We were in Chicago for the symphony on a rainy Thursday evening and didn't have reservations anywhere. We had been in the car for almost two hours in traffic from Northbrook and I was grumpy and hungry. My husband decided we should check out the Russian Tea house since we walked by it some many times. So we popped in without reservations just shy of two hours before the concert. The host didn't make us feel terrible about not having reservations and kindly showed us the few tables that they had open. They were all tables for two tucked into spots that most people wouldn't want to sit, but we picked a nice little table just in front of the coat room in proximity to the bar and kitchen while not being too close to them and we loved the spot....I thought we had more room an intimacy than the tables in the the two dining room seated elbow to elbow by each other. The space is a bit tight, so we felt we had lots of room and loved it. Our waitress was so friendly, attentive, and helpful. She did disappear for a bit towards the end of our dinner when she was getting our desert together and I panicked a bit because we needed to get out the door for the concert, but I think it was because everyone was leaving at the same time and it all ended up working out. If I had one complaint it would be that I paid $12 for a glass of wine and the pour was on a bit of the stingy side. I don't mind paying more for a glass of wine if they are generous with the pour, but I was disappointed by the serving I received. The wine was wonderful though. My husband got a vodka flight and loved it. Since it was raining and a bit chilly I ordered a cup of their mushroom barley soup right away. I'm used to a beef or cream based soup, so I was a bit surprised when the generous serving I received was tomato based. It was outstanding and I think the soup could be a meal of it's own. Their cut of soup is actually a fairly large serving and the bowl serving is much larger. For dinner I ordered the beef stroganoff and I'm sad to say that I will never be able to make my versions of this at home again after having it at Russian Tea Time. The meat melted in my mouth and the flavor was amazing. I cleaned my plate. It was served with some sort of shredded carrot side and a side of beets...both side dishes had over the top flavor. My husband had some sort of stew and said it was wonderful. We cleaned out plates and didn't feel guilty about it. read more

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Service was incredible and more than I could ask an afternoon tea. Didn't not know what to expect with Russian tea, but the food was incredible and it was like being transported. Highly recommend! read more

We had the Russian dinner for two, and it was delicious! We also had lavender and espresso martinis, which were also very good. Our server, Igor, was also very good and professional. read more

This is an incredible tea time! It isn't nearly as pretentious as other places in the city, yet it is a gorgeous setting with delicious tea, ample bites (this could easily be a lunch for me), and friendly service. Despite not having reservations, my mom and I were sat at 3pm on a snowy Saturday. I had never been here, but both my mom and I love going to tea and I randomly passed this place a few days before my mom's visit and immediately put it on our agenda. We walked in to a very gorgeous atmosphere and were sat in the main room. I ordered the mango black tea (don't remember what my mom got, but they were both good). Our server was really friendly. Then came the tea bites tray. It was a lot for just two people! There was at least two of every bite but four scones which were my favorite part. There was a middle section of savory bites ranging from bizarre (salsa in a phyllo cup) to amazing (some sort of savory cake with meat and pesto cream sauce). I enjoyed 9/10 of them, and that is mostly just because of personal taste...other than the salsa in a cup which threw both my mom and I off. Desserts were excellent! My favorite was the meringue, but I enjoyed all of it. This is an awesome place to go for tea whether you are going with your mom or your girlfriends or basically anyone. read more

One of top 10 restaurants du monde! Impeccable cuisine. Their borscht soup is amazing. I had the stuffed cabbage roll for the lunch prix fixe. The hot tea is Devine. Afterwards I had tea infused vodka. I felt like a new man. Outstanding serving staff. read more

Russian Tea Time - Stuffed cabbage. - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I truly want to give 1 star, but I cant do that - I feel like that isn't fair based on my situation... My team was having a team dinner and we closed down the restaurant for the night and had a completely private event, they were great for that & allowing us to do that. The food = I dont like Russian food (at least I think, this was my first experience in a Russian restaurant) and many of the things that came to the table were less than desirable looking. I tasted a few things here & there & they were all bland for what I thought they should have tasted like. At 2 separate instances trays of food were spilled over team members. The drinks were flowing from the bar and the Mule's I had all tasted like Dirty Lime Juices, not much Vodka, but the vodka shots were flowing. I heard from a few others that this place was similar to the McDonald's of Russian food. I would have liked to have been introduced to something that was just outstanding and I could have loved, but unfortunately that didn't happen. read more

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I had the queen's tea service with three friends. It includes bottomless tea with a tower of sweets and savories for $69. We also had the beef stew, chicken Kiev and lentil soup. Each dish was so well made-fresh and flavorful. The house tea was velvety smooth. The staff is on top of it but leave you alone to chat and enjoy. The red couches are a regal touch though I wish the back part of the restaurant featured them as well. This is a lovely experience and I can't recommend it enough. read more

