This is a really good bakery that has stools along the windows with an attached restaurant and outdoor seating in warm weather. Nice selection of well-prepared, fresh food. They serve Intelligentsia coffee as well as beer and wine. We have been coming here for over 10 years and it has been consistently good. The servings are substantial. Today for lunch I got the quiche with a side salad, my husband got the chef's salad. Service is excellent. The place is light and airy with artwork lining the walls. It gets really crowded on the weekends. Even on Monday there was a 15 minute wait for a table. But well worth it.
Review Source:Yum Yum Yum!!!!! the bakery items are good, the food is good, the ppl are good.
We had the most upbeat, lovely, and sweetest waitress.... i think her name was Racheal. Â She gave us awesome recommendations:
brussel sprout salad - could not believe how fresh and amazing this was... my #1
the ribs - so scrumptious and tender and salivating  from just smelling it, i didn't like the sweet potatoe it came with as much
the wild mushroom ravioli - this is a must that melts in my mouth!
for dessert we had the pecan pie that was soo soo good and we got the pistachio cheesecake - don't get it, there are much better things there.
Thanks racheal for a great meal, we'll definitely visit again soon!
The food is a-ok, but the few stars are for somewhat inattentive seating. Even when the place is not very busy, it takes a long-ish while to get seated. Also, whenever I go there alone, I get relegated to the single-person ghetto, that sectioned off area on the side without the big windows overlooking the square. What's up with that? So if you go there alone, make a point to request a seat in the bright light if that makes you happy.
Lunch has been consistently good, the greens fresh and not overdressed, the flavor of other items solid. Service at the table has been friendly and responsive.
I love Selmarie. I love it for weekend brunch (usually a small wait, but rarely anything extreme), I love it for early breakfast, I love it for dinner, I love it with a friend, I love it with my husband on a casual night out, I love it with my kid for an early dinner. Occasionally service has been slow, but never enough to really fuss. They've helped me figure out ways to stash my stroller out of the way when I'm with the small fry. The sweets are delicious on their own or as an accompaniment to dinner. Oh, and, you know, the food is fantastic.
Now that I have a kid, I especially appreciate that it is the type of place where you don't feel like a horrible monster for bringing your small child, but also don't have to eat like a small child. I also appreciate that the kids' menu has some options that involve vegetables, unlike most places (which usually assume your child only eats fried white foods). However, for those of you who don't have kids, it's not overwhelmingly crowded with screaming children. I promise. I went there many times before I had kids.
This place is always crowded in the AM on the weekends. My roommate and I have tried on several occasions to get seated but the wait is always long. So instead we went for dinner and shockingly it was not that busy. I love the inside of this place. It's very cozy and classy. Our waitress was overly nice and very prompt. I ordered the Cobb salad, which I must say is possibly the best Cobb salad I have ever had. If you're a salad person, you MUST try this.
Prices are a little high but it's definitely worth it. The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the service is fantastic.
Go check it out for yourself!
I was really disappointed on my second visit to Cafe Selmarie a few weeks ago. I was expecting hearty, well cooked brunch dishes with great coffee but instead we got lukewarm, overcooked eggs with hot dog- like smoked sausages and very tired looking fruit. Â The coffee wasn't even good. My advice would be to stop at the bakery, pick up some great cakes and head home to fix your own brunch.
Review Source:This is one of my favorite Chicago restaurants. The food is great and the setting is cozy (I love how they continuously change the art on the wall) They serve the type of food that is not only good for my palate, but also feels great in my body. This is the first restaurant my wife and think of when we go out because it brings so many great things together: taste, health, ambiance, and price. I always leave feeling satisfied in and will continue coming back for as long as it's here.
Review Source:Anytime my fiancé and I can't decide where to go to eat, we go to Selmarie.  It never disappoints.  Everything I've ever tried has been delicious, from salads to soups to entrees.  And of course you can't leave without trying some of those amazing cookies!  They also have some cute outdoor seating during the summer.
