Let me start by writing that this place deserves five stars and should be five stars, and I wanted so badly to give it five stars. But sadly there was a private event that spread the kitchen very thin and it took away from the overall experience. Food: 5.0/5.0 - Everything we ate was awesome. We did the Wood-Fired Artichoke, the Two Pigs in a Basket Crostata, the Steak Hash, and the Arugula Salad. Everything was cooked and flavored nicely but I wish the steak hash had more steak. (See my photos) Service: 4.5/5.0 - The server was kind and Joe was walking around checking in regularly, making sure we were protected from the rain. I dinged half a point because the server didn't have the best explanations for why everything was out. More on that later. Ambiance: 4.0/5.0 - I think on a normal evening on a date, this place would be 5.0/5.0. The decor is rustic/modern and it felt like a vacation spot that you'd visit on the Florida coast. Loved the brassware and the attention to detail in the presentation of food. It was a Sunday afternoon when we were there, so the band across the street was disruptive to the feel outside the restaurant in the garden and patio. By 3:00pm the flies and gnats were becoming annoying. So good scores in general and worthy of 5 stars, but alas, the kitchen was not prepared for the afternoon private party along with the crowd from the night before... apparently. They were "unable to make" or were out of several dishes. From what I can recall, there were no: pizza pies, whitefish, and chimichurri. They also ran out of all soda except a few bottles of Coca Cola. And there was no beer on tap because the keg was broken, so they only had Guinness and Stella bottles. Because of this, it stung to pay the prices we did for our items. I'd say a fair price point with all said and done is probably $3-$4 less on any item here. Crostatas were great, but maybe for $13. I'd pay $16 for the steak hash. I'm sure if we came back on a weeknight, this place would be amazing. Great people, great food, and everything in stock. If we came back, I'd love to upgrade this review to 5 stars. The problem is, the price may keep us from giving this place a second try. read more

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Chef Patrick slayed our brunch dishes on this beautiful Sunday morning. This was our first time stopping for brunch. We started with mimosas (only way to start a Sunday morning breakfast). What we ordered: * Steak Hash- my husband said this is his new favorite breakfast meal. This is a man who loves breakfast over any other meal. Order the steak hash, you will not be disappointed. * Piquant sausage crostata- I absolutely loved this dish. It was bursting with flavor in each bite. Definitely had a kick of spice, which I love. I think we have found our new Sunday brunch spot! Thank you Chef Patrick and Kathleen for giving us wonderful food and a beautiful atmosphere to enjoy our early Sundays. read more

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Cute restaurant in East Dundee with a very open space. Its bar takes up most of the indoor space, and covered seating outside in downtown East Dundee. The menu isn't overwhelming which is nice. They have a variety of plates but not enough of a choice to make you look for days. We ordered cocktails, which were nice and strong, but also refreshing. The open air made it feel like we were in a vacation resort. Our server was polite and would go and check about anything we had questions about. Real top notch fella. We started with raw oysters which were good. I ordered the gnudi (gnocchi) with red sauce and beef short rib (server's recommendations). My spouse had the lab chops. We both loved our meals. The presentation and flavors were all there. I think it's a nice place to go to on occasions because it's a bit more expensive than I expected, but the flavors and meals made it worth the cost. Staff was great, space was clean and airy, food was great. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Gnudi - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

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I believe Mockingbird was closed for a while, as they expanded some, but not sure if it was any larger (then again, my friend and I didn't sit inside). It was a nice night, so we sat outside. Their outside has some beach chairs in one area and some covered seating in another. We sat kinda in between off to the side and it was nice. Nothing too fancy, but also didn't feel like lawn chairs at a friend's either. Food was good, but couldn't bring myself to giving more than 4 stars. It was tasty, but could have been better. My fiend ordered the fennel and sausage wood fired pizza and thought it was good but didn't rave about it (see photo). He did like the flavor of the crust, which from past experiences I remember, If you like mushrooms, definitely try their wild mushroom pizza. They are made for one person, unless you want to share for something lighter. I had the Wood-fired Hanger Steak (see photo). Looking at it, it looked sad. The steak was flavorful but a little tough in parts. But if you compare my photo to what's on their website, you will see a noticeable difference. The description matches what I received, but come on people. Throw some ]thing colorful on the plate - would have preferred the website food, though I think it's the wrong photo based on description. LOL Our server was kind, friendly and attentive. Another gentleman popped in once and awhile to ensure everything was going well. Very friendly. We will be back, but not sure I'll order the steak again. read more

