My Favorite Foods of Chicago

My Favorite Foods of Chicago

When I first moved to Chicago, 5 years ago, I created a list of every restaurant I wanted to try. I'd add restaurants as they popped up around the city or friends recommended them, and check them off after I went. I've always loved food, trying various restaurants, and documenting my meal with photographs and videos but when I started planning events for work I got vastly more into keeping up with new restaurants and sharing recommendations. My knowledge of the Chicago restaurant scene increased tenfold. Here's my tried and true list of favorite restaurants all over Chicago broken down by cuisine: American, Asian, Breakfast/ Brunch, Dessert, Italian, Latin/Spanish/Mediterranean, Markets, Pizza, Rooftops, Seafood & Steak.
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TIPS

1. Use Open Table or Resi to set reminders for available reservations. I have gotten so lucky with just so happening to be on my phone when a time becomes available.ย 

2. Don't underestimate the power of going and putting your name in someplace or sitting at the bar! Sometimes places that are hard to get reservations set aside a certain number of tables for walk-ins.ย 

3. Sign up for the Lettuce Entertain You rewards program. You get $10 from signing up, receive 1 point for every dollar spent, and usually get a gift for your birthday. From all my corporate event planning, I often dined for free and only ended up having to pay the tip.ย 

AMERICAN

Armitage Alehouse
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Small Cheval- Wicker Park
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Beatnik On The River
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Farm Bar
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Gilt Bar
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The Loyalist
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Parson's Chicken & Fish
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Twin Anchors Restaurant & Tavern
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ASIAN

Duck Duck Goat
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ROOH Chicago Progressive Indian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
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High Five Ramen
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Momotaro
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Noodles In the Pot
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Rangoli Indian Cuisine
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TAO Chicago
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Pingpong
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BREAKFAST/ BRUNCH

3 Arts Club Cafe
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Batter & Berries
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Crosby's Kitchen
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Heritage Bikes & Coffee
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Printer's Row Coffee Co.
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S&G Restaurant
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The Lakefront Restaurant at Theater on the Lake
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DESSERT

Annette's Italian Ice
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Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
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Molly's Cupcakes
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Sweet Mandy B's Bakery
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ITALIAN

Alla Vita
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Ciccio Mio
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Coda di Volpe
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Gibsons Italia
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Il Porcellino
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Quartino Ristorante
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RPM Italian
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Sapori Trattoria
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Tarantino's
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Tortello
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Topo Gigio Ristorante
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Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
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Trivoli Tavern
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LATIN,ย SPANISH & MEDITERRANEAN

La Josie
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Athena Greek Restaurant
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Athenian Room
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Old Pueblo Cantina
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Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
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MARKETS

French Market
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Time Out Market Chicago
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PIZZA

La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana
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Pat's Pizza and Ristorante
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Ranalli's Lincoln Park
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Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company
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Forno Rosso Pizzeria Napoletana
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Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
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Pequod's Pizza
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Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
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ROOFTOPS

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Cindy's Rooftop
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Rooftop at Nobu Hotel Chicago
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The Hoxton, Chicago
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The J. Parker
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SEAFOOD

Bar Mar by Josรฉ Andrรฉs
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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
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RPM Seafood
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Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
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STEAK

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
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RPM Steak
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Smith & Wollensky - Chicago
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STK Steakhouse
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Tango Sur
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* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
โœˆ๏ธ a 20-something-year-old third culture kid always plotting her next trip ๐Ÿ›‚ 32 countries, 35 states & counting ๐Ÿคa lover of tasty foods, slow travel & a nice cuppa tea I was born in London to an Irish (๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช) but American-born (๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฒ) mother and an English (๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง) but Singaporean-born (๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ) father. I lived in the UK, the US, and Hong Kong all by the time I was 13. My first flight was at 2 weeks old and I've been on the go ever since. I frequently travel around North America, Europe, and South East Asia but truly no place is off limits! I'm based in Chicago with my fiance and 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel! I've always loved documenting my travels with photos and videos, and sharing my recommendations and tips for traveling. From visiting varioius friends and family around the world, I have a local's insight to many great places. I can offer custom itineraries, city guides, food guides, travel consultations, and more! DM me on Instagram (@maevecutts) or email me (๐Ÿ’Œ maeve.cutts@gmail.com) to set up your consultation today! - Custom Itineraries: $15+ - 30-minute Travel Consultation: $30 Don't forget to subscribe to my Thatch profile and download the app to keep up to date with my travels all over the world!
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