Barrel + Rye

This was the best meal from start to finish that I have had in quite a while. The atmosphere was nice and our waitress, Aly was great. She had great recommendations and was so very sweet. The old fashioned is a must try but I was sad that it did not come with the cherry. I also had the smoked Manhattan which was pretty good and the charcuterie board to start with. The strawberry jalapeno jam was not spicy and very flavorful, I had the shrimp and grits for dinner which was amazing and we finished with a brownie and ice cream for dessert.

We ordered there for the first time the other night. Food was good, but then my husband took another bite of his jambalaya and was chewing on paper from either a receipt or a ticket. I called the restaurant to tell them about the incident. Told them I saved the dish and had a picture. The person I spoke to on the phone took my information and told me his manager would call me back. I never received a call back from them. Very disappointed because the food actually tasted good.

Oh goodness — I wasn’t sure what to expect when stopping in here at noon for lunch at a bistro, but I was blown away. I ordered the glazed salmon, and my wife had the birria grilled cheese. Wow… it’s hard to put into words the flavor explosion from that salmon. The sweet notes of soy and teriyaki were perfectly balanced, and then, right at the end of each bite, a burst of citrus came through — making it quite frankly one of the best salmon dishes I’ve ever had anywhere. My wife’s birria grilled cheese was a creative twist on the classic, and she enjoyed it thoroughly. One note: seating is limited, so it might be worth calling ahead during busy times. That said, we had no trouble getting a table for Saturday lunch. Such a fantastic place for a great meal — we will definitely be back!

Barrel & Rye in Geneva, Illinois, is a total 5-star experience without a doubt! 🌟 From the moment you step inside, you’re in for a treat. The meat kabobs are mouth-wateringly delicious, perfectly grilled and bursting with flavor. 🥩 The salad my friend purchased looked so fresh and satisfying, with just the right balance of ingredients, and the breaded shrimp is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside simply amazing! 🍤 But it’s not just the food every detail is impressive, even down to the fancy bathroom! 🚻 The staff is incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal or just a cozy spot to relax, Barrel & Rye is definitely a must-visit in Illinois!

The menu here has a little of everything. We ordered the crab stack, b&r salad, the barrel burger and chicken shwarma. The crab stack was such a treat. Lump crab with crisp, cool diced veggies and a sauce that tied it together nicely. The B&R salad was great for 2 and could be split for 3. The burger was delicous but the fries were the real star. Perfectly crisp and fluffy on the inside. And finally, the chicken shwarma was warm and perfectly spiced. One of the better meala I've had lately. The service was excellebt as well. We'll definately be dining again!

Stopped in for a shopping break. Sat at the bar and the gent made me an amazing Blackberry and Bourban drink. I had the Birria Grilled Cheese! Definitely worth the calories!

This place is so awesome! The workers are lovely, the food is delicious, and the vibes are great. Everything about it was awesome.

The drinks were outstanding; I highly recommend the Bourbon Milk Punch – the cookies on top truly elevated it to something special. The food was equally impressive. My crab cake sandwich was a delight, and the fries were cooked to perfection, crispy and flavorful. The atmosphere was pleasant, but the noise level was a bit high for my liking. If you're seeking a quiet, intimate dining experience, this may not be the ideal spot. However, if you're looking for a lively place with excellent food and drinks, Barrel + Rye is a definite winner. Pros: Delicious, creative cocktails Outstanding crab cake sandwich and fries Cons: Can be a bit loud Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Barrel + Rye and would happily return for another round of those fantastic drinks and food.

Visiting from out of town and we stopped here. It was great! There was a 45 minute wait on a Saturday night; no big deal to us. Our waitress was really bubbly and attentive! The atmosphere was small, really dark, and cozy. I had an old fashion, which was excellent ! The sangria was way too sweet for my liking, like a candy! Everyone really enjoyed their meals. I got the beet and pistachio salad which was so flavorful and filling! I would definitely recommend and come back here !

