Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Chicago

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Chicago? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Ada Street

4.9

4.9 (1224)

$31 to $50

American

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Located in the Elston Industrial District--not quite Bucktown, not quite Lincoln Park--Ada Street offers dinner service five days a week.

Top review

Anja

Dined 3 days ago

While shockingly dark for my old eyes when we first entered, the hall opened to a cool dining area. Our server was very attentive and helpful. The food was delicious with a bit of heat that made my husband happy. I’m looking forward to going again.

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4.9

4.9 (145)

$50 and over

American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Two-Michelin-starred culinary masterpiece of Chef Curtis Duffy.

Every aspect of the dining experience is meticulously crafted, from the architectural design and ambiance to the precise execution of each dish. Chef Duffy transforms seasonal ingredients into an immersive tasting menu that is both thoughtful and daring, a culinary journey designed to captivate the senses, evoke emotions, and inspire awe.

Top review

Lauren

Dined 3 days ago

Went for an anniversary dinner and everything was amazing from start to finish. The food and level of service was 10/10.

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Experience

The Ever Experience by Curtis Duffy

North Pond

4.9

4.9 (5107)

$50 and over

American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Thank you for your interest in North Pond.

Chef César Murillo’s seasonal tasting menu reflects an Arts & Crafts philosophy, featuring complex layers of craft within a simple, elegant style. We offer a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings; please note that we do not offer an à la carte menu.

Regarding seating, tables in our front room or on the patio overlooking the pond are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of more than four guests are seated in our main dining room. While we accept reservations for parties of up to eight people, these must be booked internally by contacting us directly at manager@northpondrestaurant.com.

Please be advised that a cancellation fee of $25 per person applies to all same-day cancellations.

Top review

Cecila

Dined on May 21, 2026

The combination of flavors and the presentation of the food is unsurpassed. Each course delighted all the senses from appearance to deep flavor combinations. It is quite difficult to describe and must be tasted to understand the care with which each course delighted the taste buds. It is not a theatrical restaurant, yet outstanding. The servers were warm and kind. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Out of the hundreds of restaurants I have eaten at in the last five years in different cities and continents, this was by far the best. Merci Mille!Fois!

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4.8

4.8 (1967)

$31 to $50

American

Avondale

About the restaurant

Eden’s ever-evolving brunch, lunch, dinner and beverage menus focus on the use of high-quality and seasonal ingredients, with an approach based on simplifying the process that goes into crafting each dish. This focus produces robust, clean flavors to compliment the flowers and herbs from our on-site greenhouse that also add beauty to each dish. Our 20’ x 28’ greenhouse allows us to grow all year, reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing on-site, and it helps the local ecosystem by attracting pollinators. Our sustainability efforts also include composting organic material left over during food preparation.

Free Parking is available and easily accessible in the private lot across the street from the restaurant.

Top review

SUZANNE

Dined on May 20, 2026

Best meal I have had in a long time. Service was outstanding. A big shoutout to the excellent bartenders the cocktails were exquisite!

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Popular dish

Roasted Beet Salad (v)

Popular dish

Breakfast Potatoes (v)

Popular dish

Veggie Sandwich (nf v)

RL Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (8102)

$50 and over

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

If you do not find availability online, please call the restaurant directly at 312-475-1100.

Located adjacent to the Ralph Lauren Chicago flagship store on Michigan Avenue, RL Restaurant features the vision and décor of Ralph Lauren in a modern club atmosphere.
RL Restaurant offers classic American cuisine inspired by Ralph Lauren’s personal favorites. Seasonal dishes range from a chopped vegetable salad to a lobster roll sandwich, grilled fish of the day and steaks. On the cocktail list, guests can choose from classic drinks and a diverse selection of wines and other fine spirits.

Top review

emilio

Dined 5 days ago

One of the best meals I've had in awhile.....service was top notch!

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Experience

Father's Day!

John's Food and Wine

4.7

4.7 (183)

$50 and over

American

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

John’s Food & Wine is a chef-owned restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park from chef-owners Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers. The cooking is seasonal, modern American with a big focus on vegetables, pristine seafood, handmade pastas, and dry-aged meats. John’s is a MICHELIN-recognized restaurant with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and praise from local and national press. The wine list leans toward small producers, thoughtful grower Champagne, and bottles meant to be enjoyed, not just collected. Close to Lincoln Park Zoo, Oz Park, DePaul’s campus, and Steppenwolf Theatre, it’s an ideal stop before or after exploring the neighborhood. The room is bright and intimate with a long marble bar, open kitchen, and relaxed, genuinely engaged hospitality.

Top review

SaraGold

Dined 7 days ago

The food is always outstanding, service excellent and everything is incredibly fresh.

Green Street Local

4.9

4.9 (311)

$30 and under

American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Green Street Local is the West Loop's Best Sports Lounge & Restaurant. We offer a Warm, Mature Setting, Where Patrons can Enjoy a Mindfully Crafted Menu Featuring New American Comfort Food, Craft Beers, Signature Cocktails & Premium Wines.

Top review

Dined on Feb 21, 2026

Our server was attentive ; the food was tasty; ambiance was nice casual elevated sports bar

Eight Bar at Maple & Ash Chicago

4.6

4.6 (95)

$50 and over

American

Gold Coast / Streeterville

About the restaurant

Whether it’s a champagne filled lunch with friends, or just a spontaneous Tuesday night out, our Gold Coast gem is where luxury meets ease. From sushi and chops to unforgettable moments, we’re here to take care of you. Experience relaxed luxury, and make your reservation today. (Seating areas can be requested, but may not be guaranteed.)

Top review

Kim

Dined on May 23, 2026

The food was divine !!! Overall an A+ experience. We would definitely recommend and visit again.

The Gage

4.8

4.8 (12708)

$30 and under

American

Downtown / Loop

About the restaurant

Beloved by locals and visitors alike for over fifteen years, The Gage effortlessly blends European influence with American style. The restaurant serves refined, rustic cuisine, innovative libations and an award-winning wine list in a lively, convivial setting--just steps from Millennium Park and the renowned Art Institute. The Gage is known as a “must visit” among Chicago’s dining scene offering indoor and outdoor dining, the ability to accommodate large groups and several private event spaces.

Top review

PamelaGold

Dined 3 days ago

What a perfect meal! My companion and I were both blown away by the quality of the food and the spectacular service. We tipped appropriately and I was looking to add cash tip to the bill as I was leaving and somehow missed my server. If I see him next time, I will add to the tip on that meal, because we were extremely impressed by the attentive service, the lovely atmosphere, and even the lighting! Our food was plated beautifully, tasted divine, and the whole late-lunch experience truly made our day. Thank you!

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Popular dish

Diver Scallops

Popular dish

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée

Popular dish

Bavette Steak Salad

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