Mentioned by Thrillist
The 24 Most Essential Food Experiences in Chicago
"Sometimes first-timers visit Chicago and expect every meal to be meat-centric and heavy. And while the food at The Publican can be both of these things (this place is known as a pork and beer hall), the menu actually has a lot of seafood and vegetable options, too. More importantly, all of it is incredibly good."
"After recouping from a recent fire, Arami is back in business serving fine sashimi, nigiri, and maki, as well as tasty ramen, and other large and small plates. Presentation is not an afterthought here; each dish is beautifully plated. They recently received a Michelin Bib Gourmand nomination for the fifth year in a row."
"Arami is an elegant restaurant with a unique modern design for its interior. Its bright and vibrant setting and delicious menu options are some of the reasons why the restaurant is always packed with hungry foodies. Arami is a gem on the Chicago Ave strip."
"And none of us would exhibit our robust appetite full-on while a potential lover is across the table. Arami is the perfect eatery where the nigiri and sashimi are as good as it gets. The menu at Arami is far from fancy, but the food is authentic."
"Since 1928, Calumet Fisheries has been smoking the tastiest fish on the South Side. Sitting above the banks of the Calumet River, the no frills shack has used the same natural wood-burning practices for over 60 years. There's no seating—except for the car or bicycle you rode up on—for the goods are usually consumed as soon as they're served."
"Chicago’s quintessential cash-only seafood smokehouse, located just north of the Indiana border. Why we love it: Remember the bridge-jumping scene in Blues Brothers?. It happened right next to Calumet Fisheries."
"This funky corner spot delivers dishes that are fast, filling and affordably priced. They’ve been featured on the Food Network favorite Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives and their well-lit interior and overstuffed menu means you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in the best restaurants in Chicago. BIG & Littles | 1310 N."
"Must-Try: Japanese Beef Taco ($3.29) or Soft Shell Crab Po Boy ($7.99). The flavors are BIG and the prices are little at BIG and Little’s. This hole-in-the-wall turned multi-location across Chicago knows how to serve up tacos, burgers, po’boys, and sandwiches."
"Beyond Burgers & Fried Fish, this quick-serve spot was featured on Diners, Drive-ins & Dives & Chicago's Best along with multiply other TV appearances.Order Online for Pickup or Delivery @ bigandlittleschicago.com"
"Restaurants French Loop. A contemporary French brasserie set within the Pendry Chicago hotel (inside the famed Carbide & Carbon building), Venteux is the latest project from former Temporis chef Donald Young, who earned his first Michelin star at the age of 28. Set in a cozy, wood-paneled space, the kitchen turns out traditional French delicacies such as steak frites and French onion soup alongside less conventional options like an omelette topped with trout roe."
"Don Young is one of the youngest chefs to preside over a Michelin-starred restaurant (Temporis), and he brings a fresh approach to French cuisine at Venteux inside the Carbide & Carbon building off Michigan Avenue. Young’s attitude is to respect the classics like coq au vin and steak tartare, but he’ll liven things up with an omelette stuffed with eggs in his “Eggs 5 Ways” and dry ages beef using koji. Diners shouldn’t assume an all-day restaurant inside a hotel will be boring, and Young is elevating the bar."
"The swanky new French brasserie inside the Pendry Chicago hotel is off to a strong start thanks to Don Young’s modern approach to classic dishes. The executive chef and partner, who previously earned a Michelin star at Temporis, has brought his creativity into the daylight with the launch of brunch service. The menu offers items such as eggs prepared five ways, banh mi hash, dry-aged duck and waffles, and ratatouille pasta."
"Tacos Tequilas is a new spot to enjoy some excellent tacos and other Mexican dishes. It was created by two long time residents, Jorge Manzano and Jorge Pizana. Located in the northeastern neighborhood of Avondale, this is a good place to stop and get some late-evening grub."
"Exit Millennium Park via the BP Bridge, a 925-foot-long winding bridge that provides incomparable views of the Chicago skyline, Grant Park and Lake Michigan. On the other side of the bridge sits Maggie Daley Park, a spectacular green space with massive rock climbing walls, mini golf, picnic groves, and an amazing play garden for children."
"With over 40,000 unobstructed-view seats, the White Sox stadium is a good spot to capture your ice cream cone, the crowd, AND the field in one shot. Unless you’re going for the 3lb ice cream sundae in a batting helmet… you’re probably gonna need two hands for that."
"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."
"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."
"Here since the 1970s and continuing to sustain their vintage vibes, this American restaurant in Chicago has a long history of dishing out the best diner eats, for a pretty awesome price. Juicy burgers, shakes, famous wings, great appetizers, and a large salad bar that actually makes eating salad sound fun. This is one of the best affordable restaurants in Chicago because of the large selection of food to choose from."
"Restaurants American Lincoln Park. Located across from the Lincoln Park Zoo, this Lettuce Entertain You original is almost too convenient. Park your stroller near the front of the restaurant and sit the kids down with crayons and animal crackers."
"A crown jewel of the city's culinary scene and a must-visit for anyone who's craving traditional Ethopian eats. Why we love it: With more than a decade of experience under its belt, most Chicagoans know Demera on a first-name basis. Owner Tigist Reda is backed by years of watching and helping the women in her family cook."
"Rated as the best Ethiopian food in the Windy City, this is a gem among the best places to eat in Chicago. This Michelin Guide recommended restaurant is a great place to take a group of friends for a family-style night out. The interior is bright, friendly, and easy to plop down in a seat and get your eat on."
"Though Demera offers traditional meat dishes, they have a dedicated vegan menu that includes authentic Ethiopian fare. Family-style combo platters are available for diverse sampling from one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Demera Ethiopian | 4801 N."
"Strollers are aplenty along Southport Avenue so it's no surprise that Crosby's Kitchen is a haven for tikes in this Lakeview neighborhood brimming with young families. The best part is that it's not just friendly for the young ones, it's also great for older kids and adults dining sans kids, complete with a wine menu. Order yourself a Bloody Mary and the table some monkey bread to start and choose from a kid's menu or the regular menu for brunch, lunch or dinner."
"Restaurants American Lake View. This ultra kid-friendly restaurant in the Southport Corridor caters to parents in every way possible with wide doors that fit your stroller, a stroller valet and step stools in the bathroom. Your little ones will undoubtedly want the ice cream-topped skillet cookie for dessert—so be a sport and help them indulge."
"This restaurant was designed with kids in mind, namely the daughter, Crosby, of one of the owners. Her influence served them well — extra-wide doors accommodate strollers, and there’s a sink in the dining room, so kids can wash up. The kids’ menu is pretty standard, but adds a few different dishes like the chicken leg that comes straight off their signature rotisserie."
"Just around the corner from Wrigley Field, Smartbar is a basement club below the Metro rock venue. The long-standing club pulses with house, techno and electro music on its world-renowned sound system and features a rotating line-up of star DJs from across the US and the world. There’s usually a cover fee, but drink deals can help keep the cost down."
"Experience thrilling techno dance music with international deejays as you enjoy amazing cocktails, whiskey, and beers at an affordable cost. Smartbar is situated in a tranquil neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. This bar has a good reputation for producing one of the best deejays internationally."
"Smartbar has talented DJs that spin techno dance music to make the place hip and lively. It has been in the nightclub business for more than 35 years. The club features varied entertainment in the dance music world."