Best Restaurants in Chicago: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Finding the best restaurants in Chicago means embracing a city that treats dining as both high art and hometown ritual.

In a single day you can eat a craggy, cheese-lava slice of deep-dish for lunch, chase it with a Michelin-starred tasting menu at night, and end at a corner tavern for a Malört toast.

Chicago's food identity is built on immigrant neighborhoods, Midwestern generosity, and a fiercely competitive fine-dining scene that has produced some of America's most influential chefs.

At a glance

The top pick in each category, at a glance.

Category	Our pick
Best overall	Alinea	Reserve
By Cuisine	Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill	Reserve
Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants	Alinea	Reserve
Most Romantic Restaurants	Bavette's Bar & Boeuf	Reserve
Rooftop & View Restaurants	Cindy's Rooftop	Reserve
Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants	Althea	Reserve
Deep-Dish & Iconic Chicago Eats	Lou Malnati's	Reserve
New & Trendy Restaurant Openings	Daisies	Reserve

Top Picks

🍽️GetYourGuide food & wine tours, taste the best of Chicago on a food tour. Affiliate slot (stub).

📍 Lincoln Park

Alinea

Avant-garde$$$$· Special occasion

Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-star flagship remains the benchmark for avant-garde dining in America. Expect a theatrical, multi-hour tasting menu where edible balloons float over the table, aromas are piped through the room, and dessert is painted directly onto the tabletop. Ticketed and reserved far in advance, it is a splurge that rewards curiosity. If you want to understand why Chicago sits at the summit of global fine dining, this is the essential pilgrimage.

What to order: Ever-changing tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Loop

Girl & the Goat

New American$$$· Casual & lively

Stephanie Izard's boisterous Randolph Street landmark helped define modern Chicago dining. The wood-fired, share-friendly menu roams from goat empanadas to grilled octopus and the famous pig face, all delivered with bold, layered flavors and zero pretension. The energy is loud and joyful, the open kitchen is a show, and the wine and cocktail lists keep pace. Reservations are tough but worth the effort for one of the West Loop's defining tables.

What to order: Wood-fired pig face

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Loop

Au Cheval

Burgers$$· Dim & clubby

Frequently crowned home of the best burger in America, Au Cheval is a dim, clubby diner that turns the humble cheeseburger into a religious experience. Thick, griddled patties, molten cheese, and an optional fried egg draw hours-long waits. Beyond the burger, the bologna sandwich, chicken, and duck-heart hash reward the patient. Come off-peak or put your name down early; there is nothing else quite like the ritual of the Au Cheval line.

What to order: The cheeseburger

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Multiple / River North

Lou Malnati's

Pizza$$· Family-friendly

For many visitors, Lou Malnati's is deep-dish Chicago. The buttery, flaky crust, mountain of mozzarella, and bright chunky tomato sauce on top define the classic style, and the sausage patty layer is legendary. A family institution with locations across the metro area, it is dependable, generous, and deeply tied to the city's identity. Order a small and share; the pie is heavier and more filling than it looks on the menu.

What to order: Deep-dish sausage

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Lincoln Park

Pequod's Pizza

Pizza$$· Casual local favorite

Pequod's is the deep-dish that locals argue is the real best in town. The signature is a caramelized cheese crust, a ring of blackened, crispy mozzarella baked onto the edge of the pan that adds smoky, bittersweet crunch. The dive-bar atmosphere, sports on the TVs, and pitchers of beer make it a proper neighborhood hang. Expect a wait at peak times and order the deep-dish, not the thin crust, on a first visit.

What to order: Caramelized-crust pan pizza

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Fulton Market

The Publican

Gastropub$$$· Communal beer hall

A soaring, communal beer hall devoted to pork, oysters, and craft brews, The Publican is a cornerstone of the Fulton Market boom. Chef-driven yet unfussy, it celebrates Midwestern farmers with hearty charcuterie, seafood towers, and a beer list built for the food. Long tables and swinging pig lamps set a convivial mood. It is a reliable, deeply Chicago choice for groups who want serious cooking without the tasting-menu formality.

What to order: Pork and oysters

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Loop

Smyth

New American$$$$· Refined tasting menu

This two-Michelin-star tasting-menu destination from John and Karen Shields draws on a dedicated Midwestern farm for hyper-seasonal, quietly brilliant cooking. Dishes are precise and produce-forward, moving from delicate to deeply savory with an intuitive rhythm. The dining room is calm and elegant, a counterpoint to the West Loop's louder rooms. For refined fine dining that feels personal rather than theatrical, Smyth is among the city's very best tables.

What to order: Seasonal farm tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Ukrainian Village

Kasama

Filipino$$· Bakery by day

By day a beloved Filipino bakery and cafe, by night a Michelin-starred tasting-menu restaurant, Kasama is one of Chicago's most exciting culinary stories. The daytime longganisa breakfast and pastries draw devoted lines, while the evening menu explores Filipino flavors with fine-dining polish. Warm, personal, and genuinely groundbreaking, it captures the neighborhood energy that makes Chicago dining special. Book the tasting well ahead and arrive early for the bakery counter.

