#chicago-dining

#chicago-dining

The 2026 awards will feature 12 categories, from Restaurant of the Year to Best Counter Service to Pastry Chef of the Year. Last year's newcomer, Best Pizza, won't return this time around. The Banchets will also honor two local legends. Grant Achactz, the molecular gastronomy luminary behind Alinea, will receive the Culinary Excellence Award, while longstanding River North steakhouse Gene & Georgetti will be named the first-ever Iconic Restaurant of the Year.

Chicago has always been considered one of America's greatest food cities-one where fully loaded hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, and ultra luxe 18-course tasting menus are revered in the same dining scene. You could practically fill a travel itinerary with places to get Italian beef sandwiches (à la The Bear) alone. The city's restaurants, cafés, and bars reflect the diversity of Chicago's neighborhoods, and knowing where to stay is the key to having convenient access to the best spots.

Private members club Astor Club has introduced a new dining experience led by a prominent Chicago chef. Trevor Teich, who earned a Michelin star at his Bucktown fine dining restaurant Claudia, now leads the club's culinary program. At The Chef's Table, he presents a tasting menu that showcases seasonal ingredients and French technique. The exclusive 10-seat communal experience is priced at $325 per person. 24 E. Goethe Street.

Fulton Market, once a meat-packing district, is now home to some of the finest dining options in Chicago, featuring everything from fine dining to steakhouses.

The restaurant industry faces challenges such as rising costs, worker shortages, and real estate conflicts, leading to closures of cherished establishments in Chicago.