Le Colonial

150

8 months ago

Great space located in the heart of the Gold Coast. Great and varied menu, Vietnamese inspired. And as a person with a peanut allergy. I appreciate that they can make the entire menu peanut free! We shared all the dishes. The ribs were delicious, we had 2 orders, with 4 to an order and 5 of us, that way everyone got one. Definite fight over who missed out on a second! We also shared the monkfish and seafood ceviche. Both were very tasty. For larger plates, the sea bass was good, not too spicy. The spicy shrimp stir fry had a nice kick. The noodle stir fry with chicken also had a lot of flavor. Services was great, attentive and friendly. It's a great place for a special evening. read more

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PJ C.

644

112

415

1 year ago

Came for the lychee martinis, stayed for the delicious food. Let me just say, the pictures don't do this place justice. Are their cheaper Vietnamese spots in the city? Yes. But do you want the best lychee martinis in the city with unmatched vibes? Then look no further. Some of the dishes I recommend include: the pan seared dumplings, the spring rolls, the garlic noodles, the baby back ribs and the Vietnamese iced coffee. The service has always been great, and when possible, sitting in the covered outdoor area is the way to go. Disclaimer: The restaurant is surrounded by stores so drink the lychee martinis at your own risk. read more

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Madeleine B.

441

1738

1 year ago

Wow!! Truly blown away by the ambience, service, and food. We had a reservation for 8:30 and they were able to take us at 8. They were super busy, even on a Thursday. Reservations are a must. We shared: chicken dumplings appetizer Suon nuong (pork ribs) appetizer Tuna tartare appetizer Brussels sprouts Shaking beef Roasted half duck I also ordered the le diable drink. Everything was incredible, but the shaking beef was a standout. That is some of the best beef I've ever had. The only letdown was the duck, which I thought was just average. It didn't have that crispy skin that I love. Overall I would love to come back some time. Btw there is also a dress code, no athleisure or hoodies. read more

Le Colonial - Bo Luc Lac - Shaking Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Crispy Brussels Sprouts - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Ca Song - Spicy Yellowfin Tuna Tartare - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Le diable - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Suon Nuong - Baby Back Ribs - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Sui Cao Chien - Pan Seared Dumplings - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jessica S.

101

147

396

1 year ago

This was my second visit to Le Colonial, and once again, I absolutely loved the red snapper. You can have it served whole, or the server will filet it for you, which is a great way to avoid most of the bones. My favorite side dish is the Brussels sprouts--the sweet and tangy glaze on them pairs beautifully with the fish. Last time, I had the jasmine rice, but this time I tried the fried rice. While both were good, I definitely prefer the jasmine rice and will stick with that going forward. I didn't order the shrimp curry or the seafood ceviche this time, but I've had both before and they were excellent--I'll be sure to get at least one of them next time. The layout of the restaurant is a bit different from typical spots, but I really appreciate how the decor honors the heritage and history of Vietnamese culture. read more

Le Colonial - Red Snapper - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Pho Bo - Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Adam C.

Elite 26 All-Star

431

840

9492

1 year ago

Le Colonial is located in an old building. The restaurant has a great decor. I also ordered their special house cocktail which was smooth and had a great flavor profile. I also ordered the shaked beef which was like a warm beef salad with generous helpings of filet mignon. It was excellent. To accompany the entree I had the garlic noodles which were also good. The meal was excellent but expect to pay NYC prices. Service was upscale and professional. read more

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Melissa S.

424

256

1 year ago

I always enjoy dining here: it's such a beautiful space! On my most recent visit, I kicked off the night with a martini. My table enjoyed the Chao Tom, Sui Cao Chien, and Banh Cuon appetizers. For my entree, I chose the Cari Ga, which was incredible: everyone wanted some of that amazing curry sauce! We all shared the Com Chien Dac Biet at dinner which was a great touch We enjoyed several bottles of wine with dinner and ended things with the Vanilla Crème Brûlée and a trio of Gourmet Ice Cream. The value was great considering the high quality of the meal and elegant experience. Service was great from start to finish too. Can't wait to return soon. read more

Le Colonial - Cari Ga - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Hannah F.

160

182

1 year ago

I was a bit overwhelmed with the plethora of amazing restaurants in Chicago but I'm so happy we dined here. Le Colonial exceeded my expectations. The restaurant is stunning, service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal. I highly recommend the tuna tartare. It included some of the freshest tuna I've had in a long time. We also enjoyed the dumplings & banh xao w/ tofu. The lychee martini is a must as well! read more

Le Colonial - Sui Cao Chien - Pan Seared Dumplings Ca Song - Spicy Yellowfin Tuna Tartare - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Banh Xao Tofu - Noodle Stir-Fry - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Lychee martini - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tina L.

119

327

1 year ago

As a Vietnamese person, this place isn't authentic. It does advertise Viet-French so I understand the concept of colonization. The portions are small and over priced. We were on vacation and ordered take out, the online menu does not have pricing. We ordered a bowl of Pho Beef Hanoi Style and it only came with two slices of beef and noodles. The staff is friendly and the place is pretty. They do have a dress code. Noise was a level 2.5/4 read more

Le Colonial - $20 Pho Bo - Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Angie N.

103

116

360

7 months ago

A very upscale Vietnamese restaurant with some french flare! All flavors tasted wonderful, but know that the nuoc mam will be a little watered down (I think it's intentional to make it more palatable for folks who aren't used to Vietnamese food). Service was very thoughtful and made sure we were well taken care of. I really enjoyed the lychee martini and the Brussels sprouts. I thought their banh cuon was just okay, but the bo luc lac was absolutely delicious! It definitely had an authentic flavor and was power-punched in every bite. The mi xao he made a great side to pair with the meal. This is a great spot to check out if you want a more classy and beautiful environment with a flavorful meal. While it's not my go-to Vietnamese restaurant in Chicago, it's definitely a great place to take folks if you want to impress them with the ambiance! read more

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Kimberly T.

7 months ago

It's not French. It's Vietnamese French. But I and my friends love it. We love the unique, light small dishes and everything else. Our favorite is shrimp wrapped around sugar cane. The decor is a reminder of Hanoi. You feel like you are in a tropical garden. The service is excellent. But most of all it's a "see and be seen" kind of place. Typical of all the Rush Street restaurants. read more

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Phillip K.

