Les Nomades in Chicago - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

I recently dined at Les Nomades in Chicago on May 31st during the ASCO conference, expecting an exceptional meal based on the numerous glowing reviews. Unfortunately, the experience fell short in several key areas. The food was lackluster at best, failing to live up to the high expectations set by other patrons. While the dishes were presented beautifully, the flavors were underwhelming and did not justify the premium price. The ambiance was equally disappointing. The environment felt stuffy and overly formal, lacking the warmth and charm I had hoped for in a fine dining setting. Service was perhaps the most significant letdown. During our meal, a waiter accidentally knocked over my water glass, spilling water all over my trousers. While they promptly changed the tablecloth, no apology was offered, nor was there any attempt to address the inconvenience, such as offering dry-cleaning for my soaked clothing. Accidents happen, but the dismissive attitude of the staff was unacceptable. Overall, Les Nomades did not meet the high expectations set by other reviews. The combination of so-so food, a stuffy environment, and subpar service made for a disappointing dining experience. I would not recommend this restaurant, especially given the many excellent alternatives in Chicago.

We were very satisfied with the hotel Les Nomades. At first glance, it's an inconspicuous building, but when you step inside, you'll be greeted by a cozy atmosphere, perfect cleanliness everywhere and extremely nice staff. Thank you very much to Sandra and all the reception staff. Four days fulfilled everything we needed. 100% cleanliness in the room, very tasty and rich breakfast and the staff behaved as if the hotel was theirs. The location is a little outside the center, but with very good parking, even for the bus. You can easily reach the center on foot in 15 minutes. Thank you very much and we will definitely come back next time.

My wife and I head to Les Nomades when we seek a reminder of how excellence can be displayed in a restaurant. Food, wine, and service are consistently on point.

Overall I like the restaurant, but their food is too salty. While I like the atmosphere, enforcing a dress code nowadays is a bit weird.

Outstanding food. VERY spendy. Wonderful folks. Would not recommend the Sole...and too much salt in everything.

Les Nomades in Chicago provided an exceptional backdrop for an evening with the Chicago Dinner Club, featuring Daniel Drews, Nicole Ruiz, and myself. The event commenced with a delightful cocktail named JT, blending orange juice, Cointreau, Campari, and champagne—a refreshing start to our culinary journey. The first course presented a duo of seared scallops and tempura shrimp, elegantly paired with sauce gribiche and a smooth Kabocha squash purée, enhanced by a lemongrass lobster sauce. The dish was a harmonious meld of textures and flavors. Next, we savored a fricassee of escargots, where the earthiness of braised leek and celery root met the robustness of a red wine garlic sauce, crafting a bold yet refined taste profile. The warmth of the lobster, served with greens and a tangy mango dressing, continued the seafood theme, the lobster sauce cordon adding a luxurious touch to the fresh, vibrant ingredients. A sautéed Dover sole followed, lying atop a warm fingerling potato salad, the saffron sauce providing a subtle but distinct flavor that elevated the dish to new heights. The Mediterranean Sea bass, simply sautéed, allowed the natural flavors of the fish to shine through, demonstrating the kitchen’s confidence in letting quality ingredients speak for themselves. The braised Wagyu short-rib was a highlight, its richness perfectly counterbalanced by a creamy pommes purée and a classic red wine sauce, demonstrating the chef’s deft hand at traditional comforts. Roasted Peking duck breast came next, served with lentils and a sauce Rouennaise, the mandarin glaze adding a sweet citrus note that cut through the richness of the duck beautifully. To conclude, a mocha soufflé with chocolate sauce, and Crème brûlée served alongside my signature cappuccino, a decadent ending to a memorable meal. The night at Les Nomades stood out not just for its extraordinary food but also for its flawless service, making it a splendid evening of gastronomy and camaraderie.

