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Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner for dolled-up doughnuts at Doughnut Vault. They’ll reserve part of their paychecks to dine at inventive Alinea. And they love to talk about their most recent meal—just ask.
It's no wonder that outdoor festivals are often centered on food, from Taste of Chicago in summer, which packs the grounds at Grant Park, to smaller celebrations, like the German-American fest in Lincoln Square, a mini-Oktoberfest in fall.
Although the city has always had options on the extreme ends of the spectrum—from the hole-in-the wall Italian beef sandwich shops to the special-occasion spots—it's now easier to find eateries in the middle that serve seasonal menus with a farm-to-table mantra. For the budget conscious, it's also a great time to dine: some talented chefs aren't bothering to wait for a liquor license, opening BYOB spots turning out polished fare (just try Ruxbin in West Town).
Expect to see more Chicago chefs open casual concepts—Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, and Michael Kornick have a head start with their respective sandwich, taco, and burger spots. Yet the goal remains the same: to feed a populace that knows good food and isn't willing to accept anything less than the best. In the following pages, you'll find our top picks, from quick bites to multicourse meals, in the city's best dining neighborhoods.
Locals line up to order slow-cooked pork carnitas by the taco or by the pound at this takeout-only restaurant. This neighborhood staple has been serving juicy, rich carnitas inspired by Michoacán, Mexico, since 1975. The pork is served with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, lime, and spicy salsa to create your own tacos.
French cuisine sometimes gets knocked for being too rich, too heavy, and too expensive, but that's an image that this stylish restaurant on the ground floor of the Sofitel is doing its best to prove wrong. The menu features Le Burger, seasonal salads, and a decadent banana bread French toast.
"Seasonality" is the watchword at this modern spot filled with blonde wood and lovely light, where the menu changes constantly but the dishes are always executed with the utmost care. Collaborative dinners and wine events happen occasionally, so check the restaurant's social media account ( instagram.com/cellardoorprovisions) to see what's on the calendar.
Asian fusion is the name of the game at this lively spot where Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and other influences mingle on a menu that ranges from classic to creative and even includes some American staples for tamer diners. With an energetic atmosphere, plenty of dishes for sharing, and a menu that takes dietary restrictions into account, Chant is an easy spot for groups to gather.
Mid-century style reigns at this wood-paneled clublike restaurant, where the menu draws inspiration from the landmark space's previous incarnation as a tony men's club. The sweeping bar is perfect for sipping historic and house cocktails over bar snacks or raw seafood, or you can settle into a comfortable leather booth for private conversations and all manner of meat perfectly prepared.
Unlike the rest of Taylor Street, which is predominantly Italian in allegiance, Chez Joël waves the flag for France, and it’s a favorite with the locals thanks to its authentic bistro feel. The sunny, cozy bistro serves well-prepared classics along with a reasonably priced wine list favoring French and Californian selections.
Better known as the CBA (and just steps from the CTA itself), Chicago Bagel Authority is the home of steamed bagel sandwiches, aka steamwiches. Dozens of cleverly named steamwiches, like the Kool Julez, the Jane Train, and the Brennaissance come stuffed with roast beef, turkey, ham, and plenty of other toppings, then served on soft, warm bagels. It all comes together in a properly satisfying yet messy combination, especially at breakfast where their menu serves as a reliable hangover cure for many nearby Depaul and Loyola undergrad students.
The street-food-style offerings at this indoor market go well beyond French fare. Find pizza, sushi, banh mi, Korean corn dogs, and more among the French Market's 20-plus vendors.
Every Chicago neighborhood needs a solid destination for a dragged-through-the-garden Chicago-style hot dog, and Lakeview is lucky to have this decades-old grill to call their own. Serving a premium all-beef dog is only the start; you can also get burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros, Polish sausage, and (the hallmark of a truly "Chicago" place) a deep-fried pizza puff. Unlike most hot dog stands, there's also a full bar, plus a patio that gets quite busy before and after Cubs games.
There are a lot of good things to come when you enter this Tuscan-inspired restaurant, namely richly flavored pastas, an antipasto table, impeccable seafood, and meats from the wood-fired oven. The discreet, professional service softens the rustic, open-loft setting of exposed-brick walls and wood floors, while the seasonal menus keep customers coming back again and again.
With Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza (that means these are legit Neapolitan-style pies), an airy dining room, a lively bar, and a drinks list stacked with Italian wines, Coda di Volpe expertly channels a Southern Italian feel. Use scissors to cut through blistered, chewy-crust pies, or opt for the excellent homemade pastas—but save room for the updated takes on Italian sweets on the dessert menu.
