Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Upscale Italian seafood restaurant by star chef and James Beard award winner Paul Kahan. If you're not up for dinner, check out the amazing living wall at the bar and handcrafted cocktails.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Nico Osteria
1015 N Rush StUpscale Italian seafood restaurant by star chef and James Beard award winner Paul Kahan. If you're not up for dinner, check out the amazing living wall at the bar and handcrafted cocktails.
Are you looking for a contemporary, unique steakhouse experience with decor straight out of the roaring 20's? Bavettes is your place. The food is great, but the ambiance is truly special.
79 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
218 W Kinzie StAre you looking for a contemporary, unique steakhouse experience with decor straight out of the roaring 20's? Bavettes is your place. The food is great, but the ambiance is truly special.
Cute Greek breakfast and brunch restaurant on quaint Wells Street in Old Town.
110 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kanela Breakfast Club
3231 N Clark StCute Greek breakfast and brunch restaurant on quaint Wells Street in Old Town.
Killer barbecue in a lovely setting. Fireplace in the bar. Outdoor patio available.
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chicago Q
1160 N Dearborn StKiller barbecue in a lovely setting. Fireplace in the bar. Outdoor patio available.
Greek Islands
200 S Halsted StBest authentic Greek food in Chicago.
Fantastic Spanish cuisine with a well-curated wine list by sommelier owner.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Vera Chicago
1023 West Lake StreetFantastic Spanish cuisine with a well-curated wine list by sommelier owner.
Fast casual taco joint with innovative options. Try the Cuban pig taco and the tater tots.
46 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Velvet Taco
1110 N State StFast casual taco joint with innovative options. Try the Cuban pig taco and the tater tots.
Wood-fire pizzas sizzling before your eyes.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dinotto (Pasta e Pizza)
1551 N Wells StWood-fire pizzas sizzling before your eyes.
One of two Mexican restaurants in the city with Wine Spectator's Best Award of Excellence. Delicious food in an upscale white tablecloth restaurant.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salpicon
1252 North Wells StreetOne of two Mexican restaurants in the city with Wine Spectator's Best Award of Excellence. Delicious food in an upscale white tablecloth restaurant.
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sandwich and soup shop. Try the Ahogada Torta (carnitas, black bean, tomato chile broth), and don't miss the guacamole.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
XOCO
65 N Clark StStar Chef Rick Bayless's sandwich and soup shop. Try the Ahogada Torta (carnitas, black bean, tomato chile broth), and don't miss the guacamole.
Star Chef Rick Bayless's sit down restaurant. Best margarita's in the city. Expect a long wait--they do not take reservations--but it is worth the wait. Alternatively, go next door to Xoco.
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Frontera Grill
445 N Clark StStar Chef Rick Bayless's sit down restaurant. Best margarita's in the city. Expect a long wait--they do not take reservations--but it is worth the wait. Alternatively, go next door to Xoco.
A Chicago classic: expect perfect service, a beautiful setting, and innovative food. James Beard Award winner.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blackbird Restaurant
619 W Randolph StA Chicago classic: expect perfect service, a beautiful setting, and innovative food. James Beard Award winner.
Old-school upscale food in an English gentry setting: dark wood, and framed photos of hunting dogs. Top of the line service, white tablecloth. Note the bar is very small.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
RL Restaurant
115 E Chicago AveOld-school upscale food in an English gentry setting: dark wood, and framed photos of hunting dogs. Top of the line service, white tablecloth. Note the bar is very small.
Classic steakhouse atmosphere. Great stone crabs. Consistently good service.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
60 E Grand AveClassic steakhouse atmosphere. Great stone crabs. Consistently good service.
Gino's East
162 E Superior StOur favorite Chicago-style pizza.
Great deal: $5 bloody mary bar on weekends, great brunch and burgers. Crowded, noisy atmosphere.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rockit Bar & Grill
22 W Hubbard StGreat deal: $5 bloody mary bar on weekends, great brunch and burgers. Crowded, noisy atmosphere.
Wine and dine with Chicago politicians and stars. Beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Chicago River. Reservations highly recommended.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chicago Cut Steakhouse
300 N LaSalle DrWine and dine with Chicago politicians and stars. Beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Chicago River. Reservations highly recommended.
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's restaurant lives up to the hype. Reservations required weeks in advance, but take it from the locals, full menu is also available at the bar and lounge.
496 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Girl & The Goat
809 W Randolph StTop Chef winner Stephanie Izard's restaurant lives up to the hype. Reservations required weeks in advance, but take it from the locals, full menu is also available at the bar and lounge.
Star Chef Paul Kahan's pig and beer-centric gastopub. Beer-hall setting with mostly communal tables. Fun for groups.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketStar Chef Paul Kahan's pig and beer-centric gastopub. Beer-hall setting with mostly communal tables. Fun for groups.
