Reviews of Alinea (Restaurant)

Dallas Keir

In all honesty, you go here for the experience and not so much about the food. I've been to a three star Michelin restaurant in South Korea and it wasn't all guns and smokes, but they concentrated a lot of the food itself. Maybe my palette isn't developed to appreciate some of the ingredients in these dishes, but I applaud the techniques and creativity they put into the dishes. I mean after all, they are still a three Michelin Star restaurant for a reason.

Kayla Hertel

The most incredible, enjoyable meal! The service team is so kind, engaging and hospitable. Simply the best food! Creative,playful and interactive. The wine pairings were so thoughtful and delicious. I can’t wait to go again!!!

Rahul Kumar

Absolutely phenomenal! Engaging and witty servers who clearly loved their job and didn't take anything too seriously. The evening was theatrical, entertaining, and absolutely terrific. Sit back, eat everything, don't ask what it is (you won't remember anyway), and just enjoy. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to enjoy again and again.

Trici Cross

Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth the money? DEFINITELY. This was such a phenomenal, memorable dining experience. You have to have an appreciation of what they do here; if you’re into chain restaurants and fast food, this will be a complete waste of your money. If you’re considering it, just go for it. I can’t wait to come back!

Daniella K

Very unique experience. The staff was amazing. The food was very good and creative. I recommend others to come try this place out.

Elijah Kirschmann

By far one of my best experiences. Worth the kitchen table option.

Jessica Kramer

Finest Dining experience with friends and family. Loved the interiors too!!

Kae Zenisek

A surreal experience with food. You will leave changed... for the better. Absolutely incredible.

sj dron

Wonderful Food Beautifuly presented, in a great setting.

Dallas Keir

In all honesty, you go here for the experience and not so much about the food. I've been to a three star Michelin restaurant in South Korea and it wasn't all guns and smokes, but they concentrated a lot of the food itself. Maybe my palette isn't developed to appreciate some of the ingredients in these dishes, but I applaud the techniques and creativity they put into the dishes. I mean after all, they are still a three Michelin Star restaurant for a reason.

Michael Frank

An outstanding one of a kind dining experience. The attentional to detail is unparalleled. Absolutely unforgettable.

Tucker Conrad

Not sure what to say about this place. It was more like a carnival show than a fine dinning experience. I may not have seen any chefs there but this place sure has a bunch of wizards making culinary magic. The strangest and most creative presentation of food I may have ever seen. Definitely not a restaurant you would patronize on a weekly basis, not because of the exorbitant price but because the food is just odd. With that being said Alinea is an amazing life experience and like a trip to the museum it is full of funky wonderment.

Mathew Knight

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Heather Perkey

This place was outstanding. It went above and beyond my expectations, which were set very high. I hope to come back again!

Kayla Hertel

The most incredible, enjoyable meal! The service team is so kind, engaging and hospitable. Simply the best food! Creative,playful and interactive. The wine pairings were so thoughtful and delicious. I can’t wait to go again!!!

tami nguyen

Playful fine dining. Whimsical and delicious. Do not miss this! Outstanding service. Kudos to Hart for being a fun and informative server.

Nick Cerami

Went in feeling very skeptical, and could not have been more impressed. Honestly one of the best, coolest experiences I've had.The staff was incredibly hospitable, unreal food, and the sommelier even made up a beer pairing to go with the different dishes. The hostess offered to take my copy of Life on the Line, have Chef Achatz and Nick sign it, and ship it back to me. Fantastic, start to finish.

Diana Lamos

Excellent place to get a bite. Great atmosphere.. and great food

Bernadettte Ellisha

Overall I enjoyed my overall multi sensories experience in Alinea. There is many clever tricks with in the "show". The junior sommelier guiding us were very helpful in helping me choose the correct wines for the meals (she saved be squid & yam dishes for me). The wait staffs are wonderful and knowledgeable. Alinea is not 5 stars for me because they served caviar and four gras with in the dish. First this ingredients are unethical, but also its nothing special with these ingredients beside the price. In my mind, talented chef should be able to use everyday ingredients and elevate it beyond normal everyday cook. Expensive ingredients do not showcase of a chef's skill. Looking forward to seeing what Alinea have to offer when we come back to Chicago.

Henry Beltran

I know I know the price is really over top but the food is incredible. The cooking capture of this place is just so glorious that I can’t get enough every time I visit

Matt Fuxa

If you're even remotely a foodie, this place should be on your bucket list. There is a different surprise around every corner, and the flavors vary from dish to dish. The wine pairings are definitely worth it as well. Service is second to none with more people working in the restaurant than there are diners themselves.

Jennifer Rawls

Amazing. My review could do nothing but diminish the quality, excellence and experience that I had here, because i could never find the right words to do it justice.

Erick Tseng

Hands down my most favorite restaurant in the world. Not only is the food excellent and prepared to perfection, the science and artistry that goes behind every dish makes the entire experience that much richer. I have never had more fun dining than I have at Alinea. I've now gone twice, and both times, the originality and creativity of the dishes did not disappoint. Be on the lookout for surprises all around you. That chandelier hanging over your table, or that flower centerpiece on your table may very well figure in as a key ingredient in one of your dishes. And unlike most Michelin restaurants, do come with an empty stomach. You will not leave Alinea hungry. Enjoy!!

