I went to Essence with friends for my birthday. I had never been there before. I had my favorites on Main Street in downtown Elkhart but Essence is now my favorite. Brad the owner/manager met me at the front door and welcome me and directed me to where my friends were sitting. The service was amazing and the food wonderful. I watched the staff take care of their customers with unbelievable care. When we left two employees thanked us for coming. Best dining experience I have had in Elkhart read more

This place is Incredible! The absolute best service and even better food. I was in a work trip and went to Essence 2 nights in a row that's how good it was. Such a beautiful restaurant with a date night vibe. We had the best waitress who was so kind to just chat for a bit and even met the owner. I can't wait to come back and try new items on the menu. Best food, best mocktails, best service! read more

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We dined here last night for our anniversary! Can't t say enough about our dining experience from the time we arrived until we left for home! Dan was such an attentive and amazing waiter, tending to our needs quite frequently, as was the entire staff! When we sat down at our table, we were given a handwritten card wishing us a happy anniversary, and then received a glass of cava brut sparkling wine! The food was as good as the service, too! My husband enjoyed the corn and truffle soup, and we both had the Filet mignon with bone marrow crust, and it was delicious and seasoned and cooked to perfection! This was such a wonderful dining experience, with such attention made to the small details! Dan and our servers were even waiting at the door as we exited to thank us again for dining with them! We will definitely be back, and thank you, Essence for such a wonderful dining e read more

I live in SE Michigan and had an opportunity to experience dinner with friends. Dan S made our entire evening the top shelf experience you would expect! The entire crew are a well executed team with complete attention to the details. Food was fantastic! Ambiance was fantastic! Dan and his team were fantastic! read more

Essence provides high quality food and an upscale dining experience while still providing relaxed atmosphere. The service is attentive but not rushed. Food was excellent and I felt you could come in formal or jeans and a nicer sweater attire and not feel out of place. I love they change their menu to keep things fresh. read more

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Came back here again in June and had a wonderful experience! I had a mocktail and some appetizers to start, including stuffed jalepenos. For the main I decided to try the elk for the first time. It was a little gamey for my taste but well cooked and glad I tried it here! For dessert I enjoyed a delicious chocolate mousse that I completely devoured. The area and park around the restaurant are beautiful to walk in after your meal! Essence is definitely a must visit! read more

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Arrived between 9:35-9:40 on Saturday night. The lady at the door said the kitchen closed at 10:00. I asked if that meant if I could still eat. She wasn't sure and directed to me to Brad the manager. He said the kitchen closed in 15 minutes so I couldn't order. 2 stars because they opened the door for me on the way out and the menu looked really good. read more

It's long overdue to rate these wonderful folks 5 stars. It is clear that the community agrees - what could I possibly add? Having enjoyed meal after meal on our monthly date night, as well as the tasting table for special dates or also just because, we have come to love Essence as out favorite place to indulge our foodie desires and get fancied up for the night. We've also attended new year's eve and even hosted prospective new hires here to give them a gold level experience. Time after time, we left satisfied, happy, and not nearly as broke as we should for the level of quality dining, drinks, and experience we've received. The way this restaurant is managed and the way the food is created is second to none in NW Indiana. There is good reason for the four diamond award, as Essence could go toe to toe with Chicago dining experienced without a sweat. While we do miss SeaBass and Devin, this place has a low turnover that is UNHEARD OF for the restaurant industry, and we adore seeing our familiar faces of Brad, Claire, Evie, Taylor, and the gang, who welcome us warmly and treat us, but also everyone that comes through their doors (with kindness), warmly as old friends with each visit. May nothing ever damper the great formula that is present here at Essence. We adore you and intend to for all the years to come. read more

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From the moment we walked in and they offered to take our coats all the way to the desert menu, phenomenal service! Thank you to Melissa our server, Marissa and Brad. We had a letter waiting at our table and a free pour of champagne for my Wife and I's 4th wedding anniversary. Also the Chef needs a raise!!! We're used to good restaurants and good food, but DANG that food was amazing some of the best in Northern Indiana!! The amazing food and Melissa's service were an absolute pleasure. We will be back! read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Tagliatelle (pic doesn't do it justice) - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Essence has easily & quickly become my favorite restaurants in Elkhart County!! The food is always amazing & I especially love that their menu is experimental! Brad & staff are always kind, attentive & provide a great service. The atmosphere of Essence ties everything together so lovely. I truly recommend Essence for the quality of its food & service. Love, love, LOVE!!! read more

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Best in Elkhart Fresh menu, awesome service. Great place to spend time with that special friend Awesome wine list. Chelsey is my favorite. Server read more

Excellent food & service. Would recommend for any special event or romantic evening. Brad is a wonderful owner/manager.

