1,644 reviews
#125 of 8,576 Restaurants in Chicago$$ - $$$, German, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly+1 312-427-3170+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Mon
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Tue
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 8:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Reserve a table
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
$19.00 – $53.00
CUISINES
German, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
meals, features
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
---The Berghoff Restaurant is a Chicago landmark, serving German-style cuisine and culture since 1898. One of the oldest family-run businesses in the nation, now run by the fourth generation, Pete Berghoff. Today's Berghoff menus have evolved to add newer, lighter, and more contemporary dishes, but it's still the same old Berghoff, down to the famous root beer. In December 2018, the Berghoff family opened Adams Street Brewery, aptly named after the street they have called home for over a century, to nod to their brewing roots and commemorate the restaurant's 120th anniversary.
PRICE RANGE
$19.00 – $53.00
CUISINES
German, Contemporary
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Gift Cards Available
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4.0
1,644 reviews
Excellent
699
Very good
594
Average
240
Poor
83
Terrible
28
Amy M
Wheaton36 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
My date and I visited ten days before Christmas on a Thursday evening after visiting the Christkindle Market in Chicago. Upon entering the bar area we were excited to see a live band performing, However when we opted for a table that appeared open in the bar area we were told the entire bar area was reserved for a corporate holiday party that evening. This was despite a number of tables being vacant and with one table having only a briefcase on one of the chairs. Instead we were told we could be seated at a table around the corner located in front of the window that contained the microbrew equipment. This was more like an aisle for people to walk through versus an actual dining or bar area. Obviously the entire bar area was reserved for a corporate party so we opted for this table. Throughout the course of the next hour we observed a number of tables in the bar area were never utilized by the corporate party and sat empty. The band played the same style of music during our entire visit - a mix of loud jazz and rock. It would have been nice to hear a holiday themed song or even a German song given the fact this is a German themed restaurant with a long German history. Definitely understand that corporate group parties are important but why couldn't they have been put in another location in the restaurant instead of blocking off the entire bar area? We ordered potato pancakes as an appetizer. We were expecting a traditional German potato pancake but instead received 4 bite size pancakes that were topped with bacon. The rest of our meal was ok however we had at least 3 different waiters so we were never really sure who our waiter was. Would suggest they find a place in the restaurant that would be better suited for corporate parties instead of the main bar area.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francisco O
Iowa City125 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
As the title states. We were referred to this restaurant while visiting Central Camera at 230 S Wabash.
This was our family’s first visit to Berghof Restaurant. It should also be noted that this was our family’s first try at German Food.
The first thing you notice prior to being seated is that there are murals all over the restaurant celebrating Chicago circa the Columbia Exposition of 1893. It is worth a visit if you love art and/or history.
The beer is top notch and I was pleasantly surprised by the Anniversary Bock. That brew is smooth.
As an appetizer we ordered a giant pretzel that was so large that it was hung on a banana rack to allow it to cool. It is served warm. Cheese and mustard are provided for dunking. Although I preferred it with just plain butter. It was delicious.
The Duck meatball stroganoff was delightful and can be shared with other members of your party. The spinatknödel is a vegetarian dish that uses spices traditionally found in meatballs. That was a pleasant surprise and also shared around the table.
The desserts such as German chocolate cake, white vanilla mouse and root beer float are all worth a try.
We will be back.
Oh and if you have a chance and love all things cameras from antiques to film development and camera repair, stop by Central Camera and talk to Don.
After all, he gives great restaurant recommendations.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jonijohnson
Rapid City95 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
What a lovely place to have lunch! With timeless decor, very attentive and efficient wait staff and absolutely delicious food, The Berghoff is the restaurant of choice in the Loop. I had spinach knodel and my partner had schnitzel and spaetzle. The menu has a wide variety of meals available.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HoozherDaddy
Royal Center30 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Our experience with wait staff at Chicago restaurants has generally been very good. Unfortunately Adams Street is a dismal exception. On both visits the initial greeting has been gruff and rude. Table service is spotty and indifferent. Bar service is even colder than the beer - especially if that's all you're having.
The beer is varied & decent. In my weighted score book a 1 for bad beer and a 4 or more for good people equates to at least a 3. On the other hand, as here, a 4 for beer and a 1 for unfriendly people gets you a 2.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ColleenS1792
Good Evening,
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback on both The Berghoff and Adams Street Brewery. While you may have enjoyed our in-house beer, your service and or your experience with our staff doesn't seem to be of the standards we expect. We want all our customers to feel welcome, enjoy their meal, whether it is in the dining room or bar, and interactions with all our staff.
If you would, please email us at info@berghoff.com, with the date(s) and time you dined, description or name of the server, and any other pertinent information, we would appreciate it.
Thank you again for the feedback, and I hope to hear from you.
Colleen S.
