How does TastyPals choose the best casual night restaurants in Chicago?

We evaluate casual night restaurants in Chicago on food quality, room tone, price, and whether the experience holds up for real dining plans — not just the places with the most Google reviews. This list is anchored by Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna alongside Ayayay - Mexican Eatery and Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago, chosen through editorial review and cross-referenced against neighbourhood context and guest ratings. Read our full methodology at tastypals.com/methodology.

GuideUpdated July 16, 2026

15 Best casual night Restaurants in Chicago

Q: What are the best casual night restaurants in Chicago?

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna is our top pick in Chicago. Boka Group has a knack for making a room feel more expensive than it is, and Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna at 531 N Wells St. is reportedly one of their cleaner executions of that trick. The space runs two modes: a leather-and-low-light front dining room that reads as a proper night out, and a Taverna concealed behind a pantry door that leans closer to a speakeasy than anything you'd associate with pizza. Chef partners Chris Pandel and Lee Wolen — whose collective résumé covers Swift & Sons, Boka, and Alla Vita — are the pedigree behind the menu. The price point, by most accounts, does not reflect that résumé. That gap between casual format and serious kitchen lineage is essentially the whole proposition. The menu centers on a handful of pizzas and pastas that diners consistently point to as the reason to return. The Carbonara Pizza takes a Roman pasta classic and rebuilds it on a blistered crust — smoked pancetta, pecorino, egg — with a reputation for richness that stops short of heaviness. The Soppressata and Mortadella Pizza is known for pairing Calabrian chili honey and arugula against the fat of the charcuterie, a combination that sounds like it could tip sweet or bitter but reportedly holds its balance. For anyone at the table who is skeptical of pizza as a full dinner, the Radiatore alla Vodka is the reported answer — ridged pasta built to catch sauce, and a familiar dish given room to be taken seriously. The Calamari with fried peppers and Calabrian chili aioli turns up repeatedly as the way to open the meal. Practical notes worth knowing: there is a grab-and-go window on Grand St. for solo lunch situations with no reservations required. The Taverna is the play for two people who want something quieter. Come before 7 on a weekday if conversation is the point. Other strong options include Ayayay - Mexican Eatery and Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago.

The best 15 restaurants for casual night in Chicago — curated by TastyPals editors.

The best casual night restaurants in Chicago are Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna, Ayayay - Mexican Eatery, Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago, and more. Start with Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna if you want the strongest overall first pick.

By James Whitfield•15 ranked picks•Published July 16, 2026•Updated July 16, 2026

Methodology•Editorial team

Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna Ayayay - Mexican Eatery Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago

15 Best casual night Restaurants in Chicago

Google

Top picks at a glance

#1Zarella Pizzeria & TavernaPizza • Chicago • value #2Ayayay - Mexican EateryMexican • Chicago • value #3Costera Cocina Tulum - ChicagoMexican • Chicago • value

Who this guide is for

This guide covers the highest-rated restaurants for casual night in Chicago, sorted by Google rating and editorial judgment. Picks span Chicago, Pilsen and Lakeview.