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    The Whale Chicago

    4.2 (1.1k reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order The Whale Chicago Takeout or Delivery

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    THE WHALE CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

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    Hipster
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    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - The Whale Chicago

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    Pineapple Upside Down Cake WG
    Leland L.

    Great restaurant with a well-rounded menu! Came for dinner on a Friday with two of my friends and it was a fun atmosphere, not too loud. Our server was fun and have great recommendations! The menu feels pretty classic new American with some southern nods but definitely lots of different options. Espresso martini was one of the best is had in a while. We split dishes - the steak frites, Cali-Lime salad, shrimp feta pasta, and sweet potato fries. The frites with the steak were perfect!!! And the salad was a great portion. Also ended with the pineapple upside down cake. Would definitely come back here!

    Hearts of Palm Salad. Great!
    Kathy H.

    We had a great time at brunch on Sunday at The Whale. First, let me start by saying that you are not limited to their brunch menu. You can all order off of any of the menus. We've been to this place before and all of the servers are very nice and helpful. It's a very lively spot with mimosa flights and towers. We started off with the deviled eggs and the crab rolls. Both were very good. We moved into the lobster tacos, my favorite. The heart of Palm salad was delicious. Drinks are tasty and I'm looking forward to trying the chicken and waffles next time.

    Brie, Ricotta w/honey, Cacio e Pepe spreads
    Jack F.

    Very cool vibes with very in depth happy hour menu. No kids menu, but still family friendly as they did an excellent job concocting some kid friendly meals. Rory, our server, was on point. I heard about the burger, so I had to have it. Happy hour only $13 with delicious fries and garlic aioli. But the best part I think were the apps: dip/spreads, lobster tacos, oysters, and bacon deviled eggs.

    Yosef M.

    I recently had the chance to visit The Whale and finally see what it's all about. For the longest time, I'd driven past but never had the opportunity to stop by--I'm so glad I did this time! We came for my cousin's birthday brunch, and she had a fantastic time. My chicken sandwich was delicious, the DJ kept the energy high with great music, and the whole vibe of the restaurant was lit. The servers were also super friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be coming back!

    Chilled Lobster Tacos
    Megan W.

    Great ambience and menu for happy hour! The restaurant has ample seating and standing room to accommodate a large party. You can tell this is a popular spot for HH. We ordered various drinks and food options off the menu. The oysters were sadly very small, but still delicious. The most popular drink at the table was their pink/purple fruity drink. As for the service, it was very relaxed, which we expected for HH. We were seated for a couple of hours, but felt like we were able to order our next rounds in a reasonable time.

    Menu
    Kiaya S.

    We were sat for 15* minutes without placing our order which was incredibly disappointing. We sat so long we had l to go as the hostess who our waiter was and even then it took another 10 minutes. I hope management fixes this issue. The girl that helped us out the first time came back to take care of us which was nice! Food was okay? I think the Vig is consistently better

    Farah A.

    Went here for brunch and had a great experience. Made reservations on the restaurants website. When we got there we were immediately seated. They a nice selection of brunch items. We enjoyed trying everything we ordered. The food was freshly prepared and tasted amazing. Our server was attentive and made good recommendations. The overall vibe is very family friendly and inviting. I would definitely visit this place again.

    Sicilian Crab Cakes WG
    Chase W.

    Everything is just decent. Drinks are worth the price only during happy hour and only 50% of that time. Crab cakes are dry, not worth $37. Whatever dressing on the greens is awful, and you cannot substitute the side.

    Adriana F.

    A five-star star for me reflects an ideal integration of great food, excellent service, wonderful cocktails, and a feeling of warmth, comfort, and pleasantness. Uki, our server, is excellent - attentive, friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, provided prompt service with a positive attitude, and consistently delivered a smooth and enjoyable dining experience by actively listening to us. The space and ambiance feel inviting and comfortable, created by a well-balanced combination of elements like soft lighting, inviting decor, pleasant aromas, and comfortable temperature, all working together to create a relaxing and positive mood in the space, Food for me is integral to communicating with my tribe, breaking bread, sharing about our lives, and every dish, every morsel we shared was delicious, tasty, mouth-watering, enjoyable, palatable, delightful, and satisfying Buffalo fried cauliflower, Pimento Mac n' Cheese, dry-aged Tenderloin sandwich, steak & eggs, blueberry muffin iron skillet, shrimp-pork Grits, all recommended. I definitely will be back for more deliciousness

    Tierra SheReviewz Z.

