Valhalla

A hidden plain exterior location with a gorgeous interior. Service was five stars from the moment we walked in. The food was so pretty and everything was amazing. Only a couple of slight critiques. The wine pairings are a little sparse and a little smaller than expected for the price. And the service was a little on the quiet side when explaining the beverages and food. It was hard to hear them over other diners. But still a 5 star experience.

I am shocked this place does not have a Michelin star. We were blown away by the delectable food, the impeccable service, and the beautiful space. Definitely in the running for best meal of my life :)

My girlfriend and I dined here while I was in Chicago on a work trip, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable restaurant experiences I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was charming and intimate, and the service was truly five-star. This was our first true fine dining experience, and it completely exceeded our expectations. The spring tasting menu was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious, with generous portion sizes that left us satisfied without feeling overindulged. We opted for both the premium wine pairing and the “anything but wine” pairing — both were exceptional. The sommelier’s selections were thoughtful and elevated each course perfectly, and the cocktails were nothing short of outstanding. I highly recommend trying the Honeybee cocktail — it was a standout! All in all, a 10/10 experience that I’d enthusiastically recommend to anyone looking for a special night out.

A wonderful experience end to end! Amazing flavours and presentation. Very welcoming and attentive service, with the layout facilitating said service + nice interactions with the Valhalla team. Highly recommend the spirit-free pairing as well. Will be back!

Valhalla is an absolute treasure in Chicago’s fine dining scene! From the moment we stepped in, we were enveloped in an atmosphere of elegance and warmth. The meal was nothing short of spectacular, easily one of the best I’ve ever had. Each dish was a masterpiece, bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The highlight of our evening was our delightful interaction with Tatum Sinclair, the 2024 Chicago Pastry Chef of the Year. Her genuine engagement and passion for her craft were evident, and she even surprised our kiddos with a few extra goodies, making the experience even more special. Valhalla is undoubtedly on its way to earning a Michelin star, if not two. This was the best meal of 2024, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. A must-visit for anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience!

What a tremendous night. Came here for our Valentines Day dinner and was blown away. The entire team was exceptional, especially Chef Tatum and Willard the Sommelier. The entire meal was outstanding, with each course feeling unique and well portioned. They definitely leaned on the side of larger portions, which was a real plus. The final chocolate course was a real plus, especially with the great conversation with Chef Tatum. Valhalla is without question deserving of a Michelin Star, and I think they will certainly get one too.

Valhalla is one of those gems that, similar to an early Smyth, feels under the radar while also clearly on the verge of hitting noteriety with a service/dining/sommelier experience similar to a 2 Michelin star restaurant. The food on its own is immaculate and innovative, with a beverage program made by a sommelier that just won a Jean Banchett award for that effort (we had the premier wine pairing and spirit free pairing… I get it, both were creative, delicious, and unique), all with the timing and quality of service expected from 3 Michelin star restaurants. The vibe is intimate and great for a party of two but would be awkward for more. I both want them to see the success they are due while also hoping I can keep getting reservations easily. Personally, I think this is the sleeper spot for best restaurant in Chicago and would bet a lot that we will see Michelin stars in their future (not that it defines success!).

Dinner was incredible. Did the anything but wine drinks pairing and every drink went with each dish perfectly. Started with the surf where the curry really stood out, the beef nigiri was a hit on the turf side. Scotch lamb and salmon dishes were really well done, the aquavit dill cocktail paired perfectly with the two dishes. The whole lemon was the highlight of desert, tasted like the best refreshing lemonade I’ve ever had. Ended with chocolates where the truffle and hazelnut really stood out.

I’ve been to many Michelin tasting menus and I have to say that this was my favorite yet. (Specifically I want to mention that I liked the food better than Alinea and much better than Ever, despite the star discrepancies) Everything was fantastic. They give the option to reduce portion size as the meal goes on and I wish we had taken it earlier in the meal because there is just so much food, and you will want to eat it all. This is not a meal you will leave hungry from. As with most tasting menus there are several dessert courses that focus a bit more on aesthetic than substance in my opinion. I would much prefer a single delicious desert dish that is perfectly balanced. I did prefer the second desert course over the first, but I never have much enthusiasm to keep eating sweets after the first round. I can’t blame Valhalla for this though as everyone does it and who am I to complain about too much desert?! All in all, an incredibly memorable meal and I hope they start to sell out every seating very soon. They deserve it.

