In a perhaps not-very-interesting turn of events, Chicago’s most famous restaurant is also our highest rated. If you have a fancy restaurant bucket list, Alinea is probably on it. Of course, fame and 50-minute features on Chef’s Table don’t necessarily mean a place is worth your time (or in this case, several hundreds of dollars)—but Alinea definitely is. The $295, 15-course mish-mash of flavors is devastatingly good with Thai, Mexican, and French inspirations all at play.
Kasama is a chameleon. By day this Ukrainian Village Filipino spot is a low-key cafe that serves a longanisa breakfast sandwich that could lure any chronic snooze button-hitter out of bed. By night it transforms into a softly lit, fine dining restaurant. Whether we’re just grabbing lunch or celebrating an anniversary with a $235, 13-course dinner, the warm service and spectacular food have us wishing every meal had an “instant replay” option.
If we tell you to spend $200 on a 12-15 course tasting menu, you can count on getting goosebumps at least once during the meal. This fine-dining spot in Lincoln Park has everything we look for in a dinner designed to make us feel as luxurious and cared for as a cherished racehorse. The three-hour dinner never drags, courses flow together seamlessly, and (most importantly) each experiential dish is fun without being too whimsical.
If Xocome Antojeria in Archer Heights were a movie, then the protagonist would be the unbelievable masa, the base for the restaurant’s incredible tacos, tlacoyos, picaditas, enchiladas, and giant quesadillas. And while the masa is the main reason we wish this counter-service spot were open for longer hours the fillings aren’t just supporting characters—they’re stars in their own right. Everything from the rich red mole to the earthy huitlacoche hongos is perfectly seasoned.
This tasting menu spot is a BYOB place in Wicker Park that serves an incredible 12-course dinner for $170 set to the soundtrack of alt hip-hop. The chefs are also the servers, and they’ll casually drop foie gras pancakes in a raisin-miso broth on the table as if they aren’t about to change your life. The restaurant is tiny, the bathroom is in the center of the kitchen, and speaking of the kitchen, yes the table next to you just gave them a six-pack.
If you’ve read this far, clearly Chicago isn’t suffering from a shortage of incredible tasting menu spots. Oriole is another one that will give you one of the best meals of your life for a high price tag ($285). Despite the price, the environment isn’t stuffy at all. Attentive servers provide just the right amount of context while presenting you with dishes that will reframe your thoughts—like a truffle pasta with the power to finally convince you that truffles aren’t just a scam.
This is the first place we make reservations at when someone from the East Coast tells us they're visiting. Every dish is fantastic, from the housemade pastas like cacio e pepe and tortelli di zucca, to the ragu alla Napoletana (with perfectly cooked pork shank, sausage, meatballs, and fusilli), which is one of the most delicious plates of food we’ve ever eaten. And we’ve yet to find a scenario where coming here isn’t a great idea.
This dark steakhouse (filled with plush leather booths and 1920s jazz music) is like hanging out in the windowless parlor of some rich old lady’s mansion. Everything about the space seems designed to keep you there forever, including a basement that has its own separate vibe. It’s also the best steakhouse in a city full of them. And that said, some of the best dishes here (like the fried chicken, short rib stroganoff, and complimentary bread—yes it’s that good) aren’t even steak at all.
Alegrias and its big, fat 8.9 rating is on a stretch of Ashland teeming with mariscos restaurants. Naturally, you might wonder: What makes this West Town spot so special? Is it because it’s BYOB? That there’s a sidewalk patio and garage-style windows? Charmingly chaotic nautical decor and a goofy shark painting ushering you to the upper level? Yes to all of the above. But our love for this place is primarily because of the incredible seafood.
At some point during a meal here everyone experiences what we call “The Galit Moment”—the inevitable realization that this place is f*cking good. The smoky cinnamon-braised brisket hummus could make it happen. Or it could be the zesty Tangier sausage. Perhaps the mushroom-stuffed cabbage with saffron mujadara will be the culprit. This Middle Eastern spot’s $78 tasting menu is just that great.