We’ve lived in Chicago for many years now, and we have put together a pretty nice repertoire of eateries we absolutely love, which ranges from small mom-and-pop places to striking fine dining, and here are 5 of our all-time favorites (though it was so hard to select!). This is what folks on Yelp.com say on the subject of our faves:

Thai Classic Restaurant – (773) 404-2000

3332 N Clark St
(between School St & Buckingham Pl)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview

My favorite Thai food restaurant in Chicago. Hands down.

I usually order the Pad Thai with shrimp and pork. Squeeze some lime or lemon on the dish… perfection! Everything I have had here is fresh and comforting.
Look no further, this is the Thai food place that you need to try next.

- Colleen B.
Chicago, IL

Opart Thai House Restaurant – (773) 989-8517

4658 N Western Ave
(at Leland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhoods: Ravenswood, Lincoln Square

Favorite Thai place in Chicago! Consistently delivers great food, good service, byob, and good atmosphere. All at reasonable prices. Seems like every other Thai place I visit doesn’t quite match up!

- Scott W.
Chicago, IL

Sticky Rice – (773) 588-0133

4018 N Western Ave
(between Cuyler Ave & Irving Park Rd)
Chicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: North Center

This is one of the few restaurants where I can close my eyes, point at the menu, and randomly pick an item and expect it to be delicious. Even if the description sounds sketchy.
I’ve never ordered anything I didn’t like at Sticky Rice. It’s not typical Thai. Sure, they have your standard pad thai (which is awesome btw) but they also have a variety of more authentic Thai food. The price is reasonable and it’s BYOB. What’s not to love?

-Cindy K.
Chicago, IL

Yes Thai – (773) 878-3487

5211 N Damen Ave
(between Farragut Ave & United States Highway 41)
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square

Recently dined in at Yes Thai. I LOVE this place! The restaurant is on the small side but they play amazing music and have friendly servers. It is BYOB so that saves on the tab. We always get the crab rangoon for starters and you can never go wrong with deep fried cream cheese pillows.

I tried something different than my usual pad thai. I had the ginger chicken with brown rice and it was so delicious! It was full of veggies and flavor. It felt healthier than my usual option.

-Sarah L.
Chicago, IL

Arun’s Thai Restaurant – (773) 539-1909

4156 N Kedzie Ave
(between Warner Ave & Berteau Ave)
Chicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: Irving Park

Yes this place is expensive, and worth every penny. If you want to enjoy an experience from a James Beard nominated chef, you are going to pay. This is a custom experience down to the dietary requirement. To date this is one of the Five best restaraunts I’ve been to in my life, and it is #1 as far as Thai food goes. I will be back.

Check out the site before you go so you know what to expect…

-Gregory P.
Highland, IN

Whenever you’re traveling to a new neighborhood in Chicago for the first time, one of the pleasurable aspects is locating the area’s food options.

You can savor the more exotic neighborhood choices such as the celeb chef five star eateries, or you can test a more affordable experience and find a local hole-in-the-wall’s mouthwatering meal.

After a few excursion dinners however, take a look at looking into a few of the the nearest Thai offerings. After all, who could resist some fabulous Pad thai?

If you test Chicago’s local take on typical Thai dishes you’ll be shocked by the range you will find. From Mango salad to Thai curries, Chicago has it all. You will come across meals hailing from diverse parts of Thailand, as well as modern-day interpretations of classic Spring rolls. This is sensible due to the fact that these family operated eateries have heritage which extends back to a particular place in Thailand. Thanks to multiculturalism, enjoying great Thai cuisine doesn’t mean having to visit all the way to Thailand.

I hope you take advantage of the restaurants featured on this page and make sure you leave space for dessert!

Down below you will find some reliable opinions of great French places in Chicago. Even though it’s always a good idea to test out new restaurants, in some cases it is really useful to see other visitors’ thoughts and opinions when choosing a French place – especially when you have never had French cuisine before!

Chez-Joel – (312) 226-6479

1119 W Taylor St
(between Aberdeen St & May St)
Chicago, IL 60607
Neighborhood: University Village

Very nice and quaint french bistro.
Their food never disappoints and their atmosphere never gets old.
It’s a good place for a romantic dinner for 2 that won’t break the bank. (Check out their Valentines day pre-fixe if you get the chance)

- Chris L.
Chicago, IL

Kiki’s Bistro – (312) 335-5454

900 N Franklin St
(between Locust St & Walton St)
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhood: Near North Side

went here last night for my bday dinner! was just as delicious as last time! Kiki and his wife were there to great and seat us, they are seriously too cute! had the escargots and foie gras again, SO YUUUMMMYYYY! Can’t wait to go back!

