The 29 Best Restaurants in Chicago
It’s true that at one point, Chicago may have been best known for its deep-dish pizza, seven-ingredient hot dogs, and Italian beef. But in recent years, the scope of Second City dining has broadened significantly, ushering in a number of restaurants with destination-worthy status—and plenty of accolades (take one look at the town’s Michelin-starred or James Beard Award-winning spots to prove it). Credit the unflappable industry workers for that coveted reputation (to be sure) and they’ll likely turn your attention to all that supports their endeavors—the farmers markets, the Midwest's seasons (and the creativity behind such timeliness), and the tight-knit community here—a rare bond that so many restaurant pros in these parts admit to cherishing.
And the fact that Chicago is home to one of the busiest, most connected airports in the world only further reflects the industry’s ability to keep a finger on the international pulse—as evidenced by the culinary landscapes sweeping the city now. From those offering Ethiopian platters or pristine omakase menus to venues showcasing Indian-inspired street food or traditional Beijing duck dinners, here are the best restaurants in Chicago right now.
Read our complete Chicago travel guide here.
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by Condé Nast Traveler editors and reviewed by a local contributor who has visited that restaurant. Our editors consider both high-end and affordable eateries, and weigh stand-out dishes, location, and service—as well as inclusivity and sustainability credentials. We update this list as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
Jeff MarinirestaurantAba
$$Modern Mediterranean is a delightfully malleable cuisine: It offers full flavors to vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike. And no place in Chicago has mastered the style quite like Aba. Hot and cold mezze sit beside house-made spreads and bread. A raw section is as popular as the flame-charred kebabs. Tamarind-Braised Short Rib arrives at the table next to Smoky Garlic Hummus and Heirloom Tomato Orzo. No one leaves hungry. And with an expansive rooftop patio and light-filled atrium (replete with plants and trees), it’s also a prime spot for drinks with a view.
Kailley LindmanrestaurantPequod’s Pizza
$Pequod’s is a mainstay in the competitive Chicago pizza scene, but don't call it deep dish. Developed by the late Burt Katz (before he opened Burt’s Place), a legend in Chicago food lore, the style features a fluffier dough that is airier than most, with a dark ring of crispy caramelized cheese, thanks to the high-sided pan the pizza is cooked in. Prepare for a wait, or request a table online ahead of your visit.
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Kristen MendiolarestaurantClaudia
$$$Born in 2015 as a twice monthly pop-up in Chicago’s West Town, this restaurant finally got its brick-and-mortar footing earlier this fall—and a Michelin star shortly thereafter. Those pop-up days gave chef Trevor Teich and team time to garner some sweet accolades and local love, and fans are now flocking here on the nightly for a taste of what Teich does best—contemporary fine dining highlighting his training in French and Japanese cuisine—and his natural knack for storytelling. Discover it by way of his 10-course tasting menu, a whimsical culinary journey that functions, just as the restaurant suggests, like a chapter from one of your favorite childhood books.
Jacob HandrestaurantSpacca Napoli
$Chef-owner Jonathan Goldsmith, who formerly worked in social work and real estate before dedicating himself to the craft of Neapolitan-style pizza, has mastered the art of that iconic style. No deep dish here—these discs of golden crust and seasonal toppings are the real deal. Spacca Napoli pizzas earned their legendary reputation, thanks to high-quality ingredients and a dedication to technique. With ambiance that’s casual, homey and approachable, it’s the perfect spot for families, and even take-out.
Andros TavernarestaurantAndros Taverna
$$At this Logan Square newcomer, chef Doug Psaltis serves contemporary Greek cuisine that is rooted in thoughtful sourcing and sustainable practices. Born of a love for the cosmopolitan taverns of Greece, the restaurant is an homage to the Mediterranean and its flavors, situated in culinary heritage and welcoming hospitality. Kick things off with pork shoulder gyros and char-grilled octopus, then save room for dessert courtesy of pastry chef Hsing Chen. Wine is the co-star here, and the list spotlights 25 Greek labels in proud, abundant fashion (boasting one of the more robust programs in the city).
