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    RL Restaurant

    4.2 (1.1k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    RL RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Upscale
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - RL Restaurant

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    Inside
    Kailey M.

    Perfect cozy winter spot. We were seated in the main dining room in the beautiful booths. We ordered the RL burger, mini Reuben's and lobster roll. Everything was good - the Reuben's were a fun touch on the menu and perfect for sharing. I did order a glass of wine and I swear it was champagne, but I was able to send it back. Overall it was quite pricey for what we ordered. But we came more for the vibes anyways.

    RL Burger
    Emily D.

    RL was a fun experience! Our service was excellent and the food was tasty. We enjoyed our drinks as well, but they weren't really unique or special. The downside of this spot is that it is truly the most crowded restaurant I have ever been to. It was claustrophobic and we were literally on top of all of the tables around us. Because of that, we won't be back! If you don't like being super close to others while dining, make sure you avoid this spot.

    Anne S.

    If you are lucky enough to grab a spot un the bar, definitely do! The wait staff is amazing, the drinks are divine and the food is delicious. I highly recommend getting a martini and the RL burger and enjoy the dimly lit atmosphere of the bar. If you happen to get the corner seat, you can do some fun people watching of shoppers in the retail store.

    Fish
    Lisa L.

    We love the RL restaurant it's always a good experience and the food is delicious We tried the pasta for the first time It was very good and I had the fish which was good as well the ambience always adds to this restaurant experience which we love and will continue to return for

    Maria-Elena T.

    Review is for the bar. Came here for a pre-dinner cocktail with my cousins visiting from Italy. Can you get more American than Ralph Lauren?! Had not been here in years. And I mean many years! Never just sat at the bar so I did not remember the bar being so small but three of us got a seat right away. The turnover was fast. The bartenders were amazingly attentive and one even spoke Italian. Highly recommend!

    Capuccino $6
    Araceli C.

    Exellent I stop in for lunch I order Tini french onion soup Waldorf salad and a capuccino Evrething was pretty good Great service I be back soon again

    Courtney E.

    Not in all my life have I ever seen shrimp that big in a shrimp cocktail. Seriously--you could make a meal out of just that, and honestly, I probably should have. But I have no chill and kept ordering... and ordering. I followed it up with the crab salad, which was absolutely delectable--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. And then, because I clearly have no self-control, I went for the chocolate layer cake. It was so good and came with a soft, dreamy dollop of cream on the side. I should've just stopped there and called it a perfect lunch. The service was top-notch--attentive at every turn. I think they liked my husband more than me, but I'll let that slide. They don't have sweet tea, but I made it work with iced tea and sugar packets (Southern problems, I know). The decor is a dream--classic, cozy, and full of charm. It's the kind of place that feels like a little escape from the city bustle. Just know that if you don't make a reservation, you'll probably be waiting... unless you know some secret trick I don't. The only downside? The bill. Especially for lunch, it stung a bit. But hey, for a splurge-worthy experience, it was worth it.

    Gerald H.

    While in town, stopped here for lunch on a Friday. Made reservations for 2:15 and checked in about 5 after 2. Simply put - this place is an ant hill, folks crawling over each other, each believe they are more important than the last one. Atmosphere is very plush which dark wood, framed photos on the walls, etc. We were finally sat and made a drink order. I went with an old-fashioned which was good. They added table bread for us, and I went with a lobster bisque. They serve it in front of you with lobster meat in the bottom, and pour the soup over top it. Good flavor. I went with a burger for my meal - and as I write this I think I ate more burgers this trip than I have all last year combined. Anyway. Good flavor, bacon was a nice touch and cooked properly to temp. I added the chocolate cake as a dessert which was rich. Would love to come back here for dinner - but for now, good to come for lunch which in the city.

    Hot Mini Lobster Rolls Escargot
    Raymond P.

    Had the chance to dine here on a recent visit to Chicago. I've had the opportunity to dine at the NYC polo bar as well so will provide comparison. RL restaurant in chicago was a relatively easy reservation compared to nyc. Similar atmosphere/decor. It is nice that you can walk in and sit at the bar in chicago (not the case in New York). The menu is fairly similar, small differences in items between the 2 locations. The service is phenomenal but the NYC staff is just a bit better. The vesper martini was delicious. We shared escargot and lobster rolls to start which were delicious. The RL burger did not disappoint and I would argue was better than the NY equivalent. For dessert had the NY cheesecake which came with blueberries and it was amazing. Highly recommend. Would go back.

