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    The Exchange

    4.0 (145 reviews)
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    Services - The Exchange

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    THE EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Exchange

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    Reviews With Photos

    Gnocchi
    Cassie C.

    Stumbled in here randomly with coworkers when looking for a lunch spot and was pleasantly surprised! It is much bigger than it seems from the outside and the dark first room; we sat in a large beautiful space just past that. I will say it was a late lunch time on a weekday so they were not very busy at all, which probably helped. But service was good and so was our food. Large portions and a lot of options for everyone on the menu no matter what you're craving or dietary restrictions. I opted for the gnocchi with prosciutto on top which was super delicious. We had some of the hummus too which was good and had great sides. Overall really enjoyed our food and experience here.

    Adriana F.

    Three Stars for the Sprouts, One Star for the Vibes I want to like this place--I really do. But my first visit felt like accidentally crashing a vampire book club. We walked in hoping for a lovely time in the atrium, but alas, it was closed for a private party. Fine. I get it. People like exclusivity. So we were ushered indoors to what I can only describe as the "Gothic Mustiness Lounge." It was dark. It was damp. It felt like the setting of a moody indie film where someone gets emotionally betrayed over a charcuterie board. Undeterred (okay, mildly deterred), we ordered light: roasted Brussels sprouts, a salad, and some tea. The sprouts came in hot, metaphorically and literally--crispy little flavor bombs. The salad? It was fine. It existed. The tea? It was... there. Let's just say, no one in our party was inspired to start a cocktail-fueled Yelp poetry slam. We ate fast and fled faster, possibly to escape a ghost. But hey--sprouts were good. So I might go back... with garlic, just in case. Okay I exaggerate a little!!

    Brie serving up Drinks in humor and style!
    Chris g.

    Great food but even better staff. We stopped in for lunch and drinks during OASIS weekend. Brie (Briensa?) was our server. She was funny, accommodating and a great representative of the Exchange. This place is gorgeous inside -- former railroad executive building -- and the cocktails are amazing Highly recommend!

    Cobb
    Steph G.

    It's great to see that the exchange is getting the love from social media. I just hope it just doesn't ruin it. It's such a great lunch spot.(I've never been for dinner.) located just south on Michigan Avenue a few minutes walk from all the local tourist spots and Chicago Symphony. I popped in and was seated in the atrium which is the preferred spot although I do like the front room also. I opted to have the Cobb salad with chicken added, and tossed. I also had a Coke, which was nice and cold and crispy. The server with dark brown hair and a ponytail about 5'4" was very friendly and helpful. This was on a Saturday afternoon and it got busy towards the end of the meal. Great soundtrack whoever's playing the music does a fantastic job. I would definitely come back for drinks or other meal options. I thought the salad tasted delicious. I thought the chicken was just OK overall. It wasn't served hot or anything more like room temperature to warm. Make sure to get it tossed.

    Roasted chicken with potatoes
    Joshua Q.

    When I first saw The Exchange, I was not sure how to receive it. I saw some pictures and read some of the reviews. I decided to try it out during restaurant week. Here is my review: Ambiance This place is beautiful. The venue itself is definitely a place you would see for fancy get together and weddings. The area where I was sat at was close to the front. That would be the area before the main dinning area. The place was slightly dark, which had a nice ambiance. I would say the issue would be that whenever someone would open the door, you do get a cold breeze that hits you for a little bit. Service The service was good. The hostess was courteous and the waitress was friendly. The staff also cleared the plates at a good pace where we did not have a bunch of empty plates around. One thing I would say was a little disappointing was that the waitress did stop by but did not ask us if we would like more water. The water carafe that was left was empty for about 1/2 of the meal and nothing was really mentioned. Food These were the items I got from restaurant week. Oysters The oysters were fresh and came with lemons and a minuet sauce. The sauce paired nicely with the oyster. The plating was whimsical as well. Pigs in a blanket This seemed like an odd item to serve as an appetizer. Instead of a pancake, they used a puff pastry and it was accompanied by a mustard sauce. The dish was flavorful and the mustard sauce worked well with the pigs in a blanket. The crispy puff pastry is a nice twist making the dish feel lighter. Roasted chicken You get a roasted chicken thigh and leg laying on some potatoes and covered with an au jus. There was a side of tzatziki sauce. This was a flavorful dish. The chicken had a nice crispy skin and potatoes and sauce. I liked the tzatziki sauce but it seemed more like an optional sauce but not really necessary. Pasta w/ bolognese sauce The pata was similar to a gemelo pasta and worked well with holding the sauce. The pasta was cooked perfectly for me with a nice toothsome feel. The sauce was a good bolognese and was topped with some cheese. Horchata tiramisu This dessert was a nice end to the meal. It was light and had a nice mild flavor. Comparing it to its original counterpart, the horchata has a more subtle taste compared to the espresso which can be appealing to those who would like a lighter flavor than being overwhelmed. Overall The food was good. I would say the ambience would out shine the service and the food. The service was good and I thought the food was prepared very well.

