Downtown regulars looking for their hazelnut fix were met with locked doors Thursday, as the Nutella Café on Michigan Avenue abruptly shut down with no advance public notice. By midday, the normally busy Millennium Park plaza storefront was dark and quiet, with no staff visible and no one on hand to explain what was going on, even as the Loop’s retail corridor prepared for a busy weekend.
Local Reports Call It 'Closed for Renovations'
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the Michigan Avenue Nutella Café has closed "for renovations," and the outlet did not list any reopening date in its March 26, 2026, post. The segment, which republishes a ChicagoNOW item, shows a quiet interior and exterior, along with signage on the shuttered storefront.
Prime Michigan Avenue Spot and a Quick History
The Nutella Café opened on Michigan Avenue in May 2017 as the brand's first U.S. location, according to Eater Chicago. The brand lists the café at 189 N. Michigan Ave in the Millennium Park plaza, a spot that has long drawn tourists and sweet-toothed locals. Nutella's official page highlights the crepes, waffles, and gelato that helped make the café a downtown staple.
What We Do Not Know
For now, there is no official public timeline for when the doors might reopen, and no detailed explanation of what kind of renovation work is planned. That leaves regulars and neighboring businesses guessing about how long the space will stay dark. As FOX 32 Chicago notes, early coverage did not include a company statement spelling out the scope or timing of the project.
How to Keep Tabs
Customers looking for answers will have to watch for official updates. The company directs visitors to its website and social channels for news, and the café is still listed on tourism and restaurant platforms. Check Nutella's official page and the Nutella Café's Facebook page for the latest information. For now, the storefront at 189 N. Michigan Ave remains closed to walk-in traffic while the company determines next steps.
