
Oriole
An intimate, high-end kitchen offering an extended New American tasting menu with impeccable service and a unique entrance.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Oriole

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An intimate, high-end kitchen offering an extended New American tasting menu with impeccable service and a unique entrance.
"Easily the most memorable dining experience I've ever had."
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; consider weekdays for a quieter experience.
Consider Drink Pairings
Opt for the wine or spirit-free pairings recommended by knowledgeable staff for an enhanced culinary journey.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Elevator Entrance
Enter through an old freight elevator, a historical journey that sets a dramatic and stylish tone for the evening.

Impeccable Service & Ambiance
Experience attentive, warm service and a cozy, sophisticated ambiance perfect for special occasions.

Culinary Artistry on a Plate
Savor an extended New American tasting menu with creative, elegant dishes and delightful flavor combinations.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; consider weekdays for a quieter experience.
Consider Drink Pairings
Opt for the wine or spirit-free pairings recommended by knowledgeable staff for an enhanced culinary journey.
Embrace Unique Flavors
Be open to trying adventurous dishes, even if they deviate from familiar tastes.
Stay in the Loft
Enhance your visit by staying in the adjacent loft, offering a visually captivating experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high demand; consider weekdays for a quieter experience.
Consider Drink Pairings
Opt for the wine or spirit-free pairings recommended by knowledgeable staff for an enhanced culinary journey.
Embrace Unique Flavors
Be open to trying adventurous dishes, even if they deviate from familiar tastes.
Stay in the Loft
Enhance your visit by staying in the adjacent loft, offering a visually captivating experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Oriole offers a highly acclaimed fine-dining experience with impeccable service and a unique atmosphere, often cited as a once-in-a-lifetime meal. While many rave about the creativity and overall experience, some reviews suggest occasional hits and misses in flavor intensity, with a few dishes being a bit too salty or underwhelming for the price point.
"It's kinda hard to describe a restaurant like this without the massive disclaimer that you're really going on an experience that's more than just going for food.
I haven't been to a Michelin restaurant of this caliber so my expectations were fairly tempered going in.
I gotta say, I am thoroughly impressed and blown away with the whole experience, I really haven't ever had this level of hospitality or care in a restaurant. If you've wondered what a fine dining experience is like within an upper echelon restaurant I highly suggest trying Oriole at least once in your life, as it's truly an unforgettable experience and easily the most memorable dining experience I've ever had."
Nickolas Demertzis
"The vibe at this place was almost like a speakeasy. Hidden away behind an old school elevator, we were first given an amuse at the bar, then another bite at a table by the kitchen, before being led to our table. The table was huge! Almost as big as a table you see at dim sum places. This spaciousness along with ample spaces in between tables created a very relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
The food was amazing overall. We loved how creative the dishes were while being absolutely delicious. The earlier courses were on the sweet side and could use some editing to rein that in a bit. My favorite was the pasta course.
I tried the spirit free pairing, and the drinks were just as creative and tasty as the courses. I’d highly recommend it.
Overall a really great meal!"
Paul Cheong
"Really nice dining experience and superb service! We came with very high expectations and the level of service definitely did not fall short! The food however was a hit and miss and a bit underwhelming, perhaps past menus were a bit better judging by the pictures. Overall a great experience, but not wow."
Alon Juwal
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made well in advance due to the restaurant's popularity. It's advised to book as early as possible.
Oriole offers a welcoming atmosphere that is as suitable for suits and LBDs as it is for T-shirts and jeans, focusing on comfort and elegance.
Yes, Oriole offers wine and spirit-free beverage pairings. These are highly recommended by staff to enhance the tasting menu experience.
The restaurant is uniquely accessed via a non-working freight elevator in an alley, providing a distinctive and memorable start to the dining experience.
Oriole serves an extended New American tasting menu, featuring creative and elegant dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
While specific accommodations are not detailed, it's best to inform the restaurant of any dietary restrictions when making your reservation.
