Gallery Cafe Menu

  • Select Your Sandwich
  • Oven Roasted Sandwich
  • Fruit Smoovies
  • Health Boosters 0.75 Each
  • Sandwiches
  • Oven-roasted Sandwich
  • Ice Cream
  • Cone or Cup
  • Mix-ins

Healthy Meal suggestions for Gallery Cafe

  • Select Your Sandwich
  • Oven Roasted Sandwich
  • Fruit Smoovies
  • Health Boosters 0.75 Each
  • Sandwiches
  • Oven-roasted Sandwich
  • Ice Cream
  • Cone or Cup
  • Mix-ins

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  • Danielle K.

    Honestly, the best cup of regular coffee in town. And I enjoy smelling them roasting the beans, since I live so close. The sandwiches are also very good and great variety. The interior is just lacking comfort.

    (4)
  • Amy S.

    Went into for the first time today. Wasn't super impressed. I tried the iced coffee. The barista told me they just pour hot coffee and espresso over ice. Not terrible but definitely not a cold press. I'd be willing to try a latte if I stop in again. Atmosphere is pretty normal for a neighborhood shop. Any place that roasts their own beans can't be too terrible. Prices aren't bad either. I paid less than three bucks for an iced coffee with caramel.

    (3)
  • Kateryna G.

    I've been there a total of three times and every time my coffee tasted like an ashtray. Not only the coffee is terrible, the service is even worse. The owner is rude and incompetent. The last time I was the only person at the shop and I had to repeat 4 times that I wanted a vanilla biscotti, not chocolate, for which I got an eye roll as though my order was a huge bother to her. PS Also there is a $5 min on debit/credit cards. Considering a coffee there is under $5, it always forces you to buy something else.

    (1)
  • Christopher M.

    Two stars, according to Yelp, means "Meh. I've experienced better." That is totally correct for Gallery Cafe. It is average at best. Our fair city has MANY awesome coffee places, and Gallery is far from awesome. I think the problem actually may be the cups ... since our coffee tasted like the dumb cup. Skip Gallery and walk to plenty of other great coffee places in the neighborhood. 106/365

    (2)
  • Casey F.

    I'm so disappointed to read the negative reviews of the Gallery Cafe! We live right near here and frequent it. They have the best coffee - their house is my favorite. The scones and muffins are fresh and delicious. I also enjoy the breakfast sandwiches - yes, the wait can be a little longer than you'd wait at say Dunkin' Donuts or something, but who cares? And the eggs aren't scrambled to order - but if you want that go to a sit down brunch place. I've never had anything but a positive experience here and great service. The coffee is killer - I get it at least once a week.

    (4)
  • Andrew H.

    I have walked by this place a thousand times, living only blocks away, and never gone in. A quick trip to the adjacent Fed Ex after a workout made me crave coffee and breakfast so I stopped in. My dog sitter sung their praises and their bohemian artist theme is right up my alley. The place has a great small town coffee bar feel with high, old metal ceilings, a distressed tile floor and a long bar made of varying wood finishes. The menu is broken up on chalkboard accents above the bar in lots of warm colors. A nice contrast to the cool terra-cotta and beige walls. The menu itself, in sync with the name, features sandwiches named after famous artists from different ages and styles such as Kahlo, Chagall, Gauguin, and Picasso. First select your sandwich then on the small chalkboard by the wrap choose a cheese and bread. I opted for the DaVinci - two eggs, cheese, tomato and your choice of bacon or turkey sausage; I chose the latter. The eggs come piping hot so don't try and bite in right away. The eggs are steamed instead of microwaved or fried, a refreshing change to the normal flat eggs, these are fluffy fluffy! And delicious! The highlight of my experience was the incredibly friendly staff. I'm a sucker for customer service and good work etiquette and the super handsome barista illustrated just that. He smiled constantly, accepted responsibility for any errors and did not stop working for one minute during my thirty minute stay. He and his colleague cooked all the food, made all the drinks, cleaned up around the bar and café, handled the wrap and still maintained great hygiene. I am very impressed with this hip and simple café. The prices are very urban, which is to be expected in this Wicker Park/Bucktown locale, but they make up for it with great service and a mellow atmosphere. I will likely return here frequently and potentially amend this review to a five if the service I've witnessed is consistent. Ps - if you dine in, leave a tip! These kids work harder than most and likely deserve it. $0.50- $1.00 can go a long way.

    (4)
  • Riley S.

    Just stopped in and bought a coffee and muffin to go. I can only imagine how long that muffin had been sitting there before I bought it, because it was hard as a rock. I'm not exaggerating, my coworker and I spent 5 minutes trying to slice into it with a butter knife just to see if it was possible...it was not. Maybe I'll try this place again in a month or two so I can buy something that was made today.

    (1)
  • Seth W.

    The creative menu is the best part of this place. Each dish is named after a famous artist: it's quite clever. The coffee was delicious, and the service relatively prompt. However, the food was very mediocre. My breakfast sandwich took way too long for a simple avocado and eggs on french roll. I've gotten better breakfast sandwiches at Einstein Bros. Bagels. Nice place though, good atmosphere.

    (2)
  • Ben R.

    Food is ok, but the hipsters behind the bar don't understand the concept of decorum and treat (more like mistreat) the customers based on their piss poor mood, apparently. If you want a wrap and a sandwich, there are plenty of other options down the street.

    (1)
  • Greg H.

    Stopped by to grab a quick early morning coffee before heading to Damen North Dental across the street. Even though getting coffee before seeing the dentist is counter intuitive, I'm going to make this a regular pre-dentist stop. The service was quick and the seating was plenty. The place is a little divey so I'm not sure if I would trust the food but the coffee was excellent.

    (3)
  • Anna M.

    I absolutely LOVE this place! I work down the street, and spend almost 90% of my mornings stumbling into this place for a latte. All of the staff is friendly, knowledgable about coffee (that matters), and they are more than willing to go the extra mile to ensure your beverage, sandwich, or pastry is satisfactory. One time the manager went down the basement to grab me a drink holder for two coffees. I am shocked this place has such a poor rating on Yelp. Drink prices are on par with, if not cheaper than, a certain chain coffee shop located at Milwaukee/Damen/North and it makes me happy knowing my money is going to a local business owner. Furthermore, the food is DELICIOUS and the sandwiches are all prepared fresh before your eyes and served with chips. Local art is for sale on the wall and free WIFI is accessible. This is definitely a place in the neighborhood to support.

    (5)
  • Brailey M.

    This place has SO MUCH POTENTIAL! I've been here over the years and seen it change, go through employees (always a steadfast tall lanky blond man who had the BEST service), sadly most of employees who were by far the best are long gone. The food is ok, i would not order anything with meat in it, but in a jam its affordable and if you keep it Vegg. your fine! the coffee is sub-par, nothing special, the espresso is often burnt I've dealt with the owner Krista several times there, she' seemed very disinterested in the prosperity of the place and generally seemed to also dislike her employees a lot too. This place is OK at best

    (2)
  • Kathleen O.

    My favorite local spot for coffee. They have great sandwiches for lunch too. Some outdoor seating when the weather is warm! Be warned they close a little on the early side - 5pm.

    (5)
  • Torrey R.

