Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Berghoff Restaurant

    3.7 (1.4k reviews)
    Open • 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

    The Berghoff Restaurant Photos

    THE BERGHOFF RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like The Berghoff Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - The Berghoff Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Ruben
    Nicole F.

    We sat at the bar of the side of the Adams Brewery. I had their sour beer on tap and their fish tacos, my co-worker had a cocktail and the Ruben. The fish tacos had both white fish and salmon in it, at first I thought the tacos were a bit too fishy tasting but later the tacos grew on me and I liked them. The Ruben looked very good as well. The restaurant was on the more expensive side for pub-style food. The inside of the restaurant looks like it could be historical but not sure if it is original. 3% fee added for any credit card payments.

    Dessert menu.
    TJ D.

    The turkey BLTA was very good! Definitely a German style atmosphere, just wish the music was a little louder and more authentic. The service was great.

    Karyn M.

    The Berghoff has been family owned and operated for more than 125 years. That means they are probably serving the same food they served your grandparents. This was decorated for the season with large Christmas trees and I even saw Santa walking around and talking with kids. There were a lot of groups (multigenerational) dining for the holidays. We started with the giant pretzel and ordered traditional dishes like schnitzel. The menu has made concessions to modern times -- I saw salads, paleo dishes, salmon. If you are looking for hearty dishes, beers, and a festive setting, do like your grandparents or parents did and eat here.

    Liver and onions with carrots, asparagus, atop mashed potatoes
    Sarah W.

    Our group of 5 stopped in here on a Sunday night for a late dinner, which was a great choice because of so many menu options to make everyone happy. Service was great and food was brought out very quickly. Noise level was mild and we enjoyed being seated at our round table which allowed for easy conversation. The food was divine. I had beef liver and onions served over a huge portion of creamy mashed potatoes. Roasted carrots and asparagus also rounded out the dish and overall a very lovely presentation. This was enough food for two; however, we tried our best to make a dent. Would love to return when we visit the city again.

    Beer flight
    Paula C.

    Visited on a Monday for a lunch reservation for two. The restaurant was not busy, but the atmosphere was great. We started with a flight of beers, which offered a nice variety. For our main courses, we ordered the Reuben sandwich and the Pork Schnitzel platter--both were absolutely delicious. For dessert, we requested the German chocolate cake. There was a slight mix-up, and our waiter initially brought us the black forest cake instead. However, as soon as we pointed this out, he promptly and politely corrected the order. Overall, it was a very nice experience and a great restaurant we'd recommend.

    Carmel cheesecake, Carmel flavored crust
    Steve H.

    Good German food, a few other options on menu and didn't fit German food, all sausages are good with a really nice spicy mustard, potato pancakes were smaller and tasted like hash browns, missing flavor that should be in them, beef was nice, potatoes and veggie's tasty and cook well, desserts cheesecake and strudel topped my list of desserts. With Adams street brewery, lots of good beer selections, I had Da Dizzy a juicy sour that was just right, my server had good recommendations and service was fast and humorous. Make it reservations we arrived at 5 to empty tables 10 min later the place was full on a Thursday,

    Leslie C.

    Wow! What a cool and historic place. Family owned and operated for over 125 years! Huge place! Many rooms for dining. Oktoberfest was going on in one area, and down below in the lower level was a wedding reception. Festive decor and excellent German food. I had the Ragout from the Oktoberfest menu and it was delicious. My boyfriend's goulash was very flavorful too. The cocktails are tasty too. Wonderful service from Chris. Lovely experience!

    Sausage appetizer with German potato salad
    Benjamin H.

    Visited again and went for the schnitzel. Comparatively, I would suggest sticking with their sausages. They have a wonderful knockwurst and bratwurst. The schnitzel was average. Also, TRY THE HOUSEMATE ROOT BEER. It is complex and flavorful. The Christmas decorations are quite beautiful and German. If you find the pickle ornament on the tree, you get a free drink. Our server was attentive and recommended the goulash for my partner, and it was rich and comforting.

