Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015

1. bellyQ

1400 W. Randolph St. (at Ogden Ave), Chicago, IL
Korean Restaurant · Fulton Market · 96 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Bill Kim puts his Asian spin on Sunday brunch. Items include Vietnamese omelet, nori waffle, tea-smoked duck benedict, and crispy tofu. Cap it off with some of the best soft serve in town.

Bohemian House is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

2. Bohemian House

11 W Illinois St (at N State St), Chicago, IL
Eastern European Restaurant · Near North Side · 49 tips and reviews

3. Juno Sushi Chicago

8.6
2638 N Lincoln Ave (Wrightwood), Chicago, IL
Sushi Restaurant · North Side · 34 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The "contemporary Japanese" cuisine is delicately plated inside the former Merlo space that's made over with Japanese pop art.

4. Tanta Chicago

8.8
118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Peruvian Restaurant · River North · 112 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Since opening in mid-August, Gaston Acurio's first foray into the Midwest has drawn rave reviews and buzz from diners and media. It's no wonder he's one of the most renowned chefs in the world.

Boka is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

5. Boka

8.6
1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Lincoln Park · 104 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The Boka revamp is now open with acclaimed chef Lee Wolen launching a completely new menu. A new buildout, 180 degrees from the prior look, adds to the more approachable vibe. Read more.

Bavette's Bar and Boeuf is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

6. Bavette's Bar and Boeuf

9.1
218 W Kinzie St (at N Wells St), Chicago, IL
Steakhouse · River North · 130 tips and reviews

7. Spacca Napoli Pizzeria

9.2
1769 W Sunnyside Ave (at Ravenswood Ave), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Ravenswood · 105 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The thin crust pies can be ordered with traditional red sauce or topped with olive oil, and the quality ingredients like prosciutto, Italian sausage, spicy salami and arugula pay tribute to Italy. Read more.

Cemitas Puebla is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

8. Cemitas Puebla

817 W Fulton Market (at Halsted), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Fulton Market · 19 tips and reviews
Acadia is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

9. Acadia

1639 S Wabash Ave (btwn E 16th St & E 18th St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · South Loop · 53 tips and reviews
Edzo's Burger Shop is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

10. Edzo's Burger Shop

7.7
1571 Sherman Ave (btwn Davis St & Grove St), Evanston, IL
Burger Joint · 95 tips and reviews

EaterEater: While a second location is open in Lincoln Park, the first in Evanston remains a cult destination and the gold standard for griddled, no-frills burgers. [Eater 38 Member]

11. Cumin

8.1
1414 N Milwaukee Ave (btwn Wolcott Ave. & Evergreen Ave.), Chicago, IL
Indian Restaurant · Wicker Park · 73 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Authentic Indian south of Devon can be tough to find. Throw in Nepalese, an array of curries, platters, and cocktails and you might not go back up north. [Eater 38 Member]

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

12. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

9.0
1028 N Rush St (at E Bellevue Pl), Chicago, IL
Steakhouse · Gold Coast · 282 tips and reviews
Sepia is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

13. Sepia

8.4
123 N Jefferson St (btwn W Washington St & W Randolph St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Loop · 63 tips and reviews

14. Pleasant House Bakery

964 W 31st St, Chicago, IL
Bakery · Bridgeport · 61 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Fish & chips Fridays start at 5:30. [Eater 38 Member]

Parachute is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

15. Parachute

8.4
3500 N Elston Ave (Troy), Chicago, IL
Korean Restaurant · Northwest Side · 61 tips and reviews
The Publican is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

16. The Publican

8.9
837 W Fulton Market (at N Green St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Fulton Market · 358 tips and reviews
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

17. Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

8.5
4801 N Broadway St (at Lawrence Ave.), Chicago, IL
Ethiopian Restaurant · Uptown · 51 tips and reviews
Ruxbin Kitchen is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

18. Ruxbin Kitchen

851 N Ashland Ave (at Pearson St), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Noble Square · 53 tips and reviews

19. Taxim

8.5
1558 N Milwaukee Ave (btwn Damen Ave & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Greek Restaurant · Wicker Park · 51 tips and reviews

EaterEater: When you want more than spanikopita and gyros, David Schneider's authentic regional Greek fare (and amazing Greek wine list) beckons you to this beautiful dining room in Wicker Park. [Eater 38 Member]