    I'm giving this four stars for the potential I see in it. It was my own fault for not reading the hours listed and dropping in with a book to get cozy for a while with only 15 minutes left before closing. I did enjoy my 15 minutes however. I ordered a latte and was pleased they offered almond milk. I liked the amount of natural light in the coffee shop, the benefits of being on a corner with all windows. The tall ceilings also helped. I would certainly like to try this place again but with more than 15 minutes to take it all in.

    (4)
  • Gary R.

    Every time I come to Chicago the Gallery Cafe is on my "must stop" list. I've had coffee all over Chicago including the premium price, ultra trendy hotspots. You name the brand or the coffee shop and I bet I've had it or been there. I don't do lattes or barista required concoctions. I want dark roast straight up black. And no one does it better than the Gallery. Especially for the price. Proves that the quality of the coffee isn't measured by what you paid for it. They have great sandwiches and wraps - I'm particularly fond of the breakfast sandwich selections, all named after a famous painter. Outstanding. For a small place, they really serve it up huge.

    (5)
  • Eric V.

    Good coffee, casual environment, delicious food and smoothies. Simple place with friendly staff.

    (5)
  • Erin H.

    Great coffee and I LOVE their breakfast sandwiches. The only drawback is they seem to be understaffed in the mornings. Only ONE person works the first couple of hours. So if you want a breakfast sandwich, be prepared to wait OR call in the order.

    (4)
  • Kevin Y.

    I live right around the corner from Gallery Cafe and decided to give this place a shot. Their coffee is amazing, one of the best I've had. I decided to try one of their breakfast sandwiches one day and ordered the DaVinci. Pure bliss. I ordered it with turkey sausage, pepperjack cheese, and tomato bread. Their wifi is reliable and fast. They have plenty of tables and outlets for you to work on, and if coffee refills are only .50! I could stay there all day and work, it's a nice cozy setting and the staff never pressures you to leave. They mind their own business and let you do yo thang! Only reason I gave it a 5 star is because it's a little too hipster for me, but it's all good in the hood.

    (4)
  • Vanitha S.

    Warning before reading on: Unfortunately I didn't get to try any of the coffee drinks here so this review is mostly for their ambiance and rice krispy treat! Like another reviewer said, this little coffee place flies under the radar and is very unsuspecting. I think I've driven and walked by this place plenty of times without going in. But I finally tried it while waiting for my order from Puptection across the street. I loved the funky hippy vibe of the place with the menu scrawled in different colored chalk, large floor to ceiling windows, funky art, and a few tables and booths scattered throughout. The rice krispie treat I got here was tasty and their breakfast and sandwich menu sounded really good, I'll have to try those another time. Staff was ok-not super friendly but definitely not unfriendly. The one thing I didn't dig so much is that there was a "Gandhi" sandwich which I really think does not do justice to who he was. Naming a sandwich after one of our world peace leaders just doesn't seem right to me. I was seated by the windows and was disappointed to see that there were no outlets near where I was--I'd have to get up and move tables to plug in my dying laptop, but by then I had to bounce anyway so it didn't affect this visit. If I did want to stay for a couple of hours though I'd make sure you found a table near an outlet.

    (3)
  • Bridget S.

    This place has amazing coffee and exellent breakfast sammys. The Manet is my fave (eggs, provolone, and Pesto) There is something special about the way they make the eggs, cant describe it. I am giving it 4 stars because 80% of the time it takes forever to order, as well as get your food...even when there's only a few people there. Also they always have different artwork up on the walls when I go in, which is a nice concept, but I have never been super impressed by it.

    (4)
  • Samantha G.

    The java mocha caramel chiller is tasty! I went for lunch and ordered a sandwich and it comes with chips and they didn't let me substitute anything for the chips. it probably would have gotten 4 stars if I could have another option besides chips with my sandwich. Probably won't go back.

    (3)
  • Caitlin B.

    If I could give negative stars, I would. The staff are snobby and pretentious hipsters who all seem to have serious attitude problems. The girl I encountered actually made me feel that I was an inconvenience to her!! There is a minimum on credit cards, which is against Visa policy rules on their website. The food is terrible, and the coffee is even worse. My friend ordered the hummus and vegetables and got a paper plate with gross-looking hummus and small squared of chopped vegetables .. how do you even dip that in the hummus? TERRIBLE! DO NOT COME HERE!!

    (1)
  • Jenna R.

    I was drawn in by the clever looking sign and decided to stop for coffee thinking "oh cool, I'll get to check out some art while I'm here". Upon entry though I immediately noticed that for a place called gallery cafe... they have almost no artwork... lots of space for art, but no ACTUAL art. I noticed a total of 4 paintings and they weren't very good even in an ironic way. I noticed the sandwiches were named after famous artists but I'm sure they'd wonder why. The general design was relatively unspectacular and not very hip. They had bananas in a bucket that I wouldn't have eaten if they were free but the house labeled coffee itself was surprisingly delicious.... I drink it black so I was excited about that. It is self serve, $2 for a medium with 50 cent refills. The music was very blah: 60s pop hits.... This place may be nice in the summer with its outdoor patio facing north ave... but I wasn't wowed and most likely will not return.

    (2)
  • Josh N.

    Had a good experience with the staff. Coffee was great, food was good. But, sandwiches are way overpriced for the portion. Total bummer.

    (3)
  • Julianne S.

    This place is absolutely amazing they do alll there food by famous artist names the sandwich that I did is a Pretzel Warhol it was amazingly good and I will be coming back here again real soon

    (5)
  • Kathleen C.

    I have seen this spot numerous times and it never occured to me to enter (that's what curb appeal will do...). In any case, I was in the need of a quick lunch, so this seemed like a good spot. So, the food itself was pretty good if you like microwaved eggs. I ordered an egg/cheese/avocado sandwich on a bagel. I was watching her make the sandwich and I was extremely confused as avocado normally doesn't take elbow grease to get out of the container...she seemed to really be struggling. Was it frozen? I'll never know...The eggs were definitely microwaved, but I guess that's what I get for a quick sandwich. Even with these oddities, the food was pretty good - hot and the cheese was melty. However, my main complaint is that this spot is s l o w..... There is no reason this sandwich had to take so long to make. I maybe should have guessed since the person taking the order seemed confused and then the woman making my sandwich was staring at the ingredients in a fog. I was ordering to go...the group in front of me ordered to eat in. I think they ordered some sandwiches...mine, even though I waited for what seemed like 30 min came out first! My coffee also came out first before the group ahead of me. They must have been extra annoyed with their wait. In any case, the food was ok, but not really the home cooked lunch I was looking for and the service is so off that I'm not sure I want to return any time soon.

    (2)
  • Patrick F.

    Been here many times as its just down the street, so I know their menu and coffee well. I mostly prefer to get their coffee which they let you pour your own and make to each individuals specifications. Usually two good choices, one always being the house blend. Today went with just an egg breakfast sandwich, the Varo, which I chose due to the jalapeño peppers. Wile I would have preferred more of these, you can't beat the taste and the quality of the handmade sandwich. I got mine on a pretzel roll with pepper jack cheese. They offer many varieties of sandwiches and have a nice outdoor patio for those wanting to linger around. I always come back for the cheap coffee and is truly what a local coffee shop should be.

