If you tried to keep track of every brand new restaurant in Chicago, you might go a little bit crazy. So just read this list instead. These are the new restaurant openings that seem like they have the most potential - although keep in mind, for the ones we haven’t tried, we make no promises. Go forth and be a pioneer.
Editor’s Note 6/15: All restaurants listed below are currently open for carryout, delivery, or outdoor dining.
January 2021
This is an all-day Perankan restaurant that just opened in Lincoln Park. You’ll find dishes like pie tea, dry pan mee, and Hainanese chicken, along with breakfast options like nasi lamak, chee cheong fun, and bak kwa roti. For now, Kapitan is carryout and delivery only.

Lost Larson
The original Lost Larson in Andersonville is one of our favorite bakeries in the city, so we’re happy to report they opened a new location in Wicker Park with an identical menu. This means pastries, bread made with their house-milled grain, various smørrebrød, and a bunch of natural wines by the bottle.
December 2020
Taqueria Chingón is a new taqueria in Bucktown, specializing in al pastor tacos. The short menu also has tacos with fillings like carne asada, chorizo, morcilla, and pig’s head carnitas, along with a few quesadillas.
Tecalitlan
After closing their brick-and-mortar location in West Town over the summer, Tecalitlan has reopened as a delivery-only spot in Humboldt Park. The long menu has things like fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas.
We're Winging it
We appreciate the self-awareness happening with this new spot’s name. We’re Winging It is a carryout and delivery-only concept from Filipino restaurant [Cebu]https://theinfatuation.com/chicago/reviews/cebu in Wicker Park. The menu is focused on chicken wings, with varieties like tamarind, soy calamansi, and guava BBQ.
Polombia
Polombia is a carryout and delivery-only Polish and Colombian fusion restaurant in the West Loop. So you can expect to find things like “emparogies” filled with potato, onion sofrito, and aji crema, and kielbasa glazed with pineapple and topped with muenster. They were originally supposed to open as a stall in the now-closed Politan Row food hall, and are now sharing a kitchen with fellow virtual restaurant The Outpost Mexican Eatery.
Coastal Soups
Yes, Coastal Soups is another carryout and delivery-only spot, only this one is operating out of Summer House Santa Monica in Lincoln Park. Unsurprisingly, the focus here is on soup. They have eight different varieties available every day, ranging from pumpkin to matzo ball to tomato bisque.
Eatz By Marie
Eatz By Marie isn’t technically in the city, but since it’s right on the border of Chicago and Calumet Park, it’s close enough to go on this guide. The soul food-inspired menu has dishes like chicken and waffles, Hennessy wings, fried lobster tails, and seven different kinds of egg rolls (like salmon or jerk chicken). Right now they’re carryout and delivery-only, but plan on offering dine-in service and cooking classes in the future.
Uproar
This new bar in Old Town opened in the former Salpicon space. Uproar serves food like mac and cheese, fried chicken sandwiches, and burgers, and also has a heated and covered outdoor patio.
Carver 47
Bronzeville’s art and cultural center Little Black Pearl now has an all-day market and cafe. Carver 47 serves dishes like affy tapple pancakes, waffles, and quiche for breakfast; grilled cheese, salads, and grain bowls for lunch; and has dinner boxes (with things like fried chicken or curry vegetables) available for carryout.
November 2020

Old Fashioned Donuts
We’re big fans of the original Old Fashioned Donuts in Roseland, and now they have an outpost in One Eleven Food Hall in Pullman. And you’ll find a similar selection of old fashioned and glazed jumbo-sized donuts, along with their famous apple fritter.

Rye Deli & Drink
This new deli in the West Loop serves things like handmade bagels and labneh schmears (with flavors like roasted strawberry and honey), along with lunch items like matzo ball soup and pastrami sandwiches.
Queen's Dinner Dash
Queen’s Dinner Dash is a brand new carryout soul food-inspired restaurant in McKinley Park. Entrees have fun names like Shawty Wanna Ride (short ribs) and Lick The Lollipop (lamb chops) and come with sides like mac and cheese and collard greens.

