Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cultivate by Forbidden Root

    4.5 (118 reviews)
    ModerateBreweries
    Open 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Cultivate by Forbidden Root Takeout or Delivery

    Cultivate by Forbidden Root Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    More like Cultivate by Forbidden Root

    Recommended Reviews - Cultivate by Forbidden Root

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Duck and dumplings
    Chris H.

    We have been here a few times and typically everything is delicious! The duck and dumplings are fantastic and will keep us coming back! This trip we tried the Spanish octopus, however, and it was not good. We are big fans of octopus, but this one was chewy and the sides to accompany it were not to our liking, so we ended up barely touching the dish. The oysters and scallops were on point though! Overall a very good experience each time!

    Toro! And The Vada Pav Sliders
    Steve A.

    Checked out this pretty unique brewery. Forbidden Root has expanded to a newer location called Cultivate and is known not just for the beers but also the food menu. It has since grown from the original location in East Village to this one in Ravenswood. As the saying goes nothing beats the original and this is where to start on some great local beers and also get something to eat. The prices may be kind of high but it's to be expected for being hipster. Basic thing to know is the beers are supposed to be the main thing of course. It's got quite a few to choose from. The styles are a lot different than just the typical. A lot of ingredients making these more enjoyable to pair with food. Probably what they had in mind when they created these. It's about $8 a pint. Kind of a lot but of course this is a hipster craft brewery though. The best one of these we had was the Toro! It's a Triple IPA that is double dry hopped and citrus forward. There's also notes of pineapple. As for the food it's great but kind of limited for vegetarian choices. It's about $13 for an entree. She got the Kale Salad. It has chickpeas, fennel, fried shallots, herbs, and tahini-orange dressing. This was actually filling surprisingly. I got the Vada Pav Sliders, which are okay for vegans. Comes with mint chutney, pickled red Fresno peppers, and pineapple-tamarind jam. Most of the rest of the menu is meaty. There's also oysters if wanting to get seafood. For sure we could come here again. It's located close to the Ravenswood Metro station. There's a few things for vegetarians.

    Baby iceberg salad
    John M.

    Not sure there's much I can add to Cultivate's string of outstanding reviews. Service and hospitality were excellent and our food--particularly the baby iceberg salad and mussels in jerk sauce--was delectable. The beers I tried--"good on ya" and "cosmic trust fall"--were tasty.

    Denyce M.

    We came to Cultivate by Forbidden Root because we were curious at what they had done to the space since the last time we were there when it was Band of Bohemia, which we loved. Gone is the small seating area with the vinyl records you could play, the Victorian feel of being in Sherlock Holmes pad. Instead there is a more causal laid back vibe. We started out with some cheese selections, served with crostini, seasonal jam, & walnut and a herb salad. The cheeses were very good but for the portion we got, I would not do this again as I didn't feel that what was provided was $22 worth of cheese. I will say that the jam was amazing and very lovely, actually got more of that to eat with the beer bread we ordered. For my entree, I got the fr burger as a Double Smash Patty, without the Giardiniera Mayo. There was white American Cheese, Onions, B&B Pickles on a buttered bun. This was pretty good and I could do this again. But in full transparency, I went with the burger because the selections on the menu didn't grab me with the exception of the chicken sandwich. From what I could see of the dishes others were ordering,, they looked well executed, but from the descriptions on the menu, noting was biting. It doesn't happen often, but there have been times where I have a hard time selecting a main entree to eat. Fortunately they had the burger and it was well executed. The Doctor got the chicken sandwich and loved it as well as the beer he selected. The service was nice and our server was attentive. As I said, the vibe was chill and more casual. I would come back here again for a burger and bubbles and I am sure The Doctor would definitely do more of the beers as he loves trying new ones. Parking was readily available, so no worries on that front and they do take reservations on OpenTable, which is a plus for me.

    January 2023
    Allison T.

    Stopped by for happy hour which turned into dinner. I went back in 2023 and only tried beer flight & wanted to return to try their food. Love the open space and also opportunities to try different beer, thanks to their 5oz options. hearth roasted cauliflower $22: debated over shishito peppers or cauliflowers. Glad I got cauliflowers because it had a smokey flavor that I really enjoyed. The black rice, not so much. At first, I thought it wasn't good but as I kept going for it, it was addictive! Spanish octopus $28: looking forward to a good octopus dish, but wasn't impressed. It was overcooked & chorizo was too airy for my taste. Wouldn't order again. beer braised short rib $29: meat too dry. eggplant dip and naan were ooook. Wouldn't order again. Food was disappointing but I'd try other dishes before ruling it out. Service, space, and beer were good, so 4 stars it is.

