Best Restaurants in Chicago: The Ultimate Guide for Foodies

Exploring Chicago’s Diverse Food Scene

Chicago’s food scene is a vibrant battleground where flavors clash and collide, offering a raw and unfiltered display that both delights and dazzles food enthusiasts. From humble diners to upscale gastronomic establishments, the city covers the full spectrum of culinary experiences.

A Diverse Mix of Flavors

Chicago is not just known for its deep-dish pizza and bright red hot dogs (although you shouldn’t miss out on them). It’s a city that offers a wide variety of international cuisines that are even more impressive than a heavyweight boxing champion. If you’re in the mood for some genuine Mexican street food, Pilsen is the place to be. And if you’re craving dim sum that will make you question your life choices, Chinatown is ready to welcome you with open arms and sturdy chopsticks. Each neighborhood in this bustling city has its own distinct food culture, with each one being more unique and unapologetic than the previous.

Why Explore?

In this bustling city, food isn’t just something to eat; it’s an experience that takes you on a journey through flavors and cultures. If you want to truly understand the vibrant spirit of Chicago, you need to immerse yourself in its diverse and lively food scene.

The Eater Chicago 38 List

Welcome to the world of Chicago’s food scene, where chefs are like warriors with their knives and every dish shows their love for cooking. This list is more than just names of restaurants; it includes the bravest and most daring masters of flavor. These are the places that refuse to settle for average, where every bite is a defiance against boring food.

The 38 List is not for those who are easily scared or for casual diners who think ketchup is a spice. It’s meant for people who enjoy exciting food battles, where ingredients are carefully chosen, cooking techniques are perfected, and presentations are works of art. This list takes you on an unforgettable journey through Chicago’s most adventurous kitchens, where creativity knows no bounds and traditions are both honored and challenged.

Here you’ll find restaurants that have changed the game, going against popular trends and setting new standards with each dish they serve. These establishments aren’t just eateries—they’re sacred places where culinary masters perform rituals that would make Bacchus blush. Expect nothing less than excellence as these pioneers strive for perfection.

This guide is your ticket to culinary enlightenment, an adventure for those willing to push their taste buds and explore the darker side of dining. So get ready for an unforgettable feast that will leave a lasting impression on your palate.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, the Eater Chicago 38 list is your go-to resource. Curated by Ashok Selvam and his team of food experts, this list features a carefully selected collection of restaurants that are worth visiting. Whether you’re searching for the top steakhouse in Chicago or hidden gems among Italian restaurants in the city, this list has got you covered.

Get ready for an unforgettable culinary adventure through one of America’s greatest cities.

Exploring Chicago Neighborhoods Through Food

Chicago is a city known for its fierce culinary scene where neighborhoods serve as battlegrounds, chefs as warriors, and every block as a new frontier in the endless battle for your taste buds. The map is not just a grid of streets but a vibrant menu, with each enclave offering its own unique dishes and hidden gems. Every meal serves as a passport stamp, and every bite signifies loyalty.

Chinatown: Unapologetic Asian Flavors

In Chinatown, authenticity is not whispered but proudly displayed in neon-lit windows and bustling alleyways. Dive into Lao Sze Chuan for tongue-numbing dry chili chicken or Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings for hand-folded parcels bursting with pork and chive flavors. MCCB (Modern Chinese Cook Book) offers bold dim sum choices like blood sausage congee that will leave you both satisfied and eager for more.

Pilsen: Mexican Soul on Every Corner

Pilsen is a vibrant neighborhood where murals adorn brick walls, but the true artistry lies in its cuisine. While Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant is famous for its carnitas, 5 Rabanitos steals the show with tortas filled with roasted jalapeños and queso fresco that redefine traditional flavors. Santa Masa Tamaleria is a must-visit for tamale enthusiasts seeking a taste of perfection.

