Ultimate Food Guide to Chicago

UPDATED 2026

Here are my top picks for things to do and eat in Chicago. I’ve been a few times now first on a business trip with my husband, and later just for fun with friends. These are the spots I’d recommend (and a few I’d suggest skipping if you want to avoid the hype). Here is the link to my reel.

This is the Map

Bavettes

Chocolate Cream Pie

Bavettes is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago right now and also one of the hardest reservations to get. Reservations open 21 days in advance, with each new date released at 9 a.m. I actually set an alarm for this reservation, and the prime dinner times were gone within seconds. I barely managed to snag an 8:45 p.m. reservation, though there were still plenty of openings around 3 to 4 p.m. They also accept walk ins. If you do want a reservation, I would highly recommend booking the moment they are released.

We ordered their famous wagyu burger, which comes stuffed with American cheese and topped with pickles. Our waitress actually suggested skipping the bacon and egg, and I am glad we listened. This burger somehow manages to achieve the perfect Maillard reaction on the edges while staying incredibly juicy and beefy on the inside with a beautiful medium rare cook. It was honestly the best burger I have ever eaten in my life. If you're visiting Chicago and looking for a meal that could completely change your expectations of what a burger can be, this is it.

10 oz wagyu Cheeseburger

We also ordered the 42 day dry aged bone in ribeye, which is their most famous steak and one of the most commonly ordered items on the menu. Surprisingly, this was not my favorite dish. I felt like the dry aging did not really come through, and I never got the funkiness or depth of flavor I typically associate with a dry aged steak. To me, it tasted more like a standard ribeye, and I found it a bit tough. If I returned and wanted to try another steak, I would probably order the tenderloin instead.

truffle Mac and Bone in Ribeye

The sides, however, were incredible. The sourdough, which is available in either a small or large portion, was one of the best loaves of bread I have ever had at a restaurant. Paired with the cultured butter, it was absolute perfection. The truffle mac and cheese was rich, cheesy, and topped with a beautifully crisp crust. We also loved the Brussels sprouts.

We decided to try the fried chicken after seeing it recommended by so many people. It is prepared more in the style of Southern fried chicken with a battered coating. While the texture was great, I felt like it was lacking seasoning and salt. It was served over excellent mashed potatoes with peas, and the gravy was very good, but I found myself reaching for the hot sauce throughout the meal.

Overall, the burger completely lived up to the hype and is something I will be thinking about for a very long time. If you do get the chance to dine here, make sure to save room for the chocolate cream pie. It is easily one of the best desserts I have ever eaten.

Sugarmoon Bakery

Sugar Moon Bakery came highly recommended, and after visiting Chicago 3 times, I finally made my way there. It's a great stop on the drive from the airport into downtown Chicago since it's conveniently along the way.

I picked up an assortment of pastries, but keep in mind that they tend to sell out early, so I would recommend getting there before 11 a.m. if possible. I tried the Southwest brioche, tahini chocolate chip cookie, strawberry croissant, and potato focaccia. Everything was excellent and easily some of the best pastries I've had. I would even say the pastries here were better than the ones I tried at Mindy's Bakery.

Avec

hummus

We booked brunch at Avec, which came highly recommended. If you’ve been to ABA in Austin, it’s a similar vibe but in Chicago and better. We tried the brioche donuts for two, hummus with a soft egg, chorizo stuffed dates, shakshuka, tabbouleh with corn and peaches, and their focaccia, more like a thin, crispy flatbread stuffed with cheese. Everything was excellent, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. Must orders? Definitely the hummus, dates, and shakshuka. Service was fantastic, but do yourself a favor and make a reservation.

Stuffed Dates

Shakshuka

Alinea

Uni Rice dish

It was always my dream to dine at Alinea, especially being a huge fan of Chef Grant Achatz. Growing up, I used to watch TV and fantasize about experiencing his three Michelin starred restaurant. When dining here, you have a couple of options to choose from. While it's relatively easy to get a reservation for the Salon, securing one for the Gallery, which offers a more theatrical experience, is quite challenging.

