Award-winning

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

4.7

2438 Reviews

$30 and under

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 66 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden, home to celebrated Chef Art Smith, is a farm-to-table oasis in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast and deeply rooted in the philosophy of letting the seasons dictate the menu. From its inception, the Blue Door brand has become synonymous with sustainability and responsible sourcing. We pride ourselves in showcasing dishes made from fresh, local ingredients sourced from Midwest farms.

Experience a chef-driven menu featuring everything from pierogis and market fresh salads, to Chef Art Smith’s famous buttermilk fried chicken. Walk-ins are always encouraged. Be sure to join us during the warmer weather months when the beautiful outdoor patio is open. While visiting, be sure to enjoy one of Blue Door Kitchen’s garden-to-glass cocktails, local beers or perfectly paired wines from our extensive list.

For reservations eight or larger, please call the restaurant 312-573-4000.

Additional information

Location
52 West Elm Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Phone number
(312) 573-4000
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Contemporary Southern, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Valet available the following days:Wednesday-Friday 4pm-8:30pmSaturday & Sunday 9am-8:30pm
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef De Juan

Private dining

Shrimp & Grits$24.00
geechie boy grits, andouille, tomato stew
Buttermilk Fried Chicken$26.00
garlic mashed potato, hot sauce
Salmon En Croute$29.00
apple butter, brussels sprouts, fennel, rosemary cream
Ribeye
zucchini, pecan pesto, green tomatoes
- MP
Parisienne Gnocchi$28.00
farm carrots, peas, cheese of the day
1/2 Rack of Lamb
summer couscous, pickled melons, fennel, cilantro, lamb jus
- MP

Desserts

Hummingbird Cake$12.00
pecan, coconut crumble, seasonal coulis
Key Lime Pie$9.00
whipped cream, macadamia praline, burnt honey caramel
Gelato$7.00
daily selection

Cocktails

The Stars

Fort Dearborn (1803)$14.00
Tanquery Gin, celery bitters, tonic, sage
Chicago Fire (1871)$14.00
Don Julio Blanco Tequila, dragon fruit syrup, lime, grapefruit bitters
Columbian Exposition (1893)$14.00
Fleur de Cana Rum, falernum, italicus, lime, soda; nut allergy
Century of Progress (1933)$14.00
Strawberry-infused Western Son Vodka, rhubarb liquor, lime, ginger beer

The Stripes

The Lake & the River$14.00
Jasmine tea infused Glenfiddich scotch, lemon, simple syrup, thyme
The South Side$14.00
Blackberry Infused Union Mezcal, sake, elderflower, lemon, simple syrup, aquafaba
The West Side$14.00
Bulleit/ Fleur De Cana Anejo, Amargo de chile, lime, simple syrup
The North Side$14.00
Hess Chardonay, grapefruit juice, elderflower, lime, simple syrup

Reserve List

Bubbles

N.V. Veuve Clicquot, Brut, France$125.00
N.V. J Vineyards, Cuvee, California$75.00
N.V J Vineyards, Rose, California$85.00

White

Cortese, A Posto, 2017, Nizza Monferrato, Italy$50.00
Chenin Blanc, Domaine Brisebarre, Vouvray, 2014, Loire Valley, France$90.00
Chenin Blanc, Old Vine, Bellingham, 2017, Coastal, South Africa$80.00
Sauvignon Blanc, Blank Stare Orin Swift, 2017, St Helena, California$95.00
Chardonnay, Ramey, 2014, Sonoma County, California$140.00
Riesling, The Seeker, 2017, Mosel, Germany$62.00

Red

Pinot Noir, Resonance, 2017, Willamette, Oregon$175.00
Gamay Noir, Chateau Des Jacques, Morgon, 2016, Burgundy, France$70.00
Bordeaux Blend, Chateau Musar, 2011, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon$200.00
Bordeaux Blend, Ramey Claret, 2016, Napa Valley, California$100.00
Syrah, Stolpman Vineyards, 2017, Ballard Canyon, California$85.00
Grenache, Syrah, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, 2016, Rhone, France$140.00
Grenache, Syrah, M. Chpoutier, 2011, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France$280.00
Corvina, Rondinella, Masi, 2013, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy$225.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis .M. Martini,2016, Napa Valley, California$90.00

