Try the mashbrown from our 100 Best list: The search for the perfect hash browns ends at Bite, where a patty of skin-on potato mash is always fried to a golden crisp.
Try the croque-madame from our 100 Best list: Lush has developed one of the most craveworthy menus of drinking snacks in the city, though this sandwich—ham, cheese, béchamel, egg—is no snack.
Try the squid-ink gnocchi in carrot broth from our 100 Best list: Chef Giuseppe Tentori is first and foremost an Italian & where he really shines is with pastas such as this rich yet delicate gnocchi.
Try the mushroom and kale pie from our 100 Best list: This is one of our favorite openings of the year: It’s understated, authentic and charming, just like this individual savory pie.
Try the cioppino from our 100 Best list: Among the reasons people flock to the place is this classic San Francisco dish: a spicy broth sporting a rotating cast of fish, sweet shrimp & tender mussels.
Try the garlic bread from our 100 Best list: It was a close call between this side dish and the goat-cheese cheesecake. But garlic-schmeared bread smothered in blue-cheese sauce wins every time.
Try the pork loin tartine from our 100 Best list: The Logan Square wine bar is turning out glammed-up bruschetta piled with pickled pork loin, whipped feta, Bosc pears and juniper vinaigrette.
Try the ham and cheese fondue from our 100 Best list:Take a croque-madame, increase the cheese tenfold, melt it in a crock, fold in ham, put the egg on top and use the bread on the side, for dipping.
Try the Irish bread pudding from our 100 Best list: These slices of moist bread pudding are griddled, giving the pudding crispy, caramelized edges—and giving you a reason go take a nap.
Try the chocolate bouchon from our 100 Best list: Stephanie Izard successfully incorporates foie gras as a decadent marshmallow “fluff” alongside a moist chocolate cake.
Try the Sweet-potato pie from our 100 Best list: It’s the most obvious treatment of all that wins us over: straight-up sweet-potato pie, as ideal as it is simple.
Try the Oaxacan old-fashioned from our 100 Best list:This cocktail is not on the menu, but it’s a Paul McGee classic available by request.
Try the quiche from our 100 Best list: Closer in texture to a soufflé—and that’s a marvelous thing.
Try seasonal creations (from strawberry-rhubarb in spring to apple and pumpkin in fall) and signatures (like the incomparable banana-cream) with a coffee. The pies are, in a word, extraordinary. Read more.
For more than just a sugar high, the small downtown shop sells fresh fruit–studded muffins and cupcakes that run the gamut from classic (such as Texas Red Velvet) to unconventional. Read more.
Try the blue-cheese-and-mushroom beignets from our 100 Best list:We went for the cocktails. We came back for these meltingly rich puffs.
Try the chicken-thigh pizza from our 100 Best list: Everybody knows that, at the end of the day, there’s really nothing more satisfying than a well-made pizza.
Chocoholics have been coming to this Old Town shop since 1963 to get their hands on marshmallows, strawberries, toffee and cookies dipped in the good stuff. Read more.
Try the Full English fry up from our 100 Best list: Hands down, this British pub is putting out one of the best brunches in the city, from the ornate coffee service to made-in-house seasonal scones.
Try the salad with buttermilk dressing from our 100 Best list: An obsession with detail, an amount of scrutiny seldom applied to lettuce, a superlative, creamy dressing.
Try the Naem khao thawt from our 100 Best list: Northern specialties like this crispy rice salad with ham, are a textbook example of Thai food’s ability to hit sweet, sour, salty & spicy all at once.
Try the ricotta and honeycomb from our 100 Best list: This ricotta is richer and smoother than we could have imagined (it’s whipped with olive oil), paired with sweet honeycomb and grilled bread.
The cobblestone, mural-lined Glenwood Avenue Arts District in Rogers Park is home to award-winning theaters, art galleries, a seasonal farmers market, and cute cafes. Read more.
Among the Park’s cool features are a pagoda-shaped pavilion, where you can catch a water taxi to downtown Chicago, and a unique railroad drawbridge. Read more.
