Where to eat in Chicago

Chicago may be known for its hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, and Italian beef sandwiches, but don’t be fooled into thinking that’s all there is to eat here. In reality, the city boasts a thrilling and sophisticated dining scene that brims with innovation, diversity and warm Midwestern hospitality. From Michelin-starred temples of high gastronomy to beloved holes in the wall and everything in between, the Windy City takes its food very seriously – here are nine of our top restaurant picks in Chicago worth visiting during your next trip.

Lula Cafe

A celebrated neighborhood eatery that opened in 1999 with an ethos of serving creative, mostly organic and market-driven food before anyone had ever heard of “farm to table”, Lula Cafe single-handedly put the hip enclave of Logan Square on the map. Today, an eclectic crowd comes here for a daily-changing menu of whatever’s in season along with time-tested favorites that never leave the menu. It would be a mistake not to order the signature pasta yiayia, a Greek-inspired dish of thick bucatini with brown butter, feta, and cinnamon.

Bonci

Outside of Rome, Chicago is the only city in the world where you can try square-cut slices from the famous pizzeria Bonci . The casual eatery specialises in Roman-style pizza al taglio, large rectangular slabs which are cut with scissors to order. There’s enormous attention to detail in these pizzas – the thick airy crust, similar to focaccia, is made with heirloom wheat flour and takes 72 hours to prepare, all before it’s topped with a range of high quality seasonal ingredients. While on any given day you’ll find more than a dozen varieties on offer, potato and rosemary is considered the shop’s signature slice. There are two locations to choose from: one in the West Loop and a newly opened shop in Lincoln Park.

Mi Tocaya Antojería

Home to one of the largest Mexican communities outside of Mexico, Chicago offers no shortage of eateries that celebrate the cuisine south of the border, but Mi Tocaya Antojería is arguably the best of the bunch. Make no mistake: this isn’t the kind of place you go for nachos and margaritas, because chef Diana Dávila serves up exciting small plates that showcase the diversity of regional Mexican cuisine. Yes, there are chips, guacamole and a very good steak burrito on the menu, but you’re better off challenging your taste buds to shrimp aguachile (similar to a ceviche), fried oyster tacos and mushrooms in mole sauce.

Kasama

The Ukraininan Village hotspot Kasama holds the distinction of being the only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant in the world, and its appearance in the most recent season of hit TV show The Bear has made it more popular than ever. During the day, you’ll see people queuing down the street for a taste of hefty breakfast sandwiches, mushroom adobo and wonderful pastries. At night, the restaurant transforms into a fine-dining tasting menu spot that’s one of the toughest reservations to get in town.

Au Cheval

For sheer unbridled indulgence, look no further than Au Cheval . More than a decade after Bon Appetit named its burger the best in the country, this Fulton Market institution still draws crowds of tourists and locals who crave its unabashedly heavy food. The burger remains a must-order (topped with a fried egg or thick-cut bacon, if you wish), but keep in mind that the so-called single cheeseburger is in fact a double, and the double cheeseburger is really a triple. Other noteworthy items on the menu include roasted marrow bones, a fried homemade bologna sandwich and foie gras served with scrambled eggs and toast.

Daisies

The pasta specialist Daisies recently moved from a relatively intimate space to larger digs on Logan Square’s bustling Milwaukee Avenue, yet it remains tricky to snag a table here during prime dinner hours. The kitchen is dedicated to sourcing high-quality ingredients from ethically minded purveyors, so expect to see a lineup of pastas served with fresh, seasonal ingredients from farms across the Midwest. Aside from offering amazing dinner experiences, Daisies also operates as a daytime bakery and cafe where you can sample sweet and savory pastries made with the same delectable produce.

J.P. Graziano Grocery

For a no-frills lunch on the go, grab a sandwich piled high with Italian meats and cheeses from J.P. Graziano Grocery , a family-run shop that’s been in business for more than 80 years. There are a dozen or so options to choose from, all customisable, but you can’t go wrong with its signature Mr. G, featuring three different meats topped with provolone, truffle mustard balsamic vinaigrette, marinated artichokes and other delicious ingredients. For a truly Chicagoan taste, ask for some housemade giardiniera, the city’s famous blend of pickled peppers and vegetables.

Parachute

When it first opened nine years ago, Parachute ’s chef-owners Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark described its fusion menu as “Korean food with French technique.” Following a temporary closure during the pandemic, however, the James Beard Award-winning and formerly Michelin-starred restaurant’s focus has shifted to elevated takes on traditional Korean plates—think 30-day dry-aged bulgogi and pajeon (seafood pancake) served with a selection of imported soju, plum liquor and makgeolli.

Avec

Celebrating its 20th birthday this year, Avec was a pioneer in transforming the West Loop from a no-go zone to one of Chicago’s hottest neighborhoods. The minimalist, all-wood interior features communal tables, an extensive range of European wines and a menu of small and large plates inspired by the flavours of the sun-soaked Mediterranean. After two decades of success, Avec shows no signs of slowing down, especially after Dua Lipa told her 85.6 million Instagram followers that the restaurant was her “new fave Chicago spot” when she performed at Lollapalooza in 2022.