A meal at this cozy spot is as relaxing as dinner at a friend’s house. Stuffed whitefish with roasted root vegetables and wood-grilled lake trout are among the spot-on seafood dishes. Read more.
From braised meats to organic produce, the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are comprised of as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.
Try the roast carrot and avocado salad from our 100 Best list:Crunchy with seeds, redolent with spices and enhanced with crème fraîche, this is proof there is such a thing as salad evolution.
Felt like summer even in the middle of chilly Chicago autumn. Retractable roof will kill in nice weather!
Chef Scott Walton puts out flavorful, smart comfort classics with a seasonal flair. Save your decadent meal of the weekend for brunch, when there's seven types of beignets and seven kinds of biscuits. Read more.
This place is amazing. All of the food we had was great. The Lobster Po Boy and the Sweetbread Popcorn were wonderful. The service was great and the drinks were original and strong.
From the wood-grilled octopus with charred greens to the spit-roasted half duck, to the goopy blondie brownie dessert, chef Jason Paskewitz never bores us.
Go to this "Pour-it-yourself" pub if you're into stuff like in-table liquor taps to the mix (plus an eight-tap, serve-yourself "walltender". Yes, you're into that. Read more.
The kale sandwich at Range is one of the 100 best things we ate this year. http://tmout.us/rLOtk Read more.
Call ahead to reserve a table. Each table has two beer taps on it. When you call you can specify the type of beer you prefer on your tap.
Looking for a little pick-me-up? Dig into a big basket of truffle fries, served with truffle mayo. Read more.
Nice relaxed atmosphere and GREAT food and beer. Wings are excellent and you can't really go wrong with the burgers. Come say hi to Pat at the bar - he's awesome.
Rustic low country French bistro and a BYO policy in a super cute Lakeview setting makes Joncarl Lachman's spot perfect for dates or dinner with friends. [Eater 38 Member]
Diners can still expect an excellent 100-seat outdoor patio & a world-fusion menu. The outdoor seating & inviting indoor bar lend themselves to boozy evenings,& Red Door has nice beer & wine lists. Read more.
Reopened for the summer with beefed-up staff. New executive chef Chris Curren and beverage director Ben Schiller have the people talking about the food, cocktails, and rooftop garden.
Logan Square's gastropub, with a kick-ass whisky selection, has made national headlines and even got a Michelin star. Like a nose-to-tail approach? So does chef Jared Wentworth. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Deep-fried black-eyed peas are the perfect drinking snack, steak (dressed in nothing more than brown butter), salads and even doughnuts make sense with the food-friendly cocktails from the bar. Read more.
Get the edemame mac n' cheese -- it's a modest portion, but so very indulgent. Also, the grilled octopus first course was so good -- the portion was enough to be a main entree!
Really an inspirational place, great brunch prices $4-$9 for a dish, contributing to a great cause helping former homeless and poverty stricken individuals, great atmosphere and awesome service!!
Longtime Lula chef de cuisine Jason Vincent will execute simple, seasonal fare like chicken-liver pâté, wood-grilled trout with lentils and ham hock, spit-roasted chicken and hand-rolled pastas. -LB Read more.
Anything Chef Paul Kahan does is incredible. He has such a knack for taking such simple ingredients and making something absolutely incredible. -Graham Elliot, Top Chef
I love this place! Friendly staff and a cross between cafe and classy. Great salads. healthy yet totally unique options available!
What chef Paul Kahan does with Blackbird in Chicago is what I wish he would come to NY and do, just so I could eat there more often.-Jimmy Bradley , Top Chef
At this recently placed location you can find a long list of beers and wines. The meals are delicious such as the strozzapreti pasta mixed with plenty of braised goat meat. Read more.
Carrie, the owner and chef, is fabulous. Sit at the bar for the best bar menu in town! -Rick Bayless, Top Chef
Grilled octopus gets its sparkle from pistachio and lemon dressing and earthy undertone from fava beans and guanciale. Read more.
No one at Epic restaurant’s rooftop lounge seems to be worrying much about the drinks (strong, decent cocktails) or the view (a third-story close-up of nearby buildings). Read more.
