Armitage Alehouse Reviews

We had brunch there over the weekend. We had waffle, smoked salmon platter and Benedict. We thought the food was good but we really loved the atmosphere there. It’s a classic English pub in Lincoln park and we really enjoyed the vibe. The cocktail was also tasty.

What a delightful restaurant! Mom and I were shopping and stopped in for a glass of wine . . . . and a rootbeer float. Declan, our server, was the perfect enabler for our wants and needs. It was the highlight of our afternoon together! We will be back because the menu looked delicious!

We had parked right across the street from this restaurant to do a preplanned activity in a couple hours when my friend (who’s a local here) raved about how amazing this restaurant was and that it’s so hard to get in bc it’s mostly by reservation. We decided to test our luck as walk ins and went in right when it opened and we surprisingly got it! The restaurant architecture is actually beyond stunning and the food matched the atmosphere and quality as well! Our waitress and the staff were so kind and truly helpful. We started off with the Délice de Bourgogne & Truffle Honey and ohmygod that sourdough bread was top notch along with the cheese/honey topping. For our main courses I got the chicken pot pie (which they are known for) and my friend got the trout caesar salad. 1000/10 would recommend this place to both locals and travelers!!

Had dinner here last week and the food, service and the atmosphere were all fantastic. We were able to try many different dishes and they were all great. Our waiter was VERY knowledgeable on the menu and maybe a bit opinionated but he took us in the right direction. We really enjoyed everything about the place. I can see why its so hard to get a reservation.

Well worth the wait - for a reservation that is! It is difficult to get a reservation, but this beautiful restaurant is so popular you got to follow the process - two weeks before - early in the morning - slots are open for just that two weeks, so folks act quickly. So, we were able to got a lunch reservation for my wife’s birthday and like I said, it was worth the wait. This beautiful space is just wonderful. You feel as if you are in an English pub. Banquettes, fireplace, awesome decor and a delightful ambiance, accompanied by a friendly, knowledgeable staff all set the stage for the food and drink. Everything we had was so good. The food and bar menus are extensive. We had difficulty deciding on the gin there were so many for our martinis - we settled on Sipsmith London Dry and it was a good choice prepared expertly. These accompanied Samosas, a Steak & Ale Pie, and Peppercorn Steak Frites and for desserts a Sticky Date Cake and a beautiful free birthday ice cream treat. The food was just so delicious - the portions perfect - and the pricing 5 star appropriate. In short this is amazing and we will be back that is for certain! You have got to go here - you’ll love it.

Fantastic brunch. Probably the best Avocado Toast I have ever had. Pulled high with avocado and eggs on amazing thick cut sourdough bread!

Cozy pub atmosphere like you’re in London. We went for lunch on a Saturday with reservations and the place was packed. The bar was full as well so plan on making reservations or you may not be able to get in. Service was friendly and the Bloody Mary was spicy and delicious. The wagu burger was flavorful and the fries were crispy and perfectly seasoned. The chicken pot pie was savory and probably the best I’ve ever had. It is presented with mashed potatoes on the bottom, with a bone with marrow in the center, then surrounded by a flaky pie crust. You definitely need to try it. Portions are sizable. Will return.

I’ve been wanting to come to Armitage Alehouse ever since I moved to the area. It’s probably the hardest reservation to get in the city but after reading the fine print I found out you can just show up early and sit at the bar so that’s what I did. The food was everything. We started with some samosas to get the good times going and they were perfect. They had the right amount of flakiness and pops of flavor. Then, we had to go for the pot pies. They had the chicken and the beef that night so we got both and I loved them. Lastly, we closed out our date night with a date cake (date as in the fruit). It was so good and even though I was so full I wanted to keep eating. I will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes.

I've eaten at this place a number of times, and don't get me wrong - the food is extremely delicious. However, it's hard to enjoy any meal when the service (specifically a manager named Andrew) leaves you with such a disgusting taste in your mouth that you actually end your evening early. Which is exactly what happened to my friends and I this past Saturday night. We sat outside - which is located on a fairly busy intersection in Lincoln Park - and we were enjoying ourselves, laughing loudly and telling old stories. A few drinks were had among the table, but no one was overserved (I was fully sober and can attest to this). But the conversation mellowed naturally when our food was served, which we enjoyed without complaint. It wasn't until we had finished eating and were mulling over the dessert choices that a manager, Andrew, arrived at our table to supposedly do the typical rounds and ask how our evening was going. We smiled jovially and replied that everything had been wonderful. However, smiles were quickly replaced with horrified looks of embarrassment and discomfort when he told us that we were being "too loud," inappropriate, and were a disruption to other patrons (despite the fact that no other patrons at the limited tables around us had complained). He asked us to please lower our voices and "watch our language" while dining at his restaurant. As someone who has both worked in hospitality for many years and as a regular diner of nice restaurants, I can say with confidence I have never experienced such an interaction as this. To accuse four women - three of whom are mothers ourselves - that we were being inappropriate and inconsiderate to the family next to us, which included a 12-13 year old boy at 8:30pm on a Sat night in downtown Chicago - was simply outrageous. While I can't confirm our conversation was "PG," I can promise that it was far less offensive than the homeless man who was also making his rounds next to our table at this same time. To further ask us "to keep it down" was something I can only attribute to blatant, unbridled sexism. As I can assure anyone reading this post that such an ask would never have been brought up to a similarly behaving table of men. So if you ever want to laugh loudly with friends and have the audacity to do so while female, I recommend not bringing your business or wallet to Armitage Alehouse.

