Essence provides high quality food and an upscale dining experience while still providing relaxed atmosphere. The service is attentive but not rushed. Food was excellent and I felt you could come in formal or jeans and a nicer sweater attire and not feel out of place. I love they change their menu to keep things fresh. read more

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Came back here again in June and had a wonderful experience! I had a mocktail and some appetizers to start, including stuffed jalepenos. For the main I decided to try the elk for the first time. It was a little gamey for my taste but well cooked and glad I tried it here! For dessert I enjoyed a delicious chocolate mousse that I completely devoured. The area and park around the restaurant are beautiful to walk in after your meal! Essence is definitely a must visit! read more

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From the moment we walked in and they offered to take our coats all the way to the desert menu, phenomenal service! Thank you to Melissa our server, Marissa and Brad. We had a letter waiting at our table and a free pour of champagne for my Wife and I's 4th wedding anniversary. Also the Chef needs a raise!!! We're used to good restaurants and good food, but DANG that food was amazing some of the best in Northern Indiana!! The amazing food and Melissa's service were an absolute pleasure. We will be back! read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Tagliatelle (pic doesn't do it justice) - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Best in Elkhart Fresh menu, awesome service. Great place to spend time with that special friend Awesome wine list. Chelsey is my favorite. Server read more

It's long overdue to rate these wonderful folks 5 stars. It is clear that the community agrees - what could I possibly add? Having enjoyed meal after meal on our monthly date night, as well as the tasting table for special dates or also just because, we have come to love Essence as out favorite place to indulge our foodie desires and get fancied up for the night. We've also attended new year's eve and even hosted prospective new hires here to give them a gold level experience. Time after time, we left satisfied, happy, and not nearly as broke as we should for the level of quality dining, drinks, and experience we've received. The way this restaurant is managed and the way the food is created is second to none in NW Indiana. There is good reason for the four diamond award, as Essence could go toe to toe with Chicago dining experienced without a sweat. While we do miss SeaBass and Devin, this place has a low turnover that is UNHEARD OF for the restaurant industry, and we adore seeing our familiar faces of Brad, Claire, Evie, Taylor, and the gang, who welcome us warmly and treat us, but also everyone that comes through their doors (with kindness), warmly as old friends with each visit. May nothing ever damper the great formula that is present here at Essence. We adore you and intend to for all the years to come. read more

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Essence has easily & quickly become my favorite restaurants in Elkhart County!! The food is always amazing & I especially love that their menu is experimental! Brad & staff are always kind, attentive & provide a great service. The atmosphere of Essence ties everything together so lovely. I truly recommend Essence for the quality of its food & service. Love, love, LOVE!!! read more

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We visited last week for our anniversary and had an amazing experience! Our server, Claire, was attentive without being over bearing. We enjoyed every dish and drink we got! Claire was excellent with recommendations of both food and drink. We will be back!! read more

Great service! Every time we go there the entire staff is wonderful and treats everyone great. The food is great and the menu does change or rotate so typically there is something new for us to try. It's one of those places that never disappoints and we are always glad we go! read more

We celebrated our anniversary at Essence and, as always, it was superb from start to finish. The attention to detail, beautifully presented food and drinks, and unmatched service make every visit special. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize for my prior harsh and unfavorable review. I take full responsibility, for I now realize it was me that was having a bad day. I just returned from a wonderful experience and once again the cocktails and food were amazing. My personal interaction with the staff and owner, Brad, was delightful. They certainly make you feel at home and very welcome. Don't hesitate to try this Elkhart gem! Thank you Essence Restaurant and Bar read more

Enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and attentive service. However, I wasn't impressed with my meal. I'm gluten intolerant and reviewed the menu prior to arriving and had an idea of what to order although the options were very limited. Unfortunately the options I considered had gluten added. I ended up ordering the trout and was disappointed. FYI- you may find it challenging to eat here if you have food restrictions. read more

If you have not been here stop what you are doing right now and get that reservation in. 5 stars in every category. Even made us some awesome mocktails. This will definitely be our go to for date night. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Bubbles and smoke anyone? - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

Wow! Absolutely amazing. From the ambiance, to the servers, to the drinks and the food. Just 5 stars at every step. This place will not disapoint. read more

Brad and his staff make you feel like family. We celebrated our anniversary here tonight and were wined and dined. The food and drinks are incredible and the lemon dessert is to die for. The menu is always changing but the Japanese sweet potatoes are a staple item. read more

