The Franklin Room
Daniël · 440 Google reviewsThe Franklin Room — top-tier american in River North. The setting does the work on date night. Worth ordering a drink, because the bar holds its own. "Wow, The Franklin Room was hands down the best meal of my Chicago trip" — Mick Wichitpanyarak [$$]
What 1,111 diners keep saying
What 1,111 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Where do I begin? I came here with 3 friends for a birthday and every part was amazing from the beginning to end. Walking in, you descend the steps into a cozy, classy atmosphere. Speakeasy, but upscale. In a way that makes you feel fancy. Our waitress was so kind and helpful! She had a slicked down pink pixie cut, which we bonded over as I just dyed my hair back brown after having bright pink for so long! The four of us got the chicken, steak, shrimp, and lamb. Each dish was not only plated beautifully, but was also cooked to perfection, with the garnishes not overpowering the flavor of the main. Truly this was one of the MOST memorable meals I’ve ever had. 3 of us enjoyed a Whiskey Boy which was also delicious, and strong enough to get us feeling good without being so strong that it burned going down. Our other friend got a dirty Shirley and proclaimed it to be the BEST one she had ever tasted. To top it all off, our waitress gave us free espresso martini shots, and a small slice of chocolate cake for my friends birthday. What a wonderful and truly appreciated surprise! From the food and the service, to the atmosphere, The Franklin Room has jumped to Number 1 on my recommendations of places to try for a classy meal in Chicago. Keep doing what you’re doing guys!”
“Went there last night and improved my rating to a 5 star. The bartender Peter, great, led me through a Rye tasting which was mind blowing. 5 different eyes were artisinal and very different. The mussels and taro fries are well prepared. Go early, stay late it's good. OLD REVIEW A many faceted place. A meeting place for happy hour, a restaurant and a serious drinking establishment. Specialing in various whiskey the have a complete c selection for serious aficinados. My son is a bourbon specialist in Denver and he says it is a thorough list. Blow up picturs”
“So good! Everything was amazing. The drinks were excellent, and the atmosphere was perfect. Our server was fantastic—attentive, friendly, and very knowledgeable. She gave great drink recommendations and was always on top of everything. The food exceeded our expectations, and my partner and I were both very impressed. We’re already looking forward to coming back. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”
“My nephew lives in Chicago and recommended The Franklin Room during my visit for a conference. He works in fine dining, so I trusted his judgment and he was right. We started with the mussels and lamb chops on our server's recommendation. The mussels were excellent, but the lamb chops stole the show. The first bite with the chimichurri and mint was outstanding, and somehow every bite after that held up. A smoky char ran through the whole dish that kept it interesting from start to finish. For the main course, we had the tortellini and scallops, both top notch. Even so, we couldn't stop talking about those lamb chops. Easily the best thing I've eaten in a long time. Highly recommend.”
“As I wondered into the Franklin room I was greeted right away by a lovely host and she accommodated my seating arrangement for one. I began my experience at the beginning of the dining hour so the room was not quite yet filled. I was intrigued by the low lighting and the intimate place settings the room put forth as I took my seat at a table. Right away I began perusing the cocktail list as I was not going to wate time even though I did not order a flight of whiskey, allthough you should, which they are know for. I tried my hands at a craft craft cocktail beverage that welcomed me with open arms. As soon as I ordered my beverage I began looking for an accompaniedment to go along my quench of thirst. The oyster plate spoke to me which happened to be east coast Pink moon from prince Edward island. They were followed up with a nam Jim which was superb and a yuzu mignonette. I finished my experience with another cocktail, this time with a whiskey base which was touted in an original flask to pour. I felt at home and at ease and if I were with another party of 2 or more then I feel like our needs would e been met. Cozy, warm, and inviting for sure plus seating enough for medium parties. I would recommend The Franklin Room for a social gathering, a date, and a stop in for a great cocktail and whiskey list.”
“I’ve dined at The Franklin Room about 5 times now. The food is always fantastic and the presentation is out of this world! The staff is so professional, friendly and attentive. The cocktails can be a bit pricey but delicious and worth it in my opinion.”
“The Franklin Room in River North is an absolute must-visit dining destination in Chicago — a perfect blend of elevated tavern fare, handcrafted cocktails, and truly exceptional service. From the very start, Michael made our reservation experience effortless and welcoming. He went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, ensuring everything was perfectly set for our evening — and that level of thoughtful care continued throughout the night. The food here is absolutely outstanding. We loved starting with dishes like the Spicy Bourbon Mussels, perfectly balanced with rich, savory depth, and the Truffled Ricotta Tortellini, which was luxuriously creamy with just the right touch of earthy truffle. For our entrées, the Miso Salmon was beautifully executed with delicate flavors, and the Chilean Seabass was melt-in-your-mouth — a true standout among seafood dishes. At the bar, Ugna and Jeanne are absolute standouts. They’re not only skilled and creative behind the bar, but also warm, engaging, and intuitive — the kind of bartenders who remember your preferences and elevate the entire evening with their professionalism and personality. And the food — outstanding. Chef Namo delivers consistently thoughtful, beautifully executed dishes that balance flavor, presentation, and creativity. Every plate feels intentional and memorable, making each visit feel special rather than routine. The Franklin Room isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience powered by an exceptional team. A place you return to not just for great food and drinks, but for how well you’re treated every single time. Highly recommend.”
“Excellent spot for a small get together. Would go again! Got the chicken entree and the mussels appetizer. 10/10 would recommend”
“My boyfriend and I were celebrating our anniversary so we made a reservation on a Tuesday night and the atmosphere was cozy and lively. I wish I had taken more pictures! We enjoyed the food and drinks so much. My boyfriend ordered a couple different wines (one recommended by our server) and I got 2 cocktails— the one in the picture was my favorite (Healthy habit). I got the miso salmon and my boyfriend got the marinated butchers steak. We also got a side of crispy fingerling potatoes. Everything was so tasty! Anthony was our server and he’s honestly the reason why I’m even writing this review. His service is what made this dinner so special for us. Personally, I feel like the service can really elevate the experience one has at a restaurant. He’s very kind, respectful, attentive and gave us great recommendations. Our busser was very polite and attentive as well but we didn’t get his name.”
“Food is super delicious and service is excellent. Bar has a wide selection of items. Good place to hangout and definitely a great place for whiskey lovers!!”
“A fantastic spot for fine dining—everything from the food and drinks to the ambience and staff was exceptional. They also offer an impressive selection of whiskies. Must-try dishes include the Wagyu steak tartare, spicy bourbon mussels, and the Branzino fish.”
“Wow, The Franklin Room was hands down the best meal of my Chicago trip! Seriously, it hit a flavor profile I've been searching for years. They do Western dishes with this incredible Asian twist that's just perfection. As a huge seafood fan, the Spicy Bourbon Mussels were my absolute favorite. The homemade spicy miso in that bourbon sauce just adds so much depth – seriously delicious. And the Chilean Sea Bass? One of the best I've ever had, cooked absolutely perfectly. Another major highlight was the oysters. The chef's Thai-style dipping sauce was a game-changer for me – honestly, the best way to eat oysters, in my opinion! And the yuzu mignonette added another fantastic layer of flavor. I legit wish I could buy those sauces and bring them back to NYC! Overall, every single dish was bursting with flavor. The vibe is super nice too, perfect for a night out with friends or a date. They've got a great cocktail menu as well – their espresso martini was spot on! Highly recommend everyone checks this place out!”
Sounds like your kind of place?
Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.
One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.
More American in Downtown & River North
See the ranking →
In the same lane · American, mid-range
If it's packed, walk to…
More good rooms in River North, minutes away.