Kenny O.

This place is a great destination for a lunch date with a significant other--it's in a great location with lots to do before/after lunch, the interior is charming, and the service is impeccable. The food and drinks, though? A bit overrated and quite overpriced. I really like Viennese cafes and I have a thing for German bakeries. I've tried their coffee and espresso drinks and--although they are beautifully presented--the umph isn't there with anything I've ever ordered. Given the prices you're paying for coffee, you'd expect something that would compete with some other well known coffee shops like Wormhole or Citygrounds, but JM is barely rivaling Caribou in terms of how much I enjoy sipping their drinks. Also, don't bother ordering any of their teas--they're gross. DAVIDsTEA is also just a half a block away, so do yourself a favor and buy a cup there. TL;DR - Come here on dates! Not for great food/drinks.

Keyla R.

I have never been fond of the coffee here because I find it too strong but I love the gingersnap cookie the coffee is served with. So I order the tea, which I love, and steal the cookie that comes with Hubby's coffee. Being a kind and generous man, he pretends not to notice that I have stolen his cookie yet again. Seriously, the tea here is great. They have many varieties worth having. Try one of their Oolongs, one of their Green teas, or the Rooibos. They also have some very nice fruit teas and herbals. Their selection is so extensive you could probably visit 30 plus times and not have a tea repeat. They have free wifi and will not chase you out if you plop yourself down to work on your laptop and drink tea. Every time I walk by or go in, many people are doing exactly that. When I come for lunch, I enjoy the goat cheese salad and the chicken salad sandwich. But, be warned, the chicken salad sandwich is not for everyone because it has grapes and walnuts in it, which makes it a little sweet. I happen to love it, but my mom always made her chicken salad with apples so the sweetness is pleasing to me. If I come for breakfast, I like the chocolate croissant, the Nutella crepes or the Danish monkey bread, when they have it.

Stephan H.

While I always appreciate a whole bathroom to myself, practically equipped with both toilet and urinal, Julius Meinl does not live up to its out-of-bathroom style. The relaxing jazz music that could improve your poop experience is replaced by the industrial humming of a fan and the dim lighting does nothing for your mood. I do appreciate the effort in the decor with the fake gold-gilded wood frame with the antique style poster for Julius Meinl Kaffee, import seit 1862, but the rest of the tile is uninspiring and bland. The drain in the center left of the floor (if you're on the pot) evokes some horrible hospital room where bodily fluids frequently end up on the floor. Don't be in here when the next door hand dryer goes off (no option for paper towel, boo), or you might be in for a fright. The appliances are quite industrial with minimal flair for the mirror. Lastly, but certainly not least, while you may enjoy a dry and flaky croissant, that's not what you look for in toilet paper. Step it up Julius, I expect better. C -

Liz K.

This place obviously has great coffee...since I am one of the hundreds of 4-5 star reviews! Loved my white mocha...it was very different from starbucks white mocha..but great on its own. I would love to come here to relax on the weekends but it looks extremely crowded....this place gives more than coffee...it is a hang out place!

Phoebe W.

Phoebe's Phun Phact time: Did you know there are only 4 Julius Meinls in North America and all of them are on the Northside of Chicago? Obviously, I must take advantage of this. Sister, friend, and I came here for a study buddy date. Sister ordered the cheese Spätzle, however the waiter forgot to put her order in. Thankfully, we were comped the Spätzle and enjoyed the rest of our snacks. Friend ordered their key lime pie expecting an actual slice of pie, but it came out as an eerily green shiny dome. The French press coffee here is smooth, flavorful, and incredibly indulgent. Combine that with a Topfenstrudel (basically a cheese danish) and you've got the perfect afternoon treat. Parking by the Lakeview/Wrigleyville JM is incredibly annoying because of the busy intersection and permit parking. Take public transport or walk your lazy butt here if you can. It is well worth the hoofin.

Emily C.

I didn't realize this was a sit down restaurant with food more substantial than pastries! That was a nice surprise. Everything was excellent. I tried a coffee drink with a German name based off of their recommendation and loved it. It was espresso, whipped cream and condensed milk - yum! 143/365

Benjamin B.

I'm usually a fan of Julius Meinl, and in particular their baked eggs, but this last time there ruined it for me. We went on a Sunday, and for one they were out of most of their pastries. The killer, however, was that the baked eggs (I got the salmon/dill variety) were absolutely overcooked and tasteless. It was like a hard disc of eggy-ness. I slogged through about half of it before stopping. Please, please someone read this and save the baked eggs!

Basil D.

Julius Meinl is themost under-rated place in the city. It is entirely Euro. Don't be a troglodyte and ask for ice in your water glass. I too have never EVER had a bad experience here. Their coffee is nothing short of fantastic. They don't burn their beans like Starbucks! Their pastries are in the great Austrian tradition and are perfectly sweetened. Their Kaiserschmerran (sp??) for breakfast is utterly fantastic! A must-get. Their breakfasts are outstanding. I always take my out of town guests here. For any Catholics out there, their symbol which represents how coffee came to Austria, has much to do with the institution of the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.

Chelsea B.

My Chicago friend took me here for a nice afternoon tea, and as a tourist in Chicago I never would have discovered the place. The place does have a European feel to it, and it wasn't overcrowded or loud. Their tea selection was impressive, and even though they were out of the first TWO teas I selected (which was pretty annoying) I ended up with a nice fruit tea which I think was the Rooibos Strawberry Cream. The tea came out piping hot in a glass Bodum tea press and was enough for about three full cups. It was presented on a little tray with a cute cup, sugar, and a little cup of creamer which was a nice touch. We sat at a little table by the window and their chairs were nice and comfy. The only downside is that I do agree with other reviewers who said that their server seemed a little annoyed if they didn't order food. Ours kept doubling back to see if we wanted anything else several times. I could understand this if they were packed, but there were lots of open tables and it was mid-afternoon so the urgency seemed a little out of place.

Roseann M.

This place is such a contradiction. Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food and pastries, a wide selection of coffee and tea drinks - so why is the wait staff so cold and unfriendly? I mean, the place always has customers, so the wait staff has the opportunity to make some serious tip money. The people working at the counter are pleasant. But the servers? Cold, cold, cold. The Purple Grandma and I stopped in on a recent weekday, around 11:30am. The full lunch crowd hadn't arrived yet. We chose a table in the front half of the restaurant. Our server was a robot who had not received his personality chip yet. Data on Star Trek:The Next Generation was an android who had no capacity for emotion, and he was more pleasant. We got our food, our waters, our coffee drinks in good order. The mechanics of service were there. Good customer service also includes saying "hello", or some kind of pleasant greeting. We got none of that. It was so noticeably absent, we even discussed it. It's part of table service at this location. Along with your coffee, you get frost. Doesn't Julius Meinl do any kind of training at all? Or all these servers all relatives of some big shot? It really detracts from the experience. At 11:30am, something else detracted from the experience. They were completely out of scones. Purple Grandma asked for the highlighted hot tea. They were out of that, too. Isn't 11:30am a little early to be running out of menu items? I had a croissant sandwich with egg and bacon. It arrived piping hot. It was good. I think I may be going on an egg sandwich tour of Chicago. Purple Grandma liked her second choice of hot tea, though she didn't order any other food after she found out they were completely out of scones. In case you're wondering, I still tipped Mr. Frost 20%. I suppose that won't encourage him to develop some people skills. If Julius Meinl doesn't get this service issue addressed, it is really going to start hurting their business.

Tatawan P.

Coffee is excellent, go for whatever special they have. The food is good, baked eggs, sausage plate with truffle oil over arugula. Good European food is hard to find so I was so happy to be able to check this place out over my Birthday brunch. I can't wait to go back and try the savory crepes and goulash spatzle. Come here on a weekend brunch morning and feel very European with pastry, coffee and good conversation!

Craig R.

Ate at Meinl recently and was disappointed. Took forever to take my order (they appeared understaffed and mismanaged), food came and it was fine, I'm not sure if it is worthy of the praise I've seen here. Inflexible in that they won't serve lunch menu (which begins at 11:00) a minute early. I wouldn't say stay away but I also wouldn't rush there. There are better options in the area.

Colleen M.

Cute little coffee shop to sit outside on a nice day. They served the coffee and croissants just like they do in Paris!

Jennifer M.

What I love about this place the most is the fact we're the only ones to have it in N America. Better still, they're all on the N side and one coming soon to Evanston! Yes, the coffee may be strong but it's flavorful. They only have one size fits all for their cold beverages of lattes, teas, smoothies and juices. I haven't detered away from a cup of coffee in the afternoon, served on china when dining in, with a pastry. When I really want to impress my friends, I order a few and bring them to someone's house party.

Cassie M.

Yum on the food. The shrimp chowder is really good, the carrot cake is pretty solid, ALL of the pastries are delightful, & they offer a wonderful selection of teas. However, the wait staff is always kind of cold. They're efficient, but have zero personality. My friend says the employees that work the counter are much friendlier, but I've only ever experienced the table staff. I always feel like I'm in their way or something, which is not how a customer should feel at any business. Oh, also... room temperature water? Really? Gross.

Gretchen O.

Get the Melange! It is the best frothy coffee drink. Melange meinl espresso- equal parts steamed milk and foam, dusting of meinl european cocoa

Kristina V.

I come here often for breakfast and the food and service is consistently great. My favorites are the delicious buttery brioche breakfast sandwiches, banana french toast, Austrian breakfast and jalapeño sausage egg bake; along with any coffee drink on the menu. Great job guys!

Carol A. R.

The funny thing is that when we stopped into this branch of Julius Meinl, we came with a chip on our shoulder. We just left the one on Montrose and Lincoln. They were literally packed at that branch, but more so because the wait staff was disorganized, unhelpful and meandering. They wouldn't be employed for more than a day at any Starbucks I've patronized. The last straw was when they ignored us for 15 minutes and then gave two menus to some loud ladies who had just walked in- kitty corrner from us. We ended up at the Julius Meinl on Southport. When you need a Mozart torte you need a Mozart torte! Wow! The difference between the service is night and day! Our server, Blake, was friendly, inviting and helpful. Maybe they new where we were since they did the seating and the other one on Lincoln said = seat yourself. Then, when I casually mentioned to Blake that what happened at the one on Lincoln Ave, he was very empathetic. When the bill came back after processing, Jake Bridgwater, the manager came over to apologize FOR THEM and comped us the coffee. After hearing the full story, he assured us that was not the status quo. He gave us his full name so that if we EVER needed ANYTHING we could call upon him. How kind of Blake to alert his manager. Then, when it was time to go Jake went above and beyond and had packed us a piece of opera torte to totally erase the bad memory of the earlier afternoon. I can assure you we will go out of our way to patronize the Southport Julius Meinl. I'm sure that Lincoln Ave will not even know we are gone (or were even there, for that matter).

Trevor P.

Today was my first time going to Julius Meinl. The service is absolutely terrible! After sitting at my table for 25 minutes after ordering a coffee, we still had no coffees or even waters placed on our table! A woman beside me came 10 minutes after we did and got coffee and water before we did. I will never go back to this place and I encourage everyone to do the same!

Valerie J.

I don't think you can really go wrong here... no, no you can't. Their brie and ham crepes (my boyfriend's favorite) are huge, delicious, warm, and savory as all get out. The Austrian breakfast, a soft boiled egg, 4 slices of Emmental cheese (Swiss cheese), and in our case - 4 slices of cold ham, with your choice of toast - is just a great, well-rounded, and yummy way to start the day :) The first few times I went I was determined to try a new pastry in their pastry case each time. Is it my fault my heart kept bringing me back to the seasonal fruit tart? Delicate, subtly sweet, and you can pretend it's healthy because it has fruit on it! On the other side of the spectrum - go straight for the "Käsespätzle" Which is basically mac and cheese with Emmentaler cheese, onions, and if you want - bacon. So, so good. The Turkey and Avocado sandwich is also wonderful, with huge pieces of both of the key ingredients, as well as ample tomato and cucumber. It also comes with their delicious salad. On the other end of the sandwich spectrum, do not hesitate to snatch up a Truffled Croque Madame. Yes, Truffled. It comes with black Forest ham, Emmentaler cheese, over-hard egg, truffle oil and of course is topped with the cheese. I split this with my cousin, because otherwise I think we would have been weighted to our chairs all day. I love this place for their berry teas also - both hot and cold, and of course their complimentary gingersnap cookies!! MMM MMM! Uptown Chicago is the only place thus far to have a Julius Meinl outside of Austria, and I'm darn proud of that :)

Dawn T.

Some days I have the Princess Melange on tap...to say I love coffee might be an understatement. The spatzl, the stuffed French toast and the baked eggs keep bringing me back. I love Julius Meinl. I'd like to go to one in Vienna one day.

Diane G.

I'm sad to report that they just lost a customer. I was stoked to spend a day of studying here when I was met with a RUDE waitress who seemed annoyed that I was setting up camp with my laptop there. I politely asked if they have a password for the wi-fi and she told me they don't provide Wi-Fi on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. GREAT! NO WI-FI ON WEEKENDS WHEN PEOPLE STUDY, what a WINNING concept! When the bus boy was about to tell me how to log on out of kindness, ANOTHER RUDE employee approached me and said "Like the other girl said...we don't provide wi-fi on weekends." Oh, and the bus boy noted that when they DO provide wi-fi it's only for 2 hrs. A huge pet peeve of mine. On top of that, my waitress asked 3 times if that was "ALL" I was getting (I ordered a latte---standard at a cafe you'd think). *sigh* Disappointing to say the least. When it's $5 for a latte and crappy service, why WOULD I stop going to Starbucks? There's a reason that Starbucks has so many loyal customers.

Ellen V.

3.5 stars for food 5 stars for deserts 4 stars for coffee 5+ for tea selection 4 for summer time patio 1 for wait time/no reservations policy Southport has been our favorite location for years. I know that is a 'cafe' and I like the decor and the ambience, but the tables are so small. if you order food and drinks, there is literally no room on the table But we love them anyway :)

Lisa Z.

My friend and I came here for brunch after we were told Southport Grocery would be an hour and a half wait. We were seated right away here, though we did have to sit outside on a windy 70 degree November day. We were told upon seating that service would be slow outside, but I didn't find that to be the case. I ordered a hot chocolate to start, and it was pretty good, though it could have been hotter. I went for a lunch option and my friend ordered a stuffed french toast. My roast beef sandwich was fine. I think this place's breakfast/brunch options are probably the way to go. I'd have given 3 stars for the food only, but the service was good. They brought my friend the wrong kind of french toast (okay, that was bad), but they not only fixed it very quickly, but they comped our drinks, and they boxed the "wrong" french toast for us to keep, saying they'd otherwise have thrown it away. I thought that was really nice. I sampled both french toasts (banana and stuffed), and the stuffed french toast was amazing! I'd come back...but only if Southport Grocery has a wait next time I go!

Henry L.

I actually take the time now to go to the Julius Meinl in Ravenswood even though it is a little farther because the staff are so much friendlier there and overall better vibe. The food and drinks I give 5 stars for visually. Taste wise a 4. Prices are fair. Good place to bring a significant other, co worker, etc. Problem most of the staff here at south port location are pretty rude. With the exception of the guy who works there he is friendly but the women just had a bad attitude, both of them. Maybe it is because I am younger then there average customer they think I have less money to tip them, who knows. I always tip great for great service. Not the kind of customer service I expected for a upscale coffee shop. Then when I went in and wanted to get a drink to go but use the wifi for 2 minutes which I told her, she demanded I sit down rather than order and pay at the counter (knowing she would not get a tip if I order to go). I almost said wow you really want to get a tip that bad that you are going to waste my time the customer, kinda pathetic !!! She made it an inconvenience for me as I did not have time to be waiting around for the check etc. Again not the quality of customer service you expect from an upscale coffee shop. I now go to the ravenswood location. They are much friendlier and a better place to bring your business.

Jack W.

There are few coffee houses so quaint and so authentically European with a broad selection of coffees, teas, sweets and savories. I know that the take pride in their baked egg dishes, but I lean toward their Austrian breakfast and for dinner the Spätzle. This particular location on Southport is great for larger groups such as meetup.com and the cozier Lincoln Avenue location preferable for parties of 1 to 4. Both offer delightful ambience and food and lend character to the city.

Terri M.

I just cannot quite figure this place out. Is it getting too popular with people in the neighborhood. Is this restaurant gentrification? Do not get me wrong. I love this place. I have for years. The food is solid. The coffee and tea are excellent. But I feel off when hanging here lately. It has that sort of European feel going on which maybe is part of what throws me off. I love to travel but I want European coffee houses to be take me into Europe when I leave their doors.

Jennie C.

I'm a bit torn about Julius Meinl. I really really love the European feel and romantic atmosphere, but the coffee frankly isn't all that special. I felt that way when they first opened and now I'm still not impressed. The desserts are quite elaborate, but on the heavy side (for me at least). I love the live music on Fridays though. And the service is quite attentive.

Jenny A.

Great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a late night dessert, Julius Meinl is a lovely spot on Southport. I have been many times for both brunch and lunch and have loved all of the dishes. I've tried the baked eggs, Austrian breakfast and yogurt and granola, all of which were delicious. For lunch, their sandwiches are also very fresh and served on homemade bread. Coffee is also great, Julius Meinl is a European brand that is served in several locations throughout Chicago. The dessert case is also very tempting and I have tried the hazelnut cake and flourless chocolate torte, both of which were very good. One the weather gets warm, a great place to sit outside on the patio and enjoy something sweet with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

Jac C.

A friend of mine told me about Julius Meinl because we both share a passion for classical music. He let me know that every Friday and Saturday night from 8:00PM-11:00PM they have live music. He saw a harpist one weekend and when we all went there together we saw a great string quartet called the glass cage (i think) and they played arrangements of contemporary songs like Brittney Spears, Radiohead and Imogen Heap. It was definitely the music that brought me in but the cafe itself is really adorable. It's very European in the style and decor, even how the deliver your coffee and tea reminds me of being in France. If you're looking for a nice romantic place to drink beautiful teas and coffees and eat dessert or even just need a place to study I highly recommend it. I haven't tried their food yet, I really wish they would serve dinner until 10:00 on Friday and Saturday night.

Adam A.

Coffee( not only drip, Latte,capuccino and espresso) + Sweets only. Great atmosphere, great location. The lunch,breakfast and brunch is a 100% PASS.. Do not even try it, waste of your time and money. I tend to get food else where and then come here for a sweet and coffee. Their lattes ROCK. Try out my favorite the black forest cake

T Q.

This place has really gone downhill. Perhaps the food is good, but who knows since the service is so terrible, you may never get your order. The coffee was decent, but again, we waited almost 20 minutes from when we ordered to when the waiter brought it out. Once we placed our food order, we waited over 45 minutes and still never got our entrees. The waiter was completely unapologetic and said that if we just waited a while longer, the food would be out. My friend and I had to leave because clearly we were never getting our food, don't waste your time here.

Amy H.

I fully admit that when I walked into Julius Meinl I was in full biz-nasty mode. I had broken my toe the day before and had an appointment nearby that couldn't be canceled so I hobbled to this area with plenty of time to spare. I was hot, crabby, in a lot of pain, and I had just fended off the advances of a guy on the bus who wouldn't take "leave me alone" and "stop talking to me" as an answer. I wanted to sit down, drink something refreshing, and sacrifice a little something to my sweet tooth while I waited for my appointment. Don't come here if you're looking for a quiet environment. It gets loud up in this joint! Also, unless your sitting at a table with regular chairs don't try to sit. Those little conversation nooks with pseudo tables, upholstered chairs, and loveseats are the WORST. Tres uncomfortable. I decided to order a strawberry fizzy drink because it sounded refreshing, but the waitress told me that they were out of strawberries. Say wha...? How do you run out of strawberries? Can't someone run over to Jewel and get some more? I ended up getting a lemonade and a couple of jam crepes, which were both average. Actually, my whole experience at Julius Meinl was average. Maybe it was because I was being a crab-apple, but maybe it was because everything was just kind of bleh.

Lindsey O.

One of my favorite breakfast places! The coffee is very strong and has its own unique flavor. This is not Starbucks or dunkin donuts, we're talking a little more stain your teeth, wake you up flavor. What coffee is supposed to taste like. We typically order the French press, an egg dish (quiches are awesome, baked egg dishes especially the basil/goat cheese are v good), and the beef goulash is hands down our favorite. When in doubt, get the goulash!!! If you're not full after all that - the strudel is some of the best in the city. There are several Julius Meinl's all over town, and they own a bakery that used to be on Irving Park but has since changed location. The strudel is made there and then shipped to the different locations. The only thing that I will mention is expect to run into screaming children at this location. This Julius Meinl's is on Southport, which is home to 1000's of pregnant women and their obnoxious strollers full of too many poorly behaving children. I've had a couple of breakfasts ruined at this location by a 3 year old asshole because it decided to have a melt down and it's hipster parents just ignored it. Parents - when your child can't sit quietly in a restaurant, you remove them. Its not rocket science. You are ruining other peoples' meals that they are paying good money for. That's the end of the rant, but be forewarned. They do have a counter for small orders if you would like to take your food and coffee with you.

Irene G.

The first time I came here was with a meeting with a wedding photographer. As soon as I stepped in, I knew why she chose to meet here and why she said it's one of her favorite places. The atmosphere is nice - perfect for a little afternoon date with friends or a special someone or a business meeting such as the one we had - some days are super busy but it has some kind of calming effect...They have a great selection of tea. Their latte was very good, too. Service is friendly and if I'm in the area again, I will no doubt make a stop here.

Chris W.

To go? Or not to go? (Or rather, would you like us to take your name down and let you know when a table is available?) If you're in a rush, I'm so sorry for you, because the Meinl experience includes sitting down and feeling pampered at a cozy table (sometimes a little TOO cozy). Coffee here is nice but the reason I come here is for tea. Such a huge selection! I hear they used to have a larger one, with more abstract teas that could cost you WAY more than you would spend on a nice sweater, and I was a little bummed that I never got to experience that menu...however, from the teas I've tried (and the little cookies I've dipped in my cups feeling like a yuppie) I've been elated by the seducing tea coma you can go into with cup after cup pouring at your own table. One or two teas MAX is what I suggest for trying since you get a whole pot to yourself, but come with friends and you can all swap a taste! It's unfortunately not a place that makes you feel like you should be lingering. If you're done eating and drinking and drinking some more, there are usually plenty of people waiting for a seat, and your waiter/waitress is usually super attentive and to want to sit down and read a book or something quiet of that nature, it's a bit draining to feel guilty you're not constantly sucking new things down so as not to stiff your waiter of the tip they could be getting serving another table...If you're coming for a business lunch or to discuss something between a couple people, or a date, or just lunch with a friend, it's a nice quiet and happy spot to do it at. Mac and Cheese btw...awesome, rich, filling, cheesey.

Kathy T.

YUM YUM YUUMMM! Coffee = excellent. baked eggs = delicious! overall experience...heavenly! I had the Smoked Thuringer Baked Eggs with coffee. Everything was so tasty! My friends ordered three different types of spatzel (chorizo, goulash, and lamb) and they were all delicious. The chorizo one was by far the most flavorful and a favorite at the table. Another friend ordered the pear and brie sandwich and everything tasted wonderful. No complaints here! Service was great and the server kept coming back and asking us if we needed anything else. If you come with a group of 5 or more, it may be a little tough to find a table. Luckily we came during off-peak times. I can see how it can get packed on the weekends.

Rhonda G.

We chose to dine on a day and time when everyone was out and about eating and enjoying the weather so our first option was packed! We walked down the street a bit and Julius didn't seem as crowded so our stomachs demanded us to give it a shot. We had a little wait but not too bad (though at one point we thought about calling over to see if our first pick was less busy). For lunch we all chose the Turkey avocado sandwich (great minds!) with a mixed green salad, I enjoyed it and it was nice and light enough for the warm day. To drink I had the refreshing strawberry basil spritzer served on a little platter with one of those ginger cookies (which I love). This place isn't a destination by any means but it's a nice casual place to dine with friends when you're not looking to spend a lot of money and you want to dine outside and not wait an eternity.

Pirates C.

This is one of the best cafes in Chicago. Both locations are great. Been a fan since Day 1 and still look forward to returning for a cup of joe each time I get a chance. The live music is great. The atmosphere is cozy and conducive to long conversations. Sometimes it can get a bit busy so off hours are definitely preferred. The kitchen menu is just okay but the sweets/pastries are good compliments to their coffee bar drinks and teas. Definitely come here for a snack but don't stay for a meal.

Lucy N.

great coffee!!

Mat M.

Julius Meinl is awesome! The ambiance of their cafe's and the great service make it a go to place for coffee and latte's. They have a nice selection of desert's and it's a good spot to go hangout on a cold day or after dinner. If you're looking for something different than Caribou and Starbucks' with some heart in the business...then drop on by, you won't regret it!

Ketty B.

Just had breakfast this morning! I agree with Chuck and Cassie. The waitstaff is off with their service. Cold, standoffish, like we're in their way... On the other hand, I was compelled to write this review because after 15 minutes of waiting for my check, I go up to the counter and ask whether I was supposed to ask for it. One of the staff members says yes and grabs my waitress' attention. She takes her time handing me the change... Literally. I guess she thought I was going to be a bad tipper, anyway. I tipped extra, maybe next time she'll consider being nicer and more attentive. I'll go back for the pastries and amusing loud conversations coming from the patrons ... Praying I get better service, third time may be a charm. Who knows?

Sara A.

So we stopped in Wednesday night to relax, catch up, and have some coffee. However, it didn't go that way. They were obviously busy but had only a single server for the entire place! Ridiculous! Most people in the biz will tell you that you should have 1 server for every 8-10 tables. Maybe Julius Meinl thinks people ordering coffee and pastry deserve the same level of service as people ordering a meal. If so, stop forcing us to use servers who are going to either take forever or ignore us. Better yet, invest a few bucks an hire an extra server. The coffee was average at best, probably since it too so long to make and serve. The pastry we wanted they were out of but we were told we could wait 10 mi while it's pulled from the freezer to thaw? Really? Frozen pastries. I asked the manager and he said they are made at another location. He didn't say they were frozen but I'm not sure why the server would lie. They seem cheap so I wouldn't be surprised. Well, we probably won't be coming back. Save a few bucks and just goto Starbucks or Caribou. You will be happier when your expectations are not shattered.

Michele O.

My baked eggs were over cooked. The dish would be so much better with runny yolks. The brioche toast was good. Would have better if it came out hot. The coffee was pretty good.

Katy O.

The coffee here is stellar. It feels so luxurious to order an entire french press just for me and linger over several cups of coffee. The food menu is pretty good and the pastries are even better. This is an Austrian-style cafe so the menu is very European- not everybody's cup of tea but I think it's a nice change from your average coffee shop. The only negative for me is the extreme wait to get in here on a weekend. I don't always have the patience to wait 1/2 an hour to have a cup of coffee, but when I do it's worth the wait.

Caroline M.

This location is almost as wonderful as the Lincoln/Montrose one. I often stop here en route to getting my hair cut. Oh, Julius, you're a bit too convenient sometimes. I drool on their pastry case. Someday I will get that bacon cinnamon roll that keeps screaming my name. Service has always been sweet. And quick. I recommend JM to lots of people because it's a wonderful place to chat over coffee, have a leisurely lunch, or even a casual date.

Elina K.

Key Lime Tart = Bliss

John H.

I don't get out to breakfast or brunch too often. For one, the brunch crowd tends to rub me the wrong way. I usually find myself getting seated next to some harpy shrieking about how this brunch place compares to other brunch places. "Day and night she talks, each word more useless than the next." Waits for tables, waiters more hung over than I am, and it's all way too early in the day. My bed, couch, fridge, and bathroom are preferable to almost any restaurant on a weekend morning. But if I were a brunching man, you'd see me here pretty often. As you are in a coffeehouse, you'd do well to start with some coffee. You have the option of spending an extra $2 for a French press of your brew of choice. This is a no-brainer. You're getting about three cups out of it, and it's fresh, hot, and delicious. Plus, it's good to just have the whole damn thing at your table. Your waiter might be busy, and you can also look down on other people who have foolishly chosen not to order the French press. My brother and I both opted for sweet over salty, he for the baked banana french toast, I for the stuffed French toast. Both excellent, but the stuffed French toast is nearly transcendent. Brioche, topfen cheese, streusel, and an apple compote. Instead of a few dried out squares, you get a steaming piece the size of a brick, and without the French press to keep you alert, it would likely cause a full blown food coma right on the spot. This place gets pretty busy by late morning, so don't put things off for too long unless you're not sure you can keep anything down. Waiting for a table for brunch is pure hell.

Ali Z.

This is an elegant European style coffee shop that serves good coffee and amazing pastries. Great place to hang out or grab a snack. The latte I had, while tasty and better than what you'll get at most chains, was a bit flat and not as good as the Intelligentsia I brew at home. French press coffee seems to be their speciality though so I will order that instead next time. The exquisite pastries are alone worth the trip here...Opera Torte is my favorite. Planning to go back soon to work my way through their pastry case.

Leila M.

A very nice piece of Austria! Love it! Apfelstrudel and Mozart torte are the best of all!

Keith A.

I'm not a coffee guy at all, don't really like the taste, but I do like tea and they sure have a good amount of different ones. While I wasn't in the mood for tea this morning, I did need a quick bite to eat and something light to drink. So, in I stepped around 9:30 and I was able to order right away and got a egg and ham sandwich on a brioche as well as a strawberry smoothie. The eggs were real light and fluffy and the brioche was really good. The sandwich was small, but that was just fine though it wasn't on the cheap side of things. The strawberry smoothie that I got was great. Just had a lot of flavor and I drank it a lot faster then I should've. I'll have to dig into some of the tea's another time and a return trip will certainly happen. It's not the most cost effective place, but you do get what you pay for.

Lia V.

Well hello there unexpected European cafe. So my cousin and I went to Kanela (the new breakfast place on Clark - the old Orange) and we got some iced coffee since it was a beautiful Sunday and the sun was warming us. But wait... *gasp* - this is no Starbucks iced coffee... this is gourmet - delicious! Can I purchase a bag here? No, but it's Julius Meinl and there's a store around here in the city. Well okay! Let us continue on our Sunday Funday adventures and find this delicious coffee that I MUST make mine! Googled and found and miraculously it was just one train stop away. We set out with the sun shining on our faces, the nice breeze cooling us down and stumbled upon a larger than expected cafe with a large patio... perfect for relaxing and enjoying some of this delicious coffee. We grab a seat outside and enjoy the weather until we were greeted with a (i'm not gonna lie) not so friendly waitress... but I didn't care! Give me sun... give me coffee!... Give me... that awesome lemon lavender cake I saw in the window! We got our coffee on a little tray with a saucer of cream, glass of water, and a little biscuit... enjoyed it and then later dove into the lemon lavender amazing layered cake with a butter cream frosting. Oh my! A perfect Sunday afternoon. I would never go here if I was in a hurry because this embraces European culture - slow and steady. Nothing comes out fast even if it's just a slice of cake, but that's the beauty of this place. I will go again on another gorgeous day and embrace everything about this place. And I did purchase a bag of coffee... I can enjoy at home :-)

Courtney W.

Always a bit of a wait, the goo is definitely worth it. The service is a bit lacking. The staff they have is great, but there's just not enough. A restaurant cannot be efficient without the required amount of employees.

Kelly S.

We went for breakfast. Capuccino was good but a little on the bitter side for my taste. I'm spoiled on Coffee & Tea Exchange beans which are always rich and smooth. Anyhow, I also had their breakfast sandwich on brioche w/egg, ham and cheese. Really good cheese which made the sandwich. It was $5.95 I believe and was much smaller than I thought it should be for that $.

Jan E.

Lovely. Soothing. Decadent. From the elegant newspaper rods to the biscuits that come with the coffee, this is the perfect spot for an evening coffee and dessert.

Kwoky L.

T'was late one evening and my friends and I were going to catch a show at the nearby Music Box. We were hungry, restless and cranky; so we needed to do something to fill some time. Then somebody suggested that we should hang out at Julius Meinl. My friend was raving about their coffee and delicate Austrian pastries. So we grabbed a table and proceeded to order some of their tortes and delicious drinks. Tortes were rich and tasty albeit their smaller portions. Regardless they complemented the coffee very well. I also found out that they are actually based in Austria and many products were imported from there. I don't know how I could miss this little European gem all this while! My only complain is the portion size. It would certainly be nice to have more than two bites at least. I've heard they do breakfast/brunch as well, which I will be trying out very soon.

David C.

I am a relatively new customer, however, Julius Meinl has become more morning to-to coffee shop. They staff is always very friendly and attentive, and the coffee drinks are very good. I will say I think they are a bit overpriced but the convenience makes it worthwhile. My only two issues with J.M. Is their monkey bread is as hard as a rock most days and you can buy their chai tea concentrate across the street at the local jewel for much less. Despite this I still love coming here to sit down and relax or grab a quick drink on my way to work.

Candice G.

Hi, My name's Candice and I never go to coffee shops. No, really- never. I mean, I've been to them on suggestion of friends to meet up so we can depart together but I've never just gone out and said "gee, I could really go for some coffee (or other beverage) today". To me, it's something frivolous and unnecessary... like smoking. I'd always ask myself, "Will you be happier with a hot beverage or with the $5 in your pocket?". My answer is ALWAYS to go with my loaded pocko. Well, not anymore. I had this revelation while meeting a sexy friend for coffee at JM last week. In fact, if the suburbs had coffee shops like JM, I'd gladly put down $20 a day. Now, I didn't have any food, just a giant chai tea actually, but it was glorious. Had I known that coffee shops could be like this, I would have gladly turned my teeth yellow long ago. The Chai Tea was perfect, the drinks are served on a mini silver platters, complete with a mini silver spoon, a single serving vase of water, single serve sugar, and some delicious prepackaged biscuits, and the staff are all sexy and all smiles. Having coffee here made me feel mature, intelligent, and strangely jubilant- well worth the mere cost of a chai tea latte. I'm hooked on Julius from this day forth. :)

Grant G.

Julius Meinl is an upscale coffee house mini-chain with proper coffee and decadent desserts. The combination and execution of both is a delightful diversion from not only the impersonal big corporate chains like Starbucks but also from the generally grungy hipster coffee spots. You can't find this experience all wrapped up in a user friendly multi-outlet package just anywhere. Another nice aspect is the warm and mildly isolating indoor atmosphere. Dimly lit (but not too much) at night along with dark accents evokes a feeling of pleasant formalness. This is especially nice on a cold winter day. There is just enough variety in seating positions and areas to give one a sense of unique space while enjoying conversation with a friend or just simply hanging out by oneself.

Kate S.

Reminds me of Germany and Austria! Lots of delicous desserts, eiskafe, spaetzle, German/Austrian style salads. It's great. Fun place for lunch or an afternoon coffee and sweet treat.

Nari H.

OK This place was pretty awesome. Had some good selections, and their service, especially with all the things that came with my americano (I didn't get it to-go, i stayed in), was awesome. My friend got their latte and one of their pastries and it was amazing. My hazelnut americano and marble cake was just OK. But I'd recommend this place for sure. Skip the Americano, go for their lattes or cappuccinos and youre good to go :D

Troy C.

