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Some of Chicago's best ethnic food is found on the Far North Side, a vast catchall district north of Irving Park Road running all the way to suburban Evanston. Lakeview includes the subdistricts of Wrigleyville (buffering Wrigley Field) and Boystown. Restaurants that cluster around neighborhood hubs, like Lincoln Square and Andersonville, tend to take on similar characteristics—they're approachable, but also unique. Ethnic hole-in-the-wall restaurants such as German beer bars Chicago Brauhaus and Huettenbar share the same strip as romantic enclaves such as Bistro Campagne, so that every picky diner can find something to satisfy his or her craving. Both are pedestrian-friendly; Lincoln Square lies on the Brown Line El, though Andersonville is better reached via cab.
Chicago's North Side is graced with a wide variety of delicious Thai restaurants, but Aroy Thai tops the list for their array of spicy, funky, delicious Northern Thai dishes in a small, BYOB storefront just steps from the Damen Brown Line stop. Diners who dare to venture past pad thai should try the Issan and Sai Ua sausages, Thai-style chicken wings, larb salad, or noodles with roasted duck.
Despite Chicago's renown for deep-dish pizza, locals are swept away by the thin-crust Neapolitan pies at this bright Ravenswood gem, where finely ground Italian flour, imported buffalo mozzarella, hand-stretched dough, and a brick, wood-fired oven built by Italian craftsmen produce the bubbling, chewy crusts of these pies. Antipasti, a well-priced selection of Italian wines and beers, and desserts like tiramisu round out the menu.
The seafood-focused sibling of DMK Burger Bar next door, Fish Bar celebrates the pescatarian-focused dishes of New England and New Orleans. Whether it's raw preparations (fresh oysters, ceviche, or tartare), fried (shrimp po'boys and crab cakes) or somewhere in between (grilled salmon, lobster rolls), Fish Bar delivers. Pair your catch with hush puppies or tater tots for some extra carbs.
This destination for Swedish cuisine, open since 1945, is a Chicago institution for a good reason: the legendarily sweet, gooey cinnamon rolls that come alongside every breakfast entrée they serve. It still has lines out the door—at this original location and a 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 (Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs), sandwiches, and salads at lunch.
The dining room is a no-frills space, but when you've got pizza like this, who needs cloth napkins? From deep-dish to pan to stuffed, this is where the neighborhood knows to go for a satisfying Chicago-style pizza. In a hurry? Swing by for a slice, or grab a reasonably priced pasta, chicken, or barbecued-rib dinner to go.
One of the finest Thai restaurants in Chicago—some say in the country—offers a culinary tour through Thailand via a nine-course tasting menu (an à la carte menu is also available). The elegant dining room is in an out-of-the-way location, but that doesn't discourage a strong following among locals and visiting foodies.
Even if you weren't raised by a Southern grandmother, the cooking at this bright, comfortable Andersonville restaurant will make you feel right at home, but the Southern heirloom cooking has more depth than you might expect. The brunch, lunch, and dinner menus revive century-old recipes scrupulously sourced out of historical cookbooks from New Orleans to Appalachia and re-create them with high-quality, sustainable ingredients. The drinks menu skews toward bourbon and classic cocktails, but don't miss the Bloody Mary with made-in-house pickles.
For charmingly rustic farm-to-table French fare on the North Side, this is the place to be. The classic, seasonally changing bistro entrées are top-notch (the roast chicken is among the best in the city), while the lovely, wood-trimmed Arts and Crafts interior is the perfect complement to a relaxing meal. In warmer weather, ask for a table on the fenced-in patio and a bottle off the French-centric wine list to be transported to a garden in Lyon.
The buzz and glow of Cafe El Tapatio's neon sign immediately signals a dining destination that's been delivering great Mexican flavor (and more than a few pitchers of margaritas) for decades. Customer faves like their Azteca chicken tortilla soup and beer-battered shrimp sit alongside tacos, burritos, and classics like pollo en mole (chicken in mole sauce) in a lively brick-and-tile-clad dining room. In warmer weather, their patio makes you feel miles away from Ashland Avenue traffic.
Better known as the CBA (and just steps from the CTA itself), Chicago Bagel Authority is the home of steamed bagel sandwiches, aka steamwiches. Dozens of cleverly named steamwiches, like the Kool Julez, the Jane Train, and the Brennaissance come stuffed with roast beef, turkey, ham, and plenty of other toppings, then served on soft, warm bagels. It all comes together in a properly satisfying yet messy combination, especially at breakfast where their menu serves as a reliable hangover cure for many nearby Depaul and Loyola undergrad students.
Every Chicago neighborhood needs a solid destination for a dragged-through-the-garden Chicago-style hot dog, and Lakeview is lucky to have this decades-old grill to call their own. Serving a premium all-beef dog is only the start; you can also get burgers, chicken sandwiches, gyros, Polish sausage, and (the hallmark of a truly "Chicago" place) a deep-fried pizza puff. Unlike most hot dog stands, there's also a full bar, plus a patio that gets quite busy before and after Cubs games.
With Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified pizza (that means these are legit Neapolitan-style pies), an airy dining room, a lively bar, and a drinks list stacked with Italian wines, Coda di Volpe expertly channels a Southern Italian feel. Use scissors to cut through blistered, chewy-crust pies, or opt for the excellent homemade pastas—but save room for the updated takes on Italian sweets on the dessert menu.
