The Chicago Restaurants We’re Loving Right Now

It all started with a phone call…

… from Nathan, a sommelier, to discuss any dietary restrictions we might have (especially with my wife being pregnant). This attention to detail really set the stage for our dinner at Feld.

As instructed by Nathan, we arrived about 15 minutes early and were greeted by the entire kitchen staff, before being escorted through a hallway into one cozy open kitchen setup. The design is brilliant: banquettes line the walls and face the plating stations, so it conjures the feeling of a show, but with the intimacy of having a meal at home. Each member of the staff talked to us, whether it be about the wines, the beautifully plated dishes, or where the ingredients came from. Like the halibut we had, caught the day before, which was secured by the Feld team over the phone while the fishermen in Maine were still on the boat. It did not disappoint and my wife and I savored the experience, knowing we may never have the same dish ever again (their tasting menu constantly evolves and changes).

— Ryne Estwing, Lead Web Developer

It’s been on my Hit List for two-plus years…

… and I finally had the chance to try Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar. All I can say is, wow. The vibes, the music, the décor, the food, the drinks — it was everything and more than I expected. The crab rangoons were possibly the best I’ve ever had, and the hand-pulled noodles with beef were unreal. Don’t even get me started on the ube custard for dessert. I’m already trying to finagle my next trip to Chicago just so I can have it again, stat.

— Emily Greene, Senior Experiential Manager

What’s not to love…

… about Mi Tocaya Antojería? Every bite only gets better. The guacamole is perfectly lime-y, the aguachile is the best bite of shrimp I’ve had all year (with just the right touch of sweetness), and you absolutely must save room for their black beans and hand-pressed corn tortillas. Just remember to start the night off with their extra smooth margarita — there might not be a better meal in Chicago.

— Maggie Yovanoff, Implementation Manager

I had a 10/10 meal…

… at Mi Tocaya Antojería. After starting with the requisite chips, guac, and house salsa, we had their famous steak burrito, which was packed to the gills with meat. It was such a fabulous meal.

— Amanda Peterlin, Sales Manager, Southeast

I’d experienced the tasting menu…

… at the Michelin-starred Indienne in the past, but never the bar menu before, and was so glad I did. The North River gem reintroduced it recently, and though the seasonal à la carte menu calls the dishes “bites,” the portions are generous and the prices make it easy to order one of everything. I loved the layered avocado bhel with roasted ponk (Indian sorghum); the cauliflower koliwada; the green pea, fava, and goat cheese kulcha showered in black truffles; and chicken gustaba. I also loved the N/A carbonated spritzes with a choice of housemade cordial (I went with pickled mango), and the laidback energy of the bar, tucked in one of the most beautiful dusty-rose-and-green-adorned dining rooms in the city.

— Liz Grossman, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Promise me…

… you won’t sleep on the braised beef short rib at Ciccio Mio. And don’t sleep on the toasted almond ice cream, a bit of a sleeper hit among the desserts!

— Nicole Dale, Business Development Representative

For an out-of-this-world experience (truly)…

… book a seat at the chef’s counter at Cariño. We were so close to the action, watching chef Norman Fenton and his team work, which made the meal all the more special. We opted for the 14-course tasting menu and enjoyed every second of it — it lasted a few hours but there was never a dull moment or flavor. We especially loved the taco trio (unbelievably tasty) and the huitlacoche ravioli (unforgettable). The beverage program is inventive and tasty, their service team never missed a beat, and the crew in the kitchen was working in lock step. All round, a 10/10 experience.

— Gino Vanden Brook, Implementation Specialist

This place never ceases to miss the mark…

Come to All Together Now for food that’s thoughtful and delicious. I highly recommend the steak sandwich. Also, never ever pass up the opportunity to try a new wine per the staff’s recommendation.

— Brian Powers, Software Engineer

My littlest sister turned 20…

… and requested an upscale steakhouse experience to celebrate. Sophia Steak absolutely understood the assignment. They had something for everyone at the table: delicious N/A beverages, excellent Sancerre, and my personal favorite coffee in Chicago (shoutout Big Shoulders!). We feasted on scallops, filet, lobster mac & cheese, wagyu, and the super green vegetable salad, the most flavorful and fresh salad I’ve ever enjoyed at any steakhouse. I hope my little sister knows how loved she is after this blowout meal.

