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River North captures most of the expense-account diners, but the neighborhoods to the west of downtown—Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Logan Square—are where some of the city's most innovative dining occurs. With concepts like the vegetarian-friendly MANA, the pork-heavy Bristol, and dessert-focused Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, West Side restaurateurs serve great food without looking like they're trying too hard. Pick a ’hood and wander on foot—good eating won't be hard to find.
To the east lies Lincoln Park, named for the lakefront park it borders. Often a first stop for recent Chicago transplants moving to the city as well as the permanent residence of families inhabiting pricey brownstones, the popular neighborhood is definitely worth exploring. From a food perspective, it's host to several of Chicago's best restaurants, including Alinea and Boka. On commercial thoroughfares such as Clark, Halsted, and Armitage, you can spend an afternoon bouncing back and forth from great restaurants and cafés to hip shops.
Believe the hype and secure tickets—yes, tickets—well in advance, since Chicago's most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious commitment of time and money. If you have two to four hours and $305 to $495 to spare, the tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz's stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic journey through intriguing aromas, visuals, flavors, and textures.
If you're looking for a Steppenwolf pre-theater dinner, this upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval. The seasonally driven menu is constantly changing, showcasing elegant fare like slow-cooked fish or an elevated presentation of roasted chicken, and the slick bar and outdoor patio both serve food, so this is a big draw even for those not watching curtain time.
Locals worship Lula Cafe, a neighborhood favorite that has been serving modern, seasonal dishes (and a cult-favorite brunch menu) in a spacious location with counter seating and an intimate dining room since 1999. The food is stellar, with menus that change frequently and champion farm sources. If you want to take home a memento of this special space, grab a copy of chef/owner Jason Hammel's Lula Cafe Cookbook on your way out.
A counter-service model helps keep costs down at this lovely, light-filled all-day spot, enabling the kitchen—helmed by two vets of New York's Gramercy Tavern—to turn out unfussy but high-quality American fare, accompanied by generous wine pours. Bargain hunters and good-time Charlies, take note: a daily happy-hour session with cheffy snacks and reasonably priced cocktails takes place every afternoon, and again before closing time.
Chef Brian Motyka’s menu favors locally sourced meats and produce, so expect the offerings at this hip gastropub to change with the seasons, with options ranging from bar snacks to substantial entrées, all with clever twists. Chase your meal with one of more than 100 whiskeys on offer (one of the thoughtfully curated flight options is a good way to sample a few), or swing around to the back bar for a nightcap; late night, it serves a small menu of elevated drinking food (wild boar sloppy joes, vegan “sour cream” and onion dip) that’s exactly perfect after an evening on the town.
The weird rhythms of travel often leave hungry travelers stranded in the awkward zone between lunch and dinner. This corner spot, where the food skews American eclectic and produce forward, has the hack: all-day brunch. The vibes are mellow and the wine list so enticing you might want to stay on through dinner.
