Must-see restaurants in Illinois

  • Carnivore

    Illinois

    This independent butcher sources its meat and dairy from local farms in Fairbury, IL, and makes damn sure you feel welcome when you step through the door…

  • Taqueria El Milagro

    Chicago

    El Milagro is a classic. On one side it's a restaurant, with a cafeteria-style line for plates of beef stew simmering in tomato sauce or chicken in…

  • Vienna Beef Factory Store & Cafe

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    A true Chicago hot dog uses a Vienna Beef weenie, and there's no better place to indulge than right at the source – the company's HQ cafe. Grab a tray, go…

  • Honey Butter Fried Chicken

    Chicago

    At this off-the-beaten-path neighborhood spot, the namesake dish is made up of double-buttermilk-battered bird sprinkled with smoked paprika, onto which…

  • Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

    Chicago

    Sometimes you don't want a fancy-pants tasting menu or Tasmanian pepperberry cocktail in West Loop. Sometimes you just want fried chicken, mac 'n' cheese…

  • Chicago Diner

    Chicago

    Chicago's favorite, long-standing vegetarian restaurant expanded from Lake View and opened this fancier branch in Logan Square. Poutine, meatloaf,…

  • Wishbone

    Chicago

    They call it ‘Southern reconstruction cooking,’ which means items such as corn muffins, cheese grits, fried chicken, buttermilk rolls and crawfish patties…

  • Parson's Chicken & Fish

    Chicago

    Parson's fries its chicken skin hard, so the super juicy flesh underneath comes as a surprise. Everyone eats outdoors at picnic tables under striped…

  • La Michoacana Premium

    Chicago

    All of Pilsen is at this neon-pink ice-cream shop on warm nights. Huge, super creamy scoops in coconut, pistachio and Mexican sponge cake are one thing,…

  • Maldaner's

    Illinois

    Maldaner's purports to be the oldest restaurant on Route 66 and has indeed been serving upscale American cuisine since 1844. You can't go wrong with its…

  • Francesca's on Chestnut

    Chicago

    Part of a well-loved local chain, Francesca's buzzes with regulars who come for the trattoria's rustic standards, such as linguine with salmon and wild…

  • Taste of Lebanon

    Chicago

    Locals rave about this little storefront restaurant serving up chicken or beef shawarma, lamb kabobs, falafel or stuffed grape leaves wrapped in lavash…

  • Ba Le Sandwiches

    Chicago

    Ba Le serves Saigon-style banh mi sandwiches, with pâté, BBQ pork, sautéed chicken or shrimp on fresh baguettes made right here (vegetarian and vegan…

  • Shake Shack

    Chicago

    Like every location of Danny Meyer's international fast-casual chain, this Shake Shack set inside the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association certainly…

  • Do-Rite Donuts

    Chicago

    At Do-Rite's shoebox-size shop, office workers clamor for peanut-butter banana, coffee cream and chocolate-ganache-dripping Boston cream doughnuts to jump…

  • 5 Loaves Eatery

    Chicago

    Order at the counter, and then head to one of the 12 tables at this friendly breakfast and lunch cafe. Lots of regulars from the surrounding community…

  • Thai Pastry

    Chicago

    A lunchtime favorite with workers from both Uptown and Andersonville, this Thai restaurant has a window filled with accolades and awards, and the food to…

  • Phoenix

    Chicago

    This big, modern, gilt-dragon-bedecked restaurant is a Chinatown stalwart known for reliable dim sum that's served all day. Small plates of char siu bao …

  • Patio at Cafe Brauer

    Chicago

    Take a break from zoo explorations at pretty Cafe Brauer. It's perfect for some ice cream, a Caesar salad, hamburger or glass of wine refresher while…

  • Nana

    Chicago

    This convivial little gem has received multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for great food offered at great value. It whips up yummy organic breakfasts …

  • Tempo Cafe

    Chicago

    Bright and cheery, this diner serves up most of its meals in a skillet. The omelet-centric menu includes all manner of fresh veggies and meat, as well as…

  • Cafe Selmarie

    Chicago

    Selmarie has been serving the Lincoln Square neighborhood cakes, tortes, quiches, tomato bisque soup and turkey-and-Brie sandwiches for more than 35 years…

  • Portillo’s

    Chicago

    Hot-dog purists might bemoan the lack of true Chicago wieners available in the downtown area, but this outpost of the local Portillo’s chain – gussied up…

  • Andie’s

    Chicago

    Friendly, reliable Andie’s has anchored Andersonville’s restaurant row from the get-go, and it still draws crowds for Mediterranean comfort food such as…

  • QC Coffee and Pancake House

    Illinois

    You will not leave this traditional Midwestern cafe hungry. Enormous portions of biscuits and gravy, omelets and hash browns, and chicken-fried steak thud…

  • Original Soul Vegetarian

    Chicago

    Finding soul food that meets the tenets of the vegan diet is such a rarity that the creative barbecue sandwiches and dinner plates at this comfy South…

  • Rosebud

    Chicago

    This location in Little Italy is the first branch of an empire of quality Italian restaurants that has spread throughout the city. It is popular with…

  • Sultan’s Market

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    Steps from the Blue Line, this Middle Eastern spot is a neighborhood favorite for meat-free delights such as falafel sandwiches, spinach pies and a…

  • Udupi Palace

    Chicago

    This bustling all-vegetarian South Indian restaurant serves toasty, kite-sized dosas (crepes made with rice and lentil flour) stuffed with all manner of…

  • Flo & Santos

    Chicago

    This neighborhood pub is known for its tavern-style pizza (with wafer-thin crust and sweet sauce) and its Polish dishes (such as pierogi and potato…

  • Letizia’s Natural Bakery

    Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village

    Early risers can get their fix of fantastic baked goods here starting at 6am, and everyone else can swing by at a more reasonable hour for Letizia’s…

  • Nha Hang Vietnam

    Chicago

    Little Nha Hang may not look like much from the outside, but it offers a huge menu of authentic, well-made Vietnamese dishes. It's terrific for slurping…

  • Defloured

    Chicago

    Celiacs, rejoice! Defloured is an entirely gluten-free bakery that believes everyone should be able to indulge in ooey-gooey down-home sweet treats like…

  • Oasis

    Chicago

    Walk past diamonds, gold and other bling in a small jewelers mall before striking it rich in this cafe at the back. Creamy hummus, crisp falafel and other…

  • Bennison’s Bakery

    Illinois

    Family-run Bennison’s has been tempting Evanstonians since 1938. Follow your nose into the retro building for éclairs, maple-bacon long johns (a…

  • First Slice Pie Cafe

    Chicago

    First Slice not only serves made-from-scratch soups, salads, quiches, lasagna, sandwiches and at least half a dozen different flaky-crusted pies daily,…

  • Split Milk

    Illinois

    This tiny Hemingway District bakery does 'murderous pies' (according to one local; yes, he meant that positively!) but if you're not in the market for a…

  • Palms Grill Cafe

    Illinois

    Pull up a chair at the Palms Grill Cafe, where thick slabs of gooseberry, chocolate cream and other retro pies tempt from the glass case. Then walk across…

  • Sprinkles Cupcakes

    Chicago

    Sink your teeth into chocolate marshmallow, chai latte, salty caramel and other creamy-frosted mini cakes. The cupcake ATM out front dispenses the goods…

  • Ariston Cafe

    Illinois

    Fork into everything from Western favorites to Mexican and Italian while chatting up locals at the 1924 Ariston Cafe's fabulous retro counter.

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