    Menu
    Jessica W.

    Stumbled in here to escape the cold for a beer and some live music but couldn't find a seat so went over to the dining area after seeing that giant pretzel float by... Not typically the dining menu I would go for but it is BIG. We did only get the Bavarian pretzel and beers- both were average. I did really like both the beer cheese and the sweet mustard though! The service in the dining area was slow, I objectively had a bad seat because I was in a square table about 4 inches from a full round table in a corner so the waiter couldn't get to them without bumping into me, and the hostess was rude. Honestly, I likely would have given it 4 stars if we were in the lively bar area because that's what we came for but maybe in a bigger group the dining area would provide better service.

    Dining area
    Rhett B.

    I have meant to come here for years but between work and their limited COVID hours it took me a while! As a big fan of Breweries and beer brewing in general I was excited to visit this historical monument to the craft. Upon arriving for lunch we were quickly greeted and seated. Immediately I noticed the variety and quality of the beer offered was far above average! The menu was filled with predominantly German and UK inspired meat based dishes with few offerings for vegans, vegetarians, or pescatarians. The ambiance was very much a older, touristy, kitschy vibe similar to what you might feel at somewhere like the Walnut room. Service reflected a similar kind of "tourist hospitality worker" vibe and not in the overly performative happy way, more in a - "I'm on hour 13 of my Bubba Gumps shift down at Navy Pier" kind of way. Not to say it was bad or anything, everyone was super kind but definitely had an exhausted/burnt out feel. We had the Fish and Chips and the French Onion soup. The fish and Chips was what you might expect from an upscale pub, but the soup was absolutely phenomenal. I honestly would go back for just the soup alone! Beer was great! In short: -Food was amazing -Drink was great -Ambiance was touristy, elderly, supper club vibe -Pricing = Tourism premium However the big drawback here is prices. Listen I understand it's expensive operating a business like this in Downtown Chi but at some point fried bar food and sandwiches; is just fried bar food and sandwiches - and paying $20+ per plate is crazy. Similar feedback on the beer pricing. Overall I don't like the idea that their repacking traditionally low cost, working class food and drink and selling them back to people for premiums which rival a mid-tier steakhouse. Come here once if your enticed by the locations history but beyond that I can't understand why anyone would come back here. (Except for maybe the decent priced cup of soup!). Would love to see owners take this place in a different direction which focuses less on serving high spender tourists and instead appealing to Loop workers looking for great happy hour spots that won't break the bank. Make it a true spot loved by Chicagoans.

    Audra M.

    Class from the bottom to the top! When I went with family from out of town, it was all excellent. We felt catered to, from our drinks to our desserts. The ambiance is stellar, service great, and food amazing.

    Paintings
    Austin P.

    We got seated quickly and the server came often to make sure we had what we needed and gave a great recommendation, the food was delicious! I would recommend the game plate. I also loved the interior of the restaurant because it had a strong sense of the German culture and old Chicago.

    The ambiance
    Karen A.

    We ate at the Berghoff on a Thursday evening. We chose Thursday because right now they are celebrating Oktoberfest in the bar area. That was fun! There was a Duo playing a very long horn and a euphonium. They were dressed in traditional German folk outfit and played traditional German music. We were seated in the dining room for our dinner reservation and ordered the appetizer of potato pancakes, which was delicious! My husband took the first bite and declared that it tasted like Germany on a plate. And he meant that in the most positive way possible. I ordered Jager schnitzel, which was a little disappointing. I've usually had Jager schnitzel served with with a breaded and and then pan fried pork cutlet. This was a thin pork cutlet which appeared to be pan fried but was not breaded before it was fried. Small distinction, but for me, an important one. Sauce was okay, although not terrific. Sometimes I have received Jager sauce that is creamy, rather than brown. This was brown sauce, with what I think were wild mushrooms in it. Good. Just not great. Hubs ordered the Austrian meatloaf, which was on the Oktoberfest special menu. This was a fabulous dish! Everything about it was delicious! The meatloaf was interesting and flavorful, the potatoes were mashed and tasted as if they had emmenthal or gruyere cheese in them, and the accompanying sauteed spinach was done just right. Still green, but wilted. Would order this dish again in a heartbeat! Beers were fantastic as expected! Apple strudel was okay. I felt like it was too much like phyllo dough rather than choux pastry and I didn't think there was enough extra flavor in side. The apple strudel, like raisins and cinnamon. Also, I really missed having a bit of whipped cream on it. Not sure I would order this again. The dining room is great! I recommend a stop at the berghoff just to see what old restaurants look like. I recommend eating there also.

