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Obelix

4.2 (274 reviews)
Ultra High-EndFrench, Wine Bars
Closed • 10:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Obelix Photos

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OBELIX ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Intimate
Romantic
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Obelix

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Reviews With Photos

Nolan F.

We shared: 1. Salade Lyonnaise "Canard" - frisee, escarole, duck confit, duck egg, duck-fat croutons 2. Poulet Roti - Harrison's Farm Chicken Breast, Potato Pave, Tomato Farcie, Tuscan Kale, Sauce Obelix 3. Souffle - spiced molasses, date toffee sauce, vanilla ice cream 4. Cote De Boeuf - 14 oz USDA prime ribeye, French fries, sauce au poivre 5. Roasted Mushrooms 6. Black Truffle Gougere - choux pastry, comte, truffle Mornay, perigord truffle 7. Huitre Chaude - belle du jour oyster, tarragon-horseradish rouille, lemon Not gonna break down everything we ordered but to simplify, will name my favorites and only dish that disappointed. The duck salad and roast chicken are perfectly executed, shareable, and must-gets. The only disappointment, the Prime ribeye, sad to say, altho clearly medium rare in my photos, was a little tough and chewy. Fries were also dry. Service was professional and competent. Regularly checked on us, updated us on food arrival, and cleaned our table. Ambience was classy and relaxing.

Crepe homard with lobster
Emann B.

Obelix is a delicious French bistro with a twist. It's been my regular spot for a leisurely mid-week lunch, special occasions with mom, and weekend fun brunches with friends. The starters and entrees rotate seasonally, and they have an amazing patisserie team if you've grown tired of profiteroles with ice cream and creme brulee (*yawn*) being your only options. The service is beyond exceptional--I cannot say enough.

Lamb merguez couscous
Wendy L.

This is a fabulous French restaurant and I had a lovely weekday lunch here. Feels very casual and modern inside, intimate but not overcrowded. I had already heard good things about it via word of mouth and it didn't disappoint. I tried their French onion soup, grape & fennel salad, confit duck leg, and lamb merguez couscous. Everything was made to perfection and so enjoyable. Their prixe-fixe menu is pretty good and the items can be ordered individually off of it. For dessert I tried the blueberry vacherine, which was perfectly sweet, fruity, cake-y and cold. Service was delightful- very friendly and attentive.

Guavamente
Sandeep C.

Modern French comfort in River North! Obélix feels calm and polished at weekday lunch--clean lines, modern, and a touch upscale without being stuffy. We walked in at the start of lunch on a Friday and it was quiet (easy to chat), and the cocktails were good: my Guavamente was bright and minty, and my friend's non-alcoholic French 75 was a hit. The lunch menu even has a few breakfast-leaning options, which scratched our brunch itch on a weekday. Service * Friendly host and server; attentive and thorough in explaining the menu * Easy walk-in at opening; relaxed pace, never rushed Food * Bread service - classic French baguette roll to start * Foie Gras Pancakes - buttery foie + blueberry pancakes + phenomenal maple syrup; bacon was lighter than expected but worked into the syrup * Quiche - very fluffy, almost gelatin-like texture; tastes great, but texture may divide folks * Frites - spot on, crisp and addictive Verdict A refined-yet-approachable lunch spot with excellent cocktails and dialed-in plates. Quiet enough for conversation, polished enough to feel special.

Ann W.

We have very few French restaurants in Detroit, so while planning this trip, I wanted to include one on our itinerary. When I reviewed the online menu and saw the respectable section devoted to "duck", I was sold. The restaurant is upscale yet casual. I loved the banquette seating that wrapped around the perimeter, the checkered flooring, and the brass fixtures throughout the space. The bar was packed and lively throughout the evening. Although my sister is a huge French-onion soup fan, she abstained and instead, we shared the seared foie gras on phyllo-wrapped duck confit, one of the specials that evening. It was excellent; I loved the sear and the smooth buttery texture. I could have made a meal of it. Of course, I had to have duck, so I went with the 10-day-aged Rohan duck breast. Cooked to perfection, the duck was tender but firm, juicy, and delicious. To my surprise, the accompanying duck sausage was even better. The other entrée I considered was the Beef Wellington. I rarely see it on menus anymore, so it was tempting. My sister had the 16oz steak frites and finished every bite, except for a few fries that I sniped off her plate. In keeping with the French theme, I went with mille-feuille for dessert. The crispy sheets were layered with pastry cream and served with a few crepe disks. Lovely! The service was fine; the server walked us through key aspects of the menu. However, the complimentary bread was a disappointment--despite our hunger, we did not ask for seconds.

