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501 Local
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501 Local
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501 Local

Bistro, Contemporary American, Wine Bar · Winnetka

4.8 · 424 reviews Google
www.501local.com

About 501 Local

501 Local is a Bistro and Contemporary American restaurant in Winnetka. Rated 4.8/5 based on 424 reviews on OpenTable. Casual Elegant.

Frequently asked questions about 501 Local

501 Local is located at 501 Chestnut St, Winnetka.
501 Local offers Bistro, Contemporary American, Wine Bar cuisine.
424
Reviews

501 Local Winnetka Reviews

Reviews (50)
A
Anna Fomenko

Very cozy restaurant in the heart of Winnetka, very safe and beautiful neighborhood. They give you option to eat inside or on the patio, which is great during summertime. Stuff was very pleasant, didn't bother us unnecessarily. We’ve tried some appetizers from the menu, everything was good, and we didn’t wait long. I liked hips with guacamole, potstickers and chicken skewers. Atmosphere was very nice, everyone was friendly and polite. It’s a good place to gather with a family or friend for a brunch or dinner.

A
Anastasiya Pidhayna

Great food and value, always come back here. In the summer the patio is really cute, and in the winter the snow globes are a fun idea. Please bring back the delicious shrimp 😋

A
Ania Gurynowicz

I absolutely loved 501 Local! The location is excellent, offering a great vibe that immediately draws you in. The food was delicious—perfectly prepared and full of flavor. The customer service was just as impressive, with the staff being attentive, friendly, and eager to ensure a great experience. The friendly locals add an even greater charm, making the atmosphere feel welcoming and superb. Whether you choose to sit indoors or outdoors, you’ll enjoy your time, though I recommend making a reservation since it gets pretty crowded. For me, it was love at first sight, and I can’t wait to go back! Highly recommend checking it out!

C
Carolina Polo

501 Local is a Winnetka favorite for a reason—their menu offers enhanced American dishes, making it easy to find something you’ll love. Due to its popularity, reservations are highly recommended.

r
robin rzechula

501 Local stands out as the trendiest restaurant in town. Their food presentation is impeccable, and every dish, without exception, delights the taste buds with its exceptional flavors.

M
Molly Bernard Patoff

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times!!!! 501 Local has got it all. The moment you walk through their doors, your worries are gone. They simply vanish while you enjoy your time there. The staff is beyond wonderful (special shout-out to Haley and Ibrahim, who literally were fantastic) they all go above and beyond. Ask for Ibrahim. He literally picked my drink and our tables food from our apps and main dishes. Run don't walk to 501 Local.

C
Csilla M. Fisher

I like the fresh and clean decor and that they have a lovely outside area. The menu is great if a bit eclectic. I had the tuna tataki (pictured), it was lovely and very beautifully presented. My friend had the scallops, he said they were great. I had a margarita which tasted funny - definitely not a usual margarita from your favourite Mexican joint, but it grew on me. The service is attentive and professional. It’s a bit on the pricey end but the experience is a lovely one.

L
Leo T

A wonderful American bistro that is a like a summer escape in the Northshore. Whether you are eating on the outside terrace in a canopy of greenery or on the inside with an ambiance of earthly tones- 501 Local has a very zen energy. The dinners are excellent from the chicken cutlet served with dollops of potatoes and greens to tasty burgers with great, crispy fries. We cannot wait to come back.

B
B. H.

This is our second visit in a month. We don't live anywhere near this place. We live in Chicago, but have gone to the area for kyaking and to the Botanic Gardens which always whips up an appetite. So both times we lunched here afterward on their lovely and lush outdoor patio--so cute. The food is Amaze-balls. So delicious. Fresh ingredients and simple and beautiful preparation. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Their cucumber gazpacho is to die for. And healthy as it's made with Greek yogurt. It is the perfect balance of cucumber and garlic. Their poke bowls are down right perfection. The only snarky suggestion I can make is that the jalepeños were cut too thick. Other than that--one of the best I've had. Their niscoise salad was also delicious. And their tiger shrimp tacos yummy. They have a full bar with great cocktails too! We will continue to make the trek over for this place. The staff are also lovely. What a find!!

C
Caitlyn Lee

Loved everything about this place. It was my first time in downtown Winnetka and 501 Local was amazing! Beautiful patio area, friendly staff, and delicious food! The presentation of the dishes were beautiful too.

