Restaurant

Arbella Cocktail Bar

Name: Arbella Cocktail Bar
Address: 112 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60654, US
Telephone: (312) 846-6654
Price range: moderate

Bar•Chicago•moderate

Arbella Cocktail Bar is one of the best bar restaurants in Chicago for date night, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Let me tell you what Arbella actually is, because the word "cocktail bar" undersells it in one direction and oversells it in another.

Editorial review•Dec 9, 2025

Let me tell you what Arbella actually is, because the word "cocktail bar" undersells it in one direction and oversells it in another. This is a room that figured out the thing most cocktail bars get wrong: the food isn't an afterthought bribed into existence by liquor license requirements. It's a genuine kitchen running alongside a genuine bar program, which means you can show up here at 10 p.m. genuinely hungry and leave genuinely satisfied — not just less drunk. The crowd knows it. You'll see people who came for drinks end up splitting a full spread, and people who came for food end up staying for two more rounds. That feedback loop is harder to engineer than it looks, and Arbella has it. The menu plays a smart range of registers. The Coconut Shrimps are the kind of thing that sounds like filler but arrives with enough crunch and sweetness-to-heat contrast to make you order a second round before the first is gone. The Thai Fried Chicken Sliders bring real technique — that brine-forward, lacquered-crust fry that holds up under sauce without going soft. The Smash Burger is exactly what it should be: aggressively seared, lacy-edged, no architectural pretension. And then there's the Cafecito Tiramisu, which is the move you didn't know you needed — espresso bitterness dialed up, mascarpone still doing its cool, cloud-like thing, with enough of a Latin coffee riff to make it feel like it belongs here specifically. Practical intel: the Spinach Cauliflower Fondue and Steak Frites are strong anchors if you're building a table spread rather than snacking solo. The KFC Chx Basket is bar food done right — order it early, it goes fast. Price-point is genuinely reasonable for what lands on the table. Go on a weeknight if you want breathing room; weekends fill up. Sit at or near the bar if you can — that's where the room makes the most sense. Start with the Thai Fried Chicken Sliders and end with the Cafecito Tiramisu; that's the through-line.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team

Cocktails and foodcocktailsdate night moodysmall plateslate night

Visit Website View Menu Get Directions

Taste ID

Rate this restaurant

Score flavor, vibe, value, and service to sharpen your Taste ID and get better picks.

Rating (Google) 9.2

1,289 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

9.2

Rating

Based on 1289 reviews

Best used for

date night and Cocktails and food

Price and pace

moderate

Neighborhood

Chicago · 112 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Price

moderate

Google rating

9.2 from 1,289 reviews

Phone

(312) 846-6654

What to order

Signature dishes at Arbella Cocktail Bar

Coconut Shrimps

Coconut brined shrimp, coconut + panko breading, cilantro & sweet-n-sour sauce.

Thai Fried Chicken Sliders

House brined chicken, sweet chili glaze, nam jim jaew slaw. 3 to order.

Spinach Cauliflower Fondue

Roasted cauliflower, gruyère mornay sauce, toasted bread crumbs, spinach, turano sourdough.

Smash Burger

American wagyu beef, fried shallots + lettuce, tomato, béarnaise, aged white cheddar.

Steak Frites

Bavette cut, served medium, black garlic sauce, crispy fries & garlic aioli.

Why go

What makes Arbella Cocktail Bar worth the move

Arbella Cocktail Bar works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Coconut Shrimps and Thai Fried Chicken Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,289 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.2 from 1,289 Google reviews

Best used for

date night and Cocktails and food

Style

Bar in Chicago

Spend

moderate

Best for

Cocktails and food cocktails date night moody small plates late night

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.2 from 1,289 reviews

Price point: moderate

Popular dishes: Coconut Shrimps, Thai Fried Chicken Sliders, Spinach Cauliflower Fondue

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Arbella Cocktail Bar

Google snapshot

9.2 from 1,289 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

Boka Group has a knack for making a room feel more expensive than it is, and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna at 531 N Wells St.

Tavern style pizzacasual nighttakeout

2127 reviews

Read restaurant page

Website Menu Rate

Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 112 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Phone: (312) 846-6654
Price: moderate
TastyPals score: Coming soon
Google rating: 9.2 (1,289 reviews)
Cuisine: Bar
Neighborhood: Chicago

Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Arbella Cocktail Bar serve?

Arbella Cocktail Bar is a Bar restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Let me tell you what Arbella actually is, because the word "cocktail bar" undersells it in one direction and oversells it in another.

What is Arbella Cocktail Bar best for?

Arbella Cocktail Bar is best for cocktails and food, cocktails, date night, moody, small plates, late night. Arbella Cocktail Bar works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Coconut Shrimps and Thai Fried Chicken Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,289 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Arbella Cocktail Bar?

Arbella Cocktail Bar is in the moderate price range (moderate). Google rating: 9.2 from 1,289 reviews

What should I order at Arbella Cocktail Bar?

Start with Coconut Shrimps, Thai Fried Chicken Sliders, Spinach Cauliflower Fondue and Smash Burger. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Arbella Cocktail Bar worth visiting?

Arbella Cocktail Bar holds a 9.2 Google rating from 1,289 reviews. Arbella Cocktail Bar works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Coconut Shrimps and Thai Fried Chicken Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,289 Google reviews.

Where is Arbella Cocktail Bar located?

Arbella Cocktail Bar is located at 112 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Is Arbella Cocktail Bar good for a date night?

Yes — Arbella Cocktail Bar is tagged for date night dining. Arbella Cocktail Bar works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Coconut Shrimps and Thai Fried Chicken Sliders also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,289 Google reviews.

Explore more in Chicago

Best Restaurants in ChicagoStart with the flagship Chicago restaurant shortlist.Best Bar Restaurants in ChicagoMore bar spots worth comparing.Date Night Restaurants in ChicagoRooms with the mood, pacing, and food for a slower night out.Best New Openings in ChicagoSource-checked recent openings worth knowing now.Best Pizza in ChicagoA city-aware pizza shortlist for your next slice or pie.Best Burgers in ChicagoBurger spots with enough local signal to compare.Best Brunch in ChicagoWeekend and slower-morning picks across the city.

Ready to dine?

Book a table at Arbella Cocktail Bar

Check availability on the restaurant's official site.

Visit Website

Get the App

See your Taste Match in TastyPals

Use the web for editorial context, then explore Arbella Cocktail Bar and similar picks in the app when you want a more personal Chicago dinner plan.

Personalized city picksCleaner shortlistsBuilt for iPhone and Android

TastyPalsTonight

Your taste. Our picks.

Smarter follow-through after the guide: better restaurant context, quicker narrowing, less second-guessing.

For tonight

Date night spots with warm rooms and polished service

Next step

Keep exploring in the app when you want a tighter shortlist

Website Menu