15 Most Famous Restaurants in Chicago

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15 Most Famous Restaurants in Chicago

They call it the second city; we call it the home of world-renowned restaurants. It is a major tourist attraction owing to its world-famous sports facilities, architecture, museums, and of course restaurants. It is also a destination for one of the world’s biggest celebrities with most living here. Whether visiting for work or play, one thing is for sure, you must eat and Chicago got you! It hosts all kinds of great restaurants; from Michelin restaurants, pizza joints, hot dog stands, fine dining, and even celebrity-chef-helmed hot spots; all to satisfy their hungry customers. The cuisine is inspired by all parts of the world; Korea, Mexico, Italy, the Mediterranean, and India.  It does not matter where you are from, you will get a taste of home in this metropolis. Its classics include deep-dish pizza, mile-high ice cream cones, and Chicago-style hot dogs.

Read more on 20 Chicago Famous Food you Want to Try

1. Kasama

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Kasama is a modern Filipino-American restaurant. It is run by a couple, Tim Flores and Genie Kwon. Kwon is in charge of the restaurant’s pastries while Flores is in charge of the Filipino dishes. During the day, a long queue forms for the amazing pastries and options like chicken adobo and a killer breakfast sandwich. After sundown, it morphs into a 13-course fine dining experience full of mouth-watering food options.

Address: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Phone: (773) 697-3790

Website: https://www.kasamachicago.com/

2. Alinea

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Alinea is a Michelin restaurant that continues to earn the most elite accolades in the culinary world. Currently, it is one of the 15 restaurants to hold three Michelin stars. Alinea with its three experiences will likely change your concept about food; The Salon, an approachable 10 – 12 course meal; The Gallery, a multi-sensory 16 – 18 course menu; and The Kitchen Table, an intimate and completely private dining experience. Each of these experiences will surely please your palate. Every ingredient is hand-selected and each presentation oozes creativity. One of their courses the Anjou Pear onion with brie and a smoking cinnamon stick will blow up your mind!

Address: 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Website: https://www.alinearestaurant.com/

3. Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse

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If you are a meat lover, you will love this! It is one steakhouse that you should endeavor to visit.  They serve cuts of meat from the tender filet mignon to the massive tomahawk chop. In addition to meat, they also have a variety of delicious salads and an array of seafood. Their Sandwich King”, a hamburger topped with crispy cherry peppers, jalapeno Havarti cheese, and spicy mayo is a burger to die for!

Also, Read on 10 Best Burgers in Chicago

Address: 1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 266-8999

Website: https://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/

4. Girl & the Goat

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Stephanie Izard, the first female chef to win the sought-after title of Bravo’s Top Chef works here. Even after bagging the Best New Restaurant in America at the 2011 James Beard Awards, it remains one of the best restaurants in the city. Every night it is always packed to the brim with hungry diners waiting to indulge in exquisite food like the wood oven-roasted pig face.

Address: 809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: (312) 492-6262

Website: https://girlandthegoat.com/

5. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen

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At Manny’s, they have generational recipes that are probably older than you! The recipes must be top-notch as the restaurant is still relevant 75 years later. Their corned beef is a favorite to many of its customers. It is super delicious when piled high between slices of rye bread, tucked into eggs benedict or served as an entree with potato pancakes.

Address: 1141 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: (312) 939-2855

Website: https://www.mannysdeli.com/

6. Oriole

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It is a New American bistro that has received two Michelin stars every year since its opening. Apart from the Michelin stars, it has also bagged a Jean Banchet Award for the restaurant of the year. They have so many flavourful dishes on their multi-course menu that draw inspiration from all over the world. The spiny lobster shumai with red Kuri squash and ginger is one dish that is a must-taste in this delightful restaurant.

Address: 661 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60661

Phone: 312-877-5339

Website: https://www.oriolechicago.com/

7. Maple & Ash

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Maple & Ash is a fashionable, contemporary American steakhouse. The innovative restaurant uses wood-fired cooking methods, thus the name. Their modern twists on traditional wood fires make them so chic. They have several unique dishes like the fire-roasted seafood tower, an odd but refreshing take on the cold-boiled classic. Another uncommon take is that the tower comes in different sizes and variations. The tower is fresh and has a smoky flavor that gives it the oomph. Oh, remember to save some room to build your sundae for dessert!