- christine p.
Chicago, IL

Le Petit Paris – (312) 787-8260

260 E Chestnut St
(at Lake Shore Dr)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhoods: Streeterville, Near North Side

This review is a bit tardy, as many of mine have been lately….

Petit Paris is my new favorite French place in Chicago. I went with two female friends from out of town and had an absolutely fantastic time. The food was great the staff was engaging and lovely – just good, all around.

-Brad B.
Chicago, IL

Bistro Campagne – (773) 271-6100

4518 N Lincoln Ave
(between Sunnyside Ave & Wilson Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhoods: Ravenswood, Lincoln Square

Bistro Campagne is one of the best restaurants I have been to in Chicago. My boyfriend and I went during restaurant week- he had the steak and I had the chicken. Both were amazing. The restaurant is very cute and quaint and looks like they have a great outdoor area which I look forward to eating at this summer.

- Katie D.
Chicago, IL

Les Nomades – (312) 649-9010

222 E Ontario St
(between Fairbanks Ct & Mc Clurg Ct)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River East

Best meal in years! Worth every penny. I would go there once a week if I could afford it. Food was excellent, wine stunning, and wait staff very impressive. I love the old world feel compared to more modern places. Les Nomades! Thank you to staff for wonderful night!
-H F.
Chicago, IL

When you are traveling to a new neighborhood in Chicago for the first time, among the most fun experiences is locating your local food options.

You can enjoy the extravagant neighborhood choices like the celebrity chef 5 star bistros, or you can test a more budget experience and locate the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall’s mouthwatering meal.

After a couple excursion meals however, give consideration to investigating a few of the city’s French fare. After all, who could resist some delectable Crème brulee?

If you taste Chicago’s local take on conventional French cuisine you will be surprise by the range you’ll find. From Beef bourguignon to French onion soup, Chicago has it all. You will come across meals hailing from diverse parts of France, as well as modern interpretations of classic French onion soup. This isn’t surprising given that quite a number of family operated businesses have history which usually dates back to a particular community in France. Thanks to immigration, having terrific French food doesn’t mean having to go all the way to France.

I hope you enjoy the restaurants presented on this webpage and make sure you leave space for dessert!

When you’re craving Sake, then look no farther than the Japanese places down the page! They are really the best Chicago can offer, and we’re positive you will not leave unhappy – providing you are sure to have the Sashimi or their superb Sashimi!

Sunshine Café – (773) 334-6214

5449 N Clark St
(between Catalpa Ave & Rascher Ave)
Chicago, IL 60640
Neighborhoods: Edgewater, Andersonville

Crazy decor (wood paneling combined with a faux traditional Japanese exterior structure), super affordable and friendly staff.

Love the Katsu Don, Japanese Curry, Sukiyaki and potato croquettes.

- Adam F.
Chicago, IL

Katsu – (773) 784-3383

2651 W Peterson Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Fish was super FRESH. Friendly service. Very authentic. Ran by real Japanese people. Not as hip as some places downtown west loop-ish, but if you’re looking for a piece of japan then go there.

-roland d.
Chicago, IL

Midori Japanese Restaurant – (773) 267-9733

310 W Bryn Mawr Ave
(between Christiana Ave & Spaulding Ave)
Chicago, IL 60659
Neighborhood: North Park

Hands Down my favorite Japanese Restaurant in Chicago! My friend introduced me to Midori back in 2000 and I’ve been coming here ever since. Their Chriashi is probably the best in Chicago and nothing beats their spicy tuna roll, simple yet delicious.

-Matthew L.
Chicago, IL

Tampopo Japanese Restaurant – (773) 561-2277

5665 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60686

Courteous and attentive staff. Kick-ass curry rice, sushi and pretty much anything else they craft in their kitchen. It’s a mission just getting to Tampopo but it’s a trip worth taking. I’ve been stopping by whenever possible for the past 3 years and I can’t think of any cons. Every time I bring someone who hasn’t been they end up going back, which is great because it’s one less time I have to drive. So keep making awesome food and making my friend’s repeat customers. I know I appreciate it.

