Chicago, IL Restaurant Guide
They call it the Second City but in Chicago, the food is First Class. Of course, we all love the Windy City classics, but with all of those planes coming in and out of O’Hare, you know Chicago’s an incredibly international city, too. Folks from all over the world follow the winds to the shores of Lake Michigan and bring mouthwatering flavors from Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin American and more. We won’t lie to you, it does get cold there, but it makes those summer months that much sweeter – and the vibes at rooftop bars and outdoor seating restaurants that much better. Plus, they have plenty of fun during the cold months too, thanks to world-class food halls, some of the best sports on the planet, and the most charming neighborhoods in the country.
Let’s start with what everyone knows about Chi-Town – the Deep Dish Pizza is epic. Whether it’s Malnati’s or Giordano’s, the Chicago Deep Dish pizza is a one-of-a-kind, unique bit of culinary artistry, brought to the city by Neapolitan immigrants at the turn of 20th century. We do our best to weigh in on what’s the best between the classics and new up and comers. Plus, the influx of Italian immigrants to Chicago at this time brought about another classic meal the town is known for – The Italian Beef Sandwich. With access to cheap, tougher cuts of meat thanks to the City’s thriving meatpacking business, these immigrants would slowly braise them in a flavorful, spicy broth and place them atop freshly baked Italian bread. Now, there are literally dozens of Italian Beef restaurants around the Chicagoland area.
As we mentioned before, O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, acting as a major hub for United Airlines and American Airlines. Combine that access with a world-class city like Chicago, and it’s no wonder immigrant communities from around the world want to move there. We cover some of the best restaurants from these communities, including Puerto Rican, one of the largest Latino groups in the City traditionally, Indian, Korean, Mexican and more. It won’t take you long to discover something you love from any of our lists, whether you’re looking for Jibaritos or Hotteok.
Whether you watched Michael Jordan become the most recognized athlete in the world, caught the Cubs end their historic 100 year drought, or saw the classic SNL “Da Bears” sketch, Chicago’s sports iconography has been permeating throughout the planet for decades. And since every good fan may want to lubricate their vocal chords with a beer or few during the game, you know there are some great restaurants by the stadiums, both for pre and post game. We share a few on our lists for Wrigley and Soldier field.
During the late Spring, there may be no place on earth that is buzzing more than Chicago (in more ways than one). As mentioned previously, Chicago has an epic amount of rooftop bars and outdoor dining options throughout the City, that’s only grown since the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve shared a few of our faves, including places like the Up Room, Bernie’s Chicago, J. Parker and more – along with some Dog-Friendly places since there’s a good chance you’ll have a canine companion with you in the summer months. And when fall starts to rear its ugly head again, you can go back to the food hall for some beers and a hang if that’s what you’re looking for.
Chicago is famous for its neighborhoods – there are more than 200 distinct neighborhoods in the whole city. We’ll do our best to cover all of them in time, but to start we’re looking at River North, Lincoln Park, Koreatown, Chinatown and more. We also cover some of the parts of town that cater to out-of-owners, like the River Walk neighborhood and Downtown Chicago.
6 Excellent Restaurants for Large Group Dining in Chicago
When you think about large food orders, unfavorable reservation policies, and splitting the bill six ways or more, you will realize that dining as a group is not easy at all. But a group dinner has the potential of being an unforgettable night out when you get the right restaurant. There are great spots all over Chicago you can hang out with friends and eat quality food without feeling like the odd ones out. These restaurants are trying to make large group dining less stressful. From affordable to high-end dining establishments, here are the best restaurants for groups in Chicago.
Where To Get The Best Deep Dish Pizza In Chicago
When you’re in the windy city, there’s no shortage of places to get fabulous deep dish around town. However, there are a few spots that stand out above the rest. Deep dish pizza in Chicago is unapologetically excessive!
9 of the Best Vegan Restaurants in Chicago
While Chicago is known for deep-dish pizza, as well as their number of steakhouses, the rise of plant-based diets throughout the United States has led to an influx of plant-based restaurants popping up around the area, as well. Here is a list we’ve put together for some of our favorite Vegan restaurants in Chicago.
The Absolute Best West Loop Restaurants in Chicago
West Loop definitely has some of the best restaurants in Chicago! You will find creative and innovative menus and even celebrity chefs in this neighborhood and nightlife and dining hot spot. The West Loop food scene has tremendously grown over the years. The endless range of world-class restaurants has made the location an impressive culinary destination. You can dine in countless hidden gems throughout the area. We have rounded up some of the must-try West Loop Restaurants in Chicago for you to check out on your next visit.
The Most Instagram Worthy Restaurants in Chicago 📸
Chicago is a major food city. There are always new places to go! And there’s plenty of beautiful spots that are totally worthy of the ‘gram. It’s the combination of the decoration, lighting, and a perfectly presented plate that make a restaurant totally instagrammable. Here’s our list of the most Instagram-worthy and stunning restaurants in Chicago.
Where To Eat Near DePaul University in Chicago
If you ever visit a friend or a family member around this area or are a student attending the school, you will be spoiled for ideas about great places to eat around DePaul after reading this roundup! Take a look through our list of best restaurants just a short few blocks away from DePaul for some ideas for your next meal!
12 of our Favorite Vegetarian Restaurants in Chicago
Chicago is renowned for its heaping helpings of Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, but we eat our vegetables, too. Whatever kind of vegan or vegetarian meal you’re looking for, there’s a restaurant on this list that will satisfy your needs. Here’s a list of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in Chicago.
The 15 Best Steakhouses in Chicago
We’ve put together a list of 15 steakhouses for you to try from Brazilian and Asian inspired, to the classic steakhouse located right on the Chicago river.
The Definitive Guide to Chicago’s Essential Sports Bars
Chicago takes sports very seriously, so you better believe there are plenty of sports bars! The streets all over the city are pretty much packed with sports bars so you really can’t go wrong with whichever you pick, but some places will give you a better game-day experience than others. The long-time favorite bars are NEARLY as much fun as being at Wrigley Field. That’s why you must know which sports bars are the very best! From quiet neighborhood dives to massive establishments perfect for groups, there is something for everyone. To help you find the best sports bar in Chicago where can rock your team’s jersey and ball cap, here’s a list of some of our favorites.
10 of the Most Fun Restaurants in Chicago
Whether you are on vacation, visiting the state, or live in Chicago, one of the crucial aspects you need to know is the eateries in the town.
10 Best Michelin Star Restaurants in Chicago
Whether you’re a resident of the city or just visiting – Chicago is one of the top cities in the United States to be in when it comes to high-quality food experiences. Here is a list of six of those 25 Michelin rated restaurants.
Where to find Jibaritos in Chicago
Living in the United States, we are lucky enough to be able to experience so many different cultures. One of the best ways to learn about a new place, its history, and culture is by eating the amazing food that originates there. Ever heard of a jibarito? It’s a Puerto Rican dish and rather than using bread, the jibarito makes use of luscious plantains to serve as the base and then you pile on the toppings. They typically have steak or chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. They are delicious and we found 7 places in Chicago that serve some of the best for you to check out!
There are only so many cities in the United States that have history and a story to tell. Chicago may be at the top of that list, especially when it comes to its culinary history. Between being known as “the Hog Butcher for the World” and having 24 Michelin-rated restaurants in the City, there is more to know about Chicago every day you spend there. So whether you’re digging into deep dish pizzas, bingeing on Italian Beef, or making a face after a shot of Malört, a night in Chicago will always be unforgettable – for both you and your stomach.