Chicago’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy
Want to know the latest — and greatest — restaurant openings in Chicago? You’re in luck.
From the second location of a red-sauce favorite to an exciting Mexican seafood destination, we have you covered with this continuously updated list of hot new debuts.
And if you’re seeking out some beloved Chicago spots that are now bookable on Resy, we’ve got you covered here.
DeNucci’s Highland Park Highland Park
Newly added!
As a follow-up to the popular Lincoln Park original, Denucci’s in Highland Park is all about comfort and abundance, with its warm atmosphere and its home-style Italian-American fare. You know the drill: housemade pastas, a choice of veal or chicken preparations, pizzas, and always-tempting daily specials (don’t miss the lobster risotto on Saturdays).
The Vig West Loop West Loop
If you like the Old Town edition of this ‘50s-themed sports bar and restaurant (from the folks behind The Whale), you’ll love its friendly, high-energy West Loop sibling. Here, the menu upends expectations (the Southern Cobb salad adds corn, fried chicken, and honey vinaigrette to the usual mix) and the cocktails are models of creativity.
La Licor Panamericana Logan Square
Inspired by the Pan-American Highway, which snakes through 14 countries from Canada to Argentina, La Licor showcases cocktails based on tequila, rum, pisco, cachaça, and other North and South American spirits. But don’t overlook kitchen, helmed by chef Juan, where a pan-Latin menu features everything from empanadas to whole fish in adobo.
Petit Pomeroy River North, Gold Coast
Pomeroy in Winnetka is a smash success, so why wouldn’t its parent company, Ballyhoo Hospitality (DeNuccis, Coda di Volpe, etc.), bring the same Parisian spirit and some of the original’s most popular dishes (like onion soup gratinée and a short rib beef Bourguignon) to this animated bistro in River North?
Mariscos San Pedro Pilsen
This exuberant Mexican-inspired seafood spot at Thalia Hall in Pilsen is writing its own rules with specialties like soft shell crab tacos with Thai flavors, smoked king salmon tostadas, and a Sonoran-style octopus hot dog that redefines the species.
Amano Bistro North Center
You’ll find tastes from Italy, the Balkans, and Greece throughout this menu, thanks to the owners’ backgrounds and travels. That could mean grilled octopus with cherry tomatoes, fettuccine with gorgonzola cream sauce, or seafood-filled risotto. Cocktails are a delight.
Pour Destino Hinsdale
Hidden away down an alley at Hinsdale’s go-to Mexican/Latin American place Calle Cantina, this seductive brick-walled speakeasy specializes in whiskey, wine, and tequila; dispenses intricate cocktails; and balances the libations with an assortment of irresistible tapas.
Bar Parisette Palmer Square
At this charming jewel-toned bistro, chef Madalyn Durrant offers vegetable-forward French cuisine (many dishes are vegetarian and vegan), though you’ll still find favorites like steamed mussels and steak frites. Wines are affordable and the cocktails are creative, as are the spirit-free options. Pro tip: Visit for happy hour (5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and all night Monday) for $8 French wines and $2 oysters.
Tacombi – Wicker Park Wicker Park
Chicago (or New York, D.C., and Miami) can’t get enough of the tacos, quesadillas, cervezas, aguas frescas, and overall beach-bar vibe at this multi-city chain. It’s come a long way from the original, repurposed Volkswagen bus slinging tacos in Playa del Carmen, but the heart and soul remain.
Un Amor Noble Square
If you believe brunch is a state of mind and not a weekend happening, you’ve found your place. Little twists on staples make all the difference, like fried chicken and waffles served with brown sugar butter and drizzled with chile gastrique, or chilaquiles with soul-affirming mole. Palomas or mimosas by the pitcher should grace your table.
Avaspi Anatolian Tapas Lakeview
Head to this shiny and sleek Lakewood spot for very shareable mezze and dishes based on recipes from the owner’s Turkish upbringing (Avaspi is named for a river in his hometown). Think things like kutilk (or Kurdish meat dumplings), dolma, and ezme — a delicious sort of tabbouleh but made with walnuts instead of bulgur.
Charlie Martin’s River North
It’s giving Hollywood supper club vibes in the heart of River North. Wedge salads, shellfish towers, icy martinis, jazzy soundtracks — it’s all here. From grilled steaks (and steak burgers!) to seafood, the food is as classic as the white-tableclothed room.
Maxwells Trading West Loop
Because everything here is impeccably thought out, from chef Erling Wu-Bower’s attentive menus to the rooftop garden and apiary, the playlist, and retail pop-ups in the first-floor space. Wu-Bower plucks flavors and inspiration from everywhere, blending them in unique ways, like grilled eggplant and tomato confit with warm flatbread, and claypot rice with pork belly.
Ella’s Italian Pub – Western Springs Western Springs
You could go to Ella’s just for the pizza — the Roman-style pies boast a light and fluffy but still-crisp crust and really good toppings — but that would mean missing out on fun bar snacks, salads, and pastas that shouldn’t be missed either. Bonus: It’s always lively and friendly.
Omakase Shoji & Izakaya West Town / Near West Loop
Pristine sushi created by masters in a beautifully understated yet stylish room — there’s nothing like it. Here, chef Takahashi Shoji, who helmed Matsuya for years, brings it all to his 10-seat counter.
Gemini Grill River North/Gold Coast
Spun off from the acclaimed Gemini in Lincoln Park, this lively, modern American grill from Ballyhoo Hospitality (DeNuccis, Coda di Volpe, etc.) is more casual than its parent but every bit as good, serving just the kind of food you want to eat (including some holdovers from the original, like the wild mushroom tempura with black garlic aioli, a must-order).
Bonyeon West Loop
If you’re used to omakase experiences — and there are many around town these days — you’ll be hard-pressed to find something like this slick 12-seater from Korean chef Sangtae Park. He and partner Kate Park turn the Chicago steakhouse idea on its head, offering multi-course tasting menus centered around beef. Just like at their Michelin-starred Omakase Yume, expect to be wowed by every course.
The Pearl Club Fulton River District
The dark teal interior, stunning design, and art deco panache give this lounge a speakeasy vibe, but it’s all in full view. Before you order your go-to martini, try something like the Trambler made with smoked gouda-washed Tequila and Campari (it works, we swear!). Food runs the gamut from nuggets to caviar and steak tartare.
Ella’s Italian Pub – Elmhurst Elmhurst
There might be more beautiful words in a food-lover’s vocabulary than “Roman-style pizza pub,” but there probably aren’t a lot of them. Capitalizing on the success of the Geneva original, this Elmhurst offshoot of Ella’s focuses on hand-crafted pan pizzas, along with other Italian dishes — and of course that pub essential: Buffalo wings.
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Stephen Satterfield's Corner Table
