Best Restaurants - Chicago River North, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and Uptown
Open Table recently published an article on “Chicago Greats” which is an article in a series on restaurants around the country that define their cities. “Chicago Greats” are restaurants who helped shape Chicago’s world-class dining scene.
Included are restaurants from the “Chicago Greats” list in River North, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, and in Uptown Chicago.
The Restaurants are organized by Neighborhood:
River North "Chicago Greats" Restaurants
- Tanta - by Owner Gastón Acurio - one of Peru’s most famous chefs
 |
| Photo: by Rieder |
- Highlights: Delivers inventive Peruvian food served in a stylish Peru-inspired space. Tanta is known for its pisco sour cocktails too.
- Cuisine: Peruvian fare
- Address: 118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: (312) 222-9700
- Jaleo - by Chef José Andrés in a light-soaked dining room
- Highlights: Open Table describes Jaleo as “a vibrant celebration of Spanish flavors and techniques. Its whimsical approach to tapas offers croquetas de pollo served on a ceramic chicken and paella by the pan in a light-soaked dining room lush with tiled accents.”
- Cuisine: Spanish fare and tapas
- Address: 500 N Clark St #465, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: (312) 820-7771
- Shaw’s Crab House - A Chicago premier Seafood Restaurant
- Highlights: Shaw’s is the top seafood destination in Chicago and offers great seafood and an extensive oyster selection. Offers classic fare & sushi in a relaxed space with a vintage vibe.
- Cuisine: Seafood and Oyster bar
- Address: 21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Phone: (312) 527-2722
- Chicago Cut Steakhouse - patio overlooking the river & nice wine list
- Highlights: Modern steakhouse located downtown alongside the Chicago River. Offers a few dining spots with a view of both the tour boats cruising the river and the lively dining room. Menu includes a full array of classic steakhouse options and a mix of originals too.
- Cuisine: Steak and seafood
- Address: 300 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: (312) 329-1800
- Gene & Georgetti - Chicago’s oldest steakhouse
 |
| Credit: Gene & Georgetti |
- Highlights: Established in 1941, Gene & Georgetti options include steak, seafood, & Italian specialties. Restaurant is in a traditional setting and atmosphere.
- Cuisine: Steak, seafood, and Italian
- Address: 500 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone: (312) 527-3718
Lincoln Park "Chicago Greats" Restaurants
- Boka - stylish, modern setting with a lounge & candlelit back garden patio
- Cuisine: American Fare
- Address: 1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (312) 337-6070
- North Pond - offers creative American fare made with local ingredients
 |
| Photo by Martha Williams |
- Highlights: Hidden gem. Open table says “North Pond may be one of the most overlooked restaurants in Chicago.” and that the restaurant location is “tucked inside Lincoln Park, the Arts and Crafts-style structure—formerly a warming shelter for ice skaters—was converted into a restaurant in 1998.”
- Cuisine: American Fare
- Address: 2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (773) 477-5845
- Café Ba-Ba-Reeba - serves authentic Spanish fare and Sangria
 |
| Credit: Café Ba-Ba-Reeba |
- Highlights: Chicago's original tapas bar, serving authentic Spanish cuisine
- Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
- Address: 2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (773) 935-5000
- Juno Sushi Chicago - ultramodern surroundings
 |
| Credit: Juno Sushi |
- Highlights: Japanese fare & sushi pairs with sake & cocktails in ultramodern surroundings. Open table describes Juno as, “a fan favorite for creative sushi displays” and that it, “has served some of the city’s freshest sashimi since 2013”.
- Cuisine: Japanese fare and Sushi
- Address: 2638 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
- Phone: (773) 935-2000
Gold Coast "Chicago Greats" Restaurants
- Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse - Quality steak and memorable desserts
 |
| Credit: Gibsons |
- Highlights: One of the highest grossing independent restaurants in all of Chicago. This is the quality Chicago steakhouse and in a prime location just off the Magnificent Mile. Open Table indicates Gibsons is the first restaurant in the country to have its own USDA certification, Gibsons Prime Angus beef.
- Cuisine: Steak and seafood
- Address: 1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
- Phone: (312) 266-8999
- Maple and Ash - Redefining the steakhouse experience
- Highlights: This is a sprawling restaurant with velvet dining chairs and soaring ceilings. Has an extensive wine list, where the priciest bottle is $10,000.
- Cuisine: Steak and seafood
- Address: 8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
- Phone: (312) 944-8888
Uptown "Chicago Greats" Restaurant
- Demera Restaurant - City’s top destination for Ethiopian food, flavors, and culture
- Cuisine: Ethiopian fare
- Address: 4801 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
- Phone: (773) 334-8787
