Was told that this was a place for great brews and good food. When the rest of the family showed up to be seated, they were told by the 'bouncer' that children (17 and 13) were not allowed. No where on the website or in the reviews was this detail mentioned. What a let-down. Bouncer did recommend Lady Gregory's which was absolutely wonderful. read more

I have dreams about their mussels! Basically a fine menu but the star is their beer list. Great neighborhood bar.

Great selection of beers and inside the place is really cool. The food is great as well, would go back!

I been here twice now. I heard about this place through several people now. Most people rave about it because of the craft beers. And they do have a very extensive menu. I tried the Toasted Ham. It was okay, the pumpernickel bread is not the best choice for it because it is a dark bread that looked burn to me. The Ham sandwich was nothing special. I've also had that house made chips, too greasy and salty. I would not get this again. My second visit here rubbed me the wrong way. I thought the server was a bit rude because when we wanted to have drinks in the dining area, he said that we could go to the bar area for that. I also asked him for a dessert menu, and was completely ignored since he did not bother to bring me one. I was did not really feel welcomed here and felt like we were just an inconvenience to the server. In my book, that was pretty much telling me to get the hell out of here. That's a 2 star experience, but I'd average it from the time before and give it 3. read more

An unassuming bar from the outside, but it hides a lovely dining area in the back and even lovelier patio in the backyard. The wait staff is friendly and know the menu so well that they can make great recommendations. I had the Mussels in the Sweet Corn & Tarragon Broth by my their recommendaton and it was perfect. The slivers of sautéed fennel, sweet pops of corn and steamed mussels in a tarragon miso broth. It comes with two little loafs of crusty bread to soak up all the flavor, but the broth was so delicious that I just drained the whole pot after I ran out of bread. There is also a large funnel of fries that I was barely able to make a dent in. The mussels goes perfectly with a cold glass of their Hopleaf Patio Tree Cider, made from their own apple trees!! A definite recommendation if you are in the area. read more

Hopleaf Bar - Steamed mussels paired with Hopleaf Patio Trees Cider - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best place to have some Belgian beers. Mussels, frites and beer? Say no more. Great patio for when it's nice out. During the winter has a great tavern vibe. read more

This is a true northside treasure! I always bring my friends here after seeing live storefront theatre, which is prominent in this area. The Belgium style menu will leave you full and satisfied. From my dining experiences here I have had the steamed mussels and the CB and J. The CB and J is phenomenal, the combination of fig, cashew butter, and raclette cheese is a match made in heaven. The side of macaroni and cheese and homemade chips will leave you feeling like you've had a home-cooked meal. The ambience is also a memorable trait of this establishment. You can choose to dine in a number of uniquely themed rooms. I enjoy dining in the room where you can see the chefs put in work preparing the meals. Seeing how the dishes are prepared makes me appreciate it more. It a true Chicago gem. read more

Hopleaf Bar - This CB&J is divine! - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Hopleaf is my go to place when I'm missing Belgium/The Netherlands. Superb draft beer selection and good food combine to make it a weekly stop. Bartender Slim as well as Owners Michael and Louise are fantastic. I'm still lobbying for a return of bitterballen to the menu read more

The Toronado of Chicago. Or the Blind Tiger of Chicago. Excellent selection of not-exactly easy to find local beer. I'm mean there's food too, but you can have a 5-star experience just with the beer. read more

