Move over, New York; Chicago is making a splash in the food and drink scene!
Chicago is known for deep-dish pizzas, Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, and delicious steakhouses. However, Chicago has so much more to offer than just the classics! Chicago has an assortment of fine-dining restaurants, exquisite ambiances, creative and innovative high-level culinary dishes, and perfect cozy spots for hosting small to larger groups. Below I have compiled a list of some of the best restaurants downtown Chicago offers. If your spending a weekend in the Chicago visit my Weekend Getaway to the Windy City blog.
Chicago Cut Steakhouse is modern styled restaurant that overlooks the Chicago River. It has been known to be one of the most scenic restaurants in town giving you a great view as you dine. The menu offers top-graded steak options with an array of compliments to go with the dish.
Website: www.chicagocutsteakhouse.com
The Girl and the Goat restaurant has a rustic ambiance to the beautiful interior decor. The restaurant offers up creative small plates, that has become a very popular place to dine for small and larger groups. Make reservations ahead of time when planning your evening out on the town.
Website: www.girlandthegoat.com
Al’s Beef sandwich has been a staple to Chicago since 1938. The original story of how Al’s Beef came to be was when he came to Chicago he used to serve Italian beef sandwiches out of the back of his truck. A few years later he opened a sandwich shop and the rest is history. Make sure to check out the #1 rated Italian beef sandwiches when in the downtown Chicago area.
Website: www.alsbeef.com
Sepia is a beautiful chic Michelin Star restaurant that offers upscale American cuisine. The fine detail to the ambiance and decor makes the space filled with a classy elegance that’s not overwhelming and over the top. Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s seasonal menu highlights the innovative creativity from the finest ingredients mixing traditional food with modern cuisine to attract all who dine at Sepia. While you journey through your four-course top-notch meal, you have the option to pair it with the finest wine collection.
Website: www.sepiachicago.com
Lou Mitchells, established in 1923, has been an iconic diner serving up patrons hearty breakfast and lunches. The restaurant is in the ideal location near Union Station and the beginning of Route 66, where commuters will grab a quick bite to eat during their layovers or before embarking on their journey out of town. Back in the day, due to the influx of diners, Lou Mitchell himself was known to pass out donut holes, a box of milk duds, an orange slice, and one prune for those adults and children who waited patiently for their turn in line to eat a delicious meal. Lou would also include a small ice cream to end every meal. Fast forward to the present day, dining patrons are still enjoying those thoughtful complimentary treats. Lou Mitchells is a place you should try at least once while you’re in Chicago!
Website: www.loumitchells.com
American Steakhouse meets French Couture in this beautiful exquisitely designed restaurant. Bavette’s Bar and Boeuf welcomes guests to experience a cabernet-like atmosphere where guests will dine in a warmly lit space enriched with collections of European art, red leather booth seating, and the bar encased in wood architecture. This restaurant has no windows, making the area very intimate and dark, perfect for a romantic evening out on the town. The ambiance is not the only thing discussed when visiting Bavette’s. The food is top-notch quality, and just like the atmosphere, the menu is also a mix of American Steakhouse with a blend of french inspired cuisine.
Website: www.bavettessteakhouse.com
RPM Italian is a romantic chic restaurant ideal for evenings out, special occasions, or corporate dining. The ambiance is classy but trendy, with white seating and booths with a great glow from the lighting above. The menu has a classic contemporary spin with options to choose from and shared dishes. There’s something for everyone to enjoy between the hot and cold antipasti salads, Italian classics, homemade plates of pasta, and meat and seafood options. Don’t forget to save room for dessert!
Website: www.rpmrestaurants.com
The ultimate dining experience you can have when visiting Chicago. There is a reason Alinea is rated the best restaurant in North America by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Gourmet and Business Insider, and achieving the coveted 3 Michelin Stars! The innovation that creates this multi-course meal is out of this World. Although this is not a cheap place to make reservations to and guests pay top dollar to experience this one-of-a-kind experience, the food, quality, and service make this special evening out worth it! How often will you get to dine at a 3-star Michelin restaurant that’s rated best in North America? If you choose to be part of one of the nightly food sensory shows, definitely book reservations months in advance. These seats go extremely fast!
Website: www.alinearestaurant.com
Gibson’s Italia is a chic modern Italian restaurant that gives diners spectacular views of the Chicago downtown area and river. Guest can dine out on the terrace, inside the beautiful restaurant, or in the private event space. Whatever space you choose, you will have an excellent vantage point of the Chicago River. The room has a warm glow inside the restaurant, with the natural light shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows where the atmosphere gives a more intimate approach. Gibson’s also offers a perfect space to host a private dinner in the restaurant’s private floor event space with the beautiful scenery of downtown in the backdrop. You will have your guest coming back the next time they’re in the downtown area! The food and staff are first class, providing quality service, leaving guests with a fulfilled experience while dining in downtown Chicago.
Website: www.gibsonsitalia.com
The Aviary is a swanky upscale cocktail lounge part of the Alinea group collection. The lounge uses the Molecular Gastronomy approach to create and invent new inspiring showcase cocktails that are a pure masterpiece. How the cocktail is displayed is also very artistic of its kind! This place takes cocktail drinks to another level. Guest can take part in a 3,5, or 7-course cocktail tasting paired with a pre-fixed menu or choose from a la carte menu and indulge in your favorite cocktail and small bites. If you plan to visit Chicago and experience the Aviary, be sure to book reservations in advance.
