The Dawson Reviews

Good and creative food choices, good service and a fun atmosphere. This place is worth trying. I had the falafel which I liked and the appetizer selection was real good.

We found this place through OpenTable and expected nothing special but we were delighted to find it is great! Service and food were a real pleasure! We had the lamb and the arctic char. Although they have no kids' menu they were flexible and our 8 year old loved her corn dog (a first!) and salad. We would definitely return on another visit to Chicago. Also the outdoor space looks like it would beenjoyable in good weather.

I went here for a fundraising event held on the second floor then decided to stay for dinner with a friend. The service was top notch ,warm and friendly & not too intrusive. I love the feel of the place, It's spacious but still feels intimate at the same time. The bacon macaroni appetizer is very rich & meant to be shared. My friend ordered the meatloaf & I had the chicken florentine. We were both very happy with our selections & would definitely return:)

We were here when they first opened and had not been back. Too bad for us. We loved our dinner and the service was great! Our favorite was the Bronzino! The cocktails were on point, order a few!

I've eaten at The Dawson twice, one for brunch and once for dinner. Both times, I've been very impressed; the food is great, pretty reasonably priced for the area and the service is excellent. The only reason I wouldn't give The Dawson five stars is noise control- this past weekend they seated our small party of three next to a huge group and it was so loud, we had to shout to each other to be heard. The Dawson could either set aside some space for large groups that aren't in the center of the dining room or put some softer surfaces on the walls/ floors to absorb some of the sound.

Great atmosphere! Quality of food not great for price. Fish was under cooked. Steak over cooked. Smoked Carmel ice cream was amazingly delicious! Service was slow.

Dinner was tasty, service was awesome. Very reasonably priced, I look forward to returning and hit the patio!

Beautiful place but very loud and eve dinner is very poor. Meals don't gave great taste, very regular and I believe the quality of the ingredients are not the best. We had chicken and it was certainly not an organic chicken!!!! Sad

Ok, so I came in here to have brunch with my bff. The food was amaze balls. I had the brussel sprouts hash with chicken sausage. This was my 1st time eating brussel sprouts and I decided to experiment on tasting them. OMG!!! The brussel sprouts we're so damn good! I also got a couple drinks. They definitely put a lot of love (alcohol) in those drinks. Lol. I definitely recommend this place for small or large groups. FYI... Parking around this restaurant sucks! I did find metered parking and was a few minutes late and ended up with a ticket.😒... So make sure you are time conscious so that you don't end up with a ticket like I did.

A good place with great ambience - we were lucky to find a table in patio. Reservations don’t accommodate indoor or outdoor but you can wait for a table outside. Patio has a great atmosphere - food is really good, prices were ok and overall a great experience. Kids menu available and a good variety of entrees and starters - had a nice rose sparkling wine

Firstly the place was pretty dark; which generally I don't mind and it was really quite noisy even though it was not full and no guests were being raucous (just seems very little to absorb the sound). The garden look nice but the weather was bad so we ate inside. A good selection of beers and the food was fine but no more. Suffered a little by comparison to the restaurant that we ate at the night before. Service was friendly but trying a little to hard.

Only had drinks before meeting family close at another restaurant. Did peruse the menu and many of the meals sounded good. Would have tried the octopus had we stayed. Happy Hour was both reasonable and selections of beer and liquors was good.

I love having craft cocktails and light app's at this bar / restaurant. It's definitely my favorite in the River West neighborhood. The entire patio is fenced in, but large with a bar area, dinner seating and firepit area. It's a popular spot on the weekends and week nights, so be prepared to wait for a table. The menu does feature a full brunch, lunch and dinner options, but I've only been here for drinks and small events. I enjoy my visit everytime due to the great atmosphere.

Thought it would be nice to give TripAdvisor devotees some information on a great place to hold a party. We had spent a great deal of time researching a venue for our rehearsal dinner party in downtown Chicago, and very happily chose The Dawson. So, here are the results of our labors and hopefully you will enjoy The Dawson as much as we did. We booked the entire second floor which is perfectly laid out for a great party with a big center 4-sided bar, a small "back room" for more quiet and intimate partying, and a great outside deck. Amy Kern, who is their party coordinator, helped create the perfect menu. Lots of passed hors d'oeuvres including a smashing chicken fried lobster (the folks were literally poised at the entry way to the room as servers brought in the trays!), a shrimp gazpacho "shooter", and many more. We kept a charcuterie board, cheeses, and munchies set up all night with seasoned nuts, and other great snacks to balance to drinks. We decided to have carving stations featuring a perfectly done salmon (so very moist and tender), carved tenderloin perfectly prepared and served with a horseradish sauce, and a fantastic smoked chicken (also carved but with very large portions including legs, wings, for those who like to eat right off the bone). Will and his bar tenders kept the drinks flowing at a rapid rate, with house-made specialty drinks and cocktails. There was never a wait at the bar and everyone was happy. Servers so very friendly and accommodating. We did bring our own music (they took it right off the iPod) and had arranged a big screen TV with all of the necessary hook-ups and even someone to manage it for us, for our video and photo presentations for the bride and groom. The venue was great for mingling, and it was a great way for the two families and their friends to spend a very wonderful evening getting to know each other the night before the wedding. The room has perfect "flow" for entertaining. Kudos to The Dawson staff, and if you're planning a party or event in Chicago, this must be on your list!

Great place for group gatherings as this was most of the crowd on Friday night. The steel and cement creates no sound barrier for conversation even in a booth. Suggest you eat outside if you want to talk. Food fresh, organic appealing but pricey for the very small portions and ala carte. Be prepared for small very measured drinks.

The spring salad didn't have much flavor but the pork chops and grits were very good - tasted very rich. Great atmosphere. Service was actually too attentive. We couldn't go more than four minutes without someone hovering over us and checking our water glasses.

Romantic setting with top notch, unique cocktails and incredible dinner dishes and appetizers. By far the best food I've ever had in Chicago!

Very disappointing meal at ridiculous, pretentious prices. The atmosphere here is nice, which is all The Dawson has going for it. Though we live within walking distance, we will never go back. I had the pork chop which was the fattiest, grizzliest piece of pork I've ever had anywhere. This was particularly surprising in a foodie town like Chicago, where the quality of meat is always stellar, regardless of price. Couple this with overpriced drinks and their comprehensively overpriced menu, and it was enough never to go back. I would opine that this establishment would want repeat customers - especially locals. This isn't that kind of place. Perhaps the random tourist might visit and like the atmosphere. Frankly, there is an excellent restaurant right across the street. Given your many choices in the area, I would recommend going there instead.

Luke the waiter was on target. Creating the best cocktails in town. Super neighborhood and location. Food exceptional. Chicken fried lobster and Elotes. Enough said. enjoy!

We decided to go at the last minute for Restaurant Week. What great food! We had Arctic Char, Short ribs, 4 awesome apps (squash, peppers, brussel sprouts, and fried cauliflower), the daily draw of liquor, good scotch, wine and dessert. We loved it. Sean, the sous chef, came over several times to ask how we liked everything and it was all delicious. The waiter was very attentive and pleasant. We asked if they could turn the music down a little and they did! We are going back to try the redfish for two.

First visit to The Dawson. Patio was gorgeous on a summer afternoon. Specialty drinks were interesting and refreshing. Service was wonderful. Will definitely come back to try brunch. Ignore the busy street.

Service was outstanding - waiters moved umbrellas to create shade for our large table - and the craft cocktails are the definite headline here. Wow! The GTO is not to be missed.

This was a spectacular place to eat. I had the mussels which were fantastic! We also had the Dawson salad which also was good. Then another had the burger and the sausage platter. They both enjoyed their dinner. We also had the banana cream pie. That was wonderful along with the hot fudge brownie sundae. Highly recommend this restaurant. Wonderful ambience.