Try the mushroom and kale pie from our 100 Best list: This is one of our favorite openings of the year: It’s understated, authentic and charming, just like this individual savory pie.
Coalfire changed the way we think about thin crust. If you like it super crispy with a little bit of char, this is your new haunt. [Eater 38 Member]
You haven’t experienced deep dish until you’ve tried it with a caramelized crust. Load up on sausage, spinach, pepperoni, ground beef, giardiniera and taste the difference of the crispy, thick crust. Read more.
Try the mozzarella sticks from our 100 Best list: You’ve got to give props to a mozzarella stick whose mozz is made in-house.
There’s the Brickhouse, with pureed artichoke sauce; the Painful brings the heat with spicy pepperoni and jalapenos; and the Creole Shrimp packs a punch with spicy shrimp and pesto sauce. Read more.
"Edzo's takes an ordinary grilled cheese and puts it over the top with a layer of shredded parmesan on the outside of the sandwich, adding a crunchy-chewy coating that adds a shot of tanginess."
Grass-fed beef and custom-made buns are the foundations for chef Michael Kornick's burgers, including the roasted Hatch green chile version.
Try the El Pirata from our 100 Best list: The spiked shakes at this L.A. import are so thick, so boozy and so frickin’ delicious that even the burger-bored should get in here for these alone.
Fries with Muffaletta Dip: Hand-cut and double-fried french fries, crispy, rich, and oily and always made to order. We love the olive-rich muffaletta sauce, which is mayo-based and packed with flavor. Read more.
Get the Garlic Fries: Skin-on and fried, they get that rich hue of brown, rendering them crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, tossed in a perfect amount of fresh minced garlic. Read more.
Here, diners decide among ten patties, ranging from grass-fed beef and elk to free-range turkey. That’s before the buns (split-top egg, pretzel) and specialty toppings (wasabi mayo, pickle chips). Read more.
Duck fat fries and encased meats? Somewhat of a no brainer. That 30-minute-plus wait every time? Totally worth it. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Fish and chips, po' boys, fish tacos, and um, foie gras ries, all churned out of an inconspicuous shack just west of the Brown Line.
The rustic restaurant offers brunch options like lobster hash, prosciutto frittata and truffle scrambled eggs. Those with a sweet tooth can opt for almond pancakes, or caramelized waffles.
Nico Osteria is drawing the bulk of the who's who of the dining scene back to the Gold Coast. Italian seafood dishes, sophisticated cocktails, and creative desserts make it more than just a big name.
Between the rustic Italian fare, heavenly desserts, and fantastic cocktail list, the partnership between the Bristol and Boka groups doesn't show any signs of slowing down. [Eater 38 Member]
Unreal Chicago eats. The Foccacia di Recco is a must...pretty life changing
Seasonal ingredients, a constantly morphing rustic menu and an adorable back patio make this Andersonville spot one of the best Italian joints in the city. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
When pressed, the owners will admit that Tufano’s founder served as Capone’s personal chef. Is the eggplant parmigiana still made the way Capone liked it? Who knows? But it’s dangerously good. Read more.
Our ideal meal would start with polpettes (plump shrimp meatballs in spicy tomato sauce), move on to a pizza (like the goat cheese, hazelnuts, leeks and roasted dates) and end with a cannoli. Read more.
Eduardo's spaghetti is an exemplar of Italian simplicity: bright with fresh lemon and braced with rosemary and black pepper. Read more.
Few ingredients are needed for a housemade phyllo filled with ramps and flanked by feta or a bowl of fava beans tossed with preserved lamb, but solid execution and superb seasoning yields max flavor. Read more.
We wolf down the manti (Turkish ravioli stuffed with bits of lamb in a creamy yogurt–and–chili oil sauce), whole slabs of juicy, salt-crusted bream and some of the best hummus around. -JJ Read more.
According to the cultish customer base that swears by this place, it’s on your third visit—when you order the juicy chicken kebabs, the Greek fries or the flaky spanakopita—that the spell is cast. Read more.
Greek Island is the staple of Greek Town, importing wines, olives oil, oregano, honey and olives straight from Greece. Try their distinctive lima beans and Colorado lamb.
