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Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
8.7
Moody Tongue runs a Michelin-starred beer-paired tasting menu in a sleek brewery setting just south of McCormick Place. Guests book the Dining Room for lengthy, tightly executed courses matched to house beers, while the broader space still feels like a working brewery rather than a hushed temple of fine dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
American Wagyu Filet with Beer Pairing, Seasonal Soft-Shell Crab Course, 12-Layer German Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized tasting menu built entirely around in-house beer pairings.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners who love craft beer and precise plating.
When to visit: Evening reservations for the full, unhurried tasting menu experience.
What to order: Beer-paired tasting menu, American Wagyu course, German chocolate cake.
Insider tip: Book counter seats near the open kitchen if available to watch plating and pairings up close.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in the surrounding Bronzeville/McCormick Place area is limited; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Valet availability may vary by event night rather than being guaranteed.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and cocktail-appropriate attire feel most at home, though formalwear is not required.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate — conversation is easy across the table, with occasional ambient brewery activity.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins are rarely accommodated for the tasting room.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — service is focused on dinner tasting menus.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice — the kitchen can adjust select courses for vegetarian diners.
Vegan options: Very limited — this tasting format is not designed as a vegan experience and accommodation may be constrained.
Gluten-free options: Often workable with prior communication — several courses can be modified, but beer pairings may include gluten elements.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s ideal for a special-occasion first date where you want a refined, conversation-friendly setting and a long, guided tasting experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Generally no for the tasting room — book ahead. Limited same-day availability may appear only if there are cancellations.
Is it kid-friendly? Not particularly — the multi-course format and beer-pairing focus make it best for adults and special-occasion dining rather than families with young children.
Best For
Better for: Beer-driven pairings and precise, Michelin-level tasting progression inside an active brewery environment — a distinctive experience compared with traditional wine-focused fine dining.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte flexibility, shorter meals, or do not enjoy beer flavors as a core part of the pairing experience.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
8.9
Moody Tongue pairs a working brewery with a Michelin-starred tasting menu, turning South Wabash into a destination for beer-driven fine dining. Chef-brewer Jared Rouben’s team builds multi-course menus around precise flavor pairings, from caviar-topped bites to a signature 12-layer German chocolate cake designed for stout. It’s one of Chicago’s most singular combinations of brewery culture and white-tablecloth service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kaluga caviar oyster with preserved lemon, Bussan crab chawanmushi, 12-layer German chocolate cake with beer pairing
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A brewery-led Michelin-star dining room built entirely around beer pairings.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners who care about beer as much as wine.
When to visit: Prime dinner slots for full kitchen and pairing experience.
What to order: Tasting menu progression, Kaluga caviar oyster, 12-layer chocolate cake.
Insider tip: Budget time and appetite to add a beer flight beyond the pairings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited in the South Loop during dinner hours; most guests use nearby paid garages along Wabash and Michigan. No standard valet — call ahead on event nights to confirm availability.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual to cocktail attire; jackets and dresses feel appropriate, but formalwear is not required.
Noise level: Low to moderate — conversation is easy across the table, with a calm, fine-dining pace.
Weekend wait: Tasting menu is reservation-driven and often books out days to weeks in advance; walk-ins are rarely accommodated.
Weekday lunch: N/A — service is typically dinner-only; confirm current hours before planning.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Available with advance notice — the kitchen can adapt the tasting menu with thoughtful substitutions.
Vegan options: Very limited — vegan pairings are difficult given the menu structure; request in advance to confirm feasibility.
Gluten-free options: Often accommodated with advance notice; several courses can be modified, but pairings may include malt-based beers.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s intimate, polished, and conversation-friendly, but the structured tasting format works best for couples who want a slower, multi-course experience rather than a casual meet-up.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely. This is a reservation-focused tasting room; availability is limited and walk-ins are typically not seated. Join the waitlist or call same-day for cancellations if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the multi-course pacing and beer-pairing focus skew adult-oriented. Older teens with interest in fine dining may be appropriate with advance discussion of menu expectations.
Best For
Better for: Beer-centric fine dining, precise pairing logic, and a distinctive brewery-meets-Michelin experience that few restaurants replicate.
