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Chicago is a colourful patchwork of neighbourhoods that reflect ethnicities from all regions of the world. Our restaurants and their authentic flavours are just as wonderfully diverse.

Coco Pazzo - One of the top Italian restaurants in the city, Coco Pazzo focuses on creating traditional Tuscan cuisine. Dishes include homemade gnocchi, wood-roasted salmon and panna cotta.
300 W. Hubbard

Italian Village - This historic three-level Italian dining complex includes the contemporary Vivere, the rustic La Cantina and the whimsical Village restaurant.
71 W. Monroe St. – 312.332.4040

Little Italy - Italian is still the native tongue spoken on Taylor Street, at the heart of Chicago's Little Italy. Stroll the sidewalks and be lured by the smells of authentic Italian cooking.
Taylor Street

Spiaggia - Chef Tony Mantuano cooks up inventive Italian dishes at the upscale Spiaggia. Located at the very chic corner of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street, Spiaggia offers stunning views of Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan.
980 N. Michigan

Vivere - The contemporary Vivere is located in the downtown Italian Village complex, which also includes the rustic La Cantina and Village restaurants. Vivere's focus is on new Italian cuisine from all regions of Italy. A popular spot for theatregoers.
71 W. Monroe

Chinatown - Share some dim sum and browse the dozens of fascinating little shops and grocers along Wentworth Avenue in Chicago's Chinatown. It's the place to find some of the most authentic Chinese cuisine in the city.
Cermak Road and Wentworth

Japonais - Modern Japanese cuisine is the focus at this see-and-be-seen hotspot. It's a beautifully designed restaurant that melds industrial Japan with European elegance, and features a seductive downstairs lounge with seating along the Chicago River.
600 W. Chicago

Opera - Opera's skilful kitchen gives traditional Chinese cuisine a decidedly contemporary twist, as with its triple presentation of Peking duck. The lush, whimsical decor is equally impressive. Book a table in the private "vaults" that held movie reels in the building's previous life as a warehouse.
1301 S. Wabash

Red Light - The pan-Asian menu takes its inspiration from the flavours of Thailand, China, Vietnam and Indonesia, bringing them together with a playful energy that's reflected in the vibrant décor. Save room for dessert—chef dessert — chef Jackie's Chocolate Bag is sensational.
820 W. Randolph

Shanghai Terrace - The outdoor terrace with sweeping city views is the place to dine at this modern Chinese restaurant in the luxe Peninsula Chicago.
108 E. Superior St. – 312.573.6744

SushiSamba Rio - The stylish SushiSamba Rio serves dishes that meld Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours in a hip, club-like atmosphere. Check out the sleek sushi bar, DJ booth and an all-season rooftop dining area.
504 N. Wells

Mexican & Latin American

Adobo Grill - There's always a crowd at this casually upscale Mexican spot, and with good reason. The guacamole is a must-try; it's prepared tableside with a mortar and pestle. The Oaxacan mole is chocolaty perfection, and the margaritas… ¡Dios mio!
1610 N. Wells

Carnivale - Join the party at Carnivale, a lively Latin restaurant that serves dishes influenced by the flavours of Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Peru and more. Specialty drinks include the popular caipirinha and a raspberry version of the mojito.
702 W. Fulton

Frontera Grill/Topolobampo - Celebrity chef Rick Bayless is the brains behind two side-by-side Mexican restaurants that have both received critical acclaim. Frontera Grill offers casual dishes, while Topolobampo presents upscale Mexican cuisine.
445 N. Clark

Mercat a la Planxa - Chef Jose Barces brings the flavors of Catalonia to Chicago. No matter your taste, you will find something delicious from their extensive menu of tapas, grilled-to-order meats and seafoods and Catalan-inspired cocktails.
638 S. Michigan

Le Bouchon - This intimate storefront bistro has been serving authentic French fare in the Bucktown neighbourhood for years.
1958 N. Damen Ave. – 773.862.6600

Mon Ami Gabi - Award-winning chef/owner Gabino Sotelino is the creator of the authentic bistro dishes at this cosy French steakhouse. Have a cocktail at the reproduction turn-of-the-century Parisian bar, then dine on house specialties such as the classic steak frites.
2300 N. Lincoln Park West

Pierrot Gourmet - This European-style café and wine bar is located at the tony Peninsula Chicago hotel. Don’t miss the homemade cakes and pastries. The outdoor seating offers great people watching during warmer months.
108 E. Superior

Kiki’s Bistro - Classic French dishes are the signature of this charming River North restaurant.
900 N. Franklin St. – 312.335.5454

Athena Restaurant - This spacious fine dining restaurant in the heart of Greektown offers traditional dishes such as dolmades and Athenian chicken. The picturesque outdoor patio is a big draw during the summer.
212 S. Halsted

