Come for witty & soulful ingredient driven dishes, along with an extensive beverage menu including unique cocktails, an approachable wine list, and an array of local micro brews. With its unique flavors and stunning backdrop (Lake Michigan and Navy Pier are just steps away), it is no surprise that CURRENT is a go-to for both locals and travelers alike.
From the patio you can enjoy the energy of the lakeside lifestyle while indulging in seasonal bites and W Hotel’s cocktail culture.
Too crowded and noisy. Servers and food was good.
Good food, not a large menu. Our server, Nick, was great and very attentive. We started with the charcuterie board and chicken tenders (chicken wings were unavailable). Entrees were pork chops and scallops with deliciously creamy polenta. Desserts were peach crisp and chocolate pot de creme. Everything was very good. Great place to visit after a walk along Lake Michigan or Lake Shore Drive.
Loved the calamari.
Loved the calamari.
Loved the calamari.
Me and my family celebrated New Year’s Eve at the W Hotel and we had a lovely dinner at the Current Restaurant. The service, food and overall experience was amazing and memorable. Also a lovely view towards the Navy Pier.
Our server Patrick was outstanding! We were heading to a show and had been held up by traffic. We asked for a rush on our food and bill. He not only got everyone's order in quickly he also was prompt with the check. We also had an elderly person with us who needed an easy sitting arrangement to get in and out of. He was kind enough to seat us next to the handicap ramp. Food was great and although situated in the hotel lobby, it didn't feel like it due to the architecture of the room. Definitely recommend!
We went there for brunch, it was expensive. If you stay there there should definitely be a complimentary breakfast included.
Maria was a very good waitress. Fast and attentive service.
No impressed. Food was acceptable but nothing to write home about. Understaffed and overpriced
Between the food and drinks it was very disappointing. I thought the W had better quality especially when it comes to the cocktails. We were disappointed and it was expensive considering the quality was poor.
They didn’t have my open table reservation.
Our waiter was amazing. The food was delicious and cocktails were interesting twists on the classics.
It was our anniversary and we were staying in the hotel so we decided to try it. Bad idea. Service sucked big time. And also the menu online does not match the menu in the restaurant. Most unfriendly waitress ever. Also weird club vibe they are trying to give off with waitresses in low cut shirts and booty shorts. Pretty classless, especially for dinner. And never aknowleged that it was our anniversary. I had to send my food back cuz it tasted so bad. What a sad disappointing experience.
Way over priced. Not sure how I convinced myself to spend the money on food with no flavor that can be easily replicated at home. Had a smoker seated next to us even though smoking wasn't allowed in our area. The waitress informed the smoker it was ok to smoke here until someone complained, so we quickly ate and went back to our overpriced hotel room and looked out the dirty window onto Lake Michigan.
Absolutely awful experience. Went for July 4th only to be told AFTER we were seated that they were offering a limited menu that day that consisted of chicken wings, pizza, and hamburgers. Oh and a salad and chocolate chip cookies as appetizers and dessert. That's it, that was their entire menu for what was supposed to be a nice evening out at the W. No warning, no advance notice. No specialty cocktails either because that was too much work. I'm not sure why they even bothered to open that day. 0/10.
Limited menu and plastic cups for 4th of July service. Was expecting a nice dinner before fireworks, and left after one drink. We also saw 4 other tables do the same. Would not go back
This was a horrible experience. The restaurant is in the lobby of the hotel. There was someone doing a reading in the lobby by the bar and it was so loud with sound speakers that we couldn't even talk to each other. We ended walking out of the restaurant. Would never recommend this place.
Music in restaurant which is right by the bar is too loud. Service very slow - took an over hour to get our food on top of the half hour for someone to take our order.
Food menu was horrible. Restaurant was right next to where you walk into hotel and check in, was cold and service was horrible.
Was our pre-Hamilton dinner spot. Great food-esp loved the hanger steak-seasonal chestnut soup-tuna-Caesar salad. Always a fan of Chef Kyle Gieseke’s menu and delish food. Presentation always on point as well.
The Pain Perdu I ordered was just mind blowing and is a must try for anyone who loves french toast.
For some reason only bar food was available (7/3/17) because the chefs were at the "taste", which was still a few days away. We ordered calamari, cheese plate, bacon wrapped figs as well as two drinks. The food was mediocre at best and not worth the price by any means-
I won't be ever returning...
