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Gold Coast Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Gold Coast Cafe
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Middle Eastern–leaning corner cafe at the Gold Coast/River North border where breakfast burritos sit alongside matcha, pastries, and deli sandwiches. Regulars use it for a halal-friendly breakfast burrito and coffee before work or as a late-night takeout option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast burrito with eggs and turkey bacon, Burritos suizo with melted cheese, French toast flight for a sweet brunch add-on
Scores:
Value: 6
Service: 7.3
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Halal-friendly cafe where breakfast burritos share space with coffee drinks and Middle Eastern-leaning plates.
Who should go: Neighborhood regulars wanting a burrito with good coffee.
When to visit: Morning through early afternoon for fresh burritos and calmer seating.
What to order: Breakfast burrito, burritos suizo, latte or specialty matcha.
Insider tip: Order ahead online for a faster pickup when the cafe is busy with commuters.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby blocks with limited availability during morning rush; easiest access via nearby paid garages if you're driving in.
Dress code: Casual — coffee shop vibes; workwear, athleisure, and jeans are all fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally conversational, with brief spikes during commuter rush hours.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait — evenings are quieter and often oriented toward takeout rather than dine-in.
Weekday lunch: Short waits of 5–10 minutes during peak commuter windows; mobile pickup is typically faster.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several vegetarian burrito and sandwich builds, plus customizable fillings.
Vegan options: Limited — possible to build a vegan burrito with veggies and sauces; confirm ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Limited — standard tortillas contain gluten, but some items can be served without tortilla on request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual meet-up than a true first-date setting — it’s a small, relaxed cafe built around quick bites and coffee rather than lingering table service.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with first-come seating; during busy mornings you may need to wait briefly for an open table or take it to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick casual visits — no kids’ menu or high chairs, but the space is informal and fine for families making a short stop.
Best For
Better for: Budget-friendly, halal-leaning breakfast burritos and grab-and-go coffee when you want something quick and filling without a sit-down brunch commitment.
Skip if: You’re looking for full-service dining, a large seating area, or an extended hangout spot during busy morning hours.
Gold Coast Cafe
7.7
Gold Coast Cafe is a halal-friendly corner cafe on the Gold Coast/River North border serving hand-rolled bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and casual plates late into the evening. Locals use it as an all-day hangout for bagels with smoked salmon, coffee, and quick sandwiches ordered at the counter or kiosk.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bagel with Smoked Salmon & Lox, Sesame Bagel with Cream Cheese, Everything Bagel with Egg and Cheese
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.2
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: Late-open halal cafe where bagels, coffee, and sandwiches run from breakfast through midnight.
Who should go: Night owls and students wanting flexible, halal-friendly bagel meals.
When to visit: Late mornings or late nights when seating is most relaxed.
What to order: Bagel with smoked salmon and lox, sesame bagel with cream cheese, egg-and-cheese on an everything bagel.
Insider tip: Use the long evening hours for a quiet bagel-and-laptop session after the daytime rush.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and metered in the surrounding blocks; garages on Dearborn and State are the most reliable option.
Dress code: Casual and come-as-you-are — hoodies, workout clothes, and everyday streetwear are common.
Noise level: Generally low to moderate — conversational during the day, quiet late at night.
Weekend wait: Usually no wait — counter service with open seating available through the evening.
Weekday lunch: Short lines during peak lunch hours, but tables typically turn quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple vegetarian bagels, egg sandwiches, and spreads.
Vegan options: Limited — plain or sesame bagels with basic toppings; verify ingredients if strict.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bagels; cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something casual and low-pressure — it’s more of a counter-service cafe than a sit-down date spot.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served and reservations aren’t used; late mornings and late nights offer the best chance at a quiet table.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — informal seating and simple bagel options work well for kids, though space is limited for strollers during busy hours.
Best For
Better for: Late-night bagels, halal-friendly breakfast sandwiches, and laptop-friendly solo meals at off-peak hours.
