Chicago
This small storefront makes more than 30 types of tamales, including many in atypical, vegetarian flavors such as quinoa and lentil, eggplant and cheese,…
Must-see restaurants in Chicago
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This purveyor of Quad Cities–style pizza (distinguished by a malty-crust pie snipped into thin strips) encourages guests of all ages to let their hair…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
A bright, stylish cafe, Milk & Honey has become the hangout du jour for discerning neighborhood socialites. Waffles and pancakes in different flavors …
Chicago
The chef is only in her 20s, but she has already apprenticed under Rick Bayless and brought his ‘farm to table’ philosophy to this vibrant brick-and…
Chicago
When it’s too cold for a tailgate party, come to this spot in the Tremont Hotel owned by the famously cantankerous former coach of the Chicago Bears (who…
Chicago
Located in the Ogilvie train station just west of the Loop, this sprawling Euro-style food hall has stalls offering Belgian fries, Montreal-style smoked…
Chicago
Vegheads don't have to miss out on the Chicago food experience – this 100%-plant-based fast-casual restaurant rocks the mock meat with a wide-ranging menu…
Chicago
This candlelit BYOB Argentine steakhouse makes an idyllic date location, serving classic skirt steaks and other tender grass-fed options. In addition to…
Chicago
This hot-dog joint beside the L track has a sign that's launched a thousand Instagram posts. Take the requisite photos while you wait for your Chubby Dog,…
Chicago
Iberico’s creative tapas burst with flavor. Among the standouts: salpicon de marisco (seafood salad with shrimp, octopus and squid), croquetas de pollo …
Chicago
An old-style cafe, with creaking wooden tables and chairs set throughout several rambling rooms of a large old house; antique cameras and kitchen…
Chicago
For once, a place touting itself as one of Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurants can back it up – a fact evidenced in the framed pic of Ol’ Blue Eyes by…
Chicago
The entire menu at this sunny, modern space is 100% gluten-free. Breakfast dishes are the specialty, including thick stacks of pancakes, honey-butter…
Chicago
As famous for its unruly, foul-mouthed ambience as for its charred hot dogs and cheddar fries, the Wieners Circle is a normal hot-dog stand – with damn…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
This late-night Wicker Park standby serves up slices and pies of thin-crust pizza with both standard and inventive toppings: macaroni and cheese, chicken…
Chicago
Whether you’re dining outside under the oak tree or tucked in a cozy corner inside, the atmosphere and exceptional French fare make Chez Joel a romantic…
Chicago
The Green Door, tucked in an 1872 building, is your place to mingle with locals over a beer and well-made burger amid old photos and memorabilia. During…
Chicago
This clubby bistro is just steps from the Loop theater district and fills up fast with ticket-holders. The seasonal menu provides exceptionally flavorful…
Chicago
Many dishes at this warm Argyle St eatery require some assembly, pairing shrimp, beef or squid with rice crepes, mint, Thai basil and lettuce. For an…
Chicago
This comfortable, upscale steakhouse does Chicago proud. Expect perfectly cured meats hand-cut on-site and an atmosphere befitting the city’s famous…
Chicago
For a cheap à la carte lunch in Chinatown, this bright bakery has fluffy BBQ pork buns, bite-sized egg custard tarts, coconut and winter melon pastries…
Chicago
Little Andy's earns big praise from foodies who swoon over the authentic Thai menu. Andy's not afraid to use organ parts in his dishes, or to atomically…
Chicago
Twin Anchors is synonymous with ribs – smoky, tangy-sauced baby backs in this case. The meat drops from the ribs as soon as you lift them. The restaurant…
Chicago
At this long-standing, delightfully ersatz tapas joint, the garlic-laced menu changes often but always includes hot or cold small plates of vegetables and…
Chicago
Yoshi's is one of the most innovative casual places in town, known for its changing Japanese- and French-flared menu and gracious standards during the…
Chicago
Artopolis is one of the city’s top bakeries – many of the nearby Randolph St restaurants get their bread here, and locals often pop in to ogle the…
Chicago
Piled high with savory beef that soaks through the thick bun, Al's sandwich is one of Chicago's culinary hallmarks. This is the original location of the…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Found along the hip run of bars and restaurants on Division St, Takito Kitchen has a menu of tasty new twists on Mexican food that's 100% gluten-free…
Chicago
Fresh, fresh meat and vegetable dishes, distinctly seasoned, set this Pakistani place apart from its competitors on Devon. Try the ‘frontier’ chicken,…
Wicker Park, Bucktown & Ukrainian Village
Pick from assorted flavors of macaroons, red velvet cupcakes and other creamy-frosted goodies in the bakery, then take them to the ‘lounge’ next door (or…
Chicago
Neighborbood professionals swarm this place to refuel while typing away on their laptops. The big tables and comfy chairs are part of the appeal. So are…
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…
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
Chicago's favorite, long-standing vegetarian restaurant expanded from Lake View and opened this fancier branch in Logan Square. Poutine, meatloaf,…
Chicago
They call it ‘Southern reconstruction cooking,’ which means items such as corn muffins, cheese grits, fried chicken, buttermilk rolls and crawfish patties…
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…
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,…
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…