We had a lovely anniversary dinner at Dinner Margaret. All the servers were warm and friendly. We had pommes dauphine, roasted eggplant, crispy polenta, oven-roasted halibut, sablefish conserva and epoisses with a delicious fresh baguette, and the nanaimo bar (which is bigger than expected). Everything was delicious. Our favorites were the crispy polenta (so light, crisp and delicate) and halibut.
Absolutely loved everything about this place! The service is exceptional, the food is absolutely amazing, and it all takes place in a lovely quaint atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Shame on Google for not having a 10 star option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Haz
The food was so well curated, presented, and was delicious. We tried some charcuterie (the fresh bread was a highlight). We sampled two smaller plates and two larger plates between two of us. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. We also tried the two non-alcoholic wines on the menu, which were both delicious. We sat out on the patio which was peaceful and quiet and did not need to make a reservation. This place is on the fancy side and is quite pricy, but it worth it for the quaint experience and interesting food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Ellis
Consistently great food & warm service. Extra points for the well curated and affordable wine list.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Rogers
Had an amazing celebratory dinner at Dear Margaret! Our server Terry was great at explaining the menu and making recommendations. Don’t skip the trout dip and blue cheese, which is served with amazing warm bread made in house. I’ll be back to try the Nanaimo bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Frites
Lauren Schaff
Dear Margaret felt like eating at a friend’s house—in the very best way. The space was warm and inviting, and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more accommodating. Every recommendation they made (food and drinks) was spot on and the dishes were fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel comfortable, cared for, and well-fed. My only wish is that we lived closer so we could be regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grace Anderson
The food is spectacular and the service is wonderful. The charcuterie with fresh baked bread was a great way to start - something for everyone. Every course was memorable and delicious. To top it off the music was so great we asked for the playlist!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rino Siconolfi, MBA
Dear Margaret, located in N Lincoln Avenue, is one of the most refined French restaurants in Chicago, offering a great selection of dishes from French cuisine. Rino Siconolfi Instagram rino_siconolfi
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Nix
Fantastic all around - food prepared at a gourmet level, attentive service, and an intimate experience and atmosphere that makes this place a gem. One of my new favorite restaurants in the whole city!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maggie Del Vecchio
Dear Margaret was incredible. Our server Chad was extremely attentive and friendly and the sommelier recommended a wonderful bottle of wine. The food was spectacular, very unique flavors. I have a gluten allergy and the menu had endless choices for me and my husband to share: cheese and meat, escargot, octopus, gizzards, duck, and crème Carmel to finish. We will absolutely be back soon.
DM has the lovely, laidback vibes of a neighborhood spot, with food that absolutely transcends its humble exterior. Our favorite place for special occasions and to bring friends and family. The fries are mind blowing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meg Dhamer
As a Chef & Food Critic it's unique to find so many thoughtful & well-hewned attributes in a small restaurant. Typically, you feel like a sardine crammed in a can, waiters who are short with guests/assigned too many tables or food that is rushed & tastes like an after thought. Yet Dear Margaret makes you very welcome. Waiters know their stuff & are always there when you need them. A table of 4 can converse without shouting (though there's a lively buzz) and... really scrumptious food. The Pomme Dauphine are a must (mine could have been warmer), the Duck Mousse & Smoked Whitefish are divine. Smeared on two homemade breads with house churned butter in the bomb.The Duck Breast was perfectly cooked but perhaps the highlight was, the Pork Collar. Melts in your mouth with a glassine, tissue-thin crust. Nice wine selection & worth seasonal trips back. Bravo! Chef Meg Dhamer @pigtaletwist
Kelsey Ance
The waitress was so friendly and helpful. The food was insanely good. I am not super adventurous when it comes to food, but I’m glad I branched out!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Frites
roger arriola
Dear Margaret gets five stars all day. We rolled in for dinner one Saturday night. To start: crispy fried smelts with pickles, Pommes Dauphine, and duck liver mousse. For mains: duck breast à l’Orange plus Sakura pork chop, washed down with a bottle of Loire Sancerre. The place nails that French‑Canadian + Midwest vibe—warm, food-forward, zero pretension. Can't wait to go back.
Me and my fiancé had a great experience at Dear Margaret. The food was fantastic & the service was impeccable. Chef Ryan truly cares about the ingredients and puts a lot of heart into these dishes. My favorite was the octopus as it was cooked to perfection.
