Top Best American Restaurants in Bucktown

"Yasmin Gutierrez, executive pastry chef and partner at the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, created the cookies, with dough now available in six packs ($10.95) to take home and bake. Choose from chocolate chunk, butterscotch oatmeal, Nutella,, gluten-free raspberry filled coconut macaron and a house flavor called Magic (chocolate, toffee, marshmallow and cornflakes)."

"Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise’s all-day eatery is now up to three locations, and that’s because it pleases on many fronts. Whether folks are looking for quick and casual, healthy, or vegetarian-friendly, there are plenty of choices. On the lunch menu, the mushroom and quinoa burger with Swiss cheese and baby kale is a standout."

"The avocado toast is one veggie highlight at Beatrix|© Jeff Marini. Now with three locations, Beatrix continues to serve the Chicago community with vegetable-centric fare. Whether you come for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, there’s always something for non-meat eaters."

"Even in the depths of winter this Lincoln Park restaurant is full of sunshine and joy. Channeling its inner Cali, the food here is light and bright – ahi tuna and watermelon tostadas, handmade local burrata and fresh salads. The kids’ menu mirrors that with fresh berries accompanying most dishes."

"Never again choose between a chocolate-chip cookie and a Rice Krispie treat. This slightly salty and super-fudgy cookie is studded with chunks of the classic bar. The whole thing is massive, yet you’ll find yourself refusing to share."

"Get a taste of California without leaving the city or even having to sit down through dinner. These cookies are always available alongside other sweets at their Market counter."

"A diner-style bar that wraps you in rich décor and a sense of classicism, Au Cheval takes its spot as one of the best restaurants in Chicago by making the most of a bar bites menu. You’ll find burgers, egg dishes and cocktails in addition to an expansive beer and wine list. After you've sampled the fare here, be sure to check out Au Cheval's offshoot eatery, Small Cheval, which is one of the best Wicker Park restaurants."

"Hipsters, global travelers, and suburbanites flock to Au Cheval for Chef-owner Brendan Sodikoff's burger, highly publicized as one of the country's best. A single cheeseburger actually comes with two prime beef patties, grilled to medium, topped with weepy, slowly melted cheddar, bright dijonnaise, and a housemade dill pickle. The soft, buttery bun is the perfect blank canvas for the intense beefy flavor."

"Au Cheval has hands-down the most talked about burger in the Chicagoland area. It is constantly topping lists of best burgers in the country, but everything on the menu is just as show-stopping. The chilaquiles at brunch are supposed to be life changing, but I have yet to try them."

"While Revolution has branched out and built an actual pub in Logan Square, there’s nothing quite as homely as visiting the taproom in Avondale, where bench seating and large barrels of beer corral you into its rustic setting. Having served hundreds of beer flavors over the years, Revolution is constantly coming up with new brews to present to its fans and they never, ever disappoint."

"This brewery, which opened in 2010, appeals to the younger, more bohemian denizens of Chicago. Revolution produces about 50 varieties of beer each year and is located in Logan Square. They offer a selection of specialty beers, deep-wood beer, and year-round staples."

"John Shields and Karen Urie Shields’s two-for-one special in the West Loop: a fine-dining destination upstairs and the city's best burger in the sultry basement. Why we love it: You can choose your own adventure at this double feature—and neither option will lead you astray. Cozy up on the couch with the Loyalist's famed Dirty Burger, a messy medley of cheesy, oniony goodness that's now available for takeout and delivery."

"Restaurants American creative West Loop. Husband-and-wife team John Shields and Karen Urie Shields own two dreamy restaurants at the same address: Smyth and the Loyalist. The latter, a dark, subterranean dining den, is suitable for midweek dinner and tipples."

"A post shared by Chicago Food Blogger • 312food (@312food) on Jun 6, 2020 at 11:17am PDT. The maple syrup at Sweet Maple Cafe comes from Vermont and the recipe for the pancakes is all original. Try it “bursting with blueberries” or “not-so-plain” buttermilk, and add the extra maple syrup for a sweet breakfast taste."

"Neighborhood locals and Chicago visitors alike, can be found enjoying the Sweet Maple menu. Family recipes and fresh ingredients make this restaurant feel like home. Pancakes: Good-Old-Fashioned Pancakes-Their great taste comes from our original recipe."

"Recover from your late night at the adjacent Empty Bottle with Bite Cafe's eclectic brunch menu and bright, naturally lit dining room. You'll be feeling ready to take on the day in no time."

"Located in the heart of Old Town, this multi-level bar sports a retractable roof to make an amazing indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Known for it's amazing food and unbeatable atmosphere...it's time to Check In."

"Located inside the historic Theater on the Lake, The Lakefront Restaurant is a stunning space serving upscale tavern fare. The patio offers unbeatable views of both the skyline and waterfront. Choose from a diverse menu of seasonally inspired dishes, from seafood to gourmet burgers to fresh salads."

"Decisions can be difficult when constructing your perfect ice cream cake. Choose from 10 different ice cream flavors, all made with organic milk and cream, and decide if you prefer crumbled brownies, blondies, or cookies as a base. Rachel Kamins launched Bartleby’s in 2018 after working for Ben & Jerry’s and Zingerman’s Bakehouse and calls herself the “caker, baker, and ice cream maker.” Fittingly, she makes everything, from the ice cream to the crushed cookies and brownies to all her sauces, from scratch."

"Chiu Quon in Chinatown is the original location of this classic Chinese bakery (the other is in Uptown). And though we love them both, we can’t think of a better place to stop for a snack while walking around Chicago’s Chinatown. Anything from their pastry case will be delicious, such as the pork buns, sponge cakes, sesame balls, egg custards, and much more."

"Chinatown’s Chiu Quon Bakery & Dim Sum hits the spot with their BBQ pork buns and, more importantly, cakes: cream cake, chocolate cake, tiramisu, chestnut cake and more. That said, their mixed fruit cake is a fan-favorite. This cash-only bakery has a counter and some tables off to the side, but otherwise isn’t adorned or decorated in any specific style."

"With four stars out of 342 reviews on Yelp, the bakery, which offers dim sum and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option. Look for pastries and steamed buns on the menu."

"Churros are one of those glorious desserts that never disappoints. So, if you’re looking to turn your day into a fiesta, head down to the Xurro Factory. This eatery offers one of the best desserts in Chicago, but be warned, it won’t be easy to eat!"

"If you don’t want to bake, or fry in this case too, then decorate with DIY cookie and doughnut kits ($14) starring colorful icing and sprinkles. You may find inspiration in the bakery’s smiley face cookies and Easter lamb cakes, wearing icing medical masks. Owner Can Lao, who revived the historic bakery in the Bridgeport neighborhood back in February, recently added Chinese egg tarts, plus a few staple items like paper towels, gloves, milk and Yakult, the yogurt-like drink."

"If you’re wondering what happened to Bridgeport Bakery 1.0, it closed. But thankfully version 2.0 has the same delicious treats as the original. And while they have a lot of baked goods besides donuts, we like coming here for their long johns and bismarks."