For lunch, I'm not sure there's any better chill spot to grab a bite in the Loop. Low-key, sophisticated, refined. I popped in for a quick solo lunch and indulged in the croque monsieur + fries. The rest of the menu had enticing things but I knew what I wanted and would not be swayed. After a small wait, which I mention only because it really wasn't busy, my food was served. The look matched the flavor: delicious! It's nice that the other French place, offering nearly the exact same offering here in the exact same spot, was replaced with a worthy newcomer. Bandol checks all the boxes you'd want. read more

Bandol is good for lunch, but the breakfast I had today was terrible. I ordered a chocolate croissant, and like in a lot of American restaurants, it was a fake croissant, more like gummy white bread in a croissant form. It was ultra-soft, with a minuscule dab of chocolate. The poached eggs were completely flavorless. They might have been old eggs six weeks away from the farm, I don't know, but all I could taste was the chalky whites. And by the way, poached eggs should always be served with a spoon without the customer having to ask. How do you eat poached eggs with a fork? I asked for my English muffin to be "burnt" (crispy.) They were soft and gummy, just like the croissant. And no jam or jelly was offered. The waiter was polite but inattentive. It's annoying to say, specifically, "I'll have two poached eggs with crispy bacon" and then have the waiter come back and say, "do you want sausage or bacon with that?" And like most restaurants these days, they've switched to that thick-cut bacon that can't be cooked crispy. The breakfast came with a very small side of potatoes, which tasted fine. And I had some green tea that was...okay, but not even remotely like the delicious green tea that most Japanese restaurants offer. I asked my waiter to clear away my plate when I was done, but he either didn't hear me or misunderstood, because he left the plate sitting there. Lastly, when people are eating breakfast, especially on a weekday, they usually have some place they need to get to, and don't want to linger. It took too long after I put my card down for the waiter to pick it up. Every one of these things is a minor complaint (except for the tasteless eggs.) But add them all up and it makes me think -- even though I'm in the area frequently -- "I'll never go back here for breakfast." Overall, a disappointing experience. read more

My partner and I stopped by on a cold Saturday afternoon and sat at the bar. We ordered the burger and crab cake - the burger was delicious and very flavorful. We also had French 75 and Paloma drinks, both were delicious. Unfortunately, the service was not great. We weren't greeted with a hello. The gentleman helping us seemed distracted, chatting with another couple, and took his time getting us menus and taking our order. After serving our drinks and food, he didn't check in to see how everything was or if we needed anything else. When I waved him down, he assumed we wanted the check, and I had to clarify we wanted another drink. He brought the drink with the check, which made me feel rushed and unnoticed. read more

Bandol - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for restaurant week. It was a pretty good deal for restaurant week. Very seafood heavy menu. I enjoy seafood so it was nice for me but I would not suggest it for restaurant week if you are not a seafood person. My husband got the crab cakes for the app which were small but pretty good. I got escargot which was good but did not come with any bread. If you have had escargot you know that the best part is dipping the bread in the leftover butter sauce. It was a big miss for me. We got the steak fries and the lemon fish for the mains. The steak was very good. The sauce for the steak was especially good. The fish was okay. I thought the sauce for the fish was good but a bit loose in consistency. The service and atmosphere were fine. Very consistent with the types of restaurants you see downtown. read more

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NYE snagged a last minute OpenTable reservation , parking was easy and restaurant was not busy. We waited a bit for a booth nd service as a tad bit slow to begin with but I think they were understaffed . I got the smoked mezcal and hubby got a beer ... we were all getting over cold so ordered warm water in a kettle . Appetizers were cheese board and escargot which was surprisingly tasty and at my expectations high . We ordered salmon, Bouillabaisse, chicken and gnocchi. They ran out of crème brûlée. Ever Was subpar in taste . Dinner for 4 with top was $250 read more

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Bandol is a solid choice. I have been several times for lunch. Mondays are usually quiet and less busy. Middle of the week is usually busier but it is nothing outrageous. Some of my favorite items are the bistro sandwich with fries, escargot, croque monsieur, and moules et frites. We recently tried a few of the baked goods. My girls' favorite are the pain au chocolat and my favorite is the almond croissant. Service is attentive and polite. We look forward to returning and trying other items such as beef tartare and crab cakes. read more

