New American Restaurants near Lincolnwood, IL

“I have no idea what these people are talking about that left 1 star reviews. I really really love the wings from this place the Buffalo sauce is very good and the fries are not bad at all and I’m picky with fries. Combo is a great price and I got like at least 8 people from my job to eat here and they ALL love them. I frequently go here for lunch when I’m at work and even make the drive from home sometime because I crave them.“

“Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago that’s well deserving of its Michelin bib award. Literally every single dish we ordered was perfect and unique. The crispy chicken, for example, was served in a delicious coconut jus with subtle flavors that will keep you wondering how the heck they cooked everything so perfectly!Reservations are recommended as this spot gets pretty busy, but the service was quick despite the dining room being so busy.I can’t wait to come back here and try everything else on their menu.“

“We were looking forward to our dinner at Elske's. I originally chose Elske because it is my wife's nickname but when I read the reviews, we really got excited. Elske did not disappoint. The restaurant has a super vibe, and our server, Paul, was fabulous. He was very personable, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable. There was no question about any of the foods or beverages offered that he could not answer thoroughly. A real pleasure of a guy. We ordered the tasting menu, and each course was a culinary journey. It was a wonderful melding of flavors and textures. It was hard to decide on a favorite. The Hamachi, Cod, and Duck Liver were amazing. The Striploin was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The star of the night was the dessert. It had so much flavor and complexity. We could understand the following that this restaurant has. We look forward to a return visit. Thank you for a wonderful experience“

“Food was incredible. Entire team was fantastic. Everyone was so nice and friendly. One of the best dinners we’ve had in all our global travels. This is food made with LOVE. If we lived in Chicago, Jeong would be a staple restaurant for us.“

“We had dinner at Northpond last summer. We had a very enjoyable dinner experience of Michelin quality.There was a very delicious tasting menu of 4 courses with wine pairing. My boyfriend and I prefer different dishes and taste each other's plates. So I tasted 8 different dishes and they all impressed me very much. Wine selections were also very good.I hope everyone can experience this experience at least once.“

“Love Kasama! I’ve been back each time I visit the city and the breakfast is banging. I know the sandwich + hash-brown is iconic and a must try but their other food is equally as delicious. Would highly recommend ordering online to skip the line if you don’t plan to eat inside.“

“The aesthetics are everything. Service is fine (they mixed up our reservations but figured it out in about 15 minutes and we were seated at our preferred spot), their burger is good, but the ribeye sandwich and Prosecco peach drink were meh. I was a little disappointed with their short menu options (and tiny dessert menu). It’s also definitely more expensive than it should be. Would probably only go back because of how pretty it is!“

“This place has a cool, hip vibe and it’s fun to eat at the communal tables. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great variety of beer and creative craft cocktails. Food is beautifully plated and delicious - make sure to try the potatoes, baby gem salad and hanger steak.“

“First time at The Whale for a friend's birthday, we ended up there during happy hour (a happy accident) and the drinks and food options were inexpensive and delicious! Emily our waitress was fantastic as well, super bubbly and sweet, thank you Emily!“

“The staff at Lula Cafe was incredibly accommodating to our almost 2-year-old toddler. After we met the owner, another server came over and even addressed our son by his first name! It was such a small but thoughtful touch. In addition, the owner knew we were traveling home the next day so she took the liberty to make our last dish a little smaller so we didn't have leftovers that would go to waste. I was just blown away by the attention to details and hospitality. As a huge bonus, the food and cocktails were incredible! Will definitely go back when we find ourselves in Chicago again.“

“Our dining experience here was truly delightful. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, making for a comfortable dining environment. Service was exceptional, particularly thanks to our outstanding waitress who went above and beyond. We indulged in a variety of dishes, including drinks, naan and dips, fire-roasted broccoli, roasted beets, shrimp salad, pork belly, pig face, pork shank, and goat empanadas. Among the highlights were the empanadas, pork shank, and broccoli, though everything we tried was excellent. I would gladly return for both the delectable food and the top-notch service.“