I went to brunch at the Dawson while visiting a friend in Chicago and I can see why she loves it. We sat outside on the patio, which was charming and perfect on a beautiful fall day. There were heat lamps which kept us from getting too cold while sitting. The service was great and all the food we tried was delicious! We started by sharing a cinnamon bun. It was incredible and is a must! We had several different entrees and they were all good. I'm a serious connoisseur of bloody marys and theirs was one of the best, if not the best, that I've ever had! Their mix is perfect and I already want to go back to Chicago to get another one!

Cozy, noisy), tasty, stylish, good atmosphere and nice people. Definitely a place to eat. Better book a table. They serve brunch menu on the weekends.

Stopped here at the end of summer. The outdoor patio seemed nice and pretty crowded,. The cocktails were really good. Didn't try any of the food. Not enough seating in the bar area. Loved the design .

Tucked in a little area west of downtown and south of River West, the Dawson is super close if you're staying downtown, but just enough off the beaten path to feel like you've found something special. This place had great food and really friendly service. It's a large space, full of good energy. Feels very current. We were there in the dead of winter, so were inside, but looks like they have a fantastic outdoor space when the weather is warm. Brought friends who were in from L.A. and they were very impressed.

Dinner for six was a most enjoyable experience at The Dawson, with the large patio doors open and excellent service. The food, especially the Pork Cavatelli, was at the highest level and we were not rushed. Although the menu is a bit limited, it offers a nice variety that is also complimented by an extensive drink selection. Nice place, will be back for sure.

We went to The Dawson on Easter Sunday for brunch with my family, a total of seven people. We ate outside on their patio and it was a great experience. Both the food and the service was excellent. A special "shout out" to Nicholas, our server, who was very attentive and accomodating. A really nice Chicago restaurant.

The outdoor bar was crowded. The drink selection was great. We liked the watermelon salad and the buffalo mozzarella salad. Alaskan salmon special was great as was the milk chocolate mousse parfait with plums.

My wife and I are on our final leg of an almost two month vacation and are now in Chicago visiting our kids. Tonight with our son and pregnant daughter in law downtown having dinner. Our kids are what we consider foodies, so they picked The Dawson. We all enjoyed our individual meals to include a giant bacon burger, oysters as a appetizer, salads, fries, other type potatoes, pork chop etc. The only thing I ordered this time that I would not order again were the oysters. Way too small and tasteless for three bucks each. No other complaints.

Enjoyed cocktails and heavy appetizers on the outdoor patio. Great space with great service and fun cocktails. Ceviche was dry - the roasted cauliflower was delicious - great combination of flavors and texture. Sunset came and the maitre'd arrived with blankets - wonderful addition to a really wonderful evening.

Wonderful atmosphere and great food. Service was very good, with attentive staff. The menu was varied and covered all dietary requirements. A great place to meet and eat.

I was in town visiting friends and for business. A newer restaurant that came highly recommended and I am still trying to figure out if I was at the same restaurant they were referring to. The decor was great, rustic with modern flare. An additional patio adds greatly to the space. Our waitress was not helpful and came across as being quite abrasive. It could have been that we didnt immediately order a drink off their very long list of options. There weren't daily specials and it became apparent that bacon was there specialty, however the only dish with bacon is a flight of bacon you may share with the table or add it on to your burger. I would like to recommend if bacon is your specialty, please add dishes with bacon like a BLT not provide customers with this house delight as an add on for a charge. Additionally, the menu leaves quite a bit to be desired. It has become obvious more time was spent on the drinks than the food. Are they trying to be a bar or a restaurant? Additionally, please have your waiters sample the foods so they are able to talk to the customers like an educated employee about newer things on the menu. 'I dont know if the burger is good, but a lot of people eat it' is not an acceptable answer to those who are trying to decide whether or not they should invest in that dish. And lastly, please ask how I would like my burger to be done, meat wellness is not universal. Another friend ordered the muffinwich which was served with breakfast potatoes and the third friend ordered steak and eggs. The steak came out mooing on the plate. We had to flag down the waitress to cook the food to be edible. All in all, this is a higher priced restaurant with horrible service and less than desirable food.

This place is really cool. First of all I really liked to style of it. I was there for brunch but would totally go back for drinks or dinner. The Blood Mary was outstanding. In a nice summer day is also possible to sit outside which makes it even nicer. The english breakfast was good even though nothing incredible, but the place was compensating for that.

I recently came here with a larger group and we sat out in the back. It’s a very cute space that feels a little bit like an escape from the city. For a drink, I got the Some Like It Hot, which is basically a spicy margarita. It’s very pretty and comes with a pepper in the cup. For my main, I went with the vodka rigatoni with added sausage. The sausage was definitely the best part, so I highly recommend that everyone add it. The sauce itself was also very good. My girlfriend got the steak frites. They have a dedicated gluten-free fryer so she was able to eat the French fries. Unfortunately, her steak was very well done and they didn’t ask her how she wanted it cooked. As to the service, it left a little to be desired. It was pretty slow and maybe it’s because they were super busy inside, but outside was not crowded at all.

Went here with some girlfriends for a casual bachelorette dinner. They were very accommodating of our large group and, considering that many of the dishes are large enough to share, they even did a few split portions for us which made it even easier. The highlight was probably the canteens, which are large batches of mixed drinks that are literally brough to your table in canteens which you free pour yourself until they're finished. Great service and delicious food, I would definitely go back!

This review is long overdue - hosted a dinner party for 15 in the "devil's den" room upstairs. Amy was the event contact at the Dawson who helped with the arrangements - she was very easy to work with, extremely accommodating and helpful. the Dawson is a beautiful restaurant with a metal and glass industrial feel - i love the ginormous windows next to the lobby staircase. the 'devil's den' is a good size room with dark furnishings, with large windows to let plenty of sunlight in. it's semi-private, with curtains separating it from the rest of the restaurant. there was a fireplace, although we didn't use it. the room looked great as it was, but we did bring some small floral arrangements, and candles for the room. was a perfect size for mingling with drinks and appetizers before sitting down to dinner. everyone loved the food and ambience, and it was a fabulous time. our server was outstanding, she was extremely attentive throughout the night. will definitely return, and would plan future events here

The rye & cider drink was perfect on a chilly fall night. We liked the burrata & brussel sprout appetizer and the red snapper tacos.

We only went there for the drinks so I cannot comment on the food. It took us a little while to decide on which cocktails to pick. This is not the average bar where one would order a classic (martini, old fashioned, alexander etc...) it would be a shame. This place has original cocktails that are modern and unique. The result is simply amazing, completely out of the box, perfectly balanced and complex cocktails, a masterclass in mixology. On the plus side, the personnel will take time to guide you. The prices are fair and the layout is on the industrial side, made tastefully (a contrast with the rest of the neighbourhood). If you're looking to challenge your palate without spending a fortune and try something different in a laid back atmosphere, you found the right place.

We met a group of friends here for dinner. We were seated in the room with the bar along the windows. While it was nice, it was a little loud. There are other rooms in which you can eat also. The menu is rather eclectic. We started with the tuna ceviche, heirloom tomatoes and the meatballs. The tuna ceviche was fabulous with fresh flavors as was the heirloom tomato dish. The meatballs were ok but not much flavor. For entrees we tried the house-made cavatelli, the halibut and the butcher’s sausages. Every dish was delicious and full of flavor. The most surprising was the cavatelli. The sauce was amazing and so scrumptious. The side of garlic mashed potatoes was dish-licking worthy! The only disappointment of the night was the dessert of macadamia nut banana cream pie. It had absolutely no flavor at all. Overall, it was a fun night and the food deserving of another visit.

Had dinner here with friends and generally enjoyed the experience. Cool, industrial, multi-floor layout gives the Dawson a great energy. We had great service from an attentive waitress, who gave good advice about cocktails and menu items. Food (I had a sausage platter) was OK, but not great.

From the door you know this place is for the young and the young at heart Boomers . Big industrial spaces and a very large patio with a fireplace that would beckon in the winter.(it was summer though and seriously humid so we decided to eat inside). The food was great, I had a smoked salmon and poached egg dish and the maple sugar bacon was delicious. The omelettes were excellent as well.We really liked our waiter . A perfect place for Sunday brunch.

