The Chicago Restaurants For a Celebration Dinner

Joseph Fontelera’s former pop-up has opened as a permanent brick-and-mortar in North Center — to enthusiastic buzz— offering a thoughtful repertoire of Filipino cuisine. Family photographs on the dining room wall set an intimate, homey tone that carries into the food, much of which is inspired by his grandmother’s cooking. Fontelera’s focused menu leans on pork and seafood: sizzling sisig arrives minced, topped with a runny egg and secret sauce, while Spanish mackerel simmers in coconut adobo with fermented chives and subtle heat. Vegetables shine, too: dob’t miss the charred cabbage in a kare-kare sauce and maitake mushrooms in a spicy, coconut milk–based sauce. Garlic rice is essential, as is the roasted banana turon dessert— a sticky, caramelized finale worth coming back for.

Fresh on the scene, Dimmi Dimmi brings Chicago attitude to Italian-American cooking. Case in point: chef Matt Eckfeld’s carpaccio gets a local spin—arriving like a deconstructed Italian beef sandwich, served hot or sweet with giardiniera, beef-jus aioli, Parmesan, and sesame sourdough on the side. The menu riffs on more of the classics—square-cut, tavern-style pizza; fresh pasta made daily; and housemade sausage. The space is new, but it already feels like a been-around-for-a-while spot, with roomy booths for groups and a bar stacked with amaro.

So you and yours got tickets to a show at the Cadillac Palace or James M. Nederlander Theatre downtown? Making a reservation at La Grande Boucherie will undoubtedly make the night feel like an occasion. The River North stunner occupies a dramatic two-level space with soaring ceilings, marble floors, and a pewter wraparound bar that serves as the perfect landing spot pre- or post-show (or no show at all!). The aesthetic exudes French elegance, much like the dishes on the menu: think boeuf bourguignon, roasted half chicken, and broiled branzino. A $50 prix fixe stacks oysters, foie gras, Niçoise salad, and mushroom-squash gnocchi, among others. It’s indulgent, a little theatrical, and exactly the kind of place you book when the night calls for dressing up.

Maxwells Trading has been open for almost two years now and consistently books up on weekends. Nestled in the Kinzie Corridor of the far West Loop, the kitchen blends Japanese and Chinese flavors with local ingredients. How local? A rooftop herb and vegetable garden fills the kitchen with seasonal produce, keeping the menu exciting and ever-changing. The dining room features soaring industrial ceilings, yet the ambiance remains warm and inviting thanks to rich wood accents and elegant design touches. Notable dishes include Japanese sweet potatoes served with Thai red curry, and the half-chicken a la brasa with Wayne Jacob’s andouille, navy bean, and ginger-scallion salsa verde. Cocktails are refreshingly creative, and to tempt you further, there’s an entire list dedicated to martinis—thank goodness. 

Chefs Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi run a smoky, charcoal- and wood-fired kitchen in River North where Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors collide. Start small: the pita is non-negotiable, best paired with smoked labneh, herby falafel, classic hummus, and a halloumi dish with beets, dukkah, and sticky date molasses. From the grill, standouts include maitake mushrooms on yellow pepper emulsion, seared scallops with olives and fermented pepper beurre blanc, and… well… all of the kebabs. Large plates, like tender lamb shank with fragrant rice, are made for sharing, though you may not want to.

A decade-long Chicago staple, Boeufhaus is a refined French and German-inspired brasserie with just 35 seats, and it’s serious meat territory—none of the usual steakhouse clichés, okay? Chef Brian Ahern serves cuts from responsibly raised animals, prepared beautifully.  Starters like short rib beignets and garlicky escargot should stand on their own, but the main attraction is the à la carte meat section, where the 55-day dry-aged ribeye steals the show. The wine list is wonderfully crafted, the specials are always worth ordering, and the service is friendly and attentive without ever being stuffy. A perfect place for birthdays, anniversaries, or any night you want to blow it out.

Brought to you by the Hogsalt team (Ciccio Mio, Armitage Alehouse, etc.) Trivoli Tavern is nestled into a charming cobblestone alley, giving off intimate speakeasy vibes perfect for cozy date nights or lively group gatherings. Kick off your evening with a strong cocktail and a round of oysters before diving into their hand-rolled pasta offerings. (Do try the mafaldine coated in black truffle oil and melted pecorino.) And don’t leave without the sticky toffee date cake—a celebratory dessert if there ever was, topped with brown butter ice cream and a toffee crumble.

Here, expect family-style classics where your crew can share a Caesar salad, a plate of fried calamari, and a basket of fresh bread served with unapologetically pre-packaged butter on the side. Club Lucky, nestled in a Bucktown corner since 1990, embraces the nostalgia of a 1940s Italian supper club, complete with dim lighting and cozy leather booths, and an atmosphere that’s bustling yet intimate. The martinis are stiff, and the red sauce flows freely over your choice of homemade cavatelli, mushroom rigatoni or spicy shrimp penne arrabiata. It’s the kind of place where you can comfortably unlatch your belt to make room for a tiramisu and amaro at the end of the night, too.