Review Source:I've never eaten at the restaurant but I have frequented the dessert counter plenty of times. Â 90% of the desserts are great - strawberry whipped roll cake slices and the chocolate tart are really good but some things are just ok like the raspberry &dark chocolate tart. The coffee is pretty good and the service is always prompt and helpful.
Review Source:I stopped by twice this week during my staycation. I happened to have 2 friends who wanted to go to lunch on 2 different days, both of whom have been wanting to try this place. As per usual everything was excellent. The roasted butternut squash spinach salad and the roasted sweet potato wedges are a perfect fall lunch. Both friends also enjoyed their lunch very much.
Review Source:Cupcakes and cookies and cake oh my?!
This place would be worth the visit just for the dessert case. Everything looked good, fresh and very reasonably priced. Employees were fantastic and extremely busy with the crowds packing the front and the ever present soccer mom with their baby strollers.
Note: if you're going to bring the kids in a stroller, for God's sake by one with back-to-back seating and not one of those double wide monsters. Think people, think!
I also had some black bean, chipotle and kale soup. Isn't kale seaweed... that disgusting stuff that clings to your legs? Well, anyway, the soup was good but I'm not sure I would order it again.
The cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with white chocolate icing about was fantastic, rich and very fresh. I could eat a dozen of these with a nice cold glass of milk.
This place does not disappoint.
Selmarie is one of our favorite restaurants. Â The restaurant sits right in the heart of The square in Lincoln Square, right next to the fountain and courtyard. Â When you walk in its as if you are greeted by a very friendly staff and the smells of freshly baked goods. Â They have a huge selection of pastry's. Â They also have a great outdoor seating of like about 10 tables that looks right out into the courtyard. Â In the summer there are tons of musicians that play out there and you can enjoy your lunch with free live music! Â How great is that.
The menu here changes a bit here and there. Â The specials change constantly and have some very nice treats. They even have an excellent (3) course Prix Fixe menu on Thursdays for $22. Â Delicious.
Everything on their menu is delicious and portioned out perfectly. Â The food is of great quality. Â They once had an amazing pan seared calf's liver with balsamic reduction that was absolutely delicious. Â Our usual goto starter are the Mussels is fantastic butter, garlic wine broth with grilled bread. Â The Wagyu beef tenderloin with garlic mash and squash was superb. The presentations on the plates are beautiful. Â You'll want to keep coming back here time after time to try something new.
The drinks are also great, they make a tasty vodka lemonade, with homemade pink lemonade. Â They also had this great ginger soda and rum drink that was so refreshing. Â I am always excited to make it here! Â Get over there!
In all likelihood, I will need to update this review some day. Â the truth is I have been to cafe Selmarie twice, and both times only got pastries and coffee. Â I have no way to recommend or advise against anything in the restaurant itself, but the baked goods are killer and coffee isn't bad either.
I'm always impressed by the spread of cakes, pastries, truffles, and other goodies in the display. Â Not only has everything that I have ever had here been of very high quality, but it is also clear that the chefs here are creative and want to try new things. Â My most recent time in they had made mini pumpkin pies inside of mini pumpkins (cute AND delicious). Â The fact that there is always something new makes me that much more likely to want to stop in when I am in Lincoln Square.
Coffee drinks are fine but a little slow. Â I wouldn't recommend coming here specifically for an espresso drink, but it's nice that they have the option to go with your pastries. Â All considered, this is a great place and I'm hoping to be equally impressed by their sit-down restaurant service some day.
Stopped at the outdoor cafe for a delicious and interesting lunch while in Lincoln Square. Â It has quite the European feel, sitting alongside a little square where tons of toddlers are roaming around while eating lunch and enjoying an espresso. Â
We were stunned by the beauty of their pastries. Â We will have to come back and try some another time.
Came here with a friend after doing our first 5K, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was a Saturday morning and so we ordered from their brunch menu. I had the smoked salmon with egg scramble that came with sour cream, dill and a side of potatoes. Everything was delicious. My friend had the pot pie which looked really good and she seemed to enjoy. Sad to say, but I couldn't deny the $5 mimosas..yum!
Will definitely be back.
A bit pricy for the pastries but totally worth it. Â I still dream about the strawberry custard tart that I had on August 17, 2012. It was love.
Don't be fooled by the crowded entrance by the bakery, there is plenty of seating for those who wish to dine in further back. Â There is also the option of outdoor seating, which would be ideal on a Friday night. Â When you sit outside, you can usually enjoy the entertainment of a local street performer and people watch. Â
Friendly, clean, entertaining, and great (sweet) food!
This has become our  runner up go to place for brunch and when my family was visiting earlier this month we went numerous times and have now sampled each of their menus (Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch and Dinner). Each one has a wide selection of tasty meals that everyone can enjoy. My husband and I are pretty easy to cater to, but my family has an ovo-vegetarian, a gluten-free/lactose intolerant, and a common garden picky eater :)
Coming from Britain, I enjoy the familiar 'European' feel of Lincoln Square and the family friendly atmosphere. Now that we have a new baby I have enjoyed relaxing with friends and family with my baby on a sunny summers day.
The staff are delightful, friendly and welcoming and the food never disappoints. The only bad point is they get so busy that the wait to get a table can be long and the bakery at the front means it gets very crowded in the entryway.
We tend to meander to this spot for brunch on many a Sunday morning. Â Breakfast pastries are delicious (my favorite is the cinammon chip scone) and the brunch items are very good. Â I tend to go with some form of an eggs benedict when I am there (they have different varieties, some with meat and some without) and a rotating menu. Â Hubby tends to order the breakfast croissant. Â The hostesses recognize us now and always say hello to us and our little boy. Â The servers are always pleasant and seem to have a fair amount of longevity, which is nice.
Lunch and Dinner are also good options at Selmarie. Â Lunch sandwiches are very good and dinner items are a bit more upscale. Â My only complaint -- the dessert pastries leave a bit to be desired. Â I have tried several cakes and found them to be dry and somewhat unappetizing -- and they look beautiful in the dessert case.
Great outdoor seating facing a courtyard (and therefore off of Lincoln). Â Get here early to get a table for brunch on a Sunday - the restaurant and the outdoor space tend to fill up very quickly. Â The indoor tables tend to get a bit loud.
Café Selmarie has become one of my favorite brunch options as well as a great place to pick up a sweet treat when paying friends a visit. With plenty of seating both indoors and outside on the patio right in Giddings Plaza, it is great for both small and large groups. Expect to wait between 10-20 minutes on the weekend.
Want variety? They have different Saturday and Sunday brunch menus which makes sure you will certainly find something you'll love to order and you won't end up with taste aversion. However, this place also has breakfast, lunch AND dinner, but I've only been for brunch.
That being said, my go-to is the chilaquiles casserole. These are not your tortilla chips with salsa on top chilaquiles you are used to and it is fabulous. Freshly baked casserole with eggs and corn tortillas, pulled chicken breast in a spicy sauce. The fact that it is baked gives the top layer a great crispy taste; top if off with some queso fresco, avocado and cilantro and it's a party in your mouth. The brioche french toast is also impressive with fresh mixed berry compote.
I love that they have specials most days of the week, including  1/2 price bottles of wine with dinner entrée purchase, free dinner desserts, and Thursdays a great $22 prix fixe menu. A pleasant surprise is that they have a nice drink list as well with beer, cocktails, and wine.
Kids? No problem. Lincoln Square is kids central and this place has a children's menu and will even put lids on their drinks to help avoid the inevitable spills.
In the event you leave here with some room in your stomach, take some fresh, mouth watering pastries to go from their display case!
A wonderful spot. We're impressed each time we go with every aspect of our experience at Selmarie's: nice service, well-thought out meals, fresh tastes, and an all-around pleasant experience. It's reasonably priced too, for the experience. There are far more expensive places offering far less to Chicagoans.
Breakfast, dessert, dinner all deserve five stars. It's one place we're always sure to take visitors to Lincoln Square.
I wish the owner was in all the time not just on Sunday, then the cutie at the counter
would be a little more receptive to customer needs-I was served cold
espresso(delish Intelligentsia coffee) Â and only after I inquired if it was ready 20
min.after I placed and paid for the order,thrown
a macaroon at (ummmm good macaroons) till the saucer danced salsa on the
counter-was it the man I was with?
Was it the one I was in with before? Both? That can't be!
I am going back to my favorite cafe but "Only on Sunday!".
Café Selmarie is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood that is a very vibrant part of town.  Recently, I tried making a reservation for a party of four for a Sunday brunch, but was informed that reservations are only accepted for parties of six or more.  However, I was told to call before arriving and we would be put on a wait list.  So on the Sunday morning in question I called about 25 minutes before our arrival.  Because the placed was crowded, we had to wait approximately 20 to 25 minutes longer before being seated.
Café Selmarie has a bakery up front that you have to walk through to get to the dining area.  The fragrances and presentations of the wide variety of bakery goods are very appealing and a strong inducement for in-house dining customers to make carry-out purchases.
Our waiter was informative and efficient. Â I asked to start our meal with a shared slice of coffee cake and left the selection to the discretion of our waiter. Â We were subsequently served a poppy seed coffee cake that we divided amongst us. Â The cake was extremely fresh and very delicious. Â In fact, one person in our party said it was the best coffee cake she ever had.
For our main dishes we ordered the pancakes (three cakes - no short order available) with blueberries and whipped cream, the breakfast burrito, the standard eggs Benedict, and a spinach omelet. Â The pancakes and the burrito were rated excellent, the Benedict very good, and the omelet good but rather ordinary. Â
Â
Note: alfresco dining is offered in warm weather in an area adjacent to the side of the restaurant building next to a park.
Overall, we had a very good dining experience at Café Selmarie.  I recommend it for Sunday brunch, unless a long wait is a concern, and give it a four star rating.
I like this bakery. It was always nice to stop by after work to go and eat a piece of well-deserved cake for dinner.
The cupcakes are great, holiday themed and iced. The best cakes are the raspberry marzipan and the chocolate mocha. Fresh, moist, and not overly iced with a sugary concoction.
Whenever I'm in the area, I stop to pick up a slice of something good. I am never disappointed.
I stop in from time to time for a light lunch or to grab a coffee and piece of cake to go. The food is good, the staff is always friendly and helpful, and the baked goods...the baked goods are AMAZING! Â
Raspberry marzipan torte! Â Mocha buttercream torte! Gateau Grandmere! Â Banana Eclairs! Â All of the pastries I have tried have been incredible, and some of them have even begun to haunt my dreams, taunting me with their deliciousness. Â So if you are walking by and don't have time to stop for a meal, at least stop in and grab some dessert to go. Â You won't be sorry. Â I promise.
I came here with another person for dinner and we had completely opposite experiences with it came to the food we ordered; although both experienced the hands down amazing service!
My dinner entree was the seared scallops, his was the half chicken. Â
For starters, my scallops were cooked to NEAR perfection airing on the rare side. Â I enjoy a perfectly cooked scallop, which can sometimes be difficult, but this one scared me a little. Â The root vegetables and squash puree it was surrounded by was near tasteless. Â
My fiance's dinner was beyond wonderful! Â The chicken was moist and flavorful, cooked to perfection. Â The potatoes were heavenly! All the flavors melded together in harmony!
To end the meal, we shared a chocolate truffle and the german sour cherry cheesecake. Â STOP THE PRESSES. Â TRUFFLES! Â Yes, the chocolate truffle was flippin' amazing. Â Actually, I had forgotten all about the scallop debacle that was currently invading my stomach. Â All I could think about were TRUFFLES. Â Yum!
