We had a fascinating and delicious meal at Esmé. The abbreviated tasting menu is the best deal in town, where you get caviar, foie gras and wagyu beef for an exceptional price. Service was professional and ultra friendly. I also loved that the place was not loud--a rarity. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany Liu
Such a unique dining experience. I love that they mix art with cuisine and have a featured artist. The food was creative, beautifully presented, and all very tasty! We also got the non-alcoholic pairing with the tasting menu. Ia appreciated that the drinks were unique (not just a NA version of whatever the the normal alcoholic paring is). So fun! Would love to visit again for a different artist menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Baydoun Baydoun
Esmé is visually stunning, with dishes that double as pieces of art. The creativity is exceptional, and the plating is some of the best in the city. While several courses delivered strong flavors, a few leaned heavily on presentation over taste. Service is excellent, and the atmosphere is refined without feeling stiff. A strong four stars for creativity and technique.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Leslie Gonzalez
This place is incredible! The entire concept of using their artist in residence to inspire their dishes is such a unique take. I booked this experience as a celebration for myself, and they went above and beyond for me. Everyone was extremely kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. If you have the opportunity to visit Esmé, you absolutely should!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sweetteeness
It took us almost a year to get a reservation at this Michelin rated gem. You must prepay prior to dining. Eclectic mix of tasty pieces. More art meets food. Pricey, but the experience was top tier. The service was OUTSTANDING !!! 20/10. The featured artist Lefty is creative, and the chefs were outstanding. The food , inspired by the art is both creative and experimental. The drinks , a mix of alcoholic and non alcoholic were one of a kind !!! Just excellent!!! An open ended palate is suggested if you go to experience this restaurant. It felt like a museum. It was an early anniversary dinner for us. We were treated with the utmost care and invited to tour the Kitchen with the head chef Gustavo. Servers Chris, and Jake …Made our experience over the top, Literally treated like royalty. A one of a kind dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Moh Hosseinioun
Overrated
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Claire Okkema
I am writing this review in regards to a large group dining event I had at Esme.
The food and service were both great, specifically the service. I was very impressed by it. My family loved the creativity in the menu.
What I was not impressed by was the lack of attention to detail. 4 days before the event, I received an email asking me to outline some of my preferences. They specifically asked me to send in a logo so they could print it on the menu. None of the preferences I wanted were executed, which I thought was pretty disappointing. We had booked for a semi-private event and I was expecting the room divider, which was not there. The menu did not have a logo. The menu actually had a dessert item that we were not served. If you ask your guest for their preferences at this caliber of fine dining, I do expect those preferences to be executed.
The last thing I was (and I will say mildly) disappointed by was the fact that I had paid for passed canapés at cocktail hour yet they were no different from what was in the regular menu. If I had not paid for them, they would have been part of our meal anyways. Felt like a cash grab.
Despite these things, I feel that the actual restaurant itself did a fantastic job at service and the food was delicious. I think their back-of-house and event planning has left much to be desired.
Beau Chard
A stunner from start to finish with a very unique twist on the chicago Michelin experience. We loved how when you walk in you are given a cocktail to drink as you look at the current art installment. Once the food arrived it felt like the art came to the table every-time, all of the dishes were so thoughtfully curated. We also got the avant-garde cocktail pairing which featured beers, wines, cocktails, and so many unique options which felt so out of the box for a Michelin. it worked so well.
There was a woman at Bar Esme that was so insanely loud it was kind of shocking, it did not change the experience but had to be mentioned.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suzanna Gormley
This was our first Michelin star experience. I really enjoyed the pairing of artist and food, and choosing a local artist as well. They redesign the restaurant for each artist. Which I hope they do in a substainable way. Agreed with other reviews that a few dishes were in edible. The first course we really did not enjoy and had already finished our welcome drink, so we had nothing to wash out the algae type taste and even got to the table without water. We asked for sparkling water and got still which wasn't a great start. And then also got a non alcoholic pairing and had to ask for the next drink that they forgot. They also interrupted conversations which is a pet peeve of mine from wait staff. I worked in restaurants not too long ago and not this level and still never did that, or apologized if I needed to. For the cost I would have liked to never have had to correct the wait staff. They had a stage working the floor so maybe they are short staffed. I would recommend going once they are in a better place with front of house. Otherwise they were amazing and made us feel special when they could. We did not leave hungry. We loved dessert, they were some of the most interesting and different textures to appeal to every type of dessert person, fruit dessert, gummy, gummy, carmels, cake and ice cream. I would recommend a Michelin star experience after this restaurant which I wasn't sure I would be sold on the cost but the experience was so fun. I recommend going in a big group with foodies who will discuss and experience the dishes too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ceciletravelinfo
Playful artistry meets heartfelt hospitality in a beautifully intimate space.
