Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

Jonny Cab's

4.9

4.9 (296)

$50 and over

American

Burr Ridge

About the restaurant

Jonny Cab’s is a VIP dinner experience in a premiere, modern setting. With live entertainment 5 nights a week, we strive to provide an environment where guests can unwind & enjoy the moment.

We were recently featured by Peter Wren for Hinsdale Magazine who wrote, "I think it's the sum of all these parts - the wine, the food, the friendly service, and all that great sound pouring forth from the stage - that's bound to win people over. As my wife said, 'I don't think there's any place like this in Chicago.' She's right, but thanks to this plucky group of wine-lovers and entertainers, there's now one sitting right in the heart of Burr Ridge."

Our delicious menu by Executive Chef Jeff Stahulak is a modern take on the traditional American supper club. As one diner recently put it, "we expected good music in a vegas-like atmosphere, but the food is your secret weapon."

Come see what all the buzz is about & join the party!

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food, beautiful place, great live music.

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Experience

Premium Seating – Best View in the House

Happy Camper Pizza - Old Town

4.8

4.8 (646)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian for entry. A valid ID is required for guests age 21+.

A chic, outdoorsy pizza haven located in Old Town. Happy Camper boasts a décor that includes Airstream trailers, neon renditions of the Great Lakes, warm wooden accents, and tire swing seating around the bar. A wide variety of colorful pizzas and delicious appetizers await you.

F*ckin' Charity Bingo on Sundays at 1:30pm is sat on a first come first serve basis. All reservations will be sat in the non-bingo area.

We cannot guarantee inside or outside seating.

Neighborhood ordinances require our patio to close by 12am.

Your table is weather permitting. If there is inclement weather, Happy Camper reserves the right to cancel your reservation. If you are dining when inclement weather occurs your food will be packed and given your bill. You are more than welcome to head to the bar afterward.

Top review

YuvalVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Decent food, fun venue, and good service. Tavern pizza was meh.

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Experience

Happy Camper F*ckin' Charity Bingo Experience

La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant - Little Village

4.8

4.8 (116)

$30 and under

Mexican

Cicero

About the restaurant

A Mexican coffee house-restaurant located in the Mexican Capital of the Midwest, Little Village, offers a variety of different, non-traditional coffee and ice cream flavors. We also have an extensive menu of European inspired Mexican dishes that include options like paninis, salads and all-day breakfast. La Catedral, is a name inspired by the cathedral in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, which is also reflected in the establishment's logo.

Top review

Paloma

Dined on Jul 11, 2025

Friendly service and AMAZING food! This was our second time here they really don’t disappoint and have a good seating system

Grapes & Grains

4.8

4.8 (46)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

West Loop

About the restaurant

GG, as it is affectionately referred to in the neighborhood, is a piano bar located in the heart of West Loop, featuring Chicago's top talent.

Exposed brick, vintage chandeliers, chesterfield couches, and intimate lighting pay sexy homage to Old Chicago. The main floor boasts 2,500 square feet of gorgeous lounge space complete with a baby grand piano and sabrage room providing the most lively of atmospheres. Guests can reserve a live music experience on select evenings or learn the nuances of whiskeys and wines at one of our monthly masterclass events.

Experience live music performances at GG Wednesday through Sunday. Be entertained on Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM, Fridays 7:00PM-1:30AM, Saturdays 7:00PM-2:30AM, and Sundays 6:00-9:00PM, with no minimums and no live music fee. First come first serve seating and standing room available after 9pm on Fridays & Saturdays.

Top review

Brian

Dined 5 days ago

Limited food options but other then that the place was amazing

The Prospect

4.8

4.8 (20)

$31 to $50

American

Mount Prospect

About the restaurant

We at The Prospect have a simple philosophy—you should always feel welcome, taken care of, and wowed every time.

Our customers and team are like family. We like knowing your name, your favorite drink and if you’re allergic to shrimp. We invite you into our (truly) open kitchen and culinary process.

Stop for some daily fare, a cocktail, or just to say hi.

At The Prospect, you’ll feel less like going out and more like coming home.

Top review

ChristieVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great evening. Our server, Linda, was excellent, very attentive. Offered great recommendations. The other members of her team were great as well, clearing empty dishes, filling water, delivering hot food, etc. we will certainly return. I’m still savoring the octopus appetizer!

Capri by Gigi Zitt e Zitt/Are We Live

4.8

4.8 (55)

$31 to $50

Italian

Burr Ridge

About the restaurant

Family owned, providing the best homemade Italian food with recipes by Mama Capri. The dining experience is warm and enhanced by the charming personality of Gigi Capri, son of Mama Capri. The restaurant caters and has private dining space for up to 100 guests. Our guests are family!
As well as creative craft cocktails. Feel embraced with the Italian Culture not only with the food but with the ambiance & same hospitality found in Italy
Featuring entertainment & dancing Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights.

Top review

JuliaVIP

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Therese and Dina did an absolute amazing job ensuring our surprise party was flawless! The food was spectacular and the service was top notch. Love you guys and will continue bringing the business your way. You never cheat your customers and always show them a great time!

Starbucks Reserve® Chicago Roastery

4.8

4.8 (61)

$31 to $50

Café

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The World's Largest Starbucks.

A spectacular destination. Our passion for craft, innovation, and discovery comes to life in an ever-evolving menu of coffee, cocktails and food.

An immersive and thoughtfully designed experience, this one-of-a-kind space will bring your event to life in a uniquely memorable way.

Top review

Kim

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed the coffee journey experience as a private appt and it was very informative and interactive. Loved that it was just our group and we could openly ask questions. Chantal was a very experienced barista and made our experience so worth it!

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Experience

Art of the Espresso Martini (21+ Only)

Experience

Coffee Roasting & Tasting Experience

Experience

Coffee Lab: A Journey of the Senses

312 Fish Market

4.8

4.8 (26)

$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

TheoVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Terrific food and service, a bit of a hidden gem tucked in an Asian market which was unexpected, but lots of fun.

Gaslight

4.8

4.8 (1)

$30 and under

American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Gaslight is a lively neighborhood sports bar in Lincoln Park with three full bars, a delicious menu, and a spacious year-round patio open seven days a week for brunch, dine-in, carryout & delivery.

Top review

NicoleVIP

Dined on Jul 1, 2025

I won a cookie skillet AT BINGOOOOOOOO, it was electric

Selva

4.7

4.7 (48)

$30 and under

Mexican

West Loop

About the restaurant

Located on the 7th floor rooftop of The Emily Hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, Selva is a rooftop lounge inspired by the energy of Mexico by night. Stylishly moody and intriguingly vibrant, it's here you’ll find an elevated list of handcrafted cocktails that transport you to another place and a menu of casual fare to savor over shared stories and rounds of mezcal.

To our friends, our lovers, and our enemies too - Salud!

Top review

Luciano

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

It was our first time at selva. The music was great especially if people like reggaeton or Latino music. We surprisingly went Thursday night which they have happy hour from 9 pm - 12 am. We tried various drinks and appetizers. All were great. Great staff and service 🔥 They have a fire area outside plus a great view of a cinema on the side. I definitely will recommend this place to others. I am definetly coming back to this spot 💯

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Experience

National Tequila Day: Jungle Drip

Experience

The Sound Authority Presents (8pm-Close)

Experience

Late Night Happy Hour: 1/2 off House Cocktails

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