The Resy Hit List: Where In Chicago You’ll Want to Eat Right Now
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There’s no question we hear more often: Where should I go eat? And while we at Resy know it’s an honor to be the friend who everyone asks for restaurant advice, we also know it’s a complicated task. That’s where the Resy Hit List comes in.
Consider it your essential resource for dining in Chicago: a monthly-updated guide to the restaurants that you won’t want to miss — tonight or any night.
Four Things In Chicago Not to Miss This Month
- Stay Up on New Openings: You may not have woken up this morning craving a croissant beignet or a banana split yogurt parfait. But now that you know they exist, don’t you need to try them? Sate those urges and more at the newly opened Brûlée in the South Loop, an all-day breakfast spot with a stick-to-your ribs Southern menu. Go for the classic fried chicken and waffles (or the more creative fried Cajun lobster tails with sweet potato waffles); stay for the smoked brisket grilled cheese. Want to check out more openings near you, like altThai and Space 519 in Wilmette? Head over to New on Resy to explore all of the city’s latest openings.
- Or Find Your Regular: While we love scouring what’s fresh and new, there is something wildly comforting about a restaurant where everybody knows your name (and maybe even your favorite drink). In January, a historically slow month for restaurants, why not make it your mission to become a regular somewhere you love? If watching an open kitchen do its thing lights you up, we suggest Galit. Prefer a brunch destination with global flavors? Head to Superkhana. And if you’re into massive martinis, Club Lucky is the place to be. Here are more of the places we want to be regulars this year, and all of our other guides, too.
- Soup Szn: This is why we’re thrilled that Chinatown’s Qiao Lin Hot Pot is now on Resy. Grab your friends and gather ‘round the simmering hot pot with your choice of meat, seafood, noodles, and vegetables, all cooked tableside in a spicy Sichuan-style broth. Or, head to any of Shang Noodle’s three locations for warming noodle soups, loaded with bouncy wheat noodles and classic housemade wontons. And don’t overlook Mei’s for their signature Sichuan beef noodle soup, which may make you forget, even if for only a moment, that winter is nowhere near over. And here’s more of our cozy-weather favorites.
- Do More: If your New Year’s resolution is simply to get out more, we’re here to help. Our calendar is filled with food-centric events, that occasionally even involve learning something new. For example: a one-night only pasta-making dinner party at Segnatore, where you’ll shape pasta alongside their chef and enjoy a three-course family-style dinner. Le Sud will be hosting a tasting exploring wines under the AOC designation—and if you don’t know what that is, you’re in the right place. And if you’re more of a whiskey person, you can partake in a Pappy tasting experience at Union. Check out the full calendar here.
New to the Hit List (January 2026)
Nadu, Atelier, Armitage Alehouse, Lao Der
1. Cafe Yaya Lincoln Park
If you’re looking for a more casual take on Michelin-starred Galit, you can now head next door to the team’s sister restaurant. The all-day bistro and cafe has all the same attention to detail, care for their employees, and friendly atmosphere, but here you don’t need to sit for a multi-course meal: You can simply pop in for some Sparrow coffee and a fluffy shakshuka bun or flaky potato boreka. Galit’s pastry chef, Mary Eder-McClure, manages all the baked goods here, and her pastry case routinely sells out. Beyond breakfast and brunch, chef Zach Engel takes the stage, and while you won’t find his puffy pita and hummus on the menu, there are plenty of dips and “snackies,” like caramelized onion miso labneh, wood-grilled oysters (yes, there’s a wood-fired oven), and thick-cut Yaya fries.
2. Giant Logan Square
Giant has long been a Logan Square standby for groups, date nights, post-work hangs, and everything in between. Why? Turn to chef Jason Vincent, who turns out extremely craveable, slightly cheffed-up fare from his rotating test kitchen-style menu. Pull up to the chef’s counter and there may be craggy jalapeño biscuits with maple butter, delicate saffron-laced tagliatelle with dungeness crab and chile butter, or a ridiculously juicy burger on housemade brioche. Part of the pleasure of dining here is that you don’t always know what the menu will hold—but you can be certain it will satisfy.
