The Best Restaurants in Chicago (2026)
The Chicago rooms worth planning a night around, what each is known for, and how to actually get a table at each.
The best restaurants in Chicago right now
These are the Chicago rooms worth building an evening around: Alinea, Bavette's, Ever, Monteverde, Smyth, Oriole, Esmé, Moody Tongue, Kasama, Galit, Daisies, Boka, Girl & the Goat, Avec, Lula Cafe, Topolobampo, The Publican, Au Cheval, Maple & Ash, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Pacific Standard Time, Warlord, Cira, and Frontera Grill. They earn the hype, which is exactly why they are so hard to book.
Rose is currently an NYC pilot. Direct booking is available for supported Hillstone inventory; select Resy and SevenRooms venues can be monitored with a provider handoff. OpenTable is not currently supported. Text the venue first and Rose will confirm current coverage.
The rooms worth knowing
- Alinea, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Bavette's, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Ever, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Monteverde, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Smyth, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Oriole, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Esmé, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Moody Tongue, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Kasama, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Galit, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Daisies, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Boka, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Girl & the Goat, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Avec, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Lula Cafe, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Topolobampo, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- The Publican, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Au Cheval, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Maple & Ash, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Pacific Standard Time, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Warlord, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Cira, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
- Frontera Grill, one of the best tables in Chicago and one of the hardest to book.
How to get into each
A full how-to-book guide for every room on this list:
Getting a table at the best Chicago restaurants
Booking the window the moment it opens helps, but the seats most people actually land come from same-week cancellations. A continuous watch plus the ability to confirm instantly is the difference between reading about these rooms and sitting in them.
Rose is currently an NYC pilot. Direct booking is available for supported Hillstone inventory; select Resy and SevenRooms venues can be monitored with a provider handoff. OpenTable is not currently supported. Text the venue first and Rose will confirm current coverage.
Rose is currently an NYC pilot. Direct booking is available for supported Hillstone inventory; select Resy and SevenRooms venues can be monitored with a provider handoff. OpenTable is not currently supported. Text the venue first and Rose will confirm current coverage.
Frequently asked
What are the best restaurants in Chicago?
Standouts include Alinea, Bavette's, Ever, Monteverde, Smyth, Oriole, Esmé, Moody Tongue, Kasama, Galit, Daisies, Boka, Girl & the Goat, Avec, Lula Cafe, Topolobampo, The Publican, Au Cheval, Maple & Ash, Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Pacific Standard Time, Warlord, Cira, and Frontera Grill. Each is worth planning around, and each is notoriously hard to book, so cancellations are the realistic way in.
How do I get a reservation at the best Chicago restaurants?
Rose is currently an NYC pilot. Direct booking is available for supported Hillstone inventory; select Resy and SevenRooms venues can be monitored with a provider handoff. OpenTable is not currently supported. Text the venue first and Rose will confirm current coverage.