    (4)
  • Robin M.

    Actually, a 1 1/2. I had a delivery, which cost additional coins. Keep this in mind. I ordered a DaVinci: eggs, bacon, tomato and cheese on a bagel. Under special instructions I asked for the bagel toasted with butter, and the bacon crispy. Not too high maintenance. What I got was an un-toasted bagel and fatty, undercooked bacon, and, wait for it, GREEN eggs. Yup the eggs were green. Inedible. Threw it out. Coffee was fine (had a latte; asked for vanilla, it came without -- they charged for what I asked for); the banana nut muffin was ok (but glad to have it since my sandwich got put in the garbage. The smoothie is in the fridge because I simply couldn't handle any more disappointment. What a waste of a Bastille Day breakfast and a bunch of coins. The delivery guy was nice though. Never again.

    (2)
  • Kristy N.

    I had some time to kill and needed wifi so I popped in here for a coffee and some breakfast. The wifi was reliable and fast but the music was so loud that it made it a bit hard to concentrate - especially for a Saturday morning at 9am. The bagel sandwiches looked inviting so I tried the Gauguin with tomatoes. The bagel was barely toasted and the cream cheese was barely there. Between the bland attitude staff and the even blander decor, I'll opt for the place across the street next time.

    (2)
  • Jen S.

    Grunge. The staff was a little rough, you have to jump through loops to get to use the restroom - and the restroom was pretty nasty. The honey bottle was clogged and covered in honey...seemed pretty par for the course.

    (2)
  • Ruth Ann M.

    This is our favorite place in the area for delicious breakfast sandwiches and coffee. I highly recommend ordering your egg sandwich on their foccacia. It's so fluffy and tomatoey and wonderful. The sandwiches are named after artists, and there is a great selection of toppings from roasted red peppers to pesto to avocado. I haven't eaten lunch here, but I only imagine it is also tasty. Sandwiches are about $7.50 each.

    (4)
  • Lucy V.

    I will start with what I don't like: if you order food it is slow, and don't expect happy smiley customer service. Everything I have ordered here has been good though. Coffee, smoothies, bfast sandwiches, even desserts. I also love that they have almond milk since I can't have soy or dairy.

    (4)
  • Kelsey K.

    I randomly walked by here when I was hungry and ahd a few mins to spare so I stopped in. I ordered a veggie sandwich and it was really good and they take CCs which isn't entirely typical of the more hipsterish places in Chicago. I did notice a slight hipster attitude surrounding the service which is fine by me, but I definitely would understand if it rubbed others the wrong way.

    (4)
  • Kate B.

    I love coming here. I like right around the corner, and it only took me going twice for the dude behind the counter to recognize me. So many yummy and healthy options to choose from. They serve breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, shakes, and more. Their coffee is also delicious and cheap. Always playing good music and has a quiet atmosphere. My only complaint is that there aren't any "comfy" chairs to lounge in with a book. There are only a few booths and then a bunch of two-topper tables.

    (4)
  • Sabrina C.

    My friend recently took me here. I love this coffee shop already. Very eclectic music selection, friendly baristas, nice atmosphere, big window. The cut out newspaper horoscope made me smile. The coffee was great. We ordered a latte and a mocha latte. Both were tasty. Will be returning here very soon. :)

    (5)
  • Sam M.

    Nice atmosphere, cheap, but good food. Have only been here once, but just moved into the neighborhood and can't wait to go back.

    (4)
  • Leigh C.

    This place was great. It was cold, rainy and miserable outside and we had spent sometime looking for a spot to stop, sit, and have something warm while killing time before heading to the airport. After wandering around the area for the better part of an hour, we stumbled in here. I ordered a coffee, a soy latte and a veggie sandwich to go. I giggled to myself when the guy at the counter told me he'd have my latte "fashioned" for me in just a second. I was sorry later. It literally was fashioned, one of the best coffee drinks I've ever had, complete with the leaf pattern across the foam on top and everything. Maybe I'm easily impressed. Sure, service was a little slow, but the guy was working alone, and was fairly busy. I was not unhappy with the time I was to wait, nor did I find the service at all unpleasant. The sandwich was still really good when I ate it at the airport a few hours later. For the quality, it's worth a wait.

    (5)
  • Annie W.

    Got a delicious coffee there, but jesus the service was dour! I mean, how can you sell coffee and...clearly not drink it yourself? Oh so gloomy! I also got a piece of pumpkin bread, which I should have looked at closer. It was small, which I appreciated (I hate those giant muffins or pieces of bread you can't finish), but it turned out to be the heel of the loaf. Lame! The ambience is cute, didn't look around long enough to really notice.

    (3)
  • Jenna S.

    I enjoy the coffee and other specialty drinks here. I would say it's not a place I would go out of my way to go (especially since I no longer live in the neighborhood) but I'll stop by if I'm in the area. The café is a nice place to sit and hang out with friends or alone. They don't have as much seating (or nearly as nice seating) as a Starbucks or Caribou or something, but it's still a place to go. They also have free Wifi, which is really nice if you bring your laptop. When I went there were a lot of laptoppers, so I presume there's also outlets, as well. The food is also pretty decent. I had a sandwich with chips and I was actually surprised that the food was quality. I really enjoyed it.

    (3)
  • Megan S.

    One time we went there they told us it would take 45-50 minutes to make 2 sandwiches because they were behind on orders. what? no thanks.

    (1)
  • Joe C.

    This place has the worst operations I've ever seen. There are 3 or 4 people working with 3 or 4 customers and it takes 20 to 25 minutes to get a bagel and cream cheese and a cup of coffeee. The staff look like they're just hanging out and working when they get bored. The only reason anyone goes there is because of proximity and conveience. I would reccommend that you go anywhere else you can. Even if it's a bit further walk, you'll save time overall because they're SO SLOW. Carribou and Starbucks are not that far. I get the whole appeal of the non-corporate place to hang out, but that doesn't dictate miserable service.

    (1)
  • Jon O.

    This morning I paid $5.17 for a large burnt coffee and a muffin that was definitely not made today. This is pretty much the Gallery Cafe experience in a nutshell. I've gone to this place a couple times in the past couple weeks, since it's on my way to work. Here are a few places you could go to get a better cup of coffee: - Buzz Espresso, Goddess & Grocer, the Intelligentsia place across the street, or any of Wicker Park's ample coffeehouses -Dunkin Donuts -The coffee machine in our kitchen The ambiance is decent, and the employees are friendly, and that's why this place gets two stars. I think my best experience here was meeting somebody from Craigslist to buy a cell phone, but that's only because it was a great cell phone.

    (2)
  • Jacob W.

    Kind of an unsuspecting place, but Gallery Cafe does great coffee roasted in-house with a cool, old-fashioned roasting machine. I used to come here for beans until I found Big Shoulders on Milwaukee and Chicago, which does even better house roasts. But this place is a good second choice, and surprisingly, they have pretty good sandwiches too.

    (4)
  • Jack E.

    Been a while since I've been here, but I owe them a review. This place was a go-to for me for a while. As far as coffee places in Chicago goes, it's one of the few good ones. I could hear underground hip hop on the stereo here, cute, cool baristas, good wifi, and a chill atmosphere. Good spot to try.