Wines by the Glass

Bubbles

N.V. Taittinger Champagne, Reims, France$17.00
N.V. Poema Cava Brut, Penedes Spain$13.00
N.V. Villa Sandi ll Fresco Rose, Veneto, Italy$13.00

Rosé

Breezette, 2018, Provence, France$16.00
Bottled Exclusively for Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

White

Sauvignon Blanc, Honig, 2018, Napa, California$15.00
Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Moreux Les Bouffants, 2018, Loire Valley, France$20.00
Muller-Thurgau, Kettmeir, 2017, Alto Adige, Italy$14.00
Pinot Grigio, Bollini, 2017, Trentino, Italy$15.00
Pinot Grigio, Riff, 2018, Veneto, Italy$12.00
Chardonnay, Albert Bichot, Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis, 2017, Burgundy, France$16.00
Chardonnay, Raeburn, 2017, Russian River, Sonoma County, California$16.00
Riesling, Hirsch, Zöbing, 2015, Kamptal, Austria$17.00

Red

Pinot Noir, Ken Wright, 2017, Willamette Valley, Oregon$17.00
Corvina, Rondinella, Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2016, Veneto, Italy$18.00
Malbec, Graffito, 2017, Lujan De Cuyo, Argentina$15.00
Tempranillo, El Vinculo, 2013, Castilla La Mancha, Spain$13.00
Grenache Blend, Côtes Du Rhône, 2015, Rhône, France$14.00
Sangiovese, Tenute Slivio Nardi, 2017, Rosso di Montalcino, Italy$20.00
Cabernet Sauvignon, Roth Estate, 2017, Central Coast, California$18.00
Merlot, Duckhorn Vineyards, 2016, Napa Valley, California$20.00

Other

Mimosa$9.00
Seasonal Mimosa$10.00

Bourbon / Whiskey

1792 Bourbon$14.00
Basil Hayden$14.00
Bearface$16.00
Blantons$21.00
Buffalo Trace$11.00
Bulleit$12.00
Cody Road Rye$17.00
Eagle Rare 10 Year$13.00
E.H Taylor Jr Single Barrel$14.00
Gentleman Jack$15.00
Hibiki$32.00
High West Double Rye$16.00
Kentucky Owl$48.00
Old Potrero$22.00
Rabbit Hole$16.00
Sazarac Rye$13.00
Templeton Rye$14.00
Tullamore D.E.W$14.00
Weller Special Reserve$12.00
W.L Weller 12 Year$15.00
Weller Antique 107$14.00
Whistle Pig 15 Year$45.00
Woodford Reserve$16.00
Willet 3 Year Rye$23.00

Scotch

Balvenie 15 Year$20.00
Balvenie 21 Year$38.00
Dalmore 12 Year$15.00
Dalwhinnie 15 Year$18.00
Glenfiddich 12 Year$12.00
Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch$14.00
Johnny Walker Black$24.00
Johnny Walker Blue$80.00
Macallan 12 Year$14.00
Macallan 18 Year$45.00
Monkey Shoulder Scotch$15.00

Tequila / Mezcal

Clase Azul Plata$25.00
Clase Azul Reposado$30.00
Don Julio Blanco$12.00
Don Julio Reposado$17.00
Don Julio 1942$28.00
Milagro Silver$13.00
Milagro Reposado$14.00
Milagro Anejo$15.00
Paris Reposado$12.00
Union Mezcal$12.00
Villa Sosu Mezcal$12.00
Lucy Pistolas Mezcal$10.00

What 2,438 people are saying

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden 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
4.5Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden offers a "charming ambiance" and a menu boasting "exceptional food" with "french and southern influences." Diners rave about the "delicious fried chicken," "shrimp & grits," and "hummingbird cake." The "beautiful patio" enhances the dining experience, making it a "favorite spot" for many.

