Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Chicago

"Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’s three-Michelin-starred avant garde fine dining institution is one of the world’s best restaurants. During the pandemic, the restaurant’s elegant dining room has morphed to a control center for pickup orders. The menu changes from beef Wellington, to sushi, to more avant-garde options."

"Alinea is probably the most important restaurant on this list!. It’s one of only a handful of restaurants in the U.S. to hold the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating. It’s been named ‘Best Restaurant in America’ three times."

"Believe the hype and secure tickets—yes, tickets—well in advance. Chicago's most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious...Read More"

"A rite of passage for local and visiting chowhounds alike, Lem's is an institution-status barbecue house that deals in meaty things and fried chicken. Why we love it: Chicago may not be known as a barbecue destination in its own right, but Lem's single-handedly puts the South Side on the map with its unique aquarium-style smoker, which weighs in at 64 square feet. Regulars love the rib tips and hot links—and luckily, the combo meal gets you a taste of both."

"Lem’s has been around since 1951, and is probably the barbecue restaurant your uncle who has visited here exactly once knows about. History aside, this iconic spot in Chatham makes some of our favorite barbecue in the city. The ribs are aquarium-smoked (a method unique to the South Side of Chicago) and the sweet, vinegary mild sauce (also unique to Chicago’s South Side) is a perfect counterpart to the fatty meat."

"Chicago’s legendary aquarium-style smokers are on display at Lem’s, underneath a giant lighted sign off 75th Street. This small shack specializes in sauced baby-back ribs and giant hot links. This is also the places to introduce newbies to rib tips."

"Restaurants Contemporary American River North. True to its name, you can expect a bevy of roasted meat and veggie options on the menu of this riverside American restaurant, which offers pork loin, whole fish, sweet onion and more, all carved up tableside. Snag a reservation on its scenic patio area and enjoy dinner or a weekend brunch."

"If you’re looking for a colorful, whimsical, super unique birthday cake in Chicago, look no further than Bon Vivant Cakes. If NYC is famous for putting explosion cakes on the map, this bakery is responsible for answering with an endearingly cheeky concept: shag cakes. Inspired by “fuzzy textiles and funky wallhangings”, Bon Vivant’s playful concept makes for one of the most unique birthday cakes in Chicago."

"River Roast is cooking up family dinners for $45 including options such as a whole roast chicken or fried chicken Fridays (beer included). Cocktail kits are also on the menu for $4..."

"Not only does my family splurge on getting the famous pizza grinders freshly flipped on your plate when you order, but we feast on appetizers too. This restaurant will create an inseparable bond with your family through comfort food and pleasure as the pizza is not your ordinary triangle slices. What to order: Classic Cheese Pizza Pot Pie"

"This one has been all over the internet lately because of its Pizza Pot Pie. Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. brings history to its customers in the bottom floor of an old Lincoln Park home, while also redefining deep dish. The pies are made from scratch and can also be bought frozen to eat at home."

"It might surprise you that a thin crust pizza place made a top list for Chicago, but it is well deserved. Coalfire Pizza makes their pies in an 800 degree oven and their topping combinations are outside the box, yet perfect. They have everything from Vodka Meatball to Lasagna pizza — all worth a try."

"The origin of Chicago deep-dish pizza is fascinating if not a little convoluted. Pizano’s, a mini chain with four city locations and a fifth in the suburbs, was wounded by Rudy Malnati Sr. He learned the trade while working at Pizzeria Uno’s."

"With several locations across the city, Golden Nugget has been a Chicago staple for more than 50 years. There’s something for everyone as the expansive menu has buttercream waffles, crepes, fried steak, liver and onions, “Flavors of Italy” and “South of the Border” dishes, and daily specials."