Whether you are in for business or a vacation, there is always something to do in the “Windy City.” So, next time you make the trip, you have to check out some of our top 10 Restaurants in Chicago. In this city, there are tons of choices for a great meal. This post is written in collaboration with Expedia.com, they wanted us to spread the word about some of our favorites in Chicago, these are our Top 10 places to eat in Chicago . . . Enjoy!
Little Goat Diner
This restaurant, owned by Stephanie Izard from Top Chef, is a must stop on your next trip to Chicago. With their large breakfast menu you can start your day at Little Goat Diner with dishes like Spiced Apple Pancakes, Everything is Everything Crumpets, This Little Piggy Went To China, and more. Sides include an Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Bun and Crumpets just to name a few. While their breakfast menu shines, the lunch, dinner, and dessert menus are not to be missed. There is a clear pork belly and goat theme to the menu making the dishes original and flavorful. The Pork Belly Pancakes, Goat Almighty Burger, and the Smoked Pork and Toffee Crunch Shake are menu standouts and memorable dishes that will bring you back for more.
Wildberry Pancakes and Café
If you are a breakfast connoisseur, add Wildberry Pancakes and Café to the top of your list. They have four locations in Chicago. They offer 25 delicious egg dishes along with and amazing array of pancakes, Belgian waffles, French toast, and crepes. Some must tries include: Oreo S’mores Pancakes, Signature Berry Bliss Pancakes, Strawberry Chocolate Chip Waffles, Creamy Nutella Crepes, and Red Velvet Roll French Toast. They also offer an extensive espresso and mocha menu to kick start your day and their lunch menu also includes outstanding sandwiches, paninis, wraps, and salads.
The Signature Room At The 95th
Whether it’s your first trip to Chicago or your 20th, one of the best places to eat and enjoy a view of the Chicago skyline is The Signature Room At The 95th.The restaurant is located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building and the views are incredible. Be sure to have your camera ready because with large floor to ceiling windows you’ll have incredible views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. The upscale menu provides food as picturesque as the view. Their brunch menu is fabulous and features Bananas Fosters Pancakes, Braised Short Rib, Steak and Eggs, and a delicious dessert buffet. Lunch and dinner menus include divine dishes including: Beef Tartare, a Raw Bar for Two, Lobster Bisque, Beef Tenderloin Sandwich, Roasted Scottish Salmon, New York Strip Steak and more. Don’t forget to order White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake and glass of champagne to toast the meal and view you’ll never forget.
Chicago Pizza Tours
Chicago is well known for their pizza and there are so many wonderful pizza places to choose from, why limit it to just one? With Chicago Pizza Tours you can choose from two different types of tours or schedule a private event. With the Original Chicago Pizza Tour you escape the touristy areas and the local guides share fascinating Chicago history as you travel through four different Chicago neighborhoods. This tour features five different styles of pizza and a variety of toppings. The Pizza and Cocktails Tour is similar but you travel through 3 neighborhoods and discuss the benefits of pairing beer and wine with different flavors. Either tour is the best way to eat your way through Chicago and the perfect path to any pizza lovers heart.
If you are a true pizza fanatic, make sure to check out this Expedia ViewFinder article on hotels in Chicago with easy access to Chi-Town’s famous pies!
Eataly
This is the place to go in Chicago for easy and delicious restaurant hopping all in one location. At Eataly, not only can you enjoy baked goods and Italian restaurants with extensive menus but you can shop at their Italian marketplace too. There are quick service restaurants offering sandwiches, coffee, pastries, a gelato bar, a cannoli bar, a Nutella bar, and more as well as multiple sit down restaurants with four course meals. They also offer behind the scenes tours and themed tours too and for the food aficionados they offer cooking classes including Italian Holiday Classics and Forming Formaggio: Hands On Cheesemaking and more. There really is something for everyone at Eataly and it’s a great all in one location for your next trip to Chicago.
