The TOP 10 Modern Restaurants in Chicago

What is it? River Roast sits at 315 N LaSalle St, a four-minute walk from the Chicago Riverwalk. This restaurant bridges contemporary, fusion, and seafood-heavy menus within a large, formal footprint.

Why we love it: The mid-range pricing allows for an accessible fine-dining experience that avoids the typical premium markups found near House of Blues Chicago. Its consistent 4.76 rating from nearly 5,000 guests highlights a rare reliability for a venue of this scale.

Good to Know: The terrace at River Roast offers the best perspective for diners who want to maintain the smart and elegant dress code while dining with a view of the river.

What is it? Smyth is a restaurant on N Ada St that holds three Michelin stars. It is located roughly a forty-minute walk from the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park, and sits about thirty-five minutes on foot from the United Center.

Why we love it: The restaurant earns its place as one of the world's elite dining destinations, holding a spot on The World's 50 Best Restaurants and ranking within La Liste. While expensive, the precision of its modern, creative cuisine warrants the price tag, appealing to diners seeking a romantic, high-end environment that avoids the typical noise of more central districts.

Good to Know: Smyth requires a smart and elegant dress code to match the focused, luxury atmosphere of its contemporary tasting menus.

What is it? Ever sits on West Fulton Street, a twenty-five-minute walk from the United Center. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and is ranked no. 17 on La Liste.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on contemporary, creative, and modern techniques, justifying its position as a high-end, luxury destination in Chicago. It earns a 4.92 rating from over 400 reviews because the execution remains disciplined enough to warrant the premium price point, yet the room stays beautiful and romantic.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Ever is strictly enforced, so plan your attire accordingly for an evening that feels more like a performance than a standard dinner.

What is it? Oriole is a contemporary restaurant on W Walnut St, positioned about a twenty-minute walk from the United Center and Union Park. It holds two Michelin stars and earned the number 47 spot on the 2024 La Liste rankings.

Why we love it: The kitchen focuses on modern, creative techniques that justify its place as one of the city's premier luxury dining destinations. With 602 reviews averaging a 4.93 rating, Oriole delivers a consistency that commands attention in an expensive market.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern and creative approach means the menu shifts frequently, so expect to see the most experimental side of Oriole reflected in the current seasonal pairing.

What is it? Alinea sits at 1723 N Halsted St, a six-minute walk from the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. This Michelin-starred venue focuses on contemporary, creative cuisine within a space designed for fine dining.

Why we love it? Alinea earns its place as a luxury destination by prioritizing a modern, experimental approach to food over traditional service models. It holds a consistent 4.82 rating from over 2,700 guests, reflecting a commitment to precision that keeps it a persistent fixture in Chicago’s most expensive tier of dining.

Good to Know: The creative menu at Alinea requires a significant time commitment, so treat the evening as a dedicated, singular event rather than a standard dinner.

What is it? RPM Seafood is a contemporary seafood restaurant at 317 N Clark St. It sits a six-minute walk from the House of Blues and less than ten minutes from the Chicago Theatre, holding a Wine Spectator Excellence Award.

Why we love it: This is an expensive, high-stakes dining room that justifies the price point through a focus on contemporary seafood preparation. While many Chicago restaurants rely on dark corners, the space prioritizes a beautiful, open-air aesthetic with a terrace that offers a direct view of the riverfront. The 4.86 rating across more than 5,000 reviews suggests a high level of operational consistency that few other luxury venues in the city can claim.

Good to Know: The dress code at RPM Seafood is strictly smart and elegant; skip the casual wear to match the tone of the dining room.

What is it? Indienne is a fine dining restaurant on West Huron Street. It sits a five-minute walk from the House of Blues Chicago and holds a Michelin star.

Why we love it? The kitchen earns its Michelin star and James Beard finalist nod by moving Indian cuisine into a modern, fusion-driven space that avoids the tired tropes of the genre. With a 4.87 rating from nearly 700 diners, the kitchen proves that its high-end approach to luxury dining is as precise as it is ambitious.

Good to Know: Given the expensive price point and the restaurant's focus on modern fusion, Indienne is best suited for those who prefer an elegant, lengthy tasting experience over a quick, casual bite.

What is it? Kasama sits at 1001 N Winchester Ave, a short walk from the Milwaukee Avenue shopping corridor. This Chicago restaurant holds a Michelin star and was named one of the top 20 venues in the United States by Food & Wine.

Why we love it: Kasama elevates modern South East Asian cuisine into the realm of fine dining without losing its edge. It remains one of the few spots where a dual-focus approach—marrying casual accessibility with a high-end, luxury experience—consistently earns praise, as evidenced by its 4.75 rating from over 1,800 guests.

Good to Know: The kitchen’s modern, fusion-forward approach to South East Asian flavours means you should dress in smart and elegant attire to match the refined atmosphere of the space.

What is it? The Loyalist sits on N Ada St, a twenty-five-minute walk from the United Center. It is a modern, creative restaurant that balances a fine dining approach with a distinctly romantic atmosphere.

Why we love it: The Loyalist commands a 4.71 rating from 645 reviews because it manages a contemporary menu without leaning on predictable tropes. It provides a rare, quiet anchor for the neighborhood that feels distinct from the bustle of the crowds near Millennium Park or the Art Institute of Chicago.

Good to Know: The Loyalist requires a smart and elegant dress code, so plan your wardrobe accordingly for this higher-priced contemporary destination.

What is it? Daisies sits at 2375 N Milwaukee Ave, a short walk from the Milwaukee Avenue Shopping corridor. This restaurant offers a modern, farm-to-table take on contemporary dining in a space that balances fine dining aesthetics with the bustle of its Chicago surroundings.

Why we love it: It manages a mid-range price point while maintaining a high standard of service and atmosphere. With 1,184 reviews averaging a 4.74 rating, it avoids the trendiness of the nearby Wicker Park area, favoring consistent execution in its farm-to-table approach over flash. The terrace seating provides an vantage point for the neighborhood that is rare for a venue of this price tier.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Daisies is best navigated with a blazer, as the open-air terrace can get a sharp chill even on summer evenings.