Best Restaurants in Chicago 2026 by Chef Kapernaros Nikolaos
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As we build our Chicago food guide from the voices that actually matter, we caught up with Chef Nikolaos Kapernaros — Executive Chef at Navy Pier, who’s cooked for celebrities, major events and even beat Bobby Flay. He shared his top picks, plus the best spots across a few of his favorite categories. 📍 Chicago picks Galit | Lincoln Park (Top 3 Picks) Ever | Fulton Market (Top 3 Picks) Cariño | Uptown (Top 3 Picks) Buona Beef | Streeterville (Best Italian Beef) Platia Mediterranean | Niles (Best Greek) Little Bad Wolf | Andersonville (Best Burger) Reunion | Navy Pier (Best Brunch) Bistronomic | Gold Coast (Most Underrated) Piccolo Sogno | West Town (Best Pizza) Billy Goat Tavern | Navy Pier (Best Cocktail Bar)
About this guide
Chef Nikos Kapernaros, a world-traveled culinary educator and the driving force behind the menus at Navy Pier's premier event spaces.
Restaurants in this guide
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Galit
Galit offers a modern Israeli dining experience with a focus on shareable mezze, freshly baked pita, creative hummus variations, and charcoal-grilled meats and vegetables, all served in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
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Ever Restaurant
Ever Restaurant offers a multi-course progressive American tasting menu crafted by Chef Curtis Duffy, emphasizing seasonal ingredients, intricate techniques, and artistic presentation, designed to provide a comprehensive culinary journey.
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Cariño
Cariño offers a multi-course tasting menu featuring contemporary Mexican cuisine with a focus on high-quality ingredients, innovative preparations, and a refined dining experience.
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Plateia Mediterranean Kitchen
Plateia Mediterranean Kitchen offers a modern take on traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring a variety of mezze, grilled meats, fresh seafood, salads, and pasta dishes made with high-quality ingredients. They emphasize fresh, flavorful dishes suitable for various dietary preferences.
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Buona
Buona specializes in classic Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and other Italian-American comfort food, with options like pasta, salads, and catering.
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Piccolo Sogno
Piccolo Sogno offers authentic Northern Italian cuisine, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu features a variety of house-made pastas, seafood, risottos, and meat dishes, all prepared with traditional regional flavors.
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Little Bad Wolf
Little Bad Wolf is a popular gastropub known for its gourmet burgers, extensive craft beer selection, and creative cocktails. The menu also features a variety of small plates and sandwiches.
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Reunion by Chef Art Smith
Reunion by Chef Art Smith offered a menu of elevated Southern comfort food, featuring signature dishes like fried chicken, biscuits, and other hearty, homestyle meals.
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Billy Goat Tavern (Navy Pier)
Famous for its 'cheezborgers', hot dogs, fries, and other classic American diner fare in a no-frills setting.
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Bistronomic
Bistronomic offers modern French cuisine with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, featuring classic dishes reimagined with contemporary flair.