Greek Islands - The biggest restaurant in Greektown serves fresh seafood, lamb and chicken dishes from an open kitchen that allows diners to watch the chefs at work.
200 S. Halsted St. – 312.782.9855

Greektown - Authentic Greek restaurants line the strip of Halsted Street known as Greektown, located just west of the downtown Loop. Have a flaming saganaki and shout “opaah” along with your waiter.
Halsted

Nine Muses - This laid-back restaurant that’s popular with the Greek-American locals transforms into a nightclub in the evening.
315 S. Halsted St. – 312.902.9922

Pegasus - This bright and airy restaurant offers affordably priced Greek dishes and a rooftop deck with a great city view.
130 S. Halsted St. – 312.226.4666

Venus - The cuisine of Cyprus is on the menu at this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that features a unique bar in the shape of an ancient Greek warship. Try the 14-course mezes, offering a combination of Cypriot and Greek dishes.
820 W. Jackson

Aria - Located in the Fairmont Hotel, this restaurant and lounge offers a globetrotting menu in a hip dining room that grooves to an international soundtrack.
200 N. Columbus Dr. – 312.444.9494

Bin 36 - The contemporary American dishes at Bin 36 are meant to be enjoyed with wine, and the menu will direct you to some of the best pairings. Or simply pull up a seat at the cheese bar (with 50 selections available) and enjoy a glass of wine as you nibble.
339 N. Dearborn

Blackbird - Named "one of the 50 best restaurants in the country" by Gourmet magazine, Blackbird serves innovative seasonal dishes prepared with a spare elegance that is perfectly complemented by the minimalist décor.
619 W. Randolph

BOKA - Offers a smart and concise menu. Giuseppe Tentori, 34, who was appointed executive chef this past March, brings to BOKA his love for simple and straightforward cuisine coupled with a high regard for pristine and fresh ingredients. The 4,000-square-foot, 90-seat restaurant, located in the heart of Lincoln Park just up the street from the Steppenwolf Theatre, offers three distinct seating areas, all of which can be made private: a more casual section in the front that overlooks Halsted Street; the formal dining room, a romantic and dramatic space, thanks to the fabric “sculptures” stretched across the ceiling; and the large outdoor patio area, which is tented and heated in the colder months.
1729 W. Halsted

Custom House - Style and originality greet you in this elegantly cool dining room. In the kitchen, critically acclaimed chef Shawn McClain proves he's at the top of his game with a varied menu that focuses on artisanal meats and only the freshest ingredients.
500 S. Dearborn

Lucky Strike Lanes - Yes, a bowling alley can have a hip menu —especially when it's a spinoff of a popular L.A. hangout. Sample dishes like Asian chicken skewers and bite-size mac n' cheese balls, or hunker down for full-size meals that include gourmet pizzas and burgers.
322 E. Illinois

Plan B Bar + Kitchen - Plan B offers something for everyone, from a low-key after-work destination to an energetic, feel-good late- night scene with great music. Led by principals Ryan Golden and Mark Perres, Plan B Bar + Kitchen offers a well-edited bar menu, straightforward beer selections and premium, reasonably-priced cocktails against a perfect blend of sexy rock, vintage hip-hop, old school and 80s classics by local DJs. With seasonal menu items and drink specials, along with the installation of three plasma screen TVs (at seated eye-level), Plan B should be the first choice for entertainment.
1635 N. Milwaukee

Sixteen - Located on the 16th floor of the soaring new Trump International Hotel & Tower, Sixteen offers an eclectic menu along with spectacular skyline vistas.
401 N. Wabash Ave. – 312.588.8030

Spring Restaurant - The goal here is simple: create an unforgettable dining experience in a setting that is sophisticated, yet comfortable. The dining theme is New American with a strong Asian influence. Menu items include Australian Bass, Maine Sea Scallops, Grilled Duck and Eggplant Masala.
2039 W. North

The Signature Room at the 95th - Enjoy dining with a panoramic view of the city from 95 storeys up at this American restaurant atop the John Hancock Center.
875 N. Michigan Ave. – 312.787.9596

The Publican - Styled after a European beer hall, The Publican offers an eclectic menu of fish, meat and vegetable dishes. The Publican also offers a menu of over 100 varieties of beer.
837 W. Fulton

Viand - The warm, inviting setting of this posh restaurant is the perfect backdrop to the handcrafted martinis behind the bar and the modern reinvention of traditional American comfort food from the kitchen.
155 E. Ontario

Chicago Diner - The Chicago Diner was one of the first vegetarian restaurants in the city. Try the garden vegetable loaf or the macrobiotic plate, and don't miss the vegan desserts.
3411 N. Halsted

Green Zebra - Green Zebra is a contemporary vegetarian restaurant that caters to a hip crowd. Imaginative seasonal dishes include crispy sweet potato dumplings with water chestnuts and dandelion miso broth.
1460 W. Chicago