doesn't give you permission to allow your children to run wild screaming disrupting other people's meals. My last visit, my husband and I went for a Friday night dinner. Big mistake. The portions were so small, my husband actually went home and made a bowl of oatmeal because he was starving. He had ordered the chicken pot pie - it was kiddie size and WAY too creamy. It had the consistency of paste. I had the beef stew, which was marginally better, but I'd never get it again as it was served at room temperature, i.e. cold. Our food was also served in a matter of minutes. I know the stuff we ordered was probably made earlier in the day, and I don't expect restaurants to make-to-order beef stew and chicken pot pie. But we received our food in under 10 minutes! IMO, going out to eat is also about the experience not just the food. Well, our experience start to finish was finished in under 35 minutes. It was like going to a classed up and more expensive McDonalds. Needless to say, 3's a charm. I won't be back.
(1)Crafty K.
I've had some great meals here. Brunch is good but really, I'd come for lunch or dinner to get something more memorable. That croque monsieur is insanely good and I usually like their quiches. I've had great and unusual soups that are awesome. I like how they have a seasonal menu - only using the freshest ingredients. I was very impressed with our waitress' knowledge of the wine she was serving. I once ordered a alsatian stew that was great and the waitress paired a fantastic Chilean wine with it. It was like heaven. The deserts and bakery and incredible. It's spendy allright and sometimes I've actually thought, "that salad is HOW MUCH?" but just order wisely and you'll be happy with the meal for the price.
(4)Matt S.
My favorite brunch spot in the Square. A little pricey, but not too bad. I much prefer this place for brunch than dinner - their breakfast/brunch menu is delicious, but the dinner seems unremarkable to me.
(4)Tracy G.
went there today for brunch- great coffee (americano), but i ordered a small o.j., got a large, and got charged for a large. not that busy, waited quite awhile for a waiter who was so-so friendly. the menu seemed great, although only one vegetarian option; i ordered it- the breakfast burrito- that was described as having many delicious mexican ingredients, like rice, avocado, etc.- it came out and was just scrambled eggs in a tortilla. avocado? looked like the chef slice an avocado and divided it between 30 burritos- couldn't even see it or taste it. i definitely could have made one at home better- and for $9, i should have! my dining partner ordered the denver omelette was just o.k. overall? there are much better places for brunch in chicago!
(2)Maria C.
Cute place for breakfast or a light lunch. The location is great because Lincoln Square is just cute, especially in a sunny spring morning. Add that to great service, very good food and perfect portion sizes. It's a great option.
(4)Mary T.
It used to be that no one knew where Lincoln Square was until you mentioned Cafe Selmarie. I have been coming here forever, it's always good and the desserts are wonderful. Breakfast/brunch is good, sometimes too crowded so go early. A little oasis of consistent calm and friendly wait staff.
(5)Erika L.
I've been going to this place for years! I love their fresh baked desserts, especially the lemon squares and the brownies. It would be an ideal place to go to for brunch when you can sit outside on a nice summer afternoon and enjoy, though prepare for a possible wait! The homemade soups and the salads are great to start, and then I usually order the mac' n cheese. The coffee, dessert and the atmosphere are all of what make me give it 5 stars and keep me coming back.
(5)Rian K.
I've been picking up pastries or ordering takeout lunch from Selmarie for a couple of years, but I only recently went there for brunch. What was a strong like before turned into love after tasting three of their brunch menu items. The interior of the dining room is bright and lively, and if it's warm, you can sit outside with a view of the nearby fountain. I had the breakfast burrito, which was delicious. My friend had a mushroom? bread pudding that was rich and decadent and we also split the cinnamon orange french toast, which was good but not extraordinary. The mint and pomegranate mimosas were definitely unique, but started to get a little too minty halfway through. Between the atmosphere, breakfast food, and the delicious pastries, cookies and cakes they serve, I have to say Selmarie is pretty sweet.
(4)Mark S.
Yup- this place is very good. Nice space, outside seating option (watch the homeless feed pigeons), great food and awesome desserts. Not had a bad experience here ever. And, this place has the biggest rum balls on earth, if you know what I mean. Grab one and take a big bite out of it like an apple- you'll be in heaven!
(5)Karen L.
This is a cute bakery/restaurant located in the heart of Lincoln Square. I go there often for cookies and other sweet treats. I am not a big sweets fan, but I do enjoy a Selmarie treat every so often. On the weekends for brunch/lunch, expect there to be a wait. There aren't many tables inside, so it is cozy and often times crowded. (During the summer they have a nice outdoor area that is quite nice.) I have been there once for brunch and had the breakfast burrito. It was ok, but not great. Recently I just went there and opted for lunch. I thought their lunch menu was a lot better, but that could be because I am more of a lunch person than a breakfast person. I had the ahi tuna wrap, which came with sweet potato fries. The tuna was cooked rare, which was just the way I liked it. It came with mango salsa and chipotle mayo. Very yummy! The sweet potato fries were just ok. I was expecting the skinny crispy ones, but they were the thick cut, soggy ones. Overall, though, the meal was tasty. I would definitely go back for lunch, as there were other things on the menu that looked appetizing! (Like the chili and the portabello mushroom sandwich!) The price at Selmarie is like any other trendy brunch-y place... about $10 an entree or so, so not bad. I would definitely recommend trying it, and don't forget to take a stroll around Lincoln Square while you are waiting for a table. Enjoy and Hanger 18 are right there and super cute!
(4)Jessica M.
Friendly service and tasty treats.
(4)Allison B.
I went here for brunch this AM. We called ahead at about 11:30 AM and they said they'd have a table for 2 ready for in 30-40 minutes (pretty impressive for Father's Day). So we put in our name, and when we arrived 33 minutes later, they did indeed have a table ready for us. We even got to choose between sitting outside or inside (we chose outside). For breakfast, I had the brioche french toast. It was really good-- served w/ macerated berries and a mascarpone whipped cream. It was so good! My husband had the onion tart with caramelized onions, bacon, and bleu cheese. I thought it sounded a little funny, but it was actually really delicious. Our service was overall quite good-- a little slow on the coffee warm-ups, but other than that, no complaints. We will absolutely be back for brunch, and I'd be interested in trying out dinner there some night as well. And while I was able to pass up the baked goods today because I was so full from my french toast, I will save room next time! A pleasant dining experience!
(4)Beebe G.
had a lovely lunch here with uncle willie! i had some tea and a tuna salad sandwich and uw had the mac and cheese and soup. my sandwich was fresh and, scxrumptious! service was nice and i'd like to come back for another lunch with uncle wills.
(4)Ebru Y.
I really wanted to like their German chocolate cake but it just didn't happen. I guess it was either left-over from the day before or just got old through the day. It just had a really dry texture and the top was really greasy. And I also have to add that the server was really cold towards us and had a look on her face as she wanted to ask " why are you just ordering coffee and a cake when it's close to dinner time?" I'm disappointed, though I like other items on the menu so I will probably go back for those, and hopefully the server was just having a bad day and she recovered!
(3)CE S.
This is the one thing I will miss the most after moving out of Lincoln Square. Three meals a day, I have always had top-notch service, top-notch food and I have never minded the wait because they are always on top of it. After becoming a regular, I even had a waitress introduce herself and repeat back my favorite brunch order of Chillaquilles (I am sure I put too many "l's" in that) and iced tea. This place never fails to satisfy and impress me with their menu and focus on in-season and local ingredients. And I agree with Tristin-- the mini pumpkin pies kill. My only complaint is the cookies-- I like them soft, but if you appreciate a crunchy cookie, then go for it at Selmarie. Overall, despite my move to the North Shore, I will definitely continue to make it down to Selmarie on weekends.
(5)Jeff B.
I've only been here for breakfast, but it's really good. There are only about 6 or 8 things on the menu, but they are very good. If you can sit outside, it's in a perfect location looking out on Lincoln Square neighborhood. The bakery has some good stuff to take away -- either desserts or fresh baked bread.
(4)Patty W.
When we moved to Lincoln Square 7 years ago, we immediately looked to Cafe Selmarie as our go-to place. We'd take friends there for dinner, parents there for brunch. And then we stopped. Because it's not that good. I'll leave others to review the dining experience. As a vegetarian, my options were typically limited to the same two less-than-tantalizing menu items (I don't eat fish, either). It's the bakery that proved most disappointing--and frankly I'm mystified by all the reviewers who say otherwise. If, like me, you view dinner as the means to dessert, you can't help but be lured by the confections on display in the bakery cases that dominate the cafe's entrance. Yet no matter what we ordered, it was always a let down, with the taste--dry and flavorless--never matching the delectable appearance. "How can you screw up cake?" we kept asking ourselves. "Did they forget to add the butter?" Sure that we had chosen poorly, or been served a stale slice, we kept going back expecting different results. But it was always the same. We recently received a gift certificate to the cafe from a neighbor, who I'm sure thought she was doing us a favor. So we were compelled to give the place one more try. As I was halfway through my piece of flourless chocolate cake, I wondered why I was still eating it, when it essentially had all theh flavor of cardboard. I've had better pastries at IKEA--seriously. If you're in the mood to indulge a sweet tooth, you'd be better off schlepping to the Austrian Bakery in Lincoln Park.
(2)Casey D.
Bright sunny spot for brunch, whether indoors or out. Enjoyed the vibrant oil paintings of surrealist fish on the wall. Didn't sample the baked goods but they looked scrumptious. The Sunday brunch menu offers a delightful hybrid of American and Mexican dishes, and you can be as healthy or unhealthy about your order as you want, though I believe that brunch is by nature an indulgent, hedonistic meal. The blood marys were tangy and not too spicy--they use high quality vodka and fresh horseradish.I was fortunate enough to bask in the company of Max F., whose vast expertise encompasses the cuisine of the Spanish-speaking world. He ordered us the breakfast burrito and the chilaquiles casserole. I preferred the latter.
(4)Kv G.
The Sunday brunch at Cafe Selmarie is a mix of the commonplace and the cosmopolitan. The Mediterranean tart with carmelized onions, artichokes, olives and goat cheese (there was more, but I can't remember it) doesn't sound too good - especially when you figure in the topping of blackberry sauce - but it all works, and it was delicious. My roommate had the more traditional eggs and bacon, which looked solid, and bonus to the bacon for being less strips and more slabs. The staff was also quite friendly, but the atmosphere was a little to modern-art-museum-y to be a restaurant. Still, it looked good, and the desserts up front looked even better; the place offered a macadamia nut tart that looked like it might kill you three bites in, which would be the equivalent of being strangled by Maria Bello mid-coitus. Selmarie is on the pricey side, so it will be more of a treat each time I go.
(4)Jessie C.
Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants. Delicious desserts, friendly service, not too expensive, and well worth the search for parking.
(5)Ducky R.
