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Essence Restaurant + Bar, Elkhart, IN

Essence Restaurant + Bar

4.9
4.9
405 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 15 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Innovative
A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (574) 327-6143
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Juan Rodriguez

What 405 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.9Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.8Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Indiana

    Best Overall

  • Indiana

    Best Food

  • Indiana

    Best Service

  • Indiana

    Best Ambiance

  • Indiana

    Best Value

  • Indiana

    Innovative

  • Indiana

    Good for special occasions

  • Indiana

    American

  • South Bend

    Best Overall

  • South Bend

    Best Food

  • South Bend

    Best Service

  • South Bend

    Best Ambiance

  • South Bend

    Best Value

  • South Bend

    Hot spot

  • South Bend

    Neighborhood gem

  • South Bend

    Great for fine wines

  • South Bend

    Great for outdoor dining

  • South Bend

    Romantic

  • South Bend

    Good for special occasions

  • South Bend

    Lively

  • South Bend

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Essence Restaurant + Bar offers an "exceptional dining experience" in Elkhart, praised for its "phenomenal food" and "superior service." Known for its "personalized touches," including handwritten notes from owner Brad, Essence is a top choice for special occasions. Guests appreciate the "cozy ambiance," "creative menu," and "attentive staff," making it a "favorite restaurant" for locals and visitors alike.

405 Reviews
  1. Vance

    Indiana

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had high expectations going into Essence with all of the hype and talk. However upon entering and being greeted and seated I knew we were in for a treat. All of our expectations where blow out of the water in the best way possible. The service was INCREDIBLE and the food was even better. The cocktails where delicious and refreshing and fun. Everything was so well balanced and thoughtful. We are VERY lucky to have something of this caliber in our area. We will absolutly be back with joy.

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  2. Wesley

    VIP

    Grand Rapids

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Next level across the board. Service is always amazing, food is the best every time & Brad always makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room. Essence has become a weekly regular stop.

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  3. Raymond

    Indiana

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Phenomenal service and food! Very kind and professional wait and greet staff!

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  4. Mark

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was our 1st visit to Essence. Staff was very kind and helpful. Owner, Brad was very helpful in suggesting wines, and entree’s! Food was outstanding. Wine was exquisite. Service was attentive. Overall, a great dining experience. We will return … soon.

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  5. Sam

    Grand Rapids

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic experience with incredible food! Highly recommend.

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  6. Karon

    Indiana

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Once again we had a delicious meal with excellent friendly service. My favorite Elkhart restaurant.

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  7. JP

    VIP

    Phoenix

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic as always! Best service around! Brad and his team always knock it out of the park!

    Is this helpful?

  8. ginny

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our son and daughter in law were in from Tennessee and we wanted to bring them to a nice place to eat. They were very impressed and couldn't stop talking about the food, the ambience, etc. It was and has been a great experience.

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  9. MEGAN

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is always a memorable experience at Essence. The food is delicious and the service is top notch.

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  10. Greg

    Houston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We took my daughter and son-in-law for a birthday celebration dinner. She was greeted with a handwritten card at her place. That set the tone for an evening of outstanding food and service! The appetizers, entrees and desserts were all delicious and memorable. We highly recommend and we will return soon!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Essence Restaurant + Bar is rated 4.9 stars by 405 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 15 times today
Google Map for Essence Restaurant + Bar

333 Nibco Pkwy, Elkhart, IN 46516-3565

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Elkhart
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Executive chef
    Juan Rodriguez
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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