We went for my birthday a month ago and I thought I left a review but realized I did not and I needed to come back to review! One of the most fun & delicious experiences I’ve had ever! The staff was warm and friendly, the food was exceptional, the spirit free pairing was amazing too. Could not recommend enough if you’re looking for somewhere to go for a special dinner.

The surf (ceviche) and turf (croqueta) dishes where our favorites and I really loved the mushroom kebab and lobster tsukune as well as all the desserts, especially the chocolates. Their most creative dish was the French onion latte as it literally was a French onion soup in latte form and I had never had beef breast before and it delivered. I also liked that a few of the dishes had some heat to it and that it was a good range of southeast Asian, Japanese and Latin American influences. It had similar vibes to Kasama. While we didn't do any of the pairings (we got cocktails and wine) the diners around us did and they all looked excellent. Overall A+ and a great tasting menu for the price point with excellent service and great food.

This place is definitely going to get a michelin star soon if not 2. Its very good, and only one dish left no impact on me, but it was still good! Definitely recommend it. Also it had the best beef dish I've ever had. It wasn't even wagyu beef and it tasted 5 times better than any wagyu I've had. This isn't an exaggeration.

Fantastic experience! The highlights for me would be the salmon belly and scallop courses as well the extremely attentive and knowledgeable staff.

Tasting menu is worth it for special occasions. Pairing with Anything But Wine will leave you in a euphoric buzz. It’s an obviously romantic, bar-style seating arrangement with soft, ambient music and low lighting. This place will clearly receive a star if it hasn’t already.

This is not food. This is art. Pure unadulterated bliss from start to finish. Watching Chef Stephen & his team operate with barely a word spoken between them and serve such incredible dishes is beyond magical. With incredible bespoke touches and beyond, the team at Valhalla can rest assured that they have achieved nirvana in the home of the gods! No doubt the Michelin man is just around the corner ⭐️. Special shoutout to the head barman…his non-alc pairing was otherworldly!!

Such amazing food! The chefs were great and approachable, the servers were great, drinks were amazing. We definitely want to come back.

This group knows exactly what they're doing. Casual tasting menu with an array of incredibly composed meat and seafood dishes. Definitely would recommend

Went here for my Birthday dinner yesterday. Mark my words… This restaurant is going to blow up. The experience, food, and service were incredible. I also had the anything but wine drink pairing, which was so good.

Wow. Don’t walk - run to this place before you cannot get a reservation! Every bite was delicious, the attentiveness from the staff was exceptional, the Valhalla beverage pairing was perfect. This is a small thing, but I appreciated the pre-cut octopus and Wagyu courses.

Beautifully renovated, calming space. Staff was attentive and knowledgeable. One of the most fun tasting menus I’ve done in Chicago over the past couple years. Delightfully visually stimulating, too. Thanks for welcoming us in!!

One of the best tasting menus I’ve had in a long time. Amazing food, perfect service, and great ambiance. Chef Stephen has really outdone himself with this one.

The food was stellar! There is very little to say when everything about the experience was perfect.

New location is incredible, food is amazing, service is top notch. Best desserts I’ve had a tasting menu in my life and the beverage program is amazing.

Everyone was so attentive and the food was incredible. Will be thinking about this meal for a long time

Our third time at Valhalla. This exceptional restaurant offers a menu that brilliantly combines innovative and delicious dishes influenced by French, American and Asian flavors. Each dish showcases a harmonious blend of chef techniques and a wide array of ingredients. The wine list is impressive and the sommelier knowledgeable, and sitting at the Chef's counter provides a firsthand view of the expertly prepared dishes. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to culinary excellence, Chef Gillander's establishment is deserving of a Michelin star.

I went for my birthday and was completely blown away by the food, service and atmosphere. The attention to detail was excellent. Highly recommend the Valhalla beverage pairing too

This was one of the best dining experiences we've ever had, and we've travelled the world. Staff was simply outstanding. Valentina was super special making incredible dishes in front of us while explaining in detail each dish. The flavors burst in your mouth and were so unique! Can't fathom why this restaurant doesn't yet have a Michelin star??? Don't miss this restaurant!

Valhalla is a star in the crowded Chicago dining scene and should easily command a star or two. In fact I'd put it mid to high pack among the 5 or 6 two star restaurants I've visited. From start to finish the dishes were excellent and provided one of the most consistently good dinners I've had. Truly, I was waiting for one that missed the mark and it didn't come. Some dishes that hit really high notes were the white curry noodles and the Sablefish which highlighted creativity and technical excellence respectively. The champagne and non alcoholic pairs were both strong. The only downside of the night was a group of four next to us that got loud and sloppy. The restaurant couldn't control that. I highly recommend quickly getting a reservation as I suspect they are soon going to be well known on the national stage.

