Chicago › Central

Best Restaurants in Central

209 restaurants analyzed · Chicago

Central Chicago stretches from the Loop and Millennium Park through River North and the Gold Coast, with over 700 restaurants covering everything from deep-dish institutions to Italian fine dining and modern Mexican. Lunch options dominate downtown, with steakhouses and cocktail-forward restaurants picking up at night. Prices trend moderate, though the Mag Mile and River North pull the average higher.

Grade Distribution

Restaurants

• RPM Seafood A · Seafood restaurant, Steakhouse
• Roka Akor - Chicago A · Japanese steakhouse, Sushi
• Russian Tea Time Restaurant A · Restaurant, Afternoon tea
• Alla Vita A · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• Aba A · Mediterranean restaurant, Bar
• Gilt Bar A · Restaurant & bar, Cocktail bar
• Ocean Prime A · Seafood and steakhouse, Fine dining
• Leña Brava A · Mexican restaurant, Wine bar
• RL Restaurant A · American restaurant, Steakhouse
• Sophia Steak Chicago A · Steakhouse, Seafood
• Trivoli Tavern A- · Restaurant, Cocktail bar
• Au Cheval A- · American restaurant, Diner
• Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House A- · Seafood restaurant, Steak house
• Shaw's Crab House A- · Seafood restaurant, Crab house
• Il Porcellino A- · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• avec Restaurant A- · Mediterranean restaurant, Brunch
• Le Colonial Chicago A- · Restaurant, Cocktail bar
• Green Street Smoked Meats A- · Barbecue restaurant, Counter-service
• RAMEN-SAN Deluxe A- · Ramen restaurant, Japanese
• The Franklin Room A- · Restaurant, Cocktail bar
• River Roast A- · American restaurant, Brunch restaurant
• Chicago Q A- · Barbecue restaurant, American restaurant
• Kayao Restaurant A- · Peruvian Nikkei restaurant, Seafood
• RPM Italian A- · Italian restaurant, Wine bar
• Girl & The Goat A- · Restaurant, New American
• Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse A- · Italian steakhouse, Italian restaurant
• Apolonia A- · Mediterranean restaurant, Modern European
• The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar A- · Steakhouse, American restaurant
• Siena Tavern A- · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• La Serre A- · Restaurant, Mediterranean
• Pizzeria Portofino A- · Pizza restaurant, Italian
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe A- · Brunch restaurant, Breakfast
• Doc B's Restaurant (Gold Coast) A- · Restaurant, Bar
• PLANTA Chicago A- · Vegan restaurant, Asian fusion
• Gaijin A- · Japanese restaurant, Okonomiyaki restaurant
• The Marq A- · Restaurant & Bar, American
• 3rd Coast Cafe A- · Brunch restaurant, American restaurant
• Robert's Pizza and Dough Company A- · Pizzeria, Italian
• Bar Mar A- · Seafood restaurant, Tapas
• Boqueria Fulton Market A- · Tapas restaurant, Spanish restaurant
• Blue Door Kitchen & Garden A- · Restaurant, American
• The Evie A- · Restaurant, Bar & grill
• The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant A- · Steakhouse, American
• Acanto A- · Italian restaurant, Wine bar
• Matilda Restaurant A- · Latin fusion restaurant, Mexican
• EUROASIA RESTAURANT A- · Eastern European and Central Asian restaurant, Halal-friendly
• Mario's Table A- · Italian restaurant, Neighborhood favorite
• Remington's A- · American restaurant, Bar & grill
• Beatrix A- · Restaurant, Coffee shop
