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
- So Over the Cold: While we were spoiled with a brief burst of mild weather in February, we fully accept that patio season is still months away. But for now we’re welcoming the spring equinox on Mar. 20 with open arms, and working on our winter thaw via restaurants with decor, drinks, and food that channel all the bright, warm-weather vibes like Casa Talum, La Josie, and Mi Tocaya Antojería. There’s admittedly nothing tropical about the dark, candle-lit interior of Longman & Eagle, but the Logan Square restaurant recently launched a “osbeach” menu popup Thurs.-Mon. from 5-10 p.m., with Tiki-inspired cocktails like daiquiris and mai tais for an “umbrella in your drink state of mind” (their words) and bites like jerk chicken sausage and mushroom katsu sandwiches. It went so well in February, they will be extending it through March and hopefully beyond.
- Who Runs the World? It’s Women’s History Month and we’re honoring the incredible women running kitchens and restaurants all over town. It’s no surprise some have picked up 2026 James Beard nominations along the way, like Monteverde’s Bailey Sullivan; Genie Kwon of Kasama; and Diana Dávila of Mi Tocaya Antojería. Dávila is also a featured contestant on America’s Culinary Cup, a new reality competition with a grand prize of a cool $1 million premiering Mar. 4 on CBS. Mi Tocaya is hosting a watch party Mar. 11 with other competing Chicago chefs like Beverly Kim, along with drinks, bites, local guest chef appearances, and more. Read about more women leaving their mark on the culinary food world here.
- Luck of the Irish: Whether you hide in your house or hit the streets for St. Pat’s, the Chicago River revelry is upon us, and is now in its 64th year. Want the best views of the action? Head to City Winery on Mar. 14 for a river dyeing party complete with open bar, Irish buffet, and DJ. Things might be slightly more subdued at Park and Field’s multiple St. Pat’s events for adults, kids, and the dogs (Shamrock Shake pup cups!). If you’d rather lay low and eat and drink all the Irish things, head to Miller’s Pub for their famous corned beef and cabbage, The Dearborn for corned beef hash and eggs, or specials like corned duck Reuben and Irish breakfast Mar. 14-17 at The Duck Inn. Check out our events page to partake in all the rest of the green-soaked Irish festivities happening all month long.
- Try a New Restaurant: From a Southern brunch gem in the South Loop to Filipino food in Lakeview, a new Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar in Pilsen, and a steakhouse in the ‘burbs, there are plenty of places to explore this spring. We already know and love old school Italian stalwart DeNucci’s, and the Ballyhoo team has happily graced us with a Hinsdale location (their third!); while the brand new 17 Plant Based in Evanston’s Hotel Orrington proves there’s still plenty of room for vegetable-forward restaurants. Head to Hoffman Estates for a Chinese-Indian mashup at Bombay Chopsticks or to Latin-Peruvian Amaru in Wicker Park (don’t miss their immersive class on Jamaican rum on Mar. 9). Read about all the rest of the Resy newcomers this month here.
New to the Hit List (March 2026)
Omakase Box, Dicey’s Tavern, Boonie’s, Brûlée
1. Dicey's Tavern – Chicago West Town
This Nashville-based pizza favorite spent a year in West Town before settling into its new home adjacent to Parson’s Chicken & Fish in mid-February. The neighborhood might be new, but you’ll find the same tavern-style pies and great drinks. Build your own party-cut style or get the cacio e pepe or peppy boy with hot honey, and don’t sleep on starters like garlic Parm tots and wings. Drinks cover a lot of ground, from draught beers and craft cocktails to “fun” shots like the Carajillo with Licor 43, espresso, and coffee liqueur, THC-infused options, and an impressive amaro list. Once the warmer weather hits, the garage door windows will open up to Parson’s lively patio.
