CAFE NOVA
Snehit Reddy Gurram · 122 Google reviewsCAFE NOVA — Rogers Park indian that sets the standard. The kind of place your parents probably knew about too. The kitchen takes tradition seriously. Easy on the wallet, good for vegetarians. Adeline Robinson Bihlmaier: "The ordering kiosk was easy, the food came out quickly and it was incredible" [$$]
What 369 diners keep saying
What 369 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Chicken Mustard Curry is very authentic and the Garlic Naan was made perfect. I wish they had more combos in the menu.”
“Came here for the first time , it’s conveniently next to my nail salon. Popped in for a quick lunch — I’ll most definitely be back! Tasted so good, I’m a frequent at Devon street so I know authentic good curry —- this tasted extremely delish. Rich flavors, tender meat! No wait time , 10/10”
“Food is good but still they shall reduce the amount of oil and spice used in the food.”
“They have all kind of a authentic Sri Lankan food and Indian food they do their best customer service and food preparation and service. I can say top notch and food. Taste is also great.”
“Drove an hour and a half to come here and it was MORE than worth the trip! The ordering kiosk was easy, the food came out quickly and it was incredible! Tried the jackfruit curry for the first time and was blown away. I highly recommend coming here. The mago lassi and avocado smoothie were wonderful as well!”
“Incredible value for the price. I think they keep it affordable because it’s near the campus. Maybe It’s ok for them to increase the price since I cannot find any $10 chicken biryani anywhere around Chicago. Their chicken biryani is very tasty, detailed and full of complex flavors. The sauce add a nice sour taste to overall dish. The chicken is well-marinated. One downside is that the store is a bit hot to stay in. I hope they keep the temperature around 71°F”
“Delicious food and friendly staff. We didn’t have to wait long at all for our meals, and everything was full of flavor. Highly recommend!”
“My Uber driver was the nicest Sri Lankan man and when we were talking about food here in the city I made an ignorant comment about how it must be hard not having access to food from his homeland, assuming there were no Sri Lankan places here. He quickly told me about Cafe Nova and how wonderful it was. He even recommended the Kothu Roti saying it was the best. I ordered in via UberEats and it came piping hot and beautifully packaged. He was absolutely right. It’s one of the best meals I’ve had in ages. I also really want to come eat in the restaurant since the Uber driver said it was clean and comfortable. So unbelievably happy to have learned of this new place and find dishes that are completely foreign to me! I cannot wait to try some of the other dishes in the future, especially the mustard curry and the fish ambulthiyal.”
“Went there for restaurant week on a Sunday and have a great $20 three course lunch. It was however so popular that we waited for at least 40min till we got our food served. The server was really friendly and nice though. I got the chicken set with masala fries and sweets. High quality rice entree.”
“We ordered Chicken Biryani - despite being $10 and value for the food, it didn’t taste good. This is not the correct place to savory this dish. Made it like a fried rice. A curry plate - definitely a must try. Probably, this is where the authenticity of the cuisine shines. It’s $13 and totally worth it. 3 veg curries, 1 non veg curry, rice and papad. Samosa - were fresh Mustard leaves chicken curry - very good and tasty Parotas - they tasted fresh. But I heard oven heating them. Overall, a place to try for their authentic dishes. Atmosphere was trendy with scooters and games to play.”
“They are featured on the In Kind app (see photo) but today i came in person and they would not accept payment through it. This was 6/21/26 order 20. Hate being baited and switched like this, as I had In Kind cash I couldn’t use. Don’t advertise on these sites if you won’t follow thru!”
“CAFE NOVA is a fantastic, welcoming neighborhood staple that consistently delivers high-quality, delicious, and deeply satisfying cafe fare. Whether you are stopping in for a coffee or enjoying a light meal, the quality of the ingredients and the care put into the preparation are always excellent, making it a reliable favorite for a quick and pleasant break. I place an incredibly high premium on kitchen cleanliness and dining area maintenance, and I am consistently impressed by how tidy, well-organized, and professionally kept this space is—it is clear they take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and order for their guests. The staff is consistently friendly, efficient, and does a wonderful job of ensuring that service is prompt and that everyone feels welcome. If you are looking for a trustworthy, high-quality spot that prioritizes both excellent flavor and professional cleanliness, I highly recommend CAFE NOVA”
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