Where culture, cuisine, and community collide

Located in the heart of River North, Artis Restaurant and Lounge is a high-end dining and nightlife destination redefining what it means to gather around food. Proudly Black-,Brown-, Queer-, and Women-owned, Artis is more than a restaurant — it’s a safe space where bold flavors meet unapologetic self-expression.

Here, we celebrate community through artfully crafted dishes, signature cocktails, live music, and meaningful connections. Whether you're stopping in for brunch, celebrating after dark, or soaking in the ambiance, Artis is a home for all.

Giving back is at the heart of our mission. Through a partnership with Center on Halsted, we support the LGBTQ+ community with donations, education, and mentorship—including hands-on instruction from Executive Chef Brandi Artis for aspiring culinary students.

Meet Executive Chef Brandi ArtIs

Chef. visionary. culture curator.

Chef Brandi Artis is the heart and soul behind Artis Restaurant and Lounge, where she masterfully blends Southern soul, Creole heat, and global flavors with Chicago sophistication. A proud Kansas City native, Brandi's culinary journey began in her grandmothers’ kitchens, where food was rooted in love, history, and cultural pride.

Her passion turned profession while still in high school, leading her to pursue Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Johnson County Community College, followed by bartending studies at The International School of Professional Bartending. Her experience spans restaurants like Kona Grill, Bar Louie, The Classic Cup, and Chuy's Tex-Mex — each helping shape her unique culinary voice.

Brandi’s talents caught national attention when she competed on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race (Season 16), showcasing her creativity, leadership, and hustle under pressure.

In Chicago, she launched Simply Delicious Bartending and Catering, and later brought her Southern-inspired pop-up concept to St. Louis with 4 Hens Creole Kitchen.

Now at the helm of Artis Restaurant and Lounge, Chef Brandi brings her full self — as a Black, queer woman, wife, and mother — to every dish, every decision, and every guest interaction. Her work is a celebration of identity, culture, and connection — a bold invitation to dine, be seen, and belong.