Summary - go here if you enjoy fine dining in a way that is very different than all the current in vogue trends. Here you get your own table. Here you get service as if you were the only one in the restaurant by people who have been serving the most discriminating dinners for decades. Here you will be treated with respect and deference. Here you will taste french cooking as it was and deservedly was considered the finest european cuisine for decades. I have been eating at high end restaurants for 50 years. There was one restaurant in St. Louis that matched this kind of service back then. I was reminded of those memories when the crumbs from each service were swept from the table. I was reminded of this service when my wine glass never was empty. When the wine was presented with all the flourish including an explanation of region and history. I don’t know where the other reviewers were or what their problems were with this place as they described it as pretentious or rigid or stuffy. my god it was a joyous place. i have to think those folks brought attitude to it and so it just was reflected back to them.

Small, quiet, comfortable, classy place with excellent food year after year. Salad with pomegranate is a stand-out. Great service, choice of different number of courses, and they will accommodate preferences, which is much appreciated, as is the complimentary birthday cake.

Great meal, service was best in the city. Very nice place, I can't believe that I had never been here before.

We celebrated my husband's birthday at Les Nomades and could not recommend it more highly. It very much exceeded expectations for us - wonderful service, incredible quality of the food, and the wine list is fantastic. We love classic French dining and it did not disappoint. We will certainly be returning for our next celebration!

Amazing experience. Can’t wait to come back. It was so quiet and the guests and servers were lovely.

Consistently outstanding experience - food, wine, service, atmosphere.

My wife and I visited Les Nomades for the first time this past Saturday evening and it was spectacular. This is an old school French restaurant from top to bottom. Excellent food, excellent wine list, impeccable service — attentive but not cloying — subdued light, white tablecloths, wood burning fireplace. The place exudes understated elegance you just won’t find anywhere else. Jacket required, it just fits the mood of this wonderful place, but they aren’t stuffy at all. A genuinely nice staff dedicated to making your visit a memorable one. To top it off, I inadvertently left behind my credit card and the staff mailed it back to me along with a card, hand-penned in calligraphy, thanking us for coming and wishing my wife and I a happy new year. Even something as mundane as forgetting your credit card affords an opportunity for style and grace at Les Nomades. This place is at the top of the list of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. If you’ve not been there by all means go. One of the most memorable dining experiences you can have.

Food, service and ambiance all wonderful. A true hidden gem in the city.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Les Nomades! The food was incredible, and the cadence of courses was perfect—they even included some extra bites (“palate cleansers”) for us to try in between courses. Would highly recommend someone in your party orders the warm lobster salad and waygu short rib. They clearly have a huge emphasis on service, as everyone went above and beyond to make our evening memorable. If you’re on the fence about dining here, I would strongly urge you to go!! By far my favorite dinner in Chicago!

Everything was perfect. The place to go for a wonderful and civilized experience

It was a wonderful throw back to delicious food service and pacing

Everything is always perfect at Les Nomades. A truly memorable experience every time.

Always a delicious and lovely experience to dine at Les Nomades!

Les Nomades is a place I come back to again and again. I first dined here nearly 20 years ago. It is elegant…so if you are in jeans and a sparkly top or jeans and tee shirt with writing, this is not a place for you. The food is divine and beautifully plated. Their foie gras is incredible. The lobster salad is amazing. I have had the Dover sole, the lamb, and the duck multiple times and never been disappointed. The soufflés are downright sinful but so worth the extravagance. Les Nomades is elegance and grace without the pretension of more modern prix fixe gastronomic “I’ve been to…” establishments. I cannot recommend Les Nomades highly enough. It is worth the time/cost for the dining experience. And yes…I will return again and again.

Les Nomades is a restaurant that never disappoints.

This place is AMAZING!! So unbelievably elegant, refined and DELICIOUS. The quality of food and level of service is above and beyond anything we have seen in the area. It truly is next level. We used to go to one of the steakhouses for nice dinners..this is now our new go-to for special dinners moving forward. It was an absolute dream and quite the treat. We loved every single course, wine/cocktails and the elegant charm of the restaurant. Very romantic! Love!

