Hemmingway's Bistro

4.6

1273 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions
Charming

At Hemmingway's Bistro the menu combines classic French dishes with the freshest Midwest ingredients.
The daily specials reflect the chef's love for fresh seafood. Using mostly East-coast seafood flown in from Boston daily, the chef creates dishes like wild mushroom-crusted halibut on horseradish whipped potatoes and roasted sea bass on Caussoulet beans.
There is also a Parisian seafood bar offering towers of Plateau de Fruit de Mer with fresh oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, French American
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Sun 3:00 pm–7:30 pm
Phone number
(708) 524-0806
Website
http://www.hemmingwaysbistro.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Christopher C Ala

Location
211 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
Neighborhood
Oak Park
Cross street
Lake and Oak Park Ave
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Green Line on Oak Park Ave
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

$2 FRESH OYSTERS
Multiple dates available
Mon - Thu - 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM,Fri - Sat - 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Join us MONDAY - FRIDAY, at HEMMINGWAY'S BISTRO, for our Oyster Bar Special from 2:30PM - 5:30PM Enjoy $2 fresh oysters available alongside our daily fresh Seafood Lunch and Dinner Menus!
$5 OFF ALL COCKTAILS
Multiple dates available
Mon - Thu - 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
$5 OFF ALL COCKTAILS, WEEKDAYS, 2:30 - 5:30PM

Popular dishes

Soupe du Jour$9.00
Onion Soupe Gratinée$12.00
beef broth, Gruyére cheese
Chicken Liver Paté$14.00
Dijon mustard, cornichons
Mussels á la Marinière$16.00
white wine, fine herbs
Escargots de Bourgogne$15.00
garlic, pernod d'anise
Smoked Salmon$18.00
potato pancake, horseradish cream
Bistro Cheese Plate$17.00
fresh fruit, toasted crostini
Baked Brie$18.00
apricot preserves, wildflower honey
Lump Crab Cake$18.00
apple endive salade, grain mustard

Salades

Petite Salade$10.00
house vinaigrette
Frisée$14.00
bacon lardons, farm egg, croutons
Warm Goat Cheese$13.00
oven-dried tomatoes, chive vinaigrette
Grilled Chicken Cobb$19.00
avocado, blue cheese, bacon, egg, tomatoes
Maine Lobster$30.00
mango vinaigrette

Les Plats du Jour

Sandwiches

Served with pommes frites or fruit

Ham, Gruyére and Egg$18.00
apple, smoked ham, brioche, béchamel sauce
Smoked Salmon BLT$18.00
avocado, red pepper aioli, wheat breat
Blackened Whitefish$18.00
Lemon caper aioli
Bistro Burger$19.00
smoked bacon, brie
Bistro Burger Royale$28.00
foie gras, truffle mayo

Plats Principaux

Bistro Omelette$16.00
pommes frites
Quiche Du Jour$18.00
petite salade
Crepes Gratinée$17.00
French ham, gruyére cheese, asparagus
Baked Acorn Squash$23.00
mediterranean cous cous, balsamic glaze
Grilled Steak Frites$32.00
pommes frites, tomato persillé, beurre d'Maitre
Herb Crusted Whitefish$30.00
sauté spinach, pommes purée, lemon beurre blanc
Pan Roastefd Jumbo Maine Scallops$36.00
prosciutto, chanterelle, fingerling, scallion butter
Cape Cod Mussel Riesling$28.00
pommes rouge, riesling creme
Grilled Amish Chicken Paillard$26.00
arugula, tomato, mozzarella pearls

What 1,273 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.6Service
4.7Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Near West
Best Ambiance
Near West
Great for brunch
Near West
Neighborhood gem
Near West
Great for fine wines
Near West
Romantic
Near West
Good for special occasions
Near West
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Hemmingway's Bistro offers a charming French dining experience with a warm atmosphere and "excellent service." Reviewers praise the "delicious food," including standout dishes like foie gras and soufflé. The bistro's live jazz enhances the "great ambiance," perfect for special occasions. While service is sometimes slow, the overall experience remains enjoyable and memorable.