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Hey fam! It's officially restaurant week in Chicago so let's kick things off! My first stop on day 1 is at Bandol, located in the lobby of the Hyatt Centric hotel in the loop. Surprisingly parking was super convenient , I'm sure the negative degree weather contributed to that aspect. Now here, for restaurant week, everyone at the table has to order off the restaurant week menu,not individually, and my guests weren't really feeling it so we just ordered off their regular menu. Bandol offers French cuisine which I've been wanting to try. We were seated in a cute corner booth by the window which was perfect. I was able to not only enjoy conversation with my guests but also enjoy the vibe of the restaurant. My anxiety was ruling my emotions most of the day, so I was more than ready for a cocktail. My bestie and I started the night with a French kiss, which was their version of a French martini. Absolutely delicious, round two wasn't far behind. For my appetizer, I ordered escargot. Immediately YES!! IMMEDIATELY YES!!!! They were cooked in a garlic Parmesan butter sauce accompanied with yummy warm garlicky bread and a half partially grilled lemon. Squeezing lemon over the escargot just adds another layer of flavor making it even more enjoyable. For dinner, I ordered the mussels with frites (fries). I love mussels so no complaints there. The fries were crispy and flavorful. No room for dessert as usual. The service wasn't anything to run home and brag about and I was kinda bummed about that but he did great bringing our food out promptly. Will it deter me from returning, absolutely NOT. I'm looking forward to another round of escargot but on their patio on a summer afternoon with a glass of wine! Check them out.....and Enjoy! read more

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My husband and I walked over here for Chicago Restaurant Week tonight. The prix fixe menu was meh, to be honest. The crab cakes and Caesar salad were disappointing--crab cakes were very small and dry, salad was super light on dressing and was basically romaine and croutons--a dusting of parmesan and no anchovies. The frisee salad was only moderately better. Steak frites was good. Trout almondine was decent. Desserts--creme brulee and apple galette were also good, but nothing we ate was great or worth coming back for. We ordered some cocktails from their signature drink list--not bad, and some off menu. Husband's gin gimlet was $21 in a shallow coupe glass...Are you serious?!!! Service was attentive but they seemed overwhelmed, like some folks were in training. Giant TVs mounted at eye level in the dining room did not help the bistro vibe. Overall, this was my first visit here and I'm in no hurry to ever come back. read more

Had lunch with my colleague during 2026 restaurant week and ordered from their $30 set menu. I ordered snail as appetizer which was bland and lukewarm. The salmon entry was prepared well but only came with mashed potato - some greens (e.g. asparagus) would be a nice addition. The pistachio gelato was not creamy and too sweet. Ambience was nice. read more

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The only issue is why no seafood paella any more? Authentic frence food. Well interior design. Service good! read more

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Perfect place to kick off the weekend with happy hour drinks. The hours and specials were generous during my visit a couple of months ago. Since I was the advance party, I snagged another seat at the bar. Before going in, I was not aware this place had a hotel on the property. I vaguely recall visiting when the spot was in an earlier incarnation as a French restaurant. At the start of happy hour, the bar was quiet, but the high-top tables gradually started to fill up, so I would suggest arriving early, especially on a Friday. Water glasses were topped up routinely and the drinks were efficiently served as well as being expertly prepared. I recommend getting the fries as they were served piping hot and with truffle aioli. I note these are not on the current happy hour menu as shown on the website but perhaps still are on offer. read more

Bandol - French 75 - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Four of us returned for dinner after a Saturday afternoon show. Service was quick, got seated right away and water arrived. The server visited quickly and several staff during the meal checked in on us. We ordered the Croque Madame, french dip, burger and caesar salad. The food arrived after a time. Not too long but I'm guessing they were short staffed. All the food came except the burger. After several check ins by the server, he had to go in and get the order. The burger was done perfectly. It was a huge order. The fires were among the best I've had. The salad was huge with a lot of croutons which I liked a lot. The Croque was also a large portion as was the French dip. The dip was actually the french onion soup which was a particularly nice touch. They had a good selection of mocktails. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

