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SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom
7.9
Tucked inside the SPACE 519 concept store, The Lunchroom is a 40-seat cafe serving vegetable-forward, California-style takes on American lunch standards, plus brunch plates and pastries. Portions skew lighter and presentations cleaner than neighboring hotel spots, with an emphasis on salads, toast-based plates, and composed sandwiches. It’s more of a daytime hangout than a destination dinner, but fills a real gap for fresher-feeling food near the Mag Mile.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast Club, Carolina BBQ Chicken Flatbread, Farm Table Burrata
Scores:
Value: 6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.1
What makes it special: A stylish concept-store cafe serving lighter, California-influenced American lunches.
Who should go: Shoppers and office workers seeking fresher daytime options nearby.
When to visit: Late weekday lunch for easier seating and a relaxed pace.
What to order: Choose Avocado Toast Club, a composed salad, and a pastry.
Insider tip: Plan a visit when you have time to browse the adjoining shop; the combined cafe-and-retail experience is the real draw.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No onsite parking; nearby paid garages along Michigan Ave and Delaware St are the most reliable. Street parking is limited and metered, especially during retail hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — shoppers and office casual attire are common; athleisure and jeans are fine.
Noise level: Moderate daytime café buzz — conversation is comfortable at most tables.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — this is primarily a daytime café and is not a dinner destination.
Weekday lunch: Light to moderate — typically little to no wait outside peak noon hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong coverage — many salads, toasts, and bowls can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — several items can be modified; confirm ingredients with staff.
Gluten-free options: Multiple options — salads and select plates can be prepared gluten-free upon request, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a casual daytime date — it’s bright, relaxed, and conversational, better suited to coffee-and-lunch vibes than a formal evening outing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes — walk-ins are common at lunch; arrive slightly before the peak noon rush for the best shot at immediate seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for well-behaved kids during daytime hours — small space with limited stroller room and no dedicated kids menu.
Best For
Better for: Lighter, vegetable-forward plates and a calmer, boutique-retail setting compared to larger hotel restaurants nearby.
Skip if: You want a full dinner, large portions, or a lively nightlife scene — this is a daytime café with a lighter, wellness-leaning menu.
SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom
8.1
Tucked inside the SPACE 519 concept store, The Lunchroom is a 40-seat cafe focused on vegetable-forward, California-style dishes built from locally sourced ingredients. It’s a neighborhood favorite for lighter-feeling lunches, composed salads, and brunch plates that feel more boutique than big-hotel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Farm Table Burrata, California Kale Salad, Avocado Toast Club Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A boutique cafe inside a concept store serving California-style, locally sourced lunch and brunch plates.
Who should go: Shoppers and locals wanting lighter, produce-driven daytime meals.
When to visit: Late weekday lunch for relaxed pacing and easier table availability.
What to order: Farm Table Burrata, California Kale Salad, Avocado Toast Club Sandwich.
Insider tip: Browse the shop first, then time your meal to snag a window or patio seat when weather allows.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking can be limited near the Mag Mile; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option, especially during peak shopping hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — polished daytime attire fits the boutique setting, but jeans and sneakers are common.
Noise level: Moderate — generally comfortable for conversation, with occasional retail foot traffic and brunch rush chatter.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a daytime cafe and typically not open for dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait; may see brief queues during peak noon hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong selection — many salads, bowls, and brunch plates are naturally vegetarian or easily modified.
Vegan options: Moderate — several dishes can be made vegan on request, but not all items are customizable.
Gluten-free options: Good flexibility — staff can guide substitutions and many dishes can be prepared gluten-free, though the kitchen is not a dedicated GF facility.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it works well for a casual daytime date where conversation and a relaxed, boutique setting matter more than formality or nightlife energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes — walk-ins are common for weekday lunch and late brunch, but peak weekend brunch may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for well-behaved kids and older children; the space is compact and leans adult-oriented, with limited room for strollers or energetic toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Lighter, produce-forward plates, calmer daytime energy, and a boutique environment that feels more personal than nearby hotel restaurants.
Skip if: You’re seeking large portions, heavy comfort food, or a lively dinner scene — this is best for thoughtful, daytime dining.
SPACE 519 | The Lunchroom
8.0
Tucked inside the SPACE 519 concept store, The Lunchroom serves lighter, California-inspired salads, sandwiches, and brunchy plates in a small, design-forward cafe. It’s a quieter, health-leaning option for business lunches when you want something more polished than a grab-and-go salad but less formal than a hotel dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Toast, Seasonal Grain Bowl, Turkey Club Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: A boutique, vegetable-forward cafe attached to a concept store, ideal for lighter working lunches.
Who should go: Teams who prefer salads, grains, and lighter midday plates.
When to visit: Late weekday lunch windows when the dining room is calmest.
What to order: Avocado Toast, Seasonal Grain Bowl, Turkey Club.
Insider tip: Pair lunch with a quick lap through the shop; it’s an easy way to extend the meeting or pick up client gifts without leaving the building.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; limited metered street parking nearby, with most guests using adjacent paid garages along Delaware and Michigan Avenue
Dress code: Smart casual — polished but relaxed; business-casual attire fits best for working lunches
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally quiet enough for conversation and laptop work
Weekend wait: Not applicable — primarily a daytime cafe and typically closes by early evening
Weekday lunch: Short waits during peak noon hours; many visits seat promptly outside 12:00–1:00pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple salads, grain bowls, and toast dishes can be ordered fully vegetarian
Vegan options: Limited but workable — a few bowls and salads can be customized vegan on request
Gluten-free options: Several menu items are or can be made gluten-free; staff can guide modifications
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for daytime meetups than romantic evenings — the vibe is bright, calm, and café-like rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays outside the noon rush; during peak lunch, arriving slightly early or late improves your chances.
Is it kid-friendly? Possible for quiet, well-behaved kids, but the small café layout and business-lunch crowd make it better for adults than families.
Best For
Better for: Lighter, health-leaning plates and a quieter setting for conversations, one-on-one meetings, and relaxed working lunches
Skip if: You want a large menu, heavy entrees, or a more formal, full-service restaurant environment
Hours
Monday9am - 6pm
Tuesday9am - 6pm
Wednesday9am - 6pm
Thursday9am - 6pm
Friday9am - 6pm
Saturday9am - 6pm
Sunday10am - 5pm