179 Best Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

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Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner for dolled-up doughnuts at Doughnut Vault. They’ll reserve part of their paychecks to dine at inventive Alinea. And they love to talk about their most recent meal—just ask.

It's no wonder that outdoor festivals are often centered on food, from Taste of Chicago in summer, which packs the grounds at Grant Park, to smaller celebrations, like the German-American fest in Lincoln Square, a mini-Oktoberfest in fall.

Although the city has always had options on the extreme ends of the spectrum—from the hole-in-the wall Italian beef sandwich shops to the special-occasion spots—it's now easier to find eateries in the middle that serve seasonal menus with a farm-to-table mantra. For the budget conscious, it's also a great time to dine: some talented chefs aren't bothering to wait for a liquor license, opening BYOB spots turning out polished fare (just try Ruxbin in West Town).

Expect to see more Chicago chefs open casual concepts—Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, and Michael Kornick have a head start with their respective sandwich, taco, and burger spots. Yet the goal remains the same: to feed a populace that knows good food and isn't willing to accept anything less than the best. In the following pages, you'll find our top picks, from quick bites to multicourse meals, in the city's best dining neighborhoods.

Acadia

$$$$ | South Loop Fodor's choice
The Northeast coast makes a splash in the South Loop with this elegant enclave, where dishes are fresh, inventive, and often have a rather modernist touch. The seven-course tasting menu showcases the chef's culinary talents, and Acadia is unique in that its bar menu also has its own set of upscale bites, like Maine lobster rolls and a popular cheeseburger.

Alinea

$$$$ | Lincoln Park Fodor's choice

Believe the hype and secure tickets—yes, tickets—well in advance, since Chicago's most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious commitment of time and money. If you have three hours and $295 to $435 to spare, the 10- to 18-course tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz's stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic journey through intriguing aromas, visuals, flavors, and textures.

Arun's

$$$$ | Irving Park Fodor's choice

One of the finest Thai restaurants in Chicago—some say in the country—offers a culinary tour through Thailand via a nine-course tasting menu. (An à la carte menu is also available.) The elegant dining room is in an out-of-the-way location in a residential neighborhood on the Northwest Side, but it doesn't discourage a strong following among locals and visiting foodies.

4156 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL, 60618, USA
773-539–1909
Known For
  • Artful food presentations
  • Mango sticky rice
  • Unique cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.-Wed. No lunch, Reservations essential

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Au Cheval

$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

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 on weekends from 3 pm to 5 pm or Monday–Saturday from midnight to 1 am for a limited menu consisting of the crowd-favorite cheeseburger and fries.

Avec

$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

Head to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the warm, intimate space has seating for only 55 people, and the results are loud and lively, with shareable fare—a mix of small and large Mediterranean plates—that's reasonably priced.

Big Star

$ | Wicker Park Fodor's choice

The second the sun peeks out each spring, locals make a beeline for the 250-seat patio at Big Star because the tacos and margaritas are some of the best in the city. Most of this honky-tonk taqueria's star power comes from executive chef/partner Paul Kahan and chef de cuisine Chris Miller, who serve a small menu of tasty Mexican classics—if it's a taco emergency, skip the wait for a table and head to the take-out window or try the larger Wrigleyville location.

Blackbird

$$$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice
Even after more than 20 years in business, a food-loving crowd still packs this hot spot run by award-winning chef Paul Kahan—they’re here for creative dishes served amid a minimalist backdrop of white walls and blue-gray banquettes. The à la carte and $125 10-course tasting menus change constantly but the choices always highlight seasonal ingredients.

Boka

$$$$ | Lincoln Park Fodor's choice

If you're looking for a Steppenwolf pretheater dinner on North Halsted Street, this upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval. The seasonally driven menu is constantly changing, showcasing elegant fare like slow-cooked Arctic char 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.

Chicago Cut Steakhouse

$$$$ | River North Fodor's choice
As if steak houses don’t offer enough luxury already, Chicago Cut takes decadence to the next level with sumptuous red banquettes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and prime views of the Chicago River. Steak is clearly the star, and there are more than a dozen different cuts of prime beef and sauces and spices to enhance the meat, but the rest of the menu, including a full raw bar, is just as opulent.

Chicago Diner

$ | Boystown Fodor's choice
Belovedby vegetarians and vegans, this eatery should also appeal to anyone simply looking for a satisfying, comforting meal. The Chicago Diner offers meat-free variations on favorites from a wide range of cuisine types—American, Mexican, Mediterranean, Thai—it’s all here, and it’s all delicious. You’ll want to save room for a milk shake so good you won’t believe it’s not dairy. Be prepared for a wait during peak dining hours.

