Chicago

If you have four hours and $265 to spare, the 18-course tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz's stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic experience. — Fodor's

The brilliant Chicago restaurant that launched a thousand wood-burning ovens. — Bon Appétit

The savory menu is well crafted, too, with choices such as a pork chop with sausage and spaetzle and a tuna melt made with tuna poached in olive oil, wild capers, and Havarti cheese. — Fodor's

A former Arts and Crafts–style warming house for ice-skaters at Lincoln Park's North Pond, this gem in the woods fittingly champions an uncluttered culinary style. — Fodor's

This romantic Magnificent Mile restaurant, an influential part of the Chicago dining since 1984, features the award-winning Italian cuisine of celebrity chef Tony Mantuano. — Travel + Leisure

Owners Rick and Deann Bayless are widely credited with bringing authentic Mexican regional cuisine to a wider audience. — Frommer's

A "special-occasion place", this seafood-focused South Loop New American impresses with Ryan McCaskey's "imaginative", "delicious" prix fixe meals presented "beautifully". — Zagat

There’s no question what you’ll get if you score a seat at Big Star: tacos. And we’re not talking about boring old Americanized tacos. — Frommer's

At some point during a recent meal at Schwa—between the pad thai and the arctic char roe, I believe—a chef came out of the kitchen with two small plates. — Time Out

Simple farmhouse fare — On the Grid

Named for the French slang for Merlot, Blackbird has remained relevant for nearly two decades via stunning presentation of modern Midwestern fare. — Condé Nast Traveler

Towering high above the Chicago Stock Exchange, Everest is an oasis of fine-dining civility. — Frommer's

While adventurous diners may rise to the challenge of the Roasted Pig Face, others will take comfort in more accessible dishes such as grilled octopus with Serrano ham and braised pistachios. — Frommer's

Come to Fat Rice for a lively evening, from the spectacle of the kitchen to the bold, arresting flavors on the plate — Condé Nast Traveler

It has all the trappings of an authentic East Coast seafood house, one brought up to modern day speed. — Gayot

The Thompson Hotel is one of Chicago’s hottest hotel destinations, so it seems fitting to tap one of the city’s finest chefs to make its restaurant a culinary destination. — Fodor's

Chef-partner Chris Pandel is a big believer in seasonal, made-from-scratch ingredients, and that goes for the ketchup, vinegar, pickles and preserves. — Gayot

Le Bouchon is Le Sh*t. We don’t know how well that translates into French, so let’s make it clear that Le Bouchon is one of our favorite restaurants around. — The Infatuation

If you're looking for rustic French fare on the North Side, this is the place to come. — Fodor's

There are many small-plate Italian enotecas in town. But only one features the tagline “cheese, wine, and swine.” — Travel + Leisure