43 Best Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

A menu packed with burgers, fries, and chopped liver might sound like a classic dive, but Au Cheval is no greasy spoon—exposed brick, dim lighting, and antique-inspired fixtures give a sultry feel, and rich takes on classic American diner dishes satisfy cravings. There’s a perennial wait, but sneak in on weekends from 3 pm to 5 pm or Monday–Saturday from midnight to 1 am for a limited menu consisting of the crowd-favorite cheeseburger and fries.

Head to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the warm, intimate space has seating for only 55 people, and the results are loud and lively, with shareable fare—a mix of small and large Mediterranean plates—that's reasonably priced.

Classic meets innovative at chef Sarah Grueneberg’s forward-thinking Italian restaurant, where a strategically placed mirror grants diners a view of pasta makers rolling and filling select pastas to order. The West Loop location means the restaurant gets busy before Blackhawks games, but Top Chef finalist Grueneberg’s dishes, designed for sharing, are always a game changer.

There aren’t many restaurant dinners that start by entering through an alley and into a freight elevator, but nothing about Oriole is typical, from the secretive entrance to the warm, impeccable service to the hit parade of bites on Noah Sandoval’s $285 tasting menu. Wine pairings are a must, since the old-world, white-wine focus makes the flavors on the forward-thinking tasting menu truly sing.

The name may evoke nostalgia for the building's gritty past as a print shop, but Sepia is thoroughly forward-thinking in both its design, which features glassed-in chandeliers and leather-topped tables, and chef Andrew Zimmerman’s elegant, seasonal four-course prix-fixe menu. A well-chosen, international wine list and thoughtfully prepared cocktails satisfy oenophiles and cocktail-lovers alike; grab a spot on the lounge side for a predinner drink with a side of people-watching.

Don't call this beer-focused hot spot a gastropub—chef Paul Kahan prefers "beer hall" (though wine is available, too) and with the long communal tables, at which beer connoisseurs sample from a selection hovering above 50 brews, the bustling space has the air of an Oktoberfest celebration. The seafood- and pork-focused menu gives an elevated nod to pub fare, though there are plenty of veggie-friendly dishes as well.

At this local chain of Cuban coffee houses, you can get the eponymous espresso drink or a café con leche, as well as a variety of pressed sandwiches including what might be the city's best Cubano. The South Loop location, attached to a hostel popular with young international travelers, makes for a lively atmosphere.

For breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack, this is a great find. Try a "Jojo," the bistro's signature sandwich—it's a filone (an Italian baguette) stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, basil, and plum tomatoes.

Mid-century style reigns at this wood-paneled clublike restaurant, where the menu draws inspiration from the landmarked space's previous incarnation as a tony men's club. The sweeping bar is perfect for sipping historic and house cocktails over bar snacks or raw seafood, or settle into a comfortable leather booth for private conversations and all manner of meat perfectly prepared.

You can eavesdrop on advertising types who do the after-five mix-and-mingle at this spot on the ground floor of the Leo Burnett Building. When it comes to the menu, there's no shortage of choices: fish and shellfish entrées come in various preparations, from grilled to seared to baked. Classic surf-and-turf combinations like Atlantic cold-water lobster tail and filet mignon mingle alongside Asian-inspired dishes like lemongrass shrimp and yellowfin tuna sashimi. The restaurant, with its marble, granite, and beautifully set woodwork, is an inviting space to relax, and the multilevel dining room provides plenty of eye candy, plus glimpses of the Chicago River beyond. A local jazz trio performs on Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

You might not expect romance at the top of the Chicago Stock Exchange, but at Everest, there are sweeping westward views of the city's sprawl, the service is impeccable, and the prix fixe menu is French with an Alsatian bent. The space, where modern sculpture melds with art nouveau, is an elegant place to settle in for a luxurious meal.

Lines form early and stay throughout the day. The popcorn is so popular that there are several other Chicago outlets plus branches in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia.

The name means "game" in Italian, and the restaurant fulfills the promise not with venison, but in the spirit of having fun. The decor is distressed-urban, with brick walls and well-worn hardwood floors—the space is said to have been used by the Chicago gangsters of early 1900s as a gambling house. But the menu is comfort-Italian, with dishes ranging from pizzas and homemade linguine with Manila clams to rustic fare like grilled Colorado lamb chops, and roasted branzino with puttanesca sauce. It's a cozy, neighborhoody spot that keeps the regulars coming back.

This Loop legend is famous for casual Cajun breakfasts and lunches that have area office workers gladly lining up to be served.

Every day is Mardi Gras at Heaven on Seven, which pursues a good time all the time. The restaurant has a menu centered on a daring collection of hot sauces, and the food is plentiful and filling. Some guests find the menu too spicy for their kids, but would go back for the well-priced Mardi Gras jambalaya, fried oyster po'boy, cheese grits, and chicory coffee. Cheddar-jalapeño biscuits and chocolate peanut-butter pie are great menu bookends.

We don't know if the sardine reference was meant to telegraph the seating arrangements, but, yes, it's snug here. Still, the solid menu of traditional French bistro favorites—including steak frites, bouillabaisse, and beef Bourguignon—seems to put everyone in a convivial mood. Save room for decadent desserts like crème brûlée and warm apple tart, which are bound to evoke envious looks from adjacent diners.

This Baja-inspired spot first opened in 2016 as the latest venture in chef Rick Bayless's exploration of Mexican cuisine. Bayless has since divested, but Leña Brava's all-wood-fired menu abides. Sit downstairs by the hearth, or opt for a quieter table upstairs overlooking Randolph Street, but regardless of your seat, be sure to order a glass or bottle of hard-to-find Mexican wine, the perfect complement to the food.

Kibitzing counter cooks provide commentary as they sling soul-nurturing soups, sandwiches, and other deli favorites at this classic cafeteria that often attracts local and national politicians. Though those cooks occasionally bark at dawdlers, it's all in good fun—though finding a table in the two teeming, fluorescent-lit rooms is not, so your best bet is to visit during off hours.

This small but stylish café operated by local roastery Dark Matter Coffee serves up all kinds of joe, from drip to draft to canned varieties, amid playfully psychedelic decor. On the food side, look for savory breakfast tacos and empanadas, Do-Rite Donuts, and pastries from West Town Bakery.