The Resy Hit List: Where In Chicago You’ll Want to Eat in June 2024
There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
We’ve designed it to be your essential resource for dining in Chicago: a monthly-updated (and now expanded!) guide to the restaurants in town that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Chicago Not to Miss This Month
- Celebrate Father’s Day Somewhere New: If Dad prefers beer garden vibes paired with house-smoked meats, try Broken Barrel Bar. Or treat him to an ice-cold martini and refined seafood tower at Charlie Martin’s. Want something casual and friendly? Go for a Roman-style pie at Ella’s Italian Pub. And track more new openings with New on Resy.
- 40 Nights of Platinum: Some good news for Amex Platinum card members — local fave (and hard-to-get table) Bavette’s is participating in 40 Nights of Platinum with Amex and Resy, with opportunities for card members to get exclusive dibs on select Resys this month. The sultry, French-inflected restaurant offers speakeasy vibes with steak on the menu and jazz standards in the air. Sounds like a perfect place to celebrate.
- Pop-Ups, Unapologetically So: This summer, Resy and Unapologetic Foods — the team behind New York’s perpetually packed Semma, Dhamaka, Adda, Masalawala & Sons, and Naks — are taking a multi-city tour to celebrate the diversity of American food today, including at Galit on June 23 and 24. Also, don’t miss a tasting menu at Duck Sel, the wildly creative, whimsy-tinged popup from Donald Young, one of the youngest American chefs to ever win a Michelin star. Snag a seat now, before they sell out.
- Pride is Here: Love is love, and we love all of it! Celebrate Pride Month at some of the city’s hottest LGBTQIA+ owned spots, like The Lunchroom at Space 519, One North Kitchen and Bar, Rad Joy, and R Public House, and don’t miss the annual Pride Parade on June 30.
New to the Hit List (June 2024)
Boeufhaus, Lao Peng You, Gilt Bar, Omakase Yume, Thattu.
1. Maxwells Trading West Loop
Photo by Sandy Noto, courtesy of Maxwells Trading
There’s much to love about Erling Wu-Bower’s new endeavor, from the soothing monochrome of the whitewashed walls and wooden tables to the top-notch playlist and, most importantly, the wholly original food. Inspired by the immigrant communities that shaped his childhood, and amplified by ingredients from the rooftop garden, Wu-Bower’s menu is fresh and fresh and eclectic. There’s a “griddle breads and dunks” section with creamy Japanese eggplant and tomato confit; a bright and refreshing avocado and winter chicory salad; and a showstopping grilled steak with miso bagna cauda and lettuce wraps. Park at the long wooden bar or tuck in to a banquette along the restaurant’s many unobscured windows for one of the most exciting newcomers in town.
Photo by Sandy Noto, courtesy of Maxwells Trading
2. Boeufhaus West Town
From chef-owners Brian Ahern and Jamie Finnegan, the Franco-German Boeufhaus (literally “beef house”) has become a quintessential spot for a proper steak dinner since opening in 2015. It trades the stuffy feel of an old-school steakhouse for a more intimate vibe, with dim lighting, brick walls, and a pressed tin ceiling. The tight menu is more playful than many, with options like short rib-stuffed beignets along with the classics. There are plenty of dry-aged meats, and seafood too. The wine list is a story in and of itself. And should you want to do a little shopping after your meal, just hit up the butcher counter to bring a slab of something red home.
3. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio West Loop
Perhaps you’ve been shopping around the West Loop. Maybe you just have a hankering for fresh pasta. Whatever the occasion, there’s no better spot for the moment than Monteverde, Sarah Gueneberg’s acclaimed Italian restaurant. The menu is full of hits: hand-cut tagliatelle bolognese, and more unique “Pasta Atipica,” like cacio whey pepe, which uses ricotta whey to create a particularly luxurious sauce (to which you can add freshly shaved white truffles, in season). Pro tip: Want to see Gueneberg’s team in action? Get a counter stool by the bar for a perfect view into the pastificio, where you can witness pasta hand-made to order.
4. Bonyeon West Loop Gate
Bonyeon, from Omakase Yume’s Sangtae and Kate Park, puts a spin on Chicago’s steakhouse scene by offering, instead, a unique beef omakase. There are only 12 seats at this intimate Korean-and Japanese-influenced spot, and a dozen or so carefully constructed courses, all using ultra-premium beef culled from a variety of suppliers. The space itself is as artful as the food: dark, moody walls envelop a spotlit bar with elegant velvet chairs in a deep sea blue. Each seat has prime views of chef Park at work, preparing dishes that highlight interesting cuts, like ribeye cap and outside skirt steak. There are two seatings each night (at 5 and 8 p.m.), with each prix-fixe meal taking about two-and-a-half hours from start to finish.
