Chicago’s dining scene is undergoing a transformation. A surge of new restaurants are offering innovative and an affordable multi-course tasting menu in Chicago. Among the world’s most celebrated restaurants, local spots are disrupting the traditional notion of upscale and extravagant dining experiences by making them more affordable for all Chicagoans.
1. Bar Esmé
Located within the prestigious Michelin-starred restaurantEsmé, Bar Esmé offers an exclusive 3-course tasting menu. This unique culinary experience is inspired by the current tasting menu at Esmé, allowing guests to indulge in courses that mirror those available next door.
For those seeking an elevated dining experience, the option to enhance their meal with caviar or truffles is available. A 3-course spirit or cocktail pairing can also be added for an extra fee. With only 16 seats and a limited menu availability, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance to secure your spot at this exclusive dining destination.
📍Address: 2200 N Clark St, Suite B, Chicago, IL 60614
💰Cost: $68 per person
🍽️ Reservation:Make a reservation to Bar Esmé
2. Jaleo
Jaleo, by award-winning chef José Andrés, is delighted to present the relaunched Tour de España tasting menu. This four-course tasting menu in Chicago offers classic and creative tapas for an immersive culinary journey. The tapas include Jamón Serrano, Patatas bravas, and Gambas al ajillo.
📍Address: 500 N Clark St #465, Chicago, IL 60654
💰Cost: $59 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Jaleo here
3. Bar Mar
Bar Mar, another beloved restaurant led by esteemed chef José Andrés, celebrates the ocean with a tempting tasting menu in Chicago. For $65 per person, experience the ‘Snack like José’ menu, which offers seven delightful bites, such as Lobster Croquettes, Hamachi Cones, and Patatas Bravas.
Opt for the ‘Pre-Theater’ four-course tasting menu at $75 per person, featuring dishes such as Ventresca and Garbanzo, Salmon Veracruz, and a Flan dessert. Indulge in ‘José’s Favorites’, a four-course tasting menu including Oyster Ceviche, Ora King Salmon Tiradito, Rossejat, and a Sticky Toffee Pudding. With such a diverse range of tasting menus, there’s something to suit every palate at Bar Mar.
📍Address: 120 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
💰Cost: $65-75 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Bar Mar here
4. Galit
Chef Zach Engel pays homage to the Middle East with a farm-driven, Midwestern twist at this Michelin-starred restaurant. He challenges diners to explore and expand their culinary palates by offering a four-course “choose-your-own-adventure” menu meant for sharing.
📍Address: 2429 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
💰Cost: $94 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Galit here
5. Kinzie Chophouse
The Kinzie Chophouse’s exclusive Odyssey Tasting Menu is meticulously curated to showcase the restaurant’s finest steakhouse offerings. From succulent oysters to perfectly seared steaks and an array of exquisite shellfish, each dish is designed to captivate your palate with its bold flavors and artistic presentation. Available exclusively on Friday through Sunday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., this menu is an excellent choice for those seeking an exquisite dining experience with their loved ones that is still affordable in Chicago.
📍Address: 400 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
💰Cost:$120 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Kinzie Chophouse here
6. Sepia
At the Michelin-starred Sepia, Chef Andrew Zimmerman allows diners to choose the dishes they want to combine into their four-course adventure.
Sepia takes pride in celebrating tradition with a modern twist. For $95 per person, guests can enjoy dishes such as fluke crudo, gai yang chicken wings, zampone, grilled short rib, and manjari chocolate torte.
📍Address: 123 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661
💰Cost: $95 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Sepia here
7. Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
Bloom is a Bib Gourmand restaurant by Chef Rodolfo Cuadros. It offers a 100% plant-based and gluten-free tasting menu in Chicago. Bloom serves a three-course dinner for two every Tuesday for just $75. On Tuesdays, Bloom features dishes like Sun-Dried Tomato Sashimi, Toasted Yucca Gnocchi, and Camote Cheesecake. Come and discover why Bloom is Chicago’s favorite plant-based restaurant.
📍Address: 1559 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
💰Cost: $75 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Bloom Plant Based Kitchen here
8. Sifr
Under the helm of Culinary Director Chef Sahil Sethi and Chef Sujan Sarkar, Sifr is a refreshing yet modern dining concept that brings the stories of Middle Eastern cuisine all rooted in Indian influence and flavor. Sifr’s dishes are mostly cooked over a charcoal and wood-fired hearth, offering Mezze and larger plates, which are the best-shared family style, as is common in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Standout menu items include Muhammara with charred red pepper, Aleppo, pomegranate, and walnuts, Maitake Mushroom with charred yellow pepper and zaatar, Black Tiger Prawn served with a toum and harissa emulsion, lemon, dill, and pickled onion, and the Fava Manti with a butternut squash ashta.
📍Address: 660 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654
💰Cost: $68 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Sifr here
9. Proxi
At Proxi, Executive Chef Andrew Zimmerman combines his passion for travel and cooking to bring you a unique blend of cuisines. Inspired by street food from Asia, India, Mexico, and beyond, the menu offers a taste of the world while still feeling at home in Chicago.
Proxi has recently introduced a Pre-Theater Menu exclusively designed for theater-goers, featuring a selection of small plates, entrees, and shared desserts. The ‘Chef’s Menu’, priced at $80 per person, allows guests to choose their own four-course tasting menu in Chicago, with each dish offering a global twist on a classic favorite. This diverse culinary experience is sure to intrigue and delight.
📍Address: 565 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
💰Cost: $59-80 per person
🍽️ Reservation: Make a reservation to Proxi here