Hemmingway's Bistro
Chuck Wilkins · 127 Google reviewsHemmingway's Bistro — reliable french in Oak Park. The kind of room you save for someone special. The cocktail list is worth exploring. "Perfectly seasoned, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good" — Alexandra gomez [$$$, patio]
What 753 diners keep saying
What 753 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Hemmingway's Bistro is always a great dining experience. The decor and atmosphere are like a trip to France. The service is always flawless and the staff is always courteous. Kate, their in-house sommelier, is very knowledgeable and she has crafted many tasty and memorable cocktails.”
“Overall I would rate at a 4.9 and I think every option is likely a good one. I went specifically when I saw Beef Wellington as an option. What threw me was my choice of meat heating? I thought these were seared and sealed in pastry. Glad I chose med rare/rare and it was that way. Ordered the soufflé while I ordered my entrée and it was worth the extra wait. I would go if I was in the area again!”
“This restaurant is a hidden gem in Oak Park, IL. The cocktails were wonderful and the food was wonderful. Our waiters were very attentive and helpful with explanations. Highly recommend.”
“Great food and awesome Sunday brunch buffet with music by Petra van Nuis, the best jazz singer in Chicago.”
“Good food, great cocktails, very friendly staff, recommend going during happy hour.”
“What a remarkable and authentically Parisian experience! I'm grateful for the excellent service provided by Kate and the fantastic food, cocktails and wine. Thank you! We will be back.”
“The Sunday Brunch info on their website is outdated. It's now $52 per person no matter what you order from that menu. You do get access to the Parisian buffet before your entree arrives. The buffet has shrimp, raw oysters, lox, and crab claws. It also has a few cheeses to choose from, a salad, and an assortment of fruit. Everything including the service was very good. Not mentioning that the price structure has changed for the Sunday Brunch is very misleading. The Croque Madame is pictured.”
“We went for the Sunday jazz champagne brunch and spent almost $70 per person (with tax and tip). The brunch includes a main dish (we got crab cake, lobster toast, and white fish), a buffet (pastries, cheese, quiche, smoked salmon, raw oyster, crab leg, fruit, and desserts), and a free drink (champagne, tea, coffee, or juice). There was also a guitarist and a singer playing jazz. The main dishes and the smoked salmon were really good. Overall it was a pretty enjoyable brunch, despite it being slightly overpriced.”
“Cute Bistro with amazing ambiance! Had a few drinks and apps all was good.”
“Hemmingway Bistro is an absolute gem! ✨ I stopped by for dinner and had an incredible experience—great food, strong drinks, and top-tier service. 🍽️ Food & Drinks 🍸 Martini – 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Delicious & strong—just the way I like it! No watered-down drinks here. 🐌 Escargot w/ Butter & Bread – 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was my first time trying escargot, and I was pleasantly surprised! Perfectly seasoned, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good. Definitely highly recommended! 🌟 Service & Experience 🪑 Sat at the bar and had such a great time! The bartender was super kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable—gave me great recommendations, not just for the restaurant but for the area. Made me feel right at home. 💕 🎶 Bonus! It’s right across the street from a museum—after dinner, I walked over and enjoyed a jazz concert. Such a perfect way to end the night! 🚗 Parking & Ambiance 🚗 No parking lot, but street parking available (if you get lucky!). ✨ Clean, cozy, and inviting atmosphere. 💰 Price & Final Thoughts 💰 Reasonably priced—felt like great value for the quality. 💯 Would I go back? Absolutely! The food, service, and overall vibe were all on point. If you’re looking for a chic but laid-back spot with great drinks and escargot that’ll surprise you, this is it! 🍸🐌✨”
“Service was slow. We waited about 25 minutes between ordering food and it being served, and it was a hamburger and chicken sandwich. No condiments were brought out with the entrees, which is standard for something like a burger and fries. The hamburger was juicy but lacked flavor and I couldn’t taste the bacon. The chicken sandwich was 2 separate pieces of chicken which made the sandwich hard to balance and was too thick, flavor was ok. Fries on both entrees were very overdone.”
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