Vegan-friendly
American
International
Beer/Wine
Fusion
Non-veg

Serves fish, vegan options available. Pescatarian menu, casual atmosphere. Brunch 9am-3pm on weekends. No reservations taken. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-10:00pm, Sat-Sun 9:00am-10:00pm.


125 Reviews

First Review by katieh

TamaraPainter

Points +82

Vegan
12 Jul 2026

Amazing Vegan options!

Well spiced delicious vegan. The Club sandwich is out of this world! Tacos are fantastic! Portions are very generous at very affordable price. Check out the bathroom walls 🥰

Updated from previous review on 2026-07-12

Pros: Food , Service , Vibes

wig_ping

Points +136

Vegan
23 Jun 2026

Mostly vegan spot

I really really really enjoyed getting dinner here. Sadly I had eaten before so I didn’t get an entree but I did get the fried pickles and the cheese cake. Their house made ranch was bussy. I also loved speaking to the bartender! I feel it’s rare to go to a vegan spot and the staff be vegan! Big plus was the outdoor seating.

Updated from previous review on 2026-06-23

edoyle

Points +94

Vegan
07 Jun 2026

Perfect Breakfast Food

I thought this place was great. Lots of options, everything was flavored well, and it perfectly satisfied my craving for traditional breakfast food. I had the Handlemuffin which was delicious, ideal size, and not too heavy. That combined with the French toast made the best breakfast.

Updated from previous review on 2026-06-07

Pros: Good service, Delicious food, Multiple options

Cons: Bathrooms were a little messy

bb.$hark

Points +2348

Vegan
30 May 2026

Super filling and huge serving size

I ordered the chimichanga and it was really good!!

A nice outdoor patio to sit down in

I went around 11am and it took like 5 minutes to be served I was so shocked.

I recommend and I will return!

SarahS88

Points +3241

Vegan
27 May 2026

Very delicious and affordable and great service

Had a great experience and staff was very vegan knowledgeable! Meal was great, tacos and salad were both good but the dessert was amazing!

Updated from previous review on 2026-05-27

jtesta17

Points +71

Vegan
23 May 2026

So good!

I had the best birria mushroom tacos ever!! I wanted to drink the consommé with a straw. The drinks were excellent too and I’m so glad I also got a slice of their vegan chocolate cake to go - it was super fudgy and moist. I’ll be coming back to Chicago JUST to eat here again!

Updated from previous review on 2026-05-23

Pros: Delicious food, Prices were reasonable, Tasty drinks

VeganJopa

Points +82

Vegan
19 Apr 2026

Best vegan tacos ever

Order Primo's Tacos - better than NYC or Tulum! Punk atmosphere is awesome - so lively!

zachweeks

Points +328

Vegan
20 Mar 2026

Everything rocks

Had dinner 3 times at Handlebar and brunch once over the course of a week in Chicago and didn’t have a single menu item that wasn’t extremely great. Some of the items look a bit expensive on paper, but they give you MASSIVE portions so you really get what you pay for. The first night I got the Chicago, my flights were delayed and I was starving — walked into Handlebar at 11:20pm (on a Wednesday) and they were happy to serve us an incredible meal. The hospitality alone kept me going back. 10/10 if I could rate it that high. One of the best.

Updated from previous review on 2026-03-20

Pros: Huge portions, Good vibe, Kitchen open late

LaurelC

Points +118

Vegan
14 Mar 2026

Great options!

My mom and I had dinner here and thoroughly enjoyed the options. She isn't vegetarian or vegan, but she got the tots dish and loved it!

annieeatingstuff

Points +281

Vegan
23 Jan 2026

Always delicious!

Keep in mind this is a pescatarian restaurant so the fish is actual fish, not an alternative. There is animal dairy and eggs here. You can modify most things to be vegan by swapping to dairy alternatives and switching out egg for cubed tofu. The tofu is not a typical tofu scramble, just fyi! I think it would be great if they added an egg alternative for those who want that, like my partner for example. I personally don’t care for such things so it doesn’t matter to me.

My faves are the black bean tostadas with vegan queso and the vegan chili mac attack, both of which you can order any time of day. The vegan pepita scramble is also delicious but keep in mind, it will be cubed tofu not a tofu scramble. The French toast is default vegan, at least as of January 2026. If I need a little something sweet, that’s what I get as a side with my vegan chili mac!

My partner loves the sloppy joe and my mom, who is also vegan, loves the club sandwich.

