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.
Chicago’s Most Delicious Lake View Restaurants
Lake View is without a doubt one of Chicago’s coolest North Side hangouts. Lake View is particularly known for its reasonable food pricing, which is always a plus! Whether you’re touring Lake View or it’s your home turf, finding a good bite to eat is never easy. Tat’s why we’ve put this list together of the best Lake View restaurants in Chicago to help you decide where to dine. We’ve based our analysis on food quality, freshness, pricing, service level, and ambiance. Keep reading for our take on the most delicious eats in Lake View!
Top 11 Mexican Restaurants in Chicago, IL
Chicago is home to some of the best Mexican restaurants, with spicy eats found in small hole-in-the-wall spots to large, fun restaurants all over the city. From the best tacos to spicy pozole, these eateries will serve the tastiest Mexican meals. Check out this list of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Chicago, IL.
10 Best Italian Beef Sandwiches in Chicago
Chicago is known for many things, so if you’re vacationing in the city, you can catch a concert, visit a museum, go shopping and sightseeing along the Magnificent Mile, and enjoy some great food. The city is home to some of the best Italian beef sandwiches in the country. If you’re a sandwich connoisseur, you’ll want to visit some of these spots to try the best Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago to make your trip even more enjoyable.
6 Best Bagel Spots in Chicago
Chicago is dubbed “The Second City.” It’s compared in countless ways to the “First City” New York City: sports (Chicago wins), art (NYC wins), and public transportation (we’ll call it a tie). But when it comes to food, the two are neck-and-neck. They have their own unique takes on American staples like pizza and hot dogs, but did you know that Chicago offers some absolutely delectable bagels? Here are a few of our favorites.
8 Totally Kickin’ Karaoke Spots in Chicago, IL
Karaoke is entertaining whether you are the one up on stage belting out “Livin’ On A Prayer” or you’re simply listening to others sing their hearts out. Toss in some drinks and food, and you’ve got yourself a hot karaoke spot. Check out our list of great places throughout Chicago where you can spend the night eating, drinking, and singing the night away.
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.
The Best Places to Eat Near McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago
When you’re in Chicago for an event at the McCormick Place Convention Center, you’re probably excited for your upcoming conference or show, but you’re also probably thinking about what in the world am I going to eat?? Luckily, the neighboring South Loop area is bursting with everything from upscale fare to casual spots for boozy lunches. We’re covering some of the best places to eat near McCormick Place Convention Center. Keep reading!
The Oldest Restaurants in Chicago
Chicago has a lot of history, and you can soak it up while you enjoy a nice meal. Some restaurants throughout the Windy City are 100 years old or more, showing they have what it takes to stand the tests of time. If you want to eat at a restaurant with a century’s worth of experience, check out our list of the oldest restaurants in Chicago.
Where To Find Delicious Dim Sum in Chicago, IL
Enjoying sweet and savory steamed buns, crunching deep-fried dumplings and tasting freshly wrapped beef noodle rolls alongside a hot tea are all parts of the dim sum experience. Diners in Chicago have a huge variety of dim sum options to choose from including five-star restaurants to neighborhood markets that sell dim sum to cook at home or eat in-house. Let’s look at where you need to go for the best dim sum Chi-Town has to offer.
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.
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.
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.