Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

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!

Franco's Ristorante

5.0

5 (668)

$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

Lauren

Dined 1 day ago

My favorite local spot! The service is always fantastic, and the food is amazing. My favorite place to take anyone who comes to the neighborhood.

The Chew Chew

4.9

4.9 (1802)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Riverside

About the restaurant

The Chew Chew is celebrating 28 years of great food & hospitality in the heart of Riverside, IL directed by original Chef/Owner Scott Zimmer. Located one-mile east of Brookfield Zoo, 5 miles northwest of Midway Airport and 10 miles west of Downtown Chicago. There is a Metra Train stop on our block for safe & easy access in/out of the City. We feature a multi-level dining room, vibrant full-bar & a cozy outdoor patio May-October (weather permitting). Happy Hour daily 4-6pm with beer, wine & cocktail specials. Make sure to try one of our famous Jumbo Martinis during your visit! We appreciate all the great reviews & voting us Chicago's #1 Neighborhood Restaurant on Open Table. If you cannot find a reservation online, please call us direct 708-447-8781. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Mary

Dined 5 days ago

Everything was wonderful last night at the Chew Chew. New menu suits us! Especially love that you have trout back on the menu. It’s delicious with the crabmeat!

Riccardo Enoteca

4.9

4.9 (1189)

$30 and under

Italian

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Riccardo Michi comes from a restaurant Family in Milan established since 1943 called Girarrosto, one of the first Tuscan restaurants in town and still operating.

After moving to the US, Riccardo opened Sonny Bono, IL Giardino Ristorante and Madeo Ristorante in Beverly Hills. In 1987 he helped his cousin Roberto Ruggeri open the first Bice restaurant in New York City. Since then, he has worked in the opening of many of the restaurants in the group. In 2002 Riccardo moved to Chicago with his wife Veronica to be the executive chef of Bice on Ontario.

Finally Riccardo and Veronica, also a chef, decided to open their own place and in 2006 called Riccardo Trattoria. Considered by many to be the top Italian restaurant in town, receiving the Bib Gourmand from Michelin in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Now, Riccardo and Veronica have opened Riccardo Enoteca, right across the street from Riccardo Trattoria on Clark.

Top review

Sheri

Dined on Mar 8, 2025

We had an outstanding meal. Our server made excellent recommendations and everything was delicious. Can’t wait to come back.

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4.9

4.9 (20)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Bucktown / Wicker Park

About the restaurant

Drawing inspiration from bygone diners, Dove’s Luncheonette offers southern-inspired Mexican cuisine, alongside a tequila and mezcal-focused bar program.

interested in hosting an event or large group with us?
email vipevents@oneoffhospitality.com to book with us today!

Top review

CamilleVIP

Dined on Feb 8, 2025

We were able to sit at the counter by the window and watch all the passersby. The pimento spread was amazing and the service was incredible.

Angelo's Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (594)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Albany Park

About the restaurant

Founded in 1962, Reinvented 2016. From neighborhood pizzeria to state of the art Wine Bar widely regarded as one of Chicago's best.

Chef Samuel Leal expertly composes fresh, seasonal and meticulously selected ingredients of the best quality available at market. Master Mixologist Meaghan Walsh designs and crafts luxury cocktails by hand, including her innovative collection of wine based "d'Vine Cocktails" prominently listed on the dinner menu. Sommelier Gigi Bredoux thoughtfully curates, and colorfully hosts, one of the most interactive, engaging and customer-centric wine programs in the city, very possibly the entire country.

2022 Wine Spectator Magazine "Award of Excellence" winner, beautifully appointed, exceptionally comfortable, and superbly maintained; Angelo's Wine Bar aspires to provide its northwest side Chicago neighborhood with "destination quality" hospitality, neighborly prices, and service "on a first name basis".

Top review

ChristopherVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Delicious ribs and eggplant napoleon. The sweet Thai chili calamari can’t be missed!

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Experience

JAZZ-N-JUICE

Forno Rosso Pizzeria - Dunning

4.9

4.9 (375)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Dunning

About the restaurant

Forno Rosso Pizzeria in Chicago offers its guests top-notch service and Italian dishes that are hard to beat. Boasting a plentiful menu of salads, appetizers, sandwiches, countless pizza varieties and decadent desserts, Forno Rosso should have something on the menu for everyone.Popular menu items include traditional margherita pizza, the "locale" pizza with fresh mozzarella and locally made sausage, and fried calamari. Forno Rosso's menu also hosts children's items, inviting guests of all ages to enjoy traditional Italian dishes and fresh pizzas. The team at Forno Rosso Pizzeria prides itself on quality service and cultivating an experience the whole family will enjoy.

Top review

Moni

Dined on Mar 10, 2025

Best Neapolitan pizza in Chicago! Ingredients are always fresh and of highest quality. Even here many times! Always a great time!

La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana

4.9

4.9 (335)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Lincoln Park

About the restaurant

Welcome to La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana. Here we share our vision of authentic Italian traditional pizza, which dates back to the Greco-Roman period and starts with fresh, high quality ingredients. Many of them are flown in from Italy, including our tomatoes, flour and burrata cheese. Our dough is handmade daily. In fact, La Crosta in Italian means “the crust” and we believe our fluffy crust is the best in the business. In all, I’ve created a comfortable restaurant for you and your friends to spend time together and create new memories.

Top review

Shubham

Dined 6 days ago

Great food as always. Service on point. For me one of the best pizza ive had in Chicago, looking forward to go back for more.

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RoccoVino's - Harwood Heights

4.8

4.8 (77)

$31 to $50

Italian

Harwood Heights

About the restaurant

RoccoVino’s by Vinces is Traditional Italian with a Twist – featuring creative pasta specialties, fresh seafood, veal, chops, unique chef specials and pizza. Our menu has been created to combine your favorite Italian dishes with family recipes and new exciting options. Each dish is carefully created for each diner to ensure the best family experience.

Top review

ChristineVIP

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

Excellent food. Excellent service. Definitely will go back for another visit. There is lots more that we‘d like to try.

Maharaj Indian Grill - Chicago

4.7

4.7 (14)

$30 and under

Indian

Belmont Central / Cragin

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

TomVIP

Dined on Mar 13, 2025

Had an excellent experience. The food was delicious. The staff were very accommodating with a time constraint we had and service was great. Good value and highly recommended.

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