• Cabra A- · Peruvian-inspired rooftop restaurant, Cocktail bar
• Wagyu House Chicago B+ · Japanese barbecue and hot pot, All-you-can-eat
• Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings B+ · Dumpling restaurant, Chinese
• Untitled Supper Club B+ · Supper club and live entertainment venue, American restaurant
• Duck Duck Goat B+ · Chinese-inspired restaurant, Dim sum
• Flight Club Chicago B+ · Social darts bar, Cocktail bar
• Alpana B+ · Wine-driven restaurant, Brunch
• The Dearborn B+ · American restaurant, Brunch restaurant
• Rose Mary B+ · Restaurant, Croatian
• The Hampton Social - River North B+ · Restaurant, Cocktail bar
• Steve's Bite B+ · Casual American counter-service, Halal
• Somerset B+ · New American restaurant, Brunch
• Niu Japanese Fusion Lounge B+ · Japanese fusion restaurant, Sushi
• Cira B+ · Mediterranean restaurant, American restaurant
• The Purple Pig Restaurant B+ · Mediterranean small plates, Wine bar
• Rosebud Steakhouse - Chicago B+ · Steakhouse, Italian-influenced
• Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse B+ · Steakhouse, American
• South Branch Tavern & Grille (The Loop - Chicago) B+ · American restaurant, New American
• Beatrix Streeterville B+ · All-day American restaurant, Coffee bar
• Go 4 Food B+ · Restaurant, Chinese
• Bar Siena B+ · Italian restaurant, Cocktail bar
• The Oakville Grill & Cellar B+ · Restaurant, Wine bar
• The Izakaya B+ · Japanese izakaya, Sushi
• The VIG Old Town B+ · American restaurant, Bar
• Yao Yao B+ · Restaurant, Chinese
• Chef Xiong - Taste of Szechuan B+ · Chinese restaurant, Szechuan
• Tapas Valencia Restaurant B+ · Spanish tapas restaurant, Wine bar
• Miller's Pub B+ · American restaurant, Irish pub
• Eleven City Diner B+ · Diner, American restaurant
• True Food Kitchen B+ · Health-forward restaurant, American
• Momento Cantina B+ · Mexican restaurant, Taco restaurant
• La Grande Boucherie Chicago B+ · French brasserie, Seafood
• Victory Tap | South Loop B+ · Italian restaurant, Neighborhood spot
• Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe B+ · Breakfast and brunch, Pancakes
• Cindy's Rooftop B+ · Rooftop restaurant and bar, Cocktail bar
• Ema B+ · Mediterranean restaurant, Small plates
• Diego Chicago Restaurant | Dinner, Late Night, Weekend Brunch B+ · Mexican restaurant, Bar
• avec River North B+ · Mediterranean small plates, Wine bar
• Nepal House (Division St) B+ · Nepalese and North Indian restaurant, Seafood
• Volare Ristorante Italiano B+ · Italian restaurant, Wine bar
• Bongiorno's Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria B+ · Italian restaurant, Pizzeria
• Maple & Ash B+ · Steakhouse, Seafood
• MCCB Chicago B+ · Chinese restaurant, Szechuan
• 3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago B+ · Restaurant, Cafe
• Nepal House (South Loop) B+ · Restaurant, Nepalese
• Oliver’s B+ · New American restaurant, Bar
• Francesca's On Chestnut B+ · Italian restaurant, Wine bar
• Kerryman Irish Bar & Restaurant B+ · Irish pub restaurant, Bar
• Mercadito B+ · Mexican restaurant, Bar
• The Aberdeen Tap B+ · Gastropub, Bar
• Quartino Ristorante B+ · Italian restaurant, Pizza restaurant
• Egg Harbor Cafe B+ · Brunch restaurant, Breakfast restaurant
• The Publican B+ · Restaurant, American
• Doc B's Restaurant (River North) B+ · Restaurant, American restaurant
• Cafe Bionda B+ · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria B+ · Pizza restaurant, Casual dining
