For more than two decades, our Christmas season has been anchored by a visit to the Walnut Room—a tradition that has never failed to capture the wonder of the holidays. The anticipation begins with the windows, each one telling its own story, and builds as you step into the Walnut Room and look up at the Great Tree, glowing with warmth and possibility. Over the years, some cherished pieces of the experience have faded into memory—like the beloved confectionery tucked away on the basement level. The Walnut Room itself, the Great Tree, and the small, meaningful traditions that continue to make the season feel special: the Christmas Fairies, fairy dust, wishing stones, and the memorial dated mugs that quietly mark moments and milestones in our lives. Some of our beloved family is no longer here, and others have joined, yet in this place, time feels layered—past and present meeting in the glow of the season. We remember all the places we have sat and with whom, the conversations, the laughter, and the quiet moments that now live on in memory. These rituals are more than decorations or customs—they are touchstones. They connect past to present, childhood to now, and remind us that even as the world changes, some places still hold space for joy, magic, and tradition. And for us, the Walnut Room will always be one of those places.
Victoria
This was my first time here closer to the Christmas season. Food was good. Loved the fairies coming around to help us with our Christmas wishes, that was so fun! But the waiter we had this time was not upbeat, and never brought me the water I asked for ( I think because she would come around so far between so we asked for 3 things at once but she didn't write anything down.) She got a refill for my friend's drink but gave him diet the second time when it was supposed to be regular. It took 3 different waiters coming by trying to clean our table before the box I asked for finally arrived. I think everyone should still definitely try this place. Just a bad service day, I don't know.
Bruce
Excellent festive holiday experience. The tree is beautiful! As always we enjoyed our dinner! It was so very delicious! Everyone was extremely welcoming and attentive. Very friendly. Our waiter was outstanding and a true gentleman! We will return as we love this restaurant🎄🎅🏼
Lauren
Server was nice but the kitchen was not. It was so busy, so things got hectic. The lobster bisque tasted like pure sherry. The chocolate ice cream cake was melted. But...the short rib was amazing. Chicken Asiago was good, too but a little cold.
Claire
The waiter took too long to come back out and ask for our dessert order. He was in charge off too many tables. We had to get up and hunt him down through a colleague to even find him. That is a totally understaffed level of service. He was nice, but he was clearly working too many tables. He also didn't deliver our food - a much less skilled delivery person did - and just handed us all our plates. No one came and cleared the table between courses either, so we were drowning in our own dirty plates. While a beautiful room, service was the worst it's ever been.
Alma
It was fantastic!! First time ever!! My friends were very gay and enjoyed our time!! Asiago Chicken was outstanding!!
Matt
I was really disappointed with my recent visit to The Walnut Room. My party was seated, but we weren't assigned a server, and the same happened to the table next to us. After waiting 30 minutes, we had to ask if both tables had been forgotten about. When our server finally arrived, he seemed completely disinterested and acted as though taking our table was a chore. Unfortunately, this lack of attentiveness made for a frustrating experience, and it's not the level of service I expected.
gabe
Nostalgia brought us here, but the food was not good, and the charm of Marshall Fields is gone. I felt like we were dining in Target.
Stacey
We had a wonderful service and care by Lori! She is a gem.. She made great menu recommendations and each meal was not wasted. Meatloaf, chicken Asiago and spare ribs. Followed by. Ice cream cake for dessert. Delicious meal. Merry Christmas for the Walnut Room family!
Christine
If you're looking to capture the quintessential spirit of Christmas in Chicago, a visit to The Walnut Room at Macy's on State Street is an absolute requirement. We recently dropped in during the height of the holiday rush, and even with the festive chaos of shoppers and tourists, the experience was nothing short of magical. The centerpiece of the dining room is, of course, the infamous Great Tree. Towering and draped in thousands of ornaments, it's a breathtaking backdrop that makes every table feel like the best seat in the house. Adding to the unique Chicago charm of the room is the stunning Muddy Waters mural we could see out the window from our table. It's a wonderful nod to the city's rich blues history, providing a cool, soulful contrast to the traditional wood-paneled elegance of the restaurant. While the Walnut Room is famous for its pot pie, the Chicken Salad stole the show for us. It was truly "to die for"—perfectly creamy, fresh, and seasoned just right. It's the kind of dish that makes you understand why this place has remained a local institution for over a century. Visiting during the Christmas season can often mean dealing with frazzled staff and long waits, but we were blown away by the service. Despite the restaurant being packed to the rafters, our server was impeccable. They were attentive, fast, and maintained that warm, classic hospitality that makes the Walnut Room feel so special. Whether you're there for the nostalgia, the blues history, or that incredible chicken salad, The Walnut Room remains the heart of the holidays in Chicago.
The Walnut Room did not disapoint! We were seated very quickly a few minutes before our resevation time. The service was quick and friendly. The food was good. The "fairy princess" was very sweet! It was a very nice way to introduce our two youngest grandkids to the tradition of the Walnut Room
Tamara
A very nostalgic few hours. Thrilled to see Macy's preserving the Field's history and colors. Please keep that preservation going. It's such an important part of Chicagoan's history. Special call out to Lori, who served us yesterday. She's a gem and it was so fun swapping stories about days with our parents in the Walnut Room. She really made a great experience for our family!
Kim
Wonderful!! I haven't been there in years and it has only gotten better!!! A wonderful holiday experience!!!
Lynne
Third time at Walnut Room this season, but first brunch/breakfast experience. Walnut Room French toast is the best!
Pamela
We had a wonderful experience. Our server was so kind and caring, and actually recognized that we did not have the best table in her section so she had another table cleared for us so we would have a better view of the tree.
