Signature Brunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

Want the best seat in the house? Every table offers it when you dine on Lake Michigan. Take a panoramic brunch cruise paired with world-class cuisine, and you can’t go wrong. Spend the afternoon on the water with scenic views while enjoying DJ entertainment and an assortment of games. Enjoy a chef-prepared buffet and fully stocked bar, and celebrate in style on the outdoor rooftop deck with breathtaking views of the horizon. Enjoy bottomless mimosas or creative cocktails available for purchase, and reserve a table by the window to maximize your enjoyment.

If you need help deciding which one to visit, consider a culinary tour. You can sample dishes from several establishments, learn more about Chicago’s rich (and delicious) heritage, and have an unforgettable experience with your group.

Ultimate Chicago Food Tour: West Loop Neighborhood

From Chicago classics to modern international cuisine, the West Loop is a food lover’s paradise. Unlike other foodie neighborhoods, the West Loop caters to every taste, from comfort food and burgers to fine dining and everything in between. And it’s not just restaurants: there are wonderful food halls where you can indulge in your favorite treats from around the world; cocktail bars serving delicious drinks inspired by regional flavors; and even gourmet popcorn stores for those with a sweet tooth.

Walk the West Loop with pizza

The West Loop is a thriving foodie paradise. It’s home to some of Chicago’s best pizzerias, and on this tour, you’ll get to try them all. From a guide who specializes in dough, you’ll learn about the ten types of pizza in the city and their history. You’ll also learn about the history of the West Loop neighborhood and its colorful characters.

Superdawg Drive-In

The Superdawg Drive-In is a classic for Chicagoans. It’s been around since 1948, and to this day, it’s still packed with people who come to eat and socialize. It has delicious hot dogs, good hamburgers, and awesome cocktails.

Kaiser Tiger

If you love German food and beer, Kaiser Tiger is the place for you. This quaint restaurant serves traditional dishes (schnitzel, sauerbraten and sauerkraut) in a casual, festive atmosphere and over 100 beers on tap. The room is spacious, seating 250 people, and there’s a small craft cocktail list if that’s more your thing.

Kaiser Tiger opened in 1986 as a bar with a few tables in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Today, the restaurant has three locations in Lincoln Park, Olde Towne, and River North. All three establishments offer the same menu and have similar décor. However, each has its own specialties, for example, River North has outdoor seating.

The Girl and the Goat

If you’re looking for a unique dining experience, check out Girl & The Goat in the West Loop. This is Stephanie Izard’s first restaurant with Boka Restaurant Group after winning the fourth season of Top Chef. The family-style restaurant seats 122 and the menu is divided into meat, fish and vegetable categories and offers a selection of wines from around the world. The menu features globally influenced dishes with vibrant flavors in a fun and lively environment with banquettes, dimly lit nooks and elevated seating platforms. Snack on pretzels or chickpea fritters before trying some of the more unique dishes like goat belly, liver mousse, sticky glazed pork shank or string beans in a fish sauce vinaigrette. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, try the roasted pig face, and don’t be afraid to ask your server questions!

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club has been around since 1934, when it was known as the Kegel Tap Room. The bar was closed during Prohibition and reopened after it was repealed in 1933, but this time as a speakeasy.

SafeHouse Chicago

SafeHouse Chicago is a unique restaurant located in the basement of The Pump Room, a bar that has existed since Prohibition. Settle into a booth and order a few drinks from the speakeasy-style bar. Their cocktails are creative, so it’s hard to choose just one.

The food here is just as great as the drinks, and the kitchen prepares it quickly. Start with the signature duck hoisin tacos, pastrami sandwich, or fries. Then wash it all down with an Old Fashioned cocktail made with house-made batter and citrus zest (or any other drink).

Carnivale

Carnivale is a Brazilian steakhouse on Montrose Avenue that has everything you want in a restaurant: great food, great service, and a terrific atmosphere.

The restaurant’s menu features all kinds of meats cooked to perfection by experienced chefs. Carnivale is also known for its delicious caipirinhas, a powerful drink made from cachaça (Brazilian rum) mixed with fruit juice.

