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The Exchange

4.0 (144 reviews)
Closed • Closed

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Services - The Exchange

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The Exchange Photos

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THE EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Classy
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

Recommended Reviews - The Exchange

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Gnocchi
Cassie C.

Stumbled in here randomly with coworkers when looking for a lunch spot and was pleasantly surprised! It is much bigger than it seems from the outside and the dark first room; we sat in a large beautiful space just past that. I will say it was a late lunch time on a weekday so they were not very busy at all, which probably helped. But service was good and so was our food. Large portions and a lot of options for everyone on the menu no matter what you're craving or dietary restrictions. I opted for the gnocchi with prosciutto on top which was super delicious. We had some of the hummus too which was good and had great sides. Overall really enjoyed our food and experience here.

Adriana F.

Three Stars for the Sprouts, One Star for the Vibes I want to like this place--I really do. But my first visit felt like accidentally crashing a vampire book club. We walked in hoping for a lovely time in the atrium, but alas, it was closed for a private party. Fine. I get it. People like exclusivity. So we were ushered indoors to what I can only describe as the "Gothic Mustiness Lounge." It was dark. It was damp. It felt like the setting of a moody indie film where someone gets emotionally betrayed over a charcuterie board. Undeterred (okay, mildly deterred), we ordered light: roasted Brussels sprouts, a salad, and some tea. The sprouts came in hot, metaphorically and literally--crispy little flavor bombs. The salad? It was fine. It existed. The tea? It was... there. Let's just say, no one in our party was inspired to start a cocktail-fueled Yelp poetry slam. We ate fast and fled faster, possibly to escape a ghost. But hey--sprouts were good. So I might go back... with garlic, just in case. Okay I exaggerate a little!!

Brie serving up Drinks in humor and style!
Chris g.

Great food but even better staff. We stopped in for lunch and drinks during OASIS weekend. Brie (Briensa?) was our server. She was funny, accommodating and a great representative of the Exchange. This place is gorgeous inside -- former railroad executive building -- and the cocktails are amazing Highly recommend!

Roasted chicken with potatoes
Joshua Q.

When I first saw The Exchange, I was not sure how to receive it. I saw some pictures and read some of the reviews. I decided to try it out during restaurant week. Here is my review: Ambiance This place is beautiful. The venue itself is definitely a place you would see for fancy get together and weddings. The area where I was sat at was close to the front. That would be the area before the main dinning area. The place was slightly dark, which had a nice ambiance. I would say the issue would be that whenever someone would open the door, you do get a cold breeze that hits you for a little bit. Service The service was good. The hostess was courteous and the waitress was friendly. The staff also cleared the plates at a good pace where we did not have a bunch of empty plates around. One thing I would say was a little disappointing was that the waitress did stop by but did not ask us if we would like more water. The water carafe that was left was empty for about 1/2 of the meal and nothing was really mentioned. Food These were the items I got from restaurant week. Oysters The oysters were fresh and came with lemons and a minuet sauce. The sauce paired nicely with the oyster. The plating was whimsical as well. Pigs in a blanket This seemed like an odd item to serve as an appetizer. Instead of a pancake, they used a puff pastry and it was accompanied by a mustard sauce. The dish was flavorful and the mustard sauce worked well with the pigs in a blanket. The crispy puff pastry is a nice twist making the dish feel lighter. Roasted chicken You get a roasted chicken thigh and leg laying on some potatoes and covered with an au jus. There was a side of tzatziki sauce. This was a flavorful dish. The chicken had a nice crispy skin and potatoes and sauce. I liked the tzatziki sauce but it seemed more like an optional sauce but not really necessary. Pasta w/ bolognese sauce The pata was similar to a gemelo pasta and worked well with holding the sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly for me with a nice toothsome feel. The sauce was a good bolognese and was topped with some cheese. Horchata tiramisu This dessert was a nice end to the meal. It was light and had a nice mild flavor. Comparing it to its original counterpart, the horchata has a more subtle taste compared to the espresso which can be appealing to those who would like a lighter flavor than being overwhelmed. Overall The food was good. I would say the ambience would out shine the service and the food. The service was good and I thought the food was prepared very well.

