Chicago’s restaurant openings roundup is your resource to find out what’s on its way in. The list is by no means comprehensive. Have information on another opening? Send all tips to chicago@eater.com.
ALBANY PARK— Kashgar Uyghur Dining, a restaurant devoted to Chinese Muslim ethnic minority Uyghur cuisine, opened on Friday, July 7. The Uyghur restaurant menu features a blend of hand-pulled lagman noodles, savory dumplings, and grilled kabobs. The restaurant replaces Happy Star – a family-owned Chinese spot that closed in 2024. 4830 N. Pulaski Road #102.
WEST TOWN — Gilda, a Basque tavern, opened Thursday, July 23, on Chicago Avenue. Gilda’s dining space is meant to be lively and intimate — resembling the neighborhood bars and cafes of the Basque Country. Expect first-come, first-served pintxos, jamón Iberico, miso-sauced tomatoes, and Spanish-influenced cocktails. The restaurant is reservation-only Thursday through Sunday and walk-in only on Mondays. 1421 W. Chicago Avenue.
HUMBOLDT PARK — Drama Club is a new tequila and mezcal cocktail bar on Chicago’s West Side with a warm aesthetic (Think: soft lighting, orange velvets). Per a release, they’re boasting one of the largest agave collections in Chicago; the drinks range from classics like margaritas and Oaxaca Old Fashioneds to house creations like the Offline Crush — made with Amarás mezcal, Dolin Dry, salted cucumber juice, and green cardamom — and the Piña Blanca — a combination of Amarás mezcal, pineapple-infused Cocchi, Salers, and torched pineapple. 819 N California Avenue.
DOWNTOWN — According to a release, Yu-Yubu, Chicago’s first Yuba cafe and ceremonial matcha bar, opened on Saturday, July 25, on the 4th floor of the Shops at North Bridge. Yu-Yubu focuses on three things: matcha, yubu (tofu pockets also known as Korean Inari sushi), poke, and donburi. Find options like spicy tuna and miso butter corn rolls alongside spicy salmon and beef bulgogi poke, daily. 520 N Michigan Avenue, Level 4.
BUCKTOWN — Cafe Gimme is Bucktown’s newest all-day cafe. The spot is serving up smoothies, coffee — beans sourced from Metric and cold brew from Tala Coffee Roaster — and acai bowls during the day. Spanish-style toast — tomato, sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, chile flakes on sourdough — and watermelon salad are served all day, and wine and spritzes round out the evening menu. 2115 N Damen Avenue.
IRVING PARK — Turn Back Time Records and Coffee — which pairs coffee, vinyl, and vintage vibes — opened on Monday, July 13, in Irving Park. Brewing beans from Four Letter Word and sourcing tea from Rishi Tea & Botanicals, the shop keeps its beverage menu focused on espresso drinks, drip coffee, cold brew, matcha, and chai. As you sip on your matcha or cold brew, explore the vinyl collection ranging from classic bands to movie soundtracks. 3834 W Irving Park Road.
WEST LOOP — Goldn opened in the West Loop in mid-July, bringing buttery pastries, breakfast bagels, coffee, matcha, smoothies, and croissants to Morgan Street. Popular choices include the dark chocolate and strawberry croissants, alongside boxed pastry assortments and an everything bagel with a range of breakfast sandwich options. 111 S Morgan Street.
LOOP — Luxe steakhouse Prime & Provisions reopened on Saturday, July 18, after months of repairs following fire and water damage. The steakhouse returns with longtime signatures like in-house dry-aged steaks, thick-cut maple bacon, and beef sourced from Meats by Linz, while introducing new additions including ducks in a blanket, a lunch-only shaved rib-eye cheesesteak, and an ice cream sundae cart with customizable toppings. 222 N LaSalle Street.
Tajah Ware
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