Something about Julius Meinl makes me feel smarter every time I walk in. It could be the decor, which brings to mind some kind of Austrian royalty. It could be the fact that talented classical musicians perform her with some regularity. Whatever it is, I love the place. Their drinks are great, and their pastries are better. The best dessert on the menu is the chocolate lava cake called 'mohr im hemd,' and it's absolutely divine. Brunch is too noisy & crowded for me, but I'll still come here on any night when I'm looking to avoid the drunken crowds.

Ji K.

I've been here twice now for post-dinner coffee and dessert and, both times, I really enjoyed myself. The first time was in the summer. My friend and I snagged a nice outdoor seat, talking and sipping our lattes and chomping away on our delicious pastries until it got chilly out and we eventually moved our mini-party inside. The second time was this past week with my cousin, and this was the perfect spot to get warmed up and indulge ourselves in two of their winter specialties: the caramel apple mousse and the apple walnut crostada. Mmm. Julius Meinl is a great casual spot whatever the weather, and their coffee and desserts make it worth coming back. The next time I stop in, it'll be for brunch or to try their hot food. From reading the other reviews, the thought of their baked eggs excites me . . .

Kevin G.

Excellent for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Or tea. I love the free music on the weekends. Great people watching from the outside seating. Huge comfy chairs inside. Knowledgeable and friendly servers. A+

Meena A.

Hands down the best café in Chicago! Great space inside (and outdoor seating), awesome service and amazing house coffee and drink specials (try the mélange). Also, decadent desserts. It's amazing to see that you're only a few blocks from Wrigley Field. The weekend wait for brunch is worth it. Need a drink recommendation? Ask Connor about teas and coffees alike. Enjoy!

Sarah C.

Meinl is close to the boyfriend's so we've ended up here a few times for brunch. Good coffee, fantastic oatmeal-- FANTASTIC, which I know is random but it's delish-- and good service. We haven't been there to eat indoors-- purely an outdoor experience so far-- but the patio was great this summer. A little pricey, but good quality for the money.

Colleen C.

Not a fan of this place. My cousin and I went and ordered our hot drinks. Apparently, we got them in to-go cups, but no one had asked us if we wanted them to-go or not... Anyway, we proceed to go out on the patio with our drinks. One person - not a waiter - who worked there looked kind of concerned, and asked us if we needed menus...for food, I'm assuming. We said "no thanks," and kept talking and sitting on the patio. A snobby, bitchy waitress comes by a few minutes later and asks if we'll be dining there. We say no...we just brought our drinks out here to hang out...both of us very confused. The snobby ass waitress then says, "Well, next time, you're going to have to ORDER something to sit here. That's how it works here." ......Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe it was poor etiquette on our parts for assuming that Julius Meinl would allow us wretched people with TO-GO cups to sit on the patio. Not to mention, in a huge space with about 3 groups of people other than us in there. Because really, what kind of a coffee place would allow people to order their drinks AT THE COUNTER (gasp!) and then sit down with them in the said coffee place......What's that? ALL coffee places allow this? Except for Julius Meinl? Interesting. That one impression made me stay away. Forever. I'd rather go to a casual place for my caffeinated beverage. One that allows me to sit down without having to tip a snobby waitress.

Liz K.

I LOVE this place. Amazing food and I'm addicted to their cakes and pastries. Their cookies are also great and I absolutely love their hot apple cider.

Jessica M.

I really like the ginger-grahm cookie with every coffee...and the fact that they bring it to you on a silver freaking platter. A lovely place to catch some caffeine, sit on the patio, have brunch, and remind yourself to take your birth control pill. (It's totally a Mom's-Meeting spot for the neighborhood-- babies EVERYWHERE.) I wish they would have a "scrambled" option for eggs... Overall, the food is delicious, the beverages are divine, and they don't put any melon in their "fruit salad". You can't beat that!

Brad B.

Why do I always think this place is too far to walk to? Something is wrong with me, I guess. Because, every time I do walk over there for a breakfast bite, I think, "Damn, I should come here every day!" None of you should go to Julius though, its horrible, the pastries are not fresh nor lovely. The egg dishes are not yummy. The coffee is not curiously strong, nor smooth. The staff is not friendly, nor efficient. And the patio seating sucks. Do not, I repeat, do not go to Julius Meinl.

Linds R.

Oooh, Julius Meinl, I'm still not sure how to exactly say it correctly, so I keep calling it "that cute coffeeshop bakery place on the corner of Ashland and Southport". Which invariably leads to some confusion, but ANYWAY... My friend and I wandered in here on a Saturday afternoon that was meant for shopping around on Southport (okay, fine, just Anthropologie) but realized that we were far too hungry and de-caffeinated to undertake that adventure and needed to stop first. I had the baked eggs with feta (a little too salty, but I did clean my plate, so...), a fruit tea infusion (sooo good) and split a pastry thingy. The server was very, very nice - even explained a few of the items beyond their menu description. The interior is very nice, sitting outside was pleasant on a nice day although Southport can be very loud. Will definitely be back.

Kelli B.

I've been wanting to come here for quite a while now and I'm happy I made the trip. Much like Starbucks, Julius Meinl has a very comfortable atmosphere with comfy chairs and a cute little patio. JM is more European than Starbucks which adds to the appeal. Also unlike Starbucks JM has waitresses and a decent sized menu. When I sat down I saw a waitress walk by a couple times but wasn't approached right away. I was hoping that my expectations would not be ruined, but I quickly learned they wouldn't be. Out of the back comes a cute and very friendly waitress to take my order. She looked like Sandra Oh but better looking. :) At first I just ordered coffee which came in a big JM glass mug on a little silver platter with a "water back" and a mini creamer. I then ordered the the the turkey and avocado sandwich which came out quickly. As I read the paper in my comfy chair I enjoyed my coffee which was on the strong side be still enjoyable. My next stop was to walk a dog from Chicago Canine Rescue so the extra caffine did me no harm. My turkey sandwich was fresh and tasty and my waitress continued to be attentive. I decided on a second cup of coffee while I finished my paper. The bus boy kept my water full which was very much appreciated. The bill was only around $15 which I felt was reasonable for the experience. I would certainly go back to Julius Meinl. It's a quaint and comfortable place that would be great to hang out in any time of the year. They even have live music on the weekends!

Chris G.

Great baked eggs, crepes, and coffee cakes/pastries. The espresso is the best you'll find this side of the Mississippi.

Colin S.

This beautiful little cafe and restaurant is unbelievably delicious. In particular, the Truffled Croque Madame is a life changing sandwich. It's hard to say how, precisely, it changed my life, but there is a distinct sense that things will never be the same. I highly, highly recommend it. Other than that, the pikant mocha is also deliciously different, and both of the french toasts on the menu--caramelized banana and walnut/blueberry--are rich, creamy, and big enough to share (that's what she said). Everything from the decor to the food and drink presentations to the dessert display is very tastefully done. I cannot recommend this place highly enough, but dammit, I'm trying! Go to this place!!!

Barbie S.

Fabulous!!!! To be brief and to the point... this place is sooo YUMMY!!!! Great atomosphere, DELICIOUS desserts (heaven in your mouth), and the coffee & tea were great! The service was really good - and the guy that waited on us was really helpful, and informative about the teas - cuz there is sooooo many, and the deserts, OMG it was hard to make a decision!!! PLUS... bonus!!! It's open late... and after being at the Music Box Theatre it was a nice close spot to go and chill after the movie, ILO of a crowded noisy bar on a Saturday night. Starbucks who?????

Sonchoi H.

My visit was on a cold winter evening, a close friend and I decided to pop in to hide away from get slapped in the face with snow. Agh! I HATE snow. Come to find out, we found TEA HEAVEN!!!! Dear God...I went crazy. I love tea. I'm what you would call a fiend for tea. So when I saw the list of teas they had....I went off the wall. My second visit I decided to try dessert with tea. They had a grand display of desserts seducing me. I ordered some caramel mousse cake....thing. And I remember ordering a fruit tart to go. Eh, I don't remember the exact names. All I could focus on was stuffing my mouth. They were le superb. The last time I went, I dragged the clone version of me (who is Korean and has never been exposed to Austrian food). My sandwich was awesome, but he didn't enjoy his soup. I tried it, as well...it was a little bland but not horrible. Either ways, if you don't go for the food...I say go for the tea! There's a sea of selections. Yum.

Hunter R.

Hot chocolate!and The awesome Tea!and a special treat if you order the hot and cold beverages hint:it's small and good.

Stephany H.

I came here with a friend on a Sunday afternoon and the place was fairly busy but not full so we didn't have to wait at all. For a place that wasn't extremely busy, the service was extremely slow. I think our waitress forgot about us because we waited 45 minutes after we put our forks down for the waitress to bring us our check, and that was only because we finally flagged her down and had to ask for it. We ended up spending 2 hours there because of the slow service. However, the food was delicious. I can't remember exactly what was in it, but I got the baked eggs with sun dried tomatoes, cheese, and some other stuff. I really enjoyed it, especially the lightly broiled cheese on top. For my toast, I got a slice of marbled rye with grape jelly. The bread was perfectly toasted (crispy & chewy) and the grape jelly tasted sweet and fresh. Overall - good food & nice atmosphere but bad service.

Kevin G.

I love this place! The coffee and desserts are amazing and the other food is pretty good too. The atmosphere is really great, especially on nights when they have live music. I have had some great coffee drinks here, but my favorite is the black forest mocha, which unfortunately is a seasonal drink. One really unique aspect of this cafe is that they bring out your drink on a silver platter with a glass of water and a piece of chocolate. This is definitely a place to hang out with good friends for a few hours talking and having some great treats and drinks.

Yaeko M.

The coffee is nice, the presentation is nice. But the pice of pastries are way too much. I don't want to pay $8 for a piece of cake at this kind of cafe. If the pastries are $3-5 price range, I would really enjoy this place.

Lea L.

Awesome coffee, espresso, tea and pastries. Love the tray service with a cookie and glass of water. Atmosphere makes me think I am sitting in a cafe in Austria.

Courtney S.

I want to love this place. I used to love it. My grandmother is Austrian. I have an Austrian flag tattoed on my back. Vienna is my favorite city in the entire world. But I can't love it anymore. My dear friend K and I headed here after a morning at the pool, looking for a little respite in the form of a frappe and a sandwich (baked eggs for her) and we left in the foulest of mood, respectively. The service was TERRIBLE. Absolutely terrible. They brought me the wrong sandwich, it took forever to get the right one and whoever delivered it (the manager?) plunked it down on the table in front of me without a word of apology ot mention of comp-ing it. I am really disappointed in this place. I have been going here for years and the last two times have been bad enough to make me think that it is the end of the Austrian Empire, thanks to the service at Meinl. I would give it four stars for coffee, but just don't sit and expect to have decent table service.

Jimie D.

As I type, I am sipping an espresso from our recently purchased Julius Mienl capuccino cups! The Story - I am from Chicago, I moved to Boulder at age 18. Prior to my trip to Austria last June, my naive self had always thought Julius Mienl was a French restaurant for whatever reason and was hesitant to ever try their food. When I was in Austria, however, I stumbled upon coffee shop after coffee shop serving Julius Mienl coffee and I made the connection. 3 months later... I returned to Chicago to find that Julius Mienl at Southport/Addison (a meer 1/2 mile from my parents house) had the same coffee, food, and atmosphere of a little Austrian Cafe. It is nice that I can go home, and also get a little piece of Austria :)

Sarah C.

This is the second place I always recommend to people on Southport (Southport Grocery is first). But it's a tough competition between the two. Food - I'm not sure they still make it, but the brie on raisin toast is life-changing. Their desserts can be hit or miss (I've only been after lunch hour so that may be different in the morning). The coffee and tea are scrumptious. Suggestion: milk chocolate bar + ginger wafers will blow your mind. Atmosphere - I think this place is pretty cozy. I'm not in love with the stroller brigade that crowds up the place all day, but that's no one's fault. And it's never too loud to have a peaceful meal with your date/friends. Service - great. Price point - also great.

Armando J.

Coffee was great BUT the service was bad. They were rude and pushy but to make up for it they were slow. Still, great coffee and good desserts maybe the staff was having on off night.

Erin N.

Yum city. If i still lived in Lakeview, I'd wander over to Julius Meinl, but I don't- sad. Julius Meinl is a sophisticated cafe without all the snobbery. "Pssshaw" you say. With their fancy tables and upholstered chairs, you'd think that this was some hoity toity cafe in Macy's or something trying to sell you $5 coffee. Well, the coffee is a bit pricey, but the service and quality is on par. I had a soup/salad combo and was quite pleased. There is a lot more on the menu that I want to try if I ever come back.

Timothy M.

European things are neat. Like G-strings, Romanians, blaze attitudes towards sex, a long and crazy history, funded public transit, and socialist welfare states. Julius Meinl is a Belgian coffee company. Pretty cool. And the coffee's really good. If you are in and out, or just stopping in for a light lunch, you're set. But if you plan on dwelling here for awhile, doing some kind of work, you might want to rethink your choice. It's busy and not what I thought it would be. This place makes me think about how well things go over in different places. Just as a McDonalds in Asia would strike both the average New Yorker and the average Texan as, well... odd, I'm pretty sure a Julius Meinl coffee shop is kind of a far cry from what it is back home. What does "Belgian coffeehouse" conjure up in this American's mind? Let's see, old bearded socialists lazily sipping coffee from tiny glass cups with saucers discussing the actual birthplace of french fries while nibbling on some waffles topped with succulent chocolate. What is actually happening at Julius Meinl is far less appealing, in my book. It is very busy, to the point of distraction. Everyone who comes in here does not respect "coffee shop culture" - which in my mind is close to "bookstore culture". You come in, you do your thing, you be quiet, and look intelligent. Here, people come in and start doing crafts with their toddlers, staging multiple job interviews, and generally just being obnoxious Lakeview a-holes. Plus, the atmosphere here reminds me of Bath and Body Works of all places. Okay, so obviously it's not going to be a bunch of Chimay-drinking dark haired women wearing black, discussing sexual liberation. But I guess I'd rather live in a fantasy world of European coffee shops than try to visit the American version.

Robyn T.

The perfect European cafe. I'd been to Julius Meinl before for their delicious coffee and delectable pastries and cakes, but I had never visited for a real meal. I never knew what I was missing! The cafe is spacious but offers lots of tables and cushioned chairs to relax (or do work) both inside the comforts of the cafe and on the patio. The staff could not have been friendlier or more attentive. Our waitress made some great selections for dinner on a warm summer evening. Though the warm entrees (traditional spaetzle dishes and a mac & cheese) were tempting the BF and I opted for sandwiches. I highly recommend the turkey & avocado sandwich as well as the chicken salad which isn't too creamy and is served on raisin bread. Sandwiches are served with a small mixed green salad as well. My new favorite spot in the Southport area now; I will make it a point to come shopping up North more often just so I can stop by Julius Meinl for a much deserved break.

Damon A.

I just love this place. Several of the people who work here I consider friends and would hangout with them anytime. I go here and get the same cup of coffee everyday and everyday I have a laugh and get to hear or tell a story. It's rare when people give a shit that you come buy coffee from them. Your never gonna get this at a Starbucks. I love you guys you are totally awesome in every way!

AJ T.

I can't tell you how many times I've been to Julius Meinl, but what I can tell you is that I have never been disappointed! The coffee is deeply-flavored without being bitter and goes down smoothly. The pastries, besides being utter works of art, are always delicately balanced in terms of both flavor and texture. Service is usually fairly good, but to me the food so overshadows any lack in service as to make the shortcoming negligible. Your food always comes out very classily-dressed on silver trays with all the bells and whistles tableware has to offer. Seriously, if you want a great place for brunch or lunch, to sit with a friend and catch up or relax with a great cup in great company, this is your place. With such a varied menu of sweets and savories and a selection of beverages long enough to baffle your memory banks, Julius Meinl is a must-go!

Amy L.

Just okay, it was quite busy there. I mainly came here because I wanted a cream puff. That thing was humongous. It was alright. Would rather get those boxes of frozen cream puffs from Sam's Club.

ryan w. v.

I remember when this space used to be a vacant lot on the corner of Southport and Addison. Saturday, was my first visit to Julius Meinl. A friend and I met here for coffee and I was surprised by how much JM reminded me of a European bistro/cafe. I was expecting a place where you place your coffee order at the counter and then take a seat. Needless to say, I was shocked when I was greeted with a hostess and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table for two. Anyway, JM has a full menu, but I was there for afternoon coffee and decided to pair it with a pastry. I tried the Apple Coffee Cake off of their special Fall menu and it was just okay. The cake wasn't moist and always like a moist cake! I'm sure JM's speciality coffee drinks are nice, but I like my coffee the same way I like my men. Ha, ha... not always. The staff was nice and courteous, but it took a while for us to get the check.

Mary L.

Listen up, Julius. Your food is 5 star. Your service is 1 star. I am a regular customer at JM. I love Zora, the only competent, friendly, and efficient server on staff. Aside from her, the service here is terrible, the management seemingly nonexistent. Today it was the extremely rude hostess who prompts me to write. Not the first rude/incompetent hostess I have encountered there, unfortunately. Julius Meinl, get it together on service. The cute silver trays and tiny glasses of water charm your new customers, it's true. But don't you want your neighborhood regulars to support your business regularly? You can do better. Please try.

Matthew C.

Food = Great Love the Madame Croque sandwich. Reminds me of my grandma. Tea and Coffee selection are out of this world, though the take home tea is nothing special. Take home coffee is a must for a treat. Grosser Blauner.. yummm. Great place to chill, read, study, people watch, and relax. Outside porch during summer is fantastic. Minor complaint, WiFi isn't cheap. Other than that, can't wait to return soon.

Casia J.

Decor: Great Saying the names of the items: Feels fancy. Who needs a mental getaway via Travel & Leisure when you can stroll into JM? Service: Can be terrible. Slow, jaded, not interested in answering questions. Coffee: Very good, but in my opinion it's not quite as good as Intelligentsia, Metropolis, or the Bristot I brew m'self.

Kate S.

Julius Meinl is a really nice place to go for a pot of tea (great selection), a light meal, and an out of this world pastry. Sandwiches and salads are pretty good, and rarely too filling, so that I always am able to get an opera torte to finish the meal. If you're getting something to go, consider the croissant. It's probably the best croissant I've had in the U.S. The service, though nice, is extremely slow. It takes nearly forty minutes to get a sandwich. Definitely not the place to go if you're in a hurry.

Tom R.

Admittedly, I didn't have any of the coffee or baked goods, but, I can say that the baked egg dish I had was incredibly bland. I did, however, get a fresh glass of juice that was actually exceptionally good.

Chitown D.

Word of advise: do not go on the weekend. The receptionist told us the wait was about 15 minutes and we weren't seated for over half an hour. I wish they were just honest about the length of time - it's would be a lot less annoying. It took another 20 minutes for a coffee drink and a bottle of San Pellegrino. I ordered the Austrian Goulash, which was tasty, and my husband ordered the Meinl Baked Eggs with Rosti potato pancake, caramelized onions, aged Parmesan, and truffle oil, which was completely bland. The restaurant was super loud, the table was way too small for two people, and the seats were super uncomfortable. The server was a solid C-. The best part was the blueberry compote, which was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, it was not one of the things they sold to take home.

Alex F.

I am a big fan of Julius Meinl. I don't get here often, but I usually end up stopping for a shot of espresso and a biscotti every time I pass it. I guess the best way to put it is that it has the feel of an upscale Starbucks. It has that standardized chain coffeehouse feel to it, but there is live jazz, they serve interesting cafe food, and the espresso machines are fancier. Check it out if you're in the area and need a pick-me-up.

Char Y.

We ordered coffee & hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was TOO sweet, but the desserts were very good.

Morgan W.

The best coffee I have ever had!!! I make the coffee at home, I come in here several times a week, the people who work here are SO nice and helpful, I love coming here. Plus...having three kids, especially two toddlers, I get VERY little sleep, this coffee saves my life :)))

Amanda Z.

Wow, so this is how grown-ups drink their coffee? Real cups with saucers, real fresh cream in a little pitcher...a glass of cold water to quench your thirst. This place is more than just a "grab your coffee" and go. It's an experience. This is what it means when someone says "Wanna grab coffee?" I have to tell you, if I didn't have to work, I'd come here, and drink cup after cup all day long and feel grown-up (and extremely caffeinated!)

KM I.

The feeling of Europe in the States? Yes please! Stopped in with one of my charges on a Wednesday afternoon and found the shop to be quite busy.....it is nothing to be compared to Starbucks which is very run of the mill out here.....it has a bit of a fancier vibe to it while still being very affordable. Me and the little one had the carrot-lemon-orange spritz, yum, and a mango smoothie, which she was delighted by. I would gladly return and order a treat or two as well as they looked perfect and delicious.

Alexis B.

The majority of my visits here have been for a quick cup of coffee and blueberry scone. The counter service is always prompt and would leave me plenty of time to enjoy my breakfast while waiting for my bus to work. I'd never stuck around long enough to realize that they served food here here until much after I'd made this my routine breakfast stop. Due to this I was slightly thrown off when it was the suggested venue of a first date, but being an agreeable person, I consented to the location. When I arrived, I found the room dimly lit with a quiet sophisticate in the air that seemed about right for the situation. The Viennese theme came across a little more clearly than it had in my day visits. My date had already eaten (where do I find these guys) and so I made my way to the counter to order a pastry and a cup of coffee (I hadn't eaten, but I'm a girl and I didn't want to woof down a meal as he sipped water) only to discover there was table service. I enjoyed an deliciously light (yet rich) apple turnover and a cup of coffee. I've always found their coffee to be so so, and their pastries to be phenomenal. Our waitress was very sweet despite the fact that between two people, there were only only two cups of coffee and a pastry on the bill. She recognized that we were there for conversation more than the food items and quickly gave us our bill to pay at our leisure. I imagine they must get this often as they are a coffeehouse first and a restaurant second. At no point did we feel rushed and because our bill was so small we tipped her 100% for taking up her table for so long. I haven't tried their food, but based on atmosphere alone, I wouldn't rule out Julius Meinl as a nice casual date spot at night in addition to a great morning coffee stop. Just be sure that you and your date are on the same page on whether or not a meal is being consumed!

Brooke E.

The décor felt very hotel-lobby-continental-breakfast to me, but the service and coffee selection was sophisticated. Our waiter had excellent recommendations and was happy to spend three minutes explaining the origin and significance of the Meinl logo (I asked about the hat). It seems to be an upscale coffee shop with a legitimate selection of Viennese specialties. Order the mélange. This Meinl specialty delivered.

Tammy S.

Not a fan of their coffee here, but their teas, desserts, and apple cider are delightful! Esterhazy (layered hazelnut), Mozart, Opera cakes are amazing! No one else seems to talk about it, but their Vanilla Earl Grey Latte is a MUST-TRY. You will love it cold or hot.

amy w.

A group of us (five total) went here for a post-dinner dessert and coffee on a Saturday night. It was pretty late, and I was surprised to find it packed and loud. And it wasn't because of the live music (a cellist and a violinist). There were families with hyper kids (it's 10PM, shouldn't they be in bed??). I've been here for brunch during the week and weekend, and it's the same. Anyways, back to the food. I got a small melange (from the menu description, it is basically a wet capuccino with dark cocoa sprinkled on top) with the esterhazy. The esterhazy was a small rectangle shaped piece of cake the size of a deck of cards with dacquoise (a nut meringue in this case hazelnuts) layered with hazelnut cream and chocolate ganache. If you like French macaroons or meringue cookies, you'd like this cake. It's kinda hard to eat with just a fork, because the layers are very crunchy. I felt torn. For the same $6, I could've had a slice twice the size at Taste of Heaven. At the same time, the cake was good and it had premium ingredients and damnit it's European so it's automatically more pricey. The drink was delicious that night, but I find the espresso drinks are a hit or a miss. It's more of a bakery/food place than a cafe, as everyone is not skilled with the espresso machine. Yes, everyone would love this place to be a real European cafe or at least an arty one that's quiet and you can brood over your espresso. But we're in Chicago, and if you can come to grips with it not being all of the above, you'll enjoy this place.

kelly c.

I'm a pretty harsh critic on coffee and espresso. As for those - it's *okay* and decently priced. I have trouble getting something that's not on the menu, like a true macchiato, but that's to be expected. And my boyfriend ordered a hot chocolate once - it was worse than a fucked up swissmiss, watery and tasteless. This place is very awkward to try and walk in to just get a coffee. It's really meant to sit around and eat overpriced desserts and sandwiches. I don't think their food is that fantastic for the cost. The atmosphere is elegant, somewhat comfortable, but with a slight pretension in the air. I go here again and again, not because I like it, but for it's convenient location.

Natalie F.

I really loved this place an as someone who has actually spent and studied abroad for years, I really enjoyed it. Mulan was our guide the other day, I hope that was her name, we searched the receipt for her name. We sat outside almost wondering did we make a mistake in the chill but when our tasty cherry apple cider was delivered we stayed put! so good.........I had the ghoulash with the homemade spaetzle. Perfetto! the mushroom soup was fantastic. My friend Rob had a wonderful crepe, asparagus and something with the same soup. Service thanks to Mulan rocked, and she wasnt afraid to give her opinion either. Good food.

Sarah H.

Do be prepared to pay a bit more than you may expect for a pastry, salad, or small coffee drink, but I still say it's well worth it. Their coffee and food are amazing, they have very friendly wait staff, and the environment is great for professional meetings, casual conversation, book clubs or the like, and generally killing time and relaxing with a cup of coffee. I really enjoy going here and feel spoiled that it's right down the street from me!

Erin G.

I really like Julius Meinl's menu and food, generally, (see my review before the update) but I decided I can't come here anymore. On separate occasions we've ordered the baked eggs and they've been wayyy overcooked and dry and hard. But the reason I'm not coming anymore is the service. It is painfully slow and inattentive, it's just awful. It's not the waiters' faults--they are perpetually and badly understaffed and don't seem to be run by anyone who knows what the hell they're doing. It would be forgivable if this was a one-time thing, but we've been back probably about 6 times (we really wanted the food to make up for the service) and every time it's the same, and just not worth it. One time they forgot my toast and I had eaten my whole breakfast before they got it out to me. Toast! Maybe I'll try a different location, but definitely won't go to this one again since it's some of the worst service I've ever had.

Nick P.

What a great euro-bistro. Based on Austrian food, Julius Meinl has amazing pastries and european-style coffee. Couple that with live music, and you have yourself a great place to dine. Along with great coffee, the drink prices are reasonable. Each drink is served on a silver platter along with a small cookie, sugar if necessary and a small glass of water (no ice - European style, of course!) Regarding the food prices, I would agree with some of the other yelpers that their food prices do seem a bit inflated. You are looking at the $8-$10 range for a sandwich here. I definitely like the fact that this is one of the few coffee shops in Chicago that is open very late - usually until midnight, which makes it a great place to work late or make a quick stop for a dessert.

Andrea W.

While waiting for a table at a popular restaurant less than a block away, we wandered in to Julius Meinl with NO wait. And having never eaten here before, we decided to try something new. And am I glad we did. The server was helpful, and somewhat embarassed when they were out of the sandwich my friend ordered for lunch. So we opted for the Croque Madam, a wonderful egg/ham/cheese sandwich served on brioche (challah bread). I thought the lunch items were reasonable, but the pastries were a bit overpriced for a neighborthood coffeehouse. I would give it 5 stars if they had a bit more help... greeting and serving

Julia W.

A friend and I stumbled in here one afternoon after shopping on southport and loved it! It's become our place when we feel in the mood to splurge a bit. The food is never disappointing, especially the pastries. I'm not a coffee drinker, but they have a wide tea selection. I wouldn't suggest going here on the weekends, unless you want to wait forever. Points off for inconsistent service. Sometimes I'll go and the server will be really fast and attentive, but other times it takes forever! I guess it just depends on who you get.

Lucas P.

This Place has great coffee and great food, served in a very European way, with a metal platter and a glass of water. The Food menu rotates on a daily basis as does the coffee selection. When eating here, you truly feel as if you were in a little Austrian Coffee Shop enjoy great company and great food and drink.

Susan J.

Good coffee!

Christine J.

Great all around European style coffee cafe. When I went to Austria, I realized how authentic Julius Meinl was. Like they serve all their coffees on a silver platter with a glass of water and a biscuit. I like the variety of espresso drinks. There's creativity and innovation. One of my favorites was the hot chocolate rooibos tea that they had for a limited time. The food is pretty good too. The baked eggs are really tasty and worth the wait. I also really like the croque sandwich with truffle oil. It's got cheese baked on the outside of the bread, really rich. Their croissants are some of the best in town. The dessert are great too. They have glass cases where you can pick from, or some specialty ones on the menu that they make in the back. Some of them look pretty sophisticated. The chocolate ones tend to be dark chocolate and rich. I love that they're open early and open late. On the weekends they have live music, and it's so relaxing to sit back and chill for a few hours.

Diana N.

Great feel and presentation. Great cafe for any occasion. Much more an european flair. Even food is great. I had a lunch crepe. Great loose leaf teas!

Joe T.

Ach! mein coffee ist sehr expensive! Oh but the desserts sind so goot! Herr Meinl, du bist the greatest Austrian export since Arnold Schwartzeneggar. Ja! (Deine A/C needs repair, danke!)

Nas T.

I don't know if there was a change in management recently or what, but two major things have changed fairly recently. 1. The entire kitchen is closed after 11. You used to be able to get crepes and other heated items - but not main entrees - right up until closing. 2. They hustle everyone out as soon as it gets close to midnight. This was a startling change from previous visits, where upon leaving at midnight the entire place was still full of people lounging about with no apparent intent to leave. I'm not one of those bastard customers that hangs around oblivious to closing time, but the outright "we're closing soon" attitude of the staff starting around 11:30 was a major change over previous visits.

Carolynne M.

Rough location if you are driving. Trying to park here is as easy as herding cats. Coffee and tea selections are WONDERFUL. The hot chocolate though, is like a super watery Swiss Miss sugar bomb. Skip it. Menu selections look wonderful, and the one item I did try (the broccoli-cheddar quiche) was light, fluffy and delicious. I love the little touches too, like how they bring your drink out on a silver tray and give you a little cinnamon cookie with it. Decor is cute as a button, but it is ALWAYS packed and usually with the mommy & me set. Nice to sit outside in the warm months, otherwise the interior can get quite loud. You have been warned.

Jessica M.

I am a fan of Julius Meinl because of their wonderful coffees and teas and desserts that you cannot typically find anywhere else. I am not a fan, however, of the service here. Every server that we have had has really sucked. It's like their heads are in the clouds all the time. We have had to wait way too long for our orders to be taken and to receive our bill. This is just really a bummer because the coffees and foods are quite good. There aren't too many places that serve a European style coffee and cake. I love how you can come here at 2:00 for a coffee and a cake. Their coffee and cappuccinos are fabulous. Their "Evening Blend" tea rocks, too. It has a touch of lavender in it, which I love. I loved it so much that I took home a one oz. bag of it. And the kicker is, it only cost $1.50. The pear and brie sandwich is sooooo good! And I love how everything comes with a nice, fresh little salad. The spatzle and cheese is pretty damn good, but, it's pretty damn good because it's full of bacon and greasy cheesiness. Soups are also good. They tend to run out of desserts later in the evening (we typically go there on a week night at about 7:00). I've eyeballed something in the display case only to see it disappear when I'm ready to order dessert. So if you see it, maybe order it right away. So far my favorite dessert is the Mozart - chocolate mousse, toasted pistachio creamy center, covered in chocolate ganache and more pistachios. Worth trying and I will go back, but the service can be slow.

r. n. m.

An austrian recommended this place to me. the teas are amazing. seriously, if i lived in lakeview, i would go here at leeeast every other day. the food is marvellous and what really stuck out for me was presentation. feels like you're in vienna. i think this is the only place in the states where i've found 'soft boiled eggs' on the menu. one bad thing: moms and babies. don't get me wrong, moms are cool. i love my mom. but when you're dealing with a sassy child -- it ruins the environment.

Dawn L.

Can I find anything bad to say about Julius Meinl? They have classical musicians playing on a weekly basis (many of them play with the training orchestra for the Chicago Symphony), great espresso drinks, a comfortable, European atmosphere, and a friendly staff. And the little cinnamon cookies they serve with every espresso drink are amazing. I'm rarely willing to eat cookies that aren't doused in large quantities of good chocolate, but these are exceptional. And addictive. (Hint: if you ask, you can actually buy a few to take home.) The food is served in small quantities, so this might not be the best place for you if you have a large appetite--the menu isn't terribly expensive, but it's not cheap either. However, it is high quality, and the desserts are good as well. Again, think European--it's Americans that have a tendency to super-size their food portions. Someone said that the cafe was better for takeout than anything else, and I disagree. I love sitting here, especially if there are musicians playing (Friday and Saturday nights)--the atmosphere is warm and inviting.

Michelle L.

After living in the neighborhood for a year, I finally checked out this place on a recent Saturday morning. I expected a Starbucks, Argo Tea, kind of place but was surprised to learn there were waited tables. We sat in a cozy table by the windows. It was a bit earlier in the morning and the place was full of families and couples enjoying the Saturday paper. I agree with Stacey P. that the wait staff is just miserable! We sat for 5 minutes before anyone ever game by. I took it upon myself to get menus and the waitress was snotty from the start. The menu offers a variety of items from full breakfast dishes to light pastries and smoothies. I wanted something light-er and order the croissant with cheese and ham. It was tasty, flaky and just the right amount of food for a light b-fast. The coffee was fresh but a little bitter for my tastes. My husband ordered a breakfast smoothy. It was a bit sweet and we could have probably made it better at home. I was intrigued by the tea menu and may check out the take-out counter next time.

Ryan G.

Okay, so I agree with everyone that this place rocks. It is very authentic and we had a great time being there. That said...for the sake of your travel companions - do not go here right before a flight. Baked eggs can cause a riot on a long plane ride. Seriously though the coffee was spectacular (I was slightly cross-eyed for a while after from the caffeine boost), the atmosphere great, and the food amazing. I will honestly go to one of these (there are multiple locations) every time I visit the festering armpit that is Chicago. Disclaimer: currently despise Chicago because they ran out of funding to plow snow from streets so I had to tread through a mine field of ice, snow, slush, freezing puddles, and soft dog poo to get to Julius Meinl.

J. T.

It's not quite like sitting in a cafe overlooking Mozart Square in Salzburg, but it's close enough and damned cheaper than an impromptu flight. Wait on a weekday at 1:00 was about 20 minutes. Must be a clue. Little tables, close together, fresh flowers on a few. Server efficient, but not exactly smiling. Noise level acceptable. All ages enjoying life here, couples, day-out moms with babies, single diners... Had the roast beef on pretzel bread -- sigh of delight. Salad greens' dressing just a little sour for my taste. Excellent, strong strawberry-mango smoothie. The Darling had black forest ham on marbled rye - very tasty, although slimmer than expected. Beef broth with Austrian noodles also good ('tho no idea of what makes an Austrian noodle Austrian). Very decent hot chocolate with mint - and crunched peppermint on top, too cute. Pricing okay on the food, too high on the drinks. BUT when comparing the drink prices to, say, Starbucks, they're normal. I just can't help wondering about all the net gain... We dawdled a little afterward; noticed that no one was rushed to leave. Many stayed a bit, reading the paper, studying, texting... Will be back as the menu is lengthy, with an exhaustive listing of coffees and teas to try! Also, besides plenty of seating inside, the outside (covered) seating is just fine when not too windy. Sidebar: Would have given 4.5 stars, but for the number of humongo-jumbo baby prams -- blocking the entrance, blocking the waiting area, and blocking much of the aisle spaces (not to mention rolling over my Darling's foot as we waited, squished into a corner). Whatever happened to those cool little umbrella strollers that folded up with the push of a button and hung over the back of the chair? Oh, yeah, I forgot; that wouldn't be cool and it might be too considerate of others...

