Jan 5, 2026 - Culture

5 food spots we're looking forward to this winter

Monica Eng

Grilled whole fish garnished with herbs and lemon on a white plate surrounded by dishes of grilled bread, mussels in red sauce, creamy soup topped with peppers, grilled potatoes, and dips on a white table. — Selections from the new Kouklas. Photo: Courtesy of Nikki Allen Creative

Last year served up another round of great tavern-style pizza, more steakhouses, Malört-flavored everything, omakase madness, new tasty Balkan spots and excellent British gastropub fare.

So what are we looking forward to this year? Here are five eateries and events we're watching this winter.

Kouklas at 7620 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Niles

Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. (Beard winner for Purple Pig) is back leading a kitchen of reimagined Greek cuisine in a 7,200-square-foot rebuilt spot featuring an olive and oak-burning hearth.

Dig in: On the traditional side, expect souvlaki, milk-braised lamb shank, whipped feta, taramosalata and pastitsio, but also tempura-style celery root and flaming bone marrow finished tableside with Greek brandy.

Find Mediterranean and European wines along with playful cocktails like an ouzo frappè. Bannos is also launching a regional olive oil program focusing on sustainability and authenticity.

Opened: Dec. 29, 2025.

Khmerican food at Hermosa and MCA's Marisol

Man with a tattoo on his arm wearing glasses, a gray cap, and black apron seasoning a large piece of raw meat in a professional kitchen with cooked chicken in the background. — Chef Ethan Eang Lim of Hermosa. Photo: Courtesy of Dustin Nakao-Haider

Banchet-winning chef Ethan Eang Lim is launching a winter "Khmerican Supper Club" menu at Hermosa, blending East and Midwestern with caviar-topped deviled quail eggs and a relish tray of red curry pimento cheese and green curry goddess with crudite and pickles. Served through March.

Lim is also debuting a wintry treat at Marisol in the MCA. Called Hermosa holiday stew, the dish packs pork belly, butterball potato, gai lan and shiitake mushrooms in 48-hour chicken stock for $24 at lunch and dinner. Served through Feb. 28.

The Radicle, 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Oyster and a cocktail — Oysters and cocktails at The Radicle. Photo: Courtesy of @daveyakir

Chef Joe Frillman (Daisies) is launching his long-awaited coastal Italian meets Midwest restaurant and bar in the old Daisies location in Logan Square.

Expect: $10 aperitivo-style cocktails, a raw bar, veggie plates and artisanal pizzas.

Opening: This month.

Chicago Restaurant Week 2026

Four plates of different pasta dishes on a wooden table: spaghetti carbonara, red sauce rigatoni, pesto gnocchi with cheese, and penne with orange sauce and cheese. — Pasta from Sapori Trattoria. Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Restaurant Week

With a record 500-plus restaurants participating this year and the Bites Bash kickoff event selling out right away, this feels like a blockbuster year for this annual bargain dining event happening from Jan. 23 to Feb. 8. And local restaurants could definitely use the help.

Expect: Multi-course lunches for $30 and dinners for $40-$60.

Yes, but: Don't forget about a restaurant campaign that ends Jan. 22, just before Restaurant Week starts. Called Eat Near, Eat Here, it offers prizes to anyone who eats at and posts on social media about six local (non-chain) restaurants and fills out this form.

Burl, 2545 Prairie Ave. in Evanston

This new farm-to-table spot marks the debut of husband and wife team Thomas Carlin and Rachel Canfora-Carlin of (Galit and Dove's Luncheonette).

Expect: A community-centered dining experience highlighting relationships between chefs and local farmers.

Opening: This month.

More spots we're watching: Cliff Rome's restaurant in the Obama Center set to open in June, Amy Morton's latest steakhouse project in Highland Park and chef Sarah Grueneberg's next project rumored to be planned for the Jack & Ginger's spot on Armitage.

Editors note: An additional item about the new Obama Center restaurant was added to this story.

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