The Best Restaurants In Chicago, 2023 Edition
Chicago is not only the third-biggest city in the United States, but it's also one of the foodie capitals of the world. The Windy City is a melting pot of different cultures and people from many countries, all with their own deep histories. The result is a sprawling city with high-quality, eclectic food on every corner.
Whether you're looking for a greasy spoon, international fare, or high-end cuisine, the Chi has a little bit of everything for you. Spoiler alert: The restaurants in this guide are all downright delicious. While the list of best restaurants in Chicago isn't a stagnant one (considering just how many incredible options there are to choose from), this 2023 guide will steer you in the right direction whether you want to sit down and enjoy several courses or grab a quick, casual bite to eat. The city offers something for everyone, no matter what kind of flavor and style you gravitate toward. Whether you're a local or someone planning a big trip to Chicago, these restaurants will please your tastebuds and take you on a culinary tour of Chicago's many unique neighborhoods and lively downtown.
Virtue Restaurant
Quality, craftsmanship, and taking pride in your work are all virtues that this restaurant espouses. Virtue Restaurant & Bar specializes in American food from the South. Aside from high-end takes on southern fare, the restaurant also takes pride in offering the kindness, service, and hospitality that the region is known for. They offer a taste of southern comfort food in the heart of Chicago's historic and iconic Hyde Park neighborhood.
At Virtue, you'll get to try several interesting selections, such as morel mushrooms, lemon chicken, red snapper, Geechie buttered grits, cornbread with honey butter, and collard greens with smoked turkey. The restaurant has an intimate setting, hosting no more than 70 people at once. Customers can stop by for a meal Wednesday through Sunday and are free to place reservations on a table.
The restaurant is run by a team of quality chefs, and its owners strive to keep gratitude and culture at the forefront. These attributes carry over into the experience that customers have when they enjoy a meal at this intimate restaurant. Virtue also features a full bar for patrons wanting to enjoy a wine or a cocktail, and the restaurant opens its doors to guests wanting to book private dinners and receptions.
Ghin Kao Eat Rice
If you want to enjoy an authentic taste of Thailand without spending an arm and a leg or booking a flight, Ghin Kao Eat Rice is your go-to spot in Chicago. This restaurant offers an array of tantalizingly tasty menu options that are sure to satisfy anyone's palate and preferences. It's located in the heart of Chicago and is easily located near multiple metro lines. You can come in for a sit-down meal or order delivery or pickup Tuesday through Saturday at this Chicago favorite.
Some of the menu items that you'll be able to take advantage of when you place an order at Ghin Kao Eat Rice include Krapow Gai, crab fried rice, Pla Goong, Pad Kana, and pork belly. Once you get a taste of Ghin Kao Eat Rice, you'll want to sample a little bit of everything, and you'll appreciate the food variety and quality of the service you receive. These meals are served in a warm and inviting environment with colorful and artsy decorated walls that are true to Thai culture and sensibilities.
George's Deep Dish
If you're looking for Chicago-style pizza, George's Deep Dish offers it in spades. This is an award-winning pizza restaurant that features the deep-dish pizza that the Second City is known for around the world. George's offers its own unique spin on Chicago pizza by patterning the dough recipe after Greek flatbread. The restaurant offers an eclectic blend of pizzas that feature a wide variety of toppings and ingredients.
Customers that order a pizza at George's Deep Dish can get them in a small 10-inch that feeds two people, or a 14-inch pizza that feeds four. You will be able to enjoy a host of flavorful pizza options, including the Orwell's Farm vegetarian pizza, Wesley's Spicy Red Top (which has Italian sausage and fire-roasted red peppers), Michael's S&M, which is a spaghetti and meatballs pizza, and a build-your-own option.
The restaurant also has some dessert offerings, such as Constanza's Bosco Brownie, Curious Limoncello-Mascarpone Cake, and Prince's Toffee Brownie Cheesecake. George's Deep Dish satisfies the demand of its customers by serving pies Tuesday through Saturday evenings until sold out.
