Cleveland
Nate's small, unfussy dining room offers an unusual mix of Middle Eastern dishes and deli sandwiches, with choices from stuffed grape-leaf platters to…
Must-see restaurants in The Great Lakes
Gold Coast
The unassuming Pig, with its plain booths and hardwood decor, saves its wild side for its dishes that bring together surprising flavors. Think beet and…
Cleveland
It’s cafeteria style, so grab a tray and fill it with plump pierogi, cabbage rolls and other rib-sticking Polish and Eastern European fare. The portions…
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,…
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…
Ohio
The family who owns this bright-yellow eatery cooks the Cuban classics, including lechon (slow-roasted pork) and picadillo (ground beef, olives, raisins…
Naing Myanmar Family Restaurant
Michigan
The unadorned tables in a worn strip mall storefront may not look like much, but this family-run eatery prepares lovely traditional dishes from Malaysia …
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…
Milwaukee
Students, young families, older couples and bearded, tattooed types pile in to the rock-and-roll Comet for gravy-smothered meatloaf, mac 'n' cheese, vegan…
Michigan
This small quirky coffee house filled with colorful kitsch (cookie jars, tea pots, Dr Seuss mural on the floor) serves breakfast all day. The eclectic…
Chicago
Locals rave about this little storefront restaurant serving up chicken or beef shawarma, lamb kabobs, falafel or stuffed grape leaves wrapped in lavash…
Gold Coast
Oink's and its kitschy, pig-themed decor have been delighting visitors for more than three decades. It scoops 50 flavors of rich, locally made ice cream…
Wisconsin
Casual, family-run place close to the marina and Washington Island ferry port. Expect the usual breakfast and lunch offerings, with homemade pizza served…
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…
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…
Northern Minnesota
The boat heads out in the morning, and by noon the freshly caught herring has been fried into fish and chips at the deli counter. Seven tables are…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
Minneapolis
This exotic fast-food joint began life as a food truck. The menu borrows a little bit from just about everywhere on the globe, from Asian-inspired rice…
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…
Cleveland
This is a smart stop if you’re craving well-made breakfast fare, like kielbasa-studded Hungarian hash or honey-buttered cornbread waffles. Lunch brings…
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 …
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…
Upper Peninsula
Breakfasts are Syl's glory. Folks chitchat over biscuits and gravy, pancakes and sausages, and heaping plates of eggs at the booths in this classic diner…
Wisconsin
Vegans and vegetarians will love this awesome diner on trendy Williamson St. In addition to the usual breakfast fare, this place serves vegan renditions…
Cincinnati
The bakers get wild with flavors and create cravings you didn’t know existed. Lemon and rosemary cookies? Matcha tea loaves? Orange zest cinnamon rolls?…
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…
Ohio
This hole-in-the-wall spot on the bay is terrific for lake perch and walleye sandwiches with a side of French fries. The fish are caught daily and…
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…
Minneapolis
A workingman's bowling alley meets epicurean food at the BLB. 'Biscuits and gravy' breakfasts, spicy Gouda mac 'n' cheese, mock duck potstickers and…
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…
Cleveland
The Tremont outpost of this small chain is always abuzz with young locals smitten with the build-your-own tacos concept. Fillings include everything from…
Wisconsin
Part of the Oxbow hotel next door, the Lakely carries over the hotel's boutique, detail-focused approach with a menu of classic cocktails, craft brews and…
Wisconsin
The name is a bit misleading: the refurbished building no longer produces cheese, but the shop carries a big stash of Wisconsin hunks, and the cozy wine…
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…
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…
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…
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…