    See all

    Photo of Mike K.
    299
    574
    1397

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken T.
    5
    285
    0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim W.
    139
    85
    31

    6 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karyn M.
    1560
    1355
    8051

    10 months ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 19
    Thanks 7
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris S.
    832
    1024
    1832

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Padma A.
    328
    1552
    7315

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ida K.
    72
    73
    13

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of E. K.
    2
    50
    43

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul H.
    1
    136
    278

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 36

    The Berghoff Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Berghoff Restaurant

    What does the the wait time look like during weekends in December?

    Do you have to walk up or Downstairs and if so is there a elevator for handicap people?

    No stairs when I went. Just a ramp to walk into the restaurant!

    Is this restaurant open for indoor dining? The website says it's temporarily closed but Yelp says it's open.

    Do they have valet parking? If so, how much does it cost?

    There is no parking at all. Take Lyft or Uber. It's in The Loop. All trains stop nearby Red Line, Blue Line and Elevated Trains.

    Anyone know where in the Chicago area I can buy the Berghoff beer?

    They'll be brewing their own beer again soon on location. The Brewery will be called Adams Street Brewery.

    Welche Art von Schweineschnitzel bereiten sie sich hier vor? ist es Münchener Stil? Danke.

    Ich bin mir nicht sicher, was der Münchner Stil ist. Jaegerschnitzel ist mein Favorit und ich war enttäuscht. Wenn Sie ein wirklich gutes Schnitzel wollen, ist Karl Laschetts auf Irving der Ort zu gehen.

    View All 7 Questions

    You might also consider

    The Dearborn

    The Dearborn

    4.4(2.8k reviews)
    0.4 mi•The Loop
    •$$

    This was my second visit to The Dearborn, and the food and service were both on point. We ordered…read morethe salmon tataki, fish and chips, Wellington burger, and Midwest fried chicken. Everything was well prepared, but the fried chicken was the standout, especially with the hot sauce adding another level of flavor. The staff stayed attentive throughout dinner and even replaced our plates between rounds, which was a level of service I wasn't expecting. I also respected seeing the owner personally making the rounds, stopping at every table to check on the guests and the food. Calm atmosphere, solid hospitality, and a kitchen that delivers.

    OMG! Walk, run, sprint here to get the FISH N CHIPS THAT ACTUALLY BEAT BOBBY FLAY. The executive…read morechef and now chef partner, Aaron Cuschieri, is absolutely amazingly talented. I am used to really good fish and chips... I've never had better fish and chips than Tom Douglas's Mr. Fish in Seattle, UNTIL NOW!!!! Wow, wow wow wow! Do not pass GO, do not read the menu, just order the darn fish and chips! It might be a whole heart attack on a plate... But it doesn't matter... You can walk all of Chicago and burn it off. I decided to work out before I came here for this big splurge and I'm so glad I did. I can see that this is the theater district... And you could come here before a show fish and chips and have the best night of your entire life! I can't wait to try more of this chef's food! I'm BEYOND INSPIRED! ps great beers here toooooi!

