Vault 232 Restaurant and Bar

Loved this unexpected experience. We were in the area, noticed this place around the block, and decided to give it a go. The Chilean sea bass and risotto: delicious. The New England Clam Chowder: OMG. My partner said her Beet Salad was one of the best she'd ever had. And the flan... Already planning our next visit because there are so many entrees I need to taste.

My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience at Vault 232! When we were sat, the owner noticed the table was in a lot of sun and immediately helped us to a better table. He was so kind and personable. It was our anniversary so they brought us some champagne and then dessert at the end - above and beyond hospitality. The food was incredible as well! I recommend the crab cakes appetizer and the scallops entree, but really everything was spectacular! Lucas, our waiter did a wonderful job making our dining experience great too! We will be back!

Really cool local spot with some interesting Capone era history. Food was phenomenal, really fresh seafood, nice atmosphere and our server CJ was fantastic. Definitely going back!

I love the clam chowder, so good! The Chilean Sea Bass was good, but my favorite is still the warm lobster roll. Great atmosphere, staff is friendly and helpful. We will definitely be going back to try more delicious food!

I rarely ever post about restaurant experiences but after last night, I feel I must. We’ve never been to Vault 232 but felt compelled to go after hearing many positive reviews. They did not disappoint. As another reviewer stated, it’s an industrial type of feel on the inside but it is not overly noisy like similarly designed places.

For an appetizer, we started out with the trio of bruschetta which consist of one traditional, one mushroom and one squash. When our order arrived, we notice a large heaping serving on top of each toasted slice of bread. As we cut the generously sized portions in half to share, each one we tried was better than the previous one.

Their menu approach is slightly unique. Sure, they have traditional menu items to order as well as sandwiches but what makes them unique is their 3 Step Fresh Catch items. You can select the type of fish and even the size of the item. Then you can select how to prepare the item and the spices and sauces desired. If you feel overwhelmed, just ask your server as they can help you decide how to best prepare and season your selection. The pricing is at market price either by the pound or the fillet. There is also a cooking fee added to your order. We were told that fresh fish arrives daily, and nothing sits around for more than a few days, so it is very reasonably priced for the quality and portion received.

We shared an order of pan-sauteed 8 oz. Chilean Sea Bass with honey habanero in a white wine and butter sauce along with the fried Walleye with sauteed vegetables. The Chilean Sea bass is truly Chilean Sea Bass and not some type of imposter fish. The sea bass was cooked and seasoned so well it made us wish we had ordered a larger portion. The Walleye was also wonderfully prepared with a tasty side of vegetables. Each fresh catch item comes with a side of citrus risotto which was also excellent. Kudos to Frank, Kevin and the crew. We will be returning soon as I think they have something truly special here in Lake Zurich.

This place has a great atmosphere and lovely service, with a few improvement areas. I dined here on a Saturday evening and it was reasonably busy - always a good sign. The goat cheese Appetizer was lovely, and the cauliflower with mango-habanero sauce was outstanding!! For main, my friend has the seafood stew, I had the pork chop. The meat was juicy but lacked in flavour a little. The mash potato was okay, but the bbq sauce that was lathered on top of both the meat and the potatoes was absolutely bland. I also felt like the plating could use a little more attention on this one (compared to how the host cheese appetiser looked for example, this one was a bit of a let down). The portions are generous though.

Nice newer restaurant in downtown Lake Zurich. Very beautiful inside - I am mesmerized by the wall of water. Service is good and the food is fantastic. I have had the tacos from the Happy Hour menu twice now and I will have them again! Good drinks too.

We had dinner with family and friends and it was Great.
Started with the fire shrimp (very good) others at the table had oysters Rockefeller. Said it was Very good.
Then had shrimp bisque soup.(Awesome)
Main meal was very good also( chicken 232)
Very happy. Highly recommended to check this place out.. Make reservations...

This place was amazing!

I initially ordered the lobster roll but it came out dry. The server offered me sauce and I just ended up ordering a pizza. After the meal, she gave me complementary cake and gave me the pizza free of charge. It was really kind and the food was amazing.

