Illinois is a Midwestern US state best known for its largest city, Chicago — a global hub of architecture, culture, food, and commerce. From the iconic skyline and world-class museums to Lincoln's historic home in Springfield and the rugged beauty of Shawnee National Forest, Illinois offers an incredibly diverse travel experience.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Alinea
Grant Achatz's three-Michelin-starred flagship, widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world. An avant-garde multi-course experience that defies conventions — dishes are served on the table, in the air, and sometimes on the diner.
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Girl & The Goat
Stephanie Izard's celebrated flagship in the vibrant Fulton Market District offering creative shared plates with bold global flavors. The goat empanadas, roasted pig face, and wood-oven dishes are legendary.
809 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Au Cheval
Frequently ranked among America's best burgers, Au Cheval's double cheeseburger with a soft fried egg and crispy bacon is a revelation. A stylish diner vibe with a full cocktail program.
800 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
An absolute Chicago institution since 1971, Lou Malnati's is widely considered the city's best deep dish pizza. The Malnati Chicago Classic — butter crust, sausage, tomatoes, and mozzarella — is an unmissable experience.
439 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
Giordano's
Famous for their 'stuffed' deep dish pizza with cheese packed between two layers of crust — a style distinct from traditional deep dish. The Giordano's original recipe has been served since 1974.
130 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Pequod's Pizza
Beloved by locals for its caramelized-cheese-crust pan pizza that creates a crunchy, slightly burnt cheese ring around the edges. Less touristy than other deep dish spots, making it a local favorite since 1971.
2207 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Portillo's Hot Dogs
The quintessential Chicago hot dog experience — Vienna Beef franks on a poppy seed bun with yellow mustard, sweet relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, dill pickle, and celery salt. Never ketchup.
100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
Al's Beef
The original Chicago Italian beef stand since 1938, where thin-sliced seasoned roast beef is piled into Italian bread and dipped into flavorful au jus. Order it 'dipped' and 'hot' with giardiniera for the full Chicago experience.
169 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
American
Smyth
A two-Michelin-starred restaurant by John and Karen Urie Shields with an ever-changing tasting menu showcasing hyper-seasonal ingredients from their own farm. One of Chicago's most intimate fine dining experiences.
177 N Ada St, Chicago, IL 60661
Chicago q
A refined BBQ restaurant in the Gold Coast offering competition-caliber smoked meats including award-winning brisket, St. Louis ribs, and pulled pork, alongside elevated sides and an excellent bourbon selection.
1160 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610
Lula Cafe
A beloved Logan Square neighborhood restaurant pioneering Chicago's farm-to-table movement since 1999. Creative, seasonal menus, brilliant Monday night 'Family Dinner' prix-fixe, and a warm neighborhood atmosphere.
2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
The Berghoff Restaurant
A Chicago institution since 1898, one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Famous for Wiener Schnitzel, house-brewed beer, creamed spinach, and traditional German dishes. The first place in Chicago to serve a legal beer after Prohibition.
17 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Beatrix
A stylish, health-focused cafe and restaurant in River North with an inventive all-day menu featuring nutrient-rich bowls, creative salads, housemade granola, and organic coffee. Popular for brunch and a quick weekday lunch.
519 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Longman & Eagle
A Michelin Bib Gourmand gastro-pub in Logan Square with an attached inn, serving creative American pub food alongside an exceptional selection of American whiskeys. The brunch here is one of Chicago's best.
2657 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Cozy Dog Drive In
A Route 66 institution since 1946, home of the original corn dog on a stick (called a 'cozy dog'). A must-visit for Route 66 travelers and Lincoln history enthusiasts in Springfield. Route 66 memorabilia fills every wall.
2935 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62703
Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery
A beloved Springfield craft brewery and restaurant in a beautifully restored historic building near the Lincoln Home. Offers house-brewed beers, burgers, sandwiches, and a fantastic patio — the perfect stop after Lincoln site tours.
500 S 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701
Rosewood Restaurant
An elegant classic American fine dining restaurant near O'Hare Airport, ideal for business dinners or pre-flight celebrations. Known for perfectly prepared steaks, fresh fish, and an impressive wine cellar since 1981.
9421 W Higgins Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018
Niko's Red Mill Tavern
A charming tavern and restaurant in historic Galena housed in a 19th-century building along the main street. Offers hearty American comfort food, craft beers, and warm hospitality. A great spot after exploring Galena's shops.
100 Commerce St, Galena, IL 61036
Chicago
Superdawg Drive-In
A classic 1948 drive-in with iconic hot dog statues on the roof. Superdawg serves their namesake hot dog — an all-beef frank in a special wooden skewer container with fries. A true Chicago cultural landmark.
6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
Pequod's Pizza (Wrigleyville)
The Niles original Pequod's location, serving the beloved caramelized-crust pan pizza. Worth the trip to the suburbs for the ultimate Pequod's experience with a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than the Lincoln Park location.
9520 Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714
Gold Coast Dogs
A Chicago hot dog chain with multiple Loop and train station locations, serving authentic Chicago-style Vienna Beef hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polish sausages, and Italian beef sandwiches. A great quick-bite option before catching a train.