    Photos
    The Dearborn - $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    $12 Martinis for Martini Mondays

    The Dearborn - New Spring Menu

    New Spring Menu

    The Dearborn - Spring desserts

    See all

    Spring desserts

    The Purple Pig - 36 Day Aged Pork Chop

    The Purple Pig

    4.3(9.1k reviews)
    0.8 mi•Near North Side
    •$$$

    Wow, oh wow... the food was AMAZING! I was especially impressed with the pork AND seafood…read more The pork belly was so good, the two of us devoured it in less than a minute. If you're hungry, try the potato gnocchi. The pork ragu was so rich and delicious. The pork is tender, and the gnocchi was creamy and filling. I also recommend the Spanish Octopus and the Roasted Bone Marrow. Service was excellent. They had 2 dedicated food runners so that everyone receives their food as soon as humanly possible. Everything is served tapas style, so food goes out as soon as each plate is ready vs waiting for the entire table's meals to go out at the same time. Ambiance is modern and casual even though the food tasted like I should have dressed nicer.

    I'll say up front that I'm not a Wagyu guy. I don't send things back to the kitchen, and I think…read morethe Costco tenderloins are fine. So sure, it's called the Purple Pig, I ordered beef. Maybe I was expecting too much. I was in Chicago for a conference. It was Friday, 5:30 PM, and I sat by myself at the bar, in shorts. It took about ten minutes to get a menu, though the bar was only half full. Maybe I looked like I was waiting for someone. Half Acre IPA: excellent. Ordered the filet mignon, medium rare. The runner who brought it asked me to cut into it and check the temperature. I'd never had that request before, and it made me think he must know something I don't. It turns out he did -- rare in the middle with an overcooked crust. I asked the chef if they use thermometers. He said no, they go by touch. That explains the pattern. Touch tells you how firm the outside is, and the outside was cooked every time -- it was the inside that never got there. A filet is thick and lean, which is exactly the cut that fools your thumb. I'm not a professional cook, but I make steak at home with a $25 instant-read thermometer and it comes out right, so I don't think the tool is the obstacle. The second one that came out wasn't a new steak; it was the same one I'd cut open, put back on the heat. More char outside, and the rare middle was still there, just smaller. A manager took it away, took my silverware, and said it would come off the bill. She asked if I still wanted food. I said yes, I just wanted it cooked correctly. I didn't think this was beyond what they were capable of. She said she was sorry it wasn't to my liking, which felt like what you say when you think the customer is the problem. Round three is the photo. New steak, same result. I showed the chef the picture and asked if it looked medium rare to him. He said he'd cooked the second one himself and it was fine. I asked the server who'd brought the third one and he allowed that it looked a little undercooked in the middle. Then the chef came back to the bar and told me, politely, that I wasn't going to like any steak he cooked -- he "wasn't saying you're wrong, we're not a steakhouse." I respect that. I'd just suggest that the menu should say so too. The best steaks I've ever had were in Dallas and Oklahoma, and the next best have all been in Chicago. The bar here is high, and it's set by the neighbors. They took the third one away. I left with two beers on the house, which was generous, and went back to the Loews and ordered Steak Frites, medium rare, just to do a sanity check. Maybe I was grumpy from jet lag. I took a picture of it cut open, so you can be the judge. The beers were very good. The sweet potato and crispy onions under the steak looked very good. I'd come back for the beer list and the small plates, and I'd leave the filet to the neighbors. For what it's worth, I had a filet at Michael Jordan's the night before, cooked right the first time. I didn't bother to leave a review because, well, cooking a filet right seems like table steaks on Michigan Avenue. Same guy, same shorts. So I don't think it's me, but I've been wrong before.

    Photos
    The Purple Pig - The kitchen

    The kitchen

    The Purple Pig - Chicago style hot dog

    Chicago style hot dog

    The Purple Pig - Squid Ink Chitarra

    See all

    Squid Ink Chitarra

    Boka

    Boka

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    2.6 mi•Lincoln Park
    •$$$$

    Boka was a special dining experience. The restaurant offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere, and the…read morestaff were wonderful. They were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful with their recommendations. We opted in for the vegetarian tasting menu. Each course was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. Nothing felt like an afterthought, and the menu offered an impressive variety of flavors and textures. We were super full at the end. The restaurant also prepared a special birthday menu with all the great dishes the chef made for us that day. Some of our favorites included the Cherry Tomato Tart, Smoked Turnip, Chestnut Ravioli, and Roasted Maitake Mushroom with Meyer lemon and black truffle. The Chocolate Tart and Elderflower Panna Cotta were the perfect finishing touches along with the birthday ice cream popsicle. Overall, Boka felt intimate, elevated, and impeccably executed. It was clear that tremendous thought went into every dish. This was a truly memorable meal, and we will be back :).