Alinea
Alinea is a high-end restaurant situated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. When you book a table at Alinea, you're eating at one of the best restaurants on the planet. In fact, Alinea has been named the best restaurant in the country, North America, and the entire world by various culinary publications. It's also one of the few restaurants in the United States to achieve a Michelin 3-Star rating.
Simply put, you're getting access to some of the finest dining of your life when you decide to book a table at Alinea. Its chefs are world-renowned and customers that stop by don't leave disappointed. The restaurant strives to deliver a world-class experience the moment that you step into the establishment. Each table decoration, piece of wall art, and piece of silverware is set with the intention of inviting you into a memorable experience. Alinea's modernist cuisine features unique flavors and ingredients, and beautiful, minimalist plating — while the quality and artistry make for a high price point, if you're looking for a flawless fine-dining experience, Alinea is a must-add restaurant for your Chicago bucket list. Make sure to book reservations in advance, as tables are coveted at this fine dining establishment.
Triple Crown Restaurant
The name Triple Crown is fitting for this restaurant, as you're getting a royal trifecta of authenticity, flavor, and service. This is the restaurant you'll want to visit when you're in the mood for authentic Dim Sum and Cantonese food in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. It's a restaurant that was established in 1996 and never looked back.
When you dine at Triple Crown, you're not only getting freshly prepared meat, vegetables, and seafood, but also meals made with spices that are native to China. You get a mix of history and culture all in one place. Triple Crown is also a late-night spot in Chinatown that gives you a full festive experience. All of these variables aside, the restaurant truly shines in the most important department: The food.
Some menu items that you will appreciate include appetizers like soy glazed wings, pork and vegetable egg rolls, salt and pepper eggplant, Hong Kong fried dough, and Imperial pot stickers. Once you have set the tone with some appetizers, you can move on to soups like sea cucumber, egg drop, and Chinese wild mushroom soups. The food still delivers once you get to the main courses. This includes offerings like beef with broccoli, sizzling mixed mushrooms with black pepper, live largemouth bass or tilapia, salt and pepper soft shell clam, and orange chicken. Triple Crown also has a litany of fried rice and noodle options. Best of all, the restaurant is open seven days a week.
Taste 222
The key element of this restaurant is in the name. At Taste 222, you're getting an eclectic blend of meal options that are full of flavor and prepared to perfection. Customers that stop by Taste 222 get the opportunity to try delicious food in an intimate environment with exquisite decor. It's situated on Cleveland Avenue right next to the canal. Customers who stop by Taste 222 appreciate the excellent interior design and amazing service.
In terms of food, Taste 222 offers plenty of breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections. You can also stop by for a drink and a variety of different coffee, tea, and latte options. A glimpse at the Taste 222 food menu reveals such dishes as mac n' cheese featuring gouda, cheddar, parmesan, and goat cheese, hand-cut truffled fries, cast iron cornbread, shrimp and grits, southern fried catfish, the Taste 222 Burger, and avocado toast. Each menu selection has its own little twist of uniqueness that sets it apart. For instance, the restaurant's deviled eggs are made with candied bacon, and the chicken sandwich is topped with pickled cabbage. You get a lot of variety for your money, which is why Taste 222 is such a must-try culinary experience.
Superdawg Drive-In
If you're in the mood for some Chicago-style hot dogs, it pays to go with a restaurant that has long been an institution. The name says it all, and Superdawg is one of the best places to go if you're looking for the best dogs in town. It's a restaurant that has been around since 1948 and was founded by a GI coming home from World War II. Since this restaurant has survived the times, it's got a well-documented history of service, including classic photos and advertisements that track the joint's progress throughout the years. Even today, Superdawg holds onto its old-school charm, maintaining the retro building aesthetic and staffing car hops to deliver orders.
