Chicago’s dining scene closed out 2025 with a bang, and these five restaurants are proving why the Windy City remains one of America’s top food destinations.
From Nordic-Japanese fusion to Ukrainian-American bakeries, here’s where you need to eat right now.
1. Atsumeru – West Town’s Nordic-Japanese Masterpiece
933 N Ashland Ave | Wednesday-Saturday 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Chef Devin Denzer has created something truly special in the former Temporis space—a deeply personal tasting menu that marries Nordic and Japanese techniques in ways you’ve never experienced.
Atsumeru (which opened in December 2025) isn’t trying to be an omakase sushi counter, despite what the name might suggest. Instead, Denzer draws on his Nordic training and Japanese influences to create a fusion experience that feels both innovative and graceful.
The tasting menu changes with the seasons, but expect meticulous attention to detail, pristine ingredients, and flavor combinations that challenge your expectations. Early reviews praise the restaurant’s confident debut—it’s already hitting its stride just weeks after opening.
This is destination dining for adventurous eaters who want to experience the cutting edge of Chicago’s culinary evolution.
2. The Radicle – Logan Square’s $10 Cocktail Paradise
From the Daisies Team
The crew behind beloved Daisies has unleashed The Radicle, and it’s quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most exciting new hangouts.
This seafood-forward bar perfectly captures what makes Logan Square special—exceptional quality at genuinely approachable prices.
Yes, you read that right: signature cocktails hover around USD 10, wines and non-alcoholic drinks follow suit, and the food won’t break the bank either.
The menu leans heavily on seafood with Midwestern sensibilities meeting Le Marche Italian influences.
Start with the deviled eggs topped with trout roe, move on to fried lake perch with whitefish tonnato, and don’t skip the oyster bar. They’re also serving a variety of pizzas and seafood salads that work perfectly with those craft cocktails.
The vibe is casual but elevated—think neighborhood bar meets sophisticated seafood spot. The Radicle opened on New Year’s Eve 2025, and it’s already drawing crowds who appreciate quality without pretension.
3. Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian – Lincoln Park’s Red-Sauce Sensation
1112 W Armitage Ave
Good luck getting a reservation at Dimmi Dimmi—it’s become one of Chicago’s most coveted tables, and once you taste the food, you’ll understand why. This isn’t reinventing Italian-American cuisine; it’s perfecting it.
The neighborhood Italian joint concept gets a thoughtful, delicious refresh with bold red-sauce classics, tavern-style pizza that’s generating serious buzz, and an atmosphere that feels both warm and electric.
The team here understands that great Italian-American food doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be executed with care and served with genuine hospitality.
Classic cocktails complement the menu, and the cozy Lincoln Park setting makes this the kind of place you’ll want to become a regular. The service is notably friendly, adding to the welcoming corner-Italian vibe they’ve nailed.
4. Trino – West Loop’s Latin Steakhouse Revolution
738 W Randolph St (Former Komo Space)
Stephen Sandoval opened Trino in August 2025, and it immediately stood out in the crowded West Loop dining scene. This isn’t your grandfather’s steakhouse—Trino reimagines the American chophouse through a Latin lens, drawing authentic flavors from Northern Mexico, Galicia, and Argentina to create what they call a “soulful steakhouse” experience.
Premium cuts of beef meet Latin tradition here, with dishes that honor both the quality of the meat and the boldness of Latin American cooking. The upscale-yet-cozy setting strikes the perfect balance—refined enough for special occasions but comfortable enough to actually enjoy your meal. Paired with crafted cocktails, Trino offers a fresh take on steakhouse dining that feels both familiar and excitingly new.
5. Abrah Bakery & Daily Bistro – Lincoln Park’s Ukrainian-American Gem
2269 N Lincoln Ave | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
From the minds behind Soloway Coffee comes Abrah, a unique integration of American and Ukrainian cultures that opened in 2025. This all-day café, bakery, and bistro is so much more than a place to grab pastries (though the laminated pastries and fresh bread are exceptional).
The menu spans from morning coffee and wildberry matcha to evening wines, with standout dishes like chicken Kyiv and skirt steak alongside those gorgeous baked goods. It’s European café culture with a Ukrainian heart and American accessibility. Whether you’re stopping in for a morning croissant, lunch, or a full dinner with wine, Abrah adapts to whatever you need from it.
The space has its own distinct meaning and history, creating an atmosphere that feels genuinely special—not just another trendy bakery-café, but a place with soul and substance.
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