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    Expat Chicago

    4.2 (33 reviews)
    Closed • 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

    Expat Chicago Photos

    EXPAT CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

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    Chocolate cake
    celina t.

    Today we went to try Expat since we saw them on restaurant week. Their menu for dinner for the restaurant week menu was really fair ($45pp) and it's 3 courses. We got: Bacon wrapped dates: 8/10 very flavorful and I loved how arugula was paired with it. It helped cut the sweetness. French onion dip: 8.5/10 I really enjoyed this as an appetizer. The chips were wonderful with my alcoholic beverage. Bbq ribs: 8/10 it was fall of the bone! I would say the coleslaw wasn't my favorite. It was a bit too vinegary for me. The sweet potato tater tots paired really well with the ribs. (They make their tots in house!) Gnocchi: 7.5/10 it was good but I feel like it needed something with it. Perhaps mushrooms or something to add a bit more volume. The sweet potatoes inside were a good addition. Cake: 9/10 I'm not a chocolate lover and usually would not order a chocolate cake but it came with the set menu. It was a wonderful delight. Not too sweet (the cake itself) it was dense but in a good way. Overall we would for sure come back even outside of restaurant week. Our server also manned the bar and he was very welcoming. The ambiance is pretty nice and felt casual.

    Vanilla latte
    Kenna G.

    Checked out Expat for some happy hour cocktails and I was truly impressed. Keke was a fantastic bartender and made us outstanding drinks. Very unique menu of cocktails. Great happy hour deal, $10 cocktails and a couple of discounted bites. Very gorgeous bar and space! Doors open up for a fun vibe in the warm weather.

    Breve Latte
    Johnny R.

    Came in for a post workout meal and coffee and was very pleased with what I got. Service was friendly, coffee was great quality and taste wise, and the burrito packed a lot of flavor especially in the golden raisin hot sauce. (Sauce is sweet yet spicy) West coast egg burrito: 4 of 5 Perfectly cooked egg, bacon was a little fatty, and combined with the golden raisin sauce is a must try. Breve latte: 5 of 5 Coffee quality is great and the flavor stands on its on for espresso lovers. They don't carry half and half, so to get the breve ask to mix milk with heavy cream.

    Gnocchi
    Hannah C.

    Came here for a bday celebration. We had a big party and made a reservation in advance. Unfortunately, they were unprepared and none of these seats were set up which was not a great look for our birthday guest of honor. We were expecting to eat dinner with drinks but it seems like it's more of a self service type of situation? We were told to go up to the bar and order ourselves and we were also getting up to get our water glasses. Would not recommend for a big party. Food was also overpriced and not great. The only thing that was good was the decor and drinks. However, I personally did not get a drink so who knows. They were also trying to rush us to leave after the 2 hr mark which I get but we had a big party so I would except them take that into account in their planning of reservations...

    House salad
    Andrea Z.

    Visited on a Thursday around 1pm, cafe had several other guest but plenty of open space. You seat yourself and servers come by with a menu and water. Drink: Drip Coffee - solid dark roast Food: House Salad - simple but good, mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumber and onion, in a light citrus dressing, good portion size, wasn't overly dressed balanced flavors Service was good, friendly and relaxed, food and drink arrived pretty quick, sever checked in occasionally. Great cafe/bar to get work done, feels like a bohemian loft with lots of comfy seating that's well spaced out and a nice playlist. Free WiFi was great, lots of others were using the space to work as well. Would love to come back to try more of the food menu which looked great!

    Small sign, easy to miss. That's okay, this will be our secret.
    Erika G.

    I LOVE THIS BAR. Recently opened off to the side in the Coquette space - almost a secret little entrance to a hideaway, IYKYK. "Cafe by Day, Bar by Night" PERFECT. So European. Cocktail menu: famous drinks from famous bars, imagined right here in Chicago! I had a Porn Star Martini, made famous by the LAB bar in London. A delicious concoction (it tasted spicy, mellow, umami delicious) that comes with a little sidecar of champagne. PERFECT. I also sampled the Singapore Sling, and that was also really tasty. Food. We two got the fish tacos and the pastrami sandwich to share - was a perfect amount of food for a light dinner, and the taste was just incredible. Craveworthy. The fish tacos were plump, with a light, crunchy breading. The Pastrami - really a Reuben sandwich - my favorite was all delicious. I'll be back here again and again. Gotta try that Wisconsin Old Fashioned, since I am a Wisconsin expatriat! Bartenders were good looking, friendly and charming. I love this place!!

    Angelica S.

    I've been to Expat a couple of times now and it's always a good experience. The staff is attentive and welcoming, and the drinks are consistently good. I really appreciate that happy hour goes until 7 pm -- makes it easy to stop in after work. Definitely a spot I'll keep coming back to.

    Sandalwood and Tahitian Vanilla Old Fashioned
    Jason W.

