5 Best Restaurants in Near North and River North, Chicago

Background Illustration for Restaurants

A couple of decades ago, when Rick Bayless and his wife, Deann, opened Frontera Grill, River North was still seen as a dicey part of town. In fact, anything west of Michigan Avenue was suspect. How times change. Now the mammoth Chicago Merchandise Mart anchors River North, where art and design trades patronize the area's hot spots, including Slurping Turtle, Gilt Bar, and Paris Club Bistro & Bar, as well as its refined restaurants, such as mk, Naha, and Topolobampo. Meanwhile the nearby Near North district, home to shopping's Magnificent Mile and the residential Gold Coast, specializes in upscale restaurants that suit the clientele like a bespoke suit. The Magnificent Mile is the land of posh hotels (Sofitel and Park Hyatt) and their sleek dining rooms (Café des Architectes and NoMI Kitchen, respectively), as well as stand-alone stars like TRU, Spiaggia, and Les Nomades. Head north on Wells Street to Old Town, or expect to spend a fair bit on dinner.

Allium

$$$ | Near North Side
Believe it or not, one of Chicago's finest hot dogs is hiding at the Four Seasons luxury hotel, and the famed Chicago-style dog with "housemade everything" sums up the philosophy of the restaurant—fun food with an impeccable pedigree in a relaxed setting. The rest of the Midwestern-inspired menu features dishes ideal for sharing as well as a selection of classic cuts of beef.

Billy Goat Tavern

$ | Near North Side

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.

Gino's East

$$ | River North

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.

Italian Family $$ Lunch Dinner Coffee Dessert Quick Bite
500 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL, 60654, USA
312-988–4200
www.ginoseast.com
Known For
  • <PRO>writing on the walls</PRO>
  • <PRO>option to ship Chicago-style pizza nationwide</PRO>
  • <PRO>impressive floor-to-ceiling view</PRO>

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Pierrot Gourmet

$ | Near North Side
Despite the legions of shoppers on Michigan Avenue, there are few casual cafés to quell their collective hunger, making this bakery-patisserie-café a welcome spot any time of day. Breakfast leans European, with pastries, coffees, and breakfast sandwiches, while the all-day menu features shareable small plates and larger entrées—the upscale Peninsula Hotel runs Pierrot, which accouns for both the high quality and the high cost.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

$ | Near North Side

The largest Starbucks in the world offers a 35,000-square-foot coffee wonderland across five floors. Smell coffee brewing in a Chemex or siphon while beans whoosh in overhead tubes in the multi-sensory experience. Watch live coffee roasting on the ground level, snag one of many sleek seats along floor-to-ceiling windows, or admire Michigan Avenue views from the roof terrace. Reserve ahead for tours or hands-on experiences like Art of the Espresso Martini or Coffee Lab: A Journey of the Senses to skip the line when it gets busy (especially on the weekends).