I think this place will be getting another star soon. The way they tie the food to the art really makes this place special. No dish has ever been a miss. They nail progression taste and appearance every single time. Plus the menu changes multiple times a year so it is like a new experience every few months. However the quality is always top notch. The only thing better than the food is the service. This team is dialed in and works together to make every meal a special event for their guests. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the country.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lili Faustin
From start to finish, Esmé is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Every detail feels intentional, from the way the staff welcomes you, to the thoughtfulness in how each course is presented. What stood out most to me was how personal and artistic the tasting menu felt it wasn’t just food, it was storytelling on a plate.
The flavors are bold yet balanced, the creativity shines in every dish, and the wine pairings elevate it all beautifully. The team anticipates your needs before you even ask, making the evening feel seamless and special.
What I appreciated most is that Esmé goes beyond “fine dining” pretension, you feel cared for, not just impressed. It’s rare to find a place that delivers excellence in hospitality, artistry, and cuisine all at once, but Esmé does just that.
Chicago is lucky to have this gem. I would come back in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone who wants a meal that’s unforgettable, both for the palate and for the soul.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jay Rhone
This was the most smoke-and-mirrors meal I’ve ever had. The concepts were incredibly creative but took a wild level of priority over the food actually tasting good—which it didn’t. The food was wildly boring in flavor and very inconsistent in seasoning and execution. Our server was lovely but too clumsy and awkward. The room is an incredible studio but felt very sterile and more like a pop up than a restaurant space. Had I watched this meal on Netflix, I would have loved it. However, I had to eat it and pay my friend my share for the meal that I was unfortunately subjected to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
Rana N
My spouse and I were excited to celebrate my birthday at Esme on a weekday, but that quickly changed when they mishandled our reservation. To preface- this review does not include the dining experience, as we did not even get to go.
We accidentally made a reservation for a Table for six on their booking platform, then immediately realized there was another option for dining for two at the bar. They charged us $945 for our reservation upon booking, so we wanted to make sure we had the correct reservation because the amount charged seemed very high, and it was not our intention to spend nearly this much for dinner.
We IMMEDIATELY emailed them to change our reservation to a table for two at the bar area instead of the dining room. After numerous emails over the span of 36 hours, they REFUSED to change our reservation and refused to refund us our money. All communication was via email, and they also refused to provide a phone number to resolve the matter.
They were responsive with their emails, but their tone got increasingly impersonal as the emails went on. We really wanted to resolve the matter and still wanted to dine there, but they made it impossible. Ultimately, they ROBBED US IN PLAIN SIGHT. Their primary concern was to get our money, without providing the service.
Esme team was extremely disappointing in handling our reservation and we are turned off and we will never step foot in that establishment. We will be informing everyone we know not to go there as well.
Esme team, we will be disputing this matter with our bank- and I hope you review your policies and the way in which you handle your reservations. There were MANY open tables tonight, so you could have easily changed our reservation, instead your priority was charging us without providing a service. Please consider how you immorally and tastelessly handled this.
Service: 1
Sara Newton
Overall, Esmé was a disappointing experience and definitely not worth the high price point. It feels like yet another overhyped spot in Chicago that prioritizes concept over execution. The setup was awkward from the start, and we waited well over five minutes for what was supposed to be a “welcome drink.”
At least one course was completely inedible, and we left feeling hungry, which should never happen at this level. Dessert was good, but nothing extraordinary.
The person serving nonalcoholic pairings added another layer of discomfort—extremely awkward and made the experience feel off.
