5 New Chicago Restaurants to Try in 2019

Chicago’s dining scene is tough to beat. Every neighborhood has tons of restaurants to choose between, from white tablecloth establishments to hole-in-the wall types that surprise you. This year, the city will celebrate Chicago Restaurant Week from January 25th to February 7th. Nearly 400 local restaurants are included in 2019, which means they’ll offer special prix fixe menus starting at $24 for brunch and lunch, and $36 and/or $48 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). The event is a great opportunity to try something new or visit your favorite spots.

There’s a destination for every occasion and we’ve rounded up (in no particular order) a diverse list of the best new restaurants in Chicago to try out this year.

1. Luella’s Gospel Bird

• 2009 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
• Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch

The menu at this Bucktown newcomer is limited, but the options will more than satisfy any southern food cravings. The bird comes as fried, jerk, or “gospel” chicken, which is covered in a spicy remoulade. The weekend brunch is one of the neighborhood’s best options, so plan ahead because the BYOB dining area is fairly small.

2. Dutch & Docs

• 3600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
• Open for dinner Wednesday through Friday and 10AM – 9PM on weekends

The corner of Addison and Clark in Wrigleyville transformed last year with the opening of Hotel Zachary and a row of new dining concepts along Clark Street. One of those notable additions was Dutch & Docs from Boka Restaurant Group, named after two of the most popular nicknames for major-league-baseball players. Dutch & Docs shares an executive chef with the West Loop’s Swift & Sons and the menu focus on steaks, seafood and entree pastas. The two-story restaurant accepts reservations and hosts private events.

3. Good Measure

• 226 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
• Open from 4PM – 2AM every day except Sunday

With classic checkered floors, vintage art, and red neon lights, Good Measure is a lovely anomaly in the River North neighborhood. The diverse menu ranges from brussels sprouts and sunflower hummus to Nashville hot fried duck livers, plus a delicious burger from chef Matt Troost, previously of Three Acres on Taylor Street. Ease into Good Measure’s solid cocktail menu with a weekday happy hour from 4-6PM.

4. Aster Hall 

• 900 N Michigan Ave, 5th & 6th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611
• Open daily from 11AM – 8PM

Chicago food halls give us the best of many worlds at once and Brendan Sodikoff’s latest endeavor on the Magnificent Mile is no exception. At Aster Hall, Hogsalt Hospitality lets you mix and match from 16 different vendors, including their popular Small Cheval burgers, Green Street Smoked Meats, and Three Greens Market. The options are seemingly endless, from sushi to Italian beef, from quinoa salad bowls to al pastor tacos, from beef and broccoli stir fry to clam chowder bread bowl- there is something for everyone.

5. No Bones Beach Club

• 1943 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
• Open for dinner most days, plus lunch on Fridays through Sundays

Wicker Park has a new vegan restaurant, which is No Bones Beach Club third location (after Seattle and Portland). The beach club started as a food truck in Seattle and donates a percentage of their monthly proceeds to local animal rescues. The vegan menu changes seasonally but is now offering dishes like beer battered avocado tacos, buffalo cauliflower wings, and a crab cake sandwich. They’re also serving up a variety of rum-based cocktails, beer, wine, and Brewing Good Coffee.

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