Chicago’s 2024 James Beard Award Nominees

Jason Hammel’s café not only catalyzed Logan Square as a Chicago dining nexus, but also provided the Second City’s answer to West Coast farm-to-table temples like Chez Panisse and Zuni Café. Lula feels constantly inventive — even if wackily genius dishes like its Yia Yia pasta (bucatini, feta, cinnamon, fried garlic, brown butter) are basically now forever etched into the menu.

Come to this buzzy Logan Square brewpub for Middle Brow’s unconventionally delicious beers, house-baked breads, and seriously good pizzas — including thin-crust 14″ tavern-style pies, cut into little squares for easy eating, once a week on Tavern Tuesdays. Their own draft beer program is supplemented by low-intervention wines and cocktails with local spirits like Judson & Moore and Letherbee.

There’s no restaurant quite like Mi Tocaya Antojería, and that’s because there’s no chef quite like Diana Dávila. From the coliflor en sikil pak to fried oyster tacos, a meal here is takes you into her life, family, and heritage, whether it’s her summers spent in Mexico or her time cooking at home in Chicago.

This Lincoln Park charmer plays double duty as a delightful daytime stop for inventive bocadillos and coffee, and an evening spot for Spanish-inspired bites. Chef James Martin adds a splash of his Southern roots, which equates to things like ibérico pork served with onions, cabbage, and pickled snap peas. One thing’s for sure: we’re here for it all.

Whereas the tasting menu at the elegantly spare Esmé in Lincoln Park is artful and unique, the adjacent 16-seat Bar Esmé goes for fun and informality. That doesn’t mean that chef Jenner Tomaska goes for bar snacks, though. Oysters and a cheese board, yes, but you could also opt for a whole roasted fish or a Wagyu steak if your idea of a good time is eating something serious.

Take a peek at one of Esmé’s previous tasting menus.