West Loop: Where Steak Dreams Don’t Die

West Loop is a hub of culinary delight where the debate over the best steak in Chicago never ends. Boeufhaus impresses with its dry-aged ribeye dripping with marrow butter, while Girl & The Goat attracts foodies with wood-fired meats and innovative dishes like confit goat belly and crispy pig face.

Lincoln Park: Brunches That Mock Hangovers

Lincoln Park’s brunch scene is legendary for its revitalizing dishes. Lula Cafe offers a breakfast burrito packed with sweet potatoes and chorizo, while Summer House Santa Monica provides a refreshing escape with ricotta pancakes under sunlit skylights. For bottomless mimosas against a scenic backdrop, head to The J. Parker for an elevated experience.

Little Italy & Beyond: Pasta and Passion

Italian cuisine in Chicago shines bright at Monteverde, known for its handmade pasta crafted with love and expertise by chef Sarah Grueneberg. Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap boasts classic red sauce dishes like chicken Vesuvio that have stood the test of time. Whether indulging in truffle tagliatelle at Monteverde or gnocchi bolognese at Tufano’s, these Italian eateries prioritize tradition over trends.

Hidden Gems & Uncut Delights

• Best rooftop dining: Experience lamb kefta under twinkling lights at Aba in Fulton Market.
• Late-night cravings: Satisfy your hunger pangs at Redhot Ranch with Depression dogs loaded with fries inside the bun.
• Unpretentious French: Discover unexpected delights at Obelix by trying the foie gras taco that defies expectations.

Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants are more than places to dine; they embody extravagance, resilience, and unwavering authenticity. Each district invites you to embark on a culinary journey where every forkful narrates a unique story in this epic gastronomic adventure.

2. Indulging in Award-Winning Dining Experiences

Abandon all pretensions, ye who enter here: Chicago’s kitchens are not temples to restraint, but gladiatorial arenas where ambition bleeds onto the plate and egos are flambéed nightly. Michelin stars aren’t just accolades—they’re battle scars, proof of survival in a city that chews up the meek and spits out the mediocre.

Take Alinea—the undisputed warlord of fine dining, where Grant Achatz turns dinner into performance art with the zeal of a mad scientist fueled by equal parts genius and masochism. Here, food levitates, smokes billow, and flavors ambush your palate like guerrilla fighters. Forget dinner; you’re signing up for edible alchemy with a side of existential awe.

The ghost of Grace still haunts this city’s haute cuisine corridors. Though shuttered, its three Michelin stars remain like relics from a lost golden age—a time when chef Curtis Duffy’s obsessive perfectionism raised the bar so high it left nosebleeds in its wake. Every new fine-dining contender is measured against Grace’s spectral legacy.

If molecular gastronomy feels too much like eating magic tricks, Chicago offers other sanctuaries for those hungering after something both opulent and grounded:

• Oriole lurks in West Loop’s industrial underbelly—a clandestine temple where Noah Sandoval wields tweezers like surgical instruments. His tasting menus fuse Japanese restraint with Midwestern decadence; caviar snuggles up to beef tartare and every course is a hush-hush affair between you and the chef’s inner demons.
• Over at Smyth, three stars glint above a dining room that channels Midwest barn chic by way of culinary sorcery. Here, John Shields plunders local farms for inspiration, conjuring dishes that ping-pong between childhood nostalgia and fever-dream innovation.
• Meanwhile, Kasama blows up every expectation—Filipino food elevated to Michelin-star status by Tim Flores and Genie Kwon. By day: breakfast pastries fit for demigods. By night: tasting menus that redefine what heartland hospitality can be.

And if you crave sushi sharp as a samurai’s blade? Kyoten delivers omakase so uncompromising it borders on religious conversion—Chef Otto Phan presides with Edomae rigor and an iron will (plus a $440 price tag that’ll make your wallet pray for mercy). This is not California roll territory; this is culinary asceticism at its most exquisite.

For date night, skip the cliché candlelight and go rogue:

• At Esmé, avant-garde art installations bleed into the menu—a feverish marriage of gallery cool and gastronomic daring where each dish dares you to question what “dinner” even means.
• Or haunt Obelix, where foie gras tacos consort shamelessly with French classics and seafood towers rise like edible ziggurats—proof that romance loves a little chaos on its plate.

