Visited Monarch & Lion on a Friday night and it was a great experience. I wanted to try this place because I've gone to BarGoa and Rooh, so this was a must try! The beverage that I ordered was pornstar martini, and it was so smooth and delicious. Perfect drink for the night. Our starters and mains order was artichoke bhajji, fish and chips, chicken tikka masala. Artichoke bhajji was quite unique and does captures the flavor and crispness of bhajjis in India. I would say the portion size can be increased so that people can enjoy it more. The chicken tikka masala was quite good. The fish and chips was decently made. For dessert, we got the date sticky toffee and it was extremely delicious. The combination of ice cream, date cake and caramel was simply mouthwatering and will make you come back to have it. I'm very picky about ordering a dessert because it is the finale to my food experience, and I was satisfied with the date sticky toffee. In terms of ambience, they've nailed the British pub decor. We got the table next to the bonfire and it was just the perfect location. I would certainly recommend people to try this place! read more

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After today's experience, I won't be returning to Monarch & Lion. It's disappointing because our previous visit was impressive with great service, ambiance, and food. Unfortunately, all that goodwill was lost today. It started with subpar service and quickly went downhill. I visited for Sunday brunch and ordered the full English breakfast with coffee. The server brought my coffee without cream or sugar, which I had to request. By the time I received the cream and sugar, the coffee was cold. No offer of a warm-up or a spoon, so I had to stir with my fork. Not a great start. When my breakfast arrived, it was more like a "partial" English breakfast. The beans were missing, which I flagged down the waiter to address. They brought the beans several minutes later with a half-hearted apology. By now my coffee was empty, and when another server attempted a refill, the pot was empty too. I waited about 10 minutes for a fresh pot. (And mind you, it's Sunday brunch--surely a time to keep the coffee flowing!) Oh, and still no spoon was offered. I continued having to use my now-dirty fork. As I ate my cold eggs, it dawned on me the mushrooms were missing too. I asked the server, who said he'd check with the kitchen (again, with barely an apology). A few minutes later, another staff member (perhaps a manager?) informed me they were out of mushrooms and asked if I wanted something else. By then, I was almost finished with my meal, so I declined. But really? Why wasn't this mentioned when I ordered so I could've substituted? When the check arrived--without anyone clearing our plates or offering another coffee refill--I hoped they might have discounted the meal to make up for the missing food and poor service. But nope. Not even the coffee was comped. In fact, there was a "restaurant surcharge" (perhaps raising funds for spoons?) and a suggested tip starting at 21%. Now that's some gall. There are too many amazing restaurants in Chicago to give Monarch & Lion another go. Too bad. read more

Visited this new restaurant on a Friday evening and had an amazing experience. This place seemed a bit upscale with chic ambiance and the food was great too. The service was prompt. But we felt it was a bit pricey for the quantity of food. We started off with Old Fashioned and Kensington Garden for cocktails - both were pretty good. For appetizers, we did Chili Cheese Naan which was warm and soft, and Artichoke Bhajji which were the crispy fritters. Also ordered Fish and Chips and Paneer Tikka Masala curry with Charcoal Grilled Naan. The taste was good, but the quantity was okay. Had a nice experience overall. read more

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My group ordered a mix of entrees and starters/sides ("bits and bobs" as they're listed on the menu ) and shared everything family style. We were not disappointed with anything that was brought to our table and struggled to agree on a favorite (standouts for me were the Chicken Tikka Masala and the Beef & Guinness Croquettes). Their craft cocktails are some of the best and most original I've tried in the city with bold flavor profiles and beautiful presentation. Kensington Gardens was surprisingly my favorite - I'm usually not a big gin fan but the blend of cucumber, mint, and lemon made it unique and refreshing. 3/4 of us in my group claimed this one as our fav. The Honey Mustard Old Fashioned was also really good - a cool new spin on a classic. We were there opening week and the staff was very friendly and already super knowledgeable about the menu and shared a few fun facts about the British culture that inspired it. We had a peanut allergy in our group and they were very attentive to that. The overall vibe is elevated but cozy London pub with a fireplace and tall bookshelves in the center of the main floor. The details in the space are thoughtfully curated - from stunning wallpaper patterns down to the dinnerware designs (the table next to us ordered a cocktail that comes served in an old school British tea set). Very Instagram-able and a chill spot to work remotely from or grab dinner and drinks while you're downtown. I had a great experience here and will 100% be back to try out more of the menu! read more

