Looking for the best new seafood in Chicago? These spots will satisfy all your cravings. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for some seafood.
Juniper Spirits & Oysters
1244 N. Dearborn St., Gold Coast
Juniper Spirits & Oysters is located on the first floor of the Claridge House and features a sidewalk patio, modern art and a dining room that seats a few dozen people.
The compact breakfast menu includes smoothies, croissants, scones, avocado toast and a selection of caffeinated beverages. Standout options on the all-day menu include the smoked trout salad with green apple, poached Maine lobster roll, honey-glazed salmon and fresh oysters.
Pair your meal with a selection from the extensive wine list or a cocktail like the Mr. Claride with Grey Goose vodka, English breakfast tea, honey, lemon and house-made thyme bitters. Stop in for happy hour from 4-7 p.m. on weekdays for discounted oysters and drinks. The full menu can be seen here.
With a five-star Yelp rating out of two reviews, Juniper Spirits & Oysters has been getting positive attention.
"The food and service were both extraordinary and we would return in a heartbeat," Joanna M. noted. "The filet sliders with the quail eggs were the best we've ever had! Art for the mouth! A perfect balance of flavors with the egg, tender filet meat, caramelized onion and just a touch of condiment."
Yelper Sam N. wrote, "It has a vibe that you will get addicted to as the couches are quite comfy and plush."
Juniper Spirits & Oysters is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. from Monday-Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
La Palapa
3350 N. Harlem, Dunning
La Palapa is a Mexican spot that wants to provide a beach-restaurant experience for the Chicago area. The restaurant specializes in Nayarit-style seafood, according to its website. Unlike its South Side location, this establishment has a full bar.
The dinner menu includes the Filete Relleno: tilapia, octopus, crab and shrimp topped with onions, tomatoes, cilantro and cheese. Craving dessert? Check out the homemade flan for something sweet.
Yelpers are excited about La Palapa, which currently holds 4.5 stars out of three reviews on the site.
Faustino H. noted, "I really like this place! Try the rompe colchon loaded with seafood. It's spicy but delicious. The horchata was really good, just the way I like it."
Yelper Dan M. wrote, "Smaller than South Side location. I had a shrimp and octopus with rice meal and it was good."
La Palapa is open from 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Grandee Cuisine
215 E. Grand Ave., Streeterville
Grandee Cuisine is a dim sum spot with an array of seafood dishes. The not-so-new restaurant is in the space that formerly housed MingHin Cuisine, with the same owner and a new name.
Look for the creamy king crab meat with fish maw soup or try the seafood with tofu soup. Specials include salt and pepper soft-shell crab, steamed scallops with garlic and steamed oysters with black bean sauce. Grandee also offers the classic dim sum menu: shrimp dumplings of various sorts, chilled jellyfish and more.
Grandee Cuisine is off to a promising start with four stars out of 23 reviews on the site.
Yelper Rebecca X., who visited the restaurant on June 17, wrote, "Shrimp dumplings nice and meaty; they don't skimp on the shrimp here! Shrimp dumpling with pea tips — tasted good, though I feel like the pea tip flavors weren't coming through."
Mikol T. noted, "I got the fish fillet with gingko and yams. This dish was as good as I've had at other places, albeit maybe a little pricier. Overall, good Chinese food, especially for non-Chinatown."
Grandee Cuisine is open from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
Casa del Sol
8918 S. Commercial Ave., South Chicago
Casa del Sol is a Mexican restaurant and fishery that serves seafood like shrimp, tilapia, catfish, red snapper, ceviche, fish stew and more along with tacos, tortas and steak.
Look for live tilapia and catfish that are available for purchase. Customers can select fresh fish straight from the tank to be prepared according to their preferences.
Casa del Sol currently has one review from Benjamin K.
He wrote, "Best fish and more! Fish are produced locally. Owner takes great attention to running the restaurant right."
Casa del Sol is open from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
