South Branch Tavern & Grille (The Loop - Chicago)

Erin at South Branch is absolutely phenomenal. From the first interaction to the final moment, her level of service was beyond exceptional—warm, attentive, proactive, and genuinely dedicated to creating a flawless experience. She has an incredible ability to anticipate needs before they’re even voiced, making everything feel seamless, effortless, and perfectly handled. Erin’s professionalism, paired with her infectious positivity and welcoming energy, sets her apart in a truly remarkable way. Every detail reflected her care, expertise, and commitment to excellence. South Branch is incredibly fortunate to have Erin—she elevates the entire experience to a level that feels rare and unforgettable. If you have the opportunity to work with Erin, don’t hesitate. She is simply outstanding.

We arrived early for our reservation, but they seated us quickly. She had a reuben with a house salad. I had a Santa Fe Chicken Wrap with a substitute side of clam chowder. All were excellent, very tasty. We ordered the half baked cookie dough for a shared dessert. Heaven! Service was excellent, anticipating our needs. And timing the dessert extremely well Only downside was the sound level. I understand the desire to feel like this is an active vibe, but it does make it difficult for those of us with hearing issues. On the whole, though, a delightful evening. We highly recommend it. We will be back.

Our server Bobby was great! The service, atmosphere, cleanliness & food was great! I came with my grandmother and we both were happy we chose this spot.

Erin at South Branch is truly exceptional. From start to finish, her customer service was next-level—attentive, warm, proactive, and genuinely invested in making the experience perfect. She handled our group seamlessly, anticipated needs before we even had to ask, and made the entire process feel effortless. Erin’s professionalism combined with her friendly, upbeat energy made a huge difference, and it showed in every detail. South Branch is lucky to have her—she elevated the entire experience and turned a great event into an unforgettable one. If you’re hosting anything at South Branch, ask for Erin. She’s outstanding!

Dinner here was not consistent with other ratings. Maybe off day in the kitchen, had the skirt steak which was good, but its sides were not. Very salty potatoes and soggy onions rings. We also had the Korean protein bowl, not much flavor. I am very familiar with Korean cuisine and the meat was far from it. The apps were ok, calamari, pretzel bites and bang bang shrimp. This restaurant is in a great location and nice atmosphere, I would expect they would have large block ice for cocktails. I ordered and expensive scotch and they only have regular ice, not a big deal for those who may not enjoy the difference with pricer drinks. Will not return, way better places in Chicago.

Atmosphere is beautiful and especially in nice weather for indoor and outdoor seating. This is a huge fun place with booths and tables and bar w flatscreen TVs. You get dinner or lunch and alcohol. Our waitress was not attentive and a bit aggressive with asking about ordering a drink as soon as an extra person joined the table and they didn’t have more than 5 min to settle in from coming inside the restaurant to decide on a drink and then in 3 min she returned again to ask about ordering a drink which was annoying. The side salad was tiny and wilted and basically a few minuscule 1/4 inch pieces of tomato (up charge of $1.50 to sub for tater tots or mashed potatoes) , but the tater tots were very fresh and good, and the hamburger was good and the bun was fried and crispy, which was good. The prices are high, but it’s the atmosphere that you’re going for to have drinks and appetizers after work so it can be a fun time. The old-fashioned drink was good and sweet, but I wish there were one block of ice instead of little cubes. I also wish there was more in the cup because the cup is very small Compared to other places where they serve drinks. In the summertime, it’s nice to sit by the river on the patio so enjoy outdoor seating and dining in the summertime. Ambience is amazing. The outdoor patio is fun so look fwd to the nice weather.

One of my favorite places to grab lunch in the city. Service is always great and food is always consistently amazing! Views by the river are so pretty no matter the time of year. We had Bobby and Juan today for a business lunch and they were great

Mihaela is absolutely phenomenal, the kind of server who turns a good meal into an unforgettable experience. My firm holds a number of events at South Branch Tavern & Grille, and every single time Mihaela takes care of us, she delivers flawless service with unmatched professionalism and energy. Her smile is genuine, her timing impeccable, and her attention to detail extraordinary. She anticipates our needs before we even ask, remembers preferences from past visits, and makes every guest feel truly valued. Her enthusiasm and grace elevate every event, creating a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere that reflects the very best of South Branch. Mihaela doesn’t just provide great service; she sets the standard for it.

