Top Best Seafood Restaurants in South Loop

"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."

"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."

"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."

"Calumet Fisheries gives customers a glimpse at a long-forgotten piece of Chicago on the city’s South Side, just seven minutes from the Indiana border and east of the Chicago Skyway. Enjoy precious smoked salmon, trout, and shrimp — the small smokehouse is right outside the restaurant. Each morsel is delicate and sweet."

"Pick up some smoked salmon or fried shrimp at this old-school seafood shack that was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain's."

"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."

"Steak 48 on North Wabash Ave in River North, is a restaurant from Jeffrey and Mike Mastro of the Mastro’s Ocean Club restaurants. They are no strangers to great restaurants and thi..."

"Poke is making some serious waves in Chicago, and much of it started with this seafood-centric company that has opened four locations in just one year. Credit that success to crazy fresh fish, affordable price points and as many toppings as you can fit into the "little" or "big" bowls, priced at just $7.50 and $9.50, respectively. Ahi tuna poke bowl | Photo: Aloha Pokē Co."

"It would be hard to find a kid that doesn't like the zoo, especially the Lincoln Park Zoo, with its historical architecture and world-class wildlife exhibits nestled among lagoons and mature trees not far from Chicago's downtown. Families traveling on a budget will appreciate the fact that the zoo is open free of charge 365 days a year. Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway, 312-742-2000."

"Enjoy free admission to Lincoln Park Zoo, and while you’re there, explore the Nature Boardwalk to spot birds and other wildlife. Bonus: as you stroll the Lester E. Fisher Bridge that crosses the South Pond (also known as the Nature Bridge), you can take in beautiful Chicago skyline views — the perfect backdrop for your selfie."

"In a city full of skyscrapers, animal lovers can go wild at the Lincoln Park Zoo. This free oasis features lions, tigers, and gorillas in an immersive setting ranging from savannahs to rainforests. The juxtaposition of modern marvels like Willis Tower with wildlife habitats makes the experience that much more engaging."

"The Regenstein Center for African Apes is also part or rather an extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo, where the visitors can come close to the apes, chimpanzees and the gorillas that have found their home there. It is home to some of the endangered species of western lowland gorillas as well as chimpanzees and exists to provide with the most realistic looking environment for them to live in comfortably. Location: 2058-2156 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USATimings: 10 AM to 5 PMEntry Fees : –"

"Lincoln Park Zoo is a renowned 35-acre zoo in Lincoln Park and a hotspot for tourists. It’s the zoo’s pavilion, designed to provide shelter for open-air on-site classes, that offers such a fantastically picturesque snap. With the design drawing inspiration from the appearance of a tortoise’s shell, the stunning curved wooden pavilion elegantly frames the Chicago skyline."