CHIGuide

Chicago’s New Restaurant Openings

The new restaurant openings you should know about.
Tortelli topped with sage leaves on a scalloped white plate against a black marble background

photo credit: Eric Wolfinger

If you tried to keep track of every new restaurant and bar in Chicago, your head might spin. So just read this list instead. These are the openings that seem like they have the most potential. Although, keep in mind, we make no promises about the places we haven't visited yet. Go forth and be a pioneer—or just keep up with our Hit List to see which new restaurants we checked out and loved.

March 2024

photo credit: Eric Wolfinger

Dining room with floor to ceiling windows lined with tables covered in white tablecloths and warm lighting

Tre Dita

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LA chef Evan Funke has three big-deal Italian restaurants in California (read about the latest one here). Now he’s taking his pasta-making-on-display concept (the “pasta lab”) on the road. His new Tuscan steakhouse just opened in the $700-a-night St. Regis hotel, located in Lakeshore East.

photo credit: Barry Brecheisen

Airy dining room with wood tables, basket-woven chairs, and lots of greenery hanging from the ceiling

La Serre

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Ever wish you could eat crab croquettes and halibut provençale in a greenhouse? La Serre in Fulton Market is the answer to your very specific prayers. From the team behind Lyra and Fioretta, this new French-Mediterranean spot is filled with plants and lots of seafood and steak.

Las Maria's Breakfast Club

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Las Maria’s Breakfast Club is a new family-owned and operated brunch spot in Lincoln Square. You can expect a wide variety of Mexican and American dishes, like chilaquiles, pancakes, and omelets, plus sandwiches and burgers.

photo credit: Gemini Grill

Plate of seven slices of tuna crudo topped with greens and onions and an oil

Gemini Grill

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The owners of Coda Di Volpe and Gemini are expanding south with Gemini Grill in River North. It's currently only open for lunch with a generic American menu of salads and sandwiches, and a dog-friendly courtyard that looks like somewhere we'd be happy to drink a cocktail in the sunshine. Brunch and dinner are coming soon.

photo credit: Kristin Mendiola

A spread of dishes with plates full of soup dumplings and noodles.

Mei's Chicago

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Mei’s is a new South Loop restaurant specializing in Taiwanese, Mandarin, and Szechuan food. Expect pork and scallion bao, braised beef noodle soup, and soup dumplings filled with pork, crab roe, or shrimp.

photo credit: Divan

Three wonton wrappers filled with ham and topped with caviar

Divan

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The debut of this multi-level restaurant in River North ensures that Chicago meets its monthly steakhouse opening quota. Divan’s menu includes caviar and jamon wontons, seafood towers, and of course, lots of cow.

This counter-service Greek spot in Lincoln Park is open from 7am-11pm. This means you can check out Yaya Mas for coffee and bougatsa on the way to work, spinach and feta pie for lunch or dinner, or when it’s 10:30pm and you want Greek cheesecake as a nightcap.

Aside from their namesake arepas, this casual Venezuelan spot in Belmont Cragin has patacónes and empanadas. And for $72, you can get a gigantic sandwich loaded with beef, chicken, and pork.

photo credit: John Stoffer

Interior dining room at Sunda with wooden tables, industrial metal decor, and low lighting

Sunda

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The pricey Asian fusion restaurant Sunda opened a new location in Fulton Market. Like with the original in River North, expect plenty of good sushi, dim sum, and dishes from across Southeast Asia. The only things missing from this second spot are brunch and Happy Hour.

photo credit: @stickykisschicago

Painted bright red brick exterior with a walk-up window and a giant pair of lips painted on the side of the building

Sticky Kiss Cinnamon Rolls

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Sticky Kiss is a West Town walk-up bakery specializing in cinnamon rolls and banana pudding. We know this thanks to the phrase “cinnamon rolls” repeated in giant letters on the sign, and no thanks to the massive lips dripping with icing painted on the side of the red building.

Jerk Soule is a new Jamaican and soul food restaurant in Ashburn. It’s currently takeout-only, so be prepared to get your shrimp po’ boys, jerk chicken, and oxtail dinner to-go.

photo credit: Egg Tuck

A bacon egg and cheese sandwich in a striped box

Egg Tuck

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We tried the original Mag Mile location of this LA-native egg sandwich shop and had strong opinions. Now, Egg Tuck is continuing its Chicago expansion with a second location in Lincoln Park.

photo credit: Sando Street

Eight different sandwiches, halved and lined up in boxes

Sando Street

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Chicago loves sandwiches, whether that’s of the breakfast or Italian beef variety. And considering that newcomer Sando Street was so popular it sold out of musubi, bulgogi, and fruit sandwiches on opening weekend, it looks like Chicago loves this new Wicker Park spot too.

photo credit: Sweet Cafe Chicago

Plate of chicken and waffles dusted with powdered sugar

Sweet Cafe

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Sweet Cafe in Jefferson Park is your source for three square meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and brunch). This new restaurant is open daily from 7-4, so come here for dishes like nutella french toast, chicken and waffles, or chorizo egg skillets to power through that 2pm slump.

February 2024

photo credit: Sushi By Bou

Sushi bar at Sushi By Bou River North

Sushi By Bou

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The Sushi By Bou team opened another speakeasy omakase, this time in the basement of Prosecco in River North. Their 60-minute sushi experience is available as a 12-course option for $60 or 17 courses for $100.

photo credit: Sarah Hickey

Plate with macaroni, tomato and cucumber salad, and a pulled pork sandwich on a bun.

Babygold Barbecue

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Some of the best BBQ in Chicago is actually in nearby Berwyn at Babygold Barbecue. But now they have a spot in the From Here On food hall inside the West Loop’s Old Post Office, so you won’t have to leave city limits for their pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, and barbecue lunch bowls.

Like its sister locations in the South Loop and Devon, Nepal House in Old Town is a sit-down restaurant serving Nepali and Indian food. Expect a similar menu with staples like chicken momos, tikka masala, and lamb vindaloo.

photo credit: Rachel Bires

Plate of steak topped with a compound butter and a side of ketchup and frites

La Grande Boucherie

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We had a strong reaction to Olio E Piu. Now the team behind that Italian trattoria is at it again with La Grande Boucherie, a French brasserie in River North. It's literally “grande," with a 10,000-square-foot space. Expect classic dishes like steak frites and coq au vin, plus brunch with plenty of eggs and croissants. 

The owner of Ooh Wee It Is, one of Chicago’s best spots for soul food, is branching out into Italian. At Maxine’s in Chatham, you can eat king crab linguini, salmon pop tarts, and caesar salad prepared tableside.

photo credit: Andres Ortiz

A heart-shaped ube croissant and other pastries sitting on a wooden board

Bittersweet Pastry Shop

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Lakeview’s Bittersweet is bringing its cake, cookies, and cups of hot chocolate to Pilsen. Besides the tried-and-true favorites, this pastry shop and cafe’s second location also has new dishes like conchas and quiche made with carnitas from Carnitas Uruapan.

photo credit: Garrett Baumer

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Brasero

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We recently checked out Brasero and added it to our Hit List.

The chef behind El Che (one of the best steakhouses in the city) has a new Latin restaurant focused on wood-fire cooking. Head to West Town for Brasero’s shared plates, feijoada for the table, and whole grilled red snapper.   

Flying in the face of the omakase trend, the sushi rolls at this Logan Square spot are only a la carte. Besides classics like spicy tuna and crunchy salmon, Wave Sushi & Sake has a few specialties involving truffle honey and fried onions, plus dishes like donburi and chicken karaage.

Another day, another Chicago steakhouse opening. Casa Latina in Irving Park serves the usual suspects like grilled steaks, chops, and seafood, but they also have a variety of Latin-American dishes, burgers, and sandwiches.

photo credit: Pasta Fasta

Black brick exterior of Pasta Fasta

Pasta Fasta

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Is 2024 the year of fast-casual pasta? Between Italian Homemade Company and two more new spots this week, we’re thinking yes. First, Pasta Fasta is a European chain that just opened its first US location in Lincoln Park. Choose from 15 hot and cold options like carbonara, chicken pesto, or garlic-and-oil pasta salad. 

photo credit: Stefani's Bottega Italiana

Bowl of lasagna bolognese with visible layers of pasta

Stefani’s Bottega Italiana

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The team behind Bar Cargo and the now-closed Tavern On Rush also hopped on the fast-casual Italian trend. Stefani’s Bottega Italiana in Gladstone Park specializes in fresh pasta, sandwiches, and Roman pizza. You can sit down and eat here, or get your tagliatelle to go after watching the kitchen team make it in the “pasta lab.”

There’s a new bar to know about, Wicker Parkers. Mirella’s Tavern is a bar and restaurant serving classic drinks and twists on American dishes. Their eclectic menu has baby back ribs, duck confit quesadillas, and steak with risotto.

January 2024

photo credit: Arielle Spaulding

Bowl of grits topped with short rib

Dawn A.M. Eatery

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Brunch enthusiasts take note: Dawn is now open in Hyde Park. They serve classic Southern comfort food and cocktails for brunch and dinner from 8am-8pm six days a week. You can keep the party going by heading up the street to 14 Parish, a rum bar from the same owners.