    (4)
  • Trinidad F.

    I really enjoyed this place. I ordered a large Iced Tea and a tuna sandwich since I was dying due to lack of protein. I don't eat fish but it was my last choice and so I went for it. I noticed that their tuna has no mayo in it which was a plus. The guys at the counter took a while to notice I was ready to order. Lol. So heres what made coming here a great experince...they were playing all the songs from SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK!!!!! I was totally feelin it!!!! I was in love. The Iced Tea was good. Very refreshing. The tuna was good. I had no complaints. It had carrots which added a nice texture to it. Overall the food was good and the experience was ok. The staff needs to pay a bit more attention to the customers though.

    (4)
  • Jason C.

    I want so badly for this place to be good. It has a great location and could be such a great replacement for much that has been lost in this neighborhood ... but, it's just not. I won't be as strong about the coffee comments as others, the coffee/food here in my opinion is just okay. What makes this place truly disappointing is the "service"... I'm so disappointed with the level of service here. *Really* slow... they just generally couldn't care less. God help you if you visit before closing. Sadly, you can go just up the street to Starbucks - or North on Damen to several other more friendly coffee/sandwich shops. I'm very hopeful that one day something will change here.

    (2)
  • Nicole B.

    I just wanted to note that lately the shakes have not been tasting so great; they seem almost watered down or something. I've heard this from a few other people too. Hopefully its a few isolated incidents. On another note, the people that work here have seemed to get a little friendlier lately as well.

    (3)
  • Michael S.

    What a waste of real estate. I've been here twice. Both times sucked. Here, in reverse chronological order, is why I'll never go again: Today, figuring a second chance was fair, I walked in and smelled nothing but burned coffee - - you know, that rank smell when coffee has been sitting in a pot, on the burner, for way too long. Yuck. The first time I patronized this place the Americano was so hot it was undrinkable. I told the lady it was way too hot and asked that she remake it. She brought me an ice cube.

    (1)
  • Carter G.

    My friend and I tried this place earlier this morning and WOW were we DISAPPOINTED! The menu looked great and we were excited to try this place. My food was average at best, but that wasn't even the problem. My friend (who i should note is very low maintenance) ordered an egg sandwich w Turkey or chicken Sausage. After one bite she noticed the turkey sausage tasted a bit "off". After I tasted it i agreed. She went back to the counter and nicely told the person working there. I thought immediately they would of just apologized and made her a new one. NOT THE CASE, they basically told her too bad. She then asked if they would just give her a bagel and cream cheese instead. They refused. When we walked out immediately following, a person walking by saw how annoyed we were and said "oh you don't like the food their either?". Ironically the person on the street had the same problem with a different breakfast sandwich a few months earlier. It's really too bad bc i wanted to like this place, but food poisoning is no fun and I can't imagine how they could treat their customers the way they treated my really sweet friend. If you want a great breakfast try Flo, Milk and Honey or Bongo room. Don't chance it here.

    (1)
  • Thomas B.

    the iced coffee they brew is divine, not too dark a roast.. the breakfast wraps are great, my girl and i often share them on the drive to work we like the people who work there, too.

    (4)
  • The S.

    This place is reminiscent of a good dive bar. Completely run down, good music, friendly people, cool stuff on the walls and good food and drinks. Best of all, some of the people working here can be very surly, and sometimes have a bad day. I would too if I was working their early morning hours. The outside space in the summer is terrific. Sandwiches are good. $3 Kona pourover or Jamaican Blue pourover is a great deal Otherwise, it's $2 cash only for a medium coffee, $.80 refills. Want to leave and come back later in the day, that's cool just throw a buck in the tip jar for a refill if you still have your cup. The staff is terrific. They play their own music, whatever the person is working feels like listening to for the day. NPR in the mornings is always nice. Bluegrass sometimes, some funk, etc. It's always different and fun. The sandwiches are delicious. They put a lot of heart into making the food. The Manet - scrambled eggs with pesto, is my favorite for breakfast. The tuna sandwich is the best I've ever had. You can go across the street to Just Indulge for Intelligensia, but why bother when the coffee is just as good and the environment is way cooler. There have been a bunch of new staff added in the last few weeks. They all seem pretty legit.

    (5)
  • Helena B.

    This place is more than just a coffee shop - they have all sorts of food as well. I enjoyed a root beer float while sitting in a sunny booth in the front. As I dined I glanced around and noticed that they have a lot of outlets. This may sound like a strange observation, but as someone who travels frequently for work and has fruitlessly sought out outlets in many locations, it was nice to see that if I'd had my computer with me I wouldn't be fighting some other patron for power. My favorite thing about this place is easily the music they play in the background - soft opera and other classical music - perfect.

    (3)
  • Cynthia K.

    Good coffee and breakfast sandwiches. (I usually come in the morning so I can't comment on their lunch options.) I live in the area and come here often. I've always found the staff to be pleasant, and coffee drinks are pretty fast. (Food takes a bit longer--the prep area looks small so I think they can only do one sandwich or bagel at a time--but it's not overly slow.) The ambiance isn't fancy, but it's a nice place to work, given the free wifi. There are a couple of power outlets around for those with short laptop battery lives.

    (4)
  • Laura P.

    Why so sad? Everyone who works there seemed to be on the verge of suicide or just quitting.....what's up with that? Had a pre-packaged smoothie mixed with mango juice that was average but nothing I could'nt have made at home. Especially for $5. The music was WAY too loud for a Sunday morning.....the location is really all they have going for them. I hope someone doesn't open something better in their immediate vicinity because this shop will go under quickly. I guess I just wish that their was something a little more unique about it.....for being called 'Gallery'.

    (2)
  • Jeffrey H.

    This is my go to place for breakfast after a night out. With their large menu of breakfast-ish items, I always find something to hit the spot. Food items I go for: * Breakfast sandwiches (all named after famous artists. All unique and great) * Muffins (they have a number of delicious, wrapped up muffins) * Coffee (their house blend is very decent). * Smoothies (they have a number of flavors and combinations). Although I frequent this place, there are a few things that could be improved: * Their service is pretty slow. Usually there are only two people working the counter. So when they get 4 or 5 orders deep, you can be waiting up to 10 mins for your food. But if you have time, it's worth it. * Their staff is cordial but I don't think they've ever been "friendly". As other people have noted, they sometimes seem unhappy to be there. But I've never had anybody be mean or snobby to me. * The tables are a little close together, so it can be awkward trying to talk with a friend when somebody is quietly working on their computer right next to you. But it's a coffee shop, not a library. So, overall, I would recommend it as a way to start a Sunday morning.

    (3)
  • Lee S.

    walking up to the cafe I was a blank canvas. It seemed a bit minimalist...like a canvas painted black...a new begining. But alas they were open after all as a multi-colored neon announced. The menu board was clearly an excercise in pointalism... So much choice crammed into an elementary school sized portrait of a cafe! Breakfast, lunch and dinner provides many a chance for you to render several studies before completing a masterpiece of an opinion. Many subjects and shades of coffee are on exposition. They take pride in their craftsmanship and artistry. Delectible! Their foods are definitely muse inspired, not your McBreakfast here. These are mural sized and satisfying breakfasts! Lunch appears equally illuminating. If you are tired of being starbucked this is a great place to spend like a starving artist and eat like a patron. Few galleries can house this many great works. It's worth a try!

