Best Trendy American Restaurants in Chicago
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 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
EL Ideas
9.1
A reservation-only tasting-menu room that leans playful and experimental, with a Michelin-star pedigree and a tightly paced, chef-driven flow. The experience is built around surprise and technique, with enough warmth and humor to keep it from feeling precious. Best for diners who want a full evening rather than an à la carte meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
EL Boxcar (bone-in beef rib with signature BBQ sauce), Half Chicken (smoked, BBQ-basted), Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
What Makes it Special: A Michelin-starred, reservation-only tasting experience built around playful, experimental cooking.
#3
Oriole
9.1
A tasting-menu New American room that’s built around precision technique, luxe ingredients, and calm, tightly paced service. The meal lands best when you lean into the chef’s signature richness—foie gras, wagyu, caviar—then let the kitchen’s sequencing do the storytelling.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Japanese A5 Wagyu, Alaskan King Crab
What Makes it Special: A chef-driven tasting menu focused on precision and luxury ingredients.
#4
Ever
9
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.
#5
Giant
9
A compact Logan Square dining room where a Michelin-starred kitchen turns out intensely seasoned New American small plates and handmade pastas from an open line. It’s a destination for diners who want serious cooking, tight pacing, and a lively, unpretentious room instead of white-tablecloth formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Trout Roe Tempura with Sour Cream, Shrimp & Pork Fried Rice with Maple and Salted Black Bean, Slow Cooked Lamb Ribs with Anchovy Aioli
What Makes it Special: An intimate, Michelin-starred New American kitchen known for bold, deeply flavored plates.
Notable Picks
8.9
A Michelin-starred Lincoln Square tasting-menu room that cooks in a modern American lane with tight technique and a calm, course-by-course rhythm. It’s best when you commit to the full experience—letting the kitchen’s seasonal through-line and pairings do the work rather than hunting for a single “best” plate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal tasting menu, Bacon-blue cheese canelés, Buttermilk and Brassica
What Makes it Special: A Michelin-starred American tasting menu in an intimate Lincoln Square room.
#7
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
Class Act
8.9
This Bucktown tasting-menu restaurant seats guests at a single communal table for a three-hour progression that moves through multiple rooms and ends in the attached speakeasy, Nightcap. Chef Nicolai Mlodinow’s menu changes by theme—currently an “Evolution” journey through food history—pairing avant-garde technique with a dinner-party atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bouquet (zucchini flower with parmesan mousse and honey), Blackened Seafood Course from the chef’s childhood-inspired menu, Dim Sum–Inspired Bite from the “Growing Up” or “Evolution” progression
What Makes it Special: A scripted, theme-driven tasting menu that feels like an interactive dinner party with a speakeasy finale.
8.9
Andersonville’s late-night benchmark for a bar-built burger: charred edges, stacked toppings that stay coherent, and fries that hold up even when the room is packed. The move is a focused order—one flagship burger and one side—then let the bar handle the rest of the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wolf Burger, Bad Burger, Mac N Cheese Unroll
What Makes it Special: A high-volume late-night burger bar that still lands crisp, balanced burgers.
#10
Schwa
8.9
Schwa is a tiny, chef-driven tasting room where Michael Carlson’s boundary-pushing, Michelin-starred menu plays out in a loud, dim Wicker Park space. Couples book it for blowout dinners that feel more like an underground dinner party than formal fine dining, with intricate plates, bold flavors, and a bring-your-own-bottle policy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Quail egg ravioli with brown butter and sage, Seasonal multi-course tasting menu, Chestnut soup and other rotating signatures
What Makes it Special: BYOB tasting menu where Michelin-level cooking meets punk rock energy.
#11
Boka
8.8
Opened in 2003, Boka is a Michelin-starred, candlelit dining room where Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal American cooking and a polished service team anchor one of Lincoln Park’s most reliable date-night experiences. Couples come for the combination of refined plates, deep wine list, and a room that feels celebratory without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck, Dry Aged Beef Tartare, Duck Leg Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred neighborhood stalwart pairing seasonal tasting-style plates with warm polish.
