Chicago is known for its deep-dish pizza and hot beef sandwiches. But it’s also known for its eclectic mix of cuisines and bakeries. From the best seafood joints to bakeries to hot dog stands, Chicago has it all. And it’s a foodie’s paradise because of the sheer number of restaurants it has to offer.
But with so many options available, it can be difficult to decide what to eat in the city that never sleeps. To make things easier for you, we’ve listed some restaurants that you must eat at when in Chicago. So get your taste buds ready and scroll down to find out what restaurants to visit and the things you must order from them.
These dining experiences should be at the top of your culinary bucket list.
Smoked Shrimp at Calumet Fisheries
You can’t visit Chicago and not try smoked shrimp from Calumen Fisheries. Why? Smoked shrimp is a cuisine of the city, and it’s beloved by locals and visitors alike. The smoky, salty flavor of the seafood is a treat for the taste buds, and it can be enjoyed in various ways. From appetizers to entrees, it’s hard to go wrong with smoked shrimp at Calumet Fisheries.
The unique and historic atmosphere of the restaurant itself and its longevity in the city of Chicago are also reasons why you must dine at this iconic place. Not only do they serve up tasty smoke-cooked shrimp dish but they also have great hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and more. You cannot go wrong with a meal at Calumet Fisheries!
Breakfast Sandwich at Kasama
Kasama is a local favorite for its flavorful breakfast sandwich. The sandwich is made with fluffy scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, and melted cheese. Each bite is filled with savory chorizo-y goodness, making it the perfect snack to enjoy on a hot day.
The sweet potato fries served with the sandwich are crisp and delicious. They’re fried to a golden-brown crust and doused in honey mustard sauce, making them a taste treat any time of day. Kasama also offers a variety of other dishes for breakfast and lunch that are sure to please any palate. From classic burger and fries to vegetarian options, it has something for everyone to enjoy.
Tiki Cocktails from Three Dots And A Dash
What makes Three Dots and a Dash unique? Answer: The first tiki-style restaurant in the country, it serves tiki cocktails made with local ingredients, as well as classic island-style cuisine. It features a strong commitment to sustainability and uses locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Its menu includes pork chile verde tacos, barbecue beef short rib poutine, and poussin with bacon lardon, all of which are made with fresh and sustainable ingredients.
The restaurant also offers its customers an array of vegan and vegetarian options. Its menu features items like coconut chia seed panna cotta, beef burger taco, and hot dog kimchi burger, all of which can be customized to suit dietary preferences.
Its extensive beverage menu consists of cocktails made with local and organic ingredients. It features popular tiki cocktails like the Polynesian Pearl, Curaçao Sunset, and Mai Tai to name a few.
Off-menu Beijing duck dinner at Sun Wah BBQ
Sun Wah BBQ is a family-owned restaurant specializing in Beijing-style cuisine. The restaurant is known for its delicious and juicy steamed, BBQ-ed, and deep-fried Beijing duck.
To order the off-menu Beijing duck dinner, it’s best to call ahead and place your order in advance. When you arrive at the restaurant, tell the staff what type of dish you’d like to order. If it’s of interest to them, they will recommend it to you.
Once you’ve selected your dish, it’s time to start digging in. You can choose from a variety of toppings such as barbecue sauce, lettuce, rice noodles, and cucumbers.
There are many other dishes to try at Sun Wah BBQ besides the Beijing duck dish. You can order beef rib tips or seafood dumplings to name a few.
Before heading out, be sure to check out the restaurant’s different menu items and recommend others to try it out yourself.
Chorizo-stuffed bacon-wrapped dates at Avec
High-quality chorizo is a perfect match for the smoky bacon and the earthy sweetness of dates. The dish is a great representation of Chicago’s eclectic food scene, featuring traditional Mexican cuisine with a twist.
The Bear Chocolate Cake at Loaf Lounge
The Bear Chocolate Cake is a decadent and delicious dessert. It is made with a rich dark chocolate cake and a creamy caramel center. This dish is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors, making it one of the best desserts around. If you’re looking for something unique to try, the Bear Chocolate Cake at Loaf Lounge in Chicago is a great choice. Not only does it taste delicious, but it also features unique textures and toppings that make it more satisfying than other desserts. Plus, it’s made with organic ingredients, so it’s a healthier option than other cakes that are loaded with butter and processed ingredients. In short, it’s the perfect dish to enjoy on hot days or nights out with friends and family.