The SO and I were staying at the Kimpton Gray Hotel and decided to have breakfast here. The coffee and capuccino were very good...would order them to go, if feasible. Additionally, her breakfast sandwich and potatoes were very tasty...the potatoes are lightly salted, left mostly whole and slightly smashed with a crispy outside...just heavenly. My eggs were cooked to order, with a side of the potatoes, toast and enjoyably crispy bacon. Bottom line, both the service and food were excellent. read more

Bandol - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was great, our server was attentive and kind, the restaurant was lovely. We had a great visit. We were a large group and everything was smooth and very well done! read more

Bandol - Peach soleil - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Restaurant Week We walk by here all the time. Came to try there food during Restaurant Week 4 courses Crab cake was okay. Mash potatoes was on the base. Escargot was not hot nor bread provided. Waiter was gracious to provide after asking. Both had the Frisee salad. It was okay We both had the steak and fries. Steak had no taste and a little tough. Fries were good Apple galette was okay. Waiter was good. Food runner just toss your food on the table. Bus person was attentive. read more

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Yummy! Went on a solo date here for Mother's Day it was pretty empty, which was perfect for me. I like to pretend I'm Julia Robert's and my man rented out the restaurant for me lol. First thing first, pass me a cocktail. I ordered an espresso martini. I've been going hard for the espresso martinis lately. I'm obviously in my get me there and get me there quick era. lol Paired this with oysters of course as well as roasted Amish half chicken and potatoes. Oh it was so yummy. They oysters were so fresh. They don't have Rockefeller oysters only raw. These were so flavorful. Yum yum. The Amish chicken was delicately cooked and the potatoes were savory. Only disappointment was that the waitress initially forgot to put my order in for the Amish chicken. I waited 45mins after devouring my martini and oysters then reminded her. Other than that it was really good. read more

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A short 4 minute walk from my hotel, this quaint brasserie & raw bar was perfect for a night out with friends. We were able to catch the last part of happy hour. The space is perfect for brunch, lunch, dinner and also offers a rooftop bar. Check their website for times and special events. We ordered a few dozen oysters on a half shell. The oysters were very fresh, served with a classic mignonette and horseradish & cocktail sauce. It paired nicely with a couple chilled glasses of Rosé. We also couldn't pass up on the escargot, which bursting with garlic flavor, served with toasted baguette on the side. The Bandol Poutine served with their house gravy was also quite exquisite. I can put that gravy on anything and it would be good. Our server was pretty new to the place she said but she was pretty attentive even though she had quite a few tables to run. Happy hour was bustling on this night. I checked in on Yelp and got a free signature cocktail on this night. They also offer other specials like $1 oysters on Mondays. read more

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We stopped by for a casual happy hour and were really pleased with the food and service. We got a few drinks plus lemon hummus and cheeseburger sliders to share. The sliders were so tasty, I'd highly recommend them! Our server was Abigail and she took great care of us! As soon as we sat down, she noticed our water glasses were dirty so switched them out right away. She also gave us some great drink recommendations and came around often to check on us. read more

Bandol - Happy hour lemon hummus and cheeseburger sliders - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A low-effort replacement for the French restaurant that occupied this space before Covid, Cochon Volant. Bandol is still pretty good for the Loop! Oh, how memory is fleeting. There used to be steaks and much more seafood. Substitutions like ketchup for what used to be aioli typify this downgrade. Definitely felt like more of a hotel-adjacent restaurant, but I happily spent my per diem here. read more

​A great choice for Chicago Restaurant Week! At $45, the prix fixe menu is an absolute steal for this level of French cooking. The Steak Frites were seasoned perfectly. Service was a bit slow thou. read more

Happy hour on a Thursday. Attended with a party of 5. The restaurant was quaint and nicely decorated. The cocktails were all prepared professionally and were well balanced. The service was good but as the happy hour went on and the restaurant became busier, we saw our waitress less and less. We felt bad because I don't think they were appropriately staffed to handle the number of customers that evening. The oysters on the happy hour menu were below average. I would not order again. Some were not shucked appropriately so it was off putting fishing out pieces of shells from your mouth. The fries with aioli were delicious while the patatas bravas fell flat. The latter had a watery sauce and bland taste. The steak frites and scallops were prepared well but overly salted! This took away from both dishes. Unfortunately I would not return for dinner based on the quality of the dishes. I would, however, consider stopping by for a cocktail on the way to dinner, if I ever found myself by this location again. read more

