Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rise Mundelein Lounge

4.8

4.8 (18)

$30 and under

Lounge

Mundelein

About the restaurant

Welcome to the RISE Lounge & Smokeasy where we pride ourselves in not just being the first Cannabis Consumption Lounge in Illinois, but also the top tier service and amenities we have to offer. Come stay a couple hours or just a quick puff n run! We have plenty to do while you’re visiting us including Pacman, Nintendo Switch, and a variety of board and card games. We also have state of the art complimentary consumption device rentals to provide new and different experiences! With all the Lounge & Smokeasy has to offer, we aim to provide a unique and fun experience for everyone.

Top review

Travis

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Thank you so very much! I always enjoy being at the Lounge! I really appreciate the kindness.

Matisse Tavern & Grill

4.7

4.7 (166)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Matisse Tavern and Grill is a neighborhood tavern with an eclectic Gastropub menu including made-from-scratch items and the best quality meats (Late-night kitchen).
Check out the cozy lounge with TVs, fireplace, Full-service bar including our martinis, craft and specialty cocktails (we use homemade ginger beer and just fresh juices) you won't find anywhere else. Relax with friends all summer long on the outdoor patio with a copper mug of our famous Moscow Mule or a Cold Craft Beer. Our hand-picked wine list changes seasonally so you'll always find a new grape discovery to sample.

Late-nighters welcome for cocktails till close!!!

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Good food full bar great martinis fantastic service

Pigtail

4.7

4.7 (117)

$31 to $50

Spanish

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

PIGTAIL: PIG & COCKTAIL is a celebration of Chef José Andrés’ two favorite things: jamón ibérico and balanced, crafted cocktails. Located in the lower level of Jaleo Chicago, the intimate space is the perfect place to start or end your evening with a libation experience you can’t find anywhere else. Dive into Pigtail’s elevated jamón and Spanish inspired cocktails using the categories as a guide. We also have a list of some of our favorite classics. And don’t forget the bites! Find jamón ibérico used in a wide array of intriguing preparations. Chef José likes to eat with his hands, so follow his lead and have fun!

Top review

Tracey

Dined today

Great cocktails and food. Attentive and knowledgeable staff. Will definitely be back.

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

4.5

4.5 (2323)

$31 to $50

Sushi

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Where the quality and simplicity of Japanese cuisine meets the bustling energy of a downtown essential. Fresh, high-quality fish, marinated meat and veggies off the Robata grill and an inventive assortment of cocktails create a playful juxtaposition of Japanese and American culinary styles. It’s a true riff on the expected and traditional.

Ranked by The Michelin Guide as one of the 9 best Japanese restaurants in Chicago, Union combines the tempered art of Japanese dining with a fresh, colorful and urban vibe. Union ups the ante on Japanese dining with its high-energy beat, creativity and playful approach to Japanese-influenced cuisine from one of Chicago's best know sushi chef's Mike Ham "Sushi Mike"

Top review

AndyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great menu and excellent food and presentation. Very comfortable seating and pleasant service.

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Popular dish

Matcha Short Cake

Celeste

4.5

4.5 (189)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

**For Rooftop Garden and Disco reservation, please visit our website at celestedisco.com**

Celeste is a modern, refined interpretation of the classic American drinking establishment. Our four levels are each inspired by nuances in architecture, art movements, social clubs, and a breakdown of the barriers between art and life. A carefully curated space, upscale cuisine, and imaginative cocktails create the essence of Celeste.

Reservation Types:

Whiskey Bar High-Top:
On the first floor, The Bar is a nod to classic neighborhood bars. This space offers a casual atmosphere, perfect for gathering with friends during happy hour while indulging in elevated spirits, modern American cuisine, and an expanded whiskey list.
Open Wed-Sat at 5pm

Deco Supper Club:
Located on the second floor, Deco Supper Club pays homage to the glamorous architectural history of Chicago at the turn-of-the-century with a drink menu spotlighting craft cocktails.
Open Thurs-Sat at 7pm.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Nice experience. Greatstaff. Price for 2 drinks was $115. That's insanity. But it was fun

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Experience

Restaurant Week Menu

Experience

Happy Hour at Celeste

Experience

Prix-Fixe Menu $50 per person

Elia

4.5

4.5 (259)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Elia, a stunning new Modern Mediterranean restaurant, is now open in the heart of Wicker Park. Elia's menu features dishes inspired by Greece, Italy, France, Spain, and other Mediterranean countries. The restaurant's beautiful interior and friendly staff enhance its charm, making it an ideal spot for special occasions. Elia offers a delightful dining experience with "amazing" food and a cozy atmosphere. Guests rave about the "fresh and delicious" seafood, Mediterranean dishes, and a broad menu. Service is often praised as "excellent" and "attentive."

