324 Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants In Old Town | OpenTable , hidden bars established during Prohibition so that those in the know could still get a drink. Open now. Furama | 4936 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640 | $$$. Loving Heart | 838 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 | $$. Dont forget your saddle shoes and poodle skirt! Though it may be one of the newest additions to Wicker Parks restaurant lineup, The Royal Grocer & Co. did not come to play. A half-hour flight . The Green Exchange, a sustainable retail and office building, is home to one of the most unique dining experiences in Chicago. If you're a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine then you can't miss out on the Oasis Cafe. By signing up, you agree to Cozymeal's current Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Flickr/S Jones. 35. A second location in Hyde park opened in 2017. Advertisement . But if you want something more traditional you can load up on tacos and quesadillas too. The portions are generous because the best restaurants in Chicago make sure you leave with your belly full! (702) 331-5500. Located on Wooded Island in Jackson Park, the serene Garden of the Phoenix is one of Chicago's hidden gems. Listed in alphabetical order. 3. Curfew Chicago. Info? The Chicago Diner | 3411 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657 | $$. You can get all that and more at Bernadotte. You have to try the Paidakia; it melts in your mouth. text-align: left !important; 1126 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Load up on smoked trout or salmon, or sit outside on their simple picnic tables and enjoy some finger-licking fried shrimp. If you're planning to go here then make sure you've got plenty of room in your belly because you're going to want to load up on a double cheeseburger. Do not let that line intimidate you, moves rather quick. To fuel your day of fun, Heritage Outpost is the perfect place to get your caffeine fix and pick up a sweet treat or two. Joliet. The citys first dedicated Kurdish eatery opened in 2017, providing Chicagoans with a fresh spectrum of flavors. The table d'hte costs around $25 for most options, and features vegetarian, meat or seafood, with a choice of curry, creole, or sweet and sour, honey, or saffron sauce. If you're in the mood for a more upscale dining experience with food like cashew octopus, Brulee foie gras, and pigeon, then North Pond is the place for you. 6. A circus performer, stuntwoman, professed travel buff and lover of Tom Waits, Stephanie is looking forward to sharing her favorite Chicago haunts with both adventurous locals and curious travelers. Chi Caf | 2160 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL 60616 | $. From Yelp: Listen- this place is many things. Tamales might seem simple but it takes a true craftsman to produce great ones. Seated under Thalia Hall, were frankly amazed that Punch House isnt always packed to the walls. The best restaurants in Chicago also include some of the best signage in Chicago, and Ground Control is chief among them. More Info. border: none !important; Grab a seat at the long cedar ramen bar hidden beneath Green Street Smoked Meats and warm up with a signature tonkatsu bowl featuring sliced pork belly in pork and miso broth . This highly-awarded creation from Rick Bayless presents its offerings in an artful menu separated into headings such as Vibrant, Soulful, Enchanting and Luxurious. Serving up signature Chicago street fare (and some awesome tamales too), Fat Johnnies is, and will always be, a classic. Shanghai Terrace | 108 E. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60611 | $$$$. (313) 361-1100. The Indian Garden | 247 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611 | $$. But be sure to try out their hot wings too! Cumin | 1414 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 | $$$. Chicago's Hidden Gems | Rent. Blog This one-star Michelin restaurant is a reservation-only, offering a nine-course synchronized tasting menuthat allows you to watch each dish prepared and learn about the inspiration behind it. Brasserie by C&C. 59. There are wraps, burgers, salads and bowls at this awesome spot. Can anyone suggest a unique, hidden gem restaurants to go to in the evening. They even stay open on holidays so that everyone nearby can feel like family. Cooking up real-deal Italian dishes just like Grandma used to make, this Little Italy joint is so massively underrated, it actually hurst to talk about it. La Scarola | 721 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654 | $$. Try another? Thank you! River North is a super fun, artsy neighborhood of Chicago. You need to go beneath Michigan Avenue to find the Billy Goat Tavern, which has been serving up cheezborgers since 1964. Please enter a valid email and try again. Thai Pastry Restaurant | 4925 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640 | $$. For the carnivores out there, the Adana Kebab Wrap with spicy ground meat is a winner, as is the chicken shawarma. First, Marley heads to Jeweler's Row. A diner-style bar that wraps you in rich dcor and a sense of classicism, Au Cheval takes its spot as one of the best restaurants in Chicago by making the most of a bar-bites menu. Hannahs Bretzel | 131 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60603 | $$. There are also wraps, soups, salads and fruit dishes available, as well as organic desserts and kids meals. Italian Lemonade is top notch! Julia A. The easiest way to discover the best restaurants in Downtown Chicago and surrounding areas is to take a guided food tour. Im now a regular at this place and the only regret is not going earlier Jose G. As an avid NPR listener and self-described Snapchat addict, Jessica Hamrick is excited to showcase her love for all things media as an Editor at UrbanMatter. How to Find the Best Restaurants in Chicago, View All Experiences & Herb | 5424 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640 | $$$. Psistaria Greek Taverna. For a drink, you should try their homemade strawberry lemonade, many have raved that it's sublime. 