My favorite restaurant in Valpo! The quality of the food, service, and overall vibe can't be beat!! Great wine list too!

Food great -2/2 stars Service not so good with turnover. 1/2 stars Drinks small . 1/2 stars Owner/Chef, just wow, super high turnover of staff with his sparkling personality. Negative 2 out of 2 stars read more

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Super pretentious restaurant where no substitutions, deletions, additions, subtractions, or amendments of any kind are allowed. Any chance I could get that without... Nope! But I don't really like... Order something else! But let's keep going... Reservation at 745 at a full restaurant and I notice that no one, NO ONE, has any food on their table...hmmm... Quickly get some drinks and order. Appetizers arrive at 915...915... That's 1.5 hours later... to get appetizers... of oysters and salmon tartare. Keep in mind this wasn't to go diving in the sea and catch the oysters and salmon, but rather to shuck oysters, and also serve salmon tartare = doesn't require any cooking! But let's keep going... A full 2 hours after ordering, dinner finally arrives. During this time I've read War and Peace, crocheted a sweater, and grown a full beard. Meanwhile, during this two hour wait, not even a mention from the waitress or anyone else about, hey sorry for the delay... Sorry we're backed up... We're really backed up... We're short staffed...The chef lost an arm while preparing dinner... Anything? Nothing. Communication would have been helpful because maybe could have decided to pull the plug and call it a night. No, instead it's like carry on as of nothing's wrong. A few more things to add: -This is the second time I've been here. The first time wasn't great but, you know, second chances right? There's no third chance -During dinner I walked by the kitchen a few times and there was NOTHING happening. There were plenty of people, just doing nothing. It's not like there were 78 steaks on the grill and a beehive of activity. -Since deletions, substitutions, additions or amendments of any kind aren't allowed and since I don't eat the sides that came with my meal, I ordered a separate side of spinach. About 1.45 hours into the ordeal, the waitress tells me they're out of spinach. I don't care, I tell her, I don't want anything else just please bring our dinners. -The restaurant is LOUD. If you've ever eaten on the deck of an aircraft carrier, well that's quieter than this restaurant. -Finally, their Internet was down so no credit cards, so I paid cash and ran out of there like my hair was on fire -Food was meh, but definitely not worth the price So in conclusion, unless you want to spend most of your adult life waiting for an OK dinner, while losing your hearing, I would skip Main and Lincoln. read more

Oh this place lost my business years ago. Husband and I love going out, socializing, and having good drinks and food in Valpo especially. We walked in here one night and headed for the bar. They said we couldn't sit there as all the bar seats were reserved. What? I had never been to a bar that reserved seats and have in fact asked many establishments since then if they do that. No way...loss of money. Anyway we responded saying that no one was there at the time could we have a drink and go at least. No, the seats would be filled in 30 minutes we were told. Ummm ok. Most of us can drink 1 drink in less than 30 minutes. We never went back. Maybe they don't think anything of that, and that's fine. We have spent our money elsewhere ever since. I'd like to give 1 star, but feel that would be unfair as we didn't get to experience food or drink here, just the "service". read more

We frequent Main + Lincoln often. We tend to go early to beat the crowd and because the chef's excellence does take a bit of time. The ambiance is so nice though that we don't mind enjoying some time together in beautiful surroundings, awaiting a meal that is good every time. Very consistent, we have been fans for as many years as they have been open. I highly recommend it for a date night or special occasion as it is Valpo pricing. Just go with the expectation that you will be given plenty of time to enjoy your first course and a nice glass of wine before receiving your meal. This is not the place to go if you are trying to make a movie, ball game or a show unless you plan ahead. read more

Very good place went here for a friends birthday dinner! They were very welcoming but the chair broke under my friend and they were like sorry this happens a lot. Like this is a normal thing?? But overall very good service. Make sure you don't have anything else on your calendar it's only 6 of us in here no one else and the food has taken maybe 45 minutes read more

Amazing evening at Main + Lincoln. They never disappoint. I've been hesitant dining out since I began my gluten free journey a month ago. Our server was amazing pointing out all of the gluten free options. But after all the years we've dined here, it was such a nice touch having Chef George personally come to the table to see how our meal was. I ordered the Halibut special which was nothing short of amazing. And my boyfriend ordered the filet. Both were delicious! We can't wait to return. This was the first time in a while I have been comfortable dining out with an allergy. Thank you for every attention to detail! read more

We waited more than two hours to be served our meals and, by then, had to take them packed up to go. The salmon was delicious but about the smallest portion of salmon I've ever been served, especially after waiting two hours. Far over-priced for such ridiculous wait times. read more

