0 Followers
Marisol
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Marisol
8.5
Marisol, set inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, serves vegetable-forward New American plates, a standout burger, and seasonal proteins in a dining room that mirrors the museum’s clean, contemporary aesthetic. It pulls a mix of museum-goers and neighborhood regulars who treat it as a calm, design-minded alternative to louder Streeterville spots. The cooking is more careful and market-driven than the casual setting might suggest.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Smashburger, Seasonal Roasted Chicken, Farmers’ Market Vegetable Plates
Scores:
Value: 6.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Museum-adjacent, market-driven cooking in a calm, contemporary dining room.
Who should go: Art lovers and locals wanting thoughtful food near the MCA.
When to visit: Plan lunch or early dinner around a museum visit window.
What to order: Order the smashburger, a seasonal vegetable dish, and dessert.
Insider tip: Book outside peak museum hours if you want a quieter, neighborhood-restaurant feel rather than pre-show crowds.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Paid garage parking is available in the Museum of Contemporary Art garage next door; metered street parking in Streeterville is limited and competitive during museum/event hours.
Dress code: Smart casual — museum-goers in jeans are common, but the room leans polished and design-forward.
Noise level: Moderate — conversation is comfortable at most tables, quieter than many nearby Streeterville restaurants.
Weekend wait: Usually manageable with a reservation; without one, expect a possible 20–40 minute wait around peak pre-show or exhibition times.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait outside of major museum exhibition openings or school-break crowds.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the menu is notably vegetable-forward with multiple composed vegetarian dishes.
Vegan options: Limited but present — usually 1–2 dishes are naturally vegan or can be adjusted on request.
Gluten-free options: Several items can be made gluten-free; communicate needs to the server as preparation varies by season.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the calm, art-adjacent setting feels thoughtful and conversation-friendly, especially for couples who enjoy design or museum visits.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes during slower museum windows, but reservations are recommended around exhibition openings, weekends, and pre-performance dining times.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for well-behaved kids and museum-day meals; the vibe is calm rather than rowdy, with better fit for older kids than toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Design-minded diners who want careful, market-driven cooking in a quieter setting than most Streeterville spots — especially when pairing a meal with an MCA visit.
Skip if: You’re looking for loud nightlife energy, very large group seating, or a menu built around heavy comfort food rather than seasonal, vegetable-leaning plates.
Marisol
8.5
Marisol, tucked inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, runs an art-forward happy hour with cocktails and bar bites that mirror the restaurant’s seasonal, chef-driven menu. Between the Bib Gourmand nod, Jason Hammel’s influence, and MCA adjacency, it functions as a cultured after-work meet-up for Streeterville and Mag Mile workers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshuka, Grilled Ham-and-Comté Sandwich, Seasonal Roast Chicken
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A museum restaurant with a Bib Gourmand pedigree and a focused bar-only happy hour menu.
Who should go: Art-minded diners wanting cocktails with chef-driven small plates.
When to visit: Tue–Fri 4–6 p.m. when bar-only happy hour is active.
What to order: Bar-menu seasonal small plate, a snack from the counter, and a house cocktail.
Insider tip: Pair late-afternoon MCA admission with bar seating to roll directly into happy hour.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Most guests use the MCA parking garage adjacent to the museum (rates vary by time of day; validation policies may change). Limited metered street parking in Streeterville; rideshare is the most reliable option during events and exhibition openings.
Dress code: Smart casual — museum-adjacent crowd leans polished and artsy; jeans are fine if styled neat.
Noise level: Moderate — bar area has after-work energy but you can generally hold a conversation at two-tops.
Weekend wait: Happy hour is strongest Tue–Fri; on weekends, expect modest waits around exhibition/event nights but usually manageable if you’re flexible with bar seating.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait outside peak museum programming or large group visits.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — seasonal menus usually include multiple vegetable-forward small plates and salads.
Vegan options: Limited but thoughtful — expect 1–2 items or modifiable plates depending on the current seasonal menu.
Gluten-free options: Several items can be prepared gluten-free on request; confirm with staff as preparations change seasonally.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the art-forward setting and bar-focused happy hour create an intimate, conversation-friendly vibe that works well for a low-pressure cultural first date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes for the bar and high-tops during happy hour, especially earlier in the window; arrive near the start of service or be prepared to wait on busy exhibition evenings.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally adult-leaning during happy hour; fine for older teens visiting the museum, but not designed for young children or stroller dining at the bar.
Best For
Better for: Culture-minded meetups where chef-driven small plates, cocktails, and proximity to the museum matter more than volume dining or late-night hours.
Skip if: You want a loud, party-style happy hour, large entrées over small plates, or guaranteed seating without timing around museum traffic.