Sun Rey Cafe

A Gem in Wicker Park! Sun Rey Cafe is an absolute gem at a vibrant intersection in Wicker Park. This family-owned spot brings something truly special to the neighborhood with its flavorful Filipino fusion menu. Every dish offers a creative twist on traditional favorites, blending comfort and innovation with a modern café vibe. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and you can feel the heart behind everything they serve—clearly made with love and pride. Whether you’re stopping by for brunch with friends or enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, Sun Rey delivers warmth, flavor, and genuine hospitality. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something unique, delicious, and full of soul. Support this wonderful family business—you won’t regret it!

If I could give this cafe 10 stars, I totally would! This morning I was out running errands when I decided to pop in on a whim and I’m SO glad I did. As soon as I walked up, there was a special posted at the door that briefly caught my eye. I was dining solo, got greeted right away. I ordered a coffee which was super fresh (no burnt or bitter taste, phew). Everything on the menu sounded amazing but I went for the Filipino-inspired special... and WOW, it was absolutely delicious! 10/10. Every bite was unique, smoky, sweet, salty, tangy and the bed of garlic rice w/ my medium over-easy eggs? Total perfection. The way I cleaned my plate...lol The whole team was so friendly and welcoming. I even got to meet the owner, Larry, his wife, their son Toby and Carlos. Just such a great vibe all around! Will definitely be back.

The food was great! I had the breakfast fried rice and it was amazing! 🤤 The service is a little slow and because it is a smaller place it felt crowded. I dont think it took away from the atmosphere and was still able to have a nice conversation.

Fun place for breakfast. By the time we finished our breakfast it was packed. This is a family operation with dad cooking and his son serving. Breakfast was tasty.

Such a cute breakfast spot! I stopped here with friends during my trip to Chicago and honestly will probably come here every time I’m in town now. The folks who I assumed were the owners were genuinely super sweet, were assisting tables, and just genuinely very hands on which is always nice to see. I ordered the Manilla breakfast which was different than any breakfast platter that I’ve tried and sooo yummy. My server Tobi was also very nice and attentive! Much love from Texas.

Very clean, friendly and tasty place !!! I’ll definitely be back! It was so good! The chicken and waffles was fabulous! The eggs with sausage and rice pilaf! Also delicious!!!!!!

Cute place. My son enjoyed his Manila breakfast. My usual eggs, bacon, potatoes were very good. I had 3 thick slices of bacon. The bacon was so good and so thick, I couldn’t quite eat all of it! Our waiter was super. Great place to relax and enjoy your meal!

We simply had a terrific experience at Sun Rey Cafe this morning. Food was excellent and the people were great. Group enjoyed the Sante Fe Bowl, Veggie Bowl, Fried Rice dish, our adult son is still raving about the Bananas Foster french toast.

If you're reading this because Kasama's line is failing you, you're reading the right review. We came directly from the airport only to find a potential 4 hour wait and decided to try another Filipino brunch spot. Boy, did this turn out lucky for us. The food here is refined. It may look like a cafe but what you will get are balanced and refined flavors that you find at a high end restaurant. The Manila breakfast was the highlight - longanisa sausage was perfectly made. Mildly sweet with a punch of smokiness that put it in a class of its own. The banana foster French toast was tremendous. Not too sweet and a French toast dish that could be finished because it wasn't too reliant on sugar. Lastly on the food side - fried chicken was definitely something I have never had. There was so much chicken essence retention you would have thought you ordered a soup dish. To top it all off, we had the pleasure of Toby walking us through the menu and making sure that we had the best experience. This place has such an amazing neighborhood vibe that makes the food all that much better. Like you're eating in someone's home. Couldn't asked for a better first meal / brunch experience here in Chicago and my expectations were sky high especially since I live in nyc!

