Numerous New Restaurants Opening in Chicago
Chicago's dining scene is poised for significant growth in 2026, with a large number of new establishments expected to open. A report from Modern Luxury highlighted the most anticipated restaurants, promising a range of new culinary options across the city.
- SuSu, a new steakhouse blending Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian flavors, is set to open on February 27, 2026, in the West Loop space formerly occupied by the three-Michelin-starred restaurant, Grace. The culinary program is led by chef-partner Alexander Willis, and the restaurant will feature a "Kan Zaman" 11-course tasting menu launching in April. - Boka Restaurant Group's latest concept, Gingie, is slated to open in River North between late February and early March. This will be the first brick-and-mortar restaurant for chef Brian Lockwood, who has an extensive background in Michelin-starred kitchens like Eleven Madison Park and was a consulting chef for the TV series *The Bear*. - The internationally acclaimed Peruvian-Japanese concept, Osaka Nikkei, will open its second U.S. location in Fulton Market in early 2026. Housed in a 100-year-old former cargo storage facility, the 180-seat restaurant will feature a Kero Bar with DJ sets and a menu incorporating local ingredients into Nikkei cuisine. - Hooligan, a 50-seat seafood and wine bar from Michelin Young Chef Award recipient and James Beard Award finalist Christian Hunter, is expected to open in Fulton Market's Time Out Market early in the year. The menu will emphasize Midwest ingredients with dishes like dressed oysters and smoked whitefish gumbo. - An internationally recognized ramen brand, Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, will open its first Chicago location in the West Loop in February. The 43-seat restaurant will be known for its slow-simmered tonkotsu broths and will be open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner. - The Skokie-based Latin-American restaurant Libertad, which has been open since 2011, is expanding with a new location in Wicker Park this February. The menu will feature seasonal, shareable plates paying homage to Latin American flavors and traditions. - Despite the wave of openings, the industry faces economic headwinds, with a National Restaurant Association report forecasting modest real sales growth of 1.3% in 2026 amid persistent cost pressures and a challenging business environment. - A notable trend among the new establishments is the fusion of global cuisines, with concepts like SuSu's "MediterrAsian" steakhouse and Osaka Nikkei's Peruvian-Japanese fare highlighting a move towards more specific and story-driven global flavors.