I hate writing reviews like this and haven't done it before, but it's intended to be a PSA to anyone looking to eat at Hopleaf, with the intention of ordering the mussels. I've been going to Hopleaf since I moved to Chicago for school and each time is a special treat. It's the perfect place to go on the coldest Chicago winter night, and is someone who isn't a "beer person" it's fun to check out the different beer selections from all over the world. For both bar and restaurant, it's 21+, which is great for anyone looking for a quiet, fun dinner with friends (and maybe no screaming kids...). Service is great and top-notch. (Full disclosure: I don't have a shellfish allergy, or any food allergies/sensitivities as far as I know. I've eaten shrimp, lobster, crab, clams, oysters, you name it, without incident, for a long time. ) Yesterday evening, I ordered the mussels and frites, which is known for being their specialty. Despite this being a "risky" choice this far west away from the ocean, I figured since I've ordered this before at Hopleaf (and it was super yummy), and have had mussels in other dishes at other restaurants in the past, I would be OK. Phew... was I wrong. Within a few minutes of eating, I started to feel like my stomach was upset. No "classic" symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives, rash, throat closing up, etc.) , but my stomach was not loving the mussels and so I stopped after about 4 or 5 total. Fast forward to 2 hours later, and my stomach is in knots and I'm throwing up about every half hour, through the night. It's hard to say what happened here, but if you have even the slightest bit of a sensitive stomach, I would skip ordering the mussels. And to Hopleaf - please quadruple-check the quality and freshness of your shellfish and that they are being cooked fully. PROS: Amazing beer list, ambiance, service, most food CONS: Mussels made me sick :( read more

Came for a brew with friends around 7:30 on a Friday and found a pretty packed, lively space. There was some room at the bar, which is deceptively large (there's a second one in the back). Reallllly extensive list, honestly something for everyone but lots of Belgian types. We didn't eat but the food looked good (especially the fries!) Fun, chill vibes read more

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One of my favorite places to go for decades. You have a beer you like, they have it. The food is always good and it is a great place for a date! read more

An unbeatable beer menu and great food. Super knowledgeable staff. One of my favorite places in Chicago.

mon dieu, hopleaf now has montreal style smoked meat sandwiches? that's it. i'm moving in.i'll be very happy living in the new room. read more

Hopleaf Bar - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came in for their mussels. They are good but we had better in Evanston! Ambience it's nice...this place can be romantic and casual at the same time. Great place for a date night or just to hang out with friends! Food is very good and service is great! read more

Hopleaf Bar - Bread :)) - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Went in on a Monday. Really nice place! Love the exposed brick and the potbelly stove! Server was really great- informative. Had a schnitzel sandwich- it was honestly to die for! The cabbage slaw makes the sandwich. Also ordered the Rubin. This sandwich was melt in your mouth delicious. Really cozy. Great for a date night or groups! read more

Hopleaf Bar - Delicious beer by the fire - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Omg, the Bratwurst burger is mind blowingly good! I've been back 3 more times and have gotten it every time! Best burger I've ever had, I can honestly say that! read more

Used to come here a lot before the pandemic and bring/recommend it to lots of people- still do! And still do come here every now and then. My partner and I haven't been in a minute and came for a late lunch date. Food all came out lukewarm and was very subpar. Mussels were always the star and they fell very flat today- they were also not completely cleaned and we bit into multiple granules of sand which hurt. Poutine was cold when it came out. Server suggested us to upgrade to other things instead of fries with the mussels since we got poutine so we picked Mac and cheese for an "upcharge" price not specified nor did we care until mac and cheese was also not great and very very bland. $6 for a cup. The best thing we had tonight was the wedge salad. Not worth the price points and disappointed to say the least. Food used to be a lot better than it was today. Severe price gouging going on with the beer menu and wine menu. Most of the beers on their draft list right now can be found for $3-5 bucks less around the city. Definitely taking advantage of tourists and people who read reader's choice awards lists. Wine should be offered by the glass instead of forcing you to get higher volumes. Original Server was also subpar/ did not seem like she wanted to be there which was correct because she left without checking on how our food came out or saying the table is shifting to someone else. second server who closed out our tab a lot nicer. read more

Years and Years of frequenting Hopleaf, we were driving through the area and decided to venture in for the great food and beer selection. Maine Mussels for two - 5! The juices of the mussels made for an excellent bread dip! Pom frittes with garlic aioli- 5 (tiny, thin fries with excellent aioli) Duck Reuben with a side salad- 5! Loved the meat and the marbled rye! Brisket- 4 (not grilled, but it should've been). Bread was fresh and good, but became soggy. Meat was excellent! Service and ambiance: 5+ read more

Great ambience with great food and great beer. It might look a bit much, maybe even too trendy, but a great place to settle in for the night. read more

