Name: Alinea
Address: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States, Chicago
Telephone: +13128670110

Chef Grant Achatz draws foodies with New American tasting menus featuring highly creative plates.

At a glance

#33 of 240 Restaurants in Chicago #7 of 13 Fine dining restaurants in Chicago

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.60

2.6 km from the center of Chicago

Rating breakdown

5 ★81%
4 ★9%
3 ★4%
2 ★2%
1 ★4%

1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States

alinearestaurant.com

+1 312-867-0110

Quick facts

What is the rating of Alinea?: Alinea is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 2,419 reviews.
How does Alinea rank in Chicago?: Alinea is #33 of 240 Restaurants in Chicago by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Alinea located?: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States — 2.6 km from the center of Chicago.
How can I contact Alinea?: Phone: +1 312-867-0110 · Website: alinearestaurant.com

From the moment we stepped into Alinea, we knew we were in for a truly unique and unforgettable experience. As we were celebrating our husband's and our friend's birthdays, the occasion felt even more special. The innovative cuisine, impeccable service, and vibrant atmosphere exceeded our expectations in every way.

Having previously experienced several Michelin-starred restaurants, we were prepared for something special. However, Alinea completely surpassed our previous culinary adventures. The dishes were not only visually stunning but also an explosion of flavors and textures. Each bite was a testament to the incredible talent and creativity of the chefs behind the scenes.

Beyond the food, the entire team at Alinea deserves the highest praise. We had the great pleasure of experiencing the coveted kitchen table, and our host, Calin, provided exceptional service throughout the evening. He guided us through the experience with expertise and genuine warmth, and his knowledge and passion for the restaurant were truly infectious.

While we didn't have the opportunity to meet Chef Achatz personally, the impact of his vision and leadership was evident in every aspect of the dining experience. The commitment to showcasing exceptional cuisine and creating a truly memorable experience for guests is palpable.

We left Alinea with lingering questions, but the knowledge that we had just witnessed something truly special. This is not just a restaurant; it's an experience like no other. We highly recommend Alinea to anyone seeking an unforgettable culinary adventure and a chance to push the boundaries of their palate.

Thank you to the entire Alinea team for creating such a magical night. We look forward to returning in the future.

Elle Clark Solutions 2024 Mar 01

An absolute WORLD CLASS experience!!! Made a trip to Chicago from Atlanta just to experience this amazing atmosphere, award winning delicious food and stellar service. Every course was entertaining!! By course 8, I was full however that did not stop my tastebuds from wanting more. I would suggest Alinea to anyone looking to enjoy a different dining experience for a birthday, anniversary any celebration or simply enjoying life!

Sean M 2024 Feb 25

Definitely the most inventive dinner I’ve ever experienced. The food was excellent and everyone was full even before we finished all the courses. The wine pairing was also otherworldly- I was really happy to try some wines I’d never heard of before and they were expertly paired.

I highly recommend booking and enjoying this experience. Anyone who is rating this anything other than 4 or 5 stars must simply enjoy just hating life in general- so ignore them.

Katya Shcherbakova 2024 Jan 17

I have been dying to go to Alinea for over 12 years now and finally had the pleasure to dine there last night on 1/15. The service was spectacular and so was the experience. The dishes were unique, beautiful, and stimulating. Definitely all of the senses were part of the dinner. I will definitely be coming back soon and not waiting another 12 years to go again. It was an honor to be able to finally go.

Tams 2024 Jan 10

This review is late, we went June of 2023, but the experience was SUBLIME!!!! Service was like a well orchestrated ballet, FLAWLESS. The atmosphere was warm, intimate incredibly inviting. The food was EXQUISITE, fun, surprising, innovative and just plain beautiful. We laughed, we clapped our hands in delight, we giggled. If you ever wonder what sets a Michelin 3 from EVERYONE else, take a night to visit Alinea, it will NOT disappoint! As a side note, we love the confidence of a restaurant so renowned, there’s no sign on the door. Big energy in that!

Yehia Amar 2023 Nov 17

What can I say. This place delivered and then some. Yes, the food was extremely tasty and well presented, but what makes Alinea so special is the experience. One of the meals was in the kitchen and when we went back to our table the ambience had changed. The table deco and music had changed. The servers were super attentive and friendly, and the dessert presentation was quite the spectacle. Eating here will cost a pretty penny for sure, but it's a great experience when in Chicago. Happy to return.

Pimporn B. 2023 Oct 31

We were at Alinea was to celebrate my twin daughters’ birthday. We had the 14 course meal with wine paring. The wine was paired nicely with the food.
When we were making the reservation the requirements was that we have to come in pairs so we had to reserved for 4 people hoping that we could all make it. My husband couldn’t come so we had 4 portions food for 3 people.
The food was very well presented. Thoughtful in many details and taste great! Not all the dishes were to our liking but we enjoyed most of them. The service was excellent. Everyone was nice and friendly. We had such a good time. Although it was a lot of money for one meal, we say it is worth it!

Justin de Leon 2023 Oct 25

Alinea was an experience like I’ve never had before and days later while writing this review I am still blown away. Our party ate in The Gallery (16 courses) and you will not leave hungry—coming from someone who eats a lot. I’ve noticed some complaints about the wine pours too and I would have to disagree. They were pretty generous pours for a tasting—keyword: it’s a *tasting*. At the end of the meal it was probably around 5 glasses of wine if you add it all up.

Anyone considering Alinea knows the price point is high. I was hesitant about spending so much money but I can safely say that it is worth it. I would do it again for a very special occasion simply because the experience was so special. I think the shorter course meal will have you leaving hungry so I can see why some were not happy with the wine pours and the portions. If you can afford it I would recommend The Gallery.

Service: Nobody in our party knew what to expect. With it being fine dining and 3 Michelin stars we expected very formal service and it was very much the opposite. Everyone from the hostess to the people in the kitchen were warm and friendly and are clearly very good at what they do. They anticipate your needs and do everything in such a genuine way. Many of them would hold conversations with our party past the usual pleasantries which made the experience even better.

Food: I’m surprised to read some reviewers found the food bland. It was anything but that. There were flavors and textures that were confusing in a good way. Some dishes were familiar with a new twist and others were brand new to me, but what makes them stand out is the execution which was flawless for every course. Nothing was too rich or overpowering. Some dishes had me laughing in disbelief by how good it was.

Atmosphere: As I mentioned, the service here is as good as it gets. They really make you feel comfortable throughout your time in the restaurant. The decor and dining room was nice. Nothing gaudy or over-the-top. Alinea adjusts the atmosphere throughout the meal with change in lighting, aromas, sounds, etc. Again tapping into all of your senses during the experience.

Everyone in our party agreed that at times it was difficult to hear the servers while they were introducing the dish and explaining how to eat it. I just think it was a lack of projecting their voice but it didn’t take away from the experience at all.