A burger sampling at Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Oak Park.
Stuck in a rut when it comes to eating out? Good thing the Chicago restaurant scene gets an injection of new life almost every week. Whether you want to know where to go tonight or what opening to mark on your calendar, our guide to fresh spots for feasting has all the details you crave.
Visit a new restaurant lately? Tell us what you think about it.
Ready to Digest
Cupcakes never tasted so meaty at The Meatloaf Bakery
A restaurant for just cupcakes is so last year, so this Lincoln Park "bakery" decided to take it a few (or perhaps many) steps further: They present to the public a literal bakery of meat.
Be a hero: Take your date to Hiro's Cafe
Grab a bottle of sake or of your favorite Japanese beer and head on down to this Lakeview sushi joint where familiarity is the name of the game.
A taste of Bologna at La Trattoria del Merlo
The owners of the Merlo Ristorante and Merlo on Maple have a third go at setting up their own taste of Bologna in Chicago.
Find your new favorite chain burger at Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Why the big deal about this new Oak Park eatery? It helps if you make the comparison that many people like to jump to: think "East Coast answer to In-N-Out Burger." The parallels are clear: No frozen meat, fresh veggies and hand-cut potatoes for the fries and a minimal menu. Burgers, fries, hot dogs, and soda. There's just a touch of roadhouse as well, with free peanuts on hand to enjoy and discard where one sees fit. (Lincoln Park now has a location, too.)
Fatten up on Flaco's Tacos
For months, Printer's Row residents wondered about the storefront sign decorated with a giant hat illustration that proclaimed the sombrero would come off in 2008. The sombrero—and sign—eventually did come off. Behind it? A tasty Mexican eatery, owned by the folks who run Hackney's (which is just a few doors down). Dios mio!
Get your late-night food fix at Milwood
Wicker Park's newest late-night burger and pizza joint is a clean, classy, respectful joint serving well-crafted, quality-maintained junk food that you will not regret upon waking up the next day.
Tacos done right at Taqueria LP Express
The Ashland Avenue La Pasadita empire branches out to the Northwest Side. If you've had their tacos, you know what to expect. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?
The crusts come thin (how else?) at Monticchio
Named after Laghi di Monticchio, an area in the Basillicata region, this restaurant is inspired by owner Jim Delelio's travels through Italy. The rustic menu features — oh no, wait for it — thin-crust pizza! Grab a pie for about 10 bucks, or one of the other pasta creations.
Get your Mediterranean fresh at Nesh!
Nesh Mediterranean Grill is what it's trying to be: a Middle Eastern-themed spot in the heart of Lincoln Park. The poppy logo, and the unnecessary use of exclamation points after the first word in the restaurant's moniker, may rub you the wrong way, but the food will not.
Chelsea Grill keeps it comfortable
Chef Robert Butterfield has given comfort foods a bit of his own spin, showing that fine dining and dishes like mac 'n' cheese don't have to be mutually exclusive. A simple menu and good beer make a winning combination in Lincoln Square.
Coffee with a twist at Espression by Lavazza Cafe
If you're looking to drink coffee in style, Espression by Lavazza is your destination. Located next to the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago, it is a place for those looking to lounge, relax and possibly dine in a cafe with a slick, modern-European coffeehouse atmosphere.
Small plates done right at Tapas Las Ramblas
Stop in for traditional tapas at this Andersonville spot in the former Il Fiasco space. They do 'em up hot and cold, in convenient small-plate form.
All Cuban, all the time at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe
These days there seems to be a Cuban restaurant on every corner, hawking pressed water bread pork, ham and swiss cheese filled cubanos and sweet caramelized plantains. That being said, this Roscoe Village cafe is one of the best.
Top-notch pie up north with Antica Pizzeria
From its wood-burning stoves baking up fresh Neapolitan-style pizza to its classically Italian menu, this place satisfies cravings and fits in with the overwhelming Andersonville gentrification trend.
Deleece Grill Pub goes all-American
The former Shochu got a quick makeover into this casual Lakeview American eatery. While there are a few remnants of Shochu's Asian roots, this is primarily a meat-and-potatoes place.
Rockstar Dogs rocks out in Lincoln Park
A nice hit in East Village, Rockstar Dogs brings its rock and roll-themed menu into the heart of Lincoln Park, where drunken voyagers can satisfy their cravings for whatever type of hot dog their intoxicated heart desires.