    (5)
  • Jessica C.

    I used to love coming here for a Hopper pita pocket at least twice a week (before I moved to Lincoln Park). Although, I dreaded coming here to order a pita pocket. Why? The people (or kids) who work here are so damn slow. I listened to a kid have a conversation with another girl who was making coffee for 5 minutes before anyone took my order. And this kid had the nerve to give me a dirty look for standing there waiting to indulge in a delicious pita pocket. Hello? I'm paying your salary son so you can live your dream and become a painter. Don't get me wrong. The food is REALLY good. Make sure you leave your afternoon wide open because you'll need time to wait for your food.

    (3)
  • M R.

    Decent coffee. Service has room to improve.

    (3)
  • Karen A.

    Decent little place to get a bite to eat and have a very average cup of coffee. The sandwiches are good and I do like how every wrap sandwich and plate is named after a famous artist. Its been around a while and seems to be unaffected by the gentrification that has exploded around its location. I kinda love that. Slackerness rules here - its a laid back place to chill out and grab a bite in Wicker Park.

    (3)
  • Drucilla D.

    I'm not a frequenter of coffee-shops - they totally intimidate me and I always feel like I have no idea what I'm ordering or looking for or requesting. I depend upon my friends who I'm actually ordering for to give me as many specifics in preparation for any and all questions a barista might ask me in regards to their order. I always feel like I'm the only person who doesn't know where to properly order and then where to pick-up, and I always feel like the baristas are laughing at me... So basically I'm a wreck in a coffee shop - and this place is quite simply a coffee-shop that also sells food. My Chagall was actually really good, but I thought the breakfast sandwiches were slightly overpriced - especially in comparison to the lunch options that came with a side. I ordered at one area, had to pick-up my food at another and had to pick up my friends coffee beverages at yet another - totally across the room. Having to shove my way through the lines of customers to pick-up the drinks one-at-a-time, was not fun. I was such a wreck by the time that I left, that I totally missed a step out front and almost dropped/threw/spilled everything I was carrying and quite nearly broke my ankle as well. Not worth a pretty delicious sandwich.

    (3)
  • Amy S.

    Reasons why I like this place: 1. It reminds me of a coffee shop/sandwich place that I would find down in Athens, Ohio where I went to school. Local, small, good food, cozy feel. I miss Athens and all of it's fantastic food choices, so this brings that feeling back for me. 2. Right down the street from my bf's house. So when he is in desperate need for some food because he is extremely hung over, it's easy to run down there and get the food before he ralphs...ha. 3. Good sandwiches and lots of choices. Reasons why it lost a star... 1. Coffee is not that good. Very bitter. 2. They never put radishes on the one sandwich I get (which in the description it says "radishes") so I have to ask for it on the side!! I like this place and I will continue to come back!

    (4)
  • Jeannie L.

    The breakfast sandwiches my boyfriend and I got were REALLY good and so was the coffee...the only thing I didnt like was that we had to wait a half hour for our food. It was a Saturday morning at 10:15 when we got in and we finally left at 10:45. I wouldnt consider that a peak time and there werent too many people there, but there were only 2 people working. We will definitely come back though because it was so good and the place itself is a cool place, but we will only come back when we have plenty of time to wait.

    (3)
  • Tim W.

    Don't judge a book by its cover. This humble little place is quite tasty. I had been here a few times for coffee and wifi. Recently went here for food to try something different in the neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. I ordered the Kahlo (breakfast wrap) and it was awesome. I ordered the Klimt (lunch wrap) on my trip back the next weekend and it was rockin as well.

    (5)
  • Chan K.

    Coffee is okay but the food is average and overpriced. This is not a good place to work as there aren't enough tables/outlets and wi-fi is super slow. Tables are a wee bit too close together too. And I agree with Laura P.; the baristas need to lighten up a bit.

    (1)
  • Stephanie S.

    Cafes, cafes, cafes...having decided to check out as many independent cafes as possible this year, I realized I pass or drive by the Gallery all the damn time so I headed over there this morning for an official look-see. The gimmick is cutesy -- each sandwich is named after an artist -- get it? The menu des artistes looked comprehensive enough with lots of options for a decent breakfast or lunch as well many choices for vegetarians and even vegans. Counter staff were a bit on the "I'm cool cuz I work at a cafe" side although I actually made one of them smile by getting really psyched about their tea, which is the Republic of Tea brand and my absolute fave so I was excitedly blithering and bathering about that. I settled in at one of the booths, which was notably comfy, and contented myself with a spate of people watching and tea sipping. Overall, the Gallery cafe is comme ci, comme ca. I would certainly go back but in terms of neighborhood cafes I feel there's a handful of places with a better atmosphere. C'est la vie.

    (3)
  • Ryan M.

    Good location if you live in the area and can walk over. The service is slow though expect to wait 10 minutes for your sandwich to be made. Specialty drinks (lattes, etc..) are priced about the same as starbucks.

    (3)
  • Amy J.

    I came here to study, but the lighting was so bad that I could barely see my book. It's also pretty small, which means the seating is shoved together in a cramped space. I don't know why a good coffee shop that doesn't close at 6 and has decent lighting and seating is so hard to find in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area. I've been camping out at Starbucks (which has ridiculously loud music) out of necessity, but it would be nice if there was something locally owned.

    (2)
  • Jennifer Y.

    Came here for the first time on Saturday (2/2/08). I desperately needed to get out of the house because I was going stir crazy but really needed a relatively quiet place to study. Gallery Cafe was perfect. Music was good, tea was good, service was fine and I got my shit done. All in all -- a good experience. Oh, and easy-to-use free internet. Fantastic.

    (4)
  • Ross R.

    When I ordered a BLT sandwich, it took forever to make. They finally called my name, but I discovered that they had a question about my order. They hadn't even started making it yet! Aaaggh! Oh, the question was a good one. "Do you want lettuce on that?" Um, yes. I do. What did they think the "L" stood for in "BLT," I wonder?

    (3)
  • Leah C.

    not a sit back and relax type of place... the tables are too close together and the set-up in general is just not inviting. it seems like a place more ideal to stop in for your morning coffee on the way to work. i was hoping for a snack but the sandwiches didn't seem like anything i couldn't run home to make for half the price. there wasn't anything in the bakery display besides some dry looking bagels. the tea was "okay" (just boxed tea so can't really screw that up). i did hear 2 customers ask for their coffee to be warmed up again. strange as i had to wait about 20 mins to steal my first sip of my scalding tea.

    (1)
  • Ashley K.

    I'm not a coffee person, so I can't comment much on that, but their smoothies are great! I had a Peach Party smoothie with an apple base... it was awesome! Also, I had a "Botticelli" wrap - chicken, pesto, artichokes, lettuce, red onion, and a tomato wrap... quite delicious as well. I was impressed with all of their different choices on the menu. Will definitely be going back to try more out. And I don't mind the atmosphere... a little crowded, but at least 99% of the people shower on a regular basis.

    (4)
  • Jake W.