    I'm sold on this place based in aesthetics, but not all the dishes are meeting standards. We had reservations before hand. Parking can be a bit crazy. Loved the deviled eggs and Buffalos Cauliflower but the kale salad lacked some flavor. Cute spot for some bites and happy hour!

    Tasha M.

    I love it here! It's so cute inside and the service is great. We loved everything we ordered. We were so stuffed by the time we left. I highly recommend going with a group so that you can share all the options. And the drinks are just phenomenal. There's definitely photo ops indoors and it's close to many cool spots. Can't go wrong with a stop at The Whale.

    Menu
    Amisha R.

    The Whale is a good spot to celebrate and hang out with friends. The lox platter was refreshing, fries came with an aioli that was delightful and the shrimp and grits comforting. The waitress was very attentive and many other servers came to check on us throughout, refilling waters and providing asks.

    Burger
    michelle s.

    Super cute place atmosphere was very chill comforting the service well, the food came out very fast. The burger was delicious. The lobster tacos were OK. I would never order them again and my salad was completely amazing. Not sure about the pinto mac & cheese but you know what when in Chi town

    Menu

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    22 days ago

    Eddy was a fantastic server and the food never disappoints, from wine to fun conversation just a great place!

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    1 month ago

    Beautiful place, and wonderful service. Our food was perfect and the menu was great, something for everyone

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    Thanks Daniela. See you soon for Happy Hour!

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    Page 1 of 28

    The Whale Chicago Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Whale Chicago

    Hi! What day/time is happy hour?

    when i went it was 5-7pm Mon to Thurs and 3-6pm on Fridays. but i believe they changed their hours that's it's 5-7 all weekdays

    Do you have music on saturdays? what kind?

    Hi Fahimeh - thanks for reaching out! We do not feature any live music or DJs at this time, but we keep the energy high with create ambient music and specifically curated playlists. We hope to see you soon! Thanks!

    Does your Saturday brunch have a live DJ kind of vibe? I want to have my dual bachelor/bachelorette gathering here on Saturday, August 3rd.

    Hi Venus - thanks so much for reaching out! We do not currently feature brunch DJs, but we keep our ambiance and music high energy all throughout brunch. If you would like additional information for your bachelorette gathering, please email… Read more

    Can i get a reservation tomorrow July 4 for 5 people one in a wheelchair -sometime around 10:30-11:30 - Inside or outside? Hope that can work. Ive been there many times and love it! Thnks. Larry G

    Good morning, Larry - thanks so much for reaching out! We are able to accommodate, please call 847-703-0733 to confirm your reservation as we need a little more information. Thanks!

    So they play song requests?

    I don't know, sorry!

    Will you accommodate for a sweet 16 dinner ? A group 5 teens and 4 adults

    I believe so. They will push tables together.

    Do you all host engagement parties ? If so, how many people are allowed?

    Hello - please reach out to our Events Coordinator, Samantha. Her email is Sam@lh.team Thanks!

    Is the patio dog friendly? Thx

    Hi Maureen - yes, our patio is dog friendly for dogs who are patio friendly! Thanks!

    Any COVID rules?

    Hi Jay - thank you so much for reaching out! The Whale is following current COVID mitigations, including showing vaccine cards and wearing face coverings when not eating/drinking. Thanks!

    When I call who would I speak with about prices for a reservation for a sweet 16 dinner?

    Hello - please send an email to Samantha - Sam@LH.team Thank you!

    Hi, is the kitchen open late on Saturdays?

    Hi Keshia - the kitchen is open until 11p on Friday and Saturday night. Thanks!

    Do you accept Apple Pay?

    Hello, we do not accept Apple Pay. We apologize for any inconvenience.

    Is outdoor seating available?

