Best International Restaurants in Chicago – Food & Drink Guide by Neighborhood

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🍽️ Best International Restaurants in Chicago: A Culinary Trip Around the World 

Chicago’s diverse culinary scene offers a world of flavors whether you’re searching for best international food near me or craving unique global cuisine. This guide highlights five outstanding international restaurants, each representing a unique culture and cuisine. From Cambodian fine dining to Ukrainian comfort food, these establishments promise an unforgettable gastronomic journey.

Important Note: Please always check the business official websites/social media pages or call for the most updated operating hours and menu items. 

🇰🇭 Khmai Cambodian Fine Dining Rooted in Survival & Storytelling

🌍 Country / Region: Cambodia, Southeast Asia
📍 Chicago Neighborhood: Rogers Park
🍢 What to Eat: Beef skewers + rice, and the chicken curry (mild, comforting, tender well cooked vegetables)
🍹 What to Drink: Spiced Mango Daiquiri served with a thick slice of fresh mango.
🎨 Restaurant Atmosphere: Elegant black-and-gold decor, good lighting— (no phone flashlight needed!), and a vibe that’s business casual but not stuffy
📝 Dining Experience Review Summary: This was the best dining experience I had in Chicago. Looking for Cambodian fine dining in Chicago that blends culture, resilience, and award-winning flavors? Khmai delivers all three. I was so impressed I wrote a full review.
👉🏽 Read my full review of Khmai Cambodian Restaurant

🏆 Restaurant Background & Recognition

Founded by Chef Mona Sang and her mother Sarom Sieng—both survivors of the Cambodian genocide.
🥇 Named Winner of Eater Chicago’s Chefs of the Year (2022)
🥈 Semifinalist for James Beard Award, Best New Restaurant (2023)

📌 Sister Spot: Kaun Khmai – Casual Cambodian Comfort
Kaun Khmai (“child of Khmai” in Khmer) is the casual sister restaurant of Khmai serving Cambodian brunch, street food, dinner and fun cocktails on Loyola University’s campus.
Located on Loyola’ university’s campus, this spot serves brunch, street food, and fun cocktails in a laid-back setting.
💡Refugee- and women-owned business like its parent restaurant.

🇸🇳 Yassa – Senegalese Flavors in a Neighborhood Setting

🌍 Country / Region: Senegal, West Africa
📍Chicago Neighborhood: Bronzeville (northern end)
🍽️ What to Eat: Fataya – spicy, deep-fried salmon patties served with a tangy dipping sauce. Vegan options also available.
🥤What to Drink: House-made honeydew and pineapple juice (non-alcoholic) – sweet, smooth, and a perfect match
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Restaurant Atmosphere: Casual, family-friendly, with upbeat Senegalese music videos playing on a large TV🧑🏾‍🍳 Ownership & Energy: Black-owned business with staff who seemed to know everyone dining in at the time of my visit. Service was polite but not particularly attentive when I had questions.
💬 My Review Summary: The food was delicious and soulful, but I probably wouldn’t go solo again or order takeout. I appreciated the music and community feel, but the service felt a bit distant.

🇵🇷 Borinquen – Puerto Rican Comfort Food & the Original Jibarito

🌍 Country / Region: Puerto Rico, Caribbean
📍 Chicago Neighborhood: North Center
🥘 What to Eat:
🥪Jibarito sandwich (your choice of meat between fried plantains instead of bread)
🥪Relleno de Papa
🥪Pastel
📍Fun Fact: Borinquen’s founder is credited with creating the jibarito sandwich over 20 years ago when the restaurant was based in Humboldt Park, Chicago. “Borinquen” is the Taíno name for precolonial Puerto Rico and also a real neighborhood in Aguadilla.
🏠 Restaurant Atmosphere: Casual and family-friendly. Service was fast (much appreciated), food was satisfying, and the bathrooms were clean.
🔌Pro tip: Sit by the wall if you need to charge your phone.
💬My Review Summary: This is a comfort food spot with history. The jibarito lived up to the hype & would absolutely return just for that.