Rare Spirit Cocktails at Milk Room
Milk Room is known for its unique cocktails, featuring rare spirits. The menu features a variety of classic and modern drinks, crafted with high-quality ingredients. These cocktails are sure to please any drinker, from those looking for classic cocktails to those seeking innovative cocktails. The cocktails at Milk Room have the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, making them mouth-watering and refreshing. Moreover, customers can enjoy a variety of drinks on the menu such as pilsners, negronis, daiquiris, and more.
The food menu also includes a variety of small plates that are great for sharing. Each dish features delicious and unique flavors to excite even the most discerning palate. From barbecue beef ribs to bacon-wrapped hot dog to barbecue-encrusted shrimp to bacon-wraked filet mignon burger to steakhouse burger with bacon jam and cheddar cheese crumble, diners can find something to satisfy their appetites at Milk Room.
W.R.’s Chicago Cut at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
W.R.’s Chicago Cut is the signature steak dish of Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, and it has it all- beefy flavor, juicy tenderness, and a crusty edge- it’s a dish that diners delight in. The steak is served with asparagus tips and bacon lardons- it’s a dish with a range of textures and flavors- it’s sure to please everyone at the table.
The restaurant’s award-winning wine list features wines from around the world- it includes reds, whites, and rosés- each with a unique taste and character. The selection of classic sides and appetizers is vast- it features items like chorizo fries, bacon-wrapped scallops, poutine fries, dirty rice burger, barbecue chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, ribs, yam fries and more. Specialty cocktails include creations like chicago dog cocktail (a burger hot dog topped with chicago-style pizza sauce), taco night cocktail (mexican cuisine) and more.
The menu also offers craft beers such as pilsner, ipa, stout and kolsch- it boasts a diverse collection of options to suit any palate.
Butter Chicken Calzone at Superkhana International
If you’re a fan of Indian cuisine, then it’s time to try something new and unique. Superkhana International has a wide range of delicious and mouth-watering cuisines on its menu, which is sure to satisfy every foodie out there. One of the dishes that it offers is the butter chicken calzone, a delightful fusion of Indian and Italian cuisine. The dish features a crispy, flaky crust filled with tender chunks of butter chicken and a cheesy tomato sauce. It is served with sides of chutney and kachumber salad for added flavor. This dish is perfect for those looking for a flavorful snack or meal on a hot day.
Deep-Dish Pizza from Lou Malnati’s
A Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is known for its gooey crust, stuffed with toppings of your choice and deep-dish crust. The dish originated in the city of Chicago and is best eaten right out of the oven. But it’s not as simple to re-create it at home.
A Lou Malnati’s signature dish has it all: a crust made from an enriched wheat flour, a generous layer of cheese, and toppings such as Italian sausage, bacon, ham, chicken, and more. A Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza starts with a square pan-style deep dish pizza crust containing a generous layer of mozzarella cheese that bakes until it’s golden brown on the edges and bubbly within. You can also add toppings such as barbecue chicken, bacon, or steak to the crust before baking it to make it extra juicy and yummy.
Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich at Al’s Italian Beef
If you’re looking to get an authentic Italian beef sandwich in Chicago, look no further than Al’s Italian Beef. Not only will you be dining on a delicious sandwich, but you’ll also be dining on Chicago history.
Al’s Italian Beef is a popular Chicago restaurant that specializes in the creation of the Italian beef sandwich. This dish has its origins in Chicago, where it became a staple of dining options for local residents. The dish features thinly-sliced beef, hot giardiniera, and sweet bell peppers, all of which are combined to make a unique dish that is bound to whet your appetite.
The beef used in Al’s Italian beef sandwich is highly-seasoned and is lightly-cooked to create a deliciously-juicy burger. It’s served on crusty French bread and topped with hot giardiniera, which adds a spicy kick to the overall dish. Additionally, it is best eaten hot, as it absorbs the flavors of the seasoning better when it’s fresh.
Basic Fried Chicken Dinner at Harold’s Chicken Shack
What makes Harold’s Chicken Shack stand out from the crowd? Some say its the original Harold’s Chicken Shack was founded in 1974 in Chicago, and it has become a well-known name in the city. The restaurant specialises in chicken dishes and it is known for its delicious fried chicken. Besides, it has received praise for its unique hot-melt sandwich.
Yes, it is one of the best restaurants to visit in Chicago if you love chicken dishes.
