Virtue Restaurant - Chicago, Illinois

Shinette M.

The food was absolutely delicious with the exception of the catfish, it had a slight fishy taste. The whiting fish was seasoned to perfection! The greens reminded me of my families’ food. We are from Jackson, MS. The chicken was cooked to perfection, the greens beans had a great crunch, the potatoes were so flavorful and the green tomatoes and cornbread had my mouth dancing! I highly recommend this restaurant for some real southern food. Service was great and ambiance was the perfect setting for any dining experience.

Dre T.

The food was really good and the waiter was very knowledgeable on suggestions. Short Ribs was very good, and Mac & Cheese! Only take away. I wanted to go to the bar after dinner for another drink. I was told that l have go back to the hostess and put my name down just to sit at the bar. Then, I await another 15 minutes when I was already dining in. If I was told that I would not have left my table. Just an FYI, overall, good experience.

Tracy B.

The entire dining experience at Virtue was top notch. From the hosts, to the servers, to the chef and his assistants in the kitchen, everything was excellent.
My family and I went for dinner. Everything was well seasoned and prepared to perfection. We had the gumbo, honey corn bread, blackened catfish, short rib and greens. We also had the red velvet cake, banana pudding and the peach cobbler. Delicious!
My recommendation is to make reservations because this place fills up fast. If you want a great dining experience from start to finish, definitely go to Virtue.

Ryan W.

In a city full of amazing food, Virtue has to be right at the top.

We enjoyed an amazing meal with both “large rations” (short rib, half chicken, blackened catfish, and fish & grits) and smaller shared dishes (green tomatoes, biscuits & pimento, collard greens, mac & cheese, and honey cornbread). It was so fun to each have an entree and share everything else.

Every dish was passionately crafted, full of flavor, and thoughtfully served. We absolutely loved everything we ate. A truly memorable meal and I can’t wait to come back.

Julysa S. (.

Exceptional Southern Cuisine with Unmatched Flavor & Hospitality in Hyde Park

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located in Hyde Park, Virtue is a standout Southern restaurant that offers an unforgettable dining experience, blending incredible flavors with warm hospitality. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that this is a place where people truly care about the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to create an experience that feels both personal and exceptional.

The menu features Southern staples with a elevated fine dining twist, and the quality of the ingredients shines through in every bite. Each dish is full of deep, layered flavors—nothing is bland or predictable. The cornbread alone is worth the visit, but truly, there’s no wrong choice here. Virtue brings Southern food to life in a way that’s both familiar and exciting, and the attention to detail is evident in every dish.

What makes Virtue even more special is the sense of pride and history embedded in its offerings. From the quotes along the windows to the dedication to Black excellence, it’s a restaurant that doesn’t just serve food; it shares a story. The service is unpretentious, timely, and genuinely kind, making the entire dining experience feel effortless.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor on a food tour of Chicago, Virtue is a must-visit. It’s a place where the food, the service, and the ambiance all come together to create something truly memorable. I’ll be thinking about this meal for a long time, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Ashley M.

I’m not a food reviewer of any kind, but I’m someone who does a lot alone. That includes going out to eat. As a midwestern girl and top chef fan, when I decided on a Chicago trip, I knew I wanted to come here.

From start to finish, making reservations to actually sitting down and eating, I have no complaints. The staff were super friendly and helpful, and I didn’t feel judged for being solo. My server and other staff checked in with me multiple times throughout the meal.

As for the food, holy moly.

Everything arrived hot, starting with the roasted oysters. Briny, a tiny hit of heat, well done, easy to eat.

The cocktail, Apple Jack, was mild, just a bit sweet, couldn’t taste the alcohol at all(which I am a fan of).

The cornbread with the sweet honey butter was what you would expect, reminded me of home. Served hot in a cast iron pan, it’s a great side that gives that little bit of sweet.

Finally, the short rib. Tender, didn’t even need a knife to cut it. The mashed potatoes and creamed spinach were perfect to accompany it, and the crisp onion rings on top are amazing.

Go here. You’ll be glad you did.

Elizabeth P.

Our group had an amazing experience. We all ordered something different from the short ribs, to the blackened catfish, 1/2 chicken, gumbo and the grits. All of the food was delicious. The flavor and seasoning was spot on with every dish. Our party of 8 enjoyed everything. All of the sides were excellent as well. We had brussel sprouts, creamed spinach, Mac and cheese, potatoes, and cornbread. Of course we didn't stop there. Our desert was just as fabulous. Our group tried the red velvet cake , peach cobbler and banana pudding. Aside from the food being amazing, our server Raj ( spelling?) was top notch. She was so kind, experienced and knowledgeable with our group considering it was our first time here.
Price- expensive $$$
Worth it- absolutely, you get what you pay for and Virtue was 1st class all the way.
Logistics - for a large group , you need to make a reservation on line and leave a deposit, but it will count towards the bill. Paid metered street parking.

Kendra B.

I haven't been to Virtue in a while, and the experience didn't disappoint. We sat at the bar and had a wonderful meal.

What we had:
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Fish & Grits
- Steak
- Gumbo
- Mac N Cheese
- Collards

Everything was delicious. We were stuffed. I would highly recommend