Geja's Cafe Reviews

So many things wrong with this place I don't even know where to start. My husband and I went here while visiting Chicago for a few days, on the recommendation of a trip-planning service. We called ahead and asked how much time the prix-fixe menus take, because we had tickets to a show afterwards and wanted to give ourselves plenty of time. We were told an hour to an hour and a half at most. We booked the reservation two hours before we had to leave so we wouldn't feel rushed. Oh how naive we were back then. Strike 1: We were seated a half hour late despite arriving on time. No apology, just "we don't have a table available yet, you can wait at the bar if you like". Strike 2: After we were finally seated, our waiter took 10 minutes to show up. We told him what time we needed to leave and asked if it would be a problem, and he assured us that it would be more than enough time. We ordered the Prince Geja's Combination prix-fixe menu. The first course, a cheese fondue, was actually pretty good. Could things possibly be looking up? Hahahaha, no. Strike 3: After the first course was cleared we stared at our empty table for ten minutes...twenty minutes...THIRTY MINUTES before the second course finally came. Now keep in mind the second course is all raw meats/fish/veggies which get cooked at the table. Meaning nothing is being cooked in the kitchen. HOW DID IT TAKE THIRTY MINUTES. Did they have to drive to the lake and catch the fish?? And of course our waiter was nowhere to be seen during this time. When he finally brought the food, we reminded him of our time crunch, even though by now it was too late to fix things and we had to seriously rush through the second course. Strike 4: The food was not good, guys. The meats and fish had zero seasoning on them, and the fondue broth was totally bland. For flavor we had to rely entirely on the dipping sauces, which weren't remarkable either. Strike 5: The logistics of the fondue were really poorly planned, which was made even worse since we were rushing. Basically each person gets four fondue sticks and you stick your pieces of food into the broth to cook. The fondue sticks don't hold things very well so everything kept slipping off. The pot was way too tiny for eight things to cook at once, so that was a struggle too. And the suggested cooking times the waiter gave us were wildly inaccurate. (By now we had realized our waiter was a few tacos short of a fiesta.) Needless to say we didn't enjoy our second course much. The third course (chocolate fondue) was slightly more flavorful but all the dipping sides (pound cake, Rice Krispy treats, etc) were grocery store quality. Even if the food wasn't so cheap-tasting, it would have been hard to enjoy it since we were also rushing to get the check taken care of. (The check also took a weirdly long time. Maybe the waiter was outside getting stoned. Who knows at this point.) We didn't have time to finish this course even if we wanted to. Strike 6: in a half-hearted attempt to make things right, our idiot waiter hurriedly plopped down two free glasses of the wine we were drinking, accompanied by a mumbled "thanks for your patience". This was five minutes before we had to leave. And we hadn't even finished our previous glasses. Geja's Cafe, ladies and gentlemen. I let the trip-planning service know that they should stop recommending this place, so hopefully I've saved the future evenings of at least a few people. In a city full of glorious food options, this restaurant should not exist.

My husband I first dined at Gejas 20 years ago. I took my 12 year old daughter over the weekend while visiting Chicago. Experience still the best. My daughter loved it! We dined on cheese fondue, salad and chocolate fondue. Plenty of food! Ask for a booth. Service is pleasant, can be a little rushed. Salad and fondue at the same time. White Sangrea extremely sweet and weak. At only $8 a glass you really can't complain. Coffee included, comes with whipped cream. The only real down side is that your clothes and you will smell strongly like oil and Gejas.

It was my birthday and my husband surprised me with a romantic dinner. The experience was awesome from the food to the service . I would definitely go again. 5 stars

"Romantic?" How about "snarky staff," "so dark you can't see your food," and "so crowded you can't squeeze between tables w/o dipping your coattails (and maybe you) in your neighbor's fondue pot." The food is Benihana on a skewer. Your choices are beef (they say "tenderloin," I'll give them "loin"), chicken, shrimp, scallops and "Australian Rock Lobster" that looked more like it came from a Louisiana Bayou than the Land Down Under. Swamp-to-table. It's so dark you can't tell a scallop from a mushroom, and you can't see your food cook. I resorted to timing mine with my iPhone. I think the wine list is good, but I can't be sure because it was so dark I couldn't read it. I resorted to ordering the featured bottle at $30. I got the bottle. And an icy glare from our waitress. Who rattled off the fondue routine like she had done it 10,000 times. Which she probably has. And whose response to my question, "How can you tell when the oil is hot?" was (through gritted teeth), "Because that's my job." Geja's parting gift? You may have read in other reviews that you will leave smelling of their cooking oil. Here's how bad it is. We went across the street to Gamekeepers for a nightcap, walked in and the bartender said, "Oh, coming from dinner at Geja's?" I thought he was clairvoyant, but when I asked him how he knew, he said he could smell us coming in. I am not making this up. This was driven home when I smelled my own clothes the next morning. I immediately developed a new level of sympathy for the grumpy staff because the stench is so bad that unless those poor people are having sex with each other, they aren't having sex at all. For this experience, expect to pay $100/person. Squirrel away another $20/person for the dry cleaning bill. You will need it. The prevailing attitude is that they are doing you a favor by letting you dine there. Be generous. Let them give that favor to someone else.

I always heard about Geja's Cafe as the place to celebrate for couples, I followed them on FB, and always was intrigued about the fondue experience. Well I made a reservation for my partner's birthday, I did it online and selected the option of special occasion, birthday. I received a phone call from them a week before the reservation to confirm it, and the person was a little surprise when I said that the birthday person was my male partner, that felt weird. When we arrived we were greeted, but no mention about the reservation been for a birthday, and left our coats at the coat check and we were seated promptly, small table but fine, all tables looked small except for the booths. The restaurant is kind of dark, but that helps to the ambiance. Our server was polite , but nothing special, she desapear during the meal, not checking on us, the bus boy had better service than her. We ordered, the food and a bottle of wine, it didn't take long, cheese fondue, the meats, and the chocolate fondue, it was tasty, and something different, but nothing extraordinary. We finished our dinner, and the server brought the check, with no mention of the birthday, I felt bad as I saw other table getting a birthday treat with a candle, that made me very sad, but at least hubby had a good time. I don't think we will come back as the price that I paid doesn't match the quality of service that was offered. Also be prepared to spend in dry cleaning in all your clothes as they will smell like oil.

We have been for our Anniversary Dinner!! It is one of the best restaurant for a couple to visit on a special day. The ambience was absolutely fantastic. Definitely romantic for couples. The place even can be visited by a group. We saw a group of 8-10 people enjoying and having good time. It was a great 2 hour stay. The time just flew by. This is our first time being to a restaurant which involves self cooking and loved it every moment. Though it's just cooking veggies/meat, the sauces boost up the taste . We didn't like the fondue much but it's just my opinion. I heard many people who loved their fondue. Parking could be a problem if you try to find one for yourself. We opted for the valet. I would say food is not moderately price. You would end up somewhere between $80-120 for a regular dinner but definitely recommend this place to visit at least once for a special night.

Been to Melting Pot before. This experience wasn't as good as Melting Pot. Pros: Groupon, romantic & intimate setting, decent amount of food Cons: Tables were too small for fondue. Experience felt rushed.

We've been to Geja's several times over the years. This past weekend it was a first visit after a little break and things were a little different this time around. Ambiance - the room used to be more dim, now it was brighter, less intimate. Rather than having couples enjoying a romantic meal around us there were larger groups of people, including a birthday party. The guitar player seemed to be doing a great job, unfortunately we could barely hear him being in the same section as him, maybe 12ft away. A little disappointed in the feel this time around. Service - the one thing that truly stood out in the past, the impeccable attention received, was still alright. The wait staff assistants were constantly on the lookout for needed water refills or other guest needs. Beverage selection was a little disappointing. Realizing this is a wine restaurant, I'd still like to have just one solid beer option, a classic, a lager available. Same goes for whisky. Food - presentation used to be better, especially for the cheese fondue. The food itself was good, nothing extraordinary. Selection of the main course is limited to beef, chicken and seafood (no fish). Choice of cake for the chocolate fondue was disappointing. Cheesecake and angel cake have been replaced by pound cake and ...hard, deep-fried...churros? For that reason alone I won't be having chocolate fondue here anytime soon. This place is all about the experience, and experience it is. I enjoy fondue, just wish this place kept the features the patrons appreciated so much.

My partner took me there for romantic dinner.. it was amazing.. very romantic unique place.. and food was delicious.. I enjoyed every moment of this evening in that place.. love that place and already was back there twice.. definitely will come back for more

Birthday dinner with my wife. Yes romantic, however VERY close quarters. Service was fair and the food was just okay. Not what we were expecting based on the reviews.

Huge thanks and shout out to the owner and his staff for going above and beyond to help me propose and make a memory that will last a lifetime! Truly appreciated! Definitely recommended for any special occasions!

Despite being a small place, the atmosphere is very romantic and lives up to the hype. The staff is friendly and very attentive. The selection of food was great and the wine selection was even better. I will definitely be visiting again.

This restaurant is similar the Melting Pot, but with Bohemian flair! The decor of the restaurant is warm and intimate and the live music adds the perfect touch of class. The food and service are EXCELLENT! Check Groupon before you go. They often have deals.

I wish I could have dined here with all the great reviews I read but I never made it to the door. There are 8 steps down to the entrance. Being in a wheelchair it was impossible to go down the stairs. Nowhere on their website indicates that it is not ADA accessible. It's a shame. They could have installed a wheelchair/scooter lift or ramp from the sidewalk to accommodate the disabled. I frequently eat out and always with friends and family. But now they lost my business and many of my dinner group. My husband and I were going to celebrate our anniversary there but that's out of the question. We were married in the 70s and thought the fondue experience would bring back old memories.

We have been to Geja's several times but have not been there for several years. It is a Great Place to Eat with you and your significant other or with couples and friends. It is not a place for smaller children. Intimate Dining, great food and Wine. The prices are higher based on the portions, but watch for coupons.

We went to Geja's based on a recommendation from a friend who is from Chicago, so we had high expectations that this place was going to be great! On a cold Chicago night, right after it had been snowing, we decided to book a table ...What a perfect evening for a fondue, right?! The ambience of the restaurant is really nice. It's dimly lit and moody, so I can see why people have romantic dates here. The staff that work here are really kind, professional and attentive. But honestly, I don't have a lot of positive things to say about the food. We started with the cheese fondue. It was almost like a bechamel with added cheese. We couldn't taste the gruyère, but we did get a whole lot of nutmeg! For the next course we ordered the Australian lobster and steak (I can't remember exactly what this dish was called). This course was pretty good and you could tell that the quality of meat was pretty decent. It was the most enjoyable part of our meal. The most disappointing part was the chocolate fondue. I don't think it had much real chocolate in it at all, I think it was a chocolate sauce? The "chocolate" didn't solidify at all when it cooled down and it was a bit opaque, which led me to believe it wasn't very authentic. Ultimately, I have no criticism about the staff or the venue.. both were great! But if you are familiar with a REAL Swisse fondue, you will be disappointed when you eat here. Either lower your expectations or don't go here at all. I really wanted to like the food at Geya's and am really sad that we left so disappointed with the quality!

Shame this place went so downhill. From the cheap glassware and 1970s diner candles to the host staff dressed in Casual clothes from Target with less than hospitable attitudes. Churros for desert?

It seems that GeJa"s has turn out to be an Anniversary dinner. My wife enjoys Gena's and has enjoyed it being a place to go for our anniversary. The wait staff has always been very attentive. My wife had the steak & shrimp meal. I had the seafood. We had wines that complimented well with our choices. Geja's is a standard in Lincoln Park. Good food, service & experience.

