Michelin-Recognized Restaurant Adds Morning Service Sifr, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Middle Eastern restaurant led by Chef Sujan Sarkar and Culinary Director Chef Sahil Sethi, is launching Sifr Café on November 11 at its River North location (660 N. Orleans St.). The new daytime concept will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The café will serve specialty coffee, curated teas, house-made pastries, and savory breakfast dishes inspired by Middle Eastern diaspora cuisines. Guests can order at the counter for dine-in or grab-and-go service.

Menu Highlights Breakfast offerings include an Egg Soufflé Sandwich with cheese and harissa mayo (with optional hash brown or lamb adana patty), Olive & Harissa Focaccia Slice, Lamb Keema Focaccia, and a Chicken Musakhan Croissant Ring with sumac chicken and caramelized onions. The pastry case features Carrot Halwa Babka, Baklava Croissant, Mahalabia Custard Croissant, Cardamom Canelé, Date & Chocolate Tea Cake, Semolina Basbousa, and Tahini and Nankhatai cookies. Midday selections on house-made focaccia include a Falafel Sandwich with harissa tahini yogurt and a Chicken Sandwich with cilantro labneh, roasted peppers, and pickles. The café will also serve Classic Hummus with extra-virgin olive oil and za'atar, and Whipped Ricotta with Urfa Chili Crunch, both paired with fresh focaccia.

Beverage Program Metric Coffee espresso forms the base for signature drinks including Date Caramel Latte, Smoked Tahini Latte, and Sticky Date Latte made with Medjool dates, maple syrup, and warming spices. Non-coffee options include Sulaimani Masala Chai, a spiced, dairy-free black tea blend with ginger and cardamom, and selections from Chicago's Spirit Tea.

Why It Matters

The café expands Sifr's footprint into daytime service while building on the success of sister concepts Swadesi Cafe, Indienne, and Nadu Chicago. For River North operators and developers, the move reflects how dinner-focused restaurants are capturing additional dayparts through dedicated café concepts to drive consistent foot traffic and diversify revenue streams.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors