Buttercup
Bar · South Loop ·
Cafe by day, amaro bar by night, with Italian-inspired food
Cafe by day, amaro bar by night, with Italian-inspired food
"South Loop’s duality is mirrored here: by day, students and professionals filter in for quality coffee and calm; by night, friends gather after concerts or dates, chatting over amaro-fueled cocktails in the low light while the L rumbles by. Inspired by vintage amaro bars in Milan and Florence, the team set out to create a versatile neighborhood space—a calm refuge by day and a lively destination by night—that fills a long-missing gap with elevated hospitality and a touch of European warmth; from the drinks to the staff uniforms, the experience feels transported straight from Italy. Already a regular stop for locals, it’s the kind of place where, as beverage director Luke DeYoung says, regulars build relationships even when he’s not there. Former Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije continues to reshape the South Loop dining scene with this charming all-day cafe and cocktail lounge, developed in partnership with the team behind Oliver’s; by day there’s Sparrow Coffee and pastries, and come evening, the intimate room shifts into a cozy Italian-leaning bistro serving truffle pizzettas, roasted pork collar, and creative amaro drinks." - Tajah Ware
"After collaborating with S.K.Y.’s chef on two restaurants, former Chicago Bear Israel Idionije continues his restaurant opening streak with this South Loop spot, this time with theOliver’steam. Buttercup is a South Loop cafe by day and amaro-focused bar by night. In the morning you can expect pastries like cinnamon rolls and croissants, while their short evening menu has dishes like truffle pizzetta and roasted pork collar." - John Ringor
"An intimate South Loop cafe by day and amaro-focused lounge by night, this 40-seat, butter-yellow room opens at 7 a.m. with a full Sparrow Coffee program featuring custom espresso and drip, plus morning baked goods from the Chicago roaster—blueberry corn muffins, sticky toffee bread, and laminated pastries—welcome in an area where independent coffee shops are scarce, with breakfast sandwiches, eggs to order, and lunch potentially to come. From 4 p.m., the concise, Italian-leaning menu offers a charcuterie plate, truffle pizzetta, and a kale and broccoli Caesar with white anchovies, smoked mozzarella, and crispy hand-torn croutons, alongside a heartier roasted pork neck: Slagel Farms pork cured and air-dried, slow-cooked for 16 hours, then grilled to order and paired with punchy gremolata and pickled cipollini onions. Drinks, under beverage director Luke DeYoung (previously at Scofflaw and Oliver’s), lean into amaro with Old Fashioneds and margaritas that swap in the bitter liqueur as the base, a collection of classic and creative amaro cocktails, and a small selection of Italian wines and beer; there’s also a kakigori machine turning thin sheets of shaved ice into fluffy, snow cone-like drinks with plenty of visual appeal (a frozen panna dulce topper appears as a morning add-on), plus nonalcoholic amaro options and other naturally low-ABV choices, with collaborations and amaro-themed parties planned during Negroni Week (September 22–28). Set in a 900-square-foot former 16th Street Bar space designed by Nathan Michael, the ground-floor hideaway—flanked by a hair salon and a piano studio—signals its split personality with “Cafe by Light” and “Amaro at Night” on the windows and “Italian Apertifs” and “Fine Foods” above the door; inside, retro Formica-like tables, a burnt orange velvet banquette with brown-and-white striped back and trim, an 11-seat chrome-topped bar beneath globe lights and sheer curtains, geometric floor tiles, and thoughtful vintage accessories blur the line between new and old. “Buttercup is the name of an Italian flower, and it also means to bring joy or to delight,” says Israel Idonije; hours run 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the cafe and 4 p.m. to midnight for the amaro bar, Monday through Sunday, with opening set for September 14." - Lisa Shames
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