10 Restaurants Where You Can Pretend You’re Escaping Chicago Winter

The landscapes and flavors of Southern California and Mexico’s Northern Baja region inform the approach at this West Town restaurant, which brims with colorful interiors and Latin sounds. Seafood is central for chef Stephen Sandoval and team, who serve up options like coconut-lime ceviche and tuna tostadas (don’t miss the Gobernador taco, with shrimp, caramelized cheese, and crema). Cocktails are agave-forward and just as exciting: Try the Flor Morada, a floral, smoky mezcal sipper, or the spicy mango margarita (a go-to pairing across the board).

Step back in time at this River North restaurant, which takes its cues from the iconic cocktail bars and dining rooms of 1950s and ‘60s-era Hollywood. Named for famed writer-director Charlie Martin, the restaurant channels supper club vibes with modern-day flair. Jazz and big band sound on the speakers, sleek red banquettes greet guests, and Golden Age-inspired photographs line the walls. Look for refined takes on classics throughout the menu—in both fare (dover sole with brown butter and capers; any of the steaks and chops) and drinks (the Amaro Daiquiri, with Averna and Green Chartreuse).

Visit either location of this dining destination and prepare to travel. You’ll encounter Morocco’s rich palettes and patterns, Italy’s sophistication, and the Mediterranean’s laid-back vibes throughout the space, outfitted with bespoke wall coverings, salvaged crystal chandeliers, giant candelabras, and hundreds of living plants. Dishes are just as pronounced and regionally vast—try the branzino al pastor, chicken musakhan, or short rib tagine (and drinks like the Coco Toronto, with coconut-washed whiskey and pandan). Swing by the West Town location for weekend brunch, when live DJs play everything from French pop to Afrobeat alongside plates of stuffed dates and shakshuka.

Transport yourself from the hurry of downtown when you step foot inside the sprawling brasserie that is La Grande Boucherie—then again when you discover this Japanese den, tucked away on its second floor. Once here, take in the tranquil, minimalistic space, where sushi master Shinichiro Kanemaru offers a seasonal omakase menu to seatings of just 10 guests. Highlights include the Hokkaido uni and soy-marinated toro, house signatures that spotlight the chef’s dedication to bringing top-tier fish and ingredients to Chicago.

Slip away to the streets of Paris with a visit to Petit Pomeroy, where the team from Winnetka’s Pomeroy puts forth bistro vibes and fare in the heart of River North. Cozy booths and warm lighting invite diners to linger for classics like onion soup gratinee, escargot, and trout amandine—and desserts rightly extend that stay (e.g. the Maple-Bourbon Crème Brûlée, with brown sugar Chantilly cream and candied pecans). French wines are the focus here, but kick off the night with a cocktail—the Le Pamplemousse sets the tone with elderflower, grapefruit, and citrus.

Chandeliers, opulent frames, and Rococo-inspired motifs comprise this Lincoln Park cocktail bar, a favorite for the neighborhood and beyond. Peruse a robust cocktail list, featuring stirred and shaken creations, plus some flaming ones for good measure. For an extra regal experience, opt for The Crown, a swizzled sipper of mezcal, amaro, lychee, and lemon (enjoyed best, of course, on the venue’s onsite throne).

Travel to the chef’s counters of Japan at this West Town newcomer, where diners can head to the back of the restaurant to discover a serene, 10-seat omakase room inspired by Tokyo’s famed Ginza district. Chefs Takashi Iida and Shoji Takahashi serve a multi-course menu of pristine nigiri and seasonal kaiseki, all rooted in Japanese tradition and meticulous sourcing. Ask your server about the team’s impressive sake selection (encompassing more than 40 premium Ginjo and Daiginjo options), or spring for a cocktail—the Natsu Sour melds premium Japanese vodka, sweet melon liqueur, and frothy egg white.

At this Wicker Park taqueria (there’s another location in the West Loop, too), expect few frills and big fun. Folks fill the bright, bustling space nightly for bites that span regions: crispy fish from Baja, al pastor from Mexico City, seared shrimp y queso from Sinaloa, and chicken in recado rojo from the Yucatan. Those flavors are even better alongside an array of aguas frescas and agave-based cocktails, or a Monopolio, the venue’s own beer.

Situated at the Six Corners, this intimate lounge takes inspiration from the classic sophistication of London’s cocktail scene as it dovetails with updated approaches found throughout New York and Chicago. Discover those harmonies across the menu in bites like broiled oysters, fish and chips, and their famed Triple Crown Sliders—and, of course, the drams. Popular orders like the Espresso Martini, Ube Colada, and a reliable Guinness pour help guests take flight to London, Galway, and tropical spots in between.

Mint green walls, tufted banquettes, and Far East 1930s Art Deco décor help to establish the feel of this Lakeview restaurant, which has gained a devoted community of regulars over the years. Enjoy period jazz and bossa nova sounds as you review the menu, a medley of updated Asian classics like scallion ginger red snapper, Thai-style drunken noodles,and golden Japanese curry. Sift through more winning flavor combinations in the cocktail list, comprised of signatures like the Shanghai Jazz, Lost in Translation, and Chiang Mai Dragon.