Eugene GaldonesrestaurantMonteverde
$$$This is a temple to pasta and chef Sarah Grueneberg (former Top Chef contestant and Tony Mantuano’s protege at Spiaggia) is the high priestess. Every dish is affordable, inviting multiple orders and revisits of the seasonally-driven menu. The boisterous, airy dining room is full of clinking glasses and a healthy buzz as guests reach over each other for tastes of one another's dishes. In the center, a slightly raised bar—or stage, depending on how you're looking at it—features Grueneberg and her team of pasta-makers hard at work on that night’s eight or nine offerings.
David BurkrestaurantProxi
$$Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s Mad Men-style outfit is like the younger sister to Sepia, his popular upscale restaurant next door. The varied menu reads like an Asian hawker market, showing off Zimmerman’s global street food influences: hamachi crudo with blood orange nahm jim, smoked pumpkin tamales with goat cheese and pasilla piloncillo, or Vietnamese beef stew with lemongrass and Thai chili. The smorgasbord of flavors and preparations range from Indian and Mediterranean to Thai and Mexican. And whereas Sepia is known for its wine list, Proxi focuses on adventurous cocktails—ingredients like compressed pineapple, toasted cashew orgeat, and chamomile-infused Lillet Blanc offer flavorful surprises.
Courtesy Rockit Ranch ProductionsrestaurantThe Duck Inn
$$Kevin Hickey, chef-owner, is a neighborhood native done good, returning to his haunts at this homey-yet-luxe “gastrotavern” that feels at turns personal and superlative. The Duck Inn is named after Hickey’s great-grandmother’s Depression-era restaurant, once located not far from the tavern’s present location—and the food is a nod to that history. Depending on your dining style, opt for the Ultimate Duck Experience, a five-course tasting featuring tableside preparation (along with a tableside dessert and cocktail presentation), or spring for several upscale comforts a la carte.
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Anthony TahlierrestaurantElske
$$$Elske’s enclosed courtyard, complete with fur-caped benches, folded fleece blankets, and a roaring outdoor fireplace, is the picture definition of hygge. The name, too—Danish for “love”—hints at what to expect from wife-husband duo Anna and David Posey. They offer two options for dining, so you’re not locked in to an hours-long meal if you don't want to be, and the reasonably-priced-for-its-quality tasting menu ($125) features eight courses of new American dishes that are kissed with Danish touches. It’s truly a special restaurant, serving intensely personal dishes showcasing a mastery of ingredients, presentation, and subtle flavors
Matthew GilsonrestaurantAlinea
$$$The cuisine is a lesson in mastery, but also a blend of modern science and practical magic. Air-filled balloons are edible, senses of taste, touch, smell are tested, mental and emotional boundaries are pushed. The menu, an ever-shifting chameleon, is a reflection of the wizards in the kitchen, led by chef Grant Achatz himself—no two meals are ever alike.
Galdones PhotographyrestaurantEl Che Steakhouse & Bar
$$A short black-tile walkway beneath a millennial pink neon sign—a modern “X marks the spot”—brings you into El Che Bar’s sexy, darkly decorated space. Dark tile, dark walls, dark furnishings: It's all surprisingly welcoming, given its ultra-cool vibes. Wanting to pay homage to Argentina’s grilling culture, chef John Manion enlisted dramatic crank-controlled grills to serve up meaty, smoky fare of all types. Splurge on steak, to be sure, along with items like East Coast oysters, empanadas, and (whatever you do) the quail.
Rachel Brown KulprestaurantHoney Butter Fried Chicken
$Honey Butter Fried Chicken’s interior feels artsy and industrial. The full menu is listed on a blackboard behind the register, and the unmistakable aroma of freshly fried poultry permeates the air. Steer clear of the tofu and the salads, and find peace with your poultry. The O.G. sandwich, a fine place to start, is swaddled with candied jalapeño mayo and crunchy slaw. But if strips between bread isn’t your thing, stick with a straightforward basket of breasts and thighs.