2. NADU Lincoln Park, Chicago
Chef Sujan Sarkar of the Michelin-starred Indienne and head chef Sanchit Sahu have created a modern ode to their Indian roots at this Lincoln Park newcomer. The name translates to “homeland” and as such, each dish is labeled with its region of origin, like lentil dumplings in sweet and sour yogurt and chutneys from Delhi to curries from Kerala and biryani from Hyderabad. If you’re with a group go for the crab milagu fry, which features a whole Dungeness crab (they need 48 hours notice), or take advantage of the $55 tasting menu, which might be one of the best deals in town. Not-to-miss house cocktails include the Floral Phool with gin, marigold, apple, and cream soda, and the smoky Kapi with rum, coffee, caramel yogurt and cardamom bitters. Rich greens and yellows add vibrancy throughout the space, and a giant mural by Delhi-based artist Abhay Sehgal was inspired by Indian and Chicago history and culture.
3. Galit Lincoln Park
The owners of this seven-year-old Modern Israeli and Middle Eastern tasting menu restaurant retained their Michelin star this year, and for good reason. Andrés Clavero and James Beard-honored chef Zachary Engel, along with bar director Scott Stroemer and pastry chef Mary-Eder McClure, are the dream team behind a $105 four-course choose-your-own adventure that changes with the seasons. Choose from a selection of hummus (go with Bubbe’s brisket-topped), salatim (from labneh to a global pickle tour), mezze (order the schmaltzy potatoes with charred leeks just to say the word “schmaltzy”), and coal-fired dishes like classic lamb kebab el babor (off-skewer lamb kebabs with a melty mix of leeks, potatoes, bordelaise and miso-pickled garlic under charred pita), or a vegan/gluten-free kubbeh selek (an Iraqi-Persian soup traditionally made with meat dumplings). End the lovely and delicious parade of flavors with crispy phyllo pie for dessert.
4. Monster Ramen Logan Square
The best seat in the house at this intimate and lively ramen shop is at the bar facing the Noodle Lab at the end of the open kitchen. Even more specifically, try to score a seat (reservations open two weeks in advance) on a Wednesday, which is fresh noodle production day for owner/self-proclaimed soup enthusiast Katie Dong and her team. Unlike other ramen joints in town, you won’t find pork broth, but a house shoyu with chicken, and a hard-to-find beef gyukotsu ramen made from bones that are pressure-cooked to umami perfection in an onsite 800-pound high-pressure kettle. Expect fresh noodles (along with jammy marinated eggs, nori, tare and all the savory fixins’) in all of the ramen selections and for the full experience, splurge on the $33 Monster Ramen, teaming with wagyu rib roast, wagyu chashu, and beef jam.
5. Bavette's Bar & Boeuf – Chicago River North
It may not get darker or more sultry than Bavette’s, a River North steakhouse staple since 2012. And yes, it can be hard to score a rez at this Hogsalt Hospitality-owned destination, but once you do, settle into the luxe velvet booths, dimly lit by glittering chandeliers that look plucked from a 1920s speakeasy, and know that it was worth the wait. Steak is the star here, with a 32-ounce American wagyu porterhouse for those with an expense account to a more accessible skirt steak frites or a double wagyu cheeseburger for those without. But don’t miss the raw bar and seafood selections, like fresh oysters, a smoked salmon Caesar, and the Grand Seafood Tower, which “The Bear”’s Matty Matheson deemed worthy of one of his last meals. All this excess calls for ice-cold martinis like a Vesper or Bee’s Knees, or an Old Fashioned with optional pickle back shot. The hot fudge sundae “Royale” for dessert is a chocolate-drizzled candy lover’s dream.
6. La Josie West Loop
Chef/owner Pepe Barajas opened his family-owned Mexican restaurant (named after his late aunt Josephine) in 2017, and it’s still holding its own on Randolph Street’s Restaurant Row. The long space is dark (but not too scene-y), with a warm glow coming from the wall of seemingly endless small batch and family-owned agave distillates stacked up behind the main back-lit bar. Refer to the aptly named “agave bible” for the full list, and choose one for your mezcal or Tequila cocktail (we loved the Trompibueno with al pastor fat-washed tequila, pineapple verdita, chiles, and lime). Barajas features recipes from his home state of Jalisco, including a soul-warming carne en se jugo, a decadent mac y queso (hello, roasted poblano crema!), and chapuzón, a mix of seafood and rice only served in winter (it swaps to camarones a la diabla in the warmer months). Don’t miss the rooftop bar in summer and dulce de leche toast on challah bread for weekend brunch.