20. Trenchermen

2039 W North Ave, Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Wicker Park · 100 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The Sheerin brothers have outdone themselves with a polarizing menu of upscale charcuterie. Everyone has an opinion on this spot. [Eater 38 Member]

21. Dusek's

8.6
1227 W 18th St (at S Allport St), Chicago, IL
Bar · Pilsen · 90 tips and reviews

22. Nightwood Restaurant

2119 S Halsted St (at 21st Pl), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · East Pilsen · 92 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Jason Hammel and Jason Vincent give us another reason to travel to Pilsen: their impeccably prepared rustic seasonal fare and a cool, modern Kevin Heisner-designed room to eat in. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.

23. Au Cheval

9.1
800 W Randolph St (at S Halsted St), Chicago, IL
Burger Joint · Fulton Market · 482 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The cheeseburger here may look like a simple, griddled double patty burger, but don't be fooled: this burger is what food writer Francis Lam calls "tremendous work, thin patty diner style magic."

24. Lao Sze Chuan Restaurant

7.5
2172 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL
Chinese Restaurant · Armour Square · 109 tips and reviews

EaterEater: One of four Chinatown spots owned by Tony Hu, the focus here is on Szechwan dishes, ranging from the basic to the downright adventurous. [Eater 38 Member]

25. Mindy's Hot Chocolate

1747 N Damen Ave (at W Willow St), Chicago, IL
Dessert Shop · Bucktown · 199 tips and reviews
Smoque BBQ is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

26. Smoque BBQ

9.2
3800 N Pulaski Rd (at Grace St), Chicago, IL
BBQ Joint · Old Irving Park · 232 tips and reviews

27. Grace

652 W Randolph St (at W Couch Pl), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Loop · 41 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Grace's fine dining has been wowing diners, and media, from its inception. A glass-enclosed kitchen, spot-on wine pairings, and fascinating backstory only add to the draw. [Eater 38 Member]

Piccolo Sogno is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

28. Piccolo Sogno

9.0
464 N Halsted St (at Grand Ave), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Fulton River District · 112 tips and reviews
Yusho is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

29. Yusho

2853 N Kedzie Ave (at W. George St.), Chicago, IL
Japanese Restaurant · Logan Square · 80 tips and reviews

30. Vera

1023 W Lake St, Chicago, IL
Spanish Restaurant · Fulton Market · 41 tips and reviews

EaterEater: A cute spot where you can go for a quick glass of Sherry or wine at the bar or have a romantic dinner over Spanish small plates. [Eater 38 Member]

31. La Sirena Clandestina

954 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL
Latin American Restaurant · Fulton Market · 67 tips and reviews
Calumet Fisheries is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

32. Calumet Fisheries

8.5
3259 E 95th St (at Calumet River), Chicago, IL
Fish Market · 56 tips and reviews
Big Jones is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

33. Big Jones

8.5
5347 N Clark St (btwn W Summerdale Ave & W Balmoral Ave), Chicago, IL
Southern Food Restaurant · Andersonville · 138 tips and reviews

34. The Bristol

2152 N Damen Ave (at Webster Ave.), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · Bucktown · 99 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The Bristol chef Chris Pandel does things with animal parts most others wouldn't dare and the experience is heightened because of it. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.

Fat Rice is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

35. Fat Rice

2957 W Diversey Ave (at N Sacramento Ave), Chicago, IL
Asian Restaurant · Logan Square · 101 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Eater National 38 member: Save room for dishes that draw from port cultures along spice routes, like okra and shrimp scented with curry leaves or piri-piri chicken lit up from tomato-peanut sauce.

Avec is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

36. Avec

9.2
615 W Randolph St (at N Jefferson St), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · West Loop · 214 tips and reviews
Frontera Grill is one of Eater's 38 Essential - April 2015.

37. Frontera Grill

8.4
445 N Clark St (btwn Illinois St & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · River North · 256 tips and reviews

38. Lula Café

9.3
2537 N Kedzie Blvd (btwn Linden & Logan Sq.), Chicago, IL
Café · Logan Square · 256 tips and reviews

EaterEater: Diners pack the house for breakfast and brunch classics like buttermilk pancakes, brioche French toast, breakfast burrito, chilaquiles and more.