1,273 Reviews

K
Karolina
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a lovely experience at this charming restaurant. The service was exceptional, huge thanks to our waiter Axel, who made the evening even more memorable. We tried a Beef Wellington and a seafood strudel. Both dishes were well-prepared, though while enjoyable, they didn’t quite leave us craving a return visit. However, we were excited to learn they offer Sunday brunch and live jazz, so we’re definitely looking forward to checking that out soon! Overall would definitely come back to try other food items.
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S
Sidney
New Orleans
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
We were sat in the back of the restaurant near a pillar and was very uncomfortable. The beef Wellington was way undercooked and so were the potatoes. The white fish had no flavor. I go to this restaurant two to three times a year for the last 5 years. I think this is the last time I will go. Just not worth the price for undercooked food with no seasoning.
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J
J.P.
VIP
San Francisco
28 reviews
3.0
28 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chicken liver pate was fantastic. Blue points fresh, succulent, and well dressed. Onion soup was flat. It usually has great flavor but not tonight. Cocktails as always the best. Then the entree my wifes walleye was dry but the presentation was like it was thrown on the plate. Poor fish was served in chunks. Yet the table next to us had a beautiful fish and you can see it was moist. The real show stopper the Wellington. Cooked to perfect midsummer rare. The potatoes scalloped or au gratin I could not tell I could not cut with my dinner knife. They were hard 80% RAW with the cream sauce a cool gelatinous glob. This is one our favorites but not the first tume the entries were disappointing. Definitely not worth $200.00 plus tip. ( yes our server did great and was well taken care of)
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n
nighet
Chicago
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food was generally very good. I went for the beef Wellington but I did not like the overall taste but the meat was very tender. The sides with the dish were good. In my group, the rabbit rague was chosen which was rated as very good. I would suggest Hemingway and try some of the dishes you would not get elsewhere.
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E
Eve
Greensboro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My sister and I are visiting Oak Park and this was our first time at Hemmingway’s Bistro. We had a very good experience. The food was delicious and the service was friendly, professional, and efficient.
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m
mfmp
VIP
Chicago
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wednesday evening they feature jazz. What a splendid evening with delicious food, live music in charming environs!
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J
Jeffrey
Minneapolis
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Highlight of the meal, which everyone in the group felt was the best dish, was the Pan Roasted Jumbo Scallops, perhaps the best scallops I have ever had in my life. The oysters were also very good. I however have had better escargot. I prefer when escargot is left in the shell like a mussel or clam. Very nice atmosphere. Nice area of Oak Park with brick townhomes and buildings and wrought-iron fences.
Is this helpful?
D
Debbie
VIP
Chicago
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
The menu is great with many choices. Seafood fresh and delicious.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
VIP
Chicago
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service from Juan was amazing as always. This place always takes us back to Paris.
Is this helpful?
B
Brian
Chicago
61 reviews
5.0
61 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding service, great food and ambience - the live music - was perfect! A great evening!
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FAQs

Hemmingway's Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (708) 524-0806.

Hemmingway's Bistro is rated 4.6 stars by 1273 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 24 times today

Order delivery or takeout

211 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302

Additional information

Cross street
Lake and Oak Park Ave
Neighborhood
Oak Park
Hours of operation
Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Sun 3:00 pm–7:30 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Seafood, French American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Green Line on Oak Park Ave
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Christopher C Ala
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, High Tea, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.hemmingwaysbistro.com/
Phone number
(708) 524-0806

Hemmingway's Bistro

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

$2 FRESH OYSTERS

$5 OFF ALL COCKTAILS

French Onion Soup

Tea

Beef Wellington

Hors D'oeuvres

Soupe du Jour$9.00

Onion Soupe Gratinée$12.00

Chicken Liver Paté$14.00

Mussels á la Marinière$16.00

Escargots de Bourgogne$15.00

Smoked Salmon$18.00

Bistro Cheese Plate$17.00

Baked Brie$18.00

Lump Crab Cake$18.00

Salades

Petite Salade$10.00

Frisée$14.00

Warm Goat Cheese$13.00

Grilled Chicken Cobb$19.00

Maine Lobster$30.00

Les Plats du Jour

Sandwiches

Ham, Gruyére and Egg$18.00

Smoked Salmon BLT$18.00

Blackened Whitefish$18.00

Bistro Burger$19.00

Bistro Burger Royale$28.00

Plats Principaux

Bistro Omelette$16.00

Quiche Du Jour$18.00

Crepes Gratinée$17.00

Baked Acorn Squash$23.00

Grilled Steak Frites$32.00

Herb Crusted Whitefish$30.00

Pan Roastefd Jumbo Maine Scallops$36.00

Cape Cod Mussel Riesling$28.00

Grilled Amish Chicken Paillard$26.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Hemmingway's Bistro offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Hemmingway's Bistro restaurant rated?

Is Hemmingway's Bistro currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information