Café Selmarie is tucked into a corner of Lincoln Square's actual "Square". I think it might be a little misappropriately named since this "café" is more often patronized for its meals and plethora of baked goods than its coffee. Its outdoor patio spills into the square and the tranquility of the place has deteriorated temporarily while construction of yet another set of condos takes place nearby. The café has a very European feel; from the bustling waiters to the cozy indoor space. I feel the food is a little overpriced given the portion size, but perhaps it goes with the typically European concept of quality over quantity. It is often crowded which may lead you to believe that it's a very, very special place to eat. I fell for this and we ate here for my 27th birthday. That meal might have been the moment when I realized Café Selmarie really ain't ALL that, although we did have fun at the German festival afterwards. I love stopping by this place on my way to the El in the mornings and getting the "Selmarie Morning Bun". It is such a scrumptious cinnamon roll - devoid of excessive sugar and frosting but overflowing with flavor from some refreshing secret ingredient. It's the perfect substitute to the pedestrian doughnut.
(3)Stephanie M.
This busy bakery cafe offers lunch and dinner and really great pastries and cakes. The individual sized raspberry tarts, fruit tarts, and tiramisu are among the best offerings. You can really taste the coffee liquor. They are big enough to share though. I suggest buying a bunch of different ones including cake by the slice and sharing with friends so you can try a little piece of each one. They also have fresh baked bread and cookies.
(5)Kat L.
I will happily be the 310th person to say how much I love Cafe Selmarie. It is one of my top 5 favorite spots to get coffee and a delish pastry. Their croissants are flaky and moist every time and the latte will literally warm your soul. Plus you have the lucky choice of sitting in Lincoln Square, or meerly peering out the window and people watching. I've never had a bad dessert, though I would reccommend letting anything with buttercream sit a room temperature so it doesn't have a waxy texture to it! The staff is always so friendly. I'm going to have to come back for brunch sometime soon!
(5)Ann M.
Cafe Selmarie is a fantastic spot. The food is always wonderful, and the portions are perfect - not Supersized, just right. It's comfort food, and it's prepared well and presented nicely. The desserts are a serious indulgence so save room. Service can be uneven, never horrific, but that happens everywhere. If you're looking for an al fresco dining experience in the summer months, this is the place for it.
(5)Sean H.
Birgit and Jeannie make the best Stollen on the planet. And if you don't agree, meet me by the bike rack out front. And bring all your friends...if you have any!
(5)Marco D.
I must admit that the only meals I've eaten at selmarie have been of the breakfast kind. But they do it well. The eggs have yummy spring onions tossed in. It's a bit steep for what you get, but it's the kind of place you go to to enjoy a meal on the patio with good company. The strong point is bar none the pastries. They have the best cupcakes in Chicago. And a cute waitstaff never hurts a place. Try the morning buns!!!!!
(4)Sharon S.
This place is awesome! At first it looks like a bakery but it's so much more. In the back of the bakery is the restaurant area. A friend and I went there for dinner last night. I got the glazed pork and she got the salmon salad. Both were amazing. The sauce on the glazed pork is to die for. I just couldn't get enough of it. And for a salad, the salmon salad was large and filling. We also had red wine which were great recommendations from the waitress. We were too stuffed for dessert but everything from the bakery looked delicious. I'll definitely be back. There was so much on their menu that I wanted to try that it was hard to decide. The atmosphere was great and staff was super friendly. Definitely check it out! And I heard their brunch is amazing, definitely need to get there for that.
(4)Nicole S.
My husband and I came here one evening a few months ago for dessert and coffee. The weather was beautiful, so we were able to sit on a patio and enjoy our treats. I returned today with a friend for brunch and was very disappointed in the food. I ordered the pesto scramble and chicken sausage. The potatoes were plain, the sausage was tough and the eggs were overcooked. I was unimpressed, as was my friend with her omelet. I will not return for meals, but will continue to visit for their extensive pastry case, coffee, and pleasant service.
(3)Philip K.
Went there for Saturday brunch and had the smoked salmon club, as well as the brisket melt .. Two delicious sandwiches, perfect amount for lunch and fair prices! Everyone was also very nice and friendly! We would definitely come again
(5)XTreats X.
Great attitude here. Staff was really nice, despite how busy it was. Lox and chicken sausage was great. All the baked goods looked good too. Nothing extremely special besides the great staff and atmosphere. Don't get me wrong. The food is definitely worth it.
(4)Jennifer S.
We go here for special Sunday brunches. The menu is always changing and features high quality and local ingredients. We love the breakfast burritos and the corned beef hash. The bakery is authentically French, and the cocoa and mocha's are home made. There is usually a wait, but it is worth it. You can order coffee and a snack up front while you wait.
(4)Valery P.
Not as good as I expected. I tried the dinner menu and some of the pastries the other day and wasn't really blown away by it. Other than that, parking wasn't that hard and the services was nice and friendly. It's still a great place to hang out, nonetheless.
(3)Vallia K.
Love this place- its now my go-to cafe when I want better-than-standard espresso drinks. Their baked goods are amazing as well, and the staff is extremely attentive and nice. I wish they would not bring the bill without asking, though. It makes you feel rushed and this cafe is the perfect place to just sit and relax. The actual savory foods are decent- I have only tried the breakfast burrito and daily omelet and although they were by no means bad they were not memorable. (Although the potatoes are fabulous.)
(4)Comensal A.
It's been years since I last visited Café Selmarie. It's till a nice cozy café with a compact menu likely to appeal to most tastes. It was a bit noisier than I prefer, which was challenging because we went with another couple and were trying to have a conversation. On the plus side, our server was pleasant and accommodating, and there was a half price special on selected bottles of wine with purchase of an entree. A house salad was OK; my pork tenderloin was chewy. It's not a bad place, but there are better dinner options in the neighborhood.
(3)Jo B.
I was really disappointed on my second visit to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. I was expecting hearty, well cooked brunch dishes with great coffee but instead we got lukewarm, overcooked eggs with hot dog- like smoked sausages and very tired looking fruit. The coffee wasn't even good. My advice would be to stop at the bakery, pick up some great cakes and head home to fix your own brunch.
(2)Erika J.
After a great dinner at Las Tablas on Irving Park my dinner companion and I were looking for a place to have an after dinner drink and something sweet. This place delivered on both counts. We shared the mocha buttercream cake and the German chocolate cake. I loved the fresh coconut on top of the german chocolate. p.s. I also recommend taking a walk around the neighborhood to burn off any resulting sugar high.
(5)suteishichic J.
Not sure how a place goes from a five to a one within 3 days but this place did it. My Mom was visiting and we stopped in (during the torrential rains of Ike) for a spot of tea. It was heaven. We sat at the counter and with our little pile of delights and well done tea, it outshone the Ritz! Literally. We had afternoon tea at the Ritz the day before and that was overpriced and underwhelming...Selmarie spur of the moment was delightful! So Mom loved the place and wanted to come back for breakfast the day of her flight. We only had an hour before we had to bring her to the airport but that should have been enough, right? Wrong. I told our server that we were in a rush (just in case) from when we sat down. I asked the server what was fast to make and when he wanted to take our drink order I said we should go ahead and order so that we don't have to eat in a hurry. I even ordered for my husband while he was still parking the car (just to be sure). Everything seemed to be going okay, but then I started to get a bad feeling. The people around us, seated after us, all of whom ordered long after us started getting their food. The minutes ticked by. Our waiter kept looking at us, making eye contact, and then scurrying away before anyone could ask what was going on. We even waved him over and he ignored us. He finally came over, offered a coffee refill (ignoring the tea people) and then turned and walked away so fast I'm not sure if he even heard us asking him to wait. Stop! Please! Hey! Hello! Yeah, it was that weird. 35 minutes went by with nothing and the clock just kept on ticking. We asked another server (placing food at a table who had just arrived ten minutes earlier to get our waiter). When he finally showed up he said our food would just be four minutes more. No apology. No explanation. Nothing. He went to walk away again. Incredulous, we asked to see the manager and we watched our waiter continue to serve food to other tables before getting the manager. He kept acting busy (really it was a few tables) and rushing around before the manager ever came out. By this time we had our coats on. The manager came over and said sorry but there was a "ticket mixup" so it would just take a little longer. Are you kidding? And after we said originally we were in a hurry? I've worked in restaurants before and even though I swear I'm probably the worst waitress in the world, even I would treat my tables better than this. They really didn't even seem to care. It was very....French of them. With all the choices in Chicago -- heck with all the choices in Lincoln Square alone, give this a pass.
(1)April L.
The omelet I ordered with a variety of mushrooms was light and flavorful, and the potatoes were well-seasoned; I sampled my date's corn beef hash, and it was wonderful as well. The best part was that the staff were remarkably attentive and friendly... They managed to refill our water every 10 minutes without interrupting our conversation, and do just about the same with a "do you want more?" non-verbal gesture on the coffee refills. Great coffee, too, by the way. Staff at the front bakery are lovely as well.
(5)Rob A.
Wow, I love Cafe Selmarie. I've eaten here twice and both times have been really good. I love the cookies, the baked goods, the quiche, the pot pie, and the coffee wasn't bad either. The service is decent. It's not bad for such a small restaurant. I recommend it for a hearty breakfast or a good lunch.
(5)Heidi N.
Apparently, when you're dating someone, you go to brunch a lot. And when the bf and I decided to do brunch one recent Sunday, I realized that I really need to expand my memorized arsenal of restaurants to include "good brunch spots." Luckily, I remembered Cafe Selmarie. We walked in on a chilly but pleasant morning and were seated immediately. Score! But upon settling in, my whole body was enveloped in a rather stifling heat wave. The place was hot hot HOT! We ordered our coffees (cafe au lait was fabulous) and then our entrees. Now, anybody who knows me will tell you that I tend to gravitate towards the sweeter items on the menu, especially for a meal like brunch. But for whatever reason (perhaps an overabundance of recently consumed holiday treats?) I went the savory way, and ordered the corned beef hash, while my dining companion ordered the other dish I considered, the lemon ricotta griddle cakes. (Id'n he sweet?) Funny story about the corned beef hash ... I'd never had poached eggs before, and in the time between ordering and receiving our food, I'd forgotten that the hash came with two poached eggs on top. So when the plate was set in front on me, my first thought was that it was topped with two large dollops of sour cream. Not even thinking about it, I started to dip my fork in the "sour cream" and noticed that the texture was ... off. What the? About 5 seconds later, I remembered what they were. Oh yeah. Duh, Heidi. Back on topic. The hash was delicious. The boy's griddle cakes were even more delicious. He was kind enough to give me a bite and I nearly finished them off for him. Goooood. The only other minor negative (besides the temperature) was that it took a bit of effort to get a refill for the boy's coffee, but not a big deal. Oh, and there was a girl sitting kiddie-corner from us who was wearing the same sweater as me!! But that's hardly the cafe's fault. :)
(4)Leanne A.