Valhalla was such a great dinner. Every dish felt really thoughtful and well-executed—standouts were the seafood trio (especially the scallop ceviche), the lamb scotch egg, and the black truffle French toast for dessert. It sounded unusual but was easily one of the best bites of the night. The cocktails were creative and well-balanced. I had the Frozen Martini with caviar and an Old Fashioned with black sugar and sakura tea—both were super interesting without being gimmicky. We had someone in our group who’s pregnant, and the non-alcoholic pairing was just as impressive. Every drink felt intentional and paired nicely with the food. The space is small and intimate, but still relaxed—you can see the chefs working just a few feet away. Service was warm and attentive without being over the top. Definitely on the higher end, but totally worth it for a special night out.

I dined at Valhalla last night and don't have the words to describe how pleasant it was. My boyfriend and I dined there when it was located in Time Out Market. He received last minute work and my best friend stepped in his place so that we wouldn't lose the $$$ for the reservation. My friend was 45 minutes late and the team didn't bat an eye as I gave them updates regarding her arrival. As stressed as I was waiting for her to walk through the front door, the entire Valhalla staff was so understanding and reassuring while we waited. I sipped a delicious frozen margarita and enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant. The food feels like it elevated 10 steps higher than where it was a year ago. Seriously, some of the best food I've ever had. I loved that they said "dinner wouldn't be complete without chocolate" because I completely agree! I'm still thinking about the beef breast and mushrooms, white curry noodles (the two oils were so cool!), and ceviche. 10/10 service and 10/10 eating! Thank you SO much, Valhalla team!

My sister treated me to the tasting menu + spirit-free pairing (thanks, Willard!) at Valhalla about a week ago and I immensely enjoyed both. The team at Valhalla are all so kind, professional, and caring. From stepping inside the restaurant to leaving at the end of the night, I felt so warmly welcomed, attended to, and I enjoyed the elegant ambiance. I particularly enjoyed the beef breast, speck, and marbled pavlova! My sister and I enjoyed our last dessert course in the lounge and I really enjoyed that space. I'd love to come back for drinks & dessert (+ maybe more food) with friends or family in the lounge another time!

This was one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure of eating. The food was absolutely stunningly delicious from start to finish. There was a theme of southeast Asian flavors, bright zippy acidity and perfectly cooked, delicate seafood. The meal started off strong with a surf course of floral, zippy habanero ceviche as well as creamy “chowder” oyster. The flavors were strong but somehow balanced enough that the delicate ocean flavors still came through. White curry noodles came next, with roasted mussels and dots of bright red and green coral and herb oils. It was an inspired blend of flavors redolent with kefir lime, fresh shrimp and galangal evoking both Italian mussel pasta and aromatic thai curry at the same time. The arroz caldo was similarly spectacular, luscious like a risotto but with mouth water acidity from calamansi, spicy punch from fried garlic and cracked pepper, and a generous portion of queen crab to boot. As a single diner I loved counter style dining area where I could watch the chefs work and present dishes. Courses were plated beautifully and interestingly, and were always intuitive to eat. There were fun flourishes too that added, rather than distracted from the food, such as getting to choose from among an array tiny goblets and glasses (Indiana Jones Style) to use for the buttery miso-dashi “tea”. The service was also very good. I felt constantly entertained, whether by the server, bartender or even the chefs who grilled dishes directly in front of me. I ordered the sakura old fashioned which was impeccably smooth with a subtly smoked fruitiness, from the gregarious bartender. Overall, I can’t recommend this place highly enough. I’d especially recommend it if you like bright acidic East Asian influenced dishes, or if you are planning on going alone or with a small group.

Celebrated my wife's birthday here and it was spectacular. Seating is unusual in that most everyone is at the counter facing the chefs/food prep. For us it was a bonus getting to watch the action. Service was excellent, friendly and attentive. We shared the "anything but wine" pairing and really enjoyed it. Everything from cocktails to sake to mead. Very cool. And the food - wow. Of the 12 courses there was only one I didn't care for and 3 or 4 that were off the charts delicious (the others were all very good). Presentation was fun and inventive. I've eaten at a number of Michelin starred restaurants and I would rank this above all but one or two of them. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone that loves fine dining.

Had a great experience at Valhalla. The food quality really stood out—everything was fresh, well-prepared, and full of flavor. What truly made the visit memorable, though, was the hospitality. Cooper went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely cared about our experience. Excellent service paired with great food is what keeps people coming back, and Valhalla delivered on both. Highly recommend.

