The 10 Restaurants That Defined Chicago Dining This Year

There’s a reason Pompette takes the top spot in this year’s list. Meaning “just a little tipsy,” this Bucktown charmer provides the same buzz that one particularly well-timed glass of wine does: it makes us happy, relaxed, and unburdened from the day. It’s as if its three acclaimed chef-founders, Ashlee Aubin, Aaron Patten, and Katie Wasielewski, knew exactly what we needed.

Their light-filled cafe and wine bar has no frills, a refreshing change of pace from big-box restaurants that often try to do too much, too often. But don’t confuse no-frills with boring: Pompette’s menu is full of vibrant French- and Italian-inflected bites, from a silky quiche and buttery pastries in the morning to pumpkin agnolotti and roasted sea bass with fragrant saffron orzo at night. Whether you’re visiting for weekday brunch or happy hour, there’s always something new and seasonal to try. It’s delicious, and delightful, every single time.

From the team behind the newly Michelin-minted Indienne comes Sifr. Representing “zero” in Arabic, Sifr is all about new beginnings, where chefs Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi bridge the culinary gap between the Middle East and South Asia. Tuck in to plush sage green banquettes or head to the gorgeous rooftop for colorful meals combining Indian flavors with those from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and beyond: a huge lamb shank sitting on a bed of Persian pilaf and dusted with baharat; grilled maitake mushrooms with za’atar on a buttery croissant; and an array of mezze dishes encircling pita fresh from the pizza oven. The team recently launched brunch, too, so now you can start your day with their take on traditional Turkish eggs: poached and served over garlic yogurt with greens and a dash of chile oil. 

What was once the iconic Flair House (built in 1883) is now Asador Bastian, an intimate, Basque-inspired chophouse offering house-aged beef and lots of maximalist pleasures (hello, churros topped with caviar, bone marrow-laced mashed potatoes, and truffle rice).

Unlike typical Chicago steakhouses, you won’t find a wedge salad or even a filet here. Asador Bastian specializes in txuleton steaks, a rib steak meant for sharing. Whether you’re in the dining room or at the cozy downstairs bar, pair your meat with the tortilla Española, topped with a tangle of 5J Ibérico ham. And be sure to leave room, if you can, for the ebony burnt Basque cheesecake, a sumptuous end to a fittingly over-the-top meal. 

Whether or not you’ve been able to score a seat for Otto Phan’s omakase at Kyoten, we recommend trying his slightly more relaxed and affordable sibling spot, Kyoten Next Door. “More casual” is relative here, of course, as the space still resembles an art gallery and Phan’s attention to detail remains unmatched. The fish is predominantly from Japan, and his specialty large-grain rice has just the right amount of bite from an infusion of red vinegar.

Take a seat at the beautiful bar, surrounded by contemporary art, for a meal just as colorful and refined. You’ll likely recognize the selections here, like salmon and hamachi, but they’ll be the very best version of the classics, and a reminder of Chicago’s sushi strengths.

This year, we welcomed the city’s first Persian tasting menu to the scene. Chef Matteo Lo Bianco and Mariam Shahsavarani’s Maman Zari brings Iranian food with a fine-dining aesthetic to the forefront in their intimate 38-seat dining room.

Vintage Persian carpets and art made by Mariam’s aunt add color to the space, though the most beautiful sights are on your plate: a dramatic shirazi salad featuring super-thin slices of cucumbers folded like flower petals; their deconstructed kabob torsh (a marinated tenderloin medallion over crispy tahdig with walnut-herb butter); and an elegant rosewater-saffron ice cream with pistachio for dessert. It’s a steal at just $85 for a three-hour tasting menu through Iran’s rich culinary traditions. 

Call (773) 961-7866 for reservations

DeNucci’s is part of what we’re calling the Red Sauce Renaissance, a restaurant that offers exactly what people are craving right now: reliably good old-school Italian-American food without any bells and whistles. Recently opened by Ballyhoo Hospitality (the team behind Gemini and Sophia Steak), it already feels like a neighborhood standby, with regulars rolling up to the takeout window for pizza and the bar for drinks.

In the 150-seat dining room, you’ll find vestiges of the previous tenant, Four Farthings Tavern—like the long bar, vintage mirrors, and a huge bronze chandelier—along with fun Pop art and a rotary phone booth. Of course, the real star is the food: endlessly sharable garlic knots; super crispy and cheesy chicken parmesan; homemade tagliatelle Bolognese; and New York-style pies from chef Salvatore “Sal” Lo Cascio. He says his pizza is better than deep dish. We happen to agree. 

While the conversation pieces are many at Rooh — from the teal and orange banquettes to the dazzling chandeliers to the striking wall mural — the real treat for the eyes here is the food: a chili cheese kulcha, a massive lamb shank, a whole-roasted sea bass wrapped in banana leaves, and blistered naan. The menu features dishes from all 28 states of India, so the flavors are exciting and varied. (There’s even a full menu of gluten-free and vegan options if your party has dietary restrictions.)

No matter what you order, take advantage of the accompaniments that add spice, tang, and much-needed chill to any dish, like the fermented chili chutney, avocado and garlic raita, and house-made butter pao. 

James Beard Award finalist Maya-Camille Broussard already had an acclaimed cookbook to her name and the “Bake Squad” Netflix series, too. This year, she opened Justice of the Pies, a mission-driven bakery in Avalon Park that serves both baked goods and the local community. Let’s start with the sweets. While the menu rotates often, you may find lemon blueberry pound cake; strawberry basil key lime pie; or a cup of pie a la mode (which Broussard describes as “if peach cobbler, homemade vanilla soft serve, and a slice of salted caramel peach pie had a baby”).

As for the community: Broussard hosts baking workshops for children from low-income neighborhoods, and launched the Broussard Justice Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating food insecurity, in honor of her late father.

No reservations; more info here. 

You may recognize Kasama from this list last year. No, we aren’t being lazy. It’s simply that Tim Flores and Genie Kwon’s Kasama continues to redefine what good dining can be in the city. There’s a reason it nabbed a Michelin star and a new James Beard Award for Best Chef, after all.

The Filipino-style tasting menu is always full of surprises: think crunchy lumpia, truffle-topped croissants, and kinilaw with coconut cream—and the drink pairings are equally as colorful. And if you don’t have time for the full tasting, you can always stop into their adjoining cafe, open until 2 p.m., with options like chicken adobo with garlic rice, an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich with salty longanisa, and plenty of sweets, too. 

It’s always exciting when a team goes from pop-up to brick-and-mortar, especially when the food is as good as it is at Thattu. Here, in a cheery, light-filled space, Vinod Kalathil and Margaret Pak offer regional Indian cuisine, specifically from Kerala, the southwestern coastal state.

That means dishes like fiery Chettinad pepper chicken with black pepper, tomato, and coconut milk; followed by pazham pori, fried plantains with a creamy coconut creme anglaise. The spot was initially open just for lunch but recently expanded to dinner service, and has been racking up accolades as it grows. We can’t wait to see where it goes next. 

No reservations, more info here.