Yes, with its cozy ambiance, impeccable service, and sophisticated cuisine, Oriole is considered perfect for special occasions or indulgent nights out.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago - Chicago
Oriole is our highest-rated restaurant, and will give you one of the best meals of your life for a high price tag ($325). Despite the price, the environment (which you enter through a non-working freight elevator in an alley in the West Loop) isn’t stuffy at all. Attentive servers provide just the right amount of context while presenting you with dishes that will reframe your thoughts—like a truffle pasta with the power to finally convince you that truffles aren’t just a scam.
Restaurants in Chicago
There aren’t many restaurant dinners that start by entering through an alley and into a freight elevator, but nothing about Oriole is typical, from the secretive entrance to the warm, impeccable service to the hit parade of bites on Noah Sandoval’s $285 tasting menu. Wine pairings are a must, since the old-world, white-wine focus makes the flavors on the forward-thinking tasting menu truly sing.
19 Amazing Fancy Restaurants in Chicago
Situated off the beaten path of Restaurant Row, just east of the Kennedy Expressway, Oriole didn't fall for the traditional trappings of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The cozy, understated dining room is just as welcoming of suits and LBDs as it is of T-shirts and jeans. Chef-owner Noah Sandoval dresses up the table with a parade of edible masterpieces—each bite more spectacular than the last.
Best Restaurants in Chicago
Chef-owner Noah Sandoval’s contemporary American menu at this Michelin-star restaurant in the West Loop is impressive enough—think lamb belly with coriander meringue. Another reason to visit is the cocktails by Kumiko veteran Julia Momosé. The food largely inspires the drinks menu, and her creativity extends to spirit-free options.
Where to eat in Chicago, beyond the restaurants from ‘The Bear’
Tucked away on a quiet industrial street, Oriole may not look like much from the outside, but don’t be deceived: it’s one of Chicago’s finest restaurants. The menu is forever changing, but you can expect lots of seafood, exquisite plating and attentive service.
The 41 Best Things to Do in Chicago
The great Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel once confessed he is slow to award 4-star ratings, even in the famously exquisite local fine dining scene. He has granted only five—including to the legendary Alinea, which is also on this list—but in 2016 he added a sixth, a hidden gem west of the Loop called Oriole, named after the Baltimore Orioles baseball team by chef Noah Sandoval and his wife and business partner Cara, who appreciate all things Charm City. Since that rave, Oriole has continued to flourish, with a tasting menu (now $285) that has only ripened with time and three times the space, which is still likely not enough room to accommodate all those waiting for one of Chicago’s toughest reservations.
The 25 Best Restaurants In Chicago
Oriole is our highest-rated restaurant, and will give you one of the best meals of your life for a high price tag ($295). Despite the price, the environment (which you enter through a non-working freight elevator in an alley in the West Loop) isn’t stuffy at all. Attentive servers provide just the right amount of context while presenting you with dishes that will reframe your thoughts—like a truffle pasta with the power to finally convince you that truffles aren’t just a scam.
6 Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago, IL
Comfort and elegance is the best way to describing at Oriole with everything from the decor to the menu itself offering you an extremely pleasant dining experience. The 16-course meal comes in at $195, without the wine pairing, but trust us when we say you should definitely get the pairing if you can because of their incredible wine menu and sommelier. Despite recently losing pastry chef Genie Kwon, and chef de cuisine Tim Flores, Oriole has not missed a single beat.
Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago [2024]
Address: 661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661Phone:+1 (312) 877-5339Details: $$$$, Fine dining restaurant. Oriole is an exceptional Michelin-starred restaurant located in Chicago that offers a dining experience like no other. From the moment you walk in the door, to the time you walk out, Oriole gives you the perfect dining experience with impeccable service, creative and innovative food, and a beautiful dining room with very friendly and great service staff.
The 20 Most Expensive Restaurants in Chicago
If you can’t resist the siren call of a Michelin star, then head down to Oriole, one of the finest dining establishments in Illinois. The extended tasting menu from executive chef & owner Noah Sandoval and pastry chef & partner Genie Kwon may set you back around $178 per person but seeing as it’s the kind of gastronomic treat we should all get to experience at least once in a lifetime, we’re sure you‘ll find some way of justifying it to your other half.
