What is the best Gems restaurant in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville?

Volare Ristorante Italiano is our top pick for Gems restaurants in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville, scoring 8.8/10. High-volume, classic Streeterville trattoria serving hearty pastas since 1997.

Any insider tips for Volare Ristorante Italiano?

Bar seats can snag you a table faster than the book on busy nights.

What should I order at Volare Ristorante Italiano?

Gnocchi alla Vodka, Spaghetti Neri al Pesce, veal chop.

When should I visit Volare Ristorante Italiano?

Prime weekend dinners for full dining room buzz and energy.

Who should go to Volare Ristorante Italiano?

Classic-Italian fans craving busy, old-school downtown energy.

Any insider tips for Sayat Nova?

Request a booth away from the entrance for a quieter, more intimate feel than the main walkway tables.

When should I visit Sayat Nova?

Evenings 6–8pm before the room fills with pre-theater crowds.

Who should go to Sayat Nova?

Din ers who like old-school ambience and hearty grilled plates.

Any insider tips for Nora Restaurant?

Ask for a window or banquette table if you want the full room effect—those go first at peak times.

When should I visit Nora Restaurant?

Weeknight dinners 6–8pm for smoother pacing and service.

Who should go to Nora Restaurant?

Couples and small groups wanting polished, modern Mediterranean.

Any insider tips for Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub?

Head straight for the riverfront patio; inside fills fast on game days.

What should I order at Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub?

Shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, chicken bacon salad with kegs.

When should I visit Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub?

Warm evenings from happy hour through late night on the patio.

Who should go to Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub?

Groups wanting casual pub food, pints, and river views late.

Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Magnificent Mile & Streeterville (60611)

Q: What should I order at Sayat Nova?

Mixed grill kebab platter, stuffed grape leaves, trout with rice.

4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: January 2026

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Our Top Pick

Volare Ristorante Italiano

High-volume, classic Streeterville trattoria serving hearty pastas since 1997.

Notable Picks

#1 Volare Ristorante Italiano

8.8

$$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Date Night Magic Trendy Table Hotspots Group Dining Gatherings

Volare is a Streeterville standby for old-world Italian cooking, tightly packed tables, and big plates of pasta served in a room that’s been humming since 1997. Guests come for house classics like gnocchi alla vodka and seafood pastas, plus a deep Italian wine list that keeps the space buzzing night after night.

Must-Try Dishes: Gnocchi alla Vodka, Spaghetti Neri al Pesce, Fettuccine alla Bolognese

What makes it special: High-volume, classic Streeterville trattoria serving hearty pastas since 1997.

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#2 Sayat Nova

8.5

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Date Night Magic Hidden Gems Heaven Comfort Food Classics Family Friendly Favorites

Tucked just off Michigan Avenue, Sayat Nova has served Armenian and broader Middle Eastern dishes in a low-lit dining room since 1970. Locals lean on kebabs, buttery pilaf, and mezze spreads, using it as a quieter alternative to the flashier spots around the Magnificent Mile.

Must-Try Dishes: Mixed Grill Kebab Platter, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Trout with Rice Pilaf

What makes it special: A decades-old Armenian spot offering rustic, shareable kebabs and meze in a cozy, tucked-away room.

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#3 Nora Restaurant

8.4

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Date Night Magic Trendy Table Hotspots Business Lunch Power Players Girls Night Out Approved

Opened in 2024, Nora Restaurant & Bar brings a modern coastal Mediterranean menu with Sardinian influences to a polished Streeterville dining room. Cocktails, seafood, and pastas draw both hotel guests and locals looking for a newer, design-forward spot a short walk off Michigan Avenue.

Must-Try Dishes: Tuna Tartare, Pulpo a la Gallega, Prime Hanger Steak

What makes it special: A newer Streeterville dining room pairing coastal Mediterranean cooking with a cocktail-first bar program.

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Worthy Picks

#4 Lizzie McNeill’s Irish Pub

7.9

$$ Streeterville

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Happy Hour Hotspots Late Night Legends Outdoor Dining Oasis

Along the river at the edge of Streeterville, Lizzie McNeill’s is a long-running Irish pub with a big patio, dog-friendly policy, and a menu of shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and bar snacks. It’s less polished than hotel bars nearby, but regulars rely on it for late-night pints and casual group meetups by the water.

Must-Try Dishes: Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad with Tater Kegs

What makes it special: Riverfront Irish pub with a sprawling patio and neighborhood-regular energy.

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