In the end, there was clearly a lot of effort put into the artistic and visual elements, but not enough into making the food memorable or satisfying. It’s a restaurant first, and they seem to have forgotten that.
We had a fascinating and delicious meal at Esmé. The abbreviated tasting menu is the best deal in town, where you get caviar, foie gras and wagyu beef for an exceptional price. Service was professional and ultra friendly. I also loved that the place was not loud--a rarity. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a unique dining experience. I love that they mix art with cuisine and have a featured artist. The food was creative, beautifully presented, and all very tasty! We also got the non-alcoholic pairing with the tasting menu. Ia appreciated that the drinks were unique (not just a NA version of whatever the the normal alcoholic paring is). So fun! Would love to visit again for a different artist menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Esmé is visually stunning, with dishes that double as pieces of art. The creativity is exceptional, and the plating is some of the best in the city. While several courses delivered strong flavors, a few leaned heavily on presentation over taste. Service is excellent, and the atmosphere is refined without feeling stiff. A strong four stars for creativity and technique.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This place is incredible! The entire concept of using their artist in residence to inspire their dishes is such a unique take. I booked this experience as a celebration for myself, and they went above and beyond for me. Everyone was extremely kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. If you have the opportunity to visit Esmé, you absolutely should!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It took us almost a year to get a reservation at this Michelin rated gem. You must prepay prior to dining. Eclectic mix of tasty pieces. More art meets food. Pricey, but the experience was top tier. The service was OUTSTANDING !!! 20/10. The featured artist Lefty is creative, and the chefs were outstanding. The food , inspired by the art is both creative and experimental. The drinks , a mix of alcoholic and non alcoholic were one of a kind !!! Just excellent!!! An open ended palate is suggested if you go to experience this restaurant. It felt like a museum. It was an early anniversary dinner for us. We were treated with the utmost care and invited to tour the Kitchen with the head chef Gustavo. Servers Chris, and Jake …Made our experience over the top, Literally treated like royalty. A one of a kind dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Overrated
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I am writing this review in regards to a large group dining event I had at Esme.
The food and service were both great, specifically the service. I was very impressed by it. My family loved the creativity in the menu.
What I was not impressed by was the lack of attention to detail. 4 days before the event, I received an email asking me to outline some of my preferences. They specifically asked me to send in a logo so they could print it on the menu. None of the preferences I wanted were executed, which I thought was pretty disappointing. We had booked for a semi-private event and I was expecting the room divider, which was not there. The menu did not have a logo. The menu actually had a dessert item that we were not served. If you ask your guest for their preferences at this caliber of fine dining, I do expect those preferences to be executed.
The last thing I was (and I will say mildly) disappointed by was the fact that I had paid for passed canapés at cocktail hour yet they were no different from what was in the regular menu. If I had not paid for them, they would have been part of our meal anyways. Felt like a cash grab.
Despite these things, I feel that the actual restaurant itself did a fantastic job at service and the food was delicious. I think their back-of-house and event planning has left much to be desired.
A stunner from start to finish with a very unique twist on the chicago Michelin experience. We loved how when you walk in you are given a cocktail to drink as you look at the current art installment. Once the food arrived it felt like the art came to the table every-time, all of the dishes were so thoughtfully curated. We also got the avant-garde cocktail pairing which featured beers, wines, cocktails, and so many unique options which felt so out of the box for a Michelin. it worked so well.
There was a woman at Bar Esme that was so insanely loud it was kind of shocking, it did not change the experience but had to be mentioned.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was our first Michelin star experience. I really enjoyed the pairing of artist and food, and choosing a local artist as well. They redesign the restaurant for each artist. Which I hope they do in a substainable way. Agreed with other reviews that a few dishes were in edible. The first course we really did not enjoy and had already finished our welcome drink, so we had nothing to wash out the algae type taste and even got to the table without water. We asked for sparkling water and got still which wasn't a great start. And then also got a non alcoholic pairing and had to ask for the next drink that they forgot. They also interrupted conversations which is a pet peeve of mine from wait staff. I worked in restaurants not too long ago and not this level and still never did that, or apologized if I needed to. For the cost I would have liked to never have had to correct the wait staff. They had a stage working the floor so maybe they are short staffed. I would recommend going once they are in a better place with front of house. Otherwise they were amazing and made us feel special when they could. We did not leave hungry. We loved dessert, they were some of the most interesting and different textures to appeal to every type of dessert person, fruit dessert, gummy, gummy, carmels, cake and ice cream. I would recommend a Michelin star experience after this restaurant which I wasn't sure I would be sold on the cost but the experience was so fun. I recommend going in a big group with foodies who will discuss and experience the dishes too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Playful artistry meets heartfelt hospitality in a beautifully intimate space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I think this place will be getting another star soon. The way they tie the food to the art really makes this place special. No dish has ever been a miss. They nail progression taste and appearance every single time. Plus the menu changes multiple times a year so it is like a new experience every few months. However the quality is always top notch.
