Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read MoreAlinea
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...
Read MoreAvec
Oowned 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...
Read MoreFloriole Café Bakery
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...
Read MoreFrontera Grill
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 2007 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant in the United States. It takes very...
Read MoreLe Bouchon
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.
Read MoreLula Cafe
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...
Read MoreMindy’s Bakery
Founded in the Wicker Park neighborhood by well-known pastry chef Mindy Segal in 2020 (after running beloved Chicago restaurant Hot Chocolate for 15 years), Mindy’s Bakery serves up carbs in a variety of deliciously baked forms, both sweet and savory:...
Read MoreMonteverde
Opened in late 2015, former Spiaggia chef Sarah Grueneberg’s long-awaited restaurant is one of Chicago’s hottest eateries (just try making a last-minute reservation). The Top Chef runner-up puts a personal twist on Italian classics, and pastas are the heart of...
Read MoreNorth Pond
Because of its off-the-beaten-path location—not only is it in Lincoln Park, but you actually have to walk through the grounds to get there—locals consider North Pond a beloved hidden gem. Its rustic Arts and Crafts design and lake view make...
Read MoreRL Restaurant
RL, situated on the ground floor of the Ralph Lauren store, feels like the library of an English gentleman’s club—dim lighting, wood paneling, leather chairs and lots of books—except that most of the patrons are chic women. Many are fresh...
Read MoreSepia
Opened in July 2007 by Emmanuel Nony, a charming Frenchman who looks a little like Sting, Sepia is still buzzing. The charming restaurant, housed in a restored 1890s print shop, has a warm ambiance, with exposed brick walls, custom Art...
A cocktail at The AviaryRead MoreThe Aviary
It comes as no surprise that Chicago’s most innovative tipples are the work of celebrated chef Grant Achatz (Alinea, Next). The Aviary takes craft cocktails to new levels of whimsy and drama, and even the reservation system is unique—patrons buy...
Read MoreThe Publican
Modeled after a European beer hall, The Publican boasts rustic décor and a farmhouse-inspired menu that changes daily. The menu is focused on oysters, hearty meat dishes and beers from around the world.
Read MoreThe Purple Pig
At this crowded spot on the Magnificent Mile, diners are welcomed by the following words: “Cheese, Swine & Wine.” With a menu light on green items and teeming with adventurous plates (crunchy pig’s ear, anyone?), the tag line is fitting....
Read MoreThree Dots and a Dash
Tucked off a quiet alleyway, Three Dots and a Dash is a Hawaiian oasis in the midst of the city. Tropical concoctions are served up in elaborate tiki glasses alongside island-inspired small bites.
Read MoreTopolobampo
The adjoining sister restaurant to Rick Bayless’s casual Frontera Grill, Topolobampo offers a more elegant dining experience. The atmosphere is a touch more refined, though still funky, with walls covered in museum-quality Mexican artwork in eye-popping colors. The menu, which...
