**Updated 9/17/20
This post has been like 15 years in the making. I’ve written a version of it again and again–in texts messages and emails, to people I’ve never met and to close family members. There’s at least 10 times a year when I get asked, “Where should I eat when I come to Chicago?”
If you have ever visited the city and allowed me to play tour guide for a day, you know how seriously I consider that question. It sends me into a damn-near clinically insane spiral wherein I’m likely to ask you a million follow-up questions (What’s your shoe size? How do you like to spend Sunday afternoons? How were the stars aligned when you were born?) and offer up twenty seven complete multi-step, multi-dish itineraries.
Next to my family and travel and words, food and the City of Chicago are two of the things I hold the most dear. So, when you ask me to tell you how to best eat your way around my city, I go into a full-on tailspin.
Even now, I’m not sure how to best approach this. Top Chicago bites? Organize spots by neighborhoods? Break down by price points? I could write a handbook on where and how to eat in Chicago, but I’m going to try to drill it down to a somewhat palatable blogpost. (See what I did there?) There are no less than four people currently waiting for me to send them my list. Therefore, I figured now is as good a time as any to begin writing it down.
So, without further ado, here is where I think you should eat in Chicago!
I don’t think you have to spend a ton of money to eat well in Chicago, but I do think Chicago has some mid-to-higher-end places that, to my mind, are destination eateries that help put us on the map. Before I breakdown into smaller categories, here is the list of what I consider to be Chicago’s most noteworthy, scene-defining restaurants, in no particular order (it goes without saying that you need to make reservations for all of these places way ahead of time):
Girl & the Goat: Stephanie Izard, of Top Chef fame, is one of Chicago’s most beloved chefs and one of the country’s most successful female restauranteurs. She now has four restaurants in the city. This is the first and most well-known. If you want to try Izard’s food but can’t get into Girl & the Goat, Little Goat is a great alternative!
Monteverde: Another female Top Chef’s feature restaurant. Maybe the best Italian in the city. (Other contenders for this spot would be Spiaggia, Nico Osteria, and Sienna Tavern.)
Alinea: Before anyone gives me shit about this, let me just acknowledge that you can’t make a list of the best Chicago restaurants without including Alinea, which is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world. If you want a combination dinner/theater experience that costs as much as a month’s rent, you should try it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime meal, and it’s as much about the spectacle as it is about the food.
Publican: This hip, small-plates meat-focused restaurant really put that style of dining on the map, and it was the first to break into the now hot-as-coal food scene in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood. Get the pork rinds and the duck fat fries with a fried egg on top and, if you call ahead of time so they can have it shipped in from Japan, the seafood tower.
Au Cheval: Best burger in the world. There, I said it, and others have too. The last time I went, we waited 7 hours for a table. Yes, 7 hours. Yes, it was totally worth it. If you don’t have the time or energy, you can get an almost-as-good-but-not-quite version at Small Cheval, of which there are many locations.
The Purple Pig: I don’t know a single Chicagoan that doesn’t love this long-standing small-plate wine bar. The food has never been anything less than excellent, and they’ve recently moved to a larger location, which means you actually have a chance of grabbing a table at this spot that doesn’t take reservations but still packs in the crowds after having been opened for years.
Offbeat Hip Neighborhood Spots:
Lula Cafe: Honestly, this could be in the first category, too. Like Purple Pig, every Chicagoan loves this small, seasonal restaurant that boasts an inventive menu in one of Chicago’s up-and-coming neighborhoods, Logan Square.
Giant: Homemade pastas, great cocktails, small space, and hip vibe. We still talk about our meal there, including the fantastic cocktail, which we have the recipe for hand-written on a postcard the waiter gave us.
Passerotto: This relatively new Italian/Korean fusion joint is in our ‘hood. The crudos and the pastas were some of my best bites of last year. You won’t find this menu anywhere else. Skip the Korean BBQ platter, IMO. (This restaurant has since closed.)
Longman & Eagle: Hipster-ville but totally delicious. Go for brunch or dinner with friends.
Fat Rice: Portuguese-Chinese fusion that sorta went viral in Chicago. Great pastry selection. Huge communal tables. Rowdy, fun vibe. Go in a group so you can order a lot! (This restaurant has since closed.)
Steakhouses:
Maple & Ash: I feel like someone is going to yell at me for not having any of the classic Chicago steakhouses on this list, but oh well. Maple & Ash is one of the most romantic, special restaurants I’ve been to in the city. This place is SEXY (we’re talking actual candelabras and velvet curtains), and their wood-fired seafood with chili oil is the stuff of dreams. I’ve been dying to try their Sunday brunch, which seems deliciously opulent.
RPM: Made famous by the celeb couple Bill and Giuliana Ranic, RPM is superb. It also has one of my favorite bites in the city: the miso crab appetizer. HOLY DELICIOUSNESS. I know several Chicagoans who have gone multiple times, including ourselves, and that’s saying something in a city that prides itself on high-end steakhouses. I don’t like the counterpart, RPM Italian, though.