Come here. Come just for the bakery items. I fantasize about the bakery items many times throughout a normal day. The strawberry roulade and the raspberry custard tart are two of the most perfect baked treats I've ever had. I also came once for breakfast and had blueberry pancakes that were to die for. I do have a couple problems with this place, as much as I wanted to give it five stars just for the pastries. 1) It is packed at breakfast and we waited 40 minutes for our food (pancakes!) And our server never even checked on us. 2) I ate here for dinner once and the prices were more appropriate for a more gourmet restaurant. 3) recently I was buying a raspberry custard and couldn't find my visa. I realized I had left in in the atm. The girl helping me didn't care at all. She didn't even fake it. She just smiled awkwardly and was like "okay" and took my bag with the beautiful custard back. A cute local bakery should be able to just give you the damn thing at that point, and know that you'll be back. Anyway, I usually don' t like the service I here. But the pastry chefs who must work all night are me heros. I love you, selmarie pastry chefs.
(4)Char Y.
I love this place! It makes me feel young again with stomach for everything in site. Bee hive: wow. Mix fruit tart: ok. raspberry chocolate tart: the sensation of melting chocolate with sweet raspberries: priceless. rasberry tart: ok strawberry roulades: ok. The cream is unsweetened. Now I want the key lime tart...
(3)Sarah L.
I came here for lunch today, my sweetie took the day off to celebrate my birthday! We wanted to give Fiddle-head Cafe a try but they do not open until 4:30, I was a sad birthday girl. We decided on Cafe Selmarie again. I'm one upping their star ratings because the lunch was fab. We sat on the outdoor patio area. It was a beautiful afternoon so we had to dine al fresco! I had the crab cake sandwich and my honey had the roast beef sandwich. Both were very delicious. We also shared a side of sweet potato wedges. On our way out, we picked up a piece of chocolate cake for later tonight and a cream cheese brownie to share on the walk back. OMG, was it so rich and creamy! I'm still full from lunch, I may not need dinner tonight. Cafe Selmarie has a simple but delicious menu for lunch, check it out!
(4)Matt C.
Here's the secret to getting in on a Sunday. Go when it is unreasonably cold. Even then, we still had to wait 30 mins for a table, after being told to wait 20. Brunch was good, the prices were reasonable and the service was great. What else can you say?
(4)Casey F.
I have never had a bad meal nor a bad dessert from Cafe Sel Marie. And the service is always great. I've gone in alone, as a pair, and with eight other people and every time I am helped by friendly and courteous people. I have to go for brunch at least once a month, if not three or four times, and I will generally have the brioche french toast with berries and highly recommend it to anyone else. I also enjoy that their menu changes to reflect the season. The gingerbread griddlecakes that made an appearance over the Christmas season were fantastic. Pairing them with spiked apple cider made the experience complete. Enjoy the toasty indoors in the winter, and then sit out on the patio in the summer, sometimes you even get to watch performances in the square while enjoying your meal.
(5)Lance W.
Solid food and excellent service. We asked them before getting a table if we could be in and out in 45 minutes because we had to make a train out of town. They got us in and out in 30 minutes. Complete winning service
(4)Richard B.
I've only been to their bakery and I'm in love. Everything I've tried from the case has been decadent and the best whatever-it-was I've had. Most recently I had a slice of their Sacher Torte. It was unbelievable. Their espresso beverages are also well made. I have not been disappointed. It does get busy and tight in the bakery area though. Especially with people waiting to be seated in the restaurant, but in my experience the baristas and others behind the counter have been friendly and attentive. I definitely recommend the bakery.
(5)Steve L.
Delicious food, delicious coffee, lovely and friendly service. That's all you need for 5 stars from me. (Wonderful cookies and pastries, too!)
(5)Meg O.
Well, glory be to the bad economy! If it weren't for the crisis on Wall Street and Main Street, Selmarie may have been closing or moving. Because Lincoln Square really needs to look more like Lincoln Park, right? With chi-chi restaurants and chains! Hello Lincoln Square developers, Cafe Selmarie deserves to and needs to and should stay! It was there long before the neighborhood got trendy, and grew alongside that darling stretch of Lincoln Ave. Also, it's one of the few truly accomplished restaurants in the 'hood, but less spendy than Bistro Campagne. And, as I learned last night, it's a pretty great place to take small children. The fear of Cafe Selmarie's demise is what drove my friend Shane and me to take our charges for the evening--2 year old Calvin and 3 month old Nora Claire--out to dinner. As someone who does not have children, I was nervous as hell to take such young ones to an establishment like Selmarie. But we went. The bus boy set us up on the charming patio overlooking the fountain, immediately outfitting us with a high chair. He also graciously helped me remove another chair for Nora's stroller. The kids' menu at Cafe Selmarie is great! They have everything from PB&J to chicken cutlets to penne pasta. Much to his delight, Calvin's grilled cheese sandwich, orange slices, and applesauce arrived with Shane and my chevre chaud salad. Oh, and did I mention that they put his water and milk in a cup with a lid and a straw? Brilliant! Our chevre chaud salad was delicious, despite that at its arrival Nora decided she needed to cry. Shane and I took turns passing her across the table and alternating who spread the hot garlicky goat cheese on toast points for the other. Our waitress was very understanding and sympathetic, and I didn't correct her when she called me "Mommy." For our entrees, I had the wrap of the day, a tilapia wrap, and Shane had a grilled salmon salad. The tilapia was moist and wrapped up with a delicious slaw. It came with grilled potato wedges and broccoli. So healthy and delicious! Shane's salad looked great: a beautiful salmon fillet laying on a bed of interesting greens and fennel. It was past the kiddies' bedtime (7:00!) so we took dessert to go. Calvin loved munching on his ghostie cut out cookie as we walked back to his grandparents' condo, and after the babes were in bed, Shane and I enjoyed our orange chocolate decadence (my all-time fave) and an "impossible cake" that had this amazing layer of flan on top while we watched "Paris J'taime." As I sat on the patio, listening to the fountain, watching my fellow Chicagoans stroll by, eating my delicious wrap, rocking a (finally) sleeping Nora in her stroller, I felt a mixture of happiness and sadness, but not too much sadness. I realized that I loved Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Square loved me. Thanks, Cafe Selmarie, for 25 great years in a great neighborhood! May you flourish for at least 25 more! (And thanks for easing my anxiety about some day having small children of my own).
(5)Charles A.
I would like to give Selmarie five stars - the service is fantastic, the restaurant very comfortable, the banana eclair heavenly. But while the food is good and varied - fresh salmon, rich mushroom ravioli, veggie-friendly chili...- only (some of) the pastries break into perfection. In addition, though I suppose it's little fault of the restaurant's, almost every time I'm here some baby is crying and kids are running up and down between the tables. Apparently, Lincoln Square is suffering an ongoing babysitter shortage. Complaints aside, Selmarie is the best restaurant in the neighborhood.
(4)Suzanne P.
I recently brought my family here for brunch during a visit...and it was definitely a great choice! I love where Cafe Selmarie is located in the square. The first time I visited this place, my roommates and I wanted to sample the baked goods in the area (thus deciding if it was a good neighborhood to live in, naturally). I must say, I was a little bit disappointed with the slice of white chocolate cake I tried, but having a sit-down meal at the cafe was a totally different experience. I had the Brioche French Toast, which was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of french toast, and this was up there among my favorites. My parents were also happy with what they ordered (my sister and I double ordered on the french toast), and my roommate who joined us was as well. The server was friendly and competent, and really did a great job. I'd come back here for brunch again and again!
(4)Christa F.
If you are on a diet: BEWARE. In the front of this restaurant, there is a very large showcase of mouth-watering desserts. They looked absolutely awesome. I really don't know how I left without taking something home. I guess I really had self-control that day. But let me just tell you. I'm sure their desserts, pastries, pies, torts, muffins, chocolates, cookies, etc. are just incredible. OK enough drooling. . . I went here for breakfast. I probably got a boring breakfast to most, just some whole wheat pancakes (I did mention diet earlier, right?). My first time trying them anywhere. I thought they were good. It was a very large portion. It came sprinkled with powdered sugar. You can add berries or bananas. We ate outside on the nice, somewhat sizeable patio. I'm sure this place gets really packed on the weekends with long waits. I think we got lucky as I think we were there early enough.
(4)Valerie R.
I went here on a Sunday for brunch, and was impressed by the food. I had eggs florentine and my friend had the french toast, both delicious. We also had a couple Mimosas each; the first ones must have been made with flat champagne (I watched them being poured and there was quite a bit in there, otherwise I would assume they were easy on the champagne), but I'm glad I tried a second one because it was great. There is a bit of a wait, but the food is good, it's reasonably priced, and the servers are very friendly.
(4)A.S. V.
It's hard to choose the best brunch place in Chicago with so much competition, but this is a contender for top five. It's a homey bakery in Lincoln Square, with great outdoor seating on the plaza in the summertime. There's nothing unusual about their breakfast menu, but I've been thoroughly happy with everything, particularly the potatoes.
(5)Pat T.
It loses a star because of its cramped cafe area which offers little room to relax. But, if you can handle the long line of parents and their annoyingly-named children ("Isabella, don't drink that creamer!"; "You only get one crumpet, Riley, I mean it!"; "Addison, why can't you be more like Madison?"), you'll be rewarded with a solid cup of coffee and amazing pastries. The flourless chocolate cake will make you melt.
(4)Channyn W.
I wanted to love this place. I was completely totally ready for commitment. I dreamed about that forever kind of love you only read about in Nora Roberts books and all I got was a 60 page Harlequin romance where I was the woman dumped for the heroine after Chapter 3. Seriously, my visit to this restaurant had so many great things going for it - the parking wasn't bad (or I can walk from home), the bakery was freshly filled with so many tempting treasures, and the wait itself was short for Saturday morning. So far so good. A couple of friends and I went for the first time together, all based on what I assured them would be an incredible experience given the rave reviews I had read. Please note I've not been allowed to choose the place for breakfast since with this group. The menu was fairly small, a little too pretentious for what it is, and way overpriced. The service was SLOW, and we're not the types to mind spending an hour or so over breakfast. And sorry, but if you're going to charge a ridiculous price for soda, don't bring it to me in a can with a glass of ice. At least let me pretend i'm getting what i'm paying for. Although I may return to try out the bakery portion, i'd be hesitant to give another dining experience a try. EDIT: So we decided to head in and sample some of the baked goods. We tried a pretty good variety of things - the carrot cake, some cookies, and a brownie, and my friend and I were both completely underwhelmed. I really see no reason to go back right now.
(2)Elly K.
Love this place! I live waaaaay closer to Lutz, but this is my go-to for cakes. Every cake and torte I've tried has been great. I've also had a few cookies, which were tasty as well. I've never had dinner there, but I've been for beakfast, and it was delicious. I really love having Selmarie in the neighborhood.
(4)Emily C.
It was a yummy surprise with a friend. Bakery was awesome! I had a chocolate pastry - my fav. Brunch menu was kinda small and focused. I picky eater may have a harder time figuring out what to eat. I had the french toast. It was pretty good. Great water service. Would go again.
(4)Sara O.
