Chicago Neighborhood Restaurants

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Chicago Neighborhood Restaurants

Author: Sarah Hyde

Categories: Restaurants At the Table

Chicago is a multi-ethnic city with 77 distinct communities offering an array of dining choices. If you crave rich variety, these neighborhoods are a good place to get started.

Chicago's Ethnic Cuisine

If you crave the best in ethnic eats, abandon your downtown hot spots and hit the pavement where the locals dine–in the heart of their own neighborhoods.

Here, we break down the best of the best of Little Italy, China Town, Argyle Street, Greek Town and Little India and we promise you’ll find something to sink your teeth into.

Little Italy

Located just southwest of the Loop near the University of Illinois Chicago's Circle Campus, Little Italy's Taylor Street offers dining options from several regions of Italy.

Restaurants in Little Italy

A surefire amazing northern Italian meal is always there for the taking at Tuscany on Taylor. The pasta and sauces are house-made and the pizza cooked to perfection in their wood-burning oven. Owner Phil Stefani travels to Milan several times a year so the menu is often updated and revamped to reflect authentic Italian meals.

For a restaurant in Little Italy with a big history behind it, visit the original Rosebud, opened in 1977. Rosebud is known for its generous portions and “Hall of Fame” a wall worthy of bragging rights and featuring pictures of Rosebud’s celebrity clientele. Rosebud’s philosophy is “Keep it simple, keep it good and keep it coming,” and with food and ambience thrown into that equation, this is a laudable dinner spot.

“You’re not going out to dinner, you’re coming home,” is the motto at RoSal’s Italian Cucina. The walls are decorated with family portraits and pictures of friends from around the Little Italy neighborhood. The menu is broken up into five sections: pasta, pollo (chicken), pesce (fish), vitello (veal) and carne (meat). They are known for their house-made pastas and warm atmosphere.

Chinatown

There are nearly 60 restaurants packed in this lively area located just south of the Loop, on both Wentworth Avenue and also in Chinatown Square on Archer Avenue.

Best Restaurants in Chinatown

Voted "Best Chicago Dim Sum" in 2007 by City Search, Phoenix Restaurant is among Chinatown’s best. Enjoy a great view of the skyline from the second floor while you peruse their expansive menu. Known for offering over 50 varieties of dim sum, Phoenix Restaurant covers all the classic Chinese bases and throws in a few not-so-traditional dishes.

Dig into one of the most authentic spots in Chinatown: Dragon Court Restaurant. Select your own dinner from the gigantic fish tank and watch as it is whisked away to the kitchen and cooked to your liking. Dragon Court is open daily until 2 a.m. to satisfy all your late night cravings; food only though–Dragon Court is BYO (Bring Your Own).

For pan-Asian cuisine, noodle fans should hurry to Joy Yee Noodle Shop. You’ll immediately feel welcome in the light and cheery dining area and service is super quick. The ten-page menu can seem daunting, but on the bright side every item has a picture to make things a little easier. To supplement a great meal, don’t even think about skipping the drink bar. They offer over 150 varieties of smoothies and fruit juices. Lychee & papaya tapioca freeze anyone?!

Argyle Street

Argyle Street bursts with Asian culture representing Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, French Vietnamese and Cambodian ethnic restaurants. This unique community isn’t to be missed.

Best Restaurants on Argyle Street

Voted "Best New Restaurant" by Chicago Magazine in 2001 Hai Yen hits a high note on Argyle Street. Their take on Vietnamese cuisine is refreshing, even allowing diners to cook their own food in fondue pots or a grill, if they prefer. They are known for their Bo La Lot (Grilled marinated beef wrapped in an aromatic Hawaiian leaf) and perfectly spiced dipping sauces.

Located conveniently on the corner of Broadway Street and Argyle Street lies Thai Avenue Restaurant. This BYO spot is a must for those who love spice and unconventional dishes. The wait staff is accommodating and willing to vary the level of spice in any item or make a dish vegetarian. They offer great lunch specials and, when in season, the mango with sticky rice is a hit.

For Chinese on Argyle Street we recommend Sun Wah Bar-B Que. The storefront entices passersby with whole barbecued ducks, chickens and ribs hanging in the window. A very friendly and lively place, the co-owner seems to be best friends with everyone who walks through the door. No matter what you must order the whole Peking Duck Dinner for $30, if you don’t you will surely regret it.

Greektown

Gaining popularity decades ago for serving up a classic gyro, Greektown is home to some of Chicago’s best restaurants. For Greek fare in a neighborhood that oozes with authentic Greek pride, Greektown is truly a treat.

Best Restaurants in Greektown

For amazing Greek food with an emphasis on seafood, head to Santorini. Named for the idyllic island, the atmosphere at Santorini exudes warmth; just like stepping into a quaint spot overlooking the Aegean Sea. With 19 years and counting under their belt, Santorini knows Greek food. The menu represents over 20 fish dishes, flown in daily, as well as all the classics.

