From its early days as a pop-up followed by a spot in a food hall to its current charming home in Avondale, Thattu has earned many loyal fans along the way—and I’m one of them. There’s a lot of heart and soul here, courtesy of the wife-and-husband team behind it, Margaret Pak and Vinod Kalathil. Come for deeply flavorful dishes from Kerala—on the southwestern Indian coast—like black chickpea coconut curry and fish steamed in banana leaves, enhanced by warm and thoughtful service.

Unless you’re a tourist heading to Navy Pier, Robert’s might not be on your radar. But after trying one of the thin-crust pizzas, I bet that will change. Here, New York native Robert Garvey channels his 20-year culinary journey to create the perfect pizza dough—chewy and crispy—into pies that have earned spots on best-of lists. Not happy to rest on his laurels, Garvey can often be found working the room at this waterfront spot. My crustless plate speaks volumes.

There’s a lot to love about this MICHELIN-starred modern American restaurant beyond its name, which means “love” in Danish. The synergy between wife-and-husband chefs Anna and David Posey can be seen on the beautiful, often changing plates, which might include smoked duck liver tart or smoked Fjord trout with beets. There is so much personality here that I find it impossible to resist—from the flavorful, only-found-here dishes to the pretty wallpaper in the restrooms illustrated by Anna.

Timeless and elegant Boka effortlessly walks the line between special-occasion restaurant and neighborhood gem. Open for more than 20 years, MICHELIN-starred Boka has thoughtfully evolved with updated decor (check out the preserved moss wall) and new chefs—and it’s been a joy for me to experience all of its iterations. Chef Lee Wolen crafts seasonal American cuisine that’s always delicious and never precious—think black truffle-roasted chicken and ricotta gnudi.

From its massive custom wood-burning hearth and kitschy trinkets on the walls to the Argentinian-leaning menu, El Che is filled with shoutouts to chef-owner John Manion’s South American childhood. The cozy West Loop spot is a full-fledged reflection of Manion’s connection to the continent—which means delicious flame-kissed steaks, seafood, vegetables, an entirely South American wine list, and gracious service that makes you feel like you are part of the family.

As neighborhood restaurants go, Mart Anthony’s is the one everyone wishes they could call their own—even if they don’t live around the corner. The third-generation spot sticks to family recipes for Italian dishes like meat lasagna, braciola, and chicken Vesuvio, all paired with old-school hospitality. Whether you sit at the bar or a table, conversations will flow—with bartenders, servers, and fellow diners. And look out for Marty Fest, its annual summer street festival, which is legendary.

With its every-night-is-a-party attitude, this New Orleans-inspired spot never fails to bring a smile to my face. Taking its name from chef Brian Jupiter’s great-grandmother, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient Ina Mae’s channels everything I love about a dive bar—laidback service, wallet-friendly prices—and ups the ante with hearty portions of Southern hits like fried catfish po’ boys and crispy fried chicken. Saving room for beignets can be challenging, but you should do it anyway.

Long before oysters became ubiquitous at restaurants all over town, Shaw’s was a go-to for bivalve fanatics—and, some 40 years later, still is. Whether you sit in the retro dining room or at the friendly Oyster Bar (think Cheers but with awesome seafood), Shaw’s is the kind of place that always feels perfect, no matter your mood. A bowl of the New England clam chowder served with golf ball-size oyster crackers is good for whatever ails you.

With a focus on first-gen Korean American food, MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Perilla gives chef Andrew Lim a big culinary sandbox to play in. Sure, you’ll find traditional Korean dishes like kimchi stew and barbecue meats. But here, grill options also include mushrooms from a local indoor mushroom farm. Perilla gets bonus points for being all about unique local purveyors and cool collabs with other Chicago restaurants, and it’s this inclusive side that sets this cross-cultural fave apart.

With two industry vets behind it—Tony Priolo handles the kitchen, Ciro Longobardo runs the wine program—Piccolo Sogno has been a Chicago go-to restaurant for years for those looking to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries. During the warmer months, the expansive, plant-filled patio is prime dining real estate. Pro tip: Order housemade pastas, like the pappardelle with wild boar ragu, in appetizer-size portions to save room for one of the stellar wood-fired pizzas.