The Top Rated Resy Restaurants in Chicago According to Beli

The whole point of Bavette’s is to lean in. Its decadence is embodied in everything from the dark, sultry velvet booths to the wagyu porterhouse and smoked salmon Caesar. As such, do come prepared to leave (a lot) fuller than you came, and don’t forget the drinks. Go traditional with an ice-cold martini or an Old Fashioned. If you have any room left, the Sundae “Royale” is a candy-lover’s dream dessert.

Chef and owner Sujan Sarkar’s perpetually packed Indienne is one of Chicago’s most ambitious restaurants. It melds the chef’s Indian heritage with French technique, which means color and flavor are in no short supply. You’ll choose between four separate tasting menus (vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and pescatarian), all of which serve eight courses plus bonus treats alongside coffee.

From the same team behind the coveted No. 1 spot on this list, Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf – Chicago, Armitage Alehouse is a 1920’s London-inspired dream. It’s as cozy as its tavern status suggests, with an always-crackling fireplace, cushy seating, and lantern lighting, making it an ideal place to aim for regular status in our books. They offer “one or two” of their list of pot pies daily, and while they’re all excellent, know that if you see the Heritage Chicken, you’re the chosen one. There’s an Anglo Indian influence, too, with naan and tikka masala also on offer, too.

There’s no one in Chicago doing pasta quite like Sarah Grueneberg is at Monteverde. Unfortunately for you, everyone in town seems to know – so even 10 years on, you may need some tips on getting in (we’ve got you covered here). Once you do snag a Resy, there’s really no way to go wrong. The Cacio Whey Pepe is famous for good reason, and is practically required eating for everyone interested in food in our fair city, but anything the cooks are turning out in the pastificio (pasta-making station) is a good call.

It doesn’t get much more local than Maxwells Trading, which boasts a rooftop garden and apiary from which it sources everything it can. Chefs Erling Wu-Bower and Chris Jung have crafted a menu that’s eclectic and unique, taking influences from Mexico, China, and Korea — just don’t call it “fusion.” Inside, the space is bright and airy, with plenty of room to spread out. The “griddle bread and dunks” section of the menu has our heart with its selection of dips, and don’t skip the Basque butter cake if you see it for dessert.

Diners praise Ciccio Mio’s plush, romantic venue as an ideal locale for a special date night. It doesn’t hurt that the Italian American menu has something for everyone, whether you’re pulling apart a truffle mozzarella stick or sharing a strand of bucatini Amatriciana “Lady and the Tramp” style. Don’t be afraid to dress up — with their tuxedo-clad servers, you’ll never look out of place.

This is omakase like you’ve never seen it before. For one, it’s centered around beef, with more than 10 courses that might include oxtail and morel dumplings, tenderloin with bone marrow miso, or marinated galbi with pineapple kimchi. It’s a good choice for those who love the classic Chicago steakhouse experience but are interested in trying something new. If you can, you’ll want to come more than once — the menu changes relatively frequently.

Dimmi Dimmi means “tell me, tell me” in Italian — a reminder from the team that the conversation should be as good as the food. Here, that could be tough, as the food is pretty darn good. There’s housemade focaccia and pasta, mozzarella-smothered chicken parm, and super thin tavern-style pizza. We’d be completely remiss not to mention the signature Calabrian dirty martini served with a ‘nduja and gorgonzola stuffed olive. The word is out, so you may have trouble grabbing a reservation, but we can help.

Here, you’ll pick from a four-course choose-your-own-adventure menu of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare like smoky cinnamon brisket hummus, labneh, and smoked turkey shawarma. Chef Zachary Engel has received many accolades, including Michelin stars and James Beard honors, and you’ll understand why as soon as you taste the food. If you’re interested in wine, their list is a good one to peruse, with mostly smaller, independent makers from the Levant and beyond.

Chef Jason Vincent’s playful Logan Square restaurant Giant has been a neighborhood favorite for more than a decade. He’s been innovating and updating the whole time, especially at their “test kitchen,” an off-regular-menu list that changes more frequently than other elements of the offerings. We’re partial to the drunken beef with chicken fat mayo and the chile salt onion rings when they have them, but do know there’s not a bad dish in the bunch.