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Three words describe my first brunch experience here: Dee Li Cious! This charming one story black and white painted brick structure in downtown East Dundee (think mid century architect Ring Clauson) has wonderful outdoor spaces, welcoming interiors, and the allure doesn't stop there. The breakfast dish I sampled did not disappoint! Eggs Florentine complete with Neuske bacon was served in a crispy pastry shell with a fresh hollandaise sauce. Cappuccino was delicious and the wait service supplied by Sara was superb. I'm looking forward to returning for dinner service. If you want something special, fresh, and wholesome, this is the place. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cappuccino, Eggs Florentine, fresh made Hollandaise on the side - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

This is a great restaurant just wish it had table seating inside . The food and drinks are so good and the pizza is delicious too. The ambience is airy and bright . read more

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Drink Review Only! Stopped into Mockingbird Bar + Garden when exploring the East Dundee area. I've heard many amazing things about both the food and drinks here and knew I had to visit. Out front, they have an amazing patio with plenty of adirondack chairs and tables. The gentleman who greeted us at the host stand was very welcoming and sat us at the bar. The inside was beautifully designed with a main, large bar and surrounding tables. I love the garage door that opened from the inside of the restaurant to the screened in patio. The menu had a good variety of food and drinks. I personally loved where they sat us at the bar because we were able to see dished that were ready for service. Everything looked amazing and I would certainly come back to eat! This visit, we got drinks only. I got the God is a Woman which was perfectly balanced, refreshing, and has great flavor. My husband got the Smoke Show which was also well balanced, smokey front note and spicy end note. The bartenders were super friendly and the owner, Kathleen, even stopped by to see how our experience was! This was a great spot to try out and I'll certainly be back to try food! read more

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Mockingbird has been an East Dundee fixture for a few years now, and it's now better than ever. It used to be a tight squeeze, with very limited indoor space, but they've now more than doubled their space and increased some of their food menu. I've been there many times, pre-renovation, and now twice since renovation. One of the things I like most is that the owner so clearly loves what she's doing and is almost always there, interacting with customers and bringing cheer and warmth. The place feels--especially in the summer time--like sitting on a European street. The food is always tasty (the deviled eggs especially), the drinks are creative. I could use a slightly wider cocktail list that incorporates varying base spirits and experiments a bit more, but what they serve up is good. read more

So great we went back 2 days later! We came for the first time on Mother's Day for brunch which I guess was their grand re-opening and then again for dinner. The food itself is absolutely INCREDIBLE and as someone for who ambiance matters a lot, both indoors and outside on the patio make for a great dining experience. HOWEVER, what made us come back so soon was the service! Both days we had visits from the owners at the table, and the waitstaff is above and beyond. When my husband mentioned this spicy sauce on his crostata, the waiter without hesitation bragged about how it was house made and brought him a small sample to take home. So excited to make this a regular spot for us! read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - 2 different crostadas and banana bread French toast - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

The service and ambiance was amazing. From the music to the vibes would stop here again. We had the Hugo spritz and stopped by for a little bite. The hummus was freshly made and tasty. I would like to come back and try the other items read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Hugo spritz and the miso hummus - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

I hosted a dinner 0n 6/6/26 for family coming from all over the country for a wedding the same weekend. There were 22 of us, some with food restrictions. We reserved the patio, which was set up with three tables. It was a beautiful evening and the restaurant (and bordering restaurants) were all packed. Overall, it was a lovely dinner and everyone had a wonderful time. the guests with food restrictions were very happy with their dinners. There were some food and timing glitches, but these did not take away from the magic of the evening. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