3. Mi Tocaya Antojería Logan Square
From the hand-pressed heirloom corn tortillas to the molcajete-muddled guacamole and lamb neck barbacoa (served with pea macha verde and beet pickled onions), everything at Diana Dávila’s groundbreaking restaurant is steeped in Mexican tradition and accented with her own personal flair. The menu doubles as a culinary history lesson, with insight into each dish that goes way beyond a simple description. The space is as lively as the food: tiled floors, vibrant art, hanging planters and a breezy patio that’s perfect for lingering on cool evenings. Whether you’re parked at a colorful bar stool for a pink peppercorn- and agave-laced sangria and DIY fish tacos or visiting with a group for a family-style meal, you’ll know immediately why Dávila has become such a beloved figure in the Chicago dining scene.
4. NADU Lincoln Park, Chicago
Nadu is a new Bib Gourmand-honored restaurant from chefs Sujan Sarkar (Indienne) and Sanchit Sahu. Walk inside and you’ll be instantly captivated by the vibrant murals from Delhi-based artist Abhay Sehgal. The colors in each piece are reflected throughout the room, from the turquoise banquettes to the golden chandeliers and even the food on your plate. Speaking of, the menu takes you through India’s diverse regional cuisines: banana-wrapped seabass from Kerala, butter chicken out of Delhi, Patna-inspired mutton kebab, not to mention plenty of naan that’s cooked in their traditional tandoor until bubbling and charred. Whether you opt for a tasting or an a la carte meal, don’t skip the drinks, like the tangy green Aam, made with unripe mangoes, tequila, agave, and plenty of chili and sea salt on the rim.
5. Lula Café Logan Square
A neighborhood fixture since 1999, Lula Cafe has been doing farm-to-table cooking since long before it was a staple. The cafe itself is as charming as its sign, beckoning hungry diners with lots of outdoor seating and a long bar for solo guests and plenty of seats to post up within. With two James Beard nominations under his chef’s coat and a long history of delicious, cuisine-bending dishes, chef and owner Jason Hammel’s menu is packed with rotating hits, so order whatever sounds good, whether that’s glazed delicata squash with black rice, or Slagal Farm roast goat. One staple: pasta “Yia Yia,” an irresistible combination of feta, garlic, brown butter, and cinnamon (trust us—it works).
6. YooYee Uptown
In the oppressive heat of summer, sometimes the best thing you can do is lean in and eat something really, really spicy. And when that time comes, there may be no better option than Sichuan cuisine, with its fiery whole chilis and mouth-numbing peppercorns. Our advice is to head to YooYee, a buzzy new spot near Asia on Argyle. While some dishes are better suited for dining in, like a bowl of hand-pulled noodle soup and a whole crispy fried fish — and indeed, there is often a wait — others are excellent to grab and go, like the double-cooked pork with fermented black beans, the cumin-laced Xinjiang-style beef, and the tingly mapo tofu.
No reservations; more info here.
7. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio West Loop
In November, Monteverde will be turning 10. And in all that time, Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner Sarah Grueneberg has never come close to complacency, preferring instead to push the needle of Italian food forward in one of the most consistently sought-after tables in Chicago. Rustic snacks and pasta preparations are given a fine gloss here (think wok-fried arrabbiata with ground shrimp and puttanesca breadcrumbs), with seasonal specials keeping things fresh (i.e. sweet pea and sausage gramigna garnished with orange blossom honey and orange zest). While any seat is a good one here — the patio especially on nice days — try to grab one at the bar to see the handmade pasta station in action.
8. The Little Lark Avondale
If you’re going to open a pizza place in Chicago, you need to be a little brave. Ideally, you’ll have an experienced team, a welcoming room, and a hard-working oven to handle the hordes. That’s exactly what’s happening at Little Lark, the latest from Meadlowlark Hospitality on Avondale’s Guild Row. The vibe is decidedly communal, with plenty of space indoors and out to dig into pies they’re describing as “neo-Neapolitan,” i.e. a bit thicker than the classic but still thin enough to wolf down in their entirety. The toppings are seasonal, the salumi is housemade, and combinations are creative (i.e. roasted butternut squash purée, confit garlic, prosciutto, whipped ricotta, and arugula).
