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
- Cheers to the Beards: On June 15, this year’s James Beard Award nominees, along with hundreds of chefs, beverage professionals, writers, and restaurateurs will descend upon the Lyric Opera for the star-studded ceremony. This year’s local finalists include Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde, who is up for Emerging Chef, and Jake Potashnick of Feld and Norman Fenton of Cariño, who are both up for Best Chef Great Lakes. It can be hard to score reservations at all three of these white-hot restaurants, but there are plenty of other past finalists and winners to check out if you’re in town for the festivities. Or head to Bar Sótano the night before the big event for a special dinner with Rick Bayless and JBF-nominated chefs Gilberto Cetina, Hugo Ortega and Jeff Chanchaleune.
- Hello, Summer: Summer is in full swing, and there are plenty of events to help you make the most of it. Celebrate Juneteenth with a six-course dinner focused around wine, cheese, and the Black Diaspora at Maxwells Trading on June 18, or support Black-owned businesses like Brûlée, Soul & Smoke in Evanston, The Soul Food Lounge, and Demera Ethiopian Restaurant. June also means backyard BBQ season, or if you’re The Duck Inn, pig roast season (the Bridgeport restaurant begins their monthly tropical BBQ & Pig Roast series on June 25th), or head to Le Sud in Roscoe Village for a summer BBQ and wine night on June 18. The Duck Inn also has Father’s Day specials on June 20th and 21st, including a “Big Daddy” seafood tower, and Club Lucky is offering free cannolis and other specials for the holiday, with reservations starting as early as 3 p.m. Check out the full calendar here.
- Showing our Pride: We love June for many reasons, but a big one is how the city comes alive to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community for Pride month. The theme of this year’s official fest is “Free to be Proud” and the festivities culminate on June 28 at the 54th annual parade in Boystown. Show your support at Void’s “Chick-feel-gay” party on June 14, or by visiting LGBTQ+-owned businesses like The Lunchroom and The Dearborn, or bars like Nobody’s Darling, Marty’s Martini Bar, or the recently opened Fathom. Head to Hewn for their famous rainbow croissants on weekends or pop into Goddess and Grocer for a slice of their multi-layer rainbow cake. Or just find a spot close to Pride festivities in and around Lakeview/Andersonville like Bar Roma, Hopleaf or Cebu, to name a few. Check out more Pride stories here.
- Where to Eat Tonight: Got friends in town at the last minute or just need quick ideas for restaurants to check out tonight? Peep our data-driven Climbing list of the reservations people are snagging right now, which includes South Loop brunch gem Brûlee, Riviera Maya-inspired Casa Talum, and Beatnik on the River for waterfront views. We could easily eat at Lincoln Park Indian restaurant Nadu a few times a week (they have tasting menu and a la carte options) and River North’s Frontera Grill is still a crowd-pleaser after nearly 40 years. Hit up Old Pueblo for a great happy hour or Lardon in Logan Square for all things charcuterie. If you’re on the hunt for an urban patio, head to The Warbler or Bistro Campagne in Lincoln Square, or the West Loop’s Maxwells Trading, which releases their in-demand patio reservations at 10 a.m. daily.
New to the Hit List (June 2026)
All Well, Monteverde, Dimmi Dimmi, Port Union, Da Local Boy, Zenzi Den
1. NADU Lincoln Park
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 — from Delhi-style lentil dumplings in sweet and sour yogurt 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.
2. Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern – Lincoln Park 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. Now that the warmer weather has hit, snag a seat near the garage door windows that open onto Parson’s lively patio on nice days.
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. Port Union Wicker Park
We’re still mourning the loss of the bright and airy Bloom Plant Based Kitchen, but chef-owner Rodolfo Cuadros is breathing new life into the space with Port Union. The American menu was inspired by “immigrant cooking” from around the world, including milk bread with garlic preserves and ricotta, turnip causa, elote lasagnetta, and crispy duck rice with sofrito. There are still plenty of vegan and vegetarian dishes like the roasted beet and coconut salad and oyster mushroom with romesco, but meat lovers can rejoice in a double patty house burger stacked with melty chihuahua cheese, house pickles, and pickled and charred red onions. The cocktails skew classic and are only $10 during happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.
5. Bonyeon West Loop
In a sea of new steakhouses, Bonyeon is one of the best luxury, beef-centric experiences to have opened as of late, and we encourage you to try to snag a blue velvet seat for this intimate 10-course Korean omakase from chef Sangtae Park and his partner in life and business Kate. Expect the perfect balance of interactive (prepare to marvel at the ruby red marbled cuts of beef on display in wooden boxes before they’re cooked in front of you) and intimate, with a parade of dishes, like oxtail mandu and morels, Jeju Island abalone with risotto and kimchi, and New York strip with seasonal banchan, all served on beautiful vessels as part of the $165 tasting menu. Check out Park’s sister restaurants, sushi-centric Omakase Yume and izakaya TenGoku Aburiya, for the full trifecta.
