To preface this, I am by no means a Chicago native; but my parents did spend a year there while I was a freshman and I got to be the beneficiary of Chicago’s best cuisine. I’m a huge fan of classic Italian food and I appreciate good ambiance. Any restaurant with a niche tradition or cool historical background is where I like to be! So here are my favorite restaurants in Chicago:
- Quartino Ristorante
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Quartino is a classic Italian restaurant that specializes in small plates. Everything comes out immediately after it’s made on steaming hot plates and is meant to be shared with friends. The waiters wear their favorite soccer jerseys while serving and there’s always a classic old movie playing on their TVs. I could actually eat at this place for the rest of my life and never be unsatisfied. I recommend getting the burrata, chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, calamari, and penne al a vodka (and that’s just to name a few). Despite feeling like your stomach may explode after several small plates, missing out on the tiramisu and profiteroles would be a sin!
- Gibson’s Bar and Steakhouse
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Gibson’s is one of the most iconic steakhouses in Chicago. There are two of them in Chicago: Gibson’s Italia and Gibson’s on North Rush Street just beneath the Miracle Mile. I like the Gibson’s on Rush because it’s a classic sports bar with hightop mahogany tables and televisions everywhere. Their steaks are always cooked to a perfect medium rare (if you eat your steak medium or well done, you’re doing it wrong!). They also have insane desserts. When you order a piece of chocolate mousse cake, it’s not a piece—it’s a massive chunk of cake that sits almost a foot tall.
- Bar Ramone
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Bar Ramone is a Spanish tapas restaurant with incredible interior decorations. It’s small and cozy with painted black walls, odd-shaped mirrors, and fancy chandeliers you could only find in antique stores. Bar Ramone was the first restaurant my parents went to in Chicago and I have since been there more than ten times! They have two seasonal menus—the winter menu being my favorite. When you go, you have to get the green beens with chorizo chili sauce, the waygu beef plate and the spicy bubble shrimp. I have a massive sweet tooth and order all the desserts when I go! Caramel rice pudding, chocolate mousse and raspberry cheesecake are all must-haves!
- Beatrix
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There are multiple Beatrix’s in Chicago, and if you don’t book a reservation in advance you won’t get in! They have a fantastic assortment of coffees and pastries to get after enjoying a light and healthy breakfast. I most recently had the cauliflower grits with sunny side eggs and my friends can confirm that the lemon ricotta pancakes, caesar salad, and classic burger are to die for. Make sure to order a side of bacon with whatever you are eating—it’s caramelized with brown sugar and is super crispy! It’s a great place for mimosas on Sunday and is always filled with young people.
- Parlor
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If you’re looking for a fun outdoor bar with great food, Parlor is the place to go! It has a massive indoor space with signature red chairs, a rooftop bar, and a huge outdoor area that has a wooden fence around it. It’s famous for its pizza, but the fried mozzarella balls are my favorite! They’re drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic and topped with an assortment of spicy peppers. They make ice cream tacos for dessert and speciality frozen rosés that my sister loves! The best part about Parlor is putting on a cute outfit, going around 6, watching the sunset, and feeling the warm Chicago air on your shoulders with very happy tastebuds!
- Small Cheval
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Small Cheval is the fast-casual equivalent of Au Cheval, which has the best burger in Chicago. Unfortunately, anytime I’ve tried to go to Au Cheval I can never get a reservation!! Small Cheval is similar to a Shake Shack, however the burger quality is 10000x better. The burger is incredibly juicy and can be topped with bacon. The only side you can order are the thick cut fries—simplicity at its finest. My dad and I like to go on lunch dates there and split the large chocolate milkshake!
- Arami
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If you’re a sushi lover, Arami is the place for you. Located a bit outside of the center of Chicago, Arami has been listed as one of the top 5 sushi restaurants by Chicago Magazine. There are over 30 roll combinations you can try and you’ll end up spending more money than you want to; but trust me, it’s worth it. I was never a huge sushi person, but Arami made me fall in love. The spicy taco maguro, trio maki, and soft shell crab rolls are delicious and will disappear from your plate within two minutes of being served. You can top off dinner with a hot cup of jasmine green tea or tangerine ginger tea and an assortment of mochis. Plus, it has fantastic photo lighting if you’re out with your friends!
- Etta
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Etta has the best focaccia bread I’ve ever eaten, and if you don’t order the truffle honey ricotta, I will take it personally. Etta has a great open floor plan and is very family-friendly. The white painted brick walls and mix of unfinished wood and pastel chairs highlight its light and airy feeling inside. The bartender there has won several mixology contests and if you give her three adjectives you’d like in a drink, she will make you an insanely delicious custom cocktail. The cavatelli is my favorite—always super creamy, cooked perfectly al dente and topped with loads of parmesan.
These only the scratch the surface of my favorite places; but if none of them sound enticing, here is a list of a few more: Ocean Prime, The Kerryman, Bar Siena, Abba, Harry Karry’s, Bar Cargo, Bonci Pizza, Bub City BBQ or RPM Steak!