    Sara G.

    RL Restaurant, nestled just off Michigan Avenue in Chicago, has been a cherished staple since its opening in 1999. It has a cigar bar library vibe, adorned with dark wood, paneled walls, and classic oil paintings, reflecting the timeless elegance of the Ralph Lauren brand. The seafood selection is particularly noteworthy. For those like me who appreciate a well-crafted cocktail, RL's old-fashioned is great. I pair that with fresh oysters. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, RL Restaurant is a very solid choice. Bar is first come first serve but if you want to dine in the dining room, get a res.

    RL Filet Rossini w/ Sauted Spinach and mashed potatoes
    Andre W.

    I have a good friend that loves this place as its totally her steez! Very uppity, classic and a god all around joint! Not mad at it as Ralph Lauren is a classic brand and its right next to the actual store. Sometimes we get the bar area and there are times we get the dining area...either is usually a good time. Some of the goodies here are: Escargot Oysters Rockefeller Filet Rossini (w/fois grois) Sauteed Spinach & Mashed Potatoes Roasted Cauliflower Shrimp Cocktail Key Lime Pie (that gingersnap crust is different) Old Fashioned (Reg & Oaxacan), Manhattan, Sidecar Service is always dope whether you have Blake near the bar area or Mauricio in the dining space. Love the classic pics all over the place as it makes you feel like you're in a classy joint. Great for dates or outings with friends. Its usually packed (especially bar area) so you have to get in where you fit in or make a resy ahead of time.

    Dirty martini and espresso martini
    Jessica G.

    Truly had the best experience. Our waiter was fabulous, the food was 10/10 and the vibe of the restaurant was so classy and cozy. Will absolutely be back!

    Special sea bass sandwich and truffle fries

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    3 years ago

    Fabulous food and atmosphere in downtown Chicago. Highly recommend for a special time.

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    2 years ago

    My favorite Sunday go to restaurant. Ambiance , service and superb quality of fine dining experience.

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    2 years ago

    Really good service and good food. The vibe of the restaurant is amazing. Make sure the wear something fancy!!!!

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    3 years ago

    I enjoyed everything there, service, food and interior! I recommend it to everyone! We'll come a few more times and call friends too!

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful atmosphere. Excellent and attentive service. All food was delicious. Great dining experience.

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    I have had a standing table there since day 1. The food is excellent and the service is superb.

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    2 years ago

    Incredible service and food, I definitely recommend it, the atmosphere is very nice. I would return again,

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    Page 5 of 27

    RL Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - RL Restaurant

    Possible to make any of the steak dishes without dairy/ butter due to allergies?

    How dressy do you have to be for lunch?

    Casual- everyone is dressed how you are up to evening, dressy date attire!

    Does the salad fill you up or is it just another appetizer/starter?

    The salad is a good size portion. You can have it as a meal.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I got the strawberry Negroni drink and loved it! Very smooth and flavorful. They have good non…read morealcoholic options as well. I enjoyed all the food we received, it was tasty, warm, fast, and you get a good portion. The lobster roll was good, the lamb was good and the zucchini was as well! We got Brussel sprouts for the app and those were my favorite. The dessert was also very delicious and I would get again! They validate parking if you park in the north parking garage for $13. Make sure to bring your ticket with you! More details are on their website. The service was great and the place was clean. I loved the aesthetic!

    We've been to The Gage many times over the years since it's one of our top sit-down spots near…read moreSymphony Center before or after concert. Our favorite dish is definitely the PEI mussels. The broth is the kind you want to keep dipping bread into and practically lick off your fingers afterward -- flavorful, savory, and a little briny without being the heavy creamy type of sauce that some places do. Very comforting but not overly rich. Honestly, I don't even remember all the other dishes we've ordered over the years, but our experiences have consistently been good. Service is polished, the space feels classic Chicago, and it's a great place to relax before or after a performance downtown.