What to order: Longganisa breakfast

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Loop

Monteverde

Italian$$$· Lively & handmade

Sarah Grueneberg's pasta-focused restaurant is a perennial favorite for its handmade noodles and the theatrical pastificio counter where dough is rolled to order. The cacio whey pepe and tortelloni are standouts, and the Italian-leaning wine list is thoughtful. Warm service and a lively-but-comfortable room make it ideal for both special occasions and casual splurges. It consistently ranks among the best restaurants in Chicago for anyone who loves fresh pasta done at a high level.

What to order: Cacio whey pepe

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 West Loop

Oriole

New American$$$$· Intimate & warm

Tucked down a freight alley, Oriole is a two-Michelin-star jewel offering an intimate, luxurious tasting menu. The mood is refined but genuinely warm, with impeccable service and dishes that balance restraint and indulgence. Caviar, seafood, and precise seasonal composition define the experience. It is a favorite for anniversaries and milestone celebrations, delivering the polish of the world's great restaurants inside a discreet, hidden Chicago setting well worth seeking out.

What to order: Luxe tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Magnificent Mile

The Purple Pig

Mediterranean$$· Casual & bustling

A Mediterranean small-plates favorite steps from the Mag Mile, The Purple Pig specializes in cheese, wine, and 'antipasti' with a nose-to-tail streak. The milk-braised pork shoulder is a signature, and the shared-plate format encourages grazing through the menu. Bustling and welcoming, it is one of the best downtown options for travelers who want serious food without a tasting-menu commitment. Expect a wait, and lean into the charcuterie and vegetable dishes.

What to order: Milk-braised pork shoulder

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Logan Square

Lula Cafe

Farm-to-table$$· Neighborhood brunch

A pioneer of Chicago's farm-to-table movement, Lula Cafe has anchored Logan Square for decades with seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking that feels effortless and soulful. Brunch is a neighborhood ritual, and the dinner menu rewards return visits as it shifts with the harvest. The vibe is artsy and unpretentious, exactly the kind of place that defines Chicago's independent restaurant culture. It is a must for anyone exploring the city's northwest neighborhoods.

What to order: Breakfast brunch classics

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 River North

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

Steakhouse$$$$· Sultry & glamorous

A dark, sultry, Parisian-styled steakhouse, Bavette's brings vintage glamour to River North. Dry-aged steaks, roasted bone marrow, and a killer burger anchor a menu of French-American comfort, while the cocktail program and moody lighting make it a top date-night pick. It is clubby without being stuffy, the kind of room that makes any dinner feel like an occasion. Reservations go fast, so plan ahead for weekend evenings.

What to order: Dry-aged steak

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 River North / Multiple

Portillo's

Hot dogs$· Fast-casual icon

No Chicago food tour is complete without Portillo's, the fast-casual temple of the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef. The dragged-through-the-garden dog, dipped beef with hot giardiniera, and famous chocolate cake shake are essential rites of passage. The retro decor and efficient counter service make it a fun, affordable stop between sightseeing. It is the easiest way to check off two iconic local sandwiches in one satisfying, budget-friendly meal.

What to order: Italian beef & Chicago dog

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Hyde Park

Virtue

Southern$$$· Soulful & gracious

Chef Erick Williams' Hyde Park restaurant celebrates the American South with soulful, refined cooking and gracious hospitality. Shrimp and grits, hot chicken, and thoughtful vegetable dishes anchor a menu rooted in heritage and craft. The warm, elegant room has made Virtue a South Side anchor and a national critical darling. It is one of the best restaurants in Chicago for understanding the city's cultural depth beyond the downtown core.

What to order: Shrimp and grits

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Norwood Park

Superdawg

Hot dogs$· Retro drive-in

A gloriously preserved drive-in topped by two giant hot-dog mascots, Superdawg is Chicago hot-dog nostalgia at its purest. Carhops deliver the signature Superdawg in its distinctive box, piled with the classic garden of toppings and crinkle fries. It is more experience than meal, a mid-century time capsule worth the trip to the far northwest side. Bring cash, park, and flash your lights for one of the city's most charming food traditions.

What to order: The Superdawg

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Logan Square

Daisies

New American$$$· Bright & lively

Originally a beloved pasta spot, Daisies reopened larger in Logan Square and earned wide acclaim for its produce-driven, Midwestern-Eastern-European cooking and excellent handmade pastas. The bright, plant-filled room and adjoining cafe and bakery make it a genuine all-day destination. Vegetable dishes shine as much as the noodles, reflecting the chef's farm relationships. It is one of the neighborhood's most exciting recent evolutions and a strong pick for a relaxed, delicious dinner.

What to order: Handmade pastas

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

📍 Lincoln Park

Boka

New American$$$· Refined & verdant

A Michelin-starred stalwart near the Steppenwolf Theatre, Boka delivers polished contemporary American cooking in a lush, verdant room. The seasonal menu is refined but approachable, and the service is consistently among the best in the city. It is a favorite for pre-theater dinners, special occasions, and anyone seeking fine dining without a lengthy tasting-menu commitment. Boka's enduring quality has made it a Lincoln Park institution and a reliable top-tier recommendation.

