The Kitchen American Bistro - Chicago

This place was a HIT! The Kitchen American Bistro was such an astounding VIBE! Views of the riverfront, beautiful skyscrapers, while the tourists sightseeing the beautiful historical buildings and their architecture on boat tours. People just plainly out and about enjoying their gorgeous Friday afternoon. Typically, just an another beautiful day in downtown Chicago! Reservations are highly encouraged but not required. Although, for the patio seating with the great view, I will most definitely make reservations for a secured seat. Parking was also valet which I love the convenience. A little spoiled in that terrible manner. Lol!! I was immediately acknowledged by the staff with her gracious hospitality didn’t catch her name. I checked in and was given my complimentary water as I walked to my reserved patio seating. I ordered the lobster roll, and their homemade focaccia along with my tasty Raspberry Beret margarita. Everything was delicious. Menu was simple for lunch and my order had a zero wait time! Couldn’t been more happier! Portions and prices were decent for lunch. I just really enjoyed myself. The weather was great, in the presence of good company, great drinks, delicious food with a phenomenal view, YOU just can’t beat that! Check em out!!

Really impressed by this place. Was really caught off-guard seeing Carrots being a menu item, let alone being recommended by our server (Hunter, I think his name was) - seeing as I’m not a small rodent, I wasn’t sure why I would ever order carrots- lowkey I thought he was joking at first. But honestly, that was one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had. So delicious, filling and flavourful. The fried chicken sandwich and the other entree (cant remember what it was called, but it was basically a mediterranean style wrap) were pretty good as well, if not a little dill-heavy. The vibes at the place are excellent - half of what you pay is probably for the view alone, but the inside is just as beautiful with clean washrooms and a spacious, rustic kind of environment. The wait time was minimal and the service was friendly and personable. Would recommend if you don’t mind spending a bit more on brunch.

The view is great we had a windows seat and I always wanted to eat along the river this is a great breakfast spot! They even have mock tails which we got! Everything was perfect. They have an outside patio area that over looks the river. We wanted to sit inside window seat bc we were going to be in the sun all day anyways. Thank you Veins for making our visit memorable and gave great service.

Amazing food and fun chill vibes. We came for brunch and the food was amazing. I had the southern fried chicken sandwich (forgot to take a picture) but the steak and the Turkish eggs were 10/10 👌🏼. The waiter was friendly and attentive! Will be coming back soon! Also, family friendly if you want to come with your kids.

Really great place. The atmosphere is great and the food is INCREDIBLE. Only other comment is that they do not have flavor syrups for the coffee/espresso. That would be so much better.

Crab fried rice that I had was pretty amazing. The crab had a cilantro lime flavor. The Sunnyside age was very very good cracking the yolk all over the fried rice. Definitely check this out some good food

First time here and it was a great experience. I’m surprised they weren’t busier. Most of the people there when we came in were in big groups and looked like they were coming from after work. The staff are pretty warm and friendly. I’m also surprised at how fast food comes. Everything we ordered was pretty great. The carrots are surprising and a kind of signature dish for them from what I understand from our server. They use unique spices and I really like the caramelization on each chunk, and having them with the whipped feta. The meat skewers we were told just came on the menu the day we came in. These had a great flavour to them, on the sweet side. It’s maybe just not my personal preference but the meat is on the chewier side and also quite fatty. The crab fried rice was excellent, and I appreciate how fresh and flavourful the crab chunks were. It was a good amount of crab. My one comment is that they could have toned down the citrus. I love crab so if that was more balanced, it would have been my favourite. The mussels were pretty big and were cooked well. The sauce was nice to have with some focaccia. I would have preferred a softer bread to soak up the sauce because the focaccia does get pretty tough specially around the crust.

My friends and I, loved this place. We enjoyed a wonderful view, food was delicious and the staff was very friendly. Kyle B. and the Argentinian waiter were indeed our favorite people. They made our experience feel welcoming and fun, also giving the perfect suggestion for food.

I was there for a private party. Had a great time enjoying the interesting appetizers, and the main entrees, served family style. Location is on the north side of the Chicago River, and has outdoor seating right on the waterfront.

On a busy Friday night when everything else was fully booked and packed, we tried this quieter spot. Despite the reviews, the cozy atmosphere, beautiful views, and delicious food won us over. We loved it — definitely worth a visit!

The Kitchen was a last second decision and I was impressed! First off, the atmosphere is unique with plants everywhere and wonderfully designed chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I was with four other people and the food took quite some time to arrive. The Halal Cart Chicken was delicious! I thought it was going to be a platter but it was actually like a naan wrap. From the naan to the chicken to the several toppings, the quality was evident. It was a wonderful burst of savory flavors, with none overpowering the others. There was a sweet sauce and a spicy sauce, which only added to the great flavor. My reaction was definitely better than the people with me who got the chicken sandwich or hamburger, so I’d definitely recommend the Halal Cart Chicken. The Kitchen gets 5 stars!

