Tortoise Supper Club Reviews

4.5

43 of 8,892 Restaurants in Chicago


Reviews

Old world elegance

By Joanne T |

My friends and I stopped by for drinks and appetizers. We shared oysters and shrimp plates, which were very good. We each tried a cocktail specialty, which were all good - the Southside, Blood Orange Harpoon, and Old Fashioned. However, as good as the food and service were - it is the atmosphere which is phenomenal. The old world elegance is not stuffy but warm and inviting with perfect jazz accompaniment.

So good we went two nights in a row, but very pricey

By E S |

We had dinner here after a day of sightseeing in River North Chicago. We were greated warmly by the hostess, Ms. S and the restaurant manager (didn't get his name.) Jessica was our server, and she was excellent. She was very attentive and made excellent suggestions when asked. I had the filet mignon and asked for the truffle sauce. It was melt in your mouth good. My husband had the dover sole. I had a little taste of it, and it was also fantastic. We had cocktails before dinner, cuz...it's a supper club, and we were not disappointed. We took a pass on the bread as it sounded very heavy. We did opt for the ice cream for dessert and were comped a decadent cake/brownie. After dinner, we hopped into the bar to catch the jazz trio. There were accomplished, but alas, nothing to write home about. Our experience was so good that we went again on the following evening. Ms. S and manager greated us by name (they remembered our names!) took us to a lovely table in the back of the room. Our server was Chimme, and he was just great. We opted for the bread this time. It was good, but as suspected, it was too heavy to enjoy more than a taste prior to a meal. I had the salmon, scrumptious, and my husband had the roasted Amish chicken. Both were expertly prepared and not as pricey as our meals the night before. We will definitely return next time we are in River North. I would really like to try the buttermilk calamari and a pink squirrel! We were surprised by the number of empty tables. We credited that to Lolla Weekend, and the menu is probably too high end for younger diners. Also, the ambiance is dark and warm, like a supper club. It is NOT a bright lights, industrial accents, and chrome vibe.

The Tortoise Supper Club is tops!

By RAY K |

We celebrated our 49th anniversary at Tortoise Supper Club, and it was a truly memorable evening. The atmosphere was warm and elegant, perfect for a special occasion. Our server, Chime, was outstanding, adding a personal touch by singing "Always" after dinner that made the night feel even more special. We both had the salmon Wellington, which was beautifully prepared—perfectly flaky pastry wrapped around tender, flavorful salmon, accompanied by a rich and well-balanced side of creamed spinach. For dessert, we shared the peanut butter pie, which was decadent and delicious —a perfect ending to the meal. From start to finish, the experience was first-rate. Tortoise Supper Club delivered not just a great meal, but a warm and celebratory atmosphere that helped make our anniversary one to remember. Highly recommended!

What an amazing place for dinner!

By Rich C |

Service was excellent, cocktails were terrific, and the food was amazing! I appreciate a restaurant where the owners are on site and making sure you have a great experience. We went with the server's recommendation of meatloaf and Chilean sea bass, and both tasted amazing. I wish I knew their secret to making something as simple as meatloaf taste that special and delicious! We will definitely be back again!

Holly Golightly would love this place

By Taylor B |

Inspired by a scene in the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany's where Holly Golightly's cocktail party if swanky, sophisticated and energetic while also warm and welcoming, owners Keene and Megan Addington established Tortoise Supper Club in 2012. Located at 350 North State Street, in the Chicago's bustling River North neighborhood, in the Marina City complex, it is a comfortable, romantic and intimate atmosphere that features art and artifacts celebrating Chicago's history and live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. And I was introduced to the whole show via a first-class website that is one of the best I've seen. Open from 5 to 9 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 5 to 10 on Friday and Saturday, chef Pablo produces such delicacies as prime rib, steaks, seafood, lobster bisque, beef Wellington, Chilean sea bass and home-made pies and home-made ice cream. At evening at Tortoise Supper Club starts in a unique manner with a relish tray served on a spinning lazy Susan and continues with signature bread Boule stuffed with mascarpone and gorgonzola cheeses and drizzled with garlic butter. From there, I ordered a colossal shrimp cocktail with bloody Mary cocktail sauce, a bowl of lobster bisque with fresh lobster meat and a Classic Caesar salad with spicy Caesar dressing, white anchovies, parmesan croutons, parmesan cheese and fried chestnuts. For my entree, I chose Dover Sole, pan sauteed with fresh lemon and Menniere sauce. With buttery mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. For dessert, I couldn't resist a large slice of key lime cheesecake with raspberry sauce, whipped cream, lime zest and coconut brittle. Why did it take me so long to discover such a wonderful fine dining experience?

Impeccable service from the wait staff to the most delicious food we have had in Chicago.

By Jamesville |

We ate as a family of four at The Tortoise on October 31, 2025. We had a fabulous and detailed waiter named Luke in the main dining room. The room was gorgeous and beautifully maintained. Luke did a phenomenal job at explaining every item from cocktails to wine to the food. We dined on delicious food from lobster bisque, shrimp cocktail, oysters, crab stuffed mushrooms, scallops, beef wellington, sea bass and their filet oscar. After our incredible meal we headed to the bar for live jazz and dessert. Jorge was our waiter and was so personable and attentive. Dillon and Linda at the bar made fabulous drinks and great conversation. We met Chime and Tino who could not have been more kind and engaging. Don’t forget to ask Chime to sing. He has the voice of an angel. The Tortoise truly cares about your overall experience and did not miss one detail. We will be back and have made this our favorite spot to dine in Chicago.

Classy bar and great jazz

By Tracy S |

Stopped in for a cocktail on a Friday night and enjoyed an excellent jazz trio in a wonderful setting. Drinks were medicore, but atmosphere was top notch.

A visit back to Ole Chicago when Jazz was Jazz

By James H |

This is a classic looking 1930’s Old Chicago Jazz bar/Supper club with a good vibe. A bar area surrounded by high top tables that encircle a piano-jazz- setup on the one side and an opulent large supper club room with wall booths and cozy tables in the center A third room called the. “Red room” is an intimate setting with a fireplace. Sergio served us in an informative and very helpful manner. He was attentive to our every need. The Beef Wellington is on a World Class level and the Prime Rib is Top Notch. Finish it off with a Crème De Mint milkshake and journey back to the bar to soak in the Jazz vibe

Classy restaurant for superb food & atmosphere

By jenned17 |

It’s classy. It’s trendy without being pretentious. There’s a vibe. The wait staff is excellent. There was live jazz music in the background. The bread was exceptional and like nothing I’d had before. My chocolate martini was on point and the wedge salad and meatloaf superb. Others in my party had steak and said it was on point. The peanut butter pie was to die for. Highly recommend this cool spot in Chicago.

Not a supper club but rather a super experience

By desrlmt |

Don’t be put off by the appellation of “supper club.” The only respect in which it merits that name is the big band music of the 1930s & 40s that could be heard occasionally above the din of a packed house. If you like dining in near-silence, go elsewhere! As for me, I love the energy of a crowd—both for its own sake and the validation of Tortoise as a great place to be.  And it is a great place to be … for the food, of course, and also for the sumptuous decor, the skill and friendliness of servers, and other touches—barely noticeable—that contribute to an overall impression of class, style, and suggestion of the Jazz Age or War Years, when Americans by the millions were pushed to venues such as Tortoise by no tv, no air conditioning, no computers or iPhones or virtual reality. Getting back to the future, my wife and I had a halibut special that was perfection in preparation—a slightly blackened, crispy skin on top and melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness beneath. Dessert was cherry pie the way I prefer: oodles of Michigan cherries with only a touch of sweet filling and a bold but flaky crust. As fior pricing: Tortoise is in line with fine dining in downtown Chicago, meaning about $250 for two, with drinks, taxes, and tip. It’s worth it.

Top notch all around

By gerard D |

We had an early dinner and took part in their Happy Hour appetizers. Sergio, our waiter, and Manny, his assistant, never missed a beat. Very attentive and polite service. Our dinners, off the menu, were the Chilean sea bass and the New York strip steak--we shared for our own surf-n-turf. Sergio helped us select a wine to complement our choices. The meals were perfect--some of the best we've had. A caveat: although their web site says there is valet parking, that is spotty. The restaurant does not control the valet service. It was not available when we pulled up. There is a parking garage somewhat across the street that was only a few dollars more than the valet. We hope to return.

PERFECT

By R_981 |

We loved the design (actually want to have something like it in out home office), dark woods and tufted leather. Bar had the best cocktails (whisky sour is amazing). Chad, the waiter, was outstanding. Had delicious oysters, bone marrow (!!!), delicious scallops and out of this world Oscar-style bone-in ribeye. Finished up greatly with the Tortoise cake.

Superb Client Dinner

By Tracy T |

We hosted a private dinner for clients in the Red Room and it was top notch. From the moment I began planning the event with Kelli through the final closeout of our bill everything was well thought out and seamless. Planning an event when you are not in the area can be very stressful, but Kelli took care of everything and made it very easy. The event consisted of the jazz trio, caricature artist and a 3 course meal which was top notch and something that our clients will not soon forget. Well done to all the staff at Tortoise Supper Club

Excellent service!

By Gigi |

The food was amazing! And our server, Sergio O, made this experience even more amazing!! Genuinely a good server, who made us feel incredibly comfortable and welcomed.

Go and live the experience!

By Eduardo P |

My experience in the restaurant was wonderful we were 4, our server was Jorge ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ he is beyond exceptional. The food amazing, attention to every detail, everyone was so kind and attentive. Highly recommended, we felt like we were in a movie!

Excellent service, food, atmosphere

By klhacker |

We recently booked a business dinner for 40 people in the Red Room and the event was wonderful!! We had many compliments about the food and service! I was especially impressed with the quality of the staff; they were engaging and knowledgeable, ensuring our guests were informed in a fun way. In this environment where good service is hard to find and retain, you have many treasures at the Tortoise Club. The event managers were patient and easy to work with as we finetuned the details. And the warm feta-stuffed bread was amazing!!

Good But Not Great

By Persecutor |

We visited in 2017 on a previous trip to Chicago and thought the place was fantastic but on this occasion were a little disappointed. It was a quiet Monday evening however so this probably detracted from the whole experience and atmosphere of the restaurant and bar. Service was first class and the small team working seemed all very efficient and our server for the evening was great and very knowledgeable. We just felt the menu had changed a bit since our previous visit and perhaps lacked in choices and we struggled to perhaps find an appetiser that we wanted to eat. Main courses of chicken and halibut looked and tasted great and after leaving some room for dessert we were again a bit disappointed by the slight lack of options and if you are not a fan of ‘pie’ you may be a little disappointed. Our waiter did suggest the cherry version which we wouldn’t normally have considered and it was very nice. On the whole we just felt a little deflated as based on our previous visit we had expected so much and came out feeling a little disappointed although the service was great and the food...Good But Not Great!!