    This was incredible! Black pepper tofu
    Tigui D.

    Beautiful space with many different options to enjoy the space. Service was great and the food was even better! We were genuinely surprised at how tasty the food was because the menu looks so basic but don't judge a restaurant by its menu lol We will definitely go back to try the other items. Great experience.

    Asian Chopped Salad (v)
    Robin A.

    The service and atmosphere are great! My Asian Chopped Salad (v) was top notch! Fresh, flavorful, and filling - it was way too much food for me but I managed to eat most of it. So good.

    Entrance on Michigan Avenue to cafe area
    Jeannie W.

    Dined here before a Friday show at the Auditorium Theater. We had reservations for 5:45pm and were seated promptly in the cafe area adjacent to the atrium. It was a warm cozy space. My friend arrived in time for the happy hour menu and ordered us Old Fashioned cocktails, crab cakes and Brussel sprouts--all were delicious. Our entrees were okay. The curry was less flavorful than expected. The truffle fries were perfect. The petite filet was cooked perfectly however the 5 spice or whatever it was in the sauce was a bit overpowering and I would have preferred it just with the herbed butter and more salt. It needed more salt and pepper imo. The yellow curry was barely spicy at all. The crispy tofu was flavorless. My friend tried mixing it up and adding salt but the curry was overall lacking in flavor. We were truly surprised as it came highly recommended by our server. We would have ordered dessert but time did not allow. Portions were generous. Overall this is an excellent place for drinks and apps, I would come back to try different entrees. You cannot beat the downtown location. Now the space is stunning and even more so decorated for Christmas. You can easily see how well suited it is for private events and weddings. I'm so glad we settled on this for drinks and dinner. It's really amazing to be able to dine in this architectural gem. Note: The Jackson street entrance is closed off after a certain time. I entered that way before 6pm and you'll see The Railway Exchange above the doors as you enter. After that the Michigan Avenue entrance and exit is your only option.

    Turkey Club
    Brian P.

    Ehhhh! I wanted to like them so bad but I have to say they missed the mark. Let me be clear: The ambience is absolutely lovely! It's the peak of Chicago interior design and architecture. They have 3 areas. A cafe style, the main restaurant area, and smaller private bar. Pro-Tip 1: The main restaurant area carries a nice echo. Pro-Tip 2: The private bar is often rented out for bridal parties, etc. I spotted my server sitting multiple times. We had to find him at least once. He was the only one for the entire restaurant (we came for lunch). I ordered the turkey club + avocado. And it SO SALTY that I couldn't even finish the first half of it. I had to send it back. My wife pulled half the meat off hers and stuffed it down. I wasn't doing that. I asked for a regular bacon cheeseburger. It took the kitchen TWENTY MINUTES to bring out my new order. It took so long that I had to leave. After telling them I was leaving, it still took another 5-ish minutes. Apparently the manager told us that the chef was in a meeting. They apologized and gave us two drink cards for our next visit.

    Karen C.

    I came here with two friends for Chicago Restaurant Week for the $59/dinners!! The surroundings are so beautiful! It would've been more refreshing to see it in daylight too. I thought the courses were just alright! I appreciated the complimentary Prosecco. The shrimp was too salty and the restaurant weeks dessert items were out, so we had to settle on a basic chocolate spread and bread. :/ Our server was friendly though!

    Menu
    Amanda H.

    My boyfriend and I stopped by The Exchange before going to the Chicago Institute of Art. To drink (not pictured), we got a glass of wine. We struck up conversation with ur AWESOME bartender who made us lemon drop shots and welcomed us to Chicago with a warm shot of malort (IYKYK). Our bartender, whose name is escaping me, was kind enough to give us recommendations on where to grab dinner and go out on a Thursday night lol. For appetizers, we split the Buffalo cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. The cauliflower was tasty and paired well with the dip. The Brussels sprouts ware a hefty portion so be prepared! I hope we make our way back to Chicago soon!

    Micaela W.

    Was pleasantly surprised by this place and how expansive the restaurant is--it opens up into the center ballroom area that has a ceiling similar to the 3 Arts Club Cafe. It was very pretty and calming inside and maybe a good place for a wedding banquet? The menu didn't have a ton of dinner options (mostly sandwiches and some pastas). The bolognese was very filling, ask for a slice of lemon to squeeze over top. The BUNS were really good and you can't go wrong with tiramisu! Also happy to see a few good non-alc options :)

    Maya S.