Oysters and French 75
Clara K.

We've been wanting to try this neighborhood spot, and we made a last minute late lunch reservation on a Sunday. It was quite empty since we were the last table before they changed over for dinner, but they didn't rush us which was nice. Our service was quick and kind as our waiter walked us through recommendations. We started with some fresh oysters - these were lovely with my French 75 cocktail. My fiancé had a nice big bottle of French beer. For our lunch we had the salad lyonnaise and the soup (basically a French onion soup). Both were heavy, especially because the salad had duck confit and a duck egg that was runny to dress the salad in. It was much more duck heavy, which is a good bang for your buck, but I would have liked more lettuce and veggies to accompany it. Other than that, both dishes were tasty and the overall atmosphere simple and nice. I'd like to come back for dinner as I have heard a lot of great things about the rest of the menu! It was very sweet of the staff to also give us some leftover brunch pastries on the house with our leftovers. The pan au chocolat with gold flakes was delicious. The birthday pastry was much bigger and heavier with cream inside.

Amy D.

Such GOOD quiche! We had a lunch at Obelix and it was busy, but not too bad. My only issue was the wait for the food, which ran much longer than I would have liked. Still, once it came, everything was solid. I will definitely be back for dinner one day! -AT

Caviar sandwich
Vee V.

That caviar sandwich is absolutely worth a visit. Decadent, creamy, salty, sweet, messy, and absolutely exquisite. My friend and I made reservations at 5pm, we had to make sure they weren't going to run out. We also had the duck salad and opera cake for dessert. The duck salad was really tasty too, but a bit heavy with the oils from the duck confit. It wasn't the right choice after having the caviar sandwich, but still great. The restaurant itself was modern and open, it was the ambiance for what we were expecting. Our sever was friendly and informative. If I lived in Chicago, I'd be in trouble with that sandwich there.

Carina L.

Finally got a full pastry tasting experience at Obelix! (Gotta give a shoutout their espresso martini!) Pomelo creme croissant 8.3/10: sweet but balanced nicely by the slight tartness/freshness from the pomelo bits distributed throughout, cream wasn't too heavy, and the thin glaze on the top of the croissant not only gave it a nice shine but also added a slight crisp to the flaky pastry Truffle cassis twist 8.7/10: personal favorite of the day, with the sweetness from the dollops of jam worked super well the slight savouriness of the truffle cream. only note for improvement is to amp up the truffle flavor in the cream pate en croute 6.5/10: recommended by our server but was disappointed flavor wasn't memorable (felt like glorified luncheon meat) and the filling was too hard? pastry also didn't have the best texture ramps tart 8.2/10: called a tart but felt almost like a quiche? the filling was soft, eggy, and cheesy... was a good break from the sweet pastries and really liked the pickled veggies that were served with it kumquat + sesame danish 8.2/10: tart, sweet, and nutty! the mascarpone cream added a nice moist component but wish there was more. Couldn't really taste the shiso in the description though ... jamon-fromage croissant 8.0/10: texture-wise my favorite, top tier flakiness but interior was chewy and so buttery. i loved that I got to taste the dough in its purest form since the creams and jams in the other ones masked it. however, admittedly this one needed an additional oomph to it (maybe a creamy cheese served on the side?)

Fusion steak tartare. A surprisingly good mashup
Susan W.

My new favorite thing is daytime/lunch at spots like this. It's quieter and calmer inside. A little bummed the prix fixe lunch menu wasn't served on weekends, but we had a great meal as always. Special shoutout for the spectacular pastries and classic bistro favorites. Service was a little stretched so we had a few long pauses between things, but all in all solid hospitality.

Foie grois canelo
Jonathan W.

Super great service. Needed to make online reservation for brunch at 2 A very dedicated wine list. Pistachio croissant $14- gorgeous appearance from the outisde. tons of pistachio creme inside. Not too sweet, enough sweetness to appreciate. Jambon-fromage croissant $14- super large, flaky. Tasted Salade lyonnaise canard $26- excellent salad. The crispy duck pieces, was crispy, but not to crispy it tasted burnt, the meat was soft enough to enjoy. Pate en croute $23- very interesting dish. It tastes like super high end spam. You have to eat it with the mustard and side sauce to cut through the fat to appreciate the flavor. Can't differentiate flavor between the duck and boar. On the rotating patisserie menu Green garlic pesto $12- this was my favorite savory pastry. Very crispy with texture. The middle with pesto, egg custard In the middle was very good. Truffle raspberry twist 17- I would pass on this. There's the truffle ganache, which I didn't appreciate the truffle. I wish there was more raspberry Foie gros canele- the foie gras was very soft, light flavor, didn't taste iron or gamey.

