The Chicago Restaurants We Loved in 2025
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It’s that most wonderful time of year where Team Resy and Tock have scrolled through our respective camera rolls to pin down the meals that’ve stood out to us the most. It’s never easy to be pick favorites, but our 2025 picks have proven yet again what we know and hold dear to our hearts: Restaurants are our homes away from home, acting as the perfect backdrop for all of life’s moments, both big and small.
From the places where we’ve felt like regulars to the restaurants that hosted our engagements, birthdays, and everything in between, here are Team Resy and Tock’s favorite restaurant meals of 2025.
We ordered every dish on the menu…
… at mfk. restaurant. We were celebrating a dear friend’s birthday, and every dish at this small Spanish restaurant lived up to the moment. The skirt steak with bone marrow was a knockout and the crudo was such a standout as well. The atmosphere is cozy (but not cramped) and the service is fantastic. And do order the dessert: the Basque butter cake was the best dish we had all night.
— Gino Vanden Brook, Implementation Specialist
After getting engaged…
… my fiancé and I finally decided to check Warlord out (it’d been on our list for quite some time). It’s very exciting: the menu changes every day depending on what’s in season and at the farmers market that week, and everything is cooked on open flames (we were sitting at the chef’s counter and got to see how everything was made) — our grilled oysters arrived on hot coals. Surprisingly, my favorite dish was the seemingly simple tomato and bread appetizer. The bread was crispy and soaked in honey and sea salt, and the tomatoes were perfectly roasted. It was such an enjoyable dish. I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a unique dining experience.
— Lauren Pung, Colleague Experience Group Analyst
On a crisp November evening…
… I had dinner at Maxwells Trading — the perfect setting for a chilly night out. From the moment we walked into the restaurant’s warm and inviting space in the West Loop, the team delivered a thoughtful and elevated experience. The dish I loved most was the Japanese eggplant with confit tomatoes and herbs, which was beautifully executed: soft, silky eggplant with a depth of flavor that felt rich, hearty, and refined. But each dish really struck a balance between comfort and creativity, delivering familiar flavors with precision and bold technique. Truly one of my top meals of 2025.
— Soledad Marchitelli, VP of Global Dining Business Enablement
I love all of…
… chef Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi’s restaurants but I have a soft spot for Sifr. Maybe it’s the wood-fired hearth, or the colorful dips and hearty mezze platters to share, but Sifr is comfort food, even though it’s not the kind of food that I grew up with. You’d be a fool not to start with a mezze platter, and the veggie mezze is just as delightful as the one with meat.
Pro tip: The $60 four-course tasting menu is the biggest steal in Chicago dining.
— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial
Come for the prime Theatre District location…
…. stay (and return) for The Dearborn’s food and drinks. I loved a recent dinner here, where the team always emphasizes quality and locally sourced ingredients — think prosciutto and white cheddar croquettes, salad topped with Manchego and Nueske’s bacon, and parmesan gnocchi brimming with mushrooms. And don’t miss the jumbo striped bass, perfectly cooked with shellfish in a rich, lobster-cognac broth.
Pro tip: Dessert is a definite do here — if you’re headed to the theatre, get the cookies, which are colossal and delicious with dark and milk chocolate chips.
— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial
For a more accessible omakase…
… that feels every bit as special as some higher-priced alternatives, head to Kai Zan. I went with my grandpa for their $98 omakase experience, and every course was beautifully plated and highlighted unique flavor pairings. The 10-plus courses were paced thoughtfully, leaving us fully satisfied without being overwhelmed. The warm, intimate atmosphere tied it all together, making for a truly memorable dining experience — one of the best I’ve had.
— Jessica Hewett, Senior Brand Designer
It’d been on my list for ages…
… and Armitage Alehouse didn’t disappoint. The place has a warm, timeless charm: dark wood, soft lighting, and cozy booths that make every table feel like its own little world. The food was excellent from start to finish, but the real standout was the sticky date cake — rich, perfectly sweet, and the best way to end the night. Between the atmosphere, the service, and that dessert, it was one of those evenings that felt special in all the right ways.
— DJ Catrow, Director of Product Design
Slip away to the English countryside…
… as you settle into The English Room at The Deer Path Inn — it’s what it feels like here, with the space’s rich hues, tufted leather seating, and old-world paintings. My favorite table in the house was in the adjacent Garden Room, a sun-drenched space with courtyard views and menus full of hearty, thoughtful options (the breakfast sandwich royale tops a croissant with sausage, eggs, and white cheddar, plus crisped potatoes).
— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial
A longtime Lincoln Park favorite…
… Range is known for its celebration of local Midwest growers (and farm-inspired décor). The roasted pear flatbread, beet tostadas, and hanger steak are all staples, as is the veggie burger, complete with melted aged white cheddar and smoked sweet potato. It’s the approachable food and friendly service that draws me back time and again — and the way that the team shows up for their community, via frequent fundraisers.
— Nicole Schnitzler, 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.
