Pittsfield Cafe

55 E Washington St Lobby, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
+1 312-641-1806
$$$ Cafe
(1511 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Pittsfield Cafe, a delightful gem nestled in the heart of downtown Chicago at 55 E Washington St Lobby. This charming café offers a taste of classic diner cuisine, enveloped in a vibrant atmosphere that echoes the rich architectural history of its surroundings. Originally part of the Winslow Building, designed by renowned architect Charles Palmer, the café maintains the essence of its historic roots with stunning bronze vault doors and intricate plaster details.

Step inside, and you’ll find yourself transported to a warm, inviting space characterized by high ceilings and elegant marble accents that create a sense of both nostalgia and comfort. The ambiance is further enhanced by a cozy diner feel, making it the perfect spot to savor a hearty meal whether you're looking for a quick breakfast or a leisurely lunch.

The menu at Pittsfield Cafe features a delightful variety of dishes, with a special focus on classic diner favorites. Indulge in their Pittsfield Signature Burgers, complete with steakhouse aioli, grilled onions, and smoked gouda, all for just $19.99. Each burger is crafted using a 1/3 lb ground beef patty and served with your choice of a side, a crisp pickle, and their memorable homemade coleslaw. For a comforting classic, try the Open Faced Sandwich with choices between hot turkey, roast beef, or chicken, generously served with mashed potatoes and gravy, fries, or potato chips.

If breakfast is your focus, you’re in for a treat. Customer reviews reflect the satisfaction derived from dishes like the Bronx Skillet with corned beef, a crowd-pleasing combination served in generous portions. One patron, Megan Keller, praised the corned beef hash with sunny-side-up eggs, describing it as “crispy, flavorful hash with rich, runny yolks that paired beautifully.” Meanwhile, Tiff Capers reminisced about their satisfying breakfast experience, highlighting the friendly service that ensures your meal is enjoyable and swift.

Beyond the menu, the café's environment plays an important role in the dining experience. Diners appreciate the thoughtful service from the staff, who often offer great suggestions tailored to your preferences. As Eric Dowling noted, the atmosphere is perfectly aligned with the charm of traditional diner food, providing a genuine taste of Americana amidst the city's hustle and bustle.

For those looking to unwind with a refreshing beverage, Pittsfield Cafe boasts a range of coffee and tea options made fresh daily, including cappuccinos and lattes that elevate your café experience. Whether you choose to enjoy your meal indoors amidst the stunning décor or embrace the beautiful outdoor seating area, every visit promises comfort, quality, and a hint of nostalgia.

So next time you find yourself in downtown Chicago, make sure to stop by Pittsfield Cafe. It’s not just a dining destination; it’s a local staple that offers an experience filled with delicious food, warm hospitality, and a slice of history, ready to welcome you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Service options
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Paid street parking
Difficult to find a space
Openings Hours
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Monday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

1511 Reviews
Tiff Capers

31 Aug 2025

Hubby and I absolutely loved our breakfast at Pittsfield Cafe. It’s tucked inside a beautiful historic building just steps from Millennium Park, and the atmosphere is something special—high ceilings, marble, and a cozy diner feel right in the middle of downtown. The service was friendly and quick, and the food came out hot and delicious. We ordered eggs, pancakes, bacon and hash browns on the side, and everything was cooked perfectly. The pancakes were fluffy, the coffee was strong and constantly refilled, and the portions were generous for the price. This spot is a great find if you want a classic, satisfying breakfast with no fuss. I’ll definitely be back next time

Eric Dowling

03 Aug 2025

The perfect little diner! I was in the mood for the typical diner food and stumbled upon this place. From the moment I walked in I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. I got the Bronx Skillet with Corned Beef and it was a big portion but not too big. It would be easy to share. It came with toast and I got a side of fruit. The staff is amazing. Super friendly and offered great suggestions. I would recommend if you want a classic diner experience with good food.

Milos Jovanovic

06 Jul 2025

Chicago's Winslow Building (1925) now houses Pitsfield Cafe. Architect Charles Palmer's limestone Classical Revival masterpiece originally served as First Merchant's Bank until 1938. The restored space features original bronze vault doors, mosaic floors, and ornate plaster details. The incredible atmosphere—with all that architectural grandeur and historical significance—definitely steals the show here. While the food and service might not reach those same heights, you certainly won't leave disappointed. It's worth visiting just to soak in the space, with the meal and coffee being a pleasant bonus to the experience.

Nashid

27 Jun 2025

Our experience here was so-so. It took surprisingly long for us to be seated - not because there were a lot of diners - there were about 4-5 tables free, but we were not greeted anytime soon. We were put at a rather crowded area for our table, and when we asked to move to another empty table, the server refused. Our food was also okay. The quantity for the money was decent, but the food itself tasted fine at best. The hashbrowns, while good in texture, had next to no seasoning. Everything else we got - the bacon, french toast, eggs, etc - were fine. The food also took a pretty decent amount of time to come out. Furthermore, we had to get up and find butter for our bread on our own, because after delivering our food, our server was basically MIA and didn’t check on us at any point until the bill came. Nothing here was horrible, but this is probably the weakest restaurant we’ve been to in Chicago. There certainly is better out here, but I’m also sure there is worse.

Megan Keller

19 Jun 2025

I had an amazing breakfast at Pittsfield Café! I ordered the corned beef hash with sunny-side-up eggs, and it was perfectly cooked—crispy, flavorful hash with rich, runny yolks that paired beautifully. The historic, cozy diner atmosphere added to the experience, and the staff were attentive and friendly. Definitely a must-visit for a hearty, satisfying breakfast!

Stephanie Holbrook

15 Jun 2025

Wow, the building itself is art. Immediately enamored by the amazing ceiling. The food was terrific diner food. Tasty eggs and perfectly crispy bacon. 3 pancakes with the combo while most places have reduced to 2. Good service and unique atmosphere. Inside is more diner-like but there is a seating area outside of the doors which is beautiful with the amazing chandelier. Glad I tried this place.

Maya Imani

06 Jun 2025

Took out food to go but wish we could’ve stayed. Such a beautiful atmosphere, a rare type of experience that transported me back in time. The staff is so friendly and the food is delicious! I’d definitely go back

Khristina Quigley

03 Jun 2025

I can see why this is a Chicago staple! Hidden away in a fabulous building near the park decked in gold. Got there on a Saturday about 10.30am and queue was small- we were a table of 3 and got one quickly - by then we were bubbling with excitement for coffee and food! Food took a long time, almost felt like we were forgotten to be honest- but eventually when it came it was great! Coffee constantly topped up and water. Fresh OJ is expensive but the teen said worth it I had the hash with corned beef - eggs easy over and WOW. Teen had the pancakes - and refused to share or surrender to being full!

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