5. Lula Café Logan Square
A neighborhood fixture since 1999, Lula Cafe has been doing farm-to-table cooking since long before it was a staple. The cafe itself is as charming as its sign, beckoning hungry diners with lots of outdoor seating and a long bar for solo guests and plenty of seats to post up within. With two James Beard nominations under his chef’s coat and a long history of delicious, cuisine-bending dishes, chef and owner Jason Hammel’s menu is packed with rotating hits, so order whatever sounds good, whether that’s glazed delicata squash with black rice, or Slagal Farm roast goat. One staple: pasta “Yia Yia,” an irresistible combination of feta, garlic, brown butter, and cinnamon (trust us—it works).
6. Eleven City Diner South Loop
Open since 2006, Eleven City Diner is a neighborhood standby for classic delicatessen standards and hearty breakfasts. The bustling, family-friendly spot has a retro feel, with leather booths and neon signs boasting of hand-rolled matzo balls. We’re not sure what’s taller: the Junior’s cheesecakes, the corned beef sandwiches, or the stack of fluffy pancakes. It’s all there, along with challah French toast, knishes, and bubbe’s chicken soup. Do grab an egg cream or chocolate phosphate before you go–and do go early, since they close at 3 p.m. daily (4 p.m. on weekends).
7. Frontera Grill River North
Regional Mexican specialties, Midwestern sensibility, and carefully sourced ingredients meet at Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill. Since opening in 1987, Frontera has been a pioneering force in terms of raising Mexican cuisine’s profile in Chicago, and though its success has not come without moments of controversy, many of the city’s exceptional new Mexican restaurants would not be here without it — which might be why the mayor declared Rick Bayless Day to celebrate Frontera’s 37th anniversary. The vibe at Bayless’ original spot remains casual, the menu is sprawling (do try the shortrib mole negro), and there are five different margaritas to choose from, so if you haven’t been in a while, now is the time.
8. Obélix River North
It hasn’t been open for all that long, but Obélix feels like it’s been around for forever, in the best possible way. Brothers Nicolas and Oliver Poilevey (whose family is behind the iconic Le Bouchon) have racked up plenty of accolades for their modern French charmer, with good reason. While the white tablecloths and wooden chairs lend a traditional brasserie feel, the menu gets playful: Those sweet-looking macarons are filled with foie gras, the duck sausage is spiked with lemongrass, the beef Wellington has an al pastor Hollandaise. You can even get a Foie McGriddle with steamed egg, pancakes, and maple mustard at brunch. The kitchen is having a good time here, and it shows.
9. Sando Street Wicker Park
This new Wicker Park sandwich shop has been met with rave reviews, to the point that they occasionally run out of food mid-service. But long lines aren’t stopping hungry guests who are clamoring for Japanese-style, TikTok-approved creations served on fluffy white shokupan (milk bread) from Crescent Bakery. While there are many eye-catching fillings, popular ones include a kewpie egg salad with soft boiled eggs and specks of briny furikake; marinated bulgogi with mozzarella cheese; and a sweet option with lavender-hued ube cream and strawberries. While there are a few booths, the space is quite small, so your best bet is to order ahead and grab sandos to go. Find a sunny spot, snap a pic of that colorful cross-section, then dig in.
No reservations; more info here.
10. Kasama Ukrainian Village
Tim Flores and Genie Kwon’s Kasama has continued to earn accolades since it opened in 2020. And for good reason: The Filipino-style tasting menu is pure excitement from start to finish. While the food is thoughtful and endlessly creative—hamachi and golden kaluga caviar get a dollop of caviar cream in the kinilaw—the vibe is decidedly down to earth. (All those awards haven’t made Kasama the least bit stuffy.) While the 13-course meal takes some time, you can always get a taste of Kasama’s genius by visiting the cafe, for breakfast sandwiches amped up with savory longanisa sausage and punchy giardiniera, comforting chicken or mushroom adobo with fragrant garlic rice, and a truffle-laden croissant or two.
11. Smoque Old Irving Park
Since opening in 2006, Smoque has become a quintessential Chicago spot that brings together the best of Kansas City-, Memphis-, and Texas-style barbecues. The menu is written on a big black chalkboard that overlooks the casual dining space, so you’ll order at the front, then grab a table inside or out. Here, the focus is all on the meat: brisket gets a double-coating of spices and 12 hours in the smoker to achieve that perfect black bark; ribs are rubbed in a Memphis-style dry rub before being cooked over oak and sweet applewood. While everything takes time to prepare here, chowing down—off a heaving sheet tray filled with rich meat, vinegary slaw, and tender cornbread—occurs in mere minutes.
No reservations; more info here.
12. Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar Bucktown
The team behind perennial favorite Giant has also rallied with Chef’s Special, where the unlikely combination of Chinese-American dishes, tropical cocktails, and Midwestern vibes come together to great success. From the cushy stools along the U-shaped bar to the warm lighting, everything here has a delightfully pinkish hue and a vintage feel. It’s casual, bustling, and buzzing, as diners dig into crispy egg rolls, kung pao chicken, potstickers, and ChiChi coladas—old-school standbys just begging to be shared. Don’t leave without trying the souffle-like cloud cake with tangerine and rice crisps for dessert.