    I got a bar seat reservation for the missus and I (two) at 7:15pm on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The…read morefront desk was courteous - they give you a key for your bags (looks like an ancient key) as part of bag check, and led us to our table at the leftmost side of the bar. The bar seating itself wasn't super crowded - but every booth and table looked like it was taken, so that was interesting. On my way to the bathroom I saw their numerous michelin years of guide and stars. It's noticeably missing 2026 - and after having dined here, I kind of get why. For a drink I got the local Eris Pedestrian cider. We debated getting the chef menu ($195/each) , but we ended up ordering a la carte: chicken liver mousse ($9/each, we ordered two), roasted veal sweetbreads ($30), black truffle chicken ($43), and roasted dry aged pork loin ($51). We later ordered a financiers for dessert (forgot the price). We were full after eating everything that we ordered, but given the lack of quality of the cuts of meat, the small portion sizes, and the extremely high cost, it's hard for me to recommend this place. If this is what Michelin star-quality food tastes like (at least in Chicago), the Michelin evaluators here have either no actual taste buds, or are awarding stars for "vibes" only. The vibes are fine - don't get me wrong - but the food here isn't anything worth writing home about. Dish by dish: mousse was decent, the veal was kinda dry, the chicken was very dry, and the pork loin, while decent, wasn't as special as we thought it'd be. Financiers was kinda sweet but it was actually the only part of the meal I truly enjoyed the bites of. The post-meal truffle thing was too sweet for the missus so I ate both. The cider was... Pedestrian, as the name implies. Definitely the most fitting name for the drink. The bathrooms are down the stairs - so it's terrible for those in wheelchairs or that are mobility challenged. The bathrooms themselves are high-quality - which is part of the experience, but idk if it's "worthy" of adding stars to a mediocre food experience.

    Photos
    Boka
    Boka
    Boka - Chocolate Angel Food Cake

    See all

    Chocolate Angel Food Cake

    Cindy's Rooftop - Prawns Nayarit

    Cindy's Rooftop

    4.1(2.9k reviews)
    0.2 mi•The Loop
    •$$$

    Since we were visiting Chicago to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday, I wanted to make sure that…read morethere was a wow factor wherever we went on her special day. In browsing through the pictures of Cindy's Rooftop, it looked like it hit that criteria spot-on. The pictures did not lie. When entering the restaurant, the views of Lake Michigan through floor to ceiling windows were amazing and it was nice to enjoy the bright natural light from the glass roof. Once seated, I told our server, Gerardo that it was her birthday and he immediately got her a glass of bubbly on him! He was positive and easy to talk to. This was quite the contrast with the service at Bar Mar for dinner the night before where the server made no attempt to make the night special. We ordered the Blueberry French Toast and the Chilaquiles. The french toast was superb, being thick, fluffy and sweet. The Chilaquiles were pretty average...what I'd expect at a cheap Mexican joint so at $25, it was quite pricey but I will say the over-medium eggs were cooked perfectly. Throughout brunch, Gerardo checked on us frequently and when I asked for the check, he came back with a dessert and a candle as a final gesture to making my girlfriend's day special. I am so glad we came here because it truly was an experience, thanks to the great service, beautiful rooftop, and good food.

    Cindy's Rooftop has beautiful views of the city. It's overlooking Millennium Park and The Bean…read more Perfect place to bring out of town visitors or if you just want to enjoy rooftop views. We definitely picked a beautiful fall day to come by. Came around 3pm on a Tuesday and they had a limited menu until 5pm. Ordered the cheese curds and arancini as appetizers. Both were tasty and the sauces were great. The smashburger and fries were really good too, and filling. Overall food was good but pricey. Guess you're paying for the downtown rooftop views with your food Our server was nice and attentive and my water glass was never empty.