#12
Gilt Bar
8.8
Gilt Bar is a dimly lit River North staple for rich New American plates, classic cocktails, and a buzzy, date-friendly room. Locals use it for steak, pasta, and bone marrow nights that feel celebratory without slipping into formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow, Truffle pasta, Butterscotch bread pudding
What Makes it Special: A moody, candlelit tavern where cocktails and comfort-minded New American plates share equal billing.
8.8
John's Food and Wine is a Michelin-recognized neighborhood bistro where beef fat fries with leek aioli are treated like a signature course rather than a side. Since opening in 2023, it’s become a Lincoln Park destination for seasonal plates, natural wine, and impeccably crisp, deeply savory fries that regulars plan meals around.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Fat Fries with Leek Aioli, Dry-Aged Steak with Potato Pave, Lobster Salad with Leek Aioli
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized beef fat fries with leek aioli give this wine bar–bistro one of the city’s most talked-about fry plates.
#14
Lula Cafe
8.8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Lula Cafe is Logan Square’s original market-driven cafe, long praised for seasonal plates, thoughtful brunch, and a menu with plenty of gluten-free-friendly options clearly marked. It’s a go-to for celiac-aware diners who still want creative cooking, strong coffee, and an always-busy neighborhood room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pasta Yiayia, Lula Breakfast Burrito, Baked French Feta
What Makes it Special: Pioneer Logan Square cafe with a deep track record of seasonal, often gluten-free-friendly cooking and an all-day neighborhood draw.
#15
The Dearborn
8.8
A Loop tavern built for downtown pacing, with burgers that stay structured and hot even during peak volume. The move is the house burger or the Burger Wellington—rich, composed, and designed to eat cleanly with a drink after work.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Dearborn Burger, Burger Wellington, Parmesan Truffle Fries
What Makes it Special: High-volume Loop execution where the burger still lands composed and juicy.
#16
The Gage
8.8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
A Michigan Avenue gastropub where brunch holds up under constant downtown volume—tight timing, well-managed heat, and a menu that’s built for both savory and brunch-cocktail lanes. The move is to anchor with one fried-leaning share and one composed main so the table doesn’t sprawl and quality stays crisp.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whiskey-braised pork poutine, Fish & chips, Scotch egg
What Makes it Special: High-volume pub brunch that still lands crisp textures and clean pacing.
8.8
A high-volume downtown brunch engine that stays consistent because it commits to big-batch execution: pancakes, omelets, and griddled classics that arrive fast and familiar. The smartest play is to order in one lane—either signature pancakes or eggs—then add one pastry or fruit side, not a full spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Berry Bliss Pancakes, Omelet (choose one lane), French toast (seasonal)
What Makes it Special: Massive brunch volume with reliably executed signature pancakes.
#18
Amaru
8.7
Amaru is Chef Rodolfo Cuadros’s candlelit Pan-Latin spot where shareable plates, grills, and cocktails draw date-night crowds to North Avenue. The room leans warm and stylish rather than formal, with a soundtrack and pace that make it easy to linger over multiple rounds and split plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Piononos (bacon-wrapped plantains with chorizo stuffing), Grilled octopus with poblano-style heat, Yuca frita with mojo verde
What Makes it Special: Pan-Latin share plates and cocktails in a cozy, low-lit room.
#19
Community Tavern
8.7
A modern Portage Park dining room where Asian-influenced plates and a serious bar program make steak nights feel current, not old-school. The menu gives you steak-forward options that still eat like shareable date food, so you can mix one beef centerpiece with smaller plates without turning it into a heavy meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hanger Steak Bulgogi, Bibimbap (add Skirt Steak), Short Rib Dumplings
What Makes it Special: Steak-ready mains inside a modern, cocktail-forward neighborhood room.
#20
Girl & The Goat
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.