What to order: Seasonal tasting menu

📍 View on Google Maps →Reserve

Best Restaurants in Chicago by Cuisine

Chicago's immigrant history makes it one of America's great cuisine cities, where a short drive can carry you from Vietnamese pho on Argyle Street to Mexican taquerias in Pilsen and Middle Eastern spreads in the suburbs.

The best restaurants in Chicago by cuisine reward exploration beyond downtown: neighborhood specialists often outshine flashier destinations.

Whether you crave hand-pulled noodles, birria tacos, Indian thali, or Polish pierogi, the city delivers depth and authenticity across price points.

This roundup highlights standout picks spanning the culinary map, from long-running institutions to modern reinventions, so you can build a week of eating that circles the globe without leaving the city limits.

Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill
Regional Mexican $$$
Rick Bayless's regional Mexican landmark in River North remains a benchmark for authentic moles, salsas, and seasonal specials. The lively room and margarita program make it approachable, while the cooking honors traditions from across Mexico. It is the flagship that helped teach Chicago to take Mexican cuisine seriously as fine dining.
What to order: Mole poblano; carne asada; margaritas
Reserve
Carnitas Uruapan
Mexican $
A Pilsen institution specializing in rich, tender carnitas sold by the pound. The pork is slow-cooked to crispy-edged perfection and served with fresh tortillas, salsa, and chicharrón. It is unfussy, deeply satisfying, and a must for understanding Chicago's Mexican food culture beyond the taqueria counter.
What to order: Carnitas by the pound with tortillas
Reserve
Pho 888
Vietnamese $
A reliable, no-frills stop in the Uptown/Argyle Vietnamese corridor for steaming bowls of pho and rice plates. The broth is fragrant and the portions generous, and the surrounding neighborhood offers banh mi, bubble tea, and grocery-store exploration. It anchors one of the city's best strips for Southeast Asian eating.
What to order: Pho tai; rice plates
Reserve
Rangoli / Devon Avenue
Indian/Pakistani $$
Devon Avenue is Chicago's South Asian heart, packed with Indian and Pakistani restaurants, sweet shops, and grocers. Come hungry for biryani, tandoori, thali platters, and endless mithai. A stroll and graze along the strip is the best way to experience the neighborhood's vibrant, spice-scented energy.
What to order: Biryani; tandoori; thali
Reserve
Parachute
Korean-American $$$
This Michelin-starred Avondale restaurant reimagines Korean-American cooking with creativity and warmth. The bing bread with sesame is a signature, and the menu balances familiar comfort with inventive flourishes. It is a modern neighborhood standout that helped put Korean-influenced fine dining on Chicago's map.
What to order: Bing bread with sesame
Reserve
Birrieria Zaragoza
Mexican $
A family-run temple to goat birria on the Southwest Side, serving rich, consommé-soaked meat with handmade tortillas. Simple, focused, and beloved, it draws pilgrims from across the city. This is destination eating for anyone chasing the best traditional birria Chicago has to offer.
What to order: Goat birria with consommé
Reserve
Jaipur / Little India
North Indian $$
For classic North Indian curries, buttery naan, and lunch buffets, the restaurants clustered along Devon and in the West Loop deliver comfort and value. Look for tandoori specialties and vegetarian thalis that showcase the cuisine's range and generosity for a satisfying, spice-forward meal.
What to order: Butter chicken; naan; lunch buffet
Reserve
Passerotto
Korean-Italian $$$
A creative Korean-Italian mashup in Andersonville that fuses handmade pastas with Korean flavors and banchan sensibilities. The result is playful, personal, and unlike anything else in the city. It reflects Chicago's talent for cross-cultural cooking rooted in genuine skill and heritage.
What to order: Handmade pasta with Korean flavors
Reserve
Andros Taverna
Greek $$$
A modern Greek restaurant in Logan Square serving wood-grilled meats, mezze, and saganaki with contemporary polish. Bright, lively, and generous, it brings a fresh energy to Hellenic cooking beyond the historic Greektown strip. It is a strong pick for group dining and shared plates.
What to order: Wood-grilled meats; saganaki; mezze
Reserve
Sun Wah BBQ
Cantonese $$
A family-run Cantonese favorite in Uptown famous for its Beijing duck feast, carved tableside and served in multiple courses. The convivial, generous style makes it perfect for groups. It is a beloved anchor of Chicago's Chinese dining scene and a reliable celebration spot.
What to order: Beijing duck feast, carved tableside
Reserve

Best Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago punches far above its weight in fine dining, home to one of only a handful of American three-Michelin-star restaurants and a deep bench of one- and two-star tables.

The best fine dining restaurants in Chicago range from avant-garde tasting-menu theater to quiet, produce-driven precision, and many are helmed by chefs who trained under the city's culinary giants.

Expect ticketed reservations, seasonal menus, and thoughtful wine and non-alcoholic pairings. These are the rooms for milestone celebrations and once-in-a-trip splurges.

Book weeks or months ahead, arrive curious, and let the kitchen lead; Chicago's top tables reward diners who surrender to the experience.