A hidden gem

By Lisa Moore |

This establishment has a very nice and cozy atmosphere. The food is outstanding! Our server Janelle was simply amazing!!!! This is a romantic place that is perfect for a special night out!

Chicago institution

By Eugene S |

Great menu with lots of options. OUTSTANDING Old Fashion. My wife loved her sea bass. I was very impressed with the stuffed walleye. Cherry pie should not be missed. Excellent service and ambiance. A true supper club; I understand the hotel concierge who called it a Chicago institution.

Tortoise and the snare!

By mikeylovestotravel |

Really enjoyed our first time visit to this gem of a supper and jazz club. We sat in the bar area to be closer to the jazz trio which turned out to be a perfect blend of music and a wonderful meal. A family run establishment with food and drink specialties which were truly unique. Our meal was terrific, the ambiance perfect and our wait staff was amazing, never hurried. Well done!

I love The Tortoise Supper Club

By David L |

Great food. Super bar. Excellent staff. Love the menu. Also, don’t hesitate to have a group meeting or a reception at the Tortoise. Their ability to handle a crowd is amazing, while serving drinks and a plated meal.

Old fashioned restaurant

By Lorenza R |

In Chicago for a conference I had a business dinner at the Tortoise. The atmosphere is old fashioned, cozy and warm. The staff perfect, the food delicious. I should come back!

Holy Heaven!!

By Lisa Wess |

I was in town with two dear friends for my big 50th birthday recently. I am not sure where to start - the MOST AMAZING staff or the INCREDIBLE FOOD or the attention to DETAILS! We were escorted to our table by Keene, spoiled by Chimmy and let's not forget George who remembered my telephone call for reservations a month earlier. Let's just say I was spoiled and felt like a celebrity! My first visit and definitely not my last. Bravo to an amazing group of individuals that make this restaurant so very, very charming!

Follow up visit

By embeejay |

After an earlier three star review, the restaurant reached out to me - in a very nice manner - and asked me to come back and try again. I did and the service was better - much better - and the Chicago restaurant week menu was a nice addition. So yes, good restaurant including the way they followed up my earlier review. Thanks Keene

forgettable dinner

By arlenejustice |

I wanted to celebrate my husband's birthday where there is a live music, and this restaurant fits the bill. We went in a very busy Friday night, music already playing, and ambiance was very lively and noisy. Waiters were too attentive, I think, and pushing to order cocktails. We started with fried calamari, very good but the steak that my daughter and I ordered were both too salty and too much peppercorn, scallops for my husband tasted undercooked. The good part was our waiter gave my husband a scoop of ice cream with candle for his birthday. Thou for the price, or for what we paid at least, I really expected the food to be tasty. Overall, I would recommend it for the live music and maybe the lounge for a drink but not quite the dinner.

Classic Dining Experience

By brianmoran42 |

LOVED this place! Went there with my wife while at a conference in Chicago. Great staff - Friendly and inviting from the moment we walked into the restaurant. We had drinks before dinner in a well-decorated bar area. At dinner, our waiter was a pro. We had the relish tray to start (highly recommend it). For dinner, my wife had the Branzino (she loved it), and I had the Oak-aged bourbon barrel Meatloaf with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. It was fantastic. I can't wait to go back to Chicago and the Tortoise Supper Club.

Loved everything about it!

By rwheeler |

My colleagues and I dined here on a recommendation. From the outside, it appeared dark and almost closed, but we were pleasantly surprised to find a lively, happening space inside. Our server, Luke, was phenomenal – very personal yet professional. The service was flawless, the food was excellent, and the ambience was fun and inviting. We would love to return on a weekend when the live jazz is playing. A great spot for drinks with friends, a special occasion, or simply a great meal just because.

Graduation Dinner

By Yevette K |

I held my daughter's graduation dinner from law school at the Tortoise Supper Club on June 1, 2024, and it was absolutely amazing! We were coming from out of town and Kelli was so accommodating with my special requests and answering all my questions. We had a private room which was beautiful, with great ambiance. We were assigned our own servers who were outstanding - helping us set up our special touches and the service during dinner was top notch. The food was absolutely delicious, everyone raved about how good it was! They even had someone come and sing to her for her birthday and graduation while we were dining. I would definitely recommend the Tortoise Supper Club for any special event of just a night out!

A throw back in time with great food

By Karen L |

We dined here on a Saturday (6:00pm reservation)-WOW! The decor is warm paneling, the tables white linen, menu is extensive but the draw here for sure is the personal service. Our waiter knew everything on the menu, all the craft cocktails, wine, beer - amazing. The food was delicious, prime rib or filet, both cooked to perfection. I had a pork dish, great flavors. Wine selection toon was perfectly paired with the meal and a wonderfully crafted dirty martini!!! Of the three restaurants we visited this weekend, this was the best! Worth a trip, you will not be disappointed.

Little overpiced

By spfldeater |

Had appetizers and one entree , a couple drinks and teh bill was $153 with tip. The food was ok but didn’t match the price i had scallops which were ok. The server was efficient but a bit loud and annoying . Atmosphere is good for a date but with so many options in Chicago i would go elsewhere.

Classic Chicago atmosphere and menu

By Cedar880 |

Came here with a large group on a Saturday night, which may explain why service was slow (30 minutes to place a drink order). Typical steak house menu with prices to match (i.e., expensive). My steak frites was underdone, over-seasoned and fries were soggy.

Want a dining experience that is MEMORABLE? This is the place!

By DenverAero |

Family owned, Classic, rich décor, filled with lots of Chicago History and artwork, including the owner’s family 1919 Steinway grand piano. The staff are absoultely impeccable, experienced and attentive to your every request. The food is fresh & FABULOUS! They also offer live Jazz on Fri. & Sat.nights. But what was most outstanding is that everyone is truly dedicated to providing a special experience. Our entire family flew to Chicago this weekend to bury our parents. We wanted a luncheon venue that was fitting with what my parents would want if entertaining. On the initial call. I spoke to Keene and without hesitation, he said “he would be honored to host our luncheon”. This meant opening his restaurant early just for our family! High values, high standards, Top notch, Class. By the way, Keene, who answered the phone, happended to be the owner. Kudos to the entire team, Keene, Becky, Bruce & Maria. The O'Dea Family

Food to live jazz beat

By Mantola |

We started with a few beers and several cocktails, just to listen to the music, and we saw the food they served at the nearby tables that led us to stay for dinner. Great food and great rations, the only one but it is the heat that was in the room.

Old school Chicago gem

By Tara |

I can’t say enough about this locally-owned gem in the heart of downtown. Stopped in with my college-aged son after a long day of sightseeing on the way back to our hotel. Just because of its prime location, I was worried it might be a tourist trap. On the contrary, everything we ordered was perfect, right down to the homemade ice cream for dessert. Try the meatloaf—wow. Every part of it, including the service, was top notch. I wish I lived here so I could become a regular.

Wonderful!

By Tiffany P |

Wow! All four of us got something different and each dish was fabulous!! We loved the appetizer bread and we also ordered the relish tray. The atmosphere was also wonderful!!! 100% recommend!

Loved it

By Peterglaze |

Found Tortoise Supper Club in Tripadvisor and went the evening we flew in from Portland, Oregon. Delicious! Fabulous service. Loved the antique whisky sour cocktail, perfectly cooked filet ,and house special shrimp pot pie. Yummy!

Gracious Dining

By Krystyna1944 |

The food, ambience, and service all contributed to a gracious dining experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner, which consisted of a lovely lobster bisque that had a subtle kick of heat, a filet cooked exactly to my request (black and blue), and a New York strip steak cooked to perfection (also black and blue). We eat our steak very rare and the chef hit the request right on the head. Our waiter, Matt, was an example of what every waiter should be: efficient, helpful, professional. We enjoy the atmosphere here and return whenever we feel in need of a special treat.

Crab Crusted Cod... wow!

By Courtney54476 |

We recently spent the weekend in Chicago and selected the Tortoise Supper Club as one of our dinners. I had the crab crusted cod with the lobster sauce. Holy cow... it was delicious. The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice as we went on a Saturday evening when they had live jazz music. Food, atmosphere, waitstaff... perfect!

Loved it !!

By Amylee |

What can I say but WOW! From the moment we walked in to the last sip of our wine, we were so impressed with this place. Our waiter Chimmey was on point and easily was able to recommend food and wine to match. The atmosphere is perfect for a special night out. Close to everything downtown.

Loved it

By Alan H |

Recommended by our Concierge it was superb. A delightful restaurant with style, and some history. The reception was professional and friendly and that continued until we left. The food was superb and the experience exactly what we look for on our holiday. It has style so bear that in mind if going and don’t ruin it for the other guests.

nice restaurant

By Dominique |

fine dining price ok compared to service, atmosphere and location not crowded, rather calm did not hear the music

Wonderful experience

By wildcatfan |

The service is impeccable, the food is nothing short of divine, and the atmosphere—an effortlessly cool jazz-infused vibe—sets the perfect tone for an unforgettable dining experience. You can savor your meal at a relaxed pace, fully immersed in the nostalgic gangster-era ambiance. And as for the lamb? Easily the best I’ve ever tasted.

Wonderful in all areas!

By Maysmosaics |

From the ambience, to the food, to the service- this is the place to come! My husband had the halibut and I had the prime rib and they were fabulous. The best. We will definitely go back when we go to Chicago.

I Picked The Restaurant/ So I Needed It To Be A Good Experience

By Workin Man |

Where do I begin?! I visited this restaurant on Saturday, September 3rd, with a party of 12. Let me start by saying, the service was slow. We sat for an hour before our order was taken. I ordered the braised short ribs dinner with corn on the side. The ribs were okay, so I decided to eat them. The corn was not good, in my opinion, so I told the waiter. The waiter bought me an order of asparagus. It wasn’t good either. I asked to speak to the manager just to let him know I was not happy with the sides. He came over to the table and I told him what was going on. The person next to me told him they ordered the steak dinner medium well and it was rare. He immediately got an attitude, snatched all 3 dishes and left. On the other end of the table 2 other people complained about their dinner. The manager snatched their plates and the person next to them. Keep in mind, the person next to them had not complained about their meal. He said, “No one else had complained all day about the food.” Just because no one had complained, doesn’t mean the food was good. We spoke to someone who visited the restaurant earlier that day and they said the food was not good, but they did let the manager know. Even if no one else complained, it shouldn’t have mattered! I complained! We paid our bill and left a 20% tip. Our bill totaled nearly $1000.00! We were treated horribly and very much disrespected. Worst experience ever! I contacted the owner on Saturday, September 10th, to let him know what occurred during our visit. He was apologetic and told me they were very busy, so he would call me back on Monday, September 12th, to get further details. I have not received a call yet and today is Tuesday, September 20th. To say the least, I am very disappointed!