Absolutely love Barrel + Rye. The menu is simple but elevated. I've tried several items and they were all spectacular. Out of the appetizers, I've had the tuna tartare and the burrata, which I believe was seasonal. They were both fresh, flavorful, well-balanced dishes. The brie burger was fantastic. The burger was well seasoned and juicy while the brie was creamy and delicious. The truffle fries came out hot, crisp, and tasty. Service was polite, professional, and consistent. The bartender was great at anticipating our needs and we didn't have to ask for much. The only drink I've tried is the Sacred Sage, but it was quite refreshing, definitely a good summer choice. The decor is cute and modern but comfortable. A nice place to grab lunch with a friend or date without being stuffy. The prices are great for the quality as well.

Small restaurant with a dark, moody vibe that offers great drinks, food, and service. Been here twice and both times were enjoyable and the food is definitely memorable. Wings- maple bourbon dry rub with the good ranch and homemade blue cheese dressing these are a must Brussel sprout salad- fresh and the acv dressing me feel better about myself before we consumed all the delectable food we ordered. Brie burger with seasoned fries- pairs good with the multiple cocktails I am sure you will order here. Grits- I didn't even know I liked them until now Chicken Shawarma Sandwich- I knew there was a reason I kept seeing everyone order this. It's amazing. How do they make better shawarma than most shawarma places around here?! Birria grilled cheese- good but the wings and shawarma have my heart. Seriously you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't try these things at least once if you come here. Personally, I would recommend the wings, brie burger, and chicken shawarma sandwich. Legit I still think about them and it's been a month since we have been there. Oh, and the fries as a side .. just get them your stomach will thank you later.

We went here with a couple of friends for dinner. The entrance area can get pretty cramped. The bathroom is also on that side so it was a little hectic. We had ordered Brussel sprout salad with salmon, clam linguine, truffle fries, and side mac and cheese. When I ordered the Brussel sprout salad, I was thinking mostly shaved Brussels sprouts and other fillers in between. The salad was more like a mixed green salad with shaved Brussel sprouts and other things. Over all, the salad was pretty good with the pickled fennel and green apples for acidity and tartness, bacon for salty, dried cranberries for some sweetness, and pepitas for nutty. I throughly enjoyed the salad with the addition of the roasted salmon with it. The clam linguine was okay. The sauce was well flavored. The pasta felt a little over cooked for me. There were a decent amount of clams in there. The truffle fries were also okay. It's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The Mac and cheese was whatever for me. Very underwhelming actually.

Downtown Geneva -parking a bit hard The drink with jalapeño is very spicy The food was ok- a bit expensive Friend said burger was good

Love the atmosphere! It's actually quite small on the inside, seems there is more seating outside, kind of a shame because the inside is so chill but it probably wouldn't have the same vibe if the inside was bigger so I'm not complaining. Service was fast, friendly and helpful with choices. I started with the Espresso Patronus, it was good but doesn't really need the raspberry jam. We were intrigued by Brie cheese curds so we had to try them. For our mains we tried the salmon, the carrot risotto that accompanied it was delicious, and the B + R salad with shrimp, which was fresh and light but filling. We didn't save room for dessert but I'd go back to try the icebox cheesecakes and some of the items on the menu. I feel, no matter what there is always something, good, bad or indifferent with every place you go. My "always something" for Barrel + Rye is we discovered that Brie doesn't exactly make for a good cheese curd cheese, cool idea just did work for us.

Ventured out to Barrel + Rye for lunch after the Geneva farmer's market. If you are looking for a spot with unique bites, fun cocktails, and an extensive whiskey/bourbon collection, this is the place for you! The inside has a lot of black accents with glass globe lights, wooden touches, and playful artwork. While the restaurant is smaller inside, they also have an outdoor patio for additional seating. Both of our cocktails were delicious; nothing too sweet or overly flavored so one could still taste the spirit. We started with the duck poutine which was out of this world! It was the perfect size to share with 2-4 people. All burgers and sandwiches have multiple sides to select from. My husband got the birria grilled cheese with a side of elote. He stated the sandwich was not too cheese forward to let the juicy meat shine. My burger was perfectly cooked and I loved the bacon and avocado additions. The burger itself had a custom meat mixture and one could taste/see how juicy it was. Our server Ally was very personable, gave us good attention but also time to chat and peruse the menu. She was on top of the small details like refilling our water and brining us condiments, to go containers, etc. We loved our experience at Barrel + Rye and will be back or will be stopping by their sister location in Glen Ellyn!

