61 Best Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

A menu packed with burgers, fries, and chopped liver might sound like a classic dive, but Au Cheval is no greasy spoon—exposed brick, dim lighting, and antique-inspired fixtures give a sultry feel, and rich takes on classic American diner dishes satisfy cravings. There’s a perennial wait, but sneak in after 10:15 pm Monday–Saturday for a limited menu consisting of the crowd-favorite cheeseburger and fries.

If you're looking for a Steppenwolf pre-theater dinner, this upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval. The seasonally driven menu is constantly changing, showcasing elegant fare like slow-cooked fish or an elevated presentation of roasted chicken, and the slick bar and outdoor patio both serve food, so this is a big draw even for those not watching curtain time.

If the name sets expectations high, Eden does its best to deliver. Tucked like a pleasant little surprise amid an industrial park, the elegant yet easy-going spot grows much of its own produce in a large on-site greenhouse. On the plate, seasonality takes center stage; the dishes are faintly rustic, but the flavors are big and sophisticated. For parents, the restaurant's child-friendly attitude makes this place a paradise. 

Devotees of chef Rick Bayless queue up for the bold flavors of his distinct fare at this casual restaurant brightly trimmed in Mexican folk art, where the menu changes monthly. Bayless visits Mexico frequently, updating his already extensive knowledge of regional food and cooking techniques, and he frequently takes his staff with him, ensuring that even the servers have an encyclopedic knowledge about the food. Bar Sótano, in the Frontera Grill basement, serves mezcal and agave, alongside modern Mexican bar food including Oaxacan drinking snacks.

Top Chef Season 4 champion Stephanie Izard's always-packed restaurant lives up to the hype, serving her personal brand of sharable, eclectic plates with seasonal flair amid rustic decor with communal butcher tables and an open kitchen. Dishes are grouped into straightforward categories, like vegetable, fish, and meat—with an array of offerings made with goat, naturally.

The Lyonnais comfort food at this charming, cozy bistro in Bucktown, family-run for three decades and counting, is in a league of its own thanks to pitch-perfect classics along with some light twists on favorite dishes. Evenings can get busy so reservations are recommended; note that Mondays mean half-price bottles of wine, while the raclette smash burger is only served at lunch.

Locals worship Lula Cafe, a neighborhood favorite that has been serving modern, seasonal dishes (and a cult-favorite brunch menu) in a spacious location with counter seating and an intimate dining room since 1999. The food is stellar, with menus that change frequently and champion farm sources. If you want to take home a memento of this special space, grab a copy of chef/owner Jason Hammel's Lula Cafe Cookbook on your way out.

The corned-beef sandwich here is the one that other local delis aim to beat. Manny's has always been popular with Chicago politicians—as the saying goes, so if these walls could talk, they'd spill a lot of secrets.

Classic meets innovative at chef Sarah Grueneberg’s forward-thinking Italian restaurant, where a strategically placed mirror grants diners a view of pasta makers rolling and filling select pastas to order. The West Loop location means the restaurant gets busy before Blackhawks games, but Top Chef finalist Grueneberg’s dishes, designed for sharing, are always a game changer.

A repurposed Arts and Crafts–style warming house for ice-skaters at Lincoln Park’s North Pond, this romantic gem in the woods fittingly champions an uncluttered culinary style amid scenic views. Organic ingredients, wild-caught fish, and artisan farm products appear on the seasonally changing four-course tasting menu. Come Sunday, diners can welcome the new week over a leisurely three-course brunch.

There aren’t many restaurant dinners that start by entering through an alley and into a freight elevator, but nothing about Oriole is typical, from the secretive entrance to the warm, impeccable service to the hit parade of bites on Noah Sandoval’s tasting menu. Wine pairings are a must, since the old world, white-wine focus makes the flavors on the forward-thinking tasting menu truly sing.

Don't call this beer-focused hot spot a gastropub—chef Paul Kahan prefers "beer hall" (though wine is available, too) and with the long communal tables, at which beer connoisseurs sample from a selection hovering above 50 brews, the bustling space has the air of an Oktoberfest celebration. The seafood- and pork-focused menu gives an elevated nod to pub fare, though there are plenty of veggie-friendly dishes as well.

