Cafe Deko — Restaurant in Chicago

Stepping into Cafe Deko feels like entering a time capsule to the roaring 1920s, dim lighting, art deco patterns, vintage chandeliers, and jazz softly playing in the background. The ambiance is warm, whimsical, and undeniably charming. The staff greeted me with smiles, and their attentiveness made the entire visit feel personal and inviting. But while the décor and service are excellent, the real star here is the food.

I ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate croissant, and both were nothing short of heavenly. The croissant arrived warm, its outer layers delicately crisp and golden with just the right amount of flake that shattered gently with each bite. Inside, a river of rich, molten chocolate was folded into soft, buttery layers, velvety, slightly bittersweet, and deeply satisfying. It wasn’t overly sweet, allowing the natural richness of the chocolate to shine.

The hot chocolate was equally captivating. It came in a charming porcelain cup, topped with a light, frothy foam that danced with a faint hint of vanilla. The aroma was rich and nostalgic, like a winter morning by the fire. Smooth, creamy, and perfectly sweetened, it was indulgent without being overwhelming. Dipping the croissant into the hot chocolate elevated the experience entirely, the textures melting together in a blissful harmony.

This simple pairing awakened something joyful in me like a memory of childhood comfort with a grown-up elegance. Whether you're craving a cozy solo escape or a romantic spot with vintage flair, Cafe Deko is a must-visit. Next time, I’ll try their savory offerings, but this sweet morning will linger in my memory for...

A new, neat-looking cafe. Reviewing after they just opened and one visit, so review may need to be updated after a few months experience.

Initial reaction is that the space is visually and aesthetically pleasing. Art deco is the theme, it is slightly contrived (e.g., it looks rich and elegant but it's not like there are expensive pieces from the Louvre hanging on the wall). There are a couches, tables, and window seats. It remains to be seen if they'll have outdoor seating. Overall the decor fits well with building and nearby establishments.

Drinks and food options are pretty good. Will need more visits to get a better sense of overall quality and make comparisons to nearby alternatives. Service and prices are commensurate with what I think you'd expect from a small cafe business.

The one minor turnoff are the dozen+ glaring reviews made immediately after the business listing and opening. Many suspiciously look like family and friends. But, they may not be totally inaccurate, just not truly organic.

I hope this business and other related places nearby (e.g., Necessary and Sufficient Coffee, Hero Coffee, Tilly Bagel Shop)...

Overall, an excellent addition to the new Printer's Row revival.

Coffee: Finally a decent latte in this part of Chicago. A good toffee-like blend and properly steamed milk that isn't all fluffed. Has a decent assortment of options as well for other styles.

Environment: A tropical art deco inspired interior with plenty of options to sit (high top, regular table, couches, coffee bar). Music may be too loud for some preferences, but I was fine with it. I could imagine this being an amazing location in the winter as well as summer. It honestly is nicer inside than the pictures suggest (way less stuffy).

Service: Fast and friendly. Also exceptionally on top of cleaning the place. Seriously, I don't think fingerprints ever stayed on the front door glass for 2 minutes.

Cost: Extremely reasonable. 6 dollars all in for a large latte in this part of the city is quite cheap. And compared to the placed across the street which has mandatory tipping that brings the total to over 9 dollars for a latte, Cafe Deko is ~2/3 the price with better coffee.

Losing Cafe Press was a big hit to South Loop, but Cafe Deko more than...