Now, don't get me wrong, the dense rich flavor of the cheesecake was also a delight...but still all I can think about is that damn truffle confection!! Â Need. More!
It's torture to walk by here every single day going to and from work. The cases are full of cakes, pies, cookies, pastries, tortes, and probably other desserts I'm forgetting. I've stopped in here a few times to get a coffee (Intellegensia mmmm) and almond coffee cake, which is amazinggg. I've also picked up a slice of Beehive cake (brioche with barvarian creme and almonds), apple pie, and a carmel chocolate torte (this was my least favorite, but was still pretty good).
I've also had brunch here once, and the food was SO good! I really, really need to come back for brunch, but it's also super packed on the weekends. I just had the quiche and side salad, but it was seriously so good. My friend let me have a bite of her omlette and chicken sausage, and it was really good, too!
The staff is always very sweet, and even when it's busy, they make sure you get helped. I'm looking forward to coming back!
According to my husband, best corned beef hash ever. According to me, best dessert ever!
Lunch is my friend here. Nice salads, soups, and the vegetarian chili is outstanding. The waitstaff actually understands the meaning of a lunch rush - people need to get in, out, and back to work. Props for that.
I've stopped coming in for breakfast, just too many other places give just as good quality, but better portions for the buck. That's not to say I'm looking for a huge portion, but I like the option of toast with my meal without paying extra. Also, the acoustics in the dining room are not hangover friendly. At times it's annoying enough to make me rush through my meal to leave, especially when there's a shrieking kid in the room (which is usually all the time).
But really, the crown jewel is the desserts. I can't walk out of this place without at least getting something to go from the bakery. Everything is SO GOOD, with the exception of the cupcakes. I can't figure out what they do wrong with them, the flavor is additively good, it's just always dry. I've tried them too many times, even asking if they're fresh. So, I'd say skip those, and get anything else you see.
Cookies: Yum! Try the lavender rosemary, sugar, chocolate chip, any kind is a winner.
Scones? Yes please! Always moist and the ingredients are nicely distributed. Who wants a scone with 2 dates and 3 walnuts? Here, you're sure to get at least a fruit or nut in each bite!
Cakes.... Mmmmmmm again, always wonderful - take your pick, you'll be happy.
Banana Eclair? One of my favorites! Fresh and fruity!
Cafe Selmarie is a neighborhood institution. It's easy to see why they're still around, and why there is usually a well deserved wait to get in.
Such a great Cafe. Â I'm so glad my BF suggested we take an out of town guest here. Â
We were looking for a place that had great food, ambiance and not too crowded so we could hang out and talk. Â Cafe Selmarie was the place. We arrived arround noon. Â The place was pretty happening, lots of moms and their babies but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your food (I'm a slow eater).
I ordered the Chicken Pesto Sandwich which came with a side of mixed field greens salad. My BF and his aunt each ordered the chicken pot pie and an order of sweet potato fries. Â Let me tell you that Chicken Pesto sandwich was so good that I dare not eat the whole thing in one sitting. Â Kind of like the candy you ate as a kid, Now and Laters, I had to save half of this sandwich to enjoy later that afternoon. Â
After we enjoyed our meal and caught up on our conversation we ordered coffee. Â I ordered the mocha. OMG, the mocha comes with REAL whipped cream. Â Not the whipped cream from a can that is thin and disappears 10 seconds later. Â We are talking thick, sweet cream that you feel you have to bite into.
The Cafe is just so cute inside. Â They have the most delicious looking pastries at the front entrance. Â My BF saw a red velvet cake dipped in chocolate and he thought he would get a slice on the way out so we could split later. Â Nope. Â When we finally left the Cafe the red velvet cake was all gone. Â I'll have to go back and get some and surprise him. Â
Lincoln Square just keeps giving me more reasons to go back. Â Thanks Cafe Selmarie. Â My new North side meeting place.
Good lunch and better coffee.
I stopped in for a mid-day snack/lunch and end up being totally stuffed leaving. I indulged in a very juicy salad, half of my grandma's sandwich, and a 5 inch foamed cappuccino. Living? Yes, I think so.
The food coming out of the kitchen looked like it was to die for. We didn't have time to order a wonder of things, but I can tell you that we heard great things about this little spot and went out of our way to try it - very worth it!
There is a huge area of baked goodies (including cookies) at the front of the cafe. Strategic, because you have to walk by all the yummies on your way in and your way out. Smart! It'll get ya!
LOVE it.
Awesome.
Dined with a friend to catch up and went halfsies on everything. It ended up to working really well.
Warm Marinated Goat Cheese - it's more like a appetizer. Goat cheese soaks in a warm red pepper flake infused olive oil.
Chicken Pesto Sandwich  - juicy chicken, yummy pesto, fluffy mozzarella, the bread is fantastic - crusty, chewy and soft in all the right ways. Totally worth it.
Get dessert, one of the few places in Chicago with an assortment of gorgeous tortes.
There were a ton of people for a Thursday lunch crowd, but if you can buy artisan bread here, I would.
5-stars because the service and food were superb.
First, the highlights of service: they permitted our party of five to split the check, they let our group lollygag until waaay past their closing time, never once giving us the stinkeye, they were courteous and efficient, but not overbearing. Our waitress exhibited a very pleasant, professional demeanor overall.
I ordered the day's "special salad" which was locally sourced arugula, black heirloom tomatoes, basil, shallots, and mozzarella, maybe a balsamic dressing, but it was barely detectable. It was $9 or $10, a huge portion, fresh, flavorful and sent me over the moon. I was in love with that salad. So much so, when I returned to Houston, I did not go home, but straight to Whole Foods first to gather up those ingredients to attempt to recreate the moment again. Â
To balance out the salad, I also ordered the starter portion of the macaroni and cheese. Small is all you need. This little casserole is rich and decadent. The cheese was gooey and stringy, with crunchy edges. It was such a shame that I could not finish it. I want some now.
For my refreshment, I tried The Poet, an oatmeal stout with a bitter, chocolatey taste. I'm usually not a beer drinker, but I sampled this with the bee eff in mind. It has a spooky label with a raven against a full moon; I'm a sucker for interesting graphics. Unfortunately, I looked for this brew upon returning to Houston, and no go, man. It is distributed by the New Holland Brewing Company.
Cafe Selmarie is a very cute cafe that offers beautiful, tasty desserts, breakfast (Tue-Fri), lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. I would definitely be a regular if I lived here.
Cute spot in Lincoln Square. We had a late lunch here with family. They had a cute little patio and we ate there (5 adults and three children). It was pretty out there but there were quite a few bees and I'm deathly afraid of bees so that was a little jarring...
The espresso with whipped cream is the tits. Mmmmm. Thick whipped cream and strong but non-bitter espresso. Loved every sip of it. The coffee wasn't quite as good.
I had a quesadilla. It was great. It had cheese, chicken, big strips of pasilla peppers. It wasn't greasy at all. The guacamole and the house made salsa were delicious as well.
Husband had a prosciutto sandwich which was also very tasty. I dug it. The waitress was awesome as well. Great lunch spot.
What an adorable restaurant! Â I biked here on a hot Sunday and stopped in for a light snack and to cool off. Â I was impressed with the food and service.
GAZPACHO - Cool, light and refreshing. Â I think it's only good in small dosage, though, because after a while it starts to taste like salsa.
CREPE - OMG...Amazing! Â The portion is quite small, but it packs a big punch. Â This savory crepe was filled with chunks of crab meat and covered with shiitake mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce.
There is also a bakery section up front filled with cookies, cakes and pies. Â This place is perfect for when you're hungry or if you just want to nibble.
I also tried the Flying Dog beer - Crisp!
LOCATION: It's near the exit end of the Lincoln Square strip that has traffic going one way (next to the water fountain).
And a special thanks to the lady next to us for catching the spider on the wall behind me and throwing it outside. Â My hero!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
