Merienda Café
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About
Merienda Café — one of Grayslake's strongest filipino spots. The cooking is rooted in real tradition. Staff that genuinely cares how your meal goes, and owner on site. GailN: "Fish was fried to a perfect crisp (I requested crispy), the garlic rice was fluffy and well seasoned"
Experience Breakdown
icewindgale
101 reviews
“I ordered takeout online on a Saturday around noon (so I can't speak to atmosphere, but the food and service were fantastic)”
Highlights
What Diners Are Saying
Diners loved
Some noted
Happy 2nd anniversary to you guys, went there for the 2nd time since I want to have your tapa, and it was your anniversary Sunday and have a all you can eat for $35, happy with the dessert but the food taste all the same and not happy this time.
Location
1822 E Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030
What 244+ diners say about Merienda Café
“Excellent food and drinks.”
Excellent food and drinks. The Ube Milk Cap was so good, and the Tocilog was wonderful. I was worried it would be too sweet but it was very well balanced in flavor. A friend had the Tofu and it was amazing, it had almost a vinegar/pickled flavor to it that I loved. I was only visiting from out of town, otherwise I would already be planning on stopping back in.
Rainie Schlichtmann
Feb 2026
“This place doesn't miss.”
This place doesn't miss. Drinks are pricey but worth it because they do them so well and there's always some new experimental/seasonal drink that slaps. Not boring. Food is incredible. Silog hits all the right notes. Their Papaya salad proved I don't hate salads. Try something new at this place. Again, they don't miss.
Casey “Iroh”
Dec 2025
“Me and my boyfriend always come here and i absolutely love it here, there so sweet and their food...”
Me and my boyfriend always come here and i absolutely love it here, there so sweet and their food is ao delicious i really recommend it here if you want good food
Michel Robledo Oyervides
Dec 2025
“I love this place.”
I love this place! I came with my family for the first time, and their service was absolutely excellent. Their food and pastries are so yummy as well. Will definitely be coming back!
Jocelyn Perez
Nov 2025
“We’ve checked out several Filipino breakfast spots in the Chicagoland area (including a famous one...”
We’ve checked out several Filipino breakfast spots in the Chicagoland area (including a famous one in the city that rhymes with Bahama…) and can confidently say this tops all of them. The staff was warm, friendly, and attentive (shout out to Chris and Crystal!); the dining area was that perfect vibe of cozy and homey; and the food was out-of-this world delicious! Everything was great, but our favorites were the bulgogi loaded fries, ube pancakes, and pandan chai. Highly recommend Merienda Cafe, and will definitely be back for more!
Angela Yu
Nov 2025
“Highly recommend.”
Highly recommend. Delicious food and drinks. I love this cafe—looking forward to coming here often. (Pictured: Tofu sisig with garlic rice and papaya salad. And Bulgogi silog. I highly recommend both meals.)
Jennifer Strom
Oct 2025
“Came to town to go to the Harry Potter experience.”
Came to town to go to the Harry Potter experience. Husband found this gem when leaving and I'm glad he did. The food was amazing. We got ube pancake, bulgogi fries, tapsilog and bangsilog. We also got Ube latte for drinks and pink calamansi lemonade. 5/5 stars on everything. The silog meals are the most authentic silog meals I've had. If we dont live 4hrs away, we'll be here everyday. 😊
Liana Campollo
Oct 2025
“Don't usually leave reviews but felt like i NEEDED to with this place.”
Don't usually leave reviews but felt like i NEEDED to with this place! if you're nearby it's a must go! I got the Ube Pancakes, they aren't on the menu but you can just ask for them!
Matthias
Oct 2025
“I got the Tapsilog with garlic rice and pancit bihon.”
I got the Tapsilog with garlic rice and pancit bihon. The portion was large and satisfying with incredibly tender beef. I loved it. The Ube milk tea was also sweet and delicious. Highly recommend.
Mando C
Sep 2025
“Very good Filipino food.”
Very good Filipino food! Happy we have an authentic spot in the area. I tried the tocilog with garlic rice and atchara salad. Loved the calamansi lemonade as well!
Victoria Logan
Aug 2025
“My boyfriend and I came here my last day in the area and I’m glad we did.”
My boyfriend and I came here my last day in the area and I’m glad we did! Starting with the service, the staff were respectful and efficient. They made sure to check in with us when we got our food and were overall very friendly. As for the food, everything tasted super fresh and flavorful. I got the beef bulgogi rice plate and loved the way the perfectly runny egg paired with the meat and salad. The drinks were done very well and weren’t too sweet. If you’re in the area, I would definitely recommend!
Allison
Aug 2025
“I went for smoothie and this place didn’t disappoint me.”
I went for smoothie and this place didn’t disappoint me. The texture, taste and flavors were upto the point. It seems to be a local favorite spot. Unfortunately being a vegetarian I couldn’t try any of their other dishes. Price was a little higher than other places.
Akila Iyer
Aug 2025
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