Now on Resy: Pompette, Cubaneo, Broken Shaker, and More Local Favorites

With three chefs who’ve worked in Michelin-starred kitchens at the heart and soul of Pompette, chances are everything is just a bit more extra. The Bucktown spot is all clean lines and minimalist, with a menu rife with French and Italian influences, right down to the cheese plates and hanger steak with fingerling potatoes. The wine list is stellar; peruse and enjoy.

This Lakeview favorite is known for its breakfast — things like open-faced Serrano ham sandwiches and French toast with bananas and caramel sauce. And of course there’s an excellent Cubano sandwich, that itself is greater than the sum of its parts. But dinner shouldn’t be missed either, especially for mojo chicken and sweet plantains.

No matter the location, Broken Shaker is one of the best bars in the country for a reason. Originating in Miami, each iteration fits its city-specific home to a tee. At the Freehand in River North, that means a cozy mod-vintage vibe, bites like tacos or grilled cheese and tomato soup, and super imaginative cocktails featuring shrubs, herbs, and unique spirits.

Not only is this the only plant-based restaurant in the North Shore, a boon for locals looking for flavorful and fresh vegan fare, it’s worth the drive for anyone looking to get out of the city for a bite. Chef Jorge Esparza offers eye-opening renditions of Milanese (sans the veal), Thai lettuce cups, and paella. Cocktails, full and zero-proof, are fun and fit the pretty breezy space.

There are a few ways to dine on the 66th and 67th floor of the iconic Willis Tower. For something more all-day casual, grab a bite at Frame for things like lobster mac and cheese, salads, and steak frites. For a more elaborate night out, go big at Craftsman with oysters and prime steaks. Either way, you’ll get the stellar views from inside the private club.

It’s impossible not to have a good time at Happy Camper (Old Town or Wrigleyville). Sure, there’s an actual camper, tire swings, and swaths of twinkle lights that make you think you’re partying under the stars. But the pizzas — neither thick nor thin, but just right — never disappoint, the ornately garnished cocktails are fun, and an afternoon on the patio can fix many ills.

This Wicker Park spot is all about the kitsch factor, from neon pink flamingos and disco balls to an actual Winnebago on the patio. Go with a few besties, find a spot on the rooftop deck, drink a Trashy Tea (or Aperol spritz if you’re feeling fancy), and share a few pizzas. A good time will be had by all.

You have to love a spot that reminds you to just be awesome (via a big brightly lit sign). From the same group as Paradise Park and Happy Camper, Homeslice is a pizza paradise with every type of topping combo imaginable. And thanks to a bevy of apps, like jalapeño poppers, wings, and elote dip, it’s the perfect spot for a group who just wants to eat, drink, and be merry.

Pink lights, lots of draping greenery, Miami night vibes — it’s all here, even in the daytime. Expect cocktails and light bites that don’t take themselves too seriously; you shouldn’t either. Just go for a good time.

You won’t go wrong at this Gold Coast gathering place in the Viceroy hotel, with its tempting international menu highlighting Midwest farms and one convivial dining room defined by sky-high ceilings, art deco accents, and hints of a yacht club vibe.

Here’s an elevated hot spot from Chicago’s prolific Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, etc.) — a ritzy 18th-floor rooftop bar with a shimmering pool, killer views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, a stylish cocktail menu, and enough bar bites to fuel an evening’s worth of fun.

You’ll want to be a regular at this Magnificent Mile standout, where James Beard Award-winning chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. serves a meaty Mediterranean-accented menu (with plenty of seafood and vegetable dishes, too) that demonstrates why he’s been dubbed “The Prince of Pork.” 

You’ve got to love a restaurant whose two signature dishes are a beef and duck fat hot dog served Chicago-style, and a whole rotisserie-roasted duck with duck-fat potatoes — and there’s plenty more that you’ll crave at this neighborhood Bridgeport treasure from chef Kevin Hickey, of Allium fame.

If classic housemade cakes and pastries and an array of New York- and Detroit-style pizzas sound good to you, step right up to this luminous seasonally inspired café from cake artist Andrea Alvarez Reno and her husband, Joel Reno, a former pastry chef at Everest and at San Francisco’s three-star Quince.

When Spiro Papageorge moved his popular restaurant across the street from the original location after 15 years, he took everything with him — the warm welcome, the sunny atmosphere, and the classic Greek dishes, from mezedes appetizers to flame-broiled kebabs.