Restaurants in Chicago
With some of the country's best restaurants, Chicago is a food city. Charlie Trotter's rules in Lincoln Park. Gourmands flock to Near North's Gibsons Steakhouse and Shaw's Crab House and Blue Crab Lounge. Comfort food connoisseurs prefer to eat deep-dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno or Portillo's Hot Dogs/Barnelli's Pasta Bowl in River North. Many restaurants are closed on Monday nights. Opening hours vary but dinner begins between 5pm and 6pm. Tipping ranges from 10%-20%.
Top-end
Expand all1. Arun's - Banqueting Thai-style
Show moreThai silks and carved mahogany characterise Arun's dining-room. Set in Irving Park, dinner is an ever-changing fixed-price 12-course banquet. Groups of diners sample spicy lobster, warming curries and melt-in-the-mouth stewed pork. Lovers of spice can ask for their dishes extra hot.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Tue-Thu & Sun 5pm-10pm; Fri & Sat 5pm-10.30pm
Address
4156, North Kedzie Avenue, Irving Park, Chicago 60618
Telephone
+1 773 539 1909
2. TRU - Extravagant minimalism
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A minimalist setting showcases maximum theatre and exquisite presentation at TRU in Near North. The Caviar Staircase starter offers a different type of caviar on each of its steps. Diners ascend to Rick Tramonto's entrees and Gale Gand's sumptuous desserts. Diners tour the kitchen afterwards.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 5.30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Address
676, N Saint Clair Street, Chicago 60611
Telephone
+1 312 202 0001
3. Charlie Trotter's - Top chef's tasting menus
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Charlie Trotter's understated dining salons serve dishes designed by one of the country's most renowned chefs. Unusual pairings, like frozen cantaloupe, preserved melon rind and lavender-cured pork are served on its three tasting menus, designed daily by Chef Trotter. Popular with upper crust foodies, reservations are required well in advance.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Seatings Tue-Thu 6pm & 9pm; Fri & Sat 5.30pm & 9pm
Address
816, W Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park, Chicago 60614
Telephone
+1 773 248 6228
4. Gibsons Steakhouse - Steaks with famous faces
Show moreHungry locals, tourists and celebrities such as basketball legend Michael Jordan come to enjoy the best steaks in town at Gibson's Steakhouse. The portions are huge, the staff friendly and the ambience relaxed. Autographed photographs of celebrities who have enjoyed steaks here line the walls - look out for Elizabeth Taylor.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Daily 11am-12am
Address
1028, North Rush Street, Near North, Chicago 60611
Telephone
+1 312 266 8999
Mid-range
Expand all5. Frontera Grill - Celebrity chef's modern Mexican
Show moreWhimsical Mexican folk art and murals accent this casual bistro in River North. Owner and chef Rick Bayless puts a fresh spin on everything from margaritas to tamales at Frontera Grill. The guacamole and chiles rellenos are favourites with locals. The bar has a large selection of Mexican beers.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Lunch: Tue-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; Sat 10.30am-2.30pmDinner: Tue 5.20pm-10pm; Wed-Thu 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Address
445 North Clark Street, River North, Chicago 60654
Telephone
+1 312 661 1434
6. Trattoria 10 - Chicago's Italian heritage
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Arched walkways, tiled floors and murals suggest Italy. Classic dishes like homemade ravioli, fresh risotto and veal scaloppini underscore the Italian theme at Downtown Trattoria 10. The flatbread and profiterole pastry puffs are favourites with local diners, many of whom have Italian heritage. There is an all-you-can-eat bar buffet Mon-Fri 5pm-7.30pm.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 11.30am-2pm & 5.30pm-9pm, Fri 11.30am-2pm & 5.30pm-10pm; Sat 5.30pm-10pm
Address
10 North Dearborn Street, Loop/Downtown, Chicago 60602
Telephone
+1 312 984 1718
7. Shaw's Crab House and Blue Crab Lounge - Seafood and jazz
Show more In a 1940s clubby atmosphere, diners come to relish the city's freshest seafood, flown in daily to this River North location. The Oyster bar features sushi and iced platters of oysters. The specialities of the main dining room are crab, shrimp, lobster and surf'n'turf combinations. Live jazz plays in the lounge.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 11.30am-2pm & 5.30pm-10pm, Fri 11.30am-2pm & 5pm-11pm; Sat 5pm-11pm; Sun 5pm-10pm; Oyster Bar Mon-Thu 11.30am-10pm; Fri & Sat 11.30am-11pm; Sun 12pm-10pm
Address
21 East Hubbard Street, River North, Chicago 60611
