12 Must-Try Chicago Restaurants That Deserve The Buzz
Chicago’s food scene is a melting pot of flavors that keeps getting better each year. From Italian pasta temples to Korean-American gems, the Windy City offers something for every food lover.
These restaurants aren’t just Instagram-worthy spots; they deliver unforgettable flavors that will have you planning your next visit before you’ve finished your meal.
1. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Chef Sarah Grueneberg transforms simple flour and water into pasta magic at this West Loop hotspot. Her ragu alla Napoletana has reached legendary status among locals.
The restaurant’s open kitchen design lets you watch pasta artisans at work, creating everything from delicate tortellini to robust pappardelle. Weekend reservations disappear faster than their famous egg yolk raviolo.
2. Girl & The Goat
Iron Chef champion Stephanie Izard’s flagship restaurant continues to draw crowds a decade after opening. The menu dances across continents with dishes like goat empanadas and wood-fired oysters.
Communal tables and an energetic atmosphere make this Fulton Market destination perfect for celebratory dinners. Pro tip: the green beans might sound boring, but they’re consistently among the most ordered items.
3. Au Cheval
Forget everything you thought you knew about burgers. This West Loop diner serves what many consider the best burger in America, a perfectly seared double patty topped with American cheese and dijonnaise.
Dark wood, vintage fixtures, and vinyl spinning behind the bar create an atmosphere that’s equal parts nostalgic and cool. The waitlist can stretch to three hours, but that first bite makes the wait worthwhile.
4. The Purple Pig
Located steps from Michigan Avenue, this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers a welcome respite from shopping fatigue. Cheese, swine, and wine are the holy trinity here.
The bone marrow with herb salad has been on the menu since day one for good reason. Small plates encourage sharing, while the communal seating often leads to conversations with neighboring tables about what dishes to order next.
5. Rose Mary
Top Chef winner Joe Flamm brings Croatian-Italian cuisine to life in this bright, airy Fulton Market space. Seafood steals the spotlight, especially the grilled squid with red pepper and the addictive fried smelt.
Blue-and-white tiles evoke Mediterranean coastlines while the wood-fired hearth infuses dishes with subtle smokiness. The restaurant honors Flamm’s Italian heritage and his wife’s Croatian background in every carefully crafted bite.
6. Avec
This cedar-lined box of a restaurant has been packing in diners since 2003, and for good reason. The chorizo-stuffed medjool dates wrapped in bacon have achieved cult status among Chicago food lovers.
Communal seating along wooden benches creates an intimate dining experience. The Mediterranean-inspired menu changes regularly, but the perfectly roasted lamb shoulder remains a signature dish worth fighting over with your dining companions.
7. The Duck Inn
Tucked away in Bridgeport, this neighborhood gem combines tavern coziness with serious culinary credentials. The signature rotisserie duck for two arrives glistening and crisp-skinned, accompanied by potatoes cooked in duck fat.
Vintage cocktails complement the retro-modern vibe of the dining room. When weather permits, the backyard patio becomes one of the city’s most charming outdoor dining spots, complete with twinkling lights and lush greenery.
8. Alinea
Chicago’s most celebrated restaurant continues to redefine fine dining through theatrical presentation and boundary-pushing flavors. Chef Grant Achatz creates multi-sensory experiences that engage all five senses.
Edible balloons, desserts painted directly onto the table, and dishes that transform before your eyes are all part of the experience. Despite three Michelin stars and international acclaim, the restaurant maintains a sense of playfulness throughout its meticulously crafted tasting menus.
9. Kasama
Morning brings lines for ube-filled pastries; evening transforms this Ukrainian Village spot into a Michelin-starred Filipino tasting menu experience. Husband-wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon seamlessly blend their culinary backgrounds.
The casual daytime bakery serves extraordinary versions of Filipino classics like longganisa breakfast sandwiches. By night, the tasting menu might include luxurious takes on kare-kare or a revelatory interpretation of halo-halo that will change how you think about Filipino cuisine.
10. Parachute
Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark’s Korean-American restaurant in Avondale marries traditional Korean flavors with modern techniques. Their famous bing bread, a potato bread filled with bacon, scallions, and cheddar; is reason enough to visit.
The intimate space features an open kitchen where you can watch chefs craft dishes like dolsot bibimbap and housemade kimchi. Family recipes inspire many menu items, creating food that feels both innovative and deeply personal.
11. Smyth
Husband-wife team John and Karen Shields create farm-to-table magic in this two Michelin-starred West Loop restaurant. Many ingredients come directly from their dedicated farm, arriving at your table sometimes just hours after harvest.
The tasting menu unfolds like a story, with dishes that might include aged beef with fermented mushrooms or dungeness crab with foie gras. Downstairs, sister restaurant The Loyalist offers a more casual experience, and another contender for Chicago’s best burger.
12. Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Chef Darnell Reed pays homage to his great-grandmother’s Mississippi roots at this Lincoln Square soul food haven. The shrimp and grits arrives swimming in a rich tomato-bacon gravy that locals can’t stop talking about.
The casual, counter-service setup belies the serious cooking happening in the kitchen. Reed’s chicken gumbo achieves the perfect balance of spice and depth, while the peach cobbler; served warm with melting vanilla ice cream, provides a sweet finale to a soulful meal.
