Vegan
American
Organic
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Gluten-free
Vegan chef and catering company, opened this cafe 2019. Serves coffee, tea, and carry an assortment of baked goods, daily specials, grab 'n' go food. Fri-Sun evenings hosts a private 5-course gourmet vegan dinner by reservation only. Reported open October 2023. Open Mon-Sun 8:00am-4:00pm.
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613 W Briar Pl (at Lake View East), Chicago, Illinois, USA, 60651
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 18 Nov 2023 by Vegan Vagabond
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71 Reviews
First Review by citychic
Stickwitch
Points +183
Okay breakfast - Edit
I’ve been to small vegan cafes like this around the world and I’ve worked at one—my experience at Fancy Plants was fairly average. I would say if you’re visiting Chicago I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here, but if you aren’t too far and need breakfast, it’s always ideal to have a 100% vegan spot.
Read moreI got the croissant breakfast sandwich with added veggies and the salad side as well as a maple citrus creme brûlée latte. I used a fork and knife to eat my sandwich with the salad. I think it would’ve been a bit bland without. The croissant was a bit dry (maybe slightly stale). I agree with others that chips are an odd side. I also know that kitchen space at these types of places tends to be very minimal, making well-executed options like breakfast potatoes less of a possibility. I would ditch the sides honestly and amp up the sandwich itself—aioli, tomato jam—something to make it less dry/bland and elevated from what someone might make at home.
I really only tasted the citrus in the latte so I would call it an orange latte. Not really what I was looking for (trying to feel the maple/burnt sugar fall vibes).
The space itself is very small with 6 or so small tables indoors. There were a few people parked with laptops who had finished their food which imo is rude in that small of a space and should be discouraged by the establishment. The seats were full and I saw a few people get takeout or sit outside (a bit chilly) who perhaps would’ve sat inside given the opportunity.
I say all this with the love of someone who wants all vegan spots to thrive forever.
Pros: 100% vegan, Unique latte flavors
Cons: Could be more creative
Guest
connordavidson
Points +71
Decent - Edit
It’s nice to get a hearty breakfast sandwich and some coffee drink options, but overall it was just okay. Kind of a barebones place but sometimes that’s all right.
Read moreGuest
okcosmo
Points +60
Yummy breakfast wrap - Edit
Plus the Americano was on point. The outdoors seating is cute ☺️
Read moreGuest
ksegula
Points +389
Great coffee and pastries! - Edit
I love that they are always changing up their pastries and menu! It’s a super cute place with really nice patio seating. The almond croissant is my favorite!
Read moreGuest
mrsanteater12
Points +295
HEAVY croissant - Edit
omg the croissant had WEIGHT to it. like i picked it up and grunted. it took some strength. absolutely delicious everything. will definitely return when i come back to chicago
Read morePros: all vegan!!
Guest
soygirl
Points +337
breakfast & sweets - Edit
choco croissant and croissant breakfast sandwich are yum. lox bagel is also really good 🥕
Read moreGuest
Yvonne108
Points +172
It’s Just Okay - Edit
Definitely go to this place for its croissants and coffee. The sweets are provided by mindful bakery. My sandwich was dry with no sauce added and regular chips. For the price, I would’ve enjoyed some potatoes or hash, along with vegan mayo, and maybe some greens in my sandwich. Overpriced for basic food. Not sure how they won an award in 2023.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-02-16
Pros: Delicious food, Friendly staff, Easy parking
Cons: Basic food, Limited staff, long wait, Pricey
Guest
mojojojojo
Points +1321
vibrant + joyful - Edit
i adored the vibe of Fancy Plants! bursting with color, plenty of outdoor seating, and overall a lovely, lively ambience!! 🌱💚
Read moreGuest
CC409
Points +281
Weekend Course Dinners - Edit
Been coming to the specialty dinners for almost 8 years. They occasionally have them at other locations as well. Always a wonderfully filling, unique and delicious experience. They also do cooking classes that I need to sign up to attend. Sign up for the newsletter, you won’t be sorry!
Read moreGuest
cns71
Points +199
Super adorable but not great food - Edit
Love the vibe in this place and the patio is amazing. However, the carrot lox bagel was honestly terrible and I didn’t finish it. I was so disappointed because the atmosphere is so good and the service was great! Come for coffee or pastries but I think you can skip the food
Read moreGuest
Leo27
Points +2050
Very cute - Edit
Sweet charming cafe. Food was very good. Prives are okay.
Read moreGuest
EmilyMartinez
Points +90
Great vegan cafe! - Edit
Stopped here for a quick breakfast and coffee. The breakfast sandwich was really good and the vanilla lavender latte was delicious!
Read moreTurnipForPlants
Nice!
Read moreGuest
MelisaMedina
Points +76
Average place! - Edit
The experience at this place was average. Unfortunately, I did not have a good time with the food. First, we called to confirm their location after getting confused about the previous one in Lincoln Park, and the lady who answered the phone was not very nice.
Read moreWe ordered a soy latte, which looked more like a poorly made cappuccino and had a strong plastic smell and taste. They changed it for us and served it in a mug, but the smell persisted, likely due to the milk. I ordered a croissant sandwich, but the croissant was hard, and the bottom was very greasy, making it inedible. My husband ended up giving me his breakfast burrito, which was okay.
As for sides, the croissant came with regular Ruffles chips, which I don’t think are a good match for a breakfast sandwich. Similarly, the breakfast burrito was served with tortilla chips when it would have been nice to have breakfast potatoes instead. Finally, I tried the coffee cake, but based on my baking experience, it was too hard and did not seem fresh; it appeared as though it had been made days ago.
I absolutely will not go again!
