We all have our favorites — the go-to diner, or the bar with cocktails so good you’ll trek across town for a taste. For our annual Readers’ Choice Food Awards, you can shout it from the rooftops (virtually, at least).
Now that our critics have named their best and brightest in food and dining for 2023, it’s your turn. Nominate your favorites in 12 categories, from the best new restaurant of the past year to the best Chicago-style barbecue and best nonalcoholic bar menu.
[ Critics’ Choice Food Awards: From pizza to pho, our picks for the best in Chicago dining for 2023 ]
Nominations are open through March 15 (readers can nominate one business in each category), and from there, we’ll narrow it down to the most-nominated finalists. As with last year — the first time we introduced the nomination period — we’ll take a few things into account: If nominations come from the restaurants themselves, or if the same person appeared to submit multiple nominations through different emails, we’ll factor that into our decision.
In the end, our finalists — five in each category except for Best New Restaurant, which has 10 finalists — will each have an equal shot at the final prize — but it’ll be up to you to decide the winners. Readers can vote online daily from March 17-31 and help their favorites best the competition.
We’ll announce the winners online and in print April 26.
Submit your nominations below, then come back March 17 to see who made it to the final round and vote daily for who you want to win it all.
Businesses can download a media kit with promotional assets to encourage patrons and fans to vote in the Readers’ Choice Food Awards.
If the voting form does not load below, try refreshing, or click here to vote.
This year’s categories include:
- Best New Restaurant: Your favorite spot to open in 2022.
- Best Chicago-Style Barbecue: Rib tips and links? Sign us up.
- Best Nonalcoholic Drink Menu: Whether it’s NA beer, spirit-free cocktails or a mix of nonalcoholic sippers, which Chicagoland spot has the best to offer?
- Best Sandwich: Slap something between two pieces of bread and call it a day.
- Best Plant-Based Food: Your favorite spot for vegan and vegetarian bites.
- Best Diner: Old-school, new-school or somewhere in between.
- Best Steak: Which spot sets your heart a-sizzlin’?
- Best Suburban Restaurant: Because great dining doesn’t end at the city limits.
- Most Impressive Cult Following: Do they have lines around the block? A devoted social media audience? This will be a true battle of the fans.
- Best Next-Gen Asian Restaurant: Which contemporary dining destination knocks your socks off?
- Best Sweet Treat: Whether it’s a perfect dessert to finish an ideal dinner, or a baked goods emporium, what’s the best item in town to satisfy that sweet tooth?
- Best Late-Night Haunt: Bonus points if everybody knows your name.
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