This is one my favorite restaurants period. I honestly have never had tea here but the tiered sweet trays look amazing. From my experience the food is great and pairs well with their extensive menu of vodkas, including a Ukrainian flight. They will bring you lots of bread and pickles to go with the vodkas. And I also love their veggie salads, pierogies, herring, and lots of other small plates. Everybody is always nice and the place is upscale and warm. Great location by the lake and art institute. read more

Russian Tea Time - Vodka menu - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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If you want to visit one of Chicago's best Tea times , Russian Tea Time is it. It's so cozy inside and beautiful. Always order the house wine and it comes in beautiful cups. My personal favorites are the pickled Herring, the dumpling combination, and the Napoleon cake. Perfect for any occasion especially if you ll be in the downtown area or near the art museum or near Millenium park. One of my favorite restaurants in chicago , I always recommend to visitors and residents. read more

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This classic, elegant restaurant in the Loop features a nice selection of traditional Russian/Ukrainian/central Asian dishes. The location is right on Adams/Michigan, making it perfect for a dinner before attending the Chicago Symphony next door or a casual lunch. I've tried the golubtsi (cabbage roll simmered in tomato sauce) and grilled salmon and both dishes were flavorful and well-cooked. But for me, the standout dish was the dessert I ordered - the éclairs. They are essentially cream puffs filled with a light and not overly decadent/sweet custard, paired with a refreshing berry drizzle. They were so delicious! I have yet to try the afternoon tea selections, so that will be the next thing I order at my next visit. Also, I highly recommend getting a reservation, especially for the lunch rush or on evenings that also have symphony concerts, as the restaurant fills up very, very quickly! read more

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Though this restaurant may be known for tea service, it also features what is probably the best selection of Eastern European cuisine in downtown Chicago. I came here with three friends on a whim and Russian Tea Time impressed everyone. Portions are large, prices are not bad, caviar service is approachable as it is delectable, and the vodka flights are oh so tempting. My grandmother would be fond of the latkes served here, and that is really saying something. read more

I've had so many special times at Russian Tea Time. Fantastic, authentic & otherworldly food, vegan options galore for me!!!, with a modern mindset. No weird vibes here. The vodka flights are exceptional!!!! Service is always incredible and the ambience does take you to another place and time. We love Russian Tea Time and perhaps most importantly, they're actively speaking out about current events in Russia and Ukraine. Support & enjoy this restaurant, they are WORTH IT!!!!!! Yeah, I might need Borscht soon now. read more

Russian Tea Time - Vodka flights come with pumpernickel bread & gherkins. Yummm - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I loved this experience. First time dining in a Russian restaurant and it was amazing. Clean restaurant, speedy service, good menu options, and the food was amazing!! read more

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Loved it!!! We went for dinner. The service was nice and efficient, the decor was pretty, with nice ambience and pleasant classical music. The mushroom cream soup and croutons were incredible!! The salmon was also delicious, I enjoyed my Georgian wine flight, and my husband thought his Joe the Great cocktail was very smooth. Next time I'm definitely coming for afternoon tea service! read more

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Love their dinner combos to try out russian food. And their wine combos. Service was great and decor was cool. read more

it was very nice to try amazing borsch with some cup of tea,while traveling to Chicago! read more

Russian Tea Time - Bowl Ukrainian Borscht - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place sucks dont waste your time overpriced and understaffed at all times. Im disappointed to have wasted my time here

Came here for a champagne high tea and had such a good time. The interior is beautiful and pretty quiet, so you can enjoy a calm evening with your tea and meal. They serve full dishes, but we went for tea and had finger sandwiches, little desserts, tea, and champagne. Service was friendly and left us alone for the most part. We enjoyed all of our food and the drinks, and it was enough that I was full for the evening when we left! read more

Russian Tea Time - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The wife introduced me to this restaurant in the early 00s. We have been going here ever since, but this is the first chance I have had to review it properly. I The food here is always delicious and the service is always good/welcoming. We have in the past gotten shots from the servers who knew us and sometimes dessert. We have enjoyed almost all of the entrees we have tried here, with the one exception being duck, but that was more than a decade ago and didn't stop us from returning. We have had and enjoyed the Moldavian Meatballs, beef stroganoff, wild game sausages, pelmeni, Borscht, and mushroom soup, among others. The best part about a meal here is having several of the house vodka shots. Although the food is delicious, it is worth coming here just for the shots. I recommend black currant tea, horseradish and coriander (not mixed together). The black bread served with dinner and with shots, along with pickles, is delicious. At the end of the meal, we always order delicious black tea. It is served with lemon and sugar cubes. read more

