Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Bloomingdale

"Since opening in 2005, the Lincoln Park restaurant has distinguished itself as a premier dining destination. Winning the coveted three stars from Michelin, Alinea is only one of 14 U.S. restaurants to earn this ranking. But the awards don’t stop there."

"Chicago's only three-star restaurant continues to reign supreme in the city. It's easier to compare Chef Grant Achatz's dishes to art than it is to describe them simply as food. Alinea is open for reservations as well as take-home meals."

"West LoopThis long-revered Mediterranean-influenced fixture from One Off Hospitality has held it down as one of the area’s go-to date night spots since opening its minimalist doors back in 2003, well before many of us could even define romance. And not much has changed -- the wine list is still spectacular, the chorizo-stuffed medjool dates are still iconic, and a reservation for the intimate front patio is still highly coveted."

"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."

"A post shared by @cafe_selmarie on Dec 20, 2018 at 4:37pm PST. Nostalgia is in the air this time of year, and the cookies at Café Selmarie will take you right back to your childhood of sprinkling/dumping colored sugar on your Christmas cookies. The Lincoln Square bakery also has cookie exchange-worthy varieties like chocolate crackles, raspberry kolachkys and cinnamon walnut butter cookies."

"Restaurants American Lincoln Square. You might have stopped by this Lincoln Square bakery for a croissant to go and missed the dining room hidden in back. The first-come, first-served policy means you’ll have a half-hour wait for brunch, but a cup of coffee and slice of coffee cake will tide you over."

"The Wooden Pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s South Pond is a fantastic way to frame Chicago’s skyline around the John Hancock Center. Additionally the structure itself is fun to photograph and a fun spot for portraits. South Pond on Google Maps"

"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."

"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."

"If you’re looking for a different sweet treat this summer, then head down to Ohana Ice & Treats. The concept here is simple – simply grab a pot, fill it with shaved ice, and choose your flavor!. This is one of the best desserts in Chicago for those intensely hot days, as the fresh ice will cool you down like nothing else can."

"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."