Guidebook for Chicago

Jodi
Guidebook for Chicago

Food Scene

Upscale Italian seafood restaurant by star chef and James Beard award winner Paul Kahan. If you're not up for dinner, check out the amazing living wall at the bar and handcrafted cocktails.
26 locals recommend
Nico Osteria
1015 N Rush St
26 locals recommend
Upscale Italian seafood restaurant by star chef and James Beard award winner Paul Kahan. If you're not up for dinner, check out the amazing living wall at the bar and handcrafted cocktails.
Are you looking for a contemporary, unique steakhouse experience with decor straight out of the roaring 20's? Bavettes is your place. The food is great, but the ambiance is truly special.
79 locals recommend
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
218 W Kinzie St
79 locals recommend
Are you looking for a contemporary, unique steakhouse experience with decor straight out of the roaring 20's? Bavettes is your place. The food is great, but the ambiance is truly special.
Cute Greek breakfast and brunch restaurant on quaint Wells Street in Old Town.
110 locals recommend
Kanela Breakfast Club
3231 N Clark St
110 locals recommend
Cute Greek breakfast and brunch restaurant on quaint Wells Street in Old Town.
Killer barbecue in a lovely setting. Fireplace in the bar. Outdoor patio available.
46 locals recommend
Chicago Q
1160 N Dearborn St
46 locals recommend
Killer barbecue in a lovely setting. Fireplace in the bar. Outdoor patio available.
Best authentic Greek food in Chicago.
50 locals recommend
Greek Islands
200 S Halsted St
50 locals recommend
Best authentic Greek food in Chicago.
Fantastic Spanish cuisine with a well-curated wine list by sommelier owner.
7 locals recommend
Vera Chicago
1023 West Lake Street
7 locals recommend
Fantastic Spanish cuisine with a well-curated wine list by sommelier owner.
Fast casual taco joint with innovative options. Try the Cuban pig taco and the tater tots.
46 locals recommend
Velvet Taco
1110 N State St
46 locals recommend
Fast casual taco joint with innovative options. Try the Cuban pig taco and the tater tots.
Wood-fire pizzas sizzling before your eyes.
10 locals recommend
Dinotto (Pasta e Pizza)
1551 N Wells St
10 locals recommend
Wood-fire pizzas sizzling before your eyes.
One of two Mexican restaurants in the city with Wine Spectator's Best Award of Excellence. Delicious food in an upscale white tablecloth restaurant.
6 locals recommend
Salpicon
1252 North Wells Street
6 locals recommend
One of two Mexican restaurants in the city with Wine Spectator's Best Award of Excellence. Delicious food in an upscale white tablecloth restaurant.
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sandwich and soup shop. Try the Ahogada Torta (carnitas, black bean, tomato chile broth), and don't miss the guacamole.
40 locals recommend
XOCO
65 N Clark St
40 locals recommend
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sandwich and soup shop. Try the Ahogada Torta (carnitas, black bean, tomato chile broth), and don't miss the guacamole.
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sit down restaurant. Best margarita's in the city. Expect a long wait--they do not take reservations--but it is worth the wait. Alternatively, go next door to Xoco.
38 locals recommend
Frontera Grill
445 N Clark St
38 locals recommend
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sit down restaurant. Best margarita's in the city. Expect a long wait--they do not take reservations--but it is worth the wait. Alternatively, go next door to Xoco.
A Chicago classic: expect perfect service, a beautiful setting, and innovative food. James Beard Award winner.
29 locals recommend
Blackbird Restaurant
619 W Randolph St
29 locals recommend
A Chicago classic: expect perfect service, a beautiful setting, and innovative food. James Beard Award winner.
Old-school upscale food in an English gentry setting: dark wood, and framed photos of hunting dogs. Top of the line service, white tablecloth. Note the bar is very small.
18 locals recommend
RL Restaurant
115 E Chicago Ave
18 locals recommend
Old-school upscale food in an English gentry setting: dark wood, and framed photos of hunting dogs. Top of the line service, white tablecloth. Note the bar is very small.
Classic steakhouse atmosphere. Great stone crabs. Consistently good service.
30 locals recommend
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
60 E Grand Ave
30 locals recommend
Classic steakhouse atmosphere. Great stone crabs. Consistently good service.
Our favorite Chicago-style pizza.
59 locals recommend
Gino's East
162 E Superior St
59 locals recommend
Our favorite Chicago-style pizza.
Great deal: $5 bloody mary bar on weekends, great brunch and burgers. Crowded, noisy atmosphere.
17 locals recommend
Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W Hubbard St
17 locals recommend
Great deal: $5 bloody mary bar on weekends, great brunch and burgers. Crowded, noisy atmosphere.
Wine and dine with Chicago politicians and stars. Beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Chicago River. Reservations highly recommended.
29 locals recommend
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 N LaSalle Dr
29 locals recommend
Wine and dine with Chicago politicians and stars. Beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Chicago River. Reservations highly recommended.
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's restaurant lives up to the hype. Reservations required weeks in advance, but take it from the locals, full menu is also available at the bar and lounge.
496 locals recommend
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph St
496 locals recommend
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's restaurant lives up to the hype. Reservations required weeks in advance, but take it from the locals, full menu is also available at the bar and lounge.
Star Chef Paul Kahan's pig and beer-centric gastopub. Beer-hall setting with mostly communal tables. Fun for groups.
97 locals recommend
The Publican
837 W Fulton Market