Chicago has plenty of great hot dog stands, and Modern Relish is a new-old contender on the scene. That’s because up until December, it was known as Duk’s Red Hots—an iconic West Town spot for 70 years. The owners might be new (and so are the forthcoming patio and liquor license), but the hot dogs, burgers, and fries are the same.

Signature Bar is a joint venture from a former Chicago Bear and the chef behind S.K.YValhalla, and nearby Apolonia. That fact alone makes this South Loop sports bar and restaurant worth keeping an eye on. Expect things like short rib nachos, roasted chicken with red chili butter, and double-patty smashburgers.

photo credit: Butcher And The Bear

A wooden board with different cuts of wagyu steak on it

Butcher And The Bear

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We could make jokes about The Revenant or a certain TV series with a penchant for “yes, chef!”-ing. Instead, we’ll direct you to what we can only assume is the unofficial mascot of this new Italian steakhouse in Lincoln Park. Does Chicago need another Temple of Beef? Maybe not, though this one has a speakeasy-style atmosphere and $140 wagyu steak tasting board.

photo credit: Mistey Nguyen

A bowl of egg salad topped with chorizo verde and chopped chives

FAFO

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Lakeview’s Little Evette’s is getting an overhaul. By day, expect a wine shop. By night, it will host a six-month-long (maybe longer) pop-up featuring late-night food from chefs who worked at Kimski and Momotaro. You can finally fulfill your dream of eating Malört grilled cheese, beet tartare, and matcha deviled eggs with uni and ants at 1am.

There’s a new addition to Chicago’s growing Central Asian restaurant scene. Bai Ordo is an all-day cafe in Lincoln Square, serving dishes like manty, Kyrgyz lamb shank soup, and Uzbek plov. They also offer Turkish breakfast plates and tea.

photo credit: Clayton Hauck

Plate with a double patty burger with fries and a beer and bowl of chili in the background

Ramova Grill & Taproom

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The recently renovated Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport opened an American restaurant called Ramova Grill & Taproom. The restaurant is connected to the venue, so it’s possible to have a pre-show meal with kale caesar salad, chicken pot pie, and beer from Other Half Brewing. Which, according to our colleagues at Infatuation NYC, is one of the best breweries in New York.

photo credit: Momo Factory

A spread of plates with different types of momos on each

Momo Factory

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This is the second location of Momo Factory, a casual restaurant that serves specialty dumplings and other Nepalese street food in River North. But besides 13 different momo options, you can get Indian curries like chicken tikka masala and palak paneer.

Los Tres Hermanos Guerrerenses Restaurant

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Los Tres Hermanos Guerrerenses is a new Mexican restaurant in Ravenswood that highlights food from the state of Guerrero. The menu has tacos, tortas, egg-based breakfast options, and larger entrees like carne asada dinner plates.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot Bridgeport

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One of our favorite hot pot restaurants in the city, Happy Lamb, opened a third location in Bridgeport. Like with the original (and very popular) spot in Chinatown, expect high-quality meat, seafood, and vegetables, plus flavorful broths and a $28 AYCE option.

Seville, a rooftop Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar from the chef behind Siena Tavern, just opened in the Loop’s Hilton Garden Inn. The seasonal menu has paella, pastas, and shared plates of tuna carpaccio or grilled octopus to go with the skyline views.

We recently checked out Faiza and you can read our review here.

Faiza is a new Uyghur restaurant in North Park. Besides Central Asian dishes like samsa, manti, and lagman, they also have a variety of kebabs and salads.

photo credit: Pierogi Kitchen

Plate of pierogis with sour cream in the middle

Pierogi Kitchen

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The husband-and-wife duo behind BBQ joints Ella’s and Earl’s converted their latest venture, Firewood BBQ, into a Polish restaurant. The Wicker Park spot still has some barbecue options—like smoked brisket and pork shank—alongside new sweet and savory pierogis, kielbasa, and soups.

photo credit: Kelly Sandos

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Cariño

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We recently checked out Cariño and added it to our Hit List.

Cariño is a Latin American-inspired tasting menu spot in Uptown from a former Schwa chef. For $190, you’ll get 12-16 courses with dishes like huitlacoche ravioli and churros in mole with foie gras mousse. A late-night taco omakase, coming soon, will include fresh masa tortillas flavored with things like black truffles and shrimp shells.

photo credit: Sandy Noto

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Maxwells Trading

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We recently checked out Maxwells Trading and added it to our Hit List.

This West Loop spot comes from a chef behind Publican and Avec. Besides being relatively casual, Maxwells Trading is hard to classify—prosciutto and gnocco fritto, hummus with beets, pork belly clay pot rice, grilled turbot, and carrot spoon bread all appear on the menu.

