
The Publican
A lively Fulton Market spot known for creative seafood and pork dishes, global brews, and a European beer hall vibe.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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The Publican

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lively Fulton Market spot known for creative seafood and pork dishes, global brews, and a European beer hall vibe.
"Experience phenomenal food and a festive atmosphere; a must-visit in Chicago!"
Book Ahead for Service
Request seating in advance or seek out attentive servers like Blake for an enhanced service experience.
Off-Peak Visits
Consider visiting during less busy times to avoid the crowd and enjoy a more peaceful dining experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
$$$
Phone
(312) 733-9555
Address
837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Website
thepublicanrestaurant.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Exceptional Oysters and Seafood
Dive into a curated selection of fresh, premium oysters and creative seafood dishes, perfectly complemented by global brews.

Bacon and Brunch Delights
Indulge in a hearty brunch featuring standout dishes like thick-cut maple-braised bacon and delicious waffles.

European Beer Hall Ambiance
Experience a unique atmosphere with communal tables, reminiscent of a lively European beer hall.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Service
Request seating in advance or seek out attentive servers like Blake for an enhanced service experience.
Off-Peak Visits
Consider visiting during less busy times to avoid the crowd and enjoy a more peaceful dining experience.
Ask About Portions
Don't hesitate to ask your server for details on portion sizes and prices if you're uncertain.
Don't Miss the Carrots
The BBQ carrots are an unexpected star, smoky, sweet, and perfectly charred. A must-try!
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Service
Request seating in advance or seek out attentive servers like Blake for an enhanced service experience.
Off-Peak Visits
Consider visiting during less busy times to avoid the crowd and enjoy a more peaceful dining experience.
Ask About Portions
Don't hesitate to ask your server for details on portion sizes and prices if you're uncertain.
Don't Miss the Carrots
The BBQ carrots are an unexpected star, smoky, sweet, and perfectly charred. A must-try!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners frequently praise The Publican for its exceptional food quality, particularly its fresh oysters and creative seafood and pork dishes. The lively, European beer hall atmosphere and communal tables contribute to a festive dining experience. However, some guests have noted issues with slow or inconsistent service, and the presence of vendors can be disruptive for some.
"An Ode to The Publican
In Fulton’s heart where markets hum,
There lives a spot where foodies come.
The Publican—both bold and bright,
A place that always gets it right…
(Well—almost always, to be fair,
But kindness floats through every chair.)
The booths, oh bliss! They close you in—
A cozy nook amidst the din.
Or gather ‘round long tables wide,
Where strangers sit and smiles abide.
A haven for your whole loud crew,
With seats for twelve and maybe two.
The menu? Witty, warm, and kind—
With plates for every taste and mind.
Pork and pickles, bread and beer,
A rustic feast awaits you here.
We hit a snag—some dishes strayed—
But Kim appeared, calm and unfrayed.
With gracious care and knowing nod,
She fixed our night (we gave a laud!).
Her kindness, like the wine, did pour,
And we’ll return forevermore.
For long before the scene got hot,
The Publican had claimed its spot.
A pioneer with charm and clout—
Still standing strong, still dishing out.
So here’s to seats and meals well-spun,
And Kim—our hero, bar to none.
To Fulton’s soul, its heart, its spark—
The Publican, a glowing mark."
Madeleine England
"Food was 5/5 ! Clean + delicious salads for lunch. Ingredients taste fresh and high quality. The oysters were absolutely delish. Lovely simple mignonette served with it just the way I like it.
Only let down was the slow service. But the waiters were all pleasant and nice."
Bashaer MG
"Awesome spot in Fulton Market—perfect for a date night or celebration. The vibe is stylish but welcoming, and service was great throughout.
Drinks were solid (Grandma’s Cure is a perfect start—balanced and easy to sip). Oysters were fresh, especially the West Coast picks.
You have to get the BBQ carrots—the unexpected star of the night. Smoky, sweet, perfectly charred, and big enough to share. Honestly, they outshined everything else.
The beef fat fries are another can’t-miss—crispy, rich, and perfect with the aioli.
For mains, the salmon had a nice sweet glaze and was cooked well. The butcher’s block steak had good flavor, though a bit more done than I’d like. Still enjoyable.
Dessert sealed the night—the Millionaire Tart is a rich, over-the-top combo of chocolate pie and cheesecake.
Fun, elevated, and definitely worth a visit."
John Allie
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The Publican is celebrated for its creative seafood and pork dishes, especially its fresh oysters, beef-fat fries, BBQ carrots, and thick slab of bacon.
Yes, The Publican offers a popular weekend brunch with irresistible dishes, often featuring seasonal ingredients.
The restaurant has a unique atmosphere resembling a European beer hall with communal tables, making it a lively and bustling spot.
Yes, The Publican dedicates a portion of its menu to vegetable dishes, ensuring options for vegetarians.
For a better service experience, consider requesting seating ahead of time or look out for standout servers.
Absolutely! The Publican offers a wide selection of global brews and a creative list of cocktails.
While not explicitly stated for all situations, it's generally advisable to request seating ahead for better service, especially during peak times.