    Really great food! A bit pricey, but this is a higher end restaurant. Service was very nice. Even though the food is great I feel like this is more of a place that you go to for the atmosphere.

    Cesar salad with chicken.

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    Enjoyable meal in the atrium part of the restaurant. Sandwiches were solid, the cobb salad had the good stuff under the lettuce.

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    Ask the Community - The Exchange

    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House

    4.6(122 reviews)
    2.1 miPilsen
    $$

    A beautiful, eclectic coffee house just outside of Chinatown, La Malinche was the perfect place for…read morea casual late breakfast. With a cozy locals vibe, there was a mix of young professionals on laptops and families starting the morning. The bright aesethics of Mexican heritage and decor celebrating local artists make the space inspiring and energizing. The coffee was great. I got the horchata latte, which tasted even better than I hoped. I also ordered a El Chavo Torta, a deceptively simple sandwich that was incredibly delicious. I don't know what they put in the bread or what magical place they bought the cheese from, but my mouth is watering just thinking about it. When I'm in Chicago again, La Malinche is on my list of must visit spots.

    Stopped by La Malinche Coffee & Tea House in Pilsen to try something new. Place is nice and quiet…read more Bright pink walls, little decorative hearts, alebrijes all around and full piano in the room. Felt cozy right away. The staff were really welcoming, for an early morning. I got the hot chocolate. Honestly that's exactly what I needed that morning. It had that real Mexican chocolate taste. Thick, creamy, smooth and rich. The cinnamon came through warm but not too strong, plus a little extra on top that hit your nose before the first sip. Sweet and it almost had this slight earthy note too... hard to explain but good. It even had that little design on top, like the ones they do on cappuccinos. Didn't expect that but it was cool. I finished it slow. Didn't wanna rush it. Just sat there taking small sips and enjoying it while it was still hot.

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    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Beautiful colorful vibes

    Beautiful colorful vibes

    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House
    La Malinche Coffee & Tea House - Horchata matcha

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    Horchata matcha

    Bar Sotto

    Bar Sotto

    4.4(28 reviews)
    0.3 miThe Loop

    We visited Bar Sotto during Chicago Restaurant Week and had a really enjoyable overall experience…read more The space has a cozy, dimly lit, intimate vibe perfect for a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. It feels upscale but still comfortable. Service was attentive and paced well, especially considering it was Restaurant Week and fairly busy. The Restaurant Week menu offered a great variety. We started with the crispy arancini, which were perfectly golden on the outside and creamy inside with a rich glaze that added a nice depth of flavor. The wild mushroom risotto had great earthy flavor and was very rich, definitely a heavier dish but satisfying if you are in the mood for something indulgent. The gnocchi were soft and pillowy with fresh basil and roasted tomatoes that brightened the dish nicely. For entrées, the filet mignon was cooked beautifully, tender and medium rare with a flavorful sauce that complemented it well. The chicken parmesan had a solid crisp and good seasoning, though it leaned more classic than standout. Portions overall felt fair for the prix fixe price. Dessert was a sweet finish. The tiramisu was light, creamy, and not overly heavy, which we appreciated. Overall, 4 stars. Great ambiance and solid execution across the board. While nothing completely blew us away, it was a well done Restaurant Week experience and I would definitely come back to try more from their regular menu.

    Came here for a martini with the girls. Such a cute space!!…read more We both had vodka dirty martinis with blue cheese olives and they were very very good. There was also a wine tasting going on which was a fun activity. The service here was great and this atmosphere is unmatched. I'd never expect a place like this to be tucked away in the loop! We didn't eat here but I would come back to try the food. We just ordered the olives off the happy hour menu which were the perfect little snacky item.

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    Bar Sotto - Lounge

    Lounge

    Bar Sotto
    Bar Sotto

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    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

