The best restaurants in Wicker Park and Bucktown

Yes, it’s small and crowded, and you’ll have to wait at the bar for a bit even with a reservation. But it’s the closest thing Chicago has to that adorable little bistro in Paris. Regulars have their never-fail favorites: The flaky, caramelly onion tart; the robust onion soup with a gluttonous amount of Gruyère; the butter-topped steak flanked by perfectly crisp frites; the hard-to-find roast rabbit saddle; the feeds-two whole roasted Pekin duck; and the warm apple tart. Only snootier waiters could make for a more French experience.

This Wicker Park favorite from Edward Kim is designed around food chefs like to eat after their shift, but we call it "food we want to eat all the time." The menu spans a range of Asian influences inspired by night markets and the food Kim grew up eating, with highlights including kimchi udon with spicy marinated cod roe, crispy imperial rolls stuffed with pork and bean sprouts, and mango sticky rice, all of which are the perfect cap to anyone's day.

Dario Monni, who learned how to make homemade pasta from his grandmother while growing up in Venice, and his native Chicagoan wife Jill Gray bring the traditions of Italian specialty pasta shops to Wicker Park. Start the meal with focaccia with ricotta and honey before choosing from a variety of handmade pastas made with imported flour, like tortelli filled with Puglian burrata or tagliatelle with ragú. Then finish with tiramisu. You can also buy the pasta by the pound to take home along with other Italian staples like honey, oil, wine and cheese. 

Pompette opened in 2022 to provide a third space for locals, who can start the day with coffee, a seasonal scone or a smoked salmon tartine; stop in for cheese and charcuterie and a spritz during the daily apero hour; or linger for dinner and enjoy hanger steak or duck confit. Part of the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, Pompette is a great place to expand your knowledge of wine by taking advantage of the regularly rotating selection of specials and occasional multicourse pairing dinners.

Chef Michael Carlson helped put molecular gastronomy on the map with Schwa, which has been serving memorable meals since 2005. The tiny Michelin-starred restaurant is BYOB so come prepared with some favorites to enjoy (and something for the kitchen) during the 14-course tasting menu of beautifully presented dishes from the culinary team led by chef de cuisine Caleb Trahan. Not your typical fine dining destination, the hip hop music is loud and the servers are also chefs who demonstrate their passion for the food as they explain each bite.

James Beard Award winner Mindy Segal closed Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in 2020, but she returned to Bucktown in 2022 with Mindy’s Bakery, where you’ll often find long lines of customers lured by the scent of fresh-baked bread. Products rotate throughout the day, with bagels, coffee cake and croissants offered until 10:30am, at which point you’ll be able to pick up gingersnap molasses cookies, spinach and cheese stromboli, and peanut butter fudge brownies. Just be sure to get there well before 3pm as the shop often sells out.

Vajra hasn’t hasn’t been open for dine-in since March 2020 but the restaurant should be a takeout and delivery staple for everyone in the area. Executive chef Min B. Thapa, formerly of Cumin, is serving up some of the best Indian and Nepali food in the city and you can get a great sampling of comforting and perfectly spiced fare with a dinner date for two package, which includes pillowy chicken momo, shrimp in a tomato and coconut curry, naan loaded with garlic and mango mousse cheesecake.

A neighborhood favorite for more than 30 years, Club Lucky serves family-style plates of Italian-American classics, like fried calamari and chicken vesuvio, in a space that feels like a 1940s speakeasy. A popular destination for birthdays, rehearsal dinners and other group meals, the spot also features a patio that's perfect for sipping something from the extensive wine list and a cocktail lounge where you can put a tune on the jukebox to enjoy along with a martini.

Wazwan morphed into Lilac Tiger in 2023, with executive chef/partner Zubair Mohajir continuing to serve his popular momos and sandwiches from his supper club-turned-restaurant while placing a new emphasis on South and Southeast Asian street food. Show up early if you want to snag a seat at the small, neon-lit space to nibble Indian tiger prawns and tandoori honey chicken nuggets along with spiced-up spins on classic cocktails like a double chai daiquiri or ube and sesame colada.

Since 1990, Irazu has served as a perfect destination for big group dinners on a covered patio, as well as solo diners looking to grab a sandwich or some empanadas. Nibble on chips with spicy green salsa and try a cocktail or Costa Rican beer from the newly launched alcohol menu while waiting for the food to arrive, but be sure to leave room for a slice of moist Caribbean rum cake or an oatmeal shake.

