I was going to call this our Chicago Bucket List, then realized this isn’t really a bucket list, so much as our favorite restaurants of all time that we just cannot bear the thought of no longer being walking distance from. In the last few weeks, we have been working through an unofficial city bucket list (which is almost entirely restaurants, shocking). It’s funny, you would think our city bucket list would include things we’ve never done and want to do before we leave the city officially, but when it comes down to it, all the must do items on our list are the restaurants and places that have been our regulars over the years.
We’ve been right on the river bent in River North for the past 7 years and so so so spoiled with the food that is just minutes away from our doorsteps. West Loop is a 15 minute walk, River North is peppered with amazing restaurants, and we are so close to West Town. The list of our favorite restaurants could easily be 50 long. But the following 10 hold special places in our hearts, are ones we go to over and over again, and are always my first choices when planning a meal for out of town visitors! While we love trying new, fun and trendy places, we are creatures of habit and find ourselves going to our favorite restaurants over and over again.
the first restaurant we became regulars at, our very favorite sushi spot, & the BEST ginger dressing you will ever have in your entire life. we know most of the staff and they came to our condo for a private sushi party for my 30th birthday! we go so often that bb knows her order and knows to ask for the kids chopsticks, which she is a pro at, by the way. honorable mention sushi spots- Arami, Kai Zan, and Momotaro
this is our home away from home. sitting at the the bar with a glass of wine in my hand is my happy place. I think they have the best wine list in the city. fun fact, we have probably eaten there over 100 times, but I have never once made a reservation or sat at a legit table, we always sit at the bar. oh and their wedge salad is my favorite salad of ALL time
3 greens has been many things over the 7 years that we’ve lived here, but the current coffee shop/small cheval/salad bar is magnificent…we basically keep them in business and pop in for a coffee, salad or burger at least once a week. oh and their oatmeal raisin cookies are INSANE
another one of our favorites where we have actually never sat at a legit table. love coming here and sitting at the bar. you can watch them hand make their pasta. their octopus and arrabbiata pasta are my favorites. and the butterscotch pudding gives me all the heart eyes.
we went last night for a quick packing break and we got all of our favorites…bao buns, scallion pancakes, pork fried rice and beef with broccoli, YUM. I love it here, its a 12 minute walk from our house, and so kid friendly.
I’ve talked about our love for a good steak before. it’s basically the only food preference blake and I have in common, on all other things we are polar opposites. we have been to every steakhouse in the city, and this one wins HANDS DOWN. their brussel sprouts are like crack and the steak is insanely good. you can go ahead and judge me, but I ate an entire 12 oz bone in filet the last time we went. honorable mention steak houses – swift & sons, chicago cut, prime & provisions
whether you’re a chicago resident, suburbanite, or visitor, this place should be on your list. I love it there so much. you can furniture shop with a glass of wine or coffee in hand and finish it off with an amazing meal in the most gorgeous space. don’t go on the weekends, it is a mad house.
old school, cozy italian at it’s finest. one of our favorite things to do as a family is go to the lincoln park zoo and come here for dinner after. the conchiglie alla sarda is my favorite pasta dish in the city. it’s insanely rich, super unhealthy & crazy delicious.
another one of my favorite dishes in the entire city, their brussel sprout salad. we got it takeout last week, but also LOVE walking into RPM without a reservation and sitting at the bar.
the quintessential chicago summer patio, in my opinion. but still so cozy and delicious all winter long. and the best al pastor tacos of all time. honorable mention mexican food: Mercadito, which has definitely fallen out of it’s prime, but the carnitas de puerco tacos will forever be one of my favorite dishes in the city.
Which restaurants would be on your Chicago bucket list?!
