Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best value 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!

The Tasting Room at CMB

5.0

5 (16)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Logan Square

About the restaurant

We continue to expand our restaurant operations and are hosting our first pop-up ticketed dinner series starting this June. Check it out under "Experiences" and keep on the lookout for these dinner experiences monthly!

As for The Tasting Room's Sunday Brunch, Chef Mychael Bonner has brought his menu vision to light with many classic brunch dishes in addition to specialty Afro-Caribbean highlights. We pride ourselves on offering a range of comprehensive services, whether a weekend brunch at our location in Logan Square or a catered event. Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional experiences for you and your guests. We cannot wait to host you!

Top review

BobVIP

Dined on May 11, 2025

My wife, our daughter and I enjoyed a fabulous Mother's Day brunch at the Tasting Room. The food was delicious and very creatively prepared, the service was friendly and professional, and the dining area was cozy and lively.

312 Fish Market

5.0

5 (24)

$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

Aurea

Dined on May 26, 2025

This restaurant is a fun and absolutely delicious experience in the midst of a shopping mall. The waitstaff is kind and enthusiastic. We loved the food! The fish was fresh, well prepared and beautifully presented. Best sushi experience we have had in the Midwest! We will be back!

Waterleaf Restaurant - Glen Ellyn

4.8

4.8 (376)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glen Ellyn

About the restaurant

Welcome to our classroom! Waterleaf, located in College of DuPage’s Culinary & Hospitality Center, is a dining experience that offers real-life training to Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality students. Patrons will enjoy menus utilizing fresh regional and seasonal ingredients prepared by Culinary & Pastry students as well as attentive service from our student servers.
Limited seating is available at each event and reservations are required. Reservations may be made until an event is sold out. For parties of 6 or more, please call us directly at 630-942-2284.

Top review

Joli

Dined on May 7, 2025

Great job to the COD culinary team! Everyone was so helpful and kind, the food was excellent and I had a great time dining

Sal and Tony's Italian

4.8

4.8 (11)

$30 and under

Italian

Buffalo Grove

About the restaurant

Conveniently located on the Buffalo Grove Golf Course, Sal & Tony’s offers a casual dining atmosphere for families featuring delicious Italian and American food and a full-service bar with flat screens and an extended patio for Golfers. For parties of 6 pr more, or if you are unable to find a reservation online, please call us at 847-243-4142 and we will try our best to accommodate your party.

Top review

Kevin

Dined on May 27, 2025

Our service and server were amazing. We will for sure be going back to have a meal there again with our server.

Komorebi

4.8

4.8 (264)

$30 and under

Sushi

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Japanese restaurant with elegantly plated sushi, rolls & cooked fare in a rustic-chic storefront.

Top review

LauraVIP

Dined 7 days ago

My go to sushi place. They never disappoint. Friendly and attentive service, with delicious and beautiful sushi!

RoccoVino's - Elk Grove Village

5.0

5 (137)

$30 and under

Italian

Elk Grove Village

About the restaurant

RoccoVino’s is Traditional Italian with a Twist – featuring creative pasta specialties, fresh seafood, veal & chops, unique chef specials and pizza. Our menu has been created to combine your favorite Italian dishes with family recipes and new exciting options. Each dish is carefully created for each diner to ensure the best family experience.

Top review

AntonVIP

Dined on May 27, 2025

Always enjoy the food at Rocco Vinos: great meat sauce with the pasta dishes. Waitress tends to be forgetful when requesting an item and never delivers.

Valhalla

5.0

5 (8)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Valhalla is a culinary gem in Chicago's Wicker Park, offering a unique gastronomic journey where modern elegance meets global flavors. The minimalist Scandinavian decor creates an intimate atmosphere, with warm woods and soft lighting that enhance your dining experience. Chef Stephen Gillanders' tasting menu showcases his creativity, featuring seasonal ingredients and diverse influences. Each course, from ocean trout lumpia to vibrant seafood ceviche, highlights his mastery of flavor and technique. Desserts by Pastry Chef Tatum Sinclair are a revelation, with each creation a stunning masterpiece that delights the senses. Valhalla is not just a restaurant; it's an unforgettable experience that invites you to savor every moment.

Top review

Christopher

Dined 4 days ago

My wife and I recently visited Valhalla for our anniversary on a rainy Saturday night in early June. It was our first time visiting Chicago and Valhalla came highly recommended by folks on the internet. From start to finish, the staff went above and beyond to make the evening truly special. We were greeted by a hand-written note from the staff welcoming us and wishing us a happy anniversary. We were seated at the counter for the 12-course tasting menu - there were only 4 others at the counter which I thought to be strange but we did have a 9 PM reservation, which is a touch on the later side. All 12 courses were well-thought and well-executed. Some standouts were the “surf” and “turf,” which are the first 2 courses consisting of 3 items each. The ceviche and katsu, in particular, were our favorites. The broths/sauces used throughout the night were all amazing - the spicy broth with the white curry noodles, the smoked pimenton butter served with the lobster tsukune, and the French onion latte are highlights. Chef Tatum flexes her pastry muscles on the 3 dessert courses. The marbled pavlova was a textural delight, the torrijas was like a decadent French toast stick, and the house-made chocolates were divine. One of the best meals we have had in a long time!

Discover more

Experience

Valhalla Tasting Menu at The Chef's Counter

Molly's Kitchen & Bar

5.0

5 (527)

$30 and under

American

Mount Carroll

About the restaurant

Located in Mount Carroll, IL, Molly’s Kitchen & Bar serves
Classic Cuisine and Cocktails made from scratch.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 4 days ago

Molly’s truly lives up to its reputation! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed and promptly seated, setting the tone for a fantastic experience. The service was outstanding—our server, Sarah, went above and beyond, making us feel right at home with her friendly and attentive approach. Every dish we tried was delicious, showcasing the kitchen’s dedication to quality and flavor. If you’re looking for a place that combines great food with top-notch service, Molly’s is the spot you don’t want to miss!

Yuzu Sushi & Robata Grill

4.9

4.9 (48)

$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

Chris

Dined 1 day ago

Had this amazing salmon sashimi/yuzu sauce special. Rolls were excellent too

Roscoe's Tavern

5.0

5 (221)

$30 and under

American

Roscoe Village

About the restaurant

Welcome to Roscoe’s Tavern, Chicago’s leader in nightlife and entertainment. Guests must be 21+ and present valid ID for entry.