2,438 Reviews

G
George VIP
Chicago23 reviews
2.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Cute place, however the food was just average. Soup was good, crab cakes were undercooked and mushy. While our server was charming she was not very good as we had to remind her several times to get several things we had asked for. I wouldn't go back.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded 3 days ago
Dear George, Thank you for your honest feedback. While we’re glad you enjoyed the soup, we’re sorry to hear the crab cakes and service didn’t meet expectations. That’s not the experience we aim to provide, and we truly appreciate your input. If you’d be open to sharing more, please reach out to our manager, Jovani, through our website or by phone. We’d love the opportunity to make things right. Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good was great and they gave me a birthday dessert!
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded 6 days ago
Dear Guest, Thank you for celebrating with us! We’re so glad you enjoyed the food and that we could make your birthday extra special with a dessert. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great experience! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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H
Heidi
Chicago2 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
The food was excellent! The restaurant was a bit crowded and loud, and they seemed to be rushing us through service- likely hoping to turn the table. But most importantly everyone like the food. We had 5 people, everyone got something different, and everything was delicious. We were in and out in under an hour, which was not ideal-we were celebrating and would have liked a more relaxed pace.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 17, 2025
Dear Heidi, Thank you for your kind words about the food—we’re thrilled that everyone in your group enjoyed their meal! We appreciate your feedback about the pacing of service and understand that a more relaxed experience would have been ideal for your celebration. We’ll share this with our team to improve. We hope to welcome you back soon for a more leisurely dining experience! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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E
Ellen
Chicago9 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic dinner! Had deviled eggs and fried chicken for one person and salmon for the other. Cornbread for all! The cornbread was so amazing! Everything was great. Love the decor and the setup even though the small 2 person tables are pretty close together. Just a great dinner in a nice atmosphere.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 17, 2025
Dear Ellen, Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the deviled eggs, fried chicken, salmon, and especially the cornbread—it’s a favorite! We appreciate your kind words about the decor and atmosphere and take note of your feedback on the table spacing. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great dinner soon! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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N
Noah VIP
Chicago2 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful restaurant, high quality dishes, solid service. Braised beef was outstanding and the fried chicken was good, lightly fried. Fairly empty upstairs for a Saturday night 7pm reservation the day after Valentine’s Day.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 16, 2025
Dear Noah, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted you enjoyed our beautiful space, high-quality dishes, and solid service. It’s great to hear the braised beef was a standout and that you liked the fried chicken. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another great experience soon! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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S
Steve VIP
Chicago34 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
The food was really decent. I don’t think it was up to Michelin standards but good the service on the other hand was horrible. Our bus girl was the best thing about service.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 17, 2025
Dear Steve, Thank you for your feedback. While we’re glad you enjoyed the food, we’re sorry to hear the service didn’t meet expectations. That’s not the experience we strive for, and we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. If you’d be open to sharing more, please reach out to our manager, Jovani, through our website or by phone. We’d love the opportunity to improve and make things right. Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
Is this helpful?
K
Kiryl
Chicago2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Me & my wife visited Blue Door on her birthday, and decided to come back on the V-Day. This place is amazing: the quality of food, overall atmosphere and hospitality - it feels like every details there is made to make you feel like home. We ordered a couple of drinks (Smoked Cherry was a top notch), appetisers and mains (Lamb, salmon) - everything was cooked to perfection. Special thanks to our waitress for outstanding service (If you are reading this - you did a great job!), the cooks & to John for complimentary champagne and being so nice :) You, guys, do an amazing job. We will for sure be back! Overall: 5/5
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 16, 2025
Dear Kiryl, Thank you for celebrating both your wife’s birthday and Valentine’s Day with us! We’re thrilled to hear you felt at home and enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and hospitality. It’s wonderful to know the Smoked Cherry, lamb, and salmon were all cooked to perfection. We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to our team. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing experience! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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O
Owen
Alabama2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Perfect vibes for a date night. Food was fantastic. Highly recommend the salmon and Risotto will definitely be back!!
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J
Junior VIP
Chicago1 review
4.0
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
The ambience and food was great, the service can be improved as it took over 20 minutes for the waiter take our order.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 11, 2025
Dear Junior, Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the ambiance and food, but we’re sorry to hear about the delay in service. This isn’t the experience we aim to provide, and we’ll address this with our team. We appreciate your input and hope to welcome you back soon for an even better experience. Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
Is this helpful?
V
Victoria
Phoenix1 review
4.0
Dined on February 9, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Food was excellent. The heated outdoor patio was awesome for February in Chicago. Service was on the slow end, but the staff was incredibly friendly.
Blue Door Kitchen & GardenResponded on February 11, 2025
Dear Victoria, Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed the excellent food and cozy heated patio. We appreciate your feedback on the service speed and are glad our friendly staff made a positive impression. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best, The Blue Door Kitchen & Garden Team
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FAQs

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden does offer delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. Blue Door Kitchen & Garden also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 573-4000.

