The 10 Best New Restaurants in Chicago
In Chicago, every week might as well be restaurant week, judging by the sheer number of amazing spots opening all the time. Take, for example, these 10, which should keep you satisfied well into winter. Here, the best new restaurants in Chicago.
1. Wherewithall
Cue the raised-hands emoji. The James Beard Award–winning husband-and-wife team behind Parachute have opened a new concept just down the block. This one’s focused around a $65 prix fixe featuring a rotation of global influences and cornmeal beignets that rival Parachute’s cult-status bing bread.
3472 N. Elston Ave.; 773-692-2192 or wherewithallchi.com
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2. Tzuco
Carlos Gaytán was the first Mexican-born chef to earn a coveted Michelin star, but he’s not resting on his laurels. His latest restaurant merges Mexico’s vibrant flavors with classic French techniques (think red snapper with chipotle-peanut aioli). Befitting the menu, you’ll dine in a gorgeous River North dining room decorated with one-of-a-kind terra-cotta and textile pieces from the chef’s travels in Mexico.
720 N. State St.; 312-374-8995 or tzuco.com
3. Porto
There’s a reason everyone and their mom has been traveling to Portugal lately (and it’s not just cheap airfares). This forthcoming West Town spot will show you: It’s a love letter to the Atlantic coast of the country (and the Galicia region of Spain too). The folks behind it (also of Beatnik fame) were so inspired by their travels there, they just had to bring world-class conservas and Iberian wines to Chicago.
1600 W. Chicago Ave.; portochicago.com
4. Gadabout
The husband-and-wife team behind this brand-new Andersonville restaurant have some impressive credits to their names: Pacific Standard Time, Boka and Hopleaf, to name a few. But even with their prestigious pedigree, they believe that street food is the ultimate culinary form. We tend to agree, which is why we can’t get enough of dishes like ahi tuna tostadas and pork belly kimchi stew.
5212 N. Clark St.; 773-944-0429 or gadaboutchicago.com
5. Avli
This Greek restaurant went big when creating its River North space: The place spans two floors and a patio, which is a good thing. With dishes like honey and fig saganaki and tender braised lamb shoulder, plus a loyal following established at the locations in Winnetka and Lincoln Park, it’s going to be a packed house.
702 N. Wells St.; 773-857-5577 or avli.us
6. Lips
Forget dinner theater, we’re here for the dinner drag. For 25 years, Lips has cornered the genre, and it’s finally opening a Chicago outpost. The menu was developed by former Little Goat sous chef Tom Schmidt, but the real stars are the performers—look for drag legends Mimi Marks and Angel LeBare.
2229 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-815-2662 or lipschicago.com
7. RPM Seafood
It’s a fact: Everything is better on the Chicago riverfront. The soon-to-open RPM Seafood should prove no exception. This time, the team behind RPM Italian and Steak puts its spin on seafood and sets it amid panoramic views. Consider it your new go-to for special occasions—anniversaries, birthdays or, you know, just a Wednesday-night craving for wild Pacific halibut with steamed razor clams and preserved lemon.
317 N. Clark St.; rpmrestaurants.com
8. Time Out Market
With locations either open or planned in Lisbon, Miami, NYC and Dubai, this food hall has a global footprint yet a very local approach. Opening this fall, the Chicago outpost will showcase some of the city’s best, from Mini Mott’s burgers to Lost Larson’s pastries. Spanning 50,000 square feet, three floors and 600 seats, it’s like a city unto itself—one that’s focused entirely on food.
916 W. Fulton Market; timeoutmarket.com/
9. Dirty Root
Mindful eating isn’t so much a trend as a movement, and this West Loop spot makes it its mission. Whole, local and seasonal produce and proteins fill the menu of satisfying salads and grain bowls. Whether you choose za’atar spiced carrots or coconut bay laurel salmon, you’ll savor ingredients that are designed to be good for your body and good for the planet.
939 W. Randolph St.; 312-374-3474 or dirty-root.com
10. Superkhana International
This Logan Square eatery shrewdly avoided any new restaurant awkward phase by developing its Indian fusion recipes at a few different pop-ups first. The team has landed on a formula that’s a little irreverent (butter chicken calzone and chili-cheese naan, anyone?) but very delicious.
3059 W. Diversey Ave.; 773-661-9028 or superkhanachicago.com