Local Favorite, Trendy, Famous, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Coffee Tea, Cafe, Cocktails, Gluten Free Food, Romantic, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Healthy Food Options, Byob, Takes Reservations, Desserts
2537 N Kedzie Blvd, chicago
Lula cafe at Logan Square is inventive, market-driven, primarily organic food in a casual, funky space, hosting a trendy breakfast/brunch. They specialize in using locally sourced fresh produce and seasonal ingredients, and the patio is lovely on a warm night with the perfect atmosphere.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Coffee Tea, Cafe, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Tacos
449 N Clark St, chicago
Xoco—pronounced "SHO-ko"—is the Aztec word for "little sister." Rick Bayless, who runs the iconic flagship restaurant Frontera, opened the place. But there's nothing little about Xoco's bold Mexican marketplace flavors. This quick-service café from Rick and Deann Bayless is open early and closing late and proffers contemporary expressions of Mexico's most beloved street food and snacks: flaky empanadas, hot-from-the-fryer churros, frothy Mexican hot chocolate, crusty tortas, and meal-in-a-bowl caldos.
Local Favorite, Famous, Burgers, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Coffee Tea, Cafe, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Takes Reservations, Fried Food
3411 N Halsted St, chicago
Chicago Diner has been serving innovative and delicious vegan and vegetarian fare since 1983. True to their signage, "meat free since '83," all of their menus are a take on the classic American diner with a twist. It has earned numerous accolades from various media outlets for its fantastic food. They use local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All their cleaning products are eco-friendly, to-go containers are bio-degradable, and they practice bio-diesel conversion of waste oil.
Local Favorite, Famous, Nightlife, Vegetarian Options, Cocktails, Take Outs, Italian, Takes Reservations, Soup, Pasta
2207 N Clybourn Ave, chicago
Pequod's Pizza has gained a cult following for its pan-style deep dish Pizza with a caramelized crust edge. The Pizza gained popularity with word of mouth, and Pequod's became the best-known secret for Pizza in Chicago. Mozzarella cheese is cooked along the edge of a cast-iron pan creating a crust unlike any other hence the name "caramelized crust." Customers get blown away after tasting the pie with the savory sauce and flavorful toppings.
Local Favorite, Trendy, Famous, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Seafood, Coffee Tea, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten Free Food, Small Plates, Takes Reservations, Desserts
444 N Michigan Ave, chicago
Jimmy Bannos Jr., a fourth-generation restaurateur, opened this place after graduating from the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University and working for other nationally renowned chefs in Italy and New York City (Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich). He also traveled through Italy, Greece, and the United States, cultivating his culinary approach from the region's culture and food. Since opening in 2009, The Purple Pig has received numerous accolades. In 2014, Chef Jimmy received his first James Beard Award for "Rising Star Chef." The Purple Pig has been a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient since 2011 and has collected numerous culinary and wine awards nationally.
Local Favorite, Burgers, Seafood, Salad, Gluten Free Food, Date Night, Desserts, Brisket
3800 N Pulaski Rd, chicago
Since opening in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood in late 2006, Smoque has garnered a large and loyal following of locals and visitors alike, BBQ devotees. They have been consistently ranked among Chicago's best restaurants and the nation's best BBQ spots, winning many awards along the way.
Burgers, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Coffee Tea, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten Free Food, Happy Hours, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, International Food
60 W Adams St, chicago
The Marq offers an ever-evolving, globally inspired menu of seasonal fare with a delicious, upscale, and easily approachable experience paired with handcrafted cocktails, a moderately craft-focused beer list, and a dynamic wine list. Named for its historic home, the Loop's Marquette Building, with its hard-to-miss central bar and beautiful views, attracts locals and tourists. It features breakfast, lunch, and Dinner in a beautiful setting.
Seafood, Vegetarian Options, Cocktails, Wine, Full Bar, Gluten Free Food, Romantic, Take Outs, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Desserts
3309 W Fullerton Ave, chicago
Penumbra, in Chicago's Logan Square, is a casual/fine dining experience that provides American fare, steaks, and seafood with Latin-inspired flavors. The name Penumbra is inspired by the owner's experience living her childhood in Ecuador using candles to create partial illumination without electricity.
Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Seafood, Salad, Asian Fusion, Cafe, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, International Food, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Soup, Desserts
2169 N Milwaukee Ave, chicago
Serai – Malay for lemongrass – is a genuine South East Asian Malaysian cuisine. The delightful restaurant aims to bring the best of traditional regional food, focusing on Malaysian fare – specialties like char kuey teow, prawn mee, and Serai's signature serai pork chop – at the hands of a passionate chef who lives to enhance his craft.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Pizza, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating
1769 W Sunnyside Ave, chicago
For over a decade, Spacca Napoli has made pizza faithful to the authentic Neapolitan style. The dough is tended daily as a blend of love and craft and baked in an oven built by third and fourth-generation artisans from Napoli. Ingredients are carefully sourced from trusted vendors, many of which are unavailable anywhere else in Chicago. Wines and music are selected to create just the right experience and mood. Spacca Napoli preserves and elevates hearty, rustic dishes in a beautiful space while showcasing the essence of the Italian experience.
Local Favorite, Trendy, Burgers, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Pizza, Cafe, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Healthy Food Options, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Tacos, Desserts, Pasta
1954 N Halsted St, chicago
Summer house offers a vibrant, light, airy, and summer vibe to its guest in terms of food, ambiance, and everything they do. A large atrium with a beautiful setting and all-weather spaces would surely delight everyone. They serve dishes from modern American Cuisine and a few internationally inspired dishes.
Burgers, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Cafe, Cocktails, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Southern, Fried Food, Comfort Food
3361 N Elston Ave, chicago
True to its name, Honey Butter Fried Chicken serves the great tasting deboned fried chicken with honey butter. This industrial design place is filled with artsy stuff. They use fresh and local ingredients, including humanely raised, cage-free, and antibiotic-free chicken (never processed or frozen). This place has been featured in various TV and Media outlets for its famous poultry dishes.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Take Outs, Healthy Food Options
623 N State St, chicago
Sweetgreen is a fresh, plant-forward, and earth-friendly restaurant. Three college graduates started it for a healthier, faster, more nutritious option. Their mission is to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food, and their goal is not to sacrifice quality over convenience. Their rotating seasonal menu offers a wide variety of warm and cold vegan, vegetarian, and meat salads, soups, and bowls with savory, house-made dressings and a slice of bread.
Nightlife, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Desserts
6363 N Milwaukee Ave, chicago
Established in May of 1948, Superdawg remains family-owned and operated in the same location today. Maurie Berman, a world war II veteran, and his wife Florence opened a hotdog stand business to serve during the summer, one that would be as unique and distinctive as they were. The restaurant still serves the food with the original recipe, trademark figures (continuing to wink at each other flirtatiously), and the drive-in concept.
Local Favorite, Famous, Vegetarian Options, Seafood, Salad, Outdoor Seating, Fried Food
4609 N Lincoln Ave, chicago
Luella Southern Kitchen is named after Chef Darnell Reed's great-grandmother, who moved from Mississippi to Chicago in 1943. She inspires love and passion for the delicious southern meals at this place. Darnell travels worldwide and within the US to find more flavors and inspirations to apply in his restaurant. Luella is a well-known southern comfort institution in Chicago and has been featured in various media and TV outlets for its delicious goodness.
Trendy, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Romantic, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Tacos, Cozy
2800 W Logan Blvd, chicago
Mi Tocaya Antojeria is a Mexican restaurant by acclaimed Chef Diana Davila. It is a vibrant place with large floor-to-ceiling windows filled with art pieces and murals. The food & drink are inspired by Davila's cherished memories of her summers and extensive travels throughout Mexico with her family. The thoughtfully composed menu features a progression of small, medium, and large plates composed of Davila's takes on familiar Mexican favorites, less-known regional specialties, and completely new dishes inspired by her Mexican heritage.
Dog Friendly, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Byob, Tacos
2234 N Western Ave, chicago
Located in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood, Taqueria Chingón is a Mexico City street-style taqueria focused on one of Mexico City's favorite street foods: the Al Pastor. They've developed a menu with classics that stay true to their origins and some tacos that create a new tradition. All the items on the menu are tasty treats, especially tacos.
Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Fried Food
2449 W Armitage Ave, chicago
Red Hot Ranch (RHR) was established by the two partners, who wanted to reintroduce the city to the original Chicago dog often referred to as the "Depression dog" – a minimalist hotdog served with mustard, relish onion, sport peppers, and fresh-cut fries. They also brought back long-forgotten techniques that ensured a better hot dog, like cooking in old-fashioned ceramic crocks and using natural casing that would snap and burst with flavor with each bite. The Chicago-style hot dogs are the real deal, paired with golden, old-style fresh-cut fries wrapped up in old-school wax paper.
Local Favorite, Famous, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Soup, Date Night, Takes Reservations
4801 N Broadway, chicago
Demera, which opened in November of 2007 by the owner and chef Tigist Reda, is one of Chicago's favorite Ethiopian restaurants and a staple of the Ethiopian-American community of Chicago. Situated within Uptown's vibrant and colorful neighborhood, Demera serves Chicago residents and visitors daily, allowing guests to experience Ethiopian hospitality and a lot of flavors. Demera has received excellent reviews from many media outlets, including Eater 38 Essential Chicago Restaurants, Hungry Hound, Yelp, Zagat, Check Please!, And Michelin Guide Recommended.
Trendy, Date Night, Burgers, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten Free Food
800 W Randolph St, chicago
A diner-style bar and restaurant, Au Cheval, elevates traditional diner fare. Guests can indulge in dishes ranging from chopped chicken liver and roasted bone marrow to traditional sandwiches, egg-focused entrees, and the signature cheeseburger. The bar program showcases solid and classic cocktails, including the Horse's Neck, Vieux Bonal, and Hemingway's Daiquiri. A robust draught beer list offers a wide range of neighborhood, domestic, and international selections. The dimly lit restaurant, pulsating with a vintage reel-to-reel soundtrack, features dark leather booths, dark wood paneling, and a zinc bar wrapped around the open kitchen.
Vegetarian Options, Seafood, Coffee Tea, Cocktails, Asian Fusion, Romantic, Dim Sum, Chinese, Noodles, Soup, Date Night
857 W Fulton Market, chicago
Duck Duck Goat features Chef Stephanie Izard's (from the famous Girl & The Goat) version of inspired Chinese-American cuisine to Chicago's West Loop inspired by her travels abroad. A spacious, unique, hip, modern place with bright red and green walls and paper lanterns pays tribute to classic Chinese-American dishes with its own spin.
Trendy, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Salad, Coffee Tea, Take Outs, Noodles, International Food, Fried Food, Soup
727 W Maxwell St, chicago
The Momo World serves perfect and delicious Himalayan street food with influence from the Nepali culture and taste from the Himalayas. The place is small with counter service, but the exotic and unique flavors and a few fusion dishes elevate this place above the rest. The food is prepared with an array of vegetables, meats, and seafood and flavored with seasoning born in the mountains of the Himalayas.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Cocktails, Full Bar, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Takes Reservations, Tacos
1531 N Damen Ave, chicago
Big Star is a bourbon, beer-focused, taco-serving, late-night establishment in the heart of Chicago's Wicker Park and Wrigleyville neighborhoods. Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef de Cuisine Chris Miller's menu, inspired by authentic Mexican street food, is complemented by an extensive house-selected single-barrel bourbon program. Housed in a defunct 1940's gas station, the Wicker Park taqueria and its highly sought-after patio have been a neighborhood staple for ten years. Wrigleyville's two-story branch is nestled just across the street from Wrigley Field.
Vegetarian Options, Salad, Cocktails, Take Outs, Byob, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Soup, Tacos
1865 N Milwaukee Ave, chicago
Irazu is A BYOB restaurant serving the cuisine and flavor of Costa Rica since 1990 with a warm and genuine Latin welcome and a relaxed "Pura Vida" experience. A wide selection of Costa Rican traditional homecooked dishes is available on the menu. It is the first and only Costa Rican restaurant in Chicago, delighting guests with fresh, healthy, and hearty dishes.
Vegetarian Options, Seafood, Salad, Coffee Tea, Happy Hours, Take Outs, Takes Reservations, Romantic, Date Night
1800 S Carpenter St, chicago
HaiSous is a trendy, refined, nationally-acclaimed Vietnamese cuisine from Chef Thai Dang and his wife, Danielle. It showcases the unique, rich flavors and lesser-known dishes from all corners of Vietnam in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.
Famous, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Pizza, Coffee Tea, Pasta
8433 S Pulaski Rd, chicago
Vito and Nick's Pizzeria is a renowned thin-crust pizza institution in southside Chicago. It recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. This family-owned pizzeria specializes in thin-crust well-done pizza and fine Italian dining. Through the years, Vito & Nick's has become a favorite dining and gathering spot for thousands of Chicagoans and visitors. This original Sicilian-style pizza uses quality tomato sauce, carefully seasoned sausage, pure cheese, and a guarded dough recipe.
Local Favorite, Trendy, Famous, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, International Food, Salad, Romantic, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Tacos
1559 N Milwaukee Ave, chicago
As the name suggests, Bloom Plant Based Kitchen is a 100% plant-based and gluten-free establishment in the wicker park neighborhood in Chicago. They offer a wide variety of dishes without using animal products to focus on bringing flavorful, healthy, and affordable vegan food to the everyday family while being desirable and appealing to even the non-vegan. The dining room welcomes the guests with its bright light, lots of greenery, and fun vibe.
Trendy, Vegetarian Options, Vegan Options, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating
161 N Sangamon St, chicago
Bonci Pizzeria, helmed by Rome's esteemed pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci, serves pizzas that are so delicious, creative, and visually stunning that has developed a passionate following not only in Italy but around the globe. Guests enjoy the famed airy yet crips taglio pizza made with "quality without compromise" fresh ingredients. Vogue magazine's food critic describes Gabriele as "The Michelangelo of Pizza."
Trendy, Dog Friendly, Romantic, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Pizza, Gluten Free Food, Take Outs, Outdoor Seating, Italian, Date Night, Takes Reservations, Pasta
3719 N Harlem Ave, chicago
Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana brings the flavor of authentic Italian Neapolitan Pizza to the city of Chicago with the hand-picked freshest ingredients from Italy. Chef Nick Nitti applies learning and inspiration from his first-hand travel experience with his family from his childhood in Italy. There are currently two branches: one on Harlem Ave and another in West Loop on Randolph Street.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Cocktails, Full Bar, Take Outs, Takes Reservations, Desserts
1927 W North Ave, chicago
Opened in July 2001, Piece, the most award-winning brewpub in Chicago, has been serving New Haven-style pizza, honey butter fried chicken, handcrafted lagers, and ales produced in small batches in our seven-barrel brewhouse. The Piece has won 28 medals, including Champion Small Brewpub at the World Beer Cup in 2006.
Local Favorite, Trendy, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Pizza, Coffee Tea, Cocktails, Full Bar, Romantic, Date Night, Takes Reservations
2121 N Clark St, chicago
Opened in 1972, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder has become a favorite of worldwide pizza connoisseurs who have graced the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company. The ever-famous "upside-down" individual pot pie is made from scratch with triple-raised Sicilian bread-type dough; a homemade sauce consisting of olive oil, fresh garlic, onions, green peppers, whole plum tomatoes, and a special blend of cheeses; sausage made from prime Boston butts; and doorknob-size, whole, fresh mushrooms. A Vegetarian Pizza Pot Pie is available as well.
Local Favorite, Vegetarian Options, Salad, Gluten Free Food, Desserts, Pasta
520 W Taylor St, chicago
In 1963, Dick Portillo started Portillo's hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called "The Dog House." Years later, Portillo's has become a brand synonymous with Chicago. People say it's not a real trip to Chicago unless you eat at Portillo's. There are more than 70 locations across several states of Portillos'. They are famous for the Chicago Hot Dog containing mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced red ripe tomatoes, kosher pickles, and sports peppers piled onto a steamed poppy seed bun.