This was incredible! Black pepper tofu
Tigui D.

Beautiful space with many different options to enjoy the space. Service was great and the food was even better! We were genuinely surprised at how tasty the food was because the menu looks so basic but don't judge a restaurant by its menu lol We will definitely go back to try the other items. Great experience.

Asian Chopped Salad (v)
Robin A.

The service and atmosphere are great! My Asian Chopped Salad (v) was top notch! Fresh, flavorful, and filling - it was way too much food for me but I managed to eat most of it. So good.

Entrance on Michigan Avenue to cafe area
Jeannie W.

Dined here before a Friday show at the Auditorium Theater. We had reservations for 5:45pm and were seated promptly in the cafe area adjacent to the atrium. It was a warm cozy space. My friend arrived in time for the happy hour menu and ordered us Old Fashioned cocktails, crab cakes and Brussel sprouts--all were delicious. Our entrees were okay. The curry was less flavorful than expected. The truffle fries were perfect. The petite filet was cooked perfectly however the 5 spice or whatever it was in the sauce was a bit overpowering and I would have preferred it just with the herbed butter and more salt. It needed more salt and pepper imo. The yellow curry was barely spicy at all. The crispy tofu was flavorless. My friend tried mixing it up and adding salt but the curry was overall lacking in flavor. We were truly surprised as it came highly recommended by our server. We would have ordered dessert but time did not allow. Portions were generous. Overall this is an excellent place for drinks and apps, I would come back to try different entrees. You cannot beat the downtown location. Now the space is stunning and even more so decorated for Christmas. You can easily see how well suited it is for private events and weddings. I'm so glad we settled on this for drinks and dinner. It's really amazing to be able to dine in this architectural gem. Note: The Jackson street entrance is closed off after a certain time. I entered that way before 6pm and you'll see The Railway Exchange above the doors as you enter. After that the Michigan Avenue entrance and exit is your only option.

Turkey Club
Brian P.

Ehhhh! I wanted to like them so bad but I have to say they missed the mark. Let me be clear: The ambience is absolutely lovely! It's the peak of Chicago interior design and architecture. They have 3 areas. A cafe style, the main restaurant area, and smaller private bar. Pro-Tip 1: The main restaurant area carries a nice echo. Pro-Tip 2: The private bar is often rented out for bridal parties, etc. I spotted my server sitting multiple times. We had to find him at least once. He was the only one for the entire restaurant (we came for lunch). I ordered the turkey club + avocado. And it SO SALTY that I couldn't even finish the first half of it. I had to send it back. My wife pulled half the meat off hers and stuffed it down. I wasn't doing that. I asked for a regular bacon cheeseburger. It took the kitchen TWENTY MINUTES to bring out my new order. It took so long that I had to leave. After telling them I was leaving, it still took another 5-ish minutes. Apparently the manager told us that the chef was in a meeting. They apologized and gave us two drink cards for our next visit.

Karen C.

I came here with two friends for Chicago Restaurant Week for the $59/dinners!! The surroundings are so beautiful! It would've been more refreshing to see it in daylight too. I thought the courses were just alright! I appreciated the complimentary Prosecco. The shrimp was too salty and the restaurant weeks dessert items were out, so we had to settle on a basic chocolate spread and bread. :/ Our server was friendly though!

Maya S.

Really great food! A bit pricey, but this is a higher end restaurant. Service was very nice. Even though the food is great I feel like this is more of a place that you go to for the atmosphere.

Menu
Amanda H.

