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- Top Rated Bakery in Chicago
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The Chicago Diner - Lakeview
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Vegetarian
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Providing all vegetarian and mostly vegan American comfort food for brunch and dinner with organic beers and wine, margaritas, vegan bakery, and desserts. Meat free since 1983. Patio seating available. Confirmed open May 2020. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-10:00pm, Sat 10:00am-10:00pm, Sun 10:00am-9:00pm.
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- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 06 Jul 2023 by geometric-noise
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313 Reviews
First Review by amargrav
SevenMilesUp
Points +8
Must Do Vegan Stop - Edit
Outstanding. Big portion, friendly staff. My wife's strawberry shake was perfect. Worth the trip up here. The reuben could easily have been split with the two of us, but we both still nearly cleaned our plates.
Read moreGuest
elliewebb.21
Points +104
Vegan food that’s approachable - Edit
The food here is really satisfying. I took some non vegans here and they seemed to enjoy it was well! We got some milkshakes, which were really good. We tried to wings. I wish they were a little smaller, but still good. My sandwich was the best I really loved it.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-08-23
Pros: Friendly , Approachable
Guest
AliCv
Points +17
Great food - Edit
Spicy chicken Sandwich and the chicken wings are delicious
Read morePros: Food, Atmosphere
Guest
subtletynuance
Points +94
Jury's still out - Edit
In my sad sack 3 years in Chicago I ate many times at Chicago Diner. However I still can't make up my mind. Some things are great. Some things are borderline disgusting. I'm not sure. I would recommend it. But very hit or miss. For newbies, I would try to stick to the items that don't sound like theyd be weird, cuz a lof of the normal stuff is great. I like the thai chili wings (always get them) and a lot of things on the menu. I have great memories here. The breakfast stuff is great. But i cant stand that pierogi quesadilla. Or their horrible orange chicken bowl. Sometimes the milkshakes gave me a crazy aftertaste. Whatever yall. Gotta support it.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-08-11
Guest
lahziesmann
Points +956
Amazing - Edit
Soooo many options, very delicious and tasty!
Read moreMeat free since '83 is honestly impressive! Really recommend!
Pros: Many options, Delicious
Guest
alistar
Points +5804
Huuuuge menu and so tough to choose. - Edit
Stellar spinach and artichoke dip as well as buffalo chicken with ranch salad. I forgot to get photos doh!! Great cinnamon French toast. I found it so difficult to choose. Planning to go back after checking out the neighborhood to take away more stuff like the spinach artichoke dip and thai chilli wings. Make sure to go on an empty stomach. We had to wait for a table and then got coffee across the street which maybe was a mistake. It was less I could eat and drink here.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-08-02
Guest
zombiesoybot
Points +301
Hands down the best. - Edit
We got milkshakes for an appetizer. Highly recommended.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-28
Guest
ChelseaN
Points +680
So good!!! - Edit
I was SO excited to find this place. The reuben egg rolls with thousand island dipping sauce were delicious. The Mac n cheese was good. The key lime cheesecake and cinnamon bun were both great. The club sandwich could use a little more condiment but was still really good. So so happy with it all
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-12
Guest
TessaMuller
Points +60
a classic - Edit
so good always !! i love the seasonal menu
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-05
Guest
clamchow
Points +1563
Hits the spot - Edit
The spinach artichoke dip was so good
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-06-28
Guest
jcbe
Points +226
Awesome breakfast option!! - Edit
The breakfast didn't disappoint. I was hungry... Yes... But the bacon and tofu had great seasoning, and the atmosphere is really welcoming. Also... The desertd are to die for... Loved it
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-05-27
Guest
BrianDarling
Points +20
Plant Based Awesome - Edit
What a gem! A must visit when in Chicago land area. The best service as well as great food.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-05-19
Guest
JulieWasmundHoffman
Points +207
Yep! So good! - Edit
I don’t get to go to the Chicago diner often because I live a 3 Hour Dr. away. However, whenever I have a chance, I like to pop in. As usual, it was delicious and spectacular.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-05-09
Pros: 100% vegan , Friendly staff , Delicious
Guest
ChloeThonus
Points +1099
Okay - Edit
A long time establishment but just kinda okay. Quality varies a lot. A lot of the specials should be permanent menu items because they're a lot better than the standard menu. Cuban and Ruben are good. Tofu scramble is not. Thai chili wings are lacking in spice. Lentil loaf is fine.