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Don't call this beer-focused hot spot a gastropub—chef Paul Kahan prefers "beer hall" (though wine is available, too) and with the long communal tables, at which beer connoisseurs sample from a selection hovering above 50 brews, the bustling space has the air of an Oktoberfest celebration. The seafood- and pork-focused menu gives an elevated nod to pub fare, though there are plenty of veggie-friendly dishes as well.
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Just like there's no need for an alarm on the weekends, there's no reason to be counting calories at brunch. This West Loop institution offers irresistible dishes for pigging out on, such as shrimp and grits, piri piri chicken schnitzel and waffles served with honey butter, jam and maple syrup. Promote yourself to hero status when you order the maple-braised bacon for the table to share.
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Designed to emulate a European beer hall with its communal tables, this Fulton Market eatery debuted in 2008. Heavy on charcuterie and oysters, and of course beer, it’s open for dinner daily plus weekend brunch (from shakshuka to French toast, it’s a mix of sweet and savory). Vegetarians can find bliss here thanks to a portion of the menu dedicated to vegetable dishes.
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The sidewalk patio at The Publican has plenty of space between tables, seatings are limited to no more than one hour and 45 minutes, and you must pre-pay and pre-order. Plus, there’s a $60 minimum. As far as the food goes, this place is known for its pork and beer, but also has great seafood and a whole section of the menu devoted to vegetables.
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My friend Chef Paul Kahan's spots are all spectacular, but I often find myself at The Publican. If I'm planning to go all out, the tasting menu at Chef Tony Mantuano's Spiaggia is hard to beat.
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The Fulton Market nose-to-tail pioneer debuted its first ever lunch service in late April, shaking up the neighborhood lunch scene with their three-course “pub-fixe” menu among other enticing midday options. From 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, $25 gets diners an appetizer like rillettes with seasonal jam and fresh-baked bread, a main like porchetta panzanella with French peas, puntarelle and zesty citrus or mussels steamed in Belgian lambic and accompanied by crispy frites plus a sweet treat (our money’s on the ice cream “chan-wich,” a mess of black walnut ice cream cradled between two homemade honey oat cookies). “Work day bevs” like Goose Island craft sodas, Sparrow coffee and herbaceous spirit-free cocktails from Head Bartender Melissa Romanos quench your thirst and keep you sharp while a full list of thoughtful cocktails, wine and award-winning craft beer is on hand for the liquid lunch crowd.
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Bread plate at The Publican You can order just the bread alone ($4) at the West Loop restaurant, thick yet airy slabs of barely toasted Spence Farm multigrain 1979 sourdough (the year an inside joke referencing the many grains and the decade of love for all things granola and grainy). It’s the signature bake by Publican Quality Bread head baker Greg Wade, this year’s James Beard award Outstanding Baker nominee. But I highly recommend adding all three available spreads ($7 extra) for the full sensory experience: creamy cultured butter with sea salt, intriguing sunflower seed sikil pak dip with mint, and chunky white cheddar pimento cheese.
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Gather a group for a visit to this modern-day, colonial American beer hall, which draws masses on the daily for its celebration of oysters, pork, and beer. Snag a spot and prepare to sample through the Midwest in no time—the chefs here turn to more than 10 different farms to round out their menu, which includes items like delicata squash from Spence Farm, country rib from Slagel Family Farm, and blackberry corn cake with blackberry curd from Seedling Fruit. Pair them up with any of the restaurant’s beers, and don’t be shy in asking for guidance—after all, more than 50 options are on offer.
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The brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Paul Kahan, Publican cranks out unconventional bites to the delight of its many fans. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays and the seasonal menu changes by the week, but always includes the freshest ingredients and produce, such as fava bean sandwich with runny eggs or a cauliflower scramble with romesco sauce (all of the dishes are vegetarian by default, but you can add bacon or sausage to any of them). Publican's "Libations" menu is just as creative as their food menu, with fresh juice cocktails or their signature witbier mimosa.
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While fans of Fulton Market’s modern American beer hall The Publican can currently kick back with beer, pork, and oysters on the restaurant’s massive heated sidewalk patio, the team is upgrading the outdoor setup for winter with a semi-enclosed structure outfitted with integrated heaters, which should be ready by the end of the year. If you are looking for things to do in Chicago, visit The Publican to order a Spiced Pear Toddy or a Mulled Wine. The signature lineup of hearty, rustic favorites will help guests stretch patio season into a year-round affair.
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When your infamous motto is “beer, pork, and oysters” you go big for National Oyster Day. This Fulton Market institution is getting things started early and going all in on rosé… magnums of it to be exact. Enjoy 1.5 liters of Mon Rose rosé for $40 a bottle with your crew, plus Island Creek oysters sold for $2 / piece starting at *2 p.m.* whether you’re parked on the patio or in the dining room.
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The Publican is a fun and creative seafood & pork-focused restaurant in a hip setting. “An homage to oysters, pork and beer, The Publican’s eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare in a space evocative of a European beer hall. Chef-Partner Paul Kahan has developed a network of purveyors to supply the restaurant with hand-selected and sustainably-raised fish, seafood and pork.