97 locals recommend
Star Chef Paul Kahan's pig and beer-centric gastopub. Beer-hall setting with mostly communal tables. Fun for groups.
French bistro fare in a contemporary setting. Great brunch.
Troquet River North
111 W Huron St
French bistro fare in a contemporary setting. Great brunch.
Absolutely adorable French bakery, beautiful breads, amazing macarons. Serves sandwiches, crepes, coffee.
28 locals recommend
La Fournette
1547 N Wells St
28 locals recommend
Absolutely adorable French bakery, beautiful breads, amazing macarons. Serves sandwiches, crepes, coffee.
Some of the best coffee in the city.
23 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Old Town Coffeebar
1233 N Wells St
23 locals recommend
Some of the best coffee in the city.
Rub elbows with the city's rich and famous in this landmark Chicago steakhouse. If you love martini's, they do it right here.
146 locals recommend
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush St
146 locals recommend
Rub elbows with the city's rich and famous in this landmark Chicago steakhouse. If you love martini's, they do it right here.
BYOB sushi that is consistently good and not overpriced.
7 locals recommend
Cafe Sushi
1342 N Wells St
7 locals recommend
BYOB sushi that is consistently good and not overpriced.
Star Oprah Chef Art Smith's Southern Cuisine.
14 locals recommend
Table Fifty-Two
52 West Elm Street
14 locals recommend
Star Oprah Chef Art Smith's Southern Cuisine.
Super upscale, trendy Italian. Hob-nob with Gold Coast elite.
26 locals recommend
FIG & OLIVE
104 E Oak St
26 locals recommend
Super upscale, trendy Italian. Hob-nob with Gold Coast elite.
Star Chef Grant Achatz's prix fixe only restaurant. Named Best Restaurant in America; awarded 3 Michelin Stars; won the James Beard Award for best service. Must purchase tickets well in advance.
97 locals recommend
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St
97 locals recommend
Star Chef Grant Achatz's prix fixe only restaurant. Named Best Restaurant in America; awarded 3 Michelin Stars; won the James Beard Award for best service. Must purchase tickets well in advance.
Star Chef Grant Achatz takes it to the next level with Next. Seasonally rotating prix fixe menu, only available by ticketing on their website.
20 locals recommend
Next Restaurant
953 W Fulton Market
20 locals recommend
Star Chef Grant Achatz takes it to the next level with Next. Seasonally rotating prix fixe menu, only available by ticketing on their website.
Vietnamese meets French in this charming white tablecloth restaurant with a patio and upstairs terrace. The bouillabaisse is a must. Reservations highly recommended.
25 locals recommend
Le Colonial Chicago
57 E Oak St
25 locals recommend
Vietnamese meets French in this charming white tablecloth restaurant with a patio and upstairs terrace. The bouillabaisse is a must. Reservations highly recommended.
Brunch buffet is a nice option; seating available overlooking the river. Learn to play Bocci while you're there.
27 locals recommend
Pinstripes
435 E Illinois St
27 locals recommend
Brunch buffet is a nice option; seating available overlooking the river. Learn to play Bocci while you're there.
People wait in line for hours for these donuts. If you are a donut connoisseur, this is your heaven.
43 locals recommend
Doughnut Vault
401 N Franklin St
43 locals recommend
People wait in line for hours for these donuts. If you are a donut connoisseur, this is your heaven.
Modern american food right under the bean in Millennium Park. Great burger.
Park Grill
11 N Michigan Ave
Modern american food right under the bean in Millennium Park. Great burger.
Hip and trendy River North Italian restaurant owned by celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Expect to wait, and for everyone to be dressed to the nines!
41 locals recommend
RPM Italian
52 W Illinois St
41 locals recommend
Hip and trendy River North Italian restaurant owned by celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Expect to wait, and for everyone to be dressed to the nines!
Contemporary European small plates. Small place, so expect to wait.
99 locals recommend
The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan Ave
99 locals recommend
Contemporary European small plates. Small place, so expect to wait.
Iron Chef Jose Garces' restaurant. Very good Spanish cuisine.
11 locals recommend
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan Ave
11 locals recommend
Iron Chef Jose Garces' restaurant. Very good Spanish cuisine.
Spanish tapas. Must get the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates.
87 locals recommend
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St
87 locals recommend
Spanish tapas. Must get the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates.
It's out of the way, but a fried chicken lovers must.
99 locals recommend
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston Ave
99 locals recommend
It's out of the way, but a fried chicken lovers must.
I had the best brunch I can remember at this gastropub. It's low-key but the chef is on fire! Expect to encounter things like bone marrow, & beef fat fries, but also delightfully fresh options.
830 locals recommend
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie Ave
830 locals recommend
I had the best brunch I can remember at this gastropub. It's low-key but the chef is on fire! Expect to encounter things like bone marrow, & beef fat fries, but also delightfully fresh options.
This restaurant has a revolutionary cheese program, with over 80 wheels of cheese in their in-house cheese cave.
CDA
20 E Chestnut St
This restaurant has a revolutionary cheese program, with over 80 wheels of cheese in their in-house cheese cave.
Tasty sister restaurant to steakhouse Bavettes, chef Brendan Sodikoff. Small plates, casual, prohibition theme decor.
66 locals recommend
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie St
66 locals recommend
Tasty sister restaurant to steakhouse Bavettes, chef Brendan Sodikoff. Small plates, casual, prohibition theme decor.