Originally, I reserved a spot in the Salon, but I reached out and inquired about upgrading to the Gallery. Fortunately, there was a cancellation, and I was upgraded. The experience comes with a hefty price tag, typically over $500 per person, but it's worth every penny. Think of it as indulging in multiple courses of whimsical, theatrical, and mind blowing bites.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and consider it something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Additionally, they offer a glimpse into the kitchen, where you can enjoy an appetizer, adding to the overall immersive experience.

Dessert

Throughout the meal, the dining environment changes multiple times, and each dish and musical accompaniment are themed to complement the culinary journey. Personally, my favorite dishes were the squab and the uni rice.

Daisies

potted Carrots

Ravioli

On our last Chicago trip, we stopped by Daisie’s and tried a few dishes: potted carrots, ravioli, cavatelli with bacon and egg yolk, and pappardelle with mushroom ragu. Everything was absolutely delicious, the pasta perfectly executed and some of the best I’ve ever had. Don’t skip the potted carrots, they’re a must. Pro tip: plan your visit right before you head to the airport, since it’s conveniently on the way

Smyth

Smyth was our third three Michelin star restaurant, and it completely lived up to the hype. We booked reservations online well in advance and kicked things off with non-alcoholic drinks made with fall fruits before diving into the course menu. Highlights included an “oyster gusher,” quail eggs, and a savory ham & cheese donut that was absolutely divine. Midway through, we even managed to score their famous burger from The Loyalist downstairs, hands down one of the best burgers I’ve ever had, served with fries that reminded me of McDonald’s in the best way. In 2026 They are named the top restaurant in North America!

The menu leaned heavily on seafood, with one lamb dish mixed in, plus a standout milk bread with the stickiest tops ever with goat heart spread.

Dessert was extensive with four or five different courses, from an aged banana tartlet to a sorbet and even chocolate “pine cones.” At over $300 per person, it feels more like buying concert tickets than just dinner, but the experience, flavors, and creativity were truly unforgettable. Easily one of the best meals we’ve ever had.

Kasama

Kasama is a highly acclaimed restaurant that was featured on the bear. They're renowned for their signature breakfast sandwich, which features Filipino longanisa, egg, and cheese on a potato roll. While I found the price of the breakfast sandwich a bit high, it was undeniably delicious. This spot is consistently busy, so it's best to arrive early when they first open, or you can also preorder online. I also recommend trying their croissant; the pearl sugar on top is divine, and the addition of black truffle is a nice touch

Lao Peng You

Lao Peng You came highly recommended by many people. They do not take reservations and are quite popular. I visited on a Sunday around 11 a.m., and there was already about a 35 minute wait. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. We put our name down and explored the area while we waited. There are several nice cafes nearby, including Macha, if you want to grab a drink while you wait.

We ordered an assortment of dishes, including the dan dan noodles, beef noodle soup, dumplings in hot and sour broth, and their freshly baked Xi'an style lamb bread.

Overall, I had mixed feelings, but I thought the food was very good. The dan dan noodles were excellent, with a great balance of peanutty and spicy flavors and plenty of complexity. The noodles themselves were perfectly cooked and had a great texture.

The dumplings were easily my favorite dish. I ordered the pork and chive dumplings, though I believe the beef dumplings are their most popular offering. The real star, however, was the hot and sour broth. It was packed with flavor, layered with complex notes, and had a nice level of heat. The juicy dumplings paired with the broth were absolutely delicious. This is the dish I would most recommend ordering.

Xian Lamb Bread

The beef noodle soup was the one item that fell short for me. The broth felt somewhat bland and lacked the deep beefy richness I was hoping for. The slices of beef were tender, and I enjoyed the flat noodles, but the soup itself did not have the depth of flavor I was looking for. I would probably skip this one on a future visit.

The Xi'an style lamb bread was also not as impressive as I expected. I've had Xian Burgers before, often served as sandwiches, and this version felt a bit too doughy. The lamb filling was sparse and unevenly distributed, which made it less satisfying than I had hoped.