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    The Gage - Guinness Braised Short Rib ($42) - colcannon potatoes, pearl onions, roasted carrots, Guinness gravy

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    Cindy's Rooftop - Prawns Nayarit

    Cindy's Rooftop

    4.1(2.8k reviews)
    1.0 miThe Loop
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    Beautiful, grand old school lobby that takes you back in time. Rooftop restaurant and bar just as…read morespecial with a great view of the park and lake. Great vibe and ambiance. Service was to be as expected, top notch. Small menu but enough to appeal to all tastes and needs. Decided to go light for dinner and I chose the caesars salad with salmon. Great flavors and toppings on the salad. Salmon was just ok. Coworkers had tuna tartare (excellent) and the beet salad also with salmon (really good). Split the roasted carrots which were delicious, especially the sauce.

    My friend and I were in Chicago recently and stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association. Our…read morereservation was made using The Hotel Collection, and it came with a credit, which we used in part for a late night snack and drinks at Cindy's Rooftop. While I wasn't a big fan of the taste of my drink and dessert, my friend enjoyed both of theirs. Rather, the service was excellent and the views were amazing. My friend ordered The Rocher for dessert, which includes hazelnut cake, mascarpone chantilly, and smoked maldon salt. I ordered a Baked Alaska, consisting of citrus cake, lemon cream, toasted meringue, and salted white chocolate crunch. We both also ordered cocktails. I cannot recall the name of the drinks. I asked for my drink to be fruity and sweet, but it wasn't enough of either for me. The Baked Alaska was fine but too much of various flavors. I wouldn't fault the restaurant for the drink or dessert taste as I know others really enjoyed theirs. Our server was most attentive and very helpful. We found that making a reservation on Open Table only offered a certain number of time slots, and all of them involved having dinner and not just drinks or a dessert. Reservations can also be made on their website though we chose to speak to the front desk about a reservation. Going up to the bar is first come, first serve though. We ended up making an Open Table reservation and were told it was okay to only order drinks and desserts. Cindy's is named in honor of Marian "Cindy" Pritzker, a beloved Chicago philanthropist. It sits on top of the 13th floor of the hotel under a glass atrium and offers views of Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, and beyond. Cindy's Rooftop is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 12 Midnight, Saturday from 10 AM to 12 Midnight, and Sunday from 10 AM to 11 PM. Go to https://cindysrooftop.com to see a live terrace view, menus, private dining information, and more. If you're staying at or in the area of the Chicago Athletic Association, definitely go up to Cindy's Rooftop for the experience.

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    The Dearborn

    The Dearborn

    4.4(2.8k reviews)
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    New favorite! Came downtown from the 'burbs for a show - my sweetie called ahead and we got a GREAT…read moretable just inside the door, perfect for people watching. Tasty drinks - the grapefruit pilsner was a perfect choice for a warm spring evening, and our server was funny and sweet. Sticky ribs appetizer was spot on, with just enough heat to keep it interesting. We shared the fish and chips - perfectly cooked, crunch and sweet, great fries! House made slaw and tartar sauce was out of this world! Gotta make one comment on something we didn't have. The next table over, two middle aged women order cheeseburgers. When they came out I almost regretted ordering the fish. They were huge, juicy, and looked incredible. This two ladies, drinking their Chardonnays polished them off, that's how good they were. Next time... Dessert? Why not? Sticky toffee cake please. Perfect with a cup of black coffee. Out the door and on our way - we'll be back! Thanks!

    We dined at the Dearborn on a Saturday afternoon with my family. Our reservation was strategic we…read morearrived hours before we assumed it would become very crowded. The seating was tight. Overall I was having a good experience. The food was OK. The menu was limited. Oh btw, the special that day was a $70 wag goo burger. That interaction between me and the server reminded me of a car salesman trying to sale me undercoating for the car i just purchased. REALLY I can't make it up. The experience dropped to a single star as our dining experience was nearing an end. The manager of the front of the house. Made a conscious effort to make it clear that the table we were dining was needed by waiting customers. I've never ever experienced this before in any restaurant in the Loop. I can't and will not recommend dining here. This is why I'm giving 1 star. I my opinion The Dearborn maybe they need to be in a different location. Maybe located far west of the Loop. I would suggest instead of Dearborn maybe Halsted St. and probably change their name to The Halsted. Im not going back. OH btw good luck in your new location.

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    RL Restaurant - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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