Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. Chicago
  5. Lincoln Park

Balena Italian - Temporarily Closed

4.4
4.4
2170 Reviews
$30 and under
Italian
Balena has been executing honest, Italian cooking in Lincoln Park since 2012. Led by Executive Chef/Partner Chris Pandel, the restaurant is the first collaboration between Boka Restaurant Group and B Hospitality. Balena's many accolades include Best New Restaurants in America by Gayot and Bon Appetit, 3 stars by the Chicago Tribune, and a James Beard semi-finalist nomination for Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards. In addition to its 150 seats, Balena contains a chef's table right across form the hearth of its brick oven. as well as a gorgeous 18 seat leather topped bar, and a section dedicated to walk-ins.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Pizzeria, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Monday: 5:00pm-9:00pm Tuesday-Thursday: 5:00pm-10:00pm Friday: 5:00pm-11:00pm Saturday: 4:30pm-11:00pm Sunday: 4:30pm-9:00pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 867-3888
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chris Pandel
  • Private party facilities
    Please reach out to us to inquire about our private wine cellar for your next special event!
  • Private party contact
    Skyler Harrah: (312) 867-3888
  • Neighborhood
    Lincoln Park
  • Cross street
    North Ave
  • Parking details
    $14 cash
  • Public transit
    The North/Clybourn Red Line stop is one block SW
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

What 2,170 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

2,170 Reviews
  1. TerryG

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2017

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Great food, but a bit pricey. 2 pasta entrees, 2 beers, 1 wine, 2 desserts $120

    Is this helpful?

  2. Janine

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent! Would highly recommend

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2017

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Wasn't impressed with the food. Expected more. Great ambience and decor.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Stephen

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My girlfriend and I had a wonderful meal at Balena. Compared to other restaurants serving similarly high quality food, the value is good. The pasta is clearly made in house and is delicious, as were the vegetables and the spicy lamb meatballs. Great place to visit for great Italian food!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Nikki

    Orlando

    70 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    70 reviews

    Dined on August 5, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    This place is beautiful. Food could use some improvement. Pizza was just ok, pasta was alright. Food does not match the grander of the decor!

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on August 4, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I think Balena is my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. Everything we ordered was great. I loved the pasta especially the tagiolini nero and orecchiette. The spumoni inspired dessert was also excellent. Can't wait for it to reopen!

    Is this helpful?

  7. StevenA

    Chicago

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on August 2, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a delicious meal with great service. Highly recommended Italian fare.

    Is this helpful?

  8. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great decor. Attentive server. Great food recommendations. Courteous staff and updates. Superb.

    Is this helpful?

  9. KTEChicago

    Chicago

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2017

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    It's no where close to what it used to be. but it was decent.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Foodie

    Toronto

    23 reviews

    4.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The menu was very interesting. Food fresh but way overly salted. Wine selected by waiter was very good. A little noisy due to high ceilings.

    Is this helpful?

  11. Jeff

    Washington DC

    10 reviews

    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 28, 2017

    overall1food3service3ambience2
    Poor service. Small pasta portions. Forgot birthday request

    Is this helpful?

  12. Boots

    Chicago

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was delicious and the service was excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  13. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2017

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    We had nice service but meatballs were dry and the gnocchi had no taste. It also took too long, but waiter stopped by to say chef had overcooked it and was making another. Instead of comp'ing the dish, a second bland (arugula) salad was brought out. Was expecting more flavor and a more lively scene from a BOKA group restaurant. Was unimpressed and will not be back or recommending this restaurant to friends, unfortunately.

    Is this helpful?

  14. QuasiVeganFoodie

    Chicago

    195 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    195 reviews

    Dined on July 24, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Calling all Italian-food lovers: go to Balena! The restaurant itself is beautiful, with rustic wood floors and and twinkling lights. The food is straightforward, healthy, and delicious. The house focaccia is a must-get starter, and the charred broccoli is a great side. As for pastas, you can't go wrong with any of them. Try the mafaldine with tomato fondue and basil and then go for a "craft your own" white pie. Pro-tip: this is a great place to go before or after theater at Steppenwolf, which is right across the street!

