Oaken Bar + Bistro

  4.2 – 177 reviews   • Restaurant

Social Profile:

Oaken is a modern, upscale American Bistro + Bar with a global influence. Enjoy all-day dining in Lake Forest with elevated burgers & salads as well as dishes with more unique, worldly flavor trends like our popular Barbacoa Rotini, Cubano with Roasted Pork Belly, or Braised Short Rib. When it’s time for Happy Hour, the sleek lounge features a craft cocktail menu with signature herbal-infused offerings as well as an eclectic wine list and local beers. Enjoy all day drinks and dining in the contemporary dining room, the inviting 25-seat outdoor patio, or order take-out or delivery. Branch out from your ordinary routine and unearth Oaken!

✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in Oaken Bar + Bistro 60045

Address and Contact Information

Address: 200 N Field Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Phone: (847) 582-6410

Website: https://www.oakenbistro.com/

Menu Photos

places.singleplatform.com

Photo Gallery

Related Web Results

Menu — Oaken Bistro + Bar

Oaken’s menu is strong and bold like the many, centuries-old white oak heritage trees found in and around Lake Forest, IL. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, …

Oaken Bistro + Bar

Oaken is a refined Bistro + Bar offering a contemporary American menu that balances creativity with familiarity. Enjoy all-day dining in Lake Forest from …

Specials + Events – Oaken Bistro + Bar

CITADEL THEATRE GOERS DISCOUNTAll Theatre Event DatesAttending a show at The Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest … Lake Forest, IL 60045 · 847-582-6410 · info@ …

Last Updates

Reviews

Mark Cawley
A nice place. Bar noise infringes on restaurant but not too bad.
We were there on a Thursday and there was one person working the bar and waiting tables, so things were a bit slow.
Food was good but the dessert special, while delicious, was a bit scanty – a quarter of the bowl was the dessert (maybe less) and 3/4 was whipped cream.
… more
Olena
I had a great experience at this restaurant. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. While the menu offered only a small selection of dishes, everything we tried was really good. Overall, a fantastic spot that I’d happily visit again!
… more
A
Wow what a gem of a restaurant! Classy atmosphere, great service, and delicious food. We did the goat cheese + honey appetizer, and for dinner I selected the Oaken Burger. It was all 10/10. My husband loves Espresso Martinis and said this was “the best” Espresso Martini he’s ever had. We will definitely be back again.
… more
Paul Meijer
Never judge a book by its cover. When I arrived, the empty parking lot and the restaurant being inside a hotel initially raised red flags. However, with limited options and an open mind, I decided to give it a try—and was blown away. The cuisine and customer service were exceptional! They even fresh squeezed lemonade for me!

Oaken Bar + Bistro: A Taste of Elegance in Every Bite

Beef Tenderloin Empanadas
The empanadas set the tone with their flaky crust and tender, perfectly seasoned beef filling. Accompanied by vibrant chimichurri and a zesty lemon tomato sauce, this starter balances richness and brightness with precision. Each bite feels indulgent yet fresh, leaving you eager for more.

Oaken Salad
This salad takes simplicity to an elevated level. A mix of fresh greens pairs unexpectedly well with juicy orange segments and velvety whipped ricotta. The lavender vanilla vinaigrette adds a subtle floral sweetness, tying the dish together beautifully. A sourdough crostini provides the perfect crunch, making this a standout plate for anyone craving a sophisticated yet light option.

Atlantic Salmon
A dish that seamlessly combines comforting and refined elements. The salmon, cooked to perfection, sits atop a silky potato purée that practically melts on the tongue. Earthy wild mushrooms add depth, while the buerre rouge sauce lends a rich, tangy finish. Every element works in harmony, creating a dish that’s both comforting and memorable.

And of course, my signature cappuccino…

Oaken Bar + Bistro shows its mastery in weaving together thoughtful ingredients with elevated techniques, making each plate a well-orchestrated delight.

Here’s a bit about the venue:
Oaken Bistro + Bar is a modern, upscale American bistro located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It offers all-day dining with a menu that blends elevated American classics, such as burgers and salads, with globally influenced dishes like Beef Tenderloin Empanadas and the Cubano sandwich.

The restaurant features a sleek lounge serving craft cocktails, including signature herbal-infused options, alongside an eclectic wine list and local beers. Guests can enjoy their meals in a contemporary dining room, a 25-seat outdoor patio, or opt for take-out and delivery services.

Executive Chef Christian Alejandro leads the culinary team, offering a diverse American menu with international influences from Latin America, Italy, and Creole cuisines. Chef Alejandro was recently inducted into the Disciples Escoffier organization, highlighting his culinary expertise.
… more
Tamar
Visited Oaken on New Years Eve, and it was a night to remember! They had a special menu, and I had the Surf N Turf – it was so delicious! The manager did an outstanding job making sure everything ran smoothly, he was even making drinks! His staff was friendly and attentive the entire night! They had live music, which was perfect! The pianist was very talented and was taking song requests. Many people were dancing and having a great time! Major kudos to the manager for putting together an amazing NYE party! We even got up and had brunch the following morning and the food was great! Thank you, Oaken, for great service, delicious food, and an unforgettable experience l
… more
Volha Weber
We went to oaken a couple weeks ago for late brunch. The place looks absolutely beautiful, we really admired the design of the space. The food was really good, we got chilaquiles (was sooooo good!) and smoked turkey Rueben sandwich (was a really good Rueben). Overall the food and atmosphere was great and is defiantly worth the visit.

The service, however, has some room for improvement. While our server was very friendly and nice, the service in general was a little on a slower end. The restaurant had may be 3 tables at the time when we were there, so it wasn’t busy by any stretch of imagination. So there was no real reason for dragging out on taking our order or dropping the bill down. Overall, not the end of the world, but something to keep in mind. I could see how service could spiral out of control had there been more tables at the restaurant. We did enjoy our experience overall and will most definitely be back in a few months.
… more
Wayne Pombert II
The Oaken Bar + Bistro is a lovely establishment attached to The Hyatt Hotel in Lake Forest, IL. Its elegant interior is well designed, providing an upscale atmosphere. The staff is friendly and attentive, giving wonderful customer service. The food is quite delicious and unique, presented with a tasty display. It arrives at the table with reasonable proportions. As our first time visiting the Oaken, we ordered Shakshuka, which we’ve never had before, along with the Open-faced waffle-battered chicken sandwich. Both dishes were scrumptious and worth the first time experience.
… more
Tana Tanakorn Nuchangsing
I had Atlantic salmon, truffle fries, Oaken salad and tacos. Food was good! I really enjoyed it.
Service was good too. Beautiful vibes and awesome decoration design.
… more
Kovas Palubinskas
We chose this based on the photos and almost didn’t go because it’s in a hotel. Glad we went – pretty and wide open space, good looking food as well. Service was good and food came out in a reasonable time. Only improvement needed really is that the food wasn’t seasoned and there was no salt on the table. Brunch on the weekend is a good time to go as the menu features items from both the breakfast and lunch menus.
… more
Shianti Lee
The people were super kind! Enjoyed the people rooms as they were clean and nice. It was extremely spacious and easy to maneuver in.
… more
… View more

Leave a Comment