Alinea typically releases reservations on the 15th of each month at 11:00 AM Central Time, approximately two months ahead. The important change for late 2026 is the booking platform: dates through October 31 remain on Tock, while reservations from November 1 onward are on OpenTable.
That split is not a rumor or an old booking hack. Alinea's official site and both live booking pages publish the transition. Use Tock for October dates and OpenTable for November and later.
Last verified: October 7, 2026. Alinea says its release schedule is subject to change, so recheck the official FAQ before the next monthly drop.
When Alinea reservations are released
Alinea's current FAQ says bookings are typically released on the 15th, about two months in advance, at 11:00 AM Central Time. Its example is simple: the January 15 release opens March reservations.
Treat this as a monthly batch, not a rolling daily calendar. Before 11:00 AM, sign in to the correct platform, confirm your payment details, and decide which experience, party size, dates, and times you will accept. Then search when the batch opens.
The phrase "approximately two months" matters. It is not a promise that every future month will follow an identical range, and the restaurant explicitly labels the schedule subject to change. Check the live calendar rather than calculating a date and assuming inventory must appear.
The OpenTable switch changes the booking plan
The platform depends on the dining date, not the day you search. Alinea directs bookings through October 31 to Tock and bookings from November 1 onward to OpenTable.
This is the strongest current news affecting an Alinea reservation. Older guides that send every diner to Tock are now incomplete. The restaurant's own home page presents separate October and November links, and the OpenTable listing says its first eligible service date is November 1.
The move also changes practical preparation. A saved Tock profile will not help at the new OpenTable checkout. Create or verify the right account before release time, save a valid payment method, and practice navigating the experience choices without completing a purchase.
OpenTable currently shows bookable November inventory, but a visible table is not held while you compare options. Start with your real party size and accept a workable time before trying to optimize.
Current experiences, prices, and party limits
Alinea offers three prepaid formats. For dates on OpenTable from November 1, the live listing currently shows:
- The Kitchen Table: $495 per person, parties of three to six, about three and a half hours
- The Gallery: $495 per person, parties of two to four, about three and a half hours
- The Salon: $395 per person, parties of one to six, about two to two and a half hours depending on party size
The Kitchen Table is private and looks into the kitchen. The Gallery is the communal, theatrical format most associated with Alinea's multi-sensory style. The Salon uses individual tables and a more concise progression.
October pricing on Tock is different. Its current listings show $594 per person for the Kitchen Table and Gallery, and the Salon starting at $450. Tock also shows different minimum party sizes for some experiences, so do not use the November rules for an October date.
Alinea adds a 20% service charge. Wine pairings are currently listed at $195, $285, or $475 per person before service charge and tax. Read the exact checkout total before paying because the reservation itself is prepaid and the platform, date, and experience all affect the commitment.
The best release-day strategy
First, choose the experience before the release. If the Gallery is the priority, decide whether the Salon is an acceptable backup. The broader one-to-six party range and lower November price may make the Salon easier to fit around a real trip.
Second, keep at least three acceptable dates and a wide time range. Alinea serves dinner daily, and the current OpenTable page lists service from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. Sunday through Thursday and the earliest or latest seatings can offer more paths than a single Saturday at 7:00 PM.
Third, do not search with a placeholder party size. The Kitchen Table, Gallery, and Salon have different limits, and prepaid reservations make later changes consequential. Confirm the group before release day.
Finally, use the official monthly drop first and cancellation monitoring second. If OpenTable shows no suitable table, check again as plans change. Resto Mojo can monitor supported sold-out restaurant inventory, but restaurant eligibility can vary and no monitoring service can guarantee that a table will appear or remain available.
Cancellation, rescheduling, and arrival rules
Alinea's current policy is strict: all sales are final and non-refundable. With at least 72 hours' notice, the restaurant says it can reschedule a booking to a future date within the same calendar year. Changes inside 72 hours are not accommodated.
That makes speculative booking expensive. Confirm the party size, dietary restrictions, budget, and travel schedule before checkout. A missed reservation cannot be applied to a future date.
Alinea also asks guests to contact the restaurant if they are running late. Arriving more than ten minutes late may mean missing part of the experience, which is especially important for the Gallery's choreographed progression.
The official FAQ does not publish a general walk-in policy. Treat Alinea as reservation-only planning rather than assuming an empty seat will be sold at the door.
Dietary needs, dress code, and practical details
Alinea can accommodate some restrictions with at least 72 hours' notice, including ovo-lacto vegetarian, pescatarian, no-gluten, pregnancy restrictions, and certain seafood or nut allergies. It cannot remove egg or dairy, and it warns that cross-contamination cannot be eliminated.
The dress code is "elevated casual." Jackets are optional, but guests are asked to look polished. Valet parking is currently offered from 4:45 PM for $19, subject to change.
- Address: 1723 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Hours: Dinner daily, currently 5:00 to 10:00 PM
- October booking: Tock
- November and later: OpenTable
- Release: Typically the 15th at 11:00 AM Central, approximately two months ahead
- Payment: Prepaid, plus a 20% service charge
- Cancellation: Non-refundable, with rescheduling possible at least 72 hours ahead within the same calendar year
Alinea remains a major special-occasion draw even after its 2025 Michelin change. Michelin currently lists it with two stars, while WTTW reported that Grant Achatz received a 2026 Jean Banchet lifetime achievement honor. For a broader comparison, see our guide to the hardest Chicago restaurant reservations or browse the restaurant directory.
Alinea reservations FAQ
What time do Alinea reservations open?
Alinea says bookings are typically released on the 15th of each month at 11:00 AM Central Time, approximately two months in advance. The schedule is subject to change.
Is Alinea on Tock or OpenTable?
Both, during the transition. Reservations through October 31, 2026 remain on Tock. Reservations for November 1 onward are on OpenTable.
How much does Alinea cost?
For November OpenTable dates, the Salon is currently $395 per person, while the Gallery and Kitchen Table are $495. October Tock pricing is higher on the current listings. All three experiences are prepaid, with a 20% service charge and tax added.
Can you cancel an Alinea reservation?
Alinea says all sales are final and non-refundable. It can reschedule a booking with at least 72 hours' notice to a future date in the same calendar year, subject to availability.
Can you walk into Alinea without a reservation?
Alinea does not publish a general walk-in policy. Plan on securing a prepaid reservation rather than relying on a last-minute seat at the door.
When reservations are gone
Let Resto Mojo keep checking for the table.
Choose the restaurant, date, party size, and time range. Resto Mojo monitors supported booking platforms and can book when a matching opening appears.