Popular with locals and visitors, Chicago’s Home of Chicken & Waffles serves soul food up in a stylish dining room. Read more.
Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the free admission conservatory occupies approximately 4.5 acres inside and out, where thousands of plant species are on display. Read more.
This time-travel-themed (it has a DeLorean in the front) coffee shop has a small selection of baked goods from Fritz Pastry, Cheerios and other assorted cereals; and talented baristas.
There’s plenty to nosh on: breakfast burritos, sandwiches and fair trade coffee. Try a slice of tres leches while using the free Wi-Fi. The café stays open late on second Fridays. Read more.
You may find yourself with a bill for $2 burgers or free wings. Celtic Crown is worth a visit for above average bar food. The corned-beef sandwich is satisfying, as is the baked barbecue-rib plate. Read more.
This Irish bistro serves modern food. Guinness is in the onion–and–white cheddar soup, beef stew and the mac and cheese served alongside barbecue ribs. Also stop by for a great Irish whiskey. Read more.
Warm popovers stand in for bread, filets are tender and rich, and brunch gets served in bento boxes with themes— “griddled” (pancakes and French toast) and “hangover” (burgers, fries and sunglasses). Read more.
Stars like Josh Duhamel and the Glee cast load up on their crunchy tuna rolls and famous carrot cake–only to dance off the calories downstairs at Sub51. Tip: Make a reservation or expect a big wait.
Skipping the kimchi taco route that's so popular elsewhere, Kim takes a chance (and succeeds) with dishes like a clever spin on the clambake, Korean chili and calamari stuffed with chicken and pork.
This take-out bakery specializes in the "Big Dat" an enormous doughnut, measuring 9" across and 3" tall.
Local and international legends play here, and Buddy Guy himself graces the stage of his authentic blues club, where memorabilia like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker’s guitars complete the atmosphere. Read more.
Its late hours, regular acoustic blues sets, all-night kitchen, and vibrant neighborhood full of shops, restaurants, and other entertainment recommend this club as a top blues destination. Read more.
it's almost as if they built this place with extra walls so even more people could write on them. don't let your eyes get bigger than your appetite: a medium deep dish is enough (400 cals a slice!)
what a place! so much going on all over. start simple: get two classic chicago-style hot dogs. lemonade on the side. it's plenty for your first time.
Blues legend Muddy Waters bought this place where Howlin’ Wolf and other musicians used to stay. When it got too hot to play indoors, neighbors were often treated to a jam session on the front porch. Read more.
This used to be the landmark 708 Club, one of the birthplaces of the Chicago blues. It was here that the instruments and style that defined the highly-charged electrified blues really came together. Read more.
According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium tied for home of the best stadium hot dog in 2008. Read more.
Butcher & the Burger has a fully operational butcher shop on premise and is all about customization: choose your meat blend, choose your seasonings, choose your bun, choose your toppings.
The cheeseburger here may look like a simple, griddled double patty burger, but don't be fooled: this burger is what food writer Francis Lam calls "tremendous work, thin patty diner style magic."
Big fat burgers from a popular, insanely loud metal bar, that is divisive in terms of ambience. Former Eater Chicago editor Ari Bendersky says it would be "blasphemous" to leave it off the list.
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 Read more.
This may look like an ordinary hot dog joint, but sink your teeth into one of their housemade haute sausages and you may pass out. [Eater 38 Member]
Where else can you get a beer, a taco and a shot of whisky for under $10? Leave it to Blackbird exec chef Paul Kahan to make it happen. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Historical Detour: Stroll past Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre happened across the street.
Chef'd by a Blackbird/Sixteen alum, FND looks like an unassuming hot dog stand decked out in red, black, and steel and ornamented with photos of local graffiti. Snag an egg-laden brunch dog! Read more.
See 160 works by Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein in a major retrospective May 22 - September 3. Chicago has the honor of being the first city to host the show: Read more.
An open-air SkyWalk at John Hancock Observatory, not only gives you great views of the city, it also lets invites you to take a breath of fresh air!