— Wendy West, Billing Analyst

Always ask your server…

… what the best things to order are at Monteverde. We took their recommendations and didn’t regret it one bit. In a lineup of terrific dishes (the famous burrata e ham, wok-fried arrabbiata, gnochetti con pesto, chicken parm), the egg yolk raviolo was the absolute standout of the night — I’d go back just for this dish alone. The tiramisù was also a 10 out of 10.

— Amanda Rogers, Business Development Representative

This is the kind of place you want in your regular rotation…

At Jackman & Co., the menu is big enough that you can try something different every time, but small enough that everything is worth it. British pub classics like fish and chips hit all the marks, while some of the unexpected inclusions, like duck confit tacos with adobo, pineapple, and griddled roti, are worth venturing off the beaten path to try.

— Gabriel Losch, Software Engineer

My favorite meal recently…

… took place at Leña Brava. It was my first time there and all I’ll say is: go with friends. There were so many options and things we wanted to try, so we ordered a bunch and shared. The highlight for me was their braised short rib, it was so tender and flavorful, I would go back for that alone.

— Alisa Ahmed, Business Development Representative

It takes an intrepid pizzeria…

… to break into Chicago’s tavern-style thin-crust scene, but Dicey’s is up to the challenge with inventive pizzas on a sturdy, crispy crust. The Peppy Boy is one of the few pepperoni-and-hot-honey pizzas I’ve encountered that exhibits proper restraint with the honey, keeping things well balanced between sweet and savory. The Hippy Flip, meanwhile, is a standout among the specialty pies, with a burst of bright lemon complementing its earthy mushrooms and Taleggio. In a catering or group dining situation, Dicey’s comes in clutch with the Earth Crisis, a dairy- and gluten-free pizza that actually tries to stay as interesting as its cheesy counterparts with tomato, eggplant, roasted onions, chile flakes, basil, lemon, and olive oil.

Beyond the pizzas, a nice surprise on this menu is the salads, which aren’t treated as second fiddle; both the simple on the side and chopped Greek are full of fresh, crunchy produce and enough acidity in their dressing to pair well with the pies.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

I had such a memorable meal…

… at Swift & Sons. Their crab cake was absolutely outstanding: perfectly seasoned with a great balance of crisp and tender. The filet was also just cooked perfectly, incredibly juicy, and full of flavor. And the expertly crafted cocktails really tied it all together.

— Brian Raymond, Sales Manager

A newer restaurant in the Lincoln Park area…

… Anatolia brings incredible Turkish food to the neighborhood. We got the mix grill entrée, meant for two to three people, to try a bit of everything — it comes with lamb chops, steak, kebabs, chicken, shrimp, and sausage over mashed potatoes and bulgur rice. Everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection.

— Drew Bailey, Sales Manager

I finally made it to…

… Cafe Yaya and loved how cozy the all-day space feels. I was a little early for dinner and enjoyed an excellent cortado with housemade pistachio syrup before my dining companions arrived. Our favorite dish of the night was a roasted cod with charred cabbage and beurre blanc, and the wood-fired Turkish pide (stuffed with maitake mushroom and lamb bacon) had us fighting over the last piece.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

From the first sip of sangria…

… to the last bite of roasted broccoli, The Whale was incredible. The crab rolls were gently griddled and filled with the most delicious crab. The spread boards were each unique and so filling, we almost didn’t order an entrée but had to end with the kofta ribeye and roasted broccoli. An A++ place to meet friends for lunch, dinner, or brunch.

— Niambi Lewis, Executive Assistant

It’s consistently one of the best restaurants…

… I have ever been to. The service at Bavette’s is always on point and the food never disappoints. And while they’re known for their steaks, the fried chicken is amazing and I always recommend ordering it as an appetizer to share for the table.

— Laura Benedetto, Technical Account Analyst

After countless recommendations…

… we finally went to Galit and it did not disappoint — I loved the four-course choose-your-own-adventure format. We started with the brisket hummus, before getting the falafel and croquetas (the falafel was easily one of the best we’ve ever had). The deconstructed pastrami was incredibly tasty as well. Overall, we loved every dish we had and are so looking forward to coming back to try more of the menu!