Telephone
+1 312 527 2722
8. Green Zebra - Fashionable vegetarian bistro
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This ordinary storefront in West Loop has attracted celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow. Inside Green Zebra is a hip minimalist bistro, which specialises in vegetarian tapas. The seasonally changing menu might include raviolis with goats cheese and dates, or parmesan caraway gnocchi. For those who prefer flesh, there is a small selection of chicken and fish.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 5.30pm-10pm; Fri & Sat 5pm-11pm; Sun 10.30am-2pm & 5pm-9pm
Address
1460 West Chicago Avenue, West Loop, Chicago 60642
Telephone
+1 312 243 7100
9. Le Colonial - A slice of Saigon
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Rattan chairs, shutters, potted palms and large ceiling fans transport diners back to 1920s Saigon. The scene is set for dishes like Goi Cuon, Vietnamese spring rolls, and Ca Chien Saigon, a lightly spiced and sour sauced crisp-seared red snapper. The dining-room of this Gold Coast highlight is romantically lit at night.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Wed 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-11pm; Thu-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-12am; Sun 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-10pm
Address
937 North Rush Street, Near North, Chicago 60611
Telephone
+1 312 255 0088
10. Nacional 27 - South American variety
Show moreDim lighting and music evoke a Latin theme in keeping with a menu that boasts cuisine from 27 countries south of the US border. Dishes at River North's Nacional 27 include anything from ceviche to Latin tapas. After 11pm at weekends, the dining room becomes a salsa dance floor.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 5.30pm-9.30pm; Fri & Sat 5.30pm-11pm
Address
325 West Huron Avenue, River North, Chicago 60654
Telephone
+1 312 664 2727
11. Spring - Creative Asian dishes
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This former Russian bathhouse is now a sleek, minimalist room accented with pastels and Zen touches like the rock garden in the entrance. Dishes have Asian flair with interesting pairings like salad with popcorn and pumpkin seeds, or pork belly dumplings in a shellfish broth. Set in Wicker Park, this restaurant attracts a fashion-conscious crowd.E-mail this item
Opening Hours
Tue-Thu 5.30pm-9.30pm; Fri & Sat 5.30pm-10.30pm; Sun 5.30pm-9pm
Address
2039 West North Avenue, Wicker Park, Chicago 60647
Telephone
+1 773 395 7100
12. Russian Tea Time - Caviar, vodka and balalaikas
Show moreSoft lights, round red banquettes and Russian music set the scene for borscht and beef stroganoff accompanied by Tashkent carrot salad, beet caviar, black bread and vodka. Located around the corner from Symphony Hall and the Art Institute, Downtown Russian Tea Time is a popular pre-concert and post museum stop. Afternoon tea is also served.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu & Sun 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am
Address
77 East Adams Street, Loop/Downtown, Chicago 60603
Telephone
+1 312 360 0000
Budget
Expand all13. Mr Beef - Italian sandwiches at lunchtime
Show moreGourmets and office workers order their lunches at Mr Beef's high counter. Juicy and spicy Italian beef on a roll, burgers and Italian sausages are on offer. The huge, sloppy sandwiches are served with crisp french fries on formica counters. This River North spot is a Chicago institution.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu 8am-5pm; Fri 8am-4.30am; Sat 10.30am-3.30pm & 10.30pm-5am
Address
666 North Orleans Street, River North, Chicago 60610
Telephone
+1 312 337 8500
Transport
El to Chicago-Brown
14. Pizzeria Uno - Home of deep pan
Show moreDeep dish pizza was invented here in 1943. Characterised by a thick, crunchy-crust topped with fresh tomatoes, a thick layer of sausage and lots of mozzarella cheese, locals and visitors queue for tables. Red checked tablecloths and dark-wood booths deliver a homely feel.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Sun 11am-11pm; Mon-Fri 11am-1am; Sat 11am-2am
Address
29, East Ohio Street, River North, Chicago 60611
Telephone
+1 312 321 1000
15. Portillo's Hot Dogs/Barnelli's Pasta Bowl - Hot dogs and burgers
Show moreLit with lots of neon, this gaudy Near North joint is filled with memorabilia from the 1930s and 1940s, including a 1930 Chevrolet. Most come to grab a hot dog in a poppyseed bun with pickle and French fries, but there are also tasty salads and large plates of pasta.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Opening Hours
Sun-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri & Sat 10am-12am
Address
100 West Ontario Street, River North, Chicago 60654
Telephone
+1 312 587 8910
