ZipPicks Awards
Best French in Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Best Romantic Restaurants in Lakeview & Wrigleyville
Master Critic Review
La Crêperie
8.4
La Creperie is a long-running French bistro and creperie on Clark Street, serving savory and sweet crepes, soups, and salads in a cozy, old-school setting. Open since 1972 and revived after a brief closure, it functions as Lakeview East’s classic Francophile hangout for casual dates, pre-theater dinners, and nostalgic comfort food.
Must-Try Dishes:
French onion soup gratinée, Chicken and mushroom crêpe, Banana Sara dessert crêpe
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: One of Chicago’s oldest French creperies, still turning out classic savory and sweet crêpes since 1972.
Who should go: Francophiles and date-night couples craving nostalgic crepes.
When to visit: Evenings and weekend brunch when the patio and back room buzz.
What to order: French onion soup, chicken-mushroom crêpe, Banana Sara dessert.
Insider tip: In good weather, request the back-room or patio seats for a quieter, more Parisian-feeling experience.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street and metered parking along Clark and nearby side streets; availability varies and can be tight during peak dinner hours. No valet service reported.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans are fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for date nights.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is generally comfortable, especially in the back room or patio.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak times, especially on nice-weather patio days.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, with faster seating in the main dining room.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — several savory and sweet crêpes and salads can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — menu is dairy-forward; modifications may be possible but options are not built for strict vegan dining.
Gluten-free options: Limited — crêpe batter is traditionally wheat-based; guests with gluten sensitivity should confirm options with staff.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the cozy, nostalgic bistro vibe and shareable crêpes make it intimate without feeling formal or intimidating.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes on weekdays and earlier seatings; on busy weekend evenings, walk-ins should expect a wait or request patio/back-room tables when available.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally accommodating for older kids and families during daytime and early evening; the space is small and better suited to calm, well-behaved children than large strollers or high-energy toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Classic French comfort, nostalgic ambiance, and sweet + savory crêpes in a cozy, date-friendly environment.
Skip if: You want modern French fine dining, extensive vegan or gluten-free options, or a loud, high-energy scene.