Latin American Restaurants in Chicago

Looking to relive the feel-good fiesta vibes of your last trip south of the border? Then welcoming no-frills Costa Rican cantina Irazu. Repping a killer patio, chalkboard specials, bumper portions and merry-making BYOB licence, the plates here are piled high with satisfying heaps of rice, beans, plantain, peppers, and griddled carne – but you won’t want to miss the outrageous seven-layer dip (chifrijo), marinated ribeye steak sandwich (pepito), and signature oatmeal milkshake. This Bucktown banger kicks off come sundown and is best enjoyed with your crew.

Beloved for his creative take on Mexican cuisine, Rick Bayless first made his mark on the city with the launch of flagship restaurant Frontera Grill. Shining a contemporary light on regional recipes, with a doffed sombrero to the Oaxaca region, Frontera Grill has been pleasing Chicago’s crowds with its ever-changing menu of classics for more than 30 years – a rarity in the fickle restaurant game.

Artango Bar & Steakhouse steals the show with a live music and tango accompaniment in a dim-lit, clubby setting reminiscent of 1920s Buenos Aires. Check the schedule, book a table and don your finest gladrags for an evening of melt-in-your-mouth steak, zinger ceviche, old-school cocktails and a strut across the dancefloor, or two. Tango first-timers can prepare to impress with a class beforehand.

Irazu / 1865 N Milwaukee Ave / Bucktown / +1 773 252 5687 / 11am-9pm Tue-Sat / irazuchicago.com 

Frontera Grill / 445 N Clark St / Near North Side / +1 312 661 1434 / 11:30am-2pm Tues-Fri brunch, 10:30am-2pm Sat brunch, 10:30am-3pm Sun brunch, 4:30pm-9pm Tue-Thurs, 4:30pm-10pm Fri, 4pm-10pm Sat, 4pm-9pm Sun / rickbayless.com

Artango Bar & Steakhouse / 4767 N Lincoln Ave / Lincoln Sq / +1 872 208 7441 / 5pm-9:30pm Tue-Thurs, 5pm-11:30pm Fri, 4pm-11:30pm Sat, 4pm-9pm Sun / artangosteakhouse.com