Boka is a Contemporary American restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park (1729 N. Halsted St.), led by chef-partner Lee Wolen. Open since 2003, it has long held a MICHELIN star.[2]
Overview
According to official introductions, the menu features seasonal American cuisine available à la carte or as a rotating tasting menu; the restaurant has three intimate dining rooms offering a warm, focused setting. After a major renovation, Wolen joined as executive chef and partner in 2014 and was repeatedly named "Chef of the Year." MICHELIN Guide lists Boka as a Contemporary restaurant and introduces chef-partner Lee Wolen's cooking and the restaurant's long-running performance. The dining room's comfortable banquettes and mirrored light fixtures create a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The official address is 1729 N. Halsted St.[3]
Dishes & Highlights
Recommended dishes include brown-butter roasted Hokkaido scallop and housemade ricotta gnocchetti[3].
Honors
The MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2023 listed Boka as a one-star restaurant, with the official list giving the address as 1729 N. Halsted St., Chicago, 60614. This records the historical 2023-edition star and does not necessarily reflect the restaurant's current rating.[1] The group's official website still introduces Boka as a "Michelin-starred restaurant."[2]
Practical Information
- Address: 1729 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614
- Hours: Sun–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm, Fri–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
- Phone: 312-337-6070
- Website: https://www.bokachicago.com/
- Facilities: valet parking, back garden patio, three intimate dining rooms; most common dietary restrictions can be accommodated
- Other: corkage fee $50 per bottle (max 2); reservations open up to 60 days ahead
[2]: Boka, official website, https://www.bokachicago.com/ [3]: MICHELIN Guide, “Boka,” restaurant page, last reviewed 2025-11-18, https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/illinois/chicago_1174456/restaurant/boka [1]: MICHELIN Guide, “MICHELIN Guide 2023 - New York, Chicago and Washington - A new three-MICHELIN-Star restaurant,” linked PDF, pp. 3-5.