Huge GaldonesrestaurantSmyth + The Loyalist
$$Smyth + The Loyalist is not your typical name-ampersand-name hipster restaurant. In this case, the name actually denotes two distinct restaurants in a bi-level space, run by a husband-and-wife duo. Spacious and modern Smyth serves a tasting menu in a modern, bright, cozy room. The Loyalist, on the other hand, is a subterranean, moody bar with concrete floors, dark walls, and amber-hued lighting (and one of the city’s best burgers). Both execute seasonal fare with aplomb, thanks to pedigreed chefs who work closely with a 20-acre farm just outside of Chicago.
EverrestaurantEver
$$$Step into this West Loop destination and feel instantly cocooned in a space that breathes equal parts high-octane creativity and relaxed energy, complete with wood structures, plush wool carpet, and leather chairs. Helmed by chef Curtis Duffy (who earned three Michelin stars at his former restaurant, Grace), the constantly evolving tasting menu features seasonal ingredients and progressive techniques. Don’t miss Duffy’s signature dish: Curled and thinly sliced hamachi frozen in liquid nitrogen with black rice pudding, crispy shallots, lime, and mint. Following your dinner, head next door to After, the team’s new cocktail lounge. Its mirrored bar, which reflects deep blue hues, is as mesmerizing as the drinks themselves.
Kevin J. MiyazakirestaurantAu Cheval
$Hipsters, global travelers, and suburbanites flock to Au Cheval for Chef-owner Brendan Sodikoff’s burger, highly publicized as one of the country’s best. A single cheeseburger actually comes with two prime beef patties, grilled to medium, topped with weepy, slowly melted cheddar, bright dijonnaise, and a housemade dill pickle. The soft, buttery bun is the perfect blank canvas for the intense beefy flavor. But don’t miss out on the other creative plates: The menu also includes crispy, thickly sliced bacon, umami-rich marrow with beef cheek marmalade, foie gras scrambled eggs, and a wickedly good fried bologna sandwich.
Carter LeerestaurantSun Wah BBQ
$Before you even walk into Sun Wah, crisp-skinned poultry beckons from hooks behind the front window display. A massive, open floor plan with room for well over a hundred diners declares its status as a Chicago institution for Hong Kong-style Chinese barbecue. The menu is immense, with more than 150 items. Pick and choose as you please, but don’t leave without sampling the Beijing (Peking) duck. It has remained the signature dish here for more than 30 years.
Andrea FalconerestaurantOsteria Langhe
$$Between the stylish-casual digs and the elevated Piedmontese cuisine, Osteria Langhe offers a superb Italian experience on a quiet stretch of hip Logan Square. Owner Aldo Zaninotto mans the Italian-focused wine list, which includes indigenous grapes like freisa, timorasso, and erbaluce, plus classics from Barolo and Barbaresco. In the kitchen, Culinary Director Michael Lanzerotte's and Chef Fabian Hernandez’s thoughtful takes on northern Italian and Piedmontese cuisine go above and beyond standard red-sauce joints; they turn out laser-focused regional specialties that are at once familiar and novel. Plin, a beloved, hand-pinched ravioli, is filled with creamy La Tur cheese and served in a butter and thyme sauce, while Piedmontese beef comes raw and poached, with a crispy egg that’s not too dissimilar from a Scotch egg. Entrées like prosciutto-wrapped rabbit loin are immensely shareable, as is dessert—especially the Panna Cotta, with blueberry compote, candied lemons, and a shortbread cookie.
Huge GaldonesrestaurantEl Ideas
$$$There’s no bad seat in El Ideas—every vantage into the tiny space breaks down the fourth wall between chef and diner, allowing guests a front row view of the magician-scientists in the open kitchen. From liquid nitrogen French fries-and-ice-cream to inventive Caesar salad (with regular anchovies and romaine, plus caviar and, um, gold leaf), Chef Philip Foss and his team rethink the modernist aesthetic, allowing diners to witness the method and the madness.
