Chicago has always been a great food city, but right now? It's on fire. I'm not talking about the deep dish debate (which is tired, by the way) or the tourist traps on Michigan Avenue. I'm talking about the wave of new restaurants that opened in the last six months — places that are redefining what Chicago dining can be. I made it my mission to visit 25 new openings between March and June 2026. I gained some weight. I spent too much money. And I found ten spots that are absolutely worth your time and cash.
Before we dive in, a quick note on methodology: I visited each restaurant at least twice. I ordered broadly. I paid my own bill (no freebies). And I prioritized places that opened after January 1, 2026. These aren't just good new restaurants — they're the ones I'm already planning return visits to.
1. Kasama 2.0 (Wicker Park) — Filipino Fine Dining, No Pretense
Genie Kwon and Tim Flores already had a Michelin star at their original Kasama location, but the new space they opened in April in Wicker Park is something else entirely. It's bigger, brighter, and the tasting menu has evolved. The star dish? A chicken inasal that's brined for 48 hours, grilled over coconut charcoal, and served with a fermented green mango sauce. I've had chicken inasal in Cebu, and this is better. The wine pairing is thoughtful and affordable at $65. Dinner for two with a cocktail each runs about $180, which is a steal for this level of cooking.
2. Pompette (River North) — French-ish, Fun, and Actually Affordable
Look, I love fine dining, but sometimes I want to eat well without planning my outfit or my budget for a week. Pompette opened in February and immediately became my go-to for exactly that. It's a French-inspired bistro that doesn't take itself too seriously. The mushroom tartine with gruyère and a 63-degree egg is $16 and perfect. The roast chicken for two ($38) is juicy and comes with jus that I wanted to drink. The wine list is natural-leaning but not obnoxious. Reservations are easy to get on weeknights. Go now before the secret gets out.
3. Sawa (Logan Square) — Japanese-Peruvian That Actually Works
Nikkei cuisine has been trendy for a while, but most places just slap some miso on a ceviche and call it a day. Sawa, which opened in March, actually understands the fusion. Chef Mika Suzuki spent time in Lima and Tokyo, and it shows. The tiradito with yuzu-truffle leche de tigre is genuinely one of the best things I've eaten all year. The Nikkei-style fried rice with chorizo and uni is ridiculous. Cocktails are $14 and creative — the Pisco Sour with shiso is a must. It's in a small space on Milwaukee, so reservations are essential.
4. Porta (West Loop) — Pizza That Challenges the Old Guard
I know, I know — another pizza place in Chicago. But hear me out. Porta opened in January and is making a case for being the best pizza in the city not named Pequod's or Spacca Napoli. They're doing a Detroit-style pie with a focaccia-like crust that's crispy on the edges and pillowy in the middle. The "Detroit Classic" with pepperoni, cup-and-char, and hot honey is $22 and feeds two. The space is casual as hell — just a counter and some stools. No website, just an Instagram. That's my kind of place.
5. Khao Niao (Andersonville) — Laotian Street Food, Elevated
Andersonville has quietly become one of Chicago's best neighborhoods for eating, and Khao Niao is the latest reason. It opened in May and focuses on Lao cuisine, which is still underrepresented in Chicago. The larb gai is punchy with fish sauce and toasted rice powder. The tam mak hoong (papaya salad) is properly spicy — I cried a little. And the sticky rice is perfect. It's casual, affordable (most dishes under $15), and BYOB. This is the kind of place I want to eat at twice a week.