When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Eli’s Ark
Why Eli’s Ark is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Eli's Ark, nestled in Chicago's vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood, offers a memorable and playful dessert experience perfect for meeting up with friends or family. This charming gelato shop specializes in creating delightful animal-shaped gelato treats, transforming simple scoops into adorable koalas, monkeys, unicorns, and more, evoking a fun, whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of popular character themes like Hello Kitty. With its brightly colored, Instagram-worthy presentation, Eli's Ark creates an engaging and joyful ambiance that encourages visitors to share smiles and photos. Beyond its playful artistry, the gelato flavors are subtly sweet and smooth, featuring options like cookies and cream, butter pecan, ube, and unique offerings such as Dulce de Banana. The shop thoughtfully caters to diverse dietary preferences, including vegan options like the Doggy and Panda gelato cones, with an entire vegan cone option available. With friendly, patient staff and a small indoor seating area featuring a large grass wall perfect for photo backdrops, Eli's Ark is well-suited for casual dessert outings, gatherings, and family visits. Convenient street parking, takeout, and delivery services further enhance its appeal as a social spot to satisfy sweet cravings in a fun, relaxed setting.
Here's what people think of Eli’s Ark
As of recent, Eli’s Ark holds a 4.7-star rating based on 532 reviews.
User reviews highlight Eli's Ark as a unique and artistic destination for dessert lovers. Many praise the creative presentation of gelato shaped into various animal forms, noting the delightful experience this adds to enjoying their treats. Positive feedback often mentions friendly and helpful staff, unique flavor combinations, and the availability of vegan options, which enhances accessibility for different dietary needs. Guests appreciate the calm and welcoming environment that makes it a great place to socialize and celebrate special moments. On the other hand, some reviewers mention that the gelato texture can be a bit grainy and that options might feel limited to those seeking more traditional or diverse dessert choices. A few users noted some confusion among staff regarding vegan orders, suggesting room for improved clarity and training. Seating space is limited, which may inconvenience larger groups or those looking to linger longer. Overall, despite minor critiques on texture and ordering complexities, reviews conclude that Eli's Ark offers a charming, fun, and satisfying dessert experience that stands out in Chicago's dessert scene, especially for those seeking whimsical presentation and a friendly neighborhood vibe.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Evelyn
Adorably cute!! Very difficult to select a flavor, everything looked so good. Ended up picking a single scoop of Mount Caramel as a koala. Delicious! Not overly sweet which is perfect for me. Friendly staff and fast service. I regret not discovering this place sooner. Highly recommend to satisfy a sweet tooth!
MrWelch 551
Thank you to Eli’s Ark for helping me to create an everlasting memory with my babies. They loved it. I am not a huge fan of ice cream but I am definitely a huge fan of this place.
Catherine Nguyen
A cute space offering a variety of gelatos, all interesting riffs on classic Western flavors (e.g. a cookies 'n' cream that includes panna cotta, a lemon flavor that includes yuzu) or tropical/Asian-inspired gelatos (Vietnamese coffee, ube, mango with an optional sprinkling of Tajín, etc.). The ube is subtle but definitely there. The animal faces are a super fun touch and I want to come back to try not just more flavors but more animal faces too 😂. I also like that they offer a slightly smaller kiddie size that's still plenty generous, and they also allow samples, in case you're not sure what to pick. Note: there's not too much seating inside and unless they put up a large menu board for the flavors or print menus, I'd recommend browsing their flavors online before getting to the front to make your ordering go faster.
Dolores Damian
Such a yummy ice cream spot. Also they are able to make cute shape animals with your ice cream. Love that the ice cream isn’t overly sweet.
Anastasia Liapkovich
I visited Eli's Ark expecting average ice cream shaped into cute animals for pictures online, and was delightfully surprised when I ate some of the best quality ice cream in my life! I definitely recommend visiting this shop for the quality of the ice cream, and cute pictures. The dining area is a little small, so I would avoid bringing large groups of people, but the space is clean and comfy. Employees were super nice and offered as many testers as I wanted! Would definitely recommend!!
How to reach Eli’s Ark
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Why Eli’s Ark may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Eli’s Ark with your friends?
Gathering your friends for a memorable outing becomes an effortless choice when you pick Eli’s Ark, a charming ice cream shop nestled in Chicago’s vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood. This spot is far more than just a place to grab dessert — it’s an experience that delights all ages and tastes, making it perfect for a fun and feel-good group meetup. The standout feature of Eli’s Ark is its unique creativity in serving gelato and ice cream, crafting delightful animal-themed cones that transform your treat into an Instagram-worthy work of art. Whether you and your friends are craving classic American flavors with a twist or looking for vegan-friendly options, Eli’s Ark caters to an inclusive range of preferences, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and excited to participate. Beyond taste, the ambiance and playful presentation spark joy and conversation, establishing a lighthearted, communal atmosphere. This makes it ideal not only for catching up but for celebrating special moments or simply breaking the monotony with a quirky twist on dessert. The shop’s large grass wall serves as the perfect photo backdrop, creating lasting memories beyond just the taste buds. Altogether, Eli’s Ark turns a simple ice cream visit into a joyful event, combining art, flavor, and connection for groups looking to make a sweet splash together.
What fun activities does Eli’s Ark offer for group meetups?
