---
title: "Café Descartes · Terminal 1 · ORD Airport Guide"
description: "Café Descartes at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Terminal 1, Arrivals / Baggage Claim, T1 Baggage Claim. Before security."
url: "https://ordairportguide.com/venues/cafe-descartes-terminal-1/"
updated: "2026-10-29"
airport: "ORD"
type: "place"
---

> Independent guide, not the official ORD website. All pages: https://ordairportguide.com/llms.txt

# Café Descartes

Café Descartes at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Terminal 1, Arrivals / Baggage Claim, T1 Baggage Claim. Before security.

Updated October 29, 2026

## Location & access

- Coffee
- Dine
- Breakfast
- Sandwiches
- Pastries
- Snacks
- Grab and go

- **Terminal:** Terminal 1
- **Where in the terminal:** Arrivals / Baggage Claim, T1 Baggage Claim
- **Security side:** Before security
- **What it is:**
  - Restaurants & bars
  - Coffee, snacks & bakeries

Source: O'Hare International Airport terminal map

## Other places in Terminal 1

Every other place the airport lists in Terminal 1 before security.

### Arrivals / Baggage Claim, T1 Baggage Claim

- [Ciao Gourmet Market](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/ciao-gourmet-market-terminal-1-arrivals/): Restaurants & bars · Every day, 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- [Hudson](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/hudson-terminal-1-arrivals/): Shops, news & gifts · Every day, 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

### Departures / Check-In

- [Brioche Dorée](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/brioche-doree-terminal-1-departures/): Restaurants & bars · Every day, 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

[Café Descartes has 2 spots at ORD: see all](https://ordairportguide.com/dining/brands/cafe-descartes/)

## Getting to Café Descartes

Café Descartes is before security in Terminal 1, so you reach it without going through screening.

## When Café Descartes is closed

- **Before 6 a.m.**, when it opens: [Brioche Dorée](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/brioche-doree-terminal-1-departures/) (from 5:30 a.m.), in Terminal 1, before security.
- **After 8 p.m.**, when it closes: [Hudson](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/hudson-terminal-1-arrivals/) (until 9:30 p.m.) and [Ciao Gourmet Market](https://ordairportguide.com/venues/ciao-gourmet-market-terminal-1-arrivals/) (until 8:30 p.m.), in Terminal 1, before security.

## Questions about Café Descartes

### Where are the Café Descartes locations at Chicago O'Hare International Airport?

The airport lists two: one in Terminal 1 and one in Terminal 3. This one opens earliest of them, at 6 a.m.

[Every Café Descartes at ORD](https://ordairportguide.com/dining/brands/cafe-descartes/)

### Can you get to Café Descartes before going through security?

Yes. It is before security in Terminal 1, so you can stop there before screening.

## Before you make a detour

Check your gate and security area. A place elsewhere in the airport may not be reachable from your departure area.

[Terminal 1 guide](https://ordairportguide.com/terminals/terminal-1/)

## Opening hours

Published schedule, local time

- Every day, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

[All places in Terminal 1](https://ordairportguide.com/dining/?terminal=Terminal%201)[4 lounges in Terminal 1](https://ordairportguide.com/lounges/#lounges-terminal-1)[Checkpoints in Terminal 1](https://ordairportguide.com/security/#security-terminal-1)