We had such a great experience here! The Farmers Market scramble was wonderful with creamy avocado, and we loved how the sweet potato and egg paired so nicely with red pepper that wasn't overpowering. The Mediterranean Bowl was fantastic, and the watermelon radish was such a fun surprise. All of the jammy eggs were cooked perfectly. The Double Patty Vegetarian Burger was tasty, though a little on the dry side, and the fries could have been crispier. The Refreshers were excellent--a definite must-try--and we loved that the code at the bottom explains how it benefits your body. Our server, Erin, was so kind and informative, offering great recommendations that really made our meal even better. Can't wait to come back! When in Chicago, eat here. Found it last year and eat here more than once when in the city! read more

Great food and service! Healthy options. Brendon was wonderful. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Great food. Great service! Gerard was very helpful. I love the tuna poke bowl. Refreshers are a great option to drink.

I don't usually write Yelp reviews, but Gerard and the team at True Food Kitchen deserve every single star and then some. From the moment I walked in, the experience was seamless. The atmosphere in the River North location is bright, clean, and welcoming without feeling overdone. The open floor plan lets you feel part of the energy without being overwhelmed by noise, and you can tell the staff is trained to make guests feel like regulars--whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth. What truly stood out to me was Gerard. He greeted us at the door with a genuine smile, not the "I have to do this" kind, but the kind where you know he loves his job and cares about the customer experience. He didn't just seat us--he set the tone for the evening. He checked in multiple times during our meal without hovering, and every interaction felt authentic. Now for the food--True Food Kitchen nails the balance between healthy and indulgent in a way that doesn't feel like compromise. It's one thing to have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten‑free options on a menu; it's another to make them craveable. We started with the edamame guacamole, and I'll be honest: I could eat this every single day. Fresh, bright, with just the right amount of seasoning, and the housemade pita chips were perfectly crisp. Gerard recommended the seasonal ingredient salad, and I'm glad he did. It's a rotating staple on the menu for a reason--perfectly balanced flavors, fresh produce, and an attention to detail you don't get in most places. For mains, I went with the Korean noodle bowl with tofu (Gerard's suggestion when I asked for something flavorful but not too heavy). It was excellent--just the right heat, a complex sauce that tasted house‑made, and a perfectly cooked mix of vegetables. My dining companion had the grass‑fed burger, which looked incredible and, from what I was told, tasted just as good. The sweet potato hash it comes with could easily stand on its own as a side dish. One thing I noticed throughout the meal: the pacing was spot‑on. Too many places either rush you through courses or make you wait too long. Gerard clearly had a read on our table and timed everything perfectly--empty plates cleared quickly, mains arriving at just the right time, water glasses always filled without us noticing. Dessert was the flourless chocolate cake, another recommendation from Gerard. This is a must‑order. It's rich without being heavy, and the coconut whipped cream adds the perfect touch of lightness. The service from the rest of the team mirrored Gerard's energy--polite, efficient, and thoughtful. It's rare to see this kind of consistent service across an entire team, and it speaks volumes about the leadership and training at this location. Another thing worth calling out: True Food Kitchen has a vibe that works for almost any occasion. We saw couples on date nights, families with kids, solo diners at the bar, and even a small group celebrating a birthday. It never felt chaotic or cramped--just comfortable and welcoming. Pricing is reasonable for the quality of food and the level of service. It's not "cheap eats," but you absolutely get value for what you pay. Every dish feels crafted, ingredients taste fresh, and portions are satisfying without being wasteful. I also appreciate the consistency here. This isn't my first visit, but it's one of the few places where I can say the food quality and service have been outstanding every single time. Gerard in particular has been a constant--he remembers returning customers, makes thoughtful recommendations, and clearly takes pride in making sure people leave happy. In a city full of great dining options, it takes a lot for a place to stand out, but this location of True Food Kitchen does exactly that. It's the kind of place you can recommend without hesitation to friends, colleagues, or family, knowing they'll get a great meal and great service. To sum it up: if you're in River North and want a place that combines fresh, flavorful food with truly excellent service, True Food Kitchen should be on your list. And if you're lucky enough to have Gerard as your host or server, you're in for a 5‑star experience from start to finish. I don't hand out 5‑star reviews easily, but this one is well‑deserved. read more