    There is nothing more galling than being charged extra for soy milk in your coffee. We don't live in Wyoming, this should be a basic service of any coffeeshop in Chicago. That isn't the only problem with Gallery, but it is the one that pisses me off the most.

    (1)
  • Jordan B.

    The good: My super-fattening caramel latte wasn't half bad, and neither was the blueberry scone. Aside from that this place is just a big no-no. I showed up a full hour before closing and the girl at the counter didn't want to make me a sandwich. I asked what the Hawaiin Kona tasted like and on top of not describing it very well "it's very good" she gave me this attitude like I was an idiot for not having had it already or knowing about it. Then when I asked for a cup she said she would have to make it. The tables are crowded. The wireless is not working. And every time a song stops she has to go over and pick a new one on her ipod. I don't really like listening to the clicking sound of her scrolling through songs repeatedly. Just... don't do it.

    (2)
  • Randy H.

    hmmm... I stopped in, got a nice little coffee (iced & black, hard to mess up), got a nice wrap, ate it on the nice little sidewalk patio... everything i expected. I didn't expect much and I didn't get much... It doesn't mean they suck! come on people!... :-)

    (3)
  • Jan Michael K.

    There's few places open early in this neighborhood so it's a good place to grab breakfast. Breakfast sandwiches are named for famous painters and are very tasty (hold the salt and pepper though?). Free wireless is always a plus. Ultimately, I'm just glad there isn't a sandwich named the Van Gogh...

    (3)
  • Bobby K.

    Full disclosure: I never tried the food here and I'm not a big coffee drinker. What's "meh" about Gallery to me is that they have the exact same tea selection as Panera. Sorry, but you're never going to be my local go-to place that way.

    (2)
  • Matt L.

    Good coffee and good sandwiches. A bit overpriced and you have to plan to wait a while on the weekends. I'd probably go to Starbucks if it were closer. I know, I'm a bad person. Free wifi though. Stay away from the Carrol's cookies here. Freshness is questionable. Edit: I am bumping them up one more star because they play Pinback a lot.

    (3)
  • Sean H.

    I've been coming here for years. Great sandwiches and they roast their own coffee. The owner is nice and she appreciates her customers. My price review is for food and coffee, not just the drinks.

    (4)
  • Jenna D.

    I wish I could write a more in depth review of this place because it seemed to have potential. I however spent about 15 minutes in this place, all of which were in a line that never moved. I had sympathy for the one less than rapid guy who was having to do everything, I just didn't have any more time to give to my hopes for an iced tea and a snack. maybe I'll change my mind if I ever muster up enough patience to give Gallery Cafe another shot. Bummer. addendum A: ok, so i made it back in an it moved up considerably for me. Yummy coffee. Cute employees. Carol's cookies. Yummy breads. I'm glad I gave it another chance for a first impression ;)

    (4)
  • Ken H.

    Best oatmeal on the planet! Great for websurfn and the americano is addictive like crack. Sandwich of the month names need work, but otherwise the food is the cat's pajamas. Love the staff, skinny blond guy is the man!

    (5)
  • Casandra G.

    It's exactly what you'd expect walking up to the place. An uncomplicated little coffee shop with the standards and a decent tea selection. My lemon bread was a little cloying but at least it was lemony. And I think maybe the burning smell some folks mentioned was caused by the ginormous coffee roasting machine... It is a little rank, I'll admit that. But the service was fine when I came, prompt and cheerful (I had the guy though, not the blond chick).

    (3)
  • J Y.

    If you like big crowded coffee shops where you are so close you can smell the smoke/booze off your neighbor, this place is not for you. The staff is really friendly, and the environment is very low key. Not too many people, but sometimes I think that is the perk. Free wifi, good coffee and an overall good coffee shop.

    (4)
  • Dee M.

    Can someone (preferably the owners) tell me why it always smells like something is burning? I don't suffer from any health problems but every time I go in, even just to pick up and go, I have trouble breathing that stuff in much less stick around to eat! You folks are always packed because of your free wi-fi but I can't see myself going here to relax, drink coffee and order up a sandwich. As for Counter service, you might as well have a robot serving you up. NO customer service what-so-ever. Try smiling, looking up or being nice once in awhile, it won't kill ya! This goes for everyone. I've been served by almost everyone there and if the owner cared at all, get some personalities in there. In a day and age where service is key, why would you sell yourselves short?

    (1)
  • Erin C.

    The first time I came to Gallery Cafe, it was when my roommate and I were freezing our asses off during an apartment search in Wicker Park. Looking for some food and hot coffee, we stumbled upon Gallery Cafe. Thank goodness we did. We both ordered the Rembrandt breakfast sandwich (eggs, avocado spread, tomato, choice of cheese - i like swiss). It's especially delicious on a toasted croissant. I try and come in here anytime I can (although I've started duplicating the Rembrandt at home). Usually order breakfast, but the lunch sandwiches are good too. I love how vegetarian-friendly this place is - I never have trouble finding something to order. Coffee choices are good and they also have smoothies/blended coffee drinks. The java chiller is great on a hot day.

    (4)
  • Jennifer M.

    Just about every seat in the cafe is a window seat so it is great for people watching. Its atmosphere is more airy and simplistic less "cozy". The staff are wonderful! Each time I went there I was greeted with a friendly smile and a hello. (Not a big deal, but polite, happy staff are hard to come by in some other cafes around the city!) The food is great. My guilty pleasure is the Matisse sandwich which is a BLT on toasted French Bread. Free Wi-Fi! The only reason why I did not give them five stars...they roast their own coffee beans which sounds fabulous...in theory. The only problem is the machine made a loud whirring/grinding noise the whole time, the place filled up with this hazy smoke and worst of all I smelled like smoke for the rest of the day! I have never had a problem finding parking near-by along the neighborhood streets.

    (4)
  • Jillian S.

    I don't usually order food when I come here because I live so close to it, but I do enjoy their beverages on special occasions. Service here is pretty unpredictable. Sometimes you will be greeted by a super friendly server, and sometimes, the person behind the bar will act like you are an inconvenience. So that is one thing I think Gallery could do better on. And on the occasions that I have ordered food, it took forever to get it. All in all, Gallery Cafe is a unique place, with both a unique food and drink menu, but can streamline the service. If they do that, they will be the best coffee shop in town!

    (3)
  • Faye S.

    Boyfriend took me here because he loved the Manet sandwich. I tried the Kandinsky sandwich. It was okay. The person behind the counter was not friendly nor helpful to me. I didn't feel welcomed there.

    (3)
  • Rick J.

    I'll say the best part first, the coffee here is the best you'll get in the area. The beans are roasted and ground in-store, and the difference is obvious. Everything else about Gallery, however, is just outright irritating. Every person who's taken my order at Gallery had an awful attitude and couldn't possibly be more bored to ring me through. It's made abundantly clear that the other side of the counter is not a priority to these American Apparel models in training. This is a real shame, because they seem like pretty interesting and fun people when they're talking to each other (as you're trying to order). You pour your coffee for yourself at the tank, which is fine, but it makes the $.50 charge for refill seem a bit steep. Maybe you're paying to avoid a staffer's eyes being rolled at you when you bother them for more coffee. The tables are small and cramped together, and not very comfortable if you plan on hanging around for a while. The wifi signal is very weak and drops out fairly regularly, as well. Don't even bother if you need to do any kind of work online. If you're just popping in for a cup to go, you're set (assuming you aren't left waiting at the counter). If you are looking to enjoy yourself for a while, avoid the attitude and head down to Alliance Bakery on Division. The coffee doesn't stack up, but the staff and atmosphere are worth it.

