Contemporary restaurants in Chicago

Last updated 19 October 2026. Source: SnagRes availability record, 61,530,416 checks across 284 restaurants through 19 October 2026. How we measure. Open dataset.

SnagRes tracks 5 hard-to-book Contemporary restaurants, including Smyth, Oriole, Esmé. Availability is rechecked throughout the day on the platforms represented here, and alerts can tell you when a table opens.

Platform split here: 2 on Tock, 2 on OpenTable, 1 on SevenRooms. That matters because each platform releases tables differently, and watching only one of them leaves the rest of this list invisible.

1 of these had 10% or less of the booking window open at the last check: Smyth.

• Smyth - Contemporary, West Loop (Tock), 3% of the window open at last check (guide)
• Oriole - Contemporary, West Loop (Tock), 27% of the window open at last check (guide)
• Esmé - Contemporary, Lincoln Park (OpenTable), 50% of the window open at last check (guide)
• Ever - Contemporary, West Loop (OpenTable), 53% of the window open at last check (guide)
• Moody Tongue - Contemporary, South Loop (SevenRooms), 43% of the window open at last check (guide)

All tracked Chicago restaurants · How to get Chicago reservations

Where these restaurants are

The Contemporary restaurants tracked here sit in West Loop, Lincoln Park, Downtown and River North. Neighbourhood pages show every tracked restaurant in that area regardless of cuisine, which is often the faster route when the area matters more than the food.

Other cuisines in Chicago

Italian (10), American (10), New American (7), Japanese (6), Mexican (4), French (4), Steakhouse (3), Mediterranean (2). Each page carries the same live availability and release timing for its own list.

How hard is it to get a Contemporary reservation in Chicago?

Across the 5 Contemporary restaurants SnagRes tracks in Chicago, an average of 35% of the bookable window is open at any given check. Even the hardest give tables back: Ever had a table open up on 59% of its dates at some point. Hard tables go within minutes when they come back, so an alert matters more than refreshing.

When do Contemporary restaurants release reservations?

Of the 2 with a confirmed drop time, 1 release at 12:00 PM, and the typical booking window is 90 days ahead. Release times are set per restaurant rather than per platform, so two places on the same platform can drop hours apart. The full table is on the release times page.

Which booking platform do Contemporary restaurants use?

Of the 5, 2 book on Tock, 2 on OpenTable, 1 on SevenRooms. Each platform releases tables on its own schedule. SnagRes rechecks the platforms represented in this city throughout the day.

Can I get alerted when a Contemporary table opens in Chicago?

Yes. Star any restaurant on this page and SnagRes emails you when a table opens. A free account watches two restaurants; Plus removes the limit, extends the window from 14 to 30 days and shows exact slot times. SnagRes alerts you, it does not book on your behalf.