Elkhart has something special going on here for your culinary delight. This was our second time here and a second enjoyable experience. The service by the staff is exceptional. They accommodated all requests and never pressured us once during the evening. My beautiful bride and I enjoyed the food once again. We put this place on par with some of the top restaurants we have eaten at. Well done. You won't go wrong coming here. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Vino - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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We visited this restaurant for our wedding anniversary and had a splendid evening. Every course of the meal was exceptional from the hors d'oeuvre and salad to the main course and dessert. This restaurant is not cheap, but you definitely get your moneys worth for the first class staff, the Nice environment, and the generous spirit of the manager not to mention the delicious food. We will be back for sure ! Highly recommend this place! read more

Best food and drink this side of the Mississippi. Chef Juan consistently puts out awesome, well executed dishes. The tasting table is a must. You'll have to reserve the tasting table well in advance but worth the wait. The bar is great at creating new cocktails and old favorites. Excellent wine selection. Great, welcoming, knowledgeable staff. Love eating here. Will be returning often. read more

The most accommodating restaurant I have ever been to. Our serves name was Evie, she was very pleasant, gave great descriptions and helps us pick according. The owners name was Brad and he also was funny, and light hearted. Our group had tenderloin,wagyu,seafood pasta,French onion pasta,and short ribs and everyone loved their meals. Apps we did basically all of them only didn't love the baos the buns, they didn't taste fresh. Desert was fabulous, the key lime was wonderful and light, and the others loved their ice cream sandwich and crème brûlée. We will not be strangers... read more

This place came highly recommended by some friends and we decided to enjoy our holiday dinner here with our daughter and son-in-law. A very professional and warm reception upon entering teed things up for a wonderful evening. The coat check offering was a nice touch too. Very beautifully decorated and nice ambiance with impressive service from Joe, our server. We enjoyed a couple drinks (Juggernaut Cab, Borne of Fire Cab, and mock tails for the ladies), along with our appetizers (Japanese Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Bruschetta). Both delicious. Our entrees included the 8 oz Double R Ranch Filet, the Short Rib, and Double Bone-in Pork Chop (Joe's recommended choice for "last meal of your life" when I quizzed him with that question). I'm proud to say we were all members of the clean plate club! Fantastic all around! I'd rank it as tops in Elkhart (and quite possibly better than anything in the South Bend area) for finer dining and will no doubt spread the word to others. A refreshing touch of class! read more

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We have been to Essence multiple times, it's our favorite place to dine in Elkhart. The food is delicious. The staff is very attentive. The owner is always there making sure your experience is perfect. There is an inviting fireplace inside. The outside patio dining area overlooks the riverwalk. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Ribeye - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Anniversary dinner in a 1st class restaurant. Great food and service. Be sure to meet the owner while you're there....probably be serving you the wine. read more

We had the most amazing experience here at the Essence! We've traveled to many places and ate at many restaurants and for the most part, the pricier restaurants aren't worth it, and we usually end up enjoying a "mom and pop" diner better. Being residents in the area, we decided to try this restaurant for our anniversary, and we were so impressed! Amazing cocktails, great food, unique dessert, beautiful atmosphere, and the most phenomenal service! We feel so lucky to have this spot local and it has now become a "go to" of ours. Instead of "I recommend" I say "please try" the Essence Restaurant and Bar in Elkhart. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Short Rib - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Downtown Elkhart...great location. Parking was a breeze. Ambience has a cosmopolitan flair with an exotic menu featuring bold and delicate selections that are very satisfying to the pallet. Staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and spot on with their recommendations. Overall service exceptional. Will return again! read more

Awarded 4 Star restaurant and justifiably so. Only open for 1 1/2 years. The food, the setting, the service. Yay!

Cannot praise this place enough!!! My first time there was 7/30/24 and it will definitely not be my last. First of all, the service was phenomenal. Just sitting there watching the team work together, they were like a well-oiled machine. Second, the food was delicious. I do NOT mind paying more for quality food which is what Essence offers. If you're looking for a nice place with delicious food, especially for a special occasion, this place is it! read more

Absolutely amazing place! A handwritten birthday card and delicious dessert made the celebration even nicer. The owner greets every patron and checks back to make sure your dining experience is perfection. Every single person on staff has a warm greeting and tends to you. The food and the recommendations were on point and I am already looking forward to coming back. They let us know the menu changes often which is also a plus. So happy to see a wonderful place like this here. read more

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We went here for anniversary and the service was above and beyond and the food was so good. I definitely recommend it. read more

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This restaurant gives me a LA restaurant vibe. The food was good and the service was great! read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Desert - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

Everything is perfect from the moment you walk in the door. Five star service and a fresh seasonal menu. They have a creative bar program too. This restaurant never disappoints. I can't wait to go back! read more

