A day in the city is incomplete without a great meal. Whether you’re visiting for a while or live within its neighborhoods, Chicago will have you craving its food day in and day out. We absolutely love these nine most unique restaurants in Chicago —  they are fascinating places to dine!

From one-of-a-kind menu items to interesting atmospheres, Chicago has a vast collection of unique restaurants. You won’t find eateries like these any place else in the world. Check this list of the best of the best when it comes to eating out in Chicago. These restaurants are truly some of the best dining you’ll find in the entire city, if not the whole country!

1. Frontier - 1072 N Milwaukee Avenue
Facebook/Frontier Chicago
Facebook/Frontier Chicago
This restaurant boasts an extensive collection of seasonal and traditional beers, specialty cocktails, and wine pairings. Patrons of this restaurant enjoy unique shareable entrees (such as the one pictured,) as well as other contemporary cuisine using wild game. Menu items include small plates, soups, salads, sandwiches, oysters, and breakfast items. The unique dishes you'll find at this delicious eatery are well worth writing home about! Easily one of the more unique restaurants in Chicago.
2. SafeHouse - 60 E Ontario Street
Facebook/SafeHouse (Chicago)
Facebook/SafeHouse (Chicago)
The original location of this spy-themed restaurant opened in 1966 in Milwaukee, but it wasn't long before another location popped up in Chicago. It is open daily for lunch and serves homemade food like cheese curds, burgers, salads, and other modern American entrees. This restaurant is a cool restaurant in Chicago that should not be missed! You'll have fun and love the food, too.
3. smalls. - 4009 N Albany Avenue (permanently closed)
Facebook/smalls.
Facebook/smalls.
This BBQ and Asian fusion smoke shack serves comfort food like you'd never believe. Open for lunch and dinner during the week and brunch on weekends, you can eat in or order for delivery. Menu items include fresh brisket, ribs, pulled pork, fried chicken, and tofu. This restaurant is amazing, and well worth the visit. Especially if you're in search of some seriously good comfort food! You won't be disappointed.
4. El Ideas - 2419 W 14th Street
Facebook/El Ideas
Facebook/El Ideas
This unique eatery has no markings to promote its location. It is a fine dining restaurant found in a back alley, though it is not meant to be pretentious. Patrons enjoy an intimate setting and can interact with chefs preparing meals, as there are no walls between them. It serves tasting menus which change regularly to include seasonal ingredients. The entire atmosphere provides a unique dining experience in Chicago that you won't find anywhere else.
5. Next - 953 W Fulton Market
Facebook/Next Restaurant

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Facebook/Next Restaurant
If you enjoy global cuisine, you must try this unique restaurant from the creators of Alinea. It has prix fixe menus that change periodically, and patrons must purchase tickets for themed dinners, such as Hollywood and Ancient Rome. Other potential meal themes include modern Chinese, steakhouse classics, and dishes from various other cultures. Not just one of the best restaurants in Chicago, it's also one of the most unique!
6. Table, Donkey and Stick - 2728 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Facebook/Table, Donkey and Stick
Facebook/Table, Donkey and Stick
Inspired by European cuisine, this restaurant serves French, Italian, Austrian, and German takes on classic dishes in a rustic atmosphere. It opens around 5:00 p.m. each night and stays open late. Enjoy a unique selection of beer and wine, as well as seasonal menus, which include crusty bread, pretzels, cheese plates, seafood, steak, duck, and other amazing meals. This is such a cool restaurant in Chicago!
7. Blackbird - 619 W Randolph Street (permanently closed)
Facebook/Blackbird
Facebook/Blackbird
Run by an award-winning chef, this outrageous restaurant serves elegant Midwestern cuisine made from farm fresh ingredients. It is open for lunch and dinner on weekdays and just for dinner on weekends. Locals enjoy duck, lamb, beef, and vegetarian dishes.
8. Carnivale - 702 W Fulton Street
Facebook/Carnivale
Facebook/Carnivale
Serving Brazilian-inspired cuisine, this eatery is open for lunch and dinner, as well as late into the night for drinks. You can also enjoy brunch on Sundays in its festive, colorful locale. Patrons enjoy live entertainment and an energetic atmosphere while dining on salads, sandwiches, seafood, pork, and desserts. Carnivale is one of the best restaurants in Chicago and one of the most whimsical, too!
9. Chicago Sweatlodge - 3500 N Cicero Avenue
Facebook/Chicago Sweatlodge
Facebook/Chicago Sweatlodge
Reminiscent of a Russian sweat lodge, this unforgettable restaurant includes several different saunas, lounges, pools, and pampering services. Guests pay $25 for a full day's admission, and it is open morning, noon, and into the night. The restaurant serves fresh, delicious dishes inspired by Eastern European and Mexican cuisine. If you’re looking for something different, Chicago Sweatlodge is one of the most unique restaurants in Chicago.

For more great eats, check out 10 of Chicago’s favorite foods. Let us know if you’ve eaten any or all of them! And tell us which one is your favorite.

Which of these unique restaurants in Chicago have you visited? Which one is your favorite? Are there any that we missed? Share your experiences and photos with us in the comments below! We want to hear them!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Unique Restaurants In Chicago

Megan McDonald | January 27, 2023

What are the most popular restaurants in Chicago?

The most popular restaurants in Chicago span the dining scene, including fine dining, eclectic, casual, and more.

These are some of the most popular restaurants in Chicago:

What food can you not miss in Chicago?

There are lots of food you can not miss in Chicago, including our favorites:

  • Deep dish pizza
  • Chicago-style hot dog
  • Jibarito
  • Chicago popcorn
  • Delicious steaks from a Chicago steakhouse
  • Italian Beef Sandwich
  • Cinnamon Rolls
  • Shaved ice
  • Corned beef
  • Classic American cheeseburger 
  • Polish sausage
  • The brownie! 

 

Is Chicago known for good food?

Yes, Chicago is known for good food! In fact, the city routinely gets written up as being home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the country. It’s been ranked as one of the “Top 15 Foodie Cities Across America,” by Wallethub, and TimeOut Index ranked Chicago as the number one city for food and drink in a worldwide survey. There are hundreds of incredible places to eat and drink all throughout the city, no matter what kind of fare you are looking for.

Some of the best restaurants and bars in Chicago are:

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