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This place does not even deserve a star! Horrible service and below mediocre afternoon tea experience. Despite having reservations for afternoon tea, food was served an hour late. While other tables around us were being well catered to, our table was ignored from the moment we sat down. For the two hours we were there, our server didn't check on us even once. And when we tried to talk to the manager about it, she suggested we leave and never come back!! She even refused to give one of our friends a bag to take the lefts overs! The food is another story. There was nothing creative or inclusive about their high tea menu. The egg salad sandwich had a foul odor, the cucumber sandwiches were bland. There were no other sandwich options available. Sometimes the customer service covers up for what lacks in food but here both were a major disappointment. My two cents, give your money to where you are respected and valued as a customer. This place was a s*** show! UPDATE: Quite frankly, your response reflects your state of mind and personality. Maybe before opening a restaurant take a crash course on what customer service is and what kind of service qualifies for a 20% gratuity! If your kitchen can't handle a simple dietary restriction of no meat or gelatin, it goes to show how incapable and amateur your restaurant is which btw was communicated when we made the reservation 5 days before. Such a RACIST establishment, and I'm not the only one saying that. UPDATE 2: Get your facts straight before you start accusing your customers. We had updated our reservation to 6 ppl that same day. Clearly there is a severe lack of communication within your unprofessional team. read more

Soup was good, as was the duck. However, the beef stroganoff was mushroom pasta, basically no meat. A traditional Russian restaurant with awful stroganoff, don't order!! read more

I made reservations ahead of time. When we got there, they kindly asked if we were attending the symphony soon. Apparently a lot of guests there were. They were helping guests get their food quick enough to catch it! That was so thoughtful of them. The menu has a great selection. I really would have to come back to try more menu items. Everyone enjoyed their entrees. The decor inside was beautiful. Overall it was great! read more

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In my 20s (a long time ago) I came here and had good memories of mainly the atmosphere with the food being so-so. Revisiting recently, I was truly blown away by the food. The duck was soooo good, and so was the herring under a fur blanket. Wow, what a treat! Highly recommend coming here at least once. read more

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Great place to stop by for Russian tea time! The interior is beautifully decorated, great options, and great price for being in the city! I literally have no complaints here. The food was also delicious. read more

Russian Tea Time - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is my absolute favorite restaurant. When I'm in the Windy City I always make it a point of eating here. I've even driven the 5 hours from my home just to share in my enjoyment with friends and introduce them to all the yummy dishes and vodka we could possibly eat in one sitting. Every bite is to perfection. The ambiance is magical. And I can't say enough about the staff, they make you feel like family. They DO NOT share/ support/endorse political views with Russia. Do not take this out on them. The family is UkrainianIan they are trying to make an honest living. Please support them. read more

A special day necessitated a special meal. I've always enjoyed Russian Teatime. Today was the first time I've done tea service. Wow! Of course the service & food were great. The sandwiches were delicious especially, exactly what I was craving. We ate as much as we could, we each have a sweet treat for a snack later. I want to sample some dumplings next time with carrot salad. I could work my way thru the menu with pure delight! They've updated the decor since I was there pre-COVID. It is charming and cozy. We'll be back. read more

I have been on a hunt for a good Afternoon Tea session in Chicago and finally found the place! The Afternoon Tea Time is a must try here at Russian Tea Time which is available daily from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM. When we first walked in we received a regular menu with all their food and drink options so if you're specifically looking for the Afternoon Tea service, make sure to ask for that specific menu. We got the Regular Tea service and it was plenty for two and the teas included with this service are unlimited. Our waiter highly recommended the House Tea which is Darjeeling and currant notes and was incredibly delicious. Most importantly they were served on a specialty Russian tea glasses which were really neat. There are three tiers of food and sweets included with the service. The top section are scones with butter and jam, the second tier are the savory finger foods, and lastly desserts split evenly between two people. The experience, food, and tea were great and I must've had 6-8 cups refilled of the tea (I am a tea fanatic). Although we didn't try any of their main Russian entrees, peeking through the other tables nearby the food looked devouring. I've never eaten Russian cuisine before and I can't wait to come back and try more of their entrees and side dishes. read more

Russian Tea Time - Afternoon Tea Service! - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We visited the wind city during spring break, found this gem and absolutely love it! Even though we were not very hungry but wanted to check it out. The earl grey tea is fresh with sweet aroma, dumplings are delicious and flavorful, mini dessert sample is just the right size for sugar cautious eaters. The waiter is polite, pleasant. Definitely will come back to check other items on the menu. read more

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Everything good - traditional, Russian/Ukrainian/Eastern European Jewish style restaurant. Where else can you get borscht these days served properly? read more