Alinea
Avant-garde $$$$
The city's three-Michelin-star icon and a global reference point for avant-garde dining. Grant Achatz's ticketed tasting menu turns dinner into immersive theater, from floating edible balloons to tableside dessert painting. It is the ultimate Chicago fine-dining pilgrimage and a bucket-list experience for serious food lovers.
What to order: Tasting menu; edible balloon
Reserve
Smyth
New American $$$$
A two-Michelin-star tasting-menu destination sourcing from its own Midwestern farm. The cooking is precise, seasonal, and quietly brilliant, moving between delicate and deeply savory. Its calm elegance offers a refined counterpoint to the West Loop's louder rooms.
What to order: Seasonal farm tasting menu
Reserve
Oriole
Contemporary $$$$
Hidden down a freight alley, this two-star jewel pairs luxurious ingredients with genuine warmth. Caviar, seafood, and seasonal precision define a menu that balances indulgence and restraint. It is a favorite for anniversaries and milestone celebrations.
What to order: Caviar; seafood tasting menu
Reserve
Ever
Modern American $$$$
Curtis Duffy's elegant two-star room delivers modern, ingredient-luxe tasting menus in a serene, sophisticated setting. Impeccable service and refined plating make it a top choice for special occasions seeking polish over spectacle.
What to order: Ingredient-luxe tasting menu
Reserve
Moody Tongue
New American $$$$
A singular Michelin-starred concept pairing a refined tasting menu with the restaurant's own craft beers. The brewer-chef collaboration yields a distinctive experience where each course is matched to a house brew, offering a fresh angle on fine dining.
What to order: Tasting menu with house craft beer
Reserve
Boka
Contemporary American $$$
A Michelin-starred Lincoln Park stalwart serving polished contemporary American cooking in a lush room. Refined yet approachable, with standout service, it is ideal for pre-theater dinners and celebrations without a full tasting-menu commitment.
What to order: Refined seasonal tasting; scallop
Reserve
Kasama
Filipino $$$$
The world's Michelin-starred Filipino tasting-menu pioneer, evolving from a beloved daytime bakery into an ambitious evening experience. It marries neighborhood warmth with serious technique and heritage flavors, one of the city's most exciting fine-dining stories.
What to order: Kamayan tasting; longganisa; day bakery
Reserve
Elske
Scandinavian-American $$$
A Michelin-starred husband-and-wife restaurant blending Scandinavian sensibility with Midwestern ingredients. The seasonal menu is thoughtful and clean-lined, and the fire-lit courtyard adds charm. It is a refined but welcoming West Loop favorite.
What to order: Seasonal tasting; duck-fat candle
Reserve
Schwa
Avant-garde $$$$
A cult BYOB tasting-menu spot where the chefs cook and serve in an irreverent, intimate setting. Inventive, playful, and famously hard to book, it offers avant-garde ambition with punk-rock energy and a devoted following.
What to order: BYOB tasting menu; quail egg ravioli
Reserve
Sepia
New American $$$
A Michelin-starred restaurant in a handsome printer's-row space serving seasonal American cooking with historic charm. Elegant, consistent, and beautifully composed, it is a dependable choice for refined dinners in the West Loop.
What to order: Seasonal American tasting
Reserve

Most Romantic Restaurants in Chicago

For date nights, anniversaries, and proposals, the most romantic restaurants in Chicago pair intimate lighting and gracious service with food worth lingering over.

The city offers everything from candlelit French bistros and clubby steakhouses to cozy neighborhood spots with fireplaces and hidden courtyards.

Romance here is less about stiff formality and more about atmosphere: a moody bar, a shared bottle of wine, and a room that makes time slow down. Whether you want skyline glamour or a tucked-away booth in a converted rowhouse, these picks set the mood.

Reserve ahead, request a quiet corner if you can, and plan a leisurely, unhurried evening.

Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
Steakhouse $$$$
Dark, sultry, and Parisian, Bavette's is a top date-night steakhouse in River North. Vintage glamour, low lighting, and a killer cocktail program make dinner feel like an occasion. The dry-aged steaks and bone marrow seal the romantic deal.
What to order: Dry-aged steaks; bone marrow
Reserve
The Kitchen at Fulton Market
New American $$$
An intimate, warmly lit room ideal for lingering over wine and seasonal plates. Attentive service and a relaxed-but-refined mood make it a comfortable choice for couples who want good food without pretension.
What to order: Seasonal plates; wine pairings
Reserve
Café des Architectes
French $$$
A polished French-leaning dining room inside a boutique hotel, ideal for special-occasion dinners. Elegant plating, an excellent wine list, and a sophisticated setting make it a reliably romantic downtown option.
What to order: Refined French tasting; wine list
Reserve
Spiaggia successor / Michelin Italian
Italian $$$$
For a refined Italian date, seek out the city's upscale Italian rooms with skyline or lakeside touches, plush banquettes, and handmade pastas. Elegant service and a great wine list make for a classic, unhurried romantic evening.
What to order: Handmade pasta; skyline setting
Reserve
Pinstripes
Italian-American $$
Combining a bistro with bocce and a fireside patio, this spot offers a playful yet cozy date option. Share Italian-American plates, play a round of bocce, and settle in by the fire for a relaxed, low-pressure evening together.
What to order: Bistro plates; bocce
Reserve
Topolobampo
Fine Mexican $$$$
Rick Bayless's fine-dining Mexican room beside Frontera Grill offers a more intimate, refined experience with tasting options and exquisite mole. Warm lighting and impeccable service make it a sophisticated, flavor-rich date destination.
What to order: Mole tasting; refined regional plates
Reserve
Le Colonial
Vietnamese $$$
Transporting diners to 1920s French-colonial Vietnam with palms, shutters, and ceiling fans, this Gold Coast spot is atmospheric and lush. The setting and aromatic cuisine make it a longtime favorite for romantic special occasions.
What to order: French-colonial classics; spring rolls
Reserve
Coda di Volpe
Italian $$$
A warm, wood-fired Italian room in Lakeview with a relaxed-romantic vibe. Coastal Italian plates, pizzas, and pastas paired with candlelight make it a comfortable, affordable date-night pick on the North Side.
What to order: Wood-fired coastal plates; pizza
Reserve
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Steakhouse $$$
A classic Chicago steakhouse with clubby energy, generous portions, and old-school charm. The lively Gold Coast setting suits couples who want a celebratory, timeless steak dinner with a great martini and people-watching.
What to order: Gibsons signature steaks; big cuts
Reserve
The Dearborn
American Tavern $$$
An elegant Loop tavern with a handsome bar and warm American menu, well suited to a downtown date. Comfortable, stylish, and central, it works for a pre-show dinner or a relaxed evening out together.
What to order: Elevated tavern fare; deviled eggs
Reserve

