Latest Chicago restaurant reviews

Acclaimed pastry chef Dana Salls Cree and Bang Bang Pie’s Michael Ciapciak teamed up to open this Logan Square shop in 2018, creating a whimsical, kid-friendly playground for frozen treats. Expect inventive ice cream bars and popsicles made with quality, locally-sourced ingredients. The vibe: Bright and colorful with cheerful decor, Pretty Cool is a fun stop for families and anyone looking to indulge their inner child. Stadium-style bench seating adds to the laid-back atmosphere. The food: The selection goes well beyond the standard ice cream bar, featuring playful flavors like caramel horchata crunch, Chicago mix, Key lime pie and mango lassi. The shop also does collaborations, including a series with the Chicago Transit Authority inspired by the city’s train lines. There are plant-based bars for those looking for a dairy-free option as well, plus smaller-sized pops for little ones. The drinks: Aside from water, it’s all about the ice cream here. Time Out tip: Can’t make it to the shop or just want to stock up? Pretty Cool delivers, so you can have the ice cream brought right to your door.

When you picture a classic ice cream parlor, Margie’s is exactly what comes to mind. The Chicago institution has been serving towering sundaes, homemade treats and old-school charm for generations. It’s the kind of nostalgic spot that makes a trip for ice cream feel like an occasion. The vibe: Vintage decor, classic booth seating and kitschy trinkets give Margie’s a frozen-in-time feel. There are few places quite like it in Chicago. The food: The menu features a variety of sundaes and banana splits, with the turtle sundae standing out as a favorite. If you’re with a group, the Royal George (25 scoops) and World’s Largest Terrapin (15 scoops) are made for sharing, with saucers of fudge, caramel sauce and whipped cream on the side. There are also sandwiches for those craving something savory. And don’t overlook the homemade chocolates—fill up a box to take home. The drinks: Shakes and malts come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, peach, butterscotch and peanut butter. Sodas, juices, milk and hot beverages are available as well. Time Out tip: When the line is long, as it often is in summer, order your ice cream to go and skip the wait.

Started in Columbus, Ohio, Jeni’s is a national ice cream chain known for its imaginative flavors. From riffs on classics to unexpected combinations, there’s always something new to enjoy. With several shops throughout the city, it’s one of the best spots around for a frozen treat. The vibe: Bright and welcoming, Jeni’s scoop shops have a cheerful neighborhood feel to them. The friendly staff is happy to help you choose a flavor and let you try as many samples as you’d like. The food: Jeni’s is all about creative flavors, featuring a menu of signature offerings alongside rotating seasonal options. Year-round favorites include Brambleberry Crisp and Wildberry Lavender, joined by limited-time scoops like Campfire S’mores and Strawberry Pretzel Pie. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and even better in a house-made waffle cone. For an extra indulgent upgrade, add a drizzle of fudge sauce. The drinks: The focus is on ice cream here, so don’t expect much beyond water. Time Out tip: You can grab pints and ice cream sandwiches to take home. Jeni’s is also available at many local grocery stores.

Situated at Fullerton Avenue on Lake Shore Drive, Theater on the Lake is a year-round event venue with an on-site restaurant. A range of events are hosted here, from a roaring St. Patrick's Day celebration to the annual Air and Water Show viewing party, plus theater performances. Thanks to its location on the east side of Lake Shore Drive, it offers some of the best lake and skyline views in the city.

While its name suggests otherwise, this West Loop neo-bistro is a cozy, charming spot for reimagined French fare. David and Anna Posey, together with chef de cuisine Tayler Ploshehanski, draw from the classics while weaving in Midwestern influences. The result is one of Chicago’s most distinctive French menus in recent years. The vibe: The restaurant is divided between two dining rooms, with large windows that flood the space with natural light during the daytime. Tightly arranged tables give the room a lively, bistro-like atmosphere. Diners seated at the back counter face a mirrored wall, which can feel a bit awkward. The food: Start with the Brie gougères, warm, buttery puffs balanced by drizzles of honey. The roast chicken with chicken liver and wine sauce is an excellent shareable option, featuring crisp skin and juicy, tender meat. Save room for Anna Posey’s sherbet meringue cake—the flavors rotate regularly. The drinks: Pre-batched cocktails include timeless favorites such as the Vesper, Negroni, and dirty martini. The wine list leans heavily toward French wines, with a handful of California selections. Time Out tip: Creepies doesn’t have a bar, so if you’re looking to linger over a pre- or post-meal drink, you’ll want to head elsewhere.