I can't recall the last time I had such great service at a casual restaurant. They are very accommodating, and truly care about your experience. The spirits list is extensive. The food is fresh. The patio is a wonderful atmosphere.

Visiting Chicago but don't want to have brunch amidst chaos of tourists? Then go to The Dawson. Sophisticated menu & drinks at fair prices. And, if your lucky to go during good weather, there's a fantastic patio. Great for groups and couples, kids welcome too!

Interesting neighborhood, mixologists know their trade! Menu is interesting and you can't go wrong with the outside venue that even has a stone fireplace for cool evenings.

Great food. Attentive service. Food was delicious. Empanadas and chicken fried lobster very tasty. Butchers cut and grilled chicken also very good. They overcooked my steak first round but replaced it. Cocktails are also good, especially liked Some Like it Hot. Flavorful spice with kick. Blueberry corn sundae was unique. Nice patio with covered areas which helped in light rain. Overhead we were celebrating an anniversary and gave glasses of champagne. Nice touch. Adhered to social distancing and masks. Enjoyable evening out.

This place is really cool: modern American food with a bar that serves infused bourbon-based drinks!!! Food is excellent and nicely prepared. I loved the pork mac&cheese, the chicken lobster and the special of the day: bacon wrapped meatloaf. Worth taking the can to this wonderful place with great food.

This is my go-to neighborhood place. Creative food and drinks with a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Ian the bartender is especially good. Try the frozen mai tai. Packs a serious punch with just the right amount of sweetness.

I had an amazing time at this restaurant! I have a lot of allergies and it's hard for me to dine out. The executive chef was sooooo nice and he helped me out figure out what I could eat off the menu. He was accommodating and knowledgable about his ingredients down to the preservatives-my nemesis! I felt confident eating there. The service was super quick and the atmosphere was beautiful. Great place to go to and I totally recommend it. 😊👍👍👍

This is a great indoor / outdoor dining space. The umbrella covered patio and the upstairs balcony areas are really nice for alfresco dining. The wait staff is terrific. Friendly. Accommodating Knowledgeable.Good food. Good beverage selection. The brunch menu was great. Unique options. The chicken fried lobster is a must have app as well as the cinnamon bun. Good energy. Will definitely be back here.

My friend and I enjoyed trying various well prepared dishes. We also liked the vegetarian choices. We didn't feel rushed as we chose different things as we dined.

We’ve been to The Dawson a couple of times a while ago. On our last visit to Chicago we went there again. We didn’t have reservations, so we weren’t able to get a table but luckily we got four seats at the bar. We had a great time shooting the breeze, drinking a couple of beers and cocktails, and a couple of starters. Great service by the bartenders. Certainly a great place to pass the while considering how cold it was outside.

Kind of inconspicuous from the outside, but walk in and you will be amazed at how cool it is. Indoor and outdoor spaces are really neat. Our friends brought us here and we were so glad they did. We ordered a bunch of different appetizers for our party of 4. The focaccia bread was outstanding. As was the asian salad that was more than enough for 4 people. The guys loved the chicken fried lobster and the pork belly lettuce wraps. And the mac and cheese was to die for, so creamy and flavorful. We had great service from a guy that was from Ireland. The owner greeted us too and he was so nice. We would definitely return to The Dawson.

One of my favorite places to eat in the city.I have been living here for 4 years, in 4 different neighborhoods.

Very unimpressive. on the positive side, service was excellent and professional. Aside from that, the food was of mixed review. We were a party of 5- spent $300 (no drinks). Halibut was so so- came with 2 tablespoons (maybe) of mixed vegetables for $45, duck breast was mediocre- tough, and just warm. Again, 2 tablesooons of mixed whatever for $45. Caviteli with sausage was very good, Branzini was prepared beautifully- that was 5 stars. Veggie strudel was a joke. The icing on this cream puff was the 4% surcharge they tried to slip in.. . ASK TO HAVE IT REMOVED AND THEY WILL. All in all… 2 stars. Much better restaurants in Chicago in that price range. AVOID…

Nice space; they have a huge patio. The fish was overdone, not super fresh. Coconut curry was not memorable. Our server smelled like liquor, but since he got the job done, we didn't complain.

Went here for the second time and was pleasantly surprised by the HUGE outdoor dining area. Although the inside is quite cozy, we decided to eat outside and I am glad we did! The service here is phenomenal with lots of staff on-hand and the manager is wonderful (stopped by our table and chatted a bit). The menu, although not large, offered something for even the pickiest eater (husband) and the staff was extremely knowledgeable of gluten free options (daughter has celiac and MUST eat GF). Our table ordered Tuna Ceviche (GF) and Chicken Fried Lobster (not GF) and both were out of this world. I shared the Texas Redfish Tacos (GF) with my daughter and there was plenty for both of us. The fish was moist and cooked perfectly! Overall, we love this little gem and can't wait to go back!

Approaching The Dawson we were unsure what to expect. It has an un-prepossessing appearance in an un-prepossessing part of town and the place was almost empty of patrons. Loud music was playing too. I did not have high hopes but as soon as the food started to arrive I knew we had a winner. We ate appetizers tapas style and they were all declared good - shishito peppers with bonito, lime, soy and sesame (excellent), hummus, BBQ pork cupcakes and baby artichokes with black garlic vinaigrette, almond, parmesan and baby kale. Our choices for entrees were Grilled Duck Leg, Pan Roasted Scallops and Curried Lentils with Grilled Falafel. The food was all very good - the wine was not great. It was all Californian with no European wines at all - instead they offer "tastes like European" wines which, of course, do not taste like anything European. Overall, very enjoyable experience.

We went to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed it very much. It is a large restaurant, two floors, plus room in the bar area on the 2nd floor. There is also a large outdoor area, weather permitting. My wife enjoyed two of the specialty drinks (tequila based). The chicken fried lobster app was very good though almost too filling. She really like the beat salad; the Caesar was fine - more chicken not so thickly sliced and less lettuce would be better. She really like the halibut entre; it is not a huge portion but, with the rest of the food, it was plenty. I had a serving of oysters, which were good. The waiter brought us a glass of champagne after asking whether we were celebrating anything. He was very friendly and knew the menu well. We shared a devil's food cake for dessert and it was delicious. The food was served relatively fast, which was nice. We were never pressured to order anything more quickly and didn't order entries until we were served our appetizers. We parked with valet due to the weather and just arriving on time. I think that we could have found parking in the area if we searched but the $12 fee was worth it. We had read several reviews online about the restaurant, which opened in the Fall 2015, losing its chef (formerly of Next and Alinea) after one month and that the current chef had worked for one of the restaurants. We would not let this influence your decision - we thought it was excellent. It would have been even better if we could have sat outside but it was too hot and eventually a storm hit. Also, unlike many newer restaurants where staff such as hosts are reviewed as snobby or rude, the three women who hosted were very nice and friendly.

The Dawson is a cozy neighborhood joint that is perfect for a summer evening. We ate outside in the ground floor patio. The wait staff was very attentive and able to explain all the nuances of the menu. They were also knowledgeable about the limited wine list. We tried the chicken fried lobster, the roasted corn (excellent), and the mussels (good, but overpriced). Getting back to the lobster, it was a 6 oz tail that was fried. I might just be me, but lobster should be served steamed, broiled or boiled. Any other way masks the subtle flavors of that sweet, delicate meet. Dinner was two dishes that we split. the ladies split the roasted whole chicken. Very good, moist with a crispy skin. The boys split the paella. And here it went wrong. We asked if the chef could turn it in to a seafood paella instead of the vegan variety. For $60 we got a tacky rice concoction that was tomato based, with hardly a hint of saffron. We were told there would be prawns, lobster and mussels in the dish. It had one (1) prawn, three small chucks of lobster and five mussels (small). Here is the good part; they restaurant took that dish off our bill after we complained. One more item of interest. The Dawson does not put bread on the tables. You get nothing to eat until your appetizers arrive. Kudos to The Dawson for removing the paella from the bill. Most dishes are very good to excellent, but stay away from the paella.