Courtesy Demera Ethiopian RestaurantrestaurantDemera Ethiopian Restaurant
$$Step into this Uptown restaurant and travel the globe, thanks to a menu and aesthetic inspired by owner Tigist Reda’s native country of Ethiopia. Opt for one of the combination platters, a customary order in Ethiopian culture and one that evokes a traditional practice (to share with others off of the same plate). The Demera Messob features three different vegetables and three meats of different preparations, while the Beyanetu serves as a tasting platter of the team’s entire vegetable medley—popular with meat and veg lovers alike. There’s a variety of wine and cocktails available, but regulars always relish the chance to order the team’s signature: Tej, traditional Ethiopian honey wine made in-house from a centuries-old family recipe.
KasamarestaurantKasama
$$After teaming up with chef Noah Sandoval to open fine dining venture Oriole (and helping the venue earn two Michelin stars in its first year), chefs Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores decided to open their own restaurant with Kasama, where they put forth updated, personalized takes on Filipino cuisine. The restaurant started with brunch and garnered consistent praise for standouts like the longanisa sausage breakfast sandwich, mushroom adobo (with soy braised mushrooms and garlic rice), and transcendent pastries (don’t miss the croissants). Little did Chicago’s dining scene know it was just a taste of what was to come with the team’s 13-course dinner service, which books at least 45 days out. That experience has already earned the restaurant a Michelin star, making them the first Filipino restaurant in the world to receive the accolade.
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Jude GoergenrestaurantMi Tocaya Antojería
$$Mi Tocaya’s sunny corner spot is vibrant and art-filled, with murals celebrating chef-owner Diana Davila’s Mexican heritage. Colorful tile floors, bright green painted succulents, and large floor-to-ceiling windows create an inviting, convivial environment. Davila dishes out personal takes on flavorful Mexican cuisine. The supremely shareable menu features the usual suspects like tacos (fried oyster and grilled Amish chicken thighs en adobe number among the fillings), while the larger antojos section provides interesting departures from the expected. It’s an inviting, buzzy date spot that does serious, modern Mexican cuisine.
Courtesy of avecrestaurantAvec
$$This long-time West Loop favorite is a pioneer in the business-oriented district, drawing crowds with vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. Small and large plates almost demand ordering extra, just to sample as many flavors as possible. The whole roasted fish is exemplary of the kitchen’s finesse with seafood, while memories of chorizo-stuffed medjool dates will keep you up at night.
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EdenrestaurantEden
$$Eden pulls inspiration from nature, European cafes, and California-coastal style. With a mix of eclectic elements, dark walls, and foliage, consider it your dream home away from home. Fresh, local, and sustainable fare is the focus, an approach that chef Devon Quinn accomplishes with an onsite greenhouse. The team picks from more than 40 herbs, greens, and edible flowers daily (with no refrigeration), while also regularly sourcing from local farmers markets. For dinner, don’t miss the pork tagliatelle, vegan wild mushroom tamale, or wood-grilled berbere spiced carrots. Brunch here is equally satisfying—staples include gluten-free quinoa pancakes, vegetarian eggs benedict, and avocado toast.
Jaclyn RivasrestaurantDusek's
$$This restaurant shares a cozy, cool space with beloved music venue Thalia Hall. A granite-topped bar, hand-stamped ceilings, and original stained glass all exude the 19th-century charm of this historic space (originally a Bohemian opera house)—and the speakers help bring diners up to speed, regularly shuffling the greats that grace their upstairs stage (from Japanese Breakfast to Yo La Tengo). Culinary director Ryan Pfeiffer oversees two distinct dining experiences—elevated comfort fare at Dusek’s Tavern and a multi-course seasonal menu in the Dining Room (led by chef de cuisine Geoff Thompson and pastry and sous chef Aja London), where a wood-fired oven serves as focal point. In the Tavern don’t miss the Smash Burger, oysters, or cast-iron mussels (a house favorite). In the Dining Room, make your selection across four courses, ranging from steelhead trout with cucumber and dill, pork belly with almond and burnt lime, or dry aged duck breast with green garlic and piquillo pepper.