Mcdonalds Global Market

The McDonald’s global market is renowned for being the first McDonald’s location offering food items from all over the world. However, it's essential to note that the selection is quite limited, with only about 4 to 5 items actually representing global cuisine. Most of the menu consists of classic McDonald's fare. Nevertheless, it's worth a visit for the unique experience, and the interior has a slightly upscale ambiance, with food brought out to your table, akin to a restaurant.

Bonci Pizza

Bonci Pizza is a pizzeria that originated in Rome. They're renowned for their use of heirloom grains, which results in a more nutritious pizza. Their specialty is selling pizza by the pound, specifically Roman style pizza. In my opinion, it's some of the most delicious pizza I've ever tasted. I highly recommend trying their potato pizza

La Burdick

This chocolate shop is a must visit whenever you're in Chicago. While it can be a bit pricey, I promise you'll find some of the best hot chocolate here. I'm obsessed with their chocolates and always end up buying some whenever I visit. They have multiple locations across the US, but I always make it a point to visit this one, especially when I'm headed to Quartino.

Famous Hot cocoa

Quartino

Quartino is a beloved Italian restaurant nestled in Chicago. I made a reservation online and was pleasantly surprised by their offerings. They provide halfsize portions and a wide variety of pasta and antipasti options. I must say, this is one of the most affordable Italian restaurants I've ever dined at. Despite ordering over eight dishes, I felt like I only spent around $40. The service was impeccable, and to top it off, they even brought out free dessert on the house

Au Cheval

Au Cheval is a French restaurant famous for its burger, particularly the double patty cheeseburger. I opted to add their thick bacon to it. Since Au Cheval doesn’t take reservations, it's essential to line up in advance. Fortunately, I managed to get in early in the morning. The burger was undeniably one of the most delicious I’ve ever had, and I would definitely order it again. The thick cut bacon made a significant difference, and the gooey cheese paired perfectly with the smash patties

Sawada

Sawada is an award winning coffee shop renowned for its excellent cappuccinos and lattes. During Christmas time, the area is beautifully decorated, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious, hot cocoa or coffee

Pequods

Pequod's is renowned for making the best pan pizza in Chicago. While many people associate Chicago style pizza with deep dish, Pequod's stuffed pizza is the standout choice. Although you can't order in advance, I walked in and ordered a plain stuffed pizza with pepperoni. It's worth noting that these pizzas are sizable, so you can probably share one. However, be prepared to wait about an hour for the pizza to fully bake.

Sun Wah BBQ

Sun Wah Barbecue had been recommended to me several times, and they are best known for their Beijing duck dinner, which you can actually order at lunchtime as well. I called ahead to make a reservation and reserved a Beijing duck dinner in advance.

The Beijing duck dinner is $70 and comes with a whole duck, duck fried rice, duck soup, and bao buns. You really get the full duck experience, and it is quite a bit of food.

One thing I want to point out is that while the skin was not quite as crispy as I typically look for in Peking duck, this was still one of the best duck dinners I have had at a restaurant. Some people say it is closer to Cantonese style roasted duck than traditional Peking duck, and that may be true. Regardless, the duck was juicy, tender, perfectly seasoned, and most importantly, not dry. A lot of the famous Peking ducks I have tried in the past have suffered from being overly dry, but that was definitely not the case here.

I would absolutely recommend coming here and ordering the Beijing duck dinner. It is a generous amount of food and could easily feed 4 to 5 people. The duck fried rice was very good, and I also enjoyed the duck soup.

I had heard great things about some of their other dishes, so we also ordered a combination barbecue meat platter. Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy the char siu. Looking back, I think I would skip the barbecue platter altogether and just focus on the Beijing duck dinner, which was easily the highlight of the meal.

Qing Xiang Yuan

dumplings

This restaurant is renowned for its dumplings, offering an elevated dumpling experience where each order typically costs around $21. They are also known for their teas. While I personally prefer dumplings with bolder flavors, I found these to have a delightful texture and bounce to them that would certainly entice me to return. Walk in Only.

Girl and the Goat (can skip)

Pig face

Girl and the Goat is a popular restaurant in Chicago renowned for its fusion Asian cuisine. While many rave about it, personally, I found the food to be a bit overpriced for what it offered, and the flavors didn't quite meet my expectations. I tried their chickpea fritters, roasted pig face and pork shank. Despite my experience, it's still a beloved spot, so I suggest making a reservation if you're keen to give it a try. The Chick Pea Fritters are a must!