Food and ambience were OK as always (6th time visiting) but the entire meal was ruined by the owner telling my 82 year old mother she was too loud. Not only was it rude but it was sarcastic because she said she could hear her on the 3rd floor and there is no 3rd floor. My mother was not loud except for laughing at a joke. The owner seems to only want to whisper and play some fake culture. For $1200 for 4 people I have to say 1) menu is always the same 2) service messed up plating multiple times but service fee is fixed at 20% 3) ridiculous owner that seemed to be jealous of my mother for saying she was from NY and being into art. The owner has mostly garbage art and no sense of service, just her own ego.

One of our favorite "occasion" restaurants. The prix fixe menu offers wonderful choices, and we loved everything about the food. Service and atmosphere are also first class.

The food and service at Les Nomades are both excellent. It is a beautiful, elegant setting, perfect for celebrating our friends engagement. I have dined at a number of Michelin starred restaurants, and I feel Les Nomades is better than any of them. We will be back.

Incredibly rude owner told my 82yr old mother she was too loud. She wasn’t being loud. Owner was bizarre and seemed to just not like my mother. Basically ruined a $1200 dinner. Really unprofessional. Besides the owner the service made several mistakes and the food was hit or miss. It’s too bad because I have been there many times over the past 20 yrs. Very expensive, $75 corkage and automatic 20% tip. Never going again.

We had an outstanding experience! Everyone was so gracious and hospitable, and the food was truly delicious. We loved the cozy bar (and bartender!) for a pre-dinner drink, so inviting with the fireplace, very intimate. We will definitely be back.

Wonderful food served in an elegant setting with impeccable waitstaff. A splendid choice for a special occasion and the soufflés are incredible!

We come every year for a Christmas dinner and it's always amazing. The service is always outstanding and one of the best teams that I have had served me.

i ordered the sole it was terrible and the grand marnier soufflé was taste less

The food and service were excellent, harkening back to the days of elegant dining. The only drawback to the experience was the many stairs to get into the restaurant and to the ladies' room. I am not aware that an elevator is available.

We think this is the best French cuisine in Chicago!

Les Nomades continues to be a bastion of exquisite French cuisine with modern flavors and fresh ingredients. Service was outstanding- a warm friendly welcome, a nice fire in the fireplace in the reception area, and fantastic team at the table. Atmosphere was calm, spacious between tables, and conducive to conversation. The wine list was extensive and the sommelier was very helpful and friendly (not overbearing). The flavors were wonderful, creative, and fresh. The portion sizes were ample, but not overwhelming. And the price was appropriate and very reasonable to other top-end fine dining in Chicago. In conclusion, a great experience. We have dined here several times over the years we lived in Chicago, and now several times since we moved away. This remains a wonderful restaurant in Chicago and we recommend for fine French influenced dining in Chicago.

The entire experience was a joy! The food was asbsolutely perfect and the wine list left nothing to be desired. We cannot wait to return.

Always special!! Food, wine and service set this restaurant from all others.

Always a delightful meal. Quiet setting. Delicious courses. Outstanding service, always.

The quality of the food was not as good as in past visits. While the service was attentive, it was not up to the standards of a great restaurant.

Amazing food and spectacular service. Best French restaurant in Chicago.

most elegant restaurant still left in Chicago - expensive but a real treat!

This was a French foodie’s dream! Far exceeded all the high end restaurants we visited in Chicago. Service by Jhosie was impeccable. All wait staff made us feel special. Foie gras lovely. Warm a lobster salad delicious, as was the beef entree. The Grand Mariner soufflé was so, so delicious and the presentation memorable! Cozy, quiet ambience with the fireplace, and lighting. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Wonderful for a birthday dinner. Beautiful at Christmas time.

Everything was excellent Food divine. Several surprises

Can’t say more everything was perfect! Will definitely come back!