We did a private dining event here recently and it was a great experience. We ordered off the menu and did not have to do a pre-set menu for our group of 18. We started with a variety of appetizers. All were very tasty. Charcuterie board: Chef's selection of assorted meats and cheese, baby artichokes, mixed olives, pepperoncini, toasted almonds, candied pecans, flavored mustards, apple mostarda, grilled ciabatta bread. - lots of goodies, very flavorful cheese curds: Cornmeal beer-battered Wisconsin curds, smoked tomato coulis. Can't go wrong with fried cheese. Yummy! Pretzel bites: Pretzel salt, beer cheese sauce. So tasty. Carb heavy but with a good pretzel flavor Salt and pepper calamari; Crispy fried calamari, szechuan peppercorn, fresno chiles, sweet and spicy sriracha, micro basil. Good flavor on the squid. For my entree, I had the bang bang shrimp taco: Beer-battered shrimp, Asian slaw, chili aioli, sriracha, sesame seeds, micro cilantro, flour tortillas. Very flavorful. A bit spicy but not too bad. Came with a side of chips and salsa. Overall a really nice meal. The staff took care of us. The food and drinks were tasty.

Came here for a work outing and this place is not bad! Quality- the shrimp tacos are quite good here. They're crispy and spicy at the same time. The tacos are also packed with vegetables and other sauces too. The side of brocolli cheesy soup was a great addition. Quantity- you get a lot for 15 bucks. Atmosphere- great when it is sunny out. Service- it took a while. Like an hour for the food to arrive. The staff were also a bit rude when apologizing for it when we asked. Likely not coming back here again.

Really nice looking place. Staff were very friendly and we were seated right away even as walk ins. Waiters were really nice who deeply apologized when they ran out of mashed potatoes which we had ordered. My food was incredibly tasty and would definitely get again. The price matches the taste and service you'll be getting here.

A decent place for a sit-down lunch in the loop. Quiet enough to have a conversation, but can get noisy on Wednesdays when everyone is downtown. Typical offerings in terms of burgers and tacos and wraps, etc. they certainly have something for everyone.

If you are looking for a spot for a large group with a variety of that will please everyone, this is the place to go. We came here with a group of 9 and everyone was able to order what they wanted and thoroughly enjoyed the apps! I ordered the almond crusted salmon, which was crispy, delicious and flavorful! The clam chowder was also really good! The Brussels definitely could have used more flavor. The pretzel bites were ok, nothing special about them, but the guacamole and chips were great! The service could've been better. Our waitress wasn't super friendly, just did her job but did not go above and beyond, and wasn't very pleasant.

Great spot to eat with co workers if you work downtown. It gets a little busy but the food is solid I had a really good Tex mex chicken bowl. A little pricy but it's in the loop and so close to all the offices.

Such a great place to go after work. The outside space on the river is perfect for cocktails and appetizers. The inside space is very cool too. The food was excellent. We started with a couple of appetizers but we're having such a good time that we stayed for dinner. Our waiter was patient and helpful. It was busy but our glasses were never empty and he was very attentive. I really enjoyed my Harvest salad and my friend's chicken wrap looked delicious. I plan to return next week.

Over the past few years, I have been here a few times and have different experiences each time. You definitely need to reserve to come here, especially for lunch, and most especially in the summer. During the summer, there is a patio on the river and it's beautiful with the views. The space is very large inside and the seating is modern. You really feel like you're having an elevated lunch experience, which is great. The service is not as consistent as I hope, in terms of timing. Sometimes they are quick and sometimes they aren't. I think they have gotten better with time. The food is very good. Elevated American fare, averaging about $20 for lunch, which is nice for the experience. Their wraps and sandwiches are hearty. The salads are beautiful and taste good, but they aren't as filling as I expected, so stick with handhelds and entrees. Overall, this is a great place for drinks and food. I enjoy coming here.

Great location right on the river walk and you'll definitely see a lot of big groups or business people in the restaurant. They have lots of great options for appetizers. I recommend the cheese curds and pretzel bites! I also highly recommend the bang bang shrimp tacos.

