Chicago

Grant Achatz’s famed Chicago restaurant is well known for its brave and unconventional approach to food. — The World's 50 Best Restaurants

Alinea -- anointed the best restaurant in the country by no less than Gourmet magazine -- is a place no serious foodie should miss. — Frommer's

Alinea captivates diners for nearly 20 moving, transformative courses that often require their participation and humor-"Eat with your fingers here...Use nothing here". — Michelin Guide

Gourmet magazine anointed Alinea the No. 1 restaurant in the country. What’s all the fuss? Chef/mastermind Grant Achatz serves food the likes of which you’ve never seen. — Time Out

Widely regarded as North America's best restaurant, Alinea – helmed by Beard Award–winner Grant Achatz – brings on 20 courses of mind-bending molecular gastronomy. — Lonely Planet

Feeling social? This casual cousin to neighboring Publican gives diners a chance to rub elbows at eight-person communal tables. — Lonely Planet

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

The neighborhood surrounding it continues to gentrify, but Paul Kahan's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant remains refreshingly simple. The service is friendly and prompt, and the tables... — Concierge

It's still one of the "most consistently great" choices in town. — Zagat

Take simple ingredients and combine them into something much more. Eating the dates reminded me of another rule of avec, the first rule of avec: Don’t be afraid. — Time Out

The dessert selection is the primary focus, and it includes warm brioche doughnuts and seven kinds of hot chocolate, each served with homemade marshmallows. — Travel + Leisure

Now that's a mouthful, but the lofty, industrial-chic space allures with rich brown hues on leather banquettes, a long wooden bar, and painted concrete floors. — Michelin Guide

"Mind-blowing" desserts... might get top billing at Mindy Segal's Bucktown American, but fans say the "upscale" comfort food is "really good" too. — Zagat

The pretzel, the burger, the mac and cheese—breathe easy, it’s all still there. — Time Out

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

When you want to "splurge and impress", fans suggest this Streeterville "fine-dining" destination that "hits all the high notes". — Zagat

His artful plates and spot-on flavors are striking --- not to mention indulgent. — Gayot

Serious but not stuffy and imposing but not showy, Tru is a mind-reader of a restaurant, effortlessly giving you what you want before you can even consider asking. — Michelin Guide

Dazzling contemporary cuisine. — Not For Tourists

Eating here is culinary theater at its best. Be ready to spend the evening ogling too-beautiful-to-eat creations. — Concierge

"Try everything" say fans of Paul Kahan's "inspired" West Loop New American, where the pork-centric menu allows for a "superb pigtastic experience". — Zagat

Along with Avec and Blackbird, this is another of chef Paul Kahan's creations -- his take on the Belgian beer hall with a pork and fish focused menu. — Frommer's

The sceney Publican conjures the age-old tradition of a public house (offering a communal setting for animated conversations over a plate of food and pint of beer) to the modern gastropub age. — Michelin Guide

From its large selection of oysters, to its grand, three-tiered seafood tower and aged ham with goat butter and peasant bread, there'€™s munching of all kinds. — Gayot

Simple farmhouse fare. Undoubtedly one of my favorite restaurants in the country, Publican doesn’t disappoint. The service is always impeccable as well as the food. It is a place to go to... — On the Grid

Ultra popular gastropub from "Top Chef" favorite Stephanie Izard. — Not For Tourists

When Stephanie Izard won season four of Top Chef, the victory was a tribute to her faultless sense of style as well as seamless cooking. Both skills pay off, handsomely, in her big, sexy... — Concierge

Here's a bit of Chicago history for you. After becoming the first female Top Chef winner in 2008, Stephanie Izard lived the celebrity chef rock star life without actually having a... — The Infatuation

Diners come in search of farm-fresh menu items with bold flavor contrasts, East Asian accents, and a sense of humor. — Travel + Leisure

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

McCaskey's plates are camera-ready gorgeous, each component getting its own space on the plate. — Chicago Tribune

Multi-course tasting menus inspired by Vacationland. — Not For Tourists

Expertly seasoned, bacon-wrapped rabbit loin and sausage drizzled with vanilla-apricot jus and dotted with nasturtiums, rest on Dijon-eggplant puree. — Michelin Guide

Ryan McCaskey's classic, contemporary American in the South Loop flies in the face of current convention. — Gayot

The Northeast coast makes a splash in the South Loop with this elegant enclave from chef-owner Ryan McCaskey. Dishes are fresh, inventive, and often have a slight modernist touch, such as... — Fodor's

