Recognized as a top culinary city across the country, the food scene in Chicago is as diverse as the city itself. From award-winning fine dining restaurants across all cuisines, to budget options that pack flavor into every bite, the best restaurants in Chicago will leave a lasting impression on your palate.
Whether you want to celebrate a big milestone or simply don’t have time to shop for groceries and cook, this list of Chicago restaurants will point you in the right direction and deliver delicious food with every plate.
Chicago has a rich history, and its food scene is reflective of that. Influenced by large groups of immigrants and its industrial roots, the city became a place where cultures, ideas, and flavors collided.
This led to a food scene that’s unlike any other. In the early 1900s, immigrants made up a big portion of Chicago’s population, bringing recipes and traditions that evolved into now-iconic dishes like Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs.
Since then, innovative chefs and eager cooks have created an abundance of inventive food options and distinctive dining spots, which have earned the city international acclaim and Michelin stars.
Fast forward to 2026, you’ll find that Chicago’s food scene combines honoring its roots and embracing what’s next. Whether you’re gathered around the table at a new restaurant, out at a regular spot in your neighborhood, or even in the workplace, food in Chicago continues to build community and culture.
To get a taste of the Windy City's best restaurants, you have to start by learning what foods Chicago is known for and the best places to get them.
Few dishes created in Chicago are as iconic as the juicy, hearty, and oftentimes messy sandwich that is the Italian beef. The sandwich consists of thinly sliced beef topped with peppers on a French bread roll, finished off with a dip in au jus. First created in the early 1900s by the Italian community in Chicago, this sandwich has withstood the test of time.
Because the sandwich is so popular, there are plenty of places around the city to get one. However, not all Italian beef sandwiches are made the same. If you’re looking to get an Italian beef at a location as iconic as the sandwich itself, Al’s #1 Italian Beef is the way to go. This top-rated, nationally recognized spot is the oldest beef stand in Chicago and has been cementing itself as an Italian beef legend since opening in 1938.
There’s no shortage of places to get Italian beef in the city. Some other popular spots in Chicago include:
A must-have at any White Sox or Cubs game, the Chicago-style hot dog is a legend in the Chicago food scene. A Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef frankfurter in a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt.
When it comes to getting a Chicago dog (or two), there’s no better place to go than Portillo’s. Alongside iconic hot dogs and a menu full of other options, guests can indulge in cheese fries and their famous chocolate cake shake, making it a great stop for anyone with a big appetite. With many locations across the city, Portillo’s gives customers a classic taste of Chicago with every bite.
If you’re looking for other local places to get a Chicago-style hot dog, some more options are:
No list of Chicago classics would be complete without the jibarito. This inventive, Puerto Rican-inspired sandwich is a delicious, crispy meal that is native to Chicago. The contents of the sandwich are pretty standard: steak, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese and mayo. What makes this sandwich unique is the bread used (or lack thereof). In place of bread on both sides of the fillings, the jibarito uses two crispy, fried green plantains.
If this sounds like the type of sandwich you can’t wait to get your hands on, head to Jibaritos y Más over in Logan Square. This spot serves the iconic culinary fusion along with plenty of other delicious Puerto-Rican classics.
Want to expand your jibarito palate? Check out these highly-rated spots:
The best pizza places in Chicago are heavily debated based on style. No matter what type of pizza you’re craving, there's certainly no shortage of legendary places to get them across the city.
When it comes to popular dishes created in Chicago, few get as much recognition as deep-dish pizza. From jaw-dropping cheese pulls to perfectly baked crusts, deep-dish pizza has kept hungry Chicagoans and eager visitors alike satisfied since 1943.
To indulge in the cheesy goodness that is deep-dish pizza, one of the best places to visit is the restaurant that started it all: Uno Pizzeria & Grill (formerly known as Pizzeria Uno). Here, guests can experience the groundbreaking ratio of ingredients that put deep-dish pizza on the map.
With a few locations across the city, Uno Pizzeria continues to carry on the tradition of mouth-watering deep-dish pizza that started decades ago.
