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Chicago's Most Iconic Restaurants

by The OpenTable team

Updated December 15, 2023

Seasons change, trends come and go, but these restaurants have withstood the test of time—and have become integral parts of the Chicago dining scene. Here are Chicago’s OpenTable Classics: the places that continue to excel after 10+ years. There’s a reason they’re still around: they keep giving us a reason to come back.

A photo of Boka restaurant

4.8

4.8 (7166)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Boka is the flagship restaurant of the Chicago empire Boka Restaurant Group, the place that launched no less than a dining revolution. The contemporary-American menu still feels contemporary—we love the vegetable-heavy dishes in particular—and the space is both upscale and cool. The excellent service doesn’t hurt, either.

Top review

G

George AndrewVIP

Dined 3 days ago

A spectacular meal, Fernando was an exceptional host. We experienced the tasting menu, and every course exceeded our expectations. (Which says a lot considering it was competing with its own near-perfection!) Bravo, Boka!

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A photo of Roasted Chicken of a restaurant

Roasted Chicken

A photo of Black Truffle Roasted Chicken of a restaurant

Black Truffle Roasted Chicken

A photo of Dark Chocolate of a restaurant

A photo of Sepia restaurant

4.8

4.8 (5374)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Upon walking into Sepia, it’s clear that this is a special restaurant; the exposed-brick walls and crystal-dripping chandeliers make this one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city. The food is just as wonderful as the ambiance, with a modern American menu that incorporates touches of Southeast Asian, Korean, and Mediterranean cuisines. It’s no wonder Michelle Obama called it one of her favorite restaurants.

Top review

N

Neeti

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food! Each dish delicately prepared and presented

A photo of Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab restaurant

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

4.9

4.9 (17566)

$50 and over

Seafood

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Joe’s Stone Crab is a Miami institution, and when it opened in Chicago, it became an instant institution of its own. You’re here, of course, for stone crab, platters of it that you’ll crack open and devour—but don’t sleep on the steaks, too, which are some of the best in the city.

Top review

M

Mark

Dined 3 days ago

Iconic restaurant that attracts celebrities, athletes, and people who appreciate great food. Stone crab is what they are famous for. You must order some! But, the steaks are awesome too.

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A photo of Key Lime Pie of a restaurant

A photo of Seafood Pasta of a restaurant

A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of The Gage restaurant

4.7

4.7 (11987)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Loop

About the restaurant

The menu at The Gage, a handsome, elegant gastropub in Millennium Park, spans the globe, with dishes like crispy harissa drumsticks, poutine, Thai coconut curry, and a perfect rendition of fish and chips. And if you’re game for game, The Gage has some of the city’s best examples of it, with an excellent bison tartare, venison burger, and roasted New Zealand rack of elk.

Top review

D

Derek

Dined 2 days ago

We had an absolutely wonderful time at The Gage! The food was incredible, the service was exquisite, and everyone was so kind and friendly. We have made it an annual tradition to go there every December, and will continue it for many years to come!

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A photo of Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée of a restaurant

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée

A photo of Steak & Eggs of a restaurant

A photo of Thai Coconut Curry of a restaurant

Thai Coconut Curry

A photo of Le Colonial - Chicago restaurant

Le Colonial - Chicago

4.8

4.8 (7885)

$50 and over

Vietnamese

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

For a quiet, lovely, and delicious dinner, head to Le Colonial, a French-Vietnamese restaurant in Gold Coast that’s been serving top-notch dishes like spring rolls, banana-leaf-steamed trout, and lemongrass chicken since 1996. The service is friendly and attentive—and if you’d like, they’re more than happy to help you navigate the expansive menu.

Top review

L

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful experience! Lovely decor and excellent food. Every dish was bursting with flavor. Looking forward to returning on our next trip to Chicago.

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A photo of SU I CAO CH IEN - Pan-Seared Chicken Dumplings of a restaurant

SU I CAO CH IEN - Pan-Seared Chicken Dumplings

A photo of CHA GIO - Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls of a restaurant

CHA GIO - Crispy Shrimp & Pork Rolls

A photo of CARI GA Chicken Curry GF N of a restaurant

CARI GA Chicken Curry GF N

A photo of RL Restaurant restaurant

4.9

4.9 (7282)

$31 to $50

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

Right next to the world’s largest Polo store you’ll find RL Restaurant, Ralph Lauren’s first foray into the dining sphere. You’re here for American classics like shrimp cocktail, pigs in a blanket, dover sole, and crab cakes, all served in a handsome room that is both clubby and chic.

Top review

R

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

Busiest I’ve ever seen it so we waited an hour to get our food but it was still great. Still my favorite restaurant.

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A photo of RL Burger of a restaurant

A photo of Veggie Burger of a restaurant

A photo of Prime Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Prime Filet Mignon

A photo of Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago restaurant

Shaw's Crab House & Oyster Bar - Chicago

4.8

4.8 (14302)

$50 and over

Seafood

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

There are few better places to dine on gorgeous seafood than Shaw’s Crab House, a Chicago institution in River North. Choose between the 1940s-style dining room or the more-casual Oyster Bar, and get to work; we particularly recommend the stone crab claws, the chilled shellfish platters, and whatever oysters are on the menu that day.

Top review

E

Emilio

Dined 2 days ago

Amazing food and great service. The king crans leg are in another level

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A photo of West Coast Oysters of a restaurant

West Coast Oysters

A photo of Seafood Gumbo of a restaurant

A photo of Seafood Fettuccine of a restaurant

Seafood Fettuccine

A photo of Mon Ami Gabi restaurant

4.8

4.8 (8077)

$30 and under

French

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Mon Ami Gabi has been serving French bistro classics—think escargots, chicken-liver mousse, steak au poivre, and trout almondine—for twenty years. The plant-filled space is also a lovely place to spend a lunch or dinner, with tiled floors, mirror-lined walls, and tons of natural light.

Top review

J

JamesVIP

Dined 4 days ago

What could be more festive than the Lincoln Park Holiday Zoo Lights followed by dinner at Mon Ami Gabi?

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A photo of Hanger Steak of a restaurant

A photo of Filet Mignon Au Poivre of a restaurant

Filet Mignon Au Poivre

A photo of Filet Mignon Bordeaux of a restaurant

Filet Mignon Bordeaux

A photo of Shanghai Terrace restaurant

Shanghai Terrace

4.9

4.9 (2319)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

On the seventh floor of the Peninsula Hotel you’ll find Shanghai Terrace, a gorgeous jewel box of a restaurant serving upscale Cantonese food. The dim sum in particular is not to be missed—especially the pork buns and peekytoe-crab dumplings—and the views are not to be missed.

Top review

D

DeborahVIP

Dined 6 days ago

One of Chicago's best! Excellent food and service!

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A photo of peking duck salad of a restaurant

peking duck salad

A photo of Traditional Peking Duck of a restaurant

Traditional Peking Duck

A photo of Golden Shrimps of a restaurant

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