The C&TE dates back to 1974, when cappuccino was still exotic and Starbucks was just a small coffee upstart. Today the Exchange retains the bohemian vibe of 70's Lakeview with dozens of flavored syrup bottles and jars of tea and spices lining the walls while shelves are full of filters, French presses, pour-over coffeemakers, and coffee-themed gifts. Huge barrels of coffee beans form the queue to get to the register, where you can grab lattes, cold brews, and bulk coffee to go in house-roasted blends like Java Blue Batavia and Tasmanian Peaberry.
Chef and co-owner Michael Kornick knows fine dining, but he's also a longtime fan of the simple burger, and the two worlds mingle at DMK Burger Bar. This is a place where grass-fed beef patties can come topped with green chiles or chipotle ketchup, and fries are often adorned with truffle aioli. If you're not in the mood for beef, there are also options like chicken tenders or salmon bowls. Sweet tooths are satiated by one of their rich (sometimes boozy) milkshakes.
Strap on your tartan; Duke of Perth is Chicago's only Scottish restaurant and bar in a sea of Irish and English pubs. Known for their shepherd's pie and all-you-can-eat fish-and-chips on Wednesdays and Fridays, they also offer a vast selection of Scotch whisky and a good list of Scottish ales.
This longtime destination serves up capable Chinese take-out from a sprawling second-story space overlooking Broadway Avenue, but when it comes to traditional dim sum service, Furama shines. Steam carts clatter around the floor offering shiu mai, shrimp toast, rice crepes, braised chicken feet, and lo mein to patrons one plate at a time, allowing diners to curate their perfect feast. Large groups will benefit from buying power, because you'll want to try a bunch of menu items.
Class meets comfort in this upscale Lincoln Square neighborhood eatery. Service here is top-notch and everything on your plate is made in-house from scratch, right down to the fresh breads and condiments. The seasonally driven dinner and brunch menus feature farm-fresh ingredients applied to inventive riffs on classic dishes, at incredibly fair prices.
This place was named to invoke the pre-chain days when coffeehouses 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 the original location that spawned two additional Chicago spaces as well as cafés in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.
Believe it or not, you can get a quality slice of New York-style pizza in the land of deep-dish and tavern-style, but only if you pay a visit to Jimmy's. A nicely curated list of craft beers are also available, and you should also save space for their other specialty: beignets, laden with powdered sugar. The dining room is surprisingly spacious, and even though Jimmy's is mostly slice-focused, whole pies are also available.
If you love all things retro, you’ll love Kitsch’n as much as the regulars—it’s a diner in vintage garb, with lava lamps and old appliances that have been turned into table lamps, along with clever takes on old-school favorites. Featuring dishes like Green Eggs n' Ham, the menu is great for kids of all ages, with plenty of comfort-food options for everyone. The menu also hosts international flavors (think breakfast quesadillas and burritos) and a drinks menu for turning any breakfast into a boozy brunch.
This casual, bohemian café serves healthy vegetarian and pescatarian fare as well as decadent desserts. In addition to a full menu of coffee drinks from around the world, Kopi offers beer, wine, and a full bar, too. While here, you can browse through their boutique offerings of jewelry and global gifts.
One of the last remaining German restaurants in the Lincoln Square area, Laschet's Inn delivers on all your schnitzel desires. An amazing list of German pilsners, dunkels, and hefeweizens supports the full menu rich in traditional German fare. Sausages like bratwurst and thuringer are of course on hand, plus daily specials like chicken paprikash and jägerschnitzel, served alongside some of the best spaetzle and red cabbage you've ever had.
For over three decades, fans of northern Italian dining have praised this unassuming Lakeview storefront for their approachable menu of Roman and Tuscan-style pasta, pizza, and antipasti made with fresh ingredients. Have a glass of wine from the fairly priced list at the bar while you wait for your table in the recently refreshed dining room. There are also nearly a dozen other Chicagoland locations under the Francesca name from the Gold Coast to Naperville and beyond.
Despite the "Modern" in its name, this lunch counter and short-order diner is about as old-school as they come. Belly up to the counter for breakfast all day; burgers, patty melts, Reubens, and club sandwiches midday; or snag a booth to tuck into a dinner plate of chopped steak, pork chops, or even liver and onions.
If you find yourself in far-north Edgewater with a craving for a burger, head to Moody's. Decades before the crazy toppings of Kuma's Corner and the world-heralded Au Cheval burger, Moody's was serving hefty pub-style burgers in an almost medieval space, dark and woodsy with two crackling fireplaces in winter. Warm-weather travelers should make a beeline for their sprawling multilevel enclosed patio comfortably covered by shade trees.
Despite the "bakery" in the title, you're coming to Nhu Lan for one of their delicious banh mi sandwiches. Fillings like ham, pate, lemongrass chicken, and bbq pork fill crackly baguettes topped with pickled veggies, cucumber, and jalapeno. Sides include spring rolls and steamed buns; a variety of canned Asian beverages fill the cooler for hydration.
Noon O Kebab sits at the heart of a stretch of Kedzie Avenue that's rich with Persian and Middle Eastern restaurants. Those familiar with Mediterranean menus will find favorites like baba ghanouj and dolmeh on the apps section, while entrées feature house specialties like skewers of chicken, beef, and lamb kebab or koubideh alongside delicious dill rice and charbroiled veggies.