Chicago doesn’t just breed chefs; it spawns visionaries willing to gamble everything for greatness: Erick Williams (Virtue), Sarah Grueneberg (Monteverde), Joe Flamm (Rose Mary)—their menus read like manifestos against mediocrity. In this city, eating well isn’t mere sustenance—it’s an act of rebellion, an invitation to taste ambition raw and unfiltered.

3. Enjoying Affordable to High-End Dining Options

Chicago has dining options for every budget, from cheap eats to fancy restaurants. The city’s food scene is diverse, with a wide range of choices available.

Affordable Dining Options

Here are some budget-friendly places where you can enjoy a meal without breaking the bank:

• Portillo’s: This legendary spot serves up Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs that’ll make you wonder why you’ve ever eaten anything else. A belly-filling feast for under $10? Sign me up.
• Redhot Ranch: Dive into Vienna Beef hot dogs and fries that redefine indulgence. The Depression dog is a culinary time capsule that’ll have you savoring every bite.
• Pat’s Pizza & Ristorante: Tavern-style pizzas with crusts so thin they’re practically an insult to deep-dish fanatics. Lunch for two costs less than downtown parking, and it tastes like rebellion.
• Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen: Old-school deli vibes where trays groan under the weight of pastrami and brisket. It’s hearty, no-nonsense fare that punches you right in the nostalgia.

High-End Dining Option

If you want to splurge on a fancy meal and experience gourmet dishes that will leave others envious, Girl & The Goat is the place to go. Here, chef Stephanie Izard works her magic in the kitchen, creating mouthwatering dishes like wood-fired bread with whipped goat cheese and roasted beet tartare. Each plate costs between $15 and $40, but it’s not just about the money—it’s an investment in extraordinary flavors that will stay with you long after the meal is over.

But let’s be honest: discovering Chicago’s best restaurants isn’t just about spending money—it’s also about determination, chance, and the willingness to explore both hidden gems and renowned establishments in search of unforgettable experiences. This city keeps its culinary treasures hidden, waiting for those brave enough to uncover them. Every dive bar or upscale restaurant has the potential to surprise you—if you’re bold enough to seek them out.

4. Convenient Takeout and Delivery Services from Top Restaurants

Chicago, the city that never sleeps, is now obsessed with takeout and delivery—it’s the new battleground for food lovers. Forget about fancy dining experiences—now, even Michelin-starred establishments in Chicago are packaging their gourmet dishes in clever boxes, while popular joints in West Loop and Fulton Market are serving up meals that pack a punch.

Why settle for mediocre reheated food when you can have the best of Chicago delivered to your doorstep?

Here are some of the top restaurants in Chicago offering convenient takeout and delivery services:

• Lou Malnati’s Pizza: The ultimate deep-dish pizza, carefully packed in sturdy boxes designed to withstand long journeys. With gooey cheese stretching like taffy and vibrant tomato sauce, one bite will transport you to River North without leaving your couch.
• Big Star Tacos: The taco haven of Wicker Park serves up mouthwatering al pastor and queso fundido that maintain their deliciousness even after being transported. Expect crunchy tacos and bourbon-and-lime cocktails sealed tight like precious cargo.
• Smoque BBQ: The carnivore’s paradise in Irving Park packs its brisket with just the right amount of smoky flavor to linger in your dreams. Ribs wrapped securely and sauce containers intact—it’s nothing short of miraculous.
• Au Cheval: The reigning champion of burgers now delivers its double-patty masterpiece straight to your door; the runny yolk remains so powerful it could launch ships.
• Daisies: The pasta wizardry of Logan Square is carefully packaged—handmade noodles and fresh vegetables that taste like a trip to the market even after navigating through the city’s traffic.

