Best Restaurants Bucktown/Wicker Park

Best Restaurants Bucktown/Wicker Park

Boundaries: Bucktown: Between Fullerton Avenue south to North Avenue, from Western Avenue east to Kennedy Expressway/Ashland Avenue; Wicker Park: Between North Avenue south to Division Street, from Western Avenue east to Ashland Avenue
Goats used to graze in what is now considered one of the hippest and trendiest neighborhoods in Chicago -- if not the country. The popular theory is that Bucktown got its name from the male goats, or bucks, that were raised by the Polish immigrants who fled their war torn country in the 1800s. Throughout the years, Bucktown saw many waves of immigration, primarily Polish until World War I, then Jewish in the early 1900s and Latino around 1960.
 

Our Picks

Ada Street

Ada Street is the newest bar & restaurant from DMK Restaurants (DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar) founders David Morton and Michael Kornick. Located in the Elston Industrial District--not quite Bucktown, not quite Lincoln Park--Ada Street offers dinner and late night service six days a week (closed Sunday). The restaurant, which was named one of Chicago Magazine's Best New Restaurants of 2012, features eclectic small plates from Chef Zoë Schor and a comprehensive list of interesting wines, craft spirits and house cocktails. Inquire about Ada Street's private dining room, which can host parties up to 15, or rent the entire space for parties up to 100.

More...

Taxim

Taxim, which is located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, features regionally-inspired Greek dishes paired with an all-Greek wine list. The stunning dining room is fitted with soaring 16-foot ceilings, travertine marble floors and dramatic Byzantine-style lamps and artwork.
The restaurant was chosen as one of the Best New Restaurants in May 2010 by Chicago magazine and was chosen as one of Chicago's Best New Restaurants in 2009 by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Reader. Additionally, Taxim's housemade yogurt with young favas and lamb confit was selected as one of the Best Bites of 2009 by the Chicago Reader, the house-cured sardines were mentioned in Time Out Chicago's 2009 "100 Best Things We Ate (and drank) This Year" feature, and the wood-grilled octopus was selected as 2010's "Best New Dish" by Chicago magazine. Additionally, chef-owner David Schneider appeared on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America" in April 2011 going head-to-head with Iron Chef Cat Cora.

More...

The Savoy

The Savoy brings a globally inspired seafood concept to Wicker Park in a cozy yet chic nautical themed space. The menu ranges from raw bar items such as East and West coast oysters to Alaskan snow crab. Coconut red curry mussels and a crab cake with smoked jalapeno sour cream serve as exotic beginnings. A variety of inventive fish dishes await you as entrees. Pork belly, Berkshire pork chop and a bone-in ribeye are offerings from the prairie. The Savoy also offers an unparalleled beverage program that ranges from a vintage cocktail list inspired by pre-prohibition era cocktails as well as modern selections, an eclectic wine and beer list and a wealth of alluring absinthe and spirits. The space itself is built for destination place guests. The restaurant opens into a wood laden raw bar then eases into a main dining space that gives way to a bar that glows with the warmth of soft Edison lighting.

More...

Big Star

So, here's the short version of this honky tonk faux dive bar.
It's a good bar with good music, good, cheap drinks and good, cheap food.
Here it's all about the tacos...
The short menu includes a handful of a la carte tacos and tostadas, queso fundido (melted cheese with chorizo), beans, a salad and guacamole it's inexpensive (tacos are $2.00 - $3.00) and delicious.

More...

Bongo Room

Abundant breakfast choices beckon at this Wicker Park restaurant, where the seasonally changing menu relies on creative takes on French toast and pancakes. Look for options like three-apple brioche French toast and Black Forest pancakes. Egg dishes, in massive portions, are also popular choices. Weekend brunch offers even more choices, like eggs Benedict and chocolate tower French toast.

More...

Coast Sushi Bar

Since 2003, Coast Sushi Bar in Lincoln Park has been one of Chicago's premier gourmet sushi restaurants, continually receiving awards from Chicago Magazine as well as the Zagat award for excellence.  The chefs at Coast Sushi Bar have created an innovative, constantly-changing menu that uses the freshest ingredients and high quality fish available for a variety of unique and complex flavors.

More...