-Carlos M.
Chicago, IL

Rolls ‘N Bowls – (773) 728-2939

5501 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square

This place is great…so happy to find a place that serves awesome sushi and awesome Japanese food. When we walked in for dinner tonight, we felt like we were in a restaurant that was similar to one that we went to in Japan. The service was great and the sushi was super fresh and very tasty. They had traditional Japanese items on the menu, which we definitely will be trying next time. The Nigiri pieces were big and the rolls were super tasty. So glad to find something that is in the neighborhood that is affordable and great quality. Definitely will be back!

- D B.
Chicago, IL

Whenever you’re visiting a different location in Chicago for the first time, one of the pleasurable experiences is identifying the local meal options.

You can savor the exotic nearby choices like the celebrity chef’s five star bistros, or you can attempt a more low-cost experience and find a local hole-in-the-wall’s mouthwatering meal.

After a few excursion meals however, mull over looking for a handful of the local Japanese options. After all, who couldn’t go for some fabulous Sake?

If you test Chicago’s native version of traditional Japanese food you’ll be astonished by the mix you will discover. From Sake to Sake, Chicago has it all. You will come across meals hailing from distinct areas of Japan, as well as contemporary interpretations of classic Sushi. This makes sense due to the fact that some of these family managed establishments have history that dates back to a particular region in Japan. Thanks to multiculturalism, having good Japanese cuisine doesn’t necessarily mean having to visit all the way to Japan.

I hope you take advantage of the restaurants highlighted on this web page and make sure you leave room for dessert!

We have lived here in Chicago for quite a while at this point, and we’ve amassed a fairly decent collection of restaurants we absolutely love, which ranges from small hole-in-the-wall establishments to impressive fine dining, and here are 5 of our all-time faves (even though it was so tricky to pick!). Here’s what people on Yelp.com say concerning our faves:

L’Appetito Imported – (312) 787-9881

30 E Huron St
(between State St & Wabash Ave)
Chicago, IL 60611
Neighborhood: Near North Side

Italian Foods Hard to beat the sandwiches from L’Appetito. To me, it all starts with good bread and they hit the mark there. Next, the deli meats need to be of high quality (check mark earned again). If you have those two things, it’s really hard to mess up, but some places do. Balance is the last thing – you need properly balanced ingredients (not too much meat, enough lettuce, etc).

Just all around a solid sandwich place, and for what they’re trying to do, I give it 5-stars

- Darien G.
Darien, CT

Volare – (312) 410-9900

201 E Grand Ave (at St Clair St) Chicago, IL Neighborhood: Near North Side

Very simple. Old style Italian restaurant. Delicious food. Great portion size. My buddy had the risotto with chicken and peas. I had pasta with meat sauce with square flat noodles the name of which escapes me. Both were awesome! The plates are full of food. They do not use garnish or decorate the food. It comes out quick, tasty, and voluminous. If you want a fancy Italian place pick another place because this isn’t it.

If you get there early there is no wait. It filled up really fast! I stayed full for almost 12 hours. Really want to go back and try the vodka sauce.

-Jay S.
Baltimore, MD

La Gondola Italian Restaurant – (773) 248-4433

2914 N Ashland Ave
(between George St & Oakdale Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview

We just stopped in because we were craving some pizza.

Not having read up on the place, I was surpised to see it was in a strip mall, but don’t be fooled. This place is a gem. The food is delicious. The service is impeccable. I actually want to be best friends with D.

-Steve W.
Chicago, IL

Franco’s Ristorante – (312) 225-9566

300 W 31st St
(between S Shields Ave & S Princeton Ave)
Chicago, IL 60616
Neighborhood: Bridgeport

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! The service was great.. the food was even better and the ambience is quiet and romantic.. If we ever get a night to go out and splurge a little cash.. This is the place for us!! The Seafood specials are always outstanding.. and Its only a block away from me.. so who can beat that?? If I could critique one thing.. it would be more appetizer selections and maybe a few more other than pasta dishes.
This place is a GOD SEND!!!

- Leslie c.
Chicago, IL

– (312) 243-1740

721 W Grand Ave
(between Halsted St & Milwaukee Ave)
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhoods: Near West Side, River West

Slice of Little Italy away from downtown. When I visit my friend in Chicago, we always head here to have great food and drinks in a friendly place. The specials are excellent (I’m a sucker for risotto) so try those out if they appeal to you.

The staff is efficient and courtious.

-Michael L.
Knoxville, TN

When you’re traveling to a different place in Chicago for the first time, one of the more satisfying experiences is locating the area’s food options.