From late-night deliveries of the best burgers in Chicago to lazy Sundays featuring brunch from the finest eateries, the city’s top spots have embraced takeout as their weapon of choice. Packaging has become an art form—a delicate dance of insulation, strategic ventilation, and heat preservation. These establishments go above and beyond; they meticulously plan every aspect so that your meal arrives just as glorious as if you had fought your way to the front of the line yourself.

“There are no more excuses,” says every hungry insomniac scrolling through food options in Chicago. “If I can’t make it to Fulton Market or River North tonight, let them come to me.”

Takeout has evolved into something greater than just a backup plan—it has become a source of empowerment at your fingertips. The only thing missing is the lively atmosphere of a bustling restaurant and perhaps some hot sauce stains on your shirt (though delivery can arrange that too).

Staying Updated with Chicago’s Ever-Evolving Food Scene

Chicago’s food scene is in constant flux, transforming and reinventing itself regularly. Missing a beat could mean overlooking the emergence of a new favorite eatery or the abrupt closure of a once-beloved dining spot due to various reasons like increasing rent, exhaustion, or sheer fate. Keeping track of restaurant openings and closings in this city has become a competitive endeavor enjoyed by enthusiasts and curious souls alike.

The Dynamic Food Landscape

• Exciting New Dining Spots: The latest additions to Chicago’s culinary scene aren’t just good; they are exceptional. Loaf Lounge tempts with pastries so decadent they linger in your arteries and conscience. Santa Masa Tamaleria crafts tamales that even seasoned grandmothers would envy, while Mirra elevates fine dining with unmatched confidence.
• Heart-Wrenching Closures: Witnessing the original location of Milly’s Pizza in the Pan shut its doors was a blow to many, now relocated to West Town. Despite its Michelin stars, Ever faced an unexpected fall from grace, stripped from Eater’s prestigious 38 list unceremoniously.
• Reborn Legends: Rising from literal ashes after a fire ravaged its initial home, Birrieria Zaragoza now thrives in Uptown as a culinary phoenix, showcasing that resilience is as vital as any seasoning in Chicago’s kitchens.

Stay vigilant and attuned to the pulse of the city. Chicago’s dining scene is a dynamic entity, continuously shedding layers, reinventing itself, and challenging you to stay abreast or risk being left behind.

6. Specific Cuisine Recommendations: A Culinary Journey Through Different Flavors

Chicago’s food scene isn’t just a patchwork of flavors—it’s a roaring, relentless parade, equal parts back-alley grit and white-tablecloth bravado. For the true palate thrill-seeker, here’s your not-so-gentle nudge into the city’s must-try dishes and the kitchens that dare to serve them. Forget moderation; abandon culinary timidity at the door.

Barbecue Spots

Barbecue in Chicago isn’t so much a meal as it is a smoky altar to carnivorous excess—a primal ritual for those who understand that patience, fire, and sinew are the holy trinity.

• Smoque BBQ: Tucked away in Irving Park like a speakeasy for meat addicts, Smoque channels the restless spirits of Kansas City and Memphis. Their brisket—smoked until it dreams of its own demise—and pulled pork that tastes like someone finally won the war against blandness. Every bite is a punch in the mouth from a pitmaster who knows pain is just flavor waiting for a home.
• Green Street Smoked Meats: In the West Loop, this joint is less restaurant, more raucous temple to animal sacrifice. Ribs collapse at the threat of your fork, brisket shreds under a hard stare. Pair with an IPA or three and bask in your own gluttonous glory.

Indian Cuisine Gems

Indian food here isn’t just about heat and color—it’s organized chaos, spices waging war for dominance on your tongue while centuries-old traditions laugh from behind the curtain.

• Superkhana International: Logan Square plays host to this fever dream of subcontinental fusion. Pork vindaloo sits next to Hakka noodles like an arranged marriage that actually works. The brunch—appam crowned with asparagus and pea shoots—feels like Mumbai woke up in Brooklyn after an all-nighter.
• Rooh: West Loop’s Rooh takes Indian classics, reassembles them with surgical precision, and then spikes them with mischief. Butter chicken here isn’t served; it’s unleashed, alongside cocktails laced with enough spice to make your ancestors sweat.

