Meli Cafe

I travel often through Chicago and love stopping here for breakfast or brunch. Having tried several menu items, I am happy to review Meli positively for flavor, portion/price ratio, and overall atmosphere. If you're in the area, consider supporting this small business. As a nice bonus, this location is block away from the LaSalle Blue Line

We take our company guests and interviewees for breakfast here. The entrees including omlette, pancakes and waffles are huge. Good for two. After trying many combinations I have found the following to works for me without wasting food. Parfait Toast Or Greek yogurt Special oatmeal Or The shakshuka (sometimes they have lamb shakshuka) It comes with one pita but you get more pita if you ask Or Parfait Cherry chicken sausage side Chai tea (seasonal) Or Yogurt Toast side Apple cider (seasonal) Or Greek yogurt Cheddar grits Coconut (seasonal) Highly recommended.

I've been coming to Meli for over 10 years. Recently started ordering delivery and noticed how inconsistent they were with food quality. started adding notes to add extra nutella because how are you going to call the below.. symphony crepes. there's no filling

Nice diner experience. A great place for brunch. Minus a tiny bit because everything says no substitutions, so if you don't like feta you can't get a veggie omelette with cheddar for example, and of you don't eat meat you can't get eggs and pancakes without paying extra for 2 meats you don't want. Good prices

Delicious food and excellent customer service. Went with a party of 3 around brunch time on a Saturday. Was a 15-20 minute wait, and they have a lobby, which you can sit and wait. Very spacious. Loved the menu and drink selections. Tried the Meli's Sunrise, which is a mango mimosa. Staff was on it and quick on the move to clean tables, get orders, and make sure clients were all okay. Will certainly return!

Down On The Farm and Shakshuka is what we ordered… the place is cute. I wasn’t satisfied with my shakshuka, I’m not sure what I was expecting… I did read what it was and it sounded delicious… I think my brain wanted meat of some kind… I should have added a side of meat. Left not feeling fulfilled. The sauce was good. If you’re a meat person… don’t get the shakshuka lol no parking lot. You have to find metered parking on the street. Diet Pepsi in a can. No fountain drinks. Heard it’s extremely busy on the weekends. Came on a Monday and it was empty, which is good! My bf didn’t want me to include this part but this is MY experience and a reason I won’t come back. There was a roach on the wall. One of the ladies killed it. I don’t think this will deter people from coming here… but again, MY experience. It just made my skin crawl the whole time. The staff was very nice and attentive!

Staff were nice and the food was great:) 10/10 I loved it.

The spot was very cute. Service was quick. The juice and the smoothie were both very yummy. I had the avocado Benedict and honestly the bread needed to be toasted more. It was hard to keep it all together because the bread was too soft. Otherwise the potatoes were good, eggs were cooked perfectly, and my fiancé enjoyed his chicken omelet breakfast.

Had a lovely brunch at Meli Café, and while not everything hit the mark, the overall experience was great! They had a specials menu, so I decided to try a couple of those along with some regular menu items. Crème Brûlée French Toast (Special) - Absolutely mouthwatering! Perfectly caramelized, rich, and indulgent--this was hands down the best part of my meal. Strawberry Latte (Special) - Unfortunately, a big letdown. It sounded promising but didn't deliver on flavor. Avocado Toast Benedict - A solid and satisfying dish! Fresh, well-balanced, and a great portion size. Skin Cleanser Juice - Super refreshing and packed with great flavors--definitely a nice addition to brunch. Aside from the food, the service was excellent, the portions were generous, and the atmosphere was quiet with plenty of seating, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy a meal. Would definitely come back--especially for that French toast!

Meli is a great breakfast/brunch space in the city if you're looking for a last-minute spot. We typically do walk-ins and they're usually able to accommodate us. The ambiance feels very family-oriented. They have a wide variety of items on their menu and I love their house-made juice! I enjoyed my eggs benedict and also got a side of hashbrowns. I wish the hashbrowns were crispier though. The french toast was good! Our server Amy is the best!

Great, reliable brunch spot. There's almost always a wait, so definitely go earlier. There's a large selection of brunch items, so there should be something for everyone. The shakshuka is my fave, incredibly flavorful and delightful. If you're looking for a new brunch place, add this place to your list!