Skip if: You want à la carte ordering, a short casual meal, or a menu that can easily support vegan or highly restrictive diets.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
9.0
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
Moody Tongue pairs a Michelin-starred tasting menu with its in-house brewery, building a hyper-seasonal, beer-driven dining experience in a sleek warehouse space just south of McCormick Place. Menus change frequently around local produce, seafood, and meats, with the 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake acting as a long-running anchor. It functions as both destination tasting menu and special-occasion bar where food and beer are treated with equal seriousness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal Multi-Course Tasting Menu, Roast Squab with Beluga Lentils, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 9.3
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized brewery restaurant where seasonal tasting menus are built around in-house beers.
Who should go: Serious diners wanting Michelin-level tasting menus with beer pairings.
When to visit: Prime dinner hours for full kitchen and bar energy.
What to order: Seasonal tasting menu, beer pairings, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake.
Insider tip: Book the Dining Room for the full tasting experience, then linger over an extra slice of cake and beer in the Bar.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Motor Row is limited and highly variable on event and convention nights; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual to dressy; jackets and dresses fit the room, but refined smart casual is acceptable.
Noise level: Moderate-quiet — conversation-friendly in the Dining Room, slightly livelier in the Bar.
Weekend wait: Reservations are strongly recommended for the tasting menu; bar seats may have a short wait depending on events.
Weekday lunch: Typically not applicable — service is primarily dinner-focused.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Often accommodated with advance notice; menus are seasonal and adaptations are usually chef-curated.
Vegan options: Limited — availability depends on the current menu and should be requested ahead of time.
Gluten-free options: Frequently accommodated with pairings and course adjustments when flagged in advance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — best for milestone or serious first dates where a multi-course tasting menu and thoughtful pacing feel intentional and celebratory.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Occasionally in the Bar for à la carte and drinks, but the Dining Room tasting menu usually requires an advance reservation, especially on weekends or event nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the experience is multi-course, slow-paced, and designed for adults; older teens with an interest in fine dining may be appropriate.
Best For
Better for: Beer-driven fine dining, Michelin-level execution with curated pairings, and special-occasion tasting menus in a sleek, contemporary space.
Skip if: You want casual portions, quick dining, or a flexible à la carte menu rather than a structured tasting experience.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
9.0
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Date Night Magic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Inside Moody Tongue’s South Loop brewery, the Dining Room runs a Michelin-starred, beer-paired tasting menu where 10+ courses move from prawn and black cod to Stone Axe Australian wagyu before finishing with the signature 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake. Diners treat it as a destination for pairing culinary brewing with fine dining in an intimate, low-capacity room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Stone Axe Australian Wagyu with carrot and black trumpet, Black Cod with lentil, cauliflower and chanterelle, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 9
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Michelin-starred brewery dining room pairing 10+ courses with beer.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners who enjoy beer pairings over wine.
When to visit: Evening seatings, especially weekends, for full tasting experience.
What to order: Seasonal tasting menu, Stone Axe Australian Wagyu, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake.
Insider tip: Book well ahead and note dietary preferences when reserving.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited street parking in the immediate area; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Allow extra time on event or convention nights.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jackets and dresses are common, but formalwear isn’t required.
Noise level: Low to moderate — intimate room where conversation is easy across the table.
Weekend wait: Reservation-only tasting menu; walk-ins are rarely accommodated and cancellations are uncommon.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — the Dining Room operates as a dinner tasting menu experience only.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Possible with advance notice — the kitchen can adapt the tasting menu for vegetarian diners if flagged when booking.
Vegan options: Very limited — full vegan substitutions are not always available; request confirmation before reserving.
Gluten-free options: Often accommodatable with advance notice; many courses can be modified, but some pairings may change.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s intimate and celebratory, but the structured, multi-course format is best for a serious or milestone first date rather than a casual one.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Unlikely — seatings are limited and typically sell out. Join the waitlist or monitor for cancellations if dates are full.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the long, prix-fixe format and quiet room suit teens and older diners who can enjoy a multi-course experience.
Best For
Better for: Beer-driven tasting pairings, special-occasion dining in an intimate setting, and a cohesive coursed experience anchored by a signature dessert.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte dining, faster meals, traditional wine pairings, or a more casual, budget-flexible night out.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
9.0
Inside Moody Tongue’s South Loop brewery, the Dining Room runs a tightly choreographed beer-paired tasting menu where 10+ courses move from precise seafood plates to rich meat courses before ending with the signature 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake. It’s a two-Michelin-star experience that feels more intimate than formal, with just 28 seats and a strong emphasis on timing, pairings, and seasonality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hokkaido Sea Scallop, Stone Axe Wagyu Beef, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 9.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A beer-focused, multi-course Michelin tasting menu in a 28-seat dining room attached to a working brewery.