Our favorite place to celebrate special occasions. The cuisine is truly exceptional.

Elegant dining without a lot of folderol. We were 45 minutes late for our reservation because of a traffic snarl up and they were most understanding but we had kept them posted and we were on our way. all of us have the Dover soul in the tarragon sauce, which was excellent and of the group. I was the only one to have a meat course, which was the Peking duck which was quite good, but I was expecting, perhaps a little of his crispy skin which it did not have. I had the raspberry soufflé for dessert and they accommodated providing a chocolate sauce, as well as a raspberry sauce for it since I particularly like raspberry and chocolate. The amuse gout and the special chef’s between course item were wonderful. The place has a real elegance missing in most contemporary restaurants today.

It is always a pleasure to enjoy the wonderful ambiance when conversation is possible

It was a delicious meal as always. The ambiance of the restaurant is wonderful and relaxing. I had hoped to be seated on the second floor but it appeared that only the main floor was open the evening we went. I find that it is a good value for the price. Other restaurants with food of the same quality would be 20 - 30% higher. I have been to Les Nomades a number of times and will continue to return.

We love this place. The food and the experience are great without being "performance dining." The wine list is impressive and the souffle should not be missed.

Quiet, elegant, intimate. Great for special occasions.

Sorry, but not up to previous standards. Sauces were too sweet and dominating. Menu unexciting and not innovative. Best wishes.

We wanted to celebrate our 40th Anniversary at a great French restaurant and chose Les Nomades after reading the consistent great reviews. They did not disappoint! They made our 25-mile drive in the rainy rush hour crawl worth it. Charming setting. Attentive service with personal explanations of each course for the prix fixe menu. Wines by the glass and drinks were reasonably priced. Our main server Michael was wonderful and while obviously trained in French cuisine and service he did not provide the often-condescending attitude from some French establishments and displayed sufficient humor to make it an enjoyable experience. I ordered the 5-course dinner expecting the small portions often served. Wow the ample portions exceeded our expectations. Had I known I would have opted for the 4-course meal. The additional course of seafood was a smaller portion and my wife's who had the 4-course meal had a larger seafood portion which was easily sufficient. As recommended by others the Souffle was quite a treat. Each serving was well spaced apart, yet we never waited long for the next course. Jackets for men are required but I only found out through Open Table though the staff did call to confirm and remind of us that rule. But it's not shown on their website. The only negative was that it was quite warm in the dining area and with a dinner jacket it was uncomfortable though upon request they did turn up the AC. Overall, I don't understand why they haven't received a Michelin Star. They deserve it.

Great food. Inattentive service. Waited 20 minutes before someone came by to our table to ask how we would like to order. Seems like the place was a bit disorganized when we dined.

Les Nomades has it all: an almost celebratory serenity; professional but affable staff; a menu with everything fit for a gourmet that turns you into a gourmand and wines to enhance the experience-can’t wait until we return.

World class dining experience with all the personal touches. Amazingly attentive staff with delicious food!

The service was truly outstanding, and I greatly appreciated the excellent wine recommendation. The warm lobster salad was a standout, offering an amazing burst of flavors. However, I was less impressed with the other two courses. The breading on the tempura shrimp was not as light and flaky as I had hoped for; it was a bit too dense for my taste. Similarly, the poison du jour turned out to be rather dry. Despite my high expectations based on the reviews, the overall dining experience fell short, which was a bit disappointing. Nevertheless, the warm lobster salad alone might be enough to tempt me back for another visit!

Really tasty food, the ambiance is a bit outdated and there’s other French restaurants that are just as delicious and less expensive.

Outstanding Old-World French cuisine with modern touches. Great service by professional and friendly team members.

A wonderful gem that every time I go, I say why don’t I go more often? The food was stupendous and the service, as always, was top notch. Don’t miss it if you are in the City.