If you’re looking to go deeper into the world of deep dish pizza, you can also give these restaurants a try:
While not as well-known as deep-dish pizza, tavern-style pizza deserves just as much recognition. Another Chicago native, tavern-style pizza is characterized by its thin, crispy crust, toppings that reach all the way to the edge, and square pieces instead of classic triangle-shaped slices.
One of the best places to grab one of these iconic pies is Pizz’Amici. With a simple menu, tavern-style pizza is the star of the show. The pizzas are totally customizable, which ensures you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Named one of Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants in America” in 2025, you’re sure to get crispy, quality pizza with every bite.
Tavern-style pizza may be famous for being thin, but the number of places to get it in Chicago isn’t. Check out some other popular tavern-style pizza spots in Chicago:
While deep-dish and tavern-style have their appeal for those looking to try something native to Chicago, wood-fired pizza gives people a more traditional taste of where pizza comes from. Its quick cook time and airy, flavorful crust date back centuries, making this type of pizza a great choice for someone who wants something flavorful and authentic.
For a high-quality, wood-fired pizza, one of the best places to go in Chicago is Spacca Napoli. This internationally-recognized pizza spot specializes in wood-fired pizza, with the restaurant owner bringing his experiences and lessons from Naples all the way back to the Windy City. If you want wood-fired pizza that is sure to hit the spot, Spacca Napoli is hard to beat.
For more wood-fired pizza, try:
New York-style pizza is most popularly characterized by its large slice sizes, thin crust, and unique way of being eaten (folding it in half is the way to go). Originating from Italian immigrants in New York City in the 1900s, this iconic slice has evolved over time to be a staple in the pizza industry all over the world. Since then, New York-style pizza has spread far beyond the city's borders, becoming one of the most recognizable and widely replicated pizza styles in the entire country.
If you have a hankering for New York-style pizza while in Chicago, Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe will satisfy your cravings. With plenty of flavorful pizza options, both in full pies and by the slice, as well as recognition from the “Michelin of Pizza,” there’s no doubt that Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe is one of the best pizza places in Chicago.
Other places to stop by in Chicago if you’re craving a large, New York-style slice include:
Chicago may have plenty of fast, casual food to offer, but we’re also home to some of the best fine dining restaurants in the country. From Michelin stars to global recognition, Chicago’s fine dining restaurants are hard to beat.
Nothing says fine dining like a Michelin star, and Oriole has two of them. Located in a former warehouse in West Loop, this world-renowned restaurant has received high praise for its art-like presentations and top of the line ingredients.
The chef and owner of Oriole, James Beard Award-winning Noah Sandoval, takes guests on a luxurious journey through his dishes. With an ever-evolving tasting menu subtly inspired by French and Japanese influences, guests can expect a flavorful experience they won’t forget.
Another world-renowned, Michelin-starred restaurant that can be found in Chicago is Boka. This fine dining spot offers a refined take on seasonal American cuisine. Known for its elegant yet approachable atmosphere, the restaurant highlights quality ingredients through inventive menus.
Dishes on the menu range from delicate pastas to expertly prepared meats and seafood. With over a decade of Michelin recognition and a reputation for both exceptional cooking and warm hospitality, Boka remains a cornerstone of Chicago’s fine dining scene.
Embracing the luxurious tastes of France, Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf gives American food a French flair to create a delicious dining experience. Set in a dimly lit, speakeasy-style space with a lively, upscale environment, the restaurant is celebrated for its expertly prepared steaks. From marbled ribeyes to filet mignon, Bavette’s serves top-notch steaks alongside an exceptional wine menu.
Consistently ranked among Chicago’s top steakhouses, Bavette’s also earned global recognition in 2025, landing on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list. Its combination of delicious food and enjoyable ambiance makes it a must-visit destination in Chicago for steak lovers and fine dining fiends alike.