3.5 Stars: Very charming cozy place with great ambience! Our server unfortunately was not the friendliest nor the most helpful. Others there seemed much better, & the helpers/bussing staff were fine. So, we just tried the best we can in the lim light to cook our foods best we could via trial & error as he rushed through the directions & we couldn't remember how long to cook what items in which pot. It all worked out... Brought my foodie daughter & we had the Prince Geja Special with everything: Beef, Shrimp, Scallops, Lobster tail, & Chicken; & A Chicken Breast dinner. So much Food! Excellent dipping sauces (8 to try) & we had one pot of oil & one of broth to try both kinds. The veggies & beef were great in the oil. The chicken & seafood were best in the broth - tender & tasty as the broth was flavored already... The Cheese Fondue was our least favorite as it was not hot enough when the server it was ready & tasted grainy & lukewarm. Not great with the fruits, better with the bread. The Chocolate fondue was yummy, especially the ground graham crackers (we could have used much more of that to dip everything into)... Came with marsh mellows, pound cake bits, & sweet fruits. I would have loved a savory element to all this sweetness like some Nuts or Peanut butter, yum. Wonderful for a special occasion.

Geja's has been located in this very congested part of town for decades, and it gets plenty of diners. The raw foods that are provided for the fondue appear to be very fresh and of good quality. The oil provided for cooking your meats and vegetables is soy oil so it won't smoke when it's hot, but you still get the smell of hot oil. The best parts of the fixed price meal are the cheese fondue appetizer and the chocolate fondue desert. The house wines are reasonably priced and reasonably good. My biggest issue with Geja's is that for the rather high price per meal, you should get an artfully prepared and perfectly seasoned meal created by a skillful chef so your can simply enjoy your dining, If the customer is expected to do all the work, the prices should only be half of what they are charging. But if you need to dine with someone with whom you have nothing to talk about, Geja's do-it-yourself fondue will give you enough distractions to avoid conversation. Just one more thing. They have a "guitarist" who strums chords that are vaguely reminiscent of Flamenco music. However, he appears to be incapable of playing any melody. The strumming of unrelated, dissonant cords becomes annoying in short order.

My wife and I went here for dinner the first night of our honeymoon and it was wonderful. The servers were so nice, the food was great, and the atmosphere was so romantic. My only complaint is that it's a bit pricey, but if you sign up for their mailing list they'll end you coupons for your birthday and anniversary.

My daughter decided that we needed to go on a date, so she reserved a table at Geja Cafe about a month before we went. We were of course surprised, but delighted to get to go and check the place out. We were given a corner table out of the hubbub of the room, so that was a plus. The place was hopping on a Tuesday, and if you end up on the main floor in the main traffic area, it would be pretty bothersome as people go back and forth around you. Our table was in a step up area and more isolated. If you like a little more quiet, request these tables. Coat check is right at the door, so you don't have to drag your coat to the table. We had never had fondue, so needless to say, we were humored in figuring out how to do fondue. The first course with cheese fondue was excellent and I think my favorite. Breads and fruit to dip. If you drink, pick a nice wine with your meal. Next came the entree. You can share one if you like or pick two different entrees for variety. Hot oil comes out, and the meat, seafood and vegetables are cooked in that oil. Would have like a small timer as the chicken needed about 3 minutes to cook, and it was all guessing. Loved our table, but it was super dark and us old folks can't see well in the dark. My husband used the flashlight on his phone and a timer. Though phone use is discouraged, this was necessary for us. The last was chocolate fondue with flaming fondue that you roasted marshmallows over then dipped fruit and cake bites in to coat with chocolate. I thought the cost was a bit steep, but I had never had fondue. Would be nice if they labeled the dipping sauces because I forgot almost immediately what they were after the waiter told us. Wait staff was excellent and professional. We enjoyed our visit, but I think my daughter would have enjoyed it more. Would recommend for a fun night out or the romantic disclaimer.

We went here for Mother's Day and it was a fun afternoon with my kids who are in their 20's. The place is very dark and tables are very very close together. It was very busy on Mother's Day and they provided a massous

first time here for me. have never eaten at a fondue restaurant so something new for me. i ordered the steak and lobster, wife had the scallops and steak. both came with a cheese fondue appetizer. she liked it. I did not like the cheese but there are lots of cheeses I don't like. my steak and lobster were okay. maybe I left them in the fondue too long as they were somewhat tough and rubbery but tasted good none the less. very romantic, great ambiance, not cheap. bring your wallet. it got very busy. everyone seemed to enjoy it. I don't think I would come back. found out I'm just not a fondue person

I'm very happy that a good friend of mine recommended me - Geja's Cafe. It was beyond my expectations as far as atmosphere, service, and food goes. It was the beginning of Fall, when I first came to Geja's and as soon as I set foot there, it felt as if I were in Venice or perhaps, Madrid. The candle lit lighting shadowed the lovely decorated place, that had exquisite but simplistic taste throughout it's entirety. Immediately, someone offered to take our coats and hastily found a table for the two of us, since we forgot to make a reservation, which I would recommend doing if one plans on dining here during lunch and/or dinner. The staff is very attentive and all have such in depth knowledge of the history of Geja's, the menu, and beverages that involve quite the wine selection. We began with the cheese fondue which was served with red and golden apple wedges, sweet grapes and assorted breads. Right there and then I knew that this is going to be one of my most enjoyed meals. Shortly after, I ordered the Prince Geja's Combination since I was indecisive, and this had a little bit of everything. This was and is beyond clever, to serve the portioned food(meats/seafood/vegetables) raw and have customers share the experience of being "hands-on," where they can prepare it to their liking, hence, creating a both very memorable and intimate experience. In today's age, it is approaching close to a rarity to witness someone not using their phone while sharing a meal or being out; however, at Geja's you'll never catch people doing so, because of being so preoccupied whether it being through talk and/or fulfilling themselves with the food. Lastly, my friend and I shared a chocolate fondue which was served with strawberries, apples, banana, pineapple, cherries, pound cake, Rice Krispy treats, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows for roasting. I can't describe it with any other words than how astounded I was with how miraculously divine this entire experience was. Whether you're with a friend, celebrating an anniversary, out on a date, and/or trying to impress a certain someone - this is definitely the place to be. If I could rate this more than five stars, I would. Thank you, Geja's Cafe.

This is our 3rd time here. I got the international selection. Someone in our party got the lobster which I will get next time. Always a fun night highly recommend. Also check groupon and you can get $60-70 off. Highly recommend

The cheese fondue was our favorite of the night. The flavors was just perfect. The main meal is HUGE but the broth is very boring. However the sauces offered do balance it all out. The chocolate is a fun experience and quite tasty. The staff was witty and on point to meet your needs. Get the Frangelico Cafe. Only downfall to a romantic break was the ladies in front were there on working dinner and were loud complaining and talking gossip. Overall the night will be remembered fondly.

Geja’s was a very disappointing birthday dinner. To their credit, the staff was competent, kind and reasonably attentive. However, their menu is where we found issue with the evening. After having lived in Switzerland for several years, we know a proper fondue. My expectations were such that it wouldn’t be quite the same, and some ingredients may be compromised, however this wasn’t anything close to real fondue. The menu touted real Swiss Gruyeres cheese, kirsch brandy, and all of the fixings for a proper fondue, so you can imagine our disappointment to taste something completely different. It almost tasted like melted cream cheese with a dollop of brandy in it. The atmosphere was cozy, and the chocolate fondue was nice. It should be noted that we didn’t want any of the meat dishes (we were purely in this for the cheese fondue) so I can’t speak to those though the plates around us looked very nice. It was just sorely disappointing that we weren’t served anything remotely resembling real cheese fondue, and the bread served with it was SO stale (it should be old and a bit chewy), but it crumbled into the pot and hardly stayed on the skewer. Not to tear this place apart, but we felt really mislead by the menu and reviews. If you’re a Swiss expat, or Swiss person, stay away or wait until your next visit back to CH. We won’t be returning.

I saw Geja’s received a few negative reviews, so I wanted to make sure I gave them an excellent review for our New Year’s Eve dinner. We have been going to Geja’s for over 20 years, and it hasn’t changed one bit—and that’s a good thing. The cheese fondue appetizer is outstanding. The main course is always delicious and a lot of fun. The dessert is as good as it has ever been, and in fact may have actually adding a few items for dipping like rice crispy treat and churros. Geja’s is just an overall fun,unique experience. Highly recommend,

Had a 5pm reservation at what was supposed to be the most romantic restaurant in Chicago. Was greeted, coat checked and seated in a nice quiet booth. Quiet for all of about 10 minutes. A table of 6 was seated right next to us and the volume only rose from there. If romance is what you want, this wasn't it. Gary was our server, and I'm not sure we saw him again until the check. 2 other men took care of us, adding and removing food and dishes. He did take our picture for us. Ok, so for the food. Ordered sangria, which was excellent. Cheese fondue arrived, and it was tasty. Main course, we ordered the combination, and it was plenty to eat and looked and tasted fresh. No complaints. (By this time, the restaurant was full and LOUD!) Dessert course. Chocolate was bubbling hot and almost too hot. Choc tasted a bit wrong by the end. Good thing we were full I guess. Ok, we knew it would be pricy and we weren't bothered by it. But if we had known the volume was going to turn romantic into a sports bar feel, we probably would have gone somewhere else. Sorry, but it wasn't what we expected.

This was my first time at Geja's Cafe. Located at 340 W. Armitage Ave., which is just east of Lincoln Ave., you'll find Geja's as a garden floor location, just a few steps down from the sidewalk. Inside, you'll find a restaurant that has a very romantic ambiance. We had a reservation, so we were seated very quickly. Our server was there immediately and the romantic evening was underway. We decided to order the Prince Gej'a's combination which is aged beef tenderloin, lobster tail, jumbo Gulf shrimp, Atlantic sea scallops and boneless chicken breast, along with the the connoisseur which is only the aged beef tenderloin, jumbo Gulf shrimp and a lobster tail. There is a price difference depending on which fondue package that you want to go with. The first course is a creamy Swiss Gruyere cheese fondue that is served with fresh breads and fruits for dipping. The second course is a great tasting salad. The third course or the dinner course is next and there are eight different dipping sauces which really change the tastes of the various proteins. The final course is the dessert - chocolate fondue course and is the perfect ending for a great fondue dinner. The staff was informative, attentive and friendly. Here's to Geja's Cafe's second 54 years!

Geja’s was again a terrific spot for my wife and I to enjoy a quiet and leisurely dinner. Each fondue was great and the service and wine were also wonderful.

My girls and I try to have a "girl's weekend" once a year, and for the past four years we have visited a Chicago for this event. This year, I found and read about Geja's Cafe and it sounded perfect. It WAS perfect. Geja's is located in an old wine cellar, is full of character and romantic atmosphere. From the moment we entered the restaurant, we were greeted, found our way to the cute bar for a glass of wine while our table was being readied. The food, the service, the explanations of the food, was all just perfect and exceeded our expectations. I simply cannot wait to return to this charming place. It has been a long time since I had fondue, and I never had fondue as good as was served here...it was fabulous!

