Best Lunch Restaurants in Hometown

"Located on the Northside in Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica comes from our friends at the ever-growing Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant group. There’s a front patio, but the whole vibe is like you’re outdoors. With whitewashed wood walls, gauzy white curtains, and a huge atrium in the middle open to clouds and sun, there is so much natural light in here, it truly feels like  you are in Santa Monica."

"Never again choose between a chocolate-chip cookie and a Rice Krispie treat. This slightly salty and super-fudgy cookie is studded with chunks of the classic bar. The whole thing is massive, yet you’ll find yourself refusing to share."

"How important are cookies to the ethos of this Lettuce Entertain You Lincoln Park favorite?. The huge display case is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. That is no accident, my friends."

"Fat Rice, the popular Macanese restaurant-bakery-bar, serves what the chef-owners, Abraham Conlon and Adrienne Lo, call “Euro-Asian comfort food.” Indeed, their signature arroz gordo, or “fat rice,” fits the bill: Hailing from Macau, this dish is similar to paella (a vestige of Portuguese colonialism heavily influenced by Spain) and features char siu, linguiça sausage, Spanish rice, olives, and sliced hard-boiled eggs. Though Fat Rice made an impression on Chicago when they opened in 2013, the team continues to make exciting changes: 2016 brought a bakery, which offers a Chicago-style hot dog bun that looks like a blooming flower; and a bar, the Ladies’ Room, where Annie Beebe-Tron leads a program of deeply unique cocktails that embrace ingredients like umeboshi vinegar, shiso cumin bitters, and house-made chartreuse and Ginjinha. View this post on Instagram"

"Make sure to visit The Bakery at Fat Rice|Courtesy of Fat Rice. Fat Rice, specializing in a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese food, had already earned rave reviews from the majority of Chicagoans when they opened The Bakery, offering sweet and savory delights during the day. Egg tarts, sweet buns and a dark chocolate brownie are among a few of the treats on the sweet menu; the savory menu contains highlights like cremoso, which is filled with a savory custard, bacon and scallions."

"Fat Rice not only offers unique Chinese dishes, but comfort food from around the world is served in this rustic space. They have a Macanese (Chinese and Portuguese fusion) menu for brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as cocktails and wines in a chic setting."

"If you are looking for something more in the downtown core, then this would be one of the best places to eat in Chicago. They have two branches around town and offer an amazing breakfast. What I really enjoyed most about this place was the effort they made for Pride Week in Chicago."

"Sure, you can score a well-rounded meal here, but wouldn't you rather have a multi-course feast of rainbow layer cake, iced cut-out cookies, pecan sticky buns, and hulking rice crispy treats?"

"This goddess is more than a baker with their extensive breakfast through dessert menus. Taste their avocado toast or baked mac and cheese, but leave room for their artisanal sweets."

"Only in Chicago could a joint that blasts heavy metal music, refuses to carry Budweiser, and stirs a controversy with the Catholic Church, be adored. Kuma’s Corner has become a destination in every food lover’s pilgrimage. Depending on what you order, your burger may include bourbon poached pear, roasted poblano peppers, avocado mash and other inventive ingredients."

"Having the fam there for support will help alleviate the stress of the endless amounts of options on the menu. Bonus: since the menu is so overwhelming with goodness, having the extra people there means getting a bite off of everyone's plate. What to order: Led Zeppelin Burger"

"You'll feel instantly uplifted upon entering Blue Door Farm Stand, a bright, two-story Lincoln Park restaurant outfitted with modern-meets-rustic touches like iron chandeliers, exposed wooden beams, plush seating, and a long marble bar. A local and seasonal approach drives the menu here, with a compilation of classic brunch plates that take some contemporary twists. Try the flavor-packed bell pepper and bacon Benedict (with chèvre, heirloom tomatoes, and spring onion), or go lighter with the veggie burger."

"As the name suggests, farm-to-table is the game at this rustic restaurant that pulls produce and other ingredients from nearby farms. For those whose resolutions are still intact, order the smoked chicken salad on multigrain bread. If not, opt for the apple pie and bacon grilled cheese."

"We won’t lie to you and say these macarons are the most Instagram worthy of those listed here, but we all know you should never judge a book by its cover. Chef Toni’s signature macarons offer some of the most unique flavors we’ve heard of, including strawberry lemonade, made fresh at the cafe on Washington Street. What we love most about this patisserie is its option to create your own custom order."

"Kitchen 17 is a casual, laid-back vegan café in Lakeview that focuses on house-made seitan-based vegetarian and vegan fare in a friendly, inviting setting. The cozy restaurant offers a menu of simple yet delicious food ranging from nachos, hummus and toasted pita bread, artichoke dips, and hearty burgers with a variety of toppings to gyros, barbecue sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks (sans the steak), and refried black beans. A weekly selection of mouthwatering desserts includes cupcakes, freshly baked cakes and homemade fudge for a sweet ending to your meal."

"Restaurants Vegan Lake View. This vegan café in Lakeview focuses on foods made with its house-made seitan, a meat substitute crafted from wheat flour dough. Find the protein-rich gluten in menu favorites like the crave-worthy deep dish pizza and the super saucy chicken parm sandwich."

"If you’re looking for vegan deep dish in Chicago, look no further!. Kitchen 17 near Uptown has got to be one of my favorite vegan restaurants ever. It’s a casual atmosphere with board games galore."

"Enjoy vegetarian and vegan Thai food in Chicago, IL through a fusion of traditional methods and modern interpretation. Just like its name, I’m Vegan and Vegetarian is indeed a fully vegan and veggie restaurant with beautiful dishes you’ll Thai for (are you tired of the puns yet?)!. Location: 2907 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60657"

"RavenswoodYour favorite Thai takeout, but for vegansIf you’re a fan of Thai food, you’ll love this vegan-focused Asian restaurant. The menu features all of the staple Thai dishes with a vegan flair like Tom Kha Kai soup and Chicken Satay plus hearty veggie-forward rice and noodle dishes ranging from classic Pad Thai and Pad See Ew to Panang Curry and stir-fried veggie plates. There’s also a selection of veggie burgers and sandwiches for the pickiest of eaters."

"If you’re in the mood for Thai or Asian cuisine in Chicago, then Urban Vegan is a place you must go. I have dined here with both vegetarian and meat-eating friends, and they have all loved this restaurant. Prior to going vegan, I used to love orange chicken."

"They would like to grab this opportunity to greet you to your home for the great combination of Thai dishes. They give only the freshest and finest ingredients. at Urban Vegan, you will experience the liveliness and excitement of their exhibition kitchen."

"Hunkered down across from Grant Park, this 110,000-ton granite-and-limestone behemoth was an instant star when it debuted in 1899, and…"