We were treated so well here! From the moment we walked in the door, they were very attentive but at the same time not overbearing. And the food was delicious!! The atmosphere was very welcoming. It felt private, although there were people sitting close by. It can be a little more pricey of a dinner so keep that in mind, but there are plenty of options on the menu to fit most budgets. We'll be going back soon! read more

We visited last week for our anniversary and had an amazing experience! Our server, Claire, was attentive without being over bearing. We enjoyed every dish and drink we got! Claire was excellent with recommendations of both food and drink. We will be back!! read more

Great service! Every time we go there the entire staff is wonderful and treats everyone great. The food is great and the menu does change or rotate so typically there is something new for us to try. It's one of those places that never disappoints and we are always glad we go! read more

We celebrated our anniversary at Essence and, as always, it was superb from start to finish. The attention to detail, beautifully presented food and drinks, and unmatched service make every visit special. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize for my prior harsh and unfavorable review. I take full responsibility, for I now realize it was me that was having a bad day. I just returned from a wonderful experience and once again the cocktails and food were amazing. My personal interaction with the staff and owner, Brad, was delightful. They certainly make you feel at home and very welcome. Don't hesitate to try this Elkhart gem! Thank you Essence Restaurant and Bar read more

Enjoyed the intimate atmosphere and attentive service. However, I wasn't impressed with my meal. I'm gluten intolerant and reviewed the menu prior to arriving and had an idea of what to order although the options were very limited. Unfortunately the options I considered had gluten added. I ended up ordering the trout and was disappointed. FYI- you may find it challenging to eat here if you have food restrictions. read more

If you have not been here stop what you are doing right now and get that reservation in. 5 stars in every category. Even made us some awesome mocktails. This will definitely be our go to for date night. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Bubbles and smoke anyone? - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

Wow! Absolutely amazing. From the ambiance, to the servers, to the drinks and the food. Just 5 stars at every step. This place will not disapoint. read more

Elkhart has something special going on here for your culinary delight. This was our second time here and a second enjoyable experience. The service by the staff is exceptional. They accommodated all requests and never pressured us once during the evening. My beautiful bride and I enjoyed the food once again. We put this place on par with some of the top restaurants we have eaten at. Well done. You won't go wrong coming here. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Vino - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Brad and his staff make you feel like family. We celebrated our anniversary here tonight and were wined and dined. The food and drinks are incredible and the lemon dessert is to die for. The menu is always changing but the Japanese sweet potatoes are a staple item. read more

We visited this restaurant for our wedding anniversary and had a splendid evening. Every course of the meal was exceptional from the hors d'oeuvre and salad to the main course and dessert. This restaurant is not cheap, but you definitely get your moneys worth for the first class staff, the Nice environment, and the generous spirit of the manager not to mention the delicious food. We will be back for sure ! Highly recommend this place! read more

Best food and drink this side of the Mississippi. Chef Juan consistently puts out awesome, well executed dishes. The tasting table is a must. You'll have to reserve the tasting table well in advance but worth the wait. The bar is great at creating new cocktails and old favorites. Excellent wine selection. Great, welcoming, knowledgeable staff. Love eating here. Will be returning often. read more

The most accommodating restaurant I have ever been to. Our serves name was Evie, she was very pleasant, gave great descriptions and helps us pick according. The owners name was Brad and he also was funny, and light hearted. Our group had tenderloin,wagyu,seafood pasta,French onion pasta,and short ribs and everyone loved their meals. Apps we did basically all of them only didn't love the baos the buns, they didn't taste fresh. Desert was fabulous, the key lime was wonderful and light, and the others loved their ice cream sandwich and crème brûlée. We will not be strangers... read more

We have been to Essence multiple times, it's our favorite place to dine in Elkhart. The food is delicious. The staff is very attentive. The owner is always there making sure your experience is perfect. There is an inviting fireplace inside. The outside patio dining area overlooks the riverwalk. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Ribeye - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Anniversary dinner in a 1st class restaurant. Great food and service. Be sure to meet the owner while you're there....probably be serving you the wine. read more

This place came highly recommended by some friends and we decided to enjoy our holiday dinner here with our daughter and son-in-law. A very professional and warm reception upon entering teed things up for a wonderful evening. The coat check offering was a nice touch too. Very beautifully decorated and nice ambiance with impressive service from Joe, our server. We enjoyed a couple drinks (Juggernaut Cab, Borne of Fire Cab, and mock tails for the ladies), along with our appetizers (Japanese Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Bruschetta). Both delicious. Our entrees included the 8 oz Double R Ranch Filet, the Short Rib, and Double Bone-in Pork Chop (Joe's recommended choice for "last meal of your life" when I quizzed him with that question). I'm proud to say we were all members of the clean plate club! Fantastic all around! I'd rank it as tops in Elkhart (and quite possibly better than anything in the South Bend area) for finer dining and will no doubt spread the word to others. A refreshing touch of class! read more

