Restaurant

Spirit Elephant

Name: Spirit Elephant
Address: 924 Green Bay Rd #926, Winnetka, IL, 60093, US
Price range: $$

Vegan•Chicago•$$

Spirit Elephant is one of the best vegan restaurants in Chicago for brunch, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Spirit Elephant occupies a specific and unusual position in the Chicago area dining landscape: it's the north shore's first fully plant-based restaurant and bar, planted in Winnetka rather than the expected Wicker Park or Wicker-adjacent ZIP code where vegan concepts tend to cluster. That geographic choice matters. Owner CD Young built something for a community where plant-forward dining had been underserved, and the Chicago Tribune's 2023 designation of Spirit Elephant as the city's best plant-based menu suggests the kitchen earned regional credibility that transcends its suburban address. This isn't a juice-bar adjacency project — it's a full-service restaurant and bar concept with ambitions that run toward composed, technique-driven plates. The menu is the evidence. The kitchen's approach, under executive chef J. Israel Serrano, centers on using classical technique and high-effort preparation to make vegetables and fungi do the work that meat typically does in comfort-food idioms. The Meatless Loaf Bourguignon — served with rich mushroom gravy — is a direct reference to French bistro tradition, reframed without any animal product. The blackened miso eggplant is seared and roasted with a miso glaze, plated over ginger-infused jasmine rice and steamed bok choy, a dish that diners consistently flag for its layered, globally inflected flavor profile. The Cauliwings — cauliflower wings offered with mango chili and Buffalo sauces — are a crowd favorite and a reliable entry point for skeptics. The Calamari Fritti, made with breaded king oyster mushrooms served with charred lemon and spicy marinara, regularly appears in what diners single out as standouts. For logistics: Spirit Elephant runs live music on the first and third Thursdays, featuring Cole Brandt, which makes those nights a different kind of reservation than a quiet weeknight. The back garden patio with a glass overhang is the move when weather cooperates — book it specifically if you're planning an event or want the full atmosphere the space is designed around. If you're new to the menu, anchor your order with the miso eggplant as a main and the Cauliwings to start; they represent the kitchen's range better than any single dish alone.

Priya Sharma, Dining Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

brunch cocktail date night

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 8.3/10

Rating (Google) 9.4

829 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.3/10

Taste Score

Google 9.4 from 829 reviews

Best for

brunch and date night

Price and pace

Moderate spend

Neighborhood

Chicago | 924 Green Bay Rd #926, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA

Price

Moderate spend

Taste Score

8.3/10

Address

Chicago | 924 Green Bay Rd #926, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA

Inside the restaurant

Photos of Spirit Elephant

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Spirit Elephant on video

Short: Vegan Fooder (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: TeamWendt of Be Realty (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Coco Liora (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Short: Consciously Vegan (third-party feature) · plays on YouTube

Menu and ordering

Spirit Elephant menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Spirit Elephant is listed in the Moderate spend price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Meatless Loaf Bourguignon

Blackened Miso Eggplant

Cauliwings

Calamari Fritti (King Oyster Mushroom)

Why go

What makes Spirit Elephant worth the move

Spirit Elephant works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Meatless Loaf Bourguignon and Blackened Miso Eggplant also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 829 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.4 from 829 Google reviews

Best for

brunch and date night

Style

Vegan in Chicago

Spend

Moderate spend

Best for

brunch cocktail date night

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.4 from 829 reviews

Price point: $$

Popular dishes: Meatless Loaf Bourguignon, Blackened Miso Eggplant, Cauliwings

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TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Priya Sharma for Spirit Elephant

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Google snapshot

9.4 from 829 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Priya Sharma

No diner notes for Spirit Elephant yet.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Directions

Address: 924 Green Bay Rd #926, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA
Price: $$
TastyPals score: 8.3/10
Google rating: 9.4 (829 reviews)
Cuisine: Vegan
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Spirit Elephant serve?

Spirit Elephant is a Vegan restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Spirit Elephant occupies a specific and unusual position in the Chicago area dining landscape: it's the north shore's first fully plant-based restaurant and bar, planted in Winnetka rather than the expected Wicker Park or Wicker-adjacent ZIP code where vegan concepts tend to cluster.

What is Spirit Elephant best for?

Spirit Elephant is best for brunch, cocktail, date night. Spirit Elephant works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Meatless Loaf Bourguignon and Blackened Miso Eggplant also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 829 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Spirit Elephant?

Spirit Elephant is in the Moderate spend price range ($$). Google rating: 9.4 from 829 reviews

What should I order at Spirit Elephant?

Start with Meatless Loaf Bourguignon, Blackened Miso Eggplant, Cauliwings and Calamari Fritti (King Oyster Mushroom). These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Spirit Elephant worth visiting?

Spirit Elephant holds a 9.4 Google rating from 829 reviews. Spirit Elephant works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Meatless Loaf Bourguignon and Blackened Miso Eggplant also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 829 Google reviews.

Where is Spirit Elephant located?

Spirit Elephant is located at 924 Green Bay Rd #926, Winnetka, IL 60093, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Is Spirit Elephant good for a date night?

Yes — Spirit Elephant is tagged for date night dining. Spirit Elephant works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Meatless Loaf Bourguignon and Blackened Miso Eggplant also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 829 Google reviews.

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