This was a tasty lunch for me and my friends. We enjoyed the fresh salads and wraps. Particularly the variety of fruits and vegetables. There were good options for vegans and vegetarians, and animal proteins were available for those that ate meat. The flavors were exceptional, and even the drinks were balanced and well-thought-out. We enjoyed the service. Jordan, our server was polite and entertaining. Eating healthy isn't a sacrifice here! Bring your friends, they won't be disappointed. The bathrooms are clean and stylish. The dining room is well-appointed with wood, large windows, and leather boothes. A lot of plants decorate the interior that add to the brightness of the interior. This is a comfortable place to hang out with friends read more

Food is very good and also seasonal selections are nice as is the multi course lunch option. Dennis is a wonderful server. Music playing isn't too loud so you can still hold a conversation. read more

Great healthy spot for vegetarians. Love that their bowls are warm which really helps in this winter cool weather. The food was very flavorful and good sized portions too. Dennis our server was very polite and also made great recommendations on the bowls. All in all perfect for a healthy bite in a peaceful ambiance. read more

Dan was great! Excellent service and personalized attention to details and special requests! TY

Elma was a great server and got us everything we needed! Very accommodating and made wonderful recommendations!

Food was meh. Mac and cheese tasted weird. They had literally 20 people working and maybe 8 tables seated and yet everything was slow. Service was okay otherwise--she said she was going to talk to the manager about what was going on. I think they must focus on catering for soulless office lunches. There's some sort of fresh/natural food component but it wasn't clear what that was. Bathroom doors didn't lock. Water dripping from the ceiling. I felt like this is where nice meals go to die. read more

We had a wonderful experience at True Food. All the food was delicious and fresh. Our service was amazing and efficient. We were seated were we could visit comfortably with plenty of space. read more

See all

service was great for happy hour on a thursday but the food was not..... the tuna tartare was almost frozen and the bread i ordered was beyond chewy, im giving this place a 3 star because the service was attentive and caring. i thought the only good thing was that it was on in kind and the $ 3 non alcoholic spritz tasted fresh read more

After a long travel day, I Ordered delivery. Ive ordered at various other locations... no problems. But I got some food poisoning from the korean noodle dish. Sharp pains, ill and and its 2 days later.... Still unwell. DO BETTER. read more

True Food is dooooooope. Sure the service is slow but the food is goooodt. Just get a cocktail!

Went here for lunch and had the chopped salad - they took out farro to make it gluten-free, but I was not impressed by a bowl of lettuce with apples, dates, raisins, jicama, almonds. Salad was sticky-sweet. I told the waiter but didnt have time to try something different - was still charged $17. Maybe other items are better? read more

We stopped by for a quick lunch during Thanksgiving and the food was outstanding. They had a special menu for holidays which was suitable for family, single dine in or couple of friends. The staffs are friendly and worth the price read more

What can I say? We were looking for a place where both vegans and non-vegan could dive into and awesome Saturday brunch while visiting the city. True Food Kitchen did not disappoint! Our server, Gerard, was the right mix of explaining things for first-timers, making sure we were happy, and giving room for our conversation. Food was as was atmosphere. Plenty of room for our luggage we were schleping to the airport. read more

True Food Kitchen - Delicious drip coffee. - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food excellent. Sliders and pizza. Service superb. Gerard is a great waiter. Patient and friendly. read more

Very average experience. It's not like few years back. The food, service and overall experience is just ok. It's not just from one visit, but based on few recent experiences. I have always like the place all these years because they innovate in menu. And I love that they have vegan dishes, huge plus! my previous experience was average little disappointing, when they couldn't get a simple order of dessert for the kid, and had us wait more than 30 minutes just for a dessert. And there were hardly any customers. Plus had to ask for water 3 times. Not a huge deal but something simple to manage. read more

