The Cape Cod, a much honored seafood restaurant, boasts of fresh seafood from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, from the lakes and freshwater streams. It has been consistently named as one of America's finest dining spots since opening in 1933. Zagat's consumer survey also picked the Cape Cod as a top hotel restaurant. It was recently inducted by Nation's Restaurant News into the Fine Dining Hall of Fame.
Located on the arcade level, the cozy restaurant, established in 1933 is decked with nautical paraphernalia. Nautical themed, wooden beams, hanging copper pots and stuffed sailfish adorn the room, walls and ceiling of this immensely popular restaurant. Reservations are very strongly recommended.
"We have been the Cape Cod Room many times over the years and actually it had been one of our favorite restaurants until this time .We were disappointed with the poor selection of fish dishes and their inability to make vodka gimlets with Roses Lime Juice.One of our entrees was mediocre at best and the prices were exorbitant.That was our last visit."
Dined on 6/14/2013
2012
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"My friend and I had not seen one another for a couple of years and needed to catch up. We sat and were never rushed to order or to leave. Our meals were delicious. I had the lobster thermador and she had halibut. The wine selections were varied in both price and origin. The best part was we were unaware they closed at 10pm on weeknights. Not one person said a thing about us leaving until we noticed everyone else was gone. We were still there at 11pm. The waiters all said for us to finish and not worry about anything. We of course left a large tip and apologized for the delay. I have been there before and will be back again."
Dined on 6/09/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, late-night find, great for lunch, special occasion
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"The atmosphere is quiet and there is a view of Lake Michagan out the side windows. A great place for quiet conversation and an excellent meal. The interior is decorated well and the service was exquisite."
Dined on 6/02/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view, special occasion
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"wow, we just cannot stop raiving 3 days later !! started with the Bookbinder soup and Halibut and, wow, what intense flavors and such personal service! we even got to sit at Paul Newman's table! absolutely best chocolate / peppermint cake ever had / THANK YOU"
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, special occasion
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"The Cape Cod Room is one of Chicago's historic restaurants. In a category dominated by chains and tourist traps, this restaurant continues to offer an authentic New England experience.
Food was very good though the Halibut doesn't compare to the Dover Sole.
Service was first rate and professional.
We've been customers for 30 years and hope to be for many more."
Dined on 5/24/2013
Special Features: good for groups, special occasion
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"I heard about this restaurant on a recent food tour. It is apparently the oldest seafood restaurant in Chicago and is located around the corner from my hotel. The customer service and ambiance was excellent. The staff member who greeted me gave me a quick history of the restaurant, the specials, and his recommendations. My bread was brought immediately and both my soup and main dining courses were served quickly. Considering the price of the meal ($68 plus tip), the quality of the food was not exceptional. The bookbinder soup was tasty, but I've had better at a restaurant around the corner. The red snapper was adequate, but nothing special. This would be a fun place to sit at the bar and have a couple of drinks, but I would skip dinner."
Dined on 5/21/2013
Special Features: romantic, notable wine list
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"10 of us went to The Cape Cod room to celebrate a special occasion. While we were happy to be put in a small room towards the front of the restaurant it left us out of the way and forgotten. Service was poor, food was average and price was high. 9 dinners arrived at the table while the final one took hunting down the waiter twice and 15 minutes to arrive. Drinks were hard to come by and they cleared the table one plate at a time whenever someone decided to check on us. I would not recommend this place to anyone. There are much better places in Chicago to spend the money we spent who will give you wonderful food with service to match. This place is needs a complete overhaul in decor, service, and food."