What a cute little bakery! And boy is it little! Or maybe it's just not big enough to fit the large crowd that flocks here on the weekends. The last time I tried dropping in on a Sunday afternoon to grab some grub, I was in for a rude awakening. The wait was a solid hour--and no way was I willing to wait an hour on an empty stomach. Instead, I chose to order food to go. I spent the next 15-20 mins drooling over the baked goods they have out in their display counters. I ended up ordering a few tarts and other goodies--they were all FABULOUS. In fact, lunch was pretty fabulous too. I can't imagine getting something here that isn't 100% fabulous. Probably shouldn't try this place on the weekend... but if you're patient enough to wait a while, then go for it! You'll be happy you did.
(4)Sarah L.
Good place to start your day with breakfast if you plan on taking a long stroll down Lincoln Park. Bakery + cafe- my favorite combination excelled in both its pastries and food. Ordered the vegetarian breakfast sandwich- aka eggs on English muffin, with goat cheese, spinach and red peppers. Very good. Salad on the side was nice but I declined the potatoes- too filling. Also sampled a fig and walnut scone- the scone was solid- almost beast Alice's Tea Cup in NYC. Crystallized sugar was a nice complement to the fig and walnut. Friend had an almond croissant and the granola and yogurt. Buttery croissant, not too sweet, very flaky with a hint of almond paste. They serve Intelligentsia coffee here.
(4)Alissa B.
Stopped by Cafe Selmarie last weekend for a quick lunch. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a cold brew and a few sammys (turkey and ham). Have to say this was quite an enjoyable little break in our afternoon. I don't find myself if LS too often, I would check this place out again... you should too!
(4)Tristin M.
i got a pie in a pumpkin (yes! pumpkin pie IN a cute lil pumpkin) and a chai latte. They both tasted like they'd go good together so I stirred in a scoop of pumpkin pie into the chai and it was so frickin' good I couldn't stop saying, "Ohmigod this is so good!" My girlfriend goes to me with a laugh, "Ha! I'm glad you're enjoying yourself!" A lil pricey but it's a good thing because I don't need to be eating that much sugar all the time.
(5)Gwen R.
This place is great--the food is delicious, it is well-located, and the prices are just right. Highly recommend for any meal, time of day, year, etc. Low-key and cool at the same time.
(4)Sylvia T.
This place is on a cute street in Lincoln Square and was a great place to have an alfresco dinner, especially with the few warm Chicago nights left. My salmon salad was good,and it probably deserves 4 stars, but I have to take a star away for the desserts. We shared the raspberry chocolate tart and the bread pudding. The bread pudding was good, but when is bread pudding not good? The raspberry tart on the other hand leaves much to discuss. The tart dough was dry and stale and the raspberries did not impart much flavor on the dessert. I found myself just eating the fruit and leaving the rest of the tart behind.
(3)Tracy W.
This is a review for their dinner only. Based on the previous reviews it looks like their coffee and pastry/bakery and possibly brunch might be worth a try but I'm not planning to return any time soon. The dinner food was awful: no taste and WAY overpriced. I was really looking forward to trying this place given their 4/5 star rating with a lot of reviewers. I had the tomoto florentine soup which was blah and the sea scallop special which was tasteless and crunchy like all the sand hadn't been removed. Nothing like sand in my food...yuck! My friend had a different soup and she actually sent hers back. All in all, I will not be going here again, not even to try their bakery goods or brunch. There are just too many better restaurants out there!
(1)Lillian M.
This review is for the bakery only -- I have not tried their entrees, only desserts and coffee/tea. Came here for after-dinner dessert and I must say that even though I was full, I devoured the banana torte cake even though the slice was huge. Honestly, it was hard to pick what I wanted -- everything looked soooo good. Everyone around the table liked their choices, and it was neat to be able to order your pastry at the front, then have a seat in the dining area while they took your drink order and brought all to you. Waiter was nice, pleasant, and helpful. Luckily, the place was not too crowded, so we had a chance to linger and talk for awhile. Overall, great experience, nice atmosphere, and good sweets!!!
(5)Gen S.
Disclaimer: I have never been inside Cafe Selmarie and have never eaten their food. So what is this review about? Their chocolate! A co-worker of mine likes to bribe me with chocolates and I fold like a cheap suit every time he brings me a box from Cafe Selmarie. Their truffles are delicious! I like to store them in my mini fridge so they're slightly chilled and firm. They will dissolve into creamy goodness in your mouth with just the right amount of cocoa powder for that sharp chocolate taste. One of these days I will have to actually visit the place, but until then I highly recommend the chocolate.
(5)Liz S.
I'm torn on this place. The restaurant itself is a bit cold and empty, which doesn't really make you feel comfortable while you're eating. Also, the service is a tad bit slow (at least they were on the day I went, and it's not because they were busy, they just physically moved slow). Now the reason I'm torn is because the food was very yummy. I had the Croque Monsieur and was very pleased. I went with two friends and one of them had the Quiche of the day and ate it all, even though it was piping hot. My other friends had the Quesadillas, which she too enjoyed. I didn't have any of the bakery items, but all look very very tasty. I would definitely go back for either the bakery items or lunch. Just don't be in too much of a rush if you're going to eat here.
(4)Emma K.
Loved it. I was able to tie up the pup and grab a pastry and coffee quickly one day and the next had an amazing breakfast. Super friendly staff. I heart Lincoln Square.
(5)Kristin S.
4.5 stars if I could give it. Yes, it's a little expensive, but what nice brunch spots in Chicago aren't these days? The restaurant is small with the bakery at the front. If you've got a big party, be prepared to wait or go early. It's that simple. Both times I've been I've loved it. The food was great, the coffee is delicious and the sticky buns (if you're lucky enough to get there before they sell out) were everything a sticky bun should be. I love that the restaurant has windows that line the entire side of the dining room and backery. It's always sunny and nice, and you can look out onto the square (though with the construction going on up there, I'm not sure what you look out onto anymore). The chilaquiles are yum and so is the ham and cheese croissant I had. I love the interesting, seasonal foods they serve and have to get back soon!
(4)Darkling S.
The two stars are only for the food, not even for the beverages. They may be considered a French cafe, but of all the wines there are only two French and one is sparkling??? we tried three whites and had to send one back it was so poor. and the food is not French at all. the pastries are well-made and presented. The service - non-existent and incompetent when they were attending our tabel. We had two waitresses (due to a shift change) and one would expect that one of the two would be worth a 10$ tip. Mai non! We waited at least 10 minutes for a glass of iced tea replacing the Pinot Grigio .. we waited 20 minutes for our meal and neither waitress knew how to tilt our umbrella when the sun started to burn one of us .. they didn't even know it was a tilt when it was obvious. my friend finally did it himself! it didn't improve with the dessert course: we were told we must go into the bakery and select our desserts. Of course we took our purses and a camera off the table and letf our beverages and napkins. when we returned 5 minutes later, they had cleared the table and the busboy treated us like new diners! the final faux pas was whn we ordered coffees with cream .. 10 minutes later she brought the coffees and - no cream. 10 minutes later after my friend asked for it, she brought those little creamers u get at a 7/11 and the bill! Very very disappointed in this Lincoln Square restaurant. Needless to say we didn't buy our baked goods for the week from them before we left. We made the trip to Lutz's.
(2)James J.
Superb, rock solid brunch and cafe. All dishes are carefully crafted and food is very consistent. Menu is simple and not full of mediocre crap to make it look larger. I'm not an Intelligencia fan but what can I say... people love it. The pastries are good. The place is always staffed well to take care of a big Sunday crowd. Friendly and speedy service. This is a classic brunch spot which you don't find much in Chicago.
(5)Emma S.
Lemme break it down into two reviews with an average of three. Dinner: 2 stars I'll sum it up by saying "mediocre, well-presented, and entirely too expensive food, coupled with a scarce drink selection." Dessert/Bakery: 4 Stars! Holy smokes these folks can make a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. I'm so in to getting desert here. I loves it. For reals.
(3)carey c.
Cafe Selmarie has the best scone in the city: they have a date walnut scone that they make on the weekends only. Call ahead. Have them save one. The rest of the week they have a whole wheat scone, which is puzzling. At least put some blueberries in that bad boy. The pastries are great, and the food in the restaurant is really good for a special occasion. (It's pricey) The coffee is not great. The staff is hit and miss--mostly good, but sometimes very snobby. I once saw a guy called out by the waitress for asking to be served after he had been waiting. Whoa. For this iffy service, I would have given three stars, however, the date walnut scone is just that good.
(4)Naomi M.
Sel Marie, what is it about you that always makes me feel shorted? I've eaten from your breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. I've stopped by for a bag of cookies to take home or for a snack break while I shop. Obviously I keep coming back and coming back, always hopeful, and in the end always slightly disappointed. Nothing I've ever had at Sel Marie has been awful. Nothing has been amazing either. It is a dependably ok meal. Sometimes the wait staff is sweet. Sometimes not so much. Sometimes you don't get a bread basket but the table next to you does. And always, without fail, the luscious looking deserts in the case (especially the cakes) are DRY DRY DRY, unless they're soaked in alcohol, like the Tiramisu. But I'll be back. Amnesia? Laziness? Foolish hope? I don't know.
(3)Sus U.
Salads are awful but the cakes deserve 6 stars. Service is OK!
(3)Lourdes A.
This proved to be quite the refuge for 3 girls trying to escape the blustery, snowy Chicago cold. They pour a delicious cup of Intelligentsia coffee. Cool points for supporting local coffee roasters. Their quiche - which varies daily - is a creamy slice of heaven! Their soup of the day was lentil with pork but in French. It is tasty in any language. Last but not least their patisserie in the front of the cafe makes the mouth water.The apple galette was pretty but boring; the apple strudel was not so pretty and delectable. Summary: the quiche is the star of this show!
(4)Jerry B.
Very good breakfast and great service. Hope to eat outside next time. Definitely would return.
(4)Lisa R.
The one thing that Cafe Selmarie is about is the desserts. You simply cannot come here and not order dessert, or take one out with you when you leave! The food here is good, but it simply doesn't match up to the desserts they have here. The menu here is filled with good old comfort foods but dressed up. When I eat here I always get the macaroni and cheese, and the chopped salad. I will admit I usually only ever went to Cafe Selmarie to grab a raspberry chocolate tart, or whatever looked awesome that day. In the fall they have pumpkin cheesecake which is simply to die for!
(5)Jennifer M.
I've never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. It's a great place to go for brunch, lunch or just a little snack. The only thing that's kind of irksome is that it's always crowded but they're stuff is just that good, so there's always a crowd. My faves are the bread pudding, coconut macaroons, and the plum cake that they have during the holiday season.
(5)Chris J.
I've been a frequenter of Cafe Selmarie since I've lived in the area. Always great food whether you're eating a meal or getting treats. Last night I went and had the chicken almondine special which was out of this world. Impossibly tender chicken, great sauce were at the center of the dish. Some grilled asparagus and parmesan mashed potatoes rounded out the outside. As always, I'll be back but now I will take their specials menu a lot more seriously!
(5)Shelley J.