Jeremy T.

Sad to say, a VERY DISAPPOINTING experience at Meinl. Once one of the tastiest breakfast spots, the coffee is now bitter, the eggs taste bland, and the best things are gone from the menu. The only thing that remained enjoyable was the wafers, which we bought a bunch of so we don't need to return.

Blah B.

If you add turkey + cranberries + cheese + apples + toasted pumpkin seeds with some fresh spinach and greens. What do you get?? The perfect thanksgiving dinner turned into a healthy salad...the Harvest salad! Also for a nice twist to your typical pumpkin pie order the pumpkin crepes which are soooo sinfully good and you can not leave without trying one of there many delicious coffee's!! Julius Meinl is a small piece of refine European dining in the heart of Wrigley Ville!!

T M.

Julius Meinl is nice, it really is. The coffee is great, the pastry selection is extensive and butter-filled. The food is very, um... Austro-German? As others have noted, the presentation of the coffee could not be executed any better than it is, although it would be kind of cool if the staff spoke nothing but Viennese German, to confound everyone. Unfortunately, there is none righteous under the law, no, not one, and so, this place does have the tendency to make you feel as though you should be ordering food, and not just hanging out and discussing Wittgenstein or Neurath. Finally, this place is sometimes filled with a lot of children. Considering the abundance of poor parenting in the world, take this into account as you plan your trip.

Naum N.

Wonderful coffee with the protocol and flair that befits an institution from the past. The coffee was strong, served in a french press and the service was attentive. Overall, the experience did not disappoint on a cold February evening and made the out of the way visit memorable. Looking for something similar though on a more southern latitude.

A. A.

If you're looking for a good, true cappuccino, turn around and find somewhere else. The only thing that salvages this place is the food. Nasty dry, airy dishwater foam piled like a little mountain. Gross. So hot I couldn't taste anything but burnt milk. And the espresso base might as well have been stale drip coffee. This is not what a cappuccino should be. It's places like this that make people think this garbage is what caps and lattes should taste like. Might as well go to the evil empire (the place with green aprons) down the street for one of their awfull drinks.

Tiff B.

I love Julius Meinl for a few reasons. First, they open hella early. Which means you can get both an excellent cup of coffee and a yummy breakfast of real food (read: not some mass produced, crappy tasting scone or strange breakfast sandwich offered at other place open before 7 a.m.). I've always had great service here and love love love the European breakfast offerings and pastries. Everything tastes fresh and they serve you on real plates! Yes, I said real plates and these nifty little holders for the soft boiled eggs. Very classy, my friends. So, go for the coffee and food.

Tory w.

One of the few places I've found in the Chi that makes me feel as though I were in Europe. Although, during the lunch rush they remind you that you are NOT, in fact, in Europe, because they ask you to kindly not linger at your table so that others can sit and eat. In Europe you'd be able to sit for 12 hours without so much as a sidelong glance to make you feel rushed. Everything at Meinl's is wonderful. I love the dark wood decor and comfy couches. I love the teeny, ice-less glasses of water that you get with your coffee - so Euro. Yes, you can steep your own pot of Earl Gray at home for a lot less than the $4 they charge, but would you have that same ambiance??? I think not. Their food is amazing. The chicken salad, croque monsieur, spaetzle and cheese, soups, salads, crepes, any and all coffee drinks...and ohhhhhh the pastries....I do believe I would marry the Esterhazy if only human-baked goods marriages were allowed.... You've got to try it.

Lyndsay G.

I don't really know why everyone is so obsessed with this place. A friend and I went for "linner" around 4PM on a Sunday. The decor is cute, and I really think they recruit foreign Chicago-ians because at least 3 people have strong European accents. Just something I noticed. We sit outside, and I was quite underwhelmed. The waiter was terrible, and took about 15 minutes to help us for just water. My friend got a salad, which had brioche bread for the croutons-delicious, and I had a roasted chicken sandwich. Again, underwhelmed, but *shrug*, alright. The waiter took 20 minutes for the order to come out. I'm really not trying to hang out for hours on end at Julius Meinl, sorry. Overall, probably not going back anytime soon. Holler back Julius.

Julia W.

Linzertorte latte, how I love thee! I treated myself to a Monday off this week and thought I'd start the day with a little Julius Meinl. I am always somewhat weirded out by the whole table service thing--I know that that's sort of the whole point (well, in addition to some scrumptious European pastries and delicious beverages)--maybe it's just the habit of getting my coffee with all the other lemmings in line... Anyway, once I get my head wrapped around the table service, I always enjoy myself. The linzertorte latte is my favorite, with its luscious mix of hazelnut and raspberry flavors. I caved and got a chocolate-filled croissant on my last visit, which was good, but didn't totally rock my world. I wouldn't let that stop me from sampling any of their other delicious looking pastries or trying some of their quiche (or, shoot, even their oatmeal!)... Service was friendly and relaxed, although maybe what bugs me about the whole table service business is I can't just get up and leave when I feel like it. I have to wait for someone to bring me a check and then bring me change, if needed... Not a huge problem and probably a good lesson in patience for me, but still. Oh well. A few extra seconds seated in a comfortable setting are but a small price to pay for the linzertorte latte.

Aimee C.

Absolutely a wonderful spot to have brunch on Sundays. Each time I arrive I am greeted with an open table. Now, you would wonder, if there are so many open tables, it must not be as great as everyone is talking about... Au contraire mon frere... It's as if I have what one would call a "Parking God" at Julius Meinl. I walk in, my table is ready and next thing you know, every seat in the restaurant is filled. The waitstaff is friendly and the food absolutely delicious. I love that they are so particular in their service. A lovely way to spend the morning... see you there..

Kelly A.

Went here with a crowd for an early birthday dinner for a friend. While everyone had raved about the place, I was underwhelmed. To start it all off, after spending way too much time wandering in the sun due to CTA problems (...grumble.), we walked into Julius Meinl to be greated by... stuffy, hot, stale air. No circulation at all. Coolness was nowhere to be found. Okay, whatever, they brought out water for us very quickly and we joined the rest of our group already there. If that had been the only problem, I would have no problem. Unfortunately, it was not. First, the flies and ants. There is nothing more disgusting to a dining experience than bugs landing on you. When waiting in line for the bathroom, I counted no less than 8 different flies chilling in a hot, sunny patch. And they weren't just run of the mill lazy and annoying flies. THEY BIT. Specifically, my boyfriend's feet. Over and over. Ew. Second, the service. While the waiter clearly had a crowd to deal with and dealt with it well for the most part, the snooty attitude was hard to ignore. When asked if it was possible to get something like a chocolate shake, the look on the waiter's face said 'How pedestrian.' A similar haughty air was evident when someone asked for the 'grilled chicken sandwich' and was met with "We don't have that... oh you must mean the ROASTED chicken sandwich." Definitely a blah experience. I'll spend my money at some other overpriced (air conditioned) place.

Sheila Y.

Love me the JM!!! This was like being back in Munich or Stuttgart. I ordered a French Press of the roast of the day and the Cheese Strudel. HEAVEN!!! The strudel is the best I have had stateside in a long time and my coffee for under $4 couldn't be beat. The only downside was the Euro. room temp water. I had to beg for some ice, since I just have to have mine cold. Otherwise, great place to go for idle gossip with your girlfriends on a weekend afternoon.

Lou L.

I absolutely LOVE this place. What's not to like? Indoor/outdoor seating. The cutest coffee presentation I've ever seen. Great music. Wonderful wait staff. Not to mention the food is fantastic. The atmosphere is charming. Definitely a place you could bring your laptop and study, or go for a date. The prix fixe is worth it. Also, make sure you get dessert!

Christine M.

This is quite possibly the best cup of coffee I've had in Chicago. I would definitely recommend the Melange, a great coffee drink. The foam on top of there was perfect....like a mini cloud covered in chocolate floating in my espresso. Heavenly. Although I didn't get to try any food, when I saw on the plates of others seemed really delicious. Super exciting to see Kaesespaetzle on the menu and looking forward to trying that. Decor is calm and inviting, and really truly reminded me of a cafe in Europe set on a square, pigeons and all that fluttering by while I convince myself I'm an international woman.

Kim B.

I love going to Julius Meinl anytime of the day that I need my European Coffeehouse "fix." This is such a unique treat in the heart of Southport and I am spoiled living just a few blocks away. As the other reviews noted, they do serve you at your table. So do not go in preparing to order and wait at the barista stand (a la Starbucks). They have amazing Austrian pastries and the crepes never disappoint. There is exceptional people watching if you are lucky enough to snag a street-side table. I have never tried their lunch or dinner dishes, but they always look tasty. This is a great place for a date, to meet with your girlfriends, or to bring your laptop/book and enjoy a great cup of coffee/tea. Overall - Very reasonably priced, "to die for" chai lattes, and decadent deserts.

Nick F.

In my efforts to give back after how much yelp has helped me find great food I'm gonna really work on posting more reviews. I'll keep this short and sweet: Crepes or their baked eggs are delicious, I highly recommend either. Their sandwiches/salads can be hit or miss. The atmosphere is nice, but I recommend going on a week day or be warned you may have a decent wait mid-day on weekends. Good coffee, good teas, and a different style (European) from the more standard American buncheries.

Grace L.

Julius Meinl is an adequate substitute for Teaism - a wonderfully irreplaceable teahouse that I used to frequent when I lived in DC. While the fare at Julius Meinl seems mainly Austrian/German-inspired (as opposed to Japanese/Indian at Teaism), the selection of loose-leaf teas and uniquely delectable small plates is quite comparable to that of my former beloved teahouse. Julius Meinl also has a European full-service cafe feel to it and can get pretty crowded, so I wouldn't choose it as the most ideal place to attempt to sit down with a pile of work and a laptop computer, but it IS a most excellent place to meet with friends for really great coffee/tea and light snacks. The place has a sociable atmosphere and is open relatively late. The cupcakes are amazing and come in flavors such as lemon lavendar. The small plates include finger sandwiches and savory crepes as well as really rich dessert items.

Ying X.

Fresh premium coffee, GREAT desserts, and TO-DIE-FOR cookies! I've never had a meal there, but from what I've heard, the goulash is amazing! and it doesn't have the wait that Southport Grocery Cafe has... hahaha

Jen G.

I love Julius. Even when it's a busy Sunday and I have to wait 10 minutes to order--as was the case yesterday--I don't mind. The presentation is so precise and the food/coffee/extras so memorable that I will put up with most anything to eat here. I don't think I need to fill in what the "most anything" is either--given that this corner of Chicago is kinda yuppie central. No matter, thanks for being there for me, JM.

Stephen B.

Its a great place to go to but there's just one problem: I used to love their raspberry crepes, they had jam that was sent strait from Austria, but when i came back one time, it was homemade. Even though most homemade things are DELICIOUS, this jam tasted bad. I don't know how to describe it. But other wise, i love their pastries, hot chocolate and atmosphere, it is one of my favorite places to have breakfast!!!

Becky B.

Delicious, delicious, delicious. Start off with some rooibos tea, order some austrian mac and cheese spatzle and save room for a Viennese espresso or piece of Opera cake. My only gripe is that it's a little more expensive than it likely needs to be when it comes to the baked goods; the Austrian bakery on Clark is a little more reasonable. However, sitting and reading a book while eating some Julius Meinl pastry just makes me happy, so it's worth it.

Blair B.

Loved this place! Seems very out of place for Wrigleyville, but I enjoyed the change of pace from all the pizza/pubs that you find in this area. So I'll preface this by saying I LOVE sampler platters. Especially sandwich type platters (think minnies, etc). However, this is the best mini platter of this kind I've had in Chicago. I had the finger sandwich sampler.. so much better than I even expected. It had a smoked salmon/cream cheese sandwich, a tomato/basil/mozzerella, a creamed duck, and a pear/brie. They were all excellent and I would definitely order this again. The high quality ingredients justified the $8.50 price tag. I finished the meal with a shared dessert (of course it was amazing), and some of the best coffee I've had in Chicago. Very yummy. I will finish this by saying keep in mind this is a VERY Euro place. Think "fussy" food, that sort of thing. I found it odd when I asked for a glass of water and they served me a room temperature glass with no ICE.. but hey, when you eat here you are in Europe, not Chicago, so you have to accept their European quirks and move on.

Jennie H.

A little slice of Europe. Who knew you could feel this way at a neighborhood coffee joint? Ever since having my soft boiled egg, I'm obsessed with finding the perfect egg cups so that I can replicate this breakfast at home. Service is friendly and somewhat slow. But, on a weekend morning I don't usually care as long as I'm fed and caffeinated. I'm planning to go back this weekend!

Meg O.

Julius Meinl is adorable and serves a darn good cup of coffee. You definitely want to drop into this little piece of Europe on Southport to treat yourself and escape from the sordid. Just don't stay too long. I think I have been here for every occasion: breakfasts at 6:15 that are the closest I've come to satisfying my craving for Parisian petit dejeuners; weekend brunches celebrating egg cups and terrific baked egg dishes; lunches of tasty soups and savory sandwiches on pretzel rolls; dinners of buttered spaetzle; coffee and cake on May afternoons; post-dinner strolls down Southport that lead to cake...and I adore every meal, every sip, really, I do! I just wish that it all didn't have to end so quickly. I'm a lingerer to a fault, and I think that the Viennese would be with me here on this. And really, couldn't they spare free refills on coffee? I don't need a repeat of the silver tray and cookie, just more java please!

David W.

This is our go-to breakfast/lunch place if plans weren't made during the busy weekend Lakeview brunch time. Decent coffee and just about anything nonalcoholic you may want to drink in the morning. From Melange to fruit smoothies. I normally stick with the Melange and my wife will always get the Earl Grey Vanilla Latte. I'm talking a large for breakfast, and then she would order one to go. Baked eggs is a must here, I also like the oatmeal or their Austrian Breakfast. The Oatmeal comes with a plate of the usual condiments, golden raisins, maple syrup, brown sugar, cream. The Austrian Breakfast is a soft boil egg, and a croissant of ham and cheese. If you don't make it there til after 11am, the lunch menu is also available to you. Get the soup and sandwich special or the finger sandwich sampler. The Frittaten is a light beef broth with what I think are pieces of cut up crepes in it. It's very light, but good. And if you are lucky, they might have the goulash as soup of day. Get that instead, it has a very light kick to it but very flavorful. On your way out, grab a couple of pastries to go, my car is full of powder sugar from my wife digging into the pastry bag before getting home.....

Oscar the Death Cat B.

Julius Meinl serves delicious coffee & pastries, if you are dining in they have wait service, which is OK though I prefer self-service coffee houses. Though I like this place, I still prefer nearby Cafe Avanti to satisfy my needs for plain old coffee.

Patrick W.

When I got coffee to go from here, I would have given this five stars. They have a terrific cafe au lait that keeps me coming back again and again. My problem is how s....l........o.............w................ it is to dine in here on the weekends. It's not like I'm impatient or unreasonable given that they're busy- it just takes a hell of a long time to get your food. We've eaten here a few times, and the food is spectacular- my new favorite is the kaiserschmarren (gesundheit!). But the food is just so dadgum (nod to Hawk Harrelson) slow to arrive. I try to nurse my cafe au lait so I can enjoy the food and the coffee together, but it's virtually impossible. I wind up ordering another au lait (refills are full price on cafe au lait) but by then I'm bombed by the richness of of the cream AND the caffeine of the coffee, so two is just too much. I don't know, I guess I'll have to figure something out- the food is certainly worth the wait. Until I do, I'm anxious to try their lunches and dinners some time.

Ellen P.

As someone who enjoys a good cuppa Joe, and is tired to death of the new (and old -- ahem) coffee house chains popping up left and right (promising to be the "new best coffee thing"), I was very happy to discover Julius Meinl. JM is imported from Vienna, and currently has one cafe location in the states - in Chicago. That compliment alone makes them worth trying. I am not into coffee drinks (well, except for a shot of whiskey maybe), so ordered coffee, black, which was outstanding. Strong, smooth, not bitter. My friend had a pot of Green Tea, which is definitely on my list for next time. For breakfast we both had the most delicious quiche, garnished with fresh fruit (banana slices, along with orange, granny smith apple and pear slices, which were a pleasant surprise). Also, a butter croissant with JM signature jam was fabulous. Did not try the pastries, but will return. Loved the atmosphere, and the classical music playing was perfect background music for conversation. Waitstaff is friendly, and not at all pretentious. I'm torn, here, because while I would love to see more of these in the city, I'd hate for them to become, well you know... Highly recommended.

Jen L.

Live music and nice decor make up for the pricey desserts and sluggish service.

Tina T.

Stopped here on an early Friday afternoon for coffee and food, and was not disappointed. A Euro style coffeehouse, their coffee is delicious and served on a proper tray with a biscuit and water. Very extensive menu of sandwiches and such, also they had a number of European specialties - we shared a charcuterie platter and a finger sandwich platter. Funny thing about the Europeans: even though some of the food was incredibly rich and not the healthiest for you, the portions sizes were just right, so we had room for dessert and did not leave the place full at all; unlike our gargantuan American portions of everything. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the eclectic mix of people; many students on their laptops sitting side by side with the moms with the cadillac strollers. I would like to come back to enjoy the live music; they feature violinists and such on the weekends. My only real complaint: service can be incredibly slow; I guess us Americans want everything now!

Kieran C.

The food was good and the portions were just right. This place takes a unique spin on some classic dishes. I would definitely go back.

Sydney K.

This Viennese coffeehouse has some great coffee, tea and desserts. They also offer savory foods such as sandwiches and breakfast entrees. Juilus Menil is a great place to linger over your cup of coffee while people watching.

Mark P.

Great Euro-style cafe. Strong java. Tasty Austrian pastries.

Kathleen M.

Love this place. Great coffees and teas and amazing food. Their service is great and they are attentive to customers, even when it's busy. I would recommend Juilis Meinl over Starbucks ANYDAY!

Made N.

I checked out this place with a couple of friends yesterday afternoon. the place is lovely, the ambiance really nice. we sat outside on the sidewalk, which was a nice option, weather permitting. we were served relatively quickly and the waitress was patient (though not too friendly) with our questions and indecisiveness. i had a fancy coffee drink and all our drinks were served on cute little silver platters including a cookie, a glass of water, sugar, and a spoon, which was a very nice touch, i think (although don't hold your breath on water refills, you'll pass out before you get one). my drink was good, it was pretty. not terribly hot (a pet peeve of mine), but tasty. my friends had fancy drinks and pastries which they ate, but didn't rave about - said they were good. as a vegan, i didn't really have many options for food other than a fruit cup or mutilation some other dish by asking them to take off the cheese or something. i've heard the live music on the weekends is good - would be a good place to chill and listen to some music with a cup of tea or something, i think. non-vegans would be happy with their varied and interesting menu i think.

Lise P.

love just about everything here!

Tsung-Hui K.

Who cares if some of the staff are kind of dicks once in a while------this place is killer. Perfect place for a weekend dessert and some free music. Baked eggs are insanely good.

Pietro L.

What a great place! Even my grandparents love it. The selection of teas and coffee preparations are endless. The dessert choices are sumptuous and plentiful. The other food choices are limited, but well done. The kitchen has limited capability, so don't expect much with your special requests. Enjoy your trip to Vienna in Chicago!

Christina H.

I am a huge Chai tea fan, and the Julius Meinl has the best Chai tea latte I have ever had. They have great sandwiches, an extensive list of drinks, and their desserts are fantastic (try the white chocolate mousse with fruit filling). The ambiance is comfortable, so it's a great place to meet friends and stay for a while.

Jenny I.

It's a piece of Vienna in the heart of Chicago. Stupendous coffee, tasteful gifts of coffee and jams and tea for the caffeinated snobs in your life, and a lovely space (inside and out). I wanna stay here for hours, and I wish I could eat their bakery treats. They look like heaven. I dare say my favorite coffee spot in town.

Elisabeth A.

I went here recently for high tea with my parents. We got: tea, 4 different types of finger sandwiches (the best chicken salad sandwich ever, smoked salmon, ham and cheese, cucumber), 3 different types of amazing cake, the flakiest and most delicious scones imaginable, and 2 different types of cookies. It was truly lovely and the service was very nice and unpretentious. I docked one star because the tea was brewed too weak, but the food was all fantastic and plentiful. I highly recommend it and will definitely be back next time I have out-of-town guests.

Allison P.

I LOVED this place. I stopped here with my mom and grandmother for a late afternoon coffee, and it was just a lovely experience. The atmosphere was very reminiscent of a true European cafe, I really liked the decor, though we took advantage of the outdoor seating because it was a beautiful day. Each of the coffee drinks are brought to the table on an adorable silver platter, with a small glass of water and a little biscuit. I had the melange, which was something between a latte and a cappuccino, and it was delicious. Smooth coffee, good foam, and a dusting of cocoa to top it off. My grandmother had a cafe mocha which may have been the best I've ever tasted - a good chocolate taste without being too sweet, and without completely masking the taste of the coffee, either. After seeing the myriad desserts at the counter, we couldn't help ordering something sweet, so we chose a slice of opera cake to share. Yum. I will be back this Friday for breakfast!

neeters m.

On a good day this place is great, on a bad day a huge disappointment. They have a fabulous selection of coffee and tea drinks, as well as pastries and cakes, breakfast, lunch, and brunch items -- european style. I love the way they serve their drinks on little trays accompanied by a small cookie, tube of sugar, etc. In general their food is consistently good with the exception of a baked egg dish that takes a long time to cook and if they are in a rush you may get runny eggs. Their coffee varies from fabulous to terrible. It's amazing to me that a place that specializes in coffee can be so inconsistent. Their other major downfall in this department is that they don't offer any fair trade coffee and apparently have no interest in doing so. So much for being progressive. Usually the service is really good, but occasionally during Sunday brunch you will get totally abandoned by your server.

mary b.

it feels very clean, very studious, very smart. it's not what i'd call cozy because you can't fall into the chairs there. but it's classy. and it's got a great chicken sandwich (one of the best in the city). and i love that they serve all their coffee drinks with a glass of water and a little gingerbread cookie. yummy.

Sarah R.

I've come here three times now. The first time, I just came for coffee, which was really good. The second two times were for the food, which tasted great both times. I got baked eggs with mushrooms and such on top with multigrain toast. The baked eggs is a small dish - 2 baked eggs with stuff on top. I wish the eggs were runny, but the dish tasted incredible. Beneath the eggs, there was some kind of creamy egg white mixture. What it was, I couldn't tell you. But it tasted magical. The veggies on top were delicious and sautéed to perfection. The toast comes dry, thin, and a long piece. I put butter and fresh blueberry preserves (I think made in house) on top. LOVED everything about this dish. The service this time was slow. It was a busy, rainy day. My friend and I were hungry, so that stunk. But we didn't have anywhere we NEEDED to be, so that was ok. Our server was nice- he was a larger, Mexican man. Didn't catch his name. Nice man, but we were in the back and he rarely came around. I came here a few days ago, too. We sat right by the counter at a two top booth. We ordered everything at once. Our server was super kind. We had a man, maybe mid to late thirties, as our server. Our coffee came right to us - I ordered an iced coffee. He delivered a "cold brew," which I think was a separate, more expensive menu item. I was too tired to realize. Thirty minutes later, our food still was nowhere in sight. Our server kind of avoided eye contact. I know how that is as a fellow server - often times, it's not our fault. Sure, sometimes we forget to put the order in, so it is our fault. But sometimes things get backed up in the kitchen or tickets get lost. So I try to be understanding. after a bit, our server returned and said he would get me another cold brew and a coffee for my brother, both free of charge, since the food was taking so long to come out. Although hangry, we were extremely understanding. Things happen. It was nice that he acknowledged, apologized, and offered us more beverages. And let me tell you -- the food was well worth the wait!!! I got the Turkey Avocado with a simple side balsamic salad. WOULD GET AGAIN! The ingredients were so fresh. My brother got the baked eggs with avocado and such with multigrain bread. He raved about it. We were members of the Clean Plate Club. Although our time here was longer than planned, I would definitely come back - because the food was so good, and our server was kind. Originally was going to give 3/5 because of my second time here and the length of my time on my third time here, but the food is quality and our server was awesome.

Daniel S.

My usual go to place for coffee and desserts whenever i go to half acre brewery or music box theater, ive gotten the coffee and cappucino, which are both solid, as for desserts ive gotten the monkey bread, apple bread, carrot cake, choc chip cookie, sugar lemon cookie, key lime tart, lemon berry cheesecake, and this other german word thing lol id say my favorites were the key lime, the monkey bread and the cheesecake. I will most likely be going back many times in the future, mainly cuz its open late till 11, which is clutch, a bit pricey but good stuff overall

Brian S.

Its hard to knock this place as it offers quality coffee and is centrally located. The staff is average, the food is average and the charm of place is average. It seems to be caught between a crafty shop and corporate offering. Average at best on par with Starbucks, I prefer an owner operator offering in this category.

Damon A.

Boy this place has really gone DOWN HILL big time. I used to live nearby and I was in everyday for about two years. I haven't been in almost three. We decided to go in for breakfast today. I was shocked to find it was the only place on the street you could get into. Everywhere else was a significant wait. We got sat right away. We sat and we sat and we sat. I went up and got my own coffee and was almost not served because I was told to wait for our waiter. Needless to say I didn't wait. I paid for a to go coffee ( I'm fairly certain it was decaf, I didn't order that ). I went back to my table and waited with my coffee. I started to look around while we waited. The place was dirty. The seats we severely stained and they are all ripped on the seat. The menus were disgusting. There were at least 6-7 staff all behind the counter talking to each other. They never came to us. We got up and left. This is basic stuff people. CLEAN STUFF, FIX YOUR SEATS, GREET YOUR CUSTOMERS and ACT LIKE YOU CARE AT ALL! I'd like to point out that they were not that busy. Anyone at anytime (including the person that sat us) could have offered us coffee or water or even a hello would have been nice. It's a very sad state of affairs there. This is Chicago guys, you won't get many second chances. You used to be good. The important words here are USED TO. I wonder what the place that opens after they are gonna will be like.

Damaris C.

Julius Meinl takes you to Europe with their design and food. I really enjoyed my time here. It's a great median between a casual cafe and European charm. I ordered the quinoa salad which was interesting, but really good. I also tried a little of the harvest salad as well as the veggie sandwich. Both were delicious! I was a little upset that they discarded the combo option... As for dessert I tried their esterhazy. A little too sweat for me, but I am looking forward to try their banana tres leches in the spring. Great place to come read, study or hang out with friends.

Molli K.

I was hungry but prepared to wait, which I did. For 30 minutes. I guess they're not into hot food. Or maybe I didn't see the fine type that said 'salmon tartare'. But even with sushi you don't expect your fish to be served frozen, which mine was. Grossed me out and I completely lost my appetite. The waiter was very apologetic and didn't charge us for the meal, but I think I'll skip this place with so many others in the neighborhood.

Christina S.

I came here with a friend for coffee and pastries one morning. I ordered the cafe au lait, monkey bread, and croissant. The croissant was very flakey and buttery. Just the way it should be! I would skip the monkey bread next time. Nothing special. The service was very poor. My friend had to flag down the waiter several times for her order. It was coffee and a pastry. It shouldn't have taken so long that she told me to start eating first. If I come back, I will definitely order my things to go.

Linda S.

This is a favorite coffeehouse. Julius Meinl is a Viennese company with locations only in Chicago as far as North America is concerned. They serve coffee, espresso drinks and tea in true Viennese style - a small glass of room temperature water, a sweet biscuit (cookie of sorts), small spoon all on a tray. The pastry selection is excellent, varying with the season but many available all year long. Tried and true favorites of mine are the Mozart (dark chocolate mousse, pistachio mousse, chocolate cake, pistachio nougatine) or the Opera (meinl-espresso buttercream, almond cake, dark chocolate ganache). They have a full Viennese food menu with spätzle, crepes, sandwiches. Tea menu is also extensive. The atmosphere is welcoming with cushioned seats and different seating areas. Live music is often offered on the weekends, and is always good and very laid back. Great place for a date, a dessert or just hanging out with friends. I have never left unsatisfied, although the coffee is decent, it isn't on par with Intelligentsia (my personal favorite in the city). This place. however, is much more welcoming for lingering, dessert and conversation. Service is sometimes slow - but usually always friendly.

R B.

I live in the neighborhood and have been a regular ever since it opened over 10 years ago. What kept me coming back was the terrific service, innovative menu and great ambience. Now there are rude servers who don't care about customers, a menu with gaudy pictures and unappetizing food, and a space falling into disrepair with pipes coming out of the ceiling, with no sign to indicate if it's temporary or permanent. I won't be back here anytime soon unless there's a major change, starting with all new staff.

Daniel C.

Julius Meinl was exactly what I was lookin for to do some school work in the morning. I thought it was going to be styled like a restaurant which it IS but it also has a coffee shop vibe. I was in the mood for a bacon egg and cheese bagel sandwich. They do not appear to have even 1 bagel in the whole place which is fine obvi so I got the same items on a "mini brioche bun". I thought it was pretty cheap at $5.80 but I did not realize mini meant LITERALLY MINI it was about 2 inches by 3 inches by 2 inches tall. It was very good but also very tiny. i had a nice iced mocha too but I forgot my earbuds otherwise I would have stayed and studied a lot longer. The atmosphere was perfect for spending a nice morning there on the internet.

Merlin C.

I love French food and French bistro vibes ("chillaxed" vibes, not feeling rushed, a 'break' from the bustle of industrial and post-industrial life). This place does that to a T, and it specializes in brunch foods and deserts particularly. I went conservative with the croque madame, and my partner had the frankfurter with thin pancakes. Both were incredible. The key to the croque madame is always applying just the right amount of mustard -- too much makes it gross, too little and it's just a ham and cheese sandwich -- and they got it just right. I also had the ice coffee, which was super strong and bitter, just like it should be. Will definitely come back.

Mar S.

I hate having to give this place one star - it's on my front doorstep and has the makings of a fabulous coffee shop but there are a few big issues. First, the service is AWFUL. The staff all have really poor attitudes. It's a seat yourself joint but none of the staff greet you upon arrival and it isn't uncommon for them to not even realize you've arrived which brings me to my next point. The wait time to even get a menu can be upwards of 10 minutes. Today I decided to ask for one and was given MAJOR ATTITUDE by the staff. We arrived at 11:15 and did not get served lunch until after 12. We had a toddler in tow. This neighborhood is full of kids. Could you not get your act together to make a simple ham and cheese sandwich in less than 45 min??!! One of the staff was even on their cell phone while we sat waiting for 15 minutes for a cup of coffee. This is so infuriating!!!! Third, I ordered a kids OJ and they brought out something that was about 12 oz for a 3 year old. When I asked if there was something smaller the staff were furious with me. An older blond with curly hair who I am convinced escaped from a mental hospital was especially rude and called me her "lovely" in a very sarcastic tone. Yikes!!!! Im really beginning to wonder who runs this place. I wouldn't be surprised if the wait staff are paid hourly rather than depending on tips - that's just how bad the service is. We always say "this is our last time coming" but always end up going back because of the convenient location and the food is awesome. My husband has already vowed to never return and after today's experience I'm vowing to do the same. Bottom line - don't waste your time! Southport Grocery across the street is so much better and you'll get service with a smile which is always a nice touch.

Lana C.

Forget starbucks, forget caribou, this js the place to be. They sever real beverages made from fine ingredients, prepared properly and served with sophistication for a spectacular price. They have a full menu of perfectly sized entrees so you can still get desert and not feel like a stuffed pig afterwards. Service was good, the server was not over attentive and I certainly didn't care. The food tasted fantastic. I strongly recommend a soup and sandwich pair, it even comes with a small salad. Bathroom is CLEAN. Ambiance is casual yet special with interesting historical photographs and Mediterranean colors you can't go wrong. The prices are unbeatable. Those crackers are outstanding! Try it out and you will always want to return. My only complaint is that at one point when I bit into my picture desert I got a small piece of something ... Not sure what it was. Perhaps a pistachio shell.

Ben A.

My favorite coffee in the city and they happen to serve a pretty tasty breakfast/brunch. Weekends are usually very busy and crowded, but it's worth the wait. I love the coffee presentation (take a peek at some photos). By far my favorite breakfast/brunch items are the baked eggs. Particularly the smoked salmon will dill crème fraîche and tomato, basil, and goat cheese. They also have great pastries. I can easily spend an hour or three over great coffee and conversation. They also sell coffee beans and will gladly grind them for you.

James S.

Some of the slowest service I've ever received. Initial greeting took ten minutes, and it wasn't really a greeting, it was "I'll be right back with water". Ten minutes later, we flagged him down. We told him we didn't want to wait long, he assured us food could take fifteen minutes, so we ordered. At the fifteen minute mark, no food. Now it's been forty minutes, no water, no drinks, no food. We left. We left. Worst restaurant experience ever.

Angela S.

It was the killer coffee that saved this place from a 3-star rating. I give it a solid 3.5, but I always round up. Popped in here after a meeting today to grab a cup of coffee. It's been years since I've dropped by and was super excited to sit and have a dessert nosh and a cup...like the good old days. A true coffee house experience. Hmmm...not what I remember. I still give the vibe of this place a solid 5 stars, but what about the price of the desserts and the service? Not so much. Excited to check out the specialty desserts, I wanted to first see if they had anything that would make it worth my while to sit. Whoa! What happened to the cakes and the torte? Everything's about half the size and double the price and looks like it belongs in a museum. Pass! Sure, it's special upscale and chocolaty rich (I'm sure), but that's okay. For $6 and a couple of bites, I passed and ended up with just a large vanilla latte instead. Wanting to sit and enjoy my coffee before heading out, but not wanting to sit in the front door corridor where the cold wind blows, I asked if I could sit in the upfront section. Mind you, the restaurant was empty so I didn't think it would be a big deal. Nope, that was not an option in my favor. If I wanted to park myself there I'd have to be served my to-go cup and tip somebody just to bring it to me. So, I moved to the front where the cold wind blowed every time the door opened and felt banished to this most uncomfortable seating option ever. Definitely a pay to stay kind of place. Today I left feeling sad, I mean real sad. I used to be a regular here and no longer have the same love for this stop. Like I said, the coffee is still crazy consistent good and loaded with lots of caffeine - just the way I like it. But I think my Meinl days might be over...at least at this location.

James C.