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Came here for an early Mother's Day dinner. The ambiance was great, and the decor was very nice. Unfortunately, that's sort of where the nice parts ended. While our server was very nice, she was relatively absent. It took a long time for us to get something as simple as bread, and often, we had to ask multiple times for things. Beverages took forever, and although I ordered two of the same drink, they were completely different each time and lacked consistency. They were out of...steak, of all things, on an important weekend. We were going to order four ribeyes ($60 each), and instead ended up having to order items that were at least half the price--very much a missed business opportunity. This continued into the main course, as well. When we got our food, everything was cold. We were ready to go so we asked for the check, and then, it was taking so long for it to arrive that we ended up just finding the server and paid. We really wanted to like this place, but by the time we were done, we wished we had gone anywhere else. I believe it was a combination of being short staffed and just not being operationally prepared to run a restaurant this size with what seemed like a fairly usually nice spring day crowd. We won't be going back, but we really hope they get it together and others will give them a try--we need restaurants like these to be successful. read more

After an extensive remodel, they have kicked it out of the park!! WONDERFUL in every way and extremely delicious. We sat at the Chef's table and were very impressed at how the Chefs prepared the dishes. Perfectly cooked and professionally plated. read more

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This is a super cute restaurant in downtown Dundee. Great ambiance. My first time in Dundee and parking was easily found. Food: Mostly pizza options. Tasty but my choice of Fig & Pig was not so fabulous. Pick something else & you would love your woodfired pizza. Drink: I barely drink (Asian flush) & was disappointed they did not carry any non alcoholic options. I got a beer, a Weiss. It was good but I could not finish it due to my low alcoholic tolerance. Service: Excellent provided by Isreal. Attentive & good showmanship with making drinks as we sat at the bar. Overall: Fun spot worth checking out. Make reservations as the place was packed. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

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We LOVE coming here! We really enjoy how welcoming it is, how new it looks, and how well maintained it is. We have enjoyed brunch, lunch, and dinner! We do not have complaints only good things to say. The drinks here are also delicious. They have many different selections too! And now with the renovations and improvements to the building itself, it feels even more cozy and comfortable when dining in. We also enjoy the patio, the workers, and the whole experience! We come often and will continue to do so read more

Indoor outdoor seating, friendly staff, attentive servers, caring and passionate chef. Parking on the street or side streets near the residential homes and all free. Nice atmosphere all around. Food was good but just a little salty. The bartender was good too and whipped up good drinks all night. The pizza had a chewy thinner crust so I enjoyed that part a lot. read more

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We sat out outside it's very nice and comfortable. The service was lackluster. The appetizer was the deviled eggs with rainbow trout roe, they needed more flavor . Nothing exciting about them. We had two pizzas the sausage fennel and the hot honey pepperoni with bacon. Both great choices, the hot honey was more flavorful. The sausage fennel great balance of flavors. Also had all about the gin drink, it was tad too sweet. Would go back for pizza . read more

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Yet another fun experience. Started with chef Patrick's cooking class, cleaning prepping and curing a whole salmon. Sashimi slices of freshly prepared salmon belly and back. Now I know the difference in taste and texture. Showed how to cure salmon and serve with focaccia bread and cream cheese (promised for this Sunday brunch Filleted a branzino sea bass. Then stayed for dinner of braised lamb shank, roasted fingerling potatoes, tomatoes with side of brick oven baked fresh asparagus Parmesan shreds. Welcoming management and staff. Feels like family. Outdoor dining. House prosecco and smoked old fashion were special treats for us. 7 read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

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Chef Patrick is back! Mockingbird has been redesigned allowing for a much larger kitchen, a chef's table, and a whole new beautiful side to the space! We were able to snag a table on its third night open and enjoyed some new and former fav dishes as well. Many of the same wonderful staff are back--thank goodness--with many more new faces too. Kathleen you have hit it out of the park AGAIN! Buckle up ‍ read more

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This place was so cute, delicious, and we had phenomenal service. We ordered the mushroom pizza, Caesar salad, lamb lollipops, spinach and artichoke dip, bread pudding, and the angel food cake. The salad had whole anchovies in it. It was fishier than most Caesar salads but delicious. The lamb lollipops were served with a Parmesan Asiago sauce and they were absolutely fall off the bone incredible. The dip has the perfect amount of spice and served with delicious bread. The angel food cake was impressive. All of our cocktails were beautiful and delicious. I will definitely be back here. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

Perfect example of bigger is not always better. Gave it three times since reopening and won't be back. Managing is non existent and kitchen staff is unfocused and unprofessional. I don't want to see glove free hands eating out of containers you're cooking my food from. Hire an experienced barista. Instagram posts have become more important than quality! read more

