Top Best American Restaurants in Northerly Island

"Beatrix is a neighborhood coffeehouse, restaurant, and meeting place in Chicago’s River North, Streeterville, Fulton Market, and Oak Brook neighborhoods. The restaurant is the brainchild of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’ Founder Rich Melman, Executive Partner, and Divisional President Marc Jacobs and Chef Partners John Chiakulas, Rita Dever, and Susan Weaver. The menu features healthy meets delicious options and is known for its iconic coffee and bakery counter, including signature cookies and in-house pastry favorites."

"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)."

"Housed in a light-filled room with high ceilings and hanging ferns, Summer House recreates the magic of Southern California even in the dead of a Chicago winter. Using seasonal and local ingredients, trained chefs create fare that’s inspired by California but with a Midwestern heart. Kids can choose from quesadillas, burgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers, or the ever-popular Breakfast for Dinner option."

"Make one large or four minis from the cookie dough balls ($3 each) in chocolate chip, peanut butter or funfetti flavors. The Lettuce Entertain You beach house concept restaurant in Lincoln Park never seemed to make much sense to me as a former Southern California resident, but we can all use a virtual escape right now."

"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."

"For the last couple of years, the wait outside Au Cheval in Chicago’s West Loop could last up to three hours. Most waiting were in search of a legendary burger dubbed one of the nation’s best, though their patience would also be rewarded with maybe the best hash browns, larded with duck heart gravy, and mille-feuille, anywhere. To combat the lengthy waits, owner Brendan Sodikoff opened a spinoff, a tiny shack aptly named Small Cheval, which serves only the burger ($9.95 with cheese, $8.95 without), fries, shakes and some choice cocktails."

"Au Cheval was my last meal in Chicago and the one hour wait was totally worth it. Sometimes the wait can be three hours long. Grab a seat at the bar to witness all the burger magic happening right before you eyes but know that you’ll want to eat everything."

"American , Burgers"

"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."

"Revolution Brewing‘s location on Kedzie Avenue is a true urban tap room. This is also where their kegs and cans are filled for distribution, so the space feels fittingly industrial. Revolution is Chicago’s largest independent craft brewery, which means you’ve got plenty of brews to choose from."

"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."

"Before the pandemic, the Smyth was poised to improve up on its two-Michelin-star status, as John and Karen Shields had successfully brought the farm to the big city. The tasting menu restaurant combined creativity, skill, and deliciousness. In the basement, the Loyalist is a bar for regulars with one of Chicago’s best burgers."

"Our parents love the laid-back atmosphere at The Madison Bar & Kitchen. Its fast-paced service is perfect for when you have a hungry crew to feed. They have a large and super affordable children’s menu, with a separate gluten-free menu for kiddos with wheat allergies or sensitivities."

"Located in Chicago’s Main Stem river district on the third floor of Renaissance Chicago Hotel, Raised is a rooftop bar with spectacular views of the city and the river. The indoor/outdoor bar occupies what was once the hotel’s meeting space. Decorated in trendy and industrial style, the lounge serves Chicago local craft beers, a nice selection of wines and, both classic and new cocktails."

"When it comes to an eclectic and industrial atmosphere alongside unforgettably good American fare and a wide range of beverages to wet the whistle, Raised raises the bar. (pun intended!) Set in the heart of the Chicago River’s main stem, the surrounding views of the river are hard to beat. In addition to a great view high above the river, the food, service and drinks are simply unmatched."

"Another new offering in Chicago’s rooftop bar world, Raised is changing the game by creating new twists on old favorites – like their berry mint julep – and huge, shareable platters of food that are both home-grown and exotic."

"Aside from bearing the name behind one of Chicago’s legendary steakhouses, Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse in Oak Brook boasts a beautiful outdoor patio landscape. Guests enjoy the waterfall that blocks out city noise and aligns nicely with the restaurant’s assortment of fresh seafood dishes."

"The Grand Lux Café is an upmarket chain that serves a wide-ranging menu of internationally inspired cuisine in elegant and relaxed surroundings. Created by the founders of The Cheesecake Factory®, the Grand Lux Café was inspired by the quaint trattorias of Italy, the stylish bistros of France, and the grand cafes and pastry shops of Vienna. Blending the grandeur and luxury of European cafés with the spirit of an all-American restaurant, the upscale-casual eatery features a lavish interior design with marble floors and tabletops, sumptuous fabrics and textures, intricate mosaics, and handblown glass fixtures and offers guests a unique dining experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

"Situated perfectly on the strip of the Magnificent Mile, the cafe overlooks Michigan Ave. From the cafe, especially during nighttime, the view from the outside looking in is just as grand as the view from the inside looking out."

"I have ate at many places in chicago as I live there, i find myself craving this food all the time!"

"Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, the Ko-Po fusion spot the meshes Korean and Polish, and Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream."

"Maria's has been in operation for years as what they call a 'slashie' - half tavern, half liquor store. Recently remodeled with recycled and refurbished hardwood floor-to-ceiling, this joint has been shaking up the Chicago suburbs ever since.[Learn more]"

"Don’t even bother coming to this homey Bridgeport staple if you’re not interested in making new friends and toasting to warm Chicago nights. There’s also outdoor seating at Kimski next door if you need a food-filled break from the bar."

"Located on the lakefront just south of Jackson Park, this park has 65 acres of green space and is home to the South Shore Cultural Center, originally built in 1095 as a country club. Today, the center is a historic landmark maintained by the Chicago Park District and offers a large variety of cultural programs, including classes for all ages in culinary arts, music, dance, and visual arts, as well as special events throughout the year. The parkland surrounding the center includes a golf course, acres of green grass dotted with shade trees, a beach, and the South Shore Nature Sanctuary."

"The South Shore Cultural Center is a great example of what the South Side has to offer. The sprawling landscape surrounding the center features manicured gardens, a golf course, nature paths, a butterfly garden, and picnic areas. Next to the former country club is a wild, overgrown nature preserve with a fire circle and views of Lake Michigan and the city."

"Located only a few minutes south from Hyde Park's Museum of Science & Industry, the South Shore Cultural Center has been an iconic structure in the neighborhood since 1905. Throughout the summer it focuses on rich programming that is free to all. Entertainment ranges from West African dance performances to live jazz or classical music."

"Source: Photo by Flickr user Patrick Hoesly used under CC BY 2.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Addison is a smaller, cosy mall (fewer than 30 stores), located in the Avondale neighbourhood."