Best Dishes in Chicago
95 restaurants to explore
Restaurants in Chicago
95 restaurantsAkahoshi Ramen
Japanese·Logan Square·$$
The ramen shop from the Reddit 'Ramen Lord'—meticulous Sapporo-style miso with lard and crinkly noodles
Al's #1 Italian Beef
Italian Beef·Little Italy·$
The Italian beef legend where it started — Al's has claimed the title since 1938 with over 150 culinary awards.
Alinea
Modernist·Lincoln Park·$$$$
Grant Achatz's modernist temple — 16+ courses of theatre and chemistry, molecular gastronomy meets edible art.
Ann Sather Restaurant
Swedish-American·Lakeview·$
The Lakeview diner famous for oversized cinnamon rolls since 1945 — originally served free with breakfast.
Antique Taco
Mexican·Wicker Park·$
Seasonal creative tacos and award-winning margaritas in a shabby-chic counter-serve space.
Atelier
Contemporary American·Lincoln Square·$$$$
Michelin-starred 'folk cuisine' tasting menu in Lincoln Square where globally inspired dishes are built from hyperlocal Midwest ingredients.
Au Cheval
American·West Loop·$$
Cult-famous West Loop diner burger — two juicy patties, dijonnaise, crispy bacon, fried egg, endless queues worth the wait.
Avec
Mediterranean·West Loop·$$$
A 20-year-old wine-focused Mediterranean restaurant known for small shared plates and intimate community seating on the West Loop's original Restaurant Row.
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Steakhouse·River North·$$$
River North's French-American steakhouse with moody red leather booths, zinc bar, and beautifully rendered steaks served without the stuffiness.
Big Jones
Southern·Andersonville·$$
Andersonville's Southern heritage restaurant since 2008—fried chicken and Gullah Geechee techniques.
Big Star
Mexican·Wicker Park·$$
Honky-tonk taco bar with housemade corn tortillas and a roster of single-barrel bourbons.
Bob's Pizza
Pizza·Pilsen·$$
Chicago's beer-crust pizza creator—malty dough with Old Style brewery beer opened in Pilsen in 2019.
Boeufhaus
Steakhouse·Ukrainian Village·$$$
Ukrainian Village steakhouse in a former butcher shop—55-day dry-aged ribeyes and short rib beignets.
Boka Restaurant
American·Lincoln Park·$$$$
Michelin-starred chef Lee Wolen's Lincoln Park showcase of seasonal American cuisine with daily-changing tasting menus.
Bonci
Italian·West Loop·$$
Gabriele Bonci's legendary Roman pizza al taglio by weight — rectangular pies loaded with seasonal toppings, cut with scissors.
Bongo Room
American·Wicker Park·$$
Creative pancakes and breakfast since 1993, no reservations, lines form early.
Cariño
Latin American·Uptown·$$$$
Chef Norman Fenton's Michelin-starred Latin American tasting menu hidden beneath the Uptown L tracks—12-16 courses of ancient ingredients with modern technique.
Chubby Cattle
Japanese·Chinatown·$$$
All-you-can-eat Japanese Wagyu yakiniku with robot servers and 5D projections — $55-75 for 70 minutes of grilling.
Don Pedro Carnitas
Mexican·Pilsen·$
Pilsen's no-frills carnitas specialist serving slow-cooked pork by the pound since the 1990s—the deal of the neighborhood.
Dusek's Board & Beer
American·Pilsen·$$$
Michelin-starred gastropub in a 1892 Bohemian opera house—woodfire kitchen and craft beer program.
El Ideas
Modern American·Pilsen·$$$$
Chef Philip Foss' Michelin-starred test kitchen in a Pilsen warehouse—nine-course tasting menu with no menu until the end.
Elske
Scandinavian·West Town·$$$$
Michelin-starred Scandinavian fine dining from husband-and-wife chefs David and Anna Posey.
ESMÉ
Contemporary American·Lincoln Park·$$$$
Michelin-starred tasting menu that reinvents itself every 12 weeks by partnering with a new local artist.