We went for dinner. They had good selection of beers. So tasty! They serve regular American food, quite expensive but it feels like a HOT place to go in Chicago. Lot's of up scale individuals ;-). Food was good, service OK maybe more serious than other places , didn't smile that much - but professional.

Visited recently for dinner on a Saturday night. No problem making a reservation and we were seated promptly in the upstairs area. Both floors have a bar and table seating. We liked the upstairs and on the night of our visit, the restaurant was not super crowded. Comfortable setting with a cool bar centered in the room. Lighting and the noise level were reasonable. The cocktail menu is extensive with some creative cocktails. The wines by the class are more limited. We tried the infused whiskey which is made on premise and was tasty. The appetizer selection was good and one could order a batch of appetizers and drinks for a reasonable time. We tried the frites, the pimento stuffed peppers and a grilled vegetable dish. The most flavorful was the vegetable (cauliflower grilled and served on a sauce that had a taste of coconut). The peppers were good. The fries weren't what I was hoping for - super hot variety and thin which is what I think of when I read "frites". More standard fries with a spicy dipping sauce. Our frites were served lukewarm and we had them replace it with fresh. A bit disappointing. There is one vegetarian main course, paella, which was quite good. The rib eye steak was also very flavorful and nicely served with a sized of grilled veggies. We also tried the beef ribs which were mentioned as a special. The meat was tasty. The few veggies were good. I didn't particularly care for the potato puree on which the meat was served - seemed too rich for the dish. The disappointing dish was the salmon. Some good flavors but the fish was served too raw. For the thickness of the cut, it should have been more done and we sent it back for more cooking. The waitress explained that they cook it rare but this just didn't like it was done enough for the dish. Reception was very good and service was good, but not outstanding. Given that we had 2 dishes which we had to return, the restaurant manager was kind and offered us 2 complimentary desserts without even asking. That was a very nice touch and certainly made up for the mis-fires.

We were part of a large private party, and the food was fabulous. From the green salad with fresh strawberries to the chicken, to the chicken fried lobster - all was delicious. The atmosphere was very pleasant and the staff warm and friendly. Excellent service. Very unique mixed drinks - everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend!

Celebrated our 27th anniversary here last night and thoroughly enjoyed our meal and service. Fried chicken was awesome and the atmosphere was great. Came in on short notice after being treated very rudely at a neighboring restaurant so we considered ourselves lucky to find a couple seats here on short notice! Next time we are in the area, we will back for sure. Loved The Dawson!

Had dinner with the family at Dawson. The food and service were excellent. Nice atmosphere inside although noisy . The fried lobster and mussels were great. Our main courses of sausages and the pork chop also were good. Drinks creative and good. All in all very good

Great environment, excellent wine and food selection, conducive layout for parties. Great fun for less formal gatherings too!

If you're in Chicago and looking for a place to eat, you should definitely consider The Dawson. I have been to Chicago many times, but had never been here before. A friend recommended this restaurant and really happy she did. It's a great place for groups and, if the weather is great (as it was when we visited) you'll want to sit in the (protected from the street) outdoor seating area. There's a fireplace there so probably also good if the weather is a little chilly. For my appetizer I have the BBQ Pork cupcake. Yeah! You'll wonder what the heck, but not until you try it. And it was good enough to be a meal. In the mood for even more pork, I also had the pork chop for my entree. I'm not fond of polenta but the chef was great to substitute some vegetables. My friends both had the salmon. Although we had only limited experience with the menu, everything looked/sounded good and we certainly enjoyed our choices. I will definitely be back to The Dawson to try some of the other options when next I am in Chicago, and definitely recommend you check it out also.

There was a wedding in the outdoor space so we still able to sit upstairs. It was Saturday night and they had lively atmosphere. The elote appetizer was yummy. My wife loved the lamb skewers. The roasted beet and strawberry salad was a must try also.

I have been at Dawson for dinner twice with a group of friends and both experiences confirm each other: This place rates poorly on value for money. I have been living in Chicago for almost a year and eat out regularly. It is very rare that I pay nearly $60 for one dish plus one glass of wine and still leave the place hungry. Now I am not looking for a typical american dish and have the European meal size standards in mind and this place still falls short. The portion sizes specially on seafood are smaller than normal portions, the wine by glass menu is rather limited and significantly upcharged. they don't bring any bread to the table unless you request and supposedly pay for it. On the upside the atmosphere is pretty nice, although loud for many of my friends, and the crowd is a good looking crowd. I doubt I will go there for a third time. I pick Piccolo Songio across the street from them for authentic italian food in an upscale atmosphere with much more reasonable pricing.

We came in for a late dinner and had a great meal. Our server was so patient with us and did not rush us one bit, even though we came in so late. They have a great wine list and the appetizers were a great variety as well. The hummus appetizer WAS AMAZING!!!!!! Omg I would go back to Chicago just to eat that again. Yum!! We also had the mahi taco platter; which is a big piece of mahi, with all the accompaniments to make your own tacos. It says feeds 2, but there were 4 of us and we all are plenty. It was phenomenal!!! Again, I will say the service staff was excellent. The ambiance and everything in the restaurant was perfect. We would def recommend to anyone.

The Dawson has a great atmosphere, very nice bar, and excellent drink selection. They seem to have an upscale menu, but the entrees miss the mark. The appetizers are excellent. Try the fried lobster, pulled pork cupcake and the pork mac 'n cheese. We had the seafood paella which was a special for the night. It was described as being loaded with all sorts of great seafood and enough for 3 of us at $60. The paella came out in a skillet sized to make an omelette. While the seafood was good, it was hard to fill an omelette skillet with enough seafood to justify a price of $60. Worse yet, the rice was not cooked underneath so we needed to send it back. My suggestion, try it for the atmosphere, drinks and small plates.

Lovely, smart casual restaurant. Large, spacious space with large bench tables spread out through the venue. Great wine menu, with some interesting blends, Orange and Nautral wines. Some great beer options too. Reasonably priced. Good varied food menu. Atmosphere very buzzing. Staff all friendly, polite and knowledgeable. Located away from the downtown loop, about 20 minute taxi ride away. Would recommend.

I am from out of town but heard a lot of people rave about this place. The burger was excellent as well as most of the appetizers I tried. It does get a little crowded and service can slow down but the staff was very friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this place for lots of different occasions.

Really liked the the ambiance, lively but not noisy, and the service, Meghan was great. Sitting at a small but comfortable table, drinking some wine and sharing a couple of starters - the Bacon-wrapped Dates and the Mac & Cheese were delicious. Very good place to go for some drinks and conversation.

We went for breakfast on a Sunday, and my honest response: NO BIG DEAL. It's very ordinary. Mac 'n Cheese that was not Velveeta but surely tasted the same. Grits and cheese that left us blah! Really nice people, but we came for the cooking.

Ate here with my daughter while visiting from Texas. Seated promptly. Thanks Stephanie! Great patio, lots of room, great vibe, and a delicious tequila to start the evening. Brussels sprouts were among the best I’ve had, and the cauliflower was flavorful and fantastic ... a whole new way to eat cauliflower. Had the the pork pasta dish and my daughter had the pork chop. Both A+, truly memorable dishes (especially the pasta). Friendly, knowledgeable server and “busser.” Excellent restaurant! Great meal!

We went there tonight with friends, who had been there before and knew the owner Marco. We started with pimento stuffed peppers and berate beets with pineapple: all fantastic. Entrees were a chicken fried lobster, fish sandwich, and a Bronzino that was split for one of the couples. We also split a peanut butter and chocolate mousse tower that was divine. We had great service from Gary and were also comped with a glass of prosecco from Marco. If has to make you feel good when you know that the owner is on site and watching the store, albeit with two locations. Five Stars and make your reservation now: you will enjoy the food and the experience.

