Update 2/2026 Proof No. 5 has officially become one of my all-time suburban favorites. I've been here many times for brunch and dinner, and it truly never disappoints. This visit was extra meaningful because they quite literally saved my birthday evening. We had reservations at the new Bien Trucha in Wheaton, only to arrive and find it closed... with no notice. Not exactly festive. Enter Proof No. 5, swooping in like the culinary hero of the night. We enjoyed an exquisite tuna crudo, rich and beautifully balanced, and meatballs over polenta that felt like comfort dressed up for a celebration. The medallions with mushrooms and three sauces were excellent, layered, and deeply satisfying. And the cocktails? Some of the best crafted in the suburbs. Thoughtful, balanced, and dangerously easy to order a second. Warm atmosphere, consistently great food, and a team that delivers every time. We'll keep coming back. And back. And back. read more

See all

Our waiter Brandon was amazing and was very helpful to my friend that has celiac/Gluten Free. Decor is modern and upscale. Found out this place is closing soon and really sad I can't try all their dishes. Shared the Whipped Feta with olive spread on naan bread and gluten free bread. Really delicious and light and creamy. Had the wagon rider non alcoholic cocktail. Hint of raspberry and lime. My main meal I had the roasted beets salad and added salmon. Had the right amount of dressing. There were air dried and roasted beets. Get the crunch from air dried beets and pistachios. Also had a Light sweet taste. Have option to add steak, salmon, or chicken. Choose the salmon and was cooked perfectly. Very flaky and moist. There is free parking on the streets and not far from the parking garage. read more

See all

Come here for the romantic, cozy vibes. The food to me is nothing special however, which saddens me to say. Everything was a bit on the higher end as well for price, so Proof No. 5 would more suit a special occasion. I heard recently that they're planning on closing this year in 2026 but I'm so glad I got to try this place out when they first opened! A lot of the items pictured in my review, I was not able to find currently on their menu. I'm guessing they changed the menu from when they first opened, but what I do remember was the Duck Pierogi sounded interesting and I've never had something like that before. Our main entrees were both pastas, and as mentioned earlier they were good, but nothing in particular stood out to make Proof No. 5 a place I'd revisit. Best wishes to them and can't wait to see what new concept takes over this spot. read more

See all

This place was amazing! Had dinner with a group of friends. The menu has some items marked as GF but the sever was super knowledgeable about celiac. They do offer GF bread so we shared the whipped feta. It was delicious! I ordered the Grouper as my entree. They also have really cool drinks. I had the sangria and s'mores martini made GF. They also have GF options for dessert so we shared the caramel crème brûlée. The service and food were excellent. I was very sad to hear that they will be closing soon. read more

See all

I never could really decide how I felt about this place. The facade of the restaurant just sticks out so harshly in DTW but it does have a moody atmosphere that you don't really have elsewhere in dtw which is nice. The bbq shrimp are pretty good, the focaccia was really dry, the drinks are good but not amazing especially considering the price, & the service is pretty variable. Never had a bad experience but was never really blown away either so I wasn't really surprised when the bartender told me they're closing this month. read more

Proof No. 5 - BBQ CHARRED SHRIMP - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

Good service, our server was very energetic and kind though it was her end of shift. Celebrated my bday and was worth. Love the ambience And good was amazing, we all loved it. We were 12 people read more

See all

In a word, FANTASTIC! I honestly can't think of another restaurant that matches the quality of P/5. We got a reservation at 5:00 on a Saturday night, and while we were one of the few diners to start, the tables did fill up. The bar was off to the side but it also looked well used and beautifully designed. We are first timers here and the decor and atmosphere is incredibly welcoming and beautiful. Starting with nice, comfortable chairs and seats, and tasteful tableware and decor, we were warmly greeted by our server, Deana, who set the perfect tone from the first hello. She was very knowledgeable as we asked some specific questions, and knew specific details about all the drinks and dishes. She was impressive. As the dishes and drinks arrived, we sampled each other's choices and nothing was found to be lacking. After enjoying the abundant appetizers, we appreciated the entrées and two of us shared the Filet Medallions. After this delicious meal, we all left fully satisfied. The photos will show our dishes with names. The drinks are unique and Deana gave us wonderful suggestions all night I appreciate that while the dishes were on the larger sizes, they were not ridiculously huge, so not wasteful, just right. But sadly, we had no room for dessert. And the pricing is appropriate for the quality and quantity served. The accessibility is well planned, all the way from the front door to the restrooms. There are no barriers to stop anyone from enjoying this space. There is also outdoor seating which seems to be a good choice on a nice evening. (Tonight was too hot for us, so we chose to eat inside.) Some diners were dressed very casually, which did not fit with the vibe here. Leave your shorts and t-shirt at home, and dress for a nice but not stuffy evening. P/5 deserves to be around for a long time. I came down from WI and wish I was closer so I could come regularly. But it was absolutely worth the drive, and when I am again in the area, this will be sure to return. read more