Ho hum

By embeejay |

Being advertised to all and sundry staff as a “walk in” wasn’t a great start. Service was ok but after eating I ended up with two dessert menus presumably because someone wasn’t looking. The “singing waiter” did not seem to (want to) talk to me when clearing my table. New York strip was ok a bit grisly to be fair and chef made the mistake of underseasoning because of the pepper sauce. Will I be back? Maybe as I am in Chicago often enough to try.

Great Food, Great Service

By nicholaswillmott |

Staying downtown for some pre Christmas fun, we booked here because of the great reviews and it was located close to our hotel, who knows what the weather will be in December! The food didn’t disappoint, it’s great, the service was very good and the atmosphere fantastic. Minor grumbles, check in was a little bit of a zoo as it was crazy busy (reservations are recommended) and it can be noisy.

Oh Toto we’re not in Wisconsin anymore

By grinisa |

We wanted to like this place but were severely disappointed. The ambiance is great, the drinks excellent and dinner started strong with a wonderful lobster bisque. I drove down from WI to join my adult children for dinner here. I don’t know but WI supper clubs would never drown a prime rib in gravy. A small silver cup of au jus on the side sure but our prime ribs (the “special” this Friday evening) arrived covered in heady, super salty gravy. I could tell it was prime ribs. It could have been anything because all you could taste was the awful gravy. For $65 I expect a superb cut of meat pretty much left alone to let the flavor. Nd tenderness of the meat shine. The three of us who ordered it were all of the same opinion. My daughter and I ate maybe a 1/4 of our food, my son in law (who split his prime rib with my daughter, finished his only after covering it further in horseradish sauce. My other daughter and her husband thought their dishes were just ok. She had the scallops and he had the salmon Wellington. By the time I got back home to WI that night all I could do was down about a liter of water I was so thirsty from all that salt. Service was attentive and friendly.

A hidden gem with true Chicago spirit and A+ service!

By John B |

Shantee, Chimey, Linda and Raymon at bar were amazing. I lived in Chicago for my whole life until 45..now I live in Medellin, Colombia. It felt like being at home with such quality people and A+ bartenders. Setting is a wood supper club and rail bar with live jazz. Diver sole and prime rib best ever. I was here 2 years ago in private room for parents 60th anniversary and was perfect than as well. Give it a shot…hope you enjoy!

Too noisy to enjoy the music

By Robert L |

TA described the Tortoise Room as a “swanky jazz club”. My words for it would be loud and unpleasant. We had the misfortune to be seated next to a table of eight guys for a boys night out. The problem with that was that their table was the closest one to the jazz group playing. The great sounds of the jazz group were drowned out by these guys shouting all evening at each other. I have been to other jazz supper clubs where management reminds customers to respectful of the musicians and others that are there for the music. I spoke to the manager but by this time it was too late and our night was ruined

Fantastic Food/Rude Waiter

By Greg B |

The food is phenomenal and the vibe in the restaurant is outstanding. We were there on a Friday night and live jazz was playing in lounge. Granted we had a large group, but we felt like our group was inconveniencing the waiter. He was upset that three of the people in our group were stuck in traffic and running late and that two had cancelled at the last minute due to sick kids. We also had a fair number of people in our group that don't drink and he seemed a little miffed that drink orders were not flowing. I would visit again with my spouse but I know we will never bring a large group back.

Chime Tortoise Tops

By postal49740 |

Chime, pronounced chimmy, the server, deserves a restaurant Oscar. He is one of the best servers, ever. We thought he had a hidden microphone under the table because he anticipated every need. We enjoyed the Happy Hour deals and stayed for dinner, since we were having such a great time. Two manager types thanked us for joining them on their indoor lounge reopening. The food and cocktails were incredible. Meatloaf is decadent. Love the place.

Prime rib is out of this world!

By DimakCanada |

Wow, the experience has exceeded all my expectations. The steak tartar is amazing, but the prime rib (only available on Fridays and Saturdays) is out of this world. It might be the best prime rib I ever had. So tender it was melting in my mouth. The mashed potatoes it came with beautifully complemented the dish. I love strong horse radish and the one that came with prime rib was quite mild but that allowed me to really taste the meat. 5 stars all the way!

Perfect Vow Renewal Experience!

By Ready2again |

I can’t begin to express how pleased we were with the planning, food, and service provided by Tortoise Supper Club. Our vow renewal was perfect!! I had the entire restaurant filled with candles and all of the rooms were stunning. However, the restaurant is beautiful without any intervention. The entire staff (owners, coordinator, manager, bartenders, servers) paid attention to every detail. They were professional but also personable. We have an extensive travel and dinning list. TSC lands in our top 3 for exceptional service. Our guests can’t stop raving about the event. We looked at numerous venues in the River North area and are so happy we selected Tortoise Supper Club.

Wonderful date night in downtown Chicago

By Pearlie00025 |

My husband and I recently visited Chicago for four nights. We spent our Saturday night at this Club. Our dinner was delightful. The relish tray was delicious, and my husband's prime rib was large enough to feed a family of four. The live jazz music was wonderful. The only caveat is if you don't like loud places, the Club was jam-packed with talkative patrons - so would make it difficult for conversation at times...Plus if you are Canadian, the Grasshopper is a milkshake, not a cocktail.... We would definitely go back there.

Cool Jazz

By conservtravlr |

When we went for dinner, there was a jazz trio playing. Really added to the atmosphere. The food was good. I got prime rib, which I could recommend. Very good service.

We had a fantastic time

By Brigitte L |

We were passing along and got curious. It was our favorite place of the weekend! Friday happy hour, 1$ big oyster and shrimp, half off wine. Good ambiance, stunning decor, good food plus classy and friendly servers. Would have love to go back for the jazz show but did not have time. Shall return!

A truly classic Chicago Supper Club!

By robert-eric w |

The Tortoise is an shining example of a true "Supper Club". Our party was seated at a corner table in the lively bar, near the servers station. Servers jockeyed for positions at the POS system and bartenders shock classic cocktails...in an almost athletic fashion. At first we were worried that this would be a nuisance, but we we soon realized we had one of the best seats in the house. When the live jazz trio started to play it all made sense. Excellent food (at surprisingly reasonable prices) and top-notch service made for a memorable evening for myself and my guests. I would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone who is tired of over-priced corporate restaurants in Chicago.

A Hidden (family owned) Gem

By Chris G |

A hidden gem in the city! Great service. Great food. Great drinks. Great atmosphere. Great for a family celebration or business dinner. Excellent private party room options too.

Phenomenal Food and Restaurant

By Erin F |

I’ve been back several times, and each time had a wonderful experience. It has an elegant old world feel to its beautiful charm and the staff are not only kind and welcoming but engaging as well! The menu offers a little something for everyone, and they are quick to accommodate for allergies or food dispositions. The food is out of this world and has impressed each and everytime we’ve gone, from small intimate dinners with friends to a rehearsal dinner with a large group - Tortoise Supper Club goes above and beyond to accommodate and certainly does not disappoint. A beautiful and unique atmosphere with phenomenal food and drink options, and the cherry on top is a first class staff

Dinner. Not so good

By B K |

Dinner last saturday - prime rib was tough to chew. Did not seem to be aged- meat was bright red. Roast duck was done but chewy. Duck fat was not crispy or well rendered. Presentation was next to nothing... tossed on a plate. Best thing I had was the dinner salad. Based on my experience I would not recommend. Did not stick around for the music.

Exceptional!

By Sandi P |

We hosted our Annual Employee Holiday Dinner with the Tortoise Club and had a wonderful experience. The coordination of the event with Kelli, the service provided the day of the event, and the food was exceptional, not to mention the warm ambiance of the Tortoise Club! We’ll definitely be back!

tasty

By scbeaches |

delicious dinner, excellent service, fun atmosphere. however it was very dark- we had to use our phone flashlights to read the menu.

Wow. Just wow.

By Abby |

The service. INCREDIBLE. The mood. INCREDIBLE. The food? I think you know where I’m going with this… INCREDIBLE. What a way to kick off a friends trip! I would love to come back with my husband to this place!

Amazing private dining event!

By Nicole F |

I planned a surprise birthday party for my husband in one of their private dining rooms. I was planning the event long distance and had never seen the restaurant in person until the night of the event. The event planner, Kelli was so fabulous in helping me plan every detail. She was responsive, helpful, and full of great suggestions. I could not have been happier with the entire experience. The restaurant and especially the private dining room (The Red Room) were gorgeous, service was impeccable, and food was excellent. I could not recommend this restaurant enough and hope to visit again when back in Chicago! Thank you, Tortoise Supper Club for such a memorable party!

Excellent Supper Club

By Patrick C |

Great menu, great desserts, a throwback to another era. Great place for a two-hour dinner with friends and family.

Wonderful restaurant

By lauradunn84 |

Absolutely fell in love with this place on a recent stay with friends in Chicago. The food was incredible, we ate from the set menu too and it was really well priced for such quality food. The service was incredible, really attentive staff who were really knowledgeable about the food and the wine. My first but no way will it be my last visit to this place

No. Go somewhere else

By Susan101 |

DO NOT ordered the sea scallops. I have never returned a dish before in my life. These had to be removed Absolutely disgusting. Chewy, and crunchy sea scallops. Ordered a hamburger to replace chewy old sea scallops. Burger was tasty DO NOT order the prime rib. Fatty and chewy and for the exorbitant price go the Capital Grill. Side dish of Mashed potatoes & Cherry pie were good Wedge salad was drenched in old wilted lettuce. Take a pass on the whole restaurant It’s too bad because I’ve been here 2 other times a few years ago and it was good. Try another place.

Excellent service, nice atmosphere, delicious meal

By CBDigger |

Great meal in a very convenient location- pleased our family of 4 that consists of two boys, ages 16 & 17. Service was great on a busy Saturday night. Live music was a nice touch too!

Wonderful evening

By Per Se |

We loved the lively supper club vibe at Tortoise. The food was beautifully presented and the wait service, exceptional. I don’t usually have dessert but had to try their famous peanut butter pie and it was worth it. Can’t wait to go back.

