Mentioned by Fodor’s Travel
Top Restaurants in Chicago
"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 and The Publican is now serving lunch, Monday - Friday from 11:30 a.m."
"American , Raw Bar"
"Traditional Japanese cuisine meets forward-thinking fare at this six-time Bib Gourmand award-winning restaurant, where two kitchens work together to offer eaters a comprehensive dining experience. For a front-row vantage point of the team’s handiwork, grab a seat at the sushi counter. It’s here where guests can watch as their plates are prepped, from tuna tartare with pickled Asian pear and black tobiko, to the beloved trio maki roll, complete with tuna, salmon, hamachi, cilantro, and chili oil."
"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."
"When you think of the South Side, quality seafood probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. However, Calumet is one of only a few authentic smokehouses in Illinois. Make the trek for one of their fried fish or shrimp dinners, and pick up some smoked seafood while you're at it."
"Don't miss this James Beard-honored monument to smoked fish on the far South Side, in business since 1948. Get a paper bag of salmon, shrimp, or black cod and be prepared to eat in the car or on the sidewalk. View this post on Instagram"
"Irish owned but utterly American, The Dearborn can be found at the intersection the Theater District, satisfying food and lively ambiance. Pastry Chef Julianna Westgor has a playful style riffing on ice cream truck treats in the summer and warming things up in the winter with adults only hot chocolate and fried banana bread with hazelnut chocolate ganache, malted milk jam and hazelnut crunch ice cream. Her peanut butter chocolate dream is just that and don't leave without someone ordering the gooey butter cake with burnt honey ice cream and orange caramel drizzle."
"The reviews are right, the food was great, the cocktails were great. We left Raised due to poor service and seating and came here. The fish and chips are..."
"River North and West Loop French MarketWhat you’re getting: The Gold Coast Lobster RollWhile its Gold Coast location is now a soon-to-be casualty of building demolition, it's still got the River North (BYOB, by the way) and West Loop digs inside the French Market. The quick-service lobster roll eatery serves authentic New England rolls with a twist, including Indian, Asian, Mexican, and Greek varieties. If you’re missing the newly closed shop, you can always get the Gold Coast-style lobster roll with lobster, blue crab, shrimp, and truffle mayo in River North."
"Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a seafood chain restaurant that is known for being family-friendly while offering a choice of tasty seafood menu items along with American fare. Seafood lovers and those who are not can dine together and both be satisfied at this versatile restaurant. It offers a fishing boat themed setting that appeals to both young and old."
"The dessert menu at Cold Storage is all about ice cream, served in the style of a classic ice cream parlor. “Part of the fun of Cold Storage is the nostalgia factor,” Pastry Chef Leigh Omilinsky says. “It’s really playful.” You can try to tackle the epic narwhal sundae with eight scoops of house-made ice creams and sorbets, or opt for one of Omilinsky’s new summer sundaes."
"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..."
"Then a visit to Cold Storage Seafood at West Fulton Market is on the agenda. Oysters on the half shell, chowder and mussels are crowd favorites. With its industrial d..."
"Based on Navy Pier, this adored non-profit theatre company has done as much as anyone to help keep Chicago on the cultural map over the last 30 years. In short order the theatre has earned three Laurence Olivier Awards, as well as a regional Tony in 2008. Its main aim is to introduce people to the works of William Shakespeare, through school tours, summer plays in parks and productions at its own majestic venue, adding up to 600 performances a year."
"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."
"UptownMake like modern day Scarface at this landmark cash-only jazz bar, known for incredible live music, stiff cocktails, and a deeply seedy history as Al Capone’s Prohibition-era headquarters. Rumor has it a network of tunnels still lies beneath the floorboards, connecting the watering hole to different former gangster hangouts all over the Northside. It’s touristy, sure, but the spooky-swanky atmosphere—not to mention the world-class nightly performances—is well worth waiting out the crowds.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating."
"The Green Mill has embellished the Chicago nightlife for over a century. The club’s rich heritage attracts a crowd of all ages who come to enjoy the jazz performances as they lounge and sip on some heady cocktails. This long art deco bar and its throbbing atmosphere are also famous for hosting Hollywood movie stars and celebrities."
"Inspired by Clark Monroe's Uptown House in 1940's Harlem, the Green Mill attracts tourists and jazz aficionados nightly. Once a hangout of Al Capone, Charlie Chaplin and Gloria Swanson, the Green Mill has what modern clubs lack - character. It was also a speakeasy during Prohibition and retains an early 20th-century look and feel."
"California meets Chicago at Ballast Point, equipped with an on-site brewing room. Nearly 40 beers are available on tap – from fruity and spicy iterations to rich and malty ones – which should be consumed on the cavernous rooftop with space for over a hundred people. You can fill a growler to take away or stick around and nibble on doughy, salt-crusted pretzels."
"Out in Winnetka, Michael Lachowicz has been quietly impressing North Shore residents for more than a decade. The chef and owner, who worked under Jean Banchet at the legendary Le Francais, prepares traditional French comforts with modern twists. Expect delights to include butter fried veal sweetbreads, sautéed wagyu beef, filet of loup de mer, and roasted venison with sauce grand veneur."
"Sometimes, whether to enhance celebration or assuage gloom, you just need a ginormous honking dessert. The 23 Layer Chocolate Cake at Michael Jordan's Steakhouse outdoes the colossal creations of other steakhouses with 23 layers of chocolate ganache topped with whipped cream. It's not just big - it's delicious and a wonderful way to share a chocolate confection."