Catch up on recent restaurant openings and closings in Chicago with our guide below.
LAKEVIEW — The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen, a restaurant we first covered in September, announced its public opening this week on its Facebook page. The restaurant claims to be Chicago’s first Kurdish kitchen, with traditional food being cooked by a pair of immigrants from Turkey. 2909 N. Clark St., 773-904-8120
HYDE PARK — The proprietor behind Pizzeria Da Nella in Lincoln Park has plans for a new restaurant, Eater reports. Nella Grassano hopes to open Nella next summer in Hyde Park, serving classic fare like Neapolitan pies, pasta and seafood. 1125 E. 55th St., no phone number or website
RIVER NORTH — In the midst of chilly winter weather, the Near North Side’s Loyola crowd has another way to warm up. Friends Ramen opened at the corner of State Street and Chicago Avenue on New Year’s Day, according to a Facebook post. 808 N. State St., 312-330-4806, www.friendsramen.com
PORTAGE PARK — Locals who missed La Paladita can now enjoy another Mexican option in its place, as Simon’s Tacos moved into the storefront on North Milwaukee Avenue in late December, DNA Info reports. 4263 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-930-3273, no website
RIVER NORTH — The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group continues its Chicago takeover with its latest project: revamping the Vertigo Sky Lounge atop the Dana Hotel. Outside of a Facebook post announcing the current closing and impending “new exciting cocktail concept,” details of the new operation are scarce. 2 W. Erie St.
LINCOLN PARK — Just north of Clark Street and Fullerton Avenue, Chopo Chicken promises to bring “the best fast casual Peruvian food” in the city, per its website. Although no opening date is available yet, the restaurant has signage up in a Clark Street storefront. 2460 N. Clark St., no phone number, www.chopochicken.com
SOUTH LOOP — Two years ago, in an unfortunate coincidence, Chicago Firehouse was forced to close following a fire that devastated the restaurant. This month, however, the steakhouse is finally gearing up for its return and should reopen later in January, reports Chicago Magazine. 1401 S. Michigan Ave., 312-786-1401, no website
LOGAN SQUARE — Despite its unfinished dining room, Quiote hosted a New Year’s Eve party, Eater reports, suggesting an official opening is imminent for the Mexican restaurant and mezcal bar. 2456 N. California Ave., 312-878-8571, www.quiotechicago.com
WICKER PARK — The neighborhood’s six-cornered Damen/Milwaukee/North intersection is about to reach coffee capacity, as Fairgrounds adds another roaster to a crossroads that already has Bowtruss, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Stan’s Donuts, Buzz Killer Espresso and La Colombe nearby. The new cafe will take a barlike approach, writes DNA Info, pouring coffees from several local and national roasters. 1620 N. Milwaukee Ave., no phone number or website
NORTH CENTER — A popular pasta-maker at local farmers markets is preparing to open her own storefront, according to Eater. Lorraine Orbon plans to open Tuscan Hen Market later this month. Its website suggests it will double as a restaurant and “old world Italian specialty food store.” 4019 N. Damen Ave., 773- 446-2380, www.tuscanhenmarket.com
WICKER PARK — Sushi Burrito adds another local franchise with a newly opened third location in Wicker Park. The new shop offers the same menu as other locations, plus a BYOB option. 1238 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-889-2121, www.sushiburritochicago.com More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Day Nonstick Pan Deals 2026
EDGEWATER — The old Carson’s Rib shack, which has sat dormant in Edgewater for nearly a decade, could be getting a new occupant, sort of. DNA Info reports that a development company has a pending application to put a Starbucks in the location, but it would first demolish the building. 5970 N. Ridge Ave., no phone number or website
LINCOLN PARK — Seafood continues to boom around the city, as the owners of Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi have applied to open a Cajun/Creole seafood bar called Captain’s Catch in the former Peasantry storefront. DNA Info first reported the story. 2723 N. Clark St., no phone number or website
UPTOWN — My Chocolate Soul has moved into its first storefront location, according to Eater. The French-style chocolatier began a few years ago and has succeeded working mostly with events and catering, until now. 4442 N. Broadway St., 773-234-7141, www.mychocolatesoul.com
