Chicago’s ever-evolving dining landscape is poised for another standout year. In 2026, the city will welcome a wave of long-awaited restaurant openings that span neighborhood dive bars, globally inspired fine dining, seafood-forward concepts, and revitalized local institutions. From Fulton Market to Logan Square and beyond, these upcoming debuts promise to bring bold flavors, inventive techniques, and fresh energy to Chicago’s culinary scene.
Opening in late February or early March, Gingie will serve indulgent creations like a chocolate tart layered with salted caramel, brown butter, and Chantilly cream.
The Alley Cat marks the debut project from the newly established Tung & Cheek Hospitality Group, founded by Derrick Tung, William Ravert, and Tony Dezutter. Opening in Wicker Park in January 2026, the concept is designed as a thoughtfully curated dive bar—comfortable and familiar, yet elevated with intention.
The beverage program will center on classic cocktails alongside a concise selection of wines, spirit-free options, and THC-ready-to-drink beverages. Complementing the drinks is a tight menu of six to eight dishes, including crispy taters served with black walnut aioli and chives, as well as a playful “Girl Dinner” plate featuring house-pickled vegetables, sliced bread with whole mustard, and a dirty martini.
2013 W. Division St.
Award-winning bartender Katie Renshaw is preparing to unveil her first solo venture, Bar Bambi, slated to open in West Town in early 2026. The contemporary cocktail bar will fuse inventive mixology with a dreamy, whimsical aesthetic, creating a space that feels both refined and transportive.
Drawing from her experience at renowned cocktail destinations such as The Aviary and Moneygun, Renshaw will reinterpret classic drinks through modern techniques. Expect inventive offerings like a martini reimagined as a lengthened highball and an old fashioned transformed into a clarified whiskey sour. Fermentation, clarification, and forced carbonation will play key roles in the ever-evolving cocktail list, which will also include spirit-free drinks, Champagne, natural wines, and carbonated house creations. High-end bar snacks round out the experience, all housed in a striking interior designed by Gensler, featuring industrial textures, eclectic materials, and a dramatic electric light installation.
1703 W. Chicago Ave.
Time Out Market Chicago is set to welcome Hooligan, a new seafood and wine bar from acclaimed chef Christian Hunter, in early 2026. A recipient of the Michelin Young Chef Award and a James Beard Award finalist, Hunter will introduce a 50-seat concept that balances polish with playfulness.
The menu will spotlight Midwest ingredients through seafood-driven dishes, including dressed oysters with potato, soy, and hen-of-the-woods XO sauce; peel-and-eat shrimp paired with barbecue sauce; bycatch albacore crudo with squash aguachile and pepita oil; and smoked whitefish gumbo served with chicken, rice, pickled onions, and hot sauce.
916 W. Fulton Market
Celebrated Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Osaka Nikkei is bringing its globally acclaimed concept to Chicago with its second U.S. location, opening in Fulton Market in early 2026. Founded in 2001 by longtime friends and restaurateurs Diego de la Puente and Diego Herrera, the brand is renowned for seamlessly blending Japanese precision with Peruvian flavors.
Chicago diners can expect signature dishes such as wasabi ceviche, braised short rib asado gyüdon, nigiri, and crispy tumbo shrimp. The 180-seat restaurant will occupy the ground floor of a century-old former cargo storage facility and will incorporate local ingredients alongside inventive Windy City–inspired adaptations. A Kero Bar seating arrangement will spotlight the craft cocktail program, complemented by DJ-curated music. Ahead of its official opening, the restaurant will host exclusive pre-opening events offering a first look at the cuisine, cocktails, and atmosphere.
1101 W. Lake St.
Schneider Deli Lincoln Park (Early 2026)
Beloved River North staple Schneider Deli is expanding to Lincoln Park in early 2026, bringing its signature comfort-driven menu and Metropolis Coffee–powered espresso program to a new 1,750-square-foot space.
