Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated 05 April 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Chicago / Illinois? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Indienne

4.9

4.9 (132)

$50 and over

Indian

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

INDIENNE resides in a 19th-century printing warehouse; the converted timber loft now brought to life by Chef Sujan Sarkar's culminating effort in Progressive Indian Fine-Dining.

Beloved Guests: please note the reservations acquired through open table are solely for the tasting menu experience. We are thrilled to welcome you into our home! For questions regarding the tasting please call the restaurant during office hours and / or email our team info@indiennechicago.com.

Top review

TracyVIP

Dined on 25 Feb 2025

This was a true fine dining experience and the staff really made it special. We are so glad we added the wine pairing because it really perfected our meal.

Hardware

4.8

4.8 (3832)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Aurora

About the restaurant

Hardware is a Sustainable Gastropub and Brewery, complete with greenhouse and Organic Hop Farm.

Top review

BruceVIP

Dined 6 days ago

As always, a great dining experience. Food and service were exceptional. Very innovative food selections excellently prepared.

MORA Asian Fusion-Plainfield

4.8

4.8 (237)

$30 and under

Asian

Plainfield

About the restaurant

Welcome to MORA Asian Fusion.
MORA brings the essence of the Chicago city dining experience to the suburbs of Chicago with an eclectic medley of asian fusion sushi and Robatayaki style cuisine. The space itself represents a stimulating harmony of nouveau chic décor where each art piece and wall sustain its own individuality. The layers of your aesthetic pleasure mimic the exquisite layers of flavors within its menu. The focus of MORA’s menu is to allow all guests to go on a journey of asian inspired flavors by sharing a variety of grilled small plates and enjoying the utmost fresh sushi and sashimi. The creators of MORA intend to take your eyes and tastebuds on a journey through a modernized and exclusive asian dining experience in Plainfield, IL.

Top review

Dr. LanetteVIP

Dined on 29 Mar 2025

Excellent food and service! Brussel Sprout salad my favorite and sushi so good!

Muan Jai Thai Hot Pot

4.8

4.8 (160)

$30 and under

Thai

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The first Thai rotary hot pot restaurant in Chicago would introduce a unique and interactive dining experience similar to Japanese conveyor belt sushi, but with hot pot dining. In this concept, diners sit around a rotating conveyor belt that carries various ingredients like vegetables, meats, seafood, and noodles. Diners can pick the ingredients of their choice and cook them in individual hot pots right at the table.

Rotary hot pot dining encourages a social and customizable meal experience where each person selects their broth and ingredients to create personalized dishes. It’s an evolving trend in Asian dining, particularly popular in Japan and some parts of Thailand.

Top review

MyraVIP

Dined on 14 Apr 2025

Very nice hot pot place with vegetarian options. Casual go to for those cold days in chicago. Service was good and fast.

AJI

4.8

4.8 (111)

$50 and over

Japanese Speciality

Lakeview / East Lakeview

About the restaurant

Discover an unforgettable dining experience at one of OpenTable's top restaurant destinations for ambiance, led by the talented Chef Kristian Cho. Recently named a 2024 Diner's Choice winner, our restaurant offers a 15-course omakase menu that pairs perfectly with our intimate, cozy setting—ideal for anniversaries, special occasions, or a memorable date night out. With over 30 years of collective expertise, our team is passionate about delivering exceptional service and a warm, inviting atmosphere, complete with a charming backyard for a unique evening. Join us and create lasting memories with those you love.

Top review

Colin

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and staff! What a fantastic way to celebrate my Anniversary with my partner. Would definitely dine here again. 10/10

Altrio Latin Fusion- On Third

4.7

4.7 (12)

$30 and under

Latin American

Geneva

About the restaurant

We are so excited to be in the heart of Geneva!
A family owned restaurant with locations throughout Northern Illinois, offering a tapas-style inspired latin fusion cuisine of classic dishes with infused new flavors from Spain, Mexico, and South America.
The menu is designed to share, our dishes are presented in a tapa-style. Pair your meal with our house sangria, craft cocktails, or our local beers.

Top review

PatVIP

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

The food and service were very good. The ambience is a little better at their Anderson street location. By the way, Open Table has misspelled the restaurant name, it’s Altiro not Altrio.

Benchmark

4.6

4.6 (5)

$30 and under

American

Old Town

About the restaurant

Benchmark, located in the heart of Old Town, is open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner—Tuesday through Friday from 5pm to close, and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to close. Indulge in our delicious new menu, refreshing cocktails, and vibrant atmosphere—perfect for enjoying great food, catching the game, celebrating parties, or just hanging out with friends.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on 12 Feb 2025

We are old, maybe even qualifying as elderly. We wanted to find a place to eat in Old Town on a very cold, very snowy evening before we headed for a show at Second City. Benchmark looked about right for a quick, burger meal. Now keep in mind that the next day we had lunch at our more regular haunts, Gibson's and then the day after at RL. Both were what we would describe as 5 stars in every category, so keep that in mind. We're giving this four stars since the burgers would good and came as ordered. The waitress was attentive and helpful. It happened to also be Trivia Night, so we had some entertainment, though we didn't participate, but enjoyed the tables around us of young people. We knew nearly every single answer and we shared a few with the neighboring tables. Probably against the rules, but who's going to complain about that nice older couple? I'd say if you're looking for a fairly quiet bar with decent food up on Wells, you might try this spot. Not outstanding, nothing like our usual, but adequate under the circumstances. Would we go again? Yes maybe, but clearly not our jam.....but damn we were good at trivia!

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar

4.5

4.5 (2330)

$31 to $50

Sushi

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar offers a vibrant twist on high-end Japanese cuisine, where the freshest sushi and seafood meet marinated meats and veggies sizzling off the Robata grill. Our menu seamlessly blends Japanese tradition with an urban, modern flair, complemented by a curated selection of Japanese cocktails, premium sake, and whiskey. Whether at our lively izakaya-style bar or the intimate sushi counter, every bite and sip reflects a playful juxtaposition of East and West.

Located in the heart of River North, just steps away from Chicago’s iconic landmarks — Willis (Sears) Tower, Hancock Building, Millennium Park, River Walk, and Navy Pier — Union creates the perfect balance of quality and energy.

Recognized as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Chicago, Union elevates the dining experience with its bold creativity, high-energy ambiance, and an unwavering commitment to authentic flavors — making it a must-visit destination for sushi lovers and culinary adventurers alike.

Top review

SergeyVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Great ambiance, food and coctails. High celling. Robata grill, sushi, Nigiri, pork ribs and easy street parking. I have been going to this place for 10 years.

Stumara

4.5

4.5 (19)

$31 to $50

Georgian

Wheeling

About the restaurant

At STUMARA, we proudly introduce the rich culinary heritage of Georgia to the Chicagoland area. Our restaurant offers an authentic experience, bringing traditional Georgian (country) dishes to your table. Delight in our Georgian Burger, a savory fusion of familiar and exotic flavors, or enjoy the classic Khinkali, Georgian dumplings filled with juicy, spiced meat. Our Acharuli Khachapuri is a must-try—a warm, boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese, butter, and a perfectly poached egg.

We are dedicated to offering a welcoming atmosphere where you can explore the diverse flavors and traditions of Georgian cuisine, whether you're new to these dishes or a seasoned enthusiast. We look forward to sharing the warmth and hospitality of Georgia with you.

Top review

Yuliya

Dined on 4 Apr 2025

Love this place. Will definitely come back! Highly recommended!

The Berkshire Room

4.4

4.4 (63)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

The Berkshire Room is an upscale lounge specializing in craft cocktails all created by a talented team. The atmosphere is retro classy and definitely worth a visit before or after dinner for cocktails with friends. There is ample seating either in the private side rooms, the booths in the lounge area or at the bar. The clientele that frequent the Berkshire Room rave about the dealers' choice, which allows guests to choose the spirit, flavor profile and glassware. The bartender then customizes a unique and customized cocktail.

Besides the tasty cocktails and the relaxing ambiance, the Berkshire also offers bar snacks and small dishes. The Berkshire room is located within River North's swanky ACME hotel.

Top review

Whitney

Dined on 5 Apr 2025

Everything was nice!!! We try Charcuterie board only and it was tasty. Though next, we’ll try more bites.

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