“What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said or known to be true. Little bad wolf has the best Mac and cheese I've ever had in my life. I don't know what they do but it's liquid crack in those noodles and I just can't get enough of it.The burgers there are also top five in Chicago. Definitely try the bao buns and the tacos as well as they have tons of flavor and they never disappoint. One of my favorite appetizers is the elotes which is absolutely amazing.I love this place I just wish it was closer to me and they took reservations but I'll keep coming back as long as they got the liquid cheddar crack.“

“Update: We were generously welcomed back to Ever for a second go at the experience and it was starkly different and very enjoyable. The food was well executed and the service was incredibly personal. They somehow recognized me and addressed me by first name when entering which was very impressive! Ryan was our sommelier for the evening and his personality and descriptions of the wines were amazing to listen to, and his passion was evident. Paulina's attentiveness and care for our experience was a bright spot as well on the evening. Based on this experience we could definitely recommend Ever, but hopefully you get this the first time around. Thanks Ever team for a great redemption and treating us to a very special evening!Original review for reference:My wife and I dined at Ever for our anniversary this year, and I had contemplated leaving a review but decided to share our experience. We were unfortunately let down. Overall, the food was not what we expected. There were a couple dishes that were very salty, and at least one that just lacked flavor in general. The hamachi was incredible, though, i wish the rest was just as good. The service, although very professional and consice, simply lacked personality and any sense of individualism. It also just felt a bit rushed and that they were on a mission to complete the job. We were asked to supply them with info on special occasions before we arrived, which I did. I expected at least the service staff to be aware of our anniversary but as we walked in the hostess asked us if we were celebrating anything and us telling her was clearly the first time any employee there had heard it. We've dined elsewhere at less rewarded and reputed restaurants where even the valet knew, and we were greeted with a special glass of wine and handwritten note. I don't want to sound pretentious here...but the bill was not light. We spent a significant amount of money at Ever only to leave feeling unfulfilled, and we are not partivularly wealthy. However, we are both in the food industry and looked at this experience as a sort of pilgrimage. Perhaps we should have said something while there but I think we were just a bit shocked. I would not recommend the Ever experience.“

“Just so LOVELY. Hubby and I went for Restaurant Week a few months ago and talk very often about returning. We love the idea of a rotating menu that goes with the designs of an artist. Raspy Rivera was featured when we went. Just wow. Innovative, mesmerizing, delicious. Service was top-notch. We can't wait to go back and see the decor and taste the food when the next artist is featured. Congratulations to Chef for being a James Beard finalist.“

“Updated review, still a very solid cocktail bar even if the rules on cell phones and dress code have gotten a bit lax over the years.Menu all around is good and the bar tenders are very knowledgeable. Space overall is pretty quiet and arranged in such a way that things feel very private.Worth stopping by at least onceLook for the recessed door, you could walk by without ever knowing it's there!“

“Truly enjoyed the Puttery experience! We came in on a Saturday during St. Patrick’s day weekend. Fortunately, Ryan advised us to come during a time in which we can enjoy the game and the ambiance.The restaurant/bar area on the 2nd floor was great for eating and obtaining our amazing drinks. They have some of the best mixed drinks in West Loop! The BBQ on Saturday Night was my favorite. We took our drinks to the 3rd floor in the lounge/bar to have a nice, cozy conversation before the game. The patio had some great views of West Loop.We took to the holes when we were all warmed up for our mini golf session. Although the 3rd floor course had flatter and more adventurous areas, the 2nd floor course was more intimate and challenging. There can only be up to 4 people in a traveling group though. My date and I ended up having a fun time.I want to thank Ryan, the manager, for helping to make this a memorable experience. We will be back soon with friends.“

“Such a special place regardless of the season. The views can't be beat and the menu choices are interesting. Food preparation is delicious and beautifully plated. It's fun to bring people here and see their surprise at this hidden gem in the middle of Streeterville. Service is attentive and not intrusive.“

“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.“

“We reserved Cindy’s in advance. Showed up 8 minutes before reservation and were told we couldn’t be seated despite restaurant was empty. In the reservation, it was stated that we were celebrating my friend’s birthday yet no mention was ever made of this during our experience. Additionally, since it was a celebration we requested a table with a view but (despite restaurant being empty) we were seated by the bar which is farthest from the view. The service was good. The crab roll sandwich was tasty but not worthy of $28. My friend loved the protein bowl. It’s a beautiful location but I was disappointed with the lack of acknowledgement to our special event as well as the late seating in a less-desirable location despite being empty and reserving in advance.“

