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312 Eats
Lakeview · Mexican · $$

Esencia Urban Kitchen

4.7453 reviews ·Opens at 8AM tomorrow
I believe that would fit even better to the different palettes and food allergies Otherwise I will opt to try again as I love the neighbor, location and the warm and friendly staff here
Annette Nieves PhotographyAnnette Nieves Photography · 124 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Esencia Urban Kitchen — one of Lakeview's strongest mexican spots. The ingredients do the heavy lifting. Warm, genuine service throughout. Bill: "The chilaquiles were the standout - crispy, flavorful, and full of satisfying texture" [$$, patio]

🌱Vegan & vegetarian friendly — real options, not one sad pasta.
☀️Patio — a Lakeview classic in summer.

What 453 diners keep saying

Neighborhood institutionCozyOutdoor diningQuick biteInstagram worthyBrunch
Plan your visit
3351 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
Lakeview
TodayClosed
Sun–Mon8AM-2PM
TueClosed
Wed–Sat8AM-2PM
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What 453 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Elizabeth Kirkman
Jul 2026

This place deserves a 10/10. The food was amazing, the drinks were delicious and the service was quick and attentive. 📸 chilaquiles with chorizo, poblano eggs & a horchata latte 😍

Elizabeth Kirkman

Elizabeth Kirkman

7 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jerry The Pigeon And Mike L
Jul 2026

Love Love Love this place. Super cute but it gets very busy. So come early and enjoy! I give it 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jerry gives it 5.5

Jerry The Pigeon And Mike L

Jerry The Pigeon And Mike L

256 reviews on Google

Review photo by Megan Boucher
Jul 2026

Love this place! Just went for the first time and I got the chilaquiles. Just what the doctor ordered. My boyfriend loved the chorizo hash as well. Everyone was so nice. Great little hidden gem.

Megan Boucher

Megan Boucher

6 reviews on Google

Review photo by Kyuwon Lee
Jun 2026

An awesome breakfast spot serving delicious plates with a delightful Latin American flair. The staff is friendly, and the outdoor seating is lovely.

Kyuwon Lee

Kyuwon Lee

2376 reviews on Google

Review photo by Johnny B
Jun 2026

Best breakfast in Lakeview East with both indoor and outdoor seating, with fast, gracious service from Mauricio and his colleagues

Johnny B

Johnny B

343 reviews on Google

Review photo by Caresse Kimble
Jun 2026

Visiting the neighborhood restaurants while visiting my oldest and OMGeez this one is so far, hands down my favorite! The service is wonderful staff is very friendly and my orange juice was amazing, so good in fact, I had to get another because it was gone before my food arrived. The pablano eggs were 10/10 entire plate perfect, greens were dressed perfectly, the potatoes were crispy and the flavor was just soooooo good. I cannot say a single bad thing about this place. I was curious about the lunch so I ordered some carnitas to go. They were heavenly. I will definitely return to this place again and again. Maybe even in this same trip! Its that good! Oh and those biscuits and jam! 100/10

Caresse Kimble

Caresse Kimble

95 reviews on Google

Review photo by Conleigh Hardin
Feb 2026

Nice corner spot with good food and good service. Would recommend.

Conleigh Hardin

Conleigh Hardin

8 reviews on Google

Review photo by E. W.
Dec 2025

Happened upon this place while passing through Chicago. They had a very solid take on eggs benedict (poblano eggs), the poblano cream sauce was absolutely stunning. The house potatoes had such good crunch and seasoning. Highly recommend.

E. W.

E. W.

27 reviews on Google

Review photo by Life Coach Mentoria
Nov 2025

Omg! Fall coffee & pancakes ! Absolutely: recommended!

Life Coach Mentoria

Life Coach Mentoria

18 reviews on Google

Review photo by Ashley Grace
Nov 2025

I couldn't decide between anything on the menu but, thus far - everything has been amazing. French toast and one of the delicious homemade Hispanic savory items (sorry - I don't remember which one). But i ate the entire thing and will be back. Great service, friendly staff and outside seating. Tasty coffee and non dairy options - which are not easy to come by. Thanks guys 🌻

Ashley Grace

Ashley Grace

64 reviews on Google

Review photo by Bill
Aug 2025

Esencia Urban is a snug brunch spot with warm service and a Latin-inspired menu. The space is tight and often crowded by lunchtime, but we were able to get a seat right away around 9 am on a Sunday. The chilaquiles were the standout - crispy, flavorful, and full of satisfying texture. A charming neighborhood spot for a cozy and flavorful brunch.

Bill

Bill

940 reviews on Google

Review photo by Anthony Schleck
Aug 2025

I got the chilequiles and they were AMAZING. The salsa is so good and usually the chips are soggy, but not here. They were so crispy and delicious. I will definitely be coming back!

Anthony Schleck

Anthony Schleck

47 reviews on Google

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