Mentioned by Eater Chicago
20 Standout Lunch Destinations in Chicago
"Majani Restaurant is a fast-casual vegan restaurant serving plant-based southern cuisine. As a doze to their African heritage and rural upbringing, Chefs Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel develop every recipe with fresh local ingredients and mouth-watering spices. The husband and wife team started Majani as a private catering company acknowledged nationally for their exceptional service and innovative menu options."
"Two South Shore residents are providing a vegetarian oasis for South Siders. Owners Tsadakeeyah and Nasya Emmanuel are cooking a wide range of African and South American recipes that have been honed from the couple’s catering business. The BBQ cauliflower — lightly battered and fried with a bold sauce — is a crowd pleaser."
"It's no secret that Chicago's South Side is home to the best soul food in town, but did you know that you don't even have to be a carnivore to enjoy all of it?. Majini's menu is full of barbecue, burgers, stir fry, grits and other goodies—and it's all made with the freshest vegan ingredients!"
"B'Gabs Goodies prides itself on offering the highest quality gluten-free, soy-free, raw, and cooked vegan foods, which are packed with enzymes, nutrients, vegetable based proteins, and vitamins. Everything is beautifully presented. The vegan and vegetarian restaurant promotes and values the practice of clean living by using only local and organic products when available to produce delicious, healthy meals."
"Named after owner Gabrielle Darvassy's, B'Gabs is a great destination for all types of diets. In addition to serving an all-vegan menu, this restaurant also caters to diners with strictly raw, soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free or alkaline-based restrictions."
"First time checking this spot out and hands down food is pretty damn good!. Definitely recommend this spot especially that sandwich that has the marinara ..."
"Plant Based Junkie takes your favorite burgers and other fast food and adds delicious plants to the mix. The "Chicken" sandwich comes in mild or spicy and their vegan cupcakes are the talk of the town!"
"Those who love to pair delicious food with expertly made craft beers will love what Hammond’s Byway Brewing Company has to offer. Find a spot in the biergarten-style outdoor seating area, and choose from Byway’s eclectic, yet delectable, menu offerings. Order a glass of your favorite beer to go with your food to make for a perfect lunch or dinner."
"The octopus was some of the best I've ever had and the poutine was pretty delicious as well. Great place, great food and great beer. Watching the snow fall outside of the huge wall of windows and enjoying a Cuban sandwich and beer was a great way to spend an afternoon!"
"A southside brewery that edges so far down, it’s hardly considered urban territory, Open Outcry is an unexpected oasis in this part of the city, encouraging you to quench your thirst in their garage-style taproom. Featuring a flight inspired by the colors of the original Rainbow Cone—Palmer House IPA, Strawberry Imperial Stout, Orange Milkshake IPA, Pistachio Brown Ale—Open Outcry promises that you can’t go wrong with any of their signature brews. And their blissful beer garden with yellow accents is the go-to lounge for the summer!"
"Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court."
"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."
"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."
"Cool fact… the DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Another cool fact… Chicago-proud musician and celebrity Chance the Rapper added some star power to their efforts when he joined as a museum board trustee this year. It’s pretty special to be so rooted in history and heritage, but also very future forward."
"The Smart Museum of Art has impressive collections of European, American and Asian art|© Andre Jenny / Alamy Stock Photo. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the Smart Museum of Art bills itself as “an intimate museum for bold encounters with art.” The collection – which includes pieces by Edgar Degas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso – is renowned for its extensive array of fine art and objects representing a plethora of eras, continents and genres."
"Smart Museum of Artart Museum of Art in the University of Chicago campus, Illinois has a permanent collection of over 15,000 items. It is displayed in four permanent exhibition galleries which include Modern art, Asian Art, European Art and Contemporary Art. These collections are also used for academic purposes and are taught at the University."
"The Smart Museum is small, free, an easy and engaging place to museums in Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transit and there is a parking garage nearby. Exhibitions, which rotate, are really tremendous, tending towards the avant-garde but including the historical and always celebrating the vast diversity of the art world."