Wiener’s Circle

Wiener’s Circle, located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood, is a hot dog joint that has been around for decades and is popular for its Chicago-style hot dogs. The atmosphere here is relaxed and casual as you order your food at the counter and then settle in inside or outside. If you come on a weekend, expect to have to share tables with other customers who are just as enthusiastic about their hot dogs as you are.

If you want a different experience than just one type of hot dog, The Wiener’s Circle also offers vegetarian options like veggie dogs and fries. This restaurant also has several beer options if you want to drink something other than soda.

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Here are Chicago’s best restaurants with a view

Want to dine with a view of Lake Michigan? How about atop a skyscraper with a panoramic view? Or maybe have a drink on Navy Pier? Whether you want to enjoy a waterfront view or sit at a table by the window overlooking the Magnificent Mile, these Chicago restaurants offer the best vistas in town.

Chicago City Cruises

Why just sit back and enjoy the view when you can be in the view? By sailing on a City Cruises ship, you can enjoy an upscale brunch, lunch or dinner as you sail past the Chicago skyline on Lake Michigan.

During the day, you’ll admire towering downtown Chicago skyscrapers like the John Hancock Center or Lake Point Tower and lakeside city parks like Millennium Park and North Avenue Beach, and on a night cruise, you’ll see the illuminated city skyline.

Along with great food and stunning views of the Windy City, our dinner cruises also include music and a full bar.

Offshore Rooftop

Located on the far end of Chicago’s Navy Pier, this open-air rooftop bar holds the honor of being the largest rooftop dining venue in America. Sit back in the comfortable chairs and enjoy panoramic views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago.

Sightseeing and Drinking Cruise on the Chicago River

Lake Michigan isn’t the only body of water in Chicago worth navigating. The 156-mile-long Chicago River winds through downtown and trendy neighborhoods like River North, surrounded by towering towers, skyscrapers and the tallest residential buildings in the city.

A Sights & Sips cruise on the Chicago River is the perfect way to see downtown. You’ll sail past iconic landmarks like Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building while sipping craft cocktails, beer or wine and snacking on passed hors d’oeuvres.

Beatnik on the River

With its bright tile mosaics, bold colors, intricate patterns, and lush greenery, this popular spot for international cuisine and weekend brunch is one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Chicago. And with breathtaking views of the river and glass skyscrapers, a prime location right on the Chicago River, this global restaurant takes it to the next level.

River Roast

Perched on the side of a red brick building right on the banks of the Chicago River, this lively social hangout attracts diners not only with its unrivaled riverside location, but also with its British-focused menu featuring delicious roast beef, fish, and chicken.

Utopian Tail

As the name implies, this rooftop bar and patio located in Chicago’s Old Town has great views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as a fun and free-spirited atmosphere.

The outdoor dining area mimics a garden party: brightly colored furniture, hanging chairs, tire swings, lots of plants and greenery in a wide astroturf space. You can play lawn games like giant Jenga or cornhole while enjoying alcoholic cocktails and casual fare including sliders and pizza.

Cindy’s

Housed in a glass dome with an outdoor patio next to Millennium Park, this rooftop bar/restaurant is known not only for its views of the park and Lake Michigan, but also for its exquisite seasonal dishes.

Oliva Coffee

For delicious burgers and refreshing shakes right on the sunny Lake Michigan waterfront, there’s nothing better than Caffè Oliva. Open during the summer season along Ohio Street Beach, this cozy and casual establishment is literally steps away from the sand and surf.

The Signature Room at 95th

With floor-to-ceiling windows offering top-notch views of the Chicago skyline, this majestic restaurant on the 95th floor of 875 North Michigan Avenue is one of the best restaurants for epic cityscapes. For a more casual experience, go up one floor and enjoy cocktails at the Signature Lounge on the 96th.

North Pond

Overlooking an idyllic pond in Lincoln Park, this haute cuisine restaurant feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The North Pond Restaurant building was built in 1912 and exudes historic charm with warm wood paneling, rustic stone walls and large windows overlooking the water with skyline views. It’s the perfect spot for romantic dinners, thanks to a menu of upscale American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.

From Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park to the Chicago River, the views from these Chicago restaurants are incredible.

Dining out in Chicago is one of the best ways to experience the city, but if you choose a restaurant or City Cruises with a beautiful view, you can combine two of the Windy City’s best attractions: city views and great food.

The post Chicago’s Most Unique Restaurants with a View of the City appeared first on TastyChi.

2610 Н. Cannon Dr., 60614 (773) 477-5845.

Dinner: Wednesday through Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to close. Brunch on Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations can be made on the company’s website. Dress code is casual.

North Pond Here you’ll be served fresh local food, and its nature-inspired surroundings have received high marks from Frommer’s.

Tempt your palate with menu items such as:

• Grilled king salmon with smoked purple potatoes
• Duck breast in bourbon with cherries and almonds.
• Grilled chicken breast with red beet gnocchi.

Beach

980 North Michigan Ave. 2nd floor, 60611 (312) 280-2750.

Open Sunday through Thursday at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Romantic, luxurious and upscale, Beach is one of the best restaurants in Chicago for fine Italian cuisine. They offer:

• Hand rolled dumplings
• Bacon-wrapped Guinea hen.
• A variety of pasta dishes with seafood, meat and vegetables.
• Lemon-olive oil with lavender

Reservations recommended.

Level up

1723 N. Halsted St., 60614 (312) 867-0110.

Wednesday through Sunday, Alinea Restaurant is open for dinner only. Advance reservations are required, and restaurant reservations book up quickly, months in advance. Dress code is business casual.

Levels one of the most visited and celebrated restaurants in the city. This is largely due to the sophisticated, ultra-modern contemporary menu, with standouts such as:

• ‘Woolly Pig’ with squid with orange and fennel
• Hollow hearts of palm filled with mashed potatoes with coffee sauce
• Kamchatka Crab with passion fruit
• Oyster leaf with slices

CHILDREN

676 N. St. Claire St., 60611 (312) 202-0001.

Open Monday through Thursday for dinner 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Reservations are welcome. The dress code is elegant and casual.

Time Out Chicago includes this location as one of its outstanding restaurants. Fine dining at REBECCA includes both fixed-price menu items and full-course “tasting tours”. Some of the dishes you can try include:

• Caramelized Chestnut Soup
• Truffled lobster
• Prime Beef Ribeye
• Jidori and rosemary chicken

The expansive dining room can accommodate many. The artfully decorated interior is adorned with works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Gerhard Richter.

Morton’s, Steakhouse

1050 North State St., 6060 (312) 266-4820.

The dining room is open Monday through Saturday, 5:30 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 pm. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. Business attire is required.

Morton’s, The Steakhouse specializes in all steaks, but also offers lighter appetizers, including a variety of seafood and poultry dishes. Desserts come rich and hearty. Menu items include:

• Beef carpaccio with peppers
• Five strip steak with peppers
• Shrimp Alexander
• Hot Chocolate Cake

You can also opt for a mixed grill plate and complement the main course with a la carte side dishes. The Chicago style gives the restaurant solid reviews for its food, atmosphere, and service.

MK Downtown

868 Н. Franklin, 60610 (312) 482-9179.

Open daily for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Reservations can be made at the restaurant’s website .

This elegant upscale restaurant gets rave reviews for menu items such as:

• Carrot Soup flavored with caraway
• Roasted Pikeperch
• Veal porterhouse with jumbo asparagus.
• Pommes frite with truffle oil.

The decor is filled with intricate tiles and lots of elegant arches. All while a grand piano plays softly in the background. Reservations are recommended, as is business attire.

Japanese

600 W. Chicago Ave., 60610 (312) 822-9600.

Open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Dinner hours are Monday through Thursday 5:00 p.m.. – 11:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm and Sunday 5:00 pm. – 10:00 pm. Reservations are available on the company’s website. Dress code is business casual.

Japanese is an upscale Japanese restaurant with elegant decor and atmosphere. Zagat places this establishment in the top five best waterfront restaurants in Chicago. Enjoy dishes such as:

• Kobe beef
• Peking duck in a honey glaze.
• Moo Shu Pancakes
• Sushi, sashimi and nigiri.

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