Website: www.theaviary.com
Arbella is ideal for small intimate gatherings or larger groups that want to sip crafty cocktails and grab some small plates to share at the table. The expansive cocktail menu allows guest to find their drink of choice while also displaying on a scale how strong a drink will be and whether you will get a little intoxicated to dancing on a table or texting with an ex! The beautiful indoor space is low-lit, which is the perfect ambiance for a night out on the town or a late nightcap. Currently, there is no standing room, so to enjoy this trendy lounge be sure to make reservations.
Website: www.arbellachicago.com
The Violet Hour cocktail bar brings the next level of sophistication and modernism with a touch of a speakeasy vibe. The Violet Hour offers a diverse menu of upscale artisanal cocktails and small plates that everyone at the table will be talking about days later. The high quality of service provided and the fact that the food and drinks prices are reasonably accommodating is another reason why this cocktail bar has become a hot spot when visiting Chicago.
Website: www.theviolethour.com
Kaiser Tiger is the place to be when it comes to having fun with a group of people! The beer garden offers a great menu and a variety of beers on tap. If you plan on coming in the winter months; no worries! The beer garden continues through the season, offering a heated outdoor area to enjoy your food and drinks and a unique curling rink for those who want to participate in the winter sport. To make sure you have a spot, book your reservations in advance to partake in this unique dining and sports experience. Please note this place only takes credit cards.
Website: www.kaisertiger.com
Venturing over to Chicago’s West Loop stands a stylish contemporary Italian restaurant with a James Beard awarded Chef. Monteverde is known for its modern take on authentic Italian dishes. The handmade pasta with fresh ingredients and top-notch quality of service makes this place the talk of the town. Regardless of the season, guests can dine indoors in their beautifully designed rustic space or outdoors in heated tents. Although Monteverde accepts some walk-ins, it is best to make a reservation for dining. Don’t pass this restaurant up when in the Chicago area!
Website: www.monteverdechicago.com
Ever Restaurant takes it to the next level by allowing guests to feel like they are dining in total grande luxury. The ambiance itself is enough to visit this beautiful low lit restaurant glossed over in black leather seating and see-through uplighting partitions. However, the food is on a level of itself. The 3-star Michelin Chef Curtis Duffy has teamed up with Michael Musser to unveil a one-of-a-kind experience for guest dining at Ever Restaurant. The food is intricate, creative, delicate, and full of storytelling as you journey through your 8, or 10-course tasting menu. This place is worth making a reservation, especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion!
Website: www.ever-restaurant.com
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe is the perfect spot to grab breakfast in Chicago before hitting the sights or moving about your day. The cafe is best known for its specialty flavors for pancakes, waffles, and crepes. On the savory side of things, Wildberry offers an array of “egg”-cent breakfast options from egg omelets to eggs benedict with many brunch options to choose from for salads and sandwiches. One thing to note is to go before the crowds. This place does not take reservations, so waiting lines can be lengthy due to the hype of this breakfast place located right across from Millenium Park.
Website: www.wildberrycafe.com
Pizza Showdown
Chicago has tough competition for whose Chicago styled deep-dish pizza is the best. If you’ve been to Chicago before, perhaps you have indulged in a slice or two from Giordano’s, or maybe you went to Lou Malnati’s pizzeria instead. Both pizzerias are staples in the Chicago area; however, is one better than another?
Luckily, I have been to both establishments, and personally, for me, Lou Malnati’s pizzeria wins the prize. Below I have compared what each Chicago styled deep-dish pizza brings to the table. However, everyone has different tastes and preferences, so my best advice is to have a pizza night and order one of each and see what you think to make the deciding factor!
Lou Malnati’s pizzeria is rich in history, and the food is just as storytelling on how this establishment came to be. In 1940, Lou started working in Chicago’s first deep-dish pizzeria, inspiring him and his family to open their very own in 1971. The restaurant’s success has continued through the years and has kept the business in the family. The win comes from the handmade finest ingredients that compliment the delicious deep-dish pizza and the secret family recipe of the buttery pizza crust. Although not known for the extreme overload cheese-fest on top of the pizza, the homemade authenticity that comes from eating a slice from Lou Malnati’s outweighs an extra cheese you thought would be needed.
Website: www.loumalnatis.com
Giordano’s puts the pie in pizza pie! This world-famous stuffed Chicago pizza has been serving since 1974 and has expanded to 65 locations around the US. Giordano’s pizzeria is unique because it’s not considered a Chicago deep-dish but a Chicago stuffed deep-dish pizza. Knowing this information explains a lot when going in for that first slice and coming out with a massive piece of layered cheese, sauce, complimentary toppings, and more dough layers. The discovery and architecture of the Chicago stuffed deep-dish pizza dates back to when the founders brought their mother’s “Easter Pie” recipe over with them from Italy to Chicago. Now everyone can enjoy this stuffed deep-dish at the original stomping grounds or closer to their franchise locations.
Website: www.giordanos.com