I ordered online and came to pick up my order. It was ready on time. I got the steak wrap with a side of asparagus. My order was nearly $20 which is roughly the average price downtown at a restaurant. The food itself was well seasoned. I don't think I would come here all the time for a quick bite to eat, but would come here with work colleagues. Staff was good. No complaints.

I went for Thursday lunch and was seated immediately. There's a lot of people here and the food kind of took a long time to get here but it was so good and the service was pretty nice as well. Ambience = corporate. Outdoor seating is a plus bc the weather was really nice. For the amount of people here, the service is fine. Food was pretty decent! Nothing crazy but solid food.

Came here the friend for lunch and to catch up - we came after the lunch crowd or just at the tail end. There were still some people who were either in office having lunch or meeting their clients. Our waitress was nice and took our order. We ordered the harvest salad with shrimp and the hot turkey press with fries. Booths were situated along the windows and tables in the middle. Nice place to meet with friends although it's a bit off the busier streets.

Seems like a nice place along the river to grab drinks and their happy hour menu looked nice. I came here for a work lunch. Sat outside and had a ok view of the river but there were bees by the flower planters and it got hot as the sun peeked around the surrounding buildings. I ordered the lobster roll and was told that the lobster mix was pre made so they couldn't remove the romaine. But when I got my lobster roll, all the shredded romaine was on the bottom and very easy to pick out. Lobster roll was decent, not the best I've had and also not very big. They charged a 3% inflation surcharge, which is ridiculous. As if my $30 little lobster roll wasn't inflated enough. Didn't notice the inflation surcharge until after they ran out credit card. Beware as this is pretty shady. Small enough so it's not blatantly obvious when glancing at the check, so just a shameless money making scam for the restaurant. Overall, beware of the rip off inflation surcharge. Food is ok, atmosphere is decent. Might be a better place to go for drinks after work as opposed to a real meal.

We came in for lunch on a Monday, and decided to sit at the outside bar. The views of the river are amazing. The place was lively and the vibes were good. The staff was present and quick to greet the customers. We also noticed a few of the managers greeting the guests. We were promptly greeted by our bartender whose name we forgot to ask. She was friendly and inviting. The cocktails were refreshing. We ordered an array of appetizers including the delicious cheese curds. Unfortunately, we only took pictures of 2 appetizers because we were too busy enjoying the food. We really enjoyed everything that we ordered. We will definitely be back!

I recently checked out South Branch Tavern and Grill. It's on the west edge of the Loop (technically outside the Loop, but still East of the Chicago River) on Monroe and Wacker. I was pleasantly surprised to find a fun and lively place on a weekday night. The restaurant was busy, but not so crazy that I couldn't enjoy the atmosphere and had the ability to watch some sports while waiting for my table. I tried several of their dishes and loved them. I started with the flapjack old fashioned. The taste lives up to its name. It does taste like you're eating a pancake breakfast. One of warning however, it is a bit sweeter that your average old fashioned or bourbon drink. I started with the tuna poke nachos. While this isn't the most original appetizer, it was executed well. The fried wantons were crispy and the tuna was flavorful. I also ordered the honey garlic skirt steak and almond crusted salmon. I ordered one main dish for myself and one to take home to my wife, but I tried both of them. I enjoyed both of them too. My favorite was the almond crusted salmon. This is what you should be ordering here. A pro tip, if you are coming here: I would recommend walking here or taking an Uber or taxi. While you can find some parking around here, it's expensive both on the street and in the surrounding parking lots. In sum, this a great place to grab a drink, have a meal and watch a game.

We had an amazing experience! The host was great. We wanted to sit outside and he was very accommodating even though this was a difficult request. Our waitress Magda G was wonderful! The ahi tuna special was delicious and the bang bang shrimp was outstanding! We can't say enough about our experience. Highly recommend!

[South Branch Tavern and Grille] Restaurant and Bar located directly on the River in the center of Chicago's Business center Started with the Tuna Poke Nachos and Cheese Curds appetizers Ordered the Skirt Steak, Korean BBQ Protein Bowl, and South Branch Cheese Burger Also ordered a collection of drinks such as the cranberry mojito, The French, etc This place was very average / mediocre. There wasn't anything really special about this place other than the decent views outside the window of the river. The food was overpriced and didn't really stand out. I guess people go for their drinks but even then it's still not worth it. The service was decent though. 5-6/10 just average https://www.southbranchchicago.com 100 S Wacker Dr Chicago, IL 60606

If you're dining at South Branch- get an outdoor table. Period. Great place to have dinner with your office or coworkers. There are options for everyone! Nice view with the river area- highly recommend for Chicago visitors.