My boyfriend and I stopped by The Exchange before going to the Chicago Institute of Art. To drink (not pictured), we got a glass of wine. We struck up conversation with ur AWESOME bartender who made us lemon drop shots and welcomed us to Chicago with a warm shot of malort (IYKYK). Our bartender, whose name is escaping me, was kind enough to give us recommendations on where to grab dinner and go out on a Thursday night lol. For appetizers, we split the Buffalo cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. The cauliflower was tasty and paired well with the dip. The Brussels sprouts ware a hefty portion so be prepared! I hope we make our way back to Chicago soon!

Micaela W.

Was pleasantly surprised by this place and how expansive the restaurant is--it opens up into the center ballroom area that has a ceiling similar to the 3 Arts Club Cafe. It was very pretty and calming inside and maybe a good place for a wedding banquet? The menu didn't have a ton of dinner options (mostly sandwiches and some pastas). The bolognese was very filling, ask for a slice of lemon to squeeze over top. The BUNS were really good and you can't go wrong with tiramisu! Also happy to see a few good non-alc options :)

Cesar salad with chicken.
Jacqueline A.

Highly recommend this spot. We had dinner here prior to seeing the symphony. The staff were all very kind and attentive. They had a great happy hour going and our drinks were great, I had a red wine and my husband enjoyed the old fashioned. The ambiance was very welcoming and pretty. My husband had the special which was steak and frites and I had a chicken Cesar salad and the bread rolls were wonderful. Highly recommend!

Stunning interior

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1 year ago

Awesome grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch and my strawberry gimlet was fab. No clue why this place isn't packed!

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3 years ago

Absolutely amazing! Go here for steph as your bartender. She is so friendly and fun! She made our experience!!

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4 years ago

3.8. Nice aesthetic in the atrium. Food was good (got the chicken) but the wine did not seem reduced fully. It had a nice crisp, however.

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La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

4.6(118 reviews)
2.1 mi•Pilsen
•$$

A beautiful, eclectic coffee house just outside of Chinatown, La Malinche was the perfect place for…read morea casual late breakfast. With a cozy locals vibe, there was a mix of young professionals on laptops and families starting the morning. The bright aesethics of Mexican heritage and decor celebrating local artists make the space inspiring and energizing. The coffee was great. I got the horchata latte, which tasted even better than I hoped. I also ordered a El Chavo Torta, a deceptively simple sandwich that was incredibly delicious. I don't know what they put in the bread or what magical place they bought the cheese from, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it. When I'm in Chicago again, La Malinche is on my list of must visit spots.

Stopped by La Malinche Coffee & Tea House in Pilsen to try something new. Place is nice and quiet…read more Bright pink walls, little decorative hearts, alebrijes all around and full piano in the room. Felt cozy right away. The staff were really welcoming, for an early morning. I got the hot chocolate. Honestly that's exactly what I needed that morning. It had that real Mexican chocolate taste. Thick, creamy, smooth and rich. The cinnamon came through warm but not too strong, plus a little extra on top that hit your nose before the first sip. Sweet and it almost had this slight earthy note too... hard to explain but good. It even had that little design on top, like the ones they do on cappuccinos. Didn't expect that but it was cool. I finished it slow. Didn't wanna rush it. Just sat there taking small sips and enjoying it while it was still hot.

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La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Beautiful colorful vibes

Beautiful colorful vibes

La Malinche Coffee & Tea House
La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Horchata matcha

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Horchata matcha

Bar Sotto

Bar Sotto

4.4(28 reviews)
0.3 mi•The Loop

We visited Bar Sotto during Chicago Restaurant Week and had a really enjoyable overall experience…read more The space has a cozy, dimly lit, intimate vibe perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. It feels upscale but still comfortable. Service was attentive and paced well, especially considering it was Restaurant Week and fairly busy. The Restaurant Week menu offered a great variety. We started with the crispy arancini, which were perfectly golden on the outside and creamy inside with a rich glaze that added a nice depth of flavor. The wild mushroom risotto had great earthy flavor and was very rich, definitely a heavier dish but satisfying if you are in the mood for something indulgent. The gnocchi were soft and pillowy with fresh basil and roasted tomatoes that brightened the dish nicely. For entrées, the filet mignon was cooked beautifully, tender and medium rare with a flavorful sauce that complemented it well. The chicken parmesan had a solid crisp and good seasoning, though it leaned more classic than standout. Portions overall felt fair for the prix fixe price. Dessert was a sweet finish. The tiramisu was light, creamy, and not overly heavy, which we appreciated. Overall, 4 stars. Great ambiance and solid execution across the board. While nothing completely blew us away, it was a well done Restaurant Week experience and I would definitely come back to try more from their regular menu.

