The EGL Aesthetic Midwest Masterlist
Hello and welcome to the EGL Aesthetic Midwest Masterlist!
You've got the kawaii clothes but you need places to wear them to outside of meetups right?
Fear not, that's the purpose of this list! Below are places that I have heard of or gone to personally and experienced. Each location will have a general description, link to their website, link to my blog post about my experience, and what lolita aesthetics the location caters towards.
Listed in alphabetical order.
Tip: To search based on style, use CTRL + F and enter the tag of your style.
Tip: You can also search with CTRL + F by location with either city or state;
(for specific neighborhoods in Chicago, search by neighborhood, ie: Logan Square).
Tags: All, Sweet, Classic, Gothic, Wa, Qi, Otome, Old School, Punk, kawaii (for general kawaii fashion such as decora, fairy kei, etc),
Remember: Any lolita or Jfashion wearer can visit any of these locations, the styles are simply suggestions to help those searching to narrow down their options.
Enjoy!
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Cafes/Restaurants
All Chocolate Kitchen-
https://allchocolatekitchen.com/
{Blog Post}
Afternoon tea.
Geneva, IL
Style: All
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The American Girl Cafe-
https://www.americangirl.com/retail/chicago.html
{Blog Post}
Restaurant that offers tea service. Reservations only, allows dolls other than AG to sit with you at your table.
(Magnificent Mile) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Bittersweet Pastry Shop-
https://bittersweetpastry.com/
{Blog Post}
Cafe, individual tea pots, pastries, sweets.
(Lakeview) Chicago, ILStyle: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Bingo Tea Malaysian Cafe-
http://www.bingoteatogo.com/
{Blog Post}
Malaysian foods, extensive drink menu including boba tea, sweets. Features Instagram wall.
(Uptown, Winnemac) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Botanical Cafe-
https://www.facebook.com/Botanicalcafechicago/
{Blog Post}
Delicious pastries, sandwiches, and artisian coffee. All plants in the cafe are also for sale!
(North Center) Chicago, IL
Style: All
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Cafe Tola-
https://www.cafetola.com/
{Blog Post}
Colorful Hispanic cafe offering a variety of foods.
(Avondale, Logan Square, Lakeview) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Punk, Old School
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The Cheesecake Factory-
https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/
{Blog Post}
Quirky restaurant that specializes in cheesecakes but also offers a full menu.
IL, IN, IA, MI, OH, WI
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Coffee Haus-
https://www.facebook.com/coffeehauscafe/
{Blog Post}
Cafe with bubble tea and fun desserts.
Schaumburg, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Dark Matter Coffee, The Mothership-
https://www.darkmattercoffee.com/
{Blog Post}
(West Town/Wicker Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Old School, Gothic, Punk
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Designer Desserts-
https://www.designerdessertsbakery.com/
{Blog Post}
Artistic bakery.
Schererville, Valparaiso, IN
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Otome, Punk, Old School
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Drawing Room-
https://www.chicagoathletichotel.com/restaurants/drawing-room
{Blog Post}
(Loop) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Dylan's Candy Bar-
https://www.dylanscandybar.com/
{Blog Post}
Candy shop with cafe and private event rooms.
(Magnificent Mile) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Old School
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Hanabusa Cafe-
https://www.hanabusacafechicago.com/
{Blog Post}
(Loop) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome
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High Tea With Gerri-
http://htwg.net/
{Blog Post}
Proper tea, 3-course meal (savory, scone, dessert.)
Long Grove, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Intelligentsia Coffee-
https://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
{ Blog Post}
Artisan coffee and tea, pricey but good quality.
(Lakeview, Logan Square, Loop/Jackson Blvd, Millenium Park, Old Town, Wicker Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams-
https://jenis.com/
{Blog Post}
Many locations in IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome
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Jojo's Milk Bar-
http://www.jojosmilkbar.com/
{Blog Post}
Decadent and cute sweets and milkshakes.
(River North) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Kizuki Ramen Izakaya-
https://www.kizuki.com/
{Blog Post}
Full Japanese menu of ramen, tempura and more, offers Japanese alcohol, good matcha lattes.
(Lincoln Park, Wicker Park) Chicago, IL; Carmel, IN
Style: Classic, Wa, Gothic
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Kuma's Corner-
https://kumascorner.com/
{Blog Post}
Burgers and heavy metal.
(Avondale, West Loop) Chicago, Schaumburg, Vernon Hills IL; Indianapolis, IN
Style: Gothic, Old School, Punk
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La Boulangerie-
http://www.laboulangeriechicago.com/
{Blog Post}
French pastries and cafe.
(Logan Square, Ravenswood, Lakeview) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Lady Gregory's-
https://ladygregorys.com/restaurant/lga
{Blog Post}
Irish pub with artisan food.
(Andersonville) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Legacy House Imports-
http://www.legacyhouseimports.com/
{Blog Post}
Tea room with gift shop.
Madison, WI
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Meet Fresh-
http://meetfresh.us/en/
{Blog Post}
Asian dessert shop, has shaved ice and an Instagram wall.
(Chinatown) Chicago, IL; East Lansing, MI
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Meet Noodles-
http://www.meetnoodles.com/
{Blog Post}
Asian fusion restaurant focusing on noodles and appetizers.
Indianapolis, IN
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School, Wa, Qi
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Mindy's Hot Chocolate-
http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/
{Blog Post}
Best imported European hot chocolate you ever dun had.
(Loop, Wicker Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Public Landing-
https://www.publiclandingrestaurant.com/
{Blog Post}
Fine dining restaurant.
Lockport, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Russian Tea Time-
https://www.russianteatime.com/
{Blog Post}
$$$, full tea service.