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Love this place! Authentic pub food and wonderful, attentive service. We loved the dishes we ordered. The ambiance is also fantastic with high ceilings and a bookish feel. Highly recommend. read more

Monarch & Lion - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was turned away at 11:15 pm even though the website says it closes at midnight and that the kitchen closes at 11:45 pm. I won't be back. In this day and age, people travel to establishments based in the information on their website. Whether through paying for a car service, driving or walking. Don't make people waste their money, gas or effort because you're bored or want to get home early, Unacceptable! First rule of business- honor your hours!!!!!! read more

Service was great, the food was magnificent! Lovely flavors, lots of food for the price. Just mind that they charge an additional service fee. read more

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Without a doubt the best place for food and drinks in Streeterville. Fish and chips, prime rib sandwich and shepherds pie all top notch. Great service. Mike behind the bar knows how to pour a great drink. read more

Went for restaurant week brunch, and I was a bit disappointed. They opened at noon, and several people were waiting outside in unbelievably cold temperatures until noon - the door was locked. At the very least, they could have let us inside. For restaurant week, either the entire table had to choose that menu, or you had to do Ala carte. Huh? Really? Why? At brunch, even though it's still on their cocktail menu, they don't do Bloody Mary's. Huh? We ordered the restaurant week menu with a couple of Ala carte items. The deviled eggs were good - a little salty. The truffle mac and cheese was fine. The burgers were just ok, and the chips tasted Iike they were frozen fries. The fish sandwich was absolutely delicious. They have a 4% service charge, and for our table of 5, they also included a 20% gratuity (on top of the 4%). Needless to say, there are FAR better brunch options available. This was a huge disappointment. read more

***Dear Yelp -- This is a British pub that also serves Indian food - please don't remove my review again if you don't even understand what the place serves*** Cool ambience, would be a cool spot to meet for drinks. The food was tasty but the prices are pretty ridiculous. Ordered chicken tikka masala, naan and a soda and my total was $70 (for 1 person). read more

It's been a while since we've had such a good meal in Chicago! Loved the fish and chips, chicken tikka masala and naan here (had the chili cheese naan and garlic naan). Wish that we had room for dessert, but we'll just have to come back. Drinks here are on point -- I wouldn't expect anything less from the owners of Rooh. The English tea time went down easily, and I was just as pleased with the Kensington Gardens, as well as the Tomato Tomahto. Will definitely be returning. If this place was closer to my neighborhood, I would definitely be a regular. read more

What an elegant and stunning experience. A great space to grab happy hour drinks or enjoy food that will make you feel like you are at a pub in London. The service was wonderful and everyone greeted you with a smile! read more

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We came in for happy hour on a weeknight. It wasn't crowded at all (I hope this was an off day and they stay super busy, because I want them to stick around for a while!). The ambiance is great! Love the super tall ceilings, cozy decor, chandeliers, and dim lighting. Just a great spot - definitely could see this as a solid date spot! The service was just okay, but we are just there for some drinks and apps. The drinks were great, we all enjoyed what we got (I loved my espresso martinis). We ordered some snacks to share: +Chili Cheese Naan: the cheddar adds a different flavor and it's delicious! We ate it with the lentils we ordered and it was perfect! +Black Lentil Dal: SO flavorful! This was so delicious and a generous portion for being a side! +Chips: aka fries; the garlic aioli with it was perfect! we shared two orders of these! Overall, great spot - def recommend to try. I hope they stick around a while :) read more

Ambiance - cozy and a good place to take your time. Great for dates and catching up with friends and family. Service - the waiter was great and knowledgeable on the menu items. Great recommendations. Cocktails - loved Tis the Season and Royal Negroni. Love how their cocktails come in beautiful cups. Food - - Truffle Mushroom Pot Pie: super flaky crust. Had tons of sage or thyme flavor in the filling. Could not taste truffle at all but still delicious. Nice meaty mushrooms. - Bangers and Mash: creamy mash. Mash was a little in the salty side but paired great with the onion gravy which was more like Jous. The caramelized onion was so sweet and the veal sausage was flavorful. - Hamburger: ordered it medium rare but was a little overcooked. Despite it being overcooked, it was still super juicy and flavorful. Fries were insane. read more

