On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhoods: Magnificent Mile, Near North SideGrand (Red)
Loading...
What an awesome little cafe in Nordstrom on the 4th floor. There is a nice variety of options at the Nordstrom Cafe. Salads, soup, sandwiches (deli and panini variety), pizza, pasta and some hot entrees. Don't forget the dessert! I was eyeing some gorgeous macaroons but I declined. They are big enough to share.
I had the chicken pesto panini. It was good but I wish I would have chose the chicken and artichoke pasta. My friend had the chicken and asparagus pasta. Her dish looked very good and there was plenty of chicken in there.
Get here early though. When we left around 12:30 there was a line wrapped around the children's department! I cannot wait to go back and try that chicken pasta and perhaps that macaroon!
The line is long for a reason. A delightful lunch at Cafe Nordstrom is not easy to come by. However, we take our Friday lunches out of the office seriously... this week we deemed Cafe Nordstrom as the chosen one.
The line was long but the wait wasn't bad at all. We ordered paninis and sandwiches and got them just in time. The CN employees are some of the friendliest and nicest service people you will ever meet. They like to make sure you're well taken care of and have perma-smiles. I dig it.
Another fantastic thing about lunching here? You get to see what the food looks like BEFORE you order it! They have displays up for all the menu items and it's served cafeteria styled. Trays and everything. You order what you want and they make it for your fresh.
I got the Chicken Mozzarella Ciabatta. Pretty darn tasty. It reminded me of the fresh mozz sammiches that I'd buy at the Tabacchi next to my school in Italy. However, I took a bite of my friend's Turkey Bacon Panini and turned green with envy. Good God. I'm getting that next time.
It's a little bit over-priced for what it is. However, the service is exceptional, it's a nice atmosphere, the food sparks the taste buds and you get a chocolate mint ovation as a mini dessert. Bravo.
I go here with my mom every time she comes to visit and whenever we are shopping at Nordstrom's back home.
The cafe is designed so that it's kind of cafeteria style, kind of fancy. I love the salads here (the strawberry spinach salad is a staple), and the soups are so good! Their entrees, like their sandwiches, are also really delicious. Their rustic veggie dish is amazing, although it takes a few minutes to prepare. I have never had a problem here, and the food is consistent and comes out just the way I like it.
It's a bit pricey, but it's "gourmet mall food" so that's expected.
This is where I go for a "fancy lunch". Is it really that fancy? No. However, when your regular lunch outings include mostly Jimmy Johns and Potbelly's...this is certainly high class.
I've tried a few things here and they have all been delicious. A few highlights/favorites: tomato basil soup (honestly the best tomato soup I've ever had), grilled chicken and strawberry salad (they are not stingy with the yummy ingredients, but they are little heavy-handed with the dressing ...so you might want to ask them to take it easy), turkey club panini (thank you for the white cheddar), and roasted vegetable panini (lots of flavor and the cheese makes it creamy).
I feel like a lot of people that work in the area either don't know this place exists or easily forget about it. It starts getting crowded around 12:30 p.m., so make sure to get yourself a seat before then.
My big complaint about this place is the awkward waiter situation. In my mind, a waiter takes your order, brings you your food, checks on you, then gives you the bill, and gets you the correct change. Here...you have to wait in line, get your food, pay the bill, and then find your own seat. THEN a "waiter" will come over and ask if you need anything else. Then, they bring you a check-like holder with a piece of paper signed "Thanks!" and then their name, along with a chocolate mint. Now, they expect a tip...but I really don't like tipping for something that I can do myself (i.e. bathroom attendants that hoard paper towels) or for doing nothing at all, but I also don't want to make a faux pas so I usually cave and end up leaving them a dollar.
I used to work nearby and I would eat lunch here religiously. Now, I still stop by whenever I happen to be shopping at Nordstrom on the weekends. And the thing that keeps me going back is their consistently good food. Everything tastes fresh and the menu is far more sophisticated than you would find at similar lunch places nearby. I used to love their blackened salmon salad (which has now been reincarnated to the nicoise salad with salmon--still good but less salmon). I highly recommend their tomato basil soup, margherita pizza, roast beef sandwich, chicken & asparagus pasta, and roast salmon with vegetables. They also have a variety of other sandwiches, paninis, and pasta dishes.
