The Chicago Restaurants We Loved This Month

I really loved the nostalgic Mexican flavors…

… that Leña Brava offered — I’m Hispanic myself, so many of the dishes reminded me of the food I grew up eating, though those were rooted in much simpler, traditional ingredients. Our favorite dish was the ceviche with the housemade tostadas for sure — it was so refreshing and full of spicy and citrusy flavor. I also really enjoyed the lamb chops; a meat I don’t typically have much of but really enjoy when made right.

I hope diners visit this hidden gem in the heart of West Loop, with its beautiful decor and seating. We loved it so much, we added it to our list of potential wedding venues…

— Daniel Peña, IT Service Delivery Manager

For a cozy patio…

… head to Elia in the heart of Wicker Park’s dining scene on Division Street. We went for the all-you-can-eat mezze (offered Mondays and Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m.) and it did not disappoint. For $35, you get a chef’s selection of cold and hot mezze, rice, kebab meats, and baklava. We had more than enough food, but the truffle cheese saganaki was so good, we couldn’t resist ordering another round. Overall, such a fun spot and a great deal.

— Jessica Hewett, Senior Brand Designer

The Ballyhoo team strikes again…

… this time, with DeNucci’s in Highland Park, sister spot to their Lincoln Park location. Step foot in here and take in the sights and sounds — jazz and soul on the speakers, comfy booths, and lush greenery throughout prime diners for the evening ahead.

The truffle mushroom arancini, rich and perfectly portioned, is best followed by the bright Lacinato kale salad, which we polished off in minutes. It’s tough to choose the star of the menu, but the branzino piccata (tangy and sizeable) might be it. Still, I can always save room for cannoli, especially when they’re as meticulously crafted as these — think four crispy shells crowned with candied orange and pistachioed ends. The restaurant sports a handsome patio and just began weekend lunch service, making it easier than ever to embrace summer’s long al fresco days.

— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

If you ask me…

… apps, sides, and dessert make or break a meal. At Swift & Sons, the filet and ribeye always hit, but it’s the oysters, roasted mushrooms, and skillet cookie that make it for me. You’ll never leave unsatisfied.

— Nicole Dale, Sales Executive at Tock

If you’re looking for a Lakeview gem…

… head to Dear Margaret, a charming French-Canadian restaurant that’s a Tock-colleague favorite and winner of the 2025 Jean Banchet award for Best Hospitality. The vibe inside is cozy and quaint, reminiscent of your grandma’s kitchen. The menu rotates seasonally, but we enjoyed a few regular staples, like the fried smelts and the pommes dauphine, paired with some excellent French wine. For the main course, we took a recommendation from our server and tried the pan-roasted Walleye and the côte de bœuf (which were both excellent), paired with some perfectly golden and crispy pommes frites. This spot is always a hit.

— Emily Holbrook, Director of Operations & Insights

One of my favorite barbecue spots in Chicago…

… is Offset BBQ. The ribs are fantastic and perfectly tender, and I was pleasantly surprised by the brisket — it had great marbling without being too fatty. They have their own homemade sauces that pair great with all their different meats and sides, and boast a great selection of local Chicago beers, too.

— Jacob Greenwell, Implementation Manager at Tock

I had the most delicious Chianti from Italy…

… at Trivoli Tavern — as a wine lover, I thought it was divine. The blue cheese dirty martini was also spectacular, with the blue cheese accenting the flavor of the Grey Goose perfectly. For our meal, we split the shrimp scampi, the clam chowder (warm and delicious; without a doubt, my favorite dish of the night), the smoked Caesar salad (it had crumbled chips in the mix — very different but it added an extra crunch), and finally, the vodka rigatoni (perfectly rich). It was a 10/10 experience.

— Madison Supple, Business Development Representative

The vibe and atmosphere inside…

… Trivoli Tavern cannot be beat. I came with my family and we ordered many items to try a little bit of everything. My personal favorites were the vodka rigatoni and the sticky date cake (they’re the dishes you see on TikTok the most, and for a reason!).

— Wendy Ruan, Software Engineer

Shoutout to the oh-so fresh and delicious…

… guacamole at Uncle Julio’s. The restaurant was extremely busy when we arrived but our server, Ceasar, was amazing. He made it seem like we were his priority when I knew he was hustling nonstop, getting to all of this tables. I’d abolustely recommend going.

— Alina Slawek, Enterprise Specialist

On our last visit to…

… Indienne, we indulged in the non-vegetarian tasting menu, choosing to add on the supplemental prawn course (do not skip it) and the bread, which was a chili cheese kulcha (highly recommend). Instead of the wine pairing, we opted for cocktails, which were crisp, fresh, and flavorful. We started off with dhokla aero, an incredible sponge-like bite. My favorite course was the yogurt chaat and the lamb nihari. The entire meal was full of rich flavors — it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion.

— Lauren Kansupada, Global Dining Integration Management

We had an amazing time at the bar…

… at Boeufhaus, courtesy of great service, great wine, and incredible food. We started with some oysters and the short rib beignets before sharing the scallops (my favorite dish) and the 55-day dry-aged ribeye (my wife’s favorite). It was a great, great meal, made even greater by the chiffon cake for dessert.