The Magnificent Mile isn’t usually known for dining, but locals and tourists alike love the Purple Pig, a Mediterranean wine bar with an extensive wine list and many affordable wines by the glass. Adventurous eaters will revel in chef Jimmy Bannos Jr.’s offal-centric dishes, though there’s plenty for tamer palates and vegetarians here as well, along with an array of notable Mediterranean-styled desserts.

The name may evoke nostalgia for the building's gritty past as a print shop, but Sepia is thoroughly forward-thinking in both its design, which features glassed-in chandeliers and leather-topped tables, and chef Andrew Zimmerman’s elegant, seasonal four-course prix-fixe menu. A well-chosen, international wine list and thoughtfully prepared cocktails satisfy oenophiles and cocktail lovers alike; grab a spot on the lounge side for a predinner drink with a side of people-watching.

Chef-owner Rick Bayless wrote the book on regional Mexican cuisine—several books, actually—and here he takes his faithfully prepared regional food upscale. Next door to the more casual Frontera Grill, Topolobampo shares Frontera's address, phone, and dedication to quality, though it’s a higher-end room, with a more subdued mood and a menu of tasting options. 

The oldest coffeehouse in the Gold Coast pleases just about everyone with breakfast all day and nightly dinner specials.

Chef Richie Farina explores ingredients from close to home while preparing global cuisine at this sleek restaurant on the seventh floor of the Four Seasons Chicago. A six-course tasting menu is available Thursday through Saturday, and diners may choose to include a wine pairing or zero-proof pairing at an additional charge. 

If you thought sausage gravy was as creative as biscuit toppings get, you obviously haven’t been to Bang Bang. The buttery, fluffy specimens here serve as a base for an assortment of tasty accompaniments, like herbed ricotta with roasted seasonal veggies. Cap it off with a slice of pie from the rotating selection. On fine days the large, tree-fringed yard is the place to be.

If you’re finding it difficult to accommodate everyone’s cravings, Beatrix is the ultimate crowd pleaser. The restaurant offers comfort food with a healthy twist for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch; options include salads and burgers as well as larger entrées. Open early until late, the bakery churns out fresh pastries and specialty coffees in the morning before the bar crowd swings in around happy hour to sip on fresh-squeezed-juice cocktails, wines, and craft beers.

For charmingly rustic farm-to-table French fare on the North Side, this is the place to be. The classic, seasonally changing bistro entrées are top-notch (the roast chicken is among the best in the city), while the lovely, wood-trimmed Arts and Crafts interior is the perfect complement to a relaxing meal. In warmer weather, ask for a table on the fenced-in patio and a bottle off the French-centric wine list to be transported to a garden in Lyon.

Things can get weird on the flavor front at this cheerful Ukrainian Village scoop shop---goat cheese, moscato, and even basil have been known to make appearances. Suspend disbelief and give it a go; flavors rotate throughout the year, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a dud in the mix.

The name is so cute, you might not think the food is a selling point—but you'd be wrong: expat Spaniards swear this sprawling spot is one of the best Spanish restaurants in town, and the colorful Mediterranean-style interiors encourage the Spanish feel. There’s a large assortment of cold and warm tapas, as well as four varieties of paella.

French cuisine sometimes gets knocked for being too rich, too heavy, and too expensive, but that's an image that this stylish restaurant on the ground floor of the Sofitel is doing its best to prove wrong. The menu features Le Burger, seasonal salads, and a decadent banana bread French toast.

Mid-century style reigns at this wood-paneled clublike restaurant, where the menu draws inspiration from the landmark space's previous incarnation as a tony men's club. The sweeping bar is perfect for sipping historic and house cocktails over bar snacks or raw seafood, or you can settle into a comfortable leather booth for private conversations and all manner of meat perfectly prepared.

Unlike the rest of Taylor Street, which is predominantly Italian in allegiance, Chez Joël waves the flag for France, and it’s a favorite with the locals thanks to its authentic bistro feel. The sunny, cozy bistro serves well-prepared classics along with a reasonably priced wine list favoring French and Californian selections.

With Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza (that means these are legit Neapolitan-style pies), an airy dining room, a lively bar, and a drinks list stacked with Italian wines, Coda di Volpe expertly channels a Southern Italian feel. Use scissors to cut through blistered, chewy-crust pies, or opt for the excellent homemade pastas—but save room for the updated takes on Italian sweets on the dessert menu.