Even though I left early, traffic was horrendous while getting to the restaurant. My daughter was meeting me there and I told her to let them know I was stuck in traffic. They were very gracious and said that's fine, no rush. What a relief, I was 15 minutes late and when I got there we were seated. The wait staff were all very nice. I had forgot my sweater (which you probably won't need, it was a little warm in there) on the way out, and one of the waiters ran out to catch me. I ordered the house Chardonnay, which was very good, oakey and buttery, and for $7.50/glass a deal in Chicago. I order the Geja's combo (steak, chicken, lobster, shrimp and scallops) and my daughter ordered the seafood (lobster, shrimp, scallops). These were $54 for each of us, it included a salad, cheese fondue with bread and fruit, the main attraction which you yourself at the table, vegetables, and the chocolate fondue with assorted fruit, rice krispie chunks, marshmallows. It was a lot to eat, we definitely could have shared one entree. I think some of the comments on here felt this was pricey for having to cook it yourself--maybe, but I think that's just part of their concept to set them apart from other restaurants; it's not for everyone. My husband would not have liked this place. His idea of a $150 meal for two is to be catered to with the meat done precisely and not having to guess about if it is done. I like to try new places, and it fulfilled that. If I went back I would probably either split an order ($10 charge for sharing) or order ala carte, because it was just too much. I don't think you can take the cheese or chocolate fondue with you home, so we left most of the dessert untouched because we just couldn't eat anymore. This place isn't for everybody, I enjoyed it though. Also, we had a booth and that was great; I saw other people at tables and they were cramped. It is dark, especially when you come in from daylight; it will take a bit to get used to, but I didn't need a flashlight to read the menu. There is street parking if you go early, otherwise they have valet parking for $12, which I did, and no problems with that.

Came to Geja for 28th wedding annniversary on Saturday. the hostess wanted to seat us at a table immediately at the entrance. we asked for an alternate table. She pointed to the bar for us to wait, then for the next 15 minutes proceeded to walk past the bar seating other guests. She didn't think to reassure us that we would be seated at some point. We booked a reservation at the Brazilian steakhouse a mile away.We notified her that the party of four was leaving. She threw out an empty I'm sorry". BUT THE HIGHLIGHT WAS TREVOR, MANAGER. He immediately followed us out and offered to make amends. We declined because the vibe was already ruined for us. Even though we did not stay, TREVOR also paid the Valet (for 25 minutes). Would never return there, BUT, TREVOR was very professional.

Three course fondue (cheese, meat or seafood with vegetables, and chocolate with fruit)--all were very good. Save room for the chocolate! Waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

My husband and I had a nice dinner at Geja's tonight to celebrate our anniversary. The ambience was great for a romantic evening. The restaurant is dimly lit (in a romantic way) and nicely arranged to accommodate many couples in quiet booths. However, I would caution potential customers that the menu is very limited. We are accustomed to fondue restaurants that allow a tremendous amount of personalization (e.g., we can choose between several different kinds of cheese fondue, several different kinds of chocolate fondue, several different cooking styles, etc.). At Geja's there is only one type of cheese fondue, only one type of chocolate fondue, and only one cooking style. Moreover, when we did gently make a request for a minor modification, our server consistently said no (nicely). For example, we asked to omit the lobster tail from our entree (because we don't care for lobster) and substitute shrimp (which would have saved the restaurant money), but our server resisted. When we asked to have the chocolate without the orange liqueur, again, our server resisted. For the price we paid for our dinner, we were disappointed with the food and the service. So, if you choose this restaurant, be sure you are happy with the menu "as is." In my opinion, the wine list was pretty good. The cheese course was excellent! The salad was very good. The entree was okay. The dessert (chocolate) was fair.

I went to Geja’s cafe last night for a friend’s birthday!! We had an amazing time!! The service was very good and the fondue was delicious! Highly recommend !!

Have you ever been to a fondue restaurant? What is fondue? It is a Swiss dish of melted cheese served in a communal pot over a portable stove heated with a candle or a spirit lamp and eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks. Fondue was promoted in Switzerland in the 1930s and popularized in North America in the 1960s. Since then, the name "fondue" has been generalized to other dishes in which a food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid kept hot in a fondue pot--like chocolate fondue. Since its founding in 1965, Geja's Cafe at 340 West Armitage Avenue in the Lincoln Park neighborhood has emerged as Chicago's most romantic fondue restaurant. Among its premier fondue dinners are beef and jumbo shrimp, beef and lobster, deluxe seafood with Atlantic sea scallops, tender Gulf shrimp and delicate lobster tail, aged beef tenderloin with sea scallops or breast of chicken, breast of chicken with Atlantic sea scallops, jumbo Gulf shrimp and Australian lobster tail and Prince Geja's Combination, which consists of beef tenderloin, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, Atlantic sea scallops and boneless chicken breast. How about flaming chocolate fondue, cheese and chocolate fondue or cheese fondue? And there are several world-wide brands of cheeses to choose from, including aged Wisconsin cheddar (sharp cheese), French brie (robust cheese) and Italian bel paese (delicate cheese). If you aren't familiar with fondue, Geja's Cafe is the place to get acquainted.

I have been to GEJA'S well over a dozen times over the last 4 decades (feeling old now) and have always had the very best experiences. You need reservations, the first seating is recommended. I recommend the Premier dinner. They ALWAYS make you feel special, the food is always satisfying, the service is impeccable. The only issue is the restroom, it is tiny. If you enjoy music then go later to enjoy the guitarist! My wife raves over our engagement to this day, can't go wrong here!!!!!

Where do I start ... I have always admired quant little nooks and I've found one . Gejas cafe!!! At first I was apprehensive about the portions but believe me it is enough to fill any woman or man for that matter. I went for my birthday in October and have revisited more than four times since. You get to choose your meal from chicken , veggies, shrimp , lobster or beef and /or a combination. You also get a great salad and appetizer with wonderful breads,fruit and infused wine cheese how delectable. Then you yes you fondue your dinner . The dessert is absolutely amazing with a complete pairing of your favorite wine coupled along with strawberries, pineapples,roasted marshmallows,pound cake and graham cracker crumbs awwwww smores all night !!!! It truly was an amazing experience so when you visit the Windy City make sure you call for a reservation and request a booth believe me you'll love it . Make sure you tell them Mrs. Griffin recommend this place !!!!

This is the annual anniversary restaurant for my wife and I. We plan our trip to Chicago around this reservation. Good wine list and good food, but really we come for the atmospher and the service. The atmosphere is dark, cozy, and romantic. The service is always good. I can't recommend this place enough

Such an enjoyable time. Cheese fondue is fantastic. Entire dinner can take up to (2) hours, so plan accordingly!

Had a wonderful meal. Awesome atmosphere. Top notch service. The fondue is simply amazing. Staff is extremely friendly.

Absolutely loved it here, gorgeous venue and awesome concept. Cheese fondue to start, meat/fish fondue for main and chocolate fondue for pudding. And everything was delicious. Service was great and music lovely. Only downside was we asked for gluten free menu (not realising we needed to remind on each course) and the waitress gave my friend non-gluten free dipping sauces on the main by accident which subsequently made her unwell. They have since given her an apology gift card but I would have expected the waitress to be a little more apologetic when she realised what had happened. She kind of brushed it off as an accident. Equally we probably should have reminded her during the meal. I would definitely recommend a visit here, particularly for the 3 course menu as it's great to experience the 3 different kinds of fondue.

My wife and I used to come to Geja's when we were dating and I lived in Iowa and she lived in Michigan. Chicago was a perfect half way meeting place and Geja's was our goto romantic restaurant. We loved it then and are happy to say it has t changed! The atmosphere, the service, the food, all excellent! I don't know what other people were talking about when they complained of poor service, but our waiter was great, attentive, and knowledgeable. We weren't rushed and the price for what you get is not unreasonable. After over ten years of being gone, we're delighted we came back and will definitely return more often.

The idea and concept of the restaurant is nice. It was very romantic however I left the restaurant very hungry. I was not satisfied with the food but I enjoyed the ambiance. I also felt like the bill was extremely expensive for the something I really didn't enjoy. But I had an open mind to try it.

20 year anniversary and it was the perfect place. We had a great time with the fondue and the wait staff was great. Well worth the money.

We had a great visit. Arturo at the bar made amazing lemon drop martinis. The chocolate one were wonderful too. They also seemed to have an extensive wine list. There were crackers and a delicious cheese spread munch on while we were waiting for our table. The dressing on the salad was nice and light,with good flavor. The cheese fondue appetizer was excellent. The meats were really good. The beef tenderloin was our favorite. There were plenty of vegetables. The chocolate dessert fondue was to die for. There was a tray of fruit, cake, rice crispies, to dip and marshmallows to roast. Horacio, our server was excellent with explanations. We never felt rushed even though we spent most of the evening there. Excellent place for a nice night out or a special occasion.

I went here from my 53rd Birthday Celebration and enjoyed the experience. The meal in itself don't appear to be filling, but let me assure you it was more than enough. The ambiance is sexy and the restaurant has been around for decades still seem to hold it's own.

I grew up fonduing so when I was introduced to Geja's in the late 90's I was hooked. I absolutely love this place. My husband and I got engaged here and have shared many wonderful special occasions over fondue. We dine here at least once s year. The ambiance is romantic even though it can get crowded. The food is good but I wish they would offer a broth option. They are always accommodating with special requests, more dipping sauces, etc. I would recommend this at least once to anyone who wants to try fonduing.

Came here because of a Groupon and was very pleased with the experience. The food was terrific (and plentiful!) and the service was great! Good wine list as well, plus a very cool environment tucked in the basement. Very cozy.

Had a lovely late dinner at Geja's Cafe a few days before Christmas. The servers were friendly and helpful. Our lead server has been working here for 30+ years. Service was attentive and unrushed...we were the last patrons to leave the restaurant at nearly midnight. The food was excellent, a distinct cut above the nationwide fondue chain restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic. A great date night restaurant.

This was one of the worst restaurants I have ever been to. Visiting from Toronto and researching "Best Of" types of places to visit in the Chicago area, we were excited about coming to a place so well reviewed. It took us more than one hour to find parking (not their fault), but when we called to let them know we'd be late for our reservation, they could have given us the heads up that valet would be the best to go, at $16. The ambience was nice. Dark with red lighting. It would be romantic if there weren't loud diners everywhere. A nice quiet atmosphere with dim lighting and soft music would be the way to go. It was not at all romantic. We had a Groupon and were made to feel "cheap" because we didn't want to order more than we wanted. We got a Veggie platter and Cheese platter and the server commented 4 times to my husband, "I guess you'll be the only one to "cook" since you ordered the actual platter". I felt embarrassed the entire time I was there. What a relief I didn't order the $55 platter because it was a waste of money . For my husband's $37 veggie platter, he got literally 2 pieces each of thick white onion, mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, broccoli and red bell pepper and tofu. The pot to cook it in had stinky oil, obviously reused. It was so smelly and unappetizing. The dessert was chocolate and a bit of fruit and stale graham cracker crumbles and 3 tiny pieces of rice crispy squares. It was supposed to come with coffee at the end but the server just rushed with the bill. My cheese platter was off the appetizer menu and not the actual entree and the servers there watched like hawks to see if I would have anything from my husband's platter, as they charge $12 per person extra if they are sharing. Be careful if you use the restroom as the restaurant is dark an there is a step up into the washroom (I tripped). There are plenty other restaurants in Chicago to enjoy, skip this overpriced and overrated (very overrated) one.

We went for our anniversary dinner, the atmosphere was nice, there was even live guitar music. We had cheese and chocolate fondue and it was not great. I'm used to way better tasting fondues. It felt like there was too much flour in the cheese fondue which made the consistency too artificial (in lack of a better word), The chocolate fondue tasted not as rich and creamy as I'm used to. The food came super fast one course after the other, no break between courses. I didn't like that.

My wife and I visited Geja for dinner while staying in Chicago. Upon entering the restaurant you notice all the charm and decor. It was very busy for a Thursday evening. We had a little booth that we really liked. The food was delicious. Reminded us of our trip to Switzerland. I didn't initially think I'd enjoy grapes with the cheese fondue, but was surprised at how good it was. We actually had refills of the grapes. Only reason for not getting 5 is the service. Our waiter seemed unimpressed that we were only doing the cheese and chocolate. Being 8 months pregnant, my wife doesn't eat much, but he still pushed for us to get the full fondue. We did see other great wait staff and they even came by our table as after ordering our server was not present much.

