Ark Cafe

I really like this coffee shop. I would not have known about it if someone did not recommend it to me and I am glad they did! When I walked in I was super impressed with the space, it is super inviting, warm and brand new. There is beautiful exposed brick, TONS of seating and a huge coffee bar. The service is really great and they even remember my order (probably b/​c I go once a week)!! This is a great place to meet for coffee and chat with friends, definitely recommend!

So, I hang out here weekly with a bunch of mommies for a meetup. Great place to take babies & tots, as the owners are über cool about kids! They are rolling out the red carpet for us, literally! We go when there isn’t really anyone in the joint, so we aren’t totally disruptive. They let our kiddos crawl, romp and eat without much fuss. The menu is pretty light in content and fare, but is very good over all. They also have AWESOME iced tea and being a southerner in Chicago, this is very important! I knocked off one star because they don’t have a changing table for the babies, which makes diaper changing challenging.

Our friends that live on Noble told us they liked this place, so we decided to try it. I guess I might be more inclined to like it too if it were the only place near my house that served food and drinks and such.
One friend asked to substitute egg whites in one dish, and the waitress told her this item (or perhaps all the egg dishes?) are made off-​site, hence, no substitutions. The menu is very limited to begin with, so that totally blew. You know what else blows? Bad service. The kind that takes forever when you’re one of the few customers around. And the kind where they don’t refill your coffee or ask if you want a refill.
I talked my friends out of going to Mitchell’s on Clybourn to try this. Now they’re never going to let me pick the restaurant again. Thanks, Ark, or should I say Stark, Café. Dick.
Oh, why the second star given that I just called this café a dick? Because there’s a $ 25 olive plate on the menu. Who the eff is going to be all, «My sodium level is far too low, I need $ 25 worth of LOLives to start my meal»?

this IS my new weekend brunch/​lunch spot. the food was amazingly homemade and delicious, our server was so sweet and attentive; ready to fill our coffee when we were about to take the last sip, and the prices weren’t that bad compared to other restaurants in the area.
i would love to just come and hang out here, the furniture is eclectic, and the coffee bar is completely a work of art!
the Christian influence is just right; it was almost like «home» with the mix of Contemporary/​Christian music playing in the background.
I WILL be bringing my friends here, can’t wait to return!
only thing is, parking is a little tough. There is some permit on Noble, but if you turn off the side streets you can find random spots in the neighborhood.

This place is great. It’s the perfect place to chat with a friend or hang out on rainy afternoons. It’s warm and inviting in décor and the people who own/​run it are just lovely! I met Zaid, one of the partners, at a church lecture at St. Stan’s after which we had a reception at The Ark. He genuinely wanted to open a place with heart and I think he accomplished just that. He did a lot of the work in building and refinishing the café for its opening. Ask about the stone floor — it was certainly a labor of love! Also awesome, every time I have been in there was someone playing the piano which just makes it a great atmosphere.
So, aside from how awesome the people and décor are, the drinks there are superb. Not something I could afford on a daily basis but I certainly suggest it when I want to meet a friend up for a chat. I always get the chai latte (it’s generally my drink of choice). It’s the best chai EVER. Ever heard the saying ‘you gotta kiss a lot of frogs’??? Well all the chai’s I have ever had (multiply 3 per week for 10ish years) are no comparison. YUM =]
I think the Christian theme is tasteful. Definitely present but not in your face. It gives the place a certain air of warmth and hospitality. This isn’t just a business for the people that run it, it’s a form of ministry. I love this place, and regardless of any religious affiliation it is just a place you want to be.

This place is my new favorite! The atmosphere is cozy, yet modern, as you can sit by the fireplace, the coffee bar, or any of the unique sofas. I enjoy meeting friends there for a full meal or especially enjoying a cup of coffee or tea while using my laptop or reading. The service is the warmest I have experienced and the food is amazing! They also host private events, so I look forward to having several there this summer!

I went there for a private event over the weekend. I loved the atmosphere. The place was warm and inviting, and had a good vibe. The food and service were great as well. I look forward to going back to check it out for brunch, for coffee with friends, etc. etc. They are in the process of getting their liquor license as well.

This is a really great place to hang out. I’m really happy they opened, because I live right next to them. The coffee drinks that I have had are just absolutely wonderful. The people who run the place seem to be super nice.
There’s wifi, places to sit and relax by a fireplace — Though I wish there were more couches and comfy chairs. Most of the furniture are antique wooden chairs and the like.
Also, the café seems to have strong religious overtones… But I don’t think they’re necessarily catering to religious folks (I’m not one) — It seems all are welcome.
I understand they are also working on getting their alcohol license to sell wine, beer, and all that. Should be a great place to hang out for locals!
Also, they are going to be open until midnight DAILY and later on weekends :)

From the outside, the building looks industrial/​modern, but when you enter this cute new café it’s very warm with tiled countertops, wood furnishings (which according to the partner?/owner? Chris are german antiques from Wisconsin and are all tagged for sale) and exposed brick (very different feel from the exterior). It’s a Christian themed café, which I guess makes sense with so many schools and churches on the surrounding blocks, but the only hint of that is the wording on the menus, which is cheesy but funny.
That said, the mocha and dessert I had were great and the breakfast oversized mugs filled with granola and oatmeal looked delicious. Love that I was asked if I wanted dark or light chocolate and regular or fat free whip cream… dark chocolate and fat free is a mocha I can convince myself is getting me zero calorie antioxidants. Score. Open late on weekdays (10pm-12midnight)…also score.
Don’t have their liquor license yet, but indicated there will be wine tastings to come. Breakfast, lunch, dinner served. Refined and well balanced café-​style menu with mediterranian influences: paninis, salads, omlettes, pastas, antipasto plates, etc. I’ll be back.
Overall good addition to the ‘hood.
Update 7÷24÷08: They are no longer open late night. Seems to be traditional café hours (ie open to about 8pm or so). They also mentioned there’s a deal with parking in the church lot up the street.