Bavette’s: This is my go-to recommendation for date night. It’s swanky and sexy and the food is absolutely fantastic. They also have my favorite seafood tower in Chicago, and I’ve tried dozens.
Brunch Spots:
M. Henry: We live around the corner from this Chicago staple. It’s been open for years, and there’s still a line around the block every weekend. It was one of Chicago’s first brunch-only restaurants. The bliss cakes are where it’s at.
Prime & Provisions: Imagine that Marie Antoinette, who grew up to be a high-power businesswomen, said “I want an AYCE brunch, and I want it to be EXTRA.” That’s what you get here. The jaw-dropping spread is sure to wow you–and your belly.
The Allis: In the lobby of the uber hip Soho House Chicago, The Allis is all plush velvet sofas, antique rugs, chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Their brunch is killer, but so is the atmosphere. Get the coconut pudding and the avocado toast.
SummerHouse Santa Monica: True to the name, this feels like a real CA experience. It’s bright and airy and bustling, and the brunch menu is extensive, as is the pastry selection!
Etta: From the same folks who did Maple & Ash, Etta is one of my favorite new-ish places in the city. Dinner is fantastic, too, but brunch is my favorite meal there. Also super kid-friendly.
Sweets:
BomboBar: You really don’t know me at all if you don’t know how deeply my love for BomboBar runs. Fresh-fried Italian donuts and obscene milkshakes and sundaes that are the stuff of Instagram foodies’ dreams. Luckily, they just opened a second location. So, I won’t have to wait in a 50-person line anymore. (Though, TBH, I would have done that forever.)
Pretty Cool Ice Cream: Insta-worthy interior, drool-worthy frozen treats. PCIC has a range of 20+ popsicles and ice cream bars, all made in-house. Think caramel ice cream dipped in milk chocolate and covered in salty potato chips.
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate: This place has an impressive savory menu too, but we’ve only ever gone for the desserts, including the hot chocolate so good it warrants the restaurant name. You’ll want a reservation, as the secret has been out about this place for quite some time. (They are now producing THC-laced edible sweets, too. Get ready, Chicago!) (This restaurant has since closed.)
Sweet Mandy B’s: If you close your eyes and imagine what the bakery of your unicorn-laden dreams would look like, this would be it. SMB’s has my favorite buttercream-smothered desserts in the world. Their iced sugar cookies and vanilla cupcakes are my standards, but I dare you to leave without a box full of temptations.
Floriole: Floriole is right next door to SMB’s and is like its older, more sophisticated French cousin. They do a great cafe-style lunch, and their croissants and composed desserts are some of the best in the city. The passion-fruit tart and pot de creme are my personal faves, along with their bacon, arugula, and fig sandwich.
Chicago “Must Eats”:
Lou Malnati’s: I don’t love deep dish pizza, admittedly, but this is the one most Chicagoans recommend, and, if you’re in the city for the first time, deep dish is a rite of passage. Chicagoans go for the sausage.
Pequod’s: If I have to eat deep dish, this is the one I prefer–crispy, near-burnt cheese on the crust seals the deal.
Weiner’s Circle: This place is a bit of a Chicago legend. Great char-dogs with all the Chicago toppings, served alongside a good ol fashion verbal roasting from the workers. Go, ask for ketchup, have your iPhone video camera ready.
Hot G Dawg: Hot Doug’s was a famous hot dog eatery in the city, garnering lines around the block. When it closed, the cooks opened Hot G Dawg, which is in our ‘hood. It’s uber-casual but uber-delicious. Get the classic Chicago dog and tots with cheese!
Taqueria El Asadero: Everyone knows about Chicago pizza and hot dogs, but the city is just as well-known for its authentic street tacos, and everyone has their favorite spot. This one is ours. Bring cash, prepare to smell like grilled steak, and, if it is nice, take your order to the park across the street and eat in the grass.
Cocktails:
Lost Lake: There are two can’t-miss tiki bars in the city, and this is one of them. Three Dots and a Dash is the other. The first is a bit hipster and the second is a bit scene-y, but both promise a good time, show-stopping Hawaiian-inspired cocktails, and lots of fun. (If you have an extra $500 to spare, try the Treasure Chest at Three Dots.)
Aviary: The Aviary is owned by the same people who brought us Alinea, and some may think it’s equally obnoxious/expensive/outrageous, but I love it. In fact, I much prefer the cocktail experience at Aviary to the dining experience at Alinea. If you want to really go big, book the chef’s kitchen table. The food is as good as the cocktails, which are each their own work of art. Two (three?) words: foie gras Snickers.
Apogee: Apogee is a less expensive, slightly less impressive alternative to Aviary. You won’t need tickets ahead of time, and there’s a great view, complete with an outdoor space. Plus, you’ll still get weird science-fair ready drinks with shit like cotton candy floating atop your martini.
Signature Lounge: The ONLY reason I am recommending this place is because it’s the best way to get a FREE view from the near-top of the Hancock building without paying to go to the observation deck. Instead, grab a cocktail at this restaurant on the 95th floor and enjoy the sights. Eat the food at your own risk.