Good service, waiter did a great job from start to finish. Love the cleanliness. Food was ok. Not the best. But wait staff was the best.

I was very excited to try this place and celebrate my husband's birthday. When I called and made a reservation, I told them it was my husband's birthday and they would bring him out a birthday treat. It never happened! The best part was I watched multiple other tables receive their birthday treat with a candle, I felt very bad for my husband. We also were seated at a table in the middle and were consistently getting bumped by people as they passed by including waiters. The table next to us (about 10 inches away) had the same problem. I would definitely ask for a booth if I ever went back. The worst part was that our waiter completely forgot about us! The food was all right, but nothing that was spectacular.

Took my wife her when dating, we return every year on her birthday. Geja's never disappoints. From the food to the service to the atmosphere, everything is tops.

I've spent the last two days trying to figure out what restaurant these positive reviewers are talking about because there's no way it could be this one. Romantic? Leaving a restaurant after a $170 meal reeking of grease is considered romantic?!? I was born at night, but not... well, you know. And intimate? Sure, if you consider the tables being so crowded together that the person next to you keeps dragging her hair through your cheese fondue, or everyone having to stand up to let people get through to the tiny bathrooms intimate, then, again, sure, it's intimate. And as long as I'm talking about the bathrooms, let me mention there was neither soap nor hot water in either of the two unisex bathrooms. Hopefully, the staff has access to both (or either) before they handle your food. But no matter, maybe that's why the place is so dark. So dark in fact, that when you lose a piece of meat or a mushroom in the scalding oil pot that's taking up most of your tiny table, you have to use your phone flashlight to try and fish it out. The woman next to us kept standing up and leaning into the oily cauldron to find her food. We were praying she'd gone easy on the hair products, because one wrong move and she could have set the whole place on fire. WAY too many people crowded into this tiny fire hazard of a building. I have a really hard time believing this meets fire codes. So, yes, if you consider paying a fortune for little pieces of steak boiled in hot oil a luxury and you enjoy people climbing over you to go to the bathroom, then climbing back over you with their unwashed hands, intimate, you definitly won't want to miss this experience. Just make sure you wear something you're ready to throw out. Sidenote: The valet staff was excellent. Got us out of there pronto, thank goodness

I love fondue and have gone to the Melting Pot many times. The food here is very similar maybe slightly smaller portions but the atmosphere is much more romantic (think dim lighting, intimate booth seating, candles etc). I think the amount of food you get makes it a good value, but overall not a cheap meal. Only critiques are the wait time (we had reservations and still ended up waiting almost 30-45 minutes) and the loud music (while nice to have some live music, it was very loud and difficult to converse with my spouse over a romantic dinner).

My partner and I went for his birthday last night; I'd like to express my feelings on the pros and cons regarding geja's. Pros : the meals were portioned well and the infused brie cheese, dessert assortment, house salad dressing, and the prime cute of beef spoke for themselves. The food itself was great. The wine selection is fierce and they have room to brag. The atmosphere was romantic, and yet it was not too intimate for just a group of friends to enjoy the luxury. Cons: our waitress was horrible. The service itself amongst the other waitstaff checking in on us was just fine.... But this gal should not be a waitress. First, she addressed my male partner with a beard as a lady, because of his hair bun. Alright, whatever, honest mistake I guess. Then I told her we were wet from coming in from the rain.... And she asked if we wanted lemons. Oooookayyy. Then she continually rolled her eyes while talking about the new food to us. Whatever, I'm a social worker - eye contact isn't everyone's thing. Then at the end, when our bill was due, she asked if I had something to show her, as I reached for my phone to read the bill (just as I had for the menu since it was so dark in there) stating 'you look like you would have a Groupon for me' .... You know what... Yes it was a Groupon. Geja's isn't above Groupon. I felt like this was a seriously offensive personal blow, atop the condescending eye rolling and opening with a poor comment on a guests gender. Not wise, in my opinion. I would love to visit geja's again, even though we've been fondue stube veterans for years, but I will not request Shannon as our waitress. I came home very upset and she had been the only contributing factor to the displeasure of our geja's experience

We had the three course fondue dinner and it did not disappoint. The food was excellent and the staff was pleasant, efficient and friendly in spite of the restaurant being full. Looking forward to our next visit there.

Fondue is definitely a treat because it's not cheap, but every now and then it's important to treat yourself! My partner and I had dinner here during a trip to Chicago for the start of the holiday season. It was wonderful. From the bread and veggie starter to the meats and oil to the desserts it was wonderful. Next time we may just go sit at the bar and have an appetizer or the dessert, to either begin or end an evening out.

Overall really fun experience! Bought the groupon deal so the cost of the night was probably 60% of what you'd normally pay. It's expensive- no question there, but you do get quantity and quality. The service was pleasant- if not a tiny bit slow. The food was great and the fondue-ing was fun! I'd recommend the full dinner option so you get to try all the courses! Reservations are a must.

We’ve dined at Gejas several times over the years & have enjoyed each visit. This dimly lit gem is always relaxing & fun! The fondue is fabulous & it's always a wonderful dinner. We enjoy the ambiance & the service is always very good. We love the aged beef tenderloin & Australian lobster tail as well as the cheese fondues & the chocolate fondue is divine! Add a guitarist on top of a beautiful experience & you have a lovely evening!

Each course was delectably flattering and delicious! The cheese and chocolate fondue were amazing, as were the scallops and other seafood served. The vegetarian platter was wonderful as well, with the potatoes and zucchini my personal favorites! The marshmallow roasting was simply fantastic and all of the items served were fresh and of supreme quality. The atmosphere was undeniably romantic and richly exotic, featuring a live Spanish guitarist and brilliantly selected decor. Definitely a must-try for couples and families alike!

I came here for my bff's birthday celebration with a Groupon. The restaurant is very romantic, very quaint, extremely dim lighting, we used the light on our cell phones to see the food, just to make sure the meat was fully cooked. Thursday is half off sangria pitchers, not a bad deal. The cheese sauce had a very strong beer taste, I did not mind, I like beer and the taste of it, but the sauce was a little gritty tasting, it was not a good mouth feel. I had the seafood selection, lobster, shrimp and scallops, which is served with vegetables and several dipping options, garlic butter, teriyaki, horseradish and spicy habanero or jalapeno sauce and potatoes and you cook all of that in oil. Once the food comes out the grease, it has no flavor and you have to dip the bland food items in one of the aforementioned sauces. Not a huge fan of the bland meat and vegetables. Lastly, the dessert, the chocolate fondue, it comes to the table flaming, (they pour orange liqueur on top of the chocolate and light it on fire), so you can roast your marshmallows and make "smores", (you are served graham cracker crumbs, I was fine with the crumbs). I had just enough time to roast 2 marshmallows, then the flame went out, now the chocolate taste like burnt orange and you dip rice krispy treats, strawberries, grapes and pound cake in the burnt orange chocolate, not a huge fan of the chocolate either. Street parking was pretty easy to find, but they do offer valet parking. We had a reservation for 7:30 and did not leave until after 10, be prepared to stay a while.

I decided to make reservations here to celebrate our anniversary after reading all the reviews about how romantic this place was. It did not disappoint. There was a signed 'Happy Anniversary' card on our table. All the staff were very polite, attentive, and professional. Vanessa was our server and she did a wonderful job explaining everything. I would recommend this place for any couple wanting a nice evening out.

Hubby brought me here for my 50th birthday. I've had fondue before, but not quite like this. Although we had to put in some work with cooking the main course in the fondue pot, everything was delicious (we got the seafood and vegetarian deluxe). I don't eat a lot of dairy but the cheese fondue dip with the appetizers was quite tasty. Although the atmosphere was cozy and romantic, it was a bit too dim for me (I have a visual impairment) and had a hard time seeing the food on my platter. The temp in the restaurant also was quite warm, probably from the heat from all the fondue pots, so bring a hand fan and dress lightly. Overall, an amazing dining experience. They just need to turn up the lights and the air a bit.

have been going to Geja near on 20 years. I have taken my friends and family there to celebrate birthdays or just to have a good time. I have never asked for anything free or for special services of any kind. The last time I was there with my sister we requested a specific table that was available only to be told no. We asked for a booth and were told no. We were seated at a table that was noisy and cold. That was on the second visit to Geja I had made within one week. This time I sent a note with my reservation that I was bringing a friend and requested a nice booth or the same table I had requested in my previous visit. The hostess proceeded to sit us at the worst booth possible - the smallest booth in the restaurant, next to the kitchen. We requested to be seated at another booth and we were. Never once during the visit did a head waiter assist us, but we could see that he assisted the other tables and booths next to ours. The other waitstaff were pleasant but not attentive. No one offered us fresh pepper with our salad course, nor coffee or tea with our chocolate fondue. We had to ask for it. Three of our fondue forks broke while we were eating, resulting in two burnt fingers - mine. They did not ask about anything when we asked for replacement forks. My friend let one of them know that it was my birthday and if Geja had anything they could bring out for it, which I know for a fact Geja does. The waiter said yes. Needless to say they did not do anything. This is such shabby and disappointing treatment that I will not visit again and I will not recommend Geja to anyone.

We’ve been going to Geja’s for years and are always pleased with every aspect of our dining experience, where the wait staff is polite, knowledgeable and very conscious of timing of our wine and meal. Soft lighting, excellent food and a very good wine list. One suggestion, if you’re not familiar with wines, a small description of them would be helpful for me. However, the waiter has always been able to recommend a lovely wine for us when we describe our preferences to him/her. Louis, our waiter last night was exceptional and he has been our waiter before. In our years of coming here, everything we’ve ordered is beautifully presented and delicious! Offers valet parking for $12.00, a plus if you’re not used to downtown driving. Coupons available from time to time on Groupon. Enjoy!

If you like fondue, you'll like Geja's...and if you've never tried fondue, you should. The fondues (three: cheese, oil, & chocolate) are excellent as are the ingredients for dipping. The process is fun and the portions will satisfy even the hungriest in your group. Couple of minor complaints precluded a five star rating: very limited beer list, very overpriced wine list, room is too dark ("romantic" is a euphemism for almost cave-dark lighting), seating is very tight and chairs are very uncomfortable, plus parking is nigh impossible (no public lots, most streets require residency permits, and valet is $12.00). Servers and staff are great, and overall Geja's is a unique experience that everyone should enjoy.

I wish I could report a better experience here. I wanted to love it but what a disappointment. This restaurant has a lovely ambiance, but unfortunately this is ruined by a robotic, processs-oriented staff. You are expected do things their way and on their timeline. It doesn’t matter how many bottles of wine or how many courses you order to enjoy while connecting with people you care about. The focus is on table turnover, and nothing in the physical environment makes up for staff treating you like you need to be told what to do rather than letting you sit back to enjoy the dining experience you are paying for.

We were looking for something different to do with our teenage daughters downtown. We ate here 20+ years ago when we lived near Chicago. Made reservations 6 weeks in advance on Open Table since we were coming during the holidays. Very cool place. Food was very good. It’s very close quarters but we didn’t mind. It’s expensive but it was a good choice for a special night out.

The best way to describe this place is: Americanized fondue restaurant. I had fondue before in Paris at one of the most popular food place but Geja's experience was different. First of all, the ambiance inside is really nice.. it feels very cosy. I went with my wife and we felt as if we are somewhere in Europe. Our server Mary was really nice and friendly. She explained everything very nicely and took great care of us throughout our dinner. We both opted for vegetarian dinner meal which comes with appetizers (cheese fondue), main course and deserts (chocolate fondue). Main course was unique because we were frying our veggies at the table. The sauces provided to use were all good and added nice flavor to the food. Some good collection of wines help us making this dinner a great one. I think we both loved the food and whole experience. I highly recommend this place for fondue lovers. Please make sure you have a reservation. This place is usually packed.

