Chicago, Illinois Hotels and City Guide

Chicago - Restaurants

Dining - Local Cuisine & Customs
Chicago Restaurants

This is a city that made its bones around the country and around the world with meat. With over 7000 restaurants from one end of the city to the other, it is almost impossible to have a bad meal here since places serving below average food will likely be gone by the time you visit next time. While there are many fine dining spots in hotels downtown, don’t be afraid to venture out and see what the neighborhood you are in has to offer.

There can be no denying that the steakhouse is the king of Chicago dining. Mortons of Chicago has become a household name, and for good reason, they epitomize what a truly classy Chicago steakhouse should be. Most of the classic steakhouses that have transcended the bounds of The Loop tend to be expensive, but even places that look like they are straight out of The Godfather serve a mean filet here.

A few things to keep in mind as you scout out what Chicago dining has to offer. The closer to downtown you eat, the more you will pay. This is a hardened fact that only a few spots manage to buck. The other thing that you want to keep in mind is that Chicago is really just a city filled with interesting neighborhoods, with each area have its own specialty. For example, you can check out Uptown for the best in foods from Southeast Asia. Even if you come from a city that has excellent Asian food, like San Francisco or Vancouver, check out Uptown for flavors you’ve never experienced before. Bronzeville is a wonderful place for barbeque, soul food and quick eats. The Near West Side is the place to go for Gyros and other Greek favorites. Rogers Park is well known all over the city for having excellent Indian food. It isn’t that you can’t find various foods in all of these neighborhoods, but if you have a craving for something in particular, head out in the direction of the neighborhood best known for it.

If you want to eat out in Chicago like a local, don’t ever agree to wait in line for a meal. You will find that the only people that do are tourists and those that don’t know any better. No matter how hot or how new a restaurant is, there are likely half a dozen next door that offer something very similar. After all, there is way too much to do in this city to waste time standing in line.

As far as light eats go, there are two things that can’t be missed. A real deep dish pizza and an authentic Chicago street hot dog are both worth the reputation they have earned.

Aigre Doux
Address: 230 W. Kinzie St., River North, Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/329-9400
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: New American
Location: River North
Tucked behind the mammoth Merchandise Mart, this stylish spot in an unsung locale warrants searching out for the considerable talents of its husband and wife chef-owners. He does the savories, she the sweets, which include stocking a café bakery case with to-go goodies and quick lunch bites. But come back for dinner when Aigre Doux (which means "sweet and sour") is at its best, serving deftly accented dishes like artichoke soup, slow-baked salmon with citrus, and maple-glazed duck. Attentive service, a selective wine list and modern decor including exposed light bulbs create a chameleon setting conducive, like the chefs' marriage, to both business and romance.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch weekends. Closed Sun

Hot Doug's
Address: 3325 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL
Phone: 773/751-1500
Price range: ¢
Cuisine: Hot Dogs
Location: Lake View
Don't tell the zealots who have made Hot Doug's famous that these are just hot dogs—these "encased meats" go beyond your standard Vienna wiener. The gourmet purveyor wraps buns around chipotle chicken sausage, smoked crawfish and pork sausage with spicy remoulade, and even rabbit sausage. Make the trek on a Friday or Saturday, when the artery-clogging duck-fat fries are available. The clientele is a curious mix of hungry hard-hats and serious foodies, neither of which care about the lack of frills.
Credit Cards: No credit cards
Closed: Closed Sun. No dinner

Spacca Napoli
Address: 1769 W. Sunnyside, Chicago, IL
Phone: 773/878-2420
Price range: $
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Far North Side
Despite Chicago's renown for deep-dish pizza, locals are lately swept away by Neapolitan pies bested by this bright, 50-seat Ravenswood gem. Finely ground Italian flour, imported buffalo mozzarella, hand-tossed dough and a brick, wood-fired oven built by Italian craftsmen are credited for producing bubbling, chewy crusts that edge savory, uncut, thin pies which diners eat with a fork. Antipasti and desserts like tiramisu round out the short menu. The proprietors shun take-out and turn up the lights a little too high, but the food wins out, accounting for out-the-door waits, even on weekdays. In summer, angle for a table on the pleasant sidewalk patio.
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon. and Tues.

Avec
Address: 615 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/377-2002
Price range: $$
Cuisine: New American
Location: West Loop
Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space only has seating for 55 people, and it's all at communal tables. The results are loud and lively, though happily the shareable fare—a mix of homemade charcuterie, Mediterranean, and American dishes from a wood-burning oven—is reasonably priced. It's as popular as its next-door neighbor Blackbird (and run by the same forces), and only early birds are guaranteed tables. The doors open at—yikes!—3:30 PM.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: No lunch

Milk & Honey Café
Address: 1920 W. Division St., Wicker Park, Chicago, IL
Phone: 773/395-9434
Price range: ¢
Cuisine: Cafe
Location: Wicker Park
Wicker Park's Division Street has long been a prowl of night owls. But with the advent of spas and boutiques in the area, not to mention the many work-from-home locals, the boho neighborhood needed a good breakfast and lunch spot. Milk & Honey exceeds expectations with hearty (eggs) and healthful (granola) breakfasts, and creative sandwiches (avocado with smoked Gouda) at lunch. Choice seats change with the season: out on the sidewalk café in warm weather, in near the fireplace in cooler temps.
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Closed: No dinner

Alinea
Address: 1723 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/867-0110
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Cutting-Edge
Location: Lincoln Park
Keep in mind: Reservations essential.
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch

Bin 36
Address: 339 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/755-9463
Price range: $$
Cuisine: American
Location: River North
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V

Green Zebra
Address: 1460 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/243-7100
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: New American
Location: West Loop
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon.