My boyfriend and I came here for our 5 year anniversary, and it did not disappoint! Everything to the flavors and order of the dishes were so well thought out and intentional. There was a small mishap with one of our desserts, and it was taken care of with such grace and kindness which can be hard to come by nowadays in the restaurant industry. I hope to see Valhalla with a Michelin Star in the near future :)

Overall, the experience at Valhalla was great! The ambiance was super nice and the portions were generous for a fine dining restaurant. One thing that stood out at Valhalla is that I liked all the courses, which isn't the case at many other comparable restaurants. I think that Valhalla is on par with other of Chicago's finest restaurants. I'd say it was better than Sepia and Atelier (both Michelin stars), so I'm hoping that Valhalla is recognized in the future. The only part that was disappointing was that I had indicated it was my parter's birthday, and I expected the staff to say something (as many other fine dining places do). However, nothing was said, which isn't a huge deal, but still expected for the price point.

Great bursts of flavors with some very interesting combinations. Basically elevated dishes with influences from SEA. At ~$200 pre tax and tip, this is ~3.5/5 star experience for me + The katsu, salmon belly, benton tea, and beef breast were beautifully prepared and enjoyable for me. The chowder and scallop were also very good +/- Generally speaking, the savory portion was significantly better than the dessert. Pavlova and choux were good, but the rest of the desserts were just ok, which is a huge shame given how many desserts they gave + I was full from lunch so could only try one N/A drink, which is beautifully balanced. Definitely interested in trying their pairing if I’m ever back. - There were some misses here and there with the cooking, e.g. noodles were slightly undercooked and the strands were stuck together—if that was intentional, it was a horrible choice; the sauce with the soft serve tasted stale (I love using a similar tasting sauce for bánh tráng trộn so I just don’t get that combination with soft serve); arroz caldo was tasty but the seasoning completely overpowered the crab—truly a waste of a high quality and expensive ingredient +/- Decent ambience and service. - Counter was a bit high for me (5’ gal) so it was a bit uncomfortable and I couldn’t really see how the chefs were making the dishes

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner here overall. The staff were attentive and thoughtful, and the food was phenomenal (though the beef rib was less tender than expected). We did the Valhalla pairing, which we thought would exclusively be wine but included 2 sake and a cider - something I wish had been clearer at the start. A few times plates were almost cleared while I was still eating, which felt a bit rushed. The checkout process was a little confusing: the QR code calculated tip based on the total with tax but didn’t factor in the deposit that had already been applied. We ended up paying by card and adjusting the tip ourselves, which took extra thought when we just wanted to relax and enjoy the experience. Lastly, while I can’t say for certain it was from this meal, I did have “digestive issues” later that night and into the following day. Overall, still a memorable fine dining experience with excellent service and food, just a few areas that could be refined given the price point.

After I read a lot of hype about Valhalla, I’m pretty bummed to say it was mediocre. The service was phenomenal. Truly warm staff. But the most important thing is the taste of the food and while many of the dishes sounded great, I consistently felt like the flavor was dulled a bit. It was there, but it needed about 30-40% more “pop” for me to fully enjoy it. The one exception was the cinnamon roll. That thing hits hard.

We visited the restaurant to celebrate a birthday, but unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed throughout the entire dinner. When I made the reservation on OpenTable, I noted that we were celebrating a birthday. Two days before our reservation, the restaurant followed up with thoughtful questions about the occasion/dietary restrictions and sent detailed reminders, which I appreciated. I replied and confirmed again that we were celebrating my birthday. However, when we arrived, there was no acknowledgment or preparation at all. Meanwhile, I noticed another table had a birthday card placed in advance, and when that party arrived, the staff warmly welcomed them and wished them a happy birthday. That contrast made the experience feel even more disappointing. Later, during dessert, I had to explicitly ask a server for a candle and again reminded them it was my birthday. When the dessert arrived, it did have a candle — but it was handed to my partner instead of me. This, despite me clearly stating earlier who the birthday guest was. It’s a small detail, but it added to a series of oversights that made the evening feel impersonal and inattentive. VERY disappointed and upset. I just wanted to have a good birthday with a memorable experience at a restaurant I selectively picked. This is a high-end, fine dining restaurant — perhaps my expectations were too high. But if you’re going to ask about special occasions a few days before the reservation, it raises the guest’s expectations. If no acknowledgment is planned, it’s better not to ask.