Chicago is an ideal city to try new foods and drinks. Natives and out-of-towners alike will find something to please their inner foodie. We’ve gathered a few of the most unusual and fun places to eat in the Windy City.
Signature Brunch Cruise auf dem Lake Michigan
Want the best seat in the house? Every table offers this when dining on Lake Michigan. Take a panoramic brunch cruised paired with world-class cuisine and you can’t go wrong. Spend your afternoon on the water with picturesque views while enjoying DJ entertainment and an assortment of games. Feast on a chef-prepared brunch buffet, and a fully stocked bar, and celebrate in style with open-air rooftop decks with sweeping skyline views. Imbibe with bottomless mimosas or creative cocktails available for purchase and grab a window table with reservations for the ultimate experience.
If you need help deciding which one to visit, consider a food tour. You’ll get to sample dishes from several establishments, learn more about Chicago’s rich (and tasty) heritage, and have a memorable experience with your group.
The West Loop is a thriving foodie haven. It’s home to the best of Chicago’s pizza parlors—and this tour takes you on a walking tour to sample them all. Learn about the city’s ten styles of pizza and its history from a dough-centered guide. You’ll also get caught up on the history of the West Loop and some of its colorful characters.
Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan
Looking for something for the entire family? A small gathering of friends? Perhaps, a romantic afternoon for two? A lunch cruise is a perfect way to see Chicago from the water! Glide along Lake Michigan while enjoying DJ-curated music and let the breeze take you away. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, check out the packages that are available to toast the event.
Alinea is a Michelin-starred restaurant that serves molecular gastronomy and experimental cuisine–which means they use cutting-edge scientific techniques to improve traditional cooking methods. It’s a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Alinea also offers cooking classes where you can learn how to recreate their signature dishes at home.
Superdawg Drive-In is a classic for Chicagoans. It’s been around since 1948, and to this day, it’s still packed with people who come to eat and hang out. The hot dogs are delicious, the burgers are good, and the shakes are amazing.
If you love German food and beer, Kaiser Tiger is the place for you. This offbeat restaurant serves traditional fare (schnitzel, sauerbraten, and sauerkraut) in a casual, festive setting with more than 100 varieties of beer on tap. The space is extensive—with a capacity of 250—and there’s a small craft cocktail list if that’s more your thing.
Kaiser Tiger opened in 1986 as a bar with a few tables near Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Today it has three locations: Lincoln Park, Old Town, and River North. All three serve the same menu and have similar decor. Still, each has unique features, like outdoor seating at the River North location.
If you’re looking for unique, look no further than the West Loop to check out Girl & The Goat. This is Stephanie Izard’s first restaurant with Boka Restaurant Group since winning Top Chef Season 4. The family-style restaurant has seating for 122, and the menu is divided into meat, fish, and vegetable categories and offers wine selections from around the world. The menu features globally influenced bold flavors in a fun and lively setting with banquettes, dimly lit corner nooks, and elevated platform seating. Munch on pull-apart pretzels or chickpea fritters before trying some of their most unique dishes such as goat belly, liver mousse, sticky glazed pork shank, or the green beans in a fish sauce vinaigrette. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, try the roasted pig face, and don’t be afraid to ask your server questions!
Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club is a restaurant and bar with an upstairs speakeasy.
The Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club has been around since 1934 when it was known as the Kegel Tap Room. The bar closed during Prohibition and reopened after the law was repealed in 1933—but this time as a speakeasy.
SafeHouse Chicago is a unique dining experience housed in the basement of The Pump Room, a bar that’s been around since Prohibition. Settle into a booth and order some drinks from the speakeasy-style bar. Their cocktails are creative, so it’s hard to choose just one.
The food here is equally as remarkable as their drinks, and the kitchen delivers it quickly. Get started with their signature Hoisin Duck Tacos, Pastrami Sandwich, or Sweet Potato Fries. Then wash it down with an Old Fashioned cocktail made with house-made bitters and citrus zest (or whatever else you’re feeling).
Carnivale is a Brazilian steakhouse on Montrose Avenue that has everything you desire in a restaurant: great food, excellent service, and a fabulous atmosphere.
The restaurant’s menu offers all kinds of meat cooked to perfection by their expert chefs. Carnivale is also known for its delicious caipirinhas—a potent drink made with cachaça (Brazilian rum) mixed with fruit juice.
The Wiener’s Circle, located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood, is a hot dog joint that has been around for decades that’s popular for its Chicago-style hot dogs. It has a relaxed and casual atmosphere where you order food at a counter and then find a seat inside or outside. If you go on the weekend, expect to share tables with other customers who are just as enthusiastic about their dogs as you are.
If you want a different experience than just eating one type of hot dog, The Wiener’s Circle also serves up vegetarian options, such as veggie dogs and fries. There are also several beer choices available at this restaurant if you want something other than soda with your meal.
Original post date: November 16, 2022