9. Atelier Lincoln Square
With a coveted Michelin star, Atelier has long been a favorite for artistic but approachable cuisine, and it recently reopened in a larger location just down the street. What does this mean for us? Chef Bradyn Kawcak’s elegant tasting menu is still very much on the table, along with a newly added lounge with a la carte options, like a patty melt with sport pepper jam and tater tots. Just like in the old space, the tasting menu is divided into three sections: larder, kitchen, and pantry (dessert). The current larder is Mexico-inspired, with kampachi crudo and a colorful escabeche con nopales, complete with stunning edible flowers. Don’t leave without admiring artist Rachel Hartshorn’s stunning collages.
10. Bavette's Bar & Boeuf – Chicago River North
Bavette’s looks nothing like your traditional steakhouse. Gone are the white tablecloths and the bright lights for business lunches. The vibe here is more moody speakeasy, perfect for sipping on a Vesper shoulder-to-shoulder with your date in a cozy pintucked booth. Under vintage chandeliers and dim globe lighting, you’ll partake in massive seafood towers and warm sourdough to begin, before moving on to the main attraction: steak and more steak, all of which can be enhanced with roasted bone marrow, a peppercorn crust, or bernaise. A little over the top? Maybe. But at Bavettes, everything feels like a celebration, so a little excess is perfectly alright.
11. Lao Der Irving Park
Founded by lifelong friends Nuttawut Waljorhar and Jack Ekkaphanh, Lao Der is a charming, casual space in Irving Park turning out excellent Lao and Thai street food. There may be a bit of a wait in the small space, but once you sit down, you’ll be rewarded with a colorful array of dishes, from snackable esan sausages to a perfectly balanced papaya salad. Don’t skip the Lao chicken noodle soup with homemade rice noodles and two types of chicken (poached and in meatball form). Surrounded by wood panels, wooden tables, and lots of other diners leaning over their bowls, the vibes are pure comfort, and intentionally so.
No reservations; more info here.
12. Boonie's Filipino Restaurant North Center
What was once a popular stop at Revival Food Hall from James Beard-nominated chef and owner Joseph Fontelera is now a beloved brick-and-mortar in North Center with some of the best Filipino food in the city. From the family photos hanging on the wall to the hand-drawn artwork, simple pendant lighting, and abundant foliage, it feels more like you’re eating in a friend’s living room than a restaurant. Dig into the sizzling pork sissig topped with a runny egg yolk, or go big with the kare kare, a braised short rib with marinated eggplant, sunflower butter sauce, and a spicy bagoong jam. Smart diners will get extra garlic rice, and the smartest will save room for the roasted banana turon, sticky with caramelized sugar.
13. Canal Street Eatery & Market West Loop
Unlimited pizza and pasta for $25: That’s the weekend deal that put Canal Street on the map last fall, as part of their (very successful) effort to get diners in to their tucked-away corner of the West Loop, in an office building just south of Union Station. But the crowds aren’t just here for the deal — the food is excellent, too, including a four-part pasta flight with housemade cacio e pepe, a meaty casarecce Bolognese, mezzi rigatoni pomodoro, and their newest launch, a sun-dried tomato pesto pasta topped with a creamy ball of burrata. (Share that one with your date as the sun dips low against the two-story windows.) And if you need some tips on how to score a seat now that the word has spread, we can help.
14. Ryota West Loop
From the team behind The Oliang comes this bright Tokyo-inspired restaurant offering an assortment of sushi, ramen, and Japanese small plates. You’re likely to see diners snapping pictures of Ryota’s eye-catching “sets,” wooden boats containing a colorful assortment of otoro, buttery uni, and ikura over sushi rice. As the weather grows colder, try one of the cozier options, like the mazemen (a brothless ramen) that you can order with crunchy chicken karaage on top (why wouldn’t you?). Whether you’re popping in for a post-work meal (for that, sit at the sushi bar) or meeting a group for happy hour, Ryota meets the moment with its excellent fish, strong cocktails (they’re launching a new matcha martini this fall), and sleek, modernist feel.