I haven't visited this location in years. We were seated pretty much right away for breakfast. It took longer than expected for someone to take our order though. Once we ordered, our food came out rather quickly. I ordered the pancake breakfast & substituted the bacon for chicken sausage. Everything was delicious.

LOVED the chocolate morsel pancakes in my opinion if you like chocolate you WILL love this only thing I would eat from there other than the fruit if I go there THAT is what I will get every time

Came here with my coworkers. We got seated pretty quickly even though we were a big group. They didn't serve alcohol even though they have alcohol on the menu they showed us. Food was okay. I got the jalapeño bowl which wasn't spicy at all. The chorizo was good well though.

Overall solid brunch spot. Service was good. Ambiance is very chill and cozy. Food was good.

This is one of my go-to breakfast spots for when I come to Chicago. It's consistent, the food is great, and they are very accommodating to dietary restrictions which I very much appreciate. The service is quick and reliable. And the atmosphere is very clean and has a nice simple look to it.

Went here for brunch after checking some good reviews. We were seated right away and there seemed to be a lot of people in the restaurant, which is a good sign to me! However, I was wrong. We immediately noticed the table was very sticky, so much so that my phone stuck to it. We couldn't tell if it was washed in maple syrup or just dirty! We ended up ordering symphony crepe and chicken omelette with juices (the juice was fantastic!). The crepe was very good, except we asked for no strawberries and there were a couple in there. The cross contamination is dangerous if someone had an allergy, which is common with strawberries. The chicken omelette was good, but lacked any salt or seasoning, so I had to add it myself. We also did not have our waters refilled during the meal after the waitress walked past us multiple times. The most frustrating part was the 3.25% surcharge added on the bill "due to rising costs"! It did say we can ask to have it removed, however the menu said nothing about this. If your business cannot run without adding unadvertised fees then your business shouldn't be operating. If anything, they should be increasing the cost of their food. This is false advertising. It is require by law that a restaurant menu show all costs associated with a purchase minus tax. With only two small meals, the total cost was over $60! This was very disappointing and we will not be returning after this.

The reviews listed this as a go-to spot, and I couldn't have been less disappointed. I ordered the chicken and waffles, which my friend said was good and a safe bet. I asked for the eggs to be scrambled instead of sunny side up. Our server behaved oddly and rarely checked on our table. The waffles had some bizarre herb mix; I assume they were going for a savory spin. The chicken strips were hard and overcooked, drowning in a bacon marmalade that was less than desirable. The waffle was too soft, and the flavor profile was trash. Now to the eggs. I asked for scrambled but not with a side of eggshells. I tried my best to eat it, but it was absolutely disgusting! After my friend and I had eggshells for brunch, it soured the meal. The server couldn't have cared less. Chicago has excellent food, and Meli and the gang need to revamp this dish.

The ambiance is great: warm and welcoming. The pancake breakfast was filling and the bacon was cooked perfectly! We enjoyed the background music and the window seating, too!

They had a lot of options and portions are a good size. The orange juice didn't taste great for fresh squeezed. They are attentive with water refills. Hash browns could've been cooked longer. The panini and eggs benedict were good though. French toast was unmemorable.

A really good breakfast cafe. It has many common breakfast favorites. Meli often gets a big crowd especially on weekends. Certainly it gets annoying having to sit and wait but that's a good sign this place is ass kicking. The menu contains some surprisingly healthy choices including plant based stuff. I came with the girl at breakfast. Lunch time they're also open but the breakfast menu is the way to go. This has most of their best options. Pancakes are many peoples' favorite. They really pile then load these up. It can be hard for a vegan at breakfast. Most places have nothing for you. Awesomely this does. This is also beyond just the avocado toast. Prices are okay. They're average to kind of high but you get big portions. I was able to snag us a table at breakfast. We got the Vegan Pancakes. It's $15 for a few. These are topped with bananas and strawberries. Good and fluffy. They didn't skimp. Good for anything you can get at breakfast. It gets crowded so make a reservation. There may not be much trouble for a couple people but larger parties should call ahead for a table.

Gluten free pancakes were terrible. The steak in my steak and eggs plate was tasteless and not very much steak for the price. It had a fancy name but basically steak and eggs. Service wasn't great. I haven't been here for a while. Now I know why. I won't be back.

