Best Chicago Bar + Restaurant Openings in 2025 (So Far)
via Noriko
It seems like with every new day, a new restaurant is opening its doors in Chicago, and if you’re anything like us, you want to try them ALL. Here are some of the very best new bars + restaurants to date:
Noriko {401 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL; 312.285.2334}
There are bars, and then there are gourmet handroll bars. Noriko in the West Town/ Fulton River District is a new sushi hotspot that will satisfy both seasoned sushi lovers and first timers alike thanks to their fresh flavors and inventive twists on Japanese cuisine. Noriko’s menu specializes in thoughtfully created handrolls, including classics, premiums and preset handroll sets all showcasing bold, fresh flavors
The Alston {750 North State Street, Chicago, IL; 312.548.2556}
Chicago steakhouse meets French nouvelle cuisine at Gold Coast’s newest addition, The Alston. Opened by The Fifty/50 group and Michelin-starred Chef Jenner Tomaska, the menu highlights comforting Midwestern steakhouse classics as well as more creative showstoppers like an impressive Duck à la Presse, carved tableside, and rotating bread + cheese carts. Other noteworthy attributes of The Alston include a 500+ bottle wine cellar, an enormous private terrace and an amazing weekday happy hour!
via The Robey
Solana {1616 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL; 872.315.3083}
The Robey Hotel, a landmark establishment in the heart of Wicker Park, boasts a variety of different bars + restaurants, with its newest being its 7th floor patio cabana, Solana. Their taco-focused menu may be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to authentic Mexican flavors. Enjoy your tacos with a refreshing frozen cocktail, like a flavored margarita or piña colada, in Solana’s breezy indoor/outdoor dining space or poolside on the outdoor cabana deck.
Gus' Sip & Dip {51 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL; 312.736.0163}
Gus’ Sip & Dip brings a fun, no frill-no-fuss vibe to Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Staying true to their name, Gus’ beverage list offers an array of quality cocktails for sipping and a food menu filled with gourmet sandwiches for dipping (along with some other deliciously elevated bar food options)! Gus’ Sip & Dip’s concept of offering high-quality food + drink at an approachable price combined with their moody, funky interior makes it a space you’ll want to keep coming back to.
Kanin {5131 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL)
Who would have thought that a tiny three-table bodega highlighting Filipino-Hawaiian street food would become Chicago’s hottest new restaurant opening? Kanin, a new fast casual joint in Ravenswood, skips the bougie environment and high price points, instead serving up simple, authentic and utterly delicious dishes inspired by Chef Julius Tacadena’s upbringing in Hawaii. Kanin is famous for their ‘Musubis’, handheld Hawaiian snacks consisting of seaweed wrapped rice varieties, with their Spam Musubi being the hottest ticket item for diners. It’s highly recommended getting to Kanin early if you want to get your hands on the more sought after Musubis before they sell out!
Wolf & Company {1752 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL}
Look out Chicago, there’s a new ‘wolf’ in town, coming to you from the legendary team behind The Little Bad Wolf, The Good Wolf & Gretel. Wolf & Company quickly became the most anticipated opening for Wicker Park and Bucktown residents as it is the very first establishment with direct access from its sunny 2nd floor patio to the 606 trail. What better reason to go on a walk, run or bike down the 606 than to have a freshly brewed coffee, smoothie or crisp cocktail waiting for you at the end? Wolf & Company’s expansive two story space also boasts a full service restaurant and bar area on the main floor, an in-house butcher shop, a floral shop and boutique store for merchandise.
via Del Sur Bakery
Del Sur Bakery {4639 North Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL}
While there’s certainly no shortage of great bakeries in Chicago, Del Sur Bakery has quickly made a name for itself thanks to its authentic Filipino-inspired baked goods. What started as pop-ups at a Chicago coffee shop turned into Chef Justin Tiu Lerias opening his own permanent space in Lincoln Square, thanks to the outpouring of love and praise from patrons. Chef Justin has found his niche combining the bold flavors of the Philippines with some added Midwestern flair and if the daily crowds of people who line up to get their hands on a pastry is any indication, Del Sur is definitely a must visit bakery.
Nadu {2518 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL; 312.590.5676}
Indian cuisine has been having its moment in Chicago and Lincoln Park’s Nadu is no exception. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Sujan Sarkar, who is a trailblazer in introducing Indian food to the world of fine dining, Nadu’s concept combines traditional Indian flavors + cooking techniques with contemporary innovation. Their menu pays homage to the unique regions of India and the different dishes and flavors that embody them.
Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna {531 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL; 312.470.0250}
If there’s one cuisine Chicagoans can’t get enough of, it’s Italian, and if you’re one of those people always on the lookout for a new fix, then BOKA group’s Zarella is the place for you! Their pizza centered menu focuses specifically on from-scratch, tavern and artisan-style pies, with both build-your-own and preset specialty offerings available. Enjoy your za’ at the always bustling bar area (first-come-first-serve basis) or reserve a seat in their cozy dining room for larger groups.
Cafe Yaya {2431 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL}
Cafe Yaya, the all-day cafe brought to you by the team behind Galit, shares a corner location next to its sister restaurant. Cafe Yaya’s daytime menu features freshly brewed coffees, a variety of homemade pastries as well as more substantial breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. They also recently extended their daytime hours to evening, introducing late afternoon Golden Hour + early evening Happy Hour specials and a Mediterranean/French-inspired dinner menu. No matter the time of day, there is always something fresh and delicious waiting at Cafe Yaya.
By Robyn Glaza | Market Manager