Randolph Eats:
Au Cheval: already mentioned above
BombaBar: already mentioned above
Bavette’s: already mentioned above
Avec: Randolph is the most restaurant-packed street in Chicago, and you could easily make a day of eating your way up and down it. Avec is a little tapas-style bar with only enough seating for a handful of people. Go right as lunch or dinner service begins or make a reservation. Eat the chorizo-stuffed dates (though, everything is wonderful).
Bonci: Bourdain once called Bonci his favorite pizza in Rome, and Chicago got their first US location. You walk in, spy 20 or so different foccacia-style pizzas, and order by the slice, which they cut with a pair of scissors. Try 5 or 6 varieties, grab a can of wine or a cold beer, and chow down while you game-plan the rest of your Randolph eating adventure.
Gus’s Fried Chicken: When Memphis-started Gus’s finally came to Chicago, I was one happy southern gal. If you know me, you know how much I love fried chicken, and Gus’s is the best I’ve ever had. Anywhere. Ever.
Cold Storage: Okay, this is technically a couple blocks from Randolph, but it still counts. Cold Storage is one of the places we’ve been to the most–and since we try something new every time we go out, that is saying something. They have the best raw bar stuff (oysters, crab legs, etc.) in the city, and their smoked trout dip is INSANE. I like to go, grab a cocktail, sit at the bar, and down some seafood before moving on to the next stop.
Bavette’s/Maude’s: I’ve already mentioned Bavette’s, and Maude is Bavette’s twin. Both are dark and sexy. Both have a speakeasy vibe. Both have been long-standing winners on the Chicago dining scene. Maude’s steak tartare is the best in Chicago.
Cheap-ish Eats
Xoco: Rick Bayless is one of the most famous Chicago chefs–a ginger guy known for his Mexican cuisine. (I’ll let you work out the ethics of that.) I’m not a huge fan, but XOCO is the exception. It’s his fast-casual concept, and I prefer the food to his finer dining establishments. The masa dumpling soup with carnitas and arugula is one of my favorite Chicago dishes, but folks also love the tortas.
Taqueria El Asadero: already mentioned above
La Unica Market: This place is so underground they don’t even have a website. La Unica is a Cuban market on the north side of the city, and there’s a cafe tucked in back that serves amazing fare, including killer cubano sandwiches, the best black beans you’ll ever eat, and a whole range of Latin finds.
Calumet Fisheries: This place requires three things of you: a car, a love of seafood, and a serious devotion to foodie travel adventures, as you’ll have to drive a good 30 minutes from downtown in order to access this roadside seafood shack, where you can get the best smoked salmon–and a whole host of other sea-based fare–to go. Eat the fish with your hands, out of a paper bag, while sitting in a nearby park. Be prepared to smell of hickory for the entire day, but it’s so worth it.
Lao Sze Chuan: When I moved to the city, LSC only had one location; now they have many. I can’t really vouch for the others, but the one in Chinatown has long been a favorite of ours. Get the dan-dan noodles and the five chili chicken. After, head over to Chiu Quon Bakery for $1.00 pork buns and coconut custard tarts. (There’s also a Chiu Quon on Argyle, which is in the city’s Little Vietnam neighborhood.)
Manny’s Deli: Open for over 75 years, this is a true NYC-style Jewish deli experience. You grab a tray and work your way down the line, ordering all of the smoked meat sandwiches, matzo ball soups, and other Jewish delicacies you can bare to carry.
Sun Wah BBQ: If you’ve never done a Peking duck experience, then you must try this place! Bring at least 4 people, be sure to call and order at least 24 hours ahead of time, and be prepared for a feast. One duck will net you enough bao for 4-5 people, duck fried rice, and duck soup.
Wildcards:
Here are some places that are work a visit but didn’t fit neatly into any other category
Langham: Best afternoon tea service in a totally awe-inspiring hotel space. Fancy, girly–worth the splurge!
Proxi: One of our favorite new restaurants of the past few years. They do global-inspired street food in a slightly upscale, but still whimsical, way.
Bar Ramone: Some of our favorite tapas and cocktails are in this small but centrally located bar. The salmon tartare, tomato bread with jamon, and patatas bravas (which they do as fries) should all be tried. It’s perfect for a group date or cocktails and nibbles before a night out.
Eataly: Nearly every major city in the US now has its own Eataly, but if you’ve never been to one, this Italian food mega-mall/dining hall is definitely worth a stop. There’s a Nutella station. Need I say more?
Virtue: Stationed in Hyde Park and run by one of the Obamas’ favorite chefs, Virtue has the best Southern food we’ve eaten outside of the South.
Honorable mentions: Galit (very new Israeli place that’s on everyone’s hot list with good reason), The Gage (one of our first Chicago loves–good option across the street from Millennium Park, Aba (only for the rooftop and cocktails, beware of scenesters), Burger Bar (our favorite burgers, after Au Cheval), Tank Noodle (and any of the pho places on Argyle, really), Uru Swati (our favorite Indian street food spot),