6. Cerdito Muerto Pilsen
This year-old contemporary Mexican-American kitchen and cocktail bar is a homecoming for owner Emidio Oceguera—quite literally. The first-generation Mexican-American grew up in the historic building, which pre-dates the Chicago Fire. He’s turned this former billiards hall, Mexican-owned for three generations, into a homey, intimate lounge with brown leather booths, dark walls, and family photos. The small-but-mighty menu includes a double-patty smashburger with chorizo and Chihuahua cheese, duck carnitas nachos, and aguachiles; cocktails range from espresso martinis made with tequila to Palomas spiked with housemade Squirt on draft, along with Mexican wines and from-scratch cordials. With only 30 seats, it fills up fast, but they leave room for walk-ins from open to close.
7. Dimmi Dimmi Lincoln Park
Almost a year after taking over the former Tarantino’s space, this Italian-American restaurant helmed by chef Matt Eckfeld has more than settled into the neighborhood. Reservations are hard to come by, but it’s worth the wait for focaccia with ricotta and honey, pastas like cavatelli bolognese and gnudi pomodoro, and tavern-style pizzas (we loved the vodka with ‘nduja) that have the ultimate crunch-to-chew ratio. The “Italian Beef” carpaccio is a deliciously deconstructed take on the iconic sandwich (get it hot or sweet) and the chicken Parm is not only big as your head, but comes with rigatoni pesto on the side. You’ll find cozy booths, exposed brick, and communal tables inside, but the newly opened, first-come-first-served 60-seat patio is where you’ll find the best seats in the house for lunch or dinner all summer long.
8. Maxwells Trading West Loop
Last we checked, it’s still tough to snag a table at this two-and-half-year old Fulton Market District favorite, but it’s worth the wait (and we have some tips), since executive chef Chris Jung and chef/partner Erling Wu-Bower continue to put out fantastic food that tells the stories of their upbringings. The seasonal menu is divided into beginnings, griddle bread and dunks, starch, substance, and desserts, and you’ll want to order something from every category (don’t miss the caramelized Japanese sweet potato with curries that change out, half-chicken a la brasa, and the Basque buttercake). Choose a glass or bottle from the well-curated wine list, or take advantage of the $12 spirit-free menu for NA Old Fashioneds, Negronis, and spritzes. Want a closer look at the bar and open-kitchen action? Bar reservations are available Tuesday through Thursday until 6:30PM.
9. DeNucci’s Hinsdale Hinsdale
We welcome Ballyhoo’s third location of their classic Italian red sauce joint with open arms. With locations already established in Lincoln Park and Highland Park, Hinsdale is the next neighborhood where locals can enjoy the same menu of white and red pizzas (head in on a Monday for tavern-style), fresh, handmade pastas (find out CEO Jon Farrer’s go to order), garlic knots, and eggplant Parm. Located in a historic building from 1923, the two-story restaurant features warm woods, elevated midcentury booths, and a vaulted ceiling; come summer we predict prime seating on the outdoor patio. Arrive early to have a glass of wine, limoncello spritz, or amaro Manhattan at the towering bar.
10. Mi Tocaya Antojería Logan Square
Recently recognized by The New York Times as one of the best restaurants in Chicago, Mi Tocaya has been serving authentic Mexican dishes in Logan Square for almost 10 years. Tocaya means “namesake” and chef/owner Diana Dávila infuses her personal narrative thought the menu, from a brief history of carnitas and pozole, to the story behind the signature steak burrito, which was inspired by her parent’s taqueria (and is only available on Wednesdays). You’ll also find half-priced bottles of wine on Tuesdays, hand-pressed corn tortillas, and smoked cauliflower queso fundido with two-year aged Hook’s Cheddar, poblanos, kale, and salsa ranchera. If it’s a nice night, head to the patio along with a Tepache Colada or a sangria with Mexican rum and pink peppercorn-infused agave nectar in hand.
11. The Little Lark Avondale, Chicago
This Guild Row-located newcomer is kicking off its first full summer season with its 35-seat dog-friendly patio (and 16-seat outdoor bar) now fully open. Expect more fantastic wood-fired neo-Neopolitan pizzas, like n’duja with hot honey and crispy potato with mozzarella and pistachio pesto, plus small plates like boquerones, mortadella toast, and pepperoni salad. A concept from Meadowlark Hospitality (also of Lardon, The Meadowlark, and Union), it’s no surprise the cocktails are all standouts—from the smoky peach spritz to a clear pizza Negroni made with all white spirits, basil, and a cherry tomato garnish (there’s also a pizza pils and Middlebrow pizza wine). Lunch is available on weekends, and once the patio is fully open, you can snag a free margherita pizza with a bottle of wine on Mondays and $10 cocktails on Tuesdays.