7. void Avondale
Chicago bar and restaurant alums Pat Ray, Dani Kaplan, and Tyler Hudec (Boka, Lula Cafe, Analogue, Sepia and Lost Lake, collectively) joined forces for this newish Italian-American concept that took over the former Moe’s Tavern. The dim and homey space is decorated with a mish-mash of estate sale and flea market finds, and lit with a mix of vintage lamps. It’s the perfect old-school setting to settle in for housemade focaccia with fermented garlic honey butter, shrimp scampi toast, and the now-famous “Spaghetti Uh-O’s,” made from scratch with meatballs and vodka sauce and served right out of a can. The Italian wine selection doesn’t disappoint, but we suggest choosing a cocktail from the list split into the relatively familiar (think Black Manhattan and the rarely seen Trinidad Sour) and the unfamiliar, like the clear Mirror Image, with gin, rhum, grapefruit, star anise and acid-adjusted aloe. Want something NA? Here’s your chance to try a shot of the housemade “no-lort”—an alcohol-free version of the polarizing wormwood-based spirit.
8. Daeji Dough Company Lakeview
Self-taught chef Albert Song debuted his “Korean-ish” pastries at the Division Street Farmer’s market before scoring a brick and mortar in a former beauty salon. Lines form early on weekends for the former software engineer’s sweet and savory focaccias, like a vegan bulgogi mushroom and blueberry-yuzu, and a tteokbokki croissant, which is topped with the springy Korean rice cakes. (The coconut sesame croissant is also delicious.) The smoked brisket roll, a collaboration with Green Street Smoked Meats, sells out fast and features jalapeño raspberry gochu jam (trust us, it works). Drinks, curated mostly by his baristas, include fizzy espresso tonics, matcha and black sesame syrup lattes, and classic coffee and tea options. Look for more seasonal specials and the sporadic appearance of his famous farmer’s market dill pickle focaccia.
No reservations, more info here.
9. Jackman & Co. Glenview
One of the latest in Ballyhoo Hospitality’s growing empire, this gastropub and tavern brings big pub energy to the suburbs. But the Midwestern influence is real, with dishes like Wisconsin cheese curds with buttermilk ranch, pigs in a blanket, and Sheboygan brat and beer specials on Mondays. U.K. pub-inspired classics abound, from a delicious fish and chips available nightly to roast beef sliders and a British beef roast with Yorkshire pudding on Sundays. You’ll also find homey, global influences, from tandoori chicken skewers to duck confit tacos and chicken nuggets for the kids. The spacious, 90-seat bar area serves up five different styles of Guinness and a custom beer created with Middlebrow, along with a nice selection of wines by the glass. Snag a seat in the spacious, convivial dining room or for something more intimate, reserve the 10-person chef’s table hidden above the kitchen.
10. Nettare West Town
Chicago Avenue keeps getting better and better as far as dining options go, and two-year-old Nettare has not only brought a great Midwestern-focused restaurant, but an all-day cafe, and retail section to boot. Owner Conner O’Byrne and chef Andrew Roberts are running the show, which offers something for every occasion, and focuses on showcasing products and purveyors from the Great Lakes. You’ll find butter-poached lake trout, fried smelt, and chicken and wild rice on the menu, served in the bright and airy 45-seat dining room decked out with a living wall of plants and chef’s counter in the back. Hang out at the communal table in the cozy front area for all-day coffee drinks, pastries, and a bottle shop stocked with spirits, beer, wine and cider from local vendors, from Down East Vodka from St. Louis to Virtue Cider in Fennville, Mich. The Sunday Supper three-course pre-fixe for two priced at $80 is a total steal.