Met old friends for a quiet dinner out. drinks at the bar, and as always the cocktails were interesting. moved ot a table with a view of the patio, but not out in the wind, so perfect. OUr server did a great job explaining options and we opted for more of a Tapas style evening, beginning with the Pork Cupcakes which were wonderful. Then a few sides and the special (a pork shank) advertised to be shared by 2 but 4 of us were all happy with the amount we were able to carve off of it. The only miss of the evening was the cheese platter. The cheeses were interesting but the presentation, and the other items prepared with it were not up to the standards of the restaurant. We started early (seated by 6) and were pleased with the pace and the noise level, but by the time we were done, it was getting crowded and potentially too noisy for some diners.

We stopped here for cocktails on a Saturday evening. Nothing was horrible but nothing really made The Dawson stand apart. They do have a cute patio for summer months.

This is one of those places where you are not only treated well, but in a way that shows real appreciation for your patronage. A very eclectic menu, the food was excellently prepared. Professional and friendly service. There are a ton of good restaurants in Chicago, but this is one that we will return to.

Trendy, quaint, excellent service and absolutely DELISH brunch!! Went back twice in two weeks from the burbs!! What more needs to be said???? Can't wait to return to check it out at night.

We had a nice meal in their patio area on a breezy night....we had the elotes (corn off the cob - very tasty, nice-size for sharing), the mussels (tiny ones!) which came in a great sauce with toast, and the full-chicken which was glazed with a mustard-mango sauce and was very tender - also an interesting zucchini and carrot slaw in vinaigrette. Our waitress was Gretchen who was very attentive, even though we didn't order drinks!

We recently went to The Dawson with friends and had a great time. Our waitress was really knowledgable and had great suggestions. Service throughout the entire meal was perfect. Everything came out hot and timed well. The support staff constantly wiped our table and brought clean plates and silverware. Everything we ordered was delicious. We started with the hummus, the brussels sprouts, and the fried cauliflower. The portions were very large and, since we had a table of four, they brought extra pita bread. Next we had the wedge salad. The bacon was delicious and smoky. For an entree we shared the arctic char. It was perfectly seasoned and came on top of a bed of spaghetti squash. The dessert was truly the icing on the cake. We devoured the apple donuts. They were served with homemade caramel sauce and red wine sauce that tasted like tangy jelly. During the summer they have a large outdoor patio. We can't wait to come back in the nice weather.

The outside terrace atmosphere is so comfy and fun. Great, great service by staff that really knows their stuff. Mussels were yummy, loved the chicken-fried Lobster and lentil veggies dish. Drinks were generous and wonderful (love the huge ice cubes.)I'll be back, wish I lived in Chicago.

We went here for drinks while waiting for some friends. Good drink selection, and inventive. Wait staff was very friendly as well. Nice outdoor seating; lively atmosphere, but not too loud or too crazy (around 5-7 pm on a weekday). We had to try the bbq pork cupcake coz we were curious -- it was good! We want to come back one day; I heard the brunch is yummy.

This is a gem. The food was pretty decent - dessert (deconstructed strawberry cheesecake) was the highlight of the meal. "Whatchoo Talkin About Willis" drink is strong and DELICIOUS. What really stands out here is the host staff. The night I went was crazy busy and people were behaving poorly toward the hostesses. They acted with grace and composure, and were actually quite fun. First impressions in this business mean EVERYTHING and they nail it. On a nice night, come ready to wait (even with a Rez) for an outside table - indoor tables moved a lot quicker. Bar makes good drinks, so chill out and enjoy!

First night in Chicago, we wanted a quick but good meal. Not very hungry so we ordered a hamburger and split it. (It was large. ) Recommended highly Great wine list; great beer list. Our server was sweet, of course, she grew up in Georgia, where we are from. Since it was our first meal after a long drive we were tired and didn't stay long. Would love to return. I am a senior, and enjoyed the ambiance of this place. Wish I were 30 years younger and lived near here. It would be fun.

This place is firing on all cylinders. Awesome patio, great vibe. Food is delicious and thoughtful. Order the duck wings and you will not be disappointed. Off the chain! chicken fried lobster ain’t all that bad either.

We love the Dawson, just a 5 minute walk from our place and always has great changing, innovative cocktails and delicious food! The bartenders take great care in crafting their cocktails and the service is usually attentive and prompt, though not always presented with warmth, but the quality of service is great. We have enjoyed many great dishes, including the various ceviches, several cheese plate options including a nice Camembert, Shishito peppers, the Wedge salad, and most recently an amazing lamb chili which was phenomenal. The atmosphere is nice, dark, and has an earthy/modern pub quality, and the management makes a point of checking in which ensures things go smoothly. Their sister restaurant The Gage is also great, with a similar but more contemporary feel, but for a solid night out, either place almost always delivers. Definitely recommended!

From the drinks to starters to entrees, you won’t be disappointed. Very unique drinks! All priced at $13. Starters are small plates which can be shared....so you can try a few different options and still have room for an entree. Six different entrees were ordered and all were enjoyed. The weather was nice so they had the doors open so we were able to enjoy a nice breeze from our indoor table.

Very good food even though we had to wait for outside patio. Server was helpful. Restaurant well-designed

We celebrated Mother's Day with a brunch here today. The service was efficient, friendly and knowledgeable, the atmosphere was fun and casual but sophisticated, and the food was terrific! I highly recommend the Bacon Flight. Generous portions of four different house-smoked bacons are served. Each one is delicious and there is even for four to share.

Friends from the city took us here and we really enjoyed ourselves. I started off with one of the evening specials...a Vesper (the James Bond drink from Casino Royale). We had four of the "small plates" (burrata, spicy lamb sausages, tuna ceviche, chorizo fondue, and shared the crispy fried chicken. Everything was tasty and unique.

We had a great night at The Dawson. Branko is the best host. Great food and cocktails, wonderful service. Special treats were sent for our 2 birthday girls. We will definitely be back and can to wait to sit on the patio!

I just recently went to the Dawson to celebrate a friends engagement. We had a large party, the servers made sure we had a drink in our hand the entire time we were there. The appetizers that were served were truly wonderful. I am eager to go back to actually have a meal or go to brunch with my friends. Great place. Great service. Highly recommended.

I’m raving about my recent dinner experience to all my friends. On my first visit last week this place hit the high notes on food, atmosphere and especially service. It’s a beautiful large loft-like space with various seating areas—not too packed in and not so loud that you can’t talk to each other. It’s upscale but casual. Imaginative food and cocktails--food menu relatively small but I think it controls quality best that way. It’s not cheap but in the price norm for Chicago. I can’t say enough about the friendly and professional service from absolutely everyone the night we dined. That makes me want to go back soon and see if it’s always this great.

Beautiful restaurant - great atmosphere- good food. The omelette needs work, but the salmon and prosecco was great! Service was very good.

Visited back to back nights with a couple friends for drinks and apps. Lively spot with good music, good energy and good drinks. Very friendly service. Highly recommend if you're looking for a neat outdoor space. Outdoor patio was perfect both night with temps around 70. Big stone fireplace was throwing off plenty of heat for the lounge area. We didn't have reservations either night. Seated immediately on Fri and waited 30 min on Sat. Recommend reservations if you want a table, especially for a larger group.

There really isn't anything positive I can say about this place. Service sucks. Food sucks. And the outdoor patio everyone talks about is nice, but can't make up for an overall crap experience. We went there for a friend's bday party. When we arrived at the host desk, we gave them the name of our friend so we could find out where the party was located. Neither of the two guys working at it had a clue what I was talking about. So we happened to throw out the name of her boyfriend, which they then recognized. I suggested nicely that they familiarize themselves with name of the bday girl for future guest inquiries and they looked at me like I was speaking another language. We then get to our patio area and immediately order a drink each and an app...the drink comes 20 mins later and then the food comes another 10 mins...and then our order got mixed with another guest's and we had to wait another 5...so no we're at 35 mins for one app - the "shrimp corn dogs", which are so overcooked that the corn part is a dusty shell and you couldn't even tell what you were eating on the inside. We gave everything one more shot and waited another 20 mins for another app that was also so-so. We gave up and went to dinner across the street at Piccolo Sogno. Seriously...don't bother with this place.

