Welcome to Benchmark
Benchmark, located in the heart of Chicago’s Old Town at 1510 N Wells St, is an exciting new dining destination that captures the vibrant spirit of the city. With a welcoming atmosphere that merges chic coastal design with a lively ambiance, Benchmark attracts a youthful crowd seeking both comfort and flavor. The menu, featuring standout dishes like the Thai Chicken Wings and a unique Benchmark Burger, offers a delightful mix of classic and innovative choices. Known for its fantastic happy hour deals and engaging events, Benchmark is the perfect spot for a casual lunch, a spirited dinner, or a game-day gathering with friends.
- 1510 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, United States Hotline: +1 312-649-9640
Welcome to Benchmark, a vibrant culinary haven nestled in the heart of Old Town at 1510 N Wells St, Chicago. This gem has swiftly emerged as a beloved local hotspot, drawing in a youthful crowd with its inviting atmosphere and delightful offerings. With a phone call away at +1 312-649-9640, the stage is set for memorable dining experiences.
At Benchmark, the emphasis on affordable fine dining is palpable. From the first moment you step inside, the chic decor reminiscent of warm locales like Miami invites a sense of comfort and relaxation. Customers have noted the thoughtfully designed open-air feeling, making it a perfect setting for everything from casual lunches to lively happy hours. Speaking of which, the happy hour deals are a standout feature, particularly the half-price appetizers that promise flavorful bites without breaking the bank.
The culinary offerings are equally impressive. Guests rave about the Caesar salad and the extraordinary Benchmark Burger, crafted from a harmonious blend of house-ground brisket, short rib, and chuck patty. Diners have also highlighted dishes such as the Thai Chicken Wings and the inventive lettuce shrimp wrap, praised as being worthy of high-end restaurant prices in Manhattan. Each dish seems to reflect not just quality ingredients, but also a commitment to creating culinary masterpieces that resonate well with food lovers.
Further elevating the experience at Benchmark are the attentive staff members who consistently go above and beyond. From servers like Ange and Destiny, who ensure every guest feels at home, to friendly faces like Mike, who contributed to an electrifying Super Bowl atmosphere, the service complements the exceptional food beautifully. This combination ensures that every visit feels like a special occasion.
Whether it's catching a game, enjoying a night out with friends, or celebrating a special event, Benchmark has carved out a niche as a go-to spot in Chicago. With spacious areas perfect for private parties and exciting holiday events, this establishment is clearly dedicated to enhancing the dining experience.
So, if you're searching for a remarkable blend of ambiance, attentive service, and delicious fare that captures the spirit of community dining, look no further than Benchmark. Make sure to pay a visit and treat yourself to a culinary adventure that promises to leave you craving more.

We had a great time! Ange was so attentive and made us feel so at home. The Caesar salad and sweet potato fries were SO GOOD! Will definitely be back

What a fun and great place, favored by the younger, local crowd. The open air feeling and interior is really well designed, reminds me of someplace warm like Los Angeles with the chic touch of Miami. The quality of the food was amazing and if I could, I'd recommend Michelin to drop by and rate it. I had the lettuce shrimp wrap and it is worthy of being served in Manhattan for double the price. BTW, happy hour has half price appetizers, which makes this spot a must go. Affordable fine dining? Yes.

As the North Wells Street/Old Town area of Chicago is reestablishing itself on the food scene, benchmark has stepped out to the front. With a redesigned space and new menus, they’re definitely a place to check out for happy hour, dinner or when you can grab their lunch. Also to be noted-they have space for private parties AND have some pretty fun events for the holiday season. I’m all about space and comfort and there is lots of room here and it’s decorated so cute The upstairs area looking down over the entire space is pretty cool and there’s a bar up there! I have to give honorable mention to the Thai Chicken Wings - those flavors were hitting and my guest loved The Benchmark Burger; it has a house ground brisket, short rib and chuck patty blend and my girl loved it! Other new menu items include their Boom Pow Shrimp , Greek Salad, Hummus and more! It is definitely a cool spot to grab lunch, have happy hour after a loooonnnggggg day at work or to catch dinner and a game with friends. Check them out and tell em that Bri from Planes and Plates sent you! Enjoy!

Great Happy Hour deals especially on the apps. Mine was only 9 and was basically a full meal. Love the new interior! A great neighborhood spot that I always recommend to others. Great spot to go solo too!

I had an incredible experience at Benchmark on Super Bowl Sunday! The atmosphere was absolutely electric—hands down one of the best I’ve ever been around for a big game. The energy from the crowd, the setup, and the overall vibe made it the perfect place to watch the Super Bowl. A huge shoutout to our server, Mike, who went above and beyond to make sure our table was taken care of. He was attentive, friendly, and always checking in to ensure we had everything we needed. His service made an already amazing night even better. If you’re looking for a great spot to catch a game with a lively crowd and top-notch service, Benchmark is the place to be. I’ll definitely be back!

Destiny was absolutely amazing! She took care of everything, made the whole experience seamless, and had such great energy the entire time. Can’t recommend her enough — thank you for making it such a great night!”

Went for an event and the food was spectacular! The new space is so much nicer than 80 Proof. I’ll be back!

I had a great time watching the game here! Love how between commercials the music comes on and off.