Highly Recommended 14 Dinner Restaurants Near Chicago, Illinois

Alexa Koziol We loved our brunch today! Everything we ate was delicious. The server was prompt and friendly. We will be back!

Adam Hatch I would recommend getting in early if you’re looking to have breakfast or have a reservation. The seating area is small and fills up fast. Here are the dishes we had. The Goat from Ipanema - This drink was a blend of two rums with pineapple, coconut, miso, and lime. Very refreshing and a more bitter version of a pińa colada. This Little Piggy - A deconstructed breakfast sandwich with sausage, sunny side egg, on a cheddar biscuit with a chili garlic chive sauce. It was fantastic and the sauce offered a subtle but sweet aftertaste. Avocado Toast - My Mom got this and really enjoyed it. She raved about the herbey limey drizzle over the top of the greens the toast was under. The Simple Goat - 2 eggs your way, bacon or sausage, fruit, toast, or hashbrowns. I recommend getting this dish if you’re looking for something light. My Dad is a light eater and this was perfect for him. Bacon was cooked perfect and crispy, just how we like it! Great diner with an awesome service staff! Can’t wait to come back and try even more of their items.

Adam Kevinson La Nonna is an absolute gem in Irving Park. We tried a little bit of everything — from the melty, irresistible provoleta and flavorful empanadas (beef, ham & cheese with veggies) to the fresh garden salad with steak and a charcuterie board special. My veggie burger was huge and delicious, perfectly paired with sweet potato fries, while the crispy fried chicken sandwich with freshly cut fries and the breaded lime chicken with vegetables were both hits at the table. The Noona pizza was another standout, and dessert was the perfect ending — rich leche flan and a heavenly dulce de leche crepe. The staff was genuinely friendly, the service warm, and the cozy atmosphere made the meal even better. Truly a neighborhood treasure we can’t wait to revisit.

Sandra Gómez Armitage Alehouse delivered an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. Though the space is small and cozy, it is absolutely worth the wait. Every staff member—from the hostess to the bus team—was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, setting the tone for a wonderful afternoon. The food was outstanding and thoughtfully prepared, with bold, well-balanced flavors throughout. The restaurant is known for its pot pies and tikka masala, and it’s easy to understand why. We enjoyed the chicken tikka masala and the NY strip steak, both of which were excellent choices. Our sides—the mashed potatoes and broccoli—were equally impressive. The broccoli, in particular, was elevated by a rich butter sauce that made it truly memorable. Dessert was a highlight. The sticky date cake was phenomenal and a must-order, offering a decadent finish that exceeded expectations. Special recognition goes to Alyssa, our bartender, whose knowledge of local beers was impressive, and Albany, our server, whose attentiveness and care reflected the restaurant’s commitment to hospitality. The attention to detail throughout the evening did not go unnoticed. We were thoroughly impressed with Armitage Alehouse and look forward to returning soon.

Jessica Lawson Aba is delightful! I enjoyed everything from the entrance to the service and the vibes. Olivia was our server and her recommendations were spot on. She took care of the table’s allergies without hesitation and was super friendly and attentive. I ordered steak frites, mushroom hummus, and the “Say Less” mocktail. I would come back and order the exact same thing tomorrow as long as Olivia is my server. Outstanding all around! Compliments to the chef!

Eric Charlton We tried the fish and chips along with the shrimp and grits, and both dishes were outstanding. Everything was cooked just right, full of flavor, and the portions were generous enough to leave us completely satisfied. What truly set this visit apart were the thoughtful birthday touches—a complimentary cookie, a handwritten card from the staff, and even “Happy Birthday” printed on the menu. Those small details made the experience feel truly special and personal. It’s rare to find a place that puts so much care into both the food and the guest experience. I’ll definitely be back and will be recommending it to my family in Chicago.

Rage Thomas Top notch happy hour. I went on a relatively quiet Monday night. I ordered everything on their happy hour menu and it came out to about 50 bucks with drinks. Our service was pretty solid but it also wasnt that busy. The bar was mostly full but got lucky as people left right as we arrived. My only negative criticism is the goat cheese pincho. Its truly intense and you better really like goat cheese. However its all mostly positive. The aiolis all delicious, the devilled egg is solid, sangria is delicious, and everything had a interesting and delicious flavor.

F H Summer House Santa Monica is the best restaurant I have ever been to! Summer House provides a very pleasant atmosphere. As soon as I walked in I was welcomed with beautiful decor and I was immediately escorted to my table. The waiter that I had was very kind and helpful. I ordered the strawberry fields zero proof and it was very good. I ordered the Parmesan truffle fries and edamame for my appetizer. For my entree I ordered the rigatoni with red sauce and it was absolutely amazing. It is very fun to have a cookie bar with tons of options. I ordered the birthday cake cookie with ice cream and it was delicious! Overall, Summer House is the best restaurant in Chicago and I would highly recommend coming here.

Jen Schaefer They squeezed the 2 of us in even though no reservations were available. Both the meatballs and meat sauce are pork free, so we had lots of options on the menu! Would highly recommend the lasagna. The chicken parmesan was also delicious. Soup or salad is complimentary with your entree. Id recommend the minestrone over the chicken broth. Tiramisu was a great end to the meal. Well definitely be back!

jen m A cute cozy place that you wouldnt really notice from the outside in winter. We split 6 tacos and the winners were the pork belly, oh my cod and the brisket (yum!) but the real star was the queso. Made with goat cheese and it was just amazing with their house made chips. We will definitely be back. The margaritas were good and the staff was great at customizing to taste. The manager was walking around and checking in on everyone. My water was never empty and staff overall was just super friendly. Perfect Saturday lunch.

M W ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Beautiful Night at Provaré Provaré is truly a gem in Chicago. The location is perfect, and the space itself is absolutely beautiful—inviting, stylish, and the kind of place that sets the tone for a great night. We started with the salmon egg rolls and the Caesar salad, and both were incredible. The flavors were fresh, thoughtful, and so well executed. For our entrées, we had the cognac shrimp scampi and the chicken Alfredo, and they were just as impressive—rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. What really made the night special, though, was the service. Our server, Kat, was amazing—attentive, warm, and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great experience. And Gabby added such a fun, lively energy to the environment. Together, they made the evening feel personal and memorable. From start to finish, the food, the atmosphere, and the service were all exceptional. It was a very special night, and I can’t wait to come back.

Reeves Steve If you can’t find something here to eat that you like…. You are not hungry! It is a really fun place to eat. It is set up like a “food court”…. But the difference is, the food is incredibly delicious… and the portions are huge! I had the Lalo’s on the Beach Bowl… it was the BEST! My wife had the Lalo’s on the Beach Burrito. It was huge! The QR code menu and the table service was fast and friendly! We definitely want to go back! We will try something different every time we go. Highly recommended!!!

jessica malkin Out thanksgiving dinner visit to Bavette’s could not have been better. On our arrival the hostesses were polite and gracious. Offered to take our coats and brought us to our table right away. This really set the tone for the evening. The restaurant is warm and cozy and lets you know you are some place special. We ate downstairs in the parlor. It’s a bit quieter down there and was perfect for our party of 4. The server was knowledgeable and gave us some great recommendations on what steak to order. We ordered a lot to share and try. My favorites of the evening were the shrimp scampi , steak tartare and the creamed spinach. To me the absolute DO NOT MISS was the burger with bacon and egg. One of the best dishes I’ve ever had and DEFINITELY the best burger ever.

Doug Dobrzynski Our server, Jasmine, was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Burger s and chips are delicious. The beef is high quality, not overworked, and cooked as ordered. The malt is to die for. They even split one to go for two of us!