Ever
Contemporary American·Fulton Market·$$$$
Curtis Duffy's 2-Michelin-star tasting menu with artistic plating and technical precision in the Fulton Market.
Federales
Mexican·Logan Square·$$
Retractable-roof tequila bar in Logan Square—tacos, margaritas, and Mexican roadside energy
Feld
Modern European·Ukrainian Village·$$$$
Michelin-starred tasting menu where the menu writes itself each morning based on what small farmers can realistically produce.
Galit
Middle Eastern·Lincoln Park·$$$
Chef Zachary Engel's Michelin-starred Middle Eastern restaurant— hummus that people still think about days later
Gene & Georgetti
Steakhouse·River North·$$$$
Chicago's original steakhouse since 1941 — old-school River North institution where waiters still shout orders to the kitchen.
Ghareeb Nawaz
Indian·Rogers Park·$$
30-year-old Indian-Pakistani institution on Devon Avenue — biryani that feeds four, open until 2am, motto: nobody goes hungry.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Steakhouse·Gold Coast·$$$$
Since 1989, the Gold Coast institution where Gibsons Prime Angus aged 45 days, served in a lively steakhouse beloved by celebrities and power brokers.
Gino's East - Magnificent Mile
Pizza·Magnificent Mile·$$
The deep-dish spot where customers carve their initials — a 1966 tradition that still defines the Chicago pizza experience.
Girl & the Goat
American·West Loop·$$$
Stephanie Izard's Top Chef-winning restaurant where global sharing plates are the main event in a buzzing West Loop dining room.
HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
Vietnamese·Pilsen·$$$
Chef Thai Dang's award-winning Vietnamese kitchen with caramelized fish sauce chicken wings voted America's best—five times Michelin Bibb Gourmand.
Harold's Chicken Shack
Fried Chicken·Douglas·$
Chicago's South Side fried chicken institution since 1950—made with beef tallow for authentic brown crust.
Hawksmoor Chicago
Steakhouse·River North·$$$$
London's iconic steakhouse brings wood-paneled elegance and charcoal-grilled beef to River North's historic power house.
Hing Kee Restaurant
Cantonese·Chinatown·$$
Hand-rolled soup dumplings and pulled noodles since 2007 — watch the ladies fold xiaolongbao through the kitchen window.
Honey 1 BBQ
Barbecue·Bronzeville·$
Bronzeville smoke spot with an aquarium smoker burning hickory for 48 years.
Hopleaf Bar
Belgian·Andersonville·$$
Andersonville's 30-year-old Belgian beer bar where a third of the draft lines pour Belgian ales and mussels & frites are legendary.
Indienne
Indian·River North·$$$
Chicago's first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant — Chef Sujan Sarkar's tasting menu melding Indian tradition with French technique.
J.P. Graziano Grocery
Italian·Near West Side·$$
Chicago's four-generation Italian deli serving premium subs and imported goods since 1937—the West Loop institution.
Kasama
Filipino·Ukrainian Village·$$$
World's first 2-Michelin-star Filipino restaurant from chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon.
Ken Kee Restaurant
Cantonese·Chinatown·$$
1950s Hong Kong neon dive serving cart noodles and silky congee — redesigned in 2021 with retro pop-art kitsch.
Kuma's Corner
American·Avondale·$$
Heavy metal burger bar where burgers are named after classic rock bands and TIME magazine noticed
Kumiko
Japanese·West Loop·$$$$
World's Best Bar 2025 where Japanese omakase dining meets cocktail craftsmanship — each course paired with sake, shochu, or spiritfree.
Kyōten
Japanese·Logan Square·$$$$
Chef Otto Phan's intimate 8-seat sushi counter—18 courses of Edomae precision in Logan Square
La Chaparrita Taqueria
Mexican·Little Village·$
Angelina Mendez's Mexico City taqueria in Little Village—featured on Netflix's Taco Chronicles.
Lao Sze Chuan
Szechuan·Chinatown·$$
Chef Tony Hu's 1998 Chinatown flagship serving authentic Sichuan cuisine — firecracker chicken and hand-pulled noodles in numbing-spice sauce.