“We came here for our anniversary and did the tasting menu. First off, the atmosphere is so lovely, so warm, inviting, and welcoming. They offer to take your coats before sitting you at your table. We sat in the back area underneath the beautiful glass canopy. Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. This was our first time at a Michelin starred restaurant, and the service alone was worth it! My husband joked that his glass of water was never even a little bit empty. They were that impressive! All the dishes were superb. Each glass of wine paired so perfectly with each dish, creating multiple flavor profiles every time. The trout was unbelievable, I've never had fish that tender. At the end of the meal, they gave us to go snacks and a menu of our meal including the wine! The pound cake treat was phenomenal. Can't wait to come back!!“

“It's not just the food that makes a restaurant, it's also the vibe. The minute you enter Oriole you know you're in for an evening that you won't soon forget. Never have had such attentive yet not overbearing service. These people are doing what they love and if not they are excellent at acting like they do! Oriole is about you enjoying the complete experience of fine dining without being stuffy or pretentious. It's been a week and I can still feel the serotonin buzz every time I think of one of the gastronomically amazing dishes or delicious wine pairings that my friend and I had. I know I'm laying it on thick but so wowed by everything!“

“Gilt bar’s happy hour is lively classy and delicious. Definitely try and show up right around 4 as it gets packed quickly. But mostly is standing room. We stood near the bar and the service was impressive for how busy it got. The bartender really could shake those drinks! The $7 teeny espresso martini for me and husband ordered an old fashioned with wild turkey rye $8 ...bartender asked if he wanted to upgrade to the Bourbon the drink increased to $17. He should have said something. Errrr. Seats opened at the bar. (Only can order food if seated) We ordered the mussels which had a lemon vermouth sauce. Dipping the crusty bread in the sauce was my favorite part. The ambiance is fancy and artfully arranged. (4.5/5)“

“I haven’t been impressed with Italian food here in Chicago until now. This place is seriously good. The appetizers recommended by our server were outstanding. Superb flavors. Handmade pasta dishes were very, very good. The final course of pork collar was phenomenal. I would definitely recommend this place over others.“

“Fantastic food here. It's flawless from a taste and presentation stand point. The only issue - portions are never enough! The appetizers were great. The carrot soup was thick and rich, with a nice play on the texture with the pecan granola. Chicken was grilled to perfection as well, a lot like Roister.“

“Ivonne was a fantastic waitress and the food was immaculately put together. The flavors and textures were incredible and I'm glad to have ventured out of the downtown area to explore. I loved that they attempt to do farm-to-fork on a micro scale... how cool and clever.“

“A not so hidden gem as of late now that reviews are catching up with the imaginative menu and exceptional dining experience Community Tavern has been consistently providing over the past several years. Menu is full of unique dishes… elevated dumpling and noodles are a signature. Beautifully plated and generous- but not overly. Cocktail menu is fun, with zero proof options that are spot on. Save room for baked Alaska. Oh, and ambiance is chic but allows the focus to be where it belongs. On the food. Upscale West Loop experience in modest Portage Park for a lot less and no pretense.“

“I came here with a group of girlfriends and Brian was an amazing server. He gave us great suggestions for the appetizers and entrees. Uli the bartender made us some delicious cocktails. We are coming back. Thank you brain and uli for an amazing experience!“

“We loved our experience at Giant! We’ve been wanting to eat here for a while and thought what better time than to go out for my birthday. My wife and I can’t say enough great things about the food, our server Bailey and the whole experience. Bailey was the best server ever! We love her and will definitely be back.“

“This place was fantastic!! We ended up going at 2 PM for a late lunch on a Saturday thinking we'd get in easily, but it was nearly packed. We were still able to get in without a reservation. I was impressed by the quality of the food and particularly the knowledge of the waitress who knew an amazing amount of detail about the wine. We will absolutely go again.“

