Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Slightly Toasted

5.0

5 (3)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Award-winning cocktail and bourbon bar that is home to one of largest whiskey collections in Chicago with over 900 selections, 30+ private barrels, and 200+ vintage and rare bottles. Also home to 18 taps & 80+ cans of craft beer, and chef-driven comfort food.

Top review

Dmitriy

Dined on Nov 21, 2024

Great place! Great whiskey selection! John & Tyler (and the rest of the staff) are very knowledgeable and also very helpful and attentive, adding to the welcoming atmosphere!

Discover more

Experience

Pappy New Year!!

Experience

Pappy New Year!! Preview Night

Atwater's in The Herrington

4.8

4.8 (1353)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Geneva

About the restaurant

Atwater's is a waterfront, intimate, fine dining experience in Geneva, IL. Our Executive Chef locally sources our menu and creates classical dishes with a modern touch. Our seasonal menu offers recipes that are nuanced to include ingredients that are at their peak of freshness. Atwater's offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. Enjoy beautiful water and courtyard views, private dining space, and al fresco dining on our patio in season. Atwater's offers afternoon tea quarterly. We are nestled within The Herrington Inn, which is also a wedding venue, boutique hotel, spa, and corporate meeting venue. Open to the public and hotel guests, 365 days.

Top review

Toni

Dined 2 days ago

Love the ambiance the best!!! Food was good. Tried twice to make a good lemon drop. It was the only disappointment.

Tala House

4.8

4.8 (166)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Andersonville

About the restaurant

We pride ourselves in offering only the best ingredients with an impeccable service. Whether you're joining us for dinner or weekend brunch, our dishes reflect a modern take on Chicago's melting pot of cultures where we celebrate our diversity and embrace flavors from around the globe. From locally sourced ingredients to unique flavor combinations, be ready to discover Tala’s story: cooking with no boundaries!

Top review

Michelle

Dined 1 day ago

Wow this was such an incredible dining experience. The food was incredible - we started with the charmoula shrimp and shaved Brussels sprouts salad. The salad was so fresh and delicious. I had the sea bass with mushroom risotto and the fish was maybe the best cook on a piece of fish I have ever had. The risotto was delicious. My partner had the ahi tuna main and it was so good. The service was pretty perfect - there when we needed something but not fussy at all. We will definitely be back to try all of the things on the menu that we couldn’t eat at one meal!

Discover more

Experience

Community Table: Free Shots or Tequila Bottle

Sepia

4.8

4.8 (5374)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Seamlessly melding refined and rustic, vintage and contemporary, Sepia has the feel of an instant classic. The stylish space is warm and inviting, comfortable yet lively. The easy elegance of the room serves as the perfect backdrop for the inventive American cuisine. Chef Andrew Zimmerman's product-driven, seasonal menu showcases the purity and quality of the ingredients, letting both the ingredients and his passion for what he does shine through. Sepia celebrates tradition – with a modern twist.

To book reservations of 10 or larger, please email info@sepiachicago.com!

Top review

luca

Dined 4 days ago

Food and service... awesome. The Sablefish was outstanding, and all the selection was notable

Waterleaf Restaurant - Glen Ellyn

4.9

4.9 (338)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glen Ellyn

About the restaurant

Welcome to our classroom! Waterleaf, located in College of DuPage’s Culinary & Hospitality Center, is a dining experience that offers real-life training to Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality students. Patrons will enjoy menus utilizing fresh regional and seasonal ingredients prepared by Culinary & Pastry students as well as attentive service from our student servers.
Limited seating is available at each event and reservations are required. Reservations may be made until an event is sold out. For parties of 6 or more, please call us directly at 630-942-2284.

Top review

Diana

Dined on Nov 14, 2024

The food was excellent as usual. Especially loved the broccoli soup. Our server Gwendolyn was exceptional and very attentive. My friends and I love this place! Can’t wait until we go back again.