We have only dined here on special occasions, but each and every time the food has never failed to impress. The chefs have a way of creating savory dishes that melt in your mouth. I also truly appreciated the willingness to accommodate gluten and dairy sensitivities. I'm so glad this restaurant survived the pandemic!

Exceeded our expectations. Food was wonderful with two or three memorable dishes including the mushroom soup, the duck and the soufflés and cheeses. Service was impeccable, cordial and unpretentious. It’s all its cracked up to be.

Always a delight- food was exceptional, ambiance was perfect, and service was very attentive.

Elegant without being stuffy. Excellent service and food

Food is to die for, the services couldn't be better, all staff very attentive to our needs and likes, pricey but worth every penny. Will definitely come back with friends.

Wonderful dinner experience; my wife and I will definitely be back!

We had not been to Les Nomades since before the pandemic, and quite frankly, it did not reach the heights that it did in previous visits. On the positive side, the ambience (we ate upstairs) is wonderful -- quiet and reserved. The sommelier was outstanding -- extremely knowledgeable, and he recommended a white burgundy that we did not know about but which was outstanding. On the down side, much of the food wasn't terrific. The amuse (a veloute of cauliflower) was outstanding, as were both the raspberry souffle that I had for dessert and the chocolate dessert that my wife had. However, my middle courses were not wonderful -- one of the sauces served with the scallop and shrimp appetizer was bitter, and the mushroom soup tasted too strongly of stock. The braised lamb was excellent (although the accompanying veal medallion was not as good); my wife's duck was much more successful and she was well satisfied. Perhaps the greatest change from prior meals is that although there were many members of the staff in the dining room, the service wasn't very attentive. We were never offered more butter (even though it was eaten shortly after it arrived, and in most instances, I refilled our wine glasses because none of the servers noticed that they were empty or almost empty. In past visits, the service was much more attentive. Overall, this is a very refined experience with some true strong points. That said, the price point is high (dinner for two with tax and tip was over $800), and at that number I would have expected to be amazed by both the food and the service.

Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The owner is always on site and make sure that the experience is top-notch.  she has a long term dedicated staff who provide outstanding service. I highly recommend this restaurant. 

Impeccable food, service and ambience! A true dining gem in Chicago and beyond! One of a kind and very, very special!

Everything was great!. Made our special occasion really special.

Do NOT pass up an opportunity to dine at Les Nomades. This was quite possibly one of the very best meals we have had anywhere. Chicago has some great restaurants, but this was a truly unique, divine, and service that was as you would expect it to be. Truly amazing.

Very consistent, lovely experience. Staff/service is exceptional

Off the chain- delightful experience! Don’t pass up this experience.

Always a treat to dine in this swanky restaurant where the food, service and ambiance are excellent

Outstanding experience. Excellent food and service. Aims to maintain respect.

Superb service, excellent wine list, top choice for a romantic dinner or celebration!

Great ambiance, amazing service. The presentation of the dishes was really well done. The appetizers and desert were top noch, the main dish was flavorful but the presentation wasn't the greatest. Overall, would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who considers themselves a foodie

Les Nomades is the quintessential French restaurant. Dignified but not stuffy, a staff knowledgeable and responsive without being obtrusive, personable and caring about your experience. On offer is a four- or five course prix fixe dinner, with a la carte also available. Our menu presented a limited variety of seafood main courses (three our evening) and five meat dishes. We ordered sole and loup du mer, both delicate with interesting vegetable preparations. Wonderful as these entrees were, my kudos for the evening go to fois gras in a consommé and the wild mushroom soup (it’s decidedly not “just” mushroom soup) among the many starters and a transcendent Grand Mariner soufflé, worthy of sharing, for desert. In 50 years of fine dining (some in neighborhood Paris restaurants), this is the best soufflé my wife and I have ever enjoyed. Its cuisine is quality of the first order. Chef Liccione uses classic roots and presents them in inventive surroundings that … What’s the right word? … glow with taste.