3 months ago

Tres bon! Magnifique! Wonderful experience dining at this exquisite French Vietnamese restaurant. Highly recommended!

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Zoe D.

144

134

747

2 years ago

Food: it was an amazing experience eating here, very thing was so tasty and over my expectation. Service: servers are kind and patient, introduce food in details. Ambiance: it was really quiet since not too many ppl were there. I like to enjoy those fancy and delicious food in a relaxing place. read more

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Peyton D.

Elite 21

123

177

1 year ago

One of our favorite eats in Chicago! Everything is to die for from the start to the end of the meal. A few of our favorites include the Banh Uot, the chicken curry, fried rice, and the Bo Luc Lac. I would recommend ending the meal with the tapioca pudding and the Vietnamese iced coffee. Highly recommend eating in person on the veranda as the restaurant is beautiful and the service is great. read more

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Marcy F.

8 months ago

Everything about this place is first class- the ambiance, the service and the food. We were celebrating my son's birthday and it was a perfect place to all be together. read more

Le Colonial - Green Makrut Gimlet - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Pho Bo - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Nicolette V.

121

122

9 months ago

We always enjoy the food at Le Colonial. I've been coming here for 20 years, and since it's moved from Rush, the ambiance has been off. Each time, the service or other patrons leave a sour taste in my mouth. I no longer enjoy hosting my birthday dinner here, but it's nice to pop in for one-off lunches to get a taste of the filet. read more

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Leena R.

4 months ago

Horrible and rude front desk and service. Not worth the money. They would do better in hiring professional staff with customer service experience. read more

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Dan C.

351

383

8 months ago

Amazing food. Come hungry and enjoy all the dishes. Dumplings and pho were out of this world. read more

Le Colonial - Pho sho - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Gracie D.

7 months ago

All our dishes were pretty decent and came out extremely fast. The sesame beef rolls are a must try! Soft and chewy on the outside, warm and crunchy on the inside. I would go back just to have those again. Our waiter was attentive and funny. Overall very satisfied with our experience here! read more

Le Colonial - Banh Uot - Sesame Beef Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - dessert - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Connie L.

427

1549

2 years ago

Le Colonial is way overpriced and their portions are tiny. The ribs had potential but the sauce was way too salty (too much fish sauce). The shaking beef was also way too salty: it tasted like it was marinated in the soy sauce for too long. The beef was a bit hard to chew too. The main thing we enjoyed was their japanese eggplant but it's pretty hard to mess up veggies. The service was fine - the restaurant wasn't too busy at the time we went so they checked on us often. I think Le Colonial's asian fusion concept is nice, but you can find better tasting thai food elsewhere for a better price. read more

Le Colonial - Ca Tim Nuong - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Interioe - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Dan C.

4 months ago

Nice venue for our lunch with old friends from down south. Upscale vibes throughout and very attentive service. Nice variety of apps and small plate options, not cheap but one shouldn't expect it to be in an upscale French restaurant. This would be a winning date venue. read more

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Kiaya S.

Elite 26 All-Star

474

287

823

1 year ago

It's a gorgeous restaurant and great service, I think that's what you're paying for! The prices in relation to the tastiness and quality of the food shows a great disparity! It's expensive for very mediocre food! $20 cocktails! We shared some very small plates and left with a hefty bill! Personally I wouldn't go back or recommend to anyone but I'm a huge believer in paying for good food! If I'm spending this much I want to be wowed and full. we all had to get more food after dinner lol ! Beautiful space though! read more

Le Colonial - Gin - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Bill - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Lychee martinis - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Catherine N.

10 months ago

Beautiful bar and great service! Food quite authentic and uniquely arranged and served. read more

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laurence h.

186

268

1 year ago

Another lovely lunch at Le Colonial. We usually do late lunches here mid week and it's generally quiet after the lunch time rush - this time our reservation was at 2.30pm on a Saturday and the place was packed. Out of towners (the tables on either side of us were Russians), shoppers and well heeled locals, as usual. Service was exemplary, cocktails were tasty, wine selection good and the food as always good. 4.5 stars highly recommended!!! read more

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Alexis C.

139

684

2 years ago

Great day to sit at the veranda. Service is always hit or miss at this place. Food, however was always on the spot. Cocktail knowledge could be more implemented for servers.. Lotus root salad was absolutely delicious! Also, biggest disappointment for the coffee. We love chicory coffee, and that wasn't even close to it. Will visit again for pho weather! read more

Le Colonial - Vietnamese coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Banh Cuon - Rice Noodle Ravioli GF - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Cha Gio - Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Ice cream - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Esquire view - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Veranda view - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Goi Ngo Sen - Lotus Root Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Jasmine L.

Elite 17

140

493

1 year ago

5 stars for the ambiance. 3 stars for the food. Overall 4. Beautiful place with good service. We ordered a few dishes and overall they were good, but not impressive. The seafood ceviche came with only 4 pieces of taro chips which was not quite enough for the table. The rice crepe with beef was my favorite. The stir fried flat noodles was a bit watery. The duck was very tender but the skin was not crispy. I would recommend this place if you would like a gorgeous place to enjoy your meal but not very picky about food. read more

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Jessica A.

1233

2 years ago

One of my favorite restaurants for both the food and ambiance. There are three distinct "sections" that give off very different French-Vietnamese vibes. It transports you to outside of the city. The food is always delicious. I've tried 85% of their menu, and nothing disappoints from the pho, to the spare ribs, the red snapper, the shaking beef, curries, scallop salad, crispy egg roll, etc. Cocktails are also tasty, global, and refreshing. This time, the one off putting aspect was how focused one of the hosts were on us having to clear out by 6:45. Our reservation was 2 hours earlier and we ran a little late so we gave them a call and from that point onwards, the host kept pushing that. We left before 6:45 but were definitely concerned at how fixated they were on that. read more

Le Colonial - Brussels Sprouts - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Scallop salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Dining area - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Front side dining area - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Short rib - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Chilled shrimp wrap - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Peter O.

10 months ago

Our entire experience was sensational. Food, drinks and atmosphere, beyond our expectation. Our server, I believe his name is Erniss, was very attentive, always there for questions and requests. Highly recommend. read more

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Angel R.

361

395

914

1 year ago

The restaurant is beautiful . The ambiance amazing . Service top notch and the food is out of this world . As a vegetarian I love to dine here and always take guests for their birthdays as it's always a meal to remember read more

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Brooke C.

