A Foodie's Guide to Eating Around Chicago
If you need 1 reason to go to Chicago, go for the food. The Chicago food scene is absolutely booming right now. With rents skyrocketing in NYC and LA, chefs and restaurateurs are starting to see the value in bringing their businesses to the Windy City, which makes hungry Chicagoans very happy.
I've done my fair share of eating my way around the city the last few years and think it's time to pass along my knowledge to other foodies living in or traveling through Chicago. Whatever you're in the mood for, I've got you covered. I've included a place for almost every occasion you can think of--girls night out, cheap eats, power lunches, rom-din (new abbreviation for romantic dinner??), and even places #FTB. So without further ado, here are my top restaurant recommendations around Chicago! Bon appétit!
Brunch
Summer House Santa Monica, $$, 1954 N Halsted St, *Retractable roof in the summer time!
Zella, $$, 1983 N Clybourn Ave, *Good spot if you want to party during brunch
Bongo Room, $$, 1470 N Milwaukee Ave, *Typically have seasonal menus, but red velvet pancakes are amazing
Taverna 750, $$, 750 W Cornelia Ave, *Great outdoor patio in the warm season
Blackwood BBQ, $, 305 W Lake St, *Amazing BBQ for any meal / More of a grab-&-go spot
Sable Kitchen & Bar, $$$, 505 N State St
Yolk, $$, 355 E Ohio St
La Creperie, $$, 2845 N Clark St, *Check out the darling patio in the back too!
Tavern On Rush, $$$, 1031 N Rush St, *Great location for people watching / Try the breakfast pizzas
Stanley's Kitchen & Tap, $$, 1970 N Lincoln Ave, *Near a ton of great sports & dive bars
"Power" Lunch
Slurping Turtle, $$, 116 W Hubbard St
Siam Rice, $$, 117 N Wells St, *Great power lunch spot to sit with fast service/ Basil Chicken is out of this world
LYFE Kitchen, $$, 413 N Clark St, *Very healthy spot with great food
Luke's Lobster, $$, 134 N LaSalle St, *One of the best lobster rolls in the city
HUB 51, $$, 51 W Hubbard St
Smoque BBQ, $, 3800 N Pulaski Rd, Ste 2
Bridge House Tavern, $$, 321 N Clark St, *Beautiful location along the river
Big Star, $$, 1531 N Damen, *Famous taco spot in Wicker Park / Cash only
Chicago French Market, $$, 131 N Clinton St, *Open market to walk through and stop at different kiosks
Bub City, $$, 435 N Clark St, *Cool, country vibe / Also has karaoke and live music on most nights
Protein Bar, Roti, or Freshii, $, Multiple Locations, *All great, fast eats for when you're in a hurry
Cheap Eats
Del Seoul, $, 2568 N Clark St, *Omggggg this place owns my heart... Get the shrimp tacos and thank me later
Crisp, $, 2940 N Broadway Ave, *Korean BBQ comfort food
Chicago Bagel Authority, $, 953 W Armitage Ave
Urbanbelly, $$, 1400 W Randolph St, *Attached to BellyQ / Just as good, but for half the price
Pierogi Heaven, $, 169 N Wells St
Naansense, $, 171 N Wells St
Torta Haüs, $, 926 W Diversey Pkwy
Belly Shack, $$, 1912 N Western Ave
Chicago Staples
Lou Malnati's, $$, Multiple Locations, *Best pizza in the city / The thin crust is delicious
Al's Beef, $, 169 W Ontario St, *Classic Italian beef sandwich
Portillo's, $, 100 W Ontario St, *Everything on the menu is amazing and you can't go wrong here
Pequod's, $, 2207 N Clybourn Ave, 2nd best pizza in the city IMO
Billy Goat Tavern, $, 430 N Michigan Ave, *Made famous by the likes of SNL
Wiener's Circle, $, 2622 N Clark St, *Go here late night for the "show"
Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse, $$$, 1028 N Rush St
Drinks & Sports Bars
D.O.C. Wine Bar, $$, 2602 N Clark St, *You can order the food from Dunlay's next door, too
RM Champagne Salon, $$$, 116 N Green St, *Cute date spot that feels like you're transported to Paris!
Old Town Ale House, $, 219 W North Ave, *Iconic stomping grounds of current & former Second City cast members such as Chris Farley, Billy Murray, and more!
The J Parker, $$, 1816 N Clark, 13th Floor, *Great rooftop view from Hotel Lincoln
Pops for Champagne, $$$, 601 N State St
The Pump Room, $$$, 1301 N State Pkwy, *Historic and popular bar in the Public Hotel / Food is great too
Berkshire Room, $$, 15 E Ohio St
Benchmark, $$, 1510 N Wells St, *Sports bar with retractable roof in nice weather!
Old Town Pour House, $$, 1419 N Wells St
State, $$, 935 W Webster Ave, *Great place for trivia night and watching a game
Fairways, $$, 1141 W Armitage Ave, *Sports bar with golf simulators
Public House, $$, 400 N State St
Bull & Bear, $$, 431 N Wells St, *Good happy hour spot & great food menu too
Dinner
Au Cheval, $$, 800 W Randolph St, *LITERALLY the best burger you will have in your life
Longman & Eagle, $$, 2657 N Kedzie Ave
Dunlay's on Clark, $$, 2600 N Clark St, *Get the turkey burger--my fave!
Glenn's Diner, $$, 1820 W Montrose Ave, *One of the city's hidden gems of seafood
Maude's Liquor Bar, $$$, 840 W Randolph St, *French onion fondue... yes.
Sunda, $$$, 110 W Illinois St
Kuma's Corner, $$, 2900 W Belmont Ave, *Great burger spot
GT Fish & Oyster, $$$, 531 N Wells St
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf, $$$, 218 W Kinzie St, *Get the thick cut bacon
Gilt Bar, $$$, 230 W Kinzie St, *Best steak tartare on earth
Fat Rice, $$, 2957 W Diversey Ave
Mana Food Bar, $$, 1742 W Division St, *Healthier vegetarian and vegan option
Roka Akor, $$$, 456 N Clark St
Girl & The Goat, $$$, 809 W Randolph St, *Stephanie Izard of Top Chef runs this awesome West Loop spot
Mercadito, $$$, 108 W Kinzie St
BellyQ, $$$, 1400 W Randolph St
Butterfly Sushi, $$, 1139 W Grand Ave, *Great BYOB sushi spot
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, $$, 2024 N Halsted St, *My favorite tapas bar in the city
Crosby's Kitchen, $$, 3455 N Southport Ave, *The rotisserie specials and skillet cookie are amazing
Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder, $$, 2121 N Clark St, *Legendary place with delicious "pizza pot pies"
Boarding House, $$$, 720 N Wells St
Sweets
Molly's Cupcakes, $, 2536 N Clark St. *SO yummy / Appeared on Cupcake Wars
Glazed & Infused, $, 30 E Hubbard St
Doughnut Vault, $, 401 1/2 N Franklin St
Firecakes, $$, 68 W Hubbard St
Stan's Donuts, $$, 2800 N Clark St
Bang Bang Pie Shop, $$, 2051 N California Ave
This list is just scratching the surface on all the amazing eats there are in Chicago! Try these places out, ask other locals for their opinions, or walk around and stumble upon some quality spots yourself! You really can't go wrong with dining in Chicago...
What are your favorite places to eat in Chicago? Comment below with more spots!
PS - See my favorite travel things that I can't live without here!
