Chicago · Lincoln ParkNear impossibleFrom the restaurant's own page
Alinea
Modernist tasting menu · $$$$ · OpenTable
15th of each month at 11:00 AM CT for month after next (e.g., Jan 15 -> March)
Lincoln Park · unverified · unverified
When do Esmé reservations open?
Esmé is a dining room in Lincoln Park. Tables are booked on OpenTable. 60 days out; hour not published.
Reservations open
60 days out; hour not published
Parts of this are unconfirmed (see note). Confirm on the booking page before you set an alarm.
The secrets
Insider tips
Tickets open 60 days out, and changing one costs $150 or more per person, so committed guests rarely let go. The easier door is Bar Esmé, which takes walk-ins as space allows.
Last checked October 17, 2026. Paraphrased from public sources. Policies change, so confirm with the restaurant.
How hard, and why
Tough · 3/5
Editorial estimate. Included on the current Eater 38 (“App Icon”). Sellout speed, seat count, and Notify reliance were not measured, so the evidence for a higher score is thin.
An editorial estimate, not a feed from Resy or the restaurant, and not a guarantee. City ranking · How drops work
The details
- Booking platform
- OpenTable
- Notify / waitlist
- Not confirmed
- Walk-ins
- Not confirmed
- Official site
- esmechicago.com/
- Last verified
- 2026-10-17
Plan the night
Ask the concierge for a full evening built around Esmé, with a backup if the drop goes fast.
Plan with the conciergeSources: primary. Info as researched Oct 2026.
Questions
When do Esmé reservations open?
60 days out; hour not published. Source status: Partly confirmed. Confirm on the booking page before the drop.
How do you book Esmé?
Esmé books via OpenTable.
Does Esmé take walk-ins?
Walk-in policy is not confirmed. Check with the restaurant.
How do people get a table at Esmé?
Tickets open 60 days out, and changing one costs $150 or more per person, so committed guests rarely let go. The easier door is Bar Esmé, which takes walk-ins as space allows.
Does Midnight Table sell reservations?
No. We send alerts and help you plan and book. Every reservation is made in your own name on the restaurant's own platform, and we never resell tables.
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