Geja's is "fondue" unique and romantic (candle-lit grotto-like atmosphere). Great ambiance. That's what you pay for. Service is OK, food is OK (average at best). Many other places in Chicago to enjoy a far superior meal.

Great place for a romantic dinner. The experience of cooking our food was new and exciting. I just love getting out my comfort zone and trying something different. The staff was very friendly and kind. The dim lighting and great wine really sets the mood..I highly recommend this location for a date night..

First time for Fondu and we were not disappointed. Party of 3, my husband and I are late 30's...while my little sister is 18. We took her out for a farewell dinner before starting college. Geja's is in a great neighborhood, valet parking was easy, menu was a bit pricey but we expected that in Chicago. The cost per person for dinner was $60...it included cheese fondu appetizer, meat and seafood fondu entre and chocolate fondu for dessert. While there were no leftovers to take home we were all pleasantly full. They bring out one platter for each course and everyone has their own skewers. We had a great time tasting and sharing all the different foods. We really enjoyed the fondu experience which allows room for more conversation and the feel of actually 'sharing' a meal. Children under 10 are not allowed and I completely understand why. The restaurant is very small and intimate, you would not want children walking around with all of the fondu pots. They had a great wine list ... would be a perfect spot for a romantic evening with a significant other!

Went to Geja's It has been around forever. Still has the magic. Got the sampler dinner steak chicken scrimp scallops and lobster. You also get a cheese fondue and a chocolate desert. A lot of dipping choices with each. A lot to enjoy notice that we did not leave anything behind Nor was anyone else leaving anything Service was wonderful. Each course explained Water refiled Were there for two and a half hours Got a groupon to reduce the sting of the price with the bill they gave you a chance to sign up for. $40 off coupons for a birthday and anniversary. A wonder place to go to splurge May John Davis and Geja's go on forever

I went here for my 14 yr anniversary. I was expecting a romantic setting and warm atmosphere, as well as a certain dress code if I'm spending $65/pp. Admittedly is was a nice place, but our experience was marred by our table placement within the restaurant. One would think considering we were a party of 5 celebrating a special occasion we would've been placed close to the guitar player at a table, not squeezed into a tight booth off in a corner. It was very uncomfortable for everyone, and made the cooking much more difficult than it had to be. Then there was the dress code... It was not enforced. From their website : "...our guests are here celebrating a special occasion. We ask that your attire reflect that. The dress code at Geja’s Café is business casual. For men, a collared shirt and dress pants are appropriate. For women, business wear or dressy casual attire would be most comfortable. More specifically, we do not allow beachwear (flip flops, tank tops, etc.), athletic wear (jerseys, sweatpants, gym shoes, etc.), ripped or torn clothing and hats of any kind." We adhered to the dress code but when we got there, we saw all of the above mentioned do-not-wears. It was upsetting because if I wanted to be at a casual restaurant I sure wouldn't pay $250 for it. I understand the need for business but pick a standard and stick to it. However, the food was good and the wait staff was very accommodating, even in the face of a belated alergy warning. They made the changes despite the difficulty, having to separate everything AFTER it was prepared. For that we were truly grateful. All in all the place was nice but the 3 stars are because it did not live up to it's own definition of romantic.

We've been to Geja's many times but last week we attended one of their wine dinners. This one featured French wines. What a fabulous experience. We enjoyed the dinner that starts with a delicous cheese fondue, then had the shrimp, beef tenderloin, chicken, and veggie fondu, and wrapped up with the chocolate fondue. You'll not find a better fondue anywhere. What made it extra special were the four different wines we had including a pre-dinner bubby, then a different wine complementing each course. Each wine was explained by an expert. Service, as always, can't be beat. Geja's is always wonderful, but the wine pairings made it all that much more special.

It's a tad on the pricey side, but to be honest, we try going when we have a Groupon to make it affordable for us youngin's. My wife and I have been going here since we were dating back in med school. It's very romantic - the entire ambience - visually, musically, taste and smell. Very elegant, and we loved the flamenco music on top of it. The food is just ridiculously good, from start to finish!! I can't wait to go back here - remember, save your appetite for this one, you're going to want every last bit of it!!

Very dark Romanric setting. Got just cheese and chocolate. Plenty of food. Very pricey for full meal. Thought cheese fondue A bit bitter compared to what had in Switzerland

We had 5 PM reservations for 8, we arrived on time with 7, one no show. A brief wait for our table to be reset, and the festivities began. Superb service with great description of the fondue experience. The atmosphere was ideal and very charming, very delightful. The service continued to be outstanding. Everyone enjoyed and stated this was the best ever, and We intend to make it a regular event. What a wonderful place.

We stopped in for a drink and couldn’t believe that this restaurant is so old school and charming. It’s been there since the 70’s and it still feels like it. Anton the bartender was a wealth of knowledge and extremely talented and interesting. We will be back.

This was our favorite Chicago restaurant in the 80s when we lived in the area. Celebrated many special occasions here and recommended it all the time. So we were excited to return with our young adult children for our family Christmas dinner a few days ago. But so much of our experience is not what it once was. The food, I should say, was fine. Honestly, I think it would be tough to mess up a 3-course fondue meal. Our server was helpful and friendly. But that’s where the positives end. Our waiter was impossible to find. For instance: we were done with our entree course for a full 30 minutes before he came by to see if we were ready for the dessert course. One of the things Geja’s publicizes, of course, is the flamenco guitarist. We were there 2.5 hours and heard two 20-minute sets (I’m not exaggerating). Otherwise, there was an overly loud Christmas background track playing. It wasn’t instrumental or pleasant - imagine “You’re a mean one, Mr Grinch” playing loudly. Not what I’d expect. And when waiting for the restroom, and a manager walked past, I mentioned this. His response, word for word: “you don’t like Christmas music?” I clarified that the song selection and volume wasn’t adding to our evening. He said “I’ll take that into consideration,” then turned his back on me and walked away (I’d planned on sharing more of my frustration). 3 different glasses were dropped near us by 3 different staff within 5 minutes. One of those was my full water glass, which left broken glass all over the floor under our table, as well as plenty of water, which no one bothered to clean up. Bottom line: they just didn’t seem to care a bit about our enjoyment. This is a once-upon-a-time Chicago treat that has given up.

If you want to experience a relaxing dinner option this is it. We came after work and enjoyed the different courses available Great drinks- recommendations:Luis Martini was fruity and tasty! I got the International dinner and had shrimp, beef and chicken The courses involve cheese fondue, salads, meat/fish fondue and ends with chocolate fondue!!!

We have been here many times in the past, last time 7-8 years ago. Things have changed.Waiter was very brisk and cold "what do you want " before we sat down.The cheese fondue was pasty and gritty(did they forget the cheese??). The chocolate fondue seemed watered down. The waiter was now attentive ( had to pour our our bottle of wine). Overall , it was a disappointment, times have changed for the worst. Will not come back.

This restaurant was recommended to me by friends as having great food, and also great atmosphere, as well as a great place for a romantic dinner. I was not disappointed. It's a fondue restaurant with many choices on the menu. First, it's in the basement of the building making a little dark and, yes, romantic. The interior is beautiful wood and very intimate. We were early so sat at the bar for a while. Very cozy. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and had some good suggestions about not only the selections, but some instructions for how to best cook the food (remember fondue) at the table. The appetizer was a fun assortment of fruit and breads with a hot beer cheese fondue. For the entree' I chose a combination of beef, prawns, and lobster, and my friend chose the chicken. Both came with a variety of vegetable chunks. They were also served with eight different sauces. Again, remembering fondue, you cook the meats and veggies in a hot oil fondue. The meal is finished off with a desert fondue; fruits and cake with a chocolate fondue. The food was excellent. The service was also perfect. A great place for a romantic dinner for two, or a small family gathering.

Geja's is so different from other places. First, it's a fondue place, but the atmosphere is also amazing, and the staff is unfailingly great. This is the epitome of a special occasion restaurant. It may be somewhat expensive, but it's the experience that counts, and you immediately know that this doesn't come along every day. It would be pretty difficult to get a large group in, so beware- I think 8 is about the max, unless you can pre-arrange patio seating in summer. But this place is best for 2 or 4 to visit, it's pretty intimate. Also- reservations are nearly mandatory, on a weeknight a couple can probably get a table, but there may be a longish wait. Anyway- the dinner. The waitstaff always asks if you've been there before, they explain what's in the fondue (cheese, chocolate, wine) and how to cook everything. They even give helpful tips for how to keep everything on the forks, etc. For first-timers, I highly recommend getting the variety dinner, try it all- if you don't love something someone else in your party can try it. They also have options for steak and lobster only, or just seafood, or steak and chicken only. For starters you get a cheese and wine/brandy fondue that they flame to start things off. You really have to save room to get through to the dessert fondue (chocolate/wine), even though the main entree plate initially looks somewhat small. It's mostly meat, and turns out to be quite filling. With the premiere dinners, some of that is scallops, lobster, shrimp, and tenderloin. Not exactly light- but totally worth it. There are veggies to complement the meats, and making your own combos is part of the fun. And again- chocolate dessert fondue- wow. My favorite thing is to melt marshmallows in the flame- seriously even better than at a campfire. And how could I forget- great wines to pair with everything, really just enhances the whole thing. This is a great, great date place to visit with that special someone, or to take your best friends. (P.S.- veggie and gluten free options are available.)

I usually don't review places in my hometown. However this place deserves a great review. The location is perfect right near the zoo. There is street parking on Clark. Or you can valet for 12$. The food was amazing. I have never tried fondue before and I couldn't believe how good it was. The meat and fish quality was excellent as well as the vegetables. I loved the cheese fondue and the sangria and mojito were also great. I would definitely even come here for some wine and cheese fondue. The live music was amazing and this is probably the most romantic restaurant I have been to in Chicago.

Geja's is by far one of the best restaurants I've been to in Chicago. It doesn't have the fusion menu that most trendy places do but that is EXACTLY why I love it. Its interactive and yummy. This is place where its quiet enough to have a chat but the atmosphere is loud enough were you don't feel like everyone is listening to your conversation. The staff is great. Never one bad experience of a rude waitstaff. Always on point. And the food and the sauces are out of this world. Its great for couples, a few friends. Make sure to make reservations.

Went here years ago, took my husband because I had romantic memories. It is very dark if you don't get a booth, which we didn't. This makes it very difficult to test the doneness of the food because you are cooking it yourself. We had the seafood, and we cooked the scallops perfectly. But don't get sucked in if you think that this will be easy. The wait staff was very knowledgeable,but when they say this takes 3+ minutes, it means set you're watch. It is very difficult to time cook time. Underdone, overdone, yes all of the above. Wine, food, tax, tip, $200+.

Dinner at Geja's is a great date night! You spend a couple hours here, have delicious food and wine, it is interactive, and super romantic! During our visit we tried a cheese fondue, a seafood/meat/chicken fondue, and a chocolate fondue. For the main course - you definitely have to work for it lol it's pretty fun to cook your own food to your liking and experiment with the different sauces.I loved the Spicy sauce When you see the plate you will thing waww little small but You will leave here full

Wonderful atmosphere, unusual menu and great selections to choose from. Can be a family event (no toddlers please, suggest 12 and over) or first date too!

I'm going to start off by saying it's not The Melting Pot, but its way more authentic. I'm not the biggest fan of the cheese course but the entrees and the dessert are amazing. The place is romantic and the service is wonderful. And it's worth valeting your car over trying to find parking near there.

