Virtue Restaurant

Virtue Restaurant is nothing short of sensational. Every dish reflects a perfect balance of elevated Southern comfort and culinary artistry, creating an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. The seafood is among the finest you’ll find anywhere in the city—fresh, expertly prepared, and bursting with flavor. The cornbread deserves legendary status all by itself: warm, buttery, perfectly moist, and simply to die for. And the greens with smoked turkey? Absolutely phenomenal. Rich, soulful, and seasoned to perfection, they embody everything great Southern cuisine should be. What made the evening even more memorable was the exceptional service. Our server, Lenny, was spectacular—attentive, knowledgeable, efficient, and genuinely committed to ensuring we had an outstanding dining experience. Virtue doesn’t just serve a meal; it celebrates Southern hospitality, culture, and extraordinary food at the highest level. If you’re visiting Hyde Park or anywhere in Chicago, this restaurant belongs at the very top of your dining list. An easy five stars. I’ll definitely be back.

Absolutely fantastic meal from beginning to end. First off, everyone was kind and helpful, and we managed to get a table despite not having a reservation. The homemade lemonade was delicious, as was the sweet tea (we had to order 2). The food was also incredible! I would highlight the chicken liver mousse, the short ribs, the salmon and the cabbage (but everything was great). Would come again. Highly highly recommend!

I finally tried Virtue after hearing so many great things about it. Overall, it was okay, but unfortunately I do think it’s a little overrated. The gumbo was good and packed with flavor, although definitely on the spicy side. My biggest disappointment was the short rib. At $42, I was expecting something special, but it honestly reminded me more of a traditional pot roast. It wasn’t bad, but for the price and all the hype surrounding Virtue, I expected a much more memorable dish. Glad I tried it, but I’m not sure it lived up to the expectations for me.

5 star experience!! The staff was friendly and accommodating. Food was the true definition of southern comfort. Every dish we tried was delicious. I rarely see gizzards on a restaurant menu and they nailed it. Collards, mac & cheese, biscuits, short rib all were wonderful. I also loved the hibiscus mocktail. I grew up in the south and the flavors match what I’d expect for a top notch southern style meal.

Something is definitely different about the food here. It doesn’t taste the way it did when they first opened. If you’re not from Chicago, this might be some of the best food you’ve ever had. But if you are from Chicago, then you know the macaroni is not better than your grandma’s or your mom’s. I wouldn’t order it again. The cornbread, however, was amazing, and I would definitely get that again. They are known for their short rib dish, and it was okay. My cousin also enjoyed her fish and grits. That said, I was really disappointed by the price of the wine. We ordered the Black Girl Magic Riesling, which is about a $15 bottle at Target, but we were charged $65 for it. I understand restaurants need to make a profit, but that markup felt ridiculous. For that price, I could have bought four bottles. Overall, some items were good, but the experience wasn’t what I remembered from when they first opened. I’m not rushing to come back.