Here at City Cast Chicago, we report on restaurant openings every month. But our friends over at The Infatuation actually get out there to try just about everything.
I know, I’m jealous too.
So we’re excited to welcome The Infatuation’s Adrian Kane and John Ringor on today’s podcast. They’re sharing what new spots made their best-of-year list.
Some Must-Try Restaurants
All Well in West Loop
All Well, an American restaurant from the team behind Oriole, also landed on The Infatuation's national list of the 25 best new restaurants.
Beaumont's in Lincoln Park
Resurrecting the name of the bar that stood there for 40-plus years, Beaumont's is now a large tavern restaurant with an upstairs steakhouse.
Da Local Boy in the Loop
This Hawaiian spot has made headlines all year — everyone says it’s worth the (long) lunch lines.
Chez Poulet in Bucktown
From the team behind romantic bistro Le Bouchon, this is a different kind of restaurant, serving rotisserie chicken on paper plates.
Spice By CMB in Avondale
This Afro-Caribbean spot is delicious, Ringor says, yet there’s usually an open table 👀
Txa Txa Club in Logan Square
From a private supper club business comes this all-day cafe with coffee, cocktails, and light bites.
Garuda in Uptown
Garuda is one of only two Indonesian restaurants in Chicago (the other is Rendang Republic, also fairly new).
Mazor in West Loop
This Mexican-Guatemalan counter-service spot is a “master of masa-based alchemy,” Ringor says.
Chicago’s Food Trends
Last year’s martini trend is still going strong, though Ringor now recommends All Well’s dirty daiquiri. Splashy steakhouses are also big, as Kane and Ringor say diners gravitate toward big nights out. A new steakhouse, Esquire, is coming to Gold Coast, too.
Whereas in 2025 Kane said Chicagoans wanted “accessible luxury,” opting for (albeit pricey) à la carte items over pricier tasting menus, this year, restaurants are dressing up everyday foods to make them feel luxurious. Think “sexy chicken.”
Another emerging trend is all-day spots, like Txa Txa Club. “ I think [people] need third spaces,” Kane said. I get that — I’ve been frequenting Logan Inn, a new cafe-by-day and bar-by-night, to write this newsletter 😉