See all

If you're searching for restaurants in Wheaton, IL or considering a visit to Proof No. 5, I'd recommend reading this before booking. We had high hopes for this spot, but unfortunately, the experience fell short in several key areas. Service Experience Our server, was extremely impersonal. She always felt rushed and annoyed--like serving us was a chore. In the middle of conversations, she would turn away mid-sentence to do something else, then disappear for long stretches before suddenly reappearing. Service mistakes piled up--one of our plates came out completely wrong, which required a remake. Funny, as right after she took our order he said, "one of our orders likely going to be wrong" because she was clearing plates, taking orders, didn't write it down, and attended to another table... The replacement salmon was overcooked and so hot it was practically burnt and took 22 minutes to come out-wasn't worth a complaint. Despite asking twice, our water bottle was never replaced. Dessert time came around and we were ready to leave and go get Kimmers, but she was so insistent on giving us a dessert she said "take it to a park and eat it later" . Even paying was frustrating: it took 10 minutes to get the check after asking and another 18 minutes to get our card back. Overall, the service at Proof No. 5 was some of the worst we've experienced in the Wheaton area. Food & Drinks * Cheese Fondue - Overpowered by bourbon, barely tasted like cheese. * Truffle Aioli Fries - Probably the best thing we ordered; these were actually good. * Drinks - Just okay, nothing memorable compared to other cocktail bars in Wheaton. * Hunters Chicken - Average at best. For a dish that should be a standout, it was underwhelming. * Burnt Salmon - A remake that still came out poorly executed--and shockingly, we were charged full price for it. From a hospitality perspective, this was a major miss. A professional restaurant should have comped the dish, not pushed a "free dessert" as a consolation for serving the wrong dish and for it taking 22 minutes. * Crème Brûlée - Just okay, though the server hyped it as second only to her favorite New York dessert. Overall Impression: My friend, who works in hospitality, summed it up perfectly: "They're aiming for a high bar but cannot execute." Between wrong dishes, long delays, fire not being on, forced dessert being charged for mistakes, and inconsistent food quality, Proof No. 5 in Wheaton left us disappointed. The price of the food does not meet the quality or flavor. For dining in Wheaton, IL, there are better options nearby that deliver on both service and flavor and price. Proof No. 5 looks the part, but based on our experience, it doesn't live up to the promise. This restaurant will be excluded from recommend places in an upcoming publication it was soooo bad. read more

See all

We came here on a Wednesday for a late lunch. Such a beautiful place. Got the club sandwich and the lobster roll. The club was on focaccia bread. A little tall to navigate eating. But delish. The lobster roll wasn't great. A few big chunks of lobster that were on a tiny garlic roll. Difficult to bite the lobster. It was chewy. I had to cut it all with a knife & fork. Still good flavor though. The fries were fire! Loved them. The best part was they had happy hour pricing for all of our food. The server was attentive & had great vibes. I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu. read more

See all

This place has a great vibe! The food choices were interesting and everything tasted great. The wine was slightly pricey, but selection was nice. read more

Proof No. 5 - Dinner - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

With an upscale vibe and chill atmosphere, Proof No. 5 is a great spot to grab a drink (as we did only). The only less-than-delightful part of our experience was when we first walked in the front door - we were accosted by the aggressive odor of fish. I won't say "spoiled" but not pleasant. However, in taking a few more steps in and grabbing seats at the bar we no longer smelled it. The bar is of good size and offers a welcoming surround in which to enjoy a beverage (or more!). While partaking we chatted with the friendly bartender who gave us a quick intro to the menu (eve though we were not eating). It did look pretty great and we decided we'd return in the future. And return we shall! Soon, hopefully. read more