The 14 Best Restaurants in Chicago to Try Right Now
This two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood is known for its meticulously crafted tasting menu. Accessed through a nondescript freight elevator, this restaurant offers an intimate dining experience that combines innovative dishes with impeccable service. The menu is fluid, adjust ed seasonally to incorporate the freshest ingredients available, sourced both locally and internationally.
Enjoy Oyster Season at Chicago’s Best Restaurants
Mesmerized by the quality and inventiveness of the offerings at Oriole, Chicago Magazine named the restaurant #2 on its listing of Chicago’s top restaurants. The magazine gushed about the oysters, particularly “a Beausoleil oyster soaking in a meaty jamón mangalica consommé with finger limes alongside a lobe of that same miraculous jamón accompanied by black walnuts, egg yolk, and quince.” You want it, you know you do.
These are the best restaurants in Chicago for a sublime meal
Oriole launched in 2016 and has since become one of the city’s best, beloved for its contemporary American cuisine. The beverage program is stellar, from the cocktails by Julia Momose to the well-curated pairings of either sake or wine (mixed and matched depending on what’s for dinner). This is the kind of place where you’re just a passenger, at the whim of a talented culinary team that loves to impress.
The 8 Best Fine dining Restaurants in Chicago
Oriole is a Chicago restaurant that used the downtime of the pandemic to double its dining and kitchen space, giving chef Noah Sandoval extra room to experiment. It offers a tasting menu in a relaxed setting, sometimes set to the chef’s favorite music, without leaning on unnecessary frills. This focus on creative yet unpretentious presentations makes Oriole an inviting spot for a special night out.
Top 22 Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago to Try in 2024
Hidden away in an alley, you might not know where to find Oriole if you aren’t looking for it – but that aura of mystery only adds to its appeal. The elegant he dining room and he well stocked bar will impress diners, and the constantly changing tasting menu will leave you in suspense until the moment you’re seated at your table. Where: 661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661 Price: $$$$
The 12 Best Restaurants in Chicago
With two Michelin stars to its name, Oriole can rightly claim to be one of the finest dining establishments in the US. But you would be forgiven for not knowing that as you approach its unassuming location down an alley-like street in Chicago’s West Loop. Go inside, however, and you are introduced to a world of wonder by Executive Chef and Owner Noah Sandoval.
The 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants In Chicago
What it is: Oriole is a special dining spot in the heart of Chicago, located at 661 W Walnut St. This welcoming place offers a charming and elegant evening out. The music playing in the background is chosen with care, adding a special touch to your meal. You'll find yourself surrounded by a lively and diverse group of people, making each visit unique.
Fine Dining in Chicago | Fancy Chicago Restaurants
Granted, it’s not that easy to spot the entrance to Oriole on the alley-side ground floor of a defunct glue factory in the West Loop. But once you realize your GPS is correct, and you see the discreet sign on the black-painted brick, you’re in for a treat. There’s the cinematic entrance to the den-like restaurant via a former freight elevator door.
20 of the Best Restaurants in Downtown Chicago
Oriole––located in Fulton Market in Downtown Chicago––serves American and Japanese food, as well as a fusion of both cuisines. However, it’s certainly not for the more budget-minded as the high prices reflect their high-level skill and service. Their menu offers a 13-course meal with food that is delicious, yet simply created and presented.
Best Sober Bars in Chicago for Non-Alcoholic Beer and Mocktails
Enjoy a lavish evening out at Oriole with its high-end kitchen and spirit-free pairing. Couple the multi-course tasting menu with its non-alcoholic drink pairing for a booze-free night out. Julia Momosé of location number 1 on this list created these complex spirit-free beverages to be just as flavorful and unique as traditional cocktails.
11 Best Fine-Dining Restaurants In Chicago To Eat At In 2024 (+ What To Order)
Hidden in the West Loop, Oriole offers a two-star Michelin gastronomic journey. The serene, minimalist interior with warm wood accents complements the interactive dining experience provided by the open kitchen. The Tasting Menu is a culinary performance, featuring rich Capellini with black truffle and the show-stopping Miyazaki Beef.