We arrived at 5:30, seated ourselves at a table in the restaurant. The server walked over and asked for my drink order. Once the glass of wine was served, we were immediately asked what we were ordering for dinner. We reviewed the menu and responded that we wanted to order the soup of the day. The server walked back to the kitchen area and placed the soup order at which time the chef/owner had a conversation with the server and asked that she approach our table to request our entre order along with the soup order. The server approached our table, to request our entre order at which time we responded that we were waiting for the soup to be served and then we would place the entre order. Our soup finally arrived at 6:30 (with teaspoons instead of soup spoons). I asked the server if they had soup spoons instead of teaspoons to which she responded "the teaspoons were the first thing that she grabbed" so we sat eating our soup with teaspoons. 45 minutes later, after the server had another major conversation with the chef/owner (with all eyes on our table in the restaurant), our entre was finally served. The server never mentioned the price of the "specials" of the evening, which, for the fish that was served on a bed of risotto was 65.00. I felt very uncomfortable and a bit upset because we were treated with little, if any, respect that evening by the chef/owner. The glares that were pointed at our table were beyond unacceptable. After we finished out dinner the server asked if we would like the dessert menu to which we responded "no". We were too embarrassed and frustrated by the end of our meal that we wanted our check and wanted to leave. After taking the check with cash and depositing the cash into the register the server approached our table and asked if the remaining cash was her tip to which we responded "yes". (It was a 21% tip.) Needless to say, this was a "not so pleasant" dining experience. I will not return to the Main +Lincoln. There are many fine dining restaurants in Valparaiso, restaurants that allow you to sit, have a drink, view the menu and then order even if it's only an appetizer and drinks. The price point is high, ambiance is mediocre to say the least. read more

Amazing food and love the exposed brick. We sat by the window, which was great for people watching.

Great fresh food and great drinks. $$$$ wife and I love this place for date night! Sit at the bar for great service if possible!!

2+ hours to get your food after ordering. Steak was surprisingly thin and small. Server was good, atmosphere was okay.

Life changing. Filet entree. Salmon entree. An appetizer we'll show in a pic it doesn't even come up on the menu but so good! The bartender was fantastic. Soooo good. It was between this spot or two others on the area. We killed it. So good just go for it. You won't be sorry! Great neighborhood gem. read more

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Beware. 620 pm arrival .Ordered 6:50pm. Meal arrived at 8 pm. No staff checked on our table. Asked to speak to manager due to long wait time. Ordered pasta and chicken. Hostile "manager" arrived and explained their food is fresh... raw chicken and homemade pasta require time to prepare! The wait was completely unacceptable and the "manager" was rude and unwilling to take accountability for our experience. We will not return. As seasoned diners, we were shocked by the lack of customer care. read more

Loved Main + Lincoln; great staff, sweet formal and never left us waiting. Food was great too, worth the price & the place is very clean and well kept up. Only thing I'd change is the price, but that's just what you're gonna pay in Valpo read more

Excellent food! Great service! Wonderful wine list! I would have given one more star, but unfortunately it was just so loud I couldn't hear my hot date, who happens to be my husband and it was my anniversary surprise dinner from him. For an appetizer we started with the best oysters we've had in northwest indiana! We seek out restaurants with them on the menu and these were the freshest most lovely tasting yet! Rivals some nearby establishments in the oyster department! ! For dinner, we had a chefs feature of the evening, seared scallops in a lovely, creamy, umami filled risotto and it was to die for, the Caesar salad with the crostini and olive tapenade is one of the best salads we've ever had. We also were delighted to find out our bottle of wine was half off that night as well (a Tuesday night). Our server was training a new employee and our service was friendly, knowledgeable, and they anticipated our needs. The menu is small but it works. Worth checking out! read more

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I live in the area and had never visited this beautiful restaurant. Limited menu but very well rounded and my dishes - Salmon Tartare and the Charcuterie were delicious! Their fresh bread was to die for! We were graciously waited on by Abbs ( Abby?) and best of all - half off wine bottles on Tuesday!! What's not to Like ??? Yes I loved it and yes I'll be back!!! read more

Main + Lincoln - New American Near Me - Valparaiso, Indiana

The food I have had is good, but I've had it a lot, the same thing every time. The menu is small, which shows they focus on making it right, but if you go once a week to a place expect to be burnt out on it soon. I wish they changed up their menu and or had specials. The service is good, ambiance above average but I do wish they took reservations online. They also don't seem to update their website. It would also be great if they were open more days of the week. I would love to find a place in Valparaiso that I can go to on a Sunday or Monday - I'm tired of going to the only place in town that is open and getting all the Sunday/Monday business. read more