WICKER PARK — The long-awaited opening of Devil Dawgs brings another late-night dining option to the heart of Wicker Park. The third and largest location of the Chicago franchise will be open until 3 a.m. most nights, and will offer salads and fruit slushies to cater to the neighborhood, reports DNA Info. 1431 N. Milwaukee Ave., no phone number, www.devildawgs.com
ANDERSONVILLE — Local coffee shop Dollop is punching up its next location: Owner Dan Weiss plans to make the next Dollop a classic breakfast-all-day diner, according to DNA Info, and hopes to open in March. The menu will feature “craveable, seasonal comfort foods” such as chicken and waffles and house-made doughnuts. 5060 N. Clark St., no phone number, www.dollopcoffee.com
WEST LOOP — On the floor above Grange Hall Burger Bar, its owners are planning a place to grab a drink, according to a Facebook post, first noticed by Eater. Backdoor Saloon will be a bar to complement the burgers below. 844 W. Randolph St., no phone number or website
SCHAUMBURG — Grab some Greek food from Kouzina Kitchen & Bar, which recently opened in the hands of owner Heidi Revelis. The menu offers some modern updates, mostly has traditional Greek dishes like lamb paidakia, taramosalata and saganaki, as well as Greek drinks and desserts. 795 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg, 847-490-9424, www.kouzina.org
SKOKIE — Local Mexican chain Taco Burrito King has opened its first stand-alone storefront in the suburbs, expanding to a new location in Skokie late last month. 7565 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 847-679-1000, www.tacoburritoking.com
HIGHWOOD — According to Facebook posts, Marco’s Northside Grill opened Dec. 18 in Highwood as a partner of the next-door Toadstool Pub. The casual eatery has been touting its house-made vegan burgers on social media, as well as its normal burger and its shrimp cocktail. 329 Waukegan Ave., Highwood, 847-748-8557, www.marcosnorthsidegrill.com
CLOSINGS:
RIVER NORTH — One of the city’s oldest sushi stops has served its final roll, as Sushi Naniwa announced on its Facebook page that the restaurant closed on New Year’s Eve after nearly 20 years in its downtown location.
JEFFERSON PARK — The Lawrence Avenue location of Brown’s Chicken recently lost its lease, and the local chain has no plans to continue operations at that property, according to DNA Info.
BUCKTOWN — Red Door Tavern has ended a four-year run in Bucktown, Eater reports.
LOGAN SQUARE — Metal Haven Grill, the combination restaurant/record store in Logan Square, closed for good on New Year’s Eve. An earlier GoFundMe campaign seeking $25,000 raised just $7,052.
LINCOLN PARK — Shabowl opened early this year but couldn’t make it to the turn of the calendar. The rice-bowl restaurant softly shuttered its Armitage Avenue location in December, according to Eater, which adds that a pizza place is moving in.
DEERFIELD — Trax Tavern & Grill, a popular neighborhood spot in Deerfield for more than 15 years, has closed to re-concept. The new space has been dubbed The Warehouse, although a similar local bar and grill atmosphere will remain, according to Pioneer Press.
ASHBURN — Rosario’s Italian Food had been open for 61 years, but the food market unfortunately shuttered after New Year’s Eve service, DNA Info reported.
ICYMI:
MORTON GROVE — Pending final inspections, the new Burt’s Place could reopen by the end of January. The restaurant’s caramelized-crust pizza, created by its late namesake, Burt Katz, is iconic locally.
MAGNIFICENT MILE — Good tacos can be hard to find downtown, but for the next few months, Taco Joint should help solve that problem. The restaurant just opened a nine-month pop-up in a Michigan Avenue food court.
WEST LOOP — Beatrix, home to nitro coffee, mega muffins and a brunch that manages to please everyone, will open its third location.
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BUCKTOWN — Here’s some double restaurant news: The Southern will close after Jan. 15, and its replacement is already set to take over. The team behind Gold Coast steakhouse Maple & Ash has plans for the property.
LAKEVIEW — We have the update on the future of 80-year-old Diner Grill after a Christmas Eve fire destroyed one of its twin trolley cars.
LOOP — Terzo Piano, the restaurant in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute, has closed for remodeling.
NOBLE SQUARE — Twenty-seat restaurant Temporis opened Thursday with a tasting menu featuring foie gras ice cream and more.
GOLD COAST — Off-Mag Mile pizzeria Bar Toma is no more, causing some heartbreak for chef Tony Mantuano.
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