225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
Pizano's Pizza
Founded by Rudy Malnati Jr. (son of the Lou Malnati's founder), Pizano's offers deep dish pizza with a notably thin, crispy butter crust. Often less crowded than Lou Malnati's, making it a great alternative for lunch in the Loop.
61 E Madison St, Chicago, IL 60603
Mediterranean
The Purple Pig
A Mediterranean cheese and charcuterie bar on the Magnificent Mile offering a vast selection of cured meats, artisan cheeses, and creative small plates. The fried milk-braised pork shoulder is a standout.
500 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Avec
A pioneering shared-plates restaurant in the West Loop with communal cedar-wood seating and a wood-burning oven. The bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with chorizo are one of Chicago's most iconic dishes.
615 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661
Aba Chicago
CJ Jacobson's acclaimed rooftop Mediterranean restaurant in Fulton Market celebrating Middle Eastern and Israeli-inspired cuisine with a stunning multi-level terrace. Exceptional mezze, wood-fired dishes, and craft cocktails.
302 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
Mexican
Xoco
Rick Bayless's casual Mexican torta and street food concept in River North, serving wood-oven-cooked Mexican sandwiches, caldos (soups), breakfast dishes, and artisan Mexican hot chocolates.
449 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Big Star
A honky-tonk taco and whiskey bar in Wicker Park with a large outdoor patio. Paul Kahan's casual concept serves outstanding al pastor tacos, queso fundido, and an exceptional selection of whiskeys and mezcal.
1531 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Frontera Grill
Rick Bayless's flagship Mexican restaurant that introduced authentic regional Mexican cuisine to Chicago in 1987. Multiple James Beard Award winner, featuring seasonal menus inspired by Bayless's travels throughout Mexico.
445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Steakhouse
RPM Steak
A sleek, modern steakhouse in River North from the RPM restaurant group, featuring exceptional USDA Prime and dry-aged beef, an impressive wine cellar, and a glamorous dining room frequented by Chicago celebrities.
66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Chicago Chop House
A classic Chicago steakhouse in a Victorian brownstone in River North, decorated with over 1,200 photos of Chicago celebrities and politicians. Known for USDA Prime aged beef, fresh seafood, and classic sides.
60 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654
The Capital Grille
An elegant steakhouse chain with excellent execution, featuring dry-aged USDA Prime beef, fresh seafood, and one of Chicago's best wine programs. The warm atmosphere and impeccable service make it a business dining staple.
633 N St Clair St, Chicago, IL 60611
Bakery
The Doughnut Vault
A tiny but legendary doughnut shop in River North serving limited quantities of handcrafted, old-fashioned-style doughnuts each day. Lines form before opening; once they're sold out, they're done for the day.
401 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60654
Mindy's Bakery
James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal's renowned bakery and dessert destination in Wicker Park, famous for her signature cookies, sweet cream biscuits, and inventive seasonal desserts.
1623 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Italian
Mr. Beef
A legendary, no-frills Italian beef counter in River North that has been serving Chicagoans since 1979 and inspired the TV show 'The Bear.' Tiny space, massive flavor — get the combo (beef and sausage) sandwich.
666 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
Sarah Grueneberg's James Beard Award-winning Italian restaurant in the West Loop, making all pasta fresh in-house daily in a visible pastificio. The cacio e pepe and taleggio tortelloni are among Chicago's best pasta dishes.
1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Spanish
Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Chicago's first tapas restaurant, open since 1985, serving authentic Spanish pintxos, hot and cold tapas, and sangria pitchers in a lively, festive setting in Lincoln Park. The warm goat cheese and patatas bravas are classics.
2024 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Café Iberico
One of Chicago's most popular Spanish tapas restaurants with a lively, always-bustling dining room in River North. Exceptional value for authentic Spanish cuisine — chorizo al vino, jamón serrano, and fresh gazpacho.
737 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
Belgian
Publican
Paul Kahan's Belgian-inspired beer hall in the Fulton Market District celebrating oysters, pork, and craft beer. The communal long tables, tiled walls, and massive beer selection create an authentic Belgian brasserie atmosphere.
837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
Japanese
Nobu Chicago
Nobu Matsuhisa's Chicago outpost serving his globally famous Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, including the iconic miso black cod, yellowtail jalapeño, and rock shrimp tempura, in a sleek West Loop setting.
155 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606
New Orleans
Ina Mae Tavern
A New Orleans-inspired tavern in Wicker Park serving Cajun and Creole classics in a warm, festive atmosphere. Buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and weekend brunch with craft cocktails are highlights.
1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
Tex
Dove's Luncheonette
A Tex-Mex and Southern-inspired all-day diner in Wicker Park by the team behind Big Star and Publican. Excellent breakfast tacos, huevos rancheros, and soul food at communal counter seats with vinyl records playing.
1545 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Vegetarian
Tweet
A charming Andersonville neighborhood brunch spot beloved by locals for creative vegetarian dishes, housemade granola, smashed avocado variations, and a warm, cozy atmosphere with eclectic décor.
5020 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640
Food tours & tastings in Illinois
Eat your way through Illinois with a guide.
Browse food experiences in IllinoisWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |