AUSTRALIAN BREKKIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT CHAPEL STREET CAFE IN STREETERVILLE

Chapel Street Cafe opened its doors to the public on Friday, January 3, offering Chicagoans a taste of Australian-style breakfast staples. Located at 198 E. Delaware Place on the ground level of the Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites, the cafe is the latest project dreamed up by Australia native Shawn Uldridge, who is also behind the Publishing House Bed & Breakfast in West Loop.

According to Crain’s Chicago, Chapel Street Cafe is named after the famous corridor known for its shopping and dining in Uldridge’s hometown of Melbourne. Situated in the 3,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Southern Cut Barbecue, Uldridge renovated the site over the past several months to include a dining room with seating for 80, accented with hanging plants and flowers, tables from Australian red eucalyptus wood, communal seating, and a library nook, according to Block Club Chicago. The cafe also features an outdoor patio with seating for 40 that’s accessible through sliding glass doors. Counter service is also available for folks on the go.

Helming the kitchen is executive chef Valentin Hernandez. Menu items range from grab-and-go friendly pastries like Melbourne hot jam doughnuts and baby boule loaves made from either sourdough or ancient grains to soups and salads, as well as a line of formidable traditional Australian-style brekkies, like the Chapel Street: a hearty plate of two pasture-raised eggs, bacon, roasted tomatoes, sliced avocado, Aussie baked beans, breakfast potatoes, and fresh sourdough. A brief dinner menu features pastas, small plates, and a burger called the Glenmore — a third-pound beef patty, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, a fried egg, and chips. Add pickled beets and grilled pineapple to make it Aussie, according to the menu.

To drink, Chapel Street offers a brief wine-by-the-glass menu, exclusively featuring Australian labels. There are also fresh juices, teas, and a variety of coffee and espresso beverages like flat whites. The bar also features a La Marzocco espresso machine and a coffee roaster.

Uldridge told Block Club Chicago that he wanted to emulate the experience of the long lunch concept popular in his home country which would often take up several hours and involve numerous courses. In addition to running the Publishing House Bed & Breakfast, Uldridge also opened the Press Room wine bar, although he is no longer involved in the latter.

Chapel Street Cafe is at 198 E. Delaware Place, open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

2025-01-09T22:18:49Z