(Loop) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Snow Dragon Shavery-
https://www.facebook.com/SnowDragonShavery/
{Blog Post}
Japanese sweets ie shaved ice, boba tea, etc. Macarons are not good.
(Park West) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Old School
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Sugar Factory-
https://sugarfactory.com/
{Blog Post}
$$$, traditional American restaurant food (burgers, sandwiches, etc.) known for specialty dessert drinks which use very little alcohol.
(River North) Chicago, Rosemont, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Gothic
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Sushi + Rotari Sushi Bar
https://www.rotarysushi.com/
{Blog Post}
$$, a fantastic rotari sushi bar with a wide menu including takoyaki, udon, ramen, and more.
(Lakeview, Wicker Park (under construction)) Chicago, and Aurora, IL
Suzette's Creperie-
http://www.suzettescreperie.com
{Blog Post}
Wheaton, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old school
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Tao Tea-
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tao-tea-chicago
{Blog Post}
(Uptown) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Wa, Qi, Old School
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The Cake Bake Shop-
https://thecakebakeshop.com/
{Blog Post}
Carmel, and Broad Ripple, IN
Style: All
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The Chocolate Sanctuary-
https://thechocolatesanctuary.com
{Blog Post}
Gurnee, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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The Drake-
https://www.thedrakehotel.com/
{Blog Post}
$$$, fine dining, full tea service.
(Magnificent Mile/North Side) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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The Wormhole Coffee-
https://www.thewormhole.us/
{Blog Post}
80's themed cafe with light food and a wide range of coffee.
(Wicker Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Old School, Gothic, Punk, kawaii
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Tilly's Tea Room-
https://www.tillystearoom.com/
{Blog Post}
Fishers, IN
Style: All
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Tina's Traditional Tea Room-
https://www.tinastraditional.com/
{Blog Post}
Proper tea.
Carmel, Columbus, IN
Style: Sweet, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Tous Le Jours-
https://www.tljus.com/
{Blog Post}
Korean bakery with decadent sweets.
(Chinatown, Wicker Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Tsaocaa-
https://tsaocaaindy.com/
{Blog Post}
Boba and Asian desserts including shaved ice and rolled ice cream.
Indianapolis, IN
Style: All
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Vanille Patisserie (Lakeview and Lincoln Park locations)-
http://www.vanillepatisserie.com/
{Blog Post}
Cute pastries and decadent sweets including the finest macarons in Chicago. Lincoln and Hyde Park offer full tea service and tea rooms.
(Lakeview, Lincoln Park) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome
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Vivi Bubble Tea-
https://www.yelp.com/biz/vivi-bubble-tea-chicago
{Blog Post}
Cute sweets and boba tea.
(Loop) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Old School
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Retail Stores
Aji Ichiban-
https://www.yelp.com/biz/aji-ichiban-chicago
{Blog Post}
Candy store with a wide variety of Japanese and Chinese sweets.
(Chinatown) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Old School
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Carmel Old Town Antique Mall-
https://www.carmeloldtownantiquemall.com/
{Blog Post}
Huge antique store with lolita-friendly owners.
Carmel, IN
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Cracker Jax-
https://www.instagram.com/crackerjaxdekalb/
{Blog Post}
Antique store with lots of pastels, very lolita friendly.
Dekalb, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
*Hello Tokyo-
https://www.hellotky.com/
{Blog Post}
Official retailer of Daiso products for the Chicagoland area.
Niles, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Riley Rose/Forever 21 (Water Tower Place location)-
https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/catalog/category/f21/acc_beauty
{Blog Post}
Pink aesthetic beauty store with K-Beauty cosmetics.
(Magnificent Mile) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Otome
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Rotofugi-
https://rotofugi.com/
{Blog Post}
Toy and pop culture merch.
(Lakeview) Chicago, IL
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Otome
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Round One-
https://www.round1usa.com/
{Blog Post}
Bowling, arcade games, Japanese crane games.
Multiple locations in IL, IN, MI, MO, OH
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Old School, Punk
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Tasty Peach Studios-
https://www.tastypeachstudios.com/
{Blog Post}
Kawaii Japanese-inspired plushes, clothing and accessories.
Mishawaka, IN
Style: All
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Museums/Gardens/Parks/etc.
Chicago Botanic Garden-
https://www.chicagobotanic.org/
{Blog Post}
Glencoe, IL
Style: All
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Chicago Japanese Garden-
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/japanese-garden
{Blog Post}
(Jackson Park) Chicago, IL
Style: All
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Driehaus Museum-
http://driehausmuseum.org/
{Blog Post}
(River North) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Elk Grove Park District-
https://www.elkgroveparks.org/
{Blog Post}
Elk Grove Village, IL
Style: All
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Fennimore Doll and Toy Museum-
https://www.dollandtoymuseum.com/index.html
{Blog Post}
Features Victorian rooms and antique collections.
Fennimore, WI
Style: Sweet, kawaii, Classic, Otome, Old School
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Glessner House-
https://www.glessnerhouse.org/
{Blog Post}
Oldest Victorian mansion doing tours in the Chicagoland area.
(Near South Side) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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Gompers (Samuel) Park-
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/gompers-samuel-park
{Blog Post}
(North Park) Chicago, IL
Style: All
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International Museum of Surgical Science-
https://imss.org/
{Blog Post}
Exactly what it sounds like; not for the squeemish.
(Lake Shore Drive) Chicago, IL
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Punk, Old School
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Olbrich Botanical Gardens-
http://www.olbrich.org/
{Blog Post}
Madison, WI
Style: All
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The Morton Arboretum-
https://www.mortonarb.org/
{Blog Post}
Lisle, IL
Style: All
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Villa Louis-
https://villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org/
{Blog Post}
No photos allowed in the museum, but you can take photos in the garden.
Prairie du Chien, WI
Style: Classic, Otome, Gothic, Old School
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