Walk into the 3 Arts Club Cafe on a Tuesday morning and it’s still packed. You’ll see people nursing $20 glasses of rosé under a massive crystal chandelier that looks like it belongs in a French palace, not a furniture store. It’s loud. The fountain is splashing. There’s a line of people by the host stand who look like they’ve never seen a price tag they couldn't afford. It’s a scene. Honestly, it’s one of the most successful retail experiments in the history of Chicago, even if most people just go there to take photos of their avocado toast.
The cafe isn't just a place to eat; it’s the heartbeat of the Restoration Hardware (RH) flagship store in the Gold Coast. When Gary Friedman, the CEO of RH, decided to turn a historic 1914 landmark building into a "gallery," people thought he was losing it. Who wants to eat lunch in the middle of a sofa showroom? Turns out, everyone. Everyone wants that.
The History of the 3 Arts Club Cafe Building
The building itself has a wild history that most diners completely ignore while they’re busy editing their Instagram stories. It was originally a residence for women studying music, drama, and the visual arts. Hence the name: Three Arts. It was designed by Holabird & Roche, the same firm responsible for some of the most iconic Chicago skyscrapers. For decades, it was a bohemian hub where female artists lived and worked in a neighborhood that was rapidly becoming the city's wealthiest enclave.
By the early 2000s, it was falling apart. It sat vacant, a beautiful brick shell with a courtyard that was slowly being reclaimed by weeds. Then RH stepped in. They didn't just renovate it; they gutted it and rebuilt it into a six-story luxury behemoth. The 3 Arts Club Cafe sits right in the center of that original open-air courtyard, which they capped with a massive glass and steel roof. You’re basically sitting in a giant greenhouse filled with olive trees and expensive linen.
What’s Actually on the Menu?
Let's talk about the food because, surprisingly, it's actually good. It’s run by Hogsalt Hospitality. That’s Brendan Sodikoff’s group—the same people behind Au Cheval and Gilt Bar. They know how to make high-fat, high-reward food that makes you feel like the bill is justified.
The burger is the move. It’s a scaled-down version of the famous Au Cheval burger, served with sharp American cheese and pickles. It’s salty, greasy, and perfect. If you’re feeling "Gold Coast," you get the lobster roll. It’s served on a toasted brioche bun that’s basically 50% butter.
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But here’s the thing: you aren't paying for culinary innovation. You're paying for the environment. The menu is safe. It’s kale Caesar salads, grilled cheese with sourdough, and truffled fries. It’s designed to be approachable and photogenic.
The coffee program is solid too. They use high-end beans, and the baristas actually know what they’re doing. But if you’re there after 4:00 PM, nobody is drinking caffeine. It’s all about the wine list. They have a massive selection of California cabernets that pair perfectly with the "I just spent $8,000 on a cloud couch" vibe of the upper floors.
Why the Design Works (And Why You’re Feeling Cramped)
The layout of the 3 Arts Club Cafe is a masterclass in psychological retail. You can’t just walk into the cafe. You have to walk through the gallery. You see the $5,000 marble coffee tables. You see the lighting fixtures that cost more than a used Honda. By the time you sit down for your $20 salad, you feel like you’re getting a bargain.
The seating is the only real downside. Because it’s so popular, they pack the tables in tight. You will overhear the conversation of the person next to you. Usually, it’s someone discussing their interior designer or a messy divorce. It’s part of the charm, I guess?
The natural light is the real star. Even on a grey, depressing Chicago winter day, the courtyard feels bright. Those olive trees are real, by the way. They have to have a specialized team come in to maintain them because growing Mediterranean trees in a climate-controlled box in Illinois is a logistical nightmare.
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The Wait Times are Actually Insane
Don’t just show up at noon on a Saturday and expect to sit down. You won't. The wait for the 3 Arts Club Cafe can easily hit two or three hours during peak times. They don't take traditional reservations for small parties in the way you might hope.
The "hack" used to be wandering the upper floors with a glass of wine while you waited for your text. RH leaned into this. They want you to wander. They want you to sit on the furniture. They want you to imagine your life in a room that looks like a monochrome fever dream.
How to Actually Get a Table
- Go early. Like, right when they open. 10:00 AM on a weekday is your best bet for a walk-in with zero stress.
- The Bar is Fair Game. If you're solo or a duo, hover near the bar area. People cycle through there faster than the booths.
- Mid-week Lunch. If you can swing a Wednesday at 2:00 PM, you’ll actually be able to hear yourself think.
- The Wine Vault. If the main courtyard is too chaotic, check if there's space in the wine vault area. It’s darker, moodier, and feels a bit more "old world Chicago."
The Controversy of "Luxury Retail Dining"
Some critics hate this place. They see it as the ultimate symbol of gentrification and the "Instagramification" of dining. There’s a valid argument there. Is it a restaurant? Or is it a giant, living advertisement?
In reality, it’s both. RH proved that if you make a space beautiful enough, people will treat a retail store as a destination. Other brands have tried to copy this—Lululemon has cafes now, and Crate & Barrel tried the restaurant thing—but nobody has matched the scale of the 3 Arts Club Cafe.
The 3 Arts Club Cafe succeeded because it respected the architecture. They didn't slap a logo on a drywall box. They took a building that was literally rotting and turned it into a temple of aesthetics. Even if you hate the $18 avocado toast, you have to admit the craftsmanship of the restoration is incredible.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Experience
People think it’s "stuffy." It’s actually not. Because it’s in a furniture store, the staff is used to people wandering around looking confused. You’ll see people in gym clothes next to women in Chanel suits. It’s one of the few places in the Gold Coast where the "gatekeeping" feels minimal once you actually get past the host stand.
The biggest misconception is that you can’t afford it. While the furniture is astronomical, the cafe prices are standard for a high-end Chicago restaurant. You can get out of there for $30 if you play your cards right.
Expert Tips for Your Visit
If you’re going for the first time, take the elevator all the way to the rooftop first. The view of the surrounding Gold Coast neighborhood is spectacular. Then, work your way down. Each floor has a different "vibe"—modern, classic, teen, outdoor. By the time you get back to the ground floor for your table at the 3 Arts Club Cafe, you’ll have a full appreciation for the scale of the place.
Check the fountain. It’s a 13th-century dolphin fountain from England. It’s not a reproduction. That’s the level of detail we’re talking about here.
Practical Next Steps
- Check the RH App: Before you leave your house, check the current wait times if possible or call ahead to see how the "list" looks.
- Park smart: Parking in the Gold Coast is a nightmare. Use a parking app like SpotHero to find a garage nearby, or just take an Uber. Street parking near Dearborne and Goethe is basically a myth.
- Dress for the photo: Even if you aren't an "influencer," you're going to want to take a picture. The lighting under the glass atrium is literally designed to make everyone look better.
- Don't skip the rooftop: Even in the cold, the rooftop "park" is accessible and features fire pits and some of the best architectural views in the city.
- Try the Smoked Salmon: Everyone gets the burger, but the smoked salmon on a bagel or with cucumber is surprisingly fresh and high-quality for a place that focuses so much on aesthetics.