Vibes:
Girls Night Out Approved
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
The Hampton Social - Streeterville is a coastal-inspired New American spot where frosé, seafood plates, and shareable snacks anchor lively brunches and dinners just off the Mag Mile. Guests use it for pre-show meetups, group celebrations, and upbeat nights built around cocktails and comfort food. The bright, beachy room and consistent crowds make it one of Streeterville’s most dependable social restaurants for American fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Roll, Truffle Fries, Fish & Chips
What Makes it Special: Coastal-inspired American plates and cocktails in a bright, party-ready room.
8.7
The Whale is a New American restaurant and cocktail bar where chilled lobster tacos, crab cakes, and a deep drink list anchor one of Logan Square’s most polished happy hour rooms. Locals use it for everything from pre-dinner drinks to full nights out on the dog-friendly patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilled Lobster Tacos, Sicilian Crab Cakes, Moroccan Turkey Burger
What Makes it Special: New American happy hour hub where lobster tacos and cocktails share a dog-friendly patio.
#23
Ada Street
8.6
A candlelit, townhouse-style dining room hidden off a warehouse-lined stretch, built for small plates, cocktails, and a slow, date-night pace. The cooking lands best in savory shareables—focaccia-driven starters, pastas, and bar-friendly bites—where the kitchen’s seasoning and texture control show up most consistently.
Must-Try Dishes:
Amalfi Coast anchovy focaccia, Tagliatelle bolognese, Chicken wings
What Makes it Special: A hidden, cocktail-forward townhouse room where small plates feel deliberately composed.
#24
Beatrix - Loop
8.6
Beatrix Loop is Lettuce Entertain You’s all-day Loop café where seasonal New American comfort meets lighter, vegetable-forward plates and a serious coffee program. Office regulars lean on it for reliable breakfast, power lunches, and pre-theater dinners that feel polished without being formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Enlightened Caesar, Straight 'A' Salad, Hot Honey Fried Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: A polished all-day café where health-conscious plates and comfort favorites share the menu.
8.6
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
A Bronzeville dining room built around a serious wine program and a bar-first energy that works especially well for after-work pours and shared plates. The menu leans modern American with crowd-pleasing small plates that pair cleanly with flights, making it easy to keep a happy-hour visit focused and paced.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brussels sprouts, Mussels, Wine flight
What Makes it Special: Wine-forward happy hour energy paired with polished share-plate cooking.
#26
Eden
8.6
Eden is a produce-driven Avondale restaurant where a seasonal New American menu leans on house-grown herbs, bright vegetables, and Mediterranean touches. The spacious dining room and patio make it a neighborhood destination for occasions that want polished cooking without feeling formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Feta with Wood-Fired Pita, Charred Carrots with Labneh, Seasonal Housemade Pasta
What Makes it Special: Seasonal, vegetable-forward New American cooking anchored by an on-site garden.
#27
Feld
8.6
Feld is a one-Michelin-star, farm-driven tasting menu in Ukrainian Village where 20-plus courses move quickly around a small, theater-in-the-round dining room. The kitchen leans into hyper-seasonal produce and precise, often delicate compositions that highlight relationships with local farmers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turnip in Benton ham dashi, Cherry-seared scallops with sherry butter, Mussel bagna cauda
What Makes it Special: High-contact tasting menu where nearly every seat doubles as a chef’s counter.
#28
The Duck Inn
8.6
A Bridgeport neighborhood tavern with a serious duck-driven identity—rotisserie, crispy wings, and duck-fat comforts—anchored by a bar program that keeps the room lively. It reads as gastropub-first, but the cooking has real finesse when you order the signatures. Strong for date nights or small groups who want a relaxed dining room without giving up craft.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature whole rotisserie duck, Duck Inn Dog, Duck fat fries
What Makes it Special: A duck-first American tavern built around a signature rotisserie duck service.
#29
Brasero
8.5
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Brasero is chef John Manion’s wood-fired Latin restaurant in West Town, built for celebratory dinners around grilled meats, seafood, and vibrant small plates. With a moody room, strong South American wine list, and press-recognized menu, it works equally well for birthdays, anniversaries, and group feasts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pão de Queijo, Wagyu Picanha Steak, Brazilian Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Wood-fired Latin cooking with a serious wine program and event-ready energy.
