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    Gilt Bar

    4.3 (2.4k reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Order Gilt Bar Takeout or Delivery

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    GILT BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Dressy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Gilt Bar

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    Audrey R.

    exactly as I expected, gilt bar was phenomenal - the beef tartare was the best I've ever had, it was so filled with flavor, every bite tasted like a beef salad. the egg was jammy and delicious adding a new layer of richness to the meal. the bread it came with was FRESH, hard crispy crust surrounding thick cuts of spongey bread - the truffle malfadine was perfectly cooked long chewy noodles with the perfect amount of a truffle pepper sauce over them. certain bites had full peppercorns, breaking through the slight creaminess. - I had high hopes for the burger and was picturing a bougie restaurant thick cut juicy burger. it was fascinating because it had the same juicy soft flavor, but it was more of a Smashburger style so you had a little bit of crisp on the outside and instead of a thick singular patty, it was two on top of each other. the fries were solid (not very salty which was divisive) but the aioli elevated the fries and burger to a new level, huge points - Guinness here is so cheap. my dirty martini was dirty as all hell and delicious. the service was so kind and attentive and brought out extra ice cream with hot fudge for my birthday. the carrot cake was incredibly moist and tasted like real carrots, nuts, and spices, not enough frosting for me tho hehe - this is literally such a stunning restaurant with a photo booth and a downstairs sultry bar, and an open standing space around the bar upstairs. I get why it is always booked. If I was to come back, I would do it all again except ...maybe instead of the burger... try something else hmm

    Vodka Rigatoni @yassiG
    Yassi G.

    Ambiance is on point, sexy, swanky, moody, vibey. Intimate little tables, big space. Long wait time, we waited about an hour and half to be seated. But the food was well worth it. We shared bone marrow and it was the best bone marrow I've had as well as the best portions! Delicious!! We also got the truffle pasta and Brussel sprouts- absolutely amazing. For the drink I forget the name but it was good, nice presentation but I would probably try a different one next time. They also had a Photo Booth downstairs on the way to the bathroom -that was a hoot. I guess they have a speakeasy downstairs as well called the library bar- but they had a private event so we couldn't check it out. Good times!

    Double Wagyu Cheeseburger
    Annie Z.

    The ambiance is very moody - dark and bougie, which is fun to go with friends! We ordered the mussels and onion rings as starters, and then the wagyu cheeseburger and spicy orrichette (spelling?). The mussels with garlic bread is amazing and the wagyu cheeseburger was delicious. It's owned by the same ppl who run Au Cheval so their burger game is great. We also got a tequila sour and the daquiri, which were good too. Also, the place is super gluten free friendly - most of the menu could be subbed for gluten free alternatives.

    Gold Rush
    Mike P.

    Came here on a recommendation from a local friend. Was warned that this place could have a long wait as they took some reservations but also allowed for walk ins as well. When I came in there was a fair amount of people who who are waiting and I put my name on the list that was number 30. The list did go down fairly quickly, however we opted to sit at the bar and had a few drinks there instead. There were three bartenders working on the bar which felt like a good amount for the size of the bar was. The bar felt fairly bespoke. And their menu seemed to be pretty good as far as the drinks. After looking over the menu I decided to get a Gold Rush and it was good enough to get more than one. We had two different bartenders make our drinks and they were slightly different. One leaning slightly more lemon heavy but both versions are pretty good. Apparently there is also a downstairs library bar that was highly recommended but when we went there was a private event. So keep that in mind if you're planning on coming to go ahead to see if anyone has booked the space. All in all nice bar. I would come here again if I was in the area.

    Cucumber martini
    Naba K.

    We live right around the corner from gilt bar and absolutely love it. It's always a fun ambiance and the drinks are delicious. They also have a GREAT happy hour (even on Saturdays!!!) and the food is fantastic. The mussels are mine and my husbands favorite, and we've tried mussels at lots of places. And if you want a little change of scenery, you can go to the speakeasy downstairs! There's also a fun Photo Booth right by the speakeasy. Only con is that there can be a wait later in the night.