To address the "elephant in the forum"... Yes it is dim lit. It's initially shocking but your eyes adjust. Once you get past that (as obviously some people don't) everything was great! Excellent waiter, wonderful food, great drinks, and yummy desert. We left completely stuffed... Don't let the amount of food deceive you. It looks like a little bit, but you leave wishing you wouldn't have ate so much! It's a small, family owned restaurant with little room so MAKE A RESERVATION. We did and still ended up waiting for about 10 mins at the bar for our table (not a big deal... But the only reason I didn't give 5 stars)

...of first dates had here.....very romantic, dark setting.....and you will leave here smelling like fried oil has seeped into your pores....because it has.....but so worth it! Filet, shrimp, lobster fondue.....plus strawberries dipped in melted chocolate.....wow.....and sometimes, a flamenco guitarist.....your parents will LOVE this place....but so will you!

The decor is nice. The fondue has not much to do with the real fondue although they give you enough food to fill up. Way overpriced for this experience. We bought a Groupon deal and when the waitress found out her attitude changed 180 degrees. We left as soon as we could and not going back.

Geja's Cafe is a nice fondue type of restaurant. It is very crowded and tables and chairs are "packed in". The waiters were nice and explained the process of the fondue and the different courses. It didn't look like a lot of food, but we were really full at the end!

I've been to Geja's several times for special occasions and it never lets me down. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is great! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone, come hungry and you won't be disappointed.

Our yearly visit here. Lubjy to score Groupon for $65 off. Nice wine list and fabulous dipping sauces.

Huge thanks and shout out to the owner and his staff for going above and beyond to help me propose and make a memory that will last a lifetime! Truly appreciated! Definitely recommended for any special occasions!

This has always been one of our favourite restaurants in Chicago ... going back to the early days of dating my wife! Romantic at the time and now an awesome experience for the family. We have been waiting for our youngest child to turn 10 so that all of us can experience Geja's as a family. 2016 was that year and we all went this week for the kids to experience what my wife and I have always loved about this place. The ambience, abundance of food, the amazing taste and all the memories. Love this place and you will too. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Wonderful place for a night getaway! Food was fantastic and the wait staff was friendly providing excellent service. Will definitely be back.

This restaurant is a staple in Lincoln Park. It’s been here for quite a while. Last year, they added outdoor seating with fire pits, fondue and cheese plate options, and cocktails or other drinks. I like it outside better than sitting inside, which is dark, smells like stereo and oil, and the smell stays in your clothes and hair. But the food is great, they sometimes have live guitar music, and this is a special place to go.

I went with a friend and we bought a Groupon. I suggest mentioning the groupon at the end of the meal. When we walked in it smelt like rotten seafood. I love seafood so it wasn't the smell that bothered me but the stench of it. We got the cheese and chocolate fondue. The cheese fondue was flavorless and tasted like processed cheese. The chocolate fondue was awful. I asked the waitress before she brought it and she said it was a carmel chocolate fondue but when it got to our table she described it as a coffee chocolate fondue which I didn't care for. The main point here is there are no choices you just get what they give you. We couldn't wait to leave.

Great little romantic place. quiet enough to carry on an intimate conversation even with guitar playing softy in the background. Feeding each other fondue is intimate and fun. Food is delicious and well thought out for fondue service.

My wife and I had dinner here with our daughter and her husband and our son (all three in their mid-late 20s). We had a good time, and I have no complaints except the price. These are very simple foods involving no preparation or presentation. There is nothing exceptional about the quality. Even in the city, I would expect to pay $20-30 per person, not $55-60. Ignoring the ridiculous prices, it was fun but not a place to which I would return.

Interesting and unique dinner experience. The cheese and chocolate fondues were delicious. The beef was tender and juicy but for the price i would have thought that more was included. I wasn't expecting raw meat and having to cook it ourselves. Didn't really care for having to watch my clock to make sure that my meat was cooked in the oil long enough. We were thinking this was a romantic restaurant but a few things proved that to be incorrect....such as the loud group of people that were sat next to us (one person even answered their phone and was having a conversation at their table. Also we made sure we fit the dress code but upon sitting there we realized that others were walking in with ripped jeans. Weird. The tables are close so thank goodness we were able to have a booth but our walk to to the restroom was a tad difficult. Delicious and unique but overpriced for what it is.

Like Amandalilgreen, I too was very excited to finally make it to Geja's Cafe. To my SURPRISE!?, I found myself disappointed that all the hype was really just that hype. Upon making the reservation, the rep. asked if there was a special event for my visit, I did inform them it was my first time. The waiter asked the same question, but apparently that isn't a good enough reason to introduce new comers to the Geja's Cafe experience. The waiter was uninterested and blah about the whole thing. Which brings me to the food, again all hype with a hefty price tag. A one time experience ok maybe, a second visit...not likely.

I've called this a great experience rather than a great meal, and I've done so on purpose. No-one can doubt the cosiness of Gejas, with its booths and low-level lighting creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. Service is very good, with helpful explanations of how long to cook the various ingredients, a very prompt iced water re-filler, and plenty of attention to ensure the fondue burners are just right. The food is, well, a novelty rather than a focus. The cheese fondue was more like a cheese sauce, slightly floury and lacking the stringy cheese quality of fondues I've eaten in Switzerland and France in the past. The main course (oil-based fondue) was good quality if not outstanding; I've read comments about the quantity of the meat and seafood but quite honestly, I challenge you to finish the servings - we certainly couldn't! The chocolate fondue is a lovely end to the meal and served with generous amounts of fresh fruit and cake. Overall, we both really enjoyed Gejas and would recommend it as a one-off experience for visitors to the city. Just go there for what it is, a lovely romantic evening, not a foodie destination!

I recently dined at Gejas with my daughter and granddaughter. We were in the mood for fondue (when I was married in the late 70's fondue was all the rage and I loved it!) and this restaurant popped up. First of all - it is dimly lit but not in a way that you can't see or read the menu. I'd characterize it as romantic lighting - warm and cozy. The seating is lovely - in private nooks that, again, are warm and cozy. Our server, Arturo, couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. His sense of humor was delightful without going over the top - he was attentive and very professional. The food was delicious! We ordered the complete meals - filet and lobster, filet and chicken. The meal started with cheese fondue accompanied by bread and fruit. Very enjoyable. Then our meals were brought on one large platter complete with mushrooms, peppers and onions (there may have been more - I can't remember). Two fondue pots were on the table and we proceeded to consume every morsel. There was more than enough for all of us - and the experience at the table was fun - with much laughing! Again, everything was delicious. Then we had our dessert - chocolate fondue presented with pound cake, little rice krispy treats and varieties of fruit. It was divine - excellent chocolate. We will definitely be returning to Gejas.

We were fortunate to get in on a Tuesday evening without a reservation, probably got the last available table as people arriving later were turned away--so if you go, be aware. People were generally nicely dressed. This was a new experience for us. While a la carte items are available, the standard order is a four-course meal, of which only the meat is a diner's choice. One begins with a salad and a cheese fondue, with bread, apple slices, and grapes for dipping. The main course is presented as a platter of assorted fresh vegetables and the selected meats (we had beef, chicken, and shrimp--I did notice that there was a vegetarian option available). Again, it's fondue; you dip your chosen bits into a pot of sizzling oil. Dessert was chocolate fondue with fruit and cake to dip. All the food items were delicious, and we ate much more than we thought we could! Presentation was attractive. Service was invisible, in a good way; once we had been introduced to the menu, we were never aware of the staff but someone always appeared just when we needed water, another drink, or a plate cleared. We felt the cost was reasonable: $125 for two, with wine, before tip. And we'd recommend it without reservation, unless you are a diner who prefers to have your food cooked in the kitchen and delivered to your table ready for consumption. While we walked the couple of blocks from our rental, they have valet parking, and when we left after dinner, there was a man stationed outside to call for taxis if needed. A nice touch.

The cafe does not disappoint with its high prices. The food tastes delicious and the portion sizes are pretty decent, making it worth the price. The service is excellent. Overall it was a great experience. Would come again.

We came here for a birthday party with a medium sized group. This was our mistake. The restaurant has a dark, quiet, intimate setting. It's ideal for a date or double date. We enjoyed the drinks, appetizers and dessert. I would come here for this alone. My problem with the entree was the quantity, price and preparation. I'm not a big fan of meat boiled in oil. The problem I had with the service is that they allowed us to continue attempting to cook our meat in oil that wasn't hot enough. When they realized the problem and corrected it, most of our entrees were already gone. We brought this to the attention of management. They gave us each a glass of champagne. We still enjoyed ourselves. Its not the most expensive restaurant in Chicago but its not cheapest. It seems more expensive when you have to cook your own food and the service is poor. There are too many excellent restaurants in the city that have outstanding service, food and actually cook the food for you.

Geja's was one of the hubby's and mine original "date night" restaurants, ummmm 37 years ago! YEP, we originally dined at Geja's when we lived in Lincoln Park. However, moving to the 'burbs and having kids, we stopped going. I recently discovered that Geja's is now on GROUPON! Geja's can be pricey and is good for special occasions so, I grabbed the Groupon, which made dining at Geja's much more affordable. Geja's is a romantic interactive dining adventure. Be prepared to cook your own food, it is strictly a FONDUE menu. You put the food on a fork inset the fork into either a cheese fondue, cooking oil or chocolate fondue and cook it :) There are a variety of proteins: chicken, beef, seafood or all vegetarian on the menu. If you want a quick fix, you can order ala carte: just cheese fondue or dessert fondue. We always get the full meal which includes: salad, cheese fondue, a protein & veggies and the dessert fondue. Don't worry the portions may look small but, you will definitely leave FULL and satisfied. Make sure you sign up for their frequent dining club, they will email you a coupon for your Anniversary and Birthday's. Valet parking is available for $12. You maybe lucky enough to find a spot on the street. Make SURE you look for the green pay box, nothing is free in Chicago including parking ;)

This was my second visit to Geja's. The first was almost 10 years ago but the restaurant was just as excellent as it was then. We had the red wine sangria (very good). The cheese fondue was very smooth and was a great starter. Second course and the chocolate were amazing also. We also ordered cappacinos with Bailey's and cinnamon. Very tasty but could have been a little hotter. The atmosphere in the dining area is very unique and romantic. Highly recommend this little place.

We were in town visiting my daughter and she reserved a table for our evening dinner. The atmosphere here is peaceful and the seating is intimate and cozy. All employees were very welcoming and helpful. The food was amazing - very fresh fruits and vegetables and delicious cuts of meat. The portions were generous as well. Our server Mario was the best!! He was helpful with our menu selections and with the instructions as this was our first time trying fondu. Highly recommended! Fun time and great food.

This is the worst meal I have had in my life. If you are ready to pay money to cook your own food this place is for you. The cheese fondue was not that bad, it tasted good but the quality of the cheese and the bread was not. For the main meal depending on what you order you cook your own food in a pot of boiling oil; this is not traditional fondue. The food quality was subpar and greasy I felt sick immediately after eating it. The chocolate fondue is a joke they gave us cut up rice crispies to dip in the fondue and stale cake. Top of all that price is very expensive the silver lining was that there’s a CVS in the corner and we were able to buy Pepto-Bismol right away

Romantic, intimate, and tasty. Our service was top notch, the fondue was wonderful, and it was very romantic. If you don't get a booth, it's less romantic, as you are sitting very near the couple next to you. You will also be frying your own food, so your clothes will smell like oil when you leave. Don't go out afterwards, go straight home. We loved it though, and would love to have date night here again.

It doesn't look like much on the outside. The restaurant is on the ground floor so you have to go downstairs to the door. Inside you find a nice little romantic restaurant with wine bottles lining the wall. The meals which cost about $50 per person include a cheese fondue appetizer and a chocolate fondue dessert. You pick your main course which is also served with vegetables and potatoes. Great food. Great service. Try to get a booth.

