Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Rollapalooza

5.0

5 (370)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

COZY AND WARM RESTAURANT. FRESH AND DELICIOUS RESTAURANT. WE ARE NOT NO.1 RESTAURANT. HOWEVER WE DO OUR BEST TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

Top review

Tayyyyy

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

This will always be our favorite neighborhood sushi spot!

312 Fish Market

5.0

5 (22)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lower West Side

About the restaurant

Hidden inside 88 Marketplace is 312 Fish Market -- a sushi lover's dream. We take great pride in improving upon your favorite nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls, sushi rolls, and party sets in new and creative ways.

As we do not compromise on quality, our chef sources the best fish from all over the world including Tuna, Madai, Kanpachi, Uni, Caviar, and more.

312 Fish Market is a BYOB establishment.

Closed every Wednesday.

We are also available for pickup, delivery and catering.

Please reach us at 312FishMarket@gmail.com or 872-222-7288.

Top review

OraliaVIP

Dined on Mar 14, 2025

Beautiful place for dinner! Will definitely come back

Franco's Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (674)

$30 and under

Italian

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

If your preferred time is unavailable please call for possible openings.

Franco's Ristorante is the perfect combination of old world Italian classics and your new favorite pasta dishes. We've been around for over 27 years and have perfected our craft. Some of our most famous dishes include whipped ricotta tuffo, sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana and gnocchi.

Our great food and atmosphere helped us earn the honor of being named the Chicago Reader's 2016 "best place for a cheap date" and "best local restaurant."

You will be wowed when you step inside our bright, airy and modern restaurant. You can enjoy a drink at our new marble-topped bar or cozy up to tables with bright red-leather chairs and banquettes in the dining room. In the summer we are happy to offer outdoor seating that allows dogs.

Top review

Roseann

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Absolutely amazing menu and staff. Great selection of drinks as well. Staff is awesome and we love revisiting!

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

4.9

4.9 (43)

$30 and under

Japanese

West Town

About the restaurant

Step into Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill and be transported to a world of culinary artistry. This family-owned gem in Chicago's West Town neighborhood offers a vibrant and playful atmosphere, where modern Japanese cuisine meets artistic flair.

**A Feast for the Senses:**

Yuzu's menu is a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors. From the delicate sashimi platters adorned with intricate edible art to the sizzling robata-grilled skewers, each dish is a masterpiece. Indulge in signature maki rolls like the "Over the Rainbow," a vibrant explosion of tuna, salmon, and avocado, or savor the melt-in-your-mouth grilled salmon topped with a tangy Yuzu sauce.

**Beyond the Plate:**

The ambiance at Yuzu is as captivating as the food. The open kitchen allows you to witness the culinary magic firsthand, while the energetic atmosphere is fueled by old-school hip-hop beats. The walls are adorned with intricate Japanese comic characters, adding a touch of whimsy to the space.

Top review

AnnaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

What a unique find, the fish was super fresh, the presentation was superb, and the service was truly amazing. Will be back soon.

Balmoral Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1460)

$31 to $50

Scottish

St. Charles

About the restaurant

A passion for authenticity. Nostalgia for heritage, and recipes that have been passed down and held dear. Ingredients sourced from the Isles, and from local farmers.

Welcome to Balmoral Restaurant. Grand Scottish Fare as you’ve never experienced before.

Lush, dark Scottish wood tones greet you upon entering Balmoral Restaurant. A deep-set coffered ceiling hides recessed lighting, designed to light your table elegantly, providing just the right mood. Scottish designs surround you, from the tartan carpet, to wrought iron fixtures, to the swords and shields of lore, to wall murals that evoke the placid Scottish countryside. At Balmoral, we bring the incomparable splendor of Scotland to you.

