"Cafe Yaya opened with lots of expectations—it’s not easy being the sibling of Galit, one of the 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago. But this all-day cafe carves its own path with excellent baked goods with Middle Eastern flavors. The pastry counter is full of hits: shakshuka buns with tomato sauce and eggs, date cake punched up with rose, pistachio apricot scones, and walnut baklava. And while it’s great to swing by for an on-the-way-to-work galette, the warmly lit dining room has plenty of space to sit with your pastries, coffee, and emails near the open kitchen’s hearth." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru