Restaurant

The Waterfront Cafe

Name: The Waterfront Cafe
Address: 6219 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60660, US
Price range: value

Global•Edgewater•value

The Waterfront Cafe is one of the best global restaurants in Chicago for dinner, especially if you want a strong option in Edgewater.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

The Waterfront Cafe has been running Edgewater summers for nineteen years, which is a long time to keep a secret that's essentially an outdoor lakefront patio behind Berger Park — one of the last surviving Lakefront coach houses in Chicago, if you want to feel some architectural weight about a spot that sells seafood rolls. It's a seasonal operation, and that calendar pressure seems to work in its favor. Regulars treat its annual return like a reunion, and at price level one with a lake view that should theoretically cost four times as much, the math here is unusually honest. This is the kind of place that has survived long enough to know exactly what it is. The menu is built around a short roll lineup, and by all accounts that's where the kitchen focuses its energy. The Lobster Roll is the anchor — cold prep, classic orientation, the thing the spot is most consistently cited for. The Brown Butter Crab Roll takes a warmer, richer direction, using browned butter to pull the crab away from the clean-and-cold school and into something with more fat and complexity. The Blackened Cajun Shrimp Roll is where the kitchen reportedly shows more technical range, leaning into the spice-forward Cajun profile. Away from the rolls, the Jerk Chicken Nachos are known for putting real jerk heat to work against a chip base — not a throwaway bar snack by reputation. And then there's the Dole Soft Serve®, which reads as a theme park move until you consider the geography: outdoor tables, July, lake light. Live music runs a few nights a week and dogs are welcome on the patio, both of which do a lot to explain the loyal following. Come in the late afternoon when the outdoor seating catches the best light, and go straight to the rolls — that's consistently where diners report the place earning its reputation.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

Cheap Eatsneighborhooddinnerlocal

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 7.6/10

Rating (Google) 8.8

791 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

7.6/10

Taste Score

Google 8.8 from 791 reviews

Best for

dinner and Cheap Eats

Price and pace

Good value

Neighborhood

Edgewater | 6219 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA

Price

Good value

Taste Score

7.6/10

Address

Edgewater | 6219 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA

Menu and ordering

The Waterfront Cafe menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. The Waterfront Cafe is listed in the Good value price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Lobster Roll

chilled lobster & lemon caper aioli

Brown Butter Crab Roll

chilled crab, celery onion & lemon caper aioli

Blackened Cajun Shrimp Roll

Jerk Chicken Nachos

grilled chicken, pineapple, onion & jerk aioli

Dole Soft SERVE®

Check the current menu

Why go

What makes The Waterfront Cafe worth the move

The Waterfront Cafe is a reliable global choice in Edgewater in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Jerk Chicken Nachos and Shrimp Ceviche also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 791 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

8.8 from 791 Google reviews

Best for

dinner and Cheap Eats

Style

Global in Edgewater

Spend

Good value

Best for

Cheap Eats neighborhood dinner local

Know before you go

Google rating: 8.8 from 791 reviews

Price point: value

Popular dishes: Jerk Chicken Nachos, Shrimp Ceviche, Pesto Hummus

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for The Waterfront Cafe

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Google snapshot

8.8 from 791 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

No diner notes for The Waterfront Cafe yet.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 6219 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
Price: value
TastyPals score: 7.6/10
Google rating: 8.8 (791 reviews)
Cuisine: Global
Neighborhood: Edgewater

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Restaurants in Edgewater

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does The Waterfront Cafe serve?

The Waterfront Cafe is a Global restaurant located in Edgewater, Chicago. The Waterfront Cafe has been running Edgewater summers for nineteen years, which is a long time to keep a secret that's essentially an outdoor lakefront patio behind Berger Park — one of the last surviving Lakefront coach houses in Chicago, if you want to feel some architectural weight about a spot that sells seafood rolls.

What is The Waterfront Cafe best for?

The Waterfront Cafe is best for cheap eats, neighborhood, dinner, local. The Waterfront Cafe is a reliable global choice in Edgewater in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Jerk Chicken Nachos and Shrimp Ceviche also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 791 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at The Waterfront Cafe?

The Waterfront Cafe is in the Good value price range (value). Google rating: 8.8 from 791 reviews

What should I order at The Waterfront Cafe?

Start with Lobster Roll, Brown Butter Crab Roll, Blackened Cajun Shrimp Roll and Jerk Chicken Nachos. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is The Waterfront Cafe worth visiting?

The Waterfront Cafe holds a 8.8 Google rating from 791 reviews. The Waterfront Cafe is a reliable global choice in Edgewater in Chicago when you want something that tends to land well. Jerk Chicken Nachos and Shrimp Ceviche also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 8.8 rating across 791 Google reviews.

Where is The Waterfront Cafe located?

The Waterfront Cafe is located at 6219 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

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