The 18 best restaurants in Avondale

Wood paneled walls; purple banquettes; and low, warm lighting beckon with chic, rec room-meets Korean pub vibes. Honoring Tokyo listening bar culture, local DJs such as King Hippo, Fanita Banana and Catieo spin throughout the week (find the latest schedule on HiFi’s socials). Much of HiFi’s snackish food menu changes in breathless step with the record selections, with a tidy menu of oft-changing, cheffy snack food including seasonal crudites with rich, brackish walnut ssamjang, chicken karaage with sweet and sour sauce and honey mayo, and burgers soused in bordelaise and cheese fondue with thick-cut fries. Don’t skip on the cocktails, though: You'll find a tight menu of classic cocktails and beer, plus a nice selection of Korean rice ferments. 

Farm-to-table specialist Eden relocated during the pandemic to a new space in Avondale. The restaurant is now open from breakfast through dinner and features a greenhouse that provides fresh produce for the kitchen, private dining rooms and an outdoor patio. The revamped menu changes seasonally but is centered around dishes coming out of the wood-burning oven, such as grilled berbere-spiced carrots jazzed up with goat cheese purée.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken has somewhat of a following in Chicago, which makes sense to anyone who's been there. Crisp skin engulfs juicy and tender meat that you can slather with sweet honey butter. We're suckers for the sandwiches, but whatever jumps out to you on the menu will be great, as long as you're grabbing a side of the creamy pimento mac and cheese—it's an absolute necessity. Pro-tip: Take this one to-go and head over to Revolution's taproom for an evening of beer and chicken.

Whether it’s your first or last stop of the night, Ludlow Liquors is always the right move. This retro-chic spot is a refined version of the neighborhood dive so you can expect craft cocktails, like a pomegranate margarita, alongside “low life” beers and shots of Malört. The spacious backyard patio, decked out with picnic tables and stadium seating, is a must-visit in the summertime. And the smash burger is the perfect way to help soak up all the booze.

Chef-partners Trevor Fleming, Emily Kraszyk and John Lupton—who’ve worked in acclaimed places like Kasama and Table Fifty-Two—debuted Warlord in April 2023 and quickly soared to critics’ darling status on the back of their bold, elemental cooking, which changes regularly. Don’t expect many constants on this fleeting, pricey menu of unfettered live-fire cooking, which is centered on dry-aged proteins like oily fish and beef. That said, there's an outstanding burger ($18, plus $8 for fries) that’s one of few regular menu items—seared and still reddish, dressed minimally in charred onions and mayo, to highlight its dry-aged funk and richness. Arrive at 5:30 or 5:45pm for a better chance at nabbing a spot in the first round of seating at this no-reservations hotspot. Or wait till after 9pm, when you’re almost guaranteed to get a seat without waiting.

From the looks of it—booths, a counter/bar, coffee cups upturned on saucers—this bright, homey spot could pass for an all-American diner. Crackly skinned house-made sausage, stuffed cabbage and pillowy potato pierogi can be found on the “Polish plate,” piled together with mashed potatoes and drowned in a tomatoey sour cream sauce that’s the best part of the dish.

The servers here sport more ink than a Bic factory, and the metal is cranked up so loud you can’t hear yourself talking, but therein lies the charm. Squeeze through the ass-to-elbows crowds and up to the long bar, where you might be in for a lengthy wait. What’s the draw? Well, the Slayer burger, for one—a pile of fries topped with a 10-ounce burger, chili, cherry peppers, andouille, onions and Jack cheese on a pretzel bun. That, and the extensive menu of craft beers, including plenty of limited-edition local brews to get before they’re gone.

After two years of anticipation, New York cocktail bar Mother’s Ruin finally made its way to Chicago in 2022. If the bustle of River North and Wicker Park don’t seem appealing, come here instead for a low-key evening full of craft libations, spiked slushies and elevated bar fare like a falafel burger amped up with harissa sauce. Prefer to day drink? You’re in luck—Mother’s Ruin is one of the few places serving brunch every day of the week.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken vet Becca Grothe flew the coop and opened her own sandwich shop just a couple of blocks away this past year. The Cubano is impeccable and made with quality ingredients including Twin Oaks ham, Slagel Farm pork and ciabatta bread from pHlour. But the menu also pays tribute to Midwestern classics like the horseshoe and Maid-Rite sandwich. Grothe’s husband, Cam Waron, creates potato-based Tuber’s Donuts to enjoy for dessert.