I used to love Julius Meinl, but it's been awhile since I've visited. After a late movie at Music Box, wife and I stopped to enjoy JM. We ordered Café au lait, regular coffee, and a Vienna torte. The first warning sign that things were not going to go well was that everything came out hyper-fast. The cafe au lait had virtually no milk in it, the regular coffee was beyond bitter and tasted as if it had been made earlier in the day, and the Vienna torte was uninspired. Their once awesome selection of pastries has been reduced to a case full of dull-looking cakes that look they came out of Costco and were slapped on a plate. Food & beverage? Poor. We counted at least 7 employees on staff who mostly stood behind the counter and chatted each other up for a floor that was virtually empty (8 tables total). You had to work to get their attention. Service? Poor. When the table next to us got up to leave, we noticed huge gaping gashes in the chairs. After noticing this, we started looking more closely at other tables around us. Sure enough, same. This is something that the Julius Meinl of old would have never let happen. You used to walk into Julius Meinl and be reminded of the best European cafes. Not anymore. Sad in a way that I won't be returning, but after setting the standard for exceptional cafe experiences in Chicago years ago, Julius Meinl has been eclipsed by far superior rivals.

Ivana S.

Randomly walked in on a warm day for some refreshing coffee and saw that they have icecream coffee! It tasted great and while I was walking the streets of Chicago for a moment I was able to feel like I was on the streets of Vienna again. The have pretty decent European coffees. The Nutella crepe is pretty rad as well.

Anna F.

My best friend and I, along with our significant others, awoke this past Sunday morning in hot pursuit of a perfect little Sunday brunch. We wove through the streets down Southport Avenue and were dropped off to snag a reservation while the boys looked for parking. They found it quite quickly - where I'm note sure...- and we didn't stand there for more than 20-25 minutes before being brought to our window table. Apparently this place has a reputation for having the best coffee and is an ideal place for a first or second date. We all sat down and mulled over the menus whilst ordering water, lattes and coffee. Our plan was to chat while we greatly sipped our hot drinks in effort to warm up from the frigid Chicago weather, order our brunch and finish with a pastry as dessert. Our coffee and lattes were very well presented: each had it's own plate, two packets of sugars and a tiny cookie wrapped separately in Julius Meinl packaging, a tiny bowl for my whipped cream and pumpkin spice since I did not specify if I wanted it on top of my pumpkin spice latte, and a small glass of water for our spoons to sit in. The glass of water was brilliant, much nicer to clean it off each time we stirred it - a bit unnecessary, maybe, but very thoughtful. Shortly after, our food came. My friend had a colorful ham & brie crepe, her fiance the chicken salad with fruit (on the side) with a croissant ordered separately in order to avoid an extra cost for having this as a sandwich, my love enjoyed the stuffed french toast (brioche, topfen cheese, streusel, cranberry-orange compote, brown sugar, walnuts, whipped cream) and I had the baked banana french toast (brioche, cinnamon-scented vanilla custard, bananas in a sweet sauce). I sampled their plates - except the chicken salad because, well, it's chicken salad - and they were all spectacular. Their meals were exploding with flavor and I specifically said,"The next time I visit you in Chicago and we come here, I'm ordering this." This is in reference to the ham & brie crepe but oh my brunch, that stuffed french toast was amazing. We were left satisfied and full but we had one last round to go: the pastry. Pastry of choice was the side of monkey bread which sounds odd or sounds like there would obviously be banana in it. No. It was a fluffy, flaky lightly sweet pastry that was delightful. It was perfect to share as we all had enough room for about 1/4 of the monkey bread. Over all the service was on point, the decor very European and noise level was wonderful. Seriously looking forward to coming back here and wish that there was a location here in New York City.

Christopher E.

This place really fabulous when it comes to making desserts and I loved every minute of eating this one. I can't get enough of this place and I wife also second that motion.

Anna S.

The good: really interesting take on soft beverages. Real whipped cream. I also hear very good things about their food. I haven't tried any. The bad. The place reeks. I was there in summertime and it was ok. now, January 10th: it stank of rotting stuff. The bathroom floor was very muddy. Which made it slippery. yes, i did slip on it. They started cleaning up the place around 9: 45 PM. Honestly made me wonder, if they clang these dishes like this on purpose? It really interrupted our conversation. Super annoying, rude and disrespectful. I ran out of water, noone cared. My change was supposed to be maybe 70 cents. I don't care for it, but I should be asked, if I want it it. Especially if you don't fill up my glass with water on time.

Jen C.

Amazing tea and coffee, the fruit crepes are to die for. Four stars only because The service is very slowwwww~ used to come here for book club in the past so I'm familiar with this place but haven't been back for awhile so was very excited to visit the place. Stood by the host stand for about 5 min because In the past you had to get seated- servers passed by for good 5 min before someone told me we had to seat ourselves. Ok great~ thanks for letting me so soon. Sat down- no one comes by~ so now I'm confused if we order up at the counter...nope finally see a waiter who passes the table about three times before coming over with a menu. Mind you it's not busy and there are many empty tables. Again the food and drinks are great but the servers were all slow, borderline rude- the bus boys were sweet (sorry I had to ask them to get our waiters twice)! Could have been a 30 min sit down for some tea and dessert but ended up being an hour cause of the poor service.

Meghana P.

Solid food, good coffee, great music. I would definitely try the brunch here, most people don't even know it exists, but things like the baked eggs are different and pretty great. The atmosphere tends to be pretty quiet and good to work in, if you so choose. The dessert and baked goods are generally fantastic and relatively authentic, I recommend the Opera Torte.

Jill B.

Came here after catching the Holiday movie at the music box..The atmosphere is cute and cozy, but the service is the worst I've ever experienced. Our server was MIA almost the whole time we were there. My date had the roast beef sandwich, which he liked. My turkey and avocado sandwich was average. Cafe Au lait was horrendous. Save your money and go elsewhere.

Jen W.

Julius is one of those places that just gets it. The incredible quality coffee, the food, it's just excellent. I lived in Chicago for a decade, and often fantasize about a lovely morning breakfast at Julius-it reminds me of being in Europe at a delicious cafe. When dining-in, they serve your coffee beverage on a lovely little silver tray, complete with a little cookie biscuit. Truly the essence of delightful! I highly recommend their Baked Eggs or Quiche, but truthfully, you probably can't go wrong here no matter what you order.

Martin M.

I have stopped going to this location entirely, as has my wife. The wait times are so excruciatingly long that it completely defies logic. How can an americano take 13 minutes to make when there are only 3-4 customers inside?!?! I got so tired of coming in and seeing like five employees working behind the counter, doing everything except tending to orders. It makes you want to absolutely scream. It honestly doesn't even matter how many customers are there, if there is just a single person ahead of you, your order will take a minimum of eight minutes. It's the most frustrating coffee place I've ever been to which is a shame because I absolutely LOVE the food and coffee.

Pauline D.

I love that you have to wait to be seated here; maybe because I'm tired of having to eagle-eye and passive-aggressively hover over soon-to-be available tables at pretty much ALL other coffee shops. The Viennese are definitely on to something here. Try their exquisite pikant mocha, it packs a punch! Definitely the best mocha I've ever had -- rich, spicy, chocolaty, strong... with just a touch of sweetness. Love that their drinks are served with a glass of water and cookie, too. If you're more partial to tea, you'll dig their extensive selection. I hear the food's pretty tasty, too.

Madison P.

This cafe has become one of my favorite things in Chicago. The Austrian cuisine is only a little part of what makes it so unique. The neighborhood it is located in and the staff that soon feel like old friends make me return so often. The jam crepe is worth mentioning for its freshness. The steel cut oats are so comforting. The banana stuffed French toast is possibly the best form of breakfast food I have ever had.

Matt M.

I have been coming here since they opened. I no longer live down the street but try to make it a habit to make sure I am in the area a couple times a month because I really like Julius Meinl. I love their coffee and their pastries are the best. I allow myself to eat one pastry a week and this is one of the few places that I will use my one weekly allowance. I also like that they do not allow people to camp there. That is one of my pet peeves of many coffee shops.

Aadil R.

Great food, friendly atmosphere, abhorrent service. Worse than third world countries. My server has walked by five times without once stopping to take my empty plate. Will not come back here to stay.

Monica B.

Enjoyed a cup of Melange on the patio. Adorable indoor space, too. Will return to try brunch and pastries.

Alexandra T.

Meinl used to be the cream of the crop. Great beverages, brunch and service. Oh how the might have fallen. The menu changes have been an utter disaster. Since when do baked eggs have the ingredients on top? It used to be so lovely and civilized in Meinl. It has turned into a run-of-the-mill diner with zero class and charm. Not to mention, what happened to any of the women working there? I often have had meetings there, so I am sure I will have to go back, but this time it will be for a boring cup of tea. Such a shame.

Green T.

Ridiculously pricey, but you do get what you pay for. JM broadens the market for local coffee shops. At least everything won't become a Starbucks or Peets.

Red N.

Oh, snobby Julius Meinl, how I love you. You make me feel so much better about my overly busy, unfulfilling life. You make me feel special, like Starbux did ten years ago, when it was far less ordinary to pay 3 bucks for a cup of joe. You may be too classy to plop a laptop down and work in, but I will swing by every time I am having a mediocre day and happen to be at your intersection.

Jordan N.

Chicago... if there's one thing that made me love you, it is because of Julius Meinl's charm. It's not so Old World inside like some of the Viennese coffee houses I've been to, or even compared to some New Yorker coffee houses... but they brought in the Old World traditions which is what I really swoon over. Coffee served in a silver tray - just like in Vienna. I feel spoiled - but it MUST be this way, to enjoy the quintessential coffee that is looked upon in a similar fashion as high tea among the Brits. But good coffee is my vice. Not tea. And they've got a wide assortment of coffee styles, in whole beans and grounded. And couple that with authentic Austrian menu items that were filling, tasty, and affordable, and with delectable sweets - and this place hits a home-run to the nearby Wrigley Park. The simple Austrian breakfast ($7.50) was just that - simple, but in every good way. Plenty of bread to eat with the cheese and black forest ham - or to dip in the runny yolk of the soft-boiled egg. Or to smother in real butter and delicious homemade (YES, homemade!) peach preserves. You could go any way you want with your breakfast with this simple plate - and that's how I like it. With specialty Viennese coffee (Franziskaner, $2.70), of course. Thank you for bringing a piece of Vienna to Chicago - and here's to hoping that you'll branch out to other locales (Oak Park perhaps?) and to the other cities, such as New York and Miami.

Bridget A.

Stopped for a quick iced latte. The latte was nice enough but the staff was slow and rude.

Anthony D.

I just dined here for the first time today and had a FANTASTIC experience! First I had a cappuccino and it was the best I've ever had, so I ordered another... And then another. I was indecisive on what to order so I asked my server, Malcolm, to pick anything for me and he selected an awesome sandwich that I was completely in love with. He gave me the Truffled Croque Madame. The service was spot on and he was very friendly and helpful. Price point was appropriate for the area and the atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. I will definitely be back soon and would gladly consider this to be one of my new favorite places to dine.

Leah M.

Julius Meinl is a great spot to have coffee and a treat when a night at a local bar just won't cut it. The presentation and a consistently PERFECT cuppa tea and coffee make this spot a must.

Kevin N.

Julius Meinl (pronounced You-lee-us Mine-el, for proper Deutsch speakers) is my favorite authentic Viennese Kaffeehaus in the city. Well, this may be the ONLY Viennese Kaffeehaus in Chicago. It feels like a bit of old Wien in the place, with the warm wood paneling on the walls, marble countertops and early 1900's style decor. The newspapers on spindles for public reading and coat hooks on the walls add to the authenticity. There's quite a difference between the to go service, which for all intents and purposes, is like other coffee shops. They do a brisk takeout business with plenty of different types of imported coffees and teas available in various sizes. My mother-in-law wanted a real breakfast tea and loved my choice from this establishment. The table service, however, is quite special. The uniformed waitstaff take your order and deliver your handcrafted beverages on little stainless platters with paper doilies, a short glass of water and a packaged sweet biscuit cookie. The coffee is absolutely delicious: rich, dense, carmelly sweet and smoky. They have many of the standard kinds of coffee we've come to love or you can order with "schlag" with real whipped cream. The types with Schlag are myriad, so it's best to look at the menu or ask because I've never heard of them before. In addition to amazing fancy pastries which you really don't find in other coffee shops like Linzer Torts, they have a full sandwich and breakfast menu. Food is very good and made on premises. Weekend evenings might bring some live jazz music or an ensemble for entertainment. It's such a gem of a place, I'll often stop by on a late evening for an Amerikaner mit Eis to go to keep me alert on my drive back to the northern burbs. So good!

Jeff C.

Used to be much higher standards here. The coffee in the last year or so has become grainy and muddy. And they just raised prices a full dollar for a cup, to $3. At that price I have to compare them to Intelligentsia and they are nowhere close. Their pastries are consistently burned. For a while they ran out of to-go cups and used what looked like a Gas-station bulk buy. All of which is to say they don't seem to care nearly as much as they used to. Would love to see a return to form for them, I used to really like this place.

Rose M.

The service was absolutely terrible but the food was delicious! We got the Tartine duo and the harvest salad. Both were great and I will be back to try more food items.

Breanne G.

I ended up here after deciding I didn't want to wait an hour to be seated at Southport. If Yelp allowed me to give 3 1/2 stars, I would. I ordered chorizo and potato crepes. The chorizo tasted like breakfast sausage and could have been spicier and maybe more authentic. The crepes had good flavor and the amount of filling was perfect (although a little dry). The crepes came with a salad which my friend and I thought was odd. It would have been perfect with a side of fruit or potatoes. My friend had one of their egg dishes and said it was okay and would not order it again. I had a bite and didn't mind the flavors; although, this dish was also a little dry. Service: It was slower than a European restaurant/café. As another Yelper said, their service was "painfully slow." Don't expect to get refills on coffee, tea, or water either. On a side note: I would go back for their coffee (5 stars). I saw a lot of customers stop in just for coffee. However, they still had to wait a long time. I really wanted to like this restaurant, but with the service being so slow and the food only being mediocre, I will not be back for their food.

Carrie P.

Julius Meinl is a bit disappointing. I want to love this place; it has so much to offer! The coffee (served with water) is excellent, as is the Vienna Eiskaffe (double espresso over vanilla ice cream with whipped cream on top). The food has always been outstanding in my sit down visits. Unfortunately, the service has been painfully slow. I am not talking about "busy morning in the coffee shop and understaffed" type slow. I am talking about staff that is just not as attentive as I want in a sit down restaurant. In addition to the painfully slow service when sitting down, I have not had a particularly amicable experience with the counter either. I have had it take more than 10 minutes for a coffee on a quiet Saturday afternoon. I have also ordered one of the breakfast croissants out of the display, and it isn't heated (or offered to be heated) and is stale. Overall, the final product is satisfactory. However, on most occasions, I would choose to frequent a different coffee shop for expediency and experience.

Femme C.

I went there for breakfast. Was envisioning a savory crepe and a double espresso with gelato. They have changed their menu, so no longer savory crepes on the breakfast menu. Ok, I ordered an opera cake and the drink which I said no whip on top. The server brought me wrong cake. I only eat the opera there (it's my fave). I addressed that. No apology, nothing. He said the tags were wrong. Ok. The double shot actually came with the whip cream and no gelato. And I ordered the opposite. $20 down the drain. This used to be a place I would go to ALL the time. I hope they fix CS as their food/beverages are actually quite good.

Scott B.

I used to love this place but it's really gone downhill. Service was okay and the menu is a large downgrade from the last one. Whereas we used to wait for brunch we no longer do.

Andrew C.

I went here for a quick cup of coffee on Monday, December 1st at about 2:30 pm. I will not be going back. First, I walked over to where the two counter workers were standing. Neither said hello or smiled...meh...no big deal....it's a long day, right? Finally, the white doughy looking fellow, with an annoyed look said I was supposed to order at the other end of the bar. Fine...so I walked on down. I didn't know the sizes they have here, so I was kind of looking around the guy at the sizes of the cups trying to see if there were 2 OR 3 sizes.....a'la Starbucks. This seemed to rankle him because I could tell that if he'd had a tie on, he would be tugging at his collar in frustration! By the way, this happened in less than 7 seconds. I finally said, could I get a MEDIUM regular coffee. Once again, the vexed marshmallow gave me a look like I was an idiot and said "large or small". I ordered the large. Finally, I handed him a $5 bill and while he was making change I said "I actually have the correct change if you want it"....trying to be helpful....and he seriously looked like he was having a temper tantrum and started putting the coin portion of my change back in the register. I said "...only if you would rather. Just, whatever is easiest for you..." He took my 11 cents and gave me my whole dollar and didn't even say thank you! And I walked out. Boy, what a pain in the ass I was being! So, when someone asks me to go to Julius Meinl again, I will look him or her square in the eye and say: NEIN!!!

Bri A.

My ex and I lived in the neighborhood for 6 years, but he never wanted to come here! I remember always gazing into the windows while passing by, imaging us having brunch or a coffee date. :( Well, that's a good thing because now I can enjoy this place without memories of a past relationship! JM is always packed, but I come during off hours. I've had various flavored coffee drinks which were all excellent. I tried French press coffee for the first time here and fell in love. The best part was not having to share! The worst part was having the jitters all day, but I had a family party so I needed the energy. Food wise, I've only had the almond croissant (get this. now!) and a ham and cheese crepe which was okay. I love the ambiance and comfy seating. I did have one little negative incident here. The waitress gave me the wrong check, which incidentally had the same pastry I ordered. The coffee wasn't on there. I thought since it was the holidays, she was being nice. I paid cash and gave her a nice fat tip. As I am finishing my coffee, she brings the check and money back and told me she made a mistake. Aww man. Well, it was a nice thought! You know I will be back, and most likely with a date. :P

Nat K.

I'm not sure why I love this place so much. The service is serviceable: not great, not terrible (what never? hardly ever). My girlfriend always complains that the food is "dainty", i.e. not filling. I don't really agree. I wouldn't come here for a big meal, but it's perfect for a small meal or a snack. I haven't tried much of the pastries, but the sandwiches are always delicious, with an understated, continental-style appeal. The coffee is quite good. I do love this place. Maybe just because it's such a beautiful space. It always feel bright and open, even when there are a lot of people here.

Qurrat J.

One of my favorite places to hang out and work, or grab brunch/lunch, or post dinner dessert. Extremely versatile, great menu no matter what you're in the mood for and of course amazing coffee.

Sam N.

AM I WAY TO EXCITED ABOUT DRINKING COFFEE?!!!!! YES SO WHAT !!!! OK I put the latte down and now I can start typing. We Americans and other people who have lived here for a while have been spoiled by the rampant availability of good coffee at Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and other chains I have failed to mention. What is lost is the originality of a coffee shop that has that vibe like I just stepped into a cafe in Venice or Vienna ( I have been to Venice and not Venice Beach). I think this place provides that old world feel as you are ingesting your caffeine. If you are looking for quiet time come here before 7pm on Saturday. When I come here, I have hot chocholate. I know that sometimes I am given to hyperbole. However if you spend a few hours here with people you know or just by yourself with your drink a book or a newspaper; you will discover one thing: no other coffee shop besides for a certain coffee shop on Sunnyside near wrigleyville can come close on delivering a certain coffee house vibe that you have been craving :) I apologize in advance if you have a diet that precludes you from eating house made Topfenstrudel . This is the best over here. I would say the name of that other place but when you talk about other places in reviews I heard that can get the review flagged and who wants that ?

Chris D.

Just bad all around. I've made the mistake of going to Julius Meinl on multiple occasions and left frustrated and disappointed each time. First of all, their coffee is mediocre at best. It doesn't come close to comparing to Intelligentsia, Metropolis, Counter Culture, or any of the other premium coffee that can be found in the area. The food is nothing special. If you're going to get anything, go for the monkey bread. It's fantastic (and the only reason I'm not giving them one star). Everything else is skippable, especially considering the ridiculous prices. And whatever you do, don't eat there unless you're a masochist who enjoys horrible service and waiting over 20 minutes for bad food.

Real P.

I LOVE the coffee here. I would say it's the best I have ever had. This place gets very busy on the weekends so try and stop in during the week. This is a must try if you have never been!

Nichole F.

I needed iced coffee badly!!! I saw this place and have only heard good things. I went in for a to go coffee and was greeted by the friendliest barista. I got my iced coffee and she gave me two cookies for my son "just in case I needed it later". Anyway, that coffee was so good! I am almost glad I didn't discover it earlier. I drank it so fast!!! I want to go back to this place and have breakfast or lunch because it was so cute......and their coffee is awesome!

Laurie L.

Disappointing menu for brunch. It's more of pop in for tea and read the newspaper because you're bored place.

Stephanie M.

Great place to come with an intimate group of friends. The setting closely resembles an European cafe with cute table settings. The best part of the decor is they have tons of coat hooks along the walls so you can ditch the purse, the coats, the winter accessories elsewhere. So smart! More places should think to do this. I love my espresso and this place has one of the better espressos in the city. A creamy start with notes of cloves and vanilla. Try any one of their pastries! I had the lemon cheesecake and loved it. Im not a huge cheesecake fan but this was very good! The opera is chocolate heaven!

Andrew B.

Very much reminds me of a true European coffee shop...including the service. I don't really like the coffee drinks here, they are quite average. You can get better going to intellegentsia, dollop or wormhole. The food is really great! From the salads to the hot entrees, everything has always been delicious. The service is what I expect from a coffeeshop: long delays and you need to always flag the service staff if you need something! This is a place for sitting and chatting or working for long periods of time, I completely understand the staff waiting to be "caught" when walking by to help with any service issues.

Oleg K.

Meh. Bland overcooked food, cakes overly sweet and creamy. Interior shabby and dirty. Utensils with dried remnants of previous meals.

Scott W.

Everything I've eaten or sipped here has been good. I love their salmon breakfasts (there's a couple of them). Get in by 10am on weekends and usually there's plenty of open tables in and out. I also buy beans and their instant coffee is the best you can get in the states.

Joseph D.

My goodness. There isn't enough space in this review to drone endlessly on about how great this place is. In a world of the big coffeehouse chains, Julius Meinl turns that world on it's ear and offers visitors a taste of old world Europe with outstanding coffees and food along with a wonderful interior, relaxing music on a bright and cheery corner of Southport. Here are the standouts that I've enjoyed in my trips to JM. I'm sure anything you order will be amazing so go with an open mind and empty stomach as you'll want to keep eating. The baked egg on a brioche bun with bacon (amazing take on a simple egg sandwich), was quite filling and reasonably priced. Enjoy as a breakfast treat or mid morning snack! Baked Banana French Toast (Brioche soaked in cinnamon-scented vanilla custard, topped with caramelized banana sauce) was so amazing that I nearly cried while eating it. It is super dense so go hungry as if you can actually finish this thing, you'll be stuffed. Pair it with a side of housemade sausage for real treat. My wife had the croque mademoiselle which was paired with a spring mix salad. And while she had it for breakfast and it was delicious, it could also serve as a light lunch. For coffee she had a filter coffee which was quite bold and not that watered down stuff you usually get and I had the French Press of the Day which consisted of blend of earthy coffees which were so dark, the coffee laughed when I poured cream in it. Just like I like it. There are a number of places to sit depending on your mood. You can get a stool at the high counter, a small table for a few friends or even a small booth like seat if you intend on being in there a long time. The place is on a corner so it gets a lot of natural light and with classical music playing in the background, it's a nice change of pace from that singer-songwriter coffeehouse guitar music you seem to hear every where you go. Not that I'm a hater of singer-songwriters but this is a nice change of pace. And if this review wasn't enough, Chicagoist recently names it one of the best brunch places in Chicago. And I couldn't agree more.

Jeff H.

Whenever I'm in the area I stop by this store. It differs from most other coffee houses in that there is table service (as well as a counter for grab and go), and the presentation is also unique. Coffee drinks are served on silver trays, with a glass of water and a cookie (included in price). Their coffee drinks are very good, but I really like the ambiance. It's a great place to meet a friend, hang out and read, or have a light meal. I've never had food there, but they have extensive European style sweets (tortes, cakes, etc.) and a savory menu as well. On weekend nights they often have live music, which is nice.

lisa r.

This was my go-to place for coffee and lunch/brunch. I think after several lackluster visits, I won't go out of my way. On a weekday morning, there were no less than 5 uncleared tables leaving only one table as an option. Service was unbearably slow and, by observing the server, she was clearly bored and inattentive to many. A sandwich with an old, wilted salad and a pastry took over 15 minutes (it only came after my stare down to the server), finished drinks weren't cleared, pastry had to be re-served, and I had to ask the counter service for the check and a box. This is the first time I tipped so little. The food presentation and quality has also decreased over the years. Coffee presentation is great but the espresso drinks aren't as strongly flavored or the barista is using the incorrect proportion of milk to foam to espresso.

Alizabeth I.

3 stars for the price. Good drinks, fancy seating, fancy serving platters. I don't live in Chicago but would visit again of in the area.

Edward N.

Fantastic coffees and desserts. We had a Vienna and an Opera to share, they were worth every bite!

Mike L.

Good coffee. Not a much on the menu if you're looking for your everyday breakfast or brunch. A lot of niche items. Wouldn't hit this place if you're bringing an appetite or your Sunday am hangover. Also the service at this particular one isn't stellar by any means.

Nathan F.

Baked eggs for breakfast is my go-to. I like this place because they give you enough food but not too much, like most breakfast spots in the area. The croissants and granola are also very good.

Irina H.

We have been going to Meinl for several years now. This location used to be better than the one on Lincoln Ave. Now, I would say they are equally bad. There is some kind of disconnect between waitstaff and kitchen. You can order something only to be told 20 minutes later, like when you thought your food would be arriving, that it isn't served after 3 p.m., so please place a new order. Then the kitchen will take an hour to whip up some super greasy spatzle dumplings and a crepe with cubed Oscar Mayer-type ham chunks and almost no brie. Our first waitress went to wait on other tables and didn't even come back to ask if we wanted refills on anything, or dessert, which we had to order from a second waitress. Meinl doesn't seem too interested in moving people in and out of the restaurant, either, so if you have a theater date or somewhere else to go afterwards, forget it. And oh yeah, no more topfenstrudel!!

Quan G.

Great coffee. Tasty food, not monsterous portion but just right! Pretty presentation too.

Kathleen C.

I really really like this spot! It does get crowded - especially on the weekends, but it's a really nice spot for coffee, sandwiches, pastries and other goodies. Last time I visited, I had the roast beef sandwich - yum! I've been to the original Julius Meinl in Austria and I think that this location does a good job of making it feel somewhat similar to the original. If only you could be transported to Austria while dining! Definitely worth a visit. Food - 5 Service - 4 (skews slow when it's busy if you're not sitting in the main area - though the counter is quick and friendly) Value - 5 Atmosphere - 5 Bathrooms - 5

John D.

Why one star? Because my oolong tea was good. But we waited forever to get it and no one ever took our food order, though we complained. Our table was right in front of the counter! Folks were coming in off the street and getting things to go the whole time. We just sat trying to get service. We could see our drinks on the bar getting cold and had to flag someone down to get them brought to us. NOT a good experience.

Mary T.

I feel bad giving a 3 star review because their food and drinks are so wonderful, but the service at this joint was just awful. I mean, yes, it was Sunday brunch, I'm always aware of the wait that is involved. It was just two of us, and we had to wait about a half hour before we could even get a table - that is acceptable. But once we were seated, it became abundantly clear we were barely going to be able to order let alone be served. It took about 20 minutes for our server to stop by, after we had been seated. My hungry, pregnant friend was not pleased. We wanted to share a baked egg dish, understanding that it would probably be a 30 minute wait. So we asked the server to put that order in, but that in the mean time we wanted to also order some tea and pastries to nibble on while we waited. In about 10 minutes, our teas came out, but no pastries to be seen. We kept trying to make eye contact with a server, ANY server, to no avail. Another 10 minutes passed. We finally made eye contact with our original server and asked him about our pastries. He made an "Oh crap" facial expression, meaning he totally forgot about it and basically ran away to go get them. Another 10 minutes passed, and a server different from the original one came to our table with our egg dish. At this point, my politeness went out the window and I informed her that we had ordered pastries a half hour ago and that we were overall displeased. At that moment, our pastries suddenly appeared from a busboy. The server who brought our eggs was apologetic and said that she would comp the pastries, so that made it more forgivable. At this point, we were starved, so we just gobbled down our food. Which was all delicious. The monkey bread was eh, but the baked egg with feta, spinach, and mushroom was delish. In the end, it was great food, awful service, but nice that they comp'ed the pastries due to their mistake. What it comes down to is not having enough servers. While he "done goofed", I felt really bad for our server because he was clearly way over worked and taking care of a ridiculous amount of tables for the brunch time on a Sunday. I'd go back to this JM, but probably by myself for a coffee or tea, and not during a busy time.

Lori P.

I chose Meinl for the express purpose of having a good meal and doing some homework while my daughter was on a play date in the neighborhood. Low and behold, their wifi is down and has been for ten days. Really, guys? Really? You can do better

Marcus P.

I really like the Meinl Cafe. What I liked most about it was the authentic Kaiserschmarrn. It is basically a pancake in small pieces with raisins and lots of sugar. Quite often I would drive across town to get it. Unfortunately, yesterday I was served something else, basically a few cubicle pieces of toast - pan fried, that's all. I asked the server what that was all about and I was told that they changed the recipe. The "recipe"? This has nothing to do with Kaiserschmarrn. So please bring it back so that I want to come back. Update: Happy to report that the original Kaiserschmarrn is back! That's awesome.

A P.

I stopped in here thanks to the positive reviews on yelp and really enjoyed the tartine duo sandwich and the kir royale iced tea. The service was so-so, but the waitress was the only one working. Not her fault, but the staffing could use some help. Still, she was friendly and the food was worth the wait. I'd give it another try.

Heather J.

A love letter to Julius Meinl: Dear Julius Meinl, Such an asset your store is to the Lakeview neighbourhood that it's my first point of call on a five hour pilgrimage from the border of Canada. That's the devotion which your beautifully prepared desserts and delectable egg dishes, authentically prepared true to the Austrian standards of your original location, inspires in me. The equivalent of driving non-stop from Munich or Prague to Vienna for an hour to ninety minutes of quiet enjoyment in these rarefied settings. Where else can a cafe be full to the rafters and still maintain an elusive air of refinement and tranquility? Go to any Starbucks, coffee house or bar in this city, you'll discover loud conversations, the shriek of children cutting through the atonal hum like knives. Here the little ones sit still longer, attended by parents or caregivers who include them in conversation or arrest the outbursts somehow. Your Opera Torte may be involved, for what stop by that extraordinary pastry case does not invite salivation and quiet appreciation for the artistry in composing so many simple ingredients into a slab of creamy or chocolate perfection? I have yet to find a comparable place without a liquor license. You who invites harpists to serenade your dinner crowds one night and manages soul or jazz ensembles the next, please realize the inherent value and civility in such places. They are a rarity in many parts of the United States and Canada; having visited 40+ states and 5+ provinces in search of a lovely cup of tea, I should know. I revere atmospheres that mix culture with culinary heights and intellectual stimulation. The soft scent of melting cheese and the clink of small spoons in your trademark cups is soothing and melodious to all the senses. The rushed North American society vanishes once we walk through your doors. I could wage a death-defying struggle against my income taxes or a transatlantic flight after your mac and cheese spaetzel. The decadence of your almond inflected pastries on a delicate sponge is mouthwatering. The baked eggs are worth every moment of the wait, but the kind request that patrons add a little time to their dining experience is another genteel gesture in an age which rarely recognizes their value. I could wax poetic on the pleasure of the baked eggs and the balance of flavours offered, or the sustaining strength of the hot goulash prepared in a manageable portion instead of grossly oversized Americanized ones which lead to so much waste and excess. A bowl of goulash on spaetzle is like a hug from Grandma. Taking away an extra box of your torte for the long drive home is not the same as the romantic, intimate ambiance I find in your shop. I miss the attentive, discreet service that never comes as intrusive, but welcome. The moment I walk in, I'm seated by someone happy to inform me of seasonal offerings and let me find my bearings, but never more than a few footsteps away. When a gentleman dropped a glass of water on the floor and promptly doused himself, three of your staff appeared in an instant with a fresh newspaper, real towels, another glass, and all the cleaning supplies necessary. The concern was for the guest as much as the area. He was freshened up and put to rights immediately. For that, I ask you to please consider expanding. I realize another outpost may diminish your ability to keep these high standards but certainly you can exist outside Chicagoland. I have no doubts that you would thrive in other cities: Detroit could use your old world charm. I'd even take one of the southern Ontarian cities like Kitchener-Waterloo or, if I must, Toronto (though it's no closer) to add to the landscape of revered institutions who bring a taste of Europe to us. Love, Heather

Tina S.

This place makes me think I'm in Germany (or more appropriately, Austria) every time. You can sit around as long as you want sipping on your tea or coffee, which by the way is delicious. I know it's kind of an international chain, but it's not Starbucks. I'd much rather support Julius than Starbucks. Not to say Starbucks is bad, but the service is more about the coffee/tea drinking experience. If you sit inside, your drink is brought to you on a silver platter - that's right folks! Only the best at Julius! I'm a tea drinker, so here's the skinny: the silver platter has an individual tea pot, a decent sized cup and saucer, a spoon, a small glass of water, a packet of sugar and a cookie. Yay! The pot allows for about 3 cups of tea. I always ask for extra sugar and sub regular cream for soy milk. But anyway you pour it, it's lovely. I wind up coming in about twice a month. One of the visits is for a German conversation group. We overtake the SoPo-Addison location so be warned - first Monday of the month you might not get a seat! The barista Pete is awesome! He gives me my drink on the house because I tend to help him direct traffic. And I think it's also because he's just so darn nice. I've also stopped in for brunch and the food is yummy. Think nice European type things like quiches, pancakes/crepes, cold cuts, cheeses, jams, hard boiled eggs, goulash, etc. I've never been disappointed. So delicious. And don't forget about the deserts! HEAVENLY! God, the cakes and scones and cookies are to die for. I absolutely recommend the Opera Torte - smooth, chocolaty and creamy. For breakfast definitely do the baked eggs - the one with the potato pancakes is great! Or do the quiche. I'm so drooling right now...mmmmm.

Elizabeth L.

Beloved brunch spot, a long-time favorite in Chicago. Charming cafe with a European feel. To-die-for pastries (almond croissant is one of the best you'll ever have) and delicious coffee. Baked egg entrees are a savory indulgence. Venue gets slammed on the weekends, servers can get harried, so grab a coffee and enjoy a pastry while you wait.

Trista T.

I am more and more obsessed with coffee and tea each year so of course I visited on New Years Day to ring in 2014 with a amazing cup of espresso. I ordered their special drink that day which had a layer of honey and orange zest on top. Perfection. You could sip on the sweet honey, foamy goodness and smell the orange. Never had coffee so fancy before (small town girl problems). I'm a big fan of oatmeal as well and their bowl did not disappoint. It came with all the fixings. I tired my friends lemon ginger tea as well and wow. Might be my new favorite tea. My only complaints would be that our group of 5 fit pretty snug at our table. Service was also kinda blah that day. I'm gonna blame those factors on the holiday though, I would still recommend this coffee of Starbucks any day.

Susan T.

Great food but service is slooooooow. The rating is reflective of the slow service than the food.

Kevin Z.

Rude and unfriendly service. I'll never go back and you shouldn't give them your money. I wish there was a no star option. The cashier was operating in zombie mode. She couldn't have care less about us or our order. It was already 9am so I doubt she just crawled out of bed. No excuses.

