Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Chicago

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Chicago? 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

4.9

4.9 (357)

$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

`Andrew

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

If you like sushi this is the place to go! Excellent service and the food is fabulous!

Komorebi

4.9

4.9 (237)

$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

Omar

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Amazing, great food and service. Shoutout to Miguel at the sushi bar who gave us a great sushi experience.

Piece Brewery & Pizzeria

4.9

4.9 (8)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Currently only accepting reservations for parties of 6-16 online. Reservations for parties greater than 8 are very limited and large parties might be split into multiple tables. Please walk-in for small party availability.

At Piece Brewery, the spirit of piece, love, and harmony are infused into every bite and sip. Nestled in a skylit loft, this vibrant establishment seamlessly unites the flavors of award-winning, New Haven-style thin-crust pizza with the the longest continuously-operating and most award-winning brewpub in Chicago, a tradition that has been upheld since 2001.

Whether you're savoring a slice of our renowned pies or sampling our diverse range of house brews, every visit promises a symphony of taste and community. As the sun sets, the atmosphere transforms into a lively sports-bar setting, creating an unforgettable experience where great food, great brews, and great entertainment converge.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 20, 2024

Great location , pizza and beer . Plenty of room do our party

Frida Room - Pilsen

4.9

4.9 (58)

$30 and under

Breakfast

Pilsen

About the restaurant

A LOCALLY-OWNED CAFÉ OFFERING AN ARRAY OF MODERN MEXICAN & AMERICAN BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FAVORITES. A PREFERRED WEEKEND BRUNCH SPOT WITH STAPLES LIKE CHILAQUILES, PANCAKES, AND PANINIS.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

Good was fabulous! BYOB so we got bubbly at the unique store and Frida brought out an ice bucket and wine glasses!

Anna Maria Pasteria

4.8

4.8 (597)

$30 and under

Italian

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Anna Maria Pasteria is open for business!

A mix of modern and traditional Italian cuisine, our cozy ristorante has long been a local favorite. Sisters Anna and Maria, originally from the Basilicata region of southern Italy, first opened the doors of Anna Maria Pasteria in 1989.

Beginning at age seven, Anna fell in love with cooking, creating her first plate of Pasta e Fagioli, a simple peasant dish that is now an Italian specialty. Enamored with cuisine and hospitality, Maria followed the family tradition and put her heart into making the best and most heavenly Tiramisu.

After three decades, Anna and her team continue to dedicate themselves to the finest homemade Italian cuisine and service. Each entree is prepared to order with only the finest and freshest ingredients.

Top review

Steve

Dined on Aug 22, 2024

Solid neighborhood Italian restaurant. Very enjoyable evening. If we lived here, it would be a go to for us.

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Popular dish

Linguine Pesto

Due Lire

4.8

4.8 (1077)

$31 to $50

Italian

Lincoln Square

About the restaurant

Welcome to Due Lire Vino & Cucina, located in the vibrant Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Square. Our dynamic menu highlights authentic Italian recipes made with seasonal and local ingredients with a contemporary twist. Indulge in a variety of dishes from antipasti, homemade pasta and hand crafted specials and desserts.
Bring your friends, meet new ones, celebrate life through great food, wine and entertaining conversation. We look forward to seeing you!
Please call or email us if you have any questions.

Top review

Donna

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Amazing homemade pappardelli w wild boar. Grilled artichokes w prucuitto and parm- so delish Garden is serene with beautiful flowers Love this place!

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4.8

4.8 (643)

$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

Kat

Dined 1 day ago

Loved our corner back table and appreciated our server’s attentiveness and speed.

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4.8

4.8 (30)

$30 and under

Japanese

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Sushi Mura is located in Chicago, Illinois, and serves Japanese cuisine in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy one of the restaurantÕs specials named after a regular customer and youÕll see how Sushi Mura cares for the diners. The menu for lunch and dinner at Sushi Mura contains a mixture of the traditional dishes youÕll find in many Japanese restaurants and many unusual ones as well. Some of these include sweet jalapeno, DannyÕs super awesome roll, white dragon roll, temptation roll, shumai, gyoza, seaweed salad, bi-bim-bop, katsu, ramen and yaki soba. Desserts like the tempura ice cream are a perfect ending.

Top review

aishavip

Dined 2 days ago

New neighborhood spot. Will def be back. Loved the food.

La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana

4.8

4.8 (310)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Welcome to La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana. Here we share our vision of authentic Italian traditional pizza, which dates back to the Greco-Roman period and starts with fresh, high quality ingredients. Many of them are flown in from Italy, including our tomatoes, flour and burrata cheese. Our dough is handmade daily. In fact, La Crosta in Italian means “the crust” and we believe our fluffy crust is the best in the business. In all, I’ve created a comfortable restaurant for you and your friends to spend time together and create new memories.

Top review

OpenTable Dinervip

Dined 5 days ago

Incredible every time!! The Bianca is amazing. Switched it up and got the burrata & prosciutto which was phenomenal! Highly recommend!

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4.8

4.8 (134)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

At Sushi Hall, we are focused on serving the freshest sushi in Lincoln Park at reasonable prices in a beautifully designed neighborhood restaurant.

Every component of Sushi Hall is designed to make you feel completely at home and ultimately, become your favorite go-to spot for delicious sushi.

At the helm of our cuisine is acclaimed Head Chef Mitch Kim.

For nearly 20 years, Mitch has gained a large and loyal following in Lincoln Park serving his signature rolls paired with his engaging personality and relentless commitment to providing the best dining experience for all guests.

Top review

Hampton Praete

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

Chef Mitch and his staff go above and beyond everytime we dine at Sushi Hall. Food and staff are always on point.

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Experience

Early bird saves HALF OFF sushi

Experience

Half-off Wine

Experience

Japanese-Inspired Cocktail Making Class

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