We were traveling from out of town and I called beforehand to make sure it was okay to take our luggage in. The person who answered said it was fine. We get there and the lady who was at the host desk seemed irritated that we had our luggage. She ended up being our server and was rude the whole time taking our order. There was another party of 8 and she was polite and friendly to them the whole time. Upon getting our food my moms egg Benedict had a hair in it and it was stuck in the English muffin so we knew it was from the cooks. We politely asked the server if she could have a fresh plate and the server at that point began to be nicer to us. When they brought the new eggs Benedict my mom didn't mention to me that the English muffins were burnt until after eating a bit of it, but I didn't think that was acceptable. You would think after sending a plate with hair they would send a plate with everything well cooked. It seemed as though the cooks were upset we had sent the food back or something. I let the server know that we were not happy and thankfully she agreed to take the eggs Benedict off the bill. But regardless, overall shitty experience. Would not return and do not recommend unless you want hair in your food and rude service.

My sister was in town, and my older sis recommended this place. The interior was lovely and had a kind of a Greek feel, which made sense considering we were in Greek town west loop. For us, it was more about spending time with the fam, so the food was honestly secondary. Everything was just ok. I got the chicken and waffles, which were ok, and the cook Basil into the waffle, which I'm not sure I like. For some reason, I like my chicken waffles to be simple, or if you're going to do more, make sure that it's a compliment to the sweetness. I don't think the basil balanced well, but that's just me. Maybe someone else will like it. Also, as no bacon comes on the chicken and waffles, and being that I don't eat pork, I would have liked to have known that. I was able to pick it off and enjoy but just a bit for anyone who may be interested in this dish at this location. The hashbrowns were nothing to be excited about. I would have suggested it be a bit crispier. My sisters enjoyed their food but again, nothing to get overjoyed over. The Salmon looked terrific. The wait staff was sweet and attentive. Overall it was an ok meal with excellent family time. For that, I give them 2 1/2 stars out of 5

I've been there a few times but it continues to disappoint. Waitress definitely either stressed or just not friendly. Egg sandwich was tasteless and toast was burnt. They forgot my smoothie and finally brought it out as I finished my meal. She did give me $2.00 off, but never apologized for the oversight. I did ask that they not add the 3.5% service fee and they obliged. Definitely my last time eating there - better food elsewhere.

Nice place for breakfast when you are on the South side. Food is decent with a varied menu. Really like the selection of freshly made juice drinks. A bit pricey and service efficient and could be more welcoming. Enjoy!

Found this place while visiting Chicago for work. Centrally located in a corner in downtown, this restaurant has pretty good brunch options. I tried their cornbeef eggs benedict and at first I was not too sure how I felt about them but they were pretty descent. Their menu had other options that also looked appealing and I would like to try them in another ocassion but overall, this is a pretty and solid brunch restaurant.

I had a really tasty brunch at Meli this morning! I'm staying in the business district, so not much is open on a Sunday morning. At the recommendation of a local, my dad and I headed to Meli as it was the closest place open for brunch. It's a relatively small restaurant that feels like your local diner or cafe. The menu is expansive with lots of gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options so everyone can find something to eat. My dad got the greek yogurt and I got the pancake breakfast. Prices are on the higher side for a diner, but the portions are large. The pancakes were delicious, the eggs were fluffy, and the bacon was crispy. I would order it again! My dad enjoyed his generous serving of greek yogurt topped with nuts and honey. Service was just okay. My dad's food was brought out first and it was another 30 minutes before mine was. It was difficult to get a drink refill too. Our server was nice - I think they were just understaffed. I'm looking forward to coming back when I move to Chicago next month. The banana bread french toast looks like it is to die for!

I'm only giving 3 stars because I went for breakfast and eggs were bad but bacon and mocha and hot chocolate were delicious. Also waitress seemed really stressed out. Was nice looking attached to a hotel. Maybe other meals are better. This was a simple breakfast. Who knows

Decent, but not amazing breakfast for really standard prices. I had a good time and appreciated the service, especially since we came on a pretty packed Sunday morning, but it would not be my choice for brunch downtown. My go-to brunch order is a veggie egg skillet, so naturally, I ordered the closest thing at Meli, which was the farmland breakfast bowl. It came out looking like everything had just been dumped on a plate. The "breakfast potatoes" were just soggy hashbrowns on the bottom, and the swiss cheese really overpowered everything else. If I came back, I would definitely order something else. For the most part, however, my friends really enjoyed their meals, and while we all felt it was a good amount of food for the price, it wasn't by any means the best brunch ever.

