Cafe on Oak

Warm, welcoming cafe with a relaxed vibe that works equally well for coffee, brunch, or a casual lunch. The space feels thoughtfully designed with plenty of light and comfortable seating, which makes it easy to linger without feeling rushed. Drinks are well made and flavorful, and the food hits the mark with solid classics that feel fresh and satisfying. Service is friendly and attentive, adding to the ov

We stayed at the Drake and came down for a late breakfast. I ordered the MM & JD Benedict Duet and the Avocado Toast. The service was good but a bit slow. The decor was beautiful — elegant and cozy. The food was basic overpriced hotel food. But it was convenient. Classic. I’m glad I went.

We had breakfast here after one night in the Drake Hotel. How cool was it to be dining in a spot that you know some of the most infamous names in Chicago's history held court. We loved the "private-ish" booths, the service was excellent, and overall we found the food to be good. It's all fairly basic breakfast items but they do them well here. I had an egg white omelet with hashbrowns. Egg whites are easy to overcook and these were done perfectly. My wife's poached egg also was done just as she liked it. The coffee was decent and a few levels above the disappointing "browned waters" of some places. And the English muffin was toasted perfectly. (I can't tell you how many times I get toast or an English muffin which is just underdone. Good job Cafe on Oak.) Nothing particularly creative, out of the box or "brunchy" here but if you want a basic breakfast, done exactly as it should be done, and an historic atmosphere. This could be the spot for you!

Stayed at The Drake hotel and had breakfast here on a Sunday morning. Service was top notch. My water and coffee were consistently topped off. Very attentive staff! Food was okay. I had the duet of eggs *will not say that traitor's name. Steak was a little tough. Dish could have used more seasoning. Overall a good experience.

I’m staying at the Drake, my daughter and I visited the Cafe on Oak for breakfast. I had the Midwestern breakfast, she had the pancakes. Respectable breakfast, and my daughter really liked the pancakes. Service was good and they recovered from a mid-order with grace and professionalism. Mistakes happen, but when you correct it with a high level of service, I’ve got no complaints. A little pricy, but hey, this is Chicago, not Mayberry.

Felt really uncomfortable being there. More of the staff’s gazing eyes with no warm welcome or speech. It was as if, they’re not working so they’ll just look with no words. Then when they have to approach you to take your order, all of a sudden you know how to speak and look. That’s a bad interaction wether you like it or not. As a customer walking in, say something- Say hi if you’re going to look and stare. On top of that, the atmosphere seemed like words can’t be said too loud. Maybe due to the lack of customers and also the old century vibe of the place. Food was great tho! I ordered the smoked salmon, swapped the bagel to wheat toast. Flavorful and fulfilling.

This place was amazing, the food was great, the service was awesome. Our wait staff was very tentative and took care of us through out the entire meal. The food came out very quick. Would love to come back.

Just perfect! Excelent taste, service, attention and Full experience after passing through an 100 years old hotel were you can feel and smell the history embedded on the walls!

Elegant breakfast cafe located tucked nicely in the Drake Hotel. Various selections; hash browns were delightful along with the fluffy scrambled eggs and bacon cooked just the way I ordered, nice snd crispy.

A hidden gem in the Drake Hotel for breakfast only. Full meals in a selection of unusual characterful rooms. Open days are usually Fri-Sun, 7.00am to 11.00am or noon. During busy holiday season open Thursdays, but best to check with hotel.

This restaurant is embedded in the Drake Hotel. We went for breakfast. The serves were very friendly and accommodating. It has a European cafe vibe to it. We had the Everything Skillet and Avocado toast. The food is the main reason for the 3 rating. The egg white was not fully cooked on the poached egg for the toast. The skillet is made with their breakfast potatoes (halves of baby round potatoes). They are so large it made it difficult to eat and the skillet was thin on the toppings. If you are looking for something convenient it will work, but if you are looking for food that is really good, this may not be the best choice.

Cafe on Oak is now only open on Saturday and Sunday starting at 7am. The Service is always consistent. The Staff are very friendly and helpful. Very laid back ambiance here and quiet. Great spot to start the day with breakfast and solid selection of food. Easy 5 Stars !!

Very nice hotel breakfast spot. Well laid out and quiet. The overwhelming color of white will help wake you up. Service was excellent and prompt. The menu has plenty of choices. We had the avocado toast and the everything skillet. Personally, I would have preferred something closer to traditional hash browns than fairly large, boiled, and lightly fried potato chunks.

I had a recent stay at The Drake Hotel and I was looking for a place to get some morning coffee. Previously, I tried the coffee place in the hotel, unfortunately, did not have a good experience. I decided to try this restaurant and I was very satisfied. I walked in and immediately I was greeted by Joel, I asked Joel if I can purchase a cup of coffee and danish for to go, he said of course, he did suggest the other coffee place since their price for their coffee was $7.00. He also suggested the other place because they were primarily for coffee. I thanked him for the suggestion, however, I explained to Joel I had already been to the other place twice and both times my experience had not been a good one. I did express to Joel, I'd rather pay an extra couple dollars for coffee, if it meant better service. He understood and was apologetic for the service I received at the other place. We had a brief conversation about The Drake Hotel and it's history. He thanked me for stopping in and welcomed me to certainly come back and dine in on my next visit. I certainly plan to, as for coffee and danish, coffee was very fresh and the danish was delicious.