12. All Well West Loop
As fine dining stalwart Oriole celebrates ten years in business, executive chef-owner Noah Sandoval and chef de cuisine Larry Feldmeier are also branching out with a second venture in the same neighborhood. All Well opened mid-April and offers two concepts in one: a five-course prix fixe for $120 in the 50-seat dining room, and a 30-seat bar area for a la carte dishes like raclette potatoes and a “ham Sandoval” with mortadella and serrano peppers. For the tasting menu, expect American dishes with Japanese and French influences like truffle-stuffed quail and sablefish with savoy cabbage. Maxx Kleiner, also of Oriole, heads up the beverage program with fantastic drinks, like a house Old Fashioned with oolong, coconut, and black cardamom.
13. Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio West Loop
After 11 years, Top Chef alum and James Beard Award winner Sarah Grueneberg and JBF finalist and executive chef Bailey Sullivan are still pushing the needle of Italian food forward at this white-hot West Loop restaurant. The menu features everything from wok-fried arrabbiata with ground shrimp and puttanesca breadcrumbs to tagliatelle alla primavera with artichokes, ramps, spinach and lemon. It’s still a tough table to score (we’ve got some tips), but the bar offers seating for walk-ins as well as the best views of the pasta-making in action. On nice days, try to get a seat on the patio for weekly lunch, dinner, or apertivo, where spritzes and snacks like mozzarella skewers and Wagyu beef skewers are served 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Tues-Sat.
14. Zenzi Den Glenview
This long-awaited modern izakaya and sushi restaurant from Ballyhoo Hospitality just opened in downtown Glenview with Nobu alum Marvin Lopez as executive chef and Omakase Yume alum Choongki Kim as executive sous chef. You’ll find something for everyone, including togarashi sea scallops and miso black cod cooked on the robata grill over binchotan charcoal, crazy crab yakisoba, golden scallop motoyaki, and specialty sashimi like hamachi with chili crisp. Sharable smaller dishes including karaage chicken, broccolini goma-ae, and hoisin dumplings. Expect plenty of sake and fun concoctions like the matcha colada with rum, kaffir lime, cacao, caramelized pineapple and coconut. For a semi-private kaisaki experience, book Tatami Room just off the sushi bar.
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.
16. Gavroche Old Town
Leave it to longtime restaurateur Jason Chan (of Juno and Butter) to bring this sexy, bite-sized Parisian newcomer to Old Town. With only 24 seats (along with seating at the counter for seven and a small patio on Wells), it’s a perfect French bistro spot for an intimate night out, fun Sunday brunch (hello, foie French toast), or pre-theater dining option. We love the duck l’orange, steak tartare with sunchoke espuma and black kale, and the fact that there are two steak frîtes price points ($55 for Kingdom Farms hand cut prime and $81 for A5 Miyazaki ribeye), both with peppercorn mignonette béarnaise and beef fat fries. The King Louie (and King Louie Royale with raclette) have been lauded as some of the best burgers in the city.
17. Longman & Eagle Logan Square
The front bar area of the 16-year-old Longman & Eagle is still one of our favorite places to tuck in for a cozy night out. 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 pork ribs with rhubarb-BBQ sauce, 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 French fry ice cream with malted chocolate mousse.
18. Brindille River North
This beloved French restaurant, which translates to “new growth,” is still making best-of lists 13 years after opening. Executive chef Carrie Nahabedian, along with wine director (and her cousin) Michael Nahabedian, and pastry chef Craig Harzewski still offer one of the most elegant dining experiences in town by staying true to service and cooking styles inspired by Julia Child and Charlie Trotter (you’ll find their quotes on the menu). Nahabedian’s Robuchon mashed potatoes have become a silky house signature (get them with the coq au vin), along with roast lacquered duck breast and dishes that celebrate spring like scallops barigoule, and wild-foraged morels with braised oxtail and celery root mousseline. End the night with baked-to-order lemon-star anise madeleines or classic creme caramel flan.
19. Da Local Boy Beverly
The opening of this Hawaiian street food truck turned brick and mortar gives us serious Loop worker envy. Before chef-owner Nate Domingo opened the second outpost of his concept at 33 S. Franklin this spring, city dwellers had to trek out to suburban Highwood (it’s worth the drive) to try the former private chef’s Hawaiian fusion mixed plates, poke nachos, and macaroni salad. Now he’s making New York Times best restaurants in Chicago lists for his family recipes, like calamansi juice-marinated pork belly, Pulehu short ribs, Kahuku-style garlic shrimp, Huli Huli chicken, and Spam musubi. The Loop location is only open during the week, and the word is definitely out, so expect a rush at lunch.
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.
