May 20, 2025

TARY Coffee House Chicago

Kazakh specialty cafe

"There are many unique food options to try on their menu like Bylamyk porridge with raspberry jam, Baursak (fried dough bites) or Truffle Mushroom Soup. "

It is hard to find worthy places to eat in Chicago; a city that is saturated with overpriced tourist traps, international chains and low-quality restaurants. I prefer to eat outside of the downtown area for better quality food at cheaper prices — TARY Coffee House is an exception.

After reading about it in the Chicago Tribune, I tried out this cafe, and it did not disappoint. TARY is a new addition to the River North area. It opened in October 2023 to share Kazakh food and drinks with Chicagoans. Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country with a cuisine heavily influenced by surrounding countries like China and Russia.

TARY Coffee House serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are many unique food options to try on their menu:

- Bylamyk porridge with raspberry jam and your choice of milk

- Baursak (fried dough bites)

- Truffle Mushroom Cream Soup

- Cottage cheese pancakes

- Kattama (bread)

Don’t forget to try their special TARY coffee drinks and tea. I can’t wait to go back and try all of their menu items! Grab a table in their cozy interior and enjoy the warmth of a yummy cafe meal.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

111 W Illinois St

Breakfast:

USD

15

+1

7733227315

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

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

Taco Loco of Pilsen

Juicy Street Tacos

The tent is run by Adan, who mans the booth entirely alone. His ingredients are kept fresh in coolers which are grilled on the spot in front of customers.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

La Fournette

French Family Bakery

There are many pastry options like croissants, an assortment of macaron flavors, fruit danishes, quiches... My favorites are the fruit-stuffed beignets!

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

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Hendrickx Belgian Bread

Expert Croissants

While most croissants are buttery and flakey, the ones at Hendrickx are denser and chewier. In my opinion, this makes them even better.

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

BULSHO Restaurant

Spicy Somalian Food

BULSHO serves a traditional Somalian breakfast that is comprised of seasoned meat or veggie stew served with anjero - a fermented flatbread.

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

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Gorée Cuisine

Senegalese Comfort Food

Start with a freshly steeped cup of sweet mint tea, a staple of any Senegalese meal. Then order fataya, triangular fried pastries with a savory filling.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Lydia

Schultz

Jul 1, 2025

Chiu Quon Bakery

Best Asian bakery in Chicago

I absolutely adore coming to Chiu Quon Bakery right when it opens and devouring their sweet and savory buns and steamed dumplings. Delicious!

024-burger-1
Snacks

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

Heading to Chicago?

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