Seasonal Picks

A seasonally minded collection of restaurants we’d recommend right now and book again tomorrow.

Restaurants

1. Brûlée
   Rating: 4.1 (574 reviews)
   Cuisine: Southern
   Price: $
   Description: It’s all about brunch here, where chef Emani Roberts celebrates local flavors through the lens of comforting, crowd-pleasing plates. An expansive menu features memorable options: lobster and sweet potato waffles, banana split parfait, and avocado "croast," a play on avocado toast atop a billowy croissant. You’ll likely want to try a few dishes, so best to come prepared (i.e. hungry, or with a group).

2. Leiya
   Rating: 4.1 (35 reviews)
   Cuisine: Chinese
   Price: $

3. Arbella
   Rating: 4.7 (1.4K reviews)
   Cuisine: Cocktail & Aperitivo Bar
   Price: $
   Description: An enchanting, contemporary speakeasy where some of the city’s best cocktails are whipped up with ease. For eats, Arbella has a globally inspired menu of small plates including build-your-own baos filled with pork belly or chicken shawarma. Take advantage of the weekly happy hour specials and DJ sets where the running theme is good vibes only.

4. Tzuco
   Rating: 4.7 (231 reviews)
   Cuisine: Modern Mexican
   Price: $
   Description: A stunning space that’s always buzzing with energy, chef Carlos Gaytán and his team delight diners with his highly personal take on Mexican cuisine. Think heirloom tomatoes with huitlacoche fondue and pickled peaches, chile relleno served with couscous salad, and tacos filled with everything from roasted octopus to creamy lobster. Pro Tip: Book a seat at the kitchen counter if you can.

5. Amaru
   Rating: 4.8 (221 reviews)
   Cuisine: Modern Latin
   Price: $

6. Valedor
   Rating: 4.6 (547 reviews)
   Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
   Price: $$
   Description: Intriguing and moody, linger over drinks and shareable snacks at this Wicker Park spot, maybe with a date, friends, or even rolling solo. Japanese-Mexican food isn’t new — in fact, it’s more common than not in Mexico City — but it’s done extremely well here via al pastor gyoza, skewered gouda katsu, and horchata spiked with sake.

7. Anatolia
   Rating: 4.7 (300 reviews)
   Cuisine: Modern Turkish
   Price: $$

8. The Little Lark
   Rating: 4.8 (301 reviews)
   Cuisine: Pizza
   Price: $
   Description: When it comes to top pizza spots in Chicago, The Little Lark soars. Here, the acclaimed team behind Lardon, Union, and The Meadowlark offer a menu that's approachable but reflects meticulous care — its wood-fired, neo-Neapolitan pizzas are a dazzling display of seasonal ingredients and handmade components.

9. Turquoise Cafe & Restaurant
   Rating: 4.5 (208 reviews)
   Cuisine: Mediterranean Italian
   Price: $$
   Description: Know that you’re in good hands: Turquoise has been serving Mediterranean fare in Chicago for over two decades. Their expertise shines in crispy zucchini fritters, imam bayildi (stuffed eggplant), and tender braised lamb, alongside a cherished all-you-can-eat brunch. Step inside for the charm, stay for the sun-drenched patio and perfectly grilled kebabs.

10. Cerdito Muerto
    Rating: 4.9 (372 reviews)
    Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
    Price: $
    Description: After working at restaurants across Chicago, Emidio Oceguera returned to his Pilsen neighborhood to open this intimate restaurant and cocktail bar. Tucked away in a historic building that once housed his father’s pool hall and his mother’s taqueria, the venue reflects Oceguera’s local history and Mexican heritage with a drinks list featuring Mexican beer and wine selections plus house cocktails, and a fun, focused menu of dishes like duck carnitas nachos and beet tacos.

11. Omakase Yume
    Rating: 4.8 (1.6K reviews)
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Price: $$$
    Description: Settle in for a memorable evening at this Michelin-starred West Loop restaurant. The omakase menu reflects chef Sangtae Park’s same commitment to craft he wields at his other spots — Japanese izakaya TenGoku Aburiya and Korean steakhouse Bonyeon. Omakase Yume hosts two seatings per night with only eight seats available for each, so be sure to book in advance.

12. Dimmi Dimmi
    Rating: 4.8 (1.7K reviews)
    Cuisine: Italian
    Price: $$
    Description: From the quaint space to the comforting bites and bracing apéritif cocktails, it’s all the best kind of classic Italian. Focaccia and pastas are made in-house, chicken or eggplant parm is smothered in fresh mozzarella, and tavern-style pizzas are crisp and cracker-thin. Plus, the signature Calabrian dirty martini comes with a ‘nduja-gorgonzola stuffed olive — need we say more?

13. CEBU Lakeview
    Rating: 4.5 (114 reviews)
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Price: $$
    Description: This family-run restaurant prides itself on bold cooking spotlighting regional Filipino cuisine. Come for brunch and sample fun handhelds like the pork tocino burrito or chicken inasal wrap alongside sweet favorites like ube pancakes or strawberry calamansi French toast. All of it sets the stage for dinner, when the team offers their take on classics like lechon or lumpia, with shrimp and Ada Boom sauce.