I ordered the Proof Club Sandwich, it was good but not outstanding. I was happy that we got happy hour prices for our dining experience. Happy hour pricing is 25% off the price listed on the menu. Service was good. The ambiance was classy and the restaurant was unique because it was right next to the Metra tracks. The big windows allowed you to see the train speeding by but, you could not hear the train. The walls and windows must be well insulated to keep sound out. Temperature of the restaurant was pleasant and welcoming because it was really hot outside. We chose not to sit in the outdoor dining area since it did not appear to have shade. read more

Dined here multiple times. Beautiful decor, wonderful cocktails and the food is outstanding. I haven't been there in a while BUT, my birthday is coming up. read more

The ambiance of this restaurant is awesome very speak easy vibe! The food does not disappoint either! The bread service appetizer not pictured was great along with the flaming cheese appetizer! I had the grouper and tried the steak from a friend both did not disappoint! Service did not miss a beat. Our waitress was attentive along with staff that helped her keep the table clean and serviced! They ensure our food and drinks were brought out in a timely manner even though the restaurant was definitely full! Highly recommend this place for a date night or girls night out! read more

See all

We came in last night for our anniversary dinner. Our server, Mike was friendly, helpful and provided us with the relaxed pace we were looking for. There inside is inviting and has city vibes for sure! We loved every we had here... the cocktails, the speck flatbread, the smash burger and fries... everything was so well balanced and flavorful! The speck flatbread- goat cheese, prosciutto and apricot jam-- sweet, salty and savory at its finest! The smash burger was sooooo flavorful and juicy. The fries were salty but also a little bit herby. The experience was truly a 10/10. I can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Went here for lunch with colleagues. The service was outstanding. Love the inside ambiance and vibe. We got focaccia to share, which was great - love their butter that comes with. The smash burger, as recommended was top tier. Probably the best I'd had in a while. Perfect execution. The fries were done just right. The overall quality of the waiting staff and the food quality made this place one of my favorite spots in DT Wheaton. read more

Moody, our waiter and bartender, was great! He was knowledgeable, personable, and a delight to talk to. The entire feel of Proof is Downtown Chicago Elegance in the suburb of Wheaton! No formal dress code, but you could make this place a fancy date night. The food was cooked well and elevated! Worth the price and was an enjoyable experience with each dish! read more

See all

I stopped for brunch and was impressed by the variety of their menu. I tried the tandoori wrap and I did not think the chicken was seasoned enough. I liked the service and atmosphere and will come back again read more

I had a spectacular time here at Proof No. 5! The food was just super tasty and very hearty. The service was quick and hardworking. The ambiance was calm and very cool! 5 stars! read more

Beautiful restaurant with city vibes. The drinks were good, service and team friendly. This restaurant was packed on a Friday night and it has only been open for a year. Large TVs by the bar, and booths, high top or low tables. The beef mini taco things were incredible. I haven't had most of the menu, review subject to change after a second visit. The meat and cheese board didn't come with olives or anything. Still enjoyed, didn't like the "jam" with it. One of our drinks was watered down, I ordered a drink with egg whites that was possibly not on current menu. It was dark and loud (again Friday night). Love seeing places like this in Wheaton. I've been a resident for about a year near and tired of Downtown Naperville. read more

Proof No. 5 - Bar area - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

Food and good service. The atmosphere was welcoming. Sorry that you are closing. I always looked forward to coming for dinner. Not too fancy, but always welcoming. read more