We dined here for a Sunday breakfast based on Yelp reviews and it was a wonderful experience. Food and relaxing outdoor seating aside, it was the owners Ruby and Larry of this family-operated restaurant that really made this a fantastic morning. The two treated us as though we were old friends meeting as guests at their house. The Filipino-American food was excellent. My wife had The Manila Breakfast - I got to taste the sausages, and while mild they were delicious. Our daughter had the Frittata, while Mr. Sweet Tooth here ordered The Chocolate Waffles. All were excellent dishes. However, the real highlight was the Poqui Poqui which we each shared as a side. What a wonderful dish. Fire-roasted eggplants and eggs with a melted cheese and tomato sauce. If this is on the menu, order it! (Sorry, I missed taking a photo, by the time I remembered my camera the dish was devoured.) The dining area was brightly-decorated but the outside is unassuming, be careful or you might drive by and miss it. But don't. And when you drop in tell Ruby and Larry we said Hi.

Food was delicious, server was really kind and knowledgeable. Ambience was homey, comfortable and cozy. The adobo is authentic, waffles were bomb, chicken burger was filling and Tropical Hut was sweet and smoky. I would recommend everyone to come here. However, please be patient and wait time may be high. Nonetheless it's worth it! Our rating: 9.6

It was our first time going to Sun Rey Cafe. It was a wonderful surprise! I got their Manila breakfast and it was delicious! Reminded me of an Asian dish my mom would make me. My boyfriend got the chicken and waffles and it was really good as well. Our food came nice and hot for us to enjoy. The service was great! Although they were pretty busy they still gave us good service. This is a cute spot. It is small so parties over 6 might have issues dining inside. Outside of that I would for sure recommend trying! They have a few Asian dishes for breakfast which are delicious!

All the food was excellent. The special standout was the sausage from the Manila breakfast, I was tempted to see if I could just get an order of sausages to go to keep munching on all day. The pork belly was also super juicy and delicious, and the pickled condiment sauce went well with everything! The Horchata was the one small disappointment, it was very watered down and I couldn't really taste much of the cinnamon at all. The restaurant was very cute, with a decent amount of seating and really nice bright decor that made it awesome for a cute brunch spot. The staff was exceptionally friendly, prompt, and helpful! I'd absolutely recommend this place!

Went here for a weekend brunch with a solidly sized group for one of our friend's birthdays and we loved it. The owners / staff are so nice and attentive (I believe the co-owner Ruby took care of us and she was so friendly and offered great service and just vibes). My friend originally picked this place because it was one of the few brunch spots she found that took reservations but also had great reviews and we were all so happy with what we got. The portions are nice and filling but not overwhelming, prices are reasonable, and there is so much natural sunlight in this cozy spot. Some highlights from the group were the Manila breakfast, poqui poqui (it's fun to see not just traditional Filipino breakfast options but also a regional dish from the north), and the chicken and the waffles. They also have some vegetarian options that seem good.

Had a wonderful experience with my good friend visiting Chicago. Came here to celebrate and have nothing but a rave review. Larry the owner and his son Toby are true gems. The food was cooked to perfection. Sooo well we skipped lunch. The establishment was set up with a boutique swag in my opinion. It was cozy and modern at the same time. You need to go for yourself. I think they do byob and charge a 10$ cork/ ice fee. Which is very reasonable... thanks for to fabulous meals!!!! And the best hospitality I have experienced in Chicago yet.

Have you ever had a craving for breakfast but you just didn't want to go to restaurant chain to eat it? You wanted to go to a place that was local, family-oriented, friendly, warm and welcoming. Of course the food had to be really good as well! Well, I found Sun Rey Cafe! This is a family owned and operated restaurant that serves a combination of breakfast and lunch. Located in the Wicker Park neighborhood, Sun Rey Cafe is a ray of Sunshine! Dining here will, indeed, brighten up your day! I decided to try this restaurant on last Thursday while it was an unusual warm day for this time of the year in Chicago. I came expecting a really good breakfast and I received that and more. I was greeted by a Father and Son duo who not only cooked and served my meal but who indulged me in conversation. Their customer service and welcoming spirits made my dining experience feel like I was at a relatives home. The Manila Breakfast was something new for me. I never had a Filipino breakfast. But the combination of longganisa sausage, garlic rice, and scrambled eggs was unexpected and really good! The sausage was sweet and delicious. It went well with my Mango Ice Tea and side of crispy bacon! I was told to try the chicken and waffles when I return, and that's what I will do! Going back to the question I posed, Sun Rey Cafe is not a chain. However it is rooted in family, community, and great food! Pay a visit to Sun Rey Cafe. Tell them I sent you!

