The Publican

“Excellent food! There’s a reason this place has a wall covered in James Beard award nominations. ...”

Excellent food! There’s a reason this place has a wall covered in James Beard award nominations. Highly recommend outdoor seating (weather permitting)! Extensive beer selection, all of which are very high quality! Try the BBQ carrots - seriously just do it and thank me later!

Ry B

“Farm to table food.”

Farm to table food. Everything we ordered is delicious. Great service.

A DeCicco

Dec 2025

“Publican’s new happy hour menu offers many options, including some unique and indulgent bites, and...”

Publican’s new happy hour menu offers many options, including some unique and indulgent bites, and it’s an excellent value. Alongside the standout maitake mushroom tempura—which mushroom lovers truly shouldn’t miss—you’ll find dishes like beef fat frites with garlic aioli, ham & cheese croquettes with pickled shallots, and beautifully roasted oysters with bone marrow, breadcrumb, and lemon. It’s a menu that makes it easy to try a few things and truly feel like you’re treating yourself. The space itself adds to the experience: warm globe lights hang in rows from the ceiling, casting a soft golden glow over the dining room. Tall wooden beams and booth dividers give the room a rustic, communal feel while still feeling lively and modern. Altogether, it’s a great setting for a relaxed happy hour. The service is excellent, too.

Rebecca Fyffe

Nov 2025

“wow, the selection in Chef's menu was awesome..”

wow, the selection in Chef's menu was awesome... surprisingly great tastes

Sašo Sašo

Nov 2025

“I learned about this place while on my Staycation in Chicago west loop.”

I learned about this place while on my Staycation in Chicago west loop. The was so very fresh and delicious!! All the staff were friendly and accommodating. We were outside on the beautiful patio, but the Bees were too. No problem they moved us inside to dine. We enjoyed our breakfast and pleasant interactions with the hostess, waiter and everyone. We can't wait to visit again.

Jennett Kyler

Sep 2025

“Publican has become my new go-to happy hour spot.”

Publican has become my new go-to happy hour spot! They have some of the best oysters in the city (for a very reasonable price) and their drinks pack a punch. Went twice in the span of a week and the food was consistently delicious. The oysters come from a variety of places and it was fun to hear both times where the current day’s selection was from. We also tried a variety of other food (and dessert) and everything was delicious! Staff is friendly and more than happy to answer questions. Outdoor patio is spacious and it makes for great people watching without being walked over. Am excited to come back in the winter and sit indoors.

Barbara Makowski

Sep 2025

“Awesome spot in Fulton Market—perfect for a date night or celebration.”

Awesome spot in Fulton Market—perfect for a date night or celebration. The vibe is stylish but welcoming, and service was great throughout. Drinks were solid (Grandma’s Cure is a perfect start—balanced and easy to sip). Oysters were fresh, especially the West Coast picks. You have to get the BBQ carrots—the unexpected star of the night. Smoky, sweet, perfectly charred, and big enough to share. Honestly, they outshined everything else. The beef fat fries are another can’t-miss—crispy, rich, and perfect with the aioli. For mains, the salmon had a nice sweet glaze and was cooked well. The butcher’s block steak had good flavor, though a bit more done than I’d like. Still enjoyable. Dessert sealed the night—the Millionaire Tart is a rich, over-the-top combo of chocolate pie and cheesecake. Fun, elevated, and definitely worth a visit.

John Allie

Aug 2025

“Excellent family style served meals.”

Excellent family style served meals. Really love the farm to table aspect and even the fine details such as the local farm that provided each of the ingredients listed on the menu. Large portions and open environment top off this place as one of my favorite! Note: there is an automatic 3% added hospitality fee added to your check. It states it can be removed if you ask.

Betsy M.

Jul 2025

“An Ode to The Publican In Fulton’s heart where markets hum, There lives a spot where foodies come.”

An Ode to The Publican In Fulton’s heart where markets hum, There lives a spot where foodies come. The Publican—both bold and bright, A place that always gets it right… (Well—almost always, to be fair, But kindness floats through every chair.) The booths, oh bliss! They close you in— A cozy nook amidst the din. Or gather ‘round long tables wide, Where strangers sit and smiles abide. A haven for your whole loud crew, With seats for twelve and maybe two. The menu? Witty, warm, and kind— With plates for every taste and mind. Pork and pickles, bread and beer, A rustic feast awaits you here. We hit a snag—some dishes strayed— But Kim appeared, calm and unfrayed. With gracious care and knowing nod, She fixed our night (we gave a laud!). Her kindness, like the wine, did pour, And we’ll return forevermore. For long before the scene got hot, The Publican had claimed its spot. A pioneer with charm and clout— Still standing strong, still dishing out. So here’s to seats and meals well-spun, And Kim—our hero, bar to none. To Fulton’s soul, its heart, its spark— The Publican, a glowing mark.

Madeleine (The Ruiner)

Mar 2025

“My friends and I were really surprised at how cool this place is.”

My friends and I were really surprised at how cool this place is. Pork was so delicious, with a huge variety of beers. Highly recommend visiting.

Olga Gretsova

Mar 2025

“4 stars for the overall experience, but leaving 5 thanks to our server Blake, who truly went above and beyond for us.”

4 stars for the overall experience, but leaving 5 thanks to our server Blake, who truly went above and beyond for us. We visited The Publican during Restaurant Week, and while the woodsy, communal dining hall vibe was interesting in concept, the room was packed and filled with echoing conversations that made it challenging to chat comfortably, especially when seated across from each other at the large shared table. If you are looking for a more intimating dining vibe, be sure to request a booth ahead of time. The food was a bit hit or miss - the salmon tartare lacked standout flavor and texture, and the smoked pork collar felt fairly ordinary. However, the kale Caesar was surprisingly delicious with well-balanced flavors and textures, and the fried sunchoke was an absolute highlight – buttery, crunchy, and so memorable. There was a service hiccup when one of our courses was forgotten, but Blake helped make it right by kindly moving us to a booth and offering a complimentary dessert. His thoughtful service truly elevate the evening. Overall, the experience was a bit mixed, likely due to the busy Restaurant Week rush, but we’re open to giving it another try in the future.

Bill

Feb 2025

“A definite MUST for Brunch (Sat & Sun).”

A definite MUST for Brunch (Sat & Sun). Hands down the best food and service. Starting with the baked goods of the day. In January there were 3 options: cheese herb biscuit, hazelnut croissant, lemon meringue Danish. However - the pastry was light! Multilayer like a croissant - not doughy and mushy. The lemon meringue tasted like a lemon meringue pie. Airy lemony deliciousness. The Croque Madame was fresh and flavorful. It is served with an abundance of gravy which is not part of the classic sandwich. If you have had this sandwich in Paris - you will love this sandwich just request gravy on side. The turkey medley was just as described - like Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, sweet potato cubes, fresh spinach, gravy and an egg. Fabulicious.!!!!

Katherina Kalman

Jan 2025