Reservations were full when I checked but we went around 11:20am in a Thursday and were able to get one of the lovely curved banquettes in the bar. Service was friendly and efficient - from the hostess to the waiter to the bartender and runner. We only ordered two half salads, fries and the naan and still couldn’t finish it all! The half salad portions were huge! The fries were perfectly cooked and we’ve never had such pillowy supple naan. The seasonings they chose for it were delicious. We got the whipped feta which was yummy but quite salty (as to be expected from feta). Sadly we were too full for the date cake. We saw the pot pies coming out and they looked amazing. Maybe next time!

This place was amazing. First we were surprised by the decorations and the ambiance. It was such a great vibe. Service was amazing along with food and drinks! We had: Oysters Cheese and Bread Lamb Chops Mashed potatoes Chicken pot pie Everything was perfect and flavorful. Good portions! Ill definitely come back to keep exploring their menu.

Great supper club decor of yesteryear. Our server was personable and very attentive. My son didn’t care for the 100 year old cigar cocktail but the Airmail cocktail was a hit! The heritage chicken pie came with a large hollow bone in the middle. My husband enjoyed the pie but felt there wasn’t a lot of the pie. My daughter and I split the Wagyu cheeseburger and it literally melted in our mouth. The sticky date cake was a perfect dessert. I would definitely return when I return to Chicago.

On this occasion, I brought along a couple of friends to sample some unique desserts at the Armitage Alehouse. Located at 1000 West Armitage Avenue, in the DePaul/Lincoln Park neighborhood, it is a friendly pub with spacious booths, eclectic decor and hand-carved woodwork. And a menu guaranteed to please. Armitage Alehouse is on my list of go-to destinations because its sticky date cake and its full English breakfast have drawn raves from customers. Open from 4 to 10 on Monday and Tuesday, 11 to 10 on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 to 10:30 on Friday and Saturday and 10 to 10 on Sunday, it features several items straight out of an English cookbook. We started with charred Naan bread with whipped feta, a half-dozen East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail and an Alehouse Chopped Wedge Salad with egg, bacon, blue cheese and herb buttermilk ranch dressing. For a main course, we chose a full English breakfast of two scrambled eggs, roasted tomato, bacon, blood sausage, baked beans and toast, chicken pot pie with classic pot pie gravy, Branzino filet and Pike fish and chips. With fries, rice, steamed broccoli, buttery potato mash and sweet peas and bacon. For dessert, we shared sticky date cake with date crumble, brown butter gelato and toffee sauce, key lime pie, salted chocolate mousse and flourless molten chocolate cake. Nobody went home hungry. Or disappointed. And the sticky date cake was as good as advertised.

We had reservations for Sunday Brunch and they were running behind. Our server Zach G was gracious and had the manager come speak with us to apologize. They quickly turned a negative start to our gathering to the MOST enjoyable experience. We were so impressed with the quality of food and service and the overall charm of bar area that we will most definitely be back and we highly recommend this restaurant group! Definitely a must experience spot in Chicago!

Beautiful restaurant with great drinks and food. A bit difficult to get a reservation but worth booking. Can’t go wrong with a Pot Pie

Jason was an amazing server, good recommendations, good food. Atmosphere is incredible and so good to go with friends or a couple

I have no words.. well I do.. a true gem. Step back into time where a speakeasy meets Casablanca, and add stellar service and food. Can we talk about the hamburger? Melt in your mouth perfection. Their famous desert? Just go see for yourself.. the magic here is indescribable! Have to mention Declan, fair play, what a Rock Star. Not intrusive, always available, and charming, add a shout out for recognizing a birthday. From your greeting to the lovely man who filled our water, the bartender, etc.., this is my new favorite restaurant!