A
Alex Ernst

When the weather is nice or it’s around a weekend, go early as it’s a popular place. Both inside and outside patio atmosphere are good, can’t go wrong with either. Food is well made and worth the price.

A
A L ə X

Delicious American style bistro with craft cocktails and excellent fries. Our server Caylee was super sweet and gave us a great experience.

N
Noredia Alile

Darling! We really enjoyed this dog friendly, neighborhood gem. Solid food and drinks. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Our host- Sandra was stellar. Also had the pleasure of meeting Mark, the owner. They have something good going here. Thank you!

R
Roberto Mazza

Excellent restaurant. The menu is interesting with some very curious choices. The spicy chicken is absolutely gorgeous, tasty and juicy. The roasted potatoes are a perfect combination. I would certainly recommend the mille fouille as dessert. Service is good, but a bit slow.

O
Olha Zoshchuk

I loved both the food and atmosphere. They have been very busy so the service was not perfect but I’ll definitely come back.

A
ATİLA DEMETOĞLU

Very nice restaurant and delicious food. I ordered angus hamburger which was very good.

L
Leslie Salmon

Had a fantastic family diner at 501 Local with 6 adults and 2 children. Our server was very attentive. We had delicious wine and fun cocktails. The appetizers, entrees and desserts were wonderful. The food was creative and healthy. The environment was comfortable and beautiful. Loved the generous patio. Can't wait to go back!

A
Adam Spence

Great place for anything from a date to a business meal! Staff have always been fantastic and very accommodating to dietary restrictions. Haven’t had a bad meal yet!

S
Sandi J.

It is so refreshing to meet an owner who is actively present in his restaurant. Mark Salmon enthusiastically and creatively arranged for my friend and I to dine outside (our request), despite the rain. We stayed dry under umbrellas and thanks to Sandra, our amazing waitress, we celebrated my birthday with fine food (impressive menu choices and food presentation) and great service! It was my first time dining at 501 Local and this restaurant met and exceeded my high standards in every way! It is a hidden gem and our new fav restaurant. Highly recommend!!

j
jalaj chadha

I celebrated my graduation earlier this evening in this great restaurant. Well we passed a tremendous evening and the place was indeed the reason for the fruitful event. The waiters helped in a very nice style, the food was tasty and my guests were extremely joyful. We shall surely come back again for more events. Thank you very much. The quality of food is just out of this world and the ambience is like cherry on the cake. This place definitely deserves 5 stars from me.

D
Danielle Chircop

501 Local is awesome! It has a very eclectic menu that features inventive dishes using high quality ingredients. The atmosphere was really inviting and just the type of place that’s perfect for a date night, family dinner, or a night out with friends. I appreciated the great service, strong knowledge about the menu, and the wine recommendations. The restaurant is clearly popular, as evidenced by the packed house on a rainy weeknight. Make a reservation and go check it out. I can’t wait to go back!

K
Kent Hansen

I liked this place. Got in for lunch on a Sunday without a reservation (three of us). I had the crispy chicken sandwich - breaded and then pan fried, not deep fried. My wife got the quiche and it was huge. Friendly staff. Nice place to go!

H
Hiral Patel Hutton

We enjoyed dinner at 501 Local last night. The potstickers were perfectly pan-fried, with a savory filling that burst with umami flavors. The crispy chicken sandwich had a delightful crunch, balanced by a tangy sauce. For dessert, the chocolate strawberry cake was rich and decadent. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and tasteful decor that made for a cozy dining atmosphere. Even though the noise level was loud, conversation was not hindered by it. Service was slow but attentive. Overall, it was a great meal and experience.

J
Jason Hanold

Our local go-to for consistently great food and great mixologists. They execute great cocktail recipes with always attentive service. Sophisticated, yet relaxed, welcoming and never stuffy. Involved, experienced and present ownership who always acknowledges a familiar face.

J
Jeremy John

I was taken care of from the moment I stepped foot in the place. Food was excellent, service was outstanding. We ordered the portobello sandwich, among many other things, and they put cheese on it, and we ordered it without. Four minutes later a new freshly cooked sandwich comes out with fries. Lots of apologies and kindness. It was our fault!!! Look what do you look for in a great experience? This place is 100% worth it. Staff are so kind and considerate. Have the poke bowl! Tuna with extra spicy Mayo!

