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Oaken Bistro + Bar, Lake Forest, IL

Oaken Bistro + Bar

4.4 (255)
$30 and under
American
200 N Field Dr, Lake Forest, IL 60045-2513

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for business meals
  • Charming
  • Innovative
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!

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
  • 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!
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Lake Forest
  • Cross street
    Townline Rd and Field Dr
  • Parking details
    Complimentary parking in the hotel's adjacent parking lot.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 255 people are saying

Oaken Bistro + Bar 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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Oaken Bistro + Bar, nestled within The Forester Hotel, is a delightful "hidden gem" offering an exceptional dining experience. Guests rave about the "phenomenal" food and "excellent" service, with standout dishes like goat cheese and honey appetizers, crispy shrimp, and salmon. The ambiance is "new and lovely," perfect for casual dining or pre-theater meals.
255 Reviews
  1. Kaylee

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    2.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Overall the experience was just Ok. We ordered the shrimp appetizer and the shrimp wasn’t fully cooked. The burger was just ok and the chicken sandwich said it was made with breast but my meat was brown. Overall it was mediocre at best.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. I hope someone on our staff took the time to correct your experience, but if not, I would like the opportunity to see you again. I have made a note on your reservation, so if you do make a reservation with us again, we will make sure the food and service is to our standards. Sincerely, Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  2. Claudia

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience here was overall good! Ambience was great, food was delicious, but some service definitely needs a little help. Our waitress approached us 3 times within 10 mins asking if we were ready to order when we had advised we were waiting on two more at the table. Once our full party arrived, she took an extremely long time to approach us again and ask for their drinks orders and our food orders. When she finally came around she was very short and stern and the overall conversation was very rushed. Nonetheless the host and the older gentleman refilling our water at the table really went above and beyond with their service so shout out to them!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Katherine

    Orlando / Central Florida East1 review

    2.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Good to know this is on a hotel. Very very slow service.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded 1 day ago
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We are indeed, in the Forester Hotel, and a little hidden, but we don't operate as a hotel restaurant. We want to stand alone as a Lake Forest restaurant. I hope we get the opportunity to see you again. Feel free to make a note in your reservation and I'll make sure to see it. I would like to show you the service we expect from our team. Sincerely, Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  4. Brian

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience. The food was excellent, and the service was polite & courteous.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on June 2, 2025
    Hello Brian, Thank you for taking time to write a review. We appreciate the Happy Hour tag. We hope to see you again soon. Cheers! Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  5. Jeffrey VIP

    Chicago / Illinois18 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a very enjoyable meal. Delicious food, excellent service in a nice space with a good vibe.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Tim

    Indiana5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Outstanding atmosphere for dinner, bartender and waitress were excellent. Great customer service, food quality was very good. The quantity was good and the chef did an amazing job with the meals. The clam chowder was good, salads were good. The sides were large portions to share. Highly recommend Oaken Bistro as a restaurant to make reservations.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on May 26, 2025
    Thank you for taking time to give us a review. I will pass on the compliments to Chef. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  7. Tae’lor

    Chicago / Illinois6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    the food was phenomenal & the service was above & beyond. i definitely plan to dine here again.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on May 26, 2025
    Thank you for taking time to write a review, and thank you for the kind words. We try to go above and beyond. We look forward to having you back. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  8. Terri VIP

    Chicago / Illinois13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great food great hidden gem! We will definitely come back. Love the bar area too!
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on May 26, 2025
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We're glad you found us! We look forward to having you back again. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  9. JoAnn

    Chicago / Illinois20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 1, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and service were excellent! I had the Salmon and it was delicious. A great place to eat before going to the Citadel Theater in Lake Forest.
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on May 26, 2025
    Thank you for taking time to write a review. We love the Citadel! So many great shows there. We hope to see you again for the next show. Gabriel Boden General Manager

    Is this helpful?

  10. Susan VIP

    Chicago / Illinois29 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Terrific little restaurant! Went there for Sunday brunch and really enjoyed it. Especially the blood orange mimosas, the Mexican skillet, and the eggs Benedict. My husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich too. Furthermore, the ambiance is new and lovely and the searing is very comfy. It’s a hidden gem in the Bannockburn/Lake Forest area!
    Oaken Bistro + BarResponded on April 28, 2025
    Susan, thank you for the kind words. We're so happy you've found us! I'll pass on the kind words to Chef Christian. Cheers! 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 4.4 stars by 255 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Chicago / Illinois
  4. North Suburbs
  5. Lake Forest

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today
Google Map for Oaken Bistro + Bar

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

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Townline Rd and Field Dr
  • Neighborhood
    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
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Phone number
  • 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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