Best New Restaurants

This year’s top spots are attracting neighborhood crowds with audacious cuisine that used to be the domain of posh prix fixe temples.

By Carly Boers, John Kessler, Jeff Ruby, and Carrie Schedler

Latest

2D
ago

The Darling Has a Few Tricks up Its Sleeve

This grown-up funhouse boasts moving portraits, burlesque dancers, and spinning chandeliers.

2D
ago

Tinned European Fish Is Having a Moment

Seafood conservas are making their mark on menus across town

3D
ago

Where Malika Ameen Gets Her Spices

The chef and author of ‘Sweet Sugar, Sultry Spice: Exotic Flavors to Wake Up Your Baking’ shares her go-to shop.

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Discover a Whole New Eataly Chicago

Here are five reasons to visit the whole new Eataly Chicago — and make this culinary hub a regular stop on your everyday agenda.

Brass Heart Isn’t Quite Ready to Compete

The Uptown spot’s ambitious tasting menus veer dizzyingly from mind-blowing to maddening.

3D
ago

The Heartland Café Survived for Four Decades by Making Itself a Community Hub

Remembering the Rogers Park diner, where Obama spoke in 2004, in all its ragtag glory.

4D
ago

Do-Rite Donuts Opens in Wrigleyville and More Dining News

Plus: Heartland Cafe is closing, and Iliana Regan has written a memoir

4D
ago

Get Two Hours of Undivided Attention at the Violet Hour

The Wicker Park bar gets extra-exclusive with a new, intimate cocktail program.

5D
ago

How Chicago’s Dining Scene Lost Its Mojo

Our once-vaunted restaurant town is in decline. John Kessler offers an unsparing five-point manifesto that explains why — and how we can fix it.

5D
ago

The Four Best Impossible Burgers in Chicago

Where to find the buzzy vegetarian patties.

1W
ago

Six Tasteful Gifts for Chicago Foodies

Looking for locally sourced presents for the food-lover in your life? We’ve got you.

1W
ago

Chicago’s Christmas Bars Are Out of Control

We toured six decked-out pop-ups that have come to town.

1W
ago

The House of Glunz Is Like an Alcohol Museum

Like a fine whiskey, the130-year-old liquor shop has gotten more interesting with age.

1W
ago

A Thai Newcomer with Potential in Heart of Chicago

Best New Restaurants

This year’s top spots are attracting neighborhood crowds with audacious cuisine that used to be the domain of posh prix fixe temples.

Latest

The Darling Has a Few Tricks up Its Sleeve

This grown-up funhouse boasts moving portraits, burlesque dancers, and spinning chandeliers.

Tinned European Fish Is Having a Moment

Seafood conservas are making their mark on menus across town

Where Malika Ameen Gets Her Spices

The chef and author of ‘Sweet Sugar, Sultry Spice: Exotic Flavors to Wake Up Your Baking’ shares her go-to shop.

Sponsor Content

Sponsored by Eataly Chicago

Brass Heart Isn’t Quite Ready to Compete

The Uptown spot’s ambitious tasting menus veer dizzyingly from mind-blowing to maddening.

The Heartland Café Survived for Four Decades by Making Itself a Community Hub

Remembering the Rogers Park diner, where Obama spoke in 2004, in all its ragtag glory.

Do-Rite Donuts Opens in Wrigleyville and More Dining News

Plus: Heartland Cafe is closing, and Iliana Regan has written a memoir

Get Two Hours of Undivided Attention at the Violet Hour

The Wicker Park bar gets extra-exclusive with a new, intimate cocktail program.

How Chicago’s Dining Scene Lost Its Mojo

Our once-vaunted restaurant town is in decline. John Kessler offers an unsparing five-point manifesto that explains why — and how we can fix it.

The Four Best Impossible Burgers in Chicago

Where to find the buzzy vegetarian patties.

Six Tasteful Gifts for Chicago Foodies

Looking for locally sourced presents for the food-lover in your life? We’ve got you.

Chicago’s Christmas Bars Are Out of Control

We toured six decked-out pop-ups that have come to town.

The House of Glunz Is Like an Alcohol Museum

Like a fine whiskey, the130-year-old liquor shop has gotten more interesting with age.

A Thai Newcomer with Potential in Heart of Chicago

Situated blocks outside of Pilsen’s gentrifying core, Gin Khao Eat Rice serves belly-filling food from a shoebox storefront.

Bobtail’s New Ownership Is Extremely Weird for One Ohioan

Our dining editor weighs in on her hometown creamery’s big aspirations.

Double Door Will Reopen in Uptown and More Dining News

Plus: an indulgent vegan restaurant and Chandra Ram’s new cookbook