The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago: April 2026

April 16, 2026March 19, 2026 by Lynette Smith

The city’s most buzzed-about restaurants this month, in order of heat

Mordecai Gets a Fresh Look and Menu

March 18, 2026 by Lynette Smith

Matthias Merges’s Wrigleyville fave got a face lift and a more intentional menu.

March 11, 2026 by Sarah Steimer

How a restaurant handles a diner’s disappointment says a lot about the business and its staff.

March 17, 2026March 10, 2026 by Lynette Smith

The Top Chef winner’s new breakfast, lunch, and dinner café is just the versatile place the West Loop needed.

March 11, 2026March 4, 2026 by Lynette Smith

You can choose a different jam, but be sure to scoop the dough rather than rolling it, to maintain fruity pockets.

March 4, 2026 by Lynette Smith

Katie Renshaw’s whimsical new bar features twists on classics and upscale bar food.

March 3, 2026 by Lynette Smith

Owner Etibar Maharramli makes the kind of street food loved by people the world over.

March 2, 2026February 24, 2026 by Lynette Smith

The rich, peanutty curry carries complexity in every mouthful.

March 27, 2026February 19, 2026 by Lynette Smith

The city’s most buzzed-about restaurants this month, in order of heat

February 18, 2026 by Lynette Smith

The new restaurant comes from a married pair with serious culinary pedigree.