To start: The space is stunning! Food: Decent but not incredible Drinks: Just ok Service: Seemed bored to be honest Am I glad I went? Yes Would I go again? Maybe, but not anytime soon. read more

Mix bag.. :/ for folks that flocked to this for the 'limited Indian food' I would say skip this place.. :( Drinks were 4 out of 5 Service 4 out of 5 Food 2-3 out of 5 Ambiance 4 out of 5 Would I go back... probably no Tried it out recently and the biggest disappointment was chili cheese naan appetizer.. I mean it tastes like a regular cheese naan that most Indian restaurants sell for $4 served with a curry.. if you are going to make that into a $12 appetizer and elevate a staple bread you need to knock it out the park.. the taste was ok and the dipping sauce was generic. Really disappointed The main course was also mix bag the "Indian food" dishes also needs to improve. We also tried the lamb keema pie and that was awesome! So would recommend that. Drinks were great! as I would expect for a place like this. And it didn't disappoint.. I had the tequila drink and it was great! Service was mix bag... not bad but not amazing either. It was normal. read more

Monarch & Lion - Naughty Bird - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I really wanted to like this place. We came in, and from the very start, we did not have a good experience. 1. Our waiter was extremely unprofessional. He looked good, was dressed right, but his personal hygiene smelled terrible. He rolled his eyes and made rude facial expressions, and did the inpatient "potty dance" at our table, wiggled around while he waited for us to figure out our drinks. It was uncomfortable. 2. Moments later, the waiter walks up to us while waving his arms in the air rudely, gesturing to us that it was time to order food. That's because we are a group of deaf people. That behavior was truly unnecessary. It's similar to a waiter walking up to a table, simultaneously yelling at a group of hearing people, "hurry up, stop talking, and just order your food!" Same concept. Unbelievably impolite. It was astonishing. 3. As we were making our orders, we were told most of the menu was already out of food. This was on a Monday night. I asked for this salad. They're out. Ok. "How about this one" "Oh, that's out too." "I'd like this dish?" "Oh yeah. We are out of that one too." "Okay... let's see. This one?" "We need to check to make sure we have that." It was ridiculous. Finally they had chili naan tikka marsala dish and endives salad. The tikka marsala tasted underwhelming. You can find better tikka marsala at other Indian restaurants. Plus both small dishes were extremely overpriced. $18 per dish. 4. Then it was time to ask for our checks, the waiter seemed to mess our checks up. Who had what, and what food items to put on whose's check. What a hassle. The waiter barked at us, telling us to "wait!" while she ran back to get the checks sorted for the third time. I understand she must've felt frustrated too, then again, that was off-putting. The whole dining experience was so bad that it was almost comical. I wondered if we were on an episode of "Candid Camera." Best of luck to Monarch and Lion. read more

Food was good Service was decent as well as ambience. A little pricey. Showboat drinks were really good. read more

We stopped by for dinner after we read a precious review, and we are so glad we did. We sat at the bar and Mike took care of us, and he completed our Saturday night in Chicago. He recommended things on the menu, and even ordered as he would, and it was perfect. Please stop by and say "hi" to Mike, and you won't be sorry. read more

We had really been looking forward to trying Monarch and Lion, as a Brit I have always felt that Chicago desperately needed a GOOD pub (there are plenty of fake British pubs here), sadly, it was ultimately a disappointing experience. The decor is nice and the service was good (although the bar staff were overwhelmed, meaning a 10-15 minute wait for drinks). However, it was the promise of good British/Indian pub food that drew us to Monarch and Lion. The good:- The Artichoke Bhaji - probably our favorite dish, although it was a comically small portion Chili Cheese Naan - tasty toppings, but don't expect pillowy traditional Naan, this version is flat and dense, more like a paratha. Chicken Tika Masala - you'll find better at any number of Indian restaurants in town but better than a typical pub's. Not so good :- Chicken and Leek Pie - not the real British pie (hand raised) that we were expecting. It was just pastry on the top like a pot pie, filling was generous but had a slightly overwhelming aniseed flavor. Fish and Chips - my litmus test dish at any pub/restaurant claiming to serve British food. In Britain the fish batter is crunchy and crispy, its loud when you bite into it and the crunch stands up to lemon juice or vinegar without getting soggy- this wasn't, other than a slight crunch at one end, the batter was more like a crepe, soft and doughy. I was very disappointed in this dish, in the press it was stated that they were bringing a chef from London, so I had high hopes. I have never found a place in the states that has been able to pull off REAL British fish and chips and this place was typical. All in all a disappointing experience. Recommended for a draught beer at the bar but not for the food. read more