    Cafe by day, bar by night. I stopped in to enjoy their bar at night. Perfect setting for a drink. Sat at the front bar where they had it open air for a perfect fall evening in Chicago. Good bartenders and I really enjoyed the sandalwood and vanilla old fashioned. In the higher end of cocktail prices, but worth it to enjoy the atmosphere for a round.

    Lisa S.

    I had brunch at Expat and was thoroughly impressed. The atmosphere combines exotic and bohemian elements beautifully. With both indoor and outdoor seating, I opted to enjoy the sunny outdoor space. The food was amazing and very reasonably priced. I tried the BLT, which is served on a pizza crust and includes bacon, lettuce, tomato, ricotta mayo, and sundried tomato pesto. I also indulged in a xuxo chocolate and sea salt caramel mini croissant, which was both adorable and delicious. My friends ordered the West Coast burrito and the egg sandwich, both of which were generously portioned and reportedly delicious. The service was friendly and provided excellent recommendations. I will definitely be returning and will have to try the late night feel the next time!

    Street sign
    Daniela N.

    Had dinner with a girlfriend last night and I have to say this place is quite unique all day and night coffee bar. The theme of the decor and book menu centered around expat / travels marry well together. We ordered the frozen porn star martini and an espresso martini for drinks. Both were excellent choices and I loved our fresh my frozen drink was on this hot day. For our entrees we had the cheeseburger and Pasta Al Simone. Once both dishes were served - our food was fresh and tasty. The burger meat was rich and the secret sauce brought all the flavors together. Upon our server suggestion, we also had the espresso creme brûlée - oh my! If you have a sweet tooth you cannot leave without trying it. We really enjoyed our time there. Looking forward to visiting over the weekend when Djs are playing on the patio or having dinner at the two other connected restaurants - Coquette and Bambola. Thanks to our bartender Daniel for taking care of us.

    Rhonda F.

    I LOVE this place!!! Tucked away in an unassuming spot, around the corner from Randolf Street Restaurant Row and the Fulton Market District. It is a true hidden gem. Expect offers so much. Coffee Shop, Study Spot, Friends Lunch and even dinner & cocktails. The American cuisine is fantastic. We had a burger, salad and french toast. Everything was perfect. The decor is incredible - airy and charming with a twist. Travel vibes, furry pillows, colorful tile and various seating options. Service matched all the other great elements. The positivity was in full force. Attentive and friendly service made our experience better. I can't wait to return at night for cocktails.

    Egg Sandwich
    Ashley C.

    I had a so-so experience to be honest, BUT I'm very willing to give them another shot. They had an event happening with a liquor brand when we visited, so they could only serve an altered cocktail menu. That being said - - It's tucked away at the end of Randolph Street and around the corner. So many interesting spots in the vicinity! - The space is really nice. Well decorated. Variety of tables, lounge areas, and a generous patio! - It's not obvious when you first arrive if its seat yourself, table service, or bar service. We initially felt awkward, but my kind bartender eventually came over to tell us it was bar-service only. - My cocktail was meh, but I wish I could have tried their not my Al cocktail menu instead of the partnership drinks. - The food was fine, and I would order something else next time.

    Carajilllo & Spanish Coffee cocktails
    Michelle L.

    Enjoyed the dark European ambiance with travel motifs, the coffee cocktails are delicious. Carajillo is an amazing espresso cocktail (and very easy to drink). The hot Spanish coffee would be so enjoyable on a cold morning; it has fruity notes to the flavor. Their fish and chips dish was a great platter to eat alongside drinking and came with vinegar aeoli and tartar sauce with capers, which were so delicious. There was a brand rep for a vodka seltzer company that gave us free seltzers which tasted amazing & their bathroom is very aesthetic for taking photos in.

    Chicken parm

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    2 months ago

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    19 days ago

    stay away from expat-- overpriced and always fighting going on over there . shooting over this past weekend there

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    2 years ago

    Good food and an interactive place. Nice casual ambiance. Service was a bit distracted and slow.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing' like this place! Good atmosphere and very tasty food! Service it's interesting too. Guys have a lot of places

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    Ghost Donkey - Chicken Tinga quesadilla

    Ghost Donkey

    4.0(74 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    We originally came to Ghost Donkey as paranormal investigators, after being hired to locate the…read moremissing ghost donkey belonging to a local agave farmer. The case had gone cold--or perhaps mezcal-hot--until we received a clue pointing us toward River North. Ghost Donkey is spacious, colorful, and full of energy, with plenty of bar seating and tables. The music can get loud, but it fits the atmosphere perfectly. The bartenders were constantly interacting with guests, swinging the lights, encouraging the crowd, and turning the entire room into a neon-lit fiesta. They do have a food menu featuring items such as tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and guacamole, but we mostly came for the drinks. Many of the cocktails are tequila- or mezcal-based, which is exactly what we enjoy. The menu is creative, the drinks are strong, and the bar does an excellent job making agave spirits approachable--even for guests who may not consider themselves mezcal experts. After two drinks and an argument with a decorative donkey, we finally found the missing spirit hiding behind the bar. He was translucent, smelled faintly of roasted agave, and appeared to be carrying a tiny map. We followed him through a glowing hallway, down a staircase, and into a secret chamber where he revealed the legendary piñata of Quetzalcoatl, the ancient feathered serpent god. Naturally, we attempted to break it open. Instead of candy, it released a cloud of mystical dust, three lime wedges, and a receipt for nachos. The ghost donkey brayed with laughter, the lights began swinging, and the entire bar erupted in applause. The bartender handed us another drink and told us this happened all the time. Ghost Donkey is a fantastic place to hang out, pregame, and enjoy inventive tequila and mezcal cocktails in a lively setting. Just be warned: you may arrive looking for a ghost donkey and leave having helped recover an ancient Mexican god's piñata. That's simply the sort of evening this place encourages.