Another posh little boîte in the burgeoning Geneva 3rd Street restaurant row. A very impressive bar is the focal point-which, due to inclement weather, driving by myself and it being early, I did not get to take advantage of. Can't wait to go there with Wife and have a go at what looks to be a very tasty cocktail menu. I had a burger here, with truffle fries; my pal had the crab cake sandwich. Both very good quality. A small gripe--the buns for both, though yummy, were no match for the juiciness of the proteins within--both of our sarnies were a mess by the time we got to the last bites. The truffle fries were excellent, served with shavings of Parmesan--the crispy buggers had just enough truffle "funk", and they were seasoned well. I'm not a big potato aficionado, but these fries were on point. Also glad to see a proper slice of raw onion on my burger. When did onions become an endangered species? Nowadays when I ask for raw onion on my burger, mostly I get a paltry ring or 2. They'll give you different cheeses at your request, but a decent slice of onion is asking too much? Outrageous! Nice to see this joint knows how to serve a burger. The remainder of the menu looked interesting. In the "picking-fly-shit-out-of-pepper" dept.: I'm not usually happy with high-top tables--they can be uncomfortable, due to foot-rests on the stools being placed for aesthetic design rather than leg convenience. The high-tops and stools here were great and comfortable. Service was attentive and non-invasive. As one might expect, this isn't a budget place-to-eat™, but whaddya want? It's Geneva...

We had a nearly perfect lunch here. Excellent cocktails (we had the day off -- don't judge) and sprightly service. The beet and pistachio salad was perfect. Not overdressed, generously prepared, which means the kitchen didn't skimp on ingredients. The cheeseburger and fries were great though we would suggest not serving tomatoes at all if they're of poor quality. The B&R salad was also outstanding.

Interesting bar in the unique Geneva area. Smaller but was able to get in quickly. I think the bartender waiter was nelson and he was quick on drinks and service. We split a couple of sandwiches and had a couple glasses of wine. Thought it was a little expensive but hey it's Geneva.

Came here with my wife during a weekend getaway to Geneva. This was our first time in Geneva and we were blown away by Barrel + Rye. My wife specifically gave her chicken schwarama sandwich a solid 5 stars. Great service, friendly staff, and really cool vibes. We will definitely be back if we visit Geneva again!

My folks and I checked this place out while roaming in downtown Geneva today. Most of the seating is high top tables or the bar, but gladly there were some regular tables as well for those like me who can't navigate the higher ones due to disability (or just preference). There was also some patio seating (enjoy it while the weather is amenable!) For a place named "Barrel and Rye," you might infer that they would have quite the offering at the bar, and they do, particularly bourbons but also Irish and Scotch whiskeys, cocktails, etc. They also had a selection of craft beers, not as much in the way of wine. We all ordered from the selection of burgers on the menu (my parents both got the Barrel burger which is a standard hamburger with choice of cheese, and I got the brie burger with pear-bourbon jam and grilled onions.) INCREDIBLE! I really have not had a burger this good in I don't know how long, and my parents said the same. The only thing I can suggest is perhaps a less-soft type of bun, as the bottom got soggy fast with the meaty goodness of the patty. The side of fries was equally as delicious with a crunchy exterior. Our waiter, Phil, was a great blend of attentive but mellow. I noticed this place must have some regulars as he chatted with several familiar customers who came in. The space is not large, with dark grey paint accented by funky Edison bulbs and warm wood tables with iron accents. Definitely worth a return visit for the brie burger alone, or to peruse their cocktail list!

Visited Geneva on a late Sunday afternoon. Weekend festival was wrapping up and we wanted a snack and cocktails. This spot was the one that was still open and had outdoor seating. Not a long wait around 7 and they were semi busy. An ample amount of Whiskey/Bourbon choices with Flights available and Cocktail of the Month. Cool Bar area and a good mix of seating choices inside. We ordered the Duck Poutine to share and I ordered the Cocktail of the Month ("summertime and the living's easy.") The Poutine was very good-although a bit too salty in some areas. Enjoyed the Cocktail-Four Roses Bourbon base. I'm not usually a Bourbon drinker but this was good. Service was friendly and attentive. Great spot for Bar Eats and Cocktails.

Great place visited for late lunch and wonderful food Bartender was great at suggesting A light beer and suggested the spicy chicken "The Southern Sandwich "fantastic flavor along with their spicy fries Great atmosphere and great menu

I can't believe it's been 8 years since my first visit and initial review, but Barrel + Rye is still a really good place for cocktails and/or tasty, well made classic dishes. Burrata and Figs was a great sharable appetizer, while the Salmon Bruschetta was even better. I had the Jambalaya, which had perfect spice, heat and flavor! Service is always good and they keep coming up with creative cocktails blending old standards with new ideas.

Barrel + Rye has become one of our favorite go-to spots for our weekly date. The atmosphere is dark and cozy, just like we love. Although it is a smaller dining area, it is easy to forget that anyone else is there in its coziness. Their seasonal menu never disappoints, and we always find some favorites each time! A couple of the best appetizers include the Baked Brie with sourdough and, if you are up for adventure and want an amazing flavor explosion on your palette, go for the baba ganoush! It is hands-down one of the best small plates we have shared here in the area! The drinks are always made proportionately, are presented in a lovely fashion. Of all of them I have tried, they are all great! The servers here are always friendly, quick, and knowledgable and helpful if you have any questions at all about an item on their menu. This is such a neat place with great food and service; it is hard to NOT go there almost every week! If you are on the fence, please go give it a try, you will not be sorry!

Was very excited to try this restaurant, but left feeling underwhelmed. While the food was good, it was nothing memorable, especially for the price. PROS: -Nice outdoor seating area. -Good food. I would recommend the truffle fries and hummus appetizer, but not the bistro burger. It was pretty basic. My husband asked for it medium, and it was medium well. -Local restaurant in the heart of downtown Geneva. CONS: -Very pricey. -Slow service. -Small menu. Not many vegetarian/pescatarian options. -Side salad was very small. -Bathrooms were not clean.

Wife and I tried this place for an early Thursday dinner. We got table immediately and tried two specialty cocktails both delicious. The food seemed very fresh and delicious We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and will return.

Came here with some family and despite it being slightly small they had plenty of whiskey to make up for the size. Tables are only allowed for 1.5 hours due to the demand. I tried their old fashioned, Manhattan and Vieux carre. Highly recommend trying the Vieux carre especially since alot of establishments have no idea what it is. Would definitely come back here any day

I've enjoyed every single visit to Barrel + Rye. I stopped in for a business lunch and enjoyed a delicious burger. My Brie burger was cooked to the correct temperature and was well seasoned. Barrel + Rye is one of the few places that you expect and get a well made burger. If you love a good burger and a beer, this will become you go-to. You can pair your burger with so many wonderful beers, but I am a singie malt man. This visit I varied my selection and enjoyed a pour of Angel's Envy. When you visit, enjoy a delicious starter. I always enjoy the baked Brie. The chef has an amazing palette, and is very creative. Stop in soon and you'll enjoy this local gem!

The food was delish but that was sullied by the incredibly rude food runner. Our waitress could care less about us (never checked in on us or refilled our water or asked us if we wanted to order..... very indifferent to us being there). Back to the food runner.... The dark haired girl literally shoved our food at us, not caring if we had to reach across 2 other people to fetch our food from her grubby hands OR if there was any room on the table (spoiler alert there wasn't!!) I have never in my life experienced such a terribly rude person - just rotten to her core, like it seemed she hated us personally the way she treated us. Very shocking behavior in such a great restaurant.

Came in on a Friday night. The restaurant is tiny, but plenty of seats available at the bar. Service was friendly from both bartenders. The burgers come with either fries or a side salad. I opted for the side salad which was very nice. It had feta, tomatoes, and cucumber along with a spring mix. They have a decent list of local beers and lots of fun speciality cocktails. We opted to split the key lime pie cheesecake for dessert, so good!

