Sunlight Cafe: Authentic Hong Kong & Chinese Cuisine in Chicago's Chinatown

Sunlight Cafe Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For Illinois residents looking for an authentic and expansive Hong Kong-style cafe experience,

Sunlight Cafe

is a must-visit destination in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. More than just a traditional bakery, this establishment seamlessly blends the delicate art of Chinese baking with a massive menu of comforting and classic Cantonese and regional Chinese meals.

The bakery and cafe is celebrated for its

cozy

and inviting ambiance, making it a perfect spot for locals to relax while enjoying freshly made items.

Sunlight Cafe

caters to all appetites, whether you're seeking a quick pastry and coffee or a full, hearty meal. Its reputation is built on delivering high-quality, authentic Chinese comfort food at competitive prices, solidifying its status as a beloved institution in the Chicagoland area.

Customers rave about the friendly service, with an "old lady behind the counter" noted for being

very friendly

and staff creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages both quick visits and leisurely dine-in experiences. From their famous egg tarts to their extensive meal deals,

Sunlight Cafe

offers a taste of authentic Hong Kong culinary culture right here in Illinois.

Location and Accessibility

Strategically located on the bustling Cermak Road,

Sunlight Cafe

is easily found in Chicago’s vibrant Chinatown, making it highly convenient for visitors and local Illinois patrons.

Address:

227 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

This central location ensures excellent access via public transportation and road networks serving the greater Chicago area.

Accessibility and Planning:

Full Service Options: The cafe offers all modern conveniences, including
Dine-in
,
Takeout
,
In-store pickup
,
In-store shopping
, and
Delivery
, providing flexibility for every customer's needs.
Accessibility: The location features a
Wheelchair accessible entrance
, ensuring comfort and ease of access for all community members.
Dining Focus: Highly recommended for
Breakfast
, though the full menu of savory meals makes it an excellent choice for lunch and dinner as well. Ideal for a
Quick visit
or a relaxed dine-in experience.
Payment Flexibility: Unlike some traditional bakeries,
Sunlight Cafe
offers multiple payment options, accepting major
Credit cards
,
Debit cards
, and
NFC mobile payments
.

Services Offered

Sunlight Cafe

provides a remarkable variety of offerings, functioning as a full-service Hong Kong-style cafe in addition to a traditional bakery.

Extensive Baked Goods and Pastries: A wide selection of fresh-baked breads and cakes, including popular items like
Pork Sung Cake
,
BBQ Pork Bun
,
Pineapple Bun (Bolo Bao)
,
Cream Bun
, and specialty cakes like
Tiger Skin Cake
.
Signature Tarts: Offering two varieties of their highly-rated tarts:
Egg Tarts
and
Portuguese Tarts
, which are frequently offered in affordable group deals (e.g.,
4 Egg Tarts
for
$6.50
).
Affordable Set Meals and Deals: The cafe specializes in comprehensive
Deals
and
Single Set Meal
options that bundle a main dish, a drink, and a pastry for a low price, such as the
Sing Chau Fried Rice Noodle Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry
deal for
$15.00
.
Authentic Rice and Noodle Entrees: Hearty main dishes include classics like
Dry Fried Beef River
,
Ma Po Tofu Rice
,
Kung Pao Chicken Rice
,
Mongolian Beef And Rice
, and various
Noodle Set Meal
options.
Traditional Dim Sum and Congee: Serving essential Chinese comfort foods, including
Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow)
,
Shumai
,
Scallion Cake
, and
Skin Egg And Lean Pork Congee
served with doughnuts and bread.
Specialty Hong Kong Drinks: Offering both
Hot
and
Iced Milk Tea
,
Coffee
,
Iced Lemon Tea
, and the ever-popular
Pearl Milk Tea (Boba)
.
Seasonal and Holiday Items: Providing unique items for special occasions, such as
Double Yolk Mooncakes
and
Salted Meat Dumplings (Zongzi)
for the Dragon Boat Festival.

Features / Highlights

Sunlight Cafe

is a standout Chinatown spot for its unique blend of offerings and customer-focused approach, making it a valuable addition to the Illinois food scene.

The Dual Delight of Tarts: The cafe is famous for offering both the traditional
Hong Kong Egg Tart
(often with a shortcrust base) and the caramel-topped
Portuguese Tart
, allowing patrons to compare and enjoy both styles.
Unbeatable Meal Value: The most compelling feature for locals are the comprehensive
$15.00 Deal
sets, which provide a complete, substantial Chinese meal—including a main entree (like
Curry Chicken Rice
), a beverage, and a pastry—all in one affordable price.
Authentic Hong Kong Cafe Menu: The menu selection is truly reflective of a Hong Kong-style "Cha Chaan Teng," or tea restaurant, featuring items that are rarely found outside of specialty Chinese food hubs, such as
Dry Pork Sung Roll
,
Hamsuikort
(fried savory dumplings), and a variety of unique sausage and egg combinations.
Cozy and Welcoming Atmosphere: The cafe has a
very cozy
vibe and friendly staff, making it an excellent location for both a quick stop and a leisurely sit-down meal, in contrast to busy, high-turnover establishments.
Full Accessibility and Payment Flexibility: The convenience of accepting modern payments (
Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments
) and offering a
Wheelchair accessible entrance
ensures the cafe is welcoming and easy to use for everyone in the community.

