1. RPM Italian
9.0
52 W Illinois St (at N Dearborn St), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Near North Side · 238 tips and reviews
Carolyn Baumgarten: The tartufo for dessert is absolutely phenomenal. Great food, trendy atmosphere, servers are very knowledgeable!
Makeda: The meatballs are a big draw at this trendy spot. The marinara sauce is light but flavorful. Ditch the truffle garlic bread, tastes nothing like truffles.
Rachel Poon: Make reservations early at this popular and trendy restaurant!
3. Intelligentsia Coffee
9.0
53 E Randolph St (btwn Wabash Ave & Garland Ct), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · The Loop · 316 tips and reviews
Amy Graff: Modern and stylish space conveniently located by Randolph/Wabash L. Amazing coffee that will convert non-coffee drinkers and light, refined pastries.
Dan Hill: Achingly hip, but also very good. Will do a flat white if you ask for it.
David Greenberger: The Pour Over prepared on the chemex is the ultimate hip move, says local source. It fired me up.
4. Maple & Ash
8.9
8 W Maple St (at State St), Chicago, IL
Steakhouse · Near North Side · 60 tips and reviews
Irini Boeder: Amazing atmosphere, super trendy, delicious food and awesome service!
Eric C: Beautiful interior, romantic and hip decor. Food was very very good. If you're up for a splurge get the "I don't give a f..." Chef's 5 course meal.
Dana Danielle: Such a lively and trendy atmosphere! A complimentary drink provided when you sit. Ask for the champagne gun and order the filet!
5. Parachute
8.9
3500 N Elston Ave (Troy), Chicago, IL
Korean Restaurant · Northwest Side · 61 tips and reviews
Shrutika Sachdev: Intimate yet trendy spot with unique twists on Kor-Ameri dishes & desserts! Bing bread and sesame leaves to start, choose a variety of mains but be careful, some dishes (Bi Bom Bap/Kimchi) are spicy!
Debbie Yee: Very trendy and hip asian fusion food. Make sure to try the scallion pancake.
Noah Weiss: Awesome, ambitious Korean food in trendy, low key vibes. Bibimbap, rice cakes, and the bing bread were all standouts.
6. Duck Duck Goat
9.0
857 W Fulton Market (at Peoria St), Chicago, IL
Chinese Restaurant · Fulton Market · 88 tips and reviews
Eater: Duck Duck Goat adds a trendy twist to the traditional Chinatown flare with a menu of unique items like egg waffles, goat dumplings and shrimp toast dim sum. Read more.
Patrick Buggy: If you want trendy vibes and Chinese food for foodies, come here. If you just want authentic Chinese food, go to Chinatown.
Kristy Malone: Pork fried rice, beef slap noodles & grilled shrimp
7. Heritage Bicycles
9.1
2959 N Lincoln Avenue (Wellington), Chicago, IL
Coffee Shop · Lakeview · 66 tips and reviews
AFAR Media: A coffee shop, a general store, and a place to buy a few key items for your hip closet. Most importantly though, it's a place to grab a cup of joe and watch art being created that you can ride home. Read more.
C Rey: Boutique bicycles are great, don't get me wrong. But this is a place for excellent coffee and an equally pleasant environment. Great outdoor patio with hip old van. And yes you can buy a bike, too.
Jen Shin: coffee is tasty and comes in cute branded mason jars! ambiance is perfect and there's also outdoor seating on those nice days.
8. The Violet Hour
8.9
1520 N Damen Ave (at Pierce Ave), Chicago, IL
Speakeasy · Wicker Park · 255 tips and reviews
Jessica: Very trendy drink spot. Upscale and classy!
Eric Krull: Simply a must! Sophisticated, chic, and everything you want for a one of a kind night out. The most hidden of all the gems but the biggest reward if you find it!
L K: The intimate atmosphere let's you focus on your private party and forget there are even other patrons. Cozy, trendy, and amazing cocktails.
10. Au Cheval
9.1
800 W Randolph St (at S Halsted St), Chicago, IL
Burger Joint · Fulton Market · 482 tips and reviews
PureWow: This trendy Chicago diner actually slips a third patty onto the double cheeseburger to achieve optimum cheese-to-meat ratios. Thanks, guys. Read more.
Avery Alchek: Au Cheval has a decent burger, but it's not Chicago's best. Personally, I didn't think the burger was one of their better dishes. Vibe is fun and trendy, making it a great date spot if you can wait.
Rodrиго Ривера: A very hip restaurant with allegedly the best burger in town. I can say it is a very solid burger and the root bear float is very tasty. It gets very crowded and there are long waits to get a table.
Nauman Noor: Well made caffeine fused drinks. And the atmosphere is as hip as it gets.
JABRIL YOUSEF: chill, trendy spot but … no wifi (though, you can pick some up from Nando’s next door).
Aaron Cruz: Pour over goodness at the West Loop craft coffee roaster. No wi-fi as your focus should be on savoring the handcrafted cup of coffee and great conversation at this neighborhood spot.
12. Lula Café
9.3
2537 N Kedzie Blvd (btwn Linden & Logan Sq.), Chicago, IL
Café · Logan Square · 255 tips and reviews
Abby Meixner: Come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and you will never be disappointed. Hip atmosphere, excellent cocktails, extensive beer selection. The best reason to go to Logan Square!
Chicagoist: Lula has been dedicated the the localvore, farm-to-table mindset longer than it’s been trendy, offering up things like Brown Sugar Griddle Cakes and house-made pastries, as well as lunch staples. Read more.
Chicago Tribune: "The strada is a gooey, eggy, savory bread pudding made with pain de mie, custard, cheese and then whatever it is we have on hand," says chef and owner Jason Hammel. Try it for brunch! Read more.
13. The Hoxton
9.1
200 N Green St, Chicago, IL
Hotel · Fulton Market · 10 tips and reviews
Sopitas: Hip and nice hotel, lot of food options and nice restaurants, Lazy Bird a must
Fallon Leyba: great view, trendy little hotel
Marie La Rue: Cozy and comfortable rooms. Amazing rooftop with pool and delicious eatery. Extremely loud lobby area not ideal for business travelers or visitors looking for peaceful r&r. Service is hot or miss.
14. Kanela Breakfast Club
9.0
1408 N Milwaukee Ave (at N Wolcott Ave), Chicago, IL
Breakfast Spot · Wicker Park · 33 tips and reviews
V: Their pancakes w Nutella are so amazing!!! Super delicious breakfast/lunch spot. Chic and classic interior, I'm in love!!
Michael Morgan: The red velvet French toast is so yummy! Their breakfast burrito also looked bomb. Very cheap too!
Mary Ann Kowalczyk: Red Velvet French Toast is amazing. The Pear Splash is good but sometimes too much ginger. Great friendly service :) Chocolate milk was good too! Mmmm
15. Gilt Bar
9.1
230 W Kinzie St (at N. Franklin St.), Chicago, IL
Lounge · River North · 186 tips and reviews
Thompson Hotels: For a place this hip, you’d expect to encounter some attitude. On the contrary, Gilt Bar’s staff is friendly and always on-point.
Lucille Fisher: Trendy, bustling place with good food.
Bari: The chicken is an a suite must! Also, they have a cool policy with byob wine. Bring a bottle and instead of corkage fee you share a glass!