Sugargoat
This is a new West Loop dessert shop from the team behind Little Goat. Sugargoat focuses on treats with creative flavors, like Cheez-it cupcakes topped with strawberry buttercream, oatmeal cookies with pickled raisins, and a chocolate shake and french fry pie.
Cluck It
There’s a new fried chicken shop operating out of a cloud kitchen in Bronzeville. Cluck It serves fried chicken a whole bunch of ways (including nuggets, wings, and sandwiches), along with sides like mac and cheese and desserts like banana pudding.
Jerk It Iz
As you might have guessed from the name, Jerk It Iz specializes in jerk chicken. You’ll also find dishes like oxtails, curry goat, and sides like candied yams and fried plantains.
Portillo's
Have you ever heard of Portillo’s? Just kidding, of course you have. But now there is a brand new location in Avondale.
Jade Court Chinese Cuisine
The original Jade Court closed last year, but this Chinese restaurant has reopened in a new Hyde Park location. The long menu has a variety of dishes like orange chicken, salt and pepper shrimp, dry chicken chili, and Szechuan beef.
October 2020
Hunan Cuisine
This is a brand new spot in Chinatown from the same chef as Lao Sze Chuan. As of right now, Hunan Cuisine is only open for carryout and delivery, with dishes like steamed whole fish with chilis, braised eggplant, and Hunan-style tofu.
Smiley's Breakfast Sandwich Co.
Smiley’s Breakfast Sandwich Co. is a new delivery-only spot operating out of Dog House in Lincoln Park. As the name implies, the focus here is on breakfast - specifically one sandwich (your choice of meat with cheese, peppers, mayo, and a fried egg on French bread), and a breakfast platter.
Cheba Hut Toasted Subs
Cheba Hut is a chain of weed-themed restaurants, and now there’s one in Wicker Park. They serve a variety of sandwiches (with names like “Chronic” and “Kush”), small bites (like nachos and pretzel nuggets), and cocktails. They’re offering carryout and delivery along with dine-in service.

Wake 'N Bacon
OK, between new spots Cheba Hut, HotBox, and now Wake ’N Bacon, we can officially say that weed-themed restaurants are a trend. Wake ’N Bacon is a new brunch spot in Lakeview and has things like breakfast burritos, ube pancakes, and chicken and waffles. Oh, and you can add CBD to anything on the menu.

Big Kids
Big Kids is a 90s-themed sandwich shop that just opened in the now-closed Young American space in Logan Square from the former chef of Blackbird and a chef from New Orleans’ Turkey and the Wolf. The short menu has sandwiches like fried bologna and a collard melt, along with sides like pasta salad, and cocktails
Evette's Chicago
Evette’s is a Lebanese and Mexican spot that’s opening on October 15th in Lincoln Park. You’ll find shawarma plates and wraps (with chicken, lamb, beef, or halloumi), and tacos (like al pastor and quesabirria), as well as starters like pita nachos.

Grapes & Grains
A lot of new restaurants have opened recently, but we haven’t seen many brand new cocktail bars since the shutdown. But that’s what Grapes & Grains in the West Loop is, with a focus on wine and classic cocktails. There’s also a food menu, with things like cheese and charcuterie, foie gras, and burrata. They’re seating indoors at 25% capacity, and you can pre-order online.
Doma Cafe
This is a new all-day Croatian cafe in River North. Doma’s menu has things like ćevapi, grain bowls, avocado toast, and an assortment of coffee drinks.
The original Mary’s has been in Garfield Park since 1968, and this is their new carryout and delivery-only location that operates out of a shared kitchen space in Humboldt Park. You’ll find the same rib tips, fried catfish, and burgers on the menu here as the original location.
Afro Joes
If you’re looking for a new coffee shop in Auburn Gresham, Afro Joe’s has you covered. Along with coffee drinks, they have pastries and breakfast sandwiches, and a lunch menu launching soon.
September 2020