Flawless Private Party

By jenstratman |

I cannot sing the praises of the Tortoise Supper Club too highly. The evening was flawless. Luke, our head servicer, was knowledgeable, amiable, prompt, always where needed but never hovering. The drinks and especially the food were fantastic. Of course, the Red Room was the star of the evening. The night could not have gone better. We will be back.

Wonderful Meal

By mart38655 |

Another wonderful meal at Tortoise. We shared a fish entree with a few sides. Everything was prepared perfectly and delicious. They also have a great cocktail, beer and wine selection. Service was excellent, waiter was knowledgeable and attentive, always there when we needed something, but never hovering over your table. You also never feel like you're being rushed. Atmosphere is very nice for a romantic dinner or just a meal with friends.

Hidden Treasure

By Mike from C'ville |

The Tortoise is hidden away on North State Street, near the House of Blues, adjacent to the Hotel Chicago. I dined there twice this spring; once in March (with a group) and once in May. I found the service to be excellent whether dining as a group or alone. The menu is traditional and the food is well prepared and flavorful. The font area is busy and rather loud but the dining area allows a quieter meal where you can converse without shouting. I recommend dining here anytime you want a break from loud and impersonal restaurants competing to the be "it" flavor of the month.

Fantastic Bar---great vibe!

By Janet B |

We stopped in for a drink while in Chicago for the marathon. What a cool bar!! Great vibe!! The staff was efficient and helpful!! The beverage menu had something for everyone! It was a great way to kick off our marathon visit!

Over-rated. Very Loud

By 2oldgeesers |

Well-known and family run. The same family has owned this and is now in the 3rd generation. Service is fantastic. There on a Friday night and the noise level was 86 dB at 6:00. After the band started it went up over 100. Band is good jazz trio. Food is presented well, but the kitchen was busy, so might be why the food was good, but not as good as what we had eaten the night before in Rockport, or the fabulous steak in Sioux City. Had the stuffed walleye which was recommended and I felt would be local. Parts were good and the stuffing was interesting, spiced heavily, but not "hot." Most of the fish was overcooked. The salmon was actually done very nicely. The meat loaf was quite tasty. The salad was good, but not outstanding. The cherry pie was very good and not too sweet, but my mother-in-law makes better and the crust was a bit heavy. The pork chop was pretty good.

Best dine in Chicago!

By ada b |

Great food, cosy atmosphere and excellent service... everyone is really nice and welcoming. Definitely recommend!

Jorge M helped make our date night special!

By Karen B |

We were visiting from St Louis the weekend of 9/15, 9/16 & 9/17/23. With so many google/trip advisor reviews out there for so many restaurants, we took a chance on the Tortoise Supper Club and were not disappointed. We started our meal with the Colossal Shrimp cocktail - four massive shrimp that were fresh and delicious. My husband had the King Prime Rib and added a side of broccolini. I had the Burrata & Heirloom Tomato Salad and lobster bisque soup for my dinner. My husband loves a good Prime Rib and he said this was one of THE best he has ever eaten, that is saying something! Everything was absolutely delicious but what made our experience top notch was the service we received from Jorge M. We wanted for nothing, our water and wine glasses stayed full. Jorge was attentive without being annoying - it was literally a perfect night out! We were so full we did not opt for dessert but, we did move over the lounge for a few cocktails and some amazing jazz. We stayed until they closed and had a fantastic time. When we return to Chicago, we have already discussed going back. In a city with so many options, that speaks volumes! Thank you Jorge for a memorable night in Chicago!

Outstanding Special Dinner!

By Experience765210 |

Thank you for a wonderful special graduation dinner for our group of 10! Kelli was an absolute pleasure to work with and helped us plan a fantastic dinner and drink package for our group. The food, service and ambiance were all top notch. I could make a meal out of the OUTSTANDING boule/stuffed famous bread and lobster bisque. The filet, scallops, chicken main entrees and sides were delish. The Tortoise pie and craft cocktails. .YES please :) Our server was so much fun as well. The special semi private area and custom menus were a very nice touch. The Tortoise is swanky but not stuffy. Have been once before for Dinner and loved it. Very happy we chose to have our special celebration here. We all had a blast. Highly recommend!! Janet M. St. Augustine, FL

Old world charm / downtown! Great Wedding Venue

By Travelgal030522 |

The TSC is out of this world, family owned and TLC to the max. My husband and I hosted our Dec 2023 wedding ceremony and reception here and from our first interaction with Kelli - our wedding and event coordinator @ TSC, to our on site tasting, to the actual wedding day they were on top of it regarding pricing, communication, the execution of the actual day of the wedding. I've been a pro photographer for over 20+ years and I can't imagine a more epic and intimate space for our guests. We rented the red room for the ceremony and dinner and the lounge for the party until 12am. Even though the restaurant was open for other diners in the main dining room the whole place felt like it was ours with the way it was partitioned for our guests. If you are looking for an affordable venue in the HEART of downtown, look no further. This place is a gem! The only thing I'm sad about is that we won't be in town for restaurant week as we planned and executed this wedding dream from Philadelphia which made the day in Chicago for our wedding that much more special. Do yourself and your guests the favor of a true venue with Chicago / old world flair - you will NOT be disappointed and you will feel like you are transported back in time to the jazz era, great food and great servers with Tortoise for the whole time you are there! They will always have our heart and an A+ in Hospitality from our family to yours! Provecho! Shout out to Jorge and Luke too! They deserve a raise - they took amazingly great care of my husband and me the whole night including making sure we ate our delicious dinners and kept our drinks full!

Great food with a fun atmosphere

By Bill |

We went here for a work dinner. The servers were friendly and fun. One of them even sang happy birthday to one of our guests. She had a beautiful voice. The food was outstanding. I had the steak and others at the table had the fish. I would highly recommend this place

Outstanding Dining Experince

By Rand H. |

After great drinks at their bar, we had an exceptional dining experience in the very warm and lovely dining room. Both the food and service were outstanding. My wife's salmon entree as well as my prime rib were delicious. My guests were also extremely pleased with their food. Although we dined on a very busy holiday weekend, the service staff handled us flawlessly. I also loved that although the dining room was full, my guests and I could hear each other. If you want an outstanding dining experience, try this place.

The decor is nice but the food is mediocre at best.

By Jesse C |

Wife’s company had their annual Christmas party here. Menu looked promising and the initial impression was good. A lot of mahogany and the lighting was perfect. Food was mediocre though. The lobster bisque was more soupy than creamy. It was also way too salty. Wife’s salad had huge chunks of blue cheese that was overpowering. My scallops were large but bland. My wife’s filet mignon was rare rather than the medium she ordered. We didn’t send it back because of the size of our party. Other people in the party said the food was “OK”.

Top Notch

By Joseph S |

First time at the Tortoise was for a private room event. From the very beginning booking of the event with Kelli, to the wonderful dinner itself, to the follow-up post-event - everything was fantastic. Great food - good value - wonderful service and a fun atmosphere. A real gem. Will definitely return!

A fantastic evening - do visit

By Rachel W |

Absolutely fabulous evening. We started with cocktails in the bar and then to the dining room for a meal. Excellent vibrant atmosphere. Staff very attentive and food of a very high standard. Back to the bar for more cocktails and live jazz band. Must visit if in Chicago!

Wonderful Private Party Room, Great Staff, Delicious Food!

By Holly N |

We had a Birthday Party on 3/2/19 for 21 of us in the party room, which is great because it is all glass windows so you can visit/mingle and be a group but are still part of the Restaurant. The service was really great, our server Stephanie was so friendly and really great at her job as were the staff that helped her run the food and clear. Another server, a young man that sings Opera, came in a sang Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl. It was great! We thank him so much, That was really fun. And, the food was really delicious and presented so beautifully. We had a variety of entrees off the menu and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. The pies! We had the Tortoise Pie, if you love chocolate, I'm not exaggerating this was one of the best decadent chocolate desserts I have ever had!! Would have an event there again in a minute. We had been planning this event for a long time and thank you to all the staff there, it was so nice that the Tortoise Supper Club made it so memorable..

Lovely ambiance and steak!

By Bobbie W |

My husband and I were at a private business dinner. Sitting in a lovely room with a beautiful atmosphere. Past hors d’oeuvres with your choice of either salmon or skirt steak for dinner. We both got the skirt steak with mashed potatoes which were excellent. But then, nothing special. All in all a lovely experience

We LOVED it!

By Jenn D |

We 'happened' upon this amazing dining experience. My son had the filet, my husband had the Chilean Sea Bass and both were incredible! Service, ambience & friendly staff made it such a great find! My Bee's Knees cocktail was perfection.

the best prime rib ever

By Allen M |

On our recent trip to Chicago, we ate here twice. The first was on a Wednesday. Very few people in the restaurant. Our waiter paired a wine for my filet with my wife's sea bass. Both were excellent meals. After an uber snafu, the got us in at last minute on Saturday night. The place was packed. Chicago had just gone to full capacity on Friday. All I can say is the prime rib special is the best ever. Just RIDICULUS

A Special Place

By ken k |

My son had his wedding dinner here. Megan was wonderful helping us plan this special day. The atmosphere and live music all added to the ambiance. The food was top notch. The bread, the deserts, the cocktails, the service was all above normal. We’ll be back. We discovered a new restaurant for special occasions when we visit Chicago.

Outstanding Experience for Our Company Holiday Party

By Stefanie L |

We hosted our team holiday party at this restaurant, and the experience exceeded all expectations from start to finish. The event managers were incredibly professional and attentive during the planning process, making coordination seamless and stress-free. On the night of our event, the staff went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their attentiveness and warm hospitality made our team feel truly valued and well-cared for throughout the evening. The aesthetic of the space is stunning and created the perfect ambiance for our celebration. The food was exceptional – every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, earning rave reviews from our entire team. Whether you're planning a corporate event or looking for an intimate date night spot, I wholeheartedly recommend this venue. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

Great family-owned restaurant!

By Megan |

We had a superb evening at the Tortoise Club - extremely attentive and friendly staff. Great food and great outdoor patio area as well. Kelli, the Private Dining Room & Events Manager, was so easy to work with and knew exactly what our group needed. Highly recommend to anyone looking to book a classy and fun event with creative, delicious food and cocktails!

Birthday Dinner!

By Dreamer818467 |

We enjoyed beef Wellington, sole, prime rib , and a filet . We shared Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes . We each ordered our own salads, and both the Caesar and wedge were terrific . Our only complaint, we felt a little rushed by the busser w the dark glasses. He kept taking dishes by reaching over the table instead of moving to the other side of the table . He boxed up our leftovers and plunked the bag on the table almost spilling my daughter’s full wine glass . Good thing she has good reflexes !

