Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Near West

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Near West? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant - North Lawndale

4.9

4.9 (10)

$30 and under

Mexican

North Lawndale

About the restaurant

An award-winning, Mexican café serving up a Guadalajara-inspired, extensive menu

Top review

MIRIAM

Dined on Nov 3, 2024

Parking is easy to find, with spots available on the major street and surrounding side streets, so you won’t have to worry much about that. We made a reservation via Table, which helped us get seated quickly—though it’s worth noting that most reservations seemed to be for larger parties, so we had a bit of an advantage as a smaller group. The service was prompt, and they took our order right away. We already knew what we wanted: I went with the green chilaquiles, my husband had the red, and my daughter opted for pancakes. Everything was delicious! A highlight was the Café de Olla—when we ordered the large, we were pleasantly surprised by the huge mug they brought out! It was so enjoyable. The atmosphere is also worth mentioning. The art and vibrant colors give the space a lively, welcoming feel. It’s a great spot whether you're with family or friends, perfect for a relaxed meal or catching up. We had a fantastic time and will definitely be coming back!

Maya Del Sol

4.8

4.8 (3814)

$30 and under

Latin American

Oak Park

About the restaurant

## Maya Del Sol: A Culinary Journey Through Latin America Step into Maya Del Sol and embark on a vibrant culinary adventure through the diverse flavors of Latin America. Our family-owned restaurant, nestled in the heart of Oak Park, Illinois, offers a unique dining experience that tantalizes your taste buds and warms your soul. **A Fusion of Flavors:** Our menu is a symphony of bold, innovative flavors, drawing inspiration from Mexico, Central America, and South America. From fresh ceviche and sizzling fajitas to succulent steaks and flavorful seafood creations, each dish is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of the region. Our chefs use only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring every bite is a burst of authentic taste. **A Vibrant Atmosphere:** Whether you choose to dine in our elegant dining rooms or on our expansive outdoor patio, Maya Del Sol offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Lush greenery, twinkling lights, and the lively chatter of friends and family create a truly special ambiance. **Hand-Crafted Cocktails:** No Latin American experience is complete without a perfectly crafted margarita. Our extensive margarita list features fresh, hand-squeezed juices and unique flavor combinations, all shaken and served tableside. We also offer a curated selection of cocktails

Top review

Tim

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic place to take in live music and have a great Mexican meal.

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La Catedral Cafe & Restaurant - Little Village

4.9

4.9 (89)

$30 and under

Mexican

Cicero

About the restaurant

A Mexican coffee house-restaurant located in the Mexican Capital of the Midwest, Little Village, offers a variety of different, non-traditional coffee and ice cream flavors. We also have an extensive menu of European inspired Mexican dishes that include options like paninis, salads and all-day breakfast. La Catedral, is a name inspired by the cathedral in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, which is also reflected in the establishment's logo.

Top review

Carmen

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

Love the food, portion sizes are great. The lemonade with chia is so good.

Citrine Cafe

4.8

4.8 (1279)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Oak Park

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Oak Park IL, Citrine offers Mediterranean influenced cuisine with American flair. The menu includes seasonal fish and vegetable dishes, braised meats cooked in clay pots and fresh bread from our brick oven.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

A lovely evening with a great special: risotto with beef cheeks, mushrooms and bell peppers. Our server Matthew was knowledgeable about dishes, wines and so accommodating throughout. It was my 75th birthday and I felt so special there.

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4.6

4.6 (1243)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Oak Park

About the restaurant

At Hemmingway's Bistro the menu combines classic French dishes with the freshest Midwest ingredients.
The daily specials reflect the chef's love for fresh seafood. Using mostly East-coast seafood flown in from Boston daily, the chef creates dishes like wild mushroom-crusted halibut on horseradish whipped potatoes and roasted sea bass on Caussoulet beans.
There is also a Parisian seafood bar offering towers of Plateau de Fruit de Mer with fresh oysters, clams, shrimp, and lobster.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent experience every single time, in every single way!