Cute little spot thats a cocktail bar and eatery. Stopped by here with some friends after an event. Good quick service. They were packed since they are quite a popular spot. Long bar area and table seatings for 2-4 people along the walls of the main room and the back restaurant all seasons room. Nice charcuterie with a tasty brie cheese and a really delicious jam on top! Would definitely come back here to try a few more things. read more

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I'd been meaning to come back every since trying it way back in summer 2022. Once I did, I ate here two Fridays in a row. It's cute, it's cozy, but it's also bright and airy. It's the type of place that just rubs you the right way. And you might think "hey, you don't know me like that! I don't need no rubbing!" But even as you're walking up to the Mockingbird, you'll feel it, you'll know what I mean. On the first visit, I came with the girl that makes me happy to be alive, and to my delight, we both were FLOORED by what we ate. Though it was early (and warm) September, the roast squash, the whitefish pate, the chicken thighs, it all seemed to exude perfect fall food. We could not have been happier. I mean, that's typically how we feel when we're together anyway, but boy howdy, did we dig that meal. We waxed poetic about it in the book they gave us with the check. A week later, again with the lovely lass and now my family in tow, we had an early birthday dinner for yours truly. We all left satisfied, a few surprised at liking gazpacho (I'll try to convert anybody!), and had smiles all around. It's a gem. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Yellow gazpacho, HELLO! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

Really delicious, cute and friendly place. Staff was appropriately attentive, roasted artichoke appetizer and lamp lollipops were to die for. Pig and fig pizza was amazing. Mushroom pizza had 500 mushrooms on it. Bread is clearly homemade. You can tell the staff like working there and they have many regular customers. Will definitely return. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Bar area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

If I lived in the area I would this spot a Sunday Ritual! My mom and I went for brunch and they have a live sax player that left us there longer than we should have been. And the food was delicious and fresh. The bartenders were vibrant and fun to chat with! We need more places that serve fresh, homeade brunch! Honestly, I stopped going to brunch because I was so tired of reheated food but this place makes me want to try and find more hidden gems! read more

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SO good and so modern hip. Love everything about it! The woodfire pizza was delicious! He forgot my pepperoni though BUT it's ok, because he cooked me some and I was able to control how much pep I wanted. It was delicious. The drinks are so hip and cool! Very tasty too. Everyone was super sweet and nice. I love how your check is brought out in a book! Totally adorbs. I can't wait to come back. Probably for my bday because the drinks were named after Zodiac signs I noticed? So I wanna see if they do a Leo drink. BUT I could be wrong and these are always the same drinks. I didn't research enough. :P read more

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What a great vibe this place has! The place was bustling and the staff was still calm and was able to seat us pretty soon and was accommodating to our last minute show ups- a total of 6 other friends. The owner was very kind and was looking out for everyone as she wasnt able to seat us all together! The interiors were great and place is very well done. Wanted to try both the vegetarian flavors and could order half and half pizza- , mushroom pizza and arugula one- both were amazing ! The cocktails were delicious! Highly recommend this place. Have heard great things about the brunch, havent been but will definitely go the next time :) read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

Would highly recommend you visit here for fun cocktails. Had a really enjoyable time here with a group of friends.

What a lovely, adorable place for drinks and good food! Perfect for date nights, Mockingbird Bar + Garden is a unique space with a luxe bar inside and lots of patio/outdoor seating. The vibe and look to this bar and garden is almost European - it's so chic, calm, and there's not a lot of spots like this around the Chicago Burbs. Everything is moderately priced, too, which is always a plus. The quality of the food and drinks is top-notch; I could honestly have their wood fired pizzas and cocktails (specifically the French 75 and White Squirrel cocktail) every day of my life. I seriously can't get over the ambiance of this place. Eating some delicious food outside with the stringy lights above you, the alternative music playing, and the posh tableware in front of you was just such a vibe. You feel so away from the hustle & bustle! The service is out of this world. Owner Kathleen is the absolute best and very down-to-earth! ALL the servers and bartenders were beyond personable and hard-working. You'll definitely be taken care of well here. Parking is a little minimal but then again it is downtown Dundee, and like all downtown areas, parking is scarce. It wasn't bad, though, and I found a spot quick. You already know I will 100% come back here! Totally recommend this cool spot! read more

