Chicago Dining & Restaurants

Eating Around the City

Chicago's cosmopolitan makeup is reflected in its plethora of ethnic restaurants. Italian food, ranging from hearty deep-dish pizza (developed in 1943 at Pizzeria Uno) to delicately crafted creations presented at stylish trattorias, continues to dominate a very dynamic scene. In recent years there's been a surge of popularity for New American cuisine. Thai restaurants still thrive, as do ones with a broad Mediterranean slant, many of which serve tapas; and there are still plenty of opportunities to sample more longstanding Chicago cuisines - Eastern European, German, Mexican, Chinese, Indian, even Burmese and Ethiopian. Of course, a number of establishments serve good old-fashioned barbecue ribs, a legacy of Chicago's days as the nation's meatpacker. And no visit is complete without sampling a messy Italian beef sandwich, or a Chicago-style hot dog, laden with tomatoes, onions, hot peppers and a pickle. 

The largest concentration of restaurants is found north and west of the Loop. To the west, Greektown, around Halsted Street at Jackson Boulevard, and Little Italy, on and around Taylor Street, are worth a look. The Near North and River North areas harbor a good number of upscale places. Chinatown, though not pretty, is a predictably good neighborhood for Cantonese and Szechuan food. Many bars and cafés listed in the "Nightlife and Entertainment" section also serve snacks and light meals, and dozens of places in the Loop offer great breakfast and lunch specials.

Other Thoughts

When it comes to dining, Chicago has it all – and some of the best in the nation. Of course we’re known for our Chicago pizza, hot dogs, beef sandwiches and Midwestern steaks, but we have so much more to offer.

It’s difficult to make dining recommendations in the Chicago area because there are so many to choose from. Be sure to check with your hotel concierge, family, friends and business acquaintances who are likely to know the hot spots. Here are just a few possibilities -- For a romantic dinner for two, try the Signature Room at the 95th located in the Hancock Building, or perhaps Seasons at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. For excellent Italian, choose Coco Pazzo at Hubbard and Franklin Streets, Rosebud on Rush (near Superior Street) or Vinci at Halsted and Willow Streets. For Mexican, we like Frontera Grill on North Clark Street at Hubbard Street or, for an economical excellent choice, Las Mananitas on Halsted Street south of Addison. If your taste buds are asking for seafood, you can’t beat Nick’s Fishmarket at Clark and Monroe Streets or McCormick’s & Schmick’s located on Chestnut near Rush Street. Our choices for fine steaks include Gibson’s and Tavern on Rush. Chinatown has many fine choices for authentic Chinese cuisine.

Oh, and back to the Chicago favorites –we recommend Pizzeria Uno and Lou Malanatis for the best pizza. For hot dogs and beef sandwiches, Portillos (with Chicago and suburban locations), as well as Buona Beef and Johnnie’s Beef (suburban locations), are highly recommended.

Restaurant Resources

Chicago Dine-Around
This Progressive Dining Tour offers a unique, fun and exciting way to bring people together to experience Chicago dining. Guests are chauffeured around the city to enjoy: 1) Hors d'oeuvres served at the first restaurant, 2) The main course at a
second restaurant, and 3) Dessert at a third restaurant.

Where the Locals Eat
Top 100 Chicago restaurants of all types with the best-of winners in any number of dining categories, such as best steakhouse, best deli, best Italian, best seafood and best burger. Find detailed information for directions, maps, reviews, official web site and much other info. You can then order the hard copy guide.

Lunch in the Loop
This is a Chicago based website that gears itself towards all the people that live/work/play in the loop and are looking for a bite to eat.
Metromix Chicago Restaurants
AOL CityGuide Chicago-Restaurants
HappyCow's Vegetarian Guide to Chicago's Restaurants
Vegetarian restaurants in Chicago, Illinois, directory of natural health food stores and guide to a healthy dining.
theHipCity.com
Chicago Dining; search over 700 of the Top Restaurants in Chicago.

See our Map of North Michigan Avenue Restaurants.

Dining By Area

Downtown
The Berghoff 17 W Adams St tel 312/427-3170. The beautifully preserved Chicago landmark, dating from 1893, offers plentiful Germanic specialties plus fish dishes and corned beef and cabbage. Try the draft or root beer. A bargain. Billy...
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Greektown and Little Italy
Costa's 340 S Halsted St tel 312/263-9700. At this casual Greek place, which is reasonably priced, try the Mussels Salonika, or the cheese-stuffed roasted peppers. Gennaro's 1352 W Taylor St tel 312/243-1035. The speakeasy...
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Chinatown
Emperor's Choice 2238 S Wentworth Ave tel 312/225-8800. The attractive storefront serves delicious egg rolls and seafood dishes. Try steamed clams, poached shrimp or the lobster. Hong Min 221 W Cermak Rd tel 312/842-5026. Superb...
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Near North Side and River North
Big Bowl Café 159 E Erie St tel 312/787-8297. Diner with an Asian accent. Filling soups and pot stickers make it a budget choice for weary shoppers. Café Iberico 739 N LaSalle Blvd tel 573-1510. At this authentic and reasonably...
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Old Town
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba ! 2024 N Halsted St tel 773/935-5000. One of the city's Spanish hot spots, it delivers a good variety of hot and cold tapas, filling paella and, of course, sangria. Flat Top Grill 319 W North Ave tel 312/787-7676....
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Lincoln Park and around
Ann Sather 929 W Belmont Ave tel 773/348-2378 and four other locations. This Chicago institution serves breakfast, brunch and some of the city's finest Scandinavian food. Only this location is open for dinner. Brother Jimmy's BBQ ...
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Wicker Park
Café Absinthe 1954 W North Ave tel 773/278-4488. Fine French dining in a romantic, casual setting. One of the city's best. Irazu 1865 N Milwaukee Ave tel 773/252-5687. Wonderful Costa Rican diner; great burritos plus a small...
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The South Side: Hyde Park
Dixie Kitchen 5225 S Harper, Harper Court tel 773/363-4943. The great soul food includes pulled pork sandwiches, breaded oysters with chili sauce and desserts like peach cobbler and pecan pie. Medici on 57th 1327 E 57th St tel...
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