This year has already flown by. January has come and gone, and it seems February is almost over. However, there were several significant announcements, and there is much to look forward to in the coming eleven months. It appears that each month will bring exciting surprises, from new cocktail spots to elegant steakhouses in the suburbs. Here is our list of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Chicago for 2025.
The Alston
The Alston, one of the most anticipated restaurants in Chicago, is coming to River North this spring. Helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Jenner Tomaska, the upscale steakhouse will combine French-inspired cooking with unique features like open-fire cooking and tableside meat carving. The Alston also boasts a Champagne bar, a curated wine program, and a stunning outdoor terrace, promising an unforgettable dining experience.
đź“Ť Location: River North, Chicago
🗓️ Opening Date: Spring 2025
Cafe Yaya
A new concept by James Beard Foundation award-winning Chef Zach Engel and Partner Andrés Clavero. Cafe Yaya will be located next to their Michelin-starred restaurant Galit, promising to be an all-day dining and event destination. Inspired by the vibrant sidewalk bistros of Tel Aviv and Paris, the cafe will offer a diverse menu featuring morning pastries, dinner options, and, eventually, lunch and brunch. With a focus on community, the space will include a second-floor area for events and gatherings.
đź“Ť Location: 2431 N Lincoln Ave, Lincoln Park, Chicago
🗓️ Opening: Winter 2025
Nic & Junior’s
The culinary scene is set to welcome one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Chicago—Nic & Junior’s. Conceptualized by James Beard-nominated Chef Junior Borges and Nicholas Yanes, the restaurant will offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience. It will feature a casual bar area with an a la carte menu and a 30-seat dining room serving an imaginative six-course prix fixe menu. Guests can expect a blend of global influences, including Italian and Brazilian cuisines, presented with a playful and forward-thinking aesthetic. The beverage program, led by award-winning mixologist Travis Tober, promises to complement the culinary offerings perfectly.
đź“Ť Location: 405 N Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
🗓️ Opening: Spring 2025
Garcia’s
Deadheads in Chicago have reason to celebrate—a new Grateful Dead-inspired concert venue and restaurant is opening in Fulton Market this month.
Garcia’s will honor the legacy of Grateful Dead co-founder Jerry Garcia with live music, food, and a community atmosphere.
The venue will feature a 300-capacity concert space showcasing jazz, world music, jam bands, and bluegrass acts. Chef Ivy Carthen’s menu blends Spanish flavors with American comfort food, and a first-rate beverage program complements the dishes.
đź“Ť Location: 1001 W. Washington Boulevard
🗓️ Opening: Friday, March 21
Ambar
The most anticipated restaurant opening in Chicago, Ambar in River North, is set to open in Spring 2025. Replacing the former Etta space, Ambar will highlight the diverse flavors of Balkan cuisine with its innovative “Dining Without Limits” experience, offering over 30 signature dishes for a fixed price. The menu will feature regional specialties like Serbian slow-cooked dishes, grilled meats, and fresh seafood from Montenegro and Croatia. This marks Ambar’s first location outside of Washington, D.C.
đź“Ť Location: 700 N Clark, River North, Chicago
🗓️ Opening: Spring 2025
Crying Tiger
Led by Chef and Partner Thai Dang, Crying Tiger is set to bring a vibrant Southeast Asian culinary experience to Chicago in 2025. The restaurant will feature a stunning design by the award-winning David Collins Studio, known for its work on Tre Dita at the St. Regis Chicago. Crying Tiger promises to be a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts seeking bold flavors and exceptional ambiance.
đź“Ť Location: 51 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
🗓️ Opening: Summer 2025
Zarella
Zarella, a new pizzeria and tavern, is set to open in the River North neighborhood in early 2025. This restaurant is part of the Boka Restaurant Group and will feature an Italian-inspired culinary program curated by chefs Chris Pandel and Lee Wolen. Zarella’s menu will offer a variety of specialties, fresh salads, entrees, small bites, and both tavern-style and artisan pizzas. Expect unique flavors such as spicy vodka with Calabrian chili and mozzarella, carbonara with pancetta, pecorino, and egg, and Italian sausage topped with giardiniera, oregano, and mozzarella.
đź“Ť Location: 531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
🗓️ Opening: Early 2025
Feverdream
If you appreciate Common Decency, get ready to be excited about its cooler, older sibling, Feverdream, which will be opening in Logan Square this year. Located in the former Thank You space, this restaurant will showcase sophisticated plating, inspired cocktails, and innovative ingredients designed to impress guests and elevate their dining experience.
đź“Ť Location: 3152 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647
🗓️ Opening: Early 2025
Carmine’s
If you’ve visited the Gold Coast recently, you may have noticed that Carmine’s in Chicago has been closed for quite some time. For the past year, it has been one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Chicago. Well, get ready because it’s set to reopen in mid-2025. The new Carmine’s will span over 10,000 square feet of dining space and will feature a large, all-weather outdoor terrace overlooking Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.
đź“Ť Location: 1043 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
🗓️ Opening: Mid-2025
The Greggory
Hearth Hospitality, founded by industry veterans from Gibsons Restaurant Group and Rosewood Steakhouse Group, is set to debut The Greggory in early 2025 at The Arboretum in South Barrington—one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Chicago. This 10,000-square-foot restaurant will feature reimagined American classics infused with Mediterranean flavors. A wood-fired hearth and a house-made pasta program will complement the restaurant. Designed by Dunne Kozlowski, the space will include a show kitchen, wine room, and elegant modern touches, offering a big-city vibe in the suburbs.
đź“Ť Location: The Arboretum, South Barrington
🗓️ Opening: Early 2025
Vicolo
Chef Chris Curren and Megan Curren, the renowned husband-and-wife duo behind St. Charles’ The Graceful Ordinary, are opening their newest restaurant, Vicolo. This European-inspired café and pasticceria will feature Italian cuisine, handmade pasta, and freshly baked pastries.
đź“Ť Location: 7 S Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505
🗓️ Opening: Early 2025