Seasonal pastries

A wonderful place for brunch. The pastries are always so fun and interesting, we tried a sweet corn and a savory tomato and they were both outstanding. The restaurant is small and buzzy, you will absolutely be tempted to talk to your neighbors about the food. The service was great. One of my favorite places to eat in chicago. Try the burger with caramelized onions, yummy!

Ashley V.

Mixed reviews on this place due to weird service. The food was good, but the experience made it a bit off putting. When our server was explaining the menu to us, it felt like she was talking through us, she look around everywhere but at us or our table lol. When she took our order, it felt like she was in a rush, she didn't really answer our questions and that felt like a mechanism to get us to stop asking questions and just order...like sorry for being indecisive, but we're just making sure we don't over order and have a delicious meal. Besides that, the beef wellington was good and very well-made. the fries were over salted tho, it would've been good on its own

10 day aged duck breast, Steak Frites

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Reviews are largely positive. Diners praise the inventive French cuisine, especially duck dishes and excellent pastries. Many also enjoy the cozy and lively atmosphere and attentive, knowledgeable service.

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Great food! We enjoy dinner and brunch there every time we are in Chicago. Can't wait to go back.

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Page 4 of 7

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Ask the Community - Obelix

Does Obelix have valet parking?

No, but there is a parking lot across the street.

Do they have bar seating?

Yes, small bar with seating.

Does Obelix accept take-out orders?

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No Vacancy

No Vacancy

4.5(182 reviews)
0.4 mi•River North, Near North Side
•$$

Went in on a bears/packers game day as a packers fan. This is a bears friendly establishment…read more Had a great time. The staff and patrons were all very good sports. I'll definitely come back because the food and drinks matched the energy.

If you're coming here for drinks, it's probably a great vibe, but if you're coming for food, I…read morewould recommend elsewhere. I want to preface my review with the positives, Londyn was our server & was truly so kind, thorough, and friendly. The restaurant itself is clean & all tables have clear views of the TVs on game days. Now for the room for improvement- the food was very underwhelming. Being from the Chicago area previously, I regularly advocate for the Chicago food scene, and this unfortunately did not meet those standards. We ordered the Brussels sprouts, buffalo cauliflower, wings, and sesame ginger salad: -Brussel sprouts: tasted like they weren't seasoned just air fried and drenched in balsamic dressing -Buffalo cauliflower: soggy, unseasoned, runny buffalo sauce -Wings: PERFECTLY CRISPY, but no flavor (we ordered lemon pepper & buffalo) -Sesame ginger salad: sloppy mix of vegetables tossed in an overly sweet sauce with no sesame or ginger flavor in sight If you're not going to eat, this is probably a great spot, but from a food standpoint, there is room for improvement.

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Arbella

4.4(707 reviews)
0.4 mi•River North, Near North Side
•$$

If I were to pick one bar to go to every time I'm in Chicago it would be Arbella! Drinks were…read moreabsolutely phenomenal. Everyone enjoyed their drinks and they had a fun menu by the chef and we ordered off of both menus. Drinks were reasonably priced. Bartenders were great and explained what was going on. They were chill and the booths were comfortable. They had music on but not too loud so we could converse comfortably. Best bar I've been to in the city! Also wish I had taken picture of all the drinks.