I visited The Dawson for the first time with a large group for a business gathering. We took over the upstairs bar that is dark and friendly; open but intimate. And I loved their servers. Across the board, they did a nice job which was a bit of a surprise given the bar setting. And the food - I was expecting bar food - was creative, diverse and delicious! This is not your normal burgers and fries place. If you are planning a large gathering in a friendly, informal, fun spot, I would recommend The Dawson highly.

The Dawson had great reviews but nothing could've prepared us for how great this place would be! The fist dip appetizer is sooooo good that we tried to go home and recreate. ULTIMATE FAIL, so now I'm planning to go back to Chicago just for this dip. =)

Our server Gregory was awesome. He was very knowledgeable about all the food and drink items on the menu. We enjoyed the Chicken Fried Lobster (Awesome) and the Mahi Mahi for 2. We added the Spicy Corn appetizer to our Mahi Mahi on recommendation from Gregory and couldn't have been more pleased. We were not able to enjoy the patio, but it looked very fun for the summer time.

The Dawson never gets old & with great food & one of the best outdoor areas to enjoy brunch. The Dawson has proven it has longevity. The smoked salmon Benedict & smoked mac & cheese were fantastic. Don't forget the homemade cinnamon rolls & bellinis!

Went here with the family for a quick bite and it was well worth it was a little got to sit outside but the beer garden looked very nice We tried a number of dishes and they were all good Highly recommend the redfish tacos

We had a great table close to the bar in the restaurant. Service was great and we enjoyed every thing which we ordered. The Highlight was the fish taco. Ok 50 dollars seems like a lot for taco's. This is a build your own with a large red fish fillet as the centerpiece of the plate. Easily enough for two.

Came highly recommended to stop in for a drink. My sister and I were taking advantage of a beautiful summer evening walking around the city. Will have to come back to eat another time as when we got there it was our last stop before going home that evening. Love the industrial urban atmosphere. Nice selection of wines and craft beers and very friendly staff.

Our group of 12 decided to do Restaurant Week in Chicago at The Dawson, and we were immediately happy with our decision. We were seated right away and quickly felt a warm and inviting atmosphere from the staff. Drinks were a tad slow, but it was a busy Saturday night. Each of the three courses had 3 choices which was perfect. Yes, the Duck Wings app was one of the choices. Not only are they amazing, but the staff made sure to remind us to eat the bread that they come served on - Yum! The entrees and desserts were all delicious, as well, and the price seemed very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. The dropping of a star from my rating is due to the drink prices. I know it's the city, and you need to accept that these places employ "mixologists", but it felt a bit excessive. That said, I would return based on an otherwise stellar experience.

Was in Chicago on business and came with a bunch of colleagues. Ordered a lot of apps and entrees family style so we all had a chance to try out everything. The chicken fried lobster was awesome! But then again, everything was really well prepared and just plain tasty. Loved the outdoor space with the fireplace.

We attended a wedding and were pleasantly surprised how well the operation was run and how the staff managed the guests. Vanessa, Chris and Gavin were a pleasure to watch behind the bar - true professionals. The food was hot and delicious.

We all had great food and drinks. The seating outside is so cozy and nice for a summer in the city. I had a burger and loved it.

We had a private reception and dinner on 5/22 for clients. 18 of us. We had the entire upstairs and a private room. First...Jessica took care of our group and she is an amazing representative for the Dawson - extremely helpful, courteous and professional. The meal...appetizer and salad chosen in advance and we had entree choice. This killer app was devoured by everyone. I was able to snag a second helping: chicken fried lobster. Sounds weird and there isn't any chicken but wow...and the spicy ranch dipping sauce. Zing! Once again, my kryptonite of burrata surfaced, thank goodness. Served with marinated peas and speck ham. I don't eat meat so i picked around it very easily. Incredible halibut for my choice - served with artichoke heart, campari tomato. We indulged with some carrot cake too. We were all so impressed with the service and quality of food. Hats off because pulling off this type of experience...day after day...is much more difficult than most people know - next time, will return and sit outside where they have the coolest outdoor space with fireplace & communal tables. Found out that Billy Lawless is the owner - he owns The Gage too - and I have been there. Have heard he is a very nice person too.

Had a good time, food and service were very good. Location is a little busy. Warm weather would be a good time since they have a large outside area.

By far, this establishment aims to please - especially when the management greets you at your table to welcome you and back again to make sure your expectations were met. Ours were and I highly recommend the chicken fried lobster as a must have item. The lobster meat was tasty and the breading was subtle and did not overpower the flavor of the lobster. We had a Spring Pea Tart that was as beautiful as it was delicious and refreshing. The burger was great as well. The milk chocolate mousse was great for chocolate lovers. Great ambiance, great food and service!

The redfish tacos are very good. The restaurant had good in-house cola and ginger beer, and a huge selection of other drinks at the bar. The service was amazing and the manager (owner?) came by and was talkative and helpful. The lobster tails were good, but quite pricey and small portion.

Had a 'date night' on a week day at The Dawson and really enjoyed the service - great recommendations! We enjoyed a few of the cocktails - creative and tasty - before sampling a number of dishes. We will be back again soon.

The food was delicious! The cocktails were tasty! A tad expensive, but worth it. I would definitely go back the next time I go to Chicago.

Delicious! Super busy and loud brunch, service was great and our food was amazing! We loved everything!

Review of bar only - lousy overpriced drinks, mixed clientele, and rude bartenders...Reviews of food were so good that I thought surely the bar would be the same - Too many GREAT places to get a cocktail in beautiful Chicago - NEXT!

My husband and I loved the food, the ambiance, and the experience. You can easily deduce that from other reviews; however, I believe what must be highlighted are their old fashioneds. Chicagoans love a good old fashioned (and we've been on the quest for Chicago's best). Of all of the restaurants we've been too, The Dawson's are pretty much unrivaled. They're the right ratios to get all of the flavors you want, and their seasonal shake-ups are just the right amount of deviation from the original to feel unique while still keeping it classic. Kudos, The Dawson!

Great meal and drinks. Highly recommend. The craft old fashioned is worth your time and then some again and again

Great addition to the neighborhood. The outdoor patio is to die for. Great craft cocktails and a decent menu - a little on the expensive side. You must try the lobster appetizer The service was very good.

Great food, great drinks, great service and an outdoor seating area to enjoy it all in. Everyone needs a foodie daughter to find and try new eclectic gems and then bring us along. Such was the Dawon. An unassuming place from the outside but decidedly trendy indoors (and outdoors!). everyone enjoyed their cocktails but I would have to give special mention to the Counselor's Hooch -all I can say is "yummy!". we had a bit of a hint on the appetizers from our daughter and she once again did not disappoint - the grilled octopus and chicken fried lobster are a must. All of the entrees were delicious but the fish tacos exceeded all expectations and big enough to split.

Interesting food and great service. Very warm and friendly. The shared tables were nice and spacious. Not crowded. We would go back.

We found this gem after reading so many good reviews and it did not disappoint!! Inventive plates, the tortellinis are out of this world; halibut dish was excellent too - price/quality ratio is excellent. The service was flawless; you can tell that the owners value their customers experience. And although we like to try new places, we would definitely go back on our next trip to chicago. They also have a gorgeous patio!!

I like the look of the place; the garden is outstanding, and we enjoyed a separate dining room with a large group of friends, which was quieter than the other indoor spaces. Fine drinks, and the food was good, too.

