Au Bon Pain

5145 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States
+1 773-293-8871
$$$ Cafe
(89 Reviews)

Welcome to Au Bon Pain, a delightful café nestled in the heart of Chicago at 5145 N California Ave. This vibrant spot combines a welcoming atmosphere with a menu that celebrates light and healthy eating, making it perfect for breakfast or lunch any day of the week.

Step inside and be greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked pastries and the comforting smell of daily soups simmering away. With at least six different soups available each day, you'll find creamy bisques, hearty chowders, and vibrant vegetable blends. Each bowl is crafted with care, offering a wholesome option to satisfy your palate.

The sandwich and wrap selection is equally enticing, featuring a variety of fillings that range from classic combinations to innovative flavors that keep customers coming back. Whether you crave a crisp salad or a scrumptious sandwich, there's something for everyone. For those with a sweet tooth, the pastries are a must-try! Indulge in their revered Red Velvet cupcake—a delicacy so delicious it has customers raving. Patrons like Natasha Avila have noted the charm of having an array of options while enjoying the café’s inviting ambiance.

The staff at Au Bon Pain are the cherry on top of this delightful experience. Many customers, including Annamaria Pahi, have expressed appreciation for the friendly, helpful service. The team consistently fosters a warm environment, especially towards families, making it a favorite for both solo diners and those with children. This personal touch, along with the café's clean and friendly atmosphere, enhances your visit.

Fans of the café often commend the coffee selection, although some, like Trina R., have shared mixed reviews regarding the quality. While opinions on the coffee may vary, the dedication to providing a fulfilling café experience shines through from their overall offerings. If coffee isn’t your strong suit, you’re more likely to fall in love with their baked goods and hearty soups instead!

Conveniently located across from Swedish Covenant Hospital, it's no surprise that many medical staff members Choose Au Bon Pain for a quick yet nutritious meal, highlighting its appeal to the local community and beyond, as noted by regulars like Adam Rohacs.

With a menu that marries flavor with health and a team that's genuinely dedicated to customer satisfaction, Au Bon Pain is a charming café that stands out in the Chicago dining scene. Whether you need a cozy spot to unwind with a warm bowl of soup or a quick bite to refuel, this café is a treasure worth discovering.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves vegetarian dishes
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

6:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

89 Reviews
Natasha Avila

04 Aug 2025

Soups, Sandwiches, Salads and Pastries? Mmm. Sold. This place has light, healthy eating. They have at least 6 soups a day available for their customers to choose from. They have a variety of sandwiches or wraps. Whether it's breakfast time or lunch time. Then close to closing time they put all their pastries that have not gone out for sale. Red Velvet cupcake is scrumptious. You can even call in your order ahead of time. Their Lemonade is also very good.

Annamaria Pahi

19 Jul 2025

We have been their customer for years. We love the pastries, soups, sandwiches (too long to list :) ). Ladies, who work there are nice and helpful. They are always really nice to our kids and always have something nice to say. Please keep up your good spirit guys and thank you for highlighting our days when we stop by.

Adam Rohacs

16 Jul 2025

Nice joint, what you'd expect from the chain. Food was good, as expected. Nice veggie options and lots of soups. Right across from swedish covenant hospital and lost of staff were stopping by, so that's a good endorsement in my humble opinion.

Chris Krolczyk

02 Jul 2025

One of the better "midscale" (better than generic fast food but not a full blown restaurant) places I've been to. Plenty of choices in terms of stuff you can order and they probably have some of the best coffee I've had at a place like this.

Trina R.

18 Jun 2025

Clean with a very polite and pleasant staff. Street parking can be difficult to find. I signed up for their emails and came in for the complementary coffee and travel cup. I poured out the coffee and kept the cup. Their pastries are delicious, but the coffee was awful. Very watered down and cold. Maybe some flavor creamers would help, but for now I don't reccomend the coffee.

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