Fado Irish Pub - Chicago, Illinois

An J.

This is my go to place to watch soccer matches of the Premier League and the champions league!

I love the vibe, one of the most authentic Irish pubs in the city. My favourite is the Irish breakfast. The beer selection is good. Prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is fantastic!!

I highly recommend this place for a drink while watching soccer if you’re a fan.

jenifer D.

Really upset. This is our 4th visit in the 1.5yrs we’ve lived here. And this is the worst experience! We ordered 2 signature cocktails. An old fashion that tasted like bitters (with a dark red color) & they added “soda water” to fix it! WHAT?!? And my Jameson and ginger beer only tasted like ginger beer. No lime. No bronze color to show whiskey in the drink.
The food. I remember over easy eggs being runny. Mine were over hard fried eggs. Something is wrong here. Saturday night?
I’m sorry. Our last experiences were amazing. You can fail once! But this was so bad and the attitude from the bartenders when I ask for the drinks to be fixed was just rude. I was afraid to complain about my over hard “over easy eggs”. You want the star comment? Thank you for using “hopefully” luxardo cherry in the old fashion!
It’ll be a while guys. Bring back the A team and managers that love to give tours on St Pattys Day. You guys rocked!!!!

Cheryl W.

I came here for happy hour on a Friday. It was easy to get a table and there was plenty of room at the bar.

Our server was wonderful at the table. He was prompt and attentive. We ordered the corned beef rolls, stuffed cheese puffs, smoked salmon bites, burger, boxty with cheese, and the bread pudding. Everything tasted amazing. I love how their menu is unique from other bars. Definitely don't sleep on the boxty as it's so hard to find at a pub here in Chicago. This is also one of the pubs that you will find Smithwick's at as well!

It's so hard to find a proper Irish pub these days! Also don't sleep on the happy hour specials.

Sandra N. G.

Came from Colombia to Chicago and looked for best Irish breakfast and Fado came up. Didn't disappoint. Maybe missing the beans a little bit. But taste was really good.

Morgan R.

Came on Halloween for one quick drink before catching a show. Ended up staying for two rounds because the bartenders were so entertaining. Shawn took care of us right way. Shawn, Tyler, and Johnny were all dressed as Monks from the Monty Python and they were truly entertaining! Made the whole vibe light and easy!
All the food that was coming out look delicious. Can’t wait to go back to try it.

Would recommend (even not on Halloween) 10/10

Brittany N.

The food was amazing but the star of the show was their blackberry bramble. It haunts my dreams.

Jim D.

Fadó’s: A Chicago Classic That Still Delivers

So there I was, strolling into Fadó’s to pick up my dinner. It’s been a solid 15 years since I last set foot in this iconic River North spot—15 years since I swapped the Windy City for the ATL. But here I was, back in Chicago during December, when this town becomes the definition of festive magic.

Cue a minor hiccup: for some reason, the online pickup orders weren’t showing up. No food waiting for me. Big deal? Nah. It’s a Wednesday night, and I’m standing in one of the best places this city has to offer. And the General Manager (a bald guy, whose name I wish I caught) was already on it. With a smooth, professional ease, he offered me an ale on the house to soften the wait.

And honestly? Waiting at Fadó’s isn’t exactly a hardship. If you’ve never been here—or to River North, for that matter—add it to your bucket list. Fadó’s isn’t just a bar; it’s a rite of passage. Belly up to their stunning Irish bar, soak in the warm, welcoming vibe, and you’ll understand why it’s been a cornerstone of Chicago nightlife for decades.

Before I knew it, my food was ready. Less than ten minutes, and oh, was it worth it. Listen, I’d completely forgotten how special their fish and chips are. Two massive pieces of golden-battered cod, crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside. Pair that with thick-cut, perfectly seasoned chips and a criminally fresh coleslaw that ties the whole dish together with just a sprinkle of salt. Hats off to the chef—this meal was perfection.

And then the memories hit me. Fadó’s was my go-to back in the day. After work, when I was single, chasing dreams (and maybe some dates) in the infamous Viagra Triangle—a term only true Chicagoans understand. But walking into Fadó’s again reminded me why Chicago will always be the best city in the world, especially during Christmas. The lights, the energy, the hospitality—it’s unmatched.

Speaking of hospitality, let me circle back to the GM. This guy embodied what makes Chicago special. Friendly, genuine, and eager to make things right—not because he had to, but because he wanted to. It’s a lost art in many cities, where the bottom line trumps everything else. But here? It felt like stepping back into a time when hospitality was king.

So, to the GM and the chef: cheers to you. You’ve not only kept this place alive—you’ve made it better. To anyone visiting Chicago: do yourself a favor and stop by Fadó’s. Try the fish and chips, or their incredible shepherd’s pie. Belly up to that beautiful bar and soak in the magic.

Chicago gets a bad rap, but trust me—it’s the greatest city in the world, especially during the holidays. And Fadó’s? It’s the heart of it all. I’ll be back again, and next time, it won’t take me 15 years. Cheers!

Apologies about the grainy picture. I must have thumb printed my lens before I took the pic. It doesn’t do it justice, come see for yourself and you’ll agree!

Vivian H.

Four of us came in early afternoon on a Saturday. The seating at that time was abundant with about 30-40 other patrons. Our server came over quickly and was energetic and helpful with answers about beer choices and entrees. Fish and Chips is one of my favorites so I ordered along with a red ale draft. The beer was cold and the fish was hot and very tasty. My friends and I totally enjoyed our afternoon and I can't wait to go back.