Bearing the name of an indegenous Incan leader who oversaw an empire in a what is now Peru, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador, this Pan-Latin restaurant unites the cuisines of South and Central America. Former Carnivale chef Rodolfo Cuadros helms the kitchen within the small Wicker Park space, serving gorgeous ceviches (which change day-to-day), Cuban burgers covered with queso Oaxaca and tamarind-braised short ribs. Portions are generous and clearly meant to be shared—and a menu of creative rum- and agave-based cocktails will encourage you to stick around for another course. You can also check out Lil Amaru at Time Out Market Chicago, the food and cultural hub in Fulton Market.

A secret sauce recipe is at the heart of the deep dish and cracker thin tavern-style pizzas My Pi Pizza has been slinging since 1971. Start with some mozzarella-stuffed garlic bread before customizing your own pie or ordering a classic like Hawaiian or chicken pesto. My Pi also offers various vegan selections along with portabella posole from sibling spot Li’l Guys. BYOB to dine on the covered patio or order the pizza shipped anywhere in the country via Goldbelly.

James Beard Award semifinalist Rodolfo Cuadros brings global flavors to vegan dishes at Bloom Plant Based Kitchen, which has earned a spot on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list. The menu is entirely gluten free, featuring both tasting menus with optional wine pairings and a la carte dishes such as rainbow carrot hummus, sun-dried tomato sashimi and toasted yucca gnocchi covered with cashew pecorino. Bloom also operates a dedicated sushi shop at the XMarket Vegan Food Hall in Uptown.

The cozy, cushy, Byzantine-style dining room and simple (and often simply delicious) seasonal Mediterranean food at this Wicker Park Greek den are all the influence of chef-owner David Schneider. Minimal ingredients are needed for a housemade phyllo filled with leeks and feta or beer-battered fried mussels served with sesame garlic sauce, but solid execution and superb seasoning yields maximum flavors. Nice prices and a share-everything platform mean more dough for sampling through the superb Greek wine list.

Out-of-towners looking for a neighborhood experience can book one of the three rooms atop The Leavitt Street Inn & Tavern, and anyone can enjoy the extensive selection of Midwestern beers and spectacular smash burger topped with American cheese, caramelized onions and housemade pickles. The space is often packed, especially during lunch, but an expansive dog-friendly patio provides extra room with an enclosed tent and fire pits keeping it open even in the winter.

Cumin showcases Nepalese cooking with gorkhali khasi, bone-in goat stewed in a spicy sauce with tomatoes and onions, and chicken momo sauteed with green chili, bell peppers, onion and ginger, or dipped in a tomato soup. The menu also boasts classic Indian dishes like creamy chicken tikka masala, spicy lamb vindaloo and fluffy garlic naan, and if you want something more adventurous you can ask the friendly servers for recommendations.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Big Star boasts one of the premier patios in Chicago—a destination for basking in the sun with a plate of tacos and an old fashioned or a pitcher of margaritas. The concept has spread to West Town and Wrigleyville, and the flagship Wicker Park location is expanding soon by adding covered outdoor seating in front so diners won’t be interrupted if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Travel back in time at The StopAlong, a family-friendly restaurant celebrating the ‘80s and ‘90s with shelves covered in action figures and walls decorated with images of Mario and Star Wars. Kids and kids at heart can play retro video games while waiting for a plate of buttery garlic knots, a New York-style pizza covered in meatballs or pepperoni, or the signature double cheeseburger topped with caramelized onions and pickles. A second location opened in Logan Square in 2023.

Warm up with a big bowl of pho made with sliced ribeye and meatballs, chicken with hard-boiled egg, or plenty of veggies. The counter-service spot’s menu extends beyond its signature Vietnamese soup to Singaporean-inspired fried chicken rice, Korean-style spicy pork dumplings and a smash burger topped with a fried egg served on Chinese sweet bread. Before heading out, browse the shelves for some snacks like ube cookies, sriracha spiced peas or matcha Pocky.

Bobby Schaffer's palace of patisserie is stocked with beautiful baked goods (like cardamom buns and almond croissants), from-scratch breads (think honey oat and sunflower rye) and photo-worthy confections (including lemon meringue and carrot cake). But perhaps its most iconic delicacy is something called princess cake, a traditional Swedish dessert that boasts defined layers of vanilla sponge, raspberry preserves and almond crunch; it's all blanked in mint-green marzipan. Order a slice with a cup of coffee for the perfect pairing.

