The TOP 10 Restaurants in Chicago

What is it? Miru sits inside The St. Regis Hotel at 401 E Wacker Dr. It holds the no. 17 spot on La Liste and functions as a destination for contemporary Japanese seafood.

Why we love it: This is a high-stakes, expensive room that justifies its price tag through its proximity to the city's major cultural hubs. You are a ten-minute walk from Cloud Gate and Millennium Park, and roughly fifteen minutes from the Art Institute of Chicago, making the precise, structured menu at Miru a rare find for a lunch or dinner break in this district.

Good to Know: The terrace at Miru is the primary reason to reserve a table, provided you adhere to the smart and elegant dress code required for the fine dining space.

What is it? Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf sits at 218 W Kinzie St, a ten-minute walk from the House of Blues Chicago. It holds a ranking as no. 66 on The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants.

Why we love it: This is a high-priced destination that balances French, classic, and grill techniques within a focused fine dining framework. With a 4.86 rating from 3651 reviews, the consistency of the experience at Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf consistently rewards those seeking a specific, romantic atmosphere.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf is best suited to the mood of a classic, dimly lit steakhouse environment.

What is it? River Roast sits at 315 N LaSalle St, a four-minute walk from the Chicago Riverwalk. This restaurant bridges contemporary, fusion, and seafood-heavy menus within a large, formal dining space.

Why we love it: While many nearby spots focus on quick bites for the tourist crowd, River Roast leans into its fine dining architecture and expansive views. With a guest rating of 4.76 across nearly 5,000 reviews, the kitchen maintains a high level of consistency for a mid-priced menu that manages to balance accessibility with a sense of occasion.

Good to Know: The dress code at River Roast is smart and elegant, so trade your sneakers for polished footwear before heading over from the nearby House of Blues.

What is it? Tre Dita is a fine dining restaurant located inside The St. Regis Hotel at 401 E Wacker Dr. It holds a 2024 Wine Spectator Excellence Award for its program and sits a ten-minute walk from Cloud Gate.

Why we love it? This venue distinguishes itself by bridging classic and contemporary Italian cuisines within a high-end, view-oriented setting. Its position on Wacker Drive offers a refined alternative to the tourist-heavy dining options near Millennium Park, holding an impressive 4.76 rating from nearly 700 guests.

Good to Know: Tre Dita requires a smart and elegant dress code to match its polished dining room, so prioritize structured tailoring over casual wear when securing a reservation.

What is it? Kumiko is a fine dining restaurant on West Lake Street, situated a fifteen-minute walk from the Willis Tower. It is recognized as the best bar in the Midwest by North America’s 50 Best Bars and ranks among the top 15 bars in the USA according to Food & Wine.

Why we love it? While many spots in the city cater to the high-traffic crowds near Millennium Park, Kumiko commands a higher price point by focusing on a deliberate, contemporary fusion of Japanese culinary traditions. The 4.78 guest rating reflects a consistent commitment to the space’s luxury atmosphere, making it a standout for those seeking a quiet, romantic evening rather than a standard bar experience.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s Japanese fusion style makes Kumiko best suited for diners who favor refined, technique-heavy menus over casual fare, and the smart and elegant dress code is strictly observed.

What is it? Monteverde is a restaurant at 1020 W Madison St. It sits a ten-minute walk west of the Willis Tower, positioning it well away from the tourist crush of Millennium Park and the high-density retail of State Street.

Why we love it: This venue balances the accessibility of a neighborhood staple with the technical precision of fine dining. Its ability to marry classic Italian foundations with contemporary technique earns it a 4.83 rating from over 2,500 guests, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a romantic setting without the pretense often found in luxury dining.

Good to Know: Monteverde leans heavily into its Italian roots, so skip the lighter appetizers and focus your appetite on the restaurant's signature fresh-pressed pastas.

What is it? Smyth is a fine dining restaurant at 177 N Ada St #101. It holds three Michelin stars and sits about a forty-minute walk from the Art Institute of Chicago or a thirty-minute walk from Millennium Park.

Why we love it: This is a destination for those who want their contemporary, creative cuisine validated by the global stage, including a ranking on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list and La Liste. While expensive, the consistently high guest satisfaction—averaging 4.78 across over a thousand reviews—confirms that the precision of the modern menu matches the ambition of the kitchen.

Good to Know: The creative, contemporary nature of the menu at Smyth rewards a commitment to the full fine dining experience, so plan for a lingering meal that reflects the venue's smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Ever sits on West Fulton Street, a twenty-five-minute walk from the United Center. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and is ranked no. 17 on the 2024 La Liste.

Why we love it: While many high-end Chicago kitchens lean into established traditions, Ever prioritizes a purely creative, modern approach to the dining experience. Its guest rating of 4.92, pulled from over 400 reviews, suggests a consistency in execution that justifies the high price tier.

Good to Know: Ever enforces a strict smart and elegant dress code, so plan your attire accordingly for an evening in this fine dining space.

What is it? Oriole is located on W Walnut St, sitting about a twenty-minute walk from the United Center and Union Park. It holds two Michelin stars and holds the number 47 spot on La Liste.

Why we love it: The kitchen’s modern and creative approach to contemporary cuisine justifies the premium price point, positioning it among the most technically rigorous tables in Chicago. With 602 reviews averaging a 4.93 rating, the consistency of the dining experience makes it a reliable choice for those seeking high-end, structured service.

Good to Know: The dining room enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so plan your attire accordingly for an evening in this luxury setting.

What is it? Asador Bastian is an Argentinian grill located at 214 W Erie St. It is a Michelin-starred destination that holds the 13th spot on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list and was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in America by the New York Times.

Why we love it: This is a serious space for red meat, pulling off a rare trick: it manages the intensity of a high-end grill without losing its focus on the traditions of South American live-fire cooking. With nearly 400 guests leaving an average rating of 4.78, the restaurant earns its reputation as a consistent choice for fine dining, sitting less than a mile from the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Magnificent Mile.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s approach to the Argentinian grill means you should come prepared for a long-form meal; dress in smart and elegant attire to match the pacing of the dining room.