7 places I recommend•4 in the Michelin guide
These are the seven restaurants and bakeries in Chicago I have eaten at myself and would recommend.
A tavern on North Green Street in the Fulton Market district, doing oysters, coal-fired seafood and chops. Same group as Bavette's. Prefer Bavette's but this was also very good.
Address: 114 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
A steakhouse on West Kinzie Street. This was the best meal I had in Chicago. Everything was so delicious I was annoyed that I didn't have more capacity to eat everything. I especially recommend the French dip.
Address: 218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
A small American restaurant on West Armitage Avenue. I had heard about Giant from the show The Bear and so I was eager to try it. The food is good but be ready for some really terrible service. Decide if it's worth it because at the end of the meal we weren't sure it was. I'm keeping it on the list because my focus is really on the quality of the food.
Address: 3209 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
A pasta restaurant on West Madison Street, with its own pastificio — an open workshop making the pasta fresh through the day. Good American-style Italian food.
Address: 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
A Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant on West Lake Street. Great cocktails but also the food is great so it can definitely be a dinner spot too.
Address: 630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
A deep-dish pizza place on North Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park. I know it doesn't look great but take my word for it, it's delicious. It's just a bit messy. Deep-dish pizza should not be compared to Neapolitan or Roman pizza — it's a very different experience and can be very heavy.
Address: 2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
A doughnut shop on West Hubbard Street. Another place from The Bear. Great for a quick snack.
Address: 68 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