For more fine dining options, check out:
Led by Sarah Grueneberg, a "Top Chef" finalist and James Beard Award–winning chef, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio brings a modern approach to Italian cuisine in Chicago’s West Loop. The restaurant is best known for its in-house pastificio (the spot where the pasta is made). Here, guests can watch chefs make fresh pasta throughout the day.
The restaurant blends traditional Italian techniques with an experimental edge, all rooted in high-quality ingredients and bold flavors. With its warm atmosphere and award-winning cooking, Monteverde stands out as one of the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
For more delicious Italian food, you can also visit:
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago, Xoco gives guests a taste of Mexican street food and marketplace flavors with a modern twist. Created by chef Rick Bayless, this casual spot is known for its bold, authentic flavors.
Emphasizing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and time-honored techniques, Xoco delivers an elevated street food experience that’s both approachable and delicious.
Some other highly-rated Mexican restaurants in Chicago to try are:
Chicago has one of the largest Polish populations outside of Poland itself, so it wouldn’t feel right not to include any Polish restaurants on the list. Smakosz is a long-running, family-owned spot in Jefferson Park that has been serving traditional Polish dishes for decades.
This restaurant is known for its handmade pierogi and soups, all of which are made from scratch and only use fresh, natural ingredients. The atmosphere is cozy, making it feel more like a home-cooked meal than a formal dining experience. If you’re looking for a place to get a warm, Polish meal reminiscent of something home-cooked, Smakosz is as close as you can get to the real thing.
There are plenty of places that serve authentic Polish cuisine around the city. Some other great Polish restaurants in Chicago to check out are:
With multiple locations across the city, MingHin Cuisine is a go-to spot for casual, delicious dim sum in Chicago. Known for its huge menu of dumplings, buns, noodles, and more, it’s a great spot to visit if you want to order a little bit of everything and share it family-style. With a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition and consistently solid food, MingHin is one of the best Asian restaurants in Chicago.
With so many amazing Asian restaurants in the city, it’s hard to narrow it down. Some other great restaurants include:
As you explore the best restaurants Chicago has to offer, one thing becomes clear: this is a city submerged in incredible food from around the globe.
Here at Fooda, we love to support local restaurants in Chicago by bringing their one-of-a-kind dishes directly into your workplace. This helps them serve an audience they normally don’t have access to and gives employees a reason to stick around at lunchtime.
By partnering with over 4,500 restaurants across the country, Fooda is able to create highly customizable workplace dining programs that go far beyond basic catering with:
With the right food perks in place, you can create a stronger daily experience that saves your team time and money. When that happens, you get a more connected, energized workplace, where sharing a great meal becomes part of the culture and promotes natural collaboration.
Whether you’re looking to simplify lunch logistics, improve employee retention, or bring a taste of Chicago’s top restaurants straight to your team - Fooda makes an impact on day one and helps turn an everyday routine into something worth looking forward to.
Pricing varies widely across the best restaurants in Chicago. More casual options like Italian beef, hot dogs, and jibaritos will typically run you under $15 per person. Mid-range spots like Xoco, MingHin, and Monteverde typically fall between $20-$50 per person. Fine dining will run you the highest bill, with some tasting menus (like Oriole's) costing upwards of $200 per person, not including drinks and tip. Whatever budget you’re working with, Chicago has plenty of great restaurant options for you.
Chicago has a fantastic food festival calendar. Taste of Chicago, which will take place in Grant Park, runs from July 8 to July 12, 2026 and will feature 45+ food vendors serving Chicago classics and dishes representing the city's international influences. Chicago Restaurant Week is the city’s largest culinary event, offering special dining deals at hundreds of top restaurants. While the dates for next year’s restaurant week haven’t been announced yet, the festivities typically take place in late January to early February.
Reservations vary depending on the restaurant. Some fine dining restaurants, like Oriole, take reservations up to 90 days in advance, with many open spots getting booked as soon as they are offered. Other restaurants take limited reservations and encourage walk-ins. Some casual spots like Carm's Little Italy don’t offer reservations. To learn about a restaurant’s specific reservation policy, it's best to check their website.