• Barrio B+ · Mexican restaurant, Brunch
• First Draft B+ · Bar & grill, Sports bar
• Soul Vibez - Chicago B+ · Soul food restaurant, Southern restaurant (US)
• Yolk - South Loop B+ · Breakfast & Brunch, American
• Giordano's B+ · Pizza restaurant, Family dining
• Exchequer Restaurant & Pub B+ · Restaurant & Pub, American
• LUXBAR B+ · American restaurant, Bar
• Federales Tacos & Tequila - Fulton Market, Chicago B+ · Taco restaurant, Tequila bar
• Lou Mitchell's B+ · Breakfast and brunch, Diner
• Carson’s Prime Steaks & Famous Barbecue – Chicago (Streeterville) B+ · Steakhouse and Barbecue, American
• Eduardo's Enoteca B+ · Italian restaurant, Wine bar
• Kitchen + Kocktails By Kevin Kelley - Chicago B+ · Restaurant, Southern
• Timothy O'Toole's Pub Chicago B+ · Sports bar, Pub
• Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse B+ · Brazilian steakhouse, Churrascaria
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria B+ · Pizzeria, Casual dining
• Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago B+ · Restaurant, Mexican
• Ed Debevic's B+ · Themed American diner, Breakfast
• SAKANA AYCE Japanese Cuisine B+ · All-you-can-eat Japanese, Sushi
• Salerno's Pizza of Chicago B+ · Pizza restaurant, Italian restaurant
• Yummy Yummy Noodles B+ · Noodle shop, Chinese restaurant
• Giordano's B+ · Restaurant, Pizza restaurant
• Topo Gigio Ristorante B+ · Italian restaurant, Wine
• Giordano's B+ · Pizzeria, Italian
• Gus' Sip & Dip B+ · Cocktail bar and comfort food, Bar
• Umai B+ · Japanese restaurant, Sushi restaurant
• D4 Irish Pub & Cafe B+ · Irish pub, Irish restaurant
• The Hampton Social - Streeterville B+ · American restaurant, Brunch
• The Village B+ · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• Bandit B+ · Bar & grill, Brunch spot
• Brown Bag Seafood Co. B · Seafood, Fast casual
• Soho House Chicago B · Private members club with restaurant, Hotel
• Al-Diar Restaurant B · Middle Eastern restaurant, Yemeni
• Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen B · Delicatessen, Cafeteria
• Nonna's Pizza & Sandwiches B · Italian American sandwich and pizza shop, Takeout
• Cafecito B · Cuban cafe, Sandwich shop
• Tsukiji Sushi Sake Bar B · Japanese fusion restaurant, Sushi
• Reunion by Chef Art Smith B · Restaurant, Bar
• Erie Cafe B · Steakhouse, Italian
• Kababish BBQ & Grill B · Casual South Asian grill, Pakistani
• Poke Poké B · Poke and ramen shop, Japanese
• The 101 Bar, Grill & Rooftop B · Rooftop restaurant, Mediterranean-influenced grill
• Brown Bag Seafood Co. B · Seafood, Health-conscious
• OLIO E PIÙ B · Italian restaurant, Pasta
• Bonci Pizzeria B · Pizza restaurant, Fast casual
• Velvet Taco B · Taco restaurant, Fast-casual
• Nando's PERi-PERi B · Fast-casual chicken, Portuguese-inspired
• AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago B · Restaurant, Brunch restaurant
• Cupitol Coffee & Eatery (Streeterville) B · Brunch cafe, Breakfast
• Nando's PERi-PERi B · Chicken restaurant, Portuguese restaurant
• Legend Dumpling + Bao B · Casual Chinese dumpling house, Noodle shop
• Bonchon B · Casual Korean fried chicken, Asian fusion
• Devil Dawgs on State B · Fast-casual hot dogs, Hamburgers
• Ayayay - Mexican Eatery B · Mexican restaurant, Brunch restaurant
• Broken English Taco Pub B · Mexican restaurant, Bar
• Half Sour B · Neighborhood bar and grill, Brunch spot
