If it’s good enough for Beyoncé, then it’s good enough for me. That unofficial motto is humming through Chicago’s culinary scene these days, as A-listers continue to crop up at the city’s most elite tables. From Michelin-rated sushi bars to riverside pizzerias, the Windy City is being used both as a playground and a pantry by the famous and fabulous.
Over the past few months, Chicago has seen an influx of celebrity sightings that read like a music festival lineup crossed with an awards show guest list. Actors, musicians, athletes, and style icons aren’t just breezing through they’re making time to savor the city’s diverse flavors, toast with signature cocktails, and even hop behind the bar or kitchen counter.
Here’s a handpicked glimpse at 10 of the best places where the stars have been dining, clubbing, and socializing with locals lately so you’ll know where to go if you want to get a side of stardust with your steak.
1. RPM Italian – The Star Magnet
Few spots in Chicago draw in as many boldface names as RPM Italian in River North. In the past few months, it’s welcomed everyone from Sophia Bush and Jesse Metcalfe to Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and Joe Trohman. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and gymnast Livvy Dunne also visited after games, while Mariah Carey dropped by for an after-midnight meal with relatives.
The draw? A menu with just the right mix of indulgence and sophistication handcrafted pastas, expertly seared steaks, and a wine list that lubricates the conversation. It’s an institution where Bears quarterback Justin Fields might have a quiet dinner one evening and TikTok phenom Nessa Barrett might grab a pre-tour gig fuel the next.
2. RPM Steak – Where Music Meets Meat
When Megan Moroney is not shining at the Windy City Smokeout stage, she is chowing down on a steak at RPM Steak. The River North behemoth has also hosted Kelly Rowland, Jack Harlow, and even Green Day with BTS’s J-Hope for its high-end cuts.
The atmosphere is upscale – yet never pretentious – with a menu featuring everything from Japanese Wagyu to indulgent sides. It’s the sort of place where power diners and rock stars and pop celebrities can all fit in together at least until dessert comes out.
3. Pizzeria Portofino – Riverside Cool
This casual riverfront spot is a celebrity hot spot for its relaxed atmosphere and Italian seaside eats. Darren Criss toasted his Tony victory here before taking a boat ride from the marina, while Sabrina Carpenter, Peso Pluma, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith all sat down with friends.
The draw is in the details: wood-fired pizzas, spritzes, and a look that leads you to forget that you’re in the middle of downtown. Kendall Jenner has even been seen here, pairing black truffle pizza with her own 818 Tequila.
4. Aba – Mediterranean Chic
West Loop’s Aba is basically a celebrity clubhouse come festival time. Lollapalooza week alone hosted Måneskin, The Regrettes, and The Linda Lindas here, and Suki Waterhouse and Slash have also been in.
The green roof top, shareable mediterranean plates, and energetic vibe draw it naturally to touring artists and thespians alike. Grilled kebabs or craft cocktails, Aba serves up the kind of effortlessly hip environment that brings stars back time after time.
5. Miru – Sky-High Dining
Perched atop The St. Regis Chicago, Miru has become a hotspot for A-list guests. Will Ferrell stopped in to fuel up ahead of his Ultimate DJ House Party, Ali Wong dined before her Chicago Theatre performance, and Drake was one of the earliest to sample it.
With panoramic vistas and a menu that mixes Japanese with Korean, Miru is an oasis of calm yet glamourous retreat exactly the place celebrities would want to keep things high, literally and metaphorically.
6. Three Dots and a Dash – Tiki After Dark
This secret River North tiki bar is where the party begins or ends for many guest performers. Kesha stopped by for a night of dancing here with her crew, and Renee Rapp and Sabrina Carpenter have both popped in during Lollapalooza.
With its over-the-top rum drinks and Hawaiian-style decor, Three Dots and a Dash is a tongue-in-cheek throwback to the steakhouses found throughout the city, a taste of island retreat in the midst of Chicago.
7. Hawksmoor – Steaks That Passed the Rocker Test
British rock star Noel Gallagher opted for a warming dinner of filet and bone marrow gravy at Hawksmoor, and Jessie Ware did the same with steak and oysters following her Pitchfork performance.
Its reputation for humanely sourced beef and traditional British sides makes Hawksmoor just the thing to combine old-school ambiance with contemporary flair. It’s the sort of establishment where artists can relax over a decent meal following an exceptionally energetic performance.
8. Bonyeon – K-Pop’s Food Stop
When K-pop group Stray Kids arrived in Chicago for Lollapalooza, they managed to squeeze in a banquet at Bonyeon in the West Loop. The beef omakase restaurant features high-end cuts served tableside, making for an interactive meal.
For fans, the fact that their idols ate here is an extra touch of mystique to the already intimate, upscale concept.
9. La Serre – High-End French Flair
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez went for La Serre, indulging in roasted escargot and linguine with clams. The upscale French menu and intimate atmosphere of the restaurant make it a logical choice for power couples and special events.
It’s not just about the food it’s about the experience, from the service to the dessert, which in Bezos’s case was warm apple bread pudding.
10. Windy City Smokeout – BBQ and Star Power
More than a food fest, the annual Windy City Smokeout is a draw for country musicians and celebrity chefs. This year, Megan Moroney, Mark Wahlberg, and Kyle Richards were seen socializing with pitmasters and drinking tequila.
With more than 20 of the region’s best barbecue experts offering everything from Italian sausage to ribs, it’s an unusual opportunity to find stars in a less formal, hands-on environment sometimes literally ringing the tequila bell.
Chicago’s celebrity restaurant scene is as vibrant as the city itself equal measures glitzy, intimate, and delicious. From a Michelin-starred izakaya to a rooftop Mediterranean oasis, each venue demonstrates the Windy City is more than a layover for the stars it’s a destination to be savored. And for residents and tourists alike, that’s more opportunity to break bread, capture a moment, and possibly even a selfie with someone whose name illuminates marquees.