Since 1973, patrons have flocked to Roditys for authentic, mouth-watering Greek fare. Customers rave about the pleasant and attentive staff and, of course, the food. It’s the 36 years of tradition that get people in the door but it’s the staff and expertly executed menu that keep people coming back–the free valet parking doesn't hurt either.

Another Greektown favorite is Greek Islands Restaurant. Started in 1971 by Greek immigrants, they import all their wine, cheese, seafood, olives, and spices, straight from the motherland. Their menu is a staggering six pages chock full of plenty of dishes to satisfy your Greek-loving taste buds. Best of all, the prices are completely reasonable; the most expensive glass of wine on the menu is only $6.50. Opa!

Little India

Devon Avenue is located near Loyola University and is one of the most multi-ethnic areas in the Midwest, with a large concentration of Indian and Pakistani restaurants.

Best Restaurants in Little India

Charming Chicagoans with exceptional Indian cuisine since 1986 is Little India favorite, Viceroy of India. The restaurant is cozy inside, with a small-town Colonial feel to it. Their menu hits all the high notes of Indian cuisine, representing the best of the North and South of the country. They have a substantial vegetarian section and an eager to please wait staff.

Tahoora Sweets & Bakery wrote the book on cheap and amazing Indian deserts and snacks. The Indian/Pakistani bakery is always bursting with people enjoying a laughably affordable lunch or after dinner desert. The vegetable samosas are among the best outside of India and their $4 halwa-puri breakfast is perfection.

Pakistani fare is what’s on the menu at Sabri Nehari. Family owned and operated since 1977, Sabri Nehari has been delivering consistently good food to Devon Street for over 30 years. For those on a budget, this is the perfect spot, offering $10 or $15 meals and a $5 children’s menu. If you’re looking for something different; unconventional spices and seasonings make this restaurant stand out from others on Devon.

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nearby places of interest

Ai
358 W. Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60654

This River North Japanese Sushi Restaurant & Lounge opened it's doors in late-September 2007. From the siblings who brought Ringo Japanese Restaurant and Tsuki to Lincoln Park, comes this lounge/restaurant with authentic Japanese cuisine.

Alhambra Palace Restaurant
1240 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607

Everything from belly dancers to American cuisine tinged with Middle Eastern and Far Eastern accents, the scale of this restaurant reminds one of the actual Alhambra in Morcocco.

Alinea
1723 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614

Chef/owner Grant Achatz's Alinea has quickly proven itself one of America's most unusual, provocative, challenging, and sought-after restaurants.

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661

One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Chicago, Blackbird has been named one of the 50 best restaurants in the country by Gourmet magazine. Contemporary American dining reaches its zenith here.

Bolat African Cuisine
3346 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657

Taste all of the flavors of Africa at Bolat African Cuisine. Dishes are stuffed with a diverse array of flavors in the meaty stews, rice dishes, and fish platters. Bolat welcomes home all visitors to the motherland of African cuisine.

Browntrout
4111 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Browntrout uses only the freshest ingrediants from local farmers' markets and bakeries, and all the seafood is caught within 300 miles of Chicago.

Cotes du Rhone Bistro
5424 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640

A Chicago BYO restaurant for now, chef Brian Moulton serves classic French fare with his own personal touches at more-than-fair prices.

Crofton on Wells
888 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This contemporary American restaurant headed by executive chef Suzy Crofton, a long-time and much-acclaimed Chicago chef. Expert a nicely balanced menu pulling on French and other influences in style and with an emphasis on organic ingredients.

Devon Seafood Grill
39 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Selecting only the best aquatic cuisine, Devon Seafood Grill features creative dishes from Chef Scott Barrow.

Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant
832 W. Randolph St. , Chicago, Illinois 60607

Authentc Chinese cuisine served inside Dragonfly Mandarin's 2-story West Loop spot is as impressive as the bold interior decor.

Elephant & Castle
160 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611

At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw.

Elephant & Castle
185 North Wabash, Chicago, Illinois 60601

At this English pub in Chicago, expect a mix of traditional English pub fare and American menu items are served here; English-style breakfast is also a draw

Il Mulino
1150 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610

This high-level Italian fine-dining spot isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for. Set in the Gold Coast neighborhood a couple blocks away from the Rush Street nightlife scene, it's impressive for a date or a business dinner.

Kohan Japanese Restaurant
730 W. Maxwell St., Chicago, IL 60607

Sushi and traditional Japanese dishes are offered in an authentic, but laid-back setting. Start off the week (Monday and Tuesday) with "Martinis and Maki", a weekly special at Kohan.

L2O
2300 N Lincoln Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

L20 is a progressive seafood restaurant from acclaimed chef Laurent Gras located in the heart of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

La Tache
1475 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago, IL 60640

La Tache offers seasonal American fare with French influences in a relaxed neighborhood setting in the Andersonville area.

Little Bucharest Bistro
3661 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618

This charming bistro combines American classics with a Romanian flare.

Nightwood
2119 S Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608

Nightwood has a unique culinary scene. Its wine-list is extensive and showcases selections from small producers.

People Lounge
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

This Spanish tapas restaurant and music lounge also has a happening bar scene.