Drinks & Nightlife

Do you want to eat dinner (or have drinks) with a skyline view of the city? Be prepared to fight hundreds of other tourists for a seat.
525 locals recommend
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan Ave
525 locals recommend
Do you want to eat dinner (or have drinks) with a skyline view of the city? Be prepared to fight hundreds of other tourists for a seat.
Roof at the Wit: super trendy outdoor bar with great views.
19 locals recommend
theWit Chicago - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
201 N State St
19 locals recommend
Roof at the Wit: super trendy outdoor bar with great views.
Sportsbar meets English pub. Go here to see the game. Great beer list, brunch. For a quieter area, ask to be seated in the fireplace room.
33 locals recommend
Old Town Social
455 West North Avenue
33 locals recommend
Sportsbar meets English pub. Go here to see the game. Great beer list, brunch. For a quieter area, ask to be seated in the fireplace room.
Underground tiki bar with enormous cocktails. Need I say more.
125 locals recommend
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark St
125 locals recommend
Underground tiki bar with enormous cocktails. Need I say more.
Old school Chicago Jazz club.
33 locals recommend
Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant
11 East Hubbard Street
33 locals recommend
Old school Chicago Jazz club.
Gastropub on Michigan avenue. Great scotch egg. Heavy after-work crowd.
49 locals recommend
The Gage
24 S Michigan Ave
49 locals recommend
Gastropub on Michigan avenue. Great scotch egg. Heavy after-work crowd.

Essentials

Lovely grocery in the heart of Old Town with tons of organic options, nice hot and cold Togo food, wine bar, and coffee bar (Intelligentsia coffee). Expect Plum market to be pricey.
64 locals recommend
Plum Market Old Town
1233 N Wells St
64 locals recommend
Lovely grocery in the heart of Old Town with tons of organic options, nice hot and cold Togo food, wine bar, and coffee bar (Intelligentsia coffee). Expect Plum market to be pricey.
Grocery store, less pricey than Plum Market down the street.
44 locals recommend
Treasure Island Foods
44 locals recommend
Grocery store, less pricey than Plum Market down the street.
Saturday enormous farmers market
14 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Farmers Market
724 West Armitage Avenue
14 locals recommend
Saturday enormous farmers market
Best and largest farmers market in the city--located in Lincoln Park.
15 locals recommend
Green City Market - Office Location
3057 W Lawrence Ave
15 locals recommend
Best and largest farmers market in the city--located in Lincoln Park.

