The Best Restaurants in Chicago: Where to Eat in 2024
Chicago is a world-class food city that balances high-end culinary innovation with deep-rooted blue-collar traditions. It is the birthplace of the deep-dish pizza and the Italian beef, but it also boasts more Michelin stars than most international capitals. From the Michelin-heavy "Restaurant Row" in the West Loop to the authentic Mexican spots in Pilsen, the diversity is unmatched. You will find $300 tasting menus and $5 hot dogs within the same mile. This guide covers the best restaurants in Chicago to ensure you don't waste a single meal in the Windy City.
Must-try dishes in Chicago
If you are looking for where to eat in Chicago, start with these local staples that define the city’s identity.
- Deep-Dish Pizza: A thick, buttery crust lined with cheese and topped with chunky tomato sauce. It is best eaten with a knife and fork.
- Chicago-Style Hot Dog: An all-beef frank on a poppy seed bun, topped with mustard, onions, relish, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. Never ask for ketchup.
- Italian Beef Sandwich: Thinly sliced roast beef simmered in au jus, served on French bread. Ask for it "dipped" (the whole sandwich dunked in juice) with hot giardiniera.
- Jibarito: A Puerto Rican sandwich invented in Chicago that uses fried green plantains instead of bread, usually filled with steak, cheese, and garlic mayo.
- Rainbow Cone: A South Side tradition featuring five specific flavors—chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts and cherries), pistachio, and orange sherbet—stacked high.
- Pierogi: Traditional Polish dumplings filled with potato, cheese, or meat, reflecting the city's massive Polish population.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When your budget allows for a high-end experience, these establishments represent the peak of Chicago’s fine dining scene.
Alinea – Lincoln Park
Alinea is often cited as the best restaurant in the country, let alone Chicago. Chef Grant Achatz delivers a multi-sensory tasting menu that blurs the line between art and food. Expect edible balloons, tabletop aromas, and courses that look nothing like what they taste like. It is expensive and difficult to book, but it is a bucket-list meal for any serious traveler.
Smyth – West Loop
Located in the heart of the West Loop, Smyth holds three Michelin stars and focuses on the intersection of farm-to-table freshness and avant-garde technique. The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed and hearth-focused, though the food is incredibly intricate. Most ingredients are sourced from a single farm south of the city, changing daily based on the harvest.
Kasama – Ukrainian Village
Kasama is the world’s first Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant. While they offer an incredible bakery counter by day, their evening tasting menu is a masterclass in modern Filipino flavors. It is a refined, intimate 13-course experience that reimagines traditional dishes like adobo and pancit with premium ingredients and precise execution.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These spots represent the heart of the "best restaurants in Chicago" for locals who want high-quality food without the suit and tie.
Girl & The Goat – West Loop
Stephanie Izard’s flagship remains one of the hardest reservations in the city years after opening. The energy is loud and hectic, but the food justifies the hype. The menu focuses on bold, global flavors with a heavy emphasis on goat proteins and inventive vegetable dishes. Order the sautéed green beans; they are legendary.
Au Cheval – West Loop
This is arguably the most famous burger in America. It is a small, dark, diner-style space that does not take reservations. Expect a three-hour wait for a double cheeseburger with thick-cut bacon and a fried egg. It is rich, heavy, and perfectly executed. If the wait is too long, their sister "Small Cheval" locations offer a streamlined version.
Monteverde – West Loop
Chef Sarah Grueneberg leads this Italian powerhouse where you can watch pasta being handmade behind the bar. It bridges the gap between traditional Italian techniques and local Midwestern ingredients. The Cappelletti di Zucca and the Skate Wing Schnitzel are standouts. The vibe is bright, bustling, and upscale-casual.
Lula Cafe – Logan Square
Lula Cafe pioneered the farm-to-table movement in Chicago over two decades ago. It remains a cornerstone of the Logan Square neighborhood. The menu is creative and hyper-seasonal, making it a reliable choice for any meal of the day. It feels like a cozy neighborhood haunt but delivers food at a professional, sophisticated level.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don’t need to spend much to find the best restaurants in Chicago. Some of the city's most iconic flavors come from paper bags and plastic baskets.