Hotbox By Whiz
This is an unapologetic “stoner food” focused delivery-only chain. The “Whiz” in question is Whiz Khalifa, and you’ll find dishes like “mac and yellow” on the menu, along with “blazed burnt ends” and a “mile-high” chocolate brownie.
There have been a lot of virtual restaurants opening recently, and now Bokuchan can be added to that list. This takeout-only spot specializes in Japanese curry, with dishes like the tonkatsu kare, a shaved beef udon curry, and the poutine - waffle fries topped with curry, parmesan, and tonkatsu sauce.
This is a new carryout and delivery-only spot operating out of The Hatchery - a restaurant incubator in Garfield Park. And Empanada Mama focuses on (you guessed it) empanadas, along with bites like shrimp ceviche and Puerto Rican rice.
Avvio Italian Kitchen
This is a brand new Italian restaurant in Irving Park from the former chef of Sabatino’s. And if you were a fan of that now-closed classic Chicago spot, you’ll be excited that Avvio has many of the same dishes, like the Shrimp DeJonghe and baked Alaska.
Bloom Vegetarian Kitchen
We’re big fans of Amaru in Wicker Park, so we’re excited about Bloom, a brand new vegetarian restaurant from the same team. This spot has dishes like their tacu tacu (a rice and chickpea cake with achiote curry), the cashew e pepe (made with kelp noodles and cashew cheese), and a vegan samosa chaat.
Cafe Gastronomo
This is a new all-day restaurant in Irving Park from the former chef of the (now closed) Ravenswood brunch spot Marmalade. The menu full of things like crepes, french toast, and chilaquiles, and dinner options like tacos, burgers, and burritos.
Bianca's Burgers
This new spot is a virtual restaurant operating out of Humboldt Park. The menu has a long selection of burgers (including the Elvis Impersonator - a beef patty topped with peanut banana spread, bacon, and cheese) along with sandwiches and hot dogs.

Cat-Su Sando
This is another brand new delivery-only restaurant, and it specializes in katsu sandwiches. Cat-Su Sando has five different versions on their menu (like fried pork cutlet or one made with smoked fish), along with kushiyaki, okonomiyaki, and onigiri.
Ørkenoy
Ok, so technically Ørkenoy isn’t quite open yet - that happens on Friday the 18th. But we still want you to know about this new bar in the Kimball Arts Center in Humboldt Park. It serves beer, cocktails, bar snacks, and a selection of smørrebrød.

Living Water Tea House
This is a new tea parlor in University Village. Living Water’s menu has a variety of teas (like Pu-erh, Dong Ding Oolong, and Matcha) and pastries like salted egg yolk and taro su. They also sell teaware.
Lincoln Ice Cream Company
As the name suggests, this is a new ice cream shop in Lincoln Square. Along with ice cream, Lincoln Ice Cream Company also has Cuban pastries, and snacks like nachos, walking tacos, and Nutella sandwiches.
Gold Goose Tartine
This is a new food stall opening in Politan Row. Gold Goose specializes in tartines, sandwiches, and snacks like cheese and olives.
Krewe Po'boy Shop
Krewe is a brand new Southern-style sandwich shop in Wrigleyville. Along with po’boys, the menu also has jambalaya, collard greens, and mac and cheese.
Marvin's Food & Fuel
This is a new all-day spot in Fulton Market, in the same space that used to have La Sirena Clandestina. Marvin’s focuses on dishes like burgers, sandwiches, and chicken wings.
Tallboy Taco
Before closing, the original Tallboy was in River North. Now it’s reopened, in a brand new Streeterville location. The menu is the same (tacos on handmade tortillas and sides like chips with salsa) and the new space also has outdoor seating.
August 2020

Froth
Froth is a new coffee shop and cafe in the West Loop, that also has a fantastic patio. Along with coffee drinks, they also have sandwiches, tartines, and breakfast dishes like soft scrambled eggs.