    Carrot Cake
    Kyle P.

    **4.5 Stars** We've been to Gilt Bar a few times in the past year and have always had an excellent meal and great service. Gilt Bar serves as a bit of a greatest hits of all the Hogsalt restaurants. As the easiest spot to get a reservation or even a walk in, this is great, and always a wonderful stop for a nice night out. The truffle mozzarella sticks are some of the best I've had, and the brussels sprouts actually very much might be. They're excellent. Other standouts we've had are the vodka rigatoni, truffle mafaldine, and the brown butter gnocchi, seared on one side and cooked to pillowy perfection. The desserts are excellent as well. And as much as we love the sticky date cake and flourless molten lava cake at Armitage and Trivoli (key lime pie too), my hot take is that the desserts here may be the best selection of any Hogsalt spot. The carrot cake is perhaps the best I've had, and the chocolate layer cake is about as good as it gets as well. The chocolate cream pie is excellent too, you really can't go wrong. This last visit, we finally got an opportunity to dine in The Library, a pseudo speakeasy vibe in the basement. This is the way to do Gilt Bar - you get the same excellent food with an even better dining experience and even more impressive service. Our server, Lilliana, was great, and really made us feel special throughout the evening, including tossing in a complimentary ice cream and champagne. If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, I highly recommend it - it's like having an Armitage Alehouse in the basement. Why not 5 stars? Well, compared to the other Hogsalt spots, it's a bit like really great JV to the others' varsity. This is tailored a bit more to a younger crowd, from the busy and quite cramped upstairs dining and bar area, to the insane photo booth traffic jam in the hallway to the bathroom. It's like moving through an obstacle course just to use the bathroom. I've even seen hosts grouse on their to the Library with people in line not even bothering to get out of the way. It gets old quickly. That said, if you can get past that (and you can). you're in for a great meal with excellent service.

    Simran S.

    I really enjoyed the ambiance at Gilt bar. They allow you to get drinks at the bar and so we did that for happy hour! It's super crowded always so make sure you grab a spot early. We tried the old fashioned and it was well made. Servers were sweet and offered some customizations to our drinks too.

    Truly authentic handmade Tagliatelle Carbonara

    This place made our Chicago trip truly unforgettable! The food was great, the vibe and ambiance is one of a kind and there is a hidden speakeasy called the library that really made the experience. Chase is a talented bartender and makes amazing drinks, the service was exceptional as well! I'm from Los Angeles and I would recommend this to anyone coming to Chicago! I have never found an authentic speakeasy like this where we live. I can't forget to mention the handmade pasta. Don't forget to take a photo and pin one on the wall when you go down to the speakeasy (:

    Steak Tartare
    Morgan H.

    I loved everything about Gilt Bar. For starters, the ambiance and decor are such a vibe. Moody, intimate, floral and with a unique artistic eye, it really set the tone for a great evening. You will definitely need a reservation, but they also offer some bar seating. Our server was friendly and all serving staff was highly attentive. The menu is about half handmade pasta dishes and half seafood and entrees with sides. For two of us we split a starter, salad, and 2 pastas. We finished it all but we were STUFFED so you could definitely do less. The portions are average size, not too large. Starting with the Tenderloin Steak Tartare, this really set the tone for a great meal. I'm a huge fan of this dish and their version was one of the best I've had. Next came the House Salad and while it's simple, the dressing just takes it to a high level. The Vodka Rigatoni is a must. The sauce is so creamy and delectably coats each handmade noodle. The Pesto Bucatini, while also tasty and a nice complement as it was lighter, just didn't pack the same flavor and wow as the other dishes. I appreciated the variety of martinis on the menu but I kept it simple with a classic Dirty Martini to go with all of the delicious food. Everyone who goes to Chicago should definitely try Gilt Bar.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Dan D.