    Food: ok -- we got a carne asada quesadilla to share and we were glad we were able to customize it…read morea bit to meet allergens/preferences Drinks: not for me AT ALL -- the paloma was okay at best, the chispa was AWFUL (worst drink I have EVER had, had two sips and left it there), and the spicy drink was also not our cup of tea Service / Ambiance: i loved the LED lights, and staff was friendly. The music was good but kind of all over the place in terms of genre, vibe, and order The best thing about Ghost Donkey in my opinion is that it has a cute photobooth

    Photos
    Ghost Donkey
    Ghost Donkey
    Ghost Donkey - Cool interior

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    Cool interior

    Ila's - Happy Hour bites at the bar

    Ila's

    4.9(76 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Near North Side

    When I was planning my sister's bachelorette party, I wanted to find a restaurant near our hotel…read morethat could accommodate different dietary preferences (i.e. no pork, vegetarian/halal, etc.). I found Ila's on Google and liked the variety of menu items. The food appeared to elevate comfort food from multiple cuisines, such as American, Italian, South American, Asian, and Southeast Asian. I reached out to the restaurant and was assisted with a reservation for 14 people. Our table was set and ready to go as soon as we arrived at 8:30pm on a Saturday. Overall customer was excellent. Thank you to the hostess for making my sister, the bride, feel special. She complimented her and hyped her up for the night, which was really sweet. Our server was awesome too. He was friendly and highly attentive. Loved that our food and drinks also came out in a timely manner. I enjoyed everything I ate. I had a few bites of the appetizers including the scallops, fried paneer, and 2 kinds of empanadas (corn and chicken). We also got lumpia and a mixed bread platter for the table. Though I didn't have any of the latter, they were a hit at our table. I got the burger as my entree, and it was such a redemption from a crappy burger I got elsewhere earlier in my trip. The double smashed patties were juicy and flavorful. I devoured the burger and loved the thin cut fries. All-in-all, we had a lovely dinner at Ila's for my sister's bachelorette party.

    Last minute after-work HH at Ila's and it didn't disappoint. The Gin Blossom was shaken to order…read more(love a fresh craft cocktail over a pre-batched one), and it showed. We also tried the chicken & corn empanadas and the cheese pesto flatbread--all solid. The only downside was that it is super quiet with only a 3 parties including us, so don't expect a buzzing happy hour scene. The space is absolutely gorgeous though, with beautiful interiors, comfy high-end furniture, and great service. Hoping this place gets the love it deserves.

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    Ila's - Nico collin's & hugo spritz

    Nico collin's & hugo spritz

    Ila's - Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly

    Assorted Savory Kabobs: Paneer, Chicken & Leek, Pork Belly

    Ila's - Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

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    Happy hour $10 sparking rose. fantastic!

    Bunny Slope

    Bunny Slope

    3.5(12 reviews)
    1.9 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    Overall: The novelty of Bunny Slope is amazing, but after it wears off the realizations kick in…read more The good: Really fun and neat concept, especially in the heart of downtown. Sometimes, nothing beats a few (or many) drinks in a hottub. They even provide a nifty shower for cleaning up afterwards. The decor is pretty neat as well. The not-so-good: The space isn't huge, wouldn't comfortably fit more than 10-12 people. They don't have normal drinks here, the beers I tried were disgusting, so I just stuck to good ol' scotch. That said, the other cocktails sounded interesting (they were all mostly fruity). The hottub was way too hot, none of us could stay in it very long. You have to go outside of the room to change, possibly running into other hotel guests or whatever is above grounds.

    Really nice places for a group outing. The room was perfect size to move around, drink and dance…read more It was 12 of us in the room. I like that we had our own personal bartender. Drinks were very reasonable price. Tequila and cranberry was 8, 12 for a double. The jacuzzi was perfect temperature. Everything seemed sanitary and clean. I really like that they provide FREE lockers to hold our things in. They also provided a speaker so we could play our own music. Free towels but I'd bring your own sandals. I don't think they serve food. It was in the basement of a hotel but I'd definitely recommend to go.

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    Bunny Slope
    Bunny Slope
    Bunny Slope

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    Expat Chicago - bars - Updated October 2026

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