October 1, 2026 TL;DR: Arbella was this close to a five-star…read moredate-night experience. The atmosphere was fantastic, our server struck the perfect balance between attentive and giving us space, and both cocktails I tried were creative and delicious. The truffle fries were pretty mediocre, but even that wouldn't have stopped me from giving Arbella five stars. What did? Discovering afterward that a 5% "service charge" had been added to the bill. I really dislike this growing practice of restaurants and bars adding percentage-based fees rather than simply pricing their menu accordingly, and it was enough to cost an otherwise excellent experience two stars. Ambiance: 5/5 Arbella absolutely nails the atmosphere. I came here on a date, and it was a great choice for that. The music was good, the lighting and decor created a really intimate vibe, and our booth was comfortable enough that we could settle in and actually enjoy the evening. There was energy in the room without it being so loud or overwhelming that we couldn't have a conversation. Even the menu design and presentation fit the experience. If you're looking for somewhere that feels elevated, interesting, and still comfortable for a date, Arbella definitely checks those boxes. Service: 5/5 Our server was fantastic. This was one of those rare occasions where someone found exactly the right balance between being attentive and not constantly interrupting our date. We never felt forgotten about, but we also had plenty of space to enjoy ourselves and talk. I especially appreciated the recommendations. Whenever we had a question or wanted guidance on what to order, our server was knowledgeable and genuinely helpful rather than simply pushing something on the menu. Excellent service from beginning to end. Drinks & Food: 4/5 The cocktails were easily the highlight. I tried the First You Take The Graham and the Trankilo Melon, and both were really good while also being different enough from what I would normally order to make the experience more memorable. This is exactly what I want from a cocktail bar: drinks that make me curious enough to try something new and then actually deliver. The truffle fries, however, were mid at best. They weren't terrible, but compared with how impressive everything else felt, they were forgettable. I'd absolutely come back for the cocktails, but I'd choose something different to eat next time. About That 5% Service Charge... This is unfortunately where Arbella lost me, and ultimately why I cannot give the experience five stars. I didn't notice until reviewing my bill afterward that a 5% service charge had been added. I strongly dislike this increasingly common practice of restaurants and bars adding percentage-based fees to the bill. If operating costs have increased, I would much rather an establishment incorporate those costs transparently into its menu prices so I know what I'm agreeing to pay when I order. Calling it a "service charge" also creates unnecessary confusion, particularly when customers are still expected to decide what to tip their server. At a cocktail-focused establishment, where you may be ordering multiple drinks throughout an evening rather than paying attention to every line of the check, I think fees like this need to be extremely clear and prominent before ordering, not something a customer discovers afterward. For me, it feels like an extra charge for simply using the establishment in exactly the way it was intended to be used. Overall: 4/5 The frustrating part is that without the service charge, this probably would have been a five-star review. Arbella gave us a genuinely great date night: beautiful atmosphere, excellent service, creative cocktails, and a space I otherwise would have happily recommended and returned to. Instead, that 5% fee left a sour final impression on what had been an excellent evening. It may seem small, but transparency around pricing matters to me. Arbella did so much right that I want to come back, but the service charge is significant enough that I would think twice before doing so.

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Arbella - Crab rangoon

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Chicago Winery - Enjoy a wine & cheese plate in our restaurant, LIVA

Chicago Winery

4.3(65 reviews)
0.4 mi•Near North Side

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!

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!

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Il Porcellino - Lasagna and chicken piccata

Il Porcellino

4.4(1.8k reviews)
0.6 mi•Near North Side
•$$

This cute Italian restaurant serves delicious food at reasonable prices! We really enjoyed our…read moredining experience here. The Limoncello Spritz was refreshing and delicious, and the spaghetti with meatballs was one of our favorites. Pro tip: Ask for some chili paste to add to the sauce if you like a little extra kick! Our waitress was wonderful--very attentive, accommodating, and helpful throughout our entire meal. Since we needed vegan and dairy-free options, she took the time to explain the menu and suggest alternatives. It seems that most of the sauces contain dairy, but the frutti di mare (seafood stew), similar to a cioppino, was an option without dairy. She even offered to add a side of pasta to make it more like a seafood pasta dish. We really appreciated her thoughtfulness and willingness to accommodate our dietary needs. To finish off the meal, we enjoyed the delicious pistachio ice cream mixed with cherry. It was a lovely way to end our dinner! Overall, we had a very enjoyable experience, with tasty food, reasonable prices, and excellent service. We highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a charming Italian spot with flavorful food and attentive service!

We absolutely loved the atmosphere here. The low lighting and music created such a great vibe, and…read moreeven though the restaurant was packed, it never felt overly loud. My wife and I really enjoyed this place during our trip to Chicago. The fresh-baked garlic bread was so good, and I loved the meatballs and Gnocchi alla Vodka. My wife really enjoyed her Rigatoni alla Vodka as well. Everything we ordered was delicious! On top of the food, the service was great, the cocktails were excellent, and they had a fantastic wine selection. There's also a beautiful bar that we didn't get a chance to sit at this time, but next time we're in Chicago, we'll definitely be grabbing seats there. Great food, great drinks, great service, and an awesome atmosphere. Definitely a place we'd come back to!

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Obelix - french - Updated October 2026

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