True Food Kitchen - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Inside is bright and very clean. The menu had so many vegetarian options. The charbroiled cauliflower was really good. Our server was attentive and made many suggestions. The only item I didn't care for was the latte. read more

See all

True Food is a chain, but it really doesn't feel like it. It's a strange mix of cocktails, healthful beverages, vegan options, and burgers. The common element is whole, natural foods that are not terrible for you. It's like the anti-Applebee's. Anyhow, the Forbidden Poke was incredible, and I could have eaten 3 of them. But then it would have been 1230 calories, and I know that because they list calories on the menu. If you like poke, get this beautifully balanced entree that perfectly highlights a generous portion of tuna. My dining partner enjoyed the Kale Cobb salad as well, but she gently pointed out to the server that the grilled chicken was a bit too dry. The server took the chicken off the bill, unbidden. Which was a class move. In general, the service was attentive, friendly, and very knowledgeable about the menu. I often ask servers for recommendations, but when they're just pointing out the most expensive things, I lose trust. This server took time to describe and recommend a few great options and has obviously eaten and enjoyed the food there. Great service, great food. Clean, modern atmosphere. Two easy blocks from the red line. Definitely coming back. read more

Conveniently located a block from the Dreihaus Museum, we stopped in for a pre-museum lunch. I got the warm, nutritious Ancient Grains bowl and it was the perfect size, and so full of flavor. My friend got the Sunshine Bowl, with an extra protein, chicken. There are so many vegetarian options! The restaurant is large and was only about 30% filled today, which was nice. Table sufficiently spaced. Masks worn by staff. Wear your mask and bring your vax card. Two bowls, a tea, and one fizzy soda came to $50 plus tip, which I think is pretty standard in this part of the city. Street parking was an additional $9.50. read more

True Food Kitchen - Ancient grains bowl and Sunshine bowl - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We came here for lunch. They're menu has never attracted me to visit them any sooner. I finally gave in and decided to check them out. The inside is very spacious but was really empty when we arrived. They did however walk us down all the way to the opposite part of the building and sat us next to a door that people walked out allowing some cold ass air to come in while we were eating. The wife and I ended up sharing a margherita Pizza. These pizzas don't really take more than 10 minutes to cook, but waited a lot longer to receive the pizza in an empty restaurant. When we got our pizza, our waiter walked away and didn't even give us plates to put our slices on. The pizza itself was just ok. I was not a big fan of their crust. It was too doughy and should have came a little but more burnt. It had too much cheese and not enough sauce. When it came time to pay, that also took a while to get out our bill and then for him to actually come get the card and charge us. The waiter was a very nice guy but lacked a sense of urgency. I probably won't be back. read more

True Food Kitchen - Margherita Pizza - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Enjoyed a great lunch once again at True Food Kitchen. The lovely weather here in Chicago allowed us the opportunity to dine on the patio. My friend and I shared two starters for our meal. We enjoyed the Cauliflower with tahini and dates and the hummus with both regular and gluten free pita. The gluten free pita was so good that my friend preferred it over her pita, which she said was a bit crispy and more cracker-like in texture. The service was good, no complaints. read more

So, so yum. Had the Brussels sprouts to start, and pizza for the main. It had squash on it!! I know! Kooky and delish. I loved all of it. read more

True Food Kitchen - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Writing review after our Uber Eats order (our hotel was 5min away): Pesto Pasta was nice Charred cauliflower was not good at all - cold, not cooked properly, not much charring and not tasty al all :( read more

True Food Kitchen - Pesto Pasta - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Each time when we visit Chicago we eat lunch in True Food Kitchen. We always enjoyed with healthy, fresh and tasty food. However this time we were disappointed. While appetizer roasted brussels sprouts was really good, our main course, Tuscan Kale Salad, consisted of only dry kale with almost no dressing and no shaved cheese. The side grilled chicken was cold and bland. read more

