Postcard View Café Brauer (Lincoln Park Refectory), c. 1940.

Completed in 1908, Café Brauer was designed by Dwight H. Perkins, an American architect and planner also known for designing 40 public schools while serving as Chief Architect for the Chicago Board of Education. At the time, The Clay-Worker trade journal described the Café as “one of the gems of public architecture."

The building was financed by the Brauer family of Chicago, who were leaders in the restaurant industry; throughout the early twentieth century, Café Brauer became one of the most popular restaurants in town. It was known not only for its delectable food and superior service, but also for its unique interior featuring twelve ceramic murals.

Several decades later in 1987 – after the restaurant had closed and the building had spent many years as a space for dances and other civic events – the Chicago Park District and the Lincoln Park Zoological Society kicked off an extensive restoration project to return Café Brauer to its original condition.

Café Brauer reopened in 1990, and on February 5, 2003 it was designated an official Chicago Landmark.

Twenty years later, Alexa visited the venue for the first time and could feel it was "the one." The building's natural beauty - not to mention its location a short walk away from our old place at Wrightwood and Clark - made it an easy choice. We are so excited and grateful to gather all of our favorite people in this lovely place soon!