Brasero

4.8

4.8 (340)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

West Town

About the restaurant

Named by Robb Report as one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in the country, Brasero combines South American passion with midwestern grit and brings Chef John Manion's talent for wood-fired Latin cooking to West Town’s bustling restaurant row. This sultry 120-seater draws inspiration from across Latin America, honed through Manion’s decades of experience. Think flame- roasted, whole young chickens slicked with garlic-chili oil, steaks cooked over an open fire alongside chimichurri, and moqueca teeming with clams, shrimp & Mahi Mahi with coconut-scented rice—all washed down with quenching caipirinhas, locally brewed, Latin-inspired beer and 100 bottles of wine under 100 dollars.

For parties of 6-10, enjoy our Family Style Hearth Experience!

Top review

JovanaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Absolutely delicious food in a warm and inviting space. Highly recommend their braised pork shank.

The Franklin Room

4.8

4.8 (1890)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Franklin Room celebrates the sense of connection one can only find in the neighborhood taverns of Chicago. Offering classic American tavern fare and no shortage of whiskey flair, our sophisticated speakeasy is your local go-to for quality meat dishes, fresh seafood, classic cocktails and the neighborhood tavern experience our city has perfected.

Our menu of delectable turn-of-the-century inspired American tavern fare starts there, then elevates the experience with a modern twist that creates a culinary experience you simply have to taste to believe. It's perfectly complimented by our beverage program, which showcases creative cocktails and a meticulous selection of spirits, wine and beer with a strong focus on independent distillers and limited-edition rare releases. Bring them together and you've got a uniquely Chicagoan experience, centuries in the making.

Top review

Derek

Dined 2 days ago

The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate. The food was INCREDIBLE! We had the Steak Tartare to start, and the Chilean Seabass and Miso Salmon for entrees. I highly recommend!

Discover more

Popular dish

Spicy Bourbon Mussels

Popular dish

LAMB CHOPS gf

Popular dish

TRUFFLED TUNA CRUDO gf

Boka

4.8

4.8 (7165)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Michelin-starred Boka Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s dining scene since 2003. In 2014, following a major renovation, Chef Lee Wolen joined as Executive Chef and Partner, quickly gaining critical acclaim. Named “Chef of the Year” by both Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago in 2014, and again in 2015, Lee has helped elevate Boka to new heights. The restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The sophisticated yet inviting ambiance sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience, with daily-changing tasting menus that showcase timeless and seasonal American flavors.

Top review

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!

Discover more

Popular dish

Roasted Chicken

Popular dish

Black Truffle Roasted Chicken

Popular dish

Dark Chocolate

Girl & the Goat

4.8

4.8 (14891)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Girl & the Goat opened in 2010 with the goal of offering a menu of bold, flavorful dishes designed to share in a fun and lively atmosphere. To complement the experience, we offer a curated selection of wines from around the world, focusing on small producers, along with a rotating list of craft beers and a playful cocktail menu crafted by our bartenders. The ever-changing menu, driven by locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, features favorites like sautéed green beans, roasted oysters, crispy short ribs, and confit goat belly. While reservations are encouraged for the dining room, our bar welcomes walk-ins, adventurers, and those who prefer spontaneity.

Top review

Brent

Dined 2 days ago

Server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Gave some fantastic recommendations!

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (1772)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Riverside

About the restaurant

The Chew Chew is celebrating 28 years of great food & hospitality in the heart of Riverside, IL directed by original Chef/Owner Scott Zimmer. Located one-mile east of Brookfield Zoo, 5 miles northwest of Midway Airport and 10 miles west of Downtown Chicago. There is a Metra Train stop on our block for safe & easy access in/out of the City. We feature a multi-level dining room, vibrant full-bar & a cozy outdoor patio May-October (weather permitting). Happy Hour daily 4-6pm with beer, wine & cocktail specials. Make sure to try one of our famous Jumbo Martinis during your visit! We appreciate all the great reviews & voting us Chicago's #1 Neighborhood Restaurant on Open Table. If you cannot find a reservation online, please call us direct 708-447-8781. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Donald

Dined 6 days ago

The Chew Chew is always a nice place to dine. I had the crab stuffed rainbow trout, while my wife had the scallops with risotto. Both were delicious!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Chicago / Illinois

Explore more Diners' Choice lists