Where the Locals Eat Rating
Best Dessert
Top 100 Restaurant, Chicago
"Enjoy lunch at Eli's Cheesecake Café, the perfect destination to enjoy homemade soup, freshly prepared artisan sandwich, gourmet salad, or cheesecake shake. Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a slice of the rich and famous Eli's Cheesecake! Dine in our vaulted ceiling coffeehouse atmosphere or on our outdoor patio during pleasant weather. ... Take time to shop in our amazing store where the selection of cheesecakes and desserts are endless. We also have a fresh bake shop with scratch recipe muffins, loaf cakes, crème puffs, big cookies, holiday treats, macaroons, bagel chips, tarts, cakes and cheesecakes for you to enjoy here in our café over a cup of coffee, cappuccino, or espresso (or take-out!).
"Eli's Cheesecake has become a symbol of Chicago. It was proclaimed Chicago's 150th Birthday Cake, was Mayor Richard M. Daley's wager when the Bulls won the NBA Championship, and was the dessert at Mayor Daley's inaugural balls. Eli's most famous creation was America's Inaugural Birthday Cake–the 2,000 pound cheesecake served at [President Clinton's] inauguration in Washington, D.C. Eli's tradition of taking exceptional care of his customers is continued by [wife] Esther Schulman and son Marc Schulman."
– Eli's Cheesecake Café website
No alcohol available. Open during breakfast and lunch hours, 8 am-6 pm Mon–Fri, 9 am-5 pm Sat, 11 am-5 pm Sun.
"It's probably the most decadent of all desserts."
– Time Out Chicago magazine