Pompei Pizza
2955 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, IL 60657

Pompeii Pizza offers a variety of pizzas, pastas, and desserts.

R.J. Grunts
2056 N. Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614

A comfortable atmosphere with American fare is served at this historic restaurant--historic because it was the very first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, the company founded by culinary entrepreneur Rich Melman. Another interesting note is that R.J. Grunts was the original restaurant to establish the theme that has been followed by other, more commercial "flair" restaurants.

Ra Sushi
1139 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This outpost of Ra, a chain of contemporary, if somewhat commercial, sushi restaurants, is conveniently located along Steakhouse Row in the Viagara Triangle area of the Gold Coast--a lighter alternative to the heavier fare nearby.

Ra Sushi
310 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148

Located in the new and fabulous Shops on Butterfield, this latest RA Sushi location has happy hour Monday through Friday 4-7.

Red Light
820 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

A pan-Asian eatery with a focus on seafood and vegetarian dishes.

RL
115 E. Chicago Ave. , Chicago, IL 60611

All the sophistication of Ralph Lauren and his style-making career come into play at this Mag Mile restaurant. American fare is served and executed by the kitchen at a high level. Service is always on its game and the hanging-everywhere art collection is all over the place and featureds some of Lauren's personal collection.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60610

This Chicago brewpub is an outpost of the nationwide chain; the top draw here is the rotating selection of handcrafted beers brewed on-site.

Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610

Stylish yet comfortable, this River North bar and grill puts a twist on American favorites. Expect to hear some classic rock music as the name implies and take in the old album cover-jacketed menus.

Roditys
222 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60661

One of Chicago's long standing Greek restaurant, expect classics and old school service, as well.

Room 21
2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605

Room 21, late-night dining/drinking spot dripping with the mystique of Al Capone and Chicago's old red light district, is the latest outpost from colorful restaurant mogul Jerry Kleiner.

RoSal's Cucina
1154 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607

This contemporary Chicago Italian restaurant features dishes like broccoli and shells, chicken cacciatore, eggplant Parmesan and spinach lasagna.

Russian Tea Time
77 E. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60603

This full-of-frills tea house has been giving visitors to Chicago a taste of Russian culinary luxury for years now; a great spot for a special meal or snack with that special someone.

Saloon Steakhouse
200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611

A top Chicago steakhouse right off Michigan Avenue, expect a classic steakhouse when you stop in here. It's not all about the steaks, though; plenty of lighter choices are available, as well.

Salpicon
1252 N. Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614

This eatery serves contemporary Mexican fare in a colorful and cozy dining room, plus there's outdoor dining in the form of a covered sidewalk cafe in the summer months. Executive chef Priscilla Satkoff turns out some of the best Mexian and Latin food in Chicago while her husband, Vince, manages the wine list and an excellent tequila selection.

Salseria Cantina & Grill
233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606

Full service Mexican restaurant brought to you by the people behind Taco Fresco and Fuego Loco: Cantine & Salseria.

Santorini
800 W. Adams St, Chicago, IL 60607

Known in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood for its focus on seafood, Santorini is casual, affordable and tasty. In Chicago, you have to try the saganaki, a.k.a. fried cheese at any Greek restaurant and get ready for a surprise.

Schwa
1466 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

A crashingly original BYO restaurant headed by Food & Wine Best New Chef Michael Carlson. The surroundings are simple, yet elegant, and the food is of a level with top kitchens practicing avant garde dining mixed with a dose of molecular gastronomy. If that confuses you, this might not be the right experience for you unless you're heartily open to new things.

Shochu
3313 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657

Named after the famed Japanese liquor, Shochu, this restaurant is trendy in nature with their Asian-inspired small plate recipes.

Shor
2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616

This classic, Chicago-style grill operates out of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. It's a perfect, convenient stop for those attending a convention or a performance at the Arie Crown Theater.

Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

This hip tapas bar in the heart of Evanston is a favorite with the Northwestern crowd, and no wonder: its Spanish-style bar food is delicious and reasonably priced.

Tavern on Rush
1031 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611

This upscale, two-story lounge and steakhouse features a dramatic lower-level lounge with a gorgeous bar and a clubby restaurant upstairs.

Tizi Melloul
531 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610

A sexy Moroccan respite in the heart of River North.

Tocco
1266 N. Milwaukee Ave. , Chicago, IL 60622

Tocco provides refined renditions of favorite Italian comfort foods like pizza and pasta.

Trader Vic's
1030 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610

This delectable restaurant is island inspired with an Asian fare. This creates for some creative and tastey culinary cooking. It is great for dinner and has a sushi an bar lounge open until midnight.

Va Pensiero
1566 Oak Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

This is an award-winning Italian restaurant in Evanston that serves up authentic cuisine.

Zest
525 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611

This globally influenced contemporary American restaurant is located in the luxurious Intercontinental Chicago hotel.

Enbeadia
653 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

At this Lincoln Park bead shop, you can take classes on how to make your own jewelry, host private functions, or find one-of-a-kind pieces made by the owner herself.