Your friendly neighborhood breakfast spot that sits on the corner: It's the best way to describe Sun Rey Cafe. Decided I wanted breakfast one weekend morning and ventured out. Thoroughly enjoyed that they had a couple of appealing vegetarian options, so the Quesadilla Vegetarian it is! You get the eggs (breakfast) and the quesadilla (lunch). Servers were friendly, service was quick, and there's just an overall quaintness to it. Will keep this place in my breakfast rotation.

My daughter & I stopped at Sun Rey for breakfast before she dropped me off at the airport. We really loved this place. It's small, but decorated very cheerily, and everyone was so nice and welcoming. My daughter ordered the chocolate waffle, which she raved about. It was covered in fruit, and she ate every bite. I had pancakes and bacon, and they were very good as well. We'll definitely be back!

It's really cute, Tons of character,exposed brick, old copper ceilings, locally owned, no glamour crew(that tells you Food is actually the main event) and an interesting menu list. It's a touch smoky inside from the kitchen. The bananas foster pancakes came in full flavored pure essence of bananas foster. The Manila breakfast(Filipino sausage)is 100% authentic Filipino. It came with garlic rice and achara sides I'm impressed.

Sun Rey Cafe is a local neighborhood eatery that is popular for their breakfast/brunch, but also offers a lunch and a 'Fried Chicken Nite' events. We came here as a group for brunch, and we ordered: +an Omelette - with spinach, bell peppers, and zucchini +Steel Cut Oatmeal Parfait - with granola, honey, yogurt, and berries +Chicken & Waffles - comes with a drumstick and thigh +Breakfast Tacos - comes with 5 mini flour tortillas with salsa, chorizo, and scrambled eggs +Shrimp & Grits - creamy grits topped with sautéed shrimp and pan gravy; this was actually pretty tasty, and the shrimp was extremely large and perfectly cooked! +a side of eggs +a side of grits +coffee +strawberry lemonade - more like a fizzy seltzer with strawberry puree; wished it was more chilled or served with more ice Service was very welcoming, friendly, and attentive - we were checked in often throughout our dining experience. The cafe itself is bright and cheery, and you can tell that this is a favorite amongst the locals. There's also seating outside as well. Plenty of free street parking around the area! +Shrimp & Grits +friendly staff +free street parking

Delicious Filipino breakfast Oh my gulay. Already planning my next meal there. Cozy atmosphere, filling food portions and attentive staff. We enjoyed the pork belly adobo (a MUST have) and veggie hash with garlic rice. Masarap! *yummy food*

Tried this place out after seeing it on instagram reels! A hidden gem of a brunch spot in the wicker park area. The restaurant itself is small & you can see the cooks/chefs in the back while you wait for you food. The service was quick for a 10am breakfast & the food got the job done. Definitely a spot to check out when other places are busy. The menu is a condensed mix of unique flavors drawing from filipino & mexican roots with some dishes. I'm a huge fan of bone in chicken & waffles and this did not disappoint! Fried Chicken was crispy & paired well with the waffles. The butter was interesting but i did not use much of it since it was a bit too citrus for my taste when it comes to this classic.

My breakfast today was just fantastic. I went with the chicken and waffle and it was some of the best fried chicken I've had in a while. Larry came out from working the grill to say hi and he's one of my favorite owner's that I know. I highly recommend Sun Rey Cafe and I look forward to trying the Manila breakfast next time. Thanks again for starting my day in such a delicious way..

Found this place to have breakfast before wandering the Wicker Park neighborhood and I was really blown away. Cozy and we had the place mostly to ourselves, so we got the full attention of the staff and they were exceptional. At one point, my son dropped a fork and our server came over right away with a new one. The food was excellent too! I had the Santa Fe Hash and it was so delicious. My husband ordered the breakfast tacos and I love the way they present that meal. They are serving up some amazing bacon too! I wish this place all the best because they are doing things right.