L
Losgaming losgaming R

We had an amazing experience tonight celebrating a birthday with a group of 20 people. Mark, the owner and all the staff went above and beyond to accommodate us. We had dinner inside because it was too hot out. And afterwards, had another table set outside to have desert. All of our food choices were fresh and artfully presented. We have been to this place a few times and will be back again!

a
andrea b

Beautiful garden, but the inside is nice, too. Great cocktails, decent wine list, overall a very contemporary yet homey vibe. The food is innovative and delicious, too. My favorite is the prawn tacos. Also, the dessert menu is amazing.

L
Luana Soare

Went there for Valentine’s Day dinner and couldn’t have been happier. They were gracious enough to accept a 9pm reservation as I work late during the week and the service was still amazing. All the food was delicious, particularly the steak with some sort of magical potato and cheese dish. Mouth watering just thinking about it. Prices were extremely fair. Thank you a million for this fantastic dinner!

T
Tim Hogaboom

Visited for a rehearsal dinner. Can’t wait to make a visit back again! Great space, both outdoor and indoor dining options are clean and welcoming. Service was among the best restaurants we have visited, from hostess to waiters everyone was helpful and friendly. Menu was pre selected, but everything was delicious, the chocolate cake was phenomenal. Wide selection of beers and cocktails/mocktails.

L
Lindsay Coulter

Sunday brunch date was delightful and delicious! Pleasant atmosphere, cute decor, thoughtful service. All around lovely vibe. The quiche was flavorful with a perfectly flaky crust. Fresh asparagus had just the right texture. Everything was prepared with care. Highly recommend!

N
Norah Glass

Such a good experience here. We sat outside and the patio is fun and nicely decorated. The food was great and I totally recommend the Vietnamese spring rolls, the food was all obviusly fresh and fantastic. Abraham was our waiter and he made our experience great, not only was he doting and kind he was just so pleasant to be around. Truly he deserves a raise for his customer service skills. I would absolutely come back here everyday if I could!

L
Lisa Lorenzi

We enjoyed fast, friendly service and the patio provided a beautiful dining atmosphere, surrounded with greenery and ample shade on a 90+ degree day. We tried the chips and guacamole, and split the steak tacos. Everything was well-plated and the marinade or glaze on the steak was very tasty. The staff grilled a plain, unseasoned chicken breast for our dog, and provided him a water dish. They were welcoming, and we did not feel stressed about him joining us. We definitely will return sometime, and would recommend this restaurant to others.

C
Canny Chen

Salmon poke bowl was great. We were seated outside and it was a busy Friday lunch hour. Had to wait a little to order but the food was great!

T
Taleen Noordermeer

Highly recommend!! Held my daughter’s college graduation dinner and Mark Salmon (owner) and his staff were amazing!! From the menu to the atmosphere to the service …everything was impeccable!! Ibrahim took amazing care of us! He was kind, personable and so efficient! My family and I cannot wait to return! You’ll love it!

S
Serkant Kaptan

Great food with mediocre service. Our table ordered Tuna, salmon and shrimp dishes and everyone was very happy. Wine selectionscwere also very good and properly priced. However our waitress was not attentive. We had to wait long periods to get her attention and never topped our water or wine glasses. Hence the 4 star.

S
Sven Tietz

Overall, not sure 🤷‍♂️ Good location, nice decor. Food was so-so. The Caesar salad wasn’t great, made with iceberg not cos lettuce & the lettuce was browning … 😬 The dessert was better, watermelon cake was something new and very nice. Service was good. Bit ‘whatevers’ in the end.

E
Ed Brill

Wanted to love it more. Lots of rapport between staff and patrons so it’s clearly a real local regulars place. Tables are packed in tightly. Felt like I was in the space of the couple behind us especially when I stood up. Beef bourguignon was very pretty but underseasoned. No detectable red wine taste to the sauce or meat. Beet salad was declared “fine.” We started with the spring rolls which were good and the potstickers .. good except the sauce with ketchup and sweet chili notes was a bit overpowering. All the appetizers on the menu were Asian except focaccia and soup. Desserts were enjoyed. Cocktails were good. Funny to see menu highlights in google maps include tiramisu, scallops, and hangar steak, none of which were on offer during our visit.

