50 Best American Restaurants in Chicago

“By far the best 🍔 I’ve ever had! The fusion of flavors 🤯“

“Beautiful food and wine. Great atmosphere. Staff that were attentive without being overbearing. Michelin stars. And a 5m walk from the apartment. This could become an expensive habit!“

“Absolute dominance from a restaurant that is less than a month old. You thought you've had it all, that Chicago couldn't possibly have yet ANOTHER banger in Wicker Park, but i'll be damned, here we are. The cracklin' shrimp is so well done, I would eat a bowl of it. Lemony, spicy, deep fried deliciousness. The half chicken was among the best I've ever had (whatever that green sauce was, was KILLING IT) not to mention my wife's elote lasagna?!?! I can't wait to go back. THE MANAGER EVEN SMELLED GREAT. Victory!“

“My favorite restaurant in the world. Seriously. Hands down. When I go to Chicago, I am making reservations at the Purple Pig for at least two of the nights. Bone marrow and pig ears are a must. But you can’t go wrong. Did I mention it’s my favorite?“

“Gilt Bar "gets it". A foodies playground. Top notch flavor and beautiful decor throughout. The Ron Zacapa 23 Rum is 🤌🏾 Oh, and don't forget to take a few pics in the photo booth downstairs 📸“

“Absolutely delicious!! Can't wait to come back“

“Everything was great. They served a lot of foods that I normally dont like, but the way they presented it was so delicious. For example I absolutely hate bananas but they served a banana desert that was delicious, I ate every bite. I would def recommend this place for anyone looking for a delicious tasting menu. And the service was superb.“

“The food sounded fancy and tasted SO good! Our server, Andrew, came up with the most delicious drinks! Superb service! We’ll be back!!“

“Have never had a bad meal here. Service is top notch for such a busy spot.“

“We went last night for the first time… Great menu options, food was delicious, portions were perfect, staff was really nice. I had the Grilled Salmon, he had the Braised Pork Shoulder…definitely recommend both.“

“The food was very good. But this is definitely a place where you are paying for excellent and it was not quite that. Appetizers and desert were great, wine list as well. But the salmon I had for my main was underwhelming—the marinade was far too heavy on the fish sauce.“

“my best friend and I just had the BEST experience at the whale! Our waitress taylor was incredible and the manager (so sorry but we never got his name because he was just being so nice to us) was incredible as well. We will definitely return with friends and recommend anyone to try it out! classy, but not snobby, cool decor, warm kind and accommodating staff, and great food and cocktails are just the cherry on top! try the carrot cake after your meal :) Thank you again to taylor and the manager again <3“

“10/10 experience with Eddie! Had a birthday event for some friends and he was super helpful and accommodating! Definitely would recommend this place! Can’t wait to come back!“

“I love this American restaurant, the food is delicious, satisfying and enjoyable. I especially love the burgers and fries, they are freshly made and very authentic. In addition, the environment here is also very comfortable and spacious, which makes people feel very relaxed and happy. The waiters are also very friendly and welcoming, they always greet guests with a smile and provide many useful tips and recommendations. All in all, this is a very good American restaurant and I will come here often to enjoy the food and time.“

“soy de puerto rico es la primera vez que los visito y fue la mejor experiencia gastronómica de todo mi viaje en este espectacular restaurante, El gerente MIGUEL excelenteeeee el mejorrrrrr gerente, servicio de excelencia 100%, el trato fue increible ademas de Luis que fue sin duda alguna mas que excelente tambien. En fin todos muy amables y la comida omg ! divina !!!!!!!“

“We’re huge fans of The Bear, which steered us here on our Chicago trip - so glad we found this place! We loved the mushroom adobo and longnanisa breakfast sandwich! The mango tarts were amazing, as were our lattes. We left with an apple hand pie to eat the following morning, which was still had perfectly crispy pastry. Definitely worth the hour wait to get in.“

“LOVE Gemini. Their bottomless has a great variety, and my food has been amazing every time!“

“I was blown away by the performers and the fashion, not to mention the beautifully decorated space! A truly magical experience!“

“A very creative kitchen serves up surprising dishes in every course, even dessert, where many restaurants just go through the motions. They also serve up cocktails that you are not likely to see anywhere else. What comes as no surprise, is that they are a Michelin starred restaurant.“

“The food was great. The wait staff was courteous and professional.“

“Great happy hour daily 5-6pm The burgers are so good !! Always fun“

“Enjoyed the Christmas pop-up, very festive and the food is fantastic!“

“Great food, family friendly!“

“Amazing, a perfect evening.“

“Astonishing as always. Thanks Billy Lawless for making my proposal to my wife celebrated at your restaurant 10 years ago, very special.“

“Best place to eat in Chicago! I started going there when the owner became a client of the company I was working for in the mid-90s, setting up cash registers in the restaurant he opened for his nephew. I no longer live in Chicago, but make it a point to stop there and speak with the owner every chance I get. Always great food and exceptional service! You may have to wait in line, though. Understandably, it's a very popular place!“

