Chicago is a special place for me, having gone to college here and run my first marathon through the city streets. The city has both its classics (for deep dish and Chicago dog enthusiasts), as well as its truly inventive side (for molecular gastronomy lovers). You’ll find a diverse range of cuisines as well, from truly authentic tacos to delicious dim sum. Here are some of my favorites I discovered from living in the city:

American (New & Traditional)
Girl & The Goat (New American) | 809 W Randolph Street
Bandera (American) | 535 N Michigan Avenue
The Bristol (New American) | 2152 N Damen Avenue
The Bluebird (American) | 2863 N Clark Street
Gilt Bar (New American) | 230 W Kinzie Street
Au Cheval (American) | 800 W Randolph Street
The Publican (American) | 837 W Fulton Market
Naha (New American) | 500 N Clark Street
Hub 51 (American) | 51 W Hubbard Street
Weber Grill (Steakhouse) | 539 N State Street

Classic Chicago
Giordano’s (Deep dish pizza) | 130 E Randolph Street
Lou Malnati’s (Deep dish pizza) | 439 N Wells Street
Burt’s Place (Pizza) | 8541 Ferris Avenue
Portillo’s Hot Dogs | 100 W Ontario Street
Kuma’s Corner (Burgers) | 2900 W Belmont Avenue
Edzo’s Burger Shop (Burgers) | 1571 Sherman Avenue

Latin American & Spanish
Frontera Grill (Mexican) | 445 N Clark Street
Mercat a la Planxa (Spanish) | 638 S Michigan Avenue
Allende (Mexican) | 2408 N Lincoln Avenue
Xoco (Mexican) | 449 N Clark Street

Asian & Middle Eastern
Furama Restaurant (Chinese) | 4936 N Broadway Street
Urbanbelly (Asian) | 160 N Loomis Street
bellyQ (Asian) | 1400 W Randolph Street
Khyber Pass (Indian) | 3113 N Halsted Street
Salam Restaurant (Middle Eastern) | 4636 N Kedzie Avenue
Mt. Everest Restaurant (Indian) | 630 Church Street

European
Pelago Ristorante (Italian) | 201 E Delaware Place
Coco Pazzo (Italian) | 300 W Hubbard Street
Cafe Spiaggia (Italian) | 980 N Michigan Avenue
Piccolo Sogno (Italian) | 464 N Halsted Street
Avec (French) | 615 W Randolph Street
Le Colonial (French-Vietnamese) | 937 N Rush Street
The Purple Pig (Small plates, wine) | 500 N Michigan Ave

Brunch & Breakfast
West Egg Cafe (Breakfast, brunch) | 620 N Fairbanks Court
The Bongo Room (Breakfast, brunch) | 1152 S Wabash Avenue
La Fournette (Bakery) | 1547 N Wells Street
Le Peep (Brunch) | 827 Church Street
Eleven City Diner (American) | 1112 S Wabash Avenue
Bennison’s Bakery (Bakery) | 1000 Davis Street

Drinks
The Violet Hour (Speakeasy bar) | 1520 N Damen Avenue
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate (American, dessert) | 1747 N Damen Avenue
Gilt Bar (New American) | 230 W Kinzie Street
The Bristol (New American) | 2152 N Damen Avenue
Intelligentsia Coffeebar (Coffee) | 1233 N Wells Street
Green Street | 112 N Green Streeta
The Stained Glass | 1735 Benson Avenue
The Cellar | 820 Clark Street