Best & Cool Bars in DuPage County

"Beatrix is a favourite spot of ours for an early morning take away coffee and pastry on the way to work, and offers a menu that’s about ‘taste over trend’, featuring an array of interesting options that lean towards the mindful eating end of the spectrum. Coffee is one of the highlights here – the coffee bar at Beatrix serves up quality coffee using locally roasted Intelligentsia and Metropolis beans. If you’re after something more substantial than a pastry, then the dine in menu features a range of healthy, creative dishes such as quinoa cakes with poached eggs, cauliflower grits and eggs, and ten-grain oatmeal."

"You’ll struggle to find a more reliable brunch spot than Beatrix. With multiple locations around the city, the friendly chain of cozy cafés offers fresh-squeezed juices, brunch cocktails, and an outstanding breakfast menu. The all-day eatery focuses on healthy and affordable options with anything from light & fluffy lemon pancakes to steak chimichurri & eggs."

"Restaurants American River North. A healthy-fare-meets-comfort-food concept informs the menus at this cheerful River North restaurant and, to be sure, many of the dessert offerings—like the chia pudding with coconut milk and pomegranate—cleave to this ethos. And then there’s the Oh My!"

"Sun Wah doesn’t hide what it does best with an enticing (unless you’re a vegetarian) line of ducks hanging in the window just waiting to be roasted. Sun Wah is Chinese barbecue, and the duck is the star; order it ahead of time when you make your reservation and be treated to a multicourse dinner of soup, carved bird, and fried rice, with plenty to go around for a group, and at smile-inducing prices. Once you’ve gotten the duck out of the way, carry yourself back to the sparsely decorated but charmingly simple dining room and order the juicy roast pork or any number of the Chinese favorites; repeat as necessary."

"Originally located in New York’s Chinatown, family-owned Sun Wah Bar-B-Que settled into its current location on Broadway in 2009, much to the delight of Chicagoans. The restaurant specializes in Hong Kong-style BBQ, with incredible roasted meats such as salt baked chicken, roasted pork, and barbecued spareribs. The space is most famous for its Beijing duck feast, featuring crisp and succulent roasted duck served three ways."

"settled into its current location on Broadway in 2009, much to the delight of Chicagoans. The restaurant specializes in Hong Kong-style BBQ, with incredible roasted meats such as salt baked chicken, roasted pork, and barbecued spareribs. The space is most famous for its Beijing duck feast, featuring crisp and succulent roasted duck served three ways."

"The 21st century pandemic has caused too many restaurants to put up the padlocks, however, some have managed to successfully shift to delivery and take-out exclusively. One of note is the trailblazing Mediterranean restaurant, avec, offering take-out for the first time from classic small dishes such as bacon-wrapped Medjool dates and potato and salted cod brandade with garlic bread and chives to their bestselling "around the world" wine dinners..."

"This long-time West Loop favorite is a pioneer in the business-oriented district, drawing crowds with vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. Small and large plates almost demand ordering extra, just to sample as many flavors as possible. Roasted skate wing is exemplary of the kitchen's finesse with seafood, while memories of chorizo-stuffed medjool dates will keep you up at night."

"Dining out with kids shouldn’t mean giving up margarita-spiked taco nights — it just means limiting the pitchers. The Wrigleyville location of Big Star caters to the kiddos with coloring sheets and taco trivia with their very own menu. While parents chow down on al pastor tacos and queso fundido, the smaller set can indulge in ham-and-cheese Cubanos, quesadillas and pint-size horchatas."

"Wine Bar , Italian"

"You’re sure to get great shots of the iron bridges, boats smoothly sailing by, people kayaking in the Chicago river, and fun spots like the so-called River Domes at City Winery. There, guests enjoy wine and tapas from the comfort of a see-through, bubble-like dome, complete with comfy loungers and board games which makes it a fun addition to any Illinois getaway."

"Newly finished, the riverwalk is a lovely 2-mile path right in the heart of the city along the Chicago River. It’s a great place for an after-work drink or dinner. Many bars and restaurants have set up shop here at river level including Beatnik on the River, City Winery, The Northman, O’Brien’s, and Tiny Tapp."

"Navy Pier sure is touristy, but its location jutting out nearly a mile into the lake gives it some stunning vistas back across the water toward the skyline. Of the many places to eat at Navy Pier, none is better than Riva, a fine-dining restaurant with a seafood-driven menu. The food is superb, and the views are million-dollar."

"Little Goat is a perfect interpretation of modern-day diner with swivel counter seating, tufted leather booths, and mid-century lighting. And one glance at the menu is bound to spark smirks here, thanks to names like This Little Piggy Went to China (a sesame-cheddar biscuit with eggs and Sichuan pork sausage). Leave it to "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard (also behind Chicago favorites The Girl & the Goat and Cabra) to ensure the food is every bit as fun and flavorful as their printed descriptions."

"Restaurants Bakeries West Loop. Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard puts her gourmet spin on the old-school diner model with this sweet West Loop restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Dig into reimagined classics like the Bull's Eye French toast on sweet onion brioche with eggs, crispy chicken and barbecue maple syrup."

"Little Goat Diner is known affectionately for serving breakfast all day (aka the American dream), but their menu also expands into essentially everything you've ever hoped and dreamed of. Little Goat also has a one-of-a-kind bakery attached to it where you can order a goat-milk latte."

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"

"This critically acclaimed restaurant is cozy and inviting, with a seasonal menu by executive chef, Ken Carter (who used to work for Charlie Trotter). We still haven’t been for dinner yet, but their brunch is OUR FAVORITE brunch in Lincoln Square. Every single thing we’ve ordered there has been knock-your-socks-off good."

"In the heart of Chinatown, Joy Yee is one of the very tastiest restaurants to get all kinds of Chinese cuisine. Located in the Chi’s South Loop district, this place is very popular. Before you hit the bars, you can pre-game and start with some of their shrimp tempura or any of their popular bubble teas, jelly drinks, and freezes."