Everything I've ever tasted at this restaurant since the first time I tried it 2 years ago has been nothing short of spectacular. I could write a long, detailed note waxing on the ways I love this place, but I'll spare you. Brunch and dinner are so good, I'd go there for both in the same day and not feel weird about it. Here's a list of what I think are amazing (read: only things I've tried so far): Cafe au lait Chilaquiles (This is my favorite brunch item on their menu) Smoked turkey and brie sandwich Warm marinated goat cheese Mac & cheese Chicken pot pie (I find it difficult to go there for dinner and not order this) Corned beef hash Beef tenderloin Pork tenderloin Herb roasted chicken Parmesan mashed potatoes And, they have lovely desserts, although I am not the biggest fan of sweets; I cannot go there without getting a piece of their cherry pie. I've never tasted anything so close to heaven (except maybe a poached egg, which abound at a Cafe Selmarie brunch). I would come here every single day if I had the salary to do so! (In fact, the mere writing about this restaurant is making my stomach growl and mouth water for it. Le sigh.) PS: The prices definitely rival any brunch spot in the city AND the most expensive thing on the dinner menu is $20 (the beef tenderloin). That's a pretty excellent deal for this caliber of meal around here.
(5)Peter M.
I used to come here all the time as a child, but only had pastries and cocoa. Luckily I had breakfast there recently and fell in love. The food tasted and looked great. I applaud the presentation. The restaurant was busy, and service was a little slow but the wait staff was still attentive. Have subsequently made the cafe my go to spot and am secretly addicted to their pastries. So thankful this place is still around. Thank you.
(4)Yasmeen A.
I'm a pastry snob. This place makes great ones. I usually go pick up a few sinful little confections, sit outside on the patio or by the fountain in the square, and pretend that the three I've chosen are to be shared amongst friends... :) Also a great brunch spot, especially during the warmer months. Goat cheese salad and quiche are highly recommended.
(4)Michael C.
Easily one of the best brunch places in Lincoln Square. Always enjoyable, always friendly. Just a really solid restaurant and business.
(4)Fawn J.
I love this cafe, great for breakfast, lunch, or dessert! I've been here a few times, each time with a toddler. The service has been fast and friendly, very kid friendly. The outdoor patio is great for warm weather. The food tastes great, I love the yogurt/granola for breakfast or the salmon salad for lunch. I've never had enough free calories to eat their desserts, but they make my mouth water as soon as I walk through the door. If you haven't been there, you should - my husband and I are heading there tomorrow. YUM!
(4)Chris B.
Love thoes Beehives! I have grown up in the neighborhood so I have to plug this place. I have always enjoyed the bakery, but the breakfasts are really good too. Since moving out of county, I still get email updates to neato happenings which is a nice reminder that there is more than just traffic in Chicago.
(5)Patty V.
I was here this morning with fellow Yelper, Alice S. I had not been to this area for some time,but have wanted to try it since they relocated and expanded. I remember when they had a few tables in the bakery and not much besides the bakery. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the growth hadn't hurt them, as far as service and quality go. I had smoked salmon on a toasted bagel with red onion, tomato, capers and cream cheese. It was enormous and I could only finish half of it! The salmon was fresh and of good quality. I am always up for some good smoked salmon and this didn't disappoint! My coffee cup was always full and our server was very efficient and pleasant. Plus, the company was terrific!! Great area to walk around after wards, tons of little shops and stores to browse. I would like to try it for dinner, there were some nice looking wines!
(4)Heather L.
This is a cozy little place for a mom to sit and read a book for a few hours while the kids are in school. The neighborhood has great boutiquey stores to explore. The staff at this restaurant is friendly and the people watching is great on a midweek afternoon. However, the vegetable panini I had was not the best I've had.
(2)Olga S.
I'll definitely be back! A friend of mine ordered a quiche without realizing it had some proscuito in it. The waiter brought her a different dish and did not charge for the quiche. Everything I tasted delicious. The service was friendly and quick. Most importantly, I had this tart with chocolate and raspberries that I am still dreaming about. YUMM! A great place for brunch!
(5)Angela D.
I love Cafe Selmarie!!! Whenever I have to bring food for a party or to someone's house, I always come to Cafe Selmarie and pick up some of their delicious pasteries. Always a big hit because they're so beautifully prepared and always delicious. Sunday brunch is awesome here too.
(5)Selena L.
Cafe Selmarie... I love you! I don't usually eat meals here but I get a selection of pastries every Saturday; the strawberry roulade, the banana eclair and a piece of torte or cake (we change that one up every week). I spend about $15. It's usually busy but I never wait more than a minute. The portions are on the smaller side but it is handmade with the best ingredients possible. You can taste the love and experience. Whenever we have guests visiting, we bring them into Lincoln Square and force them to buy something. I've only been disappointed once and that is because I asked for raspberry and was given a cherry torte instead, which I don't care for. Other than that I've always had a pleasant pastry experience. The coffee is good too.
(5)Benjamin B.
I've been here for brunch twice and just went for dinner. Excellent! Very simple flavors with great execution. I had a great roasted chicken with some nice and sweet roasted shallots. My fiance had a great pan fried tilapia (I had a bite). Even with such great entrees, the real story here are the desserts. They knock the socks off all sort of cakes and other sweets. Dinner ends up being a set up for dessert. To top it off, their brunch is fantastic. Inexpensive and great. Give it a try!
(4)Des D.
This is the place for chocolate overload. Their chocolate mousse torte is to die for! I always get my holiday pastries/cake here and although it is a bit pricey, it is worth it. It doesnt help that I live so close to Selmarie. I have gained so much weight from eating all the cookies/cakes from here. I definitely blame them for my 20 lb weight gain in the past couple of years. You can tell that this place is good because it is always packed! They once made a mistake and made a bigger sized cake than what I ordered so they only charged me for the smaller version that I ordered, which was to my demise because I ate more slices than I should have. I would give this place 5 stars for the pastries but 4 overall. We've also had dinner here and they have very limited items on the menu.
(4)Candice P.
The best brunch in the city, a little on the pricey side but totally worth it. I don't know what they do to their eggs but they are sooo good. The coffee intelligentsia how can you go wrong...
(5)Jessica C.
Lovely place. I have fond memories of this place, because I had a wonderful date here once. It did not work out (the person won't even talk to me now), but I still think the world of both the person I had that date with and that night. Thank you Cafe Selmarie for such a terrific memory.
(5)Ann Y.
I went here with a friend for lunch yesterday after passing it 100 times. I am so bummed I didn't go here sooner. I had a wonderful chicken quesidilla which was just the right amount of spicy. Our server was attentive and kind. The main thing I loved about this place is the desserts though. What a selection, everything ranging from cream cheese brownies to chocolate banana eclaires. They have a great outdoor patio too. I can't wait to return back.
(5)Andrea G.
Ever since I heard a rumor that Cafe Selmarie may lose their lease (and be replaced with, of all things, a Banana Republic!!!), I've had nightmares. This is one of the best places in Lincoln Square for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and/or dessert and I will be heartbroken if it closes or even just relocates to a different neighborhood. The food is always fresh and delicious, the service is always prompt and courteous, and the restaurant space itself (both inside and out) is always bright and cheerful. Cafe Selmarie, S'il vous plaît ne pas aller je crierai! Merci.
(4)Bryan S.
My income primarily goes to three places: mortgage, utility bills, and Cafe Selmarie. At one point, we were dining here at least once a week (sometimes more) and I have never had a bad meal here. Everything is delicious. The outdoor seating is nice -- especially when there is a live band playing in the square -- and the waitstaff is awesome.
(5)Andy R.
Je dit "mais ouis" let them bake you a big cake or pop in for brunch
(4)Sara B.
Cafe Selmarie is one of those places that I'd like to like more. I've been for brunch, dinner and desserts, and I don't think I've ever been blown away. Decent? Sure. Worth the price? Maybe not. Went here on a Saturday night for dinner...we were late, and they held the reservation, which was nice. The server was definitely attentive, but the food was mediocre at best. I had the tilapia, and it came out on a giant plate with one piece of broccoli (literally) and maybe three quarters of a roasted new potato. The fish was okay, didn't taste terrible, but it was just fish. We had the goat cheese appetizer first, and again, it was alright. Three small pieces of bread and a little butter sized serving of goat cheese. I'm not expecting a feast, but seriously, that was ridiculous! The carrot cake we had for dessert was dry. :( Unfortunately, I've had many different cakes and pastries from here, and they are almost always dry. Maybe I just have bad luck!
(2)Alice S.
Just had a really lovely breakfast here this morning! It's good, first of all, to find a place open at 8:00 for us early risers (hello Patty V.). It's even better when you find a parking space on Lincoln Avenue! Patty and I were welcomed warmly, and given just enough time to decide what to have. Our server let us know of the specials, and I chose the scramble, which consists of scrambled eggs with zucchini, summer squash and sun dried tomatoes. It came with a sensibly-sized portion of their yummy potatoes, and a choice of toast (I opted for the multi-grain). The food was quite scrumptious, and I enjoyed every bit of it! Again, the portions were what I consider to be normal; I can't eat a lot at one sitting, so it was great to be able to finish my eggs and not leave any to waste. (I did have to take home 1 1/2 slices of delicious toast, though.) I had a red eye coffee as well, which was exactly strong enough without being bitter. Best coffee I've had in a while, that I didn't brew myself! The service was prompt, polite, and attentive. What more could I ask for? Before leaving, I purchased a chocolate croissant for my very picky daughter. When I brought it home to her, she devoured it immediately and enjoyed it completely. If you're looking for a high quality breakfast, I would definitely send you to Cafe' Selmarie.
(5)Jeff N.
New biker friend Steve recommended this place after a ride today. Says the Corned Beef Hash is the Best on the Planet. Well, I can't remember a better plate of Corned Beef Hash, so I will allow his critique to stand. Sat outside on a beautiful Sunday. Service was excellent. We closed the deal with the orange-chocolate cake. All in all, an experience that guarantees that I will be back. My wife will love this place!
(5)Sue S.
I am officially a cookie monster thanks to Cafe Selmarie! I went yesterday and earlier today for a cup of coffee and two of the raspberry heart cookies and Im STILL thinking about it! I want more cookies! I can only imagine what the rest of their food tastes like since Im still drooling over those dang cookies.
(4)Elizabeth H.
I've been coming to cafe Selmarie since they opened years ago and I've had both great and not-so-good experiences. The wait staff, while generally friendly, is often inattentive. Today, we were greeted by a very crabby host who actually caused a group of 2 mothers with their children to walk out. After waiting quite a while to be noticed in a seemingly not busy restaurant (although on weekends that is never the case), we actually resorted to grabbing our own menus and seating ourselves at the bar. I ordered only a latte (which by the way, I love the coffee selections here... everything is always really great!) and my mother ordered the daily salad. Well, 10 min later we were brought our lattes... 15 min after that a waitress brought my mother the bread for her salad... and 25 min later the salad actually arrived. Now, had this been some crazy concoction... ok... but it was a fist-full of arugula, with figs and vinaigrette. Very fresh and good... but 25 min?? come on! Furthermore, we watched 2 tables that had come in well after us get served their food long before our 25 min mark. I do like their Italian sodas (which you can just duck in and grab on the go) but I have been more than once when they were simply out of syrup and/or soda... so don't get your hoped up on that one. All in all, if you have the time to wait on slow service, the food is actually quite good and they have some yummy pastry selections up front... but if you are in any bind for time, don't expect to get in and out without a little frustration.
