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Nora Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Nora Restaurant
8.4
Opened in 2024, Nora Restaurant & Bar brings a modern coastal Mediterranean menu with Sardinian influences to a polished Streeterville dining room. Cocktails, seafood, and pastas draw both hotel guests and locals looking for a newer, design-forward spot a short walk off Michigan Avenue.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna Tartare, Pulpo a la Gallega, Prime Hanger Steak
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: A newer Streeterville dining room pairing coastal Mediterranean cooking with a cocktail-first bar program.
Who should go: Couples and small groups wanting polished, modern Mediterranean.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners 6–8pm for smoother pacing and service.
What to order: Tuna tartare, pulpo a la gallega, prime hanger steak.
Insider tip: Ask for a window or banquette table if you want the full room effect—those go first at peak times.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Streeterville parking is mostly garage-based — metered street parking is scarce after 6pm, and most guests use nearby garages within a 2–5 minute walk. Valet is occasionally available via neighboring hotels; call ahead if you’re relying on it.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine if paired with a polished top or jacket; many guests dress up for evening visits.
Noise level: Moderate to lively — you can hold a conversation at a two-top, but it gets buzzy during peak dinner service.
Weekend wait: Expect 30–60 minutes for walk-ins at peak hours; reservations are strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, aside from brief noon rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several appetizers, salads, and pastas can be ordered vegetarian, and the kitchen is open to simple modifications.
Vegan options: Limited — 1–2 dishes may be adapted by removing cheese or sauces; confirm details with your server.
Gluten-free options: Multiple dishes are naturally gluten-leaning (seafood, proteins, salads), and many items can be modified; the kitchen does not operate a dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the design-forward room, balanced lighting, and polished service create an elevated but approachable setting that works well for a conversational first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — small parties may find space at the bar or early/late in the evening, but prime weekend slots are usually booked. If walking in, arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Is it kid-friendly? It skews more adult and date-night oriented; older kids and teens are fine at earlier seatings, but there are no kid-specific menus or amenities.
Best For
Better for: Design-driven ambiance, polished cocktails, and a modern Mediterranean menu with coastal and Sardinian influences in a newer, trend-forward setting.
Skip if: You want very quiet, budget-focused dining, very large portions, or a menu with extensive vegan or allergen-specific options.
Nora Restaurant
7.9
Nora is a modern Mediterranean restaurant on the ground floor of Hotel Saint Clair, blending coastal Italian and Sardinian influences with Midwestern warmth. With an intimate, sun-washed room and a menu built around branzino, pastas, and antipasti, it reads as a quieter alternative to Michigan Avenue’s louder hotspots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Short Rib Agnolotti, Whole Branzino, Calamari with Lemon Gremolata
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Coastal Mediterranean cooking with branzino, pastas, and antipasti in a softly lit hotel-side room.
Who should go: Couples and small groups wanting stylish Mediterranean away from the loudest bars.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for relaxed pacing and attentive service.
What to order: Short Rib Agnolotti, Whole Branzino, Calamari with Lemon Gremolata.
Insider tip: Ask about current chef specials, which often highlight seasonal seafood or Sardinian-inspired dishes.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; nearby Streeterville garages are the most reliable option. Limited metered street parking, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine if paired with something polished; many guests lean slightly dressy for evening visits.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable at most two-tops, with occasional livelier moments during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Often 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; service is paced and relaxed.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several antipasti, salads, and pasta dishes can be made or ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable-forward plates may be adaptable; confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Some entrées and seafood plates can be prepared gluten-free on request; ask about modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the softly lit dining room, smaller tables, and relaxed pacing make it well-suited for conversation-forward dates without feeling overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weeknights or earlier seatings, but weekend prime times book up; walking in is easiest if you’re flexible about table type or timing.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for adults and older teens than young children — the room is intimate and menu leans refined, with limited kid-specific options.
Best For
Better for: Quieter, more intimate Mediterranean dining with thoughtful seafood and pasta in a refined but approachable setting.
Skip if: You want a high-energy scene, late-night bar vibes, or a sprawling menu with many casual crowd-pleasers.
Nora Restaurant
8.3
Nora is a Sardinian-leaning Mediterranean restaurant inside Hotel Saint Clair, pairing polished plates and cocktails with a softly glowing dining room. It reads more like a neighborhood find than a hotel lobby spot, with seafood pastas, grilled octopus, and a bar that works for dates or small work dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Octopus, Short Rib Fettuccine, Baklava Gelato Sundae
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Design-forward Mediterranean cooking with Sardinian touches hidden in a hotel.
Who should go: Diners wanting stylish Mediterranean plates without full-on scene energy.
When to visit: Early weekend evenings for smoother pacing and best kitchen focus.
What to order: Grilled octopus, short rib fettuccine, baklava gelato sundae.
Insider tip: Sit near the windows or bar rail; the interior feels coziest there.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Hotel-adjacent — most guests use nearby garages or paid hotel valet when operating; street parking is limited and can be tight on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine if styled; most diners lean slightly polished for date night or work dinners.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation at a two-top is comfortable, but the bar area can feel livelier during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Reservations recommended; walk-ins may wait 20–40 minutes during peak times depending on bar seating availability.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait; tables are usually available with short notice.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options, especially among salads, pasta, and small plates — staff can guide substitutions.
Vegan options: Limited — some vegetable dishes can be modified, but expect 1–2 viable mains at most.
Gluten-free options: Good awareness — a number of seafood and grilled dishes can be prepared gluten-free on request, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the softly lit room, comfortable pacing, and polished Mediterranean plates create an intimate feel without being overly formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, especially early evening or at the bar — but on busy weekends, a reservation is the safer move for dining room seating.
Is it kid-friendly? More suited to adults and older teens — there are no dedicated kids’ amenities, and the mood skews date-night and business-dinner oriented.
Best For
Better for: Cozy, design-forward Mediterranean dining with Sardinian touches in a quieter, hotel-adjacent setting that works well for dates and small professional dinners.
Skip if: You want a loud, scene-driven restaurant, large-group energy, or an especially broad vegan menu.
Hours
Monday11am - 10pm
Tuesday11am - 10pm
Wednesday11am - 10pm
Thursday11am - 10pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday10:30am - 10pm
Sunday10:30am - 9pm