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The Hampton Social - River North
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
The Hampton Social - River North
8.4
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
The Hampton Social leans into coastal-inspired brunch with lobster rolls, seafood plates, and frosé in a bright, nautical dining room. It’s a default choice for celebratory brunches where the brief is upbeat music, big format cocktails, and plenty of photo-friendly moments.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maine or Manhattan-style Lobster Roll, Avocado Toast with egg, Crab Cake Benedict or similar seafood benedict
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Beach-club-style brunch where rosé, lobster rolls, and a bright room drive the experience.
Who should go: Groups planning social, cocktail-heavy brunch with a scene.
When to visit: Midday weekends when the room is buzzing but not packed.
What to order: Lobster roll, crab cake benedict, frosé or rosé by the glass.
Insider tip: Reserve near the windows or main bar if you care more about energy than noise levels.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No on-site valet; metered street parking is limited and competitive — most guests use nearby River North garages within a 1–3 block walk.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine but many tables skew photo-ready and brunch-festive.
Noise level: Loud during peak brunch with music and group energy — conversation is possible but not quiet-dining comfortable.
Weekend wait: Usually little to no wait outside peak event nights — reservations still recommended if you want a specific seating area.
Weekday lunch: Generally minimal wait; walk-ins are often seated quickly except during larger convention or office-group rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, flatbreads, and brunch plates can be made vegetarian on request.
Vegan options: Limited — a few modifiable items, but menus lean seafood-, egg-, and dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Some clearly marked options (especially seafood and salads); request modifications since cross-contact is possible in a busy brunch kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for social or celebratory dates than quiet conversation — the bright room, music, and group vibe suit fun, high-energy outings more than intimate talks.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes on weekdays and later in the afternoon, but prime weekend brunch windows typically fill — expect a wait or bar seating if you walk in during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids and teens during daytime service; the scene skews adult and celebratory, with few kid-specific amenities for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Lively, social brunches with cocktails, upbeat music, and photo-forward atmosphere — especially for groups and celebrations.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, chef-driven brunch, or extensive vegan/gluten-free focus — a calmer café or specialty brunch spot will fit better.
The Hampton Social - River North
8.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Girls Night Out Approved
Happy Hour Hotspots
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Hampton Social’s River North flagship leans East Coast beach house, with frosé, shareable seafood, and upbeat music in a bright, photo-friendly space. Multiple private and semi-private rooms give large parties a self-contained backdrop for showers, birthdays, and corporate mixers that still plug into the buzz.
Must-Try Dishes:
Maine-Style Lobster Roll, Bang Bang Chicken, Hampton Frosé
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Beachy, high-volume party spot with flexible private rooms and frosé.
Who should go: Celebration groups wanting upbeat, social private dining.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or prime evenings for full scene.
What to order: Lobster roll, Bang Bang Chicken, frosé pitchers.
Insider tip: Book earlier slots if you want conversation over club-level volume.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited; most guests use nearby River North garages within a 1–2 block walk. Valet is occasionally offered during peak evenings and events.
Dress code: Smart casual — jeans are fine, but most groups lean dressy for photos and celebrations.
Noise level: Loud during brunch and prime evenings — conversation is possible at smaller tables but private rooms are noticeably quieter.
Weekend wait: Typically 30–60 minutes without a reservation; large groups should book well in advance.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal wait, though private rooms may require advance inquiry.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several salads, flatbreads, and appetizers work well with light modifications.
Vegan options: Limited — a small number of items can be modified; best to confirm with the server.
Gluten-free options: Multiple dishes can be prepared gluten-free on request; staff is accustomed to accommodations but cross-contact is possible in a busy kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited to celebratory or social outings than quiet first dates — the vibe is lively and photo-forward, with higher volume during peak hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — walk-ins are possible at the bar or lounge, but groups and peak times typically require reservations, especially for private or semi-private spaces.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids during daytime or early seatings; evenings and brunch can feel more party-oriented, with limited space for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Large celebrations, showers, and girls’-night groups that want upbeat music, private room options, and a bright, coastal-themed setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal, white-tablecloth service, or chef-driven dining over scene-driven ambiance.