    Photos
    Cindy's Rooftop - Inside the rooftop bar and restaurant

    Inside the rooftop bar and restaurant

    Cindy's Rooftop - Pink Moon Oysters* (Half Dozen)

    Pink Moon Oysters* (Half Dozen)

    Cindy's Rooftop - Jeppson's Malört

    See all

    Jeppson's Malört

    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.6k reviews)
    1.1 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
    •$$

    I read all the bad reviews before coming and... they were just hating, having a bad day, or have…read morenever eaten a burger before to be an objective judge! Because no way did we eat at the same place. WOW! It's only been a handful of times that I've had the urge to write a review while I'm still eating because of how amazing the experience is. The ambiance is bustling and will FOR SURE keep you awake as you fill your belly. And the burger? It's not just a burger, it's culinary art and a full on flavor experience. I was full well before my plate was empty, but I simply could not imagine reheating any part of it later. The egg was cooked to sunny-side perfection, and every bite was ridiculous. It's bar-style, so the fries came out first, hot and paired with a garlic aioli that absolutely did what it needed to do. Everyone moves with purpose. The food, the service, the atmosphere--this place is a well-oiled machine of greatness. 1000/10. Will absolutely be back.

    Finally made it to Au Cheval and it did not disappoint! It seems to be busy all the time, so make a…read morereservation or plan to be there when they open. Not a huge inside seating area, but it is nice to sit outside on a nice day. We got the single cheeseburger with egg, the double cheeseburger with egg, the fried bologna sandwich with egg, crispy fries and the crispy potato hash! The single is a double patty and the double is a triple. The burgers were deliciously cooked and very hearty! Root beer compliments the burgers well! The crispy fries with the garlic aioli and mornay sauce were very yummy! The crispy potato hash was probably the lowlight of this meal... love the crispy-ness of the hash, didn't love the gravy. Service overall was okay, they were busy so it got slow once our food arrived. It does get loud inside so be prepared. Au Cheval lives up to the hype! We will totally go back for the burgers, crispy fries and root beer!

    Photos
    Au Cheval - Single Cheeseburger

    Single Cheeseburger

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Au Cheval - Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

    See all

    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

    Gretel - elevated! butter chicken curry soup with cilantro + crispy paratha

    Gretel

    4.5(484 reviews)
    4.5 mi•Logan Square
    •$$

    This is my third time at Gretel and the food was even better than I remembered it! We came around…read more5pm on a Sunday and there was only about a 10 minute wait. They sat us downstairs. I had only sat upstairs at the bar and outside, so I was happy we were able to see the downstairs. It's very intimate down there with only a few tables, while the upstairs is a lot more of a lively bar atmosphere. Service was good and fast. They are known for their burger but I am not a huge burger fan. Their other food is amazing though! Even my boyfriend who loves burgers agreed that the chicken sandwich was one of the best and maybe even better than the burger. Definitely get the mac & cheese, chicken sandwich, and french onion soup. The french onion soup was super cheesy and the mac & cheese was so creamy and perfect. Typically I don't like bacon in mac & cheese, but I love that they don't overdo it here where it overpowers the entire dish. It was only some tiny pieces of bacon just for the flavor.

    I've heard a lot of great things about Gretel so I was excited to finally try it! This review is…read morereally for 4.5 stars! We ordered a smorgasbord of items including the (infamous) burger (which lived up to the hype!), steak frites, and Mac and cheese and mashed potato sides. We also ordered a mocktail, something lime and coconut ish, which was truly outstanding. All the food was SO good, and the portions were really big which surprised (and delighted!) us. The server was very nice, perhaps not the most bubbly, but she was extremely accommodating regarding a dietary restriction which we appreciated. She was understanding and validating, which went a long way with us! This is such a great neighborhood spot with a menu so varied, there's something for everyone. Can't wait to return and try some ramen on a fall night soon!

