Best restaurants in Chicago

Welcome to Chicago, the city of endless skyscrapers, sandy beaches and well-lit streets thrumming with culture. While it’s a big place, the Windy City is not as crowded and fast-paced as you’d expect. There’s an undercurrent of calm among the vibrant arts scene, cultural attractions and lively shopping spots.

But Chicago is also a foodie paradise filled with culinary innovation, cheap eats and everything in between. Explore the best restaurants in Chicago and find out what makes this bustling city a gastronomic haven. 

Oriole

661 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60661

Nestled in Chicago’s busy West Loop neighborhood, Oriole’s unassuming exterior isn’t what it seems. Enter through the freight elevator and into an intimate space that carries a bespoke elegance. Imposing ceilings shadow stylish round tables, while the impressive kitchen is in full view.

Oriole’s award-winning tasting menu changes regularly, but you can look forward to a minimalist style of cooking that highlights premium ingredients prepared by chef Noah Sandoval. Enjoy Japanese cuisine infused with rich flavors, like the Miyazakigyu wagyu served with white asparagus in a shio koji glaze, egg yolk jam and lettuce dressed in wasabi oil. Then finish with a sweet mochi for dessert.

With two Michelin stars to its name, it’s no wonder Oriole is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Chicago.

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Kyōten

2507 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Travel northwest to the leafy neighborhood of Logan Square and visit one of the best places to eat in Chicago – the beloved Kyōten. This restaurant offers fine dining like no other, with bright corners, minimally decorated walls and tall ceilings – all reminiscent of a gallery. Grab a spot at the eight-seater sushi bar and experience front-row views of the chef carefully preparing your meal.

There’s a variety of cold and hot dishes to enjoy, rom nigiri (sliced raw fish on a bed on rice seasoned with aged red vinegar) to fried tilefish with caviar and crème fraiche. Kyōten’s dishes are made with lavish products flown in from Japan, so expect some of the finest bites money can buy.

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El Che Steakhouse & Bar

845 West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60607

In West Loop’s notorious ‘restaurant row’, follow the short walkway underneath a pink neon sign and you’ll find El Che. Dark furnishings against dark walls and tiles adorn the dimly lit space, yet it’s incredibly welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere. Delectable scents waft from the kitchen’s 12-foot heath, paying homage to asados – traditional Argentinean backyard barbecues.

Experience wood-fired meat, vegetables and seafood, with premium cuts sourced from Michigan’s Vander Farmers. Get a real taste of South America with the parrilada platter stuffed with chorizo, morcilla, sweetbreads and flame-kissed steak. Chef John Manion also hosts ticketed culinary events, such as the Hearth Table and Grilling With John, which all end in a delicious tasting affair.

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Smyth + The Loyalist

177 North Ada Street, Chicago, IL 60607

The culinary scene in West Loop is a medley of artistic grubs and traditional eats, and Smyth + The Loyalist is no exception. This isn’t your typical restaurant with a quirky title, though. In fact, the name represents two separate restaurants run by a husband-and-wife duo. Smyth boasts a multi-course tasting menu in a bright, cozy room, while The Loyalist is a rustic subterranean gastropub with a seasonal patio.

Snuggle up on the couch with the Loyalist’s famous Dirty Burger, packed with cheesy onion flavors. Or feast on wild Maine mussels in a savory licorice cream at Smyth. Both concepts work closely with a 20-acre farm just outside of Chicago, so you’re guaranteed original dishes made with the finest local ingredients.

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Rose Mary

932 West Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60607

Adding to Fulton Market’s artful, contemporary charm is Rose Mary. This restaurant – named after chef Joe Flamm’s grandmothers Mary and Mary Rose – features bold flavors borrowed from Croatian and Italian cuisine. It’s a boisterous space, comprising pale stone surfaces, whitewashed brick walls and honey-colored oak millwork.

The seasonal menu serves up rustic dishes that embody what Flamm describes as “Adriatic drinking food”. Indulge in plentiful dishes like Gnocchi with beef cheek, tuna crudo and pork ribs topped with paški and basil. Or keep it light with a plate of cevapi and garlicky sausages to share. One thing’s for certain, Rose Mary is one of the best restaurants in Chicago for an empty stomach.

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Pequod’s Pizza

2207 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

You can’t visit Chi-town without sampling some good ol’ pizza. And you’ll find it within the neighborhood of Lincoln Park, which borders the glittering Lake Michigan in the north. This relaxed sports bar serves Chicago-style deep dish, but it’s unlike the others you might come across.

Pequod’s changed the game with its serving of crispy, caramelized cheese that lines the chunky crust. But that’s not all – you can opt for a pan-style pie with spicy sauce toppings and an equally thick crust.

As one of the best places to eat in Chicago, its specialized menu entices travelers and Chicagoans time and time again. Now that Pequod’s accepts reservations, you won’t need to queue hours for a table either.

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Monteverde

1020 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60607

Enter the temple of pasta starring chef Sarah Grueneberg as the priestess. Situated in West Loop, this authentic Italian space walks the fine line between upscale and mellow. The airy dining room overflows with a healthy buzz and highlights the chefs creating handmade pasta in the slightly raised bar.

Experience a smorgasbord of fine pasta dishes, from the burrata and ham starter to the spaghetti al pomodoro (a simple dish with roasted tomato sauce).

Grueneberg prepares her meals with a traditional heart and a modern hand – every affordable dish invites multiple orders off its seasonal menu. It’s certainly one of the top restaurants in Chicago for savoring Italian food.

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Maple & Ash

8 West Maple Street, Chicago, IL 60610

Chicago lays claim to some of the best steakhouses in the world, but very few can top Maple & Ash’s aesthetic. Sitting on the aptly named West Maple Street in Gold Coast, this restaurant abandons steakhouse conventions all the while celebrating them. Ride the elevator to the second floor filled with lush velvet chairs, crisp white tablecloths and wood-paneled ceilings for a steak dinner like no other.

The extensive menu offers classic wood-fired dishes and delicacies like dry-aged beef and caviar. But the main event comes with the steak. The succulent 28-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye is worth the splurge, as is the chef’s pricier tasting menu.

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Now that we’ve provided you with the best restaurants in Chicago, it’s time to embark on your culinary journey. So, pick up your Hertz car rental and get ready to explore the depths of Chicago’s dining hotspots.

Get to know more about Chicago

Want to get the most out of your Chicago trip? Check out our other guides on the Windy City and turn your average stay into an epic venture.

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• Chicago driving guide
• Chicago’s neighborhoods