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4.8

4.8 (1772)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Riverside

About the restaurant

The Chew Chew is celebrating 28 years of great food & hospitality in the heart of Riverside, IL directed by original Chef/Owner Scott Zimmer. Located one-mile east of Brookfield Zoo, 5 miles northwest of Midway Airport and 10 miles west of Downtown Chicago. There is a Metra Train stop on our block for safe & easy access in/out of the City. We feature a multi-level dining room, vibrant full-bar & a cozy outdoor patio May-October (weather permitting). Happy Hour daily 4-6pm with beer, wine & cocktail specials. Make sure to try one of our famous Jumbo Martinis during your visit! We appreciate all the great reviews & voting us Chicago's #1 Neighborhood Restaurant on Open Table. If you cannot find a reservation online, please call us direct 708-447-8781. We look forward to serving you.

Top review

Donald

Dined 6 days ago

The Chew Chew is always a nice place to dine. I had the crab stuffed rainbow trout, while my wife had the scallops with risotto. Both were delicious!

La Parra Restaurant and Bar

4.9

4.9 (534)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Berwyn

About the restaurant

La Parra Restaurant & Bar, in Berwyn, IL, is a premier dining establishment serving the Chicago, Cicero and Oak Park areas. We specialize in home made pastas, tapas and the best cocktails you'll ever try. We offer a Mediterranean style menu, a full bar, and dine in or carry out options.

For your next night out, visit La Parra Restaurant & Bar in Berwyn. The best Mediterranean around!

Top review

HarleyF

Dined today

Great customer service, Great food, great energy!! Drinks are on point. It’s my favorite restaurant in Berwyn, IL.

Rustico

4.7

4.7 (1011)

$30 and under

Italian

Oak Park

About the restaurant

Delicious Italian & Spanish cuisine celebrating regional flavors of The Mediterranean in the heart of Oak Park, Illinois

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 5 days ago

Met with friends for late lunch. Nice quiet atmosphere with soothing music. Two of us ordered the short rib dinner and one ordered salmon. Portions were huge and meat was tender. Salmon done perfectly. For dessert we ordered cannoli and fig bread pudding. Both very good each came with a scoop of gelato. Ordered two regular coffees and wanted one decaf coffee. They did not have decaf nor decaf americano. It would be nice to have in the afternoon for those who can’t have caffeine. Overall experience very good and we will return.

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The Little Gem Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1143)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Oak Park

About the restaurant

This Intimate, Stylish Little Restaurant is Elegant and Romantic
With a Warm and Welcoming Atmosphere.
A Relaxed Fine Dining Experience.
Casual or Smart - All Feel At Ease.

Reservations are Recommended - Walkins are always Welcome.
Full Bar with a Speciality Bourbon Collection, Fine Wines and Craft Cocktails.
Newly Expanded to right next door Also Check Out ENCORE! by Little Gem it is just as cosy, warm and inviting.

In addition we have a Private Party Room for up to 70.
Food + Drink Party Packages Available.
Outdoor Dining available weather permitting.
Gift Cards, Private Parties and Customized Menus are available.
Please call (917) 327 8997 or email us : info@thelittlegemcafe.com

We look forward to serving you!

Top review

EdwardVIP

Dined today

Dining experience at The Little Gem was excellent. Service was smooth and appetizers and entrees were spaced nicely. We were a party of six and everything was seamless. Good menu choices and excellent preparation.

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Experience

New Years Eve Dinner 2025

Amerikas

4.8

4.8 (855)

$30 and under

Latin American

Oak Park

About the restaurant

Amerikas represents that very essence of American cuisine. Amerikas’ concept is dedicated to blend its Latin roots with flavors from around the world to create that unique taste

Top review

Sandra

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious meal, Venue is small but very popular with the locals, suggest you make reservations rather then just walking in.

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Near West