(3)Kimberly S.
I have been to Cafe Selmarie a number of times for brunch or coffee and have always thought of it as a nice, solid place to go. When a friend suggested we go to there for dinner, I was pretty excited. I shouldn't have been. I just don't feel that they have translated their breakfast/lunch spot to dinner quite yet. The dinner menu is very lacking, with only a one or two (couldn't tell) shareable appetizers. While the service over all was fine, the food runner made the rookie mistake of bringing out our entrees mere moments after delivering the appetizer. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, particularly when you are seated at a tiny table where everything just doesn't fit, like we were. It was awkward to eat that way and annoying to watch my entree grow cold. In terms of the food, I ordered the broccoli, white cheddar and onion quiche to which I have to pay props to, although they have been making quiche probably since day one, which is partly why I ordered it. My friend likened her tilapia to a Mrs. Pauls dinner. Overall, there is room for improvements, and I am hoping that they make some.
(3)Drew S.
I thought this place was very competent in every sense, much like the drum work of don brewer. Service was a little slow for lunch, but not so slow that a meal with my mom wore on interminably. There should be something on the menu everyone can enjoy. Prolly woulda been 3 stars if not for outside seating (when it was warmer out- I'm several month behind in my yelping it seems).
(4)Sam C.
First impressions are really important, though first impressions are forgiveable, while bad food is not. Cafe Selmarie certainly did not impress me walking up to the place, but I'd walk into a cardboard box for food this good. The front is your small standard looking cafe. Take a walk past the glorious desserts on display to the hostess and be seated in the well lit back room with abundant seating. Now I know what you're thinking, "So it's not a place I can take a date." Excluding the ability to see across the room, which some argue is a good thing, I'd venture to say that the intimacy you seek you'll find. I won't harp on the food, because it'll speak for yourself. (In my case it was the only time I actually shut up.) Oh, and you're committing a crime against nature itself if you don't get dessert. Service is excellent, and the waitstaff is always prepared with a recommendation. That's all I have time for folks. Definitely a place you should go.
(5)Kathleen C.
I have been meaning to try Cafe Selmarie for months and finally went. Didn't know what time it opened and actually arrived early so we were seated right away. Within 20 minutes of the restaurant opening, it was packed and there was a line. (This will deter me in the future.) The boyfriend and I aren't too fancy when it comes to breakfast. We usually just like eggs and potatoes with some meat. So the menu looked a little too fancy for us. We ended up both getting the breakfast burrito. Neither of us liked it and ate less than 1/2. The waiter didn't seem to care that we hadn't touched our food and handed us our bill. Not a big deal but it would take some convincing to get me to go back. Or maybe I will try lunch as long as I know there won't be a crazy line. (Walked by later at 1pm and there was an hour wait!) Also, if you don't like kids you probably shouldn't live or frequent Lincoln Square. And places like this restaurant are reasons why! Although almost all of the babies and tikes at Selmarie were well-behaved yesterday, there were a lot of them! Didn't make a difference to us but I know some people don't like going to places with kids around.
(2)Laura N.
This is a fabulous place for lunch. Dinner's great, but I would recommend lunch first. It's less crowded, less expensive, and still great food and service. Outdoor seating is a great option, since the restaurant sits right on Lincoln Square, next to the fountain. Great spot for people watching. Live music is usually right there.
(4)Miranda D.
Good neighborhood place for brunch on a weekend. The food is good, they make a decent cup of coffee, and the staff is very attentive. Lovely patio seating. But it is absolutely swarming with kids.
(3)Erin O.
Really, it's more like 4.5 stars. And it only loses .5 stars because the space is tiny and sometimes there's a long wait. Lincoln Square is one of the cutest areas in Chicago, and Cafe Selmarie is one of the cutest restaurants in Lincoln Square. I've been here on numerous occasions, for dinner or dessert with friends. It's the best of both worlds - you don't have to get dressed up, but if you do, you still fit right in. There's a bakery in the front of the store with some of the most delectable desserts I've ever tasted (and I've had my fair share). The tres leches is particularly good. If you want to have dinner, there is a seating area in the back - GREAT spot for a date (small, intimate, dimly lit), but not for large groups. I highly recommend the goat cheese, the quiche and the crab cakes - but everything is really tasty.
(4)Justin P.
My wife and I have been hear many times and it is consistently good with unbelievable desserts.
(4)Julie A.
I am originally from Chicago and was back visiting friends who took me there for a terrific lunch. Selmarie's is one of their favorites and I can see why! We each got a chocolate truffle on the way out and it was maybe the best truffle I've ever had. If you're in the area and haven't been there yet you should check it out, it's worth a trip.
(5)Haley M.
If you're going here for the food, you've got your priorities confused. This place is for desert exclusively. I mean, go ahead and try the rest, but really the desert can't be beat. Tarts, cakes, tortes, cookies, eclaires, I could go on... Try it. It gets crowded, and they're not open SUPER late, but go out of your way if you're down with sweets.
(4)Lisa W.
Wow, I cannot say enough good things about this place! I went there for lunch with a couple of friends and the service was STELLAR. I also had the best quiche I've ever had (and that's saying a lot!), and my friends both ordered sandwiches with apple slices wedged into pieces of bread. They were really impressed as well. I've told pretty much everyone I know about this place. They should expect me as a customer again! Dammit, I can't stop craving their quiche!
(5)Rozen O.
I LOVE this place! Their food is pretty good but I love their desserts. My all time favorite is the mixed fruit tart, and their raspberry cookies, yum!!! Their staff is so friendly and patient.
(5)crystal h.
We have lived nearby for almost 6 months and for some reason hadn't tried Selmarie until this past weekend. We went for breakfast. The first cup of decaf coffee tasted a little old, but we didn't say anything. The waitress actually came out with a fresh cup a few minutes later and said that what she brought out was old. The menu had a good variety - I got the breakfast burrito and my husband got the omelet. It was good food - but for the price I'd go somewhere like Julius Meinl or Crema (which is way cheaper) I think. They did have some interesting mixed coffee drinks, and their sandwiches and everything in the bakery looked great, so I'm thinking we'll be back for a different meal to give this place a second shot.
(3)Lloyd T.
Welcome to Yuppies 'n Kidz Brunch Hell. Have eaten here twice in recent weeks. About the meal: This week's brunch selection - cherry cornmeal pancakes - was soggy, soaked in a wet syrup. Not horrible but not worth $9 either. My friend had a salad that seemed nice enough. The big problem is the rude, oblivious parents who insist on bringing their strollers here, parking them in the middle of the cramped passage in the front of the restaurant so people can't get to the back, while they juggle their lattes and pumpkin muffins - wtf people, there are other people on the planet that need to use the same space! It's not a place to bring strollers where you have to wait in a cramped, packed area for an hour or more. But if you have to come, be considerate and move the hell out of the way. Then, little kids on either side of us. To the left, perfectly behaved, no complaints at all - kids gotta eat and I don't begrudge parents the need to get out of the house. But to the right of us - three kids, climbing around the table and chairs, coughing on everyone, fiddling with our scarves and coats on the back of our chairs - OK PARENTS LISTEN UP - IF THIS DESCRIBES YOU IN ANY WAY, STAY HOME AND SERVE THE KIDS CHEERIOS. Or stick with McD's or Chuck E Cheeze. Your problem kids should not be inflicted on society in general. Definitely will think twice about going here again, at least until they add an "adults only" dining area and/or larger waiting space.
(1)rachel p.
so, there's basically always a wait at selmarie (and not a very large area to wait in). the breakfast is good (i recommend the wild mushroom omelet) as is the coffee. and the desserts...oh the desserts. its clear that they put the enormous pastry case in the front (next to where you wait) to keep people from leaving while they're waiting for their table (as they inevitably will be). the patio is great in the summer; it sits directly on the square and has a good amount of seating. prepare to wait even longer for a seat on the patio. basically what i'm getting at here is: DON'T come here if you have a raging hang over and you need some greazy eggs in your system. DO come here if you'd like a lovely brunch with your mother.
(4)Rod T.
Nice folks. Great espresso. Great location. I'll take it.
(4)Ellie B.
In addition to everything everyone else has already said, I find the need to reiterate: ***FIVE STAR SERVICE!*** While I did eat dinner here with a Selmarie aficionado (Jen S. would be the go-to girl with all your Selmarie questions), it was nice to have a server who was very knowledgeable about the menu and obviously seemed to think highly of the cuisine herself. Portions are MORE than adequate, perfect for sharing in my opinion. I can't wait to go back for brunch!
(5)Kelly B.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary. The staff was so-so, the food was good, and we had reservations so their wasn't a wait. But of the three dishes, we only liked two of them. For the money I feel we should have gone somewhere else. I will come here again for a lunch salad or sandwich, which I've had in the past, but not again for dinner.
(3)Paige W.
I have been a woman of forgiveness lately. An embracer of second, even third chances. And so, deciding to save a fancier brunch place for better company in the coming weeks, I headed up to Selmarie this morning to offer it one last opportunity to impress me. My wait at 10:30 was only about 15 minutes, which surprised me on such a beautiful late summer weekend. The hostess, who referred to me by name every time she addressed me (big points!), thanked me for waiting and led me to my table outside, overlooking Lincoln Square's Giddings Plaza, the epicenter of my Maclaren-pushing, NPR-listening, LL Bean-wearing neighborhood. My server, Jim, was lovely to behold and gave me plenty of time to peruse the menu before I ordered. By the time he returned with my coffee and mimosa -- with a splash of Triple Sec, garnished with a fresh strawberry -- I was ready to bite the bullet and order my chocolate banana griddle cakes. Jim assured me it was OK to indulge; it was Sunday, after all. Yes, good boy. To put this lightly, my meal made me rethink all my grievances with Selmarie. Thick and perfectly cooked, studded with miniature chocolate chips and topped with perfectly ripe, fresh-sliced bananas. Smothered in hot melted semi-sweet chocolate. Sweet Jesus, those pancakes could have ended a war. I...couldn't stop eating. The clinking of silverware, the sounds of shrieking children playing outside the restaurant's patio faded away. Just me and the pancakes. I caught a couple across the patio looking at me intently for a moment; I smiled and went back to eating. They apologized for intruding and told me they knew exactly what they'd be ordering next time they came -- the happiness on my face was a living advertisement for whatever it was I'd ordered, they said. "It's crrrrrrrazy good!" I replied. And went back to it. Jim checked up on me a few times throughout the meal. He even brought me some extra bananas to garnish what was left of my pancakes. I wanted to take him home with me for spoiling me so. My self control got the best of me, and I stopped with a few bites left. The melted chocolate had congealed over what remained of the pancakes, and I was ready to keel over and die anyway. I lazily finished my coffee and mimosa, basking with my book in a brunchy afterglow and never feeling rushed to give up my table. This is what Sundays are all about.