Great food served impeccably in a cozy space. Expensive but worth it.

I was looking for chill, classy excellence and Les Nomades went above and beyond!! The wait staff was so professional and warm. The sommelier was wonderful. We will definitely be back.

They have mastered the art of fine dining at les nomades, a nearly lost art!  Food, service, and atmosphere impeccable. Excellent food served at a proper pace with marvelous wine choices to accompany. Not inexpensive or fast but worth every dollar and hour. Saw one review that was misleading, suggested not a good choice for vegetarians, but with a call ahead they readily accommodated my vegetarian wife. A high note, waiter noted we were excited about stuffed zucchini blossom and ultimately made sure the chef included more of them in the vegetarian main course. Can’t wait for return visit!

One my favorite restaurants in the world. Been going there for over 30 years.

Classic. Lovely hospitality. Look forward to returning.

Great food. Definitely quiet and refined inside. We have been here a few times and are always impressed with the food. A little more noise here wouldn’t hurt. We could hear most other’s conversations just because it was so quiet in the restaurant.

Amazing!!! Loved it and will be back!!! Great food, great atmosphere great service! A perfect night

Excellent meal for two: mushroom risotto and scallop/soft shell crab appetizers, mushroom soup and romaine lettuce salad second courses, loup de mer and prime rib main courses, and chocolate cake and peach tart desserts. Superb service and quiet ambience. A great date night!

Great as usual, a Chicago gem, perfect for special occasions

Outstanding from start to finish! Excellent, fair priced wines. We had the five-course meal and every single dish was spectacular!

Wonderful French restaurant. Delicious food, impeccable service, best soufflé ever.

How French should be done. Portions are perfect. The soufflé is not to be missed.

The food was outstanding and the service was impeccable. We were celebrating my wife’s 60th birthday and it couldn’t have been better. We live in Dallas and have dined in some of finest restaurants in town. We would rank Les Nomades among the best. You won’t be disappointed if you choose to dine there,

It was a wonderful experience from beginning to end!

Elegance reigns at Les Nomades. The hushed tones of an elegant party which you have been fortunate enough to be invited to await you. The lamb and veal entree is perfectly paired and prepared as is the Dover sole. And the chocolate dessert promises and delivers a chocolate coma.

Great restaurant! Service was perfect, the food some of the best we have ever had. We did the 5 course prefix. Foie Gras was outstanding, the warm lobster salad incredible, one of the best duck entrees I have ever had. Pair this with perfect service and it was a very special night. ****Reminder - men are required to wear jackets****

Our annual anniversary dinner at Les Nomades was, as usual, a complete pleasure EXCEPT for the foursome next to us who neglected to read the note on the menu that asks guests to speak in a low voice. Why do people insist on behaving as if they are the only ones in the restaurant? I digress. The food was divine, the service attentive (but not annoying), and it was a true delight to be there.

Marvelous food, service and wine! Staff were well informed. Food out of kitchen on time.

It was surprisingly noisy given its previous reputation for requiring a quiet ambiance. We four were seated next to a large group of loud people on the second floor. (Two of our party were back to back with several of their party.)I noticed on our way upstairs that the noise level on the first floor was also surprisingly loud. Our party had trouble carrying on our own conversation. When the group next to us finally left during our dessert course, the noise level in the curtained off area of the second floor suddenly became very loud. I personally was very disappointed in the "new" ambiance and cheek-by-jowl table placement at Les Nomades. I would think twice before recommending the restaurant to friends.

Probably the best French restaurant in the city.

Wonderful service, amazing food and wine.

Excellent experience. Went with wife for a date night. Very intimate, food was beyond delicious. Pricey but that was expected and totally worth it

My wife and I came here years ago and enjoyed it. We decided to treat ourselves for a date night, and we weren't disappointed. The food was delicious and our server, Jose, was wonderful.

Elegant, refined, romantic. Possibly the best French restaurant in Chicago.