I recently stopped into The Kitchen for a birthday brunch and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. We began with the lobster roll and burrata as appetizers — a perfect pairing that set the tone for the meal. Before the food even arrived, Emma, the General Manager, took the time to sit down and chat with me, making the experience feel even more personal and welcoming. For my entrée, I had the steak and eggs, which was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The atmosphere at The Kitchen is ideal for anyone visiting Chicago, offering a beautiful window-side view of the Chicago River that really adds to the experience. To cap it all off, we enjoyed the churro donuts for dessert, and I was surprised with a complimentary birthday cheesecake, both thoughtfully brought out by our wonderful server, Iryna, and prepared by Chef Ed. A truly memorable brunch — I’ll definitely be back!

We hosted a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner in the Root Room. Everyone was an absolute pleasure to work with, the food was fabulous, and our entire weekend was just magical.

Great brunch spot with patio seating and views overlooking the Chicago River. Food is great! Turkish eggs and Huevos Rancheros were both delicious. The coffee was unique with a nutty flavor, the beans are a special blend just for their restaurant. They serve real cream in a creamer, not in those single use plastic cups.

This is one of mine and my boyfriend’s (now fiance) favorite restaurants! We love it so much that he chose to propose there… the Kitchen staff were so great to us and made us feel very special during this big day. They worked with my fiance to reserve a beautiful table & let my mom/family come turn it into a dream table scape… the food, the service, the ambiance was perfect. It was a perfect proposal - thanks to this team’s help!

The Kitchen is impressive! The waiters and manager are so well educated and trained that puts this restaurant above average. The new pastry Chef made the Coconut Tres Leches Cake with passion fruit perfectly and so rich of flavors!! We were overwhelmed!! The food was really good as well, we had the Black Linguine with Shrimp, the tomato starter which has a mix of salt and sweet, and the Peruvian steak. Definitely 5 stars for the food, service, and the amazing staff!

An incredible experience. The place is beautiful. The food was a 10 out of 10 — I’ve never had ribs so delicious. The service was also a 10, especially our waitress Lily M, who was absolutely lovely and gave us amazing service. When I come back to Chicago, this will be my first stop, and I want to learn how to make those ribs so I can cook them at home in Spain!

We had an excellent breakfast experience at the kitchen. The restaurant had a very cozy vibe on a cold day. Farmers breakfast was delicious and Amanda took great care of us! Will definitely be coming back next time we’re in Chicago.

Great place. Unique dishes. Great service. It’s generally smaller shareable plates where two can order a plate or two and then get another one or two if they want more. We had the Brocollini, the Delicata Risotto, and the Carpaccio. All wonderful. And we left feeling properly full…as opposed to stuffed…Well worth a try!

I held a 30 person customer dinner (with key corporate leadership and physicians) at The Kitchen on October 6, 2025 in the back private room and it was fantastic! The service, the food, and the accommodations were outstanding! Everyone kept saying how great and tasty the food was. And they weren't wrong! The savory flavor was amazing! For never having been to The Kitchen before and not taste testing the food prior, we took a gamble, and they hit the mark! The Kitchen made us look like heroes for picking such a great restaurant! So I thank them for that! I look forward to coming back soon!

This place is on my list to always revisit! I am never disappointed. The chef does his thing. The host to waiters/waitresses are wonderful. The food is unique yet amazing! You taste the freshness and flavors and never feel terrible even when full.

Our group of fifteen had a wonderful dinner here, and the entire team made the evening a true success. The staff was kind, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout. Everyone raved about the food and drinks, and the fixed menu Sammy recommended was a highlight, it let us simply relax and enjoy our time together. A big thank you to Sammy, Basia, Matias, and the entire serving, bar, and kitchen staff for making the experience so memorable. We truly appreciated the effort and hospitality and look forward to coming back.

Rarely leave reviews, but we had such a nice, relaxing and delicious lunch on their patio overlooking the river that I felt they deserved one. The service was great and friendly and the atmosphere was lovely both inside and on the patio. We had several meals at a variety of restaurants during our stay and this one stood out the most - the Trout caesar, lamb arayas, and carrots were all excellent.

It was truly one of the best parties we have ever thrown (and we have thrown a lot - usually at our home). The food was amazing and the service was impeccable! I can’t give enough praise and thanks to your team! It was truly a night to remember. This is the text my daughter sent to us yesterday morning. It think it says it all! Please send our thanks to the team there! “XX and I talking, that party was truly one of the best parties we've been to, we had such a great time! We love you guys so much, thank you!!!” Also the venue is right on the river with views and outside area for photos.

Located right down the street from the Mart and on the river, the location is gorgeous. One of the few restaurants that call themselves a Bistro that I actually think is one. The service was very solid and we were never left waiting or calling for our server. The menu was very well curated and the options were amazing. We ordered the carrots, tiradito, burrata, charred octopus, steak tartare, shrimp, crab fried rice, lamb, crème brûlée and some more. Not a single thing we had disappointed. The flavors were very well put together and the carrots were the best I’ve ever had. The tiradito was immaculately prepared. The Crème brûlée was also amazing as it had a hint of orange to cut the sweetness and making it one of the best I’ve had. Overall the atmosphere was very pleasant and perfect for catching up with some old friends like I was.

