10 Best Restaurants in Lincoln Park, Chicago

Believe the hype and secure tickets—yes, tickets—well in advance, since Chicago's most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious commitment of time and money. If you have two to four hours and $305 to $495 to spare, the tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz's stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic journey through intriguing aromas, visuals, flavors, and textures.

If you're looking for a Steppenwolf pre-theater dinner, this upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval. The seasonally driven menu is constantly changing, showcasing elegant fare like slow-cooked fish or an elevated presentation of roasted chicken, and the slick bar and outdoor patio both serve food, so this is a big draw even for those not watching curtain time.

A repurposed Arts and Crafts–style warming house for ice-skaters at Lincoln Park’s North Pond, this romantic gem in the woods fittingly champions an uncluttered culinary style amid scenic views. Organic ingredients, wild-caught fish, and artisan farm products appear on the seasonally changing four-course tasting menu. Come Sunday, diners can welcome the new week over a leisurely three-course brunch.

The name is so cute, you might not think the food is a selling point—but you'd be wrong: expat Spaniards swear this sprawling spot is one of the best Spanish restaurants in town, and the colorful Mediterranean-style interiors encourage the Spanish feel. There’s a large assortment of cold and warm tapas, as well as four varieties of paella.

The art that hangs in this Michelin-starred spot's dining room isn't decoration, but inspiration: four times each year, the restaurant mounts a new show by a local artist, and chef Jenner Tomaska composes a multicourse tasting menu in response. Appropriately, the plates are highly visual, often featuring vivid color palettes, sculptural elements, and trompe l'oeil twists. If it all sounds a bit toney, be assured the kitchen has a sense of humor, which comes across in bites like fiery homemade Cheetos. To sample Tomaska's technique without the steep tasting menu price tag, book a seat at the elegant adjoining bar, which offers a three-course dinner for $68.   

Chef Zachary Engel has established himself as a critical favorite for his approach to Middle Eastern cuisine, which merges fine dining technique with big flavors and a disarming sense of humor that’s telegraphed through cheeky menu descriptions (e.g., tehina hummus with “way too much olive oil”).

A counter-service model helps keep costs down at this lovely, light-filled all-day spot, enabling the kitchen—helmed by two vets of New York's Gramercy Tavern—to turn out unfussy but high-quality American fare, accompanied by generous wine pours. Bargain hunters and good-time Charlies, take note: a daily happy-hour session with cheffy snacks and reasonably priced cocktails takes place every afternoon, and again before closing time.

It seems as if there's now a sushi spot on practically every corner in Chicago, but when Kamehachi opened in Old Town in 1967 it was the first, though the restaurant has since moved to a loftier space complete with sushi bar, upstairs lounge, and flowering garden (in season). Excellent quality fish, updated decor, and eager-to-please hospitality keep fans returning, and the lunchtime maki combo meals are a relative bargain. 

For a taste of classic Chicago, stop into Twin Anchors, which has been dishing out baby-back ribs since 1932—the nautically themed brick tavern was a favorite of Frank Sinatra, who still croons regularly over the speakers. You’re partly visiting for the scene, as local and touring celebs often visit, but lovers of barrooms with personality don't mind the typically long waits during prime time. Vegetarians will find the pickings slim (though the freshly fried kettle chips with buttermilk dip may lessen the sting somewhat).

Although there are now satellite restaurants in the Chicago suburbs and across the country, the original Mon Ami Gabi has not lost its charm. This little piece of Paris re-creates a classic bistro with views of Lincoln Park that could pass—with the help of a couple of glasses of vin from the wine cart—for the Tuileries. Park-front windows let in ample natural light, warming the wood-trimmed interior. Best bites include several versions of steak frites, as well as bistro essentials such as steamed mussels and skate with crispy garlic chips. The menu features a rotating list of specials, such as cassoulet and pan-seared sea bass.