Mentioned by Spoon University
The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago, According to a Local
"The Publican has become a part of the fabric of Fulton Market highlighting farm-to-table fare long before it was a culinary catch-phrase. Among the first to open in the uncharted meatpacking district in 2008, its star has not dimmed. Driven by seasonality with menus shifting constantly, you can always count on some of the best bread in the city fresh from the restaurant's own bakery."
"Restaurants American West Loop. Just like there's no need for an alarm on the weekends, there's no reason to be counting calories at brunch. This West Loop institution offers in-person and to-go dining for pigging out on stacked biscuit sandwiches, whitefish-topped bagels and pork schnitzel sandwiches."
"Description: Arami, which just reopened after a kitchen fire, is a great spot for both their sushi and hot dishes. Be sure to try the Maguro Spicy Sake under "Speciality Roll," which contains "tuna, torched spicy salmon, jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, ikura, fried shallots and yuzu.". #SpoonFunFact: The restaurant has earned Bib Gourmand designations from the Michelin Guide."
"Arami is the rare Japanese restaurant that offers a wide ranging menu, yet somehow, expertly maintains the quality of their food. There are sushi, ramen and even robata (charcoal) grilled items on the menu to choose from. Thanks to having two executive chefs, Arami is able to focus both sushi and hot food from the kitchen."
"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."
"Pick up some smoked salmon or fried shrimp at this old-school seafood shack that was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's."
"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"
"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."
"A healthy seafood meal is on offer when you visit Catch 35, with only the finest, freshest ingredients going into making your meal perfect, tasty and within a balanced diet. This restaurant is a fine dining experience - the Chilean Sea Bass comes highly recommended even by those who aren’t fans of seafood. With starters such as coconut shrimp and a chocolate cake so good it has to be tasted to be believed, this is a dining experience that will stay with you for all the right reasons."
"Catch 35 masters seasonal dishes such as Alaskan halibut and Block Island swordfish. Seared yellow fin tuna and szechwan scallops are also favorites, complemented by steak options as well as stir-fry. Guests can enjoy live jazz while savoring crab legs and oysters on the half shell."
"Located within sister steakhouse Swift & Sons, Cold Storage aims its harpoon at seafood and its efforts result in towers of shellfish with oysters, scallop ceviche, clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster. The space feels a bit like one of the old ice storage rooms that populated the Fulton Market neighborhood up to just a few decades ago. Chef Chris Pandel steers this light-filled ship that offers a compact yet nonetheless alluring menu."
"The cool decor and big TVs make it an enjoyable spot for everyone, so don’t be intimidated by it’s sister restaurant next door, Swift & Sons. #SpoonTip: Don’t be scared off by the eight scoop description. Order the Narwhal Sundae."
"Cold Storage is a unique Chicago seafood and raw bar brought to Chicagoans by BOKA Restaurant Group. Located on the ground floor of the Fulton Market Cold Storage Facility, the res..."
"With baseball games in short supply this summer, gazing at Wrigley Field may be the next-best thing. Settle in on Smoke Daddy’s rooftop patio to dig into Chicago-style spareribs or dip soft pretzels into jalapeño beer cheese. After a few old fashioned cocktails or smoky Bloody Marys, nobody will blame you if you start singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
"Long before you see Wicker Park’s Smoke Daddy, you’ll smell the intoxicating wafts of smoked meat lingering in the air. The barbecue is described as “Memphis-Texarkana” and, though we don’t know exactly what that means, we can definitely say it makes our taste buds sing. The slow-cooked pulled pork is no-frills but absolutely heavenly."
"Washington Blvd., Chicago (312) 563-9990www.lepeepchicago.com. Le Peep specializes in down home breakfast comfort food. Their pancakes are fresh and made from scratch."
"Yolk is a family-friendly chain that serves excellent breakfast and lunch dishes around the city. Open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily, Yolk has an innovative menu of classic cuisine with dishes that promises to satisfy even the hardiest of appetites. Tuck into five-egg omelets and three-egg scramblers with a variety of fillings as well as chicken and waffles, potato pancakes, and fluffy frittatas along with sweet treats such as red velvet French toast, banana and blueberry crunch cakes, and Nutella crepes."
"What started off as an unassuming little breakfast nook in the South Loop now draws long lines at newer locations in River North (747 N. Wells St., 312-787-2277), Streeterville (355 E. Ohio St., 312-822-9655) and the West Loop (500 W. Madison St., 312-454-9655). Yolk specializes in superior egg dishes--particularly its fluffy frittatas--but also look out for some tasty crepes, waffles and burgers. The bright and cheery room gets thumbs up from the stroller set, and the staff knows how to keep kids happy."
"Many people don’t know that Chicago has 26 miles of lakefront with many public beaches. Basically, this means toddlers have access to what is essentially a super giant sandbox. Like most toddlers, my kids are happy to spend an entire day digging, making sandcastles, splashing and having beach picnics."
"The Poetry Foundation Library is another attraction that you can’t find anywhere else in Illinois. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find it anywhere else in the US. There are only a handful of poetry libraries in the entire world, but the good news is that the Chicago version is one of the best."
"Chicago's Poetry Foundation is all about the study of poetry. It was the first place in the city of Chicago to focus only on poetry as an art form, which was the dream of Poetry magazine's Harriet Monroe. The foundation's goal is to heighten public and cultural interest in poetry."
"Originally built as the South Shore Country Club, this South Side icon was penned by architects Marshall and Fox in 1905. Purchased by the Chicago Park District in 1975 and renamed as the South Shore Cultural Center, the landmarked Mediterranean Revival building features painstakingly restored historic details, a grandiose ballroom, and golf course. It remains a popular venue for weddings and other large events."
"The South Shore Cultural Center is a great example of what the South Side has to offer. The sprawling landscape surrounding the center features manicured gardens, a golf course, nature paths, a butterfly garden, and picnic areas. Next to the former country club is a wild, overgrown nature preserve with a fire circle and views of Lake Michigan and the city."
"Located only a few minutes south from Hyde Park's Museum of Science & Industry, the South Shore Cultural Center has been an iconic structure in the neighborhood since 1905. Throughout the summer it focuses on rich programming that is free to all. Entertainment ranges from West African dance performances to live jazz or classical music."
"Southport's main claim to fame is this 1929 movie house, which shows independent and classic films on its two screens. Live organ music…"
"Hunkered down across from Grant Park, this 110,000-ton granite-and-limestone behemoth was an instant star when it debuted in 1899, and…"