Best Diners in Grant Park

"Ask any vegetarian or vegan in the city of their top restaurant choices and it’s likely Chicago Diner will be one of the first names on their lips. Whilst a motto boasts that The Chicago Diner has been “Meat free since ’83” its reputation is such that The Chicago Diner is loved by meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters all over the city. A large menu offers anything ranging from pancakes to black bean veggie burgers but it’s what they can do with seitan and tofu that will really blow your mind, and your taste buds."

"The original Wrigleyville location opened in 1983 and they’ve been going strong ever since — a boon to all customers with dietary restrictions. It’s noteworthy that all menu items are either vegan or have a vegan option, and you’ll find many gluten-free dishes as well. They work magic with seitan, evidenced by their grilled “chicken-style” shawarma platter, complete with hummus, pita, lemon wild rice, fresh veggies and vegan tzatziki, or the “Radical Reuben” with corned-beef-style seitan on marbled rye."

"Ask any vegetarian or vegan in the city of their top restaurant choices and it’s likely Chicago Diner will be one of the first names on their lips. Whilst a motto boasts that The Chicago Diner has been “Meat free since ’83” its reputation is such that The Chicago Diner is loved by meat-eaters and vegans all over the city. A large menu offers anything ranging from pancakes to black bean veggie burgers but it’s what they can do with seitan and tofu that will really blow your mind, and your taste buds."

"Part of renowned Chef Stephanie Izard’s Goat concept, the Little Goat Diner is a retro diner that serves all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual and cozy setting. Drawing inspiration from global influences, the menu features classic dishes with creative twists such as Spanish omelets stuffed with cheese, pickled peppers, and masa chips, okonomiyaki (Osaka street food with pork belly), and parathas burritos with Indian flatbread, sunny side up eggs, and avocado bean salad. There are also the regular favorites such as bagels, biscuits, pancakes, and waffles along with heartier dishes such as bowls of goat chili heaped with sour cream, cheddar, and tortilla strips."

"Stephanie Izard’s West Loop diner was always family friendly, but it’s become especially welcoming since Izard since had her son, Ernie. There are plenty of kid-friendly dishes, but the kids’ menu calls out favorites like pancakes and grilled cheese with harvati and American cheeses."

"One of Chicago’s oldest restaurants, Lou Mitchell’s offers a traditional old-school dining experience. Based on Jackson Boulevard, Lou Mitchell’s has been serving hungry diners for more than a century and continues to operate like a well-oiled machine. Following the ancient Greek tradition of offering a sweet treat to visitors in your home, guests are welcomed with complimentary Milk Duds and donut holes on arrival before sitting down to delicious dishes of freshly prepared food for breakfast, such as jumbo omelets, fluffy pancakes, fresh eggs, and homemade pastries along with a range of daily specials and “the world’s finest coffee.” 565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661, Phone: 312-939-3111"

"While age doesn’t always guarantee quality, it is difficult to ignore one of Chicago’s oldest restaurants in Lou Mitchell’s. The restaurant has been serving up breakfasts and brunches for 98 years and will celebrate 100 years in the business in 2023. The family diner was started by ‘Uncle Lou’ back in 1923 specializing in breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes before being handed down to his son Lou Mitchell."

"Opened by “Uncle” Lou Mitchell in 1923, this West Loop staple claims it’s cracked enough farm-fresh eggs over the years to wrap at least a few times around the world. Beyond the omelets, skillets and pancakes, the best part might be the complimentary homemade doughnut hole you get when you walk in. Oh, and women and children receive mini boxes of Milk Duds—don’t ask why, just smile and chew."

"Nestled inside two converted streetcars, this 24-hour gem will satisfy your cravings for both retro kitsch and greasy food. (It’s a favorite among Lakeview’s late-night bar crowd.) The specialty is the “slinger,” a plate piled with two burger patties, hash browns, two eggs, and chili, but you can also get a simpler meal of buttered toast and eggs any way."

"Restaurants American Lake View. There are no seats here—just stools. There’s barely a menu, either."

