Jeffy Mai

The question of who dishes out the best pizza in Chicago is a contentious one, spurring arguments about what’s the best regional style and what restaurants do each version justice. Almost every Chicagoan has a strong preference when it comes to who serves the best deep dish pizza, but the city’s pizza scene casts a wide net. Thin crust, tavern-style has its own claim to being the real Chicago-style pizza, and you can also find the city's best Italian restaurants serving traditional Neapolitan pies, Detroit-style squares loaded with quirky toppings, and even New York-style slices. Whether you’re ordering takeout or delivery or plan to dig in while the cheese is still bubbling, check out our guide to the best pizza spots in Chicago to find your new favorite. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best restaurants in Chicago

Translating to "I’ll leave it up to you" or "chef's choice," the Japanese omakase—a high-end, multi-course tasting menu—descended upon Chicago’s dining scene a few years back with the debut of spots like Kyōten, Mako and Omakase Yume. Today, that interest only continues to grow with the arrival of venues like Midōsuji, plus some of the best sushi restaurants in Chicago offering their own special takes on the experience. And once seated and settled, what’s not to love? Guests are invited to sit back, relax and allow the kitchen to guide them through a one-of-a-kind evening comprising pristine bites from oceans around the globe that are paired with wine, sake and Japanese whisky. From a 10-seat stunner in River North to a West Loop hotel’s ode to hip-hop and hamachi, here are Chicago’s best options for omakase menus right now. RECOMMENDED: The best tasting menus in Chicago October 17, 2025: The omakase boom has taken over Chicago, and these days, you can even find experiences like Cariño's taco omakase. But the traditional Japanese omakase is what most diners are looking for, and this revised ranking of the best omakase in Chicago offers a guide to the best—and most extravagant—omakase spots. Whether you're looking to splurge (in that case, head to Kyōten or Midōsuji, our latest addition to this ranking), or you want to keep the cost down, use this list as your ultimate guide to omakase in Chicago. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and

River North houses some of the most popular nightlife destinations in Chicago. Chic nightclubs and swanky lounges, where you can order bottle services while watching DJs spin, line the streets alongside upscale cocktail bars that serve tasteful spins on classic drinks as well as inventive concoctions. There are even tropical bars and places that keep the Chicago dive spirit alive. No matter what you’re in the mood for, we’ll help you find a bar in River North. Fancy a tiki drink? Three Dots and a Dash and the Bamboo Room are underground hideaways that excel at Mai Tais, daiquiris and a variety of rum-based cocktails. Love whiskey? Untitled Supper Club is home to the largest collection of American whiskeys in the world. And for those who want a no-frills spot to enjoy a cold beer, Green Door Tavern and Rossi’s have you covered. So check out our guide to the best bars in River North for your next night out. RECOMMENDED: The best Chicago bars—your definitive guide to drinking October 16, 2025: River North is many things, and whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that it's home to some of the city's most popular bars. From classic dives like Rossi's to buzzy newcomers like Lettuce Entertain You's Gus' Sip & Dip, which has made a major splash since its debut at the beginning of the year, this refined ranking of the best River North bars offers something for everyone. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and drink venues included

In a city where faded Old Style signs swing outside of beloved dive bars and lines snake around the block at trendy cocktail lounges, the best bars in Chicago act as meeting places, date locales and venues for celebrations. With so many great places to grab a beverage, the list of our all-time favorite bars around town is expansive—and inclusive of taprooms at Chicago breweries, sultry wine bars uncorking bottles of reds and whites, and the finest cocktail bars Chicago has to offer. In a metropolis packed with places to sip and swirl, these watering holes shine extra bright and boozy. Take a look at the best bars in Chicago and find the perfect destination for your next night out. Best Chicago bars at a glance: 🎶 For live music: Green Mill – Historic jazz lounge with nightly performances (Uptown) 🍹 For extravagant cocktails: The Aviary – Theatrical cocktail experience (West Loop) 😘 For date night: Lazy Bird – Basement bar with intimate vibes and live sets (West Loop) 🎉 For group celebrations: Three Dots and a Dash – Tiki cocktails with extravagant garnishes (River North) 🍸 For rare spirits: Billy Sunday – Amaro-focused drinks with unusual ingredients (Logan Square) October 15, 2025: This month, we've refined the list to an exclusive ranking of the top 24 absolute best bars in Chicago. This expanded ranking features a trio of new entries: Old Town Ale House, which is by no means new but certainly deserves a spot on this list; Gus' Sip & Dip, Lettuce Entertain You's new-

The best restaurants in Chicago come in all shapes and sizes, from pizza joints and Michelin-starred heavyweights to some of the best cheap eats Chicago has to offer. The cuisines are just as varied, with every corner of the globe represented through Korean, Mexican, Italian, sushi and much more. Whether you're a lifelong resident or simply visiting for the weekend, stuffing your face at one of these restaurants is easily among the best things to do in Chicago. This belt-busting food scene shows no signs of slowing down, so we cut to the chase and ranked our essentials—the absolute best restaurants in town. Our editors scour the city for great dishes, excellent value and insider info. We hope to provide an authentic snapshot of Chicago's ever-evolving dining experiences by updating this list constantly with the best new restaurants in the city as well as decades-old stalwarts that keep us coming back for more. It could be a mega-hyped destination restaurant or a remarkable hole in the wall: If it’s on the list, we think it’s terrific, and we bet you will, too. Best Chicago restaurants at a glance: 🎉 For group dining: Mariscos San Pedro – Shareable Mexican plates in a lively setting (Pilsen) 🇵🇭 For authentic Filipino flavors: Kasama – Viral bakery by day, elevated tasting menu by night (East Ukrainian Village) 🍽️ For a fine-dining splurge: Oriole – Two Michelin-starred tasting menu from legendary chef Noah Sandoval (West Loop) 🇮🇳 For modern Indian cuisine: Indien

