Boka represents the pinnacle of Chicago’s fine dining scene—a Michelin-starred restaurant that has defined culinary excellence in Lincoln Park since 2003. Founded by restaurateurs Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm in 2002, the restaurant’s name combines the first two letters of their last names, symbolizing a partnership that helped create one of America’s most successful restaurant groups.
Opening in 2003 on the former site of a casual Mexican restaurant near Steppenwolf Theatre, Boka quickly established itself as a culinary destination under the vision of Boehm and Katz. The restaurant features three intimate dining rooms that create the perfect atmosphere for guests to enjoy seasonal dishes or a dynamic, ever-changing tasting menu. The sophisticated yet unpretentious space reflects the founders’ commitment to crafting distinctive, timeless restaurants through exceptional design and genuine hospitality.
Under chef Lee Wolen’s leadership since 2014, Boka has maintained its Michelin star from 2011 through 2024, making it one of Chicago’s most consistently recognized fine dining destinations. Wolen’s hyper-seasonal American cuisine centers on pristine ingredients and precise execution, delivering an unpretentious yet exceptional dining experience. His menu philosophy celebrates the beauty of seasonality through innovative preparations that have earned national acclaim.
That includes dishes such as brown butter–roasted Hokkaido scallops with seasonally changing accompaniments, house-made gnocchetti, roasted dry-aged duck breast, and, of course, Wolen’s signature roasted chicken, which helped put him on the culinary map.
The restaurant’s accolades reflect its unwavering commitment to excellence. Boka has earned three stars from the Chicago Tribune, five stars from Time Out Chicago, and was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2020. It has been featured among AFAR’s “Best Restaurants in Chicago,” recognized in The World’s 50 Best 2019 Discovery category, and included on former Chicago Tribune dining critic Phil Vettel’s list of Top 50 Chicago Restaurants.
Boka’s influence extends beyond its dining room through Boka: The Cookbook (2023), which features more than 75 meticulously crafted recipes that highlight Wolen’s culinary impact. The restaurant continues to embody Boka Restaurant Group’s core mission of creating distinctive dining experiences anchored by visionary chefs, inspired design, and genuine hospitality, solidifying its place as an icon of Chicago’s dining landscape.
