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312 Eats
River North

THE MART

4.52,553 reviews ·Opens at 9AM tomorrow
The mix of design showrooms, offices, and public areas gives it a professional, creative energy without feeling closed off
AxelAxel · 1218 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

THE MART — well-regarded food in River North. The space has a modern, polished edge. Not your typical menu, in a good way. "The outside patio with lounge seating & wifi access next to the river was the best part for" — Chelsea Nichols [patio]

☀️Patio — a River North classic in summer.

What 2,553 diners keep saying

TrendyOutdoor dining
Plan your visit
222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654
River North
Today9AM-5PM
SunClosed
Mon–Fri9AM-5PM
SatClosed
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What 2,553 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Alex Serenylan
Jul 2026

Prosperity has an Addresss and its time to come on down now. Wonder of a building, you can hang out in any number of little lodges and bleacher seats and scent-controlled waiting rooms.. oh yes money smells as fragrant as Lord Shiva. You can cobble together a decent meal in there, too. It also contains the 72 Chambers of Oops All Hardware Stores, if you have that kind of budget. I love this place man, seriously you gotta check it out it is well worth your time.

Alex Serenylan

Alex Serenylan

71 reviews on Google

Review photo by Al Kuehnast
Jul 2026

The Merchandise Mart was built in Chicago by Marshall Field & Co. as a massive wholesale marketplace where retailers could purchase furniture, fabrics, and other goods under one roof. Construction began in 1928, and the building opened on May 5, 1930. At the time, it was regarded as the largest building in the world by floor area, containing approximately 4 million square feet of space. During the Great Depression, Marshall Field's wholesale business declined, and the building did not achieve the financial success originally expected. In 1945, it was purchased by a group led by Joseph P. Kennedy. The Kennedy family owned the property for more than 50 years before it was sold to Vornado Realty Trust in 1998. Over time, the Merchandise Mart evolved from a wholesale marketplace into a mixed-use commercial center. Today, it houses design showrooms, corporate offices, restaurants, retail spaces, and technology companies, while remaining one of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks. A notable modern feature is ART on THE MART, a large-scale digital projection program displayed on the river-facing façade of the building. The Mart continues to serve as a major center for business, design, and events in Chicago. Fun fact: The Merchandise Mart was so large that it once had its own ZIP Code, 60654, before postal boundaries were adjusted.

Al Kuehnast

Al Kuehnast

851 reviews on Google

Review photo by Madison Gabriel
May 2026

We had a great time! There are many restaurants and common spaces to work or relax. Unfortunately, my boss and I had to call the police while we were there because someone stole her wallet right off the table. Security and the police worked together to identify the suspect using security camera footage and were very communicative with my boss throughout the process. I’m so glad that the Mart security was so helpful. It made a bad situation much better. Thank you!!

Madison Gabriel

Madison Gabriel

210 reviews on Google

Review photo by Maureen Rzasa
Feb 2026

There's so much to see at the Mart. Furniture shops and art decor everywhere. I was helping Red Cross that day at the blood drive.

Maureen Rzasa

Maureen Rzasa

422 reviews on Google

Review photo by Bethany
Feb 2026

This spot is so cool very airy restaurant obviously sitting outside with the tent above you. The food was really good. It was decent. However, my one as she was it literally took 42 minutes from the time we submitted our order to the waitress to the time our food came out. They were really busy though. There’s a lot of people that showed up all at once. There was a lot of music so that was great. My friend got this mushroom Swiss burger. I got the cheeseburger and my friend got the smash burger. They both said that their burgers were amazing smash burger is obviously the highest rated and with reason I got a sweet tea. It was OK and then I switched over to a Coca-Cola. We were gonna get desserts, but we just didn’t wanna wait another hour and a half for desserts to come out.

Bethany

Bethany

101 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jamie Gearon
Jan 2026

love the home and office designs. must go back. the collagen late was great at landing

Jamie Gearon

Jamie Gearon

157 reviews on Google

Review photo by Axel
Dec 2025

massive and impressive in a very Chicago way. The scale alone is striking, especially when seen from the river. Inside, it feels clean, modern, and surprisingly calm for a building of this size. The mix of design showrooms, offices, and public areas gives it a professional, creative energy without feeling closed off. Easy to walk through, great river views, and the building itself is worth seeing even if you are not there for business. A landmark that still feels relevant and well used rather than frozen in time.

Axel

Axel

1244 reviews on Google

Review photo by Dennis Skellenger
Nov 2025

Wow. I Mean Wow!!! This place was awesome. All the Players in thr Industry were there... GE Monogram, SubZero Wolf and Cove, Gaggenau, Meile appliances. Not to forget Waterworks, Brown Jordan and WoodMode or any of the Other Dozens of Design Showrooms that were on-site. I admit I was Geeking out a Bit while walking thru the hallways. We were in the one of the Upper Conference rooms for a Training. And I could think about was seeing who else was hidden in the vast halls. Unfortunately I could see all that there due to time restrictions. I recommend anyone who can visit this location. Do it.

Dennis Skellenger

Dennis Skellenger

54 reviews on Google

Review photo by Miguel Garcia
Oct 2025

Just drove passed it and had no idea what it was till after when I googled it. Pretty cool watching it while at a red light

Miguel Garcia

Miguel Garcia

200 reviews on Google

Review photo by Donald Lee Rucker Jr
Sep 2025

My very first time stopping to see this art show a day after my 39 birthday. 9/10.

Donald Lee Rucker Jr

Donald Lee Rucker Jr

223 reviews on Google

Review photo by Greg Laufer
Aug 2025

The art on the Mart experience was a great Chicago activity that was not only fun but free

Greg Laufer

Greg Laufer

31 reviews on Google

Review photo by Rachel Arias - Tripp III
Jan 2026

Nice place to walk and see the beautiful sights of the city and the river in Chicago. Would recommend.

Rachel Arias - Tripp III

Rachel Arias - Tripp III

633 reviews on Google

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