    (2)
  • KK F.

    Gallery Cafe has a very extensive menu for such a little place. The breakfast sandwiches are yummy. The coffee will put hair on your chest, as the overwhelming odor of roasted (burning) coffee beans on occasion clearly indicates. It's definitely an acquired taste. The service has never been particularly friendly, but I always get what I ask for and that counts for something. Just be careful when getting take-out, b/c the steaming hot eggs will make the bread/bagel soggy by the time you get home.

    (3)
  • Ryan C.

    They have the best house blend coffee! They roast the beans right there in the cafe. While the service can be slow at times and I am an inpatient person, I gladly wait at this place. It can be hard to get a seat on a weekend morning or early afternoon but on a weekday this place is rather empty. The music they play is very chill and mellow, it doest interfere with your work/reading. They also feature many local artists' work on their walls. I think this place is perfect to grab a bagel and coffee.

    (4)
  • Kyle T.

    Burnt coffee! Every time. How come I seem to be the only one commenting on this? You can smell burnt Gallery Coffee from blocks away! Most days I can smell it from outside my apartment 4 blocks away -thanks guys! At least Just Indulge and that new crêpe place opened right next to them so I can get a decent cup of coffee...

    (1)
  • Sunny W.

    Just really 'meh'. Their coffee to me sucks. It tastes incredibly bitter. Their bagels are like what a Jewish New Yorker fears they would find in Iowa and yeah, the attitude of at least one of the barista's (the sad looking blonde) is a lot to put up with just to eat something on the run. Just really sustenance and that's about it. The guy is nice though and they do have the horoscopes posted daily.

    (1)
  • tessa c.

    I would come here to read since the place is so empty. At least it was when I went on a saturday night. My friend and I came in here for hot chocolate cravings. Not bad at all although it would help mr barista who served us to smile every once in awhile. It's not that hard; I too was a barista at a few coffee shops.

    (3)
  • B B.

    Terrible place. Not much more to say other than they have the worst service and this wasn't my first time. Waited for more than 15 minutes in line with only one person in front of us and never were greeted or asked what we wanted so we left....there wasn't even anyone in there so not sure what the hold up was. I will never return. Also way over priced. Much better places to get a cup of coffee (across the street and next door).

    (1)
  • Corinna K.

    Ugh. The music is so loud that I can barely study. Also, my coffee had been brewing all day long and was disgustingly bitter. I need fresh coffee!

    (2)
  • mike t.

    The Gallery Cafe is gem. I have been going there for a couple of years now and I have not been to a Starbucks since. The only negative experience I had was a brief period (about a year ago) where the roaster was working a little too hard, but they got it corrected and it's been great ever since. Great food, great service and fair prices. It's no wonder the recently opened "brand-name" coffee shop across the street is nearly empty most of the time.

    (5)
  • Brad C.

    Stopped in this morning and pick up a breakfast burritos, outstanding! I'm not a huge fan of the coffee they brew, but the food makes up for the coffee.

    (4)
  • Amanda T.

    White chocolate latte is a must! Also, the breakfast sandwiches are big and yummy! The staff is as nice as can be too!

    (5)
  • Chanel M.

    I love this place! I work right down the street so I look forward to work so I can get my coffee here. $2 for a large iced coffee, and $.50 for a REFILL....GREAT! They are friendly most everytime I am there. Not only do I love their coffee, but the DiVinci breakfast sandwhich, KLIMT wrap are sooooo YUMMY! The muffins are great, if you have some calories to spare indulge in the chocolate chip cheesecake muffin!!!! And i believe they have the best veggie spread too! I can't say enough that I love this place....I wish I lived a little closer so I can go everyday!!!

    (5)
  • Tiff B.

    Cute concept, good location, decent service, crappy coffee. I've never eaten the food at Gallery Cafe but I've had different coffee drinks on separate visits and have always been disappointed. It's just not good. And once I went there and they had Chik Fil-A straws. How the heck they even got Chik Fil-A straws is baffling considering there aren't any Chik Fil-A restaurants in the tri state area. I'm guessing they stole them and just put them in the straw dispenser? Kinda hard to ignore the tackiness of it all when 'Chik Fil-A' is clearly printed on the straw wrapper. Anyhow, the place could use a good scrubbing too. It always looks grimey in there.

    (2)
  • Erica T.

    I had the wrap that included many veggies and hummus, and it was by far one of the best wraps I've ever had. The vanilla late I had was very strong and not my favorite. The location is prime, but the prices are a little on the high end for a cafe. Overall, I will go back only for the food, but I will not go during prime lunch time, since there were no tables open when I went. AND, I will get an ice water instead of any drink with caffeine.

    (4)
  • Michael M.

    Totally unfriendly, uncool staff. Slow production. Loud music that stinks. Bitchy/ugly staff. The hours don't make sense (close at 8pm - a coffeeshop?) and the clientelle is pure YUPPIE.

    (1)
  • Steve R.

    This place needs to stop buying its own press. The coffee was on par with what you'd find at a gas station, except with a sheen of frou-frou hipsterism that apparently eminates from the word "Gallery" being in the name. I used to live right by this place, and stopped frequenting it after a few visits as it just wasn't worth it. I thought it was expensive, and had needlessly long waits.

    (2)
  • Nich P.

    Flush $15 down the toilet and you'll have the same experience. I was shocked at how rude the two girls behind the counter were. They seemed aggravated that we wanted to dine in at 7:20pm on a Thursday evening. After realizing that she made the wrong wrap for me, one of them handed it to me anyway and said, "Do you want to just eat it anyway? It's pretty much the same thing." I had ordered pesto grilled chicken breast, and she made deli sliced turkey + coppicola. I said no. At 7:50 when I was halfway into my mediocre meal, she yelled "Everybody, we're closing in 5 minutes!" and began shutting off the lights. $12 for a wrap and milkshake here? Don't waste your money. Wicker park has a bounty of other sandwich/coffee shops that don't come with the snobby attitude or poor service.

    (1)
  • Lauren M.

    Gallery Cafe is a cool spot. I'm a big fan of their breakfast sandwiches. the fresh muffins and their wide selection of teas. The sandwiches are the freshest breakfast sandwiches i can recall and, although they aren't made very fast. The staff moves in a slow. calm manner.. Gallery cafe is a great place to peacefully enjoy your breakfast/lunch and read the local paper.

    (4)
  • Eliza M.

    Not without its flaws, but this place keeps me in caffeine on a daily basis.

    (4)
  • Cristina G.

    The only reason Im giving it two stars is because the service is soooo slow. My friend and I went to get iced coffees there and waited about 10 minutes for the coffee. We got bagels too but it should not take that long to get some coffee and a bagel. The coffee wasn't good either. I do like the breakfast options they have, but I hate to see the bus pass me by as I wait for my bagel and coffee.

    (2)
  • Alfred K.

