A Piece of Europe in the Windy City: Inside Café Crèmerie with Lisa Gasparian
Photo: Lisa Gasparian / Café Crèmerie
Lisa Gasparian, founder and owner of Café Crèmerie in Chicago, is redefining the café experience by bringing the warmth and elegance of European café culture to the city. Guided by her passion for creating meaningful connections and savoring life’s small joys, Lisa has established a space that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. Café Crèmerie has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, celebrated for its inviting atmosphere and commitment to quality. As a dedicated entrepreneur and mother, Lisa’s thoughtful approach ensures the café remains a cherished destination where community and comfort come together.
Her travels and experiences abroad have influenced the café’s design and menu, offering guests a taste of Europe through carefully curated details. Lisa’s vision goes beyond serving food and drinks — it’s about creating an experience where every visit feels special. Café Crèmerie stands out in Chicago’s vibrant food scene by blending authentic charm with a modern sensibility. Under Lisa’s leadership, the café has become a haven for locals and tourists alike, embodying her belief in the power of community and connection.
What inspired you to bring a European-style café concept to Chicago, and how did your travels shape the vision for Café Crèmerie?
LG: My inspiration to bring a European-style café to Chicago through Café Crèmerie was deeply rooted in my travel experiences, where I learned about the importance of community, quality, aesthetic appeal, and culinary exploration. My goal was to create a welcoming haven that curates connections and invites guests to savor life’s little moments, just as I had experienced in the charming cafés of Europe.
What elements of European café culture do you prioritize most in creating an authentic and cozy atmosphere for your guests?
LG: Most cafés across Europe have beautiful interiors, thus creating a warm and friendly atmosphere to sit and enjoy. Inspired by this, I visualized Café Crèmerie as a place combining cozy elegance with a touch of elevated offerings. Thoughtfully designed interiors, comfortable seating, and an inviting atmosphere were some of the key elements I wanted to include in my café to make it a wanted place to relax. I sought to introduce sweet offerings such as authentic European pastries, gelato, and specialty coffee drinks, together with mindful service that would elate customers and provide a taste of Europe in the heart of the city.
By focusing on these elements, Café Crèmerie captures the essence of European café culture and offers an authentic, cozy atmosphere where guests can come in, relax, socialize, and enjoy quality food and beverages. This holistic approach ensures a memorable experience that encourages guests to return, nurturing a sense of community and comfort, or what I like to call #thesweetlife at Café Crèmerie.
How do you balance being both a mother and an entrepreneur while ensuring that Café Crèmerie continues to thrive as a neighborhood destination?
LG: Balancing the roles of being a mother and an entrepreneur requires careful planning, prioritization, and support, especially when it comes to ensuring that Café Crèmerie thrives as a local destination.
A few elements of my successes allow me to be high-functioning in my roles: time management, my support team, and a flexible work schedule, as my roles demand my time, boundaries, self-care, and focusing on long-term gains vs short-term wins. I am in it to WIN it! In sum, balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and entrepreneurship involves a thoughtful approach every day.
Can you share some of your favorite dishes or drinks on the menu, and what makes them special or unique to Café Crèmerie?
LG: Certainly! At Café Crèmerie, we take pride in our crafted menu that reflects the essence of European café culture while incorporating unique flavors and high-quality ingredients.
One of my menu favorites is a Gelato Affogato.This simple yet delicious dessert features a scoop of gelato topped with a shot of our freshly brewed espresso. The combination of gelato and rich coffee is an experience that embodies the best of both worlds, perfect for an afternoon treat or a post-meal indulgence.
I also love a shot of an espresso macchiato on the go; nothing like a quick, delicious caffeine fix, and the list goes on!
Photo: Lisa Gasparian / Café Crèmerie
What role does community play in the café’s day-to-day operations, and how do you connect with the neighborhood?
LG: Community plays a vital role in the day-to-day operations of Café Crèmerie, influencing my approach to service and how we connect with our neighborhood, which is also the neighborhood I call home!
The community meshes into our café and how we elevate our experiences with a cozy atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable, collaborative partnerships for joint initiatives, promotions, events, and social media engagement with our online community as we utilize social media to connect with our guests and keep them informed about everything Café Crèmerie; by sharing socially we build a connection even beyond the café walls, making the café a cherished part of daily routines and a valuable, beloved destination for the neighborhood. I also love meeting neighbors and people from around the world who visit Chicago and some tourists who repeat visits to say hello and enjoy the café. I know we are doing something right, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
With so much competition in Chicago's vibrant food scene, how do you ensure Café Crèmerie stands out and keeps guests coming back?
LG: In Chicago's dynamic and competitive food scene, ensuring that Café Crèmerie stands out and keeps guests returning requires a multifaceted approach focusing on quality, personalization, and social media engagement with our #CC community.
By emphasizing quality, unique offerings, mindful service, community engagement, and an inviting atmosphere, Café Crèmerie sets itself apart in Chicago’s competitive food scene. Our commitment to creating a memorable experience encourages guests to return, not just for the food and drink but for the sense of community we foster. We believe every visit should feel special and that lasting relationships with our guests are key to our success.
What’s next for Café Crèmerie? Are there any upcoming events, new menu items, or expansions on the horizon?
LG: At Café Crèmerie, we always look ahead to enhance the guest experience and further integrate ourselves into the growing Chicago restaurant industry.
By emphasizing quality, seasonal offerings, exceptional service, community engagement, and an inviting atmosphere, Café Crèmerie sets itself apart in Chicago’s competitive food scene. Our commitment to creating a memorable experience encourages guests to return, not just for the food and drink but for the sense of community and connection we foster.
We look forward to growing our brand one day at a time! Although numerous requests exist to bring my café brand to different locations, my thumbprint will expand when I am ready to. Right now, I’m enjoying curating and creating. What I have done here is something special, and I am thankful for the team I have built, which executes my vision daily.
For more information on Café Crèmerie, follow their Instagram or check out their website.
