Business

Best Romanian Restaurants in Chicagoland (We’ve Tried Them All!)

The 2010 Census revealed that the Chicagoland area is home to over 100,000 Romanian-Americans. With Chicago topping the list of the most immigrant-friendly cities in America, this is no surprise. The city, and the surrounding areas, boast over a dozen Romanian churches and cultural centers, including one recently in the news for all the wrong reasons. 

Romanian cuisine, similar in many ways to Polish cuisine, is best known for sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mititei (skinless sausages) and ciorba de burta (tripe soup) as well as a variety of tasty desserts that include papanasi (fried donuts), savarine (citrus-flavoured yeasted cake) or amandine (chocolate layered cake). 

Ten years ago, the city had more than a dozen Romanian restaurants and bakeries from which to choose.  Alas, in 2020 the options are significantly more limited. 

For example, 3 of the most famous Romanian restaurants have closed (Little Bucharest, Nelly Saloon, and Doina). Another new restaurant, Transilvanya Grille opened in early 2020 on Lincoln Avenue, but shut down in April. It was a different kind of COVID-19.

So what do you do if you’re craving Romanian food in the Chicago area? Don’t worry, there are still awesome options. 

Featured
Transylvania Kitchen

Transylvania Kitchen's mission is to allow Romanians living in Chicago to enjoy the traditional food that they have been missing from home. They offer all the specialties that leave you with a truly authentic experience.

  • Traditional Romanian food.
  • Authentic experience.
  • Focusing on clean ingredients.
Location
5740 W Touhy Ave, Niles, IL 60714
Neighbourhood
Skokie
Featured
Maria’s Bakery

Originally established in Romania and now located in Chicago - Maria Bakery is offering authentic bakery specialties, using only the best ingredients with the main focus on freshness leads to a great and unique cultural food experience.

  • Established in Romania.
  • Check out their secret menu!
  • They use fresh ingredients.
Location
3455 Dempster St, Skokie, IL 60076
Neighbourhood
Skokie
Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox Church

Imagine enjoying nice Romanian food in a church? Holy Nativity Romanian Orthodox Church got you covered, with offering fine dining in beautiful surroundings. You are set up for a good time, enjoying all of your favorite foods.

  • Romanian food in a church.
  • Fine dining.
  • Great for all ages .
Location
5825 N Mozart St, Chicago, IL 60659
Neighbourhood
West Rogers Park
Saravale Meat Market

Saravale Meat Market located in Chicago - offers the perfect opportunity to all Romanians  living in Chicago. With selling specialties, such as Mici, also known as the skinless sausage. Making it the perfect opportunity for everyone to experience a real authentic cuisine.

  • You can find a variety of cheese dishes here.
  • They have famous specialties such as Mici.
  • A great environment  for all ages of Romanians  living in Chicago.
Location
5254 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 606415254 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
Neighbourhood
Portage Park
Romanian Kosher Sausage Co

Established by a Jewish Romanian entrepreneur - Romanian Kosher Sausage Co. is offering the finest romanian specialties, such as homemade pastrami, traditional salami, bologna & crenvusti, making it a unique little gem, that is definitely worth a visit.

  • Opened in 1957.
  • Has kept the same family ownership since opening.
  • They feature Homemade pastrami, traditional salami, bologna & crenvusti.
Location
7200 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
Neighbourhood
Rogers Park
Staropolska Restaurant

Located in Logan Square, Staropolska is striving to offer the finest dining experience, with both dine-in & catering service, offering lots of well known specialties, focusing on real, clean ingredients. It is safe to say that Staropolska is here to take any special occasion to the next level.

  • They have both dine-in & catering service.
  • A spacious venue where you'll be sure to find a seat.
  • Great venue for special occasions.
Location
3030 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Neighbourhood
Logan Square
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