Skip if: You want artisan specialty bagels, premium espresso service, or a sit-down brunch environment with table service.
Gold Coast Cafe
7.7
Gold Coast Cafe is a halal-friendly corner café that also doubles as a destination for Arabic-style ice cream and kunafa. Locals use it for relaxed, all-day hangs where you can pair coffee, sandwiches, and a proper scoop of stretchy, floral ice cream in the same sitting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kunafa with Arabic Ice Cream, Arabic Ice Cream cup, Dubai Chocolate Bar
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A halal café where Arabic ice cream and kunafa share the menu with everyday coffee-shop comfort.
Who should go: Families and friends craving Arabic sweets in a casual setting.
When to visit: Afternoons or early evenings when you can linger over dessert.
What to order: Kunafa with Arabic Ice Cream, Arabic Ice Cream cup, Dubai Chocolate Bar.
Insider tip: Order savory food first, then add kunafa with ice cream to share so it arrives hot out of the oven.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking and nearby paid garages; metered spots can be limited during evenings and weekends.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — everyday café attire is perfectly fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate — usually conversation-friendly, with a livelier feel during busy dessert hours.
Weekend wait: Often minimal for café seating, but expect short waits during peak dessert rush (10–20 minutes).
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — easy to walk in and order.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — many sweets and several café items are naturally vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — some drinks and select café items may work, but most desserts contain dairy.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some ice cream by the cup works, but baked desserts like kunafa contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works well for a low-key dessert or coffee date where you can talk without pressure, especially if you want something casual and sweet-focused.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — this is a casual café with counter ordering and open seating; tables are first-come, and turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — very kid-friendly, with approachable sweets, relaxed seating, and a casual environment suitable for families.
Best For
Better for: Arabic-style ice cream, kunafa served hot with ice cream, and a relaxed hangout vibe where dessert, coffee, and light savory items can all happen in one visit.
Skip if: You’re looking for a high-end dessert presentation, large group dining space, or a traditional American ice cream parlor experience.
Gold Coast Cafe
7.8
Gold Coast Cafe is a halal-friendly corner café where Arabic-style ice cream, kunafa, and coffee share space with everyday sandwiches and snacks. Families use it as a low-pressure stop for dessert after dinner or an easy, kid-welcoming hangout that stays open late.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kunafa with Arabic Ice Cream, Arabic Ice Cream Cup, Dubai Chocolate Bar
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: A casual halal café where Arabic sweets and ice cream fit seamlessly into an everyday coffee-shop format.
Who should go: Families craving Arabic desserts or post-dinner ice cream.
When to visit: Evenings when you want dessert without a full restaurant stop.
What to order: Kunafa with Arabic Ice Cream, Arabic Ice Cream cup, Dubai Chocolate Bar.
Insider tip: Order savory items first, then circle back for kunafa so it arrives hot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the neighborhood is limited at night; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option on weekends.
Dress code: Casual — families and dessert-goers in relaxed attire; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversational and kid-friendly, with occasional crowd noise during late dessert rushes.
Weekend wait: Usually no formal wait, but expect brief counter lines during late-evening dessert peaks.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically — light daytime traffic.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — many desserts and several café/snack items work for vegetarian diners.
Vegan options: Limited — some drinks and basic snacks may work, but most signature desserts contain dairy.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some ice cream flavors may be workable, but baked items and kunafa are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — better for a casual, low-pressure dessert date than a full meal, especially if you want a relaxed, informal setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with open seating; tables are first-come and typically turn over quickly even during busy evenings.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — very kid-friendly, with plenty of families, approachable desserts, and a casual layout that works well for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night dessert runs, Arabic-style ice cream and kunafa, and a relaxed family hangout where sweets and café snacks share the menu.
Skip if: You want a full sit-down dinner, quiet special-occasion ambiance, or extensive vegan or gluten-free dessert options.