This place is definitely racist. The host sat us next to another poc couple in the smallest most cramped up corner where the main dining rooms were reserved for white people only. Our server kept trying to recommend us all the expensive dishes and never came back after we placed our order. I'm usually a person that goes with my gut and this place definitely made me feel extremely uncomfortable while eating. Other than that the food is pretty good it's just the people running it that are the problem. read more

Russian Tea Time - 2 Pcs Wild Quail - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's a Russian-style restaurant offering both brunch and dinner. It's also close to the Art institute -- if you want an artistic afternoon time, it might be a good choice for you. We order the regular tea service including a pot of Tea, beginnings, savories, and sweets. As for the taste, it matches the price -- nothing goes wrong but neither stands out. It did a good job to balance the flavor of the food -- the right amount of sweetness, sourness, and salt. read more

Russian Tea Time - Regular tea service -- peach tea/ house tea, Savories and Sweets - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was our second time coming here and we absolutely love it. The food and atmosphere are amazing. My fiancé is from Russia and he agrees this is the closest thing you will get to authentic Russian/Ukrainian food in the United States. We always make a reservation just in case. Definitely check this place out if you want something different and can't decide where to go. We will most likely come back every time we visit Chicago. Also, the Napoleon dessert is so good! read more

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The 2 stars are for the nice environment and friendly waiter. The Queen's tea at $55 per person was a huge let down. The savory bites were tasty enough but unremarkable and definitely not Russian inspired. The scones were not scones, just lumps of an unknown bread. The sweets were truly bad. One bite left a sheen of grease in my mouth, probably from the excess of Cresco used in making the frosting. I ordered the Moroccan mint tea ($15 extra) and it turned out to be basic tea with lots of peppermint. Nothing like a Moroccan tea (I've been there and love their tea. ) Overall, nothing but a nice tourist trap. read more

Meh. Waiter was super unfriendly. He acted like he would rather be anywhere but there. No refills on soda offered. I ordered the salmon/potatoes/ carrots. Salmon was ok. Not enough sauce. All super dry. Of all the great restaurants in Chicago, I would pass on this one. read more

Service terrible they swore at me terrible birthday experience never go here! Tea was tart and unpleasant waiters were not even British!

I guess this place is known for dinner right before going to see the Chicago symphony orchestra, and so really didn't have high expectations. Was delightfully surprised with great service and food. We also got lucky with fun nice neighboring patrons. Definitely going back for their tea tier tower sometime soon even if we are not going to the orchestra. Feels like stepping into the past with their decor in a good way. Please try their honeycake! So good and sweet! read more

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Got the afternoon tea service with the signature tea that was delicious! Also got a side order of the potato dumplings that were super yummy. Not pictured are the scones that came with the tea service with were probably my favorite after the dumplings. The small cake slices were okay but the scones and dumplings are something I would come back for. read more

Russian Tea Time - Regular Afternoon Tea Service - Russian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I am so glad we were able to have this experience! The Queen's Tea is the way to go! Everything was perfect at Russian Tea Time. From the décor to the elaborate and incredibly delicious tea sandwiches. Their salmon tea sandwich was simply to die for. Don't even get me started on the grilled chicken tea sandwich. Delish, delish, delish. The crepes with raspberry jam and cream were melt in the mouth! YUM! The scones as well as the mini deserts were everything I could hope to ask for and more. The real showstopper of the whole experience was the House Blend tea; Darjeeling and Black Currant. It simply made the experience one of a kind. Next time I'm in Chicago I cannot wait to go back. read more

I came here last night with my Russian friend who wanted to scope out Chicago's Russian options for her parent's upcoming visit. The place was really nice and pretty quiet inside. Our server had a great personality and helped recommend some good dishes. We started with a bowl of Borscht. I thought this was good. For apps, we did the dumpling combination, piroschkies, and got tastings of the pickled herring, russian vinagrette, and solenya. The beef pelmeni in the dumpling combination were really good. I loved how packed these were, and had a good flavor. I also really enjoyed the pickled herring. I thought it had a lot of body. The solenya was also really good. For mains, we got the duck legs, strogonoff, and stuffed cabbage. All 3 were very good. The duck was a little over cooked in my opinion, but the sauce it was served with was super tasty. The strongonoff was the winner of the night. It was light yet flavorful. The beef had good texture. The stuffed cabbage was decent. It was my least favorite of the mains, but it was still good. It just wasn't as packed as I would like, and the flavor lacked something. For dessert, neopolitan cake. It was a good one. Moist while still providing texture. All in all, if you are looking for Russian fine dining, this is a solid option! read more

We came in yesterday on our way to the Art Institute for a bite to eat. We loved our tea and light lunch in a lively European ambience. We also wanted to support this Ukrainian business during these challenging times. read more

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