NEW Culinary Guide: Top 10 New Spots for the Family

via Gemma Foods

If you haven’t heard, our new 2024-2025 Culinary Guide is OUT and available for purchase! With 100 restaurants featured this year, there is no shortage of amazing places to both revisit and try for the very first time. Below are 10 spots that are brand new to the Culinary Guide this year and make for the perfect family-friendly dining destinations.

Gemma Foods {1117 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL; 312.929.2167}

Gemma Foods is perfect for the busy families that need the ease of having a fresh, delicious meal on the table in minutes not hours. They offer a variety of freshly made pasta + sauce combos that only require boiling water and heating up the sauce to have a restaurant quality meal on the table in mere minutes! Gemma also offers private + small group pasta making classes, which are always a family favorite, and they are now open for a dine-in lunch service!

Canal Street Eatery {314 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL; 312.967.6060}

Featuring both a daytime “grab & go” market as well as an eatery with approachable lunch, happy hour + dinner menus,  Canal Street Eatery & Market has more than enough for everyone in the family to enjoy. Floor to ceiling windows create a warm and welcoming interior space and the exterior also backs into the lush Green at 320 park space, providing beautiful views from the eatery and a tranquil space to enjoy your market treats outdoors.

Cobblestone {4337 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.935.2255}

For families looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ravenswood’s Cobblestone Restaurant is the perfect neighborhood getaway. They offer both weekend brunch and dinner service Wed-Sun featuring European inspired dishes like Kielbasa, Schnitzel, Fish ‘n Chips and more. A Kid’s Menu stacked with all the classics is also available during dinner service, giving parents with fussy eaters one less thing to worry about!

via Ina Mae Tavern

Ina Mae Tavern {1415 North Wood Street, Chicago, IL; 773.360.8320}

Ina Mae is one of those restaurants where there is ALWAYS a good time being had. Their no-frills, no-fuss New Orleans inspired vibe shows in their funky design and classic Southern menu offerings and with daily, weekly and monthly deals running all year long, there’s really no bad day to come visit! Bingo, brunch, live music and more await at this Wicker Park neighborhood staple.

Lola's {111 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL; 312.900.0550}

With restaurants on every corner in the sought after West Loop neighborhood, it can be hard to pinpoint which are enjoyable for the whole family. Look no further than Lola’s Restaurant & Bar which features brunch, lunch, happy hour + dinner offerings that highlight upscale American classics. Think farm-fresh salads, juicy burgers, sandwiches, pastas, an extensive wine & cocktail list + more!

Rosebud {Multiple Locations}

Rosebud Restaurants, founded by restaurateur Alex Dana, have been around for over 50 years, with locations in both Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. With a menu focused on quintessential Italian classics like Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan and over 15 different pasta dishes, even the pickiest eater in the family will find something to enjoy. 

via Cafe Robey

Cafe Robey {1600 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL: 872.315.3084}

An all day cafe is made for families because you can eat on whatever your schedule is for that day (we know sometimes the kiddos get hungry at a random time!)
Cafe Robey is a sun-washed spot at the base of The Robey Hotel in Wicker Park that is open daily at 7am, serving everything from brunch classics and fun cocktails to seasonal dishes like Soy Glazed Salmon and sweet treats like Mascarpone Cheesecake. The whole family will find something to love!

The Barn Steakhouse {1016 Church Street Rear, Evanston, IL; 847.868.8041}

We love a good suburban restaurant and The Barn Steakhouse in Evanston is a must try. Originally an 1800s barn used to house horses for a horse + buggy milk delivery service, The Barn’s origin makes for a fun fact to share with the family over the finest quality steaks. And for those needing to dine earlier than usual (hi new parents) The Barn offers a special prix-fixe 3 course “Early Bird” special everyday from 5-6pm!

Verzênay {2507 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.799.8312}

If there’s one type of restaurant that is ALWAYS a family favorite, it’s obviously a bakery. Verzênay brings traditional, authentic French pastries and desserts and fresh sandwiches to the Lincoln Park neighborhood using fresh ingredients and absolutely no artificial anything. Perfect for kids and adults alike, the only problem you’ll have is not ordering every sweet treat on the menu!

Wake n' Bacon {420 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL; 773.880.5100} 

Wake up to the delicious smell of bacon and Mexican inspired breakfast delights with a trip to Lakeview’s brunch hot-spot, Wake n’ Bacon. With bright, lively floral decor covering the interior space, Wake n’ Bacon definitely earns its title as “most photo-worthy brunch spot in Chicago”. Their menu boasts an array of brunch classics that are just as instagrammable as the decor, as well as a large coffee + cocktail menu to take your brunch to the next level.

By Robyn Glaza | Market Manager