0 Followers
Gilt Bar
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Gilt Bar
8.8
Gilt Bar is a dimly lit River North staple for rich New American plates, classic cocktails, and a buzzy, date-friendly room. Locals use it for steak, pasta, and bone marrow nights that feel celebratory without slipping into formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow, Truffle pasta, Butterscotch bread pudding
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A moody, candlelit tavern where cocktails and comfort-minded New American plates share equal billing.
Who should go: Couples and small groups planning a lively, dimly lit dinner.
When to visit: Prime evening slots for full buzz and bar energy.
What to order: Roasted bone marrow, truffle pasta, shared butterscotch pudding.
Insider tip: Book bar or lounge seating if you want the most atmospheric view of the room.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No dedicated lot; nearby River North garages within a short walk and limited metered street parking — plan extra time, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy (dark jeans and a jacket or elevated casual wear fits the room).
Noise level: Loud during peak dinner hours — conversation is possible at closer tables or the lounge but can be difficult near the bar.
Weekend wait: Often 45–75 minutes without a reservation; bar seats may open sooner if you’re flexible.
Weekday lunch: Typically not applicable (primarily a dinner-focused destination).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a handful of vegetarian appetizers and pasta-style plates depending on seasonal menu rotation.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes skew rich and dairy-forward; ask staff about simple modifications.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free options and modifications available; communicate restrictions with your server.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, cocktails, and buzzy room create a romantic but relaxed vibe, especially at a two-top or lounge table.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins may find seats at the bar or lounge if you’re patient, but peak weekends strongly favor advance reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it’s an adult-leaning, late-evening crowd with low lighting and louder noise; better suited for teens and older rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: Moody, cocktail-driven dinners with rich comfort-leaning plates in a lively, date-friendly atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, early family dining, or a menu centered on lighter, health-focused dishes.
Gilt Bar
8.4
Gilt Bar is a candlelit River North staple for rich American plates, classic cocktails, and burgers and sandwiches that lean heavily on crisp fries. Locals use it for date nights or small groups when they want steak, pasta, and a proper plate of fries in a room that feels buzzy without being formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gilt Bar cheeseburger with fries, Steak frites with house-cut fries, Truffle fries side
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Moody, cocktail-driven tavern where burgers and steak frites come with reliable fries.
Who should go: Couples and groups wanting fries with cocktails and comfort food.
When to visit: Evenings after 7 p.m. when the bar and dining room hum.
What to order: Cheeseburger with fries, steak frites, truffle fries for the table.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar if you want the fastest path to hot fries.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Valet may be available during peak dinner hours but isn’t guaranteed.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean slightly dressy for evening visits.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud — conversation is possible at a two-top, but the room runs buzzy during peak hours.
Weekend wait: Commonly 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime hours; bar seating is often the fastest option.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait (when open for daytime service) or short waits early evening on weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a few vegetarian-friendly plates and sides, including fries and some pasta/small-plate options.
Vegan options: Limited — fries and select sides may work with modifications; confirm preparation with the server.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be prepared gluten-aware on request, but there is no fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, cozy booths, and strong cocktail program create an intimate, slightly upscale feel that works well for a first or second date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes, especially if you’re flexible — expect a wait on weekends, but the bar and lounge are good fallback options for quicker seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Not especially — it’s more of a date-night and adult-dining environment with low lighting and a lively bar scene; older teens are fine, but it’s not ideal for young children.
Best For
Better for: Romantic-but-buzzy dinners with cocktails, burgers, and steak frites where the fries and comfort-leaning plates are reliable and consistent.
Skip if: You want a quiet dining room, broad vegan or gluten-free menus, or a casual family-oriented spot.
Gilt Bar
8.7
Gilt Bar is a moody River North standby where happy hour means stiff classic cocktails and shareable New American plates under low, golden light. Diners treat it as a first-stop for martinis, bone marrow, and pasta before a longer night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood Fired Bone Marrow, Truffle Mafaldine, Vodka Rigatoni
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Dark, vintage bar-restaurant where serious cocktails and rich pastas headline happy hour.
Who should go: Cocktail and pasta lovers easing into a night downtown.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for easier bar seats and deals.
What to order: Bone marrow, truffle mafaldine, vodka rigatoni.
Insider tip: Post up at the bar for happy hour, then keep your seat for a full dinner without moving.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in River North; expect paid garages nearby and occasional rideshare congestion during peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most guests lean a little dressy for evening and cocktails.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud during peak hours — conversation is possible at smaller tables or the bar, quieter earlier in the evening.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during prime time; bar seats may open sooner.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait when open, though most of the traffic centers on late afternoon and evening happy hour.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good coverage — several small plates and pastas can be ordered meat-free.
Vegan options: Limited — most items include dairy or butter; ask staff about modifications.
Gluten-free options: Selective options — some plates can be prepared gluten-free, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, polished cocktails, and intimate tables create a cozy, conversation-friendly vibe, especially earlier in the evening.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often — walk-ins are common for the bar and later-evening tables, but expect a wait during peak weekend hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal — it skews adult and cocktail-focused, with a darker room and higher noise levels better suited to dates and groups.
Best For
Better for: Moody, cocktail-driven happy hour with rich, shareable plates and a date-night atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet, family-oriented meal, broad vegan options, or a bright, casual environment.
Gilt Bar
8.4
Gilt Bar is a dim, vintage-feeling American restaurant-bar known for pastas, tartare, and a moody room, with clearly noted organic gluten-free pasta substitutions and gluten-free-friendly mains that make it workable for mixed-diet groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta Gnocchi with option for gluten-free pasta, Tenderloin Steak Tartare, Double Wagyu Cheeseburger
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Moody, established River North tavern with organic gluten-free pasta swaps and attentive handling of gluten-free orders.
Who should go: Gluten-conscious diners wanting rich comfort food in a dark room.
When to visit: Later evening seatings when the bar and dining room hum.
What to order: Steak tartare, a pasta with gluten-free pasta option, shared potatoes.
Insider tip: Request gluten-free pasta explicitly; the kitchen can often sub it into several pasta dishes for minimal upcharge.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; most guests use nearby paid garages within a 1–2 block walk. No on-site valet as of most recent reports.
Dress code: Smart casual — dark jeans and a nice top are common; the room leans polished and date-night appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — conversation is possible at close range but the bar and dining room can get lively during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak windows; later seatings are easier to snag at the bar or lounge.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait — lunch traffic is lighter than dinner service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, sides, and a few mains/pastas can be ordered meat-free with staff guidance.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes contain dairy or egg; possible to build a meal from sides and salads with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Yes — organic gluten-free pasta substitution noted on the menu and several mains/sides are naturally gluten-friendly; alert the server for careful handling.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — the dim lighting, moody atmosphere, and cozy seating create an intimate, conversation-forward setting, especially at later evening seatings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes — arrive early or later in the evening for the best chance. The bar and lounge seats are typically the most flexible for walk-ins.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the space skews adult, dark, and cocktail-forward; better suited to teens and older rather than young children.
Best For
Better for: Romantic, low-light dinners with rich comfort dishes and reliable gluten-free pasta substitutions for mixed-diet groups.
Skip if: You want a quiet dining room, expansive vegan options, or a bright, family-oriented setting.