Julio Fox

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Vanessa Tepezano

It took well over a year and a half to finally book a reservation here and oh was it worth the wait! I flew in from California just to come to Alinea with my boyfriend and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment you walk in, you immediately are greeted by the most welcoming and accommodating staff, and it doesn’t stop there, it just kept getting better throughout the whole night. The dining, I can’t even begin to describe how amazing it all was... well planned, incredible dishes, and delightful food presentations. Thank you for this wonderful dining experience! I hope to come here again!

Rahul Kumar

Absolutely phenomenal! Engaging and witty servers who clearly loved their job and didn't take anything too seriously. The evening was theatrical, entertaining, and absolutely terrific. Sit back, eat everything, don't ask what it is (you won't remember anyway), and just enjoy. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to enjoy again and again.

Sara Kropf

What an amazing experience. The food was everything we thought it would be and more. Staff was very welcoming and made our interactions fun. Truly memorable - Thank you!!!

Pat Diaz

Would have liked to rate this a 4.5, but I feel like the minor quibbles I had are entirely matters of personal taste rather than any issues with the restaurant. Alinea has been on my friend to-do list for a long time. He has never been to a Michelin star restaurant, and so we made plans to visit for our Anniversary. We had a table for four in the Gallery. We were seated promptly. Dietary restrictions (only two minor allergies that weren't even in the menu in our case) were addressed, and we were offered wine pairings which we declined.

lisa al manwar

good food but the drinks are ok not the best

Anthony Lucia

Five is too few stars. Two parts delicious, one part theater. Greatly recommend.

EA C

Wonderful service, cool experience. Completely worth a trip!!

Wendy W.

It’s once in a lifetime experience for sure, but once is enough. For the price, I expected a lot more. The chef put a lot of thought into the food and presentation, wine pairing is super good, all the staffs are super welcoming, but I just think there’s too much flavor in every dish and after a while your palate gets tired and overwhelmed.

steven cavanaugh

Absolutely amazing! Blown away every time. Everything about this place is prefect!

Erin Woods

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Mike Miller

Quirky but very good, meets expectations (even for Michelin 3).

Geoffrey Osika

A wild journey around the world and back again. As much a memory as a meal, I will forever treasure my time there.

Khanh Ngo

One-of-a-kind experience! Definitely must-try. There’s a pleasant surprise in the middle of our courses that completely bring a whole new atmosphere to the evening.

William Christopher Spreadbury

Such an incredible experience! Some may find it borders on being ostentatious, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I say Bring It On! If you are Lucky enough to afford it, you will never forget it! Alinea completely satisfies all six senses: Taste, beyond anything you have ever had, as well as Smell, Sight, Hearing, Touch, and even Humor. Check it out. And check me out if you enjoy literary fiction. Search Amazon books under CF fiction

Deeb Dweik

It's really difficult to write a review for a three michellen star restaurant. This is really meant to be a once in a life time experience and well worth the price if you are into food and experience. Alinea easily lived up to its reputation. Amazing and thoughtful service starts the second you set foot in the door and continues till you walk out. Service is well thought out every step of the way. The mood and environment created by the staff was relaxed and fun which I was not expecting.

Pierce Payne

This was one of the most memorable dinners I’ve ever had. The service was so welcoming and approachable, really taking time to make sure we had an amazing evening. The food was just out of this world, so fun, creative, imaginative and outstanding, some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Would absolutely recommend doing the reserve tasting with the food, they meticulously curated the best beverages to pair with the incredible menu!

Ritu Narikkattu

Good was great, service was on point and the decor was beautiful. The food is totally different than anything I've ever experienced before. The preparation, presentation, and combinations were incredible. However, I was disappointed in the lack of a narrative. The flavors and themes for each course seemed disconnected. They had special meaning to the chef, but that messaging was missed. This is experiential eating, so having the meaning and thought process behind the menu feels important. I asked a few questions, but they didn't seem super welcome. For example, when we left, we were presented with sheet music for the William Tell overture, which inspired a dessert....tell me more. Why did we do an Asian course followed by a hunting inspired course. Overall, it's beautiful, elegant and delicious. Definitely worth the experience.

Corinna Christman

This was a pretty incredible experience. If you appreciate exquisitely prepared food with a touch of magic, this is the place for you. We watched fires cook our food at the table, swallowed pallette cleansers that looked like glow sticks, and got to travel to the kitchen to get a glimpse behind the scenes. The chef/founder was present! We finished with the classic "Nostalgia" dessert: caramel corn and an edible balloon. It is pricey, but if you are the type of person to indulge in once-in-a-lifetime fine dining experiences, take the plunge!

Pierce Payne

This was one of the most memorable dinners I’ve ever had. The service was so welcoming and approachable, really taking time to make sure we had an amazing evening. The food was just out of this world, so fun, creative, imaginative and outstanding, some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Would absolutely recommend doing the reserve tasting with the food, they meticulously curated the best beverages to pair with the incredible menu!

Zack Goekjian

If you want a great 3 Michelin star experience go to eleven Madison park in nyc. If you want an incredible molecular gastronomy experience go to Disfrutar in Barcelona. They blow this place away. The service at Alinea is well below Michelin standard. Also, the staff is not very knowledgeable about what they're doing/serving. We paid $500 per person to sit at the "kitchen table" and Grant refused to take a picture with us after the meal. I've been to Michelin restaurants all over the world and never experienced anything like that. If the food had been exceptional, which it wasn't, I would have overlooked some of this to an extent. It seems like they put more thought into the presentation of the dishes than the actual taste. One of the deserts was good though. Waste of time and money.