Contact Information

To visit, call ahead, or place an order from this well-loved Chicago Chinatown establishment, please use the following information for

Sunlight Cafe

Address:

227 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Phone:

(312) 674-1368

+1 312-674-1368

The cafe is ready to accommodate dine-in, takeout, and delivery orders, ensuring you can enjoy their extensive menu wherever you are in the Illinois area.

What is worth choosing

Sunlight Cafe

is an excellent choice for Illinois residents looking for three things: **Unparalleled Menu Variety, Exceptional Value Deals, and Authentic Hong Kong Flavor.**

**Unparalleled Menu Variety** is a massive draw. Few places in Chicago offer such a broad, traditional selection that spans both a high-quality Chinese bakery and a full-scale cafe kitchen. Whether you want a simple and delicious

Pork Sung Bun

, a savory

Dry Fried Beef River

, or a refreshing

Pearl Milk Tea

, you'll find it here. This variety ensures there is a satisfying option for every taste and time of day.

The **Exceptional Value Deals** make dining here incredibly economical. The popular $15.00 meal bundles—which include a main course, a drink, and a pastry—are an economical way to enjoy a complete, authentic, and delicious lunch or dinner. For those grabbing a quick bite, the small item prices, like the highly praised egg tarts at incredible value, ensure you get more for your money.

Finally, the **Authentic Hong Kong Flavor** is the core reason for choosing

Sunlight Cafe

. This is genuine comfort food, not simplified Westernized Chinese cuisine. From the taste of their

Hot Milk Tea

to the precise execution of their specialized rice and noodle dishes, patrons get a true sense of the vibrant culinary tradition of Hong Kong and regional China, making it an essential visit for anyone seeking an authentic cultural and gastronomic experience in Illinois.

Sunlight Cafe Vibe

Daily Group Benefits
Panda Red Packet Welfare Station $0.00

Limited Time Offer
Coconut Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with coconut cream.
Ham&Cheese Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with ham and cheese.
Fried Two Intestines Coffee Milk Tea
Fried intestines with coffee or milk tea.
Ribs And Intestine Powder Hot Frozen Milk Tea
Ribs and Intestine Powder with Hot/Frozen Milk Tea
Pearl Milk Tea $4.50
Tapioca pearls in sweet milk tea
Iced Lemon Tea $3.00
Lemon tea with ice, sweet and sour.

Single Set Meal
Hot Milk Tea With Ham Fried Egg And Dried Fish Powder $13.50
Ham, egg and dried fish powder stir-fried with noodles.
Shredded Pork With Squash Soup With Rice+Fried Egg 1pc $13.25
Shredded Pork with pickled mustard tube soup, fried egg on rice.
Cow Sausage+Hot Coffee /Hot Milk Tea
Cow intestines stir-fried with coffee and milk tea.
Shrimp Sausage +Hot Coffee/Hot Milk Tea
Shrimp sausage with coffee and milk tea.
Shredded Pork With Squash And Rice+ Iced Milk Tea +Pastry $16.00
Shredded Pork with Squash and Rice

Deals
Sing Chau Fried Rice Noodle Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, egg, bean sprouts.
Fried Noodles With Soya Sauce Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Fried noodles with soya sauce, iced milk tea, 1 pastry.
Fried Rice Chicken And Shrimp Or Beef Jelly Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Fried rice with chicken, shrimp or beef
Dry Fried Beef River Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Stir-fried noodles with beef, soy sauce.
Beef Spaghetti Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Beef spaghetti, iced milk tea, 1 pastry.
Xiamen Fried Rice Frozen Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Xiamen fried rice with seafood, egg, and vegetables.
Raw Fried Sticky Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Raw fried sticky rice with preserved meat and peas.
Skin Egg And Lean Pork Congee 2 Doughnuts 1 Bread $15.00
Skin egg, lean pork, rice porridge with 2 doughnuts, 1 bread.
Curry Chicken Rice Soda 1 Paper Bag Cake $15.00
Curry chicken with rice, soda, and cake in paper bag
Beef And Sauerkraut Rice Frozen Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Beef and Sauerkraut Rice, Frozen Milk Tea, 1 Pastry.
Kung Pao Chicken Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Chicken with peanuts, chili, vegetables on rice
Shredded Pork With Squash And Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Shredded Pork with Squash and Rice
Broccoli Chicken Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Bread $15.00
Broccoli chicken rice with iced milk tea and a bread
Mongolian Beef And Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Bread $15.00
Mongolian beef stir fry with rice, iced milk tea, bread
Ham Double Egg Rice Iced Milk Tea Pastry $15.00
Ham, eggs, rice with iced milk tea and pastry.
Ma Po Tofu Rice Iced Milk Tea 1 Bread $15.00
Tofu with spicy bean sauce on rice.
Sesame Chicken Rice W. Jelly Milk Tea 1 Pastry $15.00
Sesame Chicken with Jelly Milk Tea and 1 Pastry.
Iced Milk Tea With Pork Ribs And Rice In Black Bean Sauce1 Pastry $15.00
Pork ribs in black bean sauce on rice, with iced milk tea and pastry