Elite 24

101

320

1 year ago

Ambiance is welcoming and beautiful Service is on point Food: I really think we are paying for the ambiance and view, food is decent but definitely over priced for the quality. I had to remind the server that I need to lower sodium and sugar. And I was right. It's seasoned to appease to American tastes The cocktails and wines are ok, but I don't want to pay $20 for a small mediocre cocktail again. We really enjoyed the tuna tartare, and ceviche as appetizers. As for main dish, the shaking beef is delicious but portion is small. The red snapper is beautifully done and presented, but expensive. Spicy shrimp is good too but I'm positive many restaurants in Chinatown can do similar work with less $ The desserts are great. The Citron is super cute and yummy. Overall, I did have fun because of the company we went with not because of the food. read more

Le Colonial - Crème brûlée - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Beef Banh Cuon - Rice Noodle Ravioli GF - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Tom Xao Sate - Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Shaking beef perfectly cooked - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Red snapper is a show stopper - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Shrimp and scallop Ceviche -on point - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Le Citron - adorable lemon mousse dessert - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Karen H.

118

280

11 months ago

This place was highly recommended by locals when I visited Chicago last week. It didn't disappoint! We sat in the bar area since we didn't have reservations, but received great service and had an opportunity for fun people watching. I opted for one of their mocktails which tasted really fresh. We skipped appetizers and went straight to the mains. I had the salmon which was cooked perfectly. My colleague had the sea bass and I have to admit it looked amazing. I would order that next time. I would recommend reservations and also be sure to review their dress code ahead of time. read more

Le Colonial - Bar area - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Mocktail - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Ca Hoi Nuong - Roasted Salmon* - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stefano D.

109

1 year ago

The moment you step inside, you're transported to the vibrant streets of Southeast Asia. The decor is stunning, with lush greenery and elegant wooden accents that set the mood for a refined, immersive dining experience. The service was top-notch--our server was knowledgeable and attentive, helping us navigate the extensive menu with ease. We ordered the Banh Uot (steamed rice ravioli with beef), Sui Chai Chien dumplings, Cha Gio (crispy shrimp and pork rolls), and the Gari Tom (green shrimp curry). Every dish was beautifully plated and packed with balanced, vibrant flavors. The Banh Uot and green curry were especially memorable. The atmosphere is perfect for a semi-formal business evening or special occasion. We can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! read more

Le Colonial - Cari Tom - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Location - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Annie K.

208

249

329

2 years ago

Been coming to this restaurant for years. Likes: All the food and cocktails I've tried here have been delicious and high quality (although sometimes overseasoned). Very cool decor/ambience. Higher end vibe but not too stuffy. Good service. Dislikes: Lack of privacy due to tables being very close to each other. The prices have increased to the point where I'm not sure if I'd return (to be fair, the rent at this restaurant is probably $$$$ given its location on a street full of high end stores. read more

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Erica B.

196

758

2 years ago

The ambiance was nice. I really enjoyed the plants and the artwork. We started with the Cha Gio (crispy shrimp and pork roll) and the Banh Uot (Sesame Beef Ravioli). Both were pretty good, but not out of this world. The roll was pretty classic and the ravioli was definitely more unique. The signature fried rice was better than I was expecting given that it had broccoli which I thought would be weird, but was actually really good. The Shaking Beef was by far the best dish and I would go back just to have more of it! Two apps and two mains was a good amount of food for two people and we went home with a little bit of leftover rice. read more

Le Colonial - Com Chien Dac Biet - Signature Fried Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Banh Uot - Sesame Beef Ravioli - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Carina L.

148

347

2 years ago

Le Colonial way exceeded expectations and was the best way to be introduced to French-Vietnamese fusion cuisine Roasted duck: definitely satisfied my cravings! the skin was slightly crispy and the taste was really similar to Cantonese-style roast duck. The sweet picked carrots and radish sprinkled on top were a great addition to the dish and the sweet sticky dipping sauce was absolutely delicious. Also really loved the mushroom sticky rice on the side! Spicy green curry with shrimp: shrimp were super juicy and bouncy and the green curry was very creamy and fragrant! I loved the addition of crunchy julienned bamboo shoots! Seared scallop noodle salad: more of a cold rice noodle dish than a salad? the dressing was absolutely delicious - it was fragrant and light but the flavor was so unique and balanced read more

Le Colonial - Vit Quay - Roasted Half Duck Cari Ga - Chicken Curry - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Goi Bun So - Seared Sea Scallop Salad Pho Bo - Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Mocktails! - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Lisa M.

10 months ago

Food was delicious service was great and atmosphere was like you are in a whole different place not in the city. read more

Le Colonial - Egg rolls veggie Cha Gio Chay - Crispy Vegetable Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Miranda L.

237

216

517

2 years ago

Delicious fusion cuisine of Vietnam and france. Everything is amazing. Eggplant was tender and flavorful. Shrimp on sugar cane how creative and nicely presented. The ambiance of the restaurant brings you back to french colonial Vietnam as if you are enjoying the view and the exotic food of Vietnam. Good and attentive service. I'll come back mostly for the food. read more

Le Colonial - Eggplant - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Le Colonial - Chao Tom - Shrimp on Sugar Cane - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bobby B.

164

138

1 year ago

Can I say WOW?!?!!! This place is freaking amazing and delicious!!! The manager is super friendly awesome and accommodating. My family and I came for dinner last minute on a busy fri night and we were greeted and treated like royalty! The food, OMG, the food is AMAZING! I think we ordered literally like half the menu cause everything looked so darn good and tasted even better! I wish we had this place back home. And the ambience is so so cool! Kinda takes you back to a modern version of the 20's safari-ish east Asia. Servie was impeccable, drinks were awesome and the food. Man the food. A perfect Vietnamese French fusion. Just delicious! Can't wait to come back! read more

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Kathy T.

138

1 year ago

Great Vietnamese French fusion. Everything I tried from the noodles to curry were delicious, drinks were great as well, you have to get the coconut pudding dessert!!! read more

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Binio L.

121

603

3311

2 years ago

Absolutely fantastic! Whether sitting at the terrace section or inside. The service is superb. Professional and friendly staff. Prices are good and portions, too. Flavors are amazing. Make a reservation, this place can get busy. Good location, easy paid parking nearby. Food and drinks are phenomenal. Hostesses were extremely helpful too. read more

Le Colonial - Just a perfect start... - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Tina L.

