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Dinova’s Top Fine Dining Picks in Chicago
Chicago is known for many things—sports, music, architecture, and of course, food. The Windy City is iconic for things like deep-dish, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian-beef. But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to fine dining in The Second City. Chicago has a rich and culinarily diverse food scene that reflects the fabric of the city. Visitors might find it hard to choose, but don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you.
If there’s one thing Dinova knows, it’s business dining. Through our years we’ve learned what’s important to business diners, so we decided to put our heads together to offer our recommendations on the top places for fine dining for your next “wow” moment in Chicago. We gathered an extensive list of fine dining restaurants participating in our dining program for you to consider, and our business diners have the added benefit of earning rewards for dining there.
Impressive Menu
Tanta Chicago – Entering the doors of Tanta is like being transported across the ocean to the lively and bustling streets of Lima, Peru. Led by Chefs Gastón Acurio and Robert Rocha, Tanta is a culinary diamond that stands out in the River North neighborhood in Chicago.
- Authentic Peruvian dishes
- Private dining options
- Rooftop patio
Topolobampo – A modern look at Mexican cuisine, you’ll find a unique experience inside this fine-dining restaurant. With an ever changing, contemporary menu highlighting Mexican specialties, you’ll find a deeply rooted story amongst the dishes in Topolobampo.
- Michelin star restaurant
- Wine and agave spirit pairings
- Uniquely crafted menu
Private Dining Opportunities
Fioretta – A seamless blend of steakhouse fare with elevated old-world Italian cuisine, Fioretta pays homage to the Italian American immigrants who first introduced Americans to southern Italian classics. This menu strikes the perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation.
- Italian/steakhouse cuisine
- Live music
- Private dining
Barrio – Led by a goal for an exciting, yet approachable Mexican menu, Barrio is located in the heart of River North in Chicago. It combines the rustic and casual attitude of the culture with a level of refinement, quality, and polished-edginess that appeals to the River North dining scene.
- Custom private dining
- Huge event schedule
- Mexican cuisine
Siena Tavern – It all began on a trip to Siena, Italy when Top Chef participant, Fabio Viviani, returned to his native country with the founders of DineAmic Hospitality. It was there the concept for Siena grew into life – an enormous, 10,000 square foot space filled with old world comfort and enormous private dining sections.
- Huge variety of private dining options
- Old-world Italian cuisine
- Events and specials
Best Cocktails and Drinks
Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink – Where the trifecta of innovative cocktails, globally inspired food, and in-house florists culminate to make for a truly unforgettable experience. Machine provides a chic and unforgettable experience, with a highly rated cocktail bar and happy hour.
- Cocktail workshops
- Tiki-inspired patio
- Excellent happy hour deals
The Franklin Room – A comforting turn-of-the-century, American-style tavern elevated with a modern approach. Whatever your drink choice is, The Franklin room has something for you. With bold new flavors crafted by passionate bartenders, you won’t leave disappointed.
- Large whisky menu with rare releases
- VIP rewards program
- Special whiskey club
Great Ambiance
Frontera Grill – Located in the River North neighborhood, Frontera Grill will transport you to the colorful, vibrant kitchens of Mexico. Dreamt up by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, this restaurant features Mexican folk art, mariachi music, and a packed menu.
- Unforgettable atmosphere
- Vegetarian menu available
- Ethically sourced ingredients
Fioretta – Located on the ground floor of global real estate develop Tishman Speyer’s new luxury office tower in Fulton Market District, Fioretta has created a remarkable space reminiscent of a new-age Copacabana, with old-world Italian cuisine, a steady flow of impressive drinks, and world-class live entertainment.
- Unique private dining options
- Live entertainment
- Luxurious and opulent
Chicago Staples
Prime & Provisions – Huddled in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago is the famous Prime & Provisions. Named the number one steakhouse in the city by USA Today, Prime & Provisions offers expansive city views and a two-story dining experience of classic elegancy with a touch of sophistication.
- Traditional steakhouse
- Course-style menu
- Award-winning
Cafe des Architectes (CDA) – Chic, stylish and contemporary, with an elegant dining room and breezy outdoor terrace, this downtown delight is one of Chicago’s best restaurants. The splendor of modern French cuisine is in full celebration at CDA.
- Beautiful outdoor seating
- Special events
- Luxury dining experience
Best of the Suburbs
Santi Cielo – A Latino Moderno restaurant nestled in Naperville with unique libations, captivating sounds, and breathtaking vistas. Their menu is inspired by staying to true to their roots while extending a vision to all Latin American countries and cultures.
- Excellent brunch menu
- Live music and entertainment
- Unique cocktail menu
Violi – Inspired by a breathtaking trip through Greece, Violi brings Greek cuisine to the Chicago suburbs. With an award-winning chef, sustainable ingredients, and a Greek-inspired taverna, Violi provides a friendly and approachable introduction to Grecian cuisine.
- Four season outdoor patio
- Award-winning chef
- Private dining