— Jonathan Skodras, Business Development & Sales Manager

I was recently at McCormick Place for a conference…

… and Mei’s was the perfect getaway when a few colleagues wanted to escape the obligatory cocktail hour after a long day. The scallion pancakes, crispy spring rolls, and karaage fried chicken are just the perfect happy hour snacks, and at $14, their wonton noodle soup is one of the best dinner deals in the city.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

I recently met a friend for dinner at…

… Peru Criollo, whose streamlined interior is a nice respite from the bustle of Portage Park’s Six Corners just beyond its doors. In addition to traditional Peruvian entrées and mariscos, this restaurant’s interpretations of Chifa cuisine — blending Peruvian ingredients and Cantonese elements — are not to be missed.

One such dish is the Peruvian fried rice, a generous portion of velvety, flavorful rice, well-blended with bell peppers, green onions, scrambled egg, ginger, and your choice of protein (I heartily recommend the flank steak). The pork tamales are another standout, served with salsa criolla heavy on the pickled red onions. Though Peru Criollo is BYOB, there are a number of specialty N/A drinks and fruit juices that pair well with their deeply savory dishes. Besides, when’s the last time you said yes to a glass of fresh strawberry limeade?

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

To celebrate our first wedding anniversary…

… my wife and I went to Ciccio Mio and it did not disappoint. We started off with some delicious limoncello apéritifs before ordering the spicy rigatoni and carbonara to share — both were hearty portions and tasted great. We also split the perfectly cooked coal-fired ribeye with some Vesuvio potatoes (with chicken jus, confit garlic, and oregano), before polishing off some salted caramel gelato and meringue for dessert.

— Zachary Czajka, Executive Support Manager

This is such a great neighborhood spot…

Sal’s Trattoria never disappoints. Always get the burrata and the grilled calamari (the absolute standouts) and you’ll never have a bad meal at this Lakeview gem.

— Rachel Kanter, Business Development Representative

We had a fantastic dinner…

… at Tortoise Supper Club. We started with the warm house bread stuffed with cheese (so comforting) and a classic shrimp cocktail. The Caesar salad was a standout that was made better by the addition of fried cashews, which added great crunch and flavor. For mains, the Dover sole was delicate and perfectly prepared, and the beef Wellington was rich, tender, and everything you’d hope for. Overall, it’s a true Chicago gem with great ambiance for a special night out.

Pro tip: Go on a Friday or Saturday night for live jazz, too.

— Mary Mapes, VP of Support for Resy & Tock

I loved the atmosphere…

… at The Perch. They brew their own beers in-house and selecting a flight was a great way to sample a variety of their offerings. I highly recommend their Mexican lager, Calling All Skeletons. My wife had the turkey burger and was blown away by the spicy slaw. The Bang Bang shrimp made for a wonderful appetizer as well.

— Jacob Greenwell, Implementation Manager at Tock

The mood was immediately set…

… as soon as I walked into Sophia Steak, the prelude to an excellent meal to come. The shrimp cocktail was expertly poached and the beef carpaccio was heavenly. For entrées, we shared the Saturday night special: prime roast beef and the Delmonico ribeye — it was easily one of the best ribeyes I’ve had in a while, the char on the outside was perfection. Add to that service that’s on point, and Sophia Steak’s already gotten me looking forward to my next visit.

— Maggie Yovanoff, Implementation Manager

Go big or go home…

… at The Alston, the Gold Coast’s new $30 million steakhouse. I remember thinking, “Does Chicago really need another steakhouse?” But this is one glamorous escape from reality. Chef Jenner Tomaska has never done anything this big and The Fifty/50 Group has never done anything this luxe, so I was excited to see two of my favorites collaborating.

I don’t even eat meat that much, but there’s much more than steak on the menu (although those are butchered in house and amazing). I loved the buttery braised leeks, escargots with super delicate puff pastry, and the rack of dover sole, which Tomaska became famous for at Esmé. Just note that everything at The Alston is a little over the top — whole pressed duck is prepared tableside with a flourish, and Basque cheesecake is topped with golden Osetra caviar, because why not?

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Bonus: Just north of Chicago…

… in Evanston, Hewn Bakery is absolutely worth traveling to for their naturally fermented breads, made with locally grown heritage grains (there are so many bread varieties, but fear not: the welcoming and knowledgeable staff will help you pick one).

On my most recent visit (definitely check out the daily specials before you plan your trip), I got a baguette, some durum bread, and a croissant. The baguette was perfectly crunchy on the outside and nice and soft inside, and boasted a complex flavor from a long fermentation time. The durum bread had a nutty sesame flavor to it and a touch of sourness from the dough. And finally, the croissant was buttery, flaky, and just melted in your mouth.

Pro tip: There is no dining area inside the bakery, so bring your own blanket — plus, any cheese, charcuterie, or other item that goes well with bread — and head to the lake shore for a picnic (you could either walk or take the 201 CTA bus).

— Mieko Furuhashi, Quality Assurance Engineer at Tock

More Chicago staff picks, right this way.