As you walk into this beautiful restaurant you can't help but smile. The decorations are classy, modern, and edgy. You can see the details all around. Everything was well thought out! I love how it was completely open. The crisp fresh breeze felt really relaxing. It makes you want to try everything on the menue! Which, I plan on doing over time. Everyone was very hospitable and truly inviting! Our server was excellent and passionate! And, the food and drinks were superb! If you're looking for a new trendy up and coming spot. Come on in! You won't regret it. Domaine Caver Pouilly-Fume This glass of wine is expressive, mineral forward, it has bright citrus notes, white peach, apricot, delicate flower notes, it is light bodied, bright, and beautiful! A great way to wake up your pallet! I enjoyed every last drop! CHEESE BOARD chef's selection of cheeses, fruit preserves, spiced nuts, and crackers I enjoyed everything about this! It was rustic, it had a good selection of cheese that paired perfectly with our cherry fruit preserves. The cherry fruit preserves were tangy, sweet, and filled with bold sweet baking spices. It tasted like cherry pie filling! The cheese was excellent! Very high quality. It was creamy, bold, funky, smokey, and lovely! The crackers were crisp, crunchy, and salty! The almonds were perfectly toasted with a coating of baking spices and salt. Everything was perfect! Definitely a great way to excite the pallet! RED PEPPER LINGUINE This homemade linguine was delicate, chewy, and savory! If you've made pasta before you know when it's made right. This pasta is absolutely perfect! The roasted red pepper pesto was so well done! It was light, sweet, rich, and savory. It truly had that addictive quality that made you want more! When a pepper is roasted right it has this silky texture with sweet caramelized note! That's what this dish had. The burrata was silky, smooth, and creamy. It tied the whole dish together. The spinach added that perfect amount of bitterness and sweetness, the fine herbs added a herbaceous touch that filled the room with aroma! It makes you want to dive right in. The basil, pine nut, parmesan crumble added that much needed texture! It made it a harmonious memorable dish! I'd suggest it to anyone! LOBSTER LINGUINE The linguine was delicate, chewy, and savory! If you've made pasta before you know when it's made right. This pasta is absolutely perfect! The Maine lobster was rich, flaky, and flavorful! I loved finding lots of big pieces all throughout the dish. Lobster is easy to overcook. But, in this dish it was cooked to perfection! The pomodoro lobster ragu was thick, aromatic, sweet, savory, and incredibly delicious! It hit all the right notes. I was so happy that I had some left to take home with me. The spinach added a crisp, bitter, sweetness, the fines herbs added an incredibly deep flavor profile that made the dish memorable! The pecorino added a zesty creaminess that made this dish so well balanced! This dish is a work of art and is a truly unforgettable dish! I can't wait to have it again. read more

See all

I was so excited to try Proof No. 5 and I left feeling absolutely disappointed. I will start with the positives. The ambience is cute and cozy. There is a lively atmosphere and it appears welcoming. I really wanted to love this place but unfortunately it fell way below my expectations. Erin was my server, and things started off really well. She was pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. They have an extensive drink menu and I decided to get a chocolate martini. Big mistake! When Erin brought out my drink it was literally half full. I sat there contemplating whether or not I should say anything. I decided to let her know that I wasn't satisfied with the drink due to it being half full. She proceeded to explain to me that they measure the drinks and the glasses are so big and that's why it wasn't full. I told her that the drink is visually unpleasing because it's half full. She said that she would take it back to the bartender to see what they can do. She brought the drink back with foam on top. I was happy with this alternative. Then she proceeded to further explain that it's just foam on top and it may water down the drink. I tasted the drink and it was fine. Long story short she went back and forth with me about the other preparation being better. I had already put in my food order for an appetizer and entree. After the back and forth I no longer wanted to stay at this establishment. I went over to the hostess and asked to speak with a manager. The manager Mike came over to discuss the situation. I explained everything about the drink and the back and forth over my opinion. To my dismay, he further hammered home the point that their bar program is well thought out and no one has ever complained about the drink being served half full. That's when I told him that I am well traveled and I also dine in all sorts of restaurants and I've never seen a chocolate martini served this way. I told him that the drink is delicious but it's not aesthetically pleasing. I frequent upscale restaurants and bars all of the time so quite frankly my opinion should be accepted and maybe just take the feedback whether or not you choose to do anything with it. I felt that both Erin and Mike were condescending and could not just take a critique or feedback from a customer. Upon further review, I did notice the lack of diversity in the restaurant. I honestly felt that if I wasn't a person of color my feedback wouldn't have been met with such push back. It's not as if I was asking to take the drink off the bill! I did ultimately try the bison meatballs and they were delicious, but I couldn't stomach the condescending tone from the staff so I ultimately cancelled my entrees and settled the bill. Needless to say I won't ever be coming back to Proof No. 5! read more

