Discover the best restaurants in Wicker Park. This neighborhood has a diverse mix of restaurants. Many of the restaurants along Division Street have large patios to enjoy in the summer.
One important thing to note is that many restaurants in Wicker Park are closed on Mondays – The Perch and Cumin are two exceptions. Since most restaurants are open for dinner only, we have indicated which restaurants serve lunch.
Last updated: March 2022
The Best Restaurants in Wicker Park:
We have indicated which restaurants serve breakfast/brunch and/or lunch in addition to dinner.
Mott Street
Asian
This intimate modern Asian restaurant has charm and excellent food. The carefully curated menu is filled with memorable dining options. We love the oyster mushrooms and the char siu pork belly. Get there before 7pm so that you can try their burger, it has shoestring sweet potato and miso butter onions and is wonderfully unique. It’s considered one of the best burgers in the city.
Dove’s Luncheonette
Tex-Mex, Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch
A Tex-Mex diner with a menu that includes items like masa pancakes, fried chicken, pozole rojo, and burnt ends hash. The seats of this diner don’t move, and seating is limited, so it’s best to go as a two-some. Currently, Dove’s focuses on breakfast/brunch and lunch but are open on Mondays for dinner.
Big Star
Mexican, Lunch
A casual taco joint known for its large sunlit patio and strong margaritas. The Panza (pork belly) taco is exceptional and has been on the menu since the start. Big Star is serves lunch and dinner every day. In addition to the restaurant, there is a takeout window next door with picnic tables.
Folklore Argentine Restaurant
Argentinean
An Argentinean restaurant with a menu focused on grilled steaks and meats. The portions of meat are generous and there is a great variety of vegetable side dishes to choose from.
Tortello
Italian
A pasta shop and restaurant on Division Street with some seating inside and a large sidewalk patio. You can watch as pasta is made right in front of your eyes. Their signature dish is the burrata filled tortelli (large tortellini) topped with balsamic reduction, butter, and sage. It’s a delight. In the summer they often have live music outside.
Mama Delia
Spanish, Romantic
A traditional Spanish restaurant in a gorgeous dimly lit space that serves paella, tapas, seafood, and meat dishes. It received a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. After dinner, visit the speakeasy upstairs, Bordel.
Ina Mae
Southern/New Orleans
Ina Mae’s Chef Brian Jupiter was born and raised in New Orleans and this restaurant is a tribute to his hometown. The menu has Louisiana classics like char-grilled oysters, po-boys, fried chicken, and beignets.
Club Lucky
Italian
A red sauce Italian restaurant with a big menu that includes all the classics like fettuccine alfredo, lasagna, rigatoni with meatballs, homemade ravioli, veal marsala, chicken parmigiana, and eggplant parmigiana. Club Lucky has a tendency to be busy so make a reservation in advance.
Little Wok
Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Lunch
A freshly opened restaurant in a modern but welcoming space serving a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai cuisine – and they do it all well. It’s a great option for groups.
Piece specializes in New Haven style thin crust pizza. Piece lets diners create their own pizzas starting with a red pizza, tomato pie, white pizza, or bbq pizza. From there you can chose from traditional options or opt for toppings like clams, mashed potatoes, Hot Doug’s Atomic Sausage, or Honey Butter Fried Chicken. Pizzas some in small, medium, and large sizes and the generous sizes make this a good spot for larger groups.
Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
Vegetarian/Vegan
A new restaurant from the owners of Aramu, Bloom’s menu is 100% vegan and gluten-free- and anything but boring. The menu includes items like toasted yuca gnocchi topped with celery root puree, mushroom soffits, kale, and shaved cashew pecorino. Bloom’s cuisine uses fruits and vegetables to create complete meals, without relying on plant-based meats. Bloom serves dinner daily and brunch on Sundays.
Aramu
Latin
A James Beard Award semifinalist in 2022, this small plates restaurant serves pan-Latin cuisine. You can find Cuban oxtail, Puerto Rican style pork shoulder, and lobster and crawfish empanadas on the menu.
Oiistar
Japanese, Asian
A phenomenal ramen restaurant. Oiistar’s broths are rich and creamy. The pork belly is cooked to perfection. We’ve tried much of the menu at this little gem of a restaurant and while it’s all lovely, the ramen is something you don’t want to miss.
Zenwich x Elitea
Lunch, Asian, Vegetarian/Vegan
Diners at this fast-casual sandwich shop get a choice of six proteins that can be used to make a toasted ciabatta sandwich, an Asian rice paper wrap, or a quinoa bowl. Sides include veggie tempura, gyoza, and fries. This location is a collaboration with Elitea, which serves teas, fruit smoothies, and flavored milk.
The Perch
American, Kid-Friendly
The Perch is a large brewery/restaurant with a menu with a nice mix of salads, sandwiches, and meaty mains. The burger, the beer braised short rib, and the rotisserie chicken have won us over. The restaurant has a kid’s menu that is free every day from 4 pm -6 pm. Their weekend brunch starts at 9 am, which is much earlier than most restaurants in the area, and their cheesy hash brown casserole is incredible.
The Smoke Daddy
American, Barbecue, Kid friendly
Smoke Daddy is one of Chicago’s best barbecue restaurants. It is known for the ribs and the burnt ends. The restaurant often has live music and in the summer there is a lot of outdoor seating.
Falafel and Grill
Mediterranean, Lunch
Falafel and Grill has a cult following because it’s fast, affordable, delicious, and the staff is so nice. The menu has shawarma, kabobs, gyro, and, of course, falafel. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner.
