Planta Queen

This Asian-fusion vegan spot in River North is the rare plant-based restaurant where the food is good and enough of a scene to earn its downtown address. Planta Queen's space is sleek, has a thump-y music playlist that may briefly make you consider going clubbing afterward, and the long menu is full of dishes that are objectively tasty—whether you’re vegan or not. There’s spicy tuna nigiri made with spicy dehydrated watermelon, jackfruit chicken wings that somehow mimic crispy skin, and firm udon noodles swimming in a silky truffle mushroom cream sauce. The large space has plenty of seats for couples, but also enough big booths for a group of friends.