Etta - River North
The second location of Etta is now open in River North. It has the same menu as the original and also has an outdoor patio.
Azul Mariscos
Azul is a new seafood restaurant that just opened along the Chicago River. The menu is Latin-inspired, and you’ll find dishes like ceviche, lobster empanadas, and shrimp tacos.
Savannah Luncheonette
This is a new Bucktown restaurant from the team behind Savannah Supper Club and Hutch. Like it’s sister restaurants, Savannah Luncheonette has appetizers like spinach artichoke dip and nachos, and entrees like roasted chicken or baby-back ribs.
Beard Papa's
Japan-based cream puff chain Beard Papa’s opened a store in Wicker Park. They have a bunch of varieties, topped with things like cereal and Oreos, and with a lot of different fillings.

Edie’s All Day Cafe
There’s a new all-day cafe in River North. Edie’s serves coffee, food, and booze, and is designed to be a place for people to hang out, eat, and work (if they want).
The Halal Guys
Fast-casual restaurant The Halal Guys opened a location on the Loyola campus in Roger’s Park.
The Tamale Guy
It’s official: The Tamale Guy has finally opened a restaurant in Ukrainian Village. It’s carryout only, and the menu is full of (you guessed it) tamales.
Pizza Lobo
The pizza at Pizza Lobo might be familiar - it got its start by serving slices out of Lone Wolf bar in the West Loop. Now the New York-style pies have their very own place to call home in Logan Square. For right now their carryout and delivery only, but will be opening a patio for outdoor dining soon.

The Perch
This is a brand new brewpub that just opened in Wicker Park. The Perch is a collaboration between 4 Star Restaurant Group and Finch Beer Co., and serves food like burgers, steaks, and roasted cauliflower. This place also has a lot of outdoor space - there’s a large patio and a sculpture garden, too.
Jeff & Judes
Ok, so this is technically a soft opening, but it still counts. Jeff & Judes is a Jewish deli that just opened in Ukrainian Village, and (for right now) is operating out of a walk-up window. Their menu changes daily, and you’ll find things like challah, rye, and sweet and savory pastries.
Munchiez
This is a new cereal bar and candy shop that just opened in Beverly. Along with treats like fruity pebble shakes and cereal snack mixes, you can also get savory things like walking tacos.
Flour Power is a new handmade pasta shop in West Town from two people who used to work at Schwa. You can either get your pasta as a meal kit (with options like malfade bolognese or bucatini amatriciana) or ready-to-eat.
Testaccio
Logan Square has a brand new Italian restaurant. Testaccio is from the owners of Osteria Langhe, and the menu focuses on Roman food. There’s both a patio and courtyard available for outdoor dining.

Robert Et Fils
This is a new French spot in North Center. Robert Et Fils is starting out with family-style meals for takeout only but plans on adding patio dining soon and (at some point) indoor as well.

Dr. Murphy's Food Hall
A new food hall has opened in the old Cook County Hospital. It’s called Dr. Murphy’s, and most of the stalls are minority and women-owned. See a full list of vendors here. It includes a location of Lexington Betty’s and a spinoff of The Delta (called Lil’ Delta) which makes us very happy.
July 2020
The Diver
This is a brand new Mexican restaurant in River North, focusing on food from the coast. The menu has things like ceviche, seafood tacos, and tropical cocktails.

