In Chicago, we eat with our eyes. That doesn’t just refer to the food on the plate, but the look and feel of the surroundings, too. It’s all part of a beautiful package deal that gives diners an immersive, unforgettable restaurant experience.
A luxe steakhouse channels Old Hollywood glam with gold mirrors, shimmering chandeliers, and one of the most photogenic bathrooms in town. A rustic-chic Mexican restaurant is sprinkled with artifacts that shout out the chef’s childhood in Huitzuco. Basket-like light fixtures and a sand-inspired palette keep the island vibes strong at a Greek gem.
But these 12 Chicago restaurants don’t just coast along on their charming good looks. Creative food, thoughtful wine lists, intriguing cocktails, and eye-catching design—who says we can’t have it all?
Le Colonial (Gold Coast/Streeterville)
With its colorful jungle mural, birdcage-style light fixtures, and towering plants, Le Colonial feels far away from the iconic Chicago street it calls home. 1920s Saigon is the muse for this elegant third-floor restaurant, which features traditional Vietnamese dishes like Hanoi-style monkfish and roasted duck. Made-in-Vietnam furniture dials up the transportive ambiance, and the all-season patio, dubbed “the bird’s nest,” is a tropical paradise even in the dead of winter.
Momotaro (West Loop)
For its 2023 Chicago debut, international design firm AvroKO made a splash with Momotaro. The sprawling multi-storied space includes a subterranean izakaya-inspired lounge and combines chic mid-century modern design with soothing Japanese aesthetics. Whether you sit at the intimate sushi bar or in a blonde leather half-circle booth, you’ll have a view of chef Gene Kato and his team inside the glass-enclosed kitchen, working their magic on the robata grill.
BLVD Steakhouse (West Loop)
From its gold mirrors and metallic finishes to the shimmering chandeliers, this bi-level steakhouse embraces all things Old Hollywood. Even the women’s restroom, decorated with pink velvet sofas, is glamorous. It’s all a perfect setting for the sophisticated food from Top Chef winner Joe Flamm (who is also behind nearby Rose Mary). If you prefer your tuna crudo and steak frites in an elegant pergola-covered garden, BLVD’s full-season patio is just a few steps away.
Fioretta (West Loop)
The biggest challenge at DineAmic Hospitality group’s Fioretta—beyond what to order from the solid Italian American steakhouse menu—is where to look first. Polished walnut paneling, crystal chandeliers, suede bar stools, and jewel-toned mohair booths all compete for your attention. A roving cart prepares Caesar salads tableside. And then there’s a custom-built hearth in the open kitchen, which fires up faves like Florentine steak and whole branzino. The best solution? Plan multiple visits.
Lýra (West Loop)
Lyra is all about a rustic, bohemian ambiance inspired by the Greek islands. A sand-hued palette dominates the space, while a large wooden mural evokes the constellation for which the restaurant is named. Above, basket-like light fixture shades add a warm glow. But the restaurant’s heart and soul is the elevated wood and coal-burning hearth in the dining room. Here, Greek chef Athinagoras Kostakos keeps the coastal Aegean vibes strong with dishes like grilled halloumi and crispy half chicken.
Aba (West Loop)
Living in Chicago means outdoor dining is mostly limited to the warmer months. But on Aba’s third floor, it’s spring year-round thanks to lush plants and towering indoor trees, and a skylight in the dining room that means natural light, no matter the weather. That sunny attitude also applies to Mediterranean-Californian dishes from chef CJ Jacobson, like charred avocado hummus and grilled cauliflower kebabs. Bonus points for the expansive patio with skyline views.
Elske (West Loop)
At this MICHELIN-starred West Loop restaurant from wife-and-husband chefs Anna and David Posey (he handles the savories, she’s got the sweets), less is more. That’s also true of the modern American food, prepared on a wood-burning grill, and the sleek Scandinavian-inspired design, which channels a trendy Danish B&B. Elske is also home to a cute outdoor courtyard with a fireplace and herb garden—a cozy extension of the welcoming dining room.
Somerset (Gold Coast/Streeterville)
Taking inspo from the American country clubs of the ’60s, Somerset was transformed from its past life as the scruffy Cedar Hotel in 2017; only the brick façade and neon sign remain. The bright lounge offers a great view of the patio steps away. Sit at the bar and you’ll score that same dazzling view, plus a look into the classy, column-lined dining room. Wherever you’re seated, the thoughtful global dishes, like tagliatelle with basil-pistachio pesto and roast chicken with avocado crema, shine.
3 Arts Club Cafe at RH Chicago (Gold Coast/Streeterville)
Ask your most stylish friend to go on a lunch date, and there’s a high chance they’ll suggest lobster rolls and Champagne at 3 Arts Club Cafe. The ultra-chic spot sits in a landmarked building that also houses modern furnishings star RH Chicago. Which explains its design-forward atmosphere, including a glass-and-steel enclosed courtyard, elegant bistro tables, plush sofas, and heritage olive trees, all arranged around a trickling fountain and a massive crystal chandelier.
Duck Duck Goat (West Loop)
Acclaimed chef Stephanie Izard picks up on what diners want even before they know it themselves, and that signature intuition is on full display at Duck Duck Goat. Next-level Chinese American dishes—wood-fired duck hearts; goat and shrimp shumai—are a great match for the restaurant’s exquisite interiors, which take cues from Chinatown’s colorful storefronts. Don’t miss a cocktail (or a photo op) at the show-stopping jade-colored bar, decked with golden goat sculptures.
Tzuco (River North)
At Tzuco, everything carries personal meaning for chef and owner Carlos Gaytán: The restaurant’s name is short for his birth city of Huitzuco, and the menu mixes his classic French training with his Mexican heritage. So naturally, the contemporary interiors are also an extension of that sentiment. Calm earth tones dominate the airy space, and you can’t help but gaze at the gorgeous handicrafts and ceramics—imported straight from Mexico, of course—as you dig into Guerrero-style pork shank and guava Pavlova.
Proxi (West Loop)
The food at chef Andrew Zimmerman’s MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient might take a global, boundary-blurring approach, with masterpieces like foie gras steamed buns and adobo-grilled octopus. But the interiors are firmly rooted in mid-century America. Stunning brasserie-inspired details are everywhere, from barrel-vaulted ceilings and tiled columns to elegant light fixtures and one awe-inspiring curved bar with a gleaming white-stone top.
Lisa Shames is a writer focused on travel and food culture in Chicago, IL. She has covered Chicago’s restaurant scene for publications including CS, Chicago Tribune, and Time Out, and is the US contributor for Sogoodmag.
