I was in Chicago with my husband for my birthday weekend and, after two months of researching restaurants, we decided on Obelix for our celebratory dinner. The food was thoughtfully prepared and flavorful , clearly made with care. However, the experience was noticeably diminished by the service, which fell short of expectations, especially for a restaurant at this price point.
We ordered a nice bottle of white wine, expecting it to be properly chilled and attentively served. Instead, it was placed directly on our table with no ice bucket, and we were left to pour it ourselves throughout the meal. There was little engagement from our server (his name was Chris J), and no effort to elevate the experience despite the special occasion.
While the food was enjoyable, the lackluster service left us feeling underwhelmed. For a place as highly rated and pricey as Obelix, I expected a more polished and attentive dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Christopher Parsons
A great brunch. Service and food excellent, wish they had gluten free bread available to dip into the escargot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sophia Hayess
Every item had its own unique charm. Right away, I’ll say the food was outstanding—there wasn’t a single dish we didn’t enjoy. We’ll definitely be back to try more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg Silk
My husband and I were in town from Montreal and New Hope, PA for my cousin's MFA graduation from SAIC [School of the Art Institute of Chicago]. This place is the best! Wonderful people, great food and drinks, perfect vibe. What's not to love? We will for sure be back the next time we're in Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Conner Smith
Visiting from out of town and we were on a mission to enjoy great food while in the city. Obelix delivered on all levels. The entire staff was incredibly hospitable and made our evening out feel special. The bar has exceptional cocktails, the wine program is insane, and the food was perfect from start to finish. Can't say enough great things about this place, it was a dinner we won't forget!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Kaufmann
July 2025 update: Only gets better and better over time. I've been back multiple times. Last time was delicious tomato tarte, truffle dog, asian inspired Secreto pork cut, and a knock-your-socks-off Last Call. Always consistent and great with outstanding bar service.
Origianl 2024 review: Outstanding meal. Stopped by on a Saturday night and was able to snag a seat at the bar. Almost too many things on the menu that I wanted to order but my eyes finally fell on a Choucroute dish and my decision was made. On the menu it was listed as Waygu Pastrami, Escargot Boudin Blanc, Kielbasa, Ham Hock Galantine along with Saurkraut and Potatoes. Its been years since I've found a good Choucroute in Chicago (RIP Brasserie Jo) but this one was outstanding. Non-traditional in a good way. Pastrami and Galantine were at the top of the list but the whole dish was a rich indulgence. I'll be back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pw D
Obélix has a beautiful ambiance and a creative take on French cuisine, but I found the experience a bit underwhelming for the price. The presentation was lovely, and some dishes really stood out, but others lacked balance or flavor. Service was courteous but somewhat slow, especially given the restaurant’s upscale positioning. It’s worth a try if you're looking for something different, but I’m not sure it lived up to the hype.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS AND HOSPITALITY
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Obélix is nothing short of exceptional. A modern French gem tucked into River North, this place delivers on every level—ambiance, service, and above all, food. The menu is inventive yet grounded in classic French technique. Highlights included the foie gras taco (unexpected and phenomenal), the duck à l'orange, and the perfectly executed beef tartare. Every plate was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. Service was professional and polished, striking the right balance between attentive and relaxed. The wine list is thoughtful and the cocktails are sharp. Obélix is a masterclass in contemporary French dining—sophisticated without being stuffy. Truly one of Chicago’s best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eldarbek “Eldar” Kamchybekov
Obélix brings a refreshing, modern take on French cuisine while honoring classic techniques. Service is attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension. Obélix manages to walk the line between indulgent and inventive. Each plate is beautifully presented, reflecting both modern aesthetics and deep respect for French culinary tradition. Desserts are not to be missed—expect refined takes on familiar favorites.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
A.W. Chu
My new favorite restaurant in town. Everything, including parking availability was fabulous.
Rip-off. Terrific service, but the food was lackluster and wasn't fresh. Too many highly recommended dishes we ordered were just complete misses. Disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Carroll Ann
It’s not a French place. Nothing authentic French about food here. Is it an ok restaurant? Maybe. Serving is really small. Ribeye is served super small and cut up into small pieces. For 75 dollars it’s really not good enough. Over use of salt and msg for sure.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Sam
The food were great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ghsisbshd Shsjvs
Obélix is a stylish French restaurant with a refined atmosphere, perfect for a special night out. The menu offers creative and flavorful dishes, and the presentation is impressive. The wine selection is excellent and pairs well with the food. However, the prices are quite high, so it’s more of a luxury dining experience than a casual outing. Service was attentive, though it could feel a bit formal at times. Overall, a great choice if you’re looking for fine dining in Chicago and don’t mind spending extra.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex White
Exceptional food and service!! A bit more modern and creative compared to the “sister restaurant” Le Bouchon.
