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✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in
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Located in Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin and Adams, Kindling offers a captivating steakhouse dining experience. Chef Partner is James Beard Award-winning Jonathon Sawyer, who brings a worldly perspective and decades of wood-fired cooking. With our live-fire show kitchen, prime steaks, fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails, Kindling brings the warmth of the hearth to the heart of the city. It’s the ideal setting for pre-theatre dinner, a large group business lunch, and after-work happy hour at the bar.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 202 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 789-5992
Website: https://www.kindlingchicago.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tripleseat.comopentable.com
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Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails in Chicago, IL. Live fire cooking in the heart of Chicago. Situated within Willis Tower at the corner of Franklin …
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Menu for Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails in Chicago, IL. Explore latest menu with photos and reviews.
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Kindling’s posted hours are: Lunch Mon–Sat 11:00 am–3:45 pm; Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–5:30 pm; Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm and Fri–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm.
Reviews
Cindy Li
Made a reservation for Restaurant Week with my sister. We started off with half a dozen raw oysters but unfortunately, we regretted it. They were NOT worth $4.50 per… For our appetizer, we had the lobster bisques which we both thought was good.
For our main entrees, we went with the steak frites and salmon. While the steak tempt was cooked to perfection, the steak itself tasted rubbery and under seasoned. We asked for more salt but our server never came back. The cedar grilled salmon was really salty. The sauce was too sweet and it just came with a dry burnt lime.
We finished with the classic creme brulee and chocolate pot de crème but it just didn’t hit the spot for us.
The restaurant interior was gorgeous, definitely a great spot for drinks and catching up with people! Unfortunately the service and hospitality really lacked. Our server just seems like she had a long day and wanted us out and done already. While we stilled tipped generously, it’s not worth a trip back again.
… moreFor our main entrees, we went with the steak frites and salmon. While the steak tempt was cooked to perfection, the steak itself tasted rubbery and under seasoned. We asked for more salt but our server never came back. The cedar grilled salmon was really salty. The sauce was too sweet and it just came with a dry burnt lime.
We finished with the classic creme brulee and chocolate pot de crème but it just didn’t hit the spot for us.
The restaurant interior was gorgeous, definitely a great spot for drinks and catching up with people! Unfortunately the service and hospitality really lacked. Our server just seems like she had a long day and wanted us out and done already. While we stilled tipped generously, it’s not worth a trip back again.
John Starnes
We went to Kindling last night for our anniversary dinner and it was outstanding from start to finish. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and every course was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. Cocktails were excellent, the food was full of flavor and perfectly cooked, and the overall atmosphere made the night feel special and relaxed.
You can tell the team genuinely cares about the experience they’re delivering. It was exactly what we were hoping for on an anniversary night—memorable, delicious, and well worth it. We’ll absolutely be back. Highly recommend!
… moreYou can tell the team genuinely cares about the experience they’re delivering. It was exactly what we were hoping for on an anniversary night—memorable, delicious, and well worth it. We’ll absolutely be back. Highly recommend!
Chris Pittman
Shared a memorable night here with friends after Black Friday shopping. The woodfire aroma from the kitchen is the first thing we noticed. The dining room is beautiful and comfortable. The staff took great care of us, guiding us through Chef Sawyer’s food philosophy and menu. Our group shared an assortment of dishes from the confit wings (don’t miss them) to steaks and pastas and 3 incredible desserts (pomegranate on the creme brulee tasted like Christmas). The food is hearty and satisfying with unique elements in each dish. Looking forward to coming back here soon.
… moreSweet Harmony Music
My husband and I are from Arkansas and had one night to ourselves on a family trip to Chicago. Of all the restaurants, we chose KINDLING to dine at and we already can’t wait to go back!!! Our server Destanee was fantastic and told us some great stories about Chef Jonathan Sawyer when we told her that we’re big fans! The kitchen sent out two “extras” for us. So hard to choose a favorite bite… wood fired oysters were excellent and unique, the best lobster bisque I’ve had in my life, crispy succulent octopus, soft pillowy gnocchi, and perfectly seasoned pork secreto frites. Everything was a home run! Thank you for a wonderful night. Highly recommend walking to Brando’s speakeasy after dinner for karaoke!
… moreGreg Diederich
What a wonderful experience. Came to Chicago just to eat here and it did not disappoint. Ate at the bar. Ian and Manny made the experience even better! And the FOOD!!! Er mer gerd!!!! So delicious and perfectly cooked! Can’t wait to come back!
