Chicago is one of the culinary capitals of the United States. From high-brow chef restaurants like Charlie Trotter's to grungy hole-in-the-wall decades old joints like Jim's Original, Chicago has it all. Saying Chicago loves its dee…Open the full description
Chicago is one of the culinary capitals of the United States. From high-brow chef restaurants like Charlie Trotter's to grungy hole-in-the-wall decades old joints like Jim's Original, Chicago has it all. Saying Chicago loves its deep dish pizza and ketchup-less Chicago-style hot dogs would be an understatement, but one can't ignore the less nationally known local specialties. Namely, Italian beef, Greek gyros (introduced to the States via Chicago), Puerto Rican jibaritos, to name a few. The long history of immigrant communities in places like Little Italy, Chinatown, Pilsen, Little India, and Polishtown, Chicago is a potpourri of ethnic cuisine. Seek and you shall find.
Molly's Cupcakes
Cafes
5
1
It is a local favorite, your Chicago friends will tell you about it if they know a thing or two about local gems. It is one of my two best cupcake places in the world. They have a really good Red Velvet Mini Cupcake that can compete with other good RVCs around the world.
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Sweet Mandy B's
Cafes
3
0
if you're looking for sweets done right, this is the place to go. no shortage on variety here, and everyone with a sweet tooth will find something yummy and satisfying. while this place isn't necessarily in the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, it's close enough, especially if you are wandering around the Lincoln Park area.
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Local Experience
Private Chicago Photo Shoot Tour
Prices from
40
USD
Duration
1 h
Languages
English
Bang Bang Pie Shop
Cafes
7
3
This place is especially sweet when you get a chance to sit in one of their picnic tables outside on a sunny and breezy day and fall in love with the people Infront of you. Everything is relaxed and happy and the food is delicious.
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Gaslight Coffee Roasters
Cafes
4
3
You should visit for their high quality coffee. They roast their beans on location. Like most coffee shops there is free wifi and great people watching here. The vibe is a young hip feel. And it is very common to see people reading and/or studying.
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Margie's Candies
Cafes
6
2
Its a 1921 Parlor. Its a very romantic date place. It is made to impress. It is filled with character and their ice cream is too good to be true. But Alas the experience is real! It is fun with groups of people and it is a great after Ramen at Wasabi place because of the excuse to walk and the proximity.
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Dusek's
Restaurants
7
1
Well there is little to NO wait for world class brunch food. Believe me I am a picky eater. Also, they have beergaritas, a mixture of beer and juice. Incredibly tasty and trendy. This place does brunch only on weekends and during the week are open for lunch and dinner.
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Local Experience
Private Chicago Photo Shoot Tour
Prices from
40
USD
Duration
1 h
Languages
English
Firecakes
Cafes
4
2
This popular and tiny place usually has a line up the sidewalk -- it's not just because it's about as big as my closet, but the doughnuts really are that good. If you're touring around downtown Chicago, you should stop by for a portable sweet treat.
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The Wormhole Coffee
Cafes
6
5
The playful decor and good coffee attracts interesting people for some good people watching. This coffee shop is a good place to use as a hangout spot and then do some shopping by foot in the neighborhood. If you are an 80's child you will like this place!
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The Purple Pig
Restaurants
4
1
This place has now become one of the top restaurants in Chicago. If you had one day this should be on your list. Vast wine collection, and the food is as tasty as it looks. The ambience is light and happy. This is also a great date place for if your date has never been here before.
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Water Tower Place
Restaurants
7
1
You should visit for gifts and to update your wardrobe. There are good store options for children as well. When you go to Water Tower Place plan on eating somewhere outside of the mall because your choices are pretty slim inside the mall.
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Tiztal Cafe
Cafes
1
1
You should visit this place because the back patio is such a laidback, quiet, relaxing, and inviting place to enjoy delicious chilaquiles. Sometimes there's a wait, but it's never been more than around 10 minutes. The inside is fine but nothing special, and it can get crowded.
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Batter & Berries
Cafes
3
3
As culturally sensitive as I would like to sound, the best way to know if a place has good food is generally if their customers are either African or Indian background. It's not said much but it is true many times. This place has both along with crowds of other Americans wanting to eat here. The food is good!
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Rickshaw Republic
Cafes
2
0
They have the "small spoon taste". Get it? I will leave it at that, can't describe it past there unless you just know. Worth mentioning is the courteous staff, Mike for example, knows how to assist you in pairing up your meal with Sambal, Coconut rice, and Peanut bases. Also They are probably the only place in America serving Luwak Tea
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State Street Shopping
Cafes
3
0
Even if you are just window shopping this is the place go in Chicago. The shops are a few blocks to Millennium Park and Maggie Daily Park so you could plan a family trip and end with the shopping and bring home your goods as well play in the park. You get the full city experience!
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The Bristol
Cafes
2
0
This is one of the fancy trendy actually tasty places in Chicago. The price is reasonable for this type of dining experience. This is close to the highway for tourists who drive, it is also close to public transportation. Overall it's one of those fine local places that only the special foodies in the city really know about.
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