The lox and whitefish terrine has smoked whitefish folded with dill, pepper, and cream cheese, and's wrapped in smoked salmon, served with house-made toast and horseradish sauce. Read more.
Neighborhood joint with incredible desserts. Don't pass up the savory dishes though! -Rick Bayless, Top Chef
Awesome sashimi and sushi! Extremely fresh, great quality. BYOB! Open for lunch on Fridays :-) Worth the wait if there's a line
Everything is delicious. Sushi with asparagus is my favorite. Be sure you still have room for a milkshake.
The cuisine here from Chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark is imaginative and familiar. It can be both rustic and elegant; try the black sesame cake with blueberry sorbet, brown butter and lavender. Read more.
This riverfront hotspot is minimalist and organic in all aspects, but its austere dishes are never lacking in flavor. Cook your own Kobe beef on sizzling rocks as you sip sake from the extensive list.
Juicy chicken wings, thinly sliced beef tongue, sumptuous tofu, beautiful mushrooms topped with a poached egg—these are the highlights of a menu that pulls through no matter what you order. Read more.
Sunfish ceviche sparkles with acidity but never drowned by it, barbecue eel is geniusly paired with a potato-and-octopus salad, and pastas (squid-ink gnocchi; crawfish tortellini) are masterful. Read more.
Try the fried onions with lemon and jalapeño from our 100 Best list: A medley that balances the sweetness of the onions with acidity (the lemon), heat (the jalapeño) and lots of flavor (both).
Where else can you choose between 16 varieties of fresh fish and seafood daily or a bowl of your favorite childhood cereal? All-you-can-eat-crab Tuesdays and shrimp po' boys? Duh. [Eater 38 Member]
Parson's Chicken & Fish is quickly shaping up to be the place to be this summer, whether that's because of the sprawling yard of picnic tables, the Negroni slushies or the expertly fried fish. Read more.
The Gold Coast's snazzy new Chicago Q brings down-home barbecue uptown, a bit of Felix Unger-meets-Oscar Madison for a power lunch. Read more.
Three-cheese mac, pistachio-crusted chicken, chili-crusted pork chops with pickled peaches and buttermilk–fried chicken are some of the rib-sticking offerings. Read more.
Similar to a tapas place, shared plates are what you'll be expecting. Try the saffron broth'd black cod w/ butifarra & clams. There's a special emphasis on Sherry, designed to pair with the plates. Read more.
Try the michelada from our 100 Best list: We know it contains Tecate, Cholula and Valentina hot sauces, and Maggi. Oh, and we’re certain it's delicious, alleviates hangovers & might just cure cancer.
Rick Bayless’ place with two restaurants in one. Been going there for years. Great stuff and killer margaritas. -Dave Martin, Top Chef
The onion soup is sweetened by aggressive carmelization of onions within a very rich broth and topped by a thick slab of Gruyère cheese, a paragon of this old standby. Read more.
Dishes are vegan and organic but appeal to those who aren’t ready for raw, with hummus, pizza, salads and entrées made with fake meats. The restaurant serves organic wines and beer and Sunday brunch. Read more.
Wisma has des Rosiers’s silky soups, hearty sandwiches and sensible entrées (salmon with quinoa), all of it delicious, all of it made with sustainably, and priced as if it were in the suburbs. Read more.
Fancy but cozy cafe and restaurant in the Gold Coast. The scones are buttery deliciousness.
The vegan chain comes to Lakeview, with the same menu of meat-free sandwiches, salads and entrees. Read more.
We had nearly every menu item and everything was delicious. The wings are something I'll dream of. Po Boy, Jibarito, mashed potatoes. Amazing. And all veggie!
Delicious mostly-vegetarian gourmet restaurant with impeccable flavor combinations and a fantastic waitstaff that really know how to put food & wine together
See the Chicago River from a whole new perspective at the Trump International Hotel & Tower. Toast the occasion with one of their boutique wines or hand-crafted cocktails! Read more.
Enjoy the view from the rooftop patio or the glass-enclosed space in the winter, with comfy couches, high-top tables and bar seating, it's a big draw for Erin Hayes' destination-themed cocktails.