Kurt Williams

Amazing! lovely staff great food! I took my lovely wife of 4 years here great date spot.

Peggy Carter

My food was very good and the customer service was great. However, I feel it's a little bit to pricey. I spent about $16 for a pulled pork sandwich, fries and a drink. I feel that its worth about $10. Also, the atmosphere was very crowded. However, my dining experience was not worst than other places I went to.

Ellen Minerva

World class experience! I am a very picky eater, but they went out of their way to make my experience a good one, and made food after my preferences. Very friendly servers, and they also gave my boyfriend Martin a nice birthday surprise. And I am so stuffed!

Samantha Rovai

I booked a night for my mom and I for her 60th birthday and what an incredible experience we had. The staff was all too friendly and a complete joy to be around. We loved our curly haired man that seated us and gave us our wine. His hair nearly matched my mom's, which felt like we were all meant to be! Ricardo was our main server who made us feel SO special. We were sickened to hear it was his last night and we happened to be his very last table after 5 years before making a big move to Texas. We wish you the absolute best Ricardo!!! Overall, everyone was an expert on the dishes and more importantly, they have a love for working at this beautiful restaurant that radiates in every room. My mom and I were just sobbing by the end of our meal, overwhelmed with appreciation and love and the staff cried along with us. It was amazing. (I'm tearing up just thinking about this <3) The food was absolutely heavenly. We ate up every bit and refrained from licking the plates, even though it was whole-heartedly difficult to do so. I think I died 3 times over when we were taken downstairs and I got to see Head Chef, Grant Achatz. It took everything I had to leave him to his work and not attack him with hugs and crazy fan-girl behavior. Every plate was something so different and sooooo interactive, making the entire thing more than just about food, but a created experience of interacting with it all! IT WAS JUST AMAZING, THERE ARE NO WORDS. Thank you to the incredible staff and the incredible cooks. You gave my mom and I a surplus of memories that will last an entire lifetime, and I couldn't have achieved that without you all. (crying again lol) Thank you for giving us something I can think about and get flooded with emotion every time. I hope you all go to bed every night knowing that you gave us something that can never be replaced, even in our wildest dreams. I will relive the moments created in Alinea for the rest of my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you. -Samantha Rovai

rostislav Kislyuk

Grate food good service very professional I recommend it

Catherine Davis

Best experience ever!!! You never know what’s coming next it’s absolutely an amazing experience

Takesh Sazmand

Just absolutely incredible. Best restaurant I’ve ever been too.

Christopher Steenwyk

I experienced something truly unique. Dining at Alinea, to us, was the experience of art with all our senses - sigh, touch, smell, taste, and sound. Additionally I appreciated that Chef Achatz has made his art accessible in that I did not feel that I needed to have a culinary degree or an art major to appreciate what he did (I have been to restaurants like that). We cam to Alinea thinking this would be a once in a lifetime experience and left saying "Yeah, I think I will come back!"

John J.B. Allen

Fantastic creative cuisine, dramatic presentation, you never know what to expect except that it will be a delight.

Dalt Brewsher

I had been to the restaurant for the first time in 2009 as a guest. It is certainly not easy to find a reservation, especially if you are traveling to Chicago. You almost have to plan your trip to Chicago around the reservation, but this time it worked out! The restaurant has expanded and the menu has changed, but it is definitely among the most spectacular experiences I have had. The service is sensational as expected and the food items unique and flavorful. It's a must to try Alinea.

Nicole Jasperson

Truly exceptional and unique experience. The surprises kept coming, stimulating more senses than just taste. A fun fine dining experience where the servers are down to earth and also extremely knowledgeable.

pd chic

Be prepared for the wildest dining experience ever! The whole dinner was like a theatrical performance with very artistic presentation of the dishes, showcasing more of the super advanced culinary techniques rather than taste. Some of the dishes tasted kind of weird. Some were too salty and for a lot of them the flavors did not blend well or complement each other. Lots of contrast in flavoring, but not well-put together. There was one dish that was so salty I couldn’t take in more than one bite. Very rich and creamy dishes. Service was exceptional. Kitchen was impeccably clean, organized and well-run. It was awesome being able to see all the chefs at work. I’d still recommend Alinea if you want an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience.

Ritu Narikkattu

Good was great, service was on point and the decor was beautiful. The food is totally different than anything I've ever experienced before. The preparation, presentation, and combinations were incredible. However, I was disappointed in the lack of a narrative. The flavors and themes for each course seemed disconnected. They had special meaning to the chef, but that messaging was missed. This is experiential eating, so having the meaning and thought process behind the menu feels important. I asked a few questions, but they didn't seem super welcome. For example, when we left, we were presented with sheet music for the William Tell overture, which inspired a dessert....tell me more. Why did we do an Asian course followed by a hunting inspired course. Overall, it's beautiful, elegant and delicious. Definitely worth the experience.

Melissa Cory

It had an excellent wait staff, very pretty, and the food I had was very good.

Christina Powell

The famous sour apple edible balloon was the highlight of my life. Roasted pork stew, cucumber and mint shooters, smokey meats, edible ash, coconut and caviar and various other delicious things that are better tasted than described in a review. Get to Alinea and find out for yourself.