Best Rooftop & View Restaurants in Chicago

Few cities reward dining with a view like Chicago, where the skyline, the lake, and the river create dramatic backdrops from spring through fall.

The best rooftop and view restaurants in Chicago range from sky-high cocktail lounges atop iconic towers to riverside patios and hotel terraces perfect for golden hour.

Warm-weather months are peak season, when rooftops fill quickly and reservations or early arrivals become essential. Many focus as much on the setting and drinks as the food, so calibrate expectations accordingly.

Whether you want a signature cocktail 90 floors up or a laid-back patio with river views, these spots deliver Chicago's most photogenic dining.

Cindy's Rooftop
American $$$
Perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association hotel with sweeping views of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan, Cindy's is a stylish rooftop for cocktails and shareable plates. The terrace is a prime golden-hour spot in the heart of the Loop.
What to order: Cocktails; shareable plates; views
Reserve
The Signature Room successor / 875 N. Michigan
American $$$
High atop the former Hancock tower, the sky-level dining and lounge spaces offer jaw-dropping city and lake panoramas. Come for the view and a drink; the vantage point over the Mag Mile and shoreline is unforgettable.
What to order: Cocktails with panoramic views
Reserve
LondonHouse Rooftop
American $$$
A multi-level rooftop at the river's edge with dramatic views of the Wrigley Building and the DuSable Bridge. It is one of downtown's most iconic spots for cocktails, especially at sunset over the Chicago River.
What to order: Cocktails; river-edge views
Reserve
Cerise Rooftop
American $$$
Atop the Virgin Hotel, Cerise offers a chic, energetic rooftop scene with skyline views, cocktails, and small plates. It is a popular warm-weather destination for drinks and people-watching above the Loop.
What to order: Cocktails; small plates; skyline
Reserve
Raised Rooftop
American $$
A relaxed, elevated bar in the River North area serving cocktails and bites with skyline views. Its comfortable vibe makes it a solid choice for after-work drinks or a laid-back rooftop evening.
What to order: Cocktails; bar bites; skyline views
Reserve
Aba
Mediterranean $$$
A breezy Fulton Market rooftop serving Mediterranean small plates, hummus, and wood-grilled dishes. The stylish terrace and strong food set it apart from view-only rooftops, making it a top all-around pick.
What to order: Hummus; wood-grilled plates
Reserve
The J. Parker
American $$$
A Lincoln Park hotel rooftop overlooking the lake, Lincoln Park, and the skyline. The retractable roof and lake-facing perch make it a scenic spot for cocktails, especially as the sun sets over the water.
What to order: Cocktails; lakefront rooftop
Reserve
Offshore Rooftop at Navy Pier
American $$
Billed as one of the largest rooftop bars, this Navy Pier venue offers panoramic lake and skyline views with an expansive terrace. The setting over the water is dramatic and well suited to groups and celebrations.
What to order: Cocktails; shareable bites; lake views
Reserve
ROOF on theWit
American $$
A lively downtown hotel rooftop with a DJ-driven scene and skyline views. Popular for nightlife and cocktails, it delivers energetic vibes and photogenic vantage points over the Loop.
What to order: Cocktails; DJ scene; skyline views
Reserve
Beatnik on the River
Mediterranean $$$
A bohemian, richly decorated riverside patio serving Mediterranean-inspired plates and cocktails. The lush design and river views make it one of the more atmospheric warm-weather waterfront dining spots.
What to order: Cocktails; mezze; riverside patio
Reserve

Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago's plant-based scene has grown from a niche into a genuine strength, with dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants alongside omnivore kitchens that treat vegetables as headliners.

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Chicago span comfort-food diners, refined seasonal tasting menus, and globally inspired spots serving everything from vegan soul food to plant-based Ethiopian and Thai.