Kristen L.

Went here after a night of Korean galbi (that's Korean BBQ for you non-Koreans out there) for a friend's birthday. I'm not a big fan of coffee or tea, but I most certainly am of deliciously decadent desserts! The chocolate cupcake with butter cream frosting is soooooo freaking good. At first I was kind of put off by how hard the frosting was, but after tasting it, I regretted my sour first impression. It's so creamy and and perfectly sweet to match with the moist and fluffy chocolate cupcake. The atmosphere itself is very nice--very cafe like, but also nice enough to chow down. Hoping to go back soon!

Gino W.

Several years ago a friend had hipped me to Julius Meinl on Southport. Then we used to go on Friday nights after dinner and listed to any guest acoustic guitar players or violin players. The desserts were always fresh and inviting. Then there must have been a change in management, as the desserts were stale and service was horrible. But there must have been enough complaints to make a change back for the better. The service is great. The desserts no longer induce winces. I have not been back after dinner on Friday nights, but rather on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Satisfaction has returned.

Kyle D.

What an awesome little cafe! On the outside it looks like a chain coffee shop-bakery, but once you step inside the vibe changes. The atmosphere is very casual and neat and this place is perfect for a relaxed breakfast, lunch, or snack (including a small group). The service is attentive and fast and friendly and the menu is great. They have amazing tea and coffee selections and a good selection for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts (pasteries). Everything seems to be made in-house and fresh. I got a darjeeling tea with the turkey and avacado sandwich, and both were great. They really hit the spot. Overall a fantastic find in the neighborhood. The only downfall, a little pricey for what you get. My sandwich was 9 dollars, a little steep in my opinion. Still a great choice for something casual. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 8/10

Gregory M.

Lovely place, especially on a nice summer day when you can sit outside. Classy ambiance, decent prices, good service. I always combine this with a trip to the Music Box Theatre, which is just up the street., making for a perfect day/evening.

Mina I.

Thank goodness for this place! It just saved me from going insane without internet for almost a week! I just moved to downtown Chicago 6 days ago and have been living without AC and Internet therefore I found this place with my "free wifi" app on my iPhone. Upon reading from all of the other Yelpers reviews on this place, I must say I am a huge huge huge fan of the full service coffee house style. I can't recall the last time I was in a place like this and if I did, it was about 5 years ago when I was in Paris, France. This coffee place definitely has the European feel and seemed very comforting with great service. I ordered their ice green tea with a side of a blueberry petite four and everything was delicious! I can't wait to come back to this place to try the actual menu and the popular espresso everyone seems to rave about!

Lovelynn G.

Julius Meinl's was bright, cheery and very quaintly European. Get ready for your morning Orgasm as this place is definitely "Turned On" I had the Truffle Croque Madame and it was so savory, rich and delightful! Soft brioche bread, tasty Black Forest ham, egg and cheese grilled to absolute perfection. I had one of their specialty coffee drinks flavored with cayenne pepper that was a steamy meditation on modern aphrodisiacs. Hands down, this was the best coffee drink I had while in Chicago for the weekend! I can't wait to come back to Chicago's Julius Meinl to get Turned On Again!

Yolanda Z.

Coffee was great and it was cheaper than Starbucks :) found our new go to coffee spot. It's cozy, friendly and attentive;)

Kristen D.

Came here while apartment searching with my roommate and loved everything about this place. I am a sucker for ambience and everything about this place really hit the nail on the head for me that day. Great music, comfy chairs, quaint seating areas, super tasty food. I tried the strawberry and nutella crepes that came with fresh whipped cream. I'm not a huge fan of whipped cream, but this was phenominal. Our waiter was not overbearing, though he probably could have come back to see us a little more often. I suppose that's our own fault, since we both whipped out our laptops and started typing away. Can't wait to come back here in the winter and snuggle up next to the window and watch the world pass by.

Jessica C.

Love their soft boiled eggs. Good coffee. And if you are there on a Saturday night, you might be lucky enough to hear Lady Gaga played on a harp or by a string quartet.

Dan H.

Stop #5 on my "Eating my way through Chicago/St. Louis and possibly doing other things on this trip Summer Tour 2011" found me at a breakfast place in the neighborhood of my friends sister. We were going to a baseball game at Wrigley on this day and since the only breakfast place that we found in Wrigleyville was packed, we came back to her neighborhood and ate here. I was happy we did. Julius Meinl is very European. I started out with an iced coffee which came with a glass of water and a cookie on a metal tray. It reminded me of some of my travels abroad. For the actual breakfast I had the Meinl Baked Eggs. They have 8 choices. I had the Chilaquiles ($9.50) which was salsa roja, tortilla, queso fresco, fresh tomato, cilantro and lime. This comes with toast your choice being country italian, multi-grain, marble rye, brioche and walnut. The eggs are baked in a dish and come out steaming hot. Wonderful flavors in this dish. I felt healthier after eating it. I'm not sure why. Nice little cafe and not too far from Wrigley.

Jacob G.

I like Julius Meinl. The coffee, tea, and food are very good here.

Travis H.

This unique cafe has quickly become my favourite in the city, an honour previously held by edgewater's Metropolis. Meinl's danubian charm warmed my well-caffeinated heart to the core. It was the coldest day of winter when I first set foot inside this trove of central-european pleasures. I had come to meet my dear brother before going down the street to see a film at the Music Box Theatre (David Lynch's Inland Empire, if memory serves). How my glasses fogged over when I walked in! Blind as I am without glasses, I couldn't see a thing. I recall standing in the entry for a moment, strategically ignoring an employee's attention as I stared into space through my steamy lenses. Nervous laughter ensued until I heard my name called from a distant table. Hesitantly making my way, I must admit I passed the table of my own brother, his visage foreign to me in my myopic stumbling. Once I regained my bearings, I was verily overwhelmed by the novelty of my immediate environment. The menu brought even deeper satisfaction, though it gave way to desperation as I realized the decision would not be an easy one. In need of suggestions, I had barely raised my head before our waitress was at my side. When she mentioned the possibility of ordering a half-salad and half-entree, a veritable Pandora's box was opened. As if it were a dream, I remember enjoying some type of pastries of bleu cheese. . . Our experience was so good, we returned after the movie for coffee and dessert. I remember that night because it was so cold. One's lungs felt like ice as one's sinuses froze in a crystalline fashion. We ran the two blocks from the theatre in order to keep ourselves warm. We weren't the only ones running from the cold that night! While I don't know the story behind the presence of this Julius Meinl in Chicago (besides the fact that I'm very glad it's here) I do understand it is a chain. In fact the first one I visited was in Budapest. It was there I enjoyed a fine cup of european coffee one rainy pannonian morning until interrupted by an entourage of elderly american tourists. A member of said entourage slipped on the sidewalk, creating a scene replete with ambulance and doddering elders. I seldom return to this cafe that I hold so dear, but it is hardly convenient in relation to my apartment in Wicker Park. Perhaps I will remember it better than it is in reality, and leave it at that.

Terris A.

GREAT coffee. Mushroom soup was oily- unless I am missing something that soup is supposed to look like that. The cheese sandwich with caramelized onions was so-so, just a fancy cheese sandwich. Love the feel of this place. If you want a great cup of coffee, yummy treats or a good lunch- come here.

nicole h.

I like to bring my Rosetta Stone hear with my laptop since I'm teaching myself French. And yes, I know Julius is Austrian. European enough pour moi. Great coffee, mediocre service (but I like that they don't rush you) Not too sure about the food- I've only gotten one "finger sandwich" (salmon) and was pleased. Mind you, I've never been on the weekends when it probably gets crazily busy. I go when I can sit without being bothered while letting Rosetta Stone fill me with French knowledge.

Jennifer M.

Fantastic atmosphere, great service, meh coffee. Mind you, I've only had the coffee, so this review is based strictly on that. I wasn't please as punch with the coffee, but I wasn't disappointed by it either. My husband got the house, and I got a mocha. I just think we're all too Starbucks-ed out to really appreciate good coffee.

Steve L.

What a cool little place. Came here to meet up a friend of mine before heading to Tango Sur. It was super cozy with chairs, couches and dark brown furniture. It reminds me of what Starbucks should be, instead of a place with crappy drinks. So I got the Mint Hot Cocoa and it was DEEEEEELICIOUS. They put these red sprinkles on top of the whipped cream which added nice sweetness to it. Granted this was my first time going but I look forward to going again to try other stuff. The poor souls in this disparately cold city do not know what Coffee Bean is, but its a chain much like Starbucks with many locations in LA which is a hundred times better than the BUX. Julius Meinl sort of reminds me of place except....without hot girls and random prostitutes walking in.. CHE CHE CHECK yourself before you WR WR WRECK yourself. Because you are whiggity whiggity whiggity whack.

Ed M.

We had a post-Christmas brunch at Julius Meinl. What a treat. This is a slice of old world Europe in Chicago. Coffee was served in a true Viennese manner. We all had baked eggs with different accompaniments. The food was prepared just right. The service was perfect and we were not at all rushed. Julius Meinl stays true to it's European roots and serves patrons in the unhurried manner that Vienna is known for.

Brooke R.

I love to go here and have coffee and relax. It is one of my favorite places to have coffee in my neighborhood.

Bryan H.

I love stopping here to have a double espresso, and sit outside to do some quality people-watching. The service and smoothies are good too! Try the Chai Cider, it's great!

Janis W.

I'm not sure why the kitchen closes at 9 o'clock on a Friday night when they're open until midnight. I was hungry after the movie at the Music Box, and didn't want to eat at a noisy Southport bar. I enjoyed the live music in the background. It was lovely.

Ko N.

"I'll have this white tea and an awesome bomb please" "a what?" "an awesome bomb. Oh, that's right, you sometimes call them 'cream puffs' " Cream Puffs. I've gone so often I've seen the evolution of their cream puffs. From small to big, to now medium size, the puffed pastry with cream filling goodness is quite dandy... but the name of this scrumptious desert undermines my masculinity. "I'll have a cream puff". Every time I ordered it out loud to the server, my testosterone level would drop. "cream puff". So my friend started calling them "awesome bombs". This place is classy. They had a musician strumming on a seven foot harp, one of those played by Greek goddesses of Love. This place is class. In spite of the class when the server stopped by and I said "I'll have the nut'cracker (tea) and a creeeeeam puff", the waiter laughed, no matter what kind of classy place you might have, nutcracker is still a funny word.

Joon M.

I love this place! I spent nearly an entire summer with co-workers & friends here. We would take our breaks & lunches here. The lattes were wonderful, the breakfasts & lunches were both delicious & filling, and every so often we'd have room for an amazing dessert like lavender lemon cake.

Erin C.

4.5 stars. I absolutely loved everything about this place! From the cheery yellow room, to the silver trays used to serve the coffe, to the delicious food, I was one happy Euro camper here. The menu is literally like a phone book there's so many options. My husband had the turkey on brioche toast which had this amazing garlic aioli, cheese, arugula, and raspberry jam! I know it sounds odd, but it was seriously the most delcicious sandwich ever. I had the roasted chicken sandwich with cheese, bacon, carmelized onion and lots of other goodies. It was good as well, but the chicken was a little overdone in my opinion. We both had frappes which were very refreshing on a summer afternoon as well. Other customers seemed to be there for the amazing pastries and desserts. There is a huge selection on display, but we were so full, we just couldn't partake. We'll definitely be back to try those!

Evann G.

Disclaimer: This review really only covers the coffee. I finally came here for a Wiener melange, which I drank all through Vienna and had been missing. The first night, my first sip of the melange transported me right back to Austria, and I was happy. I also tried one of the cookies, and it was very good -- buttery and crumbly and delicious. The second night, however, the melange was just not the same. It was bitter and left an unpleasant aftertaste. It wasn't the worst coffee I've ever had by any means, it just didn't live up to the night before or the coffee I had in Vienna. That said, my boyfriend had a decaf coffee with hazelnut syrup each time, and it was FABULOUS. Some of the best "regular coffee" I've had. So I'd definitely come here again. Maybe my second visit was just a weird fluke.

Robin W.

So awesome for a "different" Sunday brunch before a Music Box matine. They had a string duo playing near the entrance, even though the entire cafe was painted with interesting guests' conversations. We loved people watching here..and felt equally pretentious sipping from our individual coffee setups- you get a personal tiny creamer, tine sugar, tiny spoon, saucer, and a chocolate square. I ordered some egg thing smothered in spinach and goat cheese, and I remember it hitting the spot. When I come back, ill have to try the baked goods.

erin k.

It takes longer for me to put on shoes than it does to walk the forty-something paces from my house to Julius Meinl, and yet somehow, I've been here all of once to actually sit and enjoy a meal. Maybe the stroller mafia had me scared. I thought of it as a grab coffee and keep walking place. Last week I took a day off to try to finish all the shopping that had eluded me, and finally sat down with a menu. I was very impressed by the huge selection of teas and it took me forever to decide. I had a special, the roasted vegetable crepes, for lunch, and loved every bite. I even had a little room for a couple forkfuls of dessert, a pistachio mousse dome, which was just a little more beautiful than it was delicious.

Johanna C.

I usually hit this place on a weekday night which is a good time to go based on user reviews. The deserts are excellent and so are the teas. The Rooibos Caramel is a favorite of mine. I can't speak for the coffee as I don't drink it but my buddies always order the coffee related stuff and love it. There's a good 5 or 6 pages full of beverages. This isn't just a coffee and tea place either; they've got smoothies! Prices range between $2 - $15 (beverage, food or beverage, desert) per person depending what you order. This place definitely gets pretty noisy especially in the sitting area leading to the restrooms. BTW, there are only 2 restrooms. 2 restrooms at a coffee place? WTF?!? The service is good for the most part. Very friendly staff that I'm sure has to put up with a lot of crap for being in that neighborhood. Parking is definitely a nightmare in this neighborhood so I would not attempt to try driving here on a weekend. Again, weekday nights are best.

Therron R.

I really enjoyed the European feel to this quaint diner/cafe. It reminded me of my time in The Netherlands. Paisley patterned loungers give patrons a cozy atmosphere to chat about local news, and bonding family members can once again feel peace that they are loved. The complementing food such as crapes and goulash give one the notion that they are thousands of miles from Chicago, and on holiday in the finest parts of Europe. My Ham & Brie Crape hit the spot with an tasty arugula salad, and the raspberry mango custard tart took the whole experience over the top. I'm so glad this little place is in my neighborhood.

Sneha R.

Absolutely LOVE this place. Just as perfect for a nice weekend brunch as it is got a quick stop for some great coffee. Has a laid back feel to it, one can unwind so easily in there. And the service has been good every time we have been there.

Paul S.

Great food, incredible pastries and desserts, and amazing coffee that actually isn't burned when roasted! Gasp!!! A certain large chain could learn from these guys. Don't miss.

Kimberly L.

What's better than coming out of a sub-zero arctic freaking blast of cold air to a beautiful, full-on, full-fat cup of hot chocolate? Few things in life (that are available for purchase and consumption) bring about such immediate gratification and warmth. Oh and do not skip the whipped cream or you're robbing yourself of the intensity of the awesomeness that will envelop you. As a super-mega bonus, they provide a little square of chocolate on the side. Definitely not an every-day indulgence but you deserve it if you're braving the mean streets of Chicago in the chapped-knuckle, frozen-snot, breath-restricting days of winter.

Michelle D.

Great experience. I love that the beverages are served on a silver plate with a glass of water. I am a big fan of the cappuccino as well as the Mint Hot Chocolate!

Michelle H.

Amazing hot Chocolate, good soup, WAY over-priced.

Erika G.

Love how European this cafe is. Oh wait, it is a European chain? Zut alors! Charming, attractive interior and a fair amount of v. attractive patrons = great people watching too! Though I'm not a real dessert person, I'm tempted by some of the delicacies behind the counter. The coffee . . . yum. Simply yum. Very well done!

Ellie B.

Oooh, momma like! Why have I not reviewed Julius Meinl? Why? It is, after all, where I stop for my mid-shopping-excursion refuel. Wonderful service. Delightful pastries. Scrumptious drinks.

Katarina X.

LOVE the coffee!! An while I'm not a tea person, I was here with a cold once and can confidently admit the tea isn't bad either... the substantial tea selecton binder-menu can be intimidating at first, but the barista was very nice, had tried everything, making my selection more exciting. She was a singer too, and she was able to let me know what would help my sick irritated throat. The pastries made it all a phenomenal experience, one that even my boyfriend can appreciate (and my dog LOVES the bowl of buscuits at the door). The only thing I want now, is more locations, so I can enjoy the yumminess while at work). Meinl is off the Southport brown line- so on my way home I can buy a exeptionally delicious, rich, indulgent cup of Vanilla Cafe Breve!

Jaimie B.

We came here for brunch at 11am on Saturday. We didn't have to wait to be seated but pretty much every table was taken. Our food and the price was great, the coffee was great, the waitress was nice. Our food took a really long time though.

Robert S.

A great place to sit down and have coffee, in real cups, NOT paper cups! Their pastry is delicious, and the place has some old world Viennnese charm, with much friendlier service than what you would find in Vienna. Have not tried their breakfast or lunch yet, but is looks tempting.

Stacey P.

I love this place! I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, because the wait staff are always kind of rude... or if not rude, they just seem pissed about life. Anyway, EVERYTHING i get here makes me happy, from the cookies that come with the tea to the salads, sandwiches, and desserts. This place is warm and cozy, kind of like a starbucks but x3824020 better! I love the chicken avacado sandwich (not sure if that's the official name)! Chicken salad is super yummy and comes with tons of fresh fruit... For dessert- the tophenstruedel (spelilng?!) is DELICIOUS. Ok, everything is delicious. Perhaps I should move to austria and buy myself a cool red top hat.

Nana H.

I came here a while ago, before a movie at the musicbox-i think right after they opened. We had a little pastry and a great drink in a real ceramic cup outside in the summer. It felt like I was in Europe! I would come here again- and I dont believe that theres only one location anymore, When I was interning at the Wacker/LaSalle building they have one in their lobby.

Leigh K.

Okay, now this is just getting ridiculous. Maybe it's the fact I compose my reviews in my head during meals now or the fact that I have told every person I know how much I love Julius Meinl, but I could have sworn I already yelped it. Julius Meinl is one of the places I have waited over 30 minutes for a seat at. It was so good that after Kris, Joe, myself and Z ate a late dinner and dessert there one night that Kris, Joe, and myself went back the next morning for breakfast. We had the same server both of those times and he was so amiable you just could tell that he really liked his job. When I was here last week, the server, Jesse, was so helpful in finding the perfect tea for sicky me to drink. First she suggested chamomile and then, as an afterthought, she came back to add that if I was feeling stomach sick as well that she could blend in peppermint. Places like this are RARE! This place is unfathomably cheap for the service and goods it provides. They offer a choose 2: soup, salad, or sandwich for $7. Yes, $7.50 for a fancy salad and sandwich. JM was one of the few reasons I considered living in this neighborhood and now I'm just a bit sad that I won't be. I adore the pear with blue cheese strudel salad. It's a flavor combo that is unparalleled. We went here again last week and I got the turkey and avocado sandwich with the salad and this is one hearty and delicious sandwich. They're not talking lunchmeat. This is a big piece of roased turkey on multigrain. I wish wish wish there was one of these downtown, but I still feel lucky that the only one in the US is in our fair city.

dj z.

Don't go to sit down - do go to get takeout! I got a latte which was excellent. I love how they have a choice of simple syrup or honey water in addition to your regular sweeteners. I don't use sweeteners but having the choice at all is really considerate! The selection of teas was astounding. I wish and hope that they would keep their loose leaf teas in airtight non-transparent containers to retain freshness.... Look at this adorable ad for their decaf coffee!!! adsoftheworld.com/media/…

Tina W.

Julius Meinl surprised me! Picky as I seem to be about imitation Austro-German coffee and pastry shops, I much enjoyed my melange and apfelstrudel at Meinl. Although in Austria Julius Meinl is just a run of the mill grocery store, it has been pleasantly re-invented as a cafe. The decor is authentic and the space is nicely laid out, lacking the typical claustrophobic furniture arrangement of cute coffee shops. The service is slow (perhaps a tribute to the stereotypical European servers) but friendly and the strudel was tasty and crispy. The melange was a little too cocoa-ey and overdid the sugary milk, but I still enjoyed it.

This is quite possibly the best cup of coffee I've had in Chicago. I would definitely recommend the Melange, a great coffee drink. The foam on top of there was perfect.like a mini cloud covered in chocolate floating in my espresso. Heavenly. Although I didn't get to try any food, when I saw on the plates of others seemed really delicious. Super exciting to see Kaesespaetzle on the menu and looking forward to trying that. Decor is calm and inviting, and really truly reminded me of a cafe in Europe set on a square, pigeons and all that fluttering by while I convince myself I'm an international woman.

Meredith J.

So, I have been to Julius Meinl many, many times and this past Sunday was hands down my last time. As far as service this is absolutely the worst place to go for brunch. My first negative experience, which I can't believe I recovered from and actually went back, occurred when I ordered a petite vegetable sandwich. I ate one half and it was delicious. I decided to eat the other half of my sandwich open-faced so I removed the bread and laying right in the middle of the lettuce was a giant black hair. I kid you not. I immediately called our waiter over and ended up not paying for the sandwich. It was revolting. It took about two months for me to give it another chance, I wish I hadn't. As I said before, I went for brunch this Sunday and it was noticeably crowded. I pushed my way through and I gave the hostess my name, my boyfriend and I waited for about 25 minutes. Fine, no big deal. We sat RIGHT next to (I'm talking 1-2 feet away) the hostess that entire time. I noticed another couple who came in after us and she called them first to be seated. I knew something was up so I asked her if she had our name. In a rude, unpleasant, and agitated voice she said, "I don't know if I wrote you're name down, did you SEE me write it?" I don't have it here. I told her that yes, absolutely I gave her our name and I'd clearly been sitting next to her for 25 minutes. I asked if we could please be seated next because she was seating people who came in after us and we were really hungry. She was rude and said she would try. Finally, after a few more minutes, and much to her displeasure, she sat us. We waited another 30 minutes for our mediocre food and to top it all off, when they refilled my boyfriend's coffee... there was a hair in it. NEVER, EVER GOING BACK.

Jamie G.

Today, it's a cold, cold winter day and instead of walking to Julius Meinl, I will reminisce about the great time I had there on a much warmer late summer afternoon, a day when the patio was soaked in sun and the air-conditioning inside was a cool treat. Ah, summer.... Okay, anyway... Julius Meinl really is one of my favorite spots on Southport, perhaps in Chicago. I daresay their coffee might be better than Intelligentsia, or at least comparable. I also greatly enjoy their sweets counter; each item was everything I want in a dessert: beautiful, delicate and delicious. Other notes: this is not really a coffee shop for studying, as you can pay for wi-fi on the weekdays and there is no wi-fi on the weekends, which makes sense, considering how busy they can get and the more formal atmosphere.

Mercedes S.

Been to this place about three times. I would say a tad over priced but cute. You will get your eggs in unsuals ways and not a normal scrambled or over medium way. If you are looking for a regular breakfast, this is not the place. I did like it to chill out and relax with my friend and most certainly people watch as someone else put in their review.

Corin C.

It's simply the most charming and best cafe in the city of Chicago! The Austrian establishment offers the finest coffees, teas plus the most divine pastries I've ever had - even compares to anything in a Paris patisserie. They offer a tasteful indoor seating area plus they have a nice sidewalk patio for great people watching on the Southport corridor. The coffees are all fantastic and served on an individual silver platter with a small glass of water and Julius biscuit cookie. The breakfasts at Meinl are heaven and my favorite is the Nutella banana crepes - creamy and scrumptious. The baked eggs are excellent and I'm salivating right now thinking of their incredible treats. The roast beef on a pretzel roll is just heavenly and the salads are all fantastic. Save room for the indulgent pastries! It is soooo worth the calories and makes the entire Julius Meinl experience. They offer afternoon tea with wondeful finger sandwiches and treats and on the weekend evenings they have wonderful live classical music to listen to while you savor some food, coffee and teas! This place is perfection with attentive servers and a great vibe! How I miss my Julius since I moved away and you will always be cherished since it's a rare gem!

caroline k.

Cute little find off Southport. We stopped in for coffee and a light dinner. Coffee was too acidic for my liking, but served European style with a small biscuit and glass of water accompanying. We also had the quinoa salad (grapefruit, goat cheese), roasted tomato sandwhich (fontina, arugula-basil pesto), and lemon lavendar pastry (light cream cake). Our server was friendly but a bit forgetful. The live music (base and keyboard) warmed up the cafe on a pretty busy Friday night.

Nicholas W.

Pricey but cozy

K J.

What a treat! Lovely breakfast of baked eggs and wonderful coffee. Don't expect a bottomless cup tho.

Jon J.

I've been putting off reviewing this place because I'm so conflicted about it. I love everything about this restaurant/cafe that they can control - the food is incredible (the baked eggs are manna from heaven), the coffee is some of the best I've ever had, and the staff is friendly. However, I just can't get over the grown up trixies and chads that crowd it every weekend morning. It makes waiting for a table truly painful. But, for some reason, I just can't stop going back! Meinl, I love thee... however, my love, could you move to a different neighborhood?

Andy S.

I almost made it two years in the city without ever visiting Julius Meinl, but alas, I finally was cajoled into going the other night. On the whole I was pretty turned off, it was a little too clean, a little too quiet, and featured a menu that's a fair bit pretentious (for lack of a better word) and pricey for a corner cafe. It's just not a fit for me. I can say for sure that plenty of people would find a lot to like here, between the wide drink selection and the diverse food options, hence the four stars (can't let my own personal bias cloud reviews TOO much, can I?)/

Eric R.

Never disappointed with the quality of food or drink at this place. Definitely try the quinoa salad.

Desiree K.

You think the Wrigleyville slice of Lakeview is all about early thirtysomething moms pushing their kids in Bugaboo strollers, guys in backward-facing baseball hats and girls in Seven jeans. You're not entirely wrong, but at Addison and Southport, the third base corner of the neighbourhood, there are some refreshing scenery changes -- you must be mistaking us for Lincoln Park. If all the world's a stage, then the Julius Meinl patio is your loge box. And the large selection of fresh tea leaves, brewed hot in a teapot or iced cool in a tall glass, is refreshing, too, as today's first semblance of summer weather. That's my cue to trot down the street and park myself at a table on the Meinl patio with a pile of reading material, and iced tea (today's special was exotic mango) and a bowl of fresh fruit. In the 90 minutes I lounged out there, I saw a woman saunter by, chattering with a parrot on her shoulder and another perched on a finger. The group of Austrians next to me chattered away excitedly in maniacal Germanic hyperbole; maybe the schnitzel was really good. A group of chorale singers strolled by in humming haze, doing their best Polyponic Spree in motion. Not so vanilla cookie-cutter, huh? My point is, if you don't have a deck, balcony or yard in your house, the Meinl patio is the best place to get some serious sun, particularly if you get there after noon (sun headed west, you're on the east side of the street). I often wish they would expand their food menu or at least have specials -- being a regular, you run out of sandwiches to order (although they're all very good). And it's a little pricey for a coffee shop, but you are paying for quality and sun time. Just a word of advice: be Chicago smart, because you know our weather can be moody sometimes. An hour in sunshine can quickly turn to a storm in a tea cup or you might see clouds in your coffee -- but good thing the inside of Meinl is cosy and warm, and being inside also means you're closer to the pastry case.

Jim O.

Best frickin' hot chocolate in the city. Seriously.

Corinne M.

Cool coffee house in Southport with a European interior (cutesie little tables, assorted pastries behind glass, espresso, etc.) Only thing that sets it apart from it's Austrian counterparts is the lack of smoke in the place and the distinctly Chicago scenery to be seen through the wall of windows. I like the espresso and the giant mochas. If you are in the mood for tea, it's excellent here as well.

Kat S.

I think Meinl has the best coffee going. And the baked eggs are top three in Chicago brunch, but I don't often go because: 1. Extremely crowded 2. Prices keep jumping up. $6 for a fruit cup, really?? One piece of toast with the eggs and $2 for more? Really? I love you, but you've priced me out Meinl. Just for the occasional breakfast instead of a regular outing, now. sigh.

Rosaria L.

Had a craving for dessert and a cappuccino and stumbled upon this place. Great find JM has a European flair -atmosphere is very quaint wether you choose indoor or outdoor seating. They have a great menu to choose from. It is a great place to chill and reconnect with old friends. We had a very attentive waitress who was fabulous . The cappuccino had great froth,and the desserts are to die for! Definitely a place to visit if you are in the city. I will definitely be back to enjoy their live music on weekends and will have to check out their breakfast!

Liz H.

This is easily one of my favorite Chicago places! I have a book club here every month, and lived right down the street for a year, so I've spent a lot of time here. The ambiance is nice, especially the overstuffed chairs in the back, and the food looks great when it arrives. I've got lots of favorites here. My absolute favorite is the molten chocolate cake-I can't imagine anything that could make me happier! The chai is fantastic, and they have a great chicken salad sandwich. I've brought tons of friends here, and when I have guests from out of town, they always ask if we can go to "that cute little cafe." The only negatives are that it can be a bit pricey (I think of it as a special treat) and small, so it fills up quickly. I could talk all day about this place. I recommend it to everyone!

Katy R.

We first found this gem when we stopped in for brunch after Christmas tree shopping-- one creamy pumpkin crepe later and I was hooked. Since then I've never had anything I didn't love. Most of the food is pretty rich-- lots of cream, caramelized onions, cheese, truffle oil, etc but they're all amazing! The coffee/tea/espresso selection is also impressive. There's usually a 10-30 minute wait on the weekends, and the food is a bit pricey for what you get size-wise, but I still go as often as I can. Lots of summer outdoors seating too-- wonderful.

Jason G.

I love Julius Meinl. The coffee is top notch and the food is so very tasty. And the pastries? Supurb! The one reason its not getting four stars is due to the service. Granted, we tend to come and hour before closing, but that's no excuse to be ignored. It tends to be very bad at the end where we have to wait up to twenty minutes to get the check. The busser has cleared the table so if you see that we are sitting in silence with an empty table for twenty minutes, maybe we are ready to go.

Julie Y.

Love everything there. Prices are on the higher end, but it is totally worth it. SO yummy. They are also very great with kids, and totally accommodating when you need a million napkins, your kid throws food on the floor, and you need a high chair. Love, love, love this place. Great drinks, delicious food.

Emily S.

Wonderful coffee and delicious baked eggs and pastries. My only complaint is with the service. Every server we have had seems like he could not possibly hate his job more and has an attitude that it is such a chore to be waiting on tables.

Todd P.

I will definitely come back here. I live a few blocks away and this is an excellent little coffee shop. I had french press coffee, it was my first but I thought it was just fine. I could have used more skim milk but that's personal taste. Oatmeal was as oatmeal is, nondescript, but they gave me sides of milk, brown sugar, syrup, walnuts, and dried fruit. My mistake-I ordered the quinoa (keen-wah) salad, not very good. My girlfriend and I make a pretty solid red quinoa salad and this was nothing like I expected. It was bland and boring, not worth the $9 or whatever it was. A bit pricey for breakfast, our bill was $30 for two people, but if we subtract the poor choice on the salad its far more reasonable. Decor is nice, there were a few newspapers around and small tables to sit and read. I really enjoyed how quiet it was the entire time. The cookie you get with your coffee is pretty stellar. Like I said, I will be going back soon.

K G.

Not a fan. I love trying out new coffee shops and this was by far the worst. Too milky and lacked coffee flavor.

Yoie L.

Oh the little Meinl coffee boy with the red hat is adorable!! Julius Meinl is always busy and understaffed, but I think the store itself and the exotic tea they offer is worth the wait. I have been here twice; both times the bf and I stopped in for a little snack before heading over to The Music Box Theatre a block away. BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed the Music Box Christmas Show especially watching It's a Wonderful Life for the first time with a large crowd of loud and drunk people, but that's another review. On the last trip, a couple of days before Christmas, they happened to have live music featuring a talented duo of old men playing the violin and a cimbalom. They were fantastic--I highly recommend checking them out if you see them on the music schedule. I also picked up a few Christmas presents here for my bf's parents. The staff was super friendly and apologetic for being too busy. They were oh so helpful and patiently explained everything to me (I can't read German). I decided to get some of the recommended preserves and candies. I even picked up a coffee cup for myself because I love the coffee boy logo so much. I haven't tried their food yet...but I can say the fruit tea and herbal tea are both delicious. It is on the more expensive side, but that doesn't bother me when the bf is in town, which is super rare these days.

Ramya P.

Cure for your hangover... Really appreciate the excess amount of water that they serve... trust me I needed it when I had breakfast with a couple'a friends last weekend. Great coffee at 7 am?? Yes please... Loved the baked eggs with Rösti potato pancake, caramelized onions, aged Parmesan & truffle oil and the sweet potato spätzle. Totally unique!! Although I have to mention that their tables are so small, We kept knocking the water everytime we stood up... come on people, I had to criticize something!!

Kacie M.

Julius Meinl can be packed, but I suppose that's the down-side of having a wonderfully quaint European coffee shop that serves fantastic food and pastries AND delicious coffee right in the middle of Addison? Starting with the little chocolates and mini spoons delivered with your coffee, Meinl is strikingly different than American coffee shops that are utilitarian and focused on speedy service. Meinl is about a fine dining cafe experience. Service is great and on the weekend there is live music. It makes for a nice date!

J M.

Way surpassed my expectations. Good service, great food, and kid friendly too! Got some tea, brie and ham crepes and almond croissant. Best croissant I have ever had! Everything was wonderfully delicious. The only complaint I have is how did I not find this place sooner?

Annie R.

It feels like Im visiting Europe when I'm here! Their focus on teas and coffees European style is so quaint! Love it! However, I am more about their incredibly fantastic pastries! They change it up all the time and every single piece I've tried is outstanding. Never too sweet but always flavorful. The pastries are all very unique and hard to find elsewhere. Pastry plus tea for a snack? There's nothing better unless you're sitting in Paris. Brunch is incredible here, but the lines are always immensely long. Service is also extremely wonderful but there aren't too many tables. There is plenty of street parking but can get hard to find during peak hours. But I still love and will still return very often, but more likely during off hours.

Matthew M.

Like being at a cafe in Europe. Good service, good food, great coffee.

Amy L.

I go here to work on my laptop a lot. The food is really good, I recommend the baked eggs or the spatzle, which is like a gnocchi dish. They give you yummy little cookies with every drink! They also give you 2 hours of free internet, but it you have a 3G card, they'll let you sit there as long as you like. My only complaint is that you have to ask them to refill your drink instead of just doing it when it's empty.

Patricia N.

A little pricey, but I went twice this week. Julius Meinl has a great atmosphere despite the fact that it can get loud and the tables tend to be really small. My friends love the tea selection. I love the Monin Italian sodas. (Try the mango!) Five Stars Selections: Chorizo Spatzle, Roasted Tomato Sandwich, Truffled Croque Madame, Nutella Crepes with Strawberries and Bananas. Four Star Selections: Austrian Goulash Spatzle, Banana French Toast.

Jenna S.