We had the best time at Sun Rey Cafe! Never being there before, we came a bit later (12:45) and they close at 2:30. The indoor seating was full and we had about a 10-15min wait outside, which was no problem as it was a nice day. While waiting, they came out and brought everyone coffee with cream and sugar! The owners were incredibly friendly and kind. The service was extremely polite and attentive. The food was perfect. They did make a special waffle for my birthday and sang to me, so I am a bit biased But the waffle was amazing! They normally make me sick so this was a big win. We ate the whole thing! I ordered the breakfast tacos and they hit the spot. One of my friends ordered the shrimp and grits, which was probably the best shrimp and grits I've ever had. Creamy, garlicky, and huge shrimp! The coffee was also wonderful. It was so good we had to ask where they buy it We found out it's ground on site. Overall we had a 10/10 experience and the food was 5 and it was affordable! All three of those things are hard to find in the city. We left feeling full, happy, loved, and grateful. Wonderful people and wonderful food!

Very good food and very accommodating; it's like family!! Food was amazing can't wait to go back!

Had the pleasure of stopping in here with my dad small nice lil location casual, might have to wait but it's worth it food and service was excellent and is now my favorite breakfast/brunch spot near me and will definitely be returning for more

Great food. Super friendly owners. We sat outside and had brunch. I'll go again for sure.

UPDATED Review as of 5/15: This use to be our go to neighborhood breakfast spot but not anymore. We stopped in this past weekend, the place was busy but not crazy. Our meals took a while, we were waiting for like 35 mins after we ordered, which wasn't a problem for us. But then a lady (who seems to be the owner? she was not our server, who took our order) came by and asked what we had ordered, I told her I had the veggie hash and my husband said he had the Santa Fe Hash. She comes back and says they are working on it. 10 mins later she brings 1 meal she said this is the Veggie Hash and put it down, the Santa Fe isn't ready yet. I'm looking at it and it doesn't look like the usual veggie hash but she insisted it was so I started to eat while my husband waits for his meal. I take a few bits and tell my husband this tastes completely different than usual, its spicy with way less veggies IDK what's going on. She then comes back with the actual veggie hash like 5 mins later and puts it down and says oh I'm sorry this is actually the veggie hash and that's his, the Santa Fe. Normally this wouldn't be an issue but I don't eat meat and apparently this had crumbles of chorizo (hence the spicy.) I stopped eating meat about 10 years ago bc my stomach cannot handle it, it causes pain and bathroom issues for me. I started feeling uncomfortable told my Husband we need to leave ASAP bc I felt sick. The Lady's reaction was just well I'm sorry, and she shrugged and walked away even after I told her I don't eat meat as it usually makes me feel sick. I was not only so uncomfortable physically bc I haven't had meat in so long & my body was reacting to it but also just the way this was handled. Nothing was taken off the bill, in fact when we asked for the Check & box for my husbands meal since he didn't even get to eat it bc it took so long & then I felt sick from eating his, they ignored us, my husband had to get up and walk up to the staff to get the check. So a very very awful experience which was handled terribly by the staff / if not the owner. I was home sick the rest of the day into the evening time all bc of their careless mistake. I expected more from a neighborhood / family business. To sum it up, if you have any allergies/food intolerances this is not the place for you, if you are up to eat anything then go and enjoy without a worry.

Stopped in for a quick bite in between clinic sessions and my meal felt like a warm hug! The vibe is very mom-and-pop with a family of 3 running the operation. I ordered the Manila Breakfast and really enjoyed it. The sinangag (garlic fried rice) was fresh made-to-order and the longanisa was delicious, though I would've preferred a bit more char. Helpings are generous for the price. It was nice getting such a hearty, no-frills meal in the neighborhood. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu.

Such a sweet cafe with a family vibe when entering into the spot. We got seated right away on a Sunday morning for breakfast. There's not too much space but you can still have parties of 5 or 6 to dine in. I ordered the Manila breakfast that consists of my favorite Filipino longanisa sausage, garlic fried rice, and egg and my boyfriend got the chicken and waffles. The entrees overall could have been a way more flavorful but we ate all of it nonetheless. Prices are reasonable overall and spent $30 total for my boyfriend and I.

