It’s Not Even Halloween…but I’m Booking Christmas Dinner (and Why You Should too!)
For Christmas lovers, the holiday season is just around the corner. For those with less affectionate feelings toward the holidays…it’s not even Halloween yet (yeah, I know)! However, late September is marked on my calendar for reservations to dinner at the Walnut Room during the holidays. Crazy, I know, but it is a new tradition for me. And I like it. So we’ll take look at the last few years to get an idea of why reservations open so early.
As elegant as the name sounds, the Walnut Room is a restaurant located inside department store Macy’s on State Street in downtown Chicago. Originally, the store was Marshall Fields (back when department stores were in its heyday!). It’s about 13 stories high, and if visiting, you can look straight up when in the center to admire the architecture.
Per Marshall Fields history, an employee overheard two shoppers complaining there was nowhere close to eat after a day of shopping. The employee offered to share her chicken pot pie and the women loved it. Word spread around, and a counter was set up for Mrs. Hering’s Chicken Pot Pies in 1890. The very tasty pies got popular so a tearoom was set up. Three years later, it expanded into an entire floor. Marshall Fields eventually opened the restaurant as it’s know today, in 1907.
Department store restaurants became a popular place for people to socialize. And very naturally fit into the upscale retail environment as they were seen at that time. Keep in mind, the Walnut Room featured beautifully wooden paneling throughout, chandeliers, and even a fountain when it first opened. Originally named the South Grill, the Walnut Room quickly became a nickname. As we learned about nicknames for other Chicago landmarks, they rose from the hearts the masses and became official.
The Walnut Room runs year-round but is most popular during the Christmas season. So much so, that early November through early January holiday dinner reservations open in late September. What’s so special about this department store restaurant in a large city like Chicago, which has lots of landmark restaurants? Every Christmas, a giant themed tree is set up. Its big reveal is featured on the local news with a kick-off dinner.
This soon makes sense when you realize Marshall Fields on State Street, back in 1897, began their big Christmas window displays. A charming holiday ritual that feels nostalgic and traditional to the Christmas season. This continues today as Macy’s took over. These images come from mostly 2023’s themes. As you’ll see, 2024 had a major red theme. I was obsessed with the tree. 2023 was much more colorful though.
2023’s Lollipop themed candy Christmas tree brought in bright colors that popped at night. This disco ball theme with blue ornaments brought in a festive mood. It actually tones down the typical Christmas vibes with a cool blue and felt more fun, party theme than holidays. So even non-Christmas lovers might actually stop and enjoy. Of course, can’t forget the cute little reindeer that apparently “found its reflection” in the ornaments.
This gold display includes musical instruments and musical notes with a flying little reindeer. It made me realize the only thing missing from the Macy’s displays is a bit of holiday music. Of course, people stop by and take a look. And even a few pictures here and there (guilty). Make sure to take a look at these at day and night for a more holiday feel. The tree lined downtown streets will ALL be lit up, so it feels more festive. And of course, looks even better in pictures.
Then there were more traditional Christmas display in green. A Christmas tree surrounded by presents featuring a Rudolph classic movie on a old-timey tv to match.
And perhaps a sneak peek at next year’s theme with a red window display featuring nutcrackers. I’ll take this moment to pop in my only 2024 window display of the batch. Commitment to these window displays starts this year, I swear!
The pink cadies window reveals the theme of the Christmas tree in the Walnut Room. This carousel with marquee lights showcases gumballs, peppermint candies, and foiled wrapped candies in teacups. Looking back at these photos, I’m excited to check out the Christmas displays each year to create my own collection.
Of course, the very bright neon absolutely pops in this Chicago landmark display: the Marshall Fields Clock. A single clock represents the two clocks (yes, there are two!) and was my personal favorite (with the gold in close second). This elegant display was a great shoutout to its State Street location and would make any Chicagoan proud.
The State Street trumpets at Macy’s often feel like the start of the holiday season for downtown. Large trumpets line the building leading to Marshall Field’s iconic mint green clocks on the corner of State and Randolph Streets as well as State and Washington Streets. If you have any familiarity with these clocks, it’s due to the famous image of Norman Rockwell’s painting of a man setting the clock by hand.
The clocks are so iconic, there is an indoor display of the famous image. It’s located on the 7th floor, along with the Walnut Room itself. The great thing about this floor, while waiting on your reservation, you can read the displays about the history of this landmark location. During the holidays, this floor is also set up for Christmas and the holidays. There will lots of Christmas trees and all of their over-the-top ornaments are on display. They’ll be decorated with different themes so take your pick!
