Chicago’s magnificent Restoration Hardware took up shop in the stunning Three Arts Club building, which was constructed in 1914 as a school for girls. The restaurant is set in the spectacular glass-ceiling courtyard with enormous potted olive trees, vaulted brick walls, a towering fountain and a stunning chandelier. Brunch, lunch, drinks and dinner are available throughout the day and into the evening and everything from cheeseburgers and shrimp cocktail to cheese plates and shaved vegetable salads are on offer.

In Hebrew, ‘aba’ means ‘father,’ and the menu at this bright, modern eatery does a good job honoring Middle Eastern culinary traditions while including other global, modern elements. Fan-favorite dishes include black garlic shrimp scampi with chilies and lime pickle, kebabs, short rib hummus and truffle baked orzo. Lots of sunlight and greenery makes Aba feel like a garden oasis in the city, especially during weekend brunch and on the rooftop terrace. (PS: gluten-free-ers rejoice: Aba has an entire menu for you.)

If you are up for a culinary adventure, the three Michelin-starred Alinea is surely one of the most exciting restaurants in the country. Chef Grant Achatz, previously of the French Laundry, combines haute cuisine, science and art in set menus that change frequently and come in three different "experiences." The most casual boasts 10-12 courses, while the most exclusive is a meal at the Kitchen Table, for six guests only. The ingredients may be unfamiliar, the flavor combinations unconventional—butterscotch and bacon, quince and foie gras, soy and chocolate—but the result is simply delicious and wholly unforgettable. And the presentations are so exquisite, they’re almost too pretty to eat.

The décor is elegant and the service warm and incredibly precise; at one point at a neighboring table, six servers worked in tandem to make sure the six diners were served simultaneously. Allow two to three hours for dinner, come hungry, and reserve at least two months in advance.

For some of the best burgers in America, head to Au Cheval. Its decadent, high-quality hamburgers–often loaded with fried eggs or bacon–have graced the pages of almost every major food publication in America, and for good reason. No reservations required, and there are plenty of craft beers on the menu.

Owned by Paul Kahan, Avec is a local favorite for its creative cuisine. It’s also tiny, narrow and cramped, with wooden tables packed together and a communal atmosphere (and, due to its no-reservations policy, a reliably lengthy wait list). Open for weekday lunch, Sunday brunch and until late for dinner, it offers a choice of mouthwatering small plates (burrata with smoked persimmon and a walnut-anchovy vinaigrette; chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates) or large ones (braised lamb neck with charred brussels sprouts; roasted mushroom pizza with butternut-squash pesto and arugula) prepared by chef Perry Hendrix. There’s also a wide selection of wines and eight artisanal cheeses.

For larger groups, check out Avec's sister restaurant in the River North neighborhood.

Far larger than its sister restaurant in the West Loop, avec River North serves Mediterranean-inspired bites along with an extensive wine list. The expansive outdoor patio is ideal for soaking up the sunny Chicago summers.

An old-school, dimly lit steakhouse, Bavette’s oozes sexy speakeasy steakhouse, which feels very appropriate in this city. Diners sit on tufted leather banquettes and red velvet armchairs to dig into blue cheese wedge salads with thick-slabbed bacon and Wagyu steaks. The menu here is extensive beyond just steakhouse classics, though those are favorites along with equally classic sides like truffle mac and cheese and roasted brussels sprouts. Dessert, too, is very well done, making Bavette's a good option for special occasions.

With sleek black and gold interiors, the contemporary Boka has lured well-heeled diners since it opened in 2003. Chef owner Lee Wolen creates sophisticated American cuisine offerings with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Pasta dishes are consistently incredible and interesting, and unlike many of the city’s high-end restaurants, Boka offers an a la carte as well as tasting menu.

The great atmosphere draws friends for a fun night out at this Chicago institution, which opened in the early 1980s. Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! serves tasty paella, tapas, jamón sandwiches, sangria and gambas in its lively space in Lincoln Park. The restaurant, with exposed brick walls, murals and string lights, can get noisy, especially on live flamenco show nights.

For lowkey and casual dining, stop by Doc B’s Restaurant for quick salads and light entrees near the Gold Coast neighborhood.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephanie Izard–also the first female chef to win Bravo’s Top Chef—opened Duck Duck Goat as a way to celebrate the Chinese-American cuisine she has loved her whole life. The vibe here is buzzy, with groups sharing plate after plate of dim sum like soup dumplings (aptly made with duck and goat), pork steam buns, spicy chicken wings with a chili crunch, along with hand-pulled noodle dishes, fried rice and other classics (the Peking Duck and grilled beef with broccoli, a soy mayo, and shallots are particular highlights). In summer months there is outdoor seating as well.