Delicious!

By Janice |

My family visited last time in Chicago. The staff was very friendly & accommodating. The food was absolutely delicious! You won’t be disappointed when you go

Wonderful cozy and romantic

By JLI |

Wonderful cozy and romantic atmosphere. Great food, great drinks, excellent service, and the live music topped it off!

Wonderful!

By valvolinescott |

On a recent trip to Chicago, decided to try the Tortoise. It was a pleasure all the way around. The food was amazing! Lobster bisque had the largest pieces of lobster I have ever seen in soup! Paired with the delicious bread.. I could make a meal on that alone. My entree was the shortribs, which melt in your mouth, and wife had Chilean Sea Bass that was wonderful. A must try!

Live Music, Cool Scene

By Rick O |

We stopped in for a glass of wine and the live music. Nice people to talk with and a very generous pour.

Romantic place in Chicago????

By Frank C |

We were there for an anniversary. Was hoping for a unique Chicago experience, but was vastly disappointed. Picked it because it was rated as one of the most romantic places in Chicago. ?????? Maybe it was because it was a Saturday night, but I let there feeling as if I had been in a tourist joint. The food was average and served barely warm. My wife's rice was a gooey mess. The only service that was worth noting was the bus boys. The live music sounded unprofessional and WAY too loud. It didn't set a mood, it tried to command the space. The quality just didn't reflect the pricing. Seemed to me to be the type of restaurant that people who love cute pink umbrellas in their drinks would love this place.

Awesome Anniversary Dinner

By loverooshaandrody |

We ate here after seeing Hamilton, it’s an easy walk from the Theater. The manager greeted and and walked us to our table where we received complimentary champagne arranged by our hotel concierge. They had an anniversary card waiting for us! We ordered form the restaurant week menu and each course was exceptionally delicious ! Highly recommend !

Nice and relaxing

By SeaGoat |

The ambiance was lovely and reminded me of an old jazz bar. There was a meeting room behind the bar decorated on red and looked extra plush. I order the spinach appetizer, Caesar Salad, honey rolls and charred octopus. Everything was excellent!

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

By Emily A |

After looking around at a number of places to host our rehearsal dinner, my husband and I just weren't finding it. Thankfully, our amazing wedding coordinator suggested the Tortoise Supper Club. It was 2 blocks from our venue and so we went to take a look at it. We were welcomed by Mike and Bruce and they could not have been nicer. They showed us the Red Room and we loved it. The red walls and the decor was nothing like we had seen anywhere else. It was very dramatic and we could definitely see ourselves hosting our event there and the size of the room was perfect for our guest count.  One of the major perks was the add-on entertainment options for our event. It was hard to choose with all of the great selections, but we decided on the caricature artist. Our guests loved it! We had such a great experience and the night of our dinner Mike came in to say hello and to give us a hug. The entire staff at the Tortoise Supper Club makes everyone feel so welcome and they take such good care of their guests. Thank you to Kelli for helping us plan such a memorable night. We will definitely be back soon!

Excellent ambience but terrible food

By AAW7 |

We wanted to love this place but left really disappointed. The music and atmosphere are top notch. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The food is horrible. My husband and son had the prime rib and found it barely edible. My filet was the worst I’ve ever had. Both the cuts of meat are poor as well as the flavors used in preparation. Even the dessert was bad. We get better food at Coopers Hawk in the burbs for a fraction of the cost.

Great atmosphere and good service

By sap |

Great atmosphere and good service. In town for conference and ate here with friends. We split four appetizers and loved them all. My bone in filet was perfectly cooked and had great flavor. Béarnaise sauce was a special treat! To full for desert!

What an experience!

By SandPrairies |

Never in my life have we ever seen a more passionate waiter. This guy knew his food and drinks and his descriptions were like stories. We thought he was a retired stage actor. Besides the staff, the food was excellent and fresh. Some of us had the nightly special, others some seafood of some sorts. Nobody left feeling shorted. Lots of empty tables inside...perhaps we ate too early. I was worried about that but the food didn't disappoint.

Great local with touch of pizzaz

By 777robbm |

Hosted a 10 person dinner at this wonderful restaurant. We started in the bar. The bartender was well informed of the menu and the drinks generous. Our waiter was one of thd best ever. Great information and recommendations, wine pairings, food choices We all enjoyed the food and experience.

Could have been better

By robbmadd |

We had reservations. Were seated in seats where I had a panel between me and the waiter. We could not hear each other. Hence yelling to be understood. The restaurant was pretty empty in the room we were in. That would not have been a problem except that we were pretty much ignored. Went to the bar to find our server to order an appetizer . We were greeted with an attitude. We ordered our dinner and laughed at the condescending attitude of the waiter only to make our dinner enjoyable.

The perfect Wedding Party

By Chicago1Shelly |

The perfect wedding party! We have dined here many times and the service and food are always fantastic. So on our special day, TC did not disappoint. Our intimate 25 person dinner was executed flawlessly. Kelli our coordinator made the planning and whole experience stress free. Jorge our main server was so personable and made sure everyone was taken care of. Steaks were perfectly cooked, the fish was fresh and the vegan options delicious. My husband gets the cherry pie every time we dine. So good. The band in the bar on Saturday night was too notch. I highly recommend Tortoise Club for an intimate dinner or a special event gathering.

Great food and hospitality

By WillWork4Food |

Great food and hospitality with a great supperclub feel right in the heart of chicago. We visited for a family dinner and had a wonderful time. Wonderful atmosphere, great comfort food well executed, and attentive service.

Excellent New Year's Eve meal

By Élodie K |

We had dinner at Tortoise supper club on December 24, 2024, for Christmas Eve. We had a great time. The place was very festive, while guaranteeing us our privacy. The staff was very attentive. We ate very well: beef Wellington and Chilean Sea Bass with the best sauce ever eaten. A must-see for a celebration.

Sometimes a Dream is Better Left a Dream . . . . . .

By Patsysinger |

My husband and I discovered the Tortoise Supper Club online a ittle over a year ago. We finally made the 260 mile round trip journey by train expressly to go there to celebrate my 65th birthday. We even paid the stiff hotel bill of over $500 for one night's stay downtown, just to be there for this occasion. We made a reservation for "dinner at 8:00", excitedly looking forward to the little table lamps, the wonderful yesteryear ambiance which their site so carefully crafts in their descriptions and pictures, a very swank jazz trio, and overall, a dinner date that was simply a step back in time! Sadly what we were met with was a glorified sports bar without the TV's in the dining area; they had them in the bar. We left our hotel almost an hour early to go and "soak up the ambience" until time to dine. The bar was shoulder to shoulder and not a seat in the place that either wasn't taken or reserved. In desperation we ask for a chair to sit in by the front door, as I"m due to have a knee replaced in a week. Good thing I didn't bring my walker I'd been using as there definitely would have been no room for it. There barely was for us. The owner, who was nice but quite apparently harried, quickly arranged for that for me. He was somewhat disappointing in an sports jacket and jeans; far more casual then I'd anticipated. However, he was nice, so we overlooked that. Supposedly the dress code here was "smart casual" according to the website. I'd worn a pants suit and my husband a dress shirt and dress slacks. People were coming into that bar in T shirts and sweat pants, as I live and breathe! My husband had to stand another 20 minutes until a chair could be located and brought for him. The only bright spot in the place was the gentleman running the coatcheck service What a delightful conversationist he was and we told him as we left that he was a delight to meet and the best thing the place had to offer. That was NO lie! By this time it was a quarter of 8 and I told the people at reservations that if anything came open sooner we'd take it, but otherwise it was fine. They had someone usher us into the dining area a few minutes later. To my dismay, people were all but shoulder to shoulder in an very dim arrangement that was reminiscent of cattle in a stockyard in its crowded condition! We were taken back almost to the kitchen and seated in an area which was a booth on one side of a tiny table and a chair on the other. No table lamps by the way; they did away with those several years ago. The din was DEAFENING the entire time we were there, so much so that I had to take some Tylenol for a quickly developing headache! Having a dinner conversation was literally IMPOSSIBLE. We couldn't even read the menus that were presented and so I asked for a candle. They brought one which wasn't dripless and was a melted mess even to the very ugly, tiny and austere metal holder it was in. Quite a far cry from the table lamp we'd dreamed of, just as the entire atmosphere was quite a far cry from the quiet, classy supper clubs of yesteryear. On to the food. I was very disillusioned by this time so I decided to be cautious and just begin with the soup of the day and a wedge salad. We requested and were served some moscato which was quite good at least and nicely chilled. Unfortunately, the soup of the day, which I couldn't hear the name of, was a strange concoction of brocolli, cream, some other vegetable like asparagus, cilantro and an over-powering taste of lime. I ate it because it took over 20 minutes to get it and by this time I was famished. My husband ordered the salmon on a cedar plank which was pretty average at best; no tartar sauce of course, as that would have been just too gauche! (Even though he loves it) As a matter of fact, we had the distinct impression from our waiter's vibe that it was best to eat the food "as served" or you would be considered quite uncouth. That meant no salt or pepper on the table (the side of potatoes I ordered from hunger later badly needed it), no ice in the water unless you requested it and coffee and tea weren't even on the menu. After drinking my share of room temperature water and wine which had gotten warm as well by this time, I asked if they had tea Now it just happens I'm from the south, but I didn't even mention sweet tea. Immediately, the waiter said "Well you can have anything you want, but no one has sweet tea north of the Mason Dixon line." First off, I didn't mention sweet tea, secondly I've lived in Ilinois for the past 20 years and MANY places serve sweet and half-cut tea, which is my mix of choice. We'd actually bought some in Chicago where we had lunch that very day and they didn't bat an eye when I asked for it. To finish up, I dredged my way through the wedge salad, which had bacon which was rather tasteless and somewhat old in it's flavor. By this time my husband had finished his entree' and I wasn't about to order one, nor any dessert, either. I had mentioned online when we made our reservations that we were celebrating my 65th birthday, but I saw no celebration of any kind was prepared and the only thing I wanted by now was our check so that we could pay and leave. We were there in for about 2 and a half hours, most of which was spent waiting for them to parse out the food as they could get to it. Before the check came, I had to go to the ladies room. CAREFUL, LADIES!!! That room was just down from the kitchen. Though small and cramped, it was a nice reprieve from the noisy din in the dining room and some nice Nancy Wilson selection was playing. It was also much cooler as I was about to roast from all the body heat that was present in the dining area. As I started back to my seat, WHAM!!! Both kitchen doors flew open and out came two frantic waiters bearing large trays. I narrowly escaped disaster by throwing myself face-first into the wall! There was barely an audible "Excuse me" and they were gone! Speaking of which, my poor husband's chair was placed right in the line of the wait staff, the busiest lane in the restaurant, due to the close placement of the seats in order to crowd more people in. As a result, his chair was kicked CONSTANTLY by the wait staff and the patrons searching for the restrooms. After a dozen or so kicks, he complained but was ignored. He began to count the kicks from that point on and at 110, he gave it up. We had every intention of reporting this to the owner but he was tied up, we were exhausted and all we could think of was having a taxi called for us and going back to our room. By the way, you needn't ask them to call a taxi for you asthey won't do it. We were told we had to flag our own and to cross the busy street and walk up a half block to the nearest hotel; there was a cab stand there. They knew full well of my physical disability, but that was ignored as well.. This was after the $109 bill we had just paid including the tip. Believe me, it was like paying bail money for us, just to get out of that place. The Tortoise Supper Club; a place we paid in excess of $1000 just to vist. The only thing I saw that resembled a supper club, was it's name.

