The Chicago Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

Two days before the Lunar New Year…

… seemed like the perfect time to finally make the trek to Uptown to try Yoo Yee, a nearly year-old Szechuan and modern Chinese restaurant. As expected, our party of four were quoted an hour-long wait on a Sunday night, but that only gave us more time to talk and figure out our order. We feasted on long and silky hand-pulled noodles in braised beef brisket soup, fought over the last pan-fried pot sticker, inhaled glistening three-cup chicken wings (as delicious as they sound) and kung pao shrimp with chiles and peanuts, and got every single veggie side, from sautéed green beans to stir-fried cabbage. Everything was fresh, well seasoned (and available as spicy as you want), and so worth the wait.

— Liz Grossman, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

What will never get old in cold, windy Chicago…

… is sitting in a booth at Armitage Alehouse in the winter. The beauty of that menu? You can’t go wrong with anything. We started with their housemade naan and dip (your choice of green chutney yoghurt, whipped feta, or spiced lamb), followed by the chicken tikka and the spiced lamb pot pie. The portions were hearty and delicious, perfect for a Saturday evening dinner with friends. We, of course, had to follow it up with the sticky date cake. Pro tip: While the sticky date cake is the star, don’t overlook the key lime pie. It’s the perfect way to cap off an indulgent evening out.

— Maggie Yovanoff, Implementation Manager

In 2026, let’s all resolve to…

… actually stop in at the places we pass every day and wonder about. For years, I’ve said I should really pop into Sauce and Bread Kitchen on Clark Street in Edgewater, and once I did, I was kicking myself for not doing so sooner. Though the cafe features a dazzling display of laminated pastries and pies, it’s equally impressive on the savory side, specializing in egg sandwiches on bagels with heretofore unknown levels of fluffiness, and toasts topped with lox or smoked trout. True to its name, the cafe’s menu lends itself to the signature Co-Op sauces present on every table, including locally sourced “Chi-Racha.” It’s a spot that could easily brag about itself and present its menu with pretension, but consciously makes the choice to foster community instead — a uniquely Midwestern impulse for a unique Chicago restaurant.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Couldn’t believe how packed…

… Jackman & Co. was on an early Tuesday night. Within minutes, it was a full house. Credit the ace hospitality and popular nightly specials: Saturday’s beef wellington, Monday’s Sheboygan brat and a beer, and Tuesday’s beloved chicken pot pie (order on the early side for best availability). The rest of the menu reflects this kind of British comfort fare with a Midwest slant, and it’s all delicious. I loved the heirloom carrots (colorful and punchy) and the peekytoe crab toast (balanced and bright). Next time, what I hope not to miss: fish and chips, Wisconsin cheese curds, and beef roast with Yorkshire pudding (on Sundays only).

— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

If you’re looking for a grown-up…

… vodka-sauced take on a childhood favorite, get the spaghetti Uh-O’s at Void — it’s become my go-to dish on every visit. From start to finish, the flavors were spot-on and everything we tried was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend this Avondale gem for anything occasion, from a casual dinner to a special night out!.

— Mary Mapes, VP of Support

If you’re looking for a gateway to sushi…

… Kyoten Next Door has you covered. I brought a couple friends who were more familiar with maki rolls than omakase, and they loved how interactive and approachable the experience was. You won’t be trying anything too obscure here — they highlight greatest hits like Hokkaido scallops, salmon, wagyu, hamachi, and aji — but every piece is precisely cut, scored, and seasoned.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Our meal was nothing short of perfection…

… at Volo. We started with some Albariño paired with their caviar spoons (a perfect appetizer), before tucking into a show-stopping salmon. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss on the menu, though, it’s their salted caramel mousse. Oh, and pro tip: Definitely sit in their covered back patio.

— Madison Supple, Business Development Representative

If you’re a seafood snob…

… head to The Fish Guy, one of the best fishmongers in town. Drop by Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when they serve made-to-order sandwiches, including lobster rolls, crab cake sandwiches, and a to-die-for salmon burger. I also tried their sushi making kit for Valentine’s Day (complete with premium sushi rice, toasted nori, wasabi, vinegar, and four-year aged soy sauce) and we had so much fun making our own nigiri and handrolls.

— Amber Gibson, 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.