Dining at The Drake: Coq d'Or, Palm Court, and Cafe on Oak
Dining at The Drake centers on three on-site options: Coq d'Or (historic American bar on the Arcade Level), Palm Court (the hotel's afternoon tea service), and Cafe on Oak (lake-facing breakfast nook). Each has distinct hours, dress expectations, and reservation practices—Palm Court recommends reservations for tea; Coq d'Or is walk-in friendly; Cafe on Oak serves a morning a la carte menu with varying weekday hours.
In this guide
Coq d'Or — The Arcade Level Bar and Restaurant
Coq d'Or is The Drake’s historic American bar on the Arcade Level, operating since shortly after Prohibition. It serves classic cocktails and elevated American fare in a polished, intimate setting and is noted for the Executive Pour Martini and the Bookbinder’s Red Snapper Soup.
The venue is walk-in friendly and does not require reservations; seating is first-come, first-served. Dress is listed as Business Casual, and the bar can be booked for partial or full buyouts for private events.
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11:00am–midnight; Fri–Sat 11:00am–1:00am; Sun 11:00am–11:00pm
- No reservations required — walk-ins welcome (first-come, first-served)
- Dress code: Business Casual
- Known menu items: Executive Pour Martini; Bookbinder’s Red Snapper Soup
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Arcade Level (Ground Floor) |
| Reservation policy | Walk-ins welcome; buyouts available |
| Dress code | Business Casual |
Palm Court — Afternoon Tea
Palm Court is The Drake’s longstanding afternoon tea venue in the Gold Coast neighborhood, operating Friday through Sunday with seatings that can last up to 90 minutes. The tea service has been part of the hotel’s offerings for many decades and includes a child-friendly Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea for ages 3–12.
Reservations are highly encouraged because seating is limited and the service is popular; you can book online via OpenTable or by phone. Dress is Smart Casual, and the hotel publishes special holiday tea hours during November–January.
- Afternoon Tea hours: Friday–Sunday, 12:00pm–4:30pm
- Seating duration: up to 90 minutes
- Reservations: recommended; book online or call +1 312-932-4619
- Children: Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea for ages 3–12
| When | Notes |
|---|---|
| Holiday Tea | Special hours Nov–Jan; check current dates |
| Seating | Up to 90 minutes |
| Reservations | Highly encouraged (OpenTable or phone) |
Cafe on Oak — Breakfast Overlooking Lake Michigan
Cafe on Oak sits at the corner of the Magnificent Mile with views toward Lake Michigan and Oak Street Beach and focuses on à la carte breakfast items. The menu highlights morning favorites such as petit waffles, avo-toast, and an egg skillet.
Published hours list Friday 7:00am–11:00am and Saturday–Sunday 7:00am–12:00pm; weekday hours Monday–Thursday can vary, so check with the front desk for current opening times. Breakfast at The Drake is an extra charge unless you have a package that includes a breakfast credit.
- Typical menu items: petit waffles, avo-toast, egg skillet
- Hours: Friday 7:00am–11:00am; Saturday–Sunday 7:00am–12:00pm; Mon–Thu vary—confirm at front desk
- The Drake Bed and Breakfast package includes a $15 daily breakfast credit for up to two guests
| Feature | Cafe on Oak |
|---|---|
| Focus | Breakfast & coffee |
| View | Overlooks Lake Michigan / Oak Street Beach |
| Package credit | $15 per person (max 2) with Bed & Breakfast package |
How the three venues differ (quick comparison)
Coq d'Or, Palm Court, and Cafe on Oak serve different purposes and parts of the day: Coq d'Or covers daytime through late-night drinks and dinner, Palm Court is a midday/afternoon tea experience, and Cafe on Oak is a morning breakfast spot with lake views. Planning around hours and reservation practices helps avoid disappointment.
Below is a compact comparison to clarify when to go and what to expect.
- Coq d'Or: best for cocktails, late-night hours, no reservations required
- Palm Court: dedicated afternoon tea, reservations recommended, timed seatings
- Cafe on Oak: morning-only breakfast menu, weekend extended hours
| Venue | Best for | Reservation tip |
|---|---|---|
| Coq d'Or | Cocktails & American fare (day–late night) | Walk-ins welcome |
| Palm Court | Afternoon tea (timed seating) | Reserve online or by phone |
| Cafe on Oak | Breakfast with lake views | Check front desk for weekday hours |
Practical tips for dining at The Drake
If you plan Palm Court tea on a weekend or during the holidays, book early—the hotel advises reservations because seating is limited and seatings can last up to 90 minutes. Coq d'Or accepts walk-ins but allows bar buyouts for private events, so ask the staff if you need a larger space.
For Cafe on Oak, note the published weekend breakfast hours and verify weekday times with the front desk. Meals at the hotel are not included in standard room rates unless you have a specific Bed and Breakfast package that includes a breakfast credit.
- Call +1 312-932-4619 or use OpenTable to reserve Palm Court
- Coq d'Or dress: Business Casual — no reservations required for regular seating
- Confirm Cafe on Oak weekday hours with the front desk before planning early activities
- Breakfast is an extra fee unless included in a booked package
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need reservations? | Palm Court: yes (recommended). Coq d'Or: no. Cafe on Oak: usually no, but check busy weekends. |
| Are meals included in the room rate? | No—breakfast is extra unless you bought a package that includes a credit. |
Accessibility, family considerations, and special events
The Drake welcomes children of all ages and Palm Court offers a Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea for kids ages 3–12. The hotel provides cribs and connecting rooms for family needs, and children 18 and older are charged at the adult rate.
Accessible features extend to the hotel’s dining areas and fitness center; the property advertises wheelchair-accessible restaurant access. For private events, Coq d'Or accepts bar buyouts and the hotel has multiple event rooms (Gold Coast Room, Grand Ballroom, French Room, Camellia Room) available for larger receptions that may include on-site catering.
- Children: family-friendly dining; Palm Court has a child tea option (ages 3–12)
- Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible restaurant and paths to elevators
- Private events: Coq d'Or partial/full buyouts; larger catered events handled through the hotel’s event teams
| Need | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Private event at Coq d'Or | Ask hotel events team or the bar about buyouts |
| Tea for children | Reserve Palm Court and request Prince & Princess option |