Who should go: Tasting-menu diners who want beer pairings instead of wine.
When to visit: Prime weekend seatings for full energy and pacing.
What to order: Let the full tasting menu run; finish with the 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake.
Insider tip: Plan well ahead—seatings are limited and book out quickly, especially around convention and sports weekends.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking around Motor Row is limited during events; most guests use nearby paid garages around McCormick Place. No valet service.
Dress code: Upscale smart casual; jackets and dresses feel appropriate, but formalwear isn’t required.
Noise level: Quiet to moderate — conversations are easy across the table, with a calm dining-room pace.
Weekend wait: Reservations are required; seating is timed and walk-in waits are not accommodated.
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — this is a dinner-only tasting menu experience.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Often accommodated with advance notice; the kitchen will tailor a parallel tasting progression.
Vegan options: Very limited — availability varies by season and should be confirmed before booking.
Gluten-free options: Frequently accommodated with prior notice; many courses can be adjusted by the kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a serious, special-occasion first date — the atmosphere is intimate and paced, but the structured tasting format works best for diners comfortable with a multi-course experience.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No — seating is limited to a small number of timed reservations and typically books out well in advance, especially during conventions and game weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the lengthy tasting format, quiet room, and prix-fixe menu are best suited to adults or older teens used to fine-dining experiences.
Best For
Better for: Beer-driven pairings, tightly choreographed pacing, and an intimate Michelin-level tasting room where hospitality and beverage integration outshine larger or more formal venues.
Skip if: You prefer à la carte dining, shorter meals, traditional wine pairings, or flexible walk-in seating — a different fine-dining or upscale casual restaurant will be a better fit.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
9.1
Vibes:
Luxury Dining Elite
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Moody Tongue pairs a two-Michelin-starred tasting menu and beer-focused à la carte bar with a full private dining and events program in a restored South Loop factory space. Private groups use the Boardroom, Dining Room, and brewery floor for tasting-menu dinners, corporate events, and wedding-style celebrations built around chef-driven beer pairings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal 15+ course tasting menu (Hokkaido scallop course), Australian wagyu with sweet cornbread and braised oxtail, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake
Scores:
Value: 7.3
Service: 9.1
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A two-Michelin-starred brewery where private events pair elaborate tasting menus with chef-driven beers.
Who should go: Groups wanting Michelin-level tasting menus with beer pairings.
When to visit: Evening seatings aligned with multi-course tasting schedules.
What to order: Full tasting menu, Australian wagyu course, 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake.
Insider tip: Ask the events team to mix Bar and Dining Room formats so some guests enjoy the full tasting while others opt for a more flexible beer-and-bites setup.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on South Loop side streets plus nearby paid garages; availability improves after business hours
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy — jackets and cocktail attire are common for private events
Noise level: Low to moderate — private rooms allow comfortable conversation during tasting menus
Weekend wait: Private dining and tasting menus require advance booking; walk-ins generally not accommodated for events
Weekday lunch: Not applicable — venue primarily operates for dinner service and scheduled events
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Available with advance notice — the kitchen can adapt tasting courses
Vegan options: Very limited — requires prior coordination and may reduce menu breadth
Gluten-free options: Generally accommodated with advance notice; beer pairings can be adjusted to non-gluten options when requested
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — if you’re looking for a refined, slow-paced tasting experience. It’s better suited to milestone or special-occasion dates than casual first meet-ups.
Can I get a table without a reservation? For private rooms and tasting menus, no — reservations and event coordination are required. The Bar may seat limited walk-ins, but availability varies by event schedule.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal for young children — the format is multi-course, slow-paced, and beer-focused. Older teens may be appropriate for private celebrations with advance planning.
Best For
Better for: Formal celebrations, corporate dinners, and special-occasion tasting menus where beer pairings are treated with the same care as wine programs
Skip if: You want a casual, budget-friendly meal, flexible à la carte dining for large groups, or a loud party atmosphere instead of a structured tasting experience