58 Best Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

The second the sun peeks out each spring, locals make a beeline for the 250-seat patio at Big Star because the tacos and margaritas are some of the best in the city. Most of this honky-tonk taqueria's star power comes from executive chef/partner Paul Kahan and chef de cuisine Chris Miller, who serve a small menu of tasty Mexican classics—if it's a taco emergency, skip the wait for a table and head to the take-out window or try the larger Wrigleyville location.

Be prepared to stand in line for the mouthwatering apple cinnamon pancakes, a massive disk loaded with apples, or the German pancake, a puffy oven-baked circle topped with powdered sugar. There are several branches, but the original Wilmette restaurant is where scenes from the 1980 movie Ordinary People were shot.

The oldest coffeehouse in the Gold Coast pleases just about everyone with breakfast all day, a nightly dinner specials. They stay open until 9 pm seven nights a week.

This Scandinavian minichain, open since 1945, is a Chicago institution for good reason: the aroma of fresh, gooey cinnamon rolls put this place on the map. It still draws a mob—at this location and at the handful of other spots on the city's North Side—where hungry diners line up along the block for weekend breakfasts as well as Scandinavian specialties and standard café sandwiches and salads at lunch.

If you thought sausage gravy was as creative as biscuit toppings get, you obviously haven’t been to Bang Bang. The buttery, fluffy specimens here serve as a base for an assortment of tasty accompaniments, like herbed ricotta with roasted seasonal veggies. Cap it off with a slice of pie from the rotating selection. On fine days the large, tree-fringed yard is the place to be.

The chef at this Pan-Asian restaurant is a stickler for using natural ingredients, and the menu of Thai and Chinese dishes has many options for those seeking gluten-free or vegetarian options.

Behind and a level down from the Wrigley Building is the inspiration for Saturday Night Live's classic "cheezborger, cheezborger, cheezborger, cheeps, no fries, no Pepsi, Coke" skit. Grab a greasy burger at this no-frills grill, or just have a beer and absorb the comic undertones.

Things can get weird on the flavor front at this cheerful Ukrainian Village scoop shop---goat cheese, moscato, and even basil have been known to make appearances. Suspend disbelief and give it a go; flavors rotate throughout the year, but you’d be hard pressed to find a dud in the mix.

Under the El at Superior and Franklin, Brett's Kitchen is an excellent spot for a quick pastry, sandwich, or omelet. It's super casual: order at the counter and grab a seat.

At this local chain of Cuban coffee houses, you can get the eponymous espresso drink or a café con leche, as well as a variety of pressed sandwiches including what might be the city's best Cubano. The South Loop location, attached to a hostel popular with young international travelers, makes for a lively atmosphere.

For breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack, this is a great find. Try a "Jojo," the bistro's signature sandwich—it's a filone (an Italian baguette) stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, basil, and plum tomatoes.

Northwestern students and suits line up here for burgers (ground in-house), nine kinds of french fries (try the ones with truffle salt and Parmesan), and spicy Mexican-chocolate shakes.

This all-day counter service spot crosses Lebanese and Mexican flavors with some kooky notions (halloumi tacos, baklava blended into a milk shake), to fun and tasty results. It’s situated in cheerful digs a stone’s throw from Lincoln Park Zoo--a good place to walk off overindulgence guilt.

Lines form early and stay throughout the day. The popcorn is so popular that there are several other Chicago outlets plus branches in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Grab a seasonal brew and watch a game on the big screen, fill up on yummy Chicago deep-dish pizza, or catch a nightly stand-up comedy act at the graffiti-covered Gino's East.

Tasty sandwiches and salads that please vegans and carnivores alike are served at Goddess and Grocer.

Tasty sandwiches, salads, and pastries that please vegans and carnivores alike are served at daytime spot Goddess and Grocer. A selection of prepared foods comes in handy for stocking picnics at nearby Wicker Park.

This Loop legend is famous for casual Cajun breakfasts and lunches that have area office workers gladly lining up to be served.

This place was named to invoke the pre-chain days when cafés were forums for discussion, but the long, broad farmer's tables and handsome couches are usually occupied by students and other serious types who treat the café like their office. Intelligentsia does all of its own coffee roasting and sells its house blends to local restaurants. The North Broadway branch is one of six citywide.

Power up after a brisk walk on the adjacent 606 trail with nitro drafts and lattes brewed with the shop's own range of beans. There are sandwiches and mini donuts to snack on during the day, and a curated selection of local beers to lubricate customers come happy hour.

This BYOB Costa Rican spot has been going strong since 1990, thanks to its range of empanadas, mixed grill platters, and sandwiches that offer good value but don’t skimp on flavor. The casual, brightly colored dining room and patio call to mind a laid-back beach shack--a welcome vision during Chicago’s rough winters.

The good times roll all day long at this New Orleans-inspired café, where locals pop in for fried-to-order beignets served piping hot and absolutely piled with powdered sugar.

Hand-rolled truffles are the signature item here; some flavor combinations are staples while others change with the seasons, but all are highly inventive. (Goat cheese walnut or peanut butter coconut curry anyone?) For many, the real star of the show is the absurdly thick hot chocolate topped with house-made marshmallows.