Many of the city's produce-driven chefs source from local farms, so vegetable dishes here are anything but an afterthought.

Whether you are fully vegan, vegetarian, or simply eating lighter, these picks prove that meat-free dining in Chicago can be creative, satisfying, and celebratory rather than restrictive.

Althea
Vegetable-forward $$$
A stylish, plant-forward restaurant offering an elevated vegetable-centric menu in a chic setting. It demonstrates how far Chicago's meat-free dining has come, with refined plates and a sophisticated bar program that appeal to vegans and omnivores alike.
What to order: Elevated vegetable tasting plates
Reserve
Kal'ish
Vegan Cafe $
A vegan cafe and coffee spot serving plant-based comfort food, hearty breakfasts, and baked goods. Casual and welcoming, it is a reliable neighborhood stop for satisfying vegan versions of familiar favorites.
What to order: Plant-based comfort brunch; baked goods
Reserve
Amitabul
Vegan Korean $
A longtime vegan Korean restaurant on the North Side serving wholesome, healing-oriented dishes, noodle soups, and stir-fries. Its dedicated, health-focused approach has earned a loyal following over many years.
What to order: Healing noodle soups; stir-fries
Reserve
The Chicago Diner
Vegan Diner $$
A pioneering meat-free diner famous for its vegan milkshakes and comfort-food classics like seitan Reubens. A Lakeview institution since the vegetarian scene's early days, it remains a beloved go-to for plant-based indulgence.
What to order: Seitan Reuben; vegan milkshakes
Reserve
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
Vegan $$
A vegan spot serving creative plant-based comfort food and brunch. Inventive dishes and a warm vibe make it a strong choice for those seeking hearty, flavorful meat-free meals.
What to order: Plant-based comfort food; brunch
Reserve
Demera Ethiopian
Ethiopian $$
An Uptown Ethiopian restaurant with an excellent range of vegetarian and vegan combination platters served on injera. The spiced lentils, greens, and vegetable stews make it a naturally plant-friendly, communal dining experience.
What to order: Veggie combo on injera; spiced lentils
Reserve
Handlebar
Vegetarian $$
A Wicker Park bar and restaurant with a largely vegetarian menu and plenty of vegan options. Casual, friendly, and beloved by cyclists and locals, it offers globally inspired meat-free comfort food and a lively patio.
What to order: Global veg plates; vegan options
Reserve
Ground Control
Vegetarian $$
A vegetarian and vegan Logan Square spot serving globally influenced plant-based plates and craft drinks. Its neighborhood charm and creative menu make it a comfortable, reliable meat-free destination.
What to order: Globally-inspired plant plates; drinks
Reserve
Soul Veg City
Vegan Soul $$
A South Side vegan soul-food institution serving hearty plant-based takes on comfort classics. Its long history and satisfying, flavorful cooking make it a meaningful stop for vegan dining beyond the usual neighborhoods.
What to order: Plant-based soul-food classics
Reserve
Rose Mary
Croatian-Italian $$$
While not exclusively vegetarian, Joe Flamm's Croatian-Italian restaurant offers standout vegetable-forward dishes worth seeking out. Its creative produce cookery makes it a great option for flexitarians dining with meat-eaters in the West Loop.
What to order: Vegetable-forward plates; pasta
Reserve

Best Deep-Dish & Iconic Chicago Eats

You cannot claim to know the best restaurants in Chicago without diving into the city's iconic hometown foods: deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian ice.

Deep-dish is the headline act, a buttery, cheese-heavy, tomato-topped pie that locals debate endlessly, while thin-crust tavern-style pizza is the pizza most Chicagoans actually eat every week.

Beyond pizza, the dragged-through-the-garden hot dog and the drippy, giardiniera-topped Italian beef are essential rites of passage. These dishes are affordable, unpretentious, and deeply tied to Chicago's working-class roots.

Come hungry, embrace the mess, and taste the foods that define the city's culinary identity worldwide.