The service was nice but the food was horrible . I took one bite off the waffle and I sent it back. I told them it didn't taste freshly cooked. The service was nice. I will not be returning here for anything else.

They have a good variety of menu items, and the service is friendly and attentive. Some of the menu items were disappointing. The tofu scramble was just steamed vegetables and a few squares of tofu. It was not the tofu scramble we knew. Their bowls were not quite what you are familiar with. It has hash brown under eggs and other ingredients of your choice, so it is a regular breakfast in a bowl. I wish they have steamed vegetables, rice, or quinoa as the base. But I am willing to go again and try different menu items.

Arrived as a group of 3 at 2:13pm on a Saturday and were seated and given water right away. We ordered the farmland breakfast bowl, jalepeno breakfast bowl, and tomato focaccia sandwich at 2:20 and the food was ready quickly at 2:29. Waiter was nice and attentive. Atmosphere is upbeat/easygoing, well lit with plenty of natural sunlight, with dining area and bathroom being clean. Food was delicious! Both bowls and the sandwich were great, fries were no good though. Also for those that drink this location does not serve alcohol. Overall a decent brunch spot that I wouldn't mind returning for if in the area and wouldn't mind bringing others to, but nothing I would go out of my way for.

Got the egg white scrambler to be healthy...presented like an omelet (that's fine, no complaints there!) but it was literally OOZING with butter and oil. Like swimming in it... Would never order again. Other dining companions had some of the scrambler bowls...eggs weren't "wet" with butter/oil, but the veggies and meat were quite greasy. Decent prices, great list of options, but need to improve execution for me to come back

If you need a breakfast spot on a Sunday morning - this is the spot. I am extremely picky when it comes to breakfast, and breakfast isn't hard to mess up, but this meal was perfect. My bf and I ate our entire plates, no crumbs left behind. I had a frappe and the eggs your way - buttery, fluffy eggs and gluten free toast! The hash browns were perfectly griddled. He had orange juice and the down on the farm bowl and said that the meat was all cooked to perfection. We will be back!

My buddies and I devoured tbh. Our server was a good time, I wish I could remember his name. I got the vegan pancakes, which I was happy to see on the menu at a non-vegan restaurant. One of my buddies got the regular pancakes. We loveddd both. In a blind taste test, my bro tried both pancakes and could not tell a difference! Prices were a bit steep ($17 for 3 pancakes) but that's to be expected. Overall, a pleasant brunch experience.

Breakfast was delicious. Good portion size on the breakfast bowl. The smoothie was pretty good but nothing special for $8. Overall, a good experience.

Good diner in the heart of Greektown (although they're decidedly more Italian). Good crepes and breakfast platter as well as bagels and lox.

Vomit. I feel disrespected. Flavorless avocado toast. No seasoning no anything. I didn't know something could taste so bland when it's made with such great ingredients. Very sad meal. I couldn't even finish it. Today was a sad day. I thought I would give this place another chance even though when I went in one time they had dirty silverware and a hair in my friend's OJ... I thought maybe they had their act together but I was wrong.

Huge portions for brunch. Their juices are great + there typically isn't a horrible wait to get in on the weekend. Would return here. I got the vegan pancakes + farmland breakfast bowl- both huge portions and great quality.

Went there once, loved it. Went there for the second time, hated it. The food was bad, servers took forever to even get coffee and water.

Experience: My girlfriend and I visited Meli Cafe on a Sunday afternoon, and we waited about 5 minutes to be seated and served. Being crowded, I was pleasantly surprised that our food came out within a reasonable time. We had a couple of omelettes, french toast, orange juice, and a latte (As a picture below). Parking: There is paid street parking within the surrounding areas. I did not observe any free spots, if you did please let me know! Being by the expressway and within Greektown, parking may be difficult, but not impossible compared to other locations. Worth: I mean it's good food. Nothing really special, but it definitely did the job. The positive about this restaurant is the location. It is by Greektown, so there is cool businesses surrounding the care, all within walking distance. Would I come here again, not entirely sure, but it is a possibility. Is it worth the visit? With the great location and super friendly staff, 100% yes!

