The Toughest Reservations In Chicago Right Now (And How To Get Them)

Verdict: Every effort to get into this 20-chair restaurant in Perilla Fare’s basement will be rewarded with delicious handrolls like nori-wrapped yellowtail, uni, and spicy baked scallops. And there isn’t a bad seat in this cozy West Loop spot that doesn’t feel small—shoutout to the wall mirrors for being masters of illusion. Wherever you're seated at the glowing triangular bar, you'll have a front row view of the chefs brushing fatty tuna with little shoyu-tinged brushes and blowtorching wagyu.

Verdict: Pizz’amici’s pizza is what every young tavern-style pie aspires to be—and it’s what you should aspire to eat. This small West Town spot from the Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream team makes incredible razor-thin pies topped with the likes of peppery sausage and spicy giardiniera. But we’d gladly eat a pizza here even if the only things on it were the tangy sauce and cheese that drapes over the crispy edges. This is tavern-style that’s worth planning your month around.

Verdict: Mirra’s crispy scallop taco with green curry lasts only two bites, but you’ll be daydreaming about the combination of Mexican and Indian flavors days later when you should be finishing that work presentation. The dishes at this Bucktown spot are bright, spicy, and mostly group-friendly, like the mezze with rich guacamole and achar, or a lamb barbacoa biryani with juicy beef inside a roti seal. Bring some friends who love heat, but plan ahead.

Verdict: This Lakeshore East restaurant in the fancy St. Regis Hotel comes from the same chef behind great LA spots Funke, Mother Wolf, and Felix. Like its hyped-up California siblings, grabbing a table here takes some effort—but perseverance is rewarded with some of the city’s best Italian food. The housemade pasta always has the ideal al dente texture, perfect whether it’s pici served as cacio e pepe, or pappardelle bathed in rich duck ragu. Throw in the fantastic service from staff in well-pressed suits and a gorgeous space with a beautiful view of the river, and it adds up to a fun night of luxury—even if you didn’t book an $800 night’s stay. 

Verdict: Even if you popped into this West Loop newcomer for a quick (strong) martini and thick scallion pancakes with french onion dip, the visit would still be the highlight of your week. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice by missing out on the Japanese sweet potato masquerading as crème brûlée, umami-packed clay pot rice, or Basque butter cake that tastes even better the next morning with coffee.

Verdict: A restaurant with a famous-Redditor-turned-chef doesn’t necessarily sound promising. But it turns out that Akahoshi Ramen is fantastic. This Logan Square spot only serves four types of ramen, and yet they’re all delicious—from bowls full of glistening, rich miso broth to a soupless tantanmen with mala spices and savory ground pork. Each one is a valid reason to grab any spot you can—whether it’s a booth, a seat at the communal table, or a counter spot in front of the open kitchen. 

Verdict: This cafe-by-day fine-dining-by-night West Town spot is one of the best restaurants in Chicago with the only Filipino tasting menu in the city. There’s a reason why it was featured in The Bear: Everything is incredible and consider it your solemn duty to come here. We don’t care how dramatic that sounds.

Verdict: Kyoten was our highest-rated sushi restaurant until it was dethroned by its younger sibling, Kyoten Next Door. This small 10-seat omakase spot takes everything that’s great about the original and does it better in a more relaxed setting and for less money. It's still really expensive ($159 for 18 courses)—but compared to Kyoten’s $450 price tag, you'll still spend less even if you get a bottle of sake and take an Uber home.

Verdict: This River North Italian restaurant is very small, so one reason it’s hard to get a table is basic supply and demand. But Ciccio Mio is also dim, cozy, and filled with all sorts of old-timey artwork and ornate chandeliers that will make you feel like you’re hanging out in the parlor of some old mansion. Everything about the windowless space seems designed to keep you there forever—like a haunted house (but, you know, charming). And the Italian food is great. We’ve never had anything here that we didn’t really like, including wonderful antipasti, handmade pasta, and an incredible chicken parm.

Verdict: Rose Mary is hyped, and has been since before it opened summer of 2021. It’s so hyped, in fact, that you’ll hear people claim that the food here isn’t even any good. That is untrue. The Croatian food here is consistently delicious, and the service is always top-notch. This is a very good restaurant that’s worth your time.

Verdict: Any Chicago restaurant associated with the words “West Loop,” “Italian,” and “Boka Restaurant Group” is guaranteed to be popular. Alla Vita is designed to be a crowd-pleaser, buzzing with everyone from couples to large groups in town for the Morningstar Investment Conference. And while the menu isn’t going to blow your mind with creativity, what’s on it is good. But how long is too long to wait for a reservation just to eat some chicken parm and pizza? Your answer will determine whether it’s worth waiting two months to book a table, or walking in to snag a seat at the first-come, first-served bar or patio.

Verdict: The best stuff on the menu at Armitage Alehouse (like pot pies, a burger, and tenderloin tartare) can be found at their other restaurants, Trivoli Tavern and Gilt Bar. Those places also look like they belong in the Clue mansion, but are easier to get into, and you can have very similar experiences there. Until recently, Armitage Alehouse was the only spot from this group that served brunch (now Trivoli does too, with a slightly different menu). So if you want waffles in the parlor with Colonel Mustard, set your alarm to make reservations for Armitage when they become available.

Verdict: We’d like to be eating at Bavette’s right now. In a city full of steakhouses this is the best. That said, some of our favorite dishes here (like the fried chicken, chocolate cream pie, and complimentary bread—yes it’s that good) aren’t even steak at all. Unfortunately, this steakhouse in River North hasn’t become any easier to get into since it opened in 2012. 

Verdict: This is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago, and the first place we try (and often fail) to make reservations when someone from the East Coast tells us they're visiting. The menu is full of hits, from cacio e pepe to the ragu alla Napoletana—a tomato-braised pork shank with three soppressata meatballs, two cacciatore sausages, and a pile of fusilli we want buried with us when we die.

Verdict: If you have a fancy restaurant bucket list, Alinea is probably on it. Of course, being famous doesn’t necessarily mean a place is worth your time (or, in this case, hundreds of dollars). But dinner at Alinea is a delicious experience (think fog machines), and there’s nothing quite like it. Accept no substitutions.

Verdict: Oriole is another tasting menu spot that will give you one of the best meals of your life for a high price tag ($295). Reservations are available 90 days out on a rolling basis, and get scooped up almost as soon as they are released.