This neighborhood gem draws on the bold, earthy flavors of Sonoran cooking, where mesquite-fired grills and house-made flour tortillas reign. From Ballyhoo Hospitality (the team behind Gemini and Coda di Volpe), this cantina serves up shareable skewers like adobo chicken with punchy salsa verde, flat iron steak with smoky salsa macha, and chili-lime shrimp paired with pineapple chimichurri. Be sure to try the Sonoran-style cheese crisps—a Chicago twist on quesadillas, heaped with carne seca, green chile, or spicy chorizo. The small-batch tequilas and mezcal, along with bottomless brunch drinks, makes this a lively Lincoln Park go-to.

At this perennially packed Italian favorite, sharing is encouraged and chef Sarah Grueneberg’s handmade pastas take center stage. Highlights include the pesto gnocchetti tossed in basil pesto, housemade ricotta, and a sprinkle of Sardinian pecorino; the roasted lamb and artichoke ravioli, delivering a bold Italian punch balanced with sweet tropea onions, bright lemon and mint, and a kick of aleppo pepper; and the cacio whey pepe, a bowl of fusilloni swirled in rich pecorino medoro, lemon ricotta, and spiced with a four-peppercorn blend. The ambiance walks the line between upscale elegance and inviting warmth, matched by a truly stellar wine list– perfect for a celebratory dinner, date night, or a standout meal with friends.

Superkhana’s menu offers a contemporary spin on Indian dishes, shaking up classic recipes without sacrificing traditional flavors. The beef keema, for example, is served atop a mozzarella pizza with pickles and dill; while their take on the classic bolognese is spiced with achar masala. The decor is sophisticated, but also quirky and vibrant, featuring floral cushions on sleek wooden benches and colorful lighting on white brick walls. It’s absolutely necessary to save room for their saffron cardamom and Parle-G Biscuit ice cream sandwich topped with candied pistachio.

Whether it’s a midday catch-up over coffee and a peach jam bostock with almond and meringue, or a beer-in-hand gathering over tavern-style pizzas, Middlebrow has got you covered. The Logan Square gem serves lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and their crowd-pleasing menu makes the most of local ingredients. Case in point: a cheesy corn and leek pizza with pickled peaches and toasted sesame, or a mushroom cream sauce pizza with caramelized onion, fontina, and chives. The taproom’s interior has a rustic charm, with distressed wood furniture and round antique mirrors, and the food is served on mismatched plates, adding a country diner charm. In addition to their beers, which includes a sour with cara cara oranges and tangerine, and fruity tropical IPA, they also serve their own natural wine made with Michigan-grown grapes.

The aesthetic at Beatnik On The River is eclectic, fusing Moroccan, French, and Italian influences to create a retro Bohemian paradise ideal for dinner and brunch with family or friends. Indoor greenery dots the space, as do vibrant colors and patterns splashed across rugs, pillows, and tiling. The outdoor patio sits right on the river’s edge, where you can watch boats pass while you dine. On that note, chef Marcos Campos oversees a menu filled with shareable plates like baba ganoush with tahini labneh, pomegranate, and pita for dipping, and a crispy and lemony artichoke dish drizzled with spiced olive oil, or a lamb shoulder feast which comes with dill tzatziki, cucumber salad, tahini hummus, grilled pita, and sesame za’tar. The cocktails are just as bold, like the coconut-washed-whiskey number dubbed “Coco Covfefe” with amaro,  cold brew, pecan, chicory, and vanilla.

Bavette’s is a dimly lit, chic-yet-unpretentious steakhouse with a penchant for French cuisine, making it a dreamy destination for a romantic night out with a date or friends. The speakeasy atmosphere comes together with glowing chandeliers and burgundy leather booths along the walls. Opt for a 16-ounce, 42-day dry-aged, bone-in New York Strip drenched in béarnaise and sprinkled with steak salt, or roasted bone marrow served with caramelized red onion jam and parsley salad. The juicy double wagyu cheeseburger is also a solid choice, topped with pickles, onions, Dijon, and a side of pomme frites, naturally. Note that this is best suited for smaller gatherings: they cap their reservations at six and book up quickly, so plan accordingly.

Chef Steve Domanik is the pit master at this near-suburban barbecue joint next door to the lively hodgepodge music venue Fitzgerald’s, which boasts a sprawling lively patio. Pork belly, smoked bone marrow, baby back ribs, brisket, and barbecue spiced cauliflower dominate the grill, while sides like pimento mac ‘n’ cheese, char-grilled oysters, and kale salad with Creole Caesar dressing round out the menu. If you’re not into sharing, you can always order a po’ boy, finished with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a side of Zapp’s chips.