7 New Northside Chicago Restaurants You Have to Try in 2023
Find yourself going to the same spots to eat over and over again? We get it – you like what you like! But one of the perks of city living is a never-ending list of new dining experiences. With new restaurants being added every month to the city’s incredible line-up, there’s no excuse not to try new places! Start the new year by adding these new restaurants to your list!
Khmai
If it’s not already, Khmai is here to put Cambodian food on your radar. With new menu items weekly and Chef Mona Sang at the helm (who grew up in Cambodia and made a name for herself in the Chicago restaurant world), Khmai is a Rogers Park spot worth checking out and returning to for seconds. If you want to check out the menu items of the week and drool at past plates, their instagram updates their followers on the best dishes on the menu.
Ragadan
Bringing cuisine from Jordan to Chicago, Ragadan is a new Uptown spot specializing in falafel and burgers. Chicago.eater.com shares that “this Uptown fixture comes from a Jordanian American, and there’s standout falafel and a special burger, called the single Dan, with a za’atar-spiced mayo. A place where customers can find hummus, eggs, and pancakes? Sign us up.” With tons of vegetarian and vegan options as well, the Jordan-American flare is perfect for a casual dinner and anything in between.
Irene’s
Open for breakfast and lunch only, make sure to put Irene’s at the top of your list for Saturday and Sunday meals. What most would call classic breakfast food, Irene’s has taken the basics and elevated it to a restaurant/diner that makes you want to dine over and over again. Nicknamed “the finer diner”and with menu items like a short rib benedict or cookies and cream waffles, Irene’s has something for everyone. Check out their website for their menu and reservations here.
Second Generation
The team behind the famous Mott Street burger is coming at you with a new menu and restaurant to boot. Located in Logan Square, Second Generations founders state that their space is “a nod to our upbringing and evolution; Second Generation resonates with the rich and layered identity of being raised in two cultures — both wholly American and wholly Asian —and what’s more American than being a child of immigrants?…As restaurateurs, our multi-cultured experience has guided us as leaders in the industry for over a decade. We draw from this inheritance to steward our heritage.”
Check out their menu and press about this incredible Asian-American bistro.
Meadowlark
Another Logan Square gem, Meadowlark, is a new restaurant featuring incredible craft cocktails and small plates. Oozing with vintage charm and speak-easy vibes, “the team behind Logan Square’s acclaimed Lardon & newly opened Union presents their third and final concept. Tucked away behind an unmarked door near the back alley and under the same roof as the 110-year-old corner space lovingly restored to house Lardon and Union”. Get a look at their craft cocktail offerings on their instagram.
Obelix
The Near Northside brings us French fine dining at Obelix, a contemporary French restaurant featuring incredibly complex dishes with classic techniques. From the creators of Le Bouchon, revered as one of the most classic French restaurants in the city, Obelix serves brunch, lunch & dinner alongside a smattering of pastries in typical French fashion. Their menu features steak tartare, apple galettes, and foie gras.
PLANTA Queen
For all the veggie lovers and vegans out there, PLANTA Queen tops the list as the best new vegan spot in River North. They feature Asian-inspired dishes, veggie sushi, and noodle dishes that will keep you full and satisfied. The creators behind the restaurant talk about “creating a premier hospitality collective of 100% plant-based restaurants, PLANTA Queen reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes, providing flavorful proof that the power of plants can change the world”. Check out their menu and statement here.