I'll start off by saying that the curds were the absolute best cheese curds I'd ever put in my mouth. Most cheese curds are fried balls of dough that are so chewy you can blow a bubble with it. However, these curds had a crunchy crust and a melt-in-your-mouth Brie cheese inside that made them easy and addictive to eat. Throw in the apricot pepper jelly to dip them in, and your table is going to be throwing hands over who gets the last one. For my entree, my nashville hot chicken Mac was delicious, as well. Cheese wasn't very strong, so the flavor of the nashville hot chicken was strongest with each bite, but not too much. Would gladly come back here again!

Good food, great service. My wife is vegetarian so they definitely have options she loved. Recommend doing a reservation as it can get busy 6pm time. Enjoy!

Can't say enough great things about this very cool vibe/amazing food and cocktails restaurant! Been here a few times and each visit just keeps getting better and better! Servers are attentive and informative about the menu! Must go date night for sure!

Barrel + Rye is a solid 4.5, whether going for just drinks, a nice dinner, or enjoying the patio. The cocktails, wine selection, and Whiskey selection are great. The food is also very good, with the occasional just ok. Highly recommend the Brie burger, the hummus plate, and the pork belly. Mainstay in Geneva.

Visited Barrel + Rye for a Sunday lunch. This was my 3rd or 4th time there, and have always enjoyed, but this visit was my favorite. Started with the Buffalo Blue Cheese Chips which were great. Of other restaurants that have a similar item, this was the best I've had. The Primo Old Fashioned was also good. My girlfriend got a seasonal cocktail which was really good. I believe it had tequila and coconut(among other things) and almost tasted like a Pina Colada. For entree, I got the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, which was a special. I hope they add this to the permanent menu as it was the best thing I've had in all my visits there(Better than the Southern chicken sandwich IMO). Had truffle fries as my side, which were also very good. Others at the table got the B&R salad and chicken shawarma, which everyone enjoyed. Lastly, when the check came our waitress said they took the chips off the bill because our food took a while to come out. Honestly, we didn't even feel like it took any longer than expected, so that was very appreciated and our waitress was tipped accordingly. Very good visit overall. Will definitely be back soon!

Great dinner last night! Ally was a great server and I had the salmon dinner which was one of my favorite meals ever! Amazing flavors with carrot risotto, Brussels sprouts, pickled fennel and arugula. Hubby had steak frites and he was also super happy with his dish. Great location and superb food!

I had a birria grilled cheese sandwhich. This is fire. Toasty bread with a nice crunch and some of the most flavorful and soft birria that I've had in a while. The fries are also amazing. Very crunchy and well seasoned. This is the perfect dish for a nice cold day where you want some comfort food. I had this with their Primo Old Fashioned and it paired nicely. Highly recommend.

Good food & drink - one of my favorite places in Geneva to meet friends. They love the Old Fashioned there and the shrimp & grits are amazing

Great menu choices. Excellent drinks and specialty drinks. Nice semi-casual place to enjoy with friend and/or spouse Excellent indoor and outdoor seating weather permitting Excellent service with attentive personnel Quality food with special local flavors and "twists" to many entrees. Fish fry is awesome. Phillip is the best!

Restaurant week dinner was delicious! The pear salad, chicken roulade, and stout brownie were nicely presented in different size and color bowls. All dishes had a nice mix of flavors. Highly recommend this restaurant/bar.

They have consistently good food and beer. I know it says "rye" (which I do t drink) but... the service and the feel of the place are great too. They have a great take on grilled cheese. It can get crowded.

Great unique menu, my favorites are the Brie cheese curds, green beans and salmon bruschetta. Whiskey and cocktails on point too. For a casual spot, the interior is beautifully done and romantic at night.