Vault 232 provides a spectacular experience from the exterior to the moment you step inside. The remarkable scenery, adorned with decorative art, sets the tone for a clean, new, and vintage interior that exudes a calm and welcoming vibe. The staff is exceptionally kind and helpful, creating a comfortable atmosphere for patrons. Whether you're exploring their fish market, indulging in items from the raw bar like the tuna salmon tartar, or enjoying their delicious fish tacos, the staff's attentiveness and knowledge, especially for first-time visitors, enhance the dining experience. The comfortable bar offers a selection of amazing cocktails.

An intriguing aspect of Vault 232 is the presence of the original Vault from its banking days, providing a unique historical touch. The inclusion of live music on Thursdays adds entertainment before the weekend. Notably, the establishment goes above and beyond during holidays, incorporating themes and decorations. Whether stopping in for lunch, partaking in their impressive happy hour, planning a date night, or enjoying time with family and friends over the weekend, Vault 232 offers a refreshing experience. I strongly recommend checking it out, even for those not exclusively interested in seafood, as they offer a variety of excellent menu options.

Came here for the first time and I promise it will not be our last. Beautiful restaurant and great location and the seafood is so fresh and delicious. I had the oysters and the shrimp Po Boy. Everything was top tier! The oysters were so good I had a few more after my meal. This is a bit far from where we leave but I will gladly make the trip to eat here as much as I can! Shout out to Michelle behind the bar for taking great care of us!

What a unique and gorgeous place to enjoy. Great food and great service at this corporate gathering. I love all the fun bank details mixed in with a fish market, water feature, modern amenities with a rustic look to tie everything together.

Super fresh garden green salad, large enough to split. The fresh cut fish cooked to order grilled, fried, sautéed with your choice of sauces or crusts. The Chilean Sea Bass was to die for. Craft drinks totally worth it. Come here with someone you love and they will think you’re wonderful and the food is amazing, but best of all our server Katie was superb. We’ll definitely be back soon!

Loved the food here, phenomenal atmosphere too. Our server David was probably the most professional and well spoken server we’ve seen in the entire area. Absolute professionalism at all times, he provided great service throughout our meal, and everything here tasted great. We had a fantastic experience here. Highly recommend!

It was my first time here. I was one of three valet guys for a wedding held in the very snowy evening. I sat at the bar just after 1:00pm on a Saturday afternoon and the lady bartender was very kind and attentive. I had the Chilean Bass 4oz blackened with scallops. You can choose your sauce for the fish, the portion size of the fish and the number of scallops. 4oz was the smallest I was told. I loved it. It is very hard to find a restaurant in chicagoland that sells the various fish they have here. Later in the evening, I tried the clam chowder soup. Unbelievably delicious, I highly recommend trying it. Every employee was very kind and accommodating. They said multiple times to let them know if I need anything.

We held a wedding industry meet-up at Vault 232 recently and we loved it. Frank, the owner, could not have been more gracious giving us a private tour of the historic building.
Everyone enjoyed their respective apps and entrees. Thumbs up.

Amazing food; first time trying oysters and they were fantastic. Beef tartar was super flavorful and had nice additional sauces/dips that paired well. Atmosphere was casual for lunch but definitely could more romantic at night.

Went for my first time too see what all the hype was about! And just as the conversations went the place lived up to its name! Atmosphere was very welcoming as well as the staff which two in particular stood out to me and my guest lindy & Lucas as well Kevin (manager ) they showed me and my guest so much attention while not forgetting about surrounding guest and really took there time on any recommendations I would ask from them I’d definitely be going back for there gumbo/ribs as well as drinks and all around good environment 🍹🤯🤤💯💕🥣

We had a birthday celebration and we decided to dine in at the vault. Our server David, was very attentive. Very professional and humble. Contrary to some reviews the staff is well trained. He went above and beyond and brought us everything we needed. Although they ran out of sparkler candles which is the main reason why we came here since no other Lake Zurich restaurant supplies them he still made our night with a regular candle and a complimentary tres leches cake which was mouthwatering. The ambiance the decor, everything is wonderful. They started to set up some Christmas decor, can't wait to come back for the final result. We LOVE coming here during the holidays or special events who ever runs your restaurant really goes above and beyond to make sure the mood is set for each night. Looking forward to coming back!

We love the Happy Hour here and the wonderful bar staff. We took our family out for dinner around Christmas and they were WOW'D by the quality of the food and attentive service. Thank you for providing such a nice experience for us all!