Cafe Yaya
Cafe Yaya — straightforward brunch & breakfast in Lincoln Park. The kitchen isn't playing it safe. Hospitality you can feel from the door. Patrick Finn: "The bread was fresh and we tried both the challah and baguette"
What 274 diners keep saying
What 274 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Even though the cafe was very busy, the atmosphere was lovely and the service was excellent. The staff were incredibly attentive, warm, and welcoming despite how crowded it was. We tried the Biscuit with Butter & Seasonal Jam, Tahini Banana Bread, Turkish-ish Breakfast, and the Chicken Shawarma Wrap. Everything was very good and extremely filling. Our favorites were the Biscuit with Butter & Seasonal Jam and the Turkish-ish Breakfast. Because of the incredible demand, many bakery items were already sold out by the time we arrived, so we couldn’t try everything. From what I could see, the Boreka also seems to be a many customer favorite😉!”

“Was visiting from Minneapolis, and stopped for brunch. Everything was great, the manager was very sweet. They had less stuff so they were overworking. I am glad they take care of their empl I tee with gratitude and wellness added to the check. The food was very fresh and amazing taste. Coffee was really good too and pastries aswell. A bit on the expensive side, but you receive the treatment. Will be back again. Highly recommend the Shakshuka and the Tuna sandwich.”

“This place is a bar, restaurant, and coffee shop all in one! The vibe and atmosphere are fantastic, making it a great spot to relax any time of day. A special shoutout to the host (Matty) - he’s incredibly kind, genuine, and welcoming. He even took the time to give us a tour of the entire place, which made the experience even more memorable. Highly recommend!”

“Popped into Cafe Yaya to get some pastries to go. The honey saffron bun and shakshuka bun were incredible delicious - and unique! The saffron bun was fluffy and flaky, and the icing was just the perfect amount of sweetness. The shakshuka bun wasn’t like anything I’d had before and truly tasted like a fresh shakshuka complete with an egg. I also got the new matcha lemonade which was a great addition to a nice breakfast on their patio.”

“Great pastry 🥐 Good coffee and beautiful interior! Search for good pastry cafe and found this place! It’s quite far from us. We drove about 45 mins to get there but it’s so worth it!! Their coffee and chocolate croissant is tasty, crispy outside with chocolate filling. Spinach & artichoke stuffed challah is amazing, outside crispy with right amount of saltiness and creamy spinach and artichoke filling is good combination. We really love it! We also have unsweetened hot latte. The coffee doesn’t have a bitter or sour taste at all. Really enjoy it as well. Looking forward to dining in and try their food next time.”

“The food is delicious, flavorful and beautiful! Everyone was friendly and had wonderful suggestions! The decor was understated, relaxed and stylish! As an interior designer I especially enjoyed the unique tiles and the raw aged exposed brick. It was busy, but not loud. Perfect space for a date or dinner for 4! Everything exceeded our expectations!”

“Very positive and upbeat server who was very attentive to allergies. Amazing, high end and well thought out ambiance and the food did not disappoint either. Great portion sizes and reasonable prices. Delicious food. Will definitely check it out again - both for brunch and at night for bistro.”

“Such a cute spot! Very fun dishes and a nice, clean atmosphere. Our server, David, was fabulous and gave excellent recommendations! (As a few other reviews mentioned, an americano did take awhile, but we were told that the bar was backed up)”

“Great food and friendly service. Awesome option for a date night.”

“I can’t wait to come back! It’s so cute but not very big so make sure you have a reservation! I came here for brunch with 2 other girls for restaurant and it was so fun and delicious. Everyone loved their food.”
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