13. Galit Lincoln Park
No matter the season, there’s nothing more comforting than tearing open an almost untouchably hot pita made in Galit’s wood-fired oven. Dunking it in all manner of dips, like hummus and masabacha? Even better. And that’s just the start of the four-course menu at Galit, which offers almost too much good food, whether you’re parked at the bar overlooking the kitchen or at a table in the lively dining room. Chef Zachary Engel utilizes the aforementioned hearth for more than just the pita—that fire kisses many of his Middle Eastern-inflected specialties, like turkey shawarma and harissa-spiked lamb. While the mains occasionally rotate, expect plenty of smoke and absolutely zero stomach space left by the end of your meal.
14. Cindy’s Rooftop The Loop
Celebrate the season here with a meal or colorful cocktail. On the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, any seat in this glorious glass atrium offers beautiful views of Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, and the city skyline. Be sure to make a reservation in advance (or hope to get lucky as a walk-in): the idyllic setting, paired with Top Chef alum Kaleena Bliss’s menu, makes for a pretty serious waitlist. When you do get your seat, expect seasonal, family-style options, from a bright salmon carpaccio with pistachio salsa macha to pork collar in a broth rich with navy beans, tasso, and mustard greens. And do peruse the cocktail menu, which helpfully lists drinks (including several N/A options) by flavor profile.
15. Demera Ethiopian Restaurant Uptown
Sharing is the name of the game at Tigist Reda’s beloved Uptown standby for classic Ethiopian cuisine and hospitality. Simple, fuss-free tables make way for seriously colorful food, from crisp meat or veg-filled sambussas to a family-style messob with an array of stewed meats, misir wot (creamy, spicy split lentils), and collard greens with garlic and ginger. It’s a choose-your-own adventure meal that’s as exciting for omnivores as it is for vegans, with injera aplenty to soak up all the sauces and sides. The housemade honey wine is always flowing, so be sure to try a glass before you leave.
16. Lao Peng You West Town
There will likely be a wait if you come to Lao Peng You, especially now that it’s had a cameo on “The Bear.” You should still visit: it’s got some of the finest handmade dumplings and noodles in the city. Opened by two brothers in 2019, LPY is about as no-frills as you can get. There are no reservations, it’s counter-service only, and BYO to boot. It can be a little chaotic, but once you get your food—whether it’s the cold chicken with chili oil and green peppercorns, dan dan noodles, a flaky xian bing, or perfectly pleated dumplings in a rich broth—you’ll get what the fuss is all about. Bonus: for those who can’t afford to wait, you can now buy frozen dumplings to cook at home.
No reservations; more info here.
17. Omakase Yume West Loop
Michelin-starred, destination-worthy Omakase Yume is a jewel box of a space, with just six seats and three seatings per night, where chef-owner Sangtae Park can focus on his 16-course, traditional Edomae-style sushi. Park’s wife and co-owner Kate runs the front of house, so that the chef can focus on his impeccably crafted sushi, sometimes showcasing as many as 20 different types of fish in a single meal. The space itself is, accordingly, on the quiet and serene end of the spectrum, with wooden walls, gray chairs, and simple overhead lighting. The focus is on the food, as it should be.
18. The Duck Inn Bridgeport
Chef Kevin Hickey’s perfect neighborhood spot brings duck appreciation to new heights, with a signature rotisserie-roasted number (which must be ordered ahead), a duck-fat hot dog, and even a burger with a fried duck egg. (There are also, it bears mentioning, several excellent non-duck offerings as well.) And while it is a James Beard semifinalist for outstanding restaurant this year, Duck Inn remains true to its unpretentious roots, with an intimate, welcoming feel in this historic South Side neighborhood. Grab a bar seat for a romantic, dimly lit date night, head to the back room with a larger group, or sit outside in the sprawling garden space to welcome the arrival of warmer weather.
19. Thattu Avondale
What was once a popular pop-up has become a bustling brick-and-mortar spot in Avondale, where diners can’t get enough of Vinod Kalathil and Margaret Pak’s regional Indian cuisine. Their menu, inspired by street food of coastal Kerala, is full of warming spices, peppercorns, and coconut milk. There’s whitefish steamed in banana leaves with tomato basil gravy and turmeric lime rice, puffy fried yucca balls with punchy chutney, and a weekends-only short rib served with flaky flatbread. It’s all served in a bright and casual setting, with natural light and white-washed brick walls accented with vibrant art. Basket pendant lighting and a white canopy overhead give heavy vacation vibes, along with the food.
Call (773) 754-0199 for reservations.
20. Gilt Bar River North
Not merely a restaurant and not merely a bar, this Hogsalt spot is a modern-day River North classic because it brings together the best of both. Let’s start with the moody setting: the dark, dimly lit space is accented with circular banquettes and deep armchairs for maximum lounging. Sink in as you enjoy one of six different types of martinis, four Old Fashioneds, or a spirit-free option. Then check out the gastropubby menu, stacked with hits, from handmade pasta to a Wagyu double cheeseburger and wood-fired bone marrow. With swank to spare, it’s no wonder Gilt Bar is always packed.