We went with our family + 2 kids and were seated at the first table near the entrance. I understand they may not want kids in the middle of the restaurant but the table we were at had a homeless man standing right in front of the window staring in at us throughout the dinner. It was deeply uncomfortable like someone was staring at you while you were eating, and that's not the dining experience you want especially with two young kids. While I understand this is out of their hands, there were plenty of other tables that were available that they could have offered us. Yet, they chose to put us there. Halfway through the dinner, we asked to be moved and they moved us begrudgingly without any apology. They made it seem like we were the problem for asking to be moved. I would not recommend going here solely based on the service. Foodwise, it was hit or miss. I recommend the Paneer, Thousand Layered Potatoes, and Fish & Chips (although fries were mediocre). I would skip the Artichoke Bhaji. read more

I just discovered this new English pub the other day and decided to check it out. What a gem! It has a warm, cozy pub feel and great food. We went late on Sunday night and were seated right by the fireplace. We had the naan, mushroom truffle pot pie, chicken pot pie, seasonal cider with rum drink, old fashion and some berry drink. Everything was very good and definitely worth checking out. I loved my cider, better than your usual Christmas mulled cider and the old fashion had a wonderful smoky element. Lastly we had the date sticky pudding. Everything was delicious and I would recommend everything we ordered. I plan on going back and trying other items on the menu. read more

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Food was delicious, menu offered great options not usually seen together. I did want yo try some of the Indian dishes but was worried they would be too spicy. Wait staff were friendly and genuine. Ambiance was quiet in the restaurant even though it was almost full, the bar area was full when we left. Atmosphere was that of a private club, well furnished and rich tones. Where else can you get trifle? Yum! read more

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The swordfish was delicious. Ambience way cool. Great service. Couldn't get enough of the sauce and olives. read more

Monarch & Lion - Swordfish was amazing. - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of the best meals I've had out in a long time! The bangers and mash had a great flavor, while the Chili Cheese Naan was the perfect appetizer and not too spicy (it was better without the mango chutney imo). Make sure to save room for dessert because the Date Sticky Toffee is a must. While all the food was amazing, the star was the staff. They were friendly, attentive, and most importantly, had the best suggestions. I sat at the bar and couldn't be happier! read more

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The truffle mushroom pot pie was fantastic. They even had a mushroom shaped pastry on the pie. The toffee sticky pudding was def the best out of the three main desserts (strawberry shortcake trifle and chocolate mousse with honeycomb toffee) The service was good. Ambiance is like an upscale London pub. Good for date night read more

Monarch & Lion - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We enjoyed this restaurant! Our service was great. Unfortunately they were out of the shepherds pie which we were really looking forward to but we still enjoyed the food we did get! I think my favorite was the truffle mac n cheese. I'd definitely go back! read more

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I felt like English royalty enjoying only the finest at Monarch and Lion, the newest culinary gem in Streeterville. This reimagined British pub right on the corner of Columbus and Illinois quickly earns 5 stars for its impeccable offerings and captivating ambiance. It's a must-visit destination for food (and drink!) enthusiasts. Ornate Ambiance and Cozy Corners: As you walk in, you're immediately immersed in the opulent ambiance of Monarch and Lion, where British charm takes center stage. Ornate features like chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, floral wallpapers and wainscotting create an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication. Plus, my favorite, an enchanting corner with a ceiling-high bookshelf and a crackling fireplace. Don't miss the back of the menu with a fun "Speak like a true Brit" word translation that will have you talking like a real bloke in no time. Top-Shelf Bar and Innovative Cocktails: The bar caters to the most discerning palates with an impressive selection of top-shelf options including Blanton's and EH Taylor bourbons. The cocktail menu, clearly crafted with ingenuity and expertise, aims to astonish and delight. I sipped on the Kensington Gardens, a light and refreshing gin-based cocktail garnished with black pepper and real flowers. Then I tried the English Tea Time, a rum cocktail infused with spice and tea flavors, served in a delightful tea set, enhancing the overall experience and adding a touch of whimsy. Both were photo worthy and fun to sip. Apps and Sides that Hold Their Own: For an appetizer, we tried the Artichoke Bhaji with onions and turmeric emulsion which was incredibly flavorful. For a second app, we ventured into the "Bits and Bobs" section of the menu and set our sights on the 1,000 Layer Potato which proved to be a stellar choice. Crispy on the outside and paired perfectly with truffle mayo, parmesan and chives. Brit-Indian Delights: Choosing from the selection of entrees at Monarch and Lion proved to be a delightful challenge, as each dish that emerged from the kitchen looked and smelled absolutely amazing. With the restaurant's connection to ROOH and Bar Goa, renowned Indian restaurants (also part of the new Soiree Restaurant Group), I decided to explore the Brit-Indian section of the menu. The Paneer Tikka Masala came as large pieces worthy of a fork and knife (the best way to eat cheese!) and delighted my senses with its flavorful masala sauce. The Lamb Shank Rogan Josh steals the show, with the meat falling off the bone and perfectly spicy. All the Brit-Indian dishes come with their own side of naan ensuring no drop of sauce is left behind. Irresistible Desserts: We were full, but the allure of Monarch and Lion's dessert menu proved impossible to resist. We ordered two treats for sharing. The Lavender Trifle was light and sweet, a delightful fusion of lavender and raspberry that creates a uniquely delicious flavor combination. For a more indulgent experience, the Date Sticky Toffee steals the spotlight. The sponge, generously filled with dates and topped with velvety toffee sauce and decadent clotted cream left a lasting impression. read more

