Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Pilsen

"Chicago’s only three Michelin star restaurant, Alinea has been around almost 15 years and still books up months in advance. The brainchild of acclaimed chef Grant Achatz who became one of the best chefs in the world despite battling tongue cancer, that’s just one of their impressive feats. It was the first restaurant to pioneer the concept of prepaid ticketed reservations, pricing meals on a sliding scale based on date and time (Friday at 7 p.m. would be more expensive than Tuesday at 5 p.m.) in order to show that dining is an experience akin to the theatre."

"The highest-ranking North American restaurant and the six-time winner of Elite Traveler’sTop 100 Restaurants, Alinea’s reputation speaks for itself. The annual poll – decided by Elite Traveler’s jet-set readership – has consistently seen Grant Achatz’s three-Michelin-star restaurant in either first or second place. This remarkable popularity is down to Achatz’s hypermodern and emotional approach to dining, which is respected the world over."

"Chicago's lone three-Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by the great chef Grant Achatz. Why we love it: Arguably Chicago's finest fine dining restaurant, Alinea is as focused on the experience of having a meal as it is about what you consume. Settle in for an evening of deconstructed dishes, billowing dry ice and edible balloons filled with helium."

"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."

"One Off is also responsible for The Publican and Pacific Standard Time. These are all good date restaurants in Chicago. Plan the perfect outfit for your date in Chicago."

"Providing Chicago with the cookie experience we deserve, this Lincoln Park shop has developed a mouthwatering menu and cookies that own up to their names. They pay tribute our entire cookie-loving country with Yosemite and Boston cookies."

"The good news: It has the city’s largest patio in summer and coolest ice rink in winter. American classics—chopped salad, a burger, cheesecake—are on target. The bad news: The crowds never let up.L & D daily."

"Hannah's serves creative sandwiches for all meals, from breakfast through dinner, all available on freshly-baked pretzel bread (the “bretzel” in the name, naturally). There are also wraps, soups, salads and fruit dishes available, as well as organic desserts and kid’s meals. And did we mention the wall of chocolate with bars from over 24 national and international brands?"

"Each sandwich starts with an organic pretzel roll, followed by free-range chicken or wild Alaskan salmon, lastly local white cheddar or fresh mixed greens to make every layer of this lunch good for you."

"Indulge in some shopping, veer off a couple blocks to grab an espresso at the beloved Italian market Eataly, or continue to the DuSable Bridge for a fantastic photo-op of the emerald green Chicago River surrounded by sparkling skyscrapers. The most iconic spot in the entire city is just a couple blocks further: Millennium Park, a sprawling downtown green space that’s home to Cloud Gate, more commonly known as ‘The Bean.’ The stainless steel plates reflect the surrounding city skyline which makes for some epic shots–especially if you make it there first thing in the morning before the throngs of tourists arrive. Be sure to walk below Cloud Gate’s 12-foot-high arch to snap some cool perspective pics from underneath."

"Found in the heart of Wicker Park, Whiskey Business is a spacious, fun and unique Chicago rooftop bar, offering vibes and happenings pretty much every day of the week. Up at the colorful and quirky rooftop terrace you can watch classic movies on the 100” TV’s, party under the stars all weekend, or just enjoy the vibes and sounds of the 80’s and 90’s whenever. The rooftop menu comes filled with over 100 different whiskeys, crafted and seasonal cocktails, an expansive beer list, as well as a wide range of culinary creations."

"The Wicker Park bar features an outdoor curling rink, where bar-goers can test their skills at the winter sport while enjoying an array of seasonal cocktails. Or warm up inside one of the heated, private gingerbread houses decked out with holiday decor and faux fireplaces."

"Chef Armando Gonzalez’s contemporary Latin American cuisine draws diners from all over Chicagoland to Libertad in Skokie. His dinner menu of mix-and-matchable small plates, divided..."

"The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is a modern art museum in Chicago's Ukrainian village. The UIMA, founded in 1971, hosts exhibits, book readings, film screenings, recitals, and theater. The UIMA has been a fixture in its neighborhood for more than 40 years and is one of 25 members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance."

"A partnership of L.A.’s Stan’s Donuts with our homegrown Labriola Baking Company, the Chicago version may not be quite as star-struck, but wow, do they know how to donut. Now open in nine Chicagoland locations (with a 10th coming soon to Oak Brook Terrace), you can load up on their Standard (Glazed, Powdered Sugar, Plain Old Fashioned), Dough Boy’s Best (Peanut Butter Banana Pocket, Glazed Pretzel), and Specialty (Raspberry Bismark, Glazed Orange Old Fashioned, Dreamsicle Bar) donuts, as well as a small selection of “glutenless” donuts, and wash it down with Stan’s Dark Roast coffee (another happy partnership, this one with local Passion House Coffee Roasters)."

"The Best of the Batch: Glazed Old Fashioned Donuts ($2.75) or Nutella Pocket Doughnut ($3.75). Stan’s yeasty doughnuts have become a Chicago staple in the past few years. Stan’s was one of the first specialty doughnut shops to open in Chicago."

"Break the cake mold and dream beyond the traditional sheet cake with one-dimension designs. Having served as Executive Pastry Chef at downtown hotels and winning or placing in several design competitions, Chef Peter Rios’ Alliance Bakery is ready to show you that if you can think it, he can bake it. Besides his three-dimensional edible works of art, Chef shows off skills he picked up training in Paris with his European-inspired pastries and desserts."

"Restaurants Bakeries Wicker Park. Alliance is perhaps best known for its elaborate celebration cakes, which are proudly displayed in the windows for passersby to ogle. But this bakery also traffics in coffee drinks and other pastries, like cookies, macarons and tarts, which are available to take away or to bring next door to a seating area."

"With a warm oven and a warm heart, this bakery is Chance the Rapper's go-to place. Their Chance cookies helped raise money for Chicago Public Schools, giving the city even more of a reason to enjoy their shortbread cookies. Their cookies encompass the passion of Chicagoans more than anything."