What is Julius Meinl? Honestly, I passed by it so many times and could never figure it out. Kind of a bizarre name... did it serve food? Coffee? What?! Clearly, I had been missing out on so much brunch goodness and that makes me sad. But I've been here now and I know how good the food tastes - that's what's important. Enter: small-ish group of friends out for brunch. We wanted to sit out on the patio, which turned out to be the best idea ever because that was literally the last warm enough weekend to do so for the year in Chicago. Winners: us. We waited about 15 minutes for a large table to open up and we were promptly seated and our drink orders were taken. I was highly impressed with the size of their tea menu - usually places just have a few bagged teas to choose from, but JM has a great selection of bagged and loose. I like it! Their menu was a bit overwhelming, not in quantity, but in quality. Literally everything seemed so delicious I could not decide what to order. I eventually decided on a Meinl Cinnamon Roll and the Meinl Baked Eggs with Rosti, caramelized onions and truffle oil. Mmmmmmmmm so absolutely delicious. The cinnamon roll was huge, even when I shared it with my boyfriend... we almost couldn't finish it. The baked eggs were super hot, contained a delicious mix of flavors and was one of the most savory things ever. I'm a huge fan of European breakfast in general, so this reminded me of the time I spent in Germany traveling. Do I want to go back? YES! I will definitely bring myself back here for some delicious coffee and breakfast. The service was friendly, prompt and the entire restaurant smelled like roasting coffee. Oh, try their Cherry-Limeade drink.... it was super good and I wish I had gotten a huge size. Meinl is my delicious alternative to a standard hot breakfast. Good job.

Kati L.

First and foremost I admit that I am not a coffee connoisseur, which often proves troublesome for cafes like Julius Meinl, but the waitress was more than willing to create a drink that would suit my palette and well within my budget. The service was impeccable and the jazz duo was delightful. And the hazelnut-who-knows-what was absolutely delicious. Kudos!

Andy R.

This review is independent of the food and coffee, which is just fine. This place is very un-friendly towards those wishing to use a laptop or do work, I'm guessing in an effort to discourage patrons who lurk for hours on end. If you'd like to do some work in a coffee shop, I'd say go elsewhere. From my experience today: -they don't provide wi-fi Friday through Sunday -no outlets visible anywhere (but to be fair there's lots of places with that situation) -server promptly ignored me once I pulled out my laptop, which I found extremely annoying only because I ordered a drink as I sat down and told her I'd make a food order when she came back. Which she never has. Trying for eye contact every time she walks by isn't helping - I think I've been officially written off!

Reiahnna J.

I had a half sandwich, half salad deal. I got the roast beef sandwich and harvest salad with avocado and Monin Cherry Italian soda. This is a delicious combo that everyone should try. Topfenstrudel is a topfen (cream) cheese and golden raisin strudel and one of the best desserts they have. I think it might be my favorite dessert. I was also feeling a little tired so I got a Vienna Eiskaffee, which is a Meinl espresso poured over vanilla ice cream with whipped cream on top. I don't like coffee so this was a good choice because after stirring together the ice cream and coffee, it had a bearable taste.

Jamie H.

Food and drinks here are both delicious! Myself and three other friends came at 12:30 on Sunday, and were told about a 30 min wait. I think it was closer to 20 mins, so that was delightful. They had a big container of water with cups up front, which I was excited about. When we got seated and the server took our drink order promptly. I got a plain old iced tea, it was quite good. Two friends got the Chai Tea, and I tried...very yummy! On to the food- it came out pretty quickly. We all got sandwiches, I got the Roasted Vegetable Focaccia. It was so good. My friends all said their sandwiches were very good too. It came with a tiny salad, which was also tasty. This place is just down the block from me, and I can't believe this was the first time I came! I will be sure to come back again, and would highly suggest others come here whenever they get the chance!

Alexis B.

I was told that this place was a must in Chicago! I met up with a long time friend, and we sat at a charming tea table, smack dab in front of the dessert case. I'm lucky I didn't indulge, but I may have to try at least something next time. I did however, order a fresh iced Kir Royal tea. Currants and hibiscus flower infused, it really hit the spot on a gorgeous sunny day!

Kristin R.

My favorite coffee house around. Delicious pastries and the best coffee.

L F.

In theory I like this place a lot. There are some great menu items and I love how some of them are in German (most people probably don't know what they mean). I do have one issue: the grooming standards of the employees, which are a strong juxtaposition to the cafe's otherwise upscale ambiance. Viennese elegance does not mix with dreadlocks, bleached hair that is growing out and facial hair that is not at least somewhat trim.

Ju L.

A lil pricey (double espresso, $2.20, served with a square of chocolate), but it's just so lovely here! A friend who studied for several months in Vienna talked endlessly about this place (I came here on her recommendation). When we visited, another friend was so excited about how much Julius Meinl reminded him of Europe that he immediately called his mother, and spent much of the time blinking. I'm no Hemingway, but I can appreciate a wonderful cafe when I see one. Get the topfenstrudel, served hot and with a dollop of cream. SO GOOD.

Leyla A.

Took myself out on a date here the other night. Had some Mint Tea and a slice of Austrian something or another. It had almonds in it , and I am sure it was very calorific. Then I went to the Music Box next door and watched a foreign film, The Separation. It was profound, intense, and intoxicating.

Pam H.

We were there , from the suburbs,early evening on a night the Cubs were not playing for an event at the Music Box. The restaurant was not full and in light of the other reviews that may have made a difference. The service was friendly, prompt and not rushed. I had the salad/sandwich combo Tartine Duo sandwiches and quinoa salad. The sandwiches are tea sandwiches and are ( of course) tea sized .They manage to be assertively tasty and good.The quinoa salad includes argula, goat cheese and grapefruit segments but still needs brightening up. Ask for some of the citrus vinaigrette dressing or lemon wedge. My friend had half roast beef sandwich and the Mediterranean salad, and again she commented that the salad could use some additional tartness, i.e., zing. I like no traditional non alcoholic drinks. The elderflower soda was perfect for a warm evening (it has a floral note that matches really well with lemonade too). Pastries. Friend has teh strawberry shortcake which is done in thin cake and filling layers and she said was definitively strawberry. This is a refined version and not the shortbread/berry/whipped cream heap from the recipe maagzines. I had the key lime tart. It was just okay. Choose something else. (I have had the Meinl Back Forest tort elsewhere recently- go for that- it is not cake-y and not heavy). Salad/sandwich combo, drink and dessert cost us $24.00 a piece including tip. Parking is catch as catch can, but you are just down the street from Wrigley Field. I am not often in this neighborhood, but if I am, I will come back.

Joel M.

Sweet delicious gourmet coffee at a cafe that only exists in Vienna and...Lakeview. This place is great - the ambiance, service, and drinks. I got a regular cup of house coffee (my benchmark) and the wifey got some kind of espresso drink. Both were delicious and strong, just how we like it. People actually hang out here a lot and drink coffee too. Bonus is that they have the sweet syrup at the cream and sugar stand so you can actually sweeten your iced tea or iced coffee without waiting two hours for the sugar granules to dissolve. The prices are up there, but similar to Intelligentsia, Argo, etc. They serve Julius Meinl at the Kanela Breakfast Club at Clark and Belmont as well (just the coffee)/

Dora F.

Great tea, brewed perfectly as well as extraordinary desserts. I haven't had real meals here so I can only comment on the sweets and teas but I highly recommend this place for both those things. Service was superb, too. Didn't feel rushed at all!

Kradle W.

BAD STRUDEL - WHAT HAPPENED?? Yes, I am a Julius Meinl fan - but what did you do to the Apfelstrudel?????? Went there last night for Valentine. Salad and sandwich were good, but the strudel looked and tasted like old leather. Served stone cold. Had it been in the freezer? Not prepared very well afterwards? Been out for a loooong time? At least, VERY DISAPPOINTING!!

Patrick S.

I've never been to a real Austrian cafe but sure am glad to have an Americanized version in the 'hood. Good service, coffee and sandwiches. Really tasty french toast, so rich it gives me a bit of a tummy ache. I like the little touches: old photos of the European locations, cans of coffee on the walls like a general store and the newspapers in wooden binders. A bit on the expensive side.

Mandi G.

I really HATE when businesses are doing so well that they feel they can treat people like assholes and get away with it, because in all honesty they can. Kuma's is at the top of that list, but I am now adding Julius Meinl. I stopped in today early afternoon because I was craving breakfast, but I needed something fast and thought this would be a perfect choice. I ordered one of their baked egg dishes to go and then sat down in their waiting area. As soon as I sat down, I sent a text to a friend. The reason why this is important is because it allowed me to know exactly when my wait started. After sitting there for almost 30 minutes, I asked behind the counter if it usually took this long for what I ordered. I was told "Yeah, baked eggs generally take 30 minutes." So, I sat down and waited some more. I finally received my order 42 minutes later. WWWWWWWWWWTTTTTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFFFFFFF If something usually takes 30 minutes to make, why does it not have that printed on the menu? And why did the girl at the cash register not tell me this when I ordered it? Obviously, when people are ordering things to-go, they are not trying to sit around your restaurant all afternoon. I mentioned to the employee that finally gave me my order that this really needs to be printed on the menu or at the very least, mentioned when ordering, and I received an extremely fake "Ooopss...sorry." Yes, I am sorry. I am sorry that I wasted an hour waiting on a decent (but not amazing) egg dish that is extremely small portioned for the price. Maybe the next time a customer approaches you in a non-confrontational manner with a legitimate complaint, at the very least you could offer a free pastry or a card for a free drink the next time around. But, you are obviously doing enough business that one person complaining doesn't matter. Well, good luck with that. I am glad all the stroller mommies are keeping you afloat. PS- I feel I should add they were NOT slammed. 1/3 of the tables inside were empty.

Kathy H.

Very delicious German food. Amazing decor. Excellent service. Prices are more than average and portions are not as big as the server proclaimed. I got the amazing Fresh English spatzle with talian kale, pine nuts, thyme, lemon, goat cheese. It's absolutely amazing. I also got the Frittaten Soup (Austrian beef broth soup with herbed crepe noodles) which was very good. (see pictures!)

David R.

Good ol' Julius Meinl. Two hours to kill between 7:20 and midnight shows at the Music Box? Too perfect--Julius Meinl is right down the street and is open until 12am Friday and Saturday. It's been several months, but I still love this place. The topfnstrudel is divine--and far, far better than a piece that I had at the Hacker Haus in Munich. I think that I just found a new favorite non-chocolate dessert item in Chicago. Plus the iced coffee is good and does its job, keeping me up waaaay past the end of the midnight movie. (I am a coffee amateur.) And at night with the dim lighting, it feels even more European than in the daytime with the big windows. I must must must return when the weather cools off for some of their hot food. I never made it in for a meal last winter.

Alicia S.

This is my favorite place for the days you're pondering "where should we grab breakfast?" I have two go-to menu choices depending on who I'm with or how much time I have. For 6 months a friend and I met at JM for breakfast at 7am every Thursday. I'd always get the hard boiled egg, brioche toast (my favorite jam is when they have the blackberry) & coffee. My friend always got the Melange, softboiled egg & toast. If you hit their morning happy hour the coffee is cheaper...especially the Melange. When I'm going for a leisurly breakfast with friends I start by splitting either the fruit plate or the granola & then we split the baked eggs (always get the Salmon & Cream Cheese) with a side of brioche. Only bummer, no Wi-Fi. But I love to go here with a good book or the paper & lounge in their comfy chair tables with my toast and coffee. *If your addicted to coffee like me, before you leave you can ask for a cup of coffee to go (of course, if you've ordered coffee!). They are always very accommodating about that! *The biscuits that come with the coffee...mmm.

Amanda B.

Excellent espresso bar, beautifully crafted chai--love the coffee art. Superior breakfast food, the egg bake could use a bit more taste, however. Stuffed banana French toast was succulent, dense, moist & incredibly delicious. Great atmosphere, warm inside on this bitterly cold day.

Aimee M.

I now have a French-Press coffee pot on my wish list after visiting Julius Meinl. Several people have told me that is THE way to enjoy coffee. Yes, I loved the coffee experience at JM. Silver platter, single serving of cream in a porcelain mini-cup and a yummy cookie. Now THAT is the way to enjoy coffee! Hubsbie and I enjoyed a late brunch there before a show at the Music Box. On our table: Baked eggs with potato pancake, caramelized onions and truffle oil (wonderful!) and Croque Madame--Gruyere, Black Forest Ham and egg sandwich (very tasty!). I loved the menu--a huge selection of teas and coffees. The pastry menu looks like heaven. The special that day was a pistachio torte that sounded divine. Service was very friendly and attentive and allowed for a very leisurely meal. Even though it was bustling we did not feel rushed at all. I would love to come back and have more coffee and to try the pastry.

Andre W.

After months of my lady wishing and hoping to make it to this place, I thought it would be great to surprise her and take her this past Sunday afternoon. We walked in and it was very crowded and we were lucky enough to find the last available table. We sat down and were greeted by a very nice server. I ordered the cafe au lait and a chocolate tart. The server came back and told me they were out of them. I looked two tables over and saw a couple sharing a delicious looking chocolate cupcake, so I said I will have the same. When the cupcake came, I pulled the skirt off and went to town. The chocolate frosting on top was really good! When I looked at the menu I was surprised to see all of the delicious items, but because I had just eaten pizza, my stomach would not have been able to handle more food. Next time I will come for brunch My girl was very excited to be here because this was the closest she has had to the German coffee culture since being in America. So I guess I will venture over more often now.

Aaron C.

Julius Meinl is without a doubt my favorite place to have coffee in Chicago. I visited today for brunch. This was the fifth time that I've visited. Every time I come to Julius Meinl I always leave happy and content. I ordered the Croque Madame, it was served with pleasantly sized salad with (what I'm assuming to be) balsamic vinegar. Everything was delicious. I had decided when I ordered that I had to have dessert too. The Mozart was phenomenal, probably the best dessert I have had in a very long time; so light, so rich, absolutely delectable. I will agree with some of the other reviewers that the service leaves a little bit to be desired, however the food makes the service nearly unnoticeable.

Whitney H.

I love the European-ness of this place. That's how Southport is sometimes - so civilized in a neighborhood of drunken Cubs fans. My sister and I stopped in for a quick bite and a coffee. We grabbed a table and ordered regular coffees and breakfast pastries. I adore their ham and cheese croissant - fresh and flaky, perfectly proportioned amounts of ham and cheese to croissant. You know, the ratio thing. The coffee is pretty good too and comes with a little glass of water and a tiny creamer on a metal charger. And our guy was good about refills. I guess I love its casual sophistication.

Ann L.

I have been to Julius Meinl many times over the last several years, and I was saddened to see the state it had deteriorated to. After we seated ourselves as the sign said--we were told we could push two tables in the front together(with no offer for help from the staff). They had one waitrees staffed for the whole restaurant, and she was completely indifferent to our comfort or requests ie. lemon for water, or a water refill. My Quinoa salad was delicious, but I am sorry to say neither I nor my three friends will ever go back. With so many restaurants to choose from, why would we ever go to one where the service is so inferior?

Dennis S.

Very nice, but I prefer the one further north on Lincoln. I tried this Julius Meinl with a friend for lunch. It's the same menu as the other. The space is larger, less intimate, more business like. The service definitely didn't reach the level of their other place. In fact, the service was pretty ordinary and indifferent. The food was very tasty. My brie and ham crepes were delicious. The coffees were of course excellent. Since I have to drive to get here, and knowing the other Julius Meinl is just a few minutes away, I'll be going further north to enjoy what I consider to be a more authentic Viennese café with their great service.

Rachael L.

I live so close but never stopped in...finally had a chance. I came in for dinner last night and it was excellent! I had the Spätzle, a great cup of tea, a chocolate pastry, AND GREAT service. I usually feel odd dining alone but this is the perfect place to just bring a book and enjoy (if there aren't entitled, rude odd balls to ruin the time, this place has its far share). The place is cozy, food is very good and my waitress was very friendly! She didn't rush me, but was very attentive and kind. She even chatted with me a little about the book I was reading. Overall a great experience. Also, TESS WAS AMAZING!

Colleen C.

Yes, sometimes I am into the long, luxurious method of languishing over a cup of coffee for a long while. Drifting in and out of daydreams, only brought back to reality by the rising sound of caffeinated patrons...a real mug. A petite glass of water and an adorable little cookie on a tray. Julius Meinl strikes a careful blend between Sbux and indie coffee shop. Sometimes I just want to camp at my table, and I do not wish to be cattle herded into a line of strangers calling for "half caf, skim soy, pinch of cinnamon, slice of arrogance" coffee concoctions. Honestly, it's a mockery of coffee. On the other hand, I don't wish to be totally surrounded by "macbookers" (Yes, I have one, too...so I'm not hating...but I don't sit for 17 hours without buying anything, either) at a coffee shop with uber slow service and lackluster facilities. So, at JM...I order the Cafe Au Lait. And drift. And, if I am hungry...a chicken salad sandwich. Make an afternoon of it. It slows the world down for a moment...

Annie W.

I love Julius Meinl!! It makes me feel fancy pants. In addition to really great coffee, they have a tasty menu and adorable pastries. Wish they'd be more active about greeting and seating you, though, since I stood in the doorway for about 10 minutes without someone so much as saying "hi!"

Rita W.

I don't know why I don't come here more often! I always walk by Julius Meinl but I think I always get distracted by the so many thousands of places to see on Southport. I used to think it was just your standard coffee shop but after looking at their menu last night, I realize man I have been missing out! Their brunch menu looks amazing...the banana french toast, the stuffed french toast, I felt like kicking myself that I was there at 8pm and not before 3pm so I could have had the chance of tasting their banana french toast. Alas it was not meant to be last night.... SO instead I shared the nutella crepes with my friend Leslie and ordered the famous hot chocolate. I will have to be totally honest in saying that while the crepe was good, it was your standard nutella crepe...I mean if your establishment messes that up..well we got some issues... The hot chocolate was yummy though and I do love the fact that it is served on a tray with a little glass of water and a little spoon, and best of all, a piece of chocolate! I am a sucker for minature cute cutery. The service is great and I am definitely aiming to come back here to check out their brunch/lunch options, and their other dessert options!

Frank B.

Great place to sit and have coffee! Cool staff and free jazz on Friday & Sat nights makes this a sweet date spot anytime!

Chuck S.

Live two blocks away and will start to go elsewhere. Was not done with me coffee and pastry, before the waiter gave me the check. Translation - leave, your biz is not important to us. FYI to the waiter, I was going to order a specify coffee . But, you gave me my the check before I could. Starbucks never kicks me out. Congrats, you are now Starbucks

Jennie T.

"Let's meet at the coffee shop on the corner of Addison and Southport." OK! Minutes later... I realized that we had to wait to be seated. And then I was told that the rest of my company had to be there before we get a table. HUH? What is this?? "I thought we were going to a coffee shop!" Apparently, this is a very European, very fancy (read: non-American, non-Starbucks or Caribou Coffee) coffee shop. After we got seated -- very comfortable chairs by the way, I thoroughly enjoyed looking through their menu. They have so many choices! This is not a coffee shop where you'd look up at a board of coffee choices and then dictate your order(s) to the cashier. Nope, it's more of a sit-down-let's-have-coffee-or-tea type of place. Looking for a place to have your cofee/tea date? This is the place. And my mocha frappe with whipped cream on top came with a little cookie. Delicious. It's a nice place to study (I was studying for the psych GRE while my companions studied Spanish and interior design). But the noise level is as loud as a busy restaurant's. We ultimately decided that it'd be better to go somewhere else. Still, the service was great. I originally wanted to try the Vienna Esikafee (I probably misspelled this), which stated that it was expresso on top of vanilla ice cream. Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Well, they ran out of vanilla ice cream, so the waiter recommended to me the mocha frappe. I think I'll have to go back there to try the Vienna Esikafee though, and maybe some of their other menu items... without the books because the tables were a bit small for them -- How you could possibly fit a lunch plate with your coffee and all, I have no idea! It's not very practical, these small tables.

Aurore L.

Topfen Strudel guys. Topfen-fucking-Strudel. Sweet cheese and golden raisins wrapped in flaky pastry, served warm with a dollop of freshly home-made whipped cream. Sweet but cheesy (in the most delicious way), creamy, flaky, crunchy....a freaking symphony. Or a Christmas carol in the lines of "Glory to the Newborn King" (of my stomach): youtube.com/watch?v=YhRp… That's the holidays all right.

Daisy D.

Julius Meinl is a charming, European style cafe. The coffee here is excellent, and there is a large selection of delicately blended loose leaf teas. I have never been disappointed with a meal here - the Meinl Baked Eggs make for a delicious breakfast, and the Roasted Lamb Spätzle and Käsespätzle are the epitome of carby comfort food. Delish. On a side note, they have really great classical and jazz musicians performing on Fridays and Saturdays. Worth checking out. This is one of my favorite go - to's in the city. Great place for brunch with friends, a casual first date, or just a space to hang out and read a book!

Jennie K.

This place is fantastic! I love their coffee,has a great taste, and definitely gets you wired for the day! Their baked eggs are awesome. worth the 15 minute cook time. All around, this place rocks if your looking for a place to eat an amazing breakfast! ...though there is one waitress who I'm not a big fan of, but i won't let her spoil this place :)

Garrett A.

Brunch is a very sacred event for my gf and me, made even more hallowed this Sunday when both of us were crippled by an onslaught of Hangover Regret combined with a douse of Empty Refrigerator. We stopped into our usual brunch spot, Southport Grocery but found that the wait was too long, so instead of trekking back we decided to try Julius Meinl. It started off well enough; we were seated almost immediately in quiet corner, propped up with a menu that rivals the wine list at Bin 36. She ordered the Croque Madame and I had the baked eggs. The server warned us that the baked eggs take a long time to make. Fine, we said, please have them both come out at the same time. Ten minutes later, her Croque Madame arrived with no sign of the eggs. I sampled some of the sandwich. It was delicious, albeit not as meaty or good as the one at Birchwood Kitchen, but the cheese on top was a good touch. I was very excited about my eggs. She ate a little bit but wanted to wait until my eggs came. The server didn't really come around at all, except to ask if she wanted to box up her food. A full HALF HOUR LATER, my dish arrived. It was so steaming hot that I had to wait another five minutes for it to be cool enough to eat. All that anticipation? Turns out the baked eggs weren't nearly as good as just a plain old omelet. It was pretty dry, with little egg flavor. I would come back again for coffee, but not for brunch.

Christina S.

The service here is terrible in the mornings. The counter staff is never attentive to incoming customers and the baristas are snooty as hell. I've asked for the same drink 4 consecutive visits and each time it has been wrong. All I want is an americano with extra room for cream hold the dirty looks, NOT THAT HARD! If only Cafe Tola across the street open as early!!

Suzy D.

We came here at 9 am on a Saturday to have brunch with friends. We were seated right away so that was great. All of the drinks are so delicious. My husband had coffee and I had an apple cider chai. I gulped my chai down in seconds because it was so tasty. The pastry case in the front is so tempting. Our friends had a graham cracker cookie sandwich and some kind of cake. It looked fabulous. I had the baked eggs with chorizo. It was very filling and hearty and had lots of cheese. If we are in the neighborhood, we will definitely be back!

Linsey C.

Stopped in for bfast with the sis. She had an iced melange which was delicious and I had a delicious iced tea lemonade that the menu said had hints of cucumber and green apple...it was AMAZING!! Been thinking about going back ever since we left! We also each had the little egg sandwich with cheese and bacon on a mini brioche bun...just the right amount for a light breakfast. Well done Julius. ps. take the biscuit from the water platter with you...it makes a lovely mid-morning blood-sugar booster!

Melissa B.

I stopped in here kind of late the other night in the mood for a cup of coffee. It was pretty quiet but still a nice atmosphere. The servers were all wonderful! They also helped me choose a fabulous dessert. Hazelnut pear torte. I'm glad I stopped in after walking by this place so many times. Normally my spot for coffee on Southport is Sensational Bites. This is a nice alternative for the times they are closed or crowded.

Matthew S.

First visit: with a fellow sexy yelper. Second visit: with a real, bonafide German. I mean, she wasn't wearing lederhosen or anything, but she has an accent so that counts. Oh, and I'm Jewish... so it's like we are mending cultural bridges. Anyway, The first time I went, I went just to have coffee and some yum dessert. I had the cafe latte and a pear tart. The coffee was super delish.com , but the pear tart... meh (which is a word now!) It was kind of dry, and I wasn't really impressed by it. The fun part of this visit was the conversation with a new friend. Second visit: I wanted to see how authetic all this stuff was. And while she isn't Austrian (never confuse a German with an Austrian, unless you want your gentials handed to you) she wanted to try the food and coffee. SO! This time I ordered food. I had Austrian Noodle soup, and a salmon sandwich. It was served on pumpernickel bread, and it was super yummy. And again, I ordred the cafe latte. It was that good. In fact the reason I invited the German. She has been craving good "real" coffee since she got here, and Starbucks doesn't do it for her. The German ordered an Austrian breakfast....which totally delighted her. And the coffee? She is still thanking me. We ended up having 2 each.... mind you, these are not served in mugs...they are litteraly served in small bowls with handles. I had caffiene DT's for the next 3 hours. But it was so worth it. Oddly, both times that I've been there, I was seated in the same place. NOTES: Be prepared to wait. I've never walked in and got seated. Once 15 minutes, once 20 minutes. But worth the wait. The staff was polite, and attentive. And the bathrooms are totally clean. And authenticly Austrian....they serve hot pretzels and beer near the urinals. OK, that is a lie. But the toilets are clean. Go visit Julius Meinl!!

Marc R.

I love this place. I spent a lot of time in Bavaria, Tirol, and Vienna drinking coffee just like this and am so happy that this place is here in Chicago. I took two friends here this past weekend at 8:30 am to beat the mass of weekend stroller-moms who clog this place with $1000 strollers after 10:30 am. I do love kids, but those monster strollers are not cafe friendly! Now, the breakfasts are quite nice. They have a traditional soft-boiled egg breakfast (very typical in German cafes and B&Bs) and a mind blowing truffle oil baked egg dish. The egg sandwich was also good., My Austrian girlfriend used to make Kaiserschmarren pancakes (oh the nostalgia) and they make them here so you better try them! I always order the Grosser Brauner since this is the typical coffee in Austria and it should be a 30 second pull on a manual espresso machine (typical pull is 15 seconds), but here it is automated so I wondered about this since it seems stronger here than in Austria. The Austrian girlfriend's brother ran a Cafe/Konditorei . It comes on a silver tray with a small water and a side of cream (in Austria this is heavy cream or evaporated milk), but here it is half-half I think. Anyhow, this is the coffee to order on your first visit. This said the french press pot is wonderful as is the tea press. So, as much as Franz Josef might roll in his grave, I might start drinking French press here! Oh, and while Meinl does not have cafes in Austria (I think they now have one in Vienna) they have long been a primary wholesaler and grocer so much of the coffee in Vienna that does not come from Italian roasters comes from Meinl and this is as good a representation of the Vienna Cafe as you can find here. For pics of some classic cafes as a point of reference see: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi…

Patrick M.

coffee makes me sleepy, predominately, i think, because of how freaking tired i am of sucky coffee. also, i might have an undiagnosed neurological disorder. julius meinl's delicious espresso beverages, however, are like waking up in a world where drinking coffee doesn't have to be a painful, utilitarian experience, but rather can be, as the austrians say, "super freaking delicious." seriously, one sip of my latte and i was doing julie andrews spins around the austrian mountaintops, only instead of actually spinning i was just saying, "this is super freaking delicious" (like an authentic austrian). i've also had the distinct pleasure of being able to replenish my blood sugar here once or twice before i slipped into a coma, or passed out like that one girl in my high school math class that one time when i think she just didn't want to take a test. what i mean is that i've eaten the food here a couple times and i didn't puke it up like that girl on that one totally-too-real-for-comfort episode of degrassi. one time i got this like salmon-egg bake breakfast item with cream cheese which tasted like heaven, you know, if jesus was up there and he was really a fish and instead of clouds there were just really fluffy eggs. you can decide for yourself where the cream cheese fits into this analogy. i was also fortunate enough to be feeling adventurously pretentious one time and ordered this quinoa apple salad thing they were dishing up to all the frou-frou, bougie, health-nut, cake-haters. this stuff was simply beyond delicious, in an entirely different realm of tastiness reserved for dishes that have like julia child's ghost's plasma as their secret ingredient (i think this constituted the dressing they used). the cafe itself is simple, with big bright windows and chairs for sitting on and tables for eating/drinking at (tip: if you bring chairs to a table, you can sit while you eat/drink). it's pretty well done because when you walk in you're like, "oh i'm in a cafe" which is good because that's what it is and if you were like, "oh i'm in a crematorium" or something you'd probably not be sure where you were and you might even get freaked out and then suddenly leave in a fit of terror like the time i desperately pushed my way out the emergency exit at a haunted house when i was in 5th grade. overall, i think if you want a tasty coffee beverage, or a relaxing weekend breakfast, meinl is the place to go. prices are fairly reasonable, i didn't have to like cash my CDs in early to foot the bill or nothing. just kidding, i don't have CDs. they also have dinnertime supperfoods. i've gotten one or two of those, but i think the breakfast items are what really do it for me here.

George H.

Good service, coffee and ambience.

Beth A.

rich rich desserts...and i luved every bite of my overpriced piece had a hazlenut layered cake w fondant...supreme flavor *cake was a bit dry...could be cause it was the very end of the day or cause its laced w almonds...also the fondant was super thick...more sugar for me i guess :P

Kendrah R.

Pro's: They offer food, dessert, and tea, coffee. Large selection of teas. Pastries are pretty. Spacious, nice arrangement of tables in different sizes, comfy chairs. Con's: They close sooo early. Food is kind of off and expensive. (I had a side salad tonight with some of the greens wilted and an odd pile of pickled green cabbage on top.) Everything is a bit too expensive and the sandwiches are too small/skimpy on ingredients.

Kali B.

Oh come ON, Chitown!! I get that you're impressed with it's European-ness, and that its coffee is not all burnt and smelly, but seriously, it's not worth the I-studied-abroad-one-semester-in-Europe-thus-I-am-­the-Expert-in-all-things-non-American-love lavished upon it. Or wait. Maybe it IS only worth that. Julius Meinl does the pastries well. VERY VERY well actually. And I go there frequently just for those, but otherwise, the service is reallllly slow for food - the brunch, well, meh. It's just okay. Rather tasteless, very bland and boring. And the seating is rather uncomfortable- small seats, smaller tables! Despite my rather negative tone, Julius Meinl does have a few saving graces, and is worth the trip you make there. Reasons to go: the pastries, and the coffee drink concotions (black forest mocha, anyone?! mm!) - pure ambrosia!

Jelena Z.

In a concerted attempt to embrace this languorous afternoon, my brain convinced my legs to amble west on Addison in search of a cafe, one where I'd be able to read at a leisurely pace, sip coffee from a real mug and gratuitously scope out some sexy European men. Enter Julius Meinl. The patio scene was perfect: good conversation all around me but not too loud. Who doesn't love eavesdropping? It's far more interesting than reading a celebrity rag. I enjoyed my coffee, chicken salad sandwich (the apricots were a nice touch), and the service was superb. Attentive but not invasive. As for the European men... I didn't see any this time. I'll definitely return though-- again, just me and my Jackie O/secret agent shades.

Jessica K.

I would have liked to have given them more stars. But I won't. Or rather, can't. Because...the service was terrible. When we arrived, they seemed surprised to find we would like a table (well, yes, because you guys serve food). We sat down on the patio. Then waited, and waited, though the restaurant wasn't busy. Having worked in the industry, I have a pretty high tolerance, but servers kept popping their heads out and looking at us, until we were finally claimed. She was nice enough, and the food was pretty good. But our water was luke warm upon arrival and didn't have ice, which would have been nice considering it was 90 degree out. More importantly, our sandwiches appeared 5 minutes apart. 30 dollars later for 2 sammies a coffee (nothing special) and a soda (pretty standard, but more than I'd like to pay because i was really underwhelmed), we determined we won't be back, which is a shame, because we live down the street and I like the Euro appeal. I guess that explains the luke warm water lacking ice.

Amy G.

Really good breakfasts. Really, really, really perfect coffee. But with service that makes a Starbucks look like a five-star establishment. With no one regularly hanging out at the host's stand and little to no signage, it's almost impossible for a patron to know where s/he is to order and sit. And, as it turns out, if you're not doing sit-down service, there is no where to sit! Not cool to boot out paying customers on a rainy day, buck-o. Uh, as I said, coffee is wonderful. The beans are roasted perfectly. Espresso drinks are not overly sweetened. To-go breakfast items are incredibly delicious-- I cannot say enough good things about their buttery, flaky croissants filled with Swiss or Gruyere and sauteed spinach. If I can get over the nasty service-- er, Euro attitude?-- at 8:30 AM I'll meander back for breakfast or coffee and dessert at some point.

Lakshmi R.

I'm of two minds when it comes to Julius Meinl. I think it's because the shop seems to be having something of an identity crisis. It's a fancy, Euro-themed coffee house that looks a lot like Starbucks, but in red-and-beige tones. I find the combination jarring and think it cheapens somewhat the effect of the upscale sweets. That said, the food is very good. Say, for example, the Vienna, a pastry creation that included dark chocolate, ganache and marzipan, all of my favorite things in the world (with the exception of puppies and kittens). It was so rich and dense I managed to eat only a third of it over the course of an hour and a half. Luckily, I was able to bring it home with me in a box. Best thing about it? It wasn't as expensive as you'd expect: around $6, which seems a bit low for what it is. Not that I'm complaining.

Marissa B.

The bad news: No more free wi-fi. I think our server said it was still available, for a fee, or through some service, but I clearly zoned out at this point. You currently are able to hijack a signal from someone around, well, until they read this. The good news: This place stays open later than many other coffee shops in the area which makes it appealing (10pm on weeknights, 12am on Friday/Saturday). It might be busy during the day, but in the evenings the place is often only 1/2 full so I have never felt rushed, even at closing time! The staff has been great every time I've been in here, content to let me park for a few hours, sipping one of their loose-leaf teas (great selection, btw). BOTTOM LINE: For working/studying, it's a bit dimly lit, but tolerable. It definitely has a charming atmosphere for a coffee/dessert date, it's classy but still affordable.

Chad K.

When Starbuck's isn't quite pretentious enough . . . First, we bring the dog and are immediately told that he can't be in the outdoor seating area. Ok, fair enough. Then we are discouraged from ordering our drinks at the counter, instead encouraged to just sit and wait for someone to take our order--did I mention we had just been told our dog can't sit with us? When I convince them that we are getting drinks to go, I go to the counter, order, and am asked to sit down for someone to bring the check and our drinks. While I may be inclined to leave a top in a jar near the cashier, this not so coy, method of soliciting a tip was too much. And I'm thinking, "how can I convince them that we cannot sit leisurely when our dog is separated from us." Oh, and they "didn't hear that part" of our order that was soy, not dairy. So, really, the dog thing, which is totally understandable, precipitated the rest. But if we are clearly trying to move on with drinks to go, get a clue, Julius. Next time, Cafe Tola.

Alex M.