Pizza Paradise

Pizza in Chicago isn’t dinner—it’s dogma. Deep dish versus thin crust? That debate has ended marriages and started barroom brawls.

• Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria: The name itself is gospel for lovers of deep dish. Each slice is a molten slab of cheese-laden sin atop a buttery crust—a caloric daredevil act masquerading as dinner.
• Pat’s Pizza and Ristorante: For those who scoff at pie so thick you need a forklift, Pat’s serves up tavern-style thin crusts crisp enough to cut glass. Their sausage blend is legendary—a blend so good it could make even New Yorkers admit defeat.

Mexican Food Delights

Chicago’s Mexican cuisine doesn’t bother with subtlety—it swaggers down the street blasting mariachi at full volume, equal parts street hustle and grandmotherly love.

• Mi Tocaya Antojería: Small plates here don’t whisper—they shout across Logan Square with combos like peanut butter lengua and cactus-studded tlacoyos that turn skepticism into obsession.
• Frontera Grill: Rick Bayless’ flagship is part institution, part fever dream—authenticity filtered through relentless innovation. Cochinita pibil smolders beside carne asada while margaritas flow like liquid courage for your tastebuds.

Fine Dining Experiences

Sometimes you want to eat like royalty—or at least like someone who can afford to play culinary Russian roulette at three Michelin-star speed.

• Alinea: Grant Achatz doesn’t cook so much as orchestrate sensory mind games—dishes arrive trailing clouds of dry ice or disguised as something else entirely. It’s performance art where you’re expected to eat the props.
• Smyth: Another West Loop temple decorated with Michelin stars instead of stained glass windows. Here, tasting menus are less “meal” than “odyssey,” each plate balancing on the bleeding edge between innovation and madness.

Sushi Chicago

If you think great sushi requires a flight to Tokyo, you haven’t bled your wallet in Chicago yet.

• Kai Zan: This humble spot on West Grand Avenue is omakase as religious experience—the kind where every piece of fish feels hand-selected by Poseidon himself.
• Momotaro: In Fulton Market, Momotaro turns sushi into high art—the platters are engineered masterpieces where every slice gleams like wet jade beneath fluorescent light.

Each destination on this gluttonous tour isn’t just feeding you—they’re telling stories steeped in rebellion, tradition, and brazen innovation. This is Chicago: where food isn’t just sustenance; it’s an act of defiance against mediocrity—one unforgettable bite at a time.

Conclusion

Chicago’s food scene is a chaotic carnival of flavors and experiences, beckoning the intrepid and the insatiable. From the opulent sanctuaries of haute cuisine in downtown Chicago to the raucous dens of culinary revelry tucked away in the city’s labyrinthine alleys, there’s an endless parade of gastronomic wonders aching to be devoured.

• Must-Try Dishes: You’d be committing a cardinal sin if you left without sinking your teeth into a classic deep dish pizza. Whether it’s conjured by the maestros at Lou Malnati’s or Giordano’s, this molten, saucy monstrosity demands your undivided attention.
• Neighborhood Flavors: Each enclave boasts its own distinct palate – indulge in the soulful richness of authentic Mexican fare in Pilsen or traverse the exotic tapestry of Asian flavors in Chinatown.
• Michelin-Starred Delights: Surrender to the avant-garde sorcery at Michelin-starred temples like Alinea or be seduced by the audacious creations at Virtue.

Chicago isn’t just about feeding your belly; it’s about consuming the narratives stitched into every dish, every morsel. As you navigate through the trendsetting eateries or chase down the gems hailed by Eater Chicago 38, remember: it’s not merely about quelling your hunger but also nourishing that voracious beast called your soul.

So, whether you’re a native or a wanderer, let these recommendations guide you through an exhilarating culinary odyssey. The Windy City stands ready, eager for you to unravel its vibrant and visceral food scape.