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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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320 Reviews
First Review by amargrav
Inder33
Points +47
Best Pant based comfort food - Edit
Great service. So many options to choose from. Their vegan cinnamon roll is great
Read morePros: Great service, Lots of options, Casual Vibe
Guest
IHeartAnimals
Points +471
Worth the hype - Edit
Our daughter told us about this place from her trip to Chicago. It was one of the reasons we decided to come to Chicago.
Read moreWe went to the Lincoln Zoo (highly recommend) and then took the bus to Boys Town. It’s just up the street from Out of the Closet Thrift Store (also recommend).
I was surprised that it wasn’t a larger restaurant. It was literally the size of an old 50”s city diner. The decor was reminiscent of that as well.
The menu is large and we were there before the end of brunch so we had to try it.
I ordered the Monte Christo sandwich and my husband got the Breakfast Combo with biscuits and gravy with a side of French toast.
My sandwich came with hash browns. I thought the flavor of the sandwich was OK but I didn’t enjoy how soggy the French toast was. The tofu egg was my favorite part. The bacon style seitan is not crispy, it’s more chewy and was not giving bacon to me.
My husband’s tofu scramble was delicious and the biscuits and gravy were authentic. If I got brunch again I would definitely get both of those.
I ordered a Manic Pixie Dream Girl Mocktail with no Agave. It was still too sweet for me but not undrinkable. I was kicking myself for not getting a milkshake.
The server was super sweet and We will definitely go back before we leave Chicago
We got the Carrot Cake and cocoa Mousse Cake to go. They were both delicious. I tried to eat half the Cocoa cake but it was so creamy chocolatey that I ended up eating the entire slice for dinner. Highly recommend!
Updated from previous review on 2026-10-24
Pros: Huge menu and good portions , They know have to do a Tofu scramble and gravy!, Excellent service.
Guest
1AP1
Points +2893
Very good - Edit
Very good meal, no real complains but judging from the reviews I was expecting a bit more. The staff was great and it’s a nice spot though!
Read moreGuest
CraigA
Points +109
Okay - Edit
It was very OKAY. The staff was very nice and accommodating. The milkshakes were pretty great! The jalapeño poppers and the potatoes that I got were great too, but the rest of the food was just okay. Except the mac n cheese was just incredibly bland, it just tasted like pasta. Definitely room for improvement, or maybe we just came on an off day.
Read morePros: Milkshakes, Staff
Cons: Mac n cheese
Guest
Tmoss682
Points +5164
Diner Done Right - Edit
Everything is made with great quality and care. It’s not just a plant-based diner. It’s elevated diner food brimming with big diner energy.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-09-14
Guest
SarahFont
Points +122
Worth a visit - Edit
Staff was nice. Classic diner vibes. Lots of options/variety.
Read moreGuest
JohnScully
Points +178
Solid portions and amazing options - Edit
Fully vegan menu that can be made vegetarian. Everything was delicious and the portions were great. The mac and cheese was great!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-09-03
Guest
SevenMilesUp
Points +12
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 +973
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 +5971
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 +319
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 +684
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 +78
a classic - Edit
so good always !! i love the seasonal menu
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-07-05
Guest
clamchow
Points +1603
Hits the spot - Edit
The spinach artichoke dip was so good
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2026-06-28
Guest
jcbe
Points +232
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 +217
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 +1258
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 +224
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
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