Friendly service with nicely poured tasty drinks. We didn't eat - just popped in for a quick relaxing one . The outdoor seating was very pleasant read more

Delicious food Fantastic service Very disappointed to see a $5 charge to split a $35 entree with being told. read more

Over priced bs. Literally makes me think of the word pretentious to sum up everything in one word. Food was decent but nothing spectacular especially for the price. It's pretty on the outside but that's exactly what you should do stay on the outside. The waiters were friendly I guess nothing above and beyond. read more

Had dinner with my wife last night. My wife had appetisers with wine. I had my perennial favorite, George's famous pork chop. Amy took care of our table, she was wonderful. Is always among the best dining in valpo. Thanks Amy and George Gene read more

I have been to this restaurant twice and both times they have created the best vegan meals I have ever had. They don't have a vegan menu, but gave me the option to speak with chef and discuss preferences (I turned this down and just left it for the chef to create whatever they like). On top of the amazing meal, the hostess, waiters and waitresses have all been great as well. I highly recommend this restaurant. Unfortunately I didn't think of taking a picture of the meal until I ate everything last bite. read more

Way too loud the night we were there. There is always that one table that is loud and obnoxious! Bummer Food was good, waitress nice read more

We went to Main + Lincoln for the second time and it has been outstanding both times. Filets the first and it was the best in Valpo. This time we had the Salmon, the Chicken and the Ribeye and we each said it was the best we ever had. The chicken was amazing and there will be a repeat. Can't say enough about this place. Desserts were also very good. Definitely our new favorite in valpo. Service was great and friendly. Try it it was great. read more

We placed an order in at 7, and we didn't receive in until 8:15. It was unbelievably slow. Nobody came to apologize about the wait or tell us an approximate time the food would be coming out, about 5 minutes before our food came out the server came to let us know that our food was (finally) being plated. The people seated behind us were eating when we arrived and didn't receive their dessert until around 8. I got a burger, and for the one hour wait time it honestly wasn't even worth it. Although, the fries were pretty good, and the other people in my party were happy as well. The place was relatively small, so getting the food out fast shouldn't have been an issue. read more

The restaurant was small with not a lot of tables, but the wait staff had problems keeping up. We waiting 8 minutes after being seated to be approached for a drink order. We ordered salads and our entrees as soon as the waitress came back. We received our salads in a reasonable amount of time but waited over 45 minutes for our entrees. I watched the chef cooking and he appeared to be firing one order at a time. When we inquired about our dinner the waitress informed us that the chicken I ordered had to cook for 30 minutes and then rest, we told her we would like to just pay for drinks and go if it was going to be much longer. She went to check and came back with the food. My husbands hamburger was undercooked and my chicken grossly over cooked and tough. We paid our bill and left very unhappy with the entire experience.i read more

Parisian farmhouse interior with an intimate feel and upscale food. I was a bit worried, to be honest, about what I would experience when I came through the doors of M+L. After myriad one star reviews commenting on rude management and unnecessary wait time, I didn't quite know what to expect. I took the gamble based on the lack of negative reviews for food and my appreciation for the menu. This has typically worked out for me in the past and it held true for my M+L visit as well. Overall, I was very happy with my dining experience, the waitstaff, and ambiance. As you'll see from my accompanying pictures, the raw oysters (served with mignonette, my FAVORITE) and steamed clams & mussels served in a buttery green base were spot on! Couple that with an unoaked Chardonnay and this Midwesterner was more than content. I probably should have called it there, but I thought I'd try one more appetizer and keep with the seafood theme, so I went with the calamari. My gut wanted a bit more food, but my instincts told me Romesco sauce was a poor accompaniment. Sadly, I was right. The fried calamari was over salted and the barely present Romesco base added absolutely nothing to the dish. I tried to save the experience with some lemon juice, but I ended up drinking water and only eating a few pieces. I cannot speak to the other patrons who found the venue frustrating and rude. I, however, had a solid experience and would gladly return if I'm ever in the area. read more

Main + Lincoln - Starting out with some oysters! - New American Near Me - Valparaiso, Indiana

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This place is great! Camping at Indiana Dunes and came to Lincoln and Main as recommended by a hospitality professional. Not disappointed. Wonderful tuna tartar appetizer. Roasted chicken is perfect. Olivia provided prompt, knowledgeable, and courteous service. Save the Chicago valet, tolls, and traffic and do yourself a favor and get to Lincoln and Main. read more