Great location near Willis Tower, good value of for a downtown location. Had a good time with colleagues in private dining room.

Haven't been in a while but this has always been a convenient spot after work meetings. Glad we stopped by. The food is good and reasonable for this area. Had the usual--the tacos and the hummus appetizers are still excellent. And our server Amberley was quite personable and super efficient.

A popular spot located right in the midst of Chicago's business center -- we stopped in for a quick drink. There's a lovely view of the river from pretty much every spot in the establishment and the servers are super sweet and helpful. They have a wide variety of beers, including tons of local favorites! Many companies which host their happy hours here, so definitely just be prepared for a large after-work crowd and make reservations ahead of time if you're looking to stay a while.

Really big place with lots of energy and big selection of beers drinks and food Plenty of seating along the river and nice clean atmosphere. Staff is really friendly and speedy. Food is really solid 3 stars. I had the hot chicken wrap and it was over sauced and not crunchy for fried chicken. Burgers looked good and the salads were also decent. The harvest salad looked ok but not plentiful but adequate Good location, solid food and really prompt service but nothing to write home about.

Amberlee helped me pick out a couple of things that were vegetarian. I had a hummus meal with an assortment of vegetables. The roasted brussels sprouts were divine! The service was fast, and while waiting, I had a nice-tasting beer. The ambiance is wonderful with a view of the river and passers-by.

Food - 5/10: We ordered the buffalo rolls for an appetizer and the shrimp scampi and south branch burger for entrées. The buffalo rolls were dry and bland. The shrimp scampi was fine. The shrimp was good, but the pasta portion was small. Finally, the south branch burger was okay. It was dry, and the sweet potato fries that came with the burger were oily, and some of them were soggy. Atmosphere - 5/10: My fiancé and I came here for Valentine's Day dinner around 7pm, and the place was dead. When we arrived at the restaurant, we thought it was closed, and when we walked in, no one was there to welcome or greet us until we were halfway through the empty restaurant. There was only 1 waitress on the floor and a handful of other couples dining in. The lighting was very dim, and although the restaurant was clean, it just seemed cold. Not a very positive atmosphere for dinner. Service - 7/10: Our waitress was decent. Nothing special, just what you would expect from any average experience at a restaurant. Pricing - overpriced: The restaurant is located in a business area in downtown Chicago, and it's right next to the river, so you can expect the menu to be inflated. However, for the quality and the portion size of the food you're getting, it feels overpriced. My shrimp scampi was $23 (without tax), and I don't think I got more than several bites before it was gone.

I ate at South Branch for the second time on Feb. 4. Both times I chose this place based on its convenient location to public transportation -- it's just a few blocks from the bus to the United Center. On my most recent visit, I ordered the chicken burratta sandwich, which comes with a bunch of toppings, including red onions and a honey garlic sauce. The sandwich was huge, and looked really good. In reality, despite all the toppings, I found it to be pretty flavorless. It was served with a huge side of fries that were fine. Two thumbs up to the hostess, who followed the rules and checked our vaccination cards and IDs when we arrived! We had a reservation since we were on a time schedule for a concert, but the place was nearly empty when we arrived at 5:15 on a Friday night, and didn't get much busier by the time we left at 6:30. Our server was young, friendly and helpful. When we told her where we were heading, she pulled out her phone and went out of her way to double check directions and made sure we knew exactly how to get to the Pace bus stop. We really appreciated her efforts! South Branch's interior is clean and nicely decorated. We sat beside a window and had a nice view of the city. I'd like to try it again sometime when I'm able to take my time -- but I'll definitely try a different entree.

Enjoyed delicious and flavorful tacos on the patio next to the river. The service was quick and polite. I requested a cocktail not on the menu and was immediately accommodated. I will be back to the patio!