I loved everything about this place. It’s cozy, welcoming and friendly. We sat in two arm chairs in front of the wood fireplace. We felt like we were invited to dine in someone’s cozy living room. Our server was honest and made great recommendations. I tried some new cocktails I’ve never heard of before. The oysters were amazing. We had the ribeye, salmon ceaser and please, please, don’t pass up the date cake…..truly mind blowing. I’ll definitely be back. Highly highly recommend this place!

Haven't written a review in quite some time, but felt the need after tonight's experience. Warm, inviting and comfortable atmosphere with staff that is extremely attentive. Started with splitting the Cobb Salad and the entrees - Chickpea and Potato Tikka Masala and Steak Frites were top notch. Our server Zach was as good as any server we have ever had with excellent recommendations on food and cocktails and was generous with a birthday treat after the meal. Look forward to returning to try the Pot Pies when back in Chicago.

What a special place. Great setting, great food with even better staff. Our server was phenomenal. We were visiting from out of town and had zero cell reception & they helped us getting back to our hotel (shoutout to Mackenzie!) in the friendliest manner possible. Would love to visit again one day! Thanks again to all

Very popular with a great atmosphere. Feels like a vintage pub in. London. Lovely staff; interesting menu. Food good but very very expensive. We had the chicken pot pie and a wedge salad.

After 18 months of trying to get a reservation for dinner I finally snagged a last minute cancellation for Sunday brunch. The service was friendly and efficient, except the young lady front of house greeter/reservations manager. She was unfriendly and officious. We arrived 10 mins early and were seated 5 mins late but she wouldn't let us sit at the bar and wait, even though the bar stools remained empty the whole 15 mins that we waited. She insisted we wait outside in the vestibule and asked us for the name on the reservation 4 times over the course of 15 mins. It made us feel invisible. She just gave off a really unfriendly vibe, not a good first impression. Luckily that was the only negative; the ambience is cozy and comfy, an authentic Victorian Old School British pub vibe without the fake olde worlde cliche feel. We started with cocktails, the Himalayan Gimlet and the Indian G & T, both were excellent. We enjoyed oysters and steak tartare to start and shared fish and chips as the main course (we didn't try any of the classic brunch dishes on offer, although they sounded good). The Giles Noblet wine we ordered was perfect. Deserts were a salted chocolate mouse and a sticky date cake, both were good the cake was exceptional. This has definitely wetted our appetite for dinner, we'd love to try the Indian/English inspired curries and the meat pies. Hopefully it won't take us 18 more months to get a dinner reservation! RECOMMENDED

Outstanding unique don’t miss. It is like stepping back in time. The wallpaper is velvet to the touch. The oil paintings lining the walls are excellent. The ambiance and staff are also excellent. Food is too. We had a partially enclosed booth for 5 of us which was very special. We were lucky to get a 5:15 seat calling weeks ahead and for a Tuesday. Parking along Armitage is easy to find at that time. Good neighborhood to explore with great shops. The pot pies alternate. The beef bone in the center of the chicken pot pie was a surprise and made the pie smaller. It was very good ,however. Everything we had was excellent and more than enough. I highly recommend the smoked trout Caesar salad and share it. There is plenty. We shared two salads between 5. Naan bread and all the sides with it are a must. We felt the prices were reasonable. The staff outstanding.

Ate at the Alehouse on Saturday and the entire experience was amazing. First, as you enter through the front door, you are immediately transported to a London-style pub. The atmosphere is vibrant with lots of action near the bar, but in the back room, diners experience something completely different. The ambiance, music, artwork and furnishings are both eclectic and amazing, preparing the stomach for an amazing dining experience. The appetizers are wonderful. From the creamy cheese dish to the fun and fantastic samosas, your tastebuds will celebrate the occasion. Then came the mouth-watering fish and chips, flavorful-packed Scottish salmon and the unexpected greatness of tandoori chicken. To say they were fantastic meals would be an understatement. Each had a unique style and flavor, and each deserved a medal of achievement. We finished the meal with a French martini, three fingers of Four Roses and the most mouth-pleasing key lime pie one could ever imagine. This alehouse was not only an out-of-Chicago experience. It was honestly out of this world!

We walked up to Armitage Alehouse for bar seating and luckily snagged one of the last slots as they turned over to dinner. The selections available were all spectacular and the ambiance was magnificent. As someone that loves American cuisine with oomph, I would highly recommend this spot if you're looking for an English-inspired experience!

A restaurant that’s so charming could serve average or even sub-par fare and still get business. But this restaurant serves great food in stellar surroundings. I’ve dined in hundreds, maybe thousands of restaurants. And I haven’t visited a spot with the charms and character of this place. To add to the allure, staff are extra friendly and eager to please.