While Chicago summers are typically reserved for festivals and anywhere with access to the great outdoors, there’s a slate of new restaurant openings on the horizon that are equally worthy of attention. Bonus: Some even have patios of their own.
As with
some recent additions to Chicago’s hospitality scene, these newcomers don’t limit themselves to just one area of the city. They’re located throughout Chicago, whether prompted by rising rents pushing contenders out of popular areas or chefs wanting to explore their own backyards. From a chic restaurant on one of Chicago’s ritziest streets and a chicken spot with French roots to the expansion of a bakery where fans continue to line up, this summer’s restaurant scene is heating up.
Arla
Hospitality Included, the group behind glam spots Adalina Prime and Adalina, is combining Mediterranean flavors with Japanese techniques and ingredients for its third restaurant, due this summer. Located above Cartier, Arla spans 8,500 square feet and will feature skyline views from its second-floor corner perch. Expect prime people watching from its outdoor terraces. Chef Soo Ahn’s menu will range from seafood to vegetarian plates to hearth-fired proteins, alongside sushi and raw bar items. Like its older siblings, expect an equally sophisticated interior design with marble and gold finishes.
Address: 15 E. Oak Street
Key Players: Hospitality Included (Soo Ahn, Phil Siudak, Matt Deichl, Miles Muslin, and Jonathan Gillespie)
ETA: Early summer
Chez Poulet
Brothers Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey own restaurants that spotlight French cuisine (Le Bouchon, Obélix), tacos (Taqueria Chingón), and Mexican seafood (Mariscos San Pedro). This summer they’ll add French-style rotisserie chickens to their repertoire with the opening of Chez Poulet. The counter-service spot, located in Taqueria Chingón’s original space, will feature slow-roasted whole and half chickens, along with sides like celery root remoulade, Oliver Poilevey’s signature collard greens, and potatoes cooked underneath the birds. The restaurant will source bread from Mindy’s Bakery, and a small wine shop headed up by Nicolas Poilevey will offer poulet-friendly bottles. A small seasonal patio is also on deck.
Address: 2234 N. Western Avenue
Key Players: Oliver Poilevey, Nicolas Poilevey, and Keagan Beresford
ETA: Mid-June
Del Sur
Owner Justin Tiu Lerias has had his eye on a space next door to Ravenswood’s smash hit Del Sur since opening in 2025. Tiu Lerias imagined a larger footprint where he could expand production and fulfill his vision of becoming a community-focused bakery and cafe. Those plans are now being put into action. The Eater award-winning Filipino American patisserie will temporarily close starting on Sunday, June 14, to accommodate the construction. The plan calls for a living room-esque seating area and an expanded coffee menu featuring pour-overs using locally roasted beans; Tiu Lerias will serve the drinks in his own handmade ceramic mugs. A separate lamination room will mean more pastries. New menu items could include granola-fruit parfaits and seasonal salads. Tiu Lerias may also add an additional day to the weekly opening schedule.
Address: 4639 N. Damen Avenue
Key Players: Justin Tiu Lerias
ETA: Late-July
Otto’s
Fans of Sportsman’s Club and Lone Wolf will have another spot to add to their laidback hangout list when Otto’s opens this summer. It’s the first project under Taverner, a new hospitality group from Heisler Hospitality’s Matt Eisler, Sportsman’s Club’s DJ Dodd, and Lone Wolf’s Greg Fleming. Otto’s will include an expansive patio, retractable roof, large island bar, and a separate coffee counter. Beverages include cocktails, wine, and coffee, while the concise food menu will be designed to cater to those there in the morning and through the night.
Address: 820 N. Damen Avenue
Key Players: Taverner (DJ Dodd, Greg Fleming, and Matt Eisler)
ETA: Late July
Tarra & Sura
This two-level concept aims to find the middle ground between Thailand’s traditional food roots and its more recent nightlife scene. At Tarra on the ground floor, chef Namo Chowcharoen’s menu will reflect his time growing up in a small town in eastern Thailand with street food, regional dishes, and food found at local markets. On the lower level is Sura, an intimate late-night cocktail lounge featuring drinks with Thai herbs, fruit, and spices often found in the food being served above it.