#30
Longman & Eagle
8.5
A Logan Square gastropub with a six-room inn upstairs, Longman & Eagle helped usher in Chicago’s farm-to-table bar food era with meat-forward plates and serious whiskey. Brunch, late-night bites, and a Bib Gourmand history keep it relevant well over a decade after opening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wild Boar Sloppy Joe, Fried Chicken and Waffles, Tongue Hash with Truffle Potatoes
What Makes it Special: A whiskey-focused inn and gastropub pairing serious cocktails with rich, creative bar fare.
8.5
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Porter Kitchen & Deck pairs New American classics and a deep whiskey list with some of the Loop’s best river views from both dining room and deck. It’s a go-to for client lunches, post-work cocktails, and group dinners that feel like an occasion without leaving the office corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Filet Sliders, Lobster Roll, Fried Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Riverfront New American cooking with a whiskey-forward bar and a true deck overlooking the skyline.
8.5
The Franklin Room is a whiskey-focused American tavern with low lighting, leather booths, and a menu of hearty tavern fare. Since opening in 2015, it’s become a go-to in River North for groups and dates who want serious cocktails alongside steak and seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime rib dinner, Fish and chips, Whiskey-glazed short rib
What Makes it Special: A whiskey-rich, wood-paneled tavern that balances strong cocktails with polished, classic American plates.
#33
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.
#34
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.
#35
The Warbler
8.5
A Lincoln Square neighborhood favorite that lands in a contemporary American lane with comfort-forward starters and pastas that reward ordering like a regular. The kitchen’s strengths show best when you build a meal around one craveable appetizer and one pasta centerpiece instead of scattering across the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mushroom soup, Korean-style chicken wings, Whipped ricotta
What Makes it Special: A modern neighborhood bistro with standout soups, wings, and pastas.
#36
Beatrix
8.4
Opened in 2013 by Lettuce Entertain You, Beatrix is an all-day New American café that leans into brunch plates, salads, and a strong bakery and coffee counter. High-volume, steady reviews keep it a default for River North breakfast meetings, solo lunches, and casual dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy chicken tinga, Smashed avocado toast with poached eggs, Chicken Bebe
What Makes it Special: A busy, reliable all-day spot where New American comfort plates meet lighter, health-leaning options.
#37
Ceres Cafe
8.4
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Business Lunch Power Players
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Trendy Table Hotspots
A classic Loop stop inside the Board of Trade that works best as a fast, confident lunch or a strong-drinks happy-hour reset. Keep it tight—one well-executed sandwich or fish plate, one cocktail—and it delivers the reliable downtown energy people come here for.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish sandwich, Turkey club, Cocktails
What Makes it Special: An art-deco Loop bar-and-lunch institution built for quick wins and strong pours.
8.4
A Nashville hot chicken stop where the side dish quietly steals the show: beef-fat fries with a deep, savory crunch that pairs perfectly with heat-leveled sandwiches. It’s a fast order, but the fry execution is serious—best when you eat them immediately while the crisp is loud.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Fat Fries, Seasoned Fries, Loaded Beef Fat Fries
What Makes it Special: Beef-fat frying gives the fries a richer crunch and finish.
#39
the Albert
8.4
Located inside Hotel EMC2, the Albert is a design-forward restaurant where globally inflected New American plates, a strong cocktail list, and an open kitchen bring a more ambitious option to Streeterville hotel dining. Menus lean into seasonal vegetables, precise seafood dishes, and richly sauced mains rather than oversized portions. It’s used for dates, low-key celebrations, and pre-theater dinners that still feel creative.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charred Octopus, Tempura Maitake Mushrooms, Olive Oil Cake
What Makes it Special: An art-and-science themed dining room serving inventive, seasonal American plates.
