1. Frontera Grill
8.4
445 N Clark St (btwn Illinois St & Hubbard St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · River North · 256 tips and reviews
Charles B: high end Mexican inspired food that is always first rate from Rick Bayless of Top Chef. Great location as well.
Scott Kleinberg: Top Chef Master Rick Bayless wowed the judges with his mole. Complex and incredibly flavorful, get anything you on the menu that mentions mole. Yes, it's that amazing.
Scott Kleinberg: Top Chef Master Rick Bayless wowed the judges with tongue tacos (beef). They sound scary but trust me you will love them.
2. Spiaggia
980 N Michigan Ave (at Oak St), Chicago, IL
Italian Restaurant · Streeterville · 70 tips and reviews
Redeye Chicago: Indulgent, fine-dining Italian is the name of the game at one of downtown's loveliest dining rooms opened by chef Tony Mantuano and lead by Sarah Grueneberg, runner-up on "Top Chef: Texas." Read more.
Ryan Vaughan: Wild Boar Gnocchi was out of this world. So were the prawns. Great hidden gem
Showtime Network: We wonder if a papal robe would suffice for this place’s jacket requirement.
4. Xoco
8.8
449 N Clark St (at W Illinois St), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · Near North Side · 360 tips and reviews
Gloria Chin: opened by celebrity chef rick bayless!! super touristy but def try the Open-Faced Breakfast Torta
Mike Winston: Celebrity chef Rick Bayless really knows his way around authentic Mexican ingredients. The tortas are incredible – especially the goat-based Barbacoa one, if they're offering it. WinstonWanders.com
Rachel Whinnery: Quick and casual with amazing Mexican fare. Don't miss their "bean-to-cup" chocolate. I did, and I regret it. 😁
6. Table Fifty-Two
52 W Elm St, Chicago, IL
Southern Food Restaurant · Near North Side · 73 tips and reviews
Redeye Chicago: Chef Art Smith—famous for cooking for Oprah, Lady Gaga and audiences on "Top Chef Masters"—puts a gourmet twist on Southern comfort food at this quaint Gold Coast restaurant. Read more.
a.m.p.: Obviously, try the mac & cheese and save room for dessert. The Hummingbird Cake is their signature dessert, BUT I highly recommend the Sweet Corn Custard...absolutely to die for. Awesome atmosphere.
Crain's Chicago Business: A festive, one-of-a-kind Chicago experience, best for less formal celebrations & putting clients at ease. Goat cheese & bacon enrich a fried green tomato Napoleon w/ sun-dried tomato & olive tampenade Read more.
The Feast: "Top Chef Masters Season 2" winner Marcus Samuelsson runs C-HOuse, which pushes inventive seafood and chop dishes with a touch of Scandinavian influence. [Best in Chicago Hotel Dining] Read more.
Jacey Wright: An affordable hidden gem. Service is great, room is super cute and the hotel is walking distance from shopping and restaurants
Jason Dover: Awsum hotel and service... super modern, clean and attentive. Would highly recommend!
9. Gino's East
8.0
162 E Superior St (btwn Fairbanks Ct & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Streeterville · 272 tips and reviews
Bravo: First deep dish pie that was so flavorful and just delicious! -Tiffany Derry, Top Chef
Stacy Masterson: Best deep dish I've had so far. Cheesy and delicious. Little more pricey than other places
Travel Channel: What’s my take on the age-old argument: New York thin crust versus Chicago deep dish? Let’s just say, I’m a Brooklyn guy, but Gino's tests my loyalty. – Adam Richman, Man v. Food
10. Nordstrom
8.4
55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Department Store · Near North Side · 95 tips and reviews
Bravo: I love Nordstrom's and the girls at the Rail are the best. -John Somerville, Top Chef
Lindsey Moss: All Nordstroms provide excellent shopping experiences from selection of clothes, bags and shoes to the friendliness/helpfulness of their employees but this is one of the best. Happy shopping.
C 8: It's called Nordstrom. No s and no apostrophe s. Learn this and you will go far in life.
11. Naha
500 N Clark St (at W. Illinois St.), Chicago, IL
New American Restaurant · River North · 65 tips and reviews
Bravo: Carrie, the owner and chef, is fabulous. Sit at the bar for the best bar menu in town! -Rick Bayless, Top Chef
Bravo: My favorite spot for lunch. Naha has some of the most creative and delicious dishes with seasonal food. -Malika Ameen, Top Chef Just Desserts
David Jones: Amazing. Sat outside and enjoyed the more casual bistro menu - which was incredible. Excellent service. Will return for a big dinner.
Time Out Chicago: As seen on Top Chef: Chicago. Each pizza takes at least 45 minutes to cook, but it’s worth the wait when the waiter finally arrives with the steaming pan and dishes out your first cheese-heavy slice. Read more.
Jason Farris: My favorite of the three deep dish places I tried. Get a cold beer to wash it down. Plenty of toppings! YUM
Devin Ward: It's a pizza joint. Get pizza, not pasta.
14. Giordano's
8.6
730 N Rush St (at E Superior St), Chicago, IL
Pizzeria · Near North Side · 412 tips and reviews
Bravo: First deep dish pie that was so flavorful and just delicious! -Tiffany Derry, Top Chef
Ricardo Ramírez: One of the most delicious pizza I've tried. Portions are huge, I was satisfied with two slices. A required visit if you are at Chicago.
Tony Richards: Do Not order Salads--waste of valuable stomach space