The C&TE dates back to 1974, when cappuccino was still exotic and Starbucks was just a small coffee upstart. Today the Exchange retains the bohemian vibe of 70's Lakeview with dozens of flavored syrup bottles and jars of tea and spices lining the walls while shelves are full of filters, French presses, pour-over coffeemakers, and coffee-themed gifts. Huge barrels of coffee beans form the queue to get to the register, where you can grab lattes, cold brews, and bulk coffee to go in house-roasted blends like Java Blue Batavia and Tasmanian Peaberry.
Whether you couldn't snag a reservation at Virtue or you just want another taste of chef Erick Williams' food, Daisy's is a good choice. The location of this New Orleans--inspired counter-service spot, on the ground floor of a mixed-use commercial building, feels a little generic, but the dishes, like fried green tomato po' boys and debris fries, are full of boisterous personality. There's a full bar with sazeracs and frozen hurricanes, too.
Chef and co-owner Michael Kornick knows fine dining, but he's also a longtime fan of the simple burger, and the two worlds mingle at DMK Burger Bar. This is a place where grass-fed beef patties can come topped with green chiles or chipotle ketchup, and fries are often adorned with truffle aioli. If you're not in the mood for beef, there are also options like chicken tenders or salmon bowls. Sweet tooths are satiated by one of their rich (sometimes boozy) milkshakes.
Strap on your tartan; Duke of Perth is Chicago's only Scottish restaurant and bar in a sea of Irish and English pubs. Known for their shepherd's pie and all-you-can-eat fish-and-chips on Wednesdays and Fridays, they also offer a vast selection of Scotch whisky and a good list of Scottish ales.
Northwestern students and suits line up at this casual counter service joint for burgers ground daily in-house. Beyond the griddled burger patties that you can order stacked two or three high, Edzo’s slings Chicago classics like the Maxwell Street Polish and Chicago-style hot dog. Top off your order with hand-cut french fries available in 12 varieties and a hand-dipped milkshake.
Northwestern students and suits line up here for burgers (ground in-house), nine kinds of french fries (try the ones with truffle salt and Parmesan), and spicy Mexican-chocolate shakes.
This cafeteria-style, counter-serve spot is a local favorite, serving tacos topped with slaw and a variety of tortilla-based favorites. There are a few tables to enjoy your meal next to murals depicting life in Mexico.
After walking through exhibits at the Art Institute, follow the local college crowd to this order-at-the-counter eatery, where the ambience is kitschy but the food is “more mindful." Epic Burger serves hand-shaped, natural beef burgers, as well as a plant-based Beyond Burger, all served atop a soft bun with add-ons like Wisconsin cheese, nitrate-free bacon, or an organic fried egg.
The art that hangs in this Michelin-starred spot's dining room isn't decoration, but inspiration: four times each year, the restaurant mounts a new show by a local artist, and chef Jenner Tomaska composes a multicourse tasting menu in response. Appropriately, the plates are highly visual, often featuring vivid color palettes, sculptural elements, and trompe l'oeil twists. If it all sounds a bit toney, be assured the kitchen has a sense of humor, which comes across in bites like fiery homemade Cheetos. To sample Tomaska's technique without the steep tasting menu price tag, book a seat at the elegant adjoining bar, which offers a three-course dinner for $68.
This all-day counter service spot crosses Lebanese and Mexican flavors with some kooky notions (halloumi tacos, baklava crumbled over an ice cream sundae), to fun and tasty results. It’s situated in cheerful digs a stone’s throw from Lincoln Park Zoo—a good place to walk off overindulgence guilt.
Gaucho-clad servers parade through the dining room brandishing carved-to-order fire-roasted meats at this Brazilian churrascaria. Start at the lavish Market Table with an array of seasonal salads, antipasti, and charcuterie; then, using a plate-side disc, signal green for "go" to bring on the selection of meats.
This longtime destination serves up capable Chinese take-out from a sprawling second-story space overlooking Broadway Avenue, but when it comes to traditional dim sum service, Furama shines. Steam carts clatter around the floor offering shiu mai, shrimp toast, rice crepes, braised chicken feet, and lo mein to patrons one plate at a time, allowing diners to curate their perfect feast. Large groups will benefit from buying power, because you'll want to try a bunch of menu items.
Chef Zachary Engel has established himself as a critical favorite for his approach to Middle Eastern cuisine, which merges fine dining technique with big flavors and a disarming sense of humor that’s telegraphed through cheeky menu descriptions (e.g., tehina hummus with “way too much olive oil”).
Scads of neon signs and a pitch-black ceiling high overhead give a night market vibe to this full-service grocery store–meets–food hall, new to the neighborhood in 2024. The food court's the place for Korean tacos, bowls of steaming ramen, hojicha tea lattes, and char siu and egg sandwiches on freshly baked pineapple buns. On the grocery side, you'll find all the Pocky sticks and mochi you need to end your meal on a sweet note.
The popcorn here is so popular that there are several other Chicago outlets plus branches in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. Lines form early and stay throughout the day.