True Food Kitchen was one of my favorite dinner spots this past trip to Chicago. I was looking for a spot that had interesting plant-based options that didn't rely solely on mock meats. TFK provided that even though the rest of the menu is not vegan. At first, I didn't realize that this was actually a chain. Not that it should take away from the quality or experience, but it felt so unique with its calm indoor setting and variety of menu options that can suit many pallets. My friend and I made a reservation the day-of for a patio seat. It was wonderful dining outside in a light summer evening being surrounded by skyscrapers. We split their Charred Cauliflower which was a creamy, nutty app that really kicked off a great meal. We also tried their Edamame Guac which came with chips for dipping. The guac was a great take but I found the chips on the saltier side - ask for light salt if possible. For our main item, we split their Ancient Grains Bowl (quinoa, miso sesame glazed sweet potatoes, onions, portobello, snow peas, and more). They were kind enough to split this into two portions so we each had our own mini bowl. I thought this dish was fantastic. Lots of amazing flavors and veggies combined together. I'd definitely come back and order this again. I'm glad that we were able to swing by here and enjoy this meal. You can bring friends from different groups and diets, and they'll surely be able to find something to enjoy. Give it a try and feel the benefits of eating a bit cleaner than you normally would. read more

See all

We came here on a Saturday morning around 10 AM and got seated immediately outside. Interior and exterior are both super cute, and the seating is adorable! Super aesthetically pleasing. Everyone was very nice, and we were served immediately. We got the Breakfast tacos with meat, these were good. I was a little bit nervous about the cassava tortilla - but I was pleasantly surprised. I picked off the jalapeños, because I don't like spicy. I think beans are a little odd for a side, but I enjoyed them. We also got the strawberry quinoa pancakes. The pancakes are just quinoa Pancakes, with strawberries on top. Not strawberries inside the pancakes. Still delicious, I wish there was a little bit more Greek yogurt. We also got the chopped salad and subbed the Romain lettuce for kale. It had a lot of chunks and good stuff in it. This place is great. I will come back and try something new next time! read more

See all

Love this restaurant, since they take my food allergies seriously. It takes the guess work out of ordering and wishing for the best. Elma was our server, this time around, and she was a delight. Very knowledgeable and friendly. The kitchen had a tiny hiccup with my order but she was quick to address it and get it fixed. Which I appreciate. Thank you. The food has always been tasty and I look forward to the seasons changing to see a new menu. Even though I still have my favorites. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant. read more

True Food Kitchen - Pepperoni pizza with GF crust & Vegan Cheese - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Really great place to get low carb/sugar options for those needing them! I'm sure I will be back. + - You can search their nutrition info online to locate dishes that will work for your dietary needs - Taste - Really great service - I was so pleasantly surprised to find that they have a low carb lasagna! I thought I'd have to basically swear off pasta. - Salmon in the salad was perfectly cooked - Nice interior - Very fast service - - I found the citrus salmon salad a little bit too sour, and the lasagna a little bit too garlicky, but those were subtle things. I also found a small bone in the salmon. - A bit pricey We've been a few times now and always had a great experience and so are excited to return. read more

I have not posted a five star review in a minute, but TRUE FOOD GETS MY VOTE FOR FRESHEST FOOD IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO!!! I enjoyed every morsel of my meal. I started my lunch service out with the tomato soup. The coup was covered in a cloud pillow of what I believe to be whipped ricotta.. it also had delicately crushed breadcrumbs which tricked me into believing I was eating a grilled cheese!!! The next course... I know it's not a course, but the avo-Rita cocktail with CasaMigos and mini avocado pieces, yes in the cocktail... Don't knock it until you try it!!! But back to the cocktail, I called it an entree (really amuse bouche), because it was served with two bites of tortilla chips with fresh avocado!! It's not called the avocado-Rita, for nothing!! Alas to end my scrumptious feast I was treated to an arugula mixed green salad. I do not really like arugula but one bite told me that in had not had arugula correctly. I had the orange glazed salmon salad with the arugula mixed greens, sunflower seeds, lightly sweetened walnuts, feta, and my all time favorite... GRAPEFRUIT. This was sweet and sour on a whole other level. I called my husband and said, "Babe, I found a place we can eat every evening!" Like no joke. Healthy, responsibly sourced delicious food!!! True food is the winner so far of MY BEST MEAL EATEN IN 2024!! I am awaiting my dessert as we speak.. I will write another review for that another day! And for me that's saying a lot!!! Adieu farewell lunch spot until next time!! If you come in I pray you receive Gerard as a server!! He was attentive, but not pushy, knowledgeable, but not pretentious, and kind in just the right portions!! Thanks Gerard!!! You rock!! read more