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Ambiance is beautiful! Service was slow, we only ordered small bites/apps and received our drinks fairly quick but took awhile for the food. Drinks were good and unique. The chili cheese naan was good but maybe not worth the price for one piece of naan for $12. Can't speak for the rest of the menu but it may be worth checking out as many people have mentioned they have generous portion sizes for dinner! read more

Highly recommend someone coming to Monarch & Lion in Chicago. Delicious dish and chips, Great service and nice ambiance!

I was really impressed with their 2024 Restaurant Week menu, aside from the tea, it had 3 courses for $25. The food came out just a little cold but all in all it was wonderful and worth the price. The earl grey tart was wonderful with the addition of the tea. The servers were all lovely and very attentive. I loved the library and all of the fireplaces to create a cozy, relaxed feel. read more

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Monarch & Lion has a cozy vibe that would be great for winter/fall. Creative selection of drinks - I got the Kensington Gardens and it was refreshing. Solid selection of both Indian and British cuisine. Ordered a lot because we had a big group- standouts were chili cheese naan, roasted carrot salad, and chicken tikka masala. The pies were a bit disappointing more soupy under the crust than a pie. But overall was good! read more

Monarch & Lion - Kensington gardens cocktail - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Absolutely lovely service, deliciously spiced food, great wine and spirits list and a very cozy, inviting ambience! I highly recommend!

Came down from the Embassy Suites right before closing on Thursday night 10/24/24 after arriving from Northern IN. The lovely Katherine S. seated us, took our order and was extremely fun and witty. The food was great but Katherine's service and personality made the meal. Thanks for accommodating us! DI read more

Very neat little spot! The drinks and food were excellent and the staff was lovely. We got there close to opening at 5 on a weekday and it was rather relaxed, it started picking up a bit later. I would recommend! read more

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Amazing experience from the food to the ambience. Came here for lunch and grabbed the pumpkin espresso martini and regular espresso martini. The flavors are so aromatic with every sip you take. We had the Chicken Tikka Masala and I can say as a native Indian this was amazing. The chicken was grilled and cooked to perfection, so soft and tender. The masala was flavorful with a bit of a spicy kick. Amazing experience overall, with quick and nice service. read more

Monarch & Lion - ambience - British Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Food is very good, but cocktails are full of bad ice and ambiance is sterile. Our server was friendly but not knowledgable.

Overpriced relative to the portions and quality. Food was bland and service barely there. This was better when it was The Bellweather. The change in menu doesn't really do much overall. Not bad. Not special. Cheaper and better literally on the same block. One block in any direction there is a better place to spend your money. read more

Fun meal at the newest swanky British gastropub in town Monarch & Lion ;) We had the artichoke bhaji, fish & chips, chicken tikka masala with garlic naan, and a Kensington Gardens gin. They were all yummy, but my fav was the well spiced and warm artichoke bhaji. read more

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Food and drink were great. Service was pretty good, first time I've ever been fist bumped by a waiter, ha. Ambience by the fire was nice as well. read more