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden is rated 4.7 stars by 2438 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 66 times today

Google Map for Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

52 West Elm Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Phone number
(312) 573-4000
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
American, Contemporary Southern, Comfort Food
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Valet available the following days:Wednesday-Friday 4pm-8:30pmSaturday & Sunday 9am-8:30pm
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef De Juan

Blue Door Kitchen & Garden

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Custom inquiry

To Share

Baba Ganoush$12.00

Deviled Eggs$9.00

Crab Cake$17.00

Cornbread$9.00

Mac & Cheese$10.00

Salads & Soups

Bibb Salad$15.00

Brussels & Kale Salad$17.00

Minestrone Soup$7.00

Entrées

Shrimp & Grits$24.00

Buttermilk Fried Chicken$26.00

Salmon En Croute$29.00

Ribeye

Parisienne Gnocchi$28.00

1/2 Rack of Lamb

Desserts

Hummingbird Cake$12.00

Key Lime Pie$9.00

Gelato$7.00

Cocktails

The Stars

Fort Dearborn (1803)$14.00

Chicago Fire (1871)$14.00

Columbian Exposition (1893)$14.00

Century of Progress (1933)$14.00

The Stripes

The Lake & the River$14.00

The South Side$14.00

The West Side$14.00

The North Side$14.00

Reserve List

Bubbles

N.V. Veuve Clicquot, Brut, France$125.00

N.V. J Vineyards, Cuvee, California$75.00

N.V J Vineyards, Rose, California$85.00

White

Cortese, A Posto, 2017, Nizza Monferrato, Italy$50.00

Chenin Blanc, Domaine Brisebarre, Vouvray, 2014, Loire Valley, France$90.00

Chenin Blanc, Old Vine, Bellingham, 2017, Coastal, South Africa$80.00

Sauvignon Blanc, Blank Stare Orin Swift, 2017, St Helena, California$95.00

Chardonnay, Ramey, 2014, Sonoma County, California$140.00

Riesling, The Seeker, 2017, Mosel, Germany$62.00

Red

Pinot Noir, Resonance, 2017, Willamette, Oregon$175.00

Gamay Noir, Chateau Des Jacques, Morgon, 2016, Burgundy, France$70.00

Bordeaux Blend, Chateau Musar, 2011, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon$200.00

Bordeaux Blend, Ramey Claret, 2016, Napa Valley, California$100.00

Syrah, Stolpman Vineyards, 2017, Ballard Canyon, California$85.00

Grenache, Syrah, Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, 2016, Rhone, France$140.00

Grenache, Syrah, M. Chpoutier, 2011, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France$280.00

Corvina, Rondinella, Masi, 2013, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy$225.00

Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis .M. Martini,2016, Napa Valley, California$90.00

Wines by the Glass

Bubbles

N.V. Taittinger Champagne, Reims, France$17.00

N.V. Poema Cava Brut, Penedes Spain$13.00

N.V. Villa Sandi ll Fresco Rose, Veneto, Italy$13.00

Rosé

Breezette, 2018, Provence, France$16.00

White

Sauvignon Blanc, Honig, 2018, Napa, California$15.00

Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Moreux Les Bouffants, 2018, Loire Valley, France$20.00

Muller-Thurgau, Kettmeir, 2017, Alto Adige, Italy$14.00

Pinot Grigio, Bollini, 2017, Trentino, Italy$15.00

Pinot Grigio, Riff, 2018, Veneto, Italy$12.00

Chardonnay, Albert Bichot, Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis, 2017, Burgundy, France$16.00

Chardonnay, Raeburn, 2017, Russian River, Sonoma County, California$16.00

Riesling, Hirsch, Zöbing, 2015, Kamptal, Austria$17.00

Red

Pinot Noir, Ken Wright, 2017, Willamette Valley, Oregon$17.00

Corvina, Rondinella, Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2016, Veneto, Italy$18.00

Malbec, Graffito, 2017, Lujan De Cuyo, Argentina$15.00

Tempranillo, El Vinculo, 2013, Castilla La Mancha, Spain$13.00