Nice dinner. Plenty of food. I was not overly impressed with the cheese fondue. Tasted a bit powdery and not like the Swiss fondue we had last summer. Service was good but almost felt rushed. And it was difficult to understand the waiter since he spoke so fast.

My husband and I used to come here for dates many years ago and were fortunate enough to be able to bring our daughter back here for a birthday celebration (she is a mature teenager - do not bring children here). The food and service are exceptional and the ambience is very romantic, with a Spanish guitarist playing softly in the background. We had the cheese fondue, salad and chocolate fondue combination and we definitely had enough to eat. Also conveniently located near Old Town and walking distance to Second City, where we saw a show after dinner. Glad to have had another great experience at Geja's Cafe!

Great service, great ambiance, great food. Our favorite is always the chocolate fondue!! We were celebrating 2 birthdays this visit and were treated with an extra dessert.

There is a lot going on in this tiny space and in all, it is a wonderful experience. Watch closely for the restaurant as it is easy to miss from the street. A few steps down from the street level, enter the dark, environment filled with interesting scents and fantastic music (live guitar). ATMOSPHERE: At first, the crowded space is a bit intimidating. You have to slide past tables to reach the bar / waiting area. However, it is easy to get used to the cramped quarters filled with happy customers. Although you can literally rub elbows with the adjacent table, most patrons keep their attention to their own party. However, I did see some cross-table introductions and conversation. It is a friendly place to dine. FOOD: Plenty of options for most tastes; my wife and I selected two different combinations with seafood and beef. Both came with vegetables and there were also vegetarian options. We started with a cheese fondue appetizer course with bread and fruit for dipping. I knew I should not have saved more room for the entrée, but it is all too good to stop. All of the food is presented on an attractive platter and it is all fresh. Chocolate fondue for dessert is fantastic and even includes marshmallows for roasting as the chocolate heats up. SERVICE: The staff is inviting and our waiter explained everything, including cooking time for each item well. The waiters move about the labyrinth effectively and remain attentive to each table appropriately. Each course was ready without delay and also without feeling rushed. We will return and I can recommend this place to anyone.

this restaurant embodies what fondue means and the entertainment flair adds to total experience. to be able to appreciate live guitar 🎸 is plain awesome. it can be a place for first date with right person or your right person of the time.

This was the way to go - a private table on the beautiful patio with the fire pit. Excellent service by Eve, great drinks, great food (limited Menu of "patio bites" offers plenty. You have to go inside for the bathroom, and the inside is dark and stinky like oil. But eating outdoors was a pleasure.

We visited with our adult children. They had not experienced the multi course fondue experience and we had a great time! Food was really wonderful and the assortment and portions were very generous! The waiter also made our experience really fun! Would definitely go back.

We were really excited about it and had a good time but just didn't love this place. Our waitress was way overly friendly and talked to us like we were children. The cheese fondue was OK, came with apples, grapes and stale bread. Then the main course came out which you cook yourselves at your table. The meats and vegetables were raw and are not seasoned, you have to cook them in oil or broth and then dip them in sauces (1/8 were good). You can cook like 4 things at once so we were eating one piece of meat and a piece of vegetable every 5 mins. We would have rather had a cheese fondue to dip rather than sauces. While cooking our food it was super hot and stuffy, my eyes burned from the oil in the air. Our clothes reek of frying oil. The benches in the booths were so hard and uncomfortable (this may seem like I'm nit picking but when you are having a 3 hr dinner event this is a long time to sit on a wooden board!). Long story short both of us were ready to leave and I don't see us going back.

My experience with Geja's was amazing. My fiance and I went out to celebrate our anniversary and I decided to go big or go home. I read that Geja's was the most romantic restaurant in Chicago, and it's not hard to see why! The dim lighting, cozy decor and secluded booths were perfect for the occasion. The flamenco guitar was also amazingly soothing. Let me tell you, the food.... it's an EXPERIENCE. We were there from 8 pm until 10:45 and didn't once stop to look at the clock. I loved having the freedom to pick and choose my meal. The fondue is to die for and the selection of fruits and bread was perfect. I particularly enjoyed the variety of dipping sauces for the main course. After stuffing myself for dinner I could barely make enough space for dessert (but, it's chocolate fondue, i mean come on!) Our waiter was phenomenal in explaining all of our choices and he didn't rush us at all. We had some amazing conversations over cooking our own dinner right at the table. It was a fun and romantic night out. Highly recommend for special occasions!

Went TO Chicago for my 60th birthday, and wanted somewhere fun and fabulous for my celebration. We chose Geja's and had a wonderful time. Food was fantastic and fresh. They had 10 different sauces you could dip your seafood and meat in that covered a wide spectrum of flavors. All the dinners come with cheese fondue to start with bread and fruit. main course, and chocolate fondue to end with. By the time you finished, it was hard to contemplate ever eating again! The setup with the fondue allows you to have a nice conversation at a slow place, or very romantic atmosphere. Reccomend highly for your celebrations!

My husband and I were very excited to visit this fondue place as we have been to a few great fondue places where we live in Texas. We did not get any choices for our cheese course and it had cherry brandy in it which was kind of strange. We did have the opportunity to choose our meats but not the vegetables or cooking broth. Everything got cooked in oil. They gave us lots of mushrooms and peppers neither of which we will eat. Then the major disappointment. They brought out a chocolate fondue made with coffee and some liquor. I can't have anything with coffee in it and they said they could not make a fondue without the coffee. Also the menu states coffee comes with the meal. I ordered hot tea. I asked for English breakfast tea and ended up getting some fruit tea (none of it was marked). They charged us $3. The whole experience was strange! Even had a guy playing the guitar that did not play very well.

Great romantic atmosphere and high quality fondue (cheese - steak, shrimps and chicken - chocolate)!

Different concept, totally unexpected. Definitely not cheap, but the dinners are shareable, if you have a small stomach that is. But the ambiance, the discovery and the wine will make you forget about everything! A memorable anniversary night, for sure.

We have been to Geja's a number of times over the past decade and it's a great experience. Everyone's right to say get a booth if you can, because I like to get up to arrange and check my fondue and make sure I don't spill! At any rate, we just went again; our server was on point and very clear about the important things-- ie, noting anything on the plate that was even slightly non-vegetarian (it never occurred to me marshmallows have gelatin and the dill dip has anchovy)... It's important to eat light the day you go and pace yourselves if you're going for the 4 courses-- and you will obviously leave the place smelling like you've bathed in oil so get some Febreze for those coats! ;) One more tip, you can search online, as there's usually some sort of coupon scheme going on- formerly restaurant.com, but these days Groupon, etc. Could save significant $$$.

My fiancé and I were visiting Chicago and found a great deal for the Geja's café on Groupon. It was described as very romantic so we didn't hesitate too long. The restaurant is located in Old Town, a very charming district with Victorian Houses and little shops. While our table was being prepared, we could wait at the bar with cheddar and little sticks. We noticed the large selection of wines offered by the restaurant so we couldn't resist but taking a glass of it as well. The atmosphere is intimate, it is dark inside with little candles on the tables, which makes it very romantic. We got all the useful information we needed for the different fondues but also, recommendations for the dinner. The staff was amazing, the service was perfect. We didn't even had our glasses of water empty that they were already filled ! We didn't wait a long time between each fondue either. The food was very good. Plus, they give you coupons for your birthday and other occasions at the end of the dinner. Really, I recommend this restaurant.

I loved this little resteraunt, the service was excellent, and the food was delicious. Perfect for a private date!

My wife and I had last been to Geja’s nearly 20 years ago. This time we brought our children and met another couple. What a great experience! It is pricey but the food is great and the service is top notch. I used Resy to reserve our table. The app had a glitch and did not work properly but the staff was fantastic. They hustled together and got us a 6 top in no time.

We don't usually seek out fancy restaurants but after reading up on reviews we thought we'd try this place since it received such high praise. We were disappointed with our experience and will not be going back. We had online reservations and we arrived a few minutes late but the host was welcoming and our coats were checked in quick which was nice. We were seated in a very cramped tiny area and had to request switching tables. We requested to switch to a booth but were denied and they told us there weren't booths available. When the server came to greet us we also asked him as we saw an open and clean booth right by us. The staff seemed to be be under the impression that we had asked to NOT be seated in a booth which isn't true. Why would that ever be a request, when we're clearly not sitting in a booth. Atmosphere: The area is quite small and very dark. We had one dim light above us which made reading the menus close to impossible. Thankfully we had scoured the menu beforehand and knew what we wanted. The waiters have little flashlights which help but the fact that they need flashlights will tell you a lot of how dark it is in there. I assume this is to create an ambiance but there's a line between ambiance and just too dark. You couldn't even tell when the meat was cooked.The music was quite loud and we had to talk very loudly just to be able to hear each other. I am not sure if this is just because of the table we were seated in. The table was quite small as well which made things cramped. If you do not have a booth just leave. There is only enough room for your food in a booth and you won't be 3 inches away from the next table. Food: We ordered a Boneless Chicken Breast dinner, Gourmet board and a Chocolate fondue plate between two people. The salad had quite a lot of dressing on it as well. The Gourmet board came with a mixture of bread, cheese and a few types of meat (2 types salami and Spanish chorizo). The place involves cooking the food but it was very very difficult to tell when the chicken was cooked due to the place being so dark. The chocolate fondue not only was barely enough for 2 even though it was 2 separate orders, but had an overpowering taste of alcohol throughout. We were charged $22 for 2 coffees at the end of the meal even though one was to be included in the dinner. At the end of the day the price we paid was too high for the experience we received. We will not come here ever again.

Geja's Café is probably one of the most perfect places for a date - soft (live) guitar music, soft red lighting, friendly, knowledgeable wait staff, huge wine list, fantastic fondue and intimate setting! Absolutely perfect and reasonably priced - but make sure to make reservations far in advance - this is one popular place!

It doesn't get any more romantic than this. Great fun eating fondu. I recommend Prince Geja's combination, so you can try a little of everything. Sangria was tasty. Our waiter Steve was outstanding.

The wife and I are pleased with the great service and greasy food we were served at Geja’s! This is a fondue restaurant and it takes quite a bit longer, Plan accordingly. A fresh 5 course meal that will leave you full and satisfied!

Very Good Food. The service was very good, not rushed. The wine list is very good. It is a bit crowded, with the tables very close together, but that does not seem to interfere with the sense of intimacy which you get at your table. Sharing the fondue pots probably helps in that regard. I was not surprised to see a 20% tip included with my bill, as we were a larger party. I was VERY disappointed to see that the 20% tip was calculated including the wine bill. That is UNACCEPTABLE, and I will not return until I hear they have changed their policy. This restaurant is not inexpensive, nor is the wine list. I do expect to tip for waitstaff, and good service gets 20% most of the time; I do not tip 20% for drinks or wine. Because the price of wine varies so widely, a reputable restaurant will not add an automatic tip to the cost of alcohol on the bill.

Unique dining experience with fondue. Excellent service, food was good, included appetizers and dessert. Neat experience if you have never been to a fondue restaurant.

