By Kaila Stang By Kaila Stang | December 5, 2024 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guides,
We’re lucky to have some of the most exciting culinary destinations here in Chicago, but a few of them are notoriously tough to snag a table at. Here are some of the most sought-after reservations in Chicago. Plan accordingly!
1045 W. Fulton St. / Website
Located in Chicago’s Fulton Market district, ll Carciofo offers Roman-inspired Italian cuisine with a seasonal menu featuring house-made pastas, Roman-style pizzas and market-driven mains. The restaurant stands out with its dedicated pasta lab, where fresh pasta is rolled daily, and its open kitchen and chef's counter seating, creating an immersive dining experience. A spacious patio with lush greenery, string lights and canopies brings the charm of Rome’s piazzas to the West Loop.
1020 W. Madison St. / Website
One of the city’s top toques, James Beard Award-winning chef Sarah Grueneberg heads up the kitchen at buzzy, much-lauded hot spot Monteverde—and with a slate of fresh pastas, delectable sides and decadent desserts, the accolades are more than deserved.
1516 W. Carroll Ave. / Website
Created by Josh Tilden and Erling Wu-Bower of Underscore Hospitality, Maxwell's Trading aims to provide a welcoming atmosphere with casual, attentive service, flavorful food, refreshing cocktails and a thoughtful selection of wines, all set to great music. Focused on community and sustainability, the menu reflects the culinary heritage of the chef team, offering a unique take on Chicago’s beloved flavors.
2018 W. Chicago Ave. / Website
Located in the heart of Chicago’s West Town, this relationship-to-table restaurant offers a unique dining experience where the focus is on the carefully sourced produce from a trusted network of growers, ranchers, fishermen, and dairy farmers. Guests enjoy a curated tasting menu, with each dish prepared and plated directly in front of them in the center of the dining room, fostering an intimate connection between the cooks and the diners.
1000 W. Armitage Ave. / Website
Drawing inspiration from London circa 1926, this neighborhood spot offers a menu featuring select ales and cocktails alongside hearty pub fare and dishes with Indian influences. The wine list includes a range of French and American options, with a few carefully chosen to complement curry dishes, as well as traditional clarets. The space is styled with eclectic decor, spacious booths, warm lighting and hand-carved woodwork, creating a relaxed yet inviting atmosphere for enjoying a meal or drinks with friends.
401 E. Wacker Drive / Website
This newly debuted Tuscan eatery—a much-anticipated collab between award-winning chef Evan Funke and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants—is already a hot commodity. Reservations for the dining room open at midnight one week in advance, so make sure to visit the spot’s OpenTable page for your chance to try specialties like rich duck ragu-topped pappardelle and tender Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Or stake your claim with Bar Tre Dita’s first-come, first-serve seating (and slightly more limited menu).
2340 N. California Ave., Ste. B / Website
From Ramen_Lord (AKA Mike Satinover), who has nearly 50k Instagram followers, this Logan Square eatery calls itself a “humble ramen spot.” Still, the buzz it’s made since opening in late 2023 has made it one of Chicago’s most difficult places to snag a reservation. Walk-ins are welcome, but new reservations become available on Mondays at noon CST to secure a table. Head to OpenTable to try your luck.
1723 N. Halsted St. / Website
This three-time Michelin-starred Lincoln Park gem offers dining experiences so coveted that it’s usually completely booked for months in advance. If you want a shot at getting a reservation for any of its innovative experiences, keep a keen eye on the Tock page, or join the wait list and cross your fingers.
4835 N. Western Ave. / Website
This fine dining establishment in the Lincoln Square neighborhood has one Michelin star under its belt thanks to chef Christian Hunter, who earned the Young Chef Award from the Michelin Guide earlier this year. The New American restaurant draws from international cuisine and maintains a cozy atmosphere as it only accommodates parties of up to four to six guests, who can make reservations on Tock.
4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave. / Website
This South Side spot celebrates the history that shaped the community through a revolving art collection, live music, a rotating wine list and seasonal menus created with locally grown and produced ingredients. The dynamic destination encourages guests to relax, socialize and network in a space that's both refined and comfortable. Head to the winery’s Tock page to book a highly coveted table.
