Ox Bar & Hearth

“The staff was very welcoming, informative, attentive to our needs.”

The staff was very welcoming, informative, attentive to our needs. The whole rainbow trout was well presented and very tasty. The braised lamb was all I could ask for and some. Thank you to Alejandra. Alain, and John for their hospitality. We will see you all again soon.

Mike Schneider

Feb 2026

“What a lovely, cozy experience.”

What a lovely, cozy experience! Great hospitality from the host and waitress. There was a free coat check which was a nice perk. Romantic and dimly lit vibe inside. Standout dishes were the beet salad, chicken and pavlova! The beet salad was bright and flavorful, the chicken was moist and savory, and the pavlova is one of the most exciting and fun desserts I’ve had in some time. Everyone in my group had a different favorite dish. I think this indicates a well rounded meal that can appeal to anyone. Dishes all were executed wonderfully and lots of crowd pleasers. I think anyone would find something they enjoy on the menu! There was a nice cocktail menu and wine list, we ordered a bottle for the table. They took a lot of care to clear our plates, clean off crumbs, and never leave glasses empty. We felt well taken care of. Staff were very knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations. Really enjoyed our time! I’d love to come back in the spring/summer because they will be changing up the menu and opening up a large patio. Great for groups or date night. Would take my parents here.

Maggie Delaney

Jan 2026

“Amazing experience from start to finish.”

Amazing experience from start to finish. Love how warm and inviting the space is. Portion sizes were also great. My friend and I were able to share appetizers, veggie dishes and entrees. Presentation was perfect and everything came out in a timely manner. I loved the pierogis the most and the rainbow trout was a standout as well as the pork collar.

Jennifer Khosho

Jan 2026

“Special unique food and a unique place with all the bells and whistles (private dining room like a...”

Special unique food and a unique place with all the bells and whistles (private dining room like a chefs table that feels like home), valet parking, drinks are creative and tasty, they honor dry January and the non alcoholic drinks were great. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and in the cold they have that double door to keep the outside cold from getting in. Really enjoyed the experience. I wasn’t a fan of the custard cake … whipped topping tasted fake, not much custard in the cake bc when I saw custard cake I thought lots of cream inside, but the cherries were great! The fries were amazing crispy and sauce was great too. I wasn’t a fan of the cabbage w trout roe…the fishy smell of the roe over took the cabbage flavor and it was not appetizing plus too much aioli tasted heavy and fatty. We will return and the staff and our waitress was amazing … attentive and sweet and knowledgeable.

karina k

Jan 2026

“What a great food start to 2026.”

What a great food start to 2026! Loved this spot, nod to the old Golden Ox. Everything is hearth inspired! Loved the charred cabbage and pierogies. The whole trout with fried garlic was excellent. The cocktails were smashing! Service is impeccable.

Pooja Naik

Jan 2026

“So impressed by Ox Bar.”

So impressed by Ox Bar. The food was fantastic; salt of the earth, honest. Atmosphere was cozy and felt like dining in a close family or friends home. Looking forward to coming back and brining others here!

Taylor Dombrowski

Jan 2026

“We were so exited to come here.”

We were so exited to come here! The atmosphere is very inviting and cozy. The service was really great, everyone was very attentive but not overbearing. We ordered pierogi, chicken, rib eye and carrots. Everything was sourced locally and fresh, and you could tell. Flavor was sensational on everything. Only downside was we were too full for desert! We will definitely be back!

E M P

Jan 2026

“Everything is exceptional here.”

Everything is exceptional here! Knowledgeable and courteous bartenders and waitstaff, beautifully curated decor, and outstanding food. We tried about half the menu (and every dessert) and the plating and flavor profile of each item was terrific. This is way above the typical downtown restaurant that is overpriced, over salted, and over designed. Everything at OX is refined AND approachable. Shoutout to Chef John and Alain for their incredible accomplishment. Can’t wait to return.

Megan Lichstein

Dec 2025

“What a dining experience.”

What a dining experience! We've been waiting for them to open ever since we saw the sign in the window and our first visit did not disappoint. The interior is beautifully done, and everyone was so welcoming. Our server Ryan was incredible with the service that he gave us from start to finish. The lamb sausage appetizer began the night and we immediately knew the attention to detail they put into the menu was going to show. The steak and trout were incredible, and we ended the night with the chocolate chip cookies. We are so excited to see a great restaurant like this in the neighborhood. Can't wait for our next visit!

Cassidy

Dec 2025

“This place is for sure the new best restaurant in Chicago.”

This place is for sure the new best restaurant in Chicago. Everything went perfectly: old fashioned at the bar, amazing atmosphere at seating area, impeccable service, perfect timing, generous portions, extremely tasty food, delicious desserts. Wow! 🤩 This team nailed it!

Marcio Ribeiro

Dec 2025

“Ox Bar & Hearth feels like a break from all the constant city stimuli.”

Ox Bar & Hearth feels like a break from all the constant city stimuli. The minute you walk in, the rush and the noise seems to fade. The lights are warm, candles are glowing on the tables, and the music stays in the background. The room is stylish without being too serious, and the staff have that same calm, welcoming vibe. It is the kind of place where you automatically slow down and want to stay a while. I started with a non alcoholic cranberry ginger cocktail. It came in a tall glass full of ice, fading from clear at the top to a deep red at the bottom, and it tasted even better than it looked. The bartender walked me through the base and you could tell there was a lot of thought and technique behind it. Bright cranberry, real ginger heat, and layers of flavor that make it feel like a proper cocktail, just without the alcohol. We shared the smoked whitefish dip and that dish was a favorite. The plate comes with a generous scoop of dip, seeded rye crackers, lettuce leaves and fresh radishes. The pictures honestly do not do it justice. The fish with just the right amount of smoke and the mix of creamy, crunchy and fresh is addictive. For dessert we had the apple fritter with ice cream and it was exactly what you want at the end of the night. Warm, soft apple inside, crisp edges, cold ice cream melting over the top. It tasted like a warm hug on a plate. Overall my first visit was great. It is a calm pocket in the middle of an over stimulating city, with thoughtful drinks, really good food and a warm team running the place. I can easily see this becoming a regular spot.

Angela Mastrogiovanni

Nov 2025

“First time here and I know we'll be back over and over to experience the home-cooking seasonal...”

First time here and I know we'll be back over and over to experience the home-cooking seasonal flavors that the chefs bring. Our favorite was the pierogi's, pork collar, white fish dip - and the fries were surprisingly a hit for our family! We usually don't love thick cut fries but these are so Crispy on the outside and perfect in the inside. :) We also absolutely loved our waiter, Luke and AGM Cherish was a delight. Everyone makes you feel at home here, and we loved how much of the food hit the hearth and had that smoky fire touched flavor. 5 stars.

Allison Chapin

Nov 2025