Like in years past, the 13th edition of our Readers’ Choice Food Awards was full of delightful surprises. Hundreds of readers nominated their favorite coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and more. We loved poring over the submissions and reading the excited comments supporting your favorite places. We selected five finalists in each of the 10 categories to move onto the final round, which saw thousands readers cast more their votes. Tap on our bio link to read of our 10 winning restaurants, bars and more. ——⁠ Photo 1: Co-owner Audrey Borden delivers a coffee flight for customers at Coffee Shop of the Year October Cafe in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2025. Photo 2: Coffee Shop of the Year: October Cafe (@octobercafechicago) Photo 3: Bakery of the Year: Toni Patisserie & Café (@tonipatisseriecafe) Photo 4: Pop-up Series of the Year: Tripping Billy (@therealbillyz) Photo 5: Family-run Restaurant of the Year: The Italian Village (@thevillage_chi) Photo 6: Family-friendly Restaurant of the Year: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (@cafebabareeba) Photo 7: Neighborhood Bar of the Year: Rock Island Public House (@rockislandpublichouse) Photo 8: Late-night Spot of the Year: The Owl (@theowlchicago) Photo 9: Inspiring Story of the Year: Beach Avenue BBQ owner facing cancer (@beachavebbq) Photo 10: Suburban Restaurant of the Year: Indus (@eatindushp) Photo 11: New Restaurant of the Year: Petite Vie (@petiteviebrasserie)

Like in years past, the 13th edition of our Readers’ Choice Food Awards was full of delightful surprises.

Hundreds of readers nominated their favorite coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants and more.

We loved poring over the submissions and reading the excited comments supporting your favorite places. We selected five finalists in each of the 10 categories to move onto the final round, which saw thousands readers cast more their votes.

Tap on our bio link to read of our 10 winning restaurants, bars and more.

——⁠

Photo 1: Co-owner Audrey Borden delivers a coffee flight for customers at Coffee Shop of the Year October Cafe in Chicago on Feb. 22, 2025.

Photo 2: Coffee Shop of the Year: October Cafe (@octobercafechicago)

Photo 3: Bakery of the Year: Toni Patisserie & Café (@tonipatisseriecafe)

Photo 4: Pop-up Series of the Year: Tripping Billy (@therealbillyz)

Photo 5: Family-run Restaurant of the Year: The Italian Village (@thevillage_chi)

Photo 6: Family-friendly Restaurant of the Year: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (@cafebabareeba)

Photo 7: Neighborhood Bar of the Year: Rock Island Public House (@rockislandpublichouse)

Photo 8: Late-night Spot of the Year: The Owl (@theowlchicago)

Photo 9: Inspiring Story of the Year: Beach Avenue BBQ owner facing cancer (@beachavebbq)

Photo 10: Suburban Restaurant of the Year: Indus (@eatindushp)

Photo 11: New Restaurant of the Year: Petite Vie (@petiteviebrasserie)