Elite 26 All-Star

246

551

2 years ago

I got takeout here so can't really write a full review, however, my food was fresh and the ambiance and service were good from what I saw. This is a chain so take that with a grain of salt. I've never seen Goi Bun So (seared scallop salad) on the menu at any other Vietnamese restaurant, so I got that to try. I only have one critique: there's maybe like 4 scallops in the entire salad. The scallops themselves were cooked perfectly and pretty large, but 4 scallops is a bit stingy. read more

Le Colonial - Goi Bun So - Seared Sea Scallop Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Back

Page 2 of 45

See outside
57 E Oak St
Chicago, IL 60611
Near North Side
Directions
(312) 255-0088
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.lecolonial.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Le Colonial open?

Le Colonial opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Le Colonial opens at 11:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Le Colonial close?

Le Colonial closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Le Colonial closes at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu 12:00 PM - 10:00 PMFri 12:00 PM - 11:00 PMSat 11:30 AM - 11:00 PMSun 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Le Colonial take credit cards?

Yes, Le Colonial takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Le Colonial have catering options?

No, Le Colonial does not have catering options.

Does Le Colonial have a happy hour?

Yes, Le Colonial has a happy hour.

Does Le Colonial serve alcohol?

Yes, Le Colonial serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Le Colonial allow dogs?

Yes, Le Colonial allows dogs.

Does Le Colonial have TVs?

No, Le Colonial does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Le Colonial have bike parking?

Yes, Le Colonial has bike parking.

Does Le Colonial have outdoor seating?

Yes, Le Colonial has outdoor seating options.

Does Le Colonial have parking?

Yes, Le Colonial has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does Le Colonial have free WiFi?

No, Le Colonial does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Le Colonial, Chicago's famed Vietnamese institution, vividly captures the beauty, romance and spirit of French Colonial Southeast Asia from the 1920's. Heralded as "an escapists paradise", Le Colonial is situated in the heart of Chicago's esteemed Gold Coast neighborhood in a charming two story vintage rowhouse. Located amist bustling Rush Street, Le Colonial features a first floor dining room, seasonal sidewalk cafe on the first floor and a bar, lounge and all season terrace overlooking Rush Street on the second floor. The restaurant is known for it's traditional, delicate Vietnamese fare, including: Chao Tom, grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane with angel hair noodle, lettuce, mint and peanut sauce; Goi Ga Xoai, Grilled chicken with mango, mesclun greens, tomatoes, cucumber & tamarind dressing; and Banh Uot, grilled sesame beef over flat rice noodles, cucumber and fresh herbs.

More Info

Health Score

Le Colonial Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Le Colonial

Is there valet parking? If not, how close is the nearest parking garage?

Yes, there is valet parking. There are also a lot of parking options you can pre book through spot hero.

Is the dress code enforced even during a late lunch/at the bar? I'm traveling very light for a quick trip and likely would be in jeans and I'm trying to determine if I would even be let in...

No, it's not but you may stand out because it is a bit dressy. I went in jeans and a knit sweater last time.

If I am allergic to fish and shellfish, will I have trouble ordering?

No, i have a shellfish allergy, and they have several choices. There is fish sauce on some items. But talk to your wait staff when you come in.

Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible? Upstairs?

Hi! They have an elevator on the first floor to upstairs and the aisles are pretty spacious to get around the tables. Hope this helps!

Do they offer first come first serve seating?

I would recommend making a reservation for the dining rooms as it gets quite busy, especially during the evening rush. However, the bar area does not take reservations, walk-ins welcome, and also serves the full menu.

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Is this location still open?

Yes it is.

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4.3(9k reviews)

Good food, eclectic environment but too small to be comfortable. A lot of patrons jammed in to a…read morerelatively small dining area. Usually long lines and some wait time.

This was such a life changing experience from a flavor perspective! We were in town for the…read moreweekend and stopped by because we'd heard amazing things about what The Purple Pig does with pork and we were not disappointed! We started off with the bone marrow; it was incredibly flavorful, paired nicely with a nut jam and some greens and bread. We also got the Agnolotti pasta, and this was our favorite bite of the evening by far. The beef short rib, paired with more marrow and the butter sauce were absolutely incredible and we will be thinking about them for a long time to come. We ended with the pork tenderloin and it was a lovely ending dish. The pork was cooked to perfection and paired with sautéed oyster mushrooms and corn. Service was exceptional and quick! We will come back with a bigger group the next time we are in the city!

The kitchen

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Ema

4.3(2k reviews)

I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

Came for a late lunch. Split a meal: *Whipped spicy feta -…read moreVery tasty. The pita was warm with lots of za'atar. Enough to share with 2-3 people *Braised short rib sandwich - In a pita stuffed with cabbage. The beef was extremely tender. Unfortunately there was several large pieces of cabbage core vs shredded. The fries were crispy and seasoned with za'atar. The au jus provided, tasted it had a bit of red wine vinegar. That was a winner! Would order both items again. The decor is beautiful. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't in the best mood. Minus one star for the combination of the large pieces of cabbage core and sat at the bar for about 15 minutes - no one was there to serve us.

0.7 mi•River North, Near North Side

Ema tables and bar

Double chocolate.

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Inside

Arbella

4.4(703 reviews)

We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

(Kari's Rating 8.75/10)…read more Came with a friend late on a Friday night after dinner time We were able to be seated almost immediately at a nice little private Cove table. We ordered a flight of whiskey sours, which contained whiskeys from Japan, Vietnam, and Wisconsin. I also was able to order an amaretto sour, which they made with freshly hand beaten egg whites, which was a nice cherry on the top. As far as the whiskey flights go, I think the best one was the Vietnam flight because it had a slightly lemongrass twang and was a little bit lighter than the other two. The heaviest one was the Wisconsin which came with a little bit of a bite at the end, but it still wasn't bad if you're trying to blackout on a $15 budget. I would definitely come back with a larger group this seems like a great place, but is a little bit loud- so if you be prepared to yell or wear earplugs. The bathroom took my a second to find, which should have been intuitive considering it was on the opposite end of where you come in. I blame the lighting as things are already pretty hard to find in the dark, but eventually I made it there-Pat myself on the back.

DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house

Crab rangoon

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Special menu espresso martini

Lil Ba-Ba-Reeba!

