Matilda Restaurant
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About
Matilda Restaurant — high-caliber mexican in River North. Loud in the best way, with real pulse to the room. Drink selection punches above its weight. Tyler J: "The cochinita was served with fresh tortillas and creamy habanero sauce (not pictured)"
Experience Breakdown
Tyler J
265 reviews
“The tuna tartare came beautifully plated and was definitely meant to be shared, but oh so delicious”
Highlights
What Diners Are Saying
Diners loved
Some noted
Fernando was an amazing server, very attentive and did a great job explaining the menu.
Biggest Restaurant Week scam ever. The portions were cute to be nice, abysmal to be frank.
Location
535 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
What 1,313+ diners say about Matilda Restaurant
“Came for a restaurant week lunch and these dishes seemed very thoughtful.”
Came for a restaurant week lunch and these dishes seemed very thoughtful. The tuna tartare came beautifully plated and was definitely meant to be shared, but oh so delicious. The cochinita was served with fresh tortillas and creamy habanero sauce (not pictured). This is definitely refined Mexican and you can tell every aspect of the environment from the decor, wall style, and under table acoustic paneling was thought through to have a great experience. So good, would go back. Also the sombra drink was great (if a little strong lol)
Tyler J
Feb 2026
“Easily one of Chicago’s most distinctive dining experiences.”
Easily one of Chicago’s most distinctive dining experiences. The depth and precision of the dishes and their flavors, paired with genuinely thoughtful service from David, put Matilda in competition with the very best restaurants in the city; quietly star-worthy.
Matt
Jan 2026
“Even in a city with a food scene as AMAZING as Chicago, Matilda STILL stands out.”
Even in a city with a food scene as AMAZING as Chicago, Matilda STILL stands out. One of the best dining experiences I have had in a long time. Each and every dish was 9/10 or higher. The service was phenomenal (thanks David!), welcoming and personal while also being efficient. Absolutely LOVED the tuna tartare, pulpo a la brasa and sweet plantain tacos! 10/10 would recommend.
Andrew Schaefer
Jan 2026
“Wonderful experience.”
Wonderful experience. Everything on the menu, including drinks is well thought out. One of the better meals I’ve had the opportunity to experience in recent memory.
Derek Batchelor
Jan 2026
“Nice atmosphere. Very attentive waiters. We tried the 5 course tasting menu and loved the ceviche,...”
Nice atmosphere. Very attentive waiters. We tried the 5 course tasting menu and loved the ceviche, the plantain taco, birria, and the lucuma ice-cream. Great spot for our NYE dinner.
Veronica Castellanos
Jan 2026
“Amazing experience and food from start to finish.”
Amazing experience and food from start to finish. Pablo was the best, took awesome care of us!!! Highly reccomend!
Jake Stotter
Dec 2025
“The food was amazing and I loved the Al pastor drink.”
The food was amazing and I loved the Al pastor drink. Highly recommend the tuna tartare and lomo. Also our waiter David was so great and attentive to us. Definitely will come again.
Demi Flores
Dec 2025
“Each dish and drink at Matilda was amazing.”
Each dish and drink at Matilda was amazing! Fernando was our server, he was so friendly and he gave us great recommendations too! The food came quick as well. Our group had a great time here!
Donatella Rumi
Dec 2025
“Great food! David was an amazing server with great recommendations! Try the plantain chorizo tacos...”
Great food! David was an amazing server with great recommendations! Try the plantain chorizo tacos - mindblowing!
Gabby Kogler
Nov 2025
“Incredible addition to the River North neighborhood.”
Incredible addition to the River North neighborhood. The service, atmosphere and food were all top-tier. You have to get the steak and plantain/chorizo tacos — absolutely incredible and my favorite bites of the night. Their take on an espresso martini was so so good as well. The guacamole was also a beautiful and tasty dish. It didn’t blow me away, but it was a solid guacamole. If you like corn, get the corn dessert! You won’t be disappointed.
Megan Klassa
Nov 2025
“Such a great brunch here this morning.”
Such a great brunch here this morning! Plantain tacos, guacamole, carajillo, and both desserts were my favorite but everything was delicious. Will absolutely be back and cannot wait to try out their dinner menu and speakeasy!
Allison England
Nov 2025
“It was hard to decide but the scallop & lychee aguachile was my favorite out of everything we ate.”
It was hard to decide but the scallop & lychee aguachile was my favorite out of everything we ate. The combination of the pear & scallops was one I’d never imagine to combine. The sauce was so airy and light. Each dish was brought out to us with an explanation of the ingredients, which we truly enjoyed. Our server Orlando was so kind. He answered every question we had and was very attentive. He truly went out of his way to ensure our experience was nothing but exceptional. Be sure to ask for Orlando at your next visit! Thank you to all of the kind staff and thank you chef. Every dish was truly unique and savory.
Nathaly Ruelas-Castillo
Oct 2025
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