15. Trino West Loop
The team behind Diego has a new steakhouse, and we swear it’s not like all the others. This one is inspired by chef Stephen’s Sandoval’s family in Northern Mexico and Galicia, so instead of a classic Bordelaise with that ribeye, you can get huitlacoche (corn truffle) Bordelaise and bolima burnt lime salt. In lieu of simple steak au poivre, you’ll get maiz au poivre. And instead of regular mashed potatoes, yours will have a hit of epazote butter. In the kitchen, Sandoval and team are cooking on a powerful plancha grill, which reaches temperatures of up to 850°F. We’re thrilled to have this new spot on Randolph Row — grab a reservation before it books up.
16. Armitage Alehouse Lincoln Park
If you’ve ever dreamed of tucking into a savory meat pie and sipping a malted ale before a roaring fireplace — and in the depths of a Chicago winter, who hasn’t? — Armitage is the place to realize your fantasy. The 1920s-inspired space, with its ornate details both high and low (from the pineapple-shaped lamps to the tasseled pendants and cushy burgundy booths), is rich and alluring enough to almost make you forget about the subzero temperatures outside. The upmarket pub menu offers a spread of Anglo-Indian options for dinner or brunch, including duck and morel pot pies and a full English complete with blood sausage. Wondering how to get in? Here’s everything you need to know.
17. void Avondale
From the Tiffany-inspired pendants hanging from the ceiling to the long wooden bar, and antique-style gilded frames throughout, Void exudes an effortlessly cozy feel, with an Italian-American menu to match the mood. Dishes nod to childhood favorites while showcasing real culinary finesse (like the playfully named “Spaghetti Uh-Ohs,” made here with the ring-shaped Sicilian pasta anelli, mini meatballs, and a vodka sauce that’s poured from a can tableside). The cocktails are playful, too – do try the “Giardtini,” with both vodka and gin, vermouth, and what they call “Giardiniera-fied olive brine,” a singularly Chicago invention we have no choice but to applaud.
18. Kasama Ukrainian Village
Even with a James Beard Award and a Michelin star, Kasama is far from resting on its laurels, continuing to wow diners with its Filipino-style tasting menu in a casual yet energetic setting. For those lucky enough to get a coveted reservation expect a colorful and intriguing multi-course meal that changes with the seasons: there might be a buttery croissant laden with truffles, a mushroom adobo with mussel foam, and lamb belly kare-kare with peanut puree. Can’t wait for dinner? Pop in for brunch at the cafe, which is first-come, first-served. The buzzy little space brighten your day with chicken adobo over garlic rice, and a breakfast sandwich that takes your classic egg and cheese up a notch with the addition of salty longanisa.
19. Dimmi Dimmi Lincoln Park
Evoking a classic Italian American kitchen with perhaps a little mobster swagger, Dimmi Dimmi is the newest red sauce joint to break through in Lincoln Park. Pull into a red leather booth and dig into oversized mozzarella sticks, focaccia served in a hot cast iron skillet, or stuffed shells in vodka sauce, each dish more comforting than the last. And while Italian American is the overarching theme here, there are more than a few Chicago-specific flourishes, like housemade giardinera, carpaccio mashed up with Italian beef, and tavern-style pizza with a nicely crispy crust. According to the team, Dimmi Dimmi means “tell me, tell me” in Italian, “like the friend who always wants the good gossip.” So here’s the word: get in now.
20. Monster Ramen Logan Square
Combining a lifelong passion for beef noodle soup and a love of Japanese ramen, Katie Dong opened Monster Ramen on Fullerton in 2022. Since then, the 38-seat spot has been bustling with diners slurping gyukotsu ramen and overlooking the open kitchen, where the noodle magic happens. Dong employs an 800-pound, high-pressure kettle to cook down 120-pound batches of beef bones into broth, and makes all of the noodles in-house, too. Whether you go for the house shoyu (tori chintan broth with beef jam, katsuo soy tare, crushed garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds) or the shio tokusei (gyukotsu broth with beef chashu, beef jam, menma, ajitama, shio tare, yuzu, red onions, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and nori), take note of how each ramen is served in its own signature bowl — to highlight the toppings, maintain different temperatures, and improve the slurping experience.
