Chicago's Best Restaurants Restaurants near Café by the River restaurant

Pops for Champagne

The city's first-ever lounge dedicated to sparkling wine and Champagne continues to set the standards. The venue seamlessly pairs vino with a menu of smart small plates and raw bar items.

Lure Fishbar

With locations in New York City, South Beach and now Chicago, Lure Fishbar lays out a spectacularly broad and deep selection of fish and seafood.

Portillo's Hot Dogs / Barnelli's Pasta Bowl

The restaurant chain launched in 1963 out of the founder's trailer. And now he boasts more than 48 units all over the country, including Alaska. Portillo's is most famous for fast food made to order, including hot dogs, fried chicken sandwiches and burgers. The chain has also developed a cult following for its chocolate cake AND chocolate cake milk shake.

Alinea

James Beard Award winner Grant Achatz, who won the coveted "Outstanding Chef Award" in 2008, is one of the city's most acclaimed chefs. His unique, cutting-edge cuisine, full of twists and turns, comes with equally remarkable service, and an extremely high price.

Marchesa

Kathryn Sullivan Alvera (Narcisse, Domaine and Prosecco) and partner Jason Clark are behind this sleek, multi-level River North establishment with a vintage Parisian vibe.

avec River North

From One Off Hospitality, the restaurant group that brought you such Chicago classics as Blackbird, Publican and avec, comes avec River North, specializing in sophisticated yet casual Mediterranean-influenced cuisine

Margeaux Brasserie

One of the country's foremost celebrity chefs is finally in Chicago, as Michael Mina marks his local debut with this French stunner. Adjoined by a casual French patisserie called Petit Margeaux, this elegant brasserie on the third floor of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago hotel features all the upscale stylings one would expect of a Parisian parlor.

Adorn

Adorn at the Four Seasons is a lively new restaurant from James Beard award-winning Chef Jonathon Sawyer, serving exceptional food and full of surprises.

Holu

Holu is an Asian Prime Steakhouse with tableside preparation of some of the finest beef you've ever had.

Omakase Yume

Having earned a Michelin star in 2021, Omakase Yume has solidified its place as one of the best-known and finest spots in Chicago for Japanese cuisine.

Le Colonial - Chicago

Le Colonial, with locations in New York and San Francisco, also boasts a popular outpost in the heart of Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. After more than 20 years in its original space on Rush Street,

Piccolo Sogno

On Chicago’s near north side, Piccolo Sogno is the “little dream” of Chef Tony Priolo, whose goal has been to serve the very finest in rustic Italian cuisine, using locally...

Momotaro

Three levels of spectacular modern Japanese dining can be experienced at this sprawling West Loop project from Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, GT Fish & Oyster, Girl and the Goat). The top level is for private dining, the main level is designated for the full dining experience, and the lower-level izakaya

Bar Goa

Goa is a city on the southwestern coast of India; it's a former Portuguese territory, and the food at Goa restaurant in Chicago reflects a blend of Indian and Portuguese culinary traditions.

Armitage Alehouse

In Lincoln Park, Armitage Alehouse captures the vibe of a London pub with a wood-burning fireplace, a piano player, and select ales and cocktails.

Esme

One of the most exciting restaurants to open in Chicago since the pandemic hit, Esme brings together art and food in a combiantion that as lovely to look at as it is delicious to eat.

Pizzeria Due

Chicago pizza institution with an old-time feel baking deep-dish crusts laden with cheese & sauce.

avec

An instant success when it debuted in 2003, avec is the second restaurant from One Off Hospitality, the group behind Blackbird, Publican, The Violet Hour, Big Star and Nico Osteria. The restaurant, specializes in Mediterranean-inspired small plate dishes, vino and beer.