Kasama is a takeout and delivery-only Filipino-inspired restaurant and bakery. You’ll find dishes like mushroom adobo and lumpia, along with baked goods like croissants and ube basque cakes.
Me Latte
This is a new coffee shop that just opened in Logan Square. Along with coffee, Me Latte also serves a selection of sweet and savory empanadas.
Sugar Blow
Sugar Blow is a new bakery and snack shop in Boystown. They have treats like milkshakes and Nutella cookies, along with savory options like fries and grilled plantains.
Taste Of The Philippines
Taste Of The Philippines is a brand new Filipino restaurant in the French Market, serving things like pancit, lumpia, and ube donuts.
Juna Ethical Takeout
Juna is a carryout restaurant in Avondale that focuses on locally-sourced food, and using sustainable packaging. You’ll find dishes like grilled tofu, roasted carrot hummus, and grass-fed burgers.
Buzzed Bull Creamery
You (probably) don’t have enough ice cream and/or booze in your life. Luckily, Buzzed Bull Creamery just opened in Wicker Park. This spot has made-to-order ice cream (they use liquid nitrogen), and specializes in customizable, alcohol-infused flavors.
Crushed By Giants
This is a new brewery that just opened in Streeterville. Along with beer, Crushed By Giants also has tacos and burgers.
sweetgreen
A brand new location of this salad chain opened in Wicker Park, and this one has a covered patio.
Krispy Rice
A new delivery-only sushi spot just opened in the West Loop. Krispy rice comes from LA and serves cutely-packaged combination boxes filled with things like hand rolls, spicy tuna on crispy rice, and maki.
Tavern On The Point
Tavern On The Point is a new restaurant in Edison Park with food like burgers and nachos, plus a rooftop available for outdoor dining.
TenGoku Aburiya
The team behind Omakase Yume has opened an izakaya right next door. TenGoku Aburiya’s menu has noodles, donburi, and skewers.

PB & J
This is a large, full-blown restaurant that just opened the West Loop. PB & J stands for pizza, beer, and jukebox - and you’ll find all three here. There’s also a menu section filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, including one that costs $350 (yes, really) made with a whole loaf of bread and luxury ingredients like rare honey and gold leaf.
Fiya is a Middle Eastern restaurant with a large outdoor patio, and a menu full of hummus and wood-fired dishes like chicken or roasted sweet potato with creme fraiche.
Ever
Full disclosure: Ever isn’t open until August. But this 10-course tasting menu spot from the former chef of Grace is taking reservations. Dinner is $285 per person, and only available for indoor dining.
June 2020
Mama Delia
This is a new Spanish place from the team behind Beatnik. Mama Delia is located in the old Black Bull space and has opened a large patio for outdoor dining.
Kennedy Rooftop
Well, we officially have a brand new rooftop that we can actually visit. The Kennedy is on top of the Hyatt in Wicker Park and has a long menu full of cocktails and bar food. And since Chicago is allowed to eat and drink outside, you can actually go here and check it out.
The Han Burger
The Han Burger focuses on roujiamo, which are Chinese sandwiches. The menu here is very short, just two filling options inside a homemade mó bun - pork belly or brisket with cilantro and chili paste, and a side of spicy potatoes.
Food On The Run
This is a new Soul food spot in Auburn Gresham. The menu changes daily, but you can expect to find things like smothered chicken, pot roast, and sides like collard greens or mac and cheese. Available for carryout and delivery.
Gretel
Gretel is a new restaurant in Logan Square from the team behind Little Bad Wolf. The menu is similar, with dishes like ramen and lumpia, along with burgers and sandwiches.

Gotham Bagels started in Madison, and this is their first Chicago location. The menu has sandwiches, spreads, and extras like pickled vegetables and smoked salmon. Available for carryout and delivery.
March 2020
Plant Based Junkie
This is a new vegan restaurant in Avalon Park, and they’re using their name to make sure there’s no confusion about what they serve. The menu has food like burgers, brats, and nachos, and everything is (obviously) plant-based.
Honeybear Cafe
Honeybear Cafe is a new restaurant in Rogers Park. It’s open from 7am-4pm every day with a long menu of breakfast food like pancakes, skillets, and crepes, but also serves sandwiches and salads in the afternoon.