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: It offers a fine dining experience that justifies its high price point by pairing a rigorous Japanese-influenced menu with a rare vantage point over the city. While nearby landmarks like Cloud Gate and Millennium Park draw the crowds, Miru commands the space as a quieter, elevated alternative for those looking to dine near the Art Institute of Chicago.

Good to Know: The dress code at Miru is smart and elegant, so lean into the luxury of the hotel setting when selecting your attire for the terrace.

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

Why we love it: The restaurant balances French and classic grill traditions within a fine dining setting that feels purposefully romantic. It earns its price point by consistently delivering the high-quality, focused experience that leads over 3,500 diners to rate it highly.

Good to Know: The kitchen specializes in the intersection of French technique and classic grills, so ensure you pair your order with a glass of wine to match the weight of the steak.

What is it? River Roast sits at 315 N LaSalle St, a four-minute walk from the Chicago Riverwalk. It operates as a contemporary fusion and seafood restaurant, positioning its terrace and fine dining aesthetic just a six-minute walk from the House of Blues Chicago.

Why we love it: The restaurant earns its 4.76 rating from nearly 5,000 diners by pairing accessible pricing with a view of the river that feels earned rather than forced. It bypasses the pretension of typical fine dining, offering a balanced menu that leans into seafood and fusion influences without overcomplicating the plate.

Good to Know: River Roast requires smart and elegant attire, so expect a more polished crowd than you will find at the casual walk-up spots near Millennium Park.

What is it? Tre Dita sits inside The St. Regis Hotel at 401 E Wacker Dr. This Italian restaurant holds an Excellence Award from Wine Spectator and operates within a ten-minute walk of Cloud Gate.

Why we love it: The restaurant balances contemporary and classic Italian techniques within a fine dining framework that feels tethered to its location at The St. Regis. With a guest rating of 4.76 across 663 reviews, Tre Dita manages to maintain a consistently romantic atmosphere that few venues this close to Millennium Park can capture.

Good to Know: Tre Dita requires a smart and elegant dress code to match the view from the dining room and terrace.

What is it? Kumiko is a fine dining restaurant on W Lake St. It holds the title of best bar in the Midwest USA according to North America's 50 Best Bars and is included in the Food & Wine list of top 15 USA bars.

Why we love it: This is a high-priced destination that balances Japanese, fusion, and contemporary techniques in a deliberate, luxury setting. Its 4.78 guest rating reflects a consistency that draws diners looking for a romantic environment just a fifteen-minute walk from Millennium Park and the State Street Shopping District.

Good to Know: Given its status as a top-tier bar in the Midwest, Kumiko rewards those who view their Japanese fusion meal as a collaborative experience between the kitchen and the bar program rather than two separate services.

What is it? Monteverde sits on Madison Street, an eleven-minute walk from the Willis Tower. This Italian restaurant merges contemporary techniques with classic preparations, earning a 4.83 rating from over 2,500 diners.

Why we love it: It strikes a rare balance for a fine dining space, maintaining a high-end, romantic atmosphere without feeling stiff. While the price is firmly in the upper tier, the technical execution of its contemporary Italian menu justifies the cost for those seeking a polished night out.

Good to Know: Monteverde enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual wear for your post-dinner stroll toward State Street Shopping.

What is it? Smyth is a restaurant at 177 N Ada St #101 that holds three Michelin stars. It is a thirty-five-minute walk from the Art Institute of Chicago and approximately 3.2 kilometers from the United Center.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on creative, contemporary cooking that balances high-end technique with a romantic atmosphere. With a ranking on The World's 50 Best Restaurants and a placement on La Liste, the venue commands its price point through a consistent execution of modern, fine dining that feels rare in the city.

Good to Know: Smyth requires a smart and elegant dress code, so plan your wardrobe accordingly for this caliber of contemporary dining.

What is it? Ever sits on West Fulton Street, a twenty-five-minute walk from the United Center. It holds two Michelin stars and ranks at number 17 on La Liste.

Why we love it: This restaurant distinguishes itself through a rigorous approach to contemporary creative cuisine that commands a premium price point. With a guest rating of 4.92 from over 400 reviews, it provides a level of consistency that justifies its standing as a destination for refined, modern dining.

Good to Know: Ever enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual attire for your trek to the nearby Art Institute of Chicago.

What is it? Oriole is located on W Walnut St, sitting about a twenty-minute walk from Union Park. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and ranks at number 47 on La Liste.

Why we love it: It remains one of the few places in Chicago that balances a high-end luxury price point with a genuine, focused approach to modern, creative cooking. With a guest rating of 4.93 from over 600 reviews, the consistency of the experience justifies the investment for those seeking a contemporary fine dining destination.

Good to Know: The dining room features a distinct view of the kitchen, so book a table with a sightline to the action if you prefer to watch the modern menu come together.

What is it? Asador Bastian is an Argentinian grill located at 214 W Erie St. It is a Michelin-starred destination that holds the number 13 spot on the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants list and was included in the 2024 New York Times 50 Best Restaurants.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands respect for its focused approach to South American grilling, holding a ranking among the world’s best steakhouses without succumbing to the noise of trend-chasing. It sits a ten-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile, providing a quiet, high-end alternative to the high-traffic dining corridors nearby. With a guest rating of 4.78 from 388 reviews, it draws a crowd that prioritizes craft over atmosphere.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Asador Bastian reflects the fine dining nature of the room, so plan for a polished look before heading over from the Museum of Contemporary Art or Water Tower Park.