Top review

Katherine

Dined 4 days ago

Any evening at Balmoral is always super special, - from the moment the bagpiper serenades you at the front door, to Sara’s warm greeting at the host stand, to the fabulous food and the very civilized place settings of beautiful cutlery and cut crystal glassware, to the attentive service by a most accommodating staff, it is simply the best. The restaurant itself is both cozy and gorgeous all at once; special celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries are a group effort, led by the aforementioned bagpiper. Earl commands the bar and never fails to serve up wonderful hand-crafted cocktails. I had my usual favorite, the Ben Nevis Chili and Honey Grilled Salmon; my Sweetheart tried something new (the Ardmore Rib-Eye Steak Selection) and he was impressed with its great flavor and tenderness. Vegetable sides and potatoes are always reliable and cooked to perfection. Scottish Millionaire Shortbread with the evening's special addition of a layer of chocolate mousse was the perfect finish to a lovely dining experience. And not for anything but the bathrooms are SPOTLESS; as though they have never been used! Finally, if you are lucky enough to be served by Ryan (on hand and foot no less), your time at Balmoral will be as smooth as any evening out can be. He is a true credit to Balmoral and a large part of this glowing review. We have only just left and yet we cannot wait until our next visit!

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Popular dish

Dalkeith's Pork Chop

Popular dish

Ye Auld Sticky Toffee Pudding

La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant - North Lawndale

5.0

5 (15)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Lawndale

About the restaurant

An award-winning, Mexican café serving up a Guadalajara-inspired, extensive menu

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

The food was very tasty and the waiters were very nice . The lady in the front not so much

The Alderman

4.9

4.9 (231)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Pilsen

About the restaurant

Winner of the 2022 Jean Banchet Award for Best Bar, THE ALDERMAN is an intimate, 16-seat cocktail bar tucked away, behind closed doors, within Pilsen Yards. The cocktail list rotates some of its original cocktail features, while the twists on American classics are staples of the cocktail list.

With a plush velvet banquette and a 4-seat counter, it’s the perfect room for a night cap, a date, or a casual evening of one to several astonishingly good cocktails.

Top review

Emily

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Some of the best drinks we’ve ever had, and we love a cocktail bar.

Riganato Old World Grille

4.9

4.9 (1091)

$30 and under

Italian

Geneva

About the restaurant

A Mediterranean style restaurant focusing on Italian and Greek cuisine in a cozy, old world setting.
Our ingredients are all fresh, locally sourced, and organic when available. They are traditionally prepared, producing classic old world flavors. It's old country tradition with modern culinary twist!

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Riganato Old World Grille has a charming atmosphere. There is a great variety of dishes to choose from and they are remarkably delicious. The desserts are exceptionally tasty and generous in portion size. Their service was excellent and the prices are reasonable.

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san

4.9

4.9 (86)

$50 and over

Japanese

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Omakase Room at Sushi-san is a culmination of Master Sushi Chefs Kaze Chan and Shigeru Kitano’s combined experience defining the Chicago sushi scene. While the menu and service are informed by tradition, guests can expect a transcendent experience that breaks down the formality and austerity usually accompanying omakase dining. Each dinner in the warm, modern, and intimate ten-seat space features luxury ingredients from around the world. Sophisticated and carefully curated beverage pairings are available to complement the meal.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 6 days ago

18 exceptional courses. 10 guests seated around the chef preparing the courses. The accompanying wine/sake selection was outstanding.

Discover more

Experience

Master Sake-Brewer Dinner deposit

Experience

Omakase Reservation Deposit

Experience

Omakase Reservation Deposit

Tocco

4.9

4.9 (351)

$30 and under

Italian

Winnetka

About the restaurant

Good Food, Good Wine, Good Shoes, Makes Life Better.

Born in Naples, Italy and raised in Milan, Bruno Abate was inspired at an early age by his parents for his passion for food and fashion. Bruno opened his first company in Milan, selling fish and caviar to high-end restaurants. His extensive travels around the world helped him appreciate fine food and design and eventually led him to Chicago in 1999, where he combined his passions. In Chicago, Bruno brought together his vision to marry authentic Italian cuisine with a modern design when he opened his first restaurant Follia, in the meatpacking district and currently, Tocco in Winnetka.

The concept was simple, make authentic Italian Cuisine with the finest ingredients and give diners an experience like they were in Italy.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Consistency, quality, service - just the best Italian restaurant in the North Shore of Chicago. Food is always hot and delicious.

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Popular dish

Lasagna Bolognese

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