Proof No. 5 - Half full chocolate martini - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

I've dined at Proof No. 5 twice now. The food is fantastic. Had a bite of the special for the evening, a pastrami sandwich, which was probably the best I've ever tasted. The roasted beet salad as well as the gnocchi were both winners. The staff is very accommodating and attentive. The restaurant is unique and the bar area is very inviting. For my birthday they put a special candle attached to my wine glass, which was very cool. I will say though that in the winter, sitting near the front door is rather cold which is why the 4 stars. read more

Proof No. 5 - Amazing lemon, blueberry dessert. - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

We stopped by on 6/28/2025, originally planning to eat at their sister spot, Burger Social. With a 30-40 minute wait, we were hesitant to stick around. The district manager, Michael Carl, happened to be nearby and suggested we head across the street to Proof No. 5, where they could seat us right away. We were a little unsure--our group included six adults and a 16-month-old, and Proof definitely has a more upscale vibe. But we're so glad we went! The atmosphere is modern and welcoming, with cool design touches like open-air folding glass doors and stylish outdoor lighting. We started with cocktails and shared appetizers (the BBQ shrimp and the meatballs with polenta were both fantastic), then enjoyed a mix of entrées including steaks, a burger, a salad, and bibimbap. Everything was well-portioned and absolutely delicious. Our server was friendly and attentive without hovering. We didn't take any food photos because we were too busy enjoying the moment--which honestly says a lot. Proof No. 5 turned out to be a great choice for a relaxed yet elevated evening out. We'll definitely be back! read more

Our first time here.... the positives, cocktail are fantastic. About $16 per drink but who ever was their mixologist knows what they are doing! But beyond that they are a bit lacking. Our major problem was in the quality of the food. Our appetizer was very good but on the small size for $17. Our entrees, while tasting good were very small for the cost but they were ICE COLD. Not even, warm from heat lamps or room temperature, cold, like they had been sitting out since our appetizer came out. Quite disappointing. When your charging city prices, you need to perform like your in the city. Might stop in for a drink, but not sure if we'll spend the $80 plus to eat there again. read more

The lady in the purple dress cocktail and the fries were the stars for me, but the lobster linguine, burger and duck perogi were also all quite good. Nice place, attentive service - will be coming back for brunch. NOTE: Kid's menu is available upon request. read more

We stopped in for a weekday lunch for the first time. The place was nearly empty yet cozy and classy looking. The chairs were comfortable as I am on the short side. Relaxing ambiance and a quiet place for conversation on this day. Our server Joseph highly recommended "everything". The food was amazing however the only downside was the drinks were on the smaller size for the price, I had an ice tea and my husband felt his Long Island cocktail did not taste like it had much alcohol yet had a lot of ice. All in all I would go back! read more

See all

Proof has been open for 2 months and they are seriously striving for (and will soon achieve) a dining experience to rival the well renowned establishments in Chicago. Let's begin with an upscale, eclatic and edgy ambiance with comfortable seating and beautiful gas fireplaces in the main dining room. Service was exceptional. They forgot the mushroom side dish with our entree but not only did they cook it and give us a to-go container, they comp'd the mushrooms and our dessert for the misstep. Our cocktails were awesome, the beet salad was exceptional with the fried goat cheese - YUM!, and our salmon entree was fresh and delicious with the perfect spices and complimentary sides. read more

See all

This is a bar review. My wife and I stopped in for just drinks and maybe an appetizer. Proof 5 is a pretty cool place. Modern, classy. The bar is very, very well stocked and the bar tenders and even the bar back are very friendly and professional. I had a delicious Old Fashoned. So good I had a second. We ordered Bison Meatballs over Polenta. It was a very nicely presented and delicious appetizer. We looked around and saw some folks eating the Cheese Plate. They said it was super tasty. We are looking forward to having dinner there in the near future. read more

Proof No. 5 - Bison Meatballs - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

