Acanto Chicago

Acanto sits on South Michigan Avenue, directly across from the Art Institute of Chicago. The restaurant holds a Wine Spectator Excellence Award, which anchors the focus of the dining room.

The venue feels more grounded than the other polished options lining the park. While the room runs smart and elegant, it avoids the performative formality that often defines this part of town. You visit for the classic and contemporary Italian menu, which remains consistent even when the sidewalks outside fill with tourists heading toward Cloud Gate. It is a choice for anyone who prefers a focused glass of wine over the visual distractions of the park.