This Illinois Restaurant Serves Holiday Meals Beneath A Giant Christmas Tree
A Christmas tree stands right in the middle of a department store dining room, rising so high it nearly brushes the ceiling. People book tables months ahead just to eat lunch under it.
The room itself dates back to 1907. The walls are covered in walnut paneling, and crystal chandeliers glow overhead.
The star dish is a chicken pot pie made from a recipe older than the restaurant.
I like how this place feels like a holiday postcard from Illinois that somehow never faded. Fairies stop by tables during the season.
Families return year after year, often with grandparents leading the way.
I can’t imagine a cozier way to escape a cold Illinois afternoon. So how does a seventh-floor dining room become one of the most treasured holiday traditions in the state?
A Seventh-Floor Dining Room With A Very Long Memory
High above the shoppers on State Street, The Marshall Field’s Walnut Room waits on the seventh floor of Macy’s in downtown Chicago. It’s tucked inside one of the most famous store buildings in Illinois, which once carried the Marshall Field’s name.
Here’s the fun part for history fans. The restaurant opened in 1907 and is known as the first full-service restaurant ever opened inside a department store in the United States.
That makes it older than most of the city’s skyline. It’s also a place where a simple lunch can feel like a small celebration.
The menu leans toward classic American comfort food. Think pot pie, meatloaf, salads, and soups served in a grand, quiet room with plenty of space between tables.
Big windows along two walls offer views of the busy streets below. Window seats overlooking State Street are a nice bonus if you can snag one.
Most of the year, the mood stays calm and elegant. Come the holidays, though, the room transforms into something close to a storybook.
That seasonal makeover is the reason so many Illinois families circle it on their calendars.
How A Humble Shop Clerk’s Pot Pie Started Something Big
Long before the chandeliers, there was a clerk with a good recipe. Mrs. Hering worked in the millinery department and began serving her homemade chicken pot pies to hungry shoppers.
Her pies were a hit. That small kindness helped spark the idea of a proper restaurant inside the store.
The dining room opened in 1907 under a different name. It was first called the South Grill Room, and it didn’t become The Walnut Room until 1937.
The new name came straight from the walls. Rich walnut paneling covered the room, so the title practically chose itself.
Over the decades, the building changed hands, and Macy’s took over the old Marshall Field’s flagship. The restaurant kept going through all of it.
In recent years, Macy’s has leaned back into the past by calling it The Marshall Field’s Walnut Room. Even the pot pie now arrives in a dish bearing the Marshall Field’s name.
For longtime Chicagoans, that detail matters. It’s a small nod that says the old traditions still count here, and that a shop clerk’s recipe still deserves a spot on the menu.
Walnut Walls And Crystal Light Set An Old-School Mood
Those walls aren’t just any wood. The paneling is Circassian walnut, imported from Russia, and it gives the whole room a warm, golden-brown glow.
Overhead, Austrian crystal chandeliers add a bit of sparkle. Together, they make the space feel like a grand hotel ballroom that decided to serve lunch.
The room is huge, at roughly 17,000 square feet. Tables are spread out, so conversations stay private and nobody feels squeezed.
A big fountain sits in the space too. It adds a soft, calming sound during quieter afternoons.
Nearby, there’s a courtyard area under a glass skylight. A classic bar area rounds out the setting.
Look around and you’ll also find history on display along the walls. Many well-known guests have dined here over the years, and the room proudly shows that off.
Out the windows, you can even spot a mural of Muddy Waters painted on a nearby building. It’s a fun reminder that you’re sitting in the middle of Chicago.
The overall vibe feels peaceful and full of character. It’s a lovely spot to slow down and escape the noise of the city for a while.
The Great Tree Steals Every Single Spotlight
Forty-five feet. That’s how tall the Great Tree stands when it rises through the center of the dining room each holiday season.
It’s covered in thousands of lights and ornaments. The decorations often follow a theme that changes from year to year, so returning guests get something new to admire.
Recent trees have honored the Marshall Field’s legacy. Designs have included nods to the famous green clock and Frango chocolates, plus the store’s classic colors.
The lighting of the tree kicks off the holiday dining season. After that, the room feels busier, brighter, and a lot more festive.
Diners lucky enough to sit right by the tree get the best show. Tables near the trunk are the ones everybody hopes for.
Photos are part of the fun here. The area around the tree can get hectic, but nobody minds if you take your time snapping pictures.
Outside the restaurant, more decorated trees fill the store hallways too. Honestly, it’s tough to decide where to point your camera first.
Good luck leaving with fewer than fifty pictures.
You Will Want To Order The Pot Pie At Least Once
Nearly every conversation about this restaurant circles back to one dish. Mrs. Hering’s 1890 Original Chicken Pot Pie remains the signature order, and it’s easy to see why.
