Located in downtown and nearby neighborhoods, the following restaurants not only offer some of the city’s best specialties, but also incorporate many experimental elements that guarantee a feast for the senses. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Chicago.

Acadia

Inspired by the coast of Maine, Acadia is an experience worthy of a South Loop destination. Chef Ryan McCaskey’s acclaimed, two-Michelin-starred restaurant offers two distinct experiences. First, Acadia Bar offers an inventive menu with unexpected twists on traditional dishes like lobster rolls and steak frites. Second, the 10-course tasting menu and wine pairings offer virtuoso flavor combinations that are simply unmatched. Reservations for the tasting menu are highly recommended.

Oriole

Chicago’s vibrant West Loop neighborhood is home to many fine restaurants, but few are as exquisite as Oriole. Two Michelin-starred Chef Noah Sandoval presents an exquisite multi-course tasting menu bursting with Japanese influences and unexpected ingredients. In collaboration with renowned mixologist Julia Momose, who offers specialty cocktails, and sommelier Aaron McManus, who offers an elegant old world wine list, Oriole is an exceptional option that deserves to be at the top of your list when visiting the city.

Smyth

With Smyth haute cuisine restaurant and The Loyalist burger and cocktail restaurant on the first floor, John Shields and Karen Urie Shields are taking the culinary experience to the next level. Smyth’s two-star restaurant features upscale, rustic-inspired tasting menus that change daily based on the couple’s trips to the farm. Dishes that are both robust and delicate, imbued with Midwestern charm, are the ultimate in cuisine.

Bohemian Group

Chicago loves its breweries, so it makes sense that one of them would be honored with a Michelin star. Located in the quiet Ravenswood neighborhood, Band of Bohemia offers plenty of tasty finds, including craft beer. Since the brewery offers an a la carte and tasting menu at reasonable prices, dining here is worth the Uber experience.

Blackbird

For a taste of Midwestern cuisine at its most imaginative, be sure to visit Blackbird Restaurant. This Michelin-starred restaurant has been a local favorite for over two decades and is one of the best places for any sophisticated foodie. Dinner is offered a la carte, with a generous approach to flavors, accompanied by a solid wine list, while lighter options are available as a more than reasonable lunch menu for $28.

Alinea

At Chicago’s Alinea, reigning three-Michelin-starred chef and world-renowned chef Grant Achatz offers an unrivaled dining adventure. Here you will find experimental and theatrical cuisine at its best. Prepare to be blown away by the creativity and craftsmanship of the work. Three multi-sensory services make up the Alinea experience: the intimate and exciting “Kitchen Table,” the 16-18 course “Gallery” menu or the 10-12 course “Salon” menu. Changing menus according to the seasons, Alinea stays true to their favorite dishes, including edible balls. As one of the most sought-after restaurants in the country, it’s worth planning your trip to Chicago with reservations in mind – expect a line.

Boca

A Chicago favorite thanks to the inimitable culinary talents of Chef Lee Wolen, Boka prides itself on its culinary expertise and has the Michelin star to prove it. The restaurant’s specialty is modern seasonal American cuisine, with a mix of small plates and more substantial dishes. However, if you’re looking for more advanced dishes, the eight-course tasting menu is one of the best in town and is a good investment for a first visit to Boka Restaurant.

Elske

Elske is a Danish word meaning “love,” and that’s exactly what the husband and wife team behind the restaurant puts into each dish. Chefs David and Anna Posey invite you to feel like you’re having a weekend lunch at the home of a stylish Scandinavian friend. There’s an intimate and friendly atmosphere, hygge-inspired décor and an open kitchen. Choose between the stellar tasting menu or the a la carte menu, all options offer a unique freshness of flavors in combinations that are quite pleasing to the palate.

Parachute

Beverly Kim and John Clark’s Michelin-starred restaurant Parachute has been making a splash on the Chicago restaurant scene and beyond for years. It offers a completely unique approach to contemporary Korean-American cuisine. Offering pure culinary innovation and ingenuity, Parachute creates dishes with eclectic flavors. To get the most out of your visit, let the friendly servers advise you and even choose for you – and then sit back and prepare to be overwhelmed. Reservations are highly recommended.

Antanta

Recently relocated to a new space on River North, Entente offers a casual approach to Michelin-starred dining. Pushing the boundaries of modern American cuisine with a pan-Asian twist, it offers a solid seasonal menu of changing entrees and appetizers, complemented by excellent wines and cocktails. It’s a must-visit spot in Chicago.