    Photos
    Gretel - Flowers

    Flowers

    Gretel - Outstanding butter & brine oysters from portsmouth maine

    Outstanding butter & brine oysters from portsmouth maine

    Gretel - Beautiful italian orange wine with great minerality

    See all

    Beautiful italian orange wine with great minerality

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Dry Aged Bone In Ribeye

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

    4.6(3.6k reviews)
    0.8 mi•River North, Near North Side
    •$$$$

    Came here for a weekend in Chicago, heard so many good things about it including my chicago local…read morefriends. It's a dark chicago pub looking place with dim lighting and mood lighting, making it look exactly like you'd imagine. We came for walk in at 4 and were told we could sit at the bar immediately or wait for a table. We chose to wait for a table because we weren't fully hungry yet, and got a callback at 5, perfect for us. We ordered the sourdough, crab avocado salad, dry aged ribeye, fried chicken, and mac and cheese. Sourdough: 10/10- ate the entire loaf before we even got the appetizers. Salad: 10/10- amazing flavor and unique. We usually never order salad but this sounded so unique and didn't disappoint - creamy, acidic, perfect appetizer. Fried Chicken: 8/10- above average fried chicken on mashed potatoes. Well spiced but nothing to write home about. Ribeye: 10/10- great steak and honestly not bad pricing. Great crust and flavor, would definitely recommend to split for 2 since it's big. Mac and Cheese: 4/10- pasta was not hot and was undercooked. I usually like al dente but this pasta was hard. It was barely cheesy and was like a alfredo sauce more than cheesy, and the crust on top was lukewarm and stagnant like it had been sitting there. Overall great experience but avoid the mac and cheese.

    Classic Ribeye-Chicago Cut (5/5): Delicious steak that was well seasoned and well cooked but it…read moredidn't wasn't as good as the ribeye I had at Vegas Bavettes. Truffle Mac & Cheese (5/5): Very creamy and cheesy with a lot of truffle flavor that actually came through. I really liked this. 10oz Double Wagyu Cheeseburger (4/5): A good burger but nothing super special. The bun was also a bit dry. The side of fries was good. Sizzling Shrimp Scampi (3/5): Got this for the garlic bread that I LOVED in Vegas, but this was not the same. No smokiness and very little garlic flavor. Pretty disappointed. The shrimp was fine though. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

    Photos
    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Inside Upstairs

    Inside Upstairs

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Bone Marrow

    Bone Marrow

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - Waiting area and first floor dining

    See all

    Waiting area and first floor dining

    No Vacancy

    No Vacancy

    4.5(181 reviews)
    0.9 mi•River North, Near North Side
    •$$

    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.

    Great place for late dinner (kitchen open until 11pm on weekdays). I was in the mood for some…read morechicken wings and yes, No Vacancy for the win. Good draft, liquor and can/bottle selection and great menu for food. Buffalo style wings were suberb!

    Photos
    No Vacancy
    No Vacancy - Blackened Fresh Florida Grouper Sandwich

    Blackened Fresh Florida Grouper Sandwich

    No Vacancy - Pigs in a Blanket

    See all

    Pigs in a Blanket

    Ema - Salmon bab.

    Ema

    4.3(2k reviews)
    0.8 mi•Near North Side
    •$$

    I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

    Mixed feelings on this place. Really pretty decor and nice vibe, but portions have greatly…read moredecreased in the last few years. The food is good, but I don't like that the portions have gotten smaller with the price staying the same. I've added pictures to show the difference. Their spicy hummus is probably my favorite hummus I've gotten from a restaurant, but it isn't always on the menu. The Kefta kabob is always good.

    Photos
    Ema - Ema tables and bar

    Ema tables and bar

    Ema - Tuna & Watermelon*  june 2026.

    Tuna & Watermelon* june 2026.

    Ema - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    The Berghoff Restaurant - bars - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...