The second location will feature the deli’s cult-favorite offerings, including hand-sliced pastrami and brisket topped with hot giardiniera, crispy latkes, and classic matzo ball soup, alongside bagels, sandwiches, and other Jewish deli staples. Led by husband-and-wife team Jake and Ariel Schneider, the restaurant has cemented its place as a Chicago favorite since opening in 2023, having served more than 120,000 sandwiches from its original 21-seat location inside the Ohio House Motel.
Lincoln Park
Chef Thomas Carlin is preparing to open Burl, a farmer-driven restaurant with a wood-fired kitchen, in Evanston in winter 2026. Carlin brings a formidable résumé to his first solo restaurant venture, having previously served as head butcher at Publican Quality Meats, chef de cuisine at Dove’s Luncheonette, and a member of the opening team at Galit.
At Burl, Carlin aims to celebrate the relationships between chefs and local farmers, showcasing seasonal ingredients sourced from a close-knit agricultural community. The menu will evolve with the seasons, highlighting Carlin’s versatile skill set and commitment to ingredient-driven cooking.
2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston
The Barn Steakhouse (February 2026)
Hospitality veteran Amy Morton is expanding The Barn Steakhouse with a new Highland Park location set to open in February 2026, followed by an adjacent stand-alone speakeasy debuting in March.
Originally launched in Evanston in 2016, The Barn Steakhouse has earned a devoted following for its modern take on American chophouse fare. The Highland Park outpost will continue that tradition with indulgent favorites such as prime skirt steak, crab cakes, miso-glazed salmon, and roasted branzino. The new space will feature a welcoming dining room, a tucked-away bar, lounge-style seating, and softly atmospheric lighting designed to encourage lingering meals.
1900 1st St., Highland Park
Boka Restaurant Group’s latest concept, Gingie, is scheduled to open in River North between late February and early March. James Beard Award–winning restaurateurs Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz have partnered with chef Brian Lockwood to bring the 150-seat restaurant to life.
The menu will focus on shareable plates and an elevated à la carte selection curated by Lockwood, marking his first brick-and-mortar restaurant following his work as a consulting chef on The Bear and time spent in world-renowned kitchens including Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, El Celler de Can Roca, and Frasca Food and Wine. Standout dishes will include DIY handrolls, baked gnocchi, American wagyu with ricotta dumplings, sunchokes, and bordelaise, and a signature salted caramel brown butter chocolate tart finished with Chantilly cream.
707 N. Wells St.
Milkhorse Hospitality is expanding its portfolio with Feverdream, the vibrant, elevated counterpart to Common Decency, opening in Logan Square in spring 2026. Taking over the former Thank You space, the restaurant will showcase refined plating, inventive cocktails, and bold, unconventional ingredients.
Chef Mark Steuer, alongside partners Kelsey Kasper and Jason Turley, continues the group’s commitment to inclusive dining with menu options designed to accommodate dietary restrictions. Feverdream will also uphold Milkhorse’s emphasis on employee well-being, offering benefits such as insurance coverage and employee loyalty programs.
3152 W. Diversey Ave.
Chris and Megan Curren, the husband-and-wife team behind St. Charles favorite The Graceful Ordinary, are launching Vicolo in spring 2026. The European-inspired café and pasticceria will bring Italian cuisine, handmade pasta, and freshly baked pastries to a 3,200-square-foot space in Aurora.
During daytime hours, Vicolo will host live music, film screenings, and family-friendly programming. In the evenings, the space will transform into a more refined dining destination, complete with craft cocktails and chef-driven menu offerings.
7 S. Broadway, Aurora
Legendary Gold Coast institution Carmine’s is set to reopen in late 2026 following a multimillion-dollar renovation. A Chicago mainstay since 1974, the Italian restaurant will return with a refreshed, single-floor layout that includes indoor dining, a new private dining room, indoor and outdoor bars, and a spacious terrace, accommodating up to 366 guests.
The revamped terrace bar will overlook Rush Street and feature a sleek marble bar, high-top seating, and a contemporary pergola with overhead lighting. While the space gets a modern update, Carmine’s will continue serving the Italian classics and steakhouse favorites that have defined its legacy—signature stuffed mushrooms and premium bone-in ribeye included.
1043 N. Rush St.