Just like Hogsalt's other concepts, which include Au Cheval, Armitage Alehouse and Gilt Bar, Bavette's is ultra-popular. You may have to sacrifice your firstborn to secure a reservation, but it's totally worth the sweat. The vibe: A moody, dimly lit steakhouse next to Gilt Bar. The food: Whatever you're in the mood for, you're likely to find something enticing thanks to the menu's extensive selection of cuts ranging from a 6-ounce filet mignon and 20-ounce dry-aged bone-in ribeye to a 32-ounce Porterhouse.  The drinks: Bavette's offers four variations of an Old Fashioned, as well as pickle back shots, spirit-free sips, wines and eight different ice-cold martinis. Time Out tip: Reservations are available up to 21 days in advance at 9am. We recommend setting an alarm; otherwise, you may have better luck as a walk-in.

Located inside the ultra-luxe St. Regis hotel, this authentic Tuscan restaurant from celebrated chef Evan Funke offers an exceptional experience inside one of the city's most beautiful dining rooms. The vibe: A high-end Italian restaurant and bar that makes you feel like you might run into Kendall Roy at any time. The food: Handmade pastas anchor the menu, with highlights including the rigatoncini all'arrabbiata and the trofie al pesto. The menu is designed to share, so go all in and order a few things. We recommend starting with the fluffy focaccia and pillowy gnocchi fritti. The drinks: Signature and classic cocktails complement an extensive selection of bottles, some of which are priced at over $1,500. Time Out tip: Request a table by the soaring window to take advantage of the sweeping city views, and, if you come on a Wednesday or Saturday night during the summer, the fireworks across the street at Navy Pier. 

At LIA Tavern, the food is almost as captivating as the art on the walls. Chef and owner Justin Viacuinas reinvents the menu every few months when he brings in a new resident artist. During each residency, the artist's work is displayed throughout the space, and select dishes are inspired, and sometimes even replicate, the works themselves (previous highlights include the Warhol Martini, which is served in a Campbell's Soup Can, inspired by artist Joey Africa's vibrant work depicting the same can). The vibe: A modern, pop-art-inspired spot in River North accented by a rotating selection of vibrant artwork and Viacuinas' own massive painting, which is one of the city's largest, behind the bar. The food: Tavern-style pizzas, pastas and mains like roasted seabass and Cajun roasted chicken are equally approachable and elevated. The drinks: Many drawing inspiration from artworks, inventive cocktails include the Jackson Paint Can (mezcal, bourbon, orange liqueur, ginger, plum and citrus), which is served in an actual paint can, and a Malört Negroni. Time Out tip: The atmosphere here is fun, and during the warmer months, massive windows open for an indoor/outdoor vibe. This is a great spot for River North workers to come for happy hour or for a special occasion outing.

Lettuce Entertain You's ultra-popular spot below RPM Seafood serves lunch and dinner, with a menu centered around hand-stretched pizzas, artisanal pastas and grilled seafood. There's always someone celebrating a birthday, out-of-towners looking for a bite along the water and workers from nearby office buildings meeting for a power lunch or after-work drinks. The vibe: A lively riverfront restaurant with one of the best outdoor dining patios in the city. The service is good, the food is average and the views are unbeatable. The food: You can't go wrong with the cult-favorite charred pepperoni pizza and rigatoni vodka pasta for the table. The Caesar salad and crispy Parmesan fries are also standouts. The drinks: The drink menu always features a selection of quirky cocktails, like River North With A View (vodka, raspberry and Pimm's liqueur) and multiple variations of a spritz. If you're here with a group, you might want to opt for the Portofino Purse, a cocktail of your choice served in a glass handbag (yes, really).  Time Out tip: The whole point of coming here (usually) is to sit on the patio, so be sure to make a reservation in advance to secure one of the most coveted waterfront tables in Chicago.

Whether it's the extensive beverage program, the lively patio, or the beloved burger, there's a lot to love about Little Bad Wolf. The Andersonville spot is regularly packed and is home to one of the neighborhood's hottest patios.     The vibe: The space is elevated yet approachable, making it an ideal spot for date night or a solo evening at the bar. Head to the patio during the warmer months for the ideal dining experience.  The food: The Wolf Burger (three patties, bacon, American cheese, fried onion straws, housemade pickles, red-onion mayo, fried egg) is a standout. The only thing better than the Wolf Burger is a Wolf Burger paired with mac and cheese. It's rich, gooey and topped with honey-cured bacon, scallions and toasted breadcrumbs. There's also a selection of bao buns stuffed with fillings like pork, steak and duck. The drinks: The beverage program features an extensive selection of craft beers, cocktails and wine. Seasonal favorites include the warmed Wolf's Tail (tea-infused bourbon, Allspice Dram, housemade cinnamon syrup, lime and Angostura) and Diamonds and Rust (gin, Fernet Branca, housemade peppercorn syrup and lemon).  Time Out tip: Little Bad Wolf does not take reservations, so prepare to wait for a table if it's busy.