11. Lao Der Irving Park
Opened last spring by friends Nuttawut Waljorhar and Jack Ekkaphanh, this Irving Park newcomer is one of the only Laotian restaurants in the city, with full sit-down service to boot. Take on cold-weather days with Lao chicken noodle soup with handmade noodles, chicken meatballs, and poached chicken (up the heat ante with chile oil), or just warm up with spicy papaya salad with anchovy and crab paste. Other standouts include wings with tamarind and fish sauce and not-to-be missed beef jerky. Prices are reasonable and they don’t take reservations, so prepare for a bit of wait during peak dining times, but it’s worth it for a comforting meal to help get you through the winter.
No reservations; more info here.
12. Superkhana International Logan Square
From the pops of neon on the vibrant walls to one colorful dish after the next coming from the small kitchen, Superkhana has been a neighborhood standby for chef/owners Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada’s “Indian-ish” offerings since 2019. The Bombay Breakdown alums recently snagged a Bib Gourmand and continue to garner national recognition for dishes like their seasonal pizzas topped with lamb kebab and beef keema with gruyère, and famous calzones stuffed with butter chicken and a mozzarella/amul cheese blend (get mini version of the palak paneer calzone their Wed.-Sat. happy hour). The chaat selection includes eggplant bao and Manchurian potatoes, and we recommend ending with chai leches cake or saffron cardamom and Parle-G biscuit ice cream sandwiches. The weekend brunch menu offers the ideal mix of sweet and savory, with Kerala egg curry or achari-pulled pork, and silver dollar pancakes with whipped jaggery butter.
13. Boonie's Filipino Restaurant North Center
This Modern Filipino restaurant, helmed by James Beard-nominated chef and owner Joe Fontelera, just celebrated three years in North Center. What started as a stall in Revival Food Hall is now a comfortable, homey restaurant on Western Avenue filled with family photos, lush plants, and pendant lamps. Sharable sizzling pork sisig (complete with runny egg that gets mixed tableside) is a must, along with shrimp lumpia with sweet chile sauce, and lechon baka made with slow-cooked wagyu beef cheeks rubbed with a lechon-style mix of lemongrass, star anise, and cinnamon. Cocktails include fun takes on the classics like a banana old fashioned and hibiscus habanero Negroni, and the roasted banana turon is the most delicious brown sugar-dusted, deep-fried dessert you’ll ever have.
14. Atelier Lincoln Square
Since it replaced Elizabeth in 2022, Michelin-starred tasting menu restaurant Atelier has evolved, not only in size with a bigger location just up the street from the original, but also with the addition of a six-seat bar and à la carte menu. What owner Tim Lacey and chef Bradyn Kawcak haven’t changed is their seasonal, seed-to-plate food mentality, stunning presentations, gorgeous blue velvet seats (they just have more of them), and the $210 tasting menu option ($185 during the week). A la carte standouts have included a jerk rabbit leg with saffron rice and foie-topped pizza bagel bites, while the ever-evolving tasting menu features local bison with fermented sunchokes and cherry jus. Take advantage of happy hour in the lounge from 5 to 6 p.m. Tues-Thurs.
15. Omakase Box Palmer Square
The sushi omakases keep coming and we’re not mad about it, especially when it comes to budget-friendly newcomer Omakase Box. The word is out: you’ll find one of the best tasting menu deals in town here, including a 15-course chef’s counter seating for under $100, and other options for “à la kase” menus in the fun and intimate dining room. The nigiri is fresh and beautifully presented, and the negi hamachi and toro handrolls make great add-ons (we also love the bluefin tuna tartare on puffed rice chips). You’ll also find sake, wine, and Japanese whiskey selections, but we’re partial to the house highballs like the yuzu-hibiscus with gin (or vodka). End the night with vanilla Basque cheesecake.
Book on Tock.
