Chicago’s Restaurant Experts Name Their Top Restaurant Newcomers of 2019

To continue the tradition of asking Chicago’s food writers and critics to sum up their year in dining, they named their favorite new restaurants in 2019.

Chandra Ram, Plate: Thattu, Galit, Jeong, Kikko, Superkhana and Wherewithall shook the dust off of Chicago’s restaurant scene. Kostali has enough of the great Naha flavors and vibe. And I want to add an honorable mention to Virtue, which opened in late 2018 but rightfully dominated my dining recommendations to visiting chefs and food writers.

Titus Ruscitti, ChiBBQKing: Gaijin, Jeong, Tzuco, Tortello, Politan Row, Ali Baba Doner, Barbaro Taqueria, Torchio Pasta Bar, Lola’s Coney Island, Middlebrow Bungalow, Carnitas Uruapan Restaurant, Tacos de Canasta Don Rossy.

Ji Suk Yi, WGN Radio, Sun-Times: Galit, Wherewithall.

Michael Nagrant, michaelnagrant.com: Funkenhausen, Bar Kumiko/Kikko, Bayan Ko, Jeong, Galit, Cafe Cancale

Ariel Cheung, Plate, Chicago, Time Out Chicago, Block Club: My personal favorites — the food that really excited me — were Wherewithall, Jeong and Kumiko.

Morgan Olsen, Time Out Chicago: I’m admittedly quite proud of Time Out Market Chicago — where else can you find eats from Abe Conlon (Fat Rice), Thai Dang (Hai Sous), John Manion (El Che Steakhouse and Bar) and Lost Larson under one roof? I also loved Kumiko, Wherewithall, Tzuco and Thattu.

Jeff Ruby, Chicago: Wherewithall, Jeong, Tzuco, Claudia.