Chicago’s meatpacking roots have made it a hub for beef for more than 150 years, and our steakhouses are some of the best in the world. Those looking for perfectly cooked filets and enormous porterhouses served with indulgent sides can visit old school institutions like Gene & Georgetti and Gibsons, while diners looking for more than just steak can get pristine seafood at Joe’s Seafood or RPM Steak. The city’s reputation as a haven for carnivores has also led to a boom in newcomers offerings traditions from around the world, like Bonyeon's Korean beef omakase and British Sunday roast at Hawksmoor. So whether you’re looking for wagyu by the ounce or steak frites, check out our guide to the best Chicago steakhouses for a hearty meal. RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best restaurants in Chicago October 14, 2025: Chicago is chock-full of steakhouses, and luckily for us, a lot of them are actually really great. Old-school classics like Gene & Georgetti—the city's oldest steakhouse—and flashier spots like Bazaar Meat (expect smoking cocktails, caviar cones and gold-flaked bites) offer something for everyone who's looking for a hearty steak meal.  We've revamped this list to reflect a few recent changes: The Alinea Group's Fulton Market spot St. Clair Supper Club closed earlier this year, as did popular River North restaurant GT Prime. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five st

Chicago isn’t anywhere near the ocean, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find great seafood here. One of the most iconic restaurants in Chicago is Calumet Fisheries, a James Beard Award-winning spot where customers eat house-smoked sable and trout right in their cars. You can also explore seafood traditions from around the world with Baja-inspired, striped bass tacos at Leña Brava, sushi at Shaw's Crab House, Grecian sea bream from Andros Taverna and Peruvian ceviche at Kayao. So whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a celebratory dinner, satisfy your cravings for crustaceans at the best seafood restaurants in Chicago. RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in Chicago right now October 10, 2025: When a restaurant does seafood, the bar is high. Cold dishes must be cold enough, hot dishes need to be cooked to perfection and, above all, the fish has to be fresh. In order to direct you to Chicago's top fish spots, we've revisited our list of the best seafood restaurants in Chicago. They range from humble shacks in the burbs to fine-dining establishments downtown, and they're guaranteed to offer something for every kind of diner. So if you're all in on raw fish or you're more comfortable with something deep fried, these Chicago seafood restaurants have you covered. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and

Nothing beats a Chicago rooftop. When you're looking for something a little more filling than cocktails at rooftop bars in Chicago, turn your attention to the city's top rooftop restaurants, where dinner comes with a side of amazing skyline views. We've rounded up rooftop dining options to suit every mood, including tucked-away rooftop terraces, sunny outdoor brunch spots and bites from some of the best restaurants in Chicago. Gloomy weather in the forecast? Several of these spots also offer indoor dining or covered patios to keep you safe from the elements while you feast. So get ready for a sky-high meal at the best rooftop restaurants in Chicago.  RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor restaurants in Chicago August 2025: As soon as the forecast predicts anything above 70°, the city awakens, and, with a collective sigh of relief, we remember why we braved another Chicago winter. Everyone loves the glorious rooftop season because, really, what's better than wining and dining from a bird's eye view? During the high season, reservations go quickly, and you may need to set an alarm in order to snag one during a prime time. Especially if you're headed to one of these top spots, there's sure to be a crowd, but I promise it's worth the sweat. These rooftop restaurants showcase Chicago's world-class views from all angles and elevate the experience with top-notch food and drink. From the classics like Cindy's and LH Rooftop to niche spots like BiXi Beer and Chop Shop, there's no shortage of

Lincoln Park truly lives up to Chicago’s “city in a garden” motto, with its massive namesake park, long stretch of beaches, and a free zoo and conservatory that provide the perfect way to spend an entire day immersed in nature. But you shouldn’t head out as soon as the sun sets. The neighborhood offers an eclectic mix of nightlife destinations, ranging from a cocktail bar offering tarot readings to a legendary blues club. You can also take in the gorgeous views of Lake Michigan from a rooftop bar or sample a vast collection of brown spirits at one of the best whiskey bars in Chicago. So take a load off and enjoy a stiff drink by checking out one of these great bars. RECOMMENDED: The absolute best bars across Chicago October 2, 2025: Although some spots can be packed with crowds of DePaul students and yuppies, Lincoln Park's bar scene is stacked. From institutions like Delilah's to live music meccas like Kingston Mines, there's something for everyone who's looking for a night out on the town in Lincoln Park. This refined list of the best Lincoln Park bars offers a guide to the top spots that are actually worth your time.  Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. Our food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

When the clock hits 2am in Chicago, your night on the town doesn't have to end. While most bars in the city have to close up shop two hours after midnight, a few local watering holes are able to stay open