Fabulous dinner

By Priscilla L |

Friends recently introduced us to this restaurant, and we can see why it is their favorite. The atmosphere and food are both great. Our waiter was outstanding.

Don’t walk past this place!

By Anthony P |

Supper cool vibe, with dark wood panel walls, burgundy leather chairs, and non-stop jazz. A very intimate space. When given the option, DO NOT pass on the bread. It’s a heart attack on a plate, but damn is it good. I ordered the calamari, beef Wellington, and a side of grilled asparagus. If you select the beef Wellington, which I suggest, pass on the appetizer. The beef Wellington was perfectly prepared, but it was a large portion. If I have one complaint, it would be the sauce on the asparagus. I prefer a simple hollandaise or just salt and pepper. If you decide to dine here, ask to be seated in Jorge Marquez’s section. He’s friendly, attentive, and a true professional.

Great place to come to dinner with your family or friends.

By crunch6 |

We love the atmosphere at this classy supper club in the heart of the city. Make sure to peruse all of the decor in the restaurant to see all of the history of Chicago. Try the Berkshire Pork Chops which are so tender. The filet and the scallops were also very well received.

Great vibe

By Murray F |

Went here with 20 odd workmates and the food was excellent. Crayfish hit the spot. Only suggestion is stay out of the room with the jazz band if u want to chat given it is very loud. Has a solid vibe give it a go when you are next in town with a group is better.

Amazing

By Stay14482147960 |

All the food tasted amazing. It was superb. The pink squirrel tasted like a chocolate covered cherry. The atmosphere was very relaxed.

What dining in Chicago should be

By Nicole H |

We dined her on 2/15/2019 as a birthday-eve dinner and it was such a welcome treat! The atmosphere is old-school Chicago elegant. Subtle, classy, lots of wood. First of all we were sat by one of the owners who graciously shaked our hands and thanked us for celebrating with them - very classy touch. We found out our server was actually from Michigan so that was good fun. And the service is impeccable - you need for nothing and everything is described in detail. We had the octopus and bone marrow as our appetizers - both were excellent but I loved the octopus - a bit of spice but a cooling side was just lovely on the palate. Dinner was a special sable fish for me and my husband had the 45-day dry aged ribeye. To.Die.For. Melt in your mouth and garnished with fried onion and a bone marrow butter that took the steak to new heights. We were treated to key lime pie (my choice) for dessert and it was just as wonderful as anything else we had. This will be our new go-to. They play jazz most nights, there is a lovely bar area as well. We will be back!

Delicious!!! Must Visit!

By Lyndria |

We had a lovely meal here on a Friday evening in Chicago. The location is easy to get to. I recommend a reservation, as it can be busy. We were greeted promptly by the friendly maître d', and he seated us almost as soon as we arrived. Our server, Jeffrey, was impeccable. He was friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. My husband had the Beef Wellington with asparagus, and I had a filet and double asparagus, instead of mashed potatoes. The server was very willing to accommodate this dietary request. I think the asparagus was the best I have ever had, and the steak was very tender. We chose to have Cherry Pie for dessert. It was fantastic! The crust was flaky and delicious. The cherries were tart. It was heaven! The coffee was very good, and I am a coffee snob. The decor is old style Chicago, dark and rich. I did have to use the restroom while I was there, and it was clean and neat. I would love to eat here again someday!

Perfect Rehearsal Dinner Spot

By Odyssey706141 |

We recently held a rehearsal dinner (40 guests) in the Red Room at the Tortoise Supper Club. The evening was beautiful. Guests were thrilled with the quality of the food - absolutely delicious and impeccably and professionally served! We had been somewhat concerned about the possible noise from the jazz bar outside the room, but we were all amazed by the privacy and quiet within the room. We easily conversed, and although there was a glitch with the wireless mic, we were able to deliver toasts without it. Kelli worked with me for more than a year, as we reserved the spot in August of 2021. She was terrific, the value was excellent, and we felt well taken care of throughout the process. I highly recommend the Tortoise Supper Club for private parties in the area.

An amazing and romantic evening.

By KansasTigerlily |

Tortoise Supper Club is a beautiful location with a delicious offering of great food. The meal we enjoyed was excellent, I ordered the short ribs and my spouse ordered the meatloaf. I also ordered a side of creamed spinach and it was excellent. Finally, we selected the Tortoise pie to finish the night. The creamy chocolate pie with walnuts was amazing. We loved everything.

I Tried to Love this Place

By Terri P |

I really loved the idea of this place. Unfortunately, it just did not live up to my high expectations. My meal - solo diner - set me back $100.00. This was food only, no drinks. I felt like i was at a chain establishment which compromised my ability to enjoy my meal. The food was very good but for me the service is part of the experience. The seats are close together which is fine as this is a jazz club setting. Because the seating is so close, I felt like a second class citizen as the everyone but me had another waiter who was great and attentive versus my waiter who failed to mention the specials and made me feel like an after thought. There were extremely long wait times between course; waiting for the check, etc. This was specific to me. I typically leave a 20% tip as a base. As I felt ignored and that this was specific to me for whatever reason, I did not leave a tip. For example, it took so long for the waiter to come back for payment after I received the check that I removed my credit card and found cash so that I could leave. This subpar service compromised my ability to enjoy my meal.

Don’t waste you time or money

By Janice S |

Don’t waste your time or money going to this place. I had 7:30 reservations for dinner for me, my husband, and our 12 year old daughter. Night started off wrong when they gave us a horrible table. The table was the last table by the bar, next to the cash register. The reason why it was terrible bc they served our appetizer and entree 20 minutes apart. We had our appetizers on the table and our entrees were served. My husband and I both ordered one of the most expensive entrees on the menu. We were completely rushed. Very disappointing. It was our last night in Chicago and I thought this place would be nice but it was not. So many great restaurants in Chicago. Don’t waste your time here. They’re not in the hospitality business. They’re looking to get you in and out.

TORTOIS

By Jose L Z Rojas |

Impeccable service, attentive and friendly employees, welcoming, And excellent food, it is a very good place to eat the waiters are very good vibes the very nice place well served place 100/100 recommended spacious have to taste the meat this delicious 😋. 👍👌

Great food and atmosphere!

By MidwestAlpinist |

I took my wife here for her birthday. The food, drinks, service, atmosphere, and music were all top notch! Our waitress, Linda, was exceptional. She was very helpful, friendly, and attentive.

Nice Atmosphere and great drinks

By Jodi D |

We thought the ambiance and decor of the Tortoise to be very cool. Drinks were excellent, and our server was awesome as well. Unfortunately, our entrees were just so/so. Not bad by any means, but just not quite as good as other meals we've had around downtown. We had gotten the fish special of the day. I think I would consider going back and doing steaks - we saw a lot of good looking steak dinners coming out to others around us.

Best Prime Rib since we lost Lawry's

By MikeM |

If you mourn the loss of the prime rib at Lawry's on Ontario, please go to The Tortoise Supper Club on Friday or Saturday night. The Prime Rib was amazing, and the service was wonderful. It had great bread, too, with a delicious cheezy spread inside. It's a beautiful space, and the jazz in the lounge was a keeper. Not crowded, but fun, with great food. Not cheap, but an excellent value for what you get. Located on the State Street side of Marina City, it has a great location, and is definitely a local find. Highly recommended!

No live music with no email notification for my wife’s 50th

By Isaac L |

We had traveled from England to Chicago for my wife’s 50th birthday. I sent The Tortoise Club a reservation request a month before we arrived explaining it was a special birthday for my wife. We arrived and it was all going great until we asked our waiter when the jazz would start. He told us there was a private party in the bar so there was no jazz tonight. My wife wanted dinner with jazz for her special birthday and now it was ruined. We complained and the owner came over and said they’d put it out on social media there was no jazz tonight. Surely they could have emailed those with reservations that there was no jazz. The website still said there was jazz every Friday and Saturday. Everyone apologised but nothing was knocked off the bill. They sent a waitress over to sing for she’s a jolly good fellow which was just embarrassing and upsetting. The food and service were great but the lack of live music when that’s the major selling point for the restaurant and it was my wife’s 50th ruined it for us.

Class, and more class

By DDorris |

Great experience with great food. Very romantic and great music. The food is excellent and the drinks are very flavorful and unique. We went for my wife’s birthday and had a wonderful time. The owner came to our table and greeted us. One of the waiters even serenaded my wife with a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Even the valet was nice. Great place for groups and couples. I can’t say enough good things about this place. Love the decor too. Do a favor to yourself and and go to Tortoise Supper Club. You will not be disappointed.

Dinner for first visit to Chicago in over 40 years

By Brian Z |

My son and his wife live in downtown Chicago and we visited them for the first time since they married. He made the arrangements for dinner at the Tortoise Supper Club since they had been there before. Our dinner was an experience to be remembered for a lifetime!! Our server was brilliant (to say the least....one of the best I have seen), the drinks and food were prepared and served with style and class. We absolutely love the décor and atmosphere of this Supper Club.

Anniversary Dinner

By Grablinmathrules |

My husband and I ate here last weekend for our anniversary. It was not a cheap meal but it was one of the best times I have had in the city. Florentino was incredibly attentive and made sure we had what we wanted, when we needed it and was helpful in making decisions on what to order. The attention to detail by all staff was something not always witnessed in any restaurant. All staff seemed to be very genuine in making sure you had a relaxing delicious meal. Highly recommend this place for couples.

Delicious Food!

