Alinea

Lincoln Park · Chicago · Planning guide

Alinea runs three different dinners every night, and the one you book decides how long your evening lasts. The Salon has its own tables and takes about two hours for two people. The communal Gallery and the private Kitchen Table each run about three and a half. Before you pay, know that the kitchen can't remove egg or dairy, and the Salon is reachable only by stairs.

By Chicago Fine Dining · Sources checked · Copy updated

Who Alinea suits

Tripadvisor reviewers remember edible balloons, unusual serving pieces and desserts assembled on the table. They also praise the staff for clear explanations and humor. Book Alinea for that mix of food and performance, and don't count on a dish from a past menu coming back.

Some Tripadvisor reviewers who enjoyed the show found the food less satisfying than the price led them to expect, and two repeat visitors preferred the cooking at Next or Oriole. If theatrical dining is the draw, Alinea is the stronger pick. If you mainly want the best flavor for the money, look at those two as well.

How much does dinner at Alinea cost for two?

Alinea's own site doesn't list menu prices. On the booking pages in September, the Salon was $375 to $395 a person on Tock for October dates and $395 on OpenTable for November. The Gallery and Kitchen Table were $495. The Kitchen Table needs 3 to 6 guests, so two people can't book it.

Alinea adds a 20% service charge. Extra tips are up to you, and the FAQ says they go to front-of-house staff who aren't on salary. At November prices, two Salon menus come to $948 with service and two Gallery menus to $1,188, before tax and drinks. There are three wine pairings, Standard at $195, Reserve at $285 and the Alinea pairing at $475, all before service and tax. Everyone at the table who drinks wine has to take the same level. Two Gallery menus with two Standard pairings come to $1,656 with service. With two Alinea pairings, it's $2,328. That's our arithmetic, not a checkout quote.

Compare corkage with the pairings, including the cost of the wine you bring. You can bring one 750 ml bottle per person for $125 a bottle, as long as it isn't on Alinea's list or in the pairings.

FAQ with pairings, service charge and corkage · OpenTable, checked September 30 · Tock, checked September 8

When do Alinea reservations open?

The booking platform changes on November 1. The homepage says to reserve October dates on Tock and November dates on OpenTable. A line further down the same page still says Alinea uses Tock, which is out of date from November. Dates open on the 15th of each month at 11 a.m. Central, for the month after next. On January 15, for example, March opens.

Everything is prepaid and non-refundable. With at least 72 hours' notice, Alinea will move you to another date in the same calendar year. Alinea allows no changes after that. If you miss the reservation, the FAQ says "We are unable to apply missed deposits to future dates." Email host@alinearestaurant.com if you're running late, because arriving more than ten minutes late can mean missing part of the meal.

Gift cards can't be applied on OpenTable. Book first, then email hospitality@alinearestaurant.com with the card number, the amount, a photo of the card and your booking details to get a refund.

Homepage with booking platform by month · FAQ with release, change and gift card rules

For November, OpenTable takes 1 to 6 guests for the Salon, 2 to 4 for the Gallery and 3 to 6 for the Kitchen Table. Alinea doesn't say whether you can hand a booking to someone else, so ask before you pay.

Dietary needs, stairs and dress

With at least 72 hours' notice, Alinea can do ovo-lacto vegetarian, pescatarian, seafood allergies, tree nut and peanut allergies if coconut is fine, no gluten, and pregnancy restrictions. Egg and dairy run through the whole menu and can't be removed. Neither can the pork gelatin in the vegetarian version, but staff will tell you which dishes contain it so you can skip them. There are no substitutions for dislikes. Alinea also says it can't take guests who react to cross-contamination.

If you need step-free access, choose your room with that in mind, since the Salon listing specifies stairs. Email hospitality@alinearestaurant.com with your needs and the experience you're considering, and get the answer in writing. The dress code is "elevated casual." Jackets aren't required, though the FAQ says many guests wear one.

FAQ with dietary rules and dress code

Ask Alinea about age rules and step-free access for the Gallery and Kitchen Table.

Arrival and private events

Alinea is at 1723 N. Halsted Street in Lincoln Park. Valet starts at 4:45 p.m. and costs $19 a car. There's no published phone number, so email is the way to reach the restaurant. If you book the Gallery or Kitchen Table, keep the rest of the evening free.

Alinea's website still says three MICHELIN stars, but MICHELIN's 2025 Chicago selection lists two, and this site follows the guide. Groups can book the Gallery privately for up to 16 seated guests, or the whole restaurant for up to 66. For a different kind of tasting menu, compare Kasama's Filipino tasting menu or Oriole's dining room and kitchen tables.

FAQ with valet · Private events

Compare before booking

With the required service charge, two people pay $828 at Ever, $948 for Alinea's November Salon and $1,188 for the Gallery, all before tax and drinks. Ever takes two to two and a half hours, close to the Salon's two. The Gallery takes three and a half.

BOKA lets each guest order à la carte and can cook vegan. Alinea sells only prepaid set menus and can't remove egg or dairy. For a guest who needs step-free access, Ever publishes an accessible route from its garage, while Alinea's Salon is reachable only by stairs.

Ever · BOKA

Sources

Prices and policies change, so confirm the terms for your date before paying.

Checked September 30, 2026. Found a change? Send a correction with a source link.