Guest
TiannaPrichard
Points +395
Cute little spot - Edit
Cute little café with fun wall art. This was recommended by a local friend to get while visiting and it did not disappoint. We got the breakfast croissant and I got a Maple Citrus Crème Brûlée latte. Both were delicious.
Read moreGuest
lilvegancat
Points +1649
Slightly disappointed - Edit
Although the atmosphere of the place is great and in really cute part of Chicago,
Read moreit seems that the quality of this cafe is going downhill. The food in previous pictures looks nothing like what we ordered, especially the croissants which were dense and undercooked. They honestly looked and tasted worse than pillsbury. The burrito was cold in the middle like it was frozen and reheated.
Updated from previous review on 2024-06-24
Guest
MikeLunde
Points +76
Huge shout out to Fancy Plants! - Edit
I went for a bike ride this morning with two friends who are very much non vegan. On the way back, one of them recommended we go to a coffee shop with breakfast options he had been to before and liked. He initially found it through good reviews he saw they had. When we got there, I was so grateful to him for taking us to a vegan place, but he said he had no idea it was vegan. Both of them really liked what they got today as well. So, great job, Fancy Plants!
Read moreGuest
CarrickMcCullough
Points +179
Tasty little spot! - Edit
Cute cafe, classic coffees and teas with some more unique custom flavors as well. Good little selection of breakfast sandwiches as well as fresh baked goods. Would come again!!
Read morePros: Good food, Cozy atmosphere
Guest
frankinjection
Points +1324
Mostly arrangement - Edit
This vegan cafe is super nice, and the people are great. However it falls under what I call “assembly spots” where they use well known products to assemble a meal with no real creative slant.
Read moreI had the breakfast croissant, their best seller, which consist of supermarket vegan products. It was good, but something you can whip up at home. Still a great place to visit when you’re hungry.
Vegan Vagabond
I’m pretty sure they make everything in house. The seitan, the “cheese,” the baked goods, etc.
Read moreGuest
annieeatingstuff
Points +187
My fave place for breakfast, pastries, and coffee - Edit
The coffee cake!! The croissants!! The burrito!! The “lox”!! The chai!! Ahhh I cannot even verbalize how much I love this place. A staple for us. Everyone who works there is so nice and accommodating too.
Read morePros: Everything
Guest
AgustinaTami
Points +35
Overestimated - Edit
This food is not made with love
Read moreVegan Vagabond
Can you give more detail? The chef behind this restaurant is very much into the love of serving good food. I’m curious to get more details.
Read moreGuest
Samantha18
Points +475
Top rated restaurant???? - Edit
We had really high hopes when we saw all of the great reviews and that it was a top rated restaurant, maybe our expectations are just too high.
Read moreWe had an awful experience. To start off there was only one employee in the entire cafe. She would take everyone’s order that was in line at the counter, then run to the back and heat up food in the toaster oven, thus leading to extremely slow service and long wait times.
We had ordered two items from the bakery case to eat until our food was done. Very disappointing baked goods. The walnut banana bread was hard as a rock and ice cold. The blueberry muffin was also rock hard and almost uncooked in the middle. We finally got our breakfast burritos and after the first bite, knew we had made a mistake. It was disgusting. So bad we couldn’t even finish eating them. Oh and I can’t forget to mention the tortilla chips from a bag as the side dish. Don’t expect to get the salsa with those chips because all you get is sliced up pickled radishes. We walked over to the self service counter where some sauces were to try and make the burritos more edible but didn’t even feel comfortable doing that because the bottles of sauce were also extremely disgusting. Crusty tops and practically empty bottles. At this point we asked for to-go cups for our tea and were ready to go.
All the way around it was a bad experience. To the identity crisis and uncleanliness of the restaurant, the single lifeless employee, and the awful and definitely not fresh breakfast food. It certainly was not worth the 50$ we spent. We are very confused how this got so many good reviews. There is nothing fancy about these plants.
Pros: All vegan , Off street parking
Cons: Bad food, not fresh , Cleanliness , Understaffed
Guest
bemmabarson
Points +36
Flaky croissants - Edit
Croissant sandwich is amazing, flaky and flavorful. The burrito is great as well!
Read moreGuest
AnnFromIllinois
Points +839
Must go! - Edit
We were lucky enough to get a seating at one of the Saturday dinners and loved every course. Refined food in a casual setting. Great staff too.
Read moreThe above review was for Fancy Plants Kitchen which seems to have closed and/or merged into the Fancy Plants kitchen. Still five stars though for this cute little cafe coffee shop.
Updated from previous review on 2019-11-10
Pros: Delicious, Affordable, BYOB
Guest
Vegan Vagabond
Points +5604
Don’t confuse this location with Fancy Plants Kitchen. - Edit
Fancy Plants Kitchen closed, unfortunately, but Fancy Plants Café is still open and going strong.
Read moreThis is a small little neighborhood café, with great coffee, pastries, and food items.
Guest
WFPBNOSOS
Points +423
Love this little vegan oasis - Edit
Incredible food on a quiet street.
Read morePros: Quality food, Cute space, Outdoor seating on quiet street
Cons: Would love for them to be open later
Guest
RachelJoy
Points +24
Awesome vegan food and vibe - Edit
This place is amazing! We were so impressed with the seitan steak, croissants, and vegan Brie and feta, all made in house! Chef Kevin is a super cool guy too. This place is a must-visit if you’re in Chicago.
Read morePros: Grilled seitan steak, Cheese plate, Chef and wait staff
Guest
Ghansur
Points +463
Great vegan breakfast!! - Edit
Loved the breakfast options as well as the pastries!
Read moreGuest
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