    Is this helpful?

  15. Sherry

    Louisville

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Thank you our Server was awesome! Sunday night- cannot remember her name she gave use great recommendations. Sherry

    Is this helpful?

  16. Joseph

    Chicago

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2017

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Food was excellent. There's so many great options. Tables are a little close together but that was my only complaint.

    Is this helpful?

  17. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2017

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great menu, changes seasonally. The dishes are perfect for sharing, we shared the spicy lamb meatballs, two pastas, and a salad (two of us). Lovely ambiance, be back!

    Is this helpful?

  18. artsyone

    St. Louis

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was before theatre dinner. The food comes quickly, (but not too)! Everything tastes great. The servers are well-informed. We split an arugala salad, the 1/2 roast chicken, and a truffle pasta. They were all great. (and we were not given the sometimes 'snub' nose you get when you ask to split). It is a relaxed atmosphere while eating good food. The menu is limited, which is fine and there were no specials, which was also fine. We've eaten there 2x and I will go back!

    Is this helpful?

  19. AubreeS

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2017

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    The food was INCREDIBLE! Cocktail were tasty! Our waitress started off incredibly and somewhere in the evening a switch was flipped. She began literally dropping plates and beverages angrily on the table and stomping away. It was bizarre. Honestly, I'm hoping she was just have a rough evening. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, but not awesome. I would still definitely go back for the food.

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 22, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I chose to come to Balena with my sister and dad since it was right next door to the Royal George Theater where we were seeing Spamilton. I looked at a few nearby and picked this one based on the menu, as I hadn't heard of any of them. We were all so pleased!! I couldn't believe the luck of picking this awesome place. Our waitress was amazing, the food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was beautiful! It wasn't too loud, and they were very accommodating with our show time - very fast with the check when we only had a little time before the show. I would highly recommend checking out Balena!

    Is this helpful?

  21. HannaO

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2017

    overall3food3service2ambience2
    The food was mediocre. The main issue regarded the people sitting next to us that were so close and being very disrespectful to the other guests of the restaurant. Once our waitress came over she didn't address the situation throughout the evening even after they left. I couldn't enjoy anything about the experience based on how they were acting. We asked to be moved and they told us it would be an additional 30 minute wait. A frustrating experience...

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 21, 2017

    overall3food3service2ambience2
    I found a hair in my food and a big fly came to say hello to me in the middle of my meal. Food was comped and free sorbet was given but I still feel nauseated.

    Is this helpful?

  23. Tayler

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great atmosphere not too loud. Service staff was perfectly attentive and accommodating to a complicated dinner. Would highly recommend for any special occasion, date or nice dinner!

    Is this helpful?

  24. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 16, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our Balena experience was outstanding. I told our server, Stacy, that I was vegan. She knew which of the menu items were vegan-friendly. She was great. The food was delicious! I definitely recommend Balena.

    Is this helpful?

  25. Noreenc

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 16, 2017

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    would have liked more gluten free options but really enjoyed what I had and loved the ambiance.

    Is this helpful?

  26. DanielleL

    Chicago

    33 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    went here for a late dinner with a big group of friends. we split bottles of wine, ordered various pastas, and were there for 2.5 hours! this place is one of my favorite italian resturants in chicago. would recommend everything on the menu - and definitely split bottles of wine - great price and so worth it!

    Is this helpful?

  27. penguinperson

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2017

    overall3food3service5ambience5
    We have been several times and we're disappointed this time. The menu changes and we found very few things that seemed appetizing. The menu was very small. It's supposed to be a fish place and there was hardly any fish on the menu. The staff was nice and the ambiance is fun. May give it another try to see if they improve the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  28. MarianneF

    Chicago

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2017

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    There were 3 of us and we did not care of what we ordered although the restaurant was crowded and we had been told it was very good.

    Is this helpful?

  29. RuthO

    Chicago

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Good food and cocktails, and excellent service. Right across the street from Steppenwolf, and right on time. I loved the roasted cauliflower, and I had a lemony pasta with greens that was delicious. The cookie plate and lovely tea were a great end to the meal.