    The vibe and atmosphere alone make it worth a visit--dim lighting, vintage touches, and that signature Hog Salt energy that somehow feels both elevated and comfortable. The food was outstanding across the board. The steak tartare was super fresh and perfectly seasoned - my personal recommendation as the dish of the night. The Hog Salt-style burger delivered that classic smash burger they are known for. The ribeye was cooked to absolute perfection--perfect crust, tender center, and packed with flavor. And I have to call out the Brussels sprouts, which were incredible. The balsamic glaze gave them the perfect sweet-savory balance and made them one of the surprise standouts of the night. If you're looking for a spot that delivers atmosphere and unforgettable food, Gilt Bar is an easy recommendation. The only negative was despite having a reservation we still had to wait over 20min past our reservation time. They told us to wait by the bar which was packed and a little overwhelming.

    Pilar G.

    Amazing dinner at Gilt Bar! For appetizers we ordered the tartare, crudo, and the truffle mozzarella sticks. The mozzarella sticks are a must order!! I had pasta for my main and leftovers for the next day. After dinner we went downstairs to use the photo booth of course! I also had a dirty martini for dinner with blue cheese olives that was very good. Service here is standard and the ambiance is amazing. Great spot for a girls night or romantic date!

    Silas D.

    Dinner at Gilt Bar felt like stepping into one of Gatsby's favorite haunts. The interior is stunning , moody, golden, and effortlessly glamorous. The cocktails were beautifully crafted and worth the visit alone. The food was good, but not necessarily the star of the night. What really stood out was the atmosphere and the service, both absolutely incredible. One of those places you go for the vibe as much as the meal.

    Regina C.

    Gilt bar was probably one of my favorite memories from my Chicago trip. Not only were the drinks fantastic, mozarella sticks delicious, but the conversation was flowing so seemingly throughout the night to the point where we were one the last people there. I got the espresso martini and absolutely loved it, my partner got the 100 Year Old Cigar which was so unique and lovely. The mozarella sticks were super super delicious and we actually preferred it without the marinara sauce only because it overpowers the truffle taste. 5/5 would go back again. Our server also surprised us with ice cream at the end of the night to celebrate my graduation! P.S. don't skip the photobooth! It's $5 per strip and such a cute way to commemorate the night :)

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    1 month ago

    Great service, food, and ambiance. The library bar is amazing! Definitely recommend the vodka rigatoni.

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    Page 1 of 60

    Gilt Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gilt Bar

    Where can I make a reservation for the Library?

    Is the gilt bar or library still byob?

    Hi Lori, Thank you for the inquiry! Guests are permitted to bring 1 standard size bottle (750ml) of… Read more

    I was checking out the menu- does anyone know if the wine prices are per bottle?

    The wine menu is by the bottle. If you want to see glass options you should look at the dinner and cocktail menu

    Is there a specific dress code?

    No but you wanna look sharp in a place where you feel like it's the 1920/30's. We opted to dress up but casual is acceptable as well

    Which seating is better? Dining table or high top table?

    They have both !

    Is there parking available?

    There is metered parking right around the corner from the entrance on both sides of the street.

    Is the happy hour at the whole place or just the bar?

    The whole place

    I follow a gluten-free, vegetarian diet. Any recommendations for dinner? Thank you.

    They have a full vegetarian menu, just ask your server. We tried vodka sauce pasta and plum tomato sauce pasta, liked vodka sauce one a lot!

    Is there a dress code?

    No. While most were sharply dressed, there were people in jeans and golf shirts. A few in coats & ties. You might feel uncomfortable in shorts. Very dark interior and unless you are at the bar looking to meet people, I would not worry about it.

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    GoodFunk

    GoodFunk

    3.8
    (40 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    We tried pre opera drinks and bites at Good Funk on Wacker and overall it was a blah experience…read more The wine selection was interesting, the food was average, at best. We didn't especially enjoy the atmosphere (sadly we were seated at the bar next to some douche dude bros) or the service. I doubt we will return.

    My friend rented this out a few weeks ago to celebrate her 45th. It was the perfect spot for about…read more30 women to mingle, drink cocktails and eat delicious food (compliments of Beaknik). I helped her choose the menu using both Yelp and some help from my bestie chatgpt and came up with the following: 7 Passed Apps: * Mini Truffle Beef Wellington (black truffle aioli) * Short Rib & Brie Slider (Aleppo BBQ, arugula, tomato jam) * Chicken Kebab (harissa-marinated chicken, tahini labneh) * Salmon Taco (avocado, mojo rojo, cilantro) * Mushroom Croquette (black truffle aioli) * Halloumi Skewer (tomato & quince jam, za'atar) * Mini Crab Cake (lemon aioli, herb salad) 1 Stationary Grazing Item: * Mezze Trio (tahini hummus, beet tahini w/ goat cheese, tzatziki, grilled pita & crudité) ---- It ended up being the perfect amount of food- heavy enough to fill us for dinner, but also light enough that we didn't get too full and could stay out late and dance (at the request of the bday gal). They passed the appetizers, but once they passed them around a few times they put them on the bar which became one big grazing station. The drinks were great as well and they even did a signature cocktail in honor of my friend, which was quite strong (hello tequila). The bartender and other staff were super friendly and knew many of us by name after a few hours. It was the perfect cozy spot for this amount of people and I'd love to look into using it again for a similar type of party...or just stopping in for a cocktail!

    Photos
    Behind the bar
    Behind the bar
    GoodFunk
    Great selection of wines

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    Arbella

    Arbella

    4.4
    (697 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    (Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

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    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house
    Crab rangoon
    Crab rangoon
    Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned
    Chicago Winery

    Chicago Winery

    4.3
    (65 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

    Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

    Photos
    LIVA Private Dining Room
    LIVA Private Dining Room
    Dinner Reception
    Dinner Reception
    Enjoy a seasonal American menu in our restaurant

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    Obelix

    Obelix

    4.2
    (268 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$$

    Took my wife here for her birthday and had an excellent experience. A great bistro style French…read morerestaurant tucked into River North. We started with the gem salad which was super fresh, full of flavor and a great dressing to match. Very shareable for 2 people. I went with the Corn Dog as my main and it was gimmick. The full flavor of the foie gras came through and mixed perfectly with the cherry compote. My wife had the duck breast that she absolutely loved. Service was excellent and our waiter made great recommendations. Loved the FPA beer he suggested with my dinner.

    One of the first things that struck me about Obélix was the location. It's tucked into a…read moresurprisingly quiet part of River North. Parking looked plentiful and the streets were calm. The restaurant itself is small and intimate, which creates a cozy atmosphere but also presents a few challenges. We arrived a little early for our reservation and quickly realized there was really nowhere to wait inside. That wouldn't have been a big deal except our table wasn't ready at our reservation time because the previous diners were lingering. We ended up waiting about 15 minutes outside. I understand that reservation timing is more art than science, but it would have been nice if someone had at least acknowledged the delay or offered some small gesture while we waited. Once seated, service was mostly quite good. Our server's start was a little uneven--he stopped by but didn't initially take our drink order--but after that both he and the rest of the staff were attentive throughout the meal. The space itself is interesting. The open kitchen is enormous relative to the dining room. I found myself wondering whether they could have squeezed in a few more tables, though obviously the food coming out of that kitchen is the reason people are here. And the food was a mix of hits, misses and one absolute knockout. We started with the pâté en croûte, which had a bánh mì-inspired preparation. And just so you don't end up disappointed like Nigel: Don't expect a smooth, spreadable pâté. Instead, you'll got a chunkier, terrine-style version. I thought it was an interesting take. The escargot didn't do much for me. It arrived swimming in herb oil and I found it lacked flavor, though others at the table enjoyed it more than I did. We also tried the corn dog, a very fancy and elevated version of the summer fair staple. It was tasty, but surprisingly small. The standout dish of the night was the 10-day duck breast. Absolutely delicious and easily the best savory item we ordered. The calamari was less successful. There simply wasn't much calamari in the dish, making it difficult to share among the table. It felt like there were nearly as many potatoes as pieces of squid. The halibut, on the other hand, was quite good. The fries were fine--nothing special--but aggressively salty. Then dessert arrived: a raspberry-coated chocolate mousse that was one of the best desserts I've had in a very long time, possibly ever. It was the perfect ending. Pricing was another pleasant surprise. We landed at about $100 per person, which was actually a little less than expected. Overall, Obélix delivered some memorable dishes, especially the duck and that phenomenal dessert, along with a few frustrations around timing and pacing.