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Hellooo amazing restaurant and garden. I am still getting to know the suburbs but I have to say, this is definitely in my top fave for restaurants with an outdoor patio. Love love love! Such a cozy, welcoming restaurant - with small touches on the inside including classic looking windows that peer out onto the street. The inside is cozy, with a bar and enough space to stand and mingle. And the outside is absolutely divine with two spaces for outdoor seating, fire pits and views of the downtown area and the bike path. This is a woman-owned business with an incredible story of how she had the vision for MBG, opened it pre-covid and survived the pandemic. NOW I must tell every person within a 150 mile radius to come and ENJOY this place because not only is there a story behind the restaurant, the place is freaking incredible with a wonderful space, including an AMAZING patio. I cannot speak highly enough of the ambiance and feel of the place. If you need a spot, ESPECIALLY when you hope to sit outside (and I'm pretty sure Midwesterners will push that until mid November), this is it. The owner and staff are so kind and welcoming, the patio is large, with fire pits, multiple outdoor views and the ambiance is exquisite. Enjoy! read more

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Cool place in East Dundee. It has a pretty subtle classiness but it's casual and fun. Mockingbird doesn't need to be mocked. Even though some things are expensive, it's not all that bad. They have a good selection of top shelf liquors with affordable pours and some fancy plates good for sharing. Being in the area we checked it out one evening. It's only open for dinner on weekdays so the hours are limited. They also happen to be closed Mondays. Lots of liquors. We got a couple pours. It's about $8 for the cheapest shots, of which you can get a good sample of the best. The Breckenridge 86 Proof Bourbon is one of these. It has hints of brown sugar, dry cacao, vanilla, and white pepper. We ate something too. Mostly the menu is smoky meats. The best alternative is the Woodfire Vegetables And Hummus Platter. It's $12 for a shareable amount. There's bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, citrus, and pitas. Good place for a date. It wasn't as expensive as expected. They have lots of incredibly expensive stuff but you can pick carefully and get some affordable pours and plates if you aren't splurging. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Bourbon With Woodfire Vegetables And Hummus Platter - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

Probably the best chicken I have ever had. Chef Patrick is amazing. The bread pudding was to die for!

Sooo Delicious!! Amazing drinks and food. Also love all of the staff, they make you feel so welcome! Definitely worth the drive from the city. read more

The pizza was fabulous. We had the mushroom pizza and the fennel sausage pizza. Both had a slight char just like we like it. The waitress was so friendly and accommodating. When the table was too small for both of our pizzas she made a spot at the bar right across from our table and served us from there. Great food, A+ service, but the dining area inside was cramped and the tables, all against a wall were very tiny. It was a very hot day or we could have eaten outside with a spacious area and big tables. Highly recommend the pizza. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Fennel sausage pizza. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

This is a cute little spot with a patio. Drinks were good but pricey. We asked the waitress about different drinks and recommendations and she really didn't know much about the drinks or the prices. Probably wouldn't go back. read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

Their food and cocktail prices are too high. Paid $17.00 for basically a shot of rum with a drop of chocolate flavor in it. This is East Dundee not downtown Chicago. Their prices should reflect that. read more

Fantastic ambiance, service, location, and pizza. Great chew to the crust, perfect sauce, and the right amount of cheese. Bonus points for their fun and unique cocktails too! This is easily the new local hangout spot and I can't wait to go back! read more

This is definitely a hidden gem. Went there tonight and it was great. Just had drinks but the bartenders were great! We have never been to a more comfortable bar. We picked bottle/s off the shelf and said "make me something out of that" They did not disappoint:) They were very skilled in their craft. I recommend this place for those who want unique drinks. read more

Great food and super cute! The pizza was fantastic and outside area was really nice. Perfect for a date night! I did bring my kids and it was really tough finding anything they'd eat but otherwise a great spot! read more

excellent cocktails & oysters ! the lamb lollipops were delicious & i loved the holiday setup on the patio ! very cute :) read more

Mockingbird Bar + Garden - enclosed outdoor patio - Cocktail Bars Near Me - East Dundee, Illinois

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