4.4(343 reviews)

Love this place especially during the summer. Nothing like walking around outside in the heat and…read morecoming in here and getting a nice sangria. Also really good for happy hour! Staff is attentive. The place is small and a little crowded so keep that in mind when planning your visit.

Kari's Rating 7.5/10…read more TLDR: -Beautiful outside patio -5 plates for 2 people was perfect -Chorizo Dates are a must Came with a friend around 6:30 and it was really packed but I'm so happy we were able to sit on the terrace outside. I was such a beautiful night out. The special was a peach salad that was a little bit spicy, but also great combination with the pecans and the shredded feta. Wonderful rotation summer option! Definitely recommend. The dates were an absolute star of the show. I remember them being so good from last time I came here that we already ordered a set of four. They were perfectly salty and naturally sweet and the cheese was absolutely incredible. If I could only get one plate I would get this! The potatoes were perfectly crisp and perfectly spicy. They had the perfect crunch when you put into them, but the spicy mayo that was underneath a few of them did make the texture of those soggy which I avoided, but that's also just a me thing. The garlic shrimp was very fresh and cooked perfectly, however, I do wish the garlic was minced instead of sliced because you had to eat a very large piece to get a taste of it, and it was very overpowering. There also was a lot of oil at the bottom, which I don't think needed to be there. I remember the garlic bread and the goat cheese marinara to be very good and it did not disappoint as it was the last round. The goat cheese mixing with the marinara on top of the lightly toasted bread with a little hint of garlic was the perfect way to finish off this meal as it wasn't too heavy, but also left us with a satisfying crunch. I'll definitely be back but probably not on my own accord as I've been here so many times!!

Tortilla Española (Made-to-Order)

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Mango sangria

LIA

4.2(53 reviews)

Last night we came here for my friends Birthday. We had an amazing time and will absolutely be…read moreadding this establishment to our frequent flyer list of restaurants for date night or with friends. Our server, John, was absolutely amazing - gave stellar service and somehow immediately felt like a friend who continually took great care of us - definitely will be requesting him again upon our return. The food and ambiance of this place and for the price is unmatched. The entire place felt clean, cozy, elevated, and importantly fun. Location is very close to the riverwalk and great for a slight stroll after a meal. Gluten Free folks (as am I) - they had so many options and also took allergies seriously. They had alternatives for everything without really changing the menu item itself. Also, they were extremely transparent about what their capabilities are for any food modification and allergy. Would absolutely recommend coming here for their Tues-Thurs hot girl dinner special ($30 for a cocktail, truffle fries, Ceasar salad, and an entree - additional drinks are at a discounted price after your first). 10 out of 10 reccommend!

Great girl dinner at Lia. $30 for salad, fries, pasta, and a drink is hard to beat!…read more They must have recently changed their girl dinner menu, because the one online was not the one we received. Same deal, just different drinks and entrees. Pesto pasta was much better than the vodka pasta. Vodka pasta was very watery. Very "instagramable" ambiance, trendy & bright. Service was just okay.

Design your own Crappy cake art

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Upstairs at the Gwen

3.5(177 reviews)

0.6 mi•Near North Side

My first stop on a sunny day in Chi-City. Rooftops bars are plentiful in L.A., but I really wanted…read moreto experience the different cityscape. Beverages: 4/5. Black Manhattan. Solid, without being too sweet. Vanilla bitters and Amaro add a sweet balance, but they don't overpower the bite of the Bourbon. Service: 5/5. Friendly and attentive. Ambiance: 5/5. This isn't a super high rooftop, but it's the cool variant with all the tall buildings looking down at you. Mellow and unpretentious, but it was a Sunday afternoon. Buen provecho.

For some reasons, I assumed this would be rooftop at the top of the building, but it's actually…read morelobby level (5th floor maybe?). This is the main bar for the hotel and has some outdoor seating, though we were seated inside since it was raining. You can walk in or for a bigger group like we did, make reservations on OpenTable. Drinks: - La Familia es Todo: expensive at $29, but I guess it was that Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia extra-añejo tequila! It was well balanced, and I ended up getting another of the same Food: - Truffle fries: skinny fried, well seasoned, good for sharing - Burrata: with beets and buttered country loaf - Brussels sprouts: good flavor and texture - Bourbon Brownie: served warm; it comes with whipped cream, but I wish it were ice cream - Spiced tiramisu: a spin on the traditional version, though I think I prefer the original - Brown butter chocolate chip cookies: served warm, a large portion - definitely the winner of the desserts It was nice to have food to snack on with our drinks. It was a busy night, but service was a bit lacking - we had to repeatedly ask for various things like water, more drinks, utensils, plates. If you're staying at the Gwen or nearby, it's a solid place for drinks and bar food.

0.6 mi•River North, Near North Side

Bar

Eggs Benedict

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Lux Chicago Dog

Avli River North

4.1(468 reviews)

I've been to Avli River North twice, both times with a large group from work. The first time, the…read moreservice was excellent; the second time, it was noticeably slower, although the food was still good. Some dishes can be a little hit or miss, but the ones that are good are really good. The atmosphere is nice and works well for a group dinner--not overly trendy or fancy, but still a good ambiance and an enjoyable place to spend the evening. For our group of around 12 people, the total was about $1,200 including food and drinks, so it can get pricey with a larger group. Overall, a good spot for a work dinner or group gathering.

Great spot for a work dinner, date, friends gathering. Food is really good. So are the drinks…read more We tired a bunch of apps, ofc Saganaki is a must hehe I had a Pork Gyro for dinner - super yummy. And then the fries... mmmmmm really good! Highly recommend this spot!

0.8 mi•River North, Near North Side

Frappe martini

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Soutzoukakia (meatballs)

Hubbard Inn

3.6(317 reviews)

Great deals to match the great drinks! One of the best happy hours I've seen in River north. You…read morecan't beat $4 martinis and $10 bites from 5-7pm on a Friday ! The interior is cute inside and definitely makes the experience feel elevated. I also love their sidewalk patio when the weather is nice, and the way they decorate for holidays (especially Christmas) ! Food-wise, everything was pretty good. The popcorn chicken with actually popcorn in it was as expected, fries were seasoned well, and the caviar deviled eggs were a solid 9/10. The standout was honestly the side of truffle Mac and cheese that my friend got; highly HIGHLY recommend giving that a try when you go! Last note, I've only ever had good service and friendly waiters/bartenders!