We love going to Main & Lincoln . Food is exceptional---it you like Salmon--- on the planet. Apps like tuna and oysters are "award winning" as well. Pork Chop and burgers---2nd to none! We frequent M&L on a regular basis. Best resturant in Valpo in our opinion. Please check it out! read more

We just tried this place before our kids came here for homecoming and I was very impressed. The food was very good and had great flavor. But like most restaurants they have limited staff since the COVID. But the atmosphere, service, and food was worth the wait. I would recommend it. It has a nice bar area and atmosphere also. read more

Visited for a celebratory dinner and can honestly say we had an unforgettable culinary experience. I had the salmon dish: it was perfectly flakey on the outside and juicy on the inside. The sauce and sides were phenomenal as well. Was thoroughly impressed with the quality of food and the talent of the chef, George. Not only was everything we ordered thoughtfully crafted and beautifully displayed, but getting to watch Chef George concoct his masterpieces from the view of the bar was quite a treat. After finishing our meals, we were personally greeted and given a taste of a wine just recently added to his collection. The only regret I have is not visiting sooner. Will definitely be back! read more

Main + Lincoln - New American Near Me - Valparaiso, Indiana

Excellent service, great food and atmosphere. Food presentation was excellent as well! read more

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Complete disaster. We ordered a cheeseburger and veggie pasta.Took forever. Then we were told they made a mistake on the pasta and had to make it again. So we wait longer. We finally just decided to leave. We were seated at 5:45pm and left at 7:15pm! 90 minutes and still no food. I get it - anyone can have an off night - but this place really dropped the ball!! It wasn't too crowded either. They did comp us for a glass of wine due to the ridiculously long wait but we would have rather had our food..... Is it possible to give ZERO stars???? Our server was so embarrassed that she kept avoiding us as the wait got longer. We ended up getting food at Culver's. Sometimes simple is better. read more

We think this place has the best high-quality food in Valpo! The flavor of every dish is always special. The chef does an amazing job! Highly recommended. Just attended another 1st Thursday event with $6 specials. Ordered all 3 specials for an amazing and interesting dinner, especially when combined with a couple of there premium brews! Accessibility is ideal with a fully ADA compliant restroom. Kudos to Maine and Lincoln! read more

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We had great food here. Our party had wonderful calamarI, great steak and perfect salmon. Attentive, friendly service. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend Main and Lincoln. read more

Have been here several times and it doesn't disappoint. Kids love it and they have a kids eat free on Wednesday's with adult entree purchase. The menu selection is limited but the things we have tried have been excellent. The Amish chicken and the seared Hake(a new item as of August 2019) are amazing! The restaurant tends to get pretty loud as acoustics aren't very good but the decor is nice. Would definitely recommend. read more

Main + Lincoln - Exterior of building with some seating outdoors. - New American Near Me - Valparaiso, Indiana

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What can I say. For a busy night they still made us feel special. I enjoyed the service. The food was fresh, delicious, and well prepared. I had the salmon medium well. Crisp top and soft inside. The oysters were fresh and very plump. It was amazing. read more

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I was one of the four ladies that did not get to enjoy a meal and had to leave. We arrived at 6 ordered within 15 minutes of our arrival time and never received our food by 745 when we had no choice but to leave because we had a show.  I knew something was amiss when I attempted to get our waitresses attention at 715 and she went out of her way to avoid us. We finally were able to ask the server bringing water about our food.  She looked dismal that we were going to get our food before our show at 8.  At 740 we had no alternative but to leave. the fact that your place actually charged us for our drink after this debacle was amazing.  I do not know where the failure was, if it was failure to put the order in or the ticket was lost in the kitchen. I am unsure but everyone of us has worked in this industry and one of us is a director of food services for a very large organization.  I have friends that visit your establishment frequently.  I do not  complaining lightly.  No one came to us to tell us that there was a delay, no one came to us to ask if we wanted another drink or appetizer. It was really sad.   When things go astray, you show some kindness to your quests and not ignore them. A bad experience with a place gets told way more than a good one. read more

So disappointing was our experience at Main Lincoln, we won't return. Firstly, it was $60 for two calamari and three run of the mill cocktails. This turned out to be our entire bill because we waited 50 minutes for two beers and a glass of wine. After the appetizer arrived, our server fell off the face of the earth. My husband had to leave his seat to get her attention, as we hadn't placed our food order yet. I was so disgusted by this point, we checked out and had a nice meal at Pikk's! On a side note, nobody inquired as to why we were leaving without dinner. I suppose they don't care? read more