December 2023

photo credit: Rachel Bires

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Olio E Piu

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We recently checked out Olio E Piú and you can read our review here.

Olio E Piú is an Italian restaurant that lands in River North by way of NYC. The menu has antipasti like frito misto and lamb meatballs, and pasta like braised lamb pappardelle and chitarra alla carbonara. They also have larger plates like chicken scaloppine or a 38oz grilled ribeye.

photo credit: Daniela Balaeva

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Italian Homemade Company 

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We recently checked out Italian Homemade Company and you can read our review here.

This casual spot comes to the West Loop from San Francisco. Aside from flatbreads and salads, they have a choose-your-own-pasta-and-sauce situation where every dish is under $15. Our SF team named Italian Homemade Company one of the best places to get pasta.

photo credit: Egg Tuck

A bacon egg and cheese sandwich in a striped box

Egg Tuck

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We recently checked out Egg Tuck and you can read our review here.

Egg Tuck is a counter-service spot from LA that, unsurprisingly, focuses on egg sandwiches. The short menu features six sandwiches with everything from avocado to tteok-galbi covered in gochujang glaze, along with four breakfast burritos.

photo credit: Mistey Nguyen

White plate of octopus with potatoes and herbs

Nora

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Nora is a Mediterranean restaurant attached to the Hotel Saint Clair. The shared plates at this Streeterville spot include garlic chili shrimp and crispy pecorino bites with beef tartare, as well as entrees like malloredus with rabbit or baby octopus in a spicy tomato sauce.

photo credit: Jeff Marini

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Bonyeon

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We recently checked out Bonyeon and added it to our Hit List.

Chicago has plenty of omakases, but Bonyeon is the city’s first all-beef option. The couple behind Omakase Yume and TenGoku Aburiya are offering a $255, 12-course omakase at their new West Loop spot. Each course features a different cut of meat using Korean and Japanese cooking techniques.

The owners of Smoque BBQ, one of the best places for brisket and ribs in Chicago, have opened Uppercut Sandwich Co. in Revival Food Hall. But instead of barbecued meats or sous vide steak, you can get meatloaf sandwiches, hot dogs, shrimp rolls, and an Italian beef.

This counter-service spot in Lakeview specializes in, well, shawarma and grilled meats. Along with kofta kabobs and gyro plates with hummus, Shawarma & Grill has a variety of Mediterranean entrees for dine-in or takeout.

photo credit: John Ringor

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Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine

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We recently checked out Tesfa's new location and added it to our Hit List.

One of our favorite Ethiopian spots, Tesfa, moved from Uptown to a larger space in Edgewater. Their menu still includes sambusa, doro wot, combo platters, and weekend breakfast dishes.

photo credit: Kinship Company

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Farm Bar

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Lakeview’s Farm Bar has opened a second spot in Ravenswood. As with the original, this restaurant uses ingredients from local farms for dishes like cheese curds, lamb patty melts, honey-brined chicken, and housemade cider.

photo credit: Chi-Latin

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Chi-Latin

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We recently checked out Chi-Latin and you can read our review here.

Chi-Latin is a new bar and restaurant from one of the owners of Dell Rooster (one of our favorite spots for Happy Hour, breakfast, and really, any occasion). At this new Latin American tavern in West Town, expect dishes like ceviche, enchiladas, and steak with influences from across Central and South America.  

photo credit: Jareun Krung

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Jareun Krung

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We recently checked out Jareun Krung and you can read our review here.

Lincoln Park has a new option for Thai food. Open for lunch and dinner, Jareun Krung offers a selection of Thai staples like pad thai, green curry, and dishes like braised beef massaman.

photo credit: PrimeTime Bar & Grill

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Primetime Bar & Grill

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We recently checked out Primetime Bar & Grill and you can read our review here.

Fans of smashburgers, rejoice. There are no less than seven smashburgers on the menu at Primetime Bar & Grill, a new sports bar and restaurant in Albany Park. Besides “double with bacon” and spicy chorizo versions, you can also get your smashburger on top of fries or in quesadilla form.

photo credit: Gangnam Market

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Gangnam Market

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Gangnam Market is a massive Asian supermarket that opened earlier this year. Now, this West Town complex’s food hall has officially launched, with a full bar and six stalls that serve sushi, bibimbap, and ramen (plus more). There’s also a bakery and coffee shop.

photo credit: Kinship Company

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Terra E Mare

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We recently checked out Terra E Mare and you can read our review here.

This new Italian spot in the Loop focuses on seasonal produce and housemade pasta. Terra E Mare’s menu includes squid ink chitarra with clams, crab, and n'duja, alongside a few pizzas and larger entrees like confit duck leg.

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The dining room at Maxwells Trading with wooden tables and large windows on the left side

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