Intestine Roll Set
Ribs And Intestine Powder Hot Frozen Milk Tea
Ribs and Intestine Powder with Hot/Frozen Milk Tea
Hot Frozen Milk Tea With Ham Fried Egg And Sausage Powder
Ham, egg, sausage in rice noodle roll
Bbq Pork Sausage Egg Coffee Milk Tea
BBQ pork sausage, egg, coffee, milk tea
Pork Sausage Egg Coffee Milk Tea
Pork sausage and egg with coffee or milk tea.
Shrimp Sausage Coffee Milk Tea.
Shrimp sausage with coffee and milk tea.
Cow Sausage Coffee Milk Tea
Cow intestines stir-fried with coffee and milk tea.
Double Egg Sausage Coffee Milk Tea
Sausage with two eggs, coffee, milk tea
Pork Sausage Coffee Milk Tea
Pork sausage with coffee and milk tea
Shrimp Sausage Coffee Milk Tea-
Shrimp sausage with coffee and milk tea
Fried Two Intestines Coffee Milk Tea
Fried intestines with coffee or milk tea.
Sausage And Egg Dried Fishing Powder Hot Milk Tea $10.50
Sausage, egg, dried noodles with soy sauce
Hot Milk Tea With Ham Fried Egg And Dried Fish Powder $10.50
Ham, egg and dried fish powder stir-fried with noodles.
Beef Brisket And Pork Intestine Powder Hot Frozen Milk Tea $14.00

Noodle Set Meal
Shredded Pork With Squash Soup With Rice 1 Fried Egg. $12.50
Shredded Pork with pickled mustard tube soup, fried egg on rice.
Hometown Gift Powder 1 Omelette $12.50
Fish Egg And Shredded Pork Noodles In Soup 1 Fried Egg $12.50
Fish egg, shredded pork, noodles, fried egg in soup
Sausage Egg Doll Noodles 1 Hot Milk Tea $12.50
Sausage and egg noodles with hot milk tea.
Beef And Squash Soup With Rice 1 Fried Egg $12.50
Beef, squash, rice in soup with fried egg
Beef Brisket Soup Powder 1 Omelette $14.00
Beef brisket, noodles, egg in soup
Everybody'S Salty Soup Balls 1 Frozen Milk Tea $13.50
Salted soup balls with sesame paste.

Bread Cake
4 Egg Tarts $6.50
Baked egg custard in pastry crust.
4 Portuguese Tarts. $7.00
Baked egg tart with flaky crust.
Pork Sung Cake $6.95
Cake with shredded pork floss
Pork Sung Bun $6.95
Bread filled with crispy pork floss.
Dry Pork Sung Roll $6.95
Pork floss roll with sweet and savory taste.
Pizza Bun $5.95
Stuffed bun with cheese and pepperoni
BBQ 8 Pork Bun $5.95
BBQ pork bun with sweet and savory filling.
Hot Dog Bun $5.95
Bread roll with sausage, mustard, ketchup.
Ham& Egg Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with ham and egg.
Ham&Cheese Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with ham and cheese.
Sweet Sesame Ball(4pcs) $7.00
Deep-fried glutinous rice ball filled with sweet sesame paste. Sweet.
Hamsuikort(4pcs) $7.00
Deep-fried dumplings filled with savory fillings.
Egg Custard Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with creamy egg yolk custard.
Cream Bun $5.95
Sweet bun filled with creamy custard.
Coconut Bun $5.95
Steamed bun filled with shredded coconut.
Sponge Cake $5.95
Baked sponge cake wrapped in paper.
Wintermelon Cake(4pcs) $7.00
Flaky pastry filled with wintermelon paste. Sweet.
Mini Cakes $6.95
Bite-sized sponge cake with frosting.
Triangle Cake $6.95
Sweet cake with chocolate icing
Savory Roll Cake $7.50
Savory roll cake with meat, cheese and herbs
Tanner Cake $7.00
Vanilla flavored cake with a soft, moist texture.
Tiger Skin Cake. $9.00
Spicy caramel sponge cake with cream filling.
Red Bean Paste Bread $5.50
Raisin Meal Pack $5.95
Raisin bread, sweet and soft
Pineapple Bun (Chinese Sweet Pastry Similar To The Japanese Melonpan) $5.95
Sweet bun with sugar crust resembling pineapple texture.
Cocktail Bag $5.95
Sweet bun filled with lotus paste or red bean paste.