The taste of Austria in Chicago. I remember many a Julius Meinl when I went to Vienna, and it's always nice to see some European flair come in as a sanctuary to the gazillion Starbucks locations all over the city. It's a great cafe for a change of pace. To sit with a quality cup of coffee and possibly pastry. To relax, sip, and relax. To spend some time at a cafe. It is NOT for those who want flavored milk with a tiny bit of coffee in a paper cup. It is NOT for those looking for a quick caffeine fix on their way to work. The parking isn't very good, but the cafe is worth hitting up.

Justin V.

I once woke up at the crack of 11am, hoisted my friend Roxy onto my shoulder like a pretty good looking caveman and said, "Woman, I crave salmon." This isn't unusual. I'm an omega-3 maniac. It's how I keep my skin so butter soft. You thought it was emollient-filled lotions and exotic creams, didn't you? No, son, it's fish oils. So anyhow, there I am, the sun approaching its zenith, 125 pounds of sunshine and smiles laying over my shredded delts, stalking the streets in search of fishy sustenance. To my chagrin, I had to walk a mile before any sign of lox appeared. When it did, it was at Julius Meinl, an establishment with which I was completely unfamiliar. Perusing their menu I spotted the salmon, but balked at the $11 price tag, exclaiming loudly, "Are you fucking kidding me? For LOX? Is it made of GOLD? I don't need CREME FRAISCHE, yuppies. I NEED CREEEEEAM CHEEEESE." I threw Roxy on the ground in frustration and went home, full of impotent rage. (No one told me there was an Einstein bros. half a block further south.) Flash forward to 2010. A new year. A new me. I wake up at 8am, do my standard 500 crunches and half hour of yoga, then have sex with my girlfriend for twenty-eight minutes (30 counting cuddle time). It's Valentine's Day, so I let her ride on my broad, muscular shoulders rather than slinging her fireman style over my back. I carry her eastward in search of a café. She requires food to replenish the vital nutrients, minerals and glycogen strenuous and acrobatic physical exertion can deplete if you do it first thing in the morning after a night spent in deep slumber, your head resting atop a firm but strangely yielding pectoral, legs tangled languidly together while your lover stares off into the darkness, contemplating the dwindling utility of man in the age of mechanical reproduction, or possibly the BK Value Menu or Goya or something. So again I come to the same Julius Meinl, only this time I WANT to be there. I pull out my golden money clip and examine the way it barely contains the wad of $100 bills I have unceremoniously crammed into it. I tap the menu in the window with one fingertip, right on the $11 salmon sandwich and go, "Aha. Here we are." "What is this place?" asks my lover, as I deposit her in one fluid motion upon the sidewalk. "It is paradise," I reply. "Follow me." Then we totally had the salmon sandwich, a truffled egg and ham sandwich, a gallon of delicious coffee and a caramel and apple mousse for dessert which I fed to her with a small fork, occasionally brushing loose strands of her beautiful hair back from her forehead. The staff was pleasant. The waiter was attentive, and when I flexed for him he was like, "Damn." And I was all like, "Mm hm. Bet on it." While pricey for the layman, Julius Meinl is nonetheless a fine place for a moneyed living statue to enjoy several cups of coffee with his girlfriend on a contrived holiday meant to instill shame and loneliness in the unfortunate masses, and I recommend it highly. ... although technically the lox bagel at Einstein Bros. is better than the lox sandwich at J.M. Just sayin'.

Christy L.

When I first visited Julius Meinl, my expectations were low based on the strip-mall type exterior. However, in my two years living in the neighborhood, JM has become a solid neighborhood stand-by. The food is always solid although lacks a wow factor. Service is hit or miss. Coffee is excellent!

Greer T.

I might have to move this review, because it could be the wrong location...I really liked it - they give you water with your coffee which is nice.. sandwiches are delish - not plastic-y tasting that Lavazza (sorry!) or other non restaurant type places can give you - but scrumptious!! It was easy breezy feeling inside, a nice place to relax and read or do whatever it all seemed to go well... now let me figure out which one it was, but do go.

Zaria M.

I've gone to this place a few times in the last couple weeks and I'll definitely keep going back. I love the full-service coffee shop experience like they have in Europe, and while the prices are sometimes a little high, the atmosphere is great and there is always plenty of room to sit. They also don't seem to mind if you sit and study for a few hours without buying tons of stuff :)

John B.

Julie, Julie, Julie. 250 people have reviewed you and somehow I never have. Foolishness! Julius Meinl is everything you want in a specialty coffeehouse. Attentive and knowledgeable service, fabulous coffees and teas, killer pastries. Add to that some salads and sandwiches, plus some authentic Austrian main dishes, such as goulash and spaetzle, and you're good to go. I love Julius in the summertime, when you can sit outside with a good book and a soup and sandwich combo. At the same time, it's a great breakfast/brunch spot. They have a daily selection of croissants, both sweet and savory scones, and a bunch of baked egg dishes. Plus something called the Imperial Fruhstuck, which sounds a lot naughtier than it is. I've also been known to stop here for dessert after having dinner at another restaurant. Because face it, a lot of places have great food, but their dessert menu leaves something to be desired. And with JM up the street, why should you suffer? Julius also sells jars of preserves and tins of cookies and coffee and tea and other goodies. The prices are a bit rich for my blood, but I do love to browse. I'm sure they're worth every penny! I'll admit that sometimes Julius makes me feel like a giant. The tables and chairs are all so tiny that I feel like the proverbial bull. On the other hand, I am tiny compared to the huge-ass strollers some of the neighborhood moms try to cram into the place. But these are minor complaints when you're sipping on some drinking chocolate or digging into eggs baked with tomato, basil, and goat cheese. Somehow I manage.

Mary W.

The coffee drinks here are fantastic! Better yet, their brunch menu is wonderful- you have to try the baked eggs! Sometimes the service is a little slow, but overall the delicious food and foamy lattes make it worthwhile. Make sure to get here before 9 am on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure that you do not have to wait!

Molly M.

Had some very delicious goat cheese spatzle and some fresh apple cider. We ate outside which was very nice and I wish I had had room for some of their pastries. All in all, I'll go back there!

Jisha A.

My idea of the perfect coffee place. Love the way they serve coffee with the small ginger cookie and a glass of water by the side in a silver tray. The white mocha's a great accompaniment to their lovely set of desserts : like the mozart 'n the lady finger one that has a chocolate bridge on it. Service has always been very sweet, wish they were open late on weekdays too. Comfortable seating 'n they even have live music (harp, piano) on weekends.

Emily N.

Being the wonderful daughter and sister that I am, I decided to treat my mom and sister to some breakfast before we headed over to the Music Box for The Sound of Music sing a long. Yep, singalong. Yep, I'm a nerd. You love my anyway. We had to wait about 20 mins for a table, no biggie. Although the wobbly table sucked. Since I had consumed a pot of coffee that morning (black thankyouverymuch), I went with the latte. Didn't need the caffeine overload. My mom got chocolate milk and the sis got the hot apple cider. How we're related is beyond me. I mean seriously, you go to a place renowned for the coffee and don't get a cup? Weirdos. Mom loved that they used real chocolate syrup. I tried the cider, it was quite tasty. All the drinks came on the silver tray with water backs and a yummy ginger cookie. I went with the baked eggs with the parmesan and truffle oil potato rosti. The parmesan overpowered the truffle oil, but it was good nonetheless. Mom went with the cream of chicken soup and loved it, and she's a soup connoisseur. Sis got the croque monsieur. It looked amazing, all melty and crispy and stuffed with black forest ham. I may give that a go next time around. All in all, everything was good. The service left a bit to be desired. The only time we saw our server was to take orders and drop them off. She brought my mom the wrong soup, but my mom ended up eating it because our server never came back so we couldn't inform her of her error. I had to hunt her down for the check, even though she knew that we were headed to a movie and were on a schedule. The dessert case looked amazing, so I'll report back next time I make it over there. *While we were waiting to be seated, my mom commented on how wealthy and yuppyish the crowd looked. I informed her that they're called Chads and Trixies. She giggled. I love bonding with moms!

Sandy N.

Went here for the third time for lunch today, so it's time to write up a review. The wait at this particular location is always better (shorter) than at Southport Grocery, which is a definite plus. I have yet to order the same thing twice, but everything I've tried is really tasty. They have a very extensive menu, so you can try different things each time. My favorite part is their beautiful looking desserts, which also taste delicious. Their coffee and teas are great too! Recommend: Kir Royale Mousse and Lemon Lavender desserts.

Jenna C.

Where to take my health-conscious sister and her German boyfriend for brunch? Julius Meinl of course! No wait 1pm on a Saturday. The homesick boyfriend raved about the frittaten soup and told me that this reminded him of childhood ski trips to Austria. My sister loved the extensive tea selection and harvest salad (dressing on the side). The tea and coffee service is beautiful. I quietly nursed my hangover in a comfy armchair with some delicious crepes. They're gone now, which only increases my eagerness to return to Julius Meinl.

Dave F.

There is a phrase that is going to show up a lot in this review, which will explain why it is one of the only 5 star reviews I've given. That phrase is, "best I've ever had." My girlfriend and I came here for breakfast one morning, not really knowing what to expect from it. We found a table right away and we had menus in our hands almost immediately. The service was very attentive, and our waitress came almost as soon as we were both ready to order. I got the ginger snap latte and the Meinl Baked Eggs with spinach, mushroom and feta. Diana got the Drei Maderl Haus and the Nutella Crepes. I don't know what more there is to say than that everything was amazing. My eggs were cooked perfectly, fluffy and smooth and delicious. The spinach was a bright fresh green, the mushrooms were full of flavor and the feta? The best feta I have ever had. I like feta a lot and I have never had it taste so amazingly wonderful. I could put that feta on every dish I ever ate and it would still be fantastic. I had a bite of Diana's crepes, and what can I say? Best crepes I have ever had. The drei maderl haus was very good, but kind of too strong for my taste. That has nothing to do with the quality of the drink, because it was very good, assuming you like espresso. My latte? Not the best I have ever had. It WAS the best I'd ever had, but we came back two days later and I got the eggnog latte, which knocked the ginger snap latte to second best ever. Both of these were amazing and needed nothing added to them at all. They were perfect as they came to me, and would make me a regular coffee drinker if I lived in the area. When we came back later, we were on the go, so I got a ham and cheese croissant with my eggnog latte and Diana got a spinach and cheese croissant. Both of the sandwiches? You guessed it, best ham, best croissant, best breakfast sandwiches I have ever had. Also, the waitress we had the first day was incredibly nice and helpful, and always showed up just at the right times. No showing up when we had a mouthful of food to ask how things were, no showing up as soon as we opened the menu then disappearing for ten minutes. She was great. I did feel a bit under dressed here, but was not treated as such. I felt a little weird as I sat there in my Threadless T and jeans, and looked over to realize that the baby sitting next to me was dressed better than I was. I was put more at ease, though, when I noticed that the waitress, otherwise in the same all-black outfit that all the waitresses were sporting, had a camouflage belt hiding under her apron and a wrist tattoo. Not a big thing, but it made me feel better about shabbier garb. Also, the thing that makes me want to come here enough to be a regular is that a lot of the other people here seem to do the same thing. When our waitress wasn't at our table, she was having familiar conversations with customers she knew around the restaurant, hugging their kids, and just generally making it feel like a very kind, comfortable place that I would love to be able to come to all the time. So this place had already earned an easy 5 stars, when on the way out, it suddenly jumped to a theoretical 5 1/2 stars. That's because, as we were bundling up to go outside, we ran into Tim Meadows, who was just coming in, and that alone was worth the theoretical extra 1/2 star.

Christine F.

So, after an obscenely large meal at El Tapatio, we staggered down to Julius Meinl for some after dinner coffee. The place was packed so we opted to get our beverage to go. I actually opted for a chai, after looking over the menu. My husband got a latte. The espresso in the latte was rich and potent, and my chai was very well done. I've been let down by many a-chai before, you see. Some are too watered down. Some are SO cinnamon-y that it burns my sinuses. Julius Meinl got it JUST right. It was awesome. I'm a skeptical chai drinker, but I was very happy with what I got at Julius Meinl. It was sweet, a hint of spice and obviously a strong black tea flavor. Just how I like it. We shall be back - maybe we will try their food next time!

Lorraine D.

It's like a trip to a European cafe right in our neighborhood. A must for a relaxing cup of coffee.

Marty W.

We have a very refined German breakfast. The coffee was stunning. The service was horrible, otherwise it would get a 5. If it's a weekend morning, get ready to get a table right away and then wait for an hour to eat.

Khloe K.

Cute, laid back European style coffee resto-lounge(?lol) Complete coffee menu with an Austrian twist, pastries and food. Really decent Americanos (way better than starbucks), Macciatos and something unique to Meinl called a Melange. I"m not a huge scone fan considering they are normally dry, too big and generally not very tasty. Well their Banana-Chocolate scone is actually really tasty, just moist enough and not overly sweet. I haven't tried their other scones to compare. Pastries such as the Opera torte, Esterhazy and Mozart torte were a great compliment with my coffee's and satisfied my sweet craving. Oh, i didn't eat them all at one visit...sigh...though i would love to. Their Goulash, Spaetzle were hearty and flavourful. I love their Tartine Duo of 2 open face "fancy" sandwiches. For some reason, i never have any great expectations with their food because they are more known for their coffees, however so far i've been pleasantly surprised.

Meg L.

I have a love/hate relationship with Julius Meinl. The first time I visited, I was in awe of the cheap prices and amazing vegetarian selection. The second time I visited, they gave me a soy chai (when I asked for skim). I'm allergic to soy and almost died, they didn't seem to care. They only gave me $.80 off my drink for the inconvenience. However, you should know that I keep going back. Their food is way too delicious for a near-death experience to get in my way. I've had a few awkward moments with employees. The time I ordered my "skim" chai, the waitress sassed me because I wanted to drink it at a table and not take it to go. The food is delicious, seriously delicious. The drinks are A+ too. I haven't had anything that I didn't like. The Quinoa salad is to die for and the mac n' cheese is splendid in an unusual way.

Lynn B.

The coconut macaroon with chocolate on it is maybe he best thing I ever ate.

Kika K.

For the longest time, I just walked past this place. I didn't really even notice it, it was just another building on my way to CVS. My roommate was the same way, and one day she announced that she was going to stop in and try it. Her review: "They have good coffee, and the pastries are pretty good too." So I continued to live my life, thinking of Julius Meinl as only a coffee shop. I don't particularly care for coffee, so I had no need to go in. Until one day. A friend wanted to hang out at a coffee shop for some reason. I try not to participate in Starbucks, and every table in Safari was booked, so I suggest Julius Meinl. Oh. My. God. This place is so much more than a run-of-the-mill coffee shop. Yes, they have coffee, but they have many varieties of teas, as well as a full menu. It's a little Austrian cafe, and they serve brunch, lunch, and dinner. I don't normally get brunch here, but one time I ordered crepes. I don't normally eat crepes and I'm normally very wary of jam (I don't care for the seeds), but I decided to just go for it. So glad I did. The jam was spectacular. For some odd reason, I wasn't full, so I ordered a chocolate pastry. So good. I'm a huge fan of the half-sandwich and half-salad. I love goat cheese, so of course I had to get the goat cheese salad. It's perfect. I've had several sandwiches (all amazing), and my favorite has to be the pear and brie sandwich. The first time I ordered it, I wasn't sure if I could wholeheartedly support it, but I kept thinking about it for awhile. I ordered it again, spread the brie around, and absolutely loved it. They have a smaller selection for standard Austrian entrees. I forget the name of the 2 dishes I ordered, but one was similar to a pasta dish with bacon and cheese. It was good, but very heavy. The other was a pasta dish with some kind of meat on it. Very delicious. And clearly I know nothing about traditional Austrian fare because I'm sure I'm simplifying this. I've never actually had the coffee here because I'm a tea person. They have several pages of teas, all listed out by type (black, green, etc). I tried to get something new every time I went. Plus, what's the point of going to a place like this and ordering the standard English Breakfast tea? Boring. The best part of the teas is that you get your own press, which makes about 3 cups of tea. If you ask for more hot water, they'll gladly refill it. And finally, we come to the desserts. Absolutely phenomenal. I confess to coming in sometimes for only dessert and tea. I've tried most of the chocolate ones (which are all prominently displayed in a glass case), and the only one that didn't wow me was the brandied one. Perhaps too much brandy? I also tried the apple strudel, and while I don't normally like that, I thought it was very tasty. So if you're looking for greasy bar food, go down the street; there are plenty of options. But if you're looking for something tasty and on the healthy side, I'd definitely recommend coming here. Seriously, if it was just a little bit cheaper, I'd eat all my meals here.

Edward W.

Comfortable seating with live music (harp, piano) on weekends. Great desserts. Delicious coffee. My kind of coffee house.

Laura G.

Love this place for brunch! Great coffee and delicious egg casseroles. Veggies/Eggs/Cheese all baked together....what's not to like? I do wish the eggs were cooked a little less--the yolk is hard, and I think a looser yolk would elevate the dish and bring this place up to 5 stars. Still, it is definitely a good place to relax and enjoy your day...

Beth S.

I can not give this place a high enough rating. I love Meinl and carry a Meinl coffee cup to prove it! My first exposure to them was in Vienna, where it's not only a cafe but also a grocery store. Fantastic place. So then a year or so later they opened up this place in Chicago of all places! I remember heading over here as soon as I heard it was open. I have been known to take 2 buses just to stop at Meinl for the Ice Cafe. It's so decadent. NOTE: If the coffee here is too strong for you, or if you like weaker coffee (read: Dunkin), get an Ice Kaffee. It is hot coffee with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream served in a tall glass. DELICOUS. Seriously. The vibe inside is very European, clearly. They have the newspapers hung over the racks, nice tables, good service. It is a tiny place, though, and the tables are small, so don't expect Much, if not all, of the staff is from Austria. If you dine in, they deliver your coffee on a silver tray with a glass of tap water, and a cracker. This is the way they do it back in Wien, so just enjoy it! The crackers, by the way, or cookies, or however you want to classify them, are yummy. It's almost worth buying a coffee or tea just for the cookies. They have sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea, and a lovely, lovely atmosphere. I think they also have crepes. Weekends get very crowded here - you may wait 20-30 minutes just to sit. Yes, just to sit in a cafe. Can you believe it? I don't mind, but I do usually try to come here at an 'off'' time. Mid-day, mid week, etc. They have also been known to have musicians perform there, violinists and such. I am not sure if they still do this, as it's been awhile since I've been here on a weekend or evening. This is the place to while away the hours, let me tell you. Highly, highly recommended to all coffee lovers, tea lovers, pastry lovers, sandwich lovers, couch lovers, and lovers! It's very romantic. ;-)

Shang S.

Again, I'm not a big coffee or tea drinker so taking me to a place like this one is kind of pointless, but the lunch sandwich I ordered couldn't have been more weird. My friend liked his tea though

Desirée H.

Favorite coffee spot in the city, period. Adorable, European, delicious salads. Looking forward to coming back for breakfast.

Sarah Z.

Dudes. If you are still going to Starbucks for coffee and treats, you are like Myspace is to Facebook. My only grievance is that they don't always give you a discount when you bring your cup back the next day. And when you frequent this place as much as I do, after a while it seems extremely wasteful to throw your cup out after one time.

Jose E.

This place makes me feel like i'm in Europe again. I just wish they would bring back the cheese cake brownie!!! It had the crispy bottom, but chewy top with caramel drizzled over it. AMAZING and by far the best brownie I've had in my life. That with a cup of black coffee just makes my day happy. I haven't tried the actual food yet, but the pastries and coffee keep me very satisfied.

Taylor G.

Although many visit Julius Meinl for a mere cup of caffeine, the food here is also delectable. I've been on two separate occasions, sampling different dishes and been pleased both times. First, I had the Chicken and Fontina Crepes which were straightforward and delicious. Served with a small mixed green salad, it hit the spot without obliterating my appetite. For a finish, I has a modest Oatmeal-Chocolate-Coconut cookie, which was good, but not amazing. On my second visit, I choose the more hearty Austrian Goulash. While delicious and comforting during a cold, blustery, Chicago winter, I felt the beef sauce was much too salty for my liking, but other opinions may diverge on this particular point. The spaetzle was a bit mushy from sitting in the sauce, but an overall nice reminder of my vacation in Bravaria. The coffee here is also delectable. Trying what seemed to be a specialty - the Melange - proved to be a wise decision. The balance of espresso, milk and foam was spot-on. While a packet of sugar is offered, I preferred the more bitter taste and the dusting of cocoa was just enough sweetness. The dessert case holds a whole variety of delicious cakes, of which I've not had an opportunity to try - but am anxious to. Most look large enough to share, so bring a friend and partake all that Julius Meinl has to offer.

Michael S.

I like this place. Yes, it is on the Southport corridor between Addison and Belmont, and thus right in the middle of the most irritating neighborhood in the city. And yes, there is a wait on weekends--as brunch is the second most-popular activity in this city (after drinking heavily), it's pretty much unavoidable. If you don't want to wait in line and come into contact with people with strollers (many of them with actual babies inside!), then I'm going to gently suggest weekend brunch in Chicago just isn't for you. Everything else here works--I -like- that it's a bit dainty, with really excellent coffee served on a silver platter with water and a tiny cookie. I like that we're somehow the only place outside of Vienna with a Julius Meinl--come on, people, this place has been around since the Hapsburg days! I like that they have pictures of real Julius Meinl outlets back in the day from every corner of the empire, with signs in Hungarian, Czech, German and everything else. It plays up the whole Central European thing pretty hard, and I like that. And the food's good, too--standard brunch fare, but done in a different way--the baked eggs -are- really good. And the coffee seems to be a different roast than you see at other coffee shops--just a different flavour than you'll find elsewhere. The waitstaff is, admittedly, a touch snooty. I'm going to say this is a survival tactic given that, again, they're right in the middle of the most irritating neighborhood in the city. But if you find yourself there, and want to try good coffee served in a slightly different way, I say check it out.

Ginny L.

If I ever have plans at the Music Box, I make sure to leave time for a stop here first. Now, I do like the real food here (great salmon and cream cheese sandwich), but that's not why I come. Nothing says Music Box to me like some of their fancy, elegantly decorated desserts. On my first trip, we had a fantastic waiter who not only gave great suggestions, but arranged all three of our choices (okay, fine, we're pigs) beautifully on a plate with syrup drizzled between to make it look nice. I'm sure they're all supposed to do that, but still, it was a great touch.

Adam R.

Alright, I've put this review off long enough. My wife and I have been visiting Julius Meinl on and off since we moved into our little run-down but very comfy apartment a couple of blocks away on Addison. Our first visit was sort of ironic - it was the day before the first day of CPS (and my wife's first workday since having the summer off) and we were looking to stop someplace *quick* before heading to the music box to see a movie. We had a friend in tow as well. We walked in, were seated and were given menus (?) What the? I didn't expect that, nor did I expect the cozy sit-down atmosphere, and the mint hot chocolate I ordered was tasty, and my wife and friend both had good coffee drinks, and the pastry was good but ... oh no - the movie! We totally missed it. It was fun to hang out though Since that day, we've popped in and had varying levels of good and strange experiences. Once, we stopped in 30 minutes before the kitchen was to close, and were completely ignored by the waitstaff after being seated. We left and went to El Presidente :-) Another time, we were smashed onto the tiniest table and could barely make room to eat. Something very strange is happening as well - Julius Meinl has turned into a double-wide stroller truck stop! I couldn't believe what I witnessed this past Saturday. A woman walked in with one of those annoying Volkswagen sized strollers, blocked everyone from even moving in the entrance area, then sort of moved over to the side. She didn't get a table - didn't even ask. After about 10 minutes (my wife and I were waiting for a friend to show up), *another* giant stroller mommy showed up, and both of them chatted in the entrance, effectively blocking all movement (and possibly the sun) for about 10 minutes. Then, out of the blue, they both wheeled their gargantuan sized baby wagons out of the restaurant and proceeded down Southport to where ever they'd planned on actually going. So, in conclusion, Julius is alright, but don't pop in on the way to anywhere, and don't be too upset if you feel like you're having tea in a dollhouse. Avanti is a better bet if you just want a quick cup of joe.

Daniel G.

Alright people, real talk time. Here's the straight scoop on this German pasteria. Bottom line, why the fuck would I or any like minded individual want to wait an hour plus FOR SOME FUCKING CREPES. There's nothing original going on here.....omg wow they took ham and cheese removed it from two slices of white bread and stuffed it into a crepe, then they put some type of pseudo fancy name on it and charge $9.75. I'd rather pay a dollar for a double cheeseburger, remove the bun, smash it into a flat doughy concoction, stuff the meat and cheese back into it and call it a mother fucking day. Peace Bitch! P.S. their hot chocolate is on point.

Judie S.

I love everything about this place (well...I take that back. Sometimes there is a long wait for a table, but totally worth it once you sit down and the table is yours....muahahah!) It reminds me of a charming little cafe that you would find on a quieter, more romantic street somewhere in Europe (no offense, Southport but you're not so romantic) The coffee is amazing, the food is outstanding, everyone is friendly and when Chicago isn't buried under a foot of snow, you can sit outside.

Danielle T.

Must. Visit. Asap. Why have I passed this corner place so many times before going in just recently?! I am considering time spent away from this place as years I've wasted in life! Not your typical coffee drinker, so I lean towards teas most of the time. This little gem has 4 pages of teas. And not only are they typically in the 3.95-5 range - but you get almost 4 full cups of tea out of that price! And not to mention the variety of flavors, your own tea kettle and side of water for refreshment. The breakfast was simply amazing. We ate the baked egg with goat cheese and tomato and the banana nut french toast. Both were out of this world - and the entire meal cost only $25! Not to mention they are open til the late hours (midnight or so) during the weekends! How can you pass this up? Oh, you can't. Not to mention other than the locations throughout Austria, Chicago is the only other location in the states!

Cara D.

Absolutely LOVE the Euro feel this place has... Coffee was superb; I even bought some to take home to California... So many menu items I had a very hard time choosing. Savory pastry? Sweet treat? Seriously, our very understanding waitress had to come back about three times because I just couldn't decide. Perfect place for a mid-afternoon coffee and snack! Wish we had a Julius Meinl out here in Sacramento. Hint hint!

Kevin A.

THE ANTI-STARBUCKS Yes, it's a magnet for the fleece vest wearing, stroller pushing, bug-eye sunglasses clad legions of the Southport Corridor, but they make a mean cup of coffee. I usually get a large mint mocha soy latte (man, I want to punch myself just for writing that), and they're able to whip humble soy milk into a frothy foam so rich I have a hard time believing it's not dairy. This place is a winner!

John D.

One of the few coffee shops I know that has waiter service... And open late! LET'S GO! A great place to hit up before a midnight showing at the Music Box down the street. They have a great deal of loose tea to choose from, and you get a free crumpet. Awww love it. Anyone miss Chicago yet? I do!

Wemi A.

Really liked this place. It's a nice little treat for brunch. I went there a while ago but I believe I got their french toast topped with strawberries and banana puree. It was soo tasty. Also, it seemed like they had a wide selection of drinks. The even gave us a complimentary biscuit with our meal which is just awesome. I adore biscuits and now I adore Julus Meinl.

Zoran O.

Austrian + Sweets = Nothing else to know really... I once spent days on end backpacking in Europe going from one bakery to another in Austria - driving my best friend and fellow traveler out of his mind - not having to have a cooked meal - ever. BUT when in an area in Europe like this, one much indulge properly and drive into some of the most beautiful and luscious deserts and breads till one pukes :) Anyway - this is a little piece of THAT experience for me. Luckily I do not live anywhere near it - so I am good ;) - or bad - depends on how you look at it. Enjoy

Matt M.

Julius Meinl is an excellent outpost of fresh, flavorful breakfast and lunch on the north end of the Southport Corridor. They have a great selection of sandwiches, pastries, and hearty egg dishes, and comfortable seating where it seems second-nature to order an iced cappucino on a warm summer day and converse with companions or bond with literature. I personally have sampled their pastries, but my personal favorite is their turkey avocado sandwich. On hearty multi-grain bread with a slight crunch, the standard turkey and avocado is accented with crisp cucumber. All sandwiches are also accompanied by a light mixed green salad, which is just enough to add flavor to the meal and not enough to leave you overly full. I am also excited to some point to check out their "Meinl Music" events, with Classical and Jazz music on Fridays and Saturdays. Julius Meinl is a multifaceted cafe that has a great atmosphere and quality food. Most importantly, they also have good service that makes you feel welcome to enjoy their offerings. Perhaps I'll see you there!

Alee B.

Updating: trying again, but for lunch this time. Positives; nice outdoor cafe, got a table right away, prompt service. The iced tea for the day (forest strawberry) was really quite delicious, so much so that I bought one to-go on my way out. My dining companion had an iced green tea that she loved as well. Cons: The food :( Ordered the 1/2 & 1/2 special with the quinoa salad and chicken salad sandwich. I was super excited about the quinoa salad as it came with red wine poached pears, brie, and walnuts, but I don't think it was seasoned at all. I know quinoa can be a tricky grain to work with, but all savory foods (and most sweet ones) need salt. Also, I thought the poach on the pears was off. Like maybe not quite poached, but cooked and then finished with red food dye. The chicken salad sandwich was a complete throw away. The bread that it was on was slightly stale and burned at one end. The salad itself was something out of a 50's kitchen: a globby white mess of mayo. Resuling opinion (again): Why the hell didn't I take my own damn advice from my last review and stick to this as a place for a cuppa -whether tea or coffee- and a quiet place to hang? I don't know, but maybe I'll get it this time...

Dara M.

Great joint! The iced latte is really good, and comes with a small glass of water and a lotus cookie. Can you ask for anything more? I also ordered a mozarella cheese sandwich with basil and tomato, and it came with a small green salad for about $9. It was really good. I recommend this place. It's got a nice seating area inside, and in the warm weather you can also sit outside. Lovely place!

Dennis L.

Had the iced coffee at Julius Meinl and it was delicious. Maybe I was just really craving a cold caffeinated beverage, but it tasted better than any iced coffee I have ever had. The atmosphere of the place was great as well. I look forward to coming back to try some of the great looking pastries such as the bacon cinnamon roll. Uh yum!

Peter G.

I've been running this through my head since I went to Julius Meinl for the first time last evening - what is it about a chain restaurant that's instantly identifiable and all wrong? I avoid chains whenever I can unless it's local. But all I can come up with is that it just means polished - the furniture is worn but doesn't show it, the lighting is designed and staged, the chocolate medallion on my tart has the store logo on it, the presentation is too perfect and thoughtful, the dishes match too well, the flatware is too heavy. So I'd have expected the menu to be less satisfying, or the food less fresh or tasty, or desirable. But - it was all great! I had a turkey salad with just the right amount of everything, including dressing, it was a perfect light meal. They have a plate of four finger sandwiches that can be ordered individually, so I had a truffled bacon, leek, and goat cheese open face on a perfectly toasted slice of brioche. Tried two different tarts also, both quite good.

Justin S.

I love crepes. I love coffee. Ich spreche deutsch. and yet for some reason I just went here for the first time. Whats wrong with me (I guess thats another post in another site) This is not the American misconception of coffee shop. This is the European relax, enjoy and sip your cafe au lait. If you are expecting some fast cup o joe then this most likely isn't what you. I think the atmosphere service and food make for a great break in what else we've seen in America. Chicago somehow got fortunate enough to be chosen for this European blessing. The crepes were truly awesome. They were filled with fruit, drizzled with some great chocolate sauce and served quickly. I'm sure though with all the other tempting desserts under the glass I will be back to try the rest. Great coffee and better desserts, watch out starbucks and hope Julius Meinl doesn't move further into your territory because they should be nervous is that happens.

Rebecca J.

When I come back to Chicago, a stop at Julius Meinl is almost always in order. It reminds me of my childhood in Europe. The coffee house is modeled after all of its Viennese counterparts: Great selection of coffees and teas, the daily paper in a wooden binder hanging next to the individual coat hooks and let's not forget to mention the delicious cakes (I recommend the Mozart Kuchen) and authentic entrees, e.g. Kaesespaetzle...yum. Drop on in for a coffee and check out their live classical music events.

Anne W.

An excellent place if you want to go to a European (or Austrian cafe). It has great drinks, pastries, sandwiches, etc. I am not a big coffee drinker but their chai and hot chocolate is very enjoyable. I have tried some of their sandwiches and was really impressed. I have yet to try the Austrian goulash. Service can range.. but the food and atmosphere makes up for it. And according to an Austrian/German friend of mine.. it stays true to the Julius Meinl's in Austria. Definetely worth a visit! Parking is difficult around this area though.

noel c.

coffee. soft boiled egg. croissant. jam. cheese. fresh squeezed juice. also known as the imperial frühstück. this is my order every time. it is perfect every time. superior.

Lauren E.

This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I am never disappointed in the experience. The food, coffee and pastries are all excellent. Inside, the decor is very cozy but sophisticated, with some plush armchairs serving as seats in some cases. In my most recent trip to Julius Meinl, I had a pairing of half a roasted vegetable sandwich on homemade focaccia bread, a cup of beer cheese soup with herbed croutons and a nice light side salad. The portion sizes are always just right. If you order coffee (which I recommend) or another beverage, it's served on a cute individual silver platter with a small spoon, sugar packet and gingersnap cookie. For dessert, I opted to get a pastry to go -- one of the specials of the day, a pear-almond torte. Delicious. One thing to note is that this place can get pretty busy, and you're lucky if you don't have to wait (especially on the weekends, since they are also known for their great breakfast/brunch menu). If you're not up for a wait, I'd recommend getting some coffee and a pastry to go (you can walk up to the counter and order without being seated in the dining area).

A D.

This is one of the finest coffee shops around. There are only two Julius Meinl in North America and both in the North side. I prefer the one on Southport. Coffee is served like how it is in Vienna. With ginger cracker on the side and small glass of water. Very European. Their coffee is of very good quality. There is a variety of food choices. I love their breakfast scones especially the blueberry lemon. They also have the Emmental cheese with ham on the side, crepe, baked egg dishes which; are all very tasty and different. Their pastries are really good, too. A bit pricey but you know it is of good quality. On certain nights, they have musicians who play classic and jazz. 4 stars because service have not improved. The last time I was there, only one person was waiting on everyone and the place was full! It took 20 minutes before we got our coffee and breakfast pastries and that was only after I went up to the counter. Definitely, a disappointment. Clearly, the food makes up for it, since i am still giving them 4 stars and still intend to go back.

Ryan W.

So good, what's not to like? The service is usually slow, but it's not a place to go if you're in a rush. It's a great place to sit down and take your time and enjoy great coffee and tea. I love the European food choices: Baked Meinl Eggs and the Austrian Goulash are my favorites! There's also a to go counter if you need your coffee on the run.

Alison E.

I wish we could eat at Julius Meinl every day! The crepes were excellent, as was the tea (and the little biscuit it came with). Mister had some kind of egg-and-potato thing, which he seemed to enjoy. The menu was a lot bigger than I expected, with plenty of things for us vegetarians to eat. I love that they give you a little tea service tray--and for $3, the pot fits three cups of tea. I'm on a personal mission now to try all of the various teas they offer...possibly with crepes. =d Rather than waiting for our own table, we sat at the "community table"--don't be afraid of it. There were two other couples there, and both smiled, and neither paid us any mind, even when we gabbed about politics. ;) We had enough room for our food and our elbows and everything, and got to eat at least fifteen minutes sooner.