    Yes they have outdoor seating

    Do you take a reservation for 7?

    Hi St H. - we have private booths that seat up to 8 guests available for reservations. For details and availability, please call me at 847-703-0733 or email me at Sam@LH.team. Thank you!

    Where do you park?

    Hi! There is metered street parking on Milwaukee and on the surrounding streets. Thanks!

    Open for Thanksgiving 2020? If so, what are the food options?

    Good morning, Kalli - thanks for reaching out! We will be closed on Thanksgiving. We hope to see you another time!

    Is The Whale kid-friendly (11-year old girl)?

    At 9pm it becomes clothing-optional, so you won't want your kid there. Just kidding. If going to Pequods for dinner, try to get your name on the "Priority List." They don't take reservations, but they'll add your name to this list so you have… Read more

    Are there any happy Hour specials here?

    Good morning, Sara - While the Whale does not have any happy hour specials, we do offer a rotating boozie slushie. We hope to see you soon!

    Do you have changing tables in your restrooms?

    Hi Scott -- The Whale does not have changing stations, but there is a large, gender neutral bathroom available for use. Thanks!

    Is it baby friendly for brunch on a weekend?

    Hi Maggie - thanks for reaching out! We do have high chairs on hand for our youngest guests. Our brunch is intended to be a lively and vibrant ambiance. Thanks again!

    View All 25 Questions

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    The Welcome Back Lounge was a nice place to go for brunch. I had never heard of this place, but I…read morewent with some friends. The inside had an old school type of feel. We sat in the back patio area. The patio was covered and heated, supposedly. It was cold back there to me. They have $30 bottomless mimosas for brunch from 11-3. I ordered the chicken sandwich and added an egg. I also had the hot tots that came with queso dip. The food was really good actually. The chicken sandwich surprised me at how flavorful it was. Service was okay. The kitchen seemed swamped, so it took awhile for food to come out. They didn't check on us super frequently. Overall, the food was good, and the people that I went with enjoyed the bottomless mimosa deal.

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    Daisies continues to prove why it's one of the best pasta spots in the city -- creative, seasonal,…read moreand comforting without feeling heavy. The meal started strong with crispy, golden flatbread paired with creamy ricotta. The ricotta was silky and lightly tangy, topped with olive oil, shaved cheese, herbs, and a sweet-savory jam that added depth. The bread had that perfect crunch on the outside with a slight chew inside -- simple but elevated. The pasta was the star. Wide ribbons cooked perfectly al dente, coated in a rich, slow-simmered ragu that tasted deeply savory and comforting. The sauce clung beautifully to the noodles, and the generous sprinkle of parmesan tied everything together. It felt rustic but refined -- the kind of dish you keep going back for.

    This spot had reservations gone in minutes and I get why, but it didn't fully blow me away…read more Vibes were just alright. We sat in the back so it was quieter, but still kinda loud overall and felt more casual than expected. Better for groups than a romantic dinner. 6.5/10. Service was great though. Our server was funny, super attentive, and paced everything perfectly. Loved the little details like switching plates and checking in at the right times. 8/10. The sweet onion toast was sooo good. Reminded me of Au Cheval's bone marrow + jam combo. Crispy & flavorful. 9.5/10. All the pastas were cooked perfectly al dente and not oily at all which I LOVED. The strozzapreti was super comforting with great duck flavor. 8.5/10. The beet agnolotti was really unique, tasted like a cream cheese lox everything bagel. 8/10. The cappelletti was more mid for me, good filling and sauce but nothing crazy. 7/10. The pork collar had an interesting texture like medium rare steak, but I'm just not a big pork fan. 6/10. Now the desserts... BEST part of the meal. The chocolate pavlova was insane. First time trying it and the textures were crazy good with the sorbet, mousse, and crunch. 9.5/10. The cookie dough brownie ice cream was also one of the best flavors I've had. 9.5/10. They also gave us a free chocolate cake for our celebration which was a nice touch, but it tasted pretty basic. Overall, really solid pastas, amazing desserts, and a great app, but a litttttle overhyped for me.

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    The Whale Chicago - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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