Best & Cool Bars in Western Springs

"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."

"West Loop, Streeterville, River NorthHealthy-ish eats when you want to be (kind of) goodThis health-forward mini-chain packs a menu full of flavor and vegetarian-friendly entrees. Favorites include the kung pao cauliflower and vegan tomato basil Soup, plus entrees like the rigatoni with vegetable bolognese. Stop by for brunch to try quinoa cakes with poached eggs or green chili enchiladas and be sure to save room for a trip to the pastry bar where you’ll find plenty of indulgent cakes, cookies, and muffins."

"Neither Open Table nor Beatrix warned us about Clark street closure for River North outdoor dining. Our party included 2 people wi..."

"The expertly prepared Beijing roast duck dinner from Sun Wah includes a whole duck with perfectly crispy skin, sliced and served with steamed bao buns, pickled daikon, and hoisin sauce. The rest of the bird is used to make duck fried rice or duck noodles. Finally, the bones are rendered into a duck broth soup with winter melon, cilantro, and eggs as the finishing course."

"Before you even walk into Sun Wah, crisp-skinned poultry beckons from hooks behind the front window display. A massive, open floor plan with room for well over a hundred diners declares its status as a Chicago institution for Hong Kong–style Chinese barbecue. The menu is immense, with more than 150 items."

"There are now two Avecs - the original in the West Loop, and a newer (much larger) River North location. They have almost identical menus, but the classic Avec is our favorite, mainly because we’ve had so many incredible meals there. The Mediterranean small plates here are consistently delicious, so order whatever sounds good to you."

"A true pre-prohibition speakeasy, Violet Hour’s lack of signage is its hallmark. (And according to some reviews, the long line.). Apart from its ambiance, the restaurant is known for its bar menu."

"Sip on a pre-prohibition style cocktail at this speakeasy, where the entrance is hidden behind a mural that changes regularly."

"Restaurants Mediterranean River North. The posh Langham Hotel sits on the north bank of the Chicago River, affording many overnight guests spectacular views of the water and the downtown corridor that runs along Wacker Drive. Diners at in-house restaurant Travelle enjoy the same luxury—no suitcase required."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. Reserve a table at this amazing upscale restaurant and indulge in tasty seasonal American cuisines. Furnished with modern Mies van der Rohe’s designed architecture, Travelle takes pride in preparing the finest dishes accompanied by none other than the finest wines."

"Blackbird was an excellent Michelin star rated restaurant in Chicago. It was another American restaurant set in an iconic modern space. In fact, the atmosphere won a James Beard Award for “Best Restaurant Design” in 2002."

"Stan’s embraces the vintage vibe of a classic donut shop, with a modern spin. They’ve perfected the classics (glazed old fashioneds, cinnamon sugar cake donuts, massive apple fritters) and added in some of their own creations (peanut butter pockets, croissant-donut hybrids, and gluten-free options). Find the one closest to you here"

"In addition to a wide array of donuts (everything from Glazed to Nutella Banana Pockets), Stan’s Donuts also serves up gelato, shakes and Intelligentsia coffee. Stop by to take in the fun, retro vibe and order one of their most popular creations – Lemon Pistachio Old Fashioned."

"Stan’s Donuts are next on our list of the best desserts in Chicago. Stan’s Donuts is a classic choice for desserts in Chicago, and they’re seriously delicious too!. In fact, if you ask any local Chicagoans they’ll probably have heard of Stan’s Donuts!"

"Not much is better than fried chicken or doughnuts, except of course when you combine the two for a fried chicken doughnut sandwich ($6.96). That’s just what the geniuses behind killer maple-bacon-topped crullers and pistachio-crusted, Meyer-lemon-glazed cake doughnuts did. It’s not on the menu, but if you ask for the secret fried chicken doughnut sandwich, you’ll get a buttermilk-and-pickle-brined, flaky fried chicken breast slathered with lustrous housemade aioli on a sugar-crusted, old-fashioned doughnut, the very epitome of drunk food."

"American , Sandwiches"

"This acclaimed Chicago brewery has a sleek black-and-wood tap room that’s both comforting and refined, with mid-century furniture, a historic library of brewing books, and an eye-catching fireplace. The beers at Moody Tongue evoke the same vibe, with a specialty beer program that includes whiskey and wine barrel-aged brews and their renowned Farmers Market Series and Sour Series offerings."

"Moody Tongue moved from Pilsen to near McCormick Place with dreams of creating a tasting-menu restaurant that could attract Michelin attention. That plan never fully developed as the pandemic halted momentum. So the brewery shifted to barbecue with Slagel Family Farms short rib, pork ribs, pulled pork, and more."

"Moody Tongue Brewing offers exotic beers along with oysters & their famous 12 layer German chocolate cake at their tasting room with a fireplace. curbside pick-up or delivery by ordering online. Or dine inside and try their famous 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake!"