14 Chicago Restaurants That Locals Swear Are A Perfect 10/10

Let’s be honest, we’re all chasing that perfect meal.

The one you talk about for weeks, the one that makes a trip unforgettable.

So when a simple question was posted to a Chicago Reddit forum—“What’s the one restaurant in Chicago you’d rate a 10/10?”—the internet delivered.

The thread exploded with passionate, unfiltered recommendations, creating the ultimate foodie bucket list.

This isn’t a list from critics or another tourist guide.

This is the real deal: an inside look at the restaurants Chicagoans actually swear by.

The Unanimous Champions

These restaurants dominated the conversation, earning passionate praise from dozens of diners.

Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf

This River North steakhouse was a clear favorite, but people raved about more than just the steak. The entire experience feels special. One person described the famous tomato and bacon salad as being “marinated in a zesty sunshine and finished with a baby’s laughter.”

The desserts are apparently life-changing. One diner shared an unforgettable story: “Bavette’s made my chocolate hating girlfriend love chocolate. We both just shut up and ate it.”

📍 218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
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The Duck Inn

This Bridgeport spot got a ton of love for its high-end food served in a relaxed, unpretentious setting.

One local summed it up perfectly: “Damned good food, excellent bar and not pretentious.”

Another pointed out a huge perk for anyone driving in the city: a “bonus of free on street parking at dinner time.

📍 2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608
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Virtue

Sometimes, a restaurant’s reputation speaks for itself. One of the most popular comments in the entire thread was a single word: “Virtue.”

Others quickly agreed, celebrating the Hyde Park restaurant for its incredible Southern American cooking and warm, welcoming hospitality that makes every meal feel special.

📍 1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
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The Legend of the Diner Grill

No other restaurant sparked as much passionate storytelling as this 24/7 Lakeview diner.

It’s clear this spot is a Chicago institution, beloved for its role as the perfect end to a great night out.

One person laid out the perfect strategy: “hop around the bars and breweries in Ravenswood/North Center, then go to the Diner Grill.”

Diners agreed the food is fantastic, but its magic is amplified after a few drinks. One local offered a handy rating scale:

• Diner Grill while sober: 8/10
• Diner Grill after some drinks: 11/10

People shared memories of its Oreo milkshakes being so addictive they joked that “there were drugs in it,” and recalled when the old sign was charmingly misspelled as “Dinner Grill.”

One person even credited the diner for their relationship: “Can’t say Diner Grill is responsible for our marriage, can’t say it isn’t.”

📍 1635 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
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Neighborhood Gems Worth the Trip

These are the spots that locals are fiercely loyal to—the kind of places you won’t find in a typical tourist guide.

Kabobi

For incredible Persian food in Albany Park, this was the top recommendation.

People were blown away by the massive serving sizes and incredible taste.

“Huge portions. Amazing flavor,” one comment read. Another confirmed just how generous they are, saying, “One main dish lasts me at least three meals.”

📍 4748 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
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Birrieria Zaragoza

When asked for the one place to send an out-of-towner, this Archer Heights spot was a top contender.

“If I have to send someone to just ONE place in town, it’s there,” a local insisted.

They specialize in one thing—slow-roasted goat birria—and they do it to perfection. The freshly made tortillas also got a special mention.

📍 4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632
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Giant

This Logan Square restaurant is a huge favorite, though diners noted the space is famously small and lively.

While the food was called an immediate 10/10, people gave a funny but practical warning about the tight quarters.

One person joked you might end up with your “literally ass on someones table.”

But everyone agreed the food is so good, it’s worth getting cozy for.

📍 3209 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
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More 10/10s Chicagoans Swear By

The list of perfect restaurants just kept going. Here are a few more that received overwhelming support from locals:

Monteverde: A West Loop spot serving what many call the best Italian food in the city.

Green Street Smoked Meats: This West Loop barbecue joint is a must-visit. One person kept it simple: “I could eat everything at Green Street Smoked Meats.”

Kai Zan: For an unforgettable omakase experience in Humboldt Park.

Armitage Alehouse: A cozy, clubby spot in Lincoln Park with a stellar menu.

Le Bouchon: A classic, intimate French bistro in Bucktown that’s been a local favorite for years.

Crisp: This Lakeview spot is famous for its life-changing Korean fried chicken.

Publican & Avec: Two West Loop mainstays that consistently deliver incredible food and service.

So there you have it.

Not a list from critics, but from the people who eat here every day.

Now it’s your turn-what’s your 10/10 Chicago spot?