The Best Restaurant Openings in Chicago - May 2026

The Boka Restaurant Group is at it again. After taking over food and beverage responsibilities at the Chicago Athletic Association last year, they’ve slowly rolled out new concepts. First came Midosuji, an eight-seat modern omakase from chef Brian Lockwood. Now chef-partner Chris Pandel (Swift & Sons, Zarella Pizzeria) brings a new “modern American grill room” to the former Cherry Circle Room space. That beloved room, with tufted green velvet booths, dark wood throughout, and a fantastic oversized bar, still holds its warmth and classic feel. Pandel delivers a fresh take on a Midwest supper club. Relish tray? Not here. Instead, there’s a full tableside relish cart. That’s followed by starters like baked clams and beef tartare, then entrées including pork chop schnitzel and a French dip. But the showstopper? Thick prime rib, carved tableside and served with au jus and horseradish cream. It’s a delightful supper club, and you don’t even have to drive up to Wisconsin.

After wowing Chicago with Indian-Mexican fusion restaurant Mirra, chefs Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir and beverage expert David Mor were approached to take over the restaurant space on the ground floor of the Staypineapple hotel in the Loop. Now they’re wowing the city all over again with a global coastal-inspired menu in the bright, beachy, towering-ceilinged space inside the historic Reliance Building. Dishes pull inspiration from Southeast Asia as much as South America. Look for king crab larb and avocado salad or seafood kebab tacos at lunch, alongside mezze like pecan muhammara and smoked whitefish dip and dinner dishes including tom yum aguachile and saag burrata.

It’s a tale as old as time. After a successful decade-long run in a well-known noodle spot in Wicker Park, chef Bill Kim and his partners at Cornerstone Hospitality were forced to vacate when the lease ran out. Luckily, they found a new home in Fulton Market, in the former La Sirena Clandestina space, and Urbanbelly was reborn. It’s still the same accessible menu of favorites like coconut curry pho, lemongrass chicken dumplings, miso mushroom ramen, and, of course, Kim’s renowned togarashi fries. It’s just now in a new spot pulsing with energy.

Following the dissolution of the partnership behind Jinsei Motto’s original location inside CH Distillery in the West Loop, one partner relocated to Logan Square, taking over the former Testaccio space on a quiet corner just north of Fullerton. Here you’ll find a glass case displaying dry-aged fish like bluefin tuna and mackerel used regularly in sushi preparations. There are also traditional rolls and nigiri, along with an excellent and affordable omakase that delivers flavors not often found at other sushi restaurants in Chicago: more umami, more richness, more depth. And with the wood-burning oven left behind from Testaccio in the front room, you’ll also get flame-kissed dishes like edamame with umami dust, wagyu picanha, and sablefish with a 24-hour shio koji marinade.

In a city with outstanding Mexican food, one name has been behind the stoves at many restaurants over the years: Dudley Nieto. The chef who made regional Mexican cooking a thing long before it became trendy is doing it again with Roanoke Hospitality at the Hyatt Centric in the Loop. As the name suggests, the restaurant highlights seasonal dishes inspired by regions throughout Mexico, including Puebla and Oaxaca. Since the mural-filled space sits inside the hotel, guests can stop in for huevos rancheros and café de olla at breakfast, ceviche and street tacos at lunch, and more composed dishes like chicken tinga enchiladas de mole and pescado Mismaloya, grilled salmon served with salsa two ways, at dinner. There’s also a tequila and mezcal bar loaded with agave spirits for cocktails and tasting flights.

After finding success with pizza at Paulie Gee’s, the team is aiming for a second hit with The Alley Cat. The draw? Well-made $12 cocktails crafted with quality ingredients and technique in a space channeling 1940s glamour with ornate chandeliers, built-in bookshelves lined with leather-bound books, and emerald green leather banquettes. Beyond the drinks, there are also strong bar bites like gluten-free smoked whitefish sticks served with herb remoulade and soy-garlic glazed pork skewers topped with dukkah, cilantro, and Fresno hot sauce.