The only thing better than the food is the service. This team is dialed in and works together to make every meal a special event for their guests. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the country.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From start to finish, Esmé is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Every detail feels intentional, from the way the staff welcomes you, to the thoughtfulness in how each course is presented. What stood out most to me was how personal and artistic the tasting menu felt it wasn’t just food, it was storytelling on a plate.
The flavors are bold yet balanced, the creativity shines in every dish, and the wine pairings elevate it all beautifully. The team anticipates your needs before you even ask, making the evening feel seamless and special.
What I appreciated most is that Esmé goes beyond “fine dining” pretension, you feel cared for, not just impressed. It’s rare to find a place that delivers excellence in hospitality, artistry, and cuisine all at once, but Esmé does just that.
Chicago is lucky to have this gem. I would come back in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone who wants a meal that’s unforgettable, both for the palate and for the soul.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was the most smoke-and-mirrors meal I’ve ever had. The concepts were incredibly creative but took a wild level of priority over the food actually tasting good—which it didn’t. The food was wildly boring in flavor and very inconsistent in seasoning and execution. Our server was lovely but too clumsy and awkward. The room is an incredible studio but felt very sterile and more like a pop up than a restaurant space.
Had I watched this meal on Netflix, I would have loved it. However, I had to eat it and pay my friend my share for the meal that I was unfortunately subjected to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 3
My spouse and I were excited to celebrate my birthday at Esme on a weekday, but that quickly changed when they mishandled our reservation. To preface- this review does not include the dining experience, as we did not even get to go.
We accidentally made a reservation for a Table for six on their booking platform, then immediately realized there was another option for dining for two at the bar. They charged us $945 for our reservation upon booking, so we wanted to make sure we had the correct reservation because the amount charged seemed very high, and it was not our intention to spend nearly this much for dinner.
We IMMEDIATELY emailed them to change our reservation to a table for two at the bar area instead of the dining room. After numerous emails over the span of 36 hours, they REFUSED to change our reservation and refused to refund us our money. All communication was via email, and they also refused to provide a phone number to resolve the matter.
They were responsive with their emails, but their tone got increasingly impersonal as the emails went on. We really wanted to resolve the matter and still wanted to dine there, but they made it impossible. Ultimately, they ROBBED US IN PLAIN SIGHT. Their primary concern was to get our money, without providing the service.
Esme team was extremely disappointing in handling our reservation and we are turned off and we will never step foot in that establishment. We will be informing everyone we know not to go there as well.
Esme team, we will be disputing this matter with our bank- and I hope you review your policies and the way in which you handle your reservations. There were MANY open tables tonight, so you could have easily changed our reservation, instead your priority was charging us without providing a service. Please consider how you immorally and tastelessly handled this.
Service: 1
Overall, Esmé was a disappointing experience and definitely not worth the high price point. It feels like yet another overhyped spot in Chicago that prioritizes concept over execution.
The setup was awkward from the start, and we waited well over five minutes for what was supposed to be a “welcome drink.”
At least one course was completely inedible, and we left feeling hungry, which should never happen at this level. Dessert was good, but nothing extraordinary.
The person serving nonalcoholic pairings added another layer of discomfort—extremely awkward and made the experience feel off.
In the end, there was clearly a lot of effort put into the artistic and visual elements, but not enough into making the food memorable or satisfying. It’s a restaurant first, and they seem to have forgotten that.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
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