Best American Restaurants in West Loop (60607)
14 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Smyth
Three-Michelin-star tasting menu built around Midwestern farm relationships.
Essential Picks
#1
Smyth
9.2
Smyth is a three-Michelin-star tasting menu restaurant in the West Loop where John Shields and Karen Urie Shields build seasonally driven courses around Midwestern farms. The intimate dining room and highly choreographed service make it one of Chicago’s most serious destination dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dungeness crab with kani miso and foie gras, Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with kelp marmite, Frozen tomato mousse dessert course
What makes it special: Three-Michelin-star tasting menu built around Midwestern farm relationships.
#2
Ever
9.0
Ever is Curtis Duffy’s two-Michelin-star fine-dining room in Fulton Market, serving an 8–10 course contemporary tasting menu in a hushed, design-forward space. Diners come for precise luxury ingredients like caviar, Alaskan king crab, and wagyu woven into highly composed plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Alaskan king crab with cucumber and seasonal garnishes, Icelandic yogurt semifreddo with ossetra caviar, Halibut curry with aromatic broth and vegetables
What makes it special: Curtis Duffy’s meticulously choreographed tasting menu in a minimalist, gallery-like room.
Notable Picks
#3
Au Cheval
8.9
Au Cheval is a dimly lit Randolph Street diner famous for one of Chicago’s most talked-about cheeseburgers, plus hearty plates and a deep beer list. Long waits are common, but locals still line up for rich, throwback comfort food in a bustling, bar-adjacent space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Single cheeseburger with egg and bacon, General Jane’s honey-fried chicken, Chopped chicken liver on toast
What makes it special: Burger-focused Chicago institution where diner classics get maximalist treatment.
8.7
Stephanie Izard’s flagship packs a constantly busy dining room with shareable New American plates and a strong wine and cocktail program. The menu leans bold and playful, making it an all-purpose spot for groups, dates, and out-of-town visitors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood oven roasted pig face with sunny side egg, Goat empanadas with bright sauces, Sautéed green beans with fish sauce vinaigrette
What makes it special: High-energy pioneer of Randolph Street’s small-plates scene with big, gutsy flavors.
8.6
Swift & Sons is a polished steakhouse in a landmark cold-storage building, pairing prime beef with raw-bar platters and throwback sides. It’s a go-to for business dinners and celebrations that still feel distinctly West Loop rather than old-guard downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
22-ounce bone-in ribeye, Alaskan king crab cocktail, Whipped mashed potatoes
What makes it special: Modern Fulton Market steakhouse balancing clubby grandeur with West Loop energy.
#6
The Publican
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
The Publican is a beer-focused hall where farmhouse-style pork, seafood, and bread anchor communal tables. It has evolved into a long-running West Loop fixture for big groups, hearty shared plates, and serious Belgian-leaning beer lists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Publican farm chicken with frites, Charcuterie and cheese board, Crispy pork rinds
What makes it special: Beer hall–style room where pork, seafood, and beer share top billing.
#7
The Loyalist
8.5
Downstairs from Smyth, The Loyalist is a dark, music-forward bar-restaurant known for its cult-favorite cheeseburger, creative cocktails, and elevated comfort plates. It feels more like a neighborhood hangout than its upstairs sibling but still benefits from the same culinary braintrust.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original burger with caramelized onions and American cheese, Half roasted chicken with Carolina gold rice, Loup de mer meunière with brown butter
What makes it special: Chef-driven basement bar where one of Chicago’s definitive burgers anchors a tight menu.
8.4
Tucked in a cobblestone alley, Trivoli Tavern channels a throwback tavern feel with steakhouse-style plates, prime rib, and martinis under low light. The Hogsalt polish shows in the details, making it feel like a hidden-feeling clubhouse even as word has spread widely.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tavern-cut prime rib, Seafood tower on ice, French dip sandwich
What makes it special: Alleyway tavern where steakhouse classics meet polished, clubby vibes.
8.3
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
Maxwells Trading is a newer New American spot on a quieter industrial stretch, known for highly seasonal plates and a strong natural-leaning wine list. The cooking has already drawn national attention, making it a chef’s-restaurant feel without stuffiness.
Must-Try Dishes:
Leek-stuffed pappardelle with crawfish and Nantua-style sauce, Smoked whitefish dip with house bread, Grilled pork chop with seasonal vegetables
What makes it special: Seasonally obsessed kitchen turning out creative, produce-driven plates in a loft-like space.
8.2
Beatrix’s Fulton Market outpost functions as an all-day American restaurant, coffee bar, and bakery with a health-leaning tilt. It’s equally useful for breakfast meetings, solo laptop time, or casual dinners with a broad menu of bowls, salads, and comfort favorites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enlightened Caesar salad, Prime cheeseburger, Chilaquiles verde at brunch
What makes it special: All-day cafe-restaurant hybrid balancing lighter dishes with familiar comfort plates.
#11
Garcia’s
8.0
Vibes:
Live Music Showtime
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Garcia’s is a newer West Loop music-driven restaurant and bar where a live stage and serious sound system share space with a comfort-heavy American menu. It’s designed as much for shows and cocktails as for the double-patty burgers and hearty mains coming out of the kitchen.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double-patty smash burger on Dutch crunch, Fried chicken for two, Loaded fries with house sauces
What makes it special: Concert-level sound and a proper stage inside a full-service restaurant with serious bar food.
Worthy Picks
#12
Etc
7.8
Etc. is a modern American restaurant and bar in the southern edge of 60607, with a menu that leans into braised meats, burgers, and elevated bar snacks. It’s more of a neighborhood hangout than a destination, but the cooking is thoughtful enough to justify a detour.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised beef short rib, House burger with cheddar and fries, Shrimp and grits with rich pan sauce
What makes it special: Comfort-forward American plates and cocktails in a polished but relaxed room near the river.
#13
Fare
7.7
Inside the From Here On food hall at the Old Post Office, FARE serves build-your-own bowls, salads, and breakfast plates with a focus on whole grains and vegetables. It’s a go-to for nearby workers looking for a lighter, quick-service American-adjacent lunch option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Green goddess grain bowl with roasted vegetables, Chicken and brown rice bowl, Avocado toast with seasonal toppings
What makes it special: Food hall stall focused on customizable bowls and salads with cleaner ingredients.
#14
Puttery
7.6
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Trendy Table Hotspots
Puttery combines tech-enabled mini golf with a shareable American menu and cocktails in a multi-level Randolph Street space. It’s more of an activity venue than a pure restaurant, but the flatbreads, sliders, and snacks are dialed in enough for casual group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken tinga flatbread, Slider trio with fries, Loaded nachos for the table
What makes it special: High-design indoor mini golf with a full bar and shareable American menu.