Address: 121 W. Hubbard Street
Key players: Namo Chowcharoen, Robert Shamblin III
ETA: July
The Carlyle Club
The team behind Dēliz Italian Steakhouse has something in the works at the riverfront Reid Murdoch Building. The Carlyle Club, a refined all-day restaurant and social destination, will draw inspiration from the neighboring Chicago River, historic gathering halls, and the city’s iconic architecture by embracing the character of the 1914 building it calls home. The Carlyle Club will highlight original architectural details, including existing Chicago brick and concrete columns. The food will focus on classic American cuisine reimagined with global influences, and will include steaks, sushi, and a thoughtful cocktail program. An expansive patio will provide up-close waterfront views.
Address: 316 N. Clark Street
Key players: Steve Gogolab, Jakob Peterson, Jordan Mendez, and Omar Douglas
ETA: Late-summer
Esquire
Oak Street continues to live up to its hype as Chicago’s fanciest street beyond the designer boutiques it already features (see Arla above) with the opening of this multi-level luxury culinary destination. Taking its name from the historic theater where it’s located, Japanese-influenced steakhouse Esquire will feature a wagyu program, along with sushi, caviar, and seafood. A fish-aging program is also part of the plan. The multi-storied 5,000-bottle wine tower remains from its previous tenant, Esquire by Cooper’s Hawk. Rare and reserve whiskies will be offered along with an extensive sake list. Design of the 265-seat restaurant will embrace Hollywood’s Golden Age with elegant custom lighting and sculptural elements. A retractable glass window will overlook Oak Street. Adding to the luxe vibe is ŌakSho, a private club with a 12-seat omakase.
Address: 58 E. Oak Street
Key players: M Street Collective
ETA: Late-summer
Sanders BBQ Prime
Located beneath now-closed bi-level music venue the Promontory, Sanders BBQ Prime will build on the legacy of the original Beverly barbecue restaurant, Sanders BBQ Supply Co., one of the New York Times’ 50 best restaurants in the U.S. in 2025. The Hyde Park barbecue joint-meets-steakhouse will feature dishes such as beef tallow smoked popcorn, steaks, and other exciting bites. Owner and chef James Sanders, also founder of Fuze Catering, describes the new spot as his “signature restaurant,” and will offer sit-down service.
Address: 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue W
Key Player: James Sanders
ETA: July
Black Briar
Chef Jimmy Papadopoulos first gained attention while at Bohemian House and later Boka Restaurant Group’s Bellemore. Now he’s returning to Chicago’s culinary scene with the opening of Black Briar in Fulton Market alongside Bellemore’s former general manager Tim Anderson. This is their first solo project together. The former Bar Takito will be transformed into an American tavern. Expect everything from truffled cavatelli to fat-washed martinis.
Address: 201 N. Morgan Street
Key players: Jimmy Papadopoulos and Tim Anderson
ETA: August
Gilda
The cuisine of Spain’s Basque region will take center stage at this laidback West Town restaurant from a trio of chefs. Its name references the iconic Basque snack of a pickled guindilla pepper, anchovy, and Manzanilla olive threaded on a long toothpick. This taberna and bar will serve a variety of pinxtos, ranging from grilled tuna belly with pimenton yuzu vinaigrette and smelt fries to Japanese egg salad bikini (a Spanish pressed sandwich). The influence of northern Spain will be front and center at Gilda in dishes like Dehesa Iberico pork secreto and Basque cheesecake for dessert. Gilda’s Midwest location gets a nod, too, in the Malört grilled cheese, which combines Wisconsin cheddar with Spain’s idiazabal along with jamón butter. A communal table will add to the convivial ambiance.
Address: 1421 W. Chicago Avenue
Key players: Jeremy Leven, Rafael Esparza, and Anthony Baier
ETA: Summer
Muhājir and Bobo
Perhaps Chicago’s most exciting restaurant collaborator is bringing even more to the city’s dining scene in 2026. Chef Zubair Mohajir — whose work includes border-breaking projects such as award-winning restaurant Mirra, Coach House, Truce, pastry spot Sarima Café, and recently opened Mariela — has turned his attention to Muhājir and its sister bar Bobo. The restaurant is inspired by spice routes and migrant cuisines rooted in live-fire cooking and bold global ingredients. Hidden behind Muhājir, the team is continuing a trend seen across the city by opening a companion speakeasy, Bobo. The bar takes inspiration from Filipino street markets and the electric chaos of red-light districts. It will offer a sharp contrast in tone to Muhājir: darker, louder, and intentionally irreverent. Neon, textures, and shadows will work together to create an immersive nightlife atmosphere.
Address: 2630 N. Clark Street
Key players: Zubair Mohajir, David Mor, Jacob Dela Cruz, and Rich Beltzer
ETA: Late-June (Muhājir), July (Bobbo)