Note: I live in Chicago and had been wanting to stay at the W and eat here for years so huge disappointment. Later that night we had some more food at Timothy O'Tooles a few blocks away which is not my scene at all- but was SO DELCIOUS- should have gone there in the first place.
Typical hotel restaurant
A nice hotel restaurant, but not an extraordinary restaurant overall.
It was nice and cozy. The waiter was awesome and food was small in portion but it was delicious.
Very small portions and noisy dining area which are practically in the lobby, but the food was tasty.
Was on a date and loved the scenic views and ambiance.
This restaurant looked like an after thought of a few tables thrown together to the side of the bar in the hotel lobby.....lighting was way too bright and food presentation looked awful. For the prices charged it was not worth it at all. very disappointing
Quiet enough to have a business discussion but the food took about 45 minutes.
Waiter was rude service was lousy couple drunks cussing out loud .
This was out first time at Current and the food was just ok, the service was pretty poor, the lighting was blaring and so was the music. They now treat the restaurant as almost an extension of the bar, rather than intimate and distinct. First and last time.
Current has a perfect location in the Streeterville neighborhood overlooking The Lake. The croissants were on the skimpy side for the price.
Ate at Current on Valentines Day because we were staying at the W hotel for the night. The menu looked promising along with the pictures posted online.
When we got there, the staff seemed surprised that there were a lot of people in the hotel and restaurant and seemed overworked/understaffed. Aside from that, they were very polite even when we had to wait a while for drinks and food.
Food was unspectacular and surprising. A few of the additional ingredients to our dinner (Roasted Chicken and Prosciutto Pizza) were not on the menu.
A few people left before ordering anything and I think we should have followed them out
For a W Hotel I expected more. Very poor food and hectic service. A high price for a very mediocre experience. A disappointment for a W Hotel:
This is a hotel lobby cafe. Locals, don't waste your time. The food was nothing special.
Dined here for lunch on a Sunday. Service was just ok. We had to ask for the Restaurant Week menu and they took a while to "find" it. Also had to ask for the cocktail menu. Drinks took a long time even though the place was practically empty.
Food was also just ok. Both my friend's salad and my sandwich were lacking in their respective sauces/dressings. Polenta fries were very good. Chocolate peanut butter dessert was also good.
Ambiance was definitely that of a restaurant inside a hotel.
Good place for a bite if you're staying at the W or are in the vacinity, but I wouldn't make a special trip to come here.
I visit Chicago often and stay at the W Lakeshore regularly. This particular evening a had a business meeting and choose to dine at Current which is located in the hotel. I actually choose Current often when dining myself as I've always enjoyed the food and the service, but this was more business oriented. I can't say enough about the of the food as well as the service. Armand our waiter was simply amazing as was the restaurant manager who went out of his way to say hello and check in on us.
My guest was so happy with the experience that he made it a point to call the manager over after the meal and nite his observations.
Current was definitely a wonderful experience and one that I will make again for pleasure as well as business.
Many thanks.
Tom L.
With this being the W Chicago, I thought the restaurant would be on an upper floor so you had a better view of Lake Shore Drive and Navy Pier. Instead, it was located right next to the front lobby and check-in/out. It made for a very busy spot with the front desk, bar, and restaurant all cluttered together. I felt the prices were a bit much with most alcoholic beverages priced at $14. The food was good, but not enough to rave over. One experience is good enough for me.
The abundance & variety of delicious food satisfied our palates & appetites.
Current is accommodating, very refreshing & upbeat. The beautiful ambience made us feel right at home.
It was our last minute decision for Thanksgiving dinner after a long day & the perfect choice.
Very overpriced. Weak pours of wine. Food was ok
I am a loyal SPG member and love this hotel buf Current is not very good. Sparsely populated and still poor service. Only 4 tables were occupied and yet took over 10 min for anyone to acknowledge me. Table across from me received their food long after I did but placing their order before I sat down and after multiple aplogies for the delays.
Waitress was not able to and answer menu questions. Food was sos-so.
For a hop hotel Current is a beautiful space and a lost opportunity! Go some place else for dinner!
FAQs
Current is rated 4.2 stars by 105 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.