Bars, restaurants, clubs, and venues open after 5. Hours, phone numbers, and vibes included.
Ultra-modern luxury steakhouse in the Gold Coast where the scene is as glamorous as the menu. Maple & Ash brings tableside theatrics, impeccable cuts, and a cocktail program that justifies every cent. This is date-night steakhouse dining at its most polished.
Loop newcomer Mariela comes from James Beard semifinalists Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir of Mirra fame. The menu spans Southeast Asia to the Americas with standouts like seafood arroz negro with uni hot sauce, king crab agnolotti, and tom yum aguachile with Thai herbs and coconut.
Embracing a modern, welcoming dining environment, this restaurant delivers a rich culinary exploration of Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani recipes. Talented chefs utilize premium ingredients and traditional techniques to craft highly aromatic curries, tender tandoori meats, and masterfully blended spice combinations. Exceptional service and extended late-night hours on weekends make it a comfortable sit-down feast destination.
Mas Alla del Sol is a modern mexican in Edgewater, serving Chicago's north side.
Mastro's delivers butter-poached filet mignon, towering seafood towers, and a swanky lounge with live music nightly. The national chain's Chicago outpost holds its own in a city full of legendary steakhouses.
West Loop's Maxwell Street Depot is where the city's late-night crew gravitates for no-frills drinking and genuine neighborhood grit—think exposed brick, strong pours, and the kind of crowd that actually lives here. The spot stays open around the clock, making it the reliable anchor when everywhere else has called last call. It's not trying to be fancy, and that's exactly why locals keep coming back.
This wildly inventive modern fusion eatery puts an exciting Indian twist on classic Chicago comfort fare. Famous for Chicken Tikka Masala pizzas with crisp crusts topped with bright, rich spices, diners can also customize massive rice bowls, wraps, and street-style chaats. On Friday and Saturday nights the kitchen stays open until 2am — an elite stop for a trendy post-party meal.
MCCB brings Michelin-recognized Sichuan heat to Archer Avenue with a cocktail-bar ambiance that elevates the whole experience. The kitchen nails both Canton and Sichuan preparations, and the late-night lounge vibe makes it a standout date spot in Chinatown.
Burbank's halal BBQ powerhouse with over 1,500 reviews and a cult following for its beef ribs. Meat Moot opens at noon and brings a unique angle to the south suburban BBQ scene — premium halal meats, bold seasoning, and a menu that proves inclusive dining and serious smoke aren't mutually exclusive.
4.5 stars, 1,500 reviews. Zabiha Halal. Solo dining in a cozy casual atmosphere. Smoked meats and comfort food.
North Center’s secret ramen obsession: Menya Goku, the Ramen Wasabi team’s hyper-focused counter, serves a relentless menu of brothy precision—show up late, stay late. Limited hours mean locals stake claims weeks ahead; the broth alone justifies the wait.
Inside the Hyatt Centric in the Loop, Mexican Radio brings the heat — literally, with a tabletop trompo that gets set aflame tableside. Chef Dudley Nieto (Fat Rosie's, Chapulin) runs the all-day menu of enchiladas, octopus-shrimp ceviche, and more.
A family-owned fine-casual Mexican restaurant in Evergreen Park serving elevated birria, quesabirria tacos, empanadas, and craft cocktails in a warmly lit space that skews date night.
Three-time James Beard semifinalist Brian Jupiter brought Migos Fine Foods to Bronzeville with halal fried chicken, tacos, and sandwiches that have earned a devoted following. Located on the ground floor of Northwestern Medicine's Bronzeville Outpatient Center — casual spot, serious food.
South Loop’s buzzy heart gets a flavor boost at Mikami, where steaming ramen bowls anchor a night of sake flights and shareable small plates. Skip the tourist traps—this izakaya’s broth-driven menu and intimate bar feel make it a local favorite for date nights that linger past midnight.
Little Italy's Mimi's puts a creative spin on American classics in a warm, unpretentious setting. Solid food and good energy make it an ideal pre-game dinner before hitting Taylor Street's bar scene.
This massive contemporary multi-story destination is widely celebrated as one of Chicago's best spots for dim sum. The sleek, upscale space serves immaculate Cantonese dim sum classics, fresh seafood, and rich hot pots deep into the night. A favorite after-hours refuge for concert-goers seeking premium portions of crispy pork belly and egg yolk buns — handles massive groups seamlessly.
Naperville’s uncharted gem serves up Chicago’s best Cantonese dim sum in a sprawling suburban sprawl—weekend brunch carts are a local ritual. Skip the city crowds; this branch delivers the same all-day classics as its downtown counterpart, but with room to breathe.
Mi Tocaya Antojería is a elevated mexican small plates in Logan Square, serving Chicago's north side.
Logan Square’s Monster Ramen serves up towering bowls of ramen with broths that balance spice and depth—north of the neighborhood’s main drag, where the real foodies hide. The portions are relentless, the flavors unapologetically bold; you’ll know the spot the second your friend mentions it again.
A West Town sandwich counter on Western Ave that's been quietly making some of the best corned beef sandwiches in Chicago. Moon's doesn't do flashy — just fast, reliable, stacked sandwiches at prices that remind you not everywhere in this city has gone premium. Nearly a thousand reviews and the consensus is clear: the corned beef is the move.
4.1 stars, 597 reviews. Best corn beef sandwich on a croissant I ever had. Hyde Park institution.
Restaurant in The Loop at 65 East Wacker Place.
The inspiration for FX's 'The Bear.' Founded by Joseph Zucchero in 1979, Mr. Beef on Orleans is a no-frills, counter-service Italian beef shop where the sandwich does all the talking. Jeremy Allen White visited during filming and trained here for his role as Carmy Berzatto. Order it dipped with hot giardiniera and eat standing up at the counter like a real Chicagoan. No seats, no pretense, no nonsense — just one hell of an Italian beef. Closes at 4pm because they don't need to be open late; the line starts at lunch. This is the beef joint that launched a TV show and reminded the world that Chicago runs on Italian beef.