Tasty!! Happy hour 5-7 mon-fri. Ribeye sandwich hit the spot! Fries missed the mark just to flimsy…read moreand not good if you're a fry connoisseur. Solid place to grab a drink and get a bite to eat after work. Great service!

1.4 mi•West Loop, Near West Side

Bar area

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Pumpkin spice espresso martini

Proxi

4.2(605 reviews)

This is an amazing Asian fusion restaurant. Very classy without being unapproachable…read more Service was impeccable - knowledgeable and friendly without being overbearing.

Took one of my friends here for her birthday & it was really an enjoyable experience! It's a nice…read morelocation as well. We decided to do the chef's table for dinner. It was a quiet night, but we were not rushed at all. The staff were really nice & attentive. The menu for chef's table was a Vietnamese fusion inspired menu. You can tell that each dish was carefully thought out & creative. There were dishes were created with a little twist to it. Some of the dishes, however, we thought were more on the saltier side. I would want to come back again and try some items on the regular menu. A lot of things sounded delicious & would be enjoyable.

Don't Chouette It (aperol, bubbles, blood orange champagne ice cubes)

Daq attack (aged rum, charcoal roasted banana, curry lime, Thai basil)

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Roasted eggplant (tahini, pomegranate, paratha)

La Grande Boucherie

4.3(635 reviews)

Had a fantastic experience here. The French onion soup and steak frites was excellent, the fries…read morewere crisp, and the peppercorn sauce really brought everything together. A special shoutout to Matt, the manager, who was incredibly welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. He made sure everything was taken care of and really added to the overall experience. Great food, amazing hospitality, and a place I'd happily come back to.

Delicious food and cocktails. Our server was fantastic, I can't recall her name but she was a gem,…read morefriendly, efficient. We had the escargot and the Parisienne gnocchi and they were great. Live piano music on a Sunday evening was a lovely touch. This was my first visit but I'd certainly come back. Lovely, elegant surroundings and a good time overall.

Inside during Christmas

La Grande Boucherie Chicago

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La Grande Boucherie Chicago

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102 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Bridget M.

Elite 11

164

154

17 years ago

Just to clear the air, I don't frequent these kinds of establishments that often. This may make my opinion more on the novice end; however, for those of us bargain eaters, I'm certain you'll be able to identify. I am the type of consumer who feels a greater sense of satisfaction when the delicious meal I devoured was ONLY $___ (insert some ridiculously low price). Makes me feel like I've got a little secret that those fancy pants counterparts know nothing about. Yet, here we were... My sweetheart and I. At a $$$ restaurant, a little out of sorts for us simple folks. I was certainly transported to a different time and era. The big plants and lazily spinning fans created a certain aura. The restaurant was fairly busy, but thanks to reservations we were seated promptly at a window table as our hostess wished us a happy anniversary. Although, I am unaccustomed to 1) pricier menus and 2) such romantic settings, I was quite delighted - and I haven't even eaten yet! We perused the menu - I am always grateful when there are numbers next to dishes as I am an ignorant to the ways of how to pronounce Asian dishes outside those indigenous to my homeland. We placed our order with our extremely attentive waiter - I noticed that they don't wear name tags... probably to avoid patrons, such as myself, calling out their names... or perhaps it is to reinforce the idea of a caste system that I'm sure existed in the colonized Vietnam, but I digress! Our waiter, restated our order saying that there was a first, second, and third course. Again, this vernacular, I am only vaguely familiar with. We ordered pho (#11), chao tom (#4), banh uot (#8), tom chon ram (#9), ga xao cari (#31), and ga xao xa ot (#41). "First Course" began with pho and chao tom. Pho is a spicy soup with vermicelli noodles and it was absolutely delectable. The soup itself had a slight kick to it, but did not over power the flavor of the meat (oxtail). The banh uot is a MUST eat. I was blown away with how the beef was delicately laced with sesame seasoning and "oh" so tender. My mouth waters at the mere mention... Both dishes 5 *s in my humble opinion. "Second Course" consisted of chao tom and tom cuon ram. This round was still good, but neither is something that I'd crave enough to repeat in the future. The chao tom is an upscale lettuce wrap where shrimp skewered by sugar cane is laid upon noodles accented with cilantro/lime/carrots. Perhaps my taste buds aren't sensitive enough, but I haven't the faintest idea what the sugar cane did for that shrimp. The tom cuon ram was pretty good - these are spring rolls consisting of shrimp and chicken goodness fried with the shrimp tail used as a handle. The "third" and final course? Ga xao xa ot and ga xao cari more fondly known as 31 and 41. 31 is a chicken dish with mushrooms - delicious again! I don't know how they got the chicken so tender and so smoked with flavor, but instead of postulating as to how it is done I was just grateful that it was done this way. 41 is a light curry with chicken, mango, and eggplant. Certainly different from its Indian cousin, but still very flavorful. After each course, they clear your entire table. I almost stopped the waiter as he took my plate which still had my utensils on it. Luckily, my quizzical expression as he pulled everything away was replaced with relief when the waiter returned with entirely new place settings. Like I said, this was a new experience for me. Normally, you can get me a Big Mac and would have won me over. Overall, this high class experience was definitely enjoyable =) read more

Paige E.

Elite 18

106

13 years ago

The service was great and the restaurant is completely, breathtaking beautiful, but you can read that from any of the other reviews. The mixed drinks are also very creative, thoughtful, and tasty, and I highly recommend them. However, I honestly thought the food was just alright. I can get the same quality and taste in Vietnamese food from the little hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant in my hometown in California for 1/4 the price. I'm not sure if it's just that Vietnamese food is much more rare here in Chicago than it is in California or what, but I was quite underwhelmed with the food considering its cost. I also was a little disappointed with the fact that none of the food had any French flair. Since it advertises itself as being a French-Vietnamese restaurant, I thought Le Colonial would have more creativity to its dishes. Instead, I found the dish I ordered (#41) was simply lemongrass chicken and the dish my boyfriend ordered (#28) was pretty much just Peking duck. I would come back for a drink at the bar or if someone else was picking up the tab, but for $50 a person including tax and tip (we shared one appetizer and had one drink each), I don't think I'd recommend the place to people for dinner in general. read more

Bick G.