Brand Manager
Written 6 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dese2
Auburn3632 contributions
Jul 2022 • none
I went here with a group of six. Two of us arrived a bit ahead to reserve a table. They wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived. They have comfy window seats for waiting. The others arrived shortly.
Bathrooms are downstairs.
Once we got seated, we were greeted by a pleasant woman who said she would give us separate checks.
The menu has a lot of choice, not just traditional German foods. Our orders were from schnitzel to linguine to fish tacos and beer to pina colada. They have choices for almost every taste! Including nonalcoholic beverages.
The place was perfect for a table of loud people having a good time. Our server, sorry I don't know her name, was just perfect. She kept us happy and served us with a smile.
Well done, Berghoff!
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
crunch6
Northbrook728 contributions
Sept 2021 • none
This is THE BEST place for great German food and beer in the city. We got great big liter steins of their beer during Octoberfest and a large pretzel to keep the stomach happy. They have the best creamed spinach and the best weiner schnitzel in town.
Written 20 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurer754770
Saint Louis111 contributions
Jul 2022 • friends
My friend found this restaurant in a guidebook and said I have a good feeling about this. Boy did that good feeling pay off we love this place from the moment we entered the beautiful glitching neon sign on West Adams, and we walked into these lovely wood paneling‘s and antique lights and felt right at home. The beer flights were a delightful treat to start off the evening and each of our four beers were fantastic. The waiter was very helpful in helping us make selections of beers and also in our food selections. We ordered the stuffed mushrooms to go with our beer flight and it was divine one of the best stuffed mushrooms ever. I had the Wiener schnitzel and my friend had white fish that was served on a risotto cake. We also ordered a fantastic creamed spinach and sauerkraut. It was the best sauerkraut I’ve ever had in a restaurant or at home for that matter! The food was exceptional delicious, served hot and full of flavor. I love this place and would highly recommend it.
Written 15 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ArtPhemister
Chattanooga383 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
My wife and I ate here a number of years ago and decided to return for good, authentic German food. We split the Sauerbraten with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. We thought our service was very good and the food was delicious. This is about as authentic as I’ve had for German food in the U.S. For desert I had the apple strudel which was very good. My wife had the gluten free cheesecake and thought it was also very good. We will return to the Berghoff when back in Chicago.
Written 31 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilreign
Massachusetts130 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
Great food, great desserts, great beer! great holiday atmosphere! a holiday tradition! Schnitzels, spätzle, creamed spinach! Excellent choice for children, finding the pickle on the Christmas tree gets you a discount on their homemade root beer, which is excellent!
Written 21 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SNG56
Scottsdale849 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Decided to try this place based on menus and reviews. Made a reservation which may or may not be necessary. Arrived and were greeted and seated. Water materialized and the waitperson came by and asked if we were ready which we were not as we had just sat down. This was a theme for the meal. We ordered some drinks while we looked at the menu. Everything sounded good but we decided to order a smaller meal based on the portion sizes we saw. We placed an order for an appetizer of stuffed mushrooms followed by the Wiener Schnitzel. We asked that the courses be spaced out. The mushrooms were delicious. As soon as those plates were cleared our main course arrived. The schnitzel seemed a bit heavy to me compared with those I make and have eaten in Europe. Service was just fine. The problem was that we were done with dinner in 45 minutes, not the leisurely dinner we were hoping for.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kam Ngap Lan
Greenlaw223 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
We visited this restaurant three times in one week for lunch and dinner and found it to be superb on each occasion providing great beer and delicious food, the sauerkraut was exceptional. The bar is also a great place for a drink getting licence number 1 post prohibition. So interesting.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Schwenn
Willard116 contributions
Sept 2021 • couples
Chicago is one of my favorite cities to visit. As food people we always have one spot we hit, then of course always try new ones. Well we found one that is on our new must eat at on all future visits. Locals, don’t make them depend on us tourists give this OLD Old Chicago restaurant a try. But be warned, it is addictive.
Yes the food is great, but it’s more than that. It’s a decor that is sharp and classy and a staff that is attentive and professional.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelBug
Charlotte105 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
Went here on a recommendation, maybe should have done lunch and sandwiches but dinner was really basic. My teen will eat anything but its basically Sysco food you can find better almost anywhere. Had to send mine back - the bacon was undercooked and the waitress basically said "that happens all the time" yuck. Got the job done but can tell they are riding on their old reputation.
Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy D
246 contributions
Oct 2022 • friends
We had Weiner Schnitzel and Jager Schnitzel......both with Spatzel. Both meals were good
We thought it strange that this restaurant didn't serve late on a Saturday night. You had to be seated by730pm to be served. The bartender called out "last call" at 745pm
I would have liked to try another of their tap beers, but it was too late!!
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abbi-the-cat
Bradford40 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We visited here a few times a couple of years ago. So we wanted to go back and it was still the same, great venue, great staff and amazing food. They still offer great choices for Coeliacs / Gluten Free. I can not recommend the salted caramel cheesecake enough,
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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