Dined on 5/17/2013
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"This venerable Chicago spot was extremely convenient for a quick dinner on our way to the opera, and having told our experienced server of our timeline, we received excellent and efficient service. We ordered appetizers and sides, not main courses, and the quality of the food was quite good. If you think the charm of the place is in its old-fashioned feel, then you will be happy to return to a spot that has changed almost not at all in more than 30 years. That said, it (and its menu) could use a little freshening up to be more relevant."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem
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"We have been coming to the Cape Cod Room for years. We live in Los Angeles and make a point of dining at this fine spot every trip to Chicago. We especially enjoy the oysters but all of the food is excellent. This particular trip happened to fall on our son's 18th birthday and he requested dinner at the CCR to celebrate. As luck would have it, our trip from the airport was delayed and we arrived just as the restaurant was taking it's last kitchen orders for the night. The staff graciously welcomed us and made the night one our son will always remember. Thank you Cape Cod Room!! Your entire staff is fabulous. See you in the fall."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"in Bob Spitzs' DEARIE, I decided only Dover Sole Meuniere would do and I knew the Cape Cod Room would do it Juliias' way. And they did, with simple spinach and potatoes on the side. Lovely."
Dined on 5/09/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"This is the first time we have been back to the Cape Cod Room in many years. . Everything from the treatment we received (except from a waiter that had been there since 1970) to the quality of the food and the prices were way out of line. We were celebrating our 55th Anniversary and we were not treated well ,didn't need anyone to sing to us, but it would have been nice to receive a dessert of some kind. Unfortunately, we went for Turbot and au gratin potatoes and "blue points" all of which were not available. We ordered a wedge salad and it was chunks of lettuce (some brown) with a few sprinkles of bacon and blue cheese on it, for $12.00!!! The dover sole and lobster thermidor were fair and garnished with nothing."
Dined on 5/04/2013
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"No surprise that the Cape Cod has been a Chicago icon for so many years. Cuisine was excellent, service professional and friendly, ambiance very New England-y. Prices are high but competitive considering the competition and the quality of the experience."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"Excellent food and quiet place to be able to enjoy your company many romantic booths. The Dover sole was outstanding as was the red snapper. If you want wonderful seafood it is a great destination."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, scenic view, special occasion
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"The restaurant was wonderfully quiet and pleasant. We did feel, however, that the food was extremely expensive and the portions were the smallest we've received from a restaurant in a long time. While I am not looking for huge portions, the food seemed out of line compared to the high prices."
Dined on 04/22/2013
2007
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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"Food was excellent ,but the service was slow and indifferent. They brought a bottled of chilled white wine and after 15 minutes we had to ask them to open it!"
Dined on 04/27/2013
2007
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"I have been going to this restaurant for 30 years, and it continues to be one of favorites. The service is impeccible and the food is extraordinarly. The Dover Sole is superb. An added boost is the ambiance of the Drake."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Delicious food and great service. I had king crab legs which were divine. My son had the filet in a wine reduction sauce. Wonderful. We had eastern oysters to start. Very fresh and delicious Then a wedge salad which we shared. My son also had the house specialty bookbinder soup which was red snapper and wonderful. Interesting wine selections and cocktails/ I had a lemon drop to start which was made with all fresh ingredients and memorable! We had a great time and enjoyed the ambience and perfectly cooked and presented food. Thanks!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Great seafood and outstanding service from our Italian server John. I took business partners from Italy, and we enjoyed the experience with about 10 people. They have great seafood in Italy, so this historic spot impressed them with great cuisine and wine."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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"The restaurant just feels very old and desperately needs an update. Also, didn't love our table for two. We were both facing out, not twds each other. Which was acceptable at first, nice view towards lake. But when they sat a large family gathering half way through our meal, the rest of the night we just had to look at them. Food was delicious (coriander crusted mahi mahi), and our waiter, Ramon, was excellent, all smiles and attentive without being overly so."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2005
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"Premier sea food restaurant. I first ate there in 1970 and go back back every time I find myself in Chicago. The Bookbinder fish soup is unique, a must have."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Visited on a Friday night on one of the busiest times of the year (St. Patrick's Day). Restaurant was maybe 1/3 full. Service was prompt. Food was good, but we were expecting higher quality at that price point. Lobster bisque was good. Their signature bookbinder soup was average (very fishy with strong tomato base). I had the Lobster Thermidor which had good flavor, but the lobster was as slightly tough. My husband had the crab cakes.