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We had the most amazing experience here at the Essence! We've traveled to many places and ate at many restaurants and for the most part, the pricier restaurants aren't worth it, and we usually end up enjoying a "mom and pop" diner better. Being residents in the area, we decided to try this restaurant for our anniversary, and we were so impressed! Amazing cocktails, great food, unique dessert, beautiful atmosphere, and the most phenomenal service! We feel so lucky to have this spot local and it has now become a "go to" of ours. Instead of "I recommend" I say "please try" the Essence Restaurant and Bar in Elkhart. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Short Rib - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Downtown Elkhart...great location. Parking was a breeze. Ambience has a cosmopolitan flair with an exotic menu featuring bold and delicate selections that are very satisfying to the pallet. Staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and spot on with their recommendations. Overall service exceptional. Will return again! read more

Awarded 4 Star restaurant and justifiably so. Only open for 1 1/2 years. The food, the setting, the service. Yay!

Absolutely amazing place! A handwritten birthday card and delicious dessert made the celebration even nicer. The owner greets every patron and checks back to make sure your dining experience is perfection. Every single person on staff has a warm greeting and tends to you. The food and the recommendations were on point and I am already looking forward to coming back. They let us know the menu changes often which is also a plus. So happy to see a wonderful place like this here. read more

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Stunning overall experience on our most recent visit July 23rd for our anniversary. From the second we arrived we felt like close friends were inviting us into their home. Nothing false or cheesy here! Real people who ALL care about your experience. Brad greeted us personally by name again, welcomed us, wished us a happy anniversary and asked how our last vacation was. How he and his staff remember all the meaningful details I don't know, but its very personal and they treat you like family and are genuinely very happy to see you. Champagne and a Happy Anniversary card greeted us at the table and even the wait staff from our last visit came over to chat and wish up a happy anniversary. As usual, the ambiance was wonderful, personal yet inclusive. The food and cocktail selections were excellent interesting and varied. Love how there is always something new on the menu! We indulged in 4 courses, a few cocktails, and my favorite Irish Whiskey to round off the evening. (Their drinks selection is far above the norm!) Never rushed, our meal was as usual, exquisite! Essence is in our minds the best fine food restaurant in Michiana. Brad is hands on and takes a personal interest in every guest to make sure we get the best of the best! Essence is the WHOLE dining experience at the top of its game. Well done Brad and your excellent team! read more

We went here for anniversary and the service was above and beyond and the food was so good. I definitely recommend it. read more

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Wow. This restaurant is incredible - from the service to the exquisite food and atmosphere. We loved our evening at Essence and were warmly greeted by every staff member. Our server Claire answered all of our menu questions thoughtfully and made excellent recommendations to accommodate allergens (gluten-free). We had a pleasant conversation with the owner and learned a bit about Elkhart. I highly recommend Essence and supporting a local restaurant. We enjoyed the potato leek soup and lobster bisque starters. The venison was superb and the Chilean sea bass was divine. The tiramisu was a perfect end to a lovely meal. Truly, it's hard to think of adequate words to describe our experience. Thank you to the chefs, servers, host, and owner for such a memorable evening. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Tiramisu - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

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Our second visit was just as outstanding as the first! The service cannot be beat, and every appetizer, entree, and dessert ordered by our group of six was OUTSTANDING! I'm so glad we returned, and we will look so forward to another visit in the future. read more

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Cannot praise this place enough!!! My first time there was 7/30/24 and it will definitely not be my last. First of all, the service was phenomenal. Just sitting there watching the team work together, they were like a well-oiled machine. Second, the food was delicious. I do NOT mind paying more for quality food which is what Essence offers. If you're looking for a nice place with delicious food, especially for a special occasion, this place is it! read more

"OMG the elk was melt-in-my-mouth delicious", "The best meal I've had in Elkhart in a long time." Those are just a couple of my husband Todd's comments. My burger was perfectly prepared and came with three plump tater tots. Our server, Claire, was amazing and very attentive. As for the atmosphere, I felt swept far away from Elkhart. Best wishes to Brad for this incredible new endeavor. read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Ice cream sandwich...to be eaten with hands, not silverware! - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

This restaurant gives me a LA restaurant vibe. The food was good and the service was great! read more

Essence Restaurant + Bar - Desert - New American Near Me - Elkhart, Indiana

Everything is perfect from the moment you walk in the door. Five star service and a fresh seasonal menu. They have a creative bar program too. This restaurant never disappoints. I can't wait to go back! read more