Crisp

$ | Lakeview Fodor's choice
This Lakeview hole-in-the-wall specializes in Korean fried chicken glazed in a variety of unusual sauces ranging from sweet and “Seoul spicy” to, as the menu puts it, “suicide.” Despite all that juice, the chicken still remains miraculously, well, crispy. The “Buddha bowl” bi bim bop and Korean burritos are also packed with freshness and flavor, especially when paired with traditional, tangy kimchi.

Frontera Grill

$$ | River North Fodor's choice

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." 

Gather

$$ | Lincoln Square Fodor's choice
Class meets comfort in this upscale Lincoln Square neighborhood eatery, where the service is top-notch and everything on your plate is made in-house from scratch, right down to the fresh breads and condiments. The seasonally driven dinner and brunch menus feature farm-fresh ingredients applied to inventive riffs on classic dishes, at prices that feel like a steal.

Giant

$ | Logan Square Fodor's choice

Huge flavors come roaring out of the tiny kitchen at Giant, where chef Jason Vincent takes crowd-pleasers like pasta, vegetarian dishes, and American classics and cranks the umami up to an 11. Beverage director Josh Perlman seeks to pair diners with interesting wines from small producers without an unwanted chaser of snootiness. No matter the evening, a festive air seems to prevail.

Girl & the Goat

$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice
Bravo's 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.

Le Colonial

$$$ | Near North Side Fodor's choice

Formerly located around the corner on North Rush Street for more than two decades, Le Colonial continues to deliver delicate and sophisticated and French-Vietnamese fare in its new location. The ambience is relaxed and comforting and the service is simply top-notch. 

Lula Café

$$ | Logan Square Fodor's choice

Locals worship Lula Café, 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.

Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

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.

North Pond

$$$$ | Lincoln Park Fodor's choice

A former 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 artisanal farm products appear on the seasonally changing menus. A four-course tasting menu is $98; for a less formal meal, diners can order à la carte.

Oriole

$$$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

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 $285 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.

Sepia

$$$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

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.

Slurping Turtle

$ | River North Fodor's choice
Slurping is not only allowed at Chef Takashi Yagihashi's boisterous, casual noodle shop—it's encouraged. Bursting with umami, the ramen is almost a religious experience and can be customized with all manner of extra toppings, but it's worth adding some bao and sushi on the side, and saving room for the mochi, ice cream, and other creative desserts.

Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

$ | Ravenswood Fodor's choice
Despite Chicago's renown for deep-dish pizza, locals are swept away by the thin-crust Neapolitan pies at this bright Ravenswood gem, where finely ground Italian flour, imported buffalo mozzarella, hand-stretched dough, and a brick, wood-fired oven built by Italian craftsmen produce the bubbling, chewy crusts of these pies. Antipasti, a well-priced selection of Italian wines and beers, and desserts like tiramisu round out the menu.

Spiaggia

$$$$ | Near North Side Fodor's choice
Refined Italian cooking dished alongside three-story picture-window views of Lake Michigan make Spiaggia one of the city's top eateries. Executive chef Joe Flamm, the Top Chef season 15 winner, prepares elegant, seasonal dishes—to really splurge, order the chef’s tasting menu for $95 or $145; or, if you want Spiaggia fare minus the luxury price tag, try lunch or dinner at the casual Cafe Spiaggia next door.
980 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
312-280–2750
Known For
  • <PRO>noteworthy wine list</PRO>
  • <PRO>truffle pastas</PRO>
  • <PRO>fritto misto</PRO>
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch, Reservations essential, Jacket and tie, Credit cards accepted

The Publican Restaurant

$$ | West Loop Fodor's choice

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 Purple Pig

$$ | River North Fodor's choice
The Magnificent Mile isn’t usually known for dining, but locals and tourists alike love the Purple Pig, a Mediterranean wine bar with a deep 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.

Topolobampo

$$$$ | River North Fodor's choice

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. 

Walker Bros. Pancake House

$ Fodor's choice

Be prepared to stand in line for the mouthwatering apple cinnamon pancakes, a massive disk loaded with apples, or the German pancake, a puffy oven-baked circle topped with powdered sugar. There are several branches, but the original Wilmette restaurant is where scenes from the 1980 movie Ordinary People were shot.

312 Chicago

$$$ | Chicago Loop
Part handy hotel restaurant, part Loop power diner, and all Italian down to its first-generation chef, Luca Corazzina, 312 Chicago earns its popularity with well-executed dishes that range from house-made pastas to thoughtful seafood dishes. You’ll be tempted to carbo-load on the house-baked bread alone, but save room for Italian-inspired desserts, including a spread of cookies, biscotti, and cannoli.

3rd Coast Cafe & Wine Bar

$ | Near North Side

The oldest coffeehouse in the Gold Coast pleases just about everyone with breakfast all day, a nightly dinner specials. They stay open until 9 pm seven nights a week.