Sightseeing

Visit Cloud Gate (aka, the "bean"); crown fountain; amazing gardens; and more.
1243 locals recommend
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph St
1243 locals recommend
Visit Cloud Gate (aka, the "bean"); crown fountain; amazing gardens; and more.
Architecture tour of the Chicago river by boat--this is a must.
55 locals recommend
First Lady Architecture Tour
112 E Wacker Dr
55 locals recommend
Architecture tour of the Chicago river by boat--this is a must.
Skydeck
324 locals recommend
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker Dr
324 locals recommend
Skydeck
Concert venue/park, beautiful Buckingham fountain
332 locals recommend
Grant Park
337 E Randolph St
332 locals recommend
Concert venue/park, beautiful Buckingham fountain
Tourist venue, great for children, location of children's museum, Ferris Wheel
933 locals recommend
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Ave
933 locals recommend
Tourist venue, great for children, location of children's museum, Ferris Wheel
A city block of food-wine-beer-lovin'! Many restaurants, as well as gelato, a cheese shop, salumeria, fresh seafood, meats, pasta, chef's essentials, gifts, cookbooks, galore.
140 locals recommend
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio St
140 locals recommend
A city block of food-wine-beer-lovin'! Many restaurants, as well as gelato, a cheese shop, salumeria, fresh seafood, meats, pasta, chef's essentials, gifts, cookbooks, galore.

Shopping

Bacon Chocolate!
12 locals recommend
Vosges Haut-Chocolat
951 W Armitage Ave
12 locals recommend
Bacon Chocolate!
Shop 'till you drop
598 locals recommend
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
598 locals recommend
Shop 'till you drop
Cute spice shop in Old Town, from ordinary to exotic, they have it all.
25 locals recommend
The Spice House Chicago
1512 N Wells St
25 locals recommend
Cute spice shop in Old Town, from ordinary to exotic, they have it all.

Arts & Culture

Amazing art collection; new modern wing
1159 locals recommend
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave
1159 locals recommend
Amazing art collection; new modern wing
Contemporary art collection
532 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago Ave
532 locals recommend
Contemporary art collection
Free zoo!
1117 locals recommend
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
1117 locals recommend
Free zoo!
museum of natural history
657 locals recommend
The Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr
657 locals recommend
museum of natural history
Go see the stars
393 locals recommend
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore Dr
393 locals recommend
Go see the stars
Go see the best comedy in Chicago!
433 locals recommend
The Second City
230 W North Ave
433 locals recommend
Go see the best comedy in Chicago!
Fabulous boutique theater venue
109 locals recommend
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted St
109 locals recommend
Fabulous boutique theater venue
Downtown Chicago theater venue
51 locals recommend
Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn St
51 locals recommend
Downtown Chicago theater venue
Best movie theater in Chicago--worth going the distance, reserved spacious seats, VIP shows with a full bar and menu.
95 locals recommend
ShowPlace ICON Theatres at Roosevelt Collection with ICON•X
1011 S Delano Ct
95 locals recommend
Best movie theater in Chicago--worth going the distance, reserved spacious seats, VIP shows with a full bar and menu.
Downtown movie theater--expect it to be crowded
97 locals recommend
AMC River East 21
322 E Illinois St
97 locals recommend
Downtown movie theater--expect it to be crowded

Everything Else

Largest convention center in the U.S.
179 locals recommend
McCormick Place
2301 S King Dr
179 locals recommend
Largest convention center in the U.S.
Red line train north/south at LaSalle/Clark and Division Street
67 locals recommend
Division & Clark station
67 locals recommend
Red line train north/south at LaSalle/Clark and Division Street
South Airport
65 locals recommend
Chicago Midway International Airport
5700 S Cicero Ave
65 locals recommend
South Airport
West airport
O'Hare
West airport