    Is this helpful?

  30. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Good but food was over priced for quality. Great atmosphere though.

    Is this helpful?

  31. Neverpicky

    New York Area

    6 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 10, 2017

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    Food was actually very good, and the people were nice but the service can certainly be improved. I made a last minute reservation for my wife's birthday on opentable. We arrived with our 2 sons and were given a nice table. The restaurant was not crowded and our server was immediately attentive. We explained that we were not in a hurry, but after receiving our cocktails we felt pressured anyway to place our food order. We ordered our food and then my wife proceeded to open some cards and gifts at the table. The food started rolling out of the kitchen. My sons were splitting a pizza and I wish the server had taken a moment to realize that my young son had ordered the fennel sausage pizza, which included chili flakes. I like spicy food, but this was way spicier/hotter than most adults would ever tolerate. Kids should not order that pizza! The server never stopped by to check to see if our food was good - he pretty much disappeared when the food started coming. I had to give my gnocci to my son and eat his pizza. We waited patiently for my wife's hangar steak to arrive, and it never did...so she nibbled on the gnocci. Surprisingly, our server never actually asked if we wanted any desert - even though we had opened presents in full view. I would have loved to have a simple piece of cake and a candle for her (actually more for my kids since birthdays are important to kids) - but I barely had a chance to speak with the waiter. Finally the waiter came by and I simply asked for the check. I told him to make sure that I was not charged for the hangar steak since it never arrived. He barely apologized and just brought the check - what a lost opportunity to simply recognize the mistake and perhaps ask my wife if there was anything he could bring her. Anyway, this place has a nice ambience and nice people, but if our server was a little more observant then I think in time he can become an excellent waiter and probably do a much better job for the diners and the restaurant.

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 9, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff made our experience easy and enjoyable as we celebrated a friend's engagement. Our waiter was friendly, approachable and knowledgeable about the menu items.

    Is this helpful?

  33. boog

    Chicago

    101 reviews

    5.0

    101 reviews

    Dined on July 8, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Second visit and it is amazing again. Great drinks and the meal was outstanding.

    Is this helpful?

  34. jerc

    Chicago

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    menu selections were varied. There was something for everyone no matter what they favored Food was great and enjoyed by all

    Is this helpful?

  35. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 5, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pretheater. Great service, food, atmosphere, beverage.

    Is this helpful?

  36. Jaysac

    Atlanta Metro

    118 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    118 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Nice neighborhood place.Very good service, nice ambience and decent prices.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Mrbeard

    Chicago

    27 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Food was excellent. Very flavorful. Everything we ate was equally great. Server was very friendly and attentive.

    Is this helpful?

  38. SusanR

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 1, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent meal with outstanding waiter! All good was fresh and delish!!

    Is this helpful?

  39. EmmaB

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2017

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    The staff at Balena were great. They had asked if we were celebrating anything when they confirmed the reservation (it was my Dad's birthday) and there was a birthday card signed by Balena staff members on the table when we got there. They also made sure to get us out the door in time to see our show. I will definitely be returning.

    Is this helpful?

  40. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2017

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Faccia bread was excellent, black pasta was to salty

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Balena Italian - Temporarily Closed is rated 4.4 stars by 2170 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Balena Italian - Temporarily Closed

1633 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Additional information

  • Cross street
    North Ave
  • Neighborhood
    Lincoln Park
  • Hours of operation
    Monday: 5:00pm-9:00pm Tuesday-Thursday: 5:00pm-10:00pm Friday: 5:00pm-11:00pm Saturday: 4:30pm-11:00pm Sunday: 4:30pm-9:00pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Pizzeria, Wine Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    $14 cash
  • Public transit
    The North/Clybourn Red Line stop is one block SW
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chris Pandel
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine
  • Phone number
    (312) 867-3888
  • Private party facilities
    Please reach out to us to inquire about our private wine cellar for your next special event!
  • Private party contact
    Skyler Harrah: (312) 867-3888
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo