You'll Be Blown Away By These 20 Iconic Chicago Restaurants

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Chicago has become a playground for award-winning culinary talent. It runs the gamut from elegant fine dining to street food so good it should be a state secret — this city has food made by creative, innovative people who have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses.

There are somewhere between 7,300 and 11,500 places to eat in Chicago, depending on whether you go by online sources or city government figures, according to oysterlink. These restaurants help feed the roughly 9 million people who live in and around the city, as well as the more than 50 million tourists that visit every year. 

The city is a foodie's paradise: Dotted with outlets whose reputations and recipes are a draw not only for wide-eyed visitors, but which also keep hungry, well-informed locals coming back for more. If you want to be blown away during your next trip to the Windy City, make sure these 20 iconic Chicago restaurants are on your to-do list.

People travel from all over the world to experience the molecular gastronomy on offer at the Alinea restaurant, either in The Gallery, The Salon, or the Kitchen Table. A lot of it is about the drama — think Grant Achatz and his chefs using the table to serve a dish rather than plates. But Alinea has held three Michelin stars since 2010 and is a multiple James Beard award winner  for a reason. The food, however off-the-wall and experimental, is pretty darn good too.

More locals than usual got a taste of it during the pandemic when the management supported staff financially by launching a takeout service starting at less than $35, a fraction of the usual $325-$495 per-person price. Today, Alinea remains a bucket list destination for thousands of food lovers, and when it comes to iconic Chicago restaurants, this OG is the place to be.

In business in the Loop since 1898, The Berghoff isn't so much a Chicago restaurant as it is an institution. This family owned business has been in the same hands since day one, serving up amazing German food, including sauerbraten, Reuben sandwiches, and sides like Jäger or wiener schnitzel. You can wash down your food with a glass of Berghoff's own root beer (perfect for a delicious float) from their Adams Street Brewery, all while soaking up the wood-paneled grandeur of the restaurant.

Beloved by tourists from all over the world, The Berghoff restaurant has become an icon of the city. However, if you want to make like a Chicago local, sidestep the main restaurant and head to the cafeteria downstairs. From here you can watch as hungry workers pick up their lunchtime sandwiches and feel right at home.

Many people who put "Chicago" and "pizza" together will come up with the celebrated deep dish and yes, there's definitely an appetite for that kind of pie. However, more often than not, locals prefer small squares of the thin-crust kind, and few places do it better than legendary south side pizzeria Vito & Nick's.

Although the family owned business began life as a tavern more than a century ago, it began selling pizzas in 1946 and hasn't looked back since. If you're a visitor to Chicago and want to taste this iconic restaurant's food, be aware that Vito & Nick's doesn't deliver but, rest assured, their amazing pizzas are definitely worth a trip out. According to one devoted regular on Facebook: "It's got a unique taste like none other."

No list of iconic Chicago restaurants would be complete without Gene & Georgetti. The city's oldest steakhouse, stars from Frank Sinatra to Keanu Reeves love this place, which offers an old-school fine dining experience. Locals know there's a dress code to be respected but what's a shirt, tie and smart shoes when there's such amazing food on offer?

Starter highlights are The Original Garbage Salad and the shrimp de Jonghe, the latter a hit with Chicago-born Roadfood founder Michael Stern, but Gene & Georgetti's range of mouthwatering steaks are what makes this place utterly iconic. They include La Bistecca Fiorentina: A USDA prime, dry aged T-Bone served medium-rare at most, or you could also go for the two-fingers thick, 35-day wet-aged ribeye, or try the restaurant's signature Chicken Joe. 

Whether you want to follow in President Barack Obama's footsteps or just want to soak up a little Chicago history while enjoying a low-cost breakfast or brunch, a visit to the iconic Valois Cafeteria eatery in Hyde Park is a must. One of the oldest cafeteria-style eateries in the United States, it's more of a much-loved fixture for locals than a destination restaurant.

You can join students from the nearby University of Chicago and get yourself breakfast special on a plate or in a sandwich for just a few dollars, while a tasty Reuben will set you back almost $10. If you're in the mood for something more substantial, Valois' daily specials include short ribs, baked chicken, and mac and cheese. 

A stone's throw from the University of Chicago on South Jefferson Street stands Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen, a family-run business in its fourth generation that has been delighting customers old and new since being established in 1942. Less of a restaurant and more of a home-from-home for locals, it's a bustling but pleasant place to sit and chew the fat while enjoying a hearty meal.

On Manny's menu you'll find gut-busting but delicious sandwiches, such as The Four Kinder (a combination of pastrami, turkey pastrami, brisket, and corned beef) and the classic Reuben, as well as matzo ball and kreplach soups. Many of the customers — and staff like Gambarota and Lopez – have been fixtures at the cafe for decades. For an iconic taste of Chicago's south Loop that will leave you wanting more, Manny's is the place to be.

To some, it is forever Marshall Field & Co. To others, it's Macy's. For foodies, the real jewel in this distinguished building can be found on the seventh floor. The Walnut Room (whose doors opened in 1907 as the South Team Room before changing to its current name in 1937) was the first restaurant in the United States to be located inside a department store. 

That's one part of what makes it an iconic Chicago landmark, another is the name: It comes from the restaurant's gorgeous Russian Circassian paneled walls. The Walnut Room is a mecca for tourists: Thousands of them come every year to sit beneath the Austrian chandeliers and dig a fork into a legendary Mrs. Hering's chicken pot pie. The menu also includes classic meatloaf and a Walnut Room burger, but it doesn't really matter what you eat, it's all about the surroundings.

There are several Billy Goat Taverns dotted across Chicago but the original and best remains at Michigan Avenue, Lower Level. Opened in 1964 by Bill Sianis after he moved from the Lincoln Tavern to West Side, it was a favorite with locals, who liked its off-the-beaten-track vibe. Sadly for them, a 1978 "Saturday Night Live" sketch starring John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd, made it locally, nationally, and internationally famous. 

You can decide for yourself whether Sianis and his pet goat Murphy really did curse the Chicago Cubs, but while you're making up your mind, make sure to order an iconic "cheezborger," which comes in single, double and triple options, dubbed "original," "the best," and "much better."  Alternatively, why not try a "hamborger," or a Billy Goat Taverns' ribeye steak sandwich? They're all good. Just let the goat in.

Many Chicagoans remember when this iconic outlet was called Al's Bar B-Q, but that changed in 1980, after Chicago Magazine said it served the city's #1 Italian Beef Sandwich. Al's history stretches back to 1917, when enterprising Anthony Ferreri thinly sliced the roast beef served at an Italian-American wedding to make sandwiches. 

Fast-forward to the 21st century and, after having picked up lots of awards, Al's #1 Italian Beef has become iconic for people living in and visiting Chicago, and was so long before "The Bear" hit TV screens. Today Al's has several locations but the West Taylor Street outlet is where it's at. As for the sandwiches? Expect bread, stuffed with curls of rich, flavorsome beef, that you can have either wet or dipped, and served "sweet" with peppers or "hot" with the slightly spicier giardiniera. 

In late 2024, residents of Chicago's Norwood Park were delighted to see two old friends return to the neighborhood: Refurbished hot dog statues Maurie and Flaurie. They had stood atop the Superdawg drive-in roof for over 75 years, and are as beloved by locals and tourists as the food on offer. The iconic building (complete with the winking, blinking duo) was designed by Maurie Berman and run since 1948 with his wife Flaurie. The restaurant sold pure beef hot dogs made to the couple's secret recipe — and still does to this day.

They come with mustard, onion, pickles, and hot pepper, as well as Superfries. The Superdawg menu also includes the Whooperburger, Whoopercheesie, and Whoopskidawg burgers, which can all be washed down with thick, creamy shakes. It's not just a serving of whimsy or nostalgia for tourists, some regulars have enjoyed eating at Superdawg for decades. 

Chicago may be the home of deep dish pizza, but many would say it lives and breathes at Burt's Place, in the Morton Grove neighborhood. Burt Katz is a local legend: In the 1960s, he and his wife Sharon traveled the world before returning to the city to establish Gulliver's pizzeria in 1965. In 1971, they opened Pequod's, before selling it and setting up Burt's Place in 1989. Katz died in 2016, but his deep dish legacy lives on.

The secret to Katz's decades of pizza success was the incredible, caramelized crusts of his pies, which he achieved by slipping in slices of mozzarella. Pequod's does the same and many out-of-town diners — especially fans of Anthony Bourdain, who ate at Burt's in 2009 — visit both places. If Burt's Place is on your itinerary, make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Once upon a time, north side eatery Lula Cafe was a bit of a cobbled-together operation, offering locally sourced, "farm to table" fare to hungry locals. The restaurant has since expanded and its reputation as a Chicago icon spread far beyond the United States. That is partly because of the amazing food, partly because of owner and executive chef Jason Hammel's "The Lula Cafe Cookbook," and partly because of its commitment to sustainability and the local community. 

In 2024, Lula Cafe secured the latest in the city's long list of James Beard Awards, for Outstanding Hospitality, and it's also the possessor of a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Anyone who dines there knows why. The adventurous but tasty menu includes potato 'nduja tart, the "Tineka," Lula's spicy twist on the peanut butter sandwich, and beautifully balanced carrot cake, to name but three treats.

What started in 1963 as "The Dog House," selling hot dogs and tamales, was rebranded by owner Dick Portillo in 1967 to Portillo's restaurant – the iconic chain people across the city know today. Just don't ask your average Chicagoan how they feel about it being owned by a private equity firm and its expansion into other states, as you'll likely get a grumpy response.

Focus instead on Portillo's food, which is off the hook. From fistfuls of piping hot, golden, crinkle-cut fries, dipped in gooey bowls of cheese sauce, and Italian beef sandwiches served wet, or with sweet peppers or hot giardiniera, to hot dogs served "garden" style — and never, ever with ketchup. These are tastes people across Chicago and across 10 other states cannot get enough of.

There are a couple of important things to know about the west Loop-based Au Cheval diner-style bar and restaurant. One: When people describe this iconic eatery, "GOAT" crops up quite a lot. Two: The wait times can be long, mythically long, especially for bigger groups. Hours, according to this Reddit thread. But for those who manage to get a seat at the Au Cheval table, it's more than worth it.

Their iconic burgers are renowned as among the best in the United States, but if you want something really mind-blowing, go for the roasted bone marrow and beef cheek marmalade, dubbed "God's butter!" by one Facebook user. If you're not able to make it to Au Cheval, you could always head to a Small Cheval before adding your opinion to the online debate among locals about which is better.

Two years after Stephanie Izard, author of "Girl in the Kitchen," became the first woman to win "Top Chef" in 2008, she opened iconic restaurant Girl & the Goat. Now part of a growing empire that includes three outlets in Chicago, as well as Los Angeles and the Bay Area. It is beloved among food lovers living on its doorstep and much further afield.

Regulars to the west Loop restaurant know as well as the great food — which is served family style — that itgets busy. For newcomers expecting somewhere calm and quiet, it could be a little overwhelming. Popular items include the chickpea fritters and green beans, which Izard told Pursuitist were "some of the best things on menu," alongside the cauliflower, broccoli, and shishito peppers, and recommended diners try a goat recipe.

At the heart of what some once dubbed Chicago's "Gourmet Ghetto" in River North sits Frontera Grill. For more than 38 years it has been lighting up the taste buds of Mexican food lovers across the city, the Midwest, and around the world. It opened the same day owners Rick and Deann Groen Bayless' book, "Authentic Mexican," hit stores, and has gone on to win numerous accolades — a James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant among them.  

Have the tamales, which are freshly made every day, or the side of beans, the seeds for which came from Oaxaca and were grown at a Chicago farm. The Brazo de Reina is another popular menu item, while Frontera's black mole is unforgettable. According to the dinner menu, it's tender-braised Creekstone short rib, served with homemade Oaxacan black mole, queso añejo mashed potatoes, and wood-grilled knob onions.

No trip to Chicago would be complete without stopping at what claims to be the city's oldest Italian restaurant. Once a haunt (according to legend) of Al Capone, the iconic, family-owned Italian Village is being nudged into the 21st-century by the fourth generation of Capitaninis. Regulars who love the Loop landmark's cosy, old-school vibe needn't worry: The changes are all for the good. 

The menu is simple but packed with Italian and Italian-American classics, from the house specialty of shrimp Tuscany, to a range of thin crust pizzas. Locals go to Italian Village for the atmosphere as much as the food — and if you're a visitor to the city and ordering cocktails to go with your meal, give the Capone a try. It's delicious with the chicken Parmigiana.

For more than 100 years, Lou Mitchell's has been serving all-day breakfasts from its Jackson Boulevard home, just a few yards from the start of Route 66. You'll find people of all stripes, including locals, tourists, politicians, and celebrities, sipping on their "world's finest coffee" or tucking into something delicious. It is an icon of Chicago's food scene, so if you're planning to swing by during a weekend, get there early or expect to wait in line. 

Everything's good there too. From the freshly delivered, locally supplied eggs and "Hotel Cuts" of bacon, to the home-baked Greek bread — order it toasted and slathered with the home-made marmalade. The commitment to serving amazing food at Lou Mitchell's is absolute. Plus, every diner gets a free donut hole as part of a Greek hospitality tradition, though they don't say which type of donut, while women and children are given Milk Duds. 

Calumet Fisheries is an East Side smokehouse, one of only two allowed to operate in the city following stricter environmental regulations, and a Chicago food legend. Cal Fish has been supplying eager locals with wood-smoked shrimp, chub, and trout (among others) since 1928, using the same brick fire that has never been cleaned. In 2023, an electrical fire halted business for several months, but by summer 2024, they were good to go. 

Thanks to a 2009 visit from Anthony Bourdain, this hidden gem has become a tourist destination, though be aware everything is carry-out only. If you want to sit and eat, grab a spot on two nearby benches to devour shrimp, drenched in a secret recipe batter and fried to perfection, or forkfuls of smoked salmon flavored with pepper and garlic.

There are some people in Chicago who will tell you that BBQ isn't really a thing in the city. Ignore them, because they clearly haven't made it to Lem's Bar-B-Q on the south side. There are no frills to be found at this family-run eatery but that's okay, because the food on offer is out of this world.

The hot links, spare ribs, and tips are cooked using an aquarium smoker, and the menu also includes chicken and shrimp. Everything is covered in a special, secret sauce created by Myles Lemon, who opened the business in 1954. Lem's Bar-B-Q has been a Chicago institution pretty much ever since, and is beloved by locals. In 2025, it was honored with a James Beard America's Classics Award.