Good spot after the office for drinks with coworkers especially when weather is good also had lunch the other day outside and it was actually pretty fantastic for what it is - didn't have high expectations for the food and it's a solid choice for a quick sit down lunch (I had a hot chicken wrap and gf got the Cobb salad). That said, the patio has wayyyy too many bees infesting the tables - not sure what you can do around it, but it ruined the overall experience

I have been here twice already and it was a find thru my search on restaurants near the riverwalk. I ordered the Impossible Burger which was delicious both times I had been. The Bruatta was delicious, but only comes with two pieces of bread. So if you have a bigger party then order a couple because it's gooood. I ordered the Tex-Mex protein bowl, which was the perfect mix of spice, salt, and savory. The sides of fries and garlic mashed potatoes was perfect. I would've liked to try the snickers pie, but instead had the cookie skillet which was very good. A bit undercooked. The service could be better. Both times my server did not write down my order and due to that things didn't come as they were supposed to. Even my appetizer came after the main course meals and I believe it was because I told the server that it was missing. So I think it would've been added later. Otherwise it was a great experience and I will definitely be back again.

Wonderful event again. The manager is amazing. We had more than one server who made out out of town guests feel right at home. We come back yearly and will continue to do so.

This is a great spot. The vibe is great - nice enough for a business lunch, casual enough to catch up with friends over drinks. The curds with chipotle aioli is *chefs kiss.*. I got the bacon cheeseburger and it did not disappoint! Amberly took awesome care of us - super friendly, attentive, and helpful with menu selections. Thanks Amberly! Definitely recommend!

Overall (A) This is an excellent place for work lunch meals. Literally no negatives. They do everything right. Just make reservations in advance for summer lunches if you want to sit outside - super busy. Food (A) It's all really good. I have never been here for lunch and had anyone complain about there meal or not finish. Try the Turkey sand which or the lobster roll. They have really fancy bowls also. Portion sizes are just right. Burgers are on the bigger size Value (A) It is around $25 per person out the door for lunch. Which is not bad for an upscale lunch option in the city. Service (A) Super friendly and super fast. Even when it's completely packed the food comes out at the right pace. Not too slow and but not super fast either. The staff is extremely well trained and attentive to the tables. I forgot my receipt and they were kind enough to look it up and email me. Reached out to them after a week but they got back to me within a few minutes. This is a safe bet place for company lunches. Just go there an see for yourself.

I was at the wedding of Zayed and Norton couple recently. In my 65 years of life I have never had a wedding meal from start to finish that perfect. Everyone I spoke to that night about their entire raved about the entire meal and appetizers as well. Melanie who was constantly walking around and helping servers and making sure the guest were happy with the service and meals and asking all guest if they needed anything during dinner was amazing. I asked her to send my compliments to the chef As this meal was the meal of a 5 star restaurant, Kudos to you Melanie and the entire staff that evening !! Thank you again. Dena Ali

I come here pretty frequently because it's super close to my office but I never felt intrigued to leave a review. Depending on the dish you get, it can be a hit or miss. I feel like there's never been anything technically "bad" though so that's gotta be a win. Definitely a popular dish is the "bang bang shrimp" which you cannot go wrong with. The reason why I'm leaving a review now after years of dining here is because of recent experience which showed great care from the staff and management. I came here for lunch with a friend and ordered the bang bang shrimp tacos -- of course but this time, a few hours later, I felt sick. I wasn't completely sure it was the tacos but I hadn't had anything else that could possibly cause any issues. I called the restaurant and asked if there were any issues they were aware of and the manager, Juan, genuinely seemed concerned that I was sick. He refused to admit fault, but of course I can understand that since that could cause a huge issue for them. He sincerely seemed so worried about me though and it was really sweet. He let me know there had been no reported issues but said he would like to keep in touch to see how I was doing and also to follow up in case they find out there was an issue on their end. A lot of restaurants refuse to show any care for their customers so I was really impressed with their customer service. I really recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a business with a soul. It doesn't hurt that the restaurant is really beautiful and has a great view of the river.

Good service and plenty of options on the menu. Went with a bottle of sauv blanc as well as Brussels and Guac for apps. Was a quiet night there and the ambiance falls a little flat.

The food was amazing for 6 of us. Our favorite appetizer was the Brussel Sprouts. Dinner was quick, hot and delicious. Service was good and attentive for a larger table.