Came back to next morning for breakfast again and it was equally a great experience. This time had the buttermilk pancakes and the Belgian waffles with strawberries. Very light and fluffy. We really enjoy it here!

We had breakfast here after one night in the Drake Hotel. How cool was it to be dining in a spot that you know some of the most infamous names in Chicago's history held court. We loved the "private-ish" booths, the service was excellent, and overall we found the food to be good. It's all fairly basic breakfast items but they do them well here. I had an egg white omelet with hashbrowns. Egg whites are easy to overcook and these were done perfectly. My wife's poached egg also was done just as she liked it. The coffee was decent and a few levels above the disappointing "browned waters" of some places. And the English muffin was toasted perfectly. (I can't tell you how many times I get toast or an English muffin which is just underdone. Good job Cafe on Oak.) Nothing particularly creative, out of the box or "brunchy" here but if you want a basic breakfast, done exactly as it should be done, and an historic atmosphere. This could be the spot for you!

Came to the Cafe on Oak while staying at the Drake Hotel. It is conveniently located on the bottom floor with a very Nantucket country decor. Came during the early morning hour to a fairly full dinning room with a mix I would guest of hotel guest and a few regulars. Overall the customer service was great although I had to ask for water a few times and overall the meal served its purpose. A little over priced but that's part of the old hotel charm. Lol. I would most likely pass next time around.

Came here for breakfast while staying at The Drake. The service was pretty slow but I thought the food was pretty good. I am not sure if the pictures are old but I don't think there is a buffet anymore. They have great bloody Mary's too!

Exceptional wait staff, beautiful view out the window, perfectly cooked food and some of the best breakfast sausage I've had.

Fast an delicious, the room is convenient the atmosphere was very nice ample room. Breakfast choices were fine. A must go back!

Never ever eat here unless you want to pay $7.00 for a cup of black coffee. Not a cappuccino or latte. Plain black coffee.

Deciding to switch up Sunday Brunch and try someplace new. Checked out the Drake Hotel, where I have enjoyed the afternoon tea several times, on their website, Listed is a "new" restaurant, Cafe on Oak. Not much listed on line, but it's breakfast and it touted a view of the lake, so why not give it a whirl? The Good; Made to order Omelet was tasty Genero (sp?) the busboy was very attentive The So-So; Tony our waiter was okay, never presented a menu-presumed we were going to have the buffet. Given how much they hyped their Marilyn Monroe-Joe DiMaggio Eggs Benedict, I was surprised to not see it anywhere. He arrived at our table quickly and brought us juice/coffee, then we never really saw him until it was time for the check. The atmosphere is...well...strange. The "cafe" is located in the old Cape Cod Room, which has been closed f several years. Looks like they slapped a new coat of paint, one of many over the years, on the walls and viola...a "restaurant." All of the old sea inspired art on the walls, even the awards garnered by the Cape Cod Room over the years still on the walls. Food was okay...nothing to rave about. The Weird; We were seated next to a bus station/cash register and do to the kitchen. The amount of glassware we heard shatter behind the door was startling. Plus a fair amount of loud conversation, that even with my limited Spanissh was understandable, about guests who brought their laptops to breakfast, plus an interesting discussion about one tables ancestry. The No So Good; The woman who appeared to be in charge, short blonde in a black suit and green top, was a royal b*@#h! She was rude and constantly yelling at the staff of busboys, cooks and waiters. The taller busboy with curly hair cut me off several times as I was walking back and forth to the buffet, really odd and inhospitable. $27 plus tax and tip for a mediocre experience. Would much rather have gone to Yolk, Ann Sather, ZED451 or Pinstripes.

I think Allison sums it up well. $60 for two "just ok" omelets and two cups of coffee seems a bit steep to me. The service seems to have improved from her visit (there is no buffet in these pandemic times) but the food is a bit uninspired and makes you appreciate Tempo and Buttermilk all the more.

When I looked this up Google indicated it was permanently closed..., not sure why. So it was Saturday morning after Valentine's Day 2020. We just wanted a good breakfast before making our way back to the burbs. Checked in to the café for breakfast and a couple of helpers said, "be right with you." Two couples in front of us were "escorted" to their seats orderly by a woman that appeared to be (hostess with the least-"est") in charge of this duty. Talk about "rude, no smile, be glad I am letting you in" attitude. When it was our turn she beckoned us from the top of the upper floor as if we were a couple of poodles looking for a treat. We did not take immediate offense until the service further deteriorated after we took our seats. Others around us were offered water as they sat. We had to ask for it. I had to ask for cream for my coffee about 3 times, at least, before I received the first serving. I ordered turkey bacon, I got pork. I order eggs soft scrambled and they came out hard. My fiancé ordered eggs over easy and hard, they came out runny. By the time they brought her corrected order I was finished eating (and I did not eat fast), and her other food was cold. They made a great effort to seat guest close together until the culture makeup obviously changed and that created some space, if you get my drift. The restaurant has a nautical atmosphere so maybe they want the guest to feel like sardines in a can. For an establishment to be located in and associated with the Drake, one would think there would be certain service requirements...treat your guest the way you would want to be treated. They pay your salary!