I have been here a few times and for some reason, this time it left me thinking about the experience I had at Geja's. My wife wanted to go for her birthday. The first thing about the place is it is very dark atmosphere. I did read quite a few reviews that said the same and it is quite dark. I understand they want a romantic environment, but the could add a few soft lights or lamps at each table and would still be romantic. We had to read our menus with the flashlight from our phones on and i noticed a couple people doing that as well as when they got their bills. Now for the meal. We ordered a mojito and tanquery and tonic as the cocktail. They start you off with a cheese fondue with some bread and grapes and after that you get a salad with a vinagrette dressing. We ordered one platter called the connoisseur. The plate has 2 pieces of shrimp, 2 pieces of meat and 2 pieces of lobster along with various vegetables. If you choose to share the platter, they charge you an extra 10$ to share. The food is very delicious along with all the dippings that come with it. But as mentioned about the dungeon lighting, at times we were not sure if our seafood was cooked so we had to bring out the flashlight to be sure. To end our meal with the flaming chocolate fondue, we had an espresso and a latte. The bill before tax came out to a little under $99.00. So, what I liked most and least about my experience. I did enjoy the meal. It was very good and the dipping sauces were incredibly tasty. We chose to get one dinner instead of two because we knew that if we got 2, we would feel so full and not comfortable. Unfortunately, you do get dinged with the $10 "share" charge. We were running a half hour late and we called and they did hold the table for us which was very appreciative since the 1/2 hour lateness was our fault. The wait staff was helpful and we had no problems with them. As for the dislike's, a couple things. One is the lighting. It was a bit to dark. Also, you may want to avoid wearing your best and nicest clothes when you go here. Since you are cooking with oil on a burner, the air is heavy with the smell of oil and therefore will get in your clothes. All the way home we had that smell with us and even after changing, can still smell the oil. They do have fans, but when we went, only saw one of them on that that time, which was evening. I also think it is a bit overpriced. 2 drinks, 1 entree and two coffees ended up at $99.00. This will be a place we go to once a year.....maybe.

My sister suggested my husband and I go to this restaurant, since she had a Groupon. My husband was initially hesitant since our last excursion to a fondue place back in Michigan was less than satisfying. However, we agreed to go with her based on her recommendation. I must say my first impression of the place was underwhelming. The restaurant is located on the garden level and both the exterior and interior appeared a bit dated. Management suggests you not use electronics so not to disturb other guests, so no Wi-Fi was available. On the plus side, the quality of the food was definitely a cut above our last fondue excursion and the portions were generous for each course. However, the best feature of the restaurant was the service. The wait staff was excellent - friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. We also enjoyed their tips on how to get the most out of our experience. Without the Groupon, the cost definitely would be pricey. Yet, it definitely would be worth the price for a groups of office pals, couples and for special events. I must say I was also surprised at the variety of ages of the patrons. You would expect the older, middle-aged people (like myself), but there were just as many twenty and thirty-somethings there who all appeared to be enjoying themselves.

My wife and I were discussing why we love Geja's so much, as we dined there again this month. The location is in the heart of Lincoln Park, with the brownstones and urban atmosphere around you. The waitstaff is superb, friendly, with just the right amount of attentiveness. The wine list is diverse and very enjoyable. You can get a very good bottle of wine for $50, so why not? The fondue experience is phenomenal. Whatever choices you make regarding the proteins (or not), you will be satisfied with the quality and with amount. And with the lighting, music (there is live music on some evenings), and the experience that comes from two people enjoying rich foods together....wow!

The atmosphere is calm and quaint. And it offers a great deal of privacy. You won't encounter a lot of rowdy visitors nor any obtrusive attendants. It is a great place to eat and chat with your companion(s).

I had been dreaming of visiting Geja's for years. My husband and I finally made a reservation for our anniversary. We were not disappointed! We took the earliest seating, so we waited outside on their patio for them to open the doors. When they did and we were greeted by the hostess, she wished us a Happy Anniversary and brought us to our table, where an anniversary card awaited us that was signed by the staff. They had won my heart at this point, and we had not even ordered drinks. We settled in and ordered the Prince Geja combination, which is a little bit of just about everything. Our server was amazing. She gave us a quick tutorial on operating the fondue pot and told us how long to cook each item to our liking. Cheese fondue was the starter, followed by a small salad, then the main course with meats and veggies, and finally the chocolate fondue. My only sadness was in the amount of meat offered for the price, however, we were so stuffed by the end of dinner that if we had more it would have gone to waste. You pay not just for the food but for the experience, which was simply amazing. Start to finish, it was one of the best dining experiences I have had.

My wife and I dine at Geja's about 4 times a year. We find the food to be excellent and a good value. Be aware that Geja's is very active on Groupon and you can usually find a deal making the experience an even better value. Do yourself a favor and order all of the courses---I suspect that many including us, believe the cheese is the single best part of an excellent meal. The cheese is consistently delicious accompanied by assorted fruit (grapes and apples) and bread. If you find you have extra cheese, you can ask for additional bread. For us, dinner consists of scallops and chicken along with vegetables and the dipping sauces. The dipping sauces add a great touch to the protein of your choice and vegetables. The dill sauce is simply outstanding. The quality of all the sauces is excellent. The dinner service ends with a chocolate fondue and an assortment of fruits (strawberries, pineapples, apples), marshmallows, rice krispie treats and pound cake. A couple of recommendations---be sure to use your phone to time how long food is cooking. Don't just randomly put food in the oil or you'll run the risk of undercooking some food and overcooking others. Finally, be aware that you'll like leave with the smell of cooking oil so be aware that washing your clothes upon returning home is probably a good idea. All in all, enjoy your visit to Geja's--the food is well worth the cost.

Simply amazing, fondue from starters to the desserts. The cheese fondue from starter should be improved the cheese quality to make it more cheesy and authentic Swiss chess flavor. I love the main course most, it totally worth it. It is so much fun to hear the sizzling sounds. The quality of the meat and seafood are fresh. The service is wonderful. He is very friendly, welcoming and professional. Highly recommended!!

Terrific hospitality n service, What a WONDERFUL dining experience. Soon as we got there Fantasic service from beginning to end

Felt misled by all the great reviews and taunted as one of the most romantic places of Chicago. Seating was tight and uncomfortable, restaurant was loud (not romantic), food was mediocre at best, cheese was the best part, very disappointed in the chocolate fondue, server was nice, wine selection good. Much better opportunities for quality food and romantic experiences in Chicago.

Here’s me review of this place and their little fondue dinner. We got a premier thing which is essentially a 3 course number Let’s first start with the positive. The ambiance is great. It’s dark and romantic and the service is good. That’s it. Now for the bad—it’s overpriced. You get 4 small pieces of whatever meat you get for your main. Your starter is some just okay cheese fondue served with stale bread and weirdly salty fruits. The dessert was the best part. It’s hard to mess up chocolate fondue that’s on fire in front of you. But if anything spoils it, would be stale pound cake which what they had. The best part was they have marshmallows that you can toast on the flaming chocolate and put graham cracker crumbs on it. All of this can be yours if you pay them $50 per person but get some drinks which are good and luckily strong because it helps you forget about the meal you’re about to eat.

We celebrated our 14th anniversary this past weekend and were visiting from out of town. We are originally from Chicago, and this was our first date spot. My parents have been going to gejas for 45+ years and is a staple dining experience when we are fortunate enough to visit. The restaurant was booked solid for the entirety of our stay and had the opportunity to enjoy the "At home experience" Gejas offers. The process from ordering, pickup, preparing and relishing the memories the meal brought back, to droppingoff equipment was seamless and easy. We regret not planning enough in advance to secure a table, but don't regret opting for the experience we had at our condo. Thank you Gejas !

This was my first visit to Geja's. I purchased a Groupon so that was a great find! Street parking was not difficult to find. We had reservations (Thursday night) but they weren't too busy, they seated us immediately. The server was wonderful & knowledgable about the wine list and food pairings. Cheese fondue appetizer was delicious, main course was ample and dessert was devine! We weren't hungry afterward!

The experience is worth every penny but.... leaves you wishing a bit more... So the restaurant was great in every single aspect, but as every other restaurant with a "semi" fix menu you think you missed something... The restaurant is in reality a hidden gem, booking was easy sadly even when i have a table waiting it was given to a different person so i had a tiny table with a couple right next to us... that was a bit disappointing as it takes the privacy away that you look for in a romantic date. Place very charming and small... but it was so crowded that again lost the charm a bit. live guitarist, very nice touch the service and the food are excellent... this should suffice so if you are like most... just book your table NOW. if you are like me that like perfection then keep on reading Prices are high, 60 per person plus wine... cheese fondue, main dish (lobster and aged beef) and chocolate fondue. TOO MUCH... We ate it all but... is that really needed? when dessert came, we were so full that we didn't enjoyed as we should have. my suggestion is... make dinners for the number of people... and give an option of an smaller portion, i would have rather have a little larger cheese fondue,probably with different sorts of bread, share a single portion of the protein and then a smaller dessert. so this kind of tips from the waitress would've been nice. also... reducing the number of people also would make it even more romantic.. Anyway... food was great, so really recommended.. just share one portion.

İt is romantic, and very nice ambiance, however food is not worth the price and never go there with no reservations. I came here before during lunch and was okay, however made a mistake coming here with out a reservation on a Sunday and waited over hour and left without eating.

This was our first experience at a fondue restaurant. Our biggest con, the lack of, sufficient amount lighting to see the food we cooked! We had to lift the candle to see. Our Mojitos, we had to send back. Our waiter rushed through explaining the process and the six dips.

We visited Geja’s on a Sunday evening in search of a quiet, romantic dinner. We lucked into a free parking spot just around the corner. The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy. The atmosphere was intimate, and the waitstaff were consistently attentive. We opted for the full fondue experience, choosing the chicken, beef, and shrimp combination with the vegetable broth rather than soybean oil, hoping to avoid leaving the restaurant smelling like fried food. The meal began on a high note with the cheese fondue. The bread, fruit, and vegetables served alongside it were all fresh. Unfortunately, the main course fell flat. The meat and vegetables were unseasoned, resulting in a bland taste that no amount of dipping could quite save. While the selection of sauces was generous, only a few stood out flavor-wise. We found ourselves needing to add salt to several of them. The dessert course - chocolate fondue with an assortment of dipping items - was similarly underwhelming. The chocolate was thin, and the churro bites were tough and chewy rather than crisp or tender. We each ordered one of the restaurant’s $16 specialty cocktails, which were filled roughly halfway with ice. On the other hand, the dessert coffee we shared was quite good. We used a $100 Groupon toward the bill. However, it’s important to note that Geja’s automatically adds a 20% gratuity to the entire pre-discounted total when a Groupon is used, presumably to prevent under-tipping. In addition, they include a 4% “operations fee” on the bill. When we asked our server about it, he struggled to explain what it was for but did offer to remove it. We accepted. Apparently, this is a holdover fee that many Chicago restaurants adopted during the pandemic and never dropped. While the staff may be “happy” to waive it, having to ask about it created an awkward end to the evening. In the end, for two full-course dinners the we cooked ourselves, one cocktail each, and one shared dessert coffee, the final bill came to $228 after the automatic gratuity and with the operations fee removed. Romantic ambiance sure comes at a premium. Sadly, it wasn’t enough to make up for the lackluster food and hidden fees. We won’t return.

In the heart of Lincoln park, is a long standing fondue restaurant. The décor may not have changed since it opened. The food choices are simple, the space intimate and the service friendly. Very romantic spot for a night out. My only complaint is the bread could have been more fresh.

Had a weekday Groupon so a friend and I dined on a Thursday night. The cheese fondue is out of this world. Nothing like the Swiss Knight brand you get in the grocery store. I think the secret is the white wine in the mixture. We also had the chocolate fondue, also memorably delicious. We skipped the boiled oil meat and veggie courses and didn't feel like we missed anything. Plus, we were both satisfied, not over full. We both had a glass of wine from an extensive list. The bill was about $90 before tip. Expensive for a weeknight dinner but something you should try at least once.

We arrived for our reservation time and were greeted and seated very nicely by the hostess. The waiter came to our table asking for our drink order with offering help with the menu. We chose a beef & scallops combination including cheese platter and the chocolate dessert platter. The wait service was excellent the food was very good. We had a great evening of dinner and enjoying the experience.