Wow. This restaurant is incredible - from the service to the exquisite food and atmosphere. We loved our evening at Essence and were warmly greeted by every staff member. Our server Claire answered all of our menu questions thoughtfully and made excellent recommendations to accommodate allergens (gluten-free). We had a pleasant conversation with the owner and learned a bit about Elkhart. I highly recommend Essence and supporting a local restaurant. We enjoyed the potato leek soup and lobster bisque starters. The venison was superb and the Chilean sea bass was divine. The tiramisu was a perfect end to a lovely meal. Truly, it's hard to think of adequate words to describe our experience. Thank you to the chefs, servers, host, and owner for such a memorable evening. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Tiramisu - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Our second visit was just as outstanding as the first! The service cannot be beat, and every appetizer, entree, and dessert ordered by our group of six was OUTSTANDING! I'm so glad we returned, and we will look so forward to another visit in the future. read more

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"OMG the elk was melt-in-my-mouth delicious", "The best meal I've had in Elkhart in a long time." Those are just a couple of my husband Todd's comments. My burger was perfectly prepared and came with three plump tater tots. Our server, Claire, was amazing and very attentive. As for the atmosphere, I felt swept far away from Elkhart. Best wishes to Brad for this incredible new endeavor. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Ice cream sandwich...to be eaten with hands, not silverware! - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

A big city modern American restaurant in lil ol' Elkhart. Impeccable service and cuisine. From the moment you enter you feel taken care of. They pull out all the stops to make sure every step of service is perfect. Warm and knowledgeable wait staff provide every comfort available from bread service to fresh silverware for each course. They perfectly time every course to your speed and preference. For the level of service provided it never feels stuffy. You feel at home in what could otherwise be a stiff atmosphere at other restaurants. The ever changing menu is tantalizing, tasty, and beautifully presented. The cocktail program would please any palate, and the wine selection is staggering. Easily the best meal around. read more

My husband and I had a "fancy" date night last night, we were celebrating an early anniversary. I just have to say that this place did not disappoint!! The lil extras they do are meaningful and thoughtful! We had such an amazing meal and the dessert!! OMGOODNESS!!!! The chocolate cherry mousse was so delicious! Thank you Brad and your amazing team D&J read more

Great experience great food and drink. Highly recommended it to anyone in the Elkhart area! Planning on returning here soon!

Our first time was nothing less than amazing. I had the grilled short rib and it literally melted in my mouth. For a fine dining restaurant, the vibe is so fun and not stuffy at all. The service was excellent and the owner makes it his mission to ensure that you have a fun & delicious experience. Highly recommend. read more

Great evening at Essence. Always impressed with the menu and the presentation. Jorge was a great server with attention to detail.

Recently I went to Essence for dinner. Leta start with the hostess, absolutely a delight. I accidentally made reservations for a Tuesday and walked in on Friday night thinking my reservations was for 645pm. She was so sweet called over Brad ( the owner, which I had no clue) and he did some rearranging and got us in at 7:45. We walked over had a drink at Brass elk till we could get seated. Once we came back they sat us , offered to hang our coats, and explained the menu, apologized that our waitress would be a few mins and offered us drinks to hold us over till she could make it to the table. One of the best parts was she informed us of where the bathroom was also. Brad the owner bopped around talking with the tables but never to long, helped with napkins, food / drinks being served and was an absolute pleasure. He helped make the experience even more enjoyable. Our waitress was absolutely amazing! Very informative and helpful with the pairing of the meal with drinks. I was at all with how down to earth the restaurant was with such class and professionalism. Then the food comes out!! What can I say but heaven in my mouth! The potstickers was perfect, best crabcakes I have ever had! The steak cooked perfectly and melted into my mouth. My tastebuds were dancing I swear! We did get dessert to go and the presentation of mine was speechless, it looked just like an apple , but it was white chocolate filled with apple crumble and something else. But wow!! Brad came and laughed with us and razzed us a bit which again was great to see the owner put in that much work and to balance things very well. He even greeted us as we came in and said goodbye as we walked out. The whole staff worked as a team, from bringing everything out to making sure we had a great experience. I highly recommend going here and enjoying the food. The menu changes often, which makes it even more desirable to return. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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The best ambiance and dining experience around. Delightful staff and atmosphere. Elegance and relaxing.

How lucky are we to have such a high caliber restaurant in our area! Everything from the delightful, taste sensations of the menu to the top notch and intelligent servers and hosts/hostesse, and the gorgeous decor, you just feel special when you are at Essence! So special in fact, we wen back again, and ag, lol! I highly recommend the Japanese sweet potatoes and it's just Chilean Seabass! And 100% get dessert! Absolutely delightful! read more

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