Galen Huddleston

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Brent Holte

The most excellent culinary experience I have been a part of!

Bristol Mollard

Food was outstandingly good, yet, one of the servers (a young blond lady) should be thinking twice on how she treats her customers, who virtually pay her wage: what an attitude and offending behavior. - This place is fantastic if you are looking for a spectacular show.

suraj varma

I can honestly say it was THE best dining experience I've ever had.

Chad Norwood

Every course was amazing on its own in presentation, textures, ingredients, creativity, flavors. Also loved how they all came together and never overlapped.

MATT HEINZMAN

Bucket list experience which we booked several months in advance in preparation for our trip to Chicago. No, it's not a cheap meal but you are paying for an experience along with first class dining, ingredients and presentation. All of the staff were welcoming, friendly and there was non of the pretentious feel of so many higher end establishments. Food and wine pairing came to $1200 inclusive of all service charges and taxes. If you want a once in a lifetime experience, make this one for your list.

matt phillips

One of the most amazing culinary experiences you will ever get to enjoy

Lindsay Mason

Absolutely phenomenal! Engaging and witty servers who clearly loved their job and didn't take anything too seriously. The evening was theatrical, entertaining, and absolutely terrific. Sit back, eat everything, don't ask what it is (you won't remember anyway), and just enjoy. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I hope to enjoy again and again.

Pablo Wimmer

Delicious plates. great job

Tiffany Kwan

Every minute at Alinea was unforgettable and none of us wanted the night to end. My friends and I were fortunate enough to snag coveted spots at the kitchen table this past Sunday night where we had front row seats to all the action. We were taken through a twenty-something course medley of the most sensory-stunning dinner any of us have ever experienced. This meal was a perfect example of a dinner that was not just a delight for the taste buds but a feast for all the senses. Some courses were visually impressive with plays on texture and light, while others included fragrant scents pumped into the room for added effect, a few were accompanied with musical pieces ranging from classical to jazz hip hop that correlated with the dish being served, and the final dessert was a glorious masterpiece in itself. The icing on top of this culinary cake was watching Chef Achatz and his extremely well-synchronized team of experts crafting a dining experience that was nothing short of magical. Truly a memorable dinner that should be on everyone's bucket list.

Jared Bohman

Phenomenal experience. Have gone before and after the remodel and it's been worth it both times. More dynamic this time around

Liza Harold

This place is amazing! The staff were entertaining, accommodating and very nice. They gave off an amazing theatrical performance while making and serving the dishes. I love how the food was presented and plated. A wide display of culinary experience all throughout dinner. My mom and I had a lot of fun even though some of the dishes presented to us tasted a little weird or were not well seasoned. We loved the wine! They really know what wine would perfectly taste good with the food. Happy to see all the chefs at work. This is an extraordinary experience for my mom and I. I do recommend Allinea for people who wants to see a show as their dinner date given that they will not give emphasize on how the food taste I'd go back here.

Bridjet Mendyuk

The famous sour apple edible balloon was the highlight of my life. Roasted pork stew, cucumber and mint shooters, smokey meats, edible ash, coconut and caviar and various other delicious things that are better tasted than described in a review. Get to Alinea and find out for yourself.

Micheál Ó

July of 2016 we were fortunate enough to get a reservation here, thanks so much to Mitchell's hard work at getting in at the best restaurants in Chicago. Words cannot express how marvelous this dinner was, so please look at my photos. Thank you Mitchell, it was wonderful.

Zach Z

World Class. Staff is well-versed, knowledgable and approachable. The entire meal was an experience and impressive. Wines were expertly paired and pleasantly unexpected. Highly recommended.

Jeff Freeman

Fantastic, unique sensory experience. We've been reminiscing about our meal for days. I can't wait to go back!

Виктория Кульгава

Alinea is the best restaurant in my life. It's was great experiments go to this place. There are professionals of what they do. When you go to the restaurant, it feels like you are in another reality, where everything is only for you because you are special. The interior is very modern, each part of the restaurant is different but good combination of each other. Food ... Just something unbelievable. We had 12 dishes. All of them were a work of art not only for presentation but also for taste. This is a combination of something cosmic what I never had before. They really deserve their Michelin Stars!!!!! I thank you so much everyone who work in that restaurant you do the big job guys and I'm really appreciate that I was part of this Magic.

James Lawley

And we all thought you ran a classy little joint, unfortunately you have to hire from the local talent pool.

Gregory Frame

Perfect place to spend your last meal for the weekend! The vibes, the food, the staff and you get to experience everything with your love ones! They are very accommodating and very consistent. I am very much contented with everything they give.

Michelle

An otherworldly dining experience. Fully worth the 3 Michelin stars. All the dishes delighted and surprised, and the presentation and service were terrific. You’ll pay an arm and a leg for it, but hey, how often do you get to eat at Alinea?

Bronwyn Held

A wonderful experience. I think it's worth the price for a rare treat. The staff is absolutely top notch. I even enjoyed the courses with food I didn't like because they go so above and beyond with all the senses

Nick Russell

Excellent food and service, highly recommend!

Janet Freyberg

Amazing dining experience with fantastic food

N New

This was the best dining experience I have ever had. The whole experience was amazing, presentation, flavour, and service. Grants skill at mixing different flavours blew my mind. The purpose made plates are awesome. It was an emotional food journey brace yourself!