Adrian the bar tender is the man! Drinks are awesome. Happy hour is a great time always amazing people and service.

Since it's a quick 10 minute walk from my office and Sweet green was packed, my friends and I came here for lunch. Loved the outdoors and indoors option. Definitely should reserve ahead of time if you want to sit outside, the hostess said it was a 45 to an hour wait so we chose to sit inside. Wasn't really a big deal to us. I ordered the South Branch Chopped Salad without the red onions, bleu cheese and theapplewood-smoked bacon. The salad was delicious, but needed a bit more dressing. I prefer my salad to be a little bit more saucy, but that is just my preference. The portion is big. I couldn't finish it and got a to go box. If you are in the area, come try this place out. I know I will be coming back for lunch!

went here after work for a calm little cold one. Was met my the barter, Adrian. He is the man!

MIHAELA is great and food was tasty, went here for a work event and it was super enjoyable! awesome awesome awesome!!!

Great tacos. Nice selection of drinks. Nice and quiet place, great personnel. Wade t crowded at Wednesday night.

This restaurant is near my job on the Chicago river. They have great patio seating and delicious food.

The "views" overlooking the river really "make" this place - whether you're seated on their expansive outdoor patio or giant-window indoor spots. I think the ever-present staffing shortage is causing a lot of issues here that are hard to fault them for, so I'm hoping future visits here can feel a bit less stressful. PROS: -Gigantic outdoor seating area with a variety of seats to choose from. They have a lot of high-tops, but they also have booths, a full bar seating outside, and tables and chairs. -Well-plated and delicious food options. Everything we ordered looked beautiful when it made it to the table - and it tasted great too. The appetizers were light on the amount (as opposed to a restaurant we had gone to for lunch that day where an appetizer easily fed both of us), but the entree options have more food to them. -Beautiful views and interior. The exterior seating overlooks the river which, on a Friday night, had a constant stream of different boats to look at. The interior of the restaurant is beautifully decorated in neutrals and blues, and with the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, you can easily see the river from inside as well. Just with a bonus helping of air conditioning. -Good beer selection. While we had issues ordering some cocktails (noted below), there's a good beer selection - including local beers - to make it an enjoyable spot for beer lovers. CONS: -I hope they have some success in hiring and retaining new staff because our poor server was running a third of the restaurant by herself. Despite being super friendly and attentive when she was with us, we had very rare check-ins and sat with empty glasses most of the time. -Their bar must not be as well-stocked as some other bars I've come across. I tried to order various common mixed drinks (Pina Colada, Hurricane), and I was told that they don't have the items to make those. Considering South Branch has two separate full bar, this was surprising - but it happens. -My food was not served as requested, and with the poor server being run into the ground, I never got the chance to request a remake. -Likely another issue with staffing, but when we got there, the bathroom was out of toilet paper in most stalls and out of most soap dispensers. I let a hostess know. When we left a few hours later, it had further declined.

Good lunch spot in the city. Recommend the Bang bang shrimp appetizer. Patio is nice in the summer. Amberly was great!

Hostess told us someone had taken our reservation 2 hours early and refused to seat us. She sat us when I asked for a table for two (near empty restaurant). Wine was bad, food was great, especially salmon. Service was remarkably slow and inattentive. Used to be a favorite of mine years ago but will not be returning.

Really nice place for after work drinks.. the location is very nice! By the river.. they have some good bites as well. For a veggie person, I liked the burrata

Amberly is the best server I've had while in the city. She was attentive, friendly, and made a quick visit turn into a fantastic evening out!! The pretzel bites were great, and the Cranberry mojito was to die for! If you're looking for a fun place to go after work or for a nice dinner, I'd highly recommend!!

Great for business or personal lunch spot. Also very good for happy hour drinks. Food service and ambiance are all great!

Service was excellent. I ordered chicken cashew without the sauce due to nut allergy. My meal was therefore dry but that's not their fault.

5 stars for the views, and the aesthetics. Went for work drinks this seems to be a social gathering for visits with coworkers, friends, business associates. I'm sure that on weekends it is perfect for fun and dates. Patio dining, conveniently near union station. I can't wait to come back for food and real cocktails. I played it safe and just ordered a white claw haha