It's a really cool place as you walk in. The ambiance is dark and sultry. We were only stopping…read morein for a few drinks so we sat at the bar. The bartenders were friendly. Why a lower rating? We ordered a cocktail off of their menu and asked for it without one ingredient (simple syrup). They said they might be able to do it, but they would have to make it from scratch. Wait, does this mean their cocktails are all premade sitting in a jar under the bar? If I'm ordering a cocktail from a bar downtown & paying downtown prices, I'd like to think they're all going to be made from scratch by my bartender. The drink turned out pretty weak. We also had a smoked bourbon cocktail that was really nice, smoked in the glass at the bar with you.

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Bar Sotto - Lounge

Lounge

Bar Sotto
Bar Sotto

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Oliver’s - Aperol Spritz

Oliver’s

4.6(119 reviews)
1.4 mi•Near Southside

One of my friends is obsessed with this restaurant and their burger, so I had to go try. Oh my…read moregoodness it is SO good!!! I get the hype, and I see why everyone raves about it! First off, this was the best service I've ever received in my entire life. Truly, nothing topped this. The waiters were genuinely the most kind and fun loving ppl, and they be complimenting your dish choices, giving tips on how to elevate each dish, boxing up our food and putting it at the front desk, giving us pink floral plates because we said we liked their plates.... Just so genuinely kind! To start, we got the truffle gnocchi. Oh my goodness this was the MOST soft and pillowy gnocchi I've EVER had in my entire life. I don't think anything can beat the texture. Not tooo truffle-y either, which is great for folks that don't want to be drowned by that flavor. We also tried the toast royale. It was huge hunks of sourdough griddled with beef fat. This made for a very umami bite with that caramelized shallot butter on the side, but it was a bit heavy for us given how many other carbs we've already ordered. I'd definitely recommend getting this if you're with a big group! The star of the show - Oliver's cheeseburger. Now I'm not one that enjoys salt. This burger was SALTY... and I loved it??!! The salt comes from the 5 year aged cheddar and their sauce, which gave it such a rich and full bite. The French fries are truffle shoestring fries that comes with their sauce, and it's just so so so so good. I genuinely loved this meal a whole lot!!! Highly recommend!!

Oliver's off Wabash is slowly becoming my new favorite restaurant-- the cocktails are delicious,…read morethe food is consistently great, and the staff is friendly. I would recommend trying their burger/fries, the bread appetizer (toast royale) , the gin/raspberry cocktail, and the chocolate chip cookies! Note: Oliver's has gotten popular so make a reservation in advance otherwise you will be waiting awhile! Cons: I would say the atmosphere/area doesn't match the prices -- it can get kind of expensive so I would recommend checking out their happy hour or their late hour deals. BUT the food has been so good that I keep coming back either way!!

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Oliver’s - Dining room

Dining room

Oliver’s - 07.31.24 Fluke tartare

07.31.24 Fluke tartare

Oliver’s - The kitchen

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The kitchen

Trivoli Tavern - Corn bread

Trivoli Tavern

4.5(971 reviews)
1.3 mi•West Loop, Near West Side
•$$

We stumbled upon Trivoli Tavern quite by accident. Walking…read morethe streets, Thank goodness we made a right when we did. This is a sheer delight! Everything from the music to the leather booth to the chandelier and the wallpaper it's like a gorgeous hunting lodge located in Tuscany somewhere. We loved the meatballs and marinara sauce. Great wine list. And the music... the music is just everything here. It's romantic it's nostalgic, a little dark and sexy. Great for a date night or a family gathering, birthday. I would come back here again and again. It is the perfect spot to be in the midst of a modern city.