Imaginary Femme

I love the experience. Dinner was creatively designed and presented. The wine was matched nicely with each bite. Sadly, the chosen fare was not to my liking at all. I did love the performance and the staff was excellent. ..

Michael Jewell

I can't say enough good things about this meal experience. Yes, it's pricey and not an every week plan. But yes, it's worth it 100%! I'm big into food, and have my own food Instablog and Facebook page. I'm not usually sucked in by foods that are "gourmet" for the sake of being "gourmet". I'm happy with a well executed burger at a cash only dive bar, the same as I am enjoying delicious A5 Wagyu Matsusaka beef in Tokyo. That said, Alinea blew me away. It was, overall, the best meal I've had in my life. You won't leave overly full, so don't worry about making it through all the courses, but with the 22 course meal you won't leave hungry. All I can say is that if you can afford to, and are not a picky eater with the palate of a child (this is key), try this for a special occasion. The food, and the show that surrounds it, will blow your mind.

Aviad Meitar

A very special culinary experience!

Nathan Ho

What an amazing performance! Every little detail has been thought out and the constant surprise of what gets turned into a show made this a wonderful experience.

Alex Kump

Listen, it's a rare expediting when food makes you feel emotion and this was exactly that. The food was stellar, fun, and just the right amount of goofy. The staff (Nicole in particular!) was kind, fun, and knowledgeable. It was truly a lovely night that we won't ever forget!

Richard Torres

A top place for Quality Meals. I was so full. I look forward to a return trip. The bill was appropriate for the quality.

Rick Dewar

Wow! Just wow. I have eaten at the best restaurants in the world and this one is right up there!! Thank you for making our 10 year anniversary a night to remember.

Row F

It was so much fun. We were like kids excited and wowed with every new presentation. It was definitely an interactive meal. We were also taken to the kitchen to experience handmade shaved ice cocktails and a treat. To see behind the curtain was really special. So many beautiful and tasty surprises. The three hour dinner just flew by.

Tiffany Webb

I love this place thank you

osvaldo contreras

Excellent food, I had an amazing experience. One of the waiters serving in the salon with light brown hair, didn’t made me feel welcome at all. He lacked service manors, would not respond back when I would say thank you. The entire night he had the expression that he had hated his job. I loved the place and loved the food. Chef Grant Achatz creativity is amazing, I just wish I had felt welcome in this place but I unfortunately felt the complete opposite.

Gremlinspook

Unique experience. Celebrated my wife’s 30th here and it was a memorable evening for the right reasons. The food is not necessarily the best tasting I’ve ever had, but it’s the overall presentation for all your senses that make it special. It’s obviously very pricey but think of it as a combination of going to a fine restaurant and a Broadway show. One caution however is that it is not for prudent/unadventurous eaters.

ferus habitus

This was on my list of places to try for a while and I finally managed to do it for my birthday. It's obviously pricey but it's one of a kind experience. It was wonderful experience.

Samuel Waggoner

We ended our two week vacation to the Great Lakes with a trip to Alinea. We knew all about the restaurant and the chef but didn't really know what to expect, we were even a little worried we'd be disappointed given the cost of entry. But we were blown away at the consistent quality of every moment of the experience. We had never seen service at this level before and the food was mind blowing. As two vegetarians, we are accustomed to really good kitchens stumbling over how to make a non meat dish taste good but the Alinea kitchen raised the bar to a level that we'll never see again. We felt like we got a bargain and a culinary experience we'll never forget.

Virginia Garza

I was so impressed. The food is delicious, staff impeccable and beautiful space. Made my day!

Nancy King

This has been a new experience for us. The molecular gastronomy I had experienced before Alinea had been limited. The artistic and technical aspects of Chef Grant Achatz kitchen are remarkable, sensational, prodigious. We sat at a table next to the kitchen, where we could see through a glass wall the “orchestra of chef and cooks preparing our symphony of

Andre Baker

Incredible Experience! I would recommend for any true foodie!

Mackenzie Brisben

One of the coolest experiences of my life. Worth every dollar.

Alicia King

I definitely enjoyed my meal. It taste quite different but different in a good way. The service was great too. Andd of course.. I cannot forget the environment and ambiance. It was just so relaxing that elevated my mood too! The servers were respectful and approachable also. A well deserve 5 star rating! I just hope that they will be able to maintain their remarkable service

Christine Perkins

One of the most delicious, unique, creative meals I've ever had.

Eric Bowden

Although we were slightly intimidated when we were first seated (mainly because we were alone in our dining room at first), the dinner was an amazing adventure in tastes. We had watched the Alinea episode on Chef's Table, so we had an idea of what we were about to experience, but it still didn't prepare us for the amount of surprises and forethought that was put into the presentation and the food itself. Every dish was tasty, exciting, and thought provoking. We will definitely be returning at some point in the future.

Steve Martin

A one of a kind experience - inventive, extraordinary and above all, delicious!

Don Sherman

It's worth it. Believe the buzz, the staff were so attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The wine pairing was great but it's a lot of wine.

Kevin Snow

One of the most amazing culinary events in have ever experienced! Just be careful when eating the

Dominic Serniak

For the food and the atmosphere, this is my favorite restaurant when visiting Chicago. A reservation is necessary since its chef has something of a celebrity status for his skill and his unique dishes. As expected, there's an air of pretentiousness and, while it should not be cheap, it is somewhat obscenely priced. Alinea is, however, a lovely restaurant with a beautiful aesthetic and phenomenal food that always offers and exceptional dining experience.