“I went there with 2 friends for a quick drink. I had a delicious cocktail with Mezcal (can't remember the name) and we ended up ordering the Chocolate Crunch dessert which was out of this world! I would go back just for that, but now I really want to try their other food as well. The menu looks amazing. The atmosphere was cozy yet upscale. I highly recommend this place!“

“Gather is simply my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Every dish is incredible: the ricotta-honey spread and buttery toast, citrus cured salmon with fried egg, carmelized brussels sprouts with aioli...and that's before you even get to the entrees. Truth be told, I've never actually made it to dessert here because I'm already so stuffed from everything else.The decor is classy but comfortable; you'll dine by candlelight with a list of appealing cocktails ready to hand. If you're lucky, you can sit with a direct view of the kitchen where you can watch the magic happen.Incredible spot--if this place ever closes, you can rest assured that I will weep bitter tears for it. Please go eat here so that doesn't happen.“

“Love to have this breakfast and bunch place at my neighborhood!Kid-friendliness: My son loves their pancakes, fish and chip and the welcoming cakes so much! They even made a watermelon juice out of the menu for him just because he asked for. Coloring, books and toys for their little customers too.“

“The food was great and we sat in a very nice area. Near the restrooms. The prices are a little high but the food is great Location is great I do not know where the parking is since we took a limo there and back. This ocean prime is very good“

“We held my mom's birthday in Bistronomic's private room, and I could not recommend Bistronomic more as a place for a private party. Planning was effortless and fun, and the team, led by Lulu, was so flexible and fast. The experience day of was one to remember -- great food, great service, great ambience. Thank you, Lulu and Bistronomic team!“

“If you’re thinking of mimosas and good food on a Saturday morning. Parlay might just have to be your best bet! Perfect location to come in after Friday night hangs and just enjoy company with friends. Did I mention the mimosas are bottomless? Sports & Brunch enthusiasts you’ll love this place.“

“Visiting family at the nearby hospital, and as a fan of the MCA, the Marisol has become my place to get away from the medical world to a place that feels like home. And wow how my family and I feel welcome.The food is and has always been excellent, with many healthy options. I just stopped by for a veggie burger and leek soup that were out of this world. My sister wanted to come by just as they were closing, and our server Ian made sure she could order and feel incredibly welcome.The visit lightened our day at a very heavy time. We really appreciate this wonderful venue, service, and food. This place is nourishing in so many ways.“

“My wife and I have never been to a Michelin star restaurant and now that we live in Chicago, we had plenty of options. For our second baby moon we decided to treat ourselves to an experience at El Ideas. The whole experience was amazing! The location is really unassuming and not in some pretentious building or area. It was such a laid back yet exquisite experience. Guests were allowed to wonder the space and take in the food preparation. You could ask questions of the chefs. It was really neat and nothing like I've ever experienced. Since there are a limited number of reservations the entire staff is really attune to guests needs. I have no complaints about any of the dishes. Some of the standout dishes were the shrimp dish which was an ode to the history of Chicago fried shrimp. The Swedish style meatball cooked in smoked beef tallow with gnocchi was so well balanced. The smoked duck bahn mi and smoke duck pho was amazing . The Lamb dish was out of this world! I'm still in awe of the vanilla shake and fries dessert. It was truly a work of art. The vanilla with the crunchy potato bits and potato and leak soup just worked. I could take one of those every day. This experience is definitely worth it! I hope to be back in the future!“

“We were not expecting The Smith to still be on the brunch menu when we arrived but it not only was but absolutely delicious. Our server was attentive and I just cannot adequately express how great the food tasted. I honestly thought the “flatiron” steak would be a little dry, but it wasn’t! In fact, it was one of the best cooked and tasting steaks I’ve eaten. Our son got the strip and he also said it was one of the best he has eaten. My husband got the eggs Benedict and he said it was awesome. The brunch menu was an incredibly great value which included a breakfast cocktail of your choice. This was the first time we have eaten here and it definitely will not be the last. We will come here as often as possible. I do not take great pictures (and had already eaten the eggs off my flatiron steak), but you can see how great everything looked.“