… moreMatt Raveling
We had an incredible experience that exceeded our already high expectations. Every dish was incredibly balanced, with new found enjoyment of foods previously unconsidered. While I generally prefer savory food and loved every savory dish, the Pot de Creme was an experience in and of itself, from the dark chocolate to the whipped cream to the finishing salt.
… moreKari Thirsk
We’ve been to Kindling more times than I can count, and it remains one of our favorite spots to grab dinner before a theatre performance. The location is perfect—right by Union Station at the base of the Willis Tower. My husband has been a longtime fan of Chef Sawyers, and every visit reminds us why. The food is consistently incredible, the ambience is lovely, and the service is always top-notch. I highly recommend it!
My only complaint? The Frango Mint cake is no longer on the menu!
… moreMy only complaint? The Frango Mint cake is no longer on the menu!
Ctgb2
I finally made it to Kindling for dinner one night, and I walked away impressed — it’s one of those places that feels both elevated and inviting at the same time. The moment you step inside, you notice how much effort was put into the design: warm lighting, wood accents, and that open hearth right up front that gives everything a cozy, campfire-like vibe without being cheesy. The space is big and modern, but still comfortable and not too loud unless it’s peak dining time.
The wood-fired kitchen is seriously the star. You can actually watch food being prepared over the fire, and that flavor really comes through in dishes like the dry-aged ribeye and confit chicken wings — both had that deep, smoky char that you want in a wood-grilled meal. I also tried one of their classic cocktails, and it was unexpectedly creative and balanced — not just your usual bar-standards but drinks that felt crafted with care.
What I liked most was the overall balance of the experience. It’s upscale enough for a special dinner or date night, but it doesn’t feel snobby. Service was attentive without hovering, and the atmosphere hit that sweet spot between energetic and relaxed. Being tucked inside the Willis Tower, it also feels like a cool downtown find that locals and visitors alike can enjoy.
If I have to nitpick, the price point does lean toward the higher side — typical of downtown Chicago steak and wood-fire spots — but the quality generally matches what you pay for. And honestly, the vibe of the open fire and the elevated menu keeps it feeling worth it. Definitely recommend coming for happy hour or dinner, and make reservations if you’re planning a weekend visit.
… moreThe wood-fired kitchen is seriously the star. You can actually watch food being prepared over the fire, and that flavor really comes through in dishes like the dry-aged ribeye and confit chicken wings — both had that deep, smoky char that you want in a wood-grilled meal. I also tried one of their classic cocktails, and it was unexpectedly creative and balanced — not just your usual bar-standards but drinks that felt crafted with care.
What I liked most was the overall balance of the experience. It’s upscale enough for a special dinner or date night, but it doesn’t feel snobby. Service was attentive without hovering, and the atmosphere hit that sweet spot between energetic and relaxed. Being tucked inside the Willis Tower, it also feels like a cool downtown find that locals and visitors alike can enjoy.
If I have to nitpick, the price point does lean toward the higher side — typical of downtown Chicago steak and wood-fire spots — but the quality generally matches what you pay for. And honestly, the vibe of the open fire and the elevated menu keeps it feeling worth it. Definitely recommend coming for happy hour or dinner, and make reservations if you’re planning a weekend visit.
Brady McGuire
Kindling in Willis Tower delivers exceptional food with room for improvement elsewhere. My medium-rare steak frites was executed perfectly, tender, flavorful, and easily a 5-star dish. Service was adequate but lacked consistency, and the atmosphere, while fine, didn’t match the quality of the kitchen. Still, the food alone makes Kindling worth a visit.
… moreMike Wilson
I’m a bit of a foodie and a fan of cooking competitions so we picked Kindling to get a chance to taste some of Jonathan Sawyer’s cooking. I’ve watched him cook on Food Network frequently and he is known for taking basic dishes and elevating them. The menu at Kindling matches that vibe.
My wife and I split their lobster bisque and we had 3 different sandwiches between our group of 3 to share and sample. The club was a fairly typical yet well executed. Their Italian beef was delicious if maybe not the typical Chicago classic. The lobster roll was incredible and could go head to head with any restaurant on the coast.
The service was impeccable although we had the advantage of going at a slow time (3:30). I also thought the prices were reasonable especially considering we were in downtown Chicago.
… moreMy wife and I split their lobster bisque and we had 3 different sandwiches between our group of 3 to share and sample. The club was a fairly typical yet well executed. Their Italian beef was delicious if maybe not the typical Chicago classic. The lobster roll was incredible and could go head to head with any restaurant on the coast.
The service was impeccable although we had the advantage of going at a slow time (3:30). I also thought the prices were reasonable especially considering we were in downtown Chicago.