Nicole Boozer

One of the best experiences ever. The food was great and the service was impeccable. Truly a fantastic evening.

jessica podowski

Absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish. The ambiance of the restaurant perfectly compliments the incredible food. We did the tasting menu and it surpassed our high expectations. Already planning a trip back.

Jason Li

Absolutely the best dining experience I have ever had in my life. Went here to celebrate my anniversary and the whole course was out of this world. The reputation, reviews, and hype is completely on point and arguably does not do Alineas enough justice. First time visiting Chicago, and we might fly back in just for Alineas and the trip would be absolutely worth it!

Chris Metzler

Absolutely the most mind blowing dinner you will ever have. Dramatic and delicious.

Megan Walerius

Alinea is one of the most unique and incredible interactive dining experiences in the US. Staff is professional and engaging mixed with a bit of wit and side of sass. The dishes are delicious and creative, and each course plays on all five senses. Truly an unparalleled and outstanding meal.

Trish Bonney

It was an experience that you just need to try at least once! Servers were excellent!!!

Page Mich

World class experience! I am a very picky eater, but they went out of their way to make my experience a good one, and made food after my preferences. Very friendly servers, and they also gave my boyfriend Martin a nice birthday surprise. And I am so stuffed!

Mohammed R.

I think this place is best described as looking for somewhere to experience something new and eat food as an art form. You will experience tastes, smells, and ideas that are suppose to different and unique, or kind of take you somewhere/have you live an experience. Everyone is extremely attentive and accommodating. So overall it is different and an experience (and this place does it very well), not really something for you if you are trying to go eat at a restaurant for a night out.

Judy Bellinguala

My favorite eatery of all time!

Maureen Kelley

Got a last minute reservation for The Salon (shorter version 10 to 14 courses). It is indeed a culinary show from the minute you enter: from giant plates with different expressions of asparagus to burning salt preparing matsutake stew, to lightening sticks filled with a delicious juice, to dry iced limes coconuts and lemon grass to produce a scent, to helium filled sugar balloons, .... But, all of it is while gimmicky also extremely delicious, fun, creative. Perfect and very friendly service. Great wine list, expensive but reasonably priced for a three star Michelin. Star of the night a bottle of Keller G-max. In my opinion this is a restaurant one should at least experience once in a life time.

Kate Johnston

A one of a kind experience. Everything was delicious and exciting, the staff was friendly and personable, the service impeccable. Highly recommend!

Shelly Martinez

My fav location for tasty quality meals. Certainly a top place in the area. Certainly worth a return trip. Prices that are reasonable. Menu is like a cafe in Indianapolis I loved.

Andrew Bestafka

The greatest dining experience of my life! The experience is almost not to be believed. It was the most creative food I've ever eaten but it was presented almost like a performance while Chef Grant Achatz was playing a game with us. From the Oestra caviar and yogurt in a white chocolate ball to the wood ice cream, from the flaming salt bowl (later used to cook another dish that had acorn chips) to the dry ice smoke, from the 18 hours of pressure cooking squash for its jus to a field trip to the kitchen to see the man himself, each course was mindblowingly creative and beyond delicious. This includes Grade A5 Japanese Wagu and a taffy helium balloon. Better than Keller, Roubouchon, and sushi at Kasu Kabe in SF.

Mogens Bernsdorf

More than 400$ spend, less than 2 hours experience and I'm still hungry. Having eaten all over the world this is the single most disappointing food experience ever. The main focus is not the food, but the theater of serving it with smoke, fire, ice etc. It's so pretentious that most Paris restaurants would feel ashamed. Is this really the best Chicago has to offer?

Vedansh Bhageria

The best food I have ever had

Milnuhd Wright

It was so much fun. We were like kids excited and wowed with every new presentation. It was definitely an interactive meal. We were also taken to the kitchen to experience handmade shaved ice cocktails and a treat. To see behind the curtain was really special. So many beautiful and tasty surprises. The three hour dinner just flew by.

Shamit Khemka

Good experiential dining. They couldn’t adjust completely to our request of no beef that well but (mostly veg served with no other meat like lamb or pork etc) food was still good. It’s the fun and games that make this worth a visit. However, to get the attitude of your servers in line I would recommend ordering a bottle or glass or two of wine as soon as you sit down. It’s almost like ur in Paris with the attitude!

Tricia Taylor

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Cyrus Patell

The experience was amazing. I do not want to say too much to ensure everything remains a surprise. I would highly recommend attending a showing at Alinea.

Essie Abbott

Perfect place to spend your last meal for the weekend! The vibes, the food, the staff and you get to experience everything with your love ones! They are very accommodating and very consistent. I am very much contented with everything they give.

Sankar Parida

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Lauren Knowles

Alinea offers a unique, classy, and fun experience. This is not your stuffy 3 Mechelin starred restaurant. The service and quality of food is some of the best we’ve had while still being exciting and fun. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise of the experience so it’s difficult to convey how much I enjoyed it. I will be going back next time we are in Chicago.

