Geja's Cafe
Nadya Masterova · 232 Google reviewsGeja's Cafe — an Old Town cafe mainstay. The kind of room you save for someone special. Friendly team that sets the tone. Madison Scheer: "Our service was phenomenal; the staff were so friendly, attentive and informed" [$$$]
What 1,964 diners keep saying
What 1,964 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Geja's has been in the same Lincoln Park basement space since the early seventies, and it has perfected the art of making people feel like their night out is genuinely special without asking them to do anything except show up and dip things into melted cheese. A flamenco or classical guitarist plays live from a small platform in the corner, the candlelight is low and warm, and the whole room has this slightly conspiratorial intimacy to it that works perfectly for anniversaries, first dates, and milestone celebrations. The three-course fondue dinner is how you should order, and it moves through the evening at a pace that encourages you to settle in rather than rush. The Swiss Gruyere cheese fondue arrives first, a bubbling pot of melted cheese with fresh bread, vegetables, and fruit for dipping, which sounds simple until you're doing it and realize how satisfying the whole ritual is. A house salad with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette follows, a palate reset before the main event. The entree fondue lets you cook your own combinations of beef tenderloin, Gulf shrimp, sea scallops, chicken, and lobster tail in either soybean oil or broth right at the table, served alongside eight gourmet dipping sauces that range from garlicky to sweet. We cooked everything slowly and kept the conversation going, which is exactly the point. The Belgian chocolate fondue for dessert is flamed tableside and comes with marshmallows for toasting, strawberries, bananas, pound cake, and Rice Krispies for dipping, and it is as joyful and slightly indulgent as it sounds. Plan ahead on weekends, and note there is an operational fee added to the bill that some reviews mention finding unexpected.”
“Beautiful and fun date night spot. Need a reservation but great outdoor and indoor dining options. Food is delicious and if you are one to work for your food this is a must visit in Chicago.”
“Great as always! So inviting and catering. The food, ambience and service were spot on.”
“Geja’s cafe was a lot of fun! Food tastes great—our one small issue was they apparently have a new air system which was causing issues with the flames on a few tables. However, our server Anna was spectacular. She helped us with some wind guards regarding the flame issue, but she was helpful in getting us out a bit early as we were running late to a concert. She was great! All the tables around us seemed to enjoy her as well. Would come back!”
“This is one of my favorite places in the city. The food is great, but the customer service is EXCEPTIONAL. Holden and Kendra have both been outstanding service staff for us, giving you the space you need to have fun but also not skipping a beat or making you wait for a drink. And Mr. Bill has a very special place in our hearts. He’s clearly the soul of the restaurant, and I hope to have as much with any part of my life as he has at work! I do want to give a very special recognition for Jeanette though. She remembered my partner and I from three months ago, and made a point to spend her time tonight asking about how we have been. Since then, we got engaged. She put the time and effort to not only send us an extra something for dessert, but took the time to cut off part of the decoration so we had the same experience as a straight couple. I literally hid my tears because I’m not from a place that we were “normal” or safe, but she made us feel celebrated. We will definitely be back soon!”
“Best Fondue, Excellent and romantic ambience. We had plain fondue first the gravure cheese and dipping unlimited fruits and vegetables than special recipe chocolate to dip fruits , excellent choice of wines. Reservations highly recommended. Excellent for birthdays for your parents, anniversary, romantic celebrations”
“A must in Chicago 🧀✨❤️!! Fondue delights with delicious cocktails - Cheese, chocolate, and a bunch of sauces - Dip dip!! Truly a lovely experience at Chicago’s most romantic restaurant- Cheers 🍸✨❤️!!”
“This was by far the most romantic place I have ever been to. The food experience was very novel.”
“This restaurant is beautiful and very cozy. I loved the decor and lighting. It’s wonderful. Great service! I got the beef tenderloin fondue dinner which came with the cheese fondue to start and the chocolate at the end. The steak was amazing. Great sauces for dipping. We loved the flames to roast our marshmallows at the end. This is a great place to celebrate! Really delicious. The whole thing took us around 2-2.5 hours. A great time! It’s very expensive (over $100 for one person with drinks).”
“Always impeccable service and a great experience. Great selection of wine and the entire meal is a such a wonderful experience. Each course is outstanding. Love the cheese, main course and of course the chocolate. The coffee is great along with after dinner drinks. It is a must experience place for everyone in Chicago. Very romantic and a great special place to celebrate.”
“The best fondue experience in Chicago. It’s also rated on of the top date night locations. The food is fantastic and the staff is super friendly. The valet parking is quick and they have options for indoor and outdoor seating. They also have wonderful cocktails with a variety of beers. I highly recommend making a reservation.”
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