See also: The 16 Best Chefs In Chicago
2375 N. Milwaukee Ave. / Website
This Midwest-inspired, pasta-focused eatery in Logan Square was named the best restaurant in Chicago by The Hunger. The only Michelin Green Star recipient in Chicago, Daisies prides itself on its sustainable practices and locally sourced ingredients. Reservations can be found on the restaurant’s Tock page if you’re lucky enough to snag one.
2200 N. Clark St. / Website
Another Lincoln Park hot spot, Michelin-starred Esmé, levels up the typical tasting menu experience. Opened in the summer of 2021 by chef Jenner Tomaska and his wife and partner Katrina Bravo, the fine-dining destination is worth the wait for a table. Head to Esmé’s Resy page to book a tasting.
1340 W. Fulton St. / Website
This two-starred Michelin restaurant in Fulton Market features 8-10 course tastings, a seasonal menu and optional wine pairings. Make sure to plan ahead of time because these tastings average over two hours. Reservations are released on the first Tuesday of each month on the restaurant’s Tock page.
1001 N. Winchester Ave. / Website
Nestled in the East Ukrainian Village neighborhood, bakery and Filipino eatery Kasama’s dinner reservations are hard to come by. New reservations are made available daily at midnight, forty-five days in advance and they can only be booked via the restaurant’s Resy page. But daytime service is first come, first serve, so if you can’t snag a spot for the 13-course tasting experience, there’s still a chance to get in on all the goodness Kasama dishes up.
630 W. Lake St. / Website
Head to the West Loop’s Kumiko for some of the finest Japanese sips and bites. From sake and martinis to oysters and caviar, the fare by owner and mixologist Julia Momosé is just as impressive as the spot’s reputation (Kumiko was named the fifth best bar in North America and best in the Midwest by The World’s 50 Best Bars this year). Head to its OpenTable page to see what all the fuss is about.
Fulton Market’s coastal French-Mediterranean overnight sensation just opened in March, and it is already leaving a major mark with its vibey atmosphere, viral menu offerings (think black truffle-topped tater tots and caviar nests) and hard-to-come-by reservations. Book your spot on La Serre’s OpenTable page to experience one of the hottest new restaurants in Chicago's dining scene.
953 W. Fulton Market / Website
Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’ James Beard award-winning- and Michelin-starred restaurant Next completely changes its menu and experience multiple times each year. From experiences inspired by Hollywood to Tokyo to Ancient Rome and the World’s Fair, Next always keeps us on our toes. Head to their Tock page to experience the latest.
700 N. Sedgwick St. / Website
Founded by brother-duo Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey, French eatery Obélix offers an authentic Parisian feel right here in River North. Traditional French fare mingles with Asian, Mexican, North African and American influences—a recipe for being lauded as one of the best new restaurants in Chicago. Check out the spot’s Resy page for the chance to score a coveted table at this spot.
661 W. Walnut St. / Website
Oriole debuted in 2016 and has since earned two Michelin stars and the Jean Banchet Award for Restaurant of the Year. James Beard-nominated executive chef and owner Noah Sandoval serves an ever-evolving extended tasting menu to those lucky enough to covet a reservation. Check Oriole’s Tock page, where reservations are opened on a 90-day rolling calendar to secure your seat.
1466 N. Ashland Ave. / Website
Michael Carlson, the chef and owner of cult favorite Schwa, quickly made a name for himself upon opening this not-so-ordinary fine-dining destination in 2005, and today still sells the place out weeks—if not months—in advance. Foodies flock to the nationally recognized Wicker Park institution to experience the tasting menu, described on Schwa’s Tock page as "Chef Carlson's f****** mind-blowing menu,” to which diners are encouraged to bring their own beverages.
177 N. Ada St., #101 / Website
Recently upgraded from two to three Michelin stars, this top Fulton Market spot boasts an informal atmosphere and cozy lounge to make guests feel at home. While seated around the open kitchen, watch chefs prepare the evening’s plates during this experience. Check out the restaurant’s Tock page and see its extensive list of awards, including being ranked Best Restaurant of the Year in 2020.
See also: The Hottest New Restaurants In Chicago
Photography by: Photo by Valeria Boltneva/Pexels