Lem's Bar-B-Q
Barbecue·Chatham·$
South Side legend since 1954, famous for smoky rib tips that defined Chicago barbecue.
Longman & Eagle
American·Logan Square·$$
Chicago's nose-to-tail American gastropub where Michelin standards still apply at neighborhood prices
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - River North
Pizza·River North·$$
Chicago's oldest family name in pizza — buttery deep dish with vine-ripened tomatoes since 1971.
Lou Mitchell's
American·West Loop·$
Chicago's Route 66 landmark since 1923—a diner where jumbo omelets and hash browns are still made the old-fashioned way.
Lula Cafe
American·Logan Square·$$
The farmhouse that started the farm-to-table movement in Chicago—packed since 1999 with no reservations for brunch
Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen
Jewish Deli·South Loop·$$
Chicago's oldest Jewish deli — mile-high sandwiches served cafeteria-style since 1942.
Maple & Ash
Steakhouse·Gold Coast·$$$$
Gold Coast's wood-fired steakhouse where Chef Danny Grant grills everything — beef, seafood, vegetables, even soup over live fire.
Mi Tocaya Antojería
Mexican·Logan Square·$$
Chef Diana Dávila's Michelin Bib Gourmand Mexican restaurant—refined antojitos in a neighborhood setting
Momotaro
Japanese·West Loop·$$$$
Executive Chef Gene Kato's fine Japanese dining featuring precision sushi and robata-grilled proteins in a sleek West Loop setting.
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Italian·West Loop·$$$
Chef Sarah Grueneberg's handmade pasta temple where fresh ribbons and shapes are the engine behind a James Beard-winning kitchen.
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Contemporary American·South Loop·$$$$
The world's only Michelin-starred brewery where each dish is paired with a chef-driven beer from the in-house brewhouse.
Mott St
Asian Fusion·Wicker Park·$$
Asian night market-inspired feast dining from chef Edward Kim, 13x Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Mr. Beef
Italian Beef·River North·$
The Italian beef sandwich that inspired Netflix's The Bear — the original hole-in-the-wall that doubled its business in two years.
Next Restaurant
American·West Loop·$$$$
Grant Achatz's Michelin-starred ticketed concept restaurant that changes its menu, decor, and experience multiple times per year.
Oiistar
Asian Fusion·Wicker Park·$$
Ramen and Asian fusion with rich broths and house-made noodles, no reservations.
Oriole
French·Fulton Market·$$$$
Chef Noah Sandoval's only-13-course tasting menu in a 2-Michelin-star dining room since 2016.
Park & Field
American·Logan Square·$$
6,000 sq ft beer garden with bottomless brunch, bocce courts, and $50 bottomless mimosa deals
Pequod's Pizza
Pizza·Lincoln Park·$$
The pan pizza with the caramelized halo — a ring of burnt cheese that changed Chicago's deep-dish conversation.
Piece Brewery & Pizzeria
Pizza·Wicker Park·$$
Award-winning New Haven-style thin-crust pizza and house-brewed beer since 2001.
Pollo Express
Mexican·Pilsen·$
Pilsen's tiny charcoal-grilled rotisserie chicken spot with eight tables and one mission—perfect pollo al carbón.
Portillo's
Italian Beef·River North·$$
The fast-casual Chicago icon that put Italian beef and hot dogs on every corner — River North's 1930s-themed flagship.
Reno
Italian·Logan Square·$$
Wood-fired Montreal bagels and fresh pasta for $9–$14—Logan Square's most approachable neighborhood restaurant
Ricobene's
Italian·Bridgeport·$
Bridgeport's four-decade breaded steak sandwich icon—USA Today's best sandwich in the world.
RPM Steak
Steakhouse·River North·$$$$
Bill and Giuliana Rancic's modern steakhouse where 24 cuts from global butchers meet marble bar theatrics and flawless service.
Schwa
Modern American·Wicker Park·$$$$
Michelin-starred fine dining from chef Michael Carlson — creative, playful, and ingredient-obsessed.