(4)Jamie M.
This is a cute little corner cafe. I went with a class for dinner once as well as going for breakfast a few times and stopping for a few sweet treats here and there. I had a pasta dish for my dinner trip which was wonderful and then I fell in love with the Cream cheese brownie. At breakfast I had the pancakes they were very good for being healthy. I have also had the pumpkin bread which was enjoyed by guests and they thought it was the best thing ever And I must agree. I had a slice if the chocolate banana cake and i am hooked for life. This place is so wonderful in every way the food the service and the location.
(5)Jolene H.
Best quiche I ever had so far. Cruncy crust with mushy insides. Yum. Can't say the same for the service though. I had to wave frantically 3 times to get the attention of my server. In the end I had to order my desert from another server. Not good. And the Sacher Torte was NOT as good as I hoped (its not the soft rich chocolatey kind, more like a crunchy light kind) next time, I might try the Chocolate Orange Decadence. Hopefully it'll live up to its name.
(4)Jenn B.
Alright, so Cafe Selmarie is a landmark of the neighborhood. A beacon for brunchers. A place to bring your snooty Lincoln Park friends and sit outside on the lovely Square and eat lovely food and show off your Euro neighborhood. Which is fine! Really, I would hate to see this place ever leave the corner! That being said, I think it's a bit overrated. Just a bit. Recently went there for a late lunch (1:45pm) on a cloudy Thursday. It wasn't that busy at all, but the dining room in that place is so loud, it was difficult to hear the conversation! And I'm not old and deaf, by any means. I had a ham and cheese sandwich, not unlike a monte cristo, that was really delicious, but a bit a bland. I added a bit of dijon mustard, which helped, but it really needs like a sweet honey mustard or something. The green salad it came with was delicious. The coffee, Intellegentsia, was fresh and bold. Quite yummy with the dessert - even though that was slightly disappointing, too. The cakes were a bit hard...like the cooler had been turned up just a notch too high. The service was great until the end. Our server dropped the check and then...poof! Disappeared. I mean, we were waiting for 15 min. at least, ccard more than peeking out of the black billfold. I finally just took it up front and had someone in the bakery ring us out. I mean, I get it....when you're slow is when you forget stuff. I can totally relate, fomer server myself. But still! I had an anxious grandmother on my hands! Also, as an aside, I often stop here to grab a little scone or cookie on my way into work and I must say the whole wheat scones are my fave. But stay away from the choc. chip cookies and their counterparts -mine have repeatedly been dry and hard as a rock. So disappointing. But it's still a great spot for a scenic, European-feeling meal, and I'm sure one of these days it will all come together!
(3)Cheryl M.
Thought I check this place out on my day off on Thursday. I really enjoyed the fact that I was able to get a table to myself outside on their patio. I ordered the tomato bisque soup, not too bad even though I'm not too fond of tomatoes. I ordered a tuna salad sandwich which was quite delicious. The tuna spread had chopped pieces of carrots in it. And it was on whole grain bread. Probably pretty healthy too. Plus, the sandwich included a slice of pineapple and cantaloupe. To top my lunch off, I ordered an iced latte which perked me up. I do have intentions to swing by this place again. Perhaps I'll try to chicken pot pie. This guy ordered it next to me and it looked yummy.
(4)Zack S.
Came back several months ago and haven't been back since. Food was still phenomenal, but ordered toast and the waitress forgot even after being reminded... 3 TIMES! It's an integral part of an egg breakfast and I desperately needed some to dip into the egg. Tsk Tsk.
(2)Melissa M.
I have been here twice. The first time was mind-blowingly delightful. I split both the blueberry griddlecakes and ham and cheese croissant with my sister and we couldn't believe how plate lickin good it was. Cut to last week, went with my only Yelp friend Leanne and we both got this brioche french toast with raspberries. It was completely mediocre to me, it wasn't even very warm. And the brunch menu had about 8 options for food, 4 breakfast, 4 lunch. That is weird to me! However, the first experience I had there was so great I am sure to be back. And I still have yet to try the eye-dazzling pastries.
(4)Rebecca B.
We live in the neighborhood and have been there a few times for a flourless chocolate cake -fix, but never for a meal. To be honest, I've always been wary of trying it for breakfast because of the crowds, but am now willing to give it a try, knowing the food's worth it--at least it was for dinner. We sat on the patio, which was nice since the Lincoln Square Thursday night concert was going on. It added a fun entertainment aspect to the meal. For dinner I had the mixed green salad and a chicken pot pie. The pot pie was really good great comfort food with a puff pastry crust, (the best--so buttery and good!) The Spoucent had a salmon wrap which was also tasty, if a little messy--tons of fish and a zesty sauce. Total bill with 2 glasses of wine + tea was about $38--really reasonable for the whole experience.
(4)Sarah A.
I go here at least every other Saturday, probably more. My usual is the granola with fruit and yog. I find their dinner options disappointing, but the cafe's charm and deliciousness on Saturday mornings gives it 5 stars. I always take family here when they visit. As long as you're an early bird like me, you won't have to wait at all for a table. Also, the bakery is a great place to grab a pie to take to a friend's house for dinner.
(5)Matthew R.
Selmarie is a great spot in the middle of Lincoln Square. Its a very popular spot for brunch on the weekends so beware of long lines - the wait can easily reach an hour. During the warmer months, they have a great outdoor seating area which is one of the best al fresco dining spots in Chicago since its on a nice courtyard meaning that there are no idling cars right next to your table. The breakfast food is great -excellent egg benedicts and great quiches. The service is always very good - attentive and quick. Lunch and dinner during the week are also very good - a mix of salads, sandwices and soups during lunch and various entrees for dinner. They also feature a bakery with some great cakes, pastries, and cookies. An excellent spot for any meal any time of day.
(5)Jillian D.
this review is based on the bakery alone. the croissants are, in a word, perfection. delicate, flaky and buttery. you don't even need to bother with jam. they are delicious on their own. i was hoping the brioche would live up to the high standards of the croissant, but it wasn't my favorite. i'm still searching for the perfect chicago bakery brioche... selmarie occupies a beautiful space, right on the square. their patio is a peaceful refuge. rise with the sun, rub the sleep out of your eyes, stroll over to selmarie and settle down with a cup of coffee (they serve intelligentsia! woohoo!), a croissant and the sunday paper. suddenly, you're whisked miles away. delightful.
(4)k m.
My daughter loves the bakery! The sugar cookies are her favorite.
(5)Furry P.
Had dinner here on 1/2 price wine bottle Wednesdays. The food was wonderful, and with the wine deal.. whole meal came to $50 total for 2.. great bargain! My only complaint is the service was a bit overtaxed but otherwise great experience. The wild mushroom ravioli was superb.
(4)starli h.
so, my mom visits often and creates an agenda for each day she is here, which usually includes eating, thrifting, shopping and sightseeing. totally fun with mom, so this weekend we visited cafe selmarie which has been on her list forevvvver. not sure why i haven't been there sooner, or haven't spent more time in lincoln square in general, at least with my mom - she loved the walk and shops. the cafe was like the visit: cute, fun to look around and i wouldn't mind going back. we only tried a few things in the bakery; we weren't hungry and nothing really caught my attention in the restaurant. we made the trip to get cake, anyways. my mom heard somewhere that the sacher torte was theee best. it was the sacher torte, an orange-chocolate torte and she got something that looked like a raspberry linzer cookie. well, the sacher torte was kind of boring and dry, but wet. like watery, but dry. weird. i'd get it again for comedic value: mom (yelling): what's this crunchy stuff? it's kind of dry. me: it's the ganache on top. mom (yelling): oh. it's ok. but it's crunchy! me: it's the ganache on top! mom (yelling): it's dry! and crunchy. me (yelling): it's the chocolate ganache! repeat x3 the torte i had was great, like really great because it's my kind of chocolate. it was a flourless variety - perfect and moist and dense and i had to drink a lot of water with it. it was dusted with cocoa on top which made me happy, but then, i can eat chocolate with no sugar. i hope someday to get it intravenously. so, the torte was perfect and there was the right amount of orange flavoring. i loved it. my mom was happier with the linzer-looking cookie. so much so that after the cake episode she wanted to go back and try other goods more her style, like the german chocolate cake. hopefully there's no ganache in it. it'll be fun to go back, we had a great time walking around and the location is pretty cool - next to a square with a lot of outdoor seating.
(3)Maria S.
The pastries, the croissants, the linzertorte -- it's all so good, it almost seems a shame to have anything else here. The sunny Lincoln Square space looks out onto a street with plenty of foot traffic for good people-watching on weekends, too. Cafe Selmarie has European-style baked goods, and the line here for weekend breakfast and brunch is, as you'd expect, outrageous. But their selection of salads (greens with goat cheese, chopped salad, usw.), sandwiches (roasted portabella, smoked turkey and brie, croque monsieur, etc.) and pizzas are just as good. It's a dilemma. Most items, even for dinner, are under $10, and they have beer & wine. I love it most as a place to go with a friend for a nice wedge of cake, served with a cup of their good coffee. It's bustling here, but you can have a conversation without having to shout, too.
(4)Cat B.
This place is so good...can't believe I haven't eaten here since I started yelping! Ate here for lunch today and it was wonderful. The veggies are always fresh and the atmosphere is beautiful. The space is very bright and the art accents the paint well. We did comment, as we were leaving, that it was almost a crime to leave without having something sweet. The Halloween cookies and cakes looked delicious. But we were so full from lunch. My friend Jim had the Mahi-Mahi wrap, which he said was very delicious. Definitely a reliable spot. Highly recommended.
(5)Rebecca Huicha K.
cute area! i love the quaintness of the alley/street! went here for dessert even tho we were pretty full from dinner. i wanted to try EVERYTHING in the shop even tho my belly was about to burst. the service here is IMPECCABLE! the guy manning the bakery area was sooo friendly and nice. it was our first time there and so we had a few questions, he answered them thoroughly even tho there were other people waiting behind us. we ended up getting the raspberry chocolate tart which was great. the contrast of the sweet tart, dark chocolate and burst of fresh raspberries was delish! i noticed the prix fixe menu on thursday for ONLY $20. the menu looked pretty good too and you can pick your dessert from the bakery. My bf did notice a funny thing on their breakfast menu. they have an omelet on the menu...the price is market price tho! market price for an omelet? hmmm... I'm definitely going back for the prix fixe and for breakfast/brunch sometime soon!
(4)Kate M.
I enjoy Cafe Selmarie on a regular basis, since it's so close to where I live. Food is terrific, Ambience is also great, and eating outside in the warmer months makes for a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, Also FIVE stars for their baked goods and tarts! Delicious. I often stop by on Friday and pick up a tart just so I can enjoy it at home when I get up on Saturday morning. One strike against it is the noise factor. It can be like an echo chamber for shrieking children. They do serve children, so I guess in that sense it is "good for kids," But when kids are there, it isn't good for the rest of us! Wish they would invest in some noise deadening technology. Aside from that, though, it's terrific.