11 Hidden Gems & Things to Do in Old Town Chicago Grab one of the colorful chairs in the plant-lined dining area and enjoy your meal with an agua fresca, smoothie or tepache, a sweet fermented drink made with pineapple rind. Book a tour to get started on your search for the best Chicago restaurants; or, get started exploring the foodie scene on your own with our choices for the 41 best restaurants in Chicago. Or Anywhere? Purchase five and receive the sixth for free. Two others in my list are Kasama and Mi Tocaya Antojeria, they both appeared on NYT's 50 places most excited about in 2021. Enjoy creative gourmet Indian offerings, including high teas and thali, a presentation that blends tastes and textures into a culinary wonder served on a single plate. The must-try dish, though, is the gumbo-like conch soup. Take a look at some of our favorite under-the-radar finds in our diverse neighborhoods. The Top 19 Hidden Gem Restaurants in Tampa Bay | UNATION Chicago Leaderboard 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-360-7650. Logistics: Allegory is located at 224 S. Main St. in Naperville. Dont let this little red general store-esque building deceive you. 2022. 9 years ago. Firefly Burgers- Halal Style Cheesy & Spicy Burgers | Chicagon Hidden Hidden Gem Restaurant - Restaurant, Lounge They are tired, hungry and just want a delicious pick-me-up before hitting the road again. The 20 Essential Chicago Suburban Restaurants - Eater Chicago La Chaparrita | 2500 S. Whipple St., Chicago, IL 60623 | $. The festive interior is a sight to behold and complemented by an array of wood-grilled kebabs, seafood, and vegetarian options. Argyle Street is the recognized mecca for Vietnamese dining in Chicago. Dell Rhea Chicken Basket, Willowbrook. The sound is on for any Chicago playoff game and the drinks are fairly-priced. For the uninitiated, get the budae jjigae. Their drinks, which are spectacular, were only $5. Enjoy authentic Swedish pancakes and a steaming cup of coffee for your Sunday brunch or marvel over the magic of their Swedish meatballs. Located on the 7th floor of the Macy's store on State Street, theelegant space features Austrian crystal chandeliers and a menu featuring classic comfort food dishes like chicken pot pie and meatloaf. There's also a menu ofaffordable cocktails, wine and beer from local breweries. And while sure, this Uptown spot gets plenty of creds for their work, the fact that Demera is not on every Best Of in the city is a crying shame. One of the best Middle Eastern restaurants is located right outside city limits in Bridgeview. In the upscale Peninsula Hotel in Downtown Chicago, you'll find a gourmet dim sum restaurant with roaring 30s supper club dcor and a blend of Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes. At Estrella Negra, gourmet Mexican street food favorites like coconut-crusted fried avocado and goat cheese quesadillas are presented in an eclectic setting strewn with funky decor and laid-back vibes. You can sample goat and chicken dishes, traditional tandoori, biryanis, flatbreads and more. $$$$. As a native Chicagoan and UChicago alum, I have had the great opportunity to explore a lot of these different hidden gems throughout my life. 43 reviews. 146 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Chicago - Atlas Obscura 146 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Chicago, Illinois . My sister and I come in at least once a month as itd be an incomplete month without dinner there. "It's my favorite tapas restaurant," she adds. Ipava is the place to be if you're craving homemade from-scratch meals at a steal of a price. The salmon tartars saltiness balanced the sweet notes of the fish PERFECTLY. There's also a 3-story Banana Republic, Disney Store, UNIQLO, and much more! From the kitschy mascots perched atop the roof to the neon glowing at every corner, youll have one of the best hot dogs in Chicago at this family-friendly, open-air diner. We suggest the one-two punch of the Tamal Oaxaca, a huge square of corn meal enfolding tender chunks of chicken with salsa (unbelievably good), and a smoothie of nopales, cool and sweet, made from cactus paddles very complimentary to chili heat. Bring companions in order to sample everything and dont forget to take advantage of the restaurants BYOB policy. Some of the best pies in Chicago, the Midwest -- best anywhere! And while this city-wide fav may not be underrated per-say, I definitely wanna start hearing more about it. Bar Takito | West Loop District, 201 N. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60607 | $$. 21 Best Things to Do in Chicago - Cond Nast Traveler Owner Mistie Ellis grew up working in her family's Mexican restaurants in Kansas and ran across the Tulsa location when she took her daughter to softball batting . In addition to their cheesesteaks, other popular dishes include their soft pretzel nuggets and South Side Johnny. Located inside an old brick building, this large stock of literature, children's books, magazines, and newspapers is a hidden gem worth regular visits. A hidden gem outside of the city. E: info@urbanmatter.com You'll need to go off the beaten path to uncover some of Chicago's best kept secrets. This 70s inspired den has amazing cocktails, delicious small plates, and an ever-changing playlist that just wont quit. Choose from meat- and plant-based options that will redefine what traditional tastes can become when a little creativity is added to the mix. 1 hot dog in the US. The Canal Club. A fun carrot-rocket ship greets you on the sign outside, happily combining the space-with-plants theme and fun diner fare. Reservations are required, and the spot is only open Friday through Sunday. You get fresh cut fries with any sandwich and the price is right for great quality food. They may not look like fancy four-star restaurants when you pull up, but the food they are cooking up is nothing short of magical. Some operatewithin other restaurants or stores, while others are tucked away in parks and schools. Modern meets traditional in this exciting blend of authentic Indian flavors and contemporary gastronomical techniques.