A local favorite! Our family has dietary restrictions and the menu has several items that can accommodate for them. It's a crowd pleaser with healthier options like pressed juices to pancakes and breakfast tacos. Recommend the breakfast tacos! The service is always outstanding but the venue is small so it fills up quickly.

American style brunch place in Greek town. Food was seasoned well, some parlor pizza style seating going on when I visited this Saturday

Just came back from trade show in Chicago. Great breakfast choices. While I had a great yogurt parfait with homemade granola, my colleague had a breakfast bowl with jalapeño and eggs. He couldn't stop raving about it all day. Wonderful local spot in the West Loop.

Located in the heart of Greektown, Meli Cafe & Juice Bar is a really great breakfast spot! Street parking is available and it's really hard to miss the Meli Cafe sign! This neighborhood is popping and so very posh! When we went, it wasn't crowded but because this place is super close to UIC, I wouldn't be surprised if it is packed during peak hours. To be quite frank with you, my husband and I didn't come here for the breakfast- we were coming here after having breakfast at Summer House Santa Monica. We just wanted coffee and some baked goods. For whatever reason, I was under the impression that this place had a bakery and that they served different types of bakery items. I think it's because I assumed that being in Greek town, they would serve traditional coffee and sweets but that definitely wasn't the case. We had already sat down and felt bad getting up to go to Atropolis across the street so we stayed. Slightly disappointed, my husband and I ordered the Nutella banana crepe, I ordered a decaf coffee and he ordered a peanut butter smoothie. All our items came out really quickly. I was a little hesitant on the Nutella crepe at first because there was a lot of syrup on it but once we actually ate a piece, we were blown away! It was delicious. Just the right amount of banana and Nutella!! I was also super happy because they had a decaf cappuccino. I can't drink coffee because it causes a lot of heartburn so I'm always on the lookout for coffee places that serve really good decaf cappuccino and this decaf cappuccino truly tasted like the real thing! My husband loves his smoothie and he doesn't even like peanut butter but decided to step outside his comfort zone and try something new. He said he made a great decision. So despite being a little disappointed in the beginning, our trip was well worth it. The only reason I'm downgrading this review is because my husband and I came in about half an hour before closing and we felt like we were kinda rushed to wrap it up so that they could leave. It was so blatantly obvious!

Food is good. Banana bread french toast I would come back for. Coffee was extremely weak. I got a cup of their drip coffee, black, no sugar no cream & was disappointed that I could see straight down to the bottom of the ceramic cup. That told me this coffee was not going to be strong. I asked if this was their decaf and was told no this is their normal strength coffee. Other than that it's an extremely nice place to come eat, great atmosphere. We will have a business team meeting here today.

It's in Greektown, but not a Greek Restaurant. Just a nice neighborhood eatery with a variety of meals, including breakfast. I ordered a beet salad which sadly was not one of the best I've had in other places. Most disappointing were the beets which were the sliced, pickled variety one usually gets in a jar. One companion had breakfast - really kind of hard to mess up. Two others in our party had sandwiches which they said were fine. Good to note that there were gluten free and vegetarian options on the menu.