You can enjoy the more exotic nearby offerings like the celeb chef’s five star restaurants, or you can look at a more inexpensive experience and look for the local hole-in-the-wall’s mouthwatering meal.

After a couple excursion meals however, look into looking for a few of the the nearest Italian options. After all, who could resist some delectable Risotto?

If you test Chicago’s indigenous version of typical Italian food you will be amazed by the range you will find. From Risotto to Gnocci, Chicago has it all. You will discover food hailing from various parts of Italy, as well as modern-day interpretations of classic Pasta. This makes sense because these family run establishments have heritage that dates back to a particular community in Italy. Thanks to immigration, enjoying good Italian cuisine doesn’t mean having to go all the way to Italy.

I hope you take advantage of the restaurants offered on this web page and remember to leave room for dessert!

Whenever you’re picking out a Mexican eatery, there are a lot of things that factor into the final decision (particularly when you’re dining at an upscale spot that will put a dent in your chequebook!). Now, we understand you may not simply want to trust us that these particular places really have the very best Mexican menu you will get in Chicago, so take a look at these testimonials!

Sol De Mexico – (773) 282-4119

3018 N Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
Neighborhood: Cragin

Classy and Fun. Sol de Mexico is an awesome Mexican restuarant! When I first went, I thought it was just another restaurant. I asked for ground beef tacos and realized quickly that ground beef tacos is a very non-classy thing invented by Taco Bell. The steak tacos were PHENOMENAL. The service is excellent and to this day I haven’t had one thing on the menu that I didn’t feel was phenomenal. The owner is really fun and very friendly. Try the Horchata, one of the best! And they really do fish tacos really well.

-Munzoor S.
Chicago, IL

Nuevo Leon Restaurant – (312) 421-1517

1515 W 18th St
(between Laflin St & Ashland Ave)
Chicago, IL 60608
Neighborhood: Pilsen

Nuevo Leon is a great Mexican Restaurant. I have eaten here thousands of times and I have never ever had a bad meal. Breakfast, lunch or dinner you wont go wrong. I havent been there in a few months but I would bet nothing has changed. I would recommend to anyone out there!!!!!

-Keith H.
Chicago, IL

Frontera Grill – (312) 661-1434

445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654
Neighborhood: Near North Side

Awesome food – margaritas to die for! I got the pork enchiladas and they were so great! My friend got the goat and it was amazing! And the mezcal margarita and tamarind margaritas were delicious, it was well worth our wait!

-Angie K.
Little Falls, NJ

El Nuevo Mexicano Restaurant – (773) 528-2131

2914 N Clark St
(between Oakdale Ave & Surf St)
Chicago, IL 60657
Neighborhood: Lakeview

How El Nuevo has received ANYTHING less than five stars from anyone boggles my mind. Between the ridiculously delectable entrees, their to die for mole sauce, unbeatable cocktails, incredible staff, and beyond reasonable pricing, you simply won’t find a better Mexican restaurant in Lakeview. Not even close.

- Lisa K.
Chicago, IL

Los Nopales – (773) 334-3149

4544 N Western Ave
(between Sunnyside Ave & Wilson Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhoods: Ravenswood, Lincoln Square

The tilpia tacos are fantastic. It’s the only entree I’ve ever had here, and may be the only one I ever have. The amount of freshly made guacamole they give you for such a low price is amazing. The staff are friendly and attentive.

-Julie J.
Chicago, IL

Whenever you are traveling to a new neighborhood in Chicago for the first time, one of the more enjoyable experiences is locating the neighborhood’s meal options.

You can indulge in the more exotic neighborhood offerings like the celeb chef’s high end restaurants, or you can try a more affordable experience and locate the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall’s mouthwatering meal.

Following a handful of excursion meals however, give thought to exploring some of the close by Mexican restaurants. After all, who couldn’t go for some delicious Tacos?

If you try out Chicago’s local version of traditional Mexican cuisine you will be surprise by the range you’ll discover. From Guacamole to Quesadillas, Chicago has it all. You will locate meals hailing from different parts of Mexico, as well as contemporary interpretations of classic Tacos. This isn’t surprising since most of these family run establishments have heritage which extends back to a particular community in Mexico. Thanks to multiculturalism, enjoying great Mexican food doesn’t necessarily mean having to travel all the way to Mexico.

I hope you enjoy the restaurants featured on this page and be sure you leave space for dessert!