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The Publican has become a part of the fabric of Fulton Market highlighting farm-to-table fare long before it was a culinary catch-phrase. Among the first to open in the uncharted meatpacking district in 2008, its star has not dimmed. Driven by seasonality with menus shifting constantly, you can always count on some of the best bread in the city fresh from the restaurant's own bakery.
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James Beard Award-winning Fulton Market mainstay The Publican is the spot to go for oyster and martini-centric happy hour specials, available on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Unwind and indulge with $2 oysters, $7 beef fat fries, $16 smashburgers and more, accompanied by a well-endowed selection of $12 cocktails, including martinis, Compassbox whiskey highballs and BAYAB gin and tonics.
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It is never fun dining in a place where you can touch both walls stretching your arms. If space is something you care about in restaurants, The Republican just became your favorite even before putting a meal on your tongue.High ceilings and spaced-out communal tables greet you as you make entry to the restaurant. The feeling in the air is like you are in a big beer hall.
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Executive Pastry Chef Erika Chan has a thing for ice cream sandwiches. These “Chan-wiches” are works of art, with rotating flavors of ice cream sandwiched between housemade cinnamon, chocolate spice, or chocolate nib cookies. Black walnut, Irish cream, and lemon gingersnap sandwiches have all been hits, but blueberry cheesecake is Chan’s personal favorite.
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A West Loop staple, Publican has been on many of Chicago’s best brunch lists. Their menu offers approachable yet elevated classics, as well as more unusual dishes that you might not normally think of for brunch (raw oysters, soft shell crab sandwich and weisswurst to name a few). Their Saturday and Sunday menus vary slightly, but both are awesome!
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An unbelievably savory weekend brunch awaits at The Publican in Fulton Market. Their menu features elevated takes on classic brunch dishes, including Red Wine Poached Eggs, Crab Scrambled Eggs & Waffles as well as fresh pastries. And, if that’s not enticing enough, The Publican also offers a brunch lover’s two favorite words: bottomless mimosas.
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The Publican**:** You might make friends at one of the massive communal tables at this brunch hotspot from Paul Kahan, but no matter how much you like them, you won’t want to share your order of pork rinds. Or your syrup-braised bacon. Or any other pork-centric dish, really—this place is one giant tribute to everyone’s favorite magical animal.
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837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607312-733-9555 Visit Website. Located in Fulton Market, The Publican is a European gastropub specializing in pork, oysters, and beer. The Publican’s giant space looks like a 16th-century European banquet hall with rustic décor and features a large walnut communal table that can seat up to 100 people.
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Or those seeking a more relaxed setting, the popular The Publican offers guests an array of classic pub food and craft beers. Cruz Blanca Brewery & Taqueria also offers diners Mexican street food and beer from their brewery. This vibrant city has everything for a nice place to eat or a casual hangout.
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Oysters, vegetables, seafood, meat, bread (basically all the essentials) are what The Publican Restauranta in the West Loop has to offer. Each rustic dish looks to showcase the best seasonal and local ingredients available. The dining experience is also elevated with the notch drink selection.
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About: Beer enthusiasts with doggos will certainly want to check out The Publican. This classy eatery has an impressive brew list, featuring imported Belgian pints, and your dog will have a blast keeping your company on the property’s dog-friendly patio. Address: 550 Plandome Rd, Manhasset
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Address: 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607Phone:+1 (312) 733-9555Details: $$$, American restaurant. The Publican is a Michelin star restaurant located in the vibrant Fulton Market neighborhood in Chicago. The restaurant offers a meat-centric menu with a focus on family-style sharing.
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In Chicago’s Fulton Market district, you’ll find the charming and creative restaurant The Publican. This restaurant offers seafood and pork dishes along with tasty zero-proof mocktails. The mocktails and cocktails offer seasonal selections and creative blends of ingredients.
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The Publican is a raw bar located in Fulton Market in Downtown Chicago. If you’re vegetarian, it’s probably not your jam — the staple ingredient on the menu is meat. However, they do offer some seafood and vegetable dishes, so there’s a little something for everyone.
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The Publican's focus on bringing a sense of delicacy to farmhouse fare shines through in each of its menus but brunch here is especially charming. You'll find plenty of sausage and other iterations of pork on the menu, but vegetarians will never leave hungry either.
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When I stopped by The Publican, I noticed how lively the place felt, with big communal tables and a busy vibe that made it feel like a buzzing neighborhood spot. The setting was modern but comfortable. The oyster selection looked fresh and carefully curated.
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This popular restaurant is known for its farmhouse-style cuisine and communal tables, making it a great choice for brunch with friends. The menu features hearty dishes like pork belly hash and omelets with house-made sausage.
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Yes, Publican is a mecca for all things meat, but consider this your public service announcement to not sleep on Publican’s pasta dishes. The cuttlefish ink pasta is umami heaven.
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The Publican: The West Loop mainstay of chef Paul Kahan features a patio expanded into the closed-off street. The menu as always features an array of meat, seafood and vegetables.
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🥈 The Publican — Ask all of your oyster questions here because the staff at this Fulton Market restaurant are super knowledgeable.
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