Do as the Irish do and head to this traditional pub for Guinness pints and hearty plates. Chief O’Neill’s has been a neighborhood staple since 1999, comforting guests with Emerald Isle favorites like fish and chips, corned beef and shepherd’s pie. The lively space also has multiple fireplaces and a verdant back patio, and hosts live music and a popular Sunday brunch buffet.

Argentinean and Italian flavors collide at La Nonna, a rustic-chic gem hidden away on an Avondale side street. Inspired by his family’s heritage, chef José Rivero delivers empanadas filled with ham and cheese, prosciutto-topped pizzas, choripán sandwiches, steak and chicken milanesa and much more. It’s BYOB, too, so take advantage by bringing a bottle to pair with the food.

This new Avondale bakery and cafe has been making waves for its exceptional breads and pastries. You’ll spot the loaves of the day behind the counter and you’ll definitely want to order a tasty breakfast sandwich, served on either an English muffin or croissant. Loaf Lounge owner Sarah Mispagel also worked as a pastry consultant on FX hit The Bear and her chocolate cake, which was featured on the show, is on the menu as well.

Owners and friends Tyler Hudec, Dani Kaplan and Pat Ray have been in the restaurant and bar industry for 15 years; they met while working at Analogue, which closed in 2016. The trio opened Void (named for the absence of preconceptions) in August 2024 in the bygone Moe’s Tavern. They used the bar’s old bones to their advantage since the restaurant—low lit and dressed in warm, earthy wood tones, antique paintings, stained-glass lamps and drippy tapered candles—feels invitingly worn in. Red-sauce classics mingle seamlessly with cheffier, seasonal dishes. Think roasted cauliflower with roasted and fresh grapes, white pesto and pancetta vinaigrette; and half-a-chicken parm doused in six-hour tomato sauce beneath an oozy, blistered mozzarella lid. Like a lot of newish places I like (Bar Parisette, Mariscos San Pedro, Brasero), Void has a knack for striking a balance between familiar and higher-concept cooking while keeping the vibe relaxed.

The name of this Avondale restaurant is pretty self-explanatory. The menu is filled with a variety of tacos, with fillings like spicy cochinta pibil and papa y epazote (crispy fried mashed potatoes). A bar serves up tequlia by way of strong margaritas, including a version with house-made chamoy. If you want to make an impression, order the queso fundido, which arrives at your table in a ball of flames.

Though the Guinness flows freely, don’t expect to see corned beef on the menu at this Irish-influenced restaurant. But that’s quite alright because we relish a full Irish breakfast for dinner. The traditional dish consists of sausage, bacon, black and white pudding, fried eggs and a whole lot more. You can even order it in pizza form for a one-of-a-kind slice.

One of the most popular Asian grocers in the city isn’t solely convenient for stocking shelves. It’s also a great place for a cheap and delicious bite. Tucked away in the back of the space is a tiny restaurant, dubbed Snack Corner, that offers Korean favorites like bibimbap and sizzling bowls of tofu stew. A stand in front of the store also sells steamed buns and on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the $30 sashimi platters are an unbeatable value.

You don’t have to be familiar with 20-sided dice to have a good time at this Dungeons & Dragons-inspired restaurant and bar. Owners Shawn Podgurski and Phil Naumann opened Dmen Tap in 2017 as a brick-and-mortar home for their popular food truck, DönerMen. German street food is the focus of the menu and you’ll get to devour warm Bavarian pretzels, currywurst served with fries and the signature döner—chicken cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Wash it down with a glass of mead or whiskey from the extensive collection.

After his father passed away, Alan Yuen renovated his family’s chop suey house (even installing beautiful hardwood floors himself) and set about turning out solid Canto-American classics. Sesame beef and honey-walnut shrimp are joined by creations such as stir-fried seafood in a shredded potato “bird’s nest,” and boneless chicken in Grand Marnier orange sauce. Don’t want to go out? Take advantage of the brisk delivery service.