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Marisol
ZipPicks Awards
Best American in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Best Happy Hour in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville
Master Critic Review
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.