Troquet River North
111 W Huron StFrench bistro fare in a contemporary setting. Great brunch.
Absolutely adorable French bakery, beautiful breads, amazing macarons. Serves sandwiches, crepes, coffee.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Fournette
1547 N Wells StAbsolutely adorable French bakery, beautiful breads, amazing macarons. Serves sandwiches, crepes, coffee.
Some of the best coffee in the city.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Intelligentsia Coffee Old Town Coffeebar
1233 N Wells StSome of the best coffee in the city.
Rub elbows with the city's rich and famous in this landmark Chicago steakhouse. If you love martini's, they do it right here.
146 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
1028 N Rush StRub elbows with the city's rich and famous in this landmark Chicago steakhouse. If you love martini's, they do it right here.
BYOB sushi that is consistently good and not overpriced.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Sushi
1342 N Wells StBYOB sushi that is consistently good and not overpriced.
Table Fifty-Two
52 West Elm StreetStar Oprah Chef Art Smith's Southern Cuisine.
Super upscale, trendy Italian. Hob-nob with Gold Coast elite.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
FIG & OLIVE
104 E Oak StSuper upscale, trendy Italian. Hob-nob with Gold Coast elite.
Star Chef Grant Achatz's prix fixe only restaurant. Named Best Restaurant in America; awarded 3 Michelin Stars; won the James Beard Award for best service. Must purchase tickets well in advance.
97 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alinea
1723 N Halsted StStar Chef Grant Achatz's prix fixe only restaurant. Named Best Restaurant in America; awarded 3 Michelin Stars; won the James Beard Award for best service. Must purchase tickets well in advance.
Star Chef Grant Achatz takes it to the next level with Next. Seasonally rotating prix fixe menu, only available by ticketing on their website.
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Next Restaurant
953 W Fulton MarketStar Chef Grant Achatz takes it to the next level with Next. Seasonally rotating prix fixe menu, only available by ticketing on their website.
Vietnamese meets French in this charming white tablecloth restaurant with a patio and upstairs terrace. The bouillabaisse is a must. Reservations highly recommended.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Le Colonial Chicago
57 E Oak StVietnamese meets French in this charming white tablecloth restaurant with a patio and upstairs terrace. The bouillabaisse is a must. Reservations highly recommended.
Brunch buffet is a nice option; seating available overlooking the river. Learn to play Bocci while you're there.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pinstripes
435 E Illinois StBrunch buffet is a nice option; seating available overlooking the river. Learn to play Bocci while you're there.
People wait in line for hours for these donuts. If you are a donut connoisseur, this is your heaven.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Doughnut Vault
401 N Franklin StPeople wait in line for hours for these donuts. If you are a donut connoisseur, this is your heaven.
Park Grill
11 N Michigan AveModern american food right under the bean in Millennium Park. Great burger.
Hip and trendy River North Italian restaurant owned by celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Expect to wait, and for everyone to be dressed to the nines!
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
RPM Italian
52 W Illinois StHip and trendy River North Italian restaurant owned by celebrities Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Expect to wait, and for everyone to be dressed to the nines!
Contemporary European small plates. Small place, so expect to wait.
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan AveContemporary European small plates. Small place, so expect to wait.
Iron Chef Jose Garces' restaurant. Very good Spanish cuisine.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan AveIron Chef Jose Garces' restaurant. Very good Spanish cuisine.
Spanish tapas. Must get the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates.
87 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph StSpanish tapas. Must get the chorizo stuffed bacon wrapped dates.
It's out of the way, but a fried chicken lovers must.
99 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N Elston AveIt's out of the way, but a fried chicken lovers must.
I had the best brunch I can remember at this gastropub. It's low-key but the chef is on fire! Expect to encounter things like bone marrow, & beef fat fries, but also delightfully fresh options.
830 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Longman & Eagle
2657 N Kedzie AveI had the best brunch I can remember at this gastropub. It's low-key but the chef is on fire! Expect to encounter things like bone marrow, & beef fat fries, but also delightfully fresh options.
This restaurant has a revolutionary cheese program, with over 80 wheels of cheese in their in-house cheese cave.
CDA
20 E Chestnut StThis restaurant has a revolutionary cheese program, with over 80 wheels of cheese in their in-house cheese cave.
Tasty sister restaurant to steakhouse Bavettes, chef Brendan Sodikoff. Small plates, casual, prohibition theme decor.
66 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gilt Bar
230 W Kinzie StTasty sister restaurant to steakhouse Bavettes, chef Brendan Sodikoff. Small plates, casual, prohibition theme decor.
