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Oaken Bistro + Bar, Lake Forest, IL

Oaken Bistro + Bar

4.3
4.3
225 Reviews
$30 and under
American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today
  • Great for brunch
  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
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 Oaken Burger, Cubano with Crispy 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!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 6:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (847) 582-6410
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Christian Alejandro
  • Catering
    Oaken Bistro + Bar is happy to cater your next event!
  • Private party facilities
    Gather and entertain at Oaken Bistro + Bar, the only modern, upscale all day dining in Lake Forest, IL Enjoy a flexible American menu with a global influence. Complement your meal with a signature herbal-infused cocktail menu or a bottle from an extensive wine list. Reserve the outdoor patio, a private event room, or buy out the entire restaurant!
  • Area
    Lake Forest
  • Cross Street
    Townline Rd and Field Dr
  • Parking details
    Complimentary parking in the hotel's adjacent parking lot.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

What 225 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • North Suburbs

    Great for brunch

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Oaken Bistro + Bar offers a "modern and clean" atmosphere with a varied menu of "great food" and "interesting cocktails." While service can be slow during busy times, patrons appreciate the "friendly" staff and enjoyable live entertainment. Ideal for events, it's a favorite for a "great birthday brunch" or "family gathering."

225 Reviews
  1. Donzel

    Minneapolis

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 22 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Oaken is always very consistent. Excellent drinks, very good food and good service. Last night was a little noisy and slow to receive our food because of the holiday bizarre, but overall still very good.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded today
    Thank you for taking time to give us a review. The Northwestern Hospital Lake Forest Holiday Boutique really did draw a crowd. It was very exciting to see so many locals come out and support the hospital and the vendors, but it was also a lot of people in our restaurant and hotel. You will find on a typical night the drinks, food and service are the same, but the traffic is a little lighter. Cheers! Gabriel Boden General Manager

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  2. Melissa

    Charlotte

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This restaurant had such great reviews that we decided to try it. I was surprised when we pulled up to see it is in a hotel, but everything about it is very nice and the food is creative and delicious.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded today
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. Yes, we are in The Forester Hotel and a little harder to find than most restaurants in the area, but we work hard to be a great restaurant for the local community as well as those travelers we see from the hotel. We hope to see you again soon. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  3. Roger

    Chicago

    71 reviews

    4.0

    71 reviews

    Dined on 31 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Dining room was noisy last night as there was a halloween party going on in the hotel reception next door. Service was very good and prompt. My wife's salmon was outstanding, very tasty and well prepared. My fish and chips were average. The batter around the fish was too dry.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We appreciate all the feedback we can get. Chef has been making adjustments to our fish + chips batter because of yours and similar responses. I think it's a little more airy and light than before. We hope you get a chance to try it. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  4. Ken

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We dine at Oaken fairly often. My 92 year old mother and her 98 year old boyfriend love to be taken there after church on Sundays. It’s easy in easy out with walkers and the staff is very accommodating. The food and service is great as well.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 30 October 2024
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We see a lot of travelers from the hotel, many who return on a regular basis for various reasons, but we think of ourselves primarily as a restaurant that caters to our community, where friends and families can gather and celebrate, so a review like this is makes my day. I will make sure to share your compliments with our staff. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  5. Joe

    Detroit

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 October 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Took 2 hours to get our food. Several dishes were cold and French fries were all undercooked and not editable. Appetizers took almost and hour and also came out cold. Disappointing especially given the price.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 30 October 2024
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. Good or bad, we appreciate all feedback. We have made some adjustments to avoid situations like yours in the future. Regardless, I don't want to offer excuses. We will make sure, if we get the chance to see you again, you will have a great experienced. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  6. Peggy

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 4 October 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The restaurant was not busy. We were waiting to be seated & finally had to go inside & ask to be seated. After we were seated had to flag our server & asked her to take our drink order. Her food recommendations were very good.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 30 October 2024
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We always appreciate feedback good and bad. Regardless of the situation, we will make sure your next experience is significantly better than your last. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  7. Chris

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 September 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The egg on our order of salmon cake benedict was overcooked and the shakshuka's egg was also overcooked. also i would prefer if there is a choice of salmon benedict rather than salmon cake benedict. i think if its a salmon it will taste so much better than breaded salmon.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 30 October 2024
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We take them all seriously and we appreciate the specifics. Coincidentally, we did change our salmon benedict this month. After trying some variations, we decided on a cured salmon. We like consistency and having items people can return to, but we are always looking to make changes and make things better. Gabriel Boden General Manager

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  8. Michael

    Chicago

    192 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    192 reviews

    Dined on 27 September 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Met friends for happy hour, had a fun time, good drinks and food well priced.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 1 October 2024
    Hello Michael, Thank you for taking time to write a review. We're always happy to host a happy hour with friends. Hope to see you soon. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  9. Larry

    Indiana

    37 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on 26 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent dinner in every way, with friendly/knowledgeable service. Highly recommended.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 1 October 2024
    Hello Larry, Thank you so much for the review. We'll make sure to keep up that same level of service for the next time you visit. Gabriel Boden General Manager

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  10. Kathleen

    Chicago

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on 12 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Luncheon menu with many choices, delicious food, wonderful, attentive waitress!
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on 1 October 2024
    Kathleen, Thank you for taking time to give us a review. We appreciate the kind words, and will make sure we live up to your review on your next visit. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Oaken Bistro + Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (847) 582-6410.

Oaken Bistro + Bar is rated 4.3 stars by 225 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Oaken Bistro + Bar

200 N Field Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045-2513

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Townline Rd and Field Dr
  • Area
    Lake Forest
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–11:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 6:30 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Complimentary parking in the hotel's adjacent parking lot.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Christian Alejandro
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining
  • Phone number
    (847) 582-6410
  • Catering
    Oaken Bistro + Bar is happy to cater your next event!
  • Private party facilities
    Gather and entertain at Oaken Bistro + Bar, the only modern, upscale all day dining in Lake Forest, IL Enjoy a flexible American menu with a global influence. Complement your meal with a signature herbal-infused cocktail menu or a bottle from an extensive wine list. Reserve the outdoor patio, a private event room, or buy out the entire restaurant!
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