The Chicago Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

New opening alert…

If you’re looking for a new restaurant, I highly recommend Dimmi Dimmi, a corner Italian spot in Lincoln Park. You’re not allowed to skip the mozzarella sticks here — and I say that as somebody who always does — and as an avid pepperoni fan, the homemade sausage pizza is the move here, believe it or not.

— Nicole Dale, Business Development Representative

This Bridgeport spot is a must…

The Duck Inn’s got it all: top-notch service, a cozy setting, killer cocktails, a great wine list, and standout dishes, like duck wings, Spanish octopus, and huitlacoche gnocchi. Don’t miss the sides — the glazed carrots and Brussels sprouts could easily be overlooked, but thankfully, our server was spot-on in encouraging us to get them.

— Emily Lincoln, Senior Sales Training Manager

This one’s definitely worth a trip to the suburbs…

Tucked away in Evanston, Zentli has consistently served some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in Chicagoland. The playful decor and mosaic backdrop along the bar set the stage for deliciously fresh flavors, great cocktails, and killer desserts. Our highlights this time: the pambazo (a chorizo and potato sandwich), some tacos, the esquites, and a churro sundae for good measure.

— Emma Cadd, Business Enablement and Operations Manager

We truly had such a great time…

… at Maple & Ash, a restaurant we long wanted to experience. We went with their self-titled “IDGAF” menu, where the kitchen curates your entire experience for $225 a person (it was worth every penny). We had so much food and such a range of flavors, too — there was nothing served to us that wasn’t not carefully thought out. My favorite was definitely the steak (cooked perfectly), but I also really enjoyed the octopus in chile oil and the fire-roasted seafood tower, which was unreal, and finished with butter, chile oil, and some Cajun seasoning.

— Daniel Peña, Tech Ops Support Manager

Everything was delicious…

… at Bonyeon, where we opted for the beef omakase. It’s all prepared tableside, and it was so cool to see all of the different cuts and be able to compare the flavors side by side. The staff was great about answering our questions and they really do engage with their guests. The wine pairings were spot on, too.

— Melissa Maciejewski, Product Marketing Manager

I’m obsessed with…

… the Discourse Coffee pop-up at Urbanbelly in Wicker Park, every Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Milwaukee coffee shop is serving up some of their classic specialty drinks (all delicious) but you need to try the ramen latte inspired by chef Bill Kim’s shoyu ramen with crispy noodles on top. I know it sounds weird, but Ryan Castelaz is a coffee mad scientist and this is the most devilishly delightful coffee drink I’ve had all year.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

This place is always consistent…

Whether you dine in or get it delivered, the food at Pingpong always satisfies and their service is top-notch as well. We love the tuna tartare, the dan dan noodles, and their everything fried rice. The cocktails are also stellar, and when it’s open, the patio on Broadway is a great way to enjoy it all.

— Emma Cadd, Business Enablement and Operations Manager

When an item’s been on the menu for a decade…

… you order it. And at Boeufhaus, that’d be the braised short rib hush puppies, a 10-year-strong must-try dish. I also highly recommend sitting at the bar if you can — with a casual vibe and a great playlist, what more could you ask for?

— Gretta Ebert, Senior Implementation Specialist

For some of the best Southern-style barbecue in the city…

… Offset BBQ has you covered. Their friendly staff and casual atmosphere always make for a great afternoon on the patio. I’ve had their meat platters several times before, but this was my first time trying their blueberry hand pie served with ice cream and it was incredible, so save room for dessert if you can!

— Jacob Greenwell, Implementation Manager

There’s no place for a celebration…

… like Monteverde. We celebrated my wife’s birthday at the highly-acclaimed West Loop gem, and I can only highly recommend. The service really stood out, as did the food — some of our highlights included the burrata e ham (a seriously amazing appetizer; there’s a reason it’s on their t-shirts), the crispy potatoes, the cacio e pepe, and the gnocchetti con pesto. The cake they brought out for her birthday was amazing, too.

— Zachary Czajka, Strategic Support Manager

We had a 10/10 meal…

… at Maxwells Trading. We started with the cucumber tofu salad, which was crisp and refreshing, before heading into some pastas. Our favorite of the two was the soup dumpling tortellini made with pork shoulder and maitake mushrooms, and laid out in a delicious, umami-packed broth. It juxtaposed the zucchini pappardelle nicely, which was more of a zingy and fresh dish. We paired it all with a fruity white Burgundy that complimented the food’s rich flavors really well. My absolute favorite thing of the night, though, was the blueberry Basque cake, a decadent dessert that had a crisp outer shell and a buttery-soft inside, all topped with a blueberry compote. Overall, it was such a great showcase of summer flavors.

— Bailey Warren, Partner Success Manager at Tock

For a perfect chicken sandwich…

… head to Sophia Steak: their spicy chicken sandwich was easily one of the best I’ve had in a long time. It was outstanding all around: the chicken was perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat, which was balanced beautifully by some pickles and coleslaw. Texturally, it was crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and all wrapped up in a soft bun.

— Brian Raymond, Sales Manager

This dish never disappoints…

At Alex’s Washington Gardens, it’s the bright, flavorful, and perfectly prepared chicken limone that always does it for me. Paired with the restaurant’s old-school Italian charm, dinner here always feels timeless. Hands down, some of the best Italian food you’ll find in the greater Chicago area.

— Brian Raymond, Sales Manager

For some of the best fried chicken in Chicago…

… head to Parson’s Chicken & Fish. It’s a great place to take the family or a large group, and an incredible spot for brunch, too. Don’t skip the excellent French toast — think deep-fried Texas toast covered in cinnamon sugar perfection.

— Jacob Greenwell, Implementation Manager

It’s a great destination for any age set…

At Pretty Cool Ice Cream, the stadium seating makes it feel like a block party, and the flavors are fun enough that you want to collect ’em all. I’m always glad every time I stop in.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

More Chicago staff picks, right this way.

The views expressed in this article reflect personal experiences of American Express employees at the applicable restaurants — not American Express — and do not constitute professional business advice.