CHICAGO has long held an impressive reputation for its rich culinary landscape. As such, a week-long celebration of the city’s most beloved restaurants feels only natural. From January 23rd to February 8th, Chicago will be hosting its 19th annual Chicago Restaurant Week – a highly anticipated event that invites food lovers to explore some of the city’s finest restaurants.
Through specially curated prix fixe menus, diners can enjoy thoughtfully prepared meals at significantly reduced rates, making it an excellent opportunity to dive into the city’s wide range of cuisines and dining hot spots.
With so many restaurants to explore, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, Choose Chicago has rounded up some of the must-try restaurants in the area.
To start, Bronzeville Winery – a female and minority-owned eatery – is a relaxed, convivial space for those curious about wine. This local favourite operates as a non-profit, uplifting women and minorities in hospitality while spotlighting local arts through regular events and live music. For Chicago Restaurant Week, the winery’s menu will feature standout dishes such as African short ribs with coconut grits, truffle mushroom shawarma, and ube bread pudding.
Bronzeville Winery
For a fine-dining experience, Galit – a Michelin-starred Middle Eastern restaurant from Andrés Clavero and James Beard Award-winning chef Zachary Engel – celebrates seasonal, fresh cuisine, which is further complemented by a unique beverage offering. Visitors can expect dishes such as hummus with slow-cooked tomatoes, falafel with mango and labneh, smoked turkey pastrami, and crispy phyllo pie with miso caramel.
Galit Image Credit: Kinship
Meanwhile, in Chicago’s Logan Square neighbourhood, La Lunita stands tall as the second outpost of the popular La Luna in Pilsen. Here, Mexican flavours take centre stage, with a three-course menu tapping into warm, traditional cuisine. Yucatan-style short rib, octopus with salsa verde, and mango tres leches are just some of the dishes on offer – and work particularly well in tandem with a mezcal, tequila, or sotol cocktail.
Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s River North neighbourhood lies Bar Goa, a vibrant restaurant offering distinct cocktails and regional Indian cuisine. The coastal influence here is strong, with the menu tapping into classic favourites from Goa, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Street-style favourites such as aloo chaat complement coastal classics, including lamb vindaloo, Goan chicken curry, Paneer Makhani, and a sweet saffron cheesecake or mango sorbet.
Bar Goa Drinks
Finally, Virtue offers upscale home-style cooking with a warm Southern drawl. Set on a corner in Chicago’s Hyde Park, this restaurant focuses on welcoming, unpretentious hospitality. Drawing upon more than 25 years of European fine-dining experience, Chef Erick Williams particularly emphasises heartwarming, hearty dishes. For Chicago Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy menu favourites such as shrimp and grits, jambalaya with confit duck leg, and classic banana pudding.
by Sophie Richardson
Bronzeville Winery’s Restaurant Week offer includes $30 Brunch, $45 Dinner, or $60 Dinner. For more information, please visit www.bronzevillewinery.com.
Galit’s Restaurant Week offer includes a $60 Dinner. For more information, please visit www.galitrestaurant.com.
La Lunita’s Restaurant Week offer includes a $45 Dinner or a $60 Dinner. For more information, please visit www.lalunitachicago.com.
Bar Goa’s Restaurant Week offer includes $30 Brunch, $30 Lunch, $45 Dinner. For more information, please visit www.bargoachicago.com. V
Virtue’s Restaurant Week offer includes a $60 Dinner. For more information, please visit https://www.virtuerestaurant.com.
To find out more about Chicago Restaurant Week, please visit choosechicago.com