Still loving this place. I have been coming here for about 8 years now and absolutely love it. Took my fiance here on out first date over 6.5 years ago because they have great food and great beer selection. The food and beer selection has decreased slightly due to the pandemic but the quality of the food is as always incredible. I came here when they had the first wood fire grill specials on the brat burger which is now added to the menu. Thr brat burger was amazing and prepared just right and the fries are always amazing. The charcuterie board with the smoked duck breast was next level and the salad was pretty amazing too. I think they put a great spin on simple food and they are always bursting with flavor. The beer selection while smaller is still as always incredible. Can't wait to keep eating here! read more

Hopleaf Bar - Charcuterie board. - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Amazing selection of beers, super fun vibes, and some of the best French fries on the North side! The menu is eclectic, we'd reccomend taking a peek at it before going to Hopleaf to prep. They have wine and "spirits", but this is mostly a spot for unique beers read more

Great beer selection. Really good food and atmosphere. Love this place for dinner and/ or just drinks.

If you are looking for a bar with a great beer list and quality food, this place is it. I had an Allagash IPA and the CB&J grilled cheese with housemade Mac and cheese and housemade potato chips. The service was very attentive at the bar and you have the option to sit down in an area with full service or hang out in the area where you order at the bar. Great Uptown bar - will return. read more

Hopleaf Bar - Allagash Brett IPA - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I am disabled at the moment and am walking with a cane. The bouncer on November 25, 2023 was excellent. He made sure I got a seat close to the front and when another bigger party asked to take over our booth (for which we were ok), he wanted to make sure we agreed to the move. I have always loved this bar and the bouncer reminded me why I like it as much as the beer. read more

PSA ANNOUNCEMENT - We went to dinner here last night and it started nice at first. I'm not really verse with the beer selections so our server was nice enough to suggest a beer that is suitable for my taste. We then got our food and it looks overwhelming. Not only they stacked up a ton of fries but the sandwich portions were pretty decent. Halfway through the meal, my friend whispered and asked me If I can take a look at his half eaten chicken sandwich. Turns out that the chicken was undercooked and it was RAW, PINK and RUBBERY! We told the waiter and with a surprise look on her face, she grabbed the plate and went back to the kitchen. We later told her that we didn't want a replacement and she was like "Ok!". I mean would you really want another sandwhich after looking and eating raw chicken?? We later got our bill and was charged for the entire meal. Not cool. I was going to ask for the manager but I was already three beers in and didn't want to make a big deal at that moment. I'm writing this review because I want everyone to know in case someone orders the chicken sandwich next time. Don't want anyone getting sick!! Oh and I got the reuben sandwich and my hands were greasy!!! Hopefully management sees this post and do something about it. Not only with the food but also the service. Thanks for listening! read more

A nice place with a great selection of beer. The charcuterie board was very good. The mussels were okay, but not the best I've had. The fries with aioli were excellent. Friendly service, no TVs (which can be a plus or minus depending on your preference.) In general, my impression was that they source really good ingredients for the food, and, of course, there is beer for every taste. I'd go back. read more

Honest review: theres alot of beer, the food is really good. Its a really big place with an outdoor patio which equals lots of seats. The service is alright theyll clean plates but dont give recommendations or describe menu items they prefer to gossip instead so train them better must orders: charcuterie/ brisket sandwhich/wings/ cb and j/ duck Rueben/ goat cheesecake Chicken wings 13$ amazin these were so flavorful u could taste all the spices they put on it i liked the addition of cilantro for freshness and the lemon for acidity just combine the two and make a salad instead. My only complaint is plz make them crunchy they were soggy best wings at dos urban cantina these were still amaizin though Duck rueben 15$ amaizin one of the best dandwhiches i ever had. The bread was supper buttery and toasted the duck was supper tender and flavorful. The sauerkraut was really acidic to cut through the richness. My only complaints is to put more condiments inside dont be cheap after a couple of bites filling is gone Pomme frites: ask for extra aioli youll thank me. The fries are so crispy without being creasy their not over salted or under salted. Only complaint is to use a unique seasoning or some truffle oil to give it pop. The aioli is so rich and decadent i have no complaints these fries would be my last meal you guys should add some cheese to it too! Cbj (picture like a cheese plate in a sandwhich) the bread was supper buttery but not toasted as good as the rueben. The inside is a combination of sweetness from the figs richness from the ricilite n cashew butter adds savoryness and the mac n cheese adds that funky cheese plate flavor. Only complaint plz dont skimp put more of the ingredients in the sandwhich Beet cake $8 good not great tasted like a carrot cake. Cake was a lil dry. I was expecting more complexity but it was very one dimensional jus sweet and acidity and some wow factor to this still a good fish but u guys can do better Goatcheese cake $8 best cheese cake ever. The cheese cake was supper smooth like a mouse had the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. The bottom was supper crunchy and salty so it added texuture the salt cut through the sweetness the blueberry sauce was amaizin adding acidity and sweetness. I loved the basil flavor adding freshness just making it to an icecream instead read more