Eli’s Ark’s primary attraction lies in its innovative ice cream experience where scoops are transformed into whimsical animal creations. Guests can choose from flavors such as cookies and cream, butter pecan, ube, and more, including two vegan options like the “Doggy” and the “Panda.” Notably, the animal-themed cones are decorated with mini cookies and sweets forming adorable faces and ears, turning every cone into a playful character that invites conversation and photo opportunities. For groups, this creates a shared activity of selecting, personalizing, and appreciating each other's choices, which adds an interactive dimension to the outing. The creative presentation stimulates social interaction and laughter, ensuring the meetup is not just about eating but about an imaginative and joyful culinary adventure. Additionally, the large grass wall provides a communal space to gather, snap pictures, and create a tangible memento of the occasion, enhancing the sense of togetherness. Although seating inside the shop is limited, its location in Wicker Park offers plenty of nearby green spaces and parks, encouraging further socializing outdoors after indulging in the treats.
Why is Eli’s Ark perfect for hosts planning a group event or celebration?
Eli’s Ark’s distinct combination of visual appeal, taste, and accessibility makes it an excellent choice for hosting group events or celebrations. Its highly rated standing of 4.7 out of 5 based on over 500 reviews emphasizes customer satisfaction in both product quality and experience. For hosts, this means a dependable venue that guarantees delight and ease when bringing people together. The shop's creative offerings serve as a natural icebreaker and entertainment, eliminating the need for extra planned activities—guests focus on bonding over their unique ice cream “pets,” sparking conversations effortlessly. Offering vegan cones and plant-based flavors also broadens inclusivity, showing thoughtful attention to diverse dietary needs within any group. Located in the trendy and accessible Wicker Park neighborhood, Eli’s Ark benefits from nearby amenities and easy transit options, making arrivals and departures straightforward. Though modest in size, the charm of the space and the surrounding urban vibrancy provide a casual yet special atmosphere for birthdays, casual gatherings, or even small team outings. The staff’s helpfulness further smoothens the experience, ensuring group orders and customization requests are fulfilled reliably.
What kind of flavors and dietary accommodations are available at Eli’s Ark?
Eli’s Ark showcases a variety of gelato and ice cream flavors designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of palates, including both traditional and vegan choices. Signature flavors include rich, subtly sweet options like cookies and cream, butter pecan, and the distinct purple flavor of ube, a sweet yam favored in many Asian desserts. For those observing vegan diets or seeking dairy-free alternatives, two specially designated vegan ice cream options—the “Doggy” and the “Panda”—allow customers to indulge without compromise. The animal-themed cones linked to these vegan flavors are also vegan-friendly, including the cones themselves, which adds another layer of careful accommodation for plant-based lifestyles. This thoughtfulness enhances Eli’s Ark’s status as an inclusive destination where varied tastes and dietary restrictions can be respected seamlessly. Because many consumers today prioritize dietary choices, this selection fosters a welcoming environment that invites everyone in a group to enjoy their treats equally. Whether you prefer traditional or alternative options, Eli’s Ark balances quality and creativity to satisfy every craving.
How accessible and comfortable is the venue for groups planning to meet?
While Eli’s Ark does not boast extensive indoor seating, its layout and location compensate well for group meetups looking for a casual, comfortable hangout spot. The shop is small but clean and inviting, maintaining an intimate vibe that fits perfectly with its artful and whimsical ice cream approach. Inside seating is limited, which encourages groups to explore the nearby vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood or make use of the large grassy wall beside the shop, an ideal spot for groups to relax, take photos, and socialize comfortably outdoors. This sets Eli’s Ark apart by blending indoor charm with outdoor opportunities — perfect for casual meetups, especially in pleasant weather. The shop’s hours provide sufficient flexibility, open into the evening several days a week, accommodating various schedules for friends or families. Moreover, its location in a well-traveled part of Chicago affords easy access by public transport, walking, or driving, with several parking options nearby. Overall, Eli’s Ark offers a relaxed environment conducive to gathering, especially for groups who appreciate a casual, playful ambiance and open-air socializing.
What makes Eli’s Ark stand out among other dessert spots in Chicago?
Eli’s Ark is distinct in Chicago’s bustling dessert scene due to its blend of artistic presentation, flavor diversity, and inclusivity, wrapped in an atmosphere of whimsy and delight. While many ice cream shops focus solely on taste or a vast literal menu, Eli’s Ark introduces a novel concept that turns gelato cones into cute, character-shaped art pieces, appealing visually as much as gastronomically. This level of creativity elevates the typical visit into a memorable moment worth sharing on social media. Adding to its charm is the shop’s commitment to vegan options, thoughtfully crafted so that vegan customers are not limited just to flavor but also receive vegan cones and toppings, a level of detail not always found elsewhere. Its community-friendly location in Wicker Park, combined with excellent ratings from hundreds of customers, reflects consistent quality and customer satisfaction. This synergy between innovation, diet-conscious choices, and social atmosphere makes Eli’s Ark a uniquely appealing spot for groups seeking not only great ice cream but a creative and inclusive experience in Chicago.
Eli’s Ark offers a unique and delightful destination for groups aiming to transform a casual meetup into a cheerful and memorable affair. From artful ice cream animals to thoughtful vegan options and a lively neighborhood setting, it’s a place that inspires connection and joy with every scoop.