In the bustling culinary landscape of Chicago, the recent months have seen a flurry of exciting new restaurant openings that cater to diverse tastes and dining experiences. From Mediterranean delights to innovative takes on traditional cuisine, there’s something for everyone in the Second City.
Starting in July, Avondale welcomed Cedars, a branch of the popular Hyde Park Mediterranean restaurant. Customers can now enjoy their favorite dishes including falafel, chicken shawarma, and hummus bowls through a virtual kitchen model, with delivery and pickup services available out of Picnic located at 3517 N. Spaulding Avenue.
Moving to Irving Park, the local pizza chain Leona’s has found a new residence. After closing its previous location on Elston Avenue, it has reopened in the former Tahina Kitchen space. The updated menu offers a hearty variety of pizza styles, including thin-crust, deep-dish, Sicilian, and Detroit-style, along with pastas, salads, sandwiches, and Italian ice. You’ll find Leona’s at 4363 W. Irving Park Road.
In Lincoln Square, the beloved old Gather space has been transformed into Union Dumpling House. The fast-casual eatery specializes in Chinese-style dumplings with a variety of fillings, from pork and beef to chicken, lamb, seafood, and vegetarian options. Additionally, patrons can purchase frozen dumplings to enjoy at home. Union Dumpling House is located at 4539 N. Lincoln Avenue.
For those working in The Loop, Solette has opened its doors, providing an all-day dining experience with an eclectic menu ranging from sandwiches and salads to sushi and steaks. Notable dishes include Nashville hot chicken and rigatoni Bolognese. The venue also features a coffee bar serving pastries from Lost Larson and offers happy hour specials during the weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Solette is located at 225 W Randolph Street and is closed on weekends.
As we gear up for the week of August 11, the Lyric Opera of Chicago will unveil Eaves, a Southern European-style bar and bistro within the historic Lyric Opera House. The reimagined Pederson Room will provide an ambiance reminiscent of 1920s–30s cafes and libraries from Southern France and Italy. Eaves will serve a menu rich with pasta dishes, arrosticini skewers, sandwiches, and salads, while its drink offerings will feature twists on classic cocktails and a selection of Old World wines. The address is 20 N. Wacker Drive.
Noble Square has also seen an exciting development with Milly’s Pizza in the Pan relocating from Uptown. This move allows owner Robert Maleski access to a larger kitchen and a more efficient oven to increase pizza production. Although seating is limited, customers can still enjoy Milly’s renowned deep-dish pizzas for takeout or delivery at 925 N. Ashland Avenue. The restaurant also has a second location in Berwyn.
The neighborhood of Pilsen has welcomed Café Carranza, a new coffee shop from one of the owners of Peke’s Pozole. The café offers a delightful menu of beverages such as horchata lattes and iced espressos, alongside a range of tortas and pastries. Café Carranza is located at 1641 W. 18th Street.
Meanwhile, in the South Loop, Chengdu Bistro has opened a second location, expanding its offerings of spicy Sichuan specialties like dan dan noodles, dry chili chicken, and mapo tofu. This sister restaurant to Chengdu Impression shares its focus on authentic Sichuan cuisine and is situated at 733 S. Dearborn Street.
In the realm of community and culture, Semicolon, a cherished Black women-owned bookstore in West Town, is reopening on July 30 with an added cafe. After a successful fundraising campaign, owner Danielle Moore will feature rotating Black-owned coffee shops, with Muse Coffee Studio inaugurated as the first resident. Semicolon is located at 1355 W. Chicago Avenue.
Fast-food enthusiasts have something to look forward to as Jack in the Box makes its return to the Chicago area with a new restaurant in Plainfield. After departing the region in the 1980s, the chain aims to reestablish its presence with several new locations planned in the city and suburbs. The Chicago location expects to serve a variety of classic fast-food items including burgers, chicken sandwiches, and all-day breakfast. The address for the Plainfield location is 2101 Illinois Route 59, with plans for further expansions including a restaurant in Ashburn coming in September.
Shifting focus to June, Irving Park also welcomed Philly Bros, a spot dedicated to cheesesteaks. Formerly located near DePaul in Lincoln Park, this restaurant now offers a menu featuring not only the Philadelphia cheesesteak but also gyros, chicken shawarma, burgers, and wings, making it an ideal stop for casual dining. You can find Philly Bros at 3558 N. Pulaski Road.
River North debuted Matilda, a new Mexican-Peruvian restaurant showcasing a marriage of flavors from both culinary traditions. The menu features an array of dishes including ceviches, tacos, braised meats, and Baja-style seafood, and weekend brunch is available as well. Alongside Matilda is Clandestino, an intimate basement lounge serving classic cocktails. This gastronomical endeavor is brought to life by Éxodo Hospitality Group, located at 535 N. Wells Street.
For breakfast and brunch enthusiasts, Batter & Berries has opened a new location in South Loop. Known for its creative twist on French toast with a variety of flavors, the restaurant also offers waffles, omelets, pancakes, and classic breakfast dishes. Batter & Berries is found at 2318 S. State Street and has additional establishments in Lincoln Park and Olympia Fields.
Uptown has seen the opening of A Pizza Pie, a pizza shop by the owners of Ragadan, the acclaimed falafel and burger restaurant. A Pizza Pie offers medium-crust pizzas with a diverse array of topping options and limited seating primarily focuses on carryout and delivery. The cozy establishment is positioned at 4449 N. Broadway.
Lastly, in West Town, Hiro Bar + Izakaya has launched as the latest venture by Celeste Group. Bringing the essence of Tokyo izakayas to Chicago, Hiro serves an array of live-fire robata dishes, hand rolls, and traditional Japanese fare, complemented by an extensive drink program featuring sakes and cocktails. Hiro replaces Porto, a Michelin-starred establishment that closed in 2023. The new restaurant is at 1600 W. Chicago Avenue.
With these new dining options, Chicagoans have plenty of exciting places to explore in the ever-evolving food scene. Whether it’s a quick meal, a gathering with friends, or an elegant dining experience, the Windy City continues to offer a culinary adventure that promises to delight the taste buds.
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