Dim Sum
2 Green Onion Sandwich Cakes $7.50
Pan-fried cakes with green onion filling.
Shrimp Dumplings $7.95
Steamed dumplings filled with shrimp.
Shumai $7.95
Steamed dumplings filled with minced pork and seasonings.
Scallion Cake $10.00
Pan-fried dough with scallions.

Mooncakes
Double Yolk Winter Melon Mooncake $28.00
Mooncake with two egg yolks and winter melon paste.
Double Yolk Red Bean Paste Mooncake $28.00
Red bean paste with two egg yolks in a pastry crust.
A Box Of Bean Paste Flavored Moon Cakes For Everyone $5.50
Baked mooncakes with bean paste filling
A Box Of Lotus Seed Paste Flavor Moon Cake $5.50
Lotus seed paste moon cake, sweet and soft.
Five-Kernel Mooncake $7.00
A Box Of 4 Moon Cakes For Everyone $27.00
Moon cakes with lotus seed paste and egg yolk, 4 pieces in a box
Double-Yolk Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake $7.00
Mooncake with lotus seed paste and two salted yolks
Moon Cake With Bean Paste And Egg Yolk $7.00
Baked moon cake with bean paste and egg yolk filling.
Moon Cake With Winter Paste $7.00
Mung bean paste filling, sweet and soft crust.
Red Bean Paste Mooncake $6.00
Red bean paste in a sweet pastry crust.

Dragon Boat Special
2 Salted Meat Dumplings $8.00
Glutinous rice with salted meat, wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Special Drink
Herbal Tea $3.00
Herbal tea with medicinal properties.
Iced Milk Tea $3.00
Iced tea with sweetened condensed milk.
Iced Coffee $3.00
Iced coffee with milk and sugar.
Iced Lemon Tea $3.00
Lemon tea with ice, sweet and sour.
Pearl Milk Tea $4.50
Tapioca pearls in sweet milk tea
Hot Milk Tea $3.00
Milk tea with tea leaves, hot.
Hot Coffee $3.00
Steamed coffee with milk or sugar.
Hot Soy Milk $3.00
Rich soybean flavor, boiled and served hot.

Most Popular
4 Portuguese Tarts $7.00
Dry Pork Sung Roll. $6.95
Hot Milk Tea. $3.00
Shredded Pork With Squash Soup With Rice 1 Fried Egg $12.50
A Box Of Lotus Seed Paste Flavor Moon Cake. $5.50
Tiger Skin Cake $9.00
Double-Yolk Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake. $7.00

Meal
Fried Rice + Random Pastries + Frozen Milk Tea $15.00
Fried rice with assorted ingredients, assorted pastries, sweet iced tea.

Sunlight Cafe Details

Service options
Delivery
In-store pickup
In-store shopping
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance

Offerings
Coffee

Dining options
Breakfast

Planning
Quick visit

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Sunlight Cafe Photos

Sunlight Cafe Location

Sunlight Cafe

Illinois Cook County Chicago Armour Square West Cermak Road

227 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616, USA

Sunlight Cafe Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 75 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

The old lady behind the counter was very friendly. I bought the Hong Kong egg custard tart and Portuguese egg tart. Both great tasting! They were 3/$3.50
August 25 · Katie Shi
I love going to this cafe it’s very cozy, I usually get their buns to go. But this time I decided to dine in, they gave me the wrong order (I ordered ham and egg noodles, but there was no ham, just pickled veggies + egg) I didn’t complain, it was okay.
June 03 · Ying Chen
Hole in wall bakery/cafe in Chinatown. Good old-fashioned Chinese comfort food. Portions are great for the price. Mostly older generations dine in, and younger crowds come for carryout.
October 09 · Walker
For me, the FOOD there was SPECTACULAR! But for the environment? NOT so much… I would describe the dining area as riddled with filth and grim from a times’ worth. I spotted a FEW insects such as FLIES! The food available was a bit on the CHEAPER side of things if you were to compare them to THEE other bakeries and cafes; for the name as Chiu Quon. The service was pretty quick, well only if there’s not many customers. The queue’s disorganized. The quality will be continued… by you. (if you were to go there and observe the place)
July 08 · Jayden Gold
This might be my favorite cafe/bakery in Chinatown. They have a selection of random and delicious Chinese foods to try, and they also have some good coffee.This was also one of the only cafes that carries dim sum (cold).
June 20 · Greg Eakins