The restaurant also sticks to what works with its menu selections. The Superdawg is the flagship item. It's an all-beef hot dog, with no filler and no additives, served on a poppy seed bun. Customers order their Superdawgs with all sorts of toppings, including ketchup and mustard, dill pickles, hot peppers, and chopped onions. These dogs are served with the restaurant's Superfries. In addition to the restaurant's famous hot dog, you can also order selections like the Superburger hamburger, Supercheesie cheeseburger, Whooperburger half-pound burger, Whoopskidawg sausage, and Superchic chicken sandwich. Customers also enjoy selections like grilled cheese, fish and chips, and fried shrimp. If you have a sweet tooth, you can wash down your combo with one of Superdawg's milkshakes or ice cream sodas.
Luella's Southern Kitchen
You don't need to head down south to get a taste of southern cooking and hospitality. Luella's Southern Kitchen offers dine-in and carryout options for people wanting some of the best soul food-inspired menu items around. This restaurant is located in the heart of the Lincoln Square section of town, near the historic Davis Theater, and in close proximity to multiple metro stops. It's run by a well-traveled chef with a passion for food, ad it shows in the product.
This establishment offers tasty brunch, dinner, and catering options. Some menu items you can order at Luella's Kitchen include baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, skillet cornbread, chicken and waffles, salmon cakes, shrimp and grits, and chicken gumbo. The chef mastered the combination of flavors that makes soul food, an African American staple and one of the country's most authentic and sought-after exports. Luella's is named after the chef's great-grandmother, who moved from Mississippi to Chicago in 1943. It's one of many American migration stories that you can learn about in Chicago one bite at a time. You can stop by Luella's to enjoy its menu of comfort food from Thursday through Sunday.
The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig is a Chicago institution. It's only fitting that such a community favorite is located across the street from the Tribune Tower, a long-standing Chicago landmark. This restaurant has only been open since 2009, but the pedigree of the chefs, restaurant location, and impeccable service have led to the Purple Pig winning numerous awards and accolades and becoming a must-try option anytime you're in Chicago. It's a chic restaurant that specializes in pork dishes and good wine. It was founded by a fourth-generation restauranteur who was born into the business, grew up in Chicago, and understands the importance of quality food and skillful, friendly service. The Purple Pig has multiple years of Michelin recognition and was named one of the best 100 wine restaurants in the country.
Some of the succulent menu options you can explore from the Purple Pig include beef tartare, cured meats and cheeses, scallops, mussels, 36-day aged porkchop, Morcilla sausage, ricotta ravioli, pork ribs, and filet mignon. After enjoying your main course, you can explore dessert options like dark chocolate & espresso creme brulee, apple tart with bourbon maple syrup, tiramisu, gelatos, and sorbet. You can also enjoy several fine wine, craft beer, and cocktail selections. One of the best features of The Purple Pig is that you get high-end, artisan food at mid-range prices. The restaurant is open well into the evening seven days a week.
Johnnie's Beef
Johnnie's Beef is another vintage Chicago restaurant that stays true to its roots. The restaurant, which opened in 1961, is situated in Chicago's Elmwood Park area and specializes in Chicago-style hot dogs and sandwiches. It's a no-frills restaurant with an old-school charm that flat-out makes delicious food. Johnnie's' backyard of Elmwood Park has long had a large Italian-American population, so it's only fitting that the restaurant is consistently voted as the place to get the best Italian beef sandwich in Chicago.
It's not uncommon to see the line wrapped around the side of the building due to the demand for Johnnie's Beef. The restaurant features a core list of menu items, such as a hot dog and fries, an Italian beef sandwich, tamales, pepper and egg, milkshakes, and Italian ice. This establishment stays open seven nights a week until midnight. Johnnie's Beef epitomizes Chicago and has the history, credibility, and tried and true recipes and cuisine to draw in customers from all over the world. It's the kind of place that you'll want to stop by, take a picture, and check in on social media after enjoying your hot dog or Italian beef.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
Your culinary experience in Chicago is never complete without trying as much Chicago-style pizza as possible. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria delivers plenty of flavorful deep-dish pizza options in multiple locations. The first Lou's opened in 1971 after the owner and restaurant's namesake had accumulated nearly three decades of deep-dish pizza experience. Malnati worked in the city's very first deep-dish pizzeria, and his expertise carries over into the flavorful options that you'll find at his many restaurant locations today.