Instead of bringing us a dessert menu, the waiter brought out a small cpmplimentary chocolate dessert on a plate marked Happy Anniversary. Of course, it was not our anniversary. We thanked him but silently debated if this was his way to get a better tip.
Overall, average experience."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2005
Special Features: special occasion
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"If you want to kick it old school, waft into this long time Chicago institution. Well done fish and seafood served int he grand tradition amongst well preserved nautical artifacts and ships models - very fun!"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2001
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Our entire dining experience was excellent. We had great service and our waitor was very attentive. Food was delicous and it was nice being able to sit down and enjoy our food and wine and not feel like we were being rushed out. Will definitely be back!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We took our mom to the Cape Cod room to celebrate her 90th birthday. Mom was 10 years old when the Drake Hotel opened in 1932 and through the years, she celebrated weddings, a first date with my dad and other momentous occasions, and the only thing she wanted for her birthday, other than having her family to celebrate, was lobster thermidor, one of the many delicious signature dishes in the Cape Cod Room! The food was amazing, the service above and beyond attentive and that includes our wonderful waiter, Daryl who was charming, attentive and surprised Mom with her favorite chocolate dessert! I also want to add that we ordered flowers through the “Flower Petal” for our dining table and were delivered on time and beautifully arranged,"
Dined on 03/06/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Fish was overcooked, service was slow and non responsive to food allergies. I inquired about gluten free options and realized when my gelato had a large graham cracker like protusion that my initial conversation was disregarded.
In a party of 8 only a few dishes were prepared well. Would not return."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
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"Appetizer and soup were great. Surf and turf was dry. Trout was good not great.Bread pudding was clearly microwaved. Bill was big but meal was average to good. We won't be back. Thanks though."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
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"A classy classic! The seafood is some of the best in Chicago. This restaurant in the stately Drake Hotel has been around a long time, and for good reason. The restaurant staff has been around awhile, too. They're professionals, yet warm and friendly. This is not a trendy, pop place-- just among the best. May it be around another 80 years."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We have dined here for 40 years on and off and it is always wonderful and has never changed. The ambience of the room is historical and unsurpassed. Specializes in fish and seafood. I grew up eating the dover sole. This is not a theme restaurant....it is the real thing. Very romantic and quiet. Service is always excellant."
Dined on 02/20/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Totally awesome experience. The room is old school in a cool way, the staff seems to enjoy being part of the scene they've got going and, at least on the night my wife and were there, the patrons all sort of seemed to realize they were in a special place. The bookbinder soup is out of this world good. My wife got a filet with scallops and it was pretty good, but the Cape Cod Room is a seafood restaurant. Get your fish on. I got the signature dover sole with two sauces and it was simply outstanding. Expertly deboned table side by our fantastic server (I forget his name and I'm bummed...he deserves props), the dish was a homerun. Dessert was great too but by then the wine had taken over. This place rules."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"For my first visit I was extremely disappointed with the food and waiter. Our greeter at the door and floor manager were steller. However, it seemed that our waiter either was having a bad night or needed a little time to warm up to us. I order the steak and lobster. The lobster was fabulous but the steak was dry. My assistant had bragged about how great the resturant was and how it's one of her favorites in the city. I was very sad to go back and report that my experience did not live up to the expectations she had set."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
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"Love the Cape Cod Room. Our favorite special occasion spot. We go there for the experience, as we love historic places that have not been touched by cheap, trendy modernization. As well, the Drake hotel where the restaurant is situated is the very best location in Chicago. The prices have gone through the roof, however, we knew that ahead of time but the food was good so no issues there. The house champagne (Cava from Spain) is way over priced and one you could buy online for $7.00/bottle, big issue there. Now, the very biggest issue for us was the fluorescent lighting. Do we really need to have this type of HARSH lighting when we are paying top dollar? The warmth and romance of the place is destroyed. I hate these lights!!!!!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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