Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best value restaurants 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!

Waterleaf Restaurant - Glen Ellyn

4.9

4.9 (351)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glen Ellyn

About the restaurant

Welcome to our classroom! Waterleaf, located in College of DuPage’s Culinary & Hospitality Center, is a dining experience that offers real-life training to Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality students. Patrons will enjoy menus utilizing fresh regional and seasonal ingredients prepared by Culinary & Pastry students as well as attentive service from our student servers.
Limited seating is available at each event and reservations are required. Reservations may be made until an event is sold out. For parties of 6 or more, please call us directly at 630-942-2284.

Top review

PhillipVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The Waterleaf crew definitely had their "A" game going today. The NY menu was outstanding. Our waitress, Lucia, was excellent. Today, "Life Tastes Good".

Franco's Ristorante

5.0

5 (667)

$30 and under

Italian

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

If your preferred time is unavailable please call for possible openings.

Franco's Ristorante is the perfect combination of old world Italian classics and your new favorite pasta dishes. We've been around for over 27 years and have perfected our craft. Some of our most famous dishes include whipped ricotta tuffo, sausage and peppers, eggplant parmigiana and gnocchi.

Our great food and atmosphere helped us earn the honor of being named the Chicago Reader's 2016 "best place for a cheap date" and "best local restaurant."

You will be wowed when you step inside our bright, airy and modern restaurant. You can enjoy a drink at our new marble-topped bar or cozy up to tables with bright red-leather chairs and banquettes in the dining room. In the summer we are happy to offer outdoor seating that allows dogs.

Top review

Megan

Dined 5 days ago

Such a great early girls dinner. And loved our service!

Highlander House Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (87)

$30 and under

Polish

Palos Hills

About the restaurant

Welcome to Highlander House Restaurant and Bar. Our beautiful restaurant attracts our clients with unique styles, friendly atmosphere, and delicious food. The name of the restaurant was greatly influenced by our family's roots, which are originated from the mountains in Poland.

The style of the restaurant consists of many of souvenirs, wooden decorations, regional costumes, and traditional instruments to give our guests that authentic atmosphere. Dishes are prepared from scratch according to recipes originating from the south region of Poland called Podhale.

We offer regional and traditional Polish cuisine. Our European plate, sauerkraut soup, sheep cheese soup, unique taste of lamb plate and pork shank ranks highest in popularity amongst our guests.

Every Sunday we have live entertainment featuring Polish Highlanders. With the help of our friendly staff and delicious food, we hope you continue to come back and visit us at Highlander House.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Very enjoyable! We really enjoy the Highlander House and hope to visit again real soon!

Rollapalooza

5.0

5 (366)

$30 and under

Sushi

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

COZY AND WARM RESTAURANT. FRESH AND DELICIOUS RESTAURANT. WE ARE NOT NO.1 RESTAURANT. HOWEVER WE DO OUR BEST TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on Feb 26, 2025

Always great service and sushi. The staff is amazing and sushi good quality. BYOB a plus!

Komorebi

4.8

4.8 (255)

$30 and under

Sushi

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Japanese restaurant with elegantly plated sushi, rolls & cooked fare in a rustic-chic storefront.

Top review

eugeneVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great, as always. Fresh, great value Definitely will be back.

Slightly Toasted

4.9

4.9 (10)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Award-winning cocktail and bourbon bar that is home to one of largest whiskey collections in Chicago with over 900 selections, 30+ private barrels, and 200+ vintage and rare bottles. Also home to 18 taps & 80+ cans of craft beer, and chef-driven comfort food.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined today

Had a great time for the Nobeltons

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Experience

The Barrel Share: Weller Full Proof

Molly's Kitchen & Bar

4.9

4.9 (504)

$30 and under

American

Mount Carroll

About the restaurant

Located in Mount Carroll, IL, Molly’s Kitchen & Bar serves
Classic Cuisine and Cocktails made from scratch.

Top review

MartinVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The food, cocktails and deserts were all outstanding.

Taste 222

4.8

4.8 (291)

$31 to $50

American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Taste 222 is the storefront showcase of Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital and consulting firm that invests in remarkable food, beverage and restaurant concepts.

Taste 222 is a restaurant and event space focusing on unique experiences with an upscale vibe. We are a full-service restaurant with rich beverage and culinary offerings set in a beautiful space reminiscent of home.

We provide “Cheers”- like service. We know our customers’ names, their orders...we HUG! With a family-like atmosphere, Taste 222 provides great service, and delicious, comforting food in a warm and sophisticated environment.

Top review

Samantha

Dined on Mar 7, 2025

Food was amazing and service was quick! Very nice and knowledgeable servers.

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Experience

Happy Hour Trivia!

Estacion

4.9

4.9 (123)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Evanston

About the restaurant

Discover a culinary voyage to the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean at Estacion, where every bite brings the soulful essence of Puerto Rico to your plate. Led by acclaimed head chef Mark Mendez, our passionate team takes pride in presenting authentic Puerto Rican cuisine in its purest form, offering a dining experience that pays homage to the rich culinary heritage.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Wonderful. Great food and great staff. Will definetly return!

La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant - North Lawndale

5.0

5 (15)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Lawndale

About the restaurant

An award-winning, Mexican café serving up a Guadalajara-inspired, extensive menu