Sepia
American·West Loop·$$$$
Michelin-starred West Loop restaurant built into an 1890s print shop—Chef Kyle Cottle's ingredient-driven American cooking with 13 years of one-star recognition.
Smoque BBQ
Barbecue·Irving Park·$$
Irving Park's Texas-style brisket joint—named best barbecue in Illinois.
Smyth
Contemporary American·Fulton Market·$$$$
Three-Michelin-star kitchen where Chefs John and Karen Shields celebrate North American farmers and producers through bold, creative cooking.
Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
Italian·Ravenswood·$$$
The Ravenswood spot where Neapolitan pizza tradition meets Chicago obsession—nearly 20 years of hand-tended dough in a wood-fired oven.
Strings Ramen Shop
Japanese·Chinatown·$$
Best ramen in Chicago since 2014 — handmade noodles pulled daily, open until 2am on weekends.
Superdawg Drive-In
Hot Dogs·Norwood Park·$
The 1950s drive-in where giant hot dog mascots sit on the roof — a carhop experience unchanged since 1948.
Sushi-san
Japanese·River North·$$$
Master Sushi Chef Kaze Chan's counter-to-table sushi restaurant with 182 Japanese whisky options — Chicago's largest selection.
Swift & Sons
Steakhouse·Fulton Market·$$$$
Chef Chris Pandel's reimagined steakhouse in a Cold Storage meatpacking heritage space with tableside magic and Beef Wellington done right.
The Bristol
New American·Bucktown·$$$
New American gastropub since 2008 where nose-to-tail cooking and hyperlocal ingredients built Chicago's farm-to-table movement.
The Gage
American·Loop·$$
The Michigan Avenue gastropub across from Millennium Park—where one of the city's best burgers pairs with craft cocktails and an approachable wine list.
The Publican
American·Fulton Market·$$$
Executive Chef Paul Kahan's James Beard-winning beer hall built on oysters, heritage pork, and 100 global craft brews in a European-inspired Fulton Market barn.
The Purple Pig
Mediterranean·River North·$$$
James Beard Award winner on Michigan Avenue — Mediterranean small plates, nose-to-tail pork, and wine-forward dining.
The Wiener's Circle
Hot Dogs·Lincoln Park·$
Chicago's most notorious late-night hot dog stand — char-grilled dogs and intentional insults since 1983.
Topolobampo
Mexican·River North·$$$$
Rick Bayless's Michelin-starred Mexican temple — mole negro, seasonal Pueblan dishes, upscale and precise.
Tortello
Italian·Wicker Park·$$
Handmade pasta from a Venice native trained in Old World techniques, walk-ins only.
Triple Crown Restaurant
Cantonese·Chinatown·$$
Hong Kong dim sum house since 1994 — cart service on weekends, hand-pulled har gow and pillowy BBQ pork buns.
Tzuco
Mexican·River North·$$$$
Chef Carlos Gaytán's modern Mexican fine dining — carne asada, ceviche, and homemade mole inspired by his Huitzuco hometown.
Valhalla
Indian-Nordic Fusion·Wicker Park·$$$$
Michelin-starred 13-course tasting menu where Chef Stephen Gillanders fuses Indian and Nordic cuisine at a 14-seat chef's counter.
Valois Restaurant
American·Hyde Park·$
Hyde Park cafeteria since 1921—grab a tray, get counted down at the register, no frills, all substance.
Veggie House
Chinese·Chinatown·$$
Only vegetarian Chinese restaurant in Chinatown — vegan mock meat dishes so convincing omnivores don't notice.
Virtue Restaurant & Bar
Southern American·Hyde Park·$$$
James Beard Award-winning Southern soul food in Hyde Park — Chef Erick Williams' refined heritage cooking since 2018.
White Palace Grill
American·South Loop·$
24-hour South Loop diner since 1939—99% scratch-made breakfast and comfort food.
Xocome Antojeria
Mexican·Archer Heights·$$
Mexico City-style antojitos with housemade blue and yellow masa—Chicago Magazine's restaurant of the year.