This review is long overdue. My first visit to Bavette’s was back around 2012/2013, and from that very first experience to the countless visits since, everything has always been exceptional. Whether it’s a busy night or a quiet lunch, the service, ambiance, and food are consistently top-tier. I’ve celebrated everything from birthdays to graduation here, and most recently enjoyed another amazing visit while in Chicago for my wedding anniversary. I can’t recommend Bavette’s enough. Truly a must-visit!
Food is a 9/10. Sizzling shrimp scampi slightly overcooked (it comes sizzling, so it's still cooking, with forgettable pieces of garlic bread). Wedge salad was amazing. Crab cake was incredible. Ordered the petite filet mignon and dry-aged bone-in Ribeye. Both were excellent. Truffle Mac & cheese and buttery mashed potatoes. Chocolate creme pie for dessert. Service is outstanding; our server was knowledgeable about everything we asked. Never felt rushed. $500 out the door with tip. Took 3 weeks to get a table for 2 in the dining room. Going to Bavettes seems to be a rite of passage for those who love trying all the best restaurants in Chicago. Overall a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jon Shields
dirty place will not come back
Lisa Ma
Sigh. Bavette’s. I miss you.
We definitely ordered too much and I regret nothing. One of the best meals of my life.
We started with the wedge salad - chopped up for ease and the BACON! So so delicious. It was thick cut and a bit sweet and absolute perfection. Paired well with the crab avocado salad. Crab cake was moist and the accompanying sauce was so tasty we saved it for the fries.
The highlight of the meal, by and far, was the 42-day dry aged ribeye. I’ve never had steak so incredible before. I don’t like steak. But I LOVED this one. Every bite made me pause and contemplate how beautiful life is. The depth of flavour and marbling was just. Ugh. Get it.
The double Wagyu burger was well done too, but we honestly did not need to add both the bacon and egg. We were visiting from out of town and in a food frenzy, it was a bit too rich with all of it. Maybe just the bacon, or just the egg, but it didn’t really need both. Obviously still ate it all.
The sides were fantastic, the Brussels sprouts paired well and the truffle Mac was very truffley.
I couldn’t breathe very easily by the end of the meal, so we got the carrot cake to go. I’m SO glad we did, it was divine.
Service was professional, not very warm but fine. You can tell it’s a well oiled machine and that they’re used to being incredibly busy.
Loved loved loved it 🩷🩷
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wendy Asato
The food here is fabulous! Very well seasoned, tasty, well presented. Service here is great, busy, so there may be a slight wait, portions are good sized and we shared appetizers and sides. Entrees are big enough to share if you have a smaller appetite. Coming back for the shrimp scampi, come out drizzling and smelled buttery and garlicky! (Unfortunately, it was served to the table next to us, after we had eaten!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Oleksandr Rivkind
Disappointed. I expected higher quality meat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Alan W
Filet mignon with bone marrow add-on, truffle mac, and elotes. Do it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Tijerina
The first time I went to Bavette's, my steak was overcooked (I ordered medium-rare and it came out medium-well). I figured it was just a one-off, so I did not have an issue going back with a group of 10. I again ordered medium and informed the waitress of what happened last time. She assured me a medium-rare steak would have a warm red center. Not only was my steak overcooked to medium-well, but 7 out of the 10 steaks at the table were overcooked. I have paid over $500 for 2 meals (including my girlfriend's dinner) and I would have had a better steak if I just ordered one from Texas Roadhouse for a fifth of the price and they didn't overcook it. For a $100 piece of meat, it would be nice to enjoy it. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, I'm not eating here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
George Dgheim
We had an absolutely cozy and romantic vibe here. Even though it was busy, the place was quiet and very comforting. Service was exceptional and our waiter was very welcoming and polite. The oysters were to die for. Filet mignon and the skirt steaks were so juicy and delicious. Truffle Mac n cheese and creamy spinach melted in our mouths! Everything was so so so good! Thank you Bavettes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saeed Darvish
This was my second visit to Bavette Bar & Boeuf, and it was just as great as I remembered from the first time I dined here. The dry-aged bone-in ribeye was outstanding, perfectly cooked and brushed with a rich mix of compound butter and bone marrow that added incredible depth and flavor.
