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Sure, this city has great architecture, museums, and sports venues. But at its heart, Chicago is really a food town. This is evident in the priority that good eating takes, no matter the occasion. Rain or shine, locals will wait in a line that snakes around the corner for dolled-up doughnuts at Doughnut Vault. They’ll reserve part of their paychecks to dine at inventive Alinea. And they love to talk about their most recent meal—just ask.
It's no wonder that outdoor festivals are often centered on food, from Taste of Chicago in summer, which packs the grounds at Grant Park, to smaller celebrations, like the German-American fest in Lincoln Square, a mini-Oktoberfest in fall.
Although the city has always had options on the extreme ends of the spectrum—from the hole-in-the wall Italian beef sandwich shops to the special-occasion spots—it's now easier to find eateries in the middle that serve seasonal menus with a farm-to-table mantra. For the budget conscious, it's also a great time to dine: some talented chefs aren't bothering to wait for a liquor license, opening BYOB spots turning out polished fare (just try Ruxbin in West Town).
Expect to see more Chicago chefs open casual concepts—Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, and Michael Kornick have a head start with their respective sandwich, taco, and burger spots. Yet the goal remains the same: to feed a populace that knows good food and isn't willing to accept anything less than the best. In the following pages, you'll find our top picks, from quick bites to multicourse meals, in the city's best dining neighborhoods.
Following the wild success of her flagship restaurant, Girl & the Goat, Top Chef alum Stephanie Izard switched gears with this all-day counterpart. The diner/bakery/bar is open from morning to evening, serving comfort food that’s heavy on Americana nostalgia, though with a splash of Izard's eclectic touches in the pastries, soups and sandwiches, burgers, and classic supper entrées.
Grant Achatz's buzzworthy sophomore effort is big on concept: the restaurant completely transforms its menu, tableware, decor, and beverage program every three months to focus on a unique theme, whether that’s an homage to famed chef Auguste Escoffier's tenure at the Ritz Paris or Ancient Rome. Tickets for the one-of-a-kind meal from Executive Chef Ed Tinoco are paid for in advance, nonrefundable, and only available online.
This 50,000-square-foot food hall sports a rotating roster of counter-service stalls, representing 18 hand-picked Chicago eateries. Collected under one roof along with three bars, an outdoor terrace, and a working demo kitchen for chef-driven classes, it's a sort of EPCOT Center of Chicago food for those who don't have time to visit many different neighborhoods.
Vermilion's focus on creative, high-end Latin–Indian fusion fare sets it apart on a busy stretch in River North, and lots of small-plate options, including takes on classic Indian street food for both brunch and dinner, encourage sampling. Despite cool fashion photography on the walls and techno music in the air, the vibe is warm and welcoming.
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