Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

AO Hawaiian Hideout

4.9

4.9 (18)

$30 and under

Hawaiian

South Loop

About the restaurant

Aloha - please note, we require a NON-REFUNDABLE RESERVATION FEE of $5/adult. We welcome all walk-ins!!! AO Hawaiian Hideout (est.2013) is a husband and wife team, serving ono grinds & boozy libations. We invite you to join us on a journey through the tropics...our little hidden gem, serving home-style comfort foods that will have you coming back for more. Sit back, relax and enjoy our home away from home. Come one or come all, as we are a short walk from Chicago's main attractions. We offer dine-in, carry-out, delivery, catering and buffets for large party celebrations.

Top review

Melinda

Dined on Apr 14, 2025

Our last dinner while visiting Chicago. Very yummy and excellent service. The Pork Belly Basil Rice was fantastic!

Slightly Toasted

4.8

4.8 (13)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Award-winning cocktail and bourbon bar that is home to one of largest whiskey collections in Chicago with over 900 selections, 30+ private barrels, and 200+ vintage and rare bottles. Also home to 18 taps & 80+ cans of craft beer, and chef-driven comfort food.

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Apr 10, 2025

Whiskey Wednesday at Slightly Toasted is the best!

North Pond

4.9

4.9 (4835)

$50 and over

American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Inspired by the market, Chef César Murillo utilizes exceptional ingredients at the height of their season. His tasting menu reflects the Arts & Crafts approach of the dining room - complex layers of subtle craft beneath a simple decorative style.

We offer a four-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. The menu is not á la carte, however, it provides options for each of the courses.

North Pond is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday beginning at 5:30pm.
Sunday Brunch begins at 10:30am and is three-course prix fixe.

We do not offer valet parking.
Tables in the front room or patio, overlooking the pond, are seated first come, first serve. We do not hold tables.
All tables for more than 4 people are seated in our main dining room.
We accept reservations for a maximum of 8 people at one table.
A cancellation charge of $25 per person is applied to all same day cancellations.

Top review

Alecia

Dined 2 days ago

We had the best time celebrating my partner’s birthday here. We even had personalized menus wishing him a happy birthday! Each course was tailored to us and spaced out perfectly. It was truly the best meal either of us have ever had. Extra thanks to our server and the other staff, you were incredibly kind and made the experience that much better. We can’t wait to come back!

Oak + Rose Tea Room

5.0

5 (35)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Geneva

About the restaurant

Welcome to Oak + Rose Tea Room, where we specialize in boutique afternoon tea experiences designed to bring joy and relaxation through shared moments in a lovely setting.

Come enjoy our meticulously planned afternoon tea gatherings in the picturesque Fox riverfront area of downtown Geneva, IL. Our focus on precision ensures a traditional yet elegant atmosphere, ideal for any gathering or special occasion.

Embrace the London chic ambiance with a suggested dress code of dressy casual.

Please note this experience is best suited for ages 3+. Booster seats, high chairs, and changing tables are not available at the restaurant at this time.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

What’s great experience! Food was delicious and great ambiance for chatting with friends!!! Delicious!

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Experience

Cream Tea - Scone & Biscuit Only

The Lobby

4.8

4.8 (1701)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

Select from a memorable Contemporary American menu featuring outstanding dishes in an environment that blends the classic understated elegance of The Lobby's décor. Take a table by the soaring 20 ft high floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Terrace. Breakfast is a favorite with both early-rising Chicago residents and hotel guests alike, who swear by starting the day with one of the many breakfast options, while The Lobby's approachable, yet American contemporary inspired à la carte is ideal for power lunches and sophisticated dinners.

Afternoon Tea is available on Fridays & Saturdays with seatings at 12:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, and Sundays with seatings at 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Please visit exploretock.com to book your reservation for Afternoon Tea.

NOTE: ALL AFTERNOON TEA RESERVATIONS ARE BOOKED VIA TOCK.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

Great service and excellent Caesar salad. Very nice quiet experience.

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san

4.9

4.9 (84)

$50 and over

Japanese

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san is a culmination of Master Sushi Chefs Kaze Chan and Shigeru Kitano’s combined experience defining the Chicago sushi scene. While the menu and service are informed by tradition, guests can expect a transcendent experience that breaks down the formality and austerity usually accompanying omakase dining. Each dinner in the warm, modern, and intimate ten-seat space features luxury ingredients from around the world. Sophisticated and carefully curated beverage pairings are available to complement the meal.

Top review

adam

Dined 7 days ago

A deliciously memorable birthday experience. Beautiful private dining room. Amazing 18 course menu. Wonderful service from our chef and waitstaff.

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Experience

Omakase Reservation Deposit

Experience

Master Sake-Brewer Dinner deposit

Experience

Omakase Reservation Deposit

Rizzo's Bar and Inn

4.7

4.7 (78)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Wrigleyville

About the restaurant

The Rizzo family has a long history in Chicago dating back to 1946 at a time when Wrigleyville was unrecognizable from what we all know and love today. The neighborhood has grown a lot since 1946 and the Rizzos has grown right alongside it starting at the very top, with Vincent Angelo Rizzo. Our family has worked from the ground up to open Rizzo's Bar & Inn. The restaurant pays homage to the history of Wrigleyville through the eyes of the family. We invite you to follow our journey through featured photographic memoirs, classic ballpark fare, and Rizzo family recipes, as well as an old-fashioned standard of service that will stand apart as a neighborhood institution.

Top review

Maggie

Dined on Dec 15, 2024

The service was awesome and the food was great! Awesome spot to be at for a buffalo bills game:)

Roscoe's Tavern

4.9

4.9 (214)

$30 and under

American

Roscoe Village

About the restaurant

Welcome to Roscoe’s Tavern, Chicago’s leader in nightlife and entertainment. Guests must be 21+ and present valid ID for entry.

Top review

James

Dined 7 days ago

Great brunch with a fantastic show with Kennedy, Melody, Raquel, Batty and of course MIMI MARKS!! Service was good and the drinks were flowing.

3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago

4.8

4.8 (3749)

$31 to $50

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

The 3 Arts Club Café resides in the grand central garden courtyard of RH Chicago, the Gallery at the Historic Three Arts Club, a 70,000-square-foot design gallery in Chicago's famed Gold Coast neighborhood. We invite you to enjoy our menu of timeless classics for brunch and dinner, and a selection of wines from esteemed vintners in the United States and Europe. RH Chicago also features the 3 Arts Club Wine Vault.

For group dining inquiries, please email: chicagohospitality@rh.com

Top review

Liliana

Dined 5 days ago

Always a great experience here! love the service, food and attention.

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4.9

4.9 (1459)

$31 to $50

Scottish

St. Charles

About the restaurant

A passion for authenticity. Nostalgia for heritage, and recipes that have been passed down and held dear. Ingredients sourced from the Isles, and from local farmers.

Welcome to Balmoral Restaurant. Grand Scottish Fare as you’ve never experienced before.

Lush, dark Scottish wood tones greet you upon entering Balmoral Restaurant. A deep-set coffered ceiling hides recessed lighting, designed to light your table elegantly, providing just the right mood. Scottish designs surround you, from the tartan carpet, to wrought iron fixtures, to the swords and shields of lore, to wall murals that evoke the placid Scottish countryside. At Balmoral, we bring the incomparable splendor of Scotland to you.

Top review

Denis

Dined 7 days ago

Everything brilliant.. authentic food, drink, fantastic staff… pure dead brilliant!

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