Saw that they were doing restaurant week and wanted to give it a shot. Unfortunately they are only doing it for dinner, and I went for lunch. Regardless, I was really impressed with the food and the atmosphere. We got the beet salad, which was very fresh, flavorful, and light. Then I chose the tomato bisque with garlic fries on the side, while my friend got the quiche. We really enjoyed it all! I did put it was my friends birthday in the reservation and they didn’t do anything- my only complaint!

Great for corporate dinners. Good cocktails, a wine list with diverse offerings, shareable plates, and rich flavors. I enjoyed my experience here more than at several other locations and would host a dinner here again

Their patio has a wonderful view and their waitresses are very friendly and awesome! We enjoyed everything we ordered, but nothing too special. Their interior design was nice too. I give them 4-star because although there were several seats available in the patio they had us wait for 40 minutes and we didn’t understand why!

Food was good but not great. The blackened sandwich we ordered unfortunately had good presentation but the blackened portions tasted a bit like. . . Charcoal. And the flavor overwhelmed the other flavors on the sandwich. Fried chicken sandwich was good. Drinks were good, service was quick and employees very friendly and responsive. Right on the river with great views and outside seating. If you are staying in the area, a good spot for lunch.

The Kitchen American Bistro has a modern vibe and a great location right by the river with beautiful views. We had dinner there and ordered the crispy cod, shrimp a la plancha, and a couple of cocktails. The cod was wrapped in kataifi (thin, crispy noodles) instead of the usual batter, which made it perfectly crispy on the outside while keeping the fish inside tender and juicy. The shrimp was cooked nicely too, though the seasoning was a bit on the salty side. I’d definitely recommend the crispy cod—it was a standout! Overall, it was a really enjoyable dinner with good cocktails and a great atmosphere.

Nice place. The portions are a bit smaller, we did better with ordering a variety of many items. Oysters were good but $17 for four tiny ones. Carpaccio was good, mussels were okay-one had a funny taste, the marrow tacos were really good, rigatoni was great. Desert was rich but good. We really wanted the creme brule but had already sold out! Pretty place, great service!

3.5 stars. Very peaceful. I definitely recommend for the vibes . I got the Burrata but the olive oil is too much. I mean thats too much oil to consume. The drink is good. You get to people watch.

Real sleek spot—nice River North energy without feelin’ too bougie. Spent about $60 on the lamb meatballs, scallops, and a bourbon-based cocktail. Food was solid, well-plated, and flavors hit, but portions ran a bit light for the price. Service was friendly, maybe a little slow once it got busy. Great date night vibe or pre-show dinner. Not everyday eats, but def worth a visit for a lil splurge.

Came here with my friend for brunch and mimosas. Great atmosphere; Indoor is elegant and outdoors is beautiful with the river and boats passing by to admire. As for food, it was good but not something amazingly to try again. Outdoor view was amazing to chat with friends and to enjoy a good drink by the river

I loved the combination of a great river view and chicken sandwich. Just a heads up, there were small mosquitoes everywhere in my drink and the food. I guess that's normal price to pay for the view on a summer day. The restaurant can improve by adding an AC for the terrace. It was too warm if ypu were not under the shade.

Made a visit to The Kitchen today and were fortunate enough to get to sit on their riverside patio for it's first day of the season. The southern fried chicken sandwich is very good, though a bit heavy on mustard. The Cubano is good as well, very traditional. The atmosphere is fantastic inside and out.

Great spot on the river - quite a view and an array of internationally inspired cuisines. I had the Halloumi Naan (amazing tamarind and cilantro chutney), the roasted carrots and a sparkling rosé. I really wanted the cheesecake but was too full. Would love to return to sit outside by the river and see what other delectable menu items they will have

So I really thought this was a nice place. Looks great food...... Not so much. My quiche was awesome..the salad or just lettuce was crap. And the garlic fries are anything but. They are rosemary fries with a garlic aioli sauce. My son's chicken sandwich was burnt. His fries were ehhhh. Nothing amazing. See all photos below.

We went here for Saint Patrick’s day brunch. Both of our meals were a little lack luster. The fish and chips was over battered and the corned beef hash was lacking in flavor. The presentation was well done and the atmosphere was very beautiful. I think this would be a great spot for large group parties and a night out for drinks. Otherwise, the food was not extraordinary.

Was a little disappointed with this visit after hearing about this place on a health and wellness podcast. The founder Kimbal Musk is supposedly very health conscious and concerned about our food supply in the US but this concern is not reflected in the menu’s quality or choices. Pretty much every protein dish has dairy (and dairy is ok in other countries, but not in the US where we raise and treat our animals like you-know-what). The half chicken comes with deep fried french fries… like what??? And its full of dairy. We tried to sub it out for a salad and got some chunks of lettuce. It was really disappointing. Very nice ambiance in the restaurant though and pretty views if you’re not concerned about food quality.