“Esme is truly an experience to have. We did the menu and the wine pairing and it was amazing. From the presentation to the food was unbelievable and will definitely do it again as it changes quarterly“

“Good food, good variety. R&B classics playing in the background. What more could you ask?“

“Went with my daughter and her bestie for brunch.. cute place, my food was really good(avocado toast) and they enjoyed their food and the endless mimosas.. friendly staff,relaxed atmosphere , overall pleasant experience for us😊“

“One of our favorite places to eat when we’re in Chicago. Love the atmosphere, food and cocktails. Will be back soon.“

“I had one of the best dinner experiences ever, the food was outstanding but the service was extra special. We will be back! Congratulations“

“I went for a friends graduation brunch, and it was definitely a hopping spot in the city, and I can see the appeal for the rooftop views alone, but I think it’s a bit overpriced for what you’re getting in my opinion. I had the biscuits and gravy ($25) which was fine but also strange in that it tasted more like a chowder than gravy. I also got the chocolate chip cookies which were and came in an order of 3 for $12. As I said, a bit overpriced for cookies, but actually felt worth it for their size and deliciousness. Of course, part of why you’re coming here is for the views and this place did not disappoint! Despite it being a very hot day outside, there was a good crowd out there especially because there’s a bar on the patio as well. And even though it was very busy throughout the entire time there, my party and I had fairly consistent service, although I did have my drink order forgotten, but the server ended up comping me for it, which made up for it.“

“Great food, ambiance and service. 👍“

“We stopped in today on a tip and what a delicious treat! Highly recommend!“

“We came to celebrate my husband’s birthday last night. The service was great and the food was perfect. If we ever come back to town this will be a must do. We weren’t sure what to expect since his brother planned the dinner but I couldn’t have asked for anything better.“

“While staying at the Marriott Mag Mile (which is literally right across the street) we came here for a business dinner one weeknight. There were 5 in our party and we were quickly seated at our reservation time. Server and all service was great! Menu is amazing – Loaded with so many options from handhelds made with fresh, house-made bread to sushi to steaks… Such an eclectic menu and everything we tried was perfectly executed!

I’m not a fan of sushi, but I tried a few different rolls and loved them all… I loved one so much, I had several pieces of it! Their Chicago Dog is a must have! We actually got it sliced into a few pieces to share and that was the perfect amount to allow enjoyment of all the other items we ordered. And save room for dessert – They do an excellent job with that as well!

We all enjoyed the experience and will return!“

“Stopped by for a brunch date with my husband. We had bottomless mimosas which was a great option. The breakfast nachos and churro French toast were both very good. The views were beautiful and you can’t heat that. Service was a tad slow but overall a good experience and would come back!“

“What a great experience! All four of us enjoyed everything we ordered. The food was delicious and fresh and the service was friendly. We are going putting Blue Door on our list for when we are in Chicago next.“

“We love their Filipino breakfast combos. Service is excellent as well.“

“I'm from Iowa, took a little weekend trip to Chicago. A friend told us we HAD to try Lula's. SO thankful we did. I will be traveling back to Chicago just to take my mom here. Outstanding service from every single employee, incredible food, and just overall 10/10. Absolutely recommend.“

“We had a delicious breakfast and the service was Excellent. Looking forward to coming back for lunch and mock tails.“

“Fantastic from start to finish.“

“The best food !!!Thank you guy.“

“Great place! The farmers market was a bonus! Enjoyed the exhibits , Calder was an inspiration in my youth! Lunch was superb! To bad we live in Virginia Beach or I would be a regular!“

“Went there today for the first, but definitely not last time. The food was extraordinary.“

“Amazing food. Great atmosphere. What more can be said?“

“Stopped by Philly Bros and tried the Chicago Philly and the Philthy Burger both were absolutely delicious. The food was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The service was just as impressive: friendly, welcoming, and quick. Great experience overall, and I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend!“

“We are visiting from Indiana and my husband, myself and our toddler had a wonderful experience! Our food was great and came very quickly. Our pomegranate margaritas were delicious. My husband ordered a side of bacon to go with his salad and the kitchen took the extra step to cut it up for him when they didn't have to. And while the restaurant is an upscale mature environment, they were extremely accommodating to our toddler and were so very friendly and warm to our family. From the hosts, to our waiter, to each employee who passed by everyone was so warm and welcoming. We will 100% return!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Sweet Maple Cafe in the 9th District, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share my experience! The food was absolutely incredible—each bite was a delightful treat. A special shoutout to Twilla, the manager, and her wonderful staff, who made us feel right at home with their warm hospitality. Supporting our local businesses is so important, and Sweet Maple Cafe is a shining example of the quality and care we have in our community. I highly recommend stopping by for a meal—you won’t be disappointed!“

“Wonderful Mother’s Day menu; great wine pairing.“