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Arbella
Arbella
Marc Much

Chicago's 14 Hottest Late-Night Restaurants, Summer 2016

Night owls should sleep with a full stomach

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Arbella
| Marc Much

Late-night food isn't a luxury in Chicago, a city where plenty of workers don't just work 9 to 5. Beyond those nocturnal working stiffs, there are also those who need a solid meal or snack to ward off any alcoholic effects from the bars before bedtime. Beyond the classic late-night haunts, Chicago's in luck as more and more restaurant owners are serving up food late night. Here's a selection of newer restaurants that have recently opened or added late-night service. Listed alphabetically.

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Arbella

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Tanta's cocktail-focused sibling has a kitchen that serves, depending on how busy the bar is, until 12:45 a.m. on most days and 1:45 a.m. on Saturday. Find small bites with global flavors like Korean fried chicken and lamb chops.

Marc Much

Beacon Tavern

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Chef Bob Broskey (L20) has joined forces with Billy Lawless (The Gage) to create a menu full of plenty of seafood, a tasty burger and more. They take reservations until 11:30 p.m.

Marc Much

Since Carriage House's December revamp, the chicken and biscuits at Buck's have drawn attention. Even Beyonce and Jay Z visited. They're open until 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

Furious Spoon Logan Square

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The second location of Furious Spoon in Logan Square serves up ramen until 1 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

Johnny's Grill

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Sarah Jordan has revitalized Johnny's Grill in Logan Square. But the pro tip is to order Johnny's burger or fish and chips next door at Mezcaleria Las Flores until 2 a.m.

Marc Much

Kimski's

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The folks at Maria's Community Bar have thought out of the box for their Korean/Polish street food concept. The kitchen serves treats like fried rice made with a sauerkraut/kimchi hybrid until midnight.

Aron Gent

This Boystown revamp features pizza and unusual items like Sriracha barbecue ribs. Their late-night menu is offered until 2 a.m. on Sunday through Friday and until 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Lark

Maple & Ash

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The downstairs room at this upstart Gold Coast steakhouse serves food daily "until late." Diners will find a limited selection of steaks, but the winner is the Downstairs Burger.

Marc Much

Mikkey's Retro Grill

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Mikkey's offers wings with 15 different sauces, but they're known for their burgers, and not just ones made with beef. They've got salmon, turkey and veggie options, too. They're open daily until 4 a.m.

Paula's Thai Kitchen

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Late-night dining is a tradition in this space that once housed Taco Burrito Palace No. 2. The extensive, special late-night menu is where to go when diners are craving more than a pedestrian pad Thai. They're open daily until 2 a.m.

Paula's Thai Kitchen

Safari Lounge

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This new spinoff from the owners of venerable Demera Ethiopian mixes a variety of Ethiopian and Caribbean flavors to provide one of Chicago's most-unique menus. Try the chicken wings. They're not from Upstate New York. The late-night menu is available after 11 p.m., and they close at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. on Saturdays.

Marc Much

Saved by the Max

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Most everyone knows the story about this nostalgic TV pop-up that lasts until Dec. 31 in Wicker Park. If diners brave the lines, which have been smaller since the opening, they'll get inside the Max which serves until 1 a.m. on Sunday through Friday and 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

SmallFry

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Triple-fried fries and upscale takes on fast-food burgers are the story in Logan Square, an area that lacks late-night dining options despite the abundance of bars in the neighborhood. They're open until 11 p.m. most days, (closed Wednesday!) and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

SmallFry

The Halal Guys Chicago

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Halal Guys has found a home in Chicago, serving up gyros with their famous sauces to patrons near Rush and Division. Hours often extend past midnight, but call ahead.

Marc Much

Arbella

Tanta's cocktail-focused sibling has a kitchen that serves, depending on how busy the bar is, until 12:45 a.m. on most days and 1:45 a.m. on Saturday. Find small bites with global flavors like Korean fried chicken and lamb chops.

Marc Much

Beacon Tavern

Chef Bob Broskey (L20) has joined forces with Billy Lawless (The Gage) to create a menu full of plenty of seafood, a tasty burger and more. They take reservations until 11:30 p.m.

Marc Much

Buck's

Since Carriage House's December revamp, the chicken and biscuits at Buck's have drawn attention. Even Beyonce and Jay Z visited. They're open until 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

Furious Spoon Logan Square

The second location of Furious Spoon in Logan Square serves up ramen until 1 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

Johnny's Grill

Sarah Jordan has revitalized Johnny's Grill in Logan Square. But the pro tip is to order Johnny's burger or fish and chips next door at Mezcaleria Las Flores until 2 a.m.

Marc Much

Kimski's

The folks at Maria's Community Bar have thought out of the box for their Korean/Polish street food concept. The kitchen serves treats like fried rice made with a sauerkraut/kimchi hybrid until midnight.

Aron Gent

Lark

This Boystown revamp features pizza and unusual items like Sriracha barbecue ribs. Their late-night menu is offered until 2 a.m. on Sunday through Friday and until 3 a.m. on Saturday.

Lark

Maple & Ash

The downstairs room at this upstart Gold Coast steakhouse serves food daily "until late." Diners will find a limited selection of steaks, but the winner is the Downstairs Burger.

Marc Much

Mikkey's Retro Grill

Mikkey's offers wings with 15 different sauces, but they're known for their burgers, and not just ones made with beef. They've got salmon, turkey and veggie options, too. They're open daily until 4 a.m.

Paula's Thai Kitchen

Late-night dining is a tradition in this space that once housed Taco Burrito Palace No. 2. The extensive, special late-night menu is where to go when diners are craving more than a pedestrian pad Thai. They're open daily until 2 a.m.

Paula's Thai Kitchen

Safari Lounge

This new spinoff from the owners of venerable Demera Ethiopian mixes a variety of Ethiopian and Caribbean flavors to provide one of Chicago's most-unique menus. Try the chicken wings. They're not from Upstate New York. The late-night menu is available after 11 p.m., and they close at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. on Saturdays.

Marc Much

Saved by the Max

Most everyone knows the story about this nostalgic TV pop-up that lasts until Dec. 31 in Wicker Park. If diners brave the lines, which have been smaller since the opening, they'll get inside the Max which serves until 1 a.m. on Sunday through Friday and 2 a.m. on Saturday.

Marc Much

SmallFry

Triple-fried fries and upscale takes on fast-food burgers are the story in Logan Square, an area that lacks late-night dining options despite the abundance of bars in the neighborhood. They're open until 11 p.m. most days, (closed Wednesday!) and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

SmallFry

The Halal Guys Chicago

Halal Guys has found a home in Chicago, serving up gyros with their famous sauces to patrons near Rush and Division. Hours often extend past midnight, but call ahead.

Marc Much

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