0 Followers
North Pond
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
North Pond
8.7
Set inside a 1912 arts-and-crafts building overlooking the lagoon, North Pond is a Michelin-starred restaurant where farm-driven tasting menus meet one of Chicago’s most romantic views. Since 1998 it has been the move for couples who want polished Midwestern cooking framed by park, pond, and skyline.
Must-Try Dishes:
Venison Loin Tartare “Taco”, Mackinac Whitefish en Papillote, Chestnut Mont Blanc Dessert
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A park-embedded, pondside dining room where tasting menus meet skyline views.
Who should go: Romantics who care as much about setting as food.
When to visit: Book at sunset for golden-hour pond and skyline views.
What to order: Seasonal tasting menu, whitefish en papillote, a composed dessert course.
Insider tip: Plan extra time to walk the lakefront paths before or after dinner.
North Pond
8.3
North Pond serves a market-driven tasting menu inside a former 1912 warming house tucked into Lincoln Park, overlooking the water and skyline. The cooking leans seasonal and elegant rather than flashy, with guests citing the combination of careful plates and one of the city’s most picturesque dining rooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Foie gras crème brûlée, Pork belly with grits, Seasonal four-course tasting menu progression
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: A market-driven tasting menu served in a historic lakeside lodge.
Who should go: Couples and small groups wanting nature-framed, special-occasion dinners.
When to visit: Golden-hour reservations when park views and skyline glow.
What to order: Foie gras crème brûlée, pork belly with grits, tasting menu.
Insider tip: Arrive early to walk the park paths and catch pre-dinner pond views.
North Pond
8.6
North Pond is a Michelin-starred restaurant tucked inside Lincoln Park, with Arts & Crafts interiors and pond-and-skyline views that read immediately as special-occasion. A seasonal tasting menu and Sunday prix fixe brunch make it a go-to for anniversaries, visiting parents, and daytime celebrations that still feel formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Five-Course Seasonal Tasting Menu, Sunday Prix Fixe Brunch, Cheese Course with Market Garnishes
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 9.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: A park-embedded dining room with skyline views and a tasting menu.
Who should go: Guests wanting refined food with postcard-worthy Chicago views.
When to visit: Golden-hour dinners when pond and skyline reflections peak.
What to order: Current tasting menu, any fish course, dessert progression.
Insider tip: Budget extra time to walk through the park before or after.
North Pond
8.7
Set inside Lincoln Park overlooking its namesake pond, North Pond is a Michelin-recognized, tasting-menu restaurant where seasonal Midwestern ingredients are sourced from local farms and artisans. Since the late 1990s, it has served as a special-occasion destination for refined, farm-to-table cooking in one of the city’s most picturesque dining rooms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Foie Gras Preparation, Grassfed Beef Entrée, Seasonal Panna Cotta
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 9.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A Michelin-honored, farm-to-table tasting menu served in an Arts and Crafts pavilion overlooking North Pond and the skyline.
Who should go: Special-occasion diners seeking refined seasonal tasting menus in nature.
When to visit: Evening seatings that catch golden hour over the pond and skyline.
What to order: Foie gras course, grassfed beef main, seasonal panna cotta dessert.
Insider tip: Plan extra time to walk the North Pond Nature Sanctuary before or after dinner; it makes the tasting menu feel even more transportive.