CHICAGO’S HOT SPOTS TO EAT

Chicago is my city. Really. It’s my favorite city, home, and one of the best places to dine since I moved here 15 years ago. Chicago, once known as the meat and potatoes city of the Midwest, has changed a lot. I want to share my favorite places to eat.

Chicago is home to more than 24 Michelin-starred restaurants. This year, the James Beard Awards were held in Chicago. These awards are dubbed “Oscars of the American culinary world.”

What To Eat In Chicago

Second City’s world-class, acclaimed dining scene is unmatched. There’s something to suit everyone, from BYOB and neighborhood-friendly joints to swanky see-and-be-scene hotspots. Here are a few of my favorites.

Xoco

Rick Bayless runs this counter-service restaurant. He’s a Top Chef Master and award-winning chef. You will love the fantastic Mexican sandwiches, soups, guacamole, and thick, decadent Mexican Hot Chocolate.

All ingredients are fresh and locally sourced.

My favorite is Woodland mushroom, with wood-roasted River Valley Ranch Mushrooms, Prairie Fruits Farm Goat Cheese, Black Beans, Wild Arugula, and 3-chile Salsa. It’s rich and oozy, and I can’t get enough!

Spacca Napoli

Chicago is “known” as a city specializing in deep-dish, but statistics show that more Chicagoans regularly eat thin-crust pizza.

Skip the deep dish! (I know it’s blasphemy!) Head to Spacca Napoli, tucked away in a quiet corner of Ravenswood, the home of Chicago’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel.

Pizzas made in a wood-fired oven are known for their crust and toppings, such as fresh buffalo mozzarella and arugula.

Devon Avenue

This multicultural street bursts with South Asian businesses and offers excellent Indian/Pakistani cuisine.

Girl and the goat

Stephanie Izard, the winner of the Top Chef Award in Chicago’s Randolph Street Restaurant Corridor, has opened one of Chicago’s best restaurants.

It’s best to book well in advance, as getting a seat at prime times is still challenging, even years after the fact. If you walk in, you can try to grab a bar seat.

Her innovative and global-inspired cuisine is always a hit. The rustic yet urban decor makes it warm and comfortable.

Avec

Located in the popular Randolph Street area, it is a great spot to enjoy a glass or two of wine with some delicious cheese and mouthwatering charcuterie.

The food is always delicious, and the atmosphere is cozy. The cedar planks around the restaurant make you feel like a sauna.

GT Fish & Oyster

There are no steakhouses on my list. It’s not that there aren’t many top-notch restaurants in Chicago that serve a delicious filet mignon. I wouldn’t say I like meat, and Chicago has excellent places to enjoy succulent seafood.

GT Fish & Oyster combines inventive shared dishes with creative cocktails within a modern modern-nautical setting.

It takes time to decide what to order.

I could go on forever. The grilled octopus, fish tacos, lobster mac n’ cheese, and grilled oyster po’boy slider are all delicious. It’s good. It’s just good.

Big Star

Big Star is famous because that’s fun, casual, and energetic.

This hipster honky tonk bar is in Wicker Park, Chicago’s most excellent neighborhood. It serves cheap and tasty tacos and a variety of beer, whisky, and bourbon.

On a sunny summer day, I love sitting in the sun on the patio with warm friends and a cold drink.

Greektown – Restaurants in Chicago

Greektown is a pocket neighborhood with ethnic flair and charm. It’s located on a slight stretch along Halsted Avenue, just west of downtown.

The new National Hellenic Museum is a great place to visit, focusing on Greek-American immigrants.

You can go right with any of these restaurants, flanked by Greek columns and crammed full of Greek restaurants.

Greek Islands Santorini is always delicious and the decor gives you the feeling of sailing around the Aegean Sea.

Gene’s Sausage Shop

Gene’s Sausage Shop is a hidden treasure in the former German neighborhood Lincoln Square. However, locals are starting to catch on.

Enjoy some of the best European beers and sausages on the roof.

Eataly Chicago

Is it a grocer? Is it a restaurant/bar/brewery? Yes! To all! Eataly, the Italian mothership store in Chicago, opened its doors recently.

It was only fitting for a foodie city like Chicago to get an Eataly, with stores now spread from Italy to Japan and New York.

The store is spread over two floors, 63,000 square feet, making it the most prominent Eataly location in the U.S. It offers a wide range of imported products, such as truffle oil and seafood, and has 23 restaurants.

You can find a wide variety of food here, including pizza baked in an oven, cream gelato, a beer brewed on-site, Nutella, Lavazza Espresso, fresh oysters, and more. The place is as popular among locals and tourists, and there’s still much more to try!

Check out my Ultimate Guide to Chicago’s best restaurants for more of my favorite Chicago eats. I love meeting new people and enjoying good food when you’re in Chicago.