The 20 Best Restaurants in Chicago

Stephanie Izard's Michelin-recognized West Loop flagship and one of Chicago's toughest reservations. Bold, live-fire, globally-inspired small plates built for sharing, from the famous goat dishes to wood-oven pig face. Dinner nightly plus Sunday brunch. Book weeks ahead or try walk-in bar seats.

Little Goat Diner is a lively Chicago breakfast and brunch spot that blends traditional diner classics with creative, vibrant twists on familiar dishes. Reviewers rave about standouts like "This Little Piggy" (deconstructed breakfast sandwich), chicken and dumplings, and the tomato apple soup, plus creative cocktails like "The Goat from Ipanema." Arrive early or make a reservation—the small seating area fills up fast, especially during peak brunch hours.

Au Chavel is a celebrated burger restaurant in Chicago's West Loop known for its famous cheeseburger—a double patty with juicy beef and perfectly melted cheese that reviewers consistently praise. The single cheeseburger is worth ordering with add-ons like fried egg and bacon, and the thick-cut fries are excellent. Plan ahead: the restaurant gets very crowded, especially on weekends, so arrive early or make a reservation to avoid long waits.

Lou Mitchell's is a legendary Chicago diner near the West Loop that's been serving scratch-made breakfast and lunch for decades. Order the pancakes (including gluten-free options), corned beef hash, or the exceptional home fries—portions are huge and everything is made from scratch. Note that they close at 2 PM daily, so arrive early to avoid missing out or expect a wait during peak hours.

The Lincoln Park cult favorite famous for pan-style deep dish with a ring of caramelized, blackened cheese around the crust. Casual, dark, and beloved by locals who argue it's the city's best. Expect a wait; reservations and the overflow bar help. Open daily, very late.

The 1938 Little Italy original that claims to have invented the Italian beef sandwich. Thin-sliced beef, dipped in jus, topped with spicy giardiniera, eaten standing at a counter. Cheap, messy, and deeply Chicago. Open Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday.

Aba is a vibrant Mediterranean restaurant in West Loop serving shareable plates of grilled meats, hummus, and mezze with excellent cocktails. Order the crispy short rib hummus, shawarma-spiced skirt steak frites, and whipped feta—and don't skip the crème brûlée pie. One caveat: the staff recommends 5-6 plates for two people, which can feel like too much food depending on your appetite.

Alinea is Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-star temple of avant-garde cuisine, consistently ranked among the world's best restaurants. The multi-course tasting menu is a theatrical, boundary-pushing experience with edible art and unexpected textures. Reservations are notoriously difficult and must be booked weeks or months in advance through a ticketed system. Not for those seeking a relaxed, traditional dinner — this is a full commitment of time and money.

Alla Vita is an Italian restaurant in the West Loop with a warm, intimate atmosphere and consistently strong execution on classic dishes. Order the wood-fired table bread and mortadella toast—reviewers rave about them—and expect attentive, knowledgeable service. Note that cocktails run pricey ($22 for an espresso martini), so budget accordingly.

Lula Cafe is a Logan Square institution that helped define Chicago's farm-to-table movement when it opened in 1999 and remains one of the city's most beloved neighborhood restaurants. The menu changes constantly based on seasonal ingredients, and the cooking is creative, soulful, and unpretentious. The Monday prix fixe is a legendary local tradition. It's casual enough for a weeknight but special enough for a celebration.

The deep-dish standard-bearer many Chicagoans name as their favorite, famous for a buttery flaky crust and lean-sausage-patty layer. This River North location is central and tourist-friendly with a full bar. Order the Malnati Chicago Classic. Open daily; expect a 45-minute bake.

Kasama is a Filipino restaurant and bakery from chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon that earned a Michelin star, making it the first Filipino restaurant in the US to achieve that distinction. By day it operates as a casual café with outstanding pastries and breakfast sandwiches; by night it transforms into an intimate tasting menu experience. The combination of Filipino flavors with fine dining technique is genuinely exciting and deeply personal. Tasting menu reservations book out quickly.

Monteverde is Sarah Grueneberg's James Beard Award-winning Italian restaurant celebrated for its exceptional handmade pasta program. The cacio e pepe in a pork skin broth and the various stuffed pastas are standouts that draw regulars back repeatedly. The room is warm and convivial with an open kitchen adding to the energy. Waits and noise levels can be high, and reservations should be made well in advance.

The Publican is a boisterous beer hall-inspired restaurant from the One Off Hospitality group, known for its whole-animal cooking, oysters, and exceptional charcuterie. The long communal tables and cathedral ceilings create a festive, communal atmosphere perfect for groups. Pork-focused dishes and the rotating oyster selection are perennial highlights. It can get very loud and crowded, especially on weekends.

Avec is a beloved Mediterranean-influenced small plates restaurant that has anchored the West Loop dining scene since 2003. The communal cedar-wood interior is cozy and buzzy, and the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are a legendary must-order. Dishes are meant to be shared and the wine list is excellent. The space is narrow and loud, and waits can be long even with a reservation, but it remains one of Chicago's most reliably satisfying dinners.

Cindy's Rooftop is an upscale restaurant perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel with some of Chicago's best skyline and Millennium Park views. Go for the steak, oysters, shrimp and grits, or avocado toast, paired with well-crafted drinks. Book events well in advance (months to a year ahead for summer), and note that service can be inconsistent when busy, though food quality remains strong.

A Magnificent Mile favorite for Mediterranean small plates, cured meats, cheeses, and an excellent wine list, just off Michigan Avenue near the river. Bold, shareable, and reliably great. Reservations recommended; walk-ins seated as available. Open daily. Order the JLT and the milk-braised pork shoulder.

AMBAR is a Balkan restaurant in River North known for its Unlimited Ambar Experience—a tasting menu format with small portions of 2+ dozen dishes, plus unlimited drinks. Reviewers rave about the beef goulash, house sangria, and Turkish coffee, and praise the attentive service and European-quality execution. The main caveat: the unlimited format works best if you arrive hungry and pace yourself, since portion sizes are intentionally small to let you try everything.

Kevin Kelley's upscale Southern restaurant in the Loop serves elevated comfort food like chicken and mac & cheese with cocktails in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. The food is genuinely excellent and the staff energy is consistently praised as warm and attentive, but prices run high for what are essentially sides and mains.

Upscale American restaurant in the Loop with inventive dishes like rabbit curry pot pie, gnocchi with octopus and chorizo, and shrimp and grits. The warm, calm atmosphere and knowledgeable service make it great for dates, after-work drinks, or pre-theater dinners. Note that food quality can be inconsistent—some dishes like fish and chips have disappointed with excessive grease.