American$$BlackstoneSun-Tue 11:00-23:00; Wed-Thu 11:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-02:00
Crescent Moon pours over 300 craft beers alongside its Blackstone Reuben on Farnam Street, hosting the annual November Reubenfest in the sandwich district.
Order: Blackstone Reuben: corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, on rye with the house dressing, ordered at the bar.
Mexican$$BlackstoneMon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun closed
Mula Blackstone has a summer cocktail porch and a Mexican street food menu anchored by a deep tequila and mezcal programme on Farnam Street.
Order: Street tacos with a mezcal cocktail: Mula stocks the widest agave spirit selection on Farnam Street.
Italian$$Millwork CommonsTue-Sun 11:30-21:00; Mon closed
Dolomiti in Millwork Commons pairs sourdough-base wood-fired pies with a Northern Italian wine list, treating pizza night as a proper enoteca visit.
Order: Sourdough Neapolitan-style pizza with a glass from the by-the-glass Italian wine list.
Japanese ramen$$Old MarketMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
Ika San on Jones Street hides an expansive izakaya behind a narrow downtown door, serving ramen, donburi and gyoza under graffiti murals and hip hop.
Order: Tonkotsu ramen: the 12-hour bone broth runs out before closing on busy weekend nights.
Italian$$DundeeWed-Sun 17:00-20:30; Mon-Tue closed
Avoli Osteria on Dundee's Underwood Avenue is a five-night Northern Italian restaurant with hand-rolled pasta and dry-aged rib-eye at accessible prices.
Order: House-made pasta of the day: the kitchen makes fresh dough each morning in small quantities.
Cajun & Creole$$DundeeWed-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri 17:00-23:00; Sat 10:00-23:00; Sun 10:00-21:00; Mon-Tue closed
Herbe Sainte serves Cajun and Creole cooking in Aksarben Village, with daily happy hour, weekend brunch, and cocktails rooted in New Orleans tradition.
Order: Cajun seafood platter or bananas foster French toast on the weekend brunch service.