1 year ago

It appears my original review was removed, so I am reposting it to ensure the information shared accurately reflects our experience. While visiting family in Chicago from California, we were excited to try Le Colonial for dinner, having heard a lot about it. Unfortunately, our experience did not live up to the expectations. From the outset, service was a disappointment. Our waiter, Tony, seemed impatient and unhelpful. When we asked for recommendations due to the somewhat confusing menu, his responses were curt and sarcastic, which made the start of our evening uncomfortable. We ordered a variety of dishes to get a broad sense of the menu: shaking beef, chilled shrimp rolls, chilled vegetable rolls, chicken noodle stir fry, shrimp curry, roasted half duck, grilled eggplant, and five cocktails. Unfortunately, every item was underwhelming. The flavors were bland and lacked the depth or balance we had hoped for from a restaurant of this reputation. None of the dishes stood out, and certainly none justified a five-star rating. Overall, this felt like a highly overrated experience. While the ambiance was pleasant, the food and service did not measure up to the hype. We left disappointed and unlikely to return. read more

Janice H.

16 years ago

As the food goes I'll give Le Colonial a 3, as the service goes I'll give them a 3, and as the service goes for their valet parking company 0. This place seriously needs to contract a better valet company. We went to Le Colonial for lunch on a Wednesday afternoon (not a lot of lunch traffic), and after our meal, which was good, but a little over priced for authentic Vietnamese cuisine (I would take the location into account if the valet service wasn't horrible), we went to claim our car. After about 10 minutes of waiting beside an empty valet stand, another woman joined us in waiting from the restaurant; and not only did we stand there for an additional 5 minutes, but when the valet guy showed up he takes both our and the second woman's ticket and says to the woman behind us "Well your car is not far", and instead of asking us if it was ok, or even notifying us of his plans he went and picked up the car for the woman behind us! I was appalled and the woman behind us was even more appalled, and stated "they were ahead of me", she actually felt so bad about the situation that she apologized to us for the idiot valet. NO TIP FOR YOU! read more

Marissa S.

7 years ago

Super bummed to not have had a nice experience at the new location of Le Colonial. The space is beautiful- as it was in its old location. However, one of the hostesses was so rude. She talked about me and my reservation to the other hostess after i checked in and was standing there but was speaking about me as if I wasn't right in front of her. At the end of the day- it was her mistake regarding the reservation anyways, but I felt super uncomfortable with her attitude and her speaking about me as if I wasn't standing there. Regardless, we got seated and got our menu. The menu used to be much larger with many more dishes. They removed some dishes, added new ones, and changed some existing dishes- i'll get to that. The first disappointment was they got rid of the numbering on the menu. I always thought that was part of the charm. The food was good still, however one of my favorite dishes- the monkifish appetizer- they added Dill to. DILL?! Dill does not belong in french or Vietnamese food- or at least not in this dish. It was horrible and i'm super disappointed in some of the menu changes. read more

Liz N.

Elite 9

17 years ago

Often I am at a friend's house and I get tired of typical restaurants (the endless debate of Italian or Chinese) so I try to get them to think a bit more creatively, and this is a great alternative. Good vegetable and meat options with Vietnamese influence. Not 'too' authentic if you want to try a safe dish, but there are also some unique options if you want to be adventurous. After hitting up this place for restaurant week this spring and having a memorable experience, I knew it would be a safe bet to bring my non-asian friends. At Le Colonial you truly feel like you have stepped out of the city streets and into French Colonial Vietnam. We went when it was a bit crowded this time, and thankfully had a reservation. The service was prompt without feeling rushed. l had the red snapper and steamed rice, but the waiter was able to recommend some options for my guests who were far from adventurous. I will go back here again and again because I sometimes get sick of straight-up vietnamese food, but do find it reminscent of home. read more

Greg W.

1 year ago

The moment you step inside, you're greeted with an enchanting ambience that feels both elegant and inviting. The warm lighting, tasteful decor, and soft background music create a perfect setting for any occasion, whether it's a romantic evening or a casual outing with friends. The food is nothing short of extraordinary, with each dish beautifully plated and bursting with flavor. From the appetizers to the desserts, every bite is a testament to the chef's artistry and attention to detail. The menu offers a delightful variety, ensuring there's something for every palate. The service is impeccable--attentive without being intrusive. The staff is not only friendly and professional but also genuinely passionate about ensuring that every guest has an unforgettable dining experience. This restaurant is a true gem, combining exquisite cuisine, a charming atmosphere, and top-notch service. It's the kind of place that lingers in your mind long after the meal is read more

Heyward T.

195

203

4 years ago

This establishment is often packed, which is usually a harbinger of excellent things to come inside. The meal does not let you down! Except the shakes, we've had everything you can think of on the menu. We're typically too full to order them, and they appear to be quite substantial. When we arrived, the staff swiftly seated us even though the restaurant was only modestly full. It had a pleasant, familial ambiance that we enjoyed. We placed our orders, and the food was swiftly prepared and delivered. Although not the fastest in the world, it is still fairly rapid! The servers were very nice; they filled our water and asked us if we needed anything else promptly. Some of the servers were also eating while we were there, but this was not a problem because we arrived before the dinner rush. They appeared to be friendly and worked well together. Overall, a fantastic experience! It's not the best pho I've ever had, but it's still delicious! read more

Jenny R.

12 years ago

Food was awful! I went here once because I live two blocks away and wanted to take my father somewhere unique for dinner. We arrived on time for our reservation and had to wait an additional 20 minutes. There was nowhere to stand or sit while waiting. We eventually sat down on the second floor where it was so dark we could barely see the menu. It was also insanely hot and humid even though it was only 75 degrees outside. The waitress was slow and not knowledgeable. She did not speak English and misunderstood half of our order. I ordered a seafood platter similar to a paella. It wasn't good and neither was my father's meal. We were so hot and nauseous from the combination of poorly prepared seafood and heat stroke we just left ASAP. As soon as I got home I threw up and was miserable for the rest of the evening. This place would be fine if you just go for a happy hour but do not eat dinner here! read more

Chris D.

