Jul 9, 2025

Mella Cafe Chicago

Local spot for Eritrean food

"I recommend getting the traditional breakfast combo, a sampler with three dishes, that comes with complimentary warm, crispy bread!"

The aroma of home-cooked food made with honey and cinnamon greets the senses upon entering Mella Café, a locally owned and run coffee house in Edgewater serving the flavors of East Africa. The vibrant red interior pays homage to the colors of Eritrea; its cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian and Ethiopian cuisine.

The owner, Yirgy Meles, known as Gigi by customers, opened Mella in June of 2023 with the help of her husband, Negus. Ever since coming to Chicago from Eritrea in 1995, she dreamed of having her own restaurant. 

After 5 years of working hard toward this dream, it finally came true. Mella Café delights customers with Eritrean specialities such as egg frittata (scrambled eggs with spices), fuul (mashed fava beans in a spicy tomato sauce), and kicha fitfit (French bread cubes in a special sauce). 

I recommend getting the traditional breakfast combo, a sampler with all three dishes, and it comes with complimentary warm, crispy bread! 

Mella also tempts with glass display cases featuring sweet pastries and assorted gelato flavors. “Just believe you can do it, and you will do it,” Meles says about going after your dreams. Despite the barriers along the journey, it was all worth it for Meles, whose favorite part of the job is interacting with her loyal customers and being her own boss.

Come to Mella Café for homemade African comfort foods, and stay a while for the loving atmosphere created by Gigi.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

About this spot

5418 N Broadway

Breakfast combo:

USD

14

Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Chicago guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Chicago

Tesfa Ethiopian

East African comfort food

The food here is prepared by Moses Sake, chef and co-owner of Tesfa, who learned how to cook from his mother. He runs Tesfa with his brother, Samuel Sake.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 9, 2025

De Luna Taco Grill

Spicy Truck Tacos

The star of the show is De Luna's "volcano" taco, made with spicy poblano pepper and melted cheese. It may be one of the best tacos I've eaten in my life!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 9, 2025

Nhà Hàng Vietnam

Traditional Vietnamese

Although this street is dominated by Vietnamese eateries, Nhà Hàng is a quieter, no-frills joint as opposed to the touristy, upscale restaurants nearby.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 9, 2025

Irazu

Chicago's Only Costa Rican

Here diners sit in the naturally lit patio while enjoying traditional homemade Costa Rican food: sweet plantains, grilled veggies, rice and beans.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 9, 2025

Bolivar & Lincoln

Venezuelan Haven

My favorite thing to order here is the vegetarian arepa, which is stuffed with black beans, a generous portion of avocado, and sweet plantains.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 9, 2025

Superdawg Drive-in

Classic Chicago hot dog spot

Founded in 1948, "Superdawg" is THE quintessential Chicago hot dog place - they'll bring your order right to your car, like they did in the '50s!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Sophie

Amado

Jul 2, 2025

Denden Restaurant

Affordable Eritrean

The lentils are filling and creamy; the veggies are lightly cooked and nourishing; the injera bread is the perfect balance of slightly tangy and spongey.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

OMI Cafe

Japanese Dessert Café

OMI has many good menu options, but their Japanese dessert toast is their all-star. Think of it as a fluffy French toast served with vanilla ice cream.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Sweet Rabbit Bakery

Loaf Perfection

Choose from multigrain sourdough, their house sourdough and miso rye sourdough; pastry choices include croissants, morning buns, and fruit danishes.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

The Momo World

Nepalese Dumplings

Momos are bite-sized dumplings from Nepal and Tibet, usually filled with meat that is seasoned with spices like turmeric, garlic, cumin, and chili peppers.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Publican Quality Bread

Bread at its Finest

Their bread that has the perfect ratio of chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The 1979 multigrain sourdough is some of the best bread I've had!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Gundis Kurdish Kitchen

Chicago Kurdish

They are arguably most known for their "Kurdish breakfast" an elaborate spread of cheese, jams, fried cheese, olives, fries, cucumbers, tomatoes and bread.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Heading to Chicago?

116 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

116 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Chicago

Our team loves Chicago

Get to know our other Spotters from Chicago

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
71
Filters