We had a lovely anniversary dinner at Dinner Margaret. All the servers were warm and friendly. We had pommes dauphine, roasted eggplant, crispy polenta, oven-roasted halibut, sablefish conserva and epoisses with a delicious fresh baguette, and the nanaimo bar (which is bigger than expected). Everything was delicious. Our favorites were the crispy polenta (so light, crisp and delicate) and halibut.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Dauphines, Nanaimo Bars
Absolutely loved everything about this place! The service is exceptional, the food is absolutely amazing, and it all takes place in a lovely quaint atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Shame on Google for not having a 10 star option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so well curated, presented, and was delicious. We tried some charcuterie (the fresh bread was a highlight). We sampled two smaller plates and two larger plates between two of us. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. We also tried the two non-alcoholic wines on the menu, which were both delicious. We sat out on the patio which was peaceful and quiet and did not need to make a reservation. This place is on the fancy side and is quite pricy, but it worth it for the quaint experience and interesting food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Consistently great food & warm service. Extra points for the well curated and affordable wine list.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had an amazing celebratory dinner at Dear Margaret! Our server Terry was great at explaining the menu and making recommendations. Don’t skip the trout dip and blue cheese, which is served with amazing warm bread made in house. I’ll be back to try the Nanaimo bar!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Frites
Dear Margaret felt like eating at a friend’s house—in the very best way. The space was warm and inviting, and the staff couldn’t have been friendlier or more accommodating. Every recommendation they made (food and drinks) was spot on and the dishes were fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of place where you instantly feel comfortable, cared for, and well-fed. My only wish is that we lived closer so we could be regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is spectacular and the service is wonderful. The charcuterie with fresh baked bread was a great way to start - something for everyone. Every course was memorable and delicious. To top it off the music was so great we asked for the playlist!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dear Margaret, located in N Lincoln Avenue, is one of the most refined French restaurants in Chicago, offering a great selection of dishes from French cuisine.
Rino Siconolfi
Instagram rino_siconolfi
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic all around - food prepared at a gourmet level, attentive service, and an intimate experience and atmosphere that makes this place a gem. One of my new favorite restaurants in the whole city!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dear Margaret was incredible. Our server Chad was extremely attentive and friendly and the sommelier recommended a wonderful bottle of wine. The food was spectacular, very unique flavors. I have a gluten allergy and the menu had endless choices for me and my husband to share: cheese and meat, escargot, octopus, gizzards, duck, and crème Carmel to finish. We will absolutely be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
DM has the lovely, laidback vibes of a neighborhood spot, with food that absolutely transcends its humble exterior. Our favorite place for special occasions and to bring friends and family. The fries are mind blowing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a Chef & Food Critic it's unique to find so many thoughtful & well-hewned attributes in a small restaurant. Typically, you feel like a sardine crammed in a can, waiters who are short with guests/assigned too many tables or food that is rushed & tastes like an after thought. Yet Dear Margaret makes you very welcome. Waiters know their stuff & are always there when you need them. A table of 4 can converse without shouting (though there's a lively buzz) and... really scrumptious food. The Pomme Dauphine are a must (mine could have been warmer), the Duck Mousse & Smoked Whitefish are divine. Smeared on two homemade breads with house churned butter in the bomb.The Duck Breast was perfectly cooked but perhaps the highlight was, the Pork Collar. Melts in your mouth with a glassine, tissue-thin crust. Nice wine selection & worth seasonal trips back. Bravo!
Chef Meg Dhamer
@pigtaletwist
The waitress was so friendly and helpful. The food was insanely good. I am not super adventurous when it comes to food, but I’m glad I branched out!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Frites
Dear Margaret gets five stars all day. We rolled in for dinner one Saturday night. To start: crispy fried smelts with pickles, Pommes Dauphine, and duck liver mousse. For mains: duck breast à l’Orange plus Sakura pork chop, washed down with a bottle of Loire Sancerre. The place nails that French‑Canadian + Midwest vibe—warm, food-forward, zero pretension. Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pommes Dauphines, Duck Liver Mousse
Me and my fiancé had a great experience at Dear Margaret. The food was fantastic & the service was impeccable. Chef Ryan truly cares about the ingredients and puts a lot of heart into these dishes. My favorite was the octopus as it was cooked to perfection.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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