S
SERGELATO

Good vibes here. I went here on the last weekend of October when it was 70 degrees and sat outside. Really good service, the server was funny and really accommodating. Food is reasonably priced for the area and you leave here full and definitely content. I’d love to come back during the summer.

A
Andrew Hodgson

Cocktails were amazing, my wife got the hanger steak and it was great. I got the Cuban sandwich, in hindsight probably not the thing to order there. Still good but would have gone in a different direction if I could do it again. The tiramisu for dessert was also great.

M
Michael Pinto

My wife and I had our first experience at 501 Local this evening. I can say the food and Patio were great, but the service was just not good. I really can't sugar-coat it, our server was not competent. Other than waiting a ton of time for drinks, which we didn't get our first round until after the first-course, everything else was good. We had the Cucumber-yogurt gazpacho first, which was very delicious. We had the pot stickers as our second course. They were delicious and served with the bok choy, made them truly different. For our mains, we had the Turkey burger and the lobster ravioli. The Lobster ravioli was amazing! The Homard L'americaine sauce was spot on and the filling was 90% lobster meat. The ambience is great and the patio is a wonderful place to sit on a beautiful evening. I believe we will be returning again for the delicious food and ambience.

A
Armani Lepe

Small and chill restaurant with a California vibe. I tried their Ceviche which was great, recommend it as an appetizer. Their Spicy chicken burger was also pretty good and it's a decent size, and different options for your side (sweet potato fries are my go to). Their cocktail menu is also pretty good, i tried their Margaritas and Palomas and they did not disappoint. This is a great place to go on a date or even a work meeting. If you can, try to get outdoor seeting!

M
Mariangel Mora

The Niçoise salad was amazing, the Angus burger was good, the fried chicken sandwich was ok. The Paloma drink was amazing, the truffle fries a must. The service was wonderful we had Sarah and we love her! Would eat here again for the ambiance and great service

L
Luis Franco

I recently visited 501 Local and tried a few different dishes with my group, including the tiger prawn tacos, the 501 Burger, and the shrimp cocktail. The food was alright overall, but nothing really stood out flavor-wise. The tacos looked fresh with plenty of cabbage and radish, but they were pretty mild in taste. The shrimp cocktail was nicely presented but fairly basic, and the 501 Burger was decent but again, lacked the bold flavors we were hoping for. One thing we all noticed was that the portions were on the smaller side, especially considering the prices, which felt a bit steep for what you get. The restaurant itself has a nice atmosphere, but the food just didn’t quite live up to expectations for the price point.

J
Joshua Shirley

All in all a good experience, but it turned sour(raw) at the end. First up, we ordered from the happy hour menu chicken skewers and truffle fries (more on this later). We decided to order a meal made of appetizers, so we got 4 more. Those 4 were good, sauces were excellent and they came out quickly. The first two however, failed to arrive … we had to remind the waiter who was friendly enough but quiet and rather than admitting that he either didn’t put the order in or the kitchen decided not to make it … we were left waiting 20+ minutes. Once the chicken finally arrived my wife (who’s pregnant and anybody who has been or is knows why the following is an issue) took the first bite only to find the chicken undercooked. At this point, appetite is lost and we would just like to leave. Whatever manager was on stated “oh no worries we’ll remove it from your bill.”Ya, no kidding … No apology for the undercooked chicken or the rather long wait for two simple appetizers … just a bill and some weird looks. I certainly won’t return, and do not recommend going here, it was a good experience turned sour and I simply wish they had made it right in some capacity. Lastly … Moscow mule is underwhelming, did they add any vodka? … only the bartender really knows.

