Geja’s Cafe continues to thrive after 51 years with fresh new look!

Geja's Cafe continues to thrive after 51 years with fresh new look! 1 After 51 years as one of Chicago’s most iconic destinations, Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, is getting a major facelift. With construction completed in September, guests will enjoy the Geja’s experience from the moment they step onto the patio, with a revamped outdoor space featuring three large fire pits. The updates continue once inside, with the addition of brand new dining chairs and silverware. While the classic décor and original 1965 bar from the Wells Street location will remain untouched, Geja’s has added new bar stools to the area, allowing guests to enjoy the finest wines and spirits in a comfortable setting.

After 51 years as one of Chicago’s most iconic destinations, Geja’s Café, 340 W. Armitage, is getting a major facelift. With construction completed in September, guests will enjoy the Geja’s experience from the moment they step onto the patio, with a revamped outdoor space featuring three large fire pits. The updates continue once inside, with the addition of brand new dining chairs and silverware. While the classic décor and original 1965 bar from the Wells Street location will remain untouched, Geja’s has added new bar stools to the area, allowing guests to enjoy the finest wines and spirits in a comfortable setting.

“The Geja’s experience will now only be enhanced the moment you step onto the patio,” says proprietor Jeff Lawler. “We feel that the addition of the outdoor patio with fire pits and garden flowers as guests enter will only add to the romance and ambiance that is Geja’s.” 

geja's cafe

Geja’s Café has been the site of hundreds of thousands of first dates and over 16,000 engagements. Diners have enjoyed over 320 tons of cheese fondue and over 950,570 bottles of wine in its 51 years of business. Geja’s Café opened in 1965 on Wells Street in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. For six years, Geja’s operated in that location, serving as a Bohemian enclave for artists and writers. In 1969, John Davis-Geja’s Café founder, began the Geja’s Café Wine Society, one of the nation’s oldest tasting groups, and the restaurant began to be known as Chicago’s first “wine bar”. In need of additional seating, Geja’s moved to its current Armitage Avenue location in 1971, where the restaurant continues to thrive. The original 1965 bar and many of the fixtures are still a part of Geja’s charming atmosphere. Today, Geja’s Café continues to be voted “Chicago’s Most Romantic Restaurant” by numerous local and national publications. In 1993, CNN featured Geja’s Café as the “Best Fondue Dining” in North America. In 2008, Food Network Channel featured Geja’s Café as the “Ultimate Romantic Dipping Place in North America” and in 2010 Geja’s Café was named one of “America’s 50 Most Romantic Restaurants” by OpenTable. Geja’s was also voted “America’s Most Romantic Restaurant” by USA Today’s reader poll in 2015 and earned the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence in 2016.

Known for romantic fondue dining – food one prepares and shares – and an extensive list of fine, moderately priced wines, Geja’s Café features over 20 different types of fondue entrees including cheese fondue and chocolate dessert fondue. An enchanting wine cellar atmosphere, private booths, and subdued lighting contribute to its intimate surroundings. Live flamenco and classical guitarists provide romantic accompaniment. 

Hours for Geja’s Café are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 11p.m.; Saturday, 5p.m. to 11p.m.; Sunday, 4p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Valet parking is available. For more information, please call 773.281.9101, or visit www.gejascafe.com.