Cafe Selmare
(773) 989-5595
4729 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago,
IL
60625
41.9674
-87.6876
Neighborhoods: Ravenswood, Far North Side
Reviews & Ratings for Cafe Selmare
15 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 15 reviews
THE 'Go-To' Restaurant in Lincoln Square
by adhoc
December 17, 2008
This place remains the most consistent & reasonable restaurant in the neighborhood. Whether you prefer simple foods or more complex tastes, Cafe Salmare sets the standard for consistency. Their baked goods are excellent & are beloved by my family. You won't be disappointed!
- Pros: Excellent Food, service & ambience
- Cons: none
Fresh and tasty! by Elizabeth R. at InsiderPages
Contributor
April 14, 2008
I first came here last fall, and the first thing I noticed was the delicious-looking pastries at the counter. I ordered a Croque Monsieur, one of my favorite dishes, and I was glad I did--the bread was deliciously eggy and the ham and cheese were top quality. The green salad it came with was also very fresh. Everything else I tasted was also very good, especially the turkey and brie sandwich (another of my favorite combinations). I would probably be back more if I didn't live so far away, but now that the weather's a little nicer I look forward to biking up there sometime soon.
Not so great as it started
by merrymaiden
March 12, 2008
I have lived in the Lincoln Square neighborhood all my life and remember when Cafe Selmarie was just a small store. However, over the last couple of years their service has declined: pastries are stale and their menu doesn't have much taste or variety. Also the number of screaming kids that are left unattended by their yuppie parents is appalling. It does ruin the dining atmosphere. The service there seems to cater to the yuppie clientele and ignore the average joe for service. It's sad to see Lincoln Square ruined by the customers and snobby service.
- Cons: Ambience, Service
AWESOME by carrie b. at InsiderPages
Contributor
November 14, 2005
The Cafe as we call it, has some of the best pastries i have ever tasted. My husband LOVES the lemon bars and i cant get enough of the macadamia nut bars. The mac-n-cheese is awesome. Everyone at the cafe is extremely nice and helpful. I love sitting outside with a cup of coffee and a pastry with my friend Kay!!! The kids love going wih us because of the cute cookies they always have. I would recommend trying Cafe Selmarie!
PROS: GREAT PASTRIES
CONS:
I kept giving it a try, but no luck
by andros69
July 17, 2005
I've gone to this place a few times, because of some reviews and recommendations. I'm very picky about pastries and this place always let me down. From their various buns, croissants, muffins, cakes... they were all rather tasteless. The texture was mostly ok, but the taste was completely lacking. Coffee is ok, and their hot breakfast food was pretty good, but their pastries, forget it. I was really shocked and disappointment, because that's where their reputation is and have a very nice looking display. Like I've said, I've gone a few times and kept trying various pastries but every time they disappointed me. I'm done with this place. There are much better places in the area for dessert.
- Pros: good looks, hot food
- Cons: pastries, cakes
Classy, Exceptional Place
by violetjvg
June 15, 2005
After leaving Ravenswood, I still come back here for the unusual, intricate, and flavorful offerings. I always know I will trying at least one thing I've never eaten or even heard of before, but I can't remember a dish I didn't like. I love their pureed soups. Their entrees are always a delicious escape from the ordinary. Sometimes I'll just order a soup and an appetizer to save room for their marvelous desserts. (I recommend the raspberry tarts, even the lemon bars!) People shouldn't bring small children here, and that's no fault: not every restaurant should be teaming with misbehaved children. The sophisticated atmosphere is part of its charm, including the always-changing wall art (it doubles as a gallery for local artists.) The menu is rather small, but they always have interesting specials.
- Pros: classy food, great desserts, specials
- Cons: sometimes crowded
Charming in the off-hours
by bierherr
March 14, 2005
Since Cafe Selmarie is small and popular with the locals, it is not a great place to be at seven on a Friday or noon on a Sunday. The crowds, noise, and wait can be grating. To better enjoy the cafe, come at two on a Tuesday, or seven on a Thurday. The food is the same, and the atmosphere is what it should be: a peaceful neighborhood cafe with tasty pastries.
- Pros: Pastries, Patio, Local
- Cons: Crowds, Kids
Worse every time
by ex-mouseketeer
December 14, 2004
I've been going here since 1988 when it was a tiny 1 room place. As they expanded, the food has gotten worse. Half the bakery items I get are stale or taste horrid. I am shocked how many screaming kids are here. The coffee is good (Inteligentsia) but don't make a trip here for pastries. It's gone downhill since they started catering to yuppies who've ruined Lincoln Square.
- Pros: Location
Beware of children...
by kleec
August 16, 2004
People say don't bring kids here but they're bringing them in droves. This is the spot for the professional mother's society is seems. If you don't want to be around kids or want to escape from kids youve left at home think twice before coming here. This is also due to the fact that because of the room architecture noises are louder. And tables are very close together. Many times someone's backside is on my table because of the goings on at the next table. The food's good and the desserts are good but there's a lot of extraneous stuff to contend with. And they've raised their prices...and lowered the amount of food on your plate for it. You may just want to check out Lutzs.
- Pros: good food, desserts
- Cons: , not a lot of room
Refined coffeehouse fare in a laid-back setting.
by Contributor
August 03, 2004
The Scene
Cafe Selmarie sits by a quiet brick courtyard in the heart of Lincoln Square. Bring a book or a friend, stroll past the tempting dessert counter and settle in at a table in the sunny back room, where local artists' work adorns the bright yellow and blue walls. Service is neighborhood-friendly and unpretentious. There are refills aplenty.
The Food
Sunday brunch gets packed with locals who line up for omelets, multi-grain pancakes and fancier fare like creamy, rich mushroom-cornbread pudding. There are a dozen coffee drinks (the house blend is excellent) and teas by the pot. In the evening, Selmarie offers a quiche, pizza, and meat or seafood dish du jour. Tasty, simple dinner favorites include a petite-but-hearty chicken pot pie and penne pasta with light, fresh tomato basil sauce. Don't miss the pastries and desserts at the front counter (all sweets are made in-house), from sinful raspberry chocolate tarts to rich banana and whipped cream eclairs.
