The Hampton Social, located in River North in Chicago, is a beachy hangout spot that serves seafood and tropical based refreshments that students have come to love. 

Founded in July 2015, The Hampton Social is a fairly new restaurant. Before the idea was fully developed, the owners found inspiration in the Hamptons, New York and from the magazine Coastal Living. 

I visited around 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon with my family and a friend. While waiting at the front desk, the first thing that grasped my attention was the trendy decor and open feel. The use of blues and whites gave off a bright aesthetic. The restaurant is decorated with white walls and lights strung across the ceiling, which gives it a simple, yet stylish coastal vibe.

After sitting at a table and glancing at the menu, I felt overwhelmed. There was a variety of things that I wanted to try. I eventually decided to try the breakfast sandwich. The sandwich was served on an English muffin that contained scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, arugula and American cheese. Even though it was a large handheld, it was delicious.

Our friendly waiter, who was knowledgeable about the restaurant, shared the hottest choices on the menu with us. He explained that the crab cake benedict is the most popular in terms of brunch and that visitors also favor the lobster roll.

My dad ordered the crab cake benedict which included poached egg, cremcotta ham, spicy hollandaise, and arugula and thoroughly enjoyed this dish.

Finally, my brother ordered buttermilk pretzel pancakes, one of their sweeter options.  The pretzel pancakes were served with white chocolate glaze and caramel. I stole one bite and automatically wanted more.

The nice thing about The Hampton Social is that they serve brunch, lunch and dinner. This ranges from biscuits and gravy all the way to scallops and crab legs.

The restaurant also has a private dining room and semi-private dining areas that are perfect for holiday parties, rehearsal dinners, charity events and more. While dining, there was a guitarist who was singing alternative tunes, which made me enjoy the atmosphere even more.

Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant. My experience was exciting and uplifting. The service is great, the food is delightful and the atmosphere is upbeat.

“I legitimately loved everything about [The Hampton Social]. The vibes are so positive and it’s so beautiful inside,” said Camryn Silhavy, junior.

Currently, the owners run two other spots other than The Hampton Social, including Mahalo and The Bassment.  

You can visit the Hampton Social at 353 W Hubbard St, Chicago, Ill. 60654