Be sure to check out the desserts on your way to the register, yes, they are all as YUMMY as they look. Service here is good for the most part. Although it is self serve, they do have table attendants, so leave a buck or two tip for them. This place is a great hidden gem. When all the other restaurants nearby have an hour wait and are full of tourists--you can hop in here and enjoy first-class food in a nice quiet setting.
Who would have ever thought?!
Nordstrom Cafe is a great place to stop in for lunch. The food is quite good. Which was totally unexpected for a place that is cafeteria style service. If you've never gone by here make a stop.... it puts some of the traditional "expensive" lunch places in this area to shame.
I'm totally with the reviewer who mentions they make the best tomato soup I've ever had at a restaurant. They make some great salads too!
Shoe shopping at the happiest place on Earth PLUS great food.
Has there ever been a greater combination? I don't think so.
Just off to the side of the children's department on the 4th floor is Nordstrom Café. Tomato bisque soup is my favorite. Cheddar scallion scones which are heavenly. Chinese Chicken Salad is great and huge. Roast beef with horseradish sauce is yum and filling. Red Velvet Cupcakes will be staring at you from the pastry case. Try and ignore them if you dare.
Hidden deep within the Nordstrom's department store on the 4th floor is a little known cafe where weary shoppers can quench their appetites before going about their next leg of material accumulation. We were a little unsure about this place before going in but decided to give it go. Walking into the cafe we were greeted several times by the servers behind the counter. There were servers for each section, cold, hot, pizza etc., all of them were friendly as they explained what they had to offer. The food on display looked delicious. i ended up ordering the a colorful Tuscan chicken meal.
After paying for the food we found a place to sit in the back. It struck me as odd how the person busing tables was wearing an expensive cashmere sweater (at least she was wearing an apron to prevent the sweater from getting soiled). Nordstrom's must give cafe employees a hefty discount on merchandise to justify wearing such an outfit while cleaning up food. It answered a long nagging question that I have had.. what sort of restaurant would Nordstrom's create, well this is it. Anyway, I digress...
The food itself was visually appetizing. The taste however was definitely designed more for the American pallet, like decent food that you would find served at a wedding, nothing to potentially exotic and pleasantly bland. Overall, if I find myself hungry and at Nordstrom's on Michigan Avenue I will be back, otherwise, it's not worth a special trip.
The Chinese Chicken Salad at this place is amazing. I just wanted to put that out there.
Normally I don't expect much from service at a Cafeteria-style place, but when I was eating lunch here last week, one of the people in my party had ordered a pizza...which took forever to come. She kept insisting to the rest of us that it was okay, and didn't make a fit about it to the waitress, but the waitress finally came over and offered some complimentary soup or salad. It was very nice of her, since it is my understanding that the waiters there don't work for tips in the normal way.
It's not fancy dining, it's not a destination restaurant, but if you need a nosh while you're out shopping or if you work downtown and need lunch, this is definitely a good place to keep in mind.
Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for my wallet) I work in the "Near Southside" neighborhood which is a bit too far south of the Loop for lots of great lunch time sports. Because of this I am normally a brown bagger. This week I was at the Chicago Marriott Downtown for meetings, so I got the luxery of two days of Loop lunchtime options, it was very exciting!
Out of convenience of location, rave reviews, and a penchant for Nordstrom since middle school, I decided to go to Café Nordstrom for my lunch date with the beautiful Brett D.
At 11:15 it was relatively empty, however when we left at 12:15 there was a line out the door. You order through a cafeteria style type line (never fear the word "cafeteria", this is Nordstrom style). They had amazing looking salads, pizzas, sandwiches and even options for children on display. The dessert window looked really nice too, but I tried to look away when I passed. Being the good girl that I am I ordered the Salmon Salade Niçoise. Yum! The salmon was cooked well and not dry, the veggies fresh and the dressing was great. We also split a white cheddar and chive scone. It was amazing, I could have eaten a dozen but I refrained!
Although you order and pay at the counter we received the most attentive help from a gentlemen who did the job of both a waiter and busboy. He brought us butter, refilled our drinks, brought our salads out and was the epitome of Nordstrom customer service in a restaurant scene.
