Chicago's 23 Best Wicker Park Restaurants to Try in 2024

Looking for some great Wicker Park restaurants to visit this year? Chicago is a city of abundantly delicious food, from classic Chicago dishes like deep-dish pizza and hot dogs to carefully rolled sushi and Mexican cuisine.

You will find amazing restaurants tucked into almost every one of Chicago’s over 70 neighborhoods, including Wicker Park, known for its bustling nightlife and restaurant scene. Located just northwest of downtown, Wicker Park is one of the premier destinations in the city for great food.

What is Wicker Park, Chicago known for? Why is Wicker Park famous? This neighborhood is host not only to a huge number of Chicago art galleries, bookstores and music clubs, but also eateries spanning a huge range of both American and international cuisine, including several Michelin guide favorites.

Because it’s a neighborhood on the move, it’s a great spot for a night out enjoying its rich culture and famous Chicago foods at the best Wicker Park restaurants.

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• Exploring Chicago's Best Restaurants
• Top 23 Wicker Park Restaurants

Exploring Chicago's Best Restaurants

Looking for Chicago’s best restaurants and bars? While Chicago is known for its huge number of culinary delights and a proliferation of restaurants spanning every cuisine imaginable, it's also something you can take home with you.

Cooking classes in any city are a great way to learn the tricks of the trade for creating some of its most famous dishes, including scrumptious pizzas, decadent desserts, homemade pasta and sushi.

You can find a number of great cooking classes in Chicago that will allow you to make and sample a wealth of unique Chicago-favorite dishes.

Cooking classes also make great team building activities in Chicago, allowing for friendly competition and team bonding.

Top 23 Wicker Park Restaurants

1. Cebu

This Filipino Wicker Park restaurant, named after a city in the Philippines, offers an intimate and upscale sampling of its native cuisine, including classic seafood and meat dishes like grilled octopus and chicken adobo.

It also features a selection of sweet treats like its famous halo-halo, a shaved coconut milk ice.

Perfect for a date idea in Chicago or small groups, you can also order up a selection of handmade ice creams and pastries inspired by Filipino favorites.

2. Big Star

One of the most famous Wicker Park restaurants for tacos, Big Star has two Chicago locations — one in the heart of Wicker Park and the other in Wrigleyville.

When did Big Star Wicker Park open? Big Star has been serving tacos and tequila drinks in Wicker Park since 2008 in its spacious and light-filled space, becoming a neighborhood destination for traditional and innovative flavors.

Because of their extensive tequila offerings and mixed drinks, they are also a favorite Wicker Park bar any night of the week. 

3. The Delta

If you are looking for a touch of Southern comfort food amidst a busy northern city, try The Delta, a Wicker Park restaurant known for its take on a Southern brand of tamales made with cornmeal instead of masa and boiled instead of steamed.

They also serve classic Southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, catfish and chips and shrimp and grits. They have an extensive cocktail menu with drinks like the Sweet Tea Highball and the Wake Yo’Ass Up Espresso martini, as well as a number of dessert options like a Sweet Berry Tamale. 

4. Handlebar

Known for its vegetarian and vegan dishes, Handlebar is a Wicker Park restaurant that has been open since 2003, offering a casual neighborhood eatery vibe complete with stickered bathroom stalls and memorabilia on the walls.

Try the vegan mac and cheese or the buffalo seitan wrap. They also offer some carnivore selections like tuna tacos and blackened catfish. 

5. Taxim

Chicago has a huge number of notable Greek establishments, including Taxim, a Wicker Park restaurant loved for its upscale and elevated take on Greek classic dishes amid Mediterranean-inspired rustic décor and vaulted ceilings.

The menus sport a large selection of phyllo dough appetizers and flatbreads, as well as entrees like wood-grilled lamb chops and skewed pork shoulder. 

6. Café Istanbul

This Mediterranean favorite Wicker Park restaurant is both casual and elegant offering up a variety of wood-fired meats and regional favorites like homemade pita bread and chicken gyros.

Many diners recommend the Mixed Grill, which includes a state of grilled meats, including lamb, chicken, beef and shrimp. They also have a large selection of Turkish bakery items.

7. Etta

This Italian Wicker Park restaurant focuses on wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta with rustic Italian flavor amid chic mid-century-inspired décor.

With a second location in River North, they are known for their house-baked focaccia and wagyu beef meatballs, as well as a selection of great wines and signature cocktails like the “Ettarita.”

8. Phodega

Part pho shop and part neighborhood bodega, this unique combo is one of the best places to get Vietnamese Pho or pick up the ingredients to make your own.

While the menu at this flavorful Wicker Park restaurant is small, it includes some regional faves like fried chicken skins, Vietnamese egg rolls and Korean-style dumplings.

For a colorful, casual and lively dining experience, you can also try dishes like their Bodega Fries with sliced steak, onions and jalapenos or the Viet Dip, a rib and jalapeno sandwich served with au jus. 

9. Folklore Argentine Restaurant

Like many South American restaurants, this Wicker Park restaurant favorite is heavy on beef and steak, including a delicious filet mignon and their Panillada, with features a variety of meats like chorizo, short ribs and sirloin.

Other dishes include Vesuvio potatoes and spinach & cheese empanadas. Folklore blends class Argentinian “asada" dishes with Mediterranean, Spanish and Italian influences. 

10. Bloom Plant-Based Kitchen

With a menu that is entirely vegan and gluten-free, this Wicker Park restaurant is a great destination for those with limited diets. Their innovative dishes include mushroom “asada” tacos and white coconut dumplings served in an open and light and plant-filled space.

