Envie
Envie
Welcome to Envie, a culinary homage to Cajun Cuisine nestled at 180 N Wacker Dr. in Chicago's vibrant south loop neighborhood, along the enchanting Chicago Riverwalk. Our restaurant's name, "Envie," encapsulates the essence of Cajun culture, translating to a hunger or longing for something to eat, a sentiment we aim to fulfill with every dish.
Originally erected in 1912 by renowned architects Holabird and Roche, the 6-story, 75,000 sq. ft. building has been a landmark, evolving into its current identity as 180 N Wacker Dr. in 1981 after a transformative renovation. Positioned at the southernmost end of the building's first floor, Envie benefits from a bustling environment, with approximately 40,000 pedestrians passing by daily, complemented by nearby transit hubs serving over 1.4 million riders daily. The vicinity boasts attractions such as the merchandise mart, theaters, and the picturesque Chicago Riverwalk, ensuring a steady stream of tourists and locals to Envie's doors.
Our restaurant's design harmonizes with Cajun culture, blending rustic elements with the vibrant hues and textures of Cajun cuisine. Red symbolizes the fiery spirit and spicy flavors, while green embodies the earth and Cajun heritage of living off the land. The architecture features French-style windows and doors reminiscent of New Orleans, along with wooden trellises in the fine dining area, creating intimate semi-divided booth seating and delineating the private dining area. Retaining the original 12-foot ceiling opens up the space, while wooden beams in the casual dining area add to its rustic charm.
While limited daylight from surrounding buildings necessitated thoughtful design, the strategic placement of formal dining and the private dining area in the back maximizes natural light from the west, particularly during sunset. Additionally, key architectural features like patio string lights in the bar area and lighting in the casual dining area illuminate the space beautifully, highlighting the lush greenery and plants carefully placed throughout.
Whether you're Sabrina and Harvey, unwinding over a post-work meal, or Nellie, awaiting her Metra train at Envie's Bar, we invite you to experience the warmth and flavor of Cajun cuisine in the heart of Chicago's bustling south loop.
It all started with a chance draw from a bowl filled with paper scraps, each adorned with a different type of cuisine...
I received the cajun category. To the right is the research page I created on Cajun cuisine.