Additionally, it was not particularly expensive for the great food, atmosphere and service. I have paid a lot more in less nice places in the area. I recommend this as a lunch option to anyone! However, beware when walking through the shoe department on the way out; it could result in leaving with a full belly and a new pairs of shoes.!
I love shopping at nordstrom and I love eat at their cafe! I never thought it would actually be so good!! I have to agree with bridgette k. their strawberry walnut salad is so good! The only thing is its kinda expensive especially if you come here almost everyday for lunch with your co-workers.
This is a great place to grab a sandwich or salad while you're shopping, or if you work in the area. The restaurant is clean, I've never had a bad meal there, and the great customer service Nordstrom is known for extends to the Cafe.
Enjoy, and don't forget to leave a buck or two for your table attendant! ;)
WHOA. This place is PHENOMENAL! Delicious food with decent portion sizes, although one star down for the pricing. I know this is Nordstrom, but still $36 for two people to split a casual semi-service lunch? It's a bit much.
Not that I encourage this, but they even have a decent kids menu (I don't love little kids running around restaurants -- no matter how high their mom's social status is).
The seating area is luxe and comfortable. Try to score a booth and hang your winter jackets on the convenient coat hooks at the end of the benches. Most of the tables are for 2 or 4 people, so if you have a larger group, seek out one of the hosts who will put together a larger table for you.
The word is out about this place, so if you don't have a long lunch break, head here just before 11:30am because the line gets LOOOOOOONG.
Service has been a little spotty the past few visits, although there are a couple of workers who just go way out of their way to be helpful.
Nordstrom gem
Café Nordstrom isn't quite a gem, because too many darn people know about it. If you go at the wrong time, you could end up waiting in line for a while. You have to time your lunch just about perfectly. They employ someone to play part-time crowd controller and s/he will crack the whip if you try to move in too soon. It's a lot of fun to watch, more so than the non-action is children's shoes anyway.
The set up is not unlike many cafeterias throughout the south: grab a tray and walk through the line pickin' 'n' a choosin' your favorite food fair. There are a few differences though: the lighting isn't fluorescent and they are professional sous chefs behind each station to make a salad for you, or a sandwich, pour some soup, deliver up a hot entrée, whatever your heart desires.
Salads are colorful, creative and tasty. Sandwiches are generous and uniquely delicious. The soups are crack-tastic and even the kids' plates look tempting in all their hot dog macaroni-cheesiness. The final bend is desserts and while the fruit tarts with their perfect berries and rich dark brownies and slabs of cake look so tempting, I move it to the register before my willpower skips out completely.
Once you've made your way through the line and paid, you walked yourself into the dining room. It's a perfectly nice room with roomy leather booths and sturdy wooden tables. The service people become obvious, and will fetch you anything you might need: a glass of water, a refill on your drink. You've done your job, now they will do there's. If your requests go beyond asking for water, be sure to leave them a tip.
A friend and I had an impromptu lunch at the Cafe today. We wanted to hang out, perhaps share some food, and after remembering that we're both broke, she suggested we go to Nordstrom so she could put it on her card and 'pay for it later.' Wait, why is our country in economic crisis again? Never mind.
Anywho, I've never dined at the Nord before- I didn't even know there was a Cafe aside from the little coffee bar on the mezzanine level. We split the smoked turkey and brie sandwich (pretzel roll! holla!) which the guy behind the counter offered to put on 2 plates for us. Which was great, as it meant we each got our own portion of chips. The sandwich was very tasty, I mean, you can't go wrong with a pretzel roll now can you? Not a whole lot of meat but a nice big hunk of brie to make up for it. At around $9, I wouldn't say it's a bargain, but it was enough for 2 people to share and not be starving after.
We also shared a chocolate chip cookie and got some coffee to go along with it. For the main course we bussed ourselves, but a waitress did refill our coffees for us. I think the table service is more reserved for the hot food. Unfortunately, after we left we realized that we didn't tip. We didn't think about it since we barely had service, and also since neither of us had any cash. So Abbie, I'm sorry. You were very friendly, and if we ever go back, we'll tip you double.