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
Looking for a delicious way to stay warm on a cold windy Chicago day? Stop in to Mindy’s Hot Chocolate. You can dine in the restaurant or go right to the counter to their “to go” line to order a wide variety of hot chocolates including: Mexican, Dark, Chai, Black & Tan, Pumpkin Spice, Old Fashioned, Affagato, and more. Each cup is topped with house-made marshmallows. As for dining in, their menu is delicious and includes brunch, lunch, and dinner. For brunch don’t miss Mindy’s doughnuts, Cinnamon Brioche French Toast, or the Two Eggs Any Way. While the lunch and dinner options and daily specials are always a treat, you just may want to skip right to dessert. The Gingerbread and Butterscotch, a wonderful holiday dish with a gingerbread yule log, butterscotch whiskey buttercream, brown sugar meringue mushrooms, and caramelized white chocolate and toffee bark paired with one of Mindy’s Hot Chocolates will have you in the holiday spirit in no time.
Smoque BBQ
Looking for some good BBQ in Chicago? Make a trip to Smoque BBQ. Don’t miss the ribs prepared with Memphis Style dry rub smoked over apple and oak and finished with a semi-sweet BBQ sauce. The Brisket is smoked for 14 hours and has a deep rich flavor while staying moist and tender. Enjoy it as a platter or sandwich. Their pulled pork is a champ too. Smoked over apple and oak and pulled by hand, resulting in flavorful smoky pieces on the outside and tender juiciness on the inside. They also offer chicken, Texas sausage, and some fantastic sides including coleslaw, BBQ beans, mac and cheese, cornbread and an amazing dessert of peach cobbler.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Offering the ultimate comfort food and with lines out the door even on a cold Chicago day, Honey Butter Fried Chicken will bring you back to your childhood and mom’s home cooking. This counter service restaurant offers 2 piece, 4 piece, and 8 piece fried chicken, a variety of sandwiches, chicken strips, wings, salads, and sides like roasted garlic grits, schmaltz mashed potatoes, as well as house made dipping sauces. You can even stop in for their Sunday brunch menu. And you can’t go to Honey Butter Fried Chicken without trying the honey butter –which is delicious spread on to the chicken, as they say “don’t forget to put the butter on the bird!”
Alinea
While Alinea is on almost every foodies list already, it’s a must mention for its innovation and creativity that landed them at #15 on the World’s 50 Best List and the only restaurant in Chicago to earn the coveted Michelin 3 start rating. Chef Grant Achatz is one of the most well known in the world and he’s created a dining experience. You can choose The Kitchen Table where you can enjoy private dining except for chefs and servers and be completely immersed in the Alinea experience. You can also choose to dine in The Gallery which offers seating for only 16. It offers a 16-18 course menu and two seatings per night. There are also three second floor salons offering a 10-12 course tasting menus. Be forewarned that you must book months in advance but the eclectic and memorable menu (past dishes have included: Spiced Orange Explosion in a Saffron Shell, Edible Helium Balloons) are worth the effort.
Two Restaurant and Bar
Visit Two for their incredible tapas menu as well as for the atmosphere. With massive barn doors and a wall panel made of old Chicago porches and barnyard spigots used as water faucets, this is a hidden gem that you won’t soon forget. They source from trusted, small town Midwestern farms and the chefs make all of their own bacon, sausage, jerky, cheese, sauces and pastas in house. Their medium plates menu is great for sharing and trying a bit of everything. Don’t miss the Duck Fat Potato Croquettes, Alaskan Halibut, Pumpkin Cavatelli, or Braised Beef Coppa. For dessert there’s Apple Pie, S’mores, Honey Cheesecake, and even Puppy Chow. The menu changes seasonally giving you the perfect excuse to go back again and again.
Your dining options in Chicago are nearly limitless, but choosing any of these from our Top 10 places to eat in Chicago will make for a wonderful experience for you.