    Duck and Dumplings
    Jillian B.

    We stopped by on a sunny weekend afternoon to grab a bite to eat and a flight of beer. We ordered the Duck and Dumplings after seeing it mentioned in other reviews, and it was incredible! It is a very rich dish, so we were very happy to have shared it. The duck was cooked perfectly and the "dumplings" (more like gnocchi) were very pillowy. Really beautiful space - plenty of tables to accommodate parties of all sizes! Service was pretty quick and friendly.

    Ben M.

    I was part of a large party of coworkers who had dinner here. A number of us ordered the beer-braised short rib. It's one of the most expensive items on the menu and is well worth the price! The short rib was perfectly tender, and the accompanying polenta and other toppings really added to the experience. I tried a couple of beers as well that were great. This place is the rare combination of a tasty brewery and brewpub.

    Twice Fried Cauliflower
    Ryan S.

    A great place to grab some good food and try some new beers. The food and beers both rotate pretty regularly, so you can almost always get something new here. The cocktails are great too!

    Angelina I.

    Nice brewery in Ravenswood with plenty of free street parking in front. Stopped by for drinks with friends. The sours and Czech lager were good, but the beers on the traditional flight were not my taste. Service was good, but brewery seemed very quiet for a weekend. Popcorn was good, had an interesting seasoning.

    Roasted Carrots
    Ashley C.

    How did I not know about this place?? My brother gave me a gift card, and I was struck by the lively atmosphere given how quiet the neighborhood is. That's how you know it's going to be good! The staff was exceptional. So friendly, so engaging, and so helpful as I was deciding what to order. I had the Gingerbread beer (yum), sour rose beer (yum), and the Eck beer (also yum). Based on other Yelp reviews, I ordered the Roasted Carrots. Umm wow?!?! This brewery has the best food of all the Chicago breweries that I have tried. I would definitely go back especially because I completely forgot to use the gift card.

    Strawberry basil small pour
    Jennifer P.

    Seated right away on a Saturday. Large dining area with a few outdoor seating options. Wide selection of beers and food. They offer a beer flight or you can get small ounce pours or regular size. We tried a few small plates and the burger. Food was delicious and came out in order with plenty of time to eat our small plates. Service was attentive and staff knew the menu.

    Erika G.

    Have been here a couple of times for beers and snacks. Love the beers, some really interesting and tasty beverages! Bartender is chatty and friendly. I also love the layout and interior of this place, it's easy to move around in. Bathrooms are SPOTLESS. I'm coming back for that Monday BURGER SPECIAL, that looks legit.

    Paula B.

    Came back last night to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary and we're so pleased we came! The food, service, and drinks are still of upmost quality. Everyone on staff is super friendly and accommodating and made great recommendations on food and drinks.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve A.
    4749
    5576
    8499

    9 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 4
    Love this 15
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan S.
    353
    470
    1163

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angelina I.
    33
    392
    858

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rpisces G.
    893
    388
    58

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S R.
    4
    223
    47

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kate M.
    3330
    640
    5932

    4 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bill M.
    2280
    1976
    4463

    4 years ago

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 0
    Love this 28
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of John H.
    379
    1765
    1838

    4 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff O.
    0
    89
    249

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rick L.
    1004
    771
    3646

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Cultivate by Forbidden Root Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cultivate by Forbidden Root

    Do they serve minors? There's a high schooler in our group.

    Absolutely

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Crushed by Giants

    Crushed by Giants

    4.4
    (293 reviews)
    5.8 mi
    $$

    Was craving a burger and a beer and with such a cool name, how could I not check this place out! I…read moresat at the bar around 5pm and it wasn't very busy. They played good music and wasn't too loud. You could easily carry on a conversation or , like me, continue listening to a podcast. By the time I finished, the place was completely full and a bit noisy, but not bad. I started out with a 10oz Birds of Prey Pilsner. It was very nice. Light and crisp and very easy to drink. I followed that up with Melodious Maibock and ordered the CBG burger with fries. I didn't have lunch so I dove right in and forgot to snap a photo. It was a very good smash burger. It was cooked well and I really liked the combination of pickled onion and caramelized onion. I didn't see it until later but you can add bacon. As much as I loved this burger, bacon would totally take it up a notch! I started chatting with the bartender about their different beers and decided to have the Super Melodious Jalapeño Maibock with the burger. It's soooo different, but in a good way. It paired so well with the burger. You get green bell pepper on the nose and a hint of it on the palate. When you swallow you get a little heat at the back of the throat. It was so good! Great bar. Great food. Great beer. Go check them out!

