Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Uptown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodIndianMexican

Regions

ChicagoNear WestNorth Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Belmont CraginBucktown / Wicker ParkChina TownCiceroDowntown / LoopEdgewater

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

78 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Cariño

4.9

Exceptional(15)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Latin American • Uptown

Booked 1 time today

Cariño1. (afecto) love ⧫ affection2. (apelativo) darling ⧫ honeyCariño is a Spanish word that refers to a feeling of fondness or love that a person has for someone or something.This concept is an immersive culinary journey offering a Latin-inspired tasting menu and taco omakase by Chef Norman Fenton. Each dish has been meticulously crafted to highlight the rich tapestry of flavors and ingredients found across Latin America. These unique combinations of traditional and contemporary techniques, promise to deliver an elevated dining experience that surprises and delights.Every little detail of Cariño's intimate setting is deeply personal and tells a story rooted in family and love of craft offering each guest an opportunity for a truly memorable dining experience.From July 23 to July 26, we’ll be hosting a multi-night experience exclusively for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers. Book now: https://www.opentable.com/r/carino-chi/sapphire-summer-reserved

2. Mirra

4.7

Exceptional(250)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Bucktown / Wicker Park

Booked 46 times today

Mirra is centered around the excitement of exploring the South Asian and Mexican culinary and collaboration that is really an unknown story up north. A la carte service, wine-focused with a small curated cocktail menu. Our chef's counter will offer a casual prix fixe experience for guests to enjoy. Mirra is a space that is warm, cozy, and comforting, whilst simultaneously executing a bold and vibrant food and beverage program. Mirra is a unique representation of how 2 different cultures can be 1 presented to you by Rishi Kumar, Zubair Mohajir, and David Mor.

3. Mott Street

4.8

Exceptional(1158)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Central Asian • Bucktown / Wicker Park

Booked 111 times today

Supremely Asian American. Eastern cooking technique. Taking inspiration from the night markets of Asia and his Korean-American childhood, Chef Edward Kim pairs eastern cooking techniques with Chicago ingredients to create umami-laden flavors, juxtaposing tastes and textures for a wildly exciting menu. A festive and lively dining scene is anchored by a well-lauded bar program and an open pantry, inviting our guests further into the kitchen experience. Like a nightly Asian Thanksgiving, expect Feast-Style dining, rolling up your sleeves, passing plates with your neighbors, getting sauce on your face - if you’re having a good time you’re doing it right.

4. Akahoshi Ramen

4.8

Exceptional(465)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Logan Square

Booked 29 times today

Akahoshi Ramen is a humble ramen shop in the city of Chicago. Everything is made in the restaurant, including all soups, seasonings, toppings, and noodles. We are not an authentic ramen shop, though we value the history of ramen, and our ramen is influenced by its past and its future potential. The dish, popularized in Japan after World War 2, is symbolic of both struggle and perseverance. It is both a simple dish, and a fantastically complex one that we treat with reverence and respect. Roughly translating to “Red Star,” the name “Akahoshi” is a love letter to two cities; Sapporo, Hokkaido, where red stars adorn city monuments, and Chicago, Illinois, where the red star decorates the city flag. Our ramen is influenced by Japanese and American ideals in cooking. We hope you will join us to enjoy a bowl of ramen, made with the respect and passion it deserves.

A photo of Barcocina - Lakeview restaurant

5. Barcocina - Lakeview

4.4

Awesome(998)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Lakeview / East Lakeview

Booked 34 times today

Barcocina is a progressive Mexican concept showcasing twists on original Latin flavors. The menu emphasizes shared plates to give our guests the ultimate Eat, Drink, and Socialize experience. Barcocina offers a one of a kind drink menu that features sweet, smoky, and spicy takes on classics, as well as innovative mixology.

A photo of ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine restaurant

6. ISTMO Oaxacan Cuisine

4.7

Exceptional(138)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Lakeview / East Lakeview

Booked 6 times today

We celebrate the culinary connections between the Oaxacan region in Mexico and a neighboring international cuisine. It highlights the vibrant flavors, traditional techniques, and unique ingredients of Oaxaca, while also incorporating elements and influences from a neighboring culinary tradition.Meet Carlos Lopez Muñoz, a culinary virtuoso hailing from the vibrant tapestry of Oaxaca, Mexico. His gastronomic odyssey began in the heart of his family's kitchen, weaving a narrative steeped in the rich culinary tradition of "El Istmo."