Lou Malnati's
Deep-Dish Pizza $$
The definitive deep-dish for many, with buttery crust, a mountain of mozzarella, chunky tomato sauce on top, and a signature sausage layer. A family institution across the metro, it is dependable, generous, and quintessentially Chicago.
What to order: Buttery-crust sausage deep-dish
Reserve
Pequod's Pizza
Pizza $$
Beloved by locals for its caramelized cheese crust, a smoky, blackened ring of mozzarella baked onto the pan's edge. The dive-bar vibe and pitchers of beer make it a proper neighborhood deep-dish hang.
What to order: Caramelized-crust pan pizza
Reserve
Giordano's
Stuffed Pizza $$
Famous for its stuffed pizza, an even taller, double-crusted variation oozing with cheese. Touristy but genuinely satisfying, it is a go-to for visitors who want the most dramatic, over-the-top deep-dish experience.
What to order: Double-crust stuffed pizza
Reserve
Pizzeria Uno / Due
Deep-Dish Pizza $$
The original home of Chicago deep-dish, where the style was reportedly born. A historic stop for pizza pilgrims, it offers the classic pie in the very rooms where the tradition began.
What to order: Original Chicago deep-dish
Reserve
Burt's Place
Deep-Dish Pizza $$
A quirky suburban legend famous for its caramelized-crust deep-dish and eccentric charm. A cult favorite requiring advance ordering, it rewards the effort with a distinctive, deeply flavorful pie.
What to order: Caramelized-crust deep-dish (pre-order)
Reserve
Portillo's
Fast Casual $
The essential stop for Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef. The dragged-through-the-garden dog, dipped beef with hot giardiniera, and chocolate cake shake are affordable rites of passage in a fun retro setting.
What to order: Italian beef; Chicago dog; chocolate cake shake
Reserve
Al's Beef
Italian Beef $
A no-frills institution serving classic Italian beef sandwiches, dipped and topped with giardiniera. Standing at the counter with a drippy beef and fries is a quintessential, unpretentious Chicago meal.
What to order: Dipped Italian beef with giardiniera
Reserve
Superdawg
Hot Dogs $
A preserved mid-century drive-in with carhops and giant hot-dog mascots. The signature Superdawg in its distinctive box, piled with classic toppings, is nostalgia and lunch rolled into one memorable experience.
What to order: Superdawg with the works
Reserve
The Wieners Circle
Hot Dogs $
A late-night Lincoln Park hot-dog stand famous for chargrilled dogs, cheese fries, and its comedic, confrontational banter. It is a rowdy, only-in-Chicago experience best enjoyed after midnight.
What to order: Chargrilled dogs; cheese fries
Reserve
Vito & Nick's
Tavern Pizza $
A classic South Side tavern serving the thin, crackery, tavern-style pizza that locals eat most. Cut into squares and enjoyed with a cold beer, it represents Chicago's everyday pizza tradition beyond deep-dish.
What to order: Thin, square-cut tavern pizza
Reserve

Best Restaurants in Chicago by Neighborhood

Chicago is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and the best restaurants in Chicago are scattered across them rather than concentrated in a single dining district.

The West Loop and Fulton Market form the buzziest modern hub, while Logan Square, Avondale, and Andersonville reward those who venture into the independent, chef-driven northwest.

Pilsen and Bridgeport offer vibrant Mexican and multicultural eating, and Hyde Park anchors the South Side. Using neighborhoods to plan your meals lets you pair dining with sightseeing, walkable strolls, and a genuine sense of local life.

This roundup spotlights a signature restaurant in several key areas to help you eat your way across the city.

West Loop, Girl & the Goat
New American $$$
The Randolph Street landmark that defined modern Chicago dining, with Stephanie Izard's bold, wood-fired share plates. The West Loop is the city's restaurant epicenter, and this is its beating heart. Reservations are tough but worth it.
What to order: Wood-fired share plates; goat
Reserve
Logan Square, Lula Cafe
Farm-to-Table $$
A farm-to-table pioneer anchoring one of the city's most creative neighborhoods. Seasonal cooking, a beloved brunch, and an artsy vibe make it the ideal introduction to Logan Square's independent food culture.
What to order: Seasonal plates; brunch pasty
Reserve
Fulton Market, The Publican
Gastropub $$$
A soaring beer hall devoted to pork, oysters, and craft brews that helped ignite the Fulton Market boom. Communal and convivial, it captures the neighborhood's transformation into a dining destination.
What to order: Pork; oysters; craft beer
Reserve
Pilsen, Carnitas Uruapan
Mexican $
Rich, crispy-edged carnitas sold by the pound in the heart of Chicago's Mexican Pilsen. Pair a visit with the neighborhood's murals and galleries for a full cultural and culinary afternoon.
What to order: Carnitas by the pound
Reserve
Hyde Park, Virtue
Southern $$$
Erick Williams' soulful Southern restaurant anchors the South Side dining scene with refined comfort food and gracious hospitality. It is the essential reason to plan a meal around Hyde Park and the University of Chicago area.
What to order: Hot fish; cornbread; gumbo
Reserve
Andersonville, Passerotto / Vincent
Korean-Italian $$$
A charming, walkable strip of independent restaurants and shops. Creative Korean-Italian cooking and cozy neighborhood spots make Andersonville a rewarding, low-key dining destination on the North Side.
What to order: Korean-Italian pasta; banchan
Reserve
Avondale, Parachute
Korean-American $$$
A Michelin-starred Korean-American restaurant that put this quiet northwest neighborhood on the culinary map. Inventive, warm, and beloved, it exemplifies Chicago's chef-driven neighborhood dining.
What to order: Bing bread with sesame
Reserve
River North, Bavette's
Steakhouse $$$$
A dark, glamorous steakhouse in the city's densest downtown dining and nightlife district. River North offers everything from celebrity chef rooms to bustling bars, and Bavette's is a standout date-night anchor.
What to order: Dry-aged steaks; bone marrow
Reserve
Ukrainian Village, Kasama
Filipino $$$$
A Michelin-starred Filipino bakery-by-day, tasting-menu-by-night that captures the neighborhood's creative energy. It is a compelling reason to explore the shops and bars of Ukrainian Village and West Town.
What to order: Day bakery; evening kamayan tasting
Reserve
Chinatown, Sun Wah / MingHin
Cantonese $$
Chicago's Chinatown, near the South Loop, offers dim sum, Cantonese BBQ, and bustling banquet halls. A dumpling-and-tea crawl through the neighborhood is a rewarding, affordable culinary outing.
What to order: Dim sum; roast duck; BBQ
Reserve

Best New & Trendy Restaurant Openings in Chicago

Chicago's dining scene never stands still, and the best new and trendy restaurant openings in Chicago keep the city on the national radar year after year.