Delicious brunch spot in Chicago. The spot is located on a corner and is a little small inside but we got there at a good time to eat and enjoy our morning. The staff were friendly and the food was fast and fresh. I had the Santa Fe Hash which was chorizo, potatoes, eggs, cheese, onions with a side of watermelon and toast. It was great.

Such a cool small spot located in Wicker Park. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. The decor was bright and inviting. I ordered the chicken and waffle's breakfast which came with one dark and one white chicken along with butter and syrup . It was delicious and filling!

Loved the warm vibe and family friendly feeling of this cafe! We got the Manila breakfast and they were kind enough to modify the chicken and waffles to be a chicken and french toast for my partner who doesn't appreciate waffles. Loved the sausage and the pickles that came with the Manila breakfast, although the garlic rice was a little too dry for our tastes. The chicken was freshly fried and delicious but also could have used some special seasoning to stand out more. Overall enjoyed our time there though and staff was super friendly!

We revisited Sun Rey for Saturday Brunch. It seems they were slammed, so it took longer for the order to come out. But they checked on us, refilled our coffee, and ensured the experience was good even though the service was a little slower. I tried Poqui Poqui today with poached eggs. I loved it. I enjoy the fact the owners are visible, and it makes me want to support a small local business. I will be back!

Great neighborhood cafe with good food and excellent service. Outdoor seating was very nice. Washroom was clean, however, it was a tight squeeze. Very good brunch menu. Looking forward to returning for more outdoor dining.

Ordered takeout for a lazy brunch in. Easy ordering with only a short wait for the food. They had to fry another piece of chicken so the waffle got a little soggy and had a lot of grease on it. I liked the flavor of the grease but my wife wasn't a fan. Chicken was fabulous. I just wish my pieces hadn't been so pitiful. It also says white and dark meat but we got a tiny drumstick and thigh. Waffle was good and definitely would have been better right away when it was crisp. Santa Fe has was delicious.

My friends and I stopped by for brunch the other day and lived everything about it. It's a small place, but you never feel cramped. The decor was adorable and just enough to give it personality. I had the breakfast tacos....delicious! I loved making my own tacos, getting to set them up the way I liked. And the presentation was so fun! My friends had the Manila breakfast and the Santa Fe hash. They were delighted. The food was well seasoned, beautifully presented and over-all delicious. And prices were beyond reasonable. Service was warm and welcoming, and we felt like valued guests. What a wonderful gem we found. We will definitely be back.

Good energy! Kobey did a great job on service. It looks a bit like a hole in the wall, but food was excellent. Highly recommend trying!

Never have a felt so disrespected at a restaurant before. We order two portions of chicken and waffles, waited an hour for our food to arrive, but when we received it, our order was wrong (light meat vs dark meat). At first he tried to say that we didn't order it that way but the owner acknowledged that we did. They took it back and tried to fix the order but when it came back, the waffle was clearly reused because it had chocolate and fruit sauce on the bottom. We told them that and the employees literally yelled at us and said the plate wasn't dirty. The owner stepped in but at that point it was too late. I asked her to have him apologize and she said no so we just left. And this was after we found the hair in our coffee creamer which we didn't even mention...never again.

Stopped in for a quick bite. I ordered the Manila Beng Sandwich. A+++ Great Sandwich. I'd never had achara (pickled green papaya) before and it was delicious. Can't wait to try the rest of the menu.

Sun Rey Cafe becomes Pinoy Soul at night, where they serve Filipino food in fusion with soul food. Very recommendable restaurant where the owner was accommodating. The jumbo pork lumpia was deep fried and blended well with the spicy mayo dip. The turkey chicken lumpia was scrumptious and tasty. I liked the curry chicken sticks it reminded me of the Malaysian chicken satay. The garlic rice was definitely flavorful. The Filipino spaghetti met its expectations along with melted cheese that added to its flavor. She gave us free rib tips and halo-halo on the house after I told her that I'd put them on instagram. Food was great for an affordable price. Definitely coming back.

