Places to Eat in Chicago

Discover the best places to eat in Chicago.
By: Jennifer Plum Auvil

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Food and Drink Travel's Best
Chicago has a busy restaurant scene helmed by beloved chefs like Rick Bayless and Charlie Trotter and featuring a combination of high-end restaurants and inexpensive local staples like hot dogs and pizza.
Freddie's Pizza and Sandwiches
Exterior of Freddie's Pizza in Chicago, Illinois

Exterior of Freddie's Pizza in Chicago, Illinois

Photo by: Daniel Zemans/Chicago Pizza Club

Daniel Zemans/Chicago Pizza Club

Freddie's is a Bridgeport hole-in-the-wall specializing in Chicago-style hot dogs. Loaded with relish, pickles, tomatoes, celery salt and sausage, these are some of the best dogs in the country. The Chicago-style pizza's top-notch, too, and if you're feeling tired after a day exploring the Windy City, take-out is available, so you can enjoy Freddie's in the comfort of your own hotel room.
The Chicago Diner
The Chicago Diner

The Chicago Diner

Photo by: Charles Cook / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

Charles Cook / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

Chicago offers some tasty options for vegetarians and vegans, too. The Chicago Diner is a haven of meatless dining, with a menu that features breakfast, lunch and dinner options. During the weekend brunch, definitely order the Hash and Tofu Scrambler: scrambled tofu, spicy tempeh, potato hash, vegan biscuits and gravy, and fresh fruit. Truly tantalizing to the vegan sect are their non-dairy desserts like black forest, cookies and cream or lemon cakes.
Everest
View from high deck at the Everest Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois

View from high deck at the Everest Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois

Photo by: Everest Restaurant

Everest Restaurant

Everest is known around Chicago for its fine French food served with a view from the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange. Diners can choose from an assortment of tasting menus featuring many of the chef’s signature dishes like Roasted Maine Lobster in Alsace Gewurztraminer Butter and Ginger.
Frontera Grill
woman walking outside of the frontera grill

woman walking outside of the frontera grill

Photo by: Charles Cook / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

Charles Cook / Lonely Planet Images / Getty Images

Rick Bayless is no stranger to the celebrity chef scene and it all started with his classic Mexican cuisine at the Frontera Grill, which first wooed diners in 1987. The menu is dominated by the quintessential Mexican staples and ingredients like chilies and home-style sauces like mole. While the menu changes each month, you can always count on traditional Mexican dining and standout accompaniments like fried black beans, Mexican rice and spicy salsa habanera.
MK
Foodies rank mk one of the best American restaurants in Chicago, and while the food truly is excellent, the restaurant is in no way pretentious. Chef Michael Kornick created a menu that's a seasonal mix of meat and seafood served in mk's understated loft-like dining room. If you're ordering dessert, try the decadent and heavenly Peanut Gallery: peanut butter mousse, crispy milk chocolate, warm brownies, pretzels, hot fudge and caramel.

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