Former Treat chef makes savory pancakes packed with sliced scallions and a saag paneer scramble of fresh spinach and the fresh, tofu-like cheese, accompanied by two puffs of the Indian bread, puri. Read more.
People line up to try the New Haven style thin-crust pizzas with red or white sauce, piled high with an enormous list of toppings: mashed potatoes, artichoke hearts, broccoli, clams, and meatballs. Read more.
The thin crust pies can be ordered with traditional red sauce or topped with olive oil, and the quality ingredients like prosciutto, Italian sausage, spicy salami and arugula pay tribute to Italy. Read more.
The Monella (tomatoes, mozzarella, spicy salami), Ortolana (tomatoes, grilled zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella) & Marechiaro (mozzarella, panna, smoked salmon & arugula). Read more.
Can't decide between salad or pizza? Split the difference & order the one with a tangle of arugula and cherry tomatoes on top. Parmigiano, garlic and drizzled olive oil round out the dish. Read more.
Authentic Indian south of Devon can be tough to find. Throw in Nepalese, an array of curries, platters, and cocktails and you might not go back up north.
Great new spot by Paul Kahan, right next to Big Star. Traditional Mexican food fused with Southern comfort food. Great menu and full bar.
The brisket cemita by Cemitas Puebla and Smoque BBQ is one of the 100 best things we ate this year. http://tmout.us/rLOtk Read more.
Cash only, but don't let that stop you! Get the tacos. Any type is fantastic. I am partial to the spicy chicken and spicy pork. The kimchi dumplings are very, very good also. Can't wait to try more!
Highlights of the menu include hamachi tartare in delicate little taro-root tacos, tan tan men ramen weighted with herb-packed pork meatballs, and joyful desserts like softball-sized cream puffs.
Bill Kim turned noodles and dumplings on their head when he opened this downscale joint with incredibly flavorful food in a middle-of-nowhere strip mall. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
This neighborhood trattoria is known for its charming Italian staff and authentic Italian food. Be sure to try one of the nightly specials; they are always delicious. - Inspector
The hummus, falafel, and cucumber/tomato salad were wonderful. Had appetizers there tonight as a first stop on a progressive dinner tour. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Will definitely go back.
Start with a Neapolitan-style pizza from the wood- burning oven, which pairs nicely with a roasted baby beet salad or perhaps shaved fennel with pomegranate seeds and blood orange segments. Read more.
Probably my favorite hideout in Lincoln Park. Everything on the menu is named after some sort of literary work and it's all delicious. I reccommend the Great Gatsby and East of Eden.
FRESH sushi at CHEAP prices. A true hole in the wall, carry out only, but the best bang for the buck. Call ahead to order. Most of the rolls are $2.95-7.95. A couple at $10. Sashimi & nigiri $1/piece
This covered terrace in Lincoln Square features shareable dishes like charcuterie and pickled vegetables, accompanied by summery wine coolers served by the glass and pitcher. http://tmout.us/lKTEo Read more.
As a neighborhood spot, A10 straddles the line between being interesting enough for adventurous eaters, but still has tamer choices for more traditional diners. Read more.
A formidable blend of French technique and ethereally delicious Mexican ingredients await all those who dine here. And hopefully a glimpse of adorable chef Carlos Gaytan. - Inspector
The Sheerin brothers have outdone themselves with a polarizing menu of upscale charcuterie. Everyone has an opinion on this spot. [Eater 38 Member]
Bill Addison: "Arroz gordo, a specialty of Macanese home cooks and Fat Rice's namesake dish, forever dispels the notion that fusion cuisine began with wasabi mashed potatoes and its horrific ilk." Read more.
The waits on weekends are an indicator of this Bucktown spot's continual buzz, and a few bites of chef Chris Pandel's food are all it takes to join the ranks of fans. Read more.
Stephen Cole's temple to cocktailing is still shaking things up in Lincoln Park with some deceptively strong craft drinks.