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This place is the best. Unbeatable beer selection, food is delicious and the ambience/decor is perfect.

I love the beer and the atmosphere. The patio is really nice in the warmer months. The food is also good. Better to come on a week night cause the weekends tend to be very busy. read more

I haven't been here since pre-pandemic, but the place is known for it's educational and continually rotating selection of import and craft beers. But the food menu is equally compelling. Among the many good selections, a favorite of mine is the bucket of muscles in steamed broth. It is served with toasted mini baguette. I recommend politely asking the server for more of the bread as when dipped in the broth, it is amazingly delicious and also very filling. -Truly a meal fit for a king. read more

Hopleaf has to have the best beer selection on the north side. I'm personally a fan of the zombie killer cherry cider. They have so many beers on tap, it's amazing. Even if you're like me and you don't like beer you'll find one. It's a great place for a group. Last time I went I came with a group from work and we had a blast. It was a Saturday night the place was, wait for it, hopping, and we couldn't find a place to sit. But guess what. We didn't care! The food is great too. The mussels are a must try. A great entree or an awesome app for a group. That's all I've ever eaten there but everything on the menu looks great, and i promise I time I eat there I'll try something else. It's loud, fun drinking in Andersonville. I love it. read more

Went there last week specifically cuz I was craving mussels. My roommate and I split mussels for two ($20). It wasn't listed as an appetizer. It was at the top of the menu as like a featured item. As such, I expected a lot more food. They gave us a small ass pot of mussels with broth that had no flavor. Worst part was the mussel meat itself was maybe the size of a dime. Baby mussels, it seemed. I would say the meat was the size of the tip of my pinky, but the tip of my pinky is bigger. The mussels came with fries and dipping sauce so I was hungry and got most of my appetite satisfied with the fries which is pretty sad. Don't get the mussels read more

This is a solid, consistent place for great food and beer. We had asked the restaurant to make an exception as we aren't dining in yet and really wanted to try their mussels. They were kind enough to email us back about our request and politely declined, citing the inferior quality of take-out. We respected this and instead ordered the brisket sandwich and the kielbasa. The garlicky fries were great and the kielbasa was so juicy. The brisket was a little fattier than we prefer, but still good. read more

Hopleaf Bar - Kielbasa - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great atmosphere & good selection of drinks. I would like to see a burger on the menu, because I'm sure it would be exceptional.

One of my favorite places in Chicago!! I'm not one to go back to the same restaurant more than once since I love trying new places, but I had to make an exception for Hopleaf. I came here last Saturday night around 7PM, and while I was expecting a wait (it's first come first served), I was surprised that we got seated immediately in a cost spot on the corner. This place is famous for their Belgian Brews and being not a huge beer drinker, I always come back for the mussels. Their mussels for two ($24) are some of the largest and freshest I've ever had. We chose the miso broth with kimchee butter, which had a nice (but not overpowering) kick. The mussels come with bread for you to dip into the broth and a large serving of fries with aioli. We also ordered a beef brisket sandwich and substituted the fries with mac and cheese ($17). The sandwich had a generous portion of meat and the mac and cheese was solid. Along with many different beers, Hopleaf also serves some unique ciders and meads! The service here is consistently prompt and attentive. TLDR; great food, great service, and great booze. Definitely try the moule frites! read more

