With so many award-winning restaurants calling Chicago home, it can be hard to keep track of all the new kids on the block. That’s why we’ve rounded up the newest additions to the Chicago food scene for you. Be one of the first to give them a try and you can thank us later when they surpass some of the best places in town.
Cabra Cevicheria
With a truly unique location on the rooftop of the Hoxton Hotel, Cabra brings Peruvian-inspired foods to you, poolside. If you’d rather eat inside, the airy interior filled with tropical plants and lined with large windows giving way to downtown views will have to suffice. It’s no surprise this place is making a splash; it’s the brainchild of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard the creative behind three beloved Chicago restaurants, Girl & the Goat, Duck Duck Goat, and Little Goat.
Cabra–Spanish for goat, we sense a theme–serves up delicious smoked goat empanadas, which are big crowd-pleasers, 10 different types of ceviche, and fun bites and plates. The crab causa is a thing of beauty and the cocktails aren’t bad either; try the cleverly-named Alpaca My Bags–gin, banana, coconut, lime, and ginger ale. Just be sure to save some room for the mango soft serve swirl. Make a reservation, this spot fills up quickly.
Etta
Whether you’re in the market for a boozy brunch or a casual dinner out on the town, newcomer Etta has what you need. Come for their weekend brunch and start with mimosas, bloody mary’s, and breakfast cocktails, then dive into their buttermilk pancakes, hearth-smoked salmon platter, or old school breakfast sandwich. Dinner starts at 5pm here, and the menu is filled with mouthwatering pizza and pasta choices. Try the bucatini cacio e pepe and the wild mushroom woodfired pizza. For shared plates, go for the Hearth Glazed Lamb or the Pig Picnic–an impressive offering of pork belly and fire-roasted pork shoulder with marinated cucumbers, chimichurri lettuce cups, serrano pepper and “refreshingly spicy things”.
Claremont Diner
The instagram-worthy interior of this place is reason enough to eat at this brand breakfast and lunch joint. Turquoise, leather benches, white tables, tiled floors, stark white walls, and modern globe-shaped light bulbs make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a 1950s diner. Once you’re done swooning over the design and decorations, order the french toast with tres leches and a side of hash browns, the country ham skillet, or build your own omelette and be sure to take plenty of pics.
Kumiko
If you’re going to spend $130 on dinner, it might as well be spent on some delicious omakase from creative director Julie Momose. Bar Kumiko recently started offering reservation-only omakase at their 8-seat bar, and it’s a hit. Start with nigiri, king salmon, and uni and work your way to the a5 wagyu with black garlic molasses, plum, and shiso. Finish your extensive tasting with japanese milk toast with fermented honey ice cream and perigord truffle. Wash it all down with a carefully-crafted cocktail, one of the reasons this place became a hotspot to begin with.
Young American
If there’s one new Chicago restaurant that’s nailed their brand, Young American is it. A glance at their colorful menu and an eclectic interior to match it will show you all you need to know. Don’t overlook their food and drink though; the Goth Bread–made with activated charcoal, leek ash, smudged butter, and egg yolk–is turning heads just as much as the CBD-infused drinks. The No New Friends is made with turmeric tonic tea, hibiscus, lime, aquafaba–add CBD for an extra $3 and you’ll really enjoy a relaxing evening out.
Virtue
Located in Hyde Park, Virtue brings southern cooking and hospitality to Chicago. Although the dish names on the menu have been stripped down to the basics, their flavors are anything but. Take one bite of the Short Ribs or Shrimp and you’ll understand what we mean. Bursting with flavor, slow-cooked, and fried to perfection, everything at Virtue is worth trying. Whatever you get as your main, just be sure to get the out-of-this-world, made-to-order mac and cheese as your side.
Galit
This highly-anticipated Middle Eastern restaurant has finally opened in Lincoln Park, and so far it’s lived up to the hype. They churn out dishes like freshly-made pita bread, mango falafel, four types of hummus, and stuffed chicken thighs. Don’t skip the shakshuka, served at your table in the skillet it was cooked in. This is a great place to grab drinks–try the Truth or Consequences No. 2, made with Bourbon, carob, pecans, amaro, and tahini–and a few plates to share with friends. It’s located right next to Victory Gardens Theater and across the street from Lincoln Hall, so try it out before a show at either venue to start the night off right.
The Momo World
Never heard of a momo? This traditional, Himalayan dumpling is popular across many parts of Asia, and now The Momo World has brought it to Chicago. You’ll have a hard time deciding which ones to try, but between the paneer, chicken, sauteed vegetable, tilapia, and pork options you can’t really go wrong. In addition, The Momo World serves up biryani masala, chicken, pork, and lamb skewers, and all types of soups and bowls.
Get your tastebuds ready for these up and coming restaurants that are taking the Chicago food scene by storm. Find your next apartment on Zumper and you’ll be hitting these spots up before you know it.
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