Walking into John’s Food & Wine on a busy Thursday night, I spotted a couple of open seats at the long marble bar. Normally, I’d make a beeline for this increasingly rare walk-in’s gift, but having just entered the back of the line at this upscale, fast-casual bistro, I hesitated. Was such self-serving behavior frowned upon?  Bar seats are indeed fair game for walk-ins at John’s, as I learned when a group behind me snagged the stools and commenced the ritual of dining out as we’ve all traditionally known it. But if you’re after a table at this Lincoln Park newcomer, you’ll queue up in front of a countertop tablet where (the night I was there) beverage director and sommelier Jonas Bittencourt takes your coursed, dinner order in one nerve-wracking go, then leads you to your table, where you choose your own pairing adventure by snapping a QR code and scrolling through Toast. There are no designated servers. Rather, a small crew helmed by co-owners and chefs Adam McFarland and Thomas Rogers breathlessly does a little of everything—hence the 20 percent service charge automatically applied to every check.  I acutely felt the lack of human touch throughout my meal—not just because this is a wine-focused restaurant full of cool, ever-changing pours that warrant a little storytelling. It also manifested in the harried pacing of courses and disconcerting sense that the main shepherd of our experience was the restaurant’s POS system. I longed for those small leisurely moments, like...

We've rounded up the best chefs in the city to join us at Time Out Market Chicago, a culinary and cultural destination in the heart of Fulton Market. The 50,000-square-foot space houses more than 15 kitchens, three bars and one drop-dead gorgeous rooftop terrace—all spread across three floors. Our mission is simple: Bring Time Out Chicago to life with the help of our favorite chefs, the ones who wow us again and again. You'll find delicious dumplings from Qing Xiang Yuan, mouthwatering burgers at Gutenburg, fried chicken from Art Smith's Sporty Bird and extravagant milkshakes from JoJo's shakeBAR. If you're thirsty, sit down at one of the Market's bars to enjoy a menu of local beer, a robust wine list or a creative seasonal cocktail. And keep an eye out for events, concerts and artwork within the Market throughout the year—we're keeping our calendar packed with things to do.

When you picture a classic ice cream parlor, Margie’s is exactly what comes to mind. The Chicago institution has been serving towering sundaes, homemade treats and old-school charm for generations. It’s the kind of nostalgic spot that makes a trip for ice cream feel like an occasion. The vibe: Vintage decor, classic booth seating and kitschy trinkets give Margie’s a frozen-in-time feel. There are few places quite like it in Chicago. The food: The menu features a variety of sundaes and banana splits, with the turtle sundae standing out as a favorite. If you’re with a group, the Royal George (25 scoops) and World’s Largest Terrapin (15 scoops) are made for sharing, with saucers of fudge, caramel sauce and whipped cream on the side. There are also sandwiches for those craving something savory. And don’t overlook the homemade chocolates—fill up a box to take home. The drinks: Shakes and malts come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, peach, butterscotch and peanut butter. Sodas, juices, milk and hot beverages are available as well. Time Out tip: When the line is long, as it often is in summer, order your ice cream to go and skip the wait.

Started in Columbus, Ohio, Jeni’s is a national ice cream chain known for its imaginative flavors. From riffs on classics to unexpected combinations, there’s always something new to enjoy. With several shops throughout the city, it’s one of the best spots around for a frozen treat. The vibe: Bright and welcoming, Jeni’s scoop shops have a cheerful neighborhood feel to them. The friendly staff is happy to help you choose a flavor and let you try as many samples as you’d like. The food: Jeni’s is all about creative flavors, featuring a menu of signature offerings alongside rotating seasonal options. Year-round favorites include Brambleberry Crisp and Wildberry Lavender, joined by limited-time scoops like Campfire S’mores and Strawberry Pretzel Pie. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and even better in a house-made waffle cone. For an extra indulgent upgrade, add a drizzle of fudge sauce. The drinks: The focus is on ice cream here, so don’t expect much beyond water. Time Out tip: You can grab pints and ice cream sandwiches to take home. Jeni’s is also available at many local grocery stores.

Acclaimed pastry chef Dana Salls Cree and Bang Bang Pie’s Michael Ciapciak teamed up to open this Logan Square shop in 2018, creating a whimsical, kid-friendly playground for frozen treats. Expect inventive ice cream bars and popsicles made with quality, locally-sourced ingredients. The vibe: Bright and colorful with cheerful decor, Pretty Cool is a fun stop for families and anyone looking to indulge their inner child. Stadium-style bench seating adds to the laid-back atmosphere. The food: The selection goes well beyond the standard ice cream bar, featuring playful flavors like caramel horchata crunch, Chicago mix, Key lime pie and mango lassi. The shop also does collaborations, including a series with the Chicago Transit Authority inspired by the city’s train lines. There are plant-based bars for those looking for a dairy-free option as well, plus smaller-sized pops for little ones. The drinks: Aside from water, it’s all about the ice cream here. Time Out tip: Can’t make it to the shop or just want to stock up? Pretty Cool delivers, so you can have the ice cream brought right to your door.

Perched on the 13th floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, Cindy’s remains one of the most popular spots for taking in the city. The bright and airy restaurant pairs sweeping views of the skyline and lake with a menu that’s solid, if not particularly memorable. It’s worth braving the crowds for a drink, but an hour-long wait might be too much for some to justify. The vibe: Cindy’s has a lively, polished feel, with a stylish dining room bathed in natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive skylights. The open-air terrace overlooks Millennium Park, offering impressive sights, while the guests are a mix of tourists and locals. The food: The seasonal menu leans toward approachable American fare with globally-inspired touches. At dinnertime, expect shareable dishes ranging from mussels and branzino to fried chicken and ribeye. Weekend brunch brings options like chilaquiles and shrimp and grits. The drinks: The cocktail list features refreshing, easy-sipping concoctions such as the Second to None, made with gin, pomegranate cordial, genepy, lemon and honey. There are also spirit-free creations, mimosa kits, beer, wine and teas from Rare Tea Cellar. Time Out tip: Cindy’s gets busy, especially during peak hours, so make a reservation to avoid the line.

While its name suggests otherwise, this West Loop neo-bistro is a cozy, charming spot for reimagined French fare. David and Anna Posey, together with chef de cuisine Tayler Ploshehanski, draw from the classics while weaving in Midwestern influences. The result is one of Chicago’s most distinctive French menus in recent years. The vibe: The restaurant is divided between two dining rooms, with large windows that flood the space with natural light during the daytime. Tightly arranged tables give the room a lively, bistro-like atmosphere. Diners seated at the back counter face a mirrored wall, which can feel a bit awkward. The food: Start with the Brie gougères, warm, buttery puffs balanced by drizzles of honey. The roast chicken with chicken liver and wine sauce is an excellent shareable option, featuring crisp skin and juicy, tender meat. Save room for Anna Posey’s sherbet meringue cake—the flavors rotate regularly. The drinks: Pre-batched cocktails include timeless favorites such as the Vesper, Negroni, and dirty martini. The wine list leans heavily toward French wines, with a handful of California selections. Time Out tip: Creepies doesn’t have a bar, so if you’re looking to linger over a pre- or post-meal drink, you’ll want to head elsewhere.

For more than a decade, Longman & Eagle has been a Logan Square staple for seasonal, farm-to-table fare and an extensive whiskey selection. The gastropub pairs a thoughtful food and beverage program with a cozy atmosphere, and it’s an ideal spot for both a casual lunch or a celebratory dinner.  The vibe: At night, the dimly lit space feels like a classic neighborhood tavern. Wood accents, exposed brick and warm lighting create an inviting setting. The food: The menu leans into elevated comfort food featuring seasonal ingredients. Favorites like the roasted bone marrow and wild boar sloppy joe are longtime mainstays and reliable picks for first-timers, while other standouts include cherry char siu-glazed pork ribs and beef heart tartare. Dishes starring vegetables, such as heirloom tomatoes and summer squash, also shine. The drinks: Whiskey is the star of the show, with hundreds of bourbons, ryes, Scotches and more to choose from. Flights are available, and there’s a “Whiskey for Drinking” section that makes it easy to find a pour to sip. Whiskey cocktails, beer and wine are offered as well. Time Out tip: Book a room at Longman & Eagle’s upstairs inn for a convenient overnight stay.

For more than 80 years, the awning-covered picnic tables of this Far South Side ice-cream shop have been packed with locals indulging their sweet tooth. The signature five-flavor Rainbow Cone features scoops of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio and orange sherbet stacked one on top of the other for an unbeatable classic.

If One Off Hospitality is behind a diner, you know it’s going to be something a little out of the ordinary. At Dove’s Luncheonette, waffles and bacon give way to hearty Tex-Mex plates packed with bold flavors. It’s not a typical greasy spoon, but it’s undeniably delicious. The vibe: A cozy, intimate space with 41 counter seats. Dove’s has a nostalgic charm that gives it the feel of a longtime neighborhood institution. The food: Start with the Back to Life Cocktail, especially after a long night. It’s loaded with shrimp, mussels, crab and avocado in a zesty tomato-habanero salsa. The brisket hash—with choice of burnt ends or mushrooms—is another standout, as is the chicken fried chicken smothered in chorizo verde gravy. Everything is comforting and deeply satisfying. The drinks: Coffee, Rare Tea Cellar teas, juices, sodas and agua frescas round out the nonalcoholic offerings, while wine, beer and cocktails like the breakfast margarita and Bloody Mary are available for those looking to imbibe. Time Out tip: Happy hour, which runs from 3 to 6pm Thursday through Saturday, offers deals including a $10 Oklahoma onion burger and a $7 dirty horchata latte.