Updated from previous review on 2026-01-23

ChloeThonus

Points +1073

Vegan
14 Jan 2026

Fantastic options

Nashville hot "chicken" sandwich is one of my favorites in the whole city. Also has a great vegan chimichanga, nachos, and pancake bowl special.

CeciliaVargas

Points +320

Vegan
01 Dec 2025

Yummy vegan tostones

Went to a cocktail and appetizer. The black bean tostones where delicious

insectsprout

Points +22

Vegan
21 Nov 2025

amazing!

so many options! i had the biscuits and gravy which is hard to come by as a vegan; it was so good and i highly recommend this place!

totalfilth

Points +1162

Vegan
13 Oct 2025

Handlebar

Great experience and food. I would love to come back and try some more menu items.

pbthread2

Points +60

Vegan
22 Sep 2025

Would give it 5 stars if I could!

We stopped here on a whim while taking the Blue Line through the area. Absolutely incredible food -- we were thrilled with everything we had and the staff was very attentive. If 5 stars were an option here, I would give it. The patio is also amazing!

ThomasFinley

Points +33

Vegan
06 Aug 2025

Best mushroom chicken in town

Really pleasantly surprised - great menu, casual atmosphere and some of the most flavorful Nashville fried chicken I have ever had. Genius use of mushrooms on the menu. Would recommend.

tourtellinie

Points +32

Vegan
04 Aug 2025

Fav place to eat in Chicago

My always and forever #1 pick for going out for food in Chicago.

Updated from previous review on 2025-08-04

Pros: vegan queso fries

Cons: loud, could be more inviting

MartinBaumeister

Points +969

Vegan
28 Jul 2025

Great vegan gluten-free breakfast on the patio

We enjoyed our breakfast and the attentive service. The food was yummy. A lot of the meat substitutes are saitan based. As we try to be gluten free those weren’t an option for us.

The patio is very nice. There is shade as well. So even on a hot day you can sit outside.

I find the description on the website a bit misleading. They talk about preparing vegan and vegetarian food but also serve fish. Not an issue for us but it might be for others.

sarahelizi

Points +243

Vegan
13 Jul 2025

Cool atmosphere, new fav fried chikin

The chicken and waffles special…wowza. More vegan options than I expected, having heard it is also pescatarian. Will definitely be back…strong tasty drinks too

EABessel

Points +2027

Vegan
24 Jun 2025

It’s good to be back!

It’s been about 10 years since my last visit. I ordered my “usual”, which is still on the menu (green meanie sandwich with vegan cheese and a side of collard greens) and it was just as good if not better than I remembered it. Friendly staff, great soundtrack, fast service, and really good food. 

EllenWhite

Points +21

Vegetarian
19 Jun 2025

Bomb AF

This place is incredible - doesn't matter if you're carnivore or veg, it slaps. Also they have an amazing patio, just *chef's kiss*.

Pros: Variety, Outdoor space, Quality

Paigecs

Points +1085

Vegan
18 May 2025

Love a vegan(ish) punk brekkie spot

To know this genre is to love it.

I had the hen of the woods sandwich!

Totally happy.

KrishenBlows

Points +553

Vegan
29 Apr 2025

Really solid vegan options

While the restaurant does serve fish, every else on the menu is vegan/vegetarian and they do a great job with it.

Pros: Lots of options, Good vegan food

Cons: Restaurant serves fish

Unfamiliarnostalgia

Points +1725

Vegan
02 Apr 2025

I love this bar

Loved the food here last time I was in Chicago had the vegan tacos so good! Really cool vibe will definitely go back next visit!

RachelPerera

Points +305

Vegan
26 Feb 2025

Delicious and Many Options

Lots of clearly labeled options. The spot is very popular so it can get loud and crowded, but the service was excellent.

Pros: Lots of Options, Large Portions

Cons: Loud

NdemNkem

Points +59

Vegan
03 Jan 2025

Yum ☺️

So good! It’s great spot to hang out and have a meal!! I enjoyed the vegan chilli mac attack & buffalo chicken wrap! Love the vegan options! They have great selection of mocktails!! Which I got the Billie Jean & gingerbread cake for dessert! I was in heaven! Make the trip! #Veganuary

Updated from previous review on 2025-01-03

Pros: Atmosphere, Mocktail / NA options

Cons: Not all vegan

Coconutsux

Points +305

Vegan
21 Nov 2024

Best brunch

Went for brunch while visitng. Such a nice spot. Great vibes. Alternative. Loved it. We had the biscuits and gravy with tofu and chimichanga. Wonderful!

Pros: Atmosphere , Service




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