Everything here is absolutely fantastic! I am from California, but Meli Cafe is pretty close to getting me to make the move. I was staying at a hotel down the street for about a week, and normally I'm one to explore and try different places, but once I had Meli's Cafe, I was hooked, went back for breakfast every single day. The food is delicious, and the quality of the ingredients is super fresh. They have juices, smoothies, and breakfast available at this location. Service: Impeccable. Every experience I had here, the host and servers were extremely polite, friendly, and fast, even on to-go orders. Venue: I felt like I was in a little cafe in France. The decor is so cute, and the restaurant is very clean and well kept. Ample seating for small parties and groups. Food: AMAZING! I literally showed up at 6am opening to grab my one last meal for my flight home. Hash benedict- my favorite! Why have I not seen other places come up with this? Corned beef hash over an English muffin, topped with poached eggs covered in hollandaise sauce. The corned beef hash is cooked to perfection, not too mushy, or overly salty. Sauce is perfection. Order this, you won't regret it! Peanut butter banana crepes- The peanut butter is so creamy and smooth, each bite just melts in your mouth. Definitely a peanut butter overload though, this might be a good one to share. It is delicious. Spicy flamenco- Chicken chorizo, jalapeño, onions, tomato, avocado, cilantro, pepper jack cheese, sour cream. Seems like more of a Mexican style dish, but they do it right. A little on the spicy side, so be ready. Pancakes- Wow! Who knew something so simple could be so delicious. I think their secret is in the pure dark amber maple syrup, it is phenomenal. I only tried the basic pancakes, but I can't wait to try the others. Banana maple crunch smoothie- sooo good! Tasted like I was drinking an amazing banana maple pancake through a straw.

The service was good, but this place is too expensive for what you get. Seventeen dollars for an omelet? Four dollars for a cup of coffee? They also nickel and dime you, charge extra for thick toast (one slice only), extra to pay by credit card. I spent 30 dollars on an unremarkable breakfast. Will go elsewhere next time.

0 stars should be an option. they served meat in my tofu scramble & rock hard unripe avocado. DON'T EAT HERE. manager had a ton of attitude and offered no apology. she shouldn't be managing...anything.

I've been here so many times, and Meli just never disappoints! Food (5/5): Their brunch is phenomenal, especially their breakfast bowls. My favorite breakfast bowl is Farmland when I am not in the mood for any meats, just veggie. However, if you like a lot of meats with your eggs, Down the Farm is an excellent choice! Their smoothies and juices are also very delicious, my favorite is the Liver Cleanse Smoothie. If you're aiming for something more sweet for breakfast, get the Banana Bread French Toast. You will not regret it!!! Compared to other places, their portions are very satisfying. Service (5/5): Every server that I've had each time I came here was very nice and helpful. They always made sure everything was good and refilled waters often. Very friendly and kind service. Atmosphere (5/5): It feels like I am in a little wooden cabin. The interior is very neat and organized while having a casual/warm and intimate atmosphere. PS: you can substitute your egg dishes for all egg whites with no extra charge!!!

You just got to love Cafes. Breakfast was good. With the cheese grits it wasn't melted so I had to stir the grits. The food was sent warm so eggs were not hot . That was the only thing. Also I received regular pancakes rather than the banana walnut so I had to wait for those. But the waiters were nice. They kept coffee in the cup and the other guest were friendly as well.

The place is decent but way over priced. Had the eggs with chicken cherry sausage-decent. Also had the buffalo chicken wrap. -my daughter loved it. Portions are big. Give it a shot if it's the only place you can get into on a Sunday morning. Service isn't the best. Host was on her phone and didn't even greet us.

The boyfriend decided to take the nephew and I to breakfast before we all started our day on a Tuesday. The seasonal pumpkin pancakes were exquisite. And the crepes were so good. The boy wanted apple juice, and it was fresh squeezed! He is not used to that lol Cute little place for breakfast. And the food was yummy. Still craving those pumpkin pancakes.

The food was good and they let us use their outlets to do some remote work but it felt overpriced for quantity and quality (and taste :/ )

Meli offers a sweet and savory brunch with hearty portions, a juice menu, and vegan options. It has everything! Sunday brunch is in high demand, so be prepared to put your name in and wait anywhere from 5-45 minutes. You'll be notified via text message when your table is ready. I had the Symphony Crepes ($15) and oh my...they were outstanding! It reminded me of Paris. The three rolled crepes were fluffy and stuffed with Nutella, chopped pecan, strawberry, and banana with a dollop of whipped creme and chocolate drizzle. It was divine and indulgent! Also sampled the Poutine special ($15), which was a bowl of French fries covered with 2 eggs, gravy, bacon, and cheese. While not quite as yummy as the crepes, it was fun to try an atypical brunch dish. For two people, this brunch was affordable. The service staff was tied down, since the restaurant was at capacity, but we were promptly served after ordering. Meli is family friendly, but you're more likely to be seated sooner with parties of four or less. Will return to try the juices and smoothies and extensive lunch menu!