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← All Old School
Vibes

Old School in Downtown & River North

Chicago institutions and legacy spots that have been serving the neighborhood for decades.

1
La Grande Boucherie Chicago
“The happy hour bites were very enjoyable—excellent cheeses, a well-prepared pâté, and fresh oysters that stood out” — Nancy Cavazos
4.7 ★2,872 reviews·Opens at 11AM
2
Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant
“We had just come from one of the best dinners we’ve ever had, so expectations were low” — Jea Kim
4.5 ★3,963 reviews·Opens at 5:30
3
Yasemi, A Modern Mediterranean Restaurant
“It was so good… we ordered another set 😭😭😭 that was my favorite part of the meal” — Chris Eyo
4.6 ★407 reviews·Opens at 7AM
The rest of the list
4Sotto
Sotto
Loop · 4.6 ★ · 50 reviews
5Coco Pazzo Restaurant & Bar
Coco Pazzo Restaurant & Bar
River North · $$$ · 4.5 ★ · 712 reviews
6Yardbird Table & Bar
Yardbird Table & Bar
River North · $$ · 4.3 ★ · 1,421 reviews
7Ryo Sushi
Ryo Sushi
Loop · $$ · 4.5 ★ · 1,160 reviews
8Industry Ales Brewpub
Industry Ales Brewpub
Loop · 4.8 ★ · 336 reviews
9Topolobampo
Topolobampo
River North · $$ · 4.5 ★ · 774 reviews
10RPM Steak
RPM Steak
River North · $$$$ · 4.7 ★ · 5,628 reviews
11Mirai Sushi
Mirai Sushi
Gold Coast · $$$ · 4.3 ★ · 408 reviews
12SAKANA AYCE Japanese Cuisine
SAKANA AYCE Japanese Cuisine
South Loop · 4.8 ★ · 678 reviews
13Petit Pomeroy
Petit Pomeroy
Gold Coast · $$ · 4.6 ★ · 159 reviews
14Pizzeria Due
Pizzeria Due
Streeterville · $$ · 4.3 ★ · 3,446 reviews
15Levain Bakery
Levain Bakery
River North · $$ · 4.6 ★ · 450 reviews
16Pittsfield Cafe
Pittsfield Cafe
Loop · $ · 4.2 ★ · 1,658 reviews
17Bereket Turkish Mediterranean restaurant (Halal Certified)
Bereket Turkish Mediterranean restaurant (Halal Certified)
Loop · $$ · 4.4 ★ · 1,096 reviews
18Oasis Cafe
Oasis Cafe
Loop · $ · 4.6 ★ · 715 reviews
19The Walnut Room
The Walnut Room
Loop · 4.3 ★ · 1,926 reviews
20Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
River North · $ · 4.4 ★ · 24,572 reviews
21Indienne
Indienne
River North · 4.6 ★ · 821 reviews
22D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
D4 Irish Pub & Cafe
Streeterville · $$ · 4.4 ★ · 2,275 reviews
23Tre Dita
Tre Dita
Streeterville · 4.3 ★ · 1,012 reviews
24Bar Goa
Bar Goa
River North · $$ · 4.2 ★ · 968 reviews
25Mr. Submarine
Mr. Submarine
Loop · $ · 4.4 ★ · 430 reviews
26Labriola Ristorante - Chicago
Labriola Ristorante - Chicago
Streeterville · $$ · 4.4 ★ · 4,728 reviews
27Adalina Italian
Adalina Italian
Gold Coast · $$ · 4.5 ★ · 1,097 reviews
28Bongiorno's Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria
Bongiorno's Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria
Streeterville · $ · 4.6 ★ · 1,810 reviews
29Ciccio Mio
Ciccio Mio
River North · $$$ · 4.6 ★ · 961 reviews
30Victory Tap | South Loop
Victory Tap | South Loop
South Loop · $$ · 4.5 ★ · 1,157 reviews
31XOCO
XOCO
River North · $$ · 4.5 ★ · 3,340 reviews
32Frontera Grill
Frontera Grill
River North · $$ · 4.4 ★ · 3,422 reviews
33The Gage
The Gage
Loop · $$$ · 4.6 ★ · 5,156 reviews

Old School in Other Areas by Area

Uptown & North Side(203)Wicker Park & Logan Square(157)Pilsen & Chinatown(145)Lakeview & North Center(115)West Loop & Fulton Market(94)Lincoln Park & Old Town(78)Hyde Park & South Side(27)

Top Cuisines for Old School

Italian(212)American(184)dining(178)Mexican(152)deli(122)brunch-breakfast(110)Japanese(107)Chinese(91)

Other Vibes in Downtown & River North

Quick Bite(512)Cozy(481)Family-Friendly(246)Great Cocktails(233)Great for Groups(205)Outdoor Dining(153)Trendy(134)Romantic(130)Lively(128)Hidden Gem(69)

First Bite — our Chicago food newsletter is coming.

Related Vibes

Cozy

Warm, inviting spaces with soft lighting and comfort food — the kind of place where you linger over every course.

Hidden Gem

Under-the-radar neighborhood finds that locals love — the places you won't find on most lists.

Cash Only

Hit the ATM first — these cash-only spots are worth the extra step for authentic, no-frills dining.