• Nora Ristorante & Bar B · Italian restaurant, Mediterranean
• Chicago Curry House - Indian - Nepali Cuisine. B · Restaurant, Indian restaurant
• Eppel's Restaurant B · Breakfast and diner, American
• Fado Irish Pub B · Irish pub, Sports bar
• Gordon Ramsay Burger - Chicago B · Burger restaurant, American
• Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ B · Japanese BBQ (Yakiniku), Barbecue
• Bub City B · Barbecue restaurant, Bar
• The VIG West Loop B · Restaurant & bar, Gastropub
• La Cantina Grill B · Mexican restaurant, Bar
• Buddy Guy's Legends B · Live music venue, Soul food restaurant
• AO Hawaiian Hideout B · Hawaiian and Asian fusion restaurant, Bar
• Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery B · Gastropub, Beer bar
• TAK Korean Bistro & Karaoke B · Korean bistro and karaoke, Bar
• Maharaj Indian Grill B · Indian restaurant, North Indian
• Gussie's Handmade Italian B · Italian restaurant, Pasta restaurant
• D'Amato's Bakery B · Bakery & Sandwich Shop, Italian bakery
• Gyuro Ramen B+ · Ramen restaurant, Japanese
• Storyville Chicago B- · Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Creole & Cajun
• Serena's Grill (Gold Coast, Chicago) B- · Greek fast-casual, Gyro restaurant
• Lowcountry Chinatown B- · Seafood boil restaurant, Cajun
• Taza Cafe B- · Middle Eastern cafe, Mediterranean
• CAVA B- · Fast casual Mediterranean, Bowls
• Zayna Mediterranean Grill B- · Mediterranean restaurant, Middle Eastern
• Fontano's Subs & Pizzeria B- · Sandwiches and pizza, Italian-American
• Billy Goat Tavern (The Original) B- · Hamburger restaurant, American restaurant
• Luke's Italian Beef B- · Sandwich shop, Fast casual
• TE'AMO Boba & Desserts - Navy Pier B- · Bubble tea and dessert shop, Desserts
• Buona B- · Fast casual Italian beef shop, Hot dogs
• Puttery B- · Entertainment dining, Mini golf bar
• Small Cheval- Old Town B- · Burger restaurant, Casual dining
• Giordano's B- · Pizza restaurant, Casual dining
• Shinhwa Korean Steakhouse B- · All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, Korean BBQ
• Happy Lamb Hot Pot B- · Hot pot restaurant, Chinese
• Yolk - Streeterville B- · Breakfast and brunch, American
• Crying Tiger C+ · Contemporary Southeast Asian restaurant, Cocktail-forward
• AceBounce C+ · Activity bar with food, American restaurant
• Reggies Chicago C+ · Live music venue with bar & grill, Bar & grill
• Southern Chicago C+ · Restaurant, Steakhouse
• AD&B...America's Dog & Burger Navy Pier C+ · Quick-service hot dogs and burgers, Fast casual
• Cold Moon Cafe C+ · Cafe, Coffee shop
• S2 Express Grill Downtown C+ · Casual grill, Late-night dining
• 2Twenty2 Tavern C+ · Bar and grill, Sports bar
• The L Station C+ · Restaurant, Bar & grill
• Benihana - Chicago (John Hancock) C · Teppanyaki restaurant, Japanese restaurant
• The Bassment - Chicago C · Live music lounge, Cocktail bar
• Le French Patisserie C · Bakery and cafe, Patisserie
• Howl at the Moon Chicago C · Live music bar, Piano bar
• El Greco's Burritos C- · Mexican counter-service, Late-night
• No.18 Karaoke bar D · Karaoke bar, Chinese restaurant

Top Cuisines

• American — 78 restaurants
• Mediterranean — 15 restaurants
• Italian — 14 restaurants
• Japanese — 13 restaurants
• Pizza — 11 restaurants
• Mexican — 10 restaurants
• Chinese — 9 restaurants
• Middle Eastern — 4 restaurants
• Latin American — 4 restaurants
• Indian — 4 restaurants