✦ City Guide · American

Best American Restaurants in Chicago

The best American restaurants in Chicago — 14 ranked picks across the city, with ratings, dishes and live availability.

14 picks

The 14 best American restaurants in Chicago, ranked. Port Union takes the top spot at 4.8 stars, and Trivoli Tavern is the one the most people have weighed in on — 3,605 reviews. If you only order one thing, make it the pan de ajo at Port Union. They are spread across 7 neighborhoods, so there is probably one near you. Most of this list stays under $40 a head. 3 of the 14 take online reservations, and the live availability badge on each card shows what is actually open tonight.

Chicago has 14 American restaurants on our list, spread across 7 neighborhoods.

Port Union Watch

Port Union

American  ·  Wicker Park  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.8

American in Wicker Park — 4.8 across 1,602 diner reviews

Must-try: Pan De Ajo, Elote Lasagna, Arrachera with Aji Verde

📍 1559 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

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Honey Butter Fried Chicken Watch

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

American  ·  Avondale  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.8

American in Avondale — 4.8 across 1,311 diner reviews

Must-try: Fried Chicken Sandwich, Honey Butter Biscuits

📍 3361 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

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Beaumont's Watch

Beaumont's

American  ·  Lincoln Park  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.7

American in Lincoln Park — 4.7 across 2,775 diner reviews

Must-try: Burgers, Coal-Roasted Trout, Caesar Salad

📍 2020 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

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Listening Room At The Exchange

Listening Room At The Exchange

American  ·  The Loop  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.7

American in The Loop — 4.7 across 1,000 diner reviews

Must-try: Crispy Chicken Thighs, Mac and Cheese with Raclette, Roasted Carrots

📍 224 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604

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The Ivy Bar & Grill

The Ivy Bar & Grill

American  ·  Lakeview  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.7

American in Lakeview — 4.7 across 359 diner reviews

Must-try: Butter Chicken Wings, Steak Sandwich, Detroit-Style Pizza

📍 1625 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

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Oriole Watch

Oriole

American  ·  Fulton Market  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.6

American in Fulton Market — 4.6 across 2,396 diner reviews

Must-try: Truffle Pasta, Foie Gras Course

📍 661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661

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Buttermilk Watch

Buttermilk

American  ·  Wicker Park  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.5

American in Wicker Park — 4.5 across 199 diner reviews

Must-try: Fried Chicken Tenders, Caesar Wrap, Loaded Fries

📍 1725 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

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Cindy's Watch

Cindy's

American  ·  The Loop  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.4

American in The Loop — 4.4 across 1,466 diner reviews

Must-try: Rooftop Views, Brunch

📍 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

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Bitter Pops Watch

Bitter Pops

American  ·  Lakeview  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.4

American in Lakeview — 4.4 across 239 diner reviews

Must-try: Smashburgers, Spice Bag

📍 3357 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

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The Gage Watch

The Gage

American  ·  The Loop  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.3

American in The Loop — 4.3 across 1,885 diner reviews

Must-try: Bison Tartare, Poutine, Fish and Chips

📍 24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

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The Publican

The Publican

American  ·  West Loop  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.2

American in West Loop — 4.2 across 918 diner reviews

Must-try: Pork Rinds, Oysters, Farm Chicken

📍 837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

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The Ives Watch

The Ives

American  ·  The Loop  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.1

American in The Loop — 4.1 across 1,120 diner reviews

Must-try: Wagyu Prime Rib, Burger with Onion Jam, Relish Cart

📍 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

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Trivoli Tavern Watch

Trivoli Tavern

American  ·  West Loop  ·  $$

★★★½☆ 3.9

American in West Loop — 3.9 across 3,605 diner reviews

Must-try: Fish and Chips, Handmade Pastas, Burger

📍 114 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607

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Armitage Alehouse Watch

Armitage Alehouse

American  ·  Lincoln Park  ·  $$

★★★½☆ 3.9

American in Lincoln Park — 3.9 across 1,124 diner reviews

Must-try: Pot Pies, Wagyu Cheeseburger

📍 1000 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best American restaurant in Chicago?

Port Union — 4.8 stars across 1,602 reviews, the highest on this list. American in Wicker Park — 4.8 across 1,602 diner reviews.

Do these restaurants take reservations?

3 of the 14 book online — Port Union, Trivoli Tavern and Armitage Alehouse. The rest are walk-in or phone-only. Each card here shows live availability for tonight where the restaurant publishes it.

Which neighborhood has the most American restaurants in Chicago?

The Loop, with 4 on this list, followed by Wicker Park with 2. In total these 14 picks span 7 neighborhoods.

How were these picked?

Ratings and review volume decide the order, but the list itself is drawn from restaurants people actually post about — 11 of the 14 here have a TikTok attached to their card. Every entry is checked as open before it ships.

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📍 American The Loop