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Dave Kogan

We came here a few days ago for a birthday dinner. there were four of us and they sat us near the doorway despite other tables deeper into the restaurant being available. It only bears mentioning as it was cold outside and produced quite a cold breeze every time the door was opened. So we moved further inside and the temperature got better, but it was still chilly inside. The server came and took our drink orders. I ordered a mocktail and had them make it into a cocktail and they did a great job. It was made very well and it was very refreshing. I picked this place for my birthday as I thought it had options for everyone. My wife and I both ordered soup. I had the chicken gnocchi and she had the butternut squash soup. My parents each had side salads. The butternut squash soup was very good. My soup had four gnocchis in it and they were probably sitting in the soup all day because as soon as they touched my tongue, they fell apart, no sturdiness to them at all. There was so much stuff in the soup that it overwhelmed the chicken, broth, and gnocchis and I couldn't taste anything else but the chopped up vegetables. It was a a lot overwhelming and the flavor was seriously underwhelming. Next we ordered our meals. My dad had the crispy chicken sandwich (ordered without the crispy onions on it). Guess what? It arrived with the crispy onions. He just removed them. My mom got the shrimp puttanesca dish. She said it was very good. My wife got the portobello sandwich with a side of the roasted cauliflower and I got the 501 angus burger with truffle fries. The fries come with parmesan, truffle oil, bacon, and parsley. They arrived with the roasted cauliflower first. It was cold, and she asked for them to warm it up. Then they arrived with her portobello sandwich with the truffle fries on the plate. She said I got the fries and she doesn't like bacon, so if it's touching her sandwich, they have to redo it. They took away her sandwich. Then they brought back the roasted cauliflower. It was better, but not much. About 7-8 minutes go by and they finally return with her sandwich (without fries) and my sandwich with the truffle fries. The fries were okay as I couldn't taste the truffle oil, parsley, or bacon. Why you ask? Because they were in a clump under the fries. I think they just dumped the fries on a new plate, warmed them under a lamp where the parmesan, bacon, parsley, and truffle oil melted together and not on the fries. They ended up being just mediocre and I barely touched. them. The burger was okay. It says on the menu that the meat is mixed with breadcrumbs and onions. I could taste the onions (they were a bit much). The burger was just okay. I'm told that burgers are half price on Monday. I'll think I'll skip that. The server mixed up our meals, but never apologized for the mix ups or the additional wait time. She barely appeared at our table and we had to ask on a few occasions just to have water refilled. Overall, my dinner was lackluster, They do offer a dessert on your birthday for free. Anything but their chocolate strawberry cake. I totally get that as the slice they give you is huge. And it is phenomenal. The whole strawberries through the center in mascarpone is very light. It was so chocolatey without being overly so. This was the highlight of the meal and well worth returning for (especially if you only go for dessert). It's easy for me to skip returning to 501 Local as there are many similar restaurants in the area, but I'll be back for that cake. YUM!!!

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Glenn Thomas

The atmosphere is nice, but the food is very mid. There are tons of nicer places in the area, so try them instead.

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Malley Gasczak

Cute little bistro with great environment. Loved the patio section. My partner and I weren’t fans of the BBQ sandwich or the Beef Bourguignon but the potstickers and crispy shrimp were pretty good. The drinks were subpar. Overall, we enjoyed our time here.

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Val Kruczek

The hostess that was working on 5/25/25 at 6:30 ish was so rude. We walked in waiting to be seated and she completely ignored us even though no one was waiting to be sat. We stood there confused for a few mins before I asked her for a table for two and honestly her attitude made us leave and go elsewhere. It made me sad because I really wanted to eat here tonight :(

M
Mark Landau

I actually waited for a second bad experience in a row to write this. The wait for the food on both of our last visits was horrible. Waited like 30min just for a glass of wine. $16 for the like 2 oz. We waited over an hour for an appetizer and 1 1/2 hours for burgers. No apologies from the server. Clearly not his fault though. I also told them like 3x that it was our anniversary. Did absolutely nothing. Just a pretty easy thing to recognize. So, unfortunately this place is off our list. Many other places to choose from who have it figured out and who appreciate your business. I mainly only give good reviews but had to make an exceptin.

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Karmen Andrews

We came in for lunch and were greeted by a host who told us we could sit at the bar. The host was fine, but once we sat down, there was a woman (who seemed like an owner) and a bartender present, and neither acknowledged us. The washrooms and bar area were filthy, the place smelled unclean, and it looked like the weekend’s mess was never taken care of—trash on the floor, dirty toilets, and a generally neglected atmosphere. Because of the lack of cleanliness, we didn’t feel comfortable ordering food and decided to leave. On our way out, a man holding a baby casually asked if we wanted to sit outside (perhaps also the owner?). It’s unfortunate, because this place has so much potential, but it’s being completely let down by poor management and lack of basic care.

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About 501 Local

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501 Chestnut St

Winnetka, IL 60093-2418

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Highly Rated
4.8/5 stars
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Many Reviews
424 reviews
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Bistro, Contemporary American, Wine Bar
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4.8/5
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424

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501 Chestnut St

Winnetka, IL 60093-2418

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