19 Best Restaurants in Lakeview, Chicago

The seafood-focused sibling of DMK Burger Bar next door, Fish Bar celebrates the pescatarian-focused dishes of New England and New Orleans. Whether it's raw preparations (fresh oysters, ceviche, or tartare), fried (shrimp po'boys and crab cakes) or somewhere in between (grilled salmon, lobster rolls), Fish Bar delivers. Pair your catch with hush puppies or tater tots for some extra carbs.

This destination for Swedish cuisine, open since 1945, is a Chicago institution for a good reason: the legendarily sweet, gooey cinnamon rolls that come alongside every breakfast entrée they serve. It still has lines out the door—at this original location and a handful of other spots on the city's North Side—where hungry diners line up along the block for weekend breakfasts as well as Scandinavian specialties (Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs), sandwiches, and salads at lunch.

The dining room is a no-frills space, but when you've got pizza like this, who needs cloth napkins? From deep-dish to pan to stuffed, this is where the neighborhood knows to go for a satisfying Chicago-style pizza. In a hurry? Swing by for a slice, or grab a reasonably priced pasta, chicken, or barbecued-rib dinner to go. 

The buzz and glow of Cafe El Tapatio's neon sign immediately signals a dining destination that's been delivering great Mexican flavor (and more than a few pitchers of margaritas) for decades. Customer faves like their Azteca chicken tortilla soup and beer-battered shrimp sit alongside tacos, burritos, and classics like pollo en mole (chicken in mole sauce) in a lively brick-and-tile-clad dining room. In warmer weather, their patio makes you feel miles away from Ashland Avenue traffic. 

Better known as the CBA (and just steps from the CTA itself), Chicago Bagel Authority is the home of steamed bagel sandwiches, aka steamwiches. Dozens of cleverly named steamwiches, like the Kool Julez, the Jane Train, and the Brennaissance come stuffed with roast beef, turkey, ham, and plenty of other toppings, then served on soft, warm bagels. It all comes together in a properly satisfying yet messy combination, especially at breakfast where their menu serves as a reliable hangover cure for many nearby Depaul and Loyola undergrad students. 

Every Chicago neighborhood needs a solid destination for a dragged-through-the-garden Chicago-style hot dog, and Lakeview is lucky to have this decades-old grill to call their own. Serving a premium all-beef dog is only the start; you can also get burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros, Polish sausage, and (the hallmark of a truly "Chicago" place) a deep-fried pizza puff. Unlike most hot dog stands, there's also a full bar, plus a patio that gets quite busy before and after Cubs games. 

With Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza (that means these are legit Neapolitan-style pies), an airy dining room, a lively bar, and a drinks list stacked with Italian wines, Coda di Volpe expertly channels a Southern Italian feel. Use scissors to cut through blistered, chewy-crust pies, or opt for the excellent homemade pastas—but save room for the updated takes on Italian sweets on the dessert menu.

The C&TE dates back to 1974, when cappuccino was still exotic and Starbucks was just a small coffee upstart. Today the Exchange retains the bohemian vibe of 70's Lakeview with dozens of flavored syrup bottles and jars of tea and spices lining the walls while shelves are full of filters, French presses, pour-over coffeemakers, and coffee-themed gifts. Huge barrels of coffee beans form the queue to get to the register, where you can grab lattes, cold brews, and bulk coffee to go in house-roasted blends like Java Blue Batavia and Tasmanian Peaberry.

Chef and co-owner Michael Kornick knows fine dining, but he's also a longtime fan of the simple burger, and the two worlds mingle at DMK Burger Bar. This is a place where grass-fed beef patties can come topped with green chiles or chipotle ketchup, and fries are often adorned with truffle aioli. If you're not in the mood for beef, there are also options like chicken tenders or salmon bowls. Sweet tooths are satiated by one of their rich (sometimes boozy) milkshakes. 

Strap on your tartan; Duke of Perth is Chicago's only Scottish restaurant and bar in a sea of Irish and English pubs. Known for their shepherd's pie and all-you-can-eat fish-and-chips on Wednesdays and Fridays, they also offer a vast selection of Scotch whisky and a good list of Scottish ales. 

This place was named to invoke the pre-chain days when coffeehouses were forums for discussion, but the long, broad farmer's tables and handsome couches are usually occupied by students and other serious types who treat the café like their office. Intelligentsia does all of its own coffee roasting and sells its house blends to local restaurants. The North Broadway branch is the original location that spawned two additional Chicago spaces as well as cafés in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.

If you love all things retro, you’ll love Kitsch’n as much as the regulars—it’s a diner in vintage garb, with lava lamps and old appliances that have been turned into table lamps, along with clever takes on old-school favorites. Featuring dishes like Green Eggs n' Ham, the menu is great for kids of all ages, with plenty of comfort-food options for everyone. The menu also hosts international flavors (think breakfast quesadillas and burritos) and a drinks menu for turning any breakfast into a boozy brunch. 

For over three decades, fans of northern Italian dining have praised this unassuming Lakeview storefront for their approachable menu of Roman and Tuscan-style pasta, pizza, and antipasti made with fresh ingredients. Have a glass of wine from the fairly priced list at the bar while you wait for your table in the recently refreshed dining room. There are also nearly a dozen other Chicagoland locations under the Francesca name from the Gold Coast to Naperville and beyond. 

Despite the "Modern" in its name, this lunch counter and short-order diner is about as old-school as they come. Belly up to the counter for breakfast all day; burgers, patty melts, Reubens, and club sandwiches midday; or snag a booth to tuck into a dinner plate of chopped steak, pork chops, or even liver and onions. 

Even though there's a hot dog on the sign, Red Hot Ranch has become a destination for some of the best hamburgers and fresh-cut fries in the city. Their straightforward, In-N-Out inspired style of smash burger proves that burgers don't need eight toppings or specially ground Wagyu beef on fancy brioche buns to be delicious. Add a side of their craveable deep-fried shrimp for an extra treat. 

The original location of Uncommon Ground is roomy and inviting, with a hand-carved bar and large street-facing windows offering views of passersby; patrons brave the wait for bowls of coffee and hot chocolate. There's also a full bar, a hearty menu with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free items, and even an organic brewery (Greenstar Brewing) on-site. Perks include two fireplaces, sidewalk tables, and a steady lineup of acoustic musical acts. A second location in the Edgewater neighborhood ( 1401 West Devon Avenue) gets bonus points for eco-friendliness, with a garden on the roof, solar panels, and tables made from reclaimed wood.

Regularly named among the city's best wine bars, this Roscoe Village staple has a delightful patio for alfresco sipping and snacking. Chef Stephen Dunne's vino-friendly menu of New American plates pairs deliciously with a vast wine list that has plenty of by-the-glass options. Stop in during happy hour for some excellent pricing on oysters, wines on tap, and a special "spritz" menu. 

Decades ago Yoshi's was launched as a pricey fine-dining restaurant in the Lakeview neighborhood. We offer this history lesson to say that while the atmosphere went jeans-casual and the prices became more reasonable, the cooking quality remained, and remains, high. Yoshi Katsumura turns out informal French-Asian cuisine, like duck breast with black currant sauce or roasted Japanese pumpkin filled with tofu (it's good enough to convert a carnivore). Sunday brunch includes the expected eggs along with a Japanese-inspired breakfast (fish, miso soup, vegetables, and steamed rice).