Maxwells Trading
Vivien · 433 Google reviewsMaxwells Trading — top-tier food in West Town. Order the Basque Cake. Sleek and intentional, with the aesthetic dialed in. "The redfish was probably the best dish I had the entire night" — Mark A [patio]
What 599 diners keep saying
What 599 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“We really enjoyed the food here, and it's one of our favorite restaurants in Chicago so far. We had shared the tortellini and mushroom clay pot rice. The latter was better and came with incredible sauces. I had the pork, while my partner, the chicken. Both were very good though I preferred my pork. Main portion sizes were really good considering the price point and quality of the restaurant. Highly recommend!”
“I LOVE this place! No words, just come. It’s literally AMAZING!”
“Went to Maxwell’s Trading for dinner, and it was another great experience. The food and drinks were both top-tier. Prosciutto and Gnocco Fritto, French Onion Dip (the pancake was a bit oily tough), and Green Curry Sweet Potato were all 11/10. The steak wasn’t particularly memorable, but it was cooked to the exact temperature we requested and seasoned well. The side potatoes were a definitely surprise. For cocktails, Penicillin and Milk Punch cocktails were both excellent, and Sazerac was a bit too strong.”
“Cannot believe it took us so long to try this place. Everything was delicious. French onion dip with grilled bread are a must-order. We also loved the sweet potato, turbot fish, and soup dumplings.”
“I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant—every single dish was layered with flavor, creativity, and technique. This is one of those rare menus where everything delivers, and the experience just keeps building course after course. We started with a spread of beginnings, and each one was as exciting as the next. • The Silken Tofu was unbelievably delicate, with ponzu and grapefruit giving it brightness and lift. • The Suzuki Tartare was fresh, aromatic, and beautifully balanced with coconut and lemongrass—one of the most unique tartares I’ve had in Chicago. • The Prosciutto & Onocca Fritto was a table favorite—crisp, salty, sweet, and punchy with that black currant pepper jam. • Even the Chicory Caesar surprised us with its depth—earthy, crunchy, creamy, and topped with insanely good mushroom breadcrumbs. But the star starter might have been the Short Rib—tender, rich, and infused with enough gochujang to give heat without overwhelming. Then came the Griddle Bread & Dunks, and I swear this section alone is worth a reservation. The Whipped Ricotta with hot honey and burnt lemon was sensational—sweet, tangy, silky, and absolutely addictive. The Hummus was velvety with beautifully layered Asian pear and pistachio. But the standout for us was the French Onion Dip… pure decadence. Spread on the warm griddle bread, it’s honestly to die for. If you don’t order bread here, you’re doing it wrong. For the starch dishes, the Japanese Sweet Potato was next-level—creamy, spicy, and perfectly charred with that Thai red curry lick of heat. The Curry Duck Rice had deep, bold flavors and was incredibly comforting. The Soup Dumpling Tortellini was genius—lush, aromatic broth inside perfectly chewy tortellini. Moving into substance, every entrée was a showstopper. • The Mapo Cabbage took a familiar flavor profile and elevated it with black vinegar and crispy tofu—earthy, spicy, and surprising. • The Redfish in bouillabaisse broth was fragrant, bright, and cooked flawlessly. • The Turbot was delicate, buttery, and beautifully complemented by the kombu beurre blanc. • The Half Chicken à la Brasa had an incredible smoky char with escarole and grilled lemon—one of the best chicken dishes I’ve had anywhere. • And the Bone-In Strip was melt-in-your-mouth perfection—potato pave and mustard béarnaise making it rich and luxurious. Dessert was the perfect finish. The Banque Butter Cake with pear and rooibos tasted like a warm holiday hug. The Red Bean Brownie Sundae was nostalgic but elevated. And the Sateen Verrine with orange meringue and basil cream was bright, refreshing, and the ideal palate cleanser.”
“This was one of my favorite meals I’ve ever had in Chicago. I was not expecting this level of quality. Literally every dish was impeccable. We started with the French onion dip which had notes of black truffle and the chive pancakes paired well with it. The Japanese sweet potato had a brûlée top and red curry which surprisingly tasted good together. The soup dumpling tortellini and redfish was also delicious. It’s impressive they were able to do so many different dishes with variable flavors so well. The basque butter cake was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal!”
“Wow! I had an incredible experience at Maxwells Trading. I started off with the suzuki tartare, which had an outstanding flavor of lemongrass and peanuts. The portion is on the smaller side but still a delicious bite! Then, I tried the Japanese sweet potato, which is an absolute must. The flavor of the red curry was so unique and delicious. I also enjoyed the pappardelle — it was soft with a ramp pesto. I ended the night (cause there’s always room for dessert) with the red bean brownie sundae. I loved this restaurant for the creativity of each dish. All of the flavors were creative and mixed incredibly well. Prices are higher but it’s well worth a special occasion.”
“Phenomenal food and exceptional service. The mushroom clay pot was out of this world and the same w the Japanese sweet potato highly recommend. I will be back soon!”
“amazing asian fusion food. the french dip is pair with some northern chinese bread, and the chicken is crispy skin with chinese ginger oil. we are celebrating birthday and they give us free drinks for it. would definitely come back for it.”
“Overall outstanding food and would go again in a heartbeat. I'll start with dessert as the Basque cake was so good as it was buttery yet not too heavy and not too sweet. As for the savory dishes, the suzucki tartare was a home run as I could have eaten about five of these all on my own. The sweet potato and katsu were very well done as well. I would go back with a mushroom lover as the clay pot rice looked and smelled amazing.”
“Really thoughtful menu and innovative takes on classic flavors. The Japanese eggplant is incredible with the bread. The sweet brûlée sweet potato is a must as well. The caramel apple basque cake was a favorite. Service is amazing, only critique is that it can get quite loud and busy.”
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 dining in Wicker Park & Logan Square
See the ranking →
In the same lane
If it's packed, walk to…
More good rooms in West Town, minutes away.