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Happy hour is the perfect time to hit this place up for some oysters and a pineapple margarita. I also enjoyed the Lenny to make this a full meal for me with a Hemingway daiquiri for dessert. read more

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We had a nice breakfast here after staying at the Hyatt Centric. They were understaffed for sure on. Wed morning at 8 am, but the server did an amazing job of handling all the tables by herself! The restaurant itself is lovely & the food is very good. I had 2 eggs, delicious breakfast potatoes, and an English muffin. Wife loved avocado toast! Worth a visit for sure!! read more

Bandol - Breakfast for 2 - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My co worker and I choose new spots to enjoy a good happy hour deal and Bandol had great options at great prices! It's such a cute restaurant, looks smaller on the outside but great space. Our server was attentive and we are already planning a repeat visit. read more

Bandol - Rose Sangría Red Wine Oysters Lemon hummus Puttin fries - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Went to this restaurant with friends during restaurant week. Terrible service. The server was not visible during the whole time even that we made reservation beforehand. The food was ok, but we never got our dessert after almost two hours. The check was added 20% mandatory tips. Don't go if you have other options. read more

Came here for a work lunch and was surprised by the quality of food here. This place is a godsend with all of the same options all over the loop, Bandol a breath of fresh air. They offer craft cocktails (when you aren't on the clock) and during nice weather days, outdoor seating. I guess the whole theme is French bistro? They have oyster specials M-F for $1 per oyster. The steak Cobb salad was perfectly crisp and bright. I also recommend the prime cheese steak sandwich with that gooey guyere with mushrooms and leek are a perfect combination. They have a slew of signature cocktails that I am dying to go back for and will go again soon. The service is excellent and the food quality is top tier. I'm guessing they change their menu seasonally like any other respectable restaurant, I am excited to see what they have for the summer menu. Whatever you get here, I am sure it will be a treat. read more

This place was a delightful surprise. We came for Sunday brunch and ordered the Lemon Lavender French toast to start and it was decadent. I thought the Chantilly cream was so good and the lemon lavender was noticeable but not overpowering. I thought there would be mixed berries but we only got strawberries, which was fine. Next we split an avocado toast and the Bondal breakfast with sourdough and over medium eggs. The eggs were cooked well. I wasn't that impressed with the bacon, potatoes or toast. Other reviews said the potatoes were so good but I think the potatoes could've been fried a little longer. I wish the bacon was tjicker and the toast was more toasted. Overall, skip this. The avocado toast had a great amount of avocado toast and the whipped ricotta and micro greens was a really nice touch. Loved the ambiance of this place. Could see a great girls brunch happening here. I came with my boyfriend after staying at the hotel above. There were many couples dining too. Our service was friendly and prompt. Would come here again if in the area but wouldn't go out of the way. read more

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Went here tonight with a group and it was great. We all had various things to eat and the food is solid and the ambiance is nice. Very good for a business lunch or dinner. The service is great. We had a variety of starters, hummus and pita, burrata and poutine. Everything was average (which is fine by the way!) none of the dishes were the best ___ I've ever had but they were all perfectly serviceable and good. Entrees were similar. Everyone was satisfied with what they got. I has the lobster and shrimp ravioli and it was fine albeit forgettable. Good but not the best ravioli I've ever had, just average. The drinks were all creative and well done and i appreciated our server for remembering modifications to certain dishes in our party. Overall, bandol is a casual upscale restaurant perfect for getting together for colleagues or a business casual affair. It meets expectations so 3/5 stars. read more

Bandol is in close proximity to one of my favorite rooftop bars in Chicago called Aire. What I like the most about Bandol is that it's one of the few restaurants that's open in the Loop on a Sunday evening. While I did not have a meal, only drinks, they seem to take French cuisine seriously. The restaurant Bandol was named after a city in the region of France. The hostess and waitstaff were very welcoming. The atmosphere was warm and cozy on a very cold night in Chicago. Bandol is also walking distance to Millennium Park, Macy's and other shops in the area. read more

