Bistro Monadnock image

Bistro Monadnock

Restaurant French restaurant

One of the Top rated French restaurants in Chicago


Address

325 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604

Website

www.bistromonadnock.com

Contact

(312) 945-7040

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (135 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 to 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 to 9 PM
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 to 9 PM
  • Friday: 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 to 9 PM
  • Saturday: 4:30 to 9 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: (Memorial Day), 11:30 AM to 2 PM, Hours might differ

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: French (18) soup (10) onion (7) service (6) dinner (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Kevin C. 1 year ago on Google • 168 reviews
    Had lunch at this charming little French restaurant in Monadnock Building. Food was delicious and beautifully presented. We had the French Onion soup, Cucumber Salad with Green Goddess Dressing, and the Mushroom Pressed Sandwich, all of which were sublime. Wait staff was helpful and attentive. This place now is on my favorite list.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Elissa Kuykendall U. 1 year ago on Google • 7 reviews
    Truly 5 stars. I can't believe this place has any empty tables with food, service, and ambiance this terrific. If you're a morel fan, the gnocchi pea morel dish is a seasonal dish that you must rush to try. Interesting mocktails are available, as well as a broad, mostly French wine list, by the glass, carafe and bottle. 💋 to the chef! If you have a service background, ask to sit in Mitch's section- flawless, kind recommendations, timing and flow.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thomas D. 1 year ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Incredible new restaurant that the Loop needed. It is a new French Bistro and, after being in the area for years, I think it is the best restaurant around. Great vibe, sandwiches, and cocktails to name a few. For lunch, I got the French Onion soup and it might be the best in Chicago. The burger, pastrami sandwich, and mushroom melt were also all incredible and served quick. I went back for dinner and loved the Escargots to start and the Steak Frites. I got the Floral Gimlet cocktail, with gin and lemon which was really good. They also have a really good creme brulee and profiteroles for dessert. All of this is in an awesome, welcoming space with nice staff. Highly recommend!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael V. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is beautiful! Food is fantastic. This part of the loop needed a concept like this. Highly recommend! French onion soup is a must.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 homes with j. 1 year ago on Google
    Sometimes you walk into a restaurant and in the first second you can tell it's going to be a hit. From the font on the menu to the paint on the ceiling, it's all very thoughtful. This place gives you a very French cafe vibe that makes you want to sit just a little longer I don't even know where to start with the food. Everything was incredibly balanced! The French onion soup was a must starter. Melted cheese that sticks to the bowl and then to your ribs. The Banhmi club sandwich was a delightful twist on a Vietnamese classic. Instead of the traditional baguette, it's made with 3 layers of the soft milk bread and handmade sausage. The gnocchi was far more fun than any others I've had in the past. It was complex without being confusing. Every bite I was surprised by something new and elegant. Lastly the desserts....OMG We had three... That should tell you something. Nothing was overly sweet so you can actually have dessert with lunch. Just the right amount of sugar to satisfy your cravings without going overboard. The creme brulee was to die for! A classic done to perfection. As you can tell , I'm truly impressed. Michelin star quality.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pharuewisa P. 7 months ago on Google • 303 reviews
    Love this French place hiding in the Monadock building. Feel like dine in France. love the set up. Great cocktails and food. Services from all staff are great. We love this place a lot. recommend this place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David T. 9 months ago on Google • 23 reviews
    Wonderful new French resto in the heart of downtown. The escargots were beautifully prepared, arriving bubbling my hot and mouth watering…with a hint of red pepper flakes, garlic, and beurre. A delicate and lovely touch was a charred lemon, which did wonders to cut the saltiness and piquant saveur of the garlic and spice. This dish was lovely, if a touch over salted. Next was a plat de Gnocchis Parisien, a new discovery for me—which were lighter and airier than their Italian namesake—as they don’t feature potato. They were accompanied by a sublime sauté of sweet corn, tomato, and champignons. A+ The ambience was quiet and subdued, ideal for enjoying a solo dinner or a meal enjoyed with friends or loved ones. Service was appropriately attentive and friendly. A+ for a sublime French Resto in the heart of Chicago.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mary Young M. 7 months ago on Google • 19 reviews
    What a hidden gem! We went for dinner on a Friday night and had a fabulous time. The space is beautiful and the food is delicious. Our server was great - I went with his wine pairing suggestions and they were perfect! Looking forward to going back soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lindsey M. 1 year ago on Google
    Great service and excellent food. Nice options for lunch or dinner. We had the smoked walleye, French onion soup, Cornish hen, and Parisian gnocchi. Everything was delicious! Beautiful and cozy space that we would definitely return to.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chuck G. 1 year ago on Google
    We discovered this place randomly on vacation after visiting a nearby art museum…and let me tell you: Bistro Monadnock makes a Chicago holiday worth it alone! Service was incredibly welcoming, with a very accessible wine list and “New Paris” ambience. The escargot is made to perfection, just enough bread to soak up the delicious garlicky butter and parsley. Sandwiches were generous portions, with the Le Rachel, being made of 10-day home cured beef. Speaking of beef, the fries are made with beef fat and some of the I’ve ever had. The mushroom melt satiated my French bistro lunch desires. We’ll have to come here for dinner soon to enjoy the Cornish hen, our server told us it’s breathtaking. I believe her…there’s a lot of pride in this place, and I know this is one place that’ll catapult its way to the top of the Chicago eatery list in no time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 rob f. 6 months ago on Google • 463 reviews
    Delicious, beautiful, friendly. Wow, this place is great. Lovely Sazerac, oysters, mussels, French onion soup, and burger. The burger had a delicious char. The French onion soup croutons were light and crispy, despite being on top of the soup and covered in gruyere. This restaurant is now my top pick for downtown dining and drinks.

  • 5/5 Justin B. 5 months ago on Google • 331 reviews
    Just discovered this place and I really love it. The menu is not large but everything I've tried is really good. They make some really great cocktails too. There hours really lend themselves to people who are working downtown and want to stop for dinner(no weekend hours) but I live downtown so they work for me. And it's in one of my favorite buildings.

  • 5/5 Chase W. 7 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    Delish French bistro. I really loved the escargots. The Cornish Hen and Parisian Gnocchi were also quite good. Excellent service as well.

  • 5/5 Julian K. 1 year ago on Google • 32 reviews
    We had a fantastic time here. Ordered French onion soup, escargot, bouillabaisse, as well as the crème brûlée and profiterole for desert. Everything we received was extremely delish. The escargot was a particular highlight. The service was also very good. Our waiter, was very professional and nice. A great addition to the area, would definitely come again.

  • 5/5 Yoon Soo P. 1 year ago on Google
    Genuine French Bistro! The onion soup is superb. Also recommend the beef tartare and the oysters.

  • 5/5 Tony V. 1 year ago on Google
    Went on a whim and already planning a return visit. Everything we ordered, from cocktails to food to dessert, were truly fantastic. Best burger I've had in a long time and has to be one of the best in the city. Exceptional service, to boot. Parking can be a little tricky but it's worth any/all fuss, trust me. Order anything -- you can't go wrong.


Call (312) 945-7040 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid parking lot
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout

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