Buttermilk Old-Fashioned Chicago Doughnut at Do-Rite Donut
Buttermilk-based old-fashioned doughnuts are fresh, light, and fluffy. They’re generously coated with a sweet glaze and a hint of orange zest to give them an extra burst of flavor. The buttermilk crust is mildly acidic, providing a unique richness and subtle tanginess that complements the doughnut’s sweetness. Buttermilsk-based old-fashioned doughnuts are easy to make at home, making them a versatile snack for any occasion. Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to find at most bakeries and don’t require special equipment or skills to make. So it’s no wonder they’re one of the top things to eat in Chicago!
Drinks and a show at the Green Mill
The Green Mill is a Chicago-based hot spot with a long history of live jazz and blues music. It began as a saloon in 1886, when it became the first African-American owned-and-operated business in the city. Over time, it has become a famous jazz club and fine-dining spot, attracting musicians across genres and audiences with its unique speakeasy atmosphere. The Green Mill’s food offerings are diverse and well-satisfying, from gourmet pizzas to burgers and sandwiches. Its extensive selection of craft beers, wines, cocktails, and more lets patrons enjoy a wide variety of choices.
The Green Mill’s stellar reputation has made it one of the most popular concert destinations in Chicago. Its rich history makes it an iconic hot spot for music lovers of all ages to enjoy some great live music.
Single cheeseburger at Au Cheval
The famous single cheeseburger at Au Cheval is made with two beef patties, a special sauce, and American cheese. It has a perfectly soft bun that is toasted on the outside and perfectly crispy in the middle. This burger has been praised by many famous chefs and publications such as Bon Appétit, The New York Times, and Food & Wine. A single burger from Au Cheval is a must-try for any Chicago visitor looking for a delicious meal! With its mouth-watering taste and perfect balance of toppings, it’s no wonder it has become one of the popular burger joints in the city. From its first burger menu to its latest additions, it never fails to impress with its variety of deliciously grilled beef patties.
Hot Fudge Banana Split at Margie’s Candies
The hot fudge banana split is a dish with a long and storied history. It’s a snack that has been popular among diners for decades, and it can be found in restaurants of all types and price ranges. You can find hot fudge banana splits usually made with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, bananas, and other toppings such as cherries or whipped cream.
The dish is best known for its signature toppings: hot fudge and caramelized bananas. These two flavors go hand-in-hand to create a deep, sweet flavor that is mouth-watering and unforgettable. Another feature of the dish is the way it is served. Most hot fudge banana splits are served in a dish with ice cream on the bottom and toppings on top. Serving suggestions vary depending on preferences; it can be eaten as a snack or meal alike.
A hot fudge banana split in Chicago isn’t simply a dish; it’s an experience to embrace every time you eat it.
Chicago Style Popcorn at Garrett Popcorn
The signature Chicago-style popcorn is made of CaramelC-Ris and Cheese-Corn. This unique flavor combination has been a favorite of movie-goers over 50 years. The special recipe makes Garrett’s popcorn light and fluffy, not greasy or overly sweet. Garrett Popcorn’s time-honored recipe lends it a delicious taste that’s hard to forget.,that said, be sure to visit its stores and try it out for yourself! You can also order it online to enjoy it at home, if you forgot !
Cinnamon Rolls at Ann Sather
Ann Sather is an iconic Chicago diner that has been serving up delicious cinnamon rolls for more than 70 years. Their oversized cinnamon rolls are soft and fluffy on the inside, with a crunchy, sugary coating on the outside. The generous topping of cream cheese icing adds a sweetness to the rolls that can’t be beat.
Ann Sather’s cinnamon rolls are ooey-gooey good and definitely worth a try if you’re visiting Chicago.The mouth-watering dish is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, and they’re sure to satisfy any cinnamon roll craving. You can find Ann Sather’s delicious cinnamon rolls at many locations around Chicago, including on the north side at 2800 N. Lincoln Ave., in Rogers Park at 1706 E. Rogers St., and on the west side at 4112 W. Irving Park Rd.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to eat in Chicago?
First, deep-dish pizza. This dish is so popular it’s become iconic to the city of Chicago, with famous restaurants like Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s serving up delicious pies. Try it once, and you’ll see why it’s become so popular!
Where can I find the best restaurants and bars in Chicago?
Some of the city’s top restaurants are Girl & The Goat, Au Cheval, GreenRiver, Avec, and The Aviary. If you want a unique dining experience with breathtaking views of the city skyline, then head over to the Signature Room at the 95th.
We hope you’ve found some new favorites to try in Chicago. If so, tell us your favorites in the comments section below! Don’t forget to tag your food-loving friends and family members who would love to explore Chicago cuisine.