Ada Street

Ada Street is the newest bar & restaurant from DMK Restaurants (DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar) founders David Morton and Michael Kornick. Located in the Elston Industrial District--not quite Bucktown, not quite Lincoln Park--Ada Street offers dinner and late night service six days a week (closed Sunday). The restaurant, which was named one of Chicago Magazine's Best New Restaurants of 2012, features eclectic small plates from Chef Zoë Schor and a comprehensive list of interesting wines, craft spirits and house cocktails. Inquire about Ada Street's private dining room, which can host parties up to 15, or rent the entire space for parties up to 100.


Taxim

Taxim, which is located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, features regionally-inspired Greek dishes paired with an all-Greek wine list. The stunning dining room is fitted with soaring 16-foot ceilings, travertine marble floors and dramatic Byzantine-style lamps and artwork.
The restaurant was chosen as one of the Best New Restaurants in May 2010 by Chicago magazine and was chosen as one of Chicago's Best New Restaurants in 2009 by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Reader. Additionally, Taxim's housemade yogurt with young favas and lamb confit was selected as one of the Best Bites of 2009 by the Chicago Reader, the house-cured sardines were mentioned in Time Out Chicago's 2009 "100 Best Things We Ate (and drank) This Year" feature, and the wood-grilled octopus was selected as 2010's "Best New Dish" by Chicago magazine. Additionally, chef-owner David Schneider appeared on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America" in April 2011 going head-to-head with Iron Chef Cat Cora.


The Savoy

The Savoy brings a globally inspired seafood concept to Wicker Park in a cozy yet chic nautical themed space. The menu ranges from raw bar items such as East and West coast oysters to Alaskan snow crab. Coconut red curry mussels and a crab cake with smoked jalapeno sour cream serve as exotic beginnings. A variety of inventive fish dishes await you as entrees. Pork belly, Berkshire pork chop and a bone-in ribeye are offerings from the prairie. The Savoy also offers an unparalleled beverage program that ranges from a vintage cocktail list inspired by pre-prohibition era cocktails as well as modern selections, an eclectic wine and beer list and a wealth of alluring absinthe and spirits. The space itself is built for destination place guests. The restaurant opens into a wood laden raw bar then eases into a main dining space that gives way to a bar that glows with the warmth of soft Edison lighting.


Big Star

So, here's the short version of this honky tonk faux dive bar.
It's a good bar with good music, good, cheap drinks and good, cheap food.
Here it's all about the tacos...
The short menu includes a handful of a la carte tacos and tostadas, queso fundido (melted cheese with chorizo), beans, a salad and guacamole it's inexpensive (tacos are $2.00 - $3.00) and delicious.

Bongo Room

Abundant breakfast choices beckon at this Wicker Park restaurant, where the seasonally changing menu relies on creative takes on French toast and pancakes. Look for options like three-apple brioche French toast and Black Forest pancakes. Egg dishes, in massive portions, are also popular choices. Weekend brunch offers even more choices, like eggs Benedict and chocolate tower French toast.


Coast Sushi Bar

Since 2003, Coast Sushi Bar in Lincoln Park has been one of Chicago's premier gourmet sushi restaurants, continually receiving awards from Chicago Magazine as well as the Zagat award for excellence.  The chefs at Coast Sushi Bar have created an innovative, constantly-changing menu that uses the freshest ingredients and high quality fish available for a variety of unique and complex flavors.

Lillie's Q

 Chef Charlie McKenna has won numerous awards on the competition barbeque circuit including the top prize at Memphis In May -- which is widely regarded as the world championship of barbeque. Charlie is bringing this competition style barbeque to Lillie’s Q in Chicago. Named after both his maternal grandmother Lillie -- who taught Charlie the art of southern cooking as a young boy at her home in Greenville, SC — and for his father, Quito, who is an award-winning barbecue pit master.


The Bristol

The Bristol has become a staple for Chicago’s local dining crowd, off-duty chefs, and visiting gastronomes looking for a great dinner or Sunday brunch. The menu features handmade pasta, charcuterie, farm-fresh produce, and a nose-to-tail approach to cooking. Beverages include handmade cocktails, a wine list featuring over two hundred producers, and beers from around the world.