We sat upstairs, where we saw that in nice weather you could fine outside. Our server recommended the scallops, and they were as good as she promised. The pumpkin tortellini was wonderful: I suggest that as a Fall choice

A table for eight on a Saturday morning without any difficulty. Selections of the group included smoked pumpkin humus, with spiced pepita, red onion, and paprika served with naan; Nancy's Camembert with local honey, apple, served with a baguette; Pork Mac & Cheese sporting smoked pork shoulder, bacon, sausage, 3 year cheddar, herbed bread crumbs topped with a fried egg; Vegetable Hash with a fried egg, Swiss chard, squash, tofu, scallion, cornbread, topped with mushroom gravy; Devil's Mess Baked Casserole of brie, broccoli, roasted mushrooms, dill crema, and miche; Smoked Salmon and Soft Scrambled Eggs with grilled miche, horseradish, dijon, watercress, crispy capers, and chilies; The Dawson Burger with 8 oz ground beef, "American" cheese, balsamic-grilled onion, oven-dried tomato, lettuce, and thousand island dressing on a brioche bun. Service was amazing and overall a very relaxing meal.

Truly happening place! Excellent staffing and attention to detail and food that is soo delicious you won't be disappointed!!

The Dawson is in a hip neighborhood full life. Attended a rehersal cocktail hour and it was so fun. The lower level consisted of the bar and dining area. Cocktails were served upstairs - great balconey area overlooked outdoor patio seating and all the movement in the street. Valet parking is available. The chicken salad served in lettuce cups was a BIG hit. Wish we had more time in Chicago-would have returned to sample dinner. Great food and service - staff was beyond helpful

We had an informal, meet and greet with. Business colleagues on a very cold Chicago night. We drove in from the suburbs and appreciated the valet parking. The food was amazing and the service was friendly and attentive. I will be back!

Gracious hosts greeted us at the door. Wonderful service continued all evening. Meghan, our server, took good care of us. Our busboy was topnotch too--our water never was empty, and he was especially friendly. Food was delicious as well. We loved our shared appetizers. We're gluten-free, and Meghan helped us navigate the menu with ease. Generous pours of wine and excellent beer selection rounded out our meal. Ambience is terrific too. This is a keeper. We'll be back!

Chicken friend LOBSTER is all I have to say!!! Tomato salad was great as was the burger. Great beer selection ! I would definitely come back.

I live in the neighborhood and went to Dawson on the opening right, It was fantastic. I have been meaning to go back to enjoy that beautiful outdoor area in the summer, but sadly never made it. I seemed to have forgotten about the amazing meal. The snowstorm this weekend was a blessing in disguise. I was meeting my friend for brunch and didn't want to travel far so the Dawson came to mind. I am so glad that we decided to go there... IT WAS AMAZING. Honestly the best brunch I have had in the city. We ordered the biscuits and tasso gravy and the english muffinwich. The andouille sausage was to die for. Everything was cooked perfectly and the flavors were amazing. After a delicious meal and many peach bellinis I remembered how good there craft cocktails were so we made our way up the the bar. Do yourself a favor and order the eaglescout. I am a vodka drinking, but was feeling adventurous and ordered this whiskey drink. It is now one of my favorite drinks. I came home to my husband and we have plans to go back for brunch in a couple weeks. This is now my favorite brunch spot in the city. Do yourself a favor and go!

Had a really great Sunday Brunch here! We sat outside on the terrace and loved the surroundings. The iced coffee was amazing, they serve the La Colombe Cold Brewed Coffee, and it is so so good, even my coffee hating mother had one and enjoyed it!! I got the Avocado Toast which was so good, it was like a salad on the worlds thickest toast! It was a great brunch spot and wasn't to overrun!

We love this place! The food and service are always great! The only problem is sometimes it can get loud in this restaurant. We love the whole fish is amazing!!

There were 4 of us on Sunday the 22nd..got there at 5pm and ordered all the appetizers. What a great place. The other couple lives in the city and were very happy and could not understand the negative comments they had heard. My husband and our friend are CIA alumni and in the business. We all will be back for more.

Enjoying another dinner with family. Real lit candles in this hip and eclectic modern American cuisine by Chicago’s River West neighborhood Pretty little cocktails called Tripping Billies. Small sharing plates is the way to go to sample as much of the delicious cuisine. Beets salad, octopus, chorizo fondue, chicken fried lobster. We split 2 entrees and 2 desserts - the Brown butter Blondie sundae and Chocolate peanut butter crunch was heavenly. .

Recently visited The Dawson after reading about it in an online article about places to watch the World Series and get great food. Wow, was the writer spot on! From the minute we sat down, everything was so fresh and delicious. The beet and burrata salad was amazing, as was the diver scallops and roasted chicken entrees. We were very happy with everything and didn't want to leave! In addition to the food, the service was outstanding as well.

This is a great place. Lots of noise, but like to going on. Must try the chicken fried lobster, the steak and the corn. Would come back to this place again and again when visiting Chicago.

I really like the space they have here - upscale without being pretentious or hipster. We have been here a few times, including St. Patty's day and have always had great service and great cocktails. They also have good craft beer on tap as well.

Our group of nine family and friends gathered at The Dawson for a birthday celebration dinner. What a treat from beginning to end. The group shared a variety of small plate starters, including chicken-fried lobster, Spanish octopus, roasted beet salad, vegan salad and roasted cauliflower. Entrees amongst us included Hudson bay scallops, arctic char, hanger steak and the Dawson burger. Desserts included fried apple pie, chocolate peanut butter crunch, pumpkin swirl cheesecake and bourbon caramel blondie sundae. Appropriate and delicious wines were selected to accompany the meal. Everyone at the table shared bites of everything, and I can honestly say that everything I tasted was excellently prepared and incredible. But the food and drink was only the beginning. The wait staff and management took care of our group in a friendly but totally professional manner. In all, it was a wonderful and memorable evening.

The daily specials can be very good, particularly the $10 burger & beer deal. They were also nice enough to substitute a nice salad (with fennel) for the fries, so I didn't totally gorge out. The process-based cocktail was excellent. The waitstaff is very attentive, the decor is subdued and upscale. There's a Divvy station 1 block away, so we can get here easily.

We are experiencing beautiful, mild weather this Fall in Chicago and I can't think of a more charming spot to enjoy some outdoor dining. The space is beautiful and the roaring fireplace and candles set a romantic atmosphere after sunset. Inspired appetizers included sun-chokes and flat breads, great service. I love this spot.

My employer rented out the upper floor of this restaurant for a group outing. The upper floor also had a very nice balcony. iThe bartenders were so friendly. Because of health issues I cannot have alcohol or grapefruit so I asked the bartender to whip me up something delicious and he did just that! I cannot tell you what all he put in that drink but there was citrus and mint and it was really tasty. Now for the food, we had 3 seafood towers. On the bottom was oysters on the half shell with chimichuri sauce. The second layer was chilled shrimp and on the top was lobster and crab. Everything was fresh and delicious. That was the appetizers. For dinner there was roast pork, roast chicken and seasonal salads. I would recommend this plan to anyone looking for a nice place for a group to meet after work.

Young, vibrant crowd at The Dawson. The house cocktails are creative in name, preparation and taste. The interesting menu is tasty and it is easy to share small plates. Dining on the lovely patio, creates an intimate environment and you can leave the big city behind. Great for a date or to celebrate a special occasion with family and friends.

Another great location for Owner Billy. His restaurants are superior every time. We dined with friends. Swanky atmosphere with flavorful dishes to share. The cocktails were well done. The vibe is upscale club like so you want to linger. They have an expansive outdoor patio in the summer. We look forward to returning.

The outdoor space is amazing, the food is wonderful and the service was stellar. I will be going back again and again.

Headed here for brunch with my husband and loved it. This place was once a fireplace mantel company and has a pretty good vibe. We made reservations and wanted to sit outside on their awesome looking patio. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, we left the house and it poured. The hostess was able to move us to a nice window seat for two. Now I will say that it is quite loud in there. There is nothing to absorb noise but definitely lively crowd. Our waitress greeted us promptly. We started with cocktails and coffee. We then moved on to brunch. I ordered Slagel and Steak chilaquiles. Now I’m pretty particular about the crunchiness of my chilaquiles, but these passed with flying colors. The tomatillo salsa was also well balanced. My husband order the BLT, it too was impressive with really thick bacon. The fried egg really topped it off and made it a winner. Overall, we enjoyed the atmosphere and we would definitely come back.