Jonathan Carter

How to describe the most memorable dining experience that we have ever had? In Alinea each dish and its presentation awakens various senses simultaneously. The flavor of the food is exquisite. My brother and I usually enjoy conversing while enjoying a meal at a nice restaurant. At the end of our dinner, we realized that we had been mostly quiet. We were fully focused on the enjoyment of each dish. Everything was beyond our expectations. The tour to the kitchen was amazing. Do I have anything negative to say? It is quite expensive. Totally worth it, but very expensive. Thank you Alinea fro taking us through this amazing food-sense-soul experience.

Laura Hornor

This is far more than a restaurant... It's an entire experience! The flavors are uniquely paired, presentation is beautifully artistic and the wait staff is beyond accommodating. Menu is always changing so come ready for a surprise ❤️ well worth the price in our opinion and we hope to come back soon!

B Smythe

Unique and outstanding fare. The set menu was an experience we all thoroughly enjoyed.... even the dry ice finale.

Habib Al Mulla

Unique experience. Deserves its place in culinary world The visual aspects are the highlight of the experience but unfortunately on account of food. Emphasis is on molecular gastronomy. Creative and fun. It is more about the experience. Few dishes had the wow factor Service was professional but too formal and seemed like industrial I expected more; for example there was no non-alcohol pairing.

Coleman Balogh

The very, absolute best meal I've ever had in my life. The best restaurant in Chicago, perhaps America, and maybe even the world. People expect this to be stuffy, but it's actually immediatley playful and accessible. The flavors are perfectly balanced and always surprising. we started with cavaiar and champagne. My father described it as devastating because once you eat here your entire concept of food is permanently altered, and you don't get to eat like this every night. Think of it like theater for your mouth. Fantastic.

Christopher Atkinson

So I came to Chicago for a work conference, and it was my first time coming to a Michelin Star city, so I decided to go whole hog and come right to this three star place that I saw on a Netflix docuseries. It was actually recently named the 37th best restaurant in the entire world, and I know why. Eating at Alinea is like being part of art. The menu plays with all of your senses and gives you an incredible experience that keeps you guessing. There are 10 courses and a special trip down into the kitchen so you can see the well oiled machine that is all the chefs working on all of the different courses simultaneously. While you're going that, one of the chefs is making a bell pepper flavored cocktail for everyone and talking about the restaurant a little bit. Back to the main courses. I experienced a food item that looked like a rock but was filled with caviar, noodles that were made out of scallops, liquid nitrogen that was poured into a bowl of coconuts and limes to get a complimentary aroma for our course, the best cooked octopus I've ever had in my life, and a puree that was inside of a fried mushroom that had the exact flavor of toast. It was wild, and it was all delicious. I also got some top-notch pork that had been cooking in front of me for a while, an bite of food that was made out of the same acorns those pigs would have eaten in the wild, and a piece of wagyu steak. It was so, so good. It was served with a puree that tasted like french fries. I kid you not. Then came the three dessert courses. A server dug into a bowl of salt that was the cooking medium for my pork dish and pulled out a yam that had also been cooking in front of me the entire time. He cut of that yam and added some mix-ins and served me a delicious yam dessert dish. Also, there was an ice cream dish with sipping cocoa, a chocolate ball that exploded with salted caramel liquid, and the famous balloon. The sugar balloon that was filled with helium and given to me on an edible rope. Too cool. This was an experience I will never forget. The combination of the flavor and the experience and the disorientation of my senses makes me wish I could give this place six stars. I am thoroughly impressed and I can say that if I ever make it back to Chicago, I will stop by again.

Steve Aidyn

Highly recommend! A one of a kind experience. Everything was delicious and exciting, the staff was friendly and personable, the service impeccable.

Noah Berland

This should be everyone's planned best meal of their life. Theaters and complete sensory experience. Truly amazing. One thing to note, you will get Wasted on the wine pairing. So course wisely.

Kelly Wong

Artistic, creative, and an experience. The service was impeccable - the staff was professional, friendly and efficient. Every course was different from the others, and so many different methods of cooking were used. No element of each course was not considered - temperature, appearance, texture, flavor, and even the accompanying items on the table.

Brandon Willits

I came from Portland Oregon to visit Chicago for my birthday so of course we had to go to Alinea. Service was great, but some waiters were better than others. The non alcoholic drink pairings were fantastic. The food... this is the reason I am giving this 3 stars. Almost every dish besides 3 of the 10 were too overpowered with certain flavors, especially the savory dishes. I almost wanted the food to stop coming out it was almost too savory. I will say that this is the best tasting menu I have had, but I don't think I will want to go back again after the experience with this menu especially for 600+ dollar dinner for two. Don't get me wrong the dinner was good, but from all the hype (netflix tv etc) I was expecting to be blown away and I wasn't. If you haven't gone yet I would still go just for the experience. Cheers!

Wright Nunn

It's taken me 2 weeks to figure out how to leave a review for Alinea that does this place justice .The experience is once in a life time and is a production within itself. The food was unbelievable - the wine was even better .This is definitely not a spot for picky eaters , all courses were adventurous and items I never thought I'd eat.The chefs know what they are doing .

Myron Hill

One of my preferred place! The service was very quick and kind. It has a nice atmosphere. Highly recommended to all my friends

Essie Abbott

Perfect place to spend your last meal for the weekend! The vibes, the food, the staff and you get to experience everything with your love ones! They are very accommodating and very consistent. I am very much contented with everything they give.

Gabe Diaz

We dined in the Salon. Definitely worth it. I want to come back to the Gallery now!