True Food Kitchen - This was the Avo-Rita! This was superb!! - New American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Nice healthy place to go after Barry's next door which is convenient. Shout out to Zoey for friendly service. Thanks!

I like the concept of True Food Kitchen, it is organic and grass fed healthy food. The venue is large and the inside is decorated really cool including a kitchen that is open so if you are sitting in certain seats you can see them preparing your food. The service was very good, from the hostess greeting us to our server. When I looked at the menu, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to start with, so when in doubt I ordered the tomato soup and charred cauliflower. The tomato soup was just okay. I love cauliflower, but I hated this cauliflower. I hated it so much, that I decided to go somewhere else to eat. I also ordered a mango tea which was so over powered with lemon that the mango was almost non existent. I disliked the food and drinks so much that I almost asked for my money back. Our server was so great that I just decided to leave this review instead. read more

See all

Daniel in river north is the man! Super kind, great with our kid and as always, the dishes were great.

Not a bad vegan burger. The patty tasted a lot like the Costco bean patties. It came with some decent fries, satisfyying but not extraordinary. Much nicer ambiance, and friendly waiter. read more

Mmmm -- True Food Kitchen, you soothe my soul. The food. The drinks. The friendly staff. The ambience. Everything was amazing! Our waitress Tenni was a superstar! She made some amazing recommendations and took great care of our table (party of 12). I had the monarch. It's a gorgeous tasty cocktail that packs a heck of a punch. 10/10 recommend it! In addition, I had the ancient grain bowl which was divine. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu! read more

See all

Disappointed because I usually like this chain, but the chicken noodle soup was so salty that I couldn't finish it, and the Korean glass noodles were super oily. I threw out 80% of the food even though I paid out the wazzoo for it. Packaging for takeout was good at least. read more

On 6/9 around 2pm we went in for brunch. Our experience was mired with poor, low service, confusion, and food quality issues. We were served by Sawyer and she kept disappearing. Making it impossible to address the issues we were happening in a timely and effective manner. Persons 1 & 2 both ordered blueberry pancakes. Whoever brought out the one order gave 1 the pancakes and 2 the order of sausage. After a few minutes of person 2 sitting with just the 1 sausage on the plate, we track down a hostess who goes to find our server. I point out that this lone sausage is now cold and he still hasn't gotten his pancakes and try to hand her the sausage and she refuses then says she only had 1 order of pancakes (despite confirming the order before walking away.) I correct her after a little back and forth so now we wait for the second order + a new sausage. The rest of the for trickles out. Pancakes come, no syrup & no Sawyer to be seen. Espresso martini comes, tastes like water & no Sawyer to be seen. Two tofu scrambles come and they're cold. We have no water & still, no Sawyer. Thai peanut noodle bowl comes, missing shrimp but again, Sawyer is no where to be found so we sit waiting to even be able to address the issues and it took forever. The shrimp came (4 cold shrimp in a bowl). Overall, we were thoroughly disappointed in the quality of food and lack of service we received. read more

10/10 Would Recommend! Food, 10/10: For some reason I've waited entirely too long to try this restaurant and I'm apologizing to myself, because wow! They have many options for vegans, which is always exciting and a good sign. The tomato bisque is fireeee! The charred cauliflower is insanely good!!! The spinach and mushroom pizza is also good. I wasn't a fan of vegan ricotta but otherwise loved it! And then there's the vegan cookies and ice creammmm! Everything is a must try. Atmosphere, 9/10: Very nice, beautiful establishment! Could use some better music but that's just me trolling! Def a good lunch, dinner, or date spot! read more

See all