By michellebV8508GL |

Restaurant was easy to walk to from our hotel in the River North area. Arrived without a reservation on our anniversary. Thankfully they were really kind and found us a table, and it was even on the patio. Our waiter was Bill, and he was very knowledgeable about all menu items and specials. Gave us a champagne toast to start. We had the shrimp cocktail to share, and their killer bread. I mean, this bread loaf is stuffed with cream cheese, Gorgonzola cheese, chives and garlic. OMG so good! I had Filet mignon, and my husband had the NY strip. Both steaks were perfectly cooked and so delicious. We shared the buttery mashed potatoes, and asparagus with hollandaise sauce - both were wonderful. We shared the chocolate walnut cake for dessert, and it was amazing. The restaurant has jazz music on some evenings as well. I would highly recommend a visit to Tortoise.

Wonderful Restaurant

By Linda E |

We enjoyed a late dinner on Friday night while visiting Chicago. The Jazz band was great. We had oysters and French Onion Soup for appetizers. My husband had the double lamb chops and I had the pan seared Bronzino. Both dishes were deliciously prepared. Our server was very attentive and informative. Overall a nice meal. Worth the visit.

Amazing meal

By Gail W |

We ate here on Christmas Eve and even tho it was very busy, our service was incredible. All of our family raved about our meals...food quality was excellent and we thought it was a great value for what we had.

Prime Rib & Beef Wellington!

By Jiggy |

Love this place - so nice and dark and classy - but not pretentious. The steaks are amazing - and large. The service is excellent. And they make a great dirty martini. But don't miss out on the grasshopper. Come hungry!

The atmosphere is good

By W00Boo |

It is a restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and can be used for entertaining. Prime rib is only available on weekends, so if you are looking for prime rib, be careful on the day you visit. The steak was not too big, but the taste was neither good nor bad. If you are going to pay the same price, choose another restaurant.

Fantastic - Every Aspect!

By Dave T |

Top to bottom, front to back, the Tortoise Club is amazing. We are repeat customers, and they just keep getting better! First off, the atmosphere and vibe is so cool - clubby, warm, and romantic. Second, the food is always first rate, and prepared so well. Thirdly, the staff is as good as it gets - they miss nothing!. My tips; go at happy hour - great oysters, also in the fall they serve pheasant pot pie - amazing! This is one of four “automatic” stops for us.

Already recommended to friends

By Lauren L |

My daughter and I eat here during the River North Restaurant Week.. What a deal and what a meal! The skirt steak was cooked to perfection. The shrimp dip was enough for a main dish. The seasonal soup was yummy. And although our desserts came out very melted we enjoyed them. (We would have preferred to take them home in a doggy bag but they were way too melted.) Service was charming and correctly paced. We hope to return soon for the Prime Rib special on Saturdays.

Sigh....

By Charles G |

Wanted so much to like this place. Hadn't been here in a while. Some of the things we ate were quite good (the meatloaf, the prime rib). Some were quite disappointing - the heirloom tomato and burata salad had rock hard tomatoes that would be ripe a week after they were served and certainly weren't any sort of heirloom tomatoes. It took three tries to get the strip steak right - first serving way overdone, second almost raw, third finally right. Service was aggressive, with server seeming more interested in telling us how good he was than being a server (and he made sure we knew he wasn't a rookie). Too bad. Won't be rushing back.

Wonderful Rehearsal Dinner Venu

By Catherine M |

We hosted our son and daughter in law's wedding rehearsal dinner at the Tortoise Supper Club. We arranged it long distance and Kelli was wonderful to work with. The canapes were among the most delicious I have had. The service was beyond amazing! I highly recommend the Tortoise Supper Club as a place to enjoy a special event.

Solid choice,food,atmosphere

By ronnykimmy |

Back at this restaurant and glad that nothings changed- still excellent all the way around. Clubby warm feel, deliciously prepared meals, highly recommend the salmon which comes with asparagus, ordered a side of mashed potatoes to share. My husband enjoyed the sliced pork chop — desserts- go for the turtle pie or the homemade ice cream with liquor- great value

Disapointed twice!

By friars273 |

Wnet there last night for my birthday dinner with wife and daughter and my wifes college roommate ate who shares the same birthday the 16th and her husband, First of all the old fashions I ordered to be short pored in a short glass being 2/3 of the glass full with mostly ice. Second I ordered the 12 ounce strip medium rare which came out pretty much well done and no flavor, talked to the waiter and brought out a second steak even though was cooked right no flavor, to slices in I had the waiter just wrap it up and take it home to make steak tacos with flavor. The only reason I gave it 2 stars it seemed like everyone else was happy in the party,, Obviously this is no Maple and Ash or Joes Crab house I won`t be returning anytime soon.

Don't do it!!

By Derunt15 |

We read a lot of reviews and thought this would be a great place for a celebration dinner. We were seriously disappointed. We ordered the pork belly appetizer and it was overcooked. My boyfriend ordered the porkchop and it tasted like a pork chop. There wasn't anything special about it. I ordered the sea bass and I really wish I hadn't. It was ordinary and I was not feeling very well the next day. Our server was more interested in a group of young ladies seated nearby than in serving us and my boyfriend went a long time without a soda refill. I drank the malbec and it had so much sediment that I couldn't drink the bottom 1/4 of each glass and my server refilled the same glass until I asked for a new one. The cherry pie was unremarkable - filling was too tart and the crust was too thick to be good. The tortoise pie was okay, a little too sweet, and the caramel was gross. Overall, not a good experience. I'd recommend going somewhere else.

Love the food but hate being rushed. And get some class and Kill the credit card up charge.

By Ronald N |

The food,service, and ambience here are always wonderful. We are repeat customers. We had a couple of drinks, Caesar salads, and the weekend prime rib special. A bottle of wine (Italian red), too. With a tip, the evening cost $400 for two. Obviously a special night out. The drinks were well made, the salads fresh, the prime rib exquisite. Two things I found off putting and a bit insulting. One, our server kept pushing us, rushing us, trying to move us along. Always interrupting our conversation, perhaps 6 times throughout the evening. I finally told her we will look for her when we are ready to order our entree. I was not about to order up the prime rib while I am still sipping my drink and eating my salad. Follow your customers’ cue for goodness sake. Finally, and perhaps most insultingly, to find an $8.00 + credit card charge on the bill, on top of everything else, is clearly nickel and diming customers. How absurd. Your credit card costs are not built into your $60 prime rib costs? What’s next? A charge for electricity? Or perhaps gas for the kitchen? Price your menu to cover your costs and stop with the additional charges. It ought to be illegal to pass these costs on anyway. It is certainly classless.

Old style Steakhouse in Chicago's theater district

By RonW763 |

We had an enjoyable experience while visiting Chicago for the play Hamilton. We made this choice from their website and what you see there is what you get.Inviting Steakhouse atmosphere with a menu that leans toward steaks and chops but also very diversified. Excellent service and the food was delicious.

Obnoxious waitstaff

By Susan M |

We were there to celebrate my birthday. My husband noted this when he made the reservation. When we arrived, we had to wait several minutes for somebody to seat us. Our server, Chelly, was not happy when we wanted to sit next to each other, even though another couple was seated that way. After dinner, a foursome sitting near us was brought a slice of birthday cake. When my husband mentioned that it was my birthday, they refused to do anything to acknowledge my special day. My husband voiced his displeasure and on our way out of the restaurant, Chelly looked at me and said in a disparaging tone “bon chance”,

Absolutely Perfect Evening at Tortoise Supper Club

By Scott M |

We recently visited Tortoise Supper Club from out of town for the second time. We dined there in 2022 and enjoyed it so much we HAD to include it on our recent trip. Needless to say, we were not disappointed this visit, either. We got a perfect table tucked in a corner where we could enjoy the music (live jazz starting at 8:00 on Saturdays) and get in some good people watching. Our server, Jack(son) was top-notch...friendly, knowledgeable, efficient, and great with recommendations (not just the "everything is good" kind of server). Lastly, the food was sublime...from the lobster bisque (with plenty of delicious lobster meat) to the main courses to the peanut butter pie for dessert, everything was absolutely delicious. We had a great meal (and a great time) and Tortoise Supper Club...great food, great service, and a great vibe...we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more. This place is a MUST dine in Chicago.

Amazing Food, Superior Service

By wmpros |

I could write a book about our "experience" here, because it truly was an experience. We had a waiter that gave superior service, I bleive his name was Chille. ( i hope that is correct) . if you can request him for large groups, he is the best. The EXPERIENCE was the best part. The presentation was beautiful, and the food was bar none, excellent. Top notch service, would definately visit here for a business dinner, group dinner, or intimate dinner with a loved one.

Wonderful Food!!

By Amy M |

The TSC has been one of our favorite restaurants for a long time and when it came time to host our son’s rehearsal dinner, there was only one call. Kelli and the whole staff at the TSC were wonderful to work with and most importantly the food was fantastic

Happy Hour Cheers

By Sam |

Nice customer service with an attentive wait staff. Patio is near a bustling street, but you can dine inside. Decent Oysters & cocktail shrimps. Yummy buttery cheese bread. Grapefruit Basil Martini & Guava Margarita is a must try. Happy Hour cheers

Amazing rehearsal dinner!

By Angela S |

We hosted our rehearsal dinner at the Tortoise Supper Club, and it was truly an amazing experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was elegant and welcoming—exactly the kind of warm, intimate vibe we were hoping for. The wait staff went above and beyond. They were friendly, attentive, and efficient, making sure everything ran smoothly throughout the evening. A special shoutout to the event coordinator, who was incredibly helpful, responsive, and accommodating throughout the planning process. Their support made the whole experience feel effortless. And the food—outstanding! Every dish was delicious, and our guests couldn’t stop raving about their meals. We received so many compliments on the dinner, and it made the night even more special. We wholeheartedly recommend the Tortoise Supper Club to anyone planning a rehearsal dinner or special event. It exceeded all our expectations!

Big portion OK food

By SuperShan1 |

I read so much raving reviews of this place. Probably expectations were too high. Our server is nice and courteous but not genuine. Only in USA we're force to tip whether is horrendous or good service. Anyway, we find our server attitude pretty awkward. Their bread starter was huge but not at all "great tasting". Is quite dry and feels like it was 1 day old. They seems to "refresh" it. Portion was huge. Oyster is so tiny I feel cheated :) Wine by the glass was good. It gets busy by 630pm. Didn't stay long as place is too noisy and tables are like 5 meters apart makes you feel uncomfortable.

Let down

By Brent P |

Vibe: fantastic Waiter: fantastic Food: disappointing The best part of the meal was the Caesar salad. Was looking forward to the beef Wellington and it was flavorless. Same with my wife’s sea bass. Definitely won’t be returning.

