Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Pigtail

4.9

4.9 (112)

$31 to $50

Spanish

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

PIGTAIL: PIG & COCKTAIL is a celebration of Chef José Andrés’ two favorite things: jamón ibérico and balanced, crafted cocktails. Located in the lower level of Jaleo Chicago, the intimate space is the perfect place to start or end your evening with a libation experience you can’t find anywhere else. Dive into Pigtail’s elevated jamón and Spanish inspired cocktails using the categories as a guide. We also have a list of some of our favorite classics. And don’t forget the bites! Find jamón ibérico used in a wide array of intriguing preparations. Chef José likes to eat with his hands, so follow his lead and have fun!

Top review

Ted

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

This was first time at Pigtail and I really it. Set in a basement but just recently remolded it is cozy but not crowded. The Iberico Pork - in almost every dish - was incredible. Fun night for cocktails and casual dishes. There 100 proof Manhattan was awesome!

Takito Kitchen - Wicker Park

4.8

4.8 (721)

$30 and under

Mexican

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Takito Kitchen is a seven-year-old, "award-winning" modern taqueria (taco joint) in Wicker Park featuring Mexican-inspired cuisine with fresh ingredients & complex flavors, along with handcrafted margaritas; 100% gluten-free menu & freshly squeezed juice margaritas:-)

Top review

Jose

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Delicious all around! Cucumber margarita was the best!

Machine: Engineered Dining and Drink

4.7

4.7 (1538)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Wicker Park on Division, Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink serves globally-inspired, yet approachable cuisine, along with a renowned cocktail program of interactive, visually striking and photo-worthy drinks. While enjoying brunch, dinner or happy hour, guests can take advantage of the onsite florist by creating a table-side bouquet or purchasing one of Machine's stunning pre-made arrangements. With a vibrant, romantic ambiance and one of the largest patios on Chicago's west side, Machine is ideal for special events, bridal & baby showers, birthdays, anniversaries, and date nights. Menu highlights include: Tofu Volcano, Duck Gnocchi, Mushroom Pate, NY Strip, Chicken Tacos, Pork Belly Benedict, and Strawberry Shortcake French Toast.
Be sure to visit us for Happy Hour (Wed-Fri 4-6 pm) for half off communal cocktails & wine!

Top review

MaryM

Dined on Jul 12, 2024

Lovely evening with my Book Club. We ate inside so we had low noise levels for good conversation.

Discover more

Popular dish

Steak Frites

Gyu-Kaku - Naperville

4.6

4.6 (354)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Naperville

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Best tasting KBBQ I’ve had in the area. Bit pricey!

Discover more

Experience

Prix-Fixe Yakiniku Courses for Everyone!

P.F. Chang's - Orland Park

4.5

4.5 (362)

$30 and under

Chinese

Orland Park

About the restaurant

We are an Asian & Chinese restaurant offering dine-in, takeout, to-go, delivery, and catering. Make a reservation online to dine in. Order Asian and Chinese food delivery, takeout, and catering online or through the P.F. Chang's mobile app. Let us cater the perfect feast for you - corporate office catering menus are also available. P.F. Chang's offers a variety of signature Asian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Mongolian, and Chinese food dishes including Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Chicken Pad Thai, Signature Lo Mein, Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Chang's Spicy Chicken, and Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Order online for sushi delivery and takeout. Many gluten-free and vegetarian menu items are available. Try our seasonal cocktails and seasonal menu items.

Top review

Lynnvip

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

The food was delicious, pork stickers brown rice with Mongolian beef , don’t forget the edamame’s! Passed on dessert, to full!

Discover more

Lucky 8 Happy Hour (Mon - Fri, 3 - 6pm)

Casa Chi

4.5

4.5 (9)

$30 and under

Contemporary Latin

Streeterville

About the restaurant

Casa Chi is a cocktail forward Nikkei concept by Chef Richard Sandoval. Nikkei offers a unique, historical blend of flavors combining traditional Japanese tastes with the vibrant palette of Peruvian cuisine. At Casa Chi, the essence of "Earth House" is embodied in every dish, where smoke, fire, and Earth converge as central elements. Smokey Mezcal-forward cocktails and interactive hot stone cooking create a distinct dining experience meant to be shared and savored.

Top review

HappyHourvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Great customer service, recommend ordering the margarita flight or Sake -Uvignion

Discover more

Experience

Margarita Cocktail Hour

Experience

Beats and Bites

Disco Pancake

4.1

4.1 (12)

$30 and under

American

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

At Disco Pancake, we believe breakfast should be more than just a meal – it should be an experience. That’s why we’ve combined unique flavors with fun and funky vibes to create a one-of-a-kind dining destination. Our team is passionate about serving up delicious food and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all our guests. We strive to make every visit to Disco Pancake a memorable one.

Top review

pat

Dined 7 days ago

Met some friends for a birthday breakfast. Fun indoor decor but nice enough weather to sit outside and was surprised the music was also piped out there. I had a spinach and mushroom omelet as did other friend. Toast was great and the hash browns come in waffle shape—-very crispy and delish! Other friend had platter and he loved it and the birthday guy had buttermilk pancakes with fruit. They remembered to put a birthday sparkly flare in his pancakes so made for festive breakfast. Attentive service w coffee refills. Would definitely go back.

Vermilion

4.0

4 (2254)

$31 to $50

Indian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Advocating unabashed intrepid Indian cuisine since 2003. Feast on the best of our fare: our new Chaat Bar, Indian-Latin flagship dishes & newer Indian-Chinese fare. A sensual space with dramatic accents of lights, fire, art & metal. Best Restaurants Travel & Leisure, Bon Appetit, Esquire, Town & Country, Chicago magazine, 3 stars Chicago Tribune. Unpretentious, bold flavors, with substantive real food. No precious overpriced bites. Botanic "Herb & Spice" & "Ode to Chicago" cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks. boutique global wines. Omnivore fare galore & over 15 vegetarian/vegan dishes. Vermilion is woman-led & champions women as the founder of Let's Talk Womxn, an action movement of 900+ women restaurateurs across 15 cities. Founder/Chair of the James Beard Foundation Women's Program for a decade.

Top review

Mabelvip

Dined on Sep 8, 2024

Always a pleasure to dine at Vermilion, excellent food and attentive service

Mama Delia

4.0

4 (9)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Ukrainian Village

About the restaurant

Mama Delia, located in Chicago's Wicker Park, is a modern Spanish restaurant and sherry bar offering a fresh take on what is happening in Spain today.

Mama Delia is a celebration of the authentic culture of Spain, today. Via our frequent trips to Spain each year, we are able to experience first-hand the cultural shifts this dynamic country undergoes and bring those flavors and culinary traditions back to Chicago.

Led by Chef Marcos Campos, our menus showcase the exquisite regional products of Spain with dishes that are ingredient-driven and nostalgic. Following Chef Marcos’ lead, desserts by Executive Pastry Chef Shannah Primiano combine classic Spanish sweet dishes with her more contemporary methods and intriguing ingredient pairings. The award-winning beverage team, led by industry vanguard Brian Sturgulewski, has built Mama Delia’s bar program around the inimitable versatility of sherry, not only as a world class wine but also as a cocktail ingredient without parallel.

Top review

Matt

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

Great service and setting. Drinks were lovely. Ambiance nice. But friendly service made it an unforgettable evening.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Chicago / Illinois

Explore more Diners' Choice lists