Grace's fine dining has been wowing diners, and media, from its inception. A glass-enclosed kitchen, spot-on wine pairings, and fascinating backstory only add to the draw. [Eater 38 Member]
It's a butcher shop. It's a restaurant. It's a bar. It's an event hall. It's all of these things, it's finally open, and it's huge.
You will bounce to the classic hip-hop tunes served up over the dining room speakers. But here, more than anything you'll be dining on some of the very best bowls of ramen available in Chicago. Read more.
Get the spicy garlic miso ramen. It's addictive. Split it with someone, and share some sushi.
A destination spot for authentic Japanese comfort food and dishes like the Arami ramen with pork belly, house pickles, raised beef, fish cakes, & eggs. Read more.
If you're in the Wrigleyville/Lakeview neighborhood Cozy Noodles & Rice is the place for Thai. Try the Pad See Ewe w/chicken. They also offer the best coupon deals for delivery. Read more.
The Oyako Don is excellent. Start with the Gyoza, Edamame, Tsukemono. The Ika Geso (calamari legs) are also really good. They have good soba & udon noodle dishes, too. Home style.
Sweet and spicy seared monkfish is an excellent starter to share, served with sesame crackers. Read more.
Uptown's Argyle Street is also known as Little Saigon and Tank Noodle is the crown jewel for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially the various steaming bowls of pho. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
People come in droves for the warm, homey room and the housemade pastas like spaghetti with veal meatballs and fennel-flecked Italian sausage, or sumptuous gnocchi paired with a lively pesto sauce. Read more.
There is nothing more delicious than the jalepeno gnocchi. It's so fluffy & the sauce is awesome. Also, they have grape soda on tap :)
I love the coconut curry!! Quick service, amazing food and big portions!! Definitely a Chicago favorite.
The Seoul Sassy fried chicken is undeniably amazing. It's twice-fried in a pressure cooker, and drizzled with a soy, garlic, and ginger marinade and tossed with crunchy scallions. Read more.
Definitely get the kimchi fries, shrimp taco, and kalbi taco. So much flavor and tastiness!
At Alpana Singh's new Loop restaurant, you can dig into the stuffed French toast made from three slices of Texas toast layered with cream cheese and strawberry jam, or the duck hash. Read more.
The rustic interior conjures a wine-and-cheese bar vibe, but Top Chef contestant Chrissy Camba's menu of small and large plates puts this spot firmly in restaurant territory. Read more.
Don’t miss the staggeringly flavorful mushroom tacos, with three varieties of local mushrooms. This underdog dish truly shines: Read more.
These are all great: red quinoa, lasagna, baked goat cheese, mana slider (must get), and the sweet potato pancakes
walk in, move past the classy dressed up old people, and order a pizza with an egg on it
This place has it all!! Great ambience, nice food selection for appetizers and entrees, excellent wine list, outstanding and knowledgeable service, and reasonable prices! It's a winner! Go here!
The cheeseburger here may look like a simple, griddled double patty burger, but don't be fooled: this burger is what food writer Francis Lam calls "tremendous work, thin patty diner style magic."
The food here is solid and a very good value. The entree + Naan was just $10. A great cheap eats and nice alternative to the many taco options in the neighborhood.
This place is BYOB, so grab some Pipeworks Citra pale ale to cut through the spice of the Dungeness crab with maniac spice, corn, sausage, and potatoes. Read more.
This seafood-centric Logan Square restaurant comes from the team behind Scofflaw. Check out the oysters on the half shell. Read more.
Diners come here for three things: to sample the massive list of brews, to taste impeccable charcuterie and oysters or to begin their Sundays with arguably the best brunch in town. Read more.
One beer, one shot, one taco, $6. That's why they call it the No Bullshit special.
All the rolls looked amazing and were. I liked the chicago roll and Motown effect. Byob too. The Robata grill was pretty good too. Very cheap good food
True fans will show up to get tacos and burritos stuffed with bulgogi (ribeye steak), garlic lime shrimp, kalbi (beef short rib) as well as sides of kimchi. Read more.
This shop is more of a restaurant, with checker-clothed tables where you can sit down and eat a bowl of lobster bisque, a hefty lobster roll or—and trust us, this is the way to go—fish-and-chips. Read more.