Province carves out its own niche
Though it might seem like it on the surface, Province is not the second coming of Nacional 27. True, former Nacional Chef Randy Zweiban is bringing his famed ceviches and some Latin flair to his meals at this new West Loop spot, but, unless someone does a few too many shots, you won't find a salsa dancer in sight.
Get a taste of Detroit (this is a good thing) at Steve's Deli
This second location of Steve's (the original is the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills) is pretty much a home away from home for those folks. Huge sandwiches and Jewish delicacies dominate the menu and are available for your home from the take-away market on the other side of the restaurant.
Family friendly food at John's Place Roscoe Village
It's a family affair at this offshoot of the Lincoln Park location, which will make the brunch crowd smile with scrambles and fresh squeezed juices abound.
More sushi on Southport at Lips
OK, let's be honest: The name is more than a little off-putting. And the signage (a blank face with a pair of lips) is just as confusing. Is it a salon? A cosmetic shop? A botox boutique? Perhaps there's some secret agenda in the works for Lips, but in the meantime the shop is rolling out nigiri and maki rolls for its Southport neighbors.
Get a fresh start at The Publican
Whether it's the winter squash soup from Indiana or Iberico de 'bellota' ham from Spain, you know exactly where the ingredients are coming from. Choose from simple menu options or chef's recommendations, but a glance at the menu is enough to see that simple doesn't mean colorless.
Mediterranean-infused dining comes to Bucktown at The Bristol
The latest Bucktown spot features fancy finger food, gourmet specialties, and an exotic cocktail bar with special ingredients galore. Get the monkey bread appetizer for $3, and thank us later.
Build your own burger at The Counter
Your days of "hold the onion, please" are finally over. Located in Lincoln Park, The Counter lets you customize everything that goes on your bread, from meats to sauce.
Add some spice to your meal at Jamaica Jamaica
This Evanston spot is a little bit lounge with faux-marble countertops and leaf wood-carvings on the wall, a little bit restaurant with jet black roll-ups and a way-beyond tapas menu, yet gives a cafe feel with a juice and vegetable bar.
The bird is the word at Bucktown's Wingstop
The wing has been dominating bar menus for years now, so it's no surprise they would soon get a restaurant of their own. Indulge you fowl cravings with a number of wing options, including cajun, BBQ and Hawaiian.
You've never seen a cupcake like this at More Cupcakes
Ever had bacon on your cupcake? This trail-blazing cupcake cafe offers specialties like the BLT. That's right; a bacon/lettuce/tomato cupcake, a concept so absurd yet so brilliant, you're really just incredibly grateful McDonald's didn't get a hold of it first.
Jaipur brings classic Indian cuisine to the West Loop
The menu is made up of traditional Indian fare: Menu options range from popular entrees like Tandoori chicken to a sweet carrot pudding that is one of Jaipur's specialties.
Hot Off the Grill
Briejo
This Oak Park spot offers creative American comfort food.
Farmerie 58
Seafood menu gets a rustic touch in River North.
Bonton
This Lombard European wine bar from the owner of the adjacent Praga includes modern decor, tapas and over 200 wines.
Soul
Fill up on regional American fare at this Clarendon Hills restaurant.
Madame Tartine
The former BB's has morphed into a French brasserie.
Sikia
This student-run restaurant offers upscale takes on classic African cuisine.
Grand Station Restaurant & Cocktails
Expect classic American comfort food like roasted chicken, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks at this Arlington Heights restaurant.
Still Cooking
Pizza Fusion
Get your pie with all-organic ingredients, gluten-free, and with lactose-free cheeses at this Naperville spot, due to open in January.
Eivissa
This tapas and sangria spot opens this winter in Old Town.
Jackson Park Grill
This high-end restaurant (with executive chef Jason Paskewitz) takes over River North later this year.
Olo
This expansive Mediterranean restaurant is set to hit downtown this fall.
Sunda
This modern Asian restaurant from the team behind Rockit Bar & Grill opens this fall in River North.
Masada
The owners of Sultan's Market open this Logan Square Middle Eastern sit-down eatery in early 2009.
My Pie
Northbrook gets the reincarnation of the popular Lincoln Park pizzeria, which closed in June 2008. Expect it to open in spring 2009.
Subscribe in your favorite reader using the links below. To learn more about feeds and RSS, click here.