The recipe predates the restaurant itself. That’s a lot of history to fit under one golden crust.
It’s hearty, comforting, and exactly what a classic pot pie should be. Many diners consider it the must-try item on the menu.
Portions are generous. The pot pie and the meatloaf are both big enough that some people choose to split them.
Not into pot pie? Other comfort plates include meatloaf with mashed potatoes, short ribs, and Wisconsin Asiago crusted chicken.
Wild mushroom ravioli is another standout choice. The butternut squash tortellacci gives vegetarians something cozy to enjoy as well.
Soups deserve a mention, too. Lobster bisque, clam chowder, and a Canadian cheese soup have all appeared on the menu.
The menu is fairly small, but it focuses on historic favorites. And here’s a pleasant surprise for budget-minded families: pricing is reasonable for such a fancy setting, and on par with a standard Chicago meal.
Save Room For Something Minty And Very Chicago
Frango mints are a Chicago treasure, and dessert here leans into them happily. The Frango Mint Cheesecake is one of the most talked-about sweets on the menu.
There’s also a Frango Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Pie. It’s a sweet throwback to the chocolates long linked to the old Marshall Field’s store.
Lots of Frango options show up during the holidays. Mint fans will feel right at home.
Key lime pie has made an appearance too. It offers a brighter, tangier finish for anyone skipping chocolate.
Holiday menus also bring seasonal dishes into the mix. Cider-glazed turkey is one festive plate that fits the season nicely.
Brunch has its own fans. Walnut French toast and a breakfast sandwich with tater tots are among the morning choices.
Families can even leave with a souvenir. Commemorative holiday mugs are available, which makes a sweet keepsake for kids or grandparents.
Dessert under a forty-five-foot tree just tastes a bit more special. It might be the mint.
It might be the lights. Either way, splitting a slice feels like the right way to end the meal.
Fairy Dust, Wishes, And Breakfast With Santa
Kids, meet the Fairy Princesses. During the holiday season, these sparkly helpers visit tables, sprinkle fairy dust over meals, and invite diners to make a wish.
Little ones tend to adore it. Grown-ups usually play along too, because who turns down a free wish?
Tables can get missed on busy days, though. If a fairy visit matters to your crew, it helps to ask your server to make sure they stop by.
Photographers are also on hand during the season. They help families capture the moment in front of all that holiday sparkle.
Special events add even more cheer. The Great Tree Breakfast Buffet and Breakfast with Santa have been popular picks for families wanting an early start.
Planning a bigger gathering? Private dining rooms in the nearby Culinary Studio can host holiday parties, and guests still get to visit the Great Tree for photos.
All of this turns a meal into an outing kids remember. For many Illinois families, it becomes the tradition they repeat every December, often with three generations crowding into one picture.
Smart Moves For Snagging A Holiday Table
Timing is everything here. Holiday reservations open in late September and fill up fast, so planning ahead pays off.
Don’t give up if dates look sold out. Openings sometimes pop up, so checking back regularly with a flexible schedule can work in your favor.
Walk-ins without a reservation are limited during the holidays. They’re usually seated at high-top community tables near the bar.
Dining time can be capped at about 90 minutes during peak periods. That keeps things moving for everyone hoping to see the tree.
The restaurant sits inside Macy’s at 111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602. Take the express elevators near Randolph and State straight up to the seventh floor.
Hours run 11 AM to 7 PM Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, it’s 11 AM to 3 PM.
Expect crowds and long lines around the restaurant in November and December. The store gets packed, so arriving early is a wise move.
A brunch visit right at opening can feel more relaxed. Outside the holidays, quieter midweek visits often don’t require much planning at all.
Why This Tradition Still Feels Worth The Trip
Some outings are about the food, and some are about the feeling. The Marshall Field’s Walnut Room delivers mostly on the feeling, with solid comfort food along for the ride.
Honestly, the room is the real star. The paneling, the chandeliers, and that towering tree create a mood you can’t copy at home.
It’s also a living link to Illinois history. Generations of Chicagoans have eaten here, and many keep returning with kids and grandkids in tow.
Nearby, State Street’s holiday windows and the Christkindlmarket make it easy to plan a full festive day. The Loop’s theater district sits close by too.
Prices stay reasonable for such a grand setting. That makes it a realistic treat for families rather than a once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
Outside the holiday season, the room turns calm and elegant again. Afternoon tea and quiet lunches offer a gentler way to enjoy the history.
Still, December is when it truly shines. If you’ve never eaten pot pie beneath a forty-five-foot tree, this might be the year to start a brand-new family tradition in downtown Chicago.