Chicago Restaurants
Things to do in Chicago
Are restaurants what make a city great? Some might say its businesses and activities while others would tout its opportunities and quality of life, but nearly every equation includes great places to eat distinctive foods in comfortable surroundings. Here at HelloChicago.com, you'll find just that ... and much more, including those places that local residents tend to keep to themselves.
It's the best of Chicago dining, in one convenient location!
Union Pizzeria serves pizza the Italian way: a crunchy, thin crust topped with fresh ingredients.
Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern has made some of the best barbecued ribs in the city for more than 75 years — so good they made Chicago Sinatra's kinda town.
From the butcher papered tables to Chef Frank Mnuk's interpretations, Bistro Bordeaux has earned the title as one of Chicago's top new restaurants. Even though it's in Evanston.
Realizing barbecue comes in many different forms and tastes, Logan Square’s Brand BBQ Chicago Market has been operating with distinct flavors since 2009. Sometimes classified as “gourmet bbq,” Brand covers the bases from the behemoth, The Brandeurysm, to vegan items.
The double entendre brunch spot, The Breakfast Club, alludes both to the menu of breakfast fare and the iconic John Hughes film of the same name that it may or may not be named after. Encompassing everything pink, The Breakfast Club is a delightful mix of brunch and kitsch.
Tucked away near the busy six corners intersection in Bucktown, Birchwood Kitchen offers an alternative to some of the junk food laden restaurants in the vicinity. Choosing to work with local farms and roasters, Birchwood emphasizes the locavore movement concocting gourmet healthy sandwiches and salads.
The Ida Crown Nanatorium’s located across the street, which harbors a hefty indoor pool that’s open all year round. Riding on its coattails and since the pool doesn't sell snacks, Swim Café conveniently opened across the street.
Greek Corner Chicago proves that it’s not mandatory to visit Greektown to obtain authentic Greek food in the city. This West Town neighborhood joint specializes on burgers, gyros and specials straight from the homeland.
Lviv is not only a city in the Ukraine, but also a highly authentic buffet-style restaurant in, where else, Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood. From coffee to blood sausage, Old Lviv caters to the robust eater.
When world-renowned, Chicago-based chef Rick Bayless isn’t cooking for President Obama, he successfully runs Mexican restaurants Frontera, Topolobampo, and most recently, a smaller, quick-stop sandwich offshoot called XOCO (pronounced show-co). Translated to “little sister,” Xoco continues the Bayless taste empire in highlighting the best in Mexican street food.
Touted for offering “urban street food,” the owners of Loop lunch spot Benjyehuda integrate Middle Eastern street food in a quick serve restaurant.
The English certainly know a thing or two about taking an afternoon tea break. Historic Michigan Avenue's Drake Hotel Palm Court pays homage to it on a daily basis with their afternoon tea service.
Last year, Korean BBQ street food exploded across the U.S, especially in Los Angeles. A few months later, the family-owned Del Seoul opened in Lincoln Park, taking the food truck trend indoors.
The term “brown sacking it” has always symbolized packing foods one enjoys to take to school or work in a little brown bag. The Logan Square neighborhood joint The Brown Sack, Chicago recognizes those joys and cooks up comfort soups, salads and sandwiches and also whips up delectable shakes.
Eschewing the banality of corporate coffee shops, the bohemian Logan Square and Wicker Park cafes brim with artistic independence.
Since opening a few years ago, Kuma’s Corner has become a Chicago foodie destination like no other. Known for its piled-high burgers, craft beer, yearly block party, and rock ‘n’ roll theme, the off-the-beaten path Avondale location can accrue long waits that make the burger spot all the more anticipated.
Former “MasterChef” and “Top Chef” judge Graham Elliot Bowles opened his first restaurant in Chicago to 2008 acclaim. He now follows in the path of other renowned local chefs with his hole-in-the-wall River North sandwich shop, Grahamwich.
More than a local cafe, Bridgeport Coffee House is a neighborhood hub that features jazz, bake sales and sometimes even a movie or two.
Open six days a week, Uptown’s cash only brunch spot, Tweet, cooks up both sweet and healthier delights for hungry breakfast and lunch crowds. Only serving food until the early afternoon, Tweet’s next door neighbor Big Chicks picks up where Tweet leaves off and keeps the food and booze flowing for the rest of the day.
Crowned one of the most likable brunch spots in the city, The Bongo Room’s popularity stems from friendly service and scrumptious lunch and breakfast dishes.
Since 1995, the Jordanian family owned Sultan’s Market has served the Bucktown community flavorful and affordable Middle Eastern bites. From hummus to spinach pie, Sultan’s knows how to satisfy the palate.
Touted as Chicago's most romantic restaurant, Geja's Cafe is a fondue restaurant with a cozy atmosphere perfect for intimate conversation and dining.
Now in its 20th year, the Unicorn Cafe shows the virtues of independence in the world of chain gang coffee houses.
Since opening in Chicago in 1978, this old school joint has grown into a foremost steakhouse (notice it’s “the” steakhouse not “a” steakhouse) with over 70 locations nationwide, but Chicago will always stake claim to the original. With their “go big or go home” mentality, Morton’s challenges to leave your wallet and diet at the door and devour some hearty prime meat.
Touted as Chicago’s original coal fire pizzeria, West Town’s Coalfire Pizza Chicago cooks their Neapolitan thin crust pizza in an 800-degree coal oven, resulting in a crispy, slightly-singed pizza crust.
Garrett Popcorn Shops attract long lines and lots of celebrity fans with their tasty treats.
If Chicago’s known for one thing, it’s their encased meats, or hot dogs. Avondale hot dog shop Hot Doug’s not only knows the signature Chicago Dog, but it also knows how to create a delicious, unparalleled gourmet sausage.
Here are a few popular Chicago brunch restaurants that are only open 'till early afternoon.
When one thinks of afternoon tea, images of English royalty sipping English Breakfast in a garden jump to mind, but since the 17th century, tea drinking has probably been more widely practiced by the Russians. Chicago’s Russian Tea Time acknowledges the importance of the lost art of afternoon tea drinking with its refined daily service.
Despite the name, Bucktown’s Riverside Deli doesn’t reside near a river, but its garden patio acts a pleasant nature setting for diners to enjoy classic deli sandwiches and soups.
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