"or 3 a.m., there’s always an eclectic mix of students, workers, and nightlifers at this iconic greasy spoon. It’s comfort food at its best, which means a varied selection that includes Tex-Mex dishes, pastas, burgers, fried chicken, meatloaf, beef sandwiches, and everything but the kitchen sink. Fast, filling, and cheap, White Palace Grill is everything a diner strives to be."

"First, the menu stands out compared to most cookie-cutter diners. Second, it's open 24 hours a day. The main menu is pretty uninteresting, but they get the title of "best" thanks to the Southern Chicken Biscuit Platter and the specials menu which consists of eight varieties of chicken and waffles."

"The South Loop has changed a lot since this 24-hour diner opened back in 1939. But the simple menu of eggs, bacon, pancakes and more has not, and we hope it never does. Stop by, sink into a red vinyl booth and get your fix of classic diner fare."

"A little walk-up stand in Little Italy with fantastic Italian ice, which we understand is not ice cream. But this is your summer power move when you need a break from the richness of creamier sweets (or just a palate cleanser between two other ice cream stops). All the flavors are good, but the go-to here is the lemon."

"Walk up and order from a menu filled with fresh Italian ice flavors with pieces of real fruit. This stand is only open from May to September each year so get it while you can."

"The extra-light macarons served at Pierrot Gourmet can only be described as very moreish. The European-style bakery and cafe found on East Superior Street inside the Peninsula Hotel, which also boasts a terrace eatery, just like theseother great bars and restaurants with rooftops in Chicago. Pierrot Gourmet is home to a range of fabulous baked goods, including macarons, which are said to pair perfectly with a specialty coffee or a glass of wine."

"Fancy and intricate French dishes are always a pleasure but sometimes all you need is a cup of coffee, a croissant, and prime views. This all-day café inside the Peninsula offers a casual setting that’s ripe for people-watching in the heart of downtown. Though the menu includes items like tarte flambée, boeuf bourguignon, and duck cassoulet, the restaurant’s bakery is its biggest standout."

"It’s part of the Chicago Peninsula hotel and offers authentic Parisian vibes. They have both indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, adorned with flowers, located in a prime people watching spot in the city. It is incredibly charming."

"Edgewater & Rogers ParkSpecializing in decadent custards, thick-as-thieves concretes, and sensational sundaes,Lickity Split is a veritable shrine to the sweet tooth. But it's their take on a banana split which stands in a league all its own. The ripened star of the show is topped with both vanilla and chocolate frozen custard before undergoing an onslaught of chocolate sauce, pineapples, strawberries, peanuts, and whipped cream.A dessert classic preserved for a new generation, whoever said, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” never got the scoop on this spot."

"Everyone in the Midwest knows that Frozen Custard is the best summer treat. Lickity Split offers dessert bliss with their Crazy Cake Concrete which blends custard with your cupcake of choice and then tops it off with candy sprinkles."

"All Loyola students know that this is the place to get your ice cream fix when school starts. While their custard is amazing on their own, you have to try one of their concretes."

"A classic supper club with live violinists and wall-to-wall retro charm This North Side Italian gem with tuxedo-clad servers, tables with fresh flowers, and violinists serenading diners by candlelight has withstood the test of time since 1969 (or so it's estimated). Come for the ambiance, but also for the complimentary, to-die-for pizza bread and straightforward classics like chicken Vesuvio sauteed in a garlic and oregano white wine sauce, tender veal saltimbocca, and baked Alaska that’s flambéed tableside for a taste of time machine magic."

"What I love about this place is that I almost have to go with my family. We go so often that the faces of the Italian servers there light up when they see us. This restaurant is the gift that keeps on giving."

"Originally opened in 1962 as a pizzeria, Angelo’s underwent a makeover in 2015 and added a wine program and new dishes. The neighborhood spot now features thin crust pizzas, pastas, salads, charcuterie, bruschetta, sandwiches, and more alongside bottles and flights. Outdoor dining is available on the patio."