Best Luxury Dining Elite Restaurants in Old Town
4 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Alinea
Two-Michelin-star modernist temple where dinner plays out like theater.
Essential Picks
#1
Alinea
9.1
Alinea is a Michelin-starred modernist dining room where Grant Achatz’s multi-course tasting menu turns dinner into an immersive, theatrical experience. Since 2005 it’s been Chicago’s most famous special-occasion restaurant, drawing couples for intricate courses like hot potato–cold potato and a choreographed, tableside dessert finale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Potato–Cold Potato, Black Truffle, Parmesan, Black Truffle Explosion Ravioli, Tabletop Dessert Finale
What Makes it Special: Two-Michelin-star modernist temple where dinner plays out like theater.
Notable Picks
#2
Boka
8.8
Opened in 2003, Boka is a Michelin-starred, candlelit dining room where Chef Lee Wolen’s seasonal American cooking and a polished service team anchor one of Lincoln Park’s most reliable date-night experiences. Couples come for the combination of refined plates, deep wine list, and a room that feels celebratory without being stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole Roasted Dry Aged Duck, Dry Aged Beef Tartare, Duck Leg Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Michelin-starred neighborhood stalwart pairing seasonal tasting-style plates with warm polish.
#3
SHŌ
8.6
SHŌ is a modern Old Town omakase where chef Mari Katsumura runs a tightly edited 10-course menu that moves from sashimi to playful composed dishes and DIY hand rolls. The counter-only format, music-forward room, and focus on seasonal Japanese technique with global twists make it one of the most ambitious sushi experiences in 60610.
Must-Try Dishes:
Corn cream croquette with jalapeño and yuzu, Sukiyaki-inspired wagyu hand roll, Tonkotsu ramen with Iberico ham
What Makes it Special: Music-driven omakase that blends serious technique with interactive, DIY hand rolls.
#4
Gavroche
8.4
A compact Old Town dining room built around modern French cooking that leans playful without losing technique. It’s best when you order the menu’s bistro-to-chef’s-counter hybrids—salads and seafood that read classic, but land with sharper plating and richer sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lyonnaise salad, Hamachi niçoise, Foie gras duo
What Makes it Special: Modern French cooking in a small Old Town room that feels chef-driven.