501 Local

Name: 501 Local
Address: 501 Chestnut St, Winnetka, IL, United States, 60093-2418
Telephone: (224) 255-6480
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7 (316)

$31 to $50

Bistro

501 Chestnut St, Winnetka, IL 60093-2418

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 43 times today

About this restaurant

Great for outdoor dining
Neighborhood gem
Charming

501 Local is a locally owned and operated upscale casual American Bistro located in downtown Winnetka. The menu offers a combination of classic and contemporary dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients and flavors. Our service is attentive and friendly. We are a perfect choice for catching up with an old friend over lunch, grabbing a drink with coworkers on our award-winning patio, or celebrating your occasion with family or a special someone. Make your visit to Winnetka unforgettable. Dine with us at 501 Local and add an extra layer of joy to your Home Alone pilgrimage just a half mile away!

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Bistro, Contemporary American, Wine Bar
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Phone number
(224) 255-6480
Website
http://www.501local.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Chef Yoonseok Jang
Private party facilities
Private space is available for up to 50 persons. Email inquiries@501local.com
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
501 Chestnut St, Winnetka, IL 60093-2418
Neighborhood
Winnetka
Cross street
On the corner of Chestnut and Oak Street in downtown Winnetka.
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Union Pacific North (UP-N) is a 5-minute walking distance away.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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What 316 people are saying

501 Local reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

North Suburbs
Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

501 Local offers "great food and incredible service" with a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for both casual and special occasions. Diners frequently praise the "lovely outdoor patio" and "great vibe." While the noise level can be high, the attentive staff, especially Ibrahim, earns high marks for personalized service. The menu features "elevated versions of typical dishes," with standout items like the Brussels sprout salad, chicken sandwich, and "amazing chocolate cake." Despite occasional slow service and higher prices, patrons enjoy the overall dining experience, with many planning to return for the "great drinks and appetizers."

316 Reviews

W
Whatz VIP
Chicago / Illinois87 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nicely done, good team work from the staff. The Burger special on Monday was spot on! Solid Burger.
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K
Kenneth and Elizabeth
Chicago / Illinois15 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
It's a local favorite with consistently good food, always really pleasant service. For Summer, the patio is shaded, quiet and comfy. It's a good value at the price, which is average in the area for a reliably good meal. The wine selection is consistently good.
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M
Margie VIP
Chicago / Illinois72 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I come to this restaurant now and then. I live in Vernon Hills so Winnetka isn’t just next-door but I like this restaurant very much and I’ll always choose it when my friends and I go out to lunch. My sister was in town from Atlanta so I brought her for lunch. We had a very nice lunch. I always get the beet salad. She had the shrimp tacos which I’ve had a few times. See you again soon. I really like it.
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T
Thomas
Chicago / Illinois1 review
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Enjoyed a lovely dinner with great friends on the patio to welcome Summer! Thanks, Mark for the great hospitality.
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C
Carole VIP
Chicago / Illinois85 reviews
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
Great place,for,out door seating. We’ve been there many times and have always enjoyed it; however, I think they were short on staff or maybe our server was new. Very pleasant but we had to ask her several times for the same thing- maybe she needed more training or fewer tables
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R
Richard VIP
Chicago / Illinois17 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 18, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
The service was mediocre and late qnd the noise level was high. The food was quite ordinary. nothing special about this place. Not a great experiencel.
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J
John VIP
Chicago / Illinois58 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 18, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We were celebrating a birthday, of which the hostess was aware and failed to communicate it to the wait staff. Had to look for our waitress to find out if she knew about birthday. She said she had not been told. The check was presented to us and the birthday dessert still had not been served. The manager came to our table and apologized. As we were leaving, the dessert was brought to our table. Disappointing, to say the least.
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K
Karen
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another great meal at 501 Local. Many tasty options to choose from.
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E
Elisa
Chicago / Illinois15 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 15, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time at 501 Local and enjoyed it for the most part. Our waiter Ibrahim (sp?) was fabulous! The ambience is great. Nice, bright and airy. The drinks were also very good. In terms of food, we ordered lettuce wraps and the beet salad for appetizers and they were super tasty. However, our entrees were just so-so (seared tuna, salmon, scallop dish and pasta w/shrimp). It also took a fairly long time for our entrees to be served. Would we go back? Probably. But maybe just for drinks and appetizers.
501 LocalResponded on June 16, 2025
Hi Elisa, Thank you for rating us on OpenTable! That's a bummer about your entrees. If you private message me, Ill send you a gift card in the hopes youll come back. Thanks! Kindly, Mark Salmon (owner) + Team
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P
Peggy VIP
Chicago / Illinois29 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 13, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Have been here many times, for lunch and dinner. In good weather, the outdoor courtyard is the best. My complaints are the high noise level inside the restaurant, and the tables and chairs are a bit too small. Too many people squeezed into too small a space. This is not a romantic place, or a classic, sophisticated place. I believe it is best suited for a young crowd that likes a lot of action going on around them. It's also a popular lunch venue, mostly for women.
501 LocalResponded on June 16, 2025
Hi Peggy, Thank you for the note! I understand about the tables. They were actually left here by the previous owner. We decided not to spend money on the tables. However, new tables are on the horizon. Im glad that you were so candid. Thanks again! Mark Salmon (owner) + Team
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FAQs

501 Local offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (224) 255-6480.

501 Local is rated 4.7 stars by 316 OpenTable diners.

501 Local does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 43 times today

501 Chestnut St, Winnetka, IL 60093-2418

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
On the corner of Chestnut and Oak Street in downtown Winnetka.
Neighborhood
Winnetka
Hours of operation
Mon–Thu 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm Sun 11:30 am–8:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Bistro, Contemporary American, Wine Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Union Pacific North (UP-N) is a 5-minute walking distance away.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Yoonseok Jang
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
http://www.501local.com/
Phone number
(224) 255-6480
Private party facilities
Private space is available for up to 50 persons. Email inquiries@501local.com

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

501 Local

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Menu

What 316 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does 501 Local offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is 501 Local restaurant rated?

Does 501 Local offer gift cards?

Is 501 Local currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card