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Best Family Friendly Favorites Restaurants in Old Town

7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

Our Top Pick
Cedar Palace
A long-running, family-operated Lebanese kitchen with scratch-made mezze and a beloved patio.

Notable Picks

$$ Old Town Mediterranean
Cedar Palace is a family-run Lebanese and Syrian restaurant where recipes dating back decades anchor a cozy Lincoln Park dining room and patio. It’s the neighborhood’s go-to for homestyle hummus, shish tawook, and mezze plates that feel generous and carefully made.
Must-Try Dishes: Hummus Chicken Shawarma, Shish Tawook Lunch Plate, Baklava
What makes it special: A long-running, family-operated Lebanese kitchen with scratch-made mezze and a beloved patio.
$$ Old Town BBQ
Twin Anchors has been a Chicago rib tavern since 1932, turning out baby back ribs with house barbecue sauces in a wood-paneled Old Town barroom. Locals and visitors come for fall-off-the-bone slabs, chili, and the Sinatra-era atmosphere that still feels like a neighborhood hangout rather than a museum piece.
Must-Try Dishes: Full Slab Baby Back Ribs with Prohibition Sauce, Rib & Chicken Combo, Our Acclaimed Homemade Chili
What makes it special: An 80-plus-year rib tavern where house sauces and history share top billing.
$$ Old Town Sushi, Seafood
Chicago’s original sushi bar, Kamehachi has anchored Old Town since 1967 with a sprawling menu of maki, nigiri, hot appetizers, and combo platters. It’s less about avant-garde omakase and more about reliable rolls, bento-style meals, and a neighborhood crowd that spans families, regulars, and pre-Second City dinners.
Must-Try Dishes: Crouching Tuna Hidden Crab roll, Spicy Tuna Deluxe roll, Kamehachi Combo
What makes it special: Long-running Old Town institution where generations of Chicagoans had their first sushi.
$$ Old Town Mexican
Cilantro Taco Grill’s Old Town outpost brings this Jalisco-inspired fast-casual concept into a high-traffic corner at North and Sedgwick. Fresh-off-the-grill meats, hearty burritos, and surprisingly loaded carne asada fries make it a reliable option for late-night tacos, delivery runs, and casual meetups.
Must-Try Dishes: Carne Asada Tacos, Carne Asada Fries, Al Pastor Burrito
What makes it special: Fast-casual Jalisco-style tacos and burritos with serious late-night reach.
$$ Old Town Sushi
A Thai-and-sushi hybrid that’s quietly strong on maki variety, especially when you treat it like a roll-focused stop rather than an everything-menu order. The best results come from choosing one signature roll and one classic maki, then calling it.
Must-Try Dishes: Dragon maki, Crunchy Spicy Tuna maki, Volcano maki
What makes it special: A wide maki lineup with signature rolls that hit best when ordered focused.
$$ Old Town Indian
The Old Town outpost of Nepal House brings a sit-down menu of Nepali momos, curries, and familiar North Indian staples to Division Street. It works as a reliable option when a proper table, full plates, and a mix of vegetarian and meat dishes are the priority.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken Momo, Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan
What makes it special: Nepali momos share the menu with classic Indian curries in a full-service setting.

Worthy Picks

$$ Old Town American
A classic Old Town neighborhood pub where the draw is straightforward comfort food, TVs, and the steady rhythm of a long-running local hangout. It’s best when you treat it like a burgers-and-pizza utility stop rather than chasing anything elaborate.
Must-Try Dishes: Cheeseburger sliders, Tavern-style pizza, OTP calzone
What makes it special: Neighborhood pub comfort food anchored by burgers and pizza.