8 upscale rooms in Chicago, editor-picked. occasion rooms in Chicago — destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Chicago food.
Elske ★ 4.6
west-loop · 1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Elske in Chicago is David and Anna Posey's Danish-influenced Michelin-starred Randolph Street kitchen, a married chef-team plate with restraint and clean wood.
Tip: The Aquavit pairings are the room's secret weapon. Ask Anna for the by-the-glass walk.
The Publican ★ 4.6
west-loop · 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
The Publican in Chicago is Paul Kahan's Fulton Market mead-hall, opened 2008, anchored by the heritage pork chop and a daily oyster list of 20 to 30 varieties.
Tip: The walk-in counter at the bar is first-come, first-served and turns over fast. Aim for 17:30 if you cannot book.
avec ★ 4.5
west-loop · 615 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
avec in Chicago is the cedar-walled Mediterranean wine bar next to Blackbird's old space, with the dates-wrapped-in-bacon plate that has run since 2003.
Tip: The communal seating means a walk-up at 17:00 usually beats waiting for a table. Bring a friend who likes elbows.
Monteverde ★ 4.5
west-loop · 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Monteverde in Chicago is Sarah Grueneberg's Italian dining room on Madison Street in the West Loop, a pasta-led menu with all the dough rolled in the open kitchen.
Tip: Sit at the pasta-counter seats if they're on offer. The kitchen rolls dough at eye level.
Boka ★ 4.5
lincoln-park · 1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Boka in Chicago is Lee Wolen's Michelin-starred dining room beside Alinea on Halsted, with a quiet garden courtyard and a roast-chicken-for-two worth the table.
Tip: Book the garden room in summer. It is one of the prettiest outdoor dining rooms in the city.
Girl & the Goat ★ 4.5
west-loop · 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Girl & the Goat in Chicago is Stephanie Izard's Randolph Street wood-fire kitchen since 2010, with the pig face plate that came back when Bravo's Top Chef did.
Tip: If the dining room is fully booked, walk up to the bar at 17:00 for the same menu and no wait most weeknights.
Frontera Grill ★ 4.4
river-north · 445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Frontera Grill in Chicago is Rick Bayless's 1987 Clark Street Mexican dining room beside Topolobampo, the kitchen that brought regional Mexican to the Midwest.
Tip: Walk in at 17:00 on a weekday for the bar; the booths fill by 18:30 most nights.
Gene & Georgetti ★ 4.3
river-north · 500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
Gene & Georgetti in Chicago is the 1941 Italian-American steakhouse under the elevated tracks at Franklin and Illinois, opened by Michelotti and Federighi.
Tip: Ask for one of the back-room booths under the photo wall. The lighting is the same warm gold it has been for eighty years.