Drinks & Nightlife
Do you want to eat dinner (or have drinks) with a skyline view of the city? Be prepared to fight hundreds of other tourists for a seat.
525 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Signature Room at the 95th®
875 N Michigan AveDo you want to eat dinner (or have drinks) with a skyline view of the city? Be prepared to fight hundreds of other tourists for a seat.
Roof at the Wit: super trendy outdoor bar with great views.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
theWit Chicago - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
201 N State StRoof at the Wit: super trendy outdoor bar with great views.
Sportsbar meets English pub. Go here to see the game. Great beer list, brunch. For a quieter area, ask to be seated in the fireplace room.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Old Town Social
455 West North AvenueSportsbar meets English pub. Go here to see the game. Great beer list, brunch. For a quieter area, ask to be seated in the fireplace room.
Underground tiki bar with enormous cocktails. Need I say more.
125 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Three Dots and a Dash
435 N Clark StUnderground tiki bar with enormous cocktails. Need I say more.
Andy's Jazz Club & Restaurant
11 East Hubbard StreetOld school Chicago Jazz club.
Gastropub on Michigan avenue. Great scotch egg. Heavy after-work crowd.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Gage
24 S Michigan AveGastropub on Michigan avenue. Great scotch egg. Heavy after-work crowd.
Essentials
Lovely grocery in the heart of Old Town with tons of organic options, nice hot and cold Togo food, wine bar, and coffee bar (Intelligentsia coffee). Expect Plum market to be pricey.
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Plum Market Old Town
1233 N Wells StLovely grocery in the heart of Old Town with tons of organic options, nice hot and cold Togo food, wine bar, and coffee bar (Intelligentsia coffee). Expect Plum market to be pricey.
Grocery store, less pricey than Plum Market down the street.
44 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Treasure Island Foods
Grocery store, less pricey than Plum Market down the street.
Lincoln Park Farmers Market
724 West Armitage AvenueSaturday enormous farmers market
Best and largest farmers market in the city--located in Lincoln Park.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green City Market - Office Location
3057 W Lawrence AveBest and largest farmers market in the city--located in Lincoln Park.
Sightseeing
Visit Cloud Gate (aka, the "bean"); crown fountain; amazing gardens; and more.
1243 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Millennium Park
201 E Randolph StVisit Cloud Gate (aka, the "bean"); crown fountain; amazing gardens; and more.
Architecture tour of the Chicago river by boat--this is a must.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
First Lady Architecture Tour
112 E Wacker DrArchitecture tour of the Chicago river by boat--this is a must.
Willis Tower
233 S Wacker DrSkydeck
I-Grant Park
337 E Randolph StConcert venue/park, beautiful Buckingham fountain
Tourist venue, great for children, location of children's museum, Ferris Wheel
933 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Navy Pier
600 E Grand AveTourist venue, great for children, location of children's museum, Ferris Wheel
A city block of food-wine-beer-lovin'! Many restaurants, as well as gelato, a cheese shop, salumeria, fresh seafood, meats, pasta, chef's essentials, gifts, cookbooks, galore.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StA city block of food-wine-beer-lovin'! Many restaurants, as well as gelato, a cheese shop, salumeria, fresh seafood, meats, pasta, chef's essentials, gifts, cookbooks, galore.
Shopping
Vosges Haut-Chocolat
951 W Armitage AveBacon Chocolate!
Hot Tix - Mag Mile Location
Shop 'till you drop
Cute spice shop in Old Town, from ordinary to exotic, they have it all.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Spice House Chicago
1512 N Wells StCute spice shop in Old Town, from ordinary to exotic, they have it all.
Arts & Culture
Amazing art collection; new modern wing
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I-Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan AveAmazing art collection; new modern wing
I-Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
220 E Chicago AveContemporary art collection
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark StFree zoo!
I-Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Drmuseum of natural history
Adler Planetarium
1300 S Lake Shore DrGo see the stars
The Second City
230 W North AveGo see the best comedy in Chicago!
Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 N Halsted StFabulous boutique theater venue
I-Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn StDowntown Chicago theater venue
Best movie theater in Chicago--worth going the distance, reserved spacious seats, VIP shows with a full bar and menu.
95 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-ShowPlace ICON Theatres kwi-Roosevelt Collection nge-ICON•X
1011 S Delano CtBest movie theater in Chicago--worth going the distance, reserved spacious seats, VIP shows with a full bar and menu.
AMC River East 21
322 E Illinois StDowntown movie theater--expect it to be crowded
Everything Else
McCormick Place
2301 S King DrLargest convention center in the U.S.
Red line train north/south at LaSalle/Clark and Division Street
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Division & Clark station
Red line train north/south at LaSalle/Clark and Division Street
Chicago Midway International Airport
5700 S Cicero AveSouth Airport
O'Hare
West airport