— Patrick Driscoll, Sales Manager

For a perfect afternoon spent with friends…

… head to Longman & Eagle. Equal parts neighborhood tavern and thoughtfully worn-in hideaway, it’s just as good for a dimly lit dinner than for a leisurely lunch. We settled in and ordered a spread that matched the restaurant’s playful, elevated spirit: a creamy vegan sour cream and onion dip to start, followed by a perfectly satisfying smash burger, a rich croque madame with a runny egg, and a buttery slice of quiche Lorraine.

— Emily Holbrook, Revenue Operations & Enablement Director

I had a great dinner…

… at Tamu with a couple of friends. We shared edamame to start, then all opted for the chef’s choice hand roll set, which took the pressure off deciding (it comes with five DIY hand rolls and the soup of the day). We paired it with a few Asahi beers and the Kemuri To Hi, a smoky, well-balanced riff on an old fashioned. Service was friendly and attentive, and the vibe strikes a nice balance between polished and relaxed. I also loved the flexibility in pricing — you can have a great meal for around $50 per person or splurge on a higher-end omakase experience.

— Jessica Hewett, Senior Brand Designer

I contemplated trying every single cocktail…

… at Bar Bambi, a West Town newcomer with playful vibes. I settled on the smooth Stone & Asphalt, which is their version of a Negroni but with a touch of raspberry, wasabi, and a large swipe of white chocolate and cocoa butter on the glass. Definitely get some food — I loved the salmon crudo, crunchy fried pickles topped with Mimolette cheese, and the chicken nuggets of my dreams with carrot caramel, candied coriander, and an Alabama white dipping sauce. I ended the night with their brown butter cake and the check, delivered via a children’s book (“Bambi,” of course). Can’t wait to come back to try the carbonated cocktails and tempura halibut sandwich.

— Liz Grossman, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

I’m always a sucker for…

… fresh mozzarella sticks, and the ones at Dimmi Dimmi are excellent. The appetizers really shone between those and the pillowy focaccia with a fantastic ‘nduja dip (the perfect complement). My favorite dish had to be the rich chocolate cake, paired with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

— Ryan Mitchell, Account Executive

The best fried chicken and mashed potatoes in the city…

… can be found at Trivoli Tavern in the West Loop. My favorite part are the small cloves of garlic that are mixed into the mashed potatoes. The fried chicken itself is perfectly breaded, juicy, and tender, and comes with a refreshing side of coleslaw.

— Ryan Mitchell, Account Executive

As Brooklyn transplants to the Midwest…

… our pizza standards are very high, and the pies at DeNucci’s do not disappoint. Not surprising, since they’re made by Sal, a native Italian who spent years developing his dough recipe, and also runs a separate pizza-only establishment nearby, Pizza by Sal. The crust is crispy but with a good chew, and the toppings are all fresh and high quality.

— Gabriel Losch, Software Engineer

It’s a cult favorite for a reason…

The sticky date cake at Armitage Alehouse never fails but the absolute standout of the night was the black cod. With notes of miso and coconut curry, it melted in your mouth and made you wish the flavor never left.

— Rachel Kanter, Implementation Specialist

Whether we’re celebrating something…

…. or just craving a great meal, New Star is a go-to for my family. There’s an extensive Chinese menu, but the real draw for me is their hibachi; it’s my favorite around. As usual, I got the golden shrimp set, which comes with a soup, salad, wheat noodles, chicken fried rice, veggies, shrimp topped with egg yolk sauce, and ice cream — an absurd amount of food for how reasonable the prices are (under $35!). Beyond the meal, the hospitality is what makes it special: attentive service, fun hibachi chefs, and little touches like the owner handing out toys to the kids when you sit down.

— Jessica Hewett, Senior Brand Designer

On one of the few, calmer stretches of Milwaukee Avenue…

… sits Remedy, a cocktail bar that’s quietly offering some of the best drink deals in the city. The weekday half-price happy hour, which applies to all drinks on the menu, lasts a charitable three hours. Several other days of the week have all-night specials on beers, cocktails, and shot combos, too — and if you arrive at the right time, you might also be handed a free shot of something just because. Of course, none of this would matter if the beverages were lackluster, but these balanced sips are crafted with care within a welcoming atmosphere.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

This place is like my “Cheers”…

I pretty much live at Pops for Champagne and am so grateful they are open seven days a week. They have the best selection of Champagne by the glass in town, with lots of great growers. I was there with a friend recently when we unexpectedly saw our other friend walking by and waved him in — we proceeded to close out the bar.

— 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.