    4.4(10.7k reviews)
    1.2 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    Recently, my husband and I celebrated the anniversary of the day we met. We don't always mark the…read moreoccasion, but this year it was a milestone worth celebrating. We chose to dine at Girl & the Goat in Chicago, a restaurant we had never visited before. The acclaimed restaurant by renowned chef Stephanie Izard truly lived up to its stellar reputation! One of the first things we appreciated was the convenience of the restaurant's valet parking, located right by the front patio. At $22 for up to four hours and $26 for four to eight hours, the rates were quite reasonable for the area. As soon as the three of us stepped inside Girl & the Goat (we had made a reservation for 6:30 pm on a Friday), we were warmly greeted by one of the two friendly hostesses, and were promptly led to a comfortable four-top table with a banquette and two chairs along the wall. We felt fortunate to have one of the better tables in the dining room, as some of the others were positioned very close together. The nearby two-top tables, in particular, were quite small and placed only a short distance from ours. The restaurant's rustic-industrial décor was dark but trendy and stylish, the lively and vibrant vibe was warm and welcoming. However, I have to mention that it was really loud in the dining room, as guests seemed to be enjoying themselves and talked loudly.  It was hard to hear our server and the staff who delivered and explained the dishes to us.  Our server, Yazmin, was extremely friendly and attentive.  It was very sweet of her to wish us a happy anniversary both in the beginning  and at the end of the meal.  She also checked in on us several times during the evening.  Now, on to the food and drinks. I started with a glass of the NA Sparkling Rosé ($17), which was light, crisp, and quite refreshing. My husband ordered a glass of Le Colture Prosecco ($18), while our daughter chose the Sun Kid ($18). She enjoyed her drink, although she felt the portion was a bit small, as the glass was filled with a lot of ice that took up much of the space. Since the restaurant offers small to medium plates which are shareable, Yazmin advised us to get 5 to 6 dishes for 3 people to share.  We decided to get 5 savory dishes and 3 desserts to share: Savory dishes: Chickpea Fritters ($20), goat yogurt, green chutney, sev spice crunch, pickled rhubarb. Pan Roasted Halibut ($37), miso-Marcona almond butter, spring onion blueberry nuoc cham. Roasted Pig Face ($28), sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro, red wine-maple, potato stix. Goat Empanadas ($24), smoked tomato-corn salsa, roasted poblano crema queso fresco. Confit Goat Belly ($38), strawberry goat braise, smoked yogurt drizzle, pickled strawberries. Desserts: Vacation, Please! ($16), toasted coconut crunch, lemon passion fruit sorbet, rum-soaked pineapple cake. Berry Yummy Par-tea ($16), earl grey soaked sponge cake, yuzu curd, spiced blackberries. Chocolate Basil Brownie Bash ($16), olive oil semifreddo, chocolate fennel crunch, basil granita. The meal was just phenomenal!  All the savory dishes were cooked perfectly with bold flavors; the meats were tender and full of flavors.  There were dishes that we normally would not have ordered if we saw them on menus of other restaurants.  Here, we tried them and were delighted that we did!  Our consensus is that Roasted Pig Face is our most favorite! It is everything we love in a comfort dish -- crispy on the outside, meltingly tender inside, and packed with rich, balanced flavor.  We will definitely order this again!  The Confit Goat Belly is a close second, with buttery, fall-apart meat and just the right balance of richness, acidity, and crunch. For dessert, "Vacation, Please!" is the one that we will always come back for. The toasted coconut crunch adds texture, the lemon passion fruit sorbet brings a refreshing tang, and the rum-soaked pineapple cake ties it all together with just the right amount of sweetness.  The other two desserts that we ordered were also very good.  The staff even brought out a scoop of Chocolate Ice Cream on the house, with two lit candles to celebrate our anniversary - a thoughtful touch that made the evening even more memorable.  This dessert spread was the perfect ending to an incredible meal. I'd like to mention that the restaurant added a 4% surcharge to the bill, which the customer may request to have the surcharge remove if you choose.  We let them keep it. We spent about two hours at the restaurant. The savory dishes came out very quickly, the pace probably was even a tad too fast, but the desserts made up for it by taking a longer time.  We did not mind as we were still full, and had time to enjoy the ambiance more.  I would say it is a restaurant great for group gathering and celebratory functions, but not so much for intimate romantic date night.  All in all, it was a wonderful dinner, we look forward to returning again.

    I was there the other week (I've been here at least five times before), and a busser--not our…read morewaiter--started clearing both of our plates before we were finished eating. We each only had a couple of bites left, but it definitely gave off an "okay, you're done now" vibe. Then he went to take the green beans (arguably the cult classic on the menu), and we still had more than half of them left. I had to stop him and say, "Yeah, we're not done with those. We paid for them. Can you put them in a to-go box instead?" For context, it was about 20 minutes before closing, but we ordered with plenty of time and were already eating with a "get in, eat, and get out" mindset. I've just never had someone at a restaurant start clearing plates while we were still actively eating--without asking, "Are you finished?" "Can I clear this?" or "Would you like a to-go box?" It was just... "You're done, these are leaving now." We were there for less than 45 minutes, left about 15 minutes before closing, and spent over $200 (not including the tip). With so many options in Chicago, I don't see myself coming back here.

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    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat
    Girl & The Goat

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    The Exchange - bars - Updated July 2026

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