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Latest Menu Offerings - Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails, Chicago, IL

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

4.5
4.5
613 Reviews
$50 and over
Steakhouse

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 29 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for business meals
  • Hot spot
  • Good for groups
Kindling boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of downtown Chicago. Chef Partner is James Beard Award-winning Jonathon Sawyer, who brings a worldly perspective and decades of wood-fired cooking to Kindling's internationally inspired menu. Located within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling welcomes guests for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, with happy hour specials offered on weekdays from 3pm-5:30pm.

Follow us on social @kindlingchicago & @chefsawyer!

CLOSED: 11/28, 12/24-12/26, 1/1
Open for dinner only 12/27-12/28
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American, Grill
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00–15:45 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • Phone number
    (312) 789-5992
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Jonathon Sawyer
  • Private party facilities
    Situated within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of the city. At the helm of the kitchen is James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer, who brings a worldly perspective and decades of w
  • Private party contact
    Abbey Arp: (319) 360-2169
  • Area
    River North (Chicago)
  • Cross Street
    Inside Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    CTA: - Quincy (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple Lines)- Jackson (Blue/Red Lines)- Bus Stops: 126 / 151 / 56Metra: - Union Station
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Pre-Theater Dinner

    US$59.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Located just a short walk from Chicago's theater district, Kindling's convenient location provides for the perfect place to enjoy dinner before your show. Highlighting some of our menu's top hits, this three-course dining experience is a great way for you and your guests to gather for a meal without stressing about making it to the show on-time. By purchasing this experience, we will ensure your party enjoys their meal in under and hour, with plenty of time to head to your show. Commute Times (walking) Lyric Opera House: 8 min Cadillac Palace: 10 min The Goodman: 14 min Nederlander: 14 min
    Pre-Theater Dinner photo
  • Three-Course Business Lunch

    US$39.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Whether you're looking to host a client or have a team lunch, this three-course express menu offers some of Kindling's top hits in a convenient and efficient format. It makes the decision-making process simpler and allows you more time to get down to business and back to the office. By pre-booking this experience, you also skip the hassle of having to pay your bill at the end of your meal, as all items are purchased in advance.
    Three-Course Business Lunch photo

What 613 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails offers an exceptional dining experience with "delicious food," "great ambiance," and "attentive service." Known for its "fabulous wings" and "outstanding steaks," this restaurant is a perfect spot for both casual and special occasions. Patrons appreciate the open-fire cooking experience and the "welcoming atmosphere."

613 Reviews
  1. Cambren

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food! Great ambiance! Nice date night spot!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Josh

    Caribbean

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely delicious food and drinks. Service was great and responsive.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Deanna

    VIP

    Chicago

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The is a gorgeous space with gorgeous and delicious food. The pork secreto was tender and succulent, an excellent recommendation from our astute server. The cocktails were satisfying and we enjoyed the Verde 75. We even saw Chef Sawyer busy in the kitchen!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Dev

    Caribbean

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    We went for the Valentine's menu and it was honestly very disappointing and not at all up to the hype

    1 person found this helpful

  5. Sam

    Miami

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ordered a ribeye, was cooked perfectly, but was cold like it sat out for a while before being brought to the table. Good otherwise

    Is this helpful?

  6. Chantill

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Thank you Amber for the experience. The food was atrocious. Both of us ordered the Ribeye steak. I ordered the smaller steak without the bone. When my food was delivered my steak was cold. I ordered it medium well. The host was accommodating and warmed the steak which caused the steak to cook a little longer than medium well. Overall we would rate the food 1 out of 5.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Raciel

    Chicago

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Except the entree, the Valentine’s Day dinner courses were appetizers at best. Maybe try adding a little more than a a quarter teaspoon of caviar on the giant potato chip next time. Service was really unorganized. We had ordered something before our next course and was completely forgotten after being told we would be getting some more oysters. Cocktails were amazing along with a cozy ambiance. For the price, I would look elsewhere for a nice meal.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. Luis

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible ambience, perfect music levels so conversation with your table is still understandable without yelling. Food and drinks were superb and portions were very generous. Service was amazing.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Amy

    VIP

    Milwaukee

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. I ate simply (oysters and prawns) but everything was perfection! I sat at the kitchen counter which is fun for a solo diner like myself. I also appreciated that the bar happy hour prices extended to the dining room 😉

    Is this helpful?

  10. Nicole

    VIP

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food & service. Sophia provided outstanding service. It was a lovely dining experience.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails is rated 4.5 stars by 613 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 29 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails

202 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Inside Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams
  • Area
    River North (Chicago)
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00–15:45 Happy Hour Mon–Fri 15:00–17:30 Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–21:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Steakhouse, American, Grill
  • Dining style
    Elegant Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Public transit
    CTA: - Quincy (Brown/Orange/Pink/Purple Lines)- Jackson (Blue/Red Lines)- Bus Stops: 126 / 151 / 56Metra: - Union Station
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Jonathon Sawyer
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (312) 789-5992
  • Private party facilities
    Situated within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of the city. At the helm of the kitchen is James Beard Award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer, who brings a worldly perspective and decades of w
  • Private party contact
    Abbey Arp: (319) 360-2169
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
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