Mediocre at best. Slow in getting a group meal to the table (took 20 minutes to get all 8 meals from the first to last). Kitchen didn't heed the requests to leave things off. Food was a bit small in portions and lacking in flavor. The salads looked good - I should have gotten the seafood one. I miss the cafe that this used to be, with the lovely crusty bread and pastries in the front cabinet. It's a sad shell of what once was. read more

The brunch was cancelled at the rooftop since it was drizzling on a Sunday morning. We opted to try out this aesthetically great restaurant. I ordered Mahi mahi sandwich and it failed miserably. My mouth was numb from it being too salty. Got canceled from the bill but it's not a cheap diner to not be attentive to the cooking like that. Very disappointed. I took pics of the pretty place but not coming back for the food at all. read more

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This is my new favorite downtown breakfast place. Great food and service! They were not very busy on a Sunday morning but they open early 7am. Omelet was nice and fluffy, filled with cheese and ham. As you see in photo big potato's, but they were very well cooked, seasoned and served with a few onions. My server Kiara, deserves a shoutout she was very friendly remembered my name throughout service. read more

Bandol - Sorry didn't take a full before photo. I don't normally write reviews. - French Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My wife and I stopped by after work for an impromptu date. We ordered a few delicious cocktails and lovely small plates. Anahita treated us very well. Even though it was an unexpectedly busy night, we always felt well taken care for. read more

It was a beautiful 60° day in February in Chicago and we sat outside on their cozy patio with nice lighting and attentive service. Bandol has an amazing happy hour menu with delicious sliders fitted with cheese greens and special sauce. And oysters for two dollars apiece. Nice glass of Prosecco to finish that off. Others had the French dip and it was incredible. We will definitely be back again and again!! read more

A wonderful place for lunch or brunch the food is very good and the service is excellent

The service was wonderful. Ok deal for restaurant week but escargot did not come with bread!!! Also escargot needed more garlic. Rest of the food ok. There are a ton of great French restaurants in Chicago there is no need to go to a ok French restaurant. read more

Had breakfast two days in a row and it did not disappoint. Aside from the fabulous Parisian ambiance, the trendy mimosa and great food, it was centrally located near all the places we needed to go. Definitely recommend the croque madam and pomegranate mimosa. read more

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Bandol has become my staple for a satisfying breakfast. The Lemon Lavender French Toast is my absolute obsession - perfectly balanced with a delicious Chantilly cream. I find myself craving it every time I'm in town for work. Brunch options beyond the star dish are consistently great. Fast and friendly service adds to the experience. The ambiance strikes a nice balance between trendy and comfortable. I recently decided to venture beyond brunch and explore their dinner options. The French Onion Soup had a bit more salt than I prefer, but it didn't overshadow the overall experience. The Hummus Spread was a hit, though a some more pita with that amount of Hummus would have been perfect. The Amish half-chicken carries a good portion size. Despite my preference with the soup, Bandol consistently delivers a positive experience. If you're looking for brunch in Chicago you must try this spot solely for the lemon lavender French toast. read more

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Super cute place in the loop. Had brunch and it was delicious with big portions. Their cocktail menu is great too. Service was great as well! read more

I really wanted to like this place, but the overall experience was underwhelming--especially given the price point. The restaurant was empty when we arrived, yet service was surprisingly slow. Our drinks sat at the bar for over 10 minutes before being brought to us, and when they finally arrived, they were warm and served in chipped glasses. The food was okay, but didn't quite match what was described on the menu. Fries came without any sauces, and the cheese plate included just two small pieces of room-temperature bread--not quite what we expected. At the end of the meal (which came out to over $80 for two appetizers and two drinks), the server abruptly mentioned he wouldn't touch the credit card and made a big (negative) deal about American Express, then casually tossed the checkbook on the table. While he wasn't very present throughout the meal, he was quick to return once the tip was on the table. When we asked to speak with a manager about our concerns, we were told there wasn't one available. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return based on this visit. For a restaurant associated with the Hyatt Centric, I expected a more polished and professional experience. read more