Romantic Step Back In Time

By Aeloa |

The Supper Club was perfect! Cozy and Romantic with friendly and competent staff! Everyone was so welcoming and knowledgeable and accommodating! And the food was great! I ordered all appetizers because they were all my favorites- calamari, jumbo shrimp and phenomenal relish tray and tasty chop salad which was large enough for us to share! My husband has filet Oscar with some great sides! We over orders because everything on the menu was right up our alley. The praline chocolate Ice cream at the end was the best chocolate ice cream I’ve ever tasted- delicately flavored with a liqueur- maybe? Just lovely. Although if we weren’t so stuffed I would have tried the cherry pie! Great menu, great history and great staff!!

Perfect for a Special Night Out

By TMC |

I first visited Tortoise in December of 2022 and couldn’t wait to come back. It was the perfect place to celebrate my friend’s birthday and our server, Jorge, made it extra special. He was very attentive and even went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect: this included walking my daughter to the bathroom because she wore really high heels (and doesn’t normally). Beyond that, the food and atmosphere were amazing. Be prepared to spend some money, but it is definitely worth it. Perfect for a special dinner, celebration, or date night.

Amazing dining experience

By Steve L |

rom the moment you walk into the Tortoise Supper Club, you know you are in for an extraordinary dining experience. The ambiance is elegant and sophisticated, setting the stage for a meal that truly feels like a special occasion. The evening began with the most amazing hand-crafted Old Fashioned’s. The balance of spirits and bitters was perfect, a testament to the skill of the bartender. It was a drink to be savored, and it set the tone for the impeccable quality to come. Next, the oysters were out of this world—fresh, briny, and served with a delicate presentation of mignonette that highlighted their natural flavor. But the true star of the show was the King's Cut prime rib. It was absolutely mouth-watering, cooked to perfection, and so tender it practically melted in your mouth. Every bite was rich and full of flavor. Our server, Jorge M., was the epitome of excellent service. He was super attentive throughout the entire meal, anticipating our needs without being intrusive. He made us feel like kings, elevating the dining experience to a whole new level. The combination of incredible food, fantastic drinks, and unparalleled service makes Tortoise Supper Club a must-visit destination.

Would go to Chicago just for this

By Heather O |

My husband and I had the best time at this restaurant! There was a slight miscommunication among servers as to who got our table, so we waited a while before someone greeted us, but once they realized what was going on they JUMPED into action! Our server, Florintino, was wonderful; he anticipated our needs and went out of his way to ensure my birthday dinner was a smashing success. We were so stuffed with good food, it felt like we had to roll back to our hotel after our meal. Every single course and drink was out of this world! We will absolutely go out of our way to dine there again and will make it an intentional stop anytime we are near Chicago!

A must visit

By Karimey B |

I've been to tortoise for several different occasions. One of my most favorite places in Chicago. The best dirty martini I've ever had, great happy hour specials. Quality food and excellent service.

Amazing food, great ambience, and heroic staff!

By kperkinst |

My wife and I stayed in the city over the weekend. and discovered this gem. We learned there was live Jazz music in the lounge that night, which combined with the reviews and photos we saw on the internet, sold us. It surpassed our expectations! Some really neat custom cocktails, combined with a great menu. Our waiter, Jorge, provided superb service, and was very attentive. Halfway during our meal, a diner at the table right next to us started choking, and Jorge was there in a flash. 911 was called, but there was no time to wait, and Jorge, trained in giving the Heimlich maneuver, jumped in, performed the maneuver successfully, saving the guy's life .. was so impressed by his sense of calm, resolve, and urgency .. .truly heroic! The GM, Mike came by later and checked to see how we enjoyed our meal and experience, which we told him we were delighted with. One last observation was how quickly the staff changed over the tables with new linens and silverware .. you blink, and it was done. I have never enjoyed seeing tables sit there cluttered, with leftover food and dishes, so that just added to the atmosphere and experience. Next time in the city, we'll be back!!

Wedding Reception was a Dream Come True

By Julia G |

This review is shamefully overdue - especially given how fabulous of a time we had at the Tortoise Supper Club for our wedding reception dinner in November 2021. My (now) husband and myself live in California but wanted to host our reception in Chicago (where all of my extended family live). We were doing all of the planning ourselves and were unable to visit any restaurants or venues in advance of our event - very stressful! The Tortoise Supper Club was one of our top choices from the get-go - the photos on the internet had such character and we loved the unique feel. Kelli from the Tortoise Supper Club made planning every detail SO EASY! She gave amazing recommendations and answered all of my many questions. I have never planned any event before and her upbeat attitude and quick responses always put me at ease. The night of our reception dinner was a dream come true. The restaurant looks even better in person than in the photos online and the jazz musician trio gave such a lively backdrop to the entire evening. We reserved both the lounge (for our cocktail hour) and the red room (for the sit-down dinner) for our event. The fireplace with the red lacquered walls of the red room made for some amazing photos! For the food, we went with various platters and passed appetizers for the cocktail hour (held in the lounge area). Dinner was the Steinway package - every course was delicious. One of the benefits of holding our reception in a restaurant was being able to accommodate all of our guests' dietary needs and restrictions. Plus we didn't need to gather anyone's entree choice in advance - they all got to decide the night of (which made planning everything even easier). The service was top notch. We had the team of Chimi, Luke, and Victor making sure that our evening ran along smoothly. They were so attentive - our guests needed for nothing! I truly could not recommend the Tortoise Supper Club enough. We had guests reaching out to my parents for weeks and weeks after the event just to share what a great time they had.

Cozy Atmosphere!

By K P |

Stopped in for a drink after shopping in horrible weather and ended up staying for dinner. Seated in a cozy booth. Waitstaff is very knowledgeable and we loved the menu. All of our food was tasty! We will be back!

Great food

By C E |

This restaurant is top of the line. The food is very good. The service is excellent.the atmosphere is very romantic. Desserts are great.

Fantastic place for rehearsal dinner.

By KML1126 |

We absolutely loved our experience with Tortoise Supper Club! We hosted a rehearsal dinner at TSC on a Friday night in June for approximately 60 guests. Kelli, the events manager helped me coordinate the evening —including contact with the florist who created beautiful flowers and an AV company who set up a screen for us to loop a slideshow throughout the evening. Everyone raved about how delicious the food was—we chose the filet, chicken and scallops, the signature chopped salad with dressing on the side, the signature tortoise bread service, and the Tortoise pie. The passed canapes were also wonderful--mushroom risotto bites, the goat cheese stuffed peppadew peppers, meatballs and bruschetta bites—all delicious. We are glad we reserved both the main dining room and the board room—that gave us plenty of space for the dinner as well as a welcome party afterwards for a little over 100 people. The lovely jazz music playing in the background added to the beauty of the evening. And finally, a shout out to the staff at Tortoise Supper Club. They were amazing—they were professional, friendly, joy-filled, and made sure everything moved along seamlessly. All of our guests commented repeatedly on how wonderful everything was. We highly recommend the Tortoise Supper Club!!

No jazz music tonight 😟

By DuckTails2013 |

Booked here because we like jazz and wanted to have the whole ‘jazz supper club experience’. Booked ahead too as we were only in town for 3 nights. So we were somewhat disappointed to find out when we arrived that there was to be no jazz at all as there was a wedding rehearsal dinner in the private dining room and they’d asked for just a piano playing in the lounge area (also closed off for the rest of us). If I had been informed of this arrangement when I booked ahead (or when we were contacted for reservation confirmation) then I could have booked for a different night. So I can only review the restaurant. The ambience is of a sophisticated traditional dining room; the staff attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and wine. The food was good and plentiful. However owing to the lack of live jazz music it was just a traditional restaurant. Sadly we won’t get the opportunity to come back for the live jazz so will have to take other reviewers word that it’s good!

Beautiful room, so-so food

By gigio123 |

The restaurant is beautiful, a throwback to the old supper clubs where you' expect Frank Sinatra and the clan to make an entrance. Service was inspired and efficient. Soups were good. My colleagues roasted chicken salad very VERY light on chicken. I had to give him half my sandwich, which was fine. Drinks very nice. Just very high prices for what is delivered. I like the space and had a good time with my pals, but likely will not return. Just nothing out of the ordinary, except the space and the prices.

Elevated supper club experience steeped in tradition

By Sue S |

I grew up growing to supper clubs in the Midwest when the family took fishing trips. It was an easy dining experience where folks felt comfortable and the food was plentiful. In those days, there would be fish frys, relish trays, iceberg lettuce salads. Good homey food. But The Tortoise Supper Club elevates that experience. Sure, they have the relish tray, meatloaf, and other standard favorites. But the food is upscale and the fish is not necessarily fried. I was dining with a friend from NY who didn’t really know what a supper club was, and he was pleasantly surprised. We both had the burrata salad with heirloom tomatoes and it was delicious. Very fresh, just the right touch of herbs and vinaigrette. The scallops with risotto were cooked to perfection. Sweet, subtle, plentiful. We would definitely come back. Stayed at the Langham and this was right outside the back entrance. Very convenient. Make sure you check out the entrance because it’s steeped in Chicago tradition. Read the background of what this place holds. Lots of pieces of Chicago history. And be sure to rub the tortoise in the front. It’s good luck.

Great for events, weddings

By Annie T |

We had a small 18-person ceremony and dinner to celebrate our wedding at the Tortoise Supper Club in April 2024 and couldn't have had a better experience. The food and atmosphere were great and the service was above and beyond. They really did everything they could to accommodate our requests, and the lead server on the night of the event was fantastic. They clearly host many events in the space and have the process down to a science. I would highly recommend!

Like a Tortoise, take your time and enjoy!

By waterboss |

I have eaten a numerous restaurants in Chicago but this really is in a league of its own. The atmosphere is fantastical. There is the bar/jazz lounge with the dark wood paneling and 100 year old Steinway piano. Original paneling from the Chicago Pump Room. There is the "library" room for dining with original books and decor from the Chicago Newberry Library. This place is classy! The food is phenomenal whether you love fish or steaks. The best part of it all however is the level of service. Our waiter, "Chimmy", actual even sang to us. He has mastered the English language and once you hear him describe the entrees or specials you won't stop salivating. This restaurant is conveniently located near the Chicago Theater. I would highly recommend the Tortoise Supper Club to anyone that appreciates fine dining.

Great atmosphere and staff

By k86j84 |

What a pleasant evening at the Tortoise. The atmosphere with the live jazz and woodwork gave it a very classic, traditional feel. Almost like a step back in time. My favorite part is that the owner was running around trying to seat people and make sure everyone was happy, you can tell that these people truly care about their business and guests. Thanks so much for great hospitality, we will be back.