The Hampton Social - River North
8.3
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Birthday & Celebration Central
The Hampton Social leans coastal with rosé-heavy cocktails, seafood-leaning plates, and live music that pairs naturally with after-work drinks. Happy hour here is about frozen frosé, shareable bar bites, and a bright, beach-club room that plays well for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Shrimp Tacos, Frosé
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Beachy, rosé-forward space where happy hour feels like summer indoors.
Who should go: Groups chasing cocktails, seafood, and photo-friendly décor.
When to visit: Weekday late afternoon into early evening for happy hour.
What to order: Frosé, lobster roll, shrimp tacos.
Insider tip: Aim for a bar or window seat to combine drink deals with live music and people-watching.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in River North; most guests rely on nearby garages or rideshare. Valet is occasionally available during peak evenings but shouldn’t be assumed.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy — jeans are fine, but most groups arrive photo-ready for a night out.
Noise level: Loud during peak happy hour and evenings — conversation is possible at smaller tables but the room has strong music and crowd energy.
Weekend wait: Often busy — expect a wait if you arrive without a reservation, commonly 45–60 minutes during peak windows.
Weekday lunch: Typically little to no wait, except during larger group events or private bookings.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, flatbreads, and a few seafood-free small plates usually work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited — some sides and salads can be modified, but options are not the core focus.
Gluten-free options: Several dishes can be made gluten-aware on request; confirm with your server as preparation may vary by item.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, social first date than an intimate one — the lively, beach-club vibe and cocktails create energy, but the noise level isn’t ideal for long, quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Sometimes — the bar and lounge seats turn over, but prime happy hour and weekend windows fill quickly. Walking in works earlier in the afternoon or later in the evening; otherwise book ahead.
Is it kid-friendly? Acceptable during daytime and early evening, but it skews adult-social and cocktail-focused at night; better for teens than very young children.
Best For
Better for: Girls’ nights, celebratory happy hours, and photo-friendly group outings where cocktails, décor, and atmosphere matter as much as the food.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, intimate conversation, or a value-driven dinner — choose a calmer bistro or seafood spot instead.
The Hampton Social - River North
8.0
The Hampton Social leans coastal and rosé-forward, but its spacious dining room, highchairs, and seafood-heavy menu make it a workable choice for families too. Parents come for lobster rolls, flatbreads, and brunch dishes while kids pick from approachable sandwiches and fries in a bright, beachy room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Hampton Frosé, Halibut or Scallop Entrée
Scores:
Value: 6.5
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A beachy, rosé-focused restaurant that still offers enough space and menu breadth for families.
Who should go: Families mixing seafood, brunch plates, and rosé-centric vibes.
When to visit: Daytime or early dinner before peak nightlife crowds.
What to order: Lobster Roll, flatbread, Hampton Frosé for adults.
Insider tip: Book earlier slots on weekends; it shifts more adult and louder later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited; most guests use nearby paid garages or rideshare. Valet is occasionally available during peak evenings.
Dress code: Casual-to-smart casual — beachy, polished casual works; jeans are fine, many guests lean dressy for brunch and evenings.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak brunch and evening hours; daytime and early dinners are more conversation-friendly.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation; earlier seatings reduce the wait.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; walk-ins are usually seated quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — salads, flatbreads, and a few mains can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited — menu has 1–2 items that can be modified; confirm with server.
Gluten-free options: Some items can be prepared gluten-free on request; cross-contact is possible, so ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual or daytime first dates — the bright, beach-inspired room feels lively and social. Peak brunch and late evenings can be loud if you prefer a quieter conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes at off-peak times or weekday lunches. On weekends and evenings, walk-ins are seated on a waitlist, so reservations are recommended.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families are common earlier in the day. Highchairs are available, the menu has approachable options for kids, and earlier seatings are the most comfortable for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Beachy, upbeat vibes with brunch energy, large groups, and family-friendly daytime meals in a spacious room.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate dinner or strictly health-forward or vegan dining — consider a calmer, more specialized spot instead.