Mentioned by Spoon University
The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago, According to a Local
"If you’re still trying to diet in this pandemic, well you should definitely avoid following Stan’s Donuts & Coffee’s Instagram, because one look at their photos will completely override any self discipline you thought you had. More importantly, Stan’s has the flavor to back it up. Featured flavors include: Biscoff Banana Pockets, Glazed Pretzels, Lemon-Pistachio Old Fashioneds, and their new Caramel Marshmallow Pockets."
"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!"
"The longest-established purveyor of canelés in Chicago, Floriole Café & Bakery's Sandra Holl may also be their least traditional practitioner. Holl produces her canelés without the use of beeswax, and has even been known to tweak the time-honored vanilla-rum flavor profile. (A chocolate version, for instance, makes an appearance in the café each February.) Traditional or not, her approach works."
"Probably the most modernized bakery on this list, Floriole quickly rose to the top after its inception. This Lincoln Park bakery in Chicago is beautifully designed and even features a relatively large cafe area where you can sit and enjoy your pastry. The bakery is specifically European-style, featuring wines and beers to accompany your sweets, and plenty of coffee."
"Floriole is home to some of the best desserts in Chicago, and they always aim to go organic and local with their ingredients where possible. What we love about this spot, is that their menu is constantly changing according to the availability of produce. While this vibe may not be for everyone, there’s something exciting about this potluck experience."
"People rave about: Cool But Rude Latte Ginger and Curry Sauce Latte ($4.50). It wouldn’t be a trip to Wicker Park for breakfast or lunch without a quirky cup of coffee. Admittedly, Wicker Park is my favorite funky neighborhood in Chicago because of its #idgaf vibe."
"The Wormhole will take you back to the future—a model of Marty McFly’s DeLorean is literally in the shop. This ‘80s themed coffee shop has a menu full of delicious coffee options and is one of the coziest spots in Wicker Park. Order for pickup now!"
"The Wormhole Coffee is one of the best-reviewed coffee shops in Chicago. It’s located in Wicker Park. The interior has this relaxed retro vibe going on."
"A post shared by Walker Bros Pancake House (@walkerbrospancakes) on Oct 19, 2017 at 1:42pm PDT. With locations in Chicago, Schaumburg and Libertyville, you have no excuse not to get yourself in here and order the Signature Berry Bliss with vanilla anglaise, blackberry coulis, berry mascarpone and fresh berries. Or, order to-go for breakfast at home."
"Fairgrounds has found the perfect intersection of quality coffee fans and busy urbanites by expanding its menu to teas, quick cafe-style food and an all-day breakfast menu. Combine this with locations in high foot-traffic areas like Bucktown and you've got a recipe for success. It's a good thing too because Chicago's breakfast taco game needs all the help it can get!"
"I’ve been visiting Fairgrounds for a while now, and it’s one of my favorite places to get some work done and enjoy a good cup of coffee. They have tasty breakfast sandwiches as well. You can also order flights of coffee, tea, or kombucha to try a few different flavors!"
"This homemade ice cream is a treat that can be savored all-year round. With shakes, floats, cones, and sundaes, you can enjoy your ice cream any way that you want it."
"If a pizza met a sandwich and had a baby," is how co-owner Anthony Pinello describes this Sicilian staple at Rex Italian Foods House-made dough is topped with mozzarella cheese, cooked prosciutto, pepperoni and deep-fried peppers, heated in the oven and crisped on a panini press. "It's like a real-deal Italian style ham and cheese," guy says. Watch the Video: Sicilian Schiaccata"
"Restaurants Contemporary American Wicker Park. James Beard Award–winning pastry chef Mindy Segal is something like the mama of the Chicago dessert scene, and her loft-like Bucktown restaurant/dessert bar is a longstanding favorite among locals and visitors who want to skip straight to the sweet course. Order from a menu of rich hot chocolates that vary in sweetness (sugar fiends will lap up the medium, while spice lovers will appreciate the subtly smoldering Mexican)."
"Mindy’s Hot Chocolate in Bucktown has been a brunch favorite since 2005, and has long been supportive of local producers who supply its seasonally changing menu. Founder Mindy Segal honed her craft by working at Chicago culinary institutions such as Charlie Trotter’s and Ambria and later went on to receive a James Beard Foundation award for “Outstanding Pastry Chef”. Mindy has now brought her sweet and savory offerings to the Loop at the recently opened Revival Food Hall on Clark Street."
"The city's most celebrated pastry chef, Mindy Segal, goes solo at Hot Chocolate, and as you might expect, it's a hit for a really great dessert...Read More"
"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."
"What’s not to love about this unpretentious Roscoe Village eatery that’s a long-time favorite for date night?. Volo is a casually cool destination specializing in boutique wines, artisan cheeses, and many delicious options for sharing. That ranges from chilled oysters to charcuterie with knowledgeable staffers always available to help you with unconventional wine pairings."
"Among the best restaurants in Chicago is this luxe dining room, with a deep menu of Indian favorites from samosas to curry and a lovely selection of vegetarian options prepared by gourmet chefs. There are also seafood, beef and chicken offerings as well, and catering is available for those events that call for something special on the table. The Spice Room | 435 N."
"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."
"Given that Sweet Mandy B's and Floriole are the charming bakeries sharing the same block and producing some of the best baked goods in the city -- let alone, their neighborhood -- we couldn't recognize one without the other. Washed in pastel hues and equipped with a pastry display bursting with colorful cookies and cupcakes, Sweet Mandy B's is a veritable sugar fiend's fairytale. Floriole plays it a bit more simple, with an airy space conducive to working while you munch on European pastries, like almond-y gateau Basque, pain au chocolat, and a variety of scones; don't forget to pick up a loaf of fresh-baked bread on your way out."
"A post shared by Chicago Food Reviews by Chris (@312foodreviews) on Dec 18, 2018 at 4:31am PST. Can we all agree that the frosting is the thing that makes sugar cookies worth it?. Thankfully the sugar cookies at Sweet Mandy B’s are topped with the same delicious buttercream that adorns the beloved cupcakes on Mandy’s menu."
"In 2002, Sweet Mandy B’s opened its doors to sprinkle some magic into the community. This nostalgic cake shop in Chicago features old fashioned vibes and pastel colors. From Adult Cakes and Holiday Cakes to Special Occasion Cakes and a never ending selection of cupcakes, there’s something for everyone at Mandy B’s!"
"Compromise on Italian without spending too much by going to Pizza Rustica. This cozy BYOB feels just like an Italian trattoria and serves huge pizzas with doughy crusts featuring toppings like Italian sausage, mushrooms, pineapple, artichokes or spinach. Salads are heading and pasta is made by hand."