Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, but it’s perhaps more accurate to call it a city of foodie neighborhoods.
The city’s 77 districts offer just about everything for every palate, from its well-known deep-dish pizzas, to Italian beef sandwiches, to traditional fare reflective of its diverse mix of residents.
Visitors can take a culinary cruise through town on one of Chicago’s many food tours, but another option to eat one’s way through these vibrant and unique neighborhood restaurants is to use Ryan Bluestone’s list of must-visit spots for foodies.
West Loop
The first Chicago stop on any foodie’s list should be the West Loop. It’s home to Randolph Street, also known as Restaurant Row, dotted with a large number of the city’s trendiest bars, restaurants, rooftop lounges, and sidewalk tables.
Some of the city’s best-reviewed restaurants are in West Loop, including Au Cheval and its world-famous burgers; Girl and the Goat, run by Stephanie Izard, a “Top Chef” champ; and top sushi spot Sushi Dokku and its underground cocktail bar, Booze Box. It’s upscale fare for sure, but it’s all worth it.
Chinatown
Despite its name, Chicago’s Chinatown isn’t just about Chinese food — though that’s certainly quite good here. There are also numerous options for ramen, Thai, Korean, and much more. Lao Sze Chuan is low-key but authentic and amazing, and the dim sum at Cai is worth writing home about.
While its name screams “probably substandard strip-mall fare,” Go 4 Food is considered one of the top Chinese restaurants in Chicago and in the U.S., earning raves from Michelin and Thrillist.
Lakeview and Lincoln Park
Tiny neighborhoods Lakeview and Lincoln Park are known for their cute shops, green spaces, and stunning Lake Michigan views. Both are also home to some Chicago culinary classics, a mix of acclaimed fine dining and charming brunch spots.
Locals love the tapas and sangria at Café Ba-ba-reeba! and the homebrew vibes of DryHop Brewers. One of the biggest stars is Alinea, consistently named one of the world’s best restaurants and recipient of three Michelin stars.
Lakeview has especially come a long way from its mediocre restaurant scene past, with solid spots such as Pastoral, which offers cheeses from local farms.
Logan Square
Eating in Logan Square is like getting the best of everything Chicago has to offer foodies. There are nods to its traditional past, like straightforward American fare at Longman and Eagle, but there are also inventive sweets at Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits and authentic Latin American dishes at 90 Miles Cuban Café, a longtime favorite.
Wrigleyville
Come for the Cubs, stay for the food. There’s more to Wrigleyville than baseball, including great options like Coalfire, with its thin-crust pizza baked in its 1,500-degree ovens and Byron’s Hot Dogs (it’s a baseball neighborhood after all).
But one of the biggest treasures is Mordecai inside the Hotel Zachary, which offers upscale versions of ballpark food, like wagyu beef tartare, and a long list of vintage spirits in its back bar.