We really wanted to love this place since it's around the corner; but it was disappointing. The flavor in Santa Fe hash solely came from a glob of cheese, the orange juice was $3 for the size of a shot glass, their potatoes had no seasoning and were thick chunks, and they served us vegan sausage instead of regular. The staff were nice, but that only goes so far.

My family and I have been coming to this place for many, many years. I hadn't been back myself for a long time until just recently. I'm glad to say it's still comfy, still tasty, and still run by the same family. If you're looking for a traditional Chicago diner, come here. Big thanks to Sun Rey Cafe for such amazing customer service. Definitely go back again next time!

The best diner experience I've ever had run by the kindest people. The menu is unique because it mixes Filipino, Spanish, and American dishes. I loved the Santa Fe Hash and Buffalo Chicken Mac n' Cheese. We also got the Filipino Adobo which was delicious! We will definitely be coming back the next time we are in Chicago.

I placed an order at 11:43a for pick up. French toast and the veggie quesadilla. I came to the restaurant at 12:10. It's still was not ready. I just left the restaurant at 12:39. It took 56 min for French toast and a quesadilla. Then, as they were passing me the order, they offered me something to drink. Simple ridiculous!

Great spot for the neighborhood. Owner says hi to everyone. Good coffee and we got the 2 eggs and rice, breakfast tacos, Manila breakfast, and a waffle

This is the perfect place for a group brunch. It's family owned and the whole family came over to talk to us during our meal. They are very sweet! We got the omelette, pork belly adobo, chicken and waffles, Manila breakfast, and breakfast tacos which were all great. The food tastes fresh and homemade!

This is the best fried chicken I have in Chicago. The pancakes were also amazing. The staff was incredibly nice and the service was top-tier. I highly recommend stopping in for breakfast when you have a chance. I couldn't recommend this place enough!

This has become our favorite brunch restaurant! As soon as you walk in, the owners -Larry & Ruby make you feel at home. We've come several times since they opened and tried nearly everything on the menu, it's all delicious! The standouts are: the Manila breakfast, chicken and waffles, and the pork belly adobo. My kids enjoy the French toast and the breakfast tacos as well. Come here to enjoy the great food and service and feel like you're with family!

Prettiest little space in town, very cozy. I like that they have have Filipino and American Breakfast / Brunch / Lunch dishes. The waffles are light and airy. Despite that I could not finish it. I like the House Fritta or the Omelette, i get all the meats in it. Definitely get the Smoked Baloney.

Making this our new favorite brunch place! They brought us coffee when we were waiting outside for our table which only took about 10/15 minutes. It was my friend's birthday and they brought out a waffle with candles and sang to her. Highly recommended!

Fantastic addition to the neighborhood. Breakfast options are excellent from the chix and waffles to the Manila. Will be trying the lunch plates next. Take the whole family!

Cute corner breakfast spot that is family run!!! Delicious chicken and waffles for me and a great omelette with pancakes for my daughter. Can't recommend it enough. You will not be disappointed. Sha yum yum

Chicken and waffles clearly said boneless, it was bone in. When I asked he said "the menu says bone-in" which was clearly a lie. Coffee was good, service was questionable. Won't be back but other options on the menu look good.

What a treat to stumble across this place on a recent trip to Chicago. The owners were a delight and everything our party of four ordered was excellent. We loved the sunny atmosphere. If you go on a Sunday and get a chance to chat with the cook's wife (both owners), you'll feel like you're a part of the family.

Oh.My.GOODNESS. This place is SUCH a gem. This father/son team are turning out an amazing breakfast experience. It's got some bright and sunny ambience and a very welcoming vibe. There are quite a few specialities to dig into(but like any good restaurant - not TOO many), all made by Larry who has a storied culinary career in Chicago(just ask!). My crew shared the Sausage and Biscuits in Gravy and we scraped up every last drop - sooo good. We then moved on to omelets, fritattas and Bananas Foster Pancakes and each one was just perfectly cooked. Really cannot recommend this place enough and we're looking forward to going back and exploring the rest of this menu!