Recent momentum has centered on Fulton Market's continued expansion, ambitious neighborhood debuts, and chefs branching out from acclaimed flagships to launch second and third concepts.

New openings tend to book up fast on buzz alone, so flexibility with dates and early or late seatings helps. Because the freshest spots evolve quickly, it is always worth checking current local coverage before you go.

These picks highlight recently opened and buzzy restaurants that capture where Chicago dining is heading right now.

Daisies
Italian $$$
The expanded Logan Square reincarnation of a beloved pasta spot, now a full all-day destination with a cafe and bakery. Produce-driven cooking and excellent handmade pastas have made it one of the neighborhood's most talked-about evolutions.
What to order: Produce-driven handmade pasta; bakery
Reserve
Rose Mary
Croatian-Italian $$$
Joe Flamm's Croatian-Italian West Loop restaurant blends Adriatic flavors with Italian technique. Its lively energy, standout vegetable dishes, and handmade pastas have kept it firmly in the conversation as a modern favorite.
What to order: Adriatic plates; handmade pasta
Reserve
Warlord
Live-Fire $$$
A fire-driven, hard-to-book restaurant that earned rapid acclaim for its intense, meat-and-open-flame cooking. Its cult following and distinctive point of view make it emblematic of Chicago's adventurous new wave.
What to order: Open-flame meats; hard-to-book tasting
Reserve
Obélix
French Brasserie $$$
A stylish French brasserie from an acclaimed sibling restaurateur team, bringing Parisian energy and classic bistro dishes to River North. Its buzzy room and polished cooking made it an instant see-and-be-seen destination.
What to order: Steak frites; classic bistro fare
Reserve
Le Sud successor concepts
French Bistro $$
Provençal-inspired French cooking in a cozy Roscoe Village setting exemplifies the neighborhood-bistro trend. Warm, rustic, and reasonably priced, these spots reflect a move toward comforting European cooking outside downtown.
What to order: Provençal rustic plates
Reserve
Andros Taverna
Greek $$$
A modern Greek restaurant that reinvigorated Hellenic dining in Logan Square with wood-grilled meats and contemporary mezze. Its lively atmosphere and generous shared plates keep it popular for groups.
What to order: Wood-grilled meats; contemporary mezze
Reserve
Esmé
New American $$$$
A Michelin-starred Lincoln Park restaurant blending fine dining with rotating art installations for an immersive, creative tasting experience. Its intersection of cuisine and art makes it one of the more distinctive newer arrivals.
What to order: Art-driven immersive tasting menu
Reserve
Adalina
Italian $$$$
A glamorous Gold Coast Italian restaurant with handmade pastas, an elegant room, and a see-and-be-seen crowd. It represents the polished, upscale Italian dining that continues to draw buzz downtown.
What to order: Handmade pasta; glamorous room
Reserve
Boonie's / Filipino newcomers
Filipino $$
A wave of Filipino restaurants building on Kasama's success has energized the scene with everything from casual eateries to ambitious concepts. They reflect one of Chicago's most exciting current culinary movements.
What to order: Casual to ambitious Filipino plates
Reserve
Time Out Market / food halls
Food Hall $$
Curated food halls in Fulton Market and beyond gather standout local vendors under one roof, offering an easy way to sample multiple buzzy chefs and cuisines in a single, casual visit.
What to order: Multiple local vendors under one roof
Reserve

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Chicago most famous for?

Chicago is most famous for deep-dish pizza. Locals also love thin-crust tavern-style pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs (never ketchup), and Italian beef, plus fine dining like three-Michelin-star Alinea.

Where can I get the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago?

Top deep-dish spots include Lou Malnati's, Pequod's for caramelized crust, and Giordano's for stuffed pizza. Pizzeria Uno claims to be the original. Try more than one.

Do I need reservations for top Chicago restaurants?

Yes. Michelin-starred spots like Alinea, Smyth, and Oriole, plus Girl & the Goat, need reservations released weeks ahead. Au Cheval is walk-in only. Book early or sit at the bar.

Which Chicago neighborhoods are best for dining?

The West Loop and Fulton Market are the buzziest hub. Logan Square, Avondale, and Andersonville have chef-driven spots, Pilsen and Chinatown offer affordable ethnic cuisine, and River North has steakhouses.

How expensive is fine dining in Chicago?

Chicago's top tasting menus are a splurge, typically $$$$ per person before pairings. Neighborhood restaurants, taquerias, and spots like Portillo's offer great value. Check current menus.

Are there good vegetarian and vegan options in Chicago?

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian spots include The Chicago Diner, Amitabul, and Soul Veg City. Many fine-dining kitchens accommodate vegan menus with notice, and Ethiopian spots like Demera offer plant-based platters.

At a glance