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OriolerestaurantOriole
$$$Executive chef and owner Noah Sandoval has a flair for elegant-yet-stripped down design. It's evident in the composition of his cuisine, but also immediately felt from the moment you walk in the door at Oriole. Traversing a nondescript West Loop alley, you emerge into a dining den defined by exposed brick and wooden beams. It exudes an almost Scandinavian sort of vibe—or hygge, if you like. The two Michelin stars hanging from the wall are well-earned. A parade of small bites on the tasting menu skew towards seafood—smoked roe gracefully adorns sablefish belly; raw oysters are swathed in pork consomme; seared loup de mer is a perennial standout. All of it is rendered as high-art on the plate. But it's more than just a feast for your eyes. At $295 a person—exclusive of tax, tip, and wine—this is definitely a special occasion splurge.
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Lindsay Eberly/Eberly Film LabrestaurantThe Omakase Room at Sushi-san
$$Situated above River North’s Sushi-san, diners will find this 10-seat sushi den, where chef Kaze Chan serves an adventurous, pristine omakase menu. Between the welcoming team and modern loft space, replete with custom ceramics, stone masons, and bespoke Hinoki cutting boards, the experience feels more dinner party than restaurant booking (especially by evening’s close, when you’ve made at least a friend or two). The team puts forth 18 impeccable courses of line-caught fish, with Chef’s expert (and often glam) finishing touches. Examples include Japanese snapper with Kanzuri and lime, Spanish mackerel with ginger and soy, and fatty bluefin tuna belly with caviar and wasabi. You’ll want to save room for every bite—right down to dessert, a serving of salty-sweet uni ice cream with arare rice crackers and mint.
Veronica NunezrestaurantValhalla
$$$The always bustling Time Out Market now has one more reason to visit—this upscale dining venture from chef Stephen Gillanders—his third, after successes in Pilsen (S.K.Y.) and the South Loop (Apolonia). Situated on the second level of the market, the space allows diners to feel the overflow of energy—all while taking in sights of the open kitchen from any of the chef’s counter seats or tables surrounding it. Choose between an à la carte and 11-course tasting menu—you’re in excellent hands with either. For the latter, buckle up for exciting arrivals like the Savory Pastry Basket (featuring black truffle biscuits and green garlic madeleines) or the wagyu arrachera (with green apple kosho and polenta elote). Don’t miss a la carte dishes like the kombu cured fluke or Queen Crab Arroz Caldo (with crunchy garlic and green chili butter—an order inspired by Chef’s Filipino heritage that is also available on the tasting menu).
Sushi by ScratchrestaurantSushi by Scratch Restaurants: Chicago
$$After debuting their flagship restaurant Scratch Bar & Kitchen in Los Angeles a decade ago and several spots nationwide since then, Michelin-starred chefs, owners, and husband-and-wife team Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee debuted their Chicago Sushi by Scratch location, where they put forth a 17-course tasting menu for 10 diners per seating (three times a night). Guests enter via a secret door within a bar called The Drop In, where they’re then greeted in an intimate, speakeasy-style space for a welcome cocktail and beginning bites. Guests are guided to a main dining space, meet the three dedicated sushi chefs, and settle in for an impressive array of cocktails and sake and a multi-course omakase that features fish flown in from Tokyo's world-famous Toyosu Fish Market.
Deshon Gibbs/Shon Gibbs ImageryrestaurantThe Coach House by Wazwan
$$Head to Wicker Park for two dining experiences from James Beard Award-nominated chef Zubair Mohajir—Wazwan, for Southeast Asian-inspired street food, and The Coach House, for those same flavors in tasting menu form. It’s here, in a historic coach house outfitted with urban art and just 22 seats, that Mohajir serves multi-course menus exploring his ancestry and the culinary traditions rooted in South India’s spice roads. Visit on different nights of the week for different experiences—on Friday and Saturday for the team’s signature, seasonally rotating 8-course menu, and on Wednesday and Thursday for their Millenia Menu, a five-course offering inspired by ancient recipes, met here with Southeast Asian influences. Regardless of the day, you’re in for bold flavors, elegant execution, and warm hospitality throughout. Do snag a seat at the chef’s counter—it makes the night (already accompanied by lively groups and hip-hop sounds) all the more fun.
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