7. Beatnik West Town

4.5

Awesome(107)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Global, International • West Town

Booked 29 times today

An exotic neighborhood escape with globetrotting cuisine, tropical cocktails, bohemian interiors, and a great place to watch sports in Chicago’s West Town. Named after the Bohemian freethinkers of the 1950s and ’60s, Beatnik West Town channels the Beatnik generation’s sense of style, aspiration, and rebellion to create an exotic escape with maximalist interiors and lush gardens.Mirroring our design-through-storytelling whimsy, Beatnik’s culinary team takes guests on a globetrotting journey that starts in the Eastern Mediterranean, moves westward across Northern Africa and finishes across the Atlantic with the flavors of Mexico.Beatnik’s beverage team makes tropical cocktails that are savory and fresh, with inventive recipes that follow a no-waste sensibility. Our wine list is a compact attaché that contains the story of winemakers who make wine in lesser-known regions of the Mediterranean and the Americas.

A photo of La Victoria Barra + Cocina Mexicana restaurant

8. La Victoria Barra + Cocina Mexicana

4.4

Awesome(410)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mexican • Logan Square

Booked 36 times today

Brunch: Sat & Sun 10am-4pm | Happy Hour Wed - Fri 4-6pmValet Parking $15"At La victoria, our mission is to transport you to the heart of Mexico's fiesta spiritthrough our authentic-home made Mexican street food.We're not just a taqueria, we're a destination where great food, electrifyingmusic and friendly service converge to create unforgettable experiences."THE MENU"Our vision is to redefine the Mexican dining experience, blending traditionalflavors with modern twists to create a unique culinary journey, La Victoria aspires to bemore than a restaurant; it's a sanctuary of joy and connection, where every nights isa fiesta waiting to unfold, by maintaining our commitment to quality, authenticity,and innovation, we aim to become the premier destination for anyone seeking torevel in the vibrant spirit of Mexico, here in the heart of our community".

9. Mano a Mano

4.8

Exceptional(217)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Logan Square

Booked 22 times today

Mano a Mano is a pasta and wine joint that celebrates classic preparations of traditional recipes. With a wine program focused on 100% Italian grapes that are comforting and familiar. The space is designed to create a cozy enriched environment with deep booths that you can tuck away, warm lighting and walnut paneling with retro lighting.Parking Tip: We offer MVP valet services Monday-Sunday! Sacramento, Kedzie Boulevard Pay to park parking lot along Linden Avenue Parking lot located behind Target Eat & Be Well!

A photo of RAMEN-SAN - Lincoln Park restaurant

10. RAMEN-SAN - Lincoln Park

4.8

Exceptional(242)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Asian • Lincoln Park

Booked 35 times today

RAMEN-SAN is a neighborhood noodle joint that slings hot broth, ice-cold beer and the best ’90s hip-hop in town. With locations in Lincoln Park, River North, Fulton Market and Streeterville, the Lincoln Park location is the newest addition to the RAMEN-SAN squad.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

E
EdgarVIP
Chicago / Illinois •13 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Mott burger with an egg is a must have! Our bartender Rebeca was excellent made our first time experience worth coming back!
More info
Mott StreetPrice: Expensive• Central Asian• Bucktown / Wicker Park
•
4.8
C
Carrie
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We had the green garlic shrimp scampi, zucchini flowers, carbonara, and pesto pastas - everything was delicious! Our server was very knowledgeable and helped us with all our selections, and we couldn’t have been happier. Great meal, great ambiance, and friendly and fast service. We will be back!
More info
Mano a ManoPrice: Expensive• Italian• Logan Square
•
4.8
P
PETER
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Haven't had everything on the menu, but it's the best ramen in the city. Owner knows ball. Big fan of their seasonal tsukemen.
More info
Akahoshi RamenPrice: Moderate• Japanese• Logan Square
•
4.8
D
DanaVIP
Las Vegas •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great place great food and the service and people are very nice and well prepared to answer questions or make recommendations
More info
MirraPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Bucktown / Wicker Park
•
4.7
R
Richard
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 4, 2025
Outstanding artistry in food and presentation. We enjoyed a 12 course meal and were thoroughly entertained. Each course built on the previous like a wonderfully crafted novel. It was truly an enjoyable, flavorful and cultural experience.
More info
CariñoPrice: Very Expensive• Latin American• Uptown
•
4.9

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