The sides were just as memorable. The truffle mac and cheese was the star of the table, while the creamed spinach with Gorgonzola was a close runner-up, creamy, bold, and perfectly balanced. The mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery, with roasted garlic cloves adding a nice contrast of texture and sweetness.
To finish, the caramel gelato was absolutely decadent. The perfect ending to another exceptional meal.
Bavette Bar & Boeuf continues to deliver on every level. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates top-quality steaks and thoughtful, well-crafted sides.
The best food in Chicago! I don’t like that it is almost impossible to get a table, any day, any time…. Reservations have to be made too far ahead. We would usually do walk-in’s at the bar, which is ok seating. Other than that, I would recommend this place to everyone.
Food: 5
Blake Gill
Exceedingly exceptional dining experience! We got the bone marrow and the portion was so generous -I’m honestly not even sure how they made money on it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beatriz Loor
Went solo around 9 p.m. on a Friday hoping it’d be easier to grab a seat. It still took about 35 minutes of hovering around the bar. Could’ve been a great night if the downstairs bartender hadn’t been so rude. I was waiting by the stairs, left my glass for a second, and she told me I couldn’t wait there (even though another guest was finishing up and kindly offered me her seat, and the hostess had actually told me to wait at the bar area) The bartender’s attitude made the whole situation unnecessarily uncomfortable, so I went back upstairs. She might forget interactions like this, but customers don’t. There are better ways to handle these things and hospitality matters. Aside from that awkward moment, the food was great and I met some lovely people. I’d recommend it if you can get a table — just be ready for an uncomfortable wait at the bar.
Food: 5
Service: 2
Alvin Nguyễn
It was a wonderful experience, 11/10 would definitely come back! Everything from food to service was 10/10.
This review is long overdue. My first visit to Bavette’s was back around 2012/2013, and from that very first experience to the countless visits since, everything has always been exceptional. Whether it’s a busy night or a quiet lunch, the service, ambiance, and food are consistently top-tier. I’ve celebrated everything from birthdays to graduation here, and most recently enjoyed another amazing visit while in Chicago for my wedding anniversary. I can’t recommend Bavette’s enough. Truly a must-visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Cream Pie, Bavette's Spiced Fried Chicken, Maude’S Seafood Tower †, Truffle Mac \u0026 Cheese, Shrimp Cocktail, Baked Goat Cheese, Thick-Cut Bacon, Baked Potato
Food is a 9/10. Sizzling shrimp scampi slightly overcooked (it comes sizzling, so it's still cooking, with forgettable pieces of garlic bread). Wedge salad was amazing. Crab cake was incredible. Ordered the petite filet mignon and dry-aged bone-in Ribeye. Both were excellent. Truffle Mac & cheese and buttery mashed potatoes. Chocolate creme pie for dessert. Service is outstanding; our server was knowledgeable about everything we asked. Never felt rushed. $500 out the door with tip. Took 3 weeks to get a table for 2 in the dining room. Going to Bavettes seems to be a rite of passage for those who love trying all the best restaurants in Chicago. Overall a wonderful experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dirty place will not come back
Sigh. Bavette’s. I miss you.
We definitely ordered too much and I regret nothing. One of the best meals of my life.
We started with the wedge salad - chopped up for ease and the BACON! So so delicious. It was thick cut and a bit sweet and absolute perfection. Paired well with the crab avocado salad. Crab cake was moist and the accompanying sauce was so tasty we saved it for the fries.
The highlight of the meal, by and far, was the 42-day dry aged ribeye. I’ve never had steak so incredible before. I don’t like steak. But I LOVED this one. Every bite made me pause and contemplate how beautiful life is. The depth of flavour and marbling was just. Ugh. Get it.