Ming Hin Cuisine - Maybe Skip

Ming Hin Dim Sum comes highly recommended, and you can likely make reservations online. They serve dim sum by the cart. However, I found it to be somewhat pricey for what I received. While the variety was decent, I felt that the quality didn't quite match up to similar options I've tried in other cities, including Houston

Portillos- May can Skip.

Italian Beef.

Portillo's is a must visit for their iconic Italian beef, flavorful hotdogs, and their famous chocolate cake shake. This is definitely a tourist spot but might be worth trying if it's your first time!

‍## Mindy's Bakery

Bagels Mindys

Mindy’s Bakery came highly recommended, so we made the stop, even on a weekday, there was already a 20 minute line. Their famous Garlic Challah Bagel smelled incredible and tasted just as good, especially with the chive cream cheese. Just note: the bagels come cold and unsliced, so we ended up cutting and spreading ours at a nearby park. Personally, I wish they served them warm or toasted for the full experience. The log spread was the standout, and their ham & cheese croissant with Dijon was also really solid. super airy and flavorful. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Challah Bagel

Lou Malnati's

Lou Malnati’s is probably the most touristy spot in Chicago, but if you’re going to try deep dish, this is the place. Some locals will argue tavern style is the true Chicago pizza, but deep dish is just as iconic. Be prepared, it takes a while since it’s basically a pie, but it’s definitely a knife.and-fork pizza. Last time we tried Pequod’s, but I thought Lou’s sauce was tastier and the experience just as satisfying. The spaghetti and salad were skippable, but the deep dish was worth it. We had a reservation, though there wasn’t much of a wait.

Non Food activities in Chicago

Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Chicago aquarium is among my favorite aquariums I've ever visited. I particularly admire their abundance of beluga whales and the stunning exhibits they offer. It's a fantastic place to visit and spend some time.

Here are where you can purchase tickets.

Field Museum Chicago

The Field Museum is essentially Chicago's natural history museum, and it is one of the coolest science museums I have ever visited.

The museum is massive, with multiple levels filled with exhibits covering everything from dinosaurs and ancient civilizations to gemstones and wildlife. One of its biggest claims to fame is Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever discovered. Seeing Sue in person alone is worth the visit.

The museum also features impressive collections of gemstones, fossils, and wildlife displays. During our visit, they were hosting a Pokémon exhibit, which is scheduled to run through April 11, 2027. If you are interested in that exhibit, I would strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance. It was extremely popular during our visit, and no same day tickets were available. There were a few cancellations, but the available time slots were much later in the evening, and we already had dinner plans.

Overall, this is one of the coolest museums I have ever been to. It is a fantastic attraction for both kids and adults, and I would highly recommend adding it to your Chicago itinerary.

Click here for tickets.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the most famous art museums in the world. We purchased our tickets at the door when we visited. Admission was around $32 per adult, with teen tickets costing about $26.

The collection here is incredibly extensive. We actually visited a few years ago specifically to see The Great Wave off Kanagawa, but there is so much more to explore. The museum is filled with amazing paintings, sculptures, and countless other works of art.

Click here for tickets.

The Great Wave was on display for a limited time.

What makes the museum especially impressive is the number of iconic pieces in its collection. Some of the highlights include Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, and numerous works by Claude Monet. If you enjoy art, this is easily one of the top attractions to visit in Chicago.

Christkindlmarkt Market

The Christmas market in Chicago typically starts around mid-November and runs until December 24. It offers a delightful experience with German beers, pretzels, an array of food options, and a wide selection of beautifully crafted ornaments. While it can be a bit pricey and crowded, it's definitely worth experiencing

Millennium park

The Bean

Millennium Park is home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as "The Bean." During my visit, the area was undergoing construction and was fenced off, but I managed to snap a quick photo. While it's a highly hyped attraction, I'd recommend it more for a brief photo opportunity rather than an extended visit, as you likely won't need to spend more than 30 minutes here

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