Reserve now:
Symphony's CafeReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
Chicago / Illinois Restaurant Reviews >
North Suburbs Restaurant Reviews >
Evanston Restaurant Reviews >
American Restaurant Reviews
Symphony's Cafe Reviews List
Symphony's Cafe
Symphony's Café is Evanston's finest tradition and a true neighborhood favorite. Utilizing only the freshest ingredients and sophisticated service, we make your breakfast, lunch, or dinner a special experience. The versatile Symphony's dining environment is perfect for family gatherings, work lunches, Sunday brunch, group parties, or a romantic dinner for two. We are proud to serve organic eggs, creative salads, the freshest seafood, free-range poultry, prime-aged steaks, and amazingly flavorful pasta dishes. Our extensive menus truly have something for everyone, with vegetarian offerings, gluten-free options, children's menus, and consideration for special diet requirements. We look forward to serving you soon!
See more Symphony's Cafe details
71 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 71 reviews
5 stars
(17)
4 stars
(33)
3 stars
(16)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(40)
- kid-friendly(20)
- great for lunch(18)
- fit for foodies(17)
- great for brunch(12)
- special occasion(10)
Symphony's Cafe Reviews List
Review 1 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Loved the garlic bread that began the meal. My husband enjoyed the soup but said it wasn't very hot. Entrees were tasty and lots of choices. Our iced teas were kept filled. Only disappointment, we were never asked if we wanted dessert, so we paid our bill and left."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The service was great. We started with salad, fresh and good choice of dressing. We had three different main dishes. Whitefish, ravioli and filet. Everything was very tastie. We all enjoyed our meals."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good place for breakfast or brunch
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very happy with Open Table reservations. We showed up within 5 minutes of our reservation time and were taken right to a table already prepared for our party of five. Space was a bit cramped with the tables being very close together. The waiter was prompt, very pleasant. Atmosphere was noisy and distracting at times. Nice variety of breakfast and brunch options and everyone in our party got something different. All of the dishes were tasty and well-prepared with the exception of my eggs benedict. Half of one english muffin was badly burned and tasted like charcoal. When I pointed this out to the waiter, he simply had another dry english muffin prepared for me, no apology. Was a bit disappointed with that response."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: great for brunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food, poor service
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is consistently good and service consistently poor..."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyable experience. Good food. Very nice waitress and staff."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Symphony's Cafe
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A very lively place that I can best describe as upscale casual. The food was excellent and very nicely presented. The staff attentive and helpful."
Dined on 2/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good Place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything was wonderful - people in the neighboring table were very loud and we were unable to hear each other. Everything else was good. Please get a different bread instead of having very oily dry garlic bread. Food was good."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Iffy Service in a Nice Place
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was my first time here, and we had a very long wait for our order. We got our drinks, and the waitress walked by several times serving other people who were seated after we were. She finally came and told us that another server had mistakenly taken our food and served it to the wring table, so our meals had to be made over. Totally not her fault, but better communication would have been better. Our food was good, once we received it, so we would be willing to try it again."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2006
Special Features: kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Good food...very slow and
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good food...very slow and inattentive waiter,,they looked very understaffed on a Sunday evening."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This is our third trip to
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This is our third trip to Symphony's and we are always so happy with the friendly service, quality of the food, large selection, surprisingly complex preparations (Salmon in pastry, Salmon in Pumpkin Seed crust, duck breast, delicious skirt steak). We will be back!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Our table was by the kitchen
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our table was by the kitchen and we were crowded with wait staff barely able to get by us. The area was by all the families with loud children as it was Sunday lunch. wait staff were not attentive or responsive. An example: my mother and I both ordered soup. Mine arrived and hers did not. When I asked the waitress about the other soup, she acted like I was annoying her and said she was bringing it. This was after 2 minutes of no soup for my mother. My grilled calamari was cold and very tough. I assumed it would be warm even though it was on top of a salad. Would not go back."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2011
Special Features: kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 12 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
With our Open Table Reservation
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"With our Open Table Reservation in place, we were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant was already busy with all tables occupied already. Wait staff were attentive and friendly. Food was tasty with generous portion sizes."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome Neighborhood Brunch Spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fine dining ambience with a diner vibe. Awesome brunch fare. Even more awesome that Sunday brunch extends up to 4PM. We'll return even just for the Ghirardelli Mocha Latte."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 14 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food, cute little place.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is a big menu for a smaller place and everything we got was delicious.
The goat cheese puffs appetizer was to die for."
The goat cheese puffs appetizer was to die for."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 15 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
My fiancé and I wanted to
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My fiancé and I wanted to try a new spot and randomly picked Symphony's. The food was outstanding! Both of us enjoy red over white wines yet decided to pair our meal with a white and was presently surprised! We will go again."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 16 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Our first time here but not
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Our first time here but not our only visit. The food was incredible, especially the Salmon Wellington. It was tender, full of flavor & was big enough to take half home for another meal. My partner had the seafood pasta which also was delicious with half coming home. The service was friendly & good. We were pleasantly surprised & will return. Great Valentine's Day dinner!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 17 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Favorite neighborhood restaurant
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service is dependable. Staff is very friendly. This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant with plenty of regulars. It whas been a favorite of mine for years."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 18 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Worth a repeat visit
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was delicious and there were so many good choices. Want to come back to try some of the other entrees. Wait staff was attentive and friendly. We were wavering about dessert but the waiter's recommendation of Steve' chocolate Mousse cake was worthy of any chocoholic."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 19 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was okay...service friendly...
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was okay...service friendly...but rushed at times....busboys seemed to want to clear our table before we were ready...."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2010
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 20 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Very disappointed in the very
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very disappointed in the very slow service. Parking is a major issue here too. The food was very good. Service would have to improve for me to return."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2006
Special Features: kid-friendly, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 21 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Solid place to grab a meal.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Solid place to grab a meal. Portions are generous and quality for the price is good. The service is top notch and our server was great. The menu is broad enough that everyone can find something they will enjoy."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2008
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 22 for Symphony's Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food isn't that great. I've
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food isn't that great. I've only tried their sandwiches though - (do not get the monte cristo)."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2007
Special Features: great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Symphony's Cafe
Based on the average of (49) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
2 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate