Diners' Choice: Best Value restaurants in Chicago / Illinois

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best value restaurants 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Slightly Toasted

5.0

5 (3)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Award-winning cocktail and bourbon bar that is home to one of largest whiskey collections in Chicago with over 900 selections, 30+ private barrels, and 200+ vintage and rare bottles. Also home to 18 taps & 80+ cans of craft beer, and chef-driven comfort food.

Top review

Dmitriy

Dined on Nov 21, 2024

Great place! Great whiskey selection! John & Tyler (and the rest of the staff) are very knowledgeable and also very helpful and attentive, adding to the welcoming atmosphere!

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Experience

Pappy New Year!!

Experience

Pappy New Year!! Preview Night

Waterleaf Restaurant - Glen Ellyn

4.9

4.9 (338)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glen Ellyn

About the restaurant

Welcome to our classroom! Waterleaf, located in College of DuPage’s Culinary & Hospitality Center, is a dining experience that offers real-life training to Culinary, Baking & Pastry Arts, and Hospitality students. Patrons will enjoy menus utilizing fresh regional and seasonal ingredients prepared by Culinary & Pastry students as well as attentive service from our student servers.
Limited seating is available at each event and reservations are required. Reservations may be made until an event is sold out. For parties of 6 or more, please call us directly at 630-942-2284.

Top review

Diana

Dined on Nov 14, 2024

The food was excellent as usual. Especially loved the broccoli soup. Our server Gwendolyn was exceptional and very attentive. My friends and I love this place! Can’t wait until we go back again.

Rollapalooza

4.9

4.9 (362)

$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

Connor

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

It was great!!! Definitely going back. Staff was friendly and food was terrific

Estacion

4.8

4.8 (103)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Evanston

About the restaurant

Discover a culinary voyage to the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean at Estacion, where every bite brings the soulful essence of Puerto Rico to your plate. Led by acclaimed head chef Mark Mendez, our passionate team takes pride in presenting authentic Puerto Rican cuisine in its purest form, offering a dining experience that pays homage to the rich culinary heritage.

Top review

LizVIP

Dined 6 days ago

We always have a great experience dining at Estación. Highly recommended.

Rise Mundelein Lounge

4.8

4.8 (18)

$30 and under

Lounge

Mundelein

About the restaurant

Welcome to the RISE Lounge & Smokeasy where we pride ourselves in not just being the first Cannabis Consumption Lounge in Illinois, but also the top tier service and amenities we have to offer. Come stay a couple hours or just a quick puff n run! We have plenty to do while you’re visiting us including Pacman, Nintendo Switch, and a variety of board and card games. We also have state of the art complimentary consumption device rentals to provide new and different experiences! With all the Lounge & Smokeasy has to offer, we aim to provide a unique and fun experience for everyone.

Top review

Travis

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Thank you so very much! I always enjoy being at the Lounge! I really appreciate the kindness.

AJI

4.9

4.9 (88)

$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

Cody

Dined 2 days ago

Thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Aji. Christian was a wonderful host and the ambiences drinks and food were all top notch. The details were very well executed. This was a great experience and we can’t wait to go back.

Highlander House Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (75)

$30 and under

Polish

Palos Hills

About the restaurant

Welcome to Highlander House Restaurant and Bar. Our beautiful restaurant attracts our clients with unique styles, friendly atmosphere, and delicious food. The name of the restaurant was greatly influenced by our family's roots, which are originated from the mountains in Poland.

The style of the restaurant consists of many of souvenirs, wooden decorations, regional costumes, and traditional instruments to give our guests that authentic atmosphere. Dishes are prepared from scratch according to recipes originating from the south region of Poland called Podhale.

We offer regional and traditional Polish cuisine. Our European plate, sauerkraut soup, sheep cheese soup, unique taste of lamb plate and pork shank ranks highest in popularity amongst our guests.

Every Sunday we have live entertainment featuring Polish Highlanders. With the help of our friendly staff and delicious food, we hope you continue to come back and visit us at Highlander House.

Top review

Cynthia

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Always very satisfied with the food…it is excellent. Love the ambiance of the restaurant…very warm and welcoming. The service is always great and the servers are very attentive.

Taste 222

4.9

4.9 (268)

$30 and under

American

West Loop

About the restaurant

Taste 222 is the storefront showcase of Cleveland Avenue, a venture capital and consulting firm that invests in remarkable food, beverage and restaurant concepts.

Taste 222 is a restaurant and event space focusing on unique experiences with an upscale vibe. We are a full-service restaurant with rich beverage and culinary offerings set in a beautiful space reminiscent of home.

We provide “Cheers”- like service. We know our customers’ names, their orders...we HUG! With a family-like atmosphere, Taste 222 provides great service, and delicious, comforting food in a warm and sophisticated environment.

Top review

CorwinVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Great food and service with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery

4.8

4.8 (400)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

River North (Chicago)

About the restaurant

At Centennial, our passion is craft beer and our focus is simple: to celebrate craft beer. Beer can bring people together on a common ground and has the ability to create a community. Beer can elevate food. Beer is culture.

We feature 56 taps with a selection of 36 rotating craft beers. In addition to our taps, we feature a high volume of beers available in bottles and cans, as well as a curated selection of craft spirits and wines.

Centennial also features chef-driven food with an emphasis on craft beer. The menu focuses on beer pairings and incorporating beer as an ingredient. Centennial also features smoked, char grilled, and wood-fired ingredients.

Top review

Charlie

Dined 2 days ago

Good times and it was great food. We didn’t drink but I’m sure beer was great too.

Franco's Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (653)

$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

Jeffrey

Dined 3 days ago

Very friendly, exceptional service and value. Will return again

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