Very cool artwork, ambience. A great date spot and feels well-run and reliable--like you would have a great experience on each visit. Would definitely return. read more

Proof No. 5 - Conversation starters - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

We sat at the bar and had drinks and appetizers. Loved the atmosphere. Good vibe. Food was good. But - the wait staff taking their break at the end of the bar - chatting it up and having a great time - made it feel like we were dining "in the back". I recognize this may seem minor - yet it took away from the whole experience for us. Regardless - we liked it enough and will give it a second chance. read more

Solid food -but very very awful service. Hard to say we will be back because the bad/extremely slow service overshadowed the delicious food. We were there for 2 hours on a Thursday night, with a half full restaurant. All due to slow service... Please work on this :) read more

Excellent place for dinner and drinks. Went here with a large party of 12, the service was excellent and the food was equally delicious. I highly recommend the ribeye it was very good and cooked to perfection. Everything I had tasted great, you will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!! read more

See all

I've been to this spot twice now and feel SO THANKFUL to have it in our town! The fifth restaurant in the Barrel & Rye's group (Burger Local, Burger Social, Maize and Mash, and the OG Barrel and Rye)...these folks really know what they're doing. An elevated bar program for sure, try their Old Fashioned, it was extremely well-balanced...and I'm not even a bourbon drinker. The bar area is cozy and approachable, with TVs inset into the wall to keep it from feeling overly "sports bar." Service was spot on both nights, the staff is extremely well trained and motivated...everyone, down to the guy pouring water and clearing tables. Impressive, especially considering they've only been open to the public for maybe two weeks. In two visits, we've tried: the homemade sourdough bread with hotel butter (don't miss this!!), the cheese plate, tuna crudo, the roasted beets (another fav), the waters salad (delish and refreshing), the Panzanella (bread heavy but tasty), the Ora King salmon (eats like an Indian curry dish, a great amount of spice and unusual take on salmon), the BURGER (OMG, to die for) and last, my beloved Lobster Linguine. In my defense, there were five other people helping to eat all these things...lol, it was fun to try so much and I can't WAIT to go back! They will give Ditka's a run for their money for SURE. How awesome to have so many great spots in Wheaton! https://www.proofnumberfive.com/dinner read more

Proof No. 5 - The lobster pasta with housemade linguini is NOT to be missed! - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch and the food was amazing! It's very quiet after 2 pm so there is no difficulty hearing each other and our server Joe was very attentive and pleasant. We will definitely be back! read more

See all

A well-deserved 2 stars. The place is beautiful, stylish, and has a great atmosphere. The food is decent, though the only thing I truly loved--the fried mushrooms--was removed from the menu. But every time, the wait for food is ridiculously long. The service is terrible. Last night, they truly outdid themselves! We arrived at 7 p.m. and didn't get our wine until 40 minutes later, thanks to the bartender who took our order. If it weren't for him, we might still be sitting there waiting for the server. Even though we were with a 3.5-year-old child, they still brought his food after a full hour. I'm not saying having a child means we deserve special treatment, but in most decent places, they understand that children need to be served sooner. Especially when it's just boiled pasta--waiting 50 minutes for that is absurd. In the end, we finally got our food at 8:30 p.m., just half an hour before closing at 9 p.m. I don't think we'll be coming back. read more

Proof No. 5 - Truffle fries - New American Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

See all

I went with my husband and we had the tuna crudo to start. I cannot recommend this enough! It was absolutely the best tuna dish I've ever tasted. We ended up ordering two! For our entrees we had the lamb shank. It was a perfect roast. Slightly sweet and savory. Perfectly tender. And we arrived at 9:30! Our waitress was amiable and knowledgeable about the menu despite the late hour, and the atmosphere was very cozy-- chic and upscale, dark, good lo-fi type music. For dessert I ordered a sweet cocktail with cognac and they made some chocolate martini type thing for me. It was delicious. We will definitely be returning. read more

The food was great. Service was attentive. A great deal of attention was spent on the ambiance and aesthetics of the interior. Cozy, unique, and fun. read more

Ambiance is great . Perfect lighting at the bar , warm and just the right feel. Food was great and service as well. Great addition to the are and we will be back for sure. Bartenders and servers really all did amazing! read more