191

2 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Le Colonial in Chicago, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. The Goi Cuon, those fresh rice paper rolls, were packed with flavor and freshness. The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the herbs added a lovely touch. The Goi Bun So was a delightful mix of scallops and crisp veggies, all tossed in a tangy dressing that was just right--not too heavy, not too light. But the real winner for me was the Com Chien Dac Biet. The fried rice was fragrant and loaded with chicken--it was comfort food taken to a whole new level. The atmosphere at Le Colonial is charming and inviting, with its colonial-inspired decor and cozy lighting. Overall, Le Colonial is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Chicago. The food is top-notch, the service is excellent, and the vibe is just right. I'll definitely be back for more! read more

Ashleigh B.

19 years ago

Excellent. Words cannot begin to describe my experience at this restaurant. l am a very difficult customer to please and l must say l haven't felt like a princess since i arrived in chicago 2yrs ago until l dined at Le colonial with a friend of mine,the service was impeccable,both waiters were extremely attentive,polite,they served our food on time; and talking about the food,l had the red snapper and steamed rice as my main course,it was soooo good. At the end of dinner,we had a chat with the manager and l could see why he had an excellent staff,he was humble,charming,kind and polite. lf you haven't been to this restaturant, i think you would be missing out on the best of chicagos finest. Le colonial is far superior both in service as well as their menu than most restaurants in the gold coast area.l am definitely going back to celebrate my wedding anniversary this year. read more

JJ J.

12 years ago

I loved this restaurant ... until I actually had a meal here and got sick immediately after!! I went here for cocktails a few times and loved the place. It is quite, dark and the second floor is uniquely decorated with palm trees and bamboo. The ambiance is really nice and perfect for a date.... if you and your date are only drinking. I finally ate here for dinner. I had seafood, did not drink any alcohol, and barely made it home before I vomited. Our server was also HORRIBLE! She did not speak english and didn't even try to understand our orders. She just nodded and brought out the wrong things. We had to send food back simply because it was not what we ordered. Staff is terrible and apparently the food is also. Stick to the wine only if you must go here. read more

Ricardo D.

7 years ago

This place used to be nice .... in the other location was kind of a tourist trap but still had its "thing" but for me today hit bottom.... I made the reservation on opentable and actually called asking for an specific table since my friend is handicap .... I was assured that I was not gonna get a table like the "French style" meaning one next to the other ..... when I arrived 20 minutes after the call (on time) ... it was not what I requested .... the hosted did not know how to handle the situation and even when I saw tables that We can seat ... she did not want us to seat ... probably because now my friend is with a walker now they don't want us ....we just left .... this restaurant is just a disappointment read more

Ashley T.

16 years ago

I LOVE Le Colonial ! Service here is always up to par. And that's another thing that shocks me. I used to work at a restaurant as a hostess and I would notice that there would be days where the servers were not serving at their highest potential, which is understandable. We are human and have our less than satisfactory days. However, evrytime I dine at Le Colonial the service is always excellent. This restaurant, which includes the decor, the food, the presentation, the service, the wine deserves an A++. I've never been disappointed here for any reason. I've loved or liked everything that I've tried here, and I can almost call their desserts heavenly creations. You can't go wrong here at all. read more

Farrah A.

114

2 years ago

The food was bland and disappointing. However, I never felt more uncomfortable in a restaurant in my life. The blatant celebration of colonialism, the fetishization of Vietnamese people through historical photos, and the overall atmosphere of exploitation and cultural appropriation was infuriating. The fact that three white males own this restaurant and use images and food by Vietnam that celebrates a time in colonial history that ultimately culminated in the murder and destruction of over 2 million Vietnamese is so out of touch and distasteful. Management - please consider removing the exploitative images and update your concept to celebrate the Vietnamese people in an ethical way. read more

Guy G.

3 years ago

Le Colonial truly impressed me with their exceptional duck dish, which is surprising since I've never been a fan of duck elsewhere. The tender and flavorful duck at Le Colonial completely won me over with its perfectly cooked texture and delicious seasoning. Additionally, their spicy chicken dish is a must-try, boasting impeccable preparation and a satisfying kick of spice that elevates the dining experience. Beyond the incredible food, the upscale traditional decor of Le Colonial sets a sophisticated ambiance. Despite the relatively small bar area, the bartenders and servers are incredibly professional and attentive, ensuring a memorable dining experience from start to finish. read more

Dandytwosum F.

7 years ago

This is going to be tough We fly into Chicago specifically for the food we love Le Colonial has always been our go to spot excellent food/service/atmosphere When they moved locations we didnt have any preconceived ideas of better or worse We went 2x in a four day period in Sept Food~~noticably not as good...still better than average Service~~~front end was off both times but table service was still top notch Atmosphere~~~ not even close to the other location....less romantic...less cozy/personal the rating is a 3.5 but since that fraction is not allowed I opted for the lower rating Will we return? We will give the Le Colonial another chance thanks read more

Janet M.

See more unrecommended reviews

239

182

477

3 years ago

I had a pleasant experience at Le Colonial Vietnamese restaurant in Chicago. The staff was incredibly friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The decor and ambiance, which can be a bit crowded, added to the overall charm and provided a romantic setting. The fact that they offer valet parking is a definite plus, making it convenient for a date night. Additionally, the drinks were delicious and added to the overall experience. And I must mention, the soup was the best I've ever tasted. The food was tasty overall, though I did find it to be a bit on the pricey side. Overall, it's a great place with some room for improvement in terms of pricing. 4/5 stars. read more

Katie L.

5 years ago

Sorry guys, but this place is not worth it. I am not sure what the hype is all about. We ordered their "signature" red snapper but the fish was not fresh and had a fishy taste. We suspected it was frozen and not fresh. For a price tag of $49, the fish was terribly dry and the sauce was only sweet and salty but lacked a depth of flavor. The lack of flavor seems to be the theme for the other dishes we ordered. We brought up the issue with our server and he argued with us and basically said you get what you get so deal with it. To the manager's credit, he took care of us after we talked to him but again, we deeply disappointed by the whole experience. read more

Evan P.

2 months ago

I had a great experience at Le Colonial in Chicago. The restaurant has a beautiful atmosphere that feels elegant and unique, with a warm, welcoming vibe that makes it a great place for a special meal or a night out. The Vietnamese food was delicious, with fresh ingredients, great flavors, and dishes that were both traditional and thoughtfully prepared. Everything we tried was flavorful and well-presented, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Le Colonial is a great spot if you're looking for high-quality Vietnamese cuisine in a stylish setting. I would definitely recommend stopping by and would love to come back again! read more

Le Colonial - vietnamese - Updated September 2026

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