Came here on a Wednesday afternoon and sat outside on their patio. We've sat inside previously (not too much room indoors). Highly recommend a visit, we've never been disappointed. We started with burrata and figs, which was delicious. The honey brittle is a nice addition. We also had the Brussels sprouts salad and chicken shawarma, not pictured as we were too hungry and forgot to take pictures. The salad was refreshing and all the ingredients work well together. Chicken shawarma was also good, just wish it had more yogurt sauce. We upgraded our side to Brussels sprouts, which was actually the highlight of the meal. It's tossed in this sweet maple-soy glaze/sauce. Service was also commendable. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, attentive, and kind. We'll keep coming back!

Great food. Great service. The chicken in the inside of the satai is to die for! Will come again for sure.

Excellent food and service! I love this place. They are often changing the menu and adding different cocktails. I highly recommend!

I wish that I could airlift this restaurant to my hometown! Had a fabulous lunch here consisting of the brie plate as an appetizer, which was perfectly presented with delicious berries and a honey drizzle. We also had tomato bisque, mac and cheese, and chicken shwarma which were also perfectly presented and not to mention delicious. The service was fantastic despite the place bustling with holiday shoppers. I'd return in a heartbeat!

Great service from our bartender, so attentive in asking us if we needed more drinks, etc.... A very large selection of whiskeys, which is their specialty.

Some of the best food I've had in a while! Drinks were also very good and had a fun way about them. Can't wait to come back

We had such a wonderful meal here. Im from California and here to attend a wedding. My sisters in law decided to get together for some sister time which included brunch at Barrel + Rye. Everything we had was absolutely delicious. We started off by sharing the Elote and Salmon Bruschetta. Then three of us had the Poke Bowl while the other sister had the Salmon Salad. To top it off we shared an order of truffle fries. The fries were crispy and flavorful. Everything we had actually, was delicious. I can't speak for the other dishes but if they were as good as the ones we had, they'll be winners!

What a wonderful place! I am so happy this was my last dining out experience before the country shut down and we all turned to take out. My fiance and I took a little date night here to have a few drinks and good food. We were not disappointed. It was so cute and clean inside. I love little places like this with a rustic feel. We went at about 5:30pm on a Friday and while it was busy, we were able to be seated right away. Our waitress was very nice and knowledgeable answering our questions as they were not providing menus at that time to avoid person to person contact. We ordered our drinks. I got a simple dirty Shirley (kiddie cocktail with vodka) and my fiance got the old fashion. The drinks tasted great and enough spirits to feel like you got your money's worth, but not too much. Their selection was pretty nice too. For food, I ordered the brie burger... YUM!. I love brie cheese and this burger was delicious. I wanted something light to go with it so I ordered a side salad which is always risky at a bar. However, this salad was fresh and tasty. My fiance got the southerner. I was a little nervous getting it because of the spice, but it wasn't spicy at all! Just very flavorful with a little warmth in the back of your mouth, but no burn. I will absolutely come here again! It was very delicious and they have a nice selection of food and drinks.

Cocktails are solid. Service up at the bar was unfriendly but efficient. Somehow it feels that, after $94 on cocktails which was fine as we had 7, charging $1 for a slice of bread feels stingy.

We went here with a group after work one evening. We ordered about 10 apps and drinks. The service was excellent, the food was spectacular and the drinks were yummy and served promptly. What more could you want from happy hour?!

I've been ordering the salmon salad for the last few years but the last 3-4 times I've gotten it it has either had zero bacon or very very little. It used to have big chunks that made the salad amazing. Now it's just a good salad.

Great service love the atmosphere had a practical magic cocktail great for Halloween with the spiced skull ice cube

Food is outstanding. Drink menus is also great. If you like bourbon and rye, this is the place for you. It is a smaller place, but well worth the wait. Service was great, knowledgeable servers and very attentive. Been there twice and not disappointed either time.

Never had this happen before but walked in asked if we had a reservation (we didn't) asked to wait. Quickly escorted to table after passing several open ones where we started to remove coats and be seated only to learn from host that the table had just been reserved and we could sit at bar.

We loved the atmosphere but we didn't find the food to be very impressive. We probably won't be going back there b/c we have other places on 3rd Street Geneva that we like better.

Great food and service at this place. First time there and loved the unique menu, beer selection was good and the folks there are super friendly and attentive. Highly recommend!