The menu includes Asian-inspired items like Dan Dan Noodles and Bulgogi Bibimbap, as well as unique dishes like Banana Blossom Crab Cakes and Hibiscus Cashew Cheese Cake. 

11. Antique Taco

This Wicker Park restaurant offers a unique take on traditional Mexican fare amid an eclectically decorated fun antique-filled space that feels rustic and cozy.

They serve a selection of traditional and nontraditional tacos, including a mushroom taco and a sweet and spicy chicken taco. They also have a menu of desserts and cocktails, including great margaritas and homemade chocolate marshmallow pop tarts.

12. Oiistar

One of the best Wicker Park restaurants for ramen, Oiistar serves up a selection of homemade noodles, including fusion experiments with other cuisines like dishes called Tikkaman with Masala and Pozolemen with Chipotle.

They also have a delicious selection of buns stuffed with mashed potato, shredded pork, duck and spicy BBQ chicken. 

13. Wazwan

Since its beginnings as a wildly successful pop-up, this Indian street food Wicker Park restaurant favorite offers a selection of classic Indian dishes like Tandoori Honey Chicken, Mint Chutney and Chicken Masala, as well as unique additions like potato croquette sliders and seasonal fruit milk cake.

Wazwan also hosts a more elaborate tasting menu concept Michelin-noted restaurant called The Coach House during the weekends. 

14. Dove's Luncheonette

From its beginning as a popular Mexican-inspired breakfast, brunch and lunch spot, Dove’s is now open in the evenings, serving cocktails and appetizers well into the night.

This popular Wicker Park restaurant has a 1950s soda shop vibe, complete with ample counter seats and booths, where you can sample dishes like brisket tacos, chorizo-breakfast burritos, as well as American-style burgers, BLTs and melts. 

15. Mama Delia’s Restaurant

A lively space with loud music, ornate décor and a lovely sidewalk patio, this Wicker Park restaurant brings together Spanish traditional cuisine with innovations that celebrate the contemporary regional cuisines of Spain.

Dishes include mushroom croquetas, crisp salads and a huge seafood menu that sports crab, prawns, scallops and Yellowfin tuna. Desserts include a uniquely delicious apricot and blood orange sorbet. 

16. Tortella

This bright and nostalgic Wicker Park restaurant offers a large number of counter-seats where you can enjoy a selection of handmade pasta made from the best ingredients with an emphasis on Italian hospitality.

Welcome to diners of all ages, they even have a kid's menu. Try the ricotta and honey focaccia and unique takes on classic Italian fare like Tortelli di Burrata and Squid Ink Bucatini. 

17. Komorebi

This eclectic and laid-back sushi Wicker Park restaurant is a favorite for a variety of fresh rolls, maki and nigiri. Notable offerings include Salmon Mania and Yellowtail Jalapeño Rolls.

Fresh and delicious sushi is served amid laid-back mismatched chairs, antique dressers and a decidedly casual feel. 

18. Piece Brewery & Pizza

Hosting a crowd pretty much every night of the week, this large and lofted Wicker Park restaurant offers both an extensive selection of craft brews and Piece’s signature New Haven-style pizza topped with red sauce, olive oil and Parmesan in lieu of mozzarella.

You can also get a variety of other specialty pizzas,  including their Honey Butter Fried Chicken pizza and Hot Doug’s Atomic Sausage pizza. 

19. Club Lucky

A Chicago institution since the early 1990s, this Wicker Park restaurant gives off a distinctive 1940s Italian Supper Club vibe.

Serving up a menu of martinis and classic Italian dishes like calamari, lasagna, fettucini alfredo and chicken Vesuvio. Decadent desserts include an amaretto ricotta cheesecake, tiramisu and, of course, cannoli.

20. Sultan's Market

Initially started as a family-owned and operated grocery store selling Middle-Eastern staples in the 90s, this Wicker Park restaurant now offers both to-go and eat-in fare, including falafel, spinach pie and baklava, making it perfect for a quick lunch stop.

They also have a number of vegan and vegetarian dishes made with high-quality fresh ingredients.

21. Bongo Room

A Wicker Park restaurant and weekend brunch destination, the Bongo Room has been feeding Wicker Park since the early 1990s with great coffee,  breakfast and brunch offerings.

A unique space with lively art, faux taxidermy and a cozy vibe, you can find a variety of breakfast burritos, omelettes and pancakes, as well as unique dishes like their Tomatillo Salsa Scramble.

22. Schwa

Schwa describes its menu as highly experimental, drawn from a variety of international cuisines. Featuring an ever-changing 12-course tasting menu, Schwa strives to present a unique dining experience that fully engages all the senses.

The vibe of this Wicker Park restaurant is both intimate and relaxed, but also luxurious in its offerings, which include seafood, beef and ramen courses, as well as rich tea and dessert courses.

23. Dr. Bird’s

Originally founded in Buffalo, New York, this Chicago location is a great spot to get traditional Jamaican cuisine and street food, including jerk chicken, rasta pasta and coco rice.

You can also sample their large variety of rum cocktails amid a space with a casual, colorful vibe and Caribbean accents. 

Wicker Park is a nexus of amazing eating experiences. It is also surrounded by other vibrant neighborhoods with their own offerings, including Bucktown restaurants, Lincoln Park restaurants and Logan Square restaurants aplenty.

With an abundance of things to do in Wicker Park,  there is no shortage of eateries and bars that will help you explore all it has to offer. Many Wicker Park restaurants also offer meal kits and gift certificates, making them great distinctive Chicago gifts for residents and visitors alike.

For even more fun things to do in Chicago, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!