You may feel out of place at this Michelin-starred gastropub sans a plaid shirt and a Grizzly Adams-style beard. — Travel + Leisure

This is the gastropub that put Logan Square on the map as a wow-worthy dining destination. — Condé Nast Traveler

The reason we, and probably you, continue to love Longman and Eagle has a lot to do with them sticking to their “Eat Sleep Whisky” mantra, and continuing to do so at affordable price points. — The Infatuation

A modern take on an old Chicago neighborhood inn. Eat, sleep, drink. — On the Grid

He has the culinary chops to pull off dishes like seared scallops with beech mushrooms, pickled ramp bulbs and black truffle cream of wheat. — Gayot

Chef Giuseppe Tentori of Lincoln Park's Baka goes fish shack-chic with this lively, sceney haunt that's an after-work favorite among the young professionals around River North. — Michelin Guide

If we are forced to live in a world where 50 Cent doesn’t own an oyster bar, GT Fish & Oyster is at least an alternative option we’ll happily take. — The Infatuation

Chef Giuseppe Tentori (Boka) puts the focus on seafood at this buzzy spot, whose menu offers six kinds of oysters plus hot and cold dishes like tuna poke with mango and cucumber,... — Where

Is in every respect more comfortable, affordable and delicious than Boka. — Time Out

The small-plates menu is a nifty balance of the expected — required elements such as clam chowder, crab cakes, smoked salmon — and the wholly unexpected. — Chicago Tribune

Paul Kahan won the James Beard Foundation's 2004 award for Best Chef Midwest and the consistently huge crowds at this nicely appointed room know it. — BlackBook

"Interesting", "sophisticated" New American dishes are "beautifully presented" by "attentive" staffers at this "well-established" West Loop "classic" from Paul Kahan and crew. — Zagat

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

The fine dining pioneers of Randolph Street, Paul Kahan and team, keep this somewhat industrial stretch of the neighborhood lively, pushing forward with this perennial favorite. — Michelin Guide

Behind an all-glass storefront, Blackbird’s interior is sleek and minimalist, adorned with bare white walls, hardwood floors, and metallic chairs facing high-backed gray banquettes. — Travel + Leisure

The name makes perfect sense, once you have ascended the forty floors of the Chicago Stock Exchange to this dramatic view of the city skyline. — Michelin Guide

Classic fine dining experience with a knock-out view. — Not For Tourists

Located on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, Everest is known for its French cuisine, award-winning wine list, and views of the city. — Travel + Leisure

No one expects romance at the top of the Chicago Stock Exchange, but Everest does its best to throw you a curve wherever and whenever. — Fodor's

Appropriately located on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, its magnificent city views are a perfect companion for Joho’s highbrow Alsatian cuisine. — Forbes Travel Guide

Wildly imaginative Mexican food: Frontera Grill is crowded and boisterous; Topolobampo is more refined and pricier. — Rough Guide

For two decades, this has been the spot for a vibrant slice of Mexico City, a place to chow down on ceviches, earthy mole, wood-grilled steak tucked into housemade tortillas. — Time Out

Rick and Deann Bayless have been wowing diners with their pioneering new takes on tacos, beans, and sauces since 1987. — Concierge

Frontera Grill is overlooked. Yes, we just called one of the most famous restaurants in Chicago, owned by one of the most well-known chefs in the country (Rick Bayless), which has been... — The Infatuation

Rick Bayless, one of the country’s most influential champions of Mexican cuisine, got his start here, showcasing well-executed dishes. — Insight Guides

After a serious refresh (which may not be reflected in the scores), this hip Lincoln Park New American has a new menu and a new look. — Zagat

If you're doing Steppenwolf pre-theater dinner on North Halsted Street, this upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval. — Fodor's

Boka makes for a great fancy yet still cool night on the town. — The Infatuation

At the Lobby, Wolen’s star dish was a roasted chicken for two, a dish brought to Chicago from New York’s NoMad (the sister restaurant to Eleven Madison Park, where Wolen was a sous chef). — Time Out

Stylish option close to the Steppenwolf Theatre, serving inventive and tasty dishes from around the world on a changing weekly menu that offers small ($8–12) and large ($21–37) portions, depending on your appetite. — Rough Guide

Gear up for a fine ride with French-meets-seasonal American cuisine from chef Bruce Sherman. — Gayot

Earthy contemporary American. — Not For Tourists

Nestled on a quiet pond in the middle of Lincoln Park, this contemporary American restaurant boasts one of the loveliest settings in the city. — DK Eyewitness