There’s so many different styles of decorations so you can also take a look at the Christmas trinkets, dinnerware, and sculptures. You’ll notice they’re on the pricier side, (you’re in downtown after all) but take note of the sales. Even if visiting in November, I’ve often spotted their sale flyers all over the place and there’s often an ongoing sale.
It’s a fun thing to look through before or after your meal to keep up the Christmas spirit.
When dining in, if you’re able to snag a seat near the tree, it will be back lit the entire time. For the red theme, it stayed red. Previous years, the colors changed throughout the meal, adding to the overall holiday environment. So make sure to take your pictures and catch the tree in a few colors.
Getting closer to Christmas, the place will be busy and there will be families and groups taking a quick (or maybe not-so-quick) pictures. You can always pick a different spot of the tree, it looks great from all angles. But take note, if you do sit near the tree, many people will come by for a picture on their way out. It’s pretty sweet seeing the families.
You can ask restaurant staff to take your pictures at the tree, which they’ll be doing throughout the day. There are often multiple hostesses seating people. As long as they’re not terribly busy you can ask them or your waiter. Personally, I’ve had better pictures from the hostesses since they’re near the tree. They’ll often mention they’ll take a few close-up to catch everyone’s faces and will step back to get most of the tree in. I’ve often been asked if I want the star in the picture (I always say yes). The employees at the Walnut Room are great, and crouch (or even get down on the floor!) for the picture.
They have photographers walking around but I think pictures from your phone come out great too. Ladies dressed up as fairy princesses with a wand also come around granting wishes and pass each table. So yes adults, you too, can get your wish granted. There will be glitter.
One thing I love about the Walnut Room are the guests themselves. You can tell when families are coming for their annual tradition by their outfits. I’ve regularly seen families (large groups) coming in with their Christmas sweaters or Christmas pajamas. Large tables are seated in the extended area beyond the tree, although a lot of tables still get a peek through the arched wood paneling. There are tables on the side for larger groups.
Anything larger is in the extended area but there are lit wreaths hanging along and the chandeliers are a nice view. Plus, there are large arched windows to get your view of the city. My one gripe would be the ladies restroom inside the restaurant is small. With 3 or 4 stalls, you’ll be in line more likely than not.
Fear not, there is another bathroom just outside the restaurant on the open side of the restaurant. Just walk straight past the wheelchair and stroller parking. This would take you to the cash register in the ornaments section. Walking back through the entrance and line would make you go around, you can cut through the side instead.
There’s also bar seating, especially for walk-ins, if you’d like to stop by randomly. The bar has a partial view of the tree if you want to be nearby but forgot to get a reservation.
I love the Walnut Room for its festive environment, cheery guests and its very friendly staff. For the last few years, I go twice each holiday season and never feel rushed. Since I come in groups of 4 or less, I’ve been lucky to always get a seat in the main room with the tree. They have a few tables for two, but most are tables of four in the main room.
When checking in for the reservation, I always mention my group will happily wait to get a seat in the main room with tree. And it’s never a long wait, when I happen to wait with a reservation. At most, I’ve waited a little over 10 minutes in those cases I ask to be in the main room. But I also have gone for early dinners too (often in November since December weekends fills up fast!).
You can always pick up a trinket ornament to remember your visit. Although the Walnut Room has two souvenirs to remember the occasion. One is the mint Frango Chocolates, although not originally from Chicago, the brand was bought by Mashall Fields in 1929. A Chicago favorite ever since. The mint chocolate is one the dessert menu for the restaurant as both an “ice cream pie” as well as a cheesecake (love the cheesecake). At any visit, these will be Frango Chocolates will be displayed just outside the restaurant.
The second souvenir is a glass mug with the name, year, and simple image. The designs change each year, nice for your first visit. Of course, a visit to the Walnut Room wouldn’t be complete without at least one person from your party trying the famed Mrs. Hering’s Chicken Pot Pie, the original recipe that started it all. It’s a classic chicken pot pie, but impressive that the original recipe is still being used.
Thinking of taking a try to see what the fuss is all about? Reservations start this week, September 25th. The Walnut Room runs its holiday season this year from November 1st, 2025 through January 11th, 2026. You can find the Walnut Room on the 7th floor of Macy’s on 111 North State Street, Chicago, IL.