The post Where to Eat in Chicago? appeared first on TastyChi.

Restaurant Vincent

Best bloody mary in town. Friday night, Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon she will fix your health. Also of note is their love of gin, over 20 kinds. The menu is small but very elaborate, the food is cooked deliciously, there are always specials. It’s worth noting that the menu changes and is updated frequently. Dimmed lights, nice dressed up crowd, perfect for a date. In summer and warm fall, you can sit outside and consider passersby over conversation. The appetizers are wonderful, and the lamb burger is above and beyond praise.

A visit is a must, tables fill up lightning fast by 7-8pm. Average bill for two without alcohol 50-60 dollars, with alcohol 80-100 dollars.

Restaurant Found

Restaurant with its own philosophy and style. Opened in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, home to one of the most prestigious universities in this part of Northwestern. Everything in the restaurant strives to make you feel cozy, warm, good, and yes so that you don’t want to leave for a long time. Or come back soon, like you’re visiting an old acquaintance. The menu has a great variety for fans of vegetarian food, lovers of bread and pastries. I especially recommend the kale salad, the chicken liver mousse with onion and bacon confit, and the cheese menu.The average bill for two is 30-50 dollars.

J.P. Graziano Grocery store

This particular grocery store is where muscular men make some of the best sandwiches in town. Just freshly baked Italian baguettes, veggies, fresh cheese, great Parma ham or salami. And it’s a ready-made lunch for the day. On top of everything, homemade cannelloni for $2.50 each. There’s homemade mozzarella and ricotta in the fridge. Also, olives, cheeses, Parma ham, dried tomatoes, and all sorts of produce from Italy. If you decide to take a stroll through Chicago’s west side neighborhoods and see its industrial area, be sure to stop by and grab a “picnic to go”.

The girl and the goat

The restaurant epitomizes the philosophy of local consumption. All of the produce on the menu is from local farmers with whom the restaurant owners get to know and develop a “personal” relationship. Chef Stephanie is extremely picky about the quality of meat, making sure that animals are kept in respect and love. The restaurant’s menu is divided into three sections: vegetables, fish and meat. Bread is baked daily at the restaurant. Sometimes Stephanie collaborates with a small local brewery. The food is prepared deliciously and lovingly, and the atmosphere is conducive to talking to your neighbors at the nearest table. I recommend the wood-roasted broccoli, grilled octopus, and tongue. They also serve oysters. The cost of dinner for two without alcohol is 40-50 dollars.

Uncommon ground

This place is known for its unique atmosphere, products of local farmers, very diverse menu, as well as surprisingly light tasty cocktails. In the evenings, small concerts are held here, but you can always retreat to another room and enjoy the company of friends. The lounge with armchairs and fireplace is particularly popular. The menu is constantly changing, depending on the season and the products of local farmers. A must-try is the baked artichoke with goat cheese, pumpkin ravioli and the Q7 burger. The cost for lunch for two without alcohol is $30-$40.

Mana Food Bar

Open from 4pm, so don’t miss out. Vegetarian restaurant with excellent cuisine and variety of dishes, in 2009 won the nomination for the best new vegetarian restaurant. Cold, hot, smoothies, fresh juices and healthy shakes. A whole philosophy of healthy eating in one place. They have a separate takeaway menu designed for people working in the neighborhood. I suggest trying the Panzanella, Caponata, Curry and pumpkin ravioli. The average bill for two without alcohol is $30-40 dollars.

Lula café

On Mondays, this place hosts “farm dinners.” For a certain amount of money (34 without alcohol, 58 with alcohol), a pre-designed full menu is served. On other days, the dishes are amazingly varied and well-chosen. Of course, local farmers’ products are used, everything is fresh, which you are reminded of at the first opportunity. Every night the menu changes, depending on the produce. I recommend the savory apple soup, chips and dip and slow roasted pork shoulder. The average bill for two people is 50-60 dollars.

Tre Kronor Restaurant

Swedish restaurant in the Swedish neighborhood of the city of Chicago. Several cozy lounges and patio where breakfast on weekends is a pleasure. The restaurant has been around since 1992 and was opened by two people in love with delicious food. There are no gourmet entrees on the menu, but each dish is beautifully executed and served. Their Oslo omelette with Norwegian salmon or Eggs Benedict are above reproach. And for dessert you just have to have a cinnamon bun, which are baked right in the kitchen. In general, it is worth noting that all the dishes and breads are made in the restaurant itself. It’s like stopping by your favorite grandmother’s house for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. The important thing is that this grandmother sure knows how to cook. The average breakfast for two people is 20-25 dollars.