    How this place even gets 3 stars is beyond me. The coffee is over roasted. The tables are filthy. The wraps and sandwiches are sloppy and bland... and overpriced. 7 bucks and you don't even get a pickle spear or handful or chips? Why is this place still here? Maybe if you live in the neighborhood you go there for the free wi-fi, but it should not be on anybody's shortlist for a good lunch.

    (1)
  • Susan P.

    I love that they roast their own premium quality coffee beans. This is the real deal. Tasty and freshly made breakfast and lunch offerings.

    (5)
  • Ren H.

    They've got coffee for $1 here! it definitely beats 7-11 coffee on a cold or tired day. Not the best place for food or atmosphere though..

    (4)
  • Jennifer K.

    The smell in this place would make anyone throw up. They have a loud coffee grinding machine that spews off a wretched smell that is a cross between burnt coffee and burnt popcorn! I literally couldn't get out fast enough! The employees seemed as if they hated their jobs and were not at all friendly nor helpful. The breakfast food was mediocre at best.

    (2)
  • Topher C.

    I plant myself down in Gallery Cafe pretty much every morning. I can 't conceive how someone could write a poor review of this place? Great staff that knows my drink(s) and is willing to make me up crazy concoctions, great fresh food, great music and great coffee. Perhaps those that felt compelled to write a poor review were upset that the sizes of coffee are listed as "single, double, triple" instead of italian names? Or that the coffee doesn't taste like burnt hair? I see those as positives. In fact the coffee is not expensive and you get a diverse mix of types of coffee from all over the world. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Julie H.

    While I was eating my sandwich, I thought to myself "Julie, you're so lazy, you could have made this yourself at home!" But on the bright side, it only cost me $4, which is is pretty darn cheap. I'll probably go back to try the breakfast sandwiches - they all sound fantastic; however, I can't really say I would recommend Gallery Cafe. Its a convenient neighborhood spot, but it has zero ambiance (you'd think a place called Gallery Cafe would be artsy and cute... but its not). I just don't think its that special - particularly in an area like Bucktown that has so many great places to sit and eat.

    (3)
  • Nicole M.

    I've been here a bunch lately, mostly for the free Wi-Fi and fairly easy accessibility. I agree that the coffee is pretty bad, and since I usually stay awhile, I sometimes notice a weird fluctuation of really bad coffee smells. The tables are also too close together, so be prepared to get friendly with your neighbors. However, I did get a sandwich today and it was great! It was a huge feast and cheaper than most sandwich places in my opinion. I've always thought the baristas were very friendly and the background music good and not overwhelming. All in all, I consider it a good place to get some work done and grab a sandwich, but I agree with others, don't come here for the coffee.

    (3)
  • Kerry F.

    I get my coffee here every morning. Fabulous! Try the Costa Rican Roast.

    (4)
  • Tracey M.

    I really, really wish that I liked Gallery Cafe. It's so close to my apt. and so convenient and I love their outdoor seating area, but almost every experience I've had there has been really disappointing. The staff isn't just sassy as someone said but outright rude. I literally waited for several minutes once for my coffee drink, and when I walked back up to see what the issue was since no one was in line behind me other than my friend who had already gotten her drink, the barista was chopping up her own salad. Yep, it was hers because she started eating it while I watched and continued to wait for my drink that NO ONE was making. When I asked about my drink, she got irritated and looked at the other guy who was also standing around and asked him to make my drink. Needless to say, I was a bit irritated. Other times I've gone only to have them get annoyed when my friend or I dared to ask for something they were out of like a sleeve for hot tea or a spoon or some sort of stirrer. Once, I was there on a Sat. (before I swore it off forever) studying and the barista announced that they were closing early because she needed to leave. I know things come up and people need to leave work early but that struck me as a bit strange. I always feel like I'm intruding and irritating the people who work there when I walk in instead of feeling like they care even the tiniest bit to help me. Go to Just Indulge across the street instead. It's a coffee/ice cream/popcorn/sweets shop . The ambiance might not be as good (too bright, metal, and white), but the coffee is better, the staff is so helpful and nice, the hours are more convenient, and the wifi is free there too. I literally thanked them when they opened so that I wouldn't ever again have to go to Gallery Cafe.

    (2)
  • James S.

    Rude service. Overpriced. Dumpy atmosphere. Mediocre tasting coffee. Only come here if you really really need a cup of coffee exactly at the moment that you're crossing Wood street on your way to someplace more interesting.

    (1)
  • Sunil A.

    Average coffeeshop. Coffee is not that great usually burnt. Food is alright but slightly overpriced. Free wifi with plenty of seating.

    (3)
  • Adam S.

    Have spent several afternoons in the Gallery Cafe and was just back recently. The coffee and other drinks are quite good, the atmosphere super laid back and the wi-fi is free. It actually reminds me of the little places you find in San Francisco in the Mission neighborhoods and definitely hasn't gotten overly "cool." Frankly I could sit all day here and work and would probably do so more if I lived anywhere near the place. There's even a FedEx/Kinkos across the street to mail your important documents. :)

    (4)
  • Donna C.

    Decent sandwiches for lunch, but they do take a long time to make them. Also, as another reviewer commented, the roasting coffee beans fill the place with smokiness, and it clings to your clothes and hair for the rest of the day.

    (3)
  • Q T.

    Don't like the coffee here, but they have my favorite brands of tea, free wi-fi and it's pretty relaxed. I go in here often to zone out.

    (4)
  • Lala S.

    There are many reasons why people have given this place less than mediocre reviews...I know understand why. I like giving places a shot especially when they are not part of any corporate family. I had to babysit a kid that lived on Wood so, I took the advise of fellow Yelpers and chosen to not eat here unless I HAD to. Sometimes I am skeptical of other peoples' reviews but there are a lot of truths when MANY people have had the same reaction to the same place. Truth be told, there are reasons why generalizations are formed and the only one that comes to mind when I think of Gallery Cafe is--HORRIBLE. I ordered one of the Daily Special wraps, which only took a whole 20 mins to make. It's not that they were slammed, in fact I was the only person in line (which I had to wait to place my order because the two ladies that were working there were too busy conversing with their friend, who gave me a snide look, btw) and everyone else was situated tables with their lap tops. So I'm standing there--waiting and waiting and waiting. I'm thinking to myself, "what in the world can possibly take 20 mins to WRAP when everything has been premade?" Ok, so 20 mins later I get my wrap...this better be really good, NOT. I get to my final destination, pull out my wrap take a bite and it was god-awful. The onions were pungent, they pretty much plopped some pesto on some, most-like, boiled then grill mark-applied chicken (similar to Wendy's grilled chicken anything salads) and chunks of head lettuce adorned my wrap. The two year old, who I gave the chicken to took a bite and quickly threw it on the floor. To top it off, everyone was right!!!! It was completely overpriced for the crappy "food" they serve. I don't think I would even stop in there to pick up a bottle of juice or water because I'm sure they will find a way to make that horrible and disgusting. Save your money if you're at the North Ave bus stop, maybe your hunger will go away and it will prevent you from wasting 40 mins of your life and regurgitating later. 'Nuff said.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :6:00 am - 5:00pm
  • Mon : 6:00 am - 5:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast, Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Hipster
    Noise Level : Quiet
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Gallery Cafe

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