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    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
    Cg at the bar! april 2026.
    Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.
    Smoked trout tartine, lemon pepper crème fraiche, grilled wild onions, trout roe, quail egg, petite salad.
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    Il Porcellino

    Il Porcellino

    4.4
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Every time we make a trip to Chicago, Il Porcellino is a mandatory stop. We've eaten at a lot of…read moreItalian restaurants over the years, and this one keeps us coming back again and again. It's one of those places that you find yourself talking about long after the meal is over. The garlic bread alone is worth the visit. They pour what feels like a gallon of garlic butter over it, and somehow it's still never enough. It's rich, indulgent, and absolutely delicious. We order it every single time and would probably be disappointed if we didn't. The real star of the show, though, is the lasagna. Between the two of us, we've had lasagna at countless restaurants, and nothing has come close to this one. It's hands down the best lasagna we've ever had. Perfect layers, incredible flavor, and the kind of comfort food that makes you want to savor every bite. Their Grey Goose espresso martini is also unmatched. We've tried espresso martinis all over Chicago, and this one is still our favorite. It's smooth, perfectly balanced, and the ideal way to start or end the meal. The atmosphere is another reason we love coming here. The restaurant is gorgeous inside, with a dark, moody vibe that makes it feel special without being stuffy. It's the perfect date night spot whether you're celebrating something or just looking for a great night out together. If you're visiting Chicago and love Italian food, Il Porcellino is a must. Great food, amazing drinks, beautiful ambiance, and a meal you'll be thinking about long after you've left. We make a point to visit every time we're in town, and it never disappoints.

    First time visiting the Windy City, we came to the city for the great eats! I'll Porcellino…read morecertainly did not disappoint! For appetizers, we ordered the While Garlic Loaf Focaccia and the Stuffed mushrooms. I wished I took a video when the focaccia arrived. The waiter, holding a plate with a round and fluffy focaccia and proceeded to pour the garlic et al on top of the bread! Very freshly-made and fabulous! The stuffed mushrooms were also cute delicious! This is a rare time where the stuffing had spinach below the stuffing - excellent! I remember seeing (and enjoying) this while I visited Italy. Delightful! The main courses we ordered were the Gnocchi Bolognese, the Baked Burrata Lasagna and the Barolo Braised Short Rib. The Gnocchi meat sauce was the standout here, being very flavorful, but not as heavy as some other restaurants. The Gnocchi were dense - not fluffy as I had expected. But the sauce flavor was vivid. The Baked Burrata Lasagna was oh, so perfect! Many layers of al dente pasta separates with a tasty meat sauce. Many times I have had lasagna that was either over-baked, or had limp pasta. Here, the lasagna shined! So large of a serving that my wife could not finish it, much to her dismay . . . I had the Barolo Braised Short Rib - oh my living god! - so tender, so complete a dish, with the fork tender meat that melts in your mouth, complimented by a light polenta (I must emphasize the lightness here, as many restaurants serve polenta that is heavy and too rich. This did not compete with the short rib, rather it seamlessly became the foundation on which the richness of the meat was enhanced. I was blown away! But, the most amazing, and probably the most delectable part of the evening was finishing off with a luscious Chocolate Cake! OH, WOW!!! The cake was certainly moist and smooth. Yes, smooth! I could not tell there was cake at all, so smooth it was! And surprisingly (not surprising given the quality of this establishment) it wasn't too sweet, rather just enough to bring out the chocolatey goodness! I only wished that I ordered some hot coffee - the cake would have gone well with a great cup of coffee! Overall, I was very impressed with this restaurant! The old-town decor, the dim lights, the fantastic food (just like of the Italy of old!)- all contributing to a wonderful experience! Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Wall decor
    Wall decor
    Grilled Calamari
    Grilled Calamari
    Burrata Lasagna

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    Burrata Lasagna

    Gilt Bar - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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