15 New Chicago Eats and Drinks to Try

New Dining Spots Across Chicago

Chicago continues to evolve with new dining options popping up across the city. From fast-casual spots to upscale eateries, there’s something for every taste and occasion. Here's a look at some of the latest openings that have captured the attention of locals and visitors alike.

Avondale

A popular Mediterranean spot known as Cedars has expanded its reach by opening a virtual kitchen in Avondale. Located inside Picnic, this new location offers fans the chance to enjoy falafel, chicken shawarma, and hummus bowls for delivery or pickup. The restaurant is situated at 3517 N. Spaulding Avenue.

Irving Park

Leona’s, a well-known local pizza chain, has found a new home in Irving Park after closing its previous location on Elston Avenue. The new space, housed in the former Tahina Kitchen, serves a variety of pizzas including thin-crust, deep-dish, Sicilian, and Detroit-style, along with pastas, salads, sandwiches, and Italian ice. Additional locations can be found in the West Loop and suburbs.

Lincoln Square

The former Gather space has been transformed into Union Dumpling House, a fast-casual dumpling restaurant. This spot specializes in Chinese-style dumplings filled with pork, beef, chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetables. Customers can also purchase frozen dumplings to make at home.

The Loop

Solette, an all-day spot in the Loop, offers a diverse menu that includes sandwiches, salads, sushi, steaks, and dishes like Nashville hot chicken and rigatoni Bolognese. The coffee bar features pastries from Lost Larson in the mornings, and happy hour specials are available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Solette is closed on weekends.

The Loop (Continued)

Eaves, a Southern European-style bar and bistro, will open at the historic Lyric Opera House in the week of August 11. Theatregoers can enjoy drinks and bites in the Pederson Room, which features a design inspired by 1920s–30s cafes and libraries in Southern France and Italy. The food menu includes pastas, arrosticini skewers, sandwiches, and salads, while the beverage program focuses on classic cocktails and Old World wines.

Noble Square

Milly’s Pizza in the Pan has relocated to Noble Square after closing its Uptown location in July. This move provides the owner with a larger kitchen and better oven, allowing for increased pizza production. Seating is limited, so guests should plan on ordering to go or for delivery. Milly’s also has a second restaurant in suburban Berwyn.

Pilsen

Café Carranza, a new coffee shop in Pilsen, offers items such as horchata lattes, iced espresso, and other caffeinated beverages made from Café Aroma de Mexico beans, along with tortas and pastries. The café is located at 1641 W. 18th Street.

South Loop

Chengdu Bistro, a sister restaurant of Chengdu Impression, has opened a second location in South Loop. This spot serves spicy Sichuan specialties like dan dan noodles, dry chili chicken, mapo tofu, Zhong dumplings, and ye’er ba—sticky rice cakes filled with ground pork. The original location is in West Town.

West Town

Semicolon, a beloved Black women-owned bookstore in West Town, will reopen on Wednesday, July 30, with a new cafe attached. Owner Danielle Moore temporarily closed the shop in April to add a cafe to the space. The new cafe will feature rotating Black-owned coffee shops, with Muse Coffee Studio being the first resident.

Plainfield

Jack in the Box has returned to the Chicago area with a new restaurant in Plainfield. The company left the region in the 1980s but plans to open several locations in the city and surrounding suburbs in the coming months. The Chicago location is expected to open in Ashburn in September, offering burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, milkshakes, and all-day breakfast offerings.

June Highlights

Irving Park

Philly Bros, a new spot in Irving Park, features Philadelphia sandwiches as well as gyros, chicken shawarma, burgers, and wings. The restaurant previously had a location in Lincoln Park near DePaul.

River North

Matilda, a new Mexican-Peruvian restaurant in River North, blends the flavors of both countries to create a menu featuring ceviches, tacos, braised meats, and Baja-style seafood. Weekend brunch is also served. Below Matilda sits Clandestino, an intimate basement lounge offering classic cocktails.

South Loop

Batter & Berries, a breakfast and brunch favorite, is now open in South Loop. Known for its French toast, the restaurant also offers waffles, omelets, pancakes, and traditional morning plates. Additional locations can be found in Lincoln Park and Olympia Fields.

Uptown

A Pizza Pie, a new neighborhood spot for medium-crust pizzas, has opened just a few doors down from Ragadan. The menu includes classic topping combinations like Hawaiian, margherita, and supreme, along with custom options and gluten-free crust. Diners can also enjoy wings, salads, and fries.

West Town

Hiro Bar + Izakaya, introduced by Celeste Group, brings the spirit of Tokyo izakayas to West Town. Hiro features live-fire robata dishes, hand rolls, sandos, okonomiyaki, and noodles. The beverage program highlights sakes, highballs, and cocktails like a sesame ginger martini. Hiro replaces Porto, which closed in 2023.