Set the Scene.
Inside The Langham, Chicago’s gleaming riverside skyscraper, Travelle Lounge is where well-heeled hotel guests and locals in the know come for cocktails with a side of skyline views. Tucked on the second floor, the chic hideaway overlooks the Chicago River, offering a front-row seat to the city’s glow.
To the left of the front desk, leather-clad chairs and cushions channel midcentury style—ideal for martinis and late-night chats. Dimly lit corners glow with reflections from the city below, casting a romantic ambiance (perfect for first dates, if you ask me).
On the right, Travelle shifts into fine-dining mode: a sleek, intimate space where American fare takes center stage. Sip something stirred at the sculptural Travelle Bar, then steal glances into the glass-walled kitchen, where Executive Chef Damion Henry’s team is hard at work plating precision-perfect dishes.
Let’s dive into the drinks.
This isn’t your average cocktail menu—it’s a cool cocktail menu. Each concoction at Travelle Lounge is artistically crafted to impress. Take the “Here’s Looking At You,” for instance: a punchy blend of Rittenhouse Rye’s signature golden-orange hue, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, and dual bitters, all topped with a dramatic red wine foam that shifts the palette from orange to pink to purple.
Other standout sips? Try the vanilla-bean-infused Grey Goose “London Lover,” the Casa Dragones Blanco-powered “Spirit of the Dragon,” or their inventive riff on a Paloma, dubbed “La Paloma.”
Dessert cocktails get a clever twist thanks to a certain green powder everyone’s raving about. (Any guesses?) The “Game, Set, Matcha” blends BarSol Pisco, green Chartreuse, lime juice, and matcha syrup into one knockout elixir.
For spirit-free sippers, there’s a zero-proof “Espresso Martini” and fruity “Hibiscus Margarita.” A curated wine and beer list rounds things out—but let’s be honest, the cocktails steal the show.
What can we expect from the food?
You flip through the menu and land on the culinary section, where a Virginia Woolf quote sets the tone: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” It’s the perfect prelude to what follows—elevated bar bites and artisanal lounge fare in a casual and intimate space.
Each meal begins with a small delight: warm, housemade salt and vinegar corn nuts that instantly wake up the palate. From there, start with a few shareable appetizers—we love the creamy hummus topped with cucumber, tomato, feta, and served with warm bread. (Pro tip: Save room for the truffle fries. Served hot and crispy, they’re the ideal sidekick for just about anything.)
Next up: small plates. The tuna poke bowl, layered with avocado, edamame, and wakame salad, is a flavorful dish. For greens, there’s a solid Caesar with brioche crumbs, parmesan, and lemon zest, or the Chopped salad if you’re craving protein. But for our sweet-tooth salad lovers, the beet salad steals the show with roasted beets, carrot hummus, candied cashews, charred mandarins, and a harissa vinaigrette.
When it comes to entrées, don’t skip the Smashburger, served on a toasted brioche bun and stacked with lettuce, cipollini onions, bread and butter pickles, cheddar cheese, and housemade mac sauce. Even the waitress gave it a nod, which says a lot. For something lighter, the pan-seared halibut is a great option, plated with a vibrant green fennel soubise, couscous, green tobiko, pickled raisins, and a silky shishito crema.
Final thoughts?
While Chicago has no shortage of sleek city hangouts, few deliver five-star marks across food, drinks, and atmosphere like The Langham’s Travelle Lounge, where locals and travelers alike might find themselves brushing shoulders and sharing a story or two.
Top Takeaways
Location: River North, Downtown Chicago
Cuisine: Contemporary American
The vibe: A swanky riverfront lounge inside The Langham serving up elevated New American fare in a scene that’s equal parts polished and relaxed.
Pricing: $$
Takes reservations? Yes – Website
Our favorite dish on the menu: As a die-hard Smashburger fan, I naturally gravitated toward theirs—and it didn’t disappoint. Paired with the truffle fries (which I easily could’ve devoured two baskets of), it hit all the right notes. For drinks, the “Countless Calling” was top notch: a bright, balanced mix of Condesa Clasica Gin, Lustau Fino Sherry, sorrel hibiscus syrup, and lime.
The attire: Smart casual
Hours: Open seven days a week from 6:30 am to 11 pm for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
