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    The Exchange

    4.0 (145 reviews)
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    Services - The Exchange

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Event lighting services

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    On-site management services

    Post-event cleaning services

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    The Exchange Photos

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    THE EXCHANGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Live music
    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!!

    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.

    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!

    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!

    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.

    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 :)

    Cesar salad with chicken.

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing food in an architectural jewel piece! Brunch on Saturday morning is awesome and you can order a set menu or selection from menu

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Very good environment and music. However with Very bad food. The chicken is so dry and overpriced.

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    4 years ago

    Get the wild mushroom rigatoni. That's it. That's the review. That's all you need.

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    3 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Mary F.

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    5 years ago

    I went here for my birthday and had a great time. Food was excellent and the service was just as good. The ambience was great.

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    Page 4 of 4

    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.

    Photos
    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

    Solette - Steak bowl

    Solette

    4.4(15 reviews)
    0.6 miThe Loop

    I had been meaning to come to this place as it's located near my job, so I finally did for lunch…read moreand this is what we thought. Even though is a pretty space, is way too loud ( people literally have to yell to have conversations) and is not because of music but because of everyone talking at the same time. Service was not the best, we were not greeted upon arrival and that's not a good start. The hosts booth is located in a weird place to begin with. Food was good but nothing that will blow your mind, however is a place that we could potentially recommend and visit again in the future

    Very quick and attentive service from Walter!! Came in for their restaurant week menu $30 for your…read morechoice of app, entree and dessert! I got the tuna tartare to start and the steak bowl. The Tuna tartare was Devine! Truly delicious, fresh with great flavor and the chips served with it were so light and airy! 10/10 must order! The steak bowl had good flavor! I'd give it 8/10 because some of the pieces were pretty fatty! I deducted a star because I got charged $8 for water ???? I brought it up with with the waiter and he said this is a known issue. So if you dine here and a woman with a short bob ish cut comes by she will only say still or sparkling and won't say tap so you think still or sparkling are your only options. Don't fall for it ! But overall great restaurant with lovely service from Walter!! He was great

    Photos
    Solette - Place is pretty bit way too loud

    Place is pretty bit way too loud

    Solette - Falafel bowl

    Falafel bowl

    Solette

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    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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    Oliver’s - Aperol Spritz

    Oliver’s

    4.6(122 reviews)
    1.4 miNear Southside

    I loved Oliver's!!! The front seating area is super bright, lit with tons of natural light & has a…read morebeautiful bar. There is also a huge back dining area as well. We loved everything we ate! I don't think you can go wrong. The salad was super flavorful and I loved the stracciatella toast. I recommended making a reservation but I don't think you need to do it that far in advance. We came before a concert at solider field and it was about a 25 walk to the venue so great place to come before going to solider field!

    Well color me surprised by the discovery of this hidden gem. We were at the C2E2 convention for…read more2026 at the McCormick Hyatt and we always like to have a nice quiet dinner on the Thursday after we check in. I always look for something nearby, and Oliver's popped up. The front of Oliver's is unassuming, but when you walk in, you are greeted by a lovely bar area and small two seater tables in the window. The dining area is down a corridor from the bar area. The decor is quite cute and elegant, with the overall vibe being quire chill. As this was our first time at the restaurant, Aidan explained the menu to us. We started out with the caviar service (Osetra noir caviar, crème fraîche, oyster chicharrón). Ok I love caviar but this is the first time I have had it with chicharróns, and that they were made with oysters. Traditionally, chicharróns are made from pork, but these blew me away to the point that I asked for an additional serving. Highly recommend this starter. We also got the Toast Royale (beef fat griddled sourdough and caramelized shallot butter). This was also yummy on its own and with the caviar. Be warned though, this is a huge serving of bread. I needed up taking half of it home. In addition to these two starters we got the Truffle Gnocchi (comté, aged parmesan, and burgundy truffle). The truffle was extra at $29, but was worth it for me. We also got the charred octopus with preserved peppers, fennel and a Szechuan chili oil. The octopus clocked in at $42, but again so worth it for me. It was prepared perfectly, the octopus was tender and melted in my mouth. For dinner, The Doctor and The Queen got the Black Cod with vegetables and they split the cucumber salad. I got the cheeseburger. They both liked their dishes as there was nothing left on their plates. I am not a fish person myself, but they both stated that the fish was well prepared. For me, the cheeseburger was very good and so were those fries. While there are other dinner items on the menu, that burger was giving life and I would definitely get that again. Although I will say I saw a table order the half chicken and that looked really good. I would consider that as a possible entrée as well. For dessert I got the coconut key lime pie to split with The Doctor and The Queen got the malted milk & cookies. I am a sucker for coconut and key lime, but together it was kismet. And we also got an order of the warm chocolate chip cookies on the house. Those were very good and I am saying so as I am not a big fan of cookies per se. Haley and Aidan were the folks that took care of us and they were so nice. They were very attentive and genuinely seemed happy to be working there. Oliver's was a great dining experience for us, but I will preface this review with some of the dishes are on the pricey side, but I can live with that because I simply want what I want. For the quality of the dishes, I felt it was worth it.

    Photos
    Oliver’s - The kitchen

    The kitchen

    Oliver’s - Burger

    Burger

    Oliver’s - Dining room

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    Dining room

    Girl & The Goat

    Girl & The Goat

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

    An amazing experience! Highly recommend!…read more We experienced the tiniest goat, which you get to sit in front of the kitchen, all the action. You need reservations, paid a flat rate per person, only include a drink, absolutely worth it. The menu is set by the chef. The waiter is super knowledgeable and friendly. A disclosure is that the chef doesn't make your food in front of you, the show is to see all the kitchen staff in action, you have front row seats to where the magic happens. A unique experience, the food was super delicious with a mix of flavors from around the world. I left with an amazing experience in terms of food and flavors, but my greatest lesson was how hard the kitchen staff works and the passion: the orchestrated action to keep with the orders, the constant heat from the kitchen, the attention to details, and the love for flavor perfection. Plus, one of the best old fashioned I have ever had!

    This restaurant is popular and super packed. It's a bit loud but the ambiance is nice and…read moreupscale-ish with the dim lighting, open kitchen concept, and interior decor. Service was a bit slow. It took 45 mins to get our first dish, which was the halibut. First, just want to comment that the portion size is quite small relative to the price of the dishes. The halibut. This was very delicious. Somehow the blueberry nuoc cham works? The fish was tender and flaky. The sauce was salty and full of umami with a hint of blueberry sweetness. This fish dish made me crave for a bowl of steaming hot bfluffy white rice. The string beans. Unless you are allergic to nuts, this is a must get dish. Perfectly cooked string beans (still crispy but not raw) sautéed with fish sauce vinaigrette was an absolute delight. It's also on the salty side which made me crave rice but it's such a flavor bomb. The cashews provided a contrast in texture but yet complemented the seemingly simple dish. I wish the portions were bigger. The galbi. It's was good but compared to the first 2 dishes, didn't really wow me. The meat was one rib strip (4 rib bones) cut into 4 pieces so it's a rather small portion for the price. The stone fruit slices was a nice pairing in that it provided a sweet and tart contrast to the heavier meat flavor. After trying this dish, I felt I personally prefer the LA galbi marinade flavor and preparation for short ribs. Overall, I'm glad I got to try this place. Would come back for the string beans on a splurge day .

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

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    The Exchange - bars - Updated July 2026

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