(4)Laura S.
Totally overrated. I live two blocks away but will drive to Lincolnwood for Rolf's (where the owner was trained and worked for many years). When you walk in the staff seem annoyed that you are there. I've had some OK things. There are just so many other places to choose from. I only go for convenience if I have to pick up a dessert at the last minute. I find the cakes to be dry or old. They have an assembly line taste as if they are mass made or defrosted. Don't get me started on the non-present parenting... people it's not a playground! Kids can EASILY be taught to sit at a table. TRUST ME! I guess you could try it if your hanging out in The Square. Meh!
(2)Matt P.
This is a really good choice for a weekend brunch, lunch or dessert after catching a movie at the nearby Davis Theater. The good-sized sidewalk patio area adjoins a plaza with a fountain that drowns out the noisy city. I'll be back here again this summer to enjoy the patio and some dessert!
(4)Jen M.
Cafe Selmarie is a delightful cafe / restaurant in the heart of Lincoln Square. I've been there around ten times, sometimes just to share dessert with a friend and other times to indulge in a delicious, yet slightly overpriced entree. I had a scrumptious experience there last week in which I tried their portobella mushroom ravioli for the first time. It was incredible. The waiter also steered my friend and me away from ordering two glasses of wine and encouraged us to order a 1/2 price bottle (on Wednesdays). Much better value! Do not pass up the dessert! I adore the raspberry / chocolate torte. Yum!!
(4)John K.
I've been to this restaurant a few times for brunch, and the hash is wonderful and the poached eggs were perfect. The service was usually fair, a little slow but not bad. Unfortunately that's where my compliments stop. One of the times the hash was cold. I feel like they barely cooked it. Either that or it was sitting there for a while. A week ago or so I went in for dinner. The menu was so boring. There was only a few appetizer options, none of which were appealing. I ended up getting a side salad which was ok, the dressing wasn't very flavorful but it was ok. Then I got a pasta dish, which again was ok, not great, but way over priced. My girlfriend got a steak, and that was good, but let's face it. A well cooked steak is always good. Then we had dessert. The coffee was great. The dessert... Not so great. The raspberry torte was dry. Then the cookies my girlfriend got were stale. My opinion, go for brunch, but there's better places in the square for dinner.
(2)Moe f.
Great place for brunch hence the weekend crowds. Always lots of seasonal specials. Haven't tried dinner here yet. And fantastic pastries. And my wife's friends threw her baby shower here and they had a great time.
(4)Tanya M.
OH. MY. GAWD. The best lamb i've ever had. well tied for first at least. So I got a friend to hit up their 3 course prixe fix menu with me last night and it was amazing. seriously. fucking awesome. they give you a choice of soup or salad, and the main course was between a shrimp and scallop alfredo or a lamb shank and i am so so so glad that i got the lamb shank. ok, first off we both had the soup which was a fish chowder and it was great. i didn't think i would like it but i slurped up every last bit of it. and the lamb shank, i didn't know what a shank was. i assumed it be slices of lamb but instead a plate with a huge turkey leg lookin thing on it was placed in front of me and i was blown away. the meat was falling off the bone, so incredibly delicious. the mashed potatoes were great and it was the first time i had brussel sprouts and they were very good, not too hard, and not too soft. i was soo full but still had dessert comin too me. and the dessert for the prixe fix they let you choose from the bakery up front which i think is great. i had the raspberry tart and my friend had the banana torte i think, both were awesome. i brought home a cupcake for my boyfriend and he said it was delicious. our waiter was also very nice and friendly. the total for 2 prixe fix dinners at $20 easch, 2 beers $4 each, a glass of wine $8 and 2 coffees $?(intellegentsia) =$63 not bad at all. i expected the place to be packed for a $20 prixe fix menu night but it wasn't at all. the area its in is super cute as well. it has a bunch of cute shops that of course were not open at 6:30 at night, 2 german-esque bars and a cool lookin book shop. the parking on that block, and probably the surrounding area, is meter parking. its also right by the western stop on the brown line. i will definitely be back for more. and more and more. oh and the bakery in front has a ton of delicious looking baked goods. even some pastries that i normally only see at swedish/danish bakeries. good stuff.
(5)Jessica B.
"Meh. I've experienced better." Is absolutely the right way to say it. However, i wish i could rate the bakery and the restaurant separately... The bakery was DELICIOUS! When we got there around 1 for brunch, we were told around 20 minutes. 20 minutes came and went so i went up to the host stand to ask about our table. I could see into the restaurant and there were plenty of open tables! The hostess was also rude, and told me it would be another 15 minutes. While we waited for our table, we hit up the sweet bakery. I got a chocolate croissant and my bf got some raspberry cookies with a coffee. I've searched high and low for a close replica of the chocolate croissants i got while in Germany, and i had yet to find one to even come close to being as delicious as they were. But this one was awesome! It wasn't as good as the ones in DE, but it was close enough. The Bakery is AMAZING. The cakes, cookies, and pastries all looked delicious for a carb lover like myself.... I was overwhelmed with choices! Eventually, we were seated outside and waited a couple minutes for someone to even come to our table. We were already ready to order when our server finally came to the table and she seemed annoyed that we were ready so quickly. But with over a half-an-hour wait, what would you expect? I ordered the Egg Sandwich on a Croissant without the vegetables and an English muffin. A minute or two later she comes back and tells me they're all out of the egg sandwich. I looked at her like WTH? I asked what exactly were they out of, eggs? Croissants?(Which i know they weren't, because i saw some in the bakery....) Cheese?! She said she didn't know, and would be right back. How can you know you're out of something and not know what it is? She comes back and tells me they're out of the vegetables that go on the sandwich. I politely remind her that i asked for no vegetables on my sandwich. So she tells me that it wont be a problem. After that, i was just seriously annoyed. The food was good, nothing too special. Eggs were fluffy, and my bf liked his corned beef. His egg was a little weird, but other than that i only have 1 other complaint: no grape jelly. What is with all these places that have NO grape jelly?!?!?!?!?! Isn't grape jelly the standard?! I understand having strawberry, but blackberry instead of grape?! Seriously, breakfast/brunch restaurants, GET SOME GRAPE JELLY! Its a GRAPE idea! Ok, that was cheesy. All in all, i wont be back unless I'm in the area and I am seriously craving some awesome pastries.
(2)Norbert W.
actually 2.5 stars. more to the "newbie" crowd that maybe spent a semester abroad their junior year ... they might like it. back, say 10 years ago before lincoln square was THE place to live, it was fun walking home through the square and watching the homeless guys heckle the selmarie faithful. it's decent. okay. maybe overpriced. the clientelle is over the top. fawning "euro wanna bes" pining on and on about Europe from their six weeks there in college. but beware of the "the food was wonderful. reminded me of being in a General Foods international coffee ad" review. chances are, it's blinded bullshit. (if you know the onion - check out the point counter point, "european men are so romantic/american girls are so easy" - that type)
(2)Krisi I.
I am not sure if I like Cafe Selmarie as much as it is cranked up to be. I go here for breakfast on the weekends with friends and for lunch as well. Most of the time, the food is great and filling but other times it is not. And I usually order the same thing because the menu is not that extensive. I feel like they change their cooks every time I go. Although, I am not satisfied sometimes, there is one particular waiter that is so attentive, nice, and polite and for some reason my meal does not taste the same unless I order from him. The desserts are delicious though. I love their butter cookies, cheese cakes, and their little chocolate cookies. Along with their coffee, they taste great when I have a sweet tooth. :) I think Selmarie is good, but I wouldn't believe all the hype that it gets from people, I think that there are better places in Lincoln Square that do not get enough recognition.
(3)Foodiegirl F.
There are two words that rarely elicit much of a response in me when uttered together... breakfast burrito. But at Cafe Selmarie, the thought of these two words make my mouth water. Fluffy, perfect scrambled eggs, guacamole and white cheddar cheese, served with some of the best and fresh-tasting salsa I've had, well...it's just darn good! The smoked salmon scramble is equally tasty, with fresh dill and scallions. I don't care for sweets, so can't speak to the desserts, but my chocolate-loving 7 year old nephew took one bite of his chocolate cookie and threw it away. That spoke volumes to me. Stick with savory and you'll be good. The mac and cheese with leeks is super yummy, as is the chicken pot pie!
(4)John S.
food is great, service is excellent, but they need to spray the place with Raid for Children. That or teach all the parents that bring their screaming, running, annoying mini-beasts that not all of us think they are cute when they make that big thumping sound with the high chair, it is just annoying.
(4)Andy S.
Cafe Selmarie is a pretty great restaurant. The desserts behind the front counter look outstanding, all of the food is prepared well and delicious, and supposedly the coffees and tea are good. On paper, this place is a great restaurant. After going here though and having to deal with an infestation of little kids, I wanted to go straight to Walgreens to buy condoms so that I never have to worry about reproduction. It's the epitome of Lincoln Square, a place that looks like a lot of fun, but once you live there for a while you want to jump ship and move to a more adult-oriented part of town.
(3)Brian T.
Wow. They provide that update-your-water-glass-after-every-sip sort off service that is usually reserved for the very frou-frou restaurants. The atmosphere is wonderful. Huge picture windows, big dining area, quaint bakery/barrista area, etc. My spinach quiche was incredible. Coffee was fresh. I was lucky to have a dining partner with a small appetite. Her spinach/feta omelette was equally incredible. Two thumbs up. Way up.
(5)Melanie B.
a coworker of mine brought me to selmarie the other day. i have been by it before but always thought it was just a bakery with some seating. they actually have a very nice dinner selection and i enjoyed my experience there. we sat out on the patio, which was really nice because the weather was basically perfect. the service was a bit slow and kind of awkward (more on that in a min), but i ordered the ahi tuna with mango salsa (a special) and she ordered the tilapia. both meals were very good, very tasty and nice (not humongous, yay) portions. also, the bakery items looked amazing. however, the service was weird. it was slow to begin with, but the waiter actually tried to get us to just give him money without showing us the bill. so weird. but when he finally brought it (it took a long time) everything was okay. it wasn't very busy, btw, so i don't know why it took so long. anyway, i would go back here for dinner, and i'd really like try some of their amazing-looking pastries. i just hope next time the service is more on top of things.
(3)ashley w.
Every time I pick up a dessert from Cafe Selmarie, I'm left feeling sort of used. The prices are very reasonable, but the quality of the food is just eh. At first I thought it was just one item that was "eh", but after taste testing at least a half dozen items, I can say that this place is overall just "eh". Good service but I'm always left expecting more.
(3)Amanda R.
I like bacon. Cafe Selmarie has some of my favorite bacon in the city. I like Cafe Selmarie.
(4)Doris D.
This place just begs you to come in. It is so cute!! Their cappuccino is delicious, and so much better than the usual crap I get at Starbucks for much more. The pastries are delicious and always fresh, escpecially their biscottis! Service is a little slow though but overall it's a great place in adorable Lincoln Square.
(4)