The Purple Pig

There’s a small but wonderful little restaurant downtown – The Purple Pig. A few communal tables, bold colors combined with an abundance of wood and just the right acoustics make the establishment an extremely appropriate place for a weekend dinner. The menu was created by three well-known Chicago chefs inspired by Italian and Spanish cuisine. Portions are small, but the combination of flavors is perfect, assuming portions are shared among several people. The wine list is excellent and well-chosen. Due to the fact that the restaurant is small, the queue can sometimes take an hour, but in the meantime you can enjoy a glass of wine overlooking the river. The cost of dinner for two with alcohol is 50-60 dollars.

The post Philosophy of Local Consumption: Chicago Restaurants appeared first on TastyChi.

Get a true taste of Chicago – literally – by going to an elegant American restaurant – there are plenty of them in the city. Breakfast, lunch or dinner at these establishments will cost around $20-$30.

Hub 51

A trendy nightclub and restaurant a few blocks from the Chicago Riverfront, in the River North neighborhood, where there are many shopping centers and interesting places to visit. The modern lounge design and dim lighting create a relaxed atmosphere.

Menu: The restaurant prepares dishes in traditions of American south and north – steaks, tacos and nachos, cold appetizers, original salads and huge burgers. Fans of sushi and rolls, don’t miss the 50% discount from 3 pm to 6 pm, as well as after 11 pm. Hub51 has a separate food menu for people with gluten intolerance.

Location:

51 West Hubbard Street.

Chicago, IL 60610

Subway Station: Grand (Red line); Merchandise Mart (Purple Express,Brown subway lines);

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Wednesday: 11 am – 12 am, Thursday – Friday: 11 am – 2 am, Saturday: 10 am – 3 am, Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm

Recommended attire: casual business casual.

Wishbone Restaurant

A great place for lovers of spicy and savory South American cuisine. This is one of the favorite restaurants of the citizens – no one will be left indifferent by large appetizing portions of delicious dishes, prepared under the personal guidance of the owner.

Menu: Airy omelets with stuffing and fruit pancakes with juicy gravy are popular dishes for breakfast or brunch. Seafood patties and Southern-style chicken stew are served with a traditional side dish of rice, black beans and peas and a flavorful cornmeal bun. Wishbone’s menu has more than a few gourmet items for vegetarian supporters as well.

Location: 3300 North Lincoln Avenue. Chicago, IL 60657

Subway Station: Paulina (Brown subway line)

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 7 am – 3 pm, Tuesday – Thursday: 7 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm, Friday: 7 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm, Saturday: 8 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm, Sunday: 8 am – 3 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm

Smoque BBQ Chicago

The homey, cozy atmosphere of this restaurant attracts tourists and residents. The Texan-style barbecue is always plentiful, so be prepared to wait your turn!

Menu: Connoisseurs say that meat in Smoque BBQ is cooked perfectly: ribs, beef loin, fried chicken, sausages – all dishes are served with thick homemade gravy. Traditional side dishes such as stewed beans, coleslaw and mashed potatoes go well with the meat delicacies.

Location: 3800 N Pulaski Rd Chicago, IL 60641

Subway Station: Irving Park (Metro Blue line)

Hours of Operation:

Monday: day off; Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm, Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm; Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm

State Street Bread &Co

A popular breakfast and lunch spot for business travelers working in the area. The restaurant is located in a spacious space in the Courtyard Marriott HotelRiver North building. Wireless Internet access allows you to grab a bite to eat while you’re on the go.

Menu: A variety of gourmet breakfast and lunch specialties. Delicious cold and hot sandwiches are probably the best choice in Chicago! The most popular are the roast beef with hot sauce on a flavorful onion bun and the panini with chicken, cheddar cheese and bacon. A new “soup of the day” from the chef is offered daily. As a light appetizer – healthy and tasty salads based on original recipes.

