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Chicago’s 7 hottest restaurant openings of 2023

A photo of Red logo
by Lisa Shames
Updated December 18, 2023

Chicago’s dining scene has always gone its own way—and this year’s list of best new restaurants continues the tradition. With no-holds-barred attitudes, chefs are tapping into their own heritages and experiences to cook food that is just as personal as it is delicious.

From a Ukrainian restaurant by a James Beard Award-winning duo to a New York Times-approved South Indian spot to steakhouses that march to their own drum beats, these newcomers are ones to watch. Read on for a guide to Chicago’s seven hottest restaurant openings of 2023.

A photo of Fioretta restaurant
4.7
4.7 (979)
$50 and over
Steak
West Loop
About the restaurant

Fioretta means “little flower” in Italian, but there’s nothing modest about this swanky supper club-inspired restaurant that opened in April. DineAmic Hospitality Group (Prime & Provisions, Lyra) dialed the lavish vibes all the way up via touches like jewel-toned mohair booths and crystal chandeliers. The Italian American steakhouse fare comes with a side of live entertainment on weekends, and a roving cart prepping Caesar salad tableside adds to the throwback atmosphere. So does the food, which includes caviar-studded zeppole and steaks cooked over a custom-built hearth. There is no shortage of solid steakhouses in this city, but this perpetually packed stunner stands out for its mid-century glam.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 2 days ago
Good food, good service, nice place definitely expensive.
A photo of Thattu restaurant
4.7
4.7 (493)
$31 to $50
Indian
Avondale
About the restaurant

Thattu started as a beloved pop-up by wife-and-husband team Margaret Pak and Vinod Kalathil before landing an Avondale space in April. The neighborhood gem serves hard-to-find coastal dishes from Kerala on India’s southwestern coast (where Kalathil was born). The homey vibes are strong here thanks to exposed brick interiors and deeply flavorful dishes like fried yucca balls and fish steamed in banana leaves. Chicagoans didn’t need The New York Times to declare this new restaurant was all that, but they couldn’t be happier to see Thattu on its recent list of 2023’s best restaurants.


Top review
lucas
Dined 6 days ago
I have never had food from Kerala before, and can say it is truly unique compared to what I'm used to when I go out for Indian cuisine. The ingredients and flavors made the dishes exciting. Though you order through your phone directly to the kitchen, the staff is still very attentive and accommodating.
A photo of Itoko restaurant
4.8
4.8 (551)
$31 to $50
Japanese
Lakeview / East Lakeview
About the restaurant

Itoko’s soothing Japan-meets-Scandinavia backdrop is a great match for chef Gene Kato’s imaginative sushi and robata menu. Kato is also the chef at the Boka Group’s award-winning Japanese restaurant Momotaro, but serves a more easy-breezy experience at this Southport Corridor spot, which opened in March. That doesn’t mean he skimps on creativity: Expect innovative dishes like tom yum hand rolls, beef tsukune wrapped in bao buns, and doughnuts for dipping in matcha semifreddo. It adds up to a casual but high-quality meal, and it’s no surprise Itoko is one of the eight new restaurants to have scored a spot on MICHELIN’s Chicago guide this year.


Top review
Miles
Dined 4 days ago
Came here right as they opened for happy hour to celebrate my wife’s birthday and we couldn’t have been more impressed with the quality of food, the amazing service, and the comfortable ambience. Everything we ate was incredible, but the standouts were the Salmon Temaki, Crispy Shrimp Maki, Miso Soup, Scallop Sashimi, Beef Slider Robata, and the Donatsu. The Lychee Martini and Itoko cocktails were perfect compliments to the meal. From the moment we walked in, every staff member said happy birthday to my wife, and we received complimentary sparkling wine, a matcha cookie, and even a Polaroid of us to remember the evening. 10/10 recommend anyone to come here and we will definitely be back.
A photo of Ummo restaurant
4.4
4.4 (550)
$30 and under
Italian
River North (Chicago)
About the restaurant

Ummo made a splash by reimagining Italy’s greatest hits when it opened its doors in August. The brave new red-sauce restaurant comes from the group behind popular Northern Mexican spot Tzuco and is led by acclaimed Mexican chef Carlos Gaytán, who isn’t afraid of remixing Mediterranean classics. Cases in point: burrata is wrapped in thin avocado slices, lasagna is layered with asparagus ragu, and there’s a knockout raspberry compote dessert designed to look like a tomato that practically has its own following.


Top review
Sean
Dined on Feb 15, 2025
Fab dining experience! Food was beautiful and great ambience. Jose, our waiter was particularly helpful and knowledgeable on the menu and wines offered.
A photo of Soulé to Soulé restaurant
4.5
4.5 (439)
$30 and under
Soul food
West Town
About the restaurant

When chef and owner Bridgette Flagg moved her adored Southern food spot and celeb magnet Soulé to larger digs in Lawndale in January, the restaurant’s West Town fans were concerned. Luckily, Flagg returned to the neighborhood with a brand-new look—and name—in August. The rebooted menu is an ode to Soulé’s well-loved faithfuls and takes a tapas-driven approach to Creole hits like jerk wings and fried green tomatoes, while also introducing newbies like catfish sliders. Judging from the steady stream of big-name regulars, including WNBA and NBA stars, Flagg’s second act is another West Town hotspot in the making.


Top review
Andre
Dined 5 days ago
As a first timer I was highly impressed by the Customer Service, we were seated right away, and the wait staff wasted no time with getting water to the table and then asked if we wanted appetizers right off the bat. Once we made our order the food was prepared and brought to the table faster than I expected. The Food was outstanding, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the entrees where and then the main meal was THE BOMB!!! We'll definitely be back.
A photo of Anelya restaurant
4.7
4.7 (312)
$31 to $50
Ukrainian
Avondale
About the restaurant

When it came to inspiration for a new restaurant, James Beard Award winners and Parachute co-owners Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim didn’t have to look far. Anelya opened in October after starting as a pop-up to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and is named for Clark’s Ukrainian grandmother. The menu is filled with modern riffs on traditional staples like pickled fish and vegetables and borscht—Clark’s revamped version is made with duck, smoked pears, and cultured cream. In addition to turning heads for its pitch-perfect dishes, Anelya also made a solid first impression for employing a kitchen staff composed almost entirely of Ukrainian refugees. Chicago has America’s second-largest Ukrainian population, and Clark’s latest project is an attempt to showcase his heritage, just like Kim does at Parachute.


Top review
LoveCuisineVIP
Dined 6 days ago
We had a fantastic meal. Every dish we ordered was wonderful. We are looking forward to returning soon. The quality of the cuisine was phenomenal, and the service was professional and everyone was friendly. I appreciated the happy birthday being on the menu. It was a nice touch. 
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