16. Kasama Ukrainian Village
Chef/owners Genie Kwon and Tim Flores’ nearly six-year-old fine-dining Filipino-inspired tasting menu restaurant was just bestowed two Michelin stars, an accolade the couple is adding to their much-deserved James Beard win in 2023. It’s a cafe/bakery by day, and expect a line for pastry options and a savory menu that includes a Filipino breakfast and pork belly adobo on weekends. For dinner Thursday-Sunday, a 13-course menu features the chef’s creative and fine dining take on Filipino dishes, which emerge in the most beautiful vessels. Think lumpia, sinigang, kare kare, halo halo, and the now-famous black truffle-topped croissant.
17. Longman & Eagle Logan Square
The cozy front bar area of the 16-year-old Longman & Eagle is still one of our favorite places to tuck in on a frigid night. Settle in for the fantastic whiskey cocktails like the Longman Manhattan with Wild Turkey, Punt e Mes, and aromatic bitters or peruse the extensive list of rare, reserve, and single-barrel whiskey selections. Pair something with Executive Chef Alex Swieton’s seasonal Midwestern menu of duck meatballs l’orange, roasted bone marrow with strawberry balsamic beef bacon marmalade, wild boar sloppy joes, or the beloved double beef smash burgers (one of the city’s best). Other recent favorites include the sharable apple and Cheddar pork sausage or Slagel Farms dry-aged strip steak. Finish the decadence with peanut butter pie.
18. Bistro Campagne Lincoln Square
This cozy French bistro is still going strong after almost 25 years in its homey Lincoln Avenue location. Founded by the late chef Michael Altenberg, the seasonal, locally focused neighborhood spot has always focused on the farm-to-table movement and treats every guest like a regular. It boasts one of the most prime patios in the city, but we love the dimly lit dining room all year round, which is particularly conducive to a visit before or after a show at Old Town School of Folk. Tuck in for signature dishes like brandade croquettes, escargot, cassoulet, croque madame, and dark chocolate pot de crème with Chantilly cream. The wine selection is strong, but don’t sleep on cocktails like the Old Farm, an old fashioned made with raspberry black tea-infused rye, black walnut liqueur, red wine syrup, and bitters. Head in on a Tuesday night for bottomless mussels specials.
19. Sanders BBQ Supply Co Beverly
A year and a half after opening, this lively South Side craft BBQ joint was named one of the New York Times Top 50 restaurants in America. But the word was already out, as owner James Sanders and pitmaster Nick Kleutsch are drawing crowds (hours are 11am until sold out) for sliced-to-order meats, peach tea-smoked wings, oxtail gumbo, 7-hour smoked beef ribs, turkey legs (on Sundays only), and Berkshire rib tips. Head out to one of two patios open in the warmer months, or just bask in the smokey glow from live wood fires and rotisserie smokers inside. A second location is slated to open this year in the former Promontory space in Hyde Park. Expect an expanded menu with steaks and plated dinners, along with complimentary beef tallow-smoked popcorn.
No reservations, more info here.
20. Brûlée South Loop
Private chef Emani Roberts opened this all-day Southern café last fall, offering all things brunch in sweet and savory form (and combinations of the two) in the South Loop. Think lobster and sweet potato waffles, jerk oxtail with Gouda grits, classic fried chicken and waffles, and strawberry shortcake French toast, along with a handful of lunch-friendly items like smoked brisket grilled cheese and seasonal seafood and chicken gumbo. There’s an afternoon happy hour during the week and live jazz on Sundays, so snag your spring holiday brunch reservations before they’re gone and in the meantime, read more about Roberts’ journey to restaurant ownership here.
Liz Grossman has been a Chicago-based writer, editor and storyteller for 25 years. She’s the former editor-in-chief of Plate magazine and co-founder of the nonprofit storytelling series, Between Bites. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, Chicago, Robb Report, Flavor & the Menu, and more. Follow her @elizabites_Chi, and follow @Resy while you’re at it.