Some of the most popular pizzas you can order from Lou's include the Deep Dish Cheese, Deep Dish Pepperoni, Deep Dish Sausage, Deep Dish Spinach, and Deep Dish Veggie. You might also enjoy Deep Dish The Lou, which includes a mixture of spinach, garlic, mushrooms, butter crust, and three different kinds of cheese. If Chicago-style pizza isn't your bag, you can still order many different thin-crust pizza options. After savoring the flavor in your travels, you can take a bite of Lou's home with you, as the restaurant now sells frozen pizzas as well.
Pizza aside, you may also appreciate the pasta, sandwich, and salad options. Some popular pasta selections include bowtie pasta with Lou's sausage, Penne ala Malnati, spaghetti, and lasagna. You can also enjoy classic Italian sandwiches like meatball and Italian beef. Your sweet tooth will also be satisfied at Lou's, with dessert options like the Chocolate Obsession brownie, mousse, and ganache, chocolate chip cookies, tiramisu cake, and Italian ice.
Lowcountry
Lowcountry is a local chain of restaurants that specializes in one of the most flavorful, savory, and filling meals you can eat — the low country boil. At Lowcountry, you can kick back and enjoy a backyard picnic-like environment as you enjoy heaps of seafood, meat, and vegetable ingredients cooked together. This meal has roots in places like South Carolina and Virginia and has influences from Africa, New Orleans, Cajun culture, and New Orleans. The owner combines this culture and flavor with numerous low country boil options that you can enjoy in one of the three Chicago locations.
The country boil is prepared in the same bag so that the ingredients are allowed to marinate and stew together. Customers can order their own low country boil customized to their taste. When you place an order, you choose your protein, sauce, heat level, and sides. Protein options include shrimp, King crab, snow crab, lobster tail, and mussels. You can also choose between sauces like garlic, lemon pepper, Cajun, and "Everythang." You can order your bags weak, hot, very hot, and ridiculously hot. Your side options include corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, broccoli, and green beans.
Customers can stop by for a country boil 7 days a week. You'll enjoy the atmosphere as much as the food, and this is an excellent restaurant option if you're trying to feed the whole family. It's a great restaurant to stop by if you want to enjoy a mango margarita, hurricane, Mai Tai, and other cocktails.
Rose Mary
Rose Mary is a chic restaurant located in the West Loop area of Chicago. It's an Italian-Croatian restaurant situated in the Fulton Market district that offers an eclectic combination of flavorful menu selections. The restaurant was founded by a career chef with Italian roots, and is named after both of his grandmothers, as well as the rosemary herb. He brings his years of experience in the restaurant industry, along with the credentials of having won Top Chef, and delivers a culinary experience that will tantalize your tastebuds and give you an appreciation of different cultures.
Some vegetable options that you can choose between include coal-roasted beets, roasted cauliflower, charred mushroom and leek, and zucchini fritters. If you like seafood, you can order menu items like grilled clams, half branzino, and tuna crudo. You might also appreciate meat options like a 24-ounce bone-in strip loin, pork ribs, pampanella, burek soparnik, and cevapi. It wouldn't be Italian without good pasta. Pasta lovers can order menu items like mezzaluna, rigatoni, gnocchi, and bucatini.
Rose Mary has excellent selections of wine by the glass, including cava rose, nebbiolo, pinot noir, riesling, and chenin blanc. After you've satisfied your appetite, you can also explore the dessert menu. Some options you will appreciate include olive oil cake, palacinke, and chocolate and honey madarica. Rose Mary is open seven days a week, and you'll enjoy a dining experience set in a wide open, industrial warehouse-style building. It's a must-try if you want authentic cuisine at reasonable prices.