Address: 8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610

Phone: 312-944-8888

Website: https://www.mapleandash.com/

8. S.K.Y

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S.K.Y are the initials of chef-owner Stephen Gillanders’ Pilsen, the owner. It has an Asian-inspired menu that is quite expansive and innovative. From the Japanese caesar salad to the foie gras bibimbap, the flavors and presentations will pleasantly surprise and surpass your expectations.

Address: Pilsen at 1239 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Phone: (312) 846-1077

Website: https://www.skyrestaurantchicago.com/contact-us-1

9. Parachute

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It is a tiny Korean-American dine-in owned by James Beard Award winners Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark. The couple is big on quality over quantity so sit back and enjoy the scrumptious dishes on the menu. A crisp delicious seafood pancake—consisting of shrimp, calamari, garlic chives, and spring onions is accompanied by an onion-chili dipping sauce. At the same time, the yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) that can be taken to the next level with the addition of caviar will satisfy every need that you did not know you had! The show stopper in the mains category is the bossam platter which includes pork belly, pork collar, kimchi, and cabbage to make wraps with, as well as oysters on the half shell.

Address: 3500 n elston ave, Chicago, IL

Phone: (872) 204 – 7138

Website: https://www.parachuterestaurant.com/

10. Tanta

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Tanta is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant that has an awesome rooftop which is great during the summer. Most of the dishes on the menu are hits. There are ceviches, tiraditos, and Nikkei bites, a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors. Frankly,  the heartier items like the pollo a la brasa and the chaufa aeropuerto—fried rice studded with char siu pork and veggies are also as flavourful.

Address: 118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: 312-222-9700

Website: https://www.tantachicago.com/#stayintouch

11. Rosemary

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Rosemary belongs to a Top Chef winner. It could explain why it is so famous. When you get through their doors you are guaranteed an eventful meal. At Rosemary, all sorts of flavors are fused Italian, Croatian, and Midwestern. They serve such great pasta, at Italian standards. Their ribs are so juicy and come off the bonquicklyly; the accompanying sticky sauce is to die for! The cevapi, a Balkan-style sausage, and the octopus, cooked over a wood grill are heavenly.

Read more on the 10 Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago

Address: 932 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: (872) 260-3921

Website: https://www.rosemarychicago.com/

12. Signature Room at The 95^th

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It is located on the 95^th floor of one of Chicago’s most famous skyscrapers, Hancock Center Building in Streeterville. It is best known for its award-winning food and cocktails. The views are breathtaking! From the windows, most of the city is visible and the city’s lake is magnificent from there. The menu is just as great as the views. They have options like seafood towers, roasted rack of lamb, and twin lobster tails, plus an extensive cocktail and wine list. The prices are quite on the higher side but if you need to save a few coins the better option is one floor up.  The Signature Lounge has a more relaxed menu but equally amazing views.

Address: 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-787-9596

Website: https://www.signatureroom.com/

13. Johnnies Beef

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Once you eat at Johnnie’s Beef, you will get hooked! It is a classic Italian beef and ice stand that will make a regular out of you. When it comes to Italian beef, it is quite difficult to pinpoint the best Italian beef maker but Johnnie’s is hands down one of the best in Chicago. When in town, try the beef—dipped with hot peppers and we will be at a consensus. Do not forget to order a lemon Italian ice which is so refreshing. They also serve meat-free options like the pepper-and-egg sandwiches daily.

Address: 7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park, IL 60707

Phone :(708) 452-6000

Website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064877400220

14. Virtue

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Virtue is a restaurant that concentrates on Southern-based dishes. The recipes used here have been passed down from generation to generation. Proves the saying the saying that old is gold. They serve all kinds of soul food like fried green tomatoes with tender shrimp and creamy rémoulade, and collards, which arrive studded with hunks of smoked turkey meat — delish! This is making me miss date night!

Address: 1462 E 53rd St., Chicago, IL 60615

Phone: (773) 947-8831

Website: https://www.virtuerestaurant.com/

15. 3 Little Pigs

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It is an American-Chinese restaurant that only offers takeout and delivery. When we were all hurdled up and depressed in our houses during the pandemic, Chef-owner Henry Cai was coming up with new ideas.  He came up with the virtue concept to take orders online and deliver. He started by taking orders from Instagram and moved to a shared commercial kitchen. Within no time, his signature item, char siu, which is made by smoking fatty pork butt and coating it in sweet and tangy barbecue sauce among other dishes was selling like hot cake. Apart from the signature dish, the salt and pepper fried chicken sandwich and fried rice studded with three different types of pork are also very sought after. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is temporarily closed but will be open as of February 10, 2023.

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Website: https://www.3lpchi.com/