Matt M.

Great place! Great lunch food, table service, great coffee and tremendous tea selection. I walk six blocks, past three Starbucks to go here.

Michael H.

The coffee is marginal at best. Taste is similar to like 7/11 or dunkin donuts.. Food is average at best

Andy A.

So nice brunch :-)

Todd Z.

This is one of my favorites in Chicago. I loved it so much I had to visit this in Austria, which did not disappoint. If you ever are looking for an amazing breakfast and brunch, I would recommend you visit this place. You have about 8 choices for breakfast options. I had the Chilaquiles which was salsa roja, tortilla, queso fresco, fresh tomato, cilantro and lime. The dish comes with toast. The eggs are baked in a platter and they are steaming hot, so be careful. Wonderful flavors and enough to feed a healthy appetite. Close to Wrigley and a nice place to catch up with friends or a nice date.

Aline S.

I am a native Austrian who just moved here from Europe. I am making it my goal to try all the German and Austrian restaurants in the city. In Austria Julius Meinl used to be a supermarket chain. It merged with another chain and then became a gourmet supermarket. There are a few Julius Meinl cafes in Austria which are always in extremely posh neighborhoods. When I first saw that there is a Julius Meinl cafe in Chicago I didn't believe my eyes. I wasn't disappointed when I finally gave it a try. The food is very authentic. The coffee is fantastic. The music, the ambiance, everything reminds me of Viennese coffee houses. It's a bit pricey but a worthy splurge every once in a while. My favorite things to eat there are the crepes (which we call Palatschinken), the frittaten soup and the cheese spaetzle. The only reason I am not going there all the time is that it makes me homesick because it's so authentic.

Kelly L.

This is a great place, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when they have live music. They have excellent, rich desserts and wonderful coffee and tea....if you ask, you can get free refills on some of the drinks. When the weather is crappy and cold, this is a great place to hang out and read a book, chat, or just feel cozy.

Bobbie B.

The BEST coffee place in the world. I miss it terribly now that I live out in the 'burbs. It always makes me feel happy, classy, and like I'm in Europe. They had a drink back in late 2007 or early 2008 called a 'lavender honey mocha', and it was a seasonal special. I haven't seen it on the menu since (mind you, I've only been here like twice since I moved to the 'burbs last summer) but I WOULD LIKE IT BACK YESTERDAY, please. Also, they have a beautiful little dessert called "esterhazy" which is a little slice of nutty, chocolaty, buttercreamy heaven. And their cupcakes are dee-lish. Food is good too. Have not had breakfast here, but would in a heartbeat. Oh, and I've been here on Friday and Saturday nights, and they''ve had live classical musicians/violinists/harpists.

Reuben H.

This is my go-to dessert place for when I am too lazy to figure out a new place to go. The thing is, I can be a pretty lazy guy- so I happen to fall back on JM quite a bit- and am never disappointed in doing so. Meinl is one of those classic places that holds true to its origins. Based out of Vienna- the parent company has been known for quite a long time for its coffee. When they decided to branch into America with a coffee house, Chicago (specifically the one here on Southport) was luckily the final site chosen. As for their coffee- I like it. It is not my favorite cup of coffee, but the simple fact that they offer it in French-press form is a great thing! Probably better than their coffee though in my estimation is their amazing tea varieties. I have fallen in love with a few of their teas (specifically, I really like their "Nutcracker" blend) and you really can't go wrong ordering that in-house. They bring it out to you in a loose-leaf tea pot so you get a couple of cups out of each serving. The main attractions for me though (other than the classic, and stylish interior) are the desserts. Wonderful little torts and cakes and pastries abound here, all of which are beautifully presented, and fairly reasonable when you consider the quality you are getting. I tend to fall back on a really simple dessert- the Nutella crepes with bananas- which while is pretty easy to do (even at home), I find it a terrific compliment to my French-press coffee. Meinl does a decent weekend brunch too- but get there early- it can get quite busy and wait times can be excessive (for reasons listed below). Possibly the best part of the entire experience goes back to what Meinl does best- which is representing itself as a European coffee shop. In Europe, a typical coffee shop/cafe is a place to relax and enjoy. It is to be expected for people to get their drinks and maybe a bite to eat and to stay for sometimes hours, reading the paper, chatting with old friends, or even just sitting back and watching people go by. This place is a great one for doing all of that- and the staff there is not only patient and friendly, but completely understanding and willing to accept this. Thank you Julius Meinl for giving me that place to "escape" to Europe for even just a short while. May you never run out of Nutella (or crepes for that matter!) and may you always have hot water for my tea or coffee!!!

leyla a.

Alert! Alert! I was just there during the week at 10a and it is FILLED with 40 year old, stay at home moms with their screaming babies. BEWARE!!! I really enjoy this place, even if it is north of North avenue. I've been here 2X, once just to grab a bag of French Press coffee and most recently on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. I like the atmosphere, no nonsense. I like how the coffee is displayed behind the counter. I love the little bistro style tables and chairs. The menu has a lot to offer. I like that they have a "french press" coffee of the day. The tomato soup I had was excellent as was the three cheese, grilled cheese sandwich. I especially like how they serve the French Press Coffee - silver tray, with a small glass of water, a ginger biscuit and coffee cup. Everything is served with doilies. Price-wise I'd say they are right on target. And, oddly, I do feel like I am in Vienna when I go there.

Lauren K.

Love sitting outside, the amazing coffee (I love the melange - and how it comes with a little cookie on a plate with a side of water), the delicious baked eggs and crepes with fruit and nutella. Just delightful!

Paulius N.

OK, I really dont know what I meant by that. so... there. ....i said it.... Carry on.

Jen L.

I have mixed feelings about Julius Meinl. I've been there a dozen times at least, and the food and drinks are spectacular. They have the best chai latte I've ever tasted (not light on calories but oh-so heavenly), I love their roasted veggie sandwich, and there was a carrot soup I ate a year ago that I'm still waiting to reunite with - apparently I keep missing it! Since I pass it on the way home, I often pop in for a cookie or cupcake to take out (so dangerious...), and they are delicious. I also adore how the drinks come out on little silver trays and that you get a complimentary cookie. It all makes you feel really special. This is THE PERFECT place to go if you're looking to catch up with a girlfriend or two. If that's the plan, I'd give it 5 stars. No contest. However, I live two blocks away from Julius Meinl (I'm so lucky!), and love to just go there to study or relax and read a book with a cup of tea. For this, Meinl is not so great. First off, the Wifi is iffy. Sometimes you can steal it from another local business, and for a while you needed to pay to get Wifi. If I remember correctly, it was $6/hr or something equally absurd. I'm not sure if this is still true though. Also, after about an hour of being there, I feel as though I'm being pushed out. I understand that there is often a line of people waiting when this happens (so it's not without cause), but I don't care. I tip well when I know I'm taking up a spot for a while, and I don't want to feel pushed. Brunch or lunch to catch up with friends? 5 stars. Studying or chilling out? 3.5 stars. The food and drinks are always wonderful though. I still recommend it.

James B.

This is my favorite coffee place in Chicago, though I'll admit there are many I have not been to. Great service, they bring your coffee to you on a tray, and give you refills while you are there. This cafe has a much more upscale atmosphere than its competitors. Their brewed coffee is always good, and their cappuccinos are excellent. I actually came around dinner this time, so I got a Brie and pear sandwich on raisin bread, which was excellent, with the sweetness of the fruit perfectly accenting the savory flavor of the cheese. I would like to come around lunch or breakfast time to try their breakfast menu in the future.

Joe M.

I once read that before the Julius Meinl opened at the corner of Southport and Addison, the only other one in the world was in Vienna. That's sort of neat and is the type of thing a business could leach off of, getting by on a reputation that while interesting, ultimately doesn't mean a damn thing when it comes to how good their coffee and pastries are. But the place holds up, Vienna ties or otherwise. As such, this is probably as close to a European café you're going to get in a neighborhood mostly overrun with Wrigleyville spill-off. This is a good place to go if... you're looking to kill some time before seeing a movie at the Music Box.

Jojo F.

Attention Julius Meinl! PLEASE open a shop in the Western 'burbs. This would be sooooo awesome! Following the Yelp event last night (which was amazing and informative!), I headed here for a warm beverage. Mint. Hot. Chocolate. I would definitely come back when I am in the area. On my next visit, I will: a. order a coffee drink, b. sit in and c. eat something off the menu. This place was hoppin' on a Thursday night!

Scott M.

"So you'll be an Austrian nobleman." You really don't need to commission a symphony in C (that defies all earthly description), you only need to go to Julius Meinl where they serve your coffee on a silver platter with a little treat and a glass of water. Most importantly, the coffee lives up to the presentation! It is one of the best cups you'll find anywhere! Even if coffee isn't your thing, they have an insane tea menu. (Ever wanted to try smoke tea?) This place goes beyond coffee, they have fresh pastries and gourmet Austrian-fusion food made with locally grown ingredients. There are also nights (Fri & Sat) where classical and/or jazz musicians perform (including someone who plays something called a cimbalom which is an interesting show in itself) at no additional charge. Since I am lazy, and will use this same entry for both locations, here is the difference between the one on Southport and the one on Lincoln. Southport was the first North American location, and the interior gives it a wonderful ambiance that lends to feeling like an Austrian nobleman. However, the one on Southport is usually a lot more crowded and that takes away from some of the relaxing vibe. They're only about one mile apart, so you can easily try either one.

Richie D.

Usually I go to the Montrose & Lincoln Meinl near my apartment, but this location happened to be closer for teatime with a friend after getting out of work. The decor is completely different from the other locations with a classy European Renaissance cafe feel including comfy couches (free Wi-Fi a plus). As imagined, they still have all the same yummy Austrian favorites. I was happy to finally have the opportunity to try one of their European Specialties, the Roasted Lamb & Spätzle. I wouldn't say that it's worth $10.50, but the lamb was super tender and add Spätzle (capitalized since it's a German noun and deserves the emphasis) into the mix and it can't be beat. I can't say I liked all the caramelized pearl onions throughout but it may be a bit plain without them. If you like cheese I'd recommend what my friend had, the Toasted Cheese Sandwich with the trio of sharp Cheddar, Emmentaler and Fontina cheeses. We finished off our tea time with one of Meinl's fabulous desserts. I'm not sure which one it was (you can find a picture though in the business profile pictures) but it was spectacular with peanut butter cream, caramel and plenty of chocolate ganache. If you're looking for a good lunch, you can never go wrong with Julius Meinl.

Jessica F.

My mom says I talk too much when I get excited about something. The first time I took her to Julius Meinl I went into a detailed explanation about everything that is good on the menu. Like a hyper child, I flipped the pages back and forth about a thousand times and gave her commentary on every single section of the menu (except for the tea... I just don't drink much tea). IT IS ALL GOOD! I mean, the lattes are served on a silver platter with a cookie, a glass of water, and a baby-sized spoon. IT'S PERFECT! You also can't go wrong with any of the baked egg options, and I highly recommend the chicken salad sandwhich or the turkey & avocado for lunch/dinner. Also, you can order a Croque Monsieur, and for anyone who studied French in high school... that's just fun to do. Basically, I ALWAYS suggest this as my 1st choice brunch place, and lately I've been averaging about one visit per weekend. And it's not because I don't try other places -- I do! -- I just keep coming back here!

Lauren M.

Southport is definitely one of those areas of town that I'm always hoping to get to more and fortunately for this neighborhood Julius Meinl is there to keep me coming back. I came on a Sunday for an early lunch with two fantastic people and enjoyed every minute of my experience. From the wait staff to the cleanliness of the restaurant to, of course, the food and drink, Julius Meinl is a place to be. Suggestions: The 1/2 sandwich and salad/soup combo. I had the Turkey and Advocado Sandwich with a Harvest Salad. Yummy! But what was even better was the Nutella crepe with strawberries and bananas. You have to try it!!

Andrea M.

This is kind of what I imagine being in a Viennese coffee shop must be like - even a regular coffee was an experience rather than just a cup of coffee! Coffee is served on silver trays with a glass of water and a chocolate while you sit in plush seats at dark wood tables - it feels special though the prices are completely reasonable. The baked eggs were great - I had the salmon, cream cheese and dill with a piece of rye toast. Definitely something different and totally worth it! I can't wait to go back and try the pastries! The only downside was that when I first walked in it looked like your standard coffee place (like a Starbucks) with a etagere of coffee smack in the middle of the restaurant so the scene was momentarily off-putting.

Hugh B.

Let's see, an Austrian coffee house that I and my fellow Jews frequent. There must be a reason -- and, there is! It is great coffee, along with delicious breakfast dishes that go beyond the usual eggs and bacon. I normally have the Austrian breakfast -- a soft-boiled egg and a few slices of ham and a few slices of Emmenthaler cheese, along with toast (I take a croissant, the most buttery croissant I've had outside of France). Far less greasy than your usual diner fare. If you want more fat, go for the baked eggs, although this is a VERY rich dish. Service is deliberate, but I suspect everything is made to order, which would explain why. Julius Meinl? I say "ja"!

Lindsay M.

The best hot chocolate ever. And I used to work at Starbucks, so I can say that.

Miss M.

This place is excellent! Their food, especially their pear and brie sandwich, is my favorite and their coffee drinks and desserts are superb! Yummmm!

Jesse N.

Great coffee awesome desserts Cool menu I have had the banana crepe (no strawberries for me) and it was delish.

Ellen B.

I agree with other yelpers...we are very fortunate in Lakeview to have the only US outpost of this coffee shop. The whole atmosphere reminds me of fantastic European coffee places. I will admit I've never had their coffee (I just don't like it in general, sorry I know that makes me an oddity) their tea and juice selection is fantastic (the US is really lacking in quality pear juice). Plus the food is amazing and the pastries always make me drool. I recommend if you come for lunch get the half and half (half a cup soup/salad and half a sandwich) because it's the best idea ever. If you like blue cheese get the blue cheese strudel it's wonderful. Plus I'm totally taking my mom to their weekday afternoon tea!

Erin J.

At first, I didn't feel classy enough to be in such a fancy atmosphere. The place was dim, but not dark and there were candles on the tables. In the corner was a man playing classical guitar. We were there late on a Saturday night (waiting for the doors to the Music Box to open for the Midnight Buffy Singalong) and the place was still hopping. It was how I imagine a speakeasy would be if tea was ever to become illegal. My girlfriend ordered a spicy orange tea which she loved, our friend got a mocha, and I ordered the world's most expensive jasmine green tea. The tea was smooth and sweet. It had flowers floating in it and a fragrance that was almost perfume-like,( but not offensive like grandma's designer imposter fragrance) . It was like breathing in a dream. I was sad when I drank all my tea, because they had given me a lot and I was full. We also ordered a molten lava cake which when it came we were sad because it was so small (and we love cake) but it was so rich that between three people it was the perfect amount of sweetness. We didn't feel rushed, which is probably because this place is all euro-inspired. I loved it.

Johnny B.

I love: the decor the roast beef sandwich on a pretzel roll the european feel the coziness the cafe au laite the pronunciation of the cafe au laite ("oh lay!") the furniture the old school photos on the walls the frittatten (beef broth soup with little pieces of crepe, mmmmm!) the location i don't love: how busy it is guess i'll get over it. can they please open some more locations!?!?! it is kinda cool though that the only one in the country is in our hood.

Nikki M.

I used to walk past here all the time on my way to the Music Box and thought it was just another typical coffee/corner bakery type place. I was rather wrong. I finally popped in here a couple months ago when I was about to go check out a midnight movie at the Music Box and my group had some time to kill and this was the only place (besides bars) that was open. It's like an upscale European cafe. Actually, it IS an upscale European cafe. You have to 'wait to be seated' and they serve their drinks and food on these cute silver platters. I've heard this place gets extremely packed but I've only been here late at night (say 9pm or after) and have gotten a place to sit right away. The times I've gone there's always a guitar player that doesn't play too loud so I can at least hear myself and others I'm with talking. Their tea/coffee menu is huge. I like to try something new everytime I come here. I've only had their tea so far but have heard good things about their coffee. The China Jasmine Pearl and Monchs-tee are my favorites so far. The Turkey on Brioche is AMAZING. It contains a couple yummy slices of turkey, fresh pieces of lettuce and fontina cheese with cherry jam and garlic mayo. I've also tried the prosciutto panini and really like that as well but the turkey on brioche is heaven on a plate. Also, the sandwiches are served with a small salad with a really yummy vinaigrette dressing. Of course, I always have to have desert and they have a lot of really tasty and cute looking treats at the counter to choose from. So far, I've only had the mozart torte, which is chocolate cake with pistachios and hazelnuts and the banana mousse cake. Both really delicious. Parking around this place sucks a lot. It takes a half an hour to 45 minutes to find a parking spot around here even though there's a paid lot near the Music Box that's ALWAYS full. I suggest taking the bus/train/cab/whatever as long as you don't drive yourself here. I really wish/hope they open another location downtown. I'd eat lunch here everyday if there was one.

Samantha L.

I love Julius Meinl, and everyone who I have taken there has had the same sentiment. The baked eggs with potato pancakes is HEAVEN IN YOUR MOUTH. They have great coffee, and I was also introduced to Honeybush tea here (due to their vast tea menu), which is now one of my favorites. The Julius Meinl on Southport and Lincoln have both met my expecations anytime I've gone!

Keith A.

This place is so marvelous, so utterly un-American, that I want to write my review in German. Der Dekor ist schoen: das dunkele Holz, die Messingarmaturen, die glaenzende Serviertablette. Der Kaffee ist wunderbar, nach der Wienerweise geroestet. Das Essen ist schmackhaft, immerhin ein bisschen kostspielig, und die Nachtische sind ganz traumhaft. Streichmusiker spielen die Kammermusik am Wochenende. Und es kommt vor, dass es nichts macht aus, wenn man lungert herum -- noch am Wochenende, wann es ueberfuellt ist. Himmlisch.

Misse D.

My meal was very enjoyable. My turkey brioche sandwich was mouth-watering. I may go back again just for that sandwich. My English Breakfast tea was very good and memorable since it came with a little cookie. Two minor problems-- I was freezing! I had to leave a jacket over my lap since there was a chill coming from the window. Weather proof please! The restaurant was closing early due to the holiday. I didn't realize this until I looked up and saw the staff staring at us. Would it be so impossible to tell us that you closed instead of giving the evil eye?

Elizabeth H.

The coffee and tea selections are great. And I feel like the prices are fairly reasonable, esp. considering the fact that they serve your drinks on a silver tray. classy. It makes grabbing coffee an event instead of just a necessity. The food ain't bad either. I've gotten several different things from the menu and all was good. They serve this turkey sandwich with a cherry jam that I totally crave, which is unusual since I HATE meat + fruit. I'm not sure why I ordered it, but so glad I did. All in all the atmosphere here is great, the service is great, and the food is great. Def. check it out.

Lauren H.

went here with friend before going to the movies. Had a hot chocolate and split a piece of viennese torte. Yum. Nice atmosphere, definitely intend to go back with a good book and sit and enjoy the goodies.

Michelle H.

Stopped in on a Saturday mid -day to grab a smoothie....Staying and ordering at a table was not an option due to both the crowd of people waiting and the insane amounts of babies and children and strollers. Yikes. Apart from the clientele - yes, very european. Double Yikes.

Chris S.

I was really surprised to see they have a full menu here. They have great coffee and pastries as well as great brunch-type food. Baked eggs with carmelized onions, potato pancake and pamesan were great, as are the Austrain pancakes with plum compote. Again, the coffee is really good, and the option for a French press is on the menu, and I love that too. So for a really good breakfast, Julius Meinl has my vote.

K T.

Before there was Starbucks, there was this chain of cafes tucked into the capital of a little mountainous country far, far away that quietly controlled the vast swaths of the Austro-Hungarian empire. That capital was Vienna, the country Austria, and the cafe Julius Meinl. A few years ago, I was sitting at Addison and Southport in this new coffee shop from this land far, far away that had just opened, wondering what made this place so special. Was it the shiny metal trays of coffee, small treat, and tepid water? Perhaps. Was it the delicate yet rich pastries? Perhaps. And then I overheard the conversation next to me, and overheard in this case by no means meant understand. You see, they were talking in German, and all of a sudden I began my journey back to that land. I spent a week in Austria in college, and knew the moment I walked in something was special about this place. It wasn't just another overly self-aware Starbucks wannabe that tried to define itself by having S-M-L instead of tall-grande-venti. No, this was the old country, and the thing that set it apart turned out to be the tables. The tables? What the...? Well, I couldn't resist, so I decided to strike up a conversation with my German speaking friends (in English, of course) and learned 3 key facts that sold me. 1) Turns out one of them worked for the Austrian consulate in Chicago and said this place was home to her, 2) They had shipped Chicago tap water back to Austria for testing of equipment and blends to get the right flavor, and 3) they imported the tables on which I rested my elbows as I fingered my tepid water. So, this was the real deal, and the tables proved it. I have to admit that their blend is much darker on average than almost everyone else, which some will taste as "bitter" perhaps, but the total experience is what makes it. They have regular live music (jazz or classical, in general). My favorite combo: double espresso and the espresso/chocolate tart (with a little shiny gold man on it...).

Dave C.

here, we have a little slice of the European-esque cafe dining experience. my roommate and i walked in to find a pair of musicians on an upright bass and a keyboard, banging out light jazz, augmenting the lounge ambiance. as an ex-Starbucks puppet/coffee snob, i smiled at seeing all the little French presses sitting on the tables. i ordered a drink called a Melange which is espresso cut with half and half topped with foamy foam and cocoa sprinkles. one word summary: tasty! we split a brownie that was quite yummy. it had a cheesecake layer on top and a lightly crisp texture on the bottom. this is a great place to get coffee if you want a change of pace from the assembly line feel of Starbucks. woo!

Jessica F.

I LOVE this place. The tea is just...yeah, it is just beyond lovely. The food is also very tasty. I love to go there, sit outside and just read. The people who work there are super nice and pleasant. It is a great stop on a relaxing afternoon. Every time I go there though, it makes me want to go back to Europe so much. It just has that rhythm to it.

Christina C.

There's no doubt about it: Julius Meinl is pretentions, proudly un-American, and a bit stuck up. That's all part of the coffee house's charm, to say nothing of the delicious desserts, baked goods, and sandwiches--the curried chicken salad sandwich is INCREDIBLE. I've found their coffee to be nothing special, but I enjoy the flavored tonics, imported teas, and other non-coffee beverages. Stop by for something "Old World" and different.

Tom F.

Overall, I am a big fan of Meinl. I often stop in before heading to work for the coffee (certainly above average - but perhaps not at the level of Intelligentsia) and a scone (among the best I've had in Chicago) or the incredibly delicious ham and cheese croissant. I also quite enjoy Meinl's brunch. The baked eggs with goat cheese, basil, and tomato is outstanding, and a unique option, and the baked banana french toast will satisfy most sweet tooths (teeth?). The only downside - if you don't arrive early on weekends, this place is MOBBED - so expect a lengthy wait. But perhaps the best way to enjoy Meinl is in the evening, over a traditional Austrian coffee service and an outstanding dessert (the cakes and tarts are simply amazing). For a brief moment, you may actually believe that you are Vienna!

johnny b.

Coffee is very good, Breakfast not my style, Lunch is great. Love the turkey avacado sandwich better than anything I've had in the loop.

Kristin R.

I have extremely mixed feelings about this place. And unfortunately, my most recent experience (today) has tainted my general opinion even more so. I'd like to separate this review into two parts, well three parts actually: 1) coffee 2) food 3) service Coffee: The coffee here is fab. I love it and usually when I come here I come here only for the coffee. The service is always fast and they've not screwed up my drink once. My favorite is the Frappe. Similar to a frappachino at Starbucks except a million times better. So, if this review were based solely on coffee, hands down I would give them five stars. Food: Food has always been really great as well. I always get the baked egg (goat cheese, tomato, basil) which is what they're known for and I love it. Every time it's been cooked to perfection. They have a variety of sandwiches to choose from as well as crepes and salads. Basically, there is something here for everybody and the presentation as well as the quality is quite superb. Service: This is where i have a huge problem. The service here, to put it bluntly, SUCKS so unbelievably bad. I mean, it is AWFUL. I've had multiple bad experiences here quite honestly, I don't plan on ever coming back and sitting down to eat. Ever. The wait staff is never too friendly and although I understand it's not the waiter's problem that the kitchen staff is slow and/or screws up the order, it is her job to liaise with the customer and apologize on behalf of her moronic co-workers. Which she never did. Anyway, my main issue here is that they are slow. Very slow. And even though we waited and waited and waited for our food today, and when it finally arrived my friend's order was incorrect, and then we waited and waited even longer for her to get the correct order, and no apology, no offer to compensate us for our inconvenience and incredibly awful experience at their institution. Julius Meinl just has really bad customer service. And for that, I won't come here again to eat nor will I recommend it to anyone else. I am not even quite sure why I gave it three stars. I guess because I love their coffee so much. Actually, screw that. I'm changing it to two. Come here for coffee and that's it. Trust me.

S L.

good food, bad service. the hostess actually sat another couple before us and when we asked her about it, she said "I must have crossed you off". this amazed me since we had been sitting two feet away from her the entire time. our waitress was about as warm as the ice water she eventually brought us. and to be honest, the food wasn't incredible. the coffee was incredible though.

Mark S.

Far and away my favorite place to spend a Sat. morning in Chicago! Hang on for this review, because I'm emotional about this place, love it, but when it comes to traditional things about which I'm emotional, the crotchety old German part of me is bound to show himself! First, Meinl is the big coffee from Austria, the land that invented the cafe- and many would agree that their coffee is perhaps the finest in the world. They've served it to discriminating Viennese coffee drinkers for over 100 years and have cafes all over central Europe. Then, Starbucks invaded Vienna! The business that had preserved its history for so many years faced a new challenge, and it would seem that the Meinl mgmt recognized that part of meeting that challenge involved an American experiment- Meinl Cafe in Chicago!!! When it first opened I was convinced nobody would 'get' the Austrian Cafe concept, and Meinl would either compromise for Americans and act like Starbucks, or fail. Thankfully, neither happened- this place hits the mark. The coffee is obviously delicious- after 140 years Meinl knows a bit more than those hippies in Seattle about such things. I do wish they'd used all the standard Austrian terms for the coffee drinks here, I mean if we can handle ordering a 'Mlange," why can't I order a Brauner? Alright- that's picking nits. They've added more true Austrian dishes on the menu slowly since it opened, and created them in a damn authentic way. Frittaten soup is just as it should be, fried pancake strips that are light, and in a reasonably salty broth. Soft boiled eggs are prepared just right- I'd love to see them offer 'two eggs in a glass,' that would be cool! The pastry chef knows her stuff- even the Gugelhupf (it's a bundt cake) is good, and I don't normally care for plain old Gugelhupf! Mohr im Hemd is something special- if you like chocolate, this is what to order. They have lots of non-Austrian stuff on the menu too- the sandwiches are each awesome. Yeah, the roast beef on the pretzel roll is my favorite- if only for that incredible roll! The servers are polite, quick, efficient, and friendly. Exactly as how it would be in Vienna- except for the friendly part where we've outdone 'em! All of the Meinl brand stuff is shipped over for sale here too- coffee, jelly, tea, etc... They even sell Powidl (Po-viddle)- spiced plum compote used in classic Austrian desserts- try it on a Belgian waffle- mmmmm. Am I the only person getting this stuff? I hope not. Etiquette time- You'll note that your coffee comes served on a small silver tray with a glass of water (as it should). As an edgumacated coffee drinker you should know that this serves two purposes- the obvious help it provides the server to carry those glasses to you, but perhaps more importantly, it keeps your wet water glass off of the often marble table top. Be a good patron and leave your water on the tray where it belongs, a Viennese waiter would scold you for leaving water rings! So enough ranting, the place has great food, great drinks, and is a true Viennese cafe stuck in middle America. We're really lucky to have it in Chicago. If I could change one thing, they'd have one weekend a month where the locals leave their "adorable" little fashion accessory kids at home so I can read my newspaper in peace and quiet, but I suppose for that I need to go to Austria where kids don't run 100% of their parents', and everyone around their parents' lives.

Missy M.

Presentation is what caught my eye at this delightful establishment. The lattes come on a silver platter with a saucer, glass of water, sugar and a piece of chocolate. This Euro spot has more than I once thought! I went there for the first time a couple weeks ago and have been back twice since. Macadamia Nut Mocha- WOW! Banana Bread Latte- Sensational! Spinach, prochiutto, goat cheese Quiche- Delicious! And the best part is the price. I can get a quality latte here for the same price I would spend on one at Starbucks. No competition there.

K B.

Oh Julius, when will you come to the Bay Area? Sharing the same nationality, Julius and I have been good friends for a long time until I moved to the US (ironically nearly all, if not all, Meinl in Austria have now been shut down). So when I was in Chicago I took the opportunity to indulge on some delicious cakes and I also stocked up on tea and coffee. If you like outstanding food and pastries in a hip environment, this is the place to go.

annie r.

the coffee is good. the salty, sugary cookies are too, but thats about it. the staff was aloof, and the food was just there. not good, not bad. i was just bored the entire time. if i go back, it will just be for a beverage. boring. even this review is boring. :(

V V.

I was reluctant to come here because I'm not so much a fan of over-priced snooty, overly-pretentious coffee shops, as I was afraid this one would be. Much to my surprise the staff was friendly and attentive, and the food/drinks were reasonably priced for the quality. Drink prices are on par if not cheaper than Starbucks, but tastier and beautifully presented. As for the food, I tried the turkey on brioche, the chicken salad (made with tarragon yogurt - NOT MAYO! Big thumbs up.) the Käsespätzle (fancy bacon mac and cheese), the chocolate nutella crepes, and the lavender lemon cake. Everything was supremely delicious. How rare; a place that lives up to the hype!

Gfiddy F.

Great. I think they should open one downtown so everyone who lives near Julius Meinl can stop by during the workday, and those of us who live downtown don't have to cart it up here.

Chris M.

Great Coffee (ordered the french press) great croissant. Good cheese. I ordered the typical euro fair of coffee, croissant, cheese and soft boiled egg. It was exactly how I expected it to be and it was exactly what I wanted at a place like this. Identical to the similar breakfasts I had all over europe.

Jen D.

Always passed it by but finally went with a client. Great salad, but could have used some crusty bread. I'm WAY to productive to lounge around so finally had to ask for the check 30 minutes after we were done eating.

Allie B.

Delicious chai tea latte and baked eggs. The toast was perfection. This is an idyllic brunch location. Will most definitely be back to try more of the yummy looking menu!

Kareem S.

Best coffee shop""!!

Victoria H.

Delightful and delicious coffee shop that has instantly become a new tradition. I came here with my mother shortly after the New Year and we both insist that we go back every winter break/holiday season from now on (hopefully with several visits in between). We both ordered the melange coffees. Wow! Sweet but not cloyingly so (unlike those caramel brulee lattes or whatever at Starbucks). They come in true European fashion on a little silver tray with a glass of water and little cookie provided. The perfect thing to savor while we waited for our baked eggs. The baked eggs were delicious! I got the rosti baked egg with the potato pancake. It was delicious but rich. I think that next time my mom and I would split a baked egg dish (it comes with two) and order fruit or try one of their pastries. The walnut toast that comes with it was toast worth eating---nutty, crunchy, and wholesome. I cannot wait to go back and try the things I didn't get to order! Julius Meinl is a little slice of Vienna right in Chicago and is a great place to meet a friend for a great cup of coffee or breakfast.

Ladybird G.

The original Meinl of Chicago, the US, whatever... I love this place as a tiny little getaway. The Lincoln Square location is closer, has more room and a bit of a better layout... but this one has the atmosphere. I wish they would update some of their chairs...it's hard to be comfortable in this location. Even with all those "complaints" i really love it. Makes spending $4 for a coffee an extremely enjoyable experience. I feel like I'm cheating myself if I get it to go.

Matt R.

This place screams elegance. While I have yet to try brunch/breakfast/lunch here at Julius Meini, I can say that their desserts are silky smooth and rich. Their cupcakes are exquisite. Also, they make a damn good cup of coffee. Definitely an option before hitting up a movie at the "Music Box".

Christopher B.

This has Europe written all over it! I'm surprised more people haven't commented on the strudels! Seriously- I'd come here for these over the coffee, and that's no knock against the coffee! On weekend nights they normally have strings (violins, etc) performing which adds to the ambiance! If you're up for a great European dessert on a cold night, this place is highly recommended!

Gretta H.

Lovely for outdoor seating on a summer Sunday morning. The baked egg is so delicious, the coffee is great and the service is primo as well. Even though it is a chain, the charm is all there!

Emily C.

just amazing. JM + Saturday Night + Live Music + BFFs + Soy Hot Chocolate + Gorgeous Amazing pastries = Perfect Night. We were only here for dessert and tea but it was such a perfect place to talk with friends, listen to music, and end a really fun evening. I'll be back for the coffee and food which I hear is just great.

Susan L.

Cozy euro-style restaurant/cafe that is perfect for fall. You will not regret stopping in for an apple cider while you're shopping on Southport! I'm totally revising my review because it's been over a year since I've been here and they have greatly improved their food. The service, however, still SUCKS. Expect to WAIT for everything.

Mary S.

Way back in the day I used to sit here and drink tea with my friends. I'm so sad that it caught on. Gone are the days of quiet tea drinking and bitching about men on lazy, bitter cold Saturdays in January. Now it's all baby strollers and highlighted mommies on the weekends. I still come here though but only during the week. It's too frantic on Saturday and Sundays. I've never tasted coffee in my entire life. I don't intend on starting now so I always stick with the loose tea. The Assam makes my taste buds scream with joy and pure happiness. The chicken salad is some of the best in the city. Yes, I am an expert on chicken salad. Top that! I recommend the Julius for light meals and quiet relaxation during the week. Enjoy yourself elsewhere on the weekends.

a h.

I love, love, love the food here. Great chicken salad sandwich, great soups, and awesome desserts. I'm not sure where they recruit their employees, but the ad must read: "Looking for crabby, sloth-like, generally unhappy wait-staff." Be prepared for them not to anticipate your needs. "Oh, did you want your coffee with your pastry? I thought you might want to wait 15 mins after you finished your pasty to have your coffee." I live right around the corner from this place and I'm impressed with how consistent they are with their bad service. I still go back for the food though. Yummy.

Jason D.

One of the better cups of coffee in Chicago, and desserts like you'd find in an Austrian coffee house. In fact, it's a bit odd feeling to sit in this new cafe and be reminded of the Austrian grocery store/cafe chain which started so many years ago. It's a comfortable place to sit and have a coffee and some Kaisersmarren.

Rachelle G.

One word re the coffee: YUM! Stopped in while in the neighborhood and even though I've heard great things, I wasn't expecting to be wowed by the coffee. Didn't get the chance to taste the food but browsed the menu and I will definitely be back. It seems that many enjoy the food as the place was packed, with others still waiting for a table. I did take a glance at the pastry and baked goods display case and although some looked absolutely delish, they seemed a tad pricey; unlike the food items on the menu. Friendly staff that seems to handle the stress of what seems to be a fast-paced environment.