Smith & Wollensky - Chicago
Smith & Wollensky - Chicago — honest steakhouse in River North. Feels like it's been there since before the neighborhood changed. Drink selection punches above its weight. "The steak and sides were absolutely phenomenal—perfectly cooked, juicy, and bursting with flavor" — Luis alvarado [$$$, patio]
What 3,573 diners keep saying
What 3,573 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“★★★★★ We happened to be walking along the Chicago Riverwalk and decided to stop at Smith & Wollensky near Marina Towers for a late lunch—and this place delivered! My daughter and I started with the shrimp cocktail, then shared the Wagyu Manhattan steak, corn Manchego, and whipped potatoes. The steak was cooked beautifully, packed with flavor, and every side brought something special to the table. No weak links anywhere—this meal was firing on all cylinders. Our server, Kristi, was an absolute professional from start to finish. Her 23 years of experience showed in everything she did. She was knowledgeable, attentive, friendly, and clearly takes pride in hospitality. One of the managers also stopped by and gave us some great information about how the food was prepared. That kind of personal attention makes a difference. For dessert, we finished with a freshly baked skillet chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream—hot, cold, gooey, and absolutely worth saving room for! The river view, classic décor, outstanding service, and excellent food were all on point. Smith & Wollensky is serving up the complete Chicago steakhouse experience. This place is definitely taking you straight to Flavor Town—steakhouse edition! We will be back.”

“Great location, food was great and service. Lil pricey but worthy. Nice view of the river! Definitely coming back if I have a friend visiting to tour around Chicago.”

“Good meal with a good view! Burrata w/ prosciutto was delicious - wife said crab cake was good, and both steaks were cooked perfectly. Finished the meal with a couple coffees and Alaska. Everything was good and price is on par for any steak house.”

“Everything was top notch. We were seated right away. With great service and attention. Will definitely revisit. Not sure or clear where parking is. So we opted to use spot hero.(parking app) and walked a little.”

“Had an outstanding experience at Smith & Wollensky. From the moment we walked in, everything felt elevated without feeling stiff. The steaks were cooked perfectly, seasoned just right, and served sizzling like they were making a grand entrance. Every bite was rich, tender, and exactly what you hope for when you order a proper steak. The sides were just as impressive and the service was attentive without hovering. You can tell the team takes real pride in what they do. A special thank you to Teresa, the manager, who truly made the experience exceptional. She was warm, professional, and made sure everything ran flawlessly. It’s rare to see leadership that present and engaged. She set the tone for the entire evening. If you’re looking for a classic steakhouse experience done right, this is the spot. We’ll definitely be back. 🥩🔥”

“Surf and turf for 2 was perfect; 2 Maine lobster tails, filet, and small roasted potatoes below the beef. We also ordered the classic iceberg wedge. Service is always attentive.”

“Went there recently for lunch. Ordered a 28 oz dry-aged, bone-in ribeye with a brandy peppercorn sauce on the side. The temperature of the steak of an appropriate medium-rare and it tasted very good. The server was also very friendly. I went during lunch so I imagine the atmosphere is better during dinner but overall had a really good experience.”

“From the moment my husband and I walked in, staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. I requested a seat change so we could sit by the windows on the river (downstairs), and they quickly obliged. Laura D. was our server. She was kind and knowledgeable. The service from her was excellent, and she is the main reason I will be recommending this location to all who ask! The views were beautiful, and the food was amazing; but the service was out of this world. I felt very pampered throughout the whole experience. We will be back.”
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