Pub Royale
Indian, Gastropub
Pub Royale is a pub serving up Indian food and burgers. The burger is a wonderful take on a classic single patty burger. Other stand out items are the Gobi Manchurian and the Butter Chicken. The bar has 22 beers on tap and a selection of gin and tonics and other cocktails.
Komorebi
Asian, Sushi
Komorebi has a large menu of sushi and sashimi and many consider it to be Wicker Park’s best sushi spot. The menu is very focused on sushi, so it’s best not to bring people who aren’t fans of sushi.
Chop Shop
American, Lunch
Chop Shop is a bar/restaurant/butcher shop/concert venue. As you might expect, the menu is focused on steaks and burgers. Lunch is served daily and brunch is served on weekends.
Kanela Breakfast Club
Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch
Kanela is one of a new restaurants that serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch every day. The menu is a great mix of healthy choices, breakfast items, and heartier lunch fare.
Bongo Room
Breakfast/Brunch
While Bongo Room serves both sweet and savory breakfast foods, the pancakes are perhaps the most memorable with options like White Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Pancakes and Pumpkin Chai Pancakes. Bongo Room serves breakfast and lunch Monday and Friday. On weekends they serve breakfast and brunch. (The restaurant is closed Tuesday – Thursday).
Cumin
Indian, Nepalese, Vegetarian
A Bib Gourmand winning restaurant in the heart of Wicker Park serving traditional Nepalese and Indian food. The menu has plenty of options for vegetarians in addition to tender clay oven cooked meats.
The Angry Crab
American, Seafood
A casual seafood restaurant that serves bags full of crawfish, shrimp, mussels, scallops, crab, and lobster with your choice of seasonings and sides.
Native Foods
Vegetarian/Vegan, Lunch
This cafe has four locations in Chicago and a menu that is 100% plant-based. The menu has a mix of plant based meats and vegetable dishes.
Chengdu Impression
Chinese, Asian, Vegetarian
A casual Chinese restaurant serving a massive menu of Sichuan cuisine including go-to dishes like soup dumplings, crab rangoon, sesame chicken, General Tso’s chicken, and crispy duck. They also have a location in Lincoln Park.
Paradise Park
Pizza
A 21+ pizza place with a party atmosphere and a large rooftop. The pizzas here are anything but traditional; a pulled pork, pico, sour cream, tortilla chip, cheddar, and refried bean pizza is on the menu.
Cafe Robey
Breakfast/Brunch
A bright sunny cafe on the street level of The Robey Hotel that has it own entrance so it doesn’t feel like it is attached to a hotel. The menu focuses mostly on breakfast classics like shrimp and grits, French toast, biscuits and gravy, and eggs benedict but there are a couple sandwiches too. Brunch is served daily form 7 am – 3 pm.
Little Victories
Bar/Gastropub
A gastropub along Division Street that has a small menu with items like a classic burger, a fried chicken sandwich, and short rib chili tater tot nachos. Little Victories is lively without being loud or crowded. It’s the type of place that you will find yourself visiting again and again. On weekends they have a small brunch menu.
Wazwan and The Coach House
Indian, Lunch
Wazwan is a casual restaurant serving Indian cuisine and some fun surprises like a burger made with a mix of Angus and brisket. The Tandoori honey chicken sandwich is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in Chicago. The Coach House is located behind Wazwan and serves a fine dining tasting menu focused on South Indian flavors. Reservations are necessary since The Coach House is small, book via Tock.
Craft Pizza
Pizza, Kid-friendly
Craft serves Neapolitan-style pizzas and makes some of the best pizzas in Wicker Park. They have a large patio, but limited space indoors. It is BYOB. They offer a special on Tuesday night when 14 inch pizzas are $10 and 18 inch pizzas are $15.
Schwa
American, Fine Dining
Schwa is an exceptional Michelin star restaurant that pairs fine cuisine with a casual atmosphere. They serve a multi course fixed price menu. Surprisingly, it’s BYOB. This is the spot to go to mark a special occasion. Reservations required in advance via Tock.
Antique Taco
Mexican
A fast casual taco joint with patio seating and a menu that blends Mexican with Midwest. Find guacamole, queso, chili cheese curds, pork carnitas tacos, and more on the menu.
etta
Italian, Romantic
Etta serves housemade pastas and a perfectly executed cacio e pepe. In addition to the pastas, they serve pizza and wood fired meats. Their rooftop is a beautiful and romantic space.
Cheesie’s Pub & Grill
Lunch, American
Cheesie’s is a casual restaurant and bar that serves over the top grilled cheeses like a macaroni and cheese grilled cheese. They are daily for dinner, and serve lunch Friday though Monday.
Takito Kitchen
Mexican
Takito is a modern Mexican restaurant serving tacos in addition to larger entrees including carne asada and grilled octopus. Brunch is served on weekends.
MAK (Modern Asian Kitchen)
Asian, Chinese, Vegetarian/Vegan, Kid-friendly
A modern Asian restaurant committed to using high quality ingredients and offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Their Awesome Broccoli Chicken and the Korean Fried Chicken “Wangs” are menu staples. MAK’s food is flavorful without being heavy or greasy.
Via Carducci La Sorella
Italian, Lunch
This Italian restaurant serving rustic Southern Italian cuisine inspired by the owners hometown in Calabria. The large menu has a mix of pizzas, pastas, and meat dishes including linguini all Congolese, linguini fruitti di mare, homemade gnocchi, veal scaloppine, and chicken vesuvio. There is another location in Lincoln Park.
Parlor Pizza
Pizza, Kid-friendly
One of three locations in Chicago, Parlor is a large pizzeria/bar with lots of outdoor space. The pizzas are all 12 inches and the menu has a mix of classics and creative options. On weekends they also serve brunch. Their Wicker Park location is their family friendly location.
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