“Very kind and careful staff cared about our experience from the moment we booked all the way till we left feeling happy and fat. My beautiful bride and I enjoyed their tasting menu with obvious tweaks to her vegetarian diet. Everything was delicious, surprising, and fun. The NA drink pairings were wonderfully inspired and amazing. 11/10.“

“TL;DR - If you’re even slightly thinking about coming here, just do it. Revolution has the best beer in the city, fantastic food, and incredible staff.A lot of breweries in Chicago excel in making their one or two specialty styles of beer, and that’s it. Revolution, on the other hand, is able to guarantee high quality and incredibly drinkable beer across just about every style you can think of. I normally hate those dark, boozy, 15+% ABV beers, yet I drink every single one that Rev puts out and I love it. Their “Hero”-series IPAs will make even the biggest IPA hater second guess their hatred. And their sours (usually released during the summer) are so good, you will question how something this good can be alcoholic. Revolution doesn’t put out a beer that isn’t incredible, so you can pick a beer at random and be sure to enjoy it.Recently, the Brewpub renovated their space and, with it, re-did a lot of their menu. The space is cozy, yet upscale (the seating is significantly comfier than it once was with new plush seating). The new food is also really high quality - much higher than you would expect from a brewery. A lot of detail is put into plating and presentation (Mushrooms & Tofu, for example, looks like a piece of art), and still it tastes somehow even better than it looks. In addition to more upscale menu items, you’re also able to get a lot of that “typical” bar food here that fully delivers (pretzel, cheese curds, fries, etc.). The only gripe I could possibly have here is on the pricing of some of the food. This does not apply to the whole menu though, just some items that feel like they are priced higher than they should be (e.g. Lion’s Mane mushrooms, a starter, costs the same as the Mushrooms & Tofu, an entree, despite being significantly less food and sharing some similar ingredients. Why?!). If you can view this less as a bar and more like a nicer restaurant (which, with the renovation completed, is easy to do), then the pricing is a lot more palatable.The ambiance, food, and drinks are all great, but it’s the staff at Revolution that keeps me coming back though. They’re all so friendly, personable, passionate, and professional - they are the kind of people that make your night out feel special. My fiancé and I have celebrated birthdays, engagements, job offers, anniversaries, and so much more here because of how wonderful the staff are in celebrating and creating such a fun environment to be in. They make Revolution a place we want to go whenever we want to have a good time out. There are just too many people to name (Magnolia, Drake, Erwin, Makenna, Amy, Matt, just to name a few) - but rest assured that we love just about everyone who has served us here. So much so, that my fiancé and I are getting married here later this year!This is the easiest 5 stars I have ever handed out. I have so little to say about places that are “meh”, so the length of this review should show how much I love it here. I’ve come here at least every week for the last 2+ years, and I don’t have any intention of slowing down anytime soon. If you’re still reading this, please stop reading and start drinking, and do it at the Brewpub! You won’t regret it!Vegetarian options: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here. Standouts include the veggie burger (vegan by default), Mushrooms & Tofu (vegan), and a delicious pretzel with beer cheese (vegetarian and oh so good).“

“Went to experience Mimi's as fries are my favorite and who doesn't enjoy good tacos. My family and I ordered Birria tacos, loaded Jerk fries, sautéed broccoli and the house made Italian ice. The food was 8/10, I have had the pleasure of tasting other fusion Jerk type tacos in past this was sweet with slight heat and super enjoyable. My only complaint is if I'm going to a place that has Fries in name, I'd like to think fries should be handmade and a star standing alone I don't think that is the case here. The broccoli though was insane with garlic butter, I'd go back just for them tbh.“

