Crafted Chaos. Rockford Flavor.
Handcrafted food, unapologetic flavor, and a room full of stuff to do. Sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride.
Handcrafted food, unapologetic flavor, and a room full of stuff to do. Sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride.
Culinary Underground was born from a simple idea: serve handcrafted, high-value food in a place that feels alive. Our kitchen celebrates technique and curiosity — dishes are crafted to surprise the palate and comfort the soul. We source thoughtfully, plate boldly, and never take ourselves too seriously.
The space pays homage to Rockford. You’ll find historical photographs, playful murals, and design elements that nod to the city’s past while keeping the energy modern and unexpected. It’s a place to meet friends, celebrate small wins, or go on a first date that doesn’t feel like a first date.
Beyond the menu, we’re about moments — flipping a game board mid-bite, neon lights buzzing over late-night conversation, and a team that’s as excited about good food as they are about welcoming you. Bold. Local. Playful. That’s the promise we keep, every seat at the table.
Culinary Underground at Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront resides within a historic building with roots tracing back to 1913, when it served as an 11-story knitting mill commissioned by William Ziock Jr. Over the years, the building adapted to house various enterprises, including the American Cabinet Hardware Company, later known as Amerock. In 2015, Gorman & Company embarked on a transformative journey to convert the structure into Embassy Suites, blending its storied past with modern hospitality.
When the hotel opened in July 2020, Tower Kitchen & Bar debuted alongside it, offering a polished dining experience amidst the building’s industrial charm. Guests embraced its atmosphere of industrial chic, where raw concrete pillars, restored wood block flooring, and preserved machinery paid homage to the building’s manufacturing roots.
By 2025, it became clear that Rockford was ready for something bolder — a dining concept that didn’t just complement the hotel but stood out as a destination on its own. In September 2025, Tower Kitchen & Bar evolved into Culinary Underground, a restaurant and bar built to capture Rockford’s creative, playful, and edgy spirit. The rebrand reflects a shift from a traditional hotel restaurant to an energetic gathering place — where handcrafted food, fearless flavor, and a lively social atmosphere collide. Culinary Underground embraces both the building’s rich history and the city’s modern energy, offering locals and visitors alike a dining experience that’s anything but ordinary.