🍸Nearby Bar Drink Recommendation: Grace & Leavitt Tavern

An actual 10 minute walk down the street from Borinquen.

  • 🍺 What to Order: Duchesse de Bourgogne & the Nojito (mocktail)
  • 🐾 Ambience: Clean, charming, cozy, and dog-friendly. No sticky tables or floors!
  • ⏳ Note: Service was slightly slow due to staff shortages, but the prices were great.

🪆 Russian Tea Time – Stroganoff & Tea 

🌍 Country / Region: Russia + Eastern Europe
📍Chicago Neighborhood: South Loop
🍽️ What to Eat: beef stroganoff — generous portions, classic flavors
🥤What to Drink: House-made tea
🎻Restaurant Atmosphere: upscale, dark lighting, with Old-school Eastern European charm with carved wood
📸 Photo Tip: Cozy booths and tea trays make great photo moments
💬 Review Summary: I would be interested in going back for their afternoon tea service to try different types of tea. Feels like stepping into another time zone. Great for slow dining, culture lovers, or multi-generational meals.

🎯Nearby Attraction:🏛️Art Institute of Chicago 

🍸 Nearby Bar Drink Recommendation:

Lockwood Lobby – Palmer House Hilton Hotel

🍹Mocktail Drink Recommendation: Tuscan Sun 

📸 Note: I went to check out the lobby’s stunning architecture and ended up staying there taking so many pictures for so long that a staff member asked me what drink I wanted to order. I felt guilty & ordered a mocktail which took forever to arrive, lol. 

One of my most memorable Chicago moments: the gorgeous ceiling looming over me for the first time while riding the escalators to the lobby.

🇺🇦  Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen – Near Cultural Landmarks

🌍 Country / Region: Ukraine, Eastern Europe
📍Chicago Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village (West side) 
🍽️ What to Eat: Chicken Kyiv and varenyky (stuffed dumplings)
🪑 Restaurant Atmosphere: colorful stained glass, cozy, artistic chic with lots of books, Ukrainian cultural artifacts adorning the walls, and funny posters on the wall on your way to the bathroom
📸 Photo Tip: light and airy in daytime.
💬 Review Summary: Service was okay and food was good but Tryzub remains a top choice for Eastern European cuisine in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village.

🍨Nearby Dessert Shop: Black Dog Gelato

Gelato Recommendation: Goat Cheese Cashew Caramel (divine!!!)
Note: There is no place to sit or public restrooms inside the small gelato shop.

🎯Nearby Attractions in the Ukraine Village Neighborhood

🎨Ukrainian National Museum
🎨Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
⛪St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral
⛪Sts. Volodymyr & Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish (both places have been featured in Chicago Architecture Week’s Tours for their art work).

🌿Nearby Optional Free Attraction: Garfield Park Conservatory 

Garfield Park Conservatory is about a 10 minute drive from this restaurant (with no traffic). Online reservations are required ahead of time but I saw many people walk in without one but I also went on a weekday in the middle of the day.

Although it’s free and a nice place to walk around if you have extra time, it’s not worth going out of your way to visit as there aren’t any food or other attraction options nearby that you can easily walk to. (unless you really love conservatories)

📸 Free Photo Opportunity: LondonHouse Rooftop Bar on Chicago Riverwalk

There is a rooftop bar at the LondonHouse Hotel, but I went there to take pictures and for the view. It was insanely crowded so I didn’t stay long but I was satisfied with how my pictures turned out.

💡Know Before You Go: there may be staff managing a line near the elevators to go up and same thing going down the elevators.

💬 Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Meal
These five restaurants didn’t just serve food—they served stories, comfort, and culture. Whether you’re a local or visiting, supporting these places means celebrating the people behind them.

📣 Share Your International Chicago Food Finds

 🌍 Tried one of these international gems or have a favorite of your own? I’d love to hear where you go when you’re craving something bold, comforting, or completely new.
🍛Please let me know, especially if I missed a spot you think deserves the spotlight.
I’m always looking to expand my cultural food map, one unforgettable meal at a time. 

🌆 More Chicago Food & Travel Series

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