    Crushed by Giants provided good eats, atmosphere, and even better brews. Came here multiple times…read moreand each time ordered the beer flight--for me, there wasn't a bad beer in the lot and it was a great way to have a little of this and a little of that! Bar service can get a little backed up depending on how crowded the place is...one time I was there, the bar was so crowded that I couldn't flag down a server long enough to place a food order so, before I left, I placed my food order to go using the mobile route. Whatever, I didn't care. I'm pretty chill. Anyway, burger was still good when I walked it back to my hotel. When the place isn't slammed, service is like night and day and the place is a bit more quiet. Pop on in if you want to try some good beer, a tasty burger or other pub fare.

    Photos
    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun
    Double Smash Blend of Slagel Beef and Ground Bacon, American & White Cheddar Cheese, Dijonnaise, Pickled Red Onion, Sesame Seed Bun
    Interior bar
    Interior bar
    Ginger beer

    See all

    Ginger beer
    Industry Ales Brewpub

    Industry Ales Brewpub

    4.3
    (90 reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$

    My husband and I came with our daughter here and we were blown away. The atmosphere is really cool…read more We really loved the vibes and the decor. We both got flight flights and then I had a avocado Caesar salad salad with chicken and my husband had a Smashburger. We ordered my daughter chicken burgers and fries of course lol. Everything was delicious and we would 100% go back.

    Checked out this hip looking brewery. It certainly is one of the many places to go to in The Loop…read more Industry Ales is a place that has a lot more than just beers, which is a good choice, because there's all kinds of people who crowd in and want to have fun times. Amazing that fun isn't always beers and chugging. The food is actually good and can be talked about in reviews because some people actually come here to eat, which tells you how they actually have a kitchen. Believe everything is good here but we came for the beers of course. It's certainly the main product made here so why wouldn't it be important. They make more than you can believe which is impressive because there's all kinds of crowds who pass through. For sure everyone wants beer. It's $6 a pint at happy hour. Pretty great for craft beers compared to lots of places it seems. Best one we got was the Bucket Hat. This is a Belgian style witbier. Has notes of bubble gum, coriander, and orange. The food isn't an afterthought so get some of that. It's about $18 for a burger. Vegans have options. Certainly one of these is the Veggie Burger. This is an amazing thing with a spinach patty topped with chipotle tomato marmalade, cremini mushrooms, mixed greens, pickled red onions, and sweet potatoes. All on a fluffy ciabatta bun. The rest of the menu contains meaty stuff. For sure it feels like a place for the hipsters but it's pretty great for anyone. It's located at the intersection of Jackson and Wabash close to lots of fun. The brewery has food that's better than expected but many other things about this kind of stuff are typical.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Flight
    Flight
    The Burger

    See all

    The Burger
    Guinness Open Gate Brewery

    Guinness Open Gate Brewery

    3.7
    (314 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    Five star for a gastropub. COME HUNGRY AND PREPLAN…read morePARKING There are no spirits served here. Just beer and beer based drinks. Two things to note right off: I read somewhere there was a valet and there wasn't. They said there was street parking and everything was taken for blocks. They gave us directions to a parking ramp about a block away. I would call ahead for directions if you go there. We were seated immediately. The hostess was very friendly and helpful. Our waitress was very nice and efficient. The only time we found ourselves looking for her was at the very end for our check. All our food was amazing! There was only one problem: it was all very filling. (We didn't mind though :) ).We took most of our entrees home. The menu is very much comfort food themed. The wait times were good. And the drinks were good as well. It is an open air concept. Kind of industrial reminiscent. This makes the acoustics great and the room loud at times. It was loud when we were there. We had a great time once we were seated. The Parking was a headache, but once we got past that we were fine. I'd say definitely give them a try. Just make sure you're hungry!

    You would think this would be a great spot to watch a game but the TVs are very up high and you…read morecan't herder them but the worst part is the service. Ended up here to watch the World Cup game, the place was not packed the everywhere around was, we asked for a table they said they were all reserved, fair enough but the we were left just standing there. One of party asked if the patio was reserved as is completely empty. The hosts seemed to be put off and said yeah it's first come first serve , no food or bar service. Just really did not want us there. We grabbed some beers , the bartender was veryy nice, he was the only one, everywhere we walked we were pushed and yelled at by wait staff, they just were not pleasant. Then the food I mean what a joke, we asked the bartender if we could order food and pick it up at the bar, he told us he'd have it delivered to us at our patio table, which we were told was not possible. Ok the food arrived, our order of fries was literally 6 fries, I am not kidding, we got some pretzel bites, I think there were 6, wtf. The only thing reasonable was a bread platter I didn't order it so not sure what it was but everyone was ordering so there you go. I doubt they will be around long, I will never return.