North Pond
Address: 2610 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, IL
Phone: 773/477-5845
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: American
Location: Lincoln Park
Credit Cards: AE, D, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon. No lunch Oct.-May

Spring
Address: 2039 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL
Phone: 773/395-7100
Price range: $$
Cuisine: New American
Location: Wicker Park
Credit Cards: AE, DC, MC, V
Closed: Closed Mon. No lunch

West Town Tavern
Address: 1329 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL
Phone: 312/666-6175
Price range: $$
Cuisine: American
Location: West Loop
Credit Cards: AE, MC, V
Closed: Closed Sun. No lunch

Restaurants by Cuisine

American
Atwood Café - Hotel Burnham, 1 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL - 312/368-1900
Cru Café & Wine Bar - 25 E. Delaware Ave., Chicago, IL -312/337-4001
De Cero Taqueria -814 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL - 312/455-8114
Graham Elliot - 217 W. Huron St., River North, Chicago, IL, 60654 - 312/624-9975
Green Dolphin Street - 2200 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL - 773/395-0066
Kitsch'n on Roscoe - 2005 W. Roscoe St., Chicago, IL - 773/248-7372
Rockit Bar & Grill - 22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/645-6000
Signature Lounge - John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/787-9596

Asian
FusionKevin - 9 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/595-0055
Le Lan - 749 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 312/280-9100
Yoshi's Cafe - 3257 N. Halsted St., Lake View, Chicago, IL - 773/248-6160

Greek
Costa's - 340 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL - 312/263-9700
The Parthenon - 314 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL - 312/726-2407

Pizza
Piece - 1927 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL - 773/772-4422

Indian
Vermilion - 10 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/527-4060

Italian
The Caliterra Bar & Grille - 633 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL - 312/274-4444
Coco Pazzo - 300 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/836-0900
Gioco - 1312 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/939-3870
La Donna - 5146 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 773/561-9400
Maggiano's Little Italy - 516 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 312/644-7700
Pizzeria Due - 619 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/943-2400
Pompei - 1531 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL - 312/421-5179

Seafood
Blue Water Grill - 520 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL - 312/777-1400
Catch 35 - 35 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL - 312/346-3500
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab - 60 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/379-5637
Nick's Fishmarket - 51 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 312/621-0200
Shaw's Crab House and Blue Crab Lounge - 21 E. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/527-2722

Japanese
Japonais - 606 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/822-9600
Kamehachi - 1400 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL - 312/664-3663
Mike Ditka's Restaurant - Tremont Hotel, 100 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL - 312/587-8989
Sushi Wabi - 842 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL - 312/563-1224
SushiSamba Rio - 504 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL - 312/595-2300

Mediterranean
Mado - 1647 N. Milwaukee Ave., Bucktown, Chicago, IL, 60647 - 773/342-2340

Spanish
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! - 2024 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL - 773/935-5000
Cafe Iberico - 739 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL - 312/573-1510

Steakhouse
The Capital Grille - 633 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL - 312/337-9400
Carmichael's - 1052 W. Monroe St., West Loop, Chicago, IL - 312/433-0025
Custom House - 500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL - 312/523-0200
mk - 868 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL - 312/482-9179
Pump Room - 1301 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL - 312/266-0360
Ruth's Chris Steak House - 431 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL - 312/321-2725
Smith and Wollensky - 318 N. State St., Chicago, IL - 312/670-9900

Chinese
Ben Pao - 52 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL - 312/222-1888
Emperor's Choice - 2238 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/225-8800
Lao Sze Chuan - 2172 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL - 312/326-5040
Opera - 1301 S. Wabash St., Chicago, IL - 312/461-0161
Shanghai Terrace - Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL - 312/573-6744

Mexican
David Burke's Primehouse - 616 N. Rush St., Chicago, IL - 312/660-6000
Frontera Grill - 445 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 312/661-1434
Nuevo Leon - 1515 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL - 312/421-1517
Platiyo - 3313 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 773/477-6700
Salpicon - 1252 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL - 312/988-7811

Thai
Arun's - 4156 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL - 773/539-1909
Thai Classic - 3332 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - 773/404-2000
Vong's Thai Kitchen - 6 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL - 312/644-8664

Tipping

Tipping is expected throughout the United States. Unless you’re in a party of 8 or more, a gratuity will not be added to your bill. Servers and wait staff should be tipped 15 to 20% of the total bill. Parking attendants get $2 - $5, and bartenders should be tipped $1 per drink.

Hotels in Chicago, Illinois