Best Seasonal Restaurants in Little Italy / University Village

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

ChicagoNear WestNorth SuburbsNorthwest Suburbs

Neighborhoods

Albany ParkAndersonvilleAvondaleBerwynBridgeportBronzeville

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

216 restaurants available nearby

1. Boka

4.8

Exceptional(7295)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Lincoln Park

Booked 76 times today

Michelin-starred Boka Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s dining scene since 2003. In 2014, following a major renovation, Chef Lee Wolen joined as Executive Chef and Partner, quickly gaining critical acclaim. Named “Chef of the Year” by both Phil Vettel of the Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago in 2014, and again in 2015, Lee has helped elevate Boka to new heights. The restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine that highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. The sophisticated yet inviting ambiance sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience, with daily-changing tasting menus that showcase timeless and seasonal American flavors.

2. il Carciofo

4.5

Awesome(285)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • West Loop

Booked 124 times today

Located in the historic Fulton Market district of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, il Carciofo is a Roman Italian restaurant drawing inspiration from the restaurants and markets in one of Chef Joe's favorite cities, Rome. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu of elevated yet familiar Italian fare with traditional antipasti, Roman-style pizzas, hand-rolled pastas produced daily in a dedicated pasta lab and market-driven mains that highlight the season's bounty.

3. Tre Dita

4.7

Exceptional(1033)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Italian • River North (Chicago)

Booked 127 times today

Led by Chef Evan Funke, Tre Dita, Italian for "three fingers", pays homage to the precise measurement of bistecca Fiorentina. Whether you're booking in the dining room at Tre Dita or Bar Tre Dita, you will enjoy the full menu of antipasti, handmade pastas, signature entrees and steaks. The full cocktail, wine list and dessert menu is also available in both locations.Please note that Tre Dita only accepts reservations 7 days in advance.

A photo of El Che Steakhouse & Bar restaurant

4. El Che Steakhouse & Bar

4.7

Exceptional(2186)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • West Loop

Booked 63 times today

Located just beyond the West Loop’s famed “restaurant row,” El Che Steakhouse & Bar is Chicago's go-to destination for steak, seafood, and live-fire cooking. The restaurant is modeled after Executive Chef/Partner John Manion’s fascination with Argentinean asados: traditional backyard barbecues surrounding the flame. A 12-foot custom-built grill serves as the centerpiece for this downtown asado which embraces South American-tinged meats, seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and of course, steak. The hearth also serves as the heart of the restaurant’s experiences such as dining at the Hearth Table. Join us for happy hour at our cocktail bar, featuring signature cocktails and fiery bar bites or indulge in a glass of wine from the country’s only South American wine list. No matter what you choose, El Che brings the heat seven nights a week.For large groups, private events, birthdays, or celebrations, email us info@elchechicago.com.

5. BLVD Steakhouse

4.3

Awesome(3006)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • West Loop

Booked 69 times today

BLVD Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse inspired by Hollywood's Sunset Blvd—the golden era's famed strip of dining and entertainment establishments. Our space embodies the glamour and luxury that defined Old Hollywood, offering sophisticated yet approachable service with a chef-driven menu of prime cuts, fresh seafood, and other seasonal favorites from Celebrity Chef/Partner Joe Flamm. Outside, our massive full season patio with a sprawling bar evokes an enchanted ‘secret garden’ look and feel with lush greenery, linen curtains, luxe upholstery, and romantic string lighting.

6. Rose Mary

4.8

Exceptional(3429)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Croatian • West Loop

Booked 160 times today

Located in the historic Fulton Market district of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, Rose Mary is Chef/Owner Joe Flamm’s debut restaurant inspired by his Italian heritage and the bold, bright flavors of Croatian cuisine. The boisterous space—named for Flamm’s grandmothers, Mary and Mary Rose, and the herb rosemary, which grows natively along the Italian and Croatian coastlines—offers a seasonal menu of rustic yet refined dishes that encapsulate what Flamm has coined “Adriatic drinking food”.

7. Sepia

4.8

Exceptional(5419)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary American • West Loop

Booked 21 times today

Seamlessly melding refined and rustic, vintage and contemporary, Sepia has the feel of an instant classic. The stylish space is warm and inviting, comfortable yet lively. The easy elegance of the room serves as the perfect backdrop for the inventive American cuisine. Chef Andrew Zimmerman's product-driven, seasonal menu showcases the purity and quality of the ingredients, letting both the ingredients and his passion for what he does shine through. Sepia celebrates tradition – with a modern twist.To book reservations of 7 or larger, please email info@sepiachicago.com!

8. Girl & the Goat

4.8

Exceptional(15081)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • West Loop

Booked 221 times today

Girl & the Goat opened in 2010 with the goal of offering a menu of bold, flavorful dishes designed to share in a fun and lively atmosphere. To complement the experience, we offer a curated selection of wines from around the world, focusing on small producers, along with a rotating list of craft beers and a playful cocktail menu crafted by our bartenders. The ever-changing menu, driven by locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, features favorites like sautéed green beans, roasted oysters, crispy short ribs, and confit goat belly. While reservations are encouraged for the dining room, our bar welcomes walk-ins, adventurers, and those who prefer spontaneity.

9. Daisies Chicago

4.8

Exceptional(345)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Logan Square

Booked 92 times today

Midwest Italian restaurant focusing on house made pastas, utilizing vegetables from Chef Joe Frillman’s family farm. Our bakery and cafe serves La Colombe Coffee alongside an array of pastries and sandwiches crafted by Chef Leigh Omilinksy.Dinner reservations are available Tuesday - Sunday; we are closed for dinner service on Mondays. Our cafe operates from 7:00am - 3:00pm every day. Lunch is available from 11:00am - 2:00pm every day. We do not take lunch or cafe reservations, it is first come first served. Please note that there will be a 25% service charge applied to all bills. This goes to pay our staff equitably as well as provide health and other benefits not typically offered in restaurants.

10. Nobu Chicago

4.5

Awesome(2191)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • West Loop

Booked 148 times today

OPEN FOR LUNCH 7 Days a weekCentrally located in Chicago's West Loop, Nobu Chicago playfully blends elements of old world Japanese and new world utilitarian.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
SaraVIP
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Delicious ! Pastas are very rich so good to share. The prosciutto was amazing, the artichokes were good and interesting. The Rosso pizza was very good too!
More info
il CarciofoPrice: Expensive• Italian• West Loop
•
4.5
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston •1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Really loved the food and service was excellent.
More info
BokaPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Lincoln Park
•
4.8
S
SandraVIP
San Antonio •37 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Superb food and helpful,unpretentious service We sampled almost every category of food: bread, salad, antipasti, pasta, beef, dessert and found each exceptionally delicious. Delightful dining experience!
More info
Tre DitaPrice: Very Expensive• Italian• River North (Chicago)
•
4.7
D
Donald
Chicago / Illinois •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Incredible steaks - but you will pay for the privilege of eating some of the finest beef you have tasted. Wine list limited to South American wines for the most part. Appetizers and the polenta side are highly recommended.
More info
El Che Steakhouse & BarPrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• West Loop
•
4.7
E
EveVIP
Chicago / Illinois •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
I finally had the opportunity to eat here with my boyfriend for his birthday on Tuesday Night. It's such a beautiful restaurant; it reminds me of "OLD HOLLYWOO". The food was great and the service was everything. Will definitely return.
More info
BLVD SteakhousePrice: Very Expensive• Steakhouse• West Loop
•
4.3

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