Portillo’s – Various Locations
While a chain, Portillo’s is the gold standard for a first-timer’s introduction to Chicago street food. Go here for a "big beef" dipped with hot peppers and a Chicago-style hot dog. Their chocolate cake shake is a local cult favorite. It is fast, efficient, and chaotic in the best way possible.
Al’s Beef – Little Italy
For an authentic Italian beef experience, go to the original location on Taylor Street. The beef is spiced with a proprietary blend of peppers and garlic. The "Al's way" involves a heavy soak in gravy. It is a messy, standing-room-only experience that has remained unchanged for decades.
Pequod’s Pizza – Lincoln Park
Locals often prefer Pequod’s over the more famous deep-dish chains. Known for its "caramelized crust," they layer cheese along the edge of the cast-iron pan, creating a burnt, crispy halo around the pizza. It is thick, doughy, and more flavorful than the standard tourist deep-dish.
Jim’s Original – University Village
This is the home of the original Maxwell Street Polish. Located near UIC, it is an outdoor stand that serves Polish sausages piled high with sweet grilled onions and mustard. Every sandwich comes with a free bag of fries. It’s a 24-hour operation that defines Chicago’s late-night food culture.
Best breakfast and brunch
Brunch is a weekend ritual in Chicago. These spots are where to eat in Chicago when you need to fuel up for a day of sightseeing.
Publican Quality Meats – West Loop
Across the street from the main Publican restaurant, this butcher shop and cafe serves some of the best breakfast sandwiches in the city. The bread is baked in-house, and the meats are cured on-site. It is rustic, high-quality, and perfect for a quick but gourmet morning meal.
Boka – Lincoln Park
While known for dinner, some of the higher-end spots in Chicago offer incredible brunch programs. Boka provides a sophisticated morning experience with refined takes on classics. The ginger pancakes and brioche cinnamon rolls are standouts. It is a great choice if you want a quiet, beautiful space to start your day.
Dove’s Luncheonette – Wicker Park
This is a Southern-inspired Mexican diner located right next to the "L" tracks. The menu ranges from chicken fried steak with chorizo gravy to burnt ends hash. The counter seating and vinyl records create a retro atmosphere. It is heavy, comforting food that pairs perfectly with their extensive tequila and mezcal list.
Best rooftop or view dining
Chicago’s skyline is its best asset. These restaurants allow you to enjoy the architecture while you eat.
Cindy’s – Mediterranean
Located on top of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, Cindy’s offers the best view of Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. The space looks like a Great Lakes glass house with an outdoor terrace. The food is served family-style, making it ideal for groups. The cocktails are excellent, but the view of the "Bean" is the main draw.
Miru – New Eastside
Located in the St. Regis, Miru offers high-end Japanese cuisine with stunning views of the Chicago River and Navy Pier. The outdoor terrace is one of the most sophisticated spots in the city. It is an excellent choice for sushi and Wagyu while watching the architectural boat tours pass below.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you don't have a specific reservation, head to these neighborhoods to find a dense concentration of options.
- West Loop: This is the city’s culinary epicenter. Most of the famous names are located on Fulton Market or Randolph Street. You can walk three blocks and pass ten award-winning restaurants.
- Pilsen: This is the place for authentic Mexican food. Walk down 18th Street for some of the best tacos, al pastor, and tamales in the Midwest.
- Andersonville: This North Side neighborhood has a heavy Swedish heritage and a thriving independent restaurant scene. It is great for bakeries, coffee shops, and cozy bistros.
- Chinatown: Located just south of the Loop, Chicago's Chinatown is vibrant and walkable. Head to the Chinatown Square mall for dry chili chicken or various dim sum parlors.
Operating hours and reservation availability are subject to change; check restaurant websites before visiting.