I was in Chicago with my husband for my birthday weekend and, after two months of researching restaurants, we decided on Obelix for our celebratory dinner. The food was thoughtfully prepared and flavorful , clearly made with care. However, the experience was noticeably diminished by the service, which fell short of expectations, especially for a restaurant at this price point.
We ordered a nice bottle of white wine, expecting it to be properly chilled and attentively served. Instead, it was placed directly on our table with no ice bucket, and we were left to pour it ourselves throughout the meal. There was little engagement from our server (his name was Chris J), and no effort to elevate the experience despite the special occasion.
While the food was enjoyable, the lackluster service left us feeling underwhelmed. For a place as highly rated and pricey as Obelix, I expected a more polished and attentive dining experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
A great brunch. Service and food excellent, wish they had gluten free bread available to dip into the escargot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Every item had its own unique charm. Right away, I’ll say the food was outstanding—there wasn’t a single dish we didn’t enjoy. We’ll definitely be back to try more.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I were in town from Montreal and New Hope, PA for my cousin's MFA graduation from SAIC [School of the Art Institute of Chicago]. This place is the best! Wonderful people, great food and drinks, perfect vibe. What's not to love? We will for sure be back the next time we're in Chicago.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Visiting from out of town and we were on a mission to enjoy great food while in the city. Obelix delivered on all levels. The entire staff was incredibly hospitable and made our evening out feel special. The bar has exceptional cocktails, the wine program is insane, and the food was perfect from start to finish. Can't say enough great things about this place, it was a dinner we won't forget!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
July 2025 update: Only gets better and better over time. I've been back multiple times. Last time was delicious tomato tarte, truffle dog, asian inspired Secreto pork cut, and a knock-your-socks-off Last Call. Always consistent and great with outstanding bar service.
Origianl 2024 review: Outstanding meal. Stopped by on a Saturday night and was able to snag a seat at the bar. Almost too many things on the menu that I wanted to order but my eyes finally fell on a Choucroute dish and my decision was made. On the menu it was listed as Waygu Pastrami, Escargot Boudin Blanc, Kielbasa,
Ham Hock Galantine along with Saurkraut and Potatoes. Its been years since I've found a good Choucroute in Chicago (RIP Brasserie Jo) but this one was outstanding. Non-traditional in a good way. Pastrami and Galantine were at the top of the list but the whole dish was a rich indulgence. I'll be back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Obélix has a beautiful ambiance and a creative take on French cuisine, but I found the experience a bit underwhelming for the price. The presentation was lovely, and some dishes really stood out, but others lacked balance or flavor. Service was courteous but somewhat slow, especially given the restaurant’s upscale positioning. It’s worth a try if you're looking for something different, but I’m not sure it lived up to the hype.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Obélix is nothing short of exceptional. A modern French gem tucked into River North, this place delivers on every level—ambiance, service, and above all, food. The menu is inventive yet grounded in classic French technique. Highlights included the foie gras taco (unexpected and phenomenal), the duck à l'orange, and the perfectly executed beef tartare. Every plate was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. Service was professional and polished, striking the right balance between attentive and relaxed. The wine list is thoughtful and the cocktails are sharp. Obélix is a masterclass in contemporary French dining—sophisticated without being stuffy. Truly one of Chicago’s best
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Obélix brings a refreshing, modern take on French cuisine while honoring classic techniques. Service is attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without pretension.
Obélix manages to walk the line between indulgent and inventive. Each plate is beautifully presented, reflecting both modern aesthetics and deep respect for French culinary tradition.
Desserts are not to be missed—expect refined takes on familiar favorites.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My new favorite restaurant in town. Everything, including parking availability was fabulous.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Rip-off. Terrific service, but the food was lackluster and wasn't fresh. Too many highly recommended dishes we ordered were just complete misses. Disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
It’s not a French place. Nothing authentic French about food here. Is it an ok restaurant? Maybe.
Serving is really small. Ribeye is served super small and cut up into small pieces. For 75 dollars it’s really not good enough. Over use of salt and msg for sure.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
The food were great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Obélix is a stylish French restaurant with a refined atmosphere, perfect for a special night out. The menu offers creative and flavorful dishes, and the presentation is impressive. The wine selection is excellent and pairs well with the food. However, the prices are quite high, so it’s more of a luxury dining experience than a casual outing. Service was attentive, though it could feel a bit formal at times. Overall, a great choice if you’re looking for fine dining in Chicago and don’t mind spending extra.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptional food and service!! A bit more modern and creative compared to the “sister restaurant” Le Bouchon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...