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Topolobampo — honest mexican in River North. Buzzy, energetic room where the crowd adds to it. Strong pours and a bartender who takes pride in the work. "From the service to the wine selection to the tasting menu, every aspect of the experience was phenomenal" — Ryan McBride
Brent Nacu
195 reviews
“The menu, operation and food blends very well together for a fantastic and authentic Mexican-American experience”
The food was excessively salty. I couldn’t even finish one of the dish.
You don’t expect to have stomach issues after dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant—but unfortunately, both of us did the very next morning, and there’s no doubt this meal was the cause.
Worst meal in my life. Avoid at all cost. We were dreading to receive the next dish and were not able to finish our food.
445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
“The A5 ribeye wagyu was not very fatty, but it was still good.”
Tony Yang
Jan 2026
“Lovely experience with incredible food, great vibe, and stellar service.”
Lovely experience with incredible food, great vibe, and stellar service. The mezcal cocktails are delightful.
Sara C
Dec 2025
“The food and the service at Topolopambo are top-notch.”
The food and the service at Topolopambo are top-notch. We had the "Tijuana Taco Crawl" menu and I was admittedly a little skeptical at first about paying that much for tacos. Each dish, however, was thoughtful, flavorful, and crafted with the finest ingredients. And while the food was exquisite, the service was even better. My mother who was in town visiting severely injured her knee the morning of our reservation. We spent most of the day in the ER. Since the reservations are non-refundable, we still made our reservation and everyone at the restaurant was incredibly kind and accommodating. Thank you to the team for a wonderful experience. We will definitely be back to try a new menu in the future!
M G.
Sep 2025
“Absolutely incredible meal from start to finish.”
Absolutely incredible meal from start to finish. We enjoyed every dish, and felt that the experience was worth every penny.
Dave Berk
Aug 2025
“Absolutely loved our experience.”
Absolutely loved our experience. Perfect and really appreciated the attention to detail.
Lalla T. Pierce
Aug 2025
“Topolobampo is a culinary gem, absolutely worthy of a Michelin star.”
Topolobampo is a culinary gem, absolutely worthy of a Michelin star! 🌟 Rick Bayless’ creativity is pure magic, transforming Mexican cuisine into vibrant, innovative masterpieces. 🌮✨ From zesty ceviches to rich, mole-drenched entrees, every dish showcases his genius, blending tradition with bold, modern twists. 😍 The service is warm, attentive, and flawless, creating a cozy yet elegant vibe. 🥂 Pair that with expertly crafted cocktails, and you’ve got a dining experience that’s pure bliss! 🥳 Bayless’ brilliance makes Topolobampo a must-visit for foodies. 🍽️🔥
Jacob Ryder
Jul 2025
“Starting off, the Aguachile de Pulpo y Camaron, an appetizer with octopus, avocado, sashimi-grade...”
Starting off, the Aguachile de Pulpo y Camaron, an appetizer with octopus, avocado, sashimi-grade shrimp, and cucumber, was a refreshing palate opener. This was followed by a decent Tortilla de Maiz Nuevo Relleno. The complimentary dish, although a bit too salty for my liking, was a nice gesture. The Mone de Pescado was wrapped in banana leaves, but it had a slightly fishy cod. However, the Hornedo de Cochinta was a standout with pork and foie gras. This dish might not be traditionally Mexican, but it was irresistible. For dessert, the Regalo de Platano Macho and Cacao were served. The former, a dried banana slice with a brownie-like cake, was overly sweet for me. However, the latter, a chocolate cheese cake with ice cream, was delightful. Overall, a hearty 4.5/5 for the unique experience and a great variety of food. While some of the dishes were a hit-and-miss for me, the restaurant's willingness to experiment and their generous portions made the visit worthwhile. Would recommend giving Topolobampo a try, even if you're not typically a fan of Mexican cuisine. And don't miss out on XOCO next door, it's another gem.
Piggly Wiggly
Jul 2025
“I gave them the most complicated list of food, allergies, I got served completely alternative...”
I gave them the most complicated list of food, allergies, I got served completely alternative courses that looked as amazing as everyone. Wonderful staff .
Christina
Jun 2025
“4.6 / 5.0 Great experience overall.”
4.6 / 5.0 Great experience overall. Part of 3 restaurants in the building all owned by famed Chef Rick Bayless (including Frontera). The menu, operation and food blends very well together for a fantastic and authentic Mexican-American experience. Ambiance was elegant but fun and just intimate enough. Drinks are made at a small private bar at the front entrance. Fresh margaritas, tequilas and more. Staff were pleasant and very responsive. The star was the food. The abuse bouche round at the beginning was stunning. Caviar oysters, mini empanada and an electric mini soup (could have drank it from a gallon tank). There were 6 rounds in the fixed Mercado de la Merced menu. All good, but the standouts were the Wild Mushroom with Morels, Chicharron Pork Belly (with great blue corn taco shells), a Mole - Hen entree (we added the foie gras option), and the Cheese Ricotta finished us strong. Would go back yearly (bi-yearly) since they change the menu frequently. It’s also located in a great part of Chicago, River North that is a great place to be. Overall great place to dine.
Brent Nacu
May 2025
“My wife and I ate here to celebrate our engagement and loved it.”
My wife and I ate here to celebrate our engagement and loved it. This was our first experience with a Michelin star restaurant and felt like it was everything we expected and more. My only suggestion would be to avoid the Mezcal unless you absolutely know you love it.
Bradley Ward
Apr 2025
“"Oaxaca: The Story of Seven Moles" was a delightful introduction to the Mexican sauce and its variety of flavours.”
"Oaxaca: The Story of Seven Moles" was a delightful introduction to the Mexican sauce and its variety of flavours. Every dish was exquisite in its own way, and the food-mole pairing was very well done. The wait staff were also patient in explaining each dish, though it was hard to catch as the accent was thick at times, but I see that as a sign of authenticity.
Yao Yu Xie
Dec 2024
“I dined here as a solo diner while in town for work and had an amazing meal.”
I dined here as a solo diner while in town for work and had an amazing meal. The Mexico City taco tour was a blast and a fabulous tribute. To the reviewers who didn’t enjoy their meals, I have no idea what happened because mine was amazing from beginning to end.
Dave Thomas
Aug 2024
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