Tucked away in Lincoln Park, north of the zoo, North Pond truly is a hidden treasure. — Frommer's

Chef Bruce Sherman's "fabulously creative" seasonal cooking plus a "lovely", "romantic" location inside Lincoln Park and "excellent" views of North Pond. — Zagat

Perhaps the most aptly named restaurant in the city, Grace is one of Chicago’s most Zen — and luxurious, and delicious, and memorable — fine-dining experiences. — Forbes Travel Guide

Breakout culinary star Curtis Duffy (veteran of Avenues and Alinea) makes a home for his inventive white-tablecloth cuisine at this West Loop stunner. — Fodor's

Breathtaking. Painstaking attention to detail. These words only hint at the experience in store at Curtis Duffy'€™s refined New American dining room. — Gayot

Hear this, moneybags: Spend that dough at Grace. — Time Out

If you're going to spend $700 on a meal for two (wine pairings and tip included) you may as well do it here. — Condé Nast Traveler

For those looking to impress a client or a date with the general public’s notion of what constitutes a fine-dining experience, Sixteen has a table waiting just for you. — Time Out

This uber-classy, curvaceous dining room is adorned with a massive, twinkly Swarovski-crystal chandelier, soaring ceilings and a sweeping skyline view. — Gayot

Uninterrupted views of the landmark Wrigley Building, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago River make it easy to overlook the food at Sixteen—but you shouldn't. — Fodor's

Chef Frank Brunacci is sure to capture your attention with homemade crumpets for breakfast, lobster rolls for lunch, or seasonal risotto with escargot for dinner. — Travel + Leisure

Can a four-star meal begin with fried smelts and end with a Butterfinger bar? My last dinner at Sixteen says yes. — Chicago Tribune

A riot of colors in the high-ceilinged, second-floor dining room overlooking Grant Park on some level prepares diners for the full-on flavor fest. — Gayot

Just off Michigan Avenue, Mercat a la Planxa offers diners a taste of Barcelona with its authentic Catalan cuisine. — Travel + Leisure

This Barcelona-style tapas and seafood restaurant buzzes in an enormous, convivial room where light streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. — Lonely Planet

Sit back and let executive Chef Jose Garces take you on a culinary tour of Barcelona by way of this operation in the Renaissance Blackstone Hotel. — Michelin Guide

South Michigan Avenue, a stretch of offices and venerable old buildings such as the Hilton Chicago and Symphony Center, isn't exactly hip. — 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

Carlson's artfully displayed entrées... are so good we'd eat them on the curb in front of the tire shop across the street. — Concierge

Innovative fine dining with a hipster vibe. — Not For Tourists

Schwa offers a bit of everything, including some molecular gastronomy, a fun atmosphere, rotating menu, and great music. — The Infatuation

Blink and you'll miss Michael Carlson's contemporary, minimal (some would say barren) BYO storefront. — Gayot

The fanatics of Chicago have been tweeting about the Purple Pig since the day it opened, and so far there hasn’t been a critical word among them. — Time Out

We rarely consider The Purple Pig for three pretty specific reasons: it's old news, they don't take reservations, and the thought of dealing with the Magnificent Mile is a bigger mental... — The Infatuation

The "interesting" Mediterranean menu is a "foodie adventure", full of "delicious", "mind-blowing" small plates. — Zagat

The slogan at this open-kitchen restaurant/wine bar is "Cheese, Swine, and Wine." Chef Jimmy Bannos, Jr., takes all three very seriously. — Frommer's

“Cheese, swine and wine” is the motto at this buzzing Mag Mile hideaway, which offers award-winning cuisine from chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. The menu includes a variety of antipasti, “smears”... — Where

Chef Takashi Yagihashi takes a break from his eponymous Bucktown flagship at this casual spinoff dedicated to belly- warming noodles and other simple Japanese dishes. — Michelin Guide

Chef Takashi Yagihashi has a few eateries around town, but the Slurping Turtle is his nod to Japanese comfort food. — Travel + Leisure

Celebrity chef Takashi Yagihashi's ramen, libations and other treats. — Not For Tourists

Takashi Yagihashi (Takashi, Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi) knows his way around a bowl of noodles --- that much was already clear. — Gayot

Nobody remembers Michael Jordan in his late years. But at the same time, did you know MJ averaged 20 points and played in all 82 games his last season? That’s Slurping Turtle. We kind of... — The Infatuation