Dani Fu

We had the Salon experience and it was fantastic overall. Every course was delicious and innovative. Nothing tasted just mediocre, which I suppose is somewhat expected of a restaurant at this level. The ambiance lighting is a bit dim, but the dining room was elegantly furnished and very comfortable (read: AC was not freezing cold). The service was unpretentious and well executed, with good pacing of the dishes. They were also very flexible on providing me a complimentary flight of non-alcoholic tastings, which was very much appreciated. At the end of the meal, we felt much satiated but not overly stuffed, which is great. Would definitely recommend if visiting Chicago.

Chris Mills

I can honestly say it was THE best dining experience I've ever had. It also makes no point for me to describe it as everything was so extraordinarily different than what I've ever had before. If anyone says this place is less than perfect I would truly be amazed.

Helen Moore

Playful fine dining. Whimsical and delicious. Do not miss this! Outstanding service. Kudos to Hart for being a fun and informative server.

Shaley Sogan

exotic foods I like this place a lot. nice waiter I think his name was Matthew

J B

Best food I've ever had in my life! The showmanship of the dinner, mixed with the high quality cuisine, made it worth every expensive little penny!

Neil Sahli

What a disappointment, we were invited for dinner, I really hate leaving bad reviews but I was fooled by all the good reviews , even though it wasn't my choice because we were invited & I left with my stomach sick. Definitely a unique experience, I don't know what they paid for dinner I'm sure it was a lot of money but definitely not worth it. I have traveled the world many times for business I ate at the finest of the finest, the ingredients they used are nothing special, their turbo fish (probably Halibut) was cold and the piece was the size of two quarters. The cheap caramelized pop corn was probably the best thing ( I hope that's not what a 3 start Michelin stands for). I love Michelin tires, but now I'm gonna switch to Pirelli. :) seriously unless you are psychologically damaged and you love paying a ton of money for absolutely nothing, then this is Not the place for you.

Garik Gerrish

Great restaurant in Chicago. Love the New American style food. Worth checking this place out.

Jeremy Keller

Outstanding experience! Highly recommend.

Sankar Parida

Very unique experience. It is a culinary journey and all your senses were awoken with the food. The visual aspects as well food was incredible. The waiters were knowledgeable and the ingredients were unique and proportioned to perfect amounts. The wine pairing was very sophisticated and were matched well. I would go again.

Rosalie Day

Restaurant week was the perfect opportunity to try out this place. The whole meal was really good! The only thing is the portions are small (I mean it's fine dining and we expected it but we wanted the experience).

Kianu popokaula

good service and delicious food

Jesse

This was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had! Every course was like an explosion of flavor and the presentation was a work of art! We had outstanding service and I can’t wait to go back for their next menu offering!

Kelly Schallhorn

A once in a lifetime experience. The surprises and excitement never stop!

Harsh Joshi

Amazing, unforgettable experience. Enjoyed every single moment and worth every penny

Lauren Knowles

Alinea offers a unique, classy, and fun experience. This is not your stuffy 3 Mechelin starred restaurant. The service and quality of food is some of the best we’ve had while still being exciting and fun. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise of the experience so it’s difficult to convey how much I enjoyed it. I will be going back next time we are in Chicago.

ruth michaels

awesome experience last week. exquisite cuisines

Raquel Araujo

It was a good show for dinner. There were so many impressive dishes like when they lit one on fire, then they have one where smoke is coming from under the dish and over the table. This restaurant, as you know, is a Michelin star restaurant. I was so impressed by the look of the dishes. I was a bit underwhelmed by the taste of the food.

Jonathan Carter

How to describe the most memorable dining experience that we have ever had? In Alinea each dish and its presentation awakens various senses simultaneously. The flavor of the food is exquisite. My brother and I usually enjoy conversing while enjoying a meal at a nice restaurant. At the end of our dinner, we realized that we had been mostly quiet. We were fully focused on the enjoyment of each dish. Everything was beyond our expectations. The tour to the kitchen was amazing. Do I have anything negative to say? It is quite expensive. Totally worth it, but very expensive. Thank you Alinea fro taking us through this amazing food-sense-soul experience.

David Bradford

Good golly what a fancy place.

Dawn Merrill

One of the best experiences I have ever had.

Brendan Sequeira

The food here was amazing! We were late but the staff was still accommodating and friendly. Alinea takes food to a new level as they play with your senses and it's like theatre with food, rather then just a dining experience.

Janice Wilson

My favorite dining experience in North America to date, well worth the anticipation. Absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. If you get a chance - take it!

Kevin Sullivan

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? It’s one of the best restaurants in the world. If you’re a foodie, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Aldo González Rubio

So, Google asked me to make a review of this place, but I won't ruin the experience for nobody. If you wish wise advise, here it is: Don't read any comments of this section and don't ask around what is it about. Just go with the highest expectations you have, because this place will shred them apart and give you the best experience of your life.

Lisa Michelle Barry

This was one of the most memorable dinners I’ve ever had. The service was so welcoming and approachable, really taking time to make sure we had an amazing evening. The food was just out of this world, so fun, creative, imaginative and outstanding, some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. Would absolutely recommend doing the reserve tasting with the food, they meticulously curated the best beverages to pair with the incredible menu!

Logical R

Nasty employees must work here. Can only imagine what goes on in the kitchen to your food if the waitress forms an opinion of you. Proves you can pay twenty bucks for a burger & still not worth eating.