Lou Malnati's
Save this for when when you want to do the Chicago pizza thing properly at least once.
Best for: Pizza, Classic, Casual
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
pizza$
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Restaurants in Chicago
Good meals are easier to enjoy when they belong to the day you already have planned. These Chicago restaurants are grouped by area, so lunch and dinner do not send you across town for no reason.
Where to eat in Chicago
Use the area notes to keep meals close to the parts of Chicago you will already be exploring. The destination guide can help you shape the rest of the day around them.
Loop, River North, and Streeterville
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
A popular brunch and breakfast stop when the day starts around the Loop, Millennium Park, or nearby museums.
Best for: Brunch, Breakfast, Loop
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
cafe$$
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Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken
Do-Rite Donuts & Chicken is a coffee-and-donut stop that works well for breakfast or a quick reset between Chicago neighborhoods.
Best for: Coffee, Donuts, Breakfast
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
cafe$
Visit official site 
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
A classic Chicago deep-dish option that belongs in the rotation when visitors want at least one iconic pizza meal.
Best for: Pizza, Classic, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
pizza$$
Visit official site 
Portillo's
Portillo's is a real local option known for sandwiches, lunch, and casual.
Best for: Sandwiches, Lunch, Casual
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$
The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig is a real local option known for small plates, lunch, and dinner.
Best for: Small plates, Lunch, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$$
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is a real local option known for steakhouse, dinner, and classic.
Best for: Steakhouse, Dinner, Classic
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
steakhouse$$$$
Xoco
A quick Chicago breakfast or lunch stop for tortas, caldos, and fast casual food that still feels specific to the city.
Best for: Breakfast, Tortas, Casual
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
breakfast$
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Cindy's Rooftop
Cindy's Rooftop is a real local option known for brunch, dinner, and refined.
Best for: Brunch, Dinner, refined
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
brunch$$
Sunda New Asian
Sunda New Asian is a real local option known for sushi, dinner, and refined.
Best for: Sushi, Dinner, refined
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
sushi$$
West Loop and Fulton Market
Girl & the Goat
A destination Chicago dinner for bold small plates, reservations, and one of the city's more fitting-known restaurant experiences.
Best for: Dinner, Reservation, Premium
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
fine-dining$$$$Reserve ahead
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Gibsons Italia
Make this the move when you want one more distinctive splurge meal on your visit.
Best for: Steakhouse, Skyline, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
steakhouse$$$$
Visit official site 
Au Cheval
Au Cheval is a real local option known for burgers, lunch, and dinner.
Best for: Burgers, Lunch, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$$
Gene & Georgetti
Gene & Georgetti is a real local option known for steakhouse, dinner, and classic.
Best for: Steakhouse, Dinner, Classic
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
steakhouse$$$$
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio is a real local option known for pasta, lunch, and dinner.
Best for: Pasta, Lunch, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$$
Avec
Avec is a real local option known for dinner, small plates, and refined.
Best for: Dinner, Small plates, refined
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$$
Lincoln Park and Lakeview
Pequod's Pizza
Pequod's Pizza is a real local option known for pizza, lunch, and dinner.
Best for: Pizza, Lunch, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
pizza$$
Alinea
Alinea is a real local option known for dinner, premium, and reservation.
Best for: Dinner, Premium, Reservation
Before you go: Reserve before you build the rest of the day around it.
fine-dining$$$$Reserve ahead
Wicker Park, Bucktown, and West Town
Kasama
Kasama is a real local option known for bakery, breakfast, and dinner.
Best for: Bakery, Breakfast, Dinner
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
bakery$
South Loop and Museum Campus
Ricobene's
Ricobene's is a real local option known for sandwiches, lunch, and casual.
Best for: Sandwiches, Lunch, Casual
Before you go: Check current hours and access before you go.
restaurant$
Plan the rest of your Chicago trip
See neighborhoods, trip ideas, and the full destination planner in one place.
Menus, opening days, and reservation policies change. Check the restaurant directly before making plans. Last destination review: 2026-06-19.