Read moreGuest
VegeNeva
Points +132
Very good Chicago icon - Edit
You HAVE to get the Thai chili "wings" -- they were my favorite. I got the grilled veggie sandwich with Mac & cheese. The grilled veggie sandwich was really good, while the Mac & cheese was just okay in my opinion (but I'm a weirdo who hasn't found a Mac & cheese they like more than Kraft original). I got the chocolate dough milkshake and IDK if it was the cookie dough or the base used but there was a taste I wasn't a huge fan of in it (I've had vegan milkshakes I liked more elsewhere). My friend got the truffle mushroom lentil loaf and it was really good too. Would definitely go back. So many things on the menu sounded really good.
Read morePros: Many options and different cuisine types
Cons: Some items were just okay
Guest
andlew
Points +48
Straight Gas - Edit
Diner food but vegan by default. How can you hate that?
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-04-10
Guest
ConnieLeonard
Points +84
Lived up to the hype - Edit
I’ve been using their cookbook for years and was finally able to try their food. Bbq wings, club sandwich, Mac and cheese, chili, green beans and turtle cheesecake all delish!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-01-14
Guest
Rishiroo
Points +210
Surprised - Edit
Brought my friend here and was very impressed with the options and quality of the food.
Read morePros: Atmosphere, Food, Service
Cons: Parking
Guest
TylerRoberts
Points +381
Amazing - Edit
Great quality! Loved taking the kids here. Plenty of made in house options.
Read moreGuest
Morenaluna
Points +16
Excelente servicio - Edit
Muy bien todo 5 estrellas muy buena comida
Read moreGuest
mrsanteater12
Points +429
i wish every diner was like this - Edit
can you imagine if every ihop was replaced with the chicago diner… omg i would be going out for pancakes all the time. just truly incredible to have a Diner Breakfast. proud to be an american fr
Read moreGuest
AmyScott
Points +13
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Cookbook- A must have for every kitchen - The Chicago Diner does it again! - Edit
This review is for the cookbook-
Read moreThis is the second cookbook I’ve purchased from The Chicago Diner, and I honestly can’t say enough good things about it. Every recipe I’ve tried so far has been packed with flavor, easy to follow, and the kind of food that makes you excited to cook. You can feel the same passion and creativity that I am sure has made their restaurant legendary woven into every page.
The instructions are clear, the ingredient lists are accessible, and the results? Absolutely delicious, whether you’re cooking for longtime vegetarians, curious omnivores, or anyone in between. I love that it offers both classic comfort foods and inventive twists, so there’s always something new to try.
Owning two of their cookbooks now, I can say without hesitation that The Chicago Diner has earned a permanent spot on my kitchen shelf. If you want recipes that are approachable, satisfying, and guaranteed to impress, this book is a must have!
Guest
Zwähnia
Points +1670
Amazing - Edit
The food was very good! And the portions are hugh.
Read moreWe had 2 desserts with 5 people and that was clearly too much, still I absolutely recommend getting the s'mores brownie sundae!!
We has the lentil loaf, the risotto, a salad and the Cuban sandwich. Everything was great.
I went with 4 non-vegans and they really didn't even realize they were eating a vegan risotto with a fake chicken filet.
Guest
JoshHyatt
Points +541
Local Fav - Edit
Whenever I come to Chicago, this is one of my stops. It’s got great Vegan diner food. Wonderful selection. And a great vibe. Hundred percent recommend.
Read moreGuest
ilysoymatcha
Points +144
Obsessed - Edit
I’ve always had a great experience here. The food is always so good. This time I had the Reuben sandwich with Mac n cheeze. So savory & comforting! I wish I lived closer so I could eat here every week.
Read moreGuest
hungryguy1
Points +345
Everything we tried was good - Edit
Spent a few days close by so we ate several meals there and everything we tried was great.
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Fast service
Guest
alunisae
Points +4721
delish! - Edit
got my american diner experience!
Read moreGuest
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