#40
The Dawson
8.4
The Dawson is a sprawling River West meeting point with a big all-season patio, a wood-fire-leaning American menu, and an ambitious cocktail program. Brunch, burgers, and shareable plates make it a favorite for groups who want a scene without sacrificing food quality.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Dawson Burger, Chorizo hash, Wood-grilled chicken
What Makes it Special: A big, design-forward indoor–outdoor space where wood-fired American cooking meets serious cocktails.
#41
Trivoli Tavern
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.
#42
Tweet
8.4
A high-energy Uptown brunch institution built around big-plate comfort and a steady, neighborhood-regular rhythm. The wins are the savory staples—hashes and benedicts—where the kitchen’s volume shows up as repeatable execution rather than precious plating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Corned beef hash, Eggs Benedict, Coffee cake starter
What Makes it Special: Brunch-first cooking with the kind of volume that builds real regulars.
#43
Alpana
8.3
A Gold Coast wine-driven bistro from master sommelier Alpana Singh that pairs a deep list with bistro-leaning comfort and a polished dining room. It lands best when you treat it as a share-and-sip spot: a couple of savory starters, one main, and a bottle recommendation that fits the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Butter chicken meatballs, Filet mignon au poivre, Short rib Benedict (brunch)
What Makes it Special: Wine-first bistro cooking guided by a master sommelier’s pairing mindset.
#44
Azul 18
8.3
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Trendy Table Hotspots
A high-energy mariscos destination where the move is big-table ordering and seafood centerpieces. Expect citrusy, heat-forward Mexican coastal flavors with a nightlife pulse, especially on weekends when the room runs loud and celebratory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seafood tower, Shrimp aguachile, Whole red snapper
What Makes it Special: Seafood-first Mexican menu designed around shareable platters and towers.
#45
Big Jones
8.3
Coastal-Southern cooking with real technique behind the comfort—gumbo, shrimp-and-grits energy, and heritage touches that keep it from feeling like a theme-park menu. It’s best when you anchor with one rich classic and add one bright, snacky side so the meal stays balanced.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp and grits, Gumbo (dark roux style), Mac and cheese
What Makes it Special: Southern classics done with depth, not shortcuts, in a lively room.
#46
Brass Tack
8.3
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Trendy Table Hotspots
Brunch Bliss Spots
Brass Tack, the Waldorf Astoria’s brasserie, leans into seasonal, Midwestern-inflected American cooking and uses Chicago Restaurant Week and holiday prix fixe dinners to showcase multi-course menus built around dishes like porterhouse steak, citrus-brined chicken, and refined desserts. It’s less formal than a traditional tasting temple but offers structured, multi-course experiences in a polished hotel setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Porterhouse Steak for Two, Citrus-Brined Half Chicken, French Onion Tartine
What Makes it Special: An American brasserie inside the Waldorf that uses prix fixe and seasonal menus to deliver tasting-style experiences.
8.3
Drew's on Halsted is a long-running Northalsted bistro where martinis, crab cakes, and pastas meet a patio popular for pre-bar happy hour. It functions as a bridge between dinner and the neighborhood’s nightlife, with reliable service and a menu tuned for shareable plates and cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Cakes, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Duck Confit Risotto
What Makes it Special: Martini-forward Halsted bistro pairing polished comfort plates with a lively patio.
8.3
A classic hotel dining room where fries skew more refined than snacky—think truffle-leaning, steakhouse-adjacent energy that fits cocktails and lingering tables. It’s best when you keep the order focused: one fry plate to share, then one composed main each.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Fries, Burger, Steakhouse-Style Entrée (ask server)
What Makes it Special: Hotel bar polish applied to a fry order that eats like a shared starter.
#49
Maxwells Trading
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.
8.3
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A bigger, more polished Beverly brewpub experience—beer-forward with a food menu built for groups, linger-time, and second rounds. The best use case is a long catch-up: start with shareables, lock into a main, and let the pace stretch without feeling rushed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beer flight, Burger, Wings
What Makes it Special: A modern brewpub hang where you can turn one round into a night.