What Our Guests Say

The best steak I've had outside of a private dining club. The tomahawk for two was a religious experience — perfectly seared crust, exactly the temperature we asked for, incredible depth of flavor from the aging. Service matched the food in every way.

Perfect for our anniversary. Service was impeccable, wine pairings were inspired, and that bone marrow... I still dream about it. Our server remembered we'd mentioned a wine preference mid-meal and surprised us with a pour before dessert. That's five-star hospitality.

We've been to every top steakhouse in Chicago. Ember & Rye is in a different category. The A5 Wagyu was flawless. The private dining room handled our group of 14 without a single misstep. Our clients were impressed — and they eat at places like this weekly.

We surprised my husband here for his 40th birthday and the staff handled everything beautifully — came out with a small dessert, acknowledged the occasion without making it gaudy. The ribeye was the best he'd ever had, and he grew up in Texas. That means something.

I proposed to my now-fiancée here last winter. The staff set up the table with flowers without me even asking — they just noticed the reservation note. Chef sent out an amuse-bouche with a handwritten card. We will be back for every anniversary for the rest of our lives.

Our year-end team dinner for 8. The private room, the sommelier who worked through the wine program with us in advance, the flawless pacing — every detail was handled. I've heard from multiple team members that this was the best company dinner they've ever attended.

I live three blocks away and I've been coming monthly since they opened. In six years the quality has not slipped once. The bone marrow is still perfect. Dave at the bar still remembers my Cabernet preference. Ember & Rye is an institution and deserves every accolade.

My daughter's medical school graduation dinner. She had asked for the best steakhouse in Chicago and we delivered. The tomahawk tableside presentation had the whole table leaning in — the theater matched the food. Exceptional in every way.