The best part was after we finished lunch we were confronted by garishly bright Juicy Couture tracksuits and purses- for kids. Like, little girls. I also liked the kid-size Prada mary janes- a steal at $175! Because, you know, kids' feet stay the same size for at least a month. Barf.
Good lunch, though.
Despite the fact that it gets really crowded, the Nordstrom Cafe has surpisingly great food without the horribly inflated prices you might expect at a department store cafe.
The bleu cheese pear salad, tomato soup and margherita pizza are all great. The sandwiches look really good and most of them are huge! They also have some delicious toffee cookies if you are feeling particularly devilish. While you order and pick up your own food, servers will clear your plates and refill your drinks for you, and they are all very friendly. Don't forget to leave them a tip!
A great place to carbo load during a long day of shopping!
I am very impressed with the food quality and service of this upscale cafeteria. They offer entree-size salads, such as grilled chicken caeser and asian chicken salad, gourmet pizzas, pastas, grilled salmon, fancy desserts. They even have a stylish children's menu. The food is quite good, and will definitely go back to try other items.
I was also impressed with the service. Since it is cafeteria style, I assumed I would bus my own table. But they did have waitstaff, and we had a gentleman who was excellent - better than in some nicer restaurants. Also, they use real china and glasses, rather than plastic or corningware crap.
4.5 stars.
I had no idea nordstoms had a such a great cafe!! I bought a suit and got a free lunch card...got the pesto chicken pannini. It was great!! Don't forget to leave a couple dollars for the busboy, they where very nice.
Most of the reviews here are dead on!
This place is phenomenal. The service is nice, the pomme frites are excellent and my fave dish here is the Thai Chicken Pizza, way better than CPK.
Their turkey cranberry sandwich and caesar salad deserve honorable mention. Ana is a great server.
For those missing the Field's eateries (InField's, 7 on State, Walnut Room) that have both corroded in service and taste, this place does a great job at recapturing some of that lost magic.
Yelper Lisa B. (the one from Oak Park) and I met up here last night to grab a bite before a reception at the Conrad Hotel. It was Lisa's suggestion, and a good one.
Tucked away on the top floor of Nordstrom's, it's a sit-down cafe; you order at the counter and they bring you your food. The ambiance and decor make it a couple steps up from a cafeteria, and although I just tried the pizza margherita, it was excellent.
The attendant brought our order, refilled our water glasses and was quick to clear our plates when we finished. And we ate here about 5:30, when it was nearly empty so no lines at all! If you're in the area, I'd definitely check this out.
On the top floor of Nordstrom, just beyond a sea of baby-doll tunics, one will find Cafe Nordstrom. I settled here for lunch (or was it lupper??) around 3:30 PM last Friday afternoon. The cafe was on the empty side but not completely dead.
After a Michigan Avenue power-shopping session, I was famished. AND since I was a little hung over that day too, all bets were off and I shimmied past the salad section. Feed me, Seymour!
I settled on the Tuscan Turkey Panini. I also could not resist a gigantic helping of the pommes frites. . .is it a fry or a chip? Hell, I don't know but those things are TASTY. The panini was a good combination of flavors and I loved the fact all was brought to my table. The cafe attendants (because they are not really servers who take your order) were quick to fill my Coke glass but didn't disturb me while I read my book. Oh, happy leisurely alone lunches!
If you are looking for a step above the typical food court lunch - head here. It may cost more but on some days it's worth it.
I've tried to eat at Cafe Nordstrom on many occasions, but the line is always ridiculous! I figured my friends and I would have the same problem today since the shoe department in Nordstroms was a madhouse (as always), but we were lucky enough to find no line when we got there.
I can't believe with all the shopping I've done at Nordstroms that I'm just discovering this now because it was great. My friends and I split the grilled chicken strawberry salad on it (so good- LOVE anything with goat cheese), pesto pizza special (probably my favorite dish since I'm a fan of both pizza & pesto), and the tilapia special (also very yummy).
The cafe is cafeteria style so you place your order at the counter and then they bring it to you. Daryl our server was extremely attentive, much more attentive than he needed to be in this type of atmosphere, but it was well appreciated. My one complaint was that the dishes they gave us were dirty (ick), but Daryl took care of it immediately. And best of all- this place is cheap! I was expecting it to be slightly expensive based on my experience with the Neimans Cafe, but all that yummy food was only $30 total!
The food is delicious especially the strawberry walnut salad so good. The service is great very friendly and alway accomadating. The desserts are to die for. Also try the panninis. Love this place even very elegant and comfy atmospher.
Love Nordstorm cafe. The service is always so so nice - servers always offering a roll, napkins, anything you need. Nordstrom really prides itself on great customer service, and the cafe does not disappoint. The strawberry chicken walnut salad is one of my favorite things to eat in Chicago - no joke. It's fabulous. I've also had the artichoke and pine nut pasta - very good as well. It's a little pricey for lunch, but if you're gonna spend 8 bucks at cosi for a sandwich, you might as well spend 2 extra dollars for excellent quality, delicious food.
I eat here fairly regularly and while the prices are high, they are great about splitting dishes and allowing you to get half-orders of their salads and veggies.
The roasted veggie plate is just wonderful. I like carrots anyway, but I swear I could eat a plate of them if they all tasted this good. Ditto for the corn, peppers, potatoes, etc.
The pear and bleu cheese salad is good, but ask for the dressing on the side. The strawberry and goat cheese salad is probably better, but the former comes with candied walnuts and those pretty much rock my world.
Go. Bring a friend. Share.
Why the three stars and not more? Because they have these overeager "waiter assistant" types constantly asking you if you're done with you're plate. It's not a sit-down establishment; you order your food and bring it back to a table yourself (unless you have to wait for something and then they bring it out.) I am happy to throw down a buck or two for this additional service, but leave me alone unless I look like I need help!
Whew. I feel better now...
This is like gold coast soccer mom heaven.
The sandwiches and whatnot are small and dainty, just like the women eating them. Not sure why you would want to eat here when you have the entire city of Chicago just outside the store.
However small, the food isn't horrible...hence the two stars.
GREAT lunch locale during the week. Try to avoid the 12 noon rush hour because the lines can be very long.
Wonderful salads - my favorite is the Asian chicken salad (love those crispy noodles) and the Strawberry chicken salad (grilled chicken and strawberries - perfect for summer!) Pizzas are also wonderful but they take a little bit longer to prepare. Love the fresh baked cookies (mmm double chocolate chip) and the macaroons. Fresh brewed iced tea is the perfect complement to the meal.
Purchase your food at the counter, grab a seat and if you need anything else ask your friend waiter or waitress they'll be happy to refill your drink. Chocolate mints appear with a business card for your server - don't forget to tip $1!
We love the cafe at Norstrom, having been in several across the country, their food is always terrific and the service is excellent. For being an anchor on the Mag Mile, surprised that this cafe doesn't have more of a full service menu, or bar, or place where gents can watch a sporting event. We love the fresh made salads, and the pasta bolognese is a big time winner. Spend a couple hours shopping around the area, eat at Nordy's and get your parking validated for a reduced rate.
Quality food, but expect to pay $10 for lunch. Great salads, you can order 1/2 a salad even though its not on the menu to save a couple bucks!
You should really try to avoid this place when it's busy. I always start to feel anxious when I have to compete with so many other people to find a table, all by the time they are ready to deliver my meal. Here I am, just kind of hovering around, trying not to make it obvious what I'm doing since I don't want to tip anyone else off. I guess having to seat yourself like this is very egalitarian, but I really hate it (those who know me would not be surprised by this).
The food is always good, though I think the sandwiches are starting to get a little smaller then they were when I first ate there years ago. However as an alternative to the food court, this is really nice. When I am downtown and looking for a quick meal, the Nordstrom Cafe is always on the short list.
One of my favorite guilty lunch pleasures in Chicago.
Bonus: getting to walk through the lingerie department on your way to lunch. Pricey and busy but, still quite enjoyable. A slice of civilized food in a sea of Skinny Wreck's from Pot Bellys.