The handsome and heavily tattooed Chef Curtis Duffy earned two Michelin stars for the highly sophisticated Ever, considered one of Chicago’s most notable restaurants. The gastro experience here involves a 10-course tasting menu that is as creative as it is modern, featuring visually stunning dishes. Reservations book out two-plus months in advance. ‘After,’ next door, is the lounge from the same owners located next door and offers small plates.

This Lincoln Park bakery is a delightful place for a quick bite or sweet pick-me-up. The bi-level space is bright and airy, with display cases exhibiting the French-style pastries and terrific sandwiches on house-made bread. The crowd includes well-heeled residents picking up a rustic fruit tart to serve at a dinner party later on and families enjoying a leisurely breakfast on the flower-bedecked sidewalk patio. If the Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies are among the day’s offerings, you’d be remiss not to order a few.

An inventive Mexican restaurant owned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless and his wife, Deann, Frontera Grill was a hot spot even before it won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant in the United States. It takes very few reservations, and tends to be packed and cacophonous.

Pan–Middle Eastern fare isn’t really a ‘thing’... but it should be if Galit is a model. Here, diners enjoy four courses: a salatim, a mezze, a dish cooked over coal and a dessert. Highlights might be Iraqi Kubbeh Halab lamb with saffron crust; “Armenia-meets-Lower East Side pastrami;” and fig leaf ice cream served with honey and almond.

Gemini is a buzzy neighborhood bistro serving classic American fare in Lincoln Park. Despite being small, the menu packs a punch with a variety of dishes and is accompanied by an extensive wine and spirits selection–plus, live music. On weekends, grab brunch or the Sunday fried chicken dinner special.

Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse serves up surf and turf classics (think shrimp cocktail appetizers, loaded wedge salads and steak cuts for every taste), in an upscale, retro setting in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephanie Izard–also the first female chef to win Bravo’s Top Chef—continues to impress with exciting and fresh New American cuisine at this Randolph Street stalwart. It can be difficult to get a reservation, so a good alternate option is to snag a seat at the bar area (the cocktails are delicious) and order off the bar menu which features all of Izzard’s signature dishes. And yes, one of her signature dishes is “Pig Face.” The name is jarring, but the product—cheeks, snout, and tongue seasoned with cilantro and lime, rolled like porchetta and cooked in a wood-fired oven and then topped with a fried egg—is delicious.

Upscale seafood restaurant in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Menu highlights include the crab cakes and frog legs.

Juno Sushi has received accolades for its excellent sushi and other Japanese-inspired international fare (think chicken meatballs and ceviche). The visually beautiful restaurant serves an omakase or a la carte menu.

A small, cozy Japanese cocktail bar, Kumiko, located in the West Loop, is considered one of the best bars in the country—but “bar” isn’t giving it enough credit. This seriously stylish, masculine but warm establishment also serves tasting menus with an emphasis on what’s in season. Drinks are thoughtful and interesting and the truffle milk toast is a must-order.

Considered the most revered sushi restaurant in Chicago, Kyōten has a price tag to match at nearly $500 a head. Chef Otto is famous for his creations and welcoming personal style, which is simple and unassuming but spectacular. Sushi mavens who have eaten here claim this is to be some of the best sushi they’ve had outside of Japan.

Kyōten’s more reasonably priced sister restaurant features the Wabi Sabi theory with rich textured furniture, mood lighting and straightforward bites that are about the ingredients. The omakase menu typically features between 17-20 courses including many pieces of nigiri made with fish flown in from Japan and New Zealand. The restaurant has only ten seats.

The sexy, vibing cocktail bar in the basement level of The Hoxton hotel hosts live music many nights and features a menu with 52 cocktails—one for each Saturday night of the year! One example: The Salty Dog, made with gin, aquavit, grapefruit juice, myrtleberry, lime and black salt.

This cute tile-floored French brasserie serves staples like steamed mussels with white wine, pâté de campagne, boudin noir with caramelized apples and boeuf à la bourguignonne. It’s a good choice for an early dinner after shopping Bucktown & Wicker Park.

Located in a beautiful townhouse in the Streeterville neighborhood, Les Nomades serves classic French cuisine–foie gras and soufflés are a must order—in a warm and romantic setting. Owner Mary Beth Liccioni and chef Roland Liccioni have been at the helm of this iconic restaurant for several decades, with servers that have been a part of the institution from the beginning. Definitely a spot to celebrate special occasions.

Note: Les Nomades is closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

This farm-to-table institution is beloved by locals and took inspiration from Chez Panisse for its seasonally driven fare. Though the dishes are of the same caliber as Chicago heavy-hitters Avec or Sepia, the ambiance (and pricing) are of a relaxed neighborhood eatery. The menu changes constantly but has included ocean trout with brandade-stuffed peppers and short ribs with cauliflower three ways. Staples like the satisfying pasta “yiayia” (bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic and brown butter) and beet bruschetta remain year-round. Note that this no-reservations joint is perpetually mobbed on the weekend, but makes a peaceful venue for a weekday lunch.