For more than two decades, our Christmas season has been anchored by a visit to the Walnut Room—a tradition that has never failed to capture the wonder of the holidays. The anticipation begins with the windows, each one telling its own story, and builds as you step into the Walnut Room and look up at the Great Tree, glowing with warmth and possibility. Over the years, some cherished pieces of the experience have faded into memory—like the beloved confectionery tucked away on the basement level. The Walnut Room itself, the Great Tree, and the small, meaningful traditions that continue to make the season feel special: the Christmas Fairies, fairy dust, wishing stones, and the memorial dated mugs that quietly mark moments and milestones in our lives. Some of our beloved family is no longer here, and others have joined, yet in this place, time feels layered—past and present meeting in the glow of the season. We remember all the places we have sat and with whom, the conversations, the laughter, and the quiet moments that now live on in memory. These rituals are more than decorations or customs—they are touchstones. They connect past to present, childhood to now, and remind us that even as the world changes, some places still hold space for joy, magic, and tradition. And for us, the Walnut Room will always be one of those places.
This was my first time here closer to the Christmas season. Food was good. Loved the fairies coming around to help us with our Christmas wishes, that was so fun! But the waiter we had this time was not upbeat, and never brought me the water I asked for ( I think because she would come around so far between so we asked for 3 things at once but she didn't write anything down.) She got a refill for my friend's drink but gave him diet the second time when it was supposed to be regular. It took 3 different waiters coming by trying to clean our table before the box I asked for finally arrived. I think everyone should still definitely try this place. Just a bad service day, I don't know.
Excellent festive holiday experience. The tree is beautiful! As always we enjoyed our dinner! It was so very delicious! Everyone was extremely welcoming and attentive. Very friendly. Our waiter was outstanding and a true gentleman! We will return as we love this restaurant🎄🎅🏼
Server was nice but the kitchen was not. It was so busy, so things got hectic. The lobster bisque tasted like pure sherry. The chocolate ice cream cake was melted. But...the short rib was amazing. Chicken Asiago was good, too but a little cold.
The waiter took too long to come back out and ask for our dessert order. He was in charge off too many tables. We had to get up and hunt him down through a colleague to even find him. That is a totally understaffed level of service. He was nice, but he was clearly working too many tables. He also didn't deliver our food - a much less skilled delivery person did - and just handed us all our plates. No one came and cleared the table between courses either, so we were drowning in our own dirty plates. While a beautiful room, service was the worst it's ever been.
It was fantastic!! First time ever!! My friends were very gay and enjoyed our time!! Asiago Chicken was outstanding!!
I was really disappointed with my recent visit to The Walnut Room. My party was seated, but we weren't assigned a server, and the same happened to the table next to us. After waiting 30 minutes, we had to ask if both tables had been forgotten about. When our server finally arrived, he seemed completely disinterested and acted as though taking our table was a chore. Unfortunately, this lack of attentiveness made for a frustrating experience, and it's not the level of service I expected.
Nostalgia brought us here, but the food was not good, and the charm of Marshall Fields is gone. I felt like we were dining in Target.
We had a wonderful service and care by Lori! She is a gem.. She made great menu recommendations and each meal was not wasted. Meatloaf, chicken Asiago and spare ribs. Followed by. Ice cream cake for dessert. Delicious meal. Merry Christmas for the Walnut Room family!
If you're looking to capture the quintessential spirit of Christmas in Chicago, a visit to The Walnut Room at Macy's on State Street is an absolute requirement. We recently dropped in during the height of the holiday rush, and even with the festive chaos of shoppers and tourists, the experience was nothing short of magical. The centerpiece of the dining room is, of course, the infamous Great Tree. Towering and draped in thousands of ornaments, it's a breathtaking backdrop that makes every table feel like the best seat in the house. Adding to the unique Chicago charm of the room is the stunning Muddy Waters mural we could see out the window from our table. It's a wonderful nod to the city's rich blues history, providing a cool, soulful contrast to the traditional wood-paneled elegance of the restaurant. While the Walnut Room is famous for its pot pie, the Chicken Salad stole the show for us. It was truly "to die for"—perfectly creamy, fresh, and seasoned just right. It's the kind of dish that makes you understand why this place has remained a local institution for over a century. Visiting during the Christmas season can often mean dealing with frazzled staff and long waits, but we were blown away by the service. Despite the restaurant being packed to the rafters, our server was impeccable. They were attentive, fast, and maintained that warm, classic hospitality that makes the Walnut Room feel so special. Whether you're there for the nostalgia, the blues history, or that incredible chicken salad, The Walnut Room remains the heart of the holidays in Chicago.
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The Walnut Room did not disapoint! We were seated very quickly a few minutes before our resevation time. The service was quick and friendly. The food was good. The "fairy princess" was very sweet! It was a very nice way to introduce our two youngest grandkids to the tradition of the Walnut Room
A very nostalgic few hours. Thrilled to see Macy's preserving the Field's history and colors. Please keep that preservation going. It's such an important part of Chicagoan's history. Special call out to Lori, who served us yesterday. She's a gem and it was so fun swapping stories about days with our parents in the Walnut Room. She really made a great experience for our family!
Wonderful!! I haven't been there in years and it has only gotten better!!! A wonderful holiday experience!!!
Third time at Walnut Room this season, but first brunch/breakfast experience. Walnut Room French toast is the best!
We had a wonderful experience. Our server was so kind and caring, and actually recognized that we did not have the best table in her section so she had another table cleared for us so we would have a better view of the tree.
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