You can always count on Cafe Nordstrom for creative quick meals. I've been there on many occasions and have never been disappointed. Today I had 1/2 of a smoked turkey and brie sandwich along with a cup of corn and potato soup. Both were excellent. The cafe along with the food court can sustain many a meals without any boredom.
i believe every nordstrom (in the chicagoland area) has a cafe on their top floor, but this is by far the cleanest and the selection is greater. cold and hot dishes are served, fountain drinks, and bottled drinks are offered. their not too particular either if you're not under 12 and want an item from the kid's menu (this will save you from a bloated stomach and a little cash).
Nice view of the southeast side i believe. i've had their pad thai which i wouldn't recommend, but all soups (accompanied with a baguette), salads, and the mac & cheese are all pretty good.
I've worked a block away from here for the past 9 months and also had no idea this place existed - dammit! It's an awesome place to pop in for a quick lunch while shopping, or like me take it back to your office for a delicious meal on the go. I think I may now be addicted to the Salmon Nicoise salad! Since it is so hidden here are directions - go into Nordstrom, go all the way up to the 4th floor, when you get off the escalators walk toward the childrens shoe section and the entrance is right along that wall. ; )
I'm in full agreement with these girls. Cafe Nordstrom is one of my favorite places to stop for a bite to eat, especially in the midst of a day of shopping. For what this place is (a cafeteria) the food is delicious and cheap. Everything is good, but the salads and pizzas are at the top of my list.
I've been going to Nordstrom Cafe since 2002 on a regular basis, and they've been fairly consistent on food quality, service and selection. I've noticed some of my favorite menu items come and go, but I enjoy their personal-size pizzas and pomme frites (which are basically wafer potato chips). Nordstrom Cafe is really just a fancy cafeteria where you go through a line, choose things, then you pay at a register. The little tip trays, which were introduced a couple of years ago--why, I don't know since it's not waiter service--are a bit off-putting when you're the one carrying your tray to the table and getting drinks yourself.
I stumbled upon this place while wondering the mall. I found the atmosphere great, and the service / food delivery very quick. Most of the stuff they do make on site, with a few exceptions. I've been in the lunch rush and other times and have never had to wait too long for a table. I'm confident that once the winter comes and shopping begins for the holidays, this place will be a zoo. At least you know it's good food with a wait and so many repeat guests. The panini's are GREAT, especially the goat cheese special they have every blue moon. The Black Forest Ham, Turkey and Cheese is very tasty too! Friendly staff as well, offers your drink to go at the end.
I was very impressed with Cafe Nordstrom. Lots of panini, salad, and pasta choices. I wanted half a salad and half a panini, but they direct you to either the hot or cold line, so I wasn't sure if it was possible. Even though it was very busy, the line moved quickly. We also were able to get a table immediately. I had a chicken pesto panini and it was very tasty. My brother had a mini pizza, which he devoured, and his girlfriend had some sort of pasta (I don't remember which). We were all extremely satisfied. I honestly forgot I was in Nordstroms. Cafe Nordstrom is more or less equivalent to Panera or Cosi, so if you like those places, most likely you'll enjoy Cafe Nordstrom as well.
Skip the food court in the mall and head to the Cafe. It's open in the evenings and if you're there during the week you'll have the entire place to yourself. In the 6 years I've been going there the prices have only gone up slightly - going from fairly pricey for a weekday lunch to downright bargain compared to what other places charge. Plus it's a much nicer experience than sitting in the food court.
I had no idea this place existed (let alone that it was so delicious) until my friend and fellow Yelper Jennifer S. introduced us. Cafe Nordstrom is the perfect combination of buffet/cafeteria style choice (and speed) and sit-down quality food. Whether you're looking to rest your weary shopping feet or just want to grab a quick bite downtown, definitely check this place out.
Eggnog Shake/ Japanese Ahi…
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Daily specials
Neighborhood: The Loop
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Category: Restaurants
Oak Brook, IL
Category: Department Stores
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Coffee & Tea
Westmont, IL
Category: Day Spas
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Category: Grocery
Some of the places I like to go on my lunch hour.…
These are some of my favorite dining destinations…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
What's a 26 year old gal to do when surrounded by…
Convienent places to grab a bite when you've only…
Je sius en cherchant la meilleure salade niçoise…
I try to step away from my desk at least once a…
Here's where I like to go on the cheap when I…