We sat out in the open area because it was a warm evening, but the main indoor part with a bar counter had a good atmosphere too. It was very busy ( Friday night) but service was coping with that. I was a little disappointed by the food, my pasta was over cooked , however we shared a starter which was lobster tails and that was excellent. The dishes I think were overpriced for that type of restaurant, and for the quality of food they were producing. For a “tavern” they only had one choice of IPA. Our waiter told us that that was because it is not very popular, however there is a bar in Fulton market nearby with at least 6 IPAs on offer confirming the present popularity of craft beers all over the USA.

First time at The Dawsons patio and it's fantastic! I've dined inside several times and loved everthing I've tried and the cool loft/ industrial vibe. Somehow I missed going to the patio (many great alfresco spots in walking distance to me.) Well it's a great space, lots of seating and an outdoor bar. The manager came to our table as soon as we were sat to be sure a server had already got to us - and they had. Service was impeccale, there when you want them and out of site when you don't. I HIGHLY reccommend getting the Rockfish for two! I went with 3 girl friends instead of my hubby - on a Wednesday night and it was packed. We shared hte ceviche - awesome and I usually do not like ceviche. It is coverd in kind of a fine potato chip and then they pour "tigers milk" over it , a coconut milk concoction. We also had the spicy mussels, everyone loved, and a few other apps....can't remember because we then spit the duck confit with duck sausage (I only had a few bites, but good) and the amazing Rock Fish with "all the fixins"! That is taco fixins and it's incredible and HUGE. The four of us could not finish it. I am going back just for the Rockfish seriously. I'm a born and bread Chicagoan. If you are a traveler, do not end up eating at some touristy place off of Michigan Ave with bad food, that no one from here would ever go to. The Dawson is off the beaten path, but worh it (Piccolo Sogno, best Italian food in the city is across the street). You'll be happy you checked it out!

Ate here on a business trip with a group of 5- the 5th person was a last minute add to our reservation and they were kind enough to accommodate. Design of the space is very cool, nice atmosphere. Our waiter was friendly, talkative, and helpful. All of the food we had was good- the mussels, chorizo fondue, Brussels sprouts, elotes, and chocolate peanut butter pie. Like other reviewers have said, it was all a bit salty but that was the only complaint. Reasonably priced as well, would recommend!

Restaurant is on the outskirts of downtown Chicago waiting on Grand Avenue. Very nice and modern inside with some very unique dishes . Interesting drink menu with some unique twist also. Great service great food and it is just totally beautiful inside and they do have a little patio should you want to eat outside. Great place highly recommend it

First time @ this place! Fun & great drinks....atmosphere was great but a little loud for my personal taste!

Great food and service. The cauliflower side was perfectly prepared. The craft cocktails were well designed and executed

A friend was visiting Chicago and, after having heard a lot about the Dawson, we tried it out. Great atmosphere. The restaurant has two floors, with a bar on each floor, and a really dramatic entrance. The interior of the restaurant was almost empty because it was a gorgeous summer evening in Chicago and the Dawson has an awesome outdoor patio with a full bar and lots of seating. No complaints there. We started at the outdoor bar with a cocktail. Very nice cocktail program at the restaurant with several tempting selections. The bartender was very busy (probably a little too busy) but very nice and prepared our cocktails successfully. We got seated at a lovely outdoor table. That is where the cruddy service began. Our server was not particularly nice and was clueless about the menu and wine--not what you expect from a trendy Chicago restaurant of this price point. The pace of service for the remainder of the meal was slow. I am relatively confident it was an isolated issue with our waiter--our water glasses, for instance, were dutifully refilled by others working the dining floor. Thankfully, the food was much better than the service. The menu had lots of appealing options; we chose to order a bunch of small plates and forgo the main coarse. The green salad was delicious, with a really wonderful dressing. Smashed potatoes had tons of flavor. Albacore ceviche was wonderful--fresh with additional flavors that did not overwhelm the fish. Roasted corn had a good bite of spice. The only ehhh dish was the beet salad--it had a little too much going on. Overall, a really nice meal. Would have been 5 were it not for lousy service. I'll go back and just hope it was an off night, service-wise.

The Dawson , an excellent restaurant serving American food. Great in quality and service. We were a group of 10 and everyone was pleased. The drinks , salads , appetizers & the main course all good.

This is a place with the food and drinks are great but at some point that doesn't even matter because the atmosphere is so beautiful!

Had the flight of bacon as an appetizer. A little fatty but full of flavor. Had no wait to sit down on the patio for Saturday brunch, and the service and food were great! Recommended!

On a lovely spring day, we made a reservation here for Sunday brunch. The restaurant has a large patio, and it’s great for outdoor dining. We were seated right on-time. The restaurant is (somewhat annoyingly) using QR codes for menus right now; the mobile menu is a PDF that is tough to navigate on a phone. The brunch menu was small but had what you’d expect: salads, sandwiches, some egg dishes, etc., and a bunch of cocktails. Food was solid. A kale/spinach salad with homemade green goddess dressing was tasty; the chicken added was moist. Smoked salmon toast was a winner. The burger was good. The disappointment was a fried chicken sandwich, which was made soggy from too much sauce. Service was nothing remarkable but not bad at all. Overall, a solid place for brunch.

I have a cardinal rule when it comes to restaurants: don't close the kitchen before you take the last call from every table. Well, The Dawson failed miserably at this. First, they gave us dessert menus stating that while last orders were supposed to be taken 45 minutes prior, the kitchen was still open. Then, a few minutes later, a guy comes by saying that the kitchen is completely closed and they can't serve us dessert. He offered us whiskey shots instead. Um, nope. And they ended up comping the last round of drinks. But I'm sorry, that level of neglect is simply inexcusable (I should also mention that my 3rd drink never arrived). When I complained later to our original waitress, she copped an attitude saying in very clipped tones "I know. I'm sorry." and just walked away. This is the first time we have EVER left a restaurant without leaving a tip. But unfortunately it was so well deserved. I'd been looking forward to trying the blueberry cheesecake sundae but unfortunately won't be back here. The food we had was OK, but not stellar, and there are way too many restaurants in this city that offer great service and good food to even consider putting The Dawson on your list.

Great bar near the loop with an outstanding patio. Love the brunch menu and the beer list is representative of mid western beers. Worth checking out if you want a break from west loop or loop people.

Spouse and I attended for lunch last weekend for first time. Had to wait to be seated although the place was empty. Receptionist was on the phone and did not even acknowledge us. The choices were limited so say the least. Beer (two) was good but food was subpar. Manager came by and tried to solved the bad bread issue which improved but I ended up with a completely different flavor. Service was average. There was a dirty napkin on bench that I asked to be removed. The place looks nice minus spherical lights. In all, I doubt that I would return based on choices alone. Although both the Gage and the Dawson have the same owner it is obvious that one is superior to the other at all levels. Last $52 for this lunch was not worth it.

Got there right as the last call for food was taking place. Had moved from a nearby venue that was a little too loud and were looking for a place to continue the night. Loved the gigantic mozzarella sticks and the peppermint espresso martinis were phenomenal. Happily adding to my Chicago places to return for more food and drinks.

Two words, people. Bacon Flight. Yep, you shouldn’t need to hear anything else to decide to check out The Dawson. We were in the neighborhood, and decided to check out their cocktails, and we were not disappointed. They have a creative list of drinks, and with stellar bartenders like Chris behind the bar, you can’t go wrong. Besides their own Dawson cocktail creations, they served up some mean classics, like a perfectly mixed Gin Gimlet. The drinks weren’t only delicious, they were beautifully presented. And when you get peckish, the Bacon Flight is a perfect dish to share, and the rest of the menu looks worthy of a return visit. Cheers to The Dawson!