Two things keep this place from going the route of sports-bar-beer-bong culture: excellent house brews and expertly executed pizzas. The crispy pies hold a lot of weight, so after you choose your pizza style—red, white, BBQ or New Haven–style “plain” (red sauce, no mozzarella)—start piling on the toppings. (If you’re really going New Haven–style, try one with clams and bacon.) Wash it down with a pitcher of the crisp Golden Arm, and you’ll never disparagingly say “pizza and beer joint” again.

The adorable Mexican diner from the team behind The Publican and Big Star is open for breakfast daily and serves dinner Monday, Friday and Saturday. In the morning, try the brisket hash, while the patty melt and chicken-fried chicken are worthy orders for lunch or dinner. No matter which meal you're there for, though, you'll want to add a slice of Mexican chocolate pie spiced with guajillo chili and topped with whipped cream. Yes, even for breakfast.

Named for James Beard-nominated chef Brian Jupiter’s great-grandmother, Ina Mae Tavern brings a taste of the Big Easy to Wicker Park with a menu of char-grilled oysters, po’ boys and fried fish served alongside pitchers of hurricanes or tableside absinthe service. A walk-up window makes it easy to grab food to go, but it’s worth lingering and enjoying the party atmosphere at the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, especially during the weekend blues brunches.

Chef Bill Kim keeps our bellies happy with his playful menu of Asian staples at this sunshine-filled restaurant in Wicker Park. Start with an assortment of dumplings, which are available in flavors like edamame, lemongrass chicken and barbecue beef. You'll want to save room for hearty entrees like ramen with kimchi-braised pork belly, creamy coconut curry pho, fried rice bowls and Korean fried chicken. You can also check out Urbanbelly at Time Out Market Chicago, the food and cultural hub in Fulton Market.

Chef/owner Anthony Reyes pays tribute to his mom, Mable, by welcoming diners with steak, seafood and family recipes including meatballs, gooey mac and cheese with wild mushrooms and black truffle puree, and ribeye cheesesteak with caramelized onions. The cozy space is perfect for date night, and the friendly servers will guide you through the menu, though you might be enticed by what’s cooking in the open kitchen.

BYOB restaurant Sultan’s Market features locations around Chicago, but Wicker Park is home to the original version that opened in 1995. The counter-service spot does a brisk lunch business, serving its celebrated falafel in sandwiches with a variety of hot sauces and platters featuring generous portions of chicken and lamb shawarma. You can also pile your plate with fruit, cheese and pickled veggies at the salad bar or snack on a baked spinach and feta pie.

Get a taste of the Mississippi Delta at this laidback restaurant decorated with knickknacks to make you feel like you’re dining in someone’s home. The specialty is Mississippi red hot tamales filled with beef or mushrooms, served plain or covered in chili, cheese and pickled onions. But the menu also showcases the depth of Southern fare with corn fritters, Nashville hot chicken, shrimp and grits, and catfish with fries. Come during brunch for bottomless mimosas and a family-style meal for two.

Paulie Gee’s dishes out wood-fired and Detroit-style pies in Logan Square, but its Wicker Park outpost is New York-style, serving 20-inch pies and giant slices until 2 am on weekends. Grab a stool by the window and do some people watching with a PBR while enjoying the bubbly, chewy crust used as a base for a regularly changing menu that features collaborations with local chefs along with staples like the Hellboy—pepperoni spiced up with Mike’s Hot Honey.

Craft Pizza is serving up some of the best thin crust pizza in the city. The aged dough is crisp, perfectly thin and chewy, with a tomato sauce that cuts through the richness of the cheese. Topped with seasonal veggies, the farm-to-table pizza is a quick and easy way to change up your lunchtime routine and won't make you feel as guilty as splurging on a slice of deep dish. For a bit of heat, try the Devil in the White City made with hot capocollo, fresh garlic and spicy peppers.

Open since 2013, Takito Kitchen offers a fully gluten-free menu of Mexican-inspired dishes including queso fundido, carne asada and pineapple guacamole. The real star is the tacos, with handmade popcorn tortillas stuffed with a wide variety of fillings like coffee-braised beef, corn croquettes or lamb merguez. Order a flight of margaritas with flavors including mango, lychee and coconut or get a whole tower brought to your table. Come for brunch to sip bottomless mimosas while digging into chilaquiles or a chicken tinga omelet.