Looking for where to eat in Chicago? These are the best restaurants to try if you’re visiting! Organized by category to make planning easy.
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BRUNCH
Location and price: Lakeview ($30-50)
Why you should go: The Gundis Kurdish Kitchen is a truly unique breakfast experience where your table is filled with an assortment of cheeses, jams, honey, olives, fries and bottomless Kurdish tea. It’s a shareable, charcuterie-style spread that turns breakfast into a full-on experience. Learn more about this restaurant here.
What to order: The Kurdish Breakfast (for 2)
Location and price: Lincoln Park and South Loop ($20-30)
Why you should go: Some of the best French toast I’ve had in Chicago—perfectly indulgent and worth the hype. It’s a cozy, local-feeling brunch spot that makes you want to linger a little longer.
What to order: The French Toast Flight
Location and price: Rogers Park ($20-30)
Why you should go: A great spot for insanely tasty food and some of the largest portions you’ll ever see. I guarantee you’ll leave stuffed, satisfied, and already planning your next visit.
What to order: A French Toast of your choosing; Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy
LUNCH
Location and price: Lakeview ($10-20)
Why you should go: Crisp is a great casual spot for some of the best Korean fried wings around. The wings are MASSIVE—three is more than enough—and you definitely won’t leave disappointed. Learn more about this restaurant here.
What to order: Whole Wings w/ Seoul Sassy Sauce + Superfly Fries
Location and price: Lincoln Park ($10-20)
Why you should go: Del Seoul is great Korean street food packed with bold flavor—those Korean tacos are a must-try. One bite and you’ll realize it’s something you never knew you needed in your life.
What to order: Sesame-Chili Shrimp Taco, Kalbi Taco (Korean BBQ Short Ribs), K-Town Chicken Wings, Sesame-Chili Shrimp Banh Mi Sandwich
Location and price: Little Italy ($10-20)
Why you should go: Home of the Italian subs for a reason. A no-frills local spot where the subs are consistently delicious and you instantly feel like part of the neighborhood. Read my Chicago Cheap Eats Guide that includes Fontano’s.
What to order: The Blockbuster
DINNER
Location and price: West Town ($30-50)
Why you should go: Truly one of the best Italian gems in the city. An intimate spot with a great patio for warm nights, plus fantastic rigatoni alla vodka and unbelievably tender ribs.
What to order: Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Cherry Pepper Ribs, Mozzarella En Carozza
Location and price: Uptown ($20-30)
Why you should go: YooYee is a wonderful Chinese restaurant serving delicious hand-pulled noodles and other homey, flavorful dishes with tender, juicy meats. Perfect for a cozy dinner or date night.
What to order: Spicy Braised Beef Brisket Hand Pull Noodle Soup, Scallion Pancake
Location and price: Lakeview ($20-30)
Why you should go: Tuk Tuk will give you flavor-packed, delicious Thai food—hands down the best I’ve had in the city. Served in a brightly and beautifully colored space that makes the whole experience even better.
What to order: Pad Thai, Pad See Eiw, Mango Sticky Rice, Butterfly Pea Lime Juice
Location and price: Fulton Market/West Loop ($50-100)
Why you should go: An upscale Mediterranean restaurant with a stunning interior and flavorful food. The perfect spot to splurge when you’re craving great ambiance and even better dishes.
What to order: Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Lamb and Beef Kepta
DEEP DISH
Location and price: Lincoln Park ($20-30)
Why you should go: Chicago’s favorite deep-dish spot, known for its beautifully caramelized crust. A low-key, dim setting that’s perfect for settling in and enjoying every bite.
What to order: Chicago lunch special – $8.95 for a personal pan cheese pizza (toppings are extra) + French Fries
Location and price: Several Locations ($20-30)
Why you should go: Another great deep-dish spot with multiple locations and a slightly more upscale feel. It’s known for its fresh tomato sauce on top—just be warned, it can be a bit runny.
What to order: Deep Dish The Lou, Deep Dish Malnati Chicago Classic
LATE NIGHT SPOTS
Location and price: Lakeview; Bucktown ($1-10)
Why you should go: A classic, bare-bones spot that everyone here loves, serving delicious burgers and fries for a shockingly cheap price (under $7!). Cash only with no indoor seating, but perfect for summer nights—grab a bench outside, enjoy great late-night food, and maybe even watch the trains roll by overhead at the Bucktown location.
What to order: RHR Cheeseburger and Fries
Location and price: Bucktown ($1-10)
Why you should go: Margie’s Candies is an amazing late-night spot that’s part candy store, part ice cream parlor. Step back into the 1920s with tabletop jukeboxes, hand-dipped chocolates, and jumbo sundaes or banana splits finished with a cherry on top.
What to order: My go-to is the Turtle Sundae but you can’t go wrong with anything
Location and price: Several (go to the one on Michigan Ave) ($10-20)
Why you should go: Another classic, stripped-down burger spot in Chicago – this one with indoor seating. Descend underground off Michigan Ave to the unassuming door, order “cheezborger, cheezborger” (no fries, cheeps!), and soak in the history behind the SNL skit and the legendary Billy Goat Curse.
What to order: Cheezborger “Original”
Location and price: Several locations ($1-10)
Why you should go: A Chicago staple for comfort food, known for authentic Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Add in the nostalgic 1960s diner vibe and indulgent chocolate cake shakes (yes, they blend the cake into the milkshake) and it’s an experience you won’t forget.
What to order: Chicago-Style Hot Dog, Cheese Fries, Onion Rings, Chocolate Cake Shake, Chocolate Cake Slice