“My husband and I really enjoy great service and paired with good food; it is worth our time and money. Even though our visit was on the spur of the moment, we were able to get a great table. We arrived about 30 min to an hour before the restaurant became full. We were treated the same as those who had prior reservations and we were not rushed.The service/sever was great. Alex was very familiar with the menu, providing excellent descriptions of specials . Alex was attentive, checking to make sure we were enjoying our meal. Alex was also kind and friendly. Our meal (roasted chicken) was delicious. The chicken was cooked to perfection….very tender. If we could change one thing (minor) would be the lemon and caper jus. Flavor/taste was good, but it was just a little too much for us….the mash potatoes (which were tasty) disappeared into the jus. Loved the kale…very tender. Now, for the dessert(s); we are not sure how often the dessert menu changes, but the dessert menu on Saturday, April 12, 2024, presented a hard choice. Saving calories, we opted to share….we chose the Pound Cake filled with warm banana pudding, and drizzled with a rum sauce. This dessert was “De-Lish”, and worth every calorie. The pound cake was moist with a nice texture and the banana pudding was warm and full of flavor. Also, the sauce was so delicious, we tried to get every drop off the plate.?Again, we would recommend Chicago Firehouse!“

“Great place for a casual dinner, perfect for going out with friends and family. Menu offers lots of healthy options everyone would enjoy. Highly recommend the OG grass fed burger, which has mushroom and carmelized onions. Great salads, bowls, pizza, etc.... Great option for week night takeout as well!“

“We went to Chalet for Easter brunch and the food could not have been better. The shrimp and grits were amazing, huge bowl of cheesy grits topped with andouille sausage. The service and ambience was great too. The chef came out during the meal to make sure we were having a good experience and answer any questions about the food. Will be returning again very soon.“

“Always a delicious and elegant experience! At this point we've been coming for almost 20 years, and I think we've tried just about everything on the menu. We have never been disappointed! Service is unfailingly gracious and the beautiful decor never gets old. RL is always on our list when we visit the city!“

“Stopped in for Saturday brunch. Was seated after a short wait. Everything was wonderful… the food was excellent (crazy delicious lemon raspberry brioche French toast), attentive service, and very reasonable prices. Looking forward to going back (want to try the breakfast bread pudding)! I took one star off atmosphere for a bit of noise (acoustics), but it didn’t detract from the overall experience.Parking: Metered street parking“

“I recently visited Volo Wine Bar and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! The ambiance of the patio was simply amazing, providing a perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine. The happy hour deals were fantastic, offering a wide selection of wines at great prices. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend Volo Wine Bar for anyone looking for a cozy and inviting spot to unwind and enjoy quality wine. A definite 5-star experience!“

“Last night, my girlfriend and I celebrated her 30th birthday with an unforgettable dinner at Roister. The evening was nothing short of magical, beginning with the Market Oysters that were delicately smoked and served with a tangy mignonette sauce. The shishito peppers, paired with a savory topping, were a burst of flavor that set the stage for the rest of the meal. Each dish was a masterpiece, not only in taste but also in presentation. The Pork Belly was succulent and perfectly seasoned, melting effortlessly at each bite. The Fried Chicken & Caviar was a surprising blend of down-home comfort and upscale indulgence, creating a delightful contrast. The star of the show was undoubtedly the Hearth Grilled Scallop. The cauliflower purée and fresh melon provided a sweet and creamy backdrop to the perfectly charred scallops. Following this was the Blue Crab with sofrito, which was a testament to the chef’s attention to detail and flavor balance. For dessert, the Butternut Squash Sorbet was a refreshing palate cleanser, and the Banana with pecan ice cream ended our meal on a decadently sweet note. Each plate was not only a treat for the palate but a feast for the eyes, served on beautifully curated dishware that enhanced the overall experience. The service was impeccable, attentive without being intrusive, allowing us to savor each moment of our celebration. Roister has truly set a high bar for culinary excellence and a memorable dining experience. Five stars are not enough to capture the essence of our evening. We will definitely be returning!“

“A latin style brunch place with delicious food. Chilaquiles are spicy, hearty. The rice and black beans are good, also different compared to most Mexican restaurants. The maduros and orange slice cuts are notable and unique. Also, don't confuse the leafs 'veins' for a hair, as I freaked out pulling one from the eggs. Restaurant decor is modern, food was ready quick, and the server was nice This place also serves pumpkin spice coffee year round.“

“Went here for my birthday tonight! Fantastic food (comes out quick, all plates are to be shared), great cocktails and excellent wine selection, and our server Arcee (RC? I’m not sure…) was delightful and provided excellent service. 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“