Location: 30 E Hubbard St Chicago, IL 60611

Metro Stations: Grand (Red line); State/Lake (for Orange, Brown, Purple Express, Green,Pink trains); Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express,Orange subway lines)

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday 06:30 am – 2 pm, Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm

HB Chicago

“Home Bistro,” as this establishment is called, will delight with exceptionally prepared modern American cuisine. The restaurant is located in the Lakeview neighborhood near the Steppenwolf Theater. HB Chicago has many regulars – you bet, you can come here with your own liquor!

Menu: On Wednesdays, the restaurant serves a three-course fixed-price menu (up to $30 per person) – a great opportunity for gourmets to enjoy high-end cuisine at a reasonable price! Hot and cold appetizers and main courses are prepared according to the recipes of Chef Lanchman, the owner of the establishment.

Location: 3404 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60657

Metro stations: Addison (Red line); Belmont (for Purple Express, Brown, Red trains)

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday-Thursday 5:30 pm – 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 5 pm – 10:30 pm, Sunday 5 pm – 9 pm

Enjoy your meal!

The post Popular Chicago Restaurants with Average Cost appeared first on TastyChi.

One of such establishments is Shaw’s Crab House restaurant, which is well known to gourmets from all over the world. It resembles a classic American bar rather than a fashionable establishment, the restaurant always has a hospitable and relaxed atmosphere. Shaw’s Crab House’s specialties include seafood and gourmet meat dishes, and regulars especially emphasize the specialty mussels and crab. Among the restaurant’s attractive features are affordable prices, Shaw’s Crab House’s menu is regularly updated.

European cuisine restaurant The Purple Pig is worth mentioning among other budget establishments. A full-fledged three-course dinner will cost no more than 10 euros, and the quality of treats will please even demanding gourmets. The restaurant is perfect for a large group, and there is no doubt that its extensive menu offers dishes for every taste.

Those who want to enjoy typical national treats should visit Hot Doug’s Inc. The selection of hot dogs is huge, and visitors can also order traditional crispy potatoes and soft drinks. At the height of the day there is always a long queue at the restaurant, the main visitors of Hot Doug’s Inc are the guests of the city.

Among the prestigious restaurants Alinea deserves special attention, it specializes in international cuisine. The price level in the elite restaurant is quite high, but the quality of its specialties and delicacies corresponds to it in full measure. Each Alinea specialty is a real artistic work, the taste qualities of which cannot be described in words. The attractive Yolk restaurant offers a wide range of simple and hearty dishes to relax after a busy day of sightseeing. Fresh scrambled eggs with vegetables and pates, fried potatoes, hot dogs and sandwiches, sweet pastries, original fruit salads and soft drinks – everything that thrifty travelers need to replenish their energy and strength.

Chicago has a lot of interesting culinary features, in the city’s restaurants you can try a lot of interesting dishes, the likes of which are not prepared in other cities in the United States. A great example is the “deep dish” pizza, which is made with corn bread. This bread is toasted with olive oil and then topped with pizza toppings. There can be many variations of toppings, the most common components of pizza are tomato sauce, cheese and meat. For the first time such pizza was made by locals in 1943, since then the dish has gained incredible popularity.

Chicago In Chicago there are excellent pizzerias in which you can try the popular dish. It is important to note that the “deep dish” pizza is characterized by a rather impressive size, so it is usually ordered for a large company. In the city are widespread small kiosks and market stalls, where you can buy popular “quick” dishes at affordable prices.

It is believed that it is in Chicago that you can try the most delicious hot dog in the United States, for the preparation of this uncomplicated dish here are used the highest quality and tasty products. A special version of the dish called “garden hot dog” is popular in the city. In addition to sausage and various sauces, slices of fresh tomato, pickles, onions and celery are added to it.

Chicago restaurants are sure to please fans of hearty meat dishes, here they prepare excellent steaks. Many popular restaurants position themselves as steakhouses and specialize exclusively in meat dishes. In addition to meat their guests can order their favorite beer or a glass of wine, in some restaurants you can also complement the meal with original light snacks.

The most popular dessert option among Chicagoans remains the classic cheesecake, which you can also try in literally any restaurant and cafe. This popular cake is prepared by each local chef according to his own special technology. Special attention is always paid to the artistic design of the dessert, it can be decorated with fresh berries and fruits, chocolate glaze or fruit jams. Popcorn lovers during their walks around the city should definitely pay attention to Garrett’s specialized kiosks. They sell the tastiest popcorn in the city, the most common variant being air corn with caramel-cheese flavor.

The post Foodies: Chicago Restaurants and Cafes appeared first on TastyChi.