The Best Spot for Every Single Type of Chicago Date Night
If you’ve made it to five, ten, twenty or more years together, you deserve something extra special. Oriole has long been a foodie-favorite and after it’s post-pandemic revamp, it’s truly a must-try for a one-of-a-kind date night. Congrats on the milestone and enjoy a meal you’ll be talking about for the next five or ten years!
Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago | All 21 in 2024
Oriole is a contemporary American restaurant featuring an award-winning menu by Chef and owner Noah Sandoval, highlighting some of the best Chicago foods. This 2 Michelin star restaurant in Chicago recently received the Jean Banchet Award for Restaurant of the Year. The entire experience at Oriole is upscale and unforgettable.
15 Most Famous Restaurants in Chicago
It is a New American bistro that has received two Michelin stars every year since its opening. Apart from the Michelin stars, it has also bagged a Jean Banchet Award for the restaurant of the year. They have so many flavourful dishes on their multi-course menu that draw inspiration from all over the world.
Top 10 New Restaurants in Chicago | Blog
Guests are greeted outside and shown their way into the restaurant, where a cocktail awaits them. The inside has an industrial feel with polished concrete floors, wood ceilings and beams, and aged brick walls. Chef Noah Sandoval presents a 13-course tasting menu that is perfectly timed and oh-so-savory.
The Best Restaurant in Chicago
As a reader, you probably thought I was going to say the best Chicago restaurant was Valhalla, Ever, Esme, Oriole, Alinea, Kasama, Smyth or Elske. If you believed these to be the answer you might even be right, or at least true to your own heart. On certain days I believe these also to be the answer.
51 Best Restaurants in Chicago
661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661312-877-5339 Visit Website. Located in the Fulton River District, Oriole is a fine-dining, high-end kitchen specializing in New American dishes. Oriole is a small, intimate restaurant where you can enjoy a multi-course chef’s tasting menu that changes often.
[Upscale restaurants chicago] - Best Fancy Restaurants in Chicago
Situated off the beaten path of Restaurant Row, it is just east of the Kennedy Expressway, oriole didn’t like the traditional trappings of a restaurant. The dining room is just as welcoming as the T-shirts and jeans are. A chef dressed up the table with a parade of masterpieces.
33 Must-Try Chicago Restaurants for Foodies | Blog
This high-end New American restaurant earned itself two Michelin stars for its flavor-packed fare. Each seat at Oriole offers an intimate glimpse into a completely open kitchen. You can watch each course come together with care before it touches your table.
The Best Fine Dining Experiences In Chicago
Chef Noah Sandoval has made a name for himself in the Chicago hospitality industry with his exceptional skills and talents. Thanks to his dedication, he is the proud owner of 3 Michelin stars. He opened Oriole in 2016 and earned two Michelin stars yearly.
The 23 Chicago Restaurants Earning Michelin Stars in 2022
At the two- and three-star levels, the guide awarded no new entrants, with Alinea remaining the lone Chicago restaurant to claim the top prize, while Oriole, Smyth, Moody Tongue and Ever each retained their two stars.
23 Irresistible Date Night Restaurants in Chicago
Although, it’s the perfect place to celebrate an anniversary or birthday with your SO. Oriole is a 2 Michelin star-rated restaurant in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood. Oriole is formal dining at its best.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Chicago, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 5.0 / 5 (156 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (5.0/5), Service (5.0/5), Value (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $$$$- Address: 661 W. Walnut St., Chicago, IL 60661- Read more on Tripadvisor
Top 16 Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago (Updated 2022)
Oriole is another 2 star Michelin restaurant offering unique contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant is famous for its 14-course menu. Noah Sandoval is the chef behind the restaurant.
Full list: 20 Michelin-star restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
Oriole features contemporary fare, and Michelin recommends its raw hiramasa in apple broth. The extended tasting menu is $375 per person, and reservations can be made online.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit