1. Russian Tea Time
7.8
77 E Adams St (at Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Russian Restaurant · The Loop · 66 tips and reviews
Michele Steinberg: Thoroughly enjoyed lunch today (didn't have a chance to check in). Borscht, dumplings and veggie stuffed eggplant were all excellent, as was endless hot tea!
Dib Nath: Borsch is excellent! The Blinyzki's are awesome!
Chicago magazine: Gracious Old World setting and menu mean eastern Euro hits, from delicate pelmeni (ground beef dumplings) to lush beef stroganoff. Flavored vodkas offer further intrigue; good pretheatre choice. Read more.
4. Little Bucharest Bistro
7.6
3661 N Elston Ave (Addison), Chicago, IL
Eastern European Restaurant · Irving Park · 21 tips and reviews
James Vanecko: The owner is really sweet, he really wants his diners to walk away happy. It helps that the food is wonderful. Get the borscht!
Alyse: great food even for a vegetarian: mamaliga, beet salad, goulash: delish! beware of the extra charge for soda refills.
Megan Koehler: The stuffed cabbage is ah-mazing! Also, save room for dessert.
5. Podhalanka
8.5
1549 W Division St, Chicago, IL
Eastern European Restaurant · Noble Square · 31 tips and reviews
Holly Wang: Let the owner order for you if you don't know what to get. But my personal favorite is the cabbage and white borsch soups, the assorted pierogis, and the potato pancakes!
Holly Wang: Get either the white borsch or cabbage soup, potato pancakes and mixed pierogis!
Aubre: Kielbasa and potato pierogi. To-go or inside. Just do it.
Chicago Tribune: The beef stroganoff is terrific; the house-made pasta is richly eggy and arrives at the table al dente; the short-rib meat on top, glazed with sherry jus, is so tender thanks to a 10-hour braise.
Erica L: Amazing meal. Get the baked goat cheese and tomato, steak frites, crab cake, elote corn, and short rib stroganoff
Megan Robertson: The corn is amazing! Surprisingly my fave item of the night. Crab cakes, beef stroganoff, and steak were excellent as well. Highly recommend.
7. Shokolad Pastry & Cafe
8.6
2524 W Chicago Ave (at N Maplewood Ave), Chicago, IL
Ukrainian Restaurant · Humboldt Park · 11 tips and reviews
Gulia Ismailova-Adams: Pelmeni with sour cream!!!!!!
Chicago Sister Cities International: Fantastic Ukrainian dishes like varenyky, holubtsi, pelmeni and borsch abound. Close your eyes, take a bite and you'll feel like you're eating right in the middle of our sister city of Kyiv!
tina liao: Borsch! With buns and garlic oil!
Tania Sarenac: Best Borsht, pickles, and great european food at reasonable prices
Colleen Duncan: Fresh rolls baked here every day...amazing potato pancakes here too!!
Stuart Coates: The staff isn't the friendliest, but you can find products you won't find at your normal grocery store.
10. Gather
9.0
4539 N Lincoln Ave (btwn Wilson Ave & Sunnyside Ave), Chicago, IL
American Restaurant · Ravenswood · 42 tips and reviews
Genie B: The brandade on potato blini is outstanding. Creamy. Perfect.
Sharlene Wright: Innovative menu and amazing staff. Recommend the ricotta and green bean appetizer. Had a spectacular tofu special with peaches and spices that MUST stay on the menu (although it was a small portion)
Time Out Chicago: This covered terrace in Lincoln Square features shareable dishes like charcuterie and pickled vegetables, accompanied by summery wine coolers served by the glass and pitcher. http://tmout.us/lKTEo Read more.
11. River Roast
8.6
315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL
Restaurant · River North · 56 tips and reviews
Chicagoist: The menu here has so many delicious items. Try the pillowy blini with creamy trout, perfectly crisped potatoes, an intensely complex turnip gratin, and meat, lots and lots of meat. Read more.
Marissa Ryan: Everything was excellent! The service was great, the food was phenomenal, and the view can't be beat. Best chicken of my life!
PureWow: Come hungry. These are not your typical small plates. Get the fish of the day! Read more.
12. Pierogi Heaven
169 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
Polish Restaurant · The Loop · 31 tips and reviews
Cheapism: For big portions at small prices, people keep going for the pieorogis, the Borsch is a favorite here too. A variety of 6-piece Pierogis are available for $3.99. Twelve-piece orders available. Read more.
Brandon M: Potato and cheddar pierogi's almost as good as Mom's! A delicious variety to choose from. If I lived in Chicago, I'd likely be here at least once a week!
Jennifer Ribble: Best Pierogi's I have had in a Resturant! Try the meat/spinach and the potato/cheese. With the bacon, onions, and sour cream of course! One of the best places to eat in the loop.