|
Restaurants |
Description |
Website/Cost |
|
|
Breakfast Tempo Café, 6 E Chestnut St, |
Local favorite for brunch—mighty omelettes served in skillets |
Rated by: Zagat, urbanspoon, trip advisor $$ |
|
|
West Egg Café, 620 N Fairbanks Ct. 312 280-8366 |
Another favorite—egg specialties and fresh baked goods |
$$ |
|
|
Lunch Pizzeria Uno, 29 E Ohio St., 312 321-1000 |
A favorite of visitors, said to be the originator of Chicago style deep dish |
$$ |
|
|
Billy Goat
Tavern 430 N Michigan Ave (lower level) 312 222-1525 |
Famous dive burgers. A fave of John Belushi and the Chicago tribune staffers. Cheezborger, cheezborger. . . . |
$ |
|
|
Foodlife at Water Tower—a mall of food stalls 835 N Michigan Avenue |
14 different kitchens offer big bowl noodles and Asian dishes, taqueria, barbecue, organic juices, bakery treats and a coffee bar. Fast, fresh and good. |
http://www.foodlifechicago.com $ |
|
|
Grand Lux Café (also dinner) 600 N Michigan |
Huge menu full of good options in an over-the-top renaissance bordello setting |
$$ |
|
|
Downtown Dogs 804 N Rush St (at E Chicago Ave) |
The classic Chicago dog, a meal in a bun but NO ketchup! |
http://rushanddivision.com/downtown-dogs/ $ |
|
|
Dinner Bar Toma (also lunch) 110 E Pearson Street 312 266-3110 |
Best pizza in Chicago, hands down. Top chef master Tony Mantuano creates many small plates that are each unique and so tasty. Gelato and espresso bar. Open late till 2 am. |
$$ |
|
|
The Gage (also lunch) 24 S Michigan 312 372-4243 |
An Irish gastropub across from Millenium Park. Exuberant vibe and great food. Diners’ choice 2012 winner. |
$$ |
|
|
The Berghoff Café, 17 W Adams (312) 427-3170 |
Faithful renditions of German classics: schnitzel, strudel, house made beer and root beer |
Close to the Art Institute, Millenium Park and State Street so works for lunch too. $$ |
|
|
Heaven on Seven 600 N Michigan, second floor, (312)
280-7774 OR 111 N. Wabash - 7th Floor, off State St. (312) 263-6443 |
Cajun cooking in an exuberant Mardi Gras atmosphere. The gumbo is great |
$$ |
|
|
Frontera Grill, 445 N Clark St (312) 661-1434 |
Chef Rick Bayless’ tribute to real Mexican cooking. Very popular but no reservations. Be prepared to wait, wait, wait—that’s a three margarita wait. Try the blood orange margarita. Well worth it. |
http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html $$$ |
|
|
Riccardo
Trattoria 2119 N Clark Street 773 549-0038 |
A neighborhood Italian place, but the neighborhood is small town northern Italy. Great food and not expensive. All Italian waiters. |
http://www.riccardotrattoria.com $$ |
|
|
Table 52 52 W Elm St 312 573-4000 |
Art Smith takes fried chicken to a high art. A favorite of Barack and Michelle, Oprah and me. A warm southern vibe gives the food sophisticated soul. |
$$$ |
|
|
Prosecco 710 N Wells St 312.951.9500 |
Elegant Italian, think Venice. A complimentary prosecco when you arrive and great pasta to follow. |
$$$ |
|
|
Roy’s 720 N State St. (312) 787-7599 |
Hawaiian fusion cooking, island friendly atmosphere. Three course prix fixe menu under $40 daily. |
$$ |
|
|
Late night or
anytime Ghirardelli’s,
Hershey’s 822 and 830 N Michigan |
Pick your sweet poison—each has its devotees |
$ |
|
|
Wow Bao 835 N Michigan |
Asian nosh par excellence |
$ |