Hopleaf Bar - Beef brisket sandwich with mac & cheese - Gastropubs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Love Hopleaf. This might've been the first bar I ever really went to in the Chicagoland area when I was just a young lass. The beer menu is extensive. Though it does get busy on some days, the space has multiple rooms and you are sure to find somewhere to sit. I also feel like each room and the upstairs area all have a slightly different feel. There's also a patio. Keep in mind that the upstairs beer menu is slightly different than downstairs (less expansive, but still expansive none the less). This is a good spot to explore exotic beers you've never tried before or may be intrigued by. You can get a 24+ oz speciality bottle and share as well (if you and your comrades can agree on something that is). Food is very good as well but I would advise keeping it minimal. Have gone overboard before and ordered way too much for two people because I was curious. Portion sizes are on the larger size and we ended up with plates of fried food and it was absurd. I like the mussels and the way they are served! read more

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Hopleaf is a very popular beer bar and restaurant... and for good reason! I went to Hopleaf for the first time a few weeks ago. They have a pretty large space, but it's segmented in smaller rooms, creating a more intimate feel in each area. We had a beer upstairs while waiting for a table. There are limited beers on draft upstairs, but plenty of bottles to choose from. There are so many options, you won't have any problems finding a beer you like! The food was amazing! We had the mussels for two with white wine and fish broth. It very nice and mild, not too fishy. I loved the frites and the accompanying aoli was yummy! My date and I also shared the herbed polenta cake, which was smaller in size, but very savory and flavorful. I loved the mushroom ragout and all the ingredients were very well balanced. We weren't starving and wanted a small and light meal. What we had was absolutely perfect. I definitely want to come back and try the rest of the menu! read more

I've been here before with work friends, and liked their beer list and food. So when I had the chance for a weekday lunch date with my husband, I suggested Hopleaf. We have a 12 week old and didn't realize they don't allow children whatsoever. Okay. We are used to other establishments saying no children after 7pm or similar, but not in the middle of the day. So this is a weird policy, but okay. We then asked if we could order food to go. The hostess hesitated and said maybe, but we couldn't wait inside with the baby. We offered to wait outside, no prob. We are chill. But we were told we would be better off going across the street where there are numerous places that would serve us with a baby. It's not often a business actually tells friendly, non-complaining people to give business to someone else. Unexpected all around. Giving 3 stars since my prior experience would have been 5, but today's was a distinct 1. Won't be coming back in the future, even with all adults. read more

I have had a very good experience and an extremely poor experience at Hopleaf. First...if you love mussels, a good selection of beers, and no children in your gastropub...come here. The food is amazing. As are the beers. There is a 21/over policy here. And that is where it gets sticky. What I have a problem with is their entry policies. I have been (or attempted to be) here three times. The first time was a few weeks ago when my mother tried to take me here for for my birthday. She is 77 years old. They tried to refuse us service at noontime on a Saturday because she did not have her ID. It is quite obvious that she is elderly. There should have been no question that she could come in, but, their "zero tolerance policy" is such that she needed her ID. She found something with her DOB on it. Not really a problem until... A few days later, we decided that we wanted to go there. There was no ID check. Which leads me to believe that there is a very random policy. Which...in my line of work, is not a good thing. And today. We went. (Not my mum...but friends). Yes, we were on a charity bar crawl. There were three of us who wanted to get food. The person at the door, in my opinion, was extremely poorly trained, especially considering I've had 30 years in the business, determining who is intoxicated, etc. Two of us were able to come in without question. We showed our IDs and went in. The third was not allowed in. His treatment of the third in our party was poor. I asked to speak to the manager. Nothing happened, as was expected. This was extremely upsetting to the person who was denied being able to come in and enjoy the food, and maybe a beer. I do understand that the establishment wants to have few problems. This is good. However, their policy seems to be so random and dependent upon those at the door and in management who cannot actually articulate the reasons as to why a person who cannot come in. With that, I will not be stepping foot into Hopleaf again. Its food and drink is fantastic. And my first experience was wonderful. However, the treatment of one in my party was so poor and the result with the manager the same, I cannot provide them my patronage again. If you choose to go here, please do. I am just giving my experience with a dear friend. Should be a 5-star establishment, but only 3 for the randomness in policy. Thank you. read more