Best of

Best restaurants in the West Loop, Chicago

Randolph Restaurant Row and the Fulton Market District anchor most of the West Loop's marquee restaurants — tasting menus on Randolph, big-format kitchens in the Fulton Market warehouses, and neighborhood mainstays across both. The lists below are grouped by format. Every pick links through to its full business page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best restaurant in the West Loop, Chicago?

There is no single answer — the neighborhood has multiple Michelin-starred kitchens (Smyth, Sepia) plus dozens of well-regarded restaurants across cuisines. For a special-occasion tasting menu, Smyth holds three Michelin stars — Chicago’s only three-star restaurant in the current guide. For the walk-in burger Bon Appétit called “just about perfect,” Au Cheval is the go-to. For an Italian-focused group dinner, Bar Tutto, Alla Vita, or Bar Siena. Most of the "best" labels come down to what kind of meal you want.

What is the difference between Randolph Restaurant Row and Fulton Market for dining?

Randolph Restaurant Row (West Randolph from roughly Halsted to Ogden) is the older of the two dining strips, with longstanding restaurants like Girl & The Goat, Avec, and Au Cheval. The Fulton Market District (centered on Fulton Market Street north of Randolph) grew up after the city designated it a landmark district in 2015; its restaurants tend to be in converted meat-packing warehouses and lean toward newer ownership.

Which West Loop restaurants take walk-ins?

Au Cheval is famously walk-ins only. Small Cheval, Federales, Bonci's Roman-style pizza counter, and most of the Fulton Market hotel restaurants seat walk-ins as space allows. For tasting-menu restaurants and most marquee dinners, reserve as far out as possible.

Where do locals eat in the West Loop?

For everyday meals rather than special occasions, look to the casual end of the spectrum — Au Cheval, Bar Tutto, Avec at the bar, Bisous for brunch — plus the French Market vendors for quick lunches.

Are West Loop restaurants kid-friendly?

Many are. Bar Siena, Alla Vita, Beatrix, Federales, and most Fulton Market food halls accommodate families during daytime hours. Marquee dinner restaurants vary — check directly with the restaurant or look at our individual business pages for the venue type.

How far in advance should I reserve a West Loop restaurant?

For Smyth, Sepia, Girl & The Goat, and Aba, plan two to four weeks ahead for prime weekend times; less for weekday early seatings. Mid-tier and casual restaurants typically have one-week availability.

Most recent pick verified 5 days ago. Some picks may be older — the date reflects whichever pick on this page was checked most recently.