So happy I snagged a reservation for this spot -- this was a highly rated restaurant and it…read moredefinitely lived up to the hype In regards of food: -- Pike Fish & Chips: 10/10 the reason I ordered this is because I read a review from someone who was British who said this was the best fish and chips they've ever had and I have to agree. The fish was so flaky and tender that it was falling apart. The breading was perfect. I also loved the fries it came with because they were crispy on the outside and had a good amount of potato in each bite -- Crispy Fried Chicken: 9/10 the breading was also perfect but I do think it's missing a good sauce. the dish is included with a bottle hot sauce but because I don't do spicy sauces, I did find the fried chicken a little dry on its own. Loved the coleslaw and mashed potatoes that came on the side though -- Lobster Mac and Cheese: 8/10 very creamy and cheesy but not much lobster flavor. wasn't a bad dish at all but I probably would skip this for next time because the other dishes were more of a standout -- Sticky Date Toffee: this is the dessert they're known for and I have to admit I was reluctant to try it at first. I don't really like dates or toffee and I had read a few reviews who mentioned it was a little salty. I'm not sure if they adjusted the saltiness based on feedback but I didn't find the dessert too salty at all. It felt so balanced- the warm sponge cake, the toffee sauce, the cold ice cream and crumbs for a little bit of texture all came together perfectly In the future I hope to try their vodka pasta with spicy sausage, their chicken pot pie, their cornbread, and Bella Punch or Cosmo In terms of service, our waitress was extremely attentive and sweet -- multiple wait staff were keeping our water filled and checking in with us But outside of the food and service, I will say I was a little disappointed they charge for reservations here - it's $2.50 person and even though the cost isn't that high, I think the concept of charging for a reservation versus taking a deposit or charging a no show fee is hard for me to get behind Keep in mind they also have a 3% surcharge included in the bill as well But overall I loved my experience dining here-- I think the have so many amazing dishes to try and it was so hard to choose so I definitely would love to come back to try more

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Trivoli Tavern - Gelato & sticky date cake

Gelato & sticky date cake

Trivoli Tavern - Butterfinger pie

Butterfinger pie

Trivoli Tavern - Chicken pot pie

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Chicken pot pie

Apolonia - Pistachio ice cream

Apolonia

4.4(328 reviews)
1.8 mi•Near Southside
•$$$

Had a casual dinner here over a weekend Drinks were on…read morepoint and boozy The bread was phenomenal The pastas are fresh in house and all of the food was great Overall would recommend to anyone - veggie friendly as well

I was trying to decide on a final location to dine at for restaurant week and happened upon…read moreApolonia. Made a reservation and was seated right away on a Sunday for brunch. I loved the modern interior and child enjoyed the fuzzy, soft undersides of the tables. I ordered from the restaurant week menu and had the following: warm seafood salad (calamar, octopus, lemon vinaigrette), cacio e pepe' polenta (brisket ragù, sunny egg), and cinnamon roll. I didn't care for the warm seafood salad as it was overly oily and passed it off to hubby to finish. The cacio e pepe polenta was good but the portion size was so small I finished it in like 3 bites. I was excited for the cinnamon roll but it was a letdown. Our friend who dined with us described it as the "driest cinnamon roll he has ever eaten." I ordered the frittata Española (potatoes, fontina, piperade) for my child which was pretty standard. There was maybe a 30 minute delay between the time we finished each dish and when the next one would appear. The restaurant wasn't terribly busy but there seemed like there were only 2 chefs working at the time.

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Apolonia
Apolonia - Salmon crudo

Salmon crudo

Apolonia - 08.21.25 Kale and brussels sprouts was also good.

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08.21.25 Kale and brussels sprouts was also good.

The Exchange - bars - Updated May 2026

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