Best Dinner Places to Eat in Elmwood Park

"Chicago’s only three Michelin star restaurant, Alinea has been around almost 15 years and still books up months in advance. The brainchild of acclaimed chef Grant Achatz who became one of the best chefs in the world despite battling tongue cancer, that’s just one of their impressive feats. It was the first restaurant to pioneer the concept of prepaid ticketed reservations, pricing meals on a sliding scale based on date and time (Friday at 7 p.m. would be more expensive than Tuesday at 5 p.m.) in order to show that dining is an experience akin to the theatre."

"This is one of the most famous restaurants in the world, and its tasting menus can cost anywhere between $200 and $400 per person. So you definitely need to plan ahead if you want to come here. Your meal won’t just be expensive - it’s also guaranteed to be pretty dramatic (expect lots of theatrics, like edible balloons and fog machines)."

"Believe the hype and secure tickets—yes, tickets—well in advance. Chicago's most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious...Read More"

"West LoopThis long-revered Mediterranean-influenced fixture from One Off Hospitality has held it down as one of the area’s go-to date night spots since opening its minimalist doors back in 2003, well before many of us could even define romance. And not much has changed -- the wine list is still spectacular, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are still iconic, and a reservation for the intimate front patio is still highly coveted."

"For those of you who prefer fine dining, this is more of an upscale restaurant experience. Blackbird is a restaurant where you’ll find fantastic mid-western food showcasing farm-to-table ingredients. They offer great choices for meat eaters and vegetarians alike."

"A brunch menu titled ‘Hangover Hospital’ tells you all you need to know about this River West rooftop. Helping Chicagoans get back on their feet from 10 am – 3 pm every Saturday and Sunday, Twisted Spoke has become an ever-reliable weekend retreat. The casual rooftop boasts three incredible bloody mary options in Road Rash Mary, Smoking Salma, and Bloody Maria."

"The spinning skeletal biker that sits atop Twisted Spoke is like a beacon of hope after nights that go a little too late. The heavy, hearty brunch options and multiple incarnations of the Bloody Mary here will have you back on your feet in no time."

"Twisted Spoke was voted Best Beer Garden / Patio Hang Out in Chicago!. Check out what else was voted the Best of Chi-Town with 1035 KISS FM!"

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"

"This restaurant was designed with kids in mind, namely the daughter, Crosby, of one of the owners. Her influence served them well — extra-wide doors accommodate strollers, and there’s a sink in the dining room, so kids can wash up. The kids’ menu is pretty standard, but adds a few different dishes like the chicken leg that comes straight off their signature rotisserie."

"This kid- and pup-friendly patio is an ideal spot for people-watching and sipping lemonade with rotating flavors like hibiscus and mango. Popular plates at this Southport spot include lobster deviled eggs, iron-skillet cornbread, and avocado toast studded with lump crab. (And speaking of kid-friendliness, here’s a hot tip: children eat for free from 4 to 6 p.m.)"

"This family-friendly diner offers Midwestern-inspired comfort food that’s sure to please. The staff are very accommodating to children and work hard to make sure they have a good time. You can’t go wrong with their dinner menu, and definitely give brunch a try—no one can get enough of their signature monkey bread!"

"Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty American meals all day, but regulars swear by their donuts.|© Salim Virji / Flickr. Huck Finn Restaurant serves up hearty home cooking all day long in three Chicagoland locations. While best known—or perhaps most appreciated—for its donuts, the diner has excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, too."

"This diner mini-chain has three locations on the South Side that provide patrons with a satisfyingly sweet finish to every meal. Chow on golden brown pancakes, club sandwiches, and burgers but make sure to save some room for a donut delight. The signature treat features one of Huck’s donuts topped with choice of ice cream and whipped cream."

"Flub A Dub Chub's Hotdog Emporium is a small, family-owned, good ol' Chicago dog shop. Customers can get fries or tots with their Flubby (100 percent Vienna Beef) or Chubby (quarter-pound grilled Vienna Beef) dog. Not much beats the perfect simplicity of this hole-in-the-wall spot."

"Most Popular: The Flub BLT ($7) or Chicago’s Best BBQ Pulled Pork Hot Dog ($9). Here’s a confession. Flub’s is probably the most overlooked, best-kept secret in all of Chicago."

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"

"A body does not thrive on sandwiches, tacos and pizza alone (in other words, your typical take-out grub). Bar Roma has done a phenomenal pivot offering tempting to-go items as indoor dining has shuttered. You can pick up Italian pantry items (non perishable goods), multi-course meals, and wonderful a la carte dishes: how about a salad of mixed greens, beets, pears, pumpkin seeds, ricotta salata and apple cider vinaigrette or rice croquettes stuffed with root vegetables, sage and smoked mozzarella?"

"It is located in the Andersonville neighborhood and had an awesome vibe and ambiance. The menu is somewhat limited as there isn’t a kids menu, but they were super accommodating and were able to make a simple pasta for our picky eaters. Plus they have a meatball option – 3 giant meatballs – that the kids loved!"

"Located in Chicago’s Main Stem river district on the third floor of Renaissance Chicago Hotel, Raised is a rooftop bar with spectacular views of the city and the river. The indoor/outdoor bar occupies what was once the hotel’s meeting space. Decorated in trendy and industrial style, the lounge serves Chicago local craft beers, a nice selection of wines and, both classic and new cocktails."

"Bars Cocktail bars Loop. A rooftop bar on the third floor of a Renaissance hotel?. It doesn't sound very exciting, but you shouldn't underestimate this stunning oasis perched above Wacker Drive in the Loop."

"Located inside the newly refurbished Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, this comfortable rooftop has indoor and outdoor space with fire pits and a fun Mediterranean menu. It’s hip, but to me feels more welcoming than some of the others."

"Band of Bohemia makes our list because it’s completely original and unlike any other brewery in Chicago. This Michelin-starred brewpub puts as much emphasis on the beer as it does the culinary program, pairing the two in such a way that the overall experience will knock your socks off. The list of house-made tap beers changes but currently, you can enjoy The Mother of Kites, Sliced Bread, or The Noble Raven Ale, the flagship brew."

"Burgers: Stand in line for Au Cheval, or visit its siblings at Small Cheval if that griddled Sysco patty is a must. But explore the the essential burger map for more variety such as Mini Mott and Red Hot Ranch’s sublime burger for under $6. Coffee: Chicago is home to an exciting and diverse local coffee scene that’s free of the stereotypical pretension too often associated with the industry."

"The Dawson (sit on the patio in the Summer), Eden, WHISK, Lula Cafe (only been once – must go back), Little Goat, True Food Kitchen (only been for lunch/dinner), and Luella’s Southern Kitchen (we hear the shrimp and grits are amazing!). Did I miss any of your favorites?!. Which ones do I need to try next!"