Top review

Mustafa

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Elia was a wonderful time! Service by Josiah was wonderful, he was very knowledgeable and kind. The ambiance is great and the food even better. 10/10 recommend eating here for a great Chicago dining experience.

Pinstripes - Chicago

4.3

4.3 (574)

$30 and under

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

Pinstripes: Where Sophisticated Fun Meets Exquisite Dining. With over 30,000 square feet of entertainment space, indulge in scratch-made Italian-American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a robust wine list. Enjoy our weekday happy hour from 3-6pm, or don't miss our famous bottomless brunch buffet on weekends. Experience modern bowling and bocce with full-service dining and entertainment options. Perfect for corporate gatherings, celebrations, or family events, our versatile spaces accommodate parties of 20 to 1000 guests. Book your unforgettable experience today!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Great place for dinner and drinks! The service was wonderful I wish we would have had time to bowl or play bocce ball, but we had to leave early to get up early the next morning.

Hizemans

4.1

4.1 (82)

$30 and under

American

Naperville

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hizemans - our version of an elevated sports bar. Boasting the biggest & best TVs in the area, giant wings, & great food.

Top review

BobVIP

Dined on Oct 8, 2024

We happened to make reservations during a Little Friends fundraiser… was happy to support the cause!! Everything was perfect!

Coquette

3.9

3.9 (11)

$30 and under

French

West Loop

About the restaurant

Chicago’s cutest little French bistro & wine bar. Coquette is a pink Parisian dream offering modern French cuisine paired with exciting wines and cocktails.

Led by Executive Chef Marcos Campos, Culinary Director Erwin Mallet and Executive Pastry Chef Shannah Primiano, Coquette expresses their vision for a modern bistro, where quintessential recipes and iconic dishes are matched with contemporary influences. Though our cuisine may be “nouvelle” our equipment is undeniably primitive, with all cooking done by live-fire ovens and mangal grills. We also feature a dry aging system that blends state-of-the-art technology with methods that go back thousands of years to unleash the flavor and tenderness of the beef, duck and fish prepared in our kitchen. Coquette’s wine list is a playful celebration of France’s most under-appreciated regions and boldest winemakers.

Top review

RoxanneVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Had a great dinner. The French onion soup was delicious. So often this type of soup is very salty. This one was seasoned perfectly. The burger was juicy and delicious. Definitely want to return. My only criticism is on a rainy evening, it wasn't clear where one could park. We wound up finding a spot on Randolph. If most of the clientele are taking an Uber, then I guess it doesn't matter. For suburbanites, it's a good thing we know the city.

Vermilion

3.4

3.4 (2258)

$31 to $50

Indian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Advocating unabashed intrepid Indian cuisine since 2003. Feast on the best of our fare: our new Chaat Bar, Indian-Latin flagship dishes & newer Indian-Chinese fare. A sensual space with dramatic accents of lights, fire, art & metal. Best Restaurants Travel & Leisure, Bon Appetit, Esquire, Town & Country, Chicago magazine, 3 stars Chicago Tribune. Unpretentious, bold flavors, with substantive real food. No precious overpriced bites. Botanic "Herb & Spice" & "Ode to Chicago" cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks. boutique global wines. Omnivore fare galore & over 15 vegetarian/vegan dishes. Vermilion is woman-led & champions women as the founder of Let's Talk Womxn, an action movement of 900+ women restaurateurs across 15 cities. Founder/Chair of the James Beard Foundation Women's Program for a decade.

Top review

Zack

Dined on Oct 26, 2024

Had a lovely dinner here before a show at the Chicago Theater. My wife and I both enjoyed the blend of cuisines, which led to some really interesting and delicious flavors. We’ll definitely be back!

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