The double Wagyu burger was well done too, but we honestly did not need to add both the bacon and egg. We were visiting from out of town and in a food frenzy, it was a bit too rich with all of it. Maybe just the bacon, or just the egg, but it didn’t really need both. Obviously still ate it all.
The sides were fantastic, the Brussels sprouts paired well and the truffle Mac was very truffley.
I couldn’t breathe very easily by the end of the meal, so we got the carrot cake to go. I’m SO glad we did, it was divine.
Service was professional, not very warm but fine. You can tell it’s a well oiled machine and that they’re used to being incredibly busy.
Loved loved loved it 🩷🩷
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food here is fabulous! Very well seasoned, tasty, well presented. Service here is great, busy, so there may be a slight wait, portions are good sized and we shared appetizers and sides. Entrees are big enough to share if you have a smaller appetite. Coming back for the shrimp scampi, come out drizzling and smelled buttery and garlicky! (Unfortunately, it was served to the table next to us, after we had eaten!)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Disappointed. I expected higher quality meat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Filet mignon with bone marrow add-on, truffle mac, and elotes. Do it
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The first time I went to Bavette's, my steak was overcooked (I ordered medium-rare and it came out medium-well). I figured it was just a one-off, so I did not have an issue going back with a group of 10. I again ordered medium and informed the waitress of what happened last time. She assured me a medium-rare steak would have a warm red center. Not only was my steak overcooked to medium-well, but 7 out of the 10 steaks at the table were overcooked. I have paid over $500 for 2 meals (including my girlfriend's dinner) and I would have had a better steak if I just ordered one from Texas Roadhouse for a fifth of the price and they didn't overcook it. For a $100 piece of meat, it would be nice to enjoy it. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, I'm not eating here again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
We had an absolutely cozy and romantic vibe here. Even though it was busy, the place was quiet and very comforting. Service was exceptional and our waiter was very welcoming and polite. The oysters were to die for. Filet mignon and the skirt steaks were so juicy and delicious. Truffle Mac n cheese and creamy spinach melted in our mouths! Everything was so so so good! Thank you Bavettes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was my second visit to Bavette Bar & Boeuf, and it was just as great as I remembered from the first time I dined here. The dry-aged bone-in ribeye was outstanding, perfectly cooked and brushed with a rich mix of compound butter and bone marrow that added incredible depth and flavor.
The sides were just as memorable. The truffle mac and cheese was the star of the table, while the creamed spinach with Gorgonzola was a close runner-up, creamy, bold, and perfectly balanced. The mashed potatoes were smooth and buttery, with roasted garlic cloves adding a nice contrast of texture and sweetness.
To finish, the caramel gelato was absolutely decadent. The perfect ending to another exceptional meal.
Bavette Bar & Boeuf continues to deliver on every level. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates top-quality steaks and thoughtful, well-crafted sides.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The best food in Chicago! I don’t like that it is almost impossible to get a table, any day, any time…. Reservations have to be made too far ahead. We would usually do walk-in’s at the bar, which is ok seating. Other than that, I would recommend this place to everyone.
Food: 5
Exceedingly exceptional dining experience! We got the bone marrow and the portion was so generous -I’m honestly not even sure how they made money on it!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went solo around 9 p.m. on a Friday hoping it’d be easier to grab a seat. It still took about 35 minutes of hovering around the bar. Could’ve been a great night if the downstairs bartender hadn’t been so rude.
I was waiting by the stairs, left my glass for a second, and she told me I couldn’t wait there (even though another guest was finishing up and kindly offered me her seat, and the hostess had actually told me to wait at the bar area) The bartender’s attitude made the whole situation unnecessarily uncomfortable, so I went back upstairs.
She might forget interactions like this, but customers don’t. There are better ways to handle these things and hospitality matters.
Aside from that awkward moment, the food was great and I met some lovely people. I’d recommend it if you can get a table — just be ready for an uncomfortable wait at the bar.
Food: 5
Service: 2
It was a wonderful experience, 11/10 would definitely come back! Everything from food to service was 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An absolute 10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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