What is the best Gems restaurant in Chinatown & Bridgeport?

312 Fish Market is our top pick for Gems restaurants in Chinatown & Bridgeport, scoring 8.8/10. Market-side sushi bar delivering near-omakase-quality flights inside 88 Marketplace.

Any insider tips for 312 Fish Market?

Book the 17-course omakase in advance; walk-ins rarely snag seats.

When should I visit 312 Fish Market?

Earlier evenings before the market gets crowded and seating tight.

Who should go to 312 Fish Market?

Sushi fans prioritizing fish quality over décor and white tablecloths.

Any insider tips for Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum?

Bring cash and buy extra for the freezer—many items reheat well next day.

What should I order at Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum?

BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, walnut red bean cake.

When should I visit Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum?

Mornings for freshest trays before peak Chinatown foot traffic.

Who should go to Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum?

Cash-ready pastry hunters craving classic Chinese bakery items.

Any insider tips for Dolo Restaurant and Bar?

Anchor the meal with a few seafood plates; dim sum comes out best earlier in service.

What should I order at Dolo Restaurant and Bar?

Soup dumplings, fried shrimp dumplings, sesame spare ribs.

When should I visit Dolo Restaurant and Bar?

Weekend brunch or early dinner before peak waits build.

Who should go to Dolo Restaurant and Bar?

Groups wanting a slightly upscale dim sum-and-seafood night.

Any insider tips for Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown?

Call ahead for larger trays; they move quickly on weekends.

When should I visit Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown?

Early evenings on weekends before prime tray rush.

Who should go to Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown?

Groups wanting lots of sushi without spending heavily.

Any insider tips for Go 4 Food?

Call ahead to reserve the King Crab feast and downstairs party room.

When should I visit Go 4 Food?

Weekend evenings before prime slots fill and crab runs out.

Who should go to Go 4 Food?

Seafood-loving groups planning celebratory, share-everything dinners.

Any insider tips for Friends’ BBQ?

Start with milder skewers first, then layer on the spicier options so the chili rub doesn’t overwhelm everything.

What should I order at Friends’ BBQ?

Cumin lamb skewers, fatty beef skewers, assorted chicken wings and offal pieces.

When should I visit Friends’ BBQ?

Post-dinner or after events for late-night grilling energy.

Who should go to Friends’ BBQ?

Late-night groups wanting smoky skewers and casual drinking.

Any insider tips for Steve's Bite?

Call in or order online before events; seating is limited inside.

When should I visit Steve's Bite?

Before tipoff or right after events to dodge peak lines.

Who should go to Steve's Bite?

Arena-goers needing fast, filling burgers and fries nearby.

Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Chinatown & Bridgeport (60616)

Q: What should I order at 312 Fish Market?

Tuna Flight, chirashi bowl, spicy octopus hand roll.

7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

312 Fish Market

Market-side sushi bar delivering near-omakase-quality flights inside 88 Marketplace.

Notable Picks

#1 312 Fish Market

8.8

$$$ Pilsen / 88 Marketplace

Vibes: Hidden Gems Heaven Quick Bites Champions Solo Dining Sanctuaries Group Dining Gatherings

Tucked on the second floor of 88 Marketplace in East Pilsen, 312 Fish Market is a sushi counter known for tuna flights, pristine nigiri, and a 17-course omakase that punches above its food-court surroundings. Opened in 2020 by Jackson Chiu and chef Joe Fung, it’s become one of the city’s most talked-about spots for higher-end fish without full fine-dining formality.

Must-Try Dishes: Tuna Flight, Chirashi Bowl, Spicy Octopus Hand Roll

What makes it special: Market-side sushi bar delivering near-omakase-quality flights inside 88 Marketplace.

View Full Review →

#2 Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum

8.6

$ Chinatown

Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Hidden Gems Heaven Sweet Treats Escapes

Since 1986, Chiu Quon has been Chinatown’s go-to counter for Hong Kong–style buns, egg tarts, and festival pastries. Locals rely on it for cash-only, grab-and-go boxes of still-warm baked goods at prices that make repeat visits easy.

Must-Try Dishes: BBQ pork buns, Portuguese egg tarts, Walnut red bean paste cake

What makes it special: Long-running Chinatown bakery turning out Hong Kong–style buns and pastries from early morning to late night.

View Full Review →

#3 Dolo Restaurant and Bar

8.6

$$$ Chinatown

Vibes: Trendy Table Hotspots Group Dining Gatherings Late Night Legends Instagram Worthy Wonders

Dolo runs a modern dim sum and seafood dining room where carts, table-side ordering, and banquet-style platters share space with a full bar. Diners use it for more polished dim sum outings, with a reputation for variety, fresh seafood, and later-evening meals compared with most peers.

Must-Try Dishes: Soup dumplings (xiao long bao), Fried shrimp dumplings, Sesame spare ribs

What makes it special: Contemporary dim sum with strong seafood focus and a full bar.

View Full Review →

#4 Lawrence Fish Market Chinatown

8.4

$$ Bridgeport

Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Hidden Gems Heaven Quick Bites Champions Family Friendly Favorites

This Bridgeport offshoot of the long-running Lawrence Fish Market brings value-driven sushi trays and maki to 31st Street with dine-in seating. Guests lean on large party platters and signature rolls to feed groups at prices that undercut most full-service sushi restaurants in the area.

Must-Try Dishes: Magma Roll, Kamikaze Roll, B1 Nigiri Tray

What makes it special: A south-side extension of a longstanding Chicago sushi market focused on affordable rolls and trays.

View Full Review →

#5 Go 4 Food

8.3

$$$ Chinatown

Vibes: Hidden Gems Heaven Group Dining Gatherings Birthday & Celebration Central Comfort Food Classics

Tucked just off Wentworth, Go 4 Food feels cozy upstairs but hides a downstairs party room where King Crab feasts and long tables turn it into a full-blown celebration spot. Creative Chinese seafood dishes and a Michelin Guide nod make it a favored choice when groups want a shared, slightly splurgy meal without white-tablecloth formality.

Must-Try Dishes: Chili Fusion Crab, French Style Pepper Beef, Millionaire Fried Rice

What makes it special: Seafood-heavy Chinese cooking with a signature King Crab feast and a private party level.

View Full Review →

#6 Friends’ BBQ

8.0

$$ Chinatown

Vibes: Late Night Legends Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Friend BBQ is a late-night Chinatown hangout built around charcoal-grilled skewers, cold beer, and casual, linger-as-long-as-you-like energy. Reviews highlight cumin-dusted lamb, offal skewers, and a menu that encourages building a shared, snacky feast instead of one big entrée per person.

Must-Try Dishes: Cumin Lamb Skewers, Fatty Beef Skewers, Grilled Chicken Wings

What makes it special: Skewer-focused Chinese BBQ where you can build a rib-and-offal feast from small, heavily seasoned bites.

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Worthy Picks

#7 Steve's Bite

7.8

$ South Loop / Motor Row

Vibes: Quick Bites Champions Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Comfort Food Classics Solo Dining Sanctuaries

Just east of Indiana Avenue, Steve’s Bite is a compact South Loop grill turning out burgers, rice bowls, and halal chicken plates for Wintrust Arena crowds and neighborhood regulars. Online reviews emphasize hot fries, generous combo portions, and friendly counter service that make it a reliable pre- or post-event stop.

Must-Try Dishes: Cheeseburger with Fries, Chicken Tenders and Fries, Italian Beef with Fries

What makes it special: A small, fast-moving South Loop grill where fries complete every combo.

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