    Photos
    View walking in the dining & bar areas
    View walking in the dining & bar areas
    Classic hamburger
    Classic hamburger
    Midnight fireworks

    See all

    Midnight fireworks
    Forbidden Root

    Forbidden Root

    4.3
    (650 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    If you like beer, you should be able to find one you like here. There are plenty to choose from…read moreand the descriptions are accurate. My beverage/beer order was the Night Moth Oak-Conditioned Hazy IPA | 7.2% | 12oz/8 - 5oz/4. I recommend this if you are a fan of Hazy IPA's. My food order was the Beer braised, short rib with roasted root vegetables, polenta, swiss chard, and sweety drops. Tender and tasty short ribs. I will be craving the sweety drops for sure. Bar seating, regular tables and high top tables available here.

    Wish I could give a 3.5 stars. I applaud the true creativity. But every order was a mixed bag…read more Fried chicken sandwich - 3.5/5. Pickles are the star. Cut through heaviness. Magical first few bites. But chicken gets boring. Crispy Brussels sprouts - 3.5/5. Solid fry level. Cheesy bites are delicious. But quickly bland. Raisins is an unexpected addition but unsuccessful in my view. Kids grilled cheese - 4/5. Tasty and simple, though my kid wasn't willing to try. Duck and dumpling - 3.5/5. I can see how this is someone's favorite dish. Lovely rich broth. Crispy skin. But there was a heaviness that didn't totally work for me, especially with the bigger duck chunks. Definitely better fresh than leftover. Chocolate beer cake - 3.5/5. Slightly dense cake. Nice frosting. Beer aroma and flavor definitely comes through. Hazelnuts a nice crunch. Fun and glad to have tried, but not reaching for the next bite.

    Photos
    Back of the restaurant
    Back of the restaurant
    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.
    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.
    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

    See all

    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup
    Moody Tongue Brewing

    Moody Tongue Brewing

    4.4
    (404 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$$

    Dining Room Review! I recently visited Moody Tongue to…read morecelebrate an anniversary. This spot is half a bar/restaurant with an a la carte food menu, housemade beer, and full service bar. On the other side, is a 1 Michelin Star dining experience. Moody Tongue is the first Michelin ranked brewery and even offers a beer pairing with their prefixed menu. The inside is moody with dark wood finishes, black accents, and elegant artwork & feature lighting. Upon entering, one checks in at the first floor host stand. A server brings you upstairs to the dining area. There is a mixture of two and four tops in the space and our table had a handwritten note congratulating us on our anniversary. Our seat allowed both of us to have a view of the kitchen window to watch the chefs prep courses. There were 3-4 servers that serviced the entire dining room and rotated in presenting dishes. They started with warm towelettes to wash your hands which was a nice touch. Service level throughout was impeccable with water refills, explaining the menu, delightful demeanor, fresh silverware per course, and wiping the table clean from anything that dropped. This was certainly one of the best hospitality levels at a one star I've experienced. Dinner was 12 courses including the amuse-bouche and final treats. There was not one course that didn't offer bright, fresh flavors. The presentation of plates were beautiful from every angle. It's hard to pick any top dish as everything was unique and special in their own way; but I am still thinking about the Crab Bite, Sablefish, and Pasta Course. After dinner, each guest got a complimentary bag full of goodies to enjoy at home. What a beautiful final touch! Moody Tongue as a whole far exceeded my expectations. Each dish offered something familiar in a new way that left me speechless. I highly recommend coming to fully experiencing everything they have to offer as you will not be disappointed! Thank you again so much to their team for making our special night unforgettable. Tip: There is free parking on Wabash & 25th but also meter parking on 26th.

    The lamb earned 5 stars. That was the star of the show. It is a must-order dish. The salad was also…read moreunique, interesting, and tasty